In order to demand the dismissal of the Managing Director (MD), Osmani Aludiba Ayuba, the staff groups of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have announced their resignation from their positions.
Effective today, Wednesday, 8 February 2023, the staff groups have withdrawn their services except for emergency and power vending activities.
According to a statement by the Staff Groups Leadership of VRA/NEDCo, signed by their representative, Mr William Asari, the staff will not go out to attend to any fault/issue except emergencies, although they will report to the office and carry out office assignments.
The emergencies include “broken conductors, broken poles, transformers on fire, pole burning etc.”
However, in such emergency cases, “staff will just isolate the fault and return to the office,” the statement noted.
The Staff Groups Leadership of the VRA and NEDCo recently announced a series of actions to drive home their demand for the removal of the MD.
According to the groups, despite being appointed as Managing Director to help turn around the finances of NEDCo, after three-and-a-half years in office, Mr Ayuba, “has failed to help turn around the finances of NEDCo” and hence can no longer continue to hold that office.
In an update on the resolution passed by the staff in all the five operational areas of NEDCo at an emergency meeting, the groups cited the “worsening financial performance of NEDCo, lack of a clear strategy for NEDCo, high cost of projects that have not yielded desired results, management inaction leading to revenue loss, exorbitant sole source procurement of Point-Of-Sale devices (POS) and worsening distribution losses,” as reasons for demanding the MD’s removal from office.
The groups revealed that they had given the Managing Director on or before Monday, 31 January 2023, to “voluntarily resign or be removed from office by the NEDCo Board of Directors.”
Lauren London has received praise for her work in the Netflix comedy You People, but there is one person whose opinion she would have liked to hear: her late boyfriend Nipsey Hussle.
On Monday’s episode of the PEOPLE Every Day podcast, London, 38, opened up about her latest role, and how she’s “still a work in progress” these days, nearly four years after the death of her love Nipsey Hussle.
London says that while she has been focusing on trying to find peace and celebrate her parenting and career triumphs, including the “success of having a job and meeting people and people showing me love,” she still experiences “the feeling of there’s one person you wished was here to watch the movie with you.”
“I also don’t want to give a misconception that I’m at peace and I’m walking around on a cloud,” London told PEOPLE Every Day host Janine Rubenstein. “I have to wake up with the intention of this every day because there are days I don’t want to, and I’m like angry about it. And that’s what healing is. It is up and down, side to side, all over the place. You know what I mean? And with each new level, there’s something else.”
“And I wish he was here, so it’s really a choice,” London continued. “And so I’m making a choice every day, but I don’t wanna give off this perception that, you know, ‘Oh, everything’s all flowers…’ But I think if you make the choice and that you’re intentional with how you would like to show up in life, it could be more gentle than harsh.”
London shared some of her happier moments with Rubenstein as well, including sweet anecdotes about her children and funny stories from the set of You People, which also stars Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, and Jonah Hill. You People, written by Hill, 38, and Black-ish‘s Kenya Barris, tells the story of Hill and London’s relationship as they try to navigate the awkward waters of meeting each other’s families.
The film also stars Sam Jay, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, Elliott Gould, Travis Bennett, Molly Gordon, Rhea Perlman and others.
As London explained, she and Hill share a special friendship, and even bond over “anxiety and work and grief.”
“He’s a real genuine person and I think I would consider myself a really genuine person,” she said. “And I think when you have a mutual respect for each other and you’re both mature and grown and you really want to do good work, it created like a friendship. And outside of that, we are both from Los Angeles — we actually have a lot more in common than you would think.”
London also spoke on one of her favorite days on set, when she filmed a scene with Long, Murphy, Hill, Louis-Dreyfus and Duchovny, all “in the same room” together.
“It was just fun and it was really, you know, like a masterclass watching Eddie and Julia and David and Nia and even Jonah,” she said. “I say Jonah’s an improv master and so was Eddie and you know, all of them. So it was just a lot of laughter, you know, Eddie and Julia talking about their SNL days. I’m asking Mia about Boyz n the Hood because I grew up watching that stuff. And she’s an LA girl and, yeah, it’s just, those are my favorite days.”
You People is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has blamed politicians for inciting Bawku dispute despite the grave consequences for peace and order.
Professor Antwi-Danso claims that due to the political character of the problem, the war has been ongoing for more than 100 years with decreasing chances of achieving a lasting resolution.
He pointed out that the matter remains difficult to resolve because the two feuding factions are politically aligned, which makes it very challenging for the security authorities to restore calm in the region.
According to him, the conflict now poses a severe security threat to the nation since one of the fighting factions could call on terrorists to aid them in their cause, which situation could result in a catastrophe for national security.
“It is because of politics that’s why we cannot fight the Bawku conflict. It is just politics…the Bawku conflict has been in existence for over 100 years old, so if every government was to implement peace resolution measures since then, we could have resolved the matter.
“But as times go on, the conflict becomes severe day in and day out. Whether you like it or not, the Kusasis are NDC and the Mamprusis are also NPP. Why should we experience this? This is the political angle, when there’s a crime there’s a crime.
“I’m most worried about the security threat that this conflict is posing to the country because if we don’t take care, a group can invite terrorists to support them in the fight and that will be a national disaster,” he said.
In an interview with Accra-based Peace FM, the academician made a suggestion that it is now time for the media and all Ghanaians to use a name-and-shame approach to expose the perpetrators of the dispute and aid in reestablishing peace in the area and the entire country.
Background:
It may be recalled that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces who were deployed to Bawku to maintain law and order were accused by some residents of allegedly killing at least 10 unarmed civilians from Kusasi in their homes and communities.
Meanwhile, according to a publication by the BBC published on February 2, 2023, Mahama Ayariga was reported to have accused the military of being behind the deaths and called for an immediate investigation.
Mahama Ayariga went a step further to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the killings of 10 citizens and also demanded GH¢500,000 compensation for each deceased person.
On the other hand, the Ghana Armed Forces in a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbie, described the allegations as “false” and “untrue.”
The University of Ghana has begun converting plastic waste into three different types of fuel at the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
It is producing petrol, diesel, and gas from plastic waste.
This is done by reprocessing them into high-value fuels and chemicals for households or small running engines.
Professor David Dodoo-Arhin, the Director of the Institute, told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a five-day workshop on Monday.
The reactor yields three litres of fuel when fed with three kilograms of waste plastic depending on the conditions the waste was subjected to.
“The fuel is up to standard and is usable. We have been cooking with gas and our cars are running the petrol and diesel,” he said
The model, he said, included all the people in the value chain, especially the collectors, and could be a good avenue for job creation for many people.
Prof. Doodo said the project was under the plastics-to-fuel initiative, which started in 2018 with initial funding support from the University of Ghana BANGA Africa seed grant programme.
He said it was followed by two-year funding in 2021, through the University of Ghana Research Fund “multidisciplinary category” and in 2022, another two-year co-funding by the French Embassy’s “FSPI NYANSAPO programme.
Prof. Doodo said the initiative was in line with the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership to support the public and private sector transition to a plastic circular economy thereby, ensuring sustainable plastic management.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in a statement delivered on her behalf, said the plastic waste menace continued to pose challenges to the environmental and socioeconomic well-being of the country.
She said there was a need for sustainable waste management systems to help stem the debilitating consequences of plastic waste nationwide.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the 20th Anniversary team of the School of Engineering Sciences and the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana.
It was funded by the French Embassy and on the theme: “Strengthening research and innovation capacities in sustainable energy production”.
Mr. Jules Armand Aniambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, said ensuring access to higher education and research were high priorities of his country and reiterated the country’s commitment to the project.
He said it was the aim of the French Government to increase the collaboration between the educational institutions of the two countries
through new partnerships, exchanges, joint curricula, double diplomas, joint research programmes, and joint research facilities.
“All these activities and programmes should focus on the priorities of our partner countries and aim at contributing to their development through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The highest amount of cannabis ever confiscated since 2021, weighing about 50 tons and having a market worth of GHC 50 million, was destroyed by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
The seized cannabis was mainly intercepted from the Eastern and Volta regions through intelligence gathering efforts by operatives.
Speaking to Citi News, the Public Affairs Director of NACOC, Francis Opoku Amoah said efforts are being made to curb the illicit trade and the use of the prohibited substance until such a time when the country is ready to legalize it.
He mentioned that five people are currently standing trial for engaging in the trade of cannabis.
“For now, per our laws, it is illegal and I am also sure that you are aware and know that our new laws Act 10(19) Section 43 was going to make sure we get people license to cultivate hemp but as we speak now, the Supreme Court has put a break on it so we are waiting for the review and we will see if we can get people to cultivate it.”
President Akufo-Addo has sworn in 20 new High Court justices.
The 16 judges from the Circuit Court were all promoted to the third highest court of the bench following recommendations by the Judicial Council.
The newly sworn-in Justices are; Kwame Polley, William Appiah Twumasi, Baah Forson Agyapong, Marian Affoh, Nana Brew, Abena Amponsah Buansi, Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku, Priscilla Dapaah Mireku, Alexander Oworae,Joyce Boahen, Edward Twum and Gwendolyn Millicent Owusu.
The rest are Rosemary Baah Tosu, Frederick Kwabena Twumasi, Adelaide Abui Keddey, Harry Acheampong- Opoku, Kenneth Edem Kudjordjie, John-Mark Nuku Alifo, Kwesi Adjenim-Boateng, George Aikins Ampiah- Bonney and Marie-Louise Simmons.
President Nana Akufo-Addo while swearing them in said his government will continue to invest in infrastructure for the judiciary in order to ensure justice delivery is improved.
According to the President, the government is currently putting up 16 bungalows across the country to accommodate High Court judges in the various regions.
President Nana Akufo-Addo urged the judges to ensure that they deliver justice without fear or favour.
He said the government is committed to improving infrastructure to ensure that the judiciary is able to work properly.
For his part, Justice Kwame Polley on behalf of his colleagues thanked the President and pledged to work according to the provisions of the laws of Ghana.
Perpetual Didier, a gospel singer, has disparaged the findings of the post-mortem examination and subsequent statements made by the Ghana Police Service, which claimed that her brother’s death was due to asphyxiation and obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
The police, in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, and signed by Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Director, Public Affairs, had said due process was followed in the conduct of the post-mortem.
“On 7th February 2023, a post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased’s body in the presence of Alfred Boafo, father of the accused, Dr Rosana Polinicio Segborwortso Pathologist of GA East Municipal hospital representing the accused, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu lawyer for the deceased, Louis Melabah Edeafor, uncle of the deceased, Isaac Anim Anno, father of the deceased and Anna Cobbina sister of the deceased.
“The pathologist gave the verbal cause of death as Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body. He also retrieved from the throat of the deceased, eight (8) zipped bags containing dry leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs tied in a piece of black polythene.
“The retrieved, suspected narcotic substances tested positive for cannabis when submitted for forensic examination, in the presence of all the interested parties,” the statement read.
However, in her interview with JoyNews, Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Perpetual, clad in all-black attire, vehemently rejected the report and accused the police of attempting to conceal the truth and distort the narrative.
“If they’re saying they’ve done investigations, and that he swallowed weed which is wrapped in rubber and they found eight folded weed inside, I want to ask Ghanaians, is weed okro? Can someone swallow weed with ease? Have they given us a footage of the time he swallowed the weed?” a visibly incensed Perpetual retorted.
According to the musician, attempts to get a medical doctor to represent them during the post-mortem, ended up being an exercise in futility as the police hurriedly facilitated the process before the scheduled time.
“When we went to the morgue together with two MPs, they wanted to start the autopsy and I told them that we need a medical doctor so they should give us a chance to find one which of course we got one who is out of Accra. He gave us his colleague who begged us to tell the police to allow him to come today [Wednesday]…” she recounted.
She also noted that the police later went ahead without the said medical doctor to represent the family.
“Because they didn’t wait for our doctor to come inside the room. I will not accept; my family too says they will not accept whatever they are telling us,” she explained, reiterating her initial comment that the police at the West Hills Mall contributed to the death of her brother, amid serious accusations.
“The police did not include how he was brutalized in their statement; that means they have swept away everything. They’re indicating that it is only the weed that caused his death. It could be that when they took the body to the police morgue, somebody planted the weed inside his throat so that our lawyer [who was with them during the autopsy process] will say he saw weed. They should provide how he was swallowing it,” said Perpetual.
Background
Gospel musician, Perpetual Didier alleged in a viral video that her brother was killed by some police officers.
According to her, the incident happened at the West Hills Mall in Accra on January 30, 2022.
The musician explained that her brother, was brutally assaulted by the uniformed policemen, leading to his untimely death.
“Someone should tag the IGP. I need justice for my brother. Tell him that this is a crime one of his men has done to my family by killing my brother. We are all Ghanaians with equal rights and freedom. Why will you use your position to take someone’s life?” she said in her Facebook Live video, amidst tears.
How the incident came about
In her narration, her brother (the deceased) had gone to the West Hills Mall to withdraw money in order to purchase some items intended to be sent to his sister in Germany.
She added that, from what an eyewitness told her, the police demanded that her brother hand over his bag to be searched, but he refused.
This then led to the police officer getting agitated and then hitting and pushing him to the ground.
Perpetual added that her brother fell to the ground and hit his head on the floor, breaking his neck in the process.
He is said to have lost consciousness, at which time the police officer tased the motionless man on the floor.
It is believed that this worsened the state the young man was already in, leading to his death.
The Centre for Democracy and Socio-economic Development (CDS), a nonpartisan research tank that views democracy as a foundational principle for growth, has argued that fighting corruption should be a key component of government’s framework.
To mitigate corruption, CDS said, deterrence is of great essence.
Such a measure would send a strong message to potential wrongdoers about the latent consequences of their misbehaviour and inaction, it added.
In order to fight corruption, CDS Africa suggested to the government that “There is the need for Government to establish a system that rewards appropriate behavior and penalizes corrupt behavior in the public sector.
“All citizens must understand they have a role to play in the fight against corruption. Citizens and public sector workers must immediately report any suspicions of bribery or corruption to mandated agencies and institutions,” a report released by Dr. Frank Bannor and Dr. Abena Boateng, Senior Research & Policy Analyst and Director of Research for CDS Africa respectively, said.
CDS Africa was reacting to the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which shows a dire situation as most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ghana failed to make progress in reducing corruption.
The top performers in the region are Seychelles (70), followed by Cabo Verde (60), Botswana (60) and Rwanda (51), whereas Burundi (17), Equatorial Guinea (17), South Sudan (13) and Somalia (12) have the lowest scores, according to the 2022 CPI released today by Transparency International (TI).
In terms of trends, the 2022 CPI reveals that from 2012 to 2022, 25 countries significantly improved their scores.
The SSA region recorded the highest percentage of countries (28% – 7 out of 25); Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Seychelles and Tanzania experiencing significant improvements in their scores. Conversely, 31 countries significantly declined in their scores since 2012. SSA represents 10% (3 out of the 31 countries – Lesotho, Liberia and Mali) of countries with significant declines in their scores.
Ghana with a score of 43, ranked 8 th out of 49 countries in SSA which were included in the index, alongside Benin (43), Senegal (43) and South Africa (43).
Ghana for the 3rd consecutive year, scores 43 out of a possible clean score of 100 and ranks 72 out of 180 countries and territories included in the . This score, reflects a lack of progress in the country’s fight against corruption.
CDS Africa notes that corruption poses great risk to Ghana’s economic development. Economic inequality is made worse by corruption, according to empirical evidence. A one-unit rise in corruption causes a 0.15 to 1.5 percent decline in GDP per capita. Petty corruption, in particular, has an impact on citizens’ perceptions of corruption in a country because it interferes with their daily lives and undermines public trust in democratic processes, government legitimacy, and state institutions.
CDS Africa recognises that, until 2012 the CPI was computed between 0 to 10. A lower value of 0 indicated a high level of corruption while a higher score value indicated a lower level of corruption. However, the story wasn’t any different with this methodology as Ghana’s best score was 4.1 which was recorded in 2010 (see Figure 2 in the attachment).
Similarly, CDS Africa observes that Ghana isn’t doing any better even with a change in the CPI methodology from 2012 till date where countries are now ranked based on a score of 0 to 100. With reference to this approach, a country is deemed very clean as its score increases on the CPI and, highly corrupt with a lower score. Data available from 2012 to 2022 shows that Ghana’s highest score was recorded in 2014, where the country obtained 48 out of 100.
A new website for the upcoming coronation of the King and Queen Consort was unveiled on Monday by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.
The launch date was a poignant choice — Feb. 6 is the Accession Day of the late Queen Elizabeth II and marks three months until the coronation of her eldest son on May 6.
A scroll around the new site, titled “Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort,” features details on the upcoming ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the festive events planned for the three-day bank holiday weekend. Getty
In another fun update, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also released a “Coronation Celebration Playlist” on Spotify. The two-hour mix is eclectic, starting with “Come Together” by The Beatles and mostly features British groups and artists. The 27-song playlist includes Coldplay, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Harry Styles, Queen, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, the Spice Girls, The Kinks, The Who and Tom Jones. In a fitting touch, the mix closes with “King” by Years & Years.
Buckingham Palace announced in October 202 that the coronation of King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, would be held on the first Saturday in May. The royal couple will be crowned in a religious ritual by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey and will step out with other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the service.
The following day, people across the U.K. are encouraged to get together with neighbors for Coronation Big Lunch parties. Originally conceived by the Eden Project, the event is intended to “boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.”
That evening, the Coronation Concert will be broadcast live from Windsor Castle. Though the performer lineup has yet to be announced, the palace has previously said the concert will welcome “global music icons and contemporary stars” supported by a world-class orchestra and dancers.
Free pairs of tickets will be made available to the public via national ballot, and the concert will also be attended by volunteers from some of the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations. Synchronized with the show, “Lighting up the Nation” will see iconic locations across the U.K. illuminated with projections, lasers and drone displays. King Charles and Queen Camilla. Andrew Milligan/Getty
The celebrations wrap with a bang on Monday, May 8, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared a bank holiday. U.K. citizens are invited to participate in the Big Help Out, a volunteering initiative, and give their time to good causes.
The much-discussed book by Prince Harry was also a subject at the 65th Grammy Awards.
Trevor Noah cracked a joke about a revealing passage in the Duke of Sussex’s memoir, Spare, while hosting the Grammys on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. As Noah introduced James Corden, he pointed to the excerpt from the book where Prince Harry revealed that he got frostbite during a philanthropic trip to the North Pole in 2011.
“James Corden is a 12-time Emmy winner and the host of The Late Late Show,” Noah began. “He’s also living proof that a man can move from London to L.A. and not tell everyone about his frostbitten penis.”
As seen in a clip shared on Twitter by The Telegraph reporter Jamie Johnson, the quip elicited a laugh from Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who were seated nearby. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Noah was a guest on the final episode of Meghan Markle’s Spotify podcast, Archetypes, which aired in November.
Prince Harry shared more than ever before in Spare, released worldwide on Jan. 10. In one personal story, the Duke of Sussex, 38, wrote that he returned home to London with frostbite in the sensitive spot after joining a group of veterans fundraising for Walking With the Wounded. The ex-servicemen set out to become the first amputees to reach the North Pole unsupported, and Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan during his decade in the British Army, joined the expedition. Kevin Mazur/Getty
The trek was unpredictably delayed a few days due to bad weather, forcing Prince Harry to leave early in order to attend Prince William’s April 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton. When Harry got back to the U.K., he learned the extent of his frostbite.
“Upon arriving home I’d been horrified to discover that my nether regions were frostnipped as well, and while the ears and cheeks were already healing, the todger wasn’t,” he wrote in Spare. “It was becoming more of an issue day by day.” David Cheskin/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Only time would heal the injury, though Harry first attempted a home remedy. Confiding in a friend about the painful problem, Harry said she suggested he try applying Elizabeth Arden cream — which Princess Diana used.
“I found a tube, and the minute I opened it the smell transported me through time. I felt as if my mother was right in the room,” Prince Harry wrote. ” ‘Weird’ doesn’t really do the feeling justice.”
Prince Harry and Meghan recently were among the star-studded guests to witness Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s surprise vow renewal. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a gathering last week thought to be a 50th birthday party for de Rossi — however, the celebration turned into a vow renewal ceremony for DeGeneres and de Rossi officiated by Kris Jenner. In a video shared to The Ellen Degeneres Show‘s YouTube channel, Prince Harry and Meghan are seen among the group watching the romantic moment unfold.
Other famous faces at the event included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Carol Burnett, Courteney Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.
The new-elected Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has indicated that the Minority group in parliament will no longer succumb to the Akufo-Addo-led government’s poor leadership.
In his maiden speech to Parliament as a Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson said the minority will offer fair and unbiased, balanced, consultative, and principled leadership to ensure the Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia’s government account in a manner that helps deliver public goods.
“To you my colleagues in the Minority Caucus, we pledge to offer fair and unbiased, balanced, consultative, and principled leadership in our journey to broaden the frontiers of Parliamentary oversight and hold the Akufo-Addo & Alhaji Bawumia government to account in a manner that helps deliver public goods,” he said.
He thanked the party and colleagues for allowing him to serve, and also commended Haruna Iddrisu for his distinguished public service since 2017.
“In January 7, 2009, I took the first step in this very chamber towards becoming a representative for the people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam and contributing my quota to Ghana’s Parliamentary Democracy. Fourteen years on, from a fresh legislator, I have the unique honour of being entrusted with the leadership of the Minority Caucus in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
“I wish to convey our profound gratitude to my party, the great National Democratic Congress, and our colleagues on the Minority side for this opportunity to serve at an even higher level and help shape the trajectory of this Parliament. I want to express on behalf of my colleagues, our profound appreciation and thanks to the immediate past Minority Leader and my senior brother, the Hon Haruna Iddrisu, for his many years of distinguished public service and his sterling leadership of the Caucus since 2017,” he said.
A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has stated that filling vacant positions in the government does not necessarily constitute a reorganization.
He described an insistence on not reshuffling in in the face of credible public opinion as snobbish and crude.
Prof Gyampo’s comments comes after President Akufo-Addo submission of some nominees as Ministers-designate to Parliament for vetting and approval so that he can appoint to them to their positions.
But after rumours of a pending reshuffle, the announcement of the names does not indicate a major reassignment of Ministers to key positions. Many had expected a shakeup of some sort in the Government. But the President does not seem to have seen the need to ‘shake up’ his Government.
“Filling vacant spaces in government is not coterminous with reshuffle. The intransigence about calls for reshuffle is snobbish. Refusing to pander to credible public opinion is no achievement. It is democratically crude,” Prof asserted.
Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten and Agriculture Minister Owusu Afriyie Akoto resigned to pursue their presidential ambitions while Deputy Finance Minister Charles Adu Boahen was relieved of his position in the wake of a bribery scandal. All of them have been replaced.
Review names and designations submitted to Parliament below for its action, according to the Parliament of Ghana.
Hon Kobina Tahiru Hammond – Minister for Trade and Industry
Hon Bryan Acheampong – Minister for Food and Agriculture
Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng – Minister for Chieftancy and Religious Affairs
Hon Mohammed Anim Adam – Minister of State in the Finance ministry
Hon Osei Bonsu Amoah – Minister of State, Local Government
Hon Herbert Krapah – Deputy Minister for Energy
Hon Dr Stephen Amoah – Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry
With the exception of Christian Atsu, who has been rescued from the rubble, Black Stars striker Samuel Tetteh has assured Ghanaians of his and the other Ghanaian players’ safety in Turkey.
The world was thrown into a state of mourning on Monday, February 6, 2023, after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit south-central Turkey.
Ghanaians were worried about the well-being of players who ply tried trade in Turkey after it was reported that Christian Atsu was trapped under the rubble but Samuel Tetteh has shared that he was not hurt.
“I’m safe and I haven’t been hurt by what is going on in the country. We felt the earthquake here but it was not devastating like it happened in the other cities even though some of the buildings here collapsed.”
“I tried to contact all the other Ghana players in Turkey that I know and apart from Atsu whose situation was serious, they were all safe and sound.”
“The country is in a sad mood because of this tragedy and I’m hoping that they break the league. I have contacted my family, friends, and everyone around me that I’m fine and I have not been hurt. We have also heard that Atsu has been found and that is good news,” Samuel Tetteh told Happy FM monitored by GhanaWeb Sports.
Meanwhile, Black Stars player Christian Atsu has been rescued from the trap in the earthquake-ravaged city of Hayat.
“Christian Atsu has been pulled from the wreckage alive!” journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, who broke news of his trapping, tweeted early Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
After their first meeting in parliament, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, the immediate-past Minority Chief Whip, welcomed the the new leader of the Minority Caucus of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson with an “emotional” hug.
Muntaka Mubarak, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Asawase, told Ato Forson (MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam), not to be in a hurry to take his new role as the minority leader.
He even rejected claims by Cassiel Ato Forson suggesting that he (Ato Forson) had a fruitful conversation with the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
“I can tell you that the meeting was not fruitful. He mentioned some measures that they had to take, but that was not done. I can tell you that he was irritated at the meeting,” Muntaka said during a press conference on Thursday.
But on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 7, 2022, when Ato Forson was expected to assume his role as minority leader, the two National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwarts appear to have put aside their differences.
GhanaWeb’s team in Parliament captured the moment where Ato Forson and Muntaka met on the floor of Parliament, before the former was announced by the Speaker of Parliament as the Minority Leader.
The two men could be seen will hugging and shaking each other’s hands and Muntaka appears to be congratulating Ato Forson.
A Senior Registered Nurse working at the Kpasera CHPS Compound in the Mpaha Health Zone of the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, Atinga Aniyiri David, has taken his life after girlfriend threatens breakup.
Information gathered by 3news.com revealed that the deceased had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend, who threatened to leave him.
Unable to live with the threats, according to reports, the nurse decided to commit suicide.
He was seen by some residents hanging on a tree with a rope tied to his neck behind the facility.
The Assembly member for the area, Japo Mohammed, was contacted and he informed police in Mpaha about the incident.
The deceased worked at the Mpaha Health Center before being transferred to Kpasera CHPS Compound two years ago.
The incharge of the facility and one other staff were not at post when the incident happened.
As at the time of filing this report, the body was being transported to the Damongo Government Hospital for autopsy and preservation.
Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin has expressed appreciation to the outgoing Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, and his team.
While welcoming lawmakers back to the House, Mr. Bagbin wished the outgoing minority leadership well in their endeavours.
“The former members of the [Minority] leadership led by Haruna Iddrisu must be applauded because their record of performance is visible for all to see, and I hope the new leadership will learn from their fountain of wisdom, trove of wealth and experience.”
“What I can say to the former leadership is, the Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want and when one door closes, another one opens and I tell you for sure that the opened doors are better and higher than the closed doors. Look at the open doors and not the closed doors and with this, I welcome all of you once more”.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) changed its leadership in Parliament on January 24, 2023.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Agbodza took over from Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe-Ghansah were the only two members of the Haruna-led administration that maintained their positions as First and Second Deputy Whips respectively.
At Maame Krobo, in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region, a clash between farmers and nomadic herdsmen has claimed one life.
Chairman of the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) Seth Acheampong confirmed the death after visiting the troubled area.
The conflict resurged over the weekend between farmers at Maame Krobo and nomadic herdsmen.
The farmers and residents allege the herdsmen shot one person at his home in the township.
In a reprisal attack, the inhabitants chased the herdsmen out of the community.
But the situation is still volatile as the nomadic herdsmen are suspected to be hiding in the bushes and forest areas, putting fear in the farmers who cannot visit their farms.
Wife of the deceased Rebecca Agbovi demands justice and support for her four children who she says must return to school.
“My children need to return to school, who would support me do that? Their father has been killed. Government must support me, else I will knock on the doors of the District Chief Executive everyday.”
A sub-chief at Maame Krobo, Enoch Teye Soda, demanded that the perpetrators must be dealt with.
“The man was shot in his room. They shot through his window, he only had cloth wrapped around him. This is frightening, we can’t allow this to happen. Those who did this must be dealt with. My farmers cannot even go to their farms again.”
Security presence is still heavy in the area.
Mr Acheampong, who is also the Eastern Region Minister, visited Maame Krobo and assured of public safety to enable normalcy to return to the area.
“It is our mandate to provide public safety for the community. So we are going to work at it. You can never predict that an accident would occur. Nobody thought that this would occur, but it has happened. Once it has happened, the most important thing for us is to demonstrate enough rapid response and I am very happy that the security services and the DISEC ( District Security Council) have rapidly responded to the situation at hand. We are very confident that going forward, we would restore normalcy to the community.”
He added: “Very disturbing matter for the district and those of us in the region. This is a matter that is recurring. We seek to work at it to ensure it does not recur. Unfortunately as humans we cannot allow some of these things not to occur again. For us managing public safety, our first responsibility is to ensure that there is stability, peace and people are going about their daily chores undisturbed.
“Our primary call was to restore stability and peace to the community, fortunately public safety is assured, we have enough men on ground patrolling and offering necessary protection to the community members so that they have assurance that government is behind them.”
Successive government intervention of Operation Cow leg and the provision of ranches has not yielded result in putting an end to the conflict between farmers and nomadic herdsmen in the food basket district.
The conflict results from destruction of farm crops by the herdsmen to feed cattles and reprisal attack on cattles and nomadic herdsmen, who usually are not owners of the cattles.
Inspector Kennedy Martey Ampofo, who is assigned to the Sampa District Command in the Bono Region, has been interdicted by the Police Administration for professional misconduct.
A statement issued and signed by DSP Patrick Okai Kodjoe, the Acting Bono Regional Head of the Police Public Affairs Unit, said Inspector Ampofo allegedly handcuffed one Frank Kofi Adu and failed to take him through due process.
“The Police Inspector has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to allow for a thorough investigation into the matter”, the statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, said.
The immediate-past Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has been spotted in Parliament exchanging pleasantries with other legislators.
This is his first time appearing in Parliament as a former Minority leader following the NDC executive’s decision to reshuffle the Minority leadership.
On Tuesday, January, 24, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) executives announced the change in leadership in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament.
MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson, was appointed Minority Leader and MP for Adaklu Constituency, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip.
According to the National Chairman the NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketiah the decision to reshuffle was taken two years ago.
He explained that, the out gone leaders had delivered their assignment perfectly, therefore it was time for the new leaders to take their turn.
“The leadership that we have just changed, they’ve done their part. We needed them at the time we chose them, we felt that they possess the skill set that could meet the challenges as at that time and they discharged their work creditably.
“Now, we are facing new set of emerging challenges and so it is only reasonable to go for a new set of leadership that possesses the skill set that will be able to discharge the responsibilities that have emerged because of the changing times,” he said when addressing party faithfuls in London.
However, the decision by the party met a lot controversies, as about 70 NDC MPs protested and demanded that it be reversed.
On February 6, the Council of Elders convened a crucial meeting with the Minority Caucus and the National Executive Committee (NEC), but former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was noticably absent.
It is believed this his absence is an indication of his opposition to the change in leadership.
Meanwhile, Mr Haruna Iddrisu is yet to break his silence over losing his position to Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Manager for Christian Atsu, Abdul Hayye Yartey, has characterized his recovery from the Turkey earthquake rubble as “huge and miraculous”.
The Ghana winger was trapped in the debris of the devastating disaster that hit Turkey on Monday dawn for 26 hours.
Yartey is relieved of the 31-year-old’s recovery alive after the building housing his apartment in Hatay collapsed, with 1000s across the globe fearing for his life. However, news broke on Tuesday of the Hatayspor attacker’s rescue.
Reacting to the development, Yartey expressed his relief and elation: “This is huge and miraculous. To be under the debris for about 24 hours and come out safe is great news. We are all happy here and we pray he didn’t suffer major injuries,” he told the Ghana News Agency.
“Yesterday, when I got in touch with his orphanage, the director told me the kids were crying and praying for his safety. Atsu helps people he comes across everywhere, and for me, there is much blessing in giving,” Yartey added.
The sporting world and wellwishers, who took to social media to express their support and prayers, are also relieved of the news of the former Chelsea, Porto, and Newcastle United star’s rescue.
Christian Atsu signed a one-year deal with Turkish Super Lig side, Hatayspor, and only scored his first goal on Sunday against Kasimpasa.
The Ghana Police Service is looking into the alleged murder of a Ghanaian woman based in Italy who returned to Ghana for holidays.
The woman, known only as Maa Akos, was allegedly killed by one of her neighbours at Sepe Buokrom, near Kumasi, a report by myjoyonline.com has said.
According to the report, Maa Akos sustained stab wounds from her 20-year-old neighbour, identified as Baafi.
Baafi is also said to have often visited the deceased.
According to the account of an eyewitness, Baafi was seen fleeing the scene of the crime after he had jumped out of a window in Maa Akos’ apartment.
The report added that the suspect might have used the window as access to the victim, who was in her late fifties, seeing that she lived alone on the second floor of the building.
The report also stated that some residents explained that Baafi attempted to break into the apartment some weeks ago.
That issue was however resolved, they added.
However, on the day of the crime, an eyewitness said his attention was drawn to the scene after he heard a noise suggestive of a tussle.
The noise, coming from Maa Akos’ apartment, further alarmed other residents.
Hamidu Issah, one of the residents, said “I had to call other tenants to help me break into the room. We could still hear them struggle. One tenant peeped through the window and saw blood, so we had to intensify efforts to break into the room. We entered to find a pool of blood, but the body wasn’t there. We later found it in the bathroom.
“One of the tenants saw the suspect jump out of the window. He saw blood in his palms and raised alarm.”
Some other neighbours subsequently got Baafi after tracing him.
“He pulled out a gun, threatening others. With the gun he escaped, but some people were able to arrest him and drag him back,” Hamidu added.
“Investigations are still ongoing,” the report added.
The director of the faculty of academic affairs and research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and training Centre (KAIPTC), Prof. Kwesi Aning, has asserted that African politicians have failed the continent on a number of occasions and continue to do so.
He said that because of the failed promises and actions of leaders on the continent, there is a growing disconnect between what they intend to do, and what actually happens on the grounds.
“I’m going to be very frank, because more often than not in these conversations, people are way too polite. There is a disconnect between the political and economic elite and what they say and how they behave, and the [sic] of people who are uneducated and unemployed,” he said.
Prof Kwesi Aning further said that the situation is such that nothing on the continent means anything anymore to most Africans.
This, he added, has come about because of the failed promises of leaders, which have emboldened extremists to act with impunity.
“The state in Africa means absolutely nothing to the people of this continent. Our leaders have failed and they continue to fail. In their search for power, they lie – they tell stories and make promises that they know they cannot fulfil, and that disconnect creates an anger, frustration that then allows the narratives of those who want to destroy the state; the extremists, to sound rational and to give hope.
“Because those who have appropriated the leaders of this state, have failed to deliver. People are desperate and anybody who will give them hope, like a sinking or a drowning person, they’ll hang onto it. So, we need a new narrative; a narrative that gives hope predicated on trust, on self-respect, and honesty,” he said.
Prof Kwesi Aning made this known while speaking at the West African Security Roundtable – Insiders and Outsiders: Meeting the African Security Challenge in the 2020s, which was hosted by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, and Dr. Greg Mills, Head of the Brenthurst Foundation.
The event, which was in partnership with the KAIPTC, forms part of a series across the region: Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, Niamey, and Abeokuta.
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has argued that government should put more of an emphasis on providing better policies and initiatives in Zongo communities than just food.
“We in the NDC seek to bring something that can lift the Zongo communities; so just as our Imam said, we have gone beyond sharing of rice and sardines. If you want to do something to help Zongo communities, educate their children,” Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said this in a speech at Kobreso, a community in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region,
He was at a fundraising ceremony organized by the Ghana Muslim Mission in the area to build a technical school and a clinic.
At the event, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah also emphasized that the NDC has a great love for Zongo communities across the country which is why the party established the Islamic Education Unit at the Ghana Education Service in 1987 to introduce the secular subjects pursued under the national curriculum into the Islamic schools and also started major educational projects under the elsewhere NDC administration.
He however revealed that the narrative has changed under the current NPP government as it has abandoned all educational projects in Zongo communities that were started by the NDC.
“We promised to build Islamic schools, but whiles you do that, you also need to find where to train Islamic teachers, that is why we built Islamic Training College at Wenchi in my District. For that reason, in the last campaign, we promised to continue that project but since we left office, all plans and documentation have been abandoned to date”. National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah chided.
Over 70 confirmed cases of measles in children have been reported in the Northern Region since October of last year, and the situation is becoming worse.
The region currently has run out of measles vaccines.
So far, the cases have been detected in four districts including, Karaga, Sagnerigu, Tamale and Gushegu where it was first detected.
According to Citi News sources, even though there has not been any death as a result of the outbreak, there have been severe cases where children had to be put on oxygen in some health facilities.
Sometime last year, the central hospital in Tamale had its Paediatric unit closed down due to an outbreak of measles.
Meanwhile, Health officials in the region are tight-lipped on the outbreak. Nonetheless, a release issued by the Regional Health Directorate and addressed to all Districts Health Directors and sighted by Citi News confirmed cases of measles.
“Given the current season, which presents one of the greatest risks for the transmission of measles, Districts Health Directorates and Facilities (both public and private) are urged to intensify surveillance on measles and other diseases of epidemic potential for prompt action should they occur.
“Districts and facilities are kindly requested to conduct prompt investigations and collect blood samples for laboratory confirmation. You are also expected to continue to intensify public education on the prevention of measles and other epidemic-prone diseases.”
The memo continued “All MM/DDHS must ensure that their epidemic preparedness and response (EPR) plans for measles are updated accordingly and copies submitted to the Regional Health Directorate through the Disease Surveillance Unit on or before Friday, February 10, 2023.”
General vaccine supply to the northern region has been erratic since the middle of 2022, checks in the region reveal, out of the thirteen (13) vaccines for routine immunization, only two, that is Tetanus and Tuberculosis are currently in stock.
The situation exposes children to the risks of severe illness and disabilities from diseases like measles, Pneumonia among others.
According to research, Measles is a viral infection caused by the Rubella virus and transmitted through direct contact and air. It has the tendency to cause blindness, brain inflammation, flu and fatality mostly among children under 14.
As such, routine measles vaccination is recommended for children under 12 and 15 months of age.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership has stated that the party will focus its efforts on ensuring that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governs the nation effectively.
According to the National Chairman of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, all members of the party must support the agenda following the resolution of the issue of the leadership change in Parliament.
The party has indicated that the challenges confronting the reshuffle of the Minority leadership in Parliament have been addressed after a meeting among the national executives, the Council of Elders and the Minority caucus on Monday.
Speaking to the members of the caucus, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah urged the new leadership to work assiduously.
“We are going to refocus on the issue of bad governance in the country including works on the National Cathedral. We’ve cautioned the new leadership that, the record of the performance of the old leadership serves as a yardstick to the measurement of their own performance.”
Chairman of the Council of Elders for the NDC, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu said the party must win the next polls.
“From the reception the new leaders have received, this is not the beginning but the end of the meeting. The excitement shows that the issue has been resolved. There is no problem now. Our problem is to win the 2024 election.”
The meeting which took place at the DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament had stalwarts of the party including the Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and his General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, among others present.
Others at the meeting included former Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, and former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho.
“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose from the announcement of the new leadership of our Caucus have all been resolved”, Johnson Asiedu Nketia added.
On February 6, the Council of Elders convened a crucial meeting with the Minority Caucus and the National Executive Committee (NEC), but former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was noticably absent.
The meeting resolved to back the decision to select Dr Cassiel Ato Forson of Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency as the Minority Leader with Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah of Ellembelle Constituency as the Deputy Minority Leader. Adaklu’s Governs Kwame Agbodza is replacing Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
The Asawase Member of Parliament was also missing at the meeting.
But later writing to confirm the resolution by all at Monday’s meeting, former Deputy Minority Leader James Klutse Avedzi said he was sent to the meeting by the Tamale South MP.
“We the former leaders made up of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi, Deputy Minority Leader and Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, Minority Chief Whip assured the Council of Elders of the Party when we met them on Tuesday 17th January 2023, that we will abide by their resolution of the challenges,” he wrote on Monday, February 6.
“This assurance was disclosed to the Council when Hon. Haruna Iddrisu asked me to sum up our position on the matter.”
He subsequently thanked the Council chaired by Alhaji Mahama Iddrissu and former President John Dramani Mahama for their intervention.
The National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, assured that all concerns that arose out of the announcement have been resolved.
“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose out of the announcement of the new leadership of our caucus in Parliament have all been resolved,” he said after the meeting.
“All concerns have been addressed so we are just looking forward.”
One of the Minority MPs who signed the petition to the Council, Cletus Apuul Avoka, on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Monday pledged to work with the new leadership.
According to Mahama Ayariga, terrorists won’t use the Bawku crisis as a cover to enter Ghana.
The legislator for the area doubted if Bawku will be a target for the operation of terrorist activities though Ghana’s borders seem porous.
There have been reported cases of terrorist activities in neighbouring countries, with some neighbours seeking refuge in Ghana.
Scores of people have lost their lives in the protracted conflict, with the latest being the shooting and killing of one person on Monday, February 6, 2023.
Asked by the host of The Point of View Bernard Avle, if terrorists will not capitalise on the prolonged conflict in Bawku between the Kusasis and Mamprusis to cause mayhem in Ghana, the legislator noted that Ghanaians will only rise up against the country when there are no opportunities to vindicate their rights.
“Bawku will not be the place where this will happen. People will turn against the state when they don’t have the remedies or opportunities to vindicate their rights. But if the state functions in such a way that everybody feels protected by the state, it’s most unlikely that they will turn against the state,” Mr. Ayariga said.
He believes that Ghana has a functioning democracy where citizens can always seek redress if they feel disgruntled and will not rebel against the country.
“I’m not worried in the case of Ghana because of the institutions and mechanisms we have put in place. Our democracy is functioning. No matter how disgruntled you are with this democracy, it is a functioning democracy, you can get remedies if you fight for it,” he stated.
He called on the government to ensure that the citizens do not have issues with the state as it’s observed in neighbouring countries.
“In Burkina Faso, those places that you saw the clustering of attacks, trust me people from Bawku drive across those places with trucks to Niger with onions, salt, and all sort of commodities. They drive through that territory, and if they stop you, and they found a national identity card or documents, some public documents that associate you with the state of Burkina Faso, you will be attacked. They might just kill you. They are attacking the state, they have issues with the state.”
“We shouldn’t create a situation where our populace will have issues with their state. When the people have issues with the state, and they don’t feel that the mechanisms within the state afford them a remedy, that is when the state becomes a legitimate target for them,” the MP for Bawku central said.
Mr. Ayariga who has accused the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of killing some indigenes of Bawku has petitioned the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The legislator rejected GAF’s explanation that they engaged a group of armed men and neutralised six.
“I reject their self-serving explanations. Did the statement say they retrieve any weapon from them? Clearly, these were not armed men,” Mr. Ayariga fumed.
President Akufo-Addo has met the Ga state after the death of the Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
He assured the Ga state of the government’s support to ensure that the late queen mother, who reigned for 59 years, was given a befitting funeral.
President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance last Friday when a delegation from the Ga State, led by a member of the Council of State, Nii Adjiri Blankson, called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra to inform him of the passing of the queenmother.
The delegation, which included chiefs, elders of the traditional set-up and children of the deceased, presented the President with assorted drinks and a full piece of red cloth in consonance with tradition.
President Akufo-Addo gave an assurance that he would be at the funeral because it was a family bereavement for him. Naa Omaedru, 88, was known in private life as Naa Dedei Ablah. She was installed Ga Manye in 1963 when she was 29.
She passed away at her Dansoman residence, surrounded by her loved ones, on December 26, 2022.
Credits
During her reign, Naa Omaedru was credited for selflessly devoting her life to public and voluntary service and championing important issues crucial to peace, education and opportunities for young people, especially the girl-child.
These included seeking the welfare of the girl-child and women to safeguard their future, setting a remarkable example of leadership to queenmothers in the Ga State.
She also stood for peace and unity and promoted these, not only among the people of the Ga State but also all Ghanaians, and advocated a united approach to the meaningful development of her people.
Charity
Naa Omaedru was known for her charity work, and in 2004, she donated items worth $12 million to the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled at the Ghana National Rehabilitation Centre in Accra.
The rates for MTN Ghana’s goods and services will increase beginning on February 7, 2023.
The review reflects two changes – first, the implementation of the statutory 2.5 percentage point increase in VAT from 12.5% to 15% across all services. This will affect both prepaid and post-paid customers.
Second, MTN Ghana is proceeding with a 15% average upward review of its mobile data tariffs which was originally announced in November 2022 and was suspended. The increase in mobile data tariffs will affect both pay monthly and pay-as-you-go users.
The review in mobile data bundle offers covers products available on the short codes 138 and 170, as well as on purchases through Electronic Voucher Distribution, MTN Pulse and Data Zone except for XtraTime. The data tariff increases do not apply to Fibre Broadband and Fixed Wireless Access (4G Router/Turbonet) customers.
With this review, voice users will receive less airtime because of the VAT implementation and mobile data customers will receive smaller data bundle allocations.
The chief commercial officer for MTN, Noel Kojo-Ganson, explained the impact by giving an example of how the new pricing will work. A customer who previously got 24.4 minutes’ airtime for GHC3 before the VAT increase will now get 23.9 minutes, while a GHC3 data bundle which previously gave 471 megabytes will now give 401 megabytes.
Explaining the reason for the new prices for services, Kojo-Ganson said recent shifts in the economy had led to rising operating costs, largely because of inflation. “These economic shifts have impacted us directly, and for us to ensure we have the right balance for sustaining growth and investment into the network, we have had to consider price increases in various segments of our business.
“MTN recognises that we are in very tough times and would like to assure our customers that we will continue to offer them the convenience and flexibility in the purchase of data bundles at their desired price points via the MTN Flexi and Non-Expiry Bundles. Also, customers will continue to enjoy the 50% bonus incentive on mobile data purchases via MyMTN App and MoMo (valid for seven days) for 4G customers,” he added.
Kojo-Ganson said that MTN remains committed to investing US$1 billion by 2025 to continue its network expansion and improve the network experience for its customers. The purpose of its growth plan targeting 2025 is to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
Sam George, a member of parliament for Ningo Prampram, professed confidence in the NDC’s capacity to win the 2024 general election despite disagreements between the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the minority caucus on the leadership of the minority caucus in parliament.
According to Sam George, the grass root members of the NDC have asked the MPs to solve their differences and make sure they deliver victory in the 2024 election. “Winning power is not by the big men in Accra; no big man has ever won power for any political party. Winning power comes from the hunger of the base of the party and across social media and all the platforms, what the base is saying is that MPs solve whatever issues you have, go back to parliament and deliver for us. We are focused on winning the election.”
He told Johnnie Hughes on the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show on Monday 6 February 2023 that “Winning power does not come from the big men in Accra but the masses of the people at the grass root. They have been telling us the members of parliament to deal with the situation and work together to ensure a united front towards 2024.”
Sam opined that even considering the fact that the NDC has managed to have 136 seats coming from 106 in the previous parliament is a clear indication that the NDC is serious about winning power in the next election.
He argued that around the same time in 2015, Haruna Iddrisu and Mubarak Muntaka were fresh appointees whereas the NPP had also gone to congress to elect Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyapong and Sammy Crabbe whom the then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo said he couldn’t work with and had them suspended yet NPP won the 2016 election because the Ghanaian people voted for NDC out due to hunger and anger.
The Ningo Prampram legislator mentioned that just as the people were not happy with the NDC government though it had done creditably well, the current blatant mismanagement of the economy and the obvious discontent for the governing New Patriotic Party by the people of Ghana is indicative that NDC will win the next election hence the NPP shouldn’t see fortune in the current challenge the NDC is faced with.
A statement was issued on Tuesday, January 24 to announce the decision of the NEC of the NDC to change the leadership of the minority caucus with the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, replacing Tamale South legislator Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader. Ellembelle’s Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah also replaced James Klutse Avedzi as Deputy Minority Leader.
However, the decision has created a sharp division among members of the minority caucus which has generated concerns within the rank and file of the largest opposition party in Ghana as the NDC anticipates a victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Sam George maintained it is not every party decision that all members of the party will be happy with especially taking cognizance of the fact that a large number of the MPs have never held any party executive position before, it would have been prudent for the NDC leadership to have conferred with the members of the caucus before changing the leadership
“No individual can be bigger than the party. When the party makes a decision, you are compelled and mandated to live with it. It is not every decision of the party that every member will be pleased with however considering the stature of the people involved, and the fact that parliament is the wheel of the party made up of elected members some of whom have never held any party executive position before, consultation ought to have happened” Sam George stated
Mational director and environmentalist for ARocha Ghana, Dr. Seth Appiah Kubi, has been ordered by the Accra High Court to provide documentation demonstrating that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had published a report claiming that GIADEC had neglected to conduct an environmental impact assessment before beginning construction at Atewa Forest.
Appearing in court as the plaintiff’s first witness, Dr Appiah Kubi told the court during cross-examination by the Attorney General’s office that portions of the Atewa forest had been destroyed during the exploration premining by the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Dev’t Corporation(GIADEC).
State Attorney Leona Johnson Abassah queried about his capacity to describe the activities of GIADEC at Atewa Forest unlawful to which the following ensued:
AG: In Ghana who determines whether an activity either a recognizance or mining exploration is being done illegally?
Dr Kubi: The relevant government agencies i.e minerals commission, EPA.
AG: So ARocha Ghana isn’t the appropriate institution to determine and to allege that GIADEC undertook these activities without due process?
Dr Kubi: ARocha may not be an organization to determine the legality or otherwise but when the law is contravened we all can see it and cry foul.
AG: Is there any evidence of your allegation or it’s just by what you claim to have seen?
Dr Kubi: There’s a clear EPA law LI16(52) which says that if you’re undertaking a land use in the protected area of the status of the Atewa forest, then environmental impact assessment should be done if the footprint of the activity is above a certain threshold.
Asked whether he had evidence to that effect, he answered in the affirmative, explaining to the court that ARocha Ghana had run it by EPA who indicated that GIADEC failed to carry out an environmental impact assessment before the premining activity.
When he sought permission from the court to be given the opportunity to produce the said document as part of his witness statement, the AG’s office argued that he should have filed it earlier.
But counsel for the plaintiff, Martin Kpebu prayed the court to allow him to produce the document since the need for it came after the defendant sought to discredit his testimony.
The presiding Judge overruled the objection by the AG’s office and instructed the witness to produce the document by close of the day.
ARocha Ghana and 10 other organizations have sued the Government over its plans to mine bauxite at the Atewa Forest.
They argue that the forest provides water for over 5 million Ghanaians and is home to a trove of biodiversity, many of which can only be found in the Atewa Forest in Ghana. The forest is also considered a crucial nature-based solution and carbon sink for climate amelioration and the provisioning of several ecosystem services.
A few operational issues at the electoral administration organization have drawn the attention of the Electoral Commission (EC) Senior Staff Association.
This includes among other things, delays in the payment of administrative releases for the last two quarters of 2022, unprecedented delay in the payment of logistics and other services and delay in the payment of allowances for Commissioners for Oaths engaged during the 2020 voter registration exercise.
Other bottlenecks according to the workers are the reduction in the allocation of resources, pre-financing of operational and administrative activities and the outstanding payments for some temporary officials engaged during the District Level elections in 2019 and 2020 general elections.
“The commission’s inability to settle all outstanding administrative releases in full by the 15th February 2023 will cause the hanging of red flags at all offices of the Commission from 16th February 2023 to show our protest”, the employees warned.
The EC staff outlined these six main issues in a statement following a resolution. They explained each concern and likely consequences as follows:
A. DELAY IN PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE RELEASES FOR TWO QUARTERS FOR THE YEAR 2022 (SIX MONTHS) i. Delay in the administrative releases for fuel, accountable imprest and inability to service and maintain official vehicles. ii. Payment of unrealistic rates of fuel for official vehicles. iii. Current economic conditions make it impossible for Regional Directors, Deputy Regional Directors and District Electoral Officers to Pre-finance fuel for official vehicles and undertake routine servicing and maintenance. iv. Inability to make payments for utilities (water and electricity) for the Offices. v. Disconnection of some offices of the Commission due to non-payment of utility bills.
B. DELAY IN THE PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING BILLS i. Non-payments for logistics (canopies, tables, chairs, boats, generators etc.) used for the 2020 voter registration exercise, under- taken during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. ii. Logistics needed for the exercise was hired, based on quotas, rates and operational, instructions from the Commission, amidst ‘strong warnings’ of sanctions in the failure to adhere. iii. Payment of only 20% of the total amount submitted for logistics, almost three (3) years after the exercise, which ended successfully for officers to receive commendation from the Commission for a good job done – the registers used for the 2020 elections are in debt. iv. District Electoral Officers are pestered on daily bases with incessant calls from vendors to redeem their debts. v. Some Vendors have sued some District Electoral Officers in the law courts and CHRAJ in attempts to retrieve their monies because Commission is unable to fulfil financial obligations. vi. District Electoral Officers are being verbally abused and even threatened on daily bases for non-payment of bills, making them live in fear. vii. District Electoral Officers have lost all the respect, dignity, goodwill and some favour earlier existed in their districts because the Commission has been unable to honour its part of the agreement. viii. District Electoral Officers are now having issues with their families and friends from whom they borrowed to offset some of the bills due to frustration. ix. District Electoral Officers believe that the Commission thinks the vendors were not truly engaged, hence the commission refusal to pay them.
C. DELAY IN PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS ENGAGED FOR THE 2020 TRANSFER OF VOTERS i. District Electoral Officers were instructed through their Regional Directors to engage the services of Commissioners for Oaths during transfer of voters in the year 2020, and have not been paid allowances after the whole exercise. ii. The Commissioners for Oaths keep harassing District Electoral Officers because they haven’t received their allowance yet.
D. DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED FOR OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES BY THE COMMISSION
I. The Commission has drastically reduced allocated resources since the 2018 Referendum for the Creation Of new regions to date. ii. Fuel for recruitment of officials, organisation of grassroots, training of officials, collection, distribution and retrieval of electoral materials from the regional offices to the district offices to the field has been reduced drastically since 2018. iii. Daily subsistence allowances (DSA) for staff has also seen a reduction per the number of days stipulated for various electoral activities. iv. Resources for hiring of training venue for Training of Trainers (TOT) and grassroots training has been reduced drastically, making the organisation of the training programmes extremely difficult.
E. After the payment of officials for the 2019 District Level Elections (DLE) and the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, some officials did not receive their allowances due to errors in their bank account details. The leadership of the SSA have made several appeals to Management to see to it that these officials are paid their allowances. However, it appears that the situation has not seen any change. We wish to make a final appeal to Management to address this issue timely so that we can continue to enjoy the support, loyalty and cooperation of our temporary officials during future exercises.
In view of the above, the National Council, the second-highest decision-making body of the SSA and the mouthpiece for Senior Staff Members at the various regions have resolved to the following:
1. Commissions’ Inability to settle all outstanding administrative releases in full by the 15th February, 2023 will cause the following: a. Hanging of red flags at all offices of the Commission from 16th February 2023 to show our protest. b. Officers would be unable to perform administrative and operational functions that require any financial commitments. c. The National Council of the Association may employ other legitimate and permissible tools under the Labour Laws of Ghana to press on home our demands after hanging of the red flags.
2. All arrears owned to vendors should be paid by Wednesday 1st March 2023, to enable District Electoral Officers have the peace of mind to live and work in their districts. In the event that the commission fails to make payments. a. All calls from vendors will be directed to the Commission. b. Vendors will be directed to the Head Office to claim their monies. c. District Electoral Officers would be unable to engage the services of vendors for subsequent exercise.
3. Resources for operational and administrative activities should be restored to their previous levels; and rates and levels should be determined and communicated to officers before the commencement of upcoming activities. 4. Officers of the Commission would NOT pre-finance any activities under any circumstance.
5. Management should liaise with the Government as a matter of urgency to implement the recommendations made on conditions of service of the staff of Electoral commission by the Twenty (20)- member fact finding Parliamentary Adhoc Committee set up by Parliament on Friday, 28th January 2011.
6. Management should also endeavour to address all these pertinent issues in a timely manner for industrial peace and harmony to prevail, considering the fact that this year is an Election year.
The New Patriotic Party should be led by Alan Kyerematen, according to Nana Akwasi Bosompra I, the paramount chief of Goaso Traditional Area of the Ahafo region (NPP).
He said this because the former Trade and Industry Minister has served the party faithfully and diligently since 1992, proving through his work that he has the qualities to lead the country.
Nana Bosompra, who presided over the Goaso Traditional Council when Kyerematen called on Nananom last Friday to announce his bid for the flagbearership of the NPP, noted that Ghanaians admire his competence, and the rich qualities he posses to lead the party.
Nana Akwasi Bosompra extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Hon. Kyerematen, including his ability to churn out results for productivity, his humility, and patience, as making him capable of leading the party.
As a result, Omanhene urged delegates to elect the former Trade and Industry Minister as their presidential candidate for 2024 as the Ghanaian electorate will willingly accept him.
The Goasomanhene blessed the presidential hopeful and assured him of his support invoking the support of Asanteman and Nananom of Ahafo region, reiterating the backing of the Golden Stool for Alan’s candidature for the flagbearership of the NPP.
The development of consensus between the government and stakeholders is essential for the economic development of the nation, according to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the minister of information.
According to him, such regular engagements are necessary for finding common grounds on issues of concern to citizens.
He made the comments when the Pentecostal and Charismatic Council presented a communiqué to the government in Accra on Monday 6th February 2023 following its recent National Conference.
Mr Nkrumah commended the group for not only concentrating on the church and spiritual matters but also paying attention to contemporary social and economic issues which impact livelihoods.
“The need for constant engagement and consensus building between Government and stakeholders within the economy cannot be over-emphasized. Among other things, we need Consensus for economic progress. Different stakeholders have different interests and objectives. And if each stakeholder sticks to an unyielding position we can hardly make progress.
“It is important that we engage regularly to find common ground on these things that matter most to us collectively,” he said.
He assured the council that matters raised in the communiqué are of keen interest to any administration and his Ministry will do well to ensure that the attention of central government is brought to these matters, some keener attention is paid to them and middle ground found on as many of them as possible
The President of the Council Apostle Eric Nyamekye who led the delegation to present the document to the Minister for Information said the church was always ready to play its role in nation-building by sharing feedback and using its platforms to educate and create awareness on national issues.
He appealed to the government to critically look at issues raised in the communique and addressed them in these crucial times, especially in the economy.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that issues relating to the reorganization of the Minority leadership in Parliament have been settled.
This comes after a meeting between the National Executives, the Council of Elders of the NDC, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament on Monday, February 6, 2023.
The meeting which took place at the DF Annan Auditorium in Parliament had stalwarts of the party including the Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and his General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, among others present.
Others at the meeting included former Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, and former Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said the concerns raised have offered the party the opportunity to establish a framework for the running of the Minority caucus in Parliament.
“You can see from the enthusiasm that the challenges that arose from the announcement of the new leadership of our Caucus have all been resolved.”
The Chairman also disclosed that the party has learned some key lessons from the row that accompanied the announcement of the reshuffle and has led to the formulation of a framework to determine the leadership of the Caucus in the future.
“The challenges that we have been through in the few days have produced very beneficial results and it has led to the formulation of a framework for leading our Caucus in Parliament
“One of the takeaways from this meeting is for us to go and quickly expedite action for the formulation of a framework of leading our Caucus in Parliament in the future.”
Meanwhile, one of the petitioners who called for a suspension of the reshuffle for further engagements, Dr. Dominic Ayine said the group will support the new leaders in the discharge of their duties.
Cassiel Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader on January 24.
Muntaka accepts Minority leadership reshuffle
In a related development, the former Minority Chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak, has finally accepted the decision by the National Democratic Congress to reshuffle the Minority leaders in Parliament.
His decision comes after former President John Dramani Mahama intervened and held discussions with the Member of Parliament for Asawase.
In a Facebook post, the former Chief Whip wrote “to all our supporters within and without. I had a lengthy meeting with my big brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday evening over the parliamentary reshuffle. I want to, first of all, thank him for his words of advice and encouragement to me as a younger brother”.
“His Excellency’s intervention has brought an end to all the brouhaha associated with the reshuffle.”
“We are in the interest of our party NDC. We need to move on as a party and channel all our energies towards the 2024 elections.
“I thank all our chiefs, Queen Mothers Imams, and supporters for your prayers and solidarity. I pray for Allah’s guidance in all our affairs. Long live NDC long live Ghana,” he concluded.
On Monday, February 6, 2023, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council delivered a communiqué to the government in the wake of its most recent National Conference.
The President of the Council Apostle Eric Nyamekye who led a delegation to present the document to the Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the church was always ready to play its role in nation-building by sharing feedback and using its platforms to educate and create awareness on national issues.
He appealed to the government to critically look at issues raised in the communique and addressed them in these crucial times, especially on the economy.
The Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in his response said consensus building between government and stakeholders is crucial for the country’s economic progress.
He said such regular engagements are necessary for finding common grounds on issues of concern to citizens.
Mr. Nkrumah commended the group for not only concentrating on the church and spiritual matters but also paying attention to contemporary social and economic issues which impact livelihoods.
“The need for constant engagement and consensus building between Government and stakeholders within the economy cannot be over-emphasized. Among other things, we need Consensus for economic progress. Different stakeholders have different interests and objectives. And if each stakeholder sticks to an unyielding position we can hardly make progress.
It is important that we engage regularly to find common ground on these things that matter most to us collectively” he said.
He assured the council that matters raised in the communique are of keen interest to any administration and his Ministry will do well to ensure that the attention of central government is brought to these matters, some keener attention is paid to them and middle ground found on as many of them as possible.
It’s been quite a year for music, from Beyoncé’s unbreakable soul and Adele’s “Easy” listening to Bad Bunny’s hot-boy Verano and Harry Style’s House party. But now we finally know who’ll need a U-Haul to take home all their trophies from the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
Bey went in with the most nominations (nine) and wound up breaking the record for the most Grammy wins by a single artist ever: a staggering 32. But if she scooped up several awards at the ceremony, she failed to net three of the biggest: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year, the last of which many (including EW) thought she had in, well, her bag.
Those wins, which were announced in the final hour of the show, would surprise even the artists who won them. Visibly stunned veteran singer-songwriter (and now 13-time winner) Bonnie Raitt snagged the award for Song of the Year for her track “Just Like That,” the first song written by a solo songwriter to take the prize since Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” 15 years ago.
Record of the Year went to an equally shocked Lizzo for her feel-good anthem “About Damn Time.” She dedicated her golden gramophone to her idols, including Prince and Bey. “Beyoncé, in the fifth grade I skipped school to see you perform,” she said. “You changed my life… So thank you so much. You clearly are the artist of our lives. I love you!”
And then there was the night’s most coveted trophy — Album of the Year — a category that once again pitted Adele (for 30) against Beyoncé (for Renaissance). But neither diva would snatch the statch (nor would Bad Bunny, ABBA, Mary J. Blige, Lizzo, Brandi Carlile, or Coldplay). The award instead went to Harry Styles for Harry’s House. Like Lizzo, the “As It Was” singer used his acceptance speech to praise his fellow nominees. “Man, I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me,” he said. “And I think on nights like tonight it’s so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music. I don’t think any of us sit in the studio making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these.”
Trevor Noah returned for his third year as host of the proceedings, having left his day job at The Daily Show. “Sometimes when you’re doing a live award show you can focus so much on the production of it that you forget what’s happening right in front of your eyes. And that is, some of the greatest talents of a generation are performing live in front of you,” Noah told EW’s Awardist podcast. “It’s just this live volcano that’s erupting in front of our eyes, and it’s beautiful to be a part of.”
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), a regulation that will mandate the installation of early fire detection systems in every home as a preventative measure against domestic fires will be put into effect.
According to the Service, its statistical report over the last decade has had domestic fires taking the lead in the country.
Per the data, out of 59,933 fire outbreaks recorded between 2013 and 2022; 23,394 were domestic fires, representing 39 percent which is more than other causes of fire.
Speaking to Citi News, the Director of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO), Timothy Osafo-Affum indicated that, the service is engaging the private sector to embark on moves to reduce domestic fire outbreaks.
“We are going to implement a new law – that is L.I 2249 (Fire Precaution Premises Regulation, 2015). This law mandates the fire service to ensure that every home is provided with early fire detection and fighting systems. What we are going to do is to give every home the smoke detector which is the simplest form of the early warning system.”
Recently, the Ghana National Fire Service announced, it will be rolling out a mandatory policy to compel drivers to keep fire extinguishers in their vehicles at all times.
The Service said the policy will reduce the rampant outbreak of fires and the damages caused.
Volta Region was selected for the pilot exercise which is expected to eventually be rolled out across the country.
According to the GNFS, incidents of vehicular fires have been on the rise in recent times in the Volta Region prompting the piloting of the exercise in that region.
Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, has outlined some strategies African countries might use to capitalize on their expanding populations.
According to him, Africa’s growing population – which is projected to hit 2.5 billion by 2050, has the ability to to serve as a liability to the continent.
Using his own country as an example, Olusegun Obasanjo said that by 2050, Nigeria’s population is projected to be at 400 million, a situation he said is currently troubling.
“We will be the third largest country in the world after China and India. Should the really be a great concern to us? I would say normally that it shouldn’t be because population can be a liability or an asset.
“Now, as we have it today, it is a great liability, and don’t let us deceive ourselves. In my country, Nigeria, where we are 225 million today, 20 million of our children that should be in school are not in school – that is the beginning of insecurity, whichever way you look at it,” he stressed.
Speaking at the Insiders and Outsiders Meeting the African Security Challenge in the 2020s, organised by the Brenthurst Foundation and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the former Nigerian president said that regardless of the situation, something good can come out of over-population.
He explained that an advantage that Africa can attain with its growing human resource, is to ensure that it equips the population with needed skills, education and knowledge in technology.
“Can we make population an asset? Of course, we can if we nurture our population from the womb; if we have food and nutrition security; if we give every child education. If everybody can acquire skills; if we give science and technology the attention it should be given.
“If we give every child employment, population will cease to be a liability; it will be an asset. But if we are not able to do this, as we have not been able to do it in the past, then there will be no hope, or any great expectation for our population. And once the population is depleted, then we have lack of protection, we have insecurity on our hands,” he stated.
The West African Security Roundtable – Insiders and Outsiders: Meeting the African Security Challenge in the 2020s was hosted by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, and Dr. Greg Mills, Head of the Brenthurst Foundation.
The event forms part of a series across the region: Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, Niamey, and Abeokuta.
The Member of parliament for North Tongu,Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has received recognition from the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for his efforts to develop the health industry in the Volta Region.
In a series of tweets shared on Sunday, February 5, 2023, the MP said that he is humbled and inspired by the gesture.
He expressed his gratitude to the GMA and his special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, who he said played a key role in his intervention in the health sector in the Volta Region.
“Sincerely, it is really humbling and deeply inspiring to know that the professionals and practitioners at the heart of health delivery have returned a positive verdict on my health interventions.
“This isn’t an individual accomplishment but a collective recognition; there wouldn’t be this award without my special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, our dynamic volunteers, our numerous donors both home and abroad, patients and healthcare workers who boldly tell us their needs, the many doctors and nurses who accept our outreach invitations, community leaders, party activists and strategic partners,” parts of the tweet read.
The tweets included a video of the MP receiving the award amid resounding applause and a standing ovation.
View the tweets plus a video of Ablakwa receiving the award below:
Last night I received a medal of honour and a citation from the prestigious Ghana Medical Association (Volta/Oti Division) for what they described as my “outstanding contributions to the advancement of the health sector.”
Dr. Momodou Cham, our dynamic volunteers, our numerous donors both home and abroad, patients and healthcare workers who boldly tell us their needs, the many doctors and nurses who accept our outreach invitations, community leaders, party activists and strategic partners.— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 5, 2023
Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, together with 40 NPP Members of Parliament (MPs)have traveled to Kpembi to attend the funeral of the late Lepowura Alhaji MND Jawula.
The Vice President is also captured being accompanied by 40 Members of Parliament (MPs), who were seen seated in a bus from the Tamale Airport to Kpembi in the Savanah Region.
Some of the Members of Parliament captured are the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Shiela Bartels, Mustapha Yussif, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Habib Iddrisu, Dr. Prince Armah, and Steven Jalulah, among others.
The late Lepowura Alhaji Jawula, who was the former chairman of the Ghana Football Association, died in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America, on January 21, 2023.
In line with Islamic practice, the veteran football administrator and politician was buried in the United States on Sunday, January 22.
The former chairman of the Ghana Football Association would have clocked 74 years old in May.
He held the affairs of Ghana football from 1997 to 2001. His reign saw the U-17 team place 2nd and 3rd in the 1997 and 1999 World Cups, respectively, and the U-20 team place 2nd in the 2001 World Cup edition.
Until his death, he was the chairman of the Ghana Premier League
To honor the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, thousands of people gathered at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of celebrations for the first Akwasidae of the year 2023.
It was marked with drumming and dancing amidst exchange of greetings, presentation of drinks and other pleasantries.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II entered the Palace in a palanquin dressed in a kente cloth with gold ornaments around his wrists and arms amidst drumming and firing of musketries.
He was followed by the Queen of the Asante Kingdom, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
The Akwasidae Festival is a magnificent Asante celebration centered on ancestral reverence, remembrance and acknowledgement of past kings and noble feats.
It serves as a celebration of the Golden Stool and a cultural vibrancy that brings together the Asantehene, sub-chiefs, subjects and dignitaries at Manhyia in Kumasi.
The atmosphere was charged with a lot of activities, which include drumming and dancing, cultural display and others.
Kofi Essoun, a young man in his late 40s, has been detained at the Manso Police Station for murdering his brother at Bowohomoden, a neighborhood close to Mampong in the Mpohor District of the Western Region.
Nana Kwame, a resident told Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show that the suspect is a known hunter in the community.
According to him, he went on his normal hunting expedition and shot an animal.
He went to the spot to pick up his animal only for him to see the lifeless body of his brother.
“He came home and informed us that he has killed his brother. He went hunting alone last night without his brother. He saw an animal and shot it, he was going for the animal only for him to see the lifeless body of his brother lying at the same spot. He was shocked as to what his brother was doing at the place at that particular time in the night when he did not go hunting with him,” the man narrated.
District Chief Executive (DCE) for Mpohor Ignatius Asaah Mensah confirms the suspect has been arrested after reporting himself at the Manso Police station.
Muntaka Mubarak, the former Chief Whip of the Minority in Parliament, has succumbed to the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) plan to reshuffle the Minority’s front bench.
The reshuffle affected him (Muntaka Mubarak), the then leader of the caucus, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and the Mr James Klutse Avedzi, also the then Deputy Minority Leader.
However, the Asawase MP who was unhappy with the decision says he has accepted it in the interest of the party.
In the Facebook post on Monday, February 6, the former Minister for Sports thanked former President John Mahama for intervening in the matter.
According to him, the intervention has brought an end to all the misunderstanding that surrounded the reshuffle.
“To all our supporters within and without. I had a lengthy meeting with my big brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday evening over the parliamentary reshuffle.
“I want to first of all thank him for the words of advice and encouragement to me as a younger brother.
“His Excellency’s intervention has brought an end to all the brouhaha associated with the reshuffle.”
He thus urged the rank and file of the party to focus their energies towards election 2024.
“We are for the interest of our party NDC. We need to move on as a party and channel all our energies towards 2024 elections.
“I thank all our chiefs ,Queen Mothers Imams, supporters for your prayers and solidarity. I pray for Allah’s guidance in all our affairs. Long live NDC long live Ghana,” he concluded.
Last month, the NDC replaced Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu with Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.
This, led to some differences over what the aggrieved NDC MPs described as “lack of consultation.”
Meanwhile, the party leadership will later today meet with all the Minority MPs to introduce the new leadership to them.
At Sepe-Boukrom in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region, a 21-year-old teenager has killed a 60-year-old woman.
Body of the deceased was discovered in her bathroom in a three-storey building after she was stabbed by the suspect on Monday, February 6, 2023.
The deceased, Rose Gyaah was stabbed eight (8) times with a knife by the suspect.
The suspect, identified as Koo Baah, according to eyewitnesses, threatened to eliminate any person who attempted to arrest him with a gun after committing the heinous act on Monday morning.
However, the fearless angry youth in the Buokrom Community overpowered the suspect and handed him immediately to Kumasi Airport Police Command.
Narrating how the incident occurred, a co-tenant to the deceased, Hamidu Issah explained,
“We heard the deceased Maa Rose shouting while mentioning the name Koo Baafi who happens to be an errand boy for her, so we thought it was a normal call which she normally does, but we realized the deceased’s voice was getting faint, so we rushed to her room at the last floor of the three-storey building.
“When got there, we saw blood stains all over the place, so we began following the blood stains and discovered the woman had been dragged to the bathroom by the suspect.
“We immediately called the police for assistance but the woman was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.”
The unfortunate incident has thrown the entire community into a state of shock and mourning.
The reticence of some significant players in this country’s administration over the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP), according to Professor Godfred A. Bokpin of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), is alarming .
Pensioner Bondholders Forum, a group for the protection of pensioners with investment in government bonds has served notice to picket at the premises of the Finance Ministry until its members are exempted from the DDEP.
According to the group, attempts to have their investment exempted from the programme have proved futile, the reason for their decision to picket at the Finance Ministry until their demands are met.
Commenting on the Debt Exchange Program on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, Mr. Bokpin stated that he cannot fathom why Parliament as the representative of the people has not summoned the Minister of Finance for questioning.
“We need all important stakeholders, you need the TUC on the table, the TUC should not just wake up because pensions were at risk. What is a pension if the whole country is not governed well? Because if you don’t do this Debt Restructuring very well, adequately and comprehensively it will show up in the next two years.
“If you look at the terms that the Minister has proposed even for the Individual Bondholders you are looking at the principal repayment in 2025 at a time he will not be there. Even the opposition party what is their stake and their contribution in this Debt Restructuring?” Mr. Bokpin queried.
He stated that NDC and other major stakeholders must demonstrate their commitment and what alternative they are putting on the table to salvage the nation from the current situation.
“The Christian Council, all the major stakeholders you know this is not a time where you can leave governance to a few people, no, this is a time where we all come on board. Bring the best ideas and best alternatives on the table for our common good. If Parliament could tell us that they themselves have no deeper understanding of this Debt Exchange what prevents them from asking the Finance Minister to come and brief Parliament comprehensively? The situation, the steps, and all of that.”
A physician and financial adviser, Dr. Yaw Perbi, cried while discussing how the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) has damaged him.
According to him, he sacrificed student loans and some entertainment among others just to gain principal to buy government bonds.
“We sacrificed student loans and some entertainment among others. And now, those who were just blowing their money are laughing at us. They’ll be saying ‘you should have chopped the money’,” he said on Monday.
Dr Yaw Perbi said he convinced many of his friends who are health practitioners in the country to invest but he is now pained things have turned out like this.
“Part of the reason I came here was to let the several tens and thousands of people who have invested to know that this is not a Ponzi Scheme. They did the right thing.
“I am trying to convince myself that I did the right thing, I did not leave them to go and throw themselves over a cliff. We did the right thing but our leaders have not done the right thing by us and they need to be called out on it,” myjoyonline.com quoted.
Background:
The only hurdle to the government of Ghana getting the $3 billion it is seeking from the International Monetary Fund appears to be the government’s inability to prove to the Fund that its debts are sustainable.
To do this, the government has come up with the voluntary Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) to deal with its domestic debts. It has also come up with some measures, including the country joining the Paris Club to deal with its international debts (to have the foreign debts delayed or forgiven).
With the DDEP, the government is seeking to restructure approximately GH¢137.3 billion of the domestic debts it accrued through bonds it issued, including the E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc, and per the requirement of the IMF, 80 percent of the country’s total debts must be subject to this debt exchange programme.
However, the government has been struggling to get the needed stakeholders to sign up for the DDEP to meet the required standard and has extended the deadline for the programme several times.
On Monday, February 6, 2023, Turkey experienced a massive 7.7 earthquake, claiming over 1,800 lives.
Per reports Ghanaian international player Christian Atsu, who plays for Turkish Super Lig team Hataysport, is among those who have been trapped under the debris.
This is the Moment a Building in Türkiye's Sanliurfa Collapsed after a major 7. 4 Magnitude Earthquake struck Türkiye.
The earthquake, the second-largest in the last century anywhere in the world, has already been reported to have claimed more than 1600 lives both in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, the CNN reports.
As the world comes to terms with what is happening in Turkey, and as humanitarian and rescue efforts are being made to help the country, GhanaWeb takes a look at some of the videos that have been shared by people online showing the depth of destruction caused by the natural disaster.
In these difficult moments for the peoples hit by the earthquake, in #Türkiye and #Syria, we should all pray that there will be as few human victims as possible. We pray for them…!#PrayForTurkeypic.twitter.com/jyavyhY2zI
The upstream oil sector in the last seven years under President Akufo-Addo has seen no extra production activity, this is according to former President John Dramani Mahama.
In a post on his Twitter page on Monday, February 6, the former President attributed the lack of activity in the upstream sector to the greed and ineptitude of President Akufo-Addo.
In 2017, the government revealed that it was banking its hopes on the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) and the Sankofa-Gye-Nyame oil fields to achieve its growth target of 6.3 percent this year.
TEN Field Project
The TEN Oil field, which started operating in August 2016, was expected to produce between 20,000 to 23,000 barrels of oil per day.
The project is a joint venture led by Tullow Oil with a stake of 47.185 percent, with the other partners, Kosmos Energy, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and Petro SA, having a stake of 17 per cent, 17 per cent, 15 per cent and 3.815 per cent, respectively.
The project derives its name from the three fields, Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme, which lie 60 kilometres off the coast of the Western Region, Ghana.
TEN was expected to produce about 300 million barrels of oil over a 20-year period, equivalent to 80 per cent of oil and 20 per cent of gas.
The field will produce 80,000 barrels of oil and 180mm scf of gas per day when it reaches full production.
Sankofa project
The Sankofa-Gye Nyame Field in the Tano Basin of the West Cape Three Points, on the other hand, delivered its first oil in August 2017 and its first gas in February 2018 to augment thermal power generation that ensured sustainable electricity production.
It was expected to deliver an additional 30,000 barrels per day of oil and 180 million cubic feet (5.07 million cubic metres) per day of gas to Ghana.
Gas from the project is expected to help generate 1,100 MW of additional electricity and once on stream, it will produce enough gas to increase the country’s electricity supply by 50 per cent.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has made it clear that the choice to control fuel prices under the “gold for oil” program is just temporary and will cease if significant quantities of consignment arrive in Ghana.
The Communications Manager of the NPA, Mohammed Abdul-Kudus, in an interview on the Citi Breakfast show on Monday explained that the decision is to ensure that the prices of petroleum products imported under the Gold-for-Oil (G4O) programme reflect at the pumps to benefit consumers.
“Currently they are commingling, what it means is that they are taking from the G4O and what they take from the prevailing market price, so the pricing dynamic is different. So when the volume increases when we have OMCs taking mainly from G40 then we don’t need to put our eyes on it because then the pricing is clear.
“It is because of the non-clarity and difficulty in arriving at the price because of the insignificance of the quantity that has warranted our monitoring. We hope that when the product supply increases over time and hopefully takes off the current arrangement over time and we are able to tell that this OMC is not selling any product apart from G4O then pricing is easier and we are not going to have any difficulty in monitoring,” Mr Abdul-Kudus told host Bernard Avle on Monday.
The NPA has also announced that it will work with the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company Limited to negotiate prices with international oil traders to ensure that the landed cost of products procured under the programme is always competitive.
The NPA also disclosed that the initial 40,000 tonnes of diesel that arrived in January under the Gold-for-oil policy were valued at US$40 million.
The clarification by the NPA comes after several calls by industry experts including the Institute of Energy Securities for the government to provide details on how much it spent on the initial consignment.
