All posts by Piesie Okrah

Sports

AFCON 2023: We will give our best against Egypt – Jordan Ayew

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Ghana forward, Jordan Ayew, has assured the players will give out their best performance in Thursday’s match against Egypt.

The team takes on the Pharaohs in a make-or-break game in their second Group B game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

There is a huge pressure on the Black Stars to win the game after losing 2-1 to Cape Verde in their opener last Sunday.

“[Today] is going to be a tough game. The boys were ready. We put ourselves in this situation, so we need to come out of it and, you know, you never know in football,” he said at the team’s presser on Wednesday.

“So we’re ready. We’ll give our best, we’ll fight, we’ll represent Ghana as well as we can, put in a better performance as a team and hopefully tomorrow everyone will be happy.”

The game is at 8:00pm at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny.

The other group game will see Cape Verde take on Mozambique.

 

Source: Joy Sports

News, Politics

Poor implementation of Free SHS declining standards in Varsities – NDC W/Organiser

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The NDC Women’s Organiser for the Eastern Region, Shirley Naana Osei Ampem has said the implementation of the pro-poor education policy, the Free SHS, has been problematic since its inception under the Akufo-Addo administration.

He said the numerous challenges that have characterised the government’s flagship programme has badly affected the performance of its beneficiaries in the country’s universities.

Speaking to Prince Minkah on TV XYZ breakfast show, Dwaboase, the vociferous women leader said the government erred by not consulting widely before implementing the policy in 2017 and as a result affected the academic performance of the students who graduated from most of the second cycle institutions into universities.

She argued that the programme should have been implemented after enough infrastructure had been secured for the millions of students to enjoy.

“The NPP implemented Free SHS poorly and as we speak the performance of these students in the various universities is nothing good to write home about,” Naana Ampem stated in Akan.

To her, the bad policies of the NPP government have gravely affected millions of Ghanaians and the free SHS is a classic example of how the men at the helm of affairs are bereft of ideas and must be voted out in the December elections.

Urging Ghanaians to believe in NDC flag bearer, John Mahama, she assured that the party leadership had taken notice of the numerous challenges of Ghanaians including the economic meltdown under the NPP government and are prepared to solve them when votes to power.

Unsatisfactory Performance

In May last year, the Deputy Ranking of Parliament’s Education Committee disclosed that there had been concerns among tutors about the performances of the beneficiaries of Free SHS in public universities.

Dr Clement Abass Apaak said the performance of the students had sparked agitations from some lecturers who were seeking to propose an entrance exam module for students who had enrolled under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

He explained further in an interview with Joy News that the agitation was informed by the abysmal academic performance of students under the programme in the universities.

This, he said was disclosed by lecturers at the various university campuses.

According to him, the said students passed their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with good grades but were struggling to cope academically in the universities.

“You can call a few of my colleagues who are still at the universities, lecturers, and ask them about the quality of students who are coming through these days. They will tell you that the quality is unsatisfactory,” Apaak added.

 

By Henryson Okrah| Myxyzonline.com

News

Ekumfi MP replies Akufo-Addo over lack of development

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ekumfi, Abeiku Crentsil, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s reasons for neglecting development in the area.

Though Mr Crenstil has described the comments as unfortunate, he says it is an effective campaign tool that will boost the gains of the NDC.

“To me, I can say that the president has more or less spoken for the people to keep on voting for the NDC. Because indeed, he knows that if the NPP is in power for whatever years, there is nothing they can offer the people of Ekumfi. He’s finished our campaign for us,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.

In a meeting with the Kyedomhemaa of Ekumfi Traditional Area, Nana Enyimfua III, the President explained that, he abandoned the area because constituents voted out the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Francis Ato Cudjoe in the 2020 elections.

Akufo-Addo said he appointed the MP as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to bring development to the area.

But once he lost the seat to the NDC, the people of Ekumfi also lost their developmental projects.

However, the MP has argued the NPP has occupied the seat longer than the NDC and if they[NPP] wanted to develop the area, they would have done that.

“It is a very unfortunate statement, a very, very unfortunate talk because this is my second term of being an MP for the people of Ekumfi. And indeed when you go to Ekumfi, whatever development is being done is by the NDC or NDC government by then. It is unfortunate that the NPP has been in power for the past eight years and they cannot point to one project they have done for the people of Ekumfi.”

“I think if the President is talking to the people of this country, I think he should say something comfortable. He shouldn’t say things like that. I was unhappy when I heard it,” he stated.

 

Source: Adomonline.com

Busines, Topstory

$600m IMF cash will be pushed to support budget – Ofori-Atta

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The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has revealed that the $600 million second tranche International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package expected next week would be used for some programmes in the 2024 Budget.

The Executive Board of the IMF is hoping to meet on Friday, January 19, 2024, in Washington DC, USA to carry out Ghana’s first review under the Fund programme.

The board is expected to approve the $600 million and disburse same to Ghana within the next three working days.

Speaking on PM Express Business Edition which will be aired today January 18, 2024, on JoyNews, Mr. Ofori-Atta said the country has met all the requirements to get the funding.

“We are very optimistic that Ghana will pass this review when the Executive Board of the IMF meets on January 19, 2024”, he expressed hope.

IMF Board Meeting

The meeting scheduled for Friday, January 19, 2024, was earlier postponed due to some difficulties from Ghana in securing the much-needed “financing assurance” from the bilateral creditors through the official creditor committee on restructuring the country’s debt.

This forced the board to re-schedule its meeting on several occasions from November 2023.

It was moved again from January 18 to January 19, 2024, after the board members asked for three working days to review Ghana’s documents submitted by the IMF staff.

The board is going ahead with its meeting on Ghana after the country reached a deal with bilateral creditors on the terms for restructuring about $5.4 billion debts.

The board will also release the staff report to the public on status of the Ghana’s programme and how government has fared over the past month.

IMF cash disbursement

Mr. Ofori-Atta is hopeful the “possible disbursement” of the funds will unlock other support from Ghana’s donors.

The World Bank Board is expected to meet on January 25, 2024, and approve the disbursement of some $550 million.

In all, $300 million will be advanced towards some projects in the budget, while the 250 million dollars will also go to the Ghana Stability Fund, an initiative, aimed at supporting institutions that were hit badly by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

By the end of January 2024, Ghana could secure over $1.1 billion from the IMF and World Bank to support the economy.

 

Source: Joy Business

News, Topstory

Fmr Defence Minister Mark Woyongo dead at age 78

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A former Minister of Defence under the erstwhile NDC Government, Mark Owen Woyongo, has died at age 78.

He was a former Member of Parliament for the Navrongo Central Constituency

Family sources, who confirmed his death to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, said he had been unwell for some time.

He died in Accra in the late hours of Wednesday, January 17, 2023.

Political Positions He Held

Mr Woyongo was MP for Navrongo Central from 2012 to 2016 when he lost the seat to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) late Joseph Kofi Ada.

Mr Woyongo first stood for election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress in the 2008 parliamentary election, winning 41.7% of the votes and later lost to the late Mr Adda by 1,130 votes (3.5%).

He was, however, appointed the Upper East Regional Minister by late President John Evans Atta Mills in his government in 2009.

Mr. Woyongo was retained in that position by former President John Dramani Mahama following the death of President Mills.

In 2013, he was appointed as the Minister for Defence.

He announced his retirement from politics, disclosing in December 2016 that he will not contest any political position again.

Before his demise, Mr Woyongo ventured into commercial farming in the Upper East Region.

He invested in large maize and rice farms before he retired from active politics.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

OSP takes Cecilia Dapaah case a notch higher, shifts focus to money laundering

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The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has released his outfit’s half-year report for the year 2023 in accordance with the laws governing the office, providing updates on a litany of cases it is either investigating or prosecuting.

Among the cases it gave an update on in the 20-page report dated December 29, 2023, included the Cecilia Dapaah scandal.

The Special Prosecutor is investigating Cecilia Dapaah, a former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, and her spouse, Mr. Daniel Osei-Kufour, for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money (mainly in foreign denominations) and other valuable items found in their apartment.

In its latest report, the Special Prosecutor said his investigations show that “the case is largely in the province of suspected money laundering and structuring.”

“By operation of law, there are other law enforcement agencies which are reposed with a direct mandate in respect of money laundering and structuring. On that score, the Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course,” the OSP added.

Background

The Office started its probe in July 2023 after news broke that domestic helpers of Cecilia Dapaah had stolen her millions of cash involving local and foreign currencies.

While the domestic helpers were undergoing investigation and prosecution, the OSP started probing Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Mr. Daniel Osei-Kufour, in a bid to unravel the source of the money.

After searching their Abelenkpe residence, the OSP later froze a number of the former minister’s bank accounts.

“The investigation has been largely aimed at determining the source(s) of the large cash sums. The Office took several steps including freezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments and seizing large sums from the residence of Ms. Dapaah and her spouse. Upon the refusal by the High Court to confirm the freezing and seizure orders, the Office re-seized the cash sums and re-froze the bank accounts and investments and applied to the court again for confirmation in FT0074/2023 The Special Prosecutor v. Cecilia Abena Dapaah & Daniel Osei-Kufour.”

“From October 2023, the investigation became cross-border and transboundary upon the claim by the persons of interest that part of the seized cash sums was transported into the jurisdiction from the United States. For that reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States became involved in a collaborative investigative work with the OSP on the matter.”

In October 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah, which were eliminated from the focus of the investigation as no longer suspected to be tainted property.

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Politics

Bawumia will lose 2024 polls and return to classroom – Solo Owusu

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A member of the Communication team for the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu has predicted that a shameful defeat for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the end of the 2024 general elections.

He said despite being supported by state machinery during the NPP primaries to lead the governing party, he will lose the main polls because Ghanaians have decided to vote the NPP out due to their bad policies.

Joining the discussion on the Gumbe Show on TV XYZ on Tuesday night, Owusu, a former member of the NPP described Bawumia as a man who is bereft of ideas and has nothing to offer Ghanaians.

“Bawumia is not part of the 2024 contest, Alan will beat him because he cannot divert the verdict of Ghanaians. He will lose sorely because of his poor track record,” he told host Oheneba Boamah Bennie.

Dr Bawumia is NPP’s flag baerer

To him, the country’s economy was there for everyone to feel under Bawumia as the head of Government’s Economic Management Team.

He said the leader of the Movement for Change, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, was credible than Dr Bawumia, adding that any member of the NPP who knows about the mismanagement and wanton corruption within the NPP under the leadership of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia will ditch them during the elections.

“In this 21st century when people are going to space and doing marvelous things that are benefiting their countries, Dr Bawumia could only talk about toilet facilities for Ghanaians. When he went to Agbogbloshi, all he could promise was toilet, toilet,” Owusu said mockingly.

He said after Bawumia’s defeat in 2024, he will have no option than to return to Canada to go in teach as he was doing before he was appointed to the Bank of Ghana.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Asiedu Nketia mocks NPP over poorly implemented Free SHS

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The NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has said his party has a solution to the poorly-implemented Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

The former Minister argued that the NDC implemented a progressively free SHS policy which was backed by research to help the children of the less privileged parents enjoy education across the country. However, he said the NPP rather came to implement its flagship programme, the Free SHS, without proper consultation with stakeholders.

In an interview with Emmanuel Wilson Jnr on Politics and Beyond, the former General Secretary of the NDC observed that the quality of education in the second cycle institutions had dwindled, owing the fact that the Akufo-Addo government was only interested in fulfilling a campaign promise without knowing its nuances.

“We are all preaching free SHS and school feeding and all that but when it comes to the implementation, you see a vast difference. Facilities must be there but if they are not there how do you provide the free facility?”

To him, the infrastructure should have been provided before implementing the free SHS programme to avert the inconsistencies of the school calendar.

Free SHS Costly

Asiedu Nketia’s concerns come after a report by Education think tank, Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), last month that revealed that parents are spending more on their wards in Senior High Schools contrary to the impression created that, the policy has brought great relief to parents.

The Eduwatch report also indicated that, despite the implementation of the  free SHS policy, lack of money to buy school items (prospectuses) and other costs have prevented some students from enrolling into various senior high schools.

According to findings on the financing of education titled “The Financial Burden of the Free SHS Policy and Implications for Equitable Access to Education”, 15 per cent of all students placed in Senior High Schools for 2022/2023, failed to honour their admissions due to financial difficulties.

Senior Programmes Officer of the Africa Education Watch, Divine Kpe, who presented the report before stakeholders, also revealed that parents and guardians of students under the free senior high school policy spend more on average than the government does per student.

The report said that while on average government spent GHS 1,147and GHS 1,107 on boarding and day students respectively for the 2021/2022 academic year, parents and guardians on the other hand spent on the average GHS 2,477 on prospectuses and GHS 4,000 on personal effects for boarding students.

It explained that parents of continuing day students reported spending an average of GH¢4,400 annually on their children’s education, including transportation, constituting 40 percent, breakfast of 50 percent, and 10 percent on books.

The report also revealed that parents of day students spent GHC5,507 inclusive of prospectus costs, which outweighed the government’s spending of GHS1,107.

To minimise the cost burden of the prospectus, the report recommended that, in the medium to long term, the Ministry of Education must develop and implement a strategy to focus on children from the poorest households using data from the LEAP programme.

The education think tank appealed to the Government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, to ensure prompt disbursement of funds to the Ghana Education Service and the schools to enable schools to meet the expenses of the schools in time.

 

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics, Topstory

NDC & Mahama committed to constitutional review – Asiedu Nketiah

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The National Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has reiterated the commitment of the flag bearer of the party, former president John Mahama, to revisiting the processes leading to reforms of Ghana’s constitution.

Speaking on Politics and Beyond on TV XYZ, Nketia who was a key member of the framers of the 1992 constitution, admitted that a constitutional review was imperative to effectively fight corruption and abuse of power by the executive.

He also mentioned that unlike the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) that likes to compromise state institutions, the NDC would take the bold step to review the constitution to help strengthen the country’s institutions and consolidate its democracy for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

Asiedu Nketia argued that inasmuch as many people  including the youth were calling for a review while some also called for the rewriting of the constitution again, he believes the constitution rather needs to be overhauled to tackle the loopholes that inhibit the growth of the country’s democracy.

“The NDC is aware of the calls from the youth for a constitutional review. Our flagbearer, H.E John Mahama is committed to revisiting the reform processes,” he told host Emmanuel Wilson Jnr.

To him, the NDC is committed to the reforms of the constitution to reflect the needs of Ghanaians after Ghana’s democracy had been  stabilised since 1992.

He said it was the reason he led the charge to constatntly remind then President JEA Mills when the NDC won the 2008 polls to set up the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor Albert Kodzo Fiadjoe to ascertain from the people of Ghana, their views on the 1992 Constitution.

Asiedu Nketia mentioned but for a law suit by the NPP in 2014 challenging the constitutionality of a white paper the NDC government had issued after carefully perusing the work of the Constitution Review Implementation Committee, the then government would have accepted the reviewed constitution.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

Busines, News

Public transport fares to go up by 30% on January 22

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The Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana has announced its decision to increase public transport fares by 30 percent, effective January 22, 2024.

The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, in a press release, stated that the increase is a result of a “substantial rise in the costs of lubricants and spare parts, coupled with increment on DVLA service charges.”

The group says the development is having a significant impact on the livelihoods of its members.

“The proposal for a fare increase aims to address the drivers’ financial challenges and ensure the sustainability of the public transportation industry in Ghana,” the commercial transport operators added in the press release.

Below is their statement;

The Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana wish to announce a 30% increment in transportation fares throughout the country on Monday January 22,2024.

This has become necessary due to the substantial rise in the costs of lubricants, spare parts coupled with increment on DVLA service charges , which has significantly impacted the livelihoods of drivers across Ghana.

We in the public transportation sector have been grappling with mounting expenses, making it increasingly challenging to sustain our operations.

The continuous surge in lubricant prices, driven by fluctuations in global oil markets, has resulted in a considerable burden on drivers who rely heavily on oil to keep our vehicles running efficiently.

Additionally, the escalating costs of spare parts, particularly for maintenance and repairs, have severely affected our ability to keep our vehicles in optimal condition.

This has resulted in reduced operational efficiency and increased downtime, negatively impacting both drivers and the commuting public.

Furthermore, our welfare has been significantly impacted by higher taxes imposed on the sector. This has put immense pressure on our earnings and made it increasingly difficult for us to cover our overheads and provide for the families.

Recognizing the adverse effects of these circumstances, the Transport Operators Association has engaged in extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including some state agencies and other transport associations.

The proposal for a fare increase aims to address the drivers’ financial challenges and ensure the sustainability of the public transportation industry in Ghana.

This fare adjustment is a necessary step to maintain the quality and efficiency of their services, benefiting both drivers and the commuting public in the long run.

It is crucial to strike a balance that considers the interests of the drivers while ensuring that transportation remains affordable and accessible for all.

We remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services to the Ghanaian public.

Together, with the support of all stakeholders, we can build a sustainable and thriving transportation sector that benefits both drivers and passengers alike.

We will also be advised or force to increase it again by 30 percent if the eco tax gets parliamentary approval.

Signed…
William Osei (Paa Willie)
chairman Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana

Source:  Myxyzonline.com
News, Politics, Topstory

NDC suspends its Northern Regional Vice Chairman over attack on Treasurer

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The National Democratic Congress has suspended its Northern regional Chairman over an assault on the Northern Regional Treasurer Hajia Shamima Yakubu.

Alhaji Gbewaa’s attack on his colleague party executive was reported in the media over the weekend when the issue had been referred to the party’s Functional Executive Committee for investigations and sanctions.

Speaking to Joy News Wednesday afternoon, Deputy General Secretary of NDC, Mustapha Gbande explained that Alhaji Gbewaa “has been suspended for three months.”

But Mr Gbande says the decision is “pending investigations and all other processes that will enable the party to look into the issues properly for a final redress.”

A statement by the party’s General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, after the attack condemned the conduct of the party officer responsible for the assault, and mentioned that measures would be taken to address the matter thoroughly at the next meeting of its Functional Executive Committee meeting.

He also denied media reports claiming the incident happened in the presence of a national executive member of the party.

Meanwhile, some youth of the party say they disagree with the party leadership on how Alhaji Gbewaa is being handled.

The leader of the group at a press conference described the Northern Regional Treasurer Hajia Shamima Yakubu as a trouble maker who has had issues with almost every executive in the party’s regional office.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

Africa, News

[Video] My husband had 87 girlfriends when I met him – Human rights activist

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Nigerian Human rights activist, Adetoun Onajobi has revealed her husband had 87 girlfriends when she met him.

In a recent interview on the WithChude podcast, Adetoun stated that some of the ladies did everything they could to bring down her marriage.

She stated that one of the 87 ladies was “a pure mermaid” who often appeared to her husband.

The rights activist stated that in order to end her husband’s promiscuous lifestyle and rescue her marriage, she had to engage in both physical and spiritual battle.

“My husband had 87 girlfriends that he was sleeping with.” she said.

“The girls that he was sleeping with. Baba Ashabi will tell me that… Let me even shock you, he will tell me that he is looking for a job for them. I said, ‘You who has no job, where is your recruitment center? Where are you looking for a job for them? You have left Lagos, you are the one looking for a job for them. Baba Ashabi!

“So when people tell me men can not change, I tell them you have not experienced mine. I took it one step at a time. Spiritually, there was one who was a pure mermaid. This one will even come and appear to Baba Ashabi. There was a day we were supposed to travel together, and Baba Ashabi pleaded with the lady that he would not go with me but would come to meet her mother and plead with her.

“So, Chude, one after the other, I fought the battle. Some people came with revenge: he got me pregnant and said he would not collect it. Another one came and said she dated him for 15 years; another one would say I have been with him for twenty-something years.

 

“Because I realised I am on an assignment in his life. He also struggled with it. If you send my husband a text message on his phone, I will receive the same message. If you chat with my husband, I will receive the same message. I took my time to understand what he had gone through.”

Watch video below:

 

Source: Graphicshowbiz