TIG Post

Tag: Main Story

  • Voter ID numbers duplicated during one-day voter registration exercise

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that there was the duplication of some voter ID numbers during the registration process earlier on October 1.

    “It has come to the attention of the Commission that a number of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits at some Registration Centres have issued Applicants with Voter ID numbers that have already been issued,” the EC said in a statement.

    But the commission added that “this error has been corrected.”

    The affected applicants will be contacted and issued with new ID cards with unique numbers,” according to the commission.

    “It is important to note that, the biometric and biographic details of the affected Applicants are intact,” the EC assured further.

    The electoral roll was opened from 7 am to 6 pm at its district offices for persons who could not participate in the mass registration exercise organised in June and July.

    Some of the people who participated are voters who were outside the country due to COVID-19 restrictions, those who were under a 14-day mandatory quarantine and could not take part in the mass voter registration, and eligible voters who were duly issued voter ID cards but whose names are missing from the register under exhibition.

    Persons who recently turned 18 were also given the chance to register.

    The Public Elections Regulations law indicated that the EC can “include in the register of voters, the name of a person who qualifies for registration as a voter and is registered but shall not include in the register of voters the name of a person who qualifies to register as a voter for an election but who registers less than sixty days to that election.”

    Find below the full statement

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Secessionist attacks: If I panic, the country panics – Akufo-Addo

    President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has responded to the recent attacks by some secessionist group in the Volta Region.

    In what can best pass for brazen assurance, the president stated emphatically that the country will definitely “deal with them”, since the security agencies are on top of the issue.

    The group on Friday, September 25, 2020 blocked some principal roads in the Region and on Tuesday, September 29, some unidentified people believed to be members of the group carried out an arson attack on the State Transport Corporation (STC) in Ho, setting fires to the company’s buses.

    The group is demanding to become an autonomous country called ”Western Togoland”.

    The actions by the secessionist have become a grave concern to the entire nation with some political figures and socio-economic commentators condemning the group.

    Some people have also slammed the President for going silent on the issue.

    Visiting the studios of Hello FM in Kumasi on Wednesday, September 30, President Nana Akufo-Addo opened up on the matter.

    According to him, he has left the matter in the capable hands of the security personnel, stressing the appropriate institutions are up to task.

    He said he has unflinching confidence in the security agencies to handle the case and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

    He was of a strong conviction that the situation will be well handled by the security agencies.

    ”I have to be calm because institutions are in place. The security agencies are doing their work. They’ve started already and we’ll see results. If I panic, the country panics. It’s like the COVID-19 disease, if I had panicked, fear would have gripped all of us. But I know the work that God has appointed me to do, if I panic, the entire nation will also panic. That is not the purpose of leadership. I’m supposed to assure people that our country will work. What is happening in the Volta Region in the time of these handful – it’s just a handful of people, these secessionists – we’ll deal with it. I have no doubts about it”

    ”I trust the security agencies. I trust the Armed Forces. I trust the Police. I trust their leadership. The intelligence agencies, I know they are all working very, very, very hard to make sure that this matter is dealt with as quickly as possible”, he said in an exclusive interview with host King Edward de Slave.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Africa Automobiles judgment debt against Ghana balloons to GHS1.5 trillion

    A judgment debt secured against the Government of Ghana by Africa Automobile Limited in 2009 has ballooned to a whopping GHS1.5 trillion.

    The said judgment arose out of a contract for the provision of automobile services rendered by the Africa Automobile Limited to the Ministry of Employment in which the High Court awarded judgment in favour of the company as far back as 2009.

    On appeal, the Court of Appeal confirmed the judgment of the High Court and awarded an amount of GHS16,565,396.22 in favour of Africa Automobile Limited.

    Since then, the figure due and payable to Africa Automobile Limited has shot up astronomically due to non-payment of the said sum by government.

    Analysts say until the amount is paid, the said figure will continue to grow at an exponential rate given that the interest rate is compounding.

    There are reports that because government failed to secure a voluntary payment of the amount all these years, the company is threatening to go into full execution against the state.

    There are reports that recent approaches by the Ministry of Finance to compromise the judgment and secure a reasonable payment have however slowed that move and may appear to be the reason the enforcement of the judgment has not happened yet.

    Analysts are of the view that, at the current rate of growth in the amount owed under the judgment, any failure to pay or settle on a compromised amount to be paid will imply that the amount would exceed GHS2 trillion by the end of 2020 and beyond.

    Reports also indicate that, the Ministry of Finance has recently, been making frantic efforts to engage and secure a substantial reduction in any amount payable in order to save the public purse given that the current amount is unsustainable.

    There are claims that all appellate options opened to the Government of Ghana have been closed.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Hold on with IPO on Agyapa deal – Amidu tells Ofori Atta

    Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has called on the Finance Ministry to hold on with its scheduled initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Agyapa royalties deal until he is done with his corruption risk assessment on the transaction.

    “This Office would have wished to complete its corruption risk assessment on the Agyapa Royalties Transaction soonest but for the non-submission of the information and documents pending to be submitted by your Ministry. The information and documents you supplied concerned mainly the processes for and the appointment of the Transaction Advisors which goes to the root of any corruption risk assessment,” Mr Amidu said in a letter to the Finance Ministry.

    The letter added: “Information and documents relating to the identification and recommendation by the transaction advisors to your Ministry for appointment a list of other services providers and or underwriters that may be required to complete the transaction as provided in clause 2.2.1 of the mandate agreement amongst others, that are critical to any through corruption risk assessment are also outstanding. The legal opinions particularly of the principal legal advisor to the government under the Constitution are relevant to ensure compliance with her recommendations as part of any corruption risk assessment.”

    “In the circumstances, this Office wishes to urge you to abide by the results of the corruption risk assessment it is undertaking on the transaction before moving to the launching of the IPO transaction. This Office makes this suggestion on the grounds of prudence on your part and to also not give the impression that the mandate of this Office on prevention of corruption is of no consequence to the transaction,” it noted.

    About the Agyapa deal

    Parliament August 14th approved the controversial Agyapa Mineral Royalty Limited agreement with the government of Ghana despite a walkout by the Minority.

    Two years ago, the House passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018 which establishes the Fund to manage the equity interests of Ghana in mining companies, and receive royalties on behalf of government.

    The fund is supposed to manage and invest these royalties and revenue from equities for higher returns for the benefit of the country.

    The law allows the fund to establish Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to use for the appropriate investments. Last month, government introduced an amendment to the act to ensure that the SPVs have unfettered independence.

    The approval will enable the country to use a special purpose vehicle, Agyapa Royalties Limited to secure about $1 billion to finance large infrastructural projects.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Government has identified sources of funding to Western Togoland secessionists – Oppong-Nkrumah

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said Government and security agencies have identified the sources of funding and key actors behind the Western Togoland secessionist group.

    In view of that, he said, the security agencies had taken stringent measures to deal with it decisively and publish names of key actors on the watch list in the coming days, in order to forestall any future occurrence.

    He said government considered the action by the group as purely criminal and infringement of the country’s laws and, would, therefore, prosecute them accordingly.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah announced this at a news conference in Accra on Sunday, to provide an update on the Homeland Study Group Foundation’s attack and road blockade of some major entry and exit points to the Volta Region, in the early hours of Friday, September 25.

    The Minister refuted claims that the security agencies were not proactive to gather security intelligence about the group’s intended action, saying the security agencies “did well by securing critical state installations such as Akosombo and Akuse dams, Adomi Bridge and Ho Central Market which the group had targeted to blast.

    The secessionist group attacked two police stations at Aveyime and Mepe, and seized 10 AK47 assault rifles after breaking into the police armoury.

    They ransacked the police stations, released inmates in custody, physically assaulted and injured police officers. The group, subsequently, blocked major roads to the Region and burnt car tyres.

    However, a joint police/military enforcement team rescued the police officers who were held hostage. The security agencies have so far arrested 31 members of the secessionist group, airlifted to Accra and in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service were being interrogated.

    One person died and several others injured during the exchange of fire between the security agencies and the secessionist group.

    The Minister acknowledged the condemnation of the group’s action by the Council of State, National House of Chiefs and a section of the public and urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to rally behind the state in solidarity to prevent the whipping up of political or ethnic sentiments.

    Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the security agencies would prefer appropriate charges against them and arraign them before court for prosecution.

    He also rubbished claims that the government was creating confusion in the opposition NDC party’s “stronghold” ahead of the December 7 Election and used it as the basis to deploy soldiers to the place to intimidate voters.

    The Homeland Study Group Foundation in May 2019 declared independence for Western Togoland, saying that they were no more part of Ghana.

    This led to the arrest of a 78-year old Charles Kormi Kudzordzi, aka “Papavi”, the Leader of the group and some other members of the group.

    Some were later released, while others faced prosecution in different regions.

    Source: GNA

  • Exercise caution Ghana Police alerts public after Western Togoland takeover

    The Ghana Police Service has cautioned people travelling to the Volta Region and Eastern Region to be wary of the activities of separatist group, Homeland Study Foundation, also known as Western Togoland group.

    According to reports reaching GhanaWeb, Friday, September 25, members of secessionist group have blocked major entries into the Volta Region. They are said to have executed their activities at dawn.

    The group are said to have attacked a police station and disarmed some security personnel in the region.

    Three people have also sustained gunshot wounds whiles motorists travelling along the route have been left stranded.

    The Ghana Police Service has, therefore, cautioned people travelling the route to exercise caution since they are likely to experience traffic.

    A statement posted on the verified account of the Ghana Police Service on Facebook said;

    “Good morning Ghana, commuters to and from Accra – Ho – Aveyime – Adidome – Mepe – Akuse – Sogakope – Aflao are likely to experience traffic due to security operations within those areas. Anybody travelling on any of these roads should exercise caution.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Asafo Chief allegedly shot dead, three others critically injured

    The Asafohene for the Mponuahene of Awutu Traditional Council has been shot dead with three other persons sustaining gun shot wounds.

    The incident occurred after a group of land guards numbering 10 fired live bullets on the deceased and the injured over a land at Awutu Kwao Bondze near Kasoa in the Central Region.

    According to reports, the Asafohene and his team went to the site to pay workers who are constructing fence wall on a parcel of Land.

    One of the labourers, Yaw Buabeng said, they were waiting for the people to come and pay them when the Land guards ambushed them and fired several rounds of ammunition on the Asafohene and his team, 20 meters away from the site.

    Meanwhile, some of the Asafo members who sustained gunshot wounds accused one Estate developer called Kofai as the man behind what happened on Wednesday.

    According to them, Kofai is the one who sent his men to attack them leading to the death of one in the process.

    Nai Kwabena Atopi also revealed that, this is not the first time Kofai and his men have attacked them.

    Source: Starr FM

  • If it is not an emergency, do not come Doctor to patients

    Medical Director for the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw, has cautioned patients whose ailment is not an emergency not to dare come to the hospital because they would not be attended to.

    The Medical Director said at this crucial time when all the over 400 nurses in that hospital are on strike, it would be difficult for the few Doctors and the other medical assistants to attend to non-emergency cases since there are already many emergency cases as well as some in-patients at the facility being attended to currently.

    “Because the numbers can be overwhelming, we plead with the general population that if it is not an emergency, do not come. Because if you come you will distract our attention because you will become many and we will not be able to pick the real emergencies.

    “So essentially we are focusing on emergencies and plead that they (cases) should be true emergencies. The general OPD is not running but if you come as an emergency, we are likely to attend to you to keep you alive which is the main thing. I mean this is the time that I would ask that the people of the society or the general population should be considerate to even themselves so that only true emergencies come so that we can keep them alive while the impasse is resolved, ” he stressed.

    Dr. Akoto Ampaw who was speaking to GhanaWeb in an interview in Koforidua on Tuesday expressed that his outfit had had to recall all key and other auxiliary staff members to fill the gap left by the striking nurses so that healthcare can duly and smoothly be delivered to patients.

    “They really are on strike and what management is doing is try to recall as many people as possible to redeploy them into the different departments to hold the fort while we try to get the nurses back to work. We have recalled all health aides, assistants, orderlies, we have recalled all house officers, all specialists, Doctors and interns and since yesterday we have asked them to take up the positions to be able to do the work that the nurses would have done. So far, we have done quite well,” he disclosed.

    Dr. Akoto Ampaw also disclosed that some of the recalled staff are being made to work for up to 12 hours while others too even spend 24 hours in order to fill the void of the striking nurses.

    He, however, appealed that the impasse between the nurses and their employers would quickly be resolved so that situation can come back to normalcy.

    “We appreciate that some of them have had to go for twelve hours, some are even running up to 24 hours just to mitigate the effect of the strike so that we will not have mortalities which is our main concern for now.

    “For that matter, we pray that if the impasse can be addressed as quickly as possible so that the nurses can come back to work and provide the care that we shall need for our patients,” he said.

    GhanaWeb also visited the Koforidua Policlinic where the OPD was virtually empty as only patients were seen in line going to see the doctors.

    Some of the patients who spoke to GhanaWeb expressed their concerns.

    “No, they did not attend to me. They said they are on strike. When you go they sack you to go home. Ah, there is no one sitting there. As soon as you get there and greet, they tell you, madam, go go go, we are not working!” Josephine, a mother with a baby said.

    Another man said, “in this Koforidua Hospital, what I came to see here. I plead with the government to ensure it pays the nurses on strike so they can come back to work. when I came I saw people lying in the emergency unit and it was not a joke.”

    “I brought my brother. We are at the casualty. They are taking very good care of him. Even in the strike, they are taking good care of him. We only appeal that the striking nurses return to work,” another woman told Ghanaweb at the Regional Hospital.

    A man who had his relative discharged expressed that it was “too bad” for the nurses to plan a strike in an election period and appealed to the government to conclude a negotiation with the nurses to return to work.

    “You are going on strike when we are about to go to the election? It is too bad. The government should talk to them and if there needs to be a negotiation, it should negotiate with them. See how people are suffering here,” he expressed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Hospitals deserted as nurses, midwives strike over service conditions

    Some hospitals across the country have been deserted following the ongoing strike by Midwives and Nurses.

    Hospitals monitored by StarrFM.com.gh including the Ashaiman Polyclinic and the Komfo Anokye Hospital Triage area were visibly empty with skeletal staff moving around.

    Starr News sources say the Ghana Registered and Midwives Association has set up a task force to ensure compliance of the strike by members.

    Nurses and midwives across the country are beginning a strike today Monday, September 21,2020 over their service conditions.

    It comes after the failure of government to agree with the health workers on their demand for improved conditions of service.

    A press release by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association noted “having reconvened in the meetings held on 15th and 16th September 2020 the posture of the Employer changed for the better but did not meet the expectation of the majority of Nurses, Midwives, Physician Assistants and Certified Registered Anaesthetists in Ghana.”

    The statement, therefore, directed its members to stay away from work until the outstanding issues are addressed with their employer.

    Meanwhile, an Accra High Court on Friday granted an interlocutory injunction application by the National Labour Commission against the strike.

    The move by the court presided by Justice Frank Aboagye Rockson is to stop the health workers from their industrial action.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Okada, trotro, taxi drivers can swap old cars, bikes for new cars Bawumia

    The Akufo-Addo government is proposing a National Transport Recapitalisation Project which, if implemented, will provide a lease-to-own option to all commercial drivers, including Okada operators, to exchange their old vehicles or bikes for newly-assembled ones in Ghana.

    According to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the issuance of national identity cards along with the implementation of the digital property address system, the mobile money interoperability and the universal QR Code, will all allow the development of a credit system with credit reference agencies to make the proposal work.

    Dr Bawumia said this as the Guest Speaker at the joint launch of a strategic collaboration between Volkswagen and BlackIvy for the production of affordable homes and affordable cars for the Ghanaian people.

    Dr Bawumia further noted that for the automotive industry to be successful, there must be enough domestic demand for the vehicles produced.

    To this end, he reiterated that the Akufo-Addo-led government will be able to provide better options to Okada riders to lease-to-own vehicles if they choose to, and, therefore, the government will not legalise Okada operations.

    “Every life matters and we will continue to ensure that safe, affordable means of transportation and livelihood are provided for every Ghanaian,” Dr Bawumia said.

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghana’s active cases drop from 628 to 564

    64 more persons in Ghana have recovered from Coronavirus as the Active Cases which initially stood at 628 now stand at 564.

    Out of the 564 cases, 5 are critical, 3 are on ventilators while 15 are severe.

    This was contained in Ghana Health Service’s (GHS’s) latest update, Wednesday.

    The update also shows that 54 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the cumulative case count to 45,655. The death toll remains 294.

    In all, 44,797 persons have recovered from the virus.

    Below is the Cumulative Cases per Region:

    Greater Accra Region – 23,117

    Ashanti Region – 10,933

    Western Region – 2,963

    Eastern Region – 2,394

    Central Region – 1,904

    Bono East Region – 781

    Volta Region – 668

    Western North Region – 638

    Northern Region – 528

    Ahafo Region – 524

    Bono Region – 511

    Upper East Region – 285

    Oti Region – 238

    Upper West Region – 90

    Savannah Region – 62

    North East Region – 19

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 5 dead, 7 in critical condition in accident at Gomoa Adam

    Five persons died on the spot while seven are in critical condition following a head-on collision involving two passenger vehicles at Gomoa Adam on the Kasoa-Cape-Coast highway.

    According to a surviving passenger, they were travelling from Kasoa to Cape Coast when they suddenly saw the driver of the Ford vehicle trying to overtake a car.

    He said immediately the driver came into their lane he rammed into their vehicle causing it to somersault causing the instant death of five persons while seven are severely injured.

    The Medical Superintendent of the Apam Catholic Hospital, Dr Paul Archer explained that fourteen passengers were involved in the accident with five of them all male brought in dead.

    He said his outfit is currently having difficulty getting a referral for the severely injured persons but added that their conditions have been stabilized.

    This accident comes less than 24 hours after an accident at Kyekyewere near Suhum claimed 14 lives on Tuesday.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Police secure injunction against Menzgold customers anniversary demo

    Police have secured an interim injunction against a planned demonstration to commemorate the second anniversary of the collapse of gold dealership company, Menzgold Ghana Limited.

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong-Boanuh filed an injunction to prevent the event which is being championed by the Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold, Ghana, from being held.

    “It is hereby ordered that the respondents, the Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold Ghana, Isaac Nyarko and Fred Forson are hereby restrained from the intended demonstration to commemorate two years of the collapse of Menzgold Company,” the injunction document signed by Justice of the High Court, Stephen Oppong directed.

    The Coalition announced a wreath-laying ceremony in commemoration of customers who lost their lives as a result of the locking up of their investments.

    Leaders of the Coalition wrote a letter to the IGP requesting for security during demonstration exercise slated for September 12, 2020.

    “Since the collapse of the company, we have lost over 60 members and many have become bed-ridden due to the continued lock-up of our investment in Menzgold. It is our expectation that your outfit will provide security to help bring the programme to a successful because it will be highly-violent free. The programme is expected to last for two hours with an expected attendance of more than 200 people,” the Coalition said in a statement to the IGP.

    Menzgold collapse

    Menzgold was asked to suspend its gold trading operations with the public by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2018.

    According to the SEC, Menzgold had been dealing in the purchase and deposit of gold collectables from the public and issuing contracts with guaranteed returns with clients, without a valid license from the Commission.

    This, the SEC said was in contravention of “section 109 of Act 929 with consequences under section 2016 (I) of the same Act.”

    The company was however cleared to continue its “other businesses of assaying, purchasing gold from small-scale miners and export of gold.”

    Despite initial protests, Menzgold complied with the directive.

    Two years on, the company has failed to fully pay its numerous aggrieved customers the value on their gold deposits as well as their entire investments.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Agyapa Royalties Transaction: Finance Ministry engages Social Partnership Council, FBOs

    The Ministry of Finance has held separate virtual meetings with the Social Partnership Council (SPC) and the leadership of Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) as part of its stakeholder engagement and consultations to deepen the understanding of the Agyapa Royalty transaction.

    The Social Partnership Council is made up of the Labour Unions, Ghana Employers Association and Government, represented by the Ministries of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations.

    The FBOs include the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the National Associations of Charismatic and Christian Churches and the Ghana Charismatic Bishops Conference.

    A statement from the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry said the issues discussed included the nature and benefits of the transaction, ownership, transparency and domain of registration, initial valuation, future prospects, as well as the need to continue to engage with all stakeholders to get their buy-in and support.

    In his opening remarks, Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance, provided the background to the Agyapa Programme and the need to take advantage of the current all-time high gold prices despite tighter financing conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    He highlighted the weaknesses in the current framework for managing the country’s mineral royalties, which does not allow for the targeted use of and accounting for mineral royalties.

    He also explained that the current framework limited the benefits that Ghana derived from its mineral resources.

    He pointed out that despite centuries of mining and exporting of gold, the mining communities had not seen or benefited in a material way nor had there been any major development in these areas.

    The Minister explained that the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF), which owned Agyapa, “is 100% Ghanaian, Agyapa Royalty is a 100% Ghanaian owned entity until it is listed on the London and Ghana Stock Exchanges, where government plans to sell up to 49% shares via an IPO”.

    The shares would be dual listed on the London and Ghana Stock Exchanges.

    He explained that registering the entity in Jersey, the Channel Islands, was very well intentioned given that a number of international companies, including Tullow and Vodafone, that were listed on the London Stock Exchange were all registered in Jersey.

    He said a listing on the London Stock Exchange would ensure that Agyapa Royalty would “abide by the highest standards when it comes to corporate governance and reporting requirements, amongst others”. Mr Charles Adu Boahen, a Deputy Minister of Finance, in a presentation, gave an overview of the Agyapa Royalty transaction and how Ghana stood to benefit from the transaction and walked the attendees through the process and work that had gone into structuring the transaction from early 2018 to date.

    The participants said they were satisfied with the explanation of the transaction and urged Government to ensure that the initiative benefitted all Ghanaians, especially those in mining communities.

    They also said the transaction was a good one and beneficial to the people of Ghana.

    The Members of the Council and Faith-Based Organisations also advised Government to broaden the engagements and consider providing the presentation in local languages so that more Ghanaians could understand it.

    Source: GNA

  • Agyapa Royalties transaction not suspended Ministry of Finance

    The Ministry of Finance has debunked claims that the Agyapa Royalties transaction has been suspended.

    “The Ministry wishes to state that the Agyapa Royalties transaction has not been suspended as is being reported,” a statement from the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry said.

    It said Mr Mark Agyemang, the Technical Manager of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, who is purported to have spoken about the suspension, was not in the meeting with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    “The main outcome of the meeting as acknowledged by both sides was that the Government had fulfilled the requirements of the law. There was, however, the need for broader consultations to ensure the buy-in of all Ghanaians,” it said.

    The statement said the meeting with the CSOs was one such consultation and the Ministry agreed with them to further broaden the consultations and to solicit further input from them and other Ghanaian constituencies going forward.

    A number of concerns raised by the CSOs included registration of the entity in a tax haven, transparency, how the values were arrived at and what the country stood to benefit from the Agyapa Royalty transaction.

    “After their concerns were aptly addressed by the Minister of Finance and his Deputy, they called on the Government to engage other institutions and stakeholders. At no point was there any suggestion that the transaction is being halted as being reported,” the statement said.

    “It is regrettable for a media house to publish such a story and wrongfully attribute it to people who contributed meaningfully at the meeting with the Minister of Finance. The Ministry sees the media as a major stakeholder and wishes to call on them to seek clarity, especially on such emotive issues, before publishing.”

    Source: GNA

  • Agyapa Royalties deal not suspended – Government

    The Government of Ghana has denied suspending the Agyapa Royalties transaction. 

    The Ministry of Finance which issued the denial in a statement, said a publication claiming the suspension of the transaction after a meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is untrue.

    While acknowledging meeting with CSOs on September 2, 2020, as part of efforts to broaden consultations and ensure the buy-in of all Ghanaians for the deal, the Ministry said no such decision was arrived at to suspend it.

    “The Ministry wishes to state that, the Agyapa Royalties transaction has not been suspended as is being reported on the Ghanaweb portal. We wish to also state that Mr. Mark Agyemang, Technical Manager of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, who is purported to have said this in an interview with Starr FM, was not in this meeting.

    “The main outcome of the meeting as acknowledged by both sides was that, the government had fulfilled the requirements of the law. There was however, the need for broader consultations to ensure the buy-in of all Ghanaians.

    “The meeting with the CSOs was one such consultation and the Ministry agreed with them to further broaden the consultations and to solicit further input from them and other Ghanaian constituencies going forward.

    “A number of concerns raised by the CSOs included registration of the entity in a tax haven, transparency, how the values were arrived and what the country stood to benefit from the Agyapa Royalty Transaction. After their concerns were aptly addressed by the Hon. Minister for Finance and his Deputy, they called on government to engage other institutions and stakeholders. At no point was there any suggestion that the transaction is being halted as being reported.”

    The statement urged the media, being major stakeholders, “to seek clarity, especially on such emotive issues before publishing.”

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • About 80,000 persons in Greater Accra Region classified as poor, vulnerable

    About 80,000 persons within the Greater Accra Region have been classified as poor and vulnerable.

    This was announced by the Ghana National Household Registry of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection after engaging in a rapid data collection exercise.

    The data was compiled during the lockdown imposed by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, earlier in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The register of the poor and vulnerable in society is expected to aid in better targeting of beneficiaries who deserve social protection.

    At a press conference organized in Accra, the National Coordinator of the Ghana National Household Registry, Dr. Prosper Laari, gave a breakdown of the total number of people sampled.

    “At the end of the exercise, we have collected data on approximately 80,000 poor and vulnerable persons in the Greater Accra Region. Out of this figure, 62% of the vulnerable individuals are females with about 50% aged 18-39; about 20% aged 40-59, and 10% aged 60 plus, and the remaining under 18 years.”

    “Over 60% of vulnerable individuals sleep in kiosks, containers, markets, uncompleted structures, on the streets, bus or lorry stations, chop bars or drinking spots, at the beaches, exposed to different forms of hazards. Only very few people sleep in compound houses, mostly in overcrowded rooms. 3% of the individuals live with a disability,” he stated.

    Dr. Laari further touched on how the data will improve the success of social protection programmes in the future.

    “The data is as good as its usage and so this is what we have profiled. We know that the World Food Program (WFP) is planning to target about 50,000 individuals, and they are going to use this data. As a ministry, there are several programs we have targeted toward the vulnerable and so you will want scientific data to be able to properly get to people that need those support,” he revealed.

    The exercise was funded by the World Bank and Department for International Development (DFID) and covered bases like the levels of education, source of livelihood, disabilities and basic access of these vulnerable persons.

    The exercise is currently being replicated in the North East, Savannah and Northern regions and is expected to be carried out in the Central and Volta regions by the end of the year

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Nigeria parliament speaker heads to Ghana over diplomatic row

    Nigeria’s House of Representatives speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is going to Ghana for a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart following the recent diplomatic tension.

    Mr Gbajabiamila told Nigerian media that the main topic of discussion would be issues affecting Nigerians in Ghana.

    The information ministers for both countries had spoken about the matter with Nigeria’s Lai Mohammed accusing Ghana of deporting Nigerians and closing shops owned by Nigerian citizens.

    In his response, Ghana’s Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the Nigerians who were deported were involved in criminal activities, and that all foreign shop owners, whose documentation were not in order, had their premises closed.

    Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months following trade tensions and the demolition of the Nigerian diplomatic building in Accra.

    Source: bbc.com

  • 2019/20 Academic year postponed to 2021

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has postponed the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year to January 2021.

    The decision to postpone the academic year which was brought to a halt in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the country was taken after further consultations with stakeholders.

    Second year Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) students, would however, return to school from October 5 to December 15 to complete their academic year.

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, made this known Sunday in his 16th address to the nation on measures taken to control the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

    “The Ghana Education Service after further consultations has decided to postpone the remainder of the academic year for all nursery, kindergarten, primary, JHS1 and SHS1 students. The next academic year will resume in January 2021 with the appropriate adjustments made to the curriculum to ensure that nothing is lost from the previous year,” the President said.

    “The relevant dispositions will also be made so that the presence, at the same time, in schools of all streams of students, can occur in safety,” he added.

    JHS 2, SHS 2 return to school October 5

    The President noted that JHSs would operate with a class sizes of 30 while SHSs would operate with a class sizes of 25.

    He added that the students would be in school for 10 weeks to study and write their end of term examinations.

    President Akufo-Addo further noted that prior to reopening, all schools would be fumigated and disinfected.

    He said as part of measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus, all the students would be given reusable face masks like was done for the final year JHS and SHS students who reported to school earlier in the year.

    JHS two students will also be given one hot meal a day.

    “SHS 2 students in boarding houses are to return to their various dormitories on 5th October, whilst day students, respecting fully the COVID-19 protocols, will commute from home to their respective schools on the same date. Prior to reopening, all Junior and Senior High Schools will be fumigated and disinfected.

    Just as was done in the case of final year university, JHS and SHS students, all JHS 2 and SHS 2 students, as well as all teaching and non-teaching staff, will be given reusable face masks. Each school will be provided with Veronica Buckets, gallons of liquid soap, rolls of tissue paper, thermometer guns, and 200 milli-litre containers of sanitizers. JHS 2 students will be given one hot meal a day,” President Akufo-Addo added.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus case count hits 43,949 in latest update, death toll 270

    The coronavirus case count in Ghana has reached 43,949, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service.

    Dr Patrick Kuma- Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, made this known to the media on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

    He said active cases as of August 25, were 1,287, down slightly from the initial figure of 1,325.

    According to him, deaths as of August 25, stood at 270.

    He said a total of 42,392 patients had been discharged as of August 25, 2020.

    According to him, about 439,246 tests have been conducted cummulatively in Ghana.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Obom: 26 health workers traumatised after military raid

    26 health workers of the Obom Health Centre are traumatised after military men raided the entire community to search for perpetrators who allegedly inflicted cutlass wounds on two soldiers during a clash over a disputed land.

    The Administrator of the facility, Adam Dramani alleged that the Military officers fired gunshots indiscriminately during the arrest of the civilians.

    Adam Addramani also alleged that some of his workers also “received several slaps.”

    He also said the military mistakenly arrested his worker thinking that they were part of the perpetrators.

    Due to the unfortunate incident, he complained that workers are refusing to go to work adding that two are on admission.

    Adams Dramani appealed to the military men to temper justice with mercy because many workers are leaving in fear.

    Meanwhile, a source close the Military high command indicates that one of the military guns used by the two soldiers has been found.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Every property in Ghana will have a unique address in November – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that the government will in November this year commence a national digital address system to transform the economy.

    In an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Dr Bawumia revealed that about 4 million unique addresses have been developed for every property in Ghana.

    He stated that by November, every house in Ghana will have an address and this is part of the government’s goal to digitize the nation.

    “Every property in Ghana will have a unique address in November…You’re going to have a completely working national property addressing system,” he said.

    Additionally, every street in Ghana will have a name, the Vice President told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

    Source: Peace FM

  • 2020 Elections: Asawase NDC, NPP leadership sign peace accord

    The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asawase Constituency have signed an agreement to commit to peace before, during, and after the 2020 general elections.

    NDC executives who were reluctant in signing the agreement cited alleged bias on the part of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Police during the just ended Voter Registration Exercise.

    According to them, a supposed National Security Officer who allegedly pulled a gun and threatened a police officer during the Voter Registration Exercise has still not been arrested by the police.

    The executives also raised concerns over alleged intimidation of their members during the exercise which they say happened in the full glare of the police.

    The National Peace Council after deliberations with the leadership of the NDC and NPP as well as traditional and religious leaders in the Asawase Constituency issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to get both parties to commit to peace ahead of the 2020 polls.

    The meeting by the mediation committee of the National Peace Council was to get both parties to agree not to use internal party security groups to provide security to their leaders during political activities.

    The agreement was backed by ACT, 999 of the Vigilantism, and Related Offences ACT, 2019.

    While the NPP outrightly signed the agreement, the NDC delayed in the signing to make further consultation.

    Asawase Constituency Chairman for the NPP, Mohammed Imoro signed the agreement on behalf of his party and pledged to ensure peace before, during, and after the 2020 polls.

    The executives later signed the agreement and however said they can only commit fully to a peace pact ahead of the elections if the Electoral Commission and the Police are fair in discharging their duties.

    Asawase Constituency Treasurer for the NDC, Faisal Dauda said the party was committed to peace and will do whatever to ensure the upcoming elections is a peaceful one.

    “To make it short, we signed the MoU based on conditionality that if the police will appear as political agents, we will not agree, it meant the agreement will not be necessary again”, he explained.

    Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kwaku Buah who was part of the meeting assured both parties that police will remain fair in the discharge of their duties and serve the national interest.

    Chairman of the National Peace Council Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante addressing the meeting emphasized that both parties ensure peace in the constituency since what unites them is bigger than what divides them.

    “At the end of the day, we felt that there will be a need for them to commit themselves to write. So that at least it will remind them that they have committed themselves that”, he said.

    Professor Asante indicated that all the stakeholders in the constituency are yearning for peace and the leadership of the parties in the area must also demonstrate their commitment to peace.

    The Peace Council hinted that it was preparing to meet parliamentary candidates of the NPP and NDC in the constituency to deliberate with them on the need to commit to peace and also get them to pledge their commitment ahead of the 2020 polls.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Nigerian government announces measures to end retail trade feud with Ghana

    The Nigerian government says it is taking steps to ensure it ends the ongoing retail trade feud with Ghana.

    This follows the closure of retail shops owned by foreigners by a task force put together by the Trade Ministry.

    The PRO of the Ministry had said it is against the laws of Ghana for foreigners to own retail shops in the country.

    Talking to Nigerian traders at a meeting, the Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that his team is taking the issue up with the regional body, ECOWAS.

    He stated that they want ECOWAS to investigate the issue and secure the shops of these Nigerian traders.

    Mr Onyeama claimed that the clammed down of retail shops were in contradiction with the ECOWAS protocols.

    “We want this matter to be addressed at the shortest time possible. What is the point of having an economic community, if, at the end of the day, each country will just make a law and regulations that are in contradiction of that,” he added.

    However, the leader of the Nigerian traders believes the recent closure of the shops might be politically fuelled.

    “This is the resurgence of what we call harassment. From the way things are playing out we may also start seeing xenophobic attacks of our citizens in Ghana,” he stated.

    He alleged that some of his traders were attacked during the closure of shops by the tasks force but they are ensuring that these traders do not take the law into their hands and retaliate.

    The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeame assured the traders their government is working to secure their safety.

    “As we have this matter addressed, we know that there are upcoming elections but we will certainly hope that Nigerians will not be pawns in the electoral game.”

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian traders say the government is only doing its job adding that the Ghanaian traders cannot buy from foreign wholesalers and still compete with the same wholesalers in retail.

    “We are saying that it is preserved for the indigenous Ghanaians. Leave the retail market for us. We are not asking them to leave, it is the law. If there are Ghanaians who are doing illegal business that is up to them,” one trader stated.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Ghanaian students from Russia test positive for coronavirus

    Some Ghanaian students who arrived in the country from Russia have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus disease.

    This was disclosed by a former President of the National Union of Students in Russia, Roland Abiti Addo, in a interview on Campus Exclusive.

    He indicated that the test results of some of the evacuees came back positive with traces of the COVID-19 strains in their fluid samples.

    Roland Addo could, however, not tell the specific number of students who had been infected with the disease.

    The infected persons have been taken to isolation centres to begin receiving treatment.

    Meanwhile, UniversNews gathers that some of the students, including the twelve from University of Ghana are awaiting their results as they had their samples taken on Monday, August 17, 2020.

    126 Ghanaians arrive from Russia

    One Hundred and Twenty-Six (126) Ghanaians who were in Russia have arrived in the country.

    Most of them were students studying in Russia, including 12 from the University of Ghana who went there for a year-abroad program.

    They arrived aboard a Royal flight at 8:45 am on Wednesday, August 12, at the Kotoko International Airport.

    Source: universnewsroom.com

  • European, two others die in Kumasi-Techiman highway road crash

    A man from Europe and two others were killed during an accident at Yeboah Apatem, near Akumadan, on the Kumasi-Techiman highway, Sunday.

    The incident which occurred just before 8 pm has left others to battle for their lives at separate health facilities in the Ashanti and Bono Regions after sustaining various injuries.

    Emergency services were later called to rescue the perishing as the accident impeded traffic flow on the popular ECOWAS trunk road.

    Official account

    The accident involved a Mitsubishi Pajero car and a Ssanyong minibus, the police said in a statement obtained by DailyMailGh.com.

    The statement said the Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle carried five persons including two Europeans who were later identified as Spanish nationals coming to Kumasi from Jirapa in the Upper West Region.

    “On reaching the outskirts of Akumadan on the Kumasi-Techiman road, the [Mitsubishi Pajero] driver collided head-on with the Ssangyong bus with registration number AS 5628 18 driven by Amponsah Paul aged 25 from the opposite direction”, the police said.

    The impact caused the bus to burst into flames killing one person on the spot, according to an official with the National Disaster Management Organization in the Offinso North District, Mamoa Elijah.

    “The Ssangyong car had burst into flames when we arrived. The other vehicle also somersaulted. A whiteman also got trapped. It took several hours before we could recover his body. He was declared dead at the scene”, the NADMO director narrated.

    Death toll rises

    The death toll had jumped to three after a 25-year-old man named as Kofi Boadu was also confirmed dead by medics at the Nkenkensu Government Hospital.

    There are fears the death toll could rise as several others were referred to other medical facilities at Wenchi in the Bono Region.

    Police in a statement later pointed to speeding as the initial cause of the accident.

    “For now a joint investigations have started; remember this road connects Ghana to other ECOWAS countries but it is important we intensify education to prevent such carnages”, the NADMO director posited.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • New dates for mop up of Ghana Card registration released

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) has released new dates for a mop-up exercise for the Ghana Card registration in the Greater Accra Region.

    The exercise will now start on August 24, 2020, and run until September 8, 2020.

    The mop-up registration exercise had initially been set for August 16 to August 29 in the Greater Accra Region.

    The NIA has also revised the dates for the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions. The mop-up will now take place from August 27, 2020, to September 11, 2020.

    The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions had also been scheduled from August 20 to September 4.

    The NIA commenced the mass Ghana Card registration exercise in 2019. It had registered over 7.2 million people as of January 16, 2020.

    The mop-up exercise is targeting persons aged 15 years and above who were unable to register for the Ghana Card.

    The Authority has already conducted a mop-up registration exercise in the Ashanti, Volta and the Oti Regions from August 2 to August 16, 2020.

    The authority was unable to achieve its target of registering 80% of the population as the exercise was widely hampered by logistical challenges.

    The NIA has targeted 16.7 million Ghanaians to register for the Ghana Card.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Fire guts Electoral Commission office in Accra

    Fire that erupted in the early hours of Friday, August 14, 2020 has destroyed several property at the Electoral Commission’s office in Accra.

    The fire which started at about 2.30 am, consumed almost everything in the said building located at Sapeiman in the Ga West Municipality which also serves as the Regional Office of the election management body.

    The cause of the incident is still under investigation by the Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service.

    The building is also used for the storage of old and used items for the Commission, Angelonline.com.gh has learnt.

    It, however, did not affect the main administration block.

    The fire was said to have been detected by the policeman and the night watchmen on duty at the time.

    Personnel from the Fire Service have been there to put the fire under control.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

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

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

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

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

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

    Following this, the Presidency subsequently dismissed the petition.

    Earlier petition to CHRAJ

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

    CHRAJ ruled in favour of the Chairperson of the EC.

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

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

    ASEPA petitions President

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

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

    Chief Justice’s conclusions and dismissal of petition

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

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

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

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

    What CHRAJ said

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

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

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

    File your assets early

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

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

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Unemployment, education priority concerns for Ghanas youth Afrobarometer report

    Unemployment and education are the most pressing problems for young Ghanaians, according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey.

    Its findings released on International Youth Day show that these are the problems young Ghanaians want to be addressed by the state.

    The survey asked adults of all ages to cite the most important problems they want the government to address, and,  infrastructure and roads were “the most frequently cited priority mentioned by 59% of respondents followed by unemployment (39%) and education (38%).”

    But when narrowed down to Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 35, unemployment and education were their main concerns.

    “Young adults are 14 and 5 percentage points, respectively, more likely than seniors to cite unemployment and education as their top priorities.”

    The most important problems

    Six in 10 Ghanaians said they “somewhat support” or “strongly support” higher taxes to fund programs to help the youth.

    In addition, 59 percent of respondents said job creation would be the highest priority if the government could increase its spending to help the youth.

    Despite the concern for youth, a majority of Ghanaians “think it is more important to listen to the wisdom of the elders than to the fresh ideas of the young.”

    An adjacent Afrobarometer survey noted that the youth are no less interested in politics than their elders.

    It noted that only 36 percent of Ghanaians agree with the idea that “in order for our country to do well, we should listen more to fresh ideas from young people.”

    Instead, 54 percent say that “we should listen more to the wisdom of our elders,” including 40 percent who “agree very strongly” with this view.

    Should we listen more to the youth or to elders?
    Should we listen more to the youth or to elders?

    “The need to pay more attention to the youth is a minority view across key sociodemographic groups even among youth themselves (38%). Men (40%) and respondents with post-secondary education (40%) are somewhat more likely to emphasize listening to youth than are women (32%) and citizens without formal education (30%),” the survey noted.

    The youth are, however, less likely than older citizens to have attended a community meeting.

    Of the youth surveyed, 43 percent said they had attended a community meeting, 39 percent said they had contacted leaders during the previous 12 months.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Fraud cases in banking sector increase by 5.5% in 2019 BoG report

    New figures released by the Bank of Ghana show that fraud cases in the banking sector increased to 2,295 from 2,175, representing 5.5 percent in 2019.

    The marginal increase in the number of fraud cases according to the central bank could partly be attributed to the improved efforts by the Financial Stability Department to identify, monitor and to ensure compliance with reporting of fraud cases in the industry.

    Giving more details, the document titled 2019 Banking Industry Fraud Report said the various forms of advanced technologies adopted by financial institutions made the banking sector more susceptible to various risks such as phishing, identity theft, card skimming, vishing, email fraud and more sophisticated types of cyber-crime.

    “Similar to the year 2018, in 2019, suppression of cash and deposits accounted for the largest portion of the total number of fraud cases reported to the Bank of Ghana,” the report said.

    The report stressed that about 94 per cent of the fraud cases reported as suppression of cash and deposits were perpetrated by staff (either contract or permanent) of the financial institutions.

    “The alarming rate of involvement of bank staff in the perpetration of fraud in the banking sector, calls for significant reforms in the engagement, remuneration and disengagement processes of employees and contractual staff of financial institutions,” the report noted.

    In 2019, the industry reported a total fraud value of approximately GH¢115.52 million.

    Approximately 28.96 percent that is GH¢33.44 million of this amount was reported as losses and 71.04 per cent that is GH¢82.06million was unsuccessful or recovered.

    The reported total loss value is made up of GH¢10.35million and the remaining balance of GH¢23 million.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Mission staff, students on government scholarship abroad cant vote this year – EC

    Some Ghanaians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions may not be able to vote during the 2020 elections if the measures to halt the spread of the disease remains.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) chair, Jean Mensa said at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, August 12 that it has been unable to travel to register workers in the Ghanaian missions as well as students on scholarships abroad.

    She indicated that the working timetable for the commission may not allow for them to partake in the December exercise if they are unable to get onto the roll anytime soon.

    “It is a challenge for all of us that we are grappling with. We have Ghanaians beyond the borders who are unable to come in. The Commission would have liked to register all eligible Ghanaians but it is a challenge that we are grappling with.

    “We find that we are not able to travel because there are restrictions on travel not only in Ghana but around the world.

    “As part of our plans we were supposed to have travelled to all countries where we had Missions and Embassies to register the Mission staff and students on Government of Ghana scholarship but we have not been able to do that because of the travel restriction.

    “There are discussions ongoing and maybe at a later stage when there is some a solution we will provide you with the information on that but for now they are all caught within the restrictions and travel bans globally. It puts us in a tight position and we are not able to say for sure that we will be able to cross the borders. We are working within some timelines and so it has to fill within a particular time so that those persons will be captured on the register,” she said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Juapong residents block road over killing of businessman

    Some youth of Juapong blocked the main road on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, after the killing of a businessman in the area by suspected robbers.

    The incident happened on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at about 11 pm while the deceased and his wife were returning home from work.

    About three men reportedly accosted the two and shot the man after a short confrontation at a suburb called Deeper Life.

    Eyewitnesses say the police delayed in responding to distress calls after the incident which angered the youth and caused them to mount roadblocks and burn car tyres in protest.

    Citi News understands that police from the Juapong Police Command arrived at the scene and calm has been restored.

    A brother of the deceased in narrating the incident said, “I was in the room and I heard a call from one of my tenants that my brother has been shot down there so I asked what happened. The wife told me that they were going home around 11 pm and they saw a gentleman coming out from a dark corner on the way and before they realized, he was about to attack so she called her husband that armed robbers.”

    “So the husband told them that if it is money they want, here is it. They should take it, but they said we are not after money so when he started to run away, someone had shot him from the back.”

    Another resident of the area also said, “We got the information this dawn at 1 am that one Samuel Nyamado popularly known as Sonny has been gunned down when he closed from the shop and was going home. He has a provision shop just across the street where the incident happened and what brought out the riots was that they say thing happened around 10 pm to 11 pm but until the youth block the way, the police has not been there but right now the calm has returned to the place because the police Commander and some police are there now.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Murdered Sogakope Assemblyman: Police grab alleged ring leader after 5 months manhunt

    The leader of the gang who fired the second shot during the robbery and murder of Marcus Maputo Adzahli, the Assemblyman at Sogakope in the Volta Region five months ago has been arrested

    This brings the number of people arrested in connection with the murder of the Asemblyman to seven.

    Richard Adikyere, 23, a mason and the leader of the gang; Stephen Adzibolo also known as (aka) Tseko, 29, mechanic; Emmanuel Hedzro, 25, motor rider; Kofi Zotorvi, Christian Zotorvi, 30, farmer; Micheal Sam, 29 and Obed Agornu, 21, are in the custody of the police.

    Three weapons, one pump action gun and two locally manufactured guns have been retrieved from the suspects by the police.

    The Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Isaac Ken Yeboah gave the update at a press conference in Accra yesterday, stating that the crime was not a contract killing but robbery and murder.

    He said on July 5, 2020, at about 1:00am, five armed men robbed a house at Old Ningo and made away with a number of items, including two motorcycles.

    The Director-General said one of the motorcycles had a tracker which facilitated the location and identification of it when it was being offered for sale by one of the suspect Richard Adikyere.

    COP Yeboah said Adikyere confessed during interrogation of his involvement in robbery and murder of the Assemblyman in March 1, 2020.

    “He mentioned the names of his accomplices and the role each played in the crime,” COP Yeboah stated.

    He said Adikyere was the leader of the gang and delivered the second shot to gun down the deceased with a pump action gun.

    The Director-General said Adzibolo gave the first shot to the chest of the deceased when the Mawutor tried to struggle with him.

    “Adzibolo also shot through the window to hit the baby with pellets lodged in the head,” he added

    COP Yeboah said Hedzro who was not at the scene hatched the plan to rob the deceased for money, adding that he informed Adikyere to recruit men for the operation and later showed the suspects the house of the assemblyman.

    The Director-General stated that Zotorvi who was not present at the crime scene arranged and brought two weapons for the operation, whilst Christian Zotorvi was tasked to keep two weapons before and after the operation.

    He said Sam who took part in the operation was recruited by Adzibolo from Ashaiman for the operation

    COP Yeboah said Agornu was also recruited by Adzibolo from Ashiaman and he took part with a locally manufactured pistol at the scene.

    Giving an update on the incident at Kafaba near Salaga in the Savannah Region where a 90-year old woman, Akua Denteh was lynched, COP Yeboah said seven persons, including a fetish priestess and her deputy, have been arrested and have since been put before court and the case adjourned to August 20, 2020

     

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Kotoka International Airport is ‘not for sale’ – Ghana Airports

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has reiterated its earlier explanation that the Kotoka International Airport is “not for sale or being privatised” as alleged by former President John Dramani Mahama.

    Rather, the Ghana Airports Company Limited says “an unsolicited proposal has been received from a Turkish Consortium which is yet to be considered. It is rather unfortunate that certain figures from the proposal are being used to peddle untruths,” the GACL said in a statement in reaction a claim made by former President John Dramani Mahama in a television interview with Woezor.

    Mr Mahama during the television interview at the weekend argued that giving 66 percent shares of the Kotoka Airport to a private firm was wrong.

    He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was against attempts by the government to hand over 66 percent shares of the Airport to TAM-SUMMA Consortium, a Turkish company.

    According to him, such moves by the government were wrong and must be stopped.

    The former President said while the NDC administration was in power, its valuation report showed that the airport was valued at about GH¢5 billion and so it is strange that the government intends to cede 66 percent of its control of the airport to the private company in exchange for $70 million.

    “When we were in office, a valuation study of the Kotoka Airport was done and it was valued at over GH¢ 5 billion. It also had an insured value in the region of GH¢3 to GH¢4 billion because a lot of money had been invested in the airport and it had become one of the five best airports in Africa.”

    “[Now we are seeing] a strange development where a Turkish company is being given the airport; to take over the airport and run it. For $70 million we are giving 66 percent of the airport to a Turkish company. We are against it. It is wrong,” John Mahama said.

    Airport company’s response

    But reacting the Ghana Airport Company Limited said the claim by the former President was not true.

    It assured the “general public that Kotoka International Airport is NOT FOR SALE. The vision of making Ghana the Preferred Aviation Hub and leader in Airport Business in West Africa remains a priority.”

    It said the claim by Mr Mahama that an investment of $600 million was made at Kotoka is “incorrect.”

    “The amount may be in reference to funding of projects in all airports including $130 million Runway project at Tamale Airport and $25 million new airport in Ho.”

    It also said the claim that the GACL has been unable to service the syndicated loan facility is “untrue.” “To dare, GACL has met its repayment obligations under the loan facility,” the statement said.

    Below is a copy of the full reaction by the GACL 

    Kotoka Airport Not for Sale by The Independent Ghana on Scribd


    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • South Labadi Estate residents in fear after explosion and injury

    Three siblings, according to some residence of the South Labadi Estate in Accra, nearly lost their lives, while playing with an object believed to be a grenade, when it exploded.

    The explosion is said to have happened last Tuesday, 4th August 2020 at a place closer to La Tawala Beach Resort.

    The only boy, amongst the three siblings, who is 7 years, is said to be in a critical condition. His two sisters also suffered various degrees of injury.

    The kids were said to have gone to the beach to win sand, but found the bombs and started playing with them, when one exploded.

    Their father’s name was given as “Atta Oko”, a mason, were found motionless by a resident, who raised alarm.

    The sound and effect of the heavy explosion, were felt in the estate, leading to the resident rushing out to verify where it had come from, only to find them motionless. They were rushed out for medical treatment.

    The Herald’s information is that a combined team of police and military personnel came to the site the following day, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 to detonate another one and retrieve the rest.

    Many residents., who are living in fear, are asking why the security agencies, have remained tightlipped on the matter.

    The explosion was described as very loud sending shivers and fear down the spine of the residents.

    As the security agencies remain silent over the matter, there are, however, suspicions that the explosives were deliberately planted by a faction of the Abafom Clan in La.

    There is said to be a fight over the land by members of the clan, and a faction is believed to have planted the explosives to deter the other claimants.

    However, others also feel the explosive might have come from the sea.

    The Herald is working on getting additional details on the matter.

     

    Source: The Herald

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Active cases decrease by 628

    Active cases of COVID-19 has seen a reduction from 3,253 to 2625, according to the Ghana Health Service.

    This means that 628 patients recovered and discharged after completing their period of treatment.

    The latest information by the GHS showed thus shoots up the recovery rate which was 36, 638 to 37, 702.

    Meanwhile, Case count for coronavirus in Ghana has reached 40, 533. Death toll however, remains at 206.

    Authorities at health facilities now discharge people infected by COVID-19 after 14 days of treatment once they stop exhibiting symptoms.

    Source: ghanaweb

  • 2020 polls: 61,000 voters with poor fingerprints to go through facial verification

    The Electoral Commission has said some 61,086 voters who were part of those captured in the just-ended registration exercise, fall under the trauma category meaning, their fingerprints could not be captured by the electronic system.

    This means, they would have to go through facial verification on the day of the general elections before they can vote.

    At a press conference in Accra on Friday, 7 August 2020, the Deputy Chair of the EC, Dr Eric Bossman Asare, said: “In the course of the registration, the Commission identified some applicants who have lost most or some of their finger imprints, making it extremely difficult for their fingerprints to be captured for verification purposes”.

    “The reasons for this are several but they are largely rooted in the kinds of occupations of some applicants”, he noted.

    “For these applicants, their faces will be verified during the election to establish their identities”, he said.

    He added: “This is the facial recognition that the Commission has been talking about”.

    In both real and nominal terms, Dr Asare said the Upper East region leads with 9,137 cases constituting 1.42% of the total voters registered.

    He said with the exception of Ahafo, all the regions are in four digits.

    Regional breakdown

    WESTERN – 2,742

    WESTERN NORTH – 1,224

    CENTRAL – 2,484

    GREATER ACCRA – 7,092

    VOLTA – 5,873

    OTI – 1,586

    EASTERN – 3,162

    ASHANTI – 7,625

    BONO – 3,009

    AHAFO – 799

    BONO EAST – 2,802

    SAVANNAH – 3,045

    NORTHERN – 4,632

    NORTH EAST – 1,557

    UPPER EAST – 9,137

    UPPER WEST – 4,317

    NATIONAL TOTAL – 61,086

    Source: Class FM

  • ‘The good people of Ghana will judge our performance’ – Jean Mensa to critics

    In my law class 30 years ago, one of the profound doctrines was the Latin expression “Res ispa loquitur,” which means the thing speaks for it self; and on that premise, we will leave the good people of Ghana to judge our performance.

    These were the words of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, as she responded to a question on how the Commission would rate its performance in the just ended mass voter registration exercise.

    She was speaking at the eighth edition of the Let the Citizens Know series, a platform created by the EC to engage citizens on the electoral process.

    The Commission had projected to register 15 million eligible Ghanaians in the 38-day mass registration exercise, but exceeded that target after registering 16,663,669 at the end of the registration on Thursday, August 6.

    With a mop-up registration scheduled to take place at the various offices of the Commission on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, the figure will shoot up.

    Giving that the move by the EC to compile a new register ahead of the December 7, 2020 polls had been met with resistance by some political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs); and that the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) scourge had been an issue of grave concern, many had little or no hope in the ability of the Commission carry out the exercise.

    It therefore, came as refreshing news for the Commission to have scaled that challenge.

    And on that solid foundation, Mrs Mensa, reiterated that the successful completion of the mass voter registration exercise was just the beginning of many other transparent processes the EC had put in place for a credible and fair election.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ghanas coronavirus load now 39,642 with 36,384 recoveries

    Ghana has recorded 567 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total national tally to 39,642.

    The new cases were reported in the lab on 3 August 2020.

    Some 36,384 of them have recovered and been discharged.

    The death toll remains 199.

    Currently, the active load is 3,059.

    Eight of them are in a critical condition, four on ventilators, and 22 in severe condition.

    So far, a total of 407,588 tests have been conducted.

    Regional breakdown of coronavirus cases

    Greater Accra Region – 20,199

    Ashanti Region – 9,747

    Western Region – 2,761

    Eastern Region – 1,766

    Central Region – 1,622

    Volta Region – 614

    Bono East Region – 536

    Western North Region – 526

    Bono Region – 439

    Northern Region – 424

    Ahafo Region – 364

    Upper East Region – 282

    Oti Region – 203

    Upper West Region – 88

    Savannah Region – 62

    North East Region – 9

     

    Source: Class FM

  • Private water suppliers kick against government free water directive

    The Association of Small Towns Water Supply Systems-Ghana, has said it would not heed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s directive to supply free water to the general public, as part of government’s arrangement to ease the suffering of citizens, amidst the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the Association, it is unable to oblige with the President’s request delivered by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during last month’s mid-year budget review, because the government has failed to pay huge debts owed members of the Association.

    The association said they have desperately requested a meeting with the Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, but she has refused to meet with them.

    “The Association wishes to state categorically that until the government pays the bills submitted fully for the first three months ending June 2020, WSMTs [Water and Sanitation Management Teams (WSMTs)] will not be able to continue with the free water to consumers”.

    This means that people who depend on members of the Association for potable water, will have to purchase their water.

    In a strongly worded statement signed by its President and Secretary, sighted by The Herald, it disclosed that the government has failed to pay its debt owed them after they supplied the first free water package between April to June.

    It argued, it will be impossible for these companies to continue to offer their service to Ghanaians especially when their systems are on electricity prepaid metering.

    They queried how they were going to continue to fund their operations when the government which they are working for, is playing adamant.

    “Asking the water systems to continue the free water for three more months’ whilst most of the water systems are on electricity prepaid metering, how can they produce water without money. In addition, the water systems pay staff salaries, vendors’ commissions and maintain the water systems from proceeds of water sales which maybe the government is not aware of”, the statement said.

    Members decried the government’s quest to give freebies to Ghanaians without consulting them.

    “The WSMTs were NOT consulted, yet it directed and instructed all Small Water Systems to comply with the directive by the president. The leadership of the Association sought audience with the sector Minister but was denied without reason”, it said.

    The Association maintains it will honour the President directive only, when the government settles the three months water, its members supplied to Ghanaians.

    The notice from the private water providers comes barely two week after the Finance Minister announced the second phase of the government’s free water and electricity supply to Ghanaians.

    Until recently, the government from 2000, was responsible for the payment of water bills of all state institutions; however, from 2007, all the way to 2012, successive governments failed to pay the outstanding institutional water bills submitted by the Small Towns Water Systems to date, after several requests and appeals.

    It is as a result of this, that the Association is serving notice it will no longer offer its services to the government with regards to the free water directive, until it pays its debt to the Association’s members.

     

    Source: The Herald

  • All we need is Justice – Eldest son of late Akua Denteh who was lynched

    The first son of the late Madam Akua Mariama Denteh, 90, who was lynched on the accusation of witchcraft at Kafaba in the East Gonja Municipality in the Savannah Region says only justice can appease the family.

    Mr Mahama Salami, 58, said although the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council (SRCC) had set up a foundation in memory of his late mother, the arrest and prosecution of those who killed the old lady should supersede every other compensatory venture.

    In an interview with the Daily Graphic on Saturday, August 1, 2020, Mr Salami said if it had not been the media, the gruesome murder of her late mother would have gone unnoticed, stressing that her mother’s death should bring to an end such acts of accusations, torturing and eventual killing of aged women in the name of exorcising witchcraft.

    Call for justice

    “All that the family is demanding is swift action on the part of the police to bring the offenders to face the law,” he said, adding that “you cannot kill somebody based on mere allegations of witchcraft.”

     

    He said it was unfortunate that in our part of the world such criminal acts thrived and sometimes offenders went unpunished.

    Mr Salami, who could not hold back his tears and anguish, expressed surprise that one Sanjo, who allegedly invited the traditional priestess into the Kafaba community, and his accomplice, said to be one Aliu, to supposedly expose alleged witches were both trained teachers.

    He said both teachers were with the Kafaba District Assembly (D/A) Primary and Junior High School (JHS), adding that it was on the compound of Sanjo that the crime was committed.

    Mr Salami said the spot where his mother was killed was about 800 metres from where the old lady lived.

     

    The woman was supposedly dragged from her home to the trial spot where she went through the trial by ordeal after which the traditional priestess pronounced her a witch, leading to her lynching.

    Life of Ms Denteh

    Mr Salami said her mother birthed seven children, with one of five females deceased among the siblings.

    He described Ms Denteh as a devout Muslim who lived a quiet and peaceful life and wished to live longer to take care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    She had 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, some of whom she nurtured up to tertiary education level.

    Kafaba Community

    The Kafaba community is about 21 kilometres from Salaga, the capital of the East Gonja Municipality.

    The farming community has no police post.

    Madam Denteh and her husband, Mahama Braimah, now also of blessed memory, went into commercial farming earlier in life, and he was adjudged the Best District Farmer for the then East Gonja District in 1986.

    She continued her farming activities, cultivating yam and maize even into her old age.

    Mr Salami inherited the farming culture from his parents, and has ventured into commercial farming of yam, maize and rice.

    The youngest among the siblings is Mr Dominic Mahama Saaka, 42, a tutor at the T.I. Ahmadiya Senior High School in Salaga.

    The rest are Mahama Memuna, Mahama Rabiatu, Mahama Zainabu and Mahama Mariam who are farmers.


    PHOTO: Mr Mahama Salami, the eldest son of the late Madam Denteh

    Background

    So far, seven persons have been arrested by the police, with six of them in police custody.

    Those arrested include the Chief of Kafaba, Mr Seidu Yahaya, who has since been granted police enquiry bail, while five of the suspects who turned themselves in are said to be those who invited the traditional priestess into the community.

    Madam Mariama Denteh was lynched on July 23, 2020 at Kafaba after a traditional priestess pronounced her as a witch following a trial by ordeal.

    She has since been buried in line with Islamic tradition.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Tension in Awoshie, residents protest after four-year-old is knocked down by car

    Hundreds of Residents of Awoshie Mangoase on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, besieged a section of the Ablekuma Highway to demand the repair of traffic lights on the stretch.

    Their protest was sparked by the death of a four-year-old boy who was run over and killed on Monday.

    The protest attracted heavy police and military presence to try and calm tensions.

    Some of the angry residents spoke to Citi News and said they had suffered too many casualties on the road.

    “We get knocked down by cars like chickens. Up to Ablekuma, all the traffic lights are not functioning. Last week, someone was knocked down. It happened again on Saturday,” one resident said.

    “Our leaders are not thinking of the wellbeing of citizens. We vote because we want development. The police and soldiers are here. When they leave, we will still demonstrate and prevent any car from plying the road,” he added.

    A woman who was protesting also said: “We have made several complaints to our leaders and yet we are not seeing any change. The number of people who have been killed on this road is uncountable.”

    Meanwhile the Assemblyman for Awoshie, Obed Mintah Oduro says the assembly has made several attempts to get the bridge fixed.

    He also admitted the fatalities on the road were out of hand.

    “Since I came, I have witnessed not less than 10 people being knocked down by vehicles. In all these situations, I try to forward it to the MCE to see how best we can resolve the issue.”

    “Unfortunately, no action has been taken,” he added, culminating in the protests on Tuesday morning.

    “I tried to control it [the protest] but the people are fed up. Almost every week or two, someone is knocked down,” Mr. Oduro said.

    Source: citinewsroom 

     

     

  • Akufo-Addo and Mahama must be ready to make these 10 commitments to win election 2020 Agyinasare

    The General Overseer of the Perez Chapel has highlighted 10 commitments that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) must make as the country prepares for the 2020 general elections.

    Charles Agyinasare in his national transformation on Sunday said these commitments when carried out will be in the interest of the people.

    According to him, the campaign of the two major political parties must be people-oriented in order for the parties to obtain the votes of electorates.

    Listing the commitments, Bishop Agyinasare said;

    “Deliver to us a civil service that is non-partisan and will not be afraid when government change.

    “Complete and utilise projects started by previous government.

    “Tribal politics will not be upheld.

    “Government will not spend our money recklessly by incurring judgement debts and excessive borrowing.

    “Politicians will not have different rules applied to them than the citizens

    “Team will not insult their opponents.

    “The one that wins will be swift to fight corruption.

    “The political class will not sideline other pillars of the society.

    “They will ensure that our democracy will allow us freedom of speech.

    “Whoever is in power will allow a strong opposition TV and radio stations because without strong opposition we are a one party state.”

    He then advised journalists to desist from mixing the facts with emotions, noting that this is a critical year and must be handled delicately.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • I won’t contest Dec 7 election – Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom

    The leader of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, will not contest this year’s presidential election due to ill health.

    He explained that he had not been in the best of state of health since 2017.

    In an interview with Graphic Online’s Albert K. Salia from his base in the United States of America (USA), Dr Nduom said his current state and other challenges did not leave time for politics.

    He was, however, convinced that the PPP had a new set of leaders to makean impact in Ghana’s politics.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

     

  • I was possessed and unaware I was torturing my grandma to death Lady who whipped Akua Denteh

    Latifah Bumaye, the lady captured in a viral video whipping a 90-year-old says she was possessed and did not know she was torturing her grandmother.

    The 25-year-old told the Salaga Divisional Police Headquarters who arrested her in Kejewu Bator, a fishing community, that she was unaware of what she was doing.

    She said some men had caught her forcefully and smeared a powdery substance on her face prior to the incident.

    According to her, when she saw the video of her whipping the deceased, she asked those around where she got the different apparel from when she was previously in cloth.

    Ms Bumaye was captured in the video whipping the old lady she said was her grandmother, in a broad day amidst chanting and cheering from onlookers after Akua Denteh was disgraced for being a witch by a supposed witchdoctor, Filin.

    Filin was also captured on camera hitting the deceased repeatedly with something shrouded in a cloth.

    The Salaga Divisional Police Commander C/Supt. Amos Yelisong had told Zamireports that the suspect had been on the run since July 23.

    She was subsequently arrested at her hideout at about 09:30 pm on Thursday after someone tipped the police off.

    “On 30/07/2020 information was received, by C/Supt. Amos Yelisong, the Divisional Commander, Salaga indicating the hidden place of one of the suspected Principal murderers in the deceased Akua Denteh case,” Zamireport said.

    “The information was processed into intelligence and two Man Police team from the Salaga Division despatched by the Divisional Commander and the District Officer to Kejewu Bator, a fishing community under Abrumase Police Station within the Salaga Division”, the report further stated.

    Ms Bumaye did not deny that she was the one in the video but said she was not aware of what happened.

    This is the seventh person arrested in connection with the crime including the chief of the town.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Airbus scandal: Adam Mahama fights Amidu’s extradition attempts with UK lawyers

    Samuel Adam Forster, aka Samuel Adam Mahama, has taken steps to fight Martin Amidu’s attempts to get him into Ghana.

    London-based lawyers for Adam Mahama have reportedly acknowledged receipt of a letter written by the Special Prosecutor asking Adam Mahama to return to Ghana voluntarily from the UK to be interrogated for his involvement in the 4 million Euros Airbus bribery scandal.

    The lawyers have written to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying they will be advising their client accordingly but did not state whether or not they will ask him to honour the invitation.

    Reports indicate that UK-based Adam Mahama, who is a brother to former President John Mahama, received the letter and the ticket for his voluntary travel to Ghana but allegedly refused to act as requested.

    “The letter was said to have been delivered by hand to his mailbox at his London address and sources say he later received it, prompting the action from the UK lawyers,” according to the Daily Guide newspaper.

    Last Friday, the Special Prosecutor revealed that former President Mahama was the ‘Government Official 1’ cited by UK investigators in the scandal.

    Mr Amidu’s office has been pursuing the former President’s brother, also described as ‘Intermediary 5’ in the investigations.

    There are three other foreigners mentioned as individuals who collected or were paid around 4 million Euros in bribes on behalf of Ghanaian top officials for the supply of aircraft to the Ghana Armed Forces during Mr Mahama’s tenure as Vice-President and later President.

    Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, said in a statement last Friday that he had written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give Adam Mahama the chance to voluntarily join an emergency flight for Ghanaians stranded in the United Kingdom to return to Ghana on Monday, July 27, to face prosecution over the alleged Airbus bribery case.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Vacation for SHSs with coronavirus cases to be delayed

    Senior High Schools (SHSs) which have recorded cases of coronavirus in the last 14 days will have vacations for second-year students delayed.

    This is to allow health officials assess and trace contacts of cases before allowing the students to go home.

    Already, the second-year Gold Track students who went to school together with the final-years are almost done with their academic work.

    Health officials have, therefore, put in place measures in discharging these students.

    “The schools that have not reported any case means that those students can vacate and go,” Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye stated on Thursday, July 30 at the bi-weekly press update by the Ministry of Information.

    “The second category is for schools that have had a case. I think in the last two weeks, there have been no case. I advise that they can also vacate and go home.

    “The third group will be any school that has had positive case in the last two weeks. The assessment will be done to identify those who are contacts and if any of them is in that class, their vacation will be delayed while we do an assessment and observation after which they will be asked to go home.”

    So far, Ghana has recorded a total of 35,501 cases of the virus with 182 deaths

    Source: 3 News