TIG Post

Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

  • The enemies of a popular woman currently being prosecuted will suffer – Prophet Badu Kobi

    The Head Pastor and Founder of Glorious Wave Church International Prophet, Emmanuel Kobi Badu, has prophesied that a popular woman in Ghana who is currently being prosecuted will not be found guilty of any crime.

    During a sermon in his church, Prophet Badu Kobi said that the state’s prosecution of the woman has no future.

    He suggested that the enemies of the said woman should be well prepared because they would be haunted after her release.

    “There is a certain woman in Ghana here, people are talking about her for the past few weeks. Whatever is happening to her, it has no future.

    “Nothing will ever happen to her. Nothing, she will walk free. And when she walks free, enemies must stand well.

    “What will happen after, what happened to her, it will turn and follow enemies. And it will not be easy for her enemies,” he said in a video shared by Kofi Radio, which was sighted by GhanaWeb.

    Even though, Prophet Badu Kobi did not mention any name, social media users have claimed, the prophecy is about Evangelist Mama Pat, founder of Heavenway Champion International Ministry, Evangelist Mama Pat.

    Evangelist Mama Pat, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, is currently being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding some of her church members.

    An Accra circuit court has granted bail to the founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, Patricia Asiedua, a.k.a. Nana Agradaa, in the sum of GH¢150,000 with three sureties.

    Nana Agradaa is facing 7 charges, including defrauding her church members by false pretence in court.

    She has, however, pleaded not guilty to her charges.

    As part of the bail conditions, she is expected to provide three sureties, of whom one must be justified with a title deed.

    She is also required to deposit her passport at the court registry.

    Prior to this, Nana Agradaa was granted bail in the amount of GHC50,000 with three sureties in her first case.

    As part of her bail conditions, Agradaa is supposed to report to police every Wednesday.

    Background:

    The Ghana Police Service arrested repented fetish priestess, Nana Agradaa, now known as Evangelist Mama Pat, on Sunday, October 9, 2022.

    “The Police have arrested Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa following allegations of money-doubling scam levelled against her by some members of the public. The suspect is currently assisting police investigation,” a statement from the police said.

    Nana Agradaa’s arrest comes on the back of allegations made by scores of her church members, who claimed that she had scammed them after an all-night service.

    The former fetish priestess had advertised in a viral video that she was going to give out monies to people who would attend her all-night church service on Friday, October 7, 2022.

    Things, however, did not go as planned for many of the people who attended the service as many of them cried foul that they had given out monies to her but she failed to keep to her side of the agreement.

    She is eventually reported to have sent the people away from the church, prompting the alarms they raised online.

    The police have since called on all persons who were affected by the supposed scam to report to the Accra Regional Police Command to help with the investigations.

     

  • Gov’t is planning to arrest the cedi; Akufo-Addo to address the nation – Oppong-Nkrumah

    The Minister of information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has indicated that the government has taken steps to curb the rapid depreciation of the Ghana cedi.

    According to him, the government, in a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders in the financial sector, solved the issue of the cedi depreciation. Aside from that, the Economic Management Team, chaired by Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, will also hold a series of meetings with other stakeholders, Asaaseradio.com adds.

    This consultation will end with a cabinet retreat, after which the president will address the nation with steps taken to solve the current economic hardship.

    On the Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana on October 24, 2022, the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 12.5244 and a selling price of 12.5370.

    This is compared to Saturday’s trading of a buying price of 12.5823 and a selling price of 12.5949.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is bought at a rate of 15.05 and sold at a rate of 15.65.

    Ghanaians have taken to social media to complain about the high cost of living due to the effect of the dollar.

    To curb the above, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah’s consultations began today (Monday October 24, 2022) with the Bank of Ghana meeting with heads of banking institutions and forex bureau operators.

     

  • Armed robber shot; police on manhunt for accomplice

    Police on Friday, October 21, 2022, shot and killed an armed robber at Suame in the Ashanti region.

    In a statement issued on Saturday, October 22, 2022, the police explained that the operation was occasioned through intelligence gathered by its men.

    “On Friday, October 21, 2022, following intelligence that an armed robbery gang was planning an attack on the cluster of banks in the Suame Magazine and Maakro enclave in Kumasi, the Police launched a special anti-robbery operation in which one of the armed robbers was shot.

    “The armed robber and his accomplice who were on motorbikes attacked a customer who had stepped out of the Fidelity bank, Maakro branch, carrying a brown envelope,” the Police explained in a statement.

    According to the Police, the robbers attacked the customer of the bank and snatched the envelope amidst the firing of guns.

    “The rear windscreen and the left door glass of a Daewoo Matiz saloon car which was parked on the bank premises was hit during the shooting.

    “The Police, who had mounted surveillance in the area, responded to the situation by firing at the armed robbers and succeeded in hitting the pillion rider who fell off the motorbike. However, the rider who also sustained gunshot wounds, managed to escape,” the statement further added.

    The Ghana Police indicated that one of the police officers was shot by the armed robbers during the exchange of fire and “sustained a gunshot wound to his right hip.”

    “Both the injured officer and the suspect were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for medical attention. The suspect was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.

    The body of the deceased suspect has been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification, and autopsy, police said.

    The Police administration stated that efforts are underway to get his accomplice arrested to face justice.

    “We wish to appeal to the public especially those who run health facilities within the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to report any person seeking medical attention with a gunshot wound, for prompt Police action.

    “We would like to commend all the officers who took part in the operation and also wish our injured colleague a speedy recovery.”

     

     

  • Traditional priest elected NDC constituency chairman

    A popular traditional priest, Okomfuo Kyei (real name, Nana Yaw Kyei), has been elected as the new Chairman of the National Democratic Congress in the Adansi Asokwa constituency of the Ashanti Region.

    According to a report by the Ghana News Agency, the new chairman unseated the incumbent chairman, Godwin Anumley Dogodzi, with a vote tally of 436 to 285.

    The report added that after he was confirmed, Nana Kyei pledged to work hard to win the constituency seat for the NDC in the 2024 general elections.

    He further called on all members of the party to unite towards the task ahead, adding that it would take unity and determination to recapture power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Other executives elected were Joseph Ankomah as vice chairman, Lawrence Osei Adarkwa as secretary, Amidu Raman Razark as assistant secretary, and Kwabena Ebo as organiser.

    The rest were Moses Appenteng, treasurer; Isaac Semirika, youth organizer; Madam Mavis Adjei, women organizer; and Julius Dzekpey Mawuli, communication officer.

    The NDC held its constituency elections across the country on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

    There were, however, over 15 constituencies that did not hold their elections due to some unresolved election details, including incomplete voter registers.

  • Okyenhene trends #1 on Twitter following ‘villagers’ and ‘witches’ comments

    The Okyenhene, Amoatia Ofori Panin II is first on Ghana Twitter trends following his comments and descriptions of people criticizing President Akufo-Addo as ‘villagers’ and ‘witches.’

    Speaking at the inauguration of Archeaconry Service held at the St. Martin Anglican Church in Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region on Sunday, October 23, 2022, the traditional leader called on Ghanaians to appreciate the significant contribution of the president to the development of the country.

    He explained that the numerous policies of the government, such as the Free Senior High School, are reasons Ghanaians should be grateful to the government.

    “We must appreciate the feat of the president and show him appreciation for what he has done for Ghana. We must defend and protect him.

    “… those insulting the president are children of villagers. They are uncivilized. No well-nurtured person will insult an elderly. If you were raised in the church, you will not insult an elder. If you are not a villager then you may be a witch or wizard,” he said without mincing words.

    Following that, a number of online users have flooded Twitter to share their sentiments about the chief’s comments.

    One user, Abena Nsia Nyarko, stated that it appears it is because of the direct benefits the Okyehene receives from the continuous stay of the president in office that he is speaking this way.

    “This is why the Okyenhene is calling us villagers, witches & wizards. Because, so long as Nana Akufo-Addo stays in office he continues to benefit hugely from the state. Hence the insult for demanding our Constitutional Right against the economic quagmire we’re facing today,” she tweeted.

     

  • Ablekuma South NDC elects Oko Vanderpuije’s ‘boy’ Wisdom Dodoo as chairman

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates in the Ablekuma South constituency gave their incumbent chairman, Geoffrey Atakli Banini, a shock when they voted against him in the recently held constituency elections.

    With a new favourite for the slot, the delegates gave their votes to Wisdom Nii Amoo Dodoo, a man believed to be a favourite of the Member of Parliament for the area, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.

    After hours of waiting, due to several recounts of some of the results, the Electoral Commission representative pronounced Wisdom Dodoo the winner with a vote tally of 983, as against Banini’s 635.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb right after the declaration, the newly-elected chairman said he would use his unifying personality to foster unity in the party.

    He also called on all persons who had lost their various bids for election to focus on helping the NDC wrestle power in 2024.

    “I’ll say better luck next time, but just so you know, I am a unifier and so I will bring all of them on board so we work towards 2024,” he stated.

    On how he feels about his victory, Wisdom Dodoo said it is a great feeling, and he hopes to capitalise on it to help the NDC win the national election of 2024.

    He added that the NDC intends to save Ghanaians from the poor governance of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) with a target of 25,000 more votes.

    “I feel great about this victory, and I thank everyone. You know that the NPP has not been performing so we will work towards 2024 to ensure victory in Ablekuma South and the whole of Ghana.

    “We are targeting about 25,000 more votes than the ones we had the last time,” he stated.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb, the Ablekuma South MP, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, explained that what happened in the elections in his constituency is a confirmation of the mandate of the people.

    “In the 2020 elections, the people of Ablekuma South spoke eloquently, giving Okoe Vanderpuije 61% victory. And so, when the people speak, and you’re a member of the executive and you don’t listen, they will show you the exit. That is simple and short.

    “So, we have members of the executive who, of late, have not been working with the MP. So, the delegates and the people of the grassroots made a decision, and the decision is that they love their MP, and they want their MP to continue to work for them, and they want a team that will work with the MP.

    “This election is not only a foretaste, but a mandate that will go out for anybody who wants to stand in the way of the NDC; we are ready,” he stated.

    Below is the full list of results from the Ablekuma South elections:

    Chairman
    Geoffrey Atakli Banini 635
    Wisdom Nii Amoro Dodoo 983

    Vice Chairman
    Theophilus Allottei Myers 719
    Paul Ardey Codzoe 889

    Secretary
    Robert Quaye 805
    Peter Agbeli 814

    Deputy Secretary
    Benedict Nii Yao Crabbe 710
    Eugene Kwaku Wiafe 914

    Organiser
    Alfred Addotey Allotey 1013
    Albert Pangbot 510

    Deputy Organiser
    Rochester Botchwey 708
    King Archiemore Rockson 118

    Treasurer
    Richard Tagoe 653
    Robertson Nii Kpakpo Mensah

    Deputy Treasurer
    Rahinatu Issifu 735
    Paul Kwame Mensah 875

    Youth Organiser
    Daniel Kwaku Ofori 80
    Theophilus Isaac Quaye 102

    Deputy Youth
    Emmanuel Dowuona 98
    Emmanuel Banini 82

    Youth Rep
    Maud Doku 75
    Farida Khalifa 105

    Women Organiser
    Sylvia Naa Abia Addy 93
    Alberta Sharp 89

    Deputy Women
    Doris Anyomi 96
    Victoria Dodoo 89

    Zongo Caucus
    Huud Adams 593
    Mohammed Yakubu 1014

  • Two car snatchers jailed 90 yrs

    Kibi Circuit court in the Eastern region presided over by His Honour Peter Oppong-Boahen has sentenced two members of a notorious car-snatching syndicate to a total of 90 years imprisonment.

    The convicts; Yaw Gershon,40, a driver, and Ali Suleiman,38, a trader were sentenced to 45 years respectively for the offence of Conspiracy to commit crime to wit robbery, and robbery contrary to sections 23(1) and 149 of the criminal offences Act 1960(Act 29).

    The facts of the case investigated and prepared by Detective Amadu Abdul-Rauf are that the complainant -Sackitey Joseph is a commercial driver in charge of a Toyota Hiace vehicle with registration number GT 5913-21 and lives at Nuaso near Odumase Krobo, while the first accused person Yaw Gershon is a driver and lives at Asiakwa, the second accused Ali Suleiman, is a trader who lives at Akyem Osino.

    On February 28, 2022, at about 9:30 am, the complainant went to the spraying shop with a witness in the case Moses Tetteh to take a nap before resuming work.

    Whilst there, Tettey told the driver that someone called him on phone to get him a commercial driver to pick up a family from Bunso to Somanya to attend a wedding ceremony.

    The driver negotiated with the caller on phone which he made part payment of Ghc250 to buy fuel then directed him to pick him up at Bunso.

    On reaching Bunso at about 9:30 pm the same day, a certain man approached the complainant and identified himself as the person he spoke to on phone.

    He boarded the vehicle and directed the driver to a place around the dumping site at Asiakwa where his accomplices had laid ambush.

    The accused onboard the Vehicle pointed a pistol at him and ordered him to stop the vehicle, which he obliged.

    Five men armed with guns and cutlasses wearing face masks also emerged from the bush to attack and subject the driver to severe beatings and tied him with a rope.

    They snatched the Toyota Hiace Vehicle, stole two mobile phones and cash of Ghc1,200 from the driver, and bolted.

    After the rescue, the driver reported the case to Police for investigation.

    On March 5, 2022, at about 2:30 am, Yaw Gershon and Ali Suleiman were arrested at Buipe Police checkpoint in the Savannah Region for robbing a driver of his vehicle at Teacher Mante near Nsawam in the Eastern region using same modus Operandi.

    Kibi police upon hearing the arrest went for the accused persons for further interrogation which established they were part of the syndicate that robbed and snatched vehicle from the driver.

    They were charged and arraigned before Kibi Circuit court but pleaded not guilty to all counts. The case went for full trial for six months which the court found them guilty hence the sentence.

  • Only an unreasonable delay in the case will help Aisha Huang get bail – Judge

    The case involving Chinese illegal miner, Aisha Huang, has been adjourned to November 2, 2022, for case management.

    In court today, October 24, 2022, Deputy Attorney General, Diana Asona Dapaah said her outfit has not been able to file all disclosures in the case.

    She however said it is being worked on at the registry.

    She requested, from the court, some time to file the processes.

    The judge denied the appeal for bail requested by lawyers of Aisha Huang and said until there is an unreasonable delay in the case, he hasn’t changed his mind about the bail decision.

    He said he was reliably informed that the Chinese interpreter has travelled out of Ghana and an arrangement was being made for another one.

    The judge directed that the Registrar should ensure that a Chinese interpreter is made available at the next sitting and subsequent ones.

    He again asked the prosecution to file their second batch of witness statements and serve same on the defence four clear days before the next date.

     

     

  • Joyce Aryee optimistic of donations for National Cathedral despite economic hardship

    A member of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project, Rev. Joyce Aryee, is optimistic Ghana’s economic crisis will not stop donations to the project.

    At a press conference to announce a call centre for Ghanaians to seek answers on the project such as how to make donations, a member of the board of trustees, Rev. Aryee, said she did not expect the economic hardship to persist in the long term.

    “Human beings are so resilient. I am 76. I have lived through worse economic times in our country, therefore, I know economic times are as transient as the seasons of life.”

    “God has a way of touching our lives in ways that sometimes we don’t understand. We are still going to church, aren’t we? And we are still making donations, aren’t we? But times are difficult and that’s what gives me hope that, never mind how difficult times are, some people will willingly support,” she added.

    She further indicated that the call centre is expected to improve the relationship between the public and the cathedral.

    Construction work on the National Cathedral was suspended because of a lack of funds.

    The $450 million project was envisioned by the government in March 2017 as a physical embodiment of national unity, harmony, and spirituality.

    It remains unclear how much has been pumped into the project from donations and government support.

    As of June 2022, various church denominations had contributed GH¢2.21 million towards the construction.

     

     

  • Yaa Yaa bags master’s degree from University of Waterloo in Canada

    Award-winning Ghanaian singer, Bertha Bridget Kankam, popularly known as Yaa Yaa, has graduated from the University of Waterloo, Canada with Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology.

    Yaa Yaa posted a picture in her graduation gown with a caption expressing how overwhelmed she is by the achievement.

    “See what the Lord has done! 💐 Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology program, done and dusted! 👩🏽‍🎓😩 I am overwhelmed with emotions right now. I’ll come back later with my speech but for now, help me thank the Lord ❤️🙌🏽,” she said.

    The “Kae” hitmaker prior to this feat completed a four-year degree programme at the University of Ghana.

     

  • NPP allegedly suspends ‘Mahama forgive me’ Manhyia North Polling Station organiser

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reportedly suspended its polling station organizer in the Manhyia North Constituency of the Ashanti Region, named Andy, who begged former President John Dramani Mahama’s forgiveness for voting against him.

    In a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb on October 20, Andy berated President Akufo-Addo for his poor handling of Ghana’s economy while expressing regret for his decision to vote against former President John Dramani Mahama.

    “Honourable Mahama, please forgive me. Mahama, forgive me. I did not know that things were going to be like this. If I knew that this was what was going to happen, I would not have voted against you. Mahama, please forgive me.

    “… As for you, Akufo-Addo, I am not going to say anything against you. After all these (difficulties), you are also insulting us by telling us that nobody held our hands to vote. 2024 will be here soon and you will see your stance.

    “A dollar is almost GH¢15 and you’re telling us it is because of the Russia-Ukraine war. A gallon of petrol is now GH¢70. We can no longer buy cement. We have all packed our cars. Mahama please forgive, please forgive,” he said in Twi.

    In another video sighted by GhanaWeb, Andy, who disclosed his suspension from the NPP, said that he has no regret for the comments he made.

    He added that his suspension will not affect him in any way since the NPP has done nothing for him for the 12 years he has been serving the party.

    “Yesterday, the dollar was GH¢14 plus. Today it is GH¢15, why? You have suspended me for speaking the truth.

    “It has never been my intention to contest for a position in the NPP; it has never been my intention. Also, the NPP has never gotten me a job. I have been a member of the NPP for 12 years and you have not gotten me a job. And so, what is the essence of your suspension?

    “… I will continue to seek Mahama’s forgiveness because I did not know this was how things were going to be. I have supported the NPP with my resources. I have used my money for posters, banners and other things. I don’t want to hold any position in the NPP and I will continue to beg Mahama for his forgiveness,” he said in Twi.

     

     

  • Aisha Huang’s case: File your witness statement – High Court Judge tells Attorney General

    The Accra High Court, presided by Justice Lydia Marfo, has asked the Attorney General to file its witness statement and serve the accusers in Aisha Huang’s case.

    This comes after the Deputy Attorney General told the court he had prepared its witness statement and other relevant documents, which are being filed at the court registry.

    Chinese national, Aisha Huang, is in court for her involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in Ghana at the Accra High Court.

    At today’s sitting, the Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, asked for an adjournment as all their witness statements and documents were being filed at the court registry.

    The judge then asked the attorney to ensure it is filed and the accusers are served to enable case management and pre-trial conference to occur.

    The case was therefore adjourned to November 2, 2022.

    Meanwhile, Deputy AG Alfred Tuah Yeboah, who spoke to the press after today’s sitting, said the delay was to ensure the right documents are presented.

    “We have complied but it wasn’t within time. As we speak, it has been done. Prosecuting a case like what we have at the moment, you need to dot the “I’s” cross the T’s. At the next adjourned date we will definitely be ready to move on,“ he said.

     

  • Agradaa granted GH¢150,000 bail in second case

    An Accra circuit court has granted bail to the founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, Patricia Asiedua, a.k.a. Nana Agradaa, in the sum of GH¢150,000 with three sureties by an Accra Circuit Court.

    Nana Agradaa is facing 7 charges, including defrauding her church members by false pretence in court.

    She has, however, pleaded not guilty to her charges.

    As part of the bail conditions, she is expected to provide three sureties, of whom one must be justified with a title deed.

    She is also required to deposit her passport at the court registry.

    Prior to this, Nana Agradaa was granted bail in the amount of GHC50,000 with three sureties in her first case.

    As part of her bail conditions, Agradaa is supposed to report to police every Wednesday.

    Background:

    The Ghana Police Service arrested repented fetish priestess, Nana Agradaa, now known as Evangelist Mama Pat, on Sunday, October 9, 2022.

    “The Police have arrested Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa following allegations of money-doubling scam levelled against her by some members of the public. The suspect is currently assisting police investigation,” a statement from the police said.

    Nana Agradaa’s arrest comes on the back of allegations made by scores of her church members, who claimed that she had scammed them after an all-night service.

    The former fetish priestess had advertised in a viral video that she was going to give out monies to people who would attend her all-night church service on Friday, October 7, 2022.

    Things, however, did not go as planned for many of the people who attended the service as many of them cried foul that they had given out monies to her but she failed to keep to her side of the agreement.

    She is eventually reported to have sent the people away from the church, prompting the alarms they raised online.

    The police have since called on all persons who were affected by the supposed scam to report to the Accra Regional Police Command to help with the investigations.

    “Anyone who is a victim of the alleged money doubling scam should report to the Accra Regional Police Command for further action to assist the investigation,” it added.

     

  • Czech govt honours Ghanaian businessman with national award

    A Ghanaian businessman, Dr Karl Nii Ayi kai Laryea, has received ” Gratis Agit Laureate”  from the government of the Czech Republic for his roles in enhancing activities of the country globally.

    Dr Laryea who is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Knights a.s., a global technology transfer Company also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Shoe Factory.

    He is the first African to be honoured by the Czech government at this year’s event held at the Prague Castle in the Czech Republic.

    The citation eulogised him for his relentless and continuous contribution in promoting trade facilitation between Czech Republic, Ghana and the West African sub-region.

    Dr Laryea was also applauded for his long-term and persistent work that had helped to deepen Czech-Ghana relations not only at the economic but also political level.

    The Foreign Affairs Minister, Czech Republic, Mr Jan Lipavský, who presented the awards, expressed delight at the contribution of the eight awardees to the growth of the Czech Republic.

    In Dr Laryea‘s citation, Mr Jan Lipavsky said ” since 1997, when he founded the company Knights a.s., Dr. Laryea has been promoting the good name of the Czech Republic in West Africa, especially in the field of economic diplomacy”

    He explained that, Dr Laryea had initiated many important business activities, especially in the field of infrastructure and agriculture.

    “One of the most notable projects is the construction of 50 steel bridges of lengths ranging from 20 metres to 50 metres, manufactured in the Czech Republic, with the prospect of supplying 150 more”

    “These bridges are crucial to Ghana’s infrastructure and economy since they provide connections to commercial centres and enable access to schools, hospitals and jobs for people in the remoter areas,” he said.

    Mr Jan Lipavský also mentioned Dr Laryea’s instrumental role in upcoming activities that would see the preparation of a pilot project for a tramway system in Kumasi, the construction of which should involve a consortium of seven Czech companies, including the Czech Technical University.

    “This project could become a model for other West African countries. The Joint Venture Company with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana is another interesting project, where Knights a.s. has supplied Czech technology for pressing tropical fruits and juice production” he said.

    He said from 1996 to 2008, Dr Laryea was the unofficial Counsellor for Economic Projects and Cooperation at the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Prague.

    “One of his major projects during this period was the re-establishment of the Bata shoe factory in Kumasi, which employs over a hundred young Ghanaians,” he said.

    Receiving the Award, Dr Laryea expressed gratitude to Czech Republic for the recognition and pledged to continue to contribute to Czech-Ghanaian cooperation and facilitates the implementation of projects in both the economic and development fields.

    Dr Laryea did Electrical Engineering in Czech Republic and later pursued his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate Degrees in the same country.

    He later established KNIGHTS a.s., in the year 1997 in the Czech Republic. KNIGHTS a.s. is a company that specialises in transferring innovative technologies, technical customisation & Development and Project Financing.

     

     

  • IMF deal will reduce hardship – President

    President Akufo-Addo says he is  hopeful the outcome of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) negotiations would tackle the high cost of living in the country.

    He admitted the cost of living was high but was optimistic that the package of measures which would accompany the IMF programme would address the economic issues successfully and reduce the hardship on Ghanaians.

    “Yes we are going through difficulties but at the same time we trying to do well in other areas, the fundamentals of government policy is working. We have about 120 One District, One Factory completed and 300 of them in the pipeline,” he said.

    President,  Akufo- Addo made these statements at  Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region on Friday when he spoke to the media as part of  his three-day tour of the Eastern Region.

    Speaking on concerns made by some persons to review the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the President said he was a bit skeptical about it.

    He argued “I have to confess my attitude when I hear the word review I hesitate because, first people who spoke about the review are people who opposed the policy in the first place and so if someone who did not want the policy comes to tell us that we should review it then my understanding is that he is to review the policy to reverse it.”

    According to the President, the two fundamental thrust of the policy which was to expand access that has been dramatically achieved.

    “The other was to include quality outcomes of education and I must say The outcomes of the free SHS graduates are a major improvement on the free SHS data that we have whether it is mathematics or integrated science, english across the board.”

    President Akufo-Addo  added that each  of these areas of study has seen a significant increase in the results of the students.

    President Akufo-Addo said reviewing these two thrusst of the policy and the improvement made will somehow be compromised, adding the country cannot tamper with the two fundamentals.

    He said “as a country, we have ensured that nobody in the country, no matter their social origin and financial background should be denied access to good quality secondary education and added that for the past five years, the implementation of the policy has been established.”

    He indicated that so far, his government have been able to financially sustain the free SHS policy and would continue to sustain it.

    The President later attended an official opening of the NPP National Executives and directors Training and Orientation Conference at Rock City in the Abetifi Constituency.

    He then proceeded to Nkawkaw to inspect the construction of the Nkawkaw-Abirem- Ofoase -Akim Oda road Project.

    President Akufo Addo later paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Ofoase, inspected the construction of the Ofoase-Ayirebi Agenda 111 hospital project and departed to Akyem Asuboa in the Asene Manso Akroso constituency to inspect a similar project.

     

  • He knew the purpose of the photos – Ad agency behind ‘Remember Me’ billboards fights back

    The company behind the “Remember Me” political advertisement of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2020, which has become a subject of recent conversations, has come out to refute claims that they deceived and paid their actors only GH₵300.

    According to Riverblade Intuition, there appears to be an intentional plot by one of the models, Nicholas Teye, a former beneficiary of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCo), to misrepresent the facts of the matter.

    He claimed that Nicholas and 31 others, most of whom were not lucky enough to have had their pictures selected, each received GH₵500 as well as transportation of GH₵50 each.

    He added that the total amount paid to all of them came to GH₵17,050.

    He also refuted the claim that the actors had not been given the full details of what they were in for.

    “First of all, a simulated design of the billboard adverts was shown to him repeatedly during the photoshoot to get his expression and acting. Also, the intended purpose for his photos was expressly stated in the release form he signed before the shoot began,” Roman Boakye Gyinae, the Creative Chief and Director of Strategy at Riverblade Intuition, said, a report by mynewsgh.com stated.

    Earlier, GhanaWeb reported that Nicholas Teye had claimed that he was only paid GH₵300 for the photos he took.

    He added that his life is currently under threat because his face was splashed on the billboards without his knowledge.

    Speaking to TV3 in an interview, Nicholas stated that people blame him for the current economic hardship facing Ghanaians, as they believe that he also campaigned for the governing party.

    The SHS teacher stated that he has had to even disguise himself by wearing a nose mask and a cap whenever he wants to go out of his home, for fear of being noticed and attacked.

    “My major challenge is the threat. So, any time I have to go out, I have to put on a nose mask and sometimes a cap.

    “Sometimes, I will be in the room, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday without going out because I am afraid if I step out, I don’t know what will happen to me. The moment they see you [sic] they are angry and they want to beat you because you are part of the reasons why they are suffering. Sometimes they will call you and threaten you.

    “Sometimes my wife will tell me where I am going, if I have the money, I should take Uber,” Teye narrated.

    Riverblade Intuition also explained that the advertisements under the “Remember Me” campaign for the NPP had more than 85million impaction online, influencing voter decisions through the use of emotive themes.

     

     

  • Most storey buildings in Ghana are standing only by the grace of God – Engineer raises alert

    A materials engineer, Abdulai Mahama, has raised an alarm about the low structural integrity of most buildings in the country.

    According to him, many of the buildings in the country are only standing by the grace of God, and not because they have been professionally constructed.

    “A lot of our storey buildings are standing by grace, not by engineering. The structural integrities of a lot of buildings in this country is questionable,” he stated in an earlier Facebook post.

    Providing further explanations to all that he said in his earlier video, Abdulai Mahama made another post on Twitter to elaborate.

    He explained that from his studies of many years, he is yet to find any building that passes the test for structural integrity in the country.

    “Doctors have told us that before you get proper treatment, you have to be diagnosed so that you are given the right medication but sadly, when it comes to construction, almost all professionals: bankers, doctors, nurses, soldiers, police officers, financial bankrollers, businessmen, whatever, they all fall on the quack professionals like the masons, the artisans to do the designs and constructions for them.

    “Meanwhile, this is where you’re sinking a lot of your money and then when there are problems at the end of the construction, then they now look for we the professionals to come and remedy the situation for them.

    “I’ve done a lot of structural integrity in Ghana and so far, none of them has actually passed. And it’s sad that you’re spending so much money and you’re not getting value for money construction for your buildings,” he clarified.

    Watch the full video below:

    #affordablehousing
    Most building in Ghana are standing by GRACE…Ing. Mahama. When there’s any minor earthquake…..a lot of our buildings will be fall flat. Click on the link belowhttps://t.co/DloMm5WL4t@Joy997FM @Citi973 @HAPPY989FM @TheGhanaWeb @eastsportsman @nathan_quao pic.twitter.com/gYHQsgSYMM

    — Ing.Abdulai Mahama (@mahama_abdulai) October 24, 2022

  • Addaekrom: The community where sachet water is like gold

    Gold is considered one of Ghana’s most priced minerals which in recent times is being exploited by many even through illegal means.

    In the case of Addaekrom, an island community in the Eastern Region of Ghana, their gold is a most unimaginable basic need: good drinking water.

    Sad as it sounds, that appears to be a major worry for the people of the small community.

    Speaking with youtuber; Nana Tea Was Here Some, one of the teachers in the community who are revolutionalising education, Godfred Nyarko, explained that students, for instance, only use sachet water when they are unwell.

    “The river is where we fetch water from but as for us the teachers, we buy bags of pure water when the boat is going to Tokor, Kpando… water is not a problem but if they can get us a pipe, that will be fine.

    “Sometimes when they are sick, that’s when they come to us for pure water. So, pure water here is like gold. When they are sick, the nurses will tell them to take the medicine with pure water and so they’ll come to us for pure water,” he said.

    The Addaekrom community of a little over 1000 inhabitants, has only one school that is riddled with many challenges.

    Godfred Nyarko explained that whenever it rains, school activities automatically have to come to a halt.

     

     

     

  • Savannah Regional Minister blames Bui Power Authority for recent flooding in Central Gonja

    The Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibriil has blamed the flooding in some communities in the Central Gonja District including Buipe, the capital, on the spillage of the Bui Dam.

    The minister who was speaking after visiting the affected area in Buipe assured the victims of government’s plan to support them with relief.

    About 297 households in 4 communities have been affected, displacing over 1,200 residents by the flood in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

    Public and private properties including electricity poles and cables and school buildings have been submerged by the flood.

    As a result, two schools have been forced to shut down and victims seeking shelter with relations and friends.

    The Savannah Regional Minister attributed the flood to spillage of the Bui Dam by the Bui Power Authority.

    He made the comments during a visit to the affected areas.

    “The waters started rising as a result of the spillage of the Bui Dam, and we asked the resident NADMO officials and various security agencies to start monitoring the situation. But as it is now, the water has risen so high that about 219 households have been affected. Per my count, the number of people occupying the households should be over 1,200.”

    Mr. Saeed assured the victims of government’s plan to cushion them and assured that pupils from the affected schools will from Tuesday be put in other schools until their schools can be reopened.

    “There are two schools that have been affected by this flooding. So I am going to be in touch with the District Chief Executive and the District Education Officer to see how the various schools within the catchment area, particularly Buipe, the epicentre of this flood, to see how they can absorb these children into the other schools so that they will not be losing a lot.”

    Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Kintampo North, Joseph Kwame Kumah who also has the Black Volta as its boundary wants government to extend relief to victims on his side of the river.

    Mr. Kumah who also visited affected areas in Benkrom says government must turn its attention to the area.

    Mr. Kumah also called on authorities of the Bui Dam to take more responsibility for the disaster.

    “Bui dam, I know they have a patrol boat. If they don’t, they have a means by which they can know what is happening along the Bui Dam settlements so that they can come to the aid of the people and maybe if there are any technical advice they should give, they should let us all know as members of Parliament so that we can also talk to the chiefs and people of the area and see how we can have a lasting solution to it.”

     

  • Crime rate in Ashaiman now on the low – Police Commander

    The Police Commander for the Ashaiman Municipality, Superintendent Osman Alhassan has told Citi News that crime rate in Ashaiman has reduced drastically.

    This he attributes to hard work on the part of police officers.

    He noted with certainty that, the negative tag on Ashaiman as a haven for criminals will become a thing of the past.

    According to him, the police will leave no security-related issues unattended.

    “There is no problem in Ashaiman because we do not have serious and other violent crimes in the community. The police have been able to control the crime rate in Ashaiman even to the surprise of residents.”

    His comments come on the back of a successful conduct of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency election at Ashaiman where there was no incident recorded despite the tense atmosphere.

  • ‘Akufo-Addo has become more prouder than NDC and Mahama’ – Prophet Kofi Oduro

    Prophet Kofi Oduro, General Overseer, Alabaster International Ministry, has indicated that President Akufo-Addo has become prouder than the opposition NDC and its 2020 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

    The man of God in a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb said the President needs to repent from his arrogance if he wants to see a solution and have a remedy to the current economic hardships facing Ghanaians.

    He said the President, who was favoured by God for his meekness has become prouder and his pride will take him down without any remedy.

    He noted that without repentance, a proud Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government will go down in the history of Ghana as the worse.

    Prophet Kofi Oduro said, “they spoke carelessly without any remembrance and in the humility of your heart, God favoured you but your excellency you have become more prouder than the NDC and their Mahama.

    “I stand here with a heavy heart to respectfully say this to you, sir, the Lord is telling me pride takes everybody down and if you continue to be proud, you will go down without remedy.”

    He continued: “your government will be the worse in the history of this country. Your excellency, if you continue in the arrogance of speech and the pride of your life, you will never see solution and you will never see remedy.

    “I stand here as a man of God and as a prophet of God of not needing anything from you except your repentance and your humility; if not Ghana is going into destruction. It is only the fool that thinks that we are going in the right direction.”

     

  • ECG customers begin processing of claim forms to receive compensation

    Customers adversely affected by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)’s prepayment system vending failure will today begin processing claims forms to be submitted to the ECG District Offices for compensation.

    They could also visit the ECG website (www.ecg.com.gh) or any of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)’s regional offices or its website (www.purc.com.gh).

    This follows an engagement between the PURC and ECG regarding the compensation of clients affected by ECG’s Prepayment System in the Volta Region, Accra, Central Region, Western Region, Ashanti Region, and Eastern Region, among others.

    Dr. Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary, PURC, in a statement signed and issued and copied to the paper in Accra on Friday, said the ECG, under PURC’s regulatory oversight, shall investigate and analyse the information contained in submitted forms and compensate affected customers accordingly.

    “Only customers whose electricity supply was interrupted due to the vending failure will be considered for compensation,” he added.

    Dr. Ackah used the opportunity to assure all stakeholders that the Commission was committed to protecting the interests of both utilities and consumers.

    Meanwhile, ECG, at a presser recently in Accra, said it could not undertake a wholesale compensation payment to all customers of the company as directed by the PURC for the recent power crisis.

    Instead, the company noted, it was prepared to abide by the laid down procedure to pay compensation to affected customers on a case-by-case basis.

    Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Mahama, said his outfit was preparing to engage the PURC on the need to alter the directive to make case by case the basis of payment of compensation.

     

  • Why Dr. K.K Sarpong’s nomination for Offinso Paramountcy is being challenged

    Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong is a candidate vying to occupy the Offinso paramount seat following the demise of Paramount Chief, Nana Awiafe Akenten III in 2021.

    But his nomination has been shrouded in controversies with some factions within the Offinso area questioning his legitimacy.

    While some say he is not a royal and has no lineage that qualifies him for the Offinso seat considering he hails from Beposo in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region, others say he has a lineage and is a qualified candidate.

    What tradition demands:

    According to the Benkumhene of Offinso, Nana Osei Boateng Yentumi Pimapim, after the passing and burial of a chief, the floor is opened for candidates hoping to occupy the stool to present their interests, by writing their names and indicating their intentions led by their family heads.

    After this, the queen mother is to decide with family heads and other appointed chiefs after which the chosen candidates are presented to the Gyaasehene then the kingmakers and so on.

    Benkumhene narrates what happened in the case of K.K Sarpong:

    Speaking in an interview with Kessben TV, the Benkumhene said “After Nana Akenten passed away, the queen mother; Nana Hemaa Ama Serwaa Nyarko gave an opportunity for people who may want to occupy the seat.

    “After this, some 18 people presented their interests, made up of people from Ashirem, others from Akonkodiase, who are all from the Asona Clan in Offinso. They make up the two gates from which the paramount chief is chosen.

    “During this process, Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong also had the chance to present his interest and traditionally, it is the queen mother that chooses candidates for the stool through the family heads.

    “After this, he is presented to the Gyaasehene, and after they are done deciding, they present before the kingmakers – the Krontihene, Benkumhene and Nifahene for us to investigate him.

    “After this, we accepted,” he added.

    What the concerns are:

    Some members of one of the gates, Ashirem, held a press conference in May 2022 to voice out their displeasure with the nomination process of Dr. K. K Sarpong.
    According to the family head, Kontonmmra Aboagye who addressed media persons, they are of the view that the queen mother is sidelining the family and using unqualified means to nominate the said candidate.

    According to them, he has been rejected by both the Akonkodiase gate and the Ashirem gate.

    “Akonkodiase people didn’t accept him. Then he came here. We don’t accept him He is from Beposo. No family of his is from here.

    “After the passing of the chief, the way was paved for anyone who wanted to contest for the stool to bring their names. We had candidates following traditions and presenting their pleas with subchiefs but even after that, when the selection process started, they didn’t hear of it.

    “They skipped processes and went to present him to Manhyia but that didn’t work. The queen mother connived with a few chiefs to present K.K Sarpong, putting the family aside. He should bring his family tree,” he said.

    But the Benkumhene has maintained that all due process had been followed in nominating Dr. K.K Sarpong.

    According to him, although Dr. Sarpong is from Beposo, his lineage can be traced to Offinso and therefore he is qualified.

    He also defended the queen mother Nanahemaa Ama Serwaa Nyarko, indicating that she had followed due process.

    “I think some people want the stool to remain with the Akonkodiase. Dr. K.K Sarpong is from Offinso, I only believe it is circumstances or marriage that traces some part of his lineage to Beposo.

    “I will disagree with anyone who will suggest that the queen mother is breaking protocol. She is going according to tradition and it’s all clear. It’s not the family that makes kings, it is the family heads that select. When K.K Sarpong was being selected, family head representatives from both the Ashirem and Akonkodiase lines were present,” he said.

    What Otumfuo said:

    The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II openly rejected the nomination of Dr. K.K Sarpong, Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) as was captured in a video that made rounds on Friday, October 21, 2022.

    In the said video, the Ashanti King clearly indicated his displeasure about how the nomination process for Dr. K.K Sarpong was done.

    “Kofi Kodua Sarpong has lived a good life, he has achieved a lot in life. If he is the person, you the elders of Offinso want, you should have come to me and told me that you want him to be your chief if I accept him. Is that not what you should have done? And now that you have gone your own way and you are having difficulties you are coming to me for what?

    “I have cancelled all the pleas of the family head (Atta Kwabena). Mother, I have cancelled the pleas he (the family head) brought to you because the family head himself does not have the right to come close to the stool and for that matter bring you pleas. There is a curse on him that he was to take off.

    “That is why I was asking the elders why they will let someone with a curse on him lead their plea. That is the issue I have. I have cancelled the nomination process.

    “I know that Kofi Konadu Sarpong is the person you want as chief if that is true come and tell me about it. I know that you have sat with him and have come to an agreement. But the person leading your plea does not have the right to do so now,” the Asantehene said in Twi at the Manhyia Palace in a video shared by Opemsuo Radio which was sighted by GhanaWeb.

     

  • Meet the 5 strong, beautiful women manning Ghana’s Supreme Court

    They are bold and beautiful and are currently making strides as justices of Ghana’s Supreme Court, having been appointed at different periods by the President Akufo-Addo.

    Out of some 14 Justices of the Supreme Court, these 5 women are making a name not only for themselves in legal history but on behalf of all Ghanaian women.

    We take a look at their profiles and achievements.

    Agnes Mercy Abla Dordzie

    Agnes Mercy Abla Dordzie was born in Taviefe-Deme in the Volta Region. After her basic and secondary education in various schools including the Ola Girls Secondary School in the Volta Region, she proceeded to the University of Ghana to study Law and Political Science from 1974 to 1977.

    Dordzie worked as a national service personnel at the National Council on Women and Development at Koforidua from 1977 to 1978.

    She then enrolled at the Ghana School of Law in 1979 and graduated in November 1980 with a Barrister-at-law degree. Justice Dordzie was called to the bar that same year.
    text

    She joined the Attorney General’s Department as an assistant state attorney until January 1983. A month later, she moved to Nigeria on a contract appointment to work with the Minister of Justice at Calabar, Cross River State as a state council.

    She later returned to Ghana to begin private legal practice at Adzoe Gbadegbe and Company.

    She remained in private legal practice until May 1987 when she appointed magistrate at Somanya. In November 1991 she was elevated to a Circuit Judge, working in Accra.

    She served as a High Court judge in Accra from November 1995 to November 2003.

    From December 2003 to November 2005, she was the supervising High Court judge of the Ashanti Region.

    Justice Dordzie was appointed by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the secondment of the Judiciary of Ghana to serve as a High Court judge in The Gambia and was later elevated to the Court of Appeal in July 2010.

    In 2007 she pursued a master’s degree program in International Relations at the Commonwealth Open University, British Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, graduating in 2010.

    She also enrolled at the Institute of Theological Studies to study a six-month diploma course in Christian Counselling in 2014.

    Agnes Mercy Abla Dordzie was one of four Supreme Court Justices nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on July 3, 2018.

    Her nomination followed the retirement of some justices of the Supreme Court and the need to replace them.

     

  • Prempeh College to defend NSMQ title in grand finale after Kwabotwe defeat

    Prempeh College will have a chance to defend the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) trophy in the grand finale after their victory in the first semifinal contest.

    The Kumasi-based giants defeated Cape Coast’s Mfantsipim School in a close contest on Sunday.

    They now stand a chance of equalling two records set by Presec Legon; that is winning the trophy back-to-back and winning it for the sixth time.

    Drinking points and Puma drink from @kasaprekogh – show us a better feeling!
    AMANFOUR!#NSMQ2022 #NSMQSemis #Primetime pic.twitter.com/O3rXGmpPQZ

    — #NSMQ2022 (@NSMQGhana) October 23, 2022

    But they would not have it easy, with Presec Legon themselves gunning for a spot in the final in a later contest.

    Mfantsipim’s run comes to an end. Their hopes of a third title are dashed, in favour of the reigning champions.

    Give a reason why vinegar is used to preserve vegetables and fruits.#NSMQ2022 #NSMQSemis #Primetime pic.twitter.com/Y3wInGONRn

    — #NSMQ2022 (@NSMQGhana) October 23, 2022

    But the impressive school in the Sunday morning contest is Presby SHS, Abetifi.

    — #NSMQ2022 (@NSMQGhana) October 23, 2022

    They beat all expectations and cut down giants to reach the semifinals and came close to upsetting Prempeh College.

    For now, Prempeh College rejoice.

    “Y’adi ooooooo y’adi” 🕺
    Prempeh College makes it to the Grand Finale. #NSMQ2022 #NSMQSemis #Primetime pic.twitter.com/b0CKmZztG6

    — #NSMQ2022 (@NSMQGhana) October 23, 2022

    The scores at the end of five rounds stood at Prempeh College with 49 points, Abetifi Presby came second with 43 points and Mfantsipim School came last with 41 points.

    — #NSMQ2022 (@NSMQGhana) October 23, 2022

    Meanwhile, St James Sem, Kumasi High School and Presec Legon will compete for a slot in the finale at 12 pm.

    The 2022 National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service in partnership with Absa Ghana and supported by GOIL, Prudential Life Insurance, AirtelTigo, Dano Milk, Newmont, GNPC, Accra College of Medicine, Academic City University College and Y FM.

    The broadcast of the National Science & Maths Quiz on JoyNews is supported by Virtual Infosec Africa, Virtual Security Africa, Vita Milk, Cowbell, Alumni by Enterprise Life, Fay Toilet Roll, Ace Medical Insurance, Azar Group, Kings Group Limited, Family Health Medical School, DBS, ZnZ, The Barstow School, KORBA and Pharmatrust Limited.

     

  • Ghana, Ivory Coast boycott Brussels Sustainability Meeting over cocoa price

    Ivory Coast and Ghana will not be attending the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership meeting scheduled to be held in Brussels from October 26-27.

    The meeting which is the leading global conference on cocoa sustainability will miss the world’s two largest cocoa-producing countries due to pricing issues, Reuters reported.

    Both Ghana Cocoa Board, COCOBOD, and Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa Council, CCC, have cited multinational chocolate companies resisting measures that aim to improve farmers’ income as the reason for their boycott.

    According to the Head of Public Affairs for Cocobod, Fiifi Boafo, “The major chocolate brands have resisted and tried to find means to circumvent payment of the LID”.

    Therefore, “the Chief Executive [Joseph Boahen Aidoo] is not attending the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) meeting in Belgium and none of the executives at Cocobod will be there,” he affirmed.

    Boafo accused the multinational chocolate companies of waging a silent war against a farmers’ premium, the Living Income Differential, as a direct rejection will give them bad publicity.

    Adding his voice, the Director General of Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), Yves Brahima Kone, also said he will not be in attending this or any other industry meetings.

    He further stated that sustainability programmes launched since 2008 and aimed at tackling issues such as child labour have also benefited companies more than farmers.

    Two premiums paid on Ghana and Ivory Coast cocoa beans to help alleviate farmer poverty have in recent years suffered massive discounts by chocolate companies, eroding the intended purpose.

    The origin differential, an additional premium paid for the quality and reliability of cocoa beans and the Living Income Differential is a fixed amount of $400 agreed on for every tonne of cocoa sold by Ivory Coast and Ghana.

    In July both regulators said they would no longer sell cocoa with a negative origin differential, fixing it at zero for Ivory Coast and at +20 pounds sterling ($22) per tonne for Ghana.

    COCOBOD and CCC explained that some of the world’s major chocolate makers and cocoa traders are pushing for origin differentials as low as negative 200 pounds sterling per tonne.

    “We are considering new ways to address this issue with the industry, including banning access to our cocoa farms for their sustainability programs,” The Director General of CCC said.

    The World Cocoa Foundation Partnership meeting will be held from October 26-27 at The Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

  • IDIF cutting foreign goods dependence – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has backed the One-District, One-Factory initiative under the broader industrialisation agenda of the government, as a basis for developing a home-grown infrastructure that is capable of withstanding the uncertainties of exogenous shocks to the Ghanaian economy.

    In this regard, the president pointed out that the Eastern Region, alone, has completed 1D1F enterprises, with another 16 at various stages of completion and soon to be inaugurated, as well as another four at the project conception stage.

    The performance and success of the completed 1D1F projects across the country, with regards to minimising unemployment and shoring local production, has thus far, been a clear indication of President Akufo-Addo’s long-held belief that Ghana’s path towards self-reliance is largely premised on the country’s determination to industrialise.

    According to the President, who began a three-day tour of the Eastern Region on Friday, 21 October 2021, “the whole purpose of the policy means having factories and enterprises here in Ghana, which will substitute the ones that are coming from abroad. That is the whole purpose of the policy. Instead of importing XYZ, you’re going to have them made here.”

    He added: “When we said we wanted to implement 1D1F and certain strategic industrial policies, we were told it couldn’t be done, but today, everyone is talking about how important it is for the Ghanaian economy to lessen its dependence on foreign goods and foreign services.”

    “Now, people are beginning to understand that, indeed, we had the foresight, we knew exactly what we needed to do to bring substantial progress, real progress not intermittent progress, but substantial progress, which is going to be strong and resilient. That is what I’ve noticed is ongoing,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo indicated further: “By the time we are through, then the commitment of a 1D1F would have been established. And we can only strengthen the industrial development of the country, which is very important to note that foreign import dependence will not inure to our growth. We have the panacea, the solution, and the government is working towards it”.

    President Akufo-Addo’s 1D1F initiative is meant to change the nature of Ghana’s economy from one which is dependent on the import and export of raw materials to one which is focused on manufacturing, value addition and export of processed goods from raw materials that are largely found in the districts across the country.

    Thus far, the One-District-One-Factory initiative, which has seen the ongoing construction of 296 factories across the country, of which 125 have been completed, is part of the foundation on which the Akufo-Addo government is we are building a comprehensive industrialisation programme, inspired by the development of strategic anchor industries, such as the emerging automotive industry and the co-ordinated exploitation for the entire domestic value addition of our bauxite and iron ore resources.

    “I am hopeful that, by the end of my term, the full complement 296 factories will be in operation to help provide quality domestic alternatives to the consumption needs of Ghanaians and reduce substantially our dependence on imports. We do not only account for the youth as labour in the 1D1F programme, but also as managers and owners. Indeed, 58 of these factories are wholly owned by young people who have received direct government support”, he added.

  • They have nothing to offer – Osafo-Maafo to persons wanting to govern Ghana

    Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has said persons who are eying the presidency and are labeling President Akufo Addo as incompetent have nothing to offer Ghanaians.

    According to him, the critics have not provided any alternatives to salvage the current economic crisis to prove their competence.

    Addressing a durbar at Ofoase in the Eastern Region, Osafo-Maafo said, “Those who are seeking to govern this country, I don’t understand them. They aren’t providing any alternative. They actually don’t have anything to offer.”

    His comment comes at the back of backlashes from Ghanaians and key industry players for the country’s economic woes.

    Osafo-Maafo noted that he was optimistic the economy will bounce back despite its wobbling state.

    “We all know the economy is not in good shape,” he is quoted by 3news.com to have said in vernacular.

    “The economic challenge is not from Ghana. If something is not from you, you have to take your time to strategically resolve it. It won’t keep long and we will work on the economic challenge,” he added.

    The former Finance Minister added that voting for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not the alternative to solving the economic woes as some Ghanaians have suggested, 3news.com reported.

  • Obuasi Municipal Assembly embarks on name, shame, sanction campaign

    The Environmental Office of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly has started a campaign dubbed “Name, shame, sanction” campaign.

    The campaign is to raise awareness on the need to keep the environment clean after the increasing rise in sanitation problems in the Municipality.

    During this campaign, the Environmental officers move with the media team from Obuasi to identify places in Obuasi especially chop bars operators and filling station operators who flout environmental laws, arrest and penalise offenders.

    The campaign is also intended to assist the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to enforce sanitation bye-laws and raise awareness about the need to keep our environment clean.

    Briefing the media after the first round of the exercise, the Municipal Environmental Health officer, Fuseina Imoro said the rationale behind the exercise was to follow up on feedback from the general public about the unsanitary conditions at some chop bars in Obuasi.

    “We decided to involve the media in this exercise to serve as a deterrent to those who constantly flout our laws with impunity. We have had a lot of complaints from the general public and our officers on the ground so this time around we decided to involve the media to name and shame offenders,” Miss Imoro added.

    She said as part of the exercise, they issued abatement notice to those who had violated environmental laws to afford them the time and space to correct their wrongs. She emphasized that her office will do a follow to ascertain whether the anomalies detected have been corrected. “when we come back and see things are the same, we will process offenders for court”.

    She said the Assembly has resolved to enforce its environmental bye-laws to ensure full compliance in a bid to keep the environment clean.

    Current public health laws are punitive enough

    The Municipal Prosecutor Richmond Adam Brown has revealed that the current Public Health laws are punitive and deterrent enough. He added that strict enforcement of it will help keep the city clean.

    “The bye-laws and the criminal offences act were not deterrent enough but the introduction of the Public Health Laws 2012 Act 851 has given us hope that we can fight to keep our environment clean and safe since it contains punitive actions to deal with offenders.”

    He added that the Assembly has taken into consideration the process involved in the enforcement of environmental laws, hence has decided to first give verbal education and abatement notice to offenders. He stressed that they will follow it up with court actions if nothing has been done about the situation.
    Mr. Brown called for the support and Cooperation of the people of Obuasi to enable the office keep the environment clean.

     

  • Rice farmers in Akatsi ask for help over escalating prices of inputs

    Rice farmers in the Akatsi South District of the Volta region are in distress as prices of farm inputs skyrocket.

    Some of the farmers have abandoned their farms due to the high cost of production and those in business fear there would be poor yields during the harvest season because they cannot afford adequate fertilizers for their farms.

    They are therefore appealing for support and assistance to be able to bounce back into business.

    They made the point when a Ukrainian government delegation interacted with the farmers at Akatsi.

    The Ukrainian government delegation is on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the plight of the farmers as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Ukraine is a major exporter of fertilizer to Ghana.

    The Volta Region is thus noted for its high rice production rate in Ghana. The region thus contributes huge tonnes of paddy rice to the country’s rice production capacity.

    According to the farmers even though the rainfall pattern has been favourable this year, their major challenges are the high prices of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs.

    The Chairman of the local rice farmers Association, Richard Odzor said most farmers cannot afford to buy fertilizers, a situation which will have negative impact on their yields.

    He noted that previous years saw them producing huge tonnes of rice, due to government subsidies on fertilizers, but such incentives have been scrapped.

    “Most of the farmers quit the business because they don’t have capital or money to buy the inputs. So few farmers try their best to still be in the business. As you can see the rice on this field needs fertilizer and now the fertilizer Uriah one bag costs 500 Ghana cedis and unfortunately that 500 Ghana cedis too the fertilizer itself is not in the system to buy,” he added.

    The Ukrainian government delegation has been in the country to engage the Ghanaian government on the effects of the Russian-Ukraine War on key sectors of the economy and the way forward.

    After a tour of some rice farms in the district, a member of the delegation, Oleg Nivievskyi said fertilizer production levels have dropped significantly in Ukraine, and export channels have been blocked due to the Russia invasion.

    “The war in Ukraine challenges International rules of trade. Trade is what is needed to bring fertilizers from other countries to Ghana and this is not happening right now because Russia challenges that. Things have to be restored so that the trade can also begin smoothly between Ghana and her partners and respect for trade rules and not by uncertain behaviour of Russia as we are seeing.”

    Another member of the delegation, Olexiy Haran thanked the Ghanaian government for their support and empathy for the people of Ukraine who have been devastated by the war.

  • Nana Addo commissions inmate skills acquisition and reformation center at Nsawam

    President Akufo-Addo has commissioned an inmate skills acquisition and reformation center at Nsawam to begin day two of his 3-day working tour of the Eastern Region.

    The 320-bed capacity facility constructed and donated by the Church of Pentecost is the second of the 5 model prison camp, which forms part of the 5-year strategic vision of the church to decongest the country’s prisons.

    Speaking at a durbar to commission the facility, the Director of Prison Services Isaac Kofi Egyiri who commended the Church for the collaboration indicated that the service will expand prison agriculture to obtain food security at the prison.

    President Akufo-Addo who also lauded the exemplary efforts of the Church of Pentecost in tackling issues of congestion at the prisons indicated that government will provide the necessary support to the service to realize the vision of attaining food security.

  • SSNIT hands over $3.2m children’s library to GLA

    The $3.2 million Children’s Library initiated and constructed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to promote education and reading among children, was yesterday handed over to the Ghana Library Authority (GLA).

    The facility located at the Airport Residential Area, near Kawukudi Junction in Nima, which started in 2015 was completed last year.

    The multi-purpose one-story library, equipped with modern technological equipment to help the visually and hearing impaired also use the facility, is stocked with about 22,000 books.

    In addition to the physical library, SSNIT also handed over a mobile library facility to the GLA.

    Speaking at the handing over ceremony witnessed by the board members of SSNIT and officials of Ministry of Education and the GLA as well as pupils from schools from Kanda, the Director-General of SSNIT, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, said SSNIT had been involved in education over the years.

    He said SSNIT started the Students Loan Scheme, which was later handed over to the Students Loans Trust and also financed the construction of students’ hostels and some community schools in some parts of the country.

    Dr Ofori-Tenkorang indicated that the state-of-the-art library facility was to help children to learn and discover themselves for the development of the country.

    “We believe that we need educated population, in order to get a good workforce, and, therefore, SSNIT this year launched supplementary readers developed in conjunction with the Ghana Education Service, to bring social security education to children at the younger age,” he said.

    The Director-General said the supplementary readers would help children to learn about social security and retirement planning.

    Dr Ofori-Tenkorang described the facility as ultra-modern because everything about the facility such as registration to use the library as well as searching for books, was computerised.

    In addition, he said the library had facilities for the visually and hearing impaired to read and learn, conference rooms, computer room, first aid room and media viewing room.

    Asked of the cost of the facility, he said about $3.9 million was budgeted for the project, but between $3.1 and $3.2 million was used to complete the project.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Adu-Twum, in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Nana Baffour Awuah, said education remained a priority of the government, most importantly, Pre-Tertiary education.

    He commended the SSNIT for financing the construction of the Children and Mobile Library for use by children from two years to the pre-tertiary level.

    Dr Adu-Twum entreated the GLA to take good care of the facility to benefit the not children around the Airport Residential Area, and the country as a whole.

    The Chief Executive Officer of GLA, Hayford Siaw said the new Children and Mobile Library, which had the capacity to serve 169 pupils, brought to 61 new libraries constructed around the country since 2016 and 14 in Greater Accra Region.

  • Ghana National Fire Service to establish fire colleges in all regions

    The Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Julius Kuunor, has said management is making efforts to acquire land in all 16 regions to establish fire colleges and training schools, to ensure adequate manpower for the Service.

    According to him, recruits will no longer travel long distances to the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) at James Town, the only institution which exposes recruits to the rudiments of the profession in the country.

    Mr. Kuunor made this known when the Fire Service Council, paid its first working visit to the Greater Accra Regional Command at Korle-Bu.

    The visit to the Greater Accra Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service was to introduce members of the Council to the Personnel and acquaint themselves with the challenges confronting Fire Officers in the region.

    At the durbar, the Greater Accra Regional Commander, DCFO Richard Gibril Nuhu promised that the command will work hard to fight against the common enemy ‘fire’ to achieve the common goal of protecting lives, property, and investment.

    The Chief Fire Officer, Julius Kuunor outlined some plans for Officers of the Service.

    The Chairman of the Council, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi while encouraging the officers to continue the good work in saving lives and property, he promised that the Council will support the Management to protect the wellbeing of all officers.

    The New Council inaugurated by the President in September last week, is to ensure the growth of GNFS.

    The Greater Accra Regional Command is the 4th fire command the Council has visited.

     

  • Public figures calling for the resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta

    Calls for the dismissal of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Ken Ofori-Atta, have heightened in the last couple of weeks following the wobblign state of the economy.

    In spite of the fact that netizens have taken to social media to whine and call for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, President Akufo-Addo has disregarded their solicitations.

    In some way or another, this got a few well-known individuals to pound on the Minister’s renunciation since the economic slump has forced government to seek a financial rescue programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    President Akufo-Addo on August 8, while talking in an exclusive interview on Tamale-based North Star radio, during an official tour to the region shielded his ministers.

    He noted that they have been working hard while expressing their outputs have been extensive.

    GhanaWeb in this article puts together a list of some public figures pushing for the resignation of the Finance Minister.

    Nana Oye Bampoh Addo

    Former Gender Minister, Nana Oye Bampoh Addo, joined calls for Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to resign.

    She believes as the main gatekeeper of the national economy, the Minister must take responsibility for the economic downturn the country is experiencing.

    Nana Oye pointed out that the approach that the National Democratic Congress government in 2015 used to secure a programme from the International Monetary Fund was different from that of this government.

    Kwabena Agyei Agyapong

    Former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, has also hammered on the resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta.

    According to Mr Agyapong, the main reason for his call was the decision of the government to seek an economic rescue programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – a position that the Minister had vehemently opposed publicly and vowed will not be taken.

    Mr Agyapong added that the Minister must on his own volition tender his resignation because of his anti-IMF statements and having “got it wrong.”

    Lydia Forson

    Entertainment personality, Lydia Forson, following the resignation of the UK’s Prime Minster, Liz Truss, questioned the rationale behind Ken Ofori-Atta’s decision to stay in office as the Minister of Finance.

    According to her, Ghanaians have lost confidence in Ken Ofori-Atta as the Minister of Finance due to the economic downturn currently being faced by Ghanaians.

    In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb, she said, “It makes absolutely no sense that Ken Ofori-Atta is still the finance minister, how? He’s lost the confidence of the people!”

    Nana Aba Anamoah

    Lydia’s views were not different from media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, who has also pushed for the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to save himself the disgrace and step down.

    According to her, Ken Ofori-Atta has failed in the management of the local economy.

    Nana Aba Anamoah attributed the frequent fall of the local currency, high inflation rate, and increase in petroleum prices, among other factors leading to the country’s economic crisis to the incompetence of the Finance Minister.

    She asserted that the current harsh economic condition was due to government’s “imprudent borrowing taste and wasteful use of those flammable funds.”

    Kweku Sintim Misa (KSM)

    Known for not shelving his thoughts on governmental issues, Ghanaian playwright and actor, Kweku Sintim Misa (KSM), in a recent post advised Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Ken Ofori Atta, to resign from his position.

    He didn’t mince words when he shared a post on Twitter on October 22, 2022, stating that since President Akufo-Addo has resolved not to sack him, Ken Ofori-Atta, he should take the initiative and step down from the position.

    Dr Theo Acheampong

    Political risk analyst and economist, Dr Theo Acheampong reiterated calls for the Finance Minister to resign from his post.

    Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, he said that the calls for the minister’s resignation are not because he is not liked but because he has made serious policy mistakes which have impacted the livelihoods of many.

    Dr Acheampong, listing some of the minister’s faults, said that “one is the E-Levy, number two on the fact that philosophically he doesn’t support us going to the IMF.”

     

  • My re-election was so clean because it is an ‘election of truth’ – Ablekuma South NDC Organiser

    The re-elected Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ablekuma South constituency, Alfred Addotey Allotey, has termed the just-ended elections as an ‘election of truth.’

    The party executive, who polled 1013 votes against his contender, Albert Pangbot, who polled 510 votes, said his victory in this election feels so clean although he never underestimated his contender.

    “I have never underestimated my competitor but this victory looks resounding, this victory looks so pure, so clean. My efforts [to] my people have really paid off and I anticipated this. I saw this victory coming and I’ve said to so many people that I knew this victory was coming.

    “Throughout my campaign, I have said to everybody that Ablekuma South has been lured for many years, and these elections that we’re going to run is going to be the election that I term the ‘election of truth,’” Addotey Allotey stated.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb immediately after he was declared winner in the constituency elections on Saturday, October 22, 2022, Alfred Addotey Allotey, popularly known as Alute, emphasised the need for the new crop of executives to continually support the work of their Member of Parliament, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.

    “We have a Member of Parliament – I just want to be so emphatic, who today stands as one of the best Members of Parliament in Ghana. There are many constituencies surrounding us who are just pleading within their hearts, and they are overjoyed to have Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije as their Member of Parliament.

    “This man is doing a yeoman’s job,” he stressed.

    Watch him speak below:

    Ablekuma South Organiser calls out regional executives working against party interest

    Ablekuma South Organiser calls out regional executives working against party interest.

  • Galamsey fight: Chanfang manufacturing, distribution, sale now illegal – Akufo-Addo

    It is now illegal to manufacture, distribute or sell chanfangs (the machines used on river bodies for illegal mining), President Akufo-Addo has said.

    In an interview during his recent 3-day tour of the Eastern Region, the president noted that the move is part of his government’s anti-galamsey measures.

    He also said: “We have increased significantly, the level of sanctions against people who engage in galamsey.”

    “Today, Ghanaians who get involve 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.

    He noted that “in a democratic dispensation if you want a change, the first thing to do is advocacy to change public opinion.”

    Also, he said the anti-galamsey team, ‘Operation Halt’, has been given a boost to undertake its task.

    “The problem was that we disengaged too quickly, once the first plot has gone through, this year we have decided to use the whole year to maintain Operation Halt, especially, the fight on our river bodies,” he said.

    “Surveyors have taken charge of impactful machines, excavators and chanfang and they are being destroyed because it is our major problem in our mining.”

     

     

  • Driver collapses after car catches fire, burns to ashes

    Driver of a KIA vehicle with registration number GE-8466-20 has been rushed to the hospital for treatment following a fire outbreak that caught his vehicle at a fuel station at Assin Manso in the Assin South District.

    An eyewitness speaking with Angel News reporter Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack explained that after refilling the fuel tank at the filling station, the car failed to start so the driver removed the car battery to revive it thinking it is dead.

    In an attempt to re-fix the battery, it triggered a fire outbreak.

    According to reports, the driver had no fire extinguisher in his car. Other taxi drivers driving by, therefore, offered to use theirs.

    The driver, therefore, suffered severe burns in the process of extinguishing the fire and was rushed to the hospital.

    Meanwhile, all attempts to save the car became proved futile.

    However, the intervention of the Assin Fosu Fire Service Command brought the fire under control, but the car was burnt beyond repair.

  • 4 Ghanaian celebrities who have hit at government this week

    Government has come under criticism from a cross-section of the public due to the current economic crisis.

    In the wake of this, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been at the receiving end from almost all and sundry.

    While the “ordinary citizens” have been agitating on and off social media, Ghanaian celebrities have also not held back from expressing their dissatisfaction against government.

    In the past week, some Ghanaian celebrities have called on President Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Finance to sit up and address the economic crisis fraught the country.

    Below are some celebrities who have waded into the national conversation

    Prince David Osei

    The Ghanaian actor is one of the familiar supporters of the ruling government. He, alongside other celebrities like Kalybos was seen to be involved heavily clothed in NPP paraphernalia campaigning for the then Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    However, the movie star has openly displayed his disappointment in the government. In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb, Prince called on government to seek help.

    “Can we all put aside politics, humble ourselves and seek help from whoever has the ideas or in-depth knowledge on how to stop the further depreciation of our currency and stabilize our economy,” he tweeted.

    Yvonne Nelson

    The movie producer and actress is another popular figure who has not held back from bashing the government and calling for urgent steps to change the current tides.

    In 2015, Yvonne Nelson led a demonstration against power cuts in Ghana, popularly known as “Dumsor”. Being a citizen and not a spectator as President Akufo-Addo implored Ghanaians, the model has this time taken to Twitter to quiz the President over his governance.

    “Are you still the President? Are you still in this country? Are you this heartless? Do you hear people crying? Are you this heartless? No more campaign ahead so you are unbothered. You obviously feel nothing for Ghanaians. Such a disappointment”, she lamented.

    Lydia Forson

    The Ghanaian actress and social critic have also been vociferous over the state of affairs. She has opined that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, needs to resign.

    According to her, the minister has performed woefully and thus is unfit to continue occupying his position.

    Furthermore, she has asked the government to take a cue from Britain, whose Prime Minister has resigned her inability to lead.

    “I really wish Gabby Otchere Darko’s obsession & admiration for the UK parliament included taking pointers as well on resignations and firing. It makes absolutely no sense that Ken Ofori Attah is still the finance minister; how? He’s lost the confidence of the people! She said in a tweet.

    Nana Aba-Anamoah

    The Ghanaian media personality and General Manager of GHOne TV and Starr FM has penned a long letter to Ken Ofori Atta.

    The TV host in the letter discusses how the minister has failed in his capacity and needs him to resign. She called the minister an absolute failure in managing the economy and driving it into an abyss.

    A portion of the letter reads, “Hmm. Maybe a part of you wants to leave and your cousin (President Akufo Addo-Addo) is backing you to the hilt on the altar of loyalty. But for God’s, spare the entire nation this prolonged spectacle of failure and let go of the burning rod.”

     

  • Nigerians appreciate talent than Ghanaians – Panji Anoff

    Film Producer and Founder of Pidgen Music, Panji Marc Owooh Anoff, popularly known as Panji Anoff has described Nigeria’s rise in showbiz to their level of support and appreciation of talents as compared to Ghanaians.

    “Nigerians are more appreciative of talents than Ghanaians,” Panji asserted.

    Speaking on Showbiz A-Z with George Quaye, Panji further opined that it will take a long time for Ghana to reach the level of Nigeria and South Africa when it comes to the reach of Afrobeats.

    “Nigerians and South Africans are going to lead the Afrobeats charge because they have the structures and the population”, he enunciated.

    The London-born Ghanaian was quick to add that afrobeat is the music genre which can take African sound to the global stage.

    “Afrobeats is our biggest window of opportunity to get unto the world stage,” he concluded.

    Panji also responded to questions about the evolution of Ghanaian music.

     

  • Sachet water prices to go up again from Monday

    The National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers say an increment in treated water is imminent, adding that it intends to announce the new prices by Monday.

    They have therefore urged the public to brace themselves for another increment in no time.

    The President of the Association, Magnus Nunoo explained that they are set to increase their prices in the coming days as a result of the high cost of production.

    Mr Nunoo in an interview on the Kumasi-based Otec 102.9 FM’s breakfast show, “Nyansapo” on Friday, October 21, 2022, blamed the high production cost on the continuous depreciation of the Cedi against other major trading currencies.

    He noted that they will be forced to halt production and lay off their workers if government fails to address the issue.

    “We will be compelled to shut down production and distribution of treated water if government does not address the continuous depreciation of the Cedi,” he said.

    “There are a host of factors which are also impacting negatively on our business, “take the hikes in fuel prices and the astronomical increase in electricity cost among others is swallowing all our capital,” he stated.

    He disclosed that electricity cost has ballooned from 15 % to 20 % of the production price as a result of the recent increase in utility tariffs.

    Mr Nunoo has therefore called on the economic management team to proffer pragmatic measures to halt the current problems in the country’s economy to avoid grounding their business.

     

  • Kwadwo Safo hints at releasing solar-panelled cars

    Commercial Pilot and CEO of Kantanka group of companies, Kwadwo Safo Jnr, has announced the soon-to-be-released vehicle powered by solar.

    The CEO of the firm shared a video of a white salon car encrusted with a solar panel on the bonnet with a test drive plate captured at the number plate area.

    According to Kwadwo Safo, the company is producing the vehicles to ease the pressure on buyers in times when fuel prices sell at a very high price.

    “Something I am working on at the moment. As an alternative to salvage these high fuel prices. Kantanka all solar vehicle,” he shared on October 21, 2022.

    After his post was shared, some netizens took their time to ask Kwadwo Safo if the price of the car will be affordable for the ordinary Ghanaian.

    He immediately responded by saying, “Of course, it will. Where is the money for people to spend on extreme expensive cars???”

    He however failed to disclose when the cars will be on the market.

    Something am working on at the moment. As an alternative to salvage these high fuel prices. Kantanka all solar vehicle pic.twitter.com/uNSlDVtFCR

    — Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena (@kwadwosafo_Jnr) October 21, 2022

  • It’s obvious Akufo-Addo won’t fire you, just resign – KSM to Ofori-Atta

    Television show host, Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM has urged Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to as a matter of urgency resign for another financial manager to take over the affairs of the economy.

    He averred that President Akufo-Addo has refused to sack Ofori-Atta despite calls by a section of Ghanaians for him to be fired.

    KSM in a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb opined that it’s about time a competent financial manager takes charge to stabilize the wobbling economy.

    “Advice to Ken Ofori-Atta. Bra Ken, it is obvious the President cannot and will not fire you. Please do him and GH a favour and respectfully resign for a competent financial manager to take charge. I am sure that the financial markets will react positively to the news,” his tweet read.

    It would be recalled that Bloomberg on Thursday, October 20, 2022, reported that Ghana’s local currency – the cedi – depreciated in value by 9.6%.

    This, the news portal said, makes the total loss of the cedi in 2022 almost 52%, the highest recorded in 22 years.

    The free fall of the cedi now places the currency at the 148 position of worst-performing currencies in the world.

    Meanwhile, Ghana is targeting an amount of $3 billion over a three-year period from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) once an agreement on a programme is reached.

    The new amount requested as a loan is double the government’s initial target of $1.5 billion.

    The IMF programme is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and safeguarding debt sustainability among many others.

    Read KSM’s tweet below;

    Advice to Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Bra Ken, it is OBVIOUS the President CANNOT and WILL NOT fire you. PLEASE do him and GH a favor and respectfully resign for a COMPETENT FINANCIAL MANGER to take charge. I am sure that the financial markets will react POSITIVELY to the news. ????????

    — Kwaku Sintim-Misa (@KSM_Kwaku_Misa) October 22, 2022

  • Why Otumfuo rejected Dr. K.K Sarpong

    The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, openly rejected the nomination of Dr. K.K Sarpong, Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) as was captured in a video that made rounds on Friday, October 21, 2022.

    In the said video, the Ashanti King clearly indicated his displeasure about how the nomination process for Dr. K.K Sarpong was done.

    While nullifying this and asking for kingmakers to follow the appropriate traditions as regards his nominations, Otumfuo Osei Tutu mentioned 5 main reasons he was rejecting the said nomination of Dr. Sarpong.

    They were outlined as follows;

    1. Family heads who led the nomination process of Dr. Sarpong were not qualified and didn’t have the mandate to do so. He noted that the family head (Atta Kwabena) who presented the pleas to him did not have the right to come close to the stool because he had a curse on him that had to be taken off.

    2. Some family heads had reported to him (Otumfuo) that the name (KK Sarpong) presented to the queen mother for nomination as chief was not a royal.

    3. They failed to consider other persons who have rights to the Offinso stool

    4. They should have presented their thoughts about nominating him (K K Sarpong) as a candidate before him (Otumfuo) and asked for his permission and input.

    5. Due process wasn’t followed by the family heads and queen mother for the selection process.

    Asantehene cancels nomination:

    The Asantehene further noted that despite his good relationship with the candidate, KK Sarpong, he expects that the right thing must be done.

    He subsequently cancelled and nullified their nominations and asked that they do the right thing and return to him when all the processes have been followed accordingly.

    “What went on, I know but what hurts me is that Kofi Kodua Sarpong, I have a good relationship with him so if you want him to be chief and you don’t come to me with the truth…the right thing must be done.

    “There are a lot of narrations about the people deserving of the stool, you are making the complications complicated.

    “I cancel every nomination. The person who brought you the pleas is not deserving until the curse is taken off. Why did you elders allow such a person to lead the process?

    “I know you have sat with KK Sarpong and agreed he is the one you want, follow due process and present it to me,” Otumfuo further added.

    Background:

    The Offinso paramount seat became vacant in October 2021 after the passing of the late Paramount Chief, Nana Awiafe Akenten III after a short illness at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

    The late Offinsomanhene had occupied the Wiafe Akenten traditional stool for 28 years, following his enstoolment in November 1993.

    As tradition demands, a new candidate must be nominated and duly vetted by the traditional processes to replace the deceased chief.

    There have however been controversies surrounding the nomination of the former GNPC Boss, K.K Sarpong after he was proposed by the Offinso Queenmother; Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko.

    His candidacy has mostly been contested because of suggestions by some royal factions that he is not a royal nor has any entitlement to the stool.

    The paramount chief of Offinso is the third in command in the Asante Kingdom.

     

  • Don’t lose sight of the beautiful African culture bequeathed to you – Prof of spiritualism to diaspora

    Torgbui Honu II, a professor of spiritualism, has called on Africans at home and in the diaspora not to lose sight of the beautiful culture that was bequeathed to them by their forefathers.

    Togbui made the comments at the launch of the maiden edition of the “Ghana Culture Meets Nigeria Culture,” an event aimed at promoting Africa’s culture and tradition.

    The event was held at the National Theatre on Friday, October 22, 2022, under the theme “Promoting African Culture & Tradition.”

    Speaking to the media on the sideline of the event, the communicator for Africa Spiritual Affairs said the event is earmarked to celebrate the rich culture shared between Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries.

    He noted that with the impact of westernization, it was important to project efficiently the beautiful culture of not only Ghana and Nigeria but the continent at large.

    “This project was launched due to the diversity of the Nigerian and Ghanaian cultures and what we can preserve for the new generation. Recently we heard of Naija jollof and Ghana jollof, Nigerian music and Ghana music, so we thought it wise that why can’t we bring the two cultures together because our culture is our heritage, it is our posterity, it is our pride.

    He added: “All we are doing here is sensitize and bring awareness to everybody that our culture is beautiful, wonderful challenging the people who say our culture is evil.”

    The Acting President of the All Nigerian Community (ANC), Chief Dr. Bayor Albert Asaolu commended the organizers while noting that the Nigerians in Ghana will be included in the subsequent editions should it be held in Ghana.

    “I will link to commend the organizer of this event. He has done something unique that no one has ever done before. This is a cultural event that will unite Ghana and Nigeria more and let our children know more about our culture which is a very good innovation.”

    “It is high time that we Africans begin to know our roots and cherish our culture so that we know that it is a good thing God has given unto us.”

    He added: “I will ensure the next edition is attended by all Nigerians in Ghana as well as Ghanaians themselves”.

    On his part, Chief Akintola Bolanle, the former Public Relations Officer of the All Nigerian Community (ANC) and the current Assistant General Secretary, the All Nigerian Community urged both the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments to revive the love for the local culture.

    “I personally was moved when I was watching the culture of Ghana. I was highly impressed and it took my mind back to the old days when I was younger. We need to begin to train our children with the culture. We have to go back to the drawing board so our children will not cost us in the future because they won’t be any legacy.”

    “I will also use this opportunity to send a message to the Nigerian government to revive our history as part of the academic program in school.”

    “I will call on the government both Nigerian and Ghanaian to ensure they take culture as a political priority so that we don’t lose our focus.”

    The event was attended by several dignitaries from the Nigerian community in Ghana, Yoruba Community in Ghana and other cultural groups.

  • NDC race: Asiedu Nketiah, Ofosu Ampofo responsible for problems at the top – Armah Ashittey

    A chairman aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nii Armah Ashittey, has said he stands taller and weightier than Samuel Ofosu-Amofo (the incumbent chairman) and Johnson Asiedu Nketiah (the incumbent general secretary who wants to unseat the incumbent chair) in the party’s upcoming internal polls.

    Mr Nketia recently said in an interview that Mr Ofosu-Ampofo lacked the needed courage to be chair of the party and revealed that the latter unilaterally announced the boycott of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 without consulting the buy-in of his other leaders.

    In response, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said: “Throughout my entire adult life, I have faithfully, dutifully, and conscientiously served the National Democratic Congress in various capacities. I have done so with honour and dignity while resisting every temptation to vilify political opponents.”

    He added that, “I hold the view that it is totally out of place for party officials to divulge or discuss internal party matters that are within their knowledge by virtue of their privileged position, in the media or on any public forum”.

    “It is within this spirit that I elect to refrain from commenting on the merit or otherwise of the matters that were referenced in the said interview, including high-level party decisions that are supposed to be held in confidence,” he continued.

    Speaking on the Class Morning Show of his ambition to lead the party as chair, the former Greater Accra Regional Minister said: “I have what it takes: I’ve been a mayor of Tema under the late Rawlings, I served as a member of parliament for Klottey Korle and also the Greater Accra regional minister under the late Prof Mills and I served John Dramani Mahama as the minister of employment and labour relations. I am a lawyer. I was a trade unionist and a businessman”.

    “I know Ampofo, I know Asiedu Nketiah and I can tell you, I’m taller and weightier”, he noted.

    Of his contenders, Mr Ashittey said: “I know the two [Asiedu Nketia and Oforu-Ampofo]. Yes, they’ve served the party, but there’s also the issue that there are problems. I mean, when you sit back, seriously you know that there are problems. There is a problem at the top and recently, Asiedu confirmed that there is a problem”.

    “He mentioned Ayawaso Wuogon but there could be others that he didn’t mention and I mean we are all members of the party, they have the right to stand, they’ve stood for elections and won and they want to go again. It doesn’t mean I cannot also come and join. That’s the beauty of democracy”, he indicated.

    He explained: “I am coming because I know there are problems considering that we lost 2016, we lost 2020 because of the collation of results. Are we going to gamble again with 2024?”

    In his analysis, the governing New Patriotic Party sees Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and Mr Asiedu Nketiah as weak spots that could be capitalised upon to ‘break the 8’.

    “When l listen to the NPP, at times we take a lot of things for granted. They’ve been talking about: ‘We’ll break the 8’. You see, breaking the 8 is not just about breaking, it goes with certain things and one of the things that I, sitting back, which I believe the NPP have factored into their ‘breaking the 8’ is who will be the leaders of the NDC”, he analysed.

    “Breaking the 8, as these people have been talking about, have factored into [it], who will be the chairman of the NDC, who will be the general secretary and they have factored in Asiedu Nketia and Ofosu-Ampofo and at this time that they want to be chairman, either or”.

    “So, for me, Asiedu cannot say that he’s an alternative to Ofosu-Ampofo. No, he cannot at all”.

    “Why am I saying that? The two of them are the leaders and have been the leaders of the party, so, whatever problems there have been, whatever confusion there is at the top, they are a party to it, they are the same boat; if the boat is going down, it will go down with the two of whatever”.

    “So, for me, it is important for our delegates to remember that they are not alternatives to each other. And, particularly at this time when there is this struggle going on. There must be somebody is should be able to bring them together at the end of it all”.

     

  • Normalise seeking help for mental health issues

    Dr Joel Agorinya, a psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, has advised the public to normalise seeking help for mental health issues.

    He said there were a lot of people walking on the streets who had mental health issues but were shy to seek help even though there is help.

    “There are patients who will invite you to their homes in Ghana to attend to them or those who would like to come to the hospital early in the morning around 5AM because they do not want to be seen entering the psychiatric hospital,” he said.

    Dr Agorinya gave the advice when he trained selected member of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and some Social welfare officials on mental health issues.

    The training organised by Basic Needs Ghana, an NGO with a focus on mental health issues was supported by Ghana Somubie Dwumadie, a disability focused programme on mental health and the UK Aid.

    The training is expected to enhance participants’ knowledge on mental health and to help them understand persons with mental health issues.

    Dr Agoriyna said there was a need to desist from stigmatising persons with mental health issues and encourage them to seek help.

    “Elsewhere, there is nothing shameful about seeking help for one’s mental health issues, you see some celebrities take to social media to announce that they have depression or they are taking a break to enable them go through rehabilitation,”

    There is nothing shameful about mental health, it is also a kind of illness that can happen to anyone but in Ghana people tend to hide or sneak into the Psychiatric hospital whenever they need help,” Dr Agoriyna said.

    He said that now psychiatry care has been decentralized and every health facility in Ghana, even the CHPS compound has someone who is a trained mental health care professional.

    Dr Agoriyna said mental health care if not well handled could cost the country billions of dollars because people with mental health issues tend to be non-productive at work.

    Estimating the cost of mental healthcare in Ghana, Dr Agorinya who had an interest in global mental health issues, said it could cost a family about GHS4000 monthly to provide care for their loved one with mental health issues.

    He urged Ghanaians to stop stigmatising and abusing persons with mental health conditions, saying, “There is never any justification for abusing any person with mental illness.

     

  • AirtelTigo ‘’To Gu Me So Reloaded’ promo ends

    AirtelTigo’s flagship promotion for 2022, ‘To Gu Me So Reloaded’, has come to a successful end, rewarding over 5,000 customers with cash prizes of over GH₵1,000,000. This makes “To Gu Me So Reloaded” one of the most rewarding promotions to hit the telecommunications industry in Ghana.

     

    Two lucky winners were present at the Prize presentation ceremony held at the AirtelTigo Head office in Accra.

    Benaiah Diallo Oppong, the overall grand prize winner received GH₵125,000, while Ruth Addison the second runner up received GH₵25,000.

    The Grand Prize winner Benaiah Diallo Oppong described his winning of GH₵125,0000 as a life-changing amount of money to win in a promotion.

    He disclosed that his initial thought when he was notified was the skepticism of the entire situation as it seemed unbelievable.

    “As I have been presented with the cheque today, I am truly grateful to AirtelTigo for coming up with the ‘To Gu Me So Reloaded’ promo. They have really touched my life in a big way. I still feel like it’s a dream,” he said.

    The second runner up  Ruth Addison said, “to think that I recently bought this AirtelTigo SIM, dialed *500# to join the promo, and just by consistently using the service through calls, browsing and ATMoney here I am today a winner of GH₵25,000. This tells me that AirtelTigo is not selective of who wins, this a blessing and I want to thank God and AirtelTigo for the opportunity. I will encourage others who are not on the network to go get an AirtelTigo SIM and join the AirtelTigo family.

    Presenting the prize to the winners, Director of Marketing at AirtelTigo, Isaac Boamah, congratulated the winners, saying, “we at AirtelTigo are excited to see that this promo has sufficiently expressed our appreciation to our customers for their loyalty, and we are glad that we have been able to touch the lives of many customers by showering them with lots of cash during the promo. Our customers should look forward to more innovative products and services for their call, data and ATMoney needs.”

    The ‘To Gu Me So reloaded’ promotion was organized under the supervision of Gaming Commission of Ghana to provide a reliable and transparent method of selecting winners in weekly and grand draws with over 50,000 customers winning over GHC 1 million .

     

  • Telecel Group’s Africa Startup Initiative Program to visit Accra to Scout for Ghana’s best startups

    Africa’s leadingTelecommunications company, Telecel Group, is set to roll out its flagship social accelerator and investment program, the Africa Start–up Initiative Program (ASIP) powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech in Ghana beginning next week.

    The ASIP/SBC/AfriTech scouting team will be in Accra on 27th October 2022 to scout for prospective start-ups for enrolment in the program after holding similar events inAbidjan, Lagos, Kampala, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi.

    Applications for Cohort 3 of the ASIP Accelerator program which will be launched in February 2023, opened in August this year.

    “We usually encourage start-ups to attend the country FastTrack events to enable them to get real time feedback from our panel of experts. From our experience, about 20 percent of start-ups that attend the events usually make it to the final round. It is a fantastic opportunity to network with our investment team and get more information about the program”, said Henry Ojuor, the Director of the Accelerator Program.

    The Ghana FastTrack to be held at the Accra Digital Centre,coincides with Ghana Digital Innovation Week.

    “The Ghana Digital Centre (GDCL) is excited to host the Fasttrack event. It comes at a time when GDCL is intensifying collaborations with key stakeholders to identify and create opportunities that accelerate the growth of digital start-ups in line with its objective of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the provision of platforms for business incubation, business acceleration, digital research,and development programs”, said Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, the Managing Director of the Ghana Digital Centre.

    The Executive Deputy for Telecel Group and Director of ASIP, Eleanor Azar, said: “The potential we see in Ghana is exponential and we look forward to welcoming more Ghanian Start-ups to ASIP. The support of the Accra Digital Center to pursue our goals in Ghana and launch the ASIP Initiative has been instrumental, and we look forward to more events like this”.

  • We’re happy you chose Ghana as headquarters for India Africa Trade Council – Ga Mantse

    The Ga Mantse (King), Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi(Mp) have pledged the support of the Ga Traditional Council and the Government of Ghana for the India Africa Trade Council (IATC).

    They expressed their profound gratitude to the IATC for selecting Ghana as its headquarters for the West and Central Africa regions.

    Speaking at the maiden IATC Trade submit held in Accra on October 18, 2022, at the World Trade Center, the Ga Mantse said he was excited about Ghana hosting the West and Central Africa headquarters of the Council.

    He therefore pledged his fullest support to the IATC.

    Hon. Baafi who doubles as Member of Parliament for the people of Juabeng South and Deputy Trade Minister, urged members of the IATC to embrace Ghana’s flagship industrialization programme, the One District One Factory (1D1F).

    Hon. Baafi promised the doors of the Government of Ghana will always be open to investors, saying the Government will always support investors.

    IATC Delegation Visits Ghana

    The Global President of IATC, Dr. Asif Iqbal, was in Ghana to attend the submit and to also present to Dr. James Gnanaraj Rajamani, his letter of credence, confirming his appointment as the Chairman of IATC West and Central Africa.

    Mr. Iqbal was accompanied to Ghana by his vice, Mr. Wali Kashvi and Trade Commissioner of Telanga State,India, Krishna Vamsi.

    In his address at the submit, Dr. Iqbal admonished businessmen and women to take advantage of international trade liberalization policies to ensure effective growth of the business communities.

    On his part, Dr. James Rajamani assured his readiness to live up to his responsibilities in coordinating the activities of the Central and West Africa sub regions.

    Recognition

    The three management directors of IATC were presented with certificate of recognition from IATC Global Head Office based in India.

    They are: Dr. Immanuel Rajamani, Executive Director, International Protocol; Neelesh Bhatia, Executive Director, Finance and Administration; and Mr.Peter Mensah, Executive Director, Operations and Corporate Affairs.

    Attendees

    The submit attracted several key personalities from industry, the diplomatic community, government, religious leaders, traditional leaders and the security agencies.

    In attendance at the submit were: the Board Chairman of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Kwame Acheampong Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, Dr. Memunatu Pratt;
    the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh ; the Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. George Boakye; Bono East Regional Minister, Akwasi Adu Gyan; member of the Board of IATC and the Chief Executive Officer of the EIB Network, Mr. Nat Adisi (Borla Ray);as well as some selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

    About IATC

    The idea is India Africa Trade Council came about in 2020 during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

    IATC is a non-governmental organization established in consultation with the various heads of Trade bodies in Africa and the presidents/representatives and professionals of repute from the entire Indo-African region.

    It was formed with a view to giving the business communities of both India and Africa a voice and a tool to foster development.

     

  • AfCFTA to focus on young entrepreneurs next year – Wamkele Mene

    Secretary-General of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has disclosed that from next year, the secretariat will focus on roping in young entrepreneurs into the trade initiative.

    According to him, products traded under AfCFTA are value-added goods that are locally manufactured from various countries of origin.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, Wamkele Mene said, “We have agreed that next year the focus for the guided trade initiatives will be on young entrepreneurs. Now, they can benefit from the AfCFTA.”

    He also noted that AfCFTA is for the private sector, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), smallholder farmers, among others.

    Meanwhile, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania and Tunisia are the 7 countries participating in AfCFTA.

    The products traded include ceramic tiles, car batteries, pharmaceuticals, palm kernel oil, coffee, rubber, tea, components for air conditioners, among others.

    AfCFTA was introduced in 2018 with the aim of creating a single market for Africa, as well as, ensuring the free movement of goods and services on the continent.

    This free movement of goods and services will help expand Intra-African trade.

    This implies that goods will be sold at a relatively cheaper price because of the increase in production which will, in turn, create both direct and indirect jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

    The free trade area also provides traders and importers an opportunity to stay competitive.

    Businesses when conducted in a free and safe environment will help reduce poverty in member states as well as create sustainable development.