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Tag: President Akufo-Addo

  • Government wont discriminate with development – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to distribute development equitably across the country.

    He said the government would continue to pursue such policy amid the difficulties to affect all of the Ghanaian society without discrimination.

    He, therefore, charged the citizenry to remain resolute and continue to support the government to deliver on its mandate.

    President Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed a durbar of chiefs and people at Yapei in the Central Gonja District to wrap up his two-day tour of the Savannah Region.

    He said all the programmes and interventions that the government had rolled out were meant to benefit every citizen of the land without discrimination.

    He urged the people, particularly the youth, to take advantage of the interventions initiated by the government to improve their livelihood and lives.

    Commendation

    The Paramount Chief of the Kusawgu Traditional Area, Kusawguwura Alhassan Soale Bonyanso II, in a speech read for him by the Chief of Yapei, Yapeiwura A.B.T. Zakaria, lauded the government for initiating a number of projects that were impacting positively on the lives of the people in the area.

    He, however, appealed to the government to consider expanding the Kusawgu water project to Yapei to provide potable water for the people.

    Road projects

    Earlier, the President paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Area, Wasipewura Mumuni Kabasagya, at his palace in Daboya, the Central Gonja District capital.

    He indicated that roads in Daboya township roads and other major road projects in the district had been awarded on contract, and that work was expected to commence on them soon.

    Aside from the new projects on contract, President Akufo-Addo said, “a total of 24 road projects have been completed, and 135 projects were ongoing in the region”.

    Bridge

    On the delayed construction of the Daboya Bridge, he reiterated the government’s commitment to construct the bridge over the White Volta to serve as an alternative route for travellers from the north to the south, and from the Savannah Region to the Upper West Region.

    “The bridge over Daboya is going to be done, and I am confident that when I come back next year, it would have been done,” he assured the people.

    In 2017, the government announced the construction of a bridge over the White Volta at Daboya to link the Northern Region to the Savannah Region.

    When constructed, the 300-metre-long bridge, spanning the White Volta River, will be a critical link in the commercial and everyday life of people in the eastern parts of northern Ghana.

    However, since the announcement, nothing has been done about it.

    Appeal

    Wasipewura Kabasagya noted “We are reaping benefits from your road projects. Although the road projects have not been completed, vehicles can now move in the district and food crops are no longer wasting away on the farms. Market women are also able to go about their businesses”.

    He also appealed to the government to absorb a newly established college of education in the area into the public system and provide it with the resources and infrastructure to expand to accommodate and train teachers.

    Before ending his tour of the Savanna Region yesterday[August 25, 2022], President Akufo-Addo inspected some ongoing Agenda 111 hospital projects and road infrastructure also under construction.

    Source: Graphiconline

  • I have faith in economic managers to get us out of the IMF – Sammi Awuku

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the largest opposition party, has attacked the ruling NPP administration in particular for “mismanaging” the economy and attributing it to COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    While this is happening, the government is now obtaining a $2 billion loan from the IMF (IMF).

    The head of the National Lottery Authority, Sammi Awuku, addressed these issues in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM’s morning program “Kokrokoo,” saying there is hope at the end of the dark tunnel.

    He said: “I think we are in extraordinary times but what gives me hope is that this government has not abandoned its beautiful initiatives . . . I trust these managers of the economy to manage us out of the IMF”.

    According to him, he’s confident that President Akufo-Addo will turn things around as far as the economy is concerned.

    “You’re only a leader when you turn and the people are following you, but when you turn and the people are not following you, you’re only taking a walk,” he added.

  • Corruption, indiscipline, lawlessness are the main problems hindering Ghanas development – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has opined that the corruption and indiscipline are the major factors hindering the country’s development.

    These problems, he noted, have been with the country since its independence because no government has come up with a data-driven solution to fix them.

    “The problems that we have as a nation are, we are largely undisciplined society, a corrupt society, a lawless society, an untrustworthy society, an inefficient government bureaucracy, a tax-dodging society, an informal society and a non-transparent society.

    “… since independence, governments after governments have, by and large, not focused on building systems to reduce bribery and corruption, the systems that will make the delivery of public service efficient, systems that will enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and the systems that will make life generally easier for Ghanaians,” 3news.com reports.

    The vice president said that it is for this reason that the government of President Akufo-Addo is investing so much to build the digital infrastructure of the country to block all the loopholes that encourage corruption in the country.

    “This is why we have adopted the policy of digitalization. This government is building a system that will enhance transparency, promote accountability, discipline, trustworthiness and enable inclusiveness. You fight corruption with systems, you do not fight corruption with rhetoric.

    We are trying to identify everybody uniquely, that is why we are issuing the Ghana Card,” Bawumia is quoted to have said at the Ghana Baptist Convention 59th Annual Session in Ejura in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, August 23.

     

  • Frema Osei-Opare is being dictated to at the presidency – KKD

    According to renowned broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwa, often known as KKD, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, is receiving directives from some people in the Presidency.

    KKD asserted that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has not been able to sack appointees who are failing in their duties and those who are engaging in all forms of corrupt activities because the chief of staff is being influenced.

    The broadcaster in an interview on Onua Tv, added that what is happening under Frema Osei-Opare will never happen under the Chief of Staff of ex-President John Agyakum Kufour, Kojo Mpiani.

    “My uncle Kojo Mpiani told President Kufuor that he had to sack his brother Richard (an appointee at the Ministry of Health). Kufour pleaded on behalf of Richard, saying that he has helped the country with the work he has done at the Ministry of Health, but Mpiani insisted that he had to be sacked for impregnating a woman at a conference he attended.

    “He (Richard) was a good friend of Kufuor, but he was sacked because he (Kufuor) had a Chief of Staff who had power. But look at what is happening now.

    “Frema is not a bad person but is she given a chance to do her job, or are some people beneath her instructing her on what to do? The Chief of Staff is supposed to fire appointees of the president if they fail in their duties or are engaging in corrupt activities,” he said in Twi.

     

    KKD made these remarks as he was criticizing President Akufo-Addo for his failure to achieve his promise of protecting the public purse.

    He questioned why the president, who seems to have good intentions, surrounded himself with corrupt people.

    He added that the president has also failed in his promise not to make his government an avenue to enrich themselves.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • President Akufo-Addo begins three-day tour to Upper West

    President Akufo-Addo has commenced a three-day official visit to the Upper West Region.

    The President from Sunday, August 21, 2022 will inspect ongoing projects and cut the sod for some road construction works in the area.

    The proposed itinerary, made available to the Ghana News Agency in Wa by the Regional Coordinating Council, indicates that the President would have a radio interview at Radio Upper West at 1000 hours GMT, after which he would pay a courtesy call on the Wa-Na on Monday, August 22.

    He will proceed to inspect ongoing works on Phase II of the Wa Youth Resource Centre in the Wa Central Constituency.

    President Akufo-Addo would depart Wa to Lambussie to inspect the Agenda 111 Project and then to Nandom to pay a courtesy call on the Nandom Na, have a radio interview, after which he will cut the sod for the dualisation of the Nandom Town roads, it said.

    The President would return to Wa in the evening and meet MMDCEs, regional executives of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as constituency chairmen.

    On Tuesday, August 22, the President would inspect the ongoing Wa Shopping Centre and depart Wa to Daffiama-Bussie-Isa Constituency, to pay a courtesy call on the Isa Na as well as inspect the ongoing Isa Agenda 111 project.

    He would also visit Kaleo and Wechiau to commission the Kaleo Solar Power Project in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency and inspect an Agenda 111 projects at Wechiau in the Wa West Constituency, then depart to Damongo, capital of the Savannah Region.

  • Kenya 2022 elections: ‘I look forward to working with you’ – Akufo-Addo to William Ruto

    President Akufo-Addo has congratulated His Excellency William Ruto, for emerging winner in the 2022 Presidential elections in Kenya.

    Whilst congratulating President-elect Ruto on his victory, as well as the Kenyan people for “their fortitude and maturity”, President Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at the peaceful atmosphere in which the elections were held.

    “I am delighted that your long years of meritorious service as a stalwart politician in Kenya will be useful to you, as you take on the onerous responsibilities that come with your new office”, the President told his Kenyan counterpart.

    He noted that the success of the 2022 election is yet another milestone in the pursuit of “our common aspiration” for democratic governance, rule of law and the inclusive participation of Ghanaians and Kenyans in the governance process of the two countries on the continent.

    “I look forward to working with you to champion the cause of our continent, and to strengthen further the historical bonds of friendship and co-operation that happily exist between our two countries and peoples,” President Akufo-Addo added.

    At the time of filing this report, the following leaders have sent congratulatory messages.

    * Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian Prime Minister

    * Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somali President

    * Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwean President

    * Evariste Ndayishimiye, Burundian President

    * Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian President

    * Yoweri Museveni, Ugandan President

    * Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzanian President

    * Cyril Ramaphosa, South African president

    * Lazarus Chakwera, Malawian President

    * Umaru Sisocco Embalo, Guinea-Bissau president

    * Paul Kagame, Rwandan President

     

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Akufo-Addo commences 2-day tour of Northern Region

    President Akufo-Addo has begun his two-day tour of the Northern Region, today August 8.

    During his tour, the President will interact with traditional authorities, inspect and commission a number of projects in the Northern Region.

    Akufo-Addo begins 2-day tour of Northern Region today

    Akufo-Addo will also cut sod for a dual carriage Eastern Corridor road in the Yendi township as well as inspect the work on the Yendi Sports Stadium.

    After that, he will proceed to Saboba to inspect projects under the Agenda 111 programme in Saboba.

    On day two, President Akufo-Addo will visit Kpandai to inspect New Administrative block and Agenda 111 project after which he will then move back to Bimbilla to cut sod for a dual carriage Eastern Corridor road in the Bimbilla township.

    He will also  inspect 1D1F project in the area.

    President Akufo-Addo is also expected to commission a new administration block at Bimbilla College of Education.

    On the final day of the tou which is on the Wednesday, , President Akufo-Addo will inspect work on a new Presidential Lodge Complex at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Help restore peace in Bawku Akufo-Addo tells Mamprugu Overlord

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and President of the North East Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga, has been charged by President Akufo-Addo to assist in restoring peace in Bawku.

    Expressing his concern over the persistent violence in the Bawku traditional area, President Akufo-Addo stated that the disturbances in the area must be brought to a halt.

    The President was speaking in Nalerigu as part of his tour of the North East Region.

    “Mahami was very instrumental among the three eminent chiefs in bringing us to have peace in Dagbon and I know he is also going to be instrumental in making sure that we get peace in Bawku”.

    Recent tensions in Bawku have led to several persons being wounded, with some losing their lives.

    The recent tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.

    The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock-wearing, and a ban on the use of motorbikes.

    Though calm has been restored in Bawku, various stakeholders are appealing to factions in the conflicts to resort to non-violent ways of resolving their differences.

    The government engaged the National Peace Council to find a lasting solution to the disturbances that have characterized Bawku.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also urged the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire and dialogue.

  • Bawumia commissions Zongo Development Fund projects in Ashanti Region

    Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia led the commissioning of a number of projects undertaken by government under the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) in the Ashanti Region.

    The projects commissioned included furnished classroom blocks, a water system and a Community Sports and Social Centre as part of his two-day visit to the Region.

    The events were held separately at Asokore (Asokore Quranic Islamic School), Effiduase (Hamdaniya Islamic School), both in the Sekyere East District and at Bantama in the Kumasi Metropolis, Vice President Bawumia.

    “Zongo communities are indispensable stakeholders in our determination to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive development in Ghana,” Dr Bawumia declared at the commissioning on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

    “The historic deprivation and lack of development in Zongo Communities are issues that the government of the New Patriotic Party under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Akufo-Addo is determined to address in a sustainable, comprehensive and equitable manner.

    “Expanding access to quality and relevant education is pivotal to the transformation we are determined to engender in Zongo Communities. The Zongo Development Fund is the frontline agency and vehicle through which government seeks to ensure the realization of the development objectives relating to Zongo communities.

    “Indeed, since Ghana attained independence no budget has ever been deliberately allocated for the development of Zongo communities. The establishment of the Fund dedicated to Zongo communities is, therefore, indisputably unprecedented.”

    A substantial portion of the over 300 projects undertaken by the ZDF across the country can be found in the region, the Vice President said.

    “Not only has government implemented a comprehensive development of educational infrastructure in Zongo communities, it has also intervened positively by improving health facilities, sanitation, human resource development through skills training and educational grants and in improving the ambience, visibility and security in Zongo communities in the Ashanti region,” he emphasized.

    Speaking at Bantama, where he commissioned a Community Sports and Social Centre, Vice President Bawumia explained that the Zongo Development Fund Act 964 (2017) empowers the Zongo Development Fund to provide basic services and strategic infrastructure in the areas of health, education and sanitation; promote entrepreneurship and skills development; provide social protection for the poor and vulnerable; enhance economic development, peace and security and promote tourism, arts, culture and tradition.

    “Government remains resolute in its resolve at bridging the gap between Zongos and other communities in Ghana. The past four years have witnessed remarkable progress under the Zongo Development Fund, in the provision of potable drinking water, community roads, ultra-modern basic school infrastructure, ICT Labs, Community Sports centres (popularly referred to as Astro Turfs) and several other interventions” he emphasized.

    While generally referred to as playing grounds, the Astro turfs also serve as community engagement avenues for numerous programmes and activities in addition to providing excellent opportunities for nurturing talented youth of both genders into becoming successful sportsmen and women.

    Other Zongo communities that have benefitted from the construction of Astro Turfs are Madina, New Fadama, Kyebi, Tafo, Walewale, Salaga, Akyem Oda, Kwabeng, Agogo and Dodowa. The rest are: Manhyia (work has just begun), Larabanga, Esikado, Chiraa, Sowutuom, Yeji, Bolga and Dunkwa- on-Ofin.

    The MPs for Effiduase Asokore, Hon Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie and Hon Francis Asenso Boakye, expressed gratitude to the Fund for helping to meet the development aspirations of their constituents.

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • Akufo-Addo to commission Sunyani Airport today

    The renovated Sunyani Airport is set to be commissioned by President Akufo-Addo today, August 3, 2022.

    The opening will be open to traffic and will now ease the difficulties travelers have to go through to get to Sunyani via air. It also means commercial flights can now ply that route.

    The runway of the newly-rehabilitated Sunyani Airport has been extended from 1,280 meters to 1,400 meters.

    The extension of the runway to 1,400 meters now makes it possible for the airport to accommodate medium-sized jet planes.

    This means, that once the airport is officially opened for scheduled flights, there will be enough capacity as some local airline companies can now operate their jet planes to the airport.

    According to the government, the airport, located in the middle belt of Ghana, has also seen the construction of an apron, construction of internal roads, and renovation of the terminal building. The progress of work to date is about 97%.

    Brief Background of Sunyani Airport

    The Sunyani Airport was originally constructed as an Airstrip and later upgraded into an airport in 1969.

    The airport currently has a total runway length of 1,520 meters made up of 1,400 meters of paved and 60 meters of unpaved Runway End Safety Area (RESA) at both ends.

    It could handle and process 100 passengers per hour. Since the commencement of commercial operations, the airport has not had any major renovation works, resulting in the poor state of the airport including cracks and potholes on the runway.

    In 2015, the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) shut down the airport as a precautionary measure to forestall any disaster. Before shutting it down, it was serviced by now-defunct domestic airline operator, Starbow.

    The rehabilitation and expansion of the airport were carried out in phases.

    A contract was awarded in 2018 for the rehabilitation of the existing runway, minimal renovation of the terminal building, and construction of some airport internal roads and other auxiliary facilities.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Akufo-Addo to commission rehabilitated Sunyani Airport today

    President Akufo-Addo will on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 commission the rehabilitated Sunyani Airport.

    The Sunyani Airport underwent rehabilitation in February 2019 after being closed in March 2015 due to runway issues.

    The airport was rehabilitated at the cost of GH¢50 million.

    DAA Construction Limited constructed the wall, while Resources Access Limited constructed the runway. The runway has been extended from 1,280 meters to 1,400 meters.

    The rehabilitation works were in two phases; the construction of a wall around the airport and the expansion of the runway.

    The rehabilitation also involved the rehabilitation of existing taxi links, construction of an apron to park aircraft, construction of internal roads and a car park.

    As part of the project, the existing terminal building was expanded, remodelled and installed with terminal building equipment PA system, FIDS, CCTV, fire detection, protection, lighting and ventilation systems.

     The rehabilitation works were delayed along the line following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

    The Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Pamela Djamson-Tettey has indicated that the completion of rehabilitation works will go a long way to help generate income for the country.

    Sunyani Airport dates back to 1942 when a communication outpost and aerodrome were built for the use of Allied Forces. However, before the end of the war, the airstrip was abandoned.

    In 1969, the Busia Government, realizing the need for an airport for Sunyani initiated construction works for a complete airport.

    This was completed and officially opened on 13th July 1974, by Col. P.K. Agyekum, the then Commissioner for Transport and Communications.

     

    Source: Citinews

  • NPP ‘footsoldiers’ appeal to President Akufo-Addo to reshuffle appointees

    A pressure comprising some staunch members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the grassroots level have called for a reshuffle of Ministers under the Akufo-Addo administration.

    This, according to them, will inject “fresh energy” into the administration.

    In a press statement dated August 1, 2022, the group identified as the Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) entreated the President to treat their request as a matter of urgency.

    According to the group, the appeal was a passionate one to President Akufo-Addo to shake up his government and reshuffle his appointees (particularly non-performing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as some CEOs of some state institutions) to pave way for more competent and selfless hands to bring their expertise to bear on his administration.

    The group, in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, D.T. Adomako, said the ministers of state who have almost abandoned their ministerial duties to chase presidential dreams must either be forced to resign or be fired from the government.

    The group said the ministers have been tolerated for far too long, and their continuous stay in office was distracting government business, adding that it was time to show them the exit, and give opportunity to those who are ready and prepared to serve in the interest of the party and the government.

    “In arguably, the NPP is known to have the men and women, and rightly so! It cannot be the case that we have suddenly run out of human resources such that we are compelled to maintain the same old crop of appointees for six years. Ghanaians expect much from us and we cannot fail them. Mr. President, there is an urgent need for a shakeup in your government,” the group said.

    The group, however, urged the President to listen to them and act immediately to make his government vibrant and proactive for ordinary Ghanaians to have confidence in the NPP administration.

    Source: Graphiconline.com

     

     

     

  • Why diesel is more expensive than regular gas

    Most drivers today are focused on the high cost of filling up their tanks with regular fuel.

    But there’s another important fuel on the gas station price board, and its nationwide price average currently eclipses gasoline’s by more than a $1 a gallon: diesel fuel.

    “Diesel is what powers trucking. It is what powers our global economy,” said Joseph Sykora, an equity analyst at Aptus Capital Advisors.

    But diesel isn’t only crucial for trucking — it’s fundamental to international transport as a whole because the engines of heavy-load vehicles like freight trucks, cargo jets and barges run on diesel and its chemical siblings. So when sending products all over the country and the world becomes more expensive, the prices of the products those transport vehicles carry also rises, worsening inflation.

    Diesel prices have long been more expensive than gasoline, well before today’s factors including the ongoing war in Ukraine, low refinery capacities and post-Covid energy demand crunched global oil supplies and pushed up prices. But why?

    There are three primary reasons for the price discrepancy: the transition to cleaner diesel blends, higher state and federal taxes, and diesel’s supply and demand.

    Dirty diesel

     

    In 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency began phasing in rules that significantly limited the sulfur content of diesel fuel. The agency did this because aggravated levels of airborne sulfur matter are toxic for both humans and the environment.

    And since 2014, the EPA has regulated that all diesel sold and produced in the United States must be ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) — a standard of diesel which limits sulfur contents to 15 parts per million. Sulfur content regulations have reduced toxic emissions by at least 90%, according to the EPA.

    The EPA’s regulations greatly benefit the environment. But lowering the sulfur content of diesel has led to lower energy density (less fuel economy per gallon) and raised production costs at the refinery, placing upward pressure on prices.

    Diesel’s duty

     

    President Joe Biden’s administration recently called on Congress to suspend the federal tax on diesel and gasoline. Regardless of whether the proposed tax holiday would be effective, it calls attention to the tax itself.

    The federal motor fuel excise tax, which has not changed since 1993, imposes an extra 18.3 cent tax on gasoline and a 24.3 cent tax on diesel. Revenue from the tax supports the Highway Trust Fund, a federal purse that finances the construction and maintenance of highways and other mass-transit projects.

    Why New Jersey and Oregon still don't let you pump your own gas

    In addition to the federal tax, each state has its own additional duty on both fuels — the average diesel tax is 7.55 cents higher.

    Diesel taxes are higher because the primary vehicles with diesel engines, freight trucks and buses, are substantially heavier and deteriorate roads considerably more than the average automobile.

    Demand for diesel

     

    Finally, diesel’s steep price is attributed to the basic economic principle of supply and demand: not enough supply, combined with barrels and barrels of demand.

    On the supply side, diesel is produced at a reduced rate compared to gasoline. In the US, for every one barrel of crude oil refined there are about 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline produced. That figure drops to just 11 to 12 gallons for diesel.

    On the demand side, diesel and its molecular siblings help manufacture, grow and transport nearly all consumer products. The fuel powers engines in trucks, trains, industrial machines, construction and farming equipment, buses, generators, home heating systems, ships and military vehicles.

    Gasoline might power American cars, but because diesel powers the American economy, its price also affects our daily lives.

    Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the chemicals that power cargo and barge fuel. Trucks run on diesel fuels, while planes and barges run on its chemical cousins.

    Source: CNN

  • All the 15 names of the Supreme Court judges appointed by President Akufo-Addo since 2018

    On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, President Akufo-Addo, made an additional four new appointments to the apex court of Ghana, the Supreme Court.

    The appointment, which was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is on the advice of the Judicial Council, as a result of pending vacancies in the Apex court.

    In a statement to parliament, the president said, “he is fully satisfied that each person is duly qualified, and eminently fit to discharge the functions of justice of the apex court.”

    In all, President Nana Akufo-Addo has made 15 appointments to the Supreme Court since he assumed office, making him one of the Heads of State with the highest appointments in Ghana, only next to John Agyekum Kufuor.

    Among the new appointments made by President Akufo-Addo is Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, who was captured in a 2016 poster as a contestant for the Ho central constituency seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party; the ruling party.

    Below is the list of all the justices appointed by President Akufo-Addo to the Supreme Court since 2018. It must be stated that of the 15, one of the judges recently passed on:

    Nene Amegatcher (2018)

    Agnes Dordzie (2018)

    Nii Ashie Kotey (2018)

    Samuel Marful-Sau (deceased) (2018)

    Mariama Owusu (2019)

    Avril Lovelace-Johnson (2019)

    Gertrude Tokornoo (2019)

    Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu (2020)

    Clemence Jackson Honyenuga (2020)

    Joy Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu (2020)

    Yonny Kulendi (2020)

    Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu (2022)

    George Kingsley Koomsom (2022)

    Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu (2022)

    Ernest Yao Gaewu (2022)

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Akufo-Addo highlights seven benefits of the National Cathedral

    President Akufo-Addo has listed seven benefits that will be derived upon the completion of the national cathedral project.

    According to him, the cathedral will fill a missing link in the nation’s spiritual architecture by providing a formal space for religious activities of the state.

    Addressing the symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar at the Christ the King Church Tuesday [July 26, 2022) in Accra, the President also stated that the national cathedral designed by Sir David Adjaye will;

    1. Provide an inter-denominational space for worship

    2. Will place God at the centre of nation-building efforts

    3. Provide an official venue of worship for state occasions in a predominantly Christian nation

    4. Serve as a fulcrum for propagating the Christian faith

    5. Unify the Christian Community

    6. Serve as a tribute to religious liberty

    7. More importantly, it will serve as our collective thanksgiving to the Almighty for the blessings he has bestowed on our nation, sparing us the ravages of civil war that have bedeviled the histories of virtually all our neighbours and the outbreaks of mass epidemics.

    National cathedral construction epochal event

    President Akufo-Addo added that just as the building of the Temple of Solomon was an epoch-making event worldwide, the national cathedral’s construction was an epochal event for the entire African continent.

    He said as a result elements such as the design had been included to make it relevant to the African church.

    “These three initiatives; the path breaking design, the bible museum of Africa and the biblical gardens of Africa will help to ensure the relevance of the project to the church in Africa,” he said.

    Source: Graphiconline.com

  • Atta Mills tomb hasnt been desecrated Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has debunked claims that the tomb of former President John Evans Atta Mills has been desecrated.

    According to him, such claims are false. He, thus, entreated the general public to disregard any claim to that effect.

    This comes after the family alleged that the government has allowed the Atta Mills Institute to tamper with the grave of the former President without informing them.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the Rehabilitated Asomdwee Park and the 10th Anniversary of the death of President Atta Mills, President Akufo-Addo said the public should reject such claims.

    He stressed that the legacy of the former president will not be forgotten.

    “There have been unfortunate accusations leveled by some persons against Government about the supposed desecration of the tomb of the late President in the process of rehabilitating the Park.”

    “Nothing could be further from the truth, and it is good to note that these false, malicious statements have been firmly dispelled and debunked by the Coastal Development Authority, through the agency of its CEO, Mr. Jerry Ahmed Schaib, in a public statement under his hand,” he added.

    Applauding the president for his contribution to building the Asomdwoe Park, the Chief Executive of the Atta Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, said he will ensure the “regular maintenance of the park.”

    Professor John Evans Atta Mills previously served as Vice-President from 1997 to 2001 under President Jerry Rawlings, and he stood unsuccessfully in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    He is the first sitting Ghanaian head of state to die in office and was subsequently laid to rest at the Asomdwoe Park.

    John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was a Ghanaian politician and legal scholar who served as President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 24, 2012.

    Source: Citinewsroom.com

     

  • Our constituents losing trust in the government: Ashanti MPs to meet Akufo-Addo

    The Ashanti Caucus in Parliament has called for a meeting with President Akufo-Addo over what they described as the poor nature of roads in the region.

    The MPs who are members of the caucus lamented that the region has not seen major projects despite their loyalty to the party in the region.

    The Chairman of the Ashanti Caucus, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi addressing the media posited that although some roads have been fixed more needs to be done.

    He however commended the government for what it has done so far.

    He revealed constituents are mounting pressure on them to fix poor roads in the region as the government promised.

    “We have Kwabre East the roads within Kwabre East are very bad and there are constituencies like Manso Adobea, Nkwanta, Bantama, Kwadaso…, Asante Akyem North and South. So virtually, all the constituencies have some concerns which are roads,” he said.

    Chairman for Ashanti caucus condemns Suame incident, urges constituents to be patient

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • GES is not reviewing Free SHS policy Director-General

    The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa has explained that government is not reviewing the Free Senior High School Policy.

    According to him, any decision to review the policy will emanate from the President.

    In a statement dated July 22, 2022, he stated that, “The GES is a government agency and does not formulate or initiate review of policies.”

    On Thursday, July 21, Prof. Opoku-Amankwa in an answer to a question posed by Raymond Acquah on JoyNews Upfront said the GES is reviewing the policy to determine how much parents can pay

    However, in the statement issued today, the Director-General said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the GES is not undertaking any review of the FSHS. Any such review of the FSHS Policy is the sole prerogative of the President and the government. As an Agency, the GES implements government policies and programmes in pre-tertiary education.”

    Prof. Opoku-Amankwa stressed that “His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his recent speech at UHAS, assured all students, potential students, parents and the entire country that the Free SHS will not be affected by the IMF programme.”

    He therefore expressed the resolve of the GES to implement the vision of President Akufo-Addo. “It is the commitment of GES under my leadership to ensure that the vision of President Akufo-Addo of providing accessible, equitable and quality Free SHS education is fully implemented to the benefit of the good people of Ghana,” he stated.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Ghana must mothball its central bank, put it in a museum and install a currency board – Steve Hanke

    A professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, Steve H. Hanke has called for a complete overhaul of the country’s Central Bank, the Bank of Ghana, as part of measures to avert the country’s economic woes.

    Taking to Twitter, he stated that “Ghana must mothball its central bank, put it in museum, and install a currency board, now.”

    He further intimated that “things keeps getting worse under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo.” Citing the rising cost of fuel and other commodities to back his assertion, he stressed that these are factors fueling violent protests in the country.

    “Sky-high food & fuel costs have triggered violent protests,” he said.
    He also predicted that even though public sector workers has averted their strike, the country is likely to experience more strikes.
    “Ghana has averted a planned strike over pay of public workers by increasing the cost of living allowance by 15%. SPOILER ALERT: The 15% increase was way too small to keep up with inflation, which I measure at 50%/yr. So, protests will soon reappear,” he said.

  • More than 4,000 have their trust in you; don’t disappoint us – Mireku Duker tells Stephen Ntim

    Member of Parliament(MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency, George Mireku Duker has congratulated the newly elected National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim.

    Stephen Ntim at the end of the contest polled 4,014 votes and his closest challenger Stephen Asamoah Boateng polled 1,010 votes.

    Other candidates for the position, George Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah garnered 294 votes, Gifty Asantewa Ayeh, aka Daavi Ama, got 44 votes. Sammy Crabbe polled 32 votes and Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi had 101 votes while Akwasi Osei-Adjei polled 20 votes.

    Contributing to Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” programmme, George Mireku Duker was confident in the leadership qualities of Stephen Ntim but cautioned him not to disappoint the party.

    “He (Mr. Ntim) should bring everybody on board,” he said.

    He asked the National Chairman to efficiently execute his duties stating, “more than 4,000 delegates have reposed their trust in him”.

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • 10 new judges of the High Court sworn into office

    President Akufo-Addo on Monday inducted into office ten new Justices of the High Court, charging them to dispense justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

    The Justices included Ebenezer Osei-Darko, Bernard Bentil, Alexander Graham, and Mercy Adei Kotei, who were all elevated from the Circuit Courts.

    The rest are Mr. George Kwame Gyan-Kontoh, Mr. Richard Apietu, Mr. Eric Ansah Ankomah, Mrs. Cynthia Martinson, Dr. Mrs. Bridget Kafui Antonio-Apedzi and Ms. Nabeela Naeema Wahab, all of whom join the bench from private practice.

    At a short ceremony at the Jubilee House, Accra, President Akufo-Addo congratulated them on their well-deserved appointment and enforced the need for them to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and sound knowledge of the law to gain the confidence of the people.

    He urged them to eschew all forms and temptations of corruption throughout their journey as judges of the Superior Court of Judicature because “a corrupt or incompetent judge is a danger to the public interest and judicial administration.”

    The President reminded the justices that the high court was the focal point for justice delivery in the country, adding that “much of judicial work begins and ends there.”

    “It is therefore critical for the growth of the nation that the High Court commands the respect of the people by the quality of its judgements as well as the comportment of its judges,” he stated.

    President Akufo-Addo admonished the judges to avoid proffering judgements on the basis of decisions from lower courts and to employ the time-honoured common law tradition of precedence as the foundation for the coherent development of the law.

    “You must be learned, know your case law, and ensure your decisions and judgements are properly motivated,” he said.

    The President reinforced the fact that the dispensation of justice required that the application of the laws of the land must occur without fear or favour, affection or ill will, and without recourse to political, ethnic or religious affiliations.

    “When a citizen falls foul of the law, that citizen, high or low, must be dealt with accordingly, and the law enforcement agencies including you our new judges must ensure this is done…that is the true meaning of the concept of equality before the law”

    President Akufo-Addo also encouraged the judges to leverage technology to expedite the conduct of cases that came before them and in the management of the Courts.
    He emphasized that the transparent and efficient delivery of justice builds confidence in citizens, businesses and the investor community.

    The Government, the President told the Judges, had taken note of the inadequate numbers of courts in various parts of the country, resulting in citizens travelling long distances to gain access to courts, and had decided to remedy this situation.

    To that end, 60 district courts, 60 bungalows for judges, and three new high courts for three of the six newly created regions would be commissioned before the start of the legal year in October.

    Additionally, Government, through the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, is constructing 100 new courts and bungalows for Judges in all 16 Regions of the country.

    Justice Mercy Adei Kotei who spoke for her colleague justices expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that they would work to justify their elevation.

    “We promise to remain true to our oaths and to discharge our duties with diligence,” she said.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • I would have resigned if I was Finance Minister – Kwadwo Mpiani

    Former Chief of Staff in the President Kufuor administration, Kwadwo Mpiani says he would have resigned if he was the Finance Minister following the decision of the government to seek economic support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    According to Mr Mpiani, the utterances of the current Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta before the government decided to seek the intervention of the International Monetary Fund make him unfit for the role.

    “Honestly, If I were the Finance Minister (Ken Ofori-Atta) this is not a question of the President dropping me, from my utterances and then what is happening, I would just say Mr President, thank you so much, I think it’s time for me to sit back for another person to take over,” Mr Mpiani said in an interview with Joy News.

    It will be recalled that in February this year, Mr Ofori-Atta said the government had no intention to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout but will resort to available means within the country to generate revenue.

    This u-turn by the government which yesterday concluded preliminary engagements with the IMF on an economic support programme has resulted in critics calling for his resignation over his pronouncements on IMF support.

    Reshuffle President’s prerogative

    Insisting that reshuffling Ministers was the sole prerogative of the President, Mr Mpiani said like all Ghanaians he was concerned about the performance of some of the President’s appointees.

    He said if he had the opportunity to advise President Akufo-Addo, he would urge him to drop some inefficient Ministers.

    “It’s the prerogative of the President, if he believes that all these people are working well, fine. But a listening President will try and find out what the people think…,” he said.

    “I would advise him to drop some of the Ministers and bring in some [new ones]”.

    Stopping short of naming the Ministers who should be dropped by the President, Mr Mpiani stressed that he would have resigned if he was the Finance Minister.

    Source: Graphic online

  • President announces easing of coronavirus restrictions on some public gatherings

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Sunday announced the lifting of the ban imposed on in-person religious services and other public gatherings, as part of staggered measures to restore socio-economic life amid living with COVID-19.

    However, congregants are supposed to wear face masks and observe a mandatory one-metre social distancing rule, and with a maximum of 100 people in any given space.

    Services are not supposed to exceed one hour, while congregants are also required to strictly comply with hygiene protocols to ensure the safety of all.

    Additionally, private burials, conferences, workshops, weddings, political activities, except rallies, can also be organised but also with a maximum of 100 persons.

    In his 10th national broadcast on measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday night, President Akufo-Addo, therefore, said effective Friday, June 5, Muslims could worship at the mosques, while Adventists followed suit on Saturday, June 6, with Christians who held services on Sundays, following on June 7.

    The religious institutions are required to keep a register of names and contact details of all worshippers, amid frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizers.

    Prior to the re-opening of churches and mosques, they must disinfect and fumigate their premises and put in place appropriate logistics to guarantee the safety of their members.

    The President said the decision to ease the restrictions was based on a consensus that emerged from stakeholder consultations to ensure a strategic, controlled, progressive and safe easing of restrictions to get lives and economy back to normal.

    He explained: “As I stated in my May Day address, a month ago, I am now in a position to outline the roadmap for easing safely the restrictions.

    “Ours is going to be a phased approach, involving a selected list of public gatherings, based on their risk profile, socio-economic impact, and, most importantly, our capacity to enforce and to respond, in the event of a flair up in our number of infections.

    “So, fellow Ghanaians, with effect from Friday, 5th June, we will begin Stage One of the process of easing restrictions.

    “An abridged format for religious services can commence. Twenty-five per cent (25%) attendance, with a maximum number of one hundred (100) congregants, can worship at a time in church or at the mosque, with a mandatory one-metre rule.

    “They must work with the designated, regulatory bodies and undertake test runs of the protocols I have outlined.

    “I would appeal to them, in the case of Christians, on the first Sunday of re-opening, i.e. 7th June, in the case of the Adventists, Saturday, 6th June, and in the case of Muslims, on the first Friday, i.e. Salat Al-Jumu’ah on 5th June, to dedicate their worship to prayers for the nation in these challenging times.”

    President Akufo-Addo said the Minister for Religious Affairs would tomorrow, Monday, 1st June, outline, in detail, the specific guidelines for the safe reopening of the churches and mosques

    On the reopening of schools, President Akufo-Addo said effective Monday, June 15, final year students of Junior High Schools(JHS), Senior High Schools(SHS) and Universities will resume for classes.

    All final year students of educational and training institutions, which were being managed by Ministries other than the Education Ministry, were to return to complete their exit examinations.

    Final year university students were to report to campus on June 15, SHS 3 students together with SHS2 Gold Track students on June 22; whilst the JHS 3 reported on June 29 he said.

    All JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of 30 students, SHS classes 25 and University lectures will take half the class size.

    After Ghana recorded its first two COVID-19 cases on March 12, the Government started implementing a raft taken of measures to contain the respiratory disease.

    They include the closure of the country’s borders, setting up of screening centres at the various points of entry, creation of holding rooms for suspected COVID-19 cases, isolation and treatment centres.

    Other measures include the closure of schools, churches, mosques, drinking spots and ban on conferences, festivals and sporting activities across the country.

    Government also activated Public Health Emergency Management Structures at all levels, with the creation of Emergency Management Committees to initiate preparedness activities and enhanced surveillance for respiratory diseases.

    Government additionally imposed a three-week partial lockdown on epicentres of the virus, including Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi.

    Source: GNA

  • You will not get Pwalungu dam as your retirement package – Adongo fights Nana Addo

    President Nana Akufo Addo has been accused of hiding behind the construction of Pwalungu Multipurpose Dam in the Upper East Region to enrich himself and his cronies.

    According to Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Hon. Isaac Adongo, there is a very clear attempt by government to rob the people of the region a reason the cost of Pwalungu Multipurpose Dam has been inflated to the tune of Ghs993 billion.

    His comments followed a press conference held by the Upper East Regional Executives of the New Patriotic Party,NPP slaming him for acting negligently to disadvantage the region by not endorsing a loan agreement for the construction of Pwalungu Multipurpose Dam laid before Parliament.

    But the outspoken MP who did not mince words in responding to the claims,descended heavily on President Nana Akufo Addo accused him of planning to divert part of the money as his pension package because he knows he will lose the elections. Listen to the audio.

    Source: a1radioonline.com

  • High praise for ex-president Moi as MPs hold special sitting

    Members of Parliament eulogised former President Daniel arap Moi as a statesman who succeeded in holding the country together during a difficult time in the history of the continent, even as they called for forgiveness if the country has to move forward from its ugly past.

    In emotional debates in the two chambers of Parliament, punctuated by a one-minute silence, the lawmakers showered the fallen president with praises that sought to justify what others have called an iron-fisted rule.

    They declared that he had left the country a better place than he found it.

    At the Senate, Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen paid tribute to Moi, saying that under his 24-year rule, the full authority of the state had been felt across the country.

    He added that Moi expanded education and gave people from marginalised areas a chance to access education.

    “Going through his life history and considering the way he was humble, one gets the impression that this was a man called by God into leadership,” Mr Murkomen said.

    Source: nation.co.ke