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Prophet Salifu Amoako’s Fans Assault Chronicle reporter, others

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Prophet Salifu Amoako

Supporters of Elisha Salifu Amoako, Founder and General Overseer of Alive Chapel International, caused commotion and violent disturbance at the Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The altercation occurred as journalists attempted to report on a court hearing involving Elisha Salifu Amoako, who, along with two others, had been granted bail in connection with a fatal car crash involving his underage son.

The court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, granted bail to Elisha Salifu Amoako, Mouha Amoako and Linda Bonsu Bempah, each in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties.

The three are facing charges related to an accident on October 12, 2024 which resulted in the death of two 12-year-old children.

Following the hearing, tensions erupted when Elisha Salifu Amoako’s supporters attempted to prevent journalists, who had been accredited by the Judicial Service, from covering the case.

The supporters clashed with members of the press, forcefully seizing a phone from GHOne legal correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was capturing video footage. Inusah sustained injuries whilst the buttons on his shirt were destroyed.

A reporter from The Chronicle Newspaper was also attacked while attempting to document the scene. Three individuals accosted her, snatched her phone and smashed it on the ground, and threw away her belongings. One assailant punched her in the head, causing an immediate headache.

The attackers continued to harass her, demanding to see her “warrant” for covering the court proceedings.

The matter has since been reported to the Ministries Police Station for further investigation.

They also verbally assaulted Peace FM and UTV correspondent, Philipa Ayilimah Atanga, who is an expectant mother.

In a similar fashion, Court Warrant Officer (CWO), Corporal Mathew Amoah, was attacked by the same group of thugs around 2:30 pm while attempting to calm them down, following an order from Her Honour, Evelyn Asamoah, who was presiding at the time.

The thugs attacked Corporal Amoah, wrongly assuming that he was trying to favour and protect the journalists over their leader.

Earlier, Corporal Amoah had intervened to prevent the group from assaulting members of the press, as the case was being allocated, which had further angered the crowd.

As tensions escalated, one female thug grabbed Corporal Amoah by his uniform, tearing off his buttons, slapping him and leaving him with bruises on his face and chest.

Despite being attacked, the officer did not retaliate and attempted to arrest the woman, but this also enraged the crowd further and they assaulted him.

Corporal Amoah managed to seize the woman’s phone and later presented it as evidence when he reported the incident to the Ministries Police Station. Corporal Amoah was given police medical forms and received treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Some of the journalists attacked were also given police medical forms to go for treatment.

It has become clear that in the house of justice, injustice is being perpetuated, as this is not the first time journalists have been attacked on court premises.

The security lost control, as these supporters stormed the courtroom in large numbers, making it difficult for the court warrant officer to even close the door.

Case Details

The charges against the accused stem from a tragic incident on October 12, when 16-year-old Elrad Amoako, the unlicensed son of Elisha Salifu Amoako, allegedly drove a Jaguar F-Pace SUV into the rear of an Acura 4×4 vehicle.

The crash resulted in the deaths of 12-year-olds Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng, who were trapped inside the Acura, which caught fire after the collision. Elrad and two passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.

The three accused – Elisha and Mouha Amoako, along with Linda Bonsu Bempah – were charged with permitting an unlicensed person to drive.

The court ruled that the accused were not flight risks and allowed them to retain their passports, provided they inform the court before any international travel.

Legal Arguments and Bail Decision

Defense lawyer Eunas Kofi Eshun argued for bail on behalf of the Amoakos, citing their good standing in society and full cooperation with authorities. He emphasised that Elisha Salifu Amoako, a well-known pastor and his wife, Mouha, a Banker, posed no flight risk and that Elisha had serious health concerns requiring medication.

Linda Bonsu Bempah’s lawyer, Selali Woanya, highlighted her stable employment and cooperation with authorities, arguing that she was also not a flight risk.

While the Assistant State Attorney, Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, did not oppose the bail applications, he requested that the accused deposit their passports with the court, a request the judge denied.

The case has been adjourned to October 30, 2024 for the next hearing.

Execution of bail

The accused persons spent an additional night in police custody but were able to post bail on Thursday, October 17.

Judicial statement

Meanwhile the judiciary has issued a statement to condemn attack on the journalists. The following is the full statement. The attention of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has been drawn to an unfortunate attack on the Legal Affairs Correspondent of the EIB Network, Mr. Murtala Inusah, Ms. Bernice Bessey and other court reporters by supporters of Prophet Salifu Amoako within the premises of the Accra Circuit Court when Mr. Murtala, Bernice Bessey and other reporters were gathering the footage of the events on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 as part of their usual lawful duties.

Our information is that one of the journalists, Mr. Murtala had his phone damaged in addition to the assault on him. JUSAG has sighted the disturbing pictures and videos of the event with much concern. It clearly shows that Court staff and other users around that time were not safe.

That attack on journalists within the premises of the Court is an assault on the Judiciary and the Justice System. It is an attack on press freedom, and an attack on our democracy. The conduct is unlawful, uncultured and must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

The growing trend of attack on Court staff, users and persons within Court premises is very disturbing. It is time for decisive actions to be taken to curtail the unfortunate practice to guarantee the safety of staff and all persons who come to Court to access justice.

It was our expectations that the Police could have affected immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this attack. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Our understanding is that two of the victims have filed a complaint at the Ministries Police Station in Accra. We wish to urge the Police to expedite actions to ensure that justice is served on Mr. Murtala Inusah, Bernice Bessey and the other Court Correspondents.

One of the victims, Mr. Murtala Inusah is a responsible court correspondent who places the ethics and professionalism in his line of work. It was for this and other reasons why the JUSAG honored him as the best Court Correspondent during the climax of our 50th Anniversary in Cape Coast on the 21st September 2024.

JUSAG wishes Murala, Bernice Bessey and the other court correspondence a speedy recovery. They are assured of our full support in these trying times. We wish to urge the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) and organisations within the media space to take serious interest.

Bawumia set to launch music streaming and taxi-hailing apps

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Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has hinted that Ghana’s first local music streaming app will be launched next month. He made the disclosure   during a meeting with stakeholders in the creative arts sector on Wednesday, this week.

“I’m very happy to let you know that the work has been completed,” Dr. Bawumia declared to an enthusiastic crowd.

He pointed out the shortcomings of international platforms like Spotify, stating “Spotify and other platforms are externally owned, so it’s not surprising that the payments to our musicians are very little.”

Shatta Wale asking a question

He highlighted the urgent need for a local streaming platform that can adequately showcase Ghanaian talent.

“The issue for us has been to ensure we have a local streaming platform where we can put all the catalogues from A to Z that we can find in Ghana,” he added.

Dr Bawumia also addressed the challenges faced by local taxi drivers who feel threatened by the presence of global ride-hailing giants like Uber, Yango and Bolt.

“Taxi drivers came to complain that they are being pushed out by Uber, Yango and Bolt,” he remarked.

To tackle this, Dr Bawumia announced the development of a digital platform for local taxi drivers.

He explained that the platform would serve as a home-grown alternative to international ride-hailing apps, which have dominated the market in recent years.

The Vice President pointed out that these global companies charge commissions as high as 28%, significantly short-changing Ghanaian drivers.

He noted that this often leaves local drivers with very little profit, making it difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods in the increasingly competitive environment.

With the new digital platform, Dr Bawumia envisions a system that will provide a level playing field for local drivers while reducing the financial burden of high commissions.

“By launching this platform, we’re not just giving local taxi drivers a tool to compete but also empowering them to take charge of their own destinies,” he remarked.

He emphasised that the platform would allow drivers to retain more of their earnings and provide better service to customers.

“We will launch it before the end of this month,” he affirmed, adding that this initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that Ghanaians benefit more directly from the digital economy.

The Vice President’s commitment to developing local platforms in both the music and transport sectors reflects a broader national strategy to enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians while promoting home-grown solutions.

By introducing a local music streaming app and a ride-hailing platform, Dr Bawumia is addressing two critical sectors that are being dominated by foreign companies.

His initiative aims to create a more equitable economic landscape where Ghanaian talent and service providers can thrive.

The upcoming launches of these platforms are expected to have far-reaching effects. For musicians, the local streaming app promises to ensure that artistes retain a higher percentage of their earnings, offering a much-needed boost to the creative arts industry.

Similarly, the local ride-hailing platform is anticipated to provide a fairer system for taxi drivers, granting them greater control over their operations and earnings.

These initiatives align with the government’s vision of leveraging technology to empower citizens and build a more self-reliant economy.

“We need to take control over some of these vehicles to maximise the returns,” Dr Bawumia said, reinforcing the idea that localised solutions can help drive sustainable economic growth in Ghana.

Catholic Voice Ghana calls for peaceful coexistence ahead of December Elections 

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Ghana election

Catholic Voice Ghana, a group in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Obuasi, has hosted a memorable choral concert dubbed Ghana Asomdwoe (Ghana’s Peace), towards a peaceful coexistence among Ghanaians, ahead of the December 7 General Elections.

The concert is aimed at unifying members of the general public and calling for tranquility in the electoral process.

The concert featured captivating performances by the host choir, Catholic Voices Ghana, alongside the guest choir, Dom Peace Chorale.

The groups showcased a range of harmonious and patriotic songs, leaving attendees resonated with the audience, reinforcing the message of unity and collective responsibility in nurturing peace.

The event inculcated a renewed sense of hope and a collective promise to advocate for peace at all times.

The participants were drawn from members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP),  the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Clergy, Civil Society Organisations, Ghana Police Service, the Media and the general public.

Other stakeholders who participated in the programme included Mr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East Constituency, Mr. William Kofi  Adzowu, the  NDC Constituency Secretary and personnel from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

Mr. Joseph Owusu-Addo, the Executive Director of Catholic Voices Ghana emphasized the importance of peace as we approach the elections and  stressed the need to  commit to maintaining peace in our communities because violence and division have no place in our democracy.

Rev. Fr. John Calistus Sannah, a Catholic priest in the Obuasi Diocese, echoing the concert’s theme of peace underscored a shared commitment to ensuring a peaceful coexistence among the electorate in a conducive electoral environment in the lead-up to the elections.

Lifting Ghana’s Economy: A Proposal for a NationalFair Pricing Agency for Equitable Markets

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Wisdom Koudjo Klu

In the bustling markets of Ghana, where trade energy mirrors the country’s economic vitality, a contentious issue is brewing: the persistent rise in prices of basic goods.As a worried citizen walking these streets, I have personally observed the challenges.Indisputably, reports emerging from across the nation highlight disturbing trends, with basic necessities like rice, yams, and fish experiencing price increases that seem unjustified.

Vendors often cite rising transportation costs or the devaluation of the cedi as reasons for these hikes, yet many people feel these explanations do not accurately reflect the situation. For example, while farmers may sell their goods at reasonable prices, by the time these products reach urban markets, prices can increase to two or three times their original value. A tuber of yam priced at GHS 15 on the farm may be sold for up to GHS 40 in the city, prompting consumers to question the justification for such soaring prices.

National Fair Pricing Agency(NAFPA)- the Relevance

Creating a National Fair Pricing Agency under the jurisdiction of our district and municipal assemblies could provide crucial oversight to address unfair pricing practices. This agency would function as a regulatory entity responsible for monitoring the costs of essential goods and services nationwide, safeguarding consumers from abusive pricing. NAFPA could significantly influence our economy and daily lives in diverse ways:

  • Addressing Price Gouging:The main goal of the National Fair Pricing Agency would be to eliminate price gouging. By establishing price monitoring systems within each district and municipality, the agency could offer real-time data on essential goods, enabling consumers to make educated choices. This increased transparency would promote accountability among sellers, ensuring that any price hikes are warranted and reflect genuine cost changes.
  • Improving Market Transparency:The agency would create a transparent pricing model suited to local markets, helping consumers comprehend the factors influencing price fluctuations. With established pricing standards, citizens would be more aware of unfair practices, contributing to a more equitable marketplace for all stakeholders.
  • Overseeing the Supply Chain: A critical responsibility of the National Fair Pricing Agency would involve monitoring the entire supply chain at district and municipal levels, from production to sale. By tracking prices at every phase, the agency could pinpoint where price increases occur and hold relevant parties accountable. This oversight is vital, especially when there are stark discrepancies between farm gate prices and market prices, ensuring consumers understand the reasons behind high costs.
  • Informed Policy Formation: The agency’s data collection efforts at the district level would not only facilitate price monitoring but also inform local government policy development. This information could aid policymakers in devising targeted measures to stabilize prices and protect consumers. With an accurate grasp of market dynamics, local governments could create strategies benefiting both consumers and producers.
  • Promoting Consumer Education: Education is a crucial weapon against unfair pricing practices. The NAFPA would not only track prices but also engage in consumer education programs. By teaching citizens about their rights and how to identify fair pricing practices, we can empower individuals to resist exploitation. An informed populace is a strong ally in the battle against unjust pricing.

Implementation Strategies

The effectiveness of the National Fair Pricing Agency will depend on its operational framework and stakeholder involvement. Approaches to enhance its efficacy:

  • Regulatory Framework: Develop clear pricing guidelines for essential goods and services in each district and municipality, created in collaboration with local stakeholders such as farmers, retailers, and consumer advocates.
  • Community Engagement: The agency should proactively involve communities to collect insights and feedback regarding pricing matters. This grassroots strategy will build trust and collaboration between the agency and the public.
  • Regular Price Audits: Perform frequent audits of local market prices to ensure adherence to established guidelines. This proactive measure will discourage vendors from engaging in price gouging.
  • Consumer Reporting System: Create an accessible mechanism for consumers to report unfair pricing practices. An effective system will ensure that complaints are addressed quickly.
  • Educational Campaigns: Initiate public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about their rights and the significance of fair pricing. This will empower consumers to advocate for themselves and their communities.

Conclusion

As a concerned citizen, I argue that creating a National Fair Pricing Agency within our district and municipal assemblies goes beyond mere regulation; it is a moral necessity.  Establishing this agency would foster a fairer and more transparent economy, ensuring that all citizens can access essential goods at fair prices.

The obstacles we face are considerable, but with unified action and dedication from our leaders, we can work towards a more robust and resilient Ghana. Let’s unite to advocate for the inclusion of a National Fair Pricing Agency in the platforms of all presidential candidates in the upcoming elections. Together, we can create an economy that benefits everyone. It’s time to restore dignity and fairness in the marketplace for all Ghanaians.

By Wisdom Koudjo Klu,

wisdomklu@gmail.com

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Editorial: Yes, We Agree – Illegal Miners Should Be Shot On Sight

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Editorial

Following the agreement government reached with Organised Labour, which convinced the latter to call off its intended strike, some military personnel were sent to Eastern Region to help flush out illegal miners who were polluting the Birim River. As widely reported by the media, the soldiers executed their duties with precision, as they were able to burn and destroy various equipment the illegal miners were using for their alluvia mining activities.

The military personnel have since moved to other areas to sack illegal miners from our water bodies. But, regrettably, a few days after the soldiers had left the Eastern Region, there is a video in circulation indicating that the illegal miners have come back to the Birim River and doing brisk business.

On the basis of what has happened, one can do a trend analysis and conclude that the battle with illegal mining will never end in this country.Since these illegal miners know the terrain they are operating on very well, they will definitely be going back after the soldiers have left and thus bringing down the work the military personnel have done to zero.

It appears to us that the youth, who are engaged in these illegal activities that are threatening the lives of all Ghanaians, have not appreciated the harm they are causing the nation. Dear reader, as you are aware, almost all our major rivers have been polluted. We can mention Offin, Pra, Ankobrah, Tano, Birim, Ayensu and Densu – which have all been polluted by the illegal miners in the name of searching for gold.

Meanwhile, these are the rivers that serve as a source of drinking water for more than half of Ghana’s population. Whilst the people of Ashanti Region depend on the Offin River, those in Western and Central regions also depend on Tano, Prah and Ankobrah. Some of the residents in Accra also depend on the Densu and Birim rivers as their main source of drinking water.

It is upon the basis of this that we think those who have made up their minds to destroy these water bodies should be made to face the full rigours of their actions.

We, therefore, fully support the drastic measures, but with slight variation that have been proposed by the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Mr Joseph Owusu, to deal with the water pollution canker.

Mr Osei Owusu, who is also the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament had, in his various radio interviews, suggested that the illegal miners polluting our water bodies should be shot on sight. “You deserve to be shot if you are caught mining on a water body. There were about 15 changfans with individuals on it at Dunkwa.

“Immediately the patrol team bus arrived to round them all up, they dived into the water. It is difficult to get a hold of them. The best thing to do is to shoot them. The others will be deterred,” MP Osei Owusu has been quoted as saying. Though the so called human rights group have kicked against his suggestion, The Chronicle believes that is the best way to go.

Our proposal, however, is that they should not be shot and killed – the military must rather target their legs and shoot to harm or immobilise them. The police, some years ago, adopted the strategy at Prestea in the Western region when some illegal miners were attacking the legally sanctioned mines in the area.

In one of their demonstrations, the illegal miners had wanted to attack staff working at the then Bogoso Gold Limited. After defying all warning shots, the police turned their guns on their (illegal miners) legs and shot them.

The severe injury they suffered forced them to back off from the harm they had wanted to cause. In our view, if the same strategy is adopted by the military, we can bet on our last pesewa that this nonsense on our water bodies will cease.

What these illegal miners are doing is an existential threat to us as a nation. We should, therefore, not pamper them anymore because wicked actions, in our opinion, must always be met with wicked actions.

We, however, admit that the military on their own cannot just get up to adopt some of these drastic measures. They definitely need the support of the government of the day and the general public.

This is the reason why we are calling on the general public to fully support the military should they come out with any draconian measures to fight these illegal miners.

The military cannot patrol all our water bodies 24 hours each passing day. The only way we can address the issue is to resort to the measures we have proposed.

UCC Law Dean speaks at United Nations Institute

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The Outer Space Security Conference in session

Space technology is important to everyday life. From transportation and electronic banking to enhanced agricultural production and disaster relief management, space technology and satellites are vital to modern living.

The African Union has even developed a Space Strategy to enhance socio-economic development on the continent.

Outer space is also being used for military purposes.  Militaries across the world use outer space and space technology for communications and intelligence.

Recently, its role in the Russia-Crimea conflict has raised controversy by highlighting how companies, such as SpaceX, may impact the ability of a country to utilise such technology to defend itself.

The Outer Space Security Conference 2024, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR),was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss some of the issues.

Discussions revolved around the connection between space security, safety and sustainability.It explored various critical topics, including threats to space systems and the global effort to prevent weapons being used in outer space.

The event gathered representatives from the diplomatic community, military experts, industry leaders, civil society and academia.

The Dean of the Law Faculty at the University of Cape Coast, Julia Selman Ayetey, Esq., participated in Panel II of the programme, entitled Space Security Dos and Don’ts – the Thresholds of Prohibited Action in Space.

Mrs Ayetey outlined complex international legal issues from military and commercial space operations.

She highlighted the growing involvement of companies in space operations and said, “Non-state actors must be considered in space security discussions.Commercial entities now play a major role in space operations”.

She pointed out ambiguities in the current legal framework around what would be considered a’use of force’in outer space and,having reiterated the importance of maintaining peaceful international relations, stressed the need to hold actors accountable when their actions cross legal boundaries.

Other experts on the panel included Dr Jinyuan Su, from Wuhan University in China,who emphasised the need for coordination between states to avoid escalation disputes and gaps in current international legal agreements and Andrey Belousov from the Russian Federation, who highlighted the absence of a ban on weapon placement in space as a critical gap, stressing the need for responsible behaviour and arms control.

Dr Erin Pobjie, from Essex Law School in England, also shared her perspective and pointed out the vulnerability of ground-based systems.

Outer space has the potential to be a source of conflict if clear norms and laws are not established.

The UNIDIR Outer Space Security Conference 2024 underscored the need for clearer international legal frameworks and cooperation to prevent negative geopolitical consequences on Earth.

Africa must take an interest in preventing space from becoming an environment for weapons since its use is needed for socio-economic development.

Western chiefs to elect Nana Kobina Nketsia as prez today 

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Nana Kobina Nketsiah IV-Paramount Chief of Essikadu

The Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC) will today, Friday October 18, 2024 elect fresh leaders to steer the affairs of the House for the next four years.Today’s election is very critical and would offer an opportunity for the House to redeem itself from the litigations that have plagued itin recent years.

Tetretteh Okuamoah Sekyim III, Omanhene of Wassa Akropong and Angamatuo Gyan, Omanhene of Gwira were elected as President and Vice president respectively but their election became subject of litigation.

In the end, a High Court declared the disputed election null and void and ordered for a fresh election to be held for the position of the President.

The chiefs and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) later signed aagreement to appoint Acting and Acting Vice president to lead the House until fresh was held.

Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III, Omanhene of Eastern Nzema and Angamatuo Gyan, Omanhene of Gwira, were thus appointed acting president and Vice respectively. As the House goes into the fresh election, information picked up by

The Chronicle indicates that there would be no competition regarding the election of the president.

This is because Nana Kobina Nktetsiah IV, respected Omanhene for Essikado Traditional Area, is the only candidate that has filed to contest.

Those who thought Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III, Omanhene of Eastern Nzema, was going to contest the presidential race had been disappointed.

Amihere Kpanyile who was denied the opportunity to contest the election of the president for the House in the last election over a court writ issued against him fought the disputed election and had the court declared the election of the president null and void.

Why AmihereKpanyile is not contesting for the leadership of the House has come as a surprise to many.

But Nana Kwesi Agyemang, Omanhene of Lower Dixcove told this reporter that “AmihereKpanyile and Kobina Nketsiah are very god friends. There is no way one will contest against the other, most especially, when Kobina Nketsiah is senior to Amihere”.

However, for the race of the Vice president, two candidates have filed to contest. Angamatuo Gyan, Omanhene of Gwira and Kwesi Agyemang would slug it out for the position. The race for the election into the National House of Chiefs (NHC) would also be contested by five candidates.

Obuasi SecTec wins STEMNNOVATION 2024

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Winners displaying their awards

The Obuasi Senior High Technical School from the Ashanti region is the winner of the 2024 STEMNNOVATION competition.

The five-member team presented a project on Environmental Sustainability with a solar-powered home-made dialysis machine to convince the judges who had no option than to give the award to them.

For emerging winners, they were presented with a GH50,000 cash, two Laptops, some assorted books and GH20,000 insurance coverage for each of the winning team members.

DABOKPA Technical Institute from the Northern region on the other hand placed second with a spectacular project of an electric tricycle and an electric bicycle.

They also provided samples of charging systems for the charging of the machines, which were demonstrated at the competition.

General Awards 

For their prize, they were presented with GH40,000 cash, a laptop and assorted textbooks.

Yaa Asantewaa Girls Senior High School from the Ashanti region placed third with a prototype water filtering machine and took home GH30,000 cash, a laptop and assorted books.

Presbyterian Senior High School, Legon (PRESEC) placed 4th with a project on Smart Incubator for hatching chicken. They took home GH20,000 cash, a laptop and assorted books.

Awards were presented to 20 out of 56 contestants who made presentations and their prizes ranged between GH50,000 to GH10,000 in addition to books, laptops and plaques.

The three-day contest created a platform for the students to pitch their projects, which aimed at solving societal challenges and the nation as a whole.

Evidence of transformation  

Speaking before presenting the awards, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education, said the projects submitted by the contestants were evidence of the ongoing transformation in the nation’s education sector.

He praised the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his vision and support towards the transformation of the nation’s education space.

The Education Minister who is the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe praised the leadership of the Free Senior High School Secretariat for their hard work towards the organisation of the completion.

He also commended the NEIP and all other partners who contributed towards the successful organisation of the event.

Protecting the transformation 

Dr Adutwum announced that the changes that are taking place in the country’s education sector needed to be sustained by voting for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the December 7th election.

The Education Minister cautioned Ghanaians not to repeat the mistake they made in 2008 where they voted the party out of power leading to the reversing of the gains made by the former President Kufuor’s administration.

Continuity of STEMNNOVATION 

The Chief Executive (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, pledged to liaise with investors to commercialise the innovations from the students. He also pledged to continue supporting the organization of the competition, which is gradually discovering innovators among students in the second cycle institutions.

By Felix Baidoo

We’ll not join APC -Outgoing Abia LGA chairmen

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APC

The outgoing local government chairmen of 17 LGAs in Abia State have declared that their loyalty to and support for Governor Alex Otti will be intact even when they leave office.

This is even as the local government bosses, popularly known in Abia as mayors, have dismissed the rumours on social media that they were contemplating joining the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The mayor, who issued a joint statement, said that “there is no iota of truth in these concocted news items.”

Elelenta Nwambusi Elele, the Abia State Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, said they never held any meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as allegedly peddled in the social media reports and therefore urged the general public to disregard the report as fake.

“To strengthen the records more and again, there was no time mayors were sacked by Chioma ndi Abia, Dr Alex Chioma Otti.

“The authors of these publications have exhibited an utter lack of knowledge of the laws of the land, knowing fully well that His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, is a sticker for democratic and legal norms.

“There was never a time any agreement whatsoever was brokered to railroad them into elected Chairmen. It is therefore fallacious to simulate deceit for a process that has successfully met the provisions of extant laws of Abia State,” they said.

The mayors, who thanked the Abia Governor for the opportunity given to them to serve in his administration, reiterated their “unalloyed support to him in the delivery of the Abia Project.”

Also speaking on the matter, the Mayor of Umunnochi LGA, Ndubuisi Ike, said the outgoing council bosses are already planning a smooth transition.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Transactions above N500,000 can lead to trouble –Police warn POS operators

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POS

The police in Delta State have given a stern warning to Point of Sale, POS, operators against engaging in transactions beyond N500,000.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, said such transactions could potentially implicate operators in criminal activities, particularly kidnapping.

Edafe, in a statement on Thursday, highlighted a case where a POS operator received a ransom payment of N4,000,000 from kidnappers, earning a mere N40,000 in profit.

“Don’t be a tool for kidnappers to collect ransom. It must be traced to you.

“My message to POS operators, transactions above 500k can get you into trouble. Don’t be a tool for kidnappers to collect ransom. It must be traced to you. She received N4,000,000 ransom from kidnappers and her profit was just N40,000,” he stated.

The Police spokesman stressed the importance of vigilance and adherence to federal regulations, which impose strict limits on transaction amounts to prevent misuse by criminals.

“POS operators are urged to report any suspicious activities and ensure compliance with the guidelines to avoid legal repercussions.

“Be wise. You may argue that you are doing business, but before your lawyer will get you out, you may spend some time cooling off in prison,” he added.

Credit: dailypost.ng

The Ghanaian Chronicle