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Small-Scale miners urge organised labour to rethink nationwide strike

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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GNASSM urges Organised Labour to reconsider October 10 strike, stressing alternative solutions to fight illegal mining to protect the economy.

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has made a plea to Organised Labour to reconsider their decision to proceed with a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on October 10.

The strike action by Organised Labour is in response to the government’s failure to address their demands, which include a total ban on small-scale mining and the implementation of a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey.

In an effort to address the escalating situation, the Presidency has extended an invitation to the leadership of Organised Labour for discussions regarding the impending strike.

Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi on October 3, GNASSM expressed apprehensions about the potential negative impact the strike could have on the country’s already fragile economy.

The association emphasized the importance of exploring alternative solutions to tackle the issue of galamsey, rather than resorting to strike actions that could exacerbate economic challenges.

The association called on the government to promptly deploy personnel to water bodies to mitigate the ongoing pollution affecting various water sources.

“We urgently call on the government to dispatch personnel to water bodies to halt the ongoing pollution, and GNASSM stands ready to provide support in any capacity necessary.

Mahama has nothing to do again for Ghanaians- Wontumi

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Chairman Bernard Antwi Boadiako, also known as Wontumi, has downplayed the efforts of John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming elections.

During his speech at the Bantama Big Walk, Wontumi claimed to have visited the Jubilee House, the residence of President Nana Addo, and asserted that former President John Dramani Mahama did not leave behind any significant legacy.

He suggested that this lack of a legacy is a reason for Ghanaians to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, has been vocal about his opinions on former President Mahama’s tenure.

He previously alleged that Mahama would have faced imprisonment if not for President Akufo-Addo’s decision to grant him a presidential pardon, citing corruption scandals such as the Air Bus scandal.

You don’t even take a good bribe- Napo jabs Mahama on car bribe allegation

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has made strong statements regarding the integrity of former President John Dramani Mahama.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has made strong statements regarding the integrity of former President John Dramani Mahama.

During the Big Walk event in the Bantama constituency, NAPO expressed his disappointment, questioning how a sitting president could accept a bribe in the form of a common car.

This remark was in reference to the controversial gift of a Ford Expedition SUV, valued at $10,000, that Mahama received from Burkina Faso contractor Djibrill Kanazoe during his presidency.

NAPO firmly stated that a president involved in such actions does not merit a second chance and encouraged Ghanaians to consider this when casting their votes in the upcoming December 7 elections, suggesting that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would be a more suitable candidate.

He also pointed out Mahama’s inconsistency, highlighting instances where the former president showed disrespect towards clergy but later sought their prayers.

NAPO believes that the NPP’s emphasis on addressing essential issues affecting citizens and its dedication to promoting responsible mining practices position it as the preferred choice for Ghanaians.

Not all hands that pray for you are divine, some are curse- Napo tells Mahama

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Napo criticizes Mahama's hypocrisy, questioning his integrity for seeking to pray with the same priests and imams he previously insulted.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo, has responded to former President John Dramani Mahama’s recent comments about prayers from priests, chiefs, and imams.

Napo criticized Mahama’s apparent hypocrisy, stating, “not all hands that pray for you are divine, some are curse.” This statement came after Mahama suggested that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was not deserving of such prayers.

During the Big Walk at Bantama constituency, Napo highlighted Mahama’s inconsistency, questioning his integrity.

“Just a week ago, you were insulting chiefs and priests for praying for Bawumia and me, and now you’re seeking prayers from them?” Napo pointed out. “You can’t insult them and later seek their prayers.”

Napo’s remarks underscore Mahama’s double standards, raising doubts about his trustworthiness and suitability for leadership.

“This is why Ghanaians cannot trust such a person to lead them,” Napo emphasized.

Kejetia fire victims face challenges to restabilize their businesses

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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kejetia fires

Victims of the Kejetia Fire incident nearly two years ago are still facing challenges in rebuilding their businesses, as millions of their goods were destroyed in the blaze.

Despite not receiving compensation, an amount of 300,000 cedis donated by some politicians to help alleviate their suffering is yet to be disbursed to the victims, leaving the traders in a dire situation after four months.

Nathaniel Boamponsem, the leader of the fire victims, expressed concern that the situation has further exacerbated their already difficult circumstances.

He recounted giving out money for transportation from his own pocket to give some victims, so they could show up for the press conference.

“At times I receive calls from people, those at home, saying Mr. Nat can you help us, the whole of today I’ve not even eaten. At times I have to go out and look for money for those people. It’s not easy for them. Its not easy,” he told Bayaga Fatawu on In Business.

At a press conference in June this year together with leaders of the Combined Kejetia Traders Association, the group among other things demanded the immediate release of the money.

However, 4 months down the line, the traders may have to wait a little longer.

Promises by the city authorities to also fix the section of the market engulfed by the fire nearly two years ago have proven futile.

The Fire Victims at the Kejetia market are calling on government to assist in alleviating their sufferings, if not life will continue to be difficult for them.

By Nelly Takyiwa Boateng

Reuben Ameh criticizes Effiduase MP for defending “galamsey” fight

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Secretary of the Combined Kejetia Traders Association, Reuben Ameh, has called out the Effiduase Asokore‘s Member of Parliament, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, for stating that the government will not halt Galamsey activities.

During the launch of the party’s Volunteer group in Kumasi, the lawmaker mentioned that the ruling party would not put a stop to illegal mining as it could impact their electoral success.

In response, during an interview on the Orange Sunrise, Ameh expressed that the MP should have prioritized the well-being of citizens over political considerations.

Mr. Ameh stated that,
“We have no knowledge of where the food sold at the Atasomanso market comes from or whether it’s been impacted by the effects of illegal mining (Galamsey). It pains me deeply that an elected Member of Parliament would claim that a ruling party and a government in power would permit foreign individuals to engage in such destructive Galamsey activities and wait so long to address the issue.

“Our roads are ruined, our water bodies polluted, and the damage is already done,” he added.

The Effiduase Asokore MP made remarks on the galamsey menace citing that the government would not halt galamsey activities in thr country during an NPP campaign rally in the

Source: Obikyere Abigail Seyram

Ahafo Ano South West: NDC battles NPP over party branding on DRIP equipment

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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There is a disagreement between the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ashanti Region.

The dispute revolves around the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP)equipment, with the NDC questioning the presence of the governing party’s posters on the machines.

In response, some NDC members have covered portions of the equipment with their party’s posters in an attempt to level the playing field.

Iddrisu Amidu, Ahafo Ano South West NDC constituency Deputy Youth Organiser shared his concerns with some journalists who were present at the scene.

“This district assembly building was constructed under the NDC, but we didn’t put any of our posters on it because we recognized it was funded by taxpayers’ money. So why has the NPP pasted their posters on the DRIP equipment? The equipment was purchased using the Common Fund, which belongs to every citizen in the country. That’s why we came here this morning to paste our posters on the machines as a response to the NPP’s actions.”

He further said, “although we did not remove the NPP’s posters before placing ours, the NPP is now taking down our posters. As a result, we will announce our next course of action soon”.

“We’ve heard that NPP supporters are removing our posters, even though we didn’t remove theirs. We, the NDC, know what to do next, but we won’t disclose our next course of action publicly,” he stated.

Attempts to get response from the leadership of the NPP in the constituency have been unsuccessful.

Source: Obikyere Abigail Seyram

Hubtel denies receiving $25M payment from ECG

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Hubtel, a prominent technology company in partnership with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has firmly refuted allegations that it was paid $25 million for its work on the PowerApp software.

In a statement addressing what it described as “false claims” from certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media commentators, Hubtel clarified that it has not received the said amount.

The company explained that the $25 million figure was only an estimated budget set by ECG’s Board of Directors at the project’s outset.

So far, around $12 million of the projected $25 million has been spent on upgrading outdated systems and improving ECG’s operations, including the development of the PowerApp.

Hubtel also responded to accusations that it receives 3% of the value of electricity purchased by ECG customers.

Hubtel clarified that it charges a fee of 1.95% on all transactions processed through its payment platform for merchants and retailers, with Hubtel’s actual share being 0.95%.

The company also addressed reports suggesting that ECG’s revenues had not improved since Hubtel’s involvement.

It argued that, as of the time of the statement, ECG has experienced an average monthly revenue growth of over 210% compared to August 2022, which it credited to Hubtel’s contributions and the work of new commercial system providers.

According to Hubtel, this represents the longest sustained period of monthly revenue growth in ECG’s history.

SOURCE : Obikyere Abigail Seyram

Teacher unions cancel demo following dialogue with Education Minister

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The leadership of pre-tertiary Teacher Unions in Ghana has reached a unanimous decision to suspend their planned protest, initially set for Tuesday, October 1, in the Greater Accra Region.

This decision followed extensive talks on Monday, September 30, between union leaders, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) in Accra.

During the discussions, the Education Minister addressed the unions’ grievances, which had prompted their decision to stage the demonstration.

On the matter of allowances for teachers in underprivileged areas, Dr. Adutwum presented documents from the Ministry of Education, indicating that steps were being taken to process payments, following data verification by the GES and authorization by the Ministry of Finance.

The Minister further informed the unions that the government had honored its commitment to double the Professional Development Allowance (PDA), with the increased payments already disbursed in September.

Present at the discussions were representatives from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-GH), alongside the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

After the meeting, the union leaders encouraged their members to stand down from participating in the planned protest, assuring them that their concerns were being addressed adequately.

In an earlier press release on August 27, the unions raised several unresolved matters from the Collective Agreement signed on May 24, 2024.

Among these were the commencement of talks on the Deprived Area Allowance, which was expected to begin within one month of the agreement, and the resolution of promotions from Deputy Director (DD) to Director II (DII) and Director I (DI) by September 2024.

The unions also voiced their dissatisfaction with other pressing issues, including 12 months’ worth of arrears in Tier-2 pension contributions, and challenges with the Public Services Commission (PSC) involving delays in upgrades, problems with reinstatement, and demotion in ranks.

SOURCE: Obikyere Abigail Seyram

A/R: GHS expresses worry over rising measles cases

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Health authorities in the Ashanti Region are deeply concerned by the significant rise in measles and rubella cases, which have increased by over 100 percent in the last two years.

Despite intensified efforts by officials to control the spread, the numbers continue to grow. In 2021, only four cases were recorded, escalating to 24 in 2022 and 79 in 2023.

As of 2024, a worrying 119 cases have been reported.

Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the incoming Director of the Ghana Health Service in the Ashanti Region, attributed this rise to gaps in vaccine coverage.

He made this statement at the launch of a supplementary measles and rubella vaccination campaign, set to run from October 2 to October 6, 2024.

“As the number of unvaccinated children increases, the risk of outbreaks becomes very high. If you recall, last year we saw a surge in measles cases, especially in the northern regions and even here. The complications of measles and rubella are severe and costly to treat,” he said.

“You never know who may be at risk, and I’m sure no parent wants their child to suffer from blindness or deafness. This is an opportunity to vaccinate your child against measles and rubella,” he added.

SOURCE: Obikyere Abigail Seyram

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