The Assembly member for Krofrom East electoral area,who doubles as the Presiding Member(PM) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA),Mr Patrick Kwame Frimpong,has rendered an unqualified apology to Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS) on behalf of his people over a recent attack on the personnel of the Service.
The repaired fire service truck
The Assembly member,who is also the first vice chairman of NALAG,had also repaired the damaged fire service truck.
Besides,Mr Frimpong,who is one of the key advocates for the improvement and resourcing the service, urged Government to provide adequate Firefighting Equipment to enable the service continue to deliver its constitutional mandate.
Mr.Patrick Kwame Frimpong in a group photograph with GNFS personnel
It would be recalled that,on December 27, 2024, a disturbing incident occurred in the Krofofrom suburb of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, when members of the community attacked personnel of the National Fire Service, causing severe damage to a fire truck. The attack sparked concerns over the challenges faced by the fire service in ensuring the safety and protection of the community.
Despite the incident, the fire truck has been fully repaired, thanks to the prompt intervention of the local Assembly Member,Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, and the support of the community. Their collaborative efforts have successfully restored the fire truck to service, ensuring that it remains available to safeguard the residents of Krofofrom and surrounding areas.
Mr.Patrick Kwame Frimpong in a group photograph with GNFS Officers
The Assembly member,has also issued an official apology letter to Ghana National Fire service .
The Founder of Onipa Hia Mmoa Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation at Bekwai-Bremang, Mr. Emmanuel Adade, has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians, international and local institutions, churches and individuals to come to the aide of the foundation to complete an accommodation project for orphans.
A group photograph after the Christmas party
The project is now at the roofing level and in dire need of urgent support.
He said the Chief of the area, Nana Bobbie II, released a parcel of land for the foundation to enable it to get a befitting place for the orphans, who are currently staying in the homes of their guardians.
The kids enjoying their meals
Mr Adade made the appeal on Friday, 27th December 2024, when Akosua Ba Yaw Foundation, an organisation purposely set up to provide help to less-privileged learners in the various communities organized Christmas party for the orphans at Onipa Hia Mmoa Foundation.
The current state of the accommodation project for the Onipa Hia Mmoa Foundation orphans
The foundation organised a Christmas party for 52 orphans at Onipa Hia Mmoa Foundation in the Bremang-Abresewa in the Asante Bekwai municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The founder of Onipa Hia Mmoa foundation stressed “we’re in dire need of Cement,roofing sheets, nails, among other materials, for the project.”
Nana Bobbie II, the Chief of Bekwai-Bremang and Nana Kwaku Bonsu, the kontihene of the area, added their voices to the appeal for support by the foundation to complete the accommodation project. The project is now at the roofing level and urgent support is needed to complete it.
According to Mr. Adade, even though guardians have been identified for the 52 orphans, his foundation still absorbs the children’s feeding, clothes, school fees, etc.
Accra, December 24, 2024 (GJA) – MEMBERS of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), at an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held on September 27, 2024, have approved the creation of six new regional branches in conformity with the six newly created national administrative regions of Ghana.
The members also approved an increment in the monthly membership dues from Twenty Ghana Cedis (Ghs20) to Fifty Ghana Cedis (Ghs50) with effect from January 1, 2025.
The EGM, which was at the instance of the National Executive, also took decisions on other important matters, including membership ID Cards and payment of commission to members who raise sponsorship for the Association.
The EGM has the same powers of the Annual General Meeting, the highest decision-making body of the GJA.
New regional branches
The GJA operates regional administrative branches alongside the national administrative regions, with Tema as an additional region.
With the creation of six new regions – North East, Savannah, Bono East, Ahafo, Western North and Oti – in 2018, and six years after nurturing the new regions under the oversight of the parent regions, it has become imperative for the GJA to grant autonomous status to the newly created regions.
This implies that nominations will be open in those regions for members to contest for regional executive positions in the next GJA elections in 2025.
New membership dues
For a long time, the monthly membership dues has remained at Ghs20, and in order to meet administrative expenditure, increasing the dues to Ghs50 has become necessary.
The National Executive encourages members to pay up all outstanding dues for 2024 and preceding years by close of December 31, 2024, before the new dues regime begins in 2025.
Members may pay their dues through MoMo Merchant Number: 053 882 0150, in the name of: Ghana Journalists Association OR the GJA bank account with the following details: Name of Bank: National Investment Bank / Account Name: Ghana Journalists Association / Account Number: 1112037799401.
Clearing outstanding dues for 2024 and preceding years will ensure membership in good standing and also accord members eligibility rights in 2025, including voting rights and participation in the annual GJA Media Awards.
Sponsorship commission
Members also decided at the EGM that commission must be paid to members (including national and regional executives), who secure sponsorship for the Association for its activities.
Members, however, charged the National Executive to draft a policy on the payment of commission for sponsorship before implementation.
Membership ID Card
On membership identity card, members agreed at the EGM to make its expiry date six years and renewable every two years.
The National Executive has taken far-reaching steps to engage Margins ID Group to produce the Membership ID Card for the GJA.
As the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on Wednesday, the National Executive of the GJA wishes all media practitioners across the country Merry Christmas.
Afehyia Pa!
END.
Accra, December 23, 2024 (GJA) – THE Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), with mandate from the Ministry of Information, invites applications from media houses, including foreign media, for accreditation for their staff to cover the swearing-in of President-elect John Dramani Mahama at the Independence Square in Accra on January 7, 2025.
Interested media houses are hereby requested to submit personal details of their staff, including name, media house and standard passport picture to the GJA Secretariat via WhatsApp Number 020 836 6615.
The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Media houses are respectfully requested to strictly use the following template to submit the details of their staff:
NO.
NAME
MEDIA HOUSE
CONTACT
PASSPORT PICTURE
The template for submission of applications should be in Microsoft Word document, Times New Roman format and Font Size 12.
Kindly contact the GJA National Organizing Secretary, Dominic Hlordzi, who is the Coordinator of this exercise, on 059 882 5581 / 020 836 6615 for assistance, if required.
END.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kofi Job Construction Company, Mr Kofi Gyebi, popularly known as Kofi Job, has expressed his profound gratitude to the Almighty God for seeing to the peaceful general election held on December 7, 2024.
Mr & Mrs Gyebi making presentation to one of the widows
According to him, in the build-up to the elections, many Ghanaians were in a state of fear and premonition due to the high political temperature in the country, but God, being so good, has protected the country through peaceful elections.
“We give many thanks to God for His protection and goodness,” he added.
Engineer Kofi Job also thanked all stakeholders for their support in ensuring a peaceful general election.
The renowned contractor, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Esther Gyebi, among other members of Kofi Job Foundation, made the remarks during the donation of items to over 1,000 widows in Ashanti Region on Monday, 23rd December 2024, on the premises of Otec 102.9 radio station in Kumasi.
Mr.Kofi Gyebi aka Kofi Job speaking at the event
Each of the beneficiaries went home with a bag of rice, chicken, cooking items and an undisclosed amount of money from Kofi Job Foundation.
Mr Kofi Job & his wife pledged that the donation would not be a nine-day wonder, for they would continue to do it until their Maker calls them from this earth.
He said even though many people are wealthy, they are not willing to support the needy but God has laid it upon him and his wife to help the needy, hence the setting up of Kofi Job Foundation to support the needy, especially widows.
According to him, by the grace of God, he has made it in life and he has realised that, without Christ, everything is vanity. He said it is appointed for every man to die once and after that there is judgment. He, therefore, used the opportunity to appeal to all Ghanaians, especially those who are not believers, to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour before they die.
“Those who have already accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord should exhibit life worthy of emulation,” he added.
“All that my wife and I need from you is your prayers,” he urged the beneficiaries.
On her part, Dr. Esther Gyebi heaped praises on his husband for his commitment to the activities of the Foundation.
Some of the widows who spoke to the media after receiving their packages couldn’t hide their joy and appreciation to Mr & Mrs Gyebi and Kofi Job Foundation for the kind gesture.
They prayed for long life with strength for the couple in all their endeavours.
Also, Kofi Job Foundation donated to patients at Manhyia, Tafo and Atonsu hospitals as part of its activities to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
The Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection has intensified its commitment against child marriage by organising a day’s media engagement on a child marriage information portal.
The media engagement for stakeholders in the northern zone was held on Tuesday, 17th December 2024, at Sunset Hotel in Kumasi. It was attended by journalists, staff of Domestic Violence & Victims Support Unit (DoVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, people from civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as community-based organisations representatives from the Northern Region, Bono East Region, Ahafo Region, Bono Region, Ashanti Region, among other regions.
Participants in a group photograph
It would be recalled that the National Child Marriage Information Portal was launched on 29th September 2021 as part of collaborative efforts by the MoGCSP and the UNFPA to accelerate efforts to end the practice of child marriage in Ghana.
Subsequently, an editorial committee was formed to explore strategies to improve content quality and its impact on the audience and to ensure data is accurate, complete, authentic and reliable.
The portal is intended to provide precise data and information on child marriage in the country and to provide a link for people to report such issues in their communities.
Hajia Saphia Tamimu, the Head of Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection,
explained that the portal has its security certificate installed and renewed to improve the system.
Hajia Saphia Tamimu
The National Operational M&E Plan (2023-2024), the Gender-Transformative Accelerator Country Report, Articles on the impact of COVID-19 on Child Marriage, A Report on the Thematic Brief on Child Marriage, and Some stories on community sensitisation and other relevant documents have been posted on to the portal.
However, the portal has not been very vibrant in its publications due to inadequate stories received from stakeholders and partners, who work to address issues on child marriage.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to continuously urge stakeholders, especially the media, CSOs, CBOs, etc, to utilise the portal for them to get the desirable result as envisaged in meeting the agenda 2030 call to eliminate child marriage.
She also seized the opportunity to commend the media for their support and urged them to continue to support the Ministry to end child marriage.
“I urge everyone here to contribute to the effective utilisation of the portal. I would like to thank the UNFPA for supporting this activity,” she said.
Senanu Agbozo, Child Marriage Information Portal Consultant (UNFA), who took the participants through the portal, implored the media and other stakeholders to promote the portal and join the crusade to combat child marriage in the country.
The consultant appealed to the media to support them to promote the child marriage information portal.
According to him, the goal of the portal is to increase accessibility of the MOGCSP data on child marriage, have a centralised system to improve information, enhance data security and minimise the risk of data lost, ensure data is accurate, complete and authentic.
This, he said, is part of the commitment of the secretariat to providing a one-stop-shop database on child marriage information.
As a backgrounder
Child marriage is defined as “a formal marriage or informal union of children under the age of 18. It is considered a violation of human rights and a harmful traditional practice affecting more girls than boys, leading to numerous negative health and developmental consequences and limiting girls’ economic and individual empowerment.
In response to this situation, fighting child marriage has become a core development and a human rights issue.
The practice of child marriage in Ghana has declined from about 40% in the 1980s to 19.3% in 2018; however, one in five girls is still married or in an informal union (cohabitation) before the age of 18.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, has unanimously dismissed a petition filed by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky, challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
Mr Sky had sought a declaration that the bill, which has sparked intense national debate, was null and void.
However, the court rejected his petition, upholding the constitutionality of the legislative process for the proposed anti-LGBTQI legislation.
The bill, which remains highly controversial, aims to criminalize activities associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) advocacy.
Should it pass into law, it would impose penalties on individuals who promote or fund LGBTQI-related activities, as well as on those who provide indirect support for such initiatives.
The bill has generated significant debate, with proponents arguing that it is crucial to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values, which they claim are under threat from foreign ideologies.
In contrast, critics, including human rights organizations, have condemned the bill as a violation of fundamental human rights, including the freedoms of expression, association, and equality under the law.
These groups argue that the bill would create an environment of discrimination and persecution, undermining the rights of the LGBTQI community in Ghana. The debate surrounding the bill has been a flashpoint in the broader discussion of human rights and cultural values in the country.
In addition to Sky’s petition, equality and inclusion advocate Amanda Odoi also filed a separate legal challenge.
Both Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky argue that Parliament had failed to meet the quorum requirements outlined in Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution during the legislative process, which they claimed rendered the bill’s passage unconstitutional.
Their petitions sought to have the bill declared invalid on these grounds.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed both petitions, stating that the bill had not yet become law.
Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified that until a bill receives presidential assent, it does not constitute an enacted law, and therefore cannot be subject to judicial review of its constitutionality.
The court’s ruling emphasized that legislative processes cannot be challenged on constitutional grounds until they result in enforceable law. Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
“The New Trust” newspaper has intercepted “a letter of allocation of new bungalow” written to Mr. Edward Kwabena Agyekum of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in Kumasi, contrary to the claims by the Ashanti Regional Divisional Union of GWCL that led to a solidarity protest preceding the shutting down of six water plants which supply residents of the Ashanti Region with water since last Friday, 13th December 2024.
Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister
It would be recalled that the Ashanti Regional Divisional Union of GWCL on December 11 issued a 48-hour ultimatum to a private developer to reconstruct and restore its demolished properties, else GWCL would shut down six water plants to deny residents of the Ashanti Region water. The Union members took the decision in solidarity with their managers.
But credible sources at the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council and Regional Lands Commission, coupled with an intercepted allocation letter, show that the Union was totally misled by the GWCL leadership to act in the manner they did to deny innocent residents of potable drinking water.
The allocation letter, which bears the letter head of the office of the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (ARCC), with reference number ARCC 20/02/04, dated 18th November,2024, was entitled “ALLOCATION OF BUNGALOW NO.32 DANYAME TO MR. EDWARD KWABENA AGYEKUM OF GHANA WATER COMPANY LIMITED, KUMASI.
The letter signed by Mr. Michael Owusu Amoako (Chief Director) for: Hon. Regional Minister was addressed to Dr. Hansen Mensah Akuetteh, South Production Manager, Ghana Water Company Limited Kumasi-Ashanti and copied to The Regional Engineer, P.W.D, Kumasi. The Reg. Commercial Manager, E.C.G, Kumasi, The Reg.Director Cont. & Acct.General’s Dept. Kumasi,The Chief Accountant Ghana Water Co. Ltd, Kumasi respectively.
The two-page letter is reproduced below:
I wish to inform you that approval has been granted you to occupy bungalow no.33 Danyame, as a Duty Post with effect from 22nd November 2024.
The bungalow will attract 10% of your monthly salary as rent to be deducted at source.
You are to contact the Regional Engineer, PWD for Signing-in and taking of inventory of the Bungalow prior to moving in.
You will be responsible for the payment of all utility services and any other outgoings to the appropriate utility companies.
You are informed that keeping of pets, poultry and the rearing of livestock by occupant of government accommodation is prohibited.
You are to ensure the maintenance of strict environmental cleanliness in and around the property.
In the event of vacation of the Bungalow, the keys must be handed over to the Estate Manager of the R.C.C after full settlement of all outstanding bills including rent.
It is in your own interest to arrange with E.C.G and other utility providers to read their meters to ascertain where your liability begins before moving in.
The user, landscaping, security and refuse collection fees per month will be fixed by the Management Committee on an annual basis and must be paid in full by the end of the first quarter of every year.
That no additional fixtures or alteration should be done on the property without the written consent of the Regional Co-ordinating Council.
That the property should always be in good state and that any damage(s) caused during your occupation shall be surcharged to you.
You are advised to make payment of rent to the Controller and Accountant General Department(C&AGD) salary suspense Account, Kumasi, Account No.2018131479027 Bank of Ghana at the end of every month until deduction of the rent at source takes effect.
I am by copy of this letter requesting the Chief Accountant of Ghana Water CO. Ltd, Kumasi to make the necessary inputs to effect payment of rent at source and inform the Regional Co-ordinating Council accordingly.
You are to indicate in writing your acceptance of the allocation on the above conditions and attach a copy of three months pay slip indicating deduction of monthly rent by Controller and Accountant General’s Department”.
The National Service Authority (NSA) has noted with concern, recent media publications, alleging the introduction of “Ghost Names” and the inflation of payroll for the payment of allowances of National Service Personnel for the service years spanning from 2018/2019 to 2023/2024.
The Authority wishes to state categorically that, these allegations are extremely baseless and unfounded.
Mr.Osei Assibey Antwi,Executive director
Indeed, the National Service Authority has since 2021 instituted strong electronic measures that have significantly created checks and balances in both the downstream and upstream mobilisation and deployment of National Service Personnel. These measures resulted in several preventive attempts of fraudsters into the system and generated savings of over 300 million cedis within the period of 4 years (2021-2024). The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and other key stakeholders have enormous evidence of the robust system implemented by the National Service Authority and the gains made over the period.
The Authority has the inclined belief that no system including manual and electronic processes and procedures are perfect and devoid of impeachment. However, the result and the evidence of the elimination of attempted fraudsters into the National Service portal has been overwhelming and since 2021 drawn curtains-down on the presence of “Ghost Names” in the National Service system.
It is worth emphasising that, the electronic system backed by consistent and progressive monitoring coupled with advanced technology (the use of the Ghana card, the facial verification system and the objective proof of eligibility from the tertiary institutions) brought highly desirable results.
Following the series of publications with bizarre allegations against the Authority, the Management of the Authority conducted a quick review of the system and found all the allegations to be untrue.
Even so, the Governing Board at its Emergency Board meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024, has requested the National Investigation Bureau. Based on our assessment, we are unable to substantiate any viable rationale that will push individuals, groups or institutions to peddle such allegations capable of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of the Authority at this time where giant strides have been made to enhance operational efficiency and ensure value for money.
The allegations threaten to undermine the transformative progress the NSA has achieved in recent years.
The National Service Authority remains grateful and appreciates the contribution of all stakeholders to the development of our elite youth and engage them for a national development and nation building efforts.
To maintain institutional image, ensure efficiency and improve operations in line with Public Service values and standards, the National Service Authority welcomes any stakeholder ready to partner with the Authority to deal with relevant matters and address any found or substantiated operational distortions. Indeed, notwithstanding, the Governing Board has taken the bold decision by requesting the National Investigation Bureau ( NIB) to assist the Authority investigate these allegations.
In view of these developments, the Authority wishes to urge the public to exercise restraint in its commentaries and publications on the matter and condemnations of personalities, since the damages that may be inflicted upon them may be irreparable when after the investigations, they are found to be innocent.
The NSA remains resolute in its mission to serve Ghana with integrity and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that public resources are protected and utilized judiciously and responsibly.
The NSA however acknowledges that, a petition has been submitted by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to the Office of the Special Prosecutor. We welcome this development and wish to assure the public of our full cooperation with any investigations to establish the facts and vindicate the integrity of the Authority.
Signed
Osei Assibey Antwi
Director-General, National Service Authority
The Office of President-elect John Dramani Mahama has refuted claims that he has made ministerial appointments ahead of his assumption of office.
In a press statement issued on Monday, December 16, the Special Aide to Mr Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, clarified that such reports circulating on social media are untrue.
She emphasized that Mr Mahama has not announced any appointments, urging the public to dismiss these rumours.The statement comes in response to a list of alleged ministerial nominees that has been widely shared on various social media platforms.
According to the office, the list is entirely fabricated and has no basis. The circulation of such false information has created confusion among the public, prompting the need for an official clarification.
Ms Bawah Mogtari stressed that any authentic announcements regarding appointments or other related matters will be issued through official channels.
She advised the public to rely solely on communications from Mr Mahama’s office to avoid being misled. “We urge everyone to disregard the fake news and refrain from spreading unverified information,” the statement read.
The office of the president-elect assured the public of its commitment to transparency and professionalism during this transition period.
It also encouraged citizens to report any suspicious or unverified information regarding Mr Mahama to the appropriate authorities to maintain accuracy in public discourse.
