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Ghana4mma Association supports KATH with essential Sickle Cell medication

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Ghana4mma Association, a France-based organization of Ghanaian nationals, has donated 30 units of L-Glutamine to patients with sickle cell disease at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Leading the donation effort, Godwin Kwabena Kwaahye Benefo, president and founder of Ghana4mma, noted that the struggles of sickle cell patients are often-overlooked hence the need to support them.

“We chose to support these patients because they are frequently neglected when organizations make donations to save lives,” he said.

Mr. Benefo further stressed the disparity in attention and resources allocated to treating malaria, cancer, AIDS, and other diseases, while sickle cell patients are mostly ignored despite the high cost of their medication.

He appealed to the government and citizens to contribute in supporting sickle cell treatment centers, noting the importance of saving lives.

The donation was sponsored by Osei Homeda Amos, a France-based craftsman and pharmaceutical shop owner.

Dialysis Machines Secured By Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Mr. Amos chose to donate the medication instead of selling it, citing the high mortality rate among sickle cell patients due to the expensive treatments.

“Health is essential, and I want to make a difference by saving lives,” he said.

Mr. Amos encouraged others, particularly those in the diaspora, to join the effort and donate to save lives.

The Ghana4mma Association’s generosity has brought hope to patients and families affected by sickle cell disease, serving as a call to action for collective support.

Georgina Efua Sam, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, expressed her gratitude for the humanitarian action taken by the Ghana4mma association.

She called on philanthropists to also come on board to donate and save lives, as the hospital play a critical role in serving 12 regions out of Ghana’s 16 regions.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Faces Charges Over Alleged Criminal Activity on Platform

By
Ivy Hollys
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panel durov

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram and a French citizen, is facing legal charges in France over claims that the messaging app has been used to facilitate criminal activities.

 The charges include allegations that Telegram has failed to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and has been used for various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and calls for violence. 

Durov avoided jail time by posting a €5 million bail but has been ordered to stay in France, report to the police twice a week, and cooperate with the investigation, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

The 39-year-old billionaire, originally from Russia, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday. His arrest comes amid growing concerns about Telegram’s role in enabling criminal behavior, sparking debates about the balance between free speech and the responsibility of tech platforms to monitor content.

French authorities have been conducting an extensive investigation into the messaging app’s moderation practices, which has drawn attention to Telegram’s global user base of around one billion people.

 Law enforcement agencies around the world have closely monitored Telegram for its alleged use by terrorist organizations, drug cartels, arms dealers, and extremist groups.

In response to the charges, Telegram released a statement affirming its commitment to European Union laws and insisting that its moderation practices are “within industry standards and continually improving.” 

The company defended Durov, stating that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its CEO accountable for the misuse of the service by others.

Durov, who is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and resides in Dubai, is known for his libertarian views and minimal moderation approach. 

Despite his stance, Durov has emphasized that Telegram does not tolerate child abuse material or public incitements to violence, which he described as “red lines” in a rare interview with the Financial Times in March.

About Durov

Though Durov’s public profile is relatively low compared to other tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, his arrest has thrust him into the spotlight. 

He has built a reputation for promoting a minimalist, ascetic lifestyle on social media and has openly discussed his personal life, including a recent claim of fathering more than 100 children through sperm donation.

Durov’s legal troubles in France are compounded by his past conflicts with the Russian government. After refusing to comply with Kremlin demands to shut down opposition groups on VK, a social network he founded at 22, Durov left Russia in 2014. 

He later sold VK and focused on growing Telegram, which he co-founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013. Despite Russia’s attempt to ban Telegram in 2018, the ban was lifted after Durov reportedly agreed to cooperate with Russian authorities on combating terrorism.

Although Durov has portrayed himself as a Russian exile, leaked data has suggested that he visited Russia over 50 times between 2015 and 2021, fueling speculation about his ties to the Kremlin. Russian officials have labeled his arrest in France as politically motivated, a claim denied by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The circumstances surrounding Durov’s arrest have raised questions, including whether he was aware of the arrest warrant issued by French authorities. According to Le Monde, Durov had met with Macron on several occasions before obtaining French citizenship in 2021 through a special procedure for individuals who have made significant contributions to France. 

Reports from The Wall Street Journal also indicate that Macron had previously suggested Durov relocate Telegram’s headquarters to Paris, an offer Durov reportedly declined.

Assurance Committee Meeting: Banter between Oppong Nkrumah and Ablakwa

By
Ivy Hollys
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committee meeting: ablakwa vs kojo oppong

Tensions rose during today’s sitting of the Parliamentary Assurance Committee as a heated exchange ensued, between Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Chairman Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. 

The controversy erupted during the Assurance Committee of Parliament’s session over concerns about the government’s delay in completing housing units for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage. 

Mr. Ablakwa was questioning the Minister about what he described as the government’s poor attitude, toward addressing the suffering of those displaced by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

“This is not a matter that we reduce to political football, deflection, and red herrings as you are trying to do today. Its been a year. People are living in distress, people are devastated. Your contractors, after their late arrival, are even behind schedule.”

“When can this committee see your ministry prioritizing the plight of the victims of the VRA spillage?” he quizzed.

Chairman Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s remarks, deeming them inappropriate and demanding a formal apology.

Minister Oppong Nkrumah, however, defended his stance, questioning if he was not allowed to address the issues raised and defend himself against the accusations. 

In response, Mr. Ablakwa insisted that the Minister’s comments crossed a line and emphasized that a retraction and apology were necessary, in line with parliamentary standing orders.

Ablakwa stated, “Honourable Minister, you will be well advised to watch your diction. You will be well advised. You will be well advised. I will not take that. To suggest that I am using this position as a bully pulpit.”

“You have to retract that because that is not what I am doing here. You must retract and apologise. I am well within my standing orders. You have to retract that. You have to retract and apologise,” he stated.

But Mr. Nkrumah questioned if it was acceptable for the chairman of the committee to accuse him of being insincere and deflecting without allowing him the right to respond or share a different view.

He emphasised his right to respond if something bad was said about him. “It is okay for the chairman of the committee and the committee to accuse the minister of being insincere, of deflecting, and I do not have the right to answer?.”

“…If you choose to accuse me of insincerity, of introducing red herrings of deflecting, that is not about the people. That is you accusing me and if you are accusing me I must have a right to respond.”

As the tension rose, Mr. Ablakwa retorted, “This is my committee, you don’t come here and dictate. I am the chair of this committee.”

The Housing Minister continued; “When you announce to the whole republic that the military had been asked to withdraw from the Volta Region, chairman, that wasn’t sincere.”

“Because the military had not been asked to withdraw from the entire Volta Region. They had been asked to move from one place to the other.”

There were further heated exchanges between the two.

Starlink Reveals Satellite Internet Pricing For Ghanaian Market

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Starlink

Elon Musk’s highly anticipated satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially announced its pricing for the Ghanaian market, marking a significant step toward revolutionizing internet access in the country. According to the newly released pricing details, Ghanaians will need GH¢5,390 to set up the Starlink hardware with a monthly subscription fee of GH¢770. The service aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet via orbiting satellites, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional internet providers.

For ease of payment, Starlink has integrated MTN and AirtelTigo mobile money options, allowing prospective customers to conveniently pay for the hardware and monthly subscription fees.

In addition to the individual plans, Starlink is offering a service plan tailored to businesses, starting at GH¢1,078 per month with a hardware cost of GH¢44,275. This package is designed to meet the demands of businesses that require fast and reliable internet to keep their operations running smoothly.

The rollout of Starlink in Ghana follows the completion of all administrative and licensing procedures by the National Communications Authority (NCA). Earlier this year, the NCA announced that Starlink had been given the green light to operate under the name Space X Starlink GH LTD, bringing hope for better internet reliability in the wake of disruptions caused by underwater cable cuts.

Starlink

With Ghana joining other African nations like Nigeria, Mozambique, and Rwanda in welcoming Starlink, the service is poised to enhance internet connectivity across the continent. Future expansions are expected in Egypt, Benin, Senegal, Kenya, Togo, and Tanzania.

The response to Starlink’s pricing has been overwhelmingly positive. Yaw Antwi, a producer for the Building Bytes podcast, says that the pricing is fair considering the service’s benefits. Likewise, George Appiah, a strategic technology consultant, expressed his excitement, sharing that he placed a pre-order deposit back in April 2021, eagerly anticipating this moment. “I always told my colleagues I wouldn’t believe Starlink is live in Ghana until I got an invitation to purchase a kit. That day has finally come,” he shared. With Starlink’s official launch, the future of internet access in Ghana is looking faster and brighter.

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GFA Exam: Ghanaian Referees Perform Poorly

By
Ivy Hollys
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GFA: Ghana Referees

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has expressed disappointment over the poor performance of certain Ghanaian referees in the FA’s theory tests.

Kurt Okraku revealed that some referees, despite being experienced officials in the Ghana Premier League, scored as low as 3.5% in the assessment.

He made these remarks during his speech at the Association’s 30th Ordinary Congress in Prampram on Tuesday, August 27.

“It is sad to note that results from the theory test conducted by the GFA on refereeing have been extremely poor. Think about it: if we do not know the laws of the game and they are not at our fingertips, how do we implement or interpret the laws of the game?” Okraku fumed.

“I have charged the referees manager and the Referees Association of Ghana to be up to date on this identified problem. Knowledge levels on the laws of the game are too poor, and it’s not something we have to accept because it’s not okay,”

“When referees who have officiated in the GPL get as low as 20%, some getting as low as 3.5%, then you should know and understand that we have a problem.”

In related events, while addressing the media in Sunyani some weeks ago, Kurt Okraku said the GFA is aiming to improve refereeing in the country and would, therefore, be rolling out some strategies.

He noted that the implementation of the VAR technology was likely to begin in the Ghana Premier League before being implemented in other competitions.

“We are going to introduce VAR into our football. Whatever we will do to introduce VAR into football, we will, as part of our overall strategy for improving refereeing starting from our GPL, we will. It’s coming,” Okraku said.

VAR was used in Ghana for the first time during the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff first-leg game between the Black Stars and Nigeria in Kumasi.

John Mahama Discloses Plans For His 24-Hour Economy Policy

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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24-Hour Economy Policy

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has laid out a bold strategy to drive economic growth and support a 24-hour economy should he win the 2024 presidential election. Speaking at the party’s manifesto launch in Winneba on August 24, 2024, Mahama revealed a comprehensive plan to boost key sectors like security, infrastructure, and energy, aimed at creating a more dynamic and efficient business environment.

Mahama’s vision centers on creating an economy that operates round the clock, with strategic investments in infrastructure and security to ensure businesses can thrive safely and efficiently. The introduction of a ‘Time-of-use’ tariff system will provide businesses with cheaper electricity during off-peak hours, helping to reduce operational costs and encourage extended business hours.

In addition to infrastructure and energy, Mahama also promised significant tax incentives and financial support for businesses. He outlined plans to work with the Ghana EXIM Bank to provide financial assistance to industries like agro-processing and manufacturing, boosting exports and solidifying the country’s industrial base.

24-Hour Economy Policy

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are set to receive substantial backing, with promises of investments to help them expand, create jobs, and contribute more to the national economy. According to Mahama, these measures will alleviate the financial pressures on businesses, allowing them to grow rapidly.

The NDC flagbearer also reiterated his stance on removing the 10% betting tax and revisiting the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). Mahama, who has long criticized these taxes for stifling growth, emphasized his commitment to exploring alternatives that would ease the burden on citizens and businesses alike.

Furthermore, Mahama pledged to revive collapsed banks and financial institutions, believing that their restoration would create more jobs and stimulate the economy. His plan aims to foster a business-friendly environment that will not only drive production but also boost demand for goods and services across various sectors.

With these promises, Mahama is positioning himself as a champion of economic reform, ready to tackle the challenges facing Ghana and ensure businesses have the support they need to thrive in a 24-Hour Economy Policy.

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Ghana’s Cocoa Industry Faces Crisis: CFAG Urges Emergency Measures

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ghana's Cocoa Industry

The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana (CFAG) has raised an urgent alarm over the worsening financial crisis affecting the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), putting Ghana’s cocoa industry at risk.

In a dramatic call for action, CFAG is demanding a state of emergency to address the dire situation, urging the government, industry stakeholders, and international partners to intervene before the sector collapses.

Farmer General Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu, the convener of CFAG, highlighted the severity of the crisis in a statement released on August 22, 2024. “COCOBOD, the entity responsible for buying cocoa from our farmers, is grappling with severe financial troubles,” the statement read. “This crisis jeopardizes the livelihoods of over 800,000 cocoa farmers, many of whom rely solely on cocoa for their income.”

The CFAG warns that COCOBOD’s inability to purchase cocoa due to its financial woes could spell disaster for the entire industry, which plays a vital role in Ghana’s economy. A 2020 COCOBOD study estimates that the average annual income for a cocoa farmer is around GHS 2,500 (approximately $400 USD). According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Ghana’s cocoa sector represents about 20% of the nation’s GDP.

The current financial instability threatens not only the farmers’ livelihoods but also Ghana’s broader economic stability. To counter this crisis, CFAG proposes creating a Cocoa Bank, which would be funded by a nationwide fundraising campaign with a target of $5 billion. This new institution would secure the necessary funds to purchase cocoa from farmers, ensuring fair prices and stabilizing the industry.

CFAG calls on the government, political parties, stakeholders, and the international community to support this critical initiative. The association has even requested that political parties suspend their campaign activities to focus on resolving this urgent crisis.

CFAG believes that a united front is essential to safeguard the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry and protect the many lives that depend on it.

John Mahama Vows to Abolish E-Levy, COVID Levy, and More if Elected

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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John Mahama

John Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 election, has made bold promises aimed at easing the financial burden on Ghanaians. If elected, Mahama pledges to eliminate several taxes within his first 100 days in office, including the controversial E-Levy, the COVID levy, the 10% tax on bet winnings, and the Emissions Levy. These, he believes, are necessary steps to alleviate hardships and cut business costs across the country.

“We will scrap these draconian taxes within our first 100 days in office to reduce the high cost of living and doing business: E-levy, COVID levy, 10% levy on bet winnings, and the Emissions levy,” Mahama assured.

Mahama also plans to reform Ghana’s VAT regime, promising to reverse the VAT flat rate system to ease the financial strain on households and businesses. He emphasized his goal to rationalize port fees to reduce the burden on importers and everyday Ghanaians. Additionally, he vowed to apply the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy to fuel to cushion consumers from rising fuel costs.

Furthermore, John Mahama intends to overhaul VAT policies, including reversing the decoupling of GETFund and NHIL from VAT and repealing VAT on domestic electricity consumption. These reforms, he says, will offer critical relief to small businesses and households across the nation.

In a related move, Mahama also stated his intent to undo name changes made to universities during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure, arguing that these changes do not reflect the core mandates of the institutions. This announcement adds to his growing list of promises as he sets his sights on reclaiming the presidency in 2024.

Like, comment in the box below, and share on all our social media platforms. For more updates on international news, local news, business, elections, sports, and exciting discussions, tune in to Orange FM 1079

Hon Woyome Calls for Probing of the $4.5m Spent at the African Games

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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African Games

Honourable Kobena Mensah Woyome, Member of Parliament for South Tongu, has raised concerns over the $4.5 million spent on the African Games management system and media accreditation, which were hosted in Ghana between February and March 2024. As a ranking member of the Youth, Sports, and Culture Committee in Parliament, Woyome has called for an investigation into the funds used during the multi-sport event.

This revelation comes amidst growing scrutiny over the expenditure for the African Games, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports already under fire after a dispute with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation regarding a $3.6 million payment for coverage of the event.

In a previous statement, Woyome also highlighted that $15 million was reportedly spent on feeding athletes throughout the 18-day tournament. Speaking to Joy FM, the MP expressed disbelief over the expenses, particularly the hefty sum allocated for the games management system and media accreditation, which failed to meet the usual continental standards.

“The cost of putting together the games management system and media accreditation…we spent $4.5 million, but what exactly did we get? Even journalists covering the event didn’t receive the proper accreditation tags,” Woyome explained. “I’ve written to ATOS for answers.”

African Games

Ghana successfully hosted thousands of athletes from across Africa, with fierce competition between countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Ghana itself. However, the controversy surrounding the tournament’s finances has cast a shadow over the event’s success, prompting calls for transparency.

Earlier, Woyome also questioned the $15 million spent on meals for the athletes during the two-week championship in Accra.  He stressed the need for accountability, especially in light of the conflicting reports on the tournament’s finances from various government bodies.

As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to clarify the spending and provide answers on how such massive sums were allocated during the African Games.

Like, comment in the box below, and share on all our social media platforms. For more updates on international news, local news, business, elections, sports, and exciting discussions, tune in to Orange FM 1079

Mahama Vs Wontumi on Mining in Forest Reserves

By
Ivy Hollys
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wontumi vs mahama: mining in forest reserves

The NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, among other promises, has pledged to amend the law to end the cycle of indiscriminate mining in forest reserves.

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama, says that if elected into office, he will amend the law to end the cycle of indiscriminate mining in forest reserves.

According to him, forest reserves are currently being taken over by illegal mining, which has contaminated water sources and affected crop production.

This, he said, was a threat to human existence since it might probably be left for the next generation if this is not checked.

He threatened to kick Akonta Mining from mining in forest reserves. This pledge has generated a reaction from the owner of Akonta mining company, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly called Chairman Wontumi. 

Mr. Wontumi, who is also the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, argues that Mr. Mahama’s quest for power is to avenge his enemies. He said, “You want to win to avenge your enemies. Anything concerning Ashanti, you don’t like it.” 

Chairman Wontumi further argued that the difference between illegal mining and legitimate mining is documentation, and for a businessman of his calibre, acquiring legal documents is not a problem.

He further challenged the NDC flagbearer to push him out of the forest reserve if he could.

“Can you push Wontumi? Even illegal and legal, what is the difference? The difference is a document. So, as a veteran miner, I don’t know how to get documents done?” He challenged.

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