Day: June 16, 2021

Accra,- A 194-page book, providing insight into more than 70 pieces of art work and painting received by former President John Agyekum Kufuor during his tenure as President, has been unveiled by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra.

The Book, titled: “Art and the Power of Goodness: A Collection of John Agyekum Kufuor” was authored by Mr Ivor Agyeman-Duah, an astute academic, writer and film director, who is also the Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

The Foreword of the Book was written by Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Gordon Brown.

It has 10 chapters and contained descriptive essays chronicling Mr Kufuor’s taste for art work, cultural values and family background, which epitomised his personality, leadership qualities and connections across the world.

Published by Digibooks Ghana Limited, the Book also encapsulates diversities of Ghanaian and African culture, Ghana’s diplomacy, and history of African slave trade, as well as the various stools and emblems of Ghanaian traditions.

It was launched at the residence of the French Ambassador, Madam Anne Sophie-AVE, in Accra on Tuesday.

Vice President Bawumia lauded Mr Kufuor for his exemplary leadership during his tenure as President, from 2001 to 2008, which saw the stabilisation of the macro-economy and innovative policies that transformed lives.

He cited the bold step, which took Ghana to the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, leading to the cancellation of the country’s debts and implementation of programmes and policies with funds received.

He mentioned Mr Kufuor’s legacies to include the National Health Insurance Scheme, Private Sector Initiative, construction of flyovers and many other social protection interventions that lessened the plight of the poor.

Vice President Bawumia donated GHc50,000 towards purchasing some copies of the book to be distributed to schools to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the country’s art and culture.

Mr Agyeman-Duah, the Author of the Book, and former Advisor to President Kufuor on International Development Cooperation, described him as a “Power Strategist” who never wavered in pursuing his ambitions in life.

Madam Sophie-AVE, in her welcome remarks, lauded the former President for his leadership qualities that changed many lives and enhanced Ghana’s diplomatic relations with France and other countries.

She said the French Embassy was sponsoring some projects in Ghana to promote the country’s cultural heritage.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,- Government has expressed its profound gratitude to all individuals and institutions that planted trees during the Green Ghana Day on June 11, 2021 to make the exercise a success.

It is estimated that five million trees were planted across the country as part of efforts to restore the country’s forest cover.

A statement signed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said government was grateful for the massive support the Green Ghana Day enjoyed from the public.

“The Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and myself wish to express our profound gratitude to the multitudes of people who participated in the national exercise of planting at least five million trees on the Green Ghana Day,” it said.

“Indeed, provisional reports from the Forestry Commission indicates that this target was exceeded. We are particularly grateful to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his foresight and support throughout the planning and execution of this ambitious national undertaking.”

“We are thankful to the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, for his support and participation in the exercise.”

It commended the following personalities for their exemplary leadership in support of the exercise; Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah; the Chairman and Members of the Council of State; and the Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.

The government commended the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin; the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II; the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; the President and Members of the National House of Chiefs; Ministers of State; Members of Parliament; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; the Clergy; Civil Society Organisations; Members of the Security Services; staff of various ministries; the Ghana Education Service and Corporate Ghana.

“Above all, we thank the ordinary citizens and residents of Ghana for their overwhelming cooperation and participation in this national exercise,” the statement said.

The statements commended the Forestry Commission, led by its hardworking Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Allotey, and the National Planning Committee, chaired by Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, the Deputy Minister-designate and the Staff of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for their tremendous support.

“I wish to encourage everyone who planted a seedling to nurture it. The Green Ghana Day, June 11, is just the beginning of a long-term Green Ghana Project to restore the lost forest cover of our country.”

“While we say thank you to all and sundry, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the survival of the trees planted as we continue to enhance the ongoing afforestation programmes.”

It extended special appreciation to the institutions and individuals who contributed in cash and in kind to make the Day a success.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Growing interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has prompted one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and fintech organisations to unveil a new product to help clients benefit from this decade’s “ultimate megatrend.”

deVere Group will now be able to offer its clients a fixed-yield note of which the proceeds are allocated to the financing of eligible projects with a clear and defined environmental benefit, such as the reduction of carbon emissions.

In June last year, deVere revealed that 26% of clients around the world are eyeing exposure to or already have exposure to ESG investments. This has now increased to 44% over the last 12 months.

Of this new financial solution, Nigel Green, deVere Group CEO and founder says: “An increasing number of clients want to achieve profits with a purpose by investing in companies that prioritise reducing carbon, protect employees’ and consumer rights, and promote board diversity, corporate transparency and stakeholder accountability.

“As such, we feel it is our responsibility to bring to market financial solutions that can help them do this.”

“At the beginning of 2020 we identified that ESG will be this decade’s ultimate investment megatrend. Therefore, we will continue to develop products with legitimate ESG credentials.

He continues: “The ESG trend is set to gain further momentum for several reasons.

“First, governments and regulators are becoming increasingly pro-ESG which boosts investor confidence.

“For example, in the U.S. – the world’s largest economy – the Biden Administration is taking a tougher approach to the use of fossil fuels and is promising swift action to tackle climate change.

“In addition, the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. financial regulator, Gary Gensler, is a proponent and is likely to strengthen investment and disclosure rules to help the U.S. catch up with Europe.”

He goes on to add: “Second, as millennials, who are statistically more likely to seek responsible investment options, become the major beneficiaries of the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth – an estimated $30tn in the next few years – we can expect both retail and institutional investors to continue to pile into ESG.

“And third, the pandemic has focused minds on the fact that the health of our planet directly affects human health which, in turn, affects the way we all live and work.”

As sustainable investments move from a ‘quirk’ or ‘nice to have’ to a legitimate portfolio diversification tool that delivers profits with purpose, deVere earlier this year announced it is to offer free, independent advice to clients on socially responsible investing, with the aim of positioning $1bn in environmental, social and governance investments within five years.

Of the new financial solution, Mr Green concludes: “This note is the next step in our sustainability journey. We look forward to developing more to help our clients with theirs.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Kumasi,- The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) collected a total of GH¢20.95 million as internally-generated fund (IGF) for 2020, Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Mayor, has said.

This, he said, represented 87.30 per cent of the budgeted GH₵24 million for the year under review.

Comparative analysis indicated an IGF revenue loss of GH¢3.73 million, he added and attributed the development to the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Mr Assibey-Antwi, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the Eighth Assembly at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, said the KMA needed to design innovative and acceptable means in growing the revenues in 2021.

He said out of the IGF collected in the year under review, rent of land, building and houses exceeded the budget target by 4.45 per cent, while fines performed the least at 41.61 per cent.

Contribution for Fines from the Outsourced Companies and the Metropolitan Guard revealed that they were not doing their job effectively, the Mayor stated.

Mr Assibey-Antwi said the Assembly projected to raise total revenue of GH₵74.2 million in 2021, and as at the end of the first quarter, the Assembly raised GH₵8.5 million, representing 11.47 per cent.

Out of the total revenue, IGF projected to raise GH₵26.3 million but collected an actual of GH₵4.55 million, representing 17.34 per cent in the first quarter.

The Mayor indicated that this was an average performance that required more efforts and strategies towards the attainment of the target.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency and former Accra Mayor, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, believes the National Democratic Congress, NDC, stands a better chance at winning the 2024 presidential elections if it retains John Dramani Mahama as flagbearer.

In an interview on Citi TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu, the former Mayor of Accra said Mahama has polled a substantial number of votes in his two previous attempts.

He thus believes that giving Mr. Mahama another chance is the party’s “best foot going forward.”

“He has really increased our votes and our support. I think NDC will do better if we retain him.”

According to the Electoral Commission, President Akufo-Addo garnered 51.59 percent of the votes cast in the 2020 presidential election, while Mr. Mahama got 47.37 percent.

Mr. Mahama subsequently took on the Electoral Commission and its Chairperson, Madam Jean Adukwei Mensa to the Supreme Court, for what he described as “voter fraud and irregularities” in the 2020 polls.

The apex court however ruled in favour of the EC and President Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Mahama subsequently registered his disagreement with the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Among other things, John Mahama expressed regret that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission did not testify in court despite his applications for her to be interrogated.

He said the conduct of the court and the counsel for the Electoral Commission aided Jean Mensa to evade “accountability” for her work in the 2020 polls.

“I believe that the law should not be an instrument for partisan purposes. I also believe that the rule of law should mean that one rule for all… The 2021 election petition will go down in history as the profound moment when the Chairperson of the EC opted to evade public scrutiny… Everything was done in this trial to prevent the Commission from accounting to the people in whose name they hold office,” he added.

According to Mr. Mahama, that singular act of Jean Mensa not testifying in court is a betrayal of the principles of transparency and accountability to Ghanaians.

“This is a clear stab in the heart of transparency and accountability to the sovereign people of Ghana.”

The former President has thus indicated that the NDC will deploy more professionals to monitor the 2024 elections at various levels.

He has however not indicate his intention to contest in the 2024 elections.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, June. 16, GNA – Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has expressed appreciation to stakeholders in the Fisheries Industry for their continuous support and dedication to ensuring that the sector played an important role in development.

She said the fisheries sector played an important role in lives and national development especially in the areas of Growth Domestic Product (GDP) contribution, job and wealth creation, as well as national food and nutritional security.

Mrs Hawa Koomson said this at a ceremony to officially announce the 2021 Closed Season of fishing.

The closure for the Canoe and Inshore Fishers would begin from July 1st to 31st and from July 1st to August 31st, 2021 for the Industrial Trawlers.

She said the fishing sector supported the livelihoods of 3 million Ghanaians along the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.

The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East said the marine and inland sub-sectors were confronted with challenges that had the tendency to overturn the benefits from the fisheries sector if no action was taken.

She said with the exception of Tuna resources, the marine fishery resources were over exploited and that there were signs that some fish species had depleted.

Mrs Hawa Koomson said it was important that necessary measures were put in place to reduce the excessive fishing pressure and allow for recovery of overexploited fish stocks and rebuild the depleted fish stocks.

She said to address the situation, the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission (FC) in accordance with Section 84 (1) of the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) and the Marine Fisheries Management Plan (20152019) was implementing a Closed Season since 2016, which was not observed in 2020 due to COVID-19 management measures.

Mrs Hawa Koomson said the Ministry recognized the fact that the desired result of implementing Closed Seasons will be attained when other types of illegal fishing activities, such as transshipment (popularly known as Saiko), the use of poisonous and toxic chemicals, dynamites, and other explosives were controlled.

“In the light of this, the Ministry in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies like the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Marine Police would intensify the fight against all forms of illegal fishing activities”.

She said, efforts were underway to procure four patrol boats for the fisheries to enhance monitoring, control and surveillance activities on marine waters, sector and research vessel to provide adequate data on marine fish stocks even as we embark on this recovery process.

“While steps are being taken towards the recovery of the depleted marine fish stocks, efforts are also being made to promote the development of aquaculture which is expected to improve domestic fish production, create additional jobs along the value chain and help reduce the over dependence on the marine fisheries resources. Major ongoing aquaculture initiative being implemented by the Ministry is the Flagship Programme “Aquaculture for Food and Jobs”, which I wish to promote in coastal areas “.

There were representatives from the National Fisheries Association of Ghana, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Ghana Tuna Association, Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association and National Fish Processors and Traders Association.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,- The case of Eric Kojo Duah, aka Sakora, the man accused of killing two police officers at Buduburam in the Central Region, on August 28, 2019, has been adjourned to July 1.

The adjournment came as an Accra High Court had indicated that it had some challenges with the empanelling of the jury.

In a trial by indictment, a seven member jury are expected to join a High Court judge to hear the matter.

Kojo Duah has been charged with murder for allegedly murdering Sgt. Michael Dzamasi, a service driver, and L/Cpl Awal Mohammed, at a spot called Big Apple at Buduburam, near Kasoa.

Another accused person, Michael Osarfo Ani, has been charged with abetment to commit murder.

The two were committed to stand trial at the High Court by the Kaneshie District Court.

Prosecution said Duah allegedly shot Sgt Dzamesi and L/Corporal Awal, both attached to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at Budumburam, who were on taskforce duties on the Kasoa-Winneba Highway.

It said Duah, in the company of his friends, using an unregistered Toyota Camry vehicle, and driving recklessly, allegedly shot the unarmed policemen after refusing to stop when the security officers signalled them to do so.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Keta (V/R),- Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Works and Housing, Wednesday said government is deeply concerned about the perennial destruction caused by tidal waves in communities along the country’s coastal lines.

He has, therefore, expressed its resolve to put in measures to curb the phenomenon to mitigate its impact on residents.

Addressing the media after touring some coastal communities, which were recently affected by tidal waves in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, the Minister said the protection of those communities was high on government’s agenda and would do everything possible to address the situation.

The tour was to enable the Minister to obtain first-hand information on the level of destruction and impact on the affected communities to enable him to make informed decision to mitigate the situation.

He was accompanied by Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Elliot Agbenorwu, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu South, Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, and other staff of the Ministry.

“The protection of coastal areas from tidal waves, to prevent the destruction of property and loss of lives and livelihood, is one of the key activities of the Ministry,” Mr Asenso-Boakye said.

“And since I have been in office, I have had the opportunity to go through some of the issues and monitored media reports on what is going on in these communities.”

“I want to assure you that government is committed to protecting your lives, protecting your livelihood and your property.”

Five communities: Agavadzi, Salakope, Adina, Blekusu and Amutinu were recently hit by tidal waves, causing destruction to hundreds of property and displacing more than 1000 residents in the process.

While assuring the residents in the five affected communities of their safety, Mr Asenso-Boakye said government would soon commence the second phase of the Blekusu-Adina Sea Defence Project to protect the affected communities against future tidal attacks.

He said about eight kilometres of sea defence wall was expected to be constructed from Agavedi to adjoining coastal communities.

“What is left is that government is putting the financial arrangements together and I am very hopeful that in the course of this year we should commence the construction of the sea defence project here,” he said.

In 2015, government signed a contract with Amadi Company Limited for the construction of a sea defence wall at some eight communities in the Municipality following continuous attacks by tidal waves.

The first phase of the project, which commenced in 2016, tackled the coastal stretch from Havedzi/Horvi-Blekusu-Agavedi.

The second phase was to be constructed from Agavedi-Salakope-Amutinu-Adina to other coastal communities.

Ms Gomashie, on her part, appealed to the Government to keep to its word by constructing the sea defence to mitigate the plight of the residents.

Torgbigah Adamah III, the Paramount Chief of Somey Traditional Area, was hopeful that the Minister’s visit would spur government on to take urgent steps to curb the situation.

He appealed to the authorities to ensure they assigned a contractor to the project to complete the full stretch of the coastal line to avert possible disaster to nearby communities.

Source: Ghana News Agency