TIG Post

Tag: Akufo-Addo

  • President Akufo-Addo to speak on Sunyani based Kingdom FM

    President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to be interviewed live on Sunyani based Kingdom 99.3 FM on Sartuday September 12, 2020 at 3pm GMT.

    The interview will enable him to interact directly with the people of Ghana and explain to them the contributions of his administration to the development of the country since taking over from John Dramani Mahama’s National Democratic Congress on January, 7 2020.

    The scheduled interview will be aired on all Kingdom Fm stations across the country, Kingdom TV and also live streamed on www.Kingdomfmonline.com.

    Unique Kingdom Communication Limited, operators of Kingdom 107.7 FM (Accra), Kingdom Plus 101.9 FM (Accra), Kingdom 100.1 FM (Kumasi), Kingdom 99.3 FM (Sunyani), Kingdom 105.7 FM (Nkawkaw), Kingdom 96.9 FM (Cape Coast), Kingdom 106.1 FM (Mankessim), Kingdom 107.5 FM (Takoradi), Kingdom 105.9 FM (Ho), Kingdom 105.7 FM (Tamale), Kingdom TV and www.Kingdomfmonline.com will provide viewers up to the minute reportage on the much awaited interview.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Election 2020: Ghanaians will vote in a peaceful environment Akufo-Addo assures

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ensure that the Ghanaian electorate are able to cast their vote in peace and as securely as possible on 7th December.

    Addressing the Bono Region House of Chiefs on Thursday 10th September 2020, President Akufo-Addo assured the House of the “wholehearted efforts that are going to be made by my Government and I to ensure the peace and stability of the nation, as we enter the last three (3) months of the electioneering campaign”.

    Ghana, according to the President, “has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the continent, a reputation I am determined to uphold, and, indeed, enhance prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.”

    To this end, he appealed for the full collaboration and co-operation of the Bono House of Chiefs, adding that “we have all to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right”.

    Appreciating the indispensable role played by Chiefs in the history and development of Ghana, he explained that, ever since his Government assumed office in January 2017, a lot of steps have been undertaken to strengthen the institution of Chieftaincy.

    These include a 100% increase in the quarterly budgetary support to the Traditional Councils and Houses of Chiefs, and a GH¢3.5 million support for the completion of the new headquarters office complex of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.

    Additionally, President Akufo-Addo indicated the commitment of Government to moving speedily on finishing work on the codification of the traditional norms and rules that have guided our communities throughout the ages.

    “The Ministry, in collaboration with the National House of Chiefs, has also begun the process of digitizing records of the National House of Chiefs, particularly records in the National Register of Chiefs,” he added.

    Towards addressing the challenges of chieftaincy disputes, President Akufo-Addo revealed further that “Government, through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has arranged to provide the funds that will increase the number of sittings of Judicial Committees of Regional Houses to hasten the adjudication of pending issues, in order to bring closure to many outstanding disputes that continue to generate tension”.

    Again, to reduce conflicts and establish areas of customary jurisdiction and allegiance, the Chieftaincy Ministry, together with the National House of Chiefs has delineated traditional areas of paramountcies, with the President also appealing to the Chiefs to help Government streamline the administration of lands in the country, leading to an efficient and well-functioning regime of titling, fixing of boundaries and ownership tracing.

    “The Chieftaincy Ministry has also instituted a programme to have courses in Chieftaincy development, comprising lectures, seminars and other activities, aimed at building the capacity of Chiefs and all persons with interests in the Chieftaincy institution. I applaud this initiative,” he added.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghanaians will vote for freedom, security on December 7 Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that electorates are able to cast their vote in peace, security and freedom on December 7.

    Addressing the Bono Region House of Chiefs on Thursday, President Akufo-Addo assured the House of the “wholehearted efforts that are going to be made by my Government and I to ensure the peace and stability of the nation, as we enter the last three months of the electioneering campaign”.

    Ghana, according to the President, “has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the continent, a reputation I am determined to uphold, and, indeed, enhance prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.”

    To this end, he appealed for the full collaboration and co-operation of the Bono House of Chiefs, adding that “we have all to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right”.

    Appreciating the indispensable role played by Chiefs in the history and development of Ghana, he explained that, ever since his Government assumed office in January 2017, a lot of steps have been undertaken to strengthen the institution of Chieftaincy.

    These include a 100% increase in the quarterly budgetary support to the Traditional Councils and Houses of Chiefs, and a GH¢3.5 million support for the completion of the new headquarters office complex of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.

    Additionally, President Akufo-Addo indicated the commitment of Government to moving speedily on finishing work on the codification of the traditional norms and rules that have guided our communities throughout the ages.

    “The Ministry, in collaboration with the National House of Chiefs, has also begun the process of digitising records of the National House of Chiefs, particularly records in the National Register of Chiefs,” he added

    Towards addressing the challenges of chieftaincy disputes, President Akufo-Addo revealed further that “Government, through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has arranged to provide the funds that will increase the number of sittings of Judicial Committees of Regional Houses to hasten the adjudication of pending issues, in order to bring closure to many outstanding disputes that continue to generate tension”.

    Again, to reduce conflicts and establish areas of customary jurisdiction and allegiance, the Chieftaincy Ministry, together with the National House of Chiefs has delineated traditional areas of paramouncies.

    The President also appealed to the Chiefs to help government streamline the administration of lands in the country, leading to an efficient and well-functioning regime of titling, fixing of boundaries and ownership tracing.

    “The Chieftaincy Ministry has also instituted a programme to have courses in Chieftaincy development, comprising lectures, seminars and other activities, aimed at building the capacity of Chiefs and all persons with interests in the Chieftaincy institution. I applaud this initiative,” he added.

    Source: Jubilee House

  • Election 2020: ‘A vote against Akufo-Addo is a vote against Ghana’s development’ – NPP Communicator

    A member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team in the Western Region, Paul Attabiah Nyanzu popularly known on radio as Mankind has urged eligible voters to vote and retain the Akufo-Addo-led government come December 7 polls.

    According to the NPP outspoken Communicator, voting again for President Akufo-Addo will help the country’s development to move faster.

    In a press statement issued and signed on Monday, September 7, 2020 and copied to the media, Paul Attabiah Nyanzu commended President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for chalking success in the sectors of the economy especially the railways sector.

    “The railways sector under the visionary leadership of his Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo is seeing an unprecedented rebirth. This development is accommodating ultra-modern trains that ensure relatively faster and safer movement”, he stated.

    He lauded the Akufo-Addo-led government for constructing a first Railways University at University of Maths and Technology (UMaT).

    “President Akufo-Addo has constructed Ghana’s first Railways University. It is now a second campus to UMAT”, he said.

    “For the first time, the Ahafo region will see railway lines after the completion of the 100 Km line from Kumasi to Bechem”, he added.

    He stated that, “For the first time, the Ahafo region will see railway lines after the completion of the 100 Km line from Kumasi to Bechem’.

    He is, therefore, urging Ghanaian eligible voters to against same incompetent, clueless John Mahama-led administration come December 7.

    “Fellow Ghanaians, we can not afford to trade these unprecedented developments in the railways sector and many other sectors for the incompetence, clueless, visionless, purposeless, directionless and emptiness we saw under the erstwhile administration”, he emphasized.

    “Let us extend the mandate of president Akufo-Addo, for leadership of service, to protect our progress and transform Ghana”, he concluded.

    Below is the full statement:

    A VOTE AGAINST NANA ADDO IS A VOTE AGAINST NZEMA AND GHANA DEVELOPMENTS

    I commend Nana Akufo-Addo on achievements: Railway sector reinvigoration

    The railways sector under the visionary leadership of his Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo is seeing an unprecedented rebirth. This development is accommodating ultra-modern trains that ensure relatively faster and safer movement. The three dimensional railways invigoration include the Western line, Central spine and Eastern line. These are some of the developments;

    President Akufo-Addo has constructed Ghana’s first Railways University. It is now a second campus to UMAT.

    The first Rail Viaduct (flyover) is steadily ongoing in Essiem in Western region.

    Ghana will for the first time, see trains pass over a river. The first 300m Rail bridge over Volta river in Igoli is under construction.

    Tema to Accra railway is now in operation under president Nana Addo.

    500 km line is being worked on from Aflao through Tema, Winneba, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Axim.

    107 km Takoradi to Huni Valley railway line is also being worked on.

    The 97.3km Tema to Mpakadam line is under construction.

    For the first time, the Ahafo region will see railway lines after the completion of the 100 Km line from Kumasi to Bechem.

    There is another contract of 340 km eastern line awarded. The line will be from Accra through koforidua to kumasi.

    Inspite of these massive and unparalleled developments in the railways, value for money is strictly and unfettered ensured. It is important to note that this rejuvenation of the railways sector is bringing significant contributions to the country. Some of these benefits are:

    Direct and indirect jobs are being created for the youth.

    Capacity building in terms of technology and engineering for the Ghanaian youth.

    It is facilitating faster and cheaper means of transport.

    Industrial parks are being developed to boost tourism and recreation.

    Reduction in the rate of rural urban drift in that, the communities along and around the railways is seeing revamps in economic activities. Pressure on social amenities and population density in the urban areas will be reduced.

    Value will be added to lands as a result of urbanisation.

    Trading and its peripheral activities will boost.

    Fellow Ghanaians, we can not afford to trade these unprecedented developments in the railways sector and many other sectors for the incompetence, clueless, visionless, purposeless, directionless and emptiness we saw under the erstwhile administration.

    Let us extend the mandate of president Akufo-Addo, for leadership of service, to protect our progress and transform Ghana.

    #4More4Nana
    #4MoreToDoMore

    Thank you!

    Long live Ghana!

    Long live Western Region!

    …….Signed……

    Paul Attabiah Nyanzu

    NPP Communication Member, Western Region

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • President Akufo-Addo hints of relief package for private schools

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Education, is planning a relief package for private schools whose finances have been affected by the coronavirus-induced school shutdowns.

    “We have been able to find some way for small, medium enterprises by supporting them with a relief package. I think we should also look at how to support private schools, too. We know the critical role they play in our education sector,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo said the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and his team will look at the matter and find a way to provide some support to private schools.

    The President in March this year directed schools, both private and public, to shut down when the country recorded its first two cases of the global coronavirus pandemic.

    Though government has allowed the partial reopening of secondary and tertiary schools, the President, in his 16th address to the nation, announced that pre-secondary schools will remain closed until January 2021.

    The Coalition of Private School Teachers kicked against this decision by the government, complaining that it would deprive them of their livelihoods as some school owners have already laid off staff while others have stopped paying salaries to their teachers.

    Meanwhile, final year Senior High School (SHS) students have completed their West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across the country, while their junior counterparts at the basic level are yet to begin their Basic Education Examination Certificate (BECE).

    Government, as part of efforts to support these candidates at basic level, directed the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to provide one hot meal a day for both public and private final year JHS students and their teachers.

    About 584,000 students who returned to school on June 29 to prepare for the BECE are benefitting from the intervention, in addition to 146,000 school staff, for a period of 20 school days, starting from August 24 to September 18. In all, there are about 730,000 beneficiaries of the intervention.

    The intervention has brought relief to caterers who provide school meals for public basic schools under the Ghana School Feeding Programme since their work was suspended following the closure of all schools in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Source: Business 24

  • President Akufo-Addo attends 57th ECOWAS Summit in Niger

    The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Monday, 7th September 2020, to lead the Ghanaian delegation to the 57th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which is being held in Niamey, capital of the Republic of Niger.

    The meeting of the Heads of State will discuss matters the COVID-19 situation in West Africa, the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme, and the political impasse in Mali. Additionally, they will also consider reports form the 44th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, and the 84th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which preceded the Summit.

    President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway MP; Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, and officials of the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry.

    The President will return to Ghana on Monday, 7th September 2020, and, in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.

    Source: presidency.gov.gh

  • My credibility in keeping my promises is without doubt – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has stated that he was committed to making Ghana work hence his resolve to contest the elections three times before winning.

    He said he had a vision and that was why in his first state of the nation address, he said he was a man in a hurry.

    Speaking on Oman Fm, the President indicated that he knew four years was not far away from him so he was in a hurry to develop Ghana despite the mess he inherited.

    In his view, Ghana was in a serious economic crisis and that was why former President Mahama lost the 2016 polls because Ghanaians lost trust in his leadership qualities and ability to manage Ghana better.

    According to him, he has been able to contain the crisis and put the economy in a quicker recovery.

    To his critics who doubted his promises especially the free senior high school, he said they told Ghanaians I was deceiving them but Ghanaians have realized that I have the credibility to keep my promises.

    “People taught I was being deceptive when I made the promises but Ghanaians have realized that my promises were not just mere promises but promises that have been fulfilled.”

    He went on to state that after he took over office, poor roads was a major concern everywhere he went and made him question the claims by the NDC that they invested heavily in road infrastructure.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Ghanaian women are grateful to Nana Akufo-Addo – Kate Gyamfua

    The National Women’s Organizer for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kate Gyamfua has eulogised the first gentleman of the land, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his numerous intervention programmes which favour women in Ghana.

    She stated on a holistic pricket that the implementation of the Free Senior High School by the president has brought great relief to the women of Ghana.

    Madam Gyamfua stressed that women have suffered a lot under the former president, John Dramani Mahama‘s administration because there was no free education under his regime.

    It is estimated that over 1.2 million Ghanaian students are now enjoying the free second cycle education. According to her, this has also reduced the burden of parents and guardians.

    Kate Gyamfua again commended the government for the financial clean up, which has saved a lot of market women from loosing their colossal amount of monies.

    She added that women shall lead the NPP campaign to ensure a landslide victory for Nana Addo and NPP parliamentary candidates across the nation.

    “The four more for Nana agenda shall surely materialise with the help of Ghanaian women”, she said.

    Madam Kate Gyamfua postulated firmly that, the NPP 2020 Manifesto is in favour of women therefore, there is more hope for the future.

    “If Students of various Tertiary Institutions are going to receive a loan by not searching for any guarantors before the loan, it shall bring total relief to women by not finding it difficult to pay Tertiary fees”.

    She concluded by saying that, the free maternal care which was introduced by NPP and collapsed by the NDC has been revived by the current NPP government.

    “Women are grateful to President Akufo-Addo led government. Indeed, 4 more for Nana is a must,” she said.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • ‘Shun those who promote ethnocentrism’ – Akufo-Addo advices Ghanaians

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to shun persons who promote ethnocentrism and divisions.

    “No one who is committed to the Ghana Project, as I am, can have an ethnic agenda. Rather, we should shun all those who would promote ethnic sentiments and divisions amongst us for selfish, partisan, political ends,” he said.

    The President said this when he commissioned the Five Piped Water Supply System at Amedzofe in the Ho West District for 69,000 residents of three districts in the Volta Region on Tuesday.

    He told the gathering that if there was one person who recognised and appreciated the indivisibility of Ghana, it was him, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “There are people from this region, some of whom are well known to you here in Amedzofe, who serve in sensitive parts of my government and influence decisions on a daily basis. I may have my own failings like we all do, but being a tribalist is not one of them.

    “In my time as President, development has been distributed equitably to all parts of the country, and the impact of our policies has been felt by all. So, I want to assure all of you that neither the NPP nor I have any plan whatsoever to bring division to any part of the country.

    “We do not have an ethnic agenda against any group or grouping in the country, and, certainly, we have no ethnic agenda against residents of the Volta Region.”

    On the deployment of soldiers along the country’s borders, which his opponents had sought to made political gains, the President stressed again that “the Volta Region was not and has not been singled out for any special military operation.”

    “The deployment of the military personnel along our borders is an ongoing nationwide exercise, and has been done across all our borders, and not in the Volta Region alone. One thousand soldiers are the subject of this deployment, of which 163 are based along the borders of Volta.

    “Their presence is to guard against potential terrorist attacks on our shores and to prevent the importation of the virus into our country. They have not been stationed at our borders to execute any political or ethnic agenda,” he noted.

    He told residents of the region that he would “keep knocking on the door until the door is opened to me until the Volta Region and the NPP are married. I know that this constituency, Ho West, will one day revert to being a stronghold for the NPP as it once was for the United Party.”

    Source: GNA

  • Ive my failings but tribalism not part of them – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is not a tribalist as some persons are painting him to be.

    He said although he has his weaknesses, tribalism has never been part of his life and, therefore, asked that those who promote ethnic sentiments and divisions should be rejected.

    “No one who is committed to the Ghana Project, as I am, can have an ethnic agenda. Rather, we should shun all those who would promote ethnic sentiments and divisions amongst us for selfish, partisan, political ends.

    “There are people from this region, some of whom are well known to you here in Amedzofe, who serve in sensitive parts of my government and influence decisions on a daily basis. I may have my own failings like we all do, but being a tribalist is not one of them,” President Akufo-Addo said on Tuesday, September 1, when he commissioned the Five Piped Water Supply System in Amedzofe for 69,000 residents of three districts in the Volta Region.

    Addressing the gathering at Amedzofe, in the Ho West District, he stated that if there is one person who recognises and appreciates the indivisibility of Ghana, it is him, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “In my time as President, development has been distributed equitably to all parts of the country, and the impact of our policies has been felt by all. So, I want to assure all of you that neither the NPP nor I have any plan whatsoever to bring division to any part of the country,” he said.

    He continued, “We do not have an ethnic agenda against any group or grouping in the country, and, certainly, we have no ethnic agenda against residents of the Volta Region.”

    President Akufo-Addo stressed again that the Volta Region was not and has not been singled out for any special military operation.

    “The deployment of the military personnel along our borders is an ongoing nationwide exercise, and has been done across all our borders, and not in the Volta Region alone. One thousand soldiers are the subject of this deployment, of which 163 are based along the borders of Volta,” he said.

    The President noted that, “their presence is to guard against potential terrorist attacks on our shores and to prevent the importation of the virus into our country. They have not been stationed at our borders to execute any political or ethnic agenda.”

    To residents of the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo reiterated his determination to “keep knocking on the door until the door is opened to me until the Volta Region and the NPP are married. I know that this constituency, Ho West, will one day revert to being a stronghold for the NPP as it once was for the United Party (UP)”.

    Source: 3 News

  • ‘Open land borders too’ MP to Akufo-Addo

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Agotime-Ziope in the Volta Region, Charles Agbeve, has asked President Akufo-Addo to consider reopening the country’s land borders, too.

    This follows the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport effective today, 1 September 2020 for international arrivals and travel.

    According to Mr Agbeve, the continuous closure of the country’s entry point to Togo is impacting economic opportunities in the constituency negatively because most of the constituents transact business around the borders and in the neighbouring country.

    He opined that measures should be put in place to ease restrictions toward reopening the borders by land.

    The lawmaker told Class 91.3FM’s Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on 505 on Monday, 31 August 2020 that: “I thought the President would have opened the borders”.

    “You know, I’m from a constituency bordering Togo to the East and you will agree with me, a lot of business transactions go on”.

    “A lot of businesses have gone down as a result”.

    “It is affecting our businesses and also the movement,” he noted.

    Source: Class FM

  • Return Nana Akufo-Addo to power for more development MCE

    Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ga West, has urged Ghanaians to vote massively for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the December General Election to advance his agenda towards making Ghana a self-reliant and industrial prosperous nation.

    He said the Government led by the President had done a lot for the country, especially in infrastructural development, job creation, education, agriculture and health, hence the call to renew his mandate to continue with his good works.

    Mr Wilkson made the call when he spoke with journalists on the sidelines of a workshop on renewable energy, at Amasaman.
    The workshop was to sensitise the Assembly on how to integrate renewable energy utilisation into their midterm development plan.

    The workshop was organised by 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon (G-ROC), a network of youth into environmental climate change.

    Mr Wilkson said the people of Ga West Municipality were benefiting a lot from a number of projects, such as the provision of CHPS compounds, school structures, while a 76-kilometre road project was ongoing at Amasaman.

    Source: GNA

  • President says military deployment in Volta Region, not an invasion

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has condemned allegations of ill-faith over the deployment of security personnel in the Volta Region.

    He said the deployment of 1,000 security personnel nationwide, of which 163 were in the Volta Region, helped in neutralising the threat of terrorism and imported COVID-19 cases.

    It was not to intimidate the people of any Region, he said.

    President Akufo-Addo said these at a durbar of Chiefs of the Anlo State during a day’s working visit.

    “The Volta Region was not singled out for any political operation and there was certainly no political or ethnic agenda.

    “We live in a difficult neighbourhood where terrorist activities have become every day matters for many countries in the region especially and regrettably in our immediate northern neighbour Burkina Faso.

    “That we have so far been spared the ravages of the terrorists, it is the result of the hard work and constant vigilance of our security services and the grace of the Almighty but we have to be on constant alert and if and when we have to tighten our security along our borders. It is my responsibility to do so and I will do so,” he stated.

    President Akufo-Addo said the Volta Region remained an “integral part of the Republic of Ghana and military deployments in the region cannot be described as an invasion” and condemned the “frenzy” with which some social media users resorted to falsifying the situation using false media material.

    “These have been escalated into accusations of ethnic cleansing, and the government that I lead has been labelled as tribalist,” he said, and asked Ghanaians to be circumspect, and not to ruin the unity the Nation was blessed with.

    The President noted the relevance the NPP attached to the people of the Region, having appointed natives into “critical roles” in government, and suggested that the measure for discrimination be considered in the distribution of national resources.

    “I have been forced to look deep inside me as a result of the virulent language that has been directed at me and at the government I have”, he said, and added that the NPP in its “darkest days” drew its “biggest strength” from the Region.

    “Even if there was a little tribal brittle bone within my makeup – which there is not, I will not choose the Volta Region as my target. History will not allow me.”

    “My commitment to the Ghana project is total. The enemy we face is bad governance and poverty and that is what I expend my energy trying to defeat. It is a battle we can only win if we pull in the same direction even if we have different perceptions,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo said the nation was on the right path, and asked for the support of all in delivering a transformed nation, and promised to ensure a “free, fair, peaceful and transparent” general elections.

    He said the NPP government had delivered “exceptionally” in the “equitable” sharing of the National cake, affecting the lives of many that had been denied.

    The President said the Keta harbour project was much on the horizon and revealed that feasibility studies on the project were about concluding, whiles a Legislative Instrument was appended to secure land for its commencement.

    President Akufo-Addo commissioned a 12-unit classroom block for the Keta Senior High school under the Senior High School Intervention Project.

    He also cut the sod for work to begin on the Keta Water Expansion project.

    Source: GNA

  • We will make Ghana a financial hub – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday said the government is keen on making Ghana a regional hub for financial services.

    Thus, it is committed to supporting the country’s financial market to enable it to contribute to that vision of making Ghana a capital market destination.

    Speaking on the floor of Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), he said the Exchange had a critical role to play in building a robust market economy.

    “A strong Exchange is a reflection of a strong economy,” he said.

    The President’s visit is the first of a sitting leader on the floor of the exchange. He was on the GSE to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and the assistance needed from the government.

    President Akufo-Addo emphasised collaboration with other Stock Exchanges in growing the performance of the country’s capital market and made reference to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GSE and the London Stock Exchange last year aimed at transforming the GSE from a frontier market to an emerging one.

    He said the partnership was indicative of the government’s interest in improving the GSE for economic growth.

    The President also urged the Exchange to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand its activities to unleash the continent’s vast wealth.

    He said the GSE should leverage its reputation as one of the best performing and innovative financial markets on the continent to increase the quantity and quality of investment.

    He gave the assurance that the government would provide GSE the needed assistance to see to its proper functioning.

    Mr Ekow Afedzie, the Managing Director of the GSE said the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact so much on the performance of the exchange.

    He told the President that the market had done very well with some Gh¢59 billion worth of bonds trade by the end of July this year.

    Mr Afedzie said the GSE would make the objective of the MoU signed with the London Stock Exchange to become an emerging market.

    He urged the Government to provide incentives and policies to attract companies onto the capital market.

    Source: GNA

  • Were sorry for harsh heading of our communiqué; please forgive us APCC begs Akufo-Addo

    The Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Clergy (APCC) has apologised to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for saying that persecution of the Church will be one of his legacies in a communiqué it issued a few weeks ago.

    In a statement signed by its General Secretary Rev. John Armaah, APCC said: “Upon sober reflection on the heading of our recent communiqué”, they “wish to withdraw the said heading because it does not reflect what we intended to communicate”.

    “We, as an association, are, therefore, sorry and hereby render an unqualified apology to Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic, for any hurt or damage the heading may have caused. We are, indeed, very sorry. We hope you will find space in your heart to forgive us”, the group pleaded.

    Read the full apology below:

    WITHDRAWAL OF HEADING OF COMMUNIQUE

    RE: “PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH WILL BE ONE OF YOUR LEGACIES”

    The Leadership of the Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Clergy (APCC), upon sober reflection on the heading of our recent communiqué as captured above, wish to withdraw the said heading because it does not reflect what we intended to communicate.

    We, as an association, are, therefore, sorry and hereby render an unqualified apology to Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic, for any hurt or damage the heading may have caused.

    We are, indeed, very sorry.

    We hope you will find space in your heart to forgive us.

    We, however, still want to emphasise the need for Your Excellency to bring the owners and the people involved in making unwholesome comments about members of the Clergy to order.

    We believe that as a father to everyone in this nation, you are constitutionally obliged to give every Ghanaian, and legal body, a fair attention, including the Church and members of the Clergy.

    A failure to bring members of government, who incessantly attack, verbally abuse and even threaten churches and members of the Clergy openly, could be described as a tacit endorsement of their action, and a persecution of the Church and Clergy.

    Once again, our sincerest apology to you, our President

    Rev. John Armaah General Secretary (APCC)

    Source: Class FM

  • I will do everything within my means to ensure peace – Akufo-Addo assures Ghanaians

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has preached the peace message ahead of the 2020 elections as he states that he as a president will “do everything within my means to ensure the peace and stability of our country, in the run up to, during and after the polls of December 2020”.

    He gave this assurance to Ghanaians during his speech at the manifesto launch of the New Patriotic Party held at the University of Cape Coast this Saturday.

    He made known that in no way will he “jeopardize”, the free and democratic system made possible by sacrifices of forebearers of the country.

    He called on all political actors to join him in pursuing the peace and stability agenda for Ghana.

    “I am calling on all actors of the political space to join me to ensure the maintainance of the peace and stability of our country and to conduct ourselves in a manner devoid of violence and ethnocentrism.

    The Ghana project can best be achieved in unity, tolerance and mutual respect”.

    In the build up to election 2020, the Electoral Commission conducted a voters registration exercise which was partly marred by violent actions, leaving some injured and others dead.

    This situation has raised concerns regarding the peace and security of the country as it prepares for elections this December.

    Celebrities, religious leaders,the media and politicians have thus began to preach the peace message ahead of the December polls.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Politicians, MCEs, DCEs, chiefs are involved in galamsey activities – Akufo-Addo


    President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that he is aware some DCEs, MCEs, politicians and chiefs are involved in illegal galamsey activities.

    According to the president, the excuse given by these perpetrators is that the activity gives employment to the youth, however, it is prudent for them to put an end to it.

    “As for the galamsey it is not only the youth who are doing it, MCEs, DCEs, Ministers are involved…Even some of you (chiefs) are involved. Indeed, the activity generates lots of money…no matter what galamsey money is evil so let us all come together to reduce it,” he said.

    The President entreated the Chiefs to employ the youth to rather join the Community Mining Program, get trained and practice safe mining.

    “Galamsey, I know, people are saying that is what is feeding the youth…We have to think of a new job opportunity for the youth.”

    He called on Ghanaians to embrace the Community Mining Initiative which is aimed at to protecting the country’s environment from destruction.

    In this regard, President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, inaugurated a Community Mining Program to create jobs for over 2,000 trained youth in Nzema East Municipality.

    Ending his speech, President Akufo-Addo pledged to ensure a peaceful election and also called on the Chiefs to educate their subjects to be law-abiding before, during and after the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The President of Western Regional House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw V, in his welcome address thanked the President for forgiveness of Sekondi College student who used unpleasant words on the president.

    Ogyeahoho Yaw V stated that the Sekondi College student is their son and did not acted well.

    He called on other students to respect authorities and be focused on their studies to become great personalities in future in Ghana.

    He, therefore, seized the opportunity, to commend President Akufo-Addo for the smooth implementation of the Free SHS flagship programme.

    “We thank you for implementing the Free SHS of which today so many children who are your (President Akufo-Addo) grandchildren are writing their final exams”, he acknowledged.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • President Akufo-Addo speaks on ATL FM in Cape Coast

    President Akufo-Addo will this morning at 9:00am speak on Cape Coast based ATL FM as part of a working visit to the Central Region.

    This follows the President’s three-day working visit to the Central Region which has witnessed a sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of Elmina fishing port rehabilitation and expansion project at Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality.

    Watch GhanaWeb’s livestreaming below:

    Posted by Atl fm 100.5Mhz on Friday, 21 August 2020

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ‘€48 million Takoradi market circle project to be completed in 30 months’ Akufo-Addo

    “Today, I am here to cut the sod for the construction and redevelopment of the Takoradi Market, popularly called Market Circle. I am particularly happy that this project, which is dear to my heart, is going to commence under the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”.

    These were the words of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, when he cut the sod for the construction and redevelopment of the Takoradi Market.

    Addressing the gathering, the President noted that, over the last three years, eight months, Government has rolled out policies and interventions that have affected the lives and livelihoods of all Ghanaians in all parts of the country.

    “We have expanded infrastructural developments in all regions of the country, and the West Region will attest to the following: construction of the western corridor railway line; construction of Essiama-Nkroful road; expansion and modernization of Takoradi Habour; construction and asphalting of inner-city roads in Sekondi-Takoradi and Tarkwa; and expansion of infrastructure in senior high schools across the region,” he said.

    The construction of the Takoradi Market Circle is a forty-eight million-euro (€48 million) project, which is being financed by an export credit from Deutsche Bank S.p.A Italy, with export credit guarantee support from SACE, the Italian Export Guarantee Agency.

    It will be undertaken by Messrs Contracta Costruzioni Italia SLR, and will be completed within thirty (30) calendar months. It will have the following two thousand, four hundred and eight (2,408) stores; thirty-three (33) restaurants and food courts; bulk breaking areas; visitors parking; union offices; police station; fire station; post office; clinic; administrative offices; waste separation dock; and changing rooms for staff.

    Indeed, the redevelopment of the Market and its associated infrastructure will yield the following benefits: address the underlying cause of fire outbreaks through appropriate specifications, including providing fire detection and combatting systems; upgrade of the drainage system to alleviate flooding and unsanitary conditions; improve social infrastructural facilities such as the toilets, covered drainage networks and health post; and improve waste collection and disposal.

    Additionally, the President indicated that the project, once completed, will reduce traffic congestion in the surrounding areas of the market by providing on-site bulk breaking facilities and taking such activities off the main Market Circle Road; increase in trading activity due to introduction of visitors parking within the Market Circle; increase the number of rentable shops in the City; and reduce number of vehicular and human points of conflict and congestion around the central business district in the metropolis.

    According to President Akufo-Addo, it will “create between 400 to 500 direct jobs and between 1,000 to 2,500 indirect jobs; reorganise all the traders in the market, and formalize the informal economy of the central market; and improve safety and security”.

    He, thus, urged the contractor to complete the project on time and on budget, and appealed to the traders and shoppers, currently in the central market, to provide a congenial working atmosphere for the contractor, to enable it deliver the project on time.

    Source: Class FM

  • Retain my government to protect Ghanas prosperity Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to retain his administration for a four-year term to protect the prosperity of the country.

    He said this is born out of his government’s desire to build and consolidate the gains made since he was voted for in 2016.

    “We [are] going to protect our prosperity, and the process of the socio and economic transformation of the country is going to continue. That is the program for the future,” Akufo-Addo said in an interview on Skyy Power FM in Takoradi.

    He indicated that his government has laid a strong foundation to propel future development of the country and that there is no other government than his government to sustain and advance the transformation of the country.

    “…cleaning up the economy, putting a more responsible management of the macroeconomy is to provide us with the base to be able to accelerate the development of our country. And that we doing. The signs are all clear that the next stage is going to [be] better,” Nana Addo added.

    The President is on a four-day working visit in the Western and Central Regions of the country.

    As part of his visit, he cut a sod for the construction of a 100-bed district hospital for the Shama District in the Western Region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akufo-Addo cuts sod for a 200km feeder food project in Ellembelle

    The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 cut sod for the commencement a 200 kilometre-feeder road project in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

    This project has been divided into six phases and it is being funded by Ghana Gas Company, Ghana National Petroleum Corperation (GNPC) and Government of Ghana (GoG).

    The project would see the construction of the 30.2km Teleku Bokazo-Salman-Anibil Junction Feeder Road, 20km Teleku Bokazo-Asasetre-Anyinase Feeder Road, 19.4km Asasetre-Akropong-Gyampre Junction, 15km Adubrim-Ayawora-Aspaneye, 20km Santaso-Asomase-Baseke, and 38.16km Santaso-Aidoosuazo-Kwesikrom-Prestea Nkwanta feeder roads.

    Addressing the Chiefs and people of Ellembelle in a colourful durbar at Teleku-Bokazo lorry park, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the aforementioned roads would be completed as soon as possible.

    He also said his government is asphalting Nkroful road in honour of the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

    Earlier, the President of Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, made an appeal to President Akufo-Addo and his government to honour it for the good people of Ellembelle.

    Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III urged the President to establish a District Hospital in the area and also continue with the establishment of the Atuabo Free Port the John Mahama-led administration started.

    President Akufo-Addo assured Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III that his government was looking another investor to establish the Atuabo Free Port for Nzemaland.

    On the District Hospital, President Akufo-Addo said he would discuss with the Health Minister to see how best they could establish it.

    “… when I get to Accra, I will sit down with Agyeman Manu to see how best we can do it”, he said.

    He told the gathering that he was not doing a ‘Green Book Propaganda’ road as a certain President did but said his roads could be see on the grounds.

    “Awulae, I told Ghanaians that this year is a year of roads and majority of Ghanaians will bear witness with me that when I said it, some people didn’t believe me and they thought I was joking but the roads that we are doing, they are not Green Book roads, we are not doing Green Book propaganda roads, we are doing real roads so that everybody will see, my roads are visible, they are not Green Book roads”, he stressed.

    President Akufo-Addo, took the opportunity, to urge the gathering to elect the NPP Parliamentary candidate who is also the DCE for the area, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh as their Member of Parliament in the December general elections.

    On his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area who is also the Parliamentary candidate for Ellembelle NPP, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh thanked President Akufo-Addo for honouring his invitation to visit Ellembelle District to inspect the ongoing Nkroful road.

    He said the rest of the roads which are under construction would be completed on schedule.

    He descended heavily on the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah for failing to lobby for the construction of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s hometown road, Nkroful.

    He told the incumbent MP for the area to stop peddling ‘lies’ that he was the one constructing the Nkroful road.

    President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Roads and Highways Minister, Amoako Atta, Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Atta Akyea, Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay among others.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Axim sea defence wall 85% complete, fishing port 50% complete – Akufo-Addo told

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inspected ongoing works at the site of the Axim sea defence wall, and the Axim Landing Site, on Tuesday, 18th August 2020, day one (1) of his working visit to the Western Region.

    First inspecting work on the construction of the sea defence wall, which is being undertaken by Makam Plant Hire Ltd. (MPH), the project coordinator told President Akufo-Addo that, thus far, the project was expected to be completed in four years.

    However, construction work is ahead of schedule with the sea defence wall now 85% complete, with 4.2 kilometres of the 5-kilometre wall completed, with the project coordinator assuring the President that the project will be completed on schedule.

    It will be recalled that on Sunday, 9th September 2018, after the Kundum Festival, President cut the sod for the construction of the Axim sea defence wall, in fulfilment of the pledge he made to the people of Axim, in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.

    Expressing satisfaction about the status of work on the project, the President commended MPH for the work done on the project, and urged them to continue in the spirit that led them to nearly completing the sea defence wall ahead of schedule.

    A few metres away from the site, President Akufo-Addo also inspected progress of work on the construction of the Axim Fishing Port and Landing Site Project, a project which commenced on 22nd August 2019.

    The project coordinator for the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company, told the President that overall progress: 80% completed; the area behind breakwater has already been sufficiently sheltered against the waves.

    According to the project coordinator, construction of the revetment and breakwater is on-going and entering its final stage, with the construction of this aspect of the project set to be completed in September 2020.

    Additionally, he added that reclamation is 30% complete, with the fabrication of concrete blocks for the erection of the quay wall set to be completed in November.

    With the construction of the underwater quay wall set to be completed in January 2021, the project coordinator assured President Akufo-Addo that the Axim Fishing Port and Landing Site Project will be completed in September 2021.

    The Minister for Transport, Kweku Ofori-Asiamah, added that nine (9) buildings will be constructed at the site including an administration building, fish market, net mending hall, ice making plant, workshop large, fuel depot, day care, toilet, and a power station.

    Source: Class FM

  • President Akufo-Addo embarks on 5-day tour of Western And Central Regions

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will from Tuesday, August 18, 2020, embark on a five-day working visit to the Western and Central Regions, where he is expected to commission some projects and pay courtesy calls on traditional rulers.

    A statement issued by the Presidency said President Akufo-Addo will commence his official working visit at Egyam in the Western Region, where he will inspect work on the ongoing construction of the Ankyernyin-Egyam road. He will then move to the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency to inspect the Axim Fishing Habour Project.

    From Axim, the President will cut sod for construction of the Esiama-Nkroful road at Esiama, in the Ellembelle constituency. He will also inspect ongoing road construction works at Gwira Aiyinase and launch the Gwira Community Mining Scheme. He will also cut the sod for a 100-bed capacity District Hospital in Shama.

    On day two, he will meet with the Regional House of Chiefs at Sekondi; visit the Essiam Bypass and Railway Training School at Essikado, and cut the sod for the construction of the GNPC Operational Headquarters, at Takoradi, in fulfillment of a 2016 manifesto pledge.

    Beginning his tour of the Central Region, on Thursday, August 20, the President will cut the sod for the construction of a landing site and fishing harbour at Elmina in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem constituency. He will also pay a courtesy call on the Mokwamanhene, in Twifo Praso, and inspect the ongoing construction of the Twifo Praso District Hospital.

    Also, in Twifo Praso, the President will also cut sod for a bridge over River Pra, commission the Ekumfi Fruit Juice Factory, and later visit the Gomoa West constituency where he would join the Chiefs to inspect work an ongoing construction of a Landing Site.

    On Saturday, President Akufo-Addo will cut the sod for the construction of the NHIA Office at Cape Coast, and attend the ceremony for the launch of the NPP 2020 Manifesto.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo tours Central and Western Regions

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will embark on a five-day working tour of the Central and Western Regions from Tuesday, August 18 2020.

    He would commission a number of projects, break the ground for the commencement of other projects, and call on traditional rulers during the tour.

    The President would kick-start the tour with a visit to Egyam in the Western Region, where he would inspect work on the ongoing construction of the Ankyernyin-Egyam road.

    He would then move to the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency to inspect the Axim Fishing Habour Project, continue to the Esiama in the Elembelle constituency, where he would break the ground for the construction of the Esiama-Nkroful road.

    From Esiama, President Akufo-Addo would proceed to inspect ongoing road construction works at Gwira Aiyinase, and launch the Gwira Community Mining Scheme.

    He would also cut the sod for a 100-bed capacity District Hospital in Shama.

    On August 19, the President was expected to meet with the Regional House of Chiefs at Sekondi; visit the Essiam Bypass and Railway Training School at Essikado, and cut the sod for the construction of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s Operational Headquarters, at Takoradi, in fulfillment of a 2016 manifesto pledge.

    On Thursday August 20, he would commence his tour of the Central Region with a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a landing site and fishing harbour at Elmina in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem constituency.

    He would also pay a courtesy call on the Mokwamanhene, in Twifo Praso, and inspect the ongoing construction of the Twifo Praso District Hospital.

    Whilst in Twifo Praso, the President would also cut sod for a bridge over River Pra, commission the Ekumfi Fruit Juice Factory, and visit the Gomoa West constituency where he would join the Chiefs to inspect work an ongoing construction of a Landing Site.

    President Akufo-Addo would round up his tour on Saturday, August 21 in Cape Coast where he would cut the sod for the construction of the regional office complex for the National Health Insurance Authority, and attend the ceremony for the launch of the NPP 2020 Manifesto.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo ignores calls for Hawa Koomsons dismissal in latest national address – Report

    The President, Nana Akufo-Addo has condemned the pockets of violence recorded during the just-ended voter registration exercise but failed to directly address calls on him to sack his Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson.

    The minister, during the registration exercise, had pulled a gun and shot several times with some of the bullets hitting the home of an elderly and her grandchildren at the ‘Step to Christ’ polling station in Awutu Senya East Constituency, sending them running for their dear lives.

    But delivering his 15th national address on Ghana’s fight against COVID-19, only described those incidents as “regrettable,” despite claiming that they were “isolated incidents” within the largely successful exercise.

    The shooting by Mr. Koomson occurred during a confrontation between her and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She insisted she fired the gunshot in self-defence because she felt threatened, while touring registration centres.

    “I’m a Member of Parliament, I need to protect myself. It was at dawn; my police escort had not started work yet. So, that is the modus operandi I engaged in his absence,” she told Accra-based Adom FM.

    The gun action at the polling centre sparked chaos with electoral commission officials running for cover and the registration being brought to an end.

    Security experts, religious organizations including the Christian Council as well as neutral observers like the National Peace Council. Have called for a resignation or dismissal, however, President Akufo-Addo in a sweeping statement, only said the Police Service must deal decisively with those involved in the violence.

    But the President said “By the grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission, and the effective measures put in place by the government, these prophecies of doom did not materialize. There were, nonetheless, deeply regrettable, isolated incidents of violence, which I condemn unreservedly, and which I expect the Police to deal with without fear or favour, but the exercise was generally peaceful.”

    The President further mocked persons who had kicked against the plan to compile a new register.

    He said some of them “who swore heaven and earth to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives, ended up registering.”

    “There were also those who offered delicate, personal sacrifices in the event of the register, again, ending up registering. And, there were those who claimed that, in the midst of a pandemic, the registration exercise should not be conducted, with some warning of an “explosion” in our case count and very high numbers of deaths, should the exercise go ahead,” Nana Addo added.

    Nana Addo, also said he is extremely happy over the ‘orderly and safe’ conduct of the registration contrary to widespread condemnation of the exercise over claims it will lead to a surge in the number of infections and deaths.

    “The Electoral Commission has completed the successful compilation of a new register ahead of the conduct of the 2020 general election. On behalf of the people of Ghana, I congratulate warmly, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Ms. Jean Mensa, her two deputies, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare and Mr. Samuel Tetteh and the entire commission for their efficient, safe and transparent nature of the registration exercise”, he said.

    On the same issue, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to fast track investigations and prosecution of persons who perpetrated the violence.

    CODEO further asked the IGP to make available findings of its investigations to the public to foster confidence in the security agencies and to serve as a deterrent to others.

    It specifically mentioned incidences that happened at Banda and Dormaa West all in the Bono Region and Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.

    It made the call in its preliminary report on the phases 4, 5, and 6 of the just-ended exercise.

    “CODEO calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ghana Police Service working with the Attorney General (AG) to act expeditiously to complete all investigations including the violent incidents in Banda which resulted in the death of one young man, as well as the incident in Awutu Senya East in the Central Region and in Dormaa West in the Bono region. Persons found culpable in various criminal breaches of the law should be prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the laws of Ghana.”

    “CODEO urges the Police administration to share updates of these investigations with the Ghanaian public to foster confidence in the security agencies and to also serves as a deterrent against future incidents of this nature. Failure to enforce the rule of law will erode confidence in the security agencies and the rule of law.”

    In Banda, Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old man was allegedly stabbed at a registration centre at Banda in the Bono Region.

    Reports suggest that he was stabbed at the registration centre following an altercation between some NPP and NDC supporters.

    Supporters of the NPP and the NDC clashed in the Bono regional community leading to the death of one person.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Only 44.3% of persons surveyed in Accra wear face masks correctly Akufo-Addo

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is pleading with Ghanaians to wear nose masks correctly to help in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

    This comes after a recent survey done by the Ghana Health Service showed that, out of a number of persons observed in selected places in Accra, only 44.3% wear face masks properly.

    Even though the survey proved that 82% of these persons possessed a face mask, just a few actually wore them in the appropriate way.

    Akufo-Addo, while delivering his 15th national address on COVID-19 stated that, “I have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service into the use of face masks at selected locations in Accra in the month of August. It revealed that the overall intention to use face masks at the sites surveyed was very high, with 82% of persons surveyed possessing a mask.”

    “I believe we can do even more, and reach 100%. However, the same survey demonstrated that only 44.3% of those who have the mask use them correctly. I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears,” he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Akufo-Addo to address nation on COVID-19 today

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will this evening address the nation on measures being taken to address the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    It will be the president’s 15th update to the nation since the first case of the disease was recorded in March this year.

    The address will be broadcast live on television at 8 pm.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo to handover AfCFTA Secretariat building to the African Union Commission

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Monday, 17th August, 2020 commission and hand over the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Building to the African Union Commission (AUC) in Accra.

    It will be recalled that at the 12th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit held in Niamey, Niger in July 2019, Ghana was selected to host the Secretariat of AfCFTA by Member States of the African Union. As part of the obligations and commitments under the Host Country Agreement, Ghana is required to provide a fully furnished office complex as the Headquarters for the AfCFTA Secretariat and an official residence for the Secretary-General.

    The AfCFTA Secretariat will administer the free trade agreement creating a Single Market for 55 countries with a combined population of 1.2 billion and a total Gross Domestic Product of about US $2.5 trillion. So far, 54 countries have signed the Agreement with 28 countries ratifying same.

    The hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana will promote Ghana as an attractive regional and investment hub in Africa, boost economic activities, and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians.

    The handing over ceremony will be attended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the newly elected Secretary-General of AfCFTA, the Speaker of Parliament, Chairman of the Council of State, Senior Government Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of other guests from the Private Sector and other Public Sector Organisations have been invited to witness the ceremony.

    The ceremony will be broadcast live through local and international television networks and social media platforms to a global audience.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • ASEPA’s petition to remove EC boss thrown out as CJ makes no adverse findings

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dismissed a petition to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa following a determination of no adverse evidence of a legal breach by the EC boss.

    Civil society organisation, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), led by its Executive Secretary, Mensah Thompson petitioned the President to remove Mrs Jean Mensa from office on the grounds that she failed to declare her assets on time on assumption of office in 2018.

    After the Presidency forwarded the petition to the Chief Justice for action, the Chief Justice did not establish any adverse evidence of a legal breach against the EC boss.

    The Chief Justice did not also find any statute that criminalises the non-declaration of assets within the stipulated time in the Constitution.

    Following this, the Presidency subsequently dismissed the petition.

    Earlier petition to CHRAJ

    ASEPA had earlier on December 12, 2019, filed a similar complaint at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that Mrs Mensa failed or refused to declare her assets.

    CHRAJ ruled in favour of the Chairperson of the EC.

    In its decision on June 4, 2020, CHRAJ held that at the time the complaint was filed on December 12, 2019, the EC boss had not filed her assets with the Auditor-General, but she filed her assets on February 17, 2020, after the complaint was brought to her attention.

    Such a move, CHRAJ held, meant the EC boss had not refused to declare her assets as required by Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution.

    ASEPA petitions President

    Not satisfied with the ruling by CHRAJ, ASEPA in a letter dated June 9, 2020 petitioned the President to remove the EC boss for failing to declare her assets on time.

    ASEPA argued that Mrs Mensa failed to declare her assets “within three months as stipulated by Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, although she became the Chairperson of the EC on January 8, 2018.”

    Chief Justice’s conclusions and dismissal of petition

    In a letter dated July 27, 2020 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Presidency explained that the petition was forwarded to the Chief Justice for action but the Chief Justice did not establish any adverse evidence of a legal breach against the EC boss.

    “The Chief Justice did not find any statute that criminalises the non-declaration of assets within the stipulated time in the Constitution,” the letter from the presidency explained.

    “In any event, CHRAJ did not make any adverse findings against the Chairperson as the investigation was terminated and the complaint dismissed after the Chairperson declared her assets on 17th February 2020,” the letter added.

    “Accordingly, I am directed by the President to inform you [ASEPA] that your petition has been dismissed,” it said.

    What CHRAJ said

    According to CHRAJ, having established that Mrs Mensa had complied with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, it was not necessary to continue with investigations into the complaint by ASEPA.

    That, CHRAJ said, was in line with Section 13 (1)(b) of the CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456) which allowed the commission to refuse to continue to investigate a matter when it appeared that further investigation was not needed.

    “Having established in the course of the investigation that the respondent (EC boss) has now complied with Article 286 albeit late , the commission is of the considered opinion that the appropriate action, having regard to the circumstances of the case, is to refuse to investigate the matter any further as further investigation will not be necessary,” the decision signed by the Commissioner for CHRAJ, Mr Joseph Whittal, stated.

    File your assets early

    CHRAJ, however, advised Mrs Mensa not to delay in declaring her assets with the Auditor-General in the future.

    “Based on the results of the investigations, the commission strongly advises the respondent (Mrs Mensa) to pay careful attention to her obligations under Article 286 to ensure that the delay that occurred previously in the declaration of her assets and liabilities does not occur,” CHRAJ said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 2020 Achievers Leadership Awards: Akufo-Addo’s appointees honoured

    At least five Deputy Ministers, some Members of Parliament and three Municipal and District Chief Executives of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government, have received the 2020 Achievers Leadership Awards organised by the United Clergy International Association.

    The event, which was the 11th edition, was held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region over the weekends.

    The event saw the awardees being honoured by the Association for their dedicated service and impact on society.

    The awardees are; Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo, MP for Abuakwa North Constituency, who doubles as Deputy, Minister of Education; Nana Ama Asiamah Adjei, MP, Akuapem North Constituency, who is the Deputy Minister of Information, and Mr Andy Appiah Kubi, MP, Asante Akim North Constituency, also Deputy Minister of Railways Development.

    The rest are; Mr Joseph Osei Frimpong, MP for Abirem Constituency, Daniel Kenneth, DCE, Okere District, Samuel Kwame Agyekum, DCE for Asuogyman District, Mr Simon Kweku Tetteh, MCE Lower Manya Krobo Municipality and Mr Eric Osei Owusu, an NDC MP, for Afram Plains South Constituency.

    The Executive Chairman for the Association, Bishop Dr Kwame Aburam Anoff Sr. in his remarks said, “Ghanaians have an attitude of rewarding the dead but we have realized such an award is needles”.

    Bishop Dr Anoff Sr. noted that the aim of the awards is to encourage leadership and great achievements that benefit the nation and her people.

    He said the award was centred on the area of Education, Health, Sanitation and the relationship they have with their people before we nominated them.

    He added that “We have a monitoring team that goes to the grounds to have interactions with the community to hunt for the best nominees”.

    The awardees after the event expressed their profound gratitude to the Association for reorganizing their efforts on what they have done that has gained positive impacts in the lives of their people.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Coronavirus pandemic has presented numerous opportunities – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday noted that the Coronavirus pandemic has presented numerous opportunities that can be nurtured to build a stronger, self-reliant and resilient Ghanaian economy.

    He pointed out that the pandemic was a wakeup call for economies to push for self-reliance, as the raging disease had created dysfunction across the world and exposed the weakness of the global supply chain.

    “The COVID pandemic has demonstrated that when you are over-reliant on global supply chains when something like that happens you are truly exposed,” he said, adding that Ghana must learn from and work hard to wean itself off that situation.

    The President was speaking at a ceremony to officially present cash prices to winners of the third season of the Presidential Pitch programme at the Jubilee House, Accra.

    The winners, numbering 20, were given a total of One Million Ghana Cedis to support their start-ups and small businesses.

    The Presidential Pitch programme, an initiative of the Business Development Ministry, is a competition of business concepts where young persons between the ages of 18 and 35 years, vie for government support by presenting innovative, impactful, scalable and viable business ideas and plans.

    The 20 young entrepreneurs were shortlisted from the 100 entries received across the country.

    Noting the negative economic impact that the Coronavirus pandemic had exerted on the world economy, President Akufo-Addo said withstanding those shocks called for the aggressive promotion of innovative and viable economic entities to propel the country out of the long term effects of the disease.

    He cited the example where many countries were thrown out of businesses when China closed its borders due to the pandemic, stressing the need for Ghanaian businesses to ensure that the country does not rely on the global supply chain for survival to forestall any hurt to the economy from such pandemic.

    “We cannot afford to let that happen again. We have now to do things for ourselves and therefore, you who are driving new ideas become that much more important and significant for us,“ he told the young entrepreneurs at the gathering.

    “We are witnesses of how the COVID has impacted negatively on businesses, on economies, not just on our continent but across the entire globe… but some say we just not have to come out of it, but when we come out of it, it is going to be the stage for you.

    “It is the quality of the ideas, your drive and dynamism that is going to determine the world after COVID,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo was upbeat that the development of viable entrepreneurship among the youth was the panacea to mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic and creating a self-reliant and resilient economy post-COVID-19.

    He urged young entrepreneurs to play a pivotal role in the recovery of the economy post-COVID-19 and to take advantage of the opportunities offered them by the pandemic to become global players.

    “I want you to see yourselves first as Ghanaian entrepreneurs but apart from being Ghanaian entrepreneurs, there is a huge world out there which you must also do your best to conquer…so, you should see yourselves both as Ghanaian entrepreneurs and as global entrepreneurs.

    “And that is why you have been selected as the Presidential pitch winners because you have new ideas and the whole principle should be innovation, innovation, innovation,“ he said.

    Dr Ibrahim Awal, the Business Development minister was full of praise for the Presidents commitment to the development of entrepreneurship in the country.

    He disclosed the initiative (Presidential Pitch Programme) had captured the interest of some countries, who were keen to replicate it in their nations.

    The minister was optimistic that due to government’s proficient approach to handling the pandemic, the country’s economy would bounce back after the episode.

    He called on young entrepreneurs make their innovative ideas count in the collective effort to build a better Ghana.

    Mr Douglas Akoglo, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Bongo in the Upper East Region, whose pitch on the conversion of shea butter waste into coal, shampoo and anti-dandruff products, won him the first prize received a cash prize of GH¢70,000 and an additional personal cash reward of GH¢30,000 from the President.

    He would also undertake a fully funded work-study programme outside Ghana.

    The second prize winner, Theophilus Dumenyo, presented a business plan for the production of eco-friendly mosquito repellant.

    He was given Ghc60,000.

    The third prize went to Cornelius Nyobator whose business idea on the production of organic pesticide won him Ghc50,000 The rest of the winners received between GH¢30,000 and GH¢45,000 each.

    They would also have the opportunity to be attached to reputable Ghanaian businesses on a work-study programme.

    All the winners were to receive free mentorship, coaching, and business advisory services over the next three years.

    In the first two seasons of the competition, 20 young entrepreneurs were also awarded cash prizes.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo’s directive to GES to allow dismissed students write WASSCE good – Educationist

    Educationist and psychologist Mr. Samuel Richard Ziggah says the directive by President Akufo-Addo to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to allow the dismissed 14 students write their exams is a step in the right direction.

    GES last week issued a statement dismissing 14 students following recent acts of indiscipline and vandalism recorded in the ongoing West African Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    The students were also barred from writing their remaining exams organized by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    GES in its statement said the punishment was to “serve as a deterrent and to ensure that life and property are protected in schools”.

    But Mr. Ziggah in his view said the punishment was done in a rush and did not correspond with what the students did.

    He, has, therefore, commended the president for the directive he gave.

    Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Mr. Ziggah added the directive was not shocking because if it had not come, Ghanaians would have demanded for more answers.

    Meanwhile, he has alleged the students misbehaved because they were promised that they would be given the questions and even if they should fail, they would be passed.

    To him, authorities should have probed further before sanctioning the students.

    He said it was below the belt for the students to insult the president but they did what they did based on examples set by politicians who engage in insults in the media.

    He advised politicians to desist from engaging in politics of insults so they set good examples for our children.

    He has also asked for the GES to employ the services of counselors to counsel the students over the incident.

     

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Akufo-Addo directs Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi & Likpe to be joined into district

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to initiate a process to ensure that Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe in the Oti Region are joined into a district.

    The four communities are currently a part of the Jasikan District but following the creation of the Oti Region, President Akufo-Addo wants them to have their own local government status.

    These were contained in a letter written by the sector minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, to the Oti Region Minister, Kwesi Owusu Yeboah, and copied his Volta Region counterpart, Dr Archibald Letsa.

    “I hereby give notice that H.E the President has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to initiate the process to ensure that these communities (SALL) have their own local government status by the creation of a new District before the end of the year 2020,” Hajia Alima wrote on Monday, August 3, 2020.

    “The inhabitants are therefore advised to participate actively in the voter registration exercise.”

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Akufo-Addo wants GES to reconsider punishment for 14 expelled 2020 WASSCE candidates

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reconsider punishment meted out to 14 Senior High School students taking the 2020 West Africa Senior School Examination (WASSCE).

    The GES last week dismissed the 14 final year students who took part in chaos and destruction of properties in their schools after the Intergrated Sciece 2 paper of the ongoing WASSCE.

    They were also banned from taking the rest of the papers in the final year examination.

    The GES in a statement said the punishment was to serve as deterrent for other students who are still partaking in the exams.

    But a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, 2020, by the Director of Communicaitons at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, said even though the acts of indiscipline by the students are intolerable, the President is of the view that the dismissal alone is enough punishment.

    “The President believes that everyone deserves a second change in life, and is thus, hopeful that the students will be allowed by the GES to take their final examinations as scheduled,” the statement explained.

    Before the statement from the Presidency on Sunday, a former Deputy Minister for Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had said the GES was too harsh in the punishment meted out to 14 students.

    The National Democratic Congress MP for North Tongu said although the acts of indiscipline and vandalism are condemnable, the GES seems to have killed an ant with a sledgehammer.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • President commissions Business Resource Centre

    The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, the commissioning of a Business Resource Centre is to give the private sector a new strength and create opportunities for new jobs in Asuogyaman and its environs.

    He advised the managers of the centre to take good care of the project to ensure that the right benefits were derived.

    The President was speaking at the commissioning of a National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) Business Resource Centre at Kotropei-Senchi as part of his three-day working visit to the Eastern Region.

    The Business Resource Centre in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region for now will serve three other Municipalities and Districts including; Lower Manya, Upper Manya and Yilo Krobo.

    President Akufo-Addo said all the advanced countries in the world benefited from the private sector for their development and Ghana was not an exception.

    He said the project would afford the private sector with the requisite knowledge and ideas they needed to enhance their business to create more job opportunities.

    The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyeremanteng said, government had secured funds to construct 67 Business Resource Centres across the country, but for now, paperwork had been completed for 37 to be constructed.

    He said the coronavirus pandemic created the awareness that a time would come when importation of goods and services could be limited, therefore, it was important to enhance the production capacity of local industries to produce goods for the country.

    Mr Kyeremanteng said there was the need for establishment of an enabling environment to be created for the private sector to thrive to produce abundantly for the country.

    Mr Kyeremanteng encouraged the private sector to patronize the Business Resource Centre to achieve its full benefit.

    He commended the African Development Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the support to ensure the completion of the project.

    Source: GNA

  • President Akufo-Addo nominates 3 persons for DCE roles

    President Akufo-Addo has nominated three persons as Metropolitan/Municipal/District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has disclosed.

    The trio are Abdul-Mumin Issah, Barima Awuah Sarpong Asiedu-Larbi and Clement Opoku Gyamfi who have been nominated for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Akwapim North Municipal Assembly and the Amansie South District Assembly respectively.

    A statement signed by the sector Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama said the nomination was in accordance with article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and section 20 (1) of the Local Governance Act, Act 936.

    “In view of the above, the Hon. Regional Ministers for Western, Eastern and Ashanti Regions are requested to liaise with the Regional Electoral Commission to conduct the confirmation process of the nominated Chief Executives,” the statement said.

    Amansie South District Assembly

    If confirmed Mr Gyamfi will replace Mr William Asante Bediako as DCE for the Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region. It will be recalled that Mr Bediako was in the news recently for defending operations of illegal miners within his district.

    In a viral video (below), Mr Bediako is heard touting the benefits the district had derived from illegal mining.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo nominates successor to late Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nominated, Abdul Mumin Issah, to succeed the late Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi, Anthony K. K. Sam.

    The nomination is in accordance with Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20 (1) of the Local Government Act, Act 936.

    K.K. Sam died from COVID-19 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Friday, 12th June 2020.

    A letter signed by the Local Government Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, directed the Regional Minister to ensure that the nominee goes through the confirmation process.

    Two other persons have also been nominated for the Akwapim North Municipality and the Amansie South District.

    “In view of the above, Regional Ministers are kindly requested to liaise with the Regional Electoral Commission to conduct the confirmation process for the nominated Chief Executives.”

    Until his nomination, Abdul Mumin Issah, a businessman, operated cleaning services in Takoradi.

    Abdul Mumin Issah is a former Takoradi Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.

    He also contested for the position of Regional Second Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party in the last regional executive elections but lost.

    Abdul Mumin Issah will have to attain a two-thirds majority vote of the assembly members to be confirmed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • President opens University of Environment and Sustainable Development

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday inaugurated the first phase of infrastructural development at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region, paving the way for the admission of the first batch of undergraduate students in the next academic year.

    The President also cut the sod for commencement of the second phase of the project.

    The first phase, which cost 45,575.000 Euros, includes 13 lecture halls with a total seating capacity of 1,545, a video conference room, computer research rooms, offices for lectures, a multi-purpose hall block for the school of Natural and Environmental Sciences with a seating capacity of 252 and dining hall to seat 100 people.

    Others are a laboratory building for the School of Agriculture and Agro Entrepreneurship Development, administration block, 80-bed hostel, an infirmary and residences of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.

    The first phase of the project, undertaken by Messrs Contracta Costruroni, an Italian construction company, was completed within the stipulated time of 24 months.

    On December 27, 2016, then President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod for work to commence on the university, which he said was a promise during the 2012 electioneering.

    However, the project delayed until about

    two years ago when all the bottlenecks were removed for work to start.

    Commitment
    At the inaugural ceremony yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said the first phase of the project showed the commitment of his government towards tertiary education delivery not only in the Krobo area, but the nation at large.

    He assured the people in the area that the university would not be relocated to Bunso as it was alleged and that the inauguration of the first phase was the confirmation of his assurance to the people.

    The President said the UESD was dear to the heart of the government as it was the first university in the country that was for research and would be focused on agro-business.

    He expressed appreciation to the Italian government for assisting with the educational infrastructure.

    President Akufo-Addo said access to education was the best thing to do to build the future of the youth.

    Academic work

    With the completion of the first phase of the project, the President urged the management of the university to ensure that the academic year began on schedule.

    President Akufo-Addo said he had no doubt that the university would admit the first batch of undergraduates in the next academic year.

    He gave an assurance that phase two of the project, which would cost 49,000,000 Euros, would be completed within 30 months per the agreement with the contractors.

    President Akufo-Addo said the government would do everything possible for the project to continue and be completed.

    First semester

    The Chairman of the Interim Council of the UESD, Prof. Jonathan Ayertey, said steps were being taken to commence academic work in September/ October this year for the first semester with two schools, namely the School of Sustainable Development and School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

    He appealed for special dispensation to be given for the provision of a university hospital and two 500-bed student hostel facilities to augment existing facilities.

    Free SHS

    The Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, said those who doubted the free SHS programme proved the President right when the programme began.

    In attendance were the Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II; the Queen mother of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, Nana Korlekuor Adjadoo III; the former Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, and the Member of Parliament for Yilo Krobo, Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey.

    Controversy

    The citing of the university was without controversy when some people especially in the Krobo area accused the present government of attempting to relocate the university to Bunso in the same Eastern Region.

    President Akufo-Addo allayed the fears of the chiefs and the people of the area during his visit to the area to inspect the progress of work of the university.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • All the photos you need to see from unveiling of first VW-assembled vehicles in Ghana

    President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has unveiled the first VW vehicles assembled by the newly-established VW Assembly Plant in Ghana.

    The plant, which assembles VW models such as Tiguan, Teramont, Amarok, Caddy, Polo and Passat, had their range of cars unveiled on Monday, 3rd August 2020.

    It is envisaged that the VW assembly plant will create a lot of highly skilled jobs, reduce the high amounts of foreign exchange used in the importation of second-hand vehicles into Ghana.

    The activities of the plant is also expected to help strengthen the Ghanaian currency as well as earn the nation, foreign exchange through the exportation of made-in-Ghana vehicles.

    With the Chinese company, Sinotruk, already engaged in the assembling of trucks in Ghana, the President is hopeful that other global automobile companies, which have indicated their preparedness to set-up shop in Ghana, will soon follow the remarkable, pioneering example of Volkswagen.

    Check out the photos below:

    Image may contain: car, text that says 'Vo TIGUAN'
    Image may contain: one or more people, people on stage and indoor
    Image may contain: one or more people, car and outdoor
    Image may contain: one or more people, crowd and indoor
    Image may contain: sky and outdoor
    Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, shoes and outdoor
    Image may contain: 3 people, people standing, wedding and indoor
    Image may contain: one or more people and indoor
    Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting, wedding, suit and indoor
    Image may contain: one or more people and car
    Image may contain: car
    Image may contain: 1 person, standing and indoor
    Image may contain: one or more people and people standing
    Image may contain: car
    Image may contain: car
    Image may contain: 1 person, indoor
    Image may contain: 1 person, text that says 'PRE'
    Image may contain: 1 person, standing
    Image may contain: 1 person
    Image may contain: car, text that says 'Vo TIGUAN'

  • I’m determined to wean Ghana off export of raw materials – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has on the occasion of the Founders Day celebration on Tuesday, August 4 assured Ghanaians that he will lay a strong foundation that transforms Ghanaians economy.

    “We must, as a mark of reverence to our founders, work to free ourselves from the economic arrangements designed by the former colonial power to serve its particular purpose at the time which continues to bind us.

    “We must make concerted efforts to break away from the neocolonial structure of the raw material producing and exporting economy which has largely been our lot.

    “As president of the republic, I am determined to make the leadership of Ghana the period that witnessed the laying of the foundation for the transformation of our economy from an exporter of raw materials and retailer of cheap imported goods to a modern, value-adding, industrialized one.”

    He added: “We will continue to work assiduously to provide each Ghanaian with a decent education. A decent healthcare system, decent jobs, a decent home an adequate safety net for the vulnerable and marginalized, and a decent retirement, and to live in an atmosphere of freedom, security, law and order.”

    Source: Laud Business

  • President Akufo-Addo to use second term to industrialise Ghana

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana has said, if Ghanaians give him a second term, he would use it to build on the foundation he built during his first term to industrialize the country.

    He said he had been faithful to Ghanaians and urged the electorate to re-elect him based on his achievements.

    President Akufo-Addo was speaking in an interview on a local radio station in Koforidua and monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) explained that illegal mining, the plastic waste menace and land guards were not easy issues to be resolved, but what was important was to create conditions for their gradual eradication.

    He said the government had already introduced the community mining system which had a lot of the illegal miners.

    The President said, the government had also initiated alternative livelihood programmes in the mining communities and it was expected that as the economies of those communities improved, many of the people in the illegal mining would be attracted to join other sectors of the economy.

    The President gave the assurance that the affordable housing project started in Koforidua during the era of President Kufuor and the Kwahu East District Hospital started by the government of President Mahama would be completed.

    He assured that all those who invested in the collapsed financial institutions would be paid by the end of August this year and said already 98 per cent of those people were paid out of the GH¢21 billion provided by the government.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo cuts sod for Nsukwao Basin Drainage Project

    President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has cut the sod for the commencement of construction of the Nsukwao Basin Drainage Project, in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).

    It will be recalled that the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme was launched on 7th May 2019, in Koforidua, with its main goal being to improve urban management and basic urban services in the twenty-five (25) participating Municipal Assemblies across the country.

    Cutting the sod for construction of the drainage project on Tuesday, 4th August 2020, President Akufo-Addo noted that the New Juaben Municipal Assembly has identified flooding as a major risk to the lives and livelihoods of persons living in Nsukwao, Zongo, Two Streams, Abongri and other communities within the municipality.

    Nsukwao, the community in which the project will be situated, has since 2016 recorded, annually, incidents of flooding, which have rendered most residents homeless.

    To this end, the President explained that the Basin Drainage Project will deliver a storm drain that will minimize flooding in the identified communities at the cost of GH¢15,811,145.00, and packaged into seven (7) lots.

    It will also involve installation of four (4) storm water surface detention ponds distributed along the Nsukwao River, flow facilities, channelization and streambank stabilization, concrete pipes and culverts and two access roads.

    President Akufo-Addo was confident that “this project will make flooding a history in New Juaben, and help restore enhance livelihoods of the residents in the Municipality.”

    The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama, indicated that her Ministry is currently working closely with the municipal assemblies and the design and supervision firms to come up with next phase of priority projects for the 25 Assemblies.

    ID1F Akro Farms

    At Apasare, in Akwapim North, President Akufo-Addo visited Akro Farms Ltd., a 1-District1-Factory (1D1F) initiative.

    The company, which produces fresh and healthy table eggs, chicken feed, broilers, processed chicken and day-old chicks, has completed the first phase of its project with an investment of some GH¢20 million.

    Management told the President that the automated Brooder house has a capacity of 40,000 birds, and has an automatic egg collection and packaging system installed to ensure speed and efficiency in our processes.

    Additionally, the farm has a hatchery, with one feed processing unit and warehouse with 400 KVA Industrial Power Generation plants. The company plans to set up a 16,000 per day capacity meat processing plant for the broiler farm and out-grower farmers.

    The company has created both direct and indirect job opportunities for over 1,025 individuals involved in the poultry value chain in Akuapim North and its surrounding districts.

    Source: presidency.gov.gh

  • ID1F: Akufo-Addo inspects Akro Farms

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has on Tuesday August 4 visited Akro Farms Ltd., a 1-District1-Factory (1D1F) initiative at Apasare, in Akwapim North.

    The company, which produces fresh and heathy table eggs, chicken feed, broilers, processed chicken and day-old chicks, has completed the first phase of its project with an investment of some GH¢20 million.

    Management told the President that the automated Brooder house has a capacity of 40,000 birds, and has an automatic egg collection and packaging system installed to ensure speed and efficiency in our processes.

    Additionally, the farm has a hatchery, with one feed processing unit and warehouse with 400 KVA Industrial Power Generation plant. The company plans to set up a 16,000 per day capacity meat processing plant for the broiler farm and out grower farmers.

    The company has created both direct and indirect job opportunities for over 1,025 individuals involved in the poultry value chain in Akuapim North and its surrounding districts.

    Source: Laud Business

  • Ghanaians are impressed with my work Akufo-Addo

    The President, on Monday, 3rd August 2020, took his turn to register for a voter ID card at the Rock of Ages registration centre in Kyebi, in the Eastern Region, and declared “I know that the Ghanaian people are also impressed with the work I have done”.

    Nana Akufo-Addo, went on “they have tried me, and they can discern better whether I have done a good job or not”.

    The President, urged eligible voters to come out register and vote in the December general election since it “would be sad is to sit in the house, and, then, other people take a decision for you”.

    Accompanied by his wife, the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and his daughters, President Akufo-Addo was taken through the COVID-19 protocols, presented his Ghana Card, as proof of identification, before he was registered by the officials at the centre.

    Addressing members of the media after the completion of the exercise, the President urged all eligible Ghanaians, who are yet to register, to do so, especially as the registration exercise will soon come to an end.

    “What would be sad is to sit in the house, and, then, other people take a decision for you. So, it’s better that everybody, who has not yet registered, should come out and register. It’s a simple process, it’s not complicated,” he said.

    Secondly, President Akufo-Addo appealed to the Ghanaian electorate to hinge their decision on 7th December on the records of the various contestants vying for the Office of President of the Republic.

    He recounted how, in the run-up to the 2016 election, he urged the Ghanaian people to give him a chance to implement his agenda of transforming the circumstances of the Ghanaian people.

    “They gave me the chance, so it is now for them to decide on the work I have done. I told them to try me, they have tried me, and they can discern better whether I have done a good job or not. On my part, I have done what I could do, and I know that the Ghanaian people are also impressed with the work I have done,” he added.

     

    Source: The Herald

  • Akufo-Addo to unveil first home-assembled VW car

    President Nana Akufo-Addo will, later today, Monday, 3 August 2020, unveil the first VW-assembled car in Ghana.

    The President announced the event on his Facebook page today.

    In March this year, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyeremanten, visited the assembling plant of Volkswagen (VW) at the North Industrial Area in Accra, to have first-hand insight regarding the ongoing work of the automobile giant.

    Accompanied by some officials of the Trade Ministry, Mr Kyeremanten expressed satisfaction with the facility of VW.

    “I assure Volkswagen and its local assembler in Ghana of the full support of the government in creating an enabling environment and incentive framework to make their investment a major success,” he mentioned

    In his State of the Nation Address, President Nana Akufo-Addo said VW was due to start production by the end of April 2020.

    According to him, Sinotruk, which also expressed interest in Ghana, will also begin assembling a plant this year.

    “Toyota is scheduled to start the assembly of vehicles in Tema in the last quarter of this year. We have high hopes for this new industry, which has come to join our Kantanka”, the President mentioned.

    The establishment of these assembling plants is expected to create some thousands of jobs for Ghanaians, particularly mechanical and electrical engineers.

    Source: Class FM

  • Fight against coronavirus on course – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has advised Ghanaians not to compromise on their responsibilities regarding adherence to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety protocols.

    He said that was the way to go in order to stem the spread of the pandemic, which had over the last four months led to 182 deaths in the country.

    According to the Ghana Health Service‘s portal on the pandemic, the country’s confirmed case count stood at 35,501 with 32,096 recoveries as of Friday, July 31.

    Eight of the confirmed cases have been identified as critical.

    President Akufo-Addo, who was addressing the Ashanti Regional leadership of the Muslim community, at the Kumasi Central Mosque, rallied the people to comply with the mandatory wearing of nose masks.

    “We are required as good citizens to always maintain personal Hygiene, while observing all the COVID-19 preventive protocols for own good,” he noted.

    The President said Ghana’s recovery and death rates in respect of the pandemic indicated that the government’s resolve to deal with the threat posed by the coronavirus disease was on course.

    However, he said: “The citizenry should not take things for granted but continue to do the right thing to enhance their wellbeing.”

    President Akufo-Addo, who is on a working visit to the Region, was grateful to the leadership of the Muslim community for creating the needed awareness on the disease amongst the people.

    He asked them not to relax in their efforts to support government in the fight against the pandemic.

    Sheikh Haroun Abdul- Mummin, the Regional Chief Imam, said the Muslim faithful would continue to pray fervently for the protection of the citizenry.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • PLAYBACK: President Akufo-Addo speaks on Wontumi TV

    President Nana Addo-Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo this afternoon spoke on the Wontumi TV channel in the Ashanti Region as part of a regional working tour he embarked last week.

    This follows a US$49 million sod cutting for the construction of the Damongo Water Project in the Northern Region.

    Watch Akufo-Addo’s interview on Wontumi TV below:

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Sanneh Institute, others petition Akufo-Addo to close healing centre for alleged witches in Bawku

    The Sanneh Institute and some members of the Bawku Traditional area have petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to order the closure of a so-called healing centre in Widana set up for the purpose of “identifying and exorcising” alleged witches.

    The centre is said to be established by a witch doctor, Rufai Sumaila and his father in Pulmakuom in the Pusiga District of Bawku.

    “At the base which is near the Ghana/Togo border post at Widana, the self-styled witchdoctors claim to use sachet water for identifying“witches” and for healing.

    “When a sick person goes for healing, they tell them their condition is caused by a family member who has bewitched them,” the petition said.

    The petition said several attempts to get both Rufasa Sumaila and his father arrested have not been successful.

    It hence called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene and ensure that the centre is closed.

    “All attempts on the ground to get Rufai and his father to stop the practice have proved futile. It is against this background that The Sanneh Institute, with the support of the undersigned leading personalities from the area, is petitioning your good offices for the base to be shut down.”

    This petition follows the lynching of Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman, who was accused of being a witch at Kafaba in the Savannah Region.

    Click here to view petition

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Africa AGs call on Akufo-Addo to reconsider Domelevo leave directive

    A group consisting of 26 African Auditor-General has written to the President Akufo-Addo to reconsider his proceed on leave directive to the Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo.

    Mr Domelevo was asked to take his accumulated leave of 167 in June by the President, a directive that has been heavily criticised by majority of Ghanaians and several anti-corruption agencies.

    On Tuesday, July 28, it was revealed that the locks of the Auditor General had been changed after Mr Domelevo passed by the office to pick some documents.

    The letter to the President, signed by Chairperson of AFROSAI-E, a regional organisation with the Auditors-General from 26 English-speaking supreme audit institutions (SAIs), by Ms L Taylor-Pearce and the Chief Executive Officer Ms MMR Nkau stated that they are deeply concerned about the grave repercussions of the infringement on the independence of the Auditor-General of Ghana.

    “Effective SAIs enshrine principles of good governance and make a difference in the lives of citizens by contributing to accountability, transparency, integrity, staying relevant and leading by example.

    “To deliver these value and benefits, a SAI needs an enabling and conducive institutional framework. This includes independence as a primary requirement.We believe that since its establishment, SAI Ghana has made effective strides to institutionalised these values.”

    The statement added that “on behalf of the Auditors General, we appeal to your Office to consider the ramifications that these actions will have on the effectiveness of the SAI and good governance in Ghana.”

    Below is the full letter to the President:

    Mr. Nana Bediatuo Asante

    Executive Secretary to the President

    Office of the President

    Jubilee House Accra

    info@presidency.gov.gh

    28 July 2020

    Dear Mr Asante,

    AFROSAI-E CONCERNS REGARDING INDEPENDENCE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL OF GHANA
    I write to you with great appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Office of the President to implement principles of good governance in Ghana.

    Ghana is a founding member of AFROSAI-E, which is a regional organisation with the Auditors-General from 26 English-speaking supreme audit institutions (SAIs) as members.

    I write to you on behalf of the Auditors-General of AFROSAI-E, to express our concern on hearing that the current Auditor-General of Ghana, Mr Daniel Domelevo, was compelled by the Office of the President, to go on immediate leave.

    We are deeply concerned about the grave repercussions of the infringement on the independence of the Auditor-General of Ghana. Effective SAIs enshrine principles of good governance and make a difference in the lives of citizens by contributing to accountability, transparency, integrity, staying relevant and leading by example.

    To deliver these value and benefits, a SAI needs an enabling and conducive institutional framework. This includes independence as a primary requirement.We believe that since its establishment, SAI Ghana has made effective strides to institutionalised these values.

    The United Nations General Assembly resolution A/66/209, recognises that supreme audit institutions can accomplish their tasks objectively and effectively only if they—the organisation, its members and officials—are independent of the audited entity and are protected against outside influence.

    The resolution further encourages member states to continue to apply, in a manner consistent with their national institutional structures, the SAI independence principles let out in the Lima Declaration of Guidelines on Auditing Precepts of 1977 and the Mexico Declaration on Supreme Audit Institutions Independence of 2007.

    Enclosed with this letter, is a copy of the UN Resolution A/66/209.

    On behalf of the Auditors General, we appeal to your Office to consider the ramifications that these actions will have on the effectiveness of the SAI and good governance in Ghana.

    Especially now,with the severe global economic impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic, strong national institutions that work for the betterment of the public service are essential. We rely on your esteemed understanding regarding this matter.

    Yours sincerely.

    Source: Starr FM

  • President orders police to pursue murderers of Akua Denteh

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed the Police to as a matter of urgency solve the gruesome murder of Madam Akua Denteh, a frail 90-year-old woman, accused of practicing witchcraft.

    He emphasized on the urgent need for the Police to immediately bring to book perpetrators of the henious act to ensure that justice was swiftly delivered.

    President Akufo-Addo made the order when he inaugurated the Yapei Water System on Monday to extend potable water to 18,149 residents in five communities in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

    President Akufo-Addo expressed revulsion at the killing of the 90-year-old woman, saying “it should not happen again”.

    Madam Akua Denteh, was on Thursday beaten to death at Kafaba, a farming community in the Salaga South Constituency by some local residents who accused her being a witch and the source of certain strange happenings in the area including the slow pace of the town’s development.

    The incident was captured on video and had since gone viral on social media.

    The Inspector General Police had dispatched a team of crack homicide personnel to solve the murder.

    The incident had attracted condemnation from civil society organisations, politicians, gender and human rights activists across the country.

    President Akufo-Addo expressed support for a foundation established in her memory (Akua Denteh) by the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council to campaign against such beliefs, human rights violations and barbaric acts in the area.

    Madam Akua Denteh had since been buried.

    Source: GNA