General News

 

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as “Napo,” has resigned from his position as the Minister for Energy.
This decision comes after his nomination and confirmation as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate for the 2024 election this December.

The resignation aims to allow him to fully focus on his new role as the party strives to break the eight-year cycle.

In a statement issued by the presidency on Thursday, July 11, and signed by Communications Director Eugene Arhin, it said Dr Prempeh’s resignation will take effect from Thursday, July 18.

The statement also noted that President Akufo-Addo has accepted his resignation and expressed his gratitude for his dedication and service to the government.

Dr Prempeh’s departure marks a significant shift as he transitions to a key role in the NPP’s campaign efforts, emphasising his commitment to the party’s future success.

“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has today, Thursday, 11th July 2024, accepted the resignation from the office of Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, as Minister for Energy, with effect from 18th July 2024.

This decision has been made to enable Dr Opoku Prempeh to focus on his new role as the Vice-Presidential Candidate and Running Mate to the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.”

“His tenure as Minister for Education and as Minister for Energy has been marked by a stellar record of accomplishments and significant contributions to the education and energy sectors,” the statement from the presidency said.

Source: Ernest K. Arhinful

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been called upon to personally intervene to ensure a quick resolution of the concerns of Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to save Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.

The Presiding Member (PM) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA),and  the Dean of Ashanti Presiding Members (PMs) Conference,Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, who made the passionate appeal, said the strike by CLOGSAG is currently biting the various assemblies negatively, especially in terms of waste management, issuance of building permits,birth & death certificates, marriage certificates, revenue mobilisation among other services.

It would be recalled that CLOGSAG declared a nationwide strike last Wednesday, but no firm decision has been taken by the government to ensure the return of the workers to work, including revenue collectors.

Mr. Frimpong, the Assembly Member for the Krofrom East Electoral Area within the KMA, who is one of the longest-serving assembly members in Ghana, told “The New Trust” newspaper on Thursday, 11th July 2024, that ”as we speak now, various MMDAs are virtually dead because nothing is going on because of CLOGSAG’s strike, and we cannot continue to look on unconcerned.”

Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong

“I’m, therefore, humbly appealing to President Akufo-Addo, as well as the Minister of Local Government, to quickly intervene to get members of CLOGSAG back to work because we need them,” he emphasised.

The members of CLOGSAG have lamented that the government has failed to implement the proposed new salary structure approved by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission after one and a half years since a memorandum of understanding was signed.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

In a press briefing preceding the declaration of the nationwide strike, Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, urged all its members to abide by the directive until the government meets their demands.

He said they would remain on strike until the new salary structure for the staff of the civil service and local government service is implemented.

“All staffs of the civil service and local government service are to stay away from work until further notice. Similarly, all CLOGSAG secretarial offices must be closed. Kindly take note and comply accordingly,” he noted.

Mr.Frimpong said since the declaration of the strike, the President seems to have been silent about the matter and it is affecting the smooth running of the various assemblies, and all the needed attention should be given to address the concerns of CLOGSAG members to get them back immediately.

Suspected gay-man runs to Canada

A suspected gay-man at Kronum,has run to Canada after some homophobic mob nearly lynched him for having amorous relationship with his colleague males, an act which is abominable in Ghanaian culture.

Suspect Sampson Yeboah,who is believed to be in his early fifties and a businessman, is believed to be practicing homosexuality for a long time even though,he is legally married and has two children (their names disclosed) according to the local residents.

Suspect Sampson Yeboah

One Evans Owusu, a resident in the area, stated that Mr. Yeboah, has been suspected of being a homosexual years ago, but always deny when approached.
According to him, the suspect had once been summoned before some chiefs and elders of his evil act but sworn to have turned a new leaf.

“It is on record that man (Sampson Yeboah),has been caught having amorous relationship with one Isaac Mainoo,and Musah but denied vehemently but this time, he was caught with a man in his vehicle at Atwima Aburaso but managed to escape to Koforidua in the Eastern Region,” Evan reported.

“Sampson, is an influential in the community and has been suspected of organizing parties in his house for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and others (LGBTQ+) members because of his wealth.

Homosexuality is a sin before God,and “we will deal with him whenever we get him. He can run but he can never hide,” he vowed.

Many residents that this reporter spoke to alleged that the suspect is a known homosexual,who have been having sexual affairs with fellow gay-men.

According to them, he was once beaten to pulp by some homophobic mob, after he was caught with one Musah at Aboabo in the Kumasi metropolis.
It was also learnt that, Sampson Yeboah, has allegedly suffered inexorable attacks for being a gay and has escaped lynching severally.

A member of Sampson Yeboah’s relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that, he (Sampson Yeboah) managed to leave Ghana on March 3, 2024,after a friend of his got him a Canadian visitor’s visa.

“Since they (residents) got to know that,he has travelled, they have been threatening us for aiding him to run but we couldn’t sit there unconcerned as a family to see him die just because he is bisexual. Two of his vehicles have been vandalized and set ablaze” she lamented.
“Sampson Yeboah is now in Canada because he believes the culture and values there are friendly towards homosexuality,” a family member also stressed.

Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Ghana and actors and activists are sometimes subjected to stiffer and tougher treatment by their own families or acquaintances, whiles police most of the time look on apathetic because of the stereotype.

The parliament of Ghana, early this year, voted to pass a controversial bill to severely restrict LGBTO+ rights, and this moved has been condemned by right activists.
This bill is before the president of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be assented into.

Once it is passed into law, actors would face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years.

The bill also imposes a prison sentence to three(3) to five(5) years for the “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+” activities”.

FROM: David Afum, Kumasi

 

By:Isaac Amoah

The Women Environmental Defenders Association (WEDA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality, with the support of Global Greengrants Fund, has held a series of alternative livelihood empowerment activities for the women and children at New Tetrem in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.

The ongoing empowerment activities started last March and it is expected to end in August 2024.

Some scenes from the New Teterem empowerment training in front of the Chief’s palace.

The activities are aimed at equipping women and children, especially those who have been resettled from Tetrem to New Tetrem by Asanko Mining Company. Even though the company resettled the affected community members from their original place of abode, they have lost their farmlands and places for trading.

A few days ago, WEDA organised a well-attended empowerment programme for women and selected schoolchildren at New Tetrem.

The programme was on the theme: “EMPOWERING WOMEN IN ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD: KEY TO DEVELOPMENT”.

Some officials of Social Welfare from the Amansie West District Assembly were key facilitators for the day’s alternative livelihood empowerment workshop.

The NGO operating on the motto: ”Women and Children Freedom Advocacy” is geared towards empowering women to venture into alternative livelihoods to prevent economic hardship, particularly as mining activities (both legal and illegal ones) continue to affect them negatively.

Some scenes from house to house empowerment outreaches

The leader of WEDA, Madam Comfort Nyamekye, in her opening remarks, explained that the advocacy for sustainable livelihoods for women at New Tetrem, which is a resettlement community by Asanko Gold Mines, was very necessary to secure their occupation and families.

According to her, the people are predominantly farmers, with a few of them engaging in petty trading.

She observed that the company neither provided them with farmlands nor a market centre at the resettlement site (New Tetrem).

“It’s in the light of this that we’re working together with the affected women and stakeholders to get the necessary alternative livelihood options for them,” she noted.

Madam Comfort Nyamekye(first from the left) leading the House to house

Madam Nyamekye mentioned among other activities within the empowerment for alternative livelihoods for the target women and the future leaders in the area to include two sensitisation and empowerment training workshops for the selected women,

meeting with the mining company to lobby for the alternative livelihood for women in the affected communities and a common market for them, an engagement with the media, etc.

The facilitators praised the leadership of the NGO for the initiative and called for the support of the affected community members to lobby for better alternative livelihoods.

A cross-section of participants openly commended the NGO for the empowerment progamme and also appealed to Asanko Mines to urgently come to their aid with alternative livelihoods and a common market for them to protect them from economic crisis.

 

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, says the government is investing in state-of-the-art school infrastructure to meet the needs of 21st-century learning.

These projects, the Minister said, would revolutionise the country’s educational space and make it fit for purpose.

Dr Adutwum said the Juaben model of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Senior High School (SHS), the Sunyani model of STEM SHS, and others are ongoing and due for completion.

He said the Accra STEM School, from kindergarten to the SHS level, was already completed and ready to be opened in September 2024.

Dr Adutwum announced this during the opening of this year’s International Educators Summit held at the International Community School in Accra.
It is on the theme ” Reimagining Education for the Future We Seek: Africa and the World in Dialogue.” organised by the Ghana Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

The Minister said the government had made investments in renovating schools like Kumasi High School and Aflao Community SHS with modern educational facilities to improve learning outcomes.
STEM pathways

The government has selected 12 SHS schools to offer aviation and aerospace courses to increase STEM education in the country.

“We need to teach assertive school children to be confident and express themselves without fear.
“The school heads must create a congenial school environment for the pupils to ask questions in class instead of being intimidated,” he said.

He commended the organisers of the Summit, saying the event was a catalyst for change through which ideas were nurtured.

Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, Senior Presidential Adviser, said education must play a meaningful role in addressing a problem.
“We need to think about education to solve problems like sanitation and flooding, among others,” he said.

Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum

Good values critical
Dr Patrick Awuah, Founder of Ashesi University, underscored the importance of inculcating good values in their students to succeed.
“Integrity and performance are highly integrated. Our students do not see cheating as a pathway to success,” he said.

Dr Charles Yeboah, Executive Director, Ghana ASCD, said the Summit was to address challenges in the education sector and explore new frontiers of educational technology.
He said since its inception in 2017, Ghana ASCD has been hosting educational conferences tailored for teachers, and school administrators to enhance education in the country.
END

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

A reliable source close to this paper indicates that the Renowned radio personality, Kofi Asante Ennin (Aduanaba), has announced his departure from Akoma FM.

The popular host of GhanAkoma, a flagship program on the station, has been a fixture on the airwaves for the past four years after his painful exit from Nhyira fm in 2020.

The celebrated journalist, who is dearly to the hearts of most radio listeners in Ashanti and beyond with numerous awards for his work is believed to end his service to Media General by July ending.

Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin’s exit comes as a surprise to many, given his success and popularity on the station since his takeover of the amateur station.

 

Kofi Asante Ennin (Aduanaba)

However, deep throat sources indicate that he has been considering new opportunities and challenges for some time especially after he was commissioned into the ordained ministry of the Methodist Church Ghana.

During his tenure at Akoma FM, Kofi Asante Ennin earned numerous accolades, including the coveted Best Morning Show host in the Ashanti Region for 2022 and 2023. His engaging style and in-depth coverage of current events makes him a household name in Ghanaian media.

Kofi Asante Ennin (Aduanaba)

Management and staff of Media General’s Akoma FM are said to be in deep shock and distress as his exit is likely to cause serious blow to the station as they are yet to recover from the exit of Maa Akos of Akoma My Nsem fame few months ago.

Nonetheless, the managements are in said to be talks for smooth transition as they have expressed their gratitude to the seasoned journalist for his immensed impacts to the station over the years.

Kofi Asante Ennin (Aduanaba)

Kofi Asante Ennin, one of Ghana’s eloquent and most decorated Journalists holds MSc. /MAM/B.A. (Hons.) /LLB(Hons.) /DBE and has recently graduated and commissioned into the ordained ministry of the Methodist Church Ghana as Reverend Minister.

Details of his next move are yet to be announced, but fans and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting his next chapter.

Source:Simon  Opoku Afriyie

CLOGSAG Members to vent their Spleen on leaders over selfish Salary negotiations

CLOGSAG leaders have been advised to work on the better condition of service and salary structure of members and not allowance.

According to members ,they have read several reports that, the leadership of the Civic and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Saturday, July 6, 2024, ahead of an announced agreement with the government on allowance instead of better conditions of service and salary structure

This development is likely to incur the displeasure of the Association’s membership.

A former district executive of CLOGSAG, who preferred anonymity, hinted to this media outlet that he had received reliable information about this new twist in the quest to impress on the government to meet their demands.

“It’s quite unfortunate that I’m hearing and reading this in the media,” he said. “We were told that our leaders were going to negotiate on better conditions of service and salary structure, so why this new twist?”

He expressed his disappointment in the leadership’s decision to prioritize allowance over better conditions of service and salary structure, which would benefit all members.

“Some of us would be hugely disappointed in our leadership if they leave out better conditions of service and salary structure and go for allowance only, which would benefit a few members.

But we want to assure our leaders that if they dare do what pleases them alone, we will advise ourselves,” he warned.

He added that there are numerous available avenues for members of the Association to register their displeasure over the new twist, warning leaders not to prioritize their interests over the totality of members.

“They should do what will please the majority of members, not just themselves alone,” he emphasized.

On June 3, 2024, CLOGSAG began a nationwide strike action to press home their demands for better conditions of service and salary structure.