ANY CHAOS IN GHANA WILL BE CAUSED THROUGH THE CYBER SPACE -OSEI KOFI ACQUAH TIPS NATIONAL SECURITY
This Month of October is being observed as a Cyber Security awareness month.
This is because half of the daily life of the ordinary Ghanaian is spent on the Cyber space through an electronic gadget.
If it is not on the social media platforms, then it is on reading what is happening around the world from the News portals.
It has even gotten to the level of transacting businesses thus buying and selling online.
From B2C, to C2G, C2C, C2B and B2B among others, a lot of attention has been given to Cyber Security as far as Corporate Business is concerned.
What has been eluding us as a country is the threat this same free, unchecked and uncensored access to the Cyber Space pose to us as a country.
Today one Cyber Security threat which we are not concerned about is how anybody can switch on at least their phone camera and do a live video without a censored and sometimes even planned content.
Most of these live videos propagate false allegations, insult the well respected personalities in our country and muddies the hard earned reputation of some Patriots.
Today some uncategorized “Professionals” who calls themselves bloggers just throw anything into the Cyber Space which reaches millions of people.
It is unclear either these people are Journalist or private individuals.
Unfortunately neither the National Security nor the media commission seems bothered about the activities of these people.
As someone who patronize the social media platforms alot, and as someone who has a bit of knowledge in Cyber Security and Data Forensics, I can confidently say that if ever there is going to be any form of disturbances, Chaos and unrest in this country, it will start from the Cyberspace
I therefore propose that the National Cyber Security authority together with the National Security should look beyond educating Ghanaians on how to prevent petty Cyber frauds etc and look at the bigger picture, especially how the Unregulated Cyber Security Space poses a National Security threat to our country Ghana.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has urged the government to make use of the abandoned Saglemi Housing project to house the displaced victims of the flood.
According to him, it is absurd for the victims to live in such “inhumane conditions” when the facility is not far away from them.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, October 25, he said the camping of the victims in a school building is not ideal, since it has disrupted academic work.
“The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has warned that people are now presenting with respiratory diseases because of the congestion, then the unsanitary conditions – typhoid, cholera so classrooms are not meant for residential use; we all know that so why don’t we relocate these thousands of people displaced into some of these housing projects that are lying fallow so that we can quickly fumigate and prepare these schools again for academic works to resume,” he suggested.
some scenes from the area
His comment comes after the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) said it is not happy with the government’s slow response to challenges confronting schools in the flood-affected areas.
Flood resulting from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams’ spillage has submerged many classrooms in the affected communities, while others now serve as temporary accommodation for displaced residents at the safe havens.
The situation has compelled schoolchildren to skip school or take lessons under trees.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum on a tour of the affected areas, has assured of government’s commitment to bringing normalcy to the situation.
According to Mr Ablakwa, there is a need to relocate the displaced persons to enable academic work in flood-affected communities to resume.
This issue, he says goes beyond the Education Ministry to tackle, adding that the president must provide an immediate resettling plan.
21 camps in my community – North Tongu are all camps in schools, so as long as these displaced persons have to seek refuge in schools, education will be affected. That is why I have been emphasising that the continuous use of schools as camps is a fundamental issue and we have to address the fundamental issue …,” he added.
On September 15, the Volta River Authority began spilling excess water due to rising levels of the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams.
Weeks after the spillage began, many residents living along the Lower Volta Basin lost their homes and farms to the floods caused by the spillage.
Currently, nine districts find themselves reeling under the fury of the racing spillage, their inhabitants caught up in this humanitarian crisis.
The heart-wrenching tales emerge from the South, Central, and North Tongu districts of the Volta Region, where the devastation knows no bounds.
The once vibrant communities of Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been submerged, their existence nearly swallowed by the unrelenting waters.Many residents have self-evacuated while NADMO and other agencies have joined the rescue efforts.
Some institutions and individuals have also presented relief items to residents.
Mr Kwame Owusu, the campaign manager for Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has admitted that their campaign team has resorted to offering financial incentives to some delegates ahead of the upcoming November 4 presidential primaries.
Mr Owusu explained that their decision to induce delegates was in response to the exorbitant sums of money being disbursed to delegates by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s camp
“He has given some inducements which are far too high and people look at it and they are very dissatisfied as to things that we have not been able to pay, such as NABCO. Recently we were even owing so much money as regards to school feeding and the rest…so when people see the amount of money that is moving that they claim they don’t have, people become suspicious,” Mr Owus told Citi News’ Hanson Agyemang.
Hon.Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Asked directly if Mr Agyapong is also inducing delegates, Mr Owusu responded “Oh yes, Oh yes, we are only saying that if we are inducing, we should do it in such a way that people don’t see it as buying them. That they are being encouraged to do that.”
He added, “But I am saying that this is the game, NDC, NPP given the method by which our candidates are selected it has given rise to these kinds of things.”
Mr Owusu also voiced his concerns regarding Dr Bawumia’s suitability for the role of leading Ghana, citing his uninspiring performance in the last six years.
He alleged that many Members of Parliament and prominent party figures support Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy out of fear of the potential changes Mr Agyapong might introduce to the party if chosen as the flagbearer.
A retired justice of the Supreme Court, William Atuguba, has expressed shock at the inability of the state with all the power and resources to end the illegal mining menace devastating the country’s water bodies and the environment.
Although President Akufo-Addo put his presidency on the line to end the ‘galamsey’ menace, the destruction of water bodies and the country’s forest reserves in search of gold continues in many parts of the country.
The government task-force that was set up to end the menace has now hanged its boots, after the national fight was embroiled in several controversies such as the disappearance of seized excavators and bribery and corruption among other issues.
Tests conducted on ten major rivers across the country have revealed high levels of dangerous heavy metals.
The Oda, Ankobra, Tano, Offin and six others presented dangerous levels of Lead, Arsenic, Chromium and Cadmium.
Scientists say swimming or using these waters for farming presents a major health risk.
Almost all major rivers and streams nationwide are highly polluted by irresponsible mining.
William Atuguba
While many have called on the government to boldly deal with the canker by arresting the real financiers and perpetrators of the act believed to be politically exposed persons, the state claims there is no hard evidence to nail the so-called big fishes.
In an interview with Joy News’ Raymond Acquah on Upfront, the respected legal luminary, Justice William Atuguba, who has recently spoken bluntly on public perceptions about the judiciary, expressed concern about the devastating effects of illegal mining.
According to him, he had only heard about the pollution of rivers by ‘galamsey’ in the news until he once travelled to one of the gold mining regions and saw one of the brownish-looking rivers.
He revealed that while serving as a justice of the Supreme Court, he attempted at some point to rally his colleagues to play a role in the fight against illegal mining, but aborted the idea because he had no support.
“That’s a big worry to me because what does it mean. That a whole Ghanaian state is unable to eradicate this menace. It hasn’t got the capacity? How shocking? You have the army and the police and they can’t put down this menace. The whole state of Ghana…wonderful” he exclaimed.
“Let me confess, when I was on the bench, one day I was going to Kumasi, and I used to hear that the water bodies were polluted. Then on the way, we saw some river flowing; and it was like clay. It wasn’t water. So when I came back I said this is the reality.”
“So, I started telling my colleagues that normally judges don’t act on their own, but we shouldn’t sit down and see the country dying like this. Let us summon the people who should have put down this menace and order them to do it. Well, I didn’t get support; but I understand. I think that I was going too far” he said laughingly.
The common law is the handiwork of the judges and it is not static. It is fine-tuned to redress societal challenges and evils. The judges make laws; but it’s step by step. So I felt that this was going too far and then my retirement came “he noted.
About Justice William Atuguba
William Atuguba was a prosecutor, state attorney, and Ghana’s former Justice of the Supreme Court. He was enrolled as a magistrate on 3 October 1974 and appointed by former president Rawlings in 1995.
From May 25, 2016, till June 25, 2016, the then Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Woode was outside the country on official duties and so William Atuguba was made the acting Chief Justice.
He also acted as Chief Justice from February 2017 prior to the retirement of Georgina Theodora Wood on 8 June 2017 until 19 June 2017 when Sophia Akuffo was sworn in by President Akufo-Addo as the new Chief Justice.
William Atuguba is one of the longest-serving members of the Supreme Court of Ghana being a judge for 44 years. He served as a Supreme Court Judge for 23 years: from 1995 to 2018.
He was for a period, the most senior judge in the Supreme Court.
About Justice William Atuguba
William Atuguba was a prosecutor, state attorney, and Ghana’s former Justice of the Supreme Court. He was enrolled as a magistrate on 3 October 1974 and appointed by former president Rawlings in 1995.
From May 25, 2016, till June 25, 2016, the then Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Woode was outside the country on official duties and so William Atuguba was made the acting Chief Justice.
He also acted as Chief Justice from February 2017 prior to the retirement of Georgina Theodora Wood on 8 June 2017 until 19 June 2017 when Sophia Akuffo was sworn in by President Akufo-Addo as the new Chief Justice.William Atuguba is one of the longest-serving members of the Supreme Court of Ghana being a judge for 44 years. He served as a Supreme Court Judge for 23 years: from 1995 to 2018.He was for a period, the most senior judge in the Supreme Court.
NPP repeating 2014 intimidation and favoritism in 2023 Primary – Addai Nimoh
Flagbearer aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ing. Francis Addai Nimoh has bemoaned what he says is intimidation and coercion of delegates ahead of the November 4 Presidential primary.
According to him, the many incidents of intimidation is a repeat of what transpired during the party’s Presidential primary in 2014, which should not be encouraged or countenanced.
“We should not entertain intimidation in the upcoming November 4 Presidential primary. We want to break the eight-year governance cycle under the Fourth Republic and by so doing make history. So, we can’t use the same old way to achieve what we’ve set before us. We have to adopt a new way of doing things to make the party attractive once again.
There should be respect and love among party members. If we intimidate, coerce and utter divisive comments the party will not have unity and will suffer in 2024,” the former Member of Parliament for Mampong said in an interview on Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV on Monday.
Hon.Francis Addai Nimoh
The Civil Engineer added: “In 2014, a similar thing happened, but that time we were not in power.
So, someone of us turned a blind eye to such intimidations, abuses and coercion knowing we needed to come to power in 2016. Nine years later in 2023, we have similar or same conducts in the party. We are not in opposition; we are in power for nearly eight years and some of the party bigwigs have benefited from being in power and are going about coercing those who have not benefited to vote in a certain direction. Yes, the playing field is not level and we spoke about it right from the beginning. For the sake of unity of the party it is important that leaders of the party remain neutral ahead of the upcoming election.”
The NPP goes to the polls on November 4, 2023, to select a presidential candidate who will lead the party to the 2024 general elections.
Dr. Akoto is number 3 on the ballot paper. He placed 4th in the Super Delegates Conference held on August 26, 2023.
Over 210,000 delegates are expected to vote in the National Delegates Conference on November 4, 2024.
In order to force a runoff election, flagbearer candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Francis Addai Nimoh, is pleading with party delegates to distribute the votes among the four contenders in the forthcoming November 4 primary.
Speaking on Monday, October 23, 2023, on the Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo FM, he stated that when this is completed, the party will become more united since the different candidates will have to rely on the other contenders who trailed for their support.
“I’ve told delegates in my rounds that they should share the votes during the November 4 election such that there will be a runoff. If you want the unity of the party you can do so through election.
So, I repeat of the four of us left, the delegates should share the votes among us so we go for a round off. When they share the votes and there’s a runoff among the first two candidates, maybe Addai Nimo and another person, I will be compelled to go to the other remaining candidates and beg for their support.
If you go to solicit for someone’s support, the person will put before you his conditions and if you are able to meet those conditions, you the candidate is assured of the person’s support.”
Mr Addai-Nimoh indicated that “You may remember that during the 2000 general election, there was a runoff between Atta Mills and Akufo-Addo, and the NPP solicited votes from the other minority parties. This explains why Mallam Issa of the PNC was appointed as a minister in President Kufuor’s administration.”
“Therefore, I implore the delegates once more to vote in a fashion that guarantees a runoff and that no one receives the 50% plus 1 vote. This way, in the event of a runoff, the two contenders will go out and ask for votes from the other candidates, which will promote harmony and peace within the party. The former Mampong Member of Parliament told show presenter Bonohene Baffuor Awuah, “I’m offering delegates this advise, and when they obey it, they themselves will be pleased.
Addai-Nimoh has, however, outlined three conditions for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the 2024 elections.
He said it is very possible for the NPP to “break the 8”.
“I have articulated that ‘breaking the 8’ can be achieved and there is a possibility for everybody to set a record in every endeavour. So for the first time, the New Patriotic Party is determined to do so. But I have three conditions which must be satisfied before that can be achieved…”
“The first one is the internal unity of the members of the party; if your internal unity and strength are weak, then we cannot marshal the maximum force for the external battle,” he said.
Addai-Nimoh added, “The second factor is based on the performance of the government because it is NPP-led government of Nana Akufo-Addo … and the third one is, who will be the face to lead the party”.
On November 4, 2023, NPP delegates will choose a president to guide the party into the general elections of 2024.
The third name on the ballot paper is Dr. Akoto. In the August 26, 2023, Super Delegates Conference, he came in fourth.
On November 4, 2024, more than 210,000 delegates are anticipated to cast ballots in the National Delegates Conference.
The leadership of the Deans of Constituency Chairmen of our great Party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is shocked and outraged by claims that Constituency Chairmen across the country received an amount of GH₵100,000.00 and pick-up vehicles each from the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to induce us to vote in his favour in the August 26, 2023 special delegates election.
Unanimously and in all sincerity, we wish to state that the claims are false, baseless and calculated to soil our integrity as Constituency Chairmen who are working diligently across the country to ensure that a suitable Presidential Candidate among the four qualified candidates is elected to lead us to break the eight, and continue with our unmatched and enviable record in the history of our country as a Party in government.
We further wish to assure Party executives from the National, Regional and Constituency levels, Polling Station Executives and the teeming members of the great Elephant Party across the 275 Constituencies that our integrity as Constituency Chairmen is intact and can never be sold for any amount of money or vehicles.
Additionally, we wish to state that we will never betray the confidence reposed in us, as Chairmen, considering that we pledged our loyalty and allegiance to the Party, and would therefore not misconduct ourselves in any manner contrary to the Constitution of our Party whatsoever.
We, therefore, urge leadership of the Party from the National to the Polling Station level, all members, supporters, sympathizers and well-meaning Ghanaians to ignore the baseless and false claims, and call on all Candidates to campaign on issues, devoid of insults, false claims and allegations, as such practices are inimical to the fortunes of our Party and our quest to break the eight.
Again, we further wish to advise all the rank and file of the Party to stay united, focused and channel our strengths and energies to elect a Candidate among the four to lead us to win the general elections of 2024.
May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana.
Long live the Great NPP.
Thank you.
Dominic Bosompin
Signed Dean of Deans
0244258138
Atuga Albert
Signed
Secretary of Deans
0202367444
Francis Acheampong
Signed
Treasurer of Deans
0248214886
On Monday, 23rd October 2023, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources,Hon Freda Prempeh attended an event organized by the Ghana Water Company and commended them for their great initiatives and advised Ghanaians on proper ways of protecting our water bodies.
The Minister commended Ghana Water Company for the initiation of an app to track customers who fail to pay their bills,
She also praised them the quick replacement of damaged pipelines where a department has been set up to manufacture these pipes in Ghana.
This has contributed greatly to the economy since huge sums of money are not used in importing them anymore. At the event, she again advised against illegal connections.
Hon.Freda Prempeh with the Officials of Ghana Water Company
She took the opportunity to advise Ghanaians against illegal mining and sand winning, which greatly affected our water bodies and livelihood.
Lastly, she commended again the Ghana Water Company for the call center set up to quickly attend to problems faced by customers.
The Ghana Water Company held an event yesterday to account to its customers and stakeholders.
The following are part of its achievements so far.
-164.6 million (164,652,659.67) cubic meters (m3) of water produced in the first half of 2023.
We have added on more volumes from the inclusion of new treatment plants , replacement of old equipments like pumps , reduction in downtimes due the installation of Automatic voltage regulators in most treatment plants , other expansion works ,the volumes increased and definitely the losses will also increase, and that is why we recorded 46% in 2022. In 2023 , there has been improvement.
Although the figure is still 4% .it means that, although we have added on more volumes and the losses have increased,
We have been able to reduce it to 46% and it’s expected to go down further due to the investments and work being down on the reduction of the Non revenue water .
–In 2022, Ghana Water generated GH¢1.4 billion from 173.5 million cubic meters of water produced, which is a 13% increase from the previous year.
These results are due to the implementation of an efficient billing system, proactive measures against billing discrepancies, and tariff adjustments.
The company’s electronic billing system has substantially increased electronic payments by about GH₵123.3 million in 2022.
Ghana Water has expanded water distribution infrastructure by approximately 282 kilometres, connecting over 10,200 households in urban areas.
Over 1,500 km of limited main extension works have been executed nationwide to improve water distribution with 26km of distribution network improvement works carried out to enhance hydraulic performance.
The company was also replacing all faulty meters in all regions and undertaking a water loss reduction performance-based contracting.
The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), has taken a significant step in its quest to ensure the repayment of student loans. In an unprecedented move, the SLTF has initiated legal proceedings against the first batch of employers who have failed to comply with recovery of students loan from beneficiaries in the formal sector under the Students Loan Trust Fund Act 2011 (Act 820).
At section 24, the Act imposes a statutory duty on employers to deduct loan repayments from the salaries of employees who benefited under the students loan scheme and remit same to the Trust Fund. The Financial Forensics Unit of the Ghana Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), upon complaint by the Fund has issued summons to these employers.
Our sources confirmed, eight institutions have already been served with this process to appear before the CID and show cause why they should not be prosecuted.
Students loan is a creature of public policy entrusted to the SLTF, an agency of government under the Students Loan Trust Fund Act 2011, Act 820. The core mandate of the Trust Fund is to disburse loans to eligible students to cover tuition, accommodation, and other educational expenses and recover same when they are due.
However, repayment has become very crucial to ensure the sustainability of the Fund and to financially support the future generation. The duty imposed on employers under Section 24, Act 820 is one of a statutory duty that requires strict compliance.
Unlike contractual duty, a statutory duty does not require privity in order to discharge any obligation expected under it.
In other words, once a duty is imposed by law, the bearer does not need to be a party to any contract in order to discharge that duty.
The effect is that employers in Ghana do not need to be a party to a student loan contract in order to deduct students loan for repayments purposes.
As noted above, employers are required to deduct loan repayments from the salaries of employees who benefited from students loan and remit these payments to the Trust Fund.
However, this has been a challenge with some employees failing to meet their obligations by reason of employer non-compliance. In response to this, the SLTF has decided to hold such employers accountable under section 37 of Act 820 which provides to the effect that where an employer fails to deduct and remit students loan repayments to the Fund, that employer is liable and directors of that company or partners of that firm are personally liable.
The failure of some employers to adhere to this law has prompted the SLTF to initiate this legal proceeding. The Police CID has summoned these non-complying employers with a lifeline to comply or process them for court in the coming days.
By this step taken by the Trust Fund, other employers are warned of potential legal action if they continue to refuse and neglect their responsibility in remitting students loan repayments.
Ms. Rosemary Aryee, the Deputy Director, Repayment and Resource Mobilization of SLTF, in the process stated,
“The non-compliance of employers in deducting and paying of loan on behalf of their employees has been a longstanding issue that hinders our ability to sustain the fund to support students who are currently in school and the future generations. We have decided to take legal action as a last resort to ensure compliance.”
The CEO Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, expressed the organization’s determination to recover outstanding loans and ensure that the fund can continue to provide financial support to Ghanaian students seeking higher education.
“The SLTF plays a crucial role in promoting access to higher education in Ghana. It is our responsibility to protect the fund’s sustainability, and this includes holding employers accountable for their actions,” He said.
Even though the names of the eight institutions that have been served notices cannot be disclosed at this stage of the proceedings, the SLTF has made it clear that the Fund is committed to ensuring that employers across Ghana fulfill their obligations in supporting the higher education of their employees.
This move by the SLTF is seen as a significant step towards creating a culture of responsibility and accountability among employers and their employees who are past borrowers of the Fund; and ensuring that the fund continues to provide opportunities for future students to access higher education.
Employers and past borrowers who have concerns or questions about their obligations to the SLTF are encouraged to reach out to the Trust Fund for clarification. The hope is that through this initiative, loan repayments will continue to increase, allowing the SLTF to continue with its mission of supporting educational advancement in Ghana.
