Traders in Kumasi, particularly members of the Kumasi Central Market Traders Union have threatened toprotest against the delay in the implementation of the €248 million Second Phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project, being financed by the Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
The proposed demonstration is intended to draw the attention of concerned authorities to resume work on the project, since it is being unduly delayed.
Sam Pyne – KMA boss
The phase two of the Kejetia Central Market Redevelopment has seemingly been abandoned due to lack of funding.
The traders, who have plans to occupy these spaces upon project completion, have repeatedly stressed the need for urgent action to resume construction, as they are getting agitated about the delays.
In May 2019, 2023 the president cut the sod for the project to be commenced and was to be completed within 48-months.
The second phase of the project is expected to house 6,500 leasable commercial spaces; 5,400 closed stores; 800 kiosks; 50 restaurants and 210 fishmonger and butcher stores and 40 livestock stores among others, as well as provide 900 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect jobs to improve the lot of residents, but it has stalled.
Madam Emilia Kwofie, Secretary of the combined Kumasi Central Market Traders Union, says they are demanding authorities to prioritise this project, adding that they will embark on the demonstration once they finish going through the process with the police.
About 8,500 traders were relocated from the Central market in Kumasi to enable Contracta-UK Construction Limited the contractors to commence work on the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment project in 2021.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) accordingly prepared the Race Course and the Afia Kobi (Abinkyi) Markets, under a roadmap for the resettlement of the traders.
About 3,500 shop owners and 4,000 second hand cloth dealers at the Central market were resettled at the Afia Kobi Market, whilst 1,000 fish sellers moved to the Race Course, which has enough space to absorb more traders.
Reacting to the concerns of the traders, Samuel Pyne said work on the projects will resume soon, without giving any time frame.
Kwasi Aboagye - Obuasi West NPP Polling Station executive
Mr. Kwasi Aboagye, a Polling Station executive of the Obuasi West Constituency since 1996 has said Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s resignation from the party, last Monday, is a good omen.
He thinks his announced resignation would enhance the forward match of the party in its bid to win the 2024 elections, stressing that the development would facilitate the ‘Break the 8’ mantra.
“NPP should be encouraged that the woes of the party have ended with the resignation of Mr. Alan Kyerematen”.
According to the leading party member, Mr. Kyerematen’sexit has helped to end the perceived factions which hinged on Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen as a successor of former President Kufuor and, therefore, has further strengthened the unity of the party.
Talking to the media in Kumasi yesterday, Mr. Aboagye described Monday’s development as “good riddance to bad rubbish”.
He noted that the resignation of the former Trade Minister from the party has and would not have any negative bearing on the NPP.
“It will not make any impact on the NPP. Rather a Bawumia-led government would bring about the change Ghanaians desire”.
Mr. Aboagye suspected that there could be another resignation by one of the NPP Presidential aspirants, and noted that in the event of another resignation, the party would be strengthened further.
He said there are no factions in the party as Alan’s exit will bring an end to the Kufuor faction in NPP, and with Nana Akufo-Addo about to leave the scene, the party will fully enjoy harmony and unity.
He said Mr. Alan Kyerematen had not consolidated the legacy and support base left to him by Ex-President Kufuor because he is not a politician.
Mr. Aboagye has, therefore, called on delegates to rally behind the candidacy of Dr. Bawumia to bring change to the fortunes of the country.
He explained that the support enjoyed by Dr. Bawumia, a Muslim from the Church of Pentecost, Catholic Church and the Methodist Church, points to the fact that the choice of Dr. Bawumia is divine.
The Obuasi West party executive also reminded delegates about the Bawumia and Otumfuo relationship, Bawumia and Chief Imam ties and the way Bawumia relates to Christendom, which are indications that the way is smooth for the party to sail through in the 2024 elections.
Mr. Aboagye further appealed to the party hierarchy to consider pairing Dr. Bawumia with Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, as his running mate, to strengthen the unity and oneness among members of the party.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, according to a report carried by the Daily Graphic yesterday, has expressed worry over the increasing addiction of the youth to betting and called for efforts to check the trend.
He, the report continued, contended that the situation had left many of them in pain and poorer, as the betting companies continued to cash in on their vulnerabilities. Moderator Yeboah Mante also noted that the youth faced several challenges, such as drug addiction, sex and betting, which, he said, were detrimental to their wellbeing and communities.
He, therefore, called on the church and other relevant stakeholders to help instil discipline among the youth, and also guide them on to the path of growth. Rt Rev Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante also urged the government to come up with the necessary strategies to check such activities. He further advised churches to set up effective counselling units to help rehabilitate persons with addictions.
The problems of betting and drug addiction, among other social vices, are serious issues that every individual, churches and organisations should not brush aside. Prosperity, in our opinion, lies in hard work, but regrettably, majority of the youth think otherwise. To them, if betting will bring quick money, why indulge in hard work, which, at the end of the day, does not satisfy their needs.
The Chronicle is, therefore, not surprised that on Saturdays and Sundays when the European Football League matches are being played, the youth troop to the betting centres, not to entertain themselves with the games, but to bet on the results. Certainly, the economy of Ghana cannot grow up to the level we are all looking for if this is the mind-set of our youth.
We concede that unemployment, especially among the youth, is a serious challenge that we, as a country, are grappling with, but this should not be used as an excuse to over indulge in betting, which does not even guarantee a regular income to the bettor. But the big question is: can Rev Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante and the church in Ghana absolve themselves from the issue under discussion?
The answer, we dare say, is no – the Church and the Mosque have a big role to play in clamping down on what Rev Mante considers moral decadence. The Church, in particular, is making so much money, but the leaders are not investing it into productive sectors that will, at the end of the day, provide employment for the youth.
As a matter of fact, some of our pastors prefer riding in posh cars and building mansions to establishing factories to employ the youth. The Chronicle, however, admits that some of the churches, especially the orthodox ones, are doing well, as they have invested in the education and health sectors of the economy.
We believe if all the churches are to toe the same line, the challenge would have been addressed by now, albeit halfway. The Chronicle is, therefore, calling on our religious leaders to review their personal life styles and see how best to address the unemployment conundrum, which is driving most of the youth into betting, though, in our opinion, this should not be the justification for their conducts.
Again, majority of the youth troop to mosques and churches every Friday and Sunday, and if they are going wayward, it means the impact of the Church and the Mosque is not being felt. This calls for the review of our religious teachings to focus on the moral aspect, which has now been thrown to the dogs.
It is quite bamboozling, to say the least, that honourable persons would go to all lengths to discuss a showdown; a showoff of some sort whether nonsensical or bullshit talk, all in the name of remaining relevant in our political dispensation as the biggest most credible political party under the Ghanaian sky. And of course, it is the NPPthat is the biggest, make no mistake about that!
However, recently, after the uncouth manner of campaign brought on by the inefficient and incompetent team of Alan Kyerematen led by an awful spokesperson and, more so, a bunch of rascals that, totally, obliterated the relevance of Alan in our body politics, we still see traits of such vile rhetoric coming from other camps.
On this note, let me pause and salute Dr Akoto Afriyie for the clean campaign thus far done and encourage him to continue doing same until the deed is done. Although I disagree with him on a lot of issues, I still doff my hat for the decorum associated with his camp! His last statement, “if I do not win, I will support whoever does in the November 4, 2023, primaries,” needs to be adopted as a slogan by all, especially the vile ones.
Let me state that I love Kennedy Agyapong for his boldness and no-nonsense stance on issues albeit some are overly farfetched; “aswerigad”, in his own voice! But, recently, he has misfired, and woefully inaptly, too, like a diehard patron of a pito bar, which has blotched his pages with indelible crassness that will be difficult to wipe clean except with an admission of fault.
You see, he has inflicted on himself deep political wounds that have suppurated causing him pain, and I do not understand why he would want to cause himself more that will fester with such excess in insults, infantile insinuations, and loose talk especially the recent spate of attacks on Dr Mahmoud Bawumia to the effect that Soale’s killers are known to him. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back, hence this article.
Yes, of course, I am connected to the signal, if you know what I mean. If you don’t, let me make it clear and emphatic that I am for Dr. Bawumia. In fact I swore my allegiance to him in 2011 as the next after my unfettered allegiance and support to the best President ever, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
If you have access to Bawumia, you can ask him!However, that did not mean that I forfeited the right to express my opinion where and when necessary, but the unruly situation created by dirty slanging and the uncouth demeanour of aspirants for the flagbearership of our party has forced me out of my “one corner” to tell it as it is right in “your face”, if you like.
Kennedy has been fingered in the death of Soale, which I do not believe at all. In fact, I, totally, detest such accusations because Kennedy is not a murderer! But for the fact that ongoing investigations and accusations point his way, he should be the last person to shift the goalpost by offloading blame to one of the few cleanest gentlemen Ghana has ever know, Dr, Mahamudu Bawumia!
Just making such unprovoked announcements has strengthened my belief in the signs that are splashed across our sky foretelling the ascent of Dr. Bawumia to the presidency of Ghana in 2025, thus, creating history in many forms! Kennedy should have learnt a lesson or two after losing a lawsuit to Kweku Baaku, having erred in his bravado after which he went whimpering and begging!
Since Dr. Bawumia arrived on the political scene of our country, I am yet to hear him insult any opponent. He has not even been vile towards the NDC that has left no stone unturned in their quest to destroy his image, albeit fruitlessly, even though he has the right after their attempt to assassinate him in 2012 along the Wa-Bole road.
He has not been fazed at all with the rubbish that is being constantly hurled at him, and as such would not be intimidated by the evil impulses of dear Kennedy!So, what is it that the offenders are afraid of? What is it that is giving Kennedy the shivers, pushing him to compromise his credibility by making mockery, lies, and insults an integral part of his campaign?
Kennedy Agyepong must make haste slowly anytime his switch clicks because sooner than later, it would take one unholy utterance to destroy all that he has worked for since he became, errremm, an “abrante3”! Let me use this opportunity to dedicate a song for his listening pleasure, “Sikayɛabranteɛ” by Super Yaw Ofori. Ampa, sana sika y3 abranteɛ, ɛmomɛntumitɔnyansa, sɛbi!”
Monsieur le Parlementaire, Kennedy, çava?
By Fadi Dabbousi
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
Dirty buckets, gallon and ceiling brush in the washroom
The Kaneshie District Court is made up of two divisions located in the Hospitality and Tourism Training building in Accra.
It is behind the Ghana School of Languages and shares the same vicinity with other state institutions such as the Ministry of Information, Greater Accra National Service Secretariat, Regional Coordinating Council, Workers’ College, Accra City Campus of the University of Ghana, Teachers Hall and Catholic Institution of Business, and Technology.
The court is locked between Adabraka, Asylum Down, Tudu and Ridge.
Pictures of Kaneshie Court public restroom
Although many people have wondered why it is called Kaneshie District Court and not Adabraka District Court, this magistrate, like other lower courts, plays a very important role in the country’s legal and adjudication system.
The magistrate court has original jurisdiction to conduct committal trials – offenses punishable by death such as murder and treason.
The court entertains matters in the threshold of GH¢2 million and rulings from Rent Control are referred to it.
Being one of the few magistrate courts within Accra, the Kaneshie District Court is highly patronised for the above reasons.
Challenges
The Kaneshie District Court has two court rooms on the second and third floors at the left side of the building.
The Kaneshie Court is on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the building
Despite being disability unfriendly, it poses other grave challenges to officers of the court – staff, prosecutors, lawyers and court users, particularly in the event of nature’s call.
Nature’s call is an inevitable event of every living being’s daily affairs. However, in the case of humans where this private business is conducted really matters, as it can come about due to health and environmental issues.
In the case of the Kaneshie District Court, it has three restrooms serving its over 30 staff, in addition to magistrates, lawyers, prosecutors and the public.
In an interview with some of the court staff, who spoke to The Chronicle under the condition of anonymity, they said the magistrates had been allocated one of the toilets, the female staff one, while the males and the public also the other.
Probably, the male staff have to endure sharing their washroom with the public because of the assumptions that they stand and do not sit when conducting their business.
The magistrates’ washroom is on the first floor, therefore, it is likely they might clash during emergencies.
One of the staff told the paper that there was a time the court had both male and female magistrates using the same washroom.
Pictures of Kaneshie Court public restroom
A female magistrate who is pregnant and her court on the second floor, therefore, would have to descend and ascend anytime she has to use the washroom.
Court users are literally barred from using the washroom with the male staff, as most times the toilet door is under locked and key.
On days that the door would be left opened, the insanity conditions – the toilet bowl and floor are stained, as well as the pungent smell – are enough to deter one from using it.
A female staff also told the paper that she attempted using the washroom once, but had since had never tried it again.
According to her, she has mustered the art of taking in less liquids during the day or certain foods in order to avoid using the public restroom.
She fears to pick up diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, urinary tract infection, and vulva and vaginal infections.
This person may sound paranoia or germ-phobic, it has been proven that infectious diseases can be picked up by both sexes.
Although it is suggested that regular visitors of public restroom stand the risk of picking sexually transmitted diseases, that point has been violently demolished by some researchers that it could only happen if the recipients had sex in there.
The court staff said she was always experience urinary urgency whenever she reached home, because she had to avoid using the restroom for several hours while at work.
Experts say practices like holding urine for extremely long periods of time comes with a cost of developing urinary tract infections due to bacteria build-up, and increases the risk of kidney disease and bladder failure, a condition that can cause death.
Pictures of Kaneshie Court public restroom
Court users, on the other hand, are often directed to urinate beside a water tank at the rear of the building.
The space behind the water tank is free for all, and so male, female, old and young compete to use it.
A court user, who gave his name as Kwesi, said at times when behind the water tank get too busy, he often uses a path connection the Ghana School of Languages and the court area.
Indeed, using that path comes with lots of discomfort, due to the foul smell.
The Chronicle also witnessed an incident where a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of an accused. However, it later turned out that the accused was present, but had an emergency, for which he dashed out of the court premises in search of a place to respond to nature’s call.
Amid the hardship across the country, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has told the federal government that Nigerians are tired of unending promises.
Festus Osifo, President of the TUC said the union was tired of the promises by the Ministry of Labour to implement its demands.
TUC had demanded wage awards for civil servants to cushion the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal, tax exemption for some categories of workers, as well as setting up structures for the effective implementation of the palliatives from the federal government.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had previously assured Nigerian workers that the government would soon conclude the issue of wage award.
The minister also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress not to embark on its planned indefinite strike and allow the government to resolve all pending issues.
However, Osifo said the union is demanding that the Federal Government carry out concrete actions.
Featuring on Channels Television on Tuesday, Osifo said, “In the last meeting we had with the Ministry of Labour, they told us the same thing that the president was out of the country and when he comes back they believe that he will make the pronouncement.
“At the end of the day, we have been hearing dates, we have been hearing it will come today, tomorrow or next tomorrow, we are relatively tired of promises, all we want is action.
“Nigerians are tired of meetings, lots of promises, what we want is concrete action, so we are tired of promises and promises.”
Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary will be a subdued affair with no foreign leaders invited, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, says.
Akume told reporters in Abuja on Monday that President Bola Tinubu approved a low-key celebration in line with the current economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity.”
“No world leaders have been invited. This celebration is low-key as I said due to the realities on ground. We’ve not invited foreign leaders. Time would come that we would gather world leaders to celebrate with us. But for now, none,” Akume said.
The SGF promised that the administration, which took office in May, was still young and that Nigerians would soon see the implementation of policies and execution of projects.
According to him, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy as the best form of governance, despite political instability and coups in some parts of the West African subregion.
Akume assured the citizens that the government was aware of the economic challenges Nigerians faced since the removal of the fuel subsidy, while also citing the impact of the global economic downturn.
He further explained that the government was working to provide necessary palliatives and was engaging with labour to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.
Meridian Port Services, MPS has held its quarterly stakeholder engagements with shipping lines with an assurance to offer them efficient services.
The quarterly engagement was also used to interact with the shipping lines on progress being made by MPS towards making the Port of Tema the leading container hub in West Africa.
The CEO of MPS, Mohammed Samara prevailed on the shipping lines to use the Port of Tema as their hub for efficient port services.
The representatives of the shipping lines visited the MPS terminal 3 to observe operations at the terminal.
They also used the opportunity to witness the arrival of the 3 STS cranes and 12 RTG cranes procured by MPS at a cost of over US$50 million to boost productivity at its terminal.
Mohammed Samara said the Port of Tema has become very competitive as it has more handling capacity.
The Chief Executive of MPS explained that ports are key elements for the developmental objectives of developing countries so it is necessary that Ghana to invest in such projects that improve the capacity of its ports.
“You cannot just wait for the volumes to happen then after that you react by creating the infrastructure as well as the handling capacity. So somebody has got to freeze the situation and not wait for the chicken to lay an egg or for the egg to become a chicken. You know, we have to pick whatever and then we have to invest and that is exactly what we are doing.”
The Managing Director of Maersk Ghana, Rasak Ngula said the investment in the cranes will go a long way to serve them well.
“Let me congratulate MPS for this very bold investment, it is one that is super exciting to see. Also, for the community I think it is going to make a lot of difference. Firstly, making the Ghana port more competitive across the sub-region and I think also becoming one of the locations that everyone can look at to.
So for us shipping lines, this just adds to the efficiency that we have all been asking for and I think once you bring efficiency on board you also add value to doing business and then, of course it translates into what everyone else in the environment and community benefits.”
Over 200 Senior High School girls filled the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) new auditorium to participate in this year’s Girls in Aviation Day celebration full of expectation and beaming with smiles and listening with rapt attention as the carefully selected speakers from Women in Aviation took turns to inspire them.
Ms Eloina Baddoo, Delta Air Lines Marketing and Sales Manager for Ghana, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire, narrated the story of how she started a career in aviation in 2017. She indicated that she rose to her current position at Delta by starting out as an intern, working with the General Manager at the time. Having worked hard for about two years, she was nominated to her current role where she supervises operations in three countries.
According to Ms Baddoo, the aviation industry offered endless possibilities for young women who aspired to break limits and excel, adding that Delta was a proud supporter of such young brilliant minds like hers.
“I am proud to say Delta Airlines’ teams in all the five destinations in Africa, including Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lagos and Senegal, are led by women,” she said.
This demonstrates the airlines’ strong dedication to supporting women and girls in the aviation industry, and the reason why Delta was thrilled to be part of this wonderful initiative that encourages young girls to dream big.
In March this year, as part of events to mark International Women’s Day, Delta held a high-tea event for women leaders in the aviation industry, and in business to network and encourage each other in the industry.
For over three years, Delta has supported the Girls in Aviation Day celebration in Ghana by introducing girls to the airline business, and the exciting career prospects available to them, either as pilots, engineers, marketers, customer service representatives, or in various other roles across the sector.
The programme was organised by the Ghana Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI). It was the first time meeting after a hiatus in 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and selected students from Accra Girls High School, Tema Senior High School, Ola Girls Senior High School, Lashibi Senior High School and a representative of Afia Kobi Senior High School in Kumasi, who were eager to soak in all sessions, led by professionals in aviation, mainly women.
Other speakers admonished the girls to stay focused, be disciplined, take advantage of all available opportunities, and work diligently towards their career goals. They encouraged them to appreciate their unique backgrounds, as this could greatly fuel their work attitudes and influence the outcome.
In attendance were the Deputy Minister for Transport, Alhassan S. Tampuli, the President of Women in Aviation, Ghana Chapter, Madam Juliet Okae, a Board Member for GCAA, Madam Joyce Opoku-Boateng, and the Managing Director, Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey.
The girls enjoyed an exhibition of miniature aircraft at the event grounds, and a tour of the Air Traffic Control (ATC), Simulation Centre and Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport.
Nana Twumasi Ankrah Gyamfi Bosompem, demands counsel for Ahafo house of chiefs
Nana Twumasi Ankrah Gyamfi Bosompem, the Chief of Ahyiayem, Tano North Municipality, Ahafo Region, has petitioned Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs to facilitate the immediate appointment of a Lawyer for the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs.
In a statement to the Minister and copied the Ghana News Agency, Nana Bosompem, also the Atipemhene of the Yamfo Traditional Area in the Tano North Municipality, bemoaned the absence of a lawyer to oversee the operations of the Judicial Committee of the House.
This, he said, was militating against the advancement of the noble chieftaincy institution and highly detrimental to public interest in the region.
The statement said the appointment of a counsel would position the Judicial Committee to efficiently adjudicate and dispose of all chieftaincy disputes currently pending before the House expeditiously.
It said the lack of a Legal Officer to support the efficient functioning of not only the Judicial Committee, but also other Committees of the House had impeded the general progress of the House since its inauguration.
It appealed to the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs to prioritise and expedite the appointment of a lawyer to ensure the smooth operation of the House and the resolution and disposal of chieftaincy disputes in a timely manner.
According to Ms Baddoo, the aviation industry offered endless possibilities for young women who aspired to break limits and excel, adding that Delta was a proud supporter of such young brilliant minds like hers.
