Day: May 20, 2024

One person died, and several others, including close protection and police officers, sustained various degrees of injuries after the presidential convoy was involved in an accident on Sunday evening.

The dead was identified as Mr Kwesi Atta, a driver.

The incident occurred along the Bunso-Akyem-Asafo stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway as the convoy was on its way back from Kumasi, after accompanying the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for a series of events over the weekend.

A statement issued by the Communications Directorate, Office of the President, said the President was ‘safe and unharmed, as he travelled to Accra via a military aircraft’.

‘Several vehicles in the convoy have been completely wrecked as a result of the accident,’ the statement noted.

The injured, who received initial treatment at the Suhum Government Hospital, have been evacuated to the University of Ghana Medical Centre for further treatment and observation.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, and
we wish a speedy recovery to the injured officers,’ the statement noted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The victims of military brutalities in Wa are yet to receive their compensation from the government nearly three years since the incident occurred, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, the Overlord of the Wala Kingdom, has said.

He said the temper of the people in Wa was assuaged following a promise made to them by the military high command that the victims of the brutalities would be duly compensated by the government.

‘Your Excellency, July 3, 2024, will be three years after the unfortunate incident but up till now the promised compensation has not been paid’, Naa Pelpuo said.

He was speaking in Wa when the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, called on him to start his campaign tour of the Upper West Region and to seek his blessing and support in his journey to the Jubilee House.

It is recalled that some military personnel in Wa stormed some streets in the township on July 3, 2021, and assaulted civilians they came across on the streets in retaliation for an alleged theft case of a mobile phone belongi
ng to a military officer.

Naa Pelpuo, therefore, appealed to the government through the Vice President to intervene to enable the aggrieved victims of the brutalities get the compensation due them as they were beginning to lose hope in that promise.

The Chief also appealed to the Vice President to help provide hostel facilities for the Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHTU) as the lack of student hostels was affecting academic activities in the school.

He lamented that DHLTU was the only technical university in the country without a hostel for students, a situation he described as disheartening.

He also appealed for the provision of buses for the Nursing Training College, Wa and the Wa Islamic Senior High School, completion of the Wa Islamic Girls’ Senior High School fence wall project, development of the Wa Naa Palace School and timely supply of farm inputs to farmers in the region as the rains set in.

Dr. Bawumia assured the Chief and his people of taking his request into consideration.

He also
assured him of conducting a clean campaign devoid of insults in the lead-up to the December 7 election.

He said the current NPP-led government had done a lot for the region and the country in general and he was coming in as the President to continue with the development interventions of the current government.

In a subsequent meeting with the Islamic clergy in Wa, Dr. Bawumia said he had contributed significantly to the development of the country as a Vice President within the last seven years with the introduction of 33 different policy interventions.

He mentioned some of the interventions including the Free Senior High School policy, which he said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) vehemently opposed, the Ghana Card, One-Constituency-One Ambulance, Agenda 111, a network of database of government hospitals and the Zongo Development Fund among others.

He said if given the opportunity to lead the country as the President, he would do more for the development of the country and the well-being of the peo
ple considering his achievement as Vice President.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Youth Advocacy Network (YAN), a group of youth advocates in the Wa West District, has engaged young people in the district to empower them to participate actively in the decision-making process.

They were also trained to promote adolescent reproductive health education, rights, education, and development of the girls in their communities.

The initiative by YAN had support from Plan International Ghana as part of efforts to promote youth participation in decision-making, promotion of girls’ rights and reproductive health education.

The young people, majority of whom were females, were trained using the ‘Child Protection Community Facilitation Toolkits’ which focused on gender role analysis and their responsibilities among others.

Speaking at the training in Meteu, Mr Felix Wuurah, the Coordinator of the Network, thanked Plan International Ghana for supporting the Network in its capacity-building activities and stakeholder engagements, especially on girls’ rights and youth development.

He encouraged th
e youth-led and youth-focused groups to engage in activities regularly to build their capacities on various issues that affect them.

‘Don’t hesitate to call on any stakeholder like the National Youth Authority, Plan International Ghana, and the youth advocates around the community if you are facing any challenges’, he told the young people.

Mr Amankona Ampofo, the Upper West Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), expressed gratitude to Plan International Ghana for its dedicated support to youth development in the region, especially the Wa West District.

He cited the activities of the Upper West Regional Youth Parliament, the Youth Advocacy Network and the Music for Change group among others as some youth development interventions the organisation was supporting in the region.

Mr Ampofo encouraged young people to strive to participate in decision-making processes in their communities and undertake voluntary community activities.

Mr Sumaila Chakurah, the representative of Plan Internation
al Ghana at the training, assured the people of the organisation’s commitment to supporting youth development, particularly girls’ education, their reproductive health, and the general well-being of girls and adolescents.

He also charged the youth to take their education, health, and well-being seriously and engage stakeholders in promoting youth development and well-being.

Similar engagements with the adolescent groups had been held in the Wechiau and Baleufili communities in the Wa West District while plans were in place to extend it to the remaining project communities.

The Network also engaged women groups in the Kendeu community on equal rights for boys and girls at home.

The parents were also urged to create friendly relationships with their children, particularly the girls to enable them openly report issues that affect them such as sexual harassment to their parents.

The YAN is a network of young people operating in eight communities in the Wa West District – Wechiua, Kandeu, Kpanfa, Tendoma, Met
eu, Nyoli, Jagluu and Kachiau.

The group seeks to foster inclusive communities where every girl and young person can achieve their full potential without discrimination.

It prioritises adolescent sexual reproductive health education, girls’ rights promotion, and youth participation in decision-making processes at the family and community levels.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana will join the international community to mark World Metrology Day (WMD), which falls on Monday, May 20, 2024.

World Metrology Day is celebrated annually on May 20 to highlight the significance of measurements in society and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, a treaty signed by representatives of 17 States that provides coherent measurement system worldwide.

Metrology refers to the science of measurement and it plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing, and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.

The theme for WMD 2024 is: ‘Sustainability’, chosen for its relevance to various measurement opportunities crucial for fostering a sustainable global economy and environment.

In line with this year’s theme, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), which is the National Metrology Institute of Ghana, will observe the Day in Kumasi, with a series of activities aimed at raisin
g awareness of the critical role of metrology in the establishment of a sustainable global economy and environment.

The GSA will organise a market sensitisation event at the Kumasi Central Market on May 20, which is primarily aimed at traders who use measuring instruments, such as scales, in the delivery of their products or services to customers.

The Authority will educate people in the market and verify some of the scales.

The Authority will then hold a workshop for metrology stakeholders on May 21 to engage and educate female Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) on the role and importance of accurate measurements, its impact on business success, environmental sustainability, and global development.

There will also be a media outreach within the Kumasi Metropolitan area aimed at raising awareness and explaining the importance of Metrology in various aspects of daily lives.

The WMD acknowledges and honours the contributions of individuals working in intergovernmental, regional, and national metrolo
gy organisations and institutes year-round.

The GSA urged all stakeholders and the public to join in the celebration of the Day.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Lands and Mining Watch Ghana (LMWG), a civil society organisation dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices, has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene in the Adamus Mining case.

That they believe will install the rule of law in the mining sector.

In a petition signed by Mr Solomon Owusu and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, the LMWG appealed to the government to assert its authority and fulfill its responsibilities to safeguard the Nation’s interest in the Mining sector.

‘Transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law are essential for the sustainable management of Ghana’s natural resources and the equitable distribution of their benefits among all citizens.

‘Mr. President, LMWG believes strongly that it is high time this issue is addressed to whip up confidence in our justice system, as well as promote proper mining practices in Ghana and protect Ghana’s 10% shares in the Adamus Resources.

‘We urge your prompt intervention to
address the environmental and social concerns surrounding this issue.

Adamus Mining, a company 90% owned by Adamus Australia and 10% owned by the Government of Ghana has been embroiled in a legal tussle after the purported sale of 90% of the company’s stake to Nguvu Mining Limited, a company registered in Mauritius was challenged on account that the person who signed the alleged share transfer agreement was not a Director or officer of the company hence lacked capacity to do so.

This culminated in a series of injunction applications which caused the Accra High Court to institute an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to steer the affairs of the company and manage the accrual of revenue until a final determination of the matter.

‘However, in an act of flagrant disregard for the court’s directives, Nguvu Mines the company purported to have purchased the 90% stake in the Adamus Mines are shipping gold mined by the company without the approval of the duly appointed IMC’.

The statement said the Interim Manageme
nt Committee (IMC) which was formed by the Accra High Court of Justice (Commercial Division 7), on March 1, 2024, to direct the Management of Adamus Resources Limited was continuously being prevented from executing its mandate as per the court ruling.

‘There have been instances of the Ghana police service providing security to the IMC on trips to the company’s headquarters at Airport residential only for the police to withdraw their services at the eleventh hour due to as they put it ‘orders from above’.

There are also several allegations of influential political figures interfering in the work of the IMC and thwarting their efforts.

‘Mr. President, we are appalled by the revelation that Angela List, in collaboration with select individuals from political and security circles are orchestrating a bold and illegal move to export gold valued allegedly at over 7 million USD from Adamus Resources.

‘Owing to these interferences, we deem it imperious to petition the presidency as a civil society organization sin
ce the government of Ghana owes Ghanaians a duty to protect the state’s shares, particularly its substantial 10 percent stake in Adamus Resources’.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and her adult children were in Kumasi to celebrate the 74th birthday of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as well as the 25th anniversary of his enstoolment as Asantehene.

A statement issued by the Kobina Andoh Amoakwa, the Communications Director of the Rawlings Foundation, copied to the Ghana News Agency said on Sunday May 12, the family, clad in colourful attire joined well-wishers from across Ghana and other parts of the world to celebrate the grand commemorative Akwasidae ceremony at Dwabrem, Manhyia Palace.

It said Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Amina Agyeman-Rawlings and Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, alongside their mother, took turns to congratulate Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as he sat in state, while adding beauty and colour to an exceptionally resplendent ceremony.

It noted that earlier on Monday, May 6, the entire family led by Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and comprising Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi were at the St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in
Kumasi for the Birthday Thanksgiving Service of the Asantehene.

Adding that they also attended a birthday dinner on the same day in honour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is a direct descendant of the Ashanti Royal family and has close ties with Manhyia and it makes it a responsibility to participate in most traditional Ashanti events.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A professor of International Economic Law, Melaku Geboye Desta, has asked African governments to match their words with actions to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Doing so, he said, required building institutional capacities and creating an enabling environment for more private sector participation, as well as increased sensitisation.

He spoke exclusively with the Ghana News Agency over the weekend, in Accra, on the margins of a two-day conference, which took stock of the five years of coming into force of the AfCFTA.

The conference, which was attended by law students, researchers, and industry players, was on the theme: ‘Taking stock of the implementation of the AfCFTA: continental efforts, State commitment and private sector involvement.’

It was organised by the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA Law School, together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ – German Development Corporation), and other p
artners.

Prof Desta explained that the ratification of the five protocols of the AfCFTA had set a strong foundation for achieving the goals of the tariff free-quota free, cross-border trade among African countries.

The regulations are rules of origin, tariff concessions, online mechanism on monitoring, the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and the African trade observatory.

He said, ‘in many cases on the continent, we have so many good ideas, but we don’t invest in our capacity; the ability of our institutions to translate our promises into realities.’

‘We need to invest in building capacities. When people have the capacity to action, we can make a difference in our lives, and for that action to happen, we need the capacity,’ he noted.

Prof Desta, who is also the Coordinator for the African Trade Policy Centre UN Economic Commission for Africa, stated that in the past five years, governments on the continent had done well with the agreement.

‘The completion of the five protocols is a hu
ge achievement. Now, let’s move to the next level and make the trade happen. Let’s sensitise and support the private sector, because without them the AfCFTA won’t make any meaningful impact,’ he said.

He explained that though physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, sea and airports, were critical, without the requisite legal framework, the implementation of the free trade agreement would be hindered.

‘We need to invest a lot to build infrastructure, which is not going to be easy and cheap, but even if we want to have infrastructure tomorrow, if don’t have the legal infrastructure, that’s not going to bring anything,’ Prof Desta explained.

Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat, stated that the legal framework governing the implementation of the AfCFTA, has been made to address disputes regarding design flaws and political issues in similar agreements.

He expressed confidence that the implementation of the agreement would transform intra-African trade system for development thro
ugh a legally binding regulation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), says her party will outline strategic interventions to revitalise and strengthen the local poultry sector.

She said this during a seminar with the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers held at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.

The seminar was on the theme: ‘Overview of Ghana’s Depressing Poultry Industry and its Impact on Future Food Security.’

Delivering a speech at the seminar, Dr. Hanna Bisiw-Kotei highlighted the NDC’s plans to implement policies that mandate importers to procure 40% of their poultry locally, creating a $110 million market for local producers.

She emphasised the critical need for strategic interventions to reduce Ghana’s reliance on poultry imports and foster economic growth.

Dr. Hanna Bisiw-Kotei stated the need for the establishment of an open and transparent market system to ensure price stability and promote industry growth.

The NDC’s Women Organiser also detailed a roadmap invo
lving four fundamental pillars: securing the poultry value chain, creating jobs, removing entry barriers, and promoting sustainable practices through technology adoption.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the NDC’s running mate for the 2024 elections, graced the occasion as the keynote speaker, emphasising her party’s unwavering commitment to foster economic growth.

She highlighted that the NDC’s manifesto included comprehensive plans aimed at fostering growth and

sustainability through the implementation of the 24-hour economy policy and the 60:40 policy for local contractors across various sectors, including agriculture.

The seminar addressed the urgent need for supportive policies to strengthen the local poultry industry, which has been struggling due to a heavy reliance on imported chicken meat.

Source: Ghana News Agency