Don’t plunge Adamawa in crisis –Atiku warns INEC

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March 21, 2023

The Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church of Ghana, Apostle Abraham Amoh, has eulogised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the various interventions he has introduced, describing them as positive, and which are gradually shaping the fortunes of the nation. He, however, wants the president to reduce the ex-gratia payment to the Article 71 office holders to one-third of the figures they collect.

He explained that interventions such as the national digitalization project, the Ghana Card, the establishment of the Zongo Development Fund, the creation of the six new regions, the distribution of ambulances to all Districts Hospitals, the peaceful resolution of the boundary disputes and equipping the security service as well as the introduction of the Free Senior High Schools among other initiatives, which are driving the development of the nation forward.

Speaking to the media in Kumasi on Sunday, Apostle Amoh was upbeat that the various initiatives of the government when allowed to continue for some years would go a long way for the transformation of the nation.

The Chairman indicated that the rolling out of the interventions was among the best things that keep on promoting the development of the country. Heagain mentioned the re-introduction of nurses and teacher training allowances, and the restructuring of the nation’s economy after inheriting a weak economy from the previous government were all marks of a good leader in Nana Akufo-Addo.

Apostle Amoh, however, called for the total amount paid as ex-gratia to all Article 71 beneficiaries to be reduced to a third of any amount paid to them in the past due to the current economic situation in the country and the rest of the world. He explained that in a nation that is striving to recover from huge economic challenges arising from the covid-19 and the hardships from the Russian-Ukraine war, there was a need for all to sacrifice a bit to save the nation’s economy from a total collapse.

The Chairman appealed to all Ghanaians to contribute their quota towards the restructuring of the nation’s debt by making some sacrifices towards the recovery of the economy to save the nation’s economy from a shutdown. He again appealed to traders and operators of businesses to ensure that they do not increase their prices too high since it would in the long run affect all irrespective of location.

Appiatse Support Fund rakes in GH¢62m

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March 21, 2023

Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund, has disclosed that the fund has so far received an amount of GH¢62million as donations from various institutions, organisations and individuals all in support of the Reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Appiatse Township, which was razed down by fire after mining explosives exploded in the town. Early last year.

The Chairman revealed this when she received a GH¢200,000 cheque donation from GOIL yesterday as their contribution towards the reconstruction of Appiatse.

Madam Joyce Aryee explained that aside contributions received from various organisations, Maxam Company, the Mining Firm implicated in the accident, has also been consistent in paying their fine and that she noted has contributed to the GH¢62 million amount raised.

On behalf of her team and the people of Appiatse, she expressed their profound gratitude to GOIL for such a generous donation saying that this will go a long way to help them do timely payments to contractors and hoped that the gesture of love will be the launch of a second wave of donations from institutions that are yet to donate to the fund, as she opined that more money is needed to complete the entire project.

Rev. Joyce Aryee outlined a number of challenges contractors face at the site, particular among them she mentioned to be the consistent rainfall in the area, which slows down progress but Madam Joyce was hopeful that by September, most of the buildings would have been fully completed for the residents to move in.

The Managing Director (MD) of Goil, Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, in his remarks, said having heard of the unfortunate incident that happened in Appiatse, Goil as a socially responsible corporate entity, decided to also join the frail and contribute towards the reconstruction of the model green community.

He however explained why their donation to the Fund seems to have delayed, saying that the institution issued a cheque when the incident occurred last year, but was not able to deliver it on time but “better late than never,” he added.

The MD also mentioned that Goil at the initial stages of the incident made some donations to Appiatse directly even before the fund was instituted while he applauded the efforts of Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee and her team for the good work being done for the people of Appiatse and humanity.

Hoteliers protest against high water bills

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March 21, 2023

The Ghana Progressive Hotels Association (GHAPROHA) has appealed to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to intervene in the high water bills for hotels.

The group noted the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) tariffs were too high for industry players, the Reverend Emmanuel Geadda-Asando, National President of GRAPROHA, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Tema.

He noted that even though the PURC increased the water tariff by eight percent in its last price adjustment, the GWCL charges for hotels amounted to 167 percent.

Rev. Geadda-Asando said that forfeited PURC’s recognition that water was life and fundamental to human and peoples’ rights and was also critical to businesses and organizations.

He said “immediately the PURC announced the agreed percentage increments, GWCL began to target hotels throughout the country and sent astronomical bills to individual hotels electronically for February 2023”.

He cited for instance that the current average cost per unit of consumption for hotels (classified as commercial users) was GHC11.22 before the PURC announcement.

“But when we received our bills, the costs had shot up to GHC30.00. A hotel that paid GHC3,500.00 for January 2023 bill is now billed to pay GHC9,200.00 for February for the same consumption.

“Consumption 75 X 11.22 per unit price in January was GHC841.50, but February’s consumption of the same is GHC 2,250.00 without other changes,” he said.

The GHAPROHA President emphasized that the calculated percentage increase was 167 percent which according to the association was extraordinary, punitive, and prohibitive to their operations.

He, therefore, reiterated calls to the PURC and the sector ministry to intervene and find solutions to the prohibitive increases in water tariffs relative to hotels.

Rev. Geadda-Asando said hoteliers were law-abiding citizens who generated jobs, and provided sustainability of incomes, and contributed to the economy through the payment of over 20 taxes, charges, and levies to government agencies and District Assemblies.

“Our members do not wish to embark on industrial action, which may be detrimental to the image of the government. We believe the government should intervene to bring the utility service providers to order,” he said.

He stated that it must be put on record that though water was a critical factor for hoteliers’ services, it was not the sole factor as several operational costs combined to make their services seamless.

The GHAPROHA President said hoteliers intend to push the cost to their guests and customers, however doing so would mean the cost of doing business in Ghana would be high and make them less competitive, and eventually drive tourists to other destinations.

He added other implications like downsizing of operations, staff layoff, inability to pay the new tariffs due to potential low sales revenue, coupled with the current unfavourable economic environment.

Rev. Geadda-Asando appealed to the GWCL and the Electricity Company of Ghana to avoid threats of cutting supplies to the hospitality industry, but use their usual normal approach to solicit payments from hotels and restaurants.

GNA

Extended closure of Kejetia Market Complex sparks hostilities

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU

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March 21, 2023

The Kumasi City Markets Limited (KCML) has announced an extension of the reopening of the Kejetia Market Complex, which was gutted by fire last week Wednesday.

According to a statement signed by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of KCML, Nana Agyenim-Boateng I, the non-affected area of the facility is to remain closed for a further one week, effective Monday March 20, 2023.

It said, however, that the affected area would be closed indefinitely until, otherwise, advised by assessment experts.

The Board explained that there was the need to assess the electro-mechanical and other safety installations, as well as the structure integrity of the affected area, before patrons are granted access to the facility.

The market was temporarily closed down for four days by the Managing director of KCML, following the fire outbreak last Wednesday.

But the KCML Board has directed that the market should remain closed for a further one week for proper assessment of the situation.

However, the Combined Traders Association of Kumasi City markets at Kejetia, comprising representatives of Traders Board, the Kejetia Traders Association, Concerned Central Market Traders Association, Kejetia Petty Traders Association, Kejetia Traditional Caterers Association, Eleven Member Steering Committee, KCTU, the Federation of Kumasi Traders, Eleven member Steering Committee, LBG and the Kejetia Tenants Association has kicked against the decision by the Kumasi City Market Board of Directors to extend the reopening of the market for another one week period.

In a statement jointly signed by the executives of the association, it categorically stated that members vehemently disagree with the decision and that they would not allow themselves to be taken for granted.

The joint traders association said their position is premised on the fact that the KCML Board is insensitive about their plight, as their source of livelihood is affected.

The association has, therefore, threatened to defy the directives for extension, stating “We will not accept the further one week closure”.

The traders reminded the Board of its inability to address various issues brought to its attention over the years, stating that given a full year the Board would not be able to help address the situation.

They suspected that the Board is treating the Board chairman and the Managing Director with kids gloves for reasons best known to it, and called for their removal before any negotiations regarding the plight of affected traders in particular and the over 8,000 traders occupying the facility are considered.

The executives of the joint association have, therefore, called on all traders and transport operators to come to work tomorrow, Monday March 20, 2023 in disregard of the directive of the KCML Board.

“No one should stay at home. Everyone should come along with red bands”, the association directed.

The GNA, meanwhile, reports that the government will provide financial assistance to all the victims of the new Kejetia fire disaster in Kumasi, for them to restart their businesses.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia announced this during a visit to the market on Monday morning. The Vice President was at the market, together with other high ranking government officials, to inspect the extent of damage caused by the fire, which ravaged parts of the market on Friday, March 17.

A total of 33 shops were affected during the outbreak and merchandise worth millions of cedis destroyed.

Dr Bawumia said preliminary investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service indicated that the fire was not caused by an electrical fault, but rather a gas explosion which emanated from the shop of one of the traders, who was cooking food at the time.

He praised the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for the swift response, which helped to control the spread of the fire.

The Vice President said the government was concerned about the plight of the affected traders and would do everything to support them to restart their businesses for them to contribute to the growth and development of the country.

Asantehene urges Government to show a higher level of transparency

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March 21, 2023

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has implored the government to show a higher level of transparency and be candid in these difficult times in order to win the trust and confidence of the general public.

Again, he called for all to reduce wasteful spending and direct resources to economic reproductive areas in order to improve the quality of life of our people.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the call on Friday, during the 56th congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The congregation saw a total of 16,562 graduating – out of which 13,726 (82.88 per cent) were undergraduates and 2,836 (17.12 per cent) postgraduates.

Out of the postgraduate graduands 124 graduated with PhD degrees of which 31 (25 per cent) of them are females.

The Asantehene urged the government to put in place the right measures to produce outcomes that would be in the best interest of everyone and to promote peace.

He urged the government to bring together best brains together from all political perspectives as it still negotiates for a better package to present the final proposal, so that whatever decision the government takes would be everyone’s responsibility.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu described the current economic situation as a wake-up call for all and asked for a careful review of the economy and to implement of some significant adjustments.

The Chancellor reminded the government to be more accommodating and reach out to those who may oppose them politically in the interest of the country to avoid the collapse of the economy.

The Asantehene used the occasion to launch a project dubbed “KNUST Day of Giving”, which is geared towards encouraging stakeholders to contribute towards the development of the University.

The day, slated for 6th of October every year, would mark the birthday of the University.

According to the Asantehene, on this day, every year, stakeholders will get the opportunity to contribute to the development of the University.

“The 6th of October each year will be devoted to celebrating KNUST’s birthday by all alumni, partners, associates, and friends by giving a birthday gift in any currency across the globe.

“The donation can be as low as 1 cedi, 1 dollar, 1 pound, 1 Euro and up to however much one’s widow’s mite might permit.

“A platform will be created such that every donor automatically becomes a member of the accounts team, monitoring the inflow of donations. As soon as your 1 cedi hits the account, you’ll see the balance.

Of course, if the balance does not look appealing or befitting of this great University, one will always be welcomed to top up,” she said at the 56th congregation of the Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ star Lance Reddick dead at 60

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March 21, 2023

Actor Lance Reddick, who starred in the film ‘The Wire’ and later had prominent roles in the ‘John Wick’ movie franchise and the Amazon series,‘Bosch,’ has passed on Friday, March 17 at the age of 60.

The musician and actor died suddenly of natural causes on Friday in his Los Angeles home where Police were called to the actor’s house around 09:30 local time (16:30 GMT), his publicist said.

“Lance will be greatly missed,” his publicist, Mia Hansen, said in a statement, adding that; “Please respect his family’s privacy at this time.”

Reddick had been in the middle of a press tour for the fourth installment of the John Wick movies, which is slated to be released on March24.

He is also set to appear in the upcoming John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas.

Reddick, a native of Baltimore, appeared in more than a dozen films and shows during his 25-year acting career.

He was Charon, the hotel concierge at a New York criminal underground hub called The Continental Hotel in the John Wick movies. He appeared in the original film, and its two sequels, and is set to appear in the fourth installment.

The actor was also known for his breakout role as Baltimore police lieutenant Cedric Daniels in The Wire, a series that ran from 2002 to 2008 and examined the narcotics scene in Baltimore from the perspective of law enforcement as well as drug dealers and users.

Reddick told the Guardian in 2010 that he thought the show would be a “hit” but did not anticipate it “would become this phenomenon”.

The actor was in the Resident Evil Netflix series and the science fiction-action movie Godzilla vs. Kong.

He was known for his voice acting work as well, including for the TV series Rick and Morty.

Desmond Elliot re-elected as legislator

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March 21, 2023

Nollywood actor cum politician, Desmond Elliot has been re-elected in his Surulere constituency to keep representing them at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He was spotted in a viral video thanking and rejoicing with his supporters as they celebrated his win.

Captured in a jubilant mood, Desmond ‘high-fived’ some of his supporters and chided his detractors who wished him doom in the keenly contested race.

His position was threatened when actor, Olumide Oworu, declared his intention to represent the constituency on the ticket of the Labour Party.

Desmond Elliot, who belongs to the incumbent APC party, has over the years been in the bad books of citizens, particularly, his colleagues, due to some utterances he had made in parliament.

Prior to the governorship elections, netizens including some of his colleagues vowed to vote him out of power.

Somethings are never appreciated – says Tulenkey as he’s ignored by the VGMAs

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March 21, 2023

Ghanaian rapper Chief Osei Bonsu, better known as Tulenkey, has expressed his disappointment after he was left out of the best rap performance category after the nominees for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, 2023 edition, were announced.

According to the rapper, ever since he came into the music scene, he has released some of the biggest rap songs in the country, however, he has been ignored on countless occasions in the “Best Rap Performance” category of the awards show.

Naming some of his biggest joints that deserved nominations over the years, Tulenkey feels his contribution to the music industry is not appreciated.

“I’ve been dropping the hardest rap joints ever since I touched down. Last year was Point Of View, the year before was Undertaker, before that Child Abuse, Forever ‘96, and not even a single nomination for Best Rap Performance? I guess somethings are never appreciated,” he tweeted, Saturday.

Tulenkey made his major debut on Sarkodie’s Biibi Ba which had Amerado, Lyrical Joe, Frequency, Kofi Mole, Toy Boi, Yeyo, 2 Fyngerz, O’BKay, and CJ Biggerman on it.

He has been tagged The Heir to Rap Music in Ghana since he came through with the Refix of his street-banging song Child Abuse which is a cover of Cardi B’s “I like it”.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Nominees for 24th VGMA out

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March 21, 2023