Ghana’s premier football team the Blackstars led by Captain Thomas Partey, paid a
courtesy call to the Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority
(NHIA), Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, and his management staff.
They congratulated their
COVID-19 coordinator, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, on his recent appointment as CEO of
the NHIA by the President of the Republic and went further to commend the
Government and the NHIA for the timely intervention in funding dialysis treatment
under the NHIS.
Dr. Da-Costa in a group photograph with blackstars
The meeting between the Black Stars players and the NHIA was a unique and
exciting event that brought together two different worlds in a harmonious setting.
The players, renowned for their skills and achievements on the football field, were
welcomed warmly by the NHIA management and staff, who were eager to engage
with the sports stars.
The players pledged to support Dr. Da-Costa and his team to succeed, especially in
leveraging sports and physical activities to promote healthy lives.
They were
appreciative of the new interventions being introduced by the NHIA on dialysis
treatment and preventive health benefit packages.
The CEO congratulated Captain Thomas Partey and the team and called for their
support of the NHIS Free dialysis program and other initiatives of the Scheme.
He also pleaded with the players to serve as advocates for the NHIA and the entire
health sector and wished them well in their upcoming football tournaments.
Issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate, NHIA.
1
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the clergy to collaborate with the government to find a way forward in completing the controversial National Cathedral project.
Speaking at a meeting with the clergy in the Greater Accra Region, Dr Bawumia emphasised the importance of the project for Ghana.
He stressed the need for the church to unite and engage with the government to explore ways to secure private resources to complete the project.
“The church has to come together and meet the government so that we talk about the way forward. The church must come together and let the government know the best way forward on how we can get private resources to help us complete the National Cathedral,” he said on Monday.
Dr Bawumia expressed optimism that a collective effort can find a solution, saying “if we all come together, we will figure it out.”
“I think if we all come together we will figure it out because we cannot leave it where it is,” he added.
Background
The building of the Cathedral is in fulfillment of a pledge President Akufo-Addo claimed to have made to God before winning the 2016 elections.
The 5,000-seater auditorium Cathedral project will also bequeath to the country a gracious national park for all Ghanaians, bring new skills, technology and jobs to the country and act as a beacon to national, regional and international tourists.
National Cathedral construction site. Photo credit: Accra FM
In 2021, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta announced that the government will commission the ongoing National Cathedral project on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, but that did not happen as work on the project has stalled with millions of dollars already spent on it.
Aside from the lack of funds to continue the project, the project’s construction has been embroiled in a lot of controversy with the National Cathedral Secretariat accused of misapplying the funds.
A member of the board of the project, Rev. Kusi Boateng has been dragged to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to be investigated over an alleged conflict of interest, including possession of multiple identities and other alleged criminal dealings.
The petitioner, MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleged among other things that there was a transfer of GH¢2.6 million from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited owned by Rev. Kusi Boateng under a secondary identity – Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
Mr Ablakwa said the petition was seeking to invoke the mandate of CHRAJ under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate the “odious conflict of interest” with regard to Rev. Boateng’s position on the National Cathedral board as he “literally paid his own company a staggering GH¢2.6 million for no work done”.Source: Ama Cromwell
Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the ongoing ambulance case, has challenged the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to appear in court and refute the allegations he has made against him.
Mr Jakpa has accused Mr Dame of witness tampering and fabricating evidence, claims which are detailed in a phone conversation that has been publicised.
Mr Jakpa insists that the case should be tried in court, not in the public sphere, and is calling on the Attorney-General to present his evidence to support his assertions in court.
Richard Jakpa and Godfred Yeboah Dame
Addressing the issue of the leaked tape’s authenticity, Jakpa has dared anyone disputing it to produce their own tape to counter his.
In an exclusive interview with JoyNews ahead of the highly-anticipated hearing on Tuesday, June 4, Jakpa expressed his confidence in securing justice.
He emphasised that the allegations he has raised are serious and should be addressed within the legal framework.
“He lAG] should come to court and come and refute the allegations and set the records according to his opinion straight and the way it is supposed to be. I have done mine in court, and I am expecting him to come and do his part. The case is in court and not in public opinion,” he told JoyNews Latif Iddrissu.
Richard Jakpa, under cross-examination, revealed that the Attorney General had been contacting him at unusual hours to solicit testimony against the Minority Leader.
This revelation has sparked discussions among Ghanaians, with some individuals calling for the resignation of Attorney General Godfred Dame.
Dr Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader, is currently on trial for his alleged involvement in the procurement of defective ambulances for Ghana. He is accused of causing financial loss to the state to the tune of 2.3 million Euros.
Subsequently, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a press conference played a 16-minute tape allegedly featuring a conversation between the Attorney General and Jakpa.
But the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has refuted the claims made in the audio, asserting that it has been “doctored and manipulated” with malicious intent.
Ambulance trial: AG describes Jakpa’s application as frivolous, vexatious
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General has opposed an application for an order striking out the charges and terminating the proceedings or staying proceedings against Richard Jakpa, third accused in the trial of Dr Ato Forson and one other.
The AG described the application as an abuse of process and unmeritorious.
In an affidavit in opposition, the AG said no proper grounds had been canvassed by the applicant to warrant a grant of that application, which was unknown to criminal procedure and practice in Ghana.
“…That the instant application is a rush and a desperate smoke screen by the applicant to abort his legitimate prosecution for the role he played in causing financial loss to the State in the purchase of ordinary vans purporting to be ambulances,” the AG said.
The AG said the application, anchored on “untruths and a skilful manipulation of facts”, sought to cloth the applicant with immunity from prosecution and to that extent, “incompetent and offensive to Ghanaian law”.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has criticized the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) not to allow agents of political parties to observe the ongoing vote transfer exercise.
Mahama, in a Facebook post, said the EC’s decision points to only one reason, which is to collude with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming December 7 general elections.
“The Electoral Commission’s decision not to allow agents of political parties to observe the ongoing voter transfer exercise points to only one reason— the EC’s avowed determination to aid the ruling NPP in stealing the outcome of the 2024 elections.”
In a memo to its district officers on Sunday, June 2, the EC directed that agents of political parties must not be allowed access due to violent clashes at some of the transfer centres.
Mahama in his Facebook post said that the NPP and its leadership are very much aware that the NDC will win the upcoming general elections, which is why it has resorted to an unholy alliance with the EC, disregarding an IPAC decision that he said the unsanctioned decision between the two entities will fail.
John Dramani Mahama
“I am not surprised that the NPP and the EC quickly reversed a collective decision taken at an IPAC meeting last week to have political party agents present at the district offices for the transfer exercise.”
“The NPP knows and internally admits that it will lose the 2024 presidential elections. We also know that, as a last resort, it seeks to deploy gerrymandering during this voter transfer period to improve its chances in the parliamentary elections in the erroneous belief that it may rely on that to affect its presidential votes.”
He also alleged that the NPP has a list of constituencies in the Ashanti and Eastern Regions that the NPP is seeking to transfer votes to offset the NDC’s gains.
“We have in our possession a long list of constituencies in the Ashanti and Eastern Regions and selected places in Greater Accra and other regions where the NPP is seeking to transfer thousands of voters from their strongholds to offset the NDC’s gains in constituencies we control.”
THERE IS NO SCANDAL AT THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REGARDING WI-FI PAYMENT
The Ministry of Education wishes to address the claims made in a recent report by The Fourth Estate Media regarding the Wi-Fi for Schools Programme. The report, which suggests a failure in service delivery and misuse of public funds, is inaccurate and does not represent the facts.
For purposes of clarity, the facts of the matter are as follows:
BACKGROUND
In line with the Government’s Education transformation agenda, the Ministry of Education undertook a significant initiative to boost internet connectivity in educational institutions in 2019. This programme extended internet access to Senior High Schools, Colleges of Education, Regional and District Education offices across Ghana, thereby enhancing learning, administration, and research capabilities.
CONTRACT OVERVIEW
The Ministry secured Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approval for two phases of the project.
Phase one (1), in August 2019, to engage Busy Internet Ghana Limited for Wi-Fi provision in 717 Senior High Schools at a cost of Ghs 59,909,658.00. This covered supply, installation, and maintenance of hardware devices, with a recurring sum of dedicated internet not exceeding GHS 2,673,013.44.
Phase two (2) of the project expanded the scope to include all 16 Regional Education Directorates/offices, 46 Colleges of Education, and 260 District Education Offices of GES at a cost of GHS 24,500,000.00 plus a recurring monthly dedicated internet of an amount not exceeding GHS 3,700,000.00. The total contract sum amounted to GHC 84 million, covering hardware supply, installation, maintenance, training, and testing across 1,013 institutions (sites) including SHSs, Colleges of Education, Regional, and District Offices of Education.
In line with the review clause in the contract signed in 2019, an upward review of monthly recurring costs was approved by the PPA and capped to an amount not exceeding GHS 11,522,661.81 in 2023 due to the prevailing inflation, and foreign exchange rates.
Despite the approved amount of recurring expenditure, it is important to understand that the Ministry only pays for the accessible dedicated internet and not necessarily the total capped monthly cost.
WIFI FUNCTIONALITY
Wi-Fi functionality depends on multiple components, including routers, cables, and access points. Any malfunction in these components can affect service. Similarly, Wi-Fi access is primarily limited to specific areas within schools (library blocks, administration blocks, and ICT Laboratories).
PAYMENT
Service compensation for the payment of any monthly cost is prorated as required by the terms of the contract. Specifically, the contract provides that the supplier shall be compensated on a pro-rata basis. The effect is that any downtime up to and exceeding half of a particular month will not be paid for. This means that despite the approved amount of recurring expenditure, the Ministry does not pay a pesewa if services does not reach the 50% (less than half of the month) threshold in a particular month.
MONITORING MECHANISMS:
The Ministry employs various monitoring mechanisms, including reporting lines from ICT coordinators in schools, Wi-Fi monitoring tools, and a Network Operating Room. These measures aim to ensure timely detection and resolution of connectivity issues in the institutions nationwide. It also helps the Ministry to know how much of the service to pay within a particular month.
Additionally, the contract provides for a committee made up of MoE, GES, NaCCa and NCA to vet all invoices and certify before payment is made to Lifted Logistics Limited (formerly, Busy Internet).
There is also Validation Committee set up by the Minister for Education to equally vet all invoices before payment is made to the vendor. For instance, in February 2024, despite an invoice of GHC 6,498,827.90 submitted, the Ministry ended up paying GHC 3,637,569.20 after vetting.
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
The Ministry upon evaluation is considering terminating aspects of the contract in schools that are experiencing satellite connectivity challenges, a situation which had been attributed to the failure of Lifted Logistics’ Limited (formerly Busy Internet) to pay its providers.
CONCLUSION
The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of the Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is committed to ensuring value for money in all its initiatives and reassures the Public of the Government’s dedication to improve education with the aim of achieving socioeconomic transformation.
The Ministry urges the public to disregard the erroneous impression created by this publication from the Fourth Estate Media and any such.
The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is offering free dialysis sessions for Children under 18 and Adults above 60 years.
This follows Parliament’s approval of an amount of Two Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,000,000.00) in the NHIA’s 2024 Allocation Formula to support needy and vulnerable patients seeking dialysis treatment.
In a statement issued and signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr DaCosta Aboagye , said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) through administrative arrangements has allocated an additional Two Million, four hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,400,000.00), under the Corporate Social Responsibility approved budget of the scheme to support this initiative.
He explained that the announcement is a significant enhancement to its health benefits coverage to include dialysis patients for a period of 6 months as follows: Vulnerable groups (patients aged below 18 and above 60) will receive all eight (8) free dialysis sessions per month under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from June to December 2024.
He explained that the cost of dialysis for these categories upon verification of the actual patients on the dialysis is projected to be GH¢329,952 per month and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH¢2.3 million.
Dr DaCosta Aboagye
According to him, Patients from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Efia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH), Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) and Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) except Korle Bu will receive two (2) dialysis sessions per month at GH¢982.00, that is, GH¢491 per session.
He added that the cost of dialysis for this treatment category is projected to be GH¢144,354 per month and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH¢1.01 million.
Korle Bu Patients Benefit Subsidy
He further explained that Patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) will receive a subsidy for two dialysis sessions per month at GHS491.00, which is 50% of the cost per session (that is, GH¢245.50) due to a philanthropic gesture of GHS380.00 being offered to such patients as indicated on table 3 to address equity across all facilities.
“The cost of dialysis for this treatment category at KBTH is projected to be GH¢147,300 per month and by the end of December 2024, the cumulative cost is estimated to be approximately GH¢1.03 million” he said.
“This means a total of approximately GH¢4.4 million is being invested to support this initiative, adding the Government is committed to finding sustainable interventions to dealing with renal diseases and other illnesses not holistically covered under the NHIS manner, and will soon unveil a sustainable plan,” he said in the statement.
Alan Kyerematen, the Founder and Leader of the Movement for Change, has attributed the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi to systemic failures and a lack of faith in the economy.
He suggests that the Cedi’s value may continue to fall against major foreign currencies if Ghana does not increase exports and decrease imports.
During his Eastern Region tour on Monday, Mr. Kyerematen proposed several measures to restore the Cedi’s value.
Alan Kyerematen
He emphasised that regulating the activities of forex bureaus and boosting exports would help stabilise the Cedi.
“The strength of the cedi is dependent on the demand and supply of foreign exchange. There is no other way unless you produce and export. Because if you don’t produce and use that to export abroad you won’t get dollars into the system…but have you heard a head of state talk about this before? So it is a systemic failure for a long time.”
“So between Alan, ex-president Mahama and Dr Bawumia, if its production and exports that would revive the cedi, who amongst the three of us can do that? If we have made that mistake all these years and we now need someone who can do this then it is Alan who can do that,” he stated.
Mr Kyerematen also urged Ghanaians to shift their focus from unfulfilled manifesto promises to a national development plan. He stated that a government under the Movement for Change would prioritize significant constitutional reform.
“When you listen to the majority, they say when NDC and NPP are in government, it is a winner-takes-all situation. If one party assumes office for eight years and you are not part of the party, then you are not part of the government. So the intelligence of many Ghanaians is disregarded in the governance of the country because it is winner-takes all.
“If these two parties are in government, they work on projects either good or bad even if the other had already started same…If there is no continuity, how do we move forward…Ghanaians are tired, they want a plan not promises.”
“So we want to move Ghana beyond the manifest promises, we want a national plan where Ghanaians are in the know of where the country is headed. For the next 30 to 50 years, every party that assumes office would continue with whatever they meet,” he stated.
Actor Kwadwo Nkansah, widely known as LilWin, was granted bail of GH¢50,000 with two sureties by the Asokore Mampong District Court after his arrest on June 3.
Officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Manhyia Divisional Command detained him shortly after he was discharged from the hospital.
The arrest stems from an accident involving Lil Win’s vehicle that led to the death of a three-year-old boy.
The boy’s family has been pressing for justice, but police attributed the delay in Lil Win’s arrest to his health condition.
LilWin faces charges of dangerous driving and negligently causing harm. The prosecution, still investigating the case, stressed that Lil Win must remain available for further inquiries.
They cited his health condition as a reason for the delayed proceedings.
Lil Win’s lawyer, Margaret Adjei-Twum, argued for bail, stating that Lil Win, who sustained injuries including internal bleeding, needed treatment.
She assured the court that Lil Win, a well-known figure, would not evade the legal process.
Despite his incomplete recovery, the police compelled his court appearance.
Heavy police presence was noted at the court, and the case was adjourned to June 27, 2024
MTN marks three decades of operations, celebrating a legacy of connecting people, changing lives, and driving economic growth across South Africa and the African continent.
“As we reflect on this significant milestone, we express our sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders, past and present, across multiple jurisdictions, for their support,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita. “We couldn’t have achieved this remarkable success without you.”
Since its inception in 1994, MTN has evolved from a small South African start-up with 20 employees into a global telecommunications leader, employing over 17,500 individuals representing more than 70 nationalities across 18 diverse markets.
In South Africa, MTN’s impact has been profound. The company’s network now reaches 97% of the population, providing a foundation for digital inclusion and economic empowerment. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like 4G and 5G, MTN has ensured that South Africa remains at the forefront of technological advancement. A recent study by KPMG showed that MTN South Africa’s contribution to the country’s GDP is substantial, making it a key player in the national economy.
The evolution of handsets and the proliferation of apps have democratised access to information and essential services, from financial solutions to healthcare, education, and entertainment. This has been a game-changer for individuals and businesses alike.
MTN’s influence extends far beyond South Africa. In 2023, the MTN Group recorded over R220 billion (more than US$11 billion) in revenue, a testament to its market leadership and the growing demand for digital services across Africa. This success has driven the company’s market capitalisation to over R150 billion, solidifying its position as one of the continent’s most valuable companies.
Across Africa, MTN connects millions, empowering them with essential communication tools and access to vital services.
More than 149 million people rely on MTN’s network for data access, fuelling a digital transformation that is reshaping industries and societies. Additionally, MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) provides over 65 million individuals with access to financial services, driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
MTN’s commitment to socio-economic development is evident everywhere. In 2023, the Group’s total tax contribution to governments across markets was nearly R62 billion (over US$3.3 billion), supporting vital public services and infrastructure development. MTN’s operations also generated some R159 billion in economic value, creating jobs, stimulating economic activity, and fostering digital innovation.
From the outset, the Group has been driven to make a social impact. Launched in 2001, the first MTN Foundation had an annual budget of R22 million. In 2023, MTN spent ten times that – R220 million – in corporate social responsibility across markets, with a special focus on developing digital skills to enable the digital economy.
Furthermore, both MTN Group and MTN South Africa have achieved Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status, underscoring their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social transformation.
MTN’s dedication to giving back is embodied in the annual “21 Days of Y’ello Care” initiative, which has been extended to 30 days this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary. Kicking off on June 01, 2024 under the theme “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow: Education for Rural and Remote Communities,” this initiative mobilizes MTN employees across the continent to dedicate their time and resources to enhance educational opportunities.
This year, the focus is on bridging the educational divide in rural and remote areas, providing digital learning tools, and supporting educational infrastructure to empower the next generation of leaders within these communities.
MTN’s 30-year journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and the unwavering spirit of innovation. Looking to the future, MTN remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide, empowering individuals and communities, and driving Africa’s sustainable and inclusive progress through cutting-edge digital solutions.
