Air New Zealand is weighing passengers before they board international flights, as part of a survey to determine average passenger weight.
The weight will be anonymously recorded in a database but not be visible to airline staff or other passengers, the firm said.
Air New Zealand said knowing average passenger weight would improve fuel efficiency in the future.
Participation in the survey is voluntary, the airline added.
The airline previously weighed domestic passengers in New Zealand in 2021.
Before the pandemic, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week.
Knowing the weight of everything that goes on its aircraft is a “regulatory requirement”, airline spokesman Alastair James explained in a video.
Air New Zealand will be asking more than 10,000 customers travelling on its international network to take part in the survey. Passengers will be weighed at the gates of certain flights departing from Auckland International Airport between 29 May and 2 July.
An American woman who accused US President Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her has flown to Moscow and is seeking Russian citizenship. Speaking to a state-run Russian news outlet, Tara Reade, 59, said she felt safe in the country and wanted to stay.
Ms Reade alleged Mr Biden assaulted her while she was working in his congressional office in 1993. He strongly denied her allegation. “Unequivocally it never, never happened,” he said.
Ms Reade worked as an assistant to Mr Biden when he was a senator for Delaware. She made headlines in 2020 as his presidential campaign was getting under way, when she claimed that he assaulted her in a Capitol Hill corridor when she was 29.
She accused him of forcing her against a wall and putting his hands under her shirt and skirt.
“When I got off the plane in Moscow, for the first time in a very long time I felt safe, and I felt heard and felt respected,” The Guardian newspaper quotes Ms Reade as saying during an interview with Sputnik.
She said she left the US after a Republican politician told her she was in physical danger.
Barely twenty four hours after The Chronicle reported that illegal miners had gone on rampage at Amponyaase in the Adansi Tradional Area, another group of illegal miners, this time from Obuasi, in the same traditional area, have also gone on rampage over the arrest of some of their colleagues.
The illegal miners burning tyres
They reportedly invaded the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the police headquarters to demand that their colleagues who have been arrested for illegally entering the concession of AngloGold Ashanti to mine be freed.
The sudden attack by the illegal miners, numbering over five hundred, forced the deployment of the armed military personnel to the mining town yesterday.
Apart from the threat on the police and other civilians, the miners also blocked roads around the Standard Charted Bank area, burnt lorry tyres and prevented drivers and pedestrians from accessing the road.
At about 4:00pm, The Chronicle gathered that a military reinforcement team arrived to contain the situation.
The Chronicle was also told that the illegal miners, after illegally entering the underground concession of AngloGold-Ashanti were trapped and could not find their way out.
The mining conglomerate, with the support of the Municipal Assembly and security personnel, advised the trapped miners to use the official gate of the mine to avoid suffocating underground.
Unfortunately for them, 48 out of the large number who came out were arrested immediately and sent to the police station, which sparked the riot.
The Public Relations Officer of the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain Ama Boafo, told The Chronicle when contacted that indeed personnel from 4BN had been deployed to the town.
Meanwhile, the AGA has issued a statement explaining that unauthorised persons underground are able to exit on foot, via the existing ramp, through the main access of AGA’s mining area.
According to the statement, no person underground has been confined in any way and that the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.
It noted that Obuasi Gold Mines management team has notified the relevant authorities and that public security services are working closely with them.
It disclosed on Monday that seven illegal miners exited through this main access point on foot and are in the custody of the Ghana Police Service.
Any unauthorised person underground is encouraged to leave the mine at any time by the exit points, where public security personnel remain on standby.
AGA emphasised that intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remains a significantly dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorised mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas.
Speculations and rumors over Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential ambitions have come to an end after he officially entered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race.
Yesterday, at the party’s Asylum Down headquarters, some members of his camp, including Fred Oware, picked up nomination forms for him, after the party last Friday opened nominations.
He joins the likes of Boakye Agyarko, former Energy Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Minister for Food and Agriculture among others, to have picked their nomination forms.
Since nominations were opened on May 26, 2023 six persons have picked up forms to contest the flagbearership race.
Fred Oware handing over the nomination forms to Dr Bawumia at Jubilee House while Sammi Awuku (r) looks on
The former Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority, Fred Oware, was accompanied by Sammi Awuku, Director General of the National Lotteries Authority.
They told the media that they had the authorisation of the Vice President to pick up the forms on his behalf.
This confirmation comes on the back of the party denying a group that had earlier attempted to pick up forms on behalf of the Vice President.
Though the group, Bawumia Fun Club, had a cheque for GH¢50,000 the party rejected it, for the reason that the group had no authorisation from the Vice President.
JUBILEE HOUSE
At the Veep’s office in Jubilee House yesterday, Mr. Fred Oware and Sammi Awuku called on him to present to him the nomination forms they had picked up from the party headquarters.
The scene was a lively one, as some staff of his office trooped in to witness the informal handing-over ceremony.
Presenting the document, Mr. Fred Oware said they were warmly welcomed at the party head office and went through all the needed processes.
“We were given the form and we paid for it. We looked at it and all the information we need is available, and here, on behalf of the delegation, I wish to formally put the document in your hands,” he said amidst cheers and applause.
DECLARATION
The Vice President, on May 3, this year, declared his intention to vie for the flagbearership of the NPP in the 2024 general election.
Earlier, some members of parliament, numbering 98 out of the 136 members of the NPP, openly declared their support for his candidacy.
The Vice President later met with the Majority Caucus in Parliament and officially informed them of his intention to contest the presidential primary slated for November 4, this year.
This disclosure to the Majority Caucus in Parliament was reiterated at an informal meeting with NPP supporters in Hohoe over the weekend.
“I want you to know that I appreciate your support. We are going to break the 8. First of all, we are going to file for the flagbearership, which I’m going to do, win the flagbearership, break the eight and go to Jubilee House. That is what I’m going to do,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
The party is expected to elect one of the nine as its presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
The party’s parliamentary primaries are scheduled for February next year.
The fortunes of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Abuakwa North Constituency, which is one of its strongholds, seem to be dwindling in recent times, as the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) votes are gradually appreciating.
In the last general elections for instance, the NDC parliamentary votes in the constituency appreciated by 12% whilst the NPP’s votes suffered a decrease by the same margin.
Current Member of Parliament for the area, Gifty Twum-Ampofo, garnered 17,653 of the valid votes cast, representing 53.17% whilst Mr Charles Yeboah Darko, who represented the NDC, obtained 15,551 representing 46.83%
During the 2004 general elections, Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu won the seat for the NPP with a margin of 62% whereas his NDC contender, Simon Peter Asirifi, secured 29% of the votes.
Four years later, Samuel Kwadwo Amoako who represented the NPP decreased the party’s votes to 59% from the previous 62% whilst the NDC’s Simon Peter Asirifi’s vote margin increased to 39%.
The late J.B Danquah Adu re-entered the race as the NPP’s candidate in 2012 and squared it out with Mr Emmanuel Victor Smith of the NDC. J.B Danquah Adu obtained 60% of the votes whereas Mr Smith gained 40%.
Madam Gifty Twum-Ampofo, who led the NPP in the 2016 elections, following the demise of J.B Danquah Adu secured 59% while Mr Smith had 39% at the time the wind of change was beckoning across the country.
It is believed that she benefited largely from sympathy votes, following the gruesome manner in which the then Member of Parliament for the constituency, J.B Danquah, was murdered at his private residence in Accra.
However, when Madam Gifty Twum-Ampofo staged a second straight fight to retain the seat for the party, she was successful, but the party’s vote margin sharply declined to 17,653 of the valid votes cast, representing 53.17%. A new entrant on the ticket of the NDC, Mr Charles Yeboah Darko garnered a total of 15,551 representing 46.83% for the NDC, which was unprecedented since 2004.
The trend has shown clearly that Madam Gifty Twum-Ampofo’s chances of winning a third straight victory for the party is at the cross road, which has raised serious concerns among the rank and file of the party in the constituency.
In view of the above, many have tipped Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, as the surest bet for the party in the constituency, going into the 2024 general elections.
Mr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah’s affable nature and selfless leadership qualities have endeared him to the hearts of many constituents across the political divide in the constituency.
He has a very rich and enviable profile which includes political activism for the NPP, spanning close to two decades in various portfolios and capacities, including being the head of programmes at the Danquah Institute, a CSO affiliated to the NPP.
To many party big wigs, it is time he is given the mandate to serve his people and made to bring his experiences, particularly his international relationships and links to bear in order to aid in job creation for the masses.
Meanwhile, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has demonstrated his preparedness to take up the mantle to lead the party as a parliamentary candidate in the 2024 general elections and win the seat for the party, should the delegates give him the nod.
Palgrave Boakye-Danquah is one of the several young thought-leaders in the NPP, who is oriented towards assisting young people to discover their potentials and make meaningful contributions to their lives and the growth of the country.
As an ardent party and grassroots person, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has made remarkable contributions in consolidating the NPP as a party of choice for young people and scaled up the provisions of development for his party and country.
Palgrave Boakye-Danquah is committed to putting himself up, yet for another service to party and country by contesting the Abuakwa North constituency seat on the ticket of the NPP.
Findings from a research conducted in the constituency recently placed him on top of several other speculative names, as the one with the potential to win the Abuakwa North seat with a huge margin for the NPP.
I am “here to serve”, which indicates his willingness to put the interest of his constituents first, is gradually rekindling a new sense of awakening among the delegates.
An Accra based businessman (name withheld) has denied taking over a land belonging to the Information Services Department (ISD), as reported by a section of the media.
Speaking to The Chronicle, he contended that he has not taken over any ISD land and that the 0.34 acre land, which has become the subject of controversy, used to be a haven for some squatters and a dump site for some residents around the Kanda enclave for several decades, until he rightfully acquired it for development.
According to him, the land is actually located near TV3, at Kanda in Accra and at the tail end or bottom part of the said ISD land.
“It’s unfortunate, however, that for whatever reason or considerations, some faceless people are pushing this vile agenda against me, who is also a Ghanaian like any other person.
“As matter of fact, even the portion which belongs to the ISD has been left unattended to, since as far back as the 1960s when the land was allocated to the ISD and still lies unattended.
“So, one wonders why anybody would really have any qualms with development going on, on the small 0.34acre land just at the side of the ISD land. The levels of self-hate and sabotage between or amongst Ghanaians and the pull him down syndrome must stop! he said.
He showed The Chronicle documents to the effect that the said portion of land was leased to him on April 29, 2022 by the chairperson of the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission, acting through the powers bestowed in him.
The said land by certificate of title dated June 11, 1929, was acquired by the government of Ghana for extension to European Residential Area.
However, pursuant to an application for lease by the lessee, the lessor “has agreed to the lease to the lessee the land situated at Kanda subject to the terms and conditions herein contained.”
The Chronicle reported on May 17, 2023 that the Lands Commission was encouraging a private developer to encroach upon a parcel of land allocated to the (ISD).
The report said the parcel of land was being developed despite ministerial orders to stop any further development, pending a decision by the government on the appropriate cause of action to take.
The land near TV3, at Kanda, in Accra, this paper was told, was allocated to the ISD as a duty post for its Directors, with documentation from the same Lands Commission as far back as 2002, a portion of which has been sold out to a businessman by the Lands Commission with document to back the transaction at the expense of a proposed ISD project, The Chronicle had reported.
President Akufo-Addo (middle) in a photograph with Akwasi Agyeman (left), C.E.O. Ghana Tourism Authority, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal (2nd from left), Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Seth Adjei Baah, (r) Board Chairman
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he will never wish an unconstitutional overthrow of government on anyone, considering what he witnessed during the coup d’état that ousted his father.
President Akufo-Addo recalled how Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in 1972 overthrew his father, Edward Akufo-Addo, at a time when he, Nana Addo, had visited the family from Paris, France, for the Christmas holidays. He was at that time practicing law in France.
The President, who was welcoming stakeholders to Peduase for a tourism summit, was torn between describing the location as his “home”, given that he lived there with his father.
President Akufo-Addo, (middle), in a photograph with the Panelists and Moderators at the Summit
He said, “I am happy to welcome all of you, stakeholders in the tourism industry, to Peduase for this summit on tourism.
“I was going to say to my own home, because when my father was president, our family lived here during the era of the 2nd Republic. Kutu Acheampong’s coup of 13th January, 1972 brought his stay to an end”.
He continued, “I was then working as a lawyer in Paris and had come to Peduase to be with the family for the Christmas holidays. I saw at the time from the inside how it was to be on the receiving end of an African coup. It is something that I will not wish on anyone. For its effects on all aspects of one’s life and indeed on all aspects of national life are dire.
“No one will want to visit anyone whose house is on fire. That is why stability under democratic conditions is so vital to the future of our country, of our region and of our continent.”
President Akufo-Addo was at the 2-day Presidential Tourism Summit which ends today, at Peduase, in the Eastern Region, under the theme: “Rethinking Tourism for Economic Growth and Job Creation”.
FOUR-FOLD APPROACH
In his address, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the positive results of tourism, mentioning the impact of the year of return programme his government launched.
He indicated that it was the duty of the nation to ensure that tourism was developed in a sustainable and responsible manner.
He also urged the protection of natural habitats, the conservation of cultural heritage and encouraging local communities to participate fully in tourism.
He proposed a four-fold approach to setting the tone for the dialogue at the summit: preservation, promotion, policy leadership and partnership.
On the first approach, which the president identified as preservation, he indicated that the government and all stakeholders in the tourism sector must preserve what the country has.
He mentioned that every citizen was a guardian of Ghana’s natural wonders, making it their responsibility to safeguard them for future generations.
According to the President, the government and sector stakeholders must amplify, by way of promotion, Ghana’s unique tourism appeal on the global stage through strategic marketing campaigns, enhanced digital presence, and targeted investments in infrastructure.
President Akufo-Addo added that through this effort, the country could showcase the diverse attractions the nation has to offer.
He said that the private sector must show policy leadership in creating the right climate and platform for investments to grow in the tourism sector.
“It is for this reason that the government is prioritising the e-visa regime, the Homeland Return Act and the Visa on Arrival processes,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He observed that the tourism sector requires partnerships and a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders.
He, therefore, called on all the stakeholders present to unite their efforts, share knowledge, and pull resources.
2025 TARGET
President Akufo-Addo has, however, directed the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority to ramp up promotional activities to increase the number of tourists that arrive in the country.
He mentioned that they should record two million arrivals by 2025, which is estimated to rake in some $4 billion for the nation.
“We are building a thriving tourism economy, with many tourism sites currently undergoing improvements. We are determined to build a tourism economy where hospitality, acts, and culture are used as tools to spare economic development,” Akufo-Addo added.
TOURISTS DESTINATION
The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, noted in his remarks that the tourism industry has started showing signs of recovery and growth after the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the sector.
He called on the sector players to support all the efforts of the government aimed at making Ghana the premier tourism destination on the African continent.
“The first quarter of this year (2023), tourism numbers grew by 47% from 170,000 last year at this time to 247,000 arrivals. If each tourist spends $3,000.00, you can imagine how much it is.
The Vice President of the Ghana Tourism Federation, Dr. Kwesi Eyison, urged stakeholders to diversify tourism attractions across the regions of the country to boost its development.
The Country Director of the World Bank, Mr. Pierre Laporte, commended the government for the initiatives in the tourism sector and pledged the banks continuous support.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, recently disclosed that Ghana earned about $254 million from export of fish and fishery products in the year 2022.
The Minister, who was speaking at the commissioning of Elmina Fishing Harbour over the weekend pointed out that if the sector was well managed, it would contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the country.
She added that more than three million people are employed along the value chain of the fisheries sector, which contributes 1.2 percent to the GDP. She, however, noted that the sector has been saddled with challenges such as sea surface temperature and rising sea levels, which increase occurrences of sea surge due to climate change and global warming.
Based on the above statistics that have been provided by the minister, The Chronicle thinks it is high time the government focus her attention in the development of the sector, not only to create employment but also increase our tax revenues.
In 2021, for instance, Ghana is on record to have exported Non-Fillet fishes to the world, worth several millions of dollars. Some destinations Ghana exported these non-filet fishes to include Montenegro, United Arab Emirate, Belgium, Finland and Canada.
This is the more reason why Ghana needs to invest in her blue economy by way of ensuring that it is safe and saved from Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
IUU Fishing threatens marine ecosystems and remains one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems due to its potent to undermine national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks.
It is believed that the contribution of the fisheries sector to the economies of countries in the West Africa sub-region is being undermined by IUU, which is depleting fish stocks and threatening livelihoods and economic security.
West Africa, including Ghana, has become notorious for IUU Fishing. For instance, a report by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Center (KAIPC) captures and names James Town, Apam, Elmina, Cape Coast, Axim, Jaway Wharf, Denu and Prampram as hot spots of maritime crimes on our seas.
To win the fights against IUU Fishing in particularly, it is significant to retool the Ghana Navy to effectively patrol our waters to help nip in the bud the IUU Fishing. That apart, the fishermen need to be effectively educated on the negative side of IUU Fishing for them to understand that our waters are regulated by both Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the United Nations Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS).
The Yaoundé Code of Conduct adopted in 2013 concerns the prevention and repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illegal maritime activities in west and Central Africa.
UNCLOS adopted in 1982 also lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas, establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
We believe if the government, through the Fishery Ministry is able to bring on board fishermen, most particularly to understand the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and UNCLOS, it would go a long way in saving her blue economy and generate revenue for the country.
Madam Owusu Banahene (m) with heads of financial institutions in the region
The Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene, has urged major banks and financial institutions in the country to set up cash outlets in deprived communities to serve the rural population in the region.
According to Madam Owusu-Banahene, that would further increase the interest of the rural population to save money. At a meeting with the heads of the various financial institutions in the region in Sunyani, the regional minister highlighted the need for the financial institutions to reach out to the rural communities and sell banking products to them.
She said it is unfortunate many farmers and petty traders in rural communities still keep their monies in homes because they cannot access the services of banks and financial institutions in their communities.
“We can’t continue to deny this our rural population banking services and allow them to risk keeping their monies in homes”, Madam Owusu-Banahene said and called on the banks to intensify public education on the need for saving money in the rural communities.
She said about 60 percent of the regional population are farmers, hence the need for the financial institutions to build and strength relationship with the rural communities for mutual benefit.
Madam Owusu-Banahene appealed to the financial institutions to contribute to the development of the region by ensuring that they execute their corporate social responsibility programmes, especially in education and health infrastructure in the region.
She also called on the financial institutions to collaborate to strengthen security in the banks.
Heads of the financial institutions called on the government to restrict the activities of the black marketers which are putting pressure on the Ghana cedi.
The Deputy Chairman in charge of Operation at National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah
The Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah has warned students in our senior high schools to stay away from the gay and lesbianism campaigns that have been embarked upon by a section of the population.
According to him, the laws of Ghana do not give any right to anybody to have unnatural carnal knowledge and that it is unlawful for any student to say that she or he is lesbian or gay
The Deputy Chairman in charge of Operation at National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said this during the seventh Civic Festival (CIVICFEST) organised by his outfit for Aburi Girls’ Senior High School (SHS) civic education club.
The festival was on the theme “30 years of constitutional democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance’ – the role of the youth”
It was well attended by Mamfe Methodist Girls’ SHS, Pope John SHS, Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC) – Legon, Adonten Senior High School and Aburi Presbyterian Senior Technical High School.
Students of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School treated the gathering to exciting poetry recital, modelling and dance performance among other activities.
Touching on the essence of the festival, Mr. Akuamoah said NCCE wanted to highlight the achievement of the 1992 constitution and why the constitution must be respected, adhered to and protected against any abuse and violation.
He indicated that the 30 years is Ghana’s first time of running the constitution without being interrupted by the military and, therefore, charged students in the country to cherish, preserve and sustain the 1992 constitution.
The NCCE boss expressed grave concern over the low coverage of the upcoming district level elections and used the opportunity to encourage public participation in the district level elections.
He called on all Ghanaians to watch out for the threat to the democratic arrangement by the violent extremist groups operating in the Sahel region.
He further entreated Ghanaians to have a second look at issues of corruption adding that there is a need for constitutional reforms in an effort to make corruption unattractive.
On his part, the Akuapim South Municipality Director of NCCE, Mr. Alex Owusu Akyaw, charged the students to learn and take the constitution seriously whilst they learn hard to help contribute towards the society and the nation.
Touching on the establishment of the club, Mr. Akyaw said the Aburi Girls’ Senior High School Civic Festival was formed in 2015 to foster unity among the students, so that they can live in harmony with others, which promotes national cohesion.
He continued that the civic education club isalso to provide an avenue for students to have interactive time with prominent personalities whose contributions to Ghana’s development have been significant.
According to him, the National Commission for Civic Education’s constitutional mandate is to create and sustain the awareness of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which forms one of the flagship programs of the Commission.
The Eastern Regional NCCE Director, Madam Ophelia Ankrah advised the students to discipline themselves and perform their duties diligently to contribute towards nation building.
Highlighting the three core values of the NCCE, which include Integrity, Presence and Independence, reiterated on the need for a disciplined citizenry exhibiting values of good governance as the best way to sustain Ghana’s democratic gains.
A form Two student and a member of the club, Nana Akua Nyamaa, urged the rest of the students to join the Civic club to help them know their rights and responsibilities and thanked the NCCE for the formation of the club in the school.
At about 4:00pm, The Chronicle gathered that a military reinforcement team arrived to contain the situation.
The Public Relations Officer of the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain Ama Boafo, told The Chronicle when contacted that indeed personnel from 4BN had been deployed to the town.
