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Editorial: President’s intervention in sacking of students is a step in the right direction

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The Ghana Education Service (GES) last week dismissed eight female students of Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, for making derogatory comments against President Akufo-Addo in a video that went viral.

The eight students in the video were seen making disparaging comments against the President and his free Senior High School (SHS) policy. There were mixed reactions to the sacking of the girls, as some individuals and institutions condemned the punishment as high-handed, and that the future of the young girls would be jeopardised. Others held the view that the punishment was apt, because it would serve as a deterrent to others.

However, after several pleas for clemency for the eight dismissed Chiana SHS girls, President Akufo-Addo intervened in the situation. As a result, the GES referred the matter to the school’s Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions other than dismissal. Consequently, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, directed the GES to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal.

The Chronicle holds the view that the punishment was extreme. The GES has a wide spectrum of punishments for such misconducts, and that they could have invited the parents of the girls to sign a bond of good behaviour and be taken through counseling to reform them.

Counseling is one of the important components of reformation in our educational system, whilst recognising the psychological needs of the young girls. The academic dismissal of students can lead to students becoming dropouts, since no other educational institution would be ready to admit dismissed students to continue with their education.

We are, therefore, happy that President Akufo-Addo intervened and that the GES is exploring alternative sanctions other than the dismissal of the young girls.

The Chronicle would also like to tackle the lapse of the school authorities in maintaining discipline. It is a known fact that students in Senior High Schools under the GES are banned from using mobile phones. How then were the students able to record the video, if the GES does not permit students in second-cycle schools to use them?

This means the school authorities are not ensuring that students are banned from using mobile phones in school. What happened to the rules and regulations governing the institution? Prevention, they say, is better than cure.

The Chronicle is appalled by the school authority’s inability to prevent students from using mobile phones on campus. If the students were prevented from using mobile phones by the appropriate authorities, the video recording wouldn’t have happened in the first place, let alone get to the internet.

Not only should the students be punished, but the school authorities should also be dealt with for allowing the students to use mobile phones on campus. This will deter others from doing the same.

The advent of stylish phones and social media platforms has captured the attention, time and focus of many students and the usage of mobile phones in Senior High Schools is causing a lot of distractions to students.

We therefore advise the authorities not to hesitate to take serious action against students who engage in such practices to avoid the occurrence of unforeseen problems.

Freight Forwarders satisfied with new rates but …

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1st Vice President of GIFF, Paul Kobina Mensah (left) and Head of Freight and Logistics, Ghana Shippers Authority, Fred Asiedu-Dartey during an Eye on Port discussion

The 1st Vice President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Paul Kobina Mensah, has revealed the perspective of clearing and forwarding agents on the newly agreed rates for freight forwarding services in the country.

According to him, the professional fraternity has welcomed the new rates despite expecting more.

He said they fought for a 250% increase in the rates from the last negotiated rates in 2016. Some of the reasons he expressed, included the operational cost of service rendered, exchange rate volatility and inflation.

“In 2016, the dollar rate was 3.9 cedis and at the time of the negotiations it was around 11 cedis. If you look at the margin it is over 300%. Inflation was 40.4 as against 17.5 in 2016. Putting these together, the best we could ask for was 250%. The rates as we have today will last for two more years of which economic uncertainties are expected,” he lamented.

He revealed that there was a 110% increment in the rates which he described as “woefully inadequate”.

The 1st Vice President of GIFF nonetheless stated that his outfit settled with the negotiated rates to promote trading activities for shippers who are their primary clients.

He expressed hope that with increased volumes of cargo cleared, freight forwarders will make up the deficit lost.

Mr. Mensah was speaking on the Eye on Port program following the negotiation process between the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and the Committee of Freight Forwarder Associations (CoFFA).

The rates, in principle are expected to have been implemented at the start of the new year, 2023.

The negotiated rates which would last for a period of two years, is expected to guide importers and exporters plan their operations.

Some of the rates are as follows:

For conventional general cargo such as steel products, plates, drums, of up to 100 metric tons, will cost a maximum charge of 1,200 cedis with every additional ton costing 6 cedis. A Saloon car will cost an importer 1300 cedis for the services of a freight forwarder. For containerized cargo, a 40 footer container will cost a shipper 2800 cedis whereas it costs 2000 cedis for a 20 footer container.

According to P.K. Mensah, the 2022 negotiation was the most hectic negotiation process they were subjected to. “It took us 6 good months. Our first meeting was 4th May and we concluded in October,” he expressed.

Contributing to the subject, the Head of Freight and Logistics at the Ghana Shippers Authority, Fred Aseidu-Dartey explained that it was necessary for the Authority to undergo a rigorous and thorough process to arrive at a satisfactory outcome.

He said it was very important to tackle the various intricacies peculiar to the sea ports, air ports, land borders and transit as well as the various categories of cargo.

“What happens at the airport is different from what happens at the sea ports. When we talk about vehicles categories alone for example, we are talking about motor cycles, saloon cars, SUV, earth moving equipment. We needed to assess why the various increments for each category was necessary and fair. We needed to be meticulous so we ensure that we get value for the Ghanaian shipper.”

The Head of Freights and Logistics at GSA intimated that the exchange rate volatility and inflation were not the only factors considered for the negotiations but “a basket of different variables.”

Mr. Aseidu -Dartey expressed excitement at his outfit’s ability to finally deal with the element of miscellaneous charges that had been subject to debate over the years in the shipping industry.

The miscellaneous fees, were often arbitrary charges for related services offered by clearing agents.

“What we have achieved is that beginning 1st January the issue of miscellaneous is done with. Everything has been consolidated in the charge and we expect that the freight forwarders are able to operate within that scope. The benefit for the shipper is that now you can have a receipt that is a true reflection of how much you spend clearing the goods,” Mr. Aseidu-Dartey revealed.

He however revealed that the Authority is yet to finalize the rates and modalities for the consolidators of cargo.

“We had to hold a specific meeting with all the consolidators. This is because some of these consolidators have their own Container Freight Stations whereas others do not have making their operations different, thus you cannot apply the same rates. We have to consider which services and facilities at their disposal which can affect the rates.

However, the outstanding issue with the consolidators have to do with the shipping line charge is a component part of their charge to the shipper and because a number of those charges are in dollars and with the current fluctuations of the dollar rate, fixing a certain rate is difficult,” he explained.

He said the GSA has developed models that will be tested in live scenarios to arrive at the best outcomes when it comes to the services of consolidators. The case of consolidated cargo according to the official from the Shippers Authority is expected to be finalized by end of January.

He entreated the various importers and exporters in Ghana to familiarize themselves with the new rates for clearing and freight forwarding services so as to factor it within their operations.

SSNIT increases pensions up by 25% 

By
AGNES ANSAH
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Mr. Joseph Poku, Chief Actuary, SSNIT

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), in consultation with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), has indexed monthly pensions upward by 25%.

The increment was effected in line with Section 80 of the National Pensions Act 2008 (Act 766).

The indexation means that the highest-earning pensioners would witness a 19.10% increment in the pensions, while low-earning pensioners will see a 43.53% increment in their pensions in the year 2023.

The Chief Actuary, Mr. Joseph Poku, made this known to the media at a conference in Accra last Friday.

“All Pensioners on the SSNIT Pension Payroll, as at 31st December, 2022, will have their monthly pension increased by a Fixed Rate of 25% plus a redistributed Flat Amount of GH¢73.58.The effective increase in pensions would therefore range from 19.10% for the highest-earning pensioner to 43.50% for the lowest pension earner,” Mr. Poku said.

He explained that the “Redistribution is a mechanism applied to the indexation rate to cushion Members on low pensions in conformity with the solidarity principle of social security.”

Accordingly, the highest earning pensioner as at 31st December 2022 would receive GH¢169,725.89, an increase of GH¢27,160.92 over the 2022 figure, and the lowest-earning Pensioner will receive GH¢430.58, an increase of GH¢130.58 over 2022 minimum pension of GH¢300.00.

According to the Chief Actuary, “the minimum pension for all new Pensioners effective January 2023 will be GH¢300.00.” “This means, Pensioners whose computed monthly pensions fall below GH¢300.00 will be placed on this minimum,” he stressed.

He also assured pensioners that they will receive their monthly pensions on the third Thursday of every month without fail.

Meanwhile, it is expected to cost the state pension provider some GH¢850 million as compared to the GH¢305 million estimated for the previous year.

Pensions are influenced largely by basic salaries of contributors and the number of months contributions were made. Generally, pensions are low as a result of low basic salaries (workers declared to SSNIT) for the payment of their 13.5% (of basic salaries) contributions.

As at November 2022, the Trust had paid GH¢3,805,128,416.00 to some 234,455 pensioners and other beneficiaries.

Student Loan Trust opens application Portal -70k applications expected

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Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah - CEO of Loan Trust

The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has announced the opening of applications for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Tertiary students across the country will be able to access the Students Loan portal either through the organization’s website or by downloading the Students Loan App.

Targeted applicants

It is expected that over 70,000 new applicants will access the loan for the 2022/2023 academic year as against 32,744 students who benefitted last year due to measure put in place to reach out to thousands of applicants.

The expected sharp increase is due to the introduction of the ‘No Guarantor Policy’ last year which has eased the challenges applicants faced in the past looking for people to guarantee for them before being offered the loan.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, who announced this to the media in Accra on Friday said, every effort was being made to ensure that many students have access to the loan facility to support their education.

Strategic measures

He mentioned the intensification of public education and increase in the number of access points nationwide as some of the measures put in place to bring to the attention of all Ghanaians the activities of the Trust across the country.

Nana Agyei Yeboah stated that there are currently 32,744 beneficiaries on the Students Loan from 110 tertiary institutions across the country.

He explained that in the last academic year, the SLTF disbursed Gh64,645,575.00 of loans to 32,744 students.

The CEO of the SLTF Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah has encouraged students to take advantage of the new policy to access subsidised financing for their tertiary education.

Background

The government through the SLTF, in June 2022 launched the ‘NO Guarantor policy’ with the sole aim of easing the difficulty applicants faced in accessing loans to support their education in tertiary institutions across the country.

With the introduction of this policy, student loan applicants no longer need guarantors to access the loan.

It is expected that the removal of the guarantor requirement will lead to an increase in the number of students who can access the loan.

By Felix Baidoo

KNUST consultants, specialists declare support for new KATH CEO

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah – CEO KATH
Senior Specialists and Consultants at the meeting

Honorary Senior Specialists and Consultants with the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have pledged their support for the renewed drive by the new Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye

Teaching Hospital (KATH), to improve the quality of clinical care at the facility.

They stated that they fully share Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah’s passion for the transformation of the hospital into a true patient-centred hospital and would work with him in the implementation of the right patient-care policies and interventions to make his dream a reality.

The Hon. Consultants made the pledge at a meeting held in Kumasi at the instance of the new CEO, to enable him formally introduce himself to that cadre of staff and to solicit their advice and support for his transformational agenda for the hospital.

The clinical consultants in turn noted that though they were staff of KNUST, they mostly spend their time at the hospital teaching their medical students and delivering clinical care.

They commended the new CEO for his readiness to engage, consult and involve the group and other stakeholders in the administration of the hospital and submitted a list of measures that, if pursued, would allow them to give off their best to improve patient care, training

and research at the hospital.

They urged management of the hospital to cease differentiating between its staff and that of the KNUST staff working at the hospital, when it comes to the issue of capacity-building, staff motivation, appointments and recognition of hard work as they deliver the same specialist care and training expected from any other KATH employee.

Other challenges they raised for urgent resolution was the need to encourage consultants to stay around and also create space for the teaching and examinations of medical students. They called for a new paradigm shift in the relationship between the two institutions to ensure their mutual growth and development as there had been times that KNUST and its staff at the hospital had also prioritized their interests at the expense of KATH urging their members to set the right examples as leading clinicians at the hospital by striving to be present during their duty days to offer and supervise patient-care and training.

Prof. Addai-Mensah expressed his gratitude for the high-powered representation of the university including Prof. Christian Agyare, Provost of the College of Health Sciences and Prof. Daniel Ansong, Dean of SMD, KNUST at the meeting.

He explained that during the early days of his training at the hospital as a house officer and resident, there was no difference between doctors from KNUST and KATH as they both worked together inthe training of medical students and residents and providing care to

patients and pointed out that, “The recent divisions between the two groups have had adverse impact on the quality of patient care at the hospital.”

He said he was determined to make KATH the best medical facility in the country and expected KNUST doctors and that of KATH would be the same in the pursuance of his vision hoping that both cadres of medical professionals would be equally treated in terms of motivation,

appointments and general recognition for hard work in accordance with due process.

“I assumed this position very much aware that in spite of my passion and determination to make a difference, there is no way I can succeed without the active support and input of key stakeholders like our colleagues from the medical school,” he noted.

Nurse fetes patients at 37 Military Hospital

By
AGNES ANSAH
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Some of the items displayed

Some patients at the Bandoh and Tamakloe Hall of the 37 Military Hospital in Accra were filled with gratitude on Christmas Eve after receiving assorted food, drinks and money from a Senior Nursing Officer.

The token money is expected to help in the payment of their medical bills, while the food was to enable them also partake in the Christmas festivities since they were incapable of going out with friends and family to have fun due to their ailments.

Madam Elizabeth Boateng, a Senior Nursing Officer at the hospital, was the brain behind the initiative.

She, however, got monetary and food support from Oyster Catering Services, as well as the 2002 Old Students of De Youngsters International School.

Speaking to The Chronicle on the initiative, Madam Boateng, who calls herself a “Nurse with a Change,” said that the nursing profession teaches one to be a patient advocate in so many ways, and that was the reason for her initiative.

She also noted that she does not want to be an ordinary nurse, but a “Nurse with a Change,” hence the initiative.

“As nurses, it is part of our principle to be patient advocates. A patient advocate is not only medically; it has to be psychologically, spiritually, everything. As part of being a patient advocate and my policy to be a “Nurse with a Change,” so I decided to celebrate Christmas with my patients,” Madam Elizabeth said.

Aside the aforementioned reasons, Madam Elizabeth also indicated that the patients she takes care of were those with conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Acute Abdominal Disease, Kidney, Cancer, and Stroke.

She noted that these diseases were very delicate and come with a lot of expenses, hence, the initiative to help defray some of the cost of the medicines.

She said she would make the initiative a regular one, and raise funds in order to support a lot of patients.

She called on her colleague nurses to emulate her example, and also try and put smiles on the faces of their patients in any way they could, and not wait for people outside to come and do so.

She also called on Ghanaians who wished to support the initiative to reach out.

Telling The Chronicle about why her outfit decided to support the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oyster Catering Services, Madam Thelma Thompson, said that giving to people on the street or any part of the country was part of her organisation’s yearly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“As part of our CSR, we usually do these kinds of charity work. We give to people on the street,” she stated.

She said that Oyster Foods, a food company which usually feeds corporate institutions, including financial institutions, was concerned about the poor and needy in society, hence, the decision to always reach out to them with support.

She indicated that in doing so, the outfit also partners charity organisations, and that was how come they were able to support Madam Elizabeth to put smiles on the faces of some of the patient at the 37 Military Hospital.

Alan’s Speech: The Broadcast That Rocked the Opposition (1)

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Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, Minister for Trade and Industry

Presidential aspirant, Hon. Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 gave an address to Ghanaians, announcing his resignation from the post of Trade and Industry minister and his intention of contesting for the flag bearer slot of his New Patriotic Party (NPP) and to contest the 2024 presidential elections.

His delivery was superb and the fact that he came out with the Great Transformation Plan agenda, speaks volume of someone who can be president and continue on the good works of his predecessor. He came out with seven critical considerations that needed to be taken if the GTP would be successful.

Alan, then went ahead to introduce the key pillars of his Great Transformation Plan. These are namely: 1). Establishing a strong macroeconomic agenda, 2). Introducing a New Agricultural Revolution (NAR) for Ghana, which will improve productivity, minimise post-harvest losses, have an effective distribution network and in general minimise cost of food for the consumer, 3). Industrial Transformation which will build on the successes of the current government industrial transformation programmes which include 1D1F, 4). Accelerate Infrastructure Development, 5). Digital Mainstreaming, 6). Energy Security and Diversification, 7). Decarbonization and Climate Resilience, 8). National Security and Defence Optimization, 9). Downsizing Government and, 10). Strategic Engagement with the International Community.

Alan Kyerematen was going to execute these, based on the foundations laid by this Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.

This address stung the opposition NDC members who came out clearly battered, tormented and confused. So, they decided to set out and make it look nonsensical in the eyes of Ghanaians to convince them that Alan Kyerematen had nothing to offer.

On Thursday January 12, 2023, I had the pleasure to be a guest on Accra FM morning show with the NDC Member for Wa West, Hon Peter Lanchene Toobu, who said among things that firstly Alan went to steal the successful agriculture policy of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) from his colleague, Hon Dr. Afriyie Akoto and also the current NPP government had no foundation for Alan to build upon.

I was clearly shocked by his comments, because as a highly ranked police officer who was the executive secretary to former IGP David Asante Apeatu, I expected him to have done thorough investigation before coming out. But guess what, he has caught the NDC propaganda and say lies until it is accepted as the truth ideology.

Hon Toobu, stated for a fact that Alan went to steal the good works of Hon. Dr. Afriyie Akoto and that this current NPP government has no foundation, so what Alan intends doing is not achievable.

In the first place, Alan came to say some of the things he intends doing when elected president. And food production should certainly be part. He therefore picked from where Dr. Akoto left off and suggested ways of improving upon them.

So far as food production in Ghana is concern, Dr. Akoto is among the best agriculture ministers this country has ever had. His PFJ programme was even commended by the former NDC MP for Ejura Sekyeredumase, Hon. Alhaji Emmanuel Issifu Pangadu, who greatly benefited from it, but was later lambasted by the NDC for openly praising the NPP government for PFJ.

Now, is the NDC expecting Dr. Afriyie Akoto to inform Ghanaians about his plans if elected president and leave out trade and industry?

Hon Toobu should know that PFJ is one of the foundations, Alan intends building on.

The previous NDC government mismanaged our energy sector, saddling Ghana with almost four years of dumsor, in an era where there was no global economic crisis nor a global pandemic. The economy was poorly managed and all sectors, including the energy sector, were collapsing with many businesses shutting down.

This NPP administration has gone through the worse global pandemic and global economic crisis in recent times and yet there has never been power outages and rationing, dumsor. This is one foundation; Alan is going build on.

This government has built up more industries than even Nkrumah did, and this is one foundation, Alan is going to build on. This government has created the environment for foreign industries to open up plants in Ghana, meaning bringing in multi-national companies, while during the NDC era, companies like Mobil, closed shop in Ghana. Alan is going to build on this foundation.

Infrastructure development, never seen before, with more modern economic roads and railway systems under construction. This is a foundation Alan will build upon. The list is inexhaustive.

What foundations has the NDC ever laid? It said it will implement One-Term-Premium on Health Insurance, but could not even start. The worse inflation figures recorded in recent times was recorded under an NDC regime, with annual figure at 40.24% in 2000 as against 37.63% for 2022. There was no global pandemic or economic crisis in 2000.

When the PNDC took over reigns of governance in Ghana in 1981, the exchange rate was ¢ 2.75 to $1.00. In 2000 when Rawlings exited office, the rate was ¢6,750.00 to $1.00. over 245,000% depreciation. For those nineteen years, there was no global pandemic or economic crisis, but only economic mismanagement.

It is very obvious that what Alan said a practical governance might be beyond the comprehension of the NDC family. So, this address must be demonized before the people take it in.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Fire Guts Kano Police Command Headquarters

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Kano police headquarters

Fire has gutted the first-floor administrative block of the Kano Police Command headquarters. The incident is suspected to be from an electrical plug but no lives were lost.

Today, Saturday 14, January 2023 at 11:00 am, we woke up to this bad incidence of fire outbreak at the Police Headquarters in Bompai on the first floor,” the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said.

“No life was lost. Our records are also intact and those we have locked are also intact because the fire did not affect the area they are kept. We are suspecting that the incident happened due to some electrical problems but we have already commenced an investigation.

“You can see the top part of the building has been burnt. It is only the Commissioner’s office that has not been affected as well as those on the ground floor.”

Credit: channelstv.com

Vote character, not tribe –Peter Obi to Ondo people

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Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi

Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the electorate not to vote for tribe but look out character.

Obi said this on Saturday in Akure at the town hall meeting to seek the support of the people of Ondo State in the February 25 election.

He explained that he and his running mate, Ahmed Datti were people with traceable backgrounds, saying if elected as president, Nigerians would be proud of their country and secured.

Obi, who said he was stingy but not corrupt, added that was why he could save the people of Anambra State as a governor.

“They said that I’m stingy, we want stingy people now so that we can keep the money. We want to make sure we use your money to transform the country.

“Don’t vote for tribe, if they say it is their turn, tell them it is your turn to take back the country. We are ready to save the country.

“This election is about character. You know our background, the school we went to, we don’t know their age,” he said.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Gunmen attack Imo INEC office kill one, say ‘no election in Biafra land’

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Gunmen

Unknown gunmen suspected to be Eastern Security Network, ESN, militants have attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Imo State, killing one in the process.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen, who were about 20 in number, operated with two SUVs, one blue-coloured Lexus and an ash-coloured Highlander.

Dressed in ESN regalia, the shooters stormed the INEC office at Ahiazu Local Government Secretariat in search of staff distributing Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.

The dead body of the slain guard has been deposited at the morgue.

When our correspondent contacted the Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, he said he was yet to resume duty but asked to reach the former PPRO, Mike Abatam, who refused to comment on the development.

Credit: dailypost.ng

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