The leadership of Teacher Unions at the Pre-tertiary level of education in the country have unanimously agreed to suspend its intended demonstration scheduled to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Greater Accra region.
The suspension of the demonstration follows hours of meeting with the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the leadership of the Ghana Education Service and the leaders of the Teacher Unions in Accra on Monday.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum Education Minister
After listening to the leadership of the Unions, the Education Minister explained to them the state of the various issues that have led to the Union’s decision to embark on a demonstration.
On the issue of the payment of allowances for teachers in deprived areas, the Minister made available documents from his Ministry to the Ministry of Finance preparing to effect the payment following the validation of data from the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The Education Minister also informed the Unions to them that, the government had fulfilled its promise by increasing by 100 per cent the Professional Development Allowance (PDA) and also effecting the payment in September.
Present at the meeting were the leaders of the Teachers Unions, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of +Concern Teachers (CCT-GH and management of the Ghana Education Service.
Leadership of the Unions urged their members to stay away from the said demonstration since their issues were being addressed to their satisfaction.
Members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bosome-Freho Constituency, a key constituency with deep cracks and divisions among its leadership, have finally smoked the peace pipe, with a promise to work in unison to ‘break the 8’.
Despite several efforts by party stalwarts to bring lasting solutions to the constituency, the high level of entrenched positions by a former Distict Chief Executive (DCE), Yaw Danso; the current DCE, Kofi Adu-Amoateng; as well as Constituency Chairman, Patrick Kwaku Frimpong, have been a major hindrance to such efforts.
Some scenes from the meeting
The party’s Council of Elders and patrons have had a series of engagements aimed at resolving some teething issues among the aforementioned persons in the constituency but have yielded no concrete results.
However, on Monday, 30th September 2024, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, during his tour of the constituency, engaged the leaders to look beyond personal interests and forge ahead in delivering a historic landslide electoral victory for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and parliamentary candidate (PC) for the constituency.
After a series of talks, Yaw Danso, the former DCE, took the stage and told the party he cannot disrespect the Regional Chairman, and that he had let go all disputes against the constituency.
The acceptance and submission to peace by Yaw Danso is his first public acceptance.
Prior to the 2016 victory, Yaw Danso, a vociferous former organiser, had a section of the constituency on his side, and he is now ready to let peace prevail within the party.
He gave an assurance of his total support and commitment to the PC, Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, and all key stakeholders to team up for the greater good of the party and the constituency.
Giving further credence to the unity, the current Constituency Chairman, Patrick Kwaku Frimpong, embraced Yaw Danso as a sign of peace and unity, with the current DCE also following suit.
He also assured of working wholeheartedly with all to achieve his electoral target.
The icing on the cake was when these key party stakeholders engaged in a hearty embrace with constituency executives and other members of the party; a gesture that was welcomed by the Regional Chairman’s team.
Satisfied by the show of love and forgiveness, Chairman Wontumi was grateful to all factions for understanding the essence of smoking the peace pipe. He gave an assurance that he would personally ensure the constituency got the needed support to augment their renewed desire to ‘break the 8’ together.
The Regional Chairman’s tour of the constituency is the 20th, and he will be meeting with community leaders in the constituency, embark on a meet-and-greet campaign to sell the policies of the party to them.
The Regional Chairman is in the Bosome-Freho Constituency with the party’s former First Vice Chairman, Kwabena Nsenkyere; Beatrice Owusu, a regional campaign team member, among other high-profile party members.
The leadership of the National Service Personnel Association last Friday held a very successful election in Koforidua to elect new leaders.
The election brought together all sixty regional executives of the National Service Personnel Association and various stakeholders.
Among other issues, the congress aimed to address pressing issues in the National Service sector through meaningful discussions, idea-sharing, exploring innovative solutions and electing new executives for the 2024-25 service year.
The newly elected executives include Mr Amuaku Andy as National President, Justice Tetteh as the General Secretary, Reuben Nketiah as Financial Secretary, Ibrahim Arafat as Organizing Secretary and Christabel Seyram Agbley as Women’s Commissioner.
The successful NASPA national election marks a significant milestone in the association’s history due to its critical role and expectations from those elected in the annals of NASPA.
In his appreciation remarks, Mr. Amuaku Andy as National President, expressed his gratitude to the members for electing him to lead them.
He also praised the Director-General of the National Service Authority Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, for his commitment to the association and those who have the activities of NASPA at heart.
The President pledged to work hard to bring about development among the personnel and the nation as a whole.
It is hoped that the newly elected executives will effectively represent the interests and wills of the members, paving the way for a brighter future for NASPA, especially in times when most student elections have failed to be successful, specifically the USAG and NUGS congresses which have been taken to emergency after several controversies preventing the election of new executives.
Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the running mate to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for election 2024, has pledged that an NDC government would focus on teaching those engaged in galamsey [Illegal mining] to do their work in a way that does not pollute waters.
Speaking at an NDC event in Amenfi Central in the Western North Region last Saturday, Prof Opoku Agyemang accused the current government of failing to create employment opportunities for the youth, which, she argues, has left many young people in rural areas with no option but to turn to galamsey.
“In Amenfi and other towns like it, galamsey is rampant, causing serious harm to the environment. But what choice do the youth have when there are no jobs? They are forced to turn to illegal mining as their only option for survival,” she said.
“We know galamsey is happening here in Amenfi. Where are the galamseyers? She asked as the crowd responded.
“It’s not today we discovered gold in Ghana, and galamsey has been around for a long time. But if the government destroys the few jobs in town and doesn’t create new ones, what are the youth supposed to do?”
Professor Opoku Agyemang explained that her visit to the community was to bring “good news” and offer hope through practical solutions.
She emphasised the need for responsible mining practices, adding that where galamsey is practised without polluting water bodies, the NDC plans to step in to train the youth on how to mine sustainably, thereby safeguarding their health, the environment, and their future.
“The youth need jobs, and if galamsey is what they will continue to do, then they should be taught how to do it safely and without destroying their communities. We have come here with good intentions, to show a better way,” she added.
Meanwhile, Dr Ayew Afriyie, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore and Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, has stated that the government will not ban galamsey.
He argued that such a ban would be politically risky for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as many constituents in mining communities depend on the industry for their livelihoods.
“We won’t ban galamsey today or tomorrow, Dr Afriyie declared. He also blamed the worsening environmental damage on foreign nationals involved in illegal mining, accusing the opposition NDC of importing these individuals to advance their political agenda.
“The NDC saw that we [NPP] were winning the seats in the mining areas, so they decided to go and import foreigners to engage in illegal mining on our water bodies. The whole water bodies have not been a problem until now, it just started one month ago. It is someone behind that to force the NPP government to stop galamsey so that we will lose the seats. We won’t stop them [Galamseyers] today or tomorrow.”
He also criticised what he described as hypocritical media coverage, stating, “Is galamsey done in Accra? They should come to Kumasi to demonstrate against galamsey; like they will see,” he said.
Some civil society groups have called on the leaders of the two main political parties to take a clear stance against illegal mining to prove their commitment to tackling the menace should they win power at the polls in December.
The Electoral Commission has urged all stakeholders attending Tuesday’s crucial IPAC meeting to come along with evidence and data supporting any discrepancies or concerns they may have with the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
According to the EC, this will help ensure that all stakeholders can work together to address any outstanding issues and concerns with the Register.
The Commission made this appeal while insisting that, to date, the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) has not provided any data on the discrepancies for which reason the party has requested a forensic audit of the PVR, despite repeated requests from the Commission.
The Commission is therefore expecting that the NDC and other Stakeholders will make their data available during the IPAC meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, ahead of the IPAC Meeting, the Commission has reiterated the fact that production of the Final Voters Register is a process, not an event.
The Commission therefore assured the general public and all stakeholders that it remains open and committed to working with IPAC to address all concerns about the register.Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, HE Hajia Samira Bawumia, will on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024, visit the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Ashanti Region, to begin her campaign tour in the region ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
She will tour the region and visit (20)constituencies for phase one alongside the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The tour which will end on the Tuesday, 15th October, 2024, will commence with a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom II, at the Manhyia Palace. She will also have various engagements with the various traditional authorities, religious leaders, opinion leaders and other interest groups in the various constituencies as part of her tour.
In view of this, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party has constituted a nine (9) man committee to oversee preparations ahead of the tour. The committee which is chaired by the Member of Parliament for the Offinso North Constituency, Hon. Augustine Collins Ntim, has other members such as Martin Ameyaw as its Secretary, the Member of Parliament for the Asokwa Constituency, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei and the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser of the Party, Nana Ama Ampomah.
Other members include; the Ashanti Regional Nasara Coordinator for the Party, Alhaji Saalim Bamba, the Regional Treasurer of the Party, Hajia Zainab Sallow, Madam Eva Osei Poku, Oheneba Serwaa Bonsu and Beatrice Owusu
For the past 10 years, I, Kwame Tanko, have earnestly served my employer who has been more than a father to me, Dr. Kwaku Oteng, Founder and President of Angel Group of Companies; the highly respected listeners of Angel fm 96.1 MHz; and my fans across the globe.
Today, I announce to the world I have parted ways with Angel Broadcasting Network.
Kwame Tanko
During my stay with ABN I made a lot of friends some even became family….I will miss you all.
Happily, I am beginning a new page of my media career with a new and promising media company, in Kumasi.
Announcement soon…….
Thank you, Dr. Kwaku Oteng for your support.
To the former CEO of ABN Teflon Don Bronzy…I appreciate all the advice and support…You will always have a special place in my heart.
At a landmark press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre, Alan Kyerematen, presidential candidate for the Afrafranto Alliance, together with his running mate, Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD) and other senior partners of Afrafranto Alliance, unveiled a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at eradicating illegal mining (Galamsey) in Ghana.
This ambitious blueprint, which he presented on Sunday, 29th September 2024, signals a new approach to tackling one of the country’s most pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Mr Kyerematen began his address by acknowledging the devastation that Galamsey has caused across Ghana, describing it as an “existential threat” to the nation. He painted a grim picture of the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands, calling it the result of decades of poor governance and policy failure by both the NPP and NDC governments. “The two dominant political parties have demonstrated that they neither have the competence, desire, nor political will to address Galamsey,” Kyerematen stated.
The cornerstone of Alan Kyerematen’s plan is a one-year complete ban on all small-scale and community mining activities, both legal and illegal. This moratorium, he explained, would provide a necessary pause to assess and reset the country’s mining practices. The ban would be coupled with the demobilization of all mining machinery, which would be inventoried and stored by the military’s 48 Engineer’s Regiment.
Alan Kyerematen’s plan also calls for an aggressive restoration campaign. During the one-year ban, efforts will be made to restore Ghana’s degraded river bodies and farmlands. The Water Resources Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies will oversee this massive environmental clean-up effort.
The forestry sector will lead a plantation development initiative to rejuvenate damaged ecosystems, ensuring that the land is fully restored before any mining activities can resume.
Another bold move in Mr Kyerematen’s proposal is the cancellation of all small-scale mining licenses issued in the past 15 years. According to him, a comprehensive audit of these licenses is necessary to uncover corruption, illegal issuance, and non-compliance with mining regulations. “We must correct the errors of the past to build a sustainable future,” he remarked.
Mr Kyerematen’s vision for the future of mining in Ghana includes a shift to responsible mining practices. His plan introduces a new Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative, which will transform young people previously involved in Galamsey into legal, environmentally-conscious miners. These youth-owned companies will receive seed funding, mining equipment, concession and managerial and technical support from the government, allowing them to operate commercially viable, sustainable mining ventures on a work-and-pay basis.
The Afrafranto leader also proposed the establishment of Citizens Mining Protection Rights Groups in mining communities. These watchdogs would ensure that all mining activities are conducted responsibly, with local communities playing an active role in monitoring compliance with environmental standards and regulations. One of the most hard-hitting aspects of the 10-point plan is Mr Kyerematen’s proposed legislation that would impose life imprisonment for those found guilty of mining in river bodies or forest reserves. He stressed that the stakes are too high to allow leniency in such cases, insisting that only stringent measures will deter future illegal mining when a comprehensive legal pathway has been created for responsible legal mining.
Alan Kyerematen underscored that this short-term strategy is only part of a broader vision encapsulated in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP).
Over the medium to long term, his government would undertake a comprehensive review of all legislation governing natural resource management, streamline regulatory agencies, and enhance local content in mining operations. His ultimate goal is to transform Ghana into a mineral processing hub for West Africa.
With these sweeping reforms, Alan Kyerematen is confident that Ghana can overcome the Galamsey crisis and restore its natural environment. “We have the resources, the will, and the plan to make Ghana great again,” he said.
In conclusion, Alan Kyerematen called on all Ghanaians to rally behind his vision, pledging that his government will leave no stone unturned in eradicating Galamsey once and for all. “Together, we will end this menace and build a sustainable future for our children,” he vowed.Source: James Kumi-Korsah/Freelancer
At a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Sunday, 29th September 2024, Alan Kyerematen, Presidential Candidate of the Afrafranto Alliance, took a bold stance against the ongoing detention of young protesters who participated in the Democracy Hub demonstrations.
The protests, which aimed to spotlight the government’s failure to tackle illegal mining (Galamsey), led to the arrest and detention of 53 young Ghanaians. Mr Kyerematen condemned the authorities for what he called “unlawful and unconstitutional” treatment of the protesters.
According to Alan Kyerematen, the youth, who were exercising their constitutional rights to protest, have been unfairly charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and unlawful assembly.
He expressed his dismay at the Ghana Police Service’s handling of the situation, questioning how the police could supervise a three-day demonstration only to turn around and bring charges of unlawful assembly. “It is beyond my wildest imagination how this happened,” Mr Kyerematen stated emphatically.
The Afrafranto leader further criticized the police for their post-arrest treatment of the detained protesters, who had reportedly been denied access to legal counsel, medical care, food, and water in the early moments of their arrest. He lamented the unprofessional and unlawful conduct of the police in managing the detained protesters, calling it an abuse of power that undermines the constitutional rights of all Ghanaians.
Mr Kyerematen’s scathing remarks also extended to the judiciary. He questioned the refusal of judges to grant bail to the detained youth, stating that the charges against them are misdemeanours and do not warrant prolonged detention. He described the judiciary’s decision as an “abuse of judicial discretion,” calling for a swift review of the bail refusal to prevent further injustice.
In his speech, Alan Kyerematen noted the troubling trend of intolerance towards dissenting views under the current NPP government. He warned that the growing culture of fear and sycophancy, particularly in the lead-up to the December elections, is an ominous sign for Ghana’s democracy.
“Let it not be said that our generation stood by unconcerned as the dark clouds of chaos and anarchy began to gather in our beloved country,” he cautioned.
The Afrafranto candidate’s address was as much a condemnation of the broader political climate as it was a defence of the youth. He slammed both the NPP and NDC for their failure to curb illegal mining and the environmental destruction it has caused, further fueling public discontent. He described the protest as a symptom of deeper systemic failures, particularly the government’s inability to provide jobs and hope for the future.
As the youth languish in custody, Alan Kyerematen emphasized that the responsibility to correct this injustice lies with the Attorney General. He appealed to the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, to apply for Nolle Prosequi to discontinue the case, stressing that the future of Ghana’s democracy hinges on fair treatment of its young people.
In a powerful message to the youth, Mr Kyerematen expressed solidarity, lauding them as the “heroes of our time.” He reassured them that their sacrifices would not be in vain, pledging to fight alongside them to restore their rights and end the Galamsey menace. “Do not be dismayed; there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he encouraged them.
The Afrafranto Alliance leader concluded his speech with a firm commitment to seeing justice done. “Together, we will win, and Ghana will rise again,” he declared, his words resonating with the hope of a brighter future for the youth of Ghana.
After the press conference, Alan Kyerematen visited the detained protesters at the Legon Police Station to commiserate with them. He expressed solidarity with their cause and reassured them that their voices would not go unheard.
Mr Kyerematen condemned their continued detention and pledged to advocate for their immediate release, emphasizing his commitment to upholding their constitutional rights.
He also revealed that his law firm had already sent a team of lawyers to defend the arrested protesters, ensuring that they receive the legal representation they deserve. Source: James Kumi-Korsah/Freelancer
The MTN Ghana Foundation is inviting nominations for the seventh edition of its flagship program, MTN Heroes of Change. The nominations platform has been opened for the public to nominate heroes from their communities following the launch on September 4th.
Nominations can be made at www.heroes.mtn.com.gh or by sending a nomination video to Whatsapp number 0551411122.
MTN Heroes of Change identifies and recognizes selfless individuals and institutions who continue to sacrifice their time and resources to improve the lives of people in their communities. The program awards individuals and institutions for their work in the areas of Education, Health, and Economic Empowerment.
This year, the Foundation has introduced two new categories: Digital Hero and Media Hero of Change to recognize individuals utilizing technology to drive positive impact within their communities. The new categories align with MTN’s strategic focus on leading digital solutions for progress.
Speaking on the project, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, said, “The Heroes of Change program resonates with us at MTN because it is about extraordinary people in our communities who believe in our shared vision of making lives brighter together. It reflects the power that individuals possess to bring about remarkable change in society. It’s a program that seeks to uncover hidden Heroes within our communities who are making a difference through their selfless actions.”
A group picture of participants Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe speaking at the event
Already, members of the community have started sending through their nominations. After the closing of entries, shortlisted projects will be pruned down to 10, and the stories of these 10 will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show. The ultimate Hero of Change will receive GHc100,000 while the other finalists will receive a cash prize of GHS 50,000 each. Nominators whose nominees make it to the top 10 will receive GHc 5,000.
MTN Heroes of Change aims to inspire Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to take action and contribute to the advancement of their communities.
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Georgina Asare Fiagbenu
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
