TIG Post

Tag: Main Story

  • Coronavirus: Ghana to take delivery of 17,600,000 vaccine doses by June – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Ghana will take delivery of 17,600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines by June 2021, with more to come in the year.

    Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Accra on Tuesday, he said a total of 262,335 Ghanaians had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines as at 1030 hours on March 9, 2021.

    He said the Government was working hard towards realising its goal to vaccinate 20 million Ghanaians and called for the support of all.

    The president urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to get involved in the ongoing public education campaign on the coronavirus vaccination programme, saying “…Together, with strict compliance with the safety protocols, is what will allow us to open up our country again and embark on the quest to restore normalcy to our lives and livelihoods.”

    He said the Government was collaborating with the private sector to establish 14 medical waste treatment facilities across the country to ensure the safe and proper disposal of medical waste such as vials, needles and syringes being used in the coronavirus vaccination exercise.

    President Akufo-Addo said locally, 14,600,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment had so far been produced for health workers, students, teaching and non-teaching staff of tertiary and secondary educational institutions.

    He said the Government would continue to invest in the health sector, and recruit more professionals to improve healthcare delivery in the country.

    He expressed gratitude to all frontline healthcare workers for their devotion to duty and sense of patriotism, saying the pandemic had emphasised the need to expand access to healthcare for every Ghanaian, irrespective of location.

    The President said, last year, 33 major health projects were approved for implementation at a cost of €890 million.

    “Key amongst them are the Koforidua Regional Hospital, Tema General Hospital, the Nephrology and Urology Centre at Korle-Bu, Redevelopment of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital into a Teaching Hospital, and the Construction of a new Regional Hospital at Agona Nkwanta in the Western Region,” he said.

    He stated that electronic medical records system (E-Health) deployment was currently underway, following its implementation in key health facilities like Korle-Bu, Komfo-Anokye, Ho, Tamale and Cape Coast teaching hospitals, and several district hospitals in the Central Region.

    President Akufo-Addo said the Upper East, Upper West, and Bono regional hospitals would go live on the e-health platform in the next five days.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus vaccination: GHS vaccinates 300,000 people within a week

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has, so far, vaccinated 300,000 people since the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme started on March 2, 2021.

    Those who received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines included, health care workers, persons with underlying health conditions, essential service providers and those who were 60 years and above, as well as members of the security agencies, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary branches of government and the Media.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the GHS, announced this at Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region, during a media update on Monday, after a three-day Cabinet Retreat.

    He said the GHS targeted 570,000 people in the first phase of the vaccination, but the number of people vaccinated and registered onto the electronic database system within a week, had exceeded the 70 per cent threshold.

    He applauded the media for intensifying sensitisation programme on the vaccine, which encouraged Ghanaians to voluntarily avail themselves of the vaccination.

    So far, he said, Ghana had received 750,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility and expected to receive extra two million vaccines by the end of May, this year.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated that some of the vaccines were delivered to the various health centres via Zipline Drone Delivery Service.

    Also, a decision had been made by the government to undertake a special vaccination programme for all health workers across the country although the initial arrangement was to vaccinate only people in 43 districts, which fall within the epicentres of the Coronavirus disease.

    Government is also making frantic efforts to secure Cold Chain equipment that is capable to storing vaccines under negative temperatures.

    The GHS Boss announced that a locally- developed App would soon be launched to aid in the appointment and registration of people onto the electronic database system to speed up the vaccination programme.

    The mass vaccination exercise will continue till the end of October, this year.

    About 20 million Ghanaians are expected to be vaccinated although the government’s ambition is to vaccinate the entire population.

    Government of Ghana received its first batch of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, under the Global Access(COVAX Facility) on Wednesday, February 24,2021.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo sacks Domelevo with compulsory retirement

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has compulsorily retired embattled Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo, despite the latter claiming he is not yet 60 years.

    A letter signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, Executive Secretary to the President on Wednesday, March 3, and addressed to Daniel Yao Domelevo said:

    “The attention of the President of the Republic has been drawn to records and documents made available to the Office by the Audit Service, that indicate that your date of birth is 1 June 1960 and that in accordance with article 199(1) of the Constitution, your date of retirement as Auditor General was 1 June 2020.

    “Based on this information, the President is of the view that you have formally left office. Mr Johnson Akuamoa-Asiedu will continue to act as Auditor-General until the President appoints a substantive Auditor General.

    “The president thanks you for your service to the nation and wishes you the very best in your future endeavours.”

    Daniel Domelevo recently became a subject of many news discussions after a series of correspondence between himself and the Audit Service Board came to the fore.

    The Board alleged that records at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) provided by the Auditor-General indicated that his date of birth was 1960 when he joined the scheme on October 1, 1978.

    Again, the Board insisted that the hometown of Mr. Domelevo is Agbetofe in Togo, thereby making him non-Ghanaian, even though on October 25, 1993, Domelevo had changed those records.

    While the date of birth changed to June 1, 1961, the hometown of the Auditor-General was now Ada in the Greater Accra Region, the Board claimed in a three-page letter addressed to Mr. Domelevo on Tuesday, March 2, just a day before he was to resume work from a forced 167-day leave.

    Daniel Yao Domelevo duly informed the board that the two allegations were false and offered explanations.

    The Board replied indicating, “observation of your responses and explanations contained in your above reference letter make your date of birth and Ghanaian nationality even more doubtful and clearly establishes that you have made false statements contrary to law”.

    The Board consequently insisted that Mr. Domelevo was due for compulsory retirement on June 1, 2020, and was in fact not Ghanaian but Togolese.

    “Records made available to the Board indicate that your date of retirement was 1 June 2020 and as far as the Audit Service is concerned you are deemed to have retired,” it noted.

    Meanwhile, Domelevo returned to work on Wednesday, March 3.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Robbers attack bullion van ferrying CAL Bank cash in daylight operation at Baatsona Spintex

    There is suspicion from all sides as armed robbers in a broad daylight operation attacked a bullion van carrying an unspecified amount of money belonging to CAL Bank.

    The robbery operation took place behind Danpong Hospital and in front of Harvest Christian Academy on the Spintex Road, Baastona. At the back of the hospital, the road is unmotorable and untarred.

    According to a police report intercepted by MyNewsGh.com, at about 3:30 pm yesterday, police control received a call about the robbery where onlookers had gathered.

    Eyewitnesses account was that at about 3:30 pm, the bullion van was seen coming from Danpong Hospital direction ahead of a black Toyota Camry towards the main Addogonno road linking Baatsonaa and Nungua.

    Just opposite the Harvest Academy, the black Camry overtook the bullion van and abruptly stopped. One of the occupants quickly came down and gave a warning shot into the air and quickly, the driver of the bullion van and one other got down and escaped through the school leaving only the Police Officer in the car.

    According to an eyewitness account, the Policeman was ordered out of the bullion van by the robbers who numbered four. They assaulted him with a mallet and again ordered him to lie down on the road. They disarmed him and took away his Service rifle.

    The robbers used the mallet to damage both the padlock and the second lock on the bullion and packed the money and escaped with it in the waiting black camry.

    A shot taken by an eyewitness shows that the registration number of the black camry which police believe to be fake was GX 6337-14.

    The driver of the Bullion van, a staff of CAL Bank, Baatsona Branch, one Ebo Amissah appeared later at the scene with other officials from the bank.

    According to the driver, at about 3:30 pm, he was from Paa Nii Agency dealers of building materials accompanied by a colleague CAL Bank personnel named Elijah Asante and the policeman identified as Evans Baafi of Sakumono Police Station with the cash when they were suddenly overtaken by the robbers and got them robbed.

    Besides the cash, the amount of which is unspecified, one Samsung tablet and two CAL Bank cheques from Paa Nii Agency with face values of GH¢17,000 and GH¢50,000 each were also taken by the robbers.

    According to the bullion driver, the Police Officer and his colleague sustained injuries so they both joined a Police vehicle to be sent to the hospital.

    Information indicates that the Policeman is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital. In the course of combing the area, one Philip Tamakloe aged 26 of Addogonno was arrested by Police Patrol on suspicion that he might be part of the gang.

    Three spent and one live AK 47 ammunition were collected from the scene.

    Investigation is ongoing. Suspect Philip Tamakloe has been detained for thorough interrogations.

    Source: My News GH

  • SHS Reopening: Parents aren’t permitted to visit their children – GES

    Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwesi Opoku Amankwa says parents are not allowed to visit their children in their schools.

    Prof. Kwesi Opoku Amankwa urged the parents to give all necessary items their children need for school to them before going to campus because once they enter their various schools, there is no way they can reach out to their children in person.

    Senior High Schools will reopen on Wednesday, March 10.

    Form 1 single track, Form 2 gold and Form 3 single track students are the ones resuming on Wednesday.

    In an interview on ”Kokrokoo” on Peace FM, Prof. Opoku Amankwa said; ”The directive is that they can’t visit their children. The parents are allowed to send the children to school but after that, they are not permitted to visit them.”

    He also advised parents to ensure their children follow the COVID-19 protocols both in and out of the school premises.

    Source: Peace FM

  • COVID-19 Vaccine rollout: Who gets vaccinated and when

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has named four identifiable groups which will be receiving the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccines, which will be rolled out by the National Vaccine Deployment Plan from March 2.

    “Our population has been segmented into four groups, and this will determine which section of the population gets vaccinated at a particular time,” President Akufo-Addo declared during his 24th Coronavirus address.

    He stated that the vaccination campaign is to be conducted in 43 districts, which are the epicentres of the pandemic in the country.

    There are 25 in Greater Accra, 16 in Ashanti, and two in the Central Region. Public health officials are expected to give fuller details of the programme.

    “Whilst we are, initially, concentrating on the 43 epicentre-districts, preparations are being made for the vaccination of twenty million Ghanaians through the deployment of some 12,471 vaccinators, 37,413 volunteers, and 2,079 supervisors for the entire vaccination campaign”, Akufo-Addo added.

    Below is the list of priority persons

    Group 1

    · Persons most at risk and frontline State officials

    · Healthcare workers

    · Frontline security personnel

    · Persons with underlying medical conditions

    · Persons 60 years and above

    · Frontline members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary

    Group 2

    · Other essential service providers and the rest of the security agencies

    · Water and electricity supply services

    · Teachers and students

    · Supply and distribution of fuels

    · Farmers and food value chain

    · Telecommunications services

    · Air traffic and civil aviation control services

    · Meteorological services

    · Air transport services

    · Waste management services

    · Media

    · Public and private commercial transport services

    · Police Service

    · Armed Forces

    · Prisons Service

    · Immigration Service

    · National Fire Service

    · CEPS Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority

    · Other members of the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature

    Group 3

    This group consists of the rest of the public, that is, all persons over 18 years, except for pregnant women.

    Group 4

    This final group will include pregnant mothers and persons under the age of 18, and they will be vaccinated when an appropriate vaccine, hopefully, is found, or when enough safety data on the present vaccines are available according to the president.

    Akufo-Addo said, “special arrangements will be made for persons with disabilities who fall within these groups.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dumsor is not back, ECG replacing obsolete machines – Amewu

    Minister-designate John Peter Amewu has stated that Ghana is not back to the dark days popularly known as dumsor.

    He was responding to a question by Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak on whether Ghana was back to dumsor.

    In his response, he said dumsor is not back and the prolonged era of intermittent power is now a thing of the past.

    When asked what was accounting for the recent power outages, he said there is an ongoing replacement of obsolete equipment.

    He said President has injected an amount of $100 million for the ECG to replace some of the equipment.

    He said what the ECG should do is to inform the affected areas where the replacements were ongoing.

    Parts of the Greater Accra Region has experienced a power outage.

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) explained that the development was to pave way for planned maintenance work to improve service delivery.

    The outfit has since apologised for any convenience the outage will cause.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Government to receive first consignment of coronavirus vaccines today

    The Government of Ghana will today Wednesday, February 24, 2021, receive the first batch of 600,000 AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

    A press statement issued by the Ministry of Information in Accra, said the Minister for Health Designate, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, would lead the government delegation to receive the vaccines at 0700 hours.

    It said the brief ceremony would be televised live on Ghana Television (GTV) and also on the Ministry of Information’s Facebook page.

    The statement encouraged media houses interested in the coverage to pick the live feed from the two platforms.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana has not recorded any Ebola case – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has issued a disclaimer on the news that the country has recorded cases of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), allaying the fears of many.

    In a tweet on its official Twitter handle, the GHS stated that Ghana has not recorded any case of the EVD as has been recorded by some news outlets.

    Earlier, it had issued a notice to all regional directors of health and chief executive officers of the various teaching hospitals about the re-emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa.

    This followed the news of seven cases of the viral disease confirmed in West African country, Guinea, on Sunday, February 14. Three of the cases recorded there were reported to have died.

    As a result, the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, charged all health facilities “to initiate preparedness and response plans for EVD”.

    But, this information seemed to have been misintepreted to mean that Ghana had also recorded a case of the EVD.

    To reassure the public, the GHS stated in the tweet that, “Ghana has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus DIsease (EVD). However, the country is on high alert after Guinea, a West African neighbor, confirmed seven cases of EVD.”

    They have therefore asked all to disregard the false information.

    “Disregard the news circulating that Ghana has confirmed a case,” it concluded.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Why is Ghana budgeting $10 per dose of coronavirus vaccines? Bright Simons asks

    Bright Simons, the President of mPedigree Network and an honorary vice-president-at-IMANI Africa, has questioned why Ghana is paying as high as $10 per dose for COVID-19 vaccines.

    “Kenya is paying $3 per dose for its vaccines (with an additional $0.07 planned for logistics). South Africa paid $5.25,” Bright Simons wrote on his Twitter timeline on Saturday, February 13, 2021. “Most EU countries are paying around $2.16 (but because of volume & bargaining power issues there, let’s discount). Why is Ghana budgeting $10 per dose?”

    Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) revealed to the media on Thursday, February 11, 2021, that the Government of Ghana is expected to spend over 200 million dollars to procure COVID-19 vaccines for the entire population.

    He disclosed that the price of the vaccine available presently ranged from USD 4 to USD 20 and that would be the cost at which every Ghanaian would be vaccinated.

    “The goal is to vaccinate every Ghanaian and presently we are in excess of USD 200 million,” Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe told the Ghana News Agency in a report monitored by GhanaWeb that the first consignment of the vaccine would arrive in the country by the end of February.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Leaked National Security memo reveals alleged extortion at Ghana’s borders

    The National Security Minister-designate Albert Kan-Dapaah has noted that state security who have been deployed to unapproved routes at Elubo are aiding the illegal immigrants to and from the country.

    According to a letter to the Interior Ministry sighted by MyNewsGh.com Military, Immigration and Customs officers stationed at the various unapproved routes are extorting CFA 1,000 and 10,000 from illegal immigrants.

    Also, the National Security Minister noted that security officials at the borders do not do thorough profiling of the goods entering the country and that has a dire implication for the country.

    Apart from the Illegal entry, the National Security Ministry has taken note of the fact that OA Buses that stopped operations when the President announced that the borders were closed have now started plying the Elubo road at night.

    The Ministry of National Security called on the Interior Ministry to intervene because the trend may have adverse economic implication.


    Source: My News GH

  • LIVESTREAMING: 2020 Election Petition hearing

    The Supreme Court will resume the 2020 Election Petition case filed by the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama today Friday, February 5.

    The case was adjourned after the lawyers for Mr. Mahama requested an in-camera hearing on the status of one of their witnesses due to ill-health.

    However, a third witness of the petitioner Mr. Robert Joseph Mettle Nunoo, on Thursday, February 4 filed his witness statement at the Supreme Court to enable him to testify in the case.

    The statement was filed on his behalf by the petitioner, Mr. John Dramani Mahama.

    In his 39 point statement, the representative for the petitioner highlighted his role in the strong room of the EC, his various interactions with the Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa, and other officials during the electoral process.

    He is set to be cross-examined by counsels of the EC and President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today.

    Mr. Mettle-Nunoo became critical in the petition after the second witness, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, during his cross-examination, said the former minister was instructed by the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, to go and consult with Mr. Mahama over some grievances.

    Former President John Dramani Mahama is currently at the Supreme court challenging the verdict of the 2020 elections which declared Nana Akufo-Addo as President.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) declared President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) the winner of the 2020 polls, however, Mr Mahama disagrees with the figures put out by the Chair of the Commission.

    John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate is therefore seeking a rerun of the election because he believes no candidate won the polls.

    The court is expected to hear the case and give a ruling within a period of 42 days.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas 1st coronavirus vaccination targets 20m, as 17.6m doses in by June Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that he expects Ghana to have more than 17 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-year.

    In his 23rd national address on the pandemic on Sunday, 31 January 2021, the President said: “In Update No. 21, I indicated that Ghana is set to procure her first consignment of the COVID-19 vaccines within the first half of this year. Since then, a lot of work has been done towards the realisation of this”.

    “Our aim”, he noted, “is to vaccinate the entire population, with an initial target of twenty million people”.

    “Through bilateral and multilateral means, we are hopeful that, by the end of June, a total of seventeen million, six hundred thousand (17.6 million) vaccine doses would have been procured for the Ghanaian people”, Mr Akufo-Addo noted.

    “The earliest vaccine”, he announced, “will be in the country by March”.

    He said the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) “will use its established processes for granting emergency-use-authorisation for each vaccine in Ghana”, assuring the citizens that “only vaccines that have been evaluated and declared as safe-for-use in Ghana will be administered”.

    The President reported that in just two weeks, the active COVID-19 case count in Ghana has almost tripled, jumping from 1,900 to 5,358.

    Within the same period, the second wave of the virus has killed 64 people in Ghana, the President noted in his address.

    He said: “As of Friday, 29th January, sixty-four (64) more people have, sadly, died, over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to four hundred and sixteen (416)”.

    “Our hospitalisation rates are increasing, with the number of critically and severely ill persons now at one hundred and seventy-two (172)”, he noted, lamenting: “Our hospitals have become full, and we have had to reactivate our isolation centres”.

    Mr Akufo-Addo added: “Our average daily rates of infection now stand at seven hundred (700), compared to two hundred (200) two weeks ago”.

    Giving further details, the President noted: “The total number of active cases has more than doubled, from a little over one thousand, nine hundred (1,900), two weeks ago, to five thousand, three hundred and fifty-eight (5,358) currently”.

    “When I delivered Update No. 22, thirteen (13) out of the sixteen (16) regions had recorded active cases; today, all sixteen (16) regions have active cases. Indeed, Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti, Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, and Northern Regions are the hardest hit, accounting for ninety-four per cent (94%) of the total number of active cases”.

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records 18 additional deaths, active cases now 3,940

    Ghana has recorded 18 more deaths from COVID- 19 infections since the last update, bringing total fatalities to 390, as of January 25, 2021.

    The active cases stood at 3,940 after 625 new cases were recorded in six out of 16 regions.

    Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, who announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Thursday, said the daily average cases stood at 600.

    The country’s cumulative cases stood at 63,883 after more than 757,000 tests.

    The GHS Boss said it had stepped up Contact Tracing across the 16 regions, with 330 contact tracers in the Greater Accra Region, which managed to contact 8,679 people.

    Dr Kumah-Aboagye expressed worry over the increasing workplace infections, and urged managers of both public and private companies and organizations, to enhance observation of COVID-19 etiquettes at the various workplaces.

    Dr Kumah-Aboagye noted that” referral of patients to a public health laboratory for COVID-19 testing is free”.

    He entreated the public to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols in public places, including covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing, washing of hands with soap under running water, wearing of facemasks or shield and use of hand sanitizers frequently.

    He gave the assurance of the Service’s determination to collaborating with the media in educating and sensitising the public on the safety and preventive protocols.

    Ashanti Region – 11,895

    Western Region – 3,392

    Eastern Region – 2,779

    Central Region – 2,245

    Volta Region – 896

    Bono East Region – 806

    Western North Region – 695

    Northern Region – 672

    Bono Region – 654

    Upper East Region – 577

    Ahafo Region – 539

    Oti Region – 246

    Upper West Region – 186

    Savannah Region – 63

    North East Region - 25

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Government makes walk-in request testing free

    The Ministry of Health has announced that Public health laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing are to conduct walk-in requests such as ill-health, contact tracing and exposure for free.

    In a statement signed by its Chief Director and dated Wednesday, January 27, 2021, the Ghana Health Service has mandated that only travellers are to pay for COVID-19 testing at Public health laboratories.

    The statement sighted by GhanaWeb comes on the back of a rapid increase in recorded cases in the country over the last few days.

    Ghana currently has 3,813 active cases most of which were recorded in very recent days.

    See the GHS directive below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Ghanaians bid final farewell to Rawlings

    The four-day burial rites of Ghana’s longest-serving Head of State is being climaxed today.

    Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings who passed in November 12, 2020 will be laid to rest at the Military Cemetary in Accra.

    Prior to this, a Catholic Requiem Mass and a vigil were held in his honor on Sunday, January 24th, followed by a 2-day Laying-In-State ceremony at the Accra International Conference Center for dignitaries and the general public to file past.

    The final burial service will be held at the Black Star Square in Accra.

    Though the public particularly has been advised to monitor proceedings from home to avoid the spread of COVID-19, many dignitaries, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his Vice and some diplomats are expected to be there to pay their final respects to the former President of the country.

    Watch a livestream of the funeral service and burial here on GhanaWeb TV:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Were recording 600 cases on daily basis now – GHS

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye has announced that several people are contracting the covid-19 unlike the previous one.

    Addressing a press briefing today in the latest update, he said all the 16 regions are reporting active cases putting a burden on the few treatment centers we have in the country.

    He said Ghana is currently recording 600 average cases per day.

    He cautioned that workplaces should reduce their congestion and if possible continue virtually.

    Dr. Kuma Aboagye said that “covid is thriving on our very way life thus it is high time we modify and discipline our ourselves to stop the spread of this deadly virus”.

    He indicated the critical and severe cases are increasing especially in Greater Accra.

    He disclosed 1085 cases have been recorded from the Kotoka International Airport with an increasing positivity rate.

    Out of the figure, 62% are males with the remaining percentage being females.

    Ghanaians account for 41% of the cases recorded at the airport and a total test of 144,383.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Final Funeral Rites of Former President JJ Rawlings

    Today marks the second day in celebrating the final funeral rites of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

    He has been laid-in-state at the Accra International Conference Centre.

    Between 8: 00 am and 5: 00 pm on Monday, the heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties, the staff of the Office of former President Rawlings, traditional/religious leaders, and the general public will file past the mortal remains of the late former President.

    On Tuesday, January 26, 2021President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former heads of state and heads of constitutional bodies, the Speaker of Parliament and former Speakers will also have the opportunity to pay their respects.

    On that same day, traditional and customary rites will be held at the foyer of the conference centre with the body of the former President still in state.

    The former president died on November 12, 2020.

    He left behind a wife, former First Lady Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and four children.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dr Amoako Tuffuor is dead

    Dr Amoako Tuffuor, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party has passed on, according to reports by Classfmonline.

    He reportedly died at the 37 Military Hospital, today, January 21, 2021.

    Dr Amoako Tuffuor is a founding member of the NPP and served various portfolios under the Kuffuor administration.

    He is the former National Coordinator of the School Feeding Programme.

    He also was an advisor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Day 2 of 2020 Election Petition hearing

    Former President John Dramani Mahama is currently at the Supreme court challenging the verdict of the 2020 elections which declared Nana Akufo-Addo as President.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) declared President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) the winner of the 2020 polls, however, Mr Mahama disagrees with the figures put out by the Chair of the Commission.

    John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate is therefore seeking a rerun of the election because he believes no candidate won the polls.

    The Supreme Court is expected to conduct a pre-trial conference for parties in the 2020 election petition case.

    This is to assist the court and parties organize the proceedings in a manner that will be convenient and also set down the issues for the trial.

    The court today Tuesday, January 19, 2021, is expected to hear the substantive case and give a ruling within a period of 42 days.

    Watch the live stream below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GES assures public of safety ahead of re-opening of school Accra

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) says all necessary measures have been put in place ahead of the official re-opening of basic schools on Monday, January 18, 2021, for effective teaching and learning.

    The Service, in a statement issued in Accra, and signed by Ms. Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of Public Relations Unit, therefore, urged pupils, parents, teachers, and the public not to panic.

    It said academic work would commence on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

    The statement, directed that all schools should use Monday to tidy up classrooms and school environments for academic work.

    “In the light of that, Management wishes to inform all stakeholders that the annual event dubbed “My First Day at School” observed to welcome children entering school for the first time, will be held across all Districts and Regional Education Directorate on Tuesday 19th January 2021.

    “Let us get back to school for safe learning,” the statement added.

    Source: GNA

  • NPP MPs troop to Parliament at 4am ahead of first sitting

    To avoid losing their seat at the right side of the Speaker, some New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislators were seated in the House by 4 am.

    This is approximately six hours before the regular sitting of the House.

    The action by the NPP MPs follows the take over of their seat by the NDC on the eve of January 7 ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.

    Clad in white, the then Minority had arrived in Parliament hours before sitting to take over the right hand side of Parliament.

    The situation had left the members of the governing party in shock when they arrived in the House.https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Vi33ZYaE-bOZsmy48.html

    For about 20 minutes, Adansi Asokwa MP, K.T. Hammond, and former Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery along with former Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul tried, though unsuccessfully to convince the minority to move back to their seats.

    The situation had subsequently led to insults being hurled at each other and near brawls.

    The question of who occupies the Majority side of the House has been a big issue since both the NPP and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have 137 members each.

    Since the inauguration of the House, members of the two caucuses in Parliament have taken to social media and other news outlets to insist on their claims of who has a right to be called the majority.

    Leading the argument for the NPP, the leader of its caucus, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the decision by the only independent candidate in the House to join the NPP, is a clear indication that they are in the majority.

    But the NDC MPs have rubbished this argument. The leader of their caucus, Haruna Iddrisu says the Fomena MP choosing to join the NPP does not influence the numbers.

    He explained that his caucus will only agree to sit at the left-hand side of the Speaker if the NPP agrees to respect their number and influence.

    Meanwhile, Speaker Alban Bagbin who is himself a member of the NDC is expected to put the case to rest during the first sitting of the House today.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Parliament petitioned to probe unruly conduct of Ken Agyapong, Hawa Koomson

    A Ghanaian citizen, Kwesi Dawood has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to institute a probe into the alleged criminal conduct of the Members of Parliament for Assin Central and Awutu Senya East, Kennedy Agyapong and Mavis Hawa Koomson respectively.

    Mr. Dawood in his petition accused both MPs of “showing specific unruly actions” which are “unparliamentary, inimical to democracy and pose grave danger to life and property of citizens of Ghana.”

    The petition said Mr Agyapong had accused flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama and other members of the party -Joshua Akamba, Johnson Aseidu Nketia, among others of “burning fourteen market stalls.”

    It said Mr. Agyapong had threatened to “burn down the house of former President John Dramani Mahama.”

    The petition also cited Ms Koomson for physically assaulting some persons at a polling station in the Awutu Senya East Constituency during the voter registration exercise.

    “Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson and her thugs burnt down a motorbike belonging to one of those who had shown up to be registered,” it said.

    Mr. Dawood demanded that the two MPs should “suffer the necessary punishment” should they be found liable for the alleged wrongdoings.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Here’s how the late J.J Rawlings’s burial service will be held

    As part of plans to make sure the late Jerry John Rawlings gets a befitting burial, government has rolled out some activities before the burial day.

    On January 24, 2021, there will be a Catholic Requiem Mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra. Also, a vigil will be held at the Air Force Officers Mess to eulogise the former president.

    The late Jerry John Rawlings will then be laid in state on January 25 and 26 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This will be opened to all under the strict adherence of the COVID-19 safety protocols.

    On Wednesday, January 27 the former statesman will get a full military burial service at the Black Star Square. His body will be interred at the Military Cemetary in Accra.

    This was announced by the Caretaker Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah after having a meeting with the family, funeral planning committee, the Anlo Traditional Council and other state agencies assisting with the funeral arrangements.

    The late Jerry John Rawlings passed away at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital after battling a short illness on November 12, 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • List: The seven justices hearing Mahama’s election petition

    Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah will lead a panel of seven justices hearing the 2020 presidential election petition filed by former president John Dramani Mahama.

    The petition is challenging the successful reelection of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The president and Electoral Commission are the respondents in the case.

    The Chief Justice announced the other members of the panel at the beginning of the hearing today. The six other justices are as follows:

    Her Ladyship Justice Mariama Owusu
    Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
    His Lordship Justice Yaw Appau
    His Lordship Justice Samuel K. Marful-Sau
    His Lordship Justice Nene Abayaateye Ofoe Amegatcher
    His Lordship Justice Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey

    Today, during the case management or pre-trial stage, preliminary issues were heard by the court. Key decisions on day one included the clearance for live broadcast and for the petitioner to make some amendments.

    The court has maximum 42 working days to give a ruling on the petition. The petitioner was in court today for hearing. Only one of the respondents was present in the person of the Electoral Commission chair. President Akufo-Addo was absent.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election Petition: Hearing begins today

    The Supreme Court of Ghana will today begin hearings on the presidential election petition filed by John Dramani Mahama who is praying the court to order a rerun of the December 7, 2020, election between himself and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    He avers that neither him nor Nana Akufo-Addo, named as 2nd Respondent, being the two leading candidates obtained more than 50 per cent of the valid votes cast per the results declared by Jean Mensa, the EC Chairperson on 9 December.

    Mahama argues further that if that 9 December Declaration which was based on wrong results and a wrong calculation of the then outstanding Techiman South Results were considered, then there was no winner, thereby necessitating a rerun.

    In summary, Mahama, through his lawyers, is praying to the Supreme Court to annul the Declaration of 9 December as unconstitutional and further that all subsequent amendments by the EC, to the extent that those amendments were announced without a prior re-collation in the presence of the agents of the candidates as required by Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 127, but were thrust on the people of Ghana via unsigned press statements are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

    Akufo-Addo had indicated that the evidence of vote padding produced by the Petition amounts to just 6622 votes, which are insignificant since he was validly elected based on Article 64(1) by a margin of some 500 thousand votes.

    He stated that more than 38 thousand polling station results witnessed by the general public and international observers attest to his win.

    He, however, entered into quicksand in paragraph 35 of his Answer when he stated that the results were “corroborated by all media houses of note in the country as well as many local and international observers”.

    Documents relating to the case reveal a hearing date fixed for Thursday, January 14, 2021.

    Judgement should be delivered by 10 February according to the rules governing the case.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Continue being citizens not spectators in my 2nd term Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has renewed his charge to Ghanaians to continually subject his mandate to rigorous scrutiny to enable him to deliver successfully during his tenure of office.

    In his popular expression, “Be citizens and not spectators”, Akufo-Addo said this is the surest way the confidence reposed in him by the electorate will be realized to bring the socio-economic development they so desire.

    Speaking at his investiture in Parliament today, [Thursday, January 7, 2021], President Akufo-Addo charged the citizenry to continue being citizens and not spectators by actively participating in the day to day running of the administration of government to make Ghana a better place for all.

    “The sheer can-do-spirit of the Ghanaian, which I have witnessed all my life, is the bedrock on which we can build the Ghana of our dreams. Indeed, four years ago, at my first inauguration, I urged all Ghanaians to be, and I quote, “citizens and not spectators”. I appealed to you to be active participants in the effort to help build the Ghana we want the democratic, free, prosperous and united Ghana envisioned by our founding fathers as the Black Star of Africa”, Nana Addo said.

    The President claimed that while accepting the inputs of Ghanaians in his first term, he came to a realization that citizens are interested in their overall progress and not to be left in a state of abject poverty hence the need for a collectivized effort to achieve this aim.

    “In my first term as President, I was able to count on the contribution of all citizens in attempting to create this Ghana. What I have seen these last four years is further evidence, if any were needed, that the Ghanaian will no longer accept poverty and deprivation as his or her portion, but is rather determined to work to chart a path of growth and development for himself or herself.”

    According to Akufo-Addo, never will he take the honour and privilege bestowed on his modest self lightly following the emphatic margin with which voters renewed his mandate in office for four more years during the December 7 polls.

    “It is a demonstration of the confidence and trust you, the Ghanaian people, have reposed in me, not only in appreciation for the achievements chalked throughout my first four (4) years, but more significantly for the considerable amount of work that is to be done over the next four (4) years, in our drive to take our nation firmly onto the path of progress, prosperity and development, following the havoc wreaked by COVID-19”, he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Livestream: Akufo-Addo delivers final State of the Nation Address


    President Akufo-Addo will on Tuesday deliver his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of his first term in office to Parliament.

    That National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the country is at its worse after it handed a viable economy to the Akufo-Addo administration.

    https://youtu.be/7fuGda3pbf8

  • 6,000 security personnel to be deployed for Akufo-Addo, Bawumias swearing-in ceremony

    Some 6,000 security personnel will be deployed to provide protection at the swearing-in ceremony of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, scheduled to take place in Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

    The deployed security team will include personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and allied agencies.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service announcing security arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony.

    According to the Police, this is to “ensure the protection of lives and properties and general maintenance of law and order for the inaugural ceremonies.”

    “The Police administration has put in place security measures for the inauguration of the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President-Elect, His Excellency Dr. Mahamamudu Bawumia; Speakers and Members of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic on 7th January 2021 at Accra.”

    “Six thousand (6,000) security personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and allied agencies will provide security to ensure the protection of lives and properties and general maintenance of law and order for the inaugural ceremonies. This will be augmented by technology to ensure maximum security.”

    The statement noted that “All VVIPs would be offered close protection as appropriate.”

    However, it advised the public to stay off the immediate vicinity of the following locations.

    • The entire State House Complex
    • Accra International Conference Centre
    • Accra Sports Stadium
    • Black Star Square

    Parliament outlines itinerary for dissolution, presidential inauguration

    Parliament had earlier announced its programmes leading to the dissolution of the seventh session to pave way for the inauguration of the eighth session on Thursday, January 7, 2021, and the swearing-in of President Akufo-Addo.

    “At 12:01 am on 7th January, the Elected Members of the 8th Parliament will convene in the Chamber of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Two Deputy Speakers, in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution, after which the elected Members of the 8th Parliament will be sworn in by the Speaker at the Chamber of Parliament as per Article 100(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

    “The President-elect will then be sworn in before the 8th Parliament in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana,” the law-making body announced this in a statement.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Police Service releases tight security arrangements for Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in

    The Ghana Police Service has said it is among other measures drawing a manpower strength of six thousand (6,000) personnel from its outfit, the Ghana Armed Forces and allied agencies to provide security for the swearing-in ceremonies of the President-Elect, Vice President-Elect, Speakers and Members of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2021.

    In a news release detailing security arrangement mapped out for the event, the Police Service said it will ensure the provision of a conducive environment around all dignitaries attending the inaugural ceremonies and other related events whiles ensuring all VVIPs in attendance are offered close protection as appropriate.

    The Service has thus asked the public to stay off the immediate vicinities of the Accra International Conference Center, the Accra Sports Stadium, the Black Star Square and the Entire State House Complex on January 6 and January 7 when the ceremonies will take place.

    The aforementioned areas according to the Ghana Police Service will be secured and patrolled by security personnel who would also mount crash barriers at vantage points to cordon off and control movement to the venues. The police adds that it will only admit into the areas persons bearing invitation cards or accreditations into the specified venues on January 6 and January 7, whiles also conducting covert and overt operations in communities surrounding the State House Complex.

    On COVID-19 protocols, the Police says it will ensure strict enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols including mask wearing for all attending dignitaries and role players. There will be field clinics, ambulances on standby and fire service stations at strategic locations to ensure medical emergency and fire safety during the event.

    In addition to providing security, the Ghana Police Service will also support protocol duties of the State Protocol Department by performing ceremonial duties which will include Bearing of the State Sword, Performance by the Police Band, Escort by the Police Mounted Squadron and motorcade.

    The Police Service indicates that there will be planned road closures, restrictions and diversions in parts of Accra occasioned by the ceremonies of which details will be made available to the public on January 5, 2021.

    Signed by its Director of Public Affairs, SP Sheila Abayie-Buckman, the Ghana Police Service in the release has urged the public to cooperate with the security arrangements for the inaugural ceremonies of January 7, 2021 in support of the constitutional framework of government.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akufo-Addo to deliver State of the Nation Address on January 5

    President Akufo-Addo will deliver the final State of the Nation Address in parliament on Tuesday, January 5 at 10am.

    The SoNA is billed to be delivered before the current 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana will be dissolved at midnight of January 6, 2021.

    This was contained in a Press Statement by Parliament of Ghana announcing the programme outlining activities to dissolve the 7th Parliament and inaugurate the 8th, as well as inaugurate President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    According to a press release issued by Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, the activities would be strictly by invitation.

    “At 12:01am on 7th January, the Elected Members of the 8th Parliament will convene in the Chamber of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Two Deputy Speakers, in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution, after which the elected Members of the 8th Parliament will be sworn in by the Speaker at the Chamber of Parliament as per Article 100(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    “The President-elect will then be sworn in before the 8th Parliament in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    “The media and the general public are to note that attendance of these events are strictly by invitation. All COVID-19 safety and prevention protocols will be strictly adhered to”, the press release cautioned.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Medical report on 2nd suspect in Prof Bennehs murder trial submitted to court

    A comprehensive medical report on the second suspect in the trial of the murder of former University of Ghana law lecturer, Professor Yaw Benneh, has finally been submitted.

    The submission of the medical report on Opambour Agya Badu Nkansah by police prosecution follows weeks of failure to produce the suspect before the court.

    Nkansah is facing the court on charges of conspiracy and murder has been absent for eight consecutive times since October 14, 2020.

    The prosecution told the court that Nkansah was indisposed and was receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.

    “At the Kaneshie District court Tuesday, December 29, 2020, the presiding judge, Ms Ama Adomako Kwakye who acknowledged receipt of the medical report indicated that all the cost borne by the state in treating Nkansah could have been prevented.

    “She further advised the police and investigators to handle accused persons in custody professionally,” according to a report published by Graphic Online.

    Prof Benneh, a Senior Lecturer with the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana (Legon), was found dead at his residence at Adjiringanor in Accra.

    His body was found at his residence on Saturday, September 12, 2020, lying in a pool of blood, with his hands tied behind him with cuts all over his body.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NDC files election petition today

    Barring any last minute changes, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today file a petition against the 2020 Presidential result declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday, December 9.

    The Herald is informed that the party’s lawyers led by Tsatsu Tsikata, will be focusing on the Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa to justify the numbers and percentages she mentioned, as having been obtained by the various Presidential candidates.

    This is not to overturn the Presidential results as declared but to establish the actual votes obtained by the two frontrunners in the election; Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Dramani Mahama of the NDC.

    After the filing, Mr Mahama will address a press conference at a location yet to be announced.

    The NDC Legal team is made up of Tsatsu Tsikata, Nana Ato Dadzie, Fui Tsikata, Dominic Ayeni, Tony Lithur, Dr. Bassit Bamba, Samuel Cudjoe, Marietta Brew Appiah- Oppong, Victor Kojoga Adawudu, Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo, Dr. Abraham Amaliba, Dr. Rainer Akumperigya and Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi in the Volta Region.

    Some of the lawyers, hold the view that per Jean Mensa’s numbers, the worst-case scenario for the just-ended election was a runoff between Akufo-Addo and John Mahama, but not an outright victory for the NPP candidate.

    In this regard, Jean Mensa, like Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan in 2013 in the election petition, will be the focal point of the NDC’s legal team, hoping to extract as much information from her as possible to buttress the claims by both mathematicians and statisticians that Mrs Mensa’s mathematics was wrong.

    The many times she changed the figures she declared but kept saying the changes were not affecting the overall percentages obtained by the 17 candidates who took part in the race, has heightened the suspicions that something sinister took place behind the scenes ahead of the declaration of President Akufo-Addo as president-elect.

    The Herald’s information from the NDC legal team is that, while some of the lawyers felt that the party should go with the audited results by focusing on various infractions noted at the polling stations and collation centres, others believe that the time allotted the hearing is too short to traverse that path, hence Jean Mensa should just be made to justify her numbers.

    The lawyers pushing for the infractions to be placed before the Supreme Court judges insist there had been ballot box stuffing and over voting in certain parts of the country, particularly the Ashanti Region, and this must be dealt with by the apex court.

    The group has results from over 18,000 polling stations to push their case, however, those against the infractions are arguing that the Supreme Court, had in the 2013 election petition, filed by Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obtsebi-Lamptey, made a determination on that, saying it is not enough ground to overturn the declared result.

    For now, all attention is on Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, as to whether he would allow cameras into the courtroom as happened in 2013, when the then Chief Justice Georgina Wood, made history by opening the doors of the courtroom to TV cameras to enable Ghanaians to follow the proceedings presided by the now retired, Justice William Atuguba.

    Meanwhile, a member of the NDC legal team, Dr. Amaliba, has intimated that the party would make a request to the Chief Justice Anin Yeboah to repeat the 2013 scenario.

    Dr. Amaliba said such a request would be in the interest of fairness.

    Chief Justice Wood, in 2013, allowed cameras into the courtroom, following a demand made by Gabby Asare-Otchere Darko of the NPP for a live broadcast of the proceedings of their petition contesting the 2012 general elections result.

    Last Saturday, the NDC’s Lawyer, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, formally announced that the petition would be filed this week Wednesday, but The Herald has picked up a report that the party has decided to do so a day ahead of time.

    Also on the bill, is the parliamentary results of the Techiman South Constituency, where the results declared in favour of Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsa, has been challenged by the NDC, which is demanding some documents as proof that the NPP candidate had won the seat at a place where its Presidential candidate John Mahama, beat Akufo-Addo with 52,034 as against 46,379 votes.

    The NDC insists that its candidate, Christopher Bayere, won the seat by 293 votes, but the EC is yet to release the document to the NDC to clear its doubt over that constituency.

    Dr. Amaliba told Citi News “We expect to be treated fairly, this is a national issue. We also expect that if we are able to make our case beyond a reasonable doubt, I am sure that the Supreme Court will hold that Nana Akufo-Addo, did not attain the required 50 +1 votes.”

    “Indeed, we also expect that the petition will be telecast live. Any attempt to hinder that will create the impression that the hearing is not going to be fair, so we will put in the request to have it telecast live,” he indicated.

    The NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, has refused to accept Akufo-Addo’s election victory.

    He described the election results announced by the EC as “fictionalised.”

    “I stand before you tonight unwilling to accept the fictionalised result of a flawed election,” Mr Mahama had said at a press conference.

    “What we witnessed across the country from Monday 7th December 2020, exposed a deliberate plan to manipulate and predetermine the results of the election in favour of the incumbent candidate Nana Akufo-Addo,” he added.

    The EC announced President Akufo-Addo, as the rightful winner of the December 7 polls on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, despite concerns raised by the NDC.

    President Akufo-Addo won with 6,730,587 (51.302%) of the total votes cast.

    Mr Mahama came second with 6,213,182 votes representing 47.359%.

    Source: The Herald

  • Tema police investigate alleged lynching of a middle aged man

    Police in the Tema Region have started investigations into the death of a 36-year old man identified as Abdullah Gado alias ten years who is suspected to have been lynched by a mob. 

    The deceased was allegedly lynched after his body was found dead in front of Ashaman Pentecost Church in Tema Newtown at about 7:30 on Sunday, December 27, 2020.

    The body was lying in supine position with multiple wounds on his body, swellings on the his right elbow with a dead ash male cat beside him when a team of police officers arrived at the scene.

    Bloody stains were also seen on three cement blocks suspected to have used to lynch him.

    The cat and pieces of blood stain cement blocks found at the scene

    The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Tema Police Command, Chief Inspector Stella Dede Dzakpasu who confirmed the incident to the GraphicOnline said police investigators who arrived at the scene took photographs of the crime scene and later conveyed the body of the deceased to the Tema General Hospital where the body was examined by  the medical Officer  on duty who pronounced him dead.

    She said the body was later deposited at the Mortuary for preservation and autopsy. 

    Chief Inspector Dzakpasu adviced the public to desist from lynching and called on residents who witnessed the lynching or have any information about the incident to that contact the Tema Police on 0542719093 to assist the police in their investigation.

    Meanwhile some residents have alleged that the deceased was lynched for allegedly stealing the cat, a claim that is yet to be substantiated by the police.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • EC gazettes 2020 parliamentary results

    The 2020 parliamentary elections results have been gazetted by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The exercise is in accordance with the law which requires the EC to gazette the presidential and parliamentary results of every election.

    The declaration of the 2020 presidential election, which was earlier gazetted on December 10, 2020 is a constitutional instrument (CI 135) signed by Mrs Mensa.

    It reads: “In exercise of the power conferred on the Electoral Commission under Article 63 (9) of the 1992 Constitution, this instrument is hereby made.

    “Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, having, in the Presidential Election held on the 7th of December, 2020, pursuant to Article 63 (3) of the Constitution, obtained more than fifty per cent of the total number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana.”

    The gazetting of both the presidential and parliamentary results paves the way for any of the aggrieved candidates in the 2020 presidential election to file a presidential election petition at the Supreme Court to challenge the declaration by the EC.

    Read the full document of the gazette of the parliamentary election here

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Senior leadership of EC to remain at post during Christmas break

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says its senior leadership and some key operational staff will remain at work during its Christmas and New Year break which begins today.

    The EC in a press release issued today said the staff who will remain at work during the break will “engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana”.

    The remaining staff, including all the field staff of the EC across the 275 districts and 16 regional capitals will proceed on the break which the release adds is “aimed at promoting efficiency while reducing staff and administrative costs”.

    “Following the successful conduct of the 2020 general elections, all the field staff of the Electoral Commission across the 275 Districts and 16 Regional Capitals, having worked tirelessly throughout the year in spite of COVID 19, have been granted a well-deserved break. This break is aimed at promoting efficiency while reducing staff and administrative costs,” the release said.

    “The senior leadership and some key operational staff of the Electoral Commission will, however, continue to work during the break to engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana”.

    In an earlier circular issued on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, the EC indicated that it was to commence a Christmas and New Year recess on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

    Per that circular signed by the Deputy Chairman of the EC, Corporate Services, Dr Bossman E.Asare, the Commission will resume duty on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

    Read the entire statement below;

    PRESS RELEASE

    23rd December 2020

    ELECTORAL COMMISSION GHANA

    UPDATE ON RECESS

    Following the successful conduct of the 2020 general elections, all the field staff of the Electoral Commission across the 275 Districts and 16 Regional Capitals, having worked tirelessly throughout the year in spite of COVID 19. have been granted a well deserved break. This break is aimed at promoting efficiency, while reducing staff and administrative costs.

    The senior leadership and some key operational staff of the Electoral Commission will however continue to work during the break to engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana.

    Thank you.

    ELECTORAL COMMISSION

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • NDC MPs clash with police at EC Headquarters

    Things turned confrontational at the Electoral Commission’s Headquarters in Accra when some Minority members in parliament stormed the Electoral Commission’s Headquarters to present a petition.

    A number of about 50 MPs who were clad in black attire were initially stopped at the Ridge roundabout but managed to cross the barricade while they were being pushed by the police.

    They were also stopped at the Electoral Commission office at the entrance where they were again stopped by the police. Some members of parliament were even pushed to the ground by these police personnel.

    Some MPs who described the situation as unfortunate said they were only there to present a petition to the Electoral Commission adding that it was not a demonstration but a peaceful walk to the EC office.

    Even though the content of the petition is yet to be revealed the NDC has consistently said they do not accept the results of the just-ended polls which was used to declare Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as president.

    The NDC has since the declaration embarked on several protests across the country.

    The Savanah Region is also currently protesting against the EC stating there will be no peace in the country until John Dramani Mahama is declared the president-elect of the country.

    During a protest in Tamale First Vice Chairman of the NDC, Chief Sofo Awudu Azorka also said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends swearing in John Dramani Mahama as President on January 7.

    Adding that the NDC believes that John Dramani Mahama is the legitimate President of Ghana and no human can change that.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • No lawyer yet from Legal aid for J.B.s alleged killers

    Legal Aid is yet appoint a defence lawyer for the alleged killers of J.B. Danquah Adu, Abuakwa North Member of Parliament.

    The Accra High Court hearing the case of the murder noted that a letter was prepared and served on the Legal Aid but unfortunately “we have not received any response.”

    But at the court on Wednesday, there was one Okyere Kumah a lawyer from the Legal Aid on a different matter hence the court tasked him to inform his director to act upon its letter requesting for a lawyer for the accused persons.

    The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 15, 2021.

    At the last court sittings Mr. Augustines Obuor who had represented the accused over the years, withdrew his services in the murder trial.

    Mr. Augustines Obuor, who had represented Daniel Asiedu, aka, sexy dondon, and Vincent Bossu, for the past four years, informed the High Court that he had received hearing notice from the Court but he was no longer going to represent the accused.

    According to defence counsel, he had read and seen many videos on social media involving Asiedu regarding his admission of the crime to the whole world including jurors in the matter.

    “I, therefore, find it difficult to defend this matter when accused person (Asiedu) has told the whole world, including jurors that he committed the crime.

    I am aware of the law, which states that an accused in a murder trial shall not plead guilty to the hearing of the jury upon his plea being taken,” he told the Court.

    Mr. Obuor said he found it difficult to comprehend the circumstances of Asiedu as how the jurors would administer justice in the light of the admissions made to the world by him.

    He said for the past four years, no High Court was ready to grant Asiedu bail or the second accused, Bossu, so he could have conference with them, apart from the cumbersome procedure available for his office to meet with the accused.

    “I humbly seek to state that I will not be able to represent the accused person from this point. Since the time the matter was referred to me from the Legal Aid, I wanted to do my best in achieving justice in this matter.”

    The Court formally discharged Mr. Obuor and ordered that the Regional Legal Aid Director be notified for new lawyers to be appointed.

    The case has been adjourned today with the view of empaneling of jurors in the presence of a new counsel assigned by Legal Aid.

    Asiedu and Bossu are facing a charge of conspiracy.

    Asiedu is additionally facing a charge of murder.

    The two are believed to be involved in the murder of the late Legislature in his home at Shiashie, near East Legon in the year 2016.

    The Court has preserved their pleas and remanded the two into prison custody.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC wins Sene West Seat by 16 vote-margin

    The National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Sene West has retained his seat as the Member of Parliament for the constituency.

    This comes after the Electoral Commission counted the ballot papers from the Tato Battor Polling Station B which were prior to this locked up at the Techiman police station following a court injunction.

    The Sene West constituency results were not declared after the elections because the ballot box for Tato Battor Polling Station B was snatched by one Christian Nukpeta when the election results were being counted.

    Although Christian Nukpeta was arrested immediately, the parties involved noticed that the seal of the ballot box belonging to the NPP had been removed, leaving that of the Electoral Commission and NDC.

    As a result, Lawyers for the NPP’s Sene West parliamentary candidate, Joseph Markay Kuma, immediately sought an injunction from the court to stop the EC from counting the ballot papers in the box.

    The ballot box was then locked up at the Techiman Police Headquarters.

    However, counsel for Joseph Markay Kuma withdrew their motion of injunction on the declaration of the results as filed in their petition.

    On Thursday, December 17, 2020 the court threw out the case brought by the New Patriotic Party against the Electoral Commission and the National Democratic Congress on the Sene West Parliamentary Elections.

    The court ruled that the said case lacks merit, the reason it was dismissed.

    The NPP has also been fined an amount of GH¢20,000 for wasting the time of the court.

    After the court ruling, the ballot papers in the box were counted and the NDC emerged winners.

    For the Tato battor polling station B NPP polled 148 votes while the NDC polled 275.

    This, when added to the previous results by other polling stations where the NDC polled 12441 and NPP polled 12952 votes, will produce higher figures; the NPP will now have a total of 13100 votes, while the NDC polls 13116 votes.

    The NDC won by 16 votes.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Armed robbers attack rural bank, bolt with GH¢93,445

    Masked armed robbers numbering five on Sunday dawn attacked the Ahantaman Rural Bank Limited in Abura, in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region.

    Police investigators confirm to MyNewsGh.com that two of the robbers armed with pump-action guns first attacked the colleague Security men at their security post.

    They tied their hands, legs and mouth with a sellotape and woolen strings and two of them holding the guns stood guard on them whilst the other three who were not armed but were with different types of implements managed to break one of the windows open and entered into the banking hall.

    It is gathered that the robbers after operating for about two hours left the banking premises. One of the security guards however managed to untie himself to seek help

    The police were thereafter notified about the incident but upon visiting the scene, they detected that the robbers caused damage to one of the banking hall sliding window and its burglar proof to gain ingress into the banking hall.

    Further damages were caused to two inner doors of the bank before reaching the strong room which was well fortified with specialised metal door.

    The robbers with a wall cutter cut through the wall creating a hole into the strong room. They also cut the iron bars of the gate of the Vault thereby taking away an amount of GHC93,445.45.

    The robbers caused damage to two CCTV cameras, disconnected the CCTV server and took away the CCTV Recorder and Alarm Panel.

    Meanwhile, the two victims who have no physical injuries on them have been issued with Police Medical Report form to attend hospital for a checkup

    Source: My News GH

  • Election 2020: NPP gains 137 seats, NDC 136 in Parliament Electoral Commission

    The Electoral Commission has announced the certified Parliamentary results of the 2020 election across 275 constituencies.

    According to a statement issued by the EC on Thursday, December 10, 2020, the New Patriotic Party has won 137 seats in Parliament while the National Democratic Congress has won 136 seats.

    One independent candidate has however won a seat in Parliament while one outstanding result is yet to be provided from the Sene West Constituency.

    The Ashanti Region gained the most seats with 42 won for the NPP while the NDC gained 20 seats from the Greater Accra Region.

    Ghanaians went to the polls on December 7, 2020, for the eighth time since 1992 to elect a President and 275 Members of Parliament as part of a four-year constitutional mandate.

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa on Wednesday, December 9, announced that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party polled 6,730,413, representing 51.595 percent while John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress garnered 6,214,889 representing 47.366 percent in the 8th election in the 4th Republic that had 12 candidates.

    See the full results by the Electoral Commission below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC revises disparities in presidential election results percentages

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana has explained some disparities in the December 7 presidential election results percentages which was declared by the Chairperson of the Commission on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

    The EC in a statement stated that, Jean Mensa â€œinadvertently used 13,433,573 as the total valid votes cast.”

    “The total valid votes cast is 13,119,460. This does not change the percentages stated for each candidate and the declaration made by the Chairperson,” a statement from the EC issued Thursday morning, December 10, 2020, said.

    Jean Mensa on Wednesday, December 9, announced that, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo polled 6,730,413, representing 51.595% while John Mahama garnered 6, 214, 889 representing 47.366% in the 8th election in the 4th Republic that had a dozen candidates.

    The result, the Chairperson noted “exclude that of the Techiman South Constituency, with a voter population of 1 hundred and 28 thousand and 18 (128,018). The said election results are not ready because they are being contested. As such collation is not complete. The difference between the total number of votes between by the first and second candidates is 5 hundred and 15 thousand, 5 hundred and 24 votes (515,524)”.

    “As a result, even if we added the 1 hundred and 28 thousand and 18 (128,018) to the results of the 2nd candidate, it would not change the outcome of the Presidential Election. Hence our declaration of the 2020 results without that of Techiman South”.

    “If we were to add the results from Techiman South Constituency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would obtain 50.8% of the votes and John Dramani Mahama, would obtain 47.873% of the votes”.

    The EC has since provided a summary of the 2020 presidential election results without the Techiman South constituency.

    The percentages are as follows:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC releases presidential election results from 7 regions

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has said that it has received results from 14 regions and out of that, seven of them have been certified.

    The remaining seven results are going through the certification process and would be released immediately that is done.

    The Chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Mensa made this known at a press briefing on Wednesday dawn [December 9, 2020] at 12:30 am.

    She mentioned the two remaining regions where results are still outstanding as Bono East and Northern.

    The seven regions where the results have been certified and released are Volta, North East, Central, Ahafo, Upper West, Oti and Bono.

    Those outstanding are Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Western North, Upper East, Greater Accra and Savannah.

    A total of the results from the seven regions are as follows:

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) 1,500,310

    John Dramani Mahama (NDC) 1,997,450

    Below are copies of the regional results released by the EC

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • LIVESTREAMING: Voting ends across the country, counting begins

    Voting has officially ended across the country as at 0500 GMT on December 7, 2020, as 17 million Ghanaians voted to choose a new president.

    GhanaWeb Election Desk brings you a livestream of the vote counting as well as updates from across the country where our journalists and correspondents as well volunteers numbering about 100 are on the ground to cover.

    There was relatively smooth voting on Monday with a few incidents recorded.

    Follow the livestream below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFB6nZDyV0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC removes polling station officers who allegedly tampered with ballot papers

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has identified cases of tampering of presidential ballot papers in some polling stations in Awutu Senya West and Bawku Central constituencies.

    According to the election management body, its checks have identified some polling station officers as being behind the act.

    The EC in a statement said it is “working with the Ghana Police Service, has identified the suspected Officers and removed them from post pending further investigations.”

    It sent a word of caution that all presidential candidates should appear on a thumb-printed ballot paper before it will be considered as valid and counted.

    The commission further charged political parties and candidates agents as well as the general public to be vigilant to ensure free and fair elections.

    Read full statement below;

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Election 2020: Kwesimintim residents block roads over poor roads

    Residents of Whindo in the Kwesimintim Constituency in the Western Region Monday morning blocked roads to prevent officials of the Electoral Commission from assessing polling stations as they protest over the poor nature of their roads.

    An eyewitness Emmanuel Afful who reported from the constituency stated that the residents in July this year warned that they will not allow voting to go on in the constituency if their roads are not fixed.

    Afful reports that the timely arrival of personnel of the military and Police managed to disperse the crowd allowing the EC officials to move into the constituency.

    He adds that the residents began to run for their lives after they saw the heavily armed military and police personnel.

    Ghanaians are heading to the polls today Monday, December 7, 2020, to elect a President and 275 Parliamentarians.

    Over 17 million voters are expected to take part in the exercise. The figure is 2 million more than the number of voters who voted in the previous election in 2016.

    The electoral commission has said over 33,000 polling stations have been dedicated for the presidential and parliamentary polls.

    The race is largely between the incumbent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP and former leader John Dramani Mahama of the NDC. Ten other presidential candidates are contesting in the polls.

    Electoral materials have been dispatched to the various voting centres.

    The Electoral Commission says it aims to declare results within 24 hours.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Salis Yakubu: Man who recorded $40,000 bribery video opens up

    Salis Yakubu Atsuluho, the investigative journalist whose alleged recorded video has birthed the $40,000 bribery scandal has given a detailed account of events leading up to the meeting with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and why he recorded the encounter with the President.

    Yakubu disclosed that the meeting with the president was recorded in July 2017 and that he was there as a brother of Alhaji Abass, the Executive Director of the Urban Roads.

    He revealed in an interview with Kevin Taylor that the donation to Nana Akufo-Addo by Abass Awolu was made to buy his protection from the President.

    Revealing why he recorded the encounter with the president, Salis said that in his bid to avoid being fired, Alhaji Abass, who sponsored the NPP campaign in 2016 paid to some intermediaries, with an assurance to get him to the president but they never honoured their promise.

    Salis said that he took the recording as an insurance policy on the blind side of Alhaji Abass so that in the event the President wanted to fire him, he will use it to blackmail him.

    He disclosed that Dr Baffour Adjei Bawuah who eventually managed to get them to the presidency was given GH¢10,000 for his services.

    He also mentioned Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Bawuah, and Fawzia, the wife of Alhaji Abas,s as those who were present when he recorded the video.

    He confirmed claims by Sammy Gyamfi and Kennedy Agyapong that the death of Ahmed Suale was on grounds of mistaken identity as he was the one they were after.

    He mentioned the name of some government officials and NPP bigwigs who he suspects were behind the murder of Ahmed Suale and talked about attempts on his life.

    Salis in the over one-hour interview spoke about his relationship with the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo and Kennedy Agyapong.

    He also mentioned the First Lady as the person used by some contractors to lobby Nana Akufo-Addo to fire Alhaji Abass.

    GhanaWeb cannot independently verify the authenticity of any of the allegations made in the video below.

    Watch the full interview below:

    https://youtu.be/nGbLSMBPHnY

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government fulfills promise to Odawna market fire victims

    Following a meeting with traders and victims of the recent Odawna Market fire on Tuesday at the Accra Digital Centre, the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) have begun the disbursement of relief loans to the beneficiaries as promised by the government.

    During a meeting convened at the same venue today, the first group of 250 traders met top officials of MASLOC where they received their funds.

    MASLOC is providing financial assistance to the tune of GHC2 million with about 3,000 traders expected to benefit from the support.

    It would be recalled that President Akufo-Addo upon a visit to the debris scene of the disaster pledged some form of financial support for the victims.

    Fire razed the Odawna market destroying over 90% of the market down to ashes a couple of weeks ago.

    Funds are expected to be disbursed to the affected groups gradually in phases.

    This comes as a giant step in reimbursing victims of the fire outbreak with interest-free loans with a one-year moratorium to support them.

    In an interview with the media, Mr. Dominic Baah Ayim Director of Operations MASLOC, had this to share:

    “People gathered here today to receive their loans that they applied for; these are loans that the President Nana Akufo-Addo promised them (the fire victims) and I am happy today that we have fulfilled our promise.

    He revealed that the disbursement of the funds is not done based on any political lines but all-inclusive benefits to mostly those who registered.

    He continued that “…Yes, we have been able to serve quite a number of people and I believe we have done well, and I’m happy because my objectives and then my main aim of giving out assistance has been fulfilled.”

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Election 2020: My stance on galamsey won’t change – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has disclosed that his stance on illegal mining remains unchanged despite promises by the opposition National Democratic Congress to return seized excavators to the miners.

    Government through a collaboration with the Operation Vanguard Task-force managed to seize mining machinery and equipment including excavators from illegal miners who operated without permission during the Galamsey ban.

    In February 2020, it was reported in the media that the seized excavators and other equipment seized from the illegal mining operators have gone missing. It later emerged, although unsubstantiated that some of the missing excavators had actually been given to NPP loyalists.

    This prompted the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to promise that he will retrieve all seized excavators and concessions belonging to the small scale miners that have been allegedly handed to NPP supporters when elected president on December 7.

    But addressing a campaign crowd at Manso Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region, on December 1, 2020, President Akufo-Addo said his fight against illegal mining remains unchanged despite stiff backlash from the opposition.

    The President said, “In the days of our forefathers, they engaged in mining but they did it in a sustainable way which did not disturb the land or water bodies. I will not support illegal mining which will destroy the environment. My decision remains the same, where I am on this fight remains unchanged.”

    He also added that he will not sit down and watch on as activities of illegal miners continue to deteriorate the land.

    Disclosing governments intervention for small scale miners, Nana Addo stated, “We are going to roll out the community mining and my government is working hard on it”.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Photos: GCB Bank Tower at Kantamanto on fire

    Personnel from the Ghana Fire Service are currently trying to douse a fire that has swept through the GCB Bank tower at Kantamanto in Accra.

    In a video fast circulating on social media, smoke can be seen coming out of the storey-building.

    Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, a crowd has gathered at the scene as security personnel and the fire service try to bring the situation under control.

    Source: myjoyonline