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Afrobeats Star Mishasha Releases New Song

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Afrobeats Star Mishasha

Popular afrobeat singer, Mishasha Jacob, mononymously as Mishasha, has released yet another musical masterpiece.

The talented singer who already has a number of hit songs to her credit, released ‘Soft Vibez’, her new song and first entry for 2024, on Thursday, March 21.

In ‘Soft Vibez’, Mishasha beautifully used her soothing voice to speak about peace of mind, good energy and enjoyment. “Am all about peace of mind. No go dey carry me for mind. Al. Like to sip some wine.  You know I barely come online”.

The track produced by talented the Nigerian producer, Nyco and mastered by VT Beats,

is a potential banger and is capturing the airwaves in Ghana.

Mishasha is a household name in the Ghanaian music industry, thanks to her exceptional musical talent and the release of her hit songs such as “Dorothy”, “Papabi”, “High Riddim”, and “Pretty and Dangerous”.

The naturally gifted and beautiful songstress who grew up in a musical family and developed deep interest in music right from childhood, starting out with writing songs from the young age of 14, is hugely a fan favorite.

Her songs have enjoyed significant airplays in Ghana and other parts of Africa.

She has featured and as well performed on big stages with top Ghanaian artists such as Stonebwoy whom she featured on the single ‘Papabi’ and Shatta Wale who collaborated with her masterfully on the hugely successful song, “Dorothy”.

MPs Livid With Finance Ministry … Over GHS6bn Common Fund Arrears

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Mr Joseph Osei Wusu, First Deputy Speaker

Members of Parliament are enraged over the arrears owed the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) by the Ministry of Finance. Accordingly, they have warned of taking action against the Ministry of Finance, should it fail to clear the outstanding debt by the end of the second quarter of this year.

The First Deputy Speaker, who is the MP for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu, addressed the media in Parliament on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Though he acknowledged that the Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, had assured members of the government’s commitment to settling the arrears, the MPs want to see concrete evidence.

They are not even sure of the exact amount the ministry owes the DACF and have thus asked for a reconciliation following the conflicting figures provided by the ministry and the MP for Ho Central, Benjamin Kpodo.

“I have heard from the Minister of Finance designate, but I require evidence and assurance that the figures provided by Benjamin Kpodo and the Ministry of Finance have been reconciled.

“Otherwise, we may need to take action against the Finance Ministry. When it comes to the Common Fund, we must assert our authority as a House.

“Therefore, we anticipate receiving a report and by the end of June, we expect all arrears to be accounted for and sufficient funds to be disbursed to the assemblies,” he said.

The Bekwai MP emphasised the importance of promptly resolving these outstanding arrears to ensure an efficient meeting of the financial needs of the assemblies.

CONCERN

Benjamin Komla Kpodo, the MP for Ho Central, said the government owes the DACF over GH¢6 billion and blames it on the delay in releasing funds by the Ministry of Finance.

Benjamin Kpodo, a Deputy Ranking Member on the Local Government Committee of Parliament, said this while commenting on the proposed formula for distributing the DACF for the 2024 financial year.

He remarked that the Ministry of Finance’s failure to disburse the common fund quarterly violates the Constitution.

He stated that “the Ministry of Finance has been violating the Constitution. Article 252(2) clearly states that the disbursement should be done on a quarterly basis, which they were not doing. As we speak now, the Common Fund is owed some GH¢3.5 billion over the past two years.”

He added that “for 2023, the debt has again risen by another GH3 billion. So, I don’t know where the Ministry of Finance is keeping the money meant for the District Assembly Common Fund.”

NO DEFAULT

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, who is awaiting parliamentary approval to be a Minister of State at the same ministry, explained that the government is working on settling the Common Fund.

Abena Osei-Asare, who is the MP for Atewa East and admitted to the arrears, disagreed with the view that the government had violated a Supreme Court ruling with regards to the disbursement.

“I want to put on record that, Mr. Speaker, yes, we do owe the Common Fund some arrears, and we are working very hard to make sure we pay those sums of money. But I also want to put on record that we haven’t defaulted or that we haven’t gone against the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“That is a fact that I should put on the table. We have come to the Finance Committee to explain how we arrive at revenue numbers for DACF.

“So, I just want to put it on the table that we haven’t gone against the ruling of the Supreme Court. But I want to assure the House that we will work together to make sure we clear any outstanding debt that we have with DACF.”

Akufo-Addo launches Ghana Smart Schools project on Monday

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President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo will launch the ‘Ghana Smart Schools Project’ on Monday, March 25, 2024 in Accra. The project is part of efforts by government to enhance e-learning and digitilization.

A statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of Education and signed by Spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, explained that the initiative aims to bolster senior high school education by providing teaching and learning management systems, digital learning content and electronic devices to all senior high and TVET schools nationwide.

It said the project aligns with the Ministry of Education’s digitilization agenda for pre-tertiary education. It supports the government’s goal of leveraging technological advancements to prepare Ghanaian students for the 4th Industrial revolution.

The Ghana Smart Schools project is in fulfillment of the Education for Sustainable Development Agenda, which is considered a key driver for rapid socio-economic transformation.

Bawumia: I insist, businesses will have tax amnesty in 2025

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Dr Bawumia interacting with members of the Chamber

The Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated that businesses and individuals will have a clean tax slate under his Presidency in 2025, to usher in a new tax system.

Dr Bawumia addressing the Chamber

During his maiden address to the nation as flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia, announced that his government will introduce a new friendly tax regime aimed at boosting businesses and making the private sector competitive.

At a stakeholder interaction with members of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Accra, on Wednesday, Dr Bawumia stressed on the need for a new tax regime to aid his vision of carrying the private sector along, under his government.

“Our tax system has been the same since independence and it has not helped us, so we have to change it,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“We are going to have a new tax system. It is going to be a flat tax system to ensure competitiveness and business friendliness. To usher in the new tax regime, there will be tax amnesty for individuals and businesses 2025 under my Government. It will be a clean slate for everyone for us to start afresh,” he added, amidst cheers from the business community.

As part of Dr. Bawumia’s new tax system, he also stated that, beginning 2025, under his Presidency, there will be no longer human interface in tax audits.

Members of the Chamber

“We are also going to have a faceless tax audits to prevent harassment of businesses and corruption, and audit of any company cannot be more than once in 5 years unless there is a reason. This is what other countries are doing,” he added.

“My vision is to make Ghana one of the most tax competitive countries in the world. I have studied many tax systems and recently, I went to Estonia which is one of the most digitised and competitive tax countries in the world, to study their tax system. I believe it is possible for us to achieve that in Ghana and even be better.

Dr. Bawumia also reiterated his pledge to abolish a number of taxes as President, including taxes on electronic financial transactions. “I will abolish certain taxes like the e-levy as I have said, because we want to encourage a cashless system.”

For importers, Dr. Bawumia also committed to his pledge of instituting a flat rate for the importation of spare parts as well as benchmarking Ghana’s port charges with Togo, to be competitive. “We can even be lower, to make Ghana the most competitive,” he said.

The Chamber, while making some suggestions to the Dr. Bawumia also commended him for a number of his policies, and welcome, especially, his new tax regime of flat tax and tax amnesty for businesses and individuals, as well as his pledge makes the private sector the driving force of the Ghanaian economy.

“The Chamber supports your position to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act to add fiscal rule that requires that budgeted expenditure in any year does not exceed 105% of the previous year’s tax revenue.”

“As indicated in your vision, the Chamber also acknowledged the need for government to partner with the private sector to provide public infrastructure.  This will incentivise private businesses to contribute to infrastructure provision and reduce pressure on limited government revenue.”

The Chamber also welcomed Dr. Bawumia’s proposals to partner the private sector for infrastructure delivery, a new tax regime to enhance businesses including amnesty for businesses and individuals, and also commended him for spearheading the digitalisation of Ghana, which the Chamber noted, has impacted positively on businesses and the country.

The Chamber also made a number of proposals to Dr. Bawumia to consider and the Vice President welcomed them, stating that they align with his vision.

Safe Water Network, others invest $20m in the water sector

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Mr Charles Nimako- Country Director of Safe Water Network

Stakeholders in the water sector have been urged to explore innovative and cutting-edge solutions as part of efforts to deliver improved and sustainable water services, especially in rural and peri urban areas in the country.

This, according to the Country Director of Safe Water Network, Mr Charles Nimako, will require the urgent need to invest funding and other resources in scaling up safe water enterprises, which will go a long way of complementing government’s efforts in ensuring Ghanaians have equitable and clean access to water by 20230. This will fulfil the Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Speaking at the 2024 Safe Water Network’s ‘Beyond the Pipe Forum’ organized in Accra yesterday, Mr Charles Nimako stressed the importance of scaling up small water enterprises as a way of supplementing government’s efforts towards achieving sustainable access to water.

A water supply system in one of the rural communities

Mr Nimako said the Network’s efforts over the past few years have led to a significant improvement in the market for safe water enterprises, disclosing that over $20million have collectively been invested in the water sector and have since been delivering safe, reliable and affordable water services to over 2 million people across all 16 regions in Ghana.”

Delivering his address to officially open the forum, the Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, highlighted the need for the non-state water service providers to collaborate with the Ghana Government to provide access to safe and potable water, especially in small towns and rural communities.

The Deputy Minister commended Safe Water Network for years of investment in extending water services in peri urban areas and small towns, and advocacy for improved and sustainable water services in Ghana.

“Safe Water Network has particularly focused on Ghana’s water sector drawing attention to critical policy issues as well as implementing interventions together with its partners to provide water solutions to many communities,” the Deputy Minister added.

The Forum, which was under the theme “Safe Water: The Power of Enterprises” brought together nearly 200 leaders from public sector, private sector and development partners to dialogue on how to grow safe water enterprises to deliver water services for an estimated 3.2 million people in over 1,000 peri urban communities and small towns in Ghana by 2030.

Safe Water Network is an international non-profit organisation that leverages best practices, tools and expertise across hundreds of communities to improve the performance of community-based safe water solutions with public, private and NGO partners.

The organization has so far implemented community-based water solutions in over 40 districts in 10 regions of Ghana, benefiting 150 communities with over 500,000 people across these communities being served with safe and reliable water through the cutting-edge solutions and innovations.

Be mindful of your utterances, ahead of the 2024 general elections

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The National Peace Council is urging political parties, their representatives and media practitioners to be mindful of their utterances, going into the December 7 general election. The Peace Council is raising concerns about the use of insults and tribal statements to score political points.

Ahead of the official launch of the campaign season, the Council wants parties, representatives and supporters, as well as the Media to desist from using words that can put the peace of the country under threat.

The Council, with support from Star Ghana Foundation and the British Council, held a workshop in Kumasi for stakeholders to dialogue on matters that may affect the peace of the country, going into the December 7 election.

Dr. Harriet Takyi, a member of the Peace Council stressed that, “We have diverse views, yet we need to express them in a much more peaceful way so that we understand ourselves and continue to live as Ghanaians. Particularly again with journalists, they should use language that will bring peace, not speech that will bring hate”.

In the lead-up to the December 7 2024 general election, the National Peace Council’s call for responsible and peaceful discourse among political parties, representatives and media practitioners is a timely reminder of the critical role each stakeholder plays in maintaining national peace and stability.

The Peace Council’s concern about the use of insults, tribal statements and hate speech to gain political advantage is not unfounded. In recent times, political rhetoric has at times crossed the line into divisiveness, fostering a climate of tension and mistrust among citizens. Such behavior not only undermines the democratic process but also poses a threat to the unity and cohesion of our nation.

It is commendable that the Peace Council, with support from organisations like Star Ghana Foundation and the British Council has taken proactive measures to engage stakeholders in dialogue.

In any democracy, differing opinions are inevitable and healthy, but they must be communicated in a manner that promotes understanding and tolerance. The media, in particular, plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse and it is imperative that journalists adhere to ethical standards that prioritise peace-building over sensationalism.

Also, the call for the youth to refrain from vigilantism is equally vital. Political violence has no place in a democratic society and all efforts must be made to discourage and prevent any form of destructive behavior that threatens the peace and security of our nation.

The Chronicle urges all stakeholders, especially political actors and the media to uphold the highest standards of responsible communication. Let us engage in robust debates and discussions without resorting to inflammatory language or actions that sow seeds of discord.

We call on political parties to prioritise issue-based campaigns, focusing on policies and solutions that address the needs of the people. It is through constructive dialogue and mutual respect that we can build a stronger, more united Ghana.

 

Why is Ghana not prepared for a system crash?

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admin
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OPINION

The Obamas recently released an eye-opening film on Netflix called Leave the World Behind. There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about this film, except that it sparked thousands of TikTok conversations on its topic.

For example, would America be prepared if outside forces removed its whole networked communications system, including the internet, radio, television, and banking communication systems, in order to create a hotbed for an internal coup?

In the film, a coup occurred as a result of a lack of communication, which generated distrust, theft, and killings, destabilizing the country internally. The film’s idea was predicated on what would happen if foreign superpowers banded together and devised such a simple, inexpensive, yet lethal recipe to destroy the United States from within.

The recent African submarine cable situation has impacted both the East and West Coasts of Africa, resulting in slow and sometimes ineffective internet systems, limited use of ATM machines, non-acceptance of electricity payments, and teller issues at shops and petrol stations that rely on fiber broadband to charge customers and print receipts, to name a few of the problems that a single submarine cable might generate in such a short period of time.

One wonders if Ghana would be as prepared if more of our communication channels were disrupted (whether intentionally or unintentionally) in order to create that ‘simple recipe’ that would cause even the most stoic individuals to turn against one another, as seen in the film Leave the World Behind.

The film is intriguing because it is rumored (but not confirmed) that Obama studied top security assessments every day, and the one that most terrified him was this example, the cheapest and simplest way to destabilize a powerful nation from within so smoothly.

This may sound like science fiction, but when more billionaires are building subterranean bunkers at an alarming rate and selling billions of dollars’ worth of stock in the previous year alone, one wonders what they know that others do not. Furthermore, if there is a ‘plan’, how will it affect African countries, and are we prepared to confront such a scenario?

In terms of Ghana’s potential to survive this type of ‘textbook scenario’ in which an outside power creates the right recipe for a coup, a closer examination of Ghana’s National Security Strategy is required. The most recent one I could find online is from 2020 and may need to be revised in terms of our preparedness response to a potential complete communication crash as a worst-case scenario.

It would have to go much deeper when discussing Domestic Level Threats, Risks, and Challenges, Regional Level Threats and Risks, and Global Level Threats and Risks to eventually encompass low-tech survival options.

In fact, pure guerilla warfare methods to keep a society together in the face of such a massive attack on our communication infrastructure. It would have to consider eventualities that go beyond what we are experiencing with a single underwater cable, such as scenarios in which our entire communication system is disabled, perhaps inciting internal conflict and disarray.

As our internet fully restores in the following days, perhaps our leaders will consider drafting a guerilla warfare policy playbook in cases where national security is jeopardized by a complete strike on our national communication system

By  Amanda Clinton

Source: myjoyonline.com

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Zoomlion cleans African Games centres

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Director of Service Quality and Monitoring at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Ernest Kusi speaking to the media

Zoomlion Ghana Ltd., Africa’s giant in waste management, is leaving no stone unturned in providing total sanitation solutions to the 13th African Games being hosted in Accra, Ghana.

The company has deployed about 15 brand new waste collection trucks to manage the solid waste generated from the four sporting venues.

Speaking with the Director of Service Quality and Monitoring at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Ernest Kusi, he explained that the company was responsible for scientific cleaning, environmental sanitation, including solid and liquid waste management, fumigation and medical waste management at the four sporting centers.

The sporting centers are Borteyman Sports Complex, Achimota Oval, Accra Sports Stadium and the Bukom Emporium.

He emphasized that Zoomlion has gone ahead to engage in source separation by providing well labelled bins for both plastic and general waste.

He added that the plastics will be sent to its recycling plants for value addition.

“Not all waste generated will be sent to the landfill, we have sorted the waste and we will send the plastics to the treatment facility for value addition”

Mr. Kusi pointed out that the experience of the company in providing sanitation services as demonstrated at major sports tournaments such as CAN 2008 and CAN 2010 in Ghana and Angola respectively was brought to bear by ensuring all sports facilities are kept clean at all times.

According to him, the exercise has been smooth and commended patrons on littering.

A manager with Zoomlion’s Monitoring and Evaluation unit, stationed at the Bukom Emporium, Mr. Seth Appiah Ocran, in an interview advised the patrons to keep any waste generated in the waste bins and not on the floor.

“Patrons should not litter around but keep waste in the bins that we have placed at vantage points. Visitors need to send a good message on sanitation from Ghana to the rest of the world,” he stressed.

Prior to the start of the Games, which is held every four years, Zoomlion provided special training to its sanitation officers to augment the company’s provision of sanitation services at the various stadia and sports facilities that will host the 13th All African Games in Accra from the 8th to 24th of March, 2024.

The recruits who were trained at the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) at Bundase Training Camp were taken through an intensive two-weeks training in basic management skills, drill, cleaning, self-discipline, physical fitness, time management, team work, crowd control and scientific cleaning essentials among others.

The 13th African Games is being held in Ghana from 8th to 23rd March, 2024. This is the second time in history that the games will be decentralised, as three cities in the host country will host the event.

The cities chosen for these events are Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.

Crisis brews in Ogun Assembly over appointment of clerk

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House Clerk, Adedeji Adeyemo

There is disquiet among both career staffers and political office holders of the Ogun State House of Assembly over the appointment of a new Clerk.

The crisis became noticeable after the House Clerk, Adedeji Adeyemo, retired from active service in early March and the assembly refused to announce a name to occupy the office since then.

There are insinuations that the delay was to perfect a ground plan by the government to enthrone a non legislative staff member as the clerk of the house.

There is disquiet among both career staffers and political office holders of the Ogun State House of Assembly over the appointment of a new Clerk.

The crisis became noticeable after the House Clerk, Adedeji Adeyemo, retired from active service in early March and the assembly refused to announce a name to occupy the office since then.

There are insinuations that the delay was to perfect a ground plan by the government to enthrone a non legislative staff member as the clerk of the house.

The most senior of career staffers in the legislative arm of government is a Clerk who acts like the Head of Service under the control of the executive arm of government.

The position of a head of service is subject to the appointment of the governor but must be picked among the currently serving senior civil servants.

Expectedly, the Assembly workers believed that the same should be their lot, as they hope to occupy the top office after investing many of their years in the employment of government in the legislative arm.

Meanwhile, like many other states in the country, Ogun State during the 8th House of Assembly passed a law and was assented to by the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, for the establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission.

By the law, the most senior legislative staff should become the House clerk at every material time.

Section 12(1) of the Law states that: “The Commission shall appoint (a) the most senior Deputy Clerk as the substantive Clerk of the House, subject to the confirmation of the House by a Resolution.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

Zenith Bank appoints Adaora Umeoji as first female CEO

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Zenith Bank appoints Adaora Umeoji

Zenith Bank has named Adaora Umeoji as its first female Group Managing Director/Chief Executive. Her appointment, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, takes effect from June 1, 2024, according to the bank.

“She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within,” Zenith Bank said in a Tuesday statement.

Before her latest appointment, Umeoji had been serving as the bank’s Deputy Managing Director since October 28, 2016. She has about 30 years of cognate banking experience with 26 of them spent working with Zenith Bank.

“She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program,” the bank statement further read.

“She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and a First-Class Honours in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.”

Credit: channelstv.com

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