Day: May 30, 2022

Accra, May 30, GNA – Mr Thomas Amo Amankwah, the third defence witness in the trial involving Dr Stephen Opuni and two others, says lithovit liquid fertilizer was a very good fertilizer and a “saviour” to farmers who used it.

He said, “we have used a lot of fertilizers in the past but the use of lithovit liquid fertilizer brought a lot of yields to us.”

The witness in a cross examination by Mr Nutifafa Nutsukpui, Counsel for Seidu Agongo, the Chief Executive Officer of Agricult Ghana Limited, told the court that it was not true that the lithovit fertilizer bought by COCOBOD had caused them financial loss.

Dr Opuni and Mr Agongo are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, corruption by a public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GH¢300,000.00 self-recognizance bail each.

He said it was also not true that any farmer had drunk or could drink the lithovit liquid fertilizer.

The witness said initially before the introduction of the liquid fertilizer, farmers were trained by officers of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of COCOBOD, where they were told that chemicals had effect on the body.

Mr Amankwah said what all farmers wanted was to get a better yield every year and they had used many fertilizers but the use of lithovit liquid fertilizer was “very good.”

He said no one ever complained about the fertilizer not being good and if it had had any negative effect on cocoa farms, farmers would not request for more supply from the government.

Mr Nutsukpui suggested to the witness that the State had indicated that COCOBOD had suffered a financial loss by buying the lithovit fertilizer, but Mr Amankwah disagreed, saying no COCOBOD official had said anything negative about the fertilizer.

The witness said the information gotten was that the Board decided to cease the supply of the fertilizer to farmers.

The case was adjourned to June 1, 2020, for continuation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ), in its latest report on Monkeypox, said the country recorded six cases and one death in May, 2022.

The centre said that Nigeria’s risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus was high based on the recent risk assessment it conducted.

The NCDC in its latest epidemiological summary on Monkeypox which was published on Sunday evening noted that since January 2022, Nigeria had continued to report sporadic cases of the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

According to the World Health Organization, the disease originated from West and Central African countries.

It has, however, been reported in other countries of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.

According to it, this year, as of May 29, a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death have been reported from nine states and the FCT – Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Imo (1), and Rivers (1).

It stated that one death was reported in a 40-year-old patient who had underlying co-morbidity and was on immunosuppressive medications.

The NCDC said that among the 21 cases reported in 2022 so far, there had been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus, nor changes in its clinical manifestation documented (including symptoms, profile and virulence).

It said a National Technical Working Group (TWG) was set up and saddled with the task of monitoring infections and strengthening preparedness and response capacity.

The disease agency said that genomic surveillance was ongoing at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and so far all of the cases have been confirmed to be caused by the West African clade Monkeypox virus.

“The TWG coordinated the development of national Monkeypox guidelines, capacity building of healthcare workers and surveillance officers on case detection, sample collection, laboratory testing for confirmation and sequencing of the virus at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory”.

It also intensified public awareness through risk communication.

The agency said that the Emergency Operations Centre for Monkeypox would continue to monitor the evolving situation to inform public health action accordingly.

“Symptoms of monkeypox include sudden fever, headache, body pain, weakness, sore throat, enlargement of glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and under the jaw, followed by the appearance of a rash (often solid or fluid-filled at the onset) on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals and other parts of the body,” it said.

The NCDC emphasised that members of the public should remain aware of the risk of Monkeypox and adhere to public health safety measures.

The centre also urged the public to report to the nearest health facility if they noticed the known signs and symptoms of the disease.

It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Monkeypox and report any suspected case to the relevant state Epidemiology Team for prompt public health intervention including sampling for confirmatory testing.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, May 30, GNA – Mr Isaac Bampoe-Addo, the Executive Secretary, Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), has called on all members to embrace the Association’s constant pursuit for better conditions of service.

He said it was time for the constituents of CLOGSAG to realise that there was “no virtue to being hypocritical” in constantly requesting for what was legitimately due all Civil Servants.

The Executive Secretary was speaking at the 6th Annual General Conference of the Association of District Coordinating Directors in Kumasi on the theme: “Digitalisation: A critical tool for transforming MMDAs.”

Mr Bampoe-Addo said: “The time has come for us to act now or never to extricate ourselves from the poor conditions of service that has virtually enslaved us.”

CLOGSAG, last two months, embarked on three weeks nationwide indefinite strike over unpaid “neutrality” allowances.

The Executive Secretary said it was time effective service delivery by Civil Servants was seen and properly recognised by the nation and commended members of the Association for their contribution to national development.

He said revenue generation at the country’s stage of development was very crucial for local Assemblies, adding however that, there was need to hasten cautiously in the application of technology.

“We are all aware that property rates form a bulk of revenue of the Assemblies, and some of these property rates are low-hanging fruits. You virtually don’t need technology to collect those revenues – it is very easy to collect them anyway,” Mr Bampoe-Addo stressed and appealed to the Government, through the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, to leave those “low-hanging revenues” to the Assemblies.

Touching on the theme, Mr Bampoe-Addo said the limitations of many on analogue were obvious because data and other documents could be lost through fire or floods and emphasised that focusing on digitization was a critical tool for transforming MMDAs.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 30, GNA — The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called for swift and thorough investigations into the murder of Mr Richard Badombie, a Lawyer and a member of the GBA.

The Association has also set aside a GHC20,000.00 reward for anyone who volunteers credible and legitimate information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime.

A statement signed by Mr Yaw Acheampong Boafo, National President, GBA and Lawyer Kwaku Gyau Baffour, National Secretary, GBA, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, urged the public to volunteer information to security agencies to enable them thoroughly investigate the matter, identify the perpetrators and make them suffer the consequences of their action.

An Accra-based lawyer, Richard Badombie, was on Saturday attacked and shot dead by armed robbers on the Bole-Bamboi Highway in the Savannah Region.

The Police said the victim was driving a Hyundai Accent saloon car with two other passengers on board, travelling from Accra to Jirapa, when the incident occurred.

According to the Police, when they got to a section of the road between Banda Nkwanta and Nuoyiri communities, three armed men emerged from the bush and signaled for them to stop and while slowing down, one of the robbers shot and killed the driver.

A manhunt has been mounted in search of the three suspected armed robbers.

The GBA said it had noted with grave concern the upsurge in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the country.

The statement commiserated with the families and colleagues of the deceased and the families of all persons who had lost their lives due to armed robberies and other violent crimes.

It assured GBA’s entire membership that the Association would do all within its powers to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the act.

The statement implored security agencies to intensify activities and programmes aimed at drastically reducing the crime rate in the country, especially armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

It also entreated security agencies to enhance education of the public on crime prevention and detection with a view to awakening the security consciousness of the citizenry.

“The GBA further urges the security agencies to intensify the protection of all persons living within the territorial borders of the Republic of Ghana so that they can feel safe and go about their daily activities and businesses in peace without the slightest sense of insecurity,” the statement added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 30, GNA— Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, has called for the measurement of productivity in the public and private sectors.

He noted that productivity was usually measured in the manufacturing sector and not in the service sector.

A news brief issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Employment Ministry and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the Minister made the call when Madam Vanessa Phala, the Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), paid a courtesy call on him.

It said the Minister noted that efficient public service would lubricate productivity in the other sectors.

The news brief said Mr Baffour Awuah assured the Organisation of the Ministry’s readiness to partner it to implement projects and programmes in the country because it had been a long-term ally of ILO.

It said the Minister welcomed the new ILO project dubbed: “Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW).”

Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW) is a four-year facility of the ILO estimated to cost Five Million dollars.

The news brief said Mr Baffour Awuah was grateful to the ILO for selecting Ghana as one of the countries aside South Africa and Vietnam, earmarked for the project.

It said the Minister also commended the ILO for the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprise (SCORE) project that ended last year, which he said was impactful.

Madam Phala said the meeting was towards the take-off of the project.

She expressed gratitude to the Ministry for readily accepting the project.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema, May 30, GNA – The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana (EPCG) has commissioned the Teshie Church Auditorium after winning the case in a protracted litigation for the past 27 years.

In 1991, a constitutional crisis hit the EPCG leading to a breakaway faction illegally taking possession of some property of the Church, including the Teshie Chapel.

After 27 years of litigation, an Accra High Court, on January 25, 2021 ruled in favour of the EPCG, ordering the defendants, Global Evangelical Church, to return the building located on the Teshie Fertilizer Road to its rightful owners.

The dedication marked the opening of the chapel for service, the first time after 30 years.

The Right Reverend Dr B. D. K. Agbeko, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the EP Church Ghana, speaking on the theme: “Maintain the Unity of the Body,” advised the congregation to live in harmony with members of the Global Evangelical Church and “see them as fellow brethren in Christ.

“During the period of the litigation each congregation and their leadership in their rightful understanding was doing the work of God, let us not be resentful toward our fellow Christians, the period of litigation is over once the legitimate law court of the land has ruled,” he noted.

Rt Rev Agbeko advised the congregation that no matter the situation they found themselves as Christians, they should always be at peace with one another.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Wa, May 30, GNA – Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Works and Housing says government has not ignored contractors but rather value the important role they play in the country’s development environment.

“We would like to remind you that you have not been ignored but we recognise your important role within the construction environment”, he stated.

He said the housing sector was of great importance to the economy and a dependable indicator for measuring the economic growth of the country.

Mr Asenso-Boakye said this in a speech read on his behalf at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG) held in Wa.

He said government would continue to collaborate and create the enabling environment for the housing sector to thrive.

Mr Asenso-Boakye who was the guest of honour, said the vision of the government for the housing sector was to use an appropriate mix of public and private sector investments to deliver quality, safe and affordable housing solutions to meet the needs and financial capacity of the people.

“The government is aware of the importance of investing in the construction industry since it is one of the driving forces for the infrastructure development, as well as contributing to the sustainable development of the country”, he said.

The Works and Housing Minister said the census report on housing characteristics had revealed that approximately 12.7 per cent of the total structures counted were vacant housing units.

He said it gave a clear indication that the housing supply had out- priced the average person in Ghana and failed to address the housing needs of a significant segment of the society.

He said the government had therefore prioritised the delivery of affordable housing units over the medium term and further desired to institute a programmatic approach to addressing the affordability gap and increase access to various types of affordable housing, thereby reducing the housing deficit.

“In doing so, the Ministry intended to create the enabling environment to support affordable housing, induce private sector investment and engender the mobilization capacity of the not-for-profit sector towards meeting the needs of lower income households and other vulnerable groups”, he said.

The prevailing strategy of the government to secure land banks and provide the requisite infrastructure services to the sites, designated as affordable housing enclaves, to leverage private sector investment for affordable housing construction.

Mr Prosper Ledi, the National President of the ABCECG raised concerns about the adhoc land acquisition, especially in the Accra Plains, which was reserved as a food basket zone several years ago, which would eventually affect food crop production.

Another red flag he raised was the unbridled use of arable land for housing including private farmlands, which were now being used to construct houses instead of production of food crops.

He said it was not surprising that food inflation for March was very high at 22.4 per cent when the overall inflation was 19.4 percent; noting that if care was not taken, Ghana would suffer serious food insecurity issues in the near future.

“The development of infrastructure in national reserves, the pollution of water bodies with chemicals and the plastic waste menace, land degradation through bush burning, the exportation of unprocessed timber and the underpayment of farmers who grow the timber, among others were all unsustainable”, he said.

Mr Ledi said the ABCECG and its team of consultants were preparing everything necessary to obtain project funding to address the gaping housing and infrastructure deficit.

“We believe it must be done in close collaboration with the Housing Ministry, Lands Commission, the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, and the Ministry of Roads and Highways and all other relevant agencies”, he said.

He said the ABCECG was also committed to finding innovative ways to enhance members’ chances at getting projects from both public and private sector clients.

In that regard, consultants had been engaged to build the capacities of contractors through onsite training during the pilot housing projects, which would be built using appropriate construction technologies to help enhance competitiveness.

Source: Ghana News Agency

As part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene among the youth in the Asante Akyem North Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Adesua foundation, a non-governmental organisation together with a p with Stephen Obeng – Saka foundation has donated dozens of sanitary pads to female students.

The donations were made to students at Brantuokrom and Adinkra JHS as part of activities marking this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day which was observed on 28th May. The day has been set aside to create menstrual hygiene awareness.

The foundation theme for this year is ” Menstruate with Pride”.

Founder of Adesua Foundation, Nana Frimpong Manso who led the team in presenting the pads said the fundamental aim of the project is to promote education, sanitation and hygiene within the municipality. He said the foundation plans on engaging in similar activities.

Mrs Sara Agyeman, a staff nurse with Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, who represented the Ghana Health Service educated students on the reasons why hygiene is necessary.

She stated that regular shaving of the genitals and changing of soaked pads help prevent infections during menstruation.

She added that parents must play their role in demystifying menstruation and create an environment where such conversations can be had.

Mrs Agyemang also advised the students to seek medical attention whenever they notice disorders in their menstrual cycle.

Municipal Culture and Girl Child Coordinator, Mrs Doris Pokuah speaking to the media on reasons for involving both genders in the training said men have a role to play when hygiene is concerned.

Some students after the training and presentation thanked the organisation for the gesture and promised to practice what they had been thought.

Source: Modern Ghana