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Antwi Mensah Foundation commissions ultramodern toilet facility for Ejisu R/C School  

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Dr. Antwi Mensah (middle) commissioning the facility with support of his wife, clergy and opinion leaders

The Antwi Mensah and Family Foundation has commissioned a 15-Seater Toilet facility for a Junior High School, Primary and Kindergarten (KG) with washrooms at the cost of GH¢500.000.00 at Ejisu near Kumasi.

The facility comprises a common shower for the kindergarten, as well as changing rooms for both male and female pupils in Primary and the Junior High School.

The project, which was started in September 2022 and situated in the heart of Ejisu to serve a population of about 1,200 pupils, who will have access to  water closet toilet facilities, since its establishment over 80 years ago.

The ultramodern toilet facility for Ejisu RC Schools

According to Dr. Antwi Mensah, an old pupil of the school said the gesture was to give back to the school and address the present need of the school.

He entreated the school authorities to cultivate a maintenance culture, which has become a drawback in public project management.

He said in order to protect the facilities to stand the test of time they have hired Caretakers who will collaborate with the school to manage them for a period.

Mrs. Bernadette N. Votere, Headmistress for Ejisu R/C model Primary school expressed her profound gratitude to the foundation for the gesture.

She mentioned inadequate computers to support ICT education as well as absence of a Library in the school as some challenges the school is facing.

Obuasi Assembly supports rainstorm victims with GH¢2.7 million relief items

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Elijah Adansi-Bona, presenting the items to rainstorm victims

Mr Elijah Adansi-Bona, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi on behalf of the Government  has provided GH¢2.7 million worth of relief items and cash to 600 people displaced by the recent rainstorm at Koffekrom, in the Obuasi Municipality, to help reduce suffering and aid recovery on the part of victims.

The items presented to the victims included 60 bags of roofing sheets, 450 pieces of wood and 50 bags of cement to those who were yet to re-roof their buildings, while an amount of GH¢150,000 was presented to individuals who had already re,roofed their buildings to make up for their losses.

According to him, there are more relief packages in the offing, in addition to the donation and assured that the government, through the Assembly, is committed to settling medical bills of those who were injured and have already been treated.

Solomon Fordjour receiving cash from the MCE

The Assembly is also in the process of procuring 88 bags of rice for other victims.

About 60 houses were affected by the devastating rainstorm which occurred on Thursday March 28, 2024 with scores of people injured in the process, but no life was lost.

The Obuasi Senior High Technical School and the AngloGold Ashanti JHS were also severely affected.

MCE Adansi-Bona also disclosed that the Assembly has commenced reroofing of the Dormitory and four blocks, which were ripped off at the Obuasi Secondary Technical School adding that the Science Laboratory, Assembly Hall and other classroom blocks affected by the disaster would be addressed.

The MCE commended efforts by the Chief of Abadwum, Professor Amoako Tuffour, Edubiasehene, Oguahyia Oduropanin Birikorang I and other individuals who have made donations towards supporting the victims.

He appealed to individuals, groups and corporate bodies to also offer support to the disaster victims.

According to the MCE, after a series of visits and engagements with the chief and the Disaster Management Committee, a road map was developed on how to compensate affected people.

“After the disaster struck, I had to liaise with relevant agencies including NADMO, the Chief and the Disaster Management Committee of Koffekrom and the Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng, to arrive at a more befitting compensation for the victims.

The beneficiaries commended the Municipal Chief Executive and Government for the swift intervention.

Solomon Fordjour, who was given GH¢10,000.00 cash expressed his appreciation for the donation.

Ondo monarch dies 11 months after ascending throne

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Ondo monarch dies

The Olojoda of Oda kingdom in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Julius Omomo, has died at the age of 83.

A family source, Ade Adelakun, confirmed the monarch’s death on Sunday.

DAILY POST recalls that Oba Omomo was installed last May, following the demise of the previous traditional ruler, who died after a brief illness.

Adelakun described the deceased monarch as a humble, decent, and down-to-earth man.

“The late monarch cared for his subjects as well as the unity and progress of the state,” he said.

He also described the deceased monarch’s years of reign as remarkably eventful.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Tension in Kano as Ganduje set for arraignment on April 17

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Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje

Palpable fear and uncertainty have enveloped Kano as the government of Abba Kabir Yusuf moves to arraign the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and a former Governor of the State, Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, over allegations of financial misappropriation.

Some residents are reportedly planning to vacate their homes for fear of mayhem by political thugs in the state.

The ruling New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and the state government filed charges against Ganduje, his wife and six others at the Kano State High Court last Tuesday.

The NNPP-led administration in the state had last week launched an assault on two major grounds, a commission of Inquiry to probe Ganduje’s eight years tenure and litigation over alleged abuse of office.

Support for or against the impending litigation in the volatile city had dominated political discussion on local radio stations, and social media amid caution and threat.

Many residents who spoke over the current development expressed apprehension that the war may snowball into a security breach against the backdrop of deep-seated animosity between the feuding parties.

Yakubu Isa, a resident of Hotoro said, “I think the timing, and every other time isn’t the best to instigate a political war against one another, after all, the religion is against probe.”

Tanimu Auwalu of Rijiyallemo on his part advised Abba Kabir Yusuf to draw a line, and face governance to justify his mandate.

Rijiyallemo explained that “the government should preoccupy itself with the execution of blueprints instead of the needless war on political opponents.”

Hajiya Ayi isa Dosa on her part appealed to the governor to resist all forms of distraction because time is not on his side. She stressed that “voters will be swayed by the level of infrastructure on ground than what Ganduje has done wrong.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

Nigerian troops engage bandits in shootout, kill 12 –Official

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Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in the North-west, has killed 12 bandits and recovered weapons including one AK-47 rifle, an official has announced.

The operation’s Information Officer, Suleman Omale, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Gusau on Saturday.

Mr Omale, a lieutenant, said the success recorded followed a continued offensive operation against violent extremists with a view to restoring normalcy in the North-west region.

He said the troops successfully dominated Babban Doka, Gobirawar Challi and Kabaro communities in Maru Local Government Area of the state after engaging the terrorists in a heavy gun duel on Friday. “During the operation, our troops from Dansadau area forward operating base exhibited exceptional courage, overpowering the criminal elements and neutralising 12 terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“In a subsequent mop-up the gallant troops recovered significant weapons and assets from the scene, including 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 magazine, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made gun, 1 dane gun.

“Additionally, the troops also recovered 18 cows, 10 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists and destroyed them on the spot,” he said.

Mr Omale quoted the Commander 1 Brigade and Sector 1 OPHD, Sani Ahmed, as commending the resilience, doggedness and gallantry displayed by the troops during the operation.

“Let me urge the gallant troops to maintain the momentum and not to relent until normalcy is fully restored in the region,” Mr Ahmed, a brigadier general, charged.

He extended his appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Sokoto and Commander OPHD, Godwin Mutkut, for his tactical leadership.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Otumfuo lauds Rotary International for contributing to Ghana’s socio-economic development

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Section of the Rotarians at the conference

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has commended Rotary International for the immense contributions towards the socio-economic development of Ghana.

According to the Asantehene, the Rotary International innovation and progress in addressing healthcare delivery beyond Poliomyelitis, Malaria and HIV Aids and new emerging health concerns remains imperative.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made the commendations while delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour at the Rotary International District 9104, at its 1st annual District Conference (DISCON) 2024 held in Kumasi, over the weekend.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, poses with the Rotarians

The theme for the conference was: “Rotary-Creating Hope in Ghana” against this year’s Rotary International annual theme “Create Hope in the World”.

The Asantehene stated that the Rotary continues to build robust healthcare systems with collaborative effort accessible to all, saying the collaborative effort is vital to surmount  our complex challenges.

He disclosed that Rotary could magnify the impact of government’s bond, private sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in achieving sustainable and impactful outcomes.

According to him, this is what chieftaincy is also about, seeking for peace, resolving issues and that when people are fighting over lands, the Chiefs are there to take the issue and resolve it amicably.

He announced his intention to partner Rotary International to help build peace in Ghana through the health sector, adding that he would be in partnership with rotary forward looking solutions driven innovation, especially the health sector to give hope to Ghanaians.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, urged the Rotarians and Ghanaians to be inspired by the theme of the conference to re-affirm the commitment to create hope for Ghana through development.

Mr. David Osei Amankwah, the Rotary International District 9104, explained that Rotary is a Humanitarian Service Organisation that contributes to helping solve some of the global challenges, starting from their various deprived communities.

He disclosed that about 10,000 students benefited from their Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) programme in the Ashanti region while about 50 persons with heart problems are to be treated in India.

Rotary International, he also said, has donated GH¢100,000 in support of the Volta spillage victims.

IMF: We are satisfied with Ghana’s Economic Performance

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed satisfaction with Ghana’s Economic performance under the IMF-supported program, as it reaches staff-level agreement on the second review of Ghana’s economic program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.

Addressing the media at a joint news conference with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) last Saturday, April 13, 2024 the Mission Chief for Ghana, Mr. Stéphane Roudet, announced that “IMF staff and the Ghanaian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of Ghana’s economic program under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement.”

According to him, Ghana would have access to about US$360 million in financing, once the review was further approved by IMF Management and formally completed by the IMF Executive Board.

To ensure timely completion of the review, the IMF said Ghana and its official bilateral creditors need to reach agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a debt treatment, consistent with the agreement in principle reached in January 2024.

Mr. Roudet further stated that “Ghana’s performance under the IMF-supported program has been generally strong, with most quantitative targets met. Good progress has also been made on the key structural reform milestones.

“The authorities’ policies and reforms to restore macro-economic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth are already generating positive results”

He added that Ghana has met its non-oil revenue mobilisation target, while making progress in implementing ambitious structural fiscal reforms to bolster domestic revenues, strengthen public financial and debt management, and enhance transparency.

Ministry of Finance

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Anim Adam, who also addressed the gathering, admitted that Ghana’s medium-term macro-economic outlook and prospects continue to be positive and promising.

Dr. Anim Adam said this was because of government’s decision to enforce its commitment to implementing comprehensive structural reforms to support growth, improve the PFM system, improve revenue mobilisation, and support sound monetary and exchange policy.

“We have also put in place sufficient control and monitoring mechanisms to ensure key targets under the IMF-supported programme are met, even though 2024 is an election year,” he added.

The Minister explained that the Second Review was based on key performance indicators, including six (6) Quantitative Performance Criteria, three (3) Indicative Targets and one (1) Structural Benchmarks that was due at the end of December 2023 and 4 Structural Benchmarks due at the end of March 2024 since the program is also forward looking.

The Fund, according to him, had so far presented a favourable assessment of Ghana’s performance against these targets, “which has translated into the Staff Level Agreement (SLA)

He assured that “we remain committed to the effective implementation of the IMF programme and ensuring sustained growth and stability of the Ghanaian economy. With the support of all stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to achieve our objectives and build a stronger and more resilient nation.”

The Bank of Ghana

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Ato Addison, who also expressed satisfaction in Ghana’s economic performance emphasized the importance of collaboration with the IMF, culminating in a Staff-Level Agreement that is anticipated to lead to Management and Executive Board approvals for the release of additional IMF support.

He noted the successful completion of the first review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program and the ongoing progress in the second review, showcased Ghana’s dedication to policy implementation despite challenges.

“With substantial progress in these measures, we are beginning to reap substantial macroeconomic dividends. Inflation has dropped significantly from a peak of 54 percent at end of 2022 to 23 percent in 2023. The exchange rate remained relatively stable throughout last year, supported by tighter monetary policy and stronger foreign exchange reserves. Economic growth surprised on the upside”, the governor indicated.

While acknowledging some slowdown in disinflation in the first quarter of 2024 due to various factors, the Governor expressed optimism for a resumption of the disinflation process in the second quarter. He maintained an expectation of end-year inflation within the range of 15+/- 2%.

Concluding his remarks, the Governor emphasised the need for steadfast program implementation, fiscal discipline, tight monetary policies and structural reforms to sustain progress.

He highlighted the government and Central Bank’s commitment to successfully implementing the IMF-supported program, even in an election year, to ensure continued macroeconomic stability and a prompt return to capital markets.

Ada Foah chieftaincy blues: Dugbateys-Obuade- Tetteygah family wants NHC to be fair

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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Nomo Isaac Sappor addressing the media. With him are some members from nine of the twelve Ada-Foah Gates

The Obuade Tetteygah family of Ada-Foah is appealing to the National House of Chiefs to hear the application of leave before it by the Dugabtey Gate of Ada-Foah to enable them to proceed to the Supreme Court to seek redress on a seething chieftaincy dispute in the area.

To the family, the National House of Chief’s continuous to delay in releasing a certified true copy of the full-written judgement on who is the rightful heir to the vacant Ada-Foah stool is giving the Dada Gate the impetus to misinform the people that one Terkpetey Dada is the new chief for the area.

“The Dada Gate is misleading the public about the current situation on the whole issue, by publishing a gazette dated the 21st of December, 2023 with a stamped version of the oral pronouncements by the court on 13th March, 2024.

“The Dugbatey Gate deserves a fair hearing and justice, a process it wants to seek from the Supreme Court must be allowed without any hindrance,” Nomo Isaac Tetteh Sappor, the spokesperson to the Obuade Tetteygah family, told the media at a presser at Foah.

Explaining, Nomo Isaac Tetteh Sappor said the Dada Gate, by the inherited roles of the seven outof the twelve gates of Ada-Foah, appoints a priest, which the Obuade Tetteygah family has a say, to serve the Dada shrine.

“Per the laid down accounts, practices, facts and history as bequeathed to us, heirs to the Ada-Foah stool rotates among only three Gates, namely the Nanor Gate, the Dugbatey Gate and the Sappor Gate respectively.

“All three Gates have had their turns, with the Nanor Gate having had its second with the passage of Nene Tawiah Nanor Kokote IV.

“So, it is the turn of the Dugbatey Gate to appoint and enstool an heir to succeed the late Nanor Kokote IV,” Nomo Sappor explained.

Despite knowing this, he said the Dada Gate broke the tradition and custom, an action the Dugbatey Gate petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Ada Traditional Council, who after a full-hearing, ruled the Dugbateys as the successor of the stool.

Dissatisfied, Nomo Sappor said the Dada Gate filed an appeal at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, whose Judicial Committee ruled in favour of the Dada Gate.

“Following the strange outcome from the Regional House of Chiefs, the Dugbatey Gate filed an appealed at the National House of Chiefs and on November 24, 2023 it gave an oral ruling, upholding the judgement of the Regional House of Chiefs. The House promised to release the oral ruling in five days, but that was never to be.

“Based on the oral pronouncement by the National House of Chiefs, the Dugbatey Gate filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court for redress, but as of today (Thursday), the National House of Chiefs has not released the certified true copy of the full-written judgement. Neither has it given the Dugbatey Gate a date to hear their application for leave to proceed to the Supreme Court for redress.

“This has emboldened the Dada Gate to mislead the public on the current situation on the whole issue and we are unhappy. We want the National House of Chiefs to give a hearing to the application by the Dugbatey Gate,” he pointed out.

He said until the National House of Chiefs releases the certified true copy of the full-written judgement of the matter before it, Ada-Foah has no substantive chief and they would not recognise anybody as such.

“We are poised and determined to protect our heritage and rights at all cost. Therefore, we expect the functional authorities–the Ghana Police Service and the Office of the East Ada DCE–to exhibit professionalism without fear or favour.

“They should stop addressing the Dada Gate at public functions as the heir of the Ada-Foah stool. We are unhappy and it is generating seeming tensions.

“By our traditions, customs and practices, the Asafoatse from the Nene Kerker Zomabi Gate, which is their preserve, takes the lead role, full responsibility in all traditional, customary and administrative duties in a caretaker position until a substantive chief is enstooled for Ada-Foah. This is what we know and will recognise. Ada-Foah has no substantive chief,” Nomo Sappor emphasised.

2023 STEMNNOVATION winners leave for Japan

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Winners of the 2023 STEMNNOVATION competition organized by the Free Senior High School Secretariat of the Ministry of Education last year left Ghana for Japan last week Saturday.

The five students and an official of the Education Ministry will be out of the country for one-week and while in Japan, they will participate in an international STEM competition, engage their student counterparts in Japan, and share as well as learn new ideas and skills towards their education.

The students comprised of Malinda Josephine Owusuaa Antiri, Salomey Akpene Atsrim-Ferguson and Benedicta Amoah from the Ahafoman Secondary/Technical School, 1st place winners as well as Agordo-Kafui Caleb and Stephen Mills Kofi Asante Ahenkan also from the Wesley Grammar who were the runners up.

 

Promise of a trip

During the grand finale of the competition held in Accra, the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, pledged that the winners of the competition would be sponsored to travel to Japan as part of its prize.

The trip by the students was in fulfilment of the promise made by Dr Adutwum during the climax of the competition to motivate the students to take keen interest in STEM education as well as the competition.

Farewell message 

Addressing the students before their departure in Accra, a Deputy Director General at the Ghana Education Service, Mr Stephen Owusu, described the feat chalked by the students as very unique.

He explained that the fact that the winners of the competition were from various parts of the country attested to the fact that the nation’s education was on the right trajectory.

The Deputy Director was particularly happy that the winners of the competition were not from the famous schools in the country, adding that with the current state of education in the country, education outcomes in all schools did not matter the location of the school.

Mr Owusu lauded Dr Adutwum for the various interventions he has introduced into the nation’s education space with the view of making students study hard for the development of the right manpower for the nation and the rest of the world.

The Director of Innovation at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr David Ampofo, pledged to continue supporting the STEMNNOVATION competition to help students unearth their hidden talents and skills towards solving challenges confronting their communities and the nation as a whole.

He also pledged to create an opportunity for the winners to have access to its Innovative Hubs near their schools so they could develop their skills and innovations to enhance their chances of commercialising it for the nation’s benefit.

Background

Three female contestants who represented the Ahafoman SHTS, a mixed school, surprised the whole nation in November last year with an amazing presentation on a project on Flexible Use of Electricity, where they generated electrical power through a locally modified generator and accumulator connected to a solar panel to power a plant-based incubator.

For emerging winners, Ahafoman SHTS took home an amount of GH50,000 cash from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), a desktop computer donated by Omega Computers, GH20,000 life insurance cover from Glidco Insurance company, medals STEM textbooks while Wesley Grammar SHS received GHS 30,000 cash prize, a laptop and a printer for being second whereas, third-placed Bosomtwe Girls’ had GHS20,000 cash prize, a laptop and a printer.

Apart from the trip to Japan, the three girls from the Ahafoman were also promised a four-year full scholarship in any Engineering University in Ghana after their secondary education.

By Felix Baidoo

Persons Living with HIV plead withgov’t not to put their lives in danger

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The Secretariat of the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) alongside individuals receiving care have sent an SOS message to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to prioritise their health needs by ensuring that the country does not run out of essential medications that contribute to sustaining their lives.

Stock-out of these essential medications, they noted, put their lives in danger, appealing to the Ghanaian leader to ensure their availability and access at all material times and never let them be locked up at the port for more than two months, as recently witnessed in the country.

“The inability of individuals to access essential antiretroviral therapy (ARV) due to stock-outs not only undermines our health, but also poses a significant barrier to achieving our national HIV/AIDS targets”, the group noted.

This was contained in a six-point communiqué jointly signed by the President of NAP+, Elsie Aryeh and the association’s regional chairpersons and released in Accra on Friday, April 12, 2024 after an interactive session, dubbed “Special Time with NAP+ – ART@20 Engagement”. The group urged the government and relevant stakeholders to develop and implement robust long-lasting policies and mechanisms to ensure consistent and uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV/AIDS medications.

These include the meaningful involvement of NAP+ Ghana in the planning and strengthening of the supply chain management systems, enhancing forecasting and procurement processes, and increasing investments in local manufacturing capacity.

“Together, we can ensure that every person living with HIV in Ghana has access to essential medications and in the right quantities”, they affirmed.

They group paused to welcome the news of the clearing of essential medications that were locked up at the port for several months with a thunderous applause.

Continuing, they proposed to the government to engage NAP+ members at every stage of national deliberations on HIV care, delivery and related matters to enable them to bring their expertise to bear in actions that will impact their lives positively.

“As stakeholders deeply invested in the well-being of our community, we are committed to working collaboratively with the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable solutions to address this challenge.

“We believe that by enhancing community engagement, strengthening peer support networks, and improving community-level healthcare service delivery, we can mitigate the impact of lost to follow-up and ensure that every individual living with HIV in Ghana receives the care and support they need to thrive”, the communiqué read in part.

To sanitise their operations, the group also sent a note of caution to some miscreants within the network who have turned their activities into an income-generating venture by soliciting funds before medication is administered to clients to desist from such acts as the medicines are given to them for free.

“To turn it into an income-generating venture is a crime. NAP+ Ghana has zero tolerance for such acts and will take action to ensure such acts do not occur”, the group warned.

They reiterated their unwavering commitment to partnering with the government through the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), National AIDS/STIs Control Programmes (NACP) of Ghana Health Service, Civil Society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to address the challenge of loss to follow-up and medicine stock-out in Ghana, stressing that “by working together we can build a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive system that prioritises the needs and rights of all individuals living with HIV”.

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

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