Tag: Main Story

  • Fresh tension at Abossey Okai as Ghanaian traders lock-up Nigerian shops

    There is fresh tension at the Abossey Okai spare parts market as Ghanaian traders lock-up shops of their Nigerian counterparts.

    The Ghanaian traders insist the laws of Ghana do not allow foreigners to engage in retail trade, reason for their actions.

    They also accuse the Nigerians of selling substandard products at cheap prices, a practice the Ghanaian traders say is killing their business.

    The local traders also lament unequal to trading space as they claim the Nigerians have enough money to pay for steep prices charged by shop owners, a practice which disadvantages the locals.

    These grievances forced the local traders to lock-up the shops of the Nigerians and demanding that they shut down their “illegal” operations.

    But the Nigerian traders are infuriated over the repeated attacks.

    The leadership of the Nigerian Traders Association of Ghana has urged their members to resist the attacks from the locals.

    Chief Emeka Nnaji who spoke to JoyNews lamented what he said is inaction from the government and police after the repeated attacks on them.

    “I cannot live in this illegality anymore,” he charged, adding that if the Ghanaian traders want them out, they should buy all their goods and they would pack and leave the country.

    Following the Tuesday disturbances MP for the area, Ebenezer Gilbert Nii Narh the leadership of the traders union at Abossey Okai and the Police Commander for the area went into a meeting to iron out the differences.

    The resolutions from the meeting are yet to be made public.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • New 655 coronavirus cases push cumulative case count to 33,624

    Ghana has recorded 655 new cases of coronavirus, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.

    The latest update sends the total number of confirmed cases to 33,624. The death toll remains 168 while recoveries/discharges have increased to 29,801, leaving the country with 3,655.

    Below is the Regional Breakdown of the cases record so far:

    Greater Accra Region – 17,383

    Ashanti Region – 8,229

    Western Region – 2,563

    Central Region – 1,362

    Eastern Region – 1,244

    Volta Region – 588

    Bono East Region – 436

    Bono Region – 426

    Western North Region – 363

    Northern Region – 308

    Upper East Region – 282

    Oti Region – 174

    Ahafo Region – 121

    Upper West Region – 79

    Savannah Region – 57

    North East Region – 9

  • IGP places GH¢2,000 bounty on head of killers of 90-year-old woman

    The Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh has announced a GH¢2000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of persons who participated in the murder of the 90-year-old woman in Salaga in the Savannah Region.

    The police chief has also dispatched a team of experts from the homicide unit of the Ghana Police Service, to smoke the suspects out of their hideouts.

    These were stated in a release issued Sunday and signed by Director of Public Affairs Unit of the Police Service, Superintendent Sheila Abeyie-Buckman.

    The late Madam Akua Denteh was beaten to death at Kafaba near Salaga in the Eat Gknja District, following accusations that she was a witch.

    Six persons who led the attack- Sanjo, Hajia Filini, Teacher Aliu, Bumaye, Ashley and Manafo- are said to be on the run after committing the crime.

    Below is the statement from the Police Service:

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

     

  • I miss going to church – Akufo-Addo

    Ghanaian leader, president Akufo-Addo has said he has missed the normal worship at church after placing a ban on places of worship due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    In his 14th address to the nation on Sunday, July 26, 2020, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the restrictions on places of worship have been eased drastically effective August 1.

    “I have sorely missed going to Church, as I am sure many others have. I am, therefore, very happy to announce that, in consultation with our Church leaders, from 1st August, 2020, the restrictions on the number of congregants worshiping at a time in Church will be lifted, with the length of worship extended from one (1) to two (2) hours per service.

    “Church leaders, who are desirous of implementing this enhanced easing directive, must ensure that congregants wear face masks at all times, and the one (1) metre social distancing rule is scrupulously applied. These same guidelines apply to worship in our Mosques,” the President stated.

    He appealed: ”I would, respectfully, ask the religious leaders to pay even greater attention to the fresh air ventilation of their premises, rather than relying on the use of air conditioners.”

    Covid-19 cases in Ghana

    Mr. Akufo-Addo noted that: “At first glance, it is alarming to see that thirty-two thousand, nine hundred and sixty-nine (32,969) people have so far contracted the virus. But a closer look at the data will tell you that we are steadily on the path towards limiting and containing the virus, and, ultimately, defeating it. The figure to look out for is the number of active cases.

    “When I delivered Update No. 13, the number of active cases in the country, i.e. those who, as at 27th June, 2020, had the virus, stood at four thousand, two hundred and forty-five (4,245). As at midnight of 24th July, nearly a month later, the number of active cases in Ghana stands at three thousand, three hundred and seven (3,307).

    “Again, a month ago, the number of recoveries stood at twelve thousand, nine hundred and ninety-four (12,994). Today, it is twenty-nine thousand, four hundred and ninety four (29,494). This means our recovery rate has improved from seventy-five percent (75%) of positives, a month ago, to eighty-nine point five percent (89.5%), all in one month currently.

    “Our hospitalisation and death rates have, consistently, been very low, some of the lowest in Africa and in the world. The Ghanaian people, mercifully, are not dying of the virus in the hundreds and thousands that were earlier anticipated and predicted, and that are being seen on a daily basis in some other countries.

    “The behaviour of this virus has baffled the experts and defied most predictions, but five months on, we can say that we are witnessing a much milder manifestation of the virus in the country, than was initially feared. The rate of virus-related deaths has remained, persistently, low at 0.5% of confirmed cases.”

  • Cooked meals disbursed during COVID-19 cost GH¢54.3 million – Ofori-Atta

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that spent government ¢54.3 million on cooked meals distributed during the 21-day lockdown in Accra and Kumasi.

    According to him, ¢50.2 million was also transferred to over 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme.

    Giving a breakdown in his Mid-year Budget review to Parliament Thursday, he said the Gender Ministry provided 1,827,581 packed hot meals while the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) gave out 917,142 packs to the old and less privileged persons in the affected areas.

    “In collaboration with Faith-Based Organizations, Government also distributed dry food packages to about 470,000 families.

    “Let me extend my deepest gratitude to the Faith-based organisations for this unique partnership with government and may the Lord count this as righteousness for the FBOs and government,” he said.

    In April this year, government embarked on an exercise to provide food for underprivileged persons in parts of the country that are under lockdown.

    The package was targeted at some 400,000 individuals and homes in the affected areas of the restrictions imposed by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his bid to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    However, a few days into the exercise, the government was accused of distributing the food and other relief items on a partisan basis  choosing members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) over non-members. Government has since denied that claim.

    Giving a review of government expenditure in that regard, the Finance Minister said, “Mr Speaker, the support to households, in terms of supply of dry food packs and hot cooked meals cost Government GH¢54.3 million to enable them to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

    “This was in addition to an amount of ¢50.2 million transferred to the 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme”.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Anas’ Judicial Exposé: No dismissed Judge has been reinstated – Kweku Baako

    Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, has dismissed reports that the judges who were dismissed following a judicial corruption scandal exposé by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas have been reinstated.

    It will be recalled that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, during one of his investigative missions, unearthed a rot in Ghana’s judicial system.

    Anas’ undercover work showed some judges taking bribes to skew their verdict while others also conducted themselves in a manner that brought the judiciary into disrepute.

    The former Chief Justice, Georgina Wood, instituted a Committee of Inquiry into the issue and found the judges guilty, therefore, dismissing them from the courts they presided over.

    Kweku Baako, speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, stated that he has stumbled on a report recently circulating on social media which claims the judges have been reinstalled to their positions.

    According to him, the reports are “fake news peddled by bogus informants”.

    “My checks, specially with the General Legal Council, showed that was actually fake story. And the bloody truth is that the Chief Justice doesn’t have the power, authority or mandate to have done what was attributed to him. The truth is none of those dismissed judges has been reinstated,” he added.

    He, however, disclosed a petition was made to the Chief Justice after the judges were dismissed to ascertain if they could practice as lawyers because their dismissal doesn’t affect their role as lawyers.

    He told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that, after examining the petition, the Chief Justice reissued “their certificates to practice as lawyers” and not as judges.

    Watch his full submissions below:

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Police officer with Counter-Terrorism Directorate dies after he was shot at Abeka Lapaz

    A police officer with the Counter-Terrorism Directorate has died after he was shot on Sunday.

    In a post on Facebook, the Police Service said Abdul Rashid died at his Abeka Lapaz residence in Accra from the gunshot wounds inflicted on him.

    “The incident which occurred on Sunday, July 19, is under investigation, to unravel the circumstances leading to his death and who killed him,” the police said.

    According to the Service, the pistol, which is believed to have been used is in their custody.

    Shakira Nasir, a sister of the deceased who resides with the deceased and was present at the time of the incident is also in police custody.

    The 21-year-old is assisting with them investigation, they added.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com  

  • MEGHIS final year student dies

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has confirm the death of a final year Senior High School (SHS) student at Methodist Girls High School located at Mamfe in the Eastern region.

    The final year SHS student died just a few weeks after resumption of academic work to prepare for the final exams.

    A statement from the Ghana Education Service indicated that the female student of Methodist Girls High School located at Mamfe in the Eastern region died from Acute Malaria.

    The statement said the student whose name was given as Cindy Aku Sika Addo was rushed to the Tetteh Quarshie hospital on Thursday, July 16 but was transferred to Koforidua Regional Hospital on Friday where she met her untimely death.

    The Ghana Education Service has assured the family of its support in giving her a befitting burial.

    This increases the number of deaths to three in just a space of two weeks.

    Read statement below

     

    Source: My News GH

  • 488 new cases push Ghanas COVID-19 count to 27,060; death toll now 145

    A total of 488 new cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been recorded in Ghana bringing the total count as of July 19, 2020, to 27,060.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, the new cases were from “samples that were taken from the period 22 June to 14 July 2020.”

    The number of clinical recoveries has also shot up to 23,044 leaving the active COVID-19 cases in Ghana at 3,871.

    Despite the huge number of discharge/recoveries, 145 persons have however succumbed to the disease.

    The latest update from the Ghana Health Service shows that Greater Accra is still leading the national case count with 14,923, followed by the Ashanti, Western and Central Regions with 5,642, 2,218 and 1,140 cases respectively.

    Another region that has over a thousand cases is the Eastern Region with 1,030 recorded cases.

    The rest of the regions in Ghana are yet to cross the 500 case mark.

    The region with the least number of cases is the North East Region which has 9 cases.

    Cumulative Cases per Region

    Greater Accra Region 14,923
    Ashanti Region 5,642
    Western Region 2,218
    Central Region 1,140
    Eastern Region 1,030
    Volta Region 492
    Bono East Region 294
    Upper East Region 282
    Northern Region 271
    Western North Region 216
    Bono Region 166
    Oti Region 143
    Ahafo Region 103
    Upper West Region 74
    Savannah Region 57
    North East Region 9

    25 persons in severe conditions

    Ghana Health Service in the latest update on the COVID-19 situation in Ghana notes that 25 persons are in severe conditions while 8 are in critical conditions.

    The Ghana Health Service further notes that 4 other persons who have tested positive for the virus are on ventilators.

    Below is the full list of active cases in Ghana:

    Ghana recorded its first two COVID-19 cases in March 2020. The cases were from some two persons who had returned to Ghana from parts of the world where COVID-19 was prevalent at the time.

    So far, 14.2 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded worldwide with 7.89 million recoveries and over 500,000 deaths,

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Police Shake-up: COP Kofi Boakye heads police prosecution, 5 regions get new commanders

    The Ghana Police Service has made changes to its top hierarchy on Friday, an official announcement revealed.

    In all, there are nine reassignments, the Ghana Police Service said in a Facebook post.

    Head of Research and Planning COP Mr. Nathan Kofi Boakye has been moved to head the Legal and Prosecution Department of the Police Service.

    Central Regional Commander, COP Mr. Paul Manly Awini is now the Director-General for Research, Planning and Transformation.

    Tema Regional Commander, DCOP Mr. Johnson Oyirifi-Akrofi is now heading to the Eastern Region as its Regional Commander.

    Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP, Afful Boakye Yiadom is now the Accra Regional Police Commander.

    Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr. Frederick Adu-Anim is now the Director-General for Information, Communication Technology (ICT).

    Other reassignments

    DCOP Mrs. Habiba Akyere Twumasi -Sarpong is now the Central Police Regional Commander.

    The new North East Police Regional Commander is now DCOP Mr. Paul Ayittey.

    DCOP Barima Tweneboah Sasraku II will now head the Tema Police Regional Commander.

    Meanwhile, DCOP Mr. Charles Domanban is now Oti Police Regional Commander.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Ayawaso West is COVID-19 hotspot in Accra GHS

    The Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipality in Accra has the majority of the latest COVID-19 cases recorded in the Greater Accra Region.

    Ayawaso West Municipality is made up of suburbs including East Legon, Airport, Dzorwulu, Legon, Abelemkpe.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, the majority of the 179 new confirmed cases recorded in the Greater Accra Region as of July 11, were in the Ayawaso West Municipality.

    The 179 new cases were recorded in 12 out of 29 districts, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, says.

    He said in all 264 new cases were recorded in the country.

    In the Western Region, he stated that 49 new cases were recorded in three out of 14 districts, with the majority from Wassa Amenfi East.

    He added that 18 new cases were recorded in six out of 43 districts in the Ashanti Region, with majority cases from Kumasi metro.

    In the Eastern Region, he noted that 12 new cases in three out of 33 districts were recorded, with the majority of the cases from Lower Manya Krobo.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • EC’s registration exercise Day 12: Volta-274,063, Ashanti-816,481, Greater Accra-929,366 registered

    Friday 13th July, 2020, The Electoral Commission Of Ghana has released the total provisional number of people who have registered for the ongoing Voter Registration Exercise.

    The number and percentage for the various Regions are are as follows;

    First on the List is Greater Accra Region, recording 929,366 representing 20.9%

    Second is Ashanti Region with 816,481, represent 18.4%.

    Third on list is Eastern Region with the total number of 421,467 which is 9.5% of the total number registered.

    Central Region takes the fourth position with 415,799 and it is 9.4%.

    Next on the list Western Region which has 287,222 representing 6.5%. fifth on the list.

    Sixth on the is Volta Region with number of 274,063 and it is 6.2%.

    Seventh and Eighth on the list are Northern Region and Bono Region with 254,575(5.7%) and 177,424(4.0%) respectively.

    Bono East Region and Upper East took the 9th and 10th position with the total number of 163,680(3.7%) and 147,365(3.3%) respectively.

    The rest of the Regions are as follows;

    11th position is Western North Region with 117,062(2.6%).

    12th Region is Upper West with total number of 115,281 representing 2.6%.

    13th and 14th positions are the Ahafo and Oti Region which recorded 86,498(1.9%) and 83,799(1.88%) respectively.

    The last two Regions on the list are the Savana and North East with each recording 78,410(1.8%) and 76,854(1.7%) respectively.

    From the list, the region with the highest number of registered voters is Greater Accra and region with the lowest number of voters is North East.

    Electoral Commission as of day 12 has registered a total number of 4,445,346 and this is provisional. The Commission is especting to register 15,000,000 Ghanaian eligible voters plus or minus 1,000,000.

    SO FAR SO GOOD.

    How do you see the work of the EC?

    Is your Region performing good?

     

  • COVID-19: Council of PTAs calls for closure of schools, postponement of WASSCE

    The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations of Ghana has called for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to be postponed.

    In a statement, it noted that because of COVID-19, the students in school are “psychologically unstable and therefore would not be of sound mind to write the WASSCE and BECE examinations and come out successfully.”

    It also wants all schools closed down “to avert further spreading of the coronavirus among our children and staff.”

    The council came to this conclusion after a National Executive Consultative meeting.

    Since schools reopened, there have been multiple cases of infection recorded in schools nationwide.

    The council said it had observed that the government had not ensured optimum safety conditions in schools and that there were still “lapses in implementation of the COVID-19 safety measures.”

    It noted that there was still overcrowding in schools, inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) despite assurances by the state when schools were set to open on June 22.

    The government promised that each student, teaching and non-teaching staff were to be provided with three pieces of reusable face masks.

    The council also said, “not enough health personnel are either stationed in or attached to many of the schools for routine surveillance due to the pandemic.”

    “More worrying is the fact that despite good counsel and encouragement, most parents insist their children should be brought home,” it added.

    These concerns have prompted the government to set up a committee to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Senior High Schools.

    The committee is made up of Dr. Anothony Nsiah Asare, the presidential Advisor on Health; Dr. Okoe Boye, the Deputy Minister of Information; Dr. Da Costa Aboagye, the Director Health Promotion Division at the Ghana Health Service; Dr Yaw Adu Twum, a Deputy Minister of Education and Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General Ghana Health Service.

    Find below the full statement

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Ghana’s COVID-19 recoveries now 20,187, total case count 24,518

    Twenty thousand one hundred and eighty seven (20,187) persons who tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana have recovered and/or been discharged.

    An update by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Sunday, July 12, indicated that 270 new cases of the infection were recorded, making the cumulative number of cases 24,518.

    Four more persons succumbed to the disease, raising the death toll to 139.

    The new infections, according to the GHS, were from tests conducted on July 9.

    The country’s active caseload now stands at 4,192.

    The update said 25 cases were in severe conditions, with eight in critical condition and four on ventilators.

    The new infections were recorded in seven regions including Ashanti- 104; Greater Accra 102; Ahafo- 32 and Eastern- 20.

    Other regions included Oti- Five; Bono East- Four and Volta- Three.

    Out of the total confirmed cases, 9, 823 were from the General Surveillance, with 14, 695 cases from the Enhanced Contact Tracing, the update stated.

    A total of 328,383 tests have been conducted so far.

    Out of this, 119,973 are from routine surveillance with 208,410 contact tracing.
    The positivity rate is 7.47.

    The latest infections take Greater Accra’s total cases to 13,404, having recorded 102 new infections, representing about 55 per cent of the national total.

    The Ashanti, Western and Central regions also have cases tallying 5,254; 2,128; and 1,110, respectively.

    The rest are:

    Eastern Region 931

    Volta Region 390

    Upper East Region 282

    Bono East Region 205

    Northern Region 186

    Western North Region 173

    Oti Region- 120

    Bono Region- 107

    Ahafo Region 98

    Upper West Region 70

    Savannah Region 51

    North East Region – Nine

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Ridge Hospital releases report on 47-year-old woman who died under its care

    Management of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, also known as Ridge Hospital has released the medical report of a patient who died while receiving treatment at the facility.

    The patient, 47-year-old Esther Sosuh died on the evening of June 25, 2020.

    The hospital decided to probe the circumstances under which the patient died after her husband, Emmanuel Kuto, the Director of the Ghana Institute of Languages, accused the hospital of “impunity” and “total disregard for accountability”.

    According to the report sighted by citinewsroom.com “the above-named patient (Esther Sosuh) was first seen at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH) on the 9th of June 2020 where she reported with complaints of an anterior abdominal wall swelling.”

    The report indicates that after “a thorough assessment and examination, a diagnosis of a Reducible Epigastric Hernia was made. She was then worked up for surgery and made to do various investigations and subsequently referred to see the Anaesthesia team for review and clearance for surgery. She reported back on the 16th of June 2020, having been cleared by the anaesthesia team for surgery. She was then booked to have an elective hernia repair on 22nd June 2020 to be admitted the day before surgery.”

    According to the Ridge hospital, she underwent successful surgery on June 22, 2020, after which she was transferred to the recovery ward “where she spent 2 hours under strict monitoring. After spending 2 hours in the Recovery ward she was eventually transferred to the Surgical ward.”

    The hospital indicates that “on arrival to the Surgical ward, her vital signs were checked and recorded and they were normal. The Patient was seen in the morning of Tuesday 23 rd June 2020 where she complained of pain at the incision site. She was examined and put on analgesia (pain relief)… She was encouraged to mobilize and to start feeding.”

    The report, however, indicated that “at around 5 pm on Tuesday, 23rd June 2020, the patient fell in the washroom whilst using the toilet and was assisted and examined by doctors and nurses on the ward and an Impression of Pulmonary embolism was formed. She was given SC clexane 80mg and put on TED stockings.”

    The hospital further explained that Esther Sosuh “was seen in bed complaining of severe central
    chest pain, sweating and [being] restless” on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

    She was subsequently examined and “a chest Xray, Electrocardiography, D-Dimer, Troponins I and 2 were done and Physician Specialist was requested to review her.”

    Results from the Electrocardiography done had features suggestive of Myocardial Infarction, for which she was put on medication, the report said.

    “At 11:45 pm of 24th June, 2020 [the] patient suddenly became severely dyspneic and restless. The night doctors were called to see the patient who they assessed and commenced resuscitation immediately but was unsuccessful and the patient declared clinically dead at 12:10 am on Thursday, 25th June 2020,” the report concluded.

    Ridge Hospital Releases Report on 47-Year-old Woman Who Died Under Its Care by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • VIP bus plunges into River Oti at Dambai crossing

    A VIP bus enroute to Wulensi in the Northern Region on Thursday morning plunged into River Oti at Dambai in the Krachi East Municipality.

    The bus with the registration number GT 5313-19 which is believed to be travelling with passengers from Accra to Wulensi plunged into the river while manoeuvring to get onto the pontoon to cross to the other side.

    A rescue operation failed to yield the needed result as at 0800 hours when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) got to the scene but the personal effects of passengers and other items such as motor bikes and bicycles were later salvaged from the river.

    Obed Kagbetor, a passenger on board told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the driver instructed them to alight from the bus to enable him pack on the pontoon and the next thing was the pandemonium and struggle for safety. He suspected brake failure.

    There were no casualties but an excavator that was deployed to pull out the bus was unsuccessful until a Winch tractor successfully recovered the bus from the River.

    The Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) refused to speak to the GNA as well as the driver and his mate.

     

    Source: GNA

  • We didnt abandon our student to die KNUST SHS Headmistress

    The Headmistress of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School (SHS) has refuted claims that authorities at the school did not do enough to help save a final year student who died at a hospital yesterday.

    Speaking exclusively on Anopa Bofo on Angel 102.9 FM on Wednesday, Ms Felicia Asamoah Danquah said the authorities at the school did all within their means to save the final-year student.

    According to her, teachers at the school bought some drugs for the student before calling in his parents to come convey him to the hospital.

    “We did not abandon the student…some of our teachers helped to remove his uniforms before we called in the parents who said they were in town and would respond later…,” she told Captain Smart.

    A final-year student of the school reportedly died after being rushed to a hospital yesterday.

    The students allege that authorities at the school refused to offer the needed help to save the boy when he was in pain.

    This has led them to embark on a violent demonstration which led to the destruction of several properties belonging to the school.

    A vehicle belonging to the headmistress was also destroyed in the process.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Senior Minister, Osafo-Maafo test positive for Covid-19

    Three days after President Akufo-Addo went into self-isolation for coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient, Senior Minister Osafo Maafo has tested positive for the virus.

    Addressing the press during its weekly update, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the minister had given permit for his status to be disclosed to the public.

    According to him, “The Senior Minister has been informed that his sample given for testing has returned positive . He will therefore as of today (June 7, 2020) commence treatment for covid-19 from home.”

    While updating the nation on the current status of the president who is believed to be in isolation at the Presidential Villa of the Jubilee House, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also wished persons battling with the virus including the Senior Minister a speedy recovery.

    “Our best wishes remain with him and all who battling the virus”

    The Senior Minister joins a long list of government officials who have tested positive for the virus.

    After the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu who is currently recovering from the disease that had him hospitalised for a few days, the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Lydia Dsane-Selby and former Deputy Trade and Industry Ministry Minister Carlos Ahenkorah have contracted the disease.

    The NPP Campaign Manager for the 2020 elections is also receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after testing positive.

    Two government officials have, however, succumbed to the disease.

    On July 1, 2020 the CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John died from Covid-19 complications at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where he had been in intensive care.

    Last month, Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor, Kobina Kurentsi Sam died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre after being rushed there for treatment for Covid-19.

    Source: myjoyonline 

     

     

  • COVID-19: Korle-Bu suspends urgent cases over spike in staff infection

    The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) says it will no longer attend to urgent cases due to a spike in COVID-19 infection among its staff.

    In a memo sighted by Citi News, the Deputy Director of Medical Affairs, said a majority of the staff at the surgical areas are currently self-isolating.

    The memo indicated that the suspension will be in force for two weeks.

    “There has been a recent surge of COVID-19 infections among staff working in the Surgical areas. This has necessitated self-isolation of majority of these staff. Hence a decision has been taken to suspend all urgent cases for two (2) weeks. All emergency cases will continue as before,” the memo said.

    Meanwhile, the Head of Public Affairs at the facility, Mustapha Salifu in a statement says the suspension of urgent services will afford the hospital the chance to reorganize itself “for the resumption of regular services.”

    He added in his statement that the hospital will for the next two weeks attend to “only dire emergencies.”

    “We therefore request sister health facilities to refer only dire surgical emergencies (Surgery, ENT, Maxillofacial and Obstetrics) to Korle Bu during the suspension period. Other parts of the Hospital are still in full operation,” he noted in his statement.

    Read the full statement below:

    SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF NON-EMERGENCY SURGICAL CASES

    The Hospital Administration has decided to suspend non-emergency surgical cases for the next two weeks. This is necessitated by the fact that some staff have been infected with Covid-19.
    This measure is therefore to protect our clients and the rest of the staff who are still at post and providing care to patients.

    The suspension will also enable us reorganize ourselves for the resumption of regular services. Only dire emergencies will be attended to within this period. We therefore request sister health facilities to refer only dire surgical emergencies (Surgery, ENT, Maxillofacial and Obstetrics) to Korle Bu during the suspension period. Other parts of the Hospital are still in full operation.
    Thank you.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Former President Kufuor, wife in isolation over coronavirus

    Information from a credible source suggests that former President John Agyekum Kufuor and his wife  Theresa Kufuor have gone into isolation after coming in contact with a Coronavirus victim.

    According to our source the former went into Isolation today, June, 5, 2020.

    This comes after President Akufo-Addo elected to go into self-isolation after “at least one person within his close circle tested positive for Covid-19.”

    A statement signed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Information Minister said on the advice of doctors, the president is from “July 4, 2020, taking a 14-day precautionary self-isolation measure in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.”

     

    mor coming soon

  • Akufo-Addo goes into isolation after exposure to person with coronavirus

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is going into a 14-day self-isolation after getting exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

    “On the advice of doctors, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is from today, July 4, 2020, taking a 14-day precautionary self-isolation measure in compliance with COVID-19 protocols,” Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Information Minister has said in a statement today.

    “The President has elected to do so after at least one person within his close circle tested positive for COVID-19 today.”

    He added that President Akufo-Addo as of today has tested negative for Coronavirus.

    “The President will during this precautionary self-isolation period, be working from the Presidential Villa in the Jubilee House.”

    Read the full statement below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Auditor-General Domelevos leave period extended from 123 to 167 days Presidency

    The Office of the Presidency has extended the leave period of the Auditor-General, Domelevo from 123 days to 167 effective July 1, 2020.

    This comes in the wake of concerns raised by the A-G Daniel Domelevo over that he was instructed to take his annual leave because his work is embarrassing the government.

    In a letter by Mr Domelevo dated July 3, 2020, outlines a series of reasons why he believes the directive leaves much to be described including what he described as bad faith on the part of the Presidency.”

    In a response from Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, the move was undertaken in consideration of the year 2020 which was excluded from the directive which only spanned 2017 to 2019.

    Letter to Auditor-General (Response to Letter From AG) by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    “We noted that the said letter dated is dated 3rd July, 2020, with an official reference number from the office of the Auditor-General, although you commenced your leave on 1st July, 2020,” he said.

    “If, however you have decided to include your annual leave of for the year 2020, then it is expected that you will resume work after a well-deserved leave of 167 working days, with effect from 1st July, 2020,” the Presidency explained.

    Daniel Domelevo was sworn into office as Auditor-General on December 30, 2016.

    Source: myjoyonline.com 

     

     

  • Carlos Ahenkorah resigns over coronavirus brouhaha

    Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah has resigned from office as Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, the Presidency has announced.

    His resignation comes barely hours after he admitted in an interview that he visited some voters registration centres in his constituency despite knowing he has tested positive for Coronavirus.

    “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 3rd July, 2020 accepted the resignation from office the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, MP, which takes immediate effect,” a statement signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications, Office of the President read.

    It continued: “This follows the admission by the Deputy Minister of his breach of the COVID-19 protocols, when, as a person certified to be positive for the virus, he visited a registration centre in his constituency before the period of self-isolation was complete.”

    Mr. Ahenkorah had in an interview on Eyewitness News, July 2, mounted a spirited defence for his action. He insisted he did not err because he was cautious during his stay at the registration centres.

    “Yes, I have COVID-19 but on the first day of the registration, there was a problem at one of the centres. But knowing my status that I am asymptomatic, I visited only one centre to check on the issue. I never got in the midst of people,” he said.

    “I drove in my car and got there, got down and spoke far away with the EC officer who explained the issue to me. I told her I will report this to their boss and then I just left. I was very careful. It is important for people like us to know their status because whether you like it not, we will go into the midst of people.”

    “I spent a night at Korle Bu to be checked on by the experts at the Isolation Center. My doctor took my samples and asked me to go into self-isolation which I have been since last week.”

    Ahenkorah’s decision and subsequent defence caused outrage. A section of the public expressed discontent with some labelling him as ‘callous’. They could not fathom why a public official would violate preventive protocols and refuse to accept his wrong.

    The lawmaker occupied the number one spot on Twitter trends from Thursday evening and maintained his position Friday with #CarlosMustResign.

    Early Friday, reports were rife the President had given Ahenkorah who was diagnosed with the deadly disease on June 23, an ultimatum to resign or be fired.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has entreated “all of his appointees to bear in mind that they are to provide leadership, at all times, for adherence to the protocols that have been established to help the nation defeat COVID-19.”

  • Bernard Mornah enjoyed registering his name; why didn’t he disrupt the exercise? – Atik Mohammed

    General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has ridiculed the party’s National Chairman and a leading member of IPRAN, Bernard Mornah for participating in the ongoing new voters’ registration exercise.

    It could be recalled that Bernard Mornah, prior to the registration exercise, vehemently opposed the Electoral Commission (EC) decision to compile a new voters’ register.

    He threatened to cause mayhem should the Commission go ahead with the exercise stating emphatically that “people who are already Ghanaians and already registered are going to be taken out of the register, don’t you think confusion will come at the registration and if confusion comes there, you think the EC staff will be safe, we will beat each other there, we will kill each other there if that is what the EC wants to lead this nation to”.

    However, Bernard Mornah was spotted registering his name during the exercise.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Atik Mohammed asked ”why didn’t he disrupt it like he promised he would?”

    He fired salvoes at Bernard Mornah saying ”you know when the Electoral Commission says we should register, you’ll register your name and also nothing will happen. Why would you create such a tense atmosphere? You contaminate the political atmosphere with all your vicious utterances, such vile utterances. The antidote for that poison would be maybe some counter-reaction that, at the end of the day, will not end well. So, why do you even start such a thing in the first place when you know you will register your name?”

    ”He was busy enjoying the registration process. If you look at his picture, you’ll see everything was smooth where he registered. It was smooth. It was seamless as a matter of fact,” Atik teased the PNC Chairman.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Coronavirus kills 112, case count now 16,742

    Death toll of the fast-spreading Coronavirus in Ghana has risen to 112, with additional positive cases of 311, new update has revealed.

    This brings to total a case count of 16,742.

    Additionally, the number of recoveries has also shot up to 12,720.

    Regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 9,326

    Ashanti Region – 3,398

    Western Region – 1,431

    Central Region – 936

    Eastern Region – 571

    Volta Region – 337

    Upper East Region – 274

    Northern Region – 120

    Oti Region – 110

    Western North Region – 94

    Bono East Region – 52

    Savannah Region – 39

    Upper West Region – 35

    Ahafo Region – 8

    North East Region – 6

    Bono Region – 5

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas coronavirus deaths pass 100

    Eight more coronavirus patients have been confirmed dead, according to new updates released by the Ghana Health Service.

    The latest update has catapulted the number of deaths to 103 from 95, the highest the country has recorded yet.

    Per the new update also, the country has recorded another major surge in the spread of the virus as 361 more persons have tested positive for the virus.

    Cumulatively, the number of recorded cases now stands at 15,834 from the previously recorded 15,473. This update comes barely 24 hours after the previous update.

    The number of recoveries and discharges are 11,755 as 324 more infected persons have either been discharged without a second test or declared corona-virus free.

    This pushes the number of active cases to 3,976 from 3947.

    Per the regional updates, Greater Accra Region continues to hold on to its lead having cross 9000 cases while Bono and North East Region have 4 each.


    Regional Breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 9,070

    Ashanti Region – 3,161

    Western Region – 1,276

    Central Region – 799

    Eastern Region – 486

    Volta Region – 331

    Upper East Region – 271

    Oti Region – 108

    Northern Region – 100

    Western North Region – 94

    Bono East Region – 47

    Savannah Region – 38

    Upper West Region – 35

    Ahafo Region – 8

    North East Region – 4

    Bono Region – 4

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Existing voter ID unacceptable for new EC registration

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) will compile a new voter register without accepting the existing ID cards, 3news.com can confirm.

    This was contained in the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court on Thursday, June 25.

    There was confusion following the judgement as the plaintiff, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claimed that its relief to stop the EC from rejecting the existing voter ID cards has been granted.

    Its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, told journalists at the forecourt of the Supreme Court that his party feels “vindicated” by the judgement.

    But same document sighted by 3news.com indicated that the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to dismiss all but one relief of the NDC.

    The EC has thus been asked to compile the new register as per the constitutional instrument (CI) 126.

    The Commission has already conducted a pilot exercise of the registration and indicated its “satisfaction” with it.

    It has scheduled to start the nationwide exercise on Tuesday, June 30 and end on Thursday, August 6.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghanas coronavirus case count hits 15,013

    The number of coronavirus cases recorded in the country has once again shot up from 14,568 on June 23, 2020, to 15,013 after barely 24 hours.

    Per the new updates by the Ghana Health Service, the number of recoveries and discharges have also seen a boost as 605 infected persons have either been declared coronavirus-free or been discharged without a second negative test; moving the numbers from 10,907 to 11,078.

    This means the number of active cases stands at 3,840 indicating another leap from previously recorded 3,566.

    However, no new deaths have been recorded in this update.

    With regards to the regional breakdown, Greater Accra continues to maintain its lead with as many as, 8,691 whereas Bono Region trails the chart with only 3 cases.

    Regional Breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 8,691

    Ashanti Region – 2,915

    Western Region – 1,213

    Central Region – 798

    Eastern Region – 407

    Volta Region – 321

    Upper East Region – 271

    Oti Region – 105

    Western North Region – 92

    Northern Region – 77

    Savannah Region – 38

    Bono East Region – 35

    Upper West Region – 35

    Ahafo Region – 8

    North East Region – 4

    Bono Region – 3

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • It will be unfair, disrespectful for me to comment on current process at EC – Charlotte Osei

    The immediate past chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Charlotte Osei has declined to comment on the current happenings at the EC.

    Mrs. Osei who was removed from office on grounds of misconduct said it would not be proper for her to comment on activities at the EC since she was a former commissioner.

    According to her, it would be an interference for former chairs to comment on the work being conducted by the EC.

    She was speaking in an interview with KSM last Friday.

    Mrs. Osei told the host the only thing she owes this country is her silence when it comes to activities of the EC.

    “As a former Chair, it would be unfair to publicly comment on whatever is happening at the commission now. Respect must be given to the current commissioners to do their work without the interference of commentaries from former chair”s.

    “And so, to any question you have on the current process, I would say that all I owe to my country, and to the commission, would be my silence and my prayers. And would have to leave it at that.”

    Mrs Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa were removed from office in 2018 for misconduct.

    Mrs Charlotte Osei, breached procurement laws in the award of several contracts, prior to the 2016 elections.

    Excerpts of the 54-page report which warranted her removal said: “In November 2017, the Honourable Chief Justice of Ghana established a prima facie case on some of the allegations made against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as contained in the petition submitted to His Excellency, the President of the Republic.”

    “In all, the Chief Justice made prima facie case against the Chairperson on six of the allegations contained in the said petition.”

    For all the six allegations, the committee found Mrs Osei culpable and said her explanation that she was not aware that she needed to go through procurement for some of the contracts because the monies involved were from donor partners, was untenable.

    “The findings we have made on the allegations made against Mrs. Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, clearly gives a catalogue of breaches she inflicted on the Public Procurement Act. In all the procurement activities which we had to investigate, the findings have been that Mrs. Charlotte Osei failed to comply with the Public Procurement Act.

    “The procurement activities include the engagement of Sory@Law and Associates for the Commission, the award of several contracts to STL, the two contracts for the partitioning and consultancy service of the new office block, the three contracts awarded for the construction of pre-fabricated district offices of the Commission and consultancy services thereof; the two contracts awarded to Dreamoval Ltd, and finally the two contracts awarded to Quazar Limited from South Africa. Evidence before the committee showed that all these contracts were awarded by Mrs. Charlotte Osei contrary to the Public Procurement Act” the report noted.

    “On this point we disagree with Mrs. Charlotte Osei because we are convinced that procurement forms an important part of the core business of the Electoral Commission. Indeed, without procuring relevant goods and services, the Electoral Commission will find it difficult, if not impossible, to independently conduct free and fair elections in the country. In fact, procurement is so important to the Electoral Commission, that was why no less a person than the Chairperson is made the head of entity of the Commission,” the report read in part.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • NPP Primaries: Asenso-Boakye beats Bantama MP to book ticket for election 2020

    A Deputy Chief of Staff at the presidency Francis Asenso-Boakye has unseated the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Daniel Okyem Boakye, to represent the New Patriotic Party in the December 2020 parliamentary poll.

    He polled 456 votes in the Saturday primary as against the 122 secured by Mr Okyem who was seeking a second term.

     

    Source: 3News

  • Ghanas coronavirus death toll hits 70, case count now 13,203

    Four more Coronavirus patients have been confirmed dead, according to new updates released by the Ghana Health Service.

    This moves the number of recorded deaths from 66 to 70 while the case count hovers around 13,203 as 274 new persons have tested positive.

    Per the new updates by the GHS, the number of recovered patients has also seen an increase as 80 more infected persons have been declared free moving the numbers to 4,548 from 4468.

    This means the number of active cases now stands at 8,585, a sharp rise from the previously recorded 8395.

    With regards to the regional breakdown, Greater Accra Region continues to maintain its lead with Ashanti Region following next.

    Another significant change is that Ahafo Region which previously had only one case now has eight.

    Regional Breakdown;

    Greater Accra Region – 7,681

    Ashanti Region – 2,498

    Western Region – 1,053

    Central Region – 782

    Eastern Region – 301

    Volta Region – 296

    Upper East Region – 241

    Oti Region – 105

    Western North Region – 82

    Northern Region – 61

    Savannah Region – 37

    Upper West Region – 32

    Bono East Region – 23

    Ahafo Region – 8

    North East Region – 2

    Bono Region – 1

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19 deaths rise to 66 as case count hits 12,590

    The novel coronavirus death count continues to rise with eight more deaths recorded.

    There have now been 66 deaths from the virus in Ghana with the total case count rising to 12,590 after 397 new cases.

    Three of the latest deaths had no underlying conditions. These three persons were aged under 40.

    The other deceased persons had diabetes, hypertension and Sickle Cell as underlying conditions.

    In line with recent concerns, six of these new deaths were recorded in the Ashanti Region.

    The others were from the Greater Accra Region.

    The number of recovered persons has also risen to 4,410.

    This leaves Ghana with 8,114 active cases, according to the latest update from the Ghana Health Service.

    Five thousand one hundred and seventy-one these cases were from general surveillance.

    Of the active cases, there are currently 13 persons in severe condition and four in a critical condition.

    Count of Cases per Region

  • NHIA CEO tests positive for coronavirus, calls on friends to isolate

    The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, has announced that she has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.

    Speaking in an interview on Asaase Radio, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, she revealed that tests conducted on her by health professionals came out positive on Sunday.

    Since then, she has tried her possible best to reach out to family and friends to appeal to them to isolate and contact appropriate health professionals.

    In her explanation, she noted that the NHIA head office has since been disinfected and some staff who came into contact with her also asked to self-isolate. The facility, together with its affiliates across the country remains operational.

    Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby in the same breath cautioned Ghanaians to continue adhering to safety precautionary measures to avert the dire consequences of contracting the disease.

    Meanwhile, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu who also tested positive for the virus has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre, where he was receiving treatment.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Health Minister reportedly discharged from UGMC

    The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), 3news.com can confirm.

    Mr Agyemang Manu, who was admitted on Tuesday, June 9, contracted the deadly Covid-19 in the line of duty.

    Hospital officials, who would not speak on record, indicated that the Health Minister is in stable condition and responding to treatment but not currently at UGMC.

    The sector minister, who has not been seen in public since the last media briefing on May 28, is reported to have taken some days off and was yet to resume to work.

    Source: 3 News

  • Publish names of customers you claim to have paid – Menzgold clients to NAM1

    Some customers of Menzgold Ghana have described the claims by Nana Appiah Mensah, alias NAM1 that he has paid over GH¢9.6 million to customers whose monies were locked up in his firm as “false”.

    They have subsequently challenged NAM1 to publish the names of the customers he claims to have paid.

    Samuel Odartey threw the challenge to NAM1 at a press conference Monday morning on behalf of the customers,

    NAM1, who is the Chief Executive Officer of defunct gold dealership firm, Menzgold, in a statement issued on Sunday, June 14, 2020, claimed that he has paid over GH¢9.6 million to customers whose monies were locked up in his firm.

    He also assured customers who are yet to receive their monies that they would receive their monies before the end of December 2020.

    NAM1 published the statement on Instagram as part of efforts to help dispel rumours that he had neglected customers affected by the shutdown of Menzgold to sign on a new artiste onto his Zylofon Music record label.

    According to him, it would be wrong to say that Zylon and Menzgold were one and the same and that the only way he has been able to settle his indebtedness to affected customers was because of the other sources of revenue being generated by the former.

    Below is his full statement

    A cardinal trait or element in business is the assets and liabilities phenomenon. All operational businesses have assets, premised on liabilities (All debits/obligations such as debts, faulty machinery, salaries etc. In fact, any obligation owed to another party (susceptibility) can be termed as a liability. Liabilities would forever be a part of all human endeavors.

    Liabilities in the immediate instance aside serving as a driver (motivation) for business owners/managers to get corporate objectives achieved, are also employed to widely open income streams. It is when your liabilities exceed your assets as a Company that you have a problem, and as a State is when you’re termed a failed state. Thankfully, Ghana is working just fine and we as an entity within the republic would utilize our assets (the ones we can reverse or mobilize) to make it possible to overcome all our liabilities.

    To say that, Menzgold and Zylofon are one and the same is a very low shot at logic and a glaringly incredible display of intellectual deficiency or bankruptcy. A child and his/her sibling may have the same biological parents, are obviously from the same family but are two different individuals in every respect. This is a firm factual point at law and in principle.

    In any case, if one is indebted and does not get productive, how is he or she expected to generate income to service or pay off the debt? We as a formidable group need, we must and shall open up our income streams by resorting to the very little human and capital resources at our disposal, to wisely and tactfully, get productive as a group to pay off completely soon just so we can salvage an ailing proud member of our sect as quickly as possible.

    As of now, we hold documentary evidence, clearly showing that we have paid over ninety six (96) billion old Ghana cedis (GHC9.6M) even in our state of dormancy and continue to humbly make payments every now and then. We’re capable, committed and shall continue to appreciate the paid up figure to a conservatively minimum amount of Six Hundred (600) billion old Ghana cedis (GHS60M) before the end of the calendar month of December, 2020 as we commence productivity now.

    Many see the Menzgold customer body purportedly locking horns with the Company; I see a customer body in the light of a readily available huge market, representing an embodiment of personal and corporate brands unmatched confidence, a preservation of which is extremely necessary for our possible present and future endeavors. Consequently, our immediate very swift resolution of this still pending partial debt matter, is a need and a must in other to be able to happily shake hands again with these cherished customers.

    We as a group cannot and would not wait for a perfect timing or favorable, perfect condition before we get productive as that would never happen. Perfection is the sole preserve of deities.

    Sadly, we are just mortal human beings. Let us be minded also that unfortunately, Utopia too is a myth. For us at Zylofon, if there is a time to get to work, adjust and readjust to get productive whether or not we were productive yesterday lies in yesterday. I urge you all Zylofonians as we affectionately call ourselves, that the time is NOW. I would only entertain a conversation IF anybody can convince me based on thorough research work and data, that music business (contents creation and its monetization) is not a trade and that, producing music/content and monetizing it the right way does not yield income.

    In as much as we share more in, regret deeply and sincerely apologize for the consequence of our shipwreck, which obviously has contributed to somewhat sour socio-economic plights for our patrons and mainly for us as a company, our period of lamentation is over, we are very much motivated, our hearts and spirits are poised to wrestle and to win. Admittedly, our journey seems very dark amidst earthquake and boisterous thunderstorms with persistent unnecessary and unjustifiable heckles. Refreshingly, we are human; fearfully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of the almighty God, we’re bestowed with limitless potentials and can do ALL things through God who strengthens us. For this reason, we shall subdue this intimidating fowler and worrisome elements comprising the “forces of darkness”. WE SHALL OVERCOME.

    May the Lord God almighty, Allah most merciful and most gracious bless us all and continue to be a LIGHT unto our path and a lamb unto our feet. #FollowTheLight.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Asset Declaration: Jean Mensa cleared; EC Boss took necessary steps to declare assets CHRAJ report

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa has been cleared by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice over allegations of her failure to declare her assets and liabilities upon assumption of office as EC Chair.

    According to a report by the Commission, the EC Chair did take the necessary steps to declare her assets, although later than expected.

    Based on this, no further investigations will be conducted into the matter, the report by CHRAJ, signed by Joseph Whittal summarises.

    “Having established in the course of the investigation that the Respondent has now complied with Article 286, albeit late, the Commission is of the considered view that the appropriate action, having regard to the circumstances of the case, is to refuse to investigate the matter any further as further investigation would not be necessary”.

    CHRAJ began preliminary investigations into the claim that the EC Chair had failed to declare her assets after pressure group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) petitioned it to investigate the matter and mete out the necessary sanctions if necessary.

    But CHRAJ in its report after preliminary investigations into the issue have cleared the EC Chair, putting to rest the issue of asset declaration in relation to Madam Jean Mensa.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • CID invites Hot FM journalist, others over interview of pastor who allegedly threatened EC boss

    The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has invited the Hot FM broadcaster who interviewed Apostle Kwabena Owusu Adjei, the man who purportedly threatened the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

    A letter to the radio station sighted by Citi News asked the station to avail the interviewer, Isaac Darko Boamah, Awal Saeed Mohammed and one other described as “Gargantuan lady”.

    They are to report to the CID Headquarters on Monday, June 15, 2020, at 10 am to assist with investigations.

    “It would be appreciated if you could release the host of the show, Mr. Isaac Darko Boamah, Mr. Awal Saeed Mohammed, and the said lady to report to Superintendent/IU at the CID Headquarters, 4th floor, room 13 on Monday, 15/06/2020 at 1000hrs to assist with investigations,” the letter noted.

    Hot FM on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, spoke to Apostle Kwabena Owusu Adjei on a Facebook Live after some statements he had made a few days earlier concerning the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, and President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    The pastor in a viral video allegedly warned Jean Mensa to suspend the plans to compile a new voters register or risk being killed.

    He also made comments concerning the death of Abuakwa North MP, J.B. Danquah-Adu in 2016.

    Apostle Kwabena Owusu Adjei, the General Overseer of the Hezekiah Prayer Ministries, was arrested during the interview with Hot FM at a “secret location” in Accra.

    He has been slapped with charges of threat of death, offensive conducive to the breach of peace and possession of narcotic drugs

    Meanwhile, a drug test conducted on Apostle Kwabena Owusu Adjei reportedly tested positive for tramadol and cannabis.

    Read the invitation letter below:

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • 100 grams of suspected cocaine allegedly goes missing in GRA custody

    In what could become the latest tale of missing narcotics in the custody of the state, 100.1 grams of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine cannot be accounted for by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    According to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the incident occurred on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at Aflao in the Volta Region.

    Director-General of NACOC, Francis Torkornoo said his officers after impounding a vehicle that had concealed the substances under its fuel tank on Friday, June 2020, took inventory of all the packages, which included $200,000 and wanted to send it to Accra for investigations but Customs officers refused.

    “When they dropped the fuel tank, there was this false compartment under the vehicle containing various parcels and an amount of $200,000. After the inventory, as expected, NACOC wanted to the bring the vehicle to Accra for investigations to start, but the Customs officers refused, saying that they need to hear from their superiors from Accra,” he said.

    He added that, “The team had a meeting and another inventory was taken [on Sunday] and this time, one whitish substance weighing 100.1 gram was missing from all that they saw on Friday. So my officers insisted that if the narration of the inventory does not change, they were not going to sign,” he said.

    In a later interview on Eyewitness News, Francis Torkornoo said although NACOC maintains a friendly relationship with the Customs Division of the GRA, NACOC has not been enthused about some incidents that have happened in the recent past.

    He cited an incident where NACOC seized some suspected banned substance and due to some actions by customs including announcing in the media that it was them who seized the items and that it was cocaine, NACOC was unable to arrest some suspects who were behind the transportation of the banned substance.

    He said his outfit has since written to the Commissioner of Customs to request the transfer of the vehicle to NACOC to allow them to conduct investigations.

    “As at now, we have not received any of the parcels to perform a close test to know that really the content has narcotic substances and also if the items are handed to us, we will start our investigations… Nothing has been given to us so we have formally written to the Commission of Customers to transfer the vehicle and all the contents to Narcotics Control Commission. Hitherto, it was something we said they should keep, but they arrogated it to themselves to say that they need clearance before they will take it to their Headquarters before giving to us and it is something that is bizarre.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Ghana’s coronavirus case count now 10,358 with 3,824 recoveries

    Ghana has recorded 157 new cases of the novel Coronavirus.

    This has pushed the country’s confirmed cases to 10,358.

    As of Thursday, June 11, 2020, the official website of the Ghana Health Service indicated that 69 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered pushing the recoveries count to 3,824.

    The death toll, however, remains at 48.

    The Ghana Health Service stated that active cases of COVID-19 is now at 6,486.

    Per the regional case count, the Greater Region has recorded 121 new cases bring the case count in the region to 6,642. The Eastern Region has also recorded 23 new cases sending the case count to 198 whilst the Volta Region has recorded 4 new cases of the virus sending the case count to 162.

    Oti Region has also recorded 9 COVID-19 new cases sending the total case count of the virus to 47.

    Find below the count of cases per Region.

    Greater Accra Region – 6,642

    Ashanti Region – 1,799

    Western Region – 778

    Central Region – 539

    Eastern Region – 198

    Volta Region – 162

    Western North Region – 74

    Oti Region – 47

    Upper East Region – 42

    Northern Region – 37

    Upper West Region – 22

    Bono East Region – 13

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 1

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Bees attack New Juaben North MP, four others hospitalized

    A swarm of violent bees on Wednesday disrupted a ceremony to hand over the Asokore Community Center to a contractor for rehabilitation and convert it into a two-storey- town hall Office Complex facility.

    The program which was being attended by the Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Nana Adjei Boateng also a Deputy Local Government Minister, the Municipal Chief Executive -Comfort Asante, Chiefs and few other persons ended abruptly.

    The bees thronged the event ground from a beehive in the ceiling of one of the rooms at the Community Center, and suddenly launched an attack on the participants who began running helter-skelter for safety.

    The MP and the MCE took to their heels into their vehicles while Nananom staggered in their traditional clothes for safety.

    The daring bees followed them while they run away to the roadside.

    The multiple sting of the bees on four persons have left them hospitalized at the St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua.

    The MP and MCE, however, escaped unhurt.

    According to residents living around the facility, this is not the first time the bees have attacked and disrupted a ceremony.

    “This is not the first time this has happened. They beat mourners, wedding guests among others. They have their hive inside the place”.

    While filing the story, the community centre was being fumigated.

    Source: Starr FM

  • I will report you to President Akufo-Addo for over seeing illegal mining – Lands Minister to Suaman DCE

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has threatened to report the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman in the Western North Region, Christian Baah, to the President for allegedly superintending over illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the area.

    The minister alleged that the DCE was complicit in the resurgence of galamsey at Dadieso by allowing excavators that were seized from illegal miners and put under his care to be returned to the pits.

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh issued the threat when he led a team of military men to the site to clamp down on the activities of illegal miners who had invaded the area and were destroying land and water resources.

    Some of the galamsey operators who were actively working at the time the team got there took to their heels before the minister and his team could close in on them.

    They left behind mobile phones, bags and other belongings as they fled to escape arrest.

    Complicity

    The visibly worried minister said the resurgence of illegal mining in Dadieso was because the DCE had failed to play his role well.

    “The last time we came here about two months ago, we found nine excavators and asked the DCE to take charge of them, but when we returned to convey the excavators away, their essential parts had been removed and we could not drive them away. I then tasked him to replace those parts.

    “We later got information from National Security that the galamsey operators were back to work and so we came back unannounced, and lo and behold, the same machines are being used to destroy the environment,” Mr Asomah-Cheremeh alleged.

    According to him, the action of the DCE was at variance with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s resolve to fight galamsey.

    “It is the President who appointed all metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) and so they must not act in a way that will defeat the appointing authority’s vision. I am going to officially report the conduct of this DCE to the President at our meeting on June 17, so that action will be taken,” he said.

    He warned that any MMDCEs who failed to support the government’s fight against illegal mining would be dealt with.

    “They represent President Akufo-Addo at the local level and so they cannot be acting in a manner that undermines him,” he added.

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh further said all those who were still engaged in galamsey, despite the introduction of the Alternative Livelihood Project (ALP) and other interventions by the government, would also be dealt with according to the law.

    Observation

    The Daily Graphic observed that many acres of land had been destroyed by the illegal miners in the area.

    The Bia River that serves as a source of water for residents of the area had been polluted, turning the water milk-brown.

    The course of the river was almost blocked, making the flow of water difficult, while eight excavators were found in deep gullies that had been dug by the illegal miners.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Im still waiting for my twins with Giselle Yazji – Kufuor

    Fifteen years after being accused of having extramarital affairs with Giselle Yazji, which resulted in twins, former president John Agyekum Kufuor has responded that he is still waiting to see his supposed twins.

    He described the message which was being championed by his political opponents as “pure propaganda” which was aimed at ruining his administration.

    Speaking on Angel FM on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, JA Kufuor said, “It is never true I had twins with anyone; if indeed it is true as people wanted us to believe then and went to the airport to meet her but she never showed up, where are the children…”

    He continued: “It was pure propaganda and as the nation moves on, we should avoid those kinds of propaganda because they are inimical to our nation.”

    Madam Giselle Yazji, in 2005 became the most talked-about lady in the Ghanaian political sphere when the opposition, led by Raymond Archer, then editor of the Enquirer newspaper claimed that President JA Kufuor, was having a new set of twins by her.

    They threatened to bring the lady and her twins into the country after claiming that DNA tests conducted showed that Kufuor, the gentle giant, fathered those twins.

    Giselle Yazji, then nicknamed ‘Yaa Agyeiwaa’ by the media, after journalists and some political opponents had gathered at the Kotoka International Airport, failed to step her foot on the shores of Ghana to expose the president, as threatened/alleged.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas coronavirus cases hit 9,910 with 4 new deaths

    Ghana has once again recorded another major surge in coronavirus cases as 271 more people have tested positive for the deadly virus raising the numbers from 9638 to 9910, in barely 24 hours.

    Four more people have also died raising the death toll to 48 from 44.

    Recoveries, per the new updates, did not see any major improvement as only 9 people added up to the previously recorded coronavirus-free cases. The recoveries now stand at 3645.

    Active cases, on the other hand, are now 6,217.

    In terms of the regional breakdown, Ahafo remains the only region with no cases yet while Greater Accra maintains its lead with 6,436 cases.

    Regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 6,436

    Ashanti Region – 1,734

    Western Region – 769

    Central Region – 489

    Eastern Region – 166

    Volta Region – 102

    Western North Region – 74

    Upper East Region – 42

    Northern Region – 37

    Oti Region – 28

    Upper West Region – 22

    Bono East Region – 7

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MP for Gushegu painfully withdraws from NPP primaries

    The Member of Parliament for Gushegu in the Northern Region, Dr. Ziblim Iddi has formally written to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on his decision to pull out of the upcoming parliamentary primaries in constituencies with sitting MPs.

    The primaries originally scheduled for April 25 was postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The NPP set June 20 as the new date for the election following the easing of restrictions on public gathering by President Akufo-Addo on May 31.

    But Dr. Ziblim Iddi, who is also the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a letter dated June 4 addressed to the General Secretary of the NPP expressed the difficulty of his decision to step down.

    “I arrived at this painful decision after a very broad consultation and deep introspection,” he said in the letter.

    He copied Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President and National Campaign Manager of the NPP in the letter.

    He has therefore asked the party to withdraw his application and delete his profile on the Notice of Poll and ballot paper for the elections.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • National Blood Service sees 25.9% drop in blood donation

    The National Blood Service has recorded a sharp decline in blood donation in the first five months of 2020 as compared to the same period in the previous year in the Southern Zone – Accra and its environs.

    This decline is attributed to the impact of COVID-19 and its restrictions.

    The volume of blood dropped from 7,494 pints in the first five months of 2019 to 5,555 this year.

    This represents a whopping 25.9% drop.

    This means that thousands of Ghanaians with various health conditions that required blood transfusion might have died as a result of the non-availability of blood.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Blood Service, Mr Steven Addai-Baah, told The Finder that “stocks have always been dwindling since the novel coronavirus was recorded in the country”.

    He explained that most donors have been under restrictions for some time while the fear of contracting COVID-19 has also scared others from donating blood.

    “Institutions like the churches, schools and other institutional bodies have been our constant donors.

    “Prior to the COVID-19, stocks were usually appreciable because our donors were consistent, but as result of the restrictions, donations have declined.

    “We had a plan with the churches, schools and institutions to donate every four months, with others also donating every two years,” he stressed.

    Total units of blood in the nation

    Addai-Baah mentioned that he could not disclose the volume of blood the country has at the moment because they did not have the data from other Regions.

    The National Blood Service is divided into three zones: southern zone, which is Accra and its environs; central zone, which is Kumasi in Ashanti Region and its environs; and Tamale takes care of the five regions of the north.

    “In Accra, we usually supply about 150 to 200 pints of blood every day, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, we are unable to meet that demand even though the request for blood keeps coming in.

    “About eight to 15 people currently donate blood in a day, which is woefully inadequate.

    “We have types of blood donation, which is the voluntary blood donation, family replacement donation and commercial donations. Currently, we normally do more of family replacement, where a relative is asked to donate to the other, and that has increased more in this period of COVID-19,” he added.

    Strategies to make up for voluntary blood donation

    In the quest to make up for easy and accessible voluntary donation of blood, he said, the southern zone has set up more centres within communities.

    His outfit, Addai-Baah indicated, has resorted to appealing to people at their doorsteps to donate blood, adding, “We have asked people to come around to donate blood. Prior to the pandemic, we waited for people to walk in to donate blood, and this has become difficult, so we are currently taking it to the doorstep of the community.

    “We currently have one at Adenta Municipal Assembly, Tema Municipal Assembly and Kasoa Methodist Church.

    “The assemblies have been kind enough to announce to the community by the help of their information van to go round the community to announce that the blood donation team is stationed at the assembly and that they should come and donate,” he said.

    The PRO for the National Blood Service also stated that they have a database of their regular donors, and it helps them to call to remind them to donate blood.

    Source: The Finder

  • Coronavirus: Ghanas case count hits 8,548

    Ghana’s coronavirus case count has leapt to 8,548, in the latest data released by the Ghana Health Service.

    Figures released on Monday, June 1, 2020, put the case count at 8,070.

    In the latest data, the death toll is pegged at 38 while the recoveries stand at 3,132, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) figures.

    According to the GHS, 17 persons are in critical condition with one patient on a ventilator.

    Below is a regional breakdown of the coronavirus situation in Ghana according to figures released on June 3, 2020.

    (Case Count from Highest to Lowest)

    Greater Accra Region 5,894

    Ashanti Region 1,342

    Western Region 449

    Central Region 438

    Eastern Region 134

    Volta Region 86

    Western North Region 68

    Upper East Region 42

    Northern Region 37

    Oti Region 26

    Upper West Region 22

    Bono East Region 6

    North East Region 2

    Savannah Region 1

    Bono Region 1

    Ahafo Region 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Six feared dead in Swedru-Winneba road accident

    Six passengers onboard a Hyundai Grace commercial vehicle are feared dead in an accident that occurred at Gomoa Osamkrom on the Agona Swedru-Winneba main road Tuesday afternoon.

    The accident involved a Hyundai Grace with registration number GT 4110-13 which was loaded with many passengers and was heading towards Winneba.

    The other accident vehicle is a DAF tanker truck with registration number GT 7728-16 which was heading towards a gas filling station at Agona Swedru to offload gas.

    According to information gathered by Graphic Online’s Glibert Mawuli Agbey, another vehicle did an overtaking but had to slow down abruptly in front of the tanker truck.

    In an attempt to avoid running into the vehicle which had slowed down abruptly ahead of it, the tanker driver applied his brakes whilst descending a slippery slope towards the Osamkrom township.

    In the process, the tanker skidded off the road and hit the Hyundai which veered off the road into a nearby bush.

    Officials of the Swedru Municipal Fire Service and the personnel from the Swedru Divisional unit of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service rushed to the scene to maintain law and order.

    Six passengers onboard both vehicles including the drivers and their mates who were severely injured were rescued and taken to the Swedru Government Hospital for emergency medical attention.

    However, some passengers who are yet to be identified were trapped in the Hyundai vehicle.

    For more than six hours, attempts were still underway by the security personnel to rescue them.

    Some eyewitnesses said they saw about six people trapped in the Hyundai vehicle which was under the tanker.

    Confirmation

    Confirming the incident to Graphic Online, the station Officer at the Swedru Divisional MTTD, Chief Inspector Sampson Boamah said that the rescue team would only be able to retrieve the dead bodies if the LPG gas is discharged from the tanker.

    He noted that the situation at the scene of the accident was being attended to with a lot of caution since any little mistake could lead to an explosion which may have devastating effects on the adjoining communities.

    He noted that a recovery truck is in the process of trying to remove the container so that the bodies of the passengers trapped to death could be deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

    He noted that members of the Osamkrom community who are very close to the accident have been sensitized to avoid flammable items close to the scene that could lead to the explosion of the tanker.

    Meanwhile, the Swedru-Winneba main road has been blocked to traffic as commuters and drivers would have to use alternative routes to get to their respective destinations.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 
  • Volta Regions coronavirus cases reportedly hit 84, with 35 recoveries

    The Volta region has confirmed 40 more COVID-19 cases in the last week increasing, the number from 44 to 84 as of June 1.

    The number of cases initially increased from 44 to 59, then to 71 by the middle of last week and to 84 by the end of the weekend.

    Per the latest breakdown received from the Public Health Directorate of the Volta Regional Health Directorate, Ho reordered 16 cases within the period under review, thus bringing its total cases to 23. Ketu South got additional 10 cases to bring its tally to 32, thus the highest in the region.

    South and Central Tongu, new entrants on the table of affected districts in the region recorded four and eight cases respectively.

    The latest District to record Covid-19 cases is Anloga where two cases were recorded last week.

    Per the information from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) available to DGN Online nine districts out of the 18 districts have so far been affected by the novel corona-virus.

    The other districts include Akatsi South with one case, Agotime-Ziope with one case, Kpando with two cases and Hohoe with 11 cases.

    Meanwhile, the number of recoveries in the region has also increased from 28 as at the last count over a week ago to 35 as at the weekend.

    The latest recovery which covers seven cases comprises of four cases in Ho, one case in Agotime-Ziope and two cases in Hohoe.

    To this end, the number of active cases reached 47 with two deaths.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • I mean how? Mixed reactions among UG students on easing of educational restrictions

    There is mixed reaction among some final year students of University of Ghana following easing of restrictions on educational activities.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced that final year students in university, Senior High and Junior High Schools can return to school from June 15 to prepare for their exit exams.

    Social distancing and other safety measures must, however, be observed, the president added.

    The news has not gone down well with some of the students.

    JoyNews campus correspondent, Manuel Koranteng spoke to some final year students of the University of Ghana who had reservations about the returning to the lecture halls.

    One of the students said they have just begun adapting to online lectures and tests and they now have to reverse. “I mean how,” she quizzed.

    Some of them believed the e-learning was stressful and returning to the lecture halls is the right move.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Ghana’s Coronavirus cases now 7,768 with one more death

    One more death has been recorded while 119 Coronavirus patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 2540.

    The country’s Coronavirus case count has also increased to 7768, according to the Ghana Health Service.

    The current figures are an update on Friday, May 29 records where the reported cases stood at 7616.

    This means that there have been 152 new confirmed cases. Records from the Ghana Health Service indicate that 15 patients are in severe conditions while 5 of them are in critical, with 2 people being aided with ventilators.

    The number of active cases have risen to 5,193. Greater Accra Region remains the area with the highest number of cases having recorded 5430 so far.

    Ahafo Region is the only area with no recorded cases of the Coronavirus.

    Below is the regional breakdown of Ghana’s COVID-19 cases.

    Greater Accra Region – 5,430

    Ashanti Region – 1,183

    Western Region – 405

    Central Region – 381

    Eastern Region – 117

    Volta Region – 71

    Western North Region – 65

    Northern Region – 37

    Oti Region – 26

    Upper East Region – 26

    Upper West Region – 22

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Bono East Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com