Day: February 8, 2022

Accra,– Mr Ataa Lartey, Director of Street Academy, has called on Ghanaians in the diaspora to come home and help make the country a better place.

He made the call while receiving study materials-exercise books, pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons – from Miss Ebony Ambassador UK 2021.

The donation, which had support from, “Africa 2 Diaspora Connections,” was to encourage street children to take formal education seriously.

He received the items on behalf the Accra Street Kids, saying, “the items will help us prepare the kids into the formal education,” and expressed gratitude to the philanthropist.

Miss Samira Mensah, the 2021 winner and ambassador of Miss Ebony UK, pledged to sustain such outreaches with creative workshops to empower young people in Ghana.

Miss Elegant, Bold, Originality, Noble, Youth ambassador (E.B.O.N.Y) pageant is a contest organised to crown a young black beauty from African decent to be a youth representative to her own country.

The Street Academy is a non-formal school institution, located at the Arts Centre in Accra.

There are 620 children who are supported by the Street Academy, with about 80 of them studying at the Academy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Annor Walker Head Coach of Accra Great Olympics, has expressed delight over how his side has been able to break Hearts of Oak’s dominance in the ‘Mantse’ derby in recent times.

Great Olympics is unbeaten in the last three ‘Mantse’ derbies having won two and drawn one.

Previously, Hearts had not lost a game against Great Olympics in 11 matches, since 2006.

According to Coach Walker, Hearts had been very dominant in ‘Mantse’ derby over the past years but was delighted to have broken the dominance since he took over as he was yet to taste defeat against the Phobians.

“Sunday’s victory was a sweet victory for me because Hearts of Oak is not a small team and when it comes to derby for some time past, they have always given us hell.

“But for some time now since I took charge of the team we have been in control of the derbies and really happy for that,” he said in a post-match press conference.

He also stated that the victory against Hearts was very crucial especially after their painful loss to Kotoko on match-day 14.

“I knew the game wasn’t going to be easy but I had the confidence in my players that we would be able to pick all three points and thank God we did. We were determined to take all three points at all costs especially after the loss against Kotoko,” he said

Great Olympics would be firm favorites when they host Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports in the last game of the first round come Sunday.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Bolgatanga,– Madam Esther Anku, the Director of Inspection and Monitoring at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), says there has been decency in the siting of Filling Station across the country since 2016.

She admitted that there were quite a number of Filling Stations dotted around prior to the introduction of new guidelines by the NPA and other stakeholders, for siting stations in the country.

The Director explained that the NPA in 2015 held a meeting with stakeholders that issued permits and developed guidelines for siting retail outlets and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stations.

Madam Anku said this in response to a question at a press briefing in Bolgatanga, Upper Regional capital, on the siting of Filling Stations, especially in the Bolgatanga Municipality where some of the stations were close to each other, and others located in residential areas.

Officials of the NPA, led by its Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, paid a day’s working visit to the Region to familiarize themselves with activities of the Authority and other stakeholders who supported the Authority in the Region.

According to Madam Anku, “From 2016, there has been some form of decency since we agreed to go by those guidelines. Once you identify a site that you intend using for a Filling Station, you apply to the NPA with a copy of the site plan and the block plan.

“Our Inspectors visit the site, and we check against what we have in the guidelines. If the site meets what we have in the guidelines, then we grant the no objection permit to pave the way for the proponent to go to other regulatory bodies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Assembly to get the other permits in accordance with their respective laws.

“The fact that the NPA has given the no objection permit does not oblige any other regulatory body to give you, their permit. The proponent has to satisfy their conditions as well,” she explained.

“We admit that there are quite a number Filling Stations that exist based on what we practiced before the new guidelines. So, to ensure the safety of the public, we do continuous monitoring of their activities to ensure that they are going by the prescribed standards,” Madam Anku said.

Mr Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, the Head of Pricing Department at the NPA who spoke on mechanisms of petroleum product pricing, said the NPA as a regulator was concerned about the pricing of petroleum products, as it was mandated to ensure pricing were done in a fair manner.

He recalled that pricing of petroleum products was deregulated in July 2015, which meant that government did not determine the price of petroleum products, and also ceased subsidy on same.

“This means we are exposed to the changes of petroleum prices on the world market. So as the price on the world market rise, we will see that our prices here in Ghana are rising, and as prices on the world market fall, our prices here in Ghana fall. The exchange rate also plays a key factor in our pricing,” he said.

Mr Tasunti said the NPA continued to monitor the prices on the world market to ensure that importers and the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) priced fairly, so that the consumer was not cheated, adding that the NPA was able to advise government for intervention if it realized the prices rose to a certain level.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tamale,– Reverend Eastwood Anaba, Founder and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, has admonished residents of the northern part of the country not to entertain thoughts that the National Cathedral is far away from them and so they will not contribute towards building it.

He said even though the National Cathedral was situated in Accra, it belonged to Ghana, just like any other national monument, and therefore, the need for all to be part of history to build it.

He told people of the northern part of the country that “Let us do something for people to say that even though the north is far away from the National Cathedral, it did something monumental towards the building of the National Cathedral.”

He was delivering a sermon at the Northern Regional launch of Fund Raising for the construction of the National Cathedral held in Tamale over the weekend.

Reverend Anaba said one of the things that would make the church strong in the country was the National Cathedral urging all to be part of history to contribute funds towards its construction.

He said “We may look weak and poor but we will rise up to build the National Cathedral to the glory of God.”

The National Cathedral, which is being constructed as an interdenominational facility, is expected to be inaugurated by the President on March 06, 2024.

Even though construction works are progressing steadily on the project, there is need for funds to complete it on schedule hence the fund-raising activities.

Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat spoke about the fund-raising strategies saying “We want to raise one million people to donate GHc100 every month for two years” to help build the Cathedral.

Dr Opoku-Mensah said efforts were being made to reach out to various stakeholders both home and abroad to raise the needed funds for the project.

 Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister commended the church for the unique roles in human development and socio-economic development of the country.

Alhaji Saibu appealed to all to embrace the National Cathedral project by contributing generously towards the realisation of the project.

Ya-Na Abukari (II), Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, who was represented by Sagnari-Naa Yakubu Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Sagnarigu, expressed his support for the vision to build the National Cathedral, and pledged GHc10,000.00 towards it.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tamale,- The Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) is being retooled and revamped to provide structured training to all categories of local government functionaries and staff, Mr Daniel Botwe, Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development has announced.

Mr Botwe said the ILGS was also designing various executive courses to expand the capability of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCEs) to lead, inspire and achieve the aspirations of the people within their jurisdiction.

He announced this when addressing the opening session of a three-day zonal refresher course for MMDCEs in Tamale on Tuesday.

The course, organised by the MLGDRD, is being attended by MMDCEs drawn from the Northern, North-East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West and Bono East Regions to enhance their competencies and leadership skills to enable them to deliver on their mandate.

The MMDCEs preside at meetings of the Executive Committee of Assemblies, are responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of District Assemblies and are also the chief representative of the central government in the districts.”

Mr Botwe said “To help you succeed in the performance of your functions as well as deepen local governance and decentralisation programme, I am determined to prioritise your training and development throughout your tenure as MMDCEs.”

He said, therefore, “This zonal refresher certificate course and many other programmes will be offered MMDCEs to expand your knowledge, global perspectives and analytical skill on local governance and local level development issues.”

He added that, “The Next Generation Leadership Training modules will also be rolled out for Assembly Members as well as Presiding Members and this should enable them provide effective oversight and representation of their local constituents.”

He said through this, the government would be realising its aspirations of bringing governance closer to the people and improving the quality and spread of development interventions across the nation.

He said after the capacity building programmes, the Ministry would devise appropriate strategies to obtain real-time feedback from the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) on the delivery of government’s programmes and projects for evidence-based decision-making and policy direction at the central government level.

Mr Botwe emphasised that, “in view of this, the Ministry will enhance the District Data Development Platform, which is computerised data-based system to be accessed by the MMDAs, Regional Coordinating Councils, National Development Planning Commission, Office of Head of Local Government Services and the Ministry” to provide real-time data for the assessment of district operations and performance.

He said the Ministry had initiated processes to develop a feedback ICT-based system known as “DASHBOARD’’ to have direct feedback from MMDCEs on pertinent issues at the MMDAs to ascertain how well MMDCEs were doing and the quality of impacts they were making towards the realisation of the needs and aspirations of the people at the local level and their responsiveness to the government’s business.

He reminded the MMDCEs that,“The vision of the President with regard to Local Governance and Decentralisation is to ensure that the living conditions of the citizenry are improved through the formulation of appropriate policies and implementation of these policies at the local level” urging that, “We must work hard to realise the vision of the President.”

He expressed hope that the MMDCEs would receive, “The full support and cooperation of all stakeholders and the traditional authorities as they also have critical roles to play in strengthening local governance and deepening decentralisation through mediation, counselling and in the acquisition of land for developmental projects within the districts.”

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister spoke on the need for MMDAs in the region to improve on internally generated revenue to address the developmental needs of the people announcing that, “We have concluded an arrangement in the region to start an intensive engagement with all MMDAs in the region to tackle this issue.”

Alhaji Saibu added that the “Exercise is to commence on February 11, and we hope it will yield results.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Feb.8, GNA- The 33rd African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after witnessing an exciting tournament saw the Teranga Lions of Senegal, beat seven times winners, the Pharaohs of Egypt, to win their first AFCON trophy in Cameroon.

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane led team beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to lift their maiden trophy, after bottling their chances in 2002 and 2019.

The tournament could be described as one that went down memory lane as highly contested for and filled with much suspense and thrills.

The first round of the group stages raised lots of conversations with some previous champions struggling to find their way out of the group stages, whilst some made it with ease.

Even though the tournament had a poor start, with most teams struggling to net goals, it was rewarded with a befitting ending.

 

Host Nations, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who finished top of Group A, with seven points, defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso, 2-1 in the opening game of the tournament, with Vincent Aboubakar, who emerged as the top goal scorer of the tournament netting a brace.

 

Group A saw the likes of Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde sail through to the knockout stage, leaving 1962 AFCON winners, the Walias of Ethiopia pack out of the competition with just a single point out of the three matches played.

 

Current champions, Senegal, finished top of Group B, with five points, while Guinea and Malawi secured four points each to book a spot in the knockout stage of the competition. Zimbabwe was the only team who failed to qualify from Group B.

 

Four times champions, the Black Stars of Ghana for the first time since 2006, were eliminated from the Group Stages. The Atlas Lions of Morocco, Gabon and debutants, Comoros qualified to the knockout stage of the competition.

 

Nigeria, who were on top form and tipped as favorites, finished first on Group D, claiming all nine points, followed by current runners-up, Egypt. Sudan and Guinea-Bissau failed to make it to the next round of the competition.

 

Group E raised lots of conversations in the tournament, as 2019 champions, the Desert Foxes of Algeria, couldn’t win a single match in the group stages to book them a slot in the round of 16 stage of the competition.

The Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoiret, who are two times winners of the competition qualified from the group stages with the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea.

 

The final group stage, Group F, saw debutants Gambia make their first Round of 16 appearance with teams like Mali and Tunisia. Mauritania was the only team who failed to qualify from that group, losing all three games.

 

The group stages of the 2021 AFCON tournament recorded a total of 68 goals in 36 games and six red cards.

 

The Round of 16 stage of the competition was quite a competitive one with Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco making it to the quarter finals stage.

 

The round of 16 stages recorded a total of 12 goals and seven red cards.

 

The Quarter Finals saw fourth place Burkina Faso beat Tunisia by a lone goal to book their place in the semi-final stage of the competition. 

 

Sadio Mane’s Senegal ended Equatorial Guinea’s AFCON fairy tale, thrashing them 3-1 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium to qualify to the semi-finals.  

 

Host Nation, Cameroon, who were third in the tournament, sent debutants Gambia packing, handing them a 2-0 defeat to sail through to the next round.

 

One-time winner, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, bottled their chances of qualifying to the semi-finals stage, losing 2-1 to the Pharaohs of Egypt.

 

The last four teams of the AFCON tournament were Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon and Egypt.

 

Senegal, who were runners-up in 2019, qualified to the finals for the second consecutive time, crushing Burkina Faso 3-1, while Egypt also booked a slot in the finals, defeating Egypt on penalties.

 

Cameroon completed a perfect comeback against Burkina Faso after surviving a three-goal deficit to force 3-3 in regulation time, before finishing off the Stallions on penalties to claim the bronze medal.

 

Mane’s Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the first time after defeating the Salah’s Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties.

 

Cameroon’s Vincent Abuobakar was named as the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals to his credit.

 

Senegal’s Edouard Mendy after receiving the 2021 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the year, took the Goalkeeper of the year award at the 33rd AFCON tournament, whiles his teammate Sadio Mane also took the player of the tournament award.

Source: Ghana News Agency

New- Abirem (E/R),- Obrempong Kwesi Amoh Kyeretwie I, Chief of Abirem and President of Birim North Association of Chiefs (BNAC), has cautioned mining companies to adhere strictly to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directives on conveying explosives to their catchment areas.

Referring to the incident that happened at Appiatse, near Bogoso in the Western Region, he said the EPA must put in stringent measures to alert or escort such dangerous explosives to avoid further disasters in future.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at New Abirem Obrempong Kyeretwie I also advised inhabitants including children to desist from getting close to disaster-prone areas and be always vigilant.

He said the association had plans to help develop the district by liaising with the Assembly to build additional schools, social center and provide support to health facilities.

Together with the chiefs, he added that they would ensure optimum safety of the inhabitants by ensuring Newmont Akyem Mines observed mining regulations.

The Chief denied claims against the District District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Raymond Nana Damptey, also a member of the Association, of demanding 49 sheep as a way of punishing him for misconduct.

He emphasised that the report carried by some bloggers and local media was untrue and urged the public to disregard it.

Obrempong Kyeretwie I also commended Mr Joseph Osei Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Birim North Constituency and Nana Damptey for donating to the association.

The items presented were bags of rice, bottles of oil, canned Tomatoe paste, cow, schnapps, bottled water and cash.

He called for unity, peace and tranquility to prevail amongst them to enable them lift the district to a befitting standard.

He further entreated members of the association to adhere to the COVID- 19 directives by going for the vaccine and observing all the necessary protocols.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba, has taken a swipe at Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after Senegal won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].

The German gaffer before the 33rd edition of the AFCON described the tournament as a “little tournament” – a statement he later clarified as being sarcastic.

Klopp came under intense pressure for his comments.

In response to a video showing the wild celebrations in Dakar after Senegal’s first-ever AFCON triumph, Drogba tweeted, “A « little tournament » that means a lot for us Africans.”

The final was contested between Senegal and Egypt, both led by Liverpool stars, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah – with Senegal edging it 4-2 on penalties.

The win means, Senegal have won their first continental title after Sadio Mane scored a crucial penalty kick having failed to convert one in regulation time to lift the trophy.

Source: Modern Ghana