Day: December 10, 2021

The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) is optimistic of a productive 2022 with exciting domestic tourism activities.

Madam Bella Ahu, President of GHATOF, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said though COVID 19 had crushed the industry, the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture and its implementing agencies were, taking steps to ensure that the industry bounced back fully.

She said the Ministry was now focusing on domestic tourism as the way to go, which was receiving good patronage.

Madam Ahu said plans were underway to repackage a lot of Ghanaian festivals to attract a lot of visitors from different parts of the country, as well as the organisation of theatre shows that portrayed the true Ghanaian culture, fun trips to various tourist sites and fun games, debates, cooking competitions and football tournaments for the youth.

“Our main target for 2022 is to improve domestic tourism. Training programmes will be organised for industry players across all the fields, hotels and catering, restaurants, car rentals, tour guards among others to enhance their skills to be able to deliver better services.”

The GHATOF President said this December a lot of programmes had been outlined by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Beyond the Return Secretariat for the “December in GH” events, including Afrochella, Rhythms on the Run Way, Taste of Ghana, Kwanzaa, Diaspora Transition, Takoradi Festival, A centenary of the demise of Yaa Asantewaa at Kumasi, and GUBA awards.

“Since 2019, December had become a key month for tourism growth, especially with high profile events drawing thousands from across the globe into the country.”

Madam Ahu said Ghana continued to be the destination of choice in West Africa during the holiday season, and that it was anticipated that thousands of travellers would be arriving in the country throughout the coming weeks.

She said per the plans by the GTA, this year’s activities would also include programmes happening in other regions that would give travellers to Ghana an opportunity to explore other parts of the country and partake in the various cultures.

“Events have been endorsed to happen in other regions like Volta, Upper East, Western, and Bono East regions.”

“Some of the programmes in the Volta Region have been put on hold for now, but definitely they would come on once the tides are down. Because we are looking at programmes like beach footballs, encouraging boat races on the lagoon and the sea, among others.”

She urged organisers of “December in GH” to adhere strictly to all the COVID-19 protocols to prevent the rise in infection during and after the event.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema, Dec. 10, GNA – The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it is committed to a peaceful resolution of the impasse and improvement in revenue collection in the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities.

“ECG is committed to delivering on its mandate to provide quality, safe and reliable electricity services to support the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana.

“ECG is, therefore, open to dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment conducive for normal operations,” Mr Emmanuel Akinie, ECG Tema Regional General Manager, said at a press conference.

He said due to the protracted insecurity, the ECG Krobo District had been closed with effect from December 1, 2021, and a new Office opened at Juapong which is now the ECG District Headquarters to serve parts of the seven political districts: Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, Asuogyaman, Ho West, North Tongu, Shai Osudoku and Okere.

Recounting activities that led to the closure of the Krobo District office, he noted that on May 26, 2017, that office was attacked and vandalized by angry demonstrators, led by a group, Voice of United Krobo Force (VUKF) and was later renamed United Krobo Foundation (UKF).

Mr Akinie noted that ECG investigations into their resolution, which they referred to as estimated bills, wrongful overbilling, accumulated bills, and lack of Meter Reading Cards revealed that the said issues were a result of the implementation of a SHEP project to install energy meters that did not pass through the ECG.

The second cause, he said, had to do with the installation of a new billing system (Customer Management System) in late 2015 and early 2016, to replace the decades-old billing system, which initial implementation challenges resulted in billing anomalies throughout ECG’s operational area.

“These anomalies, coupled with tariff increases at the same time, caused significant national concern,” Mr Akinie noted.

He indicated that the said software issues were resolved and corrected under the directives of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

He said the ECG later had an extensive engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political authorities, opinion leaders, youth groups and all other stakeholders in the Lower Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo Municipalities over the issue.

Mr Akinie said the ECG also inaugurated a Communications and Customer Education Committee on October 21, 2021, at the Zimmermann Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Odumase-Krobo.

He said it was worrying that after all these engagements and agreements between the people and the ECG, the United Krobo Foundation organized a mass demonstration against the operations of ECG in the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that before, during and after the demonstration various written and verbal threats were issued against ECG Staff at the Krobo district and indeed, against ECG as a whole,” he added.

Mr Kwame Agyeman-Budu, ECG Managing Director, on his part said the management of the ECG supported the position of the Tema Regional Office to protect the lives of its employees.

Mr Agyeman-Budu said, “the ECG has been very tolerant and extremely patient with customers of the Krobo district.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Viewers on DStv can look forward to the 22nd and final round of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, live from the Yas Marina Circuit on the afternoon of Sunday 12 December 2021.

SuperSport is definitely your #HomeOfSport and the ultimate destination for motorsport fans.

The fight for the 2021 F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships are going right down to the wire! After this past Sunday’s race in Saudi Arabia, Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) are level on 369.5 points apiece, with the former leading on races won through the course of the season (nine to seven), while in teams terms the ‘Silver Arrows’ have a 28.5 point lead over their arch-rivals from Austria.

The last race was a fractious one in which Verstappen and Hamilton even had a minor collision on track, but the seven-time F1 World Champion took the victory – his third in succession – and very much has momentum on his side for the title decider in Abu Dhabi.

“What happened today is unbelievable and this sport is more about penalties than racing,” fumed Verstappen, who finished second and was given two time penalties for infractions. “For me, this is not Formula 1.”

However, Hamilton insisted his rival was “over the limit”. He also called the Lap 37 incident “very confusing”.

“I didn’t get the information,” Hamilton added. “All of a sudden he started backing up and then moving. I was like ‘is he playing some sort of crazy tactic?’. All of a sudden messages started to come through, but he hit the brakes so hard l nearly went up the back of him. For him, it doesn’t matter if we both didn’t finish.”

The Mercedes driver continued, “I really had to just try and keep my cool out there which was really difficult to do. I’ve raced a lot of drivers through my life in the 28 years [of racing] and I’ve come across a lot of different characters and there are a few at the top which are kind of over the limit. Rules kind of don’t apply, or don’t think of the rules.”

Asked if Verstappen fell into that category, Hamilton replied: “He’s over the limit, for sure. I’ve avoided colliding on so many occasions with the guy and I don’t always mind being the one that does that because you live to fight another day, which I obviously did.”

While Mercedes are looking strong to win the Constructors’ title, the Drivers’ championship is simple: whoever finishes further ahead between Verstappen and Hamilton will be World Champion; if neither finishes or claims points, then the Dutchman takes the title because he leads on race wins.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv can see all the action from the fastest sport in the world on their Channel of Champions.

Visit www.dstv.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream live action on the DStv App.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix broadcast details, 11-12 December 2021

All times CAT

Saturday 11 December

14:50: Qualifying – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand, SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 12 December

14:55: Race – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand, SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 2

Source: Modern Ghana

Tema, Dec. 10, GNA – Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone, has paid a working visit to the head office of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) in Tema to learn the best practices of the Company.

Dr Jalloh was accompanied by the Sierra Leone Minister of Energy, High Commissioner to Ghana, Energy Experts, Economists and other dignitaries from the country’s Energy and Finance Ministries.

He said the energy sector was a priority to the Sierra Leonean government hence the engagement with the various institutions in the generation, distribution and supply chain of electricity in Ghana, especially about the Millennium Development Authority’s (MIDA) Power Compact.

He said the sector was a priority and the government was ready to invest in it because they wanted to open up the country to attract Foreign Direct Investment and to strengthen its production sector.

Dr Jalloh said Sierra Leone had received a scorecard of MIDA, making them eligible for the Power Compact and, therefore, the need to engage the experts in the sector in Ghana not to only learn from the good experiences but also the possible challenges and how to overcome it.

The Sierra Leonean Vice President said the visit would also enable them to have a deeper insight into GRIDCo’s work while learning and building collaboration to transform the energy sector not only in the two countries but also on the African continent.

He said for the past three years, the government was able to increase the country’s access to electricity from 16 per cent to 31 per cent.

According to him, the three key challenges facing the energy sector in Sierra Leone were generation, transmission and governance, which they were addressing.

Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Board Chairman of GRIDCo, welcoming the Sierra Leonean Vice President and his entourage, said the Company was poised to exchange ideas with Sierra Leone.

He said it was his hope that the visit, which was a second from the Sierra Leonean government, would escalate the relationship between GRIDCo and the various power companies in that country.

Mr Ebenezer Essienyi, Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo, on his part gave the assurance that they were ready to guide Sierra Leone to avoid the challenges Ghana went through in the energy sector.

Mr Essienyi noted that the beginning of the Power Compact was a learning process, which took a while but with tenacity it was achievable, adding that they used grants from the Compact to establish two major sub-stations.

The delegation toured the system control centre of GRIDCo as part of the visit.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Adiembra (W/R), Dec. 10, GNA-A Sekondi High Court has rescinded its decision to effect the arrest of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Madam Dorcas Afo Toffey.

The court presided over by Justice Sedinam Agbemava rescinded the decision when the MP appeared before the court on Thursday morning.

The court, on Monday, December 6, 2021, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Madam Toffey for failing to appear in court to provide documents on her alleged dual citizenship before the December 7 Parliamentary elections, which amounted to contempt of court.

The court fixed December 20, 2021, to look into the contempt case while the substantive matter of alleged dual citizenship before her contesting as a candidate in the 2020 general election would continue on February 16, 2022.

One Joshua Emuah Kofie of Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro constituency commenced contempt proceedings against the MP.

In the case, Madam Toffey was ordered by the court to furnish and deposit documents, indicating that she had renounced her alleged Ivorian citizenship.

She, however, filed a stay of execution, which was dismissed by the court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to Round 16 action from the Premier League, with matches scheduled to run from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 December 2021.

DStv and GOtv is the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action that no other rival can match – it’s literally ‘Unbeatable Football’! If you’re going to spend your money on something, it may as well be on the best football in the world.

The key match from this weekend of Premier League football sees Liverpool host Aston Villa at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard’s return set to be the major narrative. The new Villa manager holds iconic status with the Reds – having played more than 700 matches in a Liverpool shirt from 1998 to 2015 – but he will be looking to put a big dent in their title hopes come Saturday afternoon.

“You are trying to control your emotions, but inside you are kicking every ball. I want to coach from the side, I want to be visible and help them, guide them. Inside is what was with me as a player, that will to win, that drive…. I hate losing,” said Gerrard.

The round opens on Friday evening with a crunch clash between promoted sides Brentford and Watford, who are both very keen on the three points as they look to ensure top-flight survival, while Saturday’s early kick-off sees Manchester City welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium.

Wolves have proved tricky opponents for the Citizens in the past, and the Midlands club have a new lease on life under manager Bruno Lage this season, but Pep Guardiola’s side will start the match as clear favourites to claim all three points.

“We are trying to create a new cycle and we want to improve every day. After 10 or 15 years, when I finish, then it is time to relax and be comfortable. But when I look back I don’t want to have wasted time just being there. That is what I want from my players,” said Lage.

Saturday also features Arsenal and Chelsea looking for home wins against Southampton and Leeds United respectively, while Sunday sees Crystal Palace host Everton in the headline clash, with Patrick Vieira hoping his side continue their progress.

The Eagles have made major strides under the former Gunners midfielder, but there are still rough edges. “I was a little bit disappointed with how we managed the game but that’s just showing the team needs to grow,” said Vieira after a recent 3-3 draw with Burnley. “There is a maturity we didn’t have today to really manage the game better.”

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv and GOtv enjoy an unrivalled selection of football from around the world!

Premier League broadcast details, 10-12 December 2021

All times CAT
Friday 10 December

22:00: Brentford v Watford – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

Saturday 11 December

14:30: Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

17:00: Goal Rush – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League

17:00: Arsenal v Southampton – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1

17:00: Chelsea v Leeds United– LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 1

17:00: Liverpool v Aston Villa– LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2, SuperSport Maximo 360 and SuperSport GOtv Football

19:30: Norwich City v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

Sunday 12 December

16:00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

16:00: Burnley v West Ham United – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2, SuperSport Maximo 360 and SuperSport GOtv Football

16:00: Leicester City v Newcastle United – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3

18:30: Crystal Palace v Everton – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

Source: Modern Ghana

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana has organized a two-day strategic communications capacity-building training programme for six selected Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and their respective Business Advisory Centres (BACs) / Business Resource Centres (BRCs) across the country.

The training, aimed at equipping the MMDAs, BACs and BRCs to effectively communicate with Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), leveraging traditional and digital media. It is envisaged to bridge the gap between critical ecosystem players and MSMEs who need pertinent support to grow their businesses.

Speaking on the training, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Ghana, Dr Angela Lusigi, stated that MMDAs and BACs/BRCs play critical roles in the growth and success of MSMEs in the various communities in which they operate.

“Building the capacities of MMDAs and BACs/BRCs to effectively reach out and communicate vital information is imperative to ensure the growth and success of MSMEs in the country. UNDP is committed to working with our partners to position MSMEs for growth. We have therefore invested in strengthening the ecosystem to support SME development in Ghana, building on initiatives by government, private sector and financial institutions,” said Dr Lusigi.

UNDP is currently carrying out market intelligence on investment opportunities, services and gaps to support women and youth-led MSMEs in Ghana to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as leverage opportunities in the AfCFTA, Dr Lusigi added.

The UNDP has recently provided over $500,000 in seed funding to 42 young Ghanaian MSMEs to enable them to fund their innovative businesses. These innovators are breaking new ground and creating jobs and livelihoods for many across the country.

MSMEs are the backbone of the Ghanaian economy – representing about 85% of businesses and contributing about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The strategic communications support for the MMDAs, BACs/BRCs and MSMEs fall within the four areas of UNDP’s integrated support for MSMEs to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and leverage the AfCFTA. The other interventions include market intelligence, MSME ecosystem mapping/prototype solution, and a digital gateway for real-time information.

Source: Ghana Web

Tema, Dec. 10, GNA – GOIL Company Limited, the nation’s foremost indigenous oil marketing company, has the right as any Oil Marketing Company (OMC) to determine the price of its product under the deregulated marketing environment.

Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, GOIL Group Chief Executive Officer, explained that the company was a responsible company fully aware of the deregulated environment in which OMCs in the country operates.

“The government, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) have a total of 78 per cent shares in GOIL, all these entities are largely owned by Ghanaians.

“GOIL’s pricing policy takes into consideration the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian,” Mr Oesi-Prempeh stated in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency to refute claims of government inference in the petroleum downstream market.

Mr Osei-Prempeh, therefore, rejected the claim that the company was directed by the government to reduce fuel prices at the ex-pump.

“GOIL reminded the Association that it is a listed company with a constituted Board of Directors and Management and takes decisions based on prudent commercial principles.

“GOIL is also guided by the fact that the company is owned by Ghanaians and that has always influenced its pricing policy,” he said.

It would be recalled that before the GHC0.15 per litre reduction, GOIL had in the previous window, reduced its price from GHC6.99 to GHC6.85 per litre of fuel for both Super XP (petrol) and diesel, thereby losing GHC0.14 per litre. The motive was to cushion Ghanaians in the difficult post COVID period.

Mr Osei Prempeh said GOIL decided to sacrifice part of its margin to benefit its cherished customers and Ghanaians because of the agitations by transport operators in the country.

“GOIL is a responsible company fully aware of the deregulated environment in which we operate. The allegation that the government is interfering in the industry is unfounded. GOIL has the right as any other OMC to determine prices,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency