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Those wooing Peter Obi to leave LP are on wild goose chase –Victor Umeh

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Anambra Central Senator, Victor Umeh

The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh has said that those wooing the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi to dump the party in 2027, are on a wild goose chase.

Umeh stated this at an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday,

According to him, Obi got much momentum in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be courteous for him to just abandon the party.

He was speaking on the heels of speculations that Obi is under pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he might be given the ticket to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the full backing of PDP forces.

However, Senator Umeh said Obi would rather build and make LP more formidable ahead of 2027 than dump it.

He said, “Wooing Peter Obi out of the Labour Party will not be the right thing because LP gave him the limelight with which Nigerian people embraced him in the last election.

“So, whatever is happening is for him to build on the party and continue to make efforts to advance his interest. Those who are calling on him to abandon the Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”

The LP chieftain and former national Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commended Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for their bold steps towards repositioning Labour Party by convening the Umuahia stakeholders meeting which made far-reaching decisions in the interest of the party.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Petrol price hike: Be ready for social unrest –TUC warns govt

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Trade Union Congress of Nigeria

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said the recent Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) pump price increase will cause social unrest in Nigeria.

This was as TUC kicked against the increase in the pump price of petroleum, warning that it would worsen poverty among workers.

The union disclosed this in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo on Wednesday.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said the recent Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) pump price increase will cause social unrest in Nigeria.

This was as TUC kicked against the increase in the pump price of petroleum, warning that it would worsen poverty among workers.

The union disclosed this in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo on Wednesday.

Recall that the pump price of petrol was increased to N897 and N855 per liter on Tuesday from N617.

Reacting to the increase, TUC asked the Nigerian government to “immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira, and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”

It argued that the sudden hike “implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders,” represented a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class, who bear the brunt of such decisions.

“The sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will only exacerbate these challenges, leading to further hardship and potential social unrest,” TUC insisted.

“We urge the government to immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

“The government must act swiftly to restore confidence and prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of its citizens,” the Union added.

Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress had also called for the immediate reversal of the petrol price hike.

Credit: dailypost.ng

CPA advocates passage of Consumer Protection Bill 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Executive Director of Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Mr Koffi Kapito

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), alongside representatives from CUTS International Accra and Imani Africa, voiced strong concerns over the continued delay in passing the Consumer Protection Bill into law.

The joint efforts by these organisations underscore their commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of Ghanaian consumers.

Mr. Koffi Kapito, CEO of CPA, addressing a press conference in Accra, this week, indicated that the protracted struggle to advance the Consumer Protection Bill, initially introduced in 2005, was to the disadvantage of the public.

His challenge for drawing public attention hinges on the bill’s importance, yet it has remained dormant in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) for nearly two decades.

In contrast, he said other draft bills, including the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Bill have successfully navigated the legislative process.

“The Consumer Protection Bill was drafted in 2005, yet it remains untouched, while other bills have swiftly progressed through Parliament,” said Mr. Kapito.

He noted that the NPP government, which promised in its 2016 manifesto to prioritise consumer protection has not fulfilled this commitment.

The bill was also notably absent from the NPP’s 2024 manifesto, raising concerns about its future prospects.

He said the bill’s lack of progress contrasts sharply with other legislative advancements, including the recent Affirmative Action Act, which was passed as part of IMF conditionalities.

Mr. Kapito added that this discrepancy has led to frustration among consumer rights advocates, questioning whether the government’s inaction is influenced by business interests.

He underscored the real-life impact of the bill’s delay, citing everyday scenarios where consumers suffer due to inadequate protection.

Mr. Kapito was of the view that from contaminated food products to faulty electronics and complex redress processes, the absence of robust consumer protection legislation has left many vulnerable.

The press conference also raised concerns about business associations that, while advocating for their interests, may inadvertently hinder consumer protection efforts.

Meanwhile, he noted that the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA), for instance, is planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with potential future governments, highlighting the proactive measures businesses are taking to safeguard their interests.

Mr. Kapito and his colleagues have called on the government and Parliament to prioritise the Consumer Protection Bill.

They urged MOTI to finalise the draft, consult stakeholders and present the bill to Parliament at least by October.

Additionally, they are mobilising one thousand consumers to picket at MOTI until tangible progress is made.

Mr. Kapito reiterated the necessity of the bill for the protection of Ghanaian consumers, adding, “The people of Ghana deserve no less.”

He stated, emphasising that the government must act decisively to enact the Consumer Protection Law and safeguard the rights of its citizens.

Mr. Kapito added that the CPA, CUTS International Accra and Imani Africa remain committed to advocating for the bill’s passage and ensuring its effective implementation to benefit all Ghanaians.

Spotify wins case over ‘billions’ of Eminem streams

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Eminem

Streaming platform Spotify has won a long-running court case, in which it was accused of streaming Eminem’s music without permission.

The case was launched in 2019 by the rapper’s publisher, Eight Mile Style, which said Spotify failed to correctly license Eminem’s work.

They sued the music company for approximately £30m, saying that the star had never received full payment for songs like Lose Yourself and Without Me, which have been “streamed on Spotify billions of times”.

A judge in Tennessee has ruled that Spotify will not be liable for any lost royalties, despite finding that Spotify did not have a license to stream the tracks.

The court also concluded that, if Spotify were to be found guilty of copyright infringement, any penalty would have to be paid by Kobalt Music Group, which collected royalties on behalf of Eminem’s publisher.

The case illustrates how confusing the business of administering music rights has become in the era of streaming.

When Eight Mile Style sued Spotify in 2019, it said the company had “acted deceptively” by pretending to have licenses for 243 Eminem songs, when it did not.

It further accused the company of making “random payments” for hits that had been streamed hundreds of millions of times, saying the money only accounted for “a fraction of those streams”.

Intriguingly, Eminem was not a party to the lawsuit, only became aware of the legal action when it was filed.

“[We are] just as surprised as anyone else by this news,” his publicist told The Verge at the time.

The star’s music remained on Spotify throughout the five-year case. He is currently the 12th most-streamed artist on the platform, with 76 million monthly listeners.

‘Defies logic’

Spotify responded to the lawsuit in 2020 by blaming Kobalt Music Publishing, a company that administers the rights to hundreds of thousands of songs, as well as collecting royalties for rights-holders.

In court documents, Spotify alleged that Kobalt had misled it into believing it controlled the administration of Eight Mile’s catalogue when that was not the case.

The company added that Eight Mile had “never once questioned” Spotify’s permission to stream Eminem’s songs, despite accepting royalty payments from the service since its US launch in 2011.

“Eight Mile instead suggests that it was somehow ‘duped’ by Spotify into thinking the compositions were properly licensed to explain away why it knowingly accepted and deposited royalty payments while remaining silent for years,” said the company’s lawyers.

“Eight Mile’s story defies logic.”

Eight Mile called those allegations “baseless”, and the case went back and forth for several years as their lawyers argued over the finer details of the case.

At one point, proceedings were delayed due to a dispute over whether Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek would be deposed in the case.

Although the judge ruled that he would be forced to testify, the parties eventually asked for a summary judgment, so that the case would not have to go to a full trial.

Judge Aleta A. Trauger published her opinion on 15 August, writing that Spotify should not be liable for any damages.

She highlighted that, although Kobalt was authorised to collect royalties for Eminem’s music, it was not authorised to license the songs in the US and Canada.

Nothing can let me leave my husband Bishop Obinim – Florence Obinim

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Florence and Bishop Daniel Obinim

Gospel Singer Florence Obinim, the wife of popular televangelist Bishop Daniel Obinim, has made it clear that she will remain devoted to her husband, no matter the controversies surrounding him.

During a speech that energized the entire congregation, Florence shared, “I’ve been by my husband’s side since he had nothing, and now that we’ve built a life together, why would I ever leave? I’m enjoying the rewards of our hard work.”

“I don’t envy anyone else. God blessed me with my husband, and after everything we’ve endured together, there’s no way I’ll walk away. If I sense that you dislike me because of my husband, I simply block you. But let it be known, I’ll never leave him for anyone,” she stated.

Florence Obinim is known for popular Gospel songs like ‘Me Papa,’ ‘Mahyia Jesus,’ ‘Okokroko,’ ‘Adekye mu nsem,’ amongst others.

I left social media for 8 years due to insults – Mr. Beautiful

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Mr Beautiful

Famous for his affiliation with National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, Actor Clement Bonney, popularly known as Mr. Beautiful, has revealed the reason that led to his departure from social media.

He said it was due to the harsh nature of words, critics used on him when he publicly threw his weight behind former President John Mahama.

“For eight years I was off social media because people just came there to insult me, just because of my affiliation to John Mahama and my declaration of the 2016 election.”

“Somebody sent me a message from Takoradi in the Western Region, and you know Sekondi, and Takoradi are typical NPP communities, a young lady from there sent me a message saying Mr beautiful I never liked when I was growing up because of your NDC and Mahama thing, but today I want you to ask almighty Allah for forgiveness, for me because I insulted you, I never liked you, not knowing you saw something we did not see, anytime I see you on TV I feel bad because my conscience is not clear,” he recounted.

Mr. Beautiful who declared the ex-president and flagbearer of the NDC, the winner of the 2016 elections, was heavily criticised after the results went the other way, and even received insults from fans to even his own colleagues.

During his interview with Merqury Quaye, he explained that ever since he made his decision public, people just go on to his social media pages just to insult and make defamatory statements against him.

Mr Beautiful who has released a song in support of the NDC presidential candidate called ‘The Gamechanger’ is currently on a radio tour promoting the song, which explains the 24-hour economy policy.

How well do you know your Asthma Inhaler

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Asthma Inhaler

How well do you know your asthma inhaler? What does it do for you? What drugs are in it? Do you puff and breathe, or breathe and puff?

Inhalers are the most effective way to get lifesaving medications to people with asthma and other lung diseases. Whether you have asthma or care for someone who does, here’s what you need to know about inhalers, including how to use one correctly.

What Is an Asthma Inhaler?

An asthma inhaler is a handheld device that delivers medication straight into your lungs. You get the drugs faster — and with fewer side effects — than you would if you took it by pill or IV.

Asthma inhalers can deliver drugs in a variety of ways.

Hydrofluoroalkane inhalers (HFAs)

Formerly called metered dose inhalers (MDIs), HFAs give the drug through a small, handheld aerosol canister. They work like a spray can. You push the inhaler, it sprays out the medicine, and you breathe it in. A tube-like gadget called a spacer can help kids or people with trouble breathing use an HFA more easily.

Using an HFA without a spacer

  1. Take the cap off your inhaler and shake it well.
  2. Hold the inhaler with your index finger on top of the canister and thumb on the bottom of the plastic mouthpiece.
  3. Sit up straight or stand up. Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out all the way.
  4. Open your mouth wide, and place the inhaler about 2 inches in front of your mouth. (Or you can put the HFA in your mouth, between your teeth, with your tongue flat under the mouthpiece and your lips sealed.)
  5. Breathe in and out one time.
  6. Press the metal canister down and breathe as deeply as you can for about 3 to 5 seconds
  7. Hold your breath for the length of time specified for the medicine you are taking to allow the medication to reach your lungs.
  8. Wait at least a minute, then repeat for each puff your doctor tells you to take.
  9. Replace the cap on your inhaler when you’re finished. If your inhaler contains a steroid, gargle and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after each use.

Using an HFA with a spacer

The contents of an HFA are under pressure and are released quickly, making it difficult to properly inhale the particles. The spacer chamber suspends these particles until you or your child breathes in, making it easier to get the medication into the lungs. These devices are recommended for children who have trouble coordinating breathing and using an inhaler the way they should, especially those younger than 5 or 6.

Adults should also use a spacer chamber, especially if they have problems using an HFA. Spacer chambers can keep particles from collecting in your mouth or tongue, lessening side effects from medications. Spacer chambers should not be used with a dry powder inhaler (DPI).

How do I care for an HFA with a spacer?

Clean the spacer chamber every other day. If you aren’t using it often, you may need to clean it only once a week. Let it air dry, and store it in a clean, dry place when you’re not using it.

How do I know when an HFA is empty?

The number of puffs contained in a metered dose inhaler is printed on the side of the canister. After that number of puffs has been used, you must throw out the inhaler, even if it continues to spray. Keep track of how many puffs you or your child has used. Many HFA brands also have built-in digital counters that show how many puffs are left.

If your child or an adult uses an HFA every day to control asthma symptoms, you can figure out how long it will last by dividing the total number of puffs in the HFA by the total puffs used every day. For example, if the HFA has 200 puffs and they use four puffs per day, divide 200 by four. In this case, the HFA would last 50 days. Using a calendar, count forward that many days to learn when to discard the HFA and begin using a new one.

Is There Enough Medicine in My Inhaler?

Many new inhalers include a dose counter to show how much medication is left. It’s hard to tell with older models, most of which make a puff sound long after the medication is gone. This could be a serious problem if you need the inhaler and it’s empty.

The best way to tell how many doses remain is to mark the number of doses used on the inhaler and then toss it after you’ve used this number of puffs. You can find the total number of doses on the box or canister. Mark the date on your calendar when you expect to use all of the available puffs in the new inhaler, and replace it before then. Keep one or two extra quick-relief inhalers at home.

Credit: webmd.com

GIS Intercepts 45 gallons of smuggled fuel

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JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has intercepted 45 gallons of petrol being smuggled into Togo at the Aflao Sector Command.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of GIS, Mr. Amoako-Atta he revealed that the exercise which took place last Wednesday, August 28, 2024 was led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Richmond Wuntah Awuni who acted on intelligence during routine patrols at Pillar 12, an unapproved route.

Mr. Amoako-Atta continued that the 45 gallons of fuel have been handed over to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) whiles investigations are still underway to apprehend the culprits.

Below is the full Statement;

Officers of the Aflao Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) last Wednesday intercepted 45 gallons of petrol being smuggled into Togo.

This was achieved after a patrol team led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Richmond Wuntah Awuni acted on intelligence during routine patrols at Pillar 12, an unapproved route.The team uncovered the 45 gallons of fuel to be smuggled to Togo hidden in an uncompleted building nearby.

The interception of the fuel comes on the heels of a recent directive from the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) Kwame Asuah Takyi (Esq) to all Border Commanders to heighten patrols at the borders as part of efforts to secure the borders in the face of terrorist threats and cross border crimes.

The 45 gallons of fuel have been handed over to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) whiles investigations are still underway to apprehend the culprits.

The Ghana Immigration Service is hereby cautioning border residents to desist from allowing their facilities to be used by miscreants in activities that can disrupt national security.

SGD.

  1. AMOAKO-ATTA

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION

HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Let’s Stand For The Higher Truth

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Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries

“They spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.” Numbers 13:32

Introduction

In a world teeming with opinions, challenges, and uncertainties, the quest for truth is often clouded by fear and doubt. The story of the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land is a powerful illustration of this struggle. Faced with the daunting task of claiming a land filled with formidable inhabitants, most of the scouts sent to survey Canaan returned with a report grounded in fear.

They saw only the obstacles, the giants, and the insurmountable challenges. Yet, amidst their voices of doubt, two men—Joshua and Caleb—stood firm, holding fast to the higher truth of God’s promise.

As we explore what it means to stand for the higher truth, we are reminded that this stance is not passive. It is an active, courageous decision to align our perspective with God’s, to prioritize His promises over our fears, and to walk in obedience even when the path seems impossible. This is the essence of faith, and it is the foundation upon which we build a life that truly honors God.

Key Scripture -Numbers 13:26-33

REPORT ABOUT CANAAN

The men went back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for them and the whole community, and they showed them the fruit of the land.  They reported to Moses: “We went into the land where you sent us.

Indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. The Amalekites are living in the land of the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!” But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t go up against the people because they are stronger than we are!”

So, they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. We even saw the Nephilim there.” (The offspring of Anak were descended from the Nephilim.) “To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.”

Facing Giants: Faith versus Fear

Moses had sent twelve scouts into the Promise land-not to figure out whether the land could be taken but to develop some strategies for the best way to do it – and most of them come back completely paralyzed by fear. All they could see was how overwhelming the task was. From their perspective, there were giants and obstacles and all sorts of opposing forces. But two of the scouts had a better perspective, one that lined up with what God had already spoken. The obstacles and opposition were real, they said, but so was God’s promise.

After all, this was the Promised Land. But the critics outnumbered the men of faith, and the listening crowd panicked. The nation was consigned to wander for another generation.

Critics have that kind of power, unfortunately. What they say may be true, but they rarely emphasize the higher truth of what God has said. They limit themselves to a human perspective and ignore the possibility of a divine one. And the world is full of such voices.

Sadly, so is the church. “It won’t work” is a convincing statement, and it has shot down numerous God -given visions throughout history. Plans should be cautious and well considered, and appropriate objections should be raised, but when God has guided, when his words are at stake, objection pale in comparison. When God has spoken, the voices of critics need to fade away. With God, no obstacle is insurmountable.

Criticism is easy, but faith and vision actually make things happen. Don’t be one of those people who point out all the problems without ever offering any solutions. God tends to satisfy visionaries, not critics. Even when visions falter, they still get us further than any lack of vision ever will. Choose to see from a God-centered perspective, and then step into the vision you’ve been given. He will lead you faithfully into lands of promise.

Conclusion

As we strive to live out this higher truth, let us remember that faith is not the absence of fear, but the refusal to be controlled by it. It is choosing to trust in God’s promises over our perceptions, and to walk in obedience even when the journey is fraught with difficulties. By standing for the higher truth, we align ourselves with God’s will and open the door to His blessings, experiencing the fullness of life that comes from walking in His ways.

As we stand for higher truths, we are reminded of the timeless words from the hymn “MHB 608 Captain of Israel’s Host”

1.Captain of Israel’s host, and guide
of all who seek the land above,
beneath your shadow we abide,
the cloud of your protecting love;
our strength, your grace; our rule, your word:
our end, the glory of the Lord.

2.By your unerring Spirit led,
we shall not in the desert stray;
we shall not full direction need,
nor miss our providential way;
as far from danger as from fear
while love, almighty love, is near.

Prayer

Lord, give me vision that comes from your perspective and fits your purposes, and make me resistant to all who would poke holes in it. Give me the discernment to know the difference between constructive advice and destructive criticism. May my faith endure through all opposition. Amen                                                                                                                  Stay Blessed!

 Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymns and their Stories.

Feature: Galamsey – Otumfuo Destools Three Chiefs

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Mo opeaw, Nana (Well done, Great King). We are proud of you. Your noble principles, notable examples and bold display of mettle are historic and worthy of commendation. Nana, nyankwa daa (Nana, long life).

We had decided not to write on galamsey again after three unheeded outings. But recent developments dictate that we take our pen again, knowing full well that “what is worth doing is worth doing well” (valet facere valet beneficientes) and we cannot be like Nero and play the fiddle while Rome burns.

Unlike Otumfuo, Ghanaians as a whole have not displayed anger enough and the writers like Erastus Asare Donkor appear to have been writing only “words, words, words”, as Hamlet answers Polonius.

Otumfuo had his “nhenkwaa” remove the sandals of three chiefs of Sabronum Awua Gyan Atuomi (Gyaasehene), Akyeamehene and Baamuhene; thus, they were destooled. And why? They had not behaved according as the oath they swore on enthronement dictates. They had “destroyed the town with galamsey… I petitioned the NIB to conduct investigations…if I allow you to stay, you will completely destroy the town”. Otumfuo cautioned chiefs in Asanteman.

To celebrate this outstanding feat by our King, we (our good selves, Lawyer Kwame Awuah) organized ourselves for an English breakfast at a restaurant at Otumfuo II Estates (Affordable) at Asokore-Mampong on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at the invitation of our learned friend, Dr. Oti Adinkra. We discussed galamsey in great detail.

We had previously written under the following headings: “Tangoing with Galamsey”; “Deracinate Galamsey-Now or Never”, “The water and Galamsey Tango”, “NPP! Beware of Galamsey” In “NPP! Beware of Galamsey”, we wrote: “Words like taciturn, reticent, laconic, diffident, and tight-lipped can hardly fit Obiri Boahen, the former NPP Deputy Secretary-General.

He is at worst, talkative (tending to talk a great deal) and at best, loquacious (with the power to express himself accurately and eloquently), for a person who would defend NPP on every issue to say ‘no comment’ when asked about his views on the current imbroglio between Professor Frimpong-Boateng and some officials at the Jubilee House on galamsey suggest that something has gone awry. We continued:

“In 2018, the President appointed Dr. Frimpong-Boateng the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Illegal Mining (IMCIM) and he produced a Report)… the President, Nana Akufo-Addo made the profound statement that he was prepared to put his presidency on the line to stop the destruction of the environment… the IMCIM (Mineral Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission)… Cabinet directed the Minister for Lands and National Resources to suspend the issuance of all new licences/permits by the Forestry Commission… but the directives were ignored and the destruction continued…

Frimpong-Boateng’s Report continues “… Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (a.k.a. Sir John) gave… forestry entry permits to mining companies…including those foreign nationals for prospecting activities at a time when the President had put a ban on that activity, through Charles Owusu, the Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission… Sir John had a Chinese gang doing mining on his behalf…

The Report mentioned Lord Commey, Charles Nii Teiko, Frank Asiedu Bikoe… frantic telephone calls from Capt Kodah of the Presidential security detail who asked for the (2) excavators to be released… and Kwadwo Oppong-Nkrumah reported that 500 seized excavators had gone missing. Kweku Baako’s ‘Crusading Guide’ reported “Frimpong-Boateng’s Mafia Style Lands Govt in Big Trouble”; “Frimpong-Boateng goes on Rampage”.

Gabby Otchere Darko has dragged Frimpong-Boateng to court, demanding GHc10 million in general damages…when the “Operation Vanguard” visited the Apamprama Forest, Frimpong-Boateng received a call from Gabby Otchere Darko, a relative of President Akufo-Addo and founder of African Legal Associates and he defended his action:

“Lawyers are supposed to protect the legitimate business of their clients… why would a legitimate company with all the licences and permits required to do prospecting be frustrated from doing their work…” That was after Dr. Frimpong-Boateng had confiscated equipment belonging to Heritage Imperial under the Managing Director called Entsuah.

Dr. Ayele Jasper Abemba Ayelazuno, a social scientist at Ghana’s University for Development Studies says: “… It is not your grandfather’s galamsey… They are not your usual poor people digging for gold for survival, but well-established politically connected rich people promoting illegal mining to make more money, the “elite galamsey”.

Parliament passed the Legislative Instrument 2462 in November 2022 allowing mining in forest reserves including biodiversity areas like the Draw River because ‘exploration licence’ could easily be converted into “mining licence”.

Readers may recall the President, Nana Akufo-Addo while addressing the Catholic Bishops Conference in Koforidua at which he noted: “Let me respond briefly to the Chairperson on the issue of illegal mining. I want to assure him and all of you that Akonta Mining is not engaged in any unlawful activities in any part of the country as we speak”. (Like Obiri Boahen, we said “no comment”).

Mustapha Gbande insists that when (or if) NDC comes to power he will pick up Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) from his house “like a fowl” for being a threat to the nation’s water bodies. Wontumi answers to a charge of his Akonta Mining doing galamsey, ‘Can you push Wontumi?

Even ‘Legal’ and ‘’Illegal’’ what is the difference? The difference is a document. So as a veteran miner. I don’t know how to get documents done? On the Akonta Mining at Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, the Attorney-General Godfred Dame had not seen “any video …. no docket had been presented to me in respect of Akonta Mining…”

At page 19 of the obnoxious “Agyapadie Book” allegedly authored by “Opposition’s assigns”, a note is made: “The Minerals Commission will be pushed to issue licenses and good concessions to these companies. This will effectively transition us from galamsey mining to legally licensed mining companies.

Future inflows from these entities will be invested in additional companies to be strategically positioned along the precious minerals value chain. A similar blueprint will be replicated in the oil and gas sector… The technical team led by DM (Ofori-Atta) should further evaluate the following details in order to choose the appropriate sites….”

Our noble friend and hall-mate Togbe Afede makes a soothing statement Never to allow galamsey in his area of jurisdiction. And Aisha Huang – whereabouts unknown.

Unfortunately, the effects of galamsey are too dire to even talk about it. The water is so polluted farmers cannot use the river passing through their farms to water their crops.

They cannot use the water from the rivers to drink, cook or wash, the farm produce -poisonous. During the emergency Parliamentary sitting on September 3, 2024, the Majority Chief Whip Annor Dompreh charged: “You (NDC) polluted the water more than us (NPP)”.

Incredible! Is the question now, one who polluted water (or rivers) more or less? And 2 and half -year old twins died at Morkwaa, near Twifo Praso after falling into an abandoned galamsey pit. And at Konongo and Odumasi people openly do ‘galamsey’, eating into the Kumasi-Accra Highway… houses have ‘galamsey’ dug-outs: a middle-aged woman fell into one of such dug-outs which were being used as a toilet and it caved in.

The editorial of the Chronicle of September 2, 2024 is apposite: “We Dread Ghana May Be Thirsty Soon If …” We shall import water, plantain, cocoa…all our forest will be gone, and when the last tree dies, the last man dies. Whither goeth we?

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