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IAEA’s Grossi says situation ‘serious’ at Ukraine nuclear plant

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Members of an International Atomic Energy Agency expert mission inspect conditions at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after a dam whose water is used to cool the facility’s reactors burst last week

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine is “serious” but being stabilised.

Grossi arrived at Europe’s biggest nuclear plant on Thursday to assess potential safety risks after the partial collapse of the Kakhovka dam, which caused widespread flooding and exacerbated fears for the facility’s safety.

The plant has been shut down, but it still needs water to cool the fuel in its reactors and its spent fuel to prevent a meltdown. It uses a cooling pond to keep its six reactors from overheating. The Kakhovka Reservoir was normally used to refill the pond but cannot do so now because of its falling water level due to the breach, officials said.

Instead, the pond, which is separated from the reservoir, can be replenished using deep underground wells, they said.

“On the one hand, we can see that the situation is serious,” Grossi said on a visit to the plant. “The consequences [of the dam’s destruction] are there, and they are real.”

“At the same time, there are measures that are being taken to stabilise the situation.”

He said it was unrealistic to expect Moscow and Kyiv to sign a document on the site’s security while fighting raged nearby. He also said that IAEA inspectors would remain at the site.

“We have a political agreement which was formulated at the [United Nations] Security Council. Reaching a written agreement would be unrealistic at this stage because, as we know, there are no peace or ceasefire negotiations between the parties,” Russia’s TASS

Source: Aljazeera.com

Greece boat disaster: Capsized boat had 100 children in hold, BBC told

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The Greek coastguard released images of the crowded boat before it went down

Survivors from a fishing boat that sank off southern Greece in one of Europe’s worst migrant disasters say up to 100 children may have been on board.

At least 78 people have already been confirmed dead in the disaster.

But many more could still be missing at sea, with reports suggesting that up to 750 people were aboard the vessel.

At least 11 arrests have been made including several Egyptians on suspicion of people trafficking, Greek TV reports.

The coastguard has been criticised for not intervening earlier but authorities say their offers of aid were refused.

Rescuers are still searching the area where the boat capsized almost 50 nautical miles off the south-west coast, as hopes of finding more survivors dwindle.

The boat had been heading to Italy from the Libyan port of Tobruk when it went down.

Images showed the decks packed with people, but accounts of a large number of women and children in the hold of the ship have come from medics who treated the mostly male survivors.

The senior doctor at Kalamata General Hospital told the BBC as many as 100 children were on the vessel.

“[The survivors] told us there were children in the bottom of the ship. Children and women,” said Dr Manolis Makaris, head of cardiology.

He said two patients had given him estimated figures.

“One told me about 100 children, the other about 50, so I don’t know the truth – but it is many,” he added.

Source: bbc.com

WAITING ON GOD

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

I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me all the hill country that the Lord promised me. – Joshua 14:11-12

INTRODUCTION

“Waiting on God” is a phrase often used in a spiritual or religious context to refer to the act of patiently and trustingly relying on God’s timing, guidance, and intervention. It involves recognizing that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and choosing to wait patiently for Him to act rather than relying solely on our own efforts or rushing ahead.

 

CALEB REQUESTS HIS LAND – JOSHUA 14:6-15

Joshua 14:6-15 recounts the story of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. This passage highlights Caleb’s faithfulness and his request for the land promised to him by God.

As one of the original scouts sent into the Promise Land, he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew God would help the people conquer the land. Because of Caleb’s faith, God promised him a personal inheritance of land. 45 years later, the land was given to him.

What must Caleb have thought all those years he wandered with his people in the wilderness? It wasn’t his fault Israel rebelled in fear and unbelief. He had believed.

Yet his piece of the promise was delayed just as much as the Promised Land was delayed for the rest of the nation. God had pledged to preserve his life, but forty years is a long time to wish things had been different. Every step of the way, he could easily have regretted the hard-heartedness of his peers.

Most of us live with some sense of regret. Some of us are almost eaten up with it, lamenting the lost years, wondering “what if” about misplayed moments in our lives, and wishing we could get some of those decisions back.

Caleb certainly felt regret, even though he hadn’t deserved the consequences of Israel’s rebellion. But even when our mistakes have cost us dearly, God is able to preserve us for the promise, to restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25).

When Caleb finally entered the Promised Land, he insisted on receiving the fulfillment of the promise that had been made to him. It wasn’t arrogance; he wasn’t being pushy. He was simply claiming what God had spoken to him, and had every right to do so. He had waited long enough.

Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with Him, but throughout our entire lives. We should let our faith grow as we realize that God keeps His Word.

Here are a few key aspects of waiting on God:

  1. Trusting in God’s Wisdom: When we wait on God, we acknowledge that He knows what is best for us. We trust that His timing and plans are perfect, even when we may not understand them.“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord” – Psalm 27:14
  2. Seeking God’s Guidance: Waiting on God involves seeking His guidance and direction through prayer, meditation, and studying His Word. We actively listen and pay attention to His leading, seeking His will in every decision.“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
  3. Patience and Perseverance: It can be a season of testing and refining our character, strengthening our faith, and teaching us valuable lessons. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:25.
  4. Surrendering Control: Waiting on God means surrendering our own agendas and desires to Him. We relinquish control and acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours. We align our hearts with His purposes and submit to His timing.“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
  5. Developing a Relationship: Waiting on God provides an opportunity for us to grow closer to Him. It deepens our intimacy with God as we spend time in His presence, seeking His face rather than just seeking His hand.“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” – Psalm 65:4.
  6. Cultivating Contentment: While waiting on God, it’s essential to cultivate contentment and find joy in the present moment. We learn to find satisfaction in God Himself, rather than solely focusing on the fulfillment of our desires.“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” –Philippians 4:1112.
  7. Taking Action when Prompted: Waiting on God doesn’t mean being passive or idle. Sometimes, God prompts us to take action or make specific decisions while we wait. It’s important to discern His leading and step out in faith when He calls us to do so.“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:14-17.

Conclusion

Life is filled with waiting, we wait for plants to grow, we wait for pregnancies to reach the time of birth, we wait to get the results of exams; etc. That’s part of living in relationship with a very patient and thorough God. But we don’t wait without purpose; we are waiting for something, and when the time comes, God suddenly fulfills what He said He would do.

We may have wondered if that day would ever come, but the Kingdom is not a place of empty promises. God means for us to receive them and rejoice in the fulfillment. And when we do, it’s as if the years didn’t matter. It’s never too late to enjoy what He has done.

Remember, waiting on God is a process that requires faith, hope, trust, and obedience even in the face of uncertainty or delays. It may not always be easy, but as we wait on Him, we can be assured that He is faithful and will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.

Remain 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: Education Reforms to take centre stage in Election 2024 

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Felix Baidoo

Education Reforms: Determinant for 2024 Polls winner

To win political power hinges on many factors. Some of the common influential factors are a person’s political affiliation, the state of the nation’s economy, the security situation in the country, and the messages of a political party in question.

All the strategies adopted by a political party or candidates in an election must be able to influence the electorate in their choices.

Aside these factors, Education Reforms in Ghana has now been identified as a critical factor that can influence whom the Ghanaian electorate should vote for since education development connects to various facets of the nation’s economy.

The switch factor

During the 2012 and 2016 general elections, the then Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, announced to the nation, that should he be elected as President, he will introduce a policy called the “Free Senior High School” (FSHS) which would allow children from all over the country to access Senior High School as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools free of charge.

The announcement of the FSHS initiative fetched the NPP thousands of votes during 2012 and 2016 leading to the party winning the general election in 2016 and retaining power same during the 2020 general election.

The large number of votes the NPP garnered in the last three general elections was because many Ghanaians especially parents understood the benefits parents and the nation could derive from the policy.

Looking at how potent and acceptable the FSHS initiative is, many political opponents of the NPP targeted the concept making sure that they painted it black in the eyes of the Ghanaian populace, especially the electorate.

To ensure that the FSHS “Gospel” did not fly, money and other resources were invested by political opponents of the NPP which forcefully worked to sell the policy as the worst thing that has ever happened in the country.

Notwithstanding the various educational policies and reforms that have been introduced by successive governments over the years, the Akufo-Addo-led government has affirmed its commitment to prudent policies and reforms geared towards transforming the nation’s economy through education.

NPP education reforms 

The FSHS policy stands tall amongst the numerous innovative initiatives introduced by the Akufo-Addo government. Over 1.3 million students have since enrolled onto the SHS/TVET institutions and this has led to equity among students from hard-to-reach areas getting access to schools in the urban areas of their choice depending on their pass marks made at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Some of the other education reform under operation are the double-track system which serves as a leapfrogging strategy, Revamping of TVET institutions both at the SHS and Tertiary level, Introduction of Pre-Engineering Course, Revamping of STEM education at all levels of education in the country, Establishment of new STEM institutions across the country, Upgrading of Colleges of Education to Degree awarding institutions, Introduction of Robotics and Engineering into SHS level, Revamping the activities of Centre for National Distance and Open School (CENDLOS).

Establishment of the National Education Learning Institute (NELI), Re-introduction of Nurses’ and teachers’ allowances, Operationalization of five STEM Senior High Schools and adoption of two existing schools to provide STEM education.

The introduction of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) which is focused on the 10,000 lowest performing Basic Schools (Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High Schools) and all 28 special schools. It also focuses on strengthening the accountability of the entire education system.

Operationalization of the Ghana Education Outcomes Projects (GEOP) which aims at getting all children educated through support to schools and communities.

Others are the No Guarantor Students Loan System launched in June 2022 in furtherance for FSHS graduates to get support for their tertiary education, and the Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ration, which has improved from 18 per cent in 2017 to 20 per cent in 2022.

It is also heart-warming to know that there has been a great improvement in English Reading Proficiency in the country. An assessment in Early Grade Reading Assessment which took place in 2015 showed a score of only two per cent.

The story has however changed as the National Standardized Test (NST) conducted by the Education Ministry in 2022 revealed a 38 per cent score in Literacy across the country. This follows an aggressive effort to change the state of literacy and numeracy in the country.

The latest innovation being introduced by the government is the announcement to replace textbooks in SHS with laptops for students to ensure that students leverage IT to promote their learning.

Strong IMF backing

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff report, 2023 stated that “Ghana’s Free SHS has helped to increase enrolment, but poorly targeted”. This attests to the fact that it is not the government of Ghana alone that holds high the FSHS initiative, but the international community as well.

It is no secret that many African countries have contacted Ghana’s Education Ministry over the past three years to understudy the FSHS and other reforms currently going on in the country.

Calls for review 

After a few years of the FSHS initiatives in the country, it has brought to the fore some teething challenges that have led to many parents and other stakeholders adding their voices to the government to consider reviewing the initiatives to resolve the challenges that have been associated with it.

This, the government has not taken lightly. But the question is, would the government listen to the call for the review of the policy as it is being suggested by various stakeholders including the opposition NDC?

Apart from the NDC, many faith-based organizations and civil society organizations have added their voices for a review of the FSHS but whether the NPP administration would do that depends on time.

The NDC’s focus

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the other hand does not have much to show when it comes to education reforms in the country within the past 10 years.

Notable among the reforms brought by the NDC from 2008 to 2016 was the cancellation of Teachers and Nursing Trainees allowances which might have contributed to the party’s losses in previous general elections.

The flagbearer of the NDC, Mr John Dramani Mahama and other members of the party have on countless occasions spoken about their desire to review the FSHS initiative when granted the opportunity to serve the nation again.

After cancelling the teacher and nurses training allowances, Mr Mahama’s administration introduced the extension of student loans to Colleges of Education to replace the training allowances.

This, according to him was due to the fact that he believed that once one qualifies to be in the tertiary institution, then that person qualifies for a student loan and not an allowance.

The NPP administration has since 2017 cancelled the student loan to Colleges of Education after re-introducing the teacher training allowances.

One other reform Ghanaian teachers in the country would remember Mr Mahama’s administration and the NDC for is the introduction of the “three-month arrears” policy whereby the government only paid for three months of arrears after being promoted or when they start receiving their salary after their recruitment irrespective of how long it takes before being paid their first salary.

The NDC can also boost of its flagship education programme which was the introduction of the Community Day School (CDS) initiative. The Mahama-led administration promised to build 200 CDS at selected locations across the country.

The party however could only complete 47 out of the targeted 200 of the projects. The Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration has been able to increase the number of completed CDS to almost 75 as it has been able to add boarding facilities to some of them which are located in hard-to-reach areas making it very difficult for students to patronise.

Election campaign message

The 2024 Parliamentary and Presidential elections would soon bring about various candidates and political parties unveiling their manifestos. The manifestos usually provide a tall list of policies and initiatives they intend to execute when voted for.

As of now, I might not be wrong to say that the political parties are seriously working on their refined manifestos and strategies they would like to help communicate them to the electorates when the time comes.

The writer is Felix Asrachie Baidoo

A Freelance Journalist

Weekend Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers group-by-group

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Defending champions Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and hosts Ivory Coast are already on the list of qualified teams for next year’s African Cup of Nations finals after the last set of qualifiers in March with several more set to join them over the next week.

The penultimate round of qualifying for January’s tournament is being held between Wednesday and next Tuesday, after which the final round of qualifiers will be settled in September.

But before then, the identity of more than half of the 24-team field for the finals should be known with the possibility of at least one newcomer.

Here is SuperSport.com group-by-group guide to the fifth round of qualifiers:

GROUP A

Sao Tome v Guinea Bissau

Sierra Leone v Nigeria

Guinea Bissau will book a fourth successive trip to the Cup of Nations finals with a win in the Lusophone derby which is, fortuitously for them, being played in Bissau after Sao Tome conceded home advantage.

They, like Sierra Leone, are banned from using their own stadium because it is not up to international standards. Nigeria should seal their qualification with an away draw against the Leone Stars, especially as their hosts have had to move the game to neutral Liberia.

GROUP B

Cape Verde v Burkina Faso

Eswatini v Togo

If Cape Verde, who warmed-up with a goalless draw in a friendly against Morocco on Monday, get a home win against already qualified Burkina Faso, they will join the latter at the finals in the Ivory Coast.

They could also do so in defeat if Eswatini and Togo play to a draw in their game, which is at the Mbombela Stadium. For the Swazis and Togo their clash is more about pride and avoiding the wooden spoon as both countries go in search of their first win in this preliminary competition.

GROUP C

Burundi v Namibia

Namibia can book just a fourth ever qualification if they get a point away against Burundi, although they might have already done enough after taking four points off Cameroon in their last two qualifiers in March. For them to be overhauled, Burundi would need to beat them and then get a draw from their final game in Cameroon in September.

GROUP D

Guinea v Egypt

Ethiopia v Malawi

Both Egypt and Guinea need only a draw in Wednesday’s clash in Marrakech to qualify. Guinea host the game in Morocco and Egypt are able to use seven Al Ahly players from Sunday’s African Champions League victory.

Mohamed Salah goes up against his ex-Liverpool teammate Naby Keita. Ethiopia and Malawi’s hopes are threadbare, and they could both be eliminated by the time they meet on Tuesday.

GROUP E

Central Africa Republic v Angola

Madagascar v Ghana

The Central Africa Republic are looking to become the 45th country to qualify for the finals and make their debut appearance in the Ivory Coast and could make that a reality on Saturday with a win over Angola.

Angola have to win to avoid elimination so it is a veritable cup final. Ghana will seal their place with a win in Madagascar, who have been poor in this campaign and are yet to post a victory.

GROUP F

Tanzania v Niger

Uganda v Algeria

Algeria’s 100 per cent record ensures they have already qualified from this pool, but the race for the second spot is intense with little to choose between the teams.

Tanzania could take Niger out the equation with a win and with home advantage in Dar-es-Salaam, the Taifa Stars are well positioned to move into second spot unless Uganda can take points off the 2019 Cup of Nations winners.

GROUP G

South Sudan v Gambia

Congo v Mali

All teams still have a chance for qualification in this group, with South Sudan looking to build on March’s shock away win over Congo as they host Gambia in neutral Egypt.

Gambia, however, know all about creating surprises themselves after reaching the quarterfinals at the last finals in Cameroon 18 months ago. Congo, despite losing their last home game, can join Mali at the top if they win what should be a tight contest in Brazzaville on Sunday.

GROUP H

Lesotho v Comoros Islands

Zambia v Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast qualify as hosts but are participating in the preliminaries to keep competitive. It means only one other team qualifies and Zambia are one point away from joining them in the final’ field. For the Comoroos to overhaul Zambia, they need to win both their remaining games, starting with already eliminated Lesotho this weekend.

GROUP I

Gabon v DR Congo

Sudan v Mauritania

This group could go down to the wire and only be settled in September but Gabon will be hoping that the return to the side of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensures they qualify on Sunday.

DR Congo must get at least a draw in Gabon to keep up their hopes but ideally should win while Sudan could take a giant step towards qualification with victory over Mauritania. The final round of games see Gabon go to Mauritania and DR Congo host Sudan. Wins for Gabon and Sudan in this round would settle the group.

GROUP J

Botswana v Libya

Equatorial Guinea v Tunisia

Tunisia have already booked their place in the finals and Equatorial Guinea will join them with a point from either of their two remaining matches. They host the Tunisians on Saturday and must then go to Libya, so it is not cut-and-dried. But to keep their hopes alive, the Libyans must win at already-eliminated Botswana this weekend.

GROUP K

South Africa v Morocco

This group is already decided after Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win in Liberia three months ago and Saturday’s clash is about bragging rights and top place in the standings.

A draw would ensure Morocco of top spot while victory for Bafana would put them one point ahead, but the Atlas Lions still have a game against Liberia to play in September, while Saturday’s game marks the end of Bafana’s qualifying campaign.

GROUP L

Fixtures: Benin v Senegal in Cotonou, Saturday; Rwanda v Mozambique in Butare, Sunday

Another group where top spot has been decided, but the remaining three teams are still very much in the hunt for the second qualification spot. Benin were handed the points from their draw in Rwanda in March after their hosts fielded a suspended player.

That has boosted their chances although if Mozambique get a win this weekend they will still be best placed.

Credit: supersport.com

Crooks  Thwarting Ghana’s Investment  Drive …another worker allegedly steals GH¢251k from employer

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Grace Has Found Us Company Limited

Barely two days after The Chronicle reported that a staff of absa had broken into customers’ accounts and allegedly stole several thousands of Ghana cedis, another Ghanaian, Gideon Mcwilliam, 28 and manager of Grace Has Found Us Company Limited, has also been accused of stealing over GH¢251,000.00 from his employer.

The accused allegedly stole the money between January and April, 2023.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing, but was denied bail by an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah.

Presenting the case before the court yesterday, the prosecuting officer, ASP Maxwell Oppong, said the Complainant in the case is one Richard Nyanator, an Accountant at the Grace Has Found Us.

According to the brief facts, the accused was a Manager at the company’s Tip Toe Lane branch, near Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.

The court was told that in the first week of April, the Complainant, while on his routine check at the company’s Tip Toe Lane branch, detected that huge sums of money have been embezzled.

When the Complainant queried the accused about it, he could not offer any reasonable response. The accused, however, urged the Complainant to give him some time to explain the shortfalls in the account books.

A week later, the Complainant engaged the services of internal auditors to audit the records, as well as the accounts of the accused. The audit report submitted indicated that the accused had embezzled the company’s funds to the tune of GH¢251,116.70.

The accused person was invited to the company’s Head office at Dansoman Asoredanho to explain to the management what brought about the shortfalls, but this time round too, he couldn’t offer any tangible reasons.

The accused was also given the opportunity to engage his own external auditors to confirm the aforementioned amount quoted by the internal auditors and the report received was the same figure.

The accused person finally met with management and promised to refund the money within a stipulated time but failed.

On April 25, the Complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested for investigation. The accused admitted to the offence in his caution statement during interrogation.

The accused person during investigation offered his 2017 Hyundai Elantra unregistered saloon vehicle, which was valued at GH¢80,000.00 to defray some of the debt, with an outstanding balance of GH¢171,116.70.

After investigation, the accused was charged with the offence and arraigned before court.

Napo assures constant supply of power for industrial & residential use

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Dr Napo and Prez Akufo-Addo

The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has reiterated his resolve to consolidate efforts at ensuring power stability for industrial and residential use.

This, according to him, will further cement the New Patriotic Party government’s position as the best managers of all sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

The Bulk Supply point

He contended that a nation that seeks to maximise the aspirations and talents of its people has a duty to provide the power sector with all the support it deserves, to ensure it is resilient and reliable.

Speaking at the at the commissioning of the 161kv Accra Central Bulk Supply Point (BSP) at Adabraka, Accra, on Tuesday, this week, Dr Prempeh said since assuming office in 2017, President Akufo-Addo’s government has worked assiduously to ensure that there is a robust power sector. This BSP comes on the back of that of Kasoa and Pokuase.

“The Accra Central Bulk Supply Point that we are commissioning today comes on the back of the establishment of the Pokuase and Kasoa BSP in October 2021 and June 2022 respectively. These projects have brought immeasurable relief to their catchment areas by addressing low voltage and power outage challenges caused by increasing domestic and industrial demand,” he said

“We are all witnesses to the dark days of Dumsor barely a decade ago, and the effect it had on our lives. Most certainly, Ghanaians do not want to return to those days and this government will ensure just that,” he said

“Beyond the BSPs, the national transmission backbone under construction from the coast to Bolgatanga had a gap between Kumasi and Kintampo, as outstanding works, which have since been completed. In addition to this is the Tema to Accra transmission line upgrade project to accommodate an increase from 161KV capacity to 330KV capacity, which has also been completed.

“In power generation, transmission and distribution, we continue to pursue investments and reforms towards achieving His Excellency the President’s vision for this crucial sector,” he added.

The Minister further assured that he, together with stakeholders, will continue to ensure reliable power infrastructure to meet the nation’s growing demands.

Ghana won’t export lithium in its raw state, never! -Jinapor

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Samuel A. Jinapor. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has vowed that his ministry will ensure value addition to Ghana’s mineral resources, with particularly reference to the green minerals, before exports.

He has, therefore, assured the international business community that under no circumstances will Ghana export its lithium and other green minerals in their raw state.

Minister Jinapor was speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Africa Conference, which was held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 13th to 14th June, 2023.

The Conference brought together leaders from the private and public sectors to discuss the world’s most pressing issues and evaluate potential solutions in the context of local and regional priorities. This year’s conference put the spotlight on Africa’s green minerals.

Speaking at a panel discussion on building value from the energy transition, the Minister said the surest way to benefit from these green minerals, in view of the green energy transition, is to ensure value addition.

According to Mr. Jinapor, one of the reasons why Africa has not benefited from its several years of mining is the over concentration on the export of raw minerals. To be able to benefit from the green minerals, therefore, we must make a conscious effort to move away from the export of raw materials to value addition.

Ghana is endowed with several green minerals including; Lithium, Graphite, Chrome, Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Nickel.

Lithium, in particular, has been found in high grade in the Central Region. According to experts, the global lithium industry at the mining stage is about 11 billion US Dollars. But the value of the industry at the highest end, which is battery production, is estimated at 7 trillion US Dollars.

But the processes from mining to battery production are very capital intensive. Currently, China is the only country doing end to end retention of the full value from mining to battery production.

Mr. Jinapor said even though we may not be able to retain the full value chain from mining to battery production in the country at this stage, Government is committed to ensure that as much as possible, a significant proportion of the value chain is retained in Ghana.

“We intend to end the practice of not adding value to our mineral resources. We are beginning by establishing the appropriate policy and legal framework for Ghana to significantly benefit from the new paradigm of green energy,” the Minister said.

He disclosed that a policy for the exploitation, management and utilisation of the country’s green minerals is currently before Cabinet for its consideration. He said the overall object of the policy is to ensure that the people of Ghana benefit from these minerals through value addition, local content and local participation.

The Minister expressed optimism that Cabinet will soon approve the policy to pave way for the exploitation of our lithium resources.

Lithium is the main mineral used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, alongside bauxite, manganese and other green minerals. Ghana has been mining bauxite and manganese for several years, but is yet to exploit her lithium resources.

GIS officer foils attempted kidnapping at Amasaman

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AICO II Emmanuel Ofosu Acheampong

An Immigration Officer stationed at the Kasoa Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), acting on his instincts foiled what could have led to the attempted kidnapping of a young female student.

According to the Officer, Assistant Immigration Control Officer (AICO II) Emmanuel Ofosu Acheampong, he observed a scene along the Nsawam–Amasaman highway while on public transport (Trotro) from Nsawam to Dome.

He saw a young school girl standing by a parked Camry car with registration number

GR 3668-16 and on three different occasions attempted to sit in the car. She eventually did and the car sped off.

He became suspicious and directed the Trotro driver to chase the Camry vehicle. At a point, the Camry slowed down due to ongoing construction works.

AICO II Acheampong then alighted and ordered the driver of the Camry (a man in dreadlocks) to park off the road.

Upon interrogation, the Camry driver and his accomplice claimed the girl was the driver’s niece, which was denied by the girl.

The girl, who is a student of St. Stephens Senior High School, in Akwatia, claims that the man in dreadlocks took her contact from a friend who posted her picture on WhatsApp status.

According to her, she got a call from the man who told her to meet him in Amasaman during her midterm break.

A search in the car by the Immigration Officer led to the discovery of a pump action gun with twenty (20) rounds of ammunition and a machete.

While interrogating the driver of the Camry vehicle, one of the suspects slipped out of the crowd and bolted.

With the help of two members of the public, the Immigration Officer escorted the suspect and the female student to the Amasaman Police Station for investigations into the alleged kidnapping

37 Military Hospital ordered to release report on death of Solomon Asare-Kumah

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BERNICE BESSEY
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The 37 Military Hospital in Accra

An Accra High Court has ordered the 37 Military Hospital to disclose findings made by a Board of Inquiry set up to investigate matters relating to the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah.

The Hospital was given 10 days to release the report to the plaintiff, Emmanuel Asare-Kumah.

Although the Hospital claims the report directly touches on confidential security matters and would, therefore, open the floodgates for potential suites, the court said no.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Charles Edward Ekow Baiden, a Court of Appeal judge with additional responsibility of the High Court, failed to see the connection between the Board of Inquiry report on the deceased on national security implications.

According to the judgement delivered on June 4, 2023, even if the Board of Inquiry had the discretion to deny the plaintiff/applicant the right to disclosure, that discretion must be exercised fairly, reasonably, and not arbitrary or in a biased manner.

The court could not understand why the same health facility would disclosed information about an allegation on a missing twin, and would turned round to do otherwise in this particular instance.

This, His Lordship Baiden, intimated that “after a lengthy experiments with military regimes, we the people of Ghana began a new path towards constitutional supremacy in 1992.

“The 1992 Constitution we adopted for ourselves embodied the principal of accountability and the protection, and the preservation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. To achieve these solemn goals, the 1992 Constitution vested final judicial power in the judiciary,” hence the order.

Emmanuel has dragged the Attorney-General, Chief of Defence Staff, 37 Military Hospital and Col/Dr. G.A.O. Appiah over the death of his relative.

In the writ of summons, the plaintiff accused the Hospital and its officer, Col/Dr. G.A.O. Appiah, of extortion of GH¢36,200.00, negligence, breach of contract, deceit and unconscionable variation of contract, as well as undue influence.

The court, however, found these allegations in torts, and indicated that so far as the defendants were engaged in commercial transactions, they must necessarily abide by the rules of engagement, including good faith and duty to care.

No cost was awarded against the defendants in favour of the plaintiff.

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The Ghanaian Chronicle