The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has cautioned the travelling public about security developments in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Ministry also warned about the subsequent directive by local authorities to hotels operating in residential buildings to shut down.
In a statement, the Ministry advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to Abuja due to the unpredictable security situation in the City, and the high danger of terrorism, criminality, inter communal conflict, armed attacks and kidnapping.
“Whilst advising travelers who must travel out of necessity to Abuja to take precautionary measures, the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public when the situation improves,” the statement dated November 16 said
Mohammed Awal with other officials during the launch of the events under December in GH
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has announced that over 100,000 diasporans are expected to patronize this year’s December in GH events.
According to Mr. Awal, the programme calendar which has over 90 events endorsed by the Beyond The Return steering committee include event taking place from November 2022 through to January 2023.
The Tourism industry has estimated an increase in the number of diasporans expected to visit the country 100,000.
He said some events have become popular and have therefore been included in this year’s activities including, Afrochella, Little Havana, Taste of Ghana, Afro Nation, YouTube Creators Festival, Westside Carnival, Rhythms on da Runway, and the Roverman Productions Festival of Plays among others.
“We’re expecting this year to be the biggest for ‘December in GH. With all the work the tourism ministry has done, good publicity, and stakeholder engagement, we are expecting over 100,000 diasporans this year, he said.”
Mr. Awal called on event organizers, vendors, and caterers to endeavor to practice good hygiene and exhibit customer care practices in their engagement with the diasporans who purchase their services.
He made this remark during the official unveiling of the endorsed schedule of events for the 2022 ‘December in GH’ campaign at a stakeholders forum in Accra with the Ghana Traditional Catering Association.
Ghana was recently listed as one of the top travel destinations by National Geographic. It’s predicted that the country will receive a record number of international travelers this season and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has indicated its readiness to receive the visitors.
According to the CEO of GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, “We have kick-started a series of engagements with other industry stakeholders to ensure that we are all ready. We are encouraging Ghanaians to live up to our reputation as a friendly and hospitable people”.
The Vice Chairperson of Ghana Traditional Catering, Sheila Naa Ayeley Annan, on behalf of the association pledged to abide by the laid-down procedures, rules, and regulations in their line of duties.
She also called on the sector minister to support the association with funds to support other caterers to improve their services, saying, “due to the increase in foodstuffs most caterers have run out of funding and are unable to deliver as expected. We need your help to make our work sustainable,” she said.
December in GH is the country’s biggest celebration of all things, Cultural, Entertainment, Adventure, Nightlife, Fashion, Gastronomy, Tours, and Community service.
Since 2019, the ‘December in GH’ event schedule is one that many travelers look forward to when planning their activities for their holiday trip to Ghana.
For locals, it offers the opportunity to know what is going on around the country in December
The second prosecution witness in the case ivolving Aisha Huang has told the High Court in Accra that the Galamsey Queen accused of engaging in illegal mining in the Ashanti Region, has reportedly been exposed at an Accra High Court that she speaks fluent Twi and English.
The immigration officer, David Essien who is a witness brought by the Attorney General made this revelation when responding to a question posed by the lawyer for Aisha Huang, Nkrabeah Effah Dartey.
As if that was not enough, he also told the court the accused person gave investigators two statements which have been tendered as exhibits.
This led to the serious revelation after counsel for the accused, Mr Effah Dartey asked whether the investigators had the assistance of an interpreter when Superintendent Essien explained that was not necessary because Aisha Huang spoke Twi and English fluently.
On Monday, November Mr. Essien blew the cover that the Chinese galamsey queen used a forged marriage certificate and Ghanaian passport to gain an indefinite residence permit.
The witness, Superintendent of Immigration David Essien attached to the Kumasi Enforcement Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service and has worked for the service for the past nine years told the Court that Aisha Huang contracted a “supposed marriage to a Ghanaian known as Anthony Fabian”, based upon which she was granted the indefinite residence permit.
Investigations however revealed, according to Supt. Essien, that the documents were forged in her application for the permit and the permit was consequently revoked by the Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service on grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation.
This action, the witness told the court, was in accordance with section 22(2a) of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
On her repatriation, he pointed out that Aisha Huang was also subsequently repatriated on December 19, 2018
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has officially unveiled the endorsed schedule of events for the 2022 ‘December in GH’ campaign.
December in GH is the country’s biggest celebration of all things, Cultural, Entertainment, Adventure, Nightlife, Fashion, Gastronomy, Tours, and Community service.
Since 2019, ‘December in GH’ event schedule is one that many travellers look forward to when planning their activities for their holiday trip to the country.
For locals, it offers the opportunity to know what is going on around the country in December. This year’s calendar includes over 90 events that have been endorsed by the Beyond the Return Steering Committee.
The calendar includes events taking place from November 2022 through January 2023.
Each year some events have become favourites and have been included in this year’s activities including, Afrochella, Little Havana, Taste of Ghana, Afro Nation, YouTube Creators Festival, Westside Carnival, Rhythms on da Runway and the Roverman Productions Festival of Plays.
“We’re expecting this year to be the biggest for ‘December in GH’,” said Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat. “We are excited about welcoming both returning and first-time travellers to Ghana. We’ve endorsed more events that touch on the different pillars of the Beyond the Return initiative.”
Some of the new events on the calendar include Ada Riverfest, Jollof & Afrobeat Festival, Afrobeats Bazaar, Ghana Water Polo Tournament, Nkyinkyim Museum Freedom Parade and First Time Home Buyers in Ghana Seminar.
Ghana was recently listed as one of the top travel destinations by National Geographic. It is predicted that the country will receive a record number of international travellers this season and the Ghana Tourism Authority says they are ready to receive everyone.
According to the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, “We have kick-started a series of engagements with our industry stakeholders to ensure that we are all ready. We are encouraging Ghanaians to live up to our reputation as a friendly and hospitable people”.
Beyond the Return is a 10-year initiative with the theme, ‘A decade of African renaissance’.
It is the follow-up to the successful Year of Return campaign in 2019 that invited the global African diaspora to visit Ghana. Seven pillars make up the foundation of Beyond the Return with the goal of continued engagement and building strong relations with the diaspora community.
All the events on the ‘December in GH’ calendar align with at least one of the pillars which are, Experience Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana, and Promote Pan-African Heritage and Innovation
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced in a statement signed by the Special Prosecutor Mr Kissi Agyebeng on Tuesday November 15 that, it has commenced in investigations to the alleged corruption by the sacked Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen.
The statement said “The Office of the Special Prosecutor has promptly commenced investigations into the action of Mr Charles Adu Boahen and any other implicated person contained in the investigative expose, ”Galamsey Economy’.”
President Akufo-Addo has sacked Mr Adu Boahen.
“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, with immediate effect.
“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy’, the President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.
“The President thanked Mr. Adu Boahen for his strong services to his government since his appointment in 2017, and wished him well in his future endeavours,” a statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin said on Monday November 14.
A Government Communicator Kofi Tontoh said the principle of natural justice will play out properly when Adu Boahen, gets his day before the OSP to answer allegations of corruption made against him.
Mr Tontoh stated that investigations by the OSP will determine the next action to be taken against him.
Commenting on this, Mr Tontoh said on the Big Issue on TV3 with Berla Mundi on Tuesday November 15.“This is a decisive decision by the President.”
He added “It is an attempt to show that the President doesn’t condone corruption but let us allow Adu Boahen to have his day and ones all the facts come out if any further action is needed it will be taken.
Finance MinisterThursday, 24 November has been set as the day for the 2023 budget presentation on the floor of parliament.
This was revealed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin when he presented the business statement of parliament for next week.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is leading Ghana’s negotiations with the IMF for $3 billion over three years.
Despite his role, Minority MPs and some Majority MPs want him fired ahead of the budget presentation for mismanaging public financing leading to the downturn of the economy.
It is not clear if Mr Ofori-Atta will be the man to present the budget or not.
Meanwhile, MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkora has raised concerns over Volta Regional Capital being the host venue for Post-Budget Retreat for the MPs.
The post-budget workshop slated for Friday, 25 November 2022 to Monday, November 28, 2022 is to take place at the Volta Serene Hotel.
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