Day: June 25, 2023

The Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has denied reports of the imposition of luggage fumigation charge on passengers, asserting that no such decision has been made by the board

According to an Asaase Radio report, Board Chairman Paul Adom-Otchere briefed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the matter upon his return from France but the president kicked against the policy.

The news of a proposed US$7 per passenger luggage fumigation tax has sparked widespread backlash and condemnation across social and mainstream media platforms.

In a swift response to the circulating reports, Kwabena Nyarko, a member of the GACL board, expressed doubt about the authenticity of the claims. Nyarko emphasized that any significant policy proposal with tax implications on passengers would require thorough discussion and approval by the board, a step that has not taken place.

Source: Ghana Web

The German government has agreed to repatriate artifacts seized by the Germans during the colonial days from the people of Akpini Traditional Area, in Kpando from the Volta Region.

The artifacts which are being kept in a museum in Berlin, and taken from the people somewhere in 1880, include drums, amulet, headdress, ceramic vessel and two ivory horns built with human jaws and bones.

To this end, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state agencies, as well as the traditional leaders of Akpini, are planning the repatriation process as some traditional rites is needed to be performed in Germany before the repatriation begins.

The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Daniel Krull disclosed this in Accra, at a conference organised by the Mariam Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA).

Themed ‘Restitution, Museum, and Cultural Policies in West Africa,’ it brought together archeologist, academia, students, media personnel and other stakeholders, to brainstorm over how to restitute artifacts seized from the African continent to its rightful owners.

Mr Krull said he was hopeful the conference would speedily provide the needed guidelines to repatriate the artifacts from the German museum to Ghana.

The Ambassador, although could not provide detail information as to when the artifacts would be returned to the people of Akpini said, the repatriation of the artifacts would depend on the government of Ghana, and the traditional leaders of Akpini area.

A Professor of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Kodzo Gavua said, the artifacts had some spiritual connections with the people of Akpini.

He said the traditional leaders of Akpini had requested for their priest to be sent to Germany to perform traditional rites, and suggest how the repatriation should be done.

Professor Gavua however, said the traditional leaders of Akpini had earlier suggested that the repatriation of the artifacts had to pass through the same process it was sent to Germany.

He was confident that the artefacts if returned would boost Ghana’s tourism industry, as it would attract curious tourists and contribute to the local economy of Kpando.

He suggested that the artifacts when repatriate should be kept temporarily at the palace of the paramount chief of Kpando, pending the construction of a museum to promote heritage education in the area.

The Germans took the artifacts from the Akpini people in the beginning of the 20th century, and arrested the King of Akpini Traditional area, Togbe Dagadu III and exiled him.

The ivory horns for example, were unique and served as an important heritage because they were used to rally the people of the community together.

Source: Ghana Web

Prophet Kofi Oduro, the founder and leader of Alabaster International Ministry has descended heavily on the four robbers who killed a policeman at Ablekuma FanMilk during a robbery operation on a bullion van.

The prophet invoked curses on the robbers and their descendants for causing pain and grief to another family.

Prophet Kofi Oduro explained that the vengeance of God will befall the killers down to their 20th generation.

“The fools who shot a policeman last Thursday, let me boldly tell you, you may have already shared the loot amongst yourselves but the vengeance of God will come after you. Yeah! I’m telling you. The blood of Amoah and that of Osei will cry out unto you and the descendants after you; 20 generations are destroyed. I curse you from this generation unto the 20th generation.

“If nobody has told you, I have told you, On behalf of Amoah who had died a painful death and left a wife and two children,” Prophet Oduro swore.

On Thursday, June 22, 2023, some armed men attacked an improvised Cash In Transit (CIT) vehicle and killed a police officer who was performing escort duties at Ablekuma FanMilk.

The deceased was seated in the front seat of the white van at the time of the attack.

He succumbed to several gunshots fired at him by one of four assailants, who made away with two bags whose contents remain unknown.

Source: Ghana Web

Black Meteors head coach, Ibrahim Tanko, has named a strong line-up to face Congo in Ghana’s 2023 U-23 AFCON group opener against Congo.

Daniel Afriyie, Fatawu Issahaku, and Danad Ibrahim who were rested during the team’s friendly against Zamalek have all returned to starting eleven.

Nordsjaelland winger, Ernest Nuamah has also been handed a start in spite of arriving late in camp due to his assignment with the Black Stars in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers…

The Meteors will be hoping to get off to a good start at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The game is scheduled for 3:00 GMT kick-off time.

Source: Ghana Web

Congo’s head coach, Cyril Ndonga, has set the tone for his team’s participation in the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations, as they gear up to face Ghana in their opening match on Sunday.

Ndonga has refused to categorize his team’s status in the competition and emphasized their noble ambitions as they enter Moroccan territory.

“We arrived in Moroccan territory with noble ambitions,” Ndonga stated confidently. “We have been drawn into a tough group. We must fight match after match with the same determination.

“We are neither challengers nor underdogs, nor favorites in this AFCON. That being said, we are aware of our progress and have strong arguments to make.”

Congo’s coach has instilled a sense of confidence and determination in his players, highlighting their progression and readiness to take on any opponent.

“With victories over Tunisia and South Africa during the qualifiers, Congo has already proven their mettle against formidable African football powerhouses.

The stage is now set for the highly-anticipated match between Ghana and Congo, which will take place at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.

This encounter marks Congo’s first-ever participation in the TotalEnergies CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations, adding an extra level of excitement to their debut.

Source: Ghana Web

The minority caucus in parliament has stated that the Ablekuma bullion van shooting incident on Thursday, 22 June 2023, which resulted in the death of a young policeman, has revealed the government’s insincere commitment to the welfare of the Ghana Police Service.

A group of four robbers approached the van at a Star Oil fuel station in Ablekuma Fanmilk and opened fire on the plain-clothed police escort, fatally injuring him.

The driver managed to escape unharmed. The police have initiated a manhunt for the robbers.

Speaking to Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on Class91.3FM’s mid-day news 12Live on Friday, 23 June 2023, Mr. James Agalga, the ranking member of the defence and interior committee of parliament, expressed his astonishment that another bullion van robbery had occurred, leading to the killing of a police officer, despite a similar incident happening in 2021 and the assurance from the Minister for the Interior that all police escorts would be provided with the necessary protective gear for such duties.

Mr. Agalga highlighted that after the Minister for the Interior had promised to equip police personnel with appropriate gear such as helmets and jackets to enhance their confidence and ensure their survival in case of an attack, a similar incident has occurred again.

He described the incident as an exposure of the government’s ongoing lip service regarding the safety of personnel.

Mr. Agalga emphasised the importance of prioritising the safety of the police force, stating that neglecting their well-being is highly undesirable and that serious measures must be taken to address this issue.

Source: Ghana Web

Black Meteors coach, Ibrahim Tanko, is expected to put his best men forward for Ghana’s 2023 U-23 Africa Youth Championship opener against Congo on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Skipper Daniel Afriyie alongside Fatawu Issahaku and Danad Ibrahim who were rested during the team’s friendly against Zamalek would return to the lineup.

Highly-rated winger, Ernest Nuamah is also expected to start despite arriving late in camp due to his assignment with the Black Stars.

Ghana head into the game from a backdrop of a four-game unbeaten run, including the qualifiers.

They beat Algeria 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament before drawing one-all with Egypt and trashing Zamalek 4-2 in their friendly games.

With hopes of securing qualification to the Olympics Games for the first time since 2004, the Meteors will be hoping to get off to a good start at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The game is scheduled for 3:00 GMT kick-off time.

Below is Ghana U-23’s preidcted line-up to face Congo:

Danlad Ibrahim

Aaron Essel

David Oppong

Nathaniel Adjei

Samuel Ashie Quaye

Emmanuel Essiam

Nsobila Dominic

Hafiz Ibrahim

Fatawu Issahaku

Daniel Afriyie Barnieh

Ernest Nuamah

Source: Ghana Web

Heavy rainfall from Monday to Friday June 23, 2023, has caused River Bonsa to overflow its banks leaving lots of people homeless at Aklika in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

Some houses have collapsed, while other households in the scattered community have been surrounded by the flood making it difficult for occupants to move out.

The Chief of Aklika, Nana Godson in an interview with GhanaWeb said “The flood which started from Tuesday has carried all the canoes we have on the Bonsa river away, so we are unable to cross the river to the other side.

“The situation is so serious that people have run out of food. Stores in this community have run out of stock so we don’t get anything to buy her”, he added.

Speaking to GhanaWeb via telephone, one resident, Isaiah Mintah who is a father of eight said,” I had to swim in the flood this morning to one woman we have been buying from if I could get some gari to buy, but when I got there, I didn’t get anything. I only had salt which I bought so that we could use it to cook few maize I harvested from my farm for my family.”

He added that “All we need now is a canoe to help us cross the river. We are appealing to the authorities to help get a canoe, else we will die of hunger.”

The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal NADMO Director, Francis Amoah, in an interview, encouraged community folks to remain safe in order not to lose anyone during this time.

He called on individuals who can support in getting a canoe for the people to do so, as his outfit is looking for a way to find a solution to the problem.

Source: Ghana Web