Information gathered by DGN Online indicates that an overnight demolition in Santeo Jordan, in the Kpone-Katamanso District in the Greater Accra region, has left several residents homeless and in a state of despair.
Report indicates that the estate developer behind the demolition claims ownership of the land, which spans over 10 acres. This has left the community, including mothers and children, in a dire situation.
Residents said they have been living on the land for almost a decade and are struggling to come to terms with the sudden destruction. Many had invested significant time and resources into building their homes, only for them to be torn down overnight.
One resident, whose property had been flattened, expressed his refusal to relocate.
According to him, he was promised 50 bags of cement and blocks to rebuild elsewhere, but he adamantly stated that he would stay and fight for his home.
The impact of the demolition has brought immense hardship to the community. People are left without shelter and minimal support, leading to uncertainty and despair. This unexpected turn of events has left residents scrambling to find alternative housing options and support systems.
The Greater Accra Regional authorities have yet to respond to the situation.
The affected residents are hoping for assistance and justice, as they attempt to rebuild their lives amidst this devastating event.
There are fear of an outbreak of disease if authorities fail to find solution to the situation.
Zodwa Wabantu’s ‘exotic’ ways of performing have seen her entry into South Africa’s neighbouring country, Lesotho, denied for the second time.
“Her dancing half naked would be a crime,” a letter by Lesotho’s minister of local government, chieftainship, home affairs and police, Lebona Lephema stated.
The formal restriction and refusal letter stated that the controversial artist “will be denied entry” into Lesotho.
Lephema said the sangoma “is known to perform without wearing anything decent in public, the conduct which amounts to public indecency”.
It is unclear when Zodwa was meant to perform in Lesotho. However, it is not the first time the mountainous country had a problem with the performer.
In December 2017, Lesotho members of Parliament opposed to her performing at an event in Maseru.
Solomon Buchi, a social commentator, has expressed displeasure with popular activist, VeryDarkMan’s recent criticism.
The criticism targeted Falz and his father, Femi Falana, amid Bobrisky’s alleged N15 million Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC settlement.
A major controversy occurred after VeryDarkMan revealed audio recordings in which Bobrisky purportedly stated that Femi Falana and his son, Falz, had contacted him before his release from prison.
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Following that, Falz gave VDM a 24-hour deadline to remove all of the disparaging remarks made about him.
Solomon Buchi commented on the situation on his X page on Wednesday, stating that Falz and his father did nothing wrong because they are lawyers who can provide legal assistance to any client.
He went on to say that VDM’s lack of knowledge is obvious, and that the activist requires major education.
He tweeted: “VDM, Falana and Falz have done nothing wrong. They’re lawyers and can give valid counsel to anyone they deem a client. State/federal pardon is a thing in law. While some of the work you do is great, you need a lot of education because your illiteracy always shines through”
In another post, he wrote: “Now Falz has served VDM papers and claims to have evidence that bobrisky first reached out to them. VDM does good, but he needs education and enlightenment. There are troubles that illiteracy can land you in. Confidence isn’t all he needs. He needs education!!!!”
Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and child education activist, has joined other Nigerians who have pushed themselves to break several world records.
The chess master achieved a new record of 60 hours for the longest chess marathon with his US partner, Shawn Martinez, also a chess master, in Times Square in New York City, United States of America on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
The duo smashed the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
Onakoya, who operates a non-governmental organisation called Chess in Slums Africa that aims to raise chess masters from the slums, stated that the goal of the world record was to generate $1 million to empower more children in Africa.
As of Saturday, the organisation had only raised $100,000.
Though the chess master’s initial goal was to achieve a new record of 58 hours, he was successful in setting a new goal of 60.
According to a New York-based non-profit organisation, despite a health difficulty of acute vomiting and stomach discomfort during the games, the Nigerian chess master refused to abandon his goal.
Congratulating Onakoya, President Bola Tinubu, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday, wrote,
“I celebrate this Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his rare feat, but especially for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu also commended Onakoya’s achievement. In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, he wrote,
“Congratulations to chess master, Tunde Onakoya, on breaking the world chess marathon record in Times Square, New York. Your journey from Lagos, Nigeria to global recognition embodies the spirit of our great city.”
READ MORE: Our Lawyers Are Preparing Documents, Causes Of Junior Pope’s Death Is ‘Actionable’ – Emeka Rollas
During the marathon, many renowned Nigerians expressed their support for Onakoya, including the African Action Congress’ presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, and popular artist David Adeleke, aka Davido.
Expressing gratitude to Nigerians for the support, the chess master said,
“Hello Nigerians, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support. It’s a very surreal experience.”
Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has said that Ghana’s sound democracy made it possible for an opposition party to win a bye-election.
Commenting on the victory of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Assin North bye-election he said “In a sound democracy, the opposition is able to win bye-elections. Well done NDC! #ProudToBeGhanaian. Now can somebody stop that shameful prosecution, it never should have started?!!”
NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson emerged winner with 57.56% of votes, with Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) coming second with 42.15% and the Liberal Party of Ghana’s Enyonam Bernice Sefenu making only 0.29%.
The Supreme Court initially nullified Mr Quayson’s election as the MP for Assin North over holding Canadian citizenship and being a Ghanaian at the time he filed his nomination to contest the election in 2020.
He now faces charges of perjury and deceiving a public officer.
Upon a bye-election conducted by the Electoral Commission, the people of Assin North Constituency re-elected him to represent them in Parliament.
Ghanaian musician M3nsa has disagreed with a judgment made by a court for a petty crime committed by a moto rider.
The musician took to Twitter to react to an article shared by a media house, Starr FM about an okada rider jailed for 15 years for snatching a mobile phone from someone.
READ ALSO: Sacrifice your ex-girlfriend Maame Serwaa and leave us alone – Big Akwes drags Oboy Frank Naro
According to the story, a motor rider, Emmanuel Waki, 21, has been sentenced to serve 15 years jail term after pleading guilty to robbing a bystander of his mobile phone in front of the Police CID Headquarters.
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Reports say that the robbery happened on the 19th of December where it was witnessed by the Inspector General of Police and his bodyguards who were then returning from routine observational duties.
The police were said to have given the robber a chase after snatching the phone leading to the arrest of the okada rider identified as Salifu, who in turn led the police to Old Fadama to arrest the culprit Waki.
Reacting to the news, M3nsa expressed shock over how the accused was given a 15-year jail term for a petty incident.
He wrote on Twitter, “People are poor, and hungry, and desperate. Committing petty crimes in front of even more corrupt institutions and personnel doesn’t change the core of the issue,” his tweet on January 5, 2023, read. “15yrs for what? To destroy his life even further? Human beings we be trash waaaa”.
READ ALSO: “Cost of data preventing Ghanaians to stream our songs” – Wendy Shay laments
Kelvyn Boy, born Kelvyn Brown, revealed in an interview on Hitz FM with Andy Dosty that he is now living in a three-bedroom house he built for himself and his family.
He proudly stated, “I constructed my own house, and that’s where I stay with my family.”
The former Burniton Music Group (BMG) artist also mentioned that he owns several other properties across Accra but chooses not to flaunt them. “I have other properties in Accra, but I don’t feel the need to show off like others do. I prefer to keep things low-key,” he explained, highlighting his humility.
When asked about his daily routine, particularly in the mornings, Kelvyn Boy shared his hands-on approach with his children.
“I make sure my kids are well taken care of every morning. I play a very active role in their lives,” he noted, underlining his dedication to his family.
Reflecting on his career and relationship with Stonebwoy, Kelvyn Boy opened up about his attempts to reconcile with his former mentor. “I’ve tried to make peace with Stonebwoy, but it hasn’t worked out,” he admitted, acknowledging the unresolved tension between them despite his efforts.
The relationship between Kelvyn Boy and Stonebwoy soured after a series of events that led to Kelvyn Boy’s exit from Burniton Music Group (BMG), Stonebwoy’s record label, in 2019.
The tension reportedly began when Kelvyn Boy was accused of being ungrateful to Stonebwoy, who had mentored and helped him rise in the music industry.
There were claims that Kelvyn Boy failed to show appreciation for the opportunities and support Stonebwoy provided during his time with BMG.
This tension was further fueled by rumors that Kelvyn Boy was distancing himself from Stonebwoy and trying to build his brand without giving due credit to his mentor.
After Kelvyn Boy’s departure from BMG, there was a public falling out between the two artists, with Stonebwoy making it clear that Kelvyn Boy was no longer part of the label.
A Sunyani-based mining engineer, Ernest Ayesu Snr., has joined the NDC’s parliamentary primaries in the Sunyani-West Constituency.
Mr. Ayesu, who is currently a general foreman at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, made this known in an interview with MyJoyOnline.com on Friday, February 24.
According to the mining technician, his decision to join the parliamentary contest stems from his vision of making the Constituency a more prosperous community through the creation of employable opportunities.
These opportunities, he said when created will be made available to all indigenes, especially the youth in the Constituency.
Per his policy outline, the aspiring MP wants to “Reduce unemployment among the youth by developing and impacting them with employable skill sets; most importantly in the mining, construction and built environment fields”.
He also has plans of developing “a comprehensive list of job opportunities for young people”.
The Sunyani-West Constituency is currently a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the current Minister for Labour and Employment Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, serving as its Member of Parliament.
Since 1996, the New Patriotic Party has won the seat, despite attempts by the NDC to snatch it. The closest effort by the NDC was in the 2012 elections, when it managed to garner some 49.1% of the parliamentary votes.
However, Ernest Ayesu, a master’s degree holder in Business Administration from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) believes that he has what it takes to make the NDC triumph in Sunyani-West; despite the party’s unsuccesful records.
His commitment to this goal, he notes can be deduced from his past contributions to the party, including the furnishing of the party’s constituency office as well as the funding of election day activities for the NDC during the 2020 elections.
The mining engineer’s emergence adds to the number of other professionals who have so far expressed their desires to contest in the NDC primaries across various constituencies.
A landmark example is the former General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association who recently resigned his position to contest in the Lambussie primaries.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023, to elect a new flagbearer as well as its parliamentary candidates for the 2024 elections.
Per the schedule announced by the party on January 18, aspirants are expected to pick their nomination forms at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka or access them via the party’s official website.
Parliamentary aspirants picked their forms from Monday, 20th February to 24th February at a fee of GH¢5,000; and later submit them at a fee of GH¢40,000 between March 20 to March 22.
This will be followed by the vetting of aspirants from 27th March to 29th March, 2023.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Online streaming giant Netflix has said that it plans to expand operations in Africa, saying its $175m (£140m) investment on the continent since 2016 has already created some hit shows.
The announcement was made at an event in Johannesburg where Netflix launched a report on its impact in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.
According to the report, the company has created 12,000 jobs on the continent and intends to build on this success beyond just three countries.
“We have undertaken this report to reflect on Netflix’s social and economic impact in the key countries,” Netflix’s sub-Saharan Africa policy director, Shola Sanni, said in its introduction.
“We are still in many ways at the inception stages of our investment journey, so it’s doubly exciting to know that we are poised to deliver even greater impact if we maintain our current momentum – and if the right circumstances for investments in our sector continue to prevail.”
She pointed to African productions like Silverton Siege (South African), Aníkúlápó (Nigerian) and Disconnect: The Wedding Planner (Kenyan) as all having at one point made it into Netflix Global Top 10 lists.
However to keep telling African stories on a global stage, Netflix needed to have the support of “governments, civil society, private sector and industry” to allow the create industries to thrive, Ms Sanni said.
“Enabling policy frameworks, flexible regulatory mandates and ease of doing business are inextricably bound to the continued growth of the audio-visual sector and streaming services.”
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
In a recent tell-all interview with prominent Nigerian activist Reno Omokri, Naira Marley opened up about his apprehensions and explained the reasons behind his reluctance to return to Nigeria in the wake of the tragic passing of Mohbad.
The untimely death of young and talented artist Mohbad sent shockwaves through the Nigerian music industry and left fans and colleagues grappling with grief. As news of his passing broke, it wasn’t long before various circumstances and incidents began to connect Naira Marley to this devastating loss.
These associations, coupled with the fact that Naira Marley is currently abroad, have raised eyebrows and ignited a lot of questions from both the public and the authorities.
Amid growing suspicions, many Nigerians have voiced their concerns, demanding that Naira Marley return to Nigeria to address the allegations and clear his name if he is truly innocent. The sentiment seems to be that his return will dispel the suspicion that hangs over him. However, Naira Marley has chosen to address these concerns head-on and clarify his position.
In the interview with Reno Omokri, Naira Marley did not mince words. He explained that he is fully prepared to return to Nigeria, provided that the security agencies can guarantee his safety.
The situation surrounding Mohbad’s death has taken an unexpected turn with actress and activist Iyabo Ojo entering the conversation. Kemi Filani had previously reported that actress Iyabo Ojo had disclosed that the Nigerian police have issued invitations to both Naira Marley and Sam Larry for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. Her revelation came with a clear and stern warning: failure to comply with the police’s instructions and return promptly may result in them being declared wanted.
Also recall that Naira Marley had issued a press release earlier stating that neither he nor his team had ever assaulted Mohbad stands at odds with past tweets from the late artist. In those tweets dating back to 2022, Mohbad alleged that he had been subjected to violence, orchestrated by Naira Marley himself.
Veteran Nigerian Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, popularly known as Oba Alashakasha, has escaped a ugly ghastly accident that damaged his car.
He also noted that he was able to walk away from the terrible car accident which he survived without any internal or external injuries.
Meanwhile, Obesere, failed to give full details of the incident, expressed appreciation to God for keeping him safe, including those around him.
He also accompanied the post with a song thanking God for showing him mercy.
READ MORE: Veteran Fuji House Of Commotion Actress Is Dead
He wrote: “I came out alive. Allihamdulilah!!! I sincerely thank the Almighty for still keeping me and people around very safe. Mo dupe pe ari anu agba”
Though at the time of publishing this article, it was not ascertain the exact location and time the accident happened.
One teenager has been allegedly shot dead by Chinese illegal miners security at Sefwi Abrokofe popularly known as ‘Abroad’ near Sefwi Boinzan in the Sefwi Juaboso District of the Western North Region.
The shooting by these illegal miners have also led to the injury of two persons who are also teenagers and are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at the St.John’s of God Hospital at Sefwi Asafo.
The sad incident happened in the wee hours of Wednesday, 23rd August
One of the surviving teenagers was shot in the tigh whiles the other one was also shot in the back area.
The youth in the town angrily lay ambush and set their excavators ablaze.
Speaking in an interview with UTV News’ Western North Regional Correspondent Kwabena Dickson, father of the 17- year-old boy who was shot in the tigh, Mr Nketiah Barnaba’s explained that he had a call about the said shooting incident and was informed that, his son had been shot so he rushed quickly to ascertain how true it was.
Unfornately the 18-year-boy according Mr Nketiah passed on and the 16-year-old boy and his son were rushed to the Proso Kofikrom Clinic but was later transfered to the Sefwi Asafo St Johns of God Hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“When we came here, they told us to go and take an X-ray at Sefwi Wiawso and we have done that, so we are waiting for what the Doctor will tell us,” Mr Nketiah the father of one of the boys who was shot in the tigh told Kwabena Dickson at the hospital.
“Since we came here, its only the Juaboso District Police Commander who has visited us and given us words of encouragement, aside that no one has come here to see how the victims are responding to treatment,” Mr Nketiah Banarba’s who is also a Unit Committee member told UTV News.
However, the Auntie of the deceased (name withheld) believes it was a deliberate attempt to kill her son.
“Personally I was at the scene when the Chinese guard shot the gun, he first shot it on the ground and later pointed it at my son and his friends and shot them,” she told UTV News‘ Kwabena Dickson at her residence at Abrokofe.
She also explained that, after killing her son, the police also arrested his elder brother who tried to save his life, adding that the police accused him of inciting the youth in the town to destroy the properties of the Chinese illegal miners, and it took the Assemblyman of Boinzan, Mr Affum Kooko to grant him a bail.
“Since we returned to the house no one has visited us . . . we don’t have the financial muscles to challenge them, they want to subject us to injustice and we are therefore appealing to the Inspector General of Police and the high authorities to take up this matter and seek justice for us,” the mother of the deceased told UTV News.
Meanwhlie, the Assemblyman of Sefwi Boinzan electoral area, Mr Stephen Affum Kooko, has expressed his outmost disgust about the spate at which illegal mining have been taken over by chinese illegal miners and their Ghanaian counterparts.
He added that school children are dropping out of school due to these invasion of illegal mining activities by these Chinese miners.
Mr Stephen Affum Kooko is therefore appealing to President Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Lands and the security from National to re-activate the ‘Operation Halt’.
Currently, Chinese illegal miners have taken over places like Sefwi Boinzan, Mafia, Sefwi Agyemandiem, Asempaneye, Abokofe, Kwawkrom, Bonsu Nkwanta among other areas but seems there’s no effort made to apprehend them in their illegal activities.
Source: Kwabena Dickson/ Western North Regional Correspondent, UTV
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Kasoa (C/R), Mar. 06, GNA – The Municipal Chief Executive of Awutu Senya-East Municipality, Mrs Anita Obo Love Amissah, has urged Ghanaians to be patriotic just like the nation’s forefathers to help build the Ghana that all desire.
She made the call at the 67th Independence Day celebration on the theme: “Our Democracy Our Pride,” saying the development of Ghana required strong civic responsibility from all Ghanaians because it was imperative “we all get involved”.
Mrs Amissah called on all to contribute their quota to the work of the Assembly and Ghana by supporting government to implement its developmental plans.
She pledged the Assembly’s continued support to educational infrastructure and materials to help improve teaching and learning.
On roads, she revealed that the construction of the Ofaakor- Jei River road, the paving of the old market, and construction of culverts in different areas within the municipality to allow easy flow of drainage system, were in progress.
She tasked the residents to keep the environment clean, especially in schools, markets, churches and all public places, while the public continued to engage in periodic clean up exercises to ensure sustainability.
Ho, July 15, GNA – Mr Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA-Ghana), says Ghana’s fledgling democracy is constantly being threatened by the creeping exclusionary politics and voter suppression.
He said politics of exclusion in the country had risen sharply in recent times and occured at targeted regions considered as strongholds of the two main political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during general elections.
He said, “the earlier we tackle this canker collectively, the better for Ghana – a country considered as the citadel of democracy in Africa.”
Mr Thompson made these statements at a day’s dialogue session on politics of exclusion in the Volta Regional capital Ho.
It was organized by the Community Focus Foundation (CFF-Ghana), a Ho based non-governmental organization in partnership with ASEPA-Ghana and the Democratic Credentials Network (DCN-Ghana).
The forum held on the theme: “Politics of exclusion; a threat to Ghana’s democracy,” brought together civil society organizations, representatives of various Political parties, religious groups, the Volta Regional Peace Council, Youth associations and other stakeholders.
He observed that during the voter registration exercise in 2020, the government deployed military officers to some border towns of the country especially the Volta region, considered by many as the stronghold of the opposition NDC.
He said although the government argued that the deployment was for good reasons, most political actors, including the NDC vehemently rebutted government claims and alleged it was tactics being used to prevent people of the affected regions from registering to participate in the 2020 general election.
Mr Thompson waded into the ongoing debate on the use of the National Identification or the Ghana card as sole proof of identity to register and vote in the 2024 general elections and advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to avoid any such move as it would disenfranchise several Ghanaians, who may not have the card.
He said the Ghana card in its present form was an ECOWAS travel document, which failed to pass for a national identity card, adding that Ghana needed a synchronised national identification regime.
Mr Richard Kasu, Executive Director for CFF-Ghana, said the forum was to discuss the importance of participatory governance in Ghana and to ensure peace and security before, during and after the 2024 general elections.
Mr Kasu said having recognized the risks associated with politics of exclusion and the catalyzing roles played by stakeholders, especially political actors in movements across the world, CFF-Ghana through its Participatory Democracy, Peace and Security programme was partnering other stakeholders to design strategic initiatives to influence public policy on participatory governance and promote electoral integrity, peace and security.
Mr Mawutor Agbavitor, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said it was disheartening to witness the rise of exclusionary practices within the political landscape.
“Politics, at its core, should be a unifying force, bringing together diverse voices including political actors and citizens to take collective actions in the right perspectives for the greater good of our nation Ghana,” he said.
He emphasized that no region should be treated as a political pawn or subjected to discriminatory policies as being witnessed in recent times.
“Each region, including the Volta region, deserves equal attention, support, and opportunities for growth and development – It is our collective responsibility, as citizens and leaders, to challenge the politics of exclusion and demand inclusivity from our government.
“We must hold our leaders accountable for their actions, advocating for equitable distribution of resources and fair treatment of all regions
including the right to register and participate in national elections,” he said.
He called on government and all stakeholders to work together to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of their ethnic background, religious affiliation or geographic location, “can fully participate in our democratic process and benefit from the opportunities our nation provides by embracing inclusivity and rejecting exclusion, we can build a stronger and more united Ghana that upholds the principles of democracy and justice.”
A Nigerian lady identified as @estherokoh216 has taken to social media to share how her father put on an act after he was caught with his girlfriend at an eatery on her mom’s birthday.
In a video shared on TikTok, the lady disclosed that they had gone to celebrate her mum’s birthday at a notable eatery when she spotted her dad and his girlfriend in the same eatery.
She captioned the video…
“#???? imagine having a dad that spends only on outsiders and doesn’t give two hoots about his family.”
Revealing in the video, her father and his girlfriend could be seen in the background placing an order at the food counter. She noted that her father pretended not knowing his family upon sighting them.
She explained that his girlfriend was authoritative as she kept commanding their fearful father in the eatery, although , he informed them of being broke at home.
As the video continue to make rounds on social media, netizens have flooded the comment section, stating reasons why some children refuse to cater for their fathers.
Many reproached the young lady for shaming her father on social media while others advised they should have caused a scene at the eatery.
Accra, March 07, GNA — The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has called on the Government to take immediate steps to nullify the Presidential Office Act 1993, (Act 463) to trim the number of appointments a president could make.
According to the Association, the Act, in its current form, gave the President the unlimited power to appoint all categories of Presidential Staffers without recourse to the financial situation of the country.
Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo, the Executive Secretary, CLOGSAG, made the call at a news conference in Accra, on Tuesday.
Article 195 (1) of the Constitution stipulates that: “Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the power to appoint persons to hold or act in an office in the public services shall vest in the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the governing council if the service concerned given in consultation with the Public Services Commission.”
Dr Addo said, over the years, CLOGSAG had “observed and noted with dismay” the abuse of Executive power in the appointment of numerous presidential staffers and special assistants to perform jobs of public servants.
That, he said, had tainted the credibility of the Public Services and belittled its relevance.
“This situation has contributed to an alarming development of takeover of Public Services jobs by political apparatchiks and cohorts. These clandestine acts by the political elite, if not checked will erode the significance and support base of our governance architecture and systems.
Dr Addo said the Presidential Office Act was “unwarranted” and only served as a conduit to employ “party apparatchiks” and “goro boys” who only undermined the work of Public Servants.
He indicated that the Act duplicated the work of the appointing authorities of the Civil Service and the Local Government Councils, describing it as a “bad law being used by the Executive to its advantage.”
Dr Addo said Article 190 of the 1992 Constitution, outlined the Public Services of Ghana, prescribing how it should be organised and staffed, adding that the Civil Services Act 1993, (PNDCL 327), also stipulated that the objective of the Civil Service was to help the government to formulate and implement policies for national development.
He, therefore, called on the Public Services Commission to take steps to pursue a Constitutional Instrument to regulate public services, including the Office of the President.
Dr Addo explained that the country would benefit greatly if the Act was immediately nullified.
“Currently, Ghana is bedeviled with certain economic woes that can be attributed to these practices. These issues and challenges to a considerable extent are self-inflicted and can easily be forestalled if due process and recognition of the constitution are adhered to,” he said.
He warned that the Association would embark on numerous industrial actions including demonstrations if the Act were not nullified in the shortest possible time.
A beautiful 26-year-old mother of one has taken her life after suffering heartbreak, according to her boyfriend.
Abigail Nana Amma Fosua was found h*nging in her room at Gentlemen Road, a suburb of Samreboi in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region.
Her boyfriend is reported to have visited her home on Thursday and told her landlord he is afraid she has harmed herself due to conversations they were having.
Once they broke into her room Abigail was discovered deceased.
The incident was reported to the police, and her body was deposited at the Samartex Hospital morgue for further investigation.
The alleged boyfriend was invited by the police to assist in the investigation.
Ghana legend, Mohammed Polo, says players in the Ghana Premier League are not good enough to meet the standard of playing for the Black Stars.
In recent times, players in the local topflight have struggled to make their way into the senior national team.
In the last national team call-up, former Bechem United striker, Hafiz Konkoni was the only local-based player to earn a call-up under Chris Hughton.
Mohammed Polo, a former star for Hearts of Oak, said the local players are not good enough to compete for the Black Stars.
“The quality of players in the Ghana Premier League cannot meet the requirements of the Black Stars. Unless we resort to the European leagues for players outside of Ghana,” he told Asempa FM on the Sports Nite Show.
Ghana’s next match will be against the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers next month. A call-up is expected to be announced soon.
The game has been scheduled to be staged at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 7.
CHAOS, explosions, gunfire and bodies rotting among the rubbish – welcome to the most dangerous city on Earth.
Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince is a crumbling but resilient city under siege from heavily armed gangs and ongoing political turmoil.
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Nigeria has secured $800 million from the World Bank to scale up its national social program ahead of the removal of its costly but popular subsidies on petrol in June, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said on Wednesday.
Africa’s biggest economy set aside 3.36 trillion naira ($7.3 billion) this year to spend on petrol subsidies until mid-2023, after which it has made no provision for the expense, which cost more than its spending on healthcare and education.
Ahmed said the government was considering cash transfers and mass transit buses for workers to ease the pain of the subsidy removal on the most vulnerable segment of its population.
She added that the country has registered ten million households, which is equivalent to 50 million people on its vulnerable list.
“Several things are still on plan,” Ahmed told reporters in Abuja after the government’s cabinet meeting.
“Some we can start executing quickly while some are of long-term implementation.”
The World Bank said in 2021 it expected the COVID-19 crisis to push over 11 million Nigerians into poverty by 2022, taking the total number of people classified as poor in the country to over 100 million. The total population is estimated at 200 million.
Ahmed said discussions were going on at different levels of government and with members of the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu on the subsidy removal.
Last week, Labour Minister Chris Ngige recommended that Tinubu’s new administration give public sector workers pay rises after removing a fuel subsidy in June. Tinubu will take office in May, when Buhari steps down.
Many Nigerians regard cheap subsidised fuel as at least one benefit they receive from the state, which fails to deliver other basic services such as electricity and security despite receiving billions of dollars every year from oil exports.
Source: Reuters
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Libya has been in crisis since long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011.
Since 2014, it has been politically split between the internationally-recognised interim government in Tripoli (in the west), and the administration in Tobruk (in the east) – which doesn’t recognise the Tripoli government.
Derna, a former Islamic State stronghold during the post-Gaddafi civil war, is now mostly controlled by the eastern administration.
Countries that would like to send support are having issues negotiating with the two administrations.
But despite the split, the government in Tripoli has sent a plane with 14 tonnes of medical supplies, body bags and more than 80 doctors and paramedics.
Source: BBC
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Yul Edochie’s recent public endorsement of President Tinubu has certainly sparked a wave of reactions and discussions among Nigerians and netizens. While Yul Edochie expresses unwavering support for the president, it’s evident that many people have contrasting opinions about Tinubu’s leadership.
The fact that the economic situation in Nigeria has deteriorated since President Tinubu took office at the beginning of the year is a cause for concern for many. The significant devaluation of the Naira against the dollar to 1,100 Naira per dollar has undoubtedly affected the daily lives of Nigerians and the country’s overall economic stability.
“No matter the situation, no matter the struggles, all will be well with Nigeria.
His Excellency @officialasiwajubat is a master strategist.
He knows exactly what he’s doing.
We pin here.
No leave no transfer.
Jagaban will fix Nigeria.”
Reactions
Certainly, here are the reactions as you provided them, with numbers and unnecessary details removed:
judy_the_adulterous_womann:
you first daughter it’s pregnant and you decided to hide it loose daughter like loose mama see person wey talk say May old pass her but her first daughter is almost 18 years…Old cargO..na because you don decide to abandon vour children for village chase penis.irresponsible mother that can’t even claim and be proud ot her numerous children..Mama phat f00l..you resemble Yul mama. see as you full everywhere g G continue to Dey use jazz because for Yul normal sense he cannot lay with a dOrty like you.
ebysweden:
I believe Jagaban more than I believe you. With a miracle, Nigeria can be better. But with an Odiegwu like you, locked and sealed in a bottle by Judy-Delilah and her marine friends, it will take more than a miracle to release you from the bottle. For Nigeria to be better, 2 things has to happen. Jagaban needs to fix you both!!! Odiegwu has to be released from the bottle and Juju Austin sent back to her Marine kingdom.
teddie_doll:
Awww Renewed hope twinny goals & Chief chancellor & Vice chancellor for polygamy affair ward 1 division 4 Asaba commission is vacant make they find this position put una.
gifted_okon:
When you were with May, we use to see captions like “My CEO Extraordinary, My Sweetheart, Wife of my youth Love you forever, I am not you people mate in this marriage thing, My beautiful wife”. E come reach Judy turn, your captions are always, ijele this ijele that, jagaban this jagaban that, nobody will live here forever, nothing is in this world, Isimmili this Isimmili that! Sir what is going on with you?
amagracie:
Very soon this your bag of garri wife go begin follow Abuja politicians, come dump you, dat time vour eves go clear because e de her body.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 12, 2024, sentenced Idris Okuneye, often called Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment over mutilation of the Naira notes.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, he was charged with four counts of mutilation of Naira notes totaling N490,000.
The court, however, dropped the money laundering accusations but convicted him of Naira Abuse after he admitted to the offence.
Justice Awogboro had, thereafter, ruled that “upon the admission of guilt by the defendant, testimony of PW1 and following the evidence tendered, the defendant is declared guilty as charged.”
In his plea for mercy, Bobrisky said: “I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law. I wish I can be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira.”
Also, his lawyer had said: “He will lead the crusade against the abuse of Naira. He is also an employer of people ; and if he goes to jail, the people he employs will suffer. He has cooperated with the EFCC and has not wasted the time of the court. We urge the court to caution the defendant and allow him to go. He has given evidence that he will be useful to the country. We urge you to grant a non-custodial sentencing option of fine.”
After listening to both parties, the Judge had deferred judgment in the matter to Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and also ordered that he be remanded in the EFCC custody.
READ MORE: Korra Obidi Hospitalised Following Acid And Knife Attack In UK (Video)
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Awogboro held that “The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country…
“Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Judge, therefore, sentenced him to six months imprisonment, without an option of fine, from the date of his remand.
Ghanaian tactician, James Kwasi Appiah has opened up on why he took the Black Stars captaincy from Asamoah Gyan in 2019 and handed it to Andre Ayew.
Speaking to Sienu TV, the former Black Stars coach said it is because Gyan did not have the strength he used to have and was not going to start games at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
“I knew that his performance could not go to the level I wanted because modern football is not about name and his strength was not that high compared to years back.
“In actual fact that was the main reason. Looking at the games he had played and personally, I don’t believe I will be the captain and I will be on the bench. The captain should be on the pitch to control things,” Coach Kwesi Appiah said.
The gaffer further disclosed that despite his concerns on the fitness of Asamoah Gyan who had not played many games in the months leading to the AFCON, he believed the veteran had something to offer.
This is why he still included the Ghana legend in his squad for the tournament.
“The reason why I took Gyan to the competition was because Gyan had helped the nation for a period of time and I said if you are not injured no matter what I will take you to the tournament and I want you to finish on that note,” Kwesi Appiah shared.
Ghanaian actress Victoria Lebene has given further insight into long-standing rumors regarding her alleged relationship with veteran actor Kofi Adjorlolo.
During a recent discussion with media personality Abeiku Santana on Atuu on UTV, she shed light on the origins of these rumours and how they unfolded.
Lebene explained that these rumors began with a news headline that mentioned her and Kofi Adjorlolo. She suspects that the story might have been initiated by a popular blogger, Ameyaw Debrah, although she remains uncertain about the exact source.
“I think there was a news headline about me and Kofi Adjolorlor. Perhaps that is what instigated everything. I don’t know who brought it up, but I think it was Ameyaw Debrah who wrote a story about something between Kofi Adjolorlor and I,” she said.
Setting the record straight, Lebene clarified that her interactions with Kofi Adjorlolo were limited to professional communication during times when they worked together on set. Thus, she was taken aback by the media frenzy surrounding these rumours.
“It didn’t disturb me. There were a lot of talks like ‘how come a young girl like you is with Kofi Adjolorlor?’ and all that. He and I were just in communication. We used to meet a few times on set.
“So, I don’t know who instigated that per se. I don’t know if Kofi called Ameyaw, I don’t know how it happened, but it just blew up. I didn’t know how to even relate with it. I can’t say I enjoyed the media frenzy. I was just hearing my name everywhere that I was with Kofi Adjololo,” she explained.
Moreover, she mentioned that the rumours were reignited when controversial marriage counsellor, Counsellor Lutterodt made comments about her and Kofi Adjorlolo. Lebene found these statements perplexing, as she had no personal involvement or relationship with him.
She expressed, “I think we were in the studio and Counsellor started that and I was like what is he saying? He didn’t understand me, and he started doing videos and bashing me”.
She also emphasized that she had minimal encounters with Kofi Adjorlolo, and any interaction between them was not public.
“Because I don’t have any business with him (Kofi Adjorlolo). Accidentally, we haven’t met so much. I think we did once, but it wasn’t so public” she stated.
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that he deserves the opportunity to lead Ghana, citing his accomplishments as Vice President.
Dr. Bawumia asserted that he is widely recognized as the best Vice President Ghana has ever had. He made these remarks during a stakeholder engagement at the Kasoa Odekro Palace, as part of his tour of the Awutu Senya East constituency on Monday.
He highlighted his role in implementing 33 government policies under his guidance, contrasting his record with that of former President John Dramani Mahama, who also served as Vice President but, according to Dr. Bawumia, did not achieve similar milestones.
Dr Bawumia urged Ghanaians to support his bid for the presidency, promising to be a “brand new tear rubber” leader for the nation.
“I have implemented 33 different policies as Vice President. The former President cannot point to one. He does not have one as Vice President. There is none. I can point to them.
“So, it means that I have passed the job as a Vice President. So, vote for me so I become President.”
“I am a Vice President so if you vote for me, you will get a brand-new tear rubber President. When you vote for the former president, you will get home used secondhand President,” he stated.
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Following the exclusive news about Oyerepa FM’s Aunty Naa’s secret marriage to a Ghanaian Canada-based lawyer – Alot of social media users have taken to the internet to share diverging opinions.
While fans of the award-winning presenter have dedicated their social media timelines to congratulate their radio idol, her critics have also charged to use the rest of the day to blast and attack her.
As fumed by some critics of Aunty Naa, after using her platform to separate a lot of couples, she has secretly married because she knows the benefits of marriage.
Before marrying the Canada-based lawyer, Aunty Naa was married to Bonshayka officially known as Dennis Mac -Caulley aka Yaw Adu.
Reacting to the news of Aunty Naa’s marriage, Roland Crespo Al-Nassr for instance commented;
How come judge Kumpala an expert in solving marriage issues on radio/TV could not hold down just one man? This world errrrrr. I don’t blame her anyway. You will have to look at the social status of the people that appear on her show. Ahiafoc nkoteeeee (low to middle income levels) .
No level-headed personality like proper lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, ministers, Mps and presidents will ever appear there. It is just what it is!!!!!!!
Hope she has learnt her lessons. Congratulations to her anyway, love is sweet
Kofi Adu Karikari – Ooh like seriously?Those who have antidote to breaking marriages can also have failed marriage? What did her ex husband did to her? How much compensation did she got from her ex? Did she get cars, house, money from her Ex? My heart is soo boring, l cannot wait for those answers on her own show. We deserve a show on her failed marriage. One “ who comes into equity must come with clean hands”
King Walankaaki – Someone who couldn’t stay in her marriage, what legacy does she has to advise people in marriage. She was always ready to break people’s marriages and relationships so that it could look like she wasn’t tge only one who couldn’t stay in her marriage….
Seidu Safia Tu – She hasn’t problem anyone’s marriage the marriages has already broken before they bring it to her.What about the good things she has done for people
Qwacu Black Tumtum – Her first marriage even failed and she Dey talk marriage matters n judging people like she’s righteous
Mathias Aheto Sallah – What a life, she should have brought her own to the radio for discussion before the divorce, and show the people what she got..people always call for equity but their hands are not clean.
Kwesi Edward – You have a marital problem and take it these people to solve it for you when they’re marriages are not working for themselves. It’s a disgrace to be on such shows.
Romeo Figasty – So Even Auntie Naa Understands the need for Privacy and Discretion when it come to matters of the heart and marriage.. BUT you Akua and Yaa will be spreading your matters all over Social media and be disturbing us.
Olubaba Kagawa – Person way no fi maintain her marriage Dey try discus people marriage , the world is never fear
The Factional Acting Chairman of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa has affirmed that he will return to court on Friday for the hearing session of the Labour Party petition at the Tribunal. Despite the humiliation and near-death experience which he claimed he faced at the court premises yesterday, he still assured Nigerians that they will see him in court tomorrow.
He asserted that he’s prepared to face anybody who tries to resist him at the court tomorrow. He also stated that he was not doing anything that is against the law or the land. According to him, what he’s demanding for is that Peter Obi and the Abure team should allow him to exert his authority as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. He denied ever withdrawing Peter Obi petition at the tribunal
When he was asked by Dr. Reuben Abati if he intends to return to Court tomorrow, he said, ”Even though I didn’t expect this kind of question but since you have asked. The answer is I will return to court tomorrow and I’m prepared to face anybody that tries to stop me. Nobody will compel me not to go. Let me tell you this clearly, if someone has the authority to do anything. Irrespective of the situation, you have to do it. The question I’m asking is am I doing something that is contrary to the law of the party? Am I doing something contrary to the law of the land by exerting my authority as the Chairman of the party?”
[Start From 20:24]
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The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) wants the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta to abandon any plan to include its members’ Pension Funds in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
According to the Association, any attempt to include GMA’s Pension Funds in the Programme “shall be resisted fiercely with very drastic actions that will certainly disrupt the industrial harmony nationwide”.
The association’s threat is contained in a press statement issued a day before the final deadline for the Programme expires on Friday February 10, 2023.
Albeit government haa arrived at a consensus with Organised Labour to exempt all pension funds from the Programme, some members of Labour still believe some retirement packages are being reclassified to be included in the Programme.
According to them, funds regulated by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) will be the only ones classified as Pension Funds as contained in the second Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum.
However, GMA insists that its pension funds, set up in 2002, predates the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) and serves as the only incentive keeping doctors in Ghana.
“It has since its inception operated as a Pension Fund with benefits paid out only upon retirement as per the trust deed,” the statement jointly signed by GMA President Frank Serebour and General Secretary Titus Beyuo said.
“No withdrawal is permitted before retirement.
“It is also instructive to note that the GMA’s Pension Fund does not give loans or overdrafts.”
The mother doctors’ labour union said by the agreement signed with the Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) last year, the government was exempting doctors’ pensions as well.
“In line with this, the GMA Pension Fund is duly exempted and does not fall under the current DDE Programme.
“The GMA takes this opportunity to strongly caution the Ministry of Finance and government for that matter, and in no uncertain terms that any attempt to reclassify the GMA’s Pension Fund as something other than a Pension Fund and place same under the DDE Programme, shall be resisted fiercely with very drastic actions that will certainly disrupt the industrial harmony nationwide.”
Garu (U/E), Oct 4, GNA – Mr Samuel Atando Akolgo, the Garu District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has commended Ghanaians for their interest in the electoral processes of the country.
He commended the citizens particularly for their cooperation and peaceful participation in the just-ended limited voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission, which lasted for 21 days.
Mr Akolgo gave the commendation through the Ghana News Agency after the NCCE in the Garu Districted visited the registration centre at the Electoral Commission’s office to monitor the exercise on last day of registration.
The Commission educated the citizens on the need to be enrolled onto the voters’ register, to help consolidate the democratic credentials of the country through participating in elections.
The District Director explained that despite the initial challenges and concerns raised, Ghanaians were able to ensure the registration was peaceful and successful.
“The exercise was successful and peaceful, and the Commission appreciates the participation of the citizenry in the exercise. We want to encourage citizens who have lost their voters’ card to take advantage of the window that had been opened by the EC from October 3, 2023,” he added.
At the end of the limited voter registration exercise, provisional statistics had revealed that the EC registered 2,965 persons comprising 1,345 males and 1,620 females in the Garu district.
Nine people’s registrations were however challenged.
Six business associations have submitted a petition to Parliament urging the House to reject the import restrictions bill proposed by the government through the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Joint Business Consultative Forum, comprising associations such as the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), argue that the bill if enacted, would have detrimental effects on their businesses.
The petition, dated Sunday, November 26, outlined concerns that the legislation could negatively impact the prices of goods, disrupt the free flow of goods, and potentially harm businesses.
“We vehemently oppose this LI and would appreciate its immediate rejection by Parliament to allow for proper consultations and dialogue to take place.”
“We strongly oppose this LI on the following grounds: The price of most products mentioned in the Ministry of Trade and Industry policy proposal will result in serious price hikes, as competition will be severely restricted.”
They added that “The Minister is the ultimate decision maker on which companies end up trading in each of these items. This will eventually lead to a monopolistic or oligopolistic position for a few select businesses in the country at the expense of many smaller businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Legislative Instrument (LI), which seeks to restrict the importation of some selected strategic products such as rice, poultry, and sugar, has been opposed by the Minority for the second time when the Minister attempted to lay it before the House.
Reggae/Dancehall star Samini has shared his views on religion and the possibility of embracing polygamy.
In an interview with MX24 TV, Samini revealed that he doesn’t limit himself to a specific religious institution, stating that he would go to either the church or the Mosque at his own discretion.
He cited his diverse religious background, with a majority of his family being Muslim, despite his Christian upbringing.
” I can go to the church, I can go to the mosque, I can go to any other place that I believe that these people that have gathered are calling the Most High that I also call and together we will call the Most High.
“But with no mediator for me personally, you understand? Because I know that I call him directly all the time and he does answer all the time. All the time,” he explained.
When asked about the concept of polygamy, Samini acknowledged that it’s a dream for many men to practice polygamy, but emphasized the importance of mutual consent and understanding between all parties involved.
“Would I attempt polygamy? Well, I think it’s every man’s wish in life, it’s every man’s dream, but it’s in the interest of the woman that you want to be in this kind of agreement with or in this kind of arrangement with to be on the same page with you.
“Other than that you’re going to find problems for yourself. But I think it’s something that every man is given hands and opportunity,” he said.
The family of the late Julius Mwangi Irungu, father to murder convict Jowie Irungu, has recounted their final moments and days with him before he passed away from cancer.
Jane Irungu, Jowie’s sister, shared her last interaction with their father, noting that he frequently wept over his son’s conviction and wished to see him released from prison.
Jane disclosed that Julius expressed a desire to visit Jowie in prison, a wish that remained unfulfilled as his health declined.
She added that on his deathbed, Julius spoke of having visions of Jowie’s eventual release.
“He told us he had seen media reports about his son’s release. He insisted on being taken to the prison, and we had arranged the visit before his condition deteriorated and he later passed away,” Jane narrated.
Mwangi Irungu passed away on Saturday, June 2024 at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital Annex after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Irungu’s wife, Annastacia Thaama, confirmed that Julius Irungu succumbed to cancer at the age of 64. However, the specific type of cancer was not disclosed.
“We lost him yesterday and are still grappling with his death. We were en route to Nairobi for treatment when his condition suddenly worsened, forcing us to rush him to Nakuru Level Five Annex Hospital. Unfortunately, he passed away at the facility before we could transfer him to Nairobi,” Thaama said.
In a previous interview with a local publication at his home in Lanet, Nakuru County, Irungu expressed the family’s anguish and sentiments regarding their son’s trial and conviction.
He believed strongly that his son had been unjustly tried and that the legal proceedings had been biased against him.
Mwangi believed that someone was manipulating the media to falsely accuse his son of Monica Kimani’s murder, possibly to protect the true perpetrators.
“My son was unfairly tried and convicted. They have made sure that the world is against him and us and now they want to kill him,” Jowie’s father stated as quoted by the Nation.
A labour analyst, Austin Gamey, has advised the appointing committee to issue a written contract of employment to the Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, to validate his office if there is no replacement.
Rev. Dr. Owusu-Amoah, during scrutiny at the Public Accounts Committee sitting on Monday, January 29, 2024, was quizzed on his age.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram insisted that the GRA boss has been working for over two years without a contract.
The issue has sparked outrage, eliciting reactions from some key personalities.
Mr. Gamey, speaking on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, indicated that it is illegal for public servants to be in office after attaining retirement age without a written contract.
He added that some public servants have the chance to be in office after attaining the age, but only based on contracted casual work under the Labour Commission Law.
However, in the case of the GRA boss, he said, it is unlawful as it goes contrary to the law.
He therefore advised the appointing committee that if they think there is no replacement for the GRA boss, a written employment contract should be handed over to him to validate his continuity in the office.
“For now, the reality is that if you are 60 years old and you are in public services, you are first of all supposed to be told that you have attained the retirement age and therefore you quit the job. But some are given contracts and these contracts are not casual work. It is only casual work under our law that in certain circumstances, it will be a gentlemanly agreement to change the party employee and employed. But this one is not a casual job that was supposed to be done in a week or a month.”
“If there is no one to replace him, the employer should give him a written contract of employment.”
Jeffery Peprah, the Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Ghana, has stated that the six local vehicle assembling companies have the production capacity to supply the country’s vehicle needs.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM on Monday, May 6, Mr Peprah said the total number of vehicles that came onto the market in 2023 was 120,000, out of which a meagre 6,000 were brand new.
“In Ghana, the total vehicles imported is 120,000, and out of these, 6,000 were new vehicles in 2023 and so you see a huge gap between new vehicles and the used vehicle market. Out of the new 6,000, 4,700 were assembled locally and this is coming from six different automobile assembling companies.
“With regards to our capacity at the moment, our total capacity for all the six assemblies that we have in the country now, we have a capacity of 140,000 to 141,000 units that can be produced locally.”
Mr. Peprah also defended the pricing of these locally assembled vehicles, saying the price put on them is worth each purchase.
He enumerated several benefits buyers of locally assembled vehicles will enjoy compared to buying imported second-hand vehicles.
“Looking at the pricing perspective at the moment, our new vehicles locally assembled are very competitive and as well as the things that come with them, especially you have a vehicle locally made with a five-year warrant, which is a very potential thing for the market here. Buyers have a warrant for servicing for five years and that is a big plus for the buyers”
The six automobile assemblers registered under the Ghana Automotive Development Programme (GADP), which include Volkswagen, Toyota, Rana Motors, Sinotruck, Japan Motors and Kantanka, have been calling on the government to restrict the importation of second-hand vehicles to grow the local industry.
Mr. Peprah said if some restrictions are imposed on imports, it will encourage the local companies to scale up their production capacities.
“If we are able to have a locally assembled product and with our capacities growing and once we have the numbers too growing, we will quickly move into more production phase where we will manufacture more products,” he told host Bernard Avle.
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Big Brother Naija Season 3 housemate, Chinonso Onyenobi better known as Nina Ivy is set to undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift popularly known as BBL.
The reality star made this known on her Snapchat account, while sharing a video of her in an hospital. Brazilian Butt Lift includes lipo-contouring of the back and waist area, with transfer of the fat to the buttock
Nina revealed that she is ready for the second phase of her BBL.
Sending pre-warning message to her critics, she told them to get ready for her.
“Ready for my bbl round 2. Round one was giving, this round 2 just get ready to be sick of me”.
Nina Ivy is one of the few celebrities who have spoken out on their body surgery
I did Brazilian butt and not implant” Nina Ivy schools a troll
Kemi Filani reported that that Nini Ivy had lashed out at a fan who tried to lecture her on breast implants.
The reality star went under the knife after the birth of her son to increase her butt size.
A troll had taken to her dm to advise her to be careful following the implant.
The troll claimed that a lady was left with deflated boobs after her implant exploded.
Schooling her, Nina stated that she did BBl which is far different.
According to her, liposuction and Brazilian butt (bbl) involves transferring your natural fat from your stomach, buttocks etc to the desired area of your body.
However, in butt implants one is getting artificial silicon to achieve that.
She told the troll to get educated and stop embarrassing herself.
“Liposuction and Brazilian butt (bbl) is by far very different from implants. The key difference is that in liposuction and bbl you are transferring your natural fat from your stomach, back etc to the desired area of your butt, but in butt implant you are getting an artificial silicon to achieve that, get educated and stop embarrassing yourself”.
Founder and leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen is on a campaign tour ahead of the December general elections.
The independent presidential candidate is on a market tour across the country to galvanise support.
During these visits, he received a warm welcome from Ghanaians who expressed their support and promised to vote for him.
He recently shared a video on social media showcasing a lively scene at a funeral, where he was surrounded by enthusiastic supporters.
In the video, Mr. Kyeramaten was joyfully showcasing the butterfly dance.
The butterfly dance is a significant aspect of Kyeramaten’s campaign, symbolizing change, transformation, hope, and positivity, as represented by the Monarch Butterfly, which is the emblem for his Movement for Change.
He explained that, the butterfly also embodies traits such as strength, endurance, spirituality, and trust, which he values as a political leader.
In the Akan language, the butterfly is known as “Afrafranto.”
36-year-old Thomas Kwame Henodzi has been found dead near Ponposu river at Nsawam in the Eastern region after being declared missing on July 12, 2023.
According to reports, the deceased had communicated to a friend about his offline trip to Nsawam before his departure.
The deceased driver, who was a resident of Libya Quarters at Madina, a suburb of Accra never returned to his family after he left for work on July 12, 2023.
Thomas Kwame Henodzi’s last trip from the online software records showed that his last trip ended at Ridge, around the National Trust Holding Company (NTHC).
In an Angel FM video sighted by GhanaWeb Business, the assailants have been apprehended and arraigned before court.
They confessed to have committed the murder and taken the deceased’s vehicle.
The assailants said their cartel, after requesting an offline trip strangle the neck of the driver while on their way to their destination and bolt with the vehicle.
Nigerian Ghanaian content creator and skit maker, Gloria Olorunto, popularly known as Maraji, has shared lovely memories of her son, Jaden’s growth.
The beautiful mother of one shared beautiful photos of her pregnancy to the birth and one year birthday of her son.
Maraji’s son clocks one today, the 21st of April, 2023.
The lovely video captured the moment Maraji birthed her son, how he was bathed, how he grew to be a handsome boy, and when he clocked one.
Sharing the video on her verified Instagram page, Maraji wrote, “I was weeping while editing this video 😫😫 my baby is growing 😩. I am so grateful to God”
Maraji sweetly celebrates her son, Jaden’s first birthday
A few hours ago, Maraji shared lovely photos of her son, Jaden, to mark his first birthday.
The mother of one shared photos and a video of her son, and disclosed how tedious it was to entertain her son to pose for his birthday shoot.
She wrote: My sweetheart is one today. Trying everything in our power to entertain this little man was not easy at all … it all worked out last.
Celebrities like Kiekie, Enioluwa, Jane Mena, Adaku, among others, joined Maraji to sweetly celebrate her cute boy.
Maraji seeks advice on how to nurse her son
Maraji once sought the advice of experienced mothers on how to nurse her son. She took to her verified Instagram page to comment on her son’s growing weight while also lamenting the pains her hands suffered to carry him.
Maraji sought the advice of experienced mothers and her fans on how to place a baby on a diet.
She wrote: How do you put a baby on a diet, please ( MY HANDS ARE PAINING ME )
Celebrities like Wofaifada, Steve Chuks, and Yvonne Okoro, among other numerous fans of Maraji, reacted to her statement.
Contemporary gospel music group, Bethel Revival Choir has been nominated in the second edition of the Praise Achievement Awards.
This year, the organizers of Praise Achievement Awards, Praise TV, seeks to celebrate kingdom labourers in God’s vineyard.
The gospel music group got nominated in nine (9) categories at the nominees unveiling held on Sunday, September 24 at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Hall in Accra.
Bethel Revival Choir had two (2) nominations in the Best Traditional Christian of the Year with Tegbe Tegbe and Enyo, and Best Collaboration of the Year with Tegbe Tegbe ft. Edwin Dadson and Ewe Bongo Medley ft. Akesse Brempong.
The nominated categories are;
1. Group of the Year
2. Songwriter of the Year – Tegbe Tegbe
3. Best Traditional Christian – Enyo
4. Best Traditional Christian – Tegbe Tegbe
5. Best Collaboration – Tegbe Tegbe ft. Edwin Dadson
6. Best Collaboration – Ewe Bongo Medley ft. Akesse Brempong
7. Song of the Year – Tegbe Tegbe
8. Album/EP of the Year – Enyo
9. Artiste of the Year
Bethel Revival Choir was adjudged the Best Group of the Year at the maiden edition of the Praise Achievement Awards which was held in 2022.
The main event will be held at the Oil Dome, Royal House Chapel in Accra on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 4 pm.
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The Minority in Parliament wants various stakeholders in the education sector to be summoned before the Education Committee of Parliament over the mass failure of teachers in the 2023 licensure examination resit.
The Minority says the National Teaching Council, various Colleges of Education and their affiliates, and the Ghana Education Service ought to brief the Committee on the underlying factors contributing to the failure of the teachers.
Speaking to Citi News in an interview, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak underscored the need to invite the relevant stakeholders on the failure in hopes of addressing the issue.
“The stakeholders in education and the parliamentary sub-committee on education in particular ought to hold a hearing by inviting those charged with preparing teachers which will include the colleges of education, the universities that the various colleges are affiliated to, the National Teaching Council, the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education so that we find out exactly where the problem is and why such a colossal number of teachers failed to pass a licensure exam.”
A total of 6,451 out of 7,728 teachers failed the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination conducted in May 2023.
Mass failure a ‘national security threat’ – NTC
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Dennis Osei-Owusu, has said that the high failure rate in the 2023 Teacher Licensure Examination is a “national security threat.”
Osei-Owusu in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM stated that the failure rate of teachers who took the re-sit exams is a cause for concern, as it means that many teachers who are yet to join the teaching profession are not fit to be called teachers.
“This is a national security threat that we need to pay attention to as a country. Some of these teachers have written for the ninth time and others for the second time. We really need to pay attention to this because we are talking about teachers coming to train our future generation so if a teacher cannot even spell his or her own name then we have something at hand,” he stated.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has expressed sadness over the death of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday.
INFORMATION NIGRIA reports that PDP described Akeredolu’s demise as a national loss in a statement issued yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The party disclosed that the late governor was a courageous, amiable and a brilliant lawyer.
The statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is saddened by the news of the death of the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu CON, SAN.
“Late Governor Akeredolu was a courageous and amiable personality, brilliant lawyer and outstanding administrator with deep understanding and capacity for leadership especially in his roles towards the unity, stability and development of the nation.
“His death is a huge national loss. He was an unrepentant fighter for Fairness, Equity and Justice in the affairs of the nation. He believed in true federalism, respect, defense and protection of ethnic nationalities which he advocated as prerequisite for peace and development in our nation.
“The PDP commiserates with Governor Akeredolu’s widow, Betty Akeredolu, his children and the people of Ondo State. We pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, and to the faithful departed, eternal rest in His Bosom.”
Ghanaian musician Kwame Yogot says self-acclaimed dancehall king, Shatta Wale is his role model in the music industry.
According to him, he is not going to slow down or quit working hard until he attains the level of success, fame and build a strong fanbase like Shatta Wale.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom FM, Kwame Yogot explained that he resonates well with the life and career struggle of Shatta Wale, hence his decision to pick the dancehall singer as his role model.
“For now, I would say that my role model is Shatta Wale. Yes, it is Shatta Wale. Before I can take a breather in my career, I should be able to attain the level of Shatta Wale.
“I mean who else should I emulate? I have learnt a lot of things from him, to be honest, before deciding to take up music, I had to understand him for a while,” Kwame Yogot told Fiifi Pratt.
Highlighting specific things he had picked from Shatta Wale, Kwame Yogot mentioned that he learnt to be thick-skinned from the dancehall singer.
He said, “I used to be offended and used to reply insults from fans and internet users, but I reckoned that even my role model, Shatta Wale occasionally comes under backlash, so why should I be offended.”
He also called on colleague musicians and up-and-coming artistes to understand and emulate Shatta Wale if they want to be successful in the music industry.
Subsidiaries and executives of the Jospong Group of Companies in a remarkable celebration of exceptional leadership and entrepreneurship have been honored with distinguished titles winning about 12 awards at the just ended 3rd edition of the National Governance and Business Leadership Awards (NGBLA 2023).
Led by Dredge Masters Ltd. who won two awards on the night, the other subsidiaries won an award each.
The Managing Director of Dredge Masters Ltd, Captain Ansar Ahmed Khan, received the prestigious Dredging Industry Leadership Award, while the deputy CEO Samuel Borquaye, received the enviable Top 10 Transformational Deputy CEO Leadership Award.
Receiving the award Captain Ansar Ahmed Khan, expressed appreciation of Dredge Masters’ contribution to solving the perennial flooding of the capital city, adding that “Dredge Masters is making a positive and tangible impact in addressing the pressing challenges associated with flooding in the capital city”.
Other awards won by the Group on the night were Procurement and Supply Chain Business Leaders, Hannah Boohemaa Otu, (Head Supply Chain, Jospong Group of Companies), Impactful Emerging Business of the Year – Medical Waste Services Ltd, and Top 20 Influential HR Business Leader in Ghana – Collins Kofi Frimpong (Group Head, Human Capital- Environment and Sanitation Cluster of the Jospong Group of Companies. The rest are Outstanding Business Leader of the Year (Logistics) – Mr. Alex Atakora-Chief Operating Officer, Technical and Logistics Cluster of the Jospong Group, Innovative Port Services Provider, Amaris Terminal, Outstanding Business Impact Award – Ing. Senam Tengey, Excellence in Change Management Strategy Award – Zoomlion Ghana Limited HR Team, Impactful Emerging Business of the Year – Medical Waste Service Limited.
The colourful ceremony took place on Friday, 4th August 2023, at the esteemed La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, under the theme “Transformational Leadership; Passion, Vision & Strategic Management for Development.”
The NGBLA Awards celebrated leaders across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy, encompassing Energy, Finance, Manufacturing, Trade, Transport, Education, Agri-business, logistics, and telecommunications, among others. The event also highlighted the significant contributions of social entrepreneurs and individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on others through their charitable causes.
The National Governance & Business Leadership Awards is a distinguished, C-level high-impact, economic development and strategic leadership awards program, created by the Governance & Business Boardroom, which aims to champion and celebrate good corporate governance, outstanding leadership, economic empowerment, and job creation in Ghana.
The event recognizes and honours top CEOs, Board chairs, procurement leaders, HR leaders, business executives, companies, and organizations that exemplify excellence in their respective fields.
The criteria for selecting the CEO of the Year at the National Governance and Business Leadership Awards were rigorous, encompassing Visionary Leadership, Strategic Planning, Innovation and Creativity, Financial Performance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Industry Impact, and Personal Integrity.
Source:
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Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu says Ghanaians cannot accept a presidential aspirant who launches his policies for the nation without including plans for the agricultural sector.
According to him, the agricultural sector employs more than half of the country’s population, therefore for an individual seeking to lead the nation, with no plans to expand that sector, it is a cause for concern.
Examining Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s speech on Wednesday when he outlined his vision for the country and appealed to be elected President, Haruna wondered “How can any Ghanaian accept a president who launches what he calls Ghana’s next chapter, Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for the Future without a comment on Agriculture, which is the thrust and future of the Ghanaians economy?
“In terms of export, you will be dependent on agriculture. In terms of the success of your manufacturing sector, you depend on agriculture. Sixty per cent of your employment is in agriculture.
“You deliver a policy blueprint on Ghana. I am wondering whether this speech was meant for Ghana or another country. Maybe some desert country where there is no opportunity to farm.”
On February 7, Dr Bawumia addressed the nation outlining his plans for the nation. His vision ranged from abolishing the electronic transactions levy to offering tax amnesty to businesses, among other policies.
However, Mr Iddrisu asserts that the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer’s failure to outline plans for the agricultural sector is worrying and cannot be overlooked.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) have assured an ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) post-election follow-up team that the police would play its role to ensure free and fair elections.
ECONEC is the umbrella body of West African Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
The team, which is on a four-day post-election mission to Ghana, is led by the chairmen of the electoral management bodies of Nigeria and Niger, and also includes the ECONEC Permanent Secretary and a technical team from the Permanent Secretariat.
Since its arrival in Ghana on July 10, 2023, the team has been assessing the level of implementation of the recommendations made by the ECOWAS and AU Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) which observed the December 2020 general election in Ghana.
It had earlier held working sessions with various stakeholders of the electoral process, including the Electoral Commission (EC), the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), civil society organisations (CSOs), the Ghana Journalists’ Association and international partners.
Yesterday, the team met the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, which is a major stakeholder in the country’s electoral process.
After the meeting, the team toured the police headquarters as Dr Dampare briefed them on the operations of the Ghana Police Service and how the police were poised to serve the people.
The IGP informed the team about the measures put in place as far as election security was concerned to ensure a peaceful process in the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections and other elections such as internal political party elections and elections in schools.
He said the Police Administration had established the Police Election Security Secretariat Unit to take care of election processes and election-related issues.
Until the establishment of the unit, he said the National Election Security Task Force only came together to do ad hoc preparation when national elections were approaching, but it was realized the approach was not helping.
Also, he said, the Police Administration continued to engage the EC, all the political parties and leadership of Students’ Representative Councils (SRCs) in the various universities to support the holding of internal political party elections and student leadership elections.
Dr Dampare mentioned that the two main political parties in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had written to commend the police for the impressive security arrangements.
Social media review
The IGP told the team that the police had also put in place measures to enable it to review social media comments to curb the propagation of inflammatory comments.
Some of the mechanisms put in place included investigators and legal teams reviewing comments by, especially, opposing political parties.
Following such reviews, he said the police pursue any criminality to the fullest, while also intensifying its information dissemination with the public to control the speculation of fake news.
He indicated that the police would continue to engage all stakeholders, including the EC, political parties, civil society actors and the electorate.
Source: Graphiconline
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Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu says the chance to try and help get Leicester City back to the Premier League was a career opportunity he had to take.
The 19-year-old joined the Foxes on loan from Sporting Lisbon a day before the summer transfer window shut.
He has already played in the Champions League, but sees the move to England’s second tier as “an achievement”.
“Their journey is to go back to the Premier League. That’s a big opportunity for me to help,” he said.
“For me [joining] Leicester is a big achievement. When I heard they were interested, I was so happy because it’s been my dream to play in England.”
The Ghana international has so far featured seven times for Enzo Maresca’s side, and has started in Leicester’s past three Championship games.
The Foxes have won nine of their 10 Championship games this season to top the table.
Against Blackburn on Saturday he provided his first assist of the season for Wout Faes, a goal that set them up for a comprehensive 4-1 win at Ewood Park.
Fatawu says he quickly got excited by Maresca’s approach to football after first meeting the Leicester boss and added that he is thriving under the Italian.
“With what the coach has given me here, I feel so comfortable,” Fatawu told BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast.
“It makes me confident to do what I want.
“I like to go and try things. I like play with the ball, I always want to have the ball and run into space and create chances for the team.
“I thought if I play with him [Maresca] in this role, it will be a good way for me to improve.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported that in Imo State, between July 2023 and June 2024, it had confiscated 2,639.27 kg of hard drugs, detained 192 criminals, and found 30 individuals guilty.
Abdullahi Saeed, Imo Commander of the NDLEA, made the announcement while speaking to reporters in Owerri on Wednesday as part of festivities commemorating the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to Saeed, 171 of the 192 drug offenders apprehended were men, while 21 were women.
He stated that the command seized a variety of substances, including cocaine, cannabis, and marijuana, among others.
He further stated that the command rehabilitated 40 drug users, who were then given over to their families and reintegrated into society.
He expressed sorrow that a large number of young people in the country, particularly students, see drug usage as fashionable and accept it without reservations.
This, he claimed, was becoming a major problem for society because narcotics are linked to other crimes including banditry, kidnapping, murder, suicide, and rape.
READ MORE: My Father Had A Vision I’ll End My Career As A Gospel Singer – Davido
“It pays more to prevent the abuse of drugs than to struggle to treat those already afflicted with drug-related problems. The issue of drug abuse must not be handled by NDLEA alone; strong collaboration with other agencies as well as civil society organisations is required.
“The sustenance of the war on drug abuse is the right and appropriate course of action to undertake now for more immediate good and for the security of our future,” he said.
He urged everyone to support the war on drug abuse and illegal trafficking in order to create a peaceful, wealthy, and secure nation.
Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to accept and assent to the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, to make it a law.
He said the Bill, popularly known as Anti Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and more (Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill) has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the majority of Ghanaians and there was no need for further delay.
“The whole Parliament of Ghana has unanimously passed this Bill, so more than 95 per cent of Ghanaians are saying that we don’t want to promote this kind of life (LGBTQ+), what more clarity do we need?” he questioned.
Speaking on the passion of Jesus Christ as part of the celebration of Easter at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Bolgatanga, Most Rev. Agyenta said Pontius Pilate handed Jesus Christ over to be crucified even though he knew he was innocent.
He said it was fear that compelled Pilate to succumb to the demands of the high priests and those who wanted Jesus Christ to be crucified and urged the President not to succumb to “those voices probably convincing him against assenting to the Bill”.
“I have been wondering whether our President is not in the shoes of Pilate because he knows that the decision of Parliament is the mind of all Ghanaians and yet some people are telling him not to sign this bill because there will be consequences.”
He urged the President to assent to the Bill because the whole of Ghana was behind him.
On spirituality, the bishop explained that although the pursuit for money was good as it would help to undertake certain projects necessary for development, one should not prioritise material needs over spiritual growth. Latex Foam
He, therefore, warned Christians, particularly Catholics, to desist from placing monetary values on sacred items such as holy water and anointing oil.
“We all need money but you cannot put value on sacred things because the rule of the church is that the salvation of all is more important than anything we are able to do with money…”
He explained that the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a reminder for Christians to reflect and accept that they were sinners and ask for strength to desist from evil acts.
Legal luminary Tsatsu Tsikata has eulogized the late Ghanaian president, Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, as a distinguished man who used his humanity and compassion to drive the development of the country.
Delivering a speech at the 12th Anniversary Memorial Lecture on July 26, 2022, Tsatsu Tsikata said that the late president was a nobleman who focused on impacting lives instead of settling scores.
Tsatsu Tsikata refrained from ‘idolizing’ Professor Atta Mills but noted how the late president built a legacy on his humanness and sheer interest in the well-being of Ghanaians.
Tsatsu Tsikata, in his eulogy, noted, however, that the current marking of the tomb of the late president does not have his name.
According to him, the bust which was unveiled by the Akufo-Addo government in 2022 does not have the name of the president of the Fourth Republic inscribed on it.
“Honoring his memory isn’t just about raising physical monuments to him but more about ensuring that his legacy of integrity is given full meaning in our nation and in what we demand of our leaders and ourselves.
Since Sunday morning, July 24, 2022, we have seen at Asomdwe Park what is now inscribed under his grave and the bust does not even have his name. Was he really the one being honoured in that event where these inscriptions were unveiled? I can almost hear him after listening to me uttering those words saying calmly ‘oh really, don’t bother about them’ and then asking me to move on to the more important subject that he and I need to discuss.
President Mills aspired to a better Ghana and that is a shared aspiration we all have as Ghanaians. We shall look at how even in his short time as president, he saw some important steps he took towards that better Ghana and more importantly how his human touch can help our quest for a better Ghana. I do not seek to idolize President Mills. He was a servant leader who never sought to be idolized,” he said.
President John Evans Atta Mills, the third President of the Fourth Republic, died on July 24, 2012.
As part of activities marking the 12th anniversary of the demise of the man who was named Asomdweehene, the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage has outlined a number of events including a book launch, wreath-laying ceremony, and memorial at the Asomdwee Park in Accra.
According to Healthline, watermelon is a refreshing fruit that is not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients that offer many health benefits. Here are three categories of people who should consume more watermelon.
1. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts require a lot of energy to keep up with their active lifestyles. Watermelon is an excellent source of carbohydrates, which provide the necessary energy for their high-intensity workouts. The fruit is also rich in electrolytes like potassium, which helps maintain fluid balance in the body, reducing the risk of dehydration during exercise.
2. Pregnant women need to consume balanced diet to ensure the healthy development of their babies. Watermelon is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and B6, which are important for fetal growth and development. The fruit is also rich in water, which helps keep the body hydrated during pregnancy.
3. High blood pressure is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Studies revealed that watermelon contains compounds that help lower blood pressure levels. These compounds, known as citrulline and arginine, help relax blood vessels, allowing blood to flow freely, reducing the risk of hypertension.
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The Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament has directed Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), to provide additional details on the $12 million spent on the suspended Agyapa royalties deal, effective February 27, 2024.
Mr. Koranteng made this disclosure during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Sitting on Tuesday, February 13, where he clarified that the $12 million was utilized in the process of issuing the initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange before the deal was suspended.
The revelation has triggered a public outcry, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) pledging to prosecute government officials and individuals involved in the controversial deal if successful in the December polls.
In response to the concerns, the Committee issued a statement, dated Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and signed by the Schedule Officer, Benjamin Tachie Antiedu, demanding MIIF to provide the Committee with comprehensive information regarding the alleged $12 million expenditure on the suspended Agyapa royalties deal.
The Committee asserts that this information is necessary for them to take appropriate measures in response to the allegations.
Precious Chikwendu, ex-beauty queen and estranged wife of Femi Fani Kayode is unbothered by the heavy criticisms she has been receiving over her outfit with her estranged husband, FFK.
The estranged couple created a stir online as they stepped out in style in Abuja to attend a dinner in honor of their brother on Tuesday, June 13th.
Taking to his Instagram page, FFK shared photos of him and Precious in matching white outfits.
Though the politician addressed her by her name in his caption, many believe that the couple are back together.
“Precious and I had the honor and privilege of attending a dinner in honor of our brother, the newly-elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and his beautiful wife yesterday evening. It was a wonderful and well-attended occasion and we wish Ben a successful tenure in office. I have no doubt that he will do us proud and help to move our nation forward”.
Since the photos went viral, many have stormed the comment section of the ex-beauty queen to blast her.
In what seems like a reaction to their draggings, Precious shared stunning photos of herself with the caption, “Ayo’mi”.
This outing is coming as a surprise, as FFK has a girlfriend, Chika Nerita, who had infuriated Precious weeks back.
Try fix your relationship and insecurities” Precious Chikwendu tells FFK’s girlfriend, Chika Nerita
The gist was that Precious had chased out Chika and was spending more time with FFK while using the kids as an excuse.
Addressing the reports on her Instagram story, Precious told the ex-beauty queen to work on her insecurities and relationship.
She advised Chika to work on herself as she isn’t chasing after her man. For her, she is in a different cloud and man can never be her issue.
Besides, Precious Chikwendu had shut down rumors of a possible reconciliation with FFK.
Last year, reports made rounds that the ex-couple were fine-tuning plans to reconcile their differences and become one again. The couple was spotted at a house party at Senator Sani Musa’s home.
According to a source close to the couple FFK wants Precious Chikwendu back and the two were working on their marriage.
However, Precious Chikwendu the mother of FFK’s four boys took to the comment section of a blog to debunk the speculations.
She, however, added that she would gladly call for a press conference to announce her return if need be.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa has disclosed that the Commission has recruited a total of 210,000 temporary officials for the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
She said these temporary officials include Returning Officers and Deputies, Presiding Officers, Verification Officers, Name Reference Officers, among others.
“We intend to offer them in-depth training to ensure that they operate and carry out their mandates as expected of them. For the first time in our history, we’ve created a database to capture the details of all our temporary officials,” Mrs. Mensa told Parliament.
She was briefing Members of Parliament (MPs) on the preparations towards this year’s general election.
“We can now identify each temporary staff by their names, their photographs, their voter cards, their Ghana cards, and their residential addresses. All these details have been captured on our database,” she stated.
The EC boss said previously temporary staff of the Commission were “simply names on paper,” and added, “But we believe that the production of this database. It will further enhance transparency and promote and foster the immediate accountability required from our temporary staff,” she argued.
The EC Chairperson said the Commission recognised that the performance of its officers in the field is key to the successful outcome of the elections.
“In this regard, we have beefed up our training department and made a number of key appointments to that department,” she noted.
Mrs. Mensa said the Commission was also updating its training manuals to ensure that they are easy to read and understand.
“And we believe that this will go a long way to beefing up our training and improving the competencies and performance of our temporary staff on Election Day.
Security
In the area of security and safety of voters and the Commission’s property, she indicated that the EC would continue to collaborate with the national Election Security Task Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police to ensure the security of all citizens at all our centers nationwide.
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, has launched his book, “When We Returned: From Chains to Crown,” at the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Accra.
According to Mr Agyemang, the book captures his personal experiences during the “Beyond the Return” initiative, a campaign aimed at strengthening the connection between Africa and its diaspora.
During the launch, Mr. Agyeman reflected on the inspiration behind his writing, describing how the Year of Return and his visits to Ghana’s historical dungeons profoundly impacted him.
He explained that these experiences revealed the deeper significance of the African story, prompting him to document his perspectives.
“As I went through the period of the Year of Return, going through the dungeon experience with a lot of people and all that, it started dawning on me that this story is deeper than all of us, and I need to start putting my perspectives on paper so that it also inspires others to write,”* Mr Agyeman said.
“If we were all to write our story, I believe that our history will be richer and we will all be able to leave something behind for others to learn.”He added
Mr. Agyeman also expressed his hope that the book would resonate with Ghanaians and deepen the understanding of the African diaspora connection.
The book launch was graced by the presence of the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who served as the special guest of honour.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the ongoing significance of African storytelling and the importance of ensuring that Africa’s narrative is one of triumph and progress.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate the launch of ‘When We Returned: From Chains to Crown,’ we are reminded that the journey is far from over. The story of the African people is still being written, and it is up to us to ensure that it is a story of triumph, empowerment, and progress,”* the President remarked.
He urged that efforts continue to build on the foundation laid by the Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives, saying, “We must continue to build on the foundation laid by the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, working together to create a future where all people of African descent can live with dignity, prosperity, and pride.”
President Akufo-Addo concluded by emphasizing the book’s role in inspiring future generations: “Let this book serve as a reminder of our shared history and our collective responsibility to uplift one another. Let it inspire us to continue the work of transforming chains into crowns, of turning the trials of the past into the triumphs of the future.”
The launch of “When We Returned: From Chains to Crown” is seen as a pivotal moment in promoting a deeper understanding of the African experience and encouraging continued dialogue and connection between Africa and its diaspora.
The EU has suspended all security cooperation with Niger after the country’s army took power in a coup.
It comes shortly after the US declared its “unflagging support” for ousted president Mohamed Bazoum – seen as a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants.
On Friday the head of the presidential guards unit Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani declared himself Niger’s new leader. He said insecurity, economic woes and corruption led him to seize power.
But there are now concerns in the West about which countries the new leader will align with. Niger’s neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, have both pivoted towards Russia since their own coups.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell joined the US and France in refusing to recognise the coup leaders and said security cooperation and budgetary aid was being suspended indefinitely.
Also on Saturday the African Union called on the Niger army to return to base within 15 days.
Mohamed Bazoum – Niger’s first elected leader to succeed another since independence in 1960 – is currently thought to be in good health, and still held captive by his own guards.
On Friday evening US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned those detaining him that “hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance” was at risk.
However, the leader of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has reportedly described the coup as a triumph.
“What happened in Niger is nothing other than the struggle of the people of Niger with their colonisers,” Yevgeny Prigozhin was quoted as saying on a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel.
“With colonisers who are trying to foist their rules of life on them and their conditions and keep them in the state that Africa was in hundreds of years ago.”
He added: “Today this is effectively gaining their independence.” The BBC has not been able to verify the authenticity of his reported comments.
Wagner is believed to have thousands of fighters in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where it has lucrative business interests but also bolsters Russia’s diplomatic and economic relations.
Wagner fighters have been accused of widespread human rights abuses in several African countries.
Source: BBC
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After reporting earlier that Ghana Football Association (GFA) are contemplating on reappointing Otto Addo as new head coach of the Black Stars.
Majority of Ghanaians upon hearing the news per speculations are very impressed with the decision and are reportedly supporting the Ghana FA to go in for the German-born Ghanaian gaffer.
The Ghana senior men national team are currently without a substantive coach after the jettisoning of coach Chris Hughton just recently on the back of the country’s disastrous campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The GFA since have appointed a committee to be on the lookout for a new coach with some specific requirements outlined for the search.
However, Otto Addo per speculations is currently leading the race to become the new coach for Ghana with talks currently ongoing between the two parties.
This move is most likely to happen as many Ghanaian football faithful solidly concur to this decision and with GFA willing to offer Otto Addo a long-term contract.
The 48-year-old’s first spell was in early 2022 when he came in as successor for Milovan Rajevac and played a huge role in helping Ghana edge Nigeria in two legs to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
At the Mundial in Qatar, he recorded only a win against South Korea and lost the remaining two against Portugal and Uruguay. He returned to his post at German giants Borussia Dortmund after the competition.
Dambai (O/R) Feb 12, GNA – The Krachi East Municipal Assembly of the Oti Region, has failed to elect a Presiding Member (PM) after two voting attempts, supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Mr Mark Odoro, representing Asukawkaw Electoral Area and Mr Foster Adom, also representing Dormabin Electoral Area could not secure the two-thirds majority votes required to become a winner.
Out of the 30-total ballots cast, Mr Odoro garnered 17 and 18 votes in the first and second rounds, while Mr Adom his contender recorded 14 and 13 votes, respectively.
The Municipal Assembly has scheduled another voting to be held in the next ten days.
Mr Issahaku Yakubu, the Krachi East Coordinating Director (MCD), said the rescheduling was in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Assembly, which states that, a two-thirds majority would have to be secured by a contesting candidate to be declared the winner.
He urged the Assembly members to prioritize the development agenda of the Municipality.
He asked them to bury their political differences and work with unity of purpose to elect a presiding as soon as possible to enable the assembly to discharge its mandate.
Seun Onigbinde, co-founder and CEO of budgIT, a Nigerian civic startup, has stated that Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, was right about his budget padding claims.
According to him, there was no detailed project allocations for about N3.7 trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he insisted that it was not true that Nigeria was running two concurrent budget
“There should be a detailed breakdown of the budget. On that point, Senator Ningi is right but to say that we are running two parallel budgets, I don’t think that is factual,” he said.
Recall that Ningi, had resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, after he was suspended by his colleagues in the red chamber on Tuesday over budget padding allegations.
Onigbinde said as the rowdy session by Senate was ongoing, the Budgit team fact-checked claims by Ningi.
His words: “As the Senate rowdy session was going on, we were also fact-checking and one of the things we found out is that we were not able to lay hold to the claim by Senator Ningi. A budget of N28.7trn was passed into law and we were not able to see where N3.7trn (was missing).
“Historically, there are items in the budget that don’t have breakdown like statutory transfers but that does not means there is a certain level of capital projects by the Federal Government that was appropriated and does not have a breakdown.”
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He said the entire capital project was around N9trn in the 2024 Appropriation Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu after the bill was reviewed upward from N27.5trn to N28.78trn.
“The budget we have now have the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) and the government-owned enterprise budget.
“Around N2trn of the budget presented by the President is the government-owned enterprises budget. So, if Senator Ningi says there is a N25trn budget, yes, that is the MDA’s budget. It’s different from the government-owned enterprises budget whose budget was now added.
“It is factual that he says that but it doesn’t mean that we are running two concurrent budgets. There is a different conversation that those projects should be detailed. TETFUND should not just get an allocation. What are you spending money on? INEC is collecting huge chunk of funds but there is no public details about what the funds are used for.
“In the current budget, the National Assembly gave a very broad summary of its allocations but they are no detailed allocations on a granular level that everybody can understand.
“These are transparent issues and if you put all these together, that is around N3.5trn to N3.7trn. So, if that is what he (Ningi) wants to interrogate, that there are component of the budget where there are no breakdown, that is very factual,” he added
The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, has condemned in no uncertain terms the “witch hunting” of some MPs alleged to have approved six ministers nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In his view, instead of seeking to fix what makes it possible for traitors and witches to thrive on, “we are focusing on the symptoms because that’s easy”.
“After two days, I’m now angry! Not angry at those who betrayed everyone, including themselves, but at those of us swearing our innocence whilst cursing and witch-hunting others and those making us all, the guilty and innocent, do that. I know the most popular and politically correct thing to do now is to condemn, huff and puff, but anyone who knows me well enough knows, I’m not one to mostly give in to what is popular or politically correct,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Read Suhuyini’s full post below:
A CAUCUS IN A PARTY
Like many, I was gobsmacked on Friday night when the results of our secret ballots on ministers were revealed. I couldn’t sleep the whole night after I got home. It felt like a general election defeat, and my bones at its joints ached as if they were falling apart.
After two days, I’m now angry!
Not angry at those who betrayed everyone, including themselves, but at those of us swearing our innocence whilst cursing and witch hunting others and those making us all, the guilty and innocent, do that. I know the most popular and politically correct thing to do now is to condemn, huff and puff, but anyone who knows me well enough knows, I’m not one to mostly give in to what is popular or politically correct.
I prefer to be on the side of what I deem fair and, in all instances, CORRECT!
No wonder one of the bases for some to suspect or even conclude that I’m among the renegades is because I criticized the WAY, including timing (emphasis mine), our parliamentary leadership was reshuffled. I still think it could have been done better, but my loyalty to our new leaders is absolute and indivisible.
That is why when the directive to reject the nominees was issued, as a member of the Appointment Committee, I asked these nominees the most uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing questions. I joined our NDC side of the committee to recommend that all nominees be rejected at the plenary.
Even on the floor, at least, on the Supreme Court nominees, I was one of our debaters, giving reasons and calling on the house to reject the nominations. I have therefore decided that anyone in NDC who requires me to prove my integrity is not worth it and, so, even if I have evidence of how I voted, I will not bother to prove my innocence to such a person. It is enough indictment that adults like us can’t seek to do what is right when we are not recorded or watched. I always used to sign off radio with the words: “Don’t do what you will not like your neighbours to find out”.
I understand that we are a community that prefers general conversations to having difficult ones. In times like this, it is easy to condemn, huff, puff, and curse, and it is risky to try to understand why it happened and how it could have been avoided.
So before I proceed further, let me say that I know who I am, so I don’t care if I’m held responsible for even all the thirty-two votes for Bryan Acheampong, 19 votes for K.T. Hammond and about 12 votes for Asabee etc.
However, the following facts ought to be known and examined dispassionately:
The Minority Caucus that probably voted en bloc to get a Speaker elected from among us, first took the decision together as a caucus to propose a name for Speaker, before we brought the party and former president along. This provided the caucus with immense encouragement and guidance.
The same Minority Caucus that lost the Hawa Koomson, Kojo Opong Nkrumah, etc, ministerial nominees vote, faltered when members on the Appointment Committee, in recommending nominees for the plenary to reject, left out the security ministers.
The party grassroots and leadership were unhappy that we did and demanded that we should amend our recommendations to include the security ministers. The leadership of the caucus thought it was too late to do so and pleaded with party leadership to allow the caucus to focus and vote on those already recommended, even though they acknowledged that they should have included the security ministers in their initial recommendations, especially because some of us on the Appointment Committee suggested it but were out-voted. That compromise between caucus leadership and party leadership was not reached before the vote was called and, in that confusion, we lost embarrassingly.
Again, when the Minority Caucus took a decision together to oppose E-Levy and briefed the party, the party gave its support, and all 136/7 members were present and united in opposition to the E-Levy. The 1st Deputy Speaker’s seat was seized, and some majority MPs got injured when the vote on the E-Levy was first called, and we stood firm as a caucus to oppose it. Three months later, the Supreme Court gave a curious ruling on our resistance mounted against the majority side. So when the E-Levy vote was called again, whether deliberate or a miscalculation, it was suggested by some lawyers amongst us, and supported by some senior members, to test the ruling of the Supreme Court by walking out in order to deny the majority the needed quorum to take the decision. I was one of the few against that walkout because I insisted to some of the lawyers and senior colleagues that the optics didn’t seem right. Alas, I was proven right, though I have never until now claimed vindication.
The media thought our walkout was contrived, and the majority went ahead and passed the E-levy. Some of our colleagues who gave the advice or supported it, perhaps to save face or to genuinely test the Supreme Court reasoning, went to court, and I believe the case is yet to even be called.
As a caucus, we decided among ourselves again to oppose the increase in VAT. We again briefed the party and elders, and they gave us their blessing. When the vote was called, we lost it by one vote because one of us, on health grounds, was abroad, but all others were present and stood to be counted.
On this occasion, the decision to vote against the ministerial nominations was first heard by many MPs in the media when the party issued the three-line whip. An Appointment Committee member, like me, also heard it in the media. I recall being asked by a journalist at the time if the party press release meant we would not be vetting the nominees. I didn’t have an appropriate response because I honestly did not know at the time.
Later, some of us were informed that it was a decision taken by the party Political Committee and, yet again, some in caucus leadership also mentioned to some colleagues that it wasn’t really a Political Committee decision but a decision by one of our senior colleagues which the Political Committee adopted. As a caucus, for some reason, I don’t recall that a meeting was ever called for us (MPs) and our caucus leaders to deliberate on how to execute the task. The last caucus meeting was with our presumptive flag-bearer (JM) and party leaders and elders for us to be reminded to ‘Save our Democracy’. No contribution was invited from the caucus members, and no member also requested to speak. Without any means or attempt to verify, we all left to Parliament believing that we were on the same page.
Therefore, in the case of three votes in 1, 3 & 4, above, we won one but lost two. 3 was lost on a technicality which is difficult to blame on one person or group of people, unless we can show that those who gave the advice to walkout and those who supported that advice did so deliberately knowing it was going to cost us. 4 was lost on health grounds unless again we can show that the absentee MP did so deliberately.
However, based on my experience during voting in 2 and 5 above, which we lost embarrassingly, the synergy between the party leadership and the caucus wasn’t perfect in both cases. So, instead of seeking to fix what makes it possible for traitors/witches to thrive on, we are focusing on the symptoms because that’s easy. That requires only some people, if they have ever disagreed with us or are not our buddies or for other reasons, to be put on the spotlight, declared guilty until proven innocent and the specks in their eyes plucked.
Andrew Roberts reminds us that, although the most common understanding of “leadership “ connotes inherent goodness, leadership is in fact completely morally neutral, a protean force of terrifying power that we must strive to orient towards moral ends.
I stand to be counted for loyalty and integrity. Enemies are not God!!!
Aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Afriyie Akoto, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lost the 2020 elections because it had no message.
Speaking in an interview on Adom TV’s Badwam, he stated that although the opposition party was able to close the huge margin from 2016, it conceded defeat due to no strategic plans.
Although the NDC was able to close the gap from 2016, they lost the elections because they had no message for Ghanaians. Can you recall any message the NDC had for the people in 2020? he quizzed.
To him, the hardship Ghanaians are facing is not imposed but reflects the current global crisis.
“The government is not pleased about the current economic crisis and hardship, but the world has suffered economically in recent times,” he said.
He urged party delegates to entrust him with the presidential role to lead the party to victory in the 2024 polls.
“The people need hope, they need a new message. And I have that message that I’m aware of your problems and the solutions. I have made several promises, and I will fulfill them when given the mandate.”
He stated there was a need for the governing party, NPP, to raise funds internally to support party supporters and avoid any form of external influence.
Country Senior Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC Ghana), Vish Ashiagbor, has said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cannot decide on his own to amend the three revenue bills that were approved by Parliament on Friday March 31.
In his view, if there will be any amendment at all, the bills have to go through the parliamentary process that got them approved.
“I am not a lawyer nor do I claim to know about Parliamentary procedure but as far as I know, once the legislature has passed a bill into law the only thing left is to receive presidential assent.
“I stand to be corrected but I do not believe the President can choose to strike out clauses 1, 2 and 5 for example and leave the rest, that is my knowledge. The best the President can do is to decline to give assent.
“Parliament in its wisdom has passed these bills into law so if there is to be any amendment, it has to go back through the process, the President cannot just sit in his office and decide to strike out or to amend,” he told Joy FM.
Some stakeholders have rejected the taxes.
For instance, Executive Member of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Tsonam Akpeloo told the government to review some of the areas it is spending revenue instead of imposing new taxes on businesses.
He said times are hard therefore the government must review its expenditure to reflect the realities.
Speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Wednesday, April 5 in connection with the three revenue bills – Excise Duty, Growth and Sustainability Levy and Income Amendment Bills – that have been approved by Parliament, he said “Our view is that government must look at its own expenditure and reduce its expenditure to reflect the realities of the time.
“Times are hard and you cannot afford to have a blaoted expenditure this time. We feel very strongly that government should consider reviewing its own expenditure.”
The AGI registered its disappointment at the passage of the three revenue bills.
The association said the approval came on the heels of an already harsh business climate. The passage of these bills poses very dire consequences for Industry, it said.
“We continue to experience a tax regime that does not motivate local production and formal business operations.
“We denounce the lack of stakeholder consultation on such fiscal policies, which have negative impact on businesses. AGI took steps to make input to the bills and it’s obvious that our submissions did not receive the consideration we expected,” a statement issued by the AGI said.
The association further stated that local industries are already under severe pressure from several headwinds, including; Inflation currently at 52%, VAT shot up to 15%, resultant effect of 21.9%, Water tariff increments at about 172% for the beverage sector, Electricity tariff currently at 29.9% for industry, Policy rate at 29.5%, making cost of credit exorbitant, Increase in Residual Fuel Oil (RFO) price due to Government subsidy withdrawal, An unstable foreign exchange regime, Levies and taxes on imported raw materials totalling about 50%.
Electricity tariffs shot up significantly on two occasions totalling a whopping 56.5%, within a period of less than six months. How could our beverage sector absorb water tariff increment of over 300% in a single tariff review and now excise duties slapped on locally produced beverages.
“Contrary to Government’s ambitious revenue projection which largely hinges on the performance of Industry, we foresee a contraction in manufacturing and other related business activities. Businesses may have no option than to cut down on expenditure and production levels to stay within budget. With the foregoing, Government risks missing its revenue target if industry has to contend with these new taxes.
“While we reckon that Government needs revenue, fiscal prudence is crucial. We appreciate the urgent need of the IMF measures, but this should not be at the expense of growth in our industrial sector. Indeed, it is in the mutual interest of industry and Government to sustain Agriculture and Industrial sectors which hold the key to job creation.
“We call on Government to engage AGI on measures to incentivise our local industries to forestall the negative consequences of these policies. To this end, we welcome the opportunity to dialogue with Government on how to save jobs and the strategic options to explore in cushioning our local industries. AGI wishes to assure its members that the Association will continue to engage Government on such fiscal policies to bring positive reviews in subsequent national budget statements.”
Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the state oil regulator, has revoked the licenses of some 30 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the country.
Reasons given by the country’s downstream petroleum regulator are non-compliance with the rules and regulations of the Authority on acquisition and maintenance of their licenses including non payments of approved fees.
This forms part of efforts of the NPA to sanitise the downstream petroleum sector.
At an earlier meeting with the Board members of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs), the Chief Executive of the NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, cautioned that the Authority would not hesitate to revoke the licenses of industry players who continually flout the rules.
He indicated that over the years, the NPA had been lenient with industry players who flout the rules, which had given opportunity for many more to flout the rules with impunity.
“We cannot all be in a conspiracy to run down our country and yet turn round and blame the government for what goes wrong”, Dr. Abdul-Hamid was quoted as saying at the meeting with Board members.
He told the oil marketers that it was in their own interest that the market was regulated properly, because if the industry collapses their businesses would collapse.
Find list of companies whose licenses have been revoked below:
The affected companies are Abagurugu Oil Company Limited; Apex Petroleum Ghana Limited; Avos Oil Company Limited; Best Petroleum Limited; Bisvel Petroleum Services; Capstone Oil Limited; Deep Petroleum Limited; Deliman & Company Ltd.; Glee Oil Limited, and Golden Petroleum Limited.
Others are Green Petroleum Limited; Hak Oil Company Limited; Havilah Oil Ghana Limited; Hossana Oil Company Limited; Jas Petroleum Limited; Lilygold Energy Resources Limited; M3 Global Company Limited; Maiga & Hhm Company Limited; Mba Global Petroleum Limited, and Peta Energy Limited.
The rest are Petro Afrique Ghana Limited; Precious Energy Ghana Limited; Q8 Oil (Gh.) Company Limited; Rigworld Petroleum Services Limited; Royal Roses Oil Company Limited; Titan Petroleum Limited; Union Oil Ghana Limited; Universal Oil Company Limited; Warren Oil Company Limited, and Zoe Petroleum Limited.
Renowned Jamaican sprinter, Asafa Powell, is the special guest for the GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human Tamale (Northern regions) meet this weekend, Reks Brobby, founder of the sprint project has announced.
Powell, who was in the country few weeks ago for a working visit, is expected back from his base today, courtesy Sports Equity Lab in collaboration with GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human.
And among activities lined up for his visit are coaches diner, speed clinic at the University of Ghana, Legon, Sports Equity Talk and the Tamale meet.
The Tamale competition ushers in this year’s event, after a spectacular 10th anniversary launch recently, and participants will battle for supremacy in male and female U-15, U-18, 18 and above and seniors categories at the Aliu Mahama Stadium.
“The clinic is the first ever in athletics, and it’s being supervised by no mean personalities than renowned sprinter Asafa Powell, a top coach. GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human Tamale, the other Northern regions are ready for Saturday’s event. The athletes, we the organisers are equally ready to deliver a top class event, fans should expect the very best from us,” said Brobby.
He added, “In fact, the presence of Asafa Powell at the venue will be enough motivation for the athletes to give their best shot.”
The event is being sponsored by Adidas, Moringa King, Global Media Alliance, Sports Equity Lab, Kriate Lync, Pippa’s Gym and Wrenco Printing.
Celebrated Ghanaian dancer Laud Anoo Konadu, also known as Dancegod Lloyd, has claimed that all the current dancers making waves in the country have passed through his mentorship.
Speaking as a guest on Channel One TV’s The Chat, Dancegod Lloyd expressed that helping to launch the careers of up-and-coming dancers is his proudest accomplishment.
He cited names such as Alo Danny, Sugar, and Latifa as a few of the many dancers he has mentored.
“Putting people on. Like, a lot of people, a lot. Any new dancer that you’ve seen has passed through me,” he said.
As a co-founder of the Dance With Purpose Academy (DWPA), Dancegod Lloyd is now set to launch a new dance school named Dance, Grow, and Live (DGL).
Along with his new team, he has initiated several dance challenges, including Kidi’s ‘Lomo Lomo’ and King Promise’s ‘Terminator’ songs, and has performed at various events.
See the video below:
ID/MA
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On February 7, 2024, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, delivered his first major speech and vision ahead of the 2024 elections.
Among the many things he said, he mentioned that his government would abolish some key taxes, specifically the Vehicle Emissions Tax, 15% VAT on electricity, and the Betting Tax among others. 0 However, a section of the public who spoke with GhanaWeb, stated that Bawumia only wants to use this to garner votes for himself in the 2024 elections.
As a result, they have asked him to eliminate the taxes immediately since his party and government is still in power.
This, they believe will help the country.
According to one of them, “I think he will not be able to abolish those taxes. You know, Bawumia is known for telling lies… even before you google it, Bawumia, you’ll see lies there.
“So, he thinks Ghanaians are the same naive people as we were before. So I think it’s the right time we show him the way back. How can you be a vice president for 8 years and as a vice president, the president brought something and you are saying that what he brought you are not aware.
“This means that even you as a vice president, you are not active… Inactive vice president, now you want to be president; it doesn’t make sense.
“If he has anything to do, he should do it now, we need it now. Now, you can’t even move your car from the port. As a driver, I suffer a lot before I’m able to move my car from the port. SZo if there’s anything to do, he should do it today!” another added.
“I laugh anytime I hear his words. You are telling us that when you come, you will eliminate these taxes that were introduced by your government. Were you not there when they were introducing it?
“Does he think we are kids and he wants to throw dust into our eyes? We’ve grown past those mistakes. I know he’s saying that for votes but he won’t do anything about it.
“Because he was part of this implementation and I don’t know why he’s saying so. Meaning that he knows the introduction of the taxes in the first place isn’t good,” one other lamented.
Members of the Chiwanja Cha aYao Cultural grouping on Wednesday cheered veteran musician Giddes Chalamanda at his home village in Chiradzulu where they donated assorted food items.
The donation came barely months after the 93 year old music legend was discharged from Chiradzulu Hospital where he was admitted.
Speaking in an interview with the press Chiwanja cha Ayao National Executive Committee (NEC) member Alex Chimwala said the grouping believes in assisting one another in times of need hence the donation.
“After hearing that our granny was admitted in hospital recently and knowing that Chalamanda has entertained us for several years, we thought it wise with the guidance from our Chairman to come here, cheer him and donate something to him,” said Chimwala.
He then urged politicians and other well-wishers to come forward and support the veteran musician.
On his part Chalamanda, who had time to entertain the group with a song, hailed the members for the gesture.
The ‘Che Meli’ star said that in the absence of live performances, which he cannot do at the moment as he is recovering, he does not have any source of income.
“Am really short of words with what the Chiwanja Cha Ayao grouping has done to me and I thank God for every support i receive from people. My plea to fellow Malawians to continue doing good to me and others out there who are need of their support,” said Chalamanda.
Some of the iterms donated included;cooking oil, maize flour, sugar and chickens.
The donation by the members of Chiwanja Cha Ayao comes as they prepare for the culture grouping’s annual festival to be held at Mangochi Stadium on October 21 2023.
Emmanuel Adebayor, former skipper of the Squirrels of Togo, has celebrated his humble background from the West African country to being invited to the French presidency.
The former Arsenal man shared photos of his visit to the Palais de l’Elysée, the French presidency, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
He was in Paris to participate in a charity game by Varieties CF, a group seeking to raise funds for sick children.
Adebayor was captured at the French presidency along with other African football giants like Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba and Senegal’s El Hadji Diouf.
He captioned the post dated April 24, 2024, “SEA, from “Kodjoviakopé” to the “Palais de l’Elysée.” Humbled to be invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to the Palais de l’Elysée, surrounded by legends.
“A reminder that no matter where you come from, believe in yourself and your dreams. Anything is possible with perseverance and belief.”
The game was played at the Stade Bernard Giroux.
Other notables who graced the game were Ruud Gullit, Eden Hazard, Arsene Wenger, Marcel Desailly, Robert Pires, Laurent Blanc, and Didier Deschamps.
Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a hopeful contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, has shared his thoughts on the issue of LGBTQI+ rights in Ghana. He believes that criminalizing the act is not the appropriate solution.
Although Mr Agyapong identifies as a conservative and cites religious grounds for his opposition to the practice, he stated that he respects people’s rights and does not support its promotion.
During an interview on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana, he emphasized the importance of speaking out against it but noted that he is not in favour of annihilating the LGBTQI+ community.
“I’m very conservative, so although I respect people’s rights, I’m not going to advocate for that kind of behaviour, you understand. I think that we should not criminalize it, and we should not advocate it. It should not be in our faces,” he said.
“We should speak against it because when God created Adam, he did not create another Adam… He created Eve. So I think it’s important to know that all of us are products of women, and so sometimes I worry about that. But, I am not prepared to be part of the argument that says they should be annihilated from the face of the earth.”
He stressed that the nation faces pressing social issues such as drug addiction and other challenges, and it is crucial for leaders to set the right example for the youth.
Mr Agyapong acknowledged that the country should not condone such behaviour and called for leaders to advise and educate the public on the issue.
“We have major social issues in this country, and there are many others. We have drug menace and other things happening around the country, and of course, with social media and the explosion of the world now, it is incumbent on us as leaders of our country to advise, lead by example and set the right examples for our youth. This is not a behaviour that we can condone. It has to be condemned but it does not mean that when we find a homosexual, that person should be stoned.”
The proposed anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, known as the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” seeks to legislate against homosexuality and related activities in Ghana, among other things. The bill was sponsored by private members and introduced into parliament in 2021.
Source: graphiconline.com
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Dr. Bawumia addressing the crowd at the Kaneshie Market
Vice President Bawumia has declared his intentions to set up a Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund (WoTEF) and a Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) bank to ensure easy access to funding for traders.
He believes funding is a major problem facing traders and Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The WoTEF he announced, will be instrumental in providing financial assistance, training, and market access to women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
According to him, WoTEF will be a multi-faceted initiative designed to address the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face, including limited access to capital, mentorship, and networks.
He gave the assurance when he took his campaign tour of the Greater Accra region to Kwame Nkrumah circle and Kaneshie market in the Okaikwei South Constituency.
At a meeting with religious leaders, community leaders and chiefs, Dr. Bawumia who is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate in the upcoming December 7 general elections explained his vision for the nation.
He combed through homes, street corners and market sheds during the ‘Meet-and-Greet’ sessions to shake hands with the ordinary people, amid cheers and chants of ‘It Is Possible‘.
Dr. Bawumia reiterated his resolve to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians if he assumes power in 2025 through various innovative interventions.
He talked of plans to roll out the Credit Scoring System to ensure access to affordable loans, duty free on mobile phones, new tax regime at the port and tax amnesty in 2025.
“The NPP government is proposing a new initiative to support business men and women. We want to support you. We are aware your biggest challenge is funding. Is that not so?… You need funding to boost your businesses. Without funding, you’re unable to promote your trade…so, we are proposing policies, including the Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund to support women and businesses,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
“Selfless Leadership, Bold Solutions for Our Future” was the theme for the constituency-focused campaign tour.
Dr. Bawumia also dropped the hint that Ghana will soon import electric buses for use as public transportation soon.
At a stakeholders’ engagement, the Vice President said the piloting of the electric bus system will commence in Accra before the end of 2024.
The decision forms part of a major policy to ensuring that the country gets an accessible and affordable means of transportation for the public.
As a seasoned economist and advocate for digital transformation, Dr. Bawumia has consistently emphasised the need for inclusive policies that leave no one behind.
His focus on women’s economic empowerment is part of a larger vision to create opportunities for all, regardless of gender, location, or social status.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
Shri Manish Gupt a with Miss Ghana, Miriam Xorlasi Tordzeagbo and Inna Patty during the visit
India’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Shri Manish Gupta, has extended his good wishes to Miss Ghana, Miriam Xorlasi Tordzeagbo, as she participates in the prestigious Miss World pageant.
The 71st edition of the Miss World pageant is currently underway in India, with the final event scheduled to take place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, on March 9, 2024.
Before departing for India, Miss Ghana organisers, Exclusive Events Ghana, along with Miriam Xorlasi, had the honour of a courtesy call to the India High Commission in Accra on February 15, 2024.
During the meeting, chaired by Madam Inna Patty, chairwoman of Exclusive Events Ghana, they formally announced Miss Ghana’s participation in the Miss World pageant to Shri Manish Gupta.
Shri Manish Gupta expressed his best wishes to Miss Ghana for a safe journey and a fulfilling experience in India. He welcomed the opportunity to host Miss Ghana and encouraged her to embrace India’s rich culture, sights, and cuisine.
Madam Inna Patty, on behalf of Exclusive Events Ghana, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and fostering strong diplomatic relations between Ghana and India, through initiatives such as Miss Ghana’s participation in the Miss World pageant.
As the Miss World 2023 competition unfolds in India, Exclusive Events Ghana remains dedicated to ensuring that Miss Ghana represents the nation with pride, grace, and dignity on the global stage.
Having abducted seven residents of Kuduru, a neighbouring community in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, the kidnappers have allegedly demanded N290 million as ransom to release the victims.
The hostages, including a pregnant woman and three children, who were abducted at Kuduru Extension by the bandits, have spent over one month in their den.
An anonymous leader of the community, as stated by Daily Trust, said the bandits have threatened to kill two out of the victims if the ransom was not paid on time.
The leader revealed that the abductors also demanded food items, drugs, bed sheets and cardigans.
“They have reached out to us to bring N290 million to secure their release or that they will kill two of them. We have a pregnant woman and three children among them.
“They asked us to bring bags of rice, packs of noodles, cough syrups, antibiotics, bedsheets and cardigans. They insist that the N290 million ransom must be completed for them to let our people go,” he said.
The community leader pleaded with Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of police (IGP) and Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, to come to the rescue of the hostages.
“We know that they are trying their best but we plead with them to rescue our families. We understand that these people are already falling sick in captivity because of the harsh weather and the treatment there,” he pleaded.
READ ALSO: Edo Police Nab Four Kano Kidnappers After Collecting Ransom
Meanwhile the United States (US) Department of Defense has confirmed a significant arms sale to Nigeria, involving 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, to bolster the West African nation’s military capabilities.
This is as the nation has been grappling with complex security challenges for years, including the Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappings, banditry and terrorism.
The crisis has displaced millions and claimed countless lives, making the purchase of the helicopter, scheduled for completion in June 2024, a significant upgrade to Nigeria’s military assets.
The contract, valued at $1 billion, includes not only the state-of-the-art helicopters but also 32 mission computers provided by Northrop Grumman, with a separate contract valued at $7.7 million awarded in December.
The sale follows the US State Department’s approval in April 2022 of Nigeria’s request for the helicopters, which includes guidance systems, night vision imaging systems, and extensive training.
This military package aims to enhance Nigeria’s security infrastructure, contribute to shared security objectives, and promote regional stability.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the United States highlighted the importance of this sale in supporting the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The AH-1Z Viper, a multi-role attack helicopter, is designed for various missions, including reconnaissance, escort, and strike operations.
Nigeria’s ongoing military procurement strategy includes acquiring m-346 attack aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters, and Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones, among others.
Good afternoon distinguished friends from the media.
On behalf of the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I would like to thank you for honoring our invitation at such short notice.
You are warmly welcome to our headquarters for this all-important press conference.
2. In recent weeks, we have keenly followed ongoing proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, on the report of the Auditor-General on Public Boards, Corporations and other Statutory Bodies for the period ended 31 December, 2022.
3. The ongoing PAC hearings, have brought to the fore, some very disturbing issues that border on corruption and abuse of public funds by certain state institutions. Of particular interest to us, is the latest revelation about the colossal expenditure made by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on the botched “Agyapa” Royalties deal.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, during the Committee’s consideration of the report of the Auditor-General on the accounts of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) for the period ended 31 December 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng disclosed that a humongous amount of USD$12 million was spent on the botched “Agyapa” Royalties deal.
5. When the matter was probed further, the CEO of MIIF stated that, this colossal amount was spent on the setting up of the stinky “Agyapa” Royalties vehicle, the payment of consultancy fees, the rental of office space and the processes leading to the Initial Public Offering towards the listing of “Agyapa” Royalties on the London Stock Exchange.
6. The Ghanaian public was taken aback by these disclosures, which add to the never-ending list of corruption scandals that continue to plague the nation under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt protégé, Alhaji Bawumia. For us in the National Democratic Congress, this disclosure did not come as a surprise. We are on record to have stated that the “Agyapa” Royalties deal was yet another phoney scheme cooked by the corrupt and nepotistic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, for the sole purpose of appropriating the mineral royalties of the country for themselves in perpetuity.
7. Ghanaians would recall, that during the intense public debate on the infamous “Agyapa” deal, the NDC took a principled position to stand with the people of Ghana. We kicked against the whole “Agyapa”arrangement on grounds that, the country’s mineral royalties had been grossly undervalued under the opaque deal and that same was going to deny future governments and generations mineral revenues that are critical to the development of the country.
8. Consequently, the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout when the “Agyapa” deal was presented to Parliament for approval. Sadly but unsurprisingly, the corrupt ruling New Patriotic Party used their numbers to approve the sleazy deal, in spite of the huge public outcry over the lack of value for money that the deal presented.
9. The Flag-bearer of the NDC, and God willing the next President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, vowed to cancel the fraudulent Agyapa Royalties deal if he won the 2020 General Elections, a position that has not changed.
Several Civil Society Organisations, including IMANI, ISODEC, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), IDEG, ASEPA, ACEP, among others, kicked against this rip-off called Agyapa, based on sound arguments and alternative proposals.
As you are all aware, all the constructive suggestions of these groups were ignored by the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government who were hellbent on stealing our mineral royalties.
10. Subsequently, the Office of Special Prosecutor established in its Corruption Risk Assessment Report that, the “Agyapa” deal was fraught with procurement rigging, statutory breaches, potential money laundering and inimical to the interest of the nation. Eventually, the chilling details of the OSP’s report coupled with sustained pressure from the NDC and civil society, compelled the President to shamefully beat a retreat and refer the deal he had already granted Executive approval for, back to Parliament for reconsideration, pending the the 2020 General Election.
11. My brothers and sisters, throughout our struggle against the “Agyapa” heist, we never knew and never imagined, that the ruling NPP government had spent a whopping $12 million on the deal. With each passing day, and as the clock ticks to 7th December, 2024 for Ghanaians to kick this irredeemably corrupt government out of office, the countless skeletons in their closet of corruption keep unfolding before our very eyes.
12. We in the NDC are completely appalled by the decision of the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, to spend this colossal amount of money on the “Agyapa” scam, which never saw the light of day. It is unconscionable and in fact, the height of cruelty, that the government engaged in this naked thievery and brazen abuse of the public purse, at a time our beloved nation was battling the COVID-19 pandemic and Ghanaians were already reeling under excruciating hardships. This is very sad and disheartening.
13. Friends from the media, the OSP established beyond every reasonable doubt, that the “Agyapa” deal violated the Public Procurement Act, the Public Financial Management Act and the 1992 Constitution, thus, rendering the entire transaction null, void and of no effect.
14. The most startling revelation by the OSP in its Corruption Risk Assessment report on the “Agyapa” scam, was the fact that some illegal payments were made to certain entities.
These entities include Databank, a company which was founded and is still owned by Ken Ofori-Atta, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo, the immediate-past Finance Minister, who has been promoted to the position of Senior Presidential Advisor on the economy and Special Envoy on international investments and the Capital Markets.
The OSP also found that, similar illegal payments were made to Africa Legal Associates, a law firm belonging to Gabby Otchere Darko, another cousin of President Akufo-Addo. All these payments were found by the OSP to be unlawful, hence null and void. Yet, till date, these illegal payments, which did not give the country any value or benefit, have not been retrieved by the state.
15. My brothers and sisters, we all know what good this colossal amount of USD$12 million, which is equivalent to GHS153 million Ghana cedis (i.e 1.5 trillion old Ghana cedis) could have achieved in Ghana’s bankrupt economy if it had been put to judicious use.
• This money could have sufficed to pay the cost of several months of treatment for all kidney patients in Ghana, nineteen (19) of whom died painfully, following the shameful closure of the Renal Dialysis Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital for several months last year, over government’s GHS4 million indebtedness.
• This colossal amount of money, could have been used to provide childhood vaccines to protect innocent babies from dying of childhood killer diseases due to shortage of essential vaccines.
• This USD$12 million which the country has lost to sheer corruption, could have procured textbooks for basic school children who have gone five years without curricular-based textbooks, after the introduction of a new curriculum.
• Ladies and gentlemen, USD$12 million could have paid the allowances of National Service Personnel in Ghana who have not been paid for four months now.
• Also, this huge amount of money, could have been used to create thousands of jobs for NABCO beneficiaries who have been sent home after they were promised permanent employment.
• Again, this colossal amount of money, could have been used to provide potable drinking water, or several CHIP compounds or schools for thousands of Ghanaians in deprived communities of the country.
16. Sadly but very characteristic of the selfish and greedy Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, they have distributed all this money among themselves, under the guise of expenditure on the botched “Agyapa” deal. We are totally disgusted by this wanton dissipation of public funds on a needless and useless venture by a government that rode on the back of an anti-corruption campaign into power, with the promise to protect the public purse.
17. My brothers and sisters, where did we go wrong? What crime have we committed to deserve this kind of treatment from our own leaders? Why are we being subjected to a constant abuse of our meager state resources by the ruling NPP government, at a time many cannot even afford one square meal a day and at a time, our nation is faced with economic bankruptcy, marked by debt default, an all-time high unemployment rate, high interest rates, high inflation rate and unprecedented hardships? What crime have we committed to deserve this treatment?
18. The penchant of this corrupt NPP government to hide behind crafty schemes such as the “Agyapa” deal, to steal from the people of Ghana is just too much. If it is not about mortgaging future mineral royalties into a phoney offshore entity called Agyapa, then it is about the dubious payment of $2 million dollars to a sham entity called Ai Skytrain Ltd, for so-called sky trains which have never materialised. From the PDS thievery to the unconscionable Ameri Novation agreement, all the way to the stinky SML scandal, this government has been relentless in their greedy pursuit to fleece the state coffers. Ghanaians have had enough of this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP administration, which has earned the dubious distinction as the most corrupt government under the Fourth Republic.
19. Today, Ghanaians are suffering because the meager resources of the country which are supposed to be put to judicious use for the benefit of all Ghanaians, have been hijacked by the greedy, selfish and corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their accomplices in the ruling New Patriotic Party. This is why today, students are suffering; teachers are suffering; nurses are suffering; doctors are suffering; market women are suffering; drivers are suffering; mates are suffering; Okada riders are suffering; engineers are suffering; pastors are suffering; journalists are suffering; Spare parts dealers are suffering; women are suffering; men are suffering; “boys boys” are suffering; “girls girls” are suffering; children are suffering; and all of us are suffering. We are suffering because of the unprecedented corruption we are witnessing under Akufo-Addo and his corrupt protégé Bawumia. It’s as simple as that.
20. Fellow countrymen and women, the “Agyapa” scam clearly amounts to wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and the culprits of same must not go unpunished. We in the NDC, and all well-meaning Ghanaians, repose huge trust and confidence in H.E John Mahama, to pursue and retrieve for the state, public funds that have been lost to looting schemes such as this “Agyapa” scandal, the PDS scandal, the “BOSTGATE” scandal and other acts of naked thievery by officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and their party apparatchiks.
21. H.E John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated both in government and out of government, that he detests corruption, and will never condone corruption, nor shield perpetrators of corrupt acts. He has stated clearly, that the days of the corruption clearing agent, will come to an end on January 7, 2025 when by the grace of God, he assumes office as President. He has said and demonstrated before, that the sword of the fight against corruption will cut both ways under his government, whether you are a member of his government or not.
22. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our main opponent in the upcoming 2024 general elections. I am talking about Alhaji Bawumia, the failed Vice President and Chair of the Economic Management Team, the clueless drivers’ mate and discredited Flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, who has proven to be not only dishonest but also very corrupt.
This is the man who orchestrated the stinky PDS scandal by deliberately and illegally relaxing the condition precedent requirement of a Bank Guarantee, thereby aiding PDS to defraud Ghanaians to the tune of GHS1.5 billion in electricity tariffs alone. According to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana lost a whopping $2 billion dollars as a result of this scam.
Again, this is the man who was named in the Anas Number 12 investigations and fingered in the Galamsey Economy documentary by Kwesi Nyantakyi and Charles Adu Boahen respectively, as a collector, arranger, fixer and receiver of “appearance fees” (bribes).
This is the man who attempted to steal ten (10) containers of rice belonging to a Ghanaian businessman for Ramadan donations, through his Director of Administration. As we speak, the said Director of Administration is currently being prosecuted by the OSP. Yet, he still works at the office of the Vice President till date.
This is the man who continues to lie through his teeth to Ghanaians without any restraint nor shame. I can go on and on.
23. Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the fact is, “appearance fee” merchant Bawumia is corrupt and cannot be trusted to fight corruption. The only way Ghanaians can get to the bottom of the litany of corrupt acts and scandals involving officials of this government including Bawumia himself, is for the good people of Ghana to resoundingly boot the NPP out of office on 7th December, 2024.
In so doing, our surest bet of exacting genuine accountability, will be to vote overwhelmingly for H.E John Dramani Mahama and the NDC, to enable us pursue true accountability which has been missing in our national affairs in the last seven (7) years.
24. My brothers and Sisters, I have the full blessing of H.E John Dramani Mahama to inform you and by extension the good people of Ghana, that the next NDC government will investigate the stinky $12 million “Agyapa” scam, retrieve all illegal payments made under same, and ensure that all the perpetrators are prosecuted.
The day of accountability is fast approaching, and no one found culpable will be left off the hook by the next NDC/Mahama government. This is a solemn pledge and our charge to keep, when by the grace of God and the Ghanaian people, the NDC assumes the reins of government in 2025.
25. We call on the Ghanaian electorate not to allow President Akufo-Addo and his corrupt cabal of family and friends, to install as President, their puppet (Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia), whose sole mission is to cover-up the many ills of this remarkably corrupt administration and insulate wrongdoers including himself, from prosecution.
26. We are absolutely confident that the good people of Ghana will rise to the occasion and reject corruption, nepotism, impunity, arrogance of power and economic mismanagement come 7th December, 2024. Enough of the corruption; enough of the thievery; enough of the abuse of the public purse, which continues to impose untold hardships and suffering on the nation. Enough is enough!
Thank you for your attention ladies and gentlemen, and may God bless our homeland Ghana.
SIGNED. SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER
I humbly suggest that the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Illegal Mining Reporter of the Year Award be renamed: “The Erastus Asare Donkor Illegal Mining Reporter of The Year”.
This young man stood up for Ghana in the face of all threats. He could have taken money from galamsayers to shut up like many Ghanaian journalists would do. He could have been a media or communication consultant to some of these mining companies. He chose not to.
Even soldiers took money to protect foreign galamseyers to destroy our land, forests and water bodies to kill us all. These are people trained and employed to protect the nation.
I viewed Erastus’ report in which, somebody reported as John Boadu, Former New Patriotic Party, NPP General Secretary’s driver gave security men GHC40,000 that they should use it for water and food when the security enterered a forest they were destroying in search for gold.
How far did that case go and where is that money? Perhaps, the security men who we do not pay salaries used it for foreign food and water so that they do not catch cancer from drinking from the galamsey destroyed water bodies.
Erastus Asare Donkor has done his best for Ghana with regards to the fight against galamsey. May Posterity remind and reward him beyond this Awards. Ken Asigbe and his Media Coalition Against Galamsey have done their best for Ghana.
But, the ruling NPP government, our traditional leaders, parliament, the judiciary, Ghana Army and other security services, etc failed to stand up to fulfil the oaths of their offices and patriotically protect Ghana and her resources.
Many educated citizens stupidly focused on our senseless polarity; they were more concerned about the common fact that it is not only the NPP that has failed Ghana, they were more concerned about how long galamasey has been with us, you were more concerned about how everybody was guilty.
They never stood up even on their social media pages to speak up, at least, and call on leadership across the nation to rise to duty, because, they are too loyal to their party than to the nation.
They are afraid of being called yaanom by senseless unpatriotic party loyalists. They want to be loved and admired by criminals who never cared about the future of our children, so, they would rather be neutral in the face of the growing insanity.
Some have been given Board position, public contracts and other gigs, etc. So, they dared not hold our highly irresponsible leadership accountable after President Akufo-Addo claimed he did not mind putting his job on the line to stop galamsey. With all their education, they do not even know that the president made that statement because he appreciated the gravity of the situation.
The mad growth of the galamasey menance to unthinkable levels under this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration has not only revealed their irresponsibility but the powerlessness of our chiefs and other traditional leaders, religious leaders, etc.
It has revealed who and what we truly are as a people. As a people, we are not refined than the raw materials we are supposed to refine and use for our collective good.
We are just like the trees, the river bodies, the minerals in the land, etc. We are rich but poor in thinking, poor in patriotism, greedy and senseless regardless of our degrees, titles and positions.
When the next uprising starts, remember that we all are part of the cause. We are too stupid for nature to give us such great treasures that we are wasting.
Stop beating your chests, ye dead bodies, and rise up and walk to our collective responsiblility with greater commitment.
Galamsey alone should get Bawumia led NPP voted out.
They have not shown leadership at all. And, they must be held accountable. No matter how long the phenomenon has been with us or who are involved, it is the responsibility of leadership to solve problems or faciliate their solution search. No excuses!!! They have failed abysmally.
Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed disappointment with Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng over the handling of the case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
Mr Gyamfi criticised the decision to refer the case to the Economic and Organized Office (EOCO) for investigation, stating that the OSP should have conducted its probe into the money laundering allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.
In an interview with TV3, Mr Gyamfi questioned the OSP’s decision not to include their report findings with the FBI in the docket presented to EOCO, calling it a “missing link” in the investigation.
“He was whining and lamenting too much, you are a creation of law, exercise your powers and you are here singing ‘ankonam’.”
“Kissi Agyebeng announced that a search was being conducted but he couldn’t make the findings public. In referring Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO he should have at least added the findings that he made through that search. He even told us he collaborated with the FBI, what were his findings? That is a missing link,” he stated.
Sammy Gyamfi accused the government of attempting to cover up the truth and avoid a thorough investigation into the allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.
“There is a grand conspiracy by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia NPP government to cover up the truths and real facts of this Cecilia Dapaah case. This should be obvious to any objective bystander,”
“This government led by the President himself has acted in ways that show they are not interested in an investigation at all and you see if they think that they are helping Madam Cecilia Dapaah in doing so, then they’re mistaken,” the communication officer stated.
The Attorney General (A.G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, in a letter addressed to EOCO dated Thursday, April 25, stated that there is no basis for EOCO to investigate Cecilia Dapaah.
According to AG, the OSP failed to attach to the docket presented to EOCO, their report findings with the FBI, after probing into the financial transactions of the former minister.
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The four-year sentence slapped on Obaapa Christy’s ex-husband, Pastor Love Hammond, has taken many Ghanaians by surprise.
While some express sympathy and suggest he could have received a more lenient punishment or even a fine, others are questioning the severity of his crime.
The case, which spanned from 2017, concluded with Pastor Love being found guilty of theft, appropriation, and dishonesty.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown of events leading to his sentencing:
Initial arrangement:
Pastor Love’s childhood friend, Samuel Amankwah, informed him that a certain Rose who works at the harbour could clear a Toyota Highlander for GH¢27,000. Pastor Love agreed to handle the clearance but quoted a fee of GH¢47,000. Amankwah, unable to pay that amount at that time, asked Pastor Love to use his own funds for the clearance, promising reimbursement when he returns to Ghana within a month.
Financial contributions
Pastor Love contributed GH¢38,000, while Amankwah’s sister sent an additional GH¢8,500 for the clearance. Amankwah assured Pastor Love he would repay the debt in a month.
Failure to produce the car
Pastor Love cleared the car in March. When Amankwah returned to Ghana in April and requested the vehicle, Pastor Love claimed he needed GH¢50,000 before he could release it.
Amankwah questioned this amount and was directed to a man named Kofi, who Pastor Love claimed lent him the money.
Kofi denied lending any money to Pastor Love.
Confession of sale of vehicle
Later, Pastor Love admitted to selling the car instead of producing it. He claimed the car was with a dealer and demanded the GHC50,000 first.
Witness accounts
Mr. Antwi Boisiako, one of the witnesses, testified that Pastor Love initially said Amankwah had authorised him to sell the car for GH¢130,000.
Pastor Love claimed to have taken a loan of GH¢46,000 cedis for the clearance, with accruing interest.
Joseph’s statement
Another witness said that there was an initial agreement allowing Pastor Love to sell the car if Amankwah hadn’t returned within three months.
However, Amankwah returned within a month, yet Pastor Love sold the car in March.
Demand for payment
Amankwah eventually paid the GH¢56,000 that Pastor Love demanded, but the vehicle was never released.
Pastor Love still maintained that the car was with a dealer and eventually ceasing all communication with Amankwah until legal action was initiated.
Prolonged legal proceedings:
Pastor Love frequently filed for “no case” motions during the hearings, which prolonged the process as the opposing party appealed the rulings.
A non-existent microfinance company
Pastor Love claimed to have taken a loan of GH¢40,000 from Lloyd Microfinance, which was found to be nonexistent upon investigation.
inflated clearing fee
Investigations revealed that the actual duty was only GH¢39,452,12, contradicting Pastor Love’s initial claim of a GH¢47,000 cedis clearing fee.
The combination of these factors ultimately contributed to the court’s decision and Pastor Love’s sentence.
Four persons arrested for the theft of Biometric Voter Registration kits of the Electoral Commission have been charged with four counts of stealing and dishonestly receiving.
They have been remanded into Police custody.
Three of the accused persons are officials of the Electoral Commission while one is a student. The three electoral commission staff members are Philip Lartey a labourer, Benyamin Fianyi a security officer and Joseph Blankson Adumadzie a database administrator all with the electoral commission.
The three staff of the commission have been charged with counts of stealing and conspiracy to steal while the student Clifford Yeboah has been charged with a count of dishonestly receiving.
The four have pleaded not guilty to the counts. According to the facts of the case, five Dell laptops, part of the Biometric Voter Registration kits which comprise a laptop, printer, scanner, battery and biometric device were reported stolen.
Upon further investigation, however, three HP laptops were retrieved from the fourth accused who is the student. One HP printer and three biometric verification device printer chargers were retrieved from the security officer.
Per Police investigation, the incident occurred when officials of the commission on March 9, 2024, entrusted some casual workers and security officers of the election’s management body to move some of their materials from their old head office at Ridge to one of its warehouses at Spintex.
The plot is said to have been initiated by the second and third accused persons to steal some of the HP printers.
The third accused person is said to have stolen one HP printer from one of the kit boxes and handed it over to A2.
A2 then stole three Biometric Verification Device Printer Chargers while A1 stole three HP laptop computers from the kit boxes to A4 to keep one and repair the remaining two.
At the Jaga4bitters mega concert held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East region, dancehall artist, Shatta Wale captivated the audience with his performance.
Known for his generosity, Shatta Wale was seen distributing cash to the enthusiastic fans from an open-top vehicle en route to the concert venue.
The fans, delighted by Shatta’s gesture, continuously chanted his name and heaped praises on him.
Upon his arrival, a vast crowd had already filled the venue, eagerly anticipating Shatta’s performance.
In due course, Shatta took to the stage, delivering an electrifying performance that had the audience singing along.
He belted out several of his popular tracks, including ‘Korle Gonno,’ among others.
Esteemed musician, King Ayisoba was also in attendance to delight the crowd with his performance.
Businessman and founder of Sesi Technologies, Isaac Sesi, has sparked widespread discussion after revealing his landlord’s drastic rent hike from GHC1500 to GHC10,000 per month for his office space.
In a Facebook post, Sesi shared his frustration with the sudden increase.
“Our office rent was GHC1500/month. Rent is due. Landlord says Ghana is hard so rent has increased to GHC10k/month. Take it or leave!” he wrote.
The post quickly gained traction, resonating with many who face similar challenges in Ghana’s tough economic climate. One of his followers had suggested he sat under a tree and use the space.
True to his word, Sesi was later seen working under a tree with his laptop.
“As one of my followers has rightly pointed out, we don’t even need an office as I usually just work from under a tree. I just have to find some big tree on KNUST campus and move my whole team to just work from there. Easy GHC10k saved.😂😂“
He commented on the adaptability of his work style, stating, “One of the things I like about my work is I can work from anywhere, including under a tree.”
The humorous post underscores a serious issue many small business owners face in Ghana: the rising cost of office space.
In addition to his creative solution, Sesi is actively seeking a new office space. He posted a call for help on social media: “Looking for a reasonably priced space in Kumasi, preferably around KNUST, to use as an office. Please reach out if you have any leads.”
Sesi’s light-hearted approach has drawn attention to the need for more affordable office options.
The current economic climate in Ghana is presenting significant challenges for entrepreneurs, with rising costs and inflationary pressures pushing many to the brink of closure. Business owners need to grapple with increasing operational expenses, particularly rent, utilities, and raw materials, which are eroding profit margins and making sustainability difficult.
This economic strain is driving a wave of business closures, highlighting the urgent need for more supportive policies and affordable resources to sustain entrepreneurial ventures.
With intervention, the entrepreneurial landscape in Ghana can maintain its vibrancy and diversity, with long-term consequences for economic growth and innovation.
Flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has apologized to the former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, for being harsh to him.
The Assin Central lawmaker eulogized Mr. Mahama as a wonderful gentleman and said he had not been fair to him due to the way he had spoken to him.
Mr. Agyapong in an interview on Starr FM said upon sober reflection he had realized that he had been very unfair to the former president.
He said he is human and liable to faults and apologizes to Mr. Mahama unreservedly.
“The way he has handled me and how I have spoken harshly to John Mahama, I think I have not been fair to Mahama. He is such a wonderful man.
“I apologize, I am a human being. I think I recount my relationship with him and all that I want to say is I am sorry.”
Musician Okyeame Kwame and his wife, Annica Nsiah-Apau, on Tuesday, January 16, celebrated the 15th anniversary of their marriage.
Taking to their Instagram platforms, the couple applauded and appreciated each other for the growth of their relationship.
In a letter to his wife, Okyeame Kwame noted that “out of all the experiences I have enjoyed and endured in my long life, falling in love with you is the most beautiful, heartwarming, mushy, comfortable and friendly experience I have ever had.”
He stated that he loves the person he is when with Annica and is happier whenever she is happy.
He added “15 years of honest friendship with a person who is not afraid to tell me my breath stinks. 15 years of marriage with my best friend who can tell me you are being a jerk. 15 years of romance, up up up up and a few downs. 15 years of feeling fortunate “lucky” and favoured because we chose each other.”
“It is my wish that everyone in his or her adult life can fall in love with someone like you. It is an honour for me to be doing this love, friend and marriage thing with you my queen. I love you selfishly because I love me more when I am with you,” he added.
On her part, Mrs Nsiah-Apau noted she is also thankful to have the rapper as her husband.
”Such an absolute treasure I have for a husband! Thank you for the guidance, for the plenty of jokes, for being a guiding beacon to our kids, and for having standards. The best travel partner there is.”
“For our 19 years of being together and 15 years of being married, your little messages during the day, some out of nowhere, some planned, some on spur of the moment are just romantic and always make my day and never get old.”
You could choose native hairstyles if you’re a woman looking for a stunning hairdo to wear this middle of the week so you can stroll out in elegance. With a gorgeous hairdo that you can wear during middle of the week, you may stroll out in elegance. Native braids can be magnificently styled in a variety of ways, enabling the creation of lovely hairstyles that are most suited to the shape of your face.
As a result, the remainder of this post will focus on examining some attractive and distinctive native hairstyles that are suitable for women.
1. The Fulani hairstyle
This braid’s name alone quickly conveys how adorable it is: A typical type of hair ornamentation worn by Fulani women is the hairdo. The present version of this hairstyle is no longer just for a specific group of women; rather, any trendy lady, regardless of where she was born, now has the opportunity to wear it.
This hairstyle requires beads, and you can highlight the tip by using a range of iridescent beads in different colours. There are numerous sizes and shapes of beads available for purchase.
2. A braid in Bantu knots
Women might create the appearance that they are more sophisticated than they actually are by wearing the magnificent Bantu knot in the midst of the week. It only requires creating a lengthy braid, rolling it up, and tying a knot at the end to complete this work of art.
3. A particular hairstyle that is frequently called the police cap
Modern hairstyles include the lemonade braid, commonly referred to as the police cap braid. To achieve the ideal hairdo for this appearance, simply braid your hair so that it falls to one side of your face.
4. Getting a Koroba-inspired haircut
The koraba hairstyle, which is named after the style and is used by native Yoruba women, is intended to resemble a basket. Depending on the method you select, you can style this braid with either thread or your own natural hair.
5. The Eko Bridge hairstyle, which is a popular trend.
This particular hairdo was created to resemble a traditional Eko bridge, and it was carried out in a way that makes it possible to achieve that goal. You are welcome to continue wearing it for your photo shoots even if the majority of today’s young women would not be interested in displaying this style because it is so outdated.
6. A hairstyle that is based on the Patewo custom
By clapping one’s hands together in a specific manner, the braid patewo is made. This is the best design to use if your goal is to develop something that is native to the area and local to make.
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Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says his government will prioritise the establishment of the Ghana School Sports Secretariat to drive a school-based grass rooot development, which he said forms part of his broad vision for Ghana’s sports development.
“My government, as part of a broad sports development vision, will establish the Ghana School Sports Secretariat, which will be an agency under the ministry responsible for sports, in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the GES and sports federations.,”
Dr. Bawumia added that as part of his vision to make Ghana a hub for emerging sports in Africa, his government will also seek school-level collaboration with international sports bodies like the NBA and NFL to make Ghana a hub for these emerging sports in Africa, to create more opportunities for young people.
“We have already tried this with the NFL, the governing body for American Football, which agreed to host in Ghana, in 2022, the first ever NFL Flag Football in Africa after my engagement with them. This paved the way for 10 young Ghanaians to be selected to the United States to represent Africa in a global NFL tournament last year.”
“Another set of young Ghanaians, who were picked after the 2nd NFL Africa Football was also held in Ghana last year, are currently in the United States to represent Africa.”
Dr. Bawumia also identified inadequate funding as a major hindrance to the development of Ghana Sports, and revealed that under his government, there a shift away from the traditional, indequate sports to a modern, sustainable funding model.
The Vice President said, as President, his government “will have a major focus on policies, tax and other incentives to increase private and public investment.”
“My government will therefore, prioritise the creation of incentives for corporate sponsorship as a sustainable module of financing sports development and promotion for our national teams, including football, athletics and boxing at all levels.”
“This will take the financial pressure off government, and also enable government to redirect more support to other sports disciplines.”
In what seems to be a financial corruption scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Minister Betta Edu has stated reason for disbursing N585,198,500.00 into a personal account.
According to a document signed by Edu directed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Minister instructed the disbursement of N585,198,500.00 to one, Oniyelu Bridget.
It also showed that the payment of the N585.198 million grant, meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos States, was made into Oniyelu’s account.
Reacting to the public outburst on why a huge sum of the Federal Government’s money would be paid to an individual’s account, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Rasheed Zubair said N585.198 million payment for the vulnerable group followed due process.
Zubair stated that the payment of the grant to the account of an individual, Oniyelu Bridget, was because the fellow currently serves as the Project Accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
He however mentioned that the payment of the N585.198 million grant was indeed meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos.
READ ALSO: Betta Edu Announces Three-Month Job Opening For Plateau Humanitarian Workers
“For the avoidance, the said N585m was approved, and it is meant to implement grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.
“We must note that GVG was first launched in Kogi State, where recipients testified. Akwa Ibom and Cross River were launched in December 2023. Kogi already happened in November, and others will be launched in the coming weeks.
“The general public is invited to note that the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups is one of the social intervention schemes of the Federal Government, which the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is implementing.
“Oniyelu Bridget is the Project Accountant for GVG from the Department of Finance, and it is legal in civil service for a staff, the project accountant, to be paid and use the same funds legally and retire the same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed”, he stated.
Meanwhile, public sector financial regulations of 2009 prohibit the payment of public funds to the account of a private individual.
“Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account. An officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intention,” Section 713 of the law states.
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has urged the government to quickly resolve the delayed stipend payments to Ghanaian students studying in Morocco.
According to the student body, the stipend payments to the affected students have been delayed for 10 months, with many of them facing imminent expulsion from their academic programme and eviction from their accommodations.
At a news conference in Accra, NUGS President, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, expressed concern about the situation and stated that the financial constraint had put the affected students in distress.
He appealed to the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, to personally intervene for the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat to promptly disburse payment.
He said the Ghanaian students, on Monday, May 24, 2024, took to the streets of Rabat in Morocco to complain about the unpaid stipend, which is having ravaging effects on their living and studies.
“This situation is extremely alarming and unacceptable,” the NUGS President remarked, and added that the country has a duty to protect its citizens who have been sent abroad for academic pursuit.
What concerns NUGS President even more is the female students’ inability to purchase sanitary pads, which he describes as “beyond degrading and dehumanizing.”
The student body said it has reached out to some of these students and they have indeed confirmed these distressing situations. What further exacerbates the dilemma, Mr. Osei-Opare said is reportage to NUGS, in regard to Ghanaian students of the 2022/24 cohort in Serbia.
“In their case, it is asserted that they have not received their stipends for 12 months. NUGS are yet to obtain all the facts, but we urge all stakeholders to consider the situation of the aforementioned group as well,” Mr. Kyeremeh said.
“It is further regrettable to note that despite the public outcry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to respond to this urgent matter. That is, in all aspects, spheres and scopes,” he stated.
Additionally, he disclosed that NUGS has asked Madam Osei-Opare and Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to assist in addressing the issue.
“They have assured us that the necessary actions are being taken,” he added.
“These students need immediate relief and we urge the relevant authorities to expedite action on stipend payments,” he intimated.
The NUGS President again called for a downward review of the interest on the student loan, pointing out that the current rate has put many students in financial distress.
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, says his outfit may pardon any of the 12 stations cited for various infractions if they express remorse and stop airing unethical content.
Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Diamond TV, Nkabom TV and eight others were given a final warning by the National Media Commission and National Communications Authority (NCA) after they were accused of airing fake lottery, occultism, money doubling, money rituals and inappropriate sexual content on their channels.
The channels may be taken off-air if they continue with the alleged unethical practices.
Speaking in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Mr. Sarpong justified the warning his outfit issued against the said media houses.
“…If any of them shows remorse now, it will seem to me that we would be ready towards a better future without necessarily issuing some regulatory contents.”
The 2nd part of November 2023 witnessed an increased rate of 64.7% of reported cases of unethical and unlawful content on the Ghanaian airwaves, according to a joint report released by the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA).
According to the two entities, this figure is higher than the first-fortnight report released on November 16, 2023.
The NCA and NMC in their November monthly report stated, “The second part of November saw an increasing trend of 64.7% in the overall number of reported cases of unethical and unlawful content on the airwaves above the first-fortnight report released on November 16, 2023.”
The NCA and NMC in their report disclosed that fake lottery increased six-fold to 676% while occultism doubled to 105%.
The media houses cited for carrying out offensive broadcast include Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Diamond TV, X TV, Funny TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Elephant TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Nkabom TV and Seekers TV.
In a post shared on X by the journalist, who attached some documents relevant to the transaction, said President Akufo-Addo granted executive approval on August 22, 2023, just a week after Next Gen Infraco Ltd was formed.
He questions why there was no competitive bidding before the contract was awarded, demanding transparency and fairness in the contract for the 5G project, which is set to be rolled out within six months.
“The company that has been handed the deal was formed less than a week before the president’s approval. The 5G technology, according to industry experts, can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Why is it being handed to one company without an auction? Why were different companies not allowed to bid for the contract?,” Awuni wrote.
“What is the track record of a company that was formed less than a week before the president approved the deal? What is the relationship between this company and Smart Infraco?,” he questioned.
She explained that the company was specifically established to undertake the 5G rollout, adding that no related infrastructure company, at the time the contract was handed out, had the capacity to manage the roll-out of the 5G network services.
“So, it had to be specifically formed for the purpose of delivering this service based on the strategic policies and decisions of the government, and it is borne out of our experiences, and that is why we chose not to auction it,” the minister explained.
“This is a special purpose vehicle, and once the government took the decision that we will use a neutral infrastructure company to deliver this service, there is no existing neutral infrastructure company that can deliver it at the moment,” Ursula Owusu-Ekuful added.
President Akufo-Akufo-Addo “granted Executive Approval on 22nd August 2023”. The company handed the deal was formed less than a week before the president’s approval. The 5G technology, according to industry experts can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. pic.twitter.com/2YPkxvVkRw
— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) May 30, 2024
President Akufo-Akufo-Addo “granted Executive Approval on 22nd August 2023”. The company handed the deal was formed less than a week before the president’s approval. The 5G technology, according to industry experts can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. pic.twitter.com/2YPkxvVkRw
— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) May 30, 2024
The debate over the contentious naira redesign/cash swap policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to rage in the country’s political space ahead of the general elections. A renowned northern activist and public affairs analyst, Dr. Shehu Mahdi, has come forward to reveal the most recent stunts being used by public officeholders in his region to buy votes in the upcoming elections.
On Monday, Mahdi claimed in an interview with Africa Independent Television (AIT) that as of last Friday, a northern governor had ordered six billion naira to be taken from one of the state local government accounts, and that a large portion of the money had been converted into the “CFA Franc,” which is the equient to the currency of the neighbouring country.
In his words: “There is a governor who only last Friday authorized the withdrawal of 6.4 billion naira from a state-wide joint local government account. to buy what? to purchase 500,000 clothes items and 500,000 bags of bagged rice weighing 5 kg (wrappers). 32 trucks of NPK fertilizer, 32 trucks of Uria fertilizer, and 500,000 packets of bath soap are also on their shopping list.
Next, for 1.6 billion naira, he purchased Nigerien CFA currency. To what end? to purchase votes the exact same thing that the President was attempting to eradicate. Here, we’re referring to one of those northern states that borders the Niger Republic. It’s not just a guess because I have my sources and this happened just last week Friday, and I still maintain I have sources.”
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During the Technical Track on Monday ahead of the African Energy Week (AEW) (https://AECWeek.com) 2023 conference – taking place in Cape Town from October 16-20 – independent energy research and business intelligence company Rystad Energy, the event’s official knowledge partner, delivered a compelling presentation on the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) landscape. Spearheaded by Per Magnus Nysveen, Senior Partner and Chief Analyst at Rystad Energy, the presentation, framed under the theme, A Long-Term Outlook for Global LNG in a World of Energy Transition, set the stage for a series of technical discussions to be held throughout the event.
Nysveen commenced the presentation with a pivotal question: “Is energy transition a break or a good opportunity for the gas market?” This question became the cornerstone for a comprehensive exploration of the evolving role of LNG in the current energy transition. Nysveen highlighted the significance of addressing energy consumption and emissions from gas, emphasizing the growing importance of renewable energy sources. He noted, “Gas demand will continue to grow in various emission scenarios, but achieving significant emissions reductions will necessitate substantial investments in renewables.”
The presentation delved into the multifaceted role of gas, comparing its applications to other fossil fuels like oil and coal. Nysveen pointed out that while gas excels in direct use for purposes such as heating and cooking, it presents challenges in the realm of power generation. However, Nysveen stressed that coal’s environmental concerns, owing to its carbon-intensive operations, had led to a decline in its presence in the global power mix. This decline enhanced the competitiveness of natural gas, making it a more attractive option.
Cost dynamics of different energy sources were explored, with Nysveen underlining that the Levelized Cost of Electricity for new renewable power projects favorably compared to that of natural gas. “Solar and hydropower, priced at an average of $36 and $42 per MWh hour, respectively, stand out in contrast to natural gas’s average of $100 per MWh,” noted Nysveen. “However, the competitive edge of natural gas stemmed from its lower investment costs, especially when compared to capital-intensive renewable projects typically financed through loans.”
The presentation also addressed the importance of a balanced power system and emphasized the role of gas as a complement to renewable energy sources. Nysveen highlighted the significance of gas’s flexibility and reliability in stabilizing power systems. His outlook for the future included a forecast that renewables would increasingly dominate the global power mix by 2040, initially replacing coal and later challenging gas.
The presentation emphasized the growing demand for LNG and its potential for significant growth in Africa. Nysveen pointed out that while current LNG demand exceeded supply, meeting this demand in the long-term would require higher-cost projects, leaving room for Africa to make its mark on the industry.
“Personally, I believe that the need for energy and population growth in Africa points to significant potential for the development of future gas projects on the continent.”
The presentation kicked off the Technical Track at AEW 2023, where discussions on gas and project rollout will be further explored, with a host of regional energy professionals, global investors, and representatives from both the public and private sectors converging in Cape Town to facilitate dialogue, network, and solidify deals.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).
Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fiscal discipline and responsible spending, ensuring that economic policies remain on track despite the upcoming 2024 elections.
By tightening expenditure and avoiding policy slippages, the government aims to maintain economic stability and sustain growth.
Addressing journalists during a joint press conference by the Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday, July 1, 2024, he stated, “Despite the fact that 2024 is an election year, we are committed to enhancing domestic revenue mobilization and tightening expenditure commitment controls to avoid policy slippages.”
The Finance Minister further expressed the government’s commitment to sustaining macroeconomic policy adjustment aimed at achieving a comprehensive restoration of macroeconomic stability and fostering a resilient and robust economy for sustainable growth and development.
“We are committed to sustaining our macroeconomic policy adjustment and reforms to fully restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while fostering a sustainable increase in economic growth and poverty reduction,” he assured.
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The National Democratic Congress Parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central in the Western Region, Joana Cudjoe Gyan has presented GH¢20,000 to each Women organiser of the 17 Constituencies of the Western Region, totalling GH¢340,000.00.
Mrs Cudjoe, who is also the Western Regional patron of the women’s working committee, also donated GH¢100,000 to the Regional Women’s Organizer and GH¢30,000 to each of her two deputies, totalling GH¢60,000.
The total contribution of GH¢500,000 is aimed at empowering women to mobilise support for the party in the upcoming December 7, 2024, elections.
Presenting the funds, Joana Gyan Cudjoe emphasised the crucial role women play in the party’s organization and urged unity among party supporters.
She called on everyone to work towards a common goal, ensuring victory for the John Dramani Mahama and Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman ticket, as well as all 17 NDC Parliamentary Candidates in the Western Region.
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Mona Gucci has been dragged to court over yet another case of fraud – this time in regards to visa fraud.
The media personality is reportedly facing charges for allegedly defrauding a trader out of Ghc 103,400 on the pretext of helping them to travel.
According to reports, Mona Gucci took the figure on the premise of helping the said trader to procure an American visa but has failed to hold up her end of the bargain or pay back the money.
The post exposing Mona Gucci was shared by Ghana Crimes on X who wrote: “Monalisa Abigail Semeha, widely known as “Mona Gucci” in the entertainment world, is facing charges in an Accra Circuit Court for alleged involvement in a visa fraud case.
“She allegedly took GH¢103,400.00 from a trader under the pretext of securing her United State of America visas for her clients but failed,” the page wrote.
Mona Gucci has been involved in other fraud cases previously, and she famously lied to the entire country when she claimed she was an immigration lawyer in the United States working at a defunct firm!
In other words, she’s pretty familiar with these kinds of dealings!
Check out the post below…
Monalisa Abigail Semeha, widely known as “Mona Gucci” in the entertainment world, is facing charges in an Accra Circuit Court for alleged involvement in a visa fraud case.
She allegedly took GH¢103,400.00 from a trader under the pretext of securing her United State of America…
Kumasi Aug. 30, GNA – The Ashanti Regional secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised issues of irregularities in the voter register, which was recently exhibited by the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to the party the anomalies, if not promptly rectified, could severely compromise the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the party, told the Ghana News Agency, that the NDC had detected numerous instances of questionable voter transfers, both into and out of specific constituencies within the Ashanti Region.
These transfers seemed to be irregular and raised suspicions of manipulation of the voter register with the intent to influence the election results.
Furthermore, he said, there had been instances of names of registered voters being omitted from the polling lists, and in certain cases, voters had been transferred to polling stations that were significantly distant from their original locations, including being moved to areas outside their designated electoral zones.
Dr Amoakohene stressed that these unacceptable irregularities could disenfranchise legitimate voters and lead to unnecessary tension on election day.
In response to these grave concerns, he said the NDC had formally corresponded with the Electoral Commission (EC), outlining its observations, and requesting immediate corrective actions.
The Regional Secretary indicated the office also requested a meeting with the EC to address these issues and ensure they were resolved amicably.
He reiterated that the NDC was unwavering in its dedication to democratic principles and would persist in its efforts to guarantee that the forthcoming elections were conducted in a manner that was impartial, equitable, and transparent.
He urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and collaborate to ensure that the voice of the people was honoured and preserved.
Multiple award winning Ghanaian actress, Empress Nana Ama Mcbrown and her crew have stormed the Volta region to cook and dine with the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage.
The popular media personality and business mogul went with the Mcbrown’s Kitchen crew and different products from sponsors to help the people.
Nana Ama joined the women in cooking large portions of food especially jollof to share with the members of the community.
After cooking the food, Nana Ama Mcbrown and the MP for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa shared the food to the members of the community.
Chelsea and Arsenal are looking for a forward and they are targeting Shakhtar Donetsk star footballer Mykhaylo Mudryk. Shakhtar Donetsk director Darijo Srna will be in London this week and he’s expected at the stadium for Chelsea-Manchester City game. Chelsea and Shakhtar will discuss about Mudryk in the next 24h – also Arsenal remain in direct talks and player’s current priority.
Here Shakhtar Donetsk director Darijo Srna in London where he will attend to Chelsea-City game. He was with Willian and Eduardo. Mykhaylo Mudryk deal has been and will be discussed in the next days again in England.
Excl: Sporting have reached full agreement to sign Mateo Tanlongo from Rosario Central. He’s joining in January, it will be sealed soon. Argentinian midfielder born in 2003 will sign long term deal with Sporting in the next days. Here we go.
Southampton are set to sign Mislav Orsic from Dinamo Zagreb, deal fully agreed for £6m. First part of medical completed. Documents being prepared in order to focus on more signings soon. After star footballer Mislav Orsic completed first part of medical, is a good news to Southampton and their fans because they are looking forward to boost their team players this January transfer window. Mislav is set to sign new deal with Southampton.
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Failed New Patriotic Party presidential aspirant, Kwadwo Kyerematen resigned from the party on Monday, September 25, 2023, and announced a four-point agenda for his bid to contest the 2024 polls as an independent candidate.
The former Minister of Trade had complained about supposed divisiveness in the NPP and alleged hostile attacks on himself and his supporters for more than a decade now.
“I have endured all this resentment, and maintained my integrity within the party throughout the past fifteen years.”
Announcing his bid for the presidency as an independent candidate on Monday, September 25, 2023, Mr. Kyerematen said he would champion the following paradigm shift dubbed “movement for change” if given the mandate to steer the affairs of Ghana.
Change the political status quo by moving Ghana beyond the duopoly of the two main political parties in Ghana; the NPP and NDC. This will break divisive partisanship in governance in Ghana, and bring an end to the “winner takes all” political syndrome. In addition, there is the need to promote reforms in the internal democratic processes and procedures of all political parties, such as introducing ‘One Man One Vote’ (OMOV) to ensure inclusiveness, and reduce the effect of monetization in politics. The principles underpinning national elections must be reflected in the electoral process of political parties in Ghana.
Promote the establishment of a Government of National Unity, which will include people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political, religious, and ethnic affiliations: rich or poor, abled-bodied or physically challenged, young or old, women and men. This will allow for effective and inclusive participatory governance. The MOVEMENT will lead to the formation of a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Build consensus on a National Development Agenda which will introduce a new paradigm shift that moves Ghana from growth and stability to economic transformation. This paradigm shift will be driven by my Great Transformational Plan (GTP) for Ghana, which puts the private sector and the business community at the center of our national development efforts.
4. Inspire behavioural and attitudinal change in the people of Ghana. This will include but not be limited to the following.
a. Enforcement of Discipline: We as a people should appreciate the need for maintaining discipline in all spheres of our national lives, including changing our attitude to work.
b. A War against Corruption: Corruption, particularly from the public purse, denies our country the benefit of utilizing its tax revenue and other resources for the development of our country. All sections of Ghanaian society should wage a vigorous war on corruption, through a combination of legal and institutional reforms, the application of technology including artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and data analytics, as well as maintaining societal pressure against corruption, and leading by example. If elected as the President of the Republic, I will sign a “Citizens Contract” with the people of Ghana, committing to wage a relentless war against corruption.
c. Arrogance of Power: As I have stated on previous occasions, the arrogance of power has been a major obstruction to progress in our country. People in positions of authority must understand that leadership is an opportunity to serve the people, and not to lord over them. In servant leadership, humility is an asset and not a weakness.
d. Passion for Excellence: As a country, we must celebrate competence and excellence and not mediocrity. Advancement in the public sector in particular, must be based on meritocracy and not patronage and protocol. Putting square pegs in round holes has been the biggest challenge for service delivery at every level in our governance structure. A significant shift in this regard, will allow the best talents in our country, particularly the youth, to be deployed to achieve optimum performance in various institutions and organizations.
e. Solution Based Thinking and a Focus on Execution: As a people, we must focus more on ‘getting things done’ and finding solutions to problems, rather than spending time on excessive and needles debates.
f. Making Laws Work in Ghana: The lack of compliance and disrespect for laws, rules, and regulations in Ghana, is a major stumbling block for national development. As a people, we must commit ourselves to the sanctity and rule of law, to ensure peace, law, and order in our society.
g. Patriotism: The pride of being Ghanaian and promoting good citizenship, as well as patronizing goods made in Ghana, is a development imperative.