Category Archives: News

News, Politics

Gabby says he has retired from politics

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A leading member of the New Patriotic Party, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has announced that he has retired from domestic politics.

The legal practitioner who is also a cousin to President Akufo-Addo made the pronouncement on Accra-based Asaase radio which he owns.

Gabby also expressed his disappointment with the inability of the NPP to effectively communicate its achievements in recent years.

“I have retired from domestic politics,” he said. “I get somehow frustrated by the narratives, and the big disappointment I have is with the governing New Patriotic Party itself, it is the lack of recognition of the work that they have done. For me, it’s a major disappointment.”

Otchere-Darko acknowledged the substantial progress made by the Akufo-Addo led government in navigating the challenging economic landscape between 2021 and 2022.

Despite the severe economic challenges during this period, he highlighted that various policies implemented by the administration successfully prevented Ghanaians from enduring queues for essential products and services.

“You know when there are crises, there are people who benefit from crisis but I don’t know who benefitted from the crisis of 2022. The Banks suffered, retailers suffered, manufacturers suffered, I mean it was everywhere,” he added.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News

76% of men are not aware of their HIV status – GSS Report

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The Ghana Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service has revealed concerning statistics regarding HIV awareness and prevention among men aged 15 to 49.

The data reveals that a significant 76 percent of men in this age group are unaware of their HIV status. Furthermore, only 28% reported the use of condoms during sexual encounters with non-cohabiting partners.

In contrast, women in the same age bracket exhibited higher awareness levels, with approximately 54% undergoing HIV testing, and 11% using condoms during sexual activities with non-cohabiting partners.

The Acting Director of Demography at the Ghana Statistical Service, Godwin Odei Gyebi, emphasized the importance of men taking a more proactive role in knowing their HIV status.

“11 percent of women indicated that they use a condom and 28 percent of men indicated the same. People who have tested for HIV and received their results are 54 percent for women and 24 percent for men. Men are not doing well as far as women are concerned. In the last 12 months, 15 percent of women and 7 percent of men have tested for HIV and have their results.”

The Statistical Service also found that nearly 80 percent of Ghanaians have discriminatory attitudes towards persons living with HIV.

“74 percent of those women who indicated that they have heard of HIV will not buy from a shopkeeper who is HIV positive and 65 percent of men indicated that they will also not buy fresh vegetables from HIV positives.”

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Politics, Topstory

Mahama repeats pledge to strengthen corruption fight

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The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to combat corruption when voted to power.

Mr Mahama stated that high level of corruption in the Akufo-Addo administration has resulted in huge wastage, costing the tax payers millions of cedis that could have been used to develop the country.

Commenting on the opaque transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) which has raised eye brows in the country, John Mahama said his administration will not accept or recognise the said SML contract.

“For the monies they’ve taken already, we will hold all of them to account,” Mr Mahama said during an interaction with representatives of organised labour, trade associations and the public in Koforidua.

Mahama who is on his  ‘Building Ghana Tour’ in the Eastern Region chastised the Akufo-Addo administration for impoverishing Ghanaians and superintending over graft and rot in the country.

“You cannot fleece a country like this… now Ghanaians are not surprised again; reports of corruption does not shock Ghanaians again, because everybody is tired of hearing of the cases and no effort by the government to fight it,” the opposition leader stated.\

Corruption Perception Index

Mr Mahama’s comment comes at a time Ghana has scored zero for the fourth consecutive year in fighting corruption.

Ghana made no progress in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks Ghana as 70th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International in its report said, “Ghana scored 43 out of a clean score of 100 and ranked 70th out of 180 countries and territories included in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released today, 30th January 2024 by Transparency International (TI). This marks the fourth consecutive year of stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, as indicated by the CPI.”

Transparency International attributed Ghana’s stagnation to the deteriorating justice system, which it says is reducing the accountability of public officials and therefore allowing corruption to thrive.

“Under the theme for the CPI 2023 – Corruption and Justice, Ghana’s stagnated score highlights a global trend of deteriorating justice systems, which is reducing the accountability of public officials and therefore allowing corruption to thrive.”

“The connection is reinforced by Ghana’s performance in the Rule of Law Index produced by the World Justice Project, which demonstrates a concerning decline. In the 2015 Rule of Law Index, Ghana scored 0.60 and ranked 34, but by 2023, Ghana’s score had decreased to 0.55, with a corresponding drop in ranking to 61.”

News, Politics, Topstory

Government can’t undertake any meaningful development before it’s kicked out – Mahama alerts

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2024 Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says Ghanaians must be on the look out for vote-buying promises and shoddy projects in the days ahead as government desperately explores how to outwit electorates again.

According to him, with the limited time left, the NPP can only promise phantom projects to mislead unsuspecting voters.

“What they (government ) have done in the last 8years is what their capacity could handle. There is nothing more they can do at this time. They have messed up the economy” he intimated.

John Mahama, accompanied by former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Dr Calistus Mahama, National executives of the party, MPs and other party officials reiterated the NDC’s commitment to be realistic with the populace and deliver on policy objectives to improves lives.

“People say politics is dirty so just tell the people what they want to hear and win power. But we in that NDC are not like that. We have been swallowed by debt. They promised you heaven but what one developmental project can you in point in this constituency since the NDC left office in 2016. The masses are suffering but just a few are enjoying. They think the elections can be bought. They gave 200 each to constituents in Assin North but it didn’t wash. If they bring the money take it nothing will happen to you” he stressed.

John Mahama was speaking at a town hall meeting at Frankadua in the Asuogyaman Constituency as part of his two day Building Ghana Tour of the Eastern Region.

News, Politics

EC must release calendar for 2024 activities now – Omane Boamah

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The Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Edward Omane Boamah has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to immediately release the calendar of activities for the election year.

He also called on the EC to prioritize urgent and essential activities aimed at enhancing the integrity of the December 7, 2024, elections.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Director of Elections for the NDC, Dr Omane Boamah added that going forward, the “EC must be seen to be punishing erring EC officers who rig elections for contestants and the EC must also be punishing the EC officer in Nandom who openly declared his NPP affiliation during last weekend’s NPP primaries.”

He further reiterated that the party did not expect the EC to wait for another election year to reintroduce this significant reform of voting in November.

“The process must end the latest by 2027 to allow political actors enough time in 2028 to concentrate on core concerns in an election year,” he added.

 

Below is his statement;

Few Reasons Why the Electoral Commission Can not hold Elections in November 2024
———————————————————————————–
The overwhelming consensus at the IPAC meeting that the Electoral Commission’s major electoral reforms must be implemented in 2028, not in 2024 is understandable and well thought through.
In addition, we’re all ready to discuss voting on worship days for a workable solution to satisfy people of faith now.
1. The EC waited for seven (7) solid years to pass after 2016 without revisiting this issue only to resurrect the subject of voting in November, when Ghana has just ten (10) clear months to the December 07 presidential and parliamentary elections.
2. At IPAC yesterday, if the political parties had accepted the November proposal, that would have meant Ghana has ONLY eight ( clear months to prepare for the elections.
3. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission’s calendar of programmes and activities for the upcoming elections is not yet ready; hence, could not be released to political parties.
4. Why wait for January to be ending without stakeholders having the electoral calendar for the 2024 elections?
5. Why did the EC not introduce these discussions, adjustments, and amendments in 2017, 2018, 2019, or better still, why not after the 2020 elections? As in, introducing the subject matter in 2021, 2022, and 2023?
6. You don’t wait for an election year to introduce major Electoral Reforms: a year in which the EC has so much to do after an abysmal District Level (Assembly) Elections characterised by postponements after postponements, shortage of ballot papers, some Election officers complicity among others.
7. Recall the chaotic Limited Registration of voters in 2023…
8. Did you know that another voters’ registration exercise must take place this year? Yet, because the EC’s calendar of activities is not ready, we are left guessing
9. Also, recall the frequent breakdown of EC’s equipment and network (system) during the limited registration exercise in 2023, which necessitated shifting to offline registration in some cases. These developments cast some doubts about the procurement of services and equipment and must be investigated and fixed.
10. Besides, to vote for MPs in November, the EC needs amendment of the 1992 constitution, Article 112(4).
11. This amendment of a non-entrentched clause requires two-thirds of MPs to pass, meanwhile the MPs themselves must be in their constituencies for some parts of this year campaigning, and facilitating the registration of voters when the EC finally decides. Not to think of the duration of the process and other germane issues the EC must bring to the front burner.
Going forward:
12. The EC must immediately release the calendar of activities for 2024.
13. The EC must be focusing on urgent and important activities that will enhance the integrity of the December 07, 2024 elections.
14. The EC must be seen to be punishing erring EC officers who rig elections for contestants and the EC must also be punishing the EC officer in Nandom who openly declared his NPP affiliation during last weekend’s NPP primaries.
15. As was made abundantly clear at the IPAC meeting, we do not expect the EC to wait for another election year to reintroduce this major reform of voting in November. The process must end the latest by 2027 to allow political actors enough time in 2028 to concentrate on core concerns
in an election year.
God bless our homeland, Ghana
Source: Myxyzonline.com
News

Ghana stagnates on Corruption Perception Index; scores 43 for the 4th time

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Ghana has scored zero for the fourth consecutive year in fighting corruption, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released today, January 30, 2024, by Transparency International (TI).

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International in its report said, “Ghana scored 43 out of a clean score of 100 and ranked 70th out of 180 countries and territories included in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released today, 30th January 2024 by Transparency International (TI). This marks the fourth consecutive year of stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, as indicated by the CPI.”

Transparency International attributed Ghana’s stagnation to the deteriorating justice system, which it says is reducing the accountability of public officials and therefore allowing corruption to thrive.

“Under the theme for the CPI 2023 – Corruption and Justice, Ghana’s stagnated score highlights a global trend of deteriorating justice systems, which is reducing the accountability of public officials and therefore allowing corruption to thrive.”

“The connection is reinforced by Ghana’s performance in the Rule of Law Index produced by the World Justice Project, which demonstrates a concerning decline. In the 2015 Rule of Law Index, Ghana scored 0.60 and ranked 34, but by 2023, Ghana’s score had decreased to 0.55, with a corresponding drop in ranking to 61.”

GII recommended the Parliament take steps to lay the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill to ensure that provisions on assets declaration require verification and come with severe sanctions for non-compliance.

The Executive should urgently take steps to lay the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill in Parliament ensuring that provisions on assets declaration require verification and come with severe sanctions for non-compliance while GII also calls on the Legislature to attach an equal level of urgency to its timely passage. The Executive and the Legislature must take steps to bridge the legal gaps necessary for the prosecution of selected corruption cases outside our current legal framework. ”

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Politics, Topstory

Mahama will not disappoint Ghanaians – Alhaji Sinare

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A former national vice chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ghana, Ambassador Said Sinare has urged Ghanaians to have faith in the leader of the party, John Mahama, and voted for him in the December polls.

According to the former Ghana Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, unlike President Nana Akufo-Addo who has pushed many Ghanaians into poverty, the flagbearer of the NDC, former president John Mahama will perform better and improve the lives of Ghanaians.

In an interview with Kwame Minkah on Dwaboase on TV XYZ, Alhaji Sinare stated that although John Mahama who is running for president again has only a term to serve when elected, he believes the former president is well prepared to change the situation of the country.

“John will not fail the good people of this great country. When John comes back to power, he will double what he did when he came to power in 2012,” Alhaji Sinare assured.

Asked how a future NDC government will get the ailing economy back on track, the former MP said John Mahama and the party had outlined policies to tackle wastage, corruption and build back the economy.

“It is all about discipline and how you structure your economy,” he said while pointing at the “wastage” in the governance of the NPP and posited that the next NDC government is poised to transform the health sector and others.

He also mentioned that the Mahama administration would make access to healthcare easier by building more health facilities and equip them adequately to save lives.

For instance , he wondered why the dialysis centre in the country is one and in Accra and said the NDC government would make dialysis centres in government hospitals across the country.

Touching on the plans for Zongos, Alhaji Sinare emphasised that although the NDC delivered a lot of projects in Zongo communities, they are committed to continuing the projects when they win the elections in 2024.

He also pointed out that apart from the infrastructure the erstwhile Mahama administration provided for Zongos, the Islamic communities have been abandoned completely under a Vice president who is a Muslim.

“I m a Zongo boy. All the promises the government has made to the Zongo communities, they have failed to fulfil them. Apart from the astro turfs, what have they done?” Alhaji Sinare quizzed. “They have totally failed; they have not done anything for Zongos.”

He added, “We are going to improve their lives, we are going to make sure we put money in peoples’ pockets, we will tackle unemployment in the Zongo communities….And the health facilities for instance, their roads facilities, their schools. These are the basic things the Zongo needs. I know John Mahama will not disappoint.”

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

Busines, News

Momo agent accounts not linked to Ghana Cards to be blocked on Feb. 1

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Electronic Money Issuers (EMIS) across the country have until the end of Wednesday, January 31, 2024, to collaborate with agents to link their accounts with the Ghana Card or TIN or have their SIM cards blocked.

This directive was announced by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in a statement dated January 30, 2024.

According to the chamber, this directive follows multiple extensive engagements with the leadership of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 30, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications noted that “All agent accounts without Ghana Cards will be blocked on the 1 of February 2024.”

The Chamber stated that information about the exercise had been communicated directly to all affected agents through multiple channels over the period.

“We would like to use this press release as a last call-to-action to the agents, by urging them to regularize their operations through the linking of their accounts with their Ghana Cards or TIN if they haven’t already. Failure to do so before the end of Wednesday, January 31, 2024, will lead to the blocking of their accounts,” it added.

In the unfortunate event that an agent’s account is suspended on February 1, 2024, the Chamber said they may visit any of the operator outlets with their Ghana Card or TIN to complete the process.

“We understand the importance of mobile financial services in facilitating financial inclusion and economic growth in the country. We therefore remain committed to taking the needed steps to deliver convenient, secure, and accessible financial services to all Ghanaians,” it added.

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Politics

NPP keeps losing elections in Zongos because of Bawumia’s lies – Sinare

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Former Ghana Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Said Sinare has chastised the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration for neglecting Zongo communities across the country.

Speaking in an interview on Dwaboase on TV XYZ, the former national vice chairman of the NDC pointed out that apart from the infrastructure the erstwhile Mahama administration provided for Zongos, the Islamic communities have been abandoned completely under a Vice president who is a Muslim.

“I m a Zongo boy. All the promises the government has made to the Zongo communities, they have failed to fulfil them. Apart from the astro turfs, what have they done?” Alhaji Sinare quizzed. “They have totally failed; they have not done anything for Zongos.”

He said Dr Bawumia who is the flag bearer of the governing NPP  keeps on lying to the people of Zongos, adding that “Dr Bawumia can lie through his teeth and sometimes I wonder whether he is a true Muslim or not.”

The former MP explained that Zongos were being developed under the Mahama administration although a Ministry was not created to focus on the development of those communities.

“Zongos are deprived communities. They lack schools, they lack good roads, good health centres,” he noted while recounting the developmental projects in Zongo communities.

Alhaji Sinare mentioned that under John Mahama as a Vice President, scholarships were given to persons in Zongos, created jobs for them and built projects for them yet Akufo-Addo who created a ministry for Zongo has not been able to match the projects of the NDC in these communities.

“Why do you think the NDC always win in Zongos? They know the truth; they know that Bawumia is the biggest liar in the world. They know NDC has never failed them,” he added.

Alhaji Sinare emphasised that although the NDC delivered a lot of projects in Zongo communities, they are committed to continuing the projects when they win the elections in 2024.

“We are going to improve their lives, we are going to make sure we put money in peoples’ pockets, we will tackle unemployment in the Zongo communities….And the health facilities for instance, their roads facilities, their schools. These are the basic things the Zongo needs. I know John Mahama will not disappoint,” he assured.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

News

PAC refers National Blood Service to AG over procurement breaches

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has referred the management of the National Blood Service to the Attorney General for prosecution in light of procurement infractions highlighted in the 2022 Auditor General’s report.

The report outlines that the National Blood Service engaged in the procurement of goods and services totalling over GH¢130,000 without following proper procurement procedures, including the solicitation of alternative quotations.

James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of the Committee, made this announcement during the PAC sitting in Accra on Tuesday.

Avedzi emphasized the serious nature of the infractions, particularly the uncompetitive procurement practices observed at the blood service

Addressing the committee, Avedzi stated, “The next infraction is uncompetitive procurement. So there is a challenge at that office where we are doing restrictive tendering without seeking approval. If you want to do procurement, instead of looking for a minimum of three invoices or quotations that one too, you fail to do and this one we don’t have any option than to refer you to the Attorney General for prosecution.”

He further explained the committee’s stance, asserting that they are fulfilling their role in holding accountable those who breach procurement laws.

Avedzi emphasized that the referral to the Attorney General signifies a recognition of the seriousness of the breach and aims to ensure legal consequences for the National Blood Service.

“So we are doing our part, you have breached the procurement law so when you are prosecuted the judges will take a decision on that,” Avedzi affirmed, underscoring the commitment of the committee to upholding accountability and transparency in public procurement processes.

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Politics

Holding 2024 Elections in Nov impossible- Omane Bomah

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The overwhelming consensus at the IPAC meeting that the Electoral Commission’s major electoral reforms must be implemented in 2028, not in 2024 is understandable and well thought through.

In addition, we’re all ready to discuss voting on worship days for a workable solution to satisfy people of faith now.

1. The EC waited for seven (7) solid years to pass after 2016 without revisiting this issue only to resurrect the subject of voting in November, when Ghana has just ten (10) clear months to the December 07 presidential and parliamentary elections.

2. At IPAC yesterday, if the political parties had accepted the November proposal, that would have meant Ghana has ONLY eight (8) clear months to prepare for the elections.

3. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission’s calendar of programmes and activities for the upcoming elections is not yet ready; hence, could not be released to political parties.

4. Why wait for January to be ending without stakeholders having the electoral calendar for the 2024 elections?

5. Why did the EC not introduce these discussions, adjustments, and amendments in 2017, 2018, 2019, or better still, why not after the 2020 elections? As in, introducing the subject matter in 2021, 2022, and 2023?

6. You don’t wait for an election year to introduce major Electoral Reforms: a year in which the EC has so much to do after an abysmal District Level (Assembly) Elections characterised by postponements after postponements, shortage of ballot papers, some Election officers complicity among others.

7. Recall the chaotic Limited Registration of voters in 2023…

8. Did you know that another voters’ registration exercise must take place this year? Yet, because the EC’s calendar of activities is not ready, we are left guessing 🤔

9. Also, recall the frequent breakdown of EC’s equipment and network (system) during the limited registration exercise in 2023, which necessitated shifting to offline registration in some cases. These developments cast some doubts about the procurement of services and equipment and must be investigated and fixed.

10. Besides, to vote for MPs in November, the EC needs amendment of the 1992 constitution, Article 112(4).

11. This amendment of a non-entrentched clause requires two-thirds of MPs to pass, meanwhile the MPs themselves must be in their constituencies for some parts of this year campaigning, and facilitating the registration of voters when the EC finally decides. Not to think of the duration of the process and other germane issues the EC must bring to the front burner.

Going forward:

12. The EC must immediately release the calendar of activities for 2024.

13. The EC must be focusing on urgent and important activities that will enhance the integrity of the December 07, 2024 elections.

14. The EC must be seen to be punishing erring EC officers who rig elections for contestants and the EC must also be punishing the EC officer in Nandom who openly declared his NPP affiliation during last weekend’s NPP primaries.

15. As was made abundantly clear at the IPAC meeting, we do not expect the EC to wait for another election year to reintroduce this major reform of voting in November. The process must end the latest by 2027 to allow political actors enough time in 2028 to concentrate on core concerns
in an election year.

God bless our homeland, Ghana 🇬🇭

#OrganiseDontAgonise

Africa, News

GUTA fears supply chain disruption as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger leave ECOWAS

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The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) is expressing concerns that their supply chain within West Africa may be disrupted soon.

This is due to the latest announcement by three military leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to officially leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three departing countries, currently facing sanctions for overthrowing democratically elected governments, state that their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS is based on inhumane sanctions.

Although there are growing fears of dire economic and food security implications for Ghana, the country’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Boniface Gambilla, says it is too early to make such predictions.

However, the Ghana Union of Traders says their members could be adversely impacted as their main source of supply of onions, tomatoes, and other staples comes from Burkina Faso.

According to the President of the Association, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the departure of these countries could create more hurdles in doing business.

“It will surely have an impact, and we do not know how it’s going to affect the free flow of traffic and humans. The earlier we try to find a solution to this better,” he said.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com