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Don’t be vindictive: Denkyira Hemaa counsels new DCE

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Denkyira Hemaa, Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III sitting in state

Denkyira Hemaa, Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III, has counselled the newly confirmed DCE for the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira Assembly to strive for peace in his quest to bring massive development to the area.

According to her, developmental initiatives, mainly thrive where there is peace, unity and tranquillity and, therefore, counselled the new DCE, Nana Kweku Abban, to cross all ‘Ts’ and dot all ‘Is’ during his work. This, she explained, would bring absolute peace to the area and enable him to have a peaceful mind with which he could execute his task for the development of the district.

Chiefs who attended the Akwasidae

The Denkyira Hemaa gave this wise counselling when the newly confirmed DCE paid a courtesy call on her during the observation of the second Akwasidae for the year 2024 last Sunday.

Background

It would be recalled that the nomination of Nana Kweku Abban to the position of the DCE by the president was fiercely resisted by the Omanhene of the Twifo Hemang Traditional Area.

The chief, Otumfuo Amoah Sasraku IV, posited that Nana Abban had earlier disrespected him and the entire paramountcy, following certain disparaging comments he allegedly passed when he (Nana Abban) was the Presiding Member of the assembly.

Following this, the Twifo Hemangmanhene held a press conference at his palace and called on the president to revoke Mr Abban’s appointment with immediate effect.

Abban’s response

However, Nana Kweku Abban categorically refuted the assertions by the Omanhene and denied the allegations.

Despite the huge controversy that greeted his nomination, Nana Kweku Abban was overwhelmingly endorsed by the newly constituted Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District Assembly.

All the twenty five Assembly Members who were present and voted and endorsed the nominee with a one hundred percent yes vote, which signified that the people’s representatives supported the government’s choice.

Nana Hemaa’s advise

The Denkyira Hemaa clarified further that there was no feud between the two distinguished traditional authorities neither did the rejection of the nominee by the Hemang Traditional ruler constitute a base for segregation and divisions.

She, therefore, appealed to the DCE not to use his position to seek vengeance, intimidate others or see those who initially opposed to his nomination and treat them with disdain.

“You are a Denkyira but your position means that you have become the Chief Executive for the whole district so you don’t have to discriminate against anybody.

Just as you desire to treat the people of the Denkyira well, do extend the same courtesy to the people of Twifo Hemang because we are all one people in one district with a common destiny”. She stated.

DCE’s response

In a response, Nana Kweku Abban thanked the Denkyira Hemaa for her wise counselling and promised to operate an open-door policy where he will welcome all manner of people and would be fair to all. He called on the chiefs to continue to play their traditional roles which have been pivotal in the development of the area effectively because governance, he said, was intertwined with chieftaincy.

Presentation of P A System

During the Akwasidae celebration which was heralded by the performance of traditional rites and rituals, the Denkyira Hemaa donated a new set of Public Address System to the palace.  It was meant to aid in the making of audible sounds, especially during official meetings at the palace and other gatherings where the service of the system would be required.

See yourselves as God’s representative on earth –CJ urges new justices

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Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has called on the 11 new Supreme Court justices to see themselves as representatives of God on earth and that they will give account of their stewardship to God one day.

Ariwoola made this statement on Monday at the swearing-in of the eleven newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court, warning them to avoid questionable acts capable of dragging the Apex Court in the mud.

He said their elevation to the Supreme Court bench is in recognition of their astuteness and evident passion for hard work, which is the hallmark of judicial excellence.

“See yourselves as the representatives of God on earth, because any judgement given at this level can only be upturned in heaven”.

The CJN tasked them to put in their best as seasoned judicial officers transiting from the Court of Appeal and had established remarkable acquaintances with the judicial oath and roles guiding the conduct of judicial officers.

“Your moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation, must be unwavering and unassailable,” he added.

The justices sworn in were, Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-east); and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east).

Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).

Credit: dailypost.ng

Ghana is safe and secure – President

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President Akufo-Addo SONA 2023

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that Ghana is safe and secure.

He said this during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.

In his address on security, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the threat along the borders of Ghana posed by terrorists in neighbouring countries.

He made a point about how the government was spending huge sums of money on the chieftaincy conflict in Bawku, stressing that those funds could be channelled to develop the area.

He has thus urged the faction to cease fire and let peace prevail, stating that the situation in Bawku is a potential launchpad for terrorist attacks on Ghana.

TUC calls for new minimum wage, importation of essential food items

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TUC President Festus Osifo

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the Federal Government to fix a new minimum wage to tackle the rising cost of living in the country. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, the cost of living has spiked and inflation figures pushing new highs in Nigeria.

Although there have been protests and meetings between labour unions and authorities to roll out measures to ease the hardship, TUC President Festus Osifo is calling for a review of the N30,000 minimum wage.

He spoke in Abuja on Monday during a press briefing barely 24 hours before the commencement of a nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the high cost of living.

Osifo told the gathering that the call for a new minimum wage is part of the solutions proffered by the union to address the economic hardship in the country.

He said the falling value of the naira against the dollar in the FX market has further eroded the value of the minimum wage.

The TUC leadership is thus calling for the passage and implementation of a new minimum wage law that reflects the current economic realities.

According to him, the Federal Government’s economic team should work towards a more realistic rate of the naira to dollar, which they pegged between N500 and N800 to the dollar. The union also recommended a clamping down on currency speculators, especially those online, who they say have made remittances from abroad drop.

Osifo also proposed that the government should review taxes on some critical goods imported into the country to ease the hardship. This is as the unionists advised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to facilitate trade rather than just celebrate revenue collections.

TUC is thus demanding that the importation of essential food items be allowed immediately by the Director General of the NCS to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.

Credit: channelstv.com

Unified Group expresses displeasure over Ken Ofori Atta’s new appointment

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Nana Kwakye Anarfi, National Communication Director of Unified Group

The Unified Group, a Ghanaian advocacy group, has expressed strong disapproval of the recent appointment of Ken Ofori-Atta as Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investment.

The group views the move as unparalleled in Ghana’s history and suggests a concerned lack of separation between Mr. Ofori-Atta and President Akufo-Addo.

Nana Kwakye Anarfi, National Communication Coordinator, in a press statement disclosed that, The Unified Group is perplexed about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister raising concerns about his effectiveness and the impact on the nation’s economy.

According to him, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s perceived shortcomings in managing the economy and the negative consequences of his policies, including Debt distress, High inflation, ⁠Declining living standards, Currency depreciation, controversial debt exchange programme, escalating public debt, and a struggling private sector and increased taxation explain the group’s current position.

The Group expressed skepticism regarding Mr. Ofori-Atta’s ability to succeed in his new role, citing the perceived failure as Finance Minister.

According to the group, there is the potential of conflicting advice because Mr. Ofori-Atta’s appointment has the potential to hinder the current Finance Minister’s ability to act independently.

Mr. Anarfi noted that  they were in high spirits that Akufo-Addo was coming to fulfil one of his numerous promises that he would not govern this country with many ministers not knowing he is now adding up to the size of his government.

He revealed that, Ghana has been ranked the most corrupt under Ken Ofori Atta’s leadership as Minister of Finance, having carried out policies that have not produced any beneficial outcomes, including the channelling of US$450 million into the National Cathedral project, the US$12 million Agyapa deal, the collapse of our economy, the signing of a US$100 million SML deal and numerous other poor initiatives.

The Unified Group has expressed a sense of disappointment in the leadership and the executives for the perceived disregard for public opinion and a preference for what they perceive as family and friend affairs.

It has, therefore, urged President Akufo-Addo to reconsider the appointment and prioritise the concerns of the Ghanaian people.

CSOs protest in Lagos over high cost of living

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Protesters hit the streets

Members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Monday trooped to the streets of Lagos in protest of the high cost of living and soaring food prices. Video making the round on social media showed protesters under a human rights group identified as the “Take It Back Movement” carrying placards of various inscriptions in the Ojuelegba area of the state.

Despite warnings on Sunday by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade of holding any planned protests, police officers were seen at the protest grounds providing security.

Similar protests were held in Edo and Osun states where protesters marched through the streets with diverse inscriptions such as “End Economic Hardship” and “FG End the Hunger in Nigeria Now,” to drum home their points.

Confirming the protest in a post on X was the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Command , SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who debunked claims that CP Fayose had warned against holding any protests in Lagos.

”This is definitely not true. The Police proactively arrived at the scene to ensure adequate security for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and prevent their procession from being hijacked by hoodlums.”

”The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, addressed the protesters before their procession took off in his presence.

SP Hundeyin also confirmed that the protest went as far as the Maryland area.

”The procession moved as far as Maryland. The Police were with them all through. The protesters played their part well and did not obstruct traffic. The Police provided adequate security and ensured the procession was not hijacked. Everything went fine.”

He stressed that the protesters properly conducted themselves as no violence was recorded.

Credit: channelstv.com

KON advises Real Estate Agency Council to open offices

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KON at the premises of the agency

Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has tasked the board and management of the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC) to ensure an opening of the Agency’s offices by April this year

The Agency, since its establishment by law in 2020, is yet to open its offices to the general public.

KON speaking to the media after the visit

On his first working visit on Monday, February 26, 2024 Minister Oppong Nkrumah emphasised the urgency of getting REAC fully operational to regulate transactions in the real estate industry effectively.

“The Contractor tells me he wants to use a little over two months to finish the work but I have tasked him to finish by the end of April, because we want to get the Agency functioning so that they can serve our citizens, so that the difficulty our citizens go through when they are doing real estate transactions will be minimised,” he said.

Parliament in 2020 passed the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047) creating the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC). This body was tasked with regulating the sector, ensuring fairness and transparency in real estate transactions.

However, despite the passage of the legislation to fully establish and operationalise the Agency, it has been slow in executing it mandates.

While the Council has been sworn in, its functions remain dormant with the CEO working from the Ministry of Works and Housing, rather than from the REAC’s headquarters.

Addressing the challenges faced by REAC, the Minister stressed the need for swift action in establishing its offices expressing concern over the delay in its operationalisation.

He gave the assurance that plans are underway to secure funding for the furnishing and staffing of the offices when completed.

In response to the Minister’s directives, the CEO of REAC, Nana Turkson, expressed gratitude for his visit and took the opportunity to further highlight the problems facing the Agency.

He said it has staff deficit, logistically constrained, needs funds for its day-to-day operations and a cloud-based system for remote engagement with clients.

In another development, the Ministry of Works and Housing has appointed Manasseh Atta Boahene as its new spokesperson.

Mr Boahene, a seasoned professional with a rich background in economics and public relations, brings a wealth of experience to the position.

Having previously served as the government Spokesperson on the economy, Boahene’s transition to this new role is seen as a natural progression, given his aptitude for navigating complex economic matters and articulating them effectively to the public.

A graduate of the University of Ghana, Manasseh Atta Boahene holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Study of Religions, as well as a Master of Philosophy in Economics. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Development Economics and his academic pursuits underscore his commitment to furthering his expertise in the field.

As the newly appointed spokesperson, Mr. Boahen is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative surrounding the Ministry’s initiatives, fostering constructive dialogue and ultimately helping the public understand the various projects the Ministry is embarking on.

GRA to build a 500-bed hospital for officers

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The Acting Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Bismark Kissi

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has hinted at far-reaching plans to build a 500-bed hospital to take care of the health needs of officers.
The move, according to the Authority, is part of measures to particularly cater for the health needs of retired officers whose health conditions deteriorate due to ageing after active service.

Ernest Samuel Ackwerh, RECOA President

The Acting Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Bismark Kissi, revealed this in response to a concern raised by the leadership of the retired Customs officers.

Ernest Samuel Ackwerh, President of the Retired Customs Officers Association (RECOA), at their annual get-together, as well as 70th and 80th birthday anniversaries of some retired officers in Accra described the current one thousand Ghana Cedis annual medical bills refund for a retired officer woefully inadequate, given the cost of seeking medical attention in Ghana currently.

“Thousand cedis as medical expenses refund for retired officers who had worked tirelessly to raise revenue for the nation…we feel is an insult to our persons,” he stressed.

Given this, Mr Ackwerh proposed that a different arrangement be made concerning their medical issues since the current situation is discouraging.

“I suggest that the GRA make health insurance arrangements for us because even the increment we are calling for will be negligible,” he added.

The RECOA President also had reservations about the current management of contributions in support of retired officers.

A retiree receiving her birthday present from Acting Deputy Commissioner Bismark Kissi

He said: “We contributed to support the Retired Customs Officers Fund during our active service, however, we are not happy with how the current executive is handling the fund.”

The Acting Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Bismark Kissi, who represented the Commissioner General, in a sharp response, disclosed a resolve at a recent management meeting that medical expenses of retired officers and their spouses would, henceforth, be fully taken care of.

Additionally, he said the organisation had gone far with moves to establish a 500-bed hospital to resolve the medical concerns of officers.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner of Customs, in response to another request by the retirees, revealed the organisation’s intention to build its recreational centre.

“We have gone far to acquire land at Kwabenya to put up our recreational centre. We hope that this plan comes to fruition for us to gather and enjoy at our clubhouse and not be at the facilities of our sister organisations,” he noted.

Retired officers who had turned 70 and 80 years were given a token of GH¢300 and GH¢500 respectively, in addition to citations for being alive ten and twenty years after retiring from active service.

The retirees were advised to avoid junk foods, alcohol and promiscuity but engage in moderate exercise to keep them more active.

Live stream: President Akufo-Addo’s penultimate State of the Nation Address

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President Akufo-Addo SONA 2023

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akudo-Addo, will today deliver his last but one State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.

In accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, President Akufo-Addo is expected to provide an overview of the nation’s current state, as Parliament has just begun a session.

Before the 8th Parliament is dissolved on the eve of January 7, 2025, President Akufo-Addo shall address Parliament for the last time.

Article 67 says, “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation.”

This will be the fourth time President Akufo-Addo has fulfilled this constitutional obligation in his second term, and at the end of his two terms as president, he would have done this the tenth time.

Click the link to watch the proceedings live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jbIOgum-w

Nakeeyat Dramani Sam unveiled as Ambassador for 4R+ Climate Change Project

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Saviour Adzika, Queen mothers and Gifty Anti unveiling Nakeeyat as Ambassador for 4R+

SaviourAdzika, Queen mothers and Gifty Anti unveiling Nakeeyat as Ambassador for 4R+

Corpnation Foundation has launched its 4R+ project, dedicated to fostering a climate-friendly nation with child star, Nakeeyat Dramani Sam as the ambassador.

Mr. Saviour Kwaku Adzika, the Founder of Corpnation Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about Nakeeyat’s appointment, citing her current role as the Youth Ambassador for the Climate Vulnerable Forum as a testament to her commitment to environmental causes. Mr. Adzika emphasized the vital role Nakeeyat will play in shaping the future narrative of climate change.

Miss Dramani Sam, a renowned poet, graciously accepted the ambassadorial role, promising to use her influence to encourage her peers and the younger generation to adopt eco-friendly practices and take responsibility in environmental stewardship. Her dedication to the cause was evident as she articulated her commitment to making a tangible impact on climate awareness.

Championing the event was Nana Kobina Nketia IV, EssikadoOmanhene, who chaired the occasion. His pledge of support underscored the importance of collaboration across various sectors in achieving the goals of the 4R+ project.

Adding to the momentum, the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Hon. Abdul Mumin and Western Regional Director, Ghana Education service, Mrs. Felicia Agyeibea Okai commended Corpnation Foundation attaining heights with their 4R+ project within the Western Region and further affirmed their commitment to the project. This multi-stakeholder approach reflects the collective determination to create a sustainable and resilient future.

Oheneyere Gifty Anti, a prominent media personality who was also at the event, emphasized the significance of individual commitment to addressing the climate phenomenon. Her words resonated with attendees, inspiring a sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship.

As the 4R+ project gains momentum, Nakeeyat Dramani Sam stands at the forefront, poised to lead a generation towards a greener and more sustainable future. With unwavering support from key figures and institutions, the initiative holds promise in creating lasting positive change in the fight against climate change.

The 4Rs stand for reduce, reuse, recycle and recovery of solid waste for an eco-friendly nation. The plus component ensures sustainability, it includes elements such as student clubs (Saving The Planet Club), Environmental Quizzes, Award Scheme and tree growing.

The event was supported by SEB Foundation and sponsored by Rigworld International Services.

The Ghanaian Chronicle