Tag: GENERAL NEWS

Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that Ghana, is in a worst state today than at any time in the history of the 4th Republic.

The said the country is presently witnessing high levels of corruption, hardships due to bad economic and financial policies, a hungry and angry people, loss of investments, no credible reforms etc.

“But we are a strong people. We are creative and innovative. The Ghanaian does not give up and we won’t give up.

“On behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), myself as the 2020 Presidential Candidate, I want to thank all Ghanaians who two years ago sacrificed your time and went to the polls to vote for NDC’s Parliamentary candidates and I,” he said in a Facebook to maark two years after the 2020 general elections.

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Two years ago, for the first time in the history of our country, a President and Government unleashed armed men who brutally killed eight (8) innocent Ghanaians including a child during voting and results collation.

In the last six years, Ghanaians have witnessed a reckless government that has taken a wrecking ball to our economy, leaving it in a very sorry state, rivalling some of the worst economies in the world.

Our dear beloved nation, Ghana, is in a worst state today than at any time in the history of the 4th Republic — high levels of corruption, hardships due to bad economic and financial policies, a hungry and angry people, loss of investments, no credible reforms etc.

But we are a strong people. We are creative and innovative. The Ghanaian does not give up and we won’t give up.

On behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), myself as the 2020 Presidential Candidate, I want to thank all Ghanaians who two years ago sacrificed your time and went to the polls to vote for NDC’s Parliamentary candidates and I.

I also commend all Ghanaians who participated in the election exercise for their help in consolidating our democracy.

I, once again, extend our sympathies to the families of all who lost their lives and to the victims of all forms of violence perpetrated by the insensitive Nana Akufo-Addo administration.

The NDC has pledged that it will investigate these state-sponsored atrocities and apply sanctions to those found culpable. We will provide appropriate compensation for those who have lost lives and limb

Dr Bawumia with a shovel

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has signalled the beginning of construction works on the ‘Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout Phase 2’ project.

The project, which is to provide a third tier on the existing two-tier interchange brings to over 12, the number of interchanges that the Government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo has either completed or is working on.

Performing the sod-cutting ceremony on Monday, December 5, 2022, Vice President Bawumia listed them as the Tema Motorway Interchange Phase 1 (completed); Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phase 1 (completed); Pokuase Interchange (first four-tier interchange –completed); Tamale Interchange (completed).

The rest are Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phase 2 (Ongoing); Takoradi PTC Interchange (Ongoing); Nungua Interchange (Ongoing); Adjiringanor Interchange (Ongoing); Kpone Interchange (Ongoing); Savana Interchange (Ongoing); Dawhenya Interchange (Ongoing); Prampram Interchange (Ongoing); and Suame Interchange (Contractor mobilising to the site).

According to officials of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Interchange Phase 2, expected to be completed in 30 months, will involve the construction of a viaduct to link the Tema Harbour Road towards the Ashaiman roundabout on the Akosombo Road.

The grade separation will improve traffic flows around the Tema Motorway roundabout.

Other road and traffic flow improvement works are also in the offing, Vice President Bawumia disclosed.

“As part of measures to improve traffic flow between Tema and Accra, the Accra- Tema Motorway will be upgraded into a ten-lane facility. The Phase 1 of the project will be between Tema Roundabout and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. The works will include a four-lane, concrete pavement expressway; 3 lane asphaltic concrete service roads on either side; construction of Lashibi, Community 18 and Teshie Link Interchanges and the remodelling of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.

“Financing arrangements are being finalized for the works to commence soon,” he hinted.

The government is also undertaking a number of critical road works within the Greater Accra Region, Dr Bawumia indicated, including the construction of the Tema-Aflao Road (17km) Phase 1, which involves the provision of service lanes and four interchanges between Tema Motorway Roundabout and Mitshio on the Tema-Aflao Road; construction of the Tema-Akosombo Road (64km), involving the dualization of the road and construction of two interchanges at Ashaiman and Asutsuare.

Dualization of the Beach Road Phase 1 between Osu and Nungua with the provision of bridges over the Kpeshie and Songor Lagoons is also ongoing, with the Phase 2, which involves dualization of the Beach Road from Nungua to Tema Community Three and includes the construction of a three-tier interchange at Nungua and widening of the railway bridge towards Sakumono is at 82% completion.

As well, rehabilitation of the 23km Dome-Kitase road, including the provision of access to the Ashesi University, and construction of the Borteyman Road (from School Junction to Nungua Farms, involving the dualization of the road between School Junction on the Ashalley Botwe Road and the Accra Tema Motorway to provide access to the proposed stadium for the All-African Games is also ongoing.

“Ladies and gentlemen, 413.20 km of Asphalt overlay has been laid in Greater Accra from 2021 to date. This brings the total asphalt overlay works completed in the Greater Accra Region to 947.80km since 2017,” Vice President Bawumia stated.

On behalf of President Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana, Dr Bawumia thanked the Government and people of Japan who through JICA have provided grant funding for the entire works, and urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Consultant as well as the Contractor to ensure that adequate traffic management measures are put in place during Construction to reduce the inconvenience that the works will bring to the travelling public and residents

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that agriculture will continue to remain a top priority of his government.

In an address during the 2022 national farmers’ day celebrations on Friday December 2, he indicated that a number of investments have been made by his administration in the sector.

“The massive investments” made in the sector attest to his commitment to the sector, he said.

“The positive narrative about government’s support to the agricultural sector is that, unlike several other countries, Ghana is better prepared, and has demonstrated resilience to the current adversities threatening to destabilise our food systems.

“This has been possible because of the sound, pragmatic policies and programmes rolled out at the inception of my stewardship.”

Mr Akufo-Addo further stated that in 2016, his government inherited production levels of 1.7million metric tonnes of maize and 665,000 metric tonnes of rice.

However, under the planting for food and jobs (PFJ) initiative which he introduced, maize production reached 3.4million tonnes by 2021 and rice to 1.2million metric tonnes.

“The credit must go to our gallant farmers, fishers and value chain actors who embraced the PFJ policy and leveraged the opportunities created by the enabling environment for agricultural development” he said.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that, his government is undertaking all measures necessary to revive the economy.

According to him, “Indeed it’s true that we’re facing hard times in our economy but my government is working round the clock to turn around the economic woes and boost public confidence in Ghana’s economy. Very soon you’ll all see the results of a stable economy”.

He said Ghanaians will soon witness results from engagements with relevant institutions and agencies as part of moves to address the current economic hardship.

President Akufo-Addo said this when he was addressing the congregants of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery on the occasion of the Centenary Thanksgiving Service and Dedication of Centenary Complex in Kyebi, the Municipal capital of the Abuakwa South in the Eastern Region on Sunday.

President Akufo-Addo further indicated that he is not disturbed by utterances by his critics and is focused on measures being adopted by his government to change the economic fortunes of the country.

The President called on Ghanaians to pray, support, and continue keeping faith in him to deliver the country from the current economic turmoil.

The event was attended by the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who also urged Ghanaians to rally behind the government to succeed

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

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