Day: April 4, 2023

Minister of Information Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has stated that the three tax bills that were passed by Parliament on March 31, 2023 were already existing taxes that needed amendments.

According to him, the notion that these taxes were new and will cause hardships and overburden Ghanaians is not true.

Last week, parliament passed three revenue bills namely the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, the Excise Duty and Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bill, and the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill.

Government however believes that the implementation of the these revenue bills will rake in about GH¢4 billion annually to support domestic revenue mobilisation.

The information minister on his part explained that the tax measures have been expanded to make room for some other components to be added to the scope of the taxes.

Oppong-Nkrumah told Asaase Radio that “…These three revenue bills that have just been passed by Parliament are actually not three new taxes.”

“The Income Tax Act already exists; the Excise Duty Levy Act already exists and the Fiscal Responsibility Act already exists. The view of the fiscal policy managers is that there are some categories of persons and some transactions that are not covered by these already existing acts.

“And therefore, it is important to expand the base and include those ones in these already existing revenue measures,” Oppong-Nkrumah added.

Source: Ghana Web

A rainstorm hit Sefwi Bekwai in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region, destroying both private and public infrastructure.

Among the many structures damaged by the storm were the Public Health Centre and the Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School.

At least sixteen students were hospitalised at the Green Shield Hospital, a private health facility in Sefwi Bekwai, after suffering various degrees of injuries during the heavy downpour on Wednesday evening.

Many towns and villages in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality were flooded.

Sefwi Bekwai, Awaso, Nkatieso, Beposo, and Baakokrom are among them.

Many homes, shops, and other structures were destroyed. The roofing of the Sefwi Bekwai Health Centre and a canteen structure of the Bekwai Senior High School were ripped off, exposing all available healthcare equipment to rain.

Meanwhile, the Queen Mother of Sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Abena Eniwaah, has appealed to the government to provide a proper dining hall for Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School in order to avoid future occurrences.

Source: Ghana Web

Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, Member of Parliament for Nanton has opened up on how he got involved in a bloody accident last Friday (March 31) on his way to the House for a crucial vote on three taxes.

The MP, who doubles as deputy agric minister admitted to Accra-based Citi FM that he was over speeding and that resulted in the accident.

He recounted how he was driven to Parliament from the accident scene in an Uber adding that he was heading to the chamber to vote when some colleagues saw the state in which he was and subsequently took him to a washroom for medical attention.

Among others, he was injected, before an incision was made at the top right side of his eye where he sustained a deep cut. In the midst of all this, he restated his desire to be in the chamber to vote on the three bills.

“You may not really understand what was actually happening and I am sure you are also mindful of the important bills that we needed to pass… honestly speaking, I don’t know how you are going to feel about it or whoever is going to feel about it.

“I was for Ghana, I was for my party, my government and I needed to do whatever to get the bill passed,” he told EyeWitness News host, Umaru Sanda Amadu (April 3).

When the host asked: “Did you feel that your life was less important than the bill?” the MP responded: “yes, yes… if you want you can take it like that. I am fine.”

The three new taxes that were eventually passed with the help of his vote were: Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022, and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.

The Minority had stifly opposed the passage of the Bills, challenging the voice vote decision by the Speaker of Parliament.

It was the challenge that led to a head count of members present which meant every MP on the Majority side was needed to defeat the NDC’s 136 MPs who were all present.

Source: Ghana Web

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has announced that it will commence a joint exercise with the Ghana Police Service to remove all abandoned vehicles on roads across the country, on Wednesday, April 4, 2023,

According to the authority, the abandonment of vehicles on roads is an offense under Clause 21 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) of the 1992 Constitution.

In a release sighted by GhanaWeb, the NRSA added that owners or caretakers of vehicles abandoned on roads will be liable to a “summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than twelve months or to both”.

“The Authority announces for the notice of all owners of motor vehicles or trailers that with effect from 5th April 2023, the Authority, will liaise with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to compulsorily remove or cause the removal of any broken-down motor vehicle or trailer left on a roadway or in a circumstance that poses danger, or that is likely to cause an accident or injury to any other person using the road, to a safer location and surcharge the owner or person in charge of the motor vehicle or trailer with the cost of removal and storage for immediate payment prior to release of the motor vehicle or trailer to the owner or person in charge in accordance with Regulation 102 (1) and(l0) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180),” parts of the release read.

The authority, therefore, urged the public to take the needed steps to remove their abandoned vehicles from the road to avoid losing them or being fined.

Source: Ghana Web

CEO of McDan Group, Dr. Daniel Mckorley, described young entrepreneurs who oversleep and spend little time working on their dreams as lazy.

According to him, young entrepreneurs must expunge laziness, work hard and develop a positive attitude towards work.

He said “any person, who sees the rising of the morning sun through his window, stretches, and goes back to bed, is an idiot. In other words, if you are a young entrepreneur and you sleep for 8 hours, you are an idiot.”

McDan said this at the launch of the Ashanti Regional Chapter of Ghana Young Entrepreneurs conference.

Read the full story originally published on April 7, 2017, by www.ghanaweb.com

Speaking at the launch of the Ashanti Regional Chapter of Ghana Young Entrepreneurs (GYE), Dr. Daniel Mckorley, Chairman of McDan Group and advisory board member of GYE threw a challenge to the young entrepreneurs.

He said, “any person, who sees the rising of the morning sun through his window, stretch and go back to bed, is an idiot. In other words if you are a young entrepreneur and you sleep for 8 hours, you are an idiot.

Dr. Daniel Mckorley who was the keynote speaking at the conference, share his life story with the young business owners by way of motivation.

He said, “Growing up, I did all kinds of jobs; selling on the streets, drivers’ mate, a messenger etc. I have been through a lot. At the age 28, I made my first 1 million Dollars but lost all at age 32. In my entrepreneurial life, I have always guided myself with this principles; being strict, not relying on help, setting up multiple strings of income, expunging laziness, sleeping less, being sales driven, self-branding, being consistent,hardworking, determine, good attitude, high integrity and above all am always ready for failure.”

He congratulated the leadership of GYE for the initiative and urged them to push this agenda devoid of politics and self-aggrandizement. He also urged the new Regional committee to work hard to bring all young entrepreneurs under GYE for a stronger voice.

The CEO of GYE, Mr.Sherif Ghali in his welcome address expressed sincere gratitude to the organizers and the members in the region.

He went further to indicate that GYE will be launched in all ten Regions in Ghana to ensure the development of young entrepreneurs is being championed.

According to him, “Ghana’s Young Entrepreneurs (GYE) began as an informal association of some few young entrepreneurs who identified the need to come together in early 2015. The group Headed by Mr. Sherif Ghali was officially launched on 19th of November, 2016 in Accra.

GYE is registered under the registrar General as a Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O), the National Youth Authority (NYA), and an associate member of Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs.

At the moment GYE has a membership of over 6000 young business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs across the country.

I call on you and all young entrepreneurs who are driven by the passion to create wealth, jobs and contribute to national development to join Ghana’s Young Entrepreneurs (GYE). A youth association that is a firm believer of networks and its major strategic direction is based on its ability to build a robust network of entrepreneurs and create a strong movement that will be the voice to be reckoned with in championing youth entrepreneurship nationally”.

In attendance were, the KMA Mayor, Chiefs, Opinion Leadersand senior Entrepreneurs and speakers from the Ashanti Region.

The GYE National team will be in Sunyani on 3rd April, 2017 and Tamale on 7th April, 2017 to launch the regional chapters of BA and Northern Region as well.

Source: Ghana Web

Head of Psychology Department at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo has offered education to Ghanaians on how to handle persons who attempt to commit suicide.

Noting that suicide is a mental health disorder, Professor Osafo urged Ghanaians to adopt a calm approach and treat any person attempting to take his or her life with love, referring him or her to a Psychologist.

Making his submissions on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, the Senior Psychologist urged any person who finds someone trying to take his or her life or exhibiting signs of committing suicide to also report immediately to the Police.

He advised; “If you see that someone wants to take his or her own life, it is a medical emergency . . . you can call a Police officer. There’s nothing wrong with that as the officer can offer help.”

He cautioned against abuse of such persons stressing, “when you find someone who wants to commit suicide, don’t beat the person. If there’s nothing you can do to help, you can call the Police”.

Source: Ghana Web

A 25-year-old football coach accused of sexually molesting a 10-year-old boy at Adenta Ritz has had his trial truncated because there is no vehicle to transport him from prison to court.

Abdul Rahman Issaka, a convict, is also standing trial in another case for allegedly indecently assaulting an 11-year-old boy at Powerland, near Adenta. Issaka is currently serving his 15-year jail term at Akuse.

When the case was called at an Adentan Circuit Court, the Prosecution led by Chief Superintendent of Police Patience Mario said the Prison authorities were unable to produce him in court because of a lack of a vehicle.

The Court presided over by Sedinam Awo Balokah, therefore, adjourned the case sine die.

In the first case, the Police preferred a charge of defilement against the ex-convict. He is being held for allegedly having unnatural carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old boy.

In the second case, Issaka is alleged to have sexually violated “the body of the other person in a manner not amounting to carnal knowledge of the victim aged 11 years.” He has been charged with unlawful entry and indecent. Issaka has denied all the charges.

In the first case, the Prosecution said that the complainant was a trader residing at La Nkwantanang and the victim was her son. Issaka is a football coach at La Nkwantanang football park.

In March 2020, during the Lock Down, the victim went to play football at La Nkwantanang and thereafter, Issaka asked the victim to escort him to one Abeiku who is an adult footballer’s house at Adenta.

Prosecution said when they got there, Issaka took the victim into a room, and he (Issaka) asked the victim to remove his under pants and lie in a supine position which the victim did.

The accused persons also undressed and inserted his pennis into the victim anus but accused was unable to penetrate.

In January 2021, the accused went to the victim’s house and invited him to accompany him to a nearby shop to buy something.

Prosecution said the accused lured him into one Abeiku’s house and accused tried to have anal sex with the minor.

On June 17, 2021, a report was made to the Police.

In the second case Issaka is said to have tied and gagged the victim with some pieces of cloth and attempted to penetrate the victim, aged 10 years in the anus.

The victim, however, informed his parents about the accused’s conduct, and a formal complainant was a lodged and the accused person was arrested.

Source: Ghana Web

Samuel Takyi’s hopes of winning gold at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris could be on the rocks due to serious issues with his managers.

Takyi, who captured the bronze at the most recent summer Olympics and is 3-0 (3 KOs) as a professional, has expressed his desire to compete at Paris 2024.

However, in order to participate in the Olympics again, the lightweight prospect requires clearance from his promoter and manager, Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate, an outfit founded by Ghana boxing legend Ike “Bazooka” Quartey. Current contractual disagreements between the two could put Takyi’s plan on hold if they are not able to come to a compromise in time.

“He said he wants to compete at the Olympics in Paris but he should know that he has a contract with us and needs clearance from us,” said Clement Quartey, CEO of Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate in an interview with BoxingAfrica.com.

“Takyi wants out of the contract with us and we are willing to meet whoever would meet the demands to pay his buyout clause.”

Takyi and his management have been at loggerheads for some time now despite having a three-year contract. The animus led to Takyi dropping the aforementioned Quartey as his trainer and re-enlisting his amateur coach, Kwasi Ofori Asare.

“He has refused to pick up my calls but I hear he has been telling people that he doesn’t want to train with me anymore,” said Quartey to BoxingAfrica.com.

“I don’t have a problem with that but I want to advise him to be careful not to waste his talent due to some of these decisions.”

Meanwhile, sources close to the boxer have told BoxingAfrica.com that the 22-year-old informed Bazooka Promotions of his desire to sever ties and join newly registered African Warriors Promotions.

Meetings have been held by both parties in an effort to find an amicable termination of the contract and allow Takyi to move on with his career.

When BoxingAfrica.com contacted Bazooka Promotions, the CEO confirmed said meetings but noted that African Warriors Promotions were yet to agree to their financial demands which would allow them to take over the managerial and promotional obligation of Takyi.

“If a boxer doesn’t want to work with you, it is best you allow him to leave because you can’t force it,” said Clement Quartey.

“We are just waiting for them to pay us our due so we can terminate the contract and allow them to take over but there hasn’t been any agreement.”

Takyi’s pro career has stalled since last August, when he knocked out Samuel Moses in Moses’ native Nigeria. Much was expected of the talented Ghanaian after he ended Ghana’s 29-year Olympic medal drought with an impressive run at the Tokyo Games.

Takyi’s brewing issues with his management boiled over when he pulled out of a scheduled national lightweight championship bout with Victor Kuwornu last December due to an injury many believe was feigned.

Earlier this month, the pro fighter spoke of his desire to captain the Ghanaian national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, to the Olympics next year. In 2016, the International Boxing Association (IBA) ruled to allow professional fighters in the Olympics. Takyi believes his prior Olympic experience better positions him to capture gold at the 2024 Games in Paris.

“I will always love to have him in my team at the Olympics next year but he has to demonstrate his capabilities to get the nod ahead of others,” Kwasi Ofori Asare, trainer of Black Bombers told BoxingAfrica.com.

“We don’t have to restrict the conversation to him being experienced so he needs an automatic pass because it would mean we disallow other deserving boxers.”

Coach Asare’s comments were corroborated by Bernard Quartey, president of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), the statutory body in charge of amateur boxing in the country.

The GBF boss believes everyone must be given the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics through qualifiers which start with a National Individual Championship.

“Takyi is experienced but we can’t say he should walk into the team because he won bronze at the last Olympic Games because others have stepped up in his absence.

“If he wants to go to the Olympics then he has to beat the people in his division to get the nod. As you know, Joseph Commey replaced him at the Commonwealth Games and won silver so we have to be careful not to deny other good fighters the opportunity at the Olympics,” Bernard told BoxingAfrica.com.

Source: Ghana Web