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Tag: Main Story

  • Teacher trainees to feed themselves starting May 8 – PRINCOF

    The National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education Ghana (PRINCOF) has directed that teacher trainees start to fund their own feeding from May 8.

    This directive is in response to the inability of Colleges of Education to make payments for food items supplied to them.

    According to PRINCOF, food suppliers who had continued delivering supplies to these Colleges of Education for months without payment have finally withdrawn their services till they receive the monies owed them.

    “Most Colleges now have food items that can last only one week if students are to be provided with three (3) meals a day,” PRINCOF said in a letter to the Education Minister.

    To this end, PRINCOF has suggested that:

    Teacher trainees to feed themselves starting May 8 – PRINCOF by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    “Trainee teachers will be provided with two meals, breakfast and supper only for one week, from April 23 to April 30, 2022.

    “Trainee teachers from May 1 to May 8, 2022 shall be given lunch only.

    “After May 8, trainee teachers would be asked to provide their own meals until their feeding allowances have been paid,” it said.

    Meanwhile, food vendors are being encouraged to increase the quantity of daily meals they cook for sale to students.

    “These measures are meant to ensure that there is no disruption of the academic calendar,” it concluded.

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • Minority Leader, 2 MPs file injunction against implementation of E-levy

    The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, and two other NDC MPs, have filed an injunction at the Supreme Court against the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-levy).

    Mr Iddrisu, Mahama Ayariga and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa are urging the apex court to restrain the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from implementing the e-levy until the final determination of their suit challenging the constitutionality of its passage by Parliament.

    Reasons

    The injunction application filed by their lawyer , Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, today (April 19, 2020) avers that millions of people will suffer irreparable harm if the E-Levy Act is not put on hold and the court determines that its passage was unconstitutional.

    According to them, the GRA would be unable to reimburse the millions who have paid the e-levy while the 1992 Constitution which is the supreme law of the land would have been undermined.

    “That the Plaintiffs having raised an allegation of a breach of the Constitution in the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075), in order to avoid an incalculable damage, injury and inconvenience not only to the people of Ghana but as well as undermining the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, the justice of the case demands that the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075) is put on hold until the final determination of the instant suit,” the injunction application stated.

    Substantive case

    The three MPs in their substantive suit want the apex court to declare the passage of the e-levy as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.

    It is their case that Parliament did not have the right quorum to pass the e-levy as stipulated under Article 104(1) of the 1992 Constitution which had recently been interpreted by the Supreme Court.

    According to them, as at the time the second reading for the passage of the e-Levy was done , there were only 136 MPs present in Parliament instead of the required 138.

    They want the court to therefore declare the whole proceedings including the second reading, third reading and voting ti pass the e-levy as unconstitutional, null , void and of no effect.

    The plaintiffs are also seeking an order from the court to set aside the passage of the e-levy by Parliament.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • ECG losing billions of cedis to power theft, unpaid bills Energy Minister

    The Electricity Company of Ghana loses nearly GHS3.2 billion due to illegal connections, and non-payment of bills, among others, according to the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

    Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Dr. Prempeh said the ECG losses were from “our inability to pay, unwillingness to pay or power theft.”

    He assured that the National Revenue Protection Taskforce was “out in full swing” to remedy this challenge with revenue.

    “The National Revenue Protection Taskforce is going out because the amount of energy ECG is putting in the system, it is not getting the commensurate amount of money back to ensure that it becomes commercially viable.”

    “So if ECG loses 400 million dollars, averagely…which company can be viable if you continue to lose the amount of money that the ECG losses,” Dr. Prempeh quizzed.

    He stressed that “every Ghanaian must be responsible and pay for the energy he or she consumes, or else you will be visited by the Revenue Protection Taskforce.”

    The Electricity Company of Ghana recently indicated its readiness to go after about 30 private and public institutions that owe it GHS 120 million.

    Some of these institutions owe as much as about GHS 45 million and have not shown any commitment despite receiving disconnection notices from ECG, according to Citi News sources.

    The institutions include the Ghana Airport, University of Ghana, Accra International Conference Center (AICC), Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and  Parliament.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Supreme Court stops Assin North MP from performing parliamentary duties

    The Supreme Court has, in a majority 5-2 decision, ruled that Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson can no longer perform Parliamentary duties.

    This is until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.

    A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.

    Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency who filed this election petition, in January 2022 initiated another action at the Supreme Court.

    He urged the Court to give effect to the Cape Coast High Court Judgement and prevent a further breach of the constitution by restraining the MP.

    “If he continues to be in Parliament, he will still be in breach of the constitution. The people of Assin North have been saddled with an unqualified person for far too long.“

    Lawyer for Mr Nimfah Frank Davies told the Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 5, 2022.

    Attorney General Godfred Yeboah took a similar position on the matter. He insisted there cannot be any debate that the continuous stay of the legislator in Parliament is a persisting breach of the constitution that cannot be allowed to fester.

    “On account for the uncontroverted facts of this case. It clearly indicates that the Court is faced with the patent case of unconstitutionality each passing day,” Mr Dame said.

    Lawyers for the MP led by Tsatsu Tsikata disagreed.

    He questioned the basis of the application pointing out that it was procedurally improper. He insisted the rules of the Supreme Court does not provide for such an injunction application.

    He argued that a party wanting this remedy ought to instead make a request to the Supreme Court for the Court to decide what steps the party ought to take.

    “The motion purports to be brought under the High Court rules. This is not the High Court. And the Supreme Court rules under rule 5 make provisions for where no express provisions are made for certain rules the Court shall prescribe such practice. A request ought to be made,” Mr Tsikata said.

    The Court adjourned proceedings to April 13, 2022, to deliver its ruling. The Court on Wednesday, April 13, said the Mp should no longer hold himself as Mp or present himself in Parliament.

    The minority view was held by Justices Dordzie and Nene Amegatcher.

    The case was heard by Justices Jones Dotse, Agnes Dordzie, Nene Amegatcher, Prof Ashie Kotey, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkonoo, Clemence Honyenuga, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Emmanuel Y. Kulendi.

    Source:  .myjoyonline.com

  • We will account for E-levy Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated the commitment of the government to ensure transparency and judicious use of revenue mobilized through the implementation of the electronic transaction levy Act to engender confidence among taxpayers.

    According to the President, “government agenda to introduce the electronic levy bill, is now electronic transfer levy Act 2022 “Act 1075″ is a strategic decision to boost our revenue mobilization drive in order to grow our economy by ourselves to improve social, economic and infrastructural development in the republic of Ghana. The controversies which emanated from the inception of the electronic levy bill was a healthy one for our democracy as a nation”.

    President Akufo-Addo, therefore, assured that “the government is committed to ensuring the Judicious administration and implementation and the same time reporting of all revenues collected under the newly introduced electronic levy Act to impose a confidence in the government”.

    This was contained in a speech read on behalf of the President by the Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong during the 60th-anniversary celebration of Rev. Friederich Monninger Memorial Presbyterian Church in Akosombo under the theme “Jesus Christ the light of the world”,

    He assured the congregants that the “government remains resolute and alive to serve all well-meaning Ghanaians despite the global economic challenges. We are focused on sustaining and growing the economy to make it an enviable one hence the need to continue to invest in the future the benefit for the generations unborn.”

    President Akufo-Addo said the Free Senior High, Vocational, and Technical Education policy is the special purpose vehicle to churn out the needed human capital for accelerated development.

    “I am very optimistic the legacy to ensure every school-going child of this country attains a minimum of secondary education has overly been achieved the data is available to show. The free senior high school and the free technical vocational and education training are the best vehicles we have devised to take us to the realization of our goal of an educated and skilled workforce,” he explained.

    He added that “considering our current dispensation of technological advancement, every school-going child will continue to be given the requisite education to be equipped to run a modern and digitalize economy, and also the pursue to achieve Ghana beyond aid is very promising especially when the government is poised to become self-reliant to win itself from over-reliance of foreign taste”.

    Asuogyaman MP

    The Member of Parliament for the Asuogyaman Constituency, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, haven been honoured with a citation for his immense contribution to the growth and development of the Rev. Monninger Memorial Presbyterian Church lauded congregation for their feat in Christianity. He, however, urged the church to pay attention to unemployment among the youth to roll out interventions to address the menace.

    “The church must also pay a little attention to helping to solve unemployment among the youth in the church; if the church can complement government and state institutions’ efforts in this regard, I believe that it will go a long way to reduce the current unemployment situation bedevilling the country” he added.

    Meanwhile, Rev. Oware Raynox Ankamah, who is the district minister and also the minister in charge of Rev. Friederich Monninger Memorial Presbyterian Church, urged Christians to portray the values of Jesus Christ in all their endeavour.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Ghana abstains from vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council

    Ghana abstained from a vote that would have seen the suspension of Vladimir Putin’s Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.

    The United Nations (UN) General Assembly voted on Thursday, April 7, to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council over reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” in Ukraine.

    The resolution which took place on Thursday, April 7, 2022, received a two-thirds majority of members voting, minus abstentions, in the 193-member Assembly, with 93 nations voting in favour and 24 against.

    Fifty-eight abstained from the process.

    Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Vietnam, were among those who voted against.

    Those abstaining, included India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

    The meeting marked the resumption of a special emergency session on the war in Ukraine and followed reports of violations committed by Russian forces.

    Following the outcome of the resolution, Moscow, according to a Reuters news report sighted by GhanaWeb, has announced it was quitting the body.

    Speaking after the vote, Russia’s deputy U.N. Ambassador Gennady Kuzmin described the move as an “illegitimate and politically motivated step” and then announced that Russia had decided to quit the Human Rights Council altogether.

    “You do not submit your resignation after you are fired,” Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told reporters.

    Russia was in its second year of a three-year term. Under the resolution on Thursday, the General Assembly could have later agreed to end the suspension. But that cannot happen because Russia has quit the council, just as the United States did in 2018 over what it called chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform.

    The General Assembly text on Thursday expresses “grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” particularly at reports of rights abuses by Russia.

    Russia says it is carrying out a “special military operation” that aims to destroy Ukraine’s military infrastructure and denies attacking civilians. Ukraine and allies say Moscow invaded without provocation.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia speaks on the economy

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is set to speak on the economic state of the country later on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

    He is the main speaker at a National Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) Training and Orientation Conference at Kasoa in the Central Region.

    As the head of Ghana’s Economic Management Team, he is expected to touch on issues such as the continuous price hikes on fuel and commodities, the depreciation of the cedi, and the controversial E-Levy, among others.

    Watch the event below

  • Akufo-Addo assents to E-Levy bill, makes it law

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assented to the E-Levy bill which was approved by Majority side in Parliament on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

    The action taken by the President today, Thursday March 31, 2022 means the bill can now be passed into law.

    This follows its approval in Parliament on March 2022 in the absence of the Minority in Parliament who staged a walk-out during the consideration stage.

    The bill was approved after its third reading, with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the seat.

    The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, moved a motion in Parliament, asking the House to approve the second reading of the reviewed 1.5% E-Levy bill to advance its passing into law.

    The debate on the motion was divided between the Majority and Minority, who argued entrenched positions on the bill.

    While the Minority maintained their opposition to the bill, members of the Majority argued in favour of the E-Levy, tagging it as essential for revenue mobilization and development.

    The Majority leader, Haruna Iddrisu during his submission on the bill informed the presiding Speaker of a decision by his side to abstain from supporting the bill.

    “In conclusion we are not able to support the Electronic Transaction or Electronic Transfer Levy of 1.75%. we think that it is regressive, it smacks of double taxation and the people of Ghana should not suffer further taxes, financial institutions and banks should not be made to pay E-Levy.

    “Therefore, Mr Speaker I am serving you notice, I have listened, my colleagues have listened to me. Mr Speaker, because we do not support the E-Levy, the Minority group led by me after listening to the majority leader will not be associated with any further proceedings on the E-Levy. We want to be recorded that when the E-Levy was brought to the 8th Parliament, we stood together, we opposed it, we asked for its rejection and we said we would not support it,” the Minority Leader said.

    President Akufo-Addo has signed the E-levy Bill into law

    Following his announcement, the Minority trooped out of the chamber.

    The Majority Leader who was scheduled next to make his final statement on the debate, waived the opportunity and impressed on the Speaker to go ahead and put the second reading to a vote for adoption.

    Speaker Alban Bagbin who was presiding over proceedings went ahead to put the second reading of the E-Levy to a voice vote which was given in favour of the Majority who were the only side in the chamber and shouted for the adoption.

    The House, following the adoption, went ahead unto the consideration stage of the bill also without the presence of the Minority.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MPs cry in Parliament after being marked absent on E-Levy consideration day

    Some Members of Parliament whose names were not captured as part of attendees during Tuesday’s proceedings in Parliament, have raised concerns.

    According to the MPs, the absence of their names has courted attacks from constituents who have criticized them for being absent on a critical day E-Levy was being considered.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka said the action has cost them a lot.

    According to him, some members of the House have, following this, even called for the removal of the Minority leadership, citing their failure to ensure their names were captured.

    Muntaka further accused the Clerk of being partisan.

    Member of Parliament of Zebilla East, Cletus Avoka, whose names were part of those captured as absent, on his part said he has been traumatized. According to him, his constituents have, following reports, called to slam him for being absent on an important day when the E-Levy was being considered.

    He said even though he approached the table to write his name, he was told by the table of Office to sit and that they were going to bring the list to him but they never did.

    MP of Ablekuma Central who also claims to be a victim described the action as a diabolic and deliberate attempt to mark him absent.

    MP for New Edubiase, Abdul-Salem Adams also said his name must be cleared as he has been accused of taking bribe to be absent for the E-Levy to be passed.

    They called on the Speaker to make the amendment to reflect the true report of the Votes and Proceedings of the House on March 29,2022.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LIVESTREAM: President Akufo-Addo delivers 2022 SONA

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is scheduled to deliver a message on the State of the Nation Address to Parliament today, March 30, 2022.

    The message on the State of the Nation is an annual address to Parliament given by the President covering the economic, social and financial state of the country.

    The address is in accordance with article 67 of the 1992 constitution that says the President should give the State of the Nation Address at the beginning and close of every Parliamentary Session.

    Watch a Livestream of the proceedings which starts at 10am below;

    https://youtu.be/8DfklAnjSTc

  • E-Levy finally passed

    After months of backs and forths in parliament with regards to the controversial Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), parliament has passed the bill. 

    This was after the House considered the bill after its third reading, with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the seat. 

    Earlier, the Minority in Parliament staged a walkout right before the question was put before the house.

    The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, moved a motion in parliament asking the house to approve the second reading of the reviewed 1.5% E-Levy bill to advance its passing into law.

    The debate on the motion was divided between the majority and minority, who argued entrenched positions on the bill.

    While the minority maintained their opposition to the bill, members of the majority argued in favour of the E-Levy, tagging it as essential for revenue mobilization and development.

    The Majority leader, Haruna Iddrisu during his submission on the bill informed the presiding Speaker of a decision by his side to abstain from supporting the bill.

    “In conclusion we are not able to support the Electronic Transaction or Electronic Transfer Levy of 1.75%. we think that it is regressive, it smacks of double taxation and the people of Ghana should not suffer further taxes, financial institutions and banks should not be made to pay E-Levy.

    “Therefore Mr Speaker I am serving you notice, I have listened, my colleagues have listened to me. Mr Speaker, because we do not support the E-Levy, the Minority group led by me after listening to the majority leader will not be associated with any further proceedings on the E-Levy. We want to be recorded that when the E-Levy was brought to the 8th Parliament, we stood together, we opposed it, we asked for its rejection and we said we would not support it,” the minority leader said.

    Following his announcement, the minority trooped out of the chamber.

    The majority leader who was scheduled next to make his final statement on the debate, waived the opportunity and impressed on the speaker to go ahead and put the second reading to a vote for adoption.

    Speaker Alban Bagbin who was presiding over proceedings went ahead to put the second reading of the E-Levy to a voice vote which was given in favour of the majority who were the only side in the chamber and shouted for the adoption.

    The house following the adoption went ahead unto the consideration stage of the bill also without the presence of the minority.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Comply with decisions of Community Court of Justice – Akufo-Addo to ECOWAS leaders

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the member States of ECOWAS to respect the decisions of the Community Court of Justice. 

    He said despite efforts by the ECOWAS Court to deliver on its mandate, it is constrained by the poor rate of enforcement of its judgement, which stands at 13%.

    Speaking at the Opening of the External Court Session of ECOWAS Community Court, President Akufo-Addo noted that unless Member States comply with the judgments of the Court, it will be difficult to build public confidence. 

    Bright Ntramah reports that this is the first time since its formation, more than 20 years ago, that over twenty years ago the External Court session of the ECOWAS Community Court was being held in Ghana. 

    The session, which is important in the annual work programme of the Court, is anchored on the Provision of Article 26(2) of the 1991 Protocol on the Court.

    It is aimed at bringing Justice to the average person at the grassroots of the Community. 

    The Programme also provides the opportunity for Judicial dialogue with the national Courts of host countries and exposes lawyers and community citizens in the country to the practice and procedure of a Regional International Court. 

    Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah noted that lawyers in the country will get the opportunity to witness international Court proceedings.

    President Akufo-Addo called for amendments of the existing protocols to allow litigants use all local proceedings before being heard at the ECOWAS Court. He called on Member States to accept rulings of the Court to enable it to gain the confidence of the Public.

    About 60 cases would be heard and 21 judgements delivered in its two- weeks of sitting.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Coup comment trial: ‘Still justice for SALL’ – What the inscriptions on Barker-Vormawor’s placard reads

    The embattled convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has returned to court on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, for the continuation of the hearing of his treason felony case. 

    Appearing in court at the Ashaiman District Court with the typically heavy-security presence, the youth activist held out a placard that read the inscriptions, “STILL JUSTICE FOR SALL.”

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor was arrested on Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Kotaka International Airport upon his return to the country, and was put before the Ashaiman District Court on Monday, February 14, where he was denied bail and remanded into police custody.

    The police in a statement said his arrest was necessitated by comments he made on social media to the effect that he would stage a coup if the controversial Electronic Transactions Levy, popularly known as E-Levy, is passed into law.

    A subsequent application by lawyers for the youth activist to seek answers from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney-General on why their client was detained more than 48 hours was thrown away by the Tema High Court. 

    The court advised that the lawyers should rather appeal the bail if they so wish.

    The judgment on the appeal for bail is expected to be delivered on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Supreme Court decides Joe Wise can vote while presiding

    The Supreme Court has ruled that a Deputy Speaker of Parliament presiding over proceedings in Parliament has the right to be counted in decision making and has the right to participate in voting.

    According to a Graphic report, the court presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, held that the Deputy Speaker does not lose his right to take part in decision-making upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 103 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution.

    The court, therefore, held that the passing of the budget on November 30, 2021 in which Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker counted himself as part of the quorum, was valid.

    Also, the court has struck down order 109(3) of the standing orders of Parliament which prevented a deputy speaker presiding from voting, as unconstitutional.

    The court gave the unanimous decision today, March 9, 2022, after it dismissed a writ by a law lecturer, Justice Abdulai, who was challenging the decision of Mr Owusu to be counted as part of the quorum to pass the budget.

    Justice Abdulai was seeking an interpretation by the Supreme Court on Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution and declaring the action of Osei Owusu as unconstitutional.

    He also wanted the Supreme Court to declare the whole proceedings in Parliament on November 30, 2021, which led to the passage of the 2022 budget as unconstitutional insisting the Deputy Speaker should not have counted himself as an MP when he presided over proceedings.

    Justices Jones Dotse, Nene Amegatcher, Prof Ashie Kotey, Mariama Owusu, Lovelace Johnson, Clemence Honyenuga and Emmanuel Kulendi decided on and gave the ruling.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 2 killed policemen were leading police to gang hideout Kwesi Ofori

    Following public queries as to how the two policemen, who had earlier been arrested and were in police custody as part of investigations into the recent bullion van robberies were killed, it has been explained that they were in the company of the police and were leading police to the hideout of the suspected criminal gang.

    According to the Director-General of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Kwesi Ofori, the two suspects were arrested to assist the police to a location at Borteyman near Ashaiman.

    “And an intelligence-led field operation took off and in the process, there were heavy exchange of fire and the two sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the police hospital in Accra but they later passed on,” Mr Kwesi Ofori said while providing a clarification in a radio interview monitored by Graphic Online on Accra based Joy FM on Wednesday morning [March 9, 2022]

    He said “the police were shot at, there was exchange of fire and they were injured in the process and they were sent to the hospital and they passed on.”

    “So let us understand this, that in police operations, they are high risks in nature and at the time the raid took place it was very serious and well targeted operations and even as I speak to you, we’ve arrested four policemen, one other civilian and they will be put before court,” Mr Ofori added.

    The police announced the death of the two and the arrest of five other suspects including four policemen and one civilian on Tuesday night [March 8, 2022].

    But since then, public discussions, especially on social media have questioned how the two suspects who were in custody found themselves on the field and were killed.

    Explaining in the radio interview, the Director-General of Police Public Affairs said they were leading the police to the hideout of the suspected criminal hideout and added, “the police will continue to aggressively pursue robbers of any kind to make sure that our people live in peace and dignity.”

    He said it was a “grand operation” and asked whether it was fire from the police that killed the two or from the gang, Mr Ofori said: “they opened fire on the police and the police also retaliated and that is why we said we believe some of them might have sustained injuries and are appealing to medical authorities to provide us with related information if they come for treatment.”

    “The criminals opened fire on the police and the police fired back, in the process the two suspects sustained injuries…”
    Mr Ofori said the case was still under investigations.

    Five other suspects in the bullion van robberies, four of whom are also policemen have been arrested and interdicted.

    They are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.

    According to a police statement, there was an exchange of gunshots during an intelligence led raid and the two policemen, No.58284 Constable Reindolph Gyimah Ansah and No. 53549 Lance Corporal Stephen Kwaku Nyame who had earlier been arrested in connection with the bullion van robberies, were shot and were pronounced dead on arrival at the police hospital where they were rushed for treatment.

    Some other suspects believed to have sustained gunshot wounds managed to escape from the scene, the police statement signed and issued on Tuesday night (March 8, 2022) by the Director-General of Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Kwesi Ofori said.

    Names revealed 

    The police statement named the policemen arrested for their involvement as, No. 58370 Constable Affisu Yaro Ibrahim, No 58355 Constable Richard Boadu, No. 58525 Constable Rabiu Jambedu, No. 58586 Constable Albert Ofosu and suspect Razak Alhassan (a civilian).

    On Monday March 7, 2022, the police announced that months of investigations have revealed that some two policemen were the brains behind some of the multiple robbery attacks on bullion vans in Ghana.

    There have been a number of robbery attacks on bullion vans, especially in the Greater Accra Region recently.

    The police described the development as a major breakthrough in the fight against bullion van robbery attacks.

    It was explained police investigations were still ongoing and to help not to compromise the investigations, the names of the two suspects, together with other suspects linked to the robbery attacks were not immediately revealed.

    It listed the robbery attacks investigated as including the attack on a bullion van near Kingsway, in February 2021 and in Baatsona, Spintex, in March 2021.

    The third robbery attack investigated took place in Jamestown, Adedenkpo, in June 2021 and the recent attempted robbery at North Kaneshie Industrial Area, in February 2022.

    It said preliminary investigations established the involvement of the two policemen among a number of other suspects.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • World Bank processes $60.6m additional COVID-19 funding for Ghana – Report

    An amount of $60.6 million is being processed to be given to Ghana as an additional COVID-19 fund from the World Bank, myjoyonline.com has reported.

    According to the news portal, the aforementioned amount is pending approval and would be handed over to the Government of Ghana before the end of March this year.

    The gesture by the World Bank comes after an auditing firm, Betton Wood institution, conducted an audit into the US$435.8 million that the World Bank had earlier disbursed to Ghana to help government contain the global pandemic – coronavirus. 

    So far, the Government of Ghana has made use of US$435.8 million injected into the local economy.

    Myjoyonline reported that, “$2.5 million was rechanneled from a previous Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Project (MCHNP); $65.0 million from the CERC of the GARID project; $35.0 million of the Ghana COVID-19Emergency Preparedness and Response Project and its 1st and 2nd additional financing of $130 million and $200 million, respectively as well as $3.3 million from the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF).”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Have the humility to appreciate that we still have some way to go Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians

    President Akufo-Addo has admonished Ghanaians to consider the enormity of the task ahead and measure their expectations of government accordingly.

    According to him, the country has made a lot of positive strides which must be taken into account as well.

    “We must have the pride to acknowledge that we have made positive strides. We must also have the humility to appreciate that we still have some way to go,” he said on Thursday.

    He was speaking at the 2022 Head of State Awards in Accra.

    The President said Ghanaians must also “have the patience to accept that just as our fight for freedom and independence was not achieved in a day, so too, national prosperity will not come overnight.”

    Addressing the gathering, the President further explained that he is spearheading a strong base from which to catapult the country into better fortunes.

    While enumerating his commitment to ensuring development, he insisted that his administration is poised to work hard to “build a new Ghanaian civilization that will attract the admiration of Africa and the world.”

    “We are establishing a solid foundation for the economic take-off of our country. In peace and in unity, I am certain that we will,” he added.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Adwoa Safo reportedly writes to Bagbin for 4-week permission of absence

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has revealed that the embattled Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Ms. Sarah Adwoa Safo, has written to Speaker Alban Bagbin seeking permission to absent herself for an additional four weeks.

    According to Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, he has received a letter dated 28 February 2022 from the MP, who is also the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, seeking permission from the Speaker to absent herself from Parliament for four more weeks.

    The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs was quick to add that the letter was not addressed to him but to the Speaker.

    “I was only copied in the letter”, he explained.

    The Suame MP added that the reason Adwoa Safo was assigned to her request is that her daughter is not well and going through physiotherapy after recuperating from an ailment.

    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the Speaker has not discussed the content of the said permission request with him.

    The Majority Leader also took the opportunity to correct a statement attributed to First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for the Bekwai Constituency, Mr Joe Osei-Owusu to that effect that he (Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) had indicated to him (Joe Osei-Owusu) in a conversation that Adwoa Safo had instructed that she should not be called but only sent text messages.

    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said there had never been any such instruction from the Dome Kwabenya MP.

    “I think it was a wrong impression the First Deputy Speaker got in my interaction with him over Adwoa Safo’s absence from Parliament”, he stressed in an interview with Accra-based Neat FM today, Thursday, 3 March 2022.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Rural market project funded with oil money does not exist – PIAC

    The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), has indicated that, a rural market project at Otu-Kwadjo in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region, which was funded and executed with petroleum revenue, does not exist at the specified community.

    According to the independent statutory body mandated to promote transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum revenues in Ghana, the ‘false’ information was made available by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), stressing, the project has been fully completed at Otu-Kwadjo.

    Breaking down the cost of the project in a Daily Graphic reportage, PIAC stated that the cost of the project, which includes a storage facility and mechanised boreholes, is GH¢920,354; out of which GH¢190,707 was sourced from the annual budget funding amount (ABFA).

    “The contract was awarded through the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI) to Basham Company Limited (BCL) on January 29, 2019, and was expected to be completed after six months,” Graphic reported. 

    PIAC was able to come out with such a report when the committee members visited Otu-Kwadjo on Friday, February 11, to inspect the said project MoF has made available to them but realised that a project of such nature did not exist in the community – the market, storage and boreholes were not found.

    The only borehole project found in that community, Otu-Kwadjo residents said, was built through their efforts several years ago before the MSDI contract was awarded.

    Officials of the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, who joined the inspection team, suggested that perhaps it was not Otu-Kwadjo rather another community called Kojo Electoral Area in the same municipality.

    PIAC inspection team then visited the said Kojo Electoral Area where a market project with a similar description was found, yet without boreholes, toilet facilities or electricity.

    The project, which has been reported to be fully completed and handed over, had an empty water tank mounted, the sheds were not occupied, yet those allocated were redeveloping them to suit their needs.

    Alhaji Suleman Anderson, a member of PIAC told the state-owned newspaper that he is surprised there was no involvement of communities and beneficiary institutions in the project selection and/or implementation, making tracking and demand for accountability difficult.

    “We took pains to go to Otu-Kwadjo. When we went there, we could not trace any project of such nature, we could not find the market or boreholes.

    “What we have found with regards to the market project at Otu-Kwadjo or Kojo Electoral Area is disappointing and we think that going forward the government in siting project anywhere must liaise with the municipality or the district assembly to properly assess their needs and also make them part of the process when awarding the contract so that they can be part of the supervision.

    “The situation where the project is ongoing and the supervisor sits in the city, has no idea of what is happening on the ground and yet sits in his office and certified that the project has been done and handed over must stop,” Alhaji Suleman Anderson stated.

    He noted that it was not appropriate for proper development and value for money on projects funded by the government.

    “And so, we think the government must revisit the processes of awarding contracts and change it for the better. We do not think this type of contract should be awarded from Accra, where people in the localities or the beneficiaries have no idea,” he said.

    Alhaji Anderson further stated that PIAC would send a special report to the Presidency and Parliament to inform them officially on the discrepancies in the market project at Otu-Kwadjo and Kojo Electoral Area.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Judge throws out Oliver Barker for misconduct in court

    Fixthecountry Convener Oliver Barker Vormawor was sent out of court by the sitting judge, Her Honour Eleanor Kakra Barnes Botwe, following a heated argument between him and the judge.

    During the proceedings on February 28, 2022, at the Ashaiman District Court, Justice Srem Sai was seeking an inquiry on the court’s authority to deal with matters that affect the liberty of Oliver Barker.

    State Prosecutor ASP Sylvestre Asare responded by stating that the court was the right medium since the charge of treason felony levelled against him is an indictable offence.

    The Magistrate then reminded Barker-Vormawor’s legal team that she had earlier ruled that the appropriate forum for requesting bail was the High Court.

    The convener who was a meter away from the judge said, “We have not asked for bail,” he said.

    The Magistrate urged him to remain silent while two officers moved closer to urge the accused person to remain calm.

    The accused person who ignored the judge continued, “We have not asked for bail. This is a kangaroo process. The bench has not covered itself in glory. I am not going to glorify a sham,” Myjoyonline quoted Oliver Barker in a report.

    The Magistrate urged the lawyers to restrain the accused person, but the youth activist yelled out again, “This process is a sham.”

    The Magistrate then ordered his removal from the court. However, the Magistrate warned that the accused person would not be allowed in the court premises, except his lawyer, should he continue to attack the court.

    Background

    One of the #FixTheCountry movement convenors, Barker-Vormawor, was remanded into police custody after being charged with Treason Felony on Monday, February 14, 2022.

    Barker-Vormawor was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport on his arrival from London and was subsequently detained by the Tema Regional Police Command in connection with a post he allegedly made on Facebook.

    Mr Barker-Vormawor’s arrest is about a social media post he threatened to stage a coup if the E-levy currently under consideration in parliament is passed into law.

    During his court appearance on February 14, 2022, the presiding judge, Her Honour Eleanor Barnes, said she does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail to the accused due to the nature of the offence.

    She, however, urged the defence team to repeat their bail application at the High Court or challenge her ruling.

    Meanwhile, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor is expected to reappear on March 15, 2022.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Supreme Court okays substituted service in injunction motion against Assin North MP

    A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court has granted an application exparte for substituted service in the case involving Assin North Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) James Gyakye Quayson.

    Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a member of the New Patriotic Party is seeking for an interlocutory injunction against the MP from performing his Parliamentary duties.

    However, his effort to have the MP served with the processes has yielded no results.

    With an exparte motion, he prayed the court for substituted service.

    The exparte Motion moved by Frank Davis counsel for the applicant, Michael Ankomah Nimfah, prayed the court to allow copies to be posted on his frontage and doors of his home.

    While granting the motion, the court has also directed that the processes be published in the Daily Graphic and would be deemed valid after seven days.

    The panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse with support from Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Justice Mariama Owusu, Justice Agnes Dordzie, Justice Nene Amegatcher, Justice Gertrude Torkornor and Justice Yoni Kolendi adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely).

    James Quayson was absent in court because the bailiff at the High Court in Assin Fosu was unable to serve him with the processes.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Manasseh reacts to Oliver Barker-Vormawors arrest

    Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure has stated that the arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor was expected owing to his coup comment and circumstances surrounding same.

    According to Manasseh, it would have been irresponsible on the part of the state if it had not taken action over the comment made by the #FixTheCountry convener.

    “We can disagree on whether Ghana needs a coup or not. But we must agree that no responsible state will sit aloof if a leader of a youth movement calls the army “useless” and declares his intention to do a coup if a certain bill is passed,” Manasseh posted on Facebook.

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a convener for the #FixTheCountry Movement, recently hinted that he will organize a coup in the country if Parliament passes the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy).

    He described the army as useless whilst commenting on some viral photos and videos of an E-Levy cake presented to the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, during his 65th birthday.

    In a post on his Facebook timeline, the activist wrote:
    “If this E-Levy passes after this Cake bullshit, I will do the coup myself. Useless Army!”

    The Ghana Police Service on Saturday morning confirmed the arrest of Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, adding that he will be arraigned before the court on Monday, February 14, 2022.

    According to reports, the activist was picked up by security officers at the Kotoka International Airport upon his arrival in the country on Friday night.

    In a statement signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, the police said the activist was arrested based on the social media post he made.

    fixture

    “Mr. Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor has been arrested by the Tema Regional Police Command following a post he allegedly made on a social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E-levy Bill is passed by Parliament.

    “The post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana. He will be arraigned before the court on Monday, February 14, 2022,” parts of the statement read.

    In another post on his Facebook page, Manasseh Azure said “there are times the state gets it wrong. Sometimes, the citizens get it wrong too.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Majority of Ghanaians against E-levy; listen to them Emile Short to government

    A former Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short, has called on the government to pay heed to the majority of Ghanaians’ views regarding the passage of the controversial E-levy.

    According to Mr Short, most Ghanaians have kicked against the levy’s passage and, therefore, the government must do as the people want.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kofi Oppong Asamoah on the Class Morning Show on a myriad of issues on Class91.3FM, Tuesday, 8 February 2022, Mr Short insisted the government must listen to the view of Ghanaians.

    He said: “I think the majority of Ghanaians from a survey that I read are against the e-levy and it is my view that government should listen to the views and opinions and voices of the majority of Ghanaians on this issue because I think the majority of Ghanaians think that they will be adversely affected by the passing of this e-levy legislation since a lot of electronic transactions are done by quite a sizeable number of Ghanaians.

    “So I’m hoping the government will listen to the views of the majority of Ghanaians. I don’t think the views and argument the government has put forward for the e-levy have been supported by the majority of Ghanaians.”

    Touching on the ongoing e-levy debate in parliament, Mr Short described as “unfortunate” the extent of anger that led to a brawl among legislators in parliament. 

    “First, it’s unfortunate that a brawl broke out in parliament arising out of a discussion on the e-levy, and there were fisticuffs as well as invectives being thrown at each other by the two dominant political parties,” he said.

    “The expectation of the electorates from the close results of the 2020 elections where we have a hung parliament with an almost equal representation of the two dominant parties was that they will work together, they’ll collaborate and arrive at a consensus as supposed to the previous situations where one party had a dominant representation. Unfortunately, that expectation has not been fulfilled. It’s unfortunate we are seeing this animosity between the two parties about the e-levy,” he bemoaned.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Government to restore PSRLs on petrol, diesel and LPG effective February 1

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has indicated its decision to restore the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levies (PSRL) on petrol, diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) products effective February 1, 2022.

    President Akufo-Addo had directed the National Petroleum Authority to extend the removal of the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levies on petrol, diesel, and LPG to the end of January.

    Following the exhaustion of the grace period, the NPA has restored the PSRLs.

    “We hereby wish to inform all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) that effective 1st February, 2022, the PSRLs on petrol, diesel and LPG have been fully restored,” it said in a statement.

    Government to restore PSRLs on petrol, diesel and LPG effective February 1

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Fuel prices to go up ¢0.25 per liter from Feb. 1 Institute of Energy Security

    Fuel prices are expected to go up by 25 pesewas per liter from tomorrow if the suspended Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levies (PSRL) is reintroduced, the Institute of Energy Security (IES) has disclosed.

    This is as a result of an 8.52% increase in the price of Brent crude as well as a marginal depreciation of the cedi to the US dollar during the last two weeks.

    “Over the next two weeks, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) foresees the prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), diesel, and petrol recording yet another jump at the pump, in spite of a suspension of the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL)”.

    “The pending increases comes on the back of an 8.52% increase in the price of Brent crude, a 5.5% rise in LPG price, a 6.23% increase in price of gasoline, and 9.86% jump in gasoil price; all on the international oil and fuel markets.

    “Further depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar on the foreign exchange (forex) market adds on to the factors that will push up the prices of the commodities on the local market”, it explained.

    Furthermore, it said “the impending price increases could see all the major Oil Marketing Companies crossing the ¢7 per litre mark for gasoil and gasoline, moving the price increases for both products over the past six-months beyond the 16 percentage mark recorded at the end of January 2022″.

    Total, Puma sell highest fuel price

    During the last pricing window, some OMCs including Puma Energy, Ready, Total, EV were spotted selling diesel above ¢7.00 per litre for the first time.

    Benab Oil, Dukes Oil, Star Oil, Reliance, Goodness Oil and Westport were however the OMCs with the least-priced fuel on the local market.

    Over the last two weeks, prices of petrol and diesel rose by roughly 3%, from ¢6.70 a litre on average terms at most pumps to reach ¢6.94 per litre.

    The current national average price for petrol is pegged at ¢6.90 per litre, while that of diesel stands at ¢6.98.

    Meanwhile, crude oil traded at over $90 per barrel this morning, a situation that could trigger increase in transport fares soon.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Three-member Zambian delegation in town to study Ghana’s Parliament

    A three-member delegation from the National Assembly of Zambia is in Ghana for a five-day study visit of Ghana’s Parliament.

    The delegation, led by Madam Princess Kasune, Deputy Government Chief Whip, National Assembly of Zambia, is accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Nkyeraa, a Senior and National Relations Assistant and a Principal Clerk.

    The visit is intended to deepen the relations between Ghana’s Parliament and Zambia’s Legislature.

    Mr. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, in his opening address for the House on Tuesday in the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, introduced and welcomed the delegation.

    He called for the necessary and related learning assistance to the delegation to make their study trip worthwhile.

    Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday after the legislators took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The Second Session of the Eighth Parliament will see the passage of bills and agreements, including the contentious Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill.

    Parliament was compelled to adjourn its sitting to January 25, 2022, without passing the controversial 1.75 per cent E- Levy.

    The Bill was brought after the House reconvened on December 21, 2021, following the abrupt suspension of sittings by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Andrews Asiamah, after a scuffle during the voting on the levy.

    Source: GNA

  • Most Ghanaians fear to test for Covid-19 because of Stigma GSS survey

    The majority of Ghanaians have never tested for Covid-19 because of the fear of stigma around testing positive, a Ghana Statistical Service survey has shown.

    The survey conducted in the first two weeks of December 2021 showed that only 21.6 percent of Ghanaians had ever been tested for Covid-19.

    Apart from the fear of stigma, some of the people interviewed cited the unavailability or distance to a testing facility for not getting tested for Covid-19.

    The data was collected from a total of 7,999 households in the first two weeks of December 2021 across the country.

    In a brief on the impact of the Covid-19 Households and Jobs Tracker Survey Report, Mr Victor Boateng Owusu, Senior Statistician, and Project Coordinator said the survey revealed that Covid-19 was not a major reason for people not working, adding that only 4.3 percent of the respondents gave Covid-19 as a reason for not working.

    Touching on the nine indicators of the wellbeing of children between four and 17 years old, Mr Owusu said improvements were reported compared to the period before January 2021 when schools were reopened.

    He said Children felt less distressed, less afraid, and less sad but also less likely to experience physical punishment and less likely to work.

    Mr Owusu said only 26.7 percent of Ghanaians indicated that their total household income stayed the same as compared to the period before Covid-19, adding that 5.1 percent of citizens indicated that their total income increased while 68.2 percent indicated that their household income decreased.

    “Of the different sources of income, non-farm family business income saw the biggest reduction. 77.3 percent of households with income derived from a non-farm family business saw a decrease in income and only 4.4 percent reported an increase in income,” it

    He said 4.2 percent of households, who got income from pension, saw the smallest change of this income source while 76.7 percent reported no change in pension income, 13.0 percent a reduction, and 10.3 percent an increase.

    It said the median expenditure on Personal Protective Equipment (masks, sanitisers, face shields, etc.) per household on the seven days before the interviews was 12.0 Ghana cedis and the mean expenditure of 22.0 cedis, adding that the Median expenditure was slightly higher in urban areas (14 GH?) than in rural areas (10.3 GH?).

    Approximately, 87 percent of households used some sort of coping strategy such as relying on savings and reducing food consumption to deal with the negative effects of Covid-19 since March 2020.

    It stated that 73.4 percent indicated that an increase in prices was the most common shock experienced by households due to Covid-19 since March 2020.

    “Rural households were less food secure than urban households and the coastal zone was more food secure on all indicators than the national average with the exception of the percentage of households that indicated they ran out of food,” Mr Owusu said.

    Source: GNA

  • Apiate explosion: Discharged victims stranded at hospital, say they are now homeless

    The devastating effects of the explosion incident recorded at Apiate on Thursday, January 20, 2022, is being felt by residents and affected victims of the community which has had major portions reduced to rubbles from the impact.

    According to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Thomas Tetteh, some victims of the accident who have been discharged from the hospital following their treatment have refused to go home.

    In a report, Thomas Tetteh notes that the discharged victims have been taken to the Bogoso Catholic Parish Hall where they were meant to pass the night.
    “Those who were treated and discharged at the Bogoso Hospital have all been brought here just because they cannot go back there; there is no place for them.
    “As we speak, some of them wish that they can go back home but as they go there, they have no shelter because the whole community has been razed down as a result of the explosion,” Tetteh recounted.

    Meanwhile the Ghana Police Service in a statement has urged churches and facility owners in nearby communities to take in members of Apiate community who have been rendered homeless from the explosion.

    Cause of accident

    According to the Ghana Police Service’ situational report, the accident of January 20, 2022, happened around 1:25 pm at Apiate, a town close to Bogoso.

    Specifically, it involved a DAF vehicle with registration number WR 2252-18 transporting explosives from the MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, to Chirano Gold Mines and a motorcycle.

    The impact of the motorcycle ramming into the truck caused a fire that ignited explosives on the DAF van causing it to burst into flames.

    Deaths, injuries

    Government through the Ministry of Information confirmed via a statement that the casualty figure stands at 76. Out of that figure, 13 people have died while 59 injured persons have so far been rescued.

    “Out of the fifty-nine (59) injured persons, forty-two (42) are receiving treatment and some in critical condition,” the statement noted.

    Extent of material damage

    According to multiple reports on the ground, a large crater has been created at the scene of the accident with Police confirming that a portion of the road was damaged.

    Buildings extending meters away from the scene of the accident are also said to have been impacted to different degrees – whiles some developed cracks, others had their windows shattered. In some extreme instances, some buildings were reduced to rubbles from the impact

    “Extensive damage was caused to a nearby ECG transformer,” a Police report noted.

    Government Activates National Emergency Response

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo following the incident activated a National Emergency Response Mechanism.

    From first responders, security officials, disaster management officers to government officials, the entire township Apiate which has had major portions reduced to rubbles, has been swarmed with officials responding to the accident and commiserating with the affected victims.

    As part of the National Emergency Response Mechanism, personnel from the Police Service, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service and Municipal Authority have been on the scene.

    About 10 ambulances have also been dispatched to the scene to convey the injured, while efforts are being made to evacuate those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of government officials led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have arrived at Apiate to commiserate with the affected victims and gather first-hand information from the response activities. 

    Also part of the delegation is the Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, who have already visited the traditional leaders of the town.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to visit Apiate to assess the effectiveness of governments response efforts once the situation is brought under control.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Bawumia, Ambrose Dery, IGP, arrive at Apiate accident scene

    A team of government officials and the leadership of the emergency response have arrived at the Apiate where some 17 lives have been claimed after an explosion on January 20.

    The team are there to examine the situation and the effective measures that have been put in place to ensure control of the situation after the explosion.

    The team which is led by the Vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia include the Minister for the interior, Ambrose Dery, Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, Minister for Lands and Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Director General of NADMO, Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh among others.

    The team is expected to address the media to give updates on the incident at 11am today.

    Background

    Over five hundred people have been rendered homeless at Apiate, a community near Bogoso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality in an explosion, killing about seventeen people and leaving several others severely injured.

    All houses in the community, church buildings, stores and all structures have collapsed, leaving residents in the community homeless.

    The explosion was caused by a truck belonging to a mining service contractor MAXAM that was involved in a collision causing an explosion in the community.

    The truck carrying the explosives was from Bogoso heading towards Kinross, a mining company in Chirano in the Western North Region, 140 kilometers away from the explosion site.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police intervene to bring deadly clash between Nima and Mamobi youth under control

    A timely intervention by the Police on Tuesday afternoon averted what could have been bloodshed following a violent clash between the youth of Nima and Mamobi.

    According to reports, four persons died from the clash, but the Police are yet to confirm this.

    In a Twitter post, hours after the clash hit social media, the Police said they have “strongly intervened” and brought the situation under control.

    The post added that the suspects are being pursued to face justice.

    https://twitter.com/gehrich247/status/1483504912155746304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1483504912155746304%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myjoyonline.com%2Fpolice-intervene-to-bring-deadly-clash-between-nima-and-mamobi-youth-under-control%2F

    Earlier, videos emerging on Twitter showed the youth in the adjoining Muslim communities with clubs and cutlasses.

    In one of the videos, gunshots are heard while the youth are seen in other videos slashing each other with machetes.

    https://twitter.com/ghanayesu_/status/1483502699828109312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1483502699828109312%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myjoyonline.com%2Fpolice-intervene-to-bring-deadly-clash-between-nima-and-mamobi-youth-under-control%2F

    It is unclear what may have started the confusion between the youth, but according to some Twitter posts, the fight was over a shisha.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Police hunt for gunmen after rescuing trapped baby from snatched car in Kumasi

    Police have mounted a search for two gunmen who, at gunpoint, snatched a red Toyota Corolla from its owner with a baby trapped inside.

    The incident happened at Santasi, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    The vehicle was retrieved after the alleged snatchers abandoned it at Dakodwom, following a chase by the police patrol team on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

    Ashanti regional police spokesperson, ASP Godwin Ahianyo says the vehicle was snatched by the two unidentified gunmen at the Good Hope Chapel.

    “The Police upon receipt of the information swiftly set out all patrol vehicles and motorbikes within the metropolis in search of the said vehicle and its occupants (suspects). Sensing danger on the approach of a police vehicle and a taxi cab,” the Police said.

    Police hunt for gunmen after rescuing trapped baby from snatched car in Kumasi

    “The suspects abandoned the vehicle around Dakwadwom and fled into a nearby bush,” Ashanti Regional Police PRO, ASP Godwin Ahianyo explained in a statement.

    Police found the baby safe and has since reunited the child with the mother.

    The statement added that “the vehicle has since been driven to the Regional Police Headquarters and the child
    reunited with the mother.”

    Though police patrol vehicles are pursuing the suspects and operational units have been activated to assist in the search of the suspects, it is calling on the general public to provide credible information to help apprehend suspects.

    They further assured the public of their resolve to ensure the Ashanti Region is safe.

    https://soundcloud.com/joynews_adomnews/police-hunt-for-gunmen-after-rescuing-trapped-baby-from-snatched-car?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fjoynews_adomnews%252Fpolice-hunt-for-gunmen-after-rescuing-trapped-baby-from-snatched-car

    Source: .myjoyonline.com

  • We were attacked for discussing the Songor lagoon issues Management of Radio Ada

    The Management of Radio Ada 93.3 FM says they were attacked because of their extensive coverage of issues surrounding the Songor Lagoon.

    In a press statement to present the facts of their attack, they stated that one of the hoodlums who had attacked them had revealed to them that they were targeted for throwing light on recent development on the Songor Lagoon.

    “The attackers openly declared that they had come to vandalise the station because of its Manor Munyu and other programmes discussing the recent developments in Songor. They threatened to inflict further havoc should the station continue with programmes on Songor,” the Management of the radio station stated.

    We were attacked for discussing the Songor lagoon issues - Management of Radio Ada
    Equipment belonging to the radio station were destroyed during the attack.

    On Thursday, January 13, Radio Ada 93.3 FM was raided by 8 hoodlums at about 11:30 am.

    “The attackers, one of whom was armed with a pistol, invaded the on-air studio by forcibly destroying its door. They beat up the presenter and vandalised the on-air studio equipment, leading to the temporary shut-down of Radio Ada,” the station recounted.

    During the havoc that ensued, two staff of the station were held hostage.

    According to Management, the attack has been reported to the Big Ada police for further investigation to be carried out.

    We were attacked for discussing the Songor lagoon issues - Management of Radio Ada

    The incident has also been reported to the National Media Commission.

    Meanwhile, the presenter who was assaulted has since been sent to the Ada East District Hospital for treatment.

    The Management further mentioned that in the wake of the attack, the radio station will be shut down for a few days, starting Friday January 14, to enable it review and repair the damage caused.

    “This announcement is being made to ensure that the facts of the attack are reported accurately and timeously. This announcement, interspersed with music, will be the only broadcast that Radio Ada will be making today,” the station stated.

    We were attacked for discussing the Songor lagoon issues - Management of Radio Ada
    Equipment belonging to the radio station were destroyed during the attack.

    Management of Radio Ada stated that it remains unfazed by the attack and will continue “to inform and to give voice to the Dangme community, particularly those least heard.”

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Covid-19: Travelers from Accra to UAE to show proof of 24-hour negative test results

    Travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Accra will now have to show proof a 24-hour negative Covid-19 test result before the scheduled departure time.

    The result must be obtained within 24 hours before the departure and only hard copies of such negative results with barcodes for verification would be accepted.

    In a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, sighted by MyJoyOnline.com, the stringent measure recommended to be implemented by government is to “convince the UAE government to reconsider its decision and lift the travel restrictions of travelers from Ghana to UAE.”

    According to the statement dated January 12, five laboratories have been approved to take such tests. They are Leding, Frontiers, Airport Clinic, Akai House and MDS Lancet laboratory.

    Covid-19: Travelers from Accra to UAE to show proof of 24-hour negative test results

    Earlier, it was notified that people travelling from Uganda and Ghana to UAE on transit flights should have a negative Covid-19 test conducted with 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test which will be done at the airport within six hours of departure.

    But the Ministry says relevant UAE authorities have proposed new measures.

    As part of its proposition, “Passengers will additionally be required to present a negative Covid-19 rapid or rare time PCR test certificate with QR code for a test conducted at the airport within 6-hours of departure.”

    Covid-19: Travelers from Accra to UAE to show proof of 24-hour negative test results

    The approved labs to provide such services are Leding and Frontiers.

    Meanwhile, airlines that ply the Accra-Dubai routes have been urged to comply with the recent measure.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Vaccinated persons dying more, stop administration – Doctors to Akufo-Addo

    Concerned Doctors of Ghana have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to, with immediate effect, put a hold on the rollout of the COVID-19vaccine.

    According to them, the impression by government that the vaccine prevents infection and spread is false.

    Classfmonline reports that the concerned doctors indicate that recent studies show the vaccinated population is becoming more relevant in the spread of COVID-19, adding that, the vaccinated individuals have rather become a source of outbreaks.

    The doctors in a letter addressed to President Akufo-Addo said, “during the early days of the pandemic, the general sentiment was to hold on for a vaccine to come and save the day. We were told that these vaccines were our only way out of this pandemic, providing immunity against infection, preventing severe/critical disease hospitalisations and death. Overtime, however, all these have been shown to be false assertions.”

    They also urged government to immediately stop the mandatory requirement of proof of vaccination. Backing their argument with data, the concerned doctors indicated that the assertion that these COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, has been shown to be inaccurate as well.

    They said “in the state of Vermont, USA, it has been shown that 79% of deaths in September 2021 were among fully vaccinated individuals.

    “Over the month of September last year in the UK, approximately 79% of deaths were among fully vaccinated individuals as well. There are even schools of thought that theorise that the vaccinated are the main drivers of the pandemic,” classfmonline.com quoted them as having said.

    They added that relevant metrics indicate that, Ghana and Africa have done better than most of the world, they however recommend that many Ghanaians can strengthen their immune system by eating local dishes and fruits as recommended by the president in the early days of the pandemic.

    “Per your dietary advice during the early days of the pandemic, Mr. president said many Ghanaians may have strengthened their immune system after eating more of our local dishes and fruits which tend to be high in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients,” they added.

    They urged government to conduct further research into locally made remedies and treatment for COVID-19.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Transport fares to go up by 40% on January 17 Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana

    The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) has announced a 40% increment in transport fares across the country from Monday, January 17, 2022.

    In a press release dated January 10, the Association noted that the upward adjustment has been necessitated by the unbearable hardships facing drivers currently.

    “It must be noted that we commiserate with Ghanaians on the current economic hardship but in order to keep us in business, we are left with no other option but to adjust transport fares a little upward which is a 40% increment,” part of the statement reads.

    C-DAG stated that the increment is influenced by a number of factors including the price of fuel at the pumps, the increase in the prices of vehicles and the increment of spare parts and lubricants.

    “It must be noted that we also experience the economic conditions of the country. It has become extremely difficult for us to manage our homes as prices of basic commodities, including sachet water have also seen an upward increment,” they added.

    The Association urged Ghanaians to embrace the new “transport fares when it takes effect from Monday, January 17, 2022.”

    The Association also encouraged Ghanaians to avoid fighting drivers and their conductors when the new fares are implemented. 

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • SIM card registration: Why join long queues when it could be done digitally? – Some Ghanaians

    The micro-blogging site, Twitter, has once again been set ablaze as photos and videos of people joining long queues at the National Identification Authority (NIA) and telecommunication operators offices across the country have popped up.

    The re-registration of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards commenced on Friday, October 1, 2021, and is expected to end on March 31, 2022. 

    People who fail to re-register their SIM will have it blocked.

    As the deadline draws nigh, several people have thronged the premises of the NIA and the telcos to join long queues to get their Ghana card and biometric registration of their SIM cards done, respectively.

    Reacting to this growing development, tweeps have wondered why the re-registration exercise could not be done digitally.

    Others suggested that these telcos have applicants on scheduled dates to avoid the crowd and also curb the spread of COVID-19.

    In some tweets sighted by GhanaWeb, a user by the name Abraham Bansi said, “A simple phone app or website to let applicants book preferred time to visit the office will reduce this mess, but no, there is this inexplicable joy public servants have when they see their fellow Ghanaians queueing for hours to access a service… Ghana card”

    “Why do we have to join queues to register everything in Ghana? This Ghana card /sim registration thing we fit do am online but naa dem say we for join in the queue,” another tweep said.

    “Biometric data was collected during Ghana card registration, now linking your SIM card to same Ghana card requires taking of another biometric data. Doesn’t make sense. (Just creating long queues),” another tweep said.

    Goldenflyboy said, “Why should we go to the various networks offices for biometric verification whilst it’s already on our Ghana card? what sort of stress is that”

    “A simple phone app or website to let applicants book preferred time to visit the office will reduce this mess, but no, there is this inexplicable joy public servants have when they see their fellow Ghanaians queueing for hours to access a service… Ghana card”

    The SIM card re-registration exercise is to monitor and track down persons who use their phones for criminal activities. 

    Read some tweets on the long queue at various NIA and telcos offices below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • From Jan.4, no vaccination, no entry begins – MOH Offices

    Effective Tuesday, January 4, 2022, people who are not fully vaccinated will be denied entry into the offices of the Ministry of Health.

    The move forms part of measures being taken by the Ministry to curb the spread of Covid-19 following a spike in infections across the country.
    The directive is contained in a memo signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Kwabena Boadu Oku-Afari, to all directors and Unit heads.

    Reacting to this, General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Titus Beyuo, encouraged all Ghanaians to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from the virus. He said although the GMA has not taken an official position on vaccines with mandates of such nature, the best option is to be vaccinated.

    ”The GMA has not taken any position on vaccine mandates but as an organization, we think that vaccines are beneficial which we encourage everyone to try and get vaccinated. It is logical that doctors would want everyone vaccinated but on the legalities of gaining access to offices and places being mandatory if you have not been vaccinated, we leave that to the legal brains to handle”, according to Dr. Beyuo.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport

    Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has confirmed a bizarre incident that took place on Tuesday, December 28 at the Kotoka International Airport.

    In a viral video on Twitter, travellers checking in and out were seen taking cover at Terminal 3 of KIA, while a sound purported to be an explosion was heard.

    https://twitter.com/quame_age/status/1476208061807218690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1476208061807218690%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myjoyonline.com%2Fgacl-investigating-suspicious-bag-after-explosion-scare-at-kotoka-international-airport%2F

    Many have speculated that it could be a weapon raising questions about the security situation at the facility.

    GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport
    Officers of the Base Ammunition Depot Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces

    But the GACL says around 9 pm that day, an unattended bag was sighted at the arrival hall of Terminal 3 of Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport
    In a statement, the GACL said it later contacted the Base Ammunition Depot Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces to conduct a preliminary assessment of the content of the bag upon which it was taken away for further investigations.
    GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport
    Management of GACL has however assured passengers and the general public of safety and security
    at the airports and has apologized for the disruption caused by the incident.
    GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport
    Officers of the Base Ammunition Depot Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces
    GACL investigating suspicious bag after explosion scare at Kotoka International Airport

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • I bless you to go and specialize but never forget Ghana Otumfuo to doctor who swept 15/21 awards

    Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged Dr Edward Akosah Danso who recently graduated from the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Science not to turn his back on Ghana by seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

    He appealed to him to ensure that he serves the country with all his might to help improve healthcare delivery while appealing to him to specialize.

    The Alumnus of Prempeh College and son of the former Director-General of Police CID, Welfare and Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah became the poster boy of the 54th graduation ceremony of the university sweeping 15 out of 21 awards to set a new record at the School of Medicine.

    During a courtesy call on the King at Manhyia Palace, he advised him not to be swollen-headed by the awards but urged him to remain and be of service to Ghana and the world at large.

    “You should consider specializing as soon as it is practicable. Wherever you get to in the medical profession, you should come home and practice and serve this country…. Never forget his country and you should also not let the award make you swollen-headed but be of service to Ghana and the world at large,” he advised

    25-year-old Edward Akosah Danso thanked Otumfuo for the words of wisdom and assured him he will make the country proud.

    “I will not forget all the pieces of advice you have given me Nana and I promise to live by them,” he assured.

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also praised COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah for bringing him up and supporting him through his education.

    The award-winning Doctor in an earlier interview with MyNewsGh.com on his future is quoted to have said, “I want to eventually end up in academia as a Professor of Surgery. I am considering specializing in transplant surgery, a subspecialty of general surgery and establishing a transplant centre to serve the country”

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • We must stop doomsday prophecies Pentecostal Council backs Police directive

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has supported the directive by the Police Administration to religious leaders to desist from communicating prophetic messages that could harm others and disturb the public peace.

    The Ghana Police Service, in a statement on Monday, December 27, asked religious group leaders to be measured in their prophetic utterances that may injure the rights of others and public interest as the year draws to a close.

    The statement, signed by Supt. Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Public Affairs, said it was a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour, or report, which was likely to disturb the public peace without evidence.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Reverend Emmanuel T. Barrigah, the General Secretary of GPCC, said the call by the Police Administration was in order.

    “Prophecies in themselves are expected to edify and glorify God and where there is the need to also rebuke those who might have fallen foul of the law of God, we should not hesitate to do so,” he said.

    “Where prophecies become a threat or become a prediction of death and harm, there is a question mark on those kinds of prophecies.”

    Rev. Barrigah said he could not fathom why end-of-year prophecies were mostly centered on negative issues and not positive ones that would propel national unity and prosperity.

    “We must stop those doomsday and death prophecies. Why is it that we can only predict harm and death and not positive things?” he asked.

    Rev. Barrigah urged the Christian community to be careful and measured in their celebration of the New Year, bearing in mind the presence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19.

    He said the GPCC had issued a circular to its members, encouraging them to, as much as possible, hold outdoor services to usher in the New Year.

    “We have also asked them to ensure that all the preventive protocols, including hand-washing, hand sanitizing, and wearing of nose masks, are strictly observed in addition to sanitizing all the things we use at the church,” he said.

    The Police had warned that it was a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send communication that is false or misleading and likely to endanger the safety of others.

    “A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years,” the police said.

  • Ghanaian student in Virginia State University arrested for the murder of his colleague

    A Ghanaian at the Virginia State University(VSU) in the United States of America (USA) has been caged for his involvement in the murder of a colleague.

    The Police were called upon December 5, shortly before 8 p.m to University Apartments at Ettrick.

    The body of Virginia State University student, Daniel N. Wharton, 19, of Alexandria, with gunshot wounds, was found.

    Daniel N. Wharton, 19 was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

    Isaac K. Amissah Jr. turned himself into the Police.

    21-year-old Isaac K. Amissah Jr. has been charged with murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and is currently being held in prison without a bond.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • All corruption allegations levelled against my appointees have been probed Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has intimated that his administration has undertaken “arguably” the boldest steps in dealing with corruption since Ghana attained independence nearly 65 years ago.

    According to him, all allegations of corruption leveled against his appointees so far, have been probed.

    “My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary actions including if required, the suspension of the affected official pending the conclusion of the investigation. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of national leadership,” he said.

    Speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Conference in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day and the International Human Rights Day, on Friday, December 10, 2021, the President cited various instances where his government has dealt with cases of corruption involving appointees under his government, including the case of the PPA boss, Adjenim Boateng Adjei.

    He, however, noted that he, as President was not in the best position to convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption. “That is the job of the courts,” he said.

    He declared zero tolerance for corruption under his government, adding that due process will not be set aside in fighting the canker.

    “Charity, they say begins at home and that is why so far, every single alleged act of corruption leveled against any of my appointees has been investigated by independent bodies such as CHRAJ, CID in some cases, and Parliament itself.

    “There are some [people] who refuse to accept my method of proceeding and have characterised me as a clearing agent because for them, the mere allegation without more, is enough to merit condemnation of the public official even though they did not apply this principle when they were in office.

    President Akufo-Addo has intimated that his administration has undertaken “arguably” the boldest steps in dealing with corruption since Ghana attained independence nearly 65 years ago.

    According to him, all allegations of corruption leveled against his appointees so far, have been probed.

    “My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary actions including if required, the suspension of the affected official pending the conclusion of the investigation. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of national leadership,” he said.

    Speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Conference in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day and the International Human Rights Day, on Friday, December 10, 2021, the President cited various instances where his government has dealt with cases of corruption involving appointees under his government, including the case of the PPA boss, Adjenim Boateng Adjei.

    He, however, noted that he, as President was not in the best position to convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption. “That is the job of the courts,” he said.

    He declared zero tolerance for corruption under his government, adding that due process will not be set aside in fighting the canker.

    “Charity, they say begins at home and that is why so far, every single alleged act of corruption leveled against any of my appointees has been investigated by independent bodies such as CHRAJ, CID in some cases, and Parliament itself.

    “There are some [people] who refuse to accept my method of proceeding and have characterised me as a clearing agent because for them, the mere allegation without more, is enough to merit condemnation of the public official even though they did not apply this principle when they were in office.

    “For my part, I will not set aside due process in fighting against corruption no matter the opprobrium this incurs for me. If any appointee is cleared of any wrongdoing, the evidence adduced and recommendation made by these agencies after the investigations are concluded, I would clear the accused persons not by myself but by the institutions mandated to do so,” he added.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • COVID-19: 34 cases Of Omicron variant detected in Ghana

    The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) says it has detected 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.

    The Institute in a series of tweets said the imported cases were detected in 120 samples collected between November 21 and 25.

    “The Omicron variant was detected in 28% (34 out of 120) of returning traveler samples (collected from 21-25 November) sequenced. These are the first imported cases of the variant into Ghana, and we are closely monitoring its potential spread in the local population.

    “We encourage the general public to continue adhering to the COVID-19 prevention protocols,” the NMIMR said in a tweet.

    The Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, announced Ghana has recorded two cases of the new variant which were detected at the Airport.

    The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) says it has detected 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.

    The Institute in a series of tweets said the imported cases were detected in 120 samples collected between November 21 and 25.

    “The Omicron variant was detected in 28% (34 out of 120) of returning traveler samples (collected from 21-25 November) sequenced. These are the first imported cases of the variant into Ghana, and we are closely monitoring its potential spread in the local population.

    “We encourage the general public to continue adhering to the COVID-19 prevention protocols,” the NMIMR said in a tweet.

    The Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, announced Ghana has recorded two cases of the new variant which were detected at the Airport.

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, revealed that the virus was detected in persons travelling from Nigeria and South Africa into the country.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Bagbin breaks silence, pokes holes into majority claims on 2022 budget rejection

    The Speaker of Parliament has, for the first time spoken after the rejection of the 2022 budget in parliament.

    In a Facebook post, the Speaker of Parliament said the 2022 budget was lawfully rejected, therefore, the statement by the majority that it was unconstitutional should be disregarded.

    He added that at the time the budget was rejected, over 138 Members of Parliament were present.

    “Please let it be known that there were more than 137 MPs on the floor when I put the question for the approval or rejection of the Economic Policy and Financial Statement of the government for the 2022 financial year often referred to as the Budget for 2022,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

    Below is post

    Background:

    On Friday, November 26, 2021, all 137 Minority Members of Parliament voted against the motion when the question was put forward by Speaker Alban Bagbin.

    The Majority had earlier walked out of the house after a disagreement with the Speaker on the presence of the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

    The House first voted to dismiss a motion by the Finance Minister seeking to engage the leadership of both parties before voting on the Budget.

    Reacting to this development in parliament, the Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu stated what they say is the unconstitutionality associated with a vote purportedly rejecting the 2022 Budget as presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on November 17, 2021.

    In a statement issued late Friday, November 26, 2021, after the 137 Minority MPs voted to reject the Budget, the Majority cited among other reasons the need for at least 138 MPs in the house for the vote to be valid.

    Whiles accusing Speaker Alban Bagbin of acting on his boast to obstruct government business, the statement added that failure to grant the Finance Minister audience with a request to delay the approval vote was a sign of a predetermined motive to frustrate government business.

    The Speaker has however responded to these allegations and has set the records straight.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    The Speaker has however responded to these allegations and has set the records straight.

  • Im number 2 most powerful man in Ghana, not Bawumia Bagbin cites SC Justice

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has disclosed that a Justice of the Supreme Court has explained why he is the second most powerful person in Ghana only behind the President of the Republic.

    According to him, the unnamed Justice explained to a gathering that included Members of Parliament that to the extent that the governance structure comprised the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in that order, their respective leaders must be ranked the same.

    “When you start from His Excellency the President, you have to go to the Vice before you come to the Speaker and then you go to the Chief Justice,” he said of the known hierarchy.

    Then continued: “But we have three arms of government… my colleagues in the Supreme Court told me that actually, you are not number three, you are number two. All those who were present at that meeting were convinced when the Supreme Court judge made the submission and justified it.

    “It is not me saying it. I have said I am number three but they said I am number two. The three arms of government the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary are equal arms of government, and must be treated as such.

    He reiterated a point about how underresourced Parliament and the Judiciary have been under the Fourth Republic, calling for greater engagement to ensure that their allocations are upped.

    “I will insist and I expect to get the support of members, it is not this government right from 1993, Parliament, the Judiciary have never gotten 1% of the total revenue of the country, not even 1%.

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has disclosed that a Justice of the Supreme Court has explained why he is the second most powerful person in Ghana only behind the President of the Republic.

    According to him, the unnamed Justice explained to a gathering that included Members of Parliament that to the extent that the governance structure comprised the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in that order, their respective leaders must be ranked the same.

    “When you start from His Excellency the President, you have to go to the Vice before you come to the Speaker and then you go to the Chief Justice,” he said of the known hierarchy.

    Then continued: “But we have three arms of government… my colleagues in the Supreme Court told me that actually, you are not number three, you are number two. All those who were present at that meeting were convinced when the Supreme Court judge made the submission and justified it.

    “It is not me saying it. I have said I am number three but they said I am number two. The three arms of government the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary are equal arms of government, and must be treated as such.

    He reiterated a point about how underresourced Parliament and the Judiciary have been under the Fourth Republic, calling for greater engagement to ensure that their allocations are upped.

    “I will insist and I expect to get the support of members, it is not this government right from 1993, Parliament, the Judiciary have never gotten 1% of the total revenue of the country, not even 1%.

    “So I started the discussion from the highest, His Excellency the President and he was shocked when he saw the data, and my colleagues the Majority and Minority leaders are aware of this and we discussed how to transit from below 1% to about 5% within four years,” he added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • UK-based Ghanaian lady jailed 14 years after pouring acid on boyfriend twice

    A young Ghanaian lady living in the United Kingdom is to spend the next 14 years behind bars for pouring acid on her boyfriend as he slept in their home in Wembley.

    Esther Afrifa, 28, is reported by dailymail.co.uk to have bought a litre of sulphuric acid online and left it by her bedside ready to attack her 29-year-old boyfriend, Kelvin Pogo.

    The jealous woman is also said to have gone to extraordinary lengths to stop Pogo from getting medical treatment after the first attack, leaving him with life-changing injuries that have left him plagued by suicidal thoughts.

    “Every time there is a knock at the door I’m scared someone is going to hurt me. She used to be my world and she did this to me. I just can’t understand it. Every day I wake up is like the day she attacked me. It’s like time has stopped,” Kelvin is reported to have said.

    All this is said to have come about after Esther Afrifa wrongly believed her boyfriend was sleeping with a university classmate.

    She is also reported to have “tried to get him to drink acid from a Nike sports bottle but he was only saved due to his distrust of tap water since his childhood in Africa.”

    Afrifa is reported to have poured the acid onto Pogo’s chest at 3.30am on December 22, 2019, quickly burning through his t-shirt.

    “At first, he did not realise his girlfriend was responsible and asked her to get help before pouring holy water on his wounds. She pretended to call 999, blocked his friends from calling, and cancelled a taxi that was due to take him to hospital,” the report added.

    At her second time, Esther Afrifa struck while Kelvin lay resting on the sofa with already painful wounds, pouring more acid over his face and body.

    “He ran from the flat screaming and was helped by a passing stranger who got him medical help,” the report added.

    Judge Charles Bourne QC who handed down the sentence to Afrifa, called it “a truly wicked thing to do.”

    She is likely to be deported to Ghana after her release, the report added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • No more road tolls – Finance Minister declares

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has announced government’s decision to abolish road tolls.

    He said inasmuch as money is needed for the fixing of deplorable roads in the country, the establishment of toll booths has led to congestions at various toll points.

    Ofori-Atta further said that the congestion has affected productivity negatively.

    It would be recalled that some Ghanaians including politicians have over the years called on government to rethink its decision on tolls.

    They explained that the toll booths cause traffic congestion and also pose health risks to commuters.

    Addressing this challenge in parliament during the 2022 budget reading, Ken Ofori-Atta said, “Mr. Speaker, our roads need fixing. Our roads are being fixed. It is true that more roads have been fixed and are being fixed over the last five years than any relative period in the entire history of our nation. We even want to do a lot more and this budget will cater for this.

    “That is why for decades, Government after Government imposed and maintained tolls on some public roads to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. This is the situation in many countries. However, over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads, lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity,” he said.

    “The congestion generated at the tolling points, besides creating these inconveniences, also leads to pollution in and around those vicinities. To address these challenges, Government has abolished all tolls on public roads and bridges. This takes effect immediately the budget is approved (after appropriation or now?). The toll collection personnel will be reassigned. The expected impact on productivity and reduced environmental pollution will more than off-set the revenue forgone by removing the tolls,” he declared.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LGBTQ+ Bill: Archbishop of Canterbury, senior clergy of Anglican Church of Ghana agree to respect cultures

    Senior bishops of the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom and Ghana have agreed that although human dignity is always paramount, cultural and social contexts must also be considered.

    This agreement was established during a virtual meeting held between the Archbishop of Canterbury and senior clergy of the Anglican Church of Ghana on Wednesday, November 3.

    The fraternity discussed their different positions on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, presently before Parliament.

    The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was one of the several UK-based church leaders who expressed worry over the Bill.

    Taking to Twitter on October 26, he decried the stands of the Anglican Church of Ghana, stating that “the majority of Anglicans within the global Anglican Communion are committed to upholding both the traditional teaching on marriage as laid out in the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution I:10 and the rights of every person, regardless of sexual orientation, before the law.”

    But in a statement issued after the meeting, Archbishop Welby admitted that he has no authority over the Anglican Church of Ghana, therefore, ensured that the conversation was one between equals.

    “We are a global family of churches who are autonomous but interdependent: a holy, catholic, apostolic Church bound together by history, sacraments, liturgy, and the love of Jesus Christ for each and every person,” he added.

    The Archbishop, however, assured that there would be a continued “good conversation with the Anglican Church of Ghana” ahead of any future public statements.

    In August, eight parliamentarians jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.

    The proponents also want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be forbidden in the country.

    Since the controversial bill was made public, opposers have argued that should the bill be passed into law, it will be in violation of the fundamental human rights of individuals who identify with the group.

    The bill is currently with the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament who is hearing the arguments of both proponents and opposers to make an informed decision on it.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Akufo-Addo to take 7-day ‘much-deserved’ leave from Nov. 13 Eugene Arhin

    The president, Nana Akufo-Addo will from Saturday, November 13th November 2021, take a 7-day leave.

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will act in his stead until he resumes official duties on November 20, 2021, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution.

    The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who announced this during an engagement with the press at the Jubilee House on Thursday, said the President will within the leave period travel to France to preside over the panel for a debate in the French parliament.

    “President Akufo-Addo will from Saturday, 13th November to Saturday 20th November take a much-deserved, long-overdue 7-day leave of absence, during which he has also accepted an invitation to preside over the panel that will adjudicate a debate in the French parliament on the trial of progress on the 19th of November.
    He is expected to come back to Ghana on Saturday, November 20, 2021. In his absence, the Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu will act in his stead,” Eugene Arhin said.

    The last time President Akufo-Addo took an official leave was in June 2019.

    In May 2018, he took his first annual leave since assuming office in January 2017 and spent a week-long vacation in the United Kingdom.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Rev Owusu Bempah re-arrested as police prepare to press fresh charges

    The General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Reverend Owusu Bempah and two others who were earlier charged for the threat of death on Nana Agradaa have been re-arrested.

    This was after they were discharged by the Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday.

    State Prosecutors led by Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpetey asked the court to discharge the accused persons with an indication that plans were afoot to press new charges.

    Once the court granted this request, they were arrested. The prosecutors intend to file the new charges before the close of the day.

    The popular pastor and the two others, Bright Berchie and Mensah Ofori were on trial after they were arrested for issuing threats, brandishing weapons and attacking Police officers.

    The trio was subsequently granted bail in the sum of ¢200,000 two weeks ago with two sureties each.

    However, the prosecution in the case has substituted the charges and slapped the defendants with counts of offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace and threat of death.

    The public prosecutor needs to separate the cases to ensure an efficient and swift trial.

    Again, the three pleaded not guilty to the new charges.

    The Accra High Court consequently granted the cleric a self-recognisance bail to the tune of ¢100,000, while the two others have been granted bail of ¢100,000 with two sureties each.

    Rev Owusu Bempah was also been granted ¢400,000 bail in the other case he and Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene, and Nathaniel Agyekum were charged for causing harm and unlawful damage to a police vehicle.

    Source: myjoyonline.com