All posts by Afia Coke

News

Armyworm Control: Researchers developing biological agents to replace synthetic chemicals

Leave a comment

Crop researchers are working to develop new techniques to help reduce the use of synthetic insecticides to control the population of fall armyworm on maize fields.

To this end, crop scientists and researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) -Crops Research Institute (CRI), are carrying out integrated pest management approaches to help to manage the fall armyworm with focus on the use of biological agents to suppress their population.

Dr. Yaw Danso, a Senior Research Scientist working on Nematodes at CSIR-CRI, told the Ghana News Agency at a farmers’ field day at Ejura that the fall armyworm was the most devastating invasive insect recorded in Ghana, which had caused massive losses to maize and other crops production.

According to him, the use of synthetic insecticides had an inherent detrimental effect on the environment, human beings and non-targets organisms.

There is also evidence that persistent use of insecticides hastens pest building resistance, thereby rendering insecticides ineffective over time.
The farmers’ field day was therefore, to update farmers on the research institute’s trial fields, where biological agents, farmer’s synthetic insecticides and control methods had been used to grow maize in plots.

The farmers’ field day was therefore, to update farmers on the research institute’s trial fields, where biological agents, farmer’s synthetic insecticides and control methods had been used to grow maize in plots.

He said these laboratory-bred agents when tested well on fields would be packaged in the next few years for farmers who were the main stakeholders to have access to apply on crop fields.

Some of the farmers sharing their experiences with the GNA after visiting the various plots, said the invasion of the fall armyworms a few years ago had a great toll on maize yields, incurring higher cost on insecticide applications.

Madam Christiana Nasara, a farmer, commended efforts by the researchers and the Government in helping to reduce infestation levels.
Commenting on her observations on the field, she noted that the plots with the biological control had the potential of yielding higher since it had not been infested by the fall armyworms.

Fuseini Seidu, a maize farmer also said although infestation levels had been low in the last 18 months, researchers must expedite actions in making available the biological agents to farmers to bring relief with the ultimate aim of maximizing maize yields.

News, Politics, Topstory

Ghana is now a poster child for IMF, World Bank – Dr. Justice Srem – Sai

Leave a comment

Legal practitioner, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, has said that Ghana has become the poster child for major international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

According to him, these institutions use Ghana as a test country for their policies.
Speaking on Accra-based TV XYZ, he noted that this approach, even though it has some advantages, has never been beneficial to the country.

“We are now more like the poster child for the Bretton Wood Institutions; World Bank, IMF etc. The whole model of helping developing countries to come out of their poverty and become developed countries, Ghana is like the poster child for that project,” he said.

The NDC leader explained that being positioned as a model country for these institutions, when Ghana’s economy is not performing well, they offer other policies to cover up those weaknesses.
He explains that even while other countries find it hard to access funds from the Bretton Woods Institutions, Ghana gets easy access because the country is being used to test the viability of their policies.
“It has its own advantages such as it exposes the country to all of their products and policies. The other side which is negative is that, because we have been made like the poster child, they often don’t want us to fail or not let the reality show. Even when we are performing so poorly, as long as we are seen as good, the institutions and their policies are also good. So, they use us as a flagship cover while they hide our negative sides.
“When all other developing countries need money and they are not getting them from these institutions, Ghana shows up and they have no option than to give Ghana because if they don’t give us and we fail, it is as if their whole project has also failed. They use us as the justification for the policies which we all know are not solving our problems,” he noted.
The actions of the Bretton Wood Institution to Ghana, Dr Srem-Sai added, makes it hard to accurately portray the downsides of the economy.
“So, it is a challenge for you to actually portray the weaknesses in the Ghanaian economy and our institutions.,” he added.

News, Topstory

National Elections Security Taskforce ready – IGP

Leave a comment

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare says the National Elections Security Task Force is firming up security arrangements for the upcoming District and National Elections.

The 2023 District Level Elections (DLE), barring any last-minute hitches, will be held on December 19, 2023, allowing eligible voters to elect Assembly Members to represent their respective electoral areas in the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as five Unit Committee Members for each electoral area.

The IGP said the upcoming district-level elections was crucial, such that there was the need to consult the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons, Ghana Fire Service, and other relevant security agencies to ensure security at all levels.

Dr Dampare said this during a National Elections Security Task Force meeting held in Accra on Tuesday.

The meeting saw various security agencies represented, where they all expressed readiness for the DLE, which would also serve as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

The IGP said the task force had become an integral part of the election processes and democratic practices.

He said the Police Service with all the relevant security agencies had decided not to take anything for granted, assuring Ghanaians of peaceful elections at both the District and National levels.
“We have only one Ghana, and we will sit collectively as professionals and as patriotic citizens to do whatever it takes to continue to let peace reign, and we will not compromise on this,” the IGP added.

In her address, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensah, noted with concern what she described as a predetermined agenda to foment trouble during the next general elections.
“The quest for power in current times had become fierce, adding that nobody or nothing would be spared in the quest to attain that power.” .. “Indeed, in a bid to capture power, our politicians and their supporters use all manner of methods to achieve their goals, in the wake of this, our security and safety are not spared, hence the need for security,” she stated.

She said one major challenge faced during elections was the abuse of social media to disseminate fake news around elections by “faceless individuals” for the sole purpose of causing disaffection for institutions such as the Commission in promoting unrest.

The Chairperson however reiterated the Commission’s confidence that the Cyber Security wing of the Police would be up to task and would deal with those situations timely.

Mrs Mensah said the Commission looked forward to working closely with the Task Force and key stakeholders to ensure that elections in Ghana, particularly the upcoming district assembly election and the national elections were credible, transparent, and peaceful.

Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defence Staff, said from all indications, next year’s national elections would be a crucial one, and that as custodians of national security, the Armed Forces was ready to ensure peaceful elections as always done.

Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defence Staff, said from all indications, next year’s national elections would be a crucial one, and that as custodians of national security, the Armed Forces was ready to ensure peaceful elections as always done.

The Chief of Defence Staff said the Armed Forces was committed to their Constitutional mandate and duty to protect the country and prevent any aggression both internally and externally.

“For the elections, we may not be in the upfront of the election duties, but we will be strongly in the background, ever ready and ever prepared to support the Police Service and other Security Services…,” he added.

 

 

Source: GNA

News, Politics

Security Analyst, Richard Kumadoe replies EC Boss on election violence

Leave a comment

We are witnessing predetermined well orchestrated strategies to create violence in elections – EC Chair

Me:
Election Security is key, and election management proceedings are also key to every successful electioneering processes.

1. Who are the saboteurs who are planning to create violence, at where and how?

2. Is the security agencies aware of this Intent, and are they in the position to thwart it before long?

3. What is/are the causes and the intended purposes of the people who are behind the intended election violence?

4. Non-punishable of election offences will rationalise bad behaviour, and further promote antisocial tendencies around the inner perimeters of an election area, please, beware.

It’s a national.call, and a duty we must all bear. Let’s stop the election violence.

*By Richard Kumadoe*
Founder, Independent Election Security and compliance watchers.

News, Topstory

Govt must settle its indebtedness to Sunon Asogli Power — Armah Kofi Buah

Leave a comment

Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has urged the Akufo-Addo government to, as a matter of urgency, settle its indebtedness to Sunon Asogli.

In a statement, the MP for Ellembelle indicated that it was disheartening that the debt owed the power producer has resulted in the shutdown of the thermal plant.

below is his statement;

• THE AKUFO-ADDO/BAWUMIA GOVERNMENT, ECG MUST TAKE URGENT STEPS TO REDEEM ITS INDEBTEDNESS TO SUNON ASOGLI POWER LIMITED

 

It is very retrogressive and disheartening to learn about the indefinite shutdown of the 560MW Sunon-Asogli Thermal Plant by Sunon-Asogli Power Limited, a major player in the country’s power sector.

I have come across a statement issued by the Company which cites a host of reasons including protracted delays in payment of invoices, and what it describe as “unproductive engagement” to resolve government’s outstanding to them.

This unfortunate but unsurprising development is indicative of the gross mismanagement that has plagued the energy sector under this Akufi-Addo/Bawumia-led NPP government.
The once-thriving energy sector bequeathed to the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has now been thrown into complete disarray due to gross management of the sector.

One of the contributing factors to the power crisis is the continuous mismanagement and misapplication of the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) , which was introduced by the previous NDC government to address energy sector debts.
The erstwhile NDC government led by President Mahama in its determination to strengthen the financial base of the power sector, promulgated a special purpose vehicle called the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) in 2016 to deal with the energy sector legacy debts by raising long-term bonds in addressing the financial challenges facing the sector, particularly in debt management.

While in opposition, the NPP labelled the ESLA as a nuisance tax and promised to scrap same when they win political power. However, after assuming the reins of government in 2017, not only has this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government increased the ESLA levy, but this government has collateralised ESLA for fifteen (15) years to raise monies which they have
misapplied, thus defeating its original purpose and eroding the gains made in settling all legacy debts in the sector. This has further exacerbated the financial instability of the power sector.

The current state of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is disquieting and of grave concern.
ECG, which plays a crucial role in providing reliable supply of electricity to consumers, is unfortunately suffering from monumental mismanagement and inefficiency under the current administration.

The repercussions of the mismanagement of the energy sector are far-reaching. The debts keep piling up by the day, as the threat of a power crisis continues to loom large.
It is therefore imperative for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government to demonstrate humility and leadership in engaging with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in order to address the imminent catastrophic power crisis.

It is quite troubling for an IPP to produce power all year (January to December, 2023) and get paid for only 24% of its invoices. No IPP can operate viably and sustainably under these circumstances. Already, due to the announced shutdown of the Sunon-Asogli Power Plant alone, parts of Accra were plunged into darkness last night. The earlier this government took steps to honour its obligations to IPPs, the better it will be for all of us.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP
(Deputy Minority Leader)

News

Volta Regional NDC Communications office builds capacity of serial callers, communicators

Leave a comment

The Volta Regional leadership of the NDC has scaled up activities though capacity building workshops to empower advocates to effectively disseminate information and counter false propaganda intended to mislead potential voters in the party’s stronghold.

The initiative by the regional leadership of the party, targeting communicators and serial callers is also to align them with the party’s communications strategy for an effective campaign towards the December 7, 2024 elections.

On Monday, December 4, 2023, members from the Ho Central constituency, had their turn of a one-day training and sensitization workshop. It comes after similar exercises in the Hohoe, Ketu South and South Tongu constituencies.

It focused on equipping communicators and serial callers with the tools needed to articulate the party’s vision, in-depth knowledge and insights into the party’s major policy proposals, especially the 24 Hour Economy, succinctly espoused by H.E. John Dramani Mahama.


According to the Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, these engagements shall be completed before a major Regional Communications seminar scheduled to take place on 17th of December.

The event, will be attended by party heavy weights in the region and at the national level.

The regional Communications officer, aided by his deputy, Delali Bright Kugbeadzor, took turns to break down Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs shared by the party to defuse the spirited attempt by the governing New Patriotic Party to water down the expected impact of the bold idea that has the potential of creating jobs for the teeming youth, boost revenue generation, strengthen Ghana’s cedi, reduce inflation and interest rates and as well tax reliefs intended to attract more investment opportunities for businesses and companies that will subscribe to the transformative policy.

 

News

Tourism investment summit begins tomorrow

Leave a comment

The 2023 Ghana Tourism Investment Summit opens tomorrow, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The event, organised by Ghana Tourism Development Authority with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority, will bring together all relevant stakeholders in the tourism value chain to promote investment opportunities.

These include regulatory and licensing institutions, the Financial Advisory Sector, Real Estate, Banking, Insurance, Transport, Aviation, Tourism and Trade Associations, Public Entities and state-owned enterprises.

Other partners include the diplomatic corps, legal practitioners, development partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Key among the speakers are the sector minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal; the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the World Bank Country Director, Pierre Frank Laporte.

Some international infrastructure and investment firms from South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will also participate in the summit.

         Investment

The concept note says in spite of the massive investment in tourism over the years, many aspects of the lucrative sector required massive capital investment for the country to derive optimal benefits.

Big hotel chains, rest stops, amusement parks, eco lodges and budget hotels, restaurants, MICE facilities, beachfront facilities, transport services, aviation, digital tourism platforms etc. are some of the areas that require further investments,” the concept note said.

News

Judicial Service installs wheelchair ramps at Supreme Court

Leave a comment

The Judicial Service has installed wheelchair ramps at the two main entrances to the Supreme Court building.

This follows a publication by the Daily Graphic which highlighted the plight of a physically challenged court user who had threatened to sue the Chief Justice and Attorney-General after two petitions.

The building also the venue for the Court of Appeal sittings in Accra.

The Daily Graphic checks indicated that although the ramps have been fixed, railings were yet to be fixed along the stairs leading to the courtroom where proceedings take place.

The railings are required to enhance the security and safety of users of the ramps.

Reacting to the latest development, S.Y. Felix Ntoso, who petitioned the Chief Justice over the matter, commended the Judicial Service for the swift action following the publication.

“I was very impressed and this is a good start though very late. It is good to begin from somewhere.

“I am grateful to the Daily Graphic in particular for doing a story on it and to Joy FM for doing a newspaper review on it, and then Citi TV for giving it a space in the major news bulletin,” Mr Ntoso said in an interview with the paper.

He, however, urged the Judicial Service to consult experts to make access to the courtroom more accessible, adding that “even inside the courtroom of the Supreme Court, there are terraces without banisters”.

Background

Mr Ntoso threatened to sue the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General if steps were not taken to make the Supreme Court user-friendly for Persons With Disability (PWDs).

In a letter detailing his intention to sue the state, Mr Ntoso said the absence of ramps and banisters at the stairs to the entrance, coupled with the steep stairs in the building, made it difficult and unfriendly for PWDs to access the building.
He said this was in direct contravention of the Persons With Disability Act, 2006, Act 715.

Responding to the concerns raised by Mr Ntoso, the Deputy Judicial Secretary, Justice Richard Apietu, in a letter dated August 11, 2022, said: “I have been directed by His Lordship, the acting Chief Justice, to inform you that the Judicial Service is yet to receive the budgetary allocation for the construction of the ramp and banisters at the entrance of the Supreme Court building”.

The Deputy Judicial Secretary added that it made provision in its 2022 budget for the installation of the new lifts at the Supreme Court.

News, Topstory

Chief Justice dismisses judge for having affair with petitioner in divorce case; causing her arrest

Leave a comment

Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo acting on a decision by the Judicial Council has dismissed the Circuit Court for Jasikan, Alfred Kwabena Asiedu.

Myxyzonline has chanced on his dismissal letter dated 13th November, 2023 in which the Chief Justice clearly stated the decision by a Disciplinary Committee, whose report established abuse of power, malicious prosecution and impropriety by Justice Alfred Asiedu.

It said the Judicial Council, upon review of the findings at a meeting held on 25th October, 2023, agreed his conduct constituted misbehaviour, in the case involving one Singari Daina Sadia and subsequently resolved unanimously to dismiss him, (Justice Alfred Kwabena Asiedu), from office as a Circuit Court Judge with immediate effect, in line with Article 151(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

He is to hand over all official properties including official vehicle, records and docket books to the Judicial Secretary.

Find attached the dismissal letter

 

 

 

 

Source: Ghanaweb

News

Sunon Asogli reverts shut down as gov’t pledges $30m to avert dumsor

Leave a comment

Independent power producer, Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited, has suspended its decision to shut down over government’s $60m indebtedness.
This follows a swift response by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta o cough $30m immediately to avert ‘dumsor’.

Government, according to a statement released by Sunon Asogli Power, has committed itself to pay the second tranche of $30m by the close of next week.
The company on Monday, 5th December, 2023 announced an indefinite shut down of its 560 Megawatts power plant due to the outstanding debt owed it by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Per the statement signed by Chairman, Qun Yang, the shutdown would have started at 6:00 pm yesterday.

“This difficult decision became necessary due to avoidable delays in payment from the GOG/Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for power supplied, as well as, the unproductive engagements to find an amicable solution” portions of the statement said.


However, the swift intervention by government has prevented the already ongoing load shedding from escalating.
Its however unclear that lies ahead because government owes Independent Power Producers, over $1.4billion

BACKGROUND

It will be recalled that in June this year, the IPPs, which control 50 per cent of the country’s generation mix threatened to cut supplies if government does not urgently settle its indebtedness to them.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Dr Elikplim Apetorgbor in an interview then said ..“If the ECG does not pay up part of the debt owed our members, they cannot guarantee continuous production of power. The situation is so dire that something urgent must be done,”

He explained that because of he debt the IPPS lacked operating cash inputs such as chemicals for cleaning water or the thermal generators and other supplies many of which were denominated to in foreign currency.

He added that the Chamber owed banks and are paying penalty for defaulting.

News, Politics

Parliament suspends sitting briefly before grilling Education Minister on SHS re-opening

Leave a comment

Parliament has suspended sitting briefly to make room for final consultations before grilling the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum on the re-opening dates for Senior High Schools.

The announcement by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin today followed his earlier appearance to respond to questions by some Members of Parliament.

The questions stood in the names of MPs for Bongo, Edward Bawa, Abed-Nego Azumah Bandim (MP-Bunkpurugu), Kobby Mensah Woyome (South Tongu), Kofi Iddie Adams (Buem) and Ernest Henry Nogbe (Ashaiman) centered on how COVID-19 supplies were shared to schools, stalled GETFund projects at Npkanduri Business and Bankpurugu Senior High Schools, delayed projects in the Jasikan districts, specifically a two-storey boys dormitory Blago Senior High Technical and a six unit classroom blocks for some basic schools.

The others demanded responses on the Ministry’s plans for Secondary, Vocational and Technical Schools in Domeabra Obom and the urgent need for the provision of furniture to 7,000 pupils who currently sit on the floor in the Wa East district.

Public expectation has been high since last Wednesday when the Ghana Education announced December 4, 2023 as re-opening date for SHS freshers, barely a week after the School Placement list was out and December 22 for X’mas break and return on January 3rd 2024.

All four teacher unions, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-GH), and Teachers’ and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) have kicked against the dates.

They have cited inconvenience to both teachers and parents who need time to organize themselves and the cost of sending children to school for just three weeks, pick them and return them back to school after same period.

Parliament subsequently discussed the development following widespread concerns by parents and the Speaker summoned the Minister of Education to address the issue before the House.
It followed up with an official appeal through a statement asking the GES and government to reconsider the dates and if possible, defer the re-opening day for first year SHS students to January next year.

But the Ghana Education Service remains defiant and has reaffirmed its position.
In Parliament today, Monday, December 4, 2023, the Minister is yet to address the issue.

This follows the decision by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin to suspend sitting briefly to set the stage for the session with the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum on the re-opening dates for Senior High Schools.

Myxyzonline will keep you posted.

News, Topstory

Galamsey Queen’, Aisha Huang jailed 4yrs, 6months; fined GH¢48k

Leave a comment

An Accra High Court has sentenced notorious galamsey queen, Aisha Huang to a four- and half-year jail term for mining offences.
Aisha Huang, shall addition to a fine of GH₵48,000.

This was announced by an Accra High Court on Monday, December 4, 2023.
The Chinese national, also known as En Huang, was standing trial for undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.

But Aisha Huang denies insisting she has never been involved in illegal mining.
Her re-arrest after she sneaked into the country triggered public debate amidst accusation of government of threatening her with kid gloves.
It will be recalled that Aisha Huang was accused of financing galamsey activities resulting in the destruction of forests and water bodies, especially in the Ashanti Region.

Her release and subsequent deportation in 2018, after the Attorney General decided to discontinue her trial for engaging in small-scale mining without licence, provoked angry reactions amidst suspicions about government’s commitment towards fighting the menace.

Aisha Huang however reportedly sneaked into the country to continue her clandestine activities till her cover was blown up.

On May 3, this year, she pleaded guilty to entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

The prosecution argued in Court that that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.
She had pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.