Category: GENERAL NEWS

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has observed that there are noticeable inconsistencies in the report of the stolen cash from her home.

She implies that what is being discussed in the public domain is quite inconsistent with the facts in the original complaint on the case.

Breaking her silence on the matter, which was heard at an Accra Circuit Court for the first time on Thursday, July 20, the former Member of Parliament of Bantama said she is taking steps “to examine the origins of the inconsistencies and will provide a detailed response in the coming days”.

There has been public uproar over revelations in court that the Minister had kept $1 million, €300,000 and millions of Cedis in her house.

Two house helps, according to the charge sheet, had stolen the monies between July and October, 2022.

The house helps – Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30 – have been granted bail to reappear in court on Wednesday, August 2.

Three other persons including the father of the teenage house help were also arrested by the police for benefitting from the booty.

Already, some political leaders are calling for her to step aside.

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is demanding immediate investigations into the matter.

His party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, described the matter as “scandalous”, lunging at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for allowing his ministers to go unpunished in many similar situations

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has observed that there are noticeable inconsistencies in the report of the stolen cash from her home.

She implies that what is being discussed in the public domain is quite inconsistent with the facts in the original complaint on the case.

Breaking her silence on the matter, which was heard at an Accra Circuit Court for the first time on Thursday, July 20, the former Member of Parliament of Bantama said she is taking steps “to examine the origins of the inconsistencies and will provide a detailed response in the coming days”.

There has been public uproar over revelations in court that the Minister had kept $1 million, €300,000 and millions of Cedis in her house.

Two house helps, according to the charge sheet, had stolen the monies between July and October, 2022.

The house helps – Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30 – have been granted bail to reappear in court on Wednesday, August 2.

Three other persons including the father of the teenage house help were also arrested by the police for benefitting from the booty.

Already, some political leaders are calling for her to step aside.

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is demanding immediate investigations into the matter.

His party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, described the matter as “scandalous”, lunging at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for allowing his ministers to go unpunished in many similar situations

North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that every Ghanaian should be concerned about the content of the leaked tape that captures an alleged plot to oust the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 15, he said “The content of that tape must be a concern to any Ghanaian.”

His colleague Tolon Member of Parliament Habib Iddrisu condemned the recording of the conversation on the plot to oust the IGP.

Also speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 15, he said this audio raises serious questions that should be answered.

“It is very disappointing, you have a lot of questions to ask, and I appreciate that this thing happening in our country is totally unacceptable

“Why did they record it, who recorded it, and who leaked it? These are the critical questions to ask. The recording is wrong, the one who leaked it is wrong,” he said.

He further said the work of the committee formed by the Speaker to look into this matter will not yield any results.

He added “It will be an exercise that will not yield any results. The speaker did not indicate clearly the reference.

“If that committee is set up and parliament finishes its work then what? There are agencies that are equipped to handle this tape, not Parliament. From where I sit I don’t see where it is going, it is just the politics we are seeing. This committee the speaker has formed, I don’t see where it will go. I don’t think Parliament was the right forum for this to be done. There is more to it than we have heard,” he said.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ordered the constitution of a seven-member committee to probe the leaked audio recording of some persons purportedly plotting the removal of the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

The committee will have three members each from the two sides of the House with one technical person.

The names of the three members apiece from the Majority and Minority caucuses are expected to be made available within one week, the Speaker so directed on Thursday, July 13.

This comes barely 24 hours after the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, filed an urgent statement on the floor, calling for an investigation into the recording.

The Speaker had asked him to put the statement in writing for him to make orders. This was done on Thursday.

According to the Speaker, the committee will investigate the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, any other matter contained in the audio recording and recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate.

It is also to make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate.

These will be the Special Committee’s terms of reference

Thousands of residents who were displaced by floods in six communities in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region have received relief items and various sums of monies from their Member of Parliament, Dorcas Affo-Toffey.

The communities are Nzulezu, Elubo, Ghana Nungua, Cocoa Town, Nsuano, and Zongo Community in Elubo.

Also affected were basic schools, especially the Nzulezu Primary School.

It has been destroyed by the floods, affecting pupils, since teaching and learning were halted.

It was the first time in over six hundred years that such floods hit the world’s tourism destination area, Nzulezu, and other communities.

Some residents in Nzulezu were evacuated on boats to Beyin, a nearby community in the area, for shelter.

The community, which is entirely made up of stilts and houses of over 500 inhabitants, almost submerged after it rained continuously for seven days.

Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed in these communities.

The MP was in these six communities to assess the extent of damage to the residents and property and sympathize with the victims.

Madam Affo-Toffey, apart from the relief items to all these communities, also donated an amount to them.

Nzulezu, for instance, received an amount of GH¢10,000 to be used to solve the unsanitary situation due to the floods.

In an interview with the media, Madam Affo-Toffey said: “It’s all about education, zoning and planning because elsewhere, before someone would build, you have to go to the town and country planning department to seek approval and permit.”

“They will ensure the buildings are built in a place that would not disrupt raining water. What we can say for now is for them to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse. We have a long way to go but I am sure with time, things will change,” the MP said in Twi.

Madam Affo-Toffey added, “They [residents] have built here for a long year so they cannot leave here but we shall educate them to stop dumping refuse.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU!W/R: Fisherman seized for fishing during closed season

“Provisions are being made to support those who do not have places to sleep. These places are flood zones areas so there is nothing that could be done.”

The Abusuapayin of Nzulezu, Abizi Kojo, said the walkways and toilet facilities which are used by tourists have also been destroyed.

He, therefore, called on the Tourism Ministry and the Ghana Tourist Board to urgently help in fixing their slipways and the tourist toilet facility since the community is still welcoming tourists from all over the world despite the flooding

Director General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said that all children who missed their scheduled vaccines are still eligible for vaccination following the arrival of vaccines.

“We want to take this opportunity to advise the public against buying of these vaccines.

“The vaccines are free and can be obtained in designated health facilities and all Child Welfare Clinics across the country,” a statement issued by the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service took delivery of the first consignment of vaccines for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), Measles-Rubella (MR), and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on Saturday, March 11.

This comes days after the sector minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, assured the nation on the floor of Parliament about shipment of the vaccines.

“Mr Speaker, it is a very serious public interest issue, the assurance I will give and I can give for the first time in the chamber here is that this will not happen again,” the Dormaa Central Member said on Friday, March 10.

“I will advise that you will help me in my advocacy to get adequate funding for vaccines, even the health insurance budget. So when we meet with committees, they have always been talking about it, and even in the chamber, it has come up that if Parliament approves adequately for us and we always have our budget well we will be able to supply. I assure you that whatever challenges happened I don’t think we are going to face these challenges any longer.

READ ALSO: We’re sorry – KMA apologises for errors in its statement on delta variant

“I can stand here and assure the House that within two weeks or three weeks we will get vaccines, even probably before that. I can’t get my hands on a specific date but probably even before that, we may get the vaccines that we are talking about. Throughout the period we have made 6.4million dollars equivalent to UNICEF who supplies us the vaccines.”

On Saturday, March 11, the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, was on the tarmac of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), leading the delegation to welcome in the consignment.

“Distribution to various regions and facilities [are] underway,” a post on the Ministry of Information Facebook page said.

“More vaccines expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources

Director General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said that all children who missed their scheduled vaccines are still eligible for vaccination following the arrival of vaccines.

“We want to take this opportunity to advise the public against buying of these vaccines.

“The vaccines are free and can be obtained in designated health facilities and all Child Welfare Clinics across the country,” a statement issued by the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service took delivery of the first consignment of vaccines for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), Measles-Rubella (MR), and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on Saturday, March 11.

This comes days after the sector minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, assured the nation on the floor of Parliament about shipment of the vaccines.

“Mr Speaker, it is a very serious public interest issue, the assurance I will give and I can give for the first time in the chamber here is that this will not happen again,” the Dormaa Central Member said on Friday, March 10.

“I will advise that you will help me in my advocacy to get adequate funding for vaccines, even the health insurance budget. So when we meet with committees, they have always been talking about it, and even in the chamber, it has come up that if Parliament approves adequately for us and we always have our budget well we will be able to supply. I assure you that whatever challenges happened I don’t think we are going to face these challenges any longer.

READ ALSO: We’re sorry – KMA apologises for errors in its statement on delta variant

“I can stand here and assure the House that within two weeks or three weeks we will get vaccines, even probably before that. I can’t get my hands on a specific date but probably even before that, we may get the vaccines that we are talking about. Throughout the period we have made 6.4million dollars equivalent to UNICEF who supplies us the vaccines.”

On Saturday, March 11, the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, was on the tarmac of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), leading the delegation to welcome in the consignment.

“Distribution to various regions and facilities [are] underway,” a post on the Ministry of Information Facebook page said.

“More vaccines expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources

Director General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said that all children who missed their scheduled vaccines are still eligible for vaccination following the arrival of vaccines.

“We want to take this opportunity to advise the public against buying of these vaccines.

“The vaccines are free and can be obtained in designated health facilities and all Child Welfare Clinics across the country,” a statement issued by the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service took delivery of the first consignment of vaccines for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), Measles-Rubella (MR), and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on Saturday, March 11.

This comes days after the sector minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, assured the nation on the floor of Parliament about shipment of the vaccines.

“Mr Speaker, it is a very serious public interest issue, the assurance I will give and I can give for the first time in the chamber here is that this will not happen again,” the Dormaa Central Member said on Friday, March 10.

“I will advise that you will help me in my advocacy to get adequate funding for vaccines, even the health insurance budget. So when we meet with committees, they have always been talking about it, and even in the chamber, it has come up that if Parliament approves adequately for us and we always have our budget well we will be able to supply. I assure you that whatever challenges happened I don’t think we are going to face these challenges any longer.

READ ALSO: We’re sorry – KMA apologises for errors in its statement on delta variant

“I can stand here and assure the House that within two weeks or three weeks we will get vaccines, even probably before that. I can’t get my hands on a specific date but probably even before that, we may get the vaccines that we are talking about. Throughout the period we have made 6.4million dollars equivalent to UNICEF who supplies us the vaccines.”

On Saturday, March 11, the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, was on the tarmac of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), leading the delegation to welcome in the consignment.

“Distribution to various regions and facilities [are] underway,” a post on the Ministry of Information Facebook page said.

“More vaccines expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources

Director General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said that all children who missed their scheduled vaccines are still eligible for vaccination following the arrival of vaccines.

“We want to take this opportunity to advise the public against buying of these vaccines.

“The vaccines are free and can be obtained in designated health facilities and all Child Welfare Clinics across the country,” a statement issued by the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service took delivery of the first consignment of vaccines for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), Measles-Rubella (MR), and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on Saturday, March 11.

This comes days after the sector minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, assured the nation on the floor of Parliament about shipment of the vaccines.

“Mr Speaker, it is a very serious public interest issue, the assurance I will give and I can give for the first time in the chamber here is that this will not happen again,” the Dormaa Central Member said on Friday, March 10.

“I will advise that you will help me in my advocacy to get adequate funding for vaccines, even the health insurance budget. So when we meet with committees, they have always been talking about it, and even in the chamber, it has come up that if Parliament approves adequately for us and we always have our budget well we will be able to supply. I assure you that whatever challenges happened I don’t think we are going to face these challenges any longer.

READ ALSO: We’re sorry – KMA apologises for errors in its statement on delta variant

“I can stand here and assure the House that within two weeks or three weeks we will get vaccines, even probably before that. I can’t get my hands on a specific date but probably even before that, we may get the vaccines that we are talking about. Throughout the period we have made 6.4million dollars equivalent to UNICEF who supplies us the vaccines.”

On Saturday, March 11, the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, was on the tarmac of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), leading the delegation to welcome in the consignment.

“Distribution to various regions and facilities [are] underway,” a post on the Ministry of Information Facebook page said.

“More vaccines expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources

Four people including a Senior Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church have reportedly died after a tipper truck rammed into a Mercedes Benz at Ejisu-Achina in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

Two others also sustained severe injuries in the fatal accident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 31 around 12:00 pm.

Three out of the four victims, according to eyewitness, died on the spot while the remaining one died while receiving treatment at hospital.

One Mr Edward Opoku, who rushed to the scene to help the rescue team, narrated the story.

“The Benz vehicle with registration number GW 7329-X with the four deceased and en route to Ejisu Achina collided with the tipper truck with registration number GR 9570-22 causing massive destruction to the Benz car.

“When we got to the scene, the four people, three men and a woman, were trapped in the seriously dented vehicle and it took a while for the officials of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to cut open the damaged car to rescue the accident victims.

“The SDA pastor we were told was on his way to Achina with his male friend when he lifted two of his church members on his way who were coming from a hospital but their car ended up colliding with the tipper truck.

“The tipper truck driver, who’s currently receiving treatment after sustaining injuries, said he failed break while negotiating a sharp curve on the Achina-Onwe road leading to the gory accident.”

Bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at a morgue

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Akufo-Addo has revealed that he has tasked the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command to start the process of establishing a War Command College in the country this year.

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET Fund), he said, has been tasked to provide the seed capital for the establishment of the College.

Mr Akufo-Addo said this at the 2023 West Africa Soldier’s Socialization Activities (WASSA) of the Ghana Armed Forces, at Burma camp in Accra on Wednesday, February 1.

He said “The government will not relent in its effort to transform the Ghana Armed Forces into a formidable modern force and will continue to help enhance the capacity and capability of the Armed Forces towards the development of our nation.

“I have tasked the Ministry of Defense and the Military High Command to begin the process of establishing a War College in Ghana this year.  The Ghana Education Trust Fund  (GETFund) has been tasked to provide the seed capital.”

He further acknowledged the role the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is playing in ensuring peace and security in the country.

“The government and the people of Ghana continue to appreciate the sacrifices of the Ghana Armed Forces Forces towards ensuring peace and security both internally and externally. Your joint patrols with the Ghana Police service to combat armed robbery and other crimes, your role in keeping our land borders safe, the protection of our maritime domains in the airspace to secure our strategic assets, the provision of health services to many civilians in areas that you are deployed, the protection of the environment in the fight against the menace of illegal mining, the opening up of remote areas to facilitate economic activities, your continued assistance through programmes targeted at deprived communities in our society have improved greatly the maintenance of peace and security we enjoy as a nation.

“On the international scene, you continue to bring credit to our nation by your performance in peace operations in Mali, in Sudan, Guinea Bissau The Gambia. The government and people of Ghana say again a big thank you for all your efforts and achievements.”

At another forum, President Akufo-Addo also assured the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of his commitment to ensuring their wellbeing.

Speaking at the commissioning of a 300-bed capacity accommodation for young soldiers at the 37 military hospitals in Accra on Wednesday, February 1, he said the government will continue to construct the most needed accommodation infrastructure to enable the 37 Military hospitals and the GAF to perform their role

He said “Before I conclude, let me assure you that the NPP government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Akufo-Addo is fully committed to the well-being and welfare of the men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces.

“We will continue to stay through to the pledges we made in our 2016 and 2020 manifestoes, brought into and retained my party the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and I in office.

“The government will continue to construct the most needed accommodation infrastructure to enable the 37 Military Hospital and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to perform their role as required by the Ghanaian people.”

The 300-bed accommodation project was started in 2016 through the internally generated fund of the 37 Military hospital command but stalled in 2018 due to lack of support.

The Jospong Group of Companies came in with the needed support and solely financed the project in 2021.