Mass burial for 25 person's who perished on Kintampo highway in March

Ghana recorded a red day in its road carnages when about 50 passengers perished in a ghastly accident on the Kintampo road in early March, 2020.

Twenty-five of the dead who could not be identified by their families have Saturday morning,23/05/2020 been buried in a mass grave at the Kintampo Public Cemetery.

More than 50 passengers on board two buses that collided head-on in the early hours of Friday March 22, 2019 on the Tamale-Kintampo Highway died instantly.

The accident occurred at Amoma Nkwanta, a village near Kintampo in the Kintampo North Municipality of the Bono East Region, along the main Kintampo-Tamale Highway.

It was confirmed that a VVIP Kia bus with registration number GT 3915- 17 from Garu in the Upper East Region heading towards Kumasi collided with a Grandbird bus with registration number GT 5694-18 from Accra which was heading towards Bolgantaga also in the Upper East Region.

Markk360news

FDA GHANA BECOMES THE SECOND AFRICAN REGULATORY BODY TO ATTAIN 'MATURITY LEVEL 3' OF THE NATIONAL MEDICINES REGULATORY SYSTEMS CLASSIFICATION BY W.H.O.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has officially attained the Maturity level 3 of the National Regulatory Systems in a four-tiered World Health Organisation (WHO) classification for National Medicines Regulatory Systems.

Ghana becomes the second country in the African Region after Tanzania to attain Maturity level 3, the second-highest in a four-tiered classification for the national medicine regulatory systems.

There are four levels of regulatory systems maturity, starting from level 1 where only some elements of regulatory systems exist, and up to level 4, which is the advanced regulatory system. 

The level 3 maturity status obtained by the FDA, indicates that the regulatory systems in place are well functioning and thus, integrates all required elements to guarantee its stable performance.

The evaluations of the FDA Ghana were carried out in 2014, 2015, and later in 2019 using the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool.

Benchmarking of the medicines regulatory systems is part of the WHO programme for strengthening regulatory systems. It identifies strenghts as well as areas for improvement after which an Industrial Development Plan is developed to build on the strenght as well as areas for improvement. 

The Acting WHO country representative in Ghana, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo stated that, this milestone achievement is the result of investment by the Government of Ghana in strengthening the regulatory systems for effective to ensure that when people seek for treatment, they recieve effective medication and are free from harm.

According to her, Ghana has strengthened its medicines regulatory system to ensure safety, quality and effectiveness of medical products manufactured, imported or distributed within the country.

 

The world Health Organisation believes that the FDA Ghana’s achievement and status will cause other countries in Africa to invest in regulatory systems to ensure availability and access to quality, safe and affordable medical products. 

Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo finally stated that, the WHO is proud of Ghana’s achievements and will continue to support medicine regulation by providing technical assistance and training to enable countries to implement global guidelines to meet their specific needs.

Ayawaso West Wuogon MP turns her living room into a Mask Factory

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has disclosed she has turned her living room into a nose mask-producing factory amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Hon. Alhassan, the initiative is her personal contribution towards the fight against the coronavirus pandemic as the wearing of masks has been made mandatory.

Speaking on Asempa FM ’s Ekosii Sen , she disclosed the living room accommodates 15 dressmakers who are sowing the masks for distribution in the constituency.

“During the coronavirus lockdown, I distributed relief items to the constituents and post lockdown, my living room has become a factory where I am currently producing and distributing 50,000 masks to my constituents,” she said.

She further outlined a number of developmental projects that have taken place in the constituency within a year of her tenure.

“I am personally constructing roads in my constituency, set up entrepreneurial club on Legon campus to help innovative students with hospital projects underway,” she disclosed.

Source:adomonline.com

President Commissioned New Duoala Barracks at Burma Camp

On Tuesday, 12th May, 2020, the President of the Republic commissioned the 'New Douala Barracks',at Burma Camp which is part of the Barracks Regeneration 

Project, initiated by Government in June 2017 to address the accommodation challenges of the Armed Forces, and, thereby, ease the discomfort that troops and their families have been confronted with over the years. 

Sixty-four (64) families will be the beneficiaries of four (4) new blocks of sixty-four (64) apartments. Each of these apartments has a living room, two (2) bedrooms, a kitchen and standard sanitary facilities. It is gratifying to know that similar, on-going accommodation projects are near completion at the Airborne Force, Six (6) Infantry Battalion in Tamale, and other garrisons.

Source:Markk360news

$4m NCA scandal: Former Board Chairman, two others jailed

Three former members of the board of theCommunications Authority (NCA) have been given prison sentences of a total of 16 years for their roles in the “clandestine” purchase of cybersecurity equipment worth over $4 million.

A former board chair of the NCA, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

William Tetteh Tevie, a former Director-General of the NCA was also sentenced to five years imprisonment and Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

William Tevie and Alhaji Osman were found guilty on the charges of conspiracy to willfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.

However, they were acquitted and discharged on charges of stealing, conspiracy to steal and using public office for personal benefits.

A businessman, Derrick Oppong was however acquitted and discharged on all charges against him.

Also another accused person, Nana Owusu Ensaw was acquitted and discharged by the court of appeal before today’s judgment.

The judge, Justice Kyei Baffour further ordered the Attorney-General to seize assets of the convicts amounting to the tune of three million dollars.

Background

According to the facts of the case as presented by the Attorney-General, Baffoe-Bonnie, Tevie, Ensaw and Osman were allegedly aided by Oppong to engage in the criminal act.

It said the previous National Democratic Congress administration had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply a piece of eavesdropping equipment at a cost of $6 million to enable the authority to monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terror activities.

A local agent, Infraloks Development Limited, allegedly charged $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

The facts explained that the National Security did not have the money to fund the transaction and for that reason, the NCA, which had supervisory jurisdiction over the use of such equipment, was asked to fund the project.

It said $4 million was withdrawn from the NCA’s account, while $1 million out of the withdrawn amount was deposited into the account of the Israeli company.

The Attorney-General explained that the remaining $3 million was lodged in the account of Oppong, who acted as a representative of the local agents, Infraloks Development Ltd.

The state closed its case against the accused persons on the 18th of April 2019, following which the accused persons chose to exercise their rights under section 173 of the Criminal and Other Offences Procedure Act (Act 30) to file ‘Submissions of No Case.’

Witnesses

The prosecution in making their case called six witnesses namely, Abena Asarfo Adjei, Director of Legal Affairs at NCA; Dr. Isaac Yaw Ani, Deputy Director-General in-charge of management and Operations; Colonel Michael Kwadwo Poku, Director of Operations at National Security Secretariat; Duncan Opare, Deputy National Security Coordinator and Detective Chief Inspector Michael Nkrumah, the investigator of the case.

Defence

The accused persons opened their defence and denied all the charges levelled against them, insisting that the equipment was purchased for the NSCS as requested.

They also denied the charge of benefitting from the purchase of the equipment.

Alhaji Osman’s testimony was, however, heard in camera.

Source:citinewsroom.com

Mahama has no right to lodge complaint against me – Abronye DC

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Abronye DC has slammed a former President, John Dramani Mahama for filing a criminal complaint against him.

The former President in a petition to the Criminal Investigations Department signed by his lawyer, Tony Lithur said Abronye DC had accused him of plotting to assassinate some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. Mahama dismissed Abronye’s claim in his complaint.

“His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, has firmly instructed me to say that the allegations are, of course, false; and for the avoidance of doubt would like to state that neither the NDC nor he has planned to hire, hired or cause to be hired, or instructed any person or persons to murder or assassinate anybody,” portions of the complaint read.

The former President also asked the CID to investigate Abronye DC’s allegations in his complaint.

Abronye DC in a rebuttal said the former President had no right to lodge a complaint since he had made similar comments in the past.

“It is important to note that John Mahama has no moral and equitable rights to lodge a complaint to the Police accusing me or any other person of peddling falsehood because he is the grand lord of peddling falsehoods in this country,” excerpts of Abronye’s response said.

Abronye DC further said he had not received a letter from the former President in relation to his earlier comments.

“It is prudent for me to posit that I have not been officially invited or received any letter or whatsoever from your outfit or any of your subordinates, agents or representatives.”

Source:citinewsroom

I’ll continue to trumpet the good of NPP as a truthful person – Allotey Jacobs

Embattled former Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Bernard Allotey Jacobs insists he would continue to sing praises of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) once what they do is for the good of the He disclosed that he is committed to the ideals and ideologies of the NDC dismissing claims that he is in bed with the NPP as claimed by some leaders of his party.

According to him, his stance on praising the 

current government when it does good things is tailored towards changing the narrative in the political discourse in the country. 

Allotey Jacobs came under attack after MyNewsGh.com reported that he had commended president Akufo-Addo for procuring 307 ambulances for Ghana.

“The interior of the state of the art ambulances recently commissioned and distributed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo can give life back to a dying patient ... We all should face facts if you look at the inside and see the equipment and colour design it looks very attractive. If you are at the point of death, the colours in the ambulance can give you the vim to survive. The inside is great,” Allotey said.

“All those ambulances that were brought into the country from the Kufuor to Mahama regimes must be added to the current fleet. If there is the need to retool them, they should, so we carve a new ambulance system. It would be prudent for the government to supply them ambulances to the Regional and Teaching Hospitals,” he added.

Source: My News GH

BABA YARA STADIUM VICTIM AUGUSTINE OPPONG TO HAVE HIS DAMAGED EYE FIXED THIS MONTH

Asante Kotoko supporter, Augustine Oppong, whose eye was damaged following mayhem which occurred during Premier League match between Asante Kotoko SC and Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will get his eye fixed with an artificial eye later this month. 

He will first go for a review at the Komfo Anokye Teachings Hospital tomorrow for team of doctors to assess him. 

Oppong,35, had his eye grievously damaged through a shooting incident after Kotoko-Chelsea game by an unknown police Officer. 

Nana Kwame Dankwah disclosing the news to NCC Social Media Manager, Sasu Danquah, said, "All is set for Augustine Oppong to go for his review tomorrow at the Komfo Anokye Teachings Hospital for assessment before the Doctors will fix his damaged eye with an artificial one."

" The NCC is really concerned about his general well-being, and we will go extra mile to help him get his eye fixed" he added. 

" It is an unfortunate situation, but we can only learn from this as supporters going forward."

Source:Sasu Danquah High Priest

PIUS ENAM HADZIDE IS A THREAT TO PRESS FREEDOM - CALL HIM TO ORDER, MR. PRESIDENT

THE CENTER FOR ETHICAL GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (CEGA)

11th May, 2020

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CEGA has observed with great worry a development if not unchecked will further dent the image of the government so far as press freedom in the country is concerned.

During the normal discussions on TV3 this morning 11th May, 2020 hosted by  one Mr. Johnny Hughes, the Deputy Minister for Information Pius Enyonam Hadzideh was on that programe with Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza the MP for Adaklu Constituency in the Volta region.

The Hon. Deputy Minister made claims to the effect that the government had made substantial  investments into bringing up more Covid-19 Testing Centers in Ghana, and thereby making it possible for Ghana to undertake massive testing of suspected Covid-19 infected people.

On his part, the Host of the program asked the Deputy Minister to give further and better particulars of the nature of the investment the government had specifically made in the sector.

Not only did the Deputy Minister get infuriated about Host's line of question but he went on to accuse the Host of being biased and unprofessional. 

The CEGA wishes to place on record that, this is unbecoming of a Deputy Minister for Information in Ghana.

As a Deputy Minister, Hon. Pius Hadzide must understand that he is expected to serve the people of this country and he must do so with utmost patience, humility and candour.

He must understand that he communicates on behalf of the government and that the state pays him to give accurate and unbiased information. 

Furthermore the CEGA has noted with apprehension that this Deputy Minister appears on television and radio programmes almost unprepared and not very much on top of issues.

He mostly engages in unbridled and unmitigated politicization of all issues. 

 

We wish to register our utmost disgust about the conduct of the Deputy Minister's unwarranted attack on the Host of TV3 this morning.

As the Deputy Minister of Information he is supposed to protect journalist instead of attacking such professionals who are genuinely doing their job.

In view of this, the CEGA calls on the President to immediately call Hon. Pius Hadzide to order and request him to apologise to Johnny Hughes and the viewers of the Morning Show hosted by him.

In the midst of this pandemic, what Ghanaians need most among others are;

1.  Better education of the public on current events concerning Covid-19 management

2. Timely and accurate information from Information Ministry. 

3. Cool heads and reasonableness to prevail during discussions

4. Avoidance of obsession to political polarization, cacophony and nuisance especially from persons paid by the tax payer.

Signed:

Prof Ohene Adjei

Executive Director

0544445566

Dr. Justice M.K Aheto Executive Secretary

0242527292

Mr. George Yankah

Communications Director

 0242161111

EC Responds To The Minority Leader's Accusations "All stakeholders are hereby reminded that plans are far advanced for the compilation of a new voters register with a new Voter Management System for the upcoming 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections" ~~EC

Election 2020: NDC will oppose the new voters’ register - Ofosu-Ampofo

The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo is saying that the NDC will at any time stand against the new biometric Voters’ Register the Electoral Commission (EC) is seeking to compile.He said on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ Show that, “The president must concentrate on the lives of Ghanaians not election be one life lost is too many.”

He, however, called on Ghanaians and politicians to be circumspect and focus on the coronavirus outbreak. “We should all put politics aside so that by God’s grace if the coronavirus period is over we can all go back and do our politics. We must look at what is happening to America, the UK, and others.”

Let say Coronavirus is the act of God, what can we do? If Ghanaians are dying and because you want to win elections you w

Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo

Listen to the Article

The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo is saying that the NDC will at any time stand against the new biometric Voters’ Register the Electoral Commission (EC) is seeking to compile.

He said on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ Show that, “The president must concentrate on the lives of Ghanaians not election be one life lost is too many.”

He, however, called on Ghanaians and politicians to be circumspect and focus on the coronavirus outbreak. “We should all put politics aside so that by God’s grace if the coronavirus period is over we can all go back and do our politics. We must look at what is happening to America, the UK, and others.”

Let say Coronavirus is the act of God, what can we do? If Ghanaians are dying and because you want to win elections you will let them go and vote? Then you are being insensitive.”

He also revealed, “We believe that the electoral commission is not being neutral and credible in this matter and that is why we are calling that they should stop this exercise, allow peace to prevail so that we make use of the current register in the elections,” he stated.

Speaking on EC’s claim that the technology used is faulty, Mr. Ampofo stated categorically that there was no problem with the said technology because it is the same device that was used for the district elections in December and it worked perfectly.

He added that nobody was denied voting hence, the current register is credible.

Source:etvghana.com

May 9th Disaster, 19years on: press release by Asante Kotoko

The refrain over the years has been never again. It has been never again because we do not want to experience what we witnessed on 9th May, 2001 at the Accra Sports Stadium, when 127 people were forced to join their ancestors after a football match. 

We say never again because human lives are so precious that, we should not trade it with anything. Never again because this day brings sadness not just to the families that lost loved ones but also to Asante Kotoko as we were one of the two teams involved in the league match which was characterised by that highly unfortunate incident. 

We continue to sympathise with the bereaved families and all who were hurt, one way or the other by what happened 19 years ago today. We continue to pledge and encourage all in Ghana football to help reduce to the barest minimum if not eliminate violence from our game. 

We must not be deterred by anything to deal with violence and that which brings the name of the beautiful game into disrepute. We stand to loose if we do not support effort by the football association and security agencies to contain hooliganism in Ghana football. 

Today, we once again commiserate with the families of the victims. We say, never again should our football be taken through the tragedy of 2001. Never again! We may not be playing football in view of the suspension caused by the Coronavirus pandemic but then we entreat football lovers in the country to always put up good behaviour at match venues. 

Signed

Kennedy Boakye -Ansah,  

Public Relations Officer, 

Asante Kotoko.

Ghana Medical Association Cautions against the lifting of ban on social gathering

The Ghana Medical Association cautions against the lifting of the ban on social gatherings in the face of increasing spread of COVID-19. 

#SpreadComeNotFear

#WearYourMaskAlways

#StayHome

#StaySafe

Source:markk360news

Teamwork is the key if a team can achieve its goals- Kwame Opoku

"Teamwork is key if a team can achieve its goals. There is unity in the team and the players are very good as well. This makes Kotoko the best place for me to improve my career. The club has a lot to achieve if we can remain united."

"They all put up their best in training, and I will also kill myself, so I can also improve the team and my career."

"I knew some of the Kotoko players even before I came here. I met a few of them at the national team camp, and they were very friendly and sociable."

Those guys welcomed me very well. And those I did not know like (Emmanuel) Gyamfi and Felix (Annan) also showed me love, and I love them back as well."

"The coaches are also very friendly. They correct us when necessary and also jog with us during training. The club has a lot to achieve if we will continue like that." *Kwame Opoku*

Source:[Kotoko Express App]

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Kwesi Botchwey: I Agree With Much Of What Bawumia Said About Ghana's Economy

<<   >>

Prof. Kwesi Botchwey   Related Stories   As economic experts continue to proffer their views about the state of Ghana's economy at the Distinguish Speaker Series organized by the Central University College, Prof. Kwesi Botchwey has raised certain salient points, aimed at rebuilding the economy. Being the third speaker to be offered the same platform to speak after Dr. Mahamud Bawumia, it could have easily occurred to some that he would seize the moment and deliver a speech embroiled with rebuttals. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana, in an earlier speech delivered at the Central University College, urged the Bank of Ghana to reverse measures rolled out to stem the downward spiral of the cedi. He made an impeccable analysis of the continuous depreciation of the Ghana cedi and proved with empirical figures and data that the cause of the cedi depreciation boils down to the weak fundamentals of the Ghanaian economy today including the high fiscal deficit, rising inflation, the unprecedented increase in borrowing and the public debt, the low net international reserves, declining GDP growth, large and increasing central bank financing of the government (printing of money), government inability to meet statutory payments and the loss of investor confidence in the economy. He pontificated that dollarization is not the cause of depreciation but rather the effect of weak economic fundamentals and the loss of confidence in the cedi. According to him, any attempt to solve the rapid depreciation of the cedi by focusing on de-dollarization will ultimately be an exercise in futility. But Dr. Bawumia hardly finished this much praised lecture when government and NDC propagandists pounced on him to rubbish the lecture without giving any sound basis for their critique of the lecture. From advisor to the President, Nii Noi Thompson through Fiifi Kwetey, a Minister of State through Deputy Ministers of Information, Mutala Mohammed and Felix Ofosu Kwakye to Allotey Jacobs, Hannah Bisiw amongst others, they all set to devour Dr. Bawumia. Interestingly, when he took his turn, Prof. Kwesi Botchwey completely agree with most of the previous points raised by Dr. Bawumia and maintained that he has respect for him. I offer no rebuttals to his lecture. I do agree with much of what he said," Kwesi Botchwey stated. The seasoned economist however believes no economist can evaluate the nation's political economy on the basis of a tale but rather, after conducting a properly analyzed study. This he said, holds key to give true reflection about the state of the economy.       Source: Chris Joe Quiacoe/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

ECG: Accra To Experience 6 Days Dumsor Starting Today

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced that parts of Accra will experience power outages for some days, starting today, May 8, 2020.

In a statement, ECG said the power outages, locally known as dumsor, will last till Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Some parts of Accra will, therefore, experience power cuts between 10pm and 1am for the next six days.

The company said it will use the period to convey some transformers from the Tema Port to its Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) construction site.

Meanwhile, the areas to be affected include Ofankor, Tema, Klagon, Spintex, Trasacco, Dzorwulu and Achimota.

“The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited wishes to inform the general public, especially our cherished customers in the under-listed areas that, to ensure safe conveyance of 145MVA transformers from the Tema Ports to the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) construction site, the company will have to isolate some High Voltage overhead lines,” ECG said.

“In this regard, there will be planned outages from Friday 8th May 2020 to Thursday, 14th May 2020 between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am each day.”

The power distribution company added that it deeply regrets any inconveniences that will be caused.

 

 

Source: pulse.com.gh

Kelvin Prince Boateng ready for Black Stars come back

Ghana international Kevin Prince Boateng has availed himself for a Black Stars call up in a conversation with his brother Jerome Boateng on Instagram.

The 33-year-old brooded on his stint with the National Team revealing how soar it ended after receiving much support in the Black Stars jerseys.

The Besiktas midfielder reiterates the fact that he can give much more to the National Teams should the opportunity comes calling.

“With the national team, I didn’t like the way it ended because they gave me so much. But you never know, maybe I can go back and play one more time again,” Prince said to his half brother Jerome on Instagram.

Kevin Prince Boateng has featured 15 times for Ghana and scored twice.His call up to Black stars ended after 2014 world Cup in Brazil after certain misunderstanding between some of the players and some management team members after failing to apologize for his actions under coach Akwasi Appiah. 

NPP appoints Mac Manu as campaign manager for election 2020

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appointed former National Chairman of the party, Peter Mac Manu as it’s Campaign Manager for the 2020 general elections.

Mr. Mac Manu who is currently the Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority held the same position in 2016.

He will be deputised by Minister of Zongo and Inner City Development, Dr. Mustapha Hamid, and Director of Operations at the Presidency, Lord Oblitey Commey.

General Secretary of the party John Boadu will head Campaign Logistics and Operation, the same position he held in the 2016 Campaign.

NPP National Organizer, Sammi Awuku will be his Deputy.

The party was expected to hold a national delegates conference on May 2nd, 2020 to officially outdoor and launch its Campaign, but was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Source:citinewroom.com