The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) would want to refute a false story that claimed a soldier, Private Asare Boateng, had been detained for stealing GH23,000 from a civilian.
GAF wishes to state categorically that the suspect is an imposter. He is not a Soldier neither is he a Bandsman at the Signal Regiment or a Civilian Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces.
In furtherance to this, GAF wishes to place on record that on Friday 16 September 2022, the Military Police in Takoradi arrested Asare Boateng dressed in camouflage uniform, for posing as a Soldier and extorting monies from unsuspecting civilians at Elmina in the Central Region.
During interrogation, Asare Boateng confessed to engaging in impersonation and extortion.
The Military Police subsequently handed him over to the Kwasimintim Police Station at Takoradi for further action as required by law.
GAF therefore wishes to emphasise that the suspect (Asare Boateng) is not a Soldier and not affiliated to any Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces contrary to the reports in the media and therefore should not be regarded as such.
In the same view, GAF wishes to entreat the media to take advantage of its open door policy and to seek clarifications on such matters in order to avoid the publication of misleading reports that drags GAF into disrepute.
GAF also wishes to assure the general public that it will continuously work with all stakeholders to weed out criminal elements in the society, including any uniformed personnel who engages in illegal activity so that the nation can have a secured environment for socio-economic development.
The Chief and Elders of Enyan Asempanyin in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Central Region have disputed the assertion that the community expelled a woman who went missing and was later discovered in a pit latrine.
Per the Chief and the Elders’ account, the woman was reportedly transferred from the Enyan Asempanyin Community by her own family in order to receive the proper medical attention.
Also, in an interview with Kasapa News the Ebusuapanyin of Enyan Asempanyin, Buabeng Essel, explained that the victim’s landlord, Yaa Prah, rather ejected her from her residence, forcing her family to transport her to her homeland, and not the Chief, who expelled her from the village.
He on behalf of the Chief and Elders of the town appealed to the general public to disregard the claim that they banished the woman for ‘drowning’ in a pit latrine.
Background
If will be recalled that Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan reported on August 31st, 2022 that a woman who had gone missing for three days had been found in a public pit latrine at Enyan Asempenyin in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District of the Central Region.
She was rescued after a young man who had gone to use the public toilet heard the voice of a woman screaming for help.
He’s said to have rushed and informed the community members about the incident following which a distress call was placed to the Breman Essiam Fire Station after which officers arrived at the scene, and broke the hole at the top to create a wider opening for her to come out.
The woman who claims she was traveling was rescued with her bag containing money.
The Fire Commander for Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, DO3 Augustine Cudjoe in an interview with Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan expressed on how it was possible for the woman to ‘drown’ in the 12-feet pit latrine since the hole is narrow for her to go through.
She was given a good bath after she was removed as she was smeared with feces.
The woman is currently receiving treatment at the Ajumako Government Hospital, while the Ajumako District Police Command commences an investigation.
The APC leader, Hassan Ayariga, has asserted that the judiciary is not above reproach and that it is subject to criticism for how it carries out its tasks.
He contends that leaders must be able to accept criticism because those who cannot do so are not leaders.
In an interview with Oyerepa, he stated that the judiciary must stop summoning persons in the way that it currently does.
He said they have the right to take the issue to court but they can’t order people to court, that’s a misuse of power he stressed.
“…the judiciary are not above the law; they should stop thinking they are above the law. who gives the judiciary power, who give them the power? So we can criticize them when they go wrong, anybody who do not take criticism is not a leader.
“And they should not sit and think that when we criticize the call us to court, they don’t have power to do that. They can go to court but they can’t call us to court. Its misuse of power.”
His comment comes on back of calls that Ghanaians should be careful on how they attack the judiciary in recent times.
John Dramani Mahama, former president and 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also cautioned against a rife perception that the Judiciary is politically biased.
He held that there is an urgent need for the judiciary – especially the Supreme Court- to work towards instilling confidence in its output and save Ghana’s democracy.
Mahama told a gathering of NDC lawyers at a conference in Ada that the judiciary needed to be trusted by the public at all times because such trust had wide-ranging implications on the security of the state.
“So badly has the image of our Judiciary deteriorated, that many of our citizenry openly make mockery of our justice system and of our justices. The phrase ‘Go to Court’ is these days met with derisive laughter, instead of hope that one will truly get justice.
“If people are not poking fun about politics and inducements being used to sway the hand of justice in the lower courts, then it is poking fun and making statements about the 7-0 of the ‘Unanimous FC’“ he added.
‘Unanimous FC’ is in a terminology that is associated with Supreme Court rulings especially when justices of the court deliver a full bench dismissal of political cases before them – a case in point being the 2020 election petition.
Mahama stressed that such perception and derision of the apex courts, is, “an unfortunate development. One of the scariest existential threat to any democracy is when citizens think their judiciary holds no value for them,” he added.
A son of Ghana’s first president, Onsy Nkrumahhas said that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah spent little time with his family as result of hisgoals of attaining independence for Ghana and African unification.
According to him, he has few or no memories of his father growing up, as Dr Nkrumah was frequently on the move.
Ornsy, who described his father as someone who “lived like a soldier,” claimed that he was unaffected by his attitude because he also shared in the dream of uniting Africa.
Instead of dwelling on what he did not get from his father, Ornsy Nkrumah has opted to focus on the virtues his father espoused that made him a successful leader.
The CPP stalwart said that it is his fervent prayer to see Africa unite as his father dreamed, noting that a united Africa.
“He never had time for the family. He was completely devoted and selfless. He lived like a soldier for Ghana and Africa. I think Ghana is in debt and Africa owes him a great debt forever and ever. Hopefully, we can live up to the 10% of his sacrifice and achieve some if not all of his objectives.”
“My views are selfless as his. I would like to see Ghana and Africa at their best. My regular prayer is to see Africa united before I’m gone. If we do achieve that before I’m gone, I will put in my will that we should have a great party”, he said.
Onsy Nkrumah also opened up his relationship with his siblings, Gamal, Samia, and Sekou Nkrumah.
He disclosed that he had a great relationship with Gamal but was not so cool with Samia and Sekou Nkrumah.
The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has encouraged the National Muslim Conference (NMC) leadership to work with other faith-based organizations and partner governments to promote inclusive development for the benefit of the nation.
Under the leadership of the National Chief Imam and the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, the National Muslim Conference is an alliance of Muslim sects and interests.
The goal of the NMC is to unite all Muslims in order to make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the community and to the advancement of the country.
Speaking at the opening of the second edition of the NMC in Accra on Thursday (22 September), Dr Bawumia lauded the NMC for its national development ideals, and also called on leadership of the NMC to help protect the enviable peace and unity between Muslims and Christians by joining hands with their Christian counterparts to strive for a collective national development, as key national stakeholders.
“Having carefully studied the Deed of the Conference, I came to the understanding that the NMC is seeking to galvanise the energies, human and material resources of the Muslim Ummah (community) in Ghana to spur national leaders of the Muslim Community into action for the collective growth of the Ummah and Ghana as a whole,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“The NMC could not have chosen any growth and developmental indicators better than the four thematic pillars and objectives captured under the Deed of the NMC, namely; Education, Health, Finance and Economic Empowerment of the Muslim Ummah in Ghana.
“The thematic areas would not only find space in the development agenda of Government, but are also in conformity with the developmental agenda of the African continent and the United Nations.”
The Vice President noted further that, for government, bridging the development gaps between less privileged communities and others, remains a priority, for the over all growth of the country.
“As a government, we believe that all efforts must be made to get rid of any form of exclusion, regardless of which community is involved, be it Christian, Muslim or any other community, as we are one people with a common destiny.”
“It is the reason our government has pursued an inclusive development agenda, through the creation of development vehicles for respective communities, such as the Coastal Development Authority, Middle Belt Development Authority, Northern Development Authority and the Zongo Development Fund.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that aside such inclusive development policies by government, there is the need for intra-faith dialogues, as well as greater engagements between the nation’s two leading religious grouos (Muslims and Christians) to proffer strategies and plans, in collaboration with government, to mitigate the day-to-today challenges facing the people.
“Ghanaian Muslims have always joined their hands with their Christian counterparts towards nation building. As far back as 1932, Muslims in the Gold Coast were alive to their responsibilities and had formed the Gold Coast Muslim Association, which was established as a welfare and social association.
“There is no doubt that Ghanaian Muslims and Christians are unique and are able to join hands, work together and excel in various fields – from sports to politics.
“The beautiful spectre of a Jummah congregation around Nima Roundabout in Accra extending to the frontage of a Church premises, the sight of a National Imam in a Chapel to exchange pleasantries with Christian leaders and a Christian President teaming up with a Muslim Vice President, in the case of my boss and I, are some of the beautiful examples of what Muslims and Christians can do together at our work places, communities and the nation, once we continue to tolerate each other and show respect to our religious diversity.”
While commending leaders of the NMC for their vision , Dr. Bawumia also urged them to prioritise education and get their community members to take full advantage of government’s expansion of free access to education, because “education is the surest way of empowering people, accelerating development and alleviating poverty.”
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, stressed on the need for strengthening tolerance, peace and unity in the country, and urged the nation to continue to be grateful to God for the grace He has bestowed on the country as a peaceful nation in the midst of conflicts in the sub-region.
As part of measures to defend Ghana’s riverbodies from the operations of illegal miners, at least 100 people from various sections of the country have started a one-month training.
The Deputy Chief Executive officer of the Minerals Commission officially handed 97 men and 3 women to the Eastern Naval Command on Friday, September 23 so they could begin training.
The Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo, addressed the participants as well as described the training’s scope.
He explained that by the end of the month-long training, the river guards will be equipped with skills in speedboat operation, swimming, among others.
He charged the trainees to treat the drills with the seriousness it deserves so as to implement them effectively when they pass out.
Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo disclosed that the Ghana Navy is setting up a Rivery Command that will work with the riverguards to clampdown on galamsey activities on riverbodies.
“The Ghana Navy itself is forming a rivery command so that after this training, we will support you to fight galamsey operations. For the next one month, we are going to give you some basic and essential skill that you’ll need out there”.
“Swimming is one of the skills we will give you. We will show you what to do when the water is deep and how to deal with mining pits. We will teach how to detect the place and how to give reports and feedbacks”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the sector minister, the deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission in charge of operations, Samuel Tika said the training forms part of government’s multi-faceted approach to the fight against illegal mining.
“They have been specially selected to be trained to work on the areas of our country affected by galamsey activities. The Minerals Commission is not against mining but we want people to go through the due process. We have a lot of people around who are not following due process and are mining in ways that is polluting our riverbodies and posing health threats to the public.
“The government thought it very wise to as part of the measures we are adopting against illegal mining to employ you so that you can help check these illegalities. You’ll be training on how to swim, be disciplined so that you will help Ghana to clean our riverbodies,” he said.
When they passed out, the trainees will be deployed to the various riverbodies to provide permanent patrolling activities on those riverbodies.
Government has earlier this year purchased some speedboats to aid in the fight against illegal mining.
In all 300 persons are expected to undergo the training in three batches.
For years, students in a South African township have seen their parents struggle to use trains for daily commutes, the railways frequently hobbled by power outages and cable thefts.
To respond to the crisis, a group of 20 teenagers invented South Africa’s first fully solar-powered train.
Photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof, the angular blue-and-white test train moves on an 18-metre-long (60 feet) test track in Soshanguve township north of the capital Pretoria.
Trains are the cheapest mode of transport in South Africa, used mostly by the poor and working class.
“Our parents… no longer use trains (because of) cable theft… and load shedding,” said Ronnie Masindi, 18, referring to rolling blackouts caused by failures at old and poorly maintained coal-powered plants.
The state power company Eskom started imposing on-and-off power rationing 15 years ago to prevent a total national blackout.
The power outages, known locally as load-shedding, have worsened over the years disrupting commerce and industry, including rail services.
Infrastructure operator Transnet has struggled to keep rail traffic flowing smoothly since the economic challenges of the pandemic fuelled a surge in cable theft.
By 2020, rail use among public transport users was down almost two-thirds compared to 2013, according to the National Households Travel Survey with many commuters turning to more expensive minibus taxis.
Masindi said they decided to “create and build a solar-powered train that uses solar to move instead of (mains) electricity”.
The journey has not been without its challenges.
A lack of funding delayed production of the prototype locomotive, and the government later chipped in.
“It was not a straight line,” said another student, Lethabo Nkadimeng, 17. “It was like taking a hike to the highest peak of the mountain.”
The train, which can run at 30 kilometres (20 miles) per hour, was showcased at a recent universities innovation event.
For now, the prototype can run for 10 return trips on the track installed on the grounds of a school.
It will be used for further research, and eventually presented as a model the government could adopt.
Fitted with car seats and a flat-screen TV to entertain passengers, it took the students two years to build.
“What we have realised is, if we you give township learners space, resources and a little mentorship they can do anything that any learner can do around the world,” said Kgomotso Maimane, the project’s supervising teacher.
Three more Ebola patients have died in Uganda, the health ministry said on Friday, bringing the total death toll to four.
This comes days after authorities confirmed an outbreak.
“In the last 24 hours, three new deaths have been recorded,” the health ministry said in a statement.
Uganda’s health ministry has so far confirmed 11 cases of Ebola in total, including four deaths.
The current outbreak, attributed to the Ebola Sudan strain, appears to have started in a small village in Mubende district around the beginning of September, authorities say.
Seven other deaths are being investigated for being linked to the outbreak in Mubende, around 130 km west of the capital Kampala.
The first casualty was a 24-year-old man who died earlier this week.
The World Health Organization says the Ebola Sudan strain is less transmissible and has shown a lower fatality rate in previous outbreaks than Ebola Zaire, a strain that killed nearly 2,300 people in the 2018-2020 epidemic in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the olden days at Suhum-Amrahia, I used to see my grandparents wrapping food, especially banku, in plantain leaves. On the farm, we had no bowls, and therefore had to eat on the plantain leaves.
At that time, however, nothing prompted me to ask if there was any science attached to this tradition of eating on plantain or banana leaves.
Sometimes, the leaves were also used in steaming foods. I didn’t know that eating on fresh plantain leaves was both therapeutic and eco-friendly.
I also did not know that plantain or banana leaf bath is the best natural medicine available, as it can take care of skin disorders and other health problems.
The plantain leaf (Plantago major) is a green, weedy plant native to North America, Europe and Asia. Cultures around the world have used the plantain leaf to help relieve health ailments for millennia.
Margaret L. Ahlborn (ND) asserts that the plant is one of nine sacred herbs mentioned in the ancient Lacnunga (Remedies), a collection of Anglo-Saxon medical texts. During the 1500s and 1600s, it was used by Europeans for everything from dog bites and boils to fevers and the flu.
The major components of plantain are iridoid glycosides (particularly aucubin), mucilage and tannins.
Blument (1998) agrees that they are believed to reduce irritation, quell harmful organisms and exhibit expectorant actions.
Clinical studies
Modern science is just beginning to study the effects of plantain leaves, and studies are confirming some of these traditional uses. A recent retrospective study by Dharmashamvardhini, (2020) which involved 40 insomnia subjects examining the effectiveness and therapeutic effects of the plantain leaf bath showed significant improvement in blood pressure.
The post-intervention data showed significant improvement in cardiovascular health. The author concluded that the incorporation of naturopathy mediated therapy involving plantain leaf bath significantly improved cardiovascular and sleep quality.
According to Wegener and Kraft (1999), the German Commission, which is similar to the United States’ FDA, but which regulates herbs and their medical use, approved the internal use of plantain leaves to ease coughs and irritation of the mucous membrane, which are associated with upper respiratory tract infections.
They found that experimental research confirmed its beneficial properties, which can help reduce the irritation of lung tissues that cause discomfort. It can also help to stimulate the immune system. They recommend the plantain plant for moderate chronic irritative cough, especially for children.
Previous studies
Two previous clinical trials by Kiochev (2012) in Bulgaria documented the plantain plants’ efficacy for chronic bronchitis. It acts as a demulcent, such as pectin and glycerin, which are common ingredients in cough syrups and throat drops.
Demulcents relieve minor discomfort and irritation by forming a soothing film over the affected mucous membrane. This property can also make the plantain leaf an effective relief for coughs caused by the flu, cold and irritation. Since demulcents can cause more mucus production in the lungs, they are more often used to relieve dry coughs.
Plantain leaf bath Balms
Sari-Kundali et al. (2010) explains that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, plantain leaf is found in balms called mehlems for “urogenital tract disorders, respiratory system disorders, gastrointestinal tract disorders, skin ailments, blood system disorders, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular system disorders, and rheumatism.”
Andrade-Cetto (2008) also notes that people in Colombia use plantain leaf to promote good health. The gastrointestinal category dominates its use in Mexico.
These are just a few of many examples of how plantain is used across the globe. Due to its long history of use across the globe, and recent confirmation of some of its therapeutic properties, plantain leaf is now used primarily as an herbal remedy for upper respiratory tract health.
Plantain leaf also aids in facilitating the movement of green rays present in the sun, directly into the body. These rays are found to serve as a good antiseptic agent and have excellent healing properties. This process is regarded as one of the detoxification processes which involves profuse sweating.
The treatment involves covering the affected with plantain leaves or banana leaves. These banana leaves convert the harmful ultraviolet sun rays into healthy rays.
It could be due to the presence of polyphenol, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG – a very beneficial ingredient in the skin rejuvenation treatment) in its leaf.
The writer has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. His articles are for educational purposes aimed at educating the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies and do not serve as medical advice for treatment.
He is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare/President of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) in the Bawku municipality in the Upper East Region has called for the immediate closure of basic schools in the area.
This follows the recent ban on the riding of tricycles, popularly referred to as “yellow yellow”, a common means of transportation in the area, by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
Decision
The REGSEC, at its emergency meeting held on Monday, September 19, 2022, reviewed the security situation in the Bawku municipality and introduced additional measures.
A release signed on behalf of the Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, by the Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, said only personnel of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and the military were allowed to use official motorbikes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Additionally, it announced a ban on tricycle operations until further notice and the extension of curfew hours to cover the Nayoka, Kpalgu and Manga communities.
COHBS’s position
In response to the REGSEC’s additional security measures, the COHBS, in a letter dated September 22, 2022, signed by its Municipal Chairman, Abugri Busia, and addressed to the Municipal Director of Education, said members of the association were saddened by the security challenges in the area.
“Following the insecurity and the subsequent ban on tricycles, we wish to appeal to you to close down basic schools in the municipality, pending improvement in the security situation,” it said.
The release added that the lives of school pupils and teachers could not be guaranteed in the wake of the renewed conflict in the area.
“We wish to appeal to both factions to put their guns down for peace to prevail for the sake of school pupils and their future,” it added.
The letter was copied to the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the Zonal Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), as well as the Secretary of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).
When contacted yesterday, the Bawku Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Azeriya Ayeriga, told the Daily Graphic that although he had received the letter, he did not have the power to close down the schools.
“I do not have the power to close down public basic schools in Bawku due to insecurity; it is only the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) that has the power to do so,” he said.
Recall
In January this year, the REGSEC placed a ban on the use of motorbikes in the Bawku municipality and its environs, describing security in the area as volatile.
The Ministry of the Interior, on September 5, 2022, reviewed the curfew due to increased insecurity.
The government further announced a total ban on the carrying of arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon within the area.
Koforidua Circuit Court has sentenced a 43-year-old fetish priest to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for possessing counterfeit money in an attempt to defraud the public.
He was charged with preparation to commit crime to wit defrauding.
The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Solomon Keelson told the court that the complainant is Inspector Nelson Nadutey, a police officer stationed at Central Police station whilst the accused Richard Vormowor a.k.a Nana Buame, 43, a fetish priest and a resident of Zongo, Koforidua.
The prosecutor said, in recent time, the Koforidua district command has been receiving many complaints of money doubling fraud and hence have been on high alert.
On April 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm, whilst Inspector Nelson and other police personnel were on duty at a checkpoint at Nkurakan Police barrier, a Hyundai minibus approached with the accused aboard the vehicle heading towards Koforidua.
The vehicle was stopped by police and searched. Seven(7) bundles of Ghc20 cedis notes and two(2) bundles of Ghc10 cedis notes suspected to be counterfeit belonging to the suspect were retrieved and arrested.
The accused admitted that the monies were fake and that, the bundles were made up of white papers he cut into sizes of the money notes embossed with the currency to look like original notes.
An investigation later revealed that the accused was on his way to defraud unsuspecting individuals with the trick of money doubling.
He was arraigned in court where he pleaded guilty and hence sentenced on his own plea.
The judge ordered for the fake money notes to be burnt.
The Appiatse Disaster Victims Association (VOADA) has given the Appiatse Relief Committee three days to address several pressing issues affecting their reimbursement.
The Association in a press statement demanded that the Committeeprovide satisfactory answers to important questions regarding the future of those impacted by the fatal explosion that occurred on January 20.
The statement said, “We are requesting MAXAM Company Ltd, ARTHAANS Logistics and the Committees formed as a matter of urgency to consider a compensation to merit the affected members who as a result of the blast are going through emotional, psychological, physical, mental and financial trauma, making life unbearable.”
Additionally, they requested that a full apology from the company responsible for the incident.
“Natural law demands that after the blast at least MAXAM company should have visited Appiatse to commiserate with us for lives and properties destroyed by their explosives, but till date we have not heard or seen them at Appiatse. Should we consider they do not care? they quizzed.
Lawyer and #FixTheCountry convenor, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, has said that the General Legal Council (GLC), a regulator of legal education in Ghana is incompetent and has to be disbanded and the Ghana School of Law (Makola) closed down.
His call is in reaction to news of the leakage of the Entrance Examination meant to be written on Friday, September 23, 2022.
“Today at 10 am, the Entrance Exams of the Ghana School of Law will be written.
“The exam papers leaked last night and it has come to my notice. I am releasing them publicly so that the School will be forced to cancel them.
“The General Legal Council is just as incompetent as the bench. Together they continue to disgrace the legal profession but you folks are refusing to bring them to heel! Disband the GLC and Close Makola,” he wrote.
The General Legal Council GLC has come under criticism for restrictions on legal education in Ghana.
The Ambassador of Ghana to China, Dr Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, on Thursday stated that the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing has nothing to do with En Huan, also known as Aisha Huan’s return to Ghana.
He said the Chinese national who was deported from Ghana to China in December 2018 for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region “did not take any visa from us.”
Dr Hammond made these remarks here when two Chinese investors paid him a visit in hisoffice, to among others, discuss issues of common interest and mutual benefit, including investment in Ghana, job creation for Ghanaians and transfer of technology to spur economic growth.
Dr Hammond told the Ghanaian Times that it was necessary to respond to some unfounded allegations made against the Ghana Embassy for facilitating the return of Miss Huan to Ghana by issuing her a visa.
While saying that the law should be applied to the letter, he noted that En Huang’s case ought to be handled with utmost caution so as not to jeopardise the healthy relationship built by Ghana and China.
Dr Hammond noted there were many genuine Chinese businesses in Ghana contributing to the growth of the Ghanaian economy but said that those who flouted Ghana’s laws must be dealt with in accordance with law.
En Huang had already made two court appearances following her arrest, first at the Circuit Court on September 6, and at the Accra High Court on September 16 in respect of different offences.
At the Accra Circuit Court, En Huang and three others, Jong Li Hua; Huang Jei and HuiadHiahu had been charged with engaging in illegal mining in Ghana as well as engaging in sale and purchase of minerals without licence.
On September 16, the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Lydia OseiMarfo remanded the accused until October 11.
The prosecutor, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice charged En Huang with undertaking mining operation without licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operation, illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573) and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has expressed disgust over the way the government andpoliticians are treating the Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang‘s case.
Aisha Huang was arrested in Kumasi for engaging in illegal mining activities, although she was repatriated to China in 2018.
The galamsey queen re-entered Ghana slyly and continued her activities until her recent arrest.
She has since been arraigned before court and refused bail.
However, the Aisha Huang story has dominated discussions on illegal mining in the country.
But to Kwesi Pratt, Aisha Huang is not the solution to the illegal mining menace in Ghana, “so, why have we reduced everything to Aisha Huang?”
Making his submissions on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” programme, he further questioned; “Will imprisoning Aisha Huang end galamsey?”
“The problem is not Aisha Huang . . . I can’t understand it. Now, wherever you go, it’s Aisha Huang. When you buy newspaper, it’s Aisha Huang. On radio and television is Aisha Huang. It’s like Aisha Huang is the problem. She has now become shortcode for galamsey . . . Before Aisha Huang was born, we knew the problem in the gold industry,” he added.
He charged the government to stay focused on the fight against the menace and stop making the galamsey queen appear like her arrest is the end to galamsey.
President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Wednesday (September 21) held a reception for a select group of Heads of States and government representative at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
The leaders present were in New York to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly with the US president hosting the reception on the sidelines of the UNGA.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who is also attending the annual gathering of world leaders happened to be in town but per GhanaWeb checks was not at the reception.
A rundown of the President’s engagements at the UNGA as shared by deputy director of communications at the presidency, Jefferson Sackey, also did not capture any such engagement by Akufo-Addo.
Some of his peers who were present included William Samoei Ruto, the new Kenyan president, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC; Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Ali Bongo Ondhimba of Gabon.
Also present was George Weah of Liberia as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, AUC, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
All attending presidents and their spouses took photos with the Bidens – Joe and Jill – with the American flag and presidential flag against a black background.
“Kenya will continue expanding its strategic partnership with the United States of America to advance peace and prosperity in Africa.
“With Rachel at a reception hosted by the @POTUS during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York,” Ruto captioned his photo with Joe Biden.
Other world leaders who attended include: Racep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, President Klaus Iohannis of Romania, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre; Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry and Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica.
Akufo-Addo among African guests of Trump in 2017
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, together with eight other African Heads of State, on Wednesday, 20th September, 2017, at the side-lines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, held talks with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, on US-African relations.
The 8 Heads of State present at the meeting were President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, President Alasanne Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also Chairperson of the African Union, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and President Hage Geingob of Namibia.
For over three weeks, the family of 25-year-old Georgina Asor Botchwey sat on edge following the disappearance of their daughter.
The last time they heard from Georgina, she had bid them farewell at Yeji in the Bono East Region, en route to attend an admission interview at the Ankarful Nursing Training School in the Central Region.
This was on September 7, 2022, and while concerns of her whereabouts and safety grew as the family frantically failed to reach her, an assurance came from her elder brother.
Alfred Duodu, her brother, gave his family assurances that Georgina – who comes after him, will be fine.
He assured them of his resolve to locate his sister and bring her back home safely.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, Alfred, who is a soldier with the Ghana Armed Forces, recounted his words of assurance to his mother over the disappearance of her daughter.
“Yes, I did assure her that whatever that it will take me, I will do to search for where my sister is,” he said.
He explained further to GhanaWeb’s George Ayisi that it became more than necessary to bring his professional expertise to bear in the search of his sister.
It was on the back of this that he made the vow to his mother, he added.
“In one of our conversations I was assuring her; I was giving her my support. So, I told her that this is the time that I will show that I am a soldier,” he added.
Alfred’s quest to find his sister began with the filing of a police report and using the media to seek the whereabouts of his missing sister.
“When I came and reported the case, they gave me a police report to do announcement, after the announcement I should come back,” he recounted.
Alfred however explained that all along, he had his suspicions. The subject of his suspicion was a fiancé of one of his sisters, who is a pastor.
Michael Amponsah alias Osofo Kofi, the would-be in-law of Alfred, resided at Mankessim in the Central Region, and was said to have requested to meet Georgina after she had concluded her interview.
As was later confirmed, Osofo Kofi indeed met up with Georgina at Mankessim after her interview.
“Looking at the whole case, I realised that the said Osofo from the initial stage, I didn’t trust him. So, from the initial stage, I thought that he has a hand in it but I couldn’t gather the confidence to tell the family that this man is behind it.
“I followed the sequence of what ensued – the whole issue. In my conclusion, I understood that he was the one behind the whole thing. So, I tried using my intelligence as to how to get him with the help of one police CID. We hunted for him, we laid ambush on him and by the grace of God, we were able to arrest him,” the soldier said.
While his hopes were still high, he got sorely disappointed when their investigations led to the exhumation of her dead body.
Her body was retrieved from the house of Nana Onyaa Clark, a local chief and an accomplice to Osofo Kofi.
Watching the nearly decomposed body of his sister being brought out of the ground, Alfred Duoduo recounted how disappointing it felt to have partially failed his quest to find her alive and return her home.
“I didn’t take that lightly; in fact, I couldn’t control myself when I saw my sister in that state. Because our whole prayer was that we find my sister alive,” he stated.
The effects of the discovery of his sister cumulated into a state of self-blame for Alfred whose ultimate mission was to bring Georgina to their mother alive.
“So at a point in time, I felt that I was late in rescuing her. If I had the opportunity, I would have done that earlier. But things didn’t go the way I expected. I felt disappointed that I allowed all those things to happen,” a distraught Alfred said.
He added that he has however taken solace in having been able to eventually locate because it saves his family the pain of living in the anxiety of never knowing her whereabouts.
“But anyway, that is destiny so we thank God and I am so accomplished that even though we were not able to get her alive, we’ve been able to see or locate her. At least, it will take that anxiety on the family away,” he added.
Aside that, Alfred is confident that justice will be served for Georgina’s rather painful death, through the prosecution of her murderers.
“From the look of things, everything is in order and I know for sure that we will get justice for her,” he stated.
Alfred yearned for nothing less than an opportunity for his sister to realise her dream of entering a nursing school.
His wish for his sister was the highlight of their final conversation which took place a few days before Georgina’s birthday.
“We have a good personal relationship. Especially I remember the day she was in a car coming for the interview, I spoke to her and I encouraged her. The day after the interview was her birthday; her birthday was on the 8th of September so I remember I called her, we spoke and I wish her well that when she returns, we will meet and talk more. But she went there and the unfortunate happened. Since then, I’ve been calling her line and it was switched off,” Alfred explained, while recalling what a close relationship he had with Georgina.
Earlier reports indicated that Osofo Kofi sold his fiancé’s sister to his accomplice for money rituals.
This was confirmed by Alfred who shared details of the confessions of the two suspects to the police.
“Their main aim was to use her for money rituals. That is their main, it was for money rituals and they have confirmed that” he noted.
Prof. Steve Hanke described Gabby as being ‘on another planet’ over his recent claim that the government needed to be lauded for its handling of the economy.
Hanke posted a GhanaWeb story of Gabby’s claims on Twitter and captioned it thus: “Leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Gabby Otchere-Darko says Pres. Akufo-Addo deserves praise for his handling of the economy. SPOILER ALERT: Otchere-Darko must be on another planet.”
He added his usual inflation measurement which he said stood at 81%/y, a figure that is over 100% the official inflation percentage pegged at 33.9%.
Gabby’s tweet of September 22, 2022 read: “The Akufo-Addo govt and, in particular, MoF, deserve the nation’s commendation for their handling of the economy in these most challenging times. Despite slump in revenues, bills are being paid, including salaries, roads being fixed, & money found for programmes like YouStart.”
The Ghana Statistical Service, GSS, recently announced that consumer inflation for August 2022 hit 33.9% from 31.7% in July.
This is the highest rate that has been recorded in 21 years. According to the GSS, food and transportation were the main drivers of inflation.
Professor Hanke who has taken a keen interest on economic issues of Ghana in a separate tweet said Ghana’s economy was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in the past blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
“Ghana is in 8th place in this week’s inflation table. On Sep 8, I measured Ghana’s #inflation at a stunning 81%/yr–over 2x the official inflation rate of 34%/yr. #Ghana’s economy is TANKING. To rein in inflation, GHA must install a currency board,” he tweeted on September 19.
“Today, I measure #Ghana’s inflation at 81%/yr. As a result, Ghanaians don’t know the price of anything anymore. When Ghanaians see their grocery bills soar, they can thank Pres. Akufo-Addo,” Prof Hanke added.
Freight charges for transporting cocoa from Ghana to all international destinations, with the exception of the United Kingdom, has been increased by five per cent.
Similarly, mega bulk shipments have been increased by 10 per cent for the 2022/2023 cocoa season as agreed by the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), Ghana Shippers Authority and 18 shipping lines.
Per the agreement, the rate as calculated per tonne, meant cocoa currently stands at £31.50 to the United Kingdom (UK) for both bagged and bulk, while bagged and bulk cocoa shipped to the Northern Continent stands at €54.02 for bagged and €56.60 for bulk.
For Estonia, it is €61.74 for bagged and €64.70 for bulk; Mediterranean Europe €60.64 for bagged and €63.53, for bulk; Far East, US$100.44/106.09 for bagged and to Brazil US$116.24 for bagged and US$121.78 for bulk.
Subsequently, Bunker (Fuel) Adjustment Factor (BAF) to all destinations apart from UK has been increased by two percentage points from 28 – 30 per cent.
Those were the agreements reached after a meeting at this year’s Cocoa Freight Negotiation Conference held at the Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento, Italy on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
Global developments in the shipping market, including increasing charter rates, container shortage and rising bunker prices accounted for the new upward rates in freight charges.
Again, the need to keep a competitive freight rate for Ghana’s cocoa, especially in the light of competition from neighbouring countries was considered in the decision making.
Commenting on the recent charges, Mr Vincent Okyere Akomeah, the Managing Director of CM, said he was confident that the agreed rates would be “a win-win for the Government and the shipping lines.”
Mr Akomeah was hopeful of a good cocoa year with the help of key stakeholders such as the Ghana Standard Authority, the shipping lines, buyers and insurers.
Ms Benonita Bismarck, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority, expressed appreciation to the shipping lines for their support and cooperation.
She also thanked them for keeping faith with Ghana, promoting trade and serving as trusted conduits between CMC and the buyers for the international transportation of Ghana’s cocoa.
Shipping lines present at the conference included Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, Grimaldi, COSCO Shipping Lines, Messina Lines, Ocean Network, CMA-CGM and Arkas.
GIZ Ghana on Friday launched free online financial literacy training programme to empower Ghanaian women.
The programme dubbed: “ Making Remittances Work for You,” is under the Programme Migration and Diaspora, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The e-learning programme aims to educate people, particularly women, through an interactive online course on basic skills to manage their remittances from the diaspora productively.
The capacity-building measure is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fir Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Ghana.
Mr Guskowski, Head of Sustainable Economic Development at GIZ Ghana, said online modules had already been designed to cover diaspora money transfers on relevant business-related areas such as entrepreneurship, insurance, savings, and investment.
“GIZ seeks to create a future worth living around the world, we hope to provide an engaging and robust online training product for women in remittance-receiving households, and to deliver this successfully to a pilot cohort of women,” he said.
He said that the programme would help improve the skills and confidence of women in using digital financial services to invest portions of remittances for sustainable economic development.
Remittance flows and their usage are gaining more traction in international discourses on migration and sustainable development.
Remittances have evolved into a reliable source of funds for accelerating human development, financial inclusion, and productive investment.
The product is on GIZ’s e-learning platform, Atingi, and can be accessed through www.atingi.org.
Ms Florence Hope-Wudu, Managing Partner, Purple Almond Consulting Service, said the focus on women was because they carried a heavier burden in balancing work and family.
The platform, she stated, would enable women to become financially literate and increase their knowledge on the need to inculcate the habit of savings.
The Chiefs and the people of Akwakrom near Mankessim have discovered three holes suspected to be graves dug by Nana Clark Onyaa, the prime suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old aspiring trainee nurse in Mankessim.
The two of the sites covered and with broken bottles all around, were found in two obscure corners in the suspect’s deserted family house accessed by him alone.
Another huge dugout pit was discovered on a plantain farm at the back of the family house and some residents claimed he visited fortnightly to perform rituals at the night and most times, came with a pickaxe and shovels in his vehicle.
This According to Mr Kojo Assan, leader of the Youth Volunteer Group of Akwakrom, rouse their suspicions and they mounted surveillance on the Chief who on realising that he was being watched closely, tried to disband the group without success.
He said, not knowing, the Tufohen directed his nefarious activities to Mankessim.
Aboradze Ebusuapanyin Kofi Adu together with some elders in the community who led the Ghana News Agency to the sites on Thursday said the sites were discovered when the news broke out about the missing lady, and they accordingly informed the police.
“We don’t know what he buried in the pits but based on his recent activities, your guess is as good as mine. We suspect he may have done the same here so we want serious excavation to be done here to ascertain the use of the pits.
The visibly shaken Ebusuapanyin said they never suspected the Tufohen could kill a fly, “He is an eloquent person liked by many. He is the leader of the Asafo groups and occasionally visits the palace to partake in activities,” he said.
Ebusuapanyin Adu indicated that the community would not shield anyone found to have connived with the suspects regardless of their social standing or family lineage.
According to him, the deceased was most of the time spotted chatting with the pastor, but the Tufohen claimed he was a relative who had come to spend some days.
“Many people saw the deceased here in the company of the pastor and she appeared weak and pale, but the pastor claimed he was cleansing her spiritually, little did we know they had diabolic intent,” he added.
The Ebusuapanyin Edu, however, denied claims that the Tufohen was the Regent of Akwakrom. “ Tufohen has brought shame to our community.
“Now, people think we are all criminals here because of someone’s misdeed. We are law-abiding citizens who do not condone crime”, he added.
He said the community had intensified patrols to ward off all criminal activities, something he claimed prevented the suspects from burying the deceased in the community.
He pledged the commitment of the Chiefs and people to ensure justice was served to restore the image of the community.
Earlier, the GNA visited the Tufohen’s house in Mankessim and observed that the scene had been cordoned-off with some food vendors in front of the house going about their normal businesses without qualms.
They equally expressed shock about the suspect’s conduct, claiming the Tufohen was an arbiter who had brought peace to many families and homes.
“He is a counsellor who has arbitrated many protracted family issues, but little did we expect him to have committed such a heinous crime,” Madam Elizabeth Awudzi, a food vendor stated.
To actualize the dreams of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and keep it afloat, the Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has taken a step further to launch a handbook on its activities.
The book; ‘Actualising the African Economic Vision; A practical handbook on AfCFTA’, which was launched at the Pacific Alliance Embassy in Accra received high patronage and would serve as the guideline for African leaders, the Academia, Trade and Finance community and all other participants of the AfCFTA.
In his welcome address, Mr Selasi Koffi Ackom, Chief Executive Officer of GITFiC said it took a great deal of work with of consultations, in-depth analysis, and references to come out with the final product.
“This journey began for us when we took the 3rd conference to the Headquarters of the African Union Addis Ababa in 2019 and succeeded in getting a number of stakeholders from the four corners of the continent to the 3rd conference, including; Finance Ministers, UNECA, Trade & Development Bank in Kenya. ECOWAS Bank in Lome, Afrexim Bank in Egypt, Trade Ministers, Finance and Trade Experts, Agric, Aviation et al”.
He said in 2020, they brought Chief Trade Negotiators, Deans of Premier Universities and Senior Media men and women from Africa back to Accra to advance the conversation on the AfCFTA, when Accra was officially declared the Commercial Capital.
“Rightly so because Accra hosts the AfCFTA secretariat and has a rich history of both colonial and present, cross border trade emergence and also as the first country in Africa, south of the Sahara to gain independence.
He said in 2021 they brought monetary and financial magnets from Central Banks in Africa to major stakeholders to discuss the Pan African Payment and Settlement System and its regulatory antecedents, where President Akufo-Addo gave the Keynote address through Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia.
He said it was revealed in sections of the survey report that literature on the AfCFTA were missing and despite the gross interest in the subject matter by the public, almost nothing concrete was there to read more so, in a simplified form.
Mr Ackom said the book was inspired by all Heads of State on the African Continent and the advent of the AfCFTA had received substantial interest and set forth a renewed sense of optimism and conviction that seeks to propel Africa into the league of global trade powerhouse.
He said the book was expected to reach every educational complex on the continent through the help of State Agencies, Continental Institutions with requisite funding and Corporate Africa at large.
“This book has been devoid of large leaflets and content. The main aim here is to encourage reading and attract same. The book comprises 10 chapters however; these 10 chapters give a complete understanding of the AfCFTA and its functional implementation structures and practically expose the reader to the opportunities within the AfCFTA.
“The book has diagrams, info-graphics and photos to spice reading and give a pictorial meaning to the context and content and is currently in two languages; English and French and the African Union has recommended for our immediate attention to have the book translated in all recognized languages by the Union in a message sent to us on September 7th, 2022. These languages include; Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish.”
He said plans were afoot to translate it into Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese.
He commended Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Mr. Nyame-Baafi, Mr. Bernard Afreh, Mr Tsornam Akpeloo and several other Chief Trade Negotiators who contributed to the practical book in diverse ways.
Madam Claudia Turbay Quintero, Colombian Ambassador on behalf of the Pacific Alliance Embassy made up of Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Chile, said the launch of the book was an opportunity for the alliance to work hand-in hand with AfCFTA.
She said they were forming an internal integration and that would be extended to Ghana and AfCFTA in general adding “we want to go closer to Africa.”
Mr Bernard Afreh, Lead Consultant for GITFiC said the launch of the AfCFTA and the book would enhance trade and economies of Africa in succeeding yeaars and improve the lives of over 1.5 billion people.
He appealed to financial institutions and Commercial and Trade communities to make good use of the literature contained in the book.
Other speakers at the programme included Mr Tsonam Akpeloo, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of Association of Ghana Industries, Mr Joe Ghartey, Former Member of Parliament for Essikao-Ketan in the Western Region, and Ambassador Albert Muchanga.
Over 6000 copies of the book which has a street cover price of GHS 100 were sold at the launch.
The Global Citizen Festival will be held in Ghana for the first time with a focus on amplifying the need to end extreme poverty across the globe.
The music festival, which would take centre stage on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Black Star Square in Accra, promises some enthralling musical performances from global music stars such as Usher, Stormzy, SZA, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Gyakie, Tems, among others. A royal welcome gathering dubbed ”The Festival of Cultures” was held at the Accra Tourist Information Centre to welcome participants from all over the world with a gallant pageantry of Ghanaian culture.
Speaking at the royal gathering, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said the festival offers Ghana the opportunity to showcase its culture to the rest of the world.
”The festival has been running for over a decade, with a call to world leaders to make a meaningful commitment to making the world a better place for all of us and putting an end to extreme poverty.
“As we open our doors on Saturday to these top artistes who would thrill music fans with various performances, we must not lose sight of the festival’s goal of ending extreme poverty, and I welcome all participants.”
”We have the opportunity to show what makes us as unique as a people and the different cultures we have and hopefully, the concert would be successful,” he said.
Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, lauded the organisers for choosing Ghana as one of the host countries and offered their support for a successful program.
”We have a strong culture, especially with our music and dance, and fashion from different parts of our cultures.
”’This is how we want to show our warm welcome to you as this festival is about to begin and we will offer you the needed support to ensure it becomes a success,” he said.
The National Dance Ensemble of the National Theatre also delivered a masterclass performance displaying the different dance cultures from various regions.
TheConvention People’s Party (CPP) is embarking on an expanded national mobilisation to ensure that the base of the party is strong and capable of securing seats in Parliament and winning elections.
For a start, the party is ensuring that it has at least 17 polling station executives and 13 electoral area officers who would form the base of the party in each constituency to dedicate themselves to preaching the policies and programmes of the party and elect constituency executives as well.
The National Organiser of the CPP, Yirimambo Moses Ambing, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Accra, said the mobilisation programme was the product of introspection the party organised after its 2020 polls performance.
He explained that it was clear from interaction with party members across the country that the base of the party must be widened at the polling station and electoral areas so that these executives, together with the parliamentary candidate, could secure more votes and seats.
“With this mass recruitment exercise, we will have nearly 34,000 polling station executives and when we add the electoral area numbers to it, the party’s members will be big. With this, if each member can get five voters, the party will be making a great stride come 2024. We will definitely spring a surprise,” Mr Ambing indicated..
Piloting.
He noted that when it became clear that the party members wanted to have that expanded executives at the local level during the introspection, the national executive piloted the same across 12 regions just to find out if it was empirically feasible..
Mr Ambing said the party hierarchy was overwhelmed with the interest and participation of members for the expanded base programme and noted that “the success of the piloting is an indication that the members at the grassroots want to own the party and drive its success”..
He explained that the report of the successful piloting had been documented together with all the findings and would be placed before the Central Committee of the party for their perusal and green light so that it would be rolled out..
ICT.
He said the party had already developed a template form for the mobilisation and would also train some of the executives to ensure that they appreciate the nitty-gritty of the new programme and be in a better position to shepherd the process to a successful end..
Mr Ambing, who took the Daily Graphic round an office where computer servers and monitors had been set up, said it was capable of taking the database of at least eight million members, including their names, pictures, voter identification numbers, polling stations and constituency numbers..
Members.
He appealed to the members of the party who had been sitting on the fence to join the current executive in the mobilisation programme, noting that they should take up positions at either polling station or electoral areas and work assiduously to secure a resounding victory..
He said the prospects for the party to win elections were bright but the realisation of this feat would require all hands on deck..
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has paid a visit to the National Headquarters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as part of efforts to strengthen the link between the government and the party.
It also forms part of the initiatives to bridge the gap between government appointees and party officers in the party’s quest to mobilise its rank and file for a third consecutive electoral victory in 2024 and to “break the eight” as the popular mantra goes.
During the interactions, Mr Ussif said nearly 75 per cent of the country’s 31.8 million population fell within the youthful bracket, which fuelled government’s commitment to implement several youth-centred interventions.
Interventions
He mentioned that interventions such as YouStart, Green Ghana, various modules of the Youth Employment Agency and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) had led to employment, training, capacity building and the provision of financial support to the country’s youth.
The Youth and Sports Minister, therefore, encouraged the party to liaise with the appropriate government officials and agencies supervising these youth- centred interventions to ensure their success.
Mr Ussif further encouraged the party to emulate the youth structures of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress which, he said, had been crucial to the party’s long stay in power.
Way forward
The General Secretary of the Party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, who received the minister on behalf of party headquarters, reiterated the point that this initiative of holding regular party-government meetings would be replicated across the country, particularly in the regional capitals.
That, he said, was to provide a platform for government appointees, particularly ministers of state and chief executive officers (CEOs) to interact with party officers and grassroots.
As part of this initiative, the party headquarters have witnessed visits over the previous weeks by some government appointees, including the CEO of Ghana Water Company Limited, Dr Clifford Braimah, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor.
Other appointees are expected to have their turn in the coming weeks.
Mpho Tutu van Furth married her wife, Marceline, in December 2015, and was subsequentlyforced to give up herpermission to officiate as a priest in South Africa.
The late Desmond Tutu’s daughter has been barred by the Church of England from leading a funeral because she is married to a woman.
Mpho Tutu van Furth is an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Washington DC and had been asked to officiate at the funeral of her late godfather, Martin Kenyon, in Shropshire on Thursday.
Ms Tutu van Furth told BBC News it “seemed really churlish and hurtful”.
The Diocese of Hereford said it was “a difficult situation”.
The Church of England does not permit its clergy to be in a same-sex marriage because its official teaching is that marriage is only between one man and one woman.
However, its sister Anglican church in the US, The Episcopal Church, does allow clergy to enter into gay marriages.
“Advice was given in line with the House of Bishop’s current guidance on same-sex marriage,” a statement from the Diocese of Hereford said.
The former Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, who is a campaigner for the church to change its position on sexuality, said to “plead that things are difficult is not good enough”.
“We urgently need to make space for conscience, space for pastoral care, and space for love,” he said.
After Mr Kenyon’s family was told of the Church’s decision, they moved the funeral service from St Michael and All Angels in Wentnor, near Bishops Castle, to a marquee in the vicarage next door so Ms Tutu van Furth could officiate and preach.
“It’s incredibly sad,” Ms Tutu van Furth told BBC News. “It feels like a bureaucratic response with maybe a lack of compassion.
“It seemed really churlish and hurtful. But as sad as that was, there was the joy of having a celebration of a person who could throw open the door to people who are sometimes excluded.”
Martin Kenyon, then 91, became an internet sensation in December 2020 with his frank answers during a CNN interview after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
Asked how it felt to be one of the first people in the world to receive the jab, he said: “I don’t think I feel much at all”. But added he hoped not to have the “bug” now because he had granddaughters.
“There’s no point in dying when I’ve lived this long, is there?” he said.
Mr Kenyon was close friends with the late South African Archbishop, Desmond Tutu.
Ms Tutu van Furth was forced to give her up right to officiate as a priest in South Africa after she married Marceline van Furth, a Dutch academic, in 2015.
Her father Desmond Tutu, who died in December 2021, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He also campaigned in favour of gay rights and backed same-sex marriage.
“I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place,” he said in 2013. “I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this.”
He added: “I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level.”
Various unsung heroes in Ghana and in the diaspora were acknowledged, celebrated and honoured by the Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations – Rain Foundations.
In his address, the Founding President of RAIN, Author Ralph Antwi explained to the audience that the ultimate intent of the event was to immortalize the achievements, impact and legacies of predecessors.
Author Ralph unveiled a project to be undertaken by the Predecessors Awards Worldwide for all the 25 honorees.
The project, being undertaken 12 months before the 2023 edition includes the publishing and launching of a book for each honoree, a free website, one-year free healthcare and a celebration of their birthdays.
The list of honorees included Alice Annum, Grace Nortey, Rama Brew, Dr. Jane Irina Adu, Hannah Addo, Rev. Mary Ghansah, Rev. Dr. Esther Nyamekyeh, Nombulelo Constance Zwane, Regina Ohemeng Donkor, and Dora Amoako.
The rest are Justice (Rtd.) J.C. Amonoo-Monney, Elder S.K. Ampiah, Dr. Emmanuel Okeson, Rev. Thomas Yawson, Rev. John Gordon Egyir-Croffet, Rev. Dr. Nicholas Opuni, Apostle Bismark Akomeah, Bishop Elvis Acheampong, Bishop Joejo Dadzie, Apostle Dr. Claude Halm Adjepong, Rev. Frank Bennin, Otuo Achampong, Rev. Osei Kofi, Rev. Professor Enoch Agbozo, and the Outstanding Personality of the Year – Prophet Peter Baffour Appiah-Adu.
Many dignitaries from all walks of life were present to honour the occasion. These included Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Prophet Dr. Emmanuel Baidoo, Mr. Sammi Awuku and Maame Afia Akoto.
Predecessors Awards Worldwide will launch their Predecessors Magazine in Johannesburg, Accra, and Virginia before the close of this year.
Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations is an international Christian Missions organization sold out to encourage the maximization of life and fulfilment of purpose.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has asked road contractors who are unable to undertake road contracts awarded them to return their contract certificates.
There abound a litany of roads awarded on contracts, yet contractors are not on site as some have abandoned work midstream with the excuse of they not being paid by government for works so far executed.
“There are a lot of road contracts in the western region, what we have seen is that some contractors are not doing their best. What we are saying is that any contractor who is not ready for the contract should write a letter to the ministry detailing his or her inability to fulfill the contract so that we re-award it. We are not ready to plead with any contractor again”, he emphasized.
The Western Region in recent times has seen some agitations by chiefs and indigenes over poor roads for which politicians keep emphasizing are on contract. The attitude by the contractors is seen as unfair by the Western Regional Minister.
“When the contractors were coming for the tendering process they brought along letters from their respective banks assuring the government that they had enough money to complete the contract. So if all of a sudden you turn around and complain of insufficient funds to complete the work then it means you are trying to deceive the government.”
he fumed over.
Just this week, chiefs in the Ahanta West Municipality have had to take to demonstrating over poor roads at Sankor – Cape 3 points although for the past 2 years they kept being impressed upon that the roads are all on contract since 2020 yet no contractor is on-site till date.
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has alleged that Ghanaians are being stressed with the ongoing SIM card re-registration exercise because of the selfish interest of persons at the National Identification Authority (NIA) and Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation.
According to Bright Simons, the re-registration exercise logically could be done together with the registration for the National Identification Cards (Ghana Card) but this is not being done because of the personal interest of some people at both the NIA and the ministry.
“Procurement is at the root of all the major scandals we have had in this country which involves money if you look closely. I can assure you that all the problems, we are facing with the SIM card (re-registration), the irrationality of the fact that people don’t have the Ghana Card but people are still insisting you should use the Ghana Card.
“If you delve into it very seriously (you will find out that) it is actually because there are private companies behind both sides – the people that are doing the Ghana Card stuff and the people that are doing the SIM registration stuff and they are competing amongst each other.
“So, the simplest thing which should have been that when I was doing my Ghana Card, you will take my phone number, send me a text message to establish that is actually my phone number. And then you will connect the data that has my biometric and that is the end of it, my card is registered. The reason why they will not allow you to do that (is because) it offends some people’s private interests. That is the only reason,” he said at the 2022 Baah-Wiredu Lecture in Accra.
Meanwhile, the National Communication Authority (NCA), on September 5, 2022, announced that persons who have not registered their SIM cards would be barred from receiving certain services, including all outgoing voice calls and data services.
The NCA explained in a statement that the move forms part of punitive actions ahead of the SIM re-registration deadline, which takes effect on September 30, 2022.
It added that persons who fail to register their SIM cards before the September 30 deadline would have their numbers blocked permanently.
But, the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, has stated that his outfit cannot issue Ghana Cards to all persons who need them to register their SIM cards before the stated deadline.
This means that not all the nearly 2 million Ghanaian phone users who do not have the Ghana Card yet will be able to register their SIM cards before September 30, 2022 deadline.
According to Prof. Attafuah, the NIA currently does not have the capacity to print Ghana Card for Ghanaians who need them to register their SIM Cards, citinesroom.com reports.
“There is no way that NIA can register those people. It is technically physically impossible. We had said way back in March that it was impossible. I have said it is like expecting a maiden to make a baby every three months.
“That is not how the physical and logistical system has been designed to respond. We cannot do that,” he said.
Board Chairman of MTN Ghana,Dr Ishmael Yamson, has expressed “frustration” over the country’s slow pace of development and blamed the situation on bad leadership, corruption, and greed.
In an interactive session with some young people in Accra on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, he said the livingconditions of people in the colonial era through to independence were better compared to today.
Dr Yamson, who is also a management consultant, recalled events in the colonial era, where he said his grandfather, a farmer, could sell a bag of cocoa for 13 shillings – and could use that money to fend for his 26 children, grandchildren and nephews.
“Today all our farmers are poor,” the eighty-year-old-man said, adding: “If you take the life of an average Ghanaian today, it is much worse than what I experienced.”
“I have seen Ghana from colonial days up to today… I saw King George VI reign before Queen Elizabeth II and before we had the independence agitations, and I can tell you that life for me under colonial rule and the transition to independence and Republican was better than life for me today,” Dr Yamson said.
His encounter with the youth on Wednesday formed part of activities for the 2022 Inter-Generational Dialogue under the auspices of the Passionate Africa Leadership Institute (PALI).
Dr Yamson mentioned greed and corruption as the two major issues undermining the progress of the nation.
He said the country would not develop “until we find a government that says I want to leave a legacy free of corruption and greed.”
He urged all persons occupying leadership positions in the country to build on what was bequeathed to them and work to make the lives of the people better.
“My frustration has been our leaders have not demonstrated enough vision, integrity in the way they’ve managed this country. Our leaders have not just performed what they promised they have to do,” Dr Yamson said.
“Ghana is not that we don’t have people with good minds, goodwill. Our problem is that when it comes to executing those plans we are corrupt, greedy and those things will never allow us to develop,” he added.
Dr Yamson also expressed concern over the inability of businesses to grow and expand their operations after the demise of their founders.
He observed that many businesses were operated under the dictates of their founder without structures and proper succession plans.
“One of our biggest tragedies is that many of our entrepreneurs die with their businesses …the business is run in the head of the founder so when he dies, the business disappears, “Dr Yamson said.
He urged the youth to “rise up,” abstain from corruption and greed and vote for a leader who would make their lives better.
Mr Frank Paa Kumi, Convener for PALI, said the Dialogue formed part of initiatives intended to connect young people with distinguished personalities to share their experiences with them.
He said it was the expectation of the Organisation that many young people would be impacted positively to help raise an army of young people who would contribute positively to the development of the nation.
President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Wednesday (September 21) held a reception for a select group of Heads of States and government representatives at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
The leaders present were in New York to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly with the US president hosting the reception on the sidelines of the UNGA.
Per GhanaWeb checks, African leaders present included William Samoei Ruto, the newKenyan president, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC and Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
Also present was George Weah of Liberia as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, AUC, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
All attending presidents and their spouses took photos with the Bidens – Joe and Jill – with the American flag and presidential flag against a black background.
“Kenya will continue expanding its strategic partnership with the United States of America to advance peace and prosperity in Africa.
“With Rachel at a reception hosted by the @POTUS during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York,” Ruto captioned his photo with Joe Biden.
Other world leaders who attended include: Racep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, President Klaus Iohannis of Romania, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre; Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry and Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica.
Dr Vanessa Aseye Mensah-Kabu has been unveiled as the new ambassador for Quality Insurance Company (QIC)’s ‘Go Girl’Motor Insurance Policy.
The Ghanaian, who became a doctor at the age of 22, succeeds the former Deputy CEO of Free-Zone Authority, Obuobia Darko-Opoku and Mamavi Owusu Aboagye.
The ‘Go Girl’ Policy, which evolved from QIC’s flagship policy, ‘Kingly Queenly’ Comprehensive Motor Insurance, is designed specifically for women and offers exclusive benefits such as a courtesy car in the event of an accident and free renewal at the DVLA Prestige Center and Total Petroleum Service Stations.
With an impressive social media presence, Dr Mensah-Kabu intends to promote the QIC Go Girl policy to reach the femalemarket and also engage women about their health.
Speaking after her unveiling, Dr Vanessa Mensah-Kabu started that every woman must sign on to the QIC Go Girl policy.
“The QIC Go Girl policy is tailor-made for every woman who owns a car to enjoy the benefits it comes with. We will be talking about women’s health so whatever your questions are regarding the health needs of women we will discuss them.
“Social media is a platform that has professional women on board so that platform is to drive and create awareness for our target women to hop on the policy,” she said.
The Head of Operations of QIC, Cecil Ribeiro, on his part indicated that, the ‘Go Girl’ policy differs from all over insurance due to the importance it places on women to build networks and promote healthy living.
“We had to find a way of making it more interesting for women to come on board. We want to make this a movement and not just QIC selling a product for women.
“It is all about creating the platform for women where it is not only about their insurance, we have brought Vanessa on as a doctor to discuss things that concern women, their health and wellness she has the right social media following which we want to leverage on,” he added.
Mr Ribeiro also disclosed that as part of the benefits client gets to use QICs car for ten days in the instance when their cars are damaged.
The host of Onuaa Maakye on Onua TV, Captain Smart, has become the latest personality to express shock over the murder and secret burial of a 25-year-old Georgina Asor Botchwey at Mankessim in the Central Region.
According to the broadcaster, his shock about the incident stems from his personal knowledge of one of the two suspects who have been arrested in connection with the murder.
Captain Smart, speaking on the Thursday, September 22, 2022, edition of hisprogramme, noted that his family shares a wall with Nana Onyaa Clark whose house the deceased’s body was exhumed from.
“Do you know the murder incident in Mankessim is right behind my house? From my house to the place where the aspiring nurse was killed is like from where we are sitting [the studio] to the newsroom. That is the distance between us, it is just a wall that separates us,” he said.
Describing the suspect as a well-respected man, Captain Smart said he is a man he would never have thought to be a murderer.
“The truth before God is had it not been for the body that was exhumed in his house, I would never believe that Nana Clark could kill even a lizard,” he said.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of the deceased, whose body has been exhumed from the house of one of the suspects.
The two suspects are Michael Darko Amponsah, a self-styled pastor, who is also a fiancé of the deceased’s sister; and a local chief, Nana Onyaa Clark.
The two have been charged with two counts, namely: conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit murder and murder, contrary to section 46 of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960, Act 29.
The Cape Coast District Court II remanded them into custody to reappear on October 4, 2022.
Operations Manager, Panbros Salt Industries Limited, Mr Daniel Boye, a local salt production company, says the operation of a Chinese cement production firm in its vicinity could contaminate its product.
He, therefore, called for the shutdown of the Empire Cement Company Ghana Company.
Mr Boye said the dust from cement production could settle into salt ponds and contaminate the product.
He said this on the sidelines of a press conference organised by McCarthy Hill Residents Association over the locatiion of the cement factory.
The Association expressed displeasure at the location of the cement factory in the residential area.
Mr Boye said the Panbros area was an environmentally protected Ramsar site and that the location of a cement factory in the area could harm the ecology of the sensitive area.
He said Panbros had engaged the cement manufacturing company on its location and possible pollution of the environmental and told the factory would be using a technology that would not release dust in to the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Nana Obokom Atta IX, Co-founder, Empire Cement Company Ghana, said the factory’s location was not part of the wetlands reserves.
Nana Atta said they had been given the green light by regulatory authorities to produce cement at the location.
He added that the Company had put in place measures not to cause harm to residents.
“This is a multimillion dollar investment project that will provide jobs for the teeming youth and contribute to development in the community and the country as a whole,” the Co-Founder said.
The MoU is a mutually beneficial relationship between the Ministry and the University on academic and scientific research cooperation in teaching, workshops, seminars, data management, and research relevant to the Fisheries and Aquaculture industry.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday in Accra, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, said the fisheries industry makes a substantial contribution to national growth, particularly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the creation of jobs and income, as well as the security of food and nutrition.
She said cooperation between the Ministry, resource users, and academic institutions like the University of Environment and Sustainable Development was necessary for the sustainable management of fisheries and the development of aquaculture.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Eric Nyarko-Samson, said the collaboration was a crucial step toward producing graduates who are well-equipped with experience in the field that the University hopes to produce.
An Energy Expert, Rev Dr. Enginneer Agyenim Boateng, has stated that bad electrical wiring causes electrical leakages, which leads to an increase in energy consumption and unexpected hike in the electricity bill adding that over 70 percent of residents in the Ashanti Region are paying astronomical light bills due to the use of inferior materials for wiring.
He explained that when the wiring was full of joints, using sub-standard materials for wiring, coupled with poor work by the electricians, size cable, and over-aged wiring, the insulation property wore out, which created heat in the system and caused the meter to read fast, leading to high payment of electricity bills.
Engineer Agyenim Boateng who is also a leading member of the Certified Electrical Wiring Professional Association of Ghana (CEWPAG) said this during a discussion on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s morning show Nyansapo on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
High electricity bills
“Poor electrical wiring is expensive to maintain and also causes fire outbreaks, leading to lives and property”. Our checks on most of those complaining about this supposed high electricity bills either used unapproved materials or uncertified electricians for their wiring system”, he observed.
“Per my checks and experience over the years as a professional electrician, I can tell you that most households are paying unrealistic bills due to poor wiring and the use of inferior materials “, the Energy Commission Inspector told the host of the programme Captain Koda.
Some residents in the Ashanti Region have been up in arms against the government and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over outrageous electricity bills served them by the company.
The new billing system implemented by the electricity distribution company according to them has led to the collapse of several businesses with a large section of Ghanaians complaining that they will be forced to stop using electricity in their homes if nothing is done about the situation.
Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011
According to him, the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011, L.I.2008 provides a guideline on who qualifies to undertake electrical wiring in the country.
Rev Dr Engineer Agyenim Boateng stated that regulation seven states that “a person shall not undertake electrical wiring on premises unless that person is certified by a licensed electrical distribution utility company or a recognised firm appointed by the Energy Commission.
He advised the public to always engage the services of a professional electrician certified by ECG, since most of the frequent fire outbreaks in the markets and houses were caused by poor electrical wiring.
He said electrical wiring whether for residential, commercial or industrial project must be carefully installed and maintained to provide safety to persons and property.
He however said while some of the citizens had genuine concerns, most of them are at fault.
PresidentAkufo-Addo has called on the mining investor community to take advantage of Ghana’s adherence to principles of democratic accountability, rule of law, respect for the sanctity of contracts, stable regulatory environment, and favourable fiscal regime, to invest in the mining industry in Ghana.
He reassured the investor community that Ghanawas not only the best place to dobusiness in Africa but also one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies.
The President said this during an investor Roundtable organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti and JP Morgan on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, in New York.
In addition to the traditional minerals, he asserted that Ghana has numerous untapped deposits of green minerals like lithium.
He said despite the government’s efforts to develop the full value chain for the country’s mineral resources and add value, there were still tremendous investment opportunities, particularly in the mining sector.
The President, who was the keynote speaker at the event, used the occasion to articulate his vision to construct a progressive and prosperous Ghana, and the fundamental role of the private sector in Ghana’s economic recovery programme, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, indicated that the Government of Ghana was putting in measures to make Ghana a mining hub of Africa.
The Roundtable, which included major international mining companies as well as bond and equity investors, gave the Government of Ghana a chance to directly interact with the investor community about investment opportunities in Ghana’s mining sector.
Mr Nketiah has publicly declared his intention not to seek re-election as General Secretary of the NDC in the Party’s upcoming national congress, after 17 years as chief scribe.
In an audio message, Mr Afriyie-Ankrah, who is seeking to replace Mr Nketiah as General Secretary, described the latter as “a great personality”.
“He is a great personality and definitely an institution, and he has made the necessary impact that anybody could make within the political system, and indeed the history of this country and the history of the NDC would definitely not be complete without talking about his major role over the past 17 years”, Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said.
Mr Afriyie-Ankrah added that, “He (Mr Nketiah) has been an inspiration to all of us, just as some of us aspire to step in his shoes, we can continue to count on his wisdom, guidance and store-house of knowledge.”
The NDC will hold its Constituency elections between October 22 and 23, 2022, while the regional elections would be held between November 12 and 13, 2022.
The National Congress will be held on December 17, 2022.
About 7,900 executives are expected to be elected in a total of 876 elections at the constituency, regional, and national elections scheduled for the next three months.
Mr Nketiah, who had served as General Secretary of the NDC since 2005, in a radio interview on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, said the time had come for him to hang his boots as General Secretary and allow others to also serve the Party in that capacity
Asked if he would be contesting other positions in the upcoming election, Mr Nketiah said he would announce it when the time comes.
Mr Nketiah led the NDC to power in 2008, and 2012 elections.
The Party, under his stewardship as General Secretary also lost the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, sharing the spoils with the New Patriotic Party in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, says Ghana will not recognise anyterritory forcefully taken from Ukraine by Russia.
She has, therefore, called on Russia to immediately and unconditionally seize its operations inUkraine by withdrawing its troops and also respecting the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.
The Minister who was speaking at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York Thursday, further urged Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and political independence.
For her, “Ghana does not and will not recognise any territory that is unilaterally and forcefully acquired as dismembered from a sovereign entity.”
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey said there was the need for Russia and Ukraine, to chart diplomatic course to resolve the impasse between them.
She noted that the two nations cannot resolve their differences through the barrel of a gun, adding that the use of gun to resolve differences only “leads to needless bloodshed on both sides.”
She expressed the concern that with the rising death tolls of the civilian population and growing reports of war crimes in Ukraine, including human rights violations, there was the need to investigate such issues and perpetrators sanctioned.
“We must uphold our responsibilities as a country and send a clear message that the perpetrators of the atrocities will be held to account,” she noted.
The students blocked roads, leading to the school in protest, after management failed to show up for their scheduled meeting over discrepancies in their results both online and on the notice board.
Per a Graphiconline report, the students, after waiting for some time, with no sign of the meeting happening, went on a rampage, broke down signposts and blocked some roads on campus.
The police who were then called upon were unable to control the students and therefore called for reinforcement.
This resulted in the firing of teargas to disperse the students.
Level 400 students of theUniversity of Education, Winneba (UEW), have demonstrated because of what they say is a deliberate attempt by school authorities not to update the cumulative record of students for the last three years.
The students among many accusations are blaming the data protection unit of the school for failing to update the records on their portals, making the various portals of the students empty.
The school is expected to hold its graduation for the final year students in three weeks’ time.
The students say they are not able to track their academic performance as a result of the school failing to update the portal.
Demonstrating students are not allowing vehicles to enter the campus and have blocked the main entrance of the school.
Persons caught taking pictures of the demonstration have had their phones seized.
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has praised former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu for his commitment to the fight against corruption in Ghana.
Speaking at the 2022 Baah-Wiredu Lecture in Accra, the IMANI vice president said that Ghanaians are not celebrating Martin Amidu enough for his commitment to the fight against corruption.
He added that the former special prosecutor is the only person in Ghana who has in recent times put his political career on the line to fight corruption.
“We have not celebrated Mr. Amidu enough. There are few people in this country who can say with a straight face that they have done the heroics that he has done in this country.
“Remember when it was Woyome’s period, the president of the country is someone, he (Amidu) had known for many years, he was his vice-presidential candidate. You don’t appoint someone (as your) vice presidential candidate unless you think highly of the person.
“This president made him Attorney-General and when this matter (the issue of Woyome) came up, he wanted it to be addressed quietly but he (Amidu) refused to do that. He walked out of the office, put on his gown, went straight to court and filed processes to get the money back and then he got fired,” he said.
Also, Bright Simons said that through the actions of Amidu, when he was the Special Prosecutor, Ghana was saved from losing a lot of money through the Agyapa Royalties deal.
Even though there was extraordinary evidence that the deal was shrouded with corruption, the government was still going ahead with it, “until he (Amidu) decided to write a corruption risk assessment that declared that the whole transaction anathema”, he said.
He added that this action of Amidu made the foreign partners suspend the deal which ended up saving the country $150 million in income every year.
President Akufo-Addo, during his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, said that the Russia-Ukraine War was having a devastating impact on Ghana and other African countries.
“As we grappled with these economic challenges, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine burst upon us, aggravating an already difficult situation. It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022, we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa.
“Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine, hits our pockets and our economies in Africa. The economic turmoil is global with inflation as the number one enemy this year,” the president said.
But speaking at the 2022 Baah-Wiredu Lecture in Accra, Bright Simons argued that the president’s assertion is not backed by data.
He intimated that there is evidence that Ghana is performing worse than other Africa surrounding it which means that there is more to the country’s challenges than the Russian-Ukraine war.
“When we start to do the comparative analysis, you cannot use some other factor that has had a uniform effect. I tried my best to give you factors that could have shown that Ghana has been affected more, and as you saw I struggled with the data.
“I went to jobs, I went to growth, I went to how many people were killed and none of it bears out that we were affected worse. So, if you are the worse performing in terms of currency, you cannot complain and say it is because of some factor that has affected everybody uniformly. It is as simple as that,” he said.
The recent news of the murders that have taken place inWa and Mankessim, like those that have once flooded news headlines in Ghana before, have given rise to a lot of questions about the security situation in thecountry.
Unsettled as they are, these cases have also brought to bear the fact that there have been quite too many instances like that where people have either died or been killed through mysterious means.
In an attempt to chronicle some of the cases of murders (ritual murders) that have heralded news headlines in the country, particularly in 2022, GhanaWeb has put together this list of some of the most gruesome killings that happened in various parts of the country.
Wa killings, Upper West:
Residents of the Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region have been living in fear with a risingspate of murders targeting private security officers.
The number of victims is inching towards a dozen, with the most recent having been discovered on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
In five months, ten lives have been lost in bizarre circumstances to ‘serial killers’ in the region.
Last Friday, September 16, 2022, some residents showed up in their numbers at the Wa Technical Institute to protest the security situation there.
Out of the ten people who have lost their lives, only three bodies have so far been found.
The police have since ramped up efforts to arrest the situation and to assure the population of adequate security, with the Inspector-General of Police, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, visiting the region.
According to additional details, in the case of the latest victim, his eyes and tongue had been removed. The day after, Tuesday, September 19, another body was exhumed with his kidney, heart, and private parts missing.
Bole, Savannah:
In January 2022, the body of a middle-aged man was found in an uncompleted building at Mempeasem in Bole.
On February 6, 2022, the decomposing body of a man was found in an uncompleted building.
In both cases, the men were found with only their elbows visible while the rest of their bodies were in the ground.
Mankessim, Central Region:
A chief and a pastor confessed to killing and burying an aspiring nurse at Mankessim in September 2022.
The duo is said to have dug a pit in the chief’s house, which is under construction, and buried the lady there.
The pastor, Michael Darko Amponsah, who turned out to be the fiancé of the deceased’s sister, was arrested at Cape Coast and he immediately confessed to the crime.
He then led the police to the house of his accomplice, Nana Onyaa Clark, a local chief, where the body was retrieved.
Along with her body, the police also retrieved her bag, her shoes, and other belongings.
Cape Coast, Central Region:
In May 2022, a level 300 Marketing student of the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), Nana Ama Clark, was found dead at the Ola Estate near the Ola College of Education.
Her body was found on the roadside at Ola Estate near the Ola College of Education, Cape Coast, with her private part cut off, and bruises on her body.
At Beposo, near Kuntunase, also in the same region, four persons were arrested for murdering a 23-year-old man in January 2022.
The suspects are reported to have tied the deceased with a rope and hit him with clubs until he became unconscious and subsequently died.
Adukrom, Eastern Region:
Between August 30 and September 1, 2022, three teenage Junior High School girls were found dead at Okrakwodwo along the Adukrom-Koforidua Highway in the Okere District.
It is alleged that they left their homes to visit some young men in another community around 11:30 pm before they met their untimely deaths.
At Odumase Krobo on September 12, 2022, a 60-year-old physically-challenged man was murdered and set ablaze in an arson attack.
He was allegedly clubbed before a makeshift structure he was sleeping in, was set ablaze by the arsonist(s) in a protracted land dispute.
Zakoli, Northern Region:
At Zakoli in April 2022, more than eight people were killed and several missing after an attack on a village of Fulani herders.
The town, near Yendi, is said to have been surrounded by gunmen at about 1 pm.
A woman, who survived the attack because she was told she was a woman, said the gunmen separated the women and children to one side and killed only the men.
She explained that most of the men were shot at close range while the attackers burnt down the entire settlement and left others with machete injuries. Dozens of livestock were killed and looted with motorcycles and other properties.
Bono Region:
In August 2022, angry youth of Adoe, a farming community in the Sunyani West Municipality, descended on Fulani herdsmen and killed nearly 100 cattle.
On March 31, 2022, a 20-year-old ‘pragyia’ rider was allegedly murdered by unknown assailants.
The deceased, a student of Chiraa Senior High School, was allegedly hired by some three men to take them to Bodamnii Nkwanta.
The deceased was killed on the way while he was transporting the passengers to their destination.
On July 8, 2022, at Prenkoase, a suburb of Sunyani in the Bono Region, a man believed to be between 25-30 years, was found lying in a pool of blood on the side of the road.
Ashanti Region:
In September 2022, at Konongo, three suspects were arrested over the murder of a 15-year-old girl.
The body of the deceased, identified as Regina Sarfo, was found dumped in a bush at Ahenbrom, a suburb of Konongo on September 8, 2022.
At Benebene, near Fianko, two people were arrested for allegedly murdering a final-year student of the Tweneboah Kodua SHS.
The deceased, who operated a motorcycle business at Odaho during school holidays, was allegedly attacked at Benebene near Fianko.
At Konongo in the Asante Akyem area, in May 2022, some ‘sakawa boys’ allegedly murdered a 22-year-old girl.
Body parts were removed before her body was dumped in a river.
Western North Region:
In July 2022 at Sefwi Bekwai, three people were arrested in connection with the murder of a 27-year-old woman at Sefwi Bekwai Atwumah.
The deceased, Martha Tetteh, a resident of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, had travelled to Sefwi Bekwai on Monday, June 27, 2022, to allegedly consult a spiritualist.
Her headless body was later found in an uncompleted building at Sefwi Bekwai.
Volta Region:
On June 16, 2022, at Kpetoe in the Agortime Ziope District, a man was killed and his body was found without its head.
The deceased, identified as Apetor Yesu, was a homeowner and was allegedly approached by the suspect for accommodation after he was left stranded in Kpetoe.
It was reported that after escorting the suspect out of the house, however, Apetor Yesu never returned.
Also at Kpetoe in June 2022, the police arrested John Adonu, a welder, for his suspected involvement in the killing of an 85-year-old man, Joseph Tawiah Darko.
The 85-year-old deceased had earlier been reported to have gone missing on June 14, 2022, after he left the house a day earlier.
His decapitated body was discovered under a tree on his farm on June 15, 2022.
Greater Accra Region:
While this is not a case of murder or a killing, in June 2022, at Amasaman, a Ghanaian returnee was arrested after he was captured on video trying to use his 11-year-old daughter for money rituals.
Unfortunately for him, the traditional priest he sent the girl to gave him out, explaining that he was not a fetish priest who demands human sacrifices.
At Abeka on September 7, 2022, a newly-married woman was allegedly murdered in cold blood.
The woman, identified as Muniratu Moro, who entered the marriage as a second wife, was found lifeless in a pool of blood.
It was discovered too that there was a cut on her throat and her thigh.
“She was killed in her room and then dragged into her rival’s room, the way she died was not natural and we need to know how she was murdered,” the brother of the deceased, Mohammed Samba said.
These are but a few of the cases available to GhanaWeb as of the time of going to press but there are many more that are not captured here.
The arrest follows a joint action by community members who say they have observed the suspicious activities of the persons for months and thus decided to hand them over to the police for further investigations to be conducted.
One of the community leaders, Mohammed Ali, said they caused the arrest of the foreigners because they believe they pose a security threat and as such, they want the relevant authorities to probe their operations.
“In the evenings, you will see them make calls. That is what they have been doing. So as residents, we have to be security conscious. Things go on around here and no one knows what they have been doing.”
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has been advocating for stronger collaboration amongst all security agencies to meet the security needs of the country.
According to the GIS, Ghana’s porous borderlines pose a high-security threat to the country.
This threat needs a purposeful cross-intelligence and engagement amongst security agencies and community stakeholders to improve security alertness.
The facilities are Champion Dishes, a Restaurant at Adabraka, Grace Has Found Us and Celeb’s all at Dansoman were found not to be issuing the Commissioner-General’s invoice.
Mr Joseph Annan, Area Enforcement Manager of GRA in charge of Accra Central, told the Ghana News Agency that they had violated regulations of the Value Added Tax (VAT).
He said the exercise or operations were part of an ongoing nationwide VAT Invigilation exercise by the authority to retrieve some taxes due the State.
He said the Police would do their investigations, but for them as tax administrators, “we will assess their books and then apply all the penalties and interest that are applicable.”
He said it was an offence not to issue the VAT invoice and the law would take its own course.
Mr Annan said the GRA as part of a nationwide invigilation would continue to embark on mystery shopping exercises across the country to apprehend culprits evading tax.
“We will continue this exercise until our taxpayers do the needful,” he added.
He said the Authority in their auditing process would conduct a pre-emptive assessment, which meant that they would have to pay immediately, but then they would recommend a full audit to be conducted.
Mr Annan said even though they would audit their books, the legal aspect would be handled by the CID, where they would prepare their docket for possible prosecution.
Following the issuance of a bench warrant by the court for the detention of more than sixtysuspects in relation to the event, they were taken into custody.
The three students, Emmanuel Appiah Amoah, Eugene Nuamesi, and Kwabena Kwarteng Amaniampong appeared before the Asokore Mampong District Court and have been remanded into police custody.
The accused’s attorneys had asked the court to grant bail to their clients so that they could continue taking the University’s current exam.
The prosecution disagreed with the plea, claiming that if the accused were released on bond, they would probably interfere with the investigation by the police.
The court presided over by her worship Hilda Esther Wryter remanded the accused persons to reappear on October 4, 2022.
The court also asked the police to give the students the needed support to enable them to write their exams.
Fourteen awardees described as legends of journalism and promoters of free speech were on Wednesday night honoured in Accra.
Former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, was also honoured for his role in the country’s media space and for repealing the Criminal Libel Law.
The rest of the awardees included Kofi Badu, Elizabeth Ohene, KwakuAddoSakyiAddo, K.G. OseiBonsu, KabralBlayAmihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, and Abdul-Malik KwekuBaako.
Others were Kwasi Pratt Jnr, Anthony AkotoAmpaw, Nana Kofi Coomson, Prof. Kwame Karikari, Godwin Avernogbo, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, and Prof. Paul VianneyAnsah (PAV).
Organised by the Centre for Communication and Culture, a not-for-profit organisation, the awards was in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Sportswriters Association (SWAG), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Private Newspapers Association and the Institute of Public Relations (IPR).
MrEnimilAshon, Executive Director of Centre for Communication and Culture, said that the awards was under the “Ghanaian Media, The Bold, Beautiful, the Ugly and the Maverick” project which would be rolled in three packages, including interviews on television , a 200-page book on the lives and times of the legends.
Commending the legends, he said he was hopeful that present and future journalists would fight for the same course.
An Economist, Kwame Pianim, commended the legends for chalking such feats, adding that there was the need to also honour the spouses of these legends who stood by them in those trying times.
He extolled the former president for his role in the media space and indicated that maintaining free speech and press freedom required the efforts of all and sundry.
MrPianim noted that we could have the Ghana we wanted if we applied selflessness, discipline and the rule of law.
“We are a young nation with a mission to be a shinning beacon of Africa so it is not the institutions but we Ghanaians. We need to have the courage to speak our minds,” he stated.
“We have an attitude that an elder does not err and that is doing us lots of bad than good and we have to work on that,” he added.
The economist recommended that the organisers go beyond the giving of just plaques to the legends, adding that the GJA could establish a fund with support from the government to help these legends.
The President of the GJA, Mr Albert Dwumfuor, hinted that the Association would soon introduce the GJA retirees support fund to support some of these legends who were faced with financial challenges.
He congratulated the legends for the pace set, adding that he was hopeful that young journalists would carry on with what they have learnt from them to continue to make the country a better place.
A total of Ghc54.7 million is to be disbursed to 344,389 beneficiary households nationwide as social cash grants under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.
The five-day disbursement, expected to start from Monday, is for the 77th and 78th cycles, meaning all beneficiary households constituting more than 1.5 million individuals — would receive double the regular bi-monthly grant.
In view of this, one eligible member household would receive GHC 64.00; two eligible members, GHC 76.00; three eligible members, GHC 88.00 while a household with four and more eligible members would get GHC106.
LEAP is a social cash transfer programme for the poorest households in Ghana with the goals of reducing poverty by smoothening consumption and promoting human capital development.
The category of persons who make a household eligible are orphan and vulnerable children (OVC); elderly (65 years+) without support; persons with severe disabilities who cannot work and very poor pregnant women and mothers with infants under one year.
“The amount of money paid [through e-zwich] is not the same for all households benefiting from the Programme. The amount paid to a household is determined by the number of eligible household members,” the statement explained.
The statement acknowledged the contribution of the Programme’s Development Partners and the staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and all community volunteers towards the implementation of the Programme across the country.
Every dog must be vaccinated once every one or two years to help Ghana achieve immunity by 2030.
The critical proportion of all dogs that ought to be vaccinated is 70 per cent in order to break the dog-to-dog transmission of rabies.
Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at Ghana Health Service, disclosed these ahead of this year’s World Rabies Day celebration at a press briefing in Accra yesterday.
He said mass vaccination of dogs should be preceded by evidence-based research of the dog ecology, population numbers and transmission in Ghana.
“After this, adequate planning in strategy and logistics informed by policy is needed. All these must be done as quickly as necessary, considering the exigencies of the times. Community engagement and participation is key in assuring success of set targets in mass dog vaccination,” he stated
Dr Bekoe said this year’s celebration would be held on the theme “One Health, Zero Deaths” to coincide with a recent record of cases of human rabies in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, saying “the one health approach is an intersectoral collaboration between institutions concerned with human health, animal health and environment health.”
“Rabies is considered a proxy for One Health because it has the human, animal and environmental components. This year, we want to remind ourselves of the One Health strategies and approaches, the systems, institutions and other resources we will fall on, and what our objectives ought to be from now till the next celebration” he stated.
He said from May 21 to 25, 2018, relevant stakeholders met to develop the current Ghana Rabies Control and Prevention Action Plan (2018-2030) whose goal was to use the ‘One Health Approach’ to control rabies in Ghana.
The plan he said highlighted prevention and control of rabies, data collection and analysis, laboratory diagnosis, dog population management, information, education and communication, intersectoral collaboration and legislation.
Dr Bekoe pleaded with all relevant stakeholders to collaborate to drive progress towards “Zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.”
Dr Patrick Abakeh, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer said human vaccines were expensive and that it was currently estimated to cost USD$4,087,970 annually.
For him, every exposed person who received a PEP vaccine, 50 dogs could have been vaccinated at the same cost, adding that in the hierarchy of importance of control of rabies , vaccinating dogs came first, followed by vaccinating exposed humans.
Dr Abakeh called for the resource of the Veterinary Service Directorate (VSD) to be able to deal with zoonotic diseases as Ghana, together with other countries in the sub region, were endemic to rabies which is a Neglected Tropical Zoonosis.
Dr Guyo Guracha , a representative from World Health Organisation, said his outfit regularly updated and disseminated technical guidance on rabies, for example epidemiology, surveillance, diagnostics, vaccines, safe and cost-effective immunisation , control and prevention strategies for human and animal rabies, operational programme implementation and palliative care for human rabies patients.
Benjamin M.Adjei, Assistant Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative of the United Nations, added that Rabies had a significant impact on lives and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and that the poor and marginalised communities were most heavily impacted as they often could not afford treatment or transport for care.
