Category: General

The Campaign Against Privatisation and Commercialization of Education (CAPCOE) has suggested that the government’s scholarships should become a tool for poverty eradication among beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).

LEAP is a cash transfer programme introduced by the government of Ghana in 2008 for extremely poor and vulnerable households, with eligible members being categorised into orphaned and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity, and elderly persons who are 65 years of age and older.

Mr. Richard Kovey, the convener of CAPCOE, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that it was unfortunate how brilliant but needy people were not offered scholarships when they applied, but rather politicians, businessmen, and a lot more were benefiting from them.

Mr. Kovey said targeting the LEAP beneficiaries would eradicate poverty on a large scale, ensure social improvement, and lead to a better future for the country.

‘The concentra
tion should be on the brilliant but needy students, if not necessarily the poor, those under the LEAP programme,’ he stated.

He said the country could leverage digitization, which is already being championed, to create a fair system, paving the way for those who are lacking in society to have the chance of furthering their education.

He said the issue of corruption relating to scholarship over the years had been massive since there was no sole institution managing scholarship affairs in the country and therefore urged for the establishment of a scholarship commission or authority.

‘Different state institutions are managing their scholarships, so it’s like they are not under one umbrella, so now it’s whom you know,’ he said.

He called on Ghanaians to hold those in authority accountable and not leave decision-making only in the hands of politicians.

Mr. Kovey further urged institutions to make information for public interest available and also update their websites on a regular basis to strengthen a system
devoid of abuse.

‘If we want to come out of this economic mess, the number one thing we have to identify is the fact that Ghanaians are becoming too self-centered, especially those in authority, and so what is meant for 10 people, one person wants to allocate it for himself or herself,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

NPP is at a crossroads and the current happenings within the party over the selection of a running mate could undermine the agenda to break the 8 if care is not taken to remedy it. The clamor for the number two position has come with its usual maneuverings and jostling.

Surprisingly, the tensions and divisions within the Ashanti Regional Party have reached a crescendo. This development portends danger for the party as it will likely deepen the woes of the party if lessons are not learned to guide the choice of the Running Mate.

It’s worrying to hear the energetic and youthful members of the party in the Ashanti Region who will certainly form the revolutionary team of the campaign threatening boycott if their preferred choice is not selected as Vice Presidential Candidate.

The factions created by vested interest groups along personalities like Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Chairman Wontumi/Dr Osei Adutwum is a big threat to the electoral fortune of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party and should not be ignored.

U
ncharacteristically, members of the various factions in the Ashanti Region are entrenched in their position that a choice from either camp will deepen the cracks among the grassroots members in the region instead of engendering cohesion and comradeship among Ashanti NPP.

Coming events they say cast their shadows before them; a running mate from Ashanti Region, the bulwark of NPP will potentially chase the elephant into the bush as the two factions have resolved to work against each other should they lose in their bid. In this circumstance, the party’s utmost interest would be served if the Vice Presidential Candidate is chosen outside this Akan group.

It’s common knowledge that the Ashanti Region is a major stakeholder in the NPP resulting in a significant number of appointments to persons from the region and thus, the number two position is not the only means of expressing NPP’s appreciation to the region.

Visibly, the Ashanti Region has featured prominently in the current and previous NPP administration
and will continue to remain so in any other NPP administration. Since the inception of President Akufo-Addo’s government in 2017, several prominent personalities from the region have been appointed to important positions in government.

For instance, over ten (10) cabinet-level positions have been occupied by persons from the region. Specifically, in the first term there were about ten (10) ministries that were assigned to persons from the region.

They include the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation and the Chief of Staff of the government.

Similarly, in the second term, a sizeable number of people from the Ashanti Region have headed important ministries notably: the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of
Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Works and Housing/Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Chief of Staff.

More so, important state companies and public bureaucracies have been handed to persons from the Ashanti Region as CEOs in light of the region’s invaluable contribution to the electoral fortunes of the party. They include Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ghana National Gas Company Ltd (Ghana Gas), Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Electricity Company Ghana Ltd (ECG), Ghana Oil Company Ltd (GOIL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Commission, Ghana Airports Company Ltd, Ghana Maritime Authority.

Others include the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, National Service Scheme, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ghana Education Trust Fund, National Commu
nications Authority, National Pensions Regulatory Authority, National Sports Authority, Youth Employment Agency, National Identification Authority, Micro-Finance and Small Loans Center, State Insurance Company Ltd etc. This list is without a recap of the many people serving as Deputy Ministers and Deputy CEOs.

Detailed engagements with key stakeholders social groups and chiefs show the people of the Ashanti Region appreciate the developmental record of President Akufo-Addo’s government in the area albeit the quest for more.

Nevertheless, certain vested interest groups who desire to accomplish personal political ambitions are deliberately seeking means to force the hand of the Flagbearer into appointing someone from the region without due cognizance of the current development in the region and the fact that Ashanti transcends beyond administrative boundaries.

At this crucial moment, the Flagbearer will have to exercise sound discretion and circumspection and settle on a compromise candidate with the capacit
y to mobilize voters nationwide, especially in the eight (8) Akan Regions, and cooperate with him in government.

Thus, a credible, affable, and young personality from Brong-Ahafo, the home region of Prof. K.A. Busia, with social ties to Eastern or Ashanti will save the party the headache it’s currently faced with.

Source: Ghana Web

The case of Mark Forson, the houseboy accused of murdering Dr Christopher Adu Boahen, the son of late Professor Albert Adu Boahen, has been adjourned to May 9, 2024.

A Kaneshie District hearing the matter did not sit hence the adjournment.

Forson, who has been provisionally charged with murder, had his plea preserved by the court.

The prosecution’s case is that the complainant is a surgeon at the Korle -Bu Teaching Hospital and friend to the deceased Dr Christopher Adu Boahen.

The prosecution said the accused, Mark Forson, was the houseboy of the deceased person.

On February 11, 2024, the complainant decided to visit his friend at home and upon reaching the door, was met with an usual smell.

The prosecution said the complainant then proceeded to the deceased’s room and found him lying on his bed dead.

The court heard that the complainant immediately proceeded to the East Legon Police Station and reported the matter.

The prosecution said the Police went to the scene of the crime and saw the deceased ly
ing on his bed with a rope around his neck, which suggested foul play.

The court heard that the body was conveyed to the Police Hospital Morgue for autopsy and preservation.

On March 14, 2024, the prosecution said Mark Forson was arrested for his involvement in the murder of Dr Christopher Adu Boahen.

According to the prosecution, investigation was underway.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Government and other stakeholders have been urged to protect the rights of street children to have access to education for a bright future.

Mr Tijani Mahmoud, Coordinator for Global Alliance for Streetwork for West Africa, an NGO, who made the call, said, ‘Providing street children with access to education will not only provide safe spaces and security whilst they are on the streets but also create opportunities to move away from the streets and go on to lead happy and healthy adult lives.’

He was speaking during the International Streets Children’s Day organised in Tamale by Street Invest Network, Northern Regional branch under the umbrella of Global Alliance for Street Work.

It was on the theme: ‘Belonging’ and was an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to discuss actions that could be taken to strengthen street-connected children’s sense of belonging.

This year’s event was to advocate the right and well-being of all children and to create awareness about the challenges faced by street-connect
ed children worldwide.

Mr Mahmoud said street-connected children were often unable to enroll in formal education due to a lack of parental care and poverty, especially in the rural areas of the country.

He called for collaboration to provide sustainable social intervention to enhance the lives of children in street situations by ensuring that every child, regardless of their differences, had an equal opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

He said, ‘It is time to take action to ensure street children no longer remain invisible and are able to benefit from the efforts towards inclusive and quality education for all.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Director-General, Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has called on cyber security experts in the West Africa sub-region to drive their mindset towards interoperability to help tackle cyber threats in the sub-region.

He said the digitalisation of economies, governments, and societies had been a transformative process that had led to numerous benefits, which had in turn contributed significantly to socio-economic development.

Dr Antwi-Boasiako said this during the opening of a three-day West African Symposium on Sector Collaboration and Information Sharing among Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), geared towards protecting global cyberspace.

The event intends to share ideas and build capacity towards a safe and resilient cyber ecosystem in the sub-region, Africa, and the world at large

The symposium saw in attendance 24 Cyber Security Practitioners, from 11 partner nations: Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leo
ne, Togo, and Ghana.

‘Unfortunately, as technology advanced, so did cyber threats, making it imperative for state and non-state actors to build the relevant skills, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to safeguard our digital ecosystems, hence the need for information sharing,’ the Director-General added.

He said Ghana’s National Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) ecosystem had benefitted from training including Creating and Managing CSIRTs and Foundations of Incident Management, organised in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

He said international collaboration was a key mandate of Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and membership of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) was a testament to this.

Dr Antwi-Boasiako said Ghana’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) officially joined FIRST in May 2021 through the support and sponsorship of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).

‘As one instance, CERT-GH is able to respond to an incident involving the le
akage of the personally identifiable information of citizens on a cryptocurrency trading website in the country, thanks to an alert received from a FIRST liaison member in January 2024,’ he added.

He said the membership of other international bodies such as Africa CERT similarly supported their efforts to improve the country’s cybersecurity resilience through collaboration, information sharing and capacity building.

The Director-General said to achieve effective cybersecurity incident response coordination, the Authority was mandated to establish Sectoral CERT to collect, collate, and coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents within sectors under Section 44(1) of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).

He commended the SEI for its vision to conduct regional events for CSIRTs, their stakeholders, and other cybersecurity partners to strengthen collaboration, information sharing, and trust among regional community member states.

‘I would also like to commend the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyb
erspace and Digital Policy for committing resources to the organisation of this event,’ he added.

Dr Angel Hueca, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, said one of the major ways to avoid Cyber threats in the subregion was to work collaboratively.

He said with language being a barrier in the West African sub-region, some technologies would assist in communication in the sub-region.

Dr Hueca said the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy had been engaged with several West African countries for several years, performing bilateral engagements with the embassies and workshops as a way of supporting West African countries to advance in the Cyber Security fight.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has emphasized that getting selected as a running mate for the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is a privilege and not a right.

According to him, no one will be imposed on the party, and thus, persons interested in becoming president on the party’s ticket should engage in future flagbearer elections instead of clamouring for the running mate position.

He explained that the selection of Bawumia’s running mate would prioritize choosing the most suitable candidate to complement him.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News on April 15, 2024, Boadu stated, “Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was nominated (as running mate) in August 2008, so we still have time to go, and like I said, it is nobody’s right to become a running mate. If you want to become president, contest when we reopen nominations.”

The Director General of the State and Governance Authority (SIGA) continued, “So, this noise about I should have it, and he or she should not have it a
nd creating all kinds of challenges, I think that it is something that must be stopped.

“Because even if the flagbearer chooses one person, which we have seen over the years, the National Council can decide that no, we won’t go with this person,” he added.

With only eight months to the 2024 general elections, Bawumia is yet to name his running mate.

However, some names have come up as potential running mates. They include Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communication; Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum, Minister of Education and MP for Bosomtwe; Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Energy Minister; Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff; and Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture, among others.

Source: Ghana Web

President Akufo-Addo who seem to have been caught in the tragedy of the biblical Moses took over an ailing economy of Ghana with high expectations in 2017and being a man in a hurry rolled out decisive innovative transformative ideas aimed at moving Ghana Beyond Aid until he got hit first by Covid-19 in 2020 and later by Russian-Ukraine War with their devastating effects on both lives and livelihoods of humans within the borders of our beloved Ghana.

As Ghanaians prepare to go to the polls in 2024, we find ourselves at a critical stage in the nation’s history. The challenges facing the country are daunting – from the lingering economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, to rising costs of living, widening fiscal deficits, and rising debt burden. The fact is no government in the history of Ghana has ever been hit by a pandemic and like Moses, President Akufo-Addo has done his best to keep the ship steady without sinking it. Indeed, he exhibited exemplary leadership that earned global
recognition in the manner in which he handled incidence of Covid-19 in particular but like Moses, at a point must bow out to hand over the baton to the Joshua of our time to help build the Ghana we aspire to be.

Moses was called to lead Israelites out of bondage, he did that per excellence until he encountered challenges in the wilderness—-a phase he had to hand over the baton to His Deputy, Joshua.

Ghana needs decisive, principled, servant leadership to steer it through these troubled waters into a transformed prosperous future. At this rough times, one man who stands as a beacon of hope is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president and presidential candidate of NPP. Like the biblical Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land after their long sojourn in the wilderness, Dr. Bawumia has the vision, integrity and suitable work ethics and connections to be Ghana’s modern-day deliverer. Going forward, Ghana certainly needs a tried and tested leader with bold solutions to help decisively deal with the
realities of our time. In Dr. Bawumia, Ghana would have a president of flawless character and proven competence to lead the nation to the “Promised Land” of prosperity and development. “If you want someone you can trust to come up with innovative and impactful ideas to transform Ghana, then it is Dr. Bawumia” as captured in his visionary speech on the election of NPP’s flagbearer.

Dr Bawumia has elevated vice presidential slot in Ghana into an enviable brand on the lips of many Cherished Citizens and this is a remarkable feat.

Indeed, Dr. Bawumia’s credentials as an economist, former Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana and most visible VEEP in the 4th Republic are sound. He has been key in successfully implementing critical policies like our digital address system, mobile money interoperability and national ID card-initiatives meant to make Ghana not only digitally ready and competitive but also a WISER(i.e. wealthy, inclusive, sustainable, empowered and resilient) economy. Under President Akufo-Addo and Dr. B
awumia’s reign, Ghana has consistently prioritized development of her immense human capital through initiatives like Free SHS programme, increased capitation grant and expanded the scope of school feeding programme with the firm belief that education indeed is a leveller. “If you are looking for the man who has the vision and commitment to prepare Ghana for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is Dr. Bawumia,” he proclaimed. “Who can you trust to protect and improve Free SHS? Once again, it is Dr. Bawumia” for NDC plainly said free SHS was only a fantasy and the best Ghana could do was to have a progressive FREE SHS. While touting his achievements, Dr. Bawumia also exhibited remarkable humility, by affirming—-“I do not intend to compare what I have achieved as Vice President under President Akufo-Addo to that of a Vice President who could not, perhaps, make a mark. I would let you be the judge of that.”

There is no higher religion than the call to serve for the next great task of Government is to chat a pa
th that inspires all to give off their best as pieces in the puzzle of economic transformation.

At his core, Dr. Bawumia is a man driven by a profound sense of duty to serving Ghana and uplifting all its cherished citizens. The Bible instructs in Proverbs 14:34 that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people”. Throughout his career, Dr. Bawumia has walked a righteous path, eschewed corruption and graft that have enriched many politicians at the expense of the masses– “I will work for you and with you; with honesty and integrity; with wisdom, and decisiveness,” vowed Dr. Bawumia. He understands that true leadership means being a servant of the people first. From his bold vision for the future to his humility and integrity, Dr. Bawumia personifies the principles found in 1 Peter 5:2-3 – “Be shepherds of God’s flock…not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” One of the pillars of Dr. Bawumia’s agenda is protecting the vulnerable through strengthenin
g social interventions such as LEAP, NHIS, School feeding and others.

Good stewardship of all resources being it physical, natural or man-made is Dr. Bawumia’s pledge to the good people of Ghana when offers the nod in 2024.

Dr. Bawumia also aims to leverage Ghana’s natural resources responsibly for the benefit of all Ghanaians. While the path ahead for Ghana seems scary, Dr. Bawumia has laid out a comprehensive Post Covid-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) supported by a $3 billion IMF program. The six pillars include restoring fiscal sustainability, enabling monetary policies to control inflation and currency instability, growth and job creation through diversification of the economy, and protecting the vulnerable. At the halfway point of the IMF program’s first review, Ghana has exceeded targets, with the Fund describing its performance as “compelling.”

Only the impossible is worth doing for our resolve and willingness to pay the price for the prize certainly differentiate our impossibilities from
their possibilities at all times.

The concrete results speak to Dr. Bawumia’s capacity to execute transformative ideas even in the midst of impossibilities. Moreover, he recognizes that Ghana’s mission must align with its constitutional ethos of building “an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous nation… operating within a democratic open and fair society in which mutual trust and economic opportunities exist for all. ‘In his stirring words: “Together, we can succeed in building a progressive society of possibilities, enterprise, compassion, open opportunities and shared prosperity for every Ghanaian, born rich or poor, born in the north or the south, born Christian or Muslim, born girl or boy.” This inclusive vision hews to the biblical exhortation found in Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus for IT IS POSSIBLE.” When Ghanaians go to the polls in 2024, they face a fundamental choice-plump for
the future of innovative, principled and unifying leadership offered by Dr. Bawumia, or cling to corruption, mismanagement and missed opportunities of the past? A vote for Dr Bawumia, is certainly a match to the promised land, where efficiency, accountability, possibilities and respect for all are the benchmarks of good governance. A chance for Dr Bawumia, is helping save Ghana from missed opportunities of holding Ghana at a standstill for at least four(4) years.

Democracy isn’t the voting; it is the counting because elections belong to the people not fixated for the next election but for the next generation.

As well captured in stone: “If you want a leader who has a proven record, and who you can trust to build Ghana with YOU and be more accountable to Ghanaians, then it is Dr. Bawumia’. A one-term President as being offered by NDC is certainly dangerous if we aspire to the long-term development of Ghana. Realities suggest, we need at least a year to put Government machinery in place, a year to put up a wi
nning plan and of course with politics taking centre-stage again in the third year of our 4-year election circle, meaning transferring power to a one-term Government should be critically assessed as they can ought to be reckless, sluggish and incompetent with excuses since they’ll not seek re-election from us again.

Life is a cycle of change, and time is an affirmation that every sunset is a chance to reset and spring forth with new ideas to build and transform our lives

A vote for Dr. Bawumia is then an activation of the Scriptures command in Joshua 1:9 to “Be strong and courageous; and never be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we will go.” In these trying times, Dr. Bawumia heeds that call as the courageous, principled servant leader the nation needs to cross over into a brighter future. Just as Moses could not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, President Akufo-Addo’s tenure has been marred by major shocks and crises not of his making though, but our HOPE is that w
e have a Joshua of our TIME in the person of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to safely and courageously take us to the “Promised Land” of sustainable development and prosperity for all.

Doors open to those who are bold enough to knock for life is surely

set to be Out with the old and IN with the BOLD.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is that leader-a visionary reformer of unimpeachable integrity who will restore hope, create opportunities and unify Ghana through ethical governance and inclusive policies. On election day 2024, Ghanaians should heed the clarion call of “The Time for Bawumia is Now!” and empower him to be the Joshua of our time for IT IS POSSIBLE with his promised BOLD SOLUTIONS. End

Source: Ghana Web

Immediate past National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has described as a national assignment the quest of the party to win the December 7 general elections.

He urged patriots of the party and the Ghanaian community to vote massively for the NDC as a national assignment to rescue the country.

According to him, the call for change has gone beyond just the members of the NDC but Ghanaians in general who are bearing the brunt of the mismanagement of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the NDC Canada Chapter, Mr. Ampofo who has been out of the public eyes for some time now, charged everybody to put in the work to ensure the victory of the NDC.

“Today, the quest for the NDC to win the next elections goes beyond partisanship. It has become a national clarion call for all hands to be on deck to ensure that this inept NPP government that has woefully failed everybody including their peop
le, is voted out of office.’

He urged the newly elected executives to set realistic and attainable objectives to help win the 2024 elections.

According to him, the main objective and reason for the existence of the NDC as a political party is to contest and win elections and that must be the preoccupation of party leaders and members alike.

‘The objective of the party is to win and form a government… So as new executives, your work is cut out for you; you have a short time to deliver,’ he said.

He further urged the executives to harness what he described as the three most important resources needed to win an election.

‘In our political campaign efforts, there are three resources at your disposal that you need to harness to ensure comprehensive and total victory. The first resource is human resource; the second is logistics and monetary resource; and the third resource is time, and so you need to harness these three resources so that you achieve your short, medium, and long term objectives,’ he urged.

Mr
. Ampofo further charged the party to not just work towards victory at the presidential level but ensure a comfortable majority for the former President John Dramani Mahama in parliament.

He stressed the need for unity within the rank and file of the party, adding leaders of the party do not necessarily have to be friends to work together to secure victory.

‘So the need for unity to progress is necessary; in fact, we do not need to be friends to work together but because the party has brought us together, we are enjoined to work together to produce results,’ he stated.

Below are the new executives of the NDC Canada Chapter:

Mr. Gameli R.K. Atakuma-Chairman, Mr. Aliu Abdul-Hamid-1st Vice Chairman, Ms. Keli Binder-2nd Vice Chairman, Dr. Eric Asempa-Secretary, Mr Michael Ologo-Organizer, Ms. Freda Atsunyo-Deputy Organizer, Ms. Aseye Kpodo-Women Organizer, Ms. Mabel E. Asempah-Darko-Deputy Women Organizer, Ms. Rebecca Bondzie, Deputy Secretary. Ms. Sharon Cudjoe-Treasurer, Ms. Samira Dzormeku-Deputy Treasurer
, Mr. Frank Opoku-Youth Organizer, Mr. Ahmed Ibn Wahab-Deputy Youth Organizer, Ms Francisca Arhin-Communications Officer and Mr. Ahmed S. Zakaria- Deputy Communications Officer.

Source: Ghana Web