A Chairman hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Joseph Ade-Coker has boldly stated that he can match his opponent in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) boot for boot to win massively in the next general elections in 2024.
He said the NDC needs a courageous person like him to lead the battle and amass votes for the party to be at the helm of affairs in the country.
Interacting with NDC delegates during his campaign tour, Mr. Ade Coker said, “I have demonstrated that l have the courage to fight the NPP, they should also watch the posture of the NPP, they have been telling us that they are going to break the eight-year jinx, …If that is the case, the NDC needs a very courageous, bold and articulate person to be able to lead them in the battle in the Greater Accra region, which always determines the winning votes of the NDC. They should vote for me, I have come to you with a message and with a plan.”
The incumbent Greater Accra regional Chairman of NDC said the calibre of regional executives the delegates will elect internally will determine the party’s chances in the 2024 general elections.
“The calibre of people you elect tomorrow will determine the success of the NDC going into the 2024 general elections. If you elect people who are not mature, competent, tried and tested, the results will be GIGO, Garbage in Garbage out,” he warned.
He further advised delegates to desist from being influenced by money and enticing goodies.
The NDC is expected to elect its regional executives on November 12-13, 2022, to steer the affairs of the party.
The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has been convicted of reckless and inconsiderate driving.
The lawmaker was arrested on Thursday, November 3, 2022, after he was seen driving in the middle of the road around the Airport by-pass in his V8 vehicle with no regard for law-abiding pedestrians and other road users.
The vehicle was impounded by the Police, and he was arraigned before the La District Court on November 4, 2022, on the charges of reckless and inconsiderate driving, driving in the middle of the road facing oncoming traffic and causing danger to other road users.
A statement from the Police said he was convicted by the court and fined an amount of GH¢2,400.
The court further directed him to remove the front beacon lights which had been unlawfully fitted on his vehicle.
According to the police, the MP subsequently paid the fine and removed the unlawfully installed lights before the vehicle was released to him.
“We would like to entreat all drivers to be mindful of the safety of other road users at all times to prevent avoidable accidents and their associated deaths and injuries, especially as the Christmas season approaches. The Police remain committed to ensuring safety and security on our roads as we deliver on our core mandate of protecting life and property as well as maintaining law and order in the country,” police urged in the statement.
Ghana presented customised Black Stars shirts to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN headquarters on Friday, on the sidelines of Security Council meetings, where Ghana is President for the month of November.
Ghana plays in Group H with Mr. Guterres’ country, Portugal, on November 24 at the World Cup in Qatar.
“This jersey is a gift from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I’m sure the value will go up when we win the World Cup,” Ghana’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Harold Agyeman told Mr. Guterres amid laughter.
In response, the Secretary-General said, “the colour of the jersey is just like that of (Portuguese club) Benfica, the team I support.”
Mr. Guterres told his staff to keep the shirt securely in case Ghana did, in fact, win the World Cup.
He was also presented with a wood and glass-framed shirt in white, autographed by the Black Stars players.
President Akufo-Addo is due to address the Security Council on November 10.
Ghana is using its two-year term on the council, which began in January this year, to bring the world’s attention to the root causes of insecurity in Africa, especially in the Sahel and West Africa, and press for innovations in peace-keeping mandates.
Despite the numerous calls for his dismissal by the Majority MPs, Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, seems to get support from the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), had stated that his outfit despite the economic hardships facing Ghanaians supports the minister to tackle it.
According to him, Ken Ofori-Atta’s hard work is being recognised despite the current economic challenges facing the country.
Dr. Ayim-Darke speaking during a meeting with the finance minister in Accra on Thursday, November 3, further assured him of a partnership to circumvent the economic difficulties of the country.
“We appreciate your work, the times can be different, the challenges can be numerous but we at AGI believe in hard work. The real sector has been the hard work and we have been in this space for that long, we will circumvent the situation with you and your team.
“You can count on our support because we love to do the hard work. We will offer advice and offer suggestions and alternatives,” he said.
“Our prayer is that by the end of the day the output should be the testament, the ability to circumvent this current position is a test to your agility, it is a test to your agenda that you set up.
“One thing I have come to realise is that when you make pronunciations, time will be the best test…Hon Minister, I believe strongly that AGI’s view on what is happening in our economic space…is that some are of opinions calling for your exit whilst others are of the opinion of you staying; the president also has an opinion believing that he puts you in such position.
“We believe that the exit of a minister might not be the panacea of all woes that we have gathered to share with the minister, [but] the performance and ability to circumvent the position we find ourselves in should be our trump card…as challenging as it will be, our support to our government and to our nation is paramount…you have our pledge, you have our support that together we shall navigate this course. We are grateful to engage you,” Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke stressed.
Calls for Ofori-Atta, Adu Boahen to be axed
A group of NPP MPs, numbering over 80, on October 25 held a press conference demanding the removal of the Finance Minister and Minister of State at the Ministry, Charles Adu Biahen, over management of the economy and hard times that citizens were facing.
President Akufo-Addo intervened and got a concession on two grounds, that the Ofori-Atta be allowed to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and present the 2022 budget and see to the passage of its appropriation.
The president has also addressed the nation on the economic challenges and how the government intends to tackle them.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has recently stated that the view advanced by the Ken Must Go MPs is now the Majority position.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus is pushing a vote of censure t remove Ofori Atta from office.
The current subject of all conversations in Ghana is increasing inflation and the fall of the cedi. Transport prices have been increased, with many Ghanaians complaining about incurring huge costs instead of gaining money when coming to work.
For weeks and months now, the value of the cedi has been decreasing constantly. As a result, everything is becoming more and more expensive. Currently, one dollar is going for 13.014 cedis. This is an improvement to the latest rate, but still, the general trend is going down.
The issue is carried mainly on the traders’ shoulders – they are the ones who people point their fingers at as soon as the prices rise. Many Ghanaians accuse them of taking advantage of the situation and adjusting their prices to margins which fit them best.
How does inflation really affect the country and its citizens? Are the traders surviving or do they need to close their shops? Samuel Eshun, host of e.tv Ghana’s ‘Fact Sheet’ show addressed the issue at hand with president of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, who shared his thoughts on the economic situation and the performance of the cedi.
“It is my wish that we do not speculate around the dollar in a negative sense again”, Mr. Obeng said.
He explains that this negative speculation is dangerous and leads to panic buying.
The GUTA president says the government need to inspire hope in the economy to turn this speculation in a positive direction.
Another danger, in his eyes, is people profiting from the situation by putting their money in the bank in one country and taking it back in another, knowing that the rate is “lucky” for them. To prevent this, Mr. Obeng claims the Bank of Ghana could have easily dropped a directive that stops people from doing so.
GUTA has also been proposing alternative currencies to ease the pressure on the dollar. However, out of all the recommendations which were presented by the president just last week, this was the only one that he refused.
Last week, there was a discussion on a replacement of finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Now, the party has issued a statement to the effect that the president has agreed with them that the finance minister must be allowed to complete the IMF negotiation and to ensure that the preparation for the budget is done. Obeng claims to be neutral to this decision as long as the finance minister, new or old, inspires an improvement in the economy.
The GUTA president confirms the fact that businesses are collapsing due to the weak performance of the cedi. In the beginning of this year, one dollar was still going for 6.2 cedis. Since then, the situation has gotten drastically worse. “Businesses are collapsing, and they are collapsing fast.”
To survive as a business, he says the prevailing rate has to be benchmarked. You have to apply wisdom to your trading. This kind of forecast is very important.” He explains that you cannot simply overprize yourself out of the competition, because the customers are smart and not robots. You need to adapt to the competitors and the market.
Dr. Joseph Obeng rejects allegations that him like other businessmen are taking advantage of the situation. “It is not true, and can never be true,” he said.
Obeng emphasizes that IMF is of utmost importance to the economy. “Everything is rallied around the IMF discussion for the future of this economy.” He explains that the country suffers from a serious structural problem. To solve this, he says, “We have to be able to pinpoint the areas that are making the economy suffer. We are in a deep hole. It is not about the money that is coming. It is about the highness and the voters who are going to swallow the money.”
In his opinion, it is important to communicate clearly to IMF on where Ghana’s problems lie.
When it comes to the government, Mr. Obeng wishes for pragmatic, outside-the-box thinking to bring a solution to the people. “It is the time of the crisis that brings the best of leadership,” he said.
In the GUTA president’s opinion, we can no longer make the pandemic or the Ukraine war responsible for the economic situation.
“We are in a global village, all of us have problems.” Ghana is one of those countries in his eyes, and therefore it needs to find out where the problem is and solve it.
Madam Rebecca Asempa, a businesswoman in Hohoe has resurrected the selling of “ice water” after more than 10 years switch to the consumption of “pure water.”
She resumed the business on Tuesday, October 25 and so far, it is becoming a favourite to all special drivers at the Hohoe lorry station.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) contacted Madam Asempa after a video popped up showing her selling to some drivers.
She said she was selling the “ice water” for 20 pesewas adding that, she sold the water at the price despite the cost of the polyethene bag she used for the water.
She said she was also taking into consideration all the hygienic factors to sell a well ‘self-produced’ water and, “I am just doing this thing for doing sake, but they are buying it. I started yesterday and people are buying.”
The sachet or pure water is now selling at 50 or 60 pesewas due to recent hikes in the cost of production and fuel prices resulting from global turbulence.
Mr Emma Boakye, a driver told GNA that the cost of water despite its production being done in the country was disturbing, hence, they would continue to buy the “Ice water” as far as it is produced under hygienic conditions.
He said it was the “ice water” they used to drink before they switched, hence, “Sankofa is not a crime.”
Mr Boakye also lamented on the price increase in fuel and lorry fares, which would continue to affect the prices of goods including water.
GNA survey proves that similar business of iced water is emerging in some parts of Ho, an indication that if care is not taken, the phenomenon would become the norm going forward, a worry for public health experts.
Mr Gorden Akurugu, Volta Regional Director, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has warned the public against the consumption of “ice water.”
He said it was not safe and consumers could easily get typhoid and other diseases since there was a direct contact processing where sellers blew air into the rubbers before filling them with water.
Mr Akurugu said consumers must be wary of their health and strictly go by drinking the sachet water or have clean and hygienic water in their houses to drink.
Mr Emmanuel Yawlui, the Hohoe Environmental Health Officer, when contacted, said the Department was unaware of any developments regarding the sale of “ice water.”
However, he said the only water in a rubber sanctioned, is the one which solidifies into, “ice blocks.”
Mr. Isaac Kwadwo Buabeng, the Municipal Chief Executive, has urged residents whose property will be affected by the road construction from Ofankor to Nsawam to submit their documents to the Assembly for verification.
He said the authentication of building permits, site plans, and indentures of the property would assist the Assembly to process the payment of compensation by the government.
He cautioned those who had already received compensation during former President Kufuor’s administration to distance themselves from the exercise.
Mr. Buabeng gave the advice when the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly engaged stakeholders along the stretch of the road project at Nsawam in the Eastern Region.
He said the works on the 33.7-kilometre road from Ofankor to Nsawam would commence on Monday, November 14, and would be undertaken by M/S Maripoma Engineering Limited.
Mr. Jeremiah Agyekum Amoafo, the Municipal Coordinating Director assured the people of the readiness of the Assembly in the processing of the documents of the affected persons for the payment of the compensation.
Mr. Gideon Adofo, the Physical Planning Officer of the Assembly implored the citizenry to stop putting up buildings without permits, and desist the habit of constructing structures on waterways and areas earmarked for roads.
Chief Superintendent Benson Ebenezer, the Nsawam Police Commander urged the residents to adhere to laws and regulations and produce a proper document for the Assembly verification and that the police would not compromise on any excuses.
In the midst of economic hardships fueled by high inflation rates, some Ghanaians have dedicated today, November 5, 2022, to demonstrate in demand for better living conditions.
The organizers noted that this is to send a “strong message” to the government to act in order to relieve Ghanaians of the challenges they currently face.
They also called for the resignation of the leadership of the country.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Friday ahead of the demonstration, Nii Ayi Opare, Spokesperson of the Economic Fighters League and a member of the Organisers of the “Kume Preko” demo, charged protestors to engage in a peaceful exercise.
“Tomorrow’s demonstration is going to be a peaceful one and I want to place on record that, the youth of Ghana are law-abiding and peace-lovers. No one has to look far from the three main demonstrations under the ‘fix the country’ banner. All three that we’ve had were peaceful and without any incidents with the police or without.
“To those few elements who are planning to use this demonstration to cause trouble, to engage in any violent activity whatsoever, this is not the space for you, indeed, you will be routed out on your own and handed over directly to the State institutions to take proper action against you,” he said.
Protestors would converge at the Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle at 0700hrs, and march through the 28th February Road to Farisco Junction and then through the Liberia Road to Independence Square.
Martin Kpebu, the Lead Organiser, also said, “It’s clear to you, I mean from the hardship we are all suffering daily, that this country is in an economic quagmire. We’re falling into a deep crater as a result of the reckless borrowing and other forms of misgovernance by President Akufo-Addo.”
“We are dying. Citizens are dying, citizens can’t afford food, citizens are starving all because of mal-governance by President Akufo-Addo,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Nyarko Ampem is calling on the leadership of Parliament to consider two sittings in a week due to the recent increases in fuel prices.
The MP says the House should consider sitting for about 8 hours a day for the proposed two days to save cost on fuel for the week.
“We will be willing to stay and do the business for like two days and then save the three days. That way, we can save GH¢500 on fuel every week and this will also be in line with Mahama’s proposal to organizations to allow those who can work from home to do so because the fuel situation is killing us.”
The MP said the current business of the House makes it possible to extend the sitting hours.
“Looking at the kind of business that we have, is it not possible to stay for six hours a day instead of coming two hours, and we go back after two hours.”
The MP made the call on Friday after the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, presented the Business Statement for the ensuing week in Parliament.
The Majority Leader described the proposal as apocalyptic with dire consequences.
Fuel prices have been increased twice in the month of October 2022 with diesel now selling for GH¢23.49 per litre, petrol selling at GH¢17.99 per litre, and Kerosene selling at GH¢14.70.
The Minority in Parliament has served notice that it will move its vote of censure motion against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
The Minority filed the vote on censure against the Minister on grounds of conflict of interest and financial recklessness leading to the current economic crisis.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, said the group will not relent in its efforts to have the Finance Minister removed from office.
“The motion of censure is slated to be moved on Thursday, the 10th of November 2022, and the Minority Chip Whip, Mubarak Muntaka has sounded a note of caution to all Minority MPs that all 136 minority MPs must be in the chamber on Thursday, so any member who absents himself does so at his own risk.”
Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim added that the Finance Minister has been duly served and will be in the Chamber to defend himself.
The grounds the Minority cites for the vote of censure are:
Despicable conflict of interest ensuring that he directly benefits from Ghana’s economic woes as his companies receive commissions and other unethical contractual advantages, particularly from Ghana’s debt overhang.
Unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund in blatant contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 Constitution, supposedly for the construction of the President’s Cathedral:
Illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts, in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution:
Deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament 5. Fiscal recklessness leading to the crash of the Ghana Cedi which is currently the worst-performing currency in the world:
Alarming incompetence and frightening ineptitude, resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy and an excruciating cost of living crisis;
Gross mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy which as occasioned untold and unprecedented hardship
I can turn economy around
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is fighting to save his job and has called on Ghanaians to trust in his competence and ability to rescue Ghana’s ailing economy.
Speaking at a meeting with the Association of Ghana Industries, Mr. Ofori-Atta said Ghana remains the best destination to do business.
“Let me assure you that you have a Finance Minister who has gone through all the pains and the aches, and nobody can really say we don’t understand what we are doing. The question is what resources do we have and how are we going to deploy them in the nation that we have and how do we stand firm in very difficult circumstances but being very confident?”
“Let me assure you all that your best bet is still Ghana; we can do it, and we should do it,” the embattled Finance Minister said.
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has described calls for Members of Parliament to work twice week in parliament due to high fuel as unfortunate.
According to him, the current economic crisis requires Members of the house to be productive hence the need for them to come to the house daily.
“The member of parliament calling for work in just two days in a week, Mr. Speaker, that is a very apocalyptic declaration. I think that it’s an unfortunate call,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Constituency in the Eastern Region, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, had called on Parliament to consider members of parliament to work twice a week instead of the current four days.
According to him, since parliament resumed, the house has been sitting for not more than two hours and this usually costs them a lot, especially with the hikes in fuel prices.
Thomas Nyarko Ampem is asking that the house sits for two days for long hours rather than come in daily to reduce the cost of fuel amidst the economic crisis.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Friday, November 4, he said he had to pay GHC3000 Ghana cedis for fuel to fill his tank, which according to him, is too much.
“Mr Speaker we all know the business for this particular meeting is the budget and I have observed that for the days we have been here, sometimes we come and in less than two hours we adjourned till the next day. I am asking that it will not be possible for the business committee to consolidate, and park the activities so instead of four days I suggest we work two days a week in order to be able to save on the amount of money we are using for fuel.
“Mr Speaker, a day before yesterday I went to a Goil filling station at Legon, my lights were on and I asked them to fill my tank, I got down to the shop to buy something when I came back, GHC3000 was my bill. I had GHC2100, I had to call my colleague honourable Jajah to send mobile money that I am avoiding using before I was able to pay my bill. We can stay for six hours a day instead of coming for two hours and we go back. That way we can save GHC500 a week. The fuel situation is killing us,” he added.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah says President Akufo-Addo is the most caring political leader in the history of Ghana.
According to him, doting measures by President Akufo-Addo to protect the citizenry from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic clearly show how his government cares about Ghanaians.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday, November 4, 2022, Hon Simon Osei Mensah explained that the government’s decision to give out free electricity and free water and pay workers who were not working, among others would go down in the history books as one of the most charitable presidents.
“Have you ever wondered why President Akufo-Addo has gained admiration from across the African continent and beyond? If you ask me, I will tell you it is due to how he handled the pandemic with utmost human face leading to one of the lowest mortality rates Covid-19 recorded in any country after the Covid-19 outbreak “.
Appreciation to the President
Hon Simon Osei Mensah eulogized President Akufo-Addo over his four-day tour of the Ashanti Region.
The tour, he believes, was a huge blessing to the good people of the Ashanti Region as it saw the commissioning and sod cutting of major landmark projects in the region.
Hon Simon Osei Mensah explained that President Akufo-Addo’s visit had dismissed claims that the NPP government has neglected the region in its developmental agenda.
He added that some projects inspected by the president, such as the Maternity Block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment project, Boankra Inland Port project, among others, are a clear testimony that the Ashanti Region has also benefited from the current NPP government.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed that every child born within the borders of Ghana will be issued a National Identification Card (Ghana Card) number at birth, starting from the first quarter of 2023.
The vice president, who disclosed this in a series of tweets he shared after a meeting on the integration of databases in Ghana on November 3, said that this puts Ghana at par with advanced countries.
“Today, I chaired a meeting the integration of the databases of the Ghana Health Service, National Health Insurance Authority, National Identification Authority, the Ghana Statistical Service. We have been working on this for a year now.
“As a product of the work, I am happy to announce that from the end of the first quarter of next year, children born in Ghana will be issued a National ID card (Ghana Card) number from birth as is done in many advanced nations,” part of the vice president’s tweets read.
The integration between the Ghana Card and the Tax Identification Numbers, SSNIT cards, Passport, DVLA, Bank Accounts and SIM cards started in 2021.
Already, the Ghana Card has been merged with Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT); National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); a move which has seen an increase in the database of these institutions.
The Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has stated that a total of GH₵50 million has been released to the Controller and Accountant General Department to pay scholarships.
He made this known to a delegation from the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), led by its president, Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, paid a courtesy call on the Secretariat at the end of October.
According to him, the government, being very aware of the challenges being faced by beneficiaries due to the delay in scholarship payments, the government is speeding up processes to ensure the situation is remedied.
“The government of Nana Akufo-Addo is very committed to education and all efforts are being made to close the gap. Discussions with the Ministry of Finance are going well and some 50 million cedis has been released to the Controller and Accountant General,” he said.
The leadership of NUGS also discussed issues surrounding the closed scholarship portal, while urging the Secretariat to expedite the payment to their members. and amongst other issues.
Dennis Larbi-Ampofo stressed the importance of this because a number of their members are on the verge of deferring their courses or dropping out of school altogether.
“We acknowledge the effort of the scholarship secretariat but the education of these students on the government scholarship scheme can never be compromised especially not under my watch as the chief servant of the Union and that government must take swift measures in making sure this situation is curbed,” he reiterated.
He further stated that the doors of the union are always open for discussions that seek to put the ordinary student in a position of a safe and sound educational environment.
He added that they are willing to be part of any activity that is tailored around this mission.
The NUGS president however stated that the students will only hold onto their patience until payments are made but should the government stretch them too long, they may be forced to resort to other extreme measures.
GUTA recently led some traders in Accra to lock up shops in protest of the depreciating cedi and general economic difficulties.
President of the Union, Joseph Obeng in an interview with Citi News said, the drop in value of the cedi against the dollar has eroded the capital of traders and has made them unable to import goods.
“The capital of most businesses has eroded by about 50 per cent. So it looks like we will not be able to bring in the goods as we have done in the previous years. The prices may not also be as they used to be. I can foresee that happening because benchmark values have been reduced by over 60 per cent. So the consumers should not be looking at the traders, but rather the policymakers.”
Dr Obeng tells Citi News that GUTA is in agreement with the President’s suggestions of industrialization and limited importations, but believes this must be done in areas where Ghana has a competitive advantage.
“If we want to sustain our forex and ensure that the country is progressing, we are all for it, but if we want to industrialize and consume what is our own, we should be able to identify the areas we have the comparative advantage in Ghana. Importation has become so difficult these days, but how are the local manufacturers taking advantage? They are unable to take advantage because there is a thin line between the manufacturing here because the companies also import about 90 per cent of the production inputs.”
Already, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has warned that should the prevailing conditions in the petroleum sector fester, there will be a shortage of petroleum products in the country ahead of the Christmas festivities.
“If you look at the economic activities that occasion the last quarter of the year, we are not looking at the cedi doing any better, importations are going to double because of the festivities and the currency may still take a battering and once that happens you are expecting prices to go up further”, Executive Secretary of the COPEC, Duncan Amoah.
The Minority in Parliament wants the government to probe allegations of the training of some mercenaries at Asutsuare.
The group’s call follows an exposé by social media commentator, Kelvin Taylor, which disclosed the alleged training of some mercenaries by a top security officer at the Jubilee House.
Speaking to journalists, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga, said the government must speak to the issue.
“The Minority takes a very serious view of the exposé, and we demand that government comes out to clarify if it is actually the case that mercenaries have been brought into this country and are being trained at Asutsuare, and they are taken by escorts to Asutsuare every morning by bus or train?”
“I think this calls for an independent probe into the matter. We can’t just go to sleep. The National Security and Interior Ministers need to speak on the issue.”
He also called on international organisations to keep an eye on the issue.
“The African Union, ECOWAS, and others should monitor the development. These are dark clouds gathering over our political landscape.”
The former Operations Manager of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Charles Owusu, has said that insults that some Ghanaians are directing at Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will have no effect on him because he has nothing to lose.
According to him, Akufo-Addo is serving his second term as president and nothing can stop him from completing it.
Speaking in a Peace FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Charles Owusu added that what Ghanaians have to be doing in these hard times is to be proffering solutions to the challenges the country is facing.
“We have to understand that whatever it is, President Akufo-Addo has nothing to lose. If we think insulting him will lead to something changing, it is not true.
“Because he has nothing to lose. He is the president, and he is going for his second term, and he is going to complete it. It is not your insults that will stop him. What is needed is your advice on how to get the country out of the current hardships.
“We have to understand that political parties are in countries and not the other way round. Anything that affects the nation affects members of political parties,” he said in Twi.
Former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, has urged ex-President John Dramani Mahama to help the current government find solutions to the hardship in the country.
According to him, it is in the interest of Mahama to help President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo because if the hardship in Ghana is not alleviated soon, there will be no county for him Mahama to lead.
He intimated that it is the wish of Mahama and the opposition National Democratic Congress that the Akufo-Addo administration fails for them to become the next government which is not the best.
He added that the toppling of governments in recent times due to economic hardship should serve as an example to the former president.
“Our leaders don’t always act in our interest. The problem we have now is that President Mahama is waiting for Akufo-Addo to fail so that he becomes the next leader. He has to be careful because Ghana may not be there for them to rule if care is not taken.
“If you don’t know death, look at sleep. Look at Libya, look at Sri Lanka, look at Lebanon. My warning is not from a stupid thought; I am speaking based on logic.
“We are sitting in this country, and people are hungry. I have never seen hunger like this; I have never seen it… where we are heading is dangerous. People are hungry in this country, and we have to be really careful,” he said in Twi.
But former President John Dramani Mahama has, on a number of occasions, preferred solutions to the current challenges in the country and has also advised Akufo-Addo to hold a national dialogue and bring together some of the country’s best brains to solve the current economic crisis.
In a Facebook post, Mahama said, “a national dialogue on the economy, bringing some of our best brains together will serve us well, even as we prepare for debt restructuring and negotiation of an IMF programme.”
Former Minister for Finance Seth Terkper has refuted suggestions that he did not lead Ghana’s negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the era of ex-President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, even though the negotiation was chaired by renowned economist Prof Kwesi Botchwey, he (Terkper) took part in all the meetings and was the one who signed off on the deal the government had with the IMF.
“The fact that we had a team does not mean that the minister of finance was not at the table where the discussions were being held. I have heard that being said by academics, so they should be careful sometimes with what they say.
“Yes, it is true we had a team; it was chaired by Dr Botchwey … alternating occasionally with the Chairman of the Economic Management Team. After all, it was the nation’s economic programme. He (Prof Botchwey) has rich experience – 19 years of doing these things.
“So, we did have a team, but there wasn’t any of the discussion that I did not participate with my deputies,” he said in a JoyNews interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
Seth Terkper’s remarks follow calls by some people for Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to be excluded from Ghana’s team for the ongoing negotiation with the IMF for a $3 billion bailout.
Elizabeth Atiako has been suffering from an undiagnosed condition for the past ten years.
The mother of Elizabeth, Madam Lydia Adofo, explained her daughter’s condition and pleaded for support in an interview on SVTV Africa with DJ Nyaami.
Madam Adofo indicated that her daughter’s ailment began while writing her third paper for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Elizabeth attended Gomoa Ahyiem Senior High School, but she was befallen by an unknown condition while at the examination hall and quickly rushed home.
“They rushed her to me, and we took her to a hospital in Essikuma, but all they said was malaria. I’ve visited many pastors, and I’ve spent a lot of money on her, but she doesn’t improve. Initially, she would shout suddenly, but it has stopped now. I took her to Ankaful (psychiatric hospital). But whenever drugs were administered, her tongue would pull out while she spun continuously. So I stopped,” she recounted.
The single mother of five pleaded for financial support for a thorough examination. Madam Lydia indicated that her daughter does not speak and often acts out aggressively when touched.
“I plead for support to help Lizzy get the help she needs because it is her well-being that I’m looking out for. I’ve sold all I have to cater to her, but the condition is still the same. It’s been ten years since it began, and I don’t know what to do,” she added.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has denied reports by some media outlets that he has been arrested for a traffic offence.
The MP was reported to have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service for reckless and inconsiderate driving.
“The lawmaker, who broke the law was arrested on November 3 2022 after he was seen driving in the middle of the road around Airport in his vehicle with registration number GB-9776-21 with no regard for law abiding pedestrians and other road users,” one of the reports indicated.
But Francis-Xavier Sosu, in a post shared on Facebook on Friday, November 4, 2022, said that he was never arrested but rather cited for traffic offences.
“I have not been arrested nor under Arrest. The reports making rounds are not entirely accurate. I was cited for traffic offences yesterday, Thursday, November 3 2022 on my way from Parliament to an event in the Constituency,” parts of the post read.
“This morning, I was in the La Court to have the matter dealt with. I am currently in Parliament performing my parliamentary duties. Again, I am not under arrest,” he added.
The MP also berated the police for the handling of his case.
“It seems to me that the news of my arrest is more important to the Ghana Police Service than their core mandate. For instance, how many persons were cited for traffic offences yesterday?” he questioned.
A young woman has recently got many social media users talking after sharing a video of herself.
The post sighted by YEN.com.gh on the TikTok timeline of @tabsalterego had her sharing a picture of herself before she got pregnant alongside photos of her during pregnancy.
Many who saw the young mother’s video took to the comments section to share their experiences and opinions. At the time of this publication, the post has gathered over 1.3 million likes with close to 14,200 comments and 33,000 shares.
Some of the comments have been highlighted below by YEN.com.gh;
@Sassyjammy replied:
Your baby is absorbing your beauty. Everything will be back once you give birth
@user4409472368536 wrote:
Pregnancy will humble you
@Marcus commented:
When my sister who lives abroad was pregnant I went to visit her and I walked past her in the airport because I didn’t recognise her
@Ellie said:
My nose is already huge. Ain’t no way I’m getting pregnant.
From @AshleyRamirez:
Bruhhh that was me and people be saying “ omg you have such a glow” like ma’am ma’am where
@Mimi202 commented:
Give your children your last names. Y’all do all the work and put your lives on the line to create life!
@MaggMonya commented:
you only had to do your hair, you were not bad at all❤
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh earlier reported that a woman showcased her body’s transformation by sharing her before and during pregnancy pictures and video.
The touching video shared by @yabaleftonline on Instagram showed the petite woman in jeans before her pregnancy.
The next photo that followed showed that her stomach was beginning to protrude, signalling that she was pregnant. What followed next is a hilarious and emotional video capturing her entire ordeal at the hospital moments when she was to give birth.
Ghanaian comic actor, Kofi Adu, popularly known as Agya Koo, has stirred reactions online after he was spotted driving an expensive Infinity vehicle.
In a hilarious video, Agya Koo was approached by a young man as he was headed for his vehicle.
The actor looked stylish and was well-dressed in a beautiful white long-sleeve shirt, a round hat and a pair of fashionable designer shoes.
The young man asked Agya where he was headed, and he hilariously replied that he was attending a TikTok meeting.
He sarcastically told the young man free cars would be shared at the meeting, so he should come along with him. Agya Koo quickly hopped in the car and sped off after.
The white Infinity looked luxurious and showed that the actor was wealthy. Agya Koo has been actively involved in the movie industry for over a decade and seems to have made a good fortune since rising to stardom. Fans of the actor found the video hilarious and dropped funny comments.
Agya Koo Gets Peeps Laughing
tettehgideon116 reacted to the funny video:
Free car like seriously I can’t stop laughing.
Bra Dan commented:
agya i like your style
Otoobea also said:
Once a legend, always a legend
Uncle Fred also commented:
Agya atwa seven
Maytvgh1 also reacted:
We miss you kofi
Agya Koo: 5 Times the Kumawood Actor Turned a Funeral Party into Highlife Concerts
In other news, popular Kumawood actor Agya Koo has proven to be a force to reckon with not only in the movie and comedy industry.
The legendary Ghanaian actor is also known for his show-stopping music performances with his Tete Mmofra Band.
After a week of suspense over rumoured layoffs after Elon Musk’s takeover last week, the job cuts have become a reality. Unfortunately, Ghana’s own Benard Kafui Sokpe has confirmed his exit from working with the bird app.
Bernard Kafui Sokpe, popularly known as Meistermind on Twitter, senior partner manager for Ghana and Nigeria Twitter partnerships in Ghana, tweeted to confirm his current job status and in solidarity with the thousands of other ex-twitter employees.
Meistermind tweeted: “It’s been a year working at a place I never imagined I’ll ever get to work. I’m glad that I could represent Africa & I didn’t let us down. My best career experience by far & it was beautiful whilst it lasted. Much love to all the amazing tweeps that made it worth it. #OneTeam”
According to a companywide email from Twitter, workers were instructed to go home and not go to the offices on Friday. As badge access was to be revoked until further notice.
“In an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path, we will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce. We recognize that this will impact a number of individuals who have made valuable contributions to Twitter, but this action is, unfortunately, necessary to ensure the company’s success moving forward,” the email read.
Twitter email to employees preceding layoffs
However, the email notice did not mention the total number of employees who will lose their jobs. It was also not signed by Elon Musk or any executive. Just a generic “Twitter” signoff.
Mr Elon Musk, after buying Twitter on October 27, 2022, at a whopping $44 billion, fired its chief executive and other top managers. Managers were also asked to reevaluate their team’s performances whilst other executives resigned.
#One Team is currently trending on Twitter as ex-employees share their experiences. Some employees said they couldn’t access the company’s laptops or log in to their official work emails.
These changes are said to have been in effect sometime at 3 am this dawn. Thus, affected employees woke up this morning without a job – and with no warning.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere — and boy, could the executives at Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate use a drink. But first, they’ve got to get through these earnings conference calls. Perhaps we should refer to this round as “losses conference calls.”
On Thursday afternoon, within a span of 15 minutes, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed it lost $2.3 billion in the July-September quarter of 2022 and Lionsgate reported an operating loss of $1.8 billion from the same time period. Better make it a double.
The good news for Warner Bros. Discovery is that a loss of $2.3 billion is better than a loss of $3.4 billion, which is the unfortunate figure it posted last quarter. It’s pricey to merge two major media companies, and so far, not so good.
WBD ended the third quarter with 94.9 million combined direct-to-consumer subscribers. That all-in number includes linear HBO and streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+, and represented an additional 2.8 million subs from the end of the prior quarter. The timeline to combine HBO Max and Discovery+ has been moved up from Summer 2023 to Spring 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president and CEO David Zaslav said on his company’s Q3 conference call.
Before the call, in a prepared statement accompanying the disappointing financials, Zaslav again touted his company’s content. He also found another $500 million in synergies between WarnerMedia and his former Discovery, Inc.
“At Warner Bros. Discovery, we have one of the strongest portfolio of assets and IP across sports, news, and entertainment, and the best leadership team in media executing against the right strategy and financial framework to drive profitability, generate meaningful shareholder value, and ultimately position us for long-term success,” Zaslav said. “We are reimagining and transforming the organization for the future while driving synergy enterprise-wide, increasing our target to at least $3.5 billion, and making significant progress on our combined DTC product. While we have lots more work to do, and there are some difficult decisions still to be made, we have total conviction in the opportunity ahead.”
There was no way to spin company revenue. Warner Bros. Discovery suffered an 11 percent decline in Q3 ad sales and saw an 8 percent drop in overall revenue, posting $9.82 billion vs. a market forecast of $10.36 billion. After sharing an already rough Thursday with the rest of the stock market, shares in WBD declined a few percentage points more in after-hours trading.
“Clerks III”
Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection
Here we should admit that it’s a bit unfair to lump Lionsgate’s second (fiscal) quarter in with Warner Bros. Discovery. Lionsgate’s wasn’t so bad — it beat on both revenue estimates and adjusted earnings per share — and its stock is moving in the right direction following the market close. (Before the market closed, shares in both companies sank 6 percent.) But still.
Lionsgate will exit seven Lionsgate+ (the former StarzPlay International) territories — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Benelux, the Nordics, and Japan — to “streamline the business,” in their words. That streamlining cost Lionsgate $218.9 million in content write-offs. Tack that on to the $1.48 billion (non-cash) write-off from the Starz acquisition, reflecting changes to future free cash-flow projections, and boy would they have liked to sell that thing.
The Lionsgate earnings call has yet to begin — it’s set for 6 p.m. ET. In the interest in fairness, we’ll give CEO Jon Feltheimer his say.
“We reported another strong library performance and continued growth in Lionsgate Television series deliveries as our studio businesses continued to perform in line with expectations in the quarter,” Feltheimer said in a prepared statement included in the financials. “Economic and industry headwinds are having the greatest impact at Starz, where we are exiting seven international territories. This will allow us to streamline Starz’s international business and return it to profitability more quickly while continuing to build on the opportunities created by a strong Starz original series slate and focused content strategy domestically.”
Amidst the mourning of Ifeanyi, ace Nigerian investigative journalist Kemi Olunloyo has made matters worse with her latest utterances about Chioma.
Speaking in a needless video, Kemi Olunloyo wildly alleged that Chioma aborted 3 girls before finally conceiving Ifeanyi because she wanted to give Davido a boy for the reason that he will inherit a larger part of the musician’s wealth when he’s no more.
According to Kemi, it’s karma which is dealing with Chioma for claiming three innocent lives through abortion.
Kemi claimed to have spoken to Davido’s 4th baby mama, London-based make-up artist Larissa, who is the mother of the singer’s second son, Dawson.
She claimed that Chioma was apparently determined to have a son for Davido because he was the father of two girls during that period and hadn’t accepted her son as his biological son yet.
Kemi claims Larissa told her that each time Chioma became pregnant and discovered the baby was a girl, she aborted it.
Watch the video below to know more…
This video has caused massive rage on the internet because a lot of social media users strongly believe Kemi wants Davido to divorce Chioma reason she’s spewing such terrible lies about her at this inappropriate time.
Meanwhile, both Davido and Chioma are yet to officially react to the death of tier beloved son Ifeanyi who drowned to death in the family’s swimming pool three days ago.
Three teacher unions have declared an industrial action effective November 4, over the failure of government to revoke the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah as acting Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The unions made up of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana said Dr. Eric Nkansah is a banker with no teaching background, the reason for their rejection.
They announced the strike action at a press conference on Friday, November 4, 2022.
Addressing the media, President of GNAT, Rev. Isaac Owusu said,
“It is unacceptable for a banker to be appointed as a Director-General of the Ghana Education Service instead of an educationist at the same time when many teachers who did the same courses and related ones were rejected by GES because it is not related to education
“We stated that both the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should apologize to teachers for accepting the very qualifications they rejected when teachers presented them…We have been compelled under the current circumstances to publicly communicate to Ghanaians on our intention to go on strike, having reached the November 4 deadline we gave the government. Consequently, we have decided to embark on strike from today, Friday, November 4, 2022. By this, we are informing the general public that we are withdrawing all our services in all the pre-tertiary institutions,” he added.
The Nation Council of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appointed members and chairpersons to serve on the party’s standing and ad hoc committees.
In a press release dated November 3, the appointment by the National Council was in line with the party’s constitution.
“Pursuant to Article 10(3)(6) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constitution, the National Council, at its meeting held on October 5, 2022, and upon further consultations with relevant stakeholders, appointed the following persons to serve on the Standing and Ad hoc Committees of the Party,” parts of the release read.
The appointed members are to serve on the party’s finance, constitution and legal committees; organisation; research; disciplinary and communication committees.
The finance committee will be chaired by Abankwa Sekyere; the constitutional and legal committee by Frank Davies; the organisation committee by Lord Oblitey Commey; the research committee by Osei Bonsu Amoah; the disciplinary committee by Kwasi Amoako-Atta and the communication committee by Nana Akomea.
An Adentan Circuit Court has imposed a fine of GHS3,000 on a businessman for stabbing his co-tenant over a woman.
Duro, in default, would serve six months imprisonment.
The Court presided over by Mrs. Sedinam Awo Balokah also ordered Duro to pay compensation of GHS5,000 to the complainant, a “Financial Engineer”, by November 30, of this year.
Duro, who was held on the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, namely causing harm and causing harm, pleaded not guilty.
When the case was called, Duro informed the Court that he wanted to change his plea from not guilty to guilty.
The Court obliged him and convicted him on his own plea.
Duro’s accomplice, known as Raphael, is said to be at large.
The facts, as narrated by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, are that the complainant (name withheld), a “financial engineer”, resided at Nanakrom near Nmai Dzorn, Accra.
The complainant and Duro reside in the same house.
It said on July 12, 2022, at about 1:30am, while the complainant was sleeping in his apartment, he heard a knock on his door, then Duro and Raphael allegedly called out his (complainant’s) name, ordering him to come out.
When the complainant came out, Duro questioned him why he wanted to sleep with his wife, Asantewaa.
The prosecution said before the complainant could say a word, Duro and Raphael started beating him.
It said the complainant managed to enter his room, but the accused persons followed him holding broken bottles.
The prosecution said they allegedly stabbed the complainant’s eyebrow, his neck, and his right arm with the broken bottles.
It said the accused persons abandoned the complainant in his room and escaped when he started bleeding profusely.
The prosecution said the complainant was rescued, and a report was made to the Police.
It said Duro was arrested, but Raphael could not be traced.
According to the prosecutor, Duro, in his caution statement, admitted the offence and mentioned Raphael as his main accomplice.
Two persons were killed in a robbery on the Ejura-Nkwanta–Nyinase road in the Ashanti Region, on Monday.
Kipo Sumaila,50, died on the spot, while Ibrahim Iddrisu, 40, died, at St Luke’s Hospital in Kasei, where he was receiving treatment.
The body of Iddrisu has been deposited at the Ejura Government Hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, Masawudu Sumaila, 20, son of Kipo Suamaila, who was wounded in the back, during the incident, was still on admission at the emergency unit of St Luke’s Hospital, at the time of filing the report.
Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Afful Boakye-Yiadom, led a team to the crime scene, on Tuesday, and also visited Hiawonwu and Ejura, to commiserate with the bereaved family and made donations to them.
The Regional Commander promised that the Ghana Police Service would take action to curb the robbery menace.
He mentioned the deployment of personnel on motorcycles and vehicles to patrol all the robbery-prone areas to give protection to the people.
A source confirmed the incident and said that the police received a distress call from Mr. Philip Appiah, Assembly Member of Ejura-Nkwanta, about the incident.
The police proceeded to the scene and found a 255 Massey Ferguson tractor with registration number AS 2736-Y parked in the middle of the road with, deceased KipoSumaila, with a gunshot wound on the neck lying in a supine position in the trailer of the tractor.
The source said three persons were on board the tractor returning to Kpaliguni at about 6:30 pm, and on reaching a section of the road, they were attacked by armed men, three of them being of Fulani extraction.
According to the police source, one of the armed men asked Kipo Suamaila to surrender all the money on him, but he, refused and the suspect shot him twice in the neck.
The robbers took away an unspecified amount and mobile phones belonging to the victims, while the police mounted a search for them.
The Ashanti and Ewe royalties in one place for a historical event! That’s what’s happening in a few hours.
On Saturday, November 5, 2024, the Ashanti King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will meet the Ewe Paramount Chief, Awoemefia Togbi Sri III to mark the 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival in the Volta Region.
It could be added to the historical books containing records of the long-lasting cordial relationship with Ashanti and Ewe royalty.
As part of efforts to mark the 60th edition of the historical festival this year, the Awoemefia who is the Paramount Chief of all Anlo States invited Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Paramount Chief of Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akumoah Agyapong II and the current King Agorkoli of Nortsie of Togo.
Ahead of the event, a list has emerged online that is allegedly the full list of people who will form the entourage accompanying the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to the 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival.
While GhanaWeb cannot independently confirm the authenticity or otherwise of the list, the list indicates that there will be a total of 211 people.
According to the list, there will be 8 Nkonwasoafuo, 25 Afenasoafuo/Atuntufuo, 10 Kyineyetufuo, 1 Apimasantan, 1 Sika Akua, 4 Sanaafuo, 10 Afotosanfuo, 10 Abenasanfuo, 10, Nsumankwafuo, 6 Asomfo, and 8 Nseneefuo.
The others are 4 Danponmu/Papahufuo, 8 Ahoprafuo, 10 Akyemfuo, 3 Somisisi, 5 Adwareye, 5 each for Adum/Abrafuo, 2 Animuyesum, 10 Fontomfrom/Atumpan, 10 Fontomfromsuafuo, 4 Mpebi/Nkrawi, 4 Apeede, 4 Kwadwomfuo. 2 Drugya, and 10 Nyahera.
The rest are 10 Kokwanagya, 5 Mentiahyenfuo, 6 Sodoofuo, 2 Camera Men, and 3 Video Men.
Ewe-Ashanti relations:
Contrary to perceptions that Akans and Ewes have some rather unresolved differences and don’t meet ‘eye to eye’, the two have had inseparable relationship between the Anlos and the Ashantis.
Per history, a treaty was signed in 1865 between the then Asantehene and Awoemefia. Both leaders agreed at this point, to halt any further fights between them and forge to become allies.
2022 Hogbetsotso:
The theme for the celebration is “60 Years of Anlo Hogbetsotso Za: Uniting for Development, Sustaining our Unique Cultural Commonwealth for Future Generations”.
The Hogbetsotso Festival is a migratory festival that has been celebrated by the Anlos for many years now.
It also serves as a uniting event for citizens of Anlo both at home and abroad. It is one big event that attracts lots of tourists from far and near to see the beautiful display of culture and tradition.
The Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has called on the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to calm their members as it prepares to pay their scholarships.
According to him, the Secretariat has been working around the clock to make payments to all the students on their scheme.
“Ghanaian students studying on government scholarships should keep calm; these arrears are not something usual in our operations ever since we took over, and I can assure you, we are working around the corner to end,” he assured.
Dr. Kingsley Agyemang made this known when the leadership of NUGS paid a call on him to discuss, among other things, the issues of non-payment of scholarships to beneficiaries both at home and abroad.
The President of NUGS, Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, who led the delegation, commended the Registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat for spelling out the challenges students on scholarships are currently facing.
“Students studying on the government of Ghana scholarship are crying. For close to a year, a lot Ghanaian students on local and international scholarships by the Government of Ghana through the Scholarship Secretariat have not disbursed students’ bursaries to them. This has made it difficult for the students to fund their education due to the challenges confronting them as a result of this situation,” he said.
He also indicated that some of their members have been receiving notices of eviction from their hostels and apartments, with many of them at high risk of being rendered homeless.
Dr. Kingsley Agyemang admitted being very aware of these challenges but was quick to say that the global financial crisis has also been greatly affecting its operations.
He, however, assured them that they would be attended to in the shortest possible time.
“We have commenced payments of fees and in some areas stipends are also being paid. We have been engaging both the institutions and students to ensure we continue to keep our students in school. Let us continue to work as faithful partners and calm your students down as we sail through these challenges together,” he said.
A transport analyst, Magnus Quarshie, says the implementation of an efficient transport system by the state would ease the financial burden of commuters.
Speaking to Citi News, after the recent transport fare increases, Mr. Quarshe said the Greater Accra Passengers Transport Executive (GHAPTE), should have been used to better organise the transport space.
But as things stand, he said GHAPTE had been led away from its mandate to manage the system in Accra.
“We set up GHAPTE as a quasi-government arm to plan, manage and organise the system. Then all of a sudden we bought buses and gave the buses to them and turned them into an operator.”
Mr. Quarshie explained that the government, through state-owned transit organizations, could subsidize the cost of transportation by ensuring that the entities have the needed funds to operate.
He warned that commuters would continue to bear the brunt if nothing is done about the situation.
“We seem to have fine plans. When it is about implementation, we get so disorganised and that is what is happening.”
“We need to bite the bullet and implement a win-win system. It is so sad. Commuters spend almost 50 or 60 percent of their salary on transport,” Mr. Quarshie said.
The Accra Circuit Court has granted GHc250,000 bail to a married couple for allegedly engaging in prohibited business related to suspected narcotic drugs and giving bribes to influence a public officer.
The pleas of Mr. Richard Mensah, a 40-year-old carpenter, and Ms. Augustina Yawa Benuyewa, a 35-year-old trader, were not taken as the substance was yet to be tested.
Mr. Mensah was charged with prohibited business related to narcotic drugs, while the wife, Ms Benuyewa, was also charged with giving a bribe to influence a public officer on behalf of her husband.
The court, presided over by Mrs. Ellen Offei-Ayeh, admitted Mr. Mensah to bail in the sum of GH₵150,000.00, while Madam Benuyewa was granted GH₵100,000.00 bail with three gainfully employed sureties each, one to be justified.
The court ordered Mr Mensah to report to the Accra Regional CID every Monday and adjourned the case to November 28, 2022, for their pleas to be taken.
Police Inspector Daniel Ofori Appiah, prosecuting, told the court that the complainants were police personnel of the Regional Alpha Swat Patrol Team, whilst the couple resided at Abeka Flat Top.
The prosecution said Mr Mensah had allegedly engaged in the sale of Indian hemp to the youth in the community.
Insp Appiah said the police arrested Mr Mensah for allegedly selling Indian hemp, and a search conducted in his room revealed a number of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp (wee).
The prosecution said when Mr. Mensah was taken to the Regional Police Headquarters for investigation, Ms. Benuyewa offered GH₵20,000.00 to the leader of the Patrol Team to withdraw the case against her husband, and she was also arrested.
Lawyers of Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde, the two persons standing trial for the death of New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, have filed a notice of appeal to challenge the order of the High Court to open their defence.
The application is seeking the intervention of the Court of Appeal, the second highest court of the land, to overturn the decision by the High Court that a prima facie case has been established against them.
Afoko and Alangde are being accused of the acid incident which allegedly killed the NPP Regional Chairman on May 20, 2015. They have pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy and murder.
On June 14 this year, State Prosecutors closed their case after parading 16 witnesses, but lawyers of the accused persons filed a submission of no case to answer on the grounds that, the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses have not established a prima facie evidence against them.
Ruling on the submission of no case on Friday, October 7, the court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Efua Merley Wood, said the elements of prima facie evidence have been established by the prosecution.
The court also ruled that, for the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses to be believed, it would be fair to hear from the accused persons.
Justice Merley Wood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, ruled that the court is satisfied that the prosecution has made sufficient evidence that requires the accused persons to open their defence.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that, due to the pendency of that appeal, the directive for Afoko to open his defence on November 2 has been deferred to November 16, by which time the appeal would have been determined.
The Kaneshie District Court has imposed a GH¢6,000 fine on Francis Awusi, an evangelist, for making false and offensive statements about Prophet Gabriel Akwesi Sarpong, General Overseer of Cross of Miracles International, Accra.
Awusi, who is also a YouTube host, would in default serve one-year imprisonment.
The said publications indicated that Prophet Sarpong (the complainant) was an occult pastor and a murderer, who had killed his wife for occultism to run his church.
The court ordered Awusi to go to Peace FM, a private radio station, Daily Graphic Newspaper, and use his YouTube channel where he had defamed the complainant and render an apology.
Awusi who was charged with offensive conduct and publication of false news earlier pleaded not guilty.
However, when sitting resumed, Awusi, who was represented by a lawyer, informed the court that he wanted to change his plea.
The prosecution had called three witnesses and played three videos at the ongoing trial.
The court presided over by Ms. Ama Adomako Kwakye convicted Awusi on his own plea.
His counsel, prayed the court to have mercy on him, saying he was a first offender, married with children, and was a man of God with a huge congregation.
Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Amoahsaid the complainant was Prophet AkwesiSarpong.
The court said the convict was also a host of a YouTube channel programme, known as “Hell and Heaven”, whiles Isaac Gyasi, the second accused, aka K2 Temple, was at large.
Chief Insp Amoah said Prophet Sarpong said the complainant reported to the police that in August 2020, Gyasi whose face was covered with a veil, made certain false and offensive statements about the complainant during a live YouTube TV programme, hosted by Awusi.
Prosecution said Gyasi alleged among other things that the complainant, Prophet Sarpong, was an occult pastor and a murderer, who had killed his wife for occultism powers to run his church.
Chief Insp Amoah said Awusi, who was hosting the live TV programme, also published the pictures and videos of some church activities of the complainant on the screen and had warned the public to stay away from his church.
The prosecution said Awusi was arrested and during investigations, it was established that Awusi hosted the programme with Gyasi as his guest.
Chief Insp Amoah said Awusi also supported the allegations made against the complainant by showing pictures and videos of the complainant on the YouTube channel on the internet.
The prosecution said Awusi admitted the offence and explained that he only interviewed Gyasi, who was invited to participate in his programme by his producer and that he did not know Gyasi personally.
Seven Ministers are expected to appear before the house in parliament to answer questions during the third week.
The ministers expected to appear are; the Minister for Youth and Sports, Minister for the Oti Region, Minister for food and Agriculture, Minister for Lands and Natural resources, Minister for the interior, Minister for Roads and Highways and Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
The ministers will respond to over 40 questions during the week.
Aside from that, motions may be debated and their consequential resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Statements may also be admitted by the Speaker from members in accordance with Order 72.
Also, there will be a joint caucus meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 to discuss pertinent issues affecting members.
As part of the efforts to control prices of foodstuff, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is set to begin selling foodstuff within its premises to serve people in Accra.
The products will be brought from the farms to the ministry and sold to consumers at a cheaper price.
Speaking at a meeting with farmers in Sefwi Wiaso in the Western North Region, sector Minister, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie said; “the ministry itself is going to take its own initiative.”
“We are going to link up with the farm gate so that we make all the arrangements to ensure that we put up kiosks on our compounds at the ministry, specifically for food from here [Sefwi Wiaso] and we are going to give it a lot of publicity,” the minister said.
Ghana is recognized as the nation with the biggest increases in food prices by the World Bank. With a 122% increase in food prices, the nation has achieved the toughest achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. Food costs have risen significantly since the beginning of the year in a number of nations throughout the world, primarily as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the World Bank, Ghana is the nation in Africa with the highest food prices. According to the World Bank’s October 2022 Africa Pulse report, Ghana is the sub-Saharan African nation with the highest rate of food inflation.
Police has announced, they have been directed by the Attorney General to charge Richard Appiah, with murder and to also send him to the Psychiatric Hospital for a thorough mental review.
This follows the arrest of the accused, 28-year-old Richard Appiah, for allegedly killing two children. The suspect, is alleged to have gruesomely murdered two boys, 15-year-old JHS 2 student, Stephen Sarpong and his 12-year-old stepbrother, Louis, and another yet to be identified body.
He kept some of their body parts in a fridge in his house in Abesim, Bono Region. The Attorney General has asked police to charge Richard Appiah
with murder.
A duplicate docket on the accused was sent to the Office of the Attorney General for advice. “We, therefore, pray for an order of the court to enable us to send him to the Psychiatric Hospital.
The court presided over by Ama Adomako Kwakye ordered the Police to send Appiah to the Psychiatric Hospital and adjourned the matter to 22 November.
Appiah, a footballer, is standing trial for allegedly killing Louis Agyeman and Stephen Sarpong in cold blood.
His plea has been preserved by the court. According to the police, some body parts and intestines were recovered from a farm during the investigation.
The minors have since been buried. However, according to police sources, the suspect revealed his motivation for killing humans.
He is said to have told investigators that he began killing dogs before moving on to killing humans.
According to the source, he told his interrogators that something compelled him to kill a black dog, which he did, but only ate the dog’s head.
The source said, “there is evidence to show that he really killed a black dog first before he turned to the people he killed.”
“That ‘something’ he is claiming influenced him to commit the heinous crimes, we do not know. The police do not dwell on spirits
to do an investigation,” the Police source said.
Speaking to the media, he stated that the activities of illegal miners also known as galamseyers are affecting the cost of treating water.
“In the short term, we will not get treated water at all, and we will have to shut down, most of the equipment will be destroyed.
“In the long term, agriculture will be affected, food security will be affected, and economic growth will suffer… It is a complete system
and our livelihood is on the line as well,” he said.
GWCL has for some time now lamented the dire impact of “galamsey” activities on the production of water. The Water Resources Commission disclosed that the volume of water that GWCL has in its possession is limited, as such, the country is already engaging external bodies for assistance.
“When we say Ghana is importing water, we often look at the physical importation, but on the face of it, that is already happening. We are importing labour and tools into our water supply mechanisms.
“Whatever we consume is produced with water and if you don’t develop your water resources, and then you import some country’s products, what you are importing is what they have done as far as their water development is concerned.”
On the other hand, managing director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr. Clifford Braimah has called on the government to take pragmatic measures to rescue the country’s water bodies to prevent the country from importing water.
“The cost is unbearable. We are resorting to more expensive chemicals to be able to reduce the process lost. The cost of treatment continues to go up.
“Our system is not made for wastewater, but for fresh water. If we do not take the issue of illegal mining seriously enough and address it, our systems may break down, and we may not be able to produce water for Ghanaians anymore,” he added.
Illegal mining remains a battle for the country, government in its attempt to rid the nation of the menace has launched a variety of initiatives, such as Operation
Vanguard and Operation Halt, yet illegal mining still continues.
On Friday, October 21, 2022, President Akufo-Addo placed a ban on the manufacture, distribution, and sale of Chanfangs, which is predominantly used for illegal
mining on riverbeds.
According to him, “We have increased significantly, the level of sanctions against people who engage in galamsey, today, Ghanaians who get involved will get a 15-year minimum sentence if convicted and foreigners will get as long as a 25-year imprisonment if convicted,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister in-charge of Mines at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker has stated that in order to eradicate the canker, it is necessary to look at the main cause of the issue, thus the purchase of Changfans must be examined.
“Per the law that governs the small-scale mining sector, those who are in a way mobilizing, manufacturing or assembling Changfans are not allowed in any way.”
“Obviously, when these things are being manufactured or assembled, they are not going to be used for taxi purposes, they are obviously going to put them on river bodies, so why do we allow them to manufacture them in the respective communities and then transport them to the riverside? I don’t think we need to wait for that or the finality of the process before we take an action and if we tackle from the source these struggles will be curtailed,” he added.
Embattled Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has spoken about how invested he has been in the management of Ghana’s economy citing the exertions that he has been going through.
In an interview posted on Joy FM’s social media handles, the Minister is heard stressing that the managers of the economy understood the task at hand.
He stressed that they were dealing with incessant challenges and taking cognizance of the available resources.
“Just to assure you that you have a finance minister who has gone through all the pains and aches and nobody can really come and say we don’t understand what we are doing.
“The question is what resources do we have and how we are going to deploy them in the nation that we have in very difficult circumstances but being very confident that the nation is purposed for greatness and we are blessed to have the opportunity to lead where we are going,” Ofori-Atta added.
“Let me assure you all that your best bet is still Ghana,” he told the gathering believed to be a group of investors but the time of the meeting is, however, unknown.
Calls for Ofori-Atta, Adu Boahen to be axed
A group of NPP MPs, numbering over 80, on October 25 held a press conference demanding the removal of the Finance Minister and Minister of State at the Ministry, Charles Adu Biahen, over management of the economy and hard times that citizens were facing.
President Akufo-Addo intervened and got a concession on two grounds, that the Ofori-Atta be allowed to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and present the 2022 budget and see to the passage of its appropriation.
The president has also addressed the nation on the economic challenges and how the government intends to tackle them.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has recently stated that the view advanced by the Ken Must Go MPs is now the Majority position.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus is pushing a vote of censure t remove Ofori Atta from office.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first G7 leader to visit Beijing since the Covid-19 pandemic.
But his trip has sparked controversy in Germany and concern elsewhere in Europe.
It follows an extraordinary and bitter row within the Berlin government.
It had emerged that a Chinese company was poised to buy a significant stake in a part of the port of Hamburg.
No fewer than six government ministers reacted furiously.
The deal, they argued, would give China significant influence over critical German infrastructure. Germany’ssecurity services also urged caution.
But the German chancellor appeared insistent the deal should go ahead. He reportedly pushed through an agreement, albeit one that limited the size and influence of the stake, reducing it to 24.9%.
No-one is quite sure why he seemed so determined. A former mayor of Hamburg, Mr Scholz remains close to the city authorities who argued that the deal represented vital investment.
But plenty of other commentators suspect an ulterior motive; that Olaf Scholz did not want to turn up in Beijing without a “gift” for Xi Jinping.
That has raised both eyebrows and concerns.
Reuters
We will seek co-operation where it lies in our mutual interest, but we will not ignore controversies… When I travel to Beijing as German chancellor, I do so also as a European
As has the chancellor’s decision to take with him a delegation of German business executives. That was standard practice for his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who pursued a policy of “Change through Trade”, believing that economic ties could influence political relations with countries like China and Russia.
The chancellor’s visit comes hard on the heels of the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, at which President Xi tightened his grip on power and raised concerns in the West about his intentions towards Taiwan.
“The signal that’s being sent is that we want to extend and intensify our economic co-operation – that must be questioned,” says Felix Banazsak, a politician from the Green Party, a partner in Mr Scholz’s coalition government.
The Greens have long sought a tougher line on China. Just a few days ago the party’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, sternly and publicly reminded him that his government came to power promising to readjust its China strategy.
Mr Banazsak says his country must learn from its previous dependence on Russian energy: “We must make ourselves as independent as possible from individual states, particularly if these are states which do not share our values.”
But Olaf Scholz will be painfully aware of the complexity and depth of his country’s ties with China, which remains Germany’s largest trading partner, although Germany imports more than it exports.
More than a million German jobs depend on that relationship. Take as an example car giant Daimler, which sells more than a third of its vehicles in China.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,German company Daimler is expanding its resources in China
In the first half of this year, German businesses invested more in China than ever before. Chemical company BASF has just opened a new plant in south China and expects to invest €10bn (£8.6bn; $9.9bn) in the site by the end of this decade.
On the eve of the visit, the head of the German Automotive Industry Association pointed to Germany’s reliance on China for raw materials and warned that “de-coupling” would be an economic and geo-strategic mistake.
Her counterpart at the Association of Small and Medium Businesses also advised against a sudden change in course, saying “the advice can only be not to smash any Chinese porcelain now”.
Chancellor Scholz will spend less than 12 hours in Beijing. His aim, he said ahead of his journey, was to find out how much co-operation was still possible – because “the world needs China” in the fight against the global pandemic and climate change.
“If China is changing, then our approach to China must change,” he said.
Many in Berlin and beyond will be looking for evidence of that Mr Scholz’s response to a shifting China may yet come to be the defining test of his chancellorship.
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has admitted that things are hard under the present economic conditions, especially so for businesses.
Without enumerating the specifics of his claim, the outspoken lawmaker called for decisive action by way of rethinking plans, policies and programmes to ensure Ghana is weaned off donations and external support.
Agyapong was speaking on the October 25 edition of Net2 TV’s Morning Show programme.
“Business is tough, the economy is tough. If I sit here and say it is otherwise, I will be lying. I must admit that things are tough.
“But there is hope and what we should bear in mind is that it is situations like this that births inventions and innovations,” he stressed.
He said Ghana needs to reset and recalibrate economic models because “everyone the world over is taking care of themselves and to that end, we cannot depend solely on donations and handouts. It is time to review our policies and programmes and be bold.”
He related to pragmatic policies citing the touted policies of Dan Lartey’s Great Consolidated Popular Party, GCPP, and the Acheampong era. “We should put policies in place to help us live as normal human beings created by God.
He also referred to a list of imports and how much it costs, advancing thus, “let us address the importation of certain goods, import substitutions and build more factories,” citing how the 1D1F projects can help build an export-oriented economy as compared to the import-dependent one Ghana is grappling with.
Later that morning, a group of NPP MPs held a press conference demanding the removal of the Finance Minister over his management of the economy and the hard times that citizens were facing.
President Akufo-Addo intervened and got a concession on two grounds, that the Minister be allowed to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and present the 2022 budget and see to passage of its appropriation.
The president has also addressed the nation on the economic challenges and how the government intends to tackle them.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader, has stated that the entire Majority Caucus in Parliament, now support calls for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister.
According to him, even though the issue started with over 90 NPP MPs who organised a press conference to demand the removal of the embattled minister else they boycott any government business in the House, the entire Majority Caucus now aligns with the position of the group.
The Suame MP speaking at a news conference on Thursday, November 3, 2022, explained, “even though the issue started with the group of 80 plus, the caucus meeting aligned with the position of that group, so it is no longer the cause of the 80 plus MPs. It is the agenda for the entire caucus and we are having some discussions on that.”
The Majority Leader who is also the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs had earlier stated on Accra-based Joy FM that there had been an attempt by a wealthy businessman to influence the MPs who organised the press conference to back down on their decision.
“I’m told on authority that some businessman came here and tried to do something. I was told that he came here and tried to mediate in his own way what he thinks the problem is…he was repelled by the people and told he was told not to involve himself. So he went away,” Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told Joy News in an interview.
“With particular reference to the attempted bribery, it’s come before me. We’ll investigate if it is true and if it is true, establish the motive of that person. Sometimes, these things come up.
“You remember the issue of a minister who was nominated to appear before the vetting committee. There was an allegation that he had attempted to bribe some people or influence some people. Eventually, it turned out to be – I will not say falsehood – but an untruth,” he stated further.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had already appealed to the NPP MPs to allow Ken Ofori-Atta to stay in office until the IMF negotiations and the 2023 Budget statement is presented.
He made this appeal in a meeting with the MPs at the Jubilee House shortly after they held the October 25 press conference to demand the sacking of Mr. Ofori-Atta.
The economic hardship facing Ghanaians has worsened, especially with the recent increase in fuel prices.
Currently, at the fuel pumps, diesel is being sold for more than GH¢23 whilst the price of petrol is hovering around GH¢18.
The recent hikes have not affected only ordinary Ghanaians but also some Members of Parliament, MPs. This is despite the widely held notion that the state fuels their vehicles.
Kobina Tahir [K.T.] Hammond, the Adansi Asokwa NPP MP has been detailing how he nearly fought with a fuel attendant after he was told about recent hikes at the pump.
In a Joy News interview on Thursday, November 3, which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the MP lamented about the current hardship, especially the fuel price increment, and its effect on Ghanaians.
K.T. Hammond said, “a few days ago, I went to the garage, they pumped the fuel into the car and they came to give me the bill, it almost turned into a Third World War at the station. I asked why is he giving me this, and he said just yesterday price of super moved to what the price of diesel used to be.
“It is a particularly difficult situation and I do not envy the lot. Those who are really having to juggle.”
He added, “it is not a situation peculiar to only Ghana. We have heard about the situation in Sri Lanka. It is a redeeming situation for those of us in Ghana. At least, we are not in long queues. Oil-producing countries like Nigeria and others are all in queues, we are not.”
The MP, who is also a member of the Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament is of the view that the current price hikes is largely blamable on Oil Marketing Companies and Bulk Distribution Companies trying to make astronomical profits but he did not rule out the poor performance of the cedi as a factor.
He stressed that he is completely against removing taxes and other margins on the fuel price build-up because there are serious governmental efforts underway to ease the pressure in the system.
“It’s the OMC, the big ones and the BDCs. I have a problem and they better sort it out well. They got the dollar at whatever rate so somebody should pay for it…I am concerned that some OMCs are making unnecessary profits and I think we should be careful how they are also playing the market, we are in this together.
“President has travelled out of the country many times and sent out a delegation to make sure that in a very short time we would be able to flood the market with some petroleum products. I am not happy with the way the BDCs are going about this situation,” K.T. Hammond observed.
Some frustrated drivers in the Greater Accra Region have pledged to review their prices anytime there is fuel increments in the country.
According to them, they will not wait on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to engage with government on the upward adjustment percentage.
Speaking to Accra-based TV3, one driver argued that, Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) don’t give any announcement prior to the increment of fuel, thus, drivers don’t need to alert government about their transport fares as well.
“We wake up and petrol and diesel prices have been increased. Do the operators announce their decision to increase it? So why should we inform government about our decision to increase transport fares?
“Nowadays, we will just make things simple. If we go to the filling stations and fuel prices have increased, we will just increase our fares as well,” one angry driver told the journalist.
This comes after the Concerned Drivers Association increased transport fares for the second time in two weeks.
Drivers on Saturday, October 29, started the implementation of the 19% increment in transport fares. At the time a litre of diesel and petrol was sold at ¢15.99 and ¢13.99.
A litre of diesel now sells at ¢23.49 and petrol sits at ¢17.99.
This has forced drivers to unilaterally increase transport fares again without any consultation with government.
The drivers bemoaned the state of the economy. Describing it as terrible, one driver asked, “Where are we going? Does government want to kill us?”
Considering the impact of skyrocketing prices of fuel on the economy, one driver suggested that government should revamp the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to prevent the import of expensive fuel.
“Things are really getting out of hand so this move will help to an extent.” Meanwhile, the GPRTU says it will not make any public comment on the matter until a meeting is held.
An Environmental Scientist, Professor Chris Gordon, has described illegal mining popularly known as galamsey as a “mental problem” adding that if urgent measures are not taken to stop the menace, the country will be mortgaging its future.
Speaking on Citi TV’s roundtable discussion on Galamsey, on Thursday, November 3, 2022, the former Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana said Galamsey is a full-time problem that cannot be solved with part-time responses.
“Galamsey is a mental problem, it is a mental problem because you cannot steal today and expect to eat your cake tomorrow,” Professor Gordon said.
Professor Gordon who enumerated some of the dangers of illegal mining said the major danger with galamsey is the destruction of water bodies which makes treatment difficult for domestic use.
“There is no substitute for water, if you don’t eat yam, you can eat cassava, but water may be beer, but there is no substitute for it.”
The discussion touched on the potential effects of galamsey on water bodies, as well as measures to restore these water bodies.
The Citi Galamsey Dialogue dubbed “Galamsey and Ghana’s Water Security” aimed at bringing together important stakeholders in the water sector to deliberate on the state of Ghana’s water resources and examine the effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s water security.
Dr. Bob Alfa, Director of Planning at the Water Resources Commission; and Dr. Adwoa Yirenkyi Fianko, a Senior Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) spoke at the event.
The Director of Planning at the Water Resources Commission, Dr. Bob Alfa says Ghana is already importing water.
Speaking at the Citi TV’s Roundtable Discussion on Galamsey, Mr. Alfa said: “I hear people say all the time that if we don’t take time, we will soon import water. When we say Ghana is importing water, we often look at the physical importation but on the face of it, that is already happening. We are importing labour and tools into our water supply mechanisms.”
“Whatever we consume is produced with water and if you don’t develop your water resources, and then you import some country’s products, what you are importing is what they have done as far as their water development is concerned,” he explained.
He blamed the issue on the country’s lack of investment in its water resources.
“We do not even invest in our water resources, we do not manage our water resources very well.”
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) was established by an Act of Parliament (Act 522 of 1996) with the mandate to regulate and manage Ghana’s Water Resources and coordinate government policies in relation to them.
The Act stipulates that ownership and control of all water resources are vested in the President on behalf of the people, and clearly defines the WRC as the overall body responsible for water resources management in Ghana.
The Commission, which provides a forum for integration and collaboration of different interests, is composed of the major stakeholders involved in the water sector.
The Citi Galamsey Dialogue dubbed “Galamsey and Ghana’s Water Security” aimed at bringing together important stakeholders in the water sector to deliberate on the state of Ghana’s water resources and examine the effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s water security.
A former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Sophia Akuffo, has called for a focus to also be placed on discussions of subjects related to refugees in the country when issues of human rights are being discussed.
The former head of the judiciary explained that issues concerning refugees should be given attention because a lot of them also concern human rights.
She made this known when she addressed the maiden public lecture series of the Central University’s Faculty of Law on Reflections on the Law on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.
“Many times, we forget that refugee-ism also raises a lot of human rights issues. And when we are talking about human rights, we must never forget about refugees,” she said.
The public lecture was on the topic, “The Enforcement of Human Rights in Africa.”
A 40-year-old Ghanaian man, Joshua Opoku has been jailed in Dubai for trafficking a narcotic substance believed to be cannabis also known as weed.
Mr. Opoku was said to have been arrested at an airport in Dubai after the Gulf country’s officials found the substance on him.
According to the brother of the convict, Yaw Amponsah, his brother did not know there was such a substance on him.
He claimed that the substance was implanted on him unknowingly and Ghanaian Custom Officers at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) allowed him to pass after taking One Hundred dollars from him.
Narrating how Opoku was arrested, Mr. Amponsah told crimecheckghana.org that his brother was introduced to a Dubai-based Ghanaian known as Prince by a friend.
This he said was after his brother was promised a job in the Gulf State.
He continued that his brother did not know Prince but were only in touch via phone.
Mr. Amponsah indicated that Prince asked Opoku to bring along with him some local food items, which he obliged.
The distraught man said when it was due for Opoku to go aboard the Dubai-bound airplane, Prince requested him to receive one last item from his brother for him.
That particular item, according to Mr. Amponsah was already in a wrapped container and when Opoku wanted to know its content, Prince told him it was hair food.
Mr. Amponsah said security officers at the Dubai airport arrested him when they found out that the content of the container was weed.
“Opoku had visited South Africa and wanted to go to Dubai for greener pastures. Opoku should have been arrested in Ghana but Customs officers at the KIA took $100 from him. So I think the officers saw the substance on him but they allowed him to pass,” Mr. Amponsah alleged.
Mr. Amponsah furthered that when Opoku was arrested, he mentioned that Prince asked him to bring him the substance.
He said the Dubai authorities did not go after Prince but went ahead to imprison his brother for ten years.
“When we managed to contact Prince, he denied knowledge of the substance. The Dubai authorities did not go after him which is why they have jailed my brother. Opoku is an innocent man and he would never perpetrate such a crime,” he said.
Mr. Amponsah appealed to Ghanaian authorities to help serve his brother justice and enable him get his freedom.
