Nigeria have reclaimed top spot in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after defeating hosts Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
The result – secured by a first-half penalty from Moses Simon – saw the Super Eagles avenge a shock defeat at the hands of the Djurtus in Abuja last Friday, and took them to nine points atop the standings.
Guinea-Bissau are second on seven points, with Sierra Leone (five) and Sao Tome & Principe (one) in third and fourth respectively.
Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro opted for several changes in his starting XI compared to the teams’ meeting last Friday, with the likes of Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka and Terem Moffi coming into the line-up.
The visitors struggled to make any attacking headway inside the opening quarter, with only half-chances created for Moffi and Victor Osimhen, yet on the 30-minute mark they claimed the lead via a penalty from Moses Simon.
The spot kick was awarded after Guinea-Bissau’s Fali Cande was guilty of a late sliding challenge on the overlapping Bright Osayi-Samuel. Simon coolly dispatched the penalty to make it 1-0.
The Super Eagles managed the game and secured a narrow but deserved triumph which takes them a step closer to qualification for next year’s Afcon finals in the Ivory Coast.
The powers of the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, alias General Mosquito, the man noted for spewing unprintable words such as ‘Kwasea Bi Nti’ and ‘we have tamed the barking dog’ among others, were reduced to rubbles last week Friday, when his Members of Parliament defied his orders.
Mr Bryan Acheampong – received massive endorsement from the MPs
General Mosquito had ordered the Minority MPs to vote against six ministerial nominees because the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government was already bloated and does not need more members.
As he did as the then General Secretary of the NDC, when the MPs were voting to elect the Speaker of Parliament two years ago, Mr Asiedu Nketia drove to Parliament to ensure that his orders would be complied with.
But some of the opposition MPs who were dissatisfied with his controversial reshuffle of their leadership early this year, had different ideas. They did not openly kick against the execution of the orders but rather did so when they entered the voting booth, by voting for the approval of all the President’s ministerial nominees.
Out of the 275 Members of Parliament eligible to vote, three were absent, while the remaining 272 Members successfully cast their ballots.Rather ironically, the NDC had 136 members and the NPP had 135 members, with one Independent member.
K.T Hammond – got the endorsement as Minister for Trade and Industry
Adansi Asokwa MP, Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, was given the nod to head the Ministry of Trade and Industry, whilst Dr Stephen Amoah was also voted as one of the Deputy Ministers at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Abetifi MP, Mr Brian Acheampong, was approved as the Food and Agriculture Minister and Karaga MP, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam approved as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng was confirmed as the new Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, whilst Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah heads for the Local Government and Rural Development as Minister of State.
Mr K.T Hammond secured 154 YES votes as against 116 NO votes. Dr Stephen Amoah received 146 YES votes against 123 NO votes.Also, Brian Acheampong was approved after receiving 167 YES votes against 96 NO votes. Also, Amin Adam secured 152 YES votes as against 117 NO votes, with O.B Amoah securing 149 YES votes and 120 NO votes.
This decision was not arrived at without heated arguments from both caucuses in the House.
Decision to put the motion to a vote
The decision to put the motion to a vote was necessitated by the report of the Appointments Committee, which was presented by the Chairman of the Committee and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the 1992 Constitution communicated to Parliament, the nomination of the six persons for consideration and approval as Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Minister.
The Appointments Commitment also held Public Hearings on 20th and 21st February, 2023 to consider the nominations.
The Chairman, who moved the motion for the adoption of the 63-page report on Thursday, March 23, 2023 noted that the committee concluded on approving the nominees by a majority decision, instead of consensus.
He indicated this, after he took some time to outline some of the factors that were considered in the consideration of the nominees.
Dr Ato Forson, Minority Leader
He said the committee considered the nominees in the achievements in their past employments or portfolio, as well as their future achievements.
He noted further that the nominees eligibility and qualifications were also delved into and based on the responses elucidated from the nominees, the Committee approved them by a majority decision.
“…The Committee therefore recommends to the House by a majority decision for the adoption of its report and recommendation for the approval of Mr K.T Hammond for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Bryan Acheampong for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture…,” the Chairman said.
Seconding the motion for the approval of the nominees, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin indicated that all the nominees, except one, are Members of Parliament whose potentials and capacities cannot be disputed.
Speaking specifically about Mr K.T Hammond, the Effutu Legislator said the nominee is someone with an affable character, an experienced lawyer and MP who has occupied a ministerial position before, hence fit to run the affairs of the Ministry of Trades.
He also took time to trumpet the achievements and capabilities of the other nominees and called for the support of the House in approving their nominations.
Mr Afenyo-Markins said that members could disagree, but they should demonstrate to Ghanaians that they will agree, for the forward march of the country when it is necessary.
“Although we came to a decision by majority, I know that here at plenary, this House can by consensus proceed to use a voice vote to approve all the nominees, ” he said.
He added that governance should not be obstructed, especially when no one has come out with any contrary view on the nominees, despite the tough scrutiny that they were taken through at the vetting.
Even before other members of the House could also comment on the report, there were indication that there was no consensus on the motion, so it has to be put to a vote. This ushered the House into a brief suspension to afford the Speaker and leadership the time to agree on what should be done.
After a 3-4 hrs suspension, Speaker Bagbin ruled that the debate on the report should be taken on that very Thursday, while vote would be taken on Friday, March 24.
Comments from other MPs
Member of Parliament for Okaikoi Central, Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, who supported the motion to approve the nominees, indicated that the nominees are colleague MPs whose competencies and capabilities would help the country and that they should be approved.
However, the North Tongu MP, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa rejected the idea of approving the nominees. He was of the opinion that the country was currently facing serious economic crisis and that it does not make sense to add more ministers to the already bloated ministerial list.
Mr Ablakwa indicated that increasing the number of ministers would have dire consequences on the already stressed public purse.
“…If you do the analysis, by having a new minister of state at the Local Government ministry, we are adding on. We are going to have more ministers.”
He said the Finance Minister is in China pleading with the government to find ways to restructure Ghana’s debt, so it would not be prudent to add more ministers.
His comment supported the call made by the National Democratic Congress right after the President announced the new appointments.
It would be recalled that on February 19, 2023 the NDC directed its Minority members in Parliament to reject the new ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo.
In a press release, the party explained that this is to help push for the reduction in the size of the current government.
The NDC stated that, the party, together with other civil society organisations have on numerous occasions expressed concern over government’s size but the President has yet to act on the calls for a reduction.
“The leadership of the NDC, has, against this backdrop, directed the Minority caucus in Parliament not to approve any of the new ministerial nominees and to further push for a reduction in the size of government with a view to reducing the needless drain on scarce public resources.”
“In this moment of haircuts, the most important thing the government can do is to do a ‘governmental haircut’. Our directive to the Minority in Parliament, we believe strongly aligns with the genuine sentiments of most Ghanaians. Enough is enough,” parts of the statement read.
Voting Day
Before the House would commence voting on Friday March 24, the Effutu MP, Afenyo-Markin suggested that since the NPP has 137 members and the NDC had 136 members, the majority should be declared winners of the motion, based on their numbers.
This decision was, however, rejected by many, especially the minority caucus. They insisted that members should be allowed to exercise their right to a secret ballot, which has been stipulated in the 1992 constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Majority Chief Whip, Mr Frank Annor Dompreh also suggested that if the House wants to undertake secret voting, then the majority side should be made to cross carpet and cast their ballots at the majority side and vice versa. This idea was also rejected by the House.
The House finally settled on a secret vote, where each caucus voted at their side of the chamber.
After 3 to 4 hours of voting, the process ended and Speaker Bagbin announced the results.
Shocks after results were announced
Based on the long standing decision taken by the Minority caucus and the NDC to reject the nominees in order to save the public purse, it was shocking that all 136 minority caucus did not vote against the motion.
The first person to express shock, disappoint and regret about the turn of events was the Former President John Dramani Mahama.
Taking to social media, Mr Mahama wrote: “Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul-searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest.”
Mr Mahama noted that the Minority in Parliament had announced a principled position not to approve any new ministers until the President has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government.
However, he said when the same MPs were presented with an opportunity to do something about the situation, they fluffed the lines.
“Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the Minority for some parochial and personal interest voted against the principled position adopted by the party,” he said.
Another person who also took to social media to express his disappointment was the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
The Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam legislator said he was downhearted that his caucus could not vote against the nominees to compel President Akufo-Addo to reduce the size of his government.
He, however, expressed his utmost gratitude to the over 100 NDC MPs who voted against the nominees.
According to him, these MPs demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the collective good of the Ghanaians people.
“To say I am profoundly disappointed with the outcome of yesterday’s proceedings is an understatement.
“While it is true that we did not achieve the desired reduction in the number of ministers under this government, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the over 100 NDC MPs who worked tirelessly to represent the will of the majority of the Ghanaian people.
“These MPs have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the betterment of our society.
“Their tireless efforts to push for a reduction in the number of ministers are a testament to their dedication to our shared cause,” he said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Dr Ato Forson has expressed optimism that the caucus would work together to achieve the greater good for the NDC and Ghana as a whole.
“While the outcome may not have been what we had hoped for, I believe we can still work together to achieve our goals.
“I remain hopeful that, by continuing to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration, we can find a way forward that benefits all Ghanaians.
“Once again, I want to express my disappointment, but I am also grateful for the efforts of those who worked to represent our collective vision for a better Ghana. Let us continue to strive towards a brighter future,” he said.
Kamala Harris,Vice President of US (L) being welcomed with a cultural display
The Vice President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris, has touched down in Ghana, as part of her official visit to three African countries. She has kick-started her nine-day official trip to Ghana, Tanzania Wednesday and Zambia.
Kamala Harris, Vice President of US, addressing the media on arrival at the KIA
She has been sent to Africa to deepen the ties that exist between the US and the African continent, at a time China is racing up to woo Africa to its side.
Addressing the media yesterday at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoka International Airport, upon her arrival, the first female Vice President of the US to visit Africa, Kamala Harris, said she was honored to be in Ghana.
According to her, she is in Africa to address some issues on the partnership between the US and Africa, and also to boost investment.
RELATION
Accompanied by her husband, Douglas Emhoff, Vice-President Harris said her visit is to strengthen the economic relations between the US and Ghana.
She said the US is looking forward to this trip as a further attestment of the long and enduring and very important relationship between the people of the United States and Africa.
Kamala Harris shaking hands with children who waved the flags of both countries
According to her, she is excited about the future of Africa, the impact of the future of Africa on the rest of the world, including the United States of America.
“When I look at what is happening on this continent and the fact that the median age is 19 years … and what that tells us about the growth of opportunities, of innovations, of possibilities, I see in all of those great opportunities and not only for the people of this continent but the people of the world,” she said.
ARRIVAL
She was met on arrival by the Vice President, Dr Mahammudu Bawumia, the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, among other government officials.
She smiled as she was welcomed by cultural dancers, and also spotted children waving both Ghana and US flags.
Kamala placed her hand on her heart as she passed by the dancers.
ITINERARY IN GHANA
She will visit Jubilee House this morning to engage President Akufo-Addo in a tete-a-tete and subsequently address the Presidential Press Corps.
Later in the evening, there will be a state dinner in her honour, according to protocol.
While in Ghana, Harris will meet with young people in the creative industry and it is expected that she will give a major speech to an audience of young people tomorrow. She will then visit the Cape Coast Castle.
On Wednesday, still in Accra, she will meet with women entrepreneurs and discuss the economic empowerment of women where she will make an announcement related to public and private sector investments in Africa, aimed at helping to close the digital gender divide and to empower women economically.
Vice-President Harris is scheduled to leave Ghana on March 29, 2023 for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, before ending her tour in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 2.
Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) has paid GH¢1,350,000 to 790 rubber out-grower farmers of the company. According to GREL, the payment, known as ‘Fidelity Bonus’, was to reward rubber out-grower farmers who demonstrated loyalty to the company by delivering rubber cuplumps to its weigh bridges and processing factories for at least eight consecutive months during the 2022-2023 agric-season.
In a communication to its rubber out-grower farmers, it said it really appreciates the long-standing relationship with its out-grower farmers, and that the payment of the Fidelity Bonus was to thank them for their continuous loyalty to GREL over the years.
The drama following the massive endorsements of the six ministerial nominees and two justices of the apex court appears to be more than what meets the eye. Amongst the unfolding issues is an allegation that some members of the opposition parliamentarians were bought by the majority to vote to approve all the nominees.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast South, Kweku Rickett Hagan, did not mince words on Accra-based TV3 last Saturday, March 25, 2023, that there was “no doubt” some of his colleagues were compromised.
Though the outspoken Legislator shied from mentioning names, he made it clear that the exact number of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs who were allegedly bribed by the Majority was revealed to his leadership, asking: “Was it a coincidence that the numbers happen to be the same?”
According to him, those MPs allowed themselves to be bought for their own interests, at the expense of the collective goal.
He alleged on the TV3 programme that: “There are some people who don’t see the collective interest of what we are trying to achieve as a party, and that they are more interested in themselves making money as quick as they can, and by selling the NDC Minority Caucus when we are in a position of strength. That, if it looks as if we have something good that we talk about that we want to achieve, others use that to go and negotiate for their own selfish interest on the other side.”
Not too clear of the exact message Mr. Hagan wanted to put across, the host asked: “So what you want to say is that some NDC MPs were bribed; they took money?”
He responded: “Absolutely. No doubt. Because before we went into…things added up. Let me tell you why I said no doubt. Our leadership told us the number of people on our side; that they are 100% sure that they have gotten them. They told us, and was it a coincidence that the numbers happen to be the same? They (Our leadership) went into a meeting and our opponent told them that we have bought your people so be careful of what you are trying to do. That is what my leaders told me?”
PROBE
The party has indicated it would stop at nothing to fish out the MPs who disregarded its firm directives. But, even before that, some NDC MPs have made comments suggesting they did not disobey the party.
Apart from Kweku Rickett Hagan, the MP for North Tongu took to his social media page a quote that “there is no knife that cuts so sharply and with such poisoned blade as treachery.”
A video showing the ballot paper for the ministerial nominees is also circulating in which a voice is heard saying he is Murtala and “this is how I voted.” In the video, a pen is seen ticking all the ‘No’ boxes.
BETRAYAL
The conduct of the MPs appears to be a slap in the faces of the party leadership, and the former president, John Dramani Mahama, who have been keen on the need for the government to downsize.
A cursory analysis of the comments following the results of the vote depicts a feeling of betrayal.
In its statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC condemned the conduct in no uncertain terms: “As it not only betrays the expressed will of the party, but the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana.”
Taking a bite, the former president, John Drama Mahama, said he was “also disappointed,” especially as the leadership of the MPs had given no room for doubts based on the assurances.
He added: “Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest.”
TABLE TURNS
The statement signed by the current General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey, to condemn the conduct of the minority MPs, appears to be a reflection of what he experienced in 2009.
President Mills had nominated him for appointment as a deputy finance minister, but had to go through secret votes before securing parliamentary approval.
The Appointments Committee was split over his nomination, with then minority, now majority, saying he had peddled some untruths during the 2008 campaign.
He was approved with 117 votes from the majority as against 106 by the Minority, under the speakership of Joyce Bamford Addo.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is currently embarking on an aggressive revenue mobilisation drive to recoup its debts, which have become popularly known as “legacy debt”.
As part of the bellicose exercise, the ECG has cut off power supply to some state institutions which are heavily indebted to the power distributing company. They include the Ho Airport, the Ghana Revenue Authority and some tertiary institutions among others.
The antagonistic nature of the exercise, which appears to be the first of its kind in recent years, has forced other government institutions which are indebted to the ECG to reasonably settle all or part of their debts.
One notable institution is the Parliament of Ghana, which was said to owe the ECG a whopping GH¢13 million, to hurriedly pay GH¢8 million as part payment.
It has been argued that the non-payment of electricity bills by some government institutions has largely contributed to the inefficiencies of the ECG, as their heavy indebtedness incapacitate the company.
Undoubtedly, the huge figures involved in the amount of money these institutions owe the ECG lends ample credence to the fact that these government institutions are collapsing the ECG with their huge debts.
This is because, as a company, the ECG does not produce the power by itself, but it purchases it in bulk for distribution to its customers.
Its primary objective is to distribute electric energy to the people of Ghana within the company’s operational jurisdiction, and also provide reliable, quality and safe electricity services to support economic growth and development.
From the above, it is instructive to state emphatically that any attempt by state institutions to refuse to pay bills for the power they consume would be detrimental to the successful operations of the company.
In the light of this, The Chronicle would like to draw the company’s attention to a suggestion by Mr. Kofi Koranteng, who is an aspiring independent presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
According to Mr. Kofi Koranteng, utility bills of government institutions must be paid monthly from the institutions’ accounts direct to the account of the ECG, through an electronic platform.
He said: “All costs associated with operations and utilities by government agencies should be automatically drafted by providers from the agencies account of record at the end of every month.”
This form of payment, he claimed, would make the ECG more financially stable and effective, because it would not create opportunities for state institutions to become heavily indebted to it.
Additionally, Mr. Koranteng opined that such payments would fade out the manual process which has become ineffective and demonstrate the government’s commitment to the digitisation drive of the country.
In our sincerest opinion, it is high time such a policy was introduced by the ECG to enable the company rake in the badly needed funds for its operations and purchase of needed materials for effective power distribution.
The paper, therefore, finds this idea not just laudable, but also justifiable, as it would go a long way to prevent state institutions from consuming electricity power without paying for same.
In the view of the paper, institutions must also have the relevant policies in place to check how utilities, particularly water and electricity, are used at the various offices to prevent wastage and their accompanying debts.
For instance, the average Ghanaian would turn off all unused electrical appliances, including air conditioners, at home before going out, but the moment we get to our various offices, the attitude changes.
Air conditioners could be left on in some offices for hours when there is nobody in the office and this is obviously due to our long-held perception that at our workplaces government is responsible for paying bills.
As stated by Mr. Koranteng, offices must have supervisors who would be in charge to whip staff in line with how electricity is used in various government offices.
We need to help the Electricity Company of Ghana to serve us better.
Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah cutting the tape to open the building
The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, has commissioned an ultra-modern District Court at Akomadan in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region, as part of judicial reforms to promote effective justice delivery.
The facility, funded by the District Assembly, through its District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), comes with a residence for the judge, the Registrar’s office and docket rooms.
The new District court building
The Chief Justice commended the traditional authorities for supporting the project to ensure its completion. He noted that the construction of the new court and residential accommodation for judges across the country, under the current government, was unprecedented.
The Chief Justice admonished the judiciary staff to keep it neat and ensure prompt maintenance to protect the investment made.
Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, commended the Chief Justice for spearheading judicial reforms to promote effective justice delivery in the country. He said the construction of the residence for judges, coupled with the commissioning of a number of courts in the last few months in the Ashanti Region, were testimonies of the Chief Justice’s progressive leadership and asked him to continue with the good work.
The Ghana Cocoa Board and the Government of Ghana have rolled out the Phase One of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, with a call on farmers to register and enrol onto the scheme to enable them benefit from it on retirement.
The scheme is designed to ride on the back of the Cocoa Management System (CMS) and would start in the Ashanti and Western South regions, where the CMS exercise has been a success.
Mr. Daniel Aidoo Mensah, manager of the Trustees of the scheme explained that, the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme is a regulated scheme sponsored by the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Government of Ghana for the sole benefit of Registered Cocoa Farmers and their beneficiaries.
Cocoa farmers
He stated that it is compulsory for all registered cocoa farmers in Ghana who are issued with the Cocoa Card.
He said, the Scheme is aimed at ensuring a decent pension for cocoa farmers, improving their welfare and making cocoa farming attractive to the younger generation, for the sustainability of the cocoa sector.
Mr. Mensah explained that there is no specific entry age to sign on to the Scheme, adding that the only requirement is to be registered as a Cocoa Farmer with a Cocoa Card issued by COCOBOD through the Cocoa Management System (CMS) Team.
He noted that a registered cocoa farmer must complete an Enrolment Form to indicate his/her Nominated Beneficiaries and elect Additional Voluntary Contribution prior to the sale of his/her cocoa produce.
Mr. Aidoo mentioned that a registered farmer is required to make a mandatory contribution of 5% of his/her produce while Cocobod pays a minimum top-up contribution of 1% of the farmers’ produce.
He said the farmer, as an option, may elect to make an additional Voluntary Contribution ranging from two and a half to 10% of his/her produce, adding that the farmer’s contribution shall be deducted from the proceeds of his/her produce at the point of sale.
He disclosed that 25% of the farmer’s total contribution would be credited to the Personal Savings Account and the remaining 75% would be credited to the Retirement Account, established for each individual farmer.
The manager disclosed that at the beginning of each cocoa purchase season the farmer must provide the Cocoa Card as proof of registration in order to be allowed to sell his/her produce to the Purchasing Clerk.
He said the Purchasing Clerk (PC) scans the farmer’s cocoa card number into the Cocoa Purchase App installed on the PC’s mobile phone to access the farmer’s record in CMS.
Harbour craft jetty at the Terminal 3, Port of Tema
In efforts to maximize efficiency at the Port of Tema, the Meridian Ports Service in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, has constructed a harbour craft jetty at the Terminal 3, at the Port of Tema.
Harbour Master, Port of Tema, Captain Francis Kwesi Micah (left), Emmanuel Ohene-Addo, Operations Manager, MPS (right)
The harbor craft jetty has been created primarily to reduce vessel idle time at the terminal, in order to improve vessel turnaround time at the Port of Tema, making it comparable to other world class ports.
In essence, the jetty will accommodate harbour crafts such as tugboats within optimum proximity to carry out vessel handling services.
Hitherto, the tug boats and the marine operations personnel were about 30 minutes away from the terminal leading to some delay in vessel turnaround time.
Barely a month into its operationalization, operators of the terminal are projecting a 64-minute improvement in average vessel idle time for departure by June 2023, and 94-minute improvement by end of the year.
“Our dream is 60 minutes similar to what happens in world class terminals,” said Emmanuel Ohene-Addo, the Operations Manager at Meridian Ports Services, the operators of the Terminal 3.
He revealed that before the operationalization of the jetty, at the end of 2022, average vessel idle time for arrival was 54 minutes, with average vessel idle time for departure at 154 minutes.
“So same with the arrival time, we are trying to bring it down to 40 minutes by June, then 30 minutes by end of the year,” Mr. Ohene-Addo added.
Speaking on the Eye on Port program, he disclosed that MPS and GPHA are collaborating further to construct an office complex to house the marine personnel and MPS’ operational staff to facilitate the smooth process of berthing and unberthing cargo-carrying vessels.
He said all of the heavy investment in infrastructure at the MPS Terminal 3 are all geared towards providing the caliber of services, the league of world class terminals provides.
Adding on to that, in a separate engagement, the Harbour Master at the Port of Tema, Captain Francis Kwesi Micah revealed that the Port Authority has already made preparations to procure two new tugs and train additional pilots to enhance vessel handling services at the Port.
He said, that, in addition to the decision to provide a harbor craft jetty and an accompanying office space, all tie into the Authority’s vision to leave no gaps in the port supply chain.
The Harbour Master expressed that these initiatives align with the Authority’s objective of making the Port of Tema the leading container hub and beacon of trade in the sub region.
“It will mean that you will stand tall in the competition that is riling up in the West Coast. You know we have a lot of competition coming up in Abidjan, Cameroon, Nigeria among others. If you are able to work very well in this area, it will mean that we will not lose cargo, shipping traffic, but rather increase the volumes coming in, all other things being equal. It will place us at the peak point of efficiency in terms of vessel turnaround in the Terminal,” Capt. Micah articulated.
He added that, the relocation of some of its craft and personnel at the Terminal 3, where majority of the container vessel operation are undertaken, will also save the Authority from the extra fuel needed to run these harbour craft.
Information gathered by The Chronicle indicates that Dr. Fredrick Yao MacPalm, alleged leader of a group that was reportedly plotting to topple the Akufo-Addo government, is dead.
The first accused (A1) in high treason felony and abetment trial, Dr. MacPalm died on Saturday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a health facility by his family.
The deceased was scheduled to be cross-examined by counsel for Bright Alan Debrah aka Bright Alan Ofosu Yeboah alias BB (A3) today, following the opening of his defence last month.
The others standing trial with him are Kafui Donya(A2) Johannes Zipki (A4), Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli (A5), WOII Esther Saan (A6), Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon (A7), Lance Corporal Ali Solomon (A8), Lance Corporal Seidu Abubakar (A9) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Benjamin Agordzo (A10).
This paper gathered that Dr. MacPalm, 58, was last seen on Thursday by members of the alleged coup plot at the National Investigation Bureau (NIB).
The 10 accused persons are being tried by an Accra High Court presided over by three justices – Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, Hafisata Amaleboba and Stephen Oppong.
The Attorney General (A-G) called 13 witnesses to testify in the trial. The 10 were arrested in 2019 on the account of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government, using a non-governmental organisation (NGO) – Take Action Ghana (TAG) – to mobilise support for their alleged agenda.
However, Dr. MacPalm had testified that despite TAG having a political ambition, it was purposely for education and community health outreach. He also denied the allegation of wanting to overthrown the Akufo-Addo government.
