Day: January 7, 2024

Dormaa-Ahenkro local public sector workers assure better performance


The public sector workers at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Dormaa Central Municipality in the Bono Region have?resumed work after the yuletide with the expression of commitment to increase output than the previous year.

This was observed when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday visited?some offices located around the Dormaa Central Municipal Assembly to gauge the level of enthusiasm and excitement with which workers were returning to work after the festive season.

The GNA realised the offices of departments/units of the Assembly had opened for businesses to welcome members of the public to answer their enquiries and render other services.

At the time of the visit around 0900 hours, the Accounts Department of the Assembly had already opened, and an account officer was seen gently scanning through some files and documents.

Some staff and officers at different departments/units who spoke to the GNA in separate interviews enthusiastically expressed their desire to work harder for higher productivity in the year for Ghan
a’s rapid and better progress.

‘We are back at it to deliver even better for a more prosperous Ghana,’ Mr Justice Owusu Ansah Pobee, in charge of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit stated.

The National Identification Authority’s office too had been opened with some applicants seated and patiently waiting for their turn for officers to address their concerns.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Berekum MuSec to sit on collapse of goat rearing and research centre


The order for the closure of the Semanhyia Learning and Management Farms, a goat rearing and research centre by the Berekum Traditional Council has been referred to the Berekum Municipal Security Committee (MuSeC).to address it.

Consequently, the Committee would sit and take a decision on it by the close of this week, Mr Kofi Adjei, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) through a telephone interview on Sunday at Berekum-Senase in the Bono Region.

Sometime in 2023, the GNA gathered that the Traditional Council ordered livestock keepers rearing goats to either sell their animals or move them out of the Municipality.

Further checks revealed the order was given due to the expected ‘Doteyie’ (pre-burial funeral and interment) of the late Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo II, the Paramount Chief of the Berekum Traditional Area who died on Friday, June 9, 2023.

The Council had since remained silent, as some of the chiefs contacted by the GNA declined to comment on the matter.

But a sou
rce at the Berekum palace told the GNA the traditional deity (local god) of the Berekum people ‘forbids goats,’ and it was therefore forbidden for anybody to rear goat on the Berekum soil, not only to preserve customs and traditions, but also in order not to attract the wrath of the deity.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the traditional council met somewhere last year and gave all livestock keepers rearing goats to either sell their animals or move them from their soil.

Nonetheless, during a visit to the Semanhyia Learning and Management Farms at Senase in the Municipality, Mr Frederick Benneh Frimpong, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer confirmed the Council had officially informed them of the ultimatum which would expire next week.

So, ‘we are currently undertaking a vigorous social media campaign drive #savesemamhyiafarms# and we need the government’s intervention too,’ he stated.

Throwing more light on the operations of the farms, Mr Frimpong said the Centre contained mor
e than 250 breeds of goats, including imported ones, and employed about seven people, saying ‘because of the ultimatum we have started selling the animals’.

Mr Frederick Benneh Frimpong, Founder and CEO, Semanhyia Learning and Management Farms

He explained the Center started operations in 2019 and had since invested over GHC500,000.00.00 into the farm which covered about 10 acres of land.

‘We were even doing some expansion works when we received the ultimatum and as we speak now, we have invested additional GHC40,000 on the project and we can’t afford to lose it,’ Mr Frimpong stated.

‘In fact, it is a goat learning and research Centre for educational and learning purposes and we have the vision to build it to make it the largest research Centre in the West African sub-region.’

Asked whether he had sat down with the Traditional Council, Mr Frimpong said the Council was not in any position to reverse the ultimatum.

‘Our idea is to establish a learning and development farm where researchers and agricultura
l institutions can visit and use our facilities for learning and research as well as produce enough goats for domestic consumption.’

Mr Emmanuel Kwame Osei, an employee, told the GNA the closure of the Center would bring an economic burden on him and other colleagues, saying they depended on that for the upkeep of themselves and their families.

Another employee, Francis Dwomoh described the decision by the Traditional Council as ‘unacceptable’ and appealed for government’s immediate intervention.

Meanwhile, butchers in the Municipality said they were also worried about the decision of the Traditional Council, which had also slowed down their economic activities.

A butcher at the Berekum main abattoir popularly known as ‘Agya Koo’ said he and other colleagues had to travel to either Techiman or Dormaa-Ahenkro and other places to buy slaughtered goats before they could sell at the Berekum market.

That, he added, was not only affecting their profit margins, but also making goat meat scarce in the Municipali
ty.

Some livestock keepers in the Berekum town confirmed to the GNA their animals were forcibly arrested and slaughtered by a taskforce allegedly set up by the Traditional Council.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Verify information before broadcasting to avoid misinformation – UEW


The Management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has urged the media and other stakeholders to verify information from credible sources before dissemination to avoid misconceptions and misinformation.

A statement signed by Mrs Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, the Acting Registrar, UEW, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Management was deeply concerned about recent reports suggesting a ban on the university’s operations in Nigeria.

Setting the records straight, the statement said contrary to those reports, the UEW had not collaborated with any educational institution in Nigeria nor had affiliations with any institution over the last decade for the purposes of awarding degrees.

‘The UEW does not maintain any satellite campuses, physical establishment, nor remote operations within Nigeria,’ it said.

‘The UEW’s commitment has always remained focused on delivering quality education at its esteemed campuses in Ghana.’

The University had maintained a transparent and direct admission process for forei
gn applicants aspiring to study with it and did not engage nor collaborate with agents, representative or intermediaries in Nigeria nor elsewhere, the statement said.

‘Any individual or entity claiming to represent the UEW in such capacity is engaging in fraudulent activities and does not have the university’s endorsement or authorisation to do so.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Government should invest in musicians directly – Kwame Baah 


Ghanaian music entrepreneur Kwame Baah has urged the government to directly invest in musicians rather than music institutions.

According to Kwame Baah, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Yve Digital, a music aggregation platform, the government could recoup their investment threefold if they invest directly in artists.

Speaking in an interview, Kwame Baah said musicians play a crucial role in boosting Ghana’s tourism and that more had to be done to propel their talent globally.

‘The government should invest directly in the artiste and not go through these music institutions. When the government invests in artists directly, they are able to get the needed global mileage.

‘I believe the government would recoup their investments more than threefold if they took up this initiative, and this is even evident with the success of the Year of Return initiative,’ he said.

Stressing the importance of musicians in boosting tourism, Kwame Baah said artists serve as unique personalities who could further promote
Ghana to the outside world.

‘More has to be done to help artists promote themselves on the international stage. We all remember how Sarkodie’s speech at the BETs triggered massive global interest in Ghanaian music,’ he said.

Kwame Baah’s influence in the music industry continues to grow after he was adjudged Best Music and Entertainment Personality at the 2023 Forty Under 40 Achievers Awards.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Preview: Ghana to fine-tune readiness with friendly against Namibia ahead of AFCON opener


The Black Stars of Ghana will engage the Brave Warriors of Namibia in a friendly at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday.

This forms part of Ghana’s preparation before their 2023 AFCON opener against Cape Verde on January 14, while Namibia opens their campaign against Tunisia on January 16.

Ghana, who have won the AFCON four times, go to Cote d’Ivoire as outsiders to win the ultimate trophy, and that quest to end the over-four-decade AFCON trophy drought will be difficult.

Black Stars coach Chris Hughton, who has been tasked with delivering Ghana’s fifth trophy, faces a stern task, especially with a key player like Thomas Partey missing out.

Hughton is expected to use the Namibian match to test his strategies, tactics and, most importantly, figure out his starting lineup ahead of the tournament.

Monday’s friendly could instill some level of hope among Ghanaians who have somehow lost confidence in the team following some poor results in recent matches.

Namibia, who have pitched their campaign base in
Accra, would be making their second appearance at the AFCON since their debut at 2010 finals in Angola.

The Brave Warriors go into the tournament as huge underdogs considering a very difficult group that includes Tunisia, South Africa, and Mali.

Namibia coach Collin Benjamin believes in the ability of his squad to pull up some surprising results and create some good memories of the tournament.

Well, an encouraging outing against the Black Stars in Kumasi on Monday would certainly boost the morale of the Brave Warriors as they seek to progress out of the group stages for the first time.

Team News

West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus is yet to report to the team’s training base in Kumasi and is unlikely to feature in Monday’s match against Namibia.

With the 26 players in camp, Chris Hughton has some quality players to call upon, especially in the midfield area, especially with Thomas Partey ruled out of the?tournament.

Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru is expected to step in for Partey considering his impressiv
e outing for Ghana the last time.

Ghana’s attacking force looks exciting, with the likes of Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams, Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in red-hot form.

Richard Ofori seems to have reclaimed the number one goalkeeping spot, but Joseph Wollacott and Lawrence Ati-Zigi could be given the nod to start against Namibia.

For Namibia, most of the players ply their trade in Africa, with their top-most foreign player being Ryan Nyambe of Derby County.

Namibia top marksman Peter Shalulie, who scored four goals in the qualifiers, is expected to lead the charge upfront on Monday.

Ghana’s probable starting line-up: Richard Ofori (GK), Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, Gideon Mensah,?Salis Samed, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo

Namibia probable starting line-up: Edward Maova(GK), Ryan Nyambe, Denzil Haoseb, Gebhardt, Riann Hanamub, Marcell Papama, Ngero Katua; Uetuuru Kambato, Junior Petrus, Limbondi, Peter Shaluli
le

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana face Namibia in pre-AFCON friendly on Monday 


The Black Stars of Ghana will test their strength against Namibia in an international friendly at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, January 8 ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.?

The friendly encounter would help Coach Chris Hughton assess his men after rigorous training sessions over the past few days.?

Both teams would round up their preparations with the tough encounter before leaving to Ivory Coast as title contenders.?

26 players trained with Black Stars team during the four-day camping, with the exception West Ham star Mohammed Kudus who was yet to report.?

Ghana is caged in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique while Namibia would also face Tunisia, South Africa and Mali in Group E.

The 2023 AFCON tournament is scheduled for 13th January,2024 to 11th February,2024?

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mahama to extend ‘Building the Ghana we want together’ tour to Volta region


Mr John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is scheduled to visit the Volta region from Thursday, January 11 to Friday, January 12,2024.

The tour themed:’Building the Ghana we want together,’ would enable the Flagbearer to interact with communities, stakeholders, traditional leaders and the citizenry.

Information gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that the tour would begin with an ‘entry meeting with NDC stakeholders’ at Sogakope.

Mr Mahama would also hold a community engagements at Tegbi and Aflao while commissioning the Ketu North Party office and addressing a mammoth rally.

He would also pay a courtesy call on the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in Ho to begin the day two of activities and later address a townhall meeting at the Ho Technical University.

Mr Mahama would round up his tour at the St Francis College of Education, Hohoe with a campus connect which would see students, teacher Unions and stakeholders in education in attendance.

Source: Ghana N
ews Agency

1992 Constitution must be reviewed to reflect the times – PPP


The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has reiterated the need for the 1992 Constitution to be amended to improve the governance system of the country.

After 30 years of the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, the party said a review of some aspects, which did not advance the course of democracy in the country must be effected to reflect the times.

The party identified pertinent portions to be reviewed as; election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and total separation of powers.

Others are decoupling of the Office of the Attorney-General from the Ministry of Justice, introduction of the Public Declaration of Assets Regime, and clarification of eligibility of Ghanaians in the Diaspora to hold public office.

Mr Felix Mantey, the Director of Communication of the party, said until aspects of the Constitution were amended to meet development goals, celebrating that day would amount to nothing.

He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast on the commemoration of the
national Constitution Day observed on January 7, each year.

The Day seeks to celebrate the coming into force of the 1992 constitution of Ghana and the sustainability of the Fourth Republic .

Buttressing his views, he said Article 243 which dealt with the election of MMDCEs must be reviewed to stop abuse by the executive.

This will prevent abuse of power to address the challenge where the President has to appoint the majority of ministers from Parliament.

That, he explained, would promote a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative branch of government and help Parliament perform its oversight responsibility over the executive.

Mr Mantey also called for amendment to separate the Ministry of Justice from the Office of the Attorney-General.

‘It is important that the Minister of Justice, who is the government lawyer, is not the same person who is the people’s lawyer, and prosecuting crimes in the country.

‘People in the government also commit crimes, so we need someone who is outside
the government to prosecute all crimes,’ he said.

Mr Mantey stressed the need for the public declaration of assets and liabilities to be published before and after one occupied and left public office to facilitate the fight against corruption.

He said the Constitution Review Commission (CRC), a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, set up in January 2010, solicited views of the people on the operation of the 1992 Constitution and the changes required where necessary.

The Commission was also tasked to present a draft bill for the amendment of the Constitution; however, he expressed disappointment that successive governments had failed to implement the recommendations contained in the CRC’s report.

‘The massive amount of money invested in the Constitutional Review exercise must not be allowed to go waste.

‘It shall remain a scar on the conscience of right-thinking Ghanaians if these fundamental changes and many other brilliant recommendations contained in the CRC’s report continue to gather dust,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Adventurers seeking to torpedo Ghana’s democratic path will fail – President


The Government has issued a stern warning to people seeking to torpedo Ghana’s democratic path ahead of the December 07 General Election.

‘It will not be under my watch that any adventurer will seek to torpedo the democratic path on which we are embarked,’ President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assured.

In a message to mark the 2024 Constitution Day, which falls on January 07, he said his Administration was bent on seeing to it that ‘we have a free, fair and transparent election in December 2024’.

‘You have my word! Ghana will be the victor of such an outcome, not any individual party or candidate,’ he asserted.

The Constitution Day is intended to acknowledge the nation’s collective efforts at ensuring that the tenets of democracy, rule of law and principles of constitutionalism are upheld.

It is designed to remind the citizens of their collective commitment to a regime of uninterrupted constitutional order.

The Fourth Republic has now endured far longer than any of the three previous republics, which w
ere all cut short by military interventions.

Ghana goes to this year’s polls with its reputation at stake as it seeks to consolidate its enviable record as the beacon of democracy and good governance in the West African sub-Region.

Analysts have described the elections as very critical in the nation’s pursuit to advance the Rule of Law and constitutional rule.

Over the last three decades, the West African nation has conducted eight successful elections under the Fourth Republican Constitution – a feat that has helped to cement peace and stability amid the growing political instability in the sub-Region.

‘I have spent my adult life fighting for our individual and collective rights, and it is, therefore, gratifying to note that the nation’s adherence to democracy has not waned.

‘We know that there are no quick fixes to the challenges confronting us, and, as we have seen in recent times, democratic structures of governance are capable of accommodating the most difficult of circumstances,’ the President stat
ed.

He entreated all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission (EC), political parties and their leaders, the electorate and citizenry, to work assiduously to consolidate Ghana’s democracy to maintain the nation’s pride of place on the continent as a model of democracy in Africa.

‘At the end of it all, there should be no lingering doubt about the legitimacy of the election, and the winning candidates, on the conclusion of the process, should receive the unalloyed support of all.

‘That is how we can strengthen our democracy and the peace and stability of our nation,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Survival of 1992 Constitution hinges on its holistic review – Majority Leader


Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament has reiterated that the survival of the 1992 Republican Constitution hinges largely on its holistic review.

In a statement to mark the celebration of the Fourth Republican Constitution Day, January 7, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu urged Ghanaians to summon the will to consummate the process.

‘As we commemorate the day set aside to celebrate the genesis of the Fourth Republican Constitution, I salute all Ghanaians, especially, those who participated in crafting, as well as those who have been active in activating, implementing, interpreting, and reviewing the 1992 Constitution,’ he said.

‘As one people in one nation with a common destiny, it must be our collective strategic imperative to ensure the survival of Constitutionalism.

‘Today, January 7, 2024, for me marks 31 continuous years of intimate interaction with the 1992 Constitution, the initial implementation of which, was paradoxically, superintended by an unconstit
utional regime.’

He said the vast experiences garnered affirm his conviction that all the efforts and attempts at amending and reviewing the Constitution must be consolidated, harmonised and brought to fruition.

Source: Ghana News Agency