Nigerian Army asked to desist from monitoring social media activities of Nigerians

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Nigerian Army asked to desist from monitoring social media activities of Nigerians

Lagos – The Partnership for Media and Democracy (PAMED), on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to restrain the Nigerian Army from monitoring the social media activities of Nigerians.

The group described the action as a violation of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and the privacy of their communications as guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

A press statement jointly signed by Lanre Arogundade, Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director, Institute for Media and Society (IMS), stated that the group had painstakingly studied the declaration by the Nigerian Army that it would henceforth monitor the social media for alleged ‘anti-government, anti-military and anti-security’ information.

“But, the group expressed concern that such a move provides enormous opportunities for abuse of power and the violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians by the military.”, it stated.

Recall that Major-General John Enenche, the Director of Defence Information, on August 23, during a live programme on a popular television station said that “the move became necessary in the light of troubling activities and misinformation capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country”.

His words: “What are we doing? In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever. We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security”.

PAMED however stated that the declaration has a lot of grave implications because if the threat is carried out, it could lead to violation of the right of freedom of expression as constitutionally guaranteed for Nigerians.

Freedom of expression is protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The non-guarantee of the safety of media professionals, especially online journalists and those covering the activities of the military incapacitates the media to carry out the obligation to monitor governance and hold the government accountable to the people as stipulated in section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended;

The group is therefore demanding that the army authorities should immediately withdraw the threat to monitor the social media for alleged anti-government, anti-security and anti-military information as it is antithetical to democratic principles and values.

The Partnership also called on the army authorities to promptly dismantle any media centres it might have established for this unwelcome purpose.

By Apata Oyeniran/independent.ng

Ghanaian Asked to Change From Their Unhygienic Behaviors

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Ghanaian Asked to Change From Their Unhygienic Behaviors

A two-day watershed training for members of the Ghana Wastsan Journalist Network (GWJN) is underway in Accra with a call on the public to change their unhygienic behaviours and support the clean agenda of saving the land.

Mr Kweku Quansah, the Deputy Director in-charge of Environmental Health Sanitation Directorate of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, who made the call on Friday, said when good hygienic practices are adopted, it would help address major sanitation challenges confronting the country.
He said: “According to a WHO research in 2016 the extensive adoption for hand wash and sanitation will reduce diarrhea diseases by 89 per cent.”

Mr Quansah said to complement the clean, safe agenda, the Ministry would employ 40,000 sanitation workers to support the already 4, 000 plus sanitation health workers to help increase and promote the campaign.

“This has become necessary especially when 60 per cent Ghanaians use shared toilet facilities, with 15 per cent having access to improved toilet facilities while 19 per cent practice open defecation hence making Ghana to be perceived in international circles as among the least clean countries in the world,” he said.

Mr Quansah said when it came to open defecation in the country, following a 2014 demographic report based on regions; Northern region was ranked highest with 67.6 per cent while Ashanti and Greater Accra had 6.6 per cent respectively and being ranked as lowest.
“Central Region had 13.5 per cent, Brong Ahafo 6 per cent, Eastern 9.1 per cent, Upper West 49.7, Upper East 21 per cent, Volta 23.6 and 7.2 per cent for the Western Region,” he said.

On a regional waste generation research conducted in 2010, the Deputy Director in-charge of Environmental Health Sanitation Directorate of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources said Ashanti Region was leading with 3,363,126 with the Upper West Region recording 493,953.

Accepting the challenge that had been there all these years, Mr Quansah said the only way that could make these setbacks be addressed was through the enforcement of laws and the collaboration of the media in exposing culprits and letting them know their actions that hinder sanitation in the country are bad.

Mr Patrick Apoya, the Executive Director of Fox Limited, a Consultancy firm in the WASH Sector, said despite the high access to safe water supply (80 per cent) it fell short to 20 per cent under the Sustainable Development Goals which requires that water be safely managed and available.

The training, which forms part of a five-year project of Watershed Ghana has the objective of building media capacity in advocacy to enable them work with other partners towards the push for the integration of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Integrated and Water Resources Management (IWRM) had about 20 members of the GWJN across the ten regions participating.
The training was sponsored by IRC of Netherlands.

Some members who spoke to the Ghana News Agency said the training had enlightened them on the critical issues in the WASH and IWRM sector.

The Watershed Ghana work package, a component of a 5-year multi-country strategic partnership between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IRC (lead), Simavi, Wetlands International and Akvo, to deliver improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services through CSO advocacy and lobby was launched in Accra on 30 June, 2016.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Government Needs Our Encouragement on Free SHS – Rev. Gyan-Duah

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Government Needs Our Encouragement on Free SHS – Rev. Gyan-Duah

Reverend Dr Charles Gyan Duah, has called on Ghanaians to encourage government to implement the free SHS policy because it is an important social intervention policy that would leverage the access to higher education irrespective of background.

He said “we must commend the President for taking such bold decision to make SHS free and then encourage him all the way to make this policy a reality, because it will help us as a country to improve upon our human resource base”.

Reverend Gyan-Duah, a former clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), said education in any given country must not be a preserve of the rich and “where a chunk of our youth ends at Junior High School for lack of support, we must not fail to support this government realize this free SHS policy”

Speaking in an interview with the GNA, the former clerk said the call of many Ghanaians that the fee SHS would not be successful and that it would sacrifice quality was inaccurate and called on the public to stop expressing fears about the success of the policy.

He said by all standards, Ghana has all that it takes to make secondary education free even up to the university and with the zeal and commitment of government, it was possible adding that “if Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa is doing it then Ghana can also do it beyond doubt”

Reverend Gyan-Duah said in every beginning there were challenges and so, is the free SHS policy, “So we must not dwell too much on the challenges and express them as fears, but rather lets encourage the government to go ahead and keep reminding him of his commitment”.
He said our campaign as a people should be to fully participate in the implementation with every stakeholder playing it parts well so that money for food, books and other logistics very critical would not delay, to cause a relapse in the policy.

Reverend Gyan-Duah said as a professional teacher who has taught in the rural areas, he knew how many intelligent children ended schooling at the basic level due to financial constraints and said just like the national health insurance scheme, the free SHS would in no doubt bridge the gap between the poor and the rich in terms of access to education.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

V/R: The Alhaji Dr. Adamu Iddrisu Foundation hands over 8 boreholes

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V/R: The Alhaji Dr. Adamu Iddrisu Foundation hands over 8 boreholes

The Alhaji Dr Adamu Iddrisu Foundation has commissioned eight boreholes in some communities in the Volta Region.

The communities are Kparekpare in Krachi East, Baglo Senior High School in Jaskian District, Akpafu Mempeasem in the Hohoe Municipality, Biakpa in Ho West District, Ho-Kpodzi-Ho District, Baptist Vocational Training Centre in the Asougyaman District and Tsiame in the Keta Municipality.

Mr Osei Asafo-Adjei, the Managing Director (MD) of the Royal Bank, speaking at the commissioning of one of the facilities at Akpafu Mempeasem in the Hohoe Municipality, said the main objective of the Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Bank was to give back to society.

He commended the community for the high participation and commitment in the activities leading to the commissioning of the facility.
Mr Asafo-Adjei said supporting these communities with potable drinking water was the idea of the founder of the Bank, the late Alhaji Dr Adamu Iddrisu to help communities in need.

“It was necessary to always give back to society as part of our contribution to the development of the society, “he said.
Mr Osei Asafo-Adjei said every year a percentage of the Bank’s income was allocated in supporting the communities in areas of education, health, water and sanitation, sports and culture.

He said “the vision of the foundation was to enhance the lives of the people living in rural communities through the provision of potable water, improved sanitation, education, culture and sports.”

Mr Osei Asafo-Adjei said the founder has directed that the Foundation to provides 60 boreholes yearly to needy communities across the whole country.
The MD said since its inception, the Foundation has been able to construct 240 boreholes to many communities.
Mr Osei Asafo-Adjei assured the community of the foundation’s continuous support and expressed its readiness to support further should the need arise in other areas like education.

He appealed to the community leaders and traditional authorities to initiate measures to cultivate the maintenance culture in keeping the facilities in order.

Nana Amoah II, the Chief of Akpafu Mempeasem, said the facility has come as a sign of relief to the people of the community.
He said water was important to human existence and commended the management of the Foundation and the Bank for their kind gesture in supporting the community with life.

Nana Amoah II said appealed for support in the area of education and expressed the hope that appropriately, when their request gets to them, they would support them to continue to educate their young ones.

He assured management of the Foundation of the community’s quota to manage and maintain the facility for its proper usage.
Mr Andrew Asasenkasa, the Assembly member for Akpafu Mempeasem Electoral Area, also commended the Foundation for the prompt response to their request through Mr Franklin Manase Obro, a citizen of the area.

He said the community has over 3,000 inhabitants both home and away, hence there was high demand of this facility which would also help reduce the distance school children cover to fetch water making them late for school especially during dry seasons.
He said choosing potable water as a social service to communities by the Bank means the Bank wanted to satisfy the five mandated World Health Organization and United Nations Development Programme such as sufficiency, safety, acceptability, accessibility and affordability.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

CTL Africa head expresses the need for redefine leadership for national development

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CTL Africa head expresses the need for redefine leadership for national development

Mr Samuel Ayim, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Transformational Leadership in Africa (CTL Africa), has called for a redefinition of the concept of leadership and to inculcate the same into the national values of African states.

He said this could be done through a new curriculum of education from the basic level through to all higher levels of the educational system.

Mr Ayim was speaking during a press conference, ahead of the Leadership Growth Conference under the tag phrase “Live2Lead” in Accra.
The event is aimed at mentoring aspiring leaders and motivating all leaders to positively impact their communities.

The conference being held in Atlanta, USA will be simulcast in 300 locations and in over 30 countries by the John Maxwell Company but hosted in Ghana by CLT-Africa through a live streaming feed at the College of Physician and Surgeons.

Mr Ayim said in every discussion on the development of Africa, the issue of leadership was fingered and it has almost become a cliché to cite countries like Malaysia, Singapore and even Rwanda, as examples of where leadership has made a difference.
He said the problem lies in the very definition put on leadership.

“The concept of leadership as a position, a higher position, from where all solutions should emanate, and that we should all strive to attain that position before we can make any meaningful contribution is a flawed one, “Mr Ayim said.

He said the concept of leadership as position that should bring to the occupant the maximum personal benefit was a faulty one.
Mr Ayim said as written and taught by John Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert, the true meaning of leadership was influence and the highest purpose of leadership was to add value to others.

“True leaders do not serve their own personal interest but true leaders make a difference in their societies and in the lives of their people,” he added.

The CEO said true leaders aim to change the circumstance of their communities for the better and as a country we need a new concept of leadership that indicates each and every one of us could lead.

Mr Ayim said this was the concept of leadership that “we should begin to adopt and inculcate as part of our national culture and attitude, we should begin to introduce this concept into our educational system from the basic level.”

He was of the view that the difference between poor and rich nations was not the age of the nation, nor the availability of natural or even human resources but the difference was the attitude of the people, moulded for many years by education, moral responsibility and culture.

“Leadership is influence; therefore whether you are father, mother, family head, supervisor or chief executive of an organization, a driver or the president; you must set high ethical values for yourself and those you are leading and be strategically focused to succeed in your area of influence,” Mr Ayim said.

He said as a leader one needed a strong character, appropriate training and skills to lead effectively and provide development for the people.

Mr Ayim said this new concept of leadership was what Live2Lead was all about; an annual leadership programme, which CTL Africa, a civil society organisation in partnership with the John Maxell Company was bringing to Ghana on October 6, 2017 and it would be held annually to help inculcate this new concept of leadership the people.

The event will feature four renowned world class speakers and leaders to address different aspect of this concept of leadership to equip participants to lead and create change with renewed passion and drive.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Ethiopian Airlines picks 3 awards at the Ghana Aviation Awards

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Ethiopian Airlines picks 3 awards at the Ghana Aviation Awards

The leading Airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has won 3 awards at the 2nd Ghana National Aviation Awards held in Accra.

A statement issued in Accra by the Airline said the awards included the Best International Airline of the Year, Best African Airline of the Year and the Best Airline Operator Award.

Mr Kwabena Okyere-Darko, The Deputy Minister of Aviation, presenting the awards to the Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Ghana Mrs Genet W. Michael commended the Airline for the continue performance.

He said the Government has restructured the industry for better results.

He said the removal of VAT on domestic ticket which has yielded a 23 per cent has increase in Domestic Air Travel, in the first five months of 2017.

Mrs Genet W. Michael thanked the passengers, who have patronized the Airline so far and continue to have confidence in the Airline.
“The passengers are our best promoters and they have shown confidence in our product,” she added.

She also commended the organizers of the Ghana National Aviation Awards for putting the event together to reward excellence and performance.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

I will perform everywhere including hell fire – Pappy Kojo

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I will perform everywhere including hell fire – Pappy Kojo

Pappy Kojo has made it clear on the youth rated show ‘Entamoty Live’ that he will perform anywhere including in Hell Fire as an artist for the paper.

Pappy refused to mince words on class 91.3fm last Saturday in an interview with ChiefBlogger regarding his music carrier and social life. Even though Pappy is known as Ghanaian rapper, he claims he is not a fun of clubbing and partying, however when he is being payed to perform at a club he will gladly do that. He said emphatically that he will even perform in hell when he is getting payed for it.
“I dont club, am not the clubbing type, the fact that I do hip hop doesn’t mean I should love to club, I perform in clubs because is business, I will even perform in hell if am being payed to”

Pappy Kojo

In reply to Chiefblogger’s question as to why he is still single , he answered he so scared of asking ladies out and that if anyone is waiting for him to get married, those people will definitely grow old.

Pappy explained that he has no issue with good friend Joey B as people speculated, he featured Joey on latest single ‘Makoma’. Which is doing amazingly well, he encouraged all to go download ‘Makoma’ and eagerly look forward to his EP soon.

Source: Entamoty.com

Achimota Old Boy Marries Gay Partner

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Achimota Old Boy Marries Gay Partner

One of Ghana’s foremost second cycle institution, Achimota Senior High School (Motown) has recorded its first openly celebrated gay marriage.

An Alumnus of Motown (91 Year Group), Stephen Anertey Caesar, tied the knot with his male partner, Ryan Lathrum, at Sonoma Valley in America.

A woman who is believed to be the mother and a Ghanaian walked boldly with her son, Stephen Anertey Caesar and presented him to his gay partner, Ryan Lathrum.

One of the guest at the wedding stated, “The only school that has produced presidents not only in Ghana but in Zimbabwe, in The Gambia and so we support Stephen by singing our school’s song.”

Some of the guests believed to be Alumni of Motown joined in singing Achimota’s school anthem.
They sang Achimota’s school anthem boldly and showed their support to their colleague, Stephen Anertey Caesar.

Watch video below in the link below

Source Peacefmonline.com

NPP Caught In Evil Plot Over EC Boss Removal

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NPP Caught In Evil Plot Over EC Boss Removal

Reliable information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicate officials of the ruling New Patriotic Party with support from the presidency have intensified their discreet plot to get Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei out of office even before the 2020 elections.

Confirming this paper’s July 4, 2017 publication which revealed, among others that, NPP officials have initiated process to oust the first female head of the election management body; latest intelligence report indicate that, kingpins of the ruling party together with some senior officials at the seat of government, the Flagstaff House, and two prominent NPP Members of Parliament have falsified text/Whatsapp messages to indict Mrs Charlotte Osei.

The fake ‘politically tone’ messages, party insiders privy to the dastardly act told The aL-hAJJ, are to be released and published by pro-government media houses to further confirm the NPP’s persistent allegation that the EC boss was in bed with the then ruling National Democratic Congress ahead of the 2016 elections and indeed, plotted to skew the election in favour of then President John Mahama.

The made-to-believe messages, a source told this paper, are purported to show conversations between Mrs. Charlotte Osei and certain employees of the EC, amongst them include a top official currently being investigated by EOCO for complicity in the alleged misappropriation of over GH₵450,000 staff Endowment Funds.

These fake messages, allegedly created by an IT expert hired by some NPP officials bent on seeing Mrs Charlotte Osei’s back, our sources revealed, is to consolidate allegations contained in three separate petitions filed against the EC boss, and to “prevail on the Chief Justice to establish prima facie case against Mrs Charlotte Osei.”

A deep throat source very close to the plotters (name withheld), who is not in support of the evil machinations, revealed the identities of all the people neck deep in the plot, but this paper will in the meantime keep their identities under wrap.

“These people are wicked. They have sworn that they will not let her (Mrs. Osei) rest until she either resigns from her job or they will get the Chief Justice to find a prima facie case against her at-all-cost…this thing is being planned right here from the Office of the President and the party headquarters.”

Two of the plotters, The aL-hAJJ can confirm, are also senior MPs; one from the Eastern region and the other from the Ashanti and doubles as deputy Minister and Minister respectively.

Throwing more light on the identity of the architects of this plot, another source told this paper “one of them has even worked on some important committees of the EC, but always goes back to pretend as if he was not involved in the process. They both in recent times always speak on all issues about the EC in the media…they are said to being the team behind this wicked plot.”

According to our sources, they have distributed the fake text and whatsapp messages to NPP inclined media, particularly Joy Fm and Daily Guide already to start the smear campaign against the EC boss this week.

The source added, “I am so sad about all these. Apart from the two fake and frivolous petitions already filed, they are plotting more of such fake petitions also. Their plan is to always get Daily Guide, Statesman and Joy Fm to keep publishing their plots. They know people will believe every report published by these partisan media houses who are obviously sympathetic to us (NPP)…
“In fact, it is so sad that the President is keeping quiet for this evil deed against this woman who has shown by all her works that she is clean and cannot be influenced by anyone to continue. For God’s sake, she run the cleanest ever elections and declared our candidate as the President of Ghana. But still these people do not want her to rest,” he lamented.

According to the source, these evil plotters were so outraged when the United States government honoured Mrs. Osei with the “Woman of Courage Award”. “They never saw it coming. They did not expect it. It hit them so hard like a bomb, and they got upset. It was an endorsement they said should never have happened. In fact, I can tell you on authority that these plotters were behind the press conference of the NPP’s Forum for Accountable Governance (AFAG) to demand that Chatham House should not award Mrs. Osei the prestigious 2017 Chatham House Prize for International Relations. That is the extent to which they hate this woman. I think it is not right. I think it is evil,” the source further noted.

It would be recalled that early this year, The aL-hAJJ revealed how some NPP heavyweights at a high level secret meeting had concluded that the surest way to extend the party’s stay in power beyond 2020 is to get the current EC boss out of office.

The paper quoted NPP sources to have said “Charlotte has been ‘marked’ out as a possible impediment in the NPP’s quest to win the 2020 election. She will block any attempt by the NPP to rig the election. She will also prove difficult if we want to push for the implementation of ROPA…and because of this; they are planning to get rid of her from that office.”

According to the source; “winning 2020 election will not be an easy task so we are fervently preparing for that. And one of the ways to make our win easy in 2020 is to push for the implementation of ROPA. With that, the election results can easily be manipulated…but rigging election itself is also not an easy task because some of the guys working at EC must be in support of it. And, considering how the NPP vilified Charlotte and even attempted to use the courts to block her appointment, she may not support any move to implement ROPA when she is not convinced that the implementation will not compromise the election results”.

Few weeks after the paper’s revelation, a petition initially by some unnamed staff of the EC was filed at the presidency to trigger impeachment processes against Mrs Charlotte Osei.

A statement signed by Director of Communications at the presidency, Eugne Arhin, subsequently revealed that lawyer for the petitioners, Maxwell Opoku Agyemang, provided names of the petitioners and also added date to the earlier undated petition.

This was after lawyer for the EC boss, Thaddeus Sory, filed a defamation suit against Maxwell Opoku Agyemang for his failure to disclose the identity of the petitioners.

The unnamed staff’s petition was followed with another petition from a person who described himself as citizen of Ghana. All petitions have been forwarded to the CJ for investigation.

Just last week, another petition was again filed at the presidency by another Ghanaian against Mrs Charlotte Osei for her removal from office. The EC boss has however denied all allegations leveled against her and has remained resolute in fighting her “accusers”.

Since the filing of the series of petition, pro-NPP tabloids have been relentless in publishing image-denting stories about the EC boss, all aimed at getting her to either resign or push the CJ to establish a prima facie case against her.

Communicators of the ruling party have also not disappointed their backers in denigrating the EC boss, describing her as unfit to occupy the position.

Persistent in getting Mrs Charlotte Osei out, the NPP and it corroborators have decided to use this latest strategy to beef up their evil plot to oust her.
Stay tuned.

Source: The aL-hAJJ

Ghana Government Cancels Exton Bauxite Lease At Nyinahini

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Ghana Government Cancels Exton Bauxite Lease At Nyinahini

Ghana in the coming days is likely to be slapped with the “mother” of all judgment debts following the Akufo Addo-led New Patriotic Party administration’s decision to abruptly and unilaterally cancel a bauxite concession agreement entered into with Exton Cubic, an indigenous mining firm.

Very dependable information available to The aL-hAJJ reveals that, barring any last minute change of mind, President Akufo-Addo’s Land and Natural Resources Minister, Mr John Peter Amewu, will this morning announce government’s decision to cancel Exton Cubic’s Nyinahini mining lease granted the company to prospect for bauxite.

This latest development by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, this paper can confirm is on the strict orders of President Akufo-Addo who is said to have been angered by the recent press conference by the chiefs and people of Nyinahini.

Other sources indicate that President Akufo-Addo’s decision to cancel the mining lease to Exton Cubic was also informed by government’s plans to leverage Ghana’s natural resources for the $15 billion Chinese facility.

Government, The aL-hAJJ has gathered, will cite claims that, Exton Cubic’s current operations in the Nyinahini bauxite concession is illegal because it had breached terms of its Agreement. Assertions, Exton Cubic has strongly rejected.

This, many analysts and legal luminaries this paper spoke to say, is likely to expose the country to legal battles which could lead to another judgment debt saga, perhaps, “never seen or heard of in the country”, an astute legal brain averred.

Exton Cubic’s troubles began when vehicles and equipment belonging to its sub-contractor, Engineers and Planners (E&P), a company belonging to Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, were recently impounded at Nyinahin, allegedly, on the orders of the Ashanti Regional Minister, following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

While some youth in the area kicked against the operations of the mining company, another youth group in the whole Ashanti region and, traditional chiefs of Nyinahini and its environs in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti Region have thrown their support to the company, pleading with the Akufo-Addo government to allow Exton Cubic Group limited to proceed with its operations in the Nyinahini bauxite concession of the Tano Offin Forest reserve.

The Minerals Commission subsequently directed Exton Cubic to halt operations.
The order followed claims by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Exton Cubic’s current operations in the Nyinahini bauxite concession were illegal because it had breached terms of its initial permit, an assertion managers of Exton Cubic has refuted.
The company’s assertion that it was operating legally was corroborated by Mr. Amewu who confirmed that it had been given the go ahead since 2013.

“This project commenced somewhere in 2013. They began the due diligence processes through which they were granted the prospective lease around 2015. They have the entry permit from the Forestry Commission and the necessary EPA [process] was done during the exploration period,” Hon Amewu stated.

He noted that Exton Cubic was still within the exploration framework which is to end in December 2017.

But the Ashanti regional Minister and other leading members of the NPP, including Brong Ahafo regional youth organizer, Abronye DC, who has filed a case at the Supreme Court to declare the transaction void, want the mining lease canceled.

However, managers of Exton Cubic have served notice it would sue the state, arguing that it wrongfully interfered with its right to prospect in the Nyinahini Bauxite Concession.

The latest decision by the Akufo-Addo government to cancel the mining lease, some lawyers have warned, may lead to the country paying huge judgment debt if the company decides to sue the state.

Source: The aL-hAJJ

NPP sets Kennedy Agyapong up for destruction

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NPP sets Kennedy Agyapong up for destruction

Functionaries of the New Patriotic Party and senior government officials have vow not to let Assin Central lawmaker, Kennedy Agyapong, getaway with his scathing corruption allegation against some leading members of the Akufo-Addo government as they have sworn to put him to strict proof.

Convinced that the self-acclaimed financier of the NPP has no evidence to prove allegations he made and currently, being investigated by the Ghana Police Service, kingpins of the governing party who have had enough of Kennedy Agyapong’s ranting are plotting to discredit and humiliate him.

Though those incensed with the foul mouth MP’s unprovoked attacks have long been scheming to ‘nail’ him, they are said to have found a window of opportunity in his recent corruption allegations against some government officials to prove to the world that “Ken is not somebody to be taken serious”.

Hon Kennedy Agyapong himself, The aL-hAJJ has gathered, has been complaining to close friends that some leading members of the NPP are plotting to destroy him “because of his style of politics.” He is said to have told an associate that the NPP has “set trap for him and he has fallen in it so they want to use it to end his political life.”

For the first time in the political life of Kennedy Agyapong, senior government officials have openly come out to controvert allegations he has been making, describing him as “liar”, “ignorant” and daring him to prove his allegations or forever remain silent.

The Assin Central MP, who had enjoyed unalloyed support from NPP members on all his corruption allegations against political opponents, had alleged that some officials at the Flag Staff House solicit as much as $20000 from investors who want to meet President Akufo-Addo.
He subsequently revealed that NPP bigwigs, who called on him to back down with his attacks on some government officials when he first raised the corruption alarm, came back to him to complain about similar incidence. “I was there and these same people called me back to tell me that they wanted to have access to the president and they were asked to pay $20,000 before a meeting can be arranged between them and the president, why should it be so,” Kennedy Agyapong maintained.

He was reported in the media to have also alleged that Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful disregarded a bid [he had interest in] for a contract to print NIA cards in favor of more expensive bidders who had paid her money.

This was before controversial musician and NPP activist, Kwame A-Plus accused Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso Boakye, both deputy Chiefs of Staff, of corruption. Both Ken Agyapong and A-Plus have been invited by the police to provide proof for their allegations.
Following these allegations, Executive Secretary of the National identication Authority, Prof Ken Attafuah, and Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, have descended heavily on the Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.

While describing the NPP financier as a liar, Prof Attafuah explained that the accusations of corruption by Mr Agyapong against Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, are also untrue.

“…NIA has not signed a contract, neither has the Akufo-Addo presidency or government signed a contract with Margins or any company whatsoever. The NIA has not opened a bid for the National ID project. It has not received any bids or submissions from any person, entity or body whatsoever. Kennedy Agyapong has not submitted any bid to the NIA in respect of the National ID project. NIA has not evaluated any bid from any quarters at all in connection with this matter,” he stated.

On her part, Mrs Ekuful described Kennedy Agyapong’s allegations as “patently false” and challenged her accuser [Mr. Agyapong] to come forward with the evidence that corroborates his “outlandish allegations.”

“The falsehoods are clearly born out of ignorance so it is important to clarify that the NIA is not an agency Ministry of Communications; that is why the directive was signed by the Chief of Staff in the office of the, President,” she added.

“A strong message needs to be sent out to those who deliberately disseminate disinformation. I look forward to a swift resolution of this matter,” she noted.

Social commentator, Casely Hayford has advised the Communications Minister to sue Assin Central MP over corruption claims leveled against her. “If Ursula believes that she’s been defamed by Ken Agyapong, she should sue him. If you [Ursula Owusu] are feeling bad about it and you do not like it, do not just issue a statement…,” he stated in Citi Fm.

Perhaps, sensing that his credibility is likely to wane as he has no evidence to back his corruption claims, Kennedy Agyapong has started backtracking on the allegations and instead, threatening not to cooperate with investigators.

According to him, nowhere has he ever stated that Francis Asenso Boakye, Abu Jinapor and Ursula Owusu are corrupt, challenging anyone who has a record of when and where he made such statements to come public.

“I have never given any evidence against Ursula that she has taken bribe or is corrupt; I have never given any evidence against Asenso or Abu Jinapor so who is saying this? If they police are not careful the way I will treat them they will regret. I believe the police are setting their own agenda because they were even asking me if I have any information on Abu. Nobody has invited me,” he stated.
Apparently, it was the Director of Communications at the Flagstaff House, Eugene Arhin, who first revealed in a statement that Kennedy Agyapong accused Ursula Owusu-Ekufful of corruption in awarding the NIA contract.

This, sources said, was deliberately done to hold Kennedy Agyapong’s feet to the fire of accountability in order to expose him and demean him in the eyes of the public since he has no evidence to substantiate any of his claims.

Source: The aL-hAJJ

Kennedy Agyapong Under Siege

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Kennedy Agyapong Under Siege

Eccentric New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has bared his teeth at the Ghana Police Service and the Media over what he described as deliberate plot by the two institutions to incite the public against him for exposing corruption in the Akufo-Addo government.

According to the loudmouth business mogul-turned-legislator, the Police and the media have set out to spread falsehood about him after he revealed that some officials at the Flagstaff House and in government are profiting from ill-acquired wealth.

Speaking on his own radio station, Oman Fm in his usual daring and abrasive tone, the self-acclaimed financier of the NPP warned the Police and the media to desist from their devious plot against him or they risk incurring his wrath.

“The Police are warned, if they don’t take care they’ll forever regret their actions. Because they asked me a question about Abu Jinapor and I told them I don’t have any information on Abu. Now I believe it’s the police who are spreading such falsehood and it has gone viral on social media. You inform the media that you’ve invited Ken Agyapong and even go ahead to say he fought when he came to meet the police when I’ve not stepped my foot there, then you turn around and give me a call wanting to see me,’’ he angrily warned.

The MP, who had made series of corruption allegations against some NPP members in the past, last week resurfaced to back musician A Plus over similar comments he made against Akufo-Addo’s two deputy Chiefs of Staff, Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso Boakye.

A Plus’s recent outbursts against the two presidential staffers have earned him an unusual invitation by the CID, together with Kennedy Agyapong for further questioning.

Hon Agyapong was also quoted in the media to have accused Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful of corruption in the award of contract for the printing of national identification cards.

But the Assin Central legislator has denied ever accusing the Communications Minister of corruption and also giving evidence against the two deputy Chiefs of Staff. He stated that he has never stated anywhere that the three are corrupt, challenging anyone who has a record of when and where he made such statements to come public.

“I have never given any evidence against Ursula that she has taken bribe or is corrupt; I have never given any evidence against Asenso or Abu Jinapor so who is saying this? If they police are not careful the way I will treat them they will regret. I believe the police are setting their own agenda because they were even asking me if I have any information on Abu. Nobody has invited me,” he charged.

Short from backtracking from his scurrilous allegations against the trio, The Assin Central lawmaker threatened editors of the state-owned Daily Graphic, saying they will see his brunt for attributing him something he has not said.

Source: The aL-hAJJ

Working Together to Usher in the Second “Golden Decade” of BRICS Cooperation

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Working Together to Usher in the Second “Golden Decade” of BRICS Cooperation

Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China
At the Opening Ceremony of
The BRICS Business Forum

Xiamen, 3 September 2017

Your Excellency President Michel Temer,
Your Excellency President Jacob Zuma,
Representatives of the Business Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

Good afternoon! It is my great pleasure to have all of you with us in the beautiful city of Xiamen, renowned as the “Egret Island”. The BRICS Summit will be held tomorrow. On behalf of the Chinese government and people and the people of Xiamen, and also in my own name, I warmly welcome all of you to the Business Forum.

Xiamen has been a trading port since ancient times as well as a gateway of China’s opening up and external cooperation. Embracing the vast ocean, the city has hosted visitors from around the world. On a personal note, Xiamen is where I started off when I came to Fujian Province to take up a new post in 1985. Back then, being one of the earliest special economic zones in China, the city was at the forefront of China’s reform and opening up endeavor and was brimming with development opportunities. Three decades later, Xiamen has become well known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, with burgeoning new economic forms and new industries, robust trade and investment and easy access to the world with air, land and sea links. Today, Xiamen is a beautiful garden city with perfect harmony between man and nature.

There is a popular saying here in southern Fujian, “Dedicate yourself and you will win,” which embodies an enterprising spirit. Xiamen’s success is a good example demonstrating the perseverance of the 1.3 billion-plus Chinese people. In close to 40 years of reform and opening up, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we Chinese have forged ahead, fearless and determined, and we have successfully embarked on a path of socialism with distinctive Chinese features. We have encountered difficulties and challenges on the way forward. But we have persevered and kept pace with the times. With dedication, courage and ingenuity, we are making great progress in pursuing development in today’s China.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

BRICS cooperation has now reached a crucial stage of development. In assessing its performance, it is important to bear two things in mind: the historical course of global development and evolving international landscape and the historical process of development of the BRICS countries, both individually and collectively, in the context of which BRICS cooperation is pursued.

We are in a great era of development, transformation and adjustment. Although conflict and poverty are yet to be eliminated globally, the trend toward peace and development has grown ever stronger. Our world today is becoming increasingly multipolar; the economy has become globalized; there is growing cultural diversity; and the society has become digitized. The law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak and the zero-sum game are rejected, and peace, development and win-win cooperation have become the shared aspiration of all peoples.

Against such a backdrop, a large number of emerging market and developing countries have come to the fore, playing an ever greater role in international affairs. BRICS cooperation is a natural choice made by our five countries, as we all share a desire for peace and development. In the past decade, we BRICS countries have surged ahead and become a bright spot in the global economy.

— The past decade has seen the BRICS countries making headway in pursuing common development. The sudden outbreak of the 2008 global financial crisis left the world economy reeling, which is yet to fully recover. Facing the external shock, our five countries have held the ground by strengthening the domestic economy, boosting growth and improving people’s livelihood. In the past ten years, our combined GDP has grown by 179%, trade by 94% and urban population by 28%. All this has contributed significantly to stabilizing the global economy and returning it to growth, and it has delivered tangible benefits to three billion and more people.

— The past decade has seen the BRICS countries advancing results-oriented and mutually beneficial cooperation. Leveraging our respective strengths and converging interests, we have put in place a leaders-driven cooperation framework that covers wide-ranging areas and multiple levels. A number of cooperation projects have been launched that are in keeping with our five countries’ development strategies and meet the interests of our peoples. In particular, the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement have provided financing support for infrastructure building and sustainable development of the BRICS countries, contributing to enhanced global economic governance and the building of an international financial safety net.

— The past decade has seen the BRICS countries endeavoring to fulfill their international responsibility. Committed to multilateralism, fairness and justice, our five countries have staked out our positions on major regional and international issues and made our proposals to address them. We have promoted reform of global economic governance to increase the representation and say of emerging market and developing countries. As a champion of development, we have taken the lead in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, and engaged in close dialogue and cooperation with other developing countries to pursue development through unity.

As an old saying goes, the construction of a tall building starts with its foundation. We have laid the foundation and put in place the framework of BRICS cooperation. In reviewing the past progress of BRICS cooperation, I believe there are three important practices that should be carried forward.

First, treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences. In terms of BRICS cooperation, decisions are made through consultation among us all, not by one country alone. We respect each other’s path and model of development, accommodate each other’s concerns and work to enhance strategic communication and political mutual trust. Given differences in national conditions, history and culture, it is only natural that we may have some differences in pursuing our cooperation. However, with strong faith in cooperation and commitment to enhancing trust, we can achieve steady progress in our cooperation.

Second, taking a results-oriented, innovative approach to make our cooperation benefit all. BRICS is not a talking shop, but a task force that gets things done. Our goal is to build a big market of trade and investment, promote smooth flow of currency and finance, improve connectivity of infrastructure and build close bond between the people. In pursuing this goal, our five countries are engaged in practical cooperation across the board, covering several dozen areas, including economy, trade, finance, science, technology, education, culture and health, thus giving concrete expression to the endeavor of building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.

Third, developing ourselves to help others with the well-being of the world in our mind. Having gone through an arduous course of development, we BRICS countries share the agony of those people who are still caught in chaos and poverty. Since the very beginning, our five countries have been guided by the principle of dialogue without confrontation, partnership without alliance. We are committed to observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and basic norms governing international relations in conducting state-to-state relations. When developing ourselves, we are ready to share development opportunities with other countries. The philosophy of BRICS cooperation has gained growing appreciation and endorsement, and it has become a positive energy in the international community.

All this is what the BRICS spirit is about. It is the shared value that has bound us in the past decade’s cooperation. This spirit, constantly enriched over the years, has not only benefited our peoples but also enabled us to make a difference in the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

Reviewing past progress helps us forge ahead in the right direction. Currently, the global economy has resumed growth, with emerging market and developing countries delivering a strong performance. A new round of technological and industrial revolution is in the making, and reform and innovation are gaining momentum. We have enough reason to believe that our world will be a better place.

On the other hand, more than 700 million people are still living in hunger; tens of millions of people are displaced and become refugees; so many people, including innocent children, are killed in conflicts. The global economy is still not healthy enough and remains in a period of adjustment featuring weak growth, and new growth drivers are yet to emerge. Economic globalization is facing more uncertainties. Emerging market and developing countries find themselves in a more complex external environment. The long road to global peace and development will not be a smooth one.

Some people, seeing that emerging market and developing countries have experienced growth setbacks, assert that the BRICS countries are losing their luster. It is true that affected by complex internal and external environments, we BRICS countries have encountered headwinds of varying intensity. But the growth potential and trend of our countries remain unchanged, and we are fully confident about it.

It is time to set sail when the tide rises. Going forward, we BRICS countries have a major task to accomplish, which is growing our economies and strengthening cooperation. We should build on past success, chart the course for future cooperation and embark on a new journey to jointly usher in the second “Golden Decade” of BRICS cooperation.

First, we should boost BRICS cooperation to create new impetus for economic growth of our five countries. In recent years, thanks to our strengths in terms of commodities supply, cost of human resources and international market demand, our five countries have driven global growth. As our five economies continue to grow, however, issues concerning resources allocation and industrial structure have become more acute. At the same time, the global economic structure is going through profound changes, evidenced by shrinking global demand and rising financial risks. All this has posed challenges to the traditional strengths of the BRICS economies, taking us to a crucial stage where we must work harder to overcome difficulties.

How should we get through this stage? Growth rate alone is not the answer. Instead, we should, on the basis of our current conditions and bearing in mind the long-term goal, advance structural reform and explore new growth drivers and development paths. We should seize the opportunity presented by the new industrial revolution to promote growth and change growth model through innovation. We should pursue innovation-driven development created by smart manufacturing, the “Internet Plus” model, digital economy and sharing economy, stay ahead of the curve and move faster to replace old growth drivers with new ones. We should eliminate impediments to economic development through reform, remove systemic and institutional barriers, and energize the market and the society, so as to achieve better quality, more resilient and sustainable growth.

Despite different national conditions, we BRICS countries are at a similar development stage and share the same development goals. We should jointly explore ways to boost innovation-driven growth. This requires us to improve macroeconomic policy coordination, synergize our respective development strategies, leverage our strengths in terms of industrial structure and resources endowment, and create value chains and a big market for shared interests, so as to achieve interconnected development. Basing ourselves on our own practices of reform and innovation, we should blaze a new path which may also help other emerging market and developing countries to seize opportunities and meet challenges.

Economic cooperation is the foundation of the BRICS mechanism. With this focus in mind, we should implement the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership, institutionalize and substantiate cooperation in various sectors, and continue to enhance the performance of BRICS cooperation. This year, we have made progress in the operation of the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement, and in e-commerce, trade and investment facilitation, trade in services, local currency bond issuance, scientific and technological innovation, industrial cooperation and public-private partnership, thus expanding and intensifying economic cooperation. We should continue to implement agreements and consensus already reached and better leverage the role of current mechanisms. We should also actively explore new ways and new areas of practical cooperation and strengthen our ties to ensure durable and fruitful BRICS cooperation.

Secondly, we BRICS countries should shoulder our responsibilities to uphold global peace and stability. Peace and development underpin and reinforce each other. People around the world want peace and cooperation, not conflict or confrontation. Thanks to the joint efforts of all countries, global peace has reigned for more than half a century. However, incessant conflicts in some parts of the world and hotspot issues are posing challenges to world peace. The intertwined threats of terrorism and lack of cybersecurity, among others, have cast a dark shadow over the world.

We BRICS countries are committed to upholding global peace and contributing to the international security order. This year, we have held the Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues and the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations. We have put in place the regular meeting mechanism for our permanent representatives to the multilateral institutions, and convened the Foreign Policy Planning Dialogue, the Meeting of Counter-Terrorism Working Group, the Meeting of Cybersecurity Working Group, and the Consultation on Peacekeeping Operations. These efforts aim to strengthen consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues and build synergy among the BRICS countries. We should uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations, firmly support multilateralism, work for greater democracy in international relations, and oppose hegemonism and power politics. We should foster the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and take a constructive part in the process of resolving geopolitical hotspot issues and make our due contributions.

I am convinced that as long as we take a holistic approach to fighting terrorism in all its forms, and address both its symptoms and root causes, terrorists will have no place to hide. When dialogue, consultation and negotiation are conducted to create conditions for achieving political settlement of issues such as Syria, Libya and the Palestine-Israel conflict, the flame of war can be put out, and displaced refugees will eventually return to their homes.

Thirdly, we BRICS countries should contribute to enhancing global economic governance. Only openness delivers progress, and only inclusiveness sustains such progress. Due to sluggish global growth in recent years, such issues as uneven development, inadequate governance and deficit of fairness have become more acute, and protectionism and inward-looking mentality are on the rise. The global economy and global economic governance system, having entered a period of adjustment, face new challenges.

We should not ignore problems arising from economic globalization or just complain about them. Rather, we should make joint efforts to find solutions. We should work together with other members of the international community to step up dialogue, coordination and cooperation and contribute to upholding and securing global economic stability and growth. To this end, we should promote the building of an open global economy, advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, jointly build new global value chains, and rebalance economic globalization. Doing so will bring benefits to people across the world. We five countries should open more to each other, expand converging interests in this process, take an inclusive approach and share opportunities, so as to create even brighter prospects for growing the economies of the five countries.

The development of emerging market and developing countries is not intended to move the cheese of anyone but to make the pie of the global economy bigger. We should join hands to steer the course of economic globalization, offer more vision and public goods, make the governance model and rules more balanced and inclusive, and improve and reshape international division of labor and global value chains. We should work to reform the global economic governance system to make it commensurate with the reality of the global economic architecture. We should also improve governance rules for the new domains of deep sea, polar regions, outer space and cyberspace, so as to ensure that all countries share both rights and responsibilities.

Fourthly, we should increase the influence of BRICS and build extensive partnerships. As a cooperation platform with global influence, BRICS cooperation is more than about our five countries. Rather, it carries the expectations of emerging market and developing countries and indeed the international community. Guided by the principle of open and inclusive cooperation, we BRICS countries place high premium on cooperation with other emerging market and developing countries and have established effective dialogue mechanisms with them.

As a Chinese saying goes, “It is easy to break one arrow but hard to break ten arrows bundled together.” We should leverage our respective strengths and influence, promote South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue, pool the collective strengths of all countries and jointly defuse risks and meet challenges. We should expand the coverage of BRICS cooperation and deliver its benefits to more people. We should promote the “BRICS Plus” cooperation approach and build an open and diversified network of development partnerships to get more emerging market and developing countries involved in our concerted endeavors for cooperation and mutual benefits.

During the Xiamen Summit, China will hold the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, where leaders of five countries from different regions will be invited to join the BRICS leaders in discussing global development cooperation and South-South cooperation as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mutual understanding and friendship among peoples is crucial to enhancing BRICS cooperation and building extensive partnerships. We should fully leverage the role of people-to-people and cultural exchanges and encourage extensive public participation in BRICS cooperation. We should hold more events like cultural festivals, movie festivals and sports games that are popular among the people so that the BRICS story will be told everywhere and the exchanges and friendship of the peoples of our five countries will become an inexhaustible source of strength driving BRICS cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

The past decade has not only seen solid progress in the BRICS cooperation mechanism; it has also witnessed the unfolding of all-round reform and opening up in China and its rapid economic and social development. Over these ten years, China’s economic aggregate has grown by 239% and its total volume of exports and imports in goods risen by 73%. China has become the world’s second largest economy, the lives of its 1.3 billion-plus people have been significantly improved, and China has made increasingly greater contribution to both regional and global economic development.

It is true that as China’s reform endeavors have entered a crucial stage where tough challenges must be met, some underlying difficulties and problems have surfaced, which must be addressed with resolve and determination. As a Chinese saying goes, “Effective medicine tastes bitter.” The medicine that we have prescribed for ourselves is to carry out all-round reform. Over the past five years, we have adopted over 1,500 reform measures covering all sectors, with breakthroughs made in multiple areas, and the reform is being pursued with greater intensity. The pace of economic structural adjustment and industrial upgrading has accelerated. China’s economy has maintained steady and sound performance, and new drivers sustaining development have grown in strength. In the first half of this year, China’s economy grew by 6.9%, the value added from services accounted for 54.1% of the GDP, and 7.35 million urban jobs were created. All these achievements have proven that deepening all-round reform is the right path that we should continue to follow.

Going forward, China will continue to put into practice the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development. We will adapt to and steer the new normal of economic development, push forward supply-side structural reform, accelerate the building of a new system for an open economy, drive economic development with innovation, and achieve sustainable development. China will stay firmly committed to peaceful development and make even greater contribution to global peace and development.

Last May, China successfully hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which was attended by 29 heads of state or government and over 1,600 representatives from more than 140 countries and 80-plus international organizations. This ushered in a new stage of translating the Belt and Road Initiative from vision to action and from planning to implementation. Forum participants discussed ways of promoting cooperation and development and reached broad consensus. Let me make this clear: The Belt and Road Initiative is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation. It is not a foreign aid scheme, but an initiative for interconnected development which calls for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. I am convinced that the Belt and Road Initiative will serve as a new platform for all countries to achieve win-win cooperation and that it will create new opportunities for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The business community of the BRICS countries is the main force driving our economic development. Over the last decade, you have incorporated business development into BRICS cooperation, thus making important contribution to forging BRICS economic partnerships. The reason why we are holding the Business Forum on the eve of the Summit is to solicit your views and advice, so that we can work together to make the Xiamen Summit a success and enable BRICS cooperation to deliver. I hope you will leverage your strengths in terms of information, technology and funding to launch more practical and mutually beneficial cooperation projects that benefit our countries and peoples. What you do will help spur economic and social development and improve people’s lives. The Chinese government will continue to encourage Chinese companies to operate and take root in other countries, and likewise, we also warmly welcome foreign companies to invest and operate in China.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

We BRICS countries will enter a second decade of more vibrant growth. Let us work together with other members of the international community. Let our cooperation deliver more benefits to the peoples of our five countries. Let the benefits of global peace and development reach all the people in the world.

In conclusion, I wish the Business Forum every success.

Thank you!

（Source: People’s Daily/NewsGhana.com.gh）

Gabby Brown To Storm Ghana’s Music Industry With “COSPINE

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Gabby Brown To Storm Ghana’s Music Industry With “COSPINE

Another vocal artiste called Ebenezer Hudson Gabriels, known in Showbiz as “Gabby Brown” is set to storm the music industry with his single track titled: “COSPINE”

To be candid, this track will get everyone on feet even the physically challenged since it full of energy and inspiration.

His choice of lyrics and rhythm is extremely classic and appealing to both local and international music market.

Gabby Brown, is one of the promising artistes who will soon conquer the music industry because of his unique voice and style of singing .

He is not only a singer but; also a Pianist, an Actor and a Businessman. He was featured in a comedy movie titled: “Diamond Race” as he played the lead role. And
“JULY” …… a film produced and directed by Philip Patt of REEL JAGUAR FILMS.

Besides all his songs cut across a wide spectrum of listeners. This enterprising artiste who did not rest on his oars also released another superb single track titled: “My Baby” a week ago. These two tracks will definitely perform wonders in the country and beyond.

Amazingly, he has released the video for the “My Baby” .This video is really classic!

In an interview with this fast rising artiste, he stated unequivocally he has got more down his sleeves to offer to Ghanaians and the whole world as well.

According to the budding artiste, he has laced its boots to shake the nation with his danceable tracks. He has therefore entreated Ghanaians to embrace him. “I started my music career way back from Senior High School” he recounted his musical journey. These powerful tracks will soon take over air- waves soon.

Gabby Brown, is currently working hard to push his songs across borders .These tracks are hot!!!

By: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/Newsghana.com.gh

Joshua Iginla, Stop Confusing People With Political Prophecy!!!

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Joshua Iginla, Stop Confusing People With Political Prophecy!!!

There was understandable shock worldwide when Kenya’s supreme court announced the annulment of their general election – a landmark ruling and the first of its kind in the African continent.

However, one of the most stunned individuals may not actually be a Kenyan. Joshua Iginla, a well-known Prophet from Nigeria had released a video two weeks earlier celebrating his purported prediction of incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election victory.

Iginla had predicted the ruling party candidate would have a “narrow escape” and achieve victory by a “miracle” although some would choose to call it “magic”. With the ruling of Chief Justice David Maraga however, the ‘miracle’ Iginla spoke of can more adequately be termed as ‘fraud’ – with more than five million votes allegedly tinkered with and thus subject to suspicion. “This was a wrong prophecy,” wrote an irked Rachael Musotsi on Facebook in the aftermath of the ruling. “How can an anointed man of God give a prophecy of open rigging and call it a miracle?” Her view was reiterated by many.

“To be a false prophet is not in prophesying wrongly or in making mistakes; hence they are human,” Iginla had once told his plethora of followers in a Facebook post. “Being a false prophet is in consulting and dining with black powers!” Perhaps this is because the Kenyan faux pas is just one of many times when the Nigerian cleric has missed the mark prophetically.

Perhaps most prominent is Iginla’s unequivocal declaration in 2014 that Goodluck Jonathan would win Nigeria’s 2015 elections. “The truth about the whole matter is that Jonathan is going to win the whole elections and there is no doubt about it,” he prophesied. “It is not because Jonathan is the perfect man, but I think the unity of Nigeria is most important. I thank God for the opposition party because they are going to do well but they are not the dream party that God will raise to take the ‘baton’ from PDP. Indeed, time would come that PDP would crumble but it has not come to the time. For now, the years ahead would still be held by the same person in power.”

When Muhammadu Buhari was historically sworn into office, there was loud silence from Champions Royal Assembly. However, the Abuja-based cleric did not stop there. In his list of annual prophecies for 2016, Iginla declared a victory for former Ghanaian President John Mahama. “I see a robust economy and the Democrats still holding onto the seat in the election. The ruling party will retain the power,” he prophesied. Again, the results proved otherwise as Mahama’s long-term rival and opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo won the election.

Even local Nigerian politics were not out of Iginla’s prophetic vision, no matter how cloudy those revelations later panned out. When Ondo State governorship candidate Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice visited his church in Abuja, Iginla is said to have told the surprised Senator that he was destined to be the governor of his state. Such destiny was not quick to materialise, however, as Boroffice later threw his weight behind Rotimi Akeredolu who then won the gubernatorial elections to become the new Governor of Ondo State.

Unfortunately, these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. A brief online perusal reveals ‘Brother Iginla’ is currently in Zambia – one of his many trips to the Christian nation. Unfortunately, headlines surrounding his past visits have dealt with accusations that he was being ‘paid’ to prophesy good tidings for Edgar Lungu, then a presidential candidate and now Zambia’s President.

My reason for pointing all this out is not to make mockery; but let’s call a spade a spade. Politics is a dirty game in murky waters. Getting embroiled as a cleric – who should maintain a firm and untampered moral barometer – is dangerous, especially when you are tagging politically-motivated declarations with the slogan, ‘Thus saith the Lord’. Mr Iginla – don’t confuse people in God’s name. Steer clear of political prophecies and focus on the work of the vineyard that will save souls and restore homes. Such predictions may attract media attention and garner controversy but rather than pointing people to Jesus – which should be the primary purpose of any minister – they serve to achieve the exact opposite.

Mr Kwebena is a concerned Christian citizen…

Ex-President Mahama Expressed the View of the Commonwealth

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Ex-President Mahama Expressed the View of the Commonwealth

The Kenyan general election took place on the 8th of August 2017 and all the observer missions in the country, unanimously declared it “free and fair”.

It is totally irresponsible for any legal practitioner or political analyst to blame former President John Dramani Mahama for saying the Kenyan election was “free and fair” simply because the Kenyan Supreme Court have after, indepth investigation, over rule the election as “null and void”. The fact that Mr. Martin Oloo has chosen to blame Mr. Dramani Mahama for expressing the common position of all the election observers, does not make it right.

President John Dramani Mahama did not choose to be in Kenya because he personally wanted to. The former president was asked by the Commonwealth office to lead a team of election observers and therefore serve as the Commonwealth spokes person on the Kenyan election. Thus anything the president said was not his personal opinion but the view of the team, as the position of the Commonwealth.

If Mr. Oloo is very conversant with the working of the multinational diplomacy, he will not be jumping on casting blame on the former president of Ghana, for saying the election was “free and fair based on the facts available to the team”. In addition to annoucing the election as free and fair, the former President was quick in informing all contesting parties to seek for redress in the court of law.
It is very important to recall that in addition to the Commonwealth team of observers led by Former president Mahama, the African Union team led by Tabo Mbeki, the US Cater Centre led by the former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and the European Union observer mission led by Marietje Schaake, declared the election as free and fair. Everyone of these observer mission spoke with one voice on the election. Clearly all the election observers compared notes, to come up with a common position and division among them could have inflame the already charged political atmosphere.

In a statement, the EU observer mission was even quoted saying “candidates and their supporters must accept that not winning is a natural part of a democratic competition”. She went on to add that “Any irregularities or challenges to the process and outcome should be addressed through the petitions and the courts”.

Here we are with a legal practitioner and a political analyst, failing to understand the simple fact that a leader of a delegation, like the Commonwealth, is a mere messenger, where an individual couldn’t have represented any other position than what the authority prescribed.

I rather had former president Mahama sticking to the common position as agreed by all the election observers. I prefer the decision that gave the Kenyan Supreme Corut the opportunity of seizing the occasion to pass her judgment in a peaceful space. I have no doubt the situation would have been different if the observers were divided on their positions. I believed that saying something else would have led to total lost of security control, with lost of lives.

Since international diplomacy is not about who is right or wrong but an opportunity for peace to prevail amidst very difficult circumstances, I raise my cup to his excellency former President John Dramani Mahama for the wonderful job done in Kenya. Sir, your colleagues in the entire observer mission, are very proud of you.

Kofi Ali Abdul
Chairman ECRA
ECOWAS Citizens Right Advocate
07737224787
[email protected]

Kenya Takes The Black Star of Africa Title From Ghana

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Kenya Takes The Black Star of Africa Title From Ghana

Ghana has always been continentally known and called the Black Star of Africa. Being the first among black African countries to gain political independence from the White colonialists, it became the beacon of hope to then downtrodden, exploited, subjugated and exasperated African countries. Many an under-colonial rule sister-African countries looked up to Ghana for emulating.

Ghana became the pacesetter and a guide to almost all the African countries thereby triggering their adrenaline to agitate for political independence from the colonial masters. However, whether extricating ourselves from subordination and the White dominance has worked well for Ghana and all politically-independent African countries or not, is not the crux of the matter today, Saturday, 2 September 2017, but how Kenya has in a day or two ago remarkably overtaken Ghana as the brilliantly shining Black Star of Africa.

How has Kenya outpaced Ghana, one may ask? Corruption in all its forms and shapes as ostensibly perpetrated and perpetuated by our African politicians, opinion leaders and traditional leaders, permeating the very human fabrics of the African, has been the bane of the socio-politico-economic development of the African and their countries.

In Ghana’s 2012 general elections with its concomitant 2012 Supreme Court petition following some perceived electoral irregularities, omissions and commissions tantamount to vote rigging hence marring the credibility, sanctity, acceptance and recognition of the results as declared by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the Supreme Court ruled to maintain the declaration.

As the evidence and facts submitted by the petitioners were so abundant and credible, as agreed by many a discerning Ghanaian or worldwide public member that had the opportunity to follow the live telecast of the court proceedings, it was a unique opportunity for the Supreme Court to deliver a killer blow to election rigging in Africa, the solid foundation on which corruption thrives to devastate our African countries and people. However, the Atuguba (JSC), Adinyina (JSC), Akoto-Bamfo (JSC), Baffoe-Bonnie (JSC), Gbedegbe (JSC) etc. failed to seize the golden opportunity presented to them on a silver platter to nail the ruinous corruption to the cross.

They allowed Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to have their way hence ushering in the most corrupt, incompetent, clueless and callous government and politicians never witnessed in the annals of Ghana’s politics.

The Supreme Court judges decided to safeguard the peace Ghana has been enjoying since independence so seeing the credible evidence as a nonsensical taboo that had the potential to through Ghana into political conflagration should they set precedent by kicking John Dramani Mahama and the NDC in the tooth by pronouncing gospel-truth verdict in line with the facts and honest evidence submitted or adduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) petitioners.

Corruption has always made it difficult for Ghanaians to initiate precedents. They always cite preposterous reasons to support their failure to be the first country among equals to set precedents for others to copy or follow. We only prefer to be lazy “follow follow” people always waiting for the white to do then we copy or follow suit.

Anyway, Kenya has taken the political limelight out of Ghana by the farsightedness, professionalism and honesty of her sensible Supreme Court judges. When they saw and established the irregularities that had taken place in their general elections of August 2017, bloated by about one million votes of ghost and dead people’s names cast in favour of the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, they pronounced a judgment of nullification of the election results. Kudos to them!

A new election has to be re-run. What a sensible verdict that has what it takes to put brakes on the wheels of Kenyan political corruption. Now the incumbents will think twice in their absurd aspirations to illegally enrich themselves using the politics as an arena to get rich quick.

While the star of Kenya is twinkling high up in the sky that of Ghana has long been dimmed by Atuguba and his ilk. Has Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the facilitator of the 2012 infamous Ghana Supreme Court verdict seen or heard what has happened in Kenya? He can bury his head in his palms in shame.

As Kenya marches forward, Ghana has retreated but under His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we shall catch up with Kenya.

Rockson Adofo

Saturday, 2 September 2017

Chief Imam of Tema Rallies Support for Tema’s Restoration Agenda

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Chief Imam of Tema Rallies Support for Tema’s Restoration Agenda

The Metropolitan Chief Imam of Tema, Alhaji Adams Abubakah, has called for support for the Tema Metropolitan Assembly’s (TMA) campaign to restore Tema to its past glory.

He made this call on Friday during this year’s Eid Adha prayers held at the Tema Sports Stadium to signify the sacrifice of rams in respect of Abraham’s sacrifice according to Judeo Mohammedan traditions.

“I call for massive support from both Muslims and non-Muslims for the Mayor’s campaign to rebuild Tema, ” he said.

He appealed to the mayor to assist the Muslim community in Tema to rebuild the Tema Central Mosque, which to him was in a deplorable shape after 59 years of its construction adding “the structure is weak and has to be reconstructed to befit the status of Tema as a Harbour and Industrial City of Ghana.”

He asked Muslims to follow true leaders who reflected their behavior, character and personality, and also cautioned against arrogance which did not allow people to follow authority.

He prayed for the blessings of Allah for the president and his cabinet as well as all other stakeholders and Ghanaians for safety and peace.

He asked people and charity organizations to continue in their efforts to help the poor and needy in society, and cautioned against insubordination to leaders.

The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) was grateful for the prayers they offered for the nation, and informed them of the taking off of the Tema Restoration Agenda and entreated Muslims to help him achieve that target.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in relationship to the appeal of the Metro Chief Imam, Mr. Felix Mensah Nii Annan-La observed that the TMA had already visited the Tema Central Mosque, and had already factored it into its development plan.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Muslim’s Urged to Love One Another

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Muslim’s Urged to Love One Another

Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, has called on Muslims to embrace love for one another and worship with the harmony of mankind.

Maulvi Salih said this during a sermon on Friday held to celebrate the festival of Eid-Ul-Adha, where hundreds of Muslims converged at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Conference Centre.

Maulvi Salih led the congregation to offer the Eid prayers.

Eid-Ul-Adha is celebrated in the 10th month of the Thul-Haj, to commemorate the obedience of Hadhrat Ibrahim and his son Hadhrat Ishmael.

“Eid-Ul-Adha was a means not only of moral and spiritual upliftment, but it also serves as a reminder for the imperative need for sacrifice as an integral part and requirement in nation building,” he explained.

Maulvi Salih urged Muslims not only to observe the celebration as a formality but rather see it as a practical demonstration of both religious and moral pledge which serves as cleansing process.

“Let us consider these animals that are going to submit themselves to the commands by humbling themselves and accepting our moral right to pass sharp knives through their throat. They submit dutifully to our demands because they accept us as superior beings for whose service they have been created”.

He admonished Ghanaians to submit themselves dutifully with the same spirit of sacrifice, obedience and humility to the creator and Lord as showed by Prophet Abraham.

Maulvi Salih said Prophet Abraham emanates from the selfless sacrifices that he, his wife and his son made, adding that the celebration should serve as a wakeup call to every Ghanaians to emulate the examples of Prophet Abraham.

He advised all to be submissive to authority and learn to be selfless and distant ourselves from acts that are a detriment to the progressive development of the country.

The Ameer charged traditional, religious as well as political leaders, to reflect on that spirit of sacrifice and resolute selflessly with utmost dignity.

He commended Muslims for going through a successful spiritual exercise and expressed confidence that all the spiritual devotions and prayers presented would receive appropriate responses from Almighty Allah.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Restoring Tema Will Mean Changes – MCE

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Restoring Tema Will Mean Changes – MCE

Change is necessary if we are to restore Tema to its past glory, says the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Felix Mensah Nii Annan-La.

He made this observation on Friday in at a press briefing at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to address the recent attacks on TMA task force members who were carrying out an official assignment to evict squatters occupying the frontage of the Cocoa Village in Tema.

“You know most human beings don’t want change, but change is necessary. When we say restoration agenda, we are telling everybody that Tema was in a certain state and it’s moving to a different state now,” he said.

He observed that Tema was moving backwards looking at the way activities were going on in the city “so we need men who are ready to accept the change that His Excellency the President is talking about.”

Reacting to concern of some Members of Parliament (MPs) in Tema regarding the eviction exercise, he said they had a duty to their constituents to ensure they were catered for, so understood why an MP would resist any move to displace squatters.

He hinted that “such things are bound to happen but we have to find a way to talk to them.”

According to him, he had engaged the MP of the area severally on the issue, and the people encroaching were aware that where they had sited their facilities and were doing business was not right.

He said it was necessary to evict them “and I don’t know why any individual would come and contest the assembly. It is our job and we would do it as our stakeholders want it.”

He added that, “I know some of our MPs are not happy. We beg all of them to be part of the change the Assembly is bringing to Tema. We need their help, they shouldn’t stand in our way; we are doing all this and we believe it is going to benefit the entire Metropolis.”

He observed that Tema was a planned city and it was not going to be difficult to get things done right, adding that “everything is planned so it is easy to detect when somebody was doing the wrong thing.”

He said his staff were on top of their issues and knew where structures had to be erected and hinted that they “have not started with issues of wrong siting of containers.”

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the TMA in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) said certain persons had encroached the entrance to the Cocoa Village in Tema and their activities were posing threat to lives due to falling debris from an on-going construction on the site.

Mr. Frank Asante said that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) had written three letters to the Assembly and there was the need to evict the squatters for COCOBOD to do their business freely and to prevent any future calamity.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

N/R: Minister Spearheads Project Dubbed ‘Dagbon Peace & Progress Now’

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N/R: Minister Spearheads Project Dubbed ‘Dagbon Peace & Progress Now’

Mr Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister, shall soon launch the “Dagbon Peace and Progress Now” project aimed at uniting all people of Dagbon tradition to accelerate development in the area.

The Regional Minister, who announced this when addressing Muslims at the Jubilee Park in Tamale on Friday to mark this year’s Eidul-Adha celebrations, said all political parties in the region would be involved in the project, which would be launched on September 10, this year.

He said after the launch “all our activities, actions and interactions should demonstrate our readiness to move as a united body.”

Mr Saeed said “through this our traditional rulers will see the need to come together to lead the process to ensure peace in Dagbon.”

He said all was being done to woo investors to the region to exploit its potential to create jobs as well as accelerate development.

Sheik Abdulai Salam, Northern Regional Chief Imam, in a sermon, called on Muslims to be one another’s keeper to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

CDD-Ghana Sensitize Buipe Residents on Budgeting, Planning

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CDD-Ghana Sensitize Buipe Residents on Budgeting, Planning

The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has held a community durbar at Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region to educate citizens on the planning and budgeting process of the assembly.

The durbar formed part of CDD-Ghana’s project dubbed, “Promoting social accountability through citizens participation in local governance” and it is being implemented in 20 selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.

The project, which is in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), was as result of various research findings such as the 2014 Afrobarometer Ghana Survey and the 2015 Open Budget Index, which pointed to the lack of engagements and consultation with citizens in the design and implementation of MMDAs’ programmes such as budgets and plans.

The Buipe durbar brought together officials from the district assembly and stakeholders in the district including traditional authorities amongst other interest groups, where presentations were made to educate citizens to understand the planning and budgeting system of MMDAs.

Mr Amos Seidu, Executive Director of Center for Rural Improvement Services, a local partner of CDD-Ghana, who spoke during the durbar at Buipe, said it also sought to build coalitions among local citizen groups and the media to enhance transparency, participation and feedback around local government budgeting and planning system.

Ewuriche Barichisu Mankir, a Queenmother in the Buipe area, lauded the initiative saying it enlightened the people on the budgeting and planning process of the assembly, which the citizens would use to demand accountability from duty bearers.

She said there is the need for peace in the area to promote accelerated development.

Mr Mahama Mustapha, District Chief Executive of Central Gonja District, thanked CDD-Ghana and partners for the initiative saying it would encourage local people to participate in the activities of the assembly.

Meanwhile, CDD-Ghana and its local partners will hold similar durbars in four other communities in the district to enhance effective citizens’ participation in the local governance system.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Fire service upholds its commitment to ‘one district one factory’ policy

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Fire service upholds its commitment to ‘one district one factory’ policy

The Ghana National Fire Service has expressed its determination to provide fire cover with its state of the arts equipment in every district to help boost investor confidence in line with government’s policy of one district one factory.

The Service, therefore, urged the District Assemblies to continue to assist in providing the needed facilities to cover all the districts in the regions to ensure safe and secure environment for the citizenry.

Mr Julius Kunnuor, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of GNFS, gave the assurance in a speech on behalf of Dr Albert Brown Gaisie, the Chief Fire Officer of the Service at the passing out ceremony of 303 Recruit Course 47 at the Fire Academy and Training School in Accra.

The recruits were taken through eight months of physical and theoretical training in various disciplines.

He said the event is important because it would help improve on the international standard population ratio of the service since it was operating under stress as its human resource had witnessed a drastic reduction due to retirement and a high attrition rate.

“The staff strength of the service now stands at 6,757 personnel which brings a fire fighter to the population ratio to 1: 3995. This is far below the international standard of 1: 800, if we are to meet this standard then the service has to recruit additional 24,493 personnel’’ he said.

Dr Brown Gaisie said the service has 188 fire stations located within 150 designated political districts of the 216 assemblies, and that the Service was currently left with 66 political districts to extend the fire cover.

He said the service has put in place strategic measures to transform the service to a more robust, accountable, efficient and professional in the discharge of its mandate.

He said the service had improved on its response time of 20 minutes to five minutes through the improvement of facilities on the existing fire stations and the provision of new fire stations across the country.

Dr Gaisie said a total of 38 new fire stations were constructed and commissioned to ensure that every district was given a fire cover, adding that the service had seen a reduction in the number of fires and fire fatalities since January 2017.

“For the first quarter of 2016, a total of 2,469 fire outbreaks were recorded, and that during the same period in 2017, a total of 1,455 fire outbreaks, which represented 41 per cent decrease was recorded.

A total of 2,967 fire outbreaks were recorded between January to August 2017 where 905 were minor fires and were out before the arrival of the personnel. The service had responded and managed 384 road traffic collisions and a total of 1,822 people were injured with 179 deaths recorded within”.

He said the Service has intensified its fire safety campaign and fire risk assessment at public and private places including high-rise premises to reduce fire outbreaks.

He commended the newly-recruited fire officers for their physical prowess and talents in passing through the intense competitive recruitment process and urged them to impart the knowledge acquired to improve service delivery.

The recruits were taught in subjects including fire science, fire safety, building construction, fire service management, fire drills, road traffic extrication, chemistry of combustion, fire fighting foam among others.

Mr Yakubu Nurudeen emerged the overall best recruit officer.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Kabore OIL Grabs Five Awards at OMCs Fun Games

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Kabore OIL Grabs Five Awards at OMCs Fun Games

The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCS) has wrapped up the 2017 Petroleum Fun Games with outstanding performance from Kabore Oil Limited sweeping five trophies and one first runner up trophy as well.

Kabore took away the Football, Lime and Spoon, Ludo, Draught trophies as well as the first runner up trophy for the Playing Cards and iced the good day with the Best Performing Team trophy, at the 2017 PETFUN Games held at the Burma Camp Leisure Center.

The PETFUN organized by the AOMC was to create an opportunity for Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) to drop their traditional business war and put on a new garment to engage in friendly hostilities on the playing field loaded with fun.

Other winners were: Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) who disappointingly picked only the Table Tennis trophy, Puma Energy Limited also struggled for the Volleyball trophy, whilst the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) once again exerted their will power in the Tug of War competition disposing all opposition to pick the trophy.

NPA also picked the foremost swimming competition trophy, So Energy picked the Sack Race Trophy, and Excel Oil Company Limited picked the Playing Cards trophy.

The 2017 PETFUN also witness dramatic exposure of product branding, glamour and beauty, dexterity of scores of NPA ladies who added tonic to the fun with a chorographic performance on the sidelines whilst scores of some ladies were in titillating sports outfits for the beauty of the game.

The various OMCs also invaded the centre with scores of brass band and cheer groups which created a harmonious musical and dancing disorder.

The Best Female Participant gold medal went to Ms Laila Zangvio of NPA, and the Golden Boot award was picked by Mr Asamoah Boateng of Kabore.

The silver medalists were: Excel picked the Volleyball; Glee Oil Company Limited picked the Tug of War; Venus Oil Company Limited took away the Football and the Lime and Spoon; NPA the Table Tannis and Swimming; and Glory Oil Company Limited picking the Ludo.

Other silver medallists were: Frimps Oil Company Limited picked the Draught, and Cirus Oil Company Limited took the Sack Race.
Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, AOMC Industry Coordinator told the CDA Consult in an interview that the annual PETFUN was to create avenue for staffs to exercise their bodies through fun for healthy living.

“Management should not only focus on increased productivity to push staff to the ultimate but the welfare of staff should be paramount as a healthy person is well motivated to produce with little or no supervision and motivation.

“The bane of most corporate managers is the neglect of the welfare of staff, poor working environment, creating of ivory towers where they hide and operate from as well as lack of motivation,” Mr Agyemang-Duah stated and called on those in the formal working environment to engage in regular bodily exercises.

Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, AOMCs Industrial Coordinator commended the Oil Marketing Companies who participated in games and noted the need for oil marketing companies to build bridges and establish stronger network with other stakeholders across board.

Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) provides tailor made development communication tools necessary for operational transformation and translating dreams into achievable goals and equips clients with mechanism for public education on specific issues.

It also provides effective back-up or frontline monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure value for money delivery of projects, whilst providing clients with skills to deliver timely and accurate information on their activities, work, programmes and projects.

CDA Consult is also aimed at building a responsive working culture for corporate growth through a social process at institutional levels based on dialogue using a broad range of tools and methods.

It also assists client to use continuous and adaptive process of gathering, organising and formulating information and data into argument and to communicate to policy-makers through various interpersonal and mass media communication channels.

Source: CDA Consult

First Lady Showers Praises on Stratcomm Africa

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First Lady Showers Praises on Stratcomm Africa

The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has hailed Stratcomm Africa, for the successful organisations of the Ghana Garden and Flower Shows over the past five years.

She said initiatives such as this were very worthwhile stating that “planting flowers definitely helps create jobs and I would like to join forces with Ghana Garden and Flower Movement in declaring that it is time for us, as a nation to put our hands to the plow”.

Mrs Akufo-Addo made this remarks at the opening of the 2017 Ghana Garden and Flower Show held under the theme: “Flower Ghana, Grow Ghana”.

“I have tremendous faith in the willingness of Ghanaians to unite behind worthy causes. I have personally witnessed this human quality under many circumstances and recently in the overwhelming support that individuals and corporate organisations have extended to the ‘Save a Child, Save a Mother Project’,” she said.

“This is testimony to the fact that when Ghanaians come together, we can get things done. I have no doubt that together, we will succeed, through the horticulture and floriculture sector, in helping to diversify our economy, increase our foreign exchange earnings and contribute to the development and beautification of our motherland.”

Stratcomm Africa is a total communications and reputation management agency dedicated to using communication strategies as a means of enhancing performance.

By organising the Ghana Garden and Flower Show, and promoting a Garden and Flower Movement in Ghana, Stratcomm Africa is using its expertise to generate awareness among Ghanaians about available natural resources for individual livelihood enhancement and national development.

Over 100 exhibitors are party taking in the fifth edition of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show.

The event is under auspices of corporate entities such as the New Times Corporation, Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited, The Finder, B&FT, Lux, Guinness Ghana, Appolonia City and Ecobank.

The First Lady cut both the fifth Ghana Garden and Flower Show anniversary cake and the tape to formal open the show, which was accompanied by fireworks display.

Mrs Akufo-Addo said: “I will like to throw a challenge to the youth of this country to seize the opportunities that are available from Ghana’s flora and fauna. In particular my challenge goes to women, whose resourcefulness in Ghana is well known.”

The First Lady said she was counting on women to encourage their children, to realise that there was wealth in the land, not just in producing food but also in growing flowers.

She cited the experience of other African countries, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as countries like Columbia should prove to us that, Ghana too could earn a lot of foreign exchange from exporting flowers.

Ms Esther A.N. Cobbah, the Chief Executive Officer of Statcomm Africa, paid tribute to partners who had worked with them from the beginning to make the organisation of the annual event possible such as the late Kwame Ayew, Dr Juliet Tuakli, Mrs Arafua Apaloo-Aning, Patrick Masoperh, Mrs Mona Asem and Nana Tuffuor.

“We knew at Stratcomm Africa when we started that the Show in 2013 could not be a one-off event. To achieve what we have been aspiring to for the nation required not only awareness creation and changes in the attitudes of people but also changes in behaviour and so we knew that we would have to pursue this cause over a long term,” she said.

“Now, in the fifth year of the Show, taking place in the year when Ghana is celebrating 60 years since our independence, we are more convinced than ever that this is a worthy cause, even if it continues to take up a lot of our resources,” she said.

She said succeeding in growing Ghana would contribute immensely to the country’s realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which highlight elimination of poverty and hunger, and the need to ensure that people could enjoy prosperous lives within a healthy and well-preserved environment.

“Think about what Ghana would be like if we flowered Ghana?” she quizzed.

“Flowers give expression to deep human emotions – joy or sadness are expressed through them.”

Ms Cobbah said flowers could create much needed jobs and generate valuable foreign exchange for national growth and individual livelihood enhancement.

“Ghana’s independence can become more meaningful as our flora and fauna are harnessed. This must be good news but good news requires action on our part as individuals if we are to obtain the benefits.”

Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, who chaired the function, said it was heartwarming that a private company, Stratcomm Africa, with the support of other private sector sponsors, was pursuing such a significant initiative which had such benefits for our environment, livelihoods and economy.

Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said: “There is the need for us to make a conscious effort to encourage people to tap into the numerous benefits of the floriculture industry”.

“This is a billion dollar industry and unfortunately, we as a country, are yet to fully explore this lucrative industry. This is why such initiatives deserves commendation,” she said.

Ms Carol Annang, the Managing Director of the New Times Corporation, appealed to the government to set example for the citizenry by ensuring that the grounds of national edifices such as the Flagstaff House and the Peduase Lodge were well decorated with flowers.

Other speakers at the event include the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Nesrin Bayazit; the Royal Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Ron Strikker, and Mr Kwame Owusu-Boateng, Chief Executive of Officer, Opportunity International Savings and loans.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

MTN’s Developmental Initiatives Commended

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MTN’s Developmental Initiatives Commended

The Chiefs and people of Asankragua in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region have lauded MTN Ghana for its development initiatives which has contributed to national development.

This followed a community based stakeholder forum organised by MTN to educate the public on its activities and contributions towards the development of the nation in the area.

Nana Appiah Dua, who represented the Chief of Asankragua, said “we the chiefs, elders and people in this area feel proud of MTN for the kind of development agenda in supporting communities for development”.

He called on other organisations to emulate the steps of MTN to assist in improving the living standards of the people in the communities they operate.

Mr Simon Amoh, Regional Senior Manager for South-West business, said the company appreciated its stakeholders so much that there is a concerted effort to engage them on a regular basis to create and maintain the relationship with them.

He said the engagement was also to seek divergent views and feedback on the company’s operations so as to help the company modify its products, services and relationship with the people.

Mr Ofosuhene Kennedy, the Corporate Services adviser for Southern Ghana, enumerated some achievements chalked by the giant telecommunication company in the country.

“MTN is proud to be contributing to the development and transformation of the country. In 20 years of business in the country, we have provided connectivity by building solid network with the 2G, 3G, and 4G technology. In the process, over 500 thousand jobs have been created to improve the lives and the living standards of the people” he said

He said MTN has in the past nine years invested over GHC 32.2 million into 142 projects in the Western Region in the areas of health and education and this is besides the provision of medical equipment at Wassa Dunkwa and Shama Post, refurbishment of the Labour Ward and expansion of Antenatal Unit of the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital among others.

Mr Agyenim Boateng, urged customers to regularly change their pin codes and keep them secret, seek clarity from MTN office when they are in doubt, read and confirm messages before finalizing cash out and check balance after receiving or making payments.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Muslim Youth Asked to Shun Crime

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Muslim Youth Asked to Shun Crime

Muslim youth in the Upper West Region have been advised to stay away from crime and other social vices and volunteer information on suspected criminals to the security agencies for arrest and prosecution.

Mr Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, who made the call in a message to the various Muslim sects in the region during the Eidul-Adha congregational prayers, said government was worried about the frequent robberies along the major streets in the region.

“What is of worry to us as a government is the frequent robberies along the major streets of the region coupled with theft of motor bikes and home burglary”, he said.

The Deputy Regional Minister noted that they were confronted with various challenges of development in their towns and villages which required all of them to come together to deal with the challenges by mobilizing available resources and energies to compliment government efforts.

“In all these, peace and security are paramount and I praise our religious leaders, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and all for the diverse roles you continue to play in maintaining peace, law and order in our communities”, he said.

Mr Issahaku said government would continue to seek the progress and development of the country for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

“We have so far demonstrated our commitment by pursuing vigorously policy initiatives which have the potential of turning the numerous challenges of unemployment into job creation and infrastructural development”, he said.

He said the positive thinking of government would reflect in education, health, agriculture, energy, water, roads and all other sectors of the economy for the general improvement of their lives.

“We shall experience a reduction in the payment of our utility bills, Free Senior High School Education (SHS) and One District One Factory among other initiatives”, the Deputy Regional Minister said.

On the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, Mr Isshahaku said it was a festival of sacrifice which was celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah.

“Prophet Mohammad advised us to celebrate this occasion in peace and by reaching out to the poor, perform good deeds and to give to charity in obedience to Allah”, he said.

He urged all to pray for the successful return of those of their elders, brothers and sisters who made it to the holy land of Mecca this year for the pilgrimage.

Alhaji Sulemana Bakuri, the Imam of the Wa Central Mosque, who led the Eidul-Adha prayers in Wa, admonished all to use the occasion to show love and kindness towards their neighbours.

He said Islam means peace and total submission to the will of Allah and advised Muslims to constantly seek the face of Allah for his continued direction and guidance in all their endeavours.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

GWCL Fixes New Equipment at Daboase

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The Western Regional Office of the Ghana Water Company has installed new equipment at the water treatment plant at Daboase in the Wassa East District to improve operations and ensure regular water supply.

The old plant fitted for more than 50 years now at the Daboase Head works of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) can no longer produce the six million gallons of water daily due to operational difficulties coupled with diversion of the water course due to illegal mining.

Mr Mark Teiko Cudjoe, Western Regional Chief Manager of GWCL, at the commissioning of the equipment at Daboase, said the installation was in three phases: and that “Phase I was at Daboase, where they are replacing high lift pumps and its control panel.

“We are changing the pumps at Bosomase which had acted as a backup for our operations at Daboase, we are changing all the two pumps and bringing in new control panels also in the phase 2”.

Mr Cudjoe said the phase three would involve the Inchaban treatment plant where the high lift pumps and water pumps among other parts would be changed to bring efficiency.

The Regional Manager said test-run on the new machineries had shown tremendous improvement in water supply in the Metropolis and lauded government’s effort in that regard.

The Daboase treatment plant gets it source of raw water from the Pra River with a capacity of 27.270 cubic meters daily.

Mr Cudjoe said the treatment plants at Inchaban, Bosomase, Axim and other places in the Western Region would receive their turn of rehabilitation works at a cost of GHC 25million in early November.

Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, said government’s effort to procure the equipment was to help curb the perennial water supply problems and bring hope to businesses and domestic users.

She prayed that the current four million gallons of water produced daily would receive major boost and even achieve the 6 million gallons target in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and its environs.

Mr Eric Johnson, Director of Intermerc Ghana Limited, Contractor for the rehabilitation works, said the company was working hard to meet its schedules.

“We are seeing some improvement with the first phase and want to assure you that by first week in November, all works will be completed to the satisfaction of all”.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Defence Minister Calls for Cohesive Result in Security

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Defence Minister Calls for Cohesive Result in Security

Mr Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister for Defence, has called for the combination of new ideas with proven technologies to offer a comprehensive range of integrated solutions in security matters in Africa.

He said this is needed for the modern armoured vehicles to enhance operational readiness through their improved responsiveness, ergonomic design, ease of use and maintenance.

Speaking at the closing session of the 2017 Armoured Vehicles and Future Fires Africa Conference and Defence Exhibition held in Accra, Mr Nitiwul said the conference was to help improve strategies to address the inherent problems commanders face on the fields.

The conference, hosted by the Ghana Armed Forces, in collaboration with the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), aimed to digest fires available to the military and examine the way forward for optimum application in contemporary warfare.

Mr Nitiwul said what prevails currently is the changing dynamics in the use of armoured vehicles and indirect fires to combat the transnational and asymmetrical warfare, which confront global security.

He said the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has offered the military varied systems and modes of communication.

He said the conference assisted in realising the significance of integrating modern fires and communication systems as well as their incorporation in the procurement plans of the participating countries.

The Sector Minister said there is the need to embrace the integration of systems and platforms to guarantee high operational mobility, mutual support and concentration of fires.

Mr Nitiwul said that from the presentation delivered by most of the African countries at the conference, it is clear that the strategic direction for the Armed Forces is aimed at ensuring survivability and ground superiority through protected mobility and enhanced firepower.

He said the conference sought to ensure that there was a regional collaboration in procurement of new platforms and the incorporation of modern and new trends in the maintenance and upgrade of existing armoured vehicles.

Mr Nitiwul said: “This common user system will, undoubtedly, provide the platform for harmonisation and regional interoperability.”

The sector Minister said the current threats of Improvised Explosive Devices and suicide bombers would make the use of armoured vehicles continue to remain more relevant in handling such security cases.

Mr Nitiwul said to uphold the high standard of ensuring survivability of troops through protected mobility and enhanced firepower, there is the need to ensure continuous collaboration among the armies in the procurement of new platforms, maintenance and upgrade of existing vehicles, logistics support and technological solutions.

He said modern warfare has brought to the notice, the need to incorporate Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) into the design of modern armoured vehicle platforms.

The Minister said: “As we embark on plans to make regional structures such as the African Standby or Economic Community of West African States Standby Forces operationally efficient, any attempt to ignore platforms will undermine the integration of this ideal concept.

“We should remember that we are confronted with a contemporary enemy who uses ICT.

“It is only when we embark on a concerted endeavour to achieve the optimum in systems integration that we shall … ensure success,” he said.

Mr Faraz Shanoo, a representative of the IQPC, expressed gratitude to participating countries, and partners for their enormous contributions to the success of the programme.

The participating countries included Ghana, the host nation, Nigeria, Italy, Benin, Botswana, Senegal, Zambia, South Africa, amongst others.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

Town Councils Would Make The Sanitation Problems Better – Nii Kojo

News Ghana
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Town Councils Would Make The Sanitation Problems Better – Nii Kojo

Nii Anme Seisey Kojo, the chief of Kotobabi 2, near Batsonaa-Spintex, has called on the public to join hands in making the environment clean.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness”, he said after a cleanup exercise organized in the community.

Nii Kojo said there is the need for the town council to be reinstituted to fight the filth and garbage in our various communities.

He said sanitation is our greatest challenge and bringing back the famed town council can help solve the problem of sanitation in the society.

Nii Kojo also called on government to strengthen the law governing the National Sanitation Day to make it mandatory for the public to observe the Day.

Source: GNA/NewsGhana.com.gh

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