The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the Police Service will take delivery of two (2) gazelle light attack helicopters and one (1) Airbus 350 helicopter, in November this year, to enhance its work.

According to President Akufo-Addo, hangars for the helicopters, located at the National Police Training School, have been completed, and six (6) officers, who will fly these helicopters, have completed their training in South Africa.

The President made this known on Friday, 1st October 2021, when he delivered a speech at the graduation ceremony of the 50th Cadet Officers’ Course, at the Police Training Academy, at Tesano, Accra.

Speaking at the event, the President noted that Government, in recognition of the difficulties and dangers confronting police personnel in the discharge of their duties, remains committed to resourcing the Service, by the provision of adequate personnel and logistics to enable them deliver on their mandate.

“To this end, since I came to office in January 2017, a total of five hundred and sixty-eight (568) vehicles, including fifteen (15) operational buses, have been presented by Government to the Service, a feat unprecedented in its history,” he said.

Apart from the existing Formed Police Unit (FPU) in Accra, President Akufo-Addo revealed that an additional twenty-two (22) light armoured vehicles have been procured for use by the FPUs to be established in November in the Northern, Upper East and Ashanti Regions.

In the next one-and-half years, FPUs will be established in the remaining regions that do not have FPUs.

“Two hundred (200) motorbikes have also been distributed to members of the Community Policing initiative to boost the presence of the police in our communities. Modern communication equipment and four thousand, five hundred (4,500) fragmentation jackets have been procured and delivered to the Service to protect officers, and help ensure effective policing,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “At the beginning of my mandate, in 2017, there were eight hundred (800) CCTV installations in the country for surveillance. At the end of my first term, the figure had gone up to six thousand, five hundred (6,500), and, by the end of the year, another three thousand, five hundred (3,500) would have been added, making a total of almost eleven thousand (11,000) in the country.”

Government, the President added, has strengthened the cybercrime-fighting capabilities of the Service, through the setting up of a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Centre at the National Communications Authority (NCA).

Towards protecting the country’s maritime waters, and its offshore oil and gas installations, the President revealed that the Ministry of the Interior has procured three (3) Alligator Silver boats in fulfilment of the pledge he made to expand and resource the Marine Police, in order to help them work with the Ghana Navy.

In addition to retooling the forensics lab of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), he said that, for the first time in the history of the Department, crime officers are given a monthly allowance to support their investigations.

“On addressing the housing needs of the Service, the construction of three hundred and twenty (320) housing units at the National Police Training School is at an advanced stage of completion. Work is ongoing on the construction of a barracks at Kwabenya, to replace the one adjacent to the DVLA at 37, which is not fit for purpose. A new mechanical workshop for the Service is also being constructed at Bohye, near Haatso,” he added.

In addition to the yearly increments of salaries for all police personnel, Government, he said, has placed them, like the other members of the security services, under the CAP 30 pension scheme.

“Clearance has been given for the Police Service to recruit some five thousand (5,000) more personnel to augment the manpower base of the Service, in a bid to meet the recommended UN police-civilian ratio of one-to-five hundred (1:500). Prior to this, a total of four thousand (4,000) persons were recruited into the Police Service from 2018 to 2020,” he added.

• Music legend Nana Ampadu passed away earlier this week

• The Highlife legend was 76-years-old

• Mr Aiedu Nketia has disclosed that he was once a music promoter of the singer

General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has mourned the late Highlife legend, Nana Kwame Ampadu, who passed away on September 28, 2021.

Nana Ampadu also known as ‘Adwomtofo Nyinaa Hene’ translated as ‘The king of all musicians’ was a composer of over 800 songs. The former leader of the African Brothers Band, formed in 1963 died at age 76 on Tuesday morning.

According to Mr Asiedu Nketia who disclosed his working relationship with the highlife-great, he was one-time a music promoter for Nana Ampadu.

Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the Ghanaian politician stated: “As a music promoter, I worked with Nana Ampadu, Alex Konadu, Adofo and other highlife legends in the country before I even came into active politics.”

The NDC General Secretary noted that the death of the veteran music came as a shock to him. “I was more worried about Adofo who hasn’t been feeling well for some time now only for me to hear of Ampadu’s death at the airport, so I was shocked.”

The late veteran musician has several songs to his credit.

Popular among them include: ‘Oman Bo Adwo’, ‘Obra’, Kofi Nkrabea’, ‘Susu Ma No Nye Wode’, ‘Mother’, ‘Yaa Amponsah’.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

It was a dramatic scene in the early hours of Thursday, September 30, 2021, when members of the Operation halt, together with deputy lands minister, Hon. George Mireku Duker, clamped down on illegal mining activities in cocoa farms and along the Pra River in the Birim North and Asante-Akyem districts and as a result, deprived the galamseyers of their heavily prepared meal.

The Operation which halted the breakfast feast which was made of beans mixed with rice cooked together by these illegal miners was found getting cold whiles illegal miners run for their lives.

Seven (7) arrests made were predominantly foreigners from Burkina Faso, Benin et al. They are in Police custody and will be prosecuted.

Thirty (30) changfan machines and surface structures were destroyed and burnt.

The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem made the averment that the crackdown on illegal mining is going to continue until the government and Ghanaians are satisfied with the state of our water bodies.

“It’s very worrying that Ghanaians are drinking from diverted water that has been polluted by mercury. Farmers are also complaining that their farms are being destroyed. The Pra River has been diverted and polluted and I believe it’s time for all Ghanaians to come on board to help fight it. We cannot fight it alone. All hands must be on deck to fight illegal mining.

“I’m happy the security apparatus is helping us and I’m calling on all Ghanaians must be alert and help fight this. These people are going to be prosecuted and we are going to continue unabated”, he said.

Hon. George Mireku Duker is on a tour in the Eastern Region to have first-hand information on the operations of the anti-galamsey taskforce.

The visit will see him stage an unannounced visit to some mining sites as well as water bodies in the Region.

The ace Ghanaian broadcaster made this known as she disclosed that someone she helped to get a job has gone to steal close to GH100,000 from his employer. The employer expressed shock as he disclosed that the employee earns GH4500 as a monthly salary.

The undisclosed employer in a text to the news anchor wrote “Nana Aba, howdy? The gentleman you made me recruit from your Twitter dm has been stealing from me. He teamed up with two of his colleagues and stole close to 100K from my business.”

He continues that “despite a lack of vacancy, I recruited this guy because you sounded emotional about his situation on the phone. For someone earning 4,500 net, I expected him to be focused to make you & his mum proud”

“This is unacceptable. I love you but I got him & his colleagues arrested this morning. Have a great Friday. 7:46 AM,” he concluded.

Sharing the screenshot of his message, Nana Aba wrote “How can anyone do this to me? I don’t deserve this. I AM DONE. I’m so ashamed … So so unfair to me … I’m really hurt. I’m hurt. It’s just unfair to me. How do you do this? I can’t answer his mum’s calls. I wouldn’t know what to say. I feel let down. Completely.”

Expressing further disappointment in the young man whose identity has not been disclosed yet, she said “you stay unemployed for 6 years after getting your masters and then you do this? I swear I’m not angry. I’m just heartbroken because I wanted this guy to succeed for his mum’s sacrifices”.

Her tweets have since gone viral, attracting a myriad of reactions from tweeps. See the posts below for what Netizens have been saying.

The SIM Card re-registration has begun Friday, October 1, 2021.

The 6-month exercise will end on March 31, 2022.

Head of Public Relations Department of the NIA, Abudu Abdul-Ganiyu, told GBC News that the registration is aimed at ridding the country’s cyberspace of fraudsters, and to monitor and track down persons who use their phones for criminal activities.

He said the NIA has the capacity to handle all 17 million Ghana card holders if they all intend to complete the exercise within the next 24 hours.

Mr Ganiyu advised the public to avoid buying already registered sim cards from vendors as it constitutes a crime

• Government is to re-register all SIMs in the country

• Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says nobody should complain if their SIMs are blocked eventually

• The process ends in March 2022

The Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has served a notice to all mobile phone users to take advantage of the SIM re-reregistration exercise instituted by the government or risk losing their numbers.

She explained that without any biases, they will deactivate all such SIMs that are not registered by March 2022, when the process would have ended.

“Let me just give a gentle reminder that all unregistered SIMs will be deactivated at the end of the registration exercise and we mean it; we will enforce the law to the letter. Don’t blame me if your phone (sic) is blocked. You were warned,” she said.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was speaking at the Official Launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2021, the Launch of the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, and the Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Directive in Accra when she made these commentsnull

The re-registration of SIM cards in the country officially starts on October 1, 2021, and is expected to end after six months; March 2022.

Meanwhile, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has hailed the collective work of stakeholders in the cybersecurity sector that has seen Ghana move from 32.6 per cent in cybersecurity rankings in 2017 to 86.69 today.

She explained that with a conscious effort to make Ghana’s ranking in the space better, they have been working tirelessly in achieving this feat, contributing also to the cybersecurity act in 2020.

“The passage of the act in 2020 is indeed a milestone achievement that has set us on the path to a safer and resilient eco-system; digitally. We all need to familiarize ourselves with that law and that’s why this month has been set aside to conduct education and interactions with all sectors of the economy that are impacted by cybersecurity issues.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contributions and the relentless efforts of our stakeholders in accomplishing this feat which has gained us international recognition,” she said.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare for the work he has done so far since his appointment.

Mr Akufo-Addo says he feels vindicated for appointing him due to the good work done so far.

President Akufo-Addo revealed that Dr Dampare will soon be confirmed as the substantive IGP.

“He has so far vindicated my decision to appoint him,” President Akufo-Addo said on Friday, October 1.

Mr Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, July 21 appointed COP Dampare as the Acting IGP effective August 1.

It is recalled that a security analyst, Adam Bonaa asked President Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency confirm COP Dampare as the substantive IGP.

“I am praying the President will as a matter of urgency quickly get him confirmed as the substantive IGP so that he can restructure the Ghana Police service,” Mr Bonaa told Alfred Ocansey on the 360 News on TV3 Wednesday, July 21.

The Police administration under COP Dampare has gained admiration from Ghanaians following the swift and timely manner they respond to crime cases and the release of information across all the social media platforms.

Source: 3news.com

President Nana Akufo-Addo has said the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies will deal decisively with criminals in the country.

At the graduation ceremony of the 50th cadet officers’ corps in Accra, the president said: “I’m aware the recent incidents of violent crimes in some parts of the country have generated safety and security concerns from several sections of the populace”.

“I want to assure Ghanaians that the Police Service and, indeed, all the other security services, are determined to deal decisively with the threats posed by dangerous criminals and criminal syndicates,” he noted.

Within a week, robbers on motorbikes, in separate incidents, accosted two people at gunpoint – a woman in traffic at Apenkwa and a man at Weija – and robbed them.

The woman had just cashed 29,000 from the bank.

The robbers took it all away.

The president has urged the general public to assist the police to smoke out such criminals.

“We can help them succeed in this endeavour if we urge the police and the other security services on and give them as much support and cooperation in the fight as we can”.

“The government, in recognition of the difficulties and dangers confronting police personnel in the discharge of their duties, remains committed to resourcing the service through the provision of adequate personnel and logistics to enable them to deliver on their mandate,” he said.

Presidential committee presents $20M proposal for National Vaccine Institute

The Presidential Vaccine Manufacturing Committee has presented a proposed amount of $200 million as the budget for the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute.

The amount is part of a total budget of $200 million that will be used to put in place the needed infrastructure, and equipment to produce vaccines locally in Ghana.

The secretary of the committee, Prof. William Ampofo at a stakeholder engagement on Thursday made this known while presenting a draft roadmap and strategy towards the local production of vaccines.

Professor Ampofo, who is also the Head of the Virology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) at the University of Ghana, said the proposed amount will not be provided by the government.

He added that the committee is hoping to raise the money through unique partnerships and is expectant of getting approval from parliament and the President to make the plan a reality.

“This money is not going to come from the government. We think that the key strategy will be to find money from the partnerships that are evolving. The first thing is that we will earmark about $20 million for the establishment of the national vaccine institute over the next couple of years. The building has already been identified. There is a lot of work going on to make sure that this vaccine institute will go through cabinet approval, secure parliamentary approval and then become a reality,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo, while delivering his 26th update on measures taken by the government to reduce the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country in July announced the plan to invest some US$25 million as seed money towards the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead the country’s efforts at producing vaccines locally.

He pointed out that the establishment of the institute forms part of recommendations by a committee established by the government to formulate a concrete plan for vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana.

“We must be self-sufficient in this regard in the future, and prepare ourselves better to deal with any such occurrences in the future. To this end, the Committee I established, under the leadership of the world-renowned Ghanaian scientist, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, to investigate Ghana’s potential as a vaccine manufacturing hub, to meet national and regional needs, has presented its preliminary report which, amongst others, recommends the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead this development

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, 29 September 2021, received a three-member delegation from the Guinean military junta, the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) at Jubilee House, Accra.

The delegation, led by Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly, Second-in-Command of the CNRD, was at the seat of Ghana’s presidency to update President Akufo-Addo, the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, on the roadmap that has been put in place to ensure a smooth transition and return to democratic, constitutional rule in Guinea.

In his remarks, Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly told the President that ten (10) days of consultations with key stakeholders in Guinea had led to the drafting and adoption of a new Transition Charter, which reinforces the determination of the military leadership to return the country to civilian rule.

According to him, the Charter stressed, particularly, that members of the transition will be barred from standing for presidential and legislative elections, adding that a civilian Prime Minister would lead the Transition Government.

Col. Koulibaly also noted that the CNRD understands and accepts the decisions taken and sanctions placed on Guinea by the Authority. He, however, called on ECOWAS to consider the peculiar circumstances that led to the events of 5 September 2021.

Regarding the conduct of presidential and legislative elections within the six-month time frame stipulated by ECOWAS for the return to democratic rule, the delegation pleaded with the Authority to reconsider its decision, as Guinea does not have the capacity to do so within the time-frame indicated.

He explained that military leadership had taken the decision to conduct a country-wide census, restructure the electoral code, and establish a new electoral body in order to be able to conduct free and fair elections.

For his part, President Akufo-Addo re-emphasised ECOWAS’s unreserved condemnation of the coup d’état, as it was in contravention with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which demands that political power be attained through the ballot and not the bullet.

Taking cognisance of the newly-adopted Transition Charter, the ECOWAS Chairperson intimated that it was a step in the right direction, and was encouraged by the decision of the CNRD to update regularly the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS on the evolution of the transition process.

President Akufo-Addo remained unequivocal about the time frame for the holding of elections, maintaining that six months is sufficient for such an exercise.

He assured the leadership in Guinea of the commitment of ECOWAS to help overhaul the electoral process, by providing technical support to Guinea.

President Akufo-Addo emphasised the need for the military leadership in Guinea to take heed of the decisions of the Authority, as the full weight of the international community is firmly behind any decision taken by ECOWAS.

On the arrest of President Alpha Condé, the Chairperson of ECOWAS expressed worry about his continued detention, his physical safety, and his inability to express his fundamental human rights.

To this effect, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the demand of ECOWAS for the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Condé.

Col. Koulibaly reassured President Akufo-Addo that President Condé was in good health and is being properly taken care off, adding that President Condé still has access to access to his personal doctor and cook

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has indicated that most of the armed robberies in Ghana are carried out by foreigners from other West African countries.

He explained that due to the free movement of persons within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, all manner of persons enter Ghana to carry out various activities including robberies.

He was commenting on the recent robber cases that have plagued some parts of the country especially Accra on the ‘Pae Muka’ show on Onua FM.

“It is not only Ghanaians who are involved in this, foreigners are part of it. There are others from other countries because it is easy to move within the West African sub region,” he said.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that the borders may have been porous, a situation that may be giving rise to the influx of criminals in Ghana, the former lawmaker for Adentan said “Security has gone beyond just the borders, it has to do with scaling up intelligence gathering and also the use of sophisticated gadgets to fight crimes.”

He further explained that although the Police and other security agencies are there to provide security, individuals must also take their personal safety seriously.

Security is shared responsibility between the security agencies and the people, he said.

Therefore, he added, the people must assist the Police with information on crime related activities that they may have chanced upon for further actions to be taken on them.

Without that, he said, the police cannot be able to gather all the intelligence on their own.

“You will have to be vigilant and be watchful. In case you see any suspicious activity inform the police. If you leave your own security in the hands of one person to do it for you, it will be difficult.

“In every country Police and security rely on informants for information on crimes to deal with the, we have to learn from that.”

The Ghana Police Service on Monday September 27 arrested one Bukari Salifu, who is said to have provided weapons to armed robbers for their expeditions.

Bukari Salifu, 65, was arrested over the weekend following police intelligence.

Prior to his arrest, two suspected robbers who had been arrested when they attempted to rob motorists along the Koluedor-Sege-Accra road had mentioned Bukari Salifu as the one who provides them with weapons for their robberies.

But while ostensibly taking the police to the man, the two rather took the crime-combat team to a bush full of other armed robbers.

“There, the police came under fire as the suspects attempted to escape,” a press release signed by Acting Director-General of Public Affairs ACP Kwesi Ofori on Monday, September 27 noted.

The suspected armed robbers were shot in the process and were rushed to the Police Hospital, where they died.

They are Joseph Dagodzo and Mujahid Abubakar, alias Sule. Their bodies have been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue.

Source: 3 news

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will tomorrow [Friday, October 1, 2021], begin a one week tour of the Eastern and Ashanti Regions.

This will be President Akufo-Addo’s first visit to the two regions after the 2020 elections.

It will also be the first time the President will meet with inhabitants of the Ashanti and Eastern Regions after the nomination of MMDCEs which was met with some agitations in the two regions.

Director of Communications at the Jubilee House, Eugene Arhin, in a Citi News interview said the President will inspect and commission projects and cut sod for new ones to begin.

He also added that the tour is to afford the president the opportunity to listen to the chiefs on their concerns and assessment of his government.

“The president will resume his regional tours on Friday [October 1, 2021]. As already known, he has toured 12 of the 16 regions. He is left with the Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and the Central Region. So from Friday, he will begin these tours with a week-long visit to the Ashanti and Eastern Region.”

Two suspected armed robbers have been apprehended by the Volta Regional Police Command in collaboration with residents of Tadzewu in the Ketu North Municipality.

The suspects, Michael Maccatus, 31 and Wisdom Agbotokpo, 25 reportedly robbed a victim of his motorbike after inflicting a deep slash on his head with a machete and took to their heels.

However, residents of the area supported the police to hunt for the criminals and arrested them on Tuesday, September 29, 2021.

Suspects are in police custody and the motorcycle has been retrieved.

“The Police Administration want to commend the people of Tadzewu in the Ketu North Municipal Area of the Volta Region for partnering the Volta Regional Police Command to arrest two armed robbers,” according to a statement issued by the police administration commending the people of Tadzewu for their patriotic spirit and support.

The police therefore encouraged the public to continue to the service to make criminal activities unattractive.

With only 404 judges and magistrates in a litigious country of more than 30 million people, access to justice may not be easily accessible to the poor and legally-aided, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah has said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in Accra on Wednesday, 29 September 2021, Justice Anin-Yeboah said: “With a population of over 30 million, we have less than 404 judges and magistrates administering justice in a litigious society like Ghana”.

“The course of justice may not easily be accessible to the poor or the legally-aided litigant, who may equally not qualify for legal aid”, he noted.

However, Justice Anin-Yeboah noted, “We have to do our best within the limited logistical constraints to serve the justice needs of our compatriots”.

Talking about some of the constraints, he said: “For example, from Central Accra, that is Agyabeng to Nsawam, there is not a single court on that stretch until Amasaman and this should not happen in any civilised country”.

Additionally, he said: “The same situation is true for Kumasi”.

“From Kumasi Central to Obuasi, there is no court on the way and that is a distance of about 36 miles”, he noted.

“Nevertheless”, the CJ added, “we still have to adjust to these constraints and hope that the state will apply a bit more resources to provide count infrastructure to support justice delivery in Ghana”.

At the same event, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, the President of AMJG, said: “We feel disrespected about the way our allowances are paid as if it is a favour being done to us”.

“For so many years, members have not been paid any fuel allowance. It has always been a refund. As usual, we use our own money from our taxed salaries to purchase fuel,” he bemoaned.

Regrettably, he noted, fuel allowances of magistrates and judges, refunded later after many months, were taxed, as if they were paid upfront, adding: “In effect, we pay double tax for fuel.”

Justice Dzamefe said just as the court insisted very much on timelines in litigation, in their case, that was overlooked when it came to the payment of allowances

The governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) has scheduled December, 18 to December 20, 2021, to hold its National Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region.

The Conference, according to the party leadership will be held in strict compliance with standard guidelines and Covid-19 health protocols.

Meanwhile, the party has scheduled the month of October beginning Friday to hold Regional Annual Delegates Conferences in all 16 regions of the country.

This is in accordance with Article 9 of the Party’s Constitution.

Notice of Amendment to the Party Constitution

The General Secretary of the Party has started receiving notice/proposals for amendments to the Party Constitution, in accordance with Article 19 of the party’s constitution.

Per the constitution, this should be done not later than two months before the National Annual Delegates Conference, the General Secretary.

The NPP will, from Friday, October 1, 2021, to Friday, October 22, 2021, hold Regional Annual Delegates Conferences across all the 16 Regions of the country in accordance with Article 9 of the Party Constitution.

The Regional conferences shall be held in conformity with the following Schedules (Dates, Venues and Zonal Arrangements), as approved by the National Executive Committee of the Party:

1) Savannah Region – Friday, October, 1, 2021, at Daboya

2) Upper West – Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Wa

3) Upper East – Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Bolgatanga

4) North East – Monday, October 4, 2021, at Nalerigu

5) Northern Region – Monday, October 4 and Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Yendi & Tolon respectively

6) Bono East – Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Atebubu

7) Ahafo Region – Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Goaso

8) Bono Region – Friday, October 8, 2021, at Sunyani

9) Ashanti Region – Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Obuasi West/ Bekwai, Abuakwa, Ejisu, Kodie

10) Western North – Monday, October 11, 2021, at Sefwi Wiawso

11) Western Region – Tuesday October 12, 2021, at Takoradi and Tarkwa

12) Greater Accra – Thursday October 14 and Friday, October 15, 2021, at Tema and Accra

13) Eastern Region – Saturday, October 16, 2021 and Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Nkawkaw, and Koforidua

14) Oti Region – Monday, October 18, 2021, at Dambai

15) Volta Region – Tuesday, October 19 and Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Ho and Sogakope

16) Central Region – Friday, October 22, 2021 and Saturday, October 23, at Cape Coast and Kasoa

The Party wishes to emphasize that, just like the Constituency Conferences, the Regional Annual Delegates Conferences shall also held in strict observance of all the COVID-19 Health Protocols.

Thank you.

…Signed…

JOHN BOADU
GENERAL SECRETARY

Source: Peacefmonline.com

Residents of Atebubu-Amantin District in the Bono East Region, were thrown into a state of shock after a-nine-month-old aborted baby was found at the Amantin Newtown cemetery alive.

The whole community trooped to the Amantin New Town Cemetery to catch a glimpse of the incident as the aborted baby was rescued by some good samaritan who saw the lifeless baby boy abandoned at the Cemetery.

In a telephone conversation with the Republic Press (RP), Mr. Mohammed Abdulai said the baby was first seen by some Fulani herdsmen who were feeding their cattle.

“I, therefore, followed them to witness the incident only to find the boy on the ground.

“So what I did was to carry the aborted baby boy to Amantin Clinic first before he was later transferred to Atebubu Government Hospital and was subsequently kept in an incubator.” Mohammed Abdulai narrated.

Mr. Abdulai said the case has been reported to the Amantin Police Station for further investigations into the matter.

He said the head of Midwifery at Atebubu Government Hospital Ms Abigail Opoku assured residents that the baby is in good condition at the hospital and would continue to monitor his progress at the facility

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has revealed that there are people who are praying and fasting that he fails in his new job.

Speaking in an interview on Starr Chat with host Nana Aba Anamoah, Mr Agyebeng said inasmuch as there people hoping he fails, there are also well-meaning Ghanaians who want the fight against corruption to become a success.

“If you have done nothing wrong, why should you be afraid? If you’re involved in corruption-related activities, I’m coming for you. I see some people on the divide praying and fasting that I fail. There are detractors all over…There are some well-meaning people who want this fight to go on well.”

Mr Agyebeng also stated that he has revealed all cases before his office and would start with prosecutions in October this year.

“I said at my vetting that I was going to review every case. From 5th August till now, I have been reviewing all the cases. I’ve reviewed all the cases and from October, we are going to start rolling. The cases cut across. Everybody in Ghana falls under our mandate in respect of corruption and corruption-related activities. It’s not only about the public sector.”

President Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, August 5, officially swore into office, Kissi Agyebeng as the Special Prosecutor.

The 43-year-old Lawyer took over from Martin Amidu who resigned from office in November 2020 after accusing the President of interference in his work.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.

•Muntaka says allegations that he has been enjoying contracts from Matthew Opoku Prempeh are false

•He has dared his critics to produce evidence to that effect

•He was reacting to allegations by Kevin Taylor

The Member of Parliament Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak has vehemently refuted allegations that he has been colluding with Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo) to enjoy funds from project contracts.

Muntaka says that such allegations are pure lies being spread by a ‘bigot’ to cause disaffection between him and supporters of the National Democratic Congress.

The Minority Chief Whip has said that despite sharing close ties with Napo, his constituency witnessed no benefits from his reign as Energy Minister.null

“Whoever told you that I met KK Sarpong and Napo … I can’t remember the last time I met him. We are brothers, grew up together, his (Napo) was like a father to me but I challenge you. You claim he has given me a contract, I challenge you to name any contract I have received from Napo.

“If you care to know all the classroom blocks that MPs fight for during GETFUND formula for their constituency, not even one has been built during the tenure of NAPO. Because if I get it and I take to the district, they frustrate it. Check the contract I brought and see whether any of the contractors has any relations with me. Those classroom blocks, I brought companies but they were not done. I complained to Napo severally,” he said in a video shared on his Facebook post.

Muntaka was reacting to allegations of him and Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu advancing their own interest at the expense of the National Democratic Congress.

The allegations are from pro-NDC commentator Kevin Taylor who alleges that Muntaka has been getting contracts from the government to cover up issues in parliament.

Muntaka who rejected the allegations vehemently, slammed Kevin Taylor for ‘misleading’ his followers.null

“It’s just unfortunate that I have to respond to a bigot. Somebody who hates our country but pretends to love it. Someone whose stock is just to malign innocent people with lies. Someone that some gullible people tend to believe him,” he said on Facebook.

“I swear by the God I worship that everything I’m going to say is the truth. I’m saying it not because I want to entertain someone like Kevin Taylor but because of the innocent 1001 gullible people across the globe who are finding it difficult to read between the thin lines of someone who is speaking the truth and someone who is lying. I’m not a fan of him. I don’t listen to him but unfortunately his last few episodes seem to consistently mention me and people drew my attention.

“Some well-meaning Ghanaians said don’t respond to him but I’m sorry I cannot continue to hold on when he continues these lies. I’ve had the great privilege of serving the people of Asawase over a decade,” he added.

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KjAMJkqg-eqk5XVg5.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

US singer R Kelly has been found guilty of exploiting his superstar status to run a scheme to sexually abuse women and children over two decades.

Eleven accusers, nine women, and two men took the stand over the searing six-week trial to describe sexual humiliation and violence at his hands.

After two days of deliberation, the jury found Kelly guilty on all the charges he was facing.

Sentencing is due on 4 May and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The jury found Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was the ringleader of a violent and coercive scheme that lured women and children for him to sexually abuse.

The singer – most famous for the award-winning song I Believe I Can Fly – was also found to have trafficked women between different US states and produced child pornography.

Along with eight counts of sex trafficking, Kelly was found guilty of racketeering – a charge normally used against organized crime associations.

During the trial, prosecutors detailed how his managers, security guards, and other entourage members worked to assist him in his criminal enterprise.

One woman who testified that Kelly imprisoned, drugged, and raped her said in a written statement after the verdict that she had “been hiding” from Kelly due to threats made against her since she went public with her accusations.

“I’m ready to start living my life free from fear and to start the healing process,” added the woman, identified in court as Sonja.

Another woman who testified in court, Lizette Martinez, said she was “relieved” by the verdict.

“I’m so proud of the women who were able to speak their truths,” she added.

Legal documents have revealed the mental torment that Kelly subjected his victims to. They were not allowed to eat or use the bathroom without his permission, he controlled what clothes they wore and made them call him “Daddy”.

Gloria Allred, a lawyer who represented several victims, told reporters: “I’ve been practicing law for 47 years. During this time, I’ve pursued many sexual predators who have committed crimes against women and children.

“Of all the predators that I have pursued, Mr. Kelly is the worst.”

At a news conference outside the court on Monday, prosecutor Jacquelyn Kasulis said that the jury had sent a message to other powerful men like Kelly.

“No matter how long it takes, the long arm of the law will catch up with you,” said Ms Kasulis.

The verdict comes 13 years after Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges after a trial in the state of Illinois.

Many of the allegations heard in the trial were first laid out in the 2019 documentary Surviving R Kelly.

Victims were sometimes selected from his concert audiences or were enticed to join him after being offered help with their fledgling music careers after chance encounters with the singer.

But after joining his entourage, they found that they were subjected to strict rules and aggressively punished if they violated what his team had dubbed “Rob’s rules”.

During the federal trial, the court also heard how he had illegally obtained paperwork to marry underage singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane accident in August 2001 after marrying Kelly at age 15.

Kelly’s lawyer Deveraux Cannick told reporters that the singer did not expect to be found guilty.

“The government cherry-picked the version that they thought would support the continuation of the narrative,” said Mr. Cannick. “Why would he expect this verdict given all the inconsistencies that we saw?”

Kelly is separately facing trial in Chicago on child pornography and obstruction charges. He is also due to face sex abuse charges in Illinois and Minnesota.

At least two former Kelly associates have pleaded guilty in separate cases related to attempts to silence Kelly’s accusers.

Source: BBC

Paul Asamoah, the DCE for Akyemansa

The 35 Assembly members in the Akyemansa District in the Eastern Region have confirmed the President’s nominee, Paul Asamoah, as the District Chief Executive (DCE) securing 100 percent votes.

Mr. Asamoah, who is a businessman from Adwarfo in District, won the trust of all the 35-member assembly at Ofoase.

He expressed gratitude to the members for their overwhelming votes and called for their collaborative support to advance the development of the district.

The Eastern Regional Minister,  Seth Acheampong, who subsequently sworn him into office after the EC Declaration advised the DCE to work hard to improve upon the development in the area.

Paul Asamoah was nominated in 2017 by President Akufo-Addo as the DCE for the area, where the current Minister of Information, Kojo Nkrumah oversees as the Member of Parliament

The Chief Executive Officer of the Oil Bulk Oil Storage Transport (BOST) Mr Edwin Provencal met the Press at the Ministry of Information and told them of the exhilarating turn around story of the then debts- saddled, ill-managed and infamous company that has seen a tremendous transformation from 2017 to date.

According to him, before that time, BOST was so sick that it was almost good for nothing. It owed suppliers a whopping 624 million dollars, 37 million dollars to Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) Stanchart Bank Ghc 215,698,902 and GCB Bank Ghc 69,262,035 but happily by the middle of 2021 the company with their internally generated fund has paid 73 % of its debts and is poised to make profit by 2022.

Mr Edwin Provencal disclosed that almost all the revenue generating assets were either underutilized or completely grounded. Some of them had not received maintenance for all that while and were running at a loss on monthly basis.

“When we came to power we contracted EOCO, National Security and our own audit team to do a forensic audit of our debt portfolio and to our amazement and bewilderment , the BDCs upon deliberations agreed that we owed them close to only 11 million USD and not the huge outstanding 37 million dollars on our books. We have paid them 1.2 million dollars with ten million dollars pending. So we have saved the state 26 million dollars” he revealed.

Mr Provencal again told the media that some pipe lines imported from Houston USA in 2011 had been abandoned in the hot weather in that country and BOST had to renegotiate at additional cost 8 million dollars in 2020 to bring the pipelines in in September ending 2021 to fix the deficit to enable the company transport the oil via the pipes to reduce cost of the product. Fuel cost can be reduced by 35 % if it is transported per the pipes lines instead of the oil tankers excorbitant feres. All the depots, pipelines, tanks , pipelines left to rot over the years have all been rehabilitated and BOST is about 85 % operational.

He told the itching Newsmen that the pipelines from Buipe to Bolga are being worked on to cart fuel to the landlocked countries in the Sahelian like it’s done in Singapore that fetches that country millions of dollars and Ghana can leverage on this export trade to rope in more dollars. To address to the delapidating menace, management adopted four main strategies to breathe life into the ailing company : Enhanced Operational Excellence ; Aggressive Growth Policy, Rebranding Strategy and Great Corporate Culture .These and commitment , determination of staff and management has drastically turned the company around within a spate of four years.

Today the picture and story of BOST is an organization with confidence and bright future. As a result ; 624 m dollars has Ben reduced to 39 m dollars ; BDCs debts reduced from 37 m dollars to 11m dollars; shipment of abandoned pipelines coming in this month to complete a project ; Revenue earnings regimes drastically increased from 17 % to 75 % ; Resuming supply of oil to land locked countries up North for revenue ,etc

The BoG says these notes would be replaced by their respective coin.

Addressing a press conference after the MPC meeting Monday (27 September), the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison said, “Both the GHC1 note and the GHC2 note would eventually be phased out because they are not cost-effective in terms of the printing cost.

“Notes that circulate very widely and they come back very torn and soiled and they are very difficult for our currency processing machines to process them.”

Source: Peacefmonline

Former member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Stephen Atubiga says the fake pregnant woman at the centre of the controversy that has rocked the nation over the past couple of days “is an NDC member”.

He linked his claim to NDC’s petition at the Supreme Court without pink sheets, and the ‘non-existent’ election figures.

“If her NDC party can fake victory to court without pink sheets, and could not even tell the justices of their victory figures when asked, why can’t she also fake pregnancy?” he wrote on Facebook on Friday.

Member of Parliament for North Tongu District in the Volta region Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has gifted a 53-year old midwife Beatrice Blessing Obidieh of the Battor Catholic hospital a new car for her exceptional work at the facility.

The 2015 Toyota Prius fully loaded hybrid model was presented to the nurse, Beatrice Blessing Obidieh in recognition of her hard work and diligence at an event to mark the 2021 celebration of World Contraception Day hosted at Battor on Friday.

She is also said to be the longest serving midwife at the facility having started work at the facility in 2003.

“Auntie Beatrice as she is affectionately known, has rendered inspirational service at the Battor Catholic Hospital since 2003. The 53-year-old product of Atibie Midwifery Training School came highly recommended by all her colleagues, doctors and administrative staff who were unanimous during my quiet background checks that she has been phenomenal, dedicated, selfless and a quintessential role model to the younger generation,” the lawmaker remarked.

The MP, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa remains optimistic that Auntie Beatrice’s hard work and dedication would inspire other young health workers in the District who will discharge their duties diligently.

“I hope her sterling example and our token of appreciation will motivate other health workers posted to our district from elsewhere as in the case of Auntie Beatrice to accept their postings, stay with us and not be fixated on seeking transfers to bigger cities.”

This gesture from Mr. Ablakwa adds up to several other supports he has given to the Battor Catholic hospital and its staff.

Last month, he and his family donated monies received during the funeral of his father, Theophilus Brown to the facility.

Not long ago, the vociferous politician paid all the medical bills for all patients in the children’s ward of the hospital, following his victory in the 2020 elections.

Mr. Ablakwa in the past has also donated vehicles and medical equipment to the facility including incubators, baby cots, theatre beds, a suction machine, an autoclave machine and a phototherapy machine all valued at GHC100,000 to the hospital

A now-84-year-old man, who vanished in 1974, has returned home and expressed disappointment that the two wives he left behind could not wait for him for over the 47 years.

The man, who disappeared 47 years ago, says he’s disappointed his two wives have remarried.

Peter Oyuka, a Kenyan man, reportedly left his Makale village in Malava, Kakamega county in 1974 at age 37.

According to Tuko.co.ke, the now-octogenarian told his people then that he was leaving to search for greener pastures to take care of two wives and five children.

Interestingly, he did not disclose where he was headed and when he would return.

He visited Kakamega in 1983, 1992 and 1996, but failed to enter his home, The Standard, Oyuka reported.

Peter Oyuka finally returned home on Tuesday, September 21 to realise that his wives have given up on him and gone to marry other men.

“I wish my wives were here today to welcome me home,” Oyuka lamented.

A white goat was sacrificed to pacify the ancestors before he was accepted into his home, in accordance with the Luhyia customs.

Although he spent part of 47 years in Tanzania where he fell in love and had a child with another woman, he expected his wives to remain intact.

“My Tanzanian lover stopped communicating with me, and is yet to allow me to meet our son,” Oyuka disclosed

“I wish my two wives well in their marriages. However, I’d like them to know that I’m still alive and that they should create time and visit me.”

Oyuka’s return home was facilitated by a Good Samaritan who shared details about him on Facebook.

His 53-year-old son, Aggrey Osanji, who was just six years old before he vanished saw the post and followed up, leading to his return home.

A second test conducted by the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital has confirmed that the missing woman in Takoradi wasn’t pregnant.

A second test conducted by the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital has confirmed that 29-year-old Josephine Panyin Mensah, who allegedly went missing, was never pregnant within the period, the police have said.

The Acting Director-General of the Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs Directorate said the results of the Western Regional Hospital affirms the previous outcome which was conducted by the medical doctors at Axim Government Hospital.

ACP Kwesi Ofori, in an interview on JoyNews’ News Desk Friday, stressed that a thorough investigation is being carried out to attain the motives of the suspects who orchestrated the incident.

“The detailed result has been submitted to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department,” he told host Israel Laryea.

Angry Takoradi residents reject police’s fake pregnancy claim

Meanwhile, some angry residents in Takoradi have rejected the police’s claims that their neighbour, who has now been declared a suspect, faked her pregnancy.

They also expressed dissatisfaction over the arrest of Josephine’s mother, husband, and one other person as accomplices in the alleged self-kidnapping case.

Clad in red, the residents chanted war songs and invoked curses on various authorities for making such claims.

However, ACP Ofori says the police will not be cowed into submission by street opinion.

ACP Kwesi Ofori on Thursday said the service cannot make such medical conclusions independently but “relies on expert opinion” from doctors who are members of the Ghana Medical Association.

“The law of evidence and criminal procedure makes the police rely heavily on expert opinion should even the matter appear before a court of competent jurisdiction. We will go by that expert opinion, and we will not be moved by street opinion,” he said.

About a week ago, a missing person flyer with a picture of Josephine Panyin Mensah began circulating on social media. It stated that she was nine months pregnant and had gone missing since September 16.

News later broke of her reappearance on the 21st of September 2021.

She was, however, found without a pregnancy or a baby.

Source: Myjoyonline

•John Mahama has said that government is not providing adequate funding for the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative

•He cited his brother as one of many farmers who did not enjoy subsidized fertilizers from the government

•Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has rubbished the claim by Mahama

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has described claims by former President John Dramani Mahama about food shortage as ‘clueless’ and without substance.

Dr Afriyie Akoto intimates that the premise for John Mahama’s stance which is the refusal of subsidized fertilizer to his brother is hollow and cannot be used to make any cogent argument.

Speaking to JoyNews, Dr Afriyie Akoto maintained that it is untrue that there is fertilizer shortage and that government made fertilizer available to all qualified farms.

An agitated Afriyie Akoto urged John Mahama to rise above partisan politics and focus on the things which are of relevance to Ghanaians.

“For him to make such a conclusion from one observation, it means that when it comes to statistics, he has absolutely no clue. It is just like he coming to parliament when I was Member of Parliament putting four people in the balcony of parliament and said evidence base. We don’t do that! Though we are talking politics, Ghanaians are more intelligent than that,” he fumed.

Tackling the issue of denial of subsidized fertilizer to John Mahama’s brother, Dr Afriyie Akoto declared that Mahama’s brother did not meet the criteria for subsidized fertilizer.

Afriyie Akoto accused Mahama’s brother of enjoying a facility which he should not have benefited from in the first place.

“The subsidies are meant for farmers with 2, 3 acres which is the bulk of smallholders and not for 300 acres for goodness sake. So he has actually scrounged on poor farmers to start with if he was able to do 300 acres with subsidised fertiliser. So what Mr Mahama is saying cannot be true. In any case, we are talking about millions and millions of farmers.

His comments are a response to Mahama’s view that the Planting for Food and Jobs program risks collapsing if the government does not inject adequate funds into it.

John Mahama is quoted to have said that the lack of adequate funding for the program has resulted in farmers not getting subsidized fertilizers.

“My brother is a farmer and he tells me this year, he has not received any fertiliser supply from the government and so he bought his own fertiliser and a bag of fertiliser is very expensive. Normally, he cultivates 300 acres of maize each year. But this year, he had to reduce it, he was not able to cultivate even 80 acres. So there’s a possibility of food shortage next year because the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme has failed,” the former President explained.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ghanaian politician and NPP 2020 Parliamentary aspirant for Kpone Kantamanso Constituency, Hopeson Adorye has disclosed that USA based Ghanaian social media sensation, Twene Jonas, has gone into hiding in the United States.

In a video sighted by sammykaymedia.com, Hopeson Adorye who is currently in the States asserted that Twene Jonas has been in the United States with wrong documents hence the authorities over there are in search for him to be deported.

According to the politician, the Youth of Ghana who follows blindly must be wide awake and not be deceived by the supposed luxury being exhibited by Twene Jonas.

He further stated that, Twene Jonas who has succeeded in influencing and polluting the masses in Ghana, has gone into hiding because he has been sacked from his job place, evicted from where he resides and has been left with no option than to lay low in recent times.

“We went to Rockefeller to look for him [Twene Jonas], we told that he has been fired. He lives in a wooden structure which is actually a part of a living room of a pastor and this guy goes about spewing nonsense…,” Hopeson Adorye said.

Watch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSgPvUPnHcg

Source: sammykaymedia.com

According to her brother-in-law, Emmanuel Arkoh, she was unable to speak when she was found.

The nine-month pregnant woman reported missing in Takoradi a few days ago has been found.

Josephine Panyin Mensah, 28, was found at Axim, according to reports gathered by 3news.com.

She was immediately sent to the Axim Government Hospital for medical care.

Josephine was reported missing by her husband, Michael Simmons, on Friday, September 17 after a search for her the previous day proved futile.

She left home Thursday dawn for a walk but never returned according to reports.

The complainant, her husband, told the police his mother-in-law later had a call from an unknown person demanding a ransom, fuelling rumours of another kidnapping case in the Western Regional capital.

The police immediately began frantic search for the pregnant woman.

According to her brother-in-law, Emmanuel Arkoh, she was unable to speak when she was found.

But recounting her ordeal in writing, Josephine said she delivered on the day she went missing and said she was also kidnapped.

Police are however yet to provide details on the circumstances concerning her discovery

Hundreds of enthusiastic youth are parading through the principal streets of Sekondi Takoradi today Tuesday September 21 to demand that the government creates the enabling environment that will promote development.

They are unanimous in their call for jobs to be created, for roads, to productive sectors of the country to be rehabilitated, for the lending rate to come down.

For those who joined from the Western Region, they want the many natural resources to be used to develop areas where they are exploited.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Senior Presidential Advisor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo has noted that among all the continents, Africa has the most youthful population.

He stated that this poses a security threat to the continent if the youth are not given employment.

He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential of being the game changer in providing employments for the unemployed youth.

Speaking at a meeting the AfCFTA had with all the regional economic blocs, the former Senior Minister said “We need the regional economic communities to function well if the AfCFTA is to achieve the desired outcomes, enhance intra Africa trade , economic transformation, job creation for the teeming youthful population and poverty reduction, among others.

“All the continents, Africa has the most youthful population and this itself is a threat to security if we do not take steps to provide employment for this population.

“Indeed the AFCFTA has the potential to be the game changer for the transformation of African economies and post covid 19 economies if we can harness its numerous benefits.”

The AfCFTA is a free trade area founded in 2018, with trade commencing as of 1 January 2021.

It was created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement among 54 of the 55 African Union nations.

 The free-trade area is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

Accra, Ghana serves as the Secretariat of AfCFTA and was commissioned and handed over to the AU by the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo on August 17, 2020 in Accra.

The general objectives of the agreement are to: create a single market, deepening the economic integration of the continent;

Establish a liberalised market through multiple rounds of negotiations; aid the movement of capital and people, facilitating investment; move towards the establishment of a future continental customs union; achieve sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development, gender equality and structural transformations within member states; enhance competitiveness of member states within Africa and in the global market; encourage industrial development through diversification and regional value chain development, agricultural development and food security; Resolve challenges of multiple and overlapping memberships

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has acquired a drone technology for effective maintenance work on its lines.

The drone technology is to help the company enhance its operational efficiency and also detect fault lines and attend to them on time.

Source: graphiconline

Former President John Mahama has said: “I have received with deep sadness, news of the demise of one of the most inspirational icons to have served our party, the NDC, and this great nation”.

“She was not only a politician, but also a gender activist and champion of women’s rights”, the 2020 flag bearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress said in a tribute on Facebook.

“Ama Benyiwa Doe was an embodiment of limitless courage, commitment and passion for service. May her soul rest in eternal glory”, Mr Mahama added.

The former Central Regional Minister passed away on Sunday, 19 September 2021 at Tema.

She was 73 years old.

The staunch NDC member battled ailments in her dying embers.

She first became an MP for Gomoa West Constituency in the Central Region after the 1992 election

The Founder and Leader of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) Christian Kwabena Andrews who is popularly called Osofo Kyiri Abosom has described the Vice President of Ghana Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a liar.

Also, he believes that Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanteng has been incompetent especially with his handling of the One District – One factory project.

The 2020 election flagbearer for Ghana Union Movement believes 2024 presents a better opportunity for his party to salvage the people of Ghana from the claws of the two leading political parties.

He indicated that claims of him not contesting when next elections are held are unfounded because he knows this it is his time.

“We are wild and we are not joking. We are coming and it will be boot for boot. There is a competition between Alan Kyeremanteng and Bawumia but none of them will lead Ghana.

Bawumia is a known liar. He is the biggest liar in this government. For Alan Kyeremanteng he’s one of the most incompetent people I’ve come across in this country.

“They tout him for creating jobs with One District, One Factory but where are the factories? They should let us think about ourselves,” he said in an interview with Hello FM.

Alan Kyeremanteng and Bawumia Contest

Although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) hasn’t opened nominations for persons interested in leading the party to file, there are indications that the Trades Minister John Alan Kyeremanten will contest.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is the Vice President of Ghana has also proven from all indications that he will put himself out there to be voted as the flagbearer of the NPP for the 2024 election.

The contest according to analysts may make or break the governing NPP and may hamper the 2024 agenda of breaking the eight-year cycle.

Who is Christian Kwabena Andrews

Andrews launched the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) in March 2019. During the event, he described himself as the new Kwame Nkrumah and declared that the “spirit of Nkrumah is back”.null

He hopes to be able to break the duopoly between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party which have dominated Ghana during the Fourth Republic.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=317&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOkay101.7FM%2Fvideos%2F1022891658468163%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

Source: www.mynewsgh.com

Four members of a group known as Concerned Youth of Odododiodoo Constituency have been arrested by the police for leading a protest march on Saturday, 18 September 2021 against President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nomination of ex-MP Elizabeth Sackey as the next mayor of Accra.

The former Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister is among the hundreds of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to be names today, Sunday, 19 September 2021.

The police, in a statement, said the arrests were “for allegedly causing public disorder at Jamestown in Accra.”

“The four are Salaami Abubakari, 36; Daniel Opare Oman, 43; Edward Holm, 38; and Daniel Clottey, 41.

“The ringleaders led scores of people to allegedly block a road at Jamestown by burning car tyres, further creating a sense of fear and disorder.”

“The police administration strongly cautions any individual or group of persons who intend to unlawfully assemble and cause mayhem over the publication of the MMDCEs list or any other matter to immediately abandon such plans or face the law.”

Meanwhile, the acting Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, has condemned the disturbances and dissociated himself from it.

In a statement, he said: “We should recognise the President’s authority to nominate individuals of his choice to promote his agenda, and it’s our duty to support the appointees to succeed”.

“I totally support all the President’s nominations and commit to continue to work toward the development of the country,” he said

A former Central regional Minister Ama Benyiwa Doe is dead.

She died in Tema on Sunday September 19.

NDC’s Kakra Asamoah confirmed the news to TV3’s Johnnie Hughes in the early hours of Sunday.

She was was born in 1950.

She was a member of parliament for the Third Parliament of the Republic of Fourth of Ghana on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Gomoa West constituency, thus stood for the seat from 1992 until 2004.

Ama was first elected into parliament during the December 1992 Ghanaian General Elections as a member of the Gomoa West Constituency in the Central Region.

She won in 2000 with 12,995 votes out of the 28,089 valid votes cast representing 46.30% against Benjamin Kojo Acquah, an NPP member who polled 11,248 votes, Kofi Amissah Essandoh, a CPP member who polled 2,468 votes and Muhammed M. Kassim, an NRP member who also polled 1,378 votes.

Ama was nominated by President Mills in January 2009 as the Central Regional Minister in Ghana, she became a Regional Minister of State on January 2009 to 2012 for the Central Region of Ghana. She was also a former member of the council of State.

Ama occupied the seat as a member of parliament for the Gomoa West Constituency from 1992 until 2004 where she was defeated by Joe Kingsley Hackman of the New Patriotic Party in the 2004 Ghanaian general elections with a total votes cast of 23,663 representing 63.20% of the total votes over her (Ama), with her total votes cast as 12,165 representing 32.50% of the total votes.

She continued to work for the National Democratic Congress as national women’s organizer

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Friday, 17th September 2021, as leader of Ghana’s delegation to the 76th Session of the United Nation’s General Assembly. 
 
He will also, on this trip, hold bilateral engagements with some colleague Heads of State; NATO Secretary General, MR. J. Stoltenberg; top Economist Jeffery Sachs; WTO Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as well as other world figures.

He will also hold engagements with sections of the Ghanaian and Business Community whilst there. 

The President will also participate in the Second Sustainable Development Goals Moment of the Decade of Action, and witness the Signing Ceremony between Minister for Tourism, Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, and Developers of the Dubois Project. 

He will address the UN General Assembly on 22nd September; participate in the Global COVID-19 Summit hosted By President Joe Biden, and hold several rounds of engagements and UN events on climate change, health and food security. 

On 23rd September, the President will attend a fundraising event for the National Cathedral.

In accordance with Article 60 (8) of the Constitution, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall act in his stead until the President’s return on Monday 27th September 2021

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has advised party supporters to be ready to accept the yet-to-be released list of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs).

According to him, the list which is scheduled to be released on Sunday, September 19, 2021 by the Local Government Minister, Dan Botwe, must not break the ranks of the NPP but rather unite it.

In a Facebook post, he said “This is not a do or die affair. “The President appoints and he does so not to deliberately disappoint anyone but to get his work done. It is that simple. Let’s live with it and make progress.”

He continued that “Tomorrow all the speculations will be over, including fake lists and recommendations. Sunday, the Local Government Minister, alongside the Information Minister, shall address a press conference and put the official list of MCEs and DCEs out”.

He added that “The only list which matters! Same list will be put on the Info Ministry website afterwards so you can check it for yourself. Until then, we are advised to ignore all lists and all publications for just one day p3

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah

The Director of Elections, at National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has denied reports of the NDC’s decision to arm its polling agents with bulletproof vests and guns in the 2024 elections.××

“I wish to state emphatically and categorically that that attribution is completely false, and must be treated with the contempt it deserves,” Mr Afriyie Ankrah said in a statement on Friday.

There was a media report indicating that the Party has taken a cue from the 2020 general elections which was characterized by pockets of violence and the death of eight (8) persons.

“Going forward, we have learnt lessons and maybe we have to give bulletproof vests to our people to defend themselves at the collation centres. Nobody is going allow what happened in Tachiman South to happen again”, Afriyie Ankrah said.

But Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has flatly denied those claims attributed to him in the report insisting he will soon expose the falsehood in that reportage.

“I am arranging to get the full unedited version of the interview so the entire world would hear exactly what I said, and expose the perfidy of the publishers

Prof Ransford Gyampo has reminded President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia that the one-month negotiation window opened between the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the government – for which the group suspended its strike a few months ago – ends in less than a week but nothing has been done about their issues because Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has not been personally involved in the matter.

In an open letter to the president and his deputy, the Secretary to UTAG said: “I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial”.

“He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess”, Prof Gyampo noted.

Read Prof Gyampo’s full letter below:

Open Letter to the President and Vice-president of the Republic

Your Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, I greet you. Your Excellency Alhaji Dr Bawumia, I greet you, too.

As you may be aware, some of us have deliberately been quiet about what has been happening following UTAG’s decision to temporarily suspend its strike and return to the negotiations table. We believe the stakeholders needed some peace of mind to talk.

I, however, wish to respectfully remind you that the one-month negotiation period expires in five days’ time.

Unfortunately, as of now, nothing concrete has been achieved.

As you may be aware, some of us had to practically beg our members to agree to suspend the strike action for negotiations because we knew that you were both worried about the impasse and were very much resolved to bring finality to the matter.

Unfortunately, I repeat, nothing concrete has been achieved.

I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=387235050&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1631908645&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Feducation%2FUTAG-strike-Ofori-Atta-treating-us-like-rags-intervene-or-our-anger-ll-spill-over-Gyampo-to-Akufo-Addo-27203&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1631908644309&bpp=3&bdt=2994&idt=821&shv=r20210914&mjsv=m202109150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=7545518957079&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1126854345.1631908645&ga_sid=1631908645&ga_hid=990379358&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=3124&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=2&eid=44750532%2C31060475%2C31062312&oid=2&pvsid=2756399910950267&pem=394&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&alvm=r20210915&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=zoLBiY1iB4&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=838

He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess.

I respectfully urge you to intervene in this matter yourselves.

For, no one can contain the anger of University teachers should they be allowed to strike again, after the expiration of the one-month negotiation period.

A simple survey on the various campuses would give a sense of how bitter and angry they are, for the disrespectful manner in which they have been treated over the years.

Thank you very much, Your Excellencies.

Yaw Gyampo,

A31, Prabiw

PAV Ansah Street Saltpond

&

Suro Nipa House

Kubease

Larteh-Akuapim

The Juvenile Court ‘C’ in Accra has convicted the final-year student of the Nungua KROMA 2 Junior High School who assaulted a teacher to a fine of GHc1, 800.

The JHS student was found guilty by the court for assaulting the teacher who punished him for failure to do his homework on February 22 this year.

The juvenile offender though denied conspiring with 15 other men to assault the teacher, he was found guilty after trial.

The court said he will serve a jail term of three months if he defaults in the payment of the fine.

The prosecution had told the Court that the accused (name withheld) refused to do his homework and after he was punished, he dashed home to call 15 other young men who allegedly stormed the school in a Sprinter bus and attacked the teacher, inflicting wounds on his face.

The teacher, Moses Onyameasem, was rescued by his colleagues and rushed to the LEKMA Hospital, Accra, where he was treated and discharged.

After the attack, the mother of the pupil was also alleged to have gone to the school and verbally assaulted the teacher, prosecution said, adding that the development led to the closure of the School.

On Monday, February 22, at about 1215 hours, the teacher, accompanied by Roger Asempa, the Head Teacher, went to the Police Station to report the assault.

The teacher reported that earlier at about 1200 hours, a student in his class and 15 other young men from the Nungua town came to the School in a bus to physically assault him.

The prosecution said a medical form was issued to the complainant to seek medical attention, whilst a joint stakeholder meeting was held over the incident

Yaw Buaben Asamoa

THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) has tasked its rank and file to remain calm and respect President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s nominees for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

The much-expected list, according to officials, would be made public anytime soon.

The Director of Communications of the NPP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, addressing a presser today urged the party members to accept the fact that, not every person will have his or her preferred candidate nominated, but asked members to welcome the president’s decision.

“We urge everybody to be calm and to act in ways that promote good relations at a working level to give the nominees the best possible opportunity to work in the interest of the grassroots of the nation,” he stated.

The selection process, according to the NPP’s communications director, reflects the President’s vision for our local governance system and country at large.

“Now that the selection process is over, we urge all former contestants and stakeholders to adopt the nominees as their own, encourage smooth confirmation processes, and support approved MMDCEs to deliver the best to their areas. Once the list is published, competition in any form, ought to end,” he said.

The Party also advised the nominees to, as much as possible, be open and provide space for all shades of opinion in their work.

On the party’s ongoing registration of its members, Yaw Buaben Asamoah expressed concerns about how some officers are preventing some members from registering, thinking that, the register will be used for internal elections.

He explained, “Party Officer Election registers shall be compiled differently and will be done later per guidelines to be issued… So, we are assuring all our polling station executives to open- up, work hard and try and capture as many persons who are likely to vote NPP as possible. The names should also go into the books that have been provided. Names in any other book not provided by the Party for this exercise will not be valid or properly captured.”

Mr. Yaw Buaben Asamoa also called on the party’s polling station executives to plan a schedule that makes them available to support this process.

“I repeat that the names being generated are only for planning purposes. They are not for internal elections,” he concluded

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) John Boadu says John Mahama continues to display gross incompetence in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with his comments even in opposition.

He said Mr Mahama’s latest admission that elections must be won at polling stations is a display of ignorance.

According to John Boadu, this should have been known by NDC’s 2020 Presidential Candidate, who has been an Assembly member, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Minister, Vice President and President before.

The comments of NPP’s scribe in an interview on UTV on Friday, September 17 comes in the wake of the former president’s charge to members of his party to be extra vigilant in the 2024 elections.

He insisted that the 2020 elections taught the NDC a lot of lessons including making sure that the outcome is not taken to the Supreme Court to determine.

To that end, he will even be a Polling Agent during the elections if need be.

“Let’s ensure the figures from the various polling stations are a true reflection of the results that will be declared,” Mr Mahama said on the second leg of his nationwide Thank You tour.

“I have decided to be a polling agent in future elections.”

But John Boadu believes Mr Ma

The Western Regional Police Command says it has begun search for a missing 9-month pregnant woman, Josephine Panyin Mensah, who is yet to return home after leaving home on the dawn of Thursday, September 16, for a dawn walk in Takoradi.

The Public Relations Officer for the Police Command, ASP Olivia Adiku said the husband of the 28-year-old woman, Paul Simone, reported to the police that his wife left the house around 5am for a routine walk but had not returned home since then.

The police said the complainant said his mother-in-law received a phone call from an unknown person who demanded a ransom.

“The police have commenced investigations. We have spoken with the husband and gone on the route the wife took. We are trying to get the telcos to give us the location, and they want us to bring a court order, so we are working to get a court order. We are appealing to the public to assist us with any information on the matter,” ASP Olivia Adiku said.

Meanwhile, the brother-in-law of the missing pregnant woman, Emmanuel Ackon says they are working with the police to get her back and has appealed to the public to help them with any information relevant to find her.

“We are appealing to the public to help us. She is fair coloured, and not too tall. She is 9 months pregnant, and a seamstress at the market circle… The people that allegedly kidnapped her called her mother around 1pm to tell her that she is with them, so they were asking for a ransom. Since then, we’ve not heard from them again,” he stated.

Photos of the woman have been in circulation on social media with an appeal to the public to help find her.

• Ghana has played a center role since the September 5 coup in Guinea

• This is by virtue of president Akufo-Addo being current ECOWAS chairperson

• Ghana has so far hosted two extraordinary ECOWAS summits on Guinea

Ghana has been a permanent figure in the ongoing political crisis in Guinea since the September 5 overthrow and dissolution of the government of detained Guinean president Alpha Conde.

Ghana’s role has largely been due to the fact that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is Chairman of the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Over the past two weeks, Ghana has hosted two extraordinary summits of ECOWAS Heads of State over the crisis and our Foreign Minister has led a delegation to Conakry.

September 16 extraordinary ECOWAS summit

President Akufo-Addo hosted about a dozen colleague Heads of State and Government in Accra for talks on the crisis in Guinea and also Mali – the latter has experienced two coups in under a year.

The talks condemned the coup that overthrew Alpha Conde, called for his release and demanded that the military junta led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, undertakes a six-month transition to civilian rule.

More instructive, ECOWAS announced sanctions on the military junta – the measure the bloc said will cover travel and financial assets of specific military officers.

September 10 – Ayorkor Botwey leads delegation to Conakry

“We have met with him, he looks very well,” Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey told reporters in Conakry after meeting with Conde and coup leader Mamady Doumbouya.null

“Nothing has been discussed yet. What we were asked to do was to come and engage, which we have. After which we will go back and report to the heads of state,” she added.

Conde was last seen in the company of soldiers who arrested him and took him to an undisclosed location. ECOWAS leaders after a virtual on September 8 dispatched three Foreign Ministers to Conakry to engage with all stakeholders.

The three included Ayorkor Botchwey as leader of the delegation of Foreign Minister, Alpha Barry of Burkina Faso and Prof Robert Dussey of Togo as well as ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, was also part of the delegation.

Deposed Guinean President Alpha Conde is well: ECOWAS envoys pic.twitter.com/ZzhUqGmp8I— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) September 11, 2021

September 8 Extraordinary Virtual Summit

The extraordinary virtual summit was called by Akufo-Addo three days after the coup took place. It started with a condemnation of the coup and the decision to send the three-member delegation to meet with the ousted president and the military junta.null

But more importantly, it was after this summit that Guinea was officially suspended from the bloc. The African Union followed suit the following day with a similar measure.

September 5 – Akufo-Addo reacts ‘strongly to coup

Barely hours after it emerged that the military had dissolved the government and taken over the reins, president Akufo-Addo issued a statement as follows:

“ECOWAS notes with great concern the recent political developments which have occurred in Conakry, capital of the Republic of Guinea. ECOWAS condemns unreservedly the attempted coup of Sunday, September 5, 2021.

“ECOWAS demands respect for the physical safety of the President of the Republic, Professor Alpha Condé, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons. ECOWAS also demands a return to constitutional order on pain of sanctions.

“ECOWAS reaffirms its objection to any unconstitutional political change. We ask the Guinean defense and security forces to remain in a constitutional posture, and express our solidarity with the Guinean people and their Government.”

Done in Accra, Sunday, September 5, 2021

H.E.M. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

President of the Republic of Ghana and

Current Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

• Kennedy Agyapong has lamented how social media is negatively impacting society

• He has vowed to sue activist Kevin Taylor for defamation in the United States

• Taylor has publicly accused him of complicity in two high profile murders

Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has lamented the negative impact of social media by way of destroying the fabric of society and the country at large.

Agyapong, who is currently in the United States has reiterated that he will use the courts to fight people who feel that they can use social media to malign and cast him in a bad light to members of the public.

In an interview available to GhanaWeb, Agyapong admitted that democracy and freedom of expression made it increasingly difficult to expressly clamp down on social media use.

“Here (in the United States), people are using social media to make money. In Ghana, they are using social media to destroy the fabric of society and even the country. That is the problem.null

“Unfortunately, you don’t even know who is putting the information out there to prevent him and of course in the name of democracy, you cannot suppress freedoms so it becomes a challenge and I know it is a challenge that we have to address.”

He continued: “You know there are certain people that have come out openly, like Kevin Taylor and I am going to take him on. When you set examples like that, then it may serve as a deterrent to some of them.

“Because with the guy called Boadu, Kwaku Skit when I said I am going to sue, now he has backtracked saying he didn’t say that but he was quoting somebody. This is the way we need to go to stop some of the misinformation being put out there…,” he added.

In a recent interview with a US-based blogger, Agyapong said he was pursuing Taylor – a vocal social media activist who uses Facebook to make heated political broadcasts – to prove in court that he (Agyapong) was connected to two high-profile murders.

“I am taking him to the court because I want him to come and prove with evidence where he saw me killing the persons he claims I’ve killed.

“He is bragging about writing to the Congressman and has also written to the Worchester Mayor that I killed Armed Suale and J.B Danquah. The guy should come and prove, it is simple,” he said in an interview on an online-based television station.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to travel to Guinea “as soon as possible” to personally convey the decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the interim leader.

Guinea, together with Mali, has been under the bloc’s sanctions as a result of military takeover.

In Mali, the National Committee for the Salvation of the People led by Col Malick Diaw and Gen Sadio Camara on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 seized power by forcing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign.

Mr Keïta had won a second term in elections in 2018 but there had been anger over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections, prompting several large protests in the country.

An interim president, Bah Ndaw, and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane, were put in charge awaiting the transition to constitutional rule but were also ousted by a second coup on Tuesday, May 25 led by Colonel Assimi Goïta. He declared himself interim president two days later.

The country was sanctioned by Ecowas and are scheduled to hold elections in February next year to return to constitutional rule.

In Guinea, President Alpha Conde’s government was overthrown on Sunday, September 5 by members of the Special Forces of Guinea, led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who has now formed the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD).

But an emergency summit of Ecowas’ highest organ in Accra on Thursday, September 16 imposed sanctions on junta members in both Guinea and Mali.

They as well as their family members have been banned from travelling and their financial assets have been frozen. This has been communicated to international bodies like AU, UN, EU and other bilateral bodies.

A decision was taken for the Chair of the Authority to personally travel to Conakry to convey the messages to the military leaders.

“[The heads of state] also, of course, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ firm commitment to work and help Guinea in this process of restoring the constitutional order.

“They insisted also on the close support of traditional partner the United Nations, the African Union, European Union and also other bilateral countries and they also decided that there will be a visit by the Chair of the Authority to the Republic of Guinea as soon as possible to convey those messages regarding the decision of the Summit personally.”

Ace Ghana actor, Kofi Laing, popularly known as Kohwe, has died.

His daughter, Comfort Laing, who confirmed the news to ghanaweekend.com, said her father passed away at his residence in Accra on the evening of Thursday, September 16, 2021.

Kohwe is believed to be around age 75.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that he had suffered a stroke and was undergoing treatment at a health facility.

Two years ago, Kohwe spoke about his financial challenges; after which a former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, and a group called Cape Coast Oguaa, and other people, donated monies and items to him.

Kohwe is known for his sterling roles in the Akan Drama series and the popular ‘District Colonial Court.’

West African leaders have unanimously taken a decision to have authorities in Guinea organise elections within six months in order to return the country to constitutional rule.

At an Extraordinary Summit held in Accra on Thursday, September 16 under the chairmanship of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also imposed sanctions on individual members of the military junta that ousted President Alpha Conde’s government on Sunday, September 5.

The junta by members of the Special Forces of Guinea led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power and detained President Conde.

Addressing journalists in Accra after the emergency summit, President of the ECOWAS Commission Jean-Claude Brou said the bloc is committed to support Guinea return to civilian rule.

Earlier, at the start of the Summit, President Akufo-Addo charged members of the Authority to take informed decisions on matters to do with stability within the sub-region.

“We are required to take informed decisions on these matters that would have long-term consequences to the stability and the defence of democratic values of our region.

“I count on you, Your Excellencies, to help proffer durable solutions to the crisis.

“I am confident that as in the past, we will rise to the occasion,” he reiterated at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, where the Summit was held

As of the end of July 2021, the total number of mobile phone voice subscriptions was 44,834,661, the latest figures from the National Communication Authority (NCA) has said.

This represents a percentage increase of 6.67% from the June 2021 figure of 42,030,426.

The total penetration rate for the month under review was 142.98%.

MTN’s mobile voice subscriptions for the period was 23,527,225 representing a percentage increase of 0.10% from June 2021’s figure of 23,504,397.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=2366005940&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1631824627&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fbusiness%2FMobile-phone-voice-subscriptions-hit-44-8m-27177&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1631824626430&bpp=5&bdt=6536&idt=931&shv=r20210914&mjsv=m202109150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=505988299115&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=338579871.1631824627&ga_sid=1631824627&ga_hid=323948524&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=1165&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44747620%2C44751036%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=640710975307828&pem=733&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C577%2C1116&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1024&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=m3YF8eA7M1&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=950

MTN’s market share for the month under review was 56.68%.

Vodafone’s mobile voice subscriptions increased from 9,412,253 as of the end of June 2021 to 9,608,090 as of the end of July 2021.

This represents a percentage increase of 2.08%.

Vodafone’s market share for July 2021 was 23.15%.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=520316108&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1631824627&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fbusiness%2FMobile-phone-voice-subscriptions-hit-44-8m-27177&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1631824626435&bpp=5&bdt=6542&idt=959&shv=r20210914&mjsv=m202109150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=505988299115&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=338579871.1631824627&ga_sid=1631824627&ga_hid=323948524&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=1809&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44747620%2C44751036%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=640710975307828&pem=733&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C577%2C1116&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1024&bc=31&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=RHsSDKYR7T&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=981

AirtelTigo’s mobile voice subscriptions decreased from 7,984,134 as of the end of June 2021 to 7,537,514 as of the end of July 2021, indicating a percentage decrease of 5.59%.

Their market share for the month under review was 18.16% as compared to 19.14% in June 2021.

Mobile voice subscriptions of Glo increased from 814,475 as of the end of June 2021 to 836,198 at the end of July 2021.

With a percentage increase of 2.67%, their total market share for the month under review was 2.01%.

Fixed Telephony

There are three operators providing fixed line services in Ghana – Vodafone, AirtelTigo and MTN.

As of the end of July 2021, the total subscriptions for the fixed operators stood at 316,028, an increase of 861 subscriptions from the previous month’s subscription of 315,167.

Vodafoneendedthemonthwith308,466subscriptions;AirtelTigo recorded atotalsubscriptionof3,431withMTNrecording4,131subscriptions

Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah – Western Regional Minister

The Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) has denied ever directing all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to contribute some amount of money to support the final funeral rites of the late father of the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.

A letter purported to have been issued by the WRCC and signed by its Coordinating Director, Mr Frederick Agyemang which is circulating on social media is asserting that all the 14 MMDAs in the region have been directed to contribute various sums of monies to support the final funeral rites of the father of the regional Minister.

The letter which was copied to all the assemblies indicates that the decision for the assemblies to support the funeral was taken at a meeting by the dean of MMDCEs and MMDCDs in the region.

According to the letter, a total amount of GH¢49, 000 is suppose to be paid by the assemblies to support the interment of the late Nana Boanyina Adusei Mensah II.

“Following a decision with the dean of MMDCEs and MMDCEs it has been decided that your MMDA is to contribute the following amount towards the final funeral rites of the late father of the regional minister”, the letter said.

The letter directed the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, the Prestea Huni Valley, the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assemblies the Ellembelle District Assembly and the Effia Kwesiminstim Municipal Assembly to pay an amount of GH¢5,000 each.

For Ahanta West, Wassa Amenfi East and Jomoro, the are to pay GH¢3,500 each.

It also asked the Wassa East District, Shama, Wassa Amenfi Central, Nzema East and Mpohor Districts to contribute GHc2,000 each.

It instructed the assemblies to pay the monies to the regional accountant by close of work on Monday, September 20, 2021.

However, a statement issued by the WRCC and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Charles Cobbinah called on all to disregard the purported letter since it did not have the seal of the WRCC.

“Please disregard the letter and consider it as not true”.

“The Regional Minister has not instructed any MMDCE to make any payment in support of his father’s funeral or any other funeral”, the WRCC PRO indicated

• Former President, John Dramani Mahama, during his Bono Regional tour said election 2024 will be a do or die affair

• Many people have tongue-lashed him for making this statement

• But the NDC appears unperturbed as its general secretary has reaffirmed those words in a radio interview in Kumasi

General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has noted that his party has taken a cue from the previous elections and will employ new tactics to win election 2024.

He reiterated the 2020 NDC flagbearer’s statement that election 2024 will be a do or die affair at the polling station.

In a radio interview in Kumasi as part of John Dramani Mahama‘s ‘Thank you’ tour, Asiedu Nketia said, “We have learnt our lessons from the previous elections. We have new tactics to use in the 2024 election. That is why we said the elections would be a ‘do and die’ affair at the polling station.”null

According to a Daily Graphic report, Asiedu Nketia said the NDC would ensure that the right things are done at both the polling and collation centres for a free and fair election.

National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, also urged NDC faithful to be ready to battle the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the next general elections.

He further appreciated the efforts of NDC members and serial callers in election 2020 but asked them to work harder in 2024.

Ofosu Ampofo said, “We are here to thank all our party executive members from the constituency to the branch level, including all the serial callers who worked hard to garner the votes attained in 2020.”

“We did not lose in the elections because our parliamentary seats shot up from 106 to 130; we were expecting about 140 seats but we will ensure we work hard to wrest power come 2024,” he added

.Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President Akufo-Addo who doubles as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has called on his colleague Heads of State to contribute their best during deliberations to ensure that they deal decisively with the political situation in Guinea.

President Akufo-Addo in his opening statement as chairperson of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) at the opening ceremony of the extraordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and government, today the 16th of September 2021 said is confident that the leaders will rise to the occasion as they have done in the past.

“We are required to take informed decisions on these matters that would have long term consequences to the stability and the defence of democratic values of our region. I count on you your Excellencies to help proffer durable solutions to the crisis. I am confident that as in the past, we will rise to the occasion” ECOWAS Chair, President Akufo-Addo said.

Participation & Agenda

Overall, eight (8) Presidents, one (1) Vice President and three (3) Foreign Ministers, bring the total to twelve (12) Heads of State and governments are attending the ECOWAS extraordinary summit.

As part of the agenda for the meeting, ECOWAS heads of State and government will receive and give consideration to the Report of the High-Level Mission to Republic of Guinea which was led by the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional and Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

They will also be presented with an update on the transition in the Republic of Mali by the ECONAS Mediator on Mali, H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Heads of State would then deliberation on the reports and issue a final communique

High-Level Mission

The High-level four-member mission appointed by ECOWAS Heads of State to assess the political situation in the republic of Guinea included Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

It comprised, Jean Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alpha Barry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Burkinabè Abroad and Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad

Oheneba Nkrabea, one of the Rasta students has currently been enrolled at Ghana International School(GIS) in Accra.

Kasapa News sources say the parents of the Rasta student moved their ward to the prestigious international school after they learned of the Attorney General’s decision to appeal against the High Court’s ruling that went in their favour earlier this year.

The news about Oheneba’s move has been kept under wraps as the legal challenge to overturn a high court ruling travels its full throttle.

Ghana International School (GIS) is one of Ghana’s leading international schools providing world-class holistic education to children between the ages of 3 years and 18 years.

AG piling up pressure, emotional stress on Rasta Kids

Meanwhile, the Lawyer for Rastafarian student, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, Ras Wayoe Ghanamannti, has described as unfortunate the Attorney General’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling in the Rasta kids case.

Speaking on GHOne TV Tuesday, the lead Counsel argued that the flagrant disrespect of the interest of these kids which is paramount per the principles of the law is problematic.

He fears the children would be affected psychologically as the case has been advanced further at the Appeals court.

“The psychological trauma, the instability, the emotional stress, and those ambits of it is what is worrying us because these are children, these are young guys, and they’ve started going to school so at the end of the day any such decision will traumatize them. And we think that this is what the AG should have considered. Because if you look at our law – the Children’s Act, Section 2, on the very first principle, it’s clear that in everything that we seek to do the interest of the Child is paramount and even court of law and all other agents of security and all other persons would respect that principle that the interest of a child is paramount.

“So we thought that considering this case and their interest in respect of education, the AG would have allowed this to pass and if there is any future advancing of the rules Achimota is using holistically to preserve and protect minority rights like these rights of the Rastas we are talking about it would be looked at but to bring this appeal on and to pile up pressure and emotional stress on the children is unfortunate.”

The Achimota School board and the Attorney-General’s Department have filed an appeal to challenge the Human Rights High Court’s order for the school to admit the two dreadlock-wearing students.

The Achimota School per the appeal said, the court among other things erred by indicating that the rules and regulations of Achimota School with regard to ensuring uniformity in appearance is unlawful and interferes with the manifestation of one’s religious rights.

The school board has therefore filed the appeal to have the entire judgment set aside and the plaintiff ordered to comply with the school’s regulations if he (Tyrone Marhguy) chooses to be a student of the school.

The AG’s office has also filed an appeal on the case, asking the court to uphold Achimota School’s arguments and rule in favor of the school.

The notice of appeal said the judge who adjudicated that matter and gave victory to the two boys failed to get the plaintiffs to provide evidence of their claims.

The AG’s office also said the judge erred in claiming that Achimota School had interfered with the right to the education of the boys.

“The learned Judge erred when she held that the regulation of the 1st Respondent requiring that students keep their hair low amounted to an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to suspend the manifestation of the Applicant’s guaranteed freedom to practice and manifest his religion

Per intelligence picked up by the Ashanti Regional Security Council of an impending disturbances planned by some students on campus, students of KNUST have been asked to vacate campus by midday, September 17.

The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council has directed students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with the exception of foreign students and those granted permission by management, to vacate the school premises by midday on Friday, September 17, 2021.

According to the Security Council, it has picked up intelligence that some groups of unruly students are planning some disturbances on campus on the eve of vacation hence the directive.

A statement signed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah noted security personnel will be visibly stationed on the University Campus to ensure peace and security and prevent any unruly behaviour by any group of students.

It reminded the student body that the declaration of the University Campus as a security zone in November 2018, is still in force, and therefore, it is an offence to embark on a demonstration exercise within the security zone.

The Regional Security Council advised students to concentrate on their studies and complete their programmes without any distractions.

“However, if students decide to misbehave and engage in acts of indiscipline and criminality, they will be handled in accordance with the law. Any student who flouts the law, with offence bordering on criminality, will have criminal investigation opened against him or her and prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

“Acts of indiscipline and vandalism will no longer be tolerated at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,” it warned.

The Regional Minister further urged parents and guardians to caution their wards against getting involved in dastardly acts.

In recent times, there have been several reports of indiscipline amongst students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Major amongst these acts of indiscipline is the existing and unhealthy rivalry between the University Hall and Unity Hall, which lead to acts of vandalism.

One of such is the incident that occurred at the KNUST Great Hall on July 3, 2021.

Source: Citinewsroom

• The Agric Ministry has admitted Ghana faces a possible food shortage

• This comes days after calling former president Mahama a ‘scare-monger’ over similar calls

• Ghana has banned export of food in order to stock national reserves

Deputy Agric Minister, Yaw Frimpong, has admitted that Ghana faces a possible food shortage days after slamming former President John Dramani Mahama as a scaremonger for raising the issue.

According to him, the government has subsequently suspended the export of all locally produced food items to neighbouring countries to afford the National Buffer Stock Company to stock up as much food as possible.

“Food security is national security, because it is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that we have food in the system. The availability of it and then the pricing too should be affordable, that is all what everybody is struggling for.null

“The situation has arisen as a result of several factors and these factors include the global economic situation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which affected even the production of fertilizers and the supply and transportation of these fertilizers.

“And then secondly, the government also because of revenue shortfalls had challenges with payments to fertilizer suppliers and this actually affected agriculture production in the country,” he admitted on the September 14 edition of Joy FM’s News Night programme.

He admitted that the government lowered its guard feeling that we had enough as neighbours kept exporting our products and before we could say jack, Ghana was in a tight situation.

He also attributed low production to the drought of last year before promising that Ghana was not going to lower its guard going forward.

Late last week, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture via a statement dated 10 September 2021, urged Ghanaians to ignore comments by John Dramani Mahama regarding a possible food shortage in the country next year.null

Mahama had specifically stated that the shortage was because the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs Programme (PFJ) has failed.

The PFJ was introduced in 2017 by the Akufo-Addo led administration which is to ensure sufficient food supply in the country.

During his ‘Thank You’ tour in the Bono region, the former president attributed the rising cost of food to the government’s failure to fund the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

He said, “I have a brother who is into farming, and he tells me the government is yet to supply farmers with fertilizer this year, and so he had to buy it himself.

“The cost is very high, which has forced him to reduce the acres he is planting from 300 to 80, and the effects of this are that there could be famine in Ghana next year because the Planting for Food and Jobs has failed.

But in a response, the ministry said, John Dramani Mahama wants to switch from the backlash he is receiving following his ‘do or die’ comment with an attack on the government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

“The former President, in an attempt to shift the public discussion from his rather reckless and infamous ‘do or die’ comment which has attracted public backlash, has decided to attack one of the government’s most successful flagship policies Planting for Food and Jobs.

“In fact, apart from becoming desperately notorious for making reckless comments in recent times, the former president is now also engaging in scare-mongering, thriving on lies and falsehoods just to put fear in Ghanaians,” the statement read in parts

.Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The day is to mark Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.

“The general public is hereby informed that Tuesday, 21st September 2021, which marks Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” a statement from the ministry said.

Right Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante has waded into the #FixTheCountry trend on social media, telling campaigners who take delight to unwarrantedly attack government to fix their attitude.

According to him, Ghanaians should learn to desist from engaging in unnecessary lamentation and learn to change their attitudes to make the environment they find themselves better since government cannot do it alone.
Some Ghanaians have expressed their disappointment in the government and have channeled their anger and frustrations on their social media handles.

While some are demanding better Ghana and developmental projects, others have been making unachievable requests from government, with some subtly calling for change of government.

However, Rt. Rev. Mante who appears to have observed the trend is advising the social media commentators to learn to fix their mouth and get job doing to change Ghana.

According to him, it is easy for people to sit on social media and make unnecessary lamentation when they have no idea how things work.

“Martin Luther King Junior once said anyone who is not committed to something is not fit to live. It is always easier to sit on the fence and talk and criticise. These days there is social media and people will just turn to social media. They are just sitting there, they won’t work saying fix the country, fix the church, fix the family but the only thing they will not fix is their mouth,” Rt. Rev. Mante said when speaking at the 38th Annual Delegates Conference of the Presbyterian Church.

The Presbyterian Moderator called for what he term as ‘hybrid system’ of governance which is fusing both capitalism and socialism in order to bring the citizens onboard in governing the country.
“I will tell you something. Seriously I will tell you this. There are different ways of organsing a country. One is the socialist system and the other is the capitalist system. In the socialist system, they give all the authority to government and government alone must fix it. In the capitalist system, every individual have their own authority to do their thing. In a third world like Africa, the best system for us is to have the hybrid, a bit of this and a bit of that. So no government can fix the country alone, it will not happen, people must get up and work and stop being lazy and work.”

Whilst taking on the youth on their attitude, Rev. Mante did not mince words in telling government to invest the taxes of citizens in developing the nation.

He advised Ghanaians to take their destiny into their hands and desist from thinking that there is a political party which can help make the country better.

“On the other hand, government cannot sit there and take our taxes and chop the money, they must use the money to fix the country better. We need the hybrid, we need both but one thing I don’t want it to happen is for young men and women in this country to sit and think that there is a government somewhere, there is a party somewhere they can come and fix everything, it is not true. It is a lie.

“We must fix wherever we are, we must fix our environment and get job doing and yet having said that in the other hand, if you are taking purse of the whole country like you are taking our income tax. Use it to make the country better. We need both.

We need people who will fix their mind and the heart, people who will fix their attitude, we need government too that will help fix the country and when the two come together Ghana will become a better place and I pray that it shall be so,” he explained.

He was of the view that Ghanaians will continue to suffer when all they do is to sit on social media and lament over everything without getting involve in the development of the country, saying “And somebody must blow the whistle that we need to change stop lamenting. We will continue to suffer if we don’t stop unnecessary lamentation. Too many complain will make you sick

The suspects

The Police in the Volta Region have arrested three persons defrauding the unsuspecting public with the recent Police recruitment drive.

The three, Amenyah Bernard, 18 years old, Adzikah Godsway 23 years old and Wemegah Godson 21 years old were arrested at Akatsi in the Volta Region last Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

A news release from the Public Affairs Unit of the Volta Regional Police Command explained that they were arrested following a fraudulent Facebook publication seeking to assist potential applicants to get enlisted in the Ghana Police Service.

The suspcts are alleged to have used the name of the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Edward Oduro Kwarteng to create the fake page.

The release which was signed by the Public Affairs Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Effia Tenge said preliminary investigations point to the fact that “many victims have paid various sums of money to the fraudsters with the hope of being favoured in the ongoing recruitment process.”

DSP Tenge stressed that the Police Command is not in anyway responsible for recruiting persons into the service, as such applicants should be wary of supposed ‘protocol’ allocations being offered all over the place.

She assured that the Police Command is resolute in pursuing recruitment challantants defrauding the unsuspecting public.

She therefore advised the public to be alert and promptly report any kind of scam in the region for swift action.

This latest arrest brings the total number of persons arrested in relation with recruitment fraud in the region to eight

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has followed the path of Vice President Dr Bawumia to come to the aid of Psalm Adjeteyfio.

A few days ago, a video of the legendary actor begging for GH3000 to pay for his rent went viral. The plight of the actor known for his role as TT in the popular ‘Taxi Driver’ series, reached Dr Bawumia who paid GH50,000 for his rent with 20,000 pocket money.

Hon Henry Quartey in similar has also pledged to give a monthly stipend of GH¢1,500 to the ace Ghanaian actor, starting this month, September till 2024 when the eighth parliament expires. Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey

According to the Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, he is inspired by TT’s positive impact in the film and entertainment industry, therefore, he is committing to the monthly deduction of GH¢1,500 from his parliamentary salary to be paid to TT.

An official statement from the Minister reads “inspired by the positive impact in the film and entertainment industry where you distinguished yourself, I have equally decided to support you with a monthly stipend of GHS 1,500.00 from my Parliamentary salary”.

“I have therefore placed a standing order for the monthly transfers to your account effective September 2021 till the end of my tenure in the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic on 7th January 2025,” excerpts of his letter indicated.

This comes to add to the help TT has been receiving after the viral video. Businessman, Daniel McKorley, has also donated GH¢5,000 to support the actor with Aisha Modi also promising that Rev Obofour and a friend will build a house for him.

“Good news, Good news, Good news. The great king has done it again and this is a big surprise

“My father Nii Adotey Gyata the 1st and my very own brother @wanaafriq promise to build a house for Psalm Adjeteyfio, also known as T.T, a veteran Ghanaian actor. God protect and guide this kind souls, whatever they spend on this project turn thousands of blessings back to them and their generation,” Aisha Modi wrote on Instagram”.

Leaders from about 13 West African countries have started arriving in Ghana ahead of an ECOWAS extraordinary session scheduled to take place on Thursday, 16 September 2021.

The meeting is to discuss the military takeover in Guinea led by Colonel Mamadou Dambouya.

ECOWAS in an earlier meeting has suspended Guinea from its regional activities.

The upcoming meeting is to allow the authority of heads of states and Government under the Chairmanship of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana to explore ways of de-escalating the growing tension in the sub-region.

Already a special ECOWAS delegation led by Ghana’s foreign minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has returned from Guinea with a report which will be tabled for consideration at the extraordinary summit.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway speaking to the press on Wednesday, 15 September 2021 said Guinea and Mali would not be attending the Summit since the deliberation ia about the unrest in both countries.

Meanwhile, the Police has announced that parts of the Liberation and Independence roads in Accra will experience a temporary disruption of traffic flow on Thursday due to the summit.

The roadblock is to facilitate the transportation of Heads of States and Governments of who will participate in the extraordinary session.

Areas to be affected include; the Kotoka International Airport, Opebia, Akuafo Roundabout, Afrikiko, Ako-Adjei interchange, National Theatre, Ridge Roundabout, and finally Kempinski Hotel

Godfred Yeboah Dame

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has taken a swipe at lawyers engaged in what he called the “vicious and misguided” practices of denigrating the judiciary and undermining public confidence in the sound administration of justice.

According to him, there appear to be deliberate misrepresentation of the effect of court rulings as well as false and vitriolic commentary in the media and they are “purely inspired by a vile motive to run down the judiciary.”

Addressing the 2021 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on Monday, the Attorney General said the arena for a lawyer to test the strength of his/her reasoning or the validity of his/her argument is in the courtroom, and “not on the airwaves or modern day social media.”

“Even when applications duly filed in accordance with law and procedure are pending before the highest court of the land, some legal practitioners do not spare an effort to prejudice the minds of the public with mischievous analysis on public radio, television and social media, all calculated to force the hands of the judge(s) to deliver the verdict in a particular manner (sic),” he stated.

Deliberate Acts

Mr. Dame noted that such lawyers also do that deliberately to whip up sentiments of the public against the particular court hearing the matter in the event of an outcome not favourable to them.

“These practices are vicious and misguided to say the least,” he stressed and continued that he needed not to remind members of the GBA at the gathering that the responsibility for a fair and effective administration of the laws of the Republic of Ghana is a product of the collective efforts of all.”

“The nature of our laws enacted by Parliament, the procedure and judgment of our courts, the work of law enforcement officials, the wisdom, skill and zeal of the Bar are all crucial,” he indicated.

For the AG, throughout the history of Ghana, the judiciary has served the country well in its capacity to develop fundamental principles and give life to the aspirations of the citizen, and said “it is no time to destroy the same beyond redemption, or to, may I borrow the words of Lord Toulson at this stage, ‘to give it a funeral oration’.”

Judgment Debt

He recalled that the state was recently castigated widely for incurring a judgment debt in excess of $15 million as a result of the activities of the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining about two years ago.

“In July this year, I successfully led the prosecution of an application to set aside the said judgment. Some lawyers who are active players on the social media, perhaps feeling disappointed that a weapon deployed by them in their attack on the State’s measures to resuscitate the war against illegal mining – ‘galamsey’ had been destroyed, mounted unwarranted attacks on me and the judge who delivered the ruling, with some suggesting rather preposterously and absurdly, that the Judge in question should be removed from office.”

“How ridiculous! It is as if they revel in judgments or rulings against the State, and when the same are successfully challenged, it is disappointment galore for them,” he said.

He assured the Bar that so far as he is the Attorney-General of Ghana the State would “zealously protect its interest in litigation, just as private legal practitioners will protect the interests of their clients.”

“A victory for the State, to the chagrin of a private person, is no justification for unwarranted attacks on public officers responsible for the State’s victory,” Mr. Dame posited.

Necessary Effort

He stated further that the necessary “efforts are being made to ensure that the industry of state attorneys is properly complemented with a supply of resources required to assist them in the discharge of their constitutional functions.”

“I must report that in response to a special appeal I made to Cabinet in June, this year, the Minister for Finance has released the entire sum stated as required for a satisfaction of the needs, and out of this, 89 vehicles as well as office equipment necessary for our work will be procured for the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice,” he revealed.

He added that he was happy to say that per the timelines for the procurement activity, the entire 89 vehicles will be delivered within 10 – 12 weeks, and that all regional offices and relevant agencies under the Ministry would have their fair share of the supply.

“Work on a 12 storey building to accommodate the Office is also steadily progressing and is on course to be completed within about 18 months. We are grateful to you, Mr. President.  A well-oiled Attorney General’s Department is the biggest signpost for improved conditions in the practice of law

The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has hit hard at the General Secretary of the ruling party John Boadu describing him as a failure.

According to him, Mr Boadu has no right criticise former President John Mahama because he failed to protect his party’s seat in Parliament during the 2020 electioneering.

“What I want to tell the NPP General Secretary John Boadu who’s suddenly had a penchant for wearing suits and addressing press conferences and insulting ex-President Mahama is that he was elected General Secretary when the NPP had 169 seats in Parliament. He has failed woefully to protect the 169 seats and it has today dropped to 137 seats. If we are talking about competency and who is able to manage, John Boadu should not come and compare himself to Mr Mahama,” he told a gathering in Kumasi during Mr Mahama’s Thank You tour of the region

He stressed: “We went to the polls together and we are all witnesses to the logistics that the NPP deployed. We know the huge sums of monies the NPP spent during the elections and we also know all the things they shared to win votes. If you are a General Secretary and you are given all these things and you lose most of the seats you had and the NPP is using force to declare themselves the Majority in Parliament. How dare John Boadu to insult Mahama. I think that he has performed so abysmally that if it were to be the NDC, he would not have been given the chance or platform to be addressing press conference in the name of the party.”

The NPP General Secretary has in recent times held series of press conferences attacking Mr Mahama and his utterances on the economy.

“Former President Mahama and Seth Terkper are on public record as being the worse duo to have ever been in charge of the Ghanaian economy at the same time.

“This pair is a dangerous pair, yet in their public forum on 6th September 2021, this pair sought to create the impression that they had the best of times running this Ghanaian economy,”

“Unfortunately for them the facts shows otherwise. Much as John Mahama seek his re-election on a campaign platform of going back to the IMF, he attempts to confuse history by painting a rosy picture. He said he is somebody who loves history but he confuses history by attempting to paint a rosy picture of his disastrous management of the Ghanaian economy between 2012 and 2016,” Mr Boadu said at a press briefing last week

Government has approved the selection of Rocksure International as a strategic partner for the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC).

This is to enable the development of the $6billion Nyinahin-Mpasaaso mine which constitutes project two of the four phase Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in Ghana.

Announcing the decision during the launch of the Integrated Aluminium Industry projects and signing ceremony of project two (2) Tuesday evening, President Akufo-Addo said the choice of a wholly owned Ghanaian company was indeed a major step  towards building capacity in Ghana for the bauxite industry through a partnership that will ensure that the country develops a Ghanaian solution that will propel her rapid growth.

“I am happy to announce that GIADEC has completed the selection of a strategic partner for project 2 which is the development of the mine at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso with a refinery. This is a significant development and one that brings us closer to realising our plan. Rocksure International, a wholly owned Ghanaian company is that strategic partner” was how he put it.

He has since congratulated Rocksure international on their selection after due process, saying “the choice of a Ghanaian company in a highly competitive process is very pleasing in a time when we are looking for home grown companies that can compete with the best across the world.”

Commitment
President Akufo-Addo indicated that his administration through the country’s regulatory bodies will ensure that bauxite mining to be carried out by the GIADEC – Rocksure International partnership, is done in a manner that will preserve the nation’s forest reserves and water bodies.

“A key area of attention in the development of this entire plan has been the focus on environmental issues with respect to the exploitation of our significant mining deposits. We believe that mining can and must be done in a responsible manner” the President said.

Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Michael Ansah anticipated that mining operations, after preliminary works and studies, will commence within 24 months.

“Development of a refinery solution will commence in tandem, with construction timeline estimated at 4 years. Global trends indicate a growing demand for aluminium and related products. Our mission, is timely! And Our vision, ‘to be the leading integrated Aluminium Company in Africa’ defines our intent and our bold aspirations” he said.

He however indicated their preparedness to confront the issues of environmental concerns, transportation bottlenecks, the high energy intensive process of aluminium production, and the need to develop clean energy solutions with a sense of urgency.

That, he said was because “GIADEC has come a long way in establishing our foundations for growth. What remains is for us to build on these foundations. This is a national agenda, an investment in our collective future, that requires collaboration from all. Together we can, and shall make history.”

Rocksure International

Rocksure International Limited has over the years developed a considerable capacity and flexibility for implementing measures to meet the challenges of planning, equipping and staffing various mining sites.

This is the case particularly in Ghana, the Company’s home country where local content has been identified as a key component in the redefinition of mining as an important platform in its Economic Development.

In this connection, Rocksure’s local and sub-regional knowledge, expertise and experience have particularly empowered them to link up with all key stakeholders to deliver the basis for the emerging developmental partnerships.

Rocksure International operates as a one-stop-shop for all the mining needs of companies based in the West African sub-region.

In particular, the Company undertakes modularized jobs such as Drilling, Blasting, Load and Haul etc. their proven activities to date have been; Grade control (RC) drilling, BlastHole Drilling and blasting, Mine construction activities such as Haul Road, Public Roads, Tailings dams, ROM PAD construction and other earthworks and recently Crushed Ore Stockpile management.

Elsewhere within the sub-region, the company has successfully undertaken such related contract projects in Mauritania and Mali.

GIADEC

Ghana lntegrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) was established through an Act of Parliament in August 2018 to develop and promote a globally competitive Integrated Aluminium Industry (1AI) in Ghana.

The mandate of GIADEC fits within Government of Ghana’s (GoG) Ghana Beyond AID Agenda of reviving the manufacturing industry and adding value to our minerals, oil and gas. This agenda will be driven by an Integrated Aluminium Industry that will utilize and run on the back of our bauxite deposits and a petro- chemical industry. (Ghana Beyond AID Charter, 2019).

GIADEC seeks to leverage on Ghana’s existing bauxite reserves and allied aluminium assets, including its interest in Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) and Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), to drive the full commercial exploitation of the country’s bauxite reserves, and add value through refining bauxite into Alumina, and smelting Alumina to produce Aluminium, whilst encouraging the development of downstream industries.

Integral to this is attracting strategic investment and local participation across the value chain. GIADEC is required to hold a minimum equity of 30% in any joint venture in the integrated industry.

Whiles delivering on this mandate, GIADEC also seeks to ensure that the environment as well as the interest of all stakeholders, in particular those of the mining communities that will be impacted by mining and associated activities, are protected

Roland Affail Monney

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) says although it has accepted an apology by the Police following the assault of some journalists at the Accra High Court on Monday but wants swift justice against the perpetrators.

The Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, was arrested and remanded into Police custody by an Accra High Court after he stormed the residence of Agradaa, in real life, Patricia Oduro Koranteng.

Rev Owusu-Bempah and four others, Mensah Ofori, Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene and Nathaniel Agyekum were together charged with six counts.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against them for threatening to attack Nana Agradaa, a self-styled fetish priestess who claimed to have repented and accepted the Christian faith.

It was reported that some journalists were prevented from entering the courtroom during the arraignment of Owusu Bempah and the other suspects.

It was also reported that some journalists were attacked and prevented from working at the court premises by some persons believed to be church members and supporters of the above-accused persons.

However, the Ghana Police Service has apologised to the media over the assault of the journalists at the Accra High Court.

“We apologise unreservedly for this inconvenience and wish to give the assurance that journalists will be fully protected and allowed to do their work at all times including the subsequent coverage of this case,” the Police stated in a statement issued September 14, 2021.

It continued that, “We will continue to do everything possible to deepen the cordial Police-Media relationship.”

But responding to this, the GJA stated that, “While we welcome the apology of the Police Administration and assurance of future protection for journalists, the GJA principally holds the view that the timely gesture of the rebranded Ghana Police does not and should not absolve the offenders from tasting the biting edge of the law as articulated by Article 17(1) of the Constitution which simply says no one is above the law.”

It continued that, ”With all the vehemence it can muster, the GJA condemns the latest desecration of the rights of journalists and affront of press freedom and demands swift justice against the uncouth men of Owusu Bempah.”

Meanwhile, the GJA added that,”While the landmark trial travels its full throttle, we urge the law and order community not to allow the latest attacks against journalists to be overshadowed by the dominant case or swept under the carpet. Justice must manifestly and expeditiously be done the victims to amplify the message that no one is indeed above the law

Former President John Mahama says some Ashanti businessmen have confessed to him that they voted against him in the past despite the growth their businesses experienced under his tenure.

Speaking to some NDC supporters in Kumasi as part of his Thank You tour of the country, Mr Mahama said some business people in the region have had a change of mind after experiencing the governance of the New Patriotic Party under President Akufo-Addo.

“Yesterday, from Ejura we met some businesspeople who disclosed that their businesses were booming during Prof Mills and my era. They told me they voted against me and currently they have a change of mind because their businesses are not yielding well as compared to my tenure.

“They are currently being chased by Internal Revenue and EOCO. They said we will try you this time because we believe the NDC can liberate Ghanaians”.

Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament for Mion Abdul Aziz Mohammed has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to allow Mr Mahama to go unopposed as presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.

According to the former MP, Mr. Mahama who contested the 2020 election on the ticket of the party and lost to president Akufo-Addo is the only one poised to recapture power for the party given his proven record and popularity.

“Left to me as an individual we should go for popular acclamation. Whoever has an ambition to lead the party can do that after president Mahama. We must hold ourselves together and the only way we can hold ourselves together as a party is to allow president Mahama who has proven to be very popular by his legacy to continue to lead our party into the next elections

President Akufo-Addo has assured Private Sector players that the Business Compact which will constitute the outcome of the inaugural Presidential Business Summit (PBS) between government and the private sector, will be fully respected and implemented on the side of his administration.

The PBS is an annual calendar event organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Office of the President and selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Summit aims at providing a platform for structured dialogue between government and the private sector on critical areas of interest to the private sector.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day inaugural Presidential Business Summit at the Kempinski hotel gold coast city under the theme: “Public-Private dialogue on the role of the Private Sector in Ghana’s Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery”, President Akufo-Addo said a strong private sector is the surest way for the Ghanaian economy to fully recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The thematic areas and sectors selected for deliberations during this two-day presidential business summit have been carefully chosen to ensure that the outcome will be an actionable “Business Compact” with clear commitments for both government and the private sector” Akufo-Addo said.

“Government will ensure the fulfillment of its obligations under this Compact and I hope that you, private sector operators will also do the same” the President added.

Trade Minister

Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, in his remarks noted that the outcome of the summit, (Ghana Business Compact), will detail out specific priority areas of government policy interventions in support of private sector development and will feed into government’s Policy Framework for private sector development, including the budget statement and the economic policy for the Year 2022.

Five Thematic Areas

The deliberations in the plenary sessions will focus on five cross-cutting thematic areas: first, will be Fiscal and Non-Fiscal Incentives to Support Production and Private Sector Development;

Secondly, foreign exchange regulation and currency stability. Thirdly, access to finance and cost of capital.

Fourthly, nnergy pricing, availability, access and reliability and lastly, supporting local industries through Government procurement and local content regulation.

Seven Economic Sectors

There will also be breakout sessions for a deep dive into seven economic sectors, namely; Agriculture and Agribusiness; Manufacturing; Construction and Mining; Financial Services; Information and Communication Technology; Tourism and Hospitality; and Transport and Logistics.

Summit Speakers

Speakers at the summit include Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, the Country Director for World Bank Group; Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Senior Presidential Advisor; Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry; and Mr Ken Ofori Atta, Finance Minister.

Other speakers will include Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Energy Minister; Mr Charles Adu-Boahen, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, and Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana

Simon Osei Mensah

THE MUCH-talked about Suame Interchange road project in Kumasi, will be completed before the end of 2024, it has been announced.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, giving the firm assurance, said the government is determined to solve the traffic problem there once and for all.

“The sod-cutting ceremony for the Suame Interchange project will take place either before the end of 2021 or the first quarter of 2022,” he said, adding that “it is a four tier road project like the Pokuase Interchange so it has the potential of easing traffic flow and boosting economic activities.”

Mr. Osei Mensah stated that President Akufo-Addo’s government has good plans for the Ashanti Region.

Aside the Suame Interchange project, he disclosed that four additional new interchange projects earmarked for Kumasi in particular, are pending, saying “the other four interchange projects that are pending, would be constructed at Santase, Ahodwo and Bekwai roundabouts as well as Oforikrom.”

The Ashanti Regional Minister said the Bekwai Roundabout Interchange project “is part of the Sofoline Interchange project, which is currently ongoing.”

He said the contractor in charge of the Sofoline Interchange project, has been told to concentrate on the Tanoso to Abuakwa section before returning to Bekwai Interchange project.

“We are all aware of the perennial vehicular traffic problem that the people face virtually on a daily basis from the Tanoso section to Abuakwa. We have therefore, asked the contractor to work and clear the traffic problem from Tanoso to Abuakwa first to ease the burden on the road users before tackling the Bekwai Roundabout project,” he said

 CK Akonnor

Charles Kwabla (CK) Akonnor, former Ghana coach, is reportedly set for a huge payout following the termination of his contract.

The 47-year-old was shown the exit on Monday, September 13, 2021, following the Black Stars’ poor run of results in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Akonnor and his two assistants, David Duncan and Patrick Greveraars, have also been fired according to a statement by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

According to a report, the Black Stars coach will receive a payout of $275,000 after his sack.

Akonnor was on a salary of $25,000 as Ghana coach, having signed a two-year contract in January 2020.

This means the GFA now owes the former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko manager $100,000 for the remaining four months of his contract.

The report further suggests that Akonnor is owed seven months arrears, which add up to about $275,000.

Akonnor was appointed as Ghana coach in January 2019 as a replacement for Kwesi Appiah on a two-year deal.

The former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko manager, however, failed to impress during his time in charge of the Black Stars.

SOURCE: adomonline

Mrs. Cynthia Lumor

Tullow Ghana, an independent oil and gas exploration group has appointed Cynthia Lumor as Deputy Managing Director, effective 1st October 2021.××

Mrs. cynthia Lumor, a lawyer by profession, becomes the first woman to be appointed as Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana since it began operations in 2006.

Until her appointment as Deputy Managing Director, Mrs. Lumor served on the leadership team of Tullow Ghana and was Director for Corporate Affairs with responsibility for External Affairs and Social Performance, and oversight of Human Resources, Information Systems and Facilities
Management.

She joined Tullow Ghana in 2017 from Scancom Ltd (MTN Ghana) where she was Corporate Services Executive.
Prior to joining MTN Ghana, she was the Information Specialist for AT&T, an American telecommunications conglomerate in the United States and over an 18-year period, rose to become Director in charge of the Research and Analysis Department.

Cynthia also worked at GNPC, as a Senior Legal Officer where within a year, she rose to become the Head of Department. She was involved in the drafting of the Petroleum Law which created the structure and legal framework for an independent regulator in the Oil and Gas industry.

Mrs. Lumor has several years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry, having previously worked for the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation as Principal Legal Officer.

As Deputy Managing Director, Mrs. Lumor will be responsible for the integration of the non-technical functions within the Ghana business and will continue to support MD Wissam Al Monthiry in driving Tullow’s plans to invest over $4 billion in Ghana over the next 10 years.

Speaking on her appointment, Chief Executive Officer of Tullow, Rahul Dhir said: “I am delighted that Cynthia has been appointed to this important role. Since Wissam assumed office last year, Cynthia has been instrumental in managing our key government and external relationships in Ghana and her
promotion reflects her important role in delivering Tullow’s strategy in Ghana.”

Ms. Lumor holds an LLB (Hons) from University of Ghana and a practicing certificate from the Ghana School of Law.

She is a mother of three

President Akufo-Addo with John-Peter Amewu cream top) and Volta Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa (Blue black Kaftan)

President Nana Akufo-Addo has described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) victory in the Hohoe constituency during the December 2020 elections as a big breakthrough that will be replicated in other constituencies in the Volta Region.

“It is an important bridgehead we have been given by the people of Hohoe to extend our expansion into the region,” he stressed.

He said the Volta region in general has been a big problem for the party to deal with. Apart from a seat they won in Nkwanta North when the Volta and Oti was one region (then Volta Region), the party has never been able to win any seat in the central and southern part since the fourth republic (1992).

It was therefore gratifying that John-Peter Amewu was able to win the party’s first seat in Hohoe, a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The President made the observation when he spoke on VOV Radio in Hohoe during his tour of the Volta Region last week.

He noted that although the Volta Region continues to be a big problem for the NPP, “I am a very persistent suitor. So when I talk about marrying the Volta region. I mean it. When I set my eyes or myself on a particular target, unless it’s God, I do not give up.”

He therefore used the opportunity “to say a big thank you to the people of Hohoe. Because they have done something very dramatic. I did not win the Presidential votes here, but my candidate John Peter Amewu won the parliamentary seat. It is a big big breakthrough for us and for our party and the Volta Region.”

President Akufo-Addo revealed that the win was a reclamation of history, as Hohoe used to be a strong supporter of the UP tradition from which the NPP was born.

“It is true that those who are familiar with history will tell you that a long time ago in the early years of our independence. The years of CPP and UP. Hohoe was a UP stronghold. In fact the very famous Political figure, S.G. Antoh was a native and an indigene of Hohoe. He was a very close friend of Dr. Dankwa and Dr. Busia. They all worked together.” He recounted.

“So if you like what we have done is to recapture our history. It is a very important breakthrough for us. We have not so far had a seat in the Volta region except for the previous Northern Volta which is now Oti region.”

Sources in the party say the NPP is working to win two additional seats out of the 18 seats in the region.

Dynamic Amewu

President Akufo-Addo also thanked the Hohoe people for giving him what he described as “this very dynamic personality, John-Peter Amewu as your MP.” He added that “he is a hardworking and important member of my government. Who is a key contributor to government discussions and decisions.”

He appealed to the people to continue to support and assist him to deliver more development to the area, because there is more Mr. Amewu can offer. “If you continue to stand behind him, I have no doubt that you will continue to see positive transformation of the constituency

President Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that his administration will deepen engagement with the private sector to ensure the local economy remains stronger.

Mr Akufo-Addo revealed in his opening remarks at a two-day annual presidential business summit in Accra on Tuesday September 14 that Ghana is at the moment witnessing a  single digit inflation and also strong reserve in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

These, according to him, are signs the economy is bouncing back.

“Low inflation rate, stable currency, strong reserve position in FDI flows are clear indications of our collective desire to restore the Ghanaian economy onto a path of sustained stability and growth.

“We will continue to strengthen and deepen our engagement with the private sector towards realizing this goal,” he said.

The Government Statistician Professor Samuel Kobina Annim had earlier announced that the Year-on-year inflation rate for August stood at 9.7 per cent compared to 9.0 per cent in July,.

The month-on month inflation between July, 2021 and August, 2021 was 0.3 per cent.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, alcoholic beverages were the dominant drivers for the higher rate of inflation in August 2021.

He said food contributed more than half to overall inflation, when combined with housing more than two-thirds, and further including transport more than four-fifths.

In the area of FDIs,  the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre had also announced that in last year, Ghana saw a surge in FDI inflows, recording an impressive 2.6 billion dollars’ worth of inbound investments for the year.

The trend defied the anticipated steep decline in FDI flows as a second wave of COVID 19 infections threatened to cripple the Ghanaian economy.

A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development placed the pandemic-induced decline in global FDI at 42 percent. The fall was however highly uneven across developing regions: -37% in Latin America and the Caribbean, -18% in Africa and -4% in developing countries in Asia.

While Ghana had initially witnessed a plateau in FDI inflows during the first wave of infection and its ensuing lockdowns, investments well along saw a rebound on the back of government policy responses to mitigate the impact of the health pandemic on businesses.

Total investment inflows thus peaked to US$2,796.49 million in 2020, with a total FDI value of US$2,650.97 million for Ghana.  The FDI value of US$2,650.97 million illustrates a significant increase of 139.06% over the FDI value of US$1,108.93 million recorded in 2019.

With the considerable inflow of investments, some 279 projects were registered within the year. This comprised 129 newly registered projects, 131 upstream developments and 19 free zones activities -dispersed across eight regions, with Greater Accra registering the highest number of 231 projects. Cumulatively, some 27,110 jobs are expected to be generated from the aforementioned registered projects.

For the year under review, some countries that stood out as the nation’s leading sources of inward investments included, China, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands

Mortal remains of late Hajia Mariama Bawumia arrives in Walewale

The mortal remains of the late Hajia Mariama Bawumia, mother of Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have arrived in Walewale in the North East Region for burial.

The late Hajia Mariama Bawumia is expected to be laid to rest at the family house in Walewale.

Hajia Mariama passed away peacefully yesterday September 13, 2021, in Accra.

The late Hajia Mariama Bawumia was born on September 15,1939 and died at the age of 82 years.

She is to be buried at the same spot with her husband the late Mumuni Bawumia, at their house in Walewale.

Vice President , Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, also arrived at the family house in Walewale accompanied by elders of the family.

The National Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay, National Secretary, John Boadu, National Organizer, Sammy Awuku and other bigwigs of the NPP are at the burial grounds in Walewale.

Other dignitaries include the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Majority leader in parliament, Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State, CEOs, MMDCEs, Member of Parliament, Members of the opposition NDC, Chairman, and leader of the CPP, Nana Akosua Frimpong Sarpong Kumakuma among others

Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, the General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministry International has been sent back to cells from the Police hospital to serve his one-week remand.

The embattled Man of God reported sick at the Police Hospital, after being remanded with four others on Monday.

Reports say he was treated and discharged in hours and returned to cells.

Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, the General Oversee of Glorious Word Power Ministry International has been remanded into police custody after being charged for threat of death.

Rev Bempah, and four others Mensah Ofori, Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene, and Nathaniel Agyekum were together charged with six counts.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against them for threatening to kill Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.

While Owusu Bempah and Mensah Ofori were charged with two counts of Offensive Conduct Conducive to the breach of peace and threat of death, the remaining three were also charged with assault on a public officer.

One other person is at large.

Though their lawyers led by Lawyer Garry Nimako Marfo prayed for the accused persons to be granted bail, prosecution led by Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpetey opposed the bail.

It was the case of the prosecution that two of the police officers they assaulted are still on admission at the hospital.

The court presided over by Her Honour Afia Owusua Appiah dismissed the application for bail to allow prosecution enough time to investigate the case since they were only arrested yesterday.

The accused persons were subsequently remanded into Police custody to reappear on 

The governing board of the Achimota School and the AG have separately appelaed the ruling.pronounced by an Accra High Court to admit some two Rastafarians.

Achimota School and the Attorney-General’s office have filed an appeal challenging the High Court’s order for the school to admit dreadlock-wearing student, Tyrone Marhguy.

According to the school, the court among others erred by indicating the rules and regulations of Achimota School with regard to ensuring uniformity in appearance is unlawful and interferes with the manifestation of one’s religious rights.

The school, therefore, urged the Appeals Court to set the entire judgment that orders it to admit the student aside, and the plaintiff ordered to comply with the school’s regulations if he chooses to be a student of the school.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General’s office has also filed an appeal on the case, asking the court to uphold Achimota School’s arguments and rule in favour of the school.

The notice of appeal sighted by Citi News among other things said the judge who adjudicated that matter and gave victory to the two boys failed to get the plaintiffs to provide evidence of their claims.

The AG’s office also said the judge erred in claiming that Achimota School had interfered with the right to the education of the boys.

“The learned Judge erred when she held that the regulation of the 1st Respondent requiring that students keep their hair low amounted to an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to suspend the manifestation of the Applicant’s guaranteed freedom to practice and manifest his religion…. The learned Judge erred when she held that Respondent’s actions of asking the Applicant to step aside during the registration process are a violation of his right to dignity especially when the 2nd Respondent had disputed the veracity of that fact,” the AG’s office stated among the grounds for its claim.

An Accra High Court on Monday, May 31, 2021, delivered its ruling regarding the denial of two Rastafarian boys; Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Nkrabea admission to Achimota School because they failed to cut their dreadlocks.

Justice Gifty Adjei Addo, the Presiding Judge, disagreed with the submissions of the Attorney General and granted all the reliefs separately sought by the embattled students except the relief of compensation in the case of Tyrone Marhguy.

According to Justice Addo, it is preposterous for the Attorney General to have even suggested that the two were not students in the first place.

Justice Gifty Adjei Addo consequently directed Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian students.

Following the court’s decision, Achimota School through its board announced that it will appeal the decision.

The school subsequently made efforts to secure a stay of execution order in order to freeze the implementation of the order, but later announced a withdrawal of the decision.

The school’s board in a statement on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, said it is however committed to an appeal against the ruling of the High Court.

The two boys were subsequently enrolled in the school.

Source: Citinewsroom

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has attributed the recent decline in COVID-19 active cases to the strict adherence to the safety protocols by the populace.

Ghana currently has a little over 5,000 Covid-19 with one thousand and eighty-nine deaths.

Speaking to Citi News, Director General of GHS Dr. Patrick Kumah- Aboagye cautioned against complacency on the part of citizens to erode the gains made thus far.

“We have moved from recording 600 cases a day to about 300 to sometimes below 300. The public got serious about social distancing and the wearing of nose masks and that has contributed significantly to this, but most importantly the fact we are vaccinating more people in the hotspot areas.”

Dr. Patrick Kumah- Aboagye further stated that the Service is currently training its personnel on the use of the 1.2 million Moderna vaccines it received from the US government on September 4, 2021.

He however said priority will be given to high-risk areas in the country.

“Every vaccine has its training requirement and because we haven’t received Moderna before, we have currently started training our personnel and the FDA has also done its proper certification. The deployment plan will focus on where the risk is high.”

Meanwhile, the country is expecting an additional 1.3 million Pfizer vaccines by the end of September.

Ghana has already made use of 177,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

So far, the country has received a little over 3.2 million vaccines.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged members of the Ghana Bar Association to pay their taxes.

According to the President, if the nation is to get the developments citizens crave, then paying taxes must become a regular and unquestioning feature of every Ghanaian including lawyers.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that records show that lawyers are often at the top of the list of those who flout the tax laws describing it as embarrassing.

The President said these on Monday, 13 September 2021, when he delivered the keynote address at 2021 Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, on the theme “Ensuring an increase in revenue mobilisation through taxation for the purpose of accelerated national development: the role of the lawyer”.

He said: “I have to point out that if this campaign you are undertaking is to be successful, you will have to start from home. Mr. outgoing president of the Bar, there is no easy way of putting this, you will have to start by getting members of the bar to pay their taxes”.

“The record of lawyers in paying taxes is being historically poor. It is unfortunate but the most unpleasant fact that the members of our profession have not been known to set a good example when it comes to paying taxes” Nana Akufo-Addo stated.

“They appear to think that being members of the learned profession put them above complying with everyday civic duties like paying taxes. It is embarrassing that lawyers are often at the top of the list of those who flout our tax laws and use their expertise to avoid paying taxes” the President bemoaned.

He urged lawyers to pay their taxes and encourage others do so same

The founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, has been denied bail by the Accra Circuit Court 4.

Rev. Owusu Bempah was put before court today, Monday, September 13, 2021, following his arrested together with three of his junior pastors.

The controversial man of God who pleaded not guilty to charges proffered against him has been asked to be kept in police custody for a week.

Reports from the court premises indicate that some church members of Rev Owusu Bempah who trooped to the circuit court this morning attacked journalists and prevented them from capturing the arrival of their pastor in court.

Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, prior to appearing in court had been in the custody of the Ghana Police Service, for creating “multiple videos containing threats, the brandishing of a weapon and the assault of some police personnel.”

According to a widely circulated circular by the Ghana Police Service, Rev Owusu Bempah was arrested together with three other suspects namely; Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene and Nathaniel Agyekum, on Sunday, September 13, 2021, at his church premises.

The police indicated that, two other suspects are currently on the run and they [police] are pursuing them.

The police explained that, Rev Owusu Bempah and the three others were “being detained for further investigations over the creation and circulation of multiple videos containing threats, the brandishing of a weapon and the assault of some police personnel.

“After critically analyzing the said videos and based on intelligence gather, the police embarked on an operation on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at the premises of the church to arrest the suspects.”

The police statement further said, “during the operation, some members of the church believed to have been under the direction of Rev Owusu Bempah assaulted some police officers. The injured personnel have received medical treatment and are responding to treatment.”

“The suspects are currently in the custody [of the police] and will appear before the court on Monday, September 13, 2021,” the statement added.

Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, together with some of his junior pastors stormed the residence of converted priestess, Nana Agradaa on Thursday, September 9, 2021.null

The man of God and his boys claimed Nana Agradaa had threatened to pounce on Rev Owusu Bempah wherever she meets him.

So, the man of God decided not to wait for Nana Agradaa to pounce on him, but will visit the priestess in her house in order for her to carry out her threat.

Prior to their visit, the junior pastor in a live video on Facebook, threatened to show Nana Agradaa ‘pepper’ for disrespecting their father Owusu Bempah.

While carrying out the threat, the two pastors brandished some weapons in the process.null

The police then cautioned the public “against any acts that will disturb the peace of the country.”

“We wish to give the assurance that impartial investigations shall continue in this matter and the public will be duly updated,” the police concluded in a statement signed by Kwesi Ofori, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Ag. Director-General, Public Affairs.

Read below the statement from the police:

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Government is taking steps to acquire four patrol boats that will be deployed in the four coastal regions, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said.

He said these boats will aid in frequent inspection at sea.

He also said the government is also acquiring a research vessel for the regular conduction of scientific fisheries research.

Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said these when the Minister of Fisheries and Aqua Culture Development Mavis Hawa Koomson addressed the press in Accra on Sunday, September 12.

These among several others are the steps being taken by Madam Hawa Koomson to ensure that Ghana’s fishery ecosystem is kept alive and productive.

“Government is also taking steps to acquire four patrol boats that will be deployed in the 4 coastal regions to aid in frequent inspection at sea as well as a research vessel for regular conduction of scientific fisheries research,” the Ofoase Ayiebi Lawmaker said.

He stressed “These among several others are the steps being taken by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture and Development, Hon. @mhawakoomson to ensure that our fishery ecosystem is kept alive and productive.”

So far, the initiative covers thirteen Regions namely; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western and Western North with more regions to be onboarded soon. #MinistersPressBriefing pic.twitter.com/5tlXWJmfFW— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) September 12, 2021

Government is also taking steps to acquire four patrol boats that will be deployed in the 4 coastal regions to aid in frequent inspection at sea as well as a research vessel for regular conduction of scientific fisheries research. #MinistersPressBriefing pic.twitter.com/mhhSbQYKIA— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) September 12, 2021

Source: 3news.com

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum

The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has been appointed to be a member of the Advisory Board of the Capacity Building Center (CBC) of the School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).××

With this appointment, which is for a five-year term, Dr. Adutwum joins other team members from academia, practitioners, and policymakers who are committed to advancing local solutions to local problems.

This was contained in a letter of appointment dated Thursday, September 9, and signed by Professor Walter R. Allen. Ph.D., Director of Capacity Building Center, University of California Los Angeles.

Dr. Adutwum, who is also a Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe Constituency, is to collaborate to develop organizational capacity to enhance the common good by enabling institutions and individuals to participate in their communities and societies fully.

“Given your leadership in education in the US and Ghana, your deep understanding of the needs of youth, students, and institutions in both communities, your advice, and insight will enhance our program design and approach,” the letter stated.

The Advisory Board focuses on the participatory process as it targets investments to contribute to the development and sustainability of institutions, communities, and nations.

In an acceptance letter to UCLA, Dr. Yaw Adutwum was full of praise to the management and board of the University for the honor done him as he pledged to work diligently to reciprocate his appointment.

He also pledged to collaborate with the team of advisors to do what they could to bring much change and improvement into their areas of operation for the good of the world.

Background

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum is a career educationist in the areas of research, administration, and policymaking for more than two and half decades.

His huge tonnage of experience in the field of education over the past few years in the US and Ghana has led to many world-class agencies admitting him to be part of its advisory boards.

His appointment in August 2021 to be part of a high-level Advisory Board for Mission 4.7, a new global initiative to put in place the vision articulated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Education attest to the trust of the international community and other local agencies have in him.

Again, his elevation from Deputy Minister to Education Minister by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 2nd term of office speaks volumes about the knowledge and experience he has in the area of education

Annoh-Dompreh inspecting one of the pitches under construction

The Majority Chief Whip, also a Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region, Frank Annoh-Dompreh through his efforts has announced the construction of three astroturf pitches at different locations as part of the One Constituency, One AstroTurf initiative for his constituents.

These astroturf pitches expected to be completed before the end of this year are being handled by Wembley Sports Construction Limited will house a pitch, wash/changing rooms, spectator stands, panel mesh fencing, and a floodlight.

The Member of Parliament of the area, on Saturday, embarked on a tour to inspect the progress of work on the pitches.

He first visited the Adoagyiri Astroturf pitch which is at 80% completed. These projects are being undertaken by the youth in the area as a source of employment.

Frank Annoh-Dompreh explained that the entire community looks forward to its successful completion.

After the inspection of the Adoagyiri pitch, he said” this is one of three Astroturf pitches dotted around the Constituency, adding that “I’m determined to see to the completion of a 4th one before the year ends”.

The MP also described the facility as a world-class facility not only for soccer but other recreational and religious activities.

The Majority Chief Whip noted that the pitches would serve as a big platform for the youth in the area to showcase their talents and also equip them with the needed skills to compete with the rest of the world

Construction of phase two of the Tema motorway interchange begins by November 2021 says Ministry of Roads and Highways.

This is as a result of the signing of an agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Ghana on Friday September 10, 2021.××

Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Himeno Tsutomu, and a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, signed agreement.

The minister lauded the Japanese government for its continued support to Ghana in different sectors including energy, agriculture, medical, and infrastructure, more importantly, road infrastructure.

He acknowledged that through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan is not only supporting the Tema Motorway Interchange project, but also the construction of a new bridge across the Volta River on the Eastern Corridor road.

“Upon completion, it is my hope that the projects would ensure safe, efficient road transportation and contribute to the efficient flow of goods and services as envisioned by the government of Ghana led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration said.

Kwasi Amoako-Atta told the media after the signing of the agreement that the project will begin in earnest since the funds have been made available.

He explained that the agreement entails the financing of the phase two of the Tema motorway interchange project and rehabilitation of national trunk road N8 by the Japanese government.

According to him, “There is a company that executed the first phase. But it is not automatic that they will be elected to do the second phase. But whatever it takes, the contractor will come from Japan. Now that the agreement has been signed, the way is now opened for the project to start, so between now and November, the Tema Motorway project will commence for the second phase.

“The N8 which is the Twifo Praso- Assin Fosu is also in the second phase. The first phase links the Bekwai road and that has already taken off. The contractors are there as we speak and there are lots of work ongoing on there. There is no hindrance at all. Ghana is always proactive, and the President wants to see this action implemented.”

The phase 2 project is a continuation of the phase I project, which helped to improve the section of the road between Assin Praso and Bekwai.

The approximately $60million project is part of government’s international corridor road improvement plan whose objective is to facilitate trade within the West African sub-region.

The construction works involve the transformation of the parallel two-tier interchange into a three-tier interchange by a Japanese construction firm known as Messrs Shimizu Dai-Nippon.

This is expected to hasten turnaround time at the interchange. It is also, generally, expected to improve the capacity, safety, and efficiency of transport and freight on the Tema Motorway roundabout

Political activist, Kwame Asare Obeng, known widely as A Plus, has wondered how security officers can be incorruptible when they have to bribe their way into becoming officers in the first place.

He deplored past and present governments for not taking steps to address the well-known phenomenon of people have to bribe before they are recruited or enlisted into the security services, describing the country as a “jokers paradise”.

“A country where if you are not on a “protocol, list” you have to pay bribe to become a customs, immigration, military or police officer but told that it is a crime to collect bribe when enlisted. Sometimes you even have to pay to be on the protocol list. Please they are lying. It is not any crime biaaa!! Collect!!” he said in a Facebook post.

“Jokers paradise!! Who in both past and present governments doesn’t know about this? What has been done about it to help the ordinary people who qualify to be enlisted? Without “protocol” the “so help me God” in the national pledge is the only hope in this Nyame Bɛkyerɛ Republic,” he lashed out.

Recruitments into Ghana’s security services are often marred with allegations of corruption and favouritism, with people with powerful political connections referred to as “protocol” having the upper hand.

Security analysts have said that recruitment or enlistment of undeserving persons into the various security services pose a danger to the stability of the country. But the phenomenon has persisted and seems to be gaining acceptance from the public.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAPlusgh%2Fposts%2F410241640460332&show_text=true&width=500

Source: mynewsgh.com

Majority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says the ‘do or die’ comment of former President John Dramani Mahama should be condemned with all certainty without mincing words.null

According to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, it does not speak well of a leader who has served the nation before to make such a despicable comment even though everyone is fallible to make mistakes in life.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ Morning Show, the Suame lawmaker noted that there cannot be any rationalization and justification for what President John Mahama said during his ‘Thank You’ tour as the context in which he said the ‘do or die’ is misleading the NDC followers to think that the party was robbed in the 2020 general elections.

He reiterated that President John Mahama was wrong to say that the NDC accepted defeat in the 2020 general election because of peace; thus, to him, the opposition NDC could not provide any evidence in the Supreme Court when the Court asked the NDC to provide evidence of wrongdoing in the Presidential results.

“Today, you go on a ‘Thank You’ tour to say that the NDC rather won the 2020 election and the EC subverted the will of the people, meanwhile, you could not provide evidence in the court and you turn around to say that in the next 2024 election, it will be a ‘do or die’ affair, we must be bold to tell him that he is wrong and a leader must not speak like that,” he pooh-poohed Mahama.

“If you say that this is a ‘do or die’ issue, it means that if you don’t win, then you must kill yourself for losing the election. This is what it means. There can’t be any rationalization and justification for what he said because he said it in a context and the context was the NDC was robbed in the 2020 election and so the 2024 election will be a do or die,” he noted.

He maintained that former President John Dramani Mahama erred with his submission that the NDC won the election, adding that the former President is rather urging his followers to position themselves for only a win-win situation at the polling stations.

“What he said is not true but rather urging his followers that whether we like it or not, the NDC must win at the polling stations. A leader must not speak like that. As you said, President Akufo-Addo said something similar and Ghanaians were not happy about it and he was criticised by the same NDC members who are now supporting what former President Mahama said,” he noted.

“If what he has said is wrong, we should come out boldly to condemn it so that he does not repeat it . . . you bring unnecessary tension in the country. He must know that election is not about life or death,” he chided.

Watch video below

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GPlKC81ljPY

Source: peacefmonline.com

The JAK Foundation CEO believes Mahama’s do or die comment just like Akufo-Addo’s all die be die wouldn’t cause any problem.

The Chief Executive Officer of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, says ex-President John Mahama’s ‘Do or die’ comment won’t negatively affect Ghana’s political stability, just as then opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo’s ‘All die be die’ remark didn’t cause any problem in the country.

Speaking on Citi TV‘s #PointofView program, Prof. Agyeman-Duah, however, cautioned the leaders of the country to work towards strengthening democratic institutions to ensure Ghana doesn’t find itself in a situation of political instability in the wake of the recent political uprising in Guinea.

“I don’t think what I am saying means that we cannot be affected by that (military coup), we are Africans, that is why I said that it is dangerous to even categorise yourself as different because the same forces that are influencing development in these countries are the same forces that we have here.”

Prof. Agyeman-Duah made the remark on the back of a statement made by former President John Mahama during his ‘Thank-you’ tour in the Bono Region, where he said the opposition National Democratic Congress will treat the 2024 polls as a “do-or-die” affair.

The former President and other leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress have justified the comment, whereas, the governing New Patriotic Party  (NPP) and other civil society organisations, have condemned it.

“As for former President Mahama’s statement, that shouldn’t worry us. After all, the current President [Akufo-Addo] made a similar statement and that didn’t change anything… So I don’t take it seriously, but on a more serious note, we shouldn’t let down our guards. We have to continue strengthening our institutions,” Prof. Agyeman-Duah said.

Source: Jude Duncan ||Citinewsroom

Elizabeth Ohene

Veteran journalist and leading New Patriotic Party (NPP) guru, Elizabeth Ohene, has tackled former President John Mahama for always being full of insults, saying “he knows how to insult without even trying.”

She said the former President has the penchant to insult at will and even recently without any provocation attacked a whole ethnic grouping and got away with it.

The former President during his ‘Thank You’ tour in the middle part of the country early in the week, rekindled his abrasive style of political communication and made utterances his opponents said smacks of plain insults, which did not help to shape national cohesion.

When his attention was drawn to some of the unfortunate statements, the former President brushed the issues aside and even said those who did not understand him did not complete schooling.

The veteran journalist, who was once a minister of state during the Kufuor regime and currently the Board Chairperson of SSNIT, said Mr. Mahama cannot continue on that path.

She said in an article that, “Mr. Mahama has shown he is a walking, breathing, and laughing insult.”

She wrote that “according to Mr. Mahama, President Akufo-Addo long ago lost the right to complain about insults because he had insulted and regularly insults people. Mr. Mahama cited as evidence to back his claim that while in opposition, Akufo-Addo had called the then President Atta Mills Dr. Dolittle and since becoming President, he calls his opponents Naysayers and Jeremiahs.”

“Being something of an expert on insults, I have been taking a closer look at these insults. President Mills was called Dr. Dolittle. I start with the literal, obvious meaning of the word, Dolittle. So I break up the offending word; a President was being accused of doing little, he was not busy solving Ghana’s problems,” she said, adding “Since President Mills is sadly no longer with us, one has to be careful and not say anything hurtful about him, but I don’t think a description of little activity during his presidency can be taken as an insult.”

Ms. Ohene said “then it occurred to me that maybe Mr. Mahama was taking the literary reference of Dolittle in George Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Pygmalion’ in which we have the characters of Eliza Dolittle and her father Alfred Dolittle,” adding “Granted that this is a play that premiered in London in 1913, there isn’t much in there to get upset about the Dolittle father and daughter characters.”

She continued that, “President Akufo-Addo calls his critics Naysayers and Jeremiahs. According to the dictionary, a Naysayer is a person who criticises, objects to, or opposes something. The dictionary provides a sentence to illustrate the usage of the word: ‘He continues to win despite the many naysayers’.”

Explaining further, she said, “Akufo-Addo calls his critics Jeremiahs. Here are the meanings of Jeremiah in the dictionary: A major Hebrew prophet of the seventh and sixth centuries and I might add the first name of a former president of the country and a popular first name of many boys since then,” adding “another meaning says: A person who is pessimistic about the present and foresees a calamitous future. Every press conference held by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the past three and a half years will qualify to be adjudged as such. I thought this precisely was what Mr. Mahama had been saying. An insult?”

She said that, “Maybe Mr. Mahama is a man of very sensitive disposition and cannot bear what is called the rough and tumble of politics and that is why he regards Dolittle, Naysayer and Jeremiah as insults.”

Akyem Sakawa

She asked, “What about Mr. Mahama’s reaction to the President complaints? Akyem Sakawa. President Akufo-Addo is an Akyem. Elizabeth Ohene is an Ewe. There is no argument,” adding “I go to Google to get this meaning of the word sakawa: a Ghanaian term for illegal practices which combine modern internet-based fraud with African traditionalist rituals. The rituals, which are mostly in the form of sacrifices, are intended to spiritually manipulate victims so that the scammer’s fraud is successful.”

Ms. Ohene asked, “Flag bearer Mahama is happy to cite an ethnic group and bundle them up as people who perform illegal, Internet-based fraud? And these people combine the fraudulent practice with traditional rituals? And this will match Dolittle, boot for boot, to borrow his terminology? Or will Sakawa be on the same wavelength as Jeremiah?”

Previous Attacks

She said “while he was President, Mr. Mahama used to provide the best copy for insults that could be used against him. If someone called Candidate Mahama a dead goat, that would be considered an insult. And if you are looking for an Akyem Sakawa correlation, you should hear Candidate Mahama: ‘when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat us to that’.”

She added, “And here was Candidate Mahama in the Volta Region during the voter registration exercise. He said the Volta Region people had been specially targeted for military invasion. Earlier during the 2016 election he had said ‘his northern brothers’ such as Bawumia had no future in the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He knows how to insult without even trying

National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has pooh-poohed former President John Dramani Mahama for his recent “do or die” comment.

According to him, it is a cause to worry for the former President who has served the country in various capacities with the help of Ghanaians to now turn around out of desperation to say that the 2024 general election will be a “do or die” affair.

“How can such an honourable man, former President, former MP, Vice President, former Deputy Minister in charge of Communication, former Minister; how can such a man with all of these credentials be so desperate? What could possibly be the reason for former President Mahama to say that the 2024 general election will be ‘do or die’?”, he wondered.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ Morning Show, Nana B as he is popularly called asserted that the ‘Thank you’ tour of former President John Mahama is a decoy to launch his readiness to contest the 2024 Presidential Elections for the NDC.

He again wondered why the former President is feeling jittery about President Akufo-Addo’s yearly tour across the nation to inspect the various developmental projects even though the President will not contest again in the 2024 general elections.

“How can you be so desperate? If it is indeed a thanksgiving tour to thank Ghanaians for the 2020 general elections and is not a scheme for the next election campaign, why will he talk about the 2024 general election?”, he quizzed.

“When he realised that President Akufo-Addo is embarking on his usual tour every year to inspect his projects across the country and the people including the chiefs are happy with his work, former President Mahama then decided to embark on his thanksgiving tour and now look at his message in the thanksgiving tour,” he asserted.

He, however, reminded former President John Mahama to be mindful of his utterances since he is no longer the Flagbearer, but reiterated that his comment indicates that he will be the Presidential Candidate for the NDC in 2024; even though the party [NDC] is yet to restructure after the 2020 general elections defeat and open nomination for interested candidates to contest for the slot.

“I am also saying that the 2024 general elections will not be ‘do or die’. Ghanaians will exercise their rights to vote and choose the leaders they want for the country and nobody will die in this country as we have always been doing in elections,” he challenged.

“The statement from the former President is very reckless and very unfortunate. Nobody should entertain such utterances and all well-meaning Ghanaians should come out to condemn such a comment,” he chided.

Watch video below

https://www.youtube.com/embed/trq38jVnCO0

Source: peacefmonline.com

Former President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, 10 September 2021, visited the family of the late Thomas Asinae, the immediate past Deputy Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Western North Region, to commiserate with them.

The late Asinae, a dedicated and hardworking officer of the party, died in August following a short sickness.

Speaking on behalf of the family and Nananom of Suaman, the Krontihene, Nana Armah Kofi Tanoh III, thanked Mr. Mahama for wiping their tears with his presence on the occasion of the one-week celebration in Suaman.

“Even though we are mourning, there are some people who no matter how sad you are, as soon as you see them you become happy”, he said.

He decried the state of underdevelopment of the Suaman community, stressing that it did not befit the town’s status as the place Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s family originally hailed from. He therefore asked that when the NDC wins the next elections, it should not forget the people of Suaman.

Mr Mahama described the late Deputy Youth Organiser as someone who served the party well.

He consoled the family for the loss of their loved one and promised that the party would support the family to give the fallen comrade a befitting funeral.

The 2020 NDC presidential candidate is in the Western North Region as part of the second phase of his nationwide tour to thank Ghanaians for their support, and votes for him and the NDC parliamentary candidates.

As part of his activities in the region, Mr. Mahama and his delegation called on the chiefs and elders of Juaboso and Suaman, and addressed party supporters and executives

The Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah says former President John Mahama’s use of the idiom ‘Do or Die’ to describe his perception of the 2024 general elections, does not connote anything untoward.

While he does not see anything wrong with the view, he thinks it should be taken in its proper context.

Rev. Owusu Bempah who spoke with NEAT FM, used what he described as a cagey football match as the analogy to explain his position on the issue gaining notoriety as the most controversial topic in the passing week.

The former President who was also the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 elections used the idiom during a radio interview on Techiman-based Akina FM, during his ‘Thank You’ tour of the Bono East Region.

It has since been tossed about, with some of the people condemning it and demanding retraction, while others say it has nothing negative about it.

Rev. Owusu Bempah recalled his colts footballing days, saying in those times when they faced any ‘tough’ game or opposition, they described it as a ‘do or die’ affair which demanded that they do their best during the game. It never meant that they were to carry arms or implements onto the field of play or to kill anyone. It meant they needed adequate preparations to overcome the foe, he said.

He explained that when former President Mahama uses the idiom, what he means to say is that he needs to do his homework well to face the 2024 elections.

In the same vein, he said President Akufo-Addo can look to the 2024 elections as a do or die affair and that, in no way, should mean that someone should take up a machete to slaughter another.

Owusu Bempah said what he speaks is the bare truth and in instances when the idiom has been used, it has meant the user does not intend to joke with a situation as he may previously have joked with it, be it in a football match, an election or in an examination.

He said John Mahama did not say someone should pull a gun, or kill someone, or that the 2024 election would be bloody, but if he had said any of these, then it would be wrong.

Owusu Bempah counseled against taking statements at face value only, but said it pays to examine the motivation and real intent of the speaker because it could be he wants to pray fervently, prepare adequately, or put things right ahead of the elections.

Source: Graphic

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has said his government will stay on the path of truthfulness and good works to deliver a developed and prosperous nation.null

He said he was hopeful Ghanaians would imbibe truthfulness and good works to develop the country.

President Akufo Addo was addressing chiefs of the Oti Region at Dambai during a tour of the Volta and Oti Regions.

“What we need is unity within the country to support the government realise all its plans for development.

“I am of much hope that if Ghanaians endeavour to work with the truth and good works, there would be nothing we cannot do. Others have done it and we can also do it. What we need is unity, good policies and truthfulness,” the President stated.

He said politics and governance based on lies worked against the progress of the nation. “Political leaders who peddle falsehoods are not helping the nation. It doesn’t help to be constructing a campaign of lies. Every time they open their mouths they are contradicted. But that has been the choice of others. Each has his own path and I have chosen the path of truth,” the President said.

Mr. Dan Botwe, Minister of Local Governance, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, said the President remained more committed towards national development.

He thus said the President was keen on speedily developing the newly created Regions, which were initiated to deepen decentralisation and rapid growth.

President Akufo-Addo inspected ongoing construction of administrative offices for the new region, spread across districts in the various districts, as well as major road construction works.

He commissioned a yam and cassava processing factory under the One District One Factory initiative for the Region at Adonkwanta, and also toured an integrated waste treatment plant, which was about 80 per cent complete

.Source: GNA

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described as “distasteful” comments recently made by former president John Dramani Mahama to the effect that the 2024 elections will be a do or die affair.

General Secretary of the NPP John Boadu said the “perpetual” flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is only desperate to return to power.

Mr Boadu was addressing journalists in Accra on Friday, September 10 over the controversial comments.

“It is a distasteful comment that does not belong in our fast-maturing electoral democracy,” he emphasised.

After the controversy generated by the comments, which many ascribe violence to, Mr Mahama justified his utterance and said it was only a mere idiomatic expression.

For that matter, he shrugged off calls for him to retract the statements.null

“In English, we have idiomatic expressions. Those who dropped out of school do not understand idiomatic expressions,” he told Sunyani-based Moonlite FM on Wednesday, September 8.

“‘Do or die’ means a critical assignment you have and you must do the needful or perish. And so you must do the needful,” he stated in English, changing tongue to Twi by saying: “I meant NDC must not wait to go to the Supreme Court again. What we must do at the polling station and collation center must be done!”

But the NPP said: “We know that John Mahama stubbornly refuses to retract. Rather he is seeking refuge in semantics and grammar. He is struggling to explain the impossibility.

“However, we are not surprised. Being in opposition and desperate to come back to power, John Mahama must be panicking at the pace at which the Akufo-Addo government is moving.”

Source: 3news.com

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has described as “desperate scaremongering” the claims by former President John Mahama that Ghana faces imminent food shortage.

In an interview with Moonlite FM on September 8, the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claimed that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) was started by his government but has failed under the current administration.

However, a statement issued by the Press Secretariat of the Agric Minister on Thursday said Mr Mahama may be haunted by the long-held ‘incompetent’ title.

“We are not surprised about this claim coming from the former Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as they have also harboured the intentions to predict doom for the country,” the statement said.

“Ghanaians would recall that in 2017, the same party, represented by its Minority in Parliament, predicted that Ghana was going to face famine, akin to that of 1983, because of an outbreak of Fall Armyworm. But thanks to the vision and efficiency of the President Nana Akufo Addo-led administration, Ghana overcame the outbreak and recorded one of the highest productivity in the agricultural sector.

“We wish to assure the general public that the country will in fact experience a bumper harvest, despite the recent droughts experienced in the early part of the year as well as the challenges in supply of subsidized fertilizers.

“Ghanaians must rest assured that the country will not face food shortage neither will it experience famine as being claimed by the Former President Mahama.”

Find below the full statement:

IGNORE FORMER PRESIDENT MAHAMA, HE IS A SCAREMONGER!!
Ghana is not facing food shortage, PFJ is very much on course!!

Our attention has been drawn to a rather unfortunate comments by the Former President, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, about the status of the country’s agriculture and food security, during his so called Thank You tour across the country.

The Former President, in an attempt to shift public discussion from his rather reckless and infamous ‘Do or Die’ comment which has attracted public backlash,  has decided to attack one of Government’s most successful flagship policies Planting for Food and Jobs.

In fact, apart from becoming desperately notorious for making reckless comments in recent times, the Former President is now also engaging in scare-mongering, thriving on lies and falsehoods just to put fear in Ghanaians.

In a meeting In the Bono Region, Former President Mahama is on recorded to have made several false claims about the PFJ programme which was introduced by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration in 2017.

We wish to set the records straight as follows;

INTRODUCTION OF THE PLANTING FOR FOOD AND JOBS PROGRAMME

The Former President claimed in his speech that the Planting for Food and Jobs programme was an initiative of the previous NDC administration and that his regime secured funding from the Canadian Government for its implementation.

This is completely false. The fact is that the Planting for Food and Jobs is a wholly Government of Ghana (GoG) funded programme.

Mr. Mahama has in fact, confused the Modernising Agriculture Ghana(MAG) programme,  which involves a $100M Canadian Grant,  exclusively meant for the expansion of extension services programme with that of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative which involves five major areas the Food Crop Model, Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD), Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ), Greenhouse Villages (for Vegetable production and Export) and Mechanization for Food and Jobs.

However, it is instructive to note that since 2017, Government of Ghana has spent over $400M Dollars on the PFJ, expenditure of which had gone into subsidies of improved seeds and fertilizers for farmers.

It must also be stated that the previous administration of the NDC led by Mr. John Dramani Mahama, left the agriculture sector in a state of moribund and comatose.

The extension sector,  which is supposed to be the fulcrum around which growth of agriculture revolves, had totally collapsed when the NPP assumed power.

Under the watch of Incompetent Mr. Mahama,  the extension sector did not see any staff enforcement for four years.

Though the country required about 4000 extension officers to support the over 3.5M farmers, the NPP in 2016, inherited less than 1400 staff capacity. The worst part of this situation was that,  80% of the staff had reached their retirement age and were on their way out.

To ensure the efficient use of the available resources, President Akufo Addo, under the PFJ programme, immediately granted clearance for the recruitment of over 2700 new extension officers to support the implementation of the programme.

Ghana was importing virtually every food item; including thousands of tons of maize, plantain, banana etc from neighbouring countries. Available data in 2016 indicates that Ghana imported about 113,855 and 79,771 metric tons of maize respectively in 2015 and 2016, and same could be said of other major staple foods such as yam, plantain and soyabean.

The food situation of this country was so bad that farmers could not afford fertilizer for their crops, leading low yields.

Planting for Food and Jobs therefore came to reverse this trend and by the end of 2017 and mid-2018, Ghana became the hub of food supply in the West African sub-region. In fact in 2017, a total of 81,193 tons of food items incudling Maize, Yam, Rice, Plantain and Soyabean were eported to neighbouring countries. This trend has continued up to now.

The NDC administration under President Mahama had also collapsed the vegetable export business after Ghana was banned from exporting vegetables to the European Markets due to poor standard and supervision.
This meant that local farmers and exporters no longer benefitted from the $32 million dollar vegetable market for six consecutive years.

The NPP Government,  through Ministry of Food and Agriculture,  adopted prudent measures which led to the eventual lifting of the ban in 2018. Today,  farmers and exporters are back to business and are making huge profits from exportation of vegetables to the EU Markets whilst at the same time, improving the country’s export revenue capacity.

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Ghana has since 2017 gained international recognition for its success in revamping the agricultural sector. Global organizattions such as World Bank, Alliance For Green Revolution Africa (AGRA), African Development Bank(AfDB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), amongst others, have all commended Government of Ghana for the implementation of  the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.

In 2019, Ghana placed 3rd in the Global Food Security Index by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU). In the 2020-21 Report by The Permanent Interstate Committee for drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), Ghana was recognized as the only country in the West African sub-region with stable food security situation, thanks to the successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

Today, farmers in the country are better off, in terms of their production capacity, purchasing power and economic situation than they were in 2016.

This has been largely due to the implementation of deliberate policies and programmes by the President Nana Akufo Addo-led administration of the NPP.

FOOD SHORTAGE AND HUNGER

Again, it is needless to say that the claims by Former President Mahama that Ghana is likely to face food shortage leading to hunger in the coming year, is only an act of scare-mongering.

Perhaps, he is being haunted by his long held incompetent title which has led to his obsession for failure.

We are not surprised about this claim coming from the former Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as they have also harboured the intentions to predict doom for the country.

Ghanaians would recall that in 2017, the same party, represented by its Minority in Parliament, predicted that Ghana was going to face famine, akin to that of 1983, because of an outbreak of Fall Armyworm. But thanks to the vision and efficiency of the President Nana Akufo Addo-led administration, Ghana overcame the outbreak and recorded one of the highest productivity in the agricultural sector.

We wish to assure the general public that the country will in fact experience a bumper harvest, despite the recent droughts experienced in the early part of the year as well as the challenges in supply of subsidized fertilizers.

Ghanaians must rest assured that the country will not face food shortage neither will it experience famine as being claimed by the Former President Mahama.

SUPPLY OF FERTILIZER

Former President Mahama again continues  to live in the world of fantasy and refused to appreciate the realities of the challenges that COVID-19 has imposed on the global economy, including production and trading of fertilizer produce.

Global prices of fertilizers have witnessed astronomical increases due to production shut down, culminating in the inability of major suppliers to trade in the product.

As we are all aware before the advent of COVID-19, supply of inputs under the PFJ programme never experienced any challenges. However, COVID-19 posed serious challenges on government’s revenue generation capacity, leading to the effects on general subsidy of fertilizers under the programme.

It is however important to make clear distinction that fertilizers between government subsidized and open market fertilizers.

Despite the fall in local revenue mobilization which forced government to reduce the subsidy capacity, general supply of fertilizer on the market has not been disrupted and many more farmers have had easy access to them.

Again, we believe that one of the major objectives of the PFJ programme, which was to introduce farmers to the adoption of fertilizers and improved seeds, has been significantly achieved.
Today, many more farmers are aware of the need to adopt the use of fertilizers and improved seeds in order to increase production.

We therefore wish to reiterate the fact that the country is very safe from any threats of food shortage and that the Former President is only engaging in a desperate scaremongering just for political expediency.

ISSUED BY
PRESS SECRETARIAT
MINISTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE