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In reshaping Ghana’s revenue mobilization landscape, Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), a private firm, has demonstrated a new era of precision, transparency, and revenue assurance for the nation’s critical downstream petroleum sector. SML’s an innovative partnership with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) introduced a transformative Electronic Metering Management System (EMMS) to streamline the process of ensuring revenue assurances across the downstream petroleum sector. Before SML’s intervention, the management of downstream petroleum operations data was a fragmented and painstaking process, riddled with inefficiencies and vulnerabilities inherent in manual systems. Reliance on stand-alone systems made it difficult to maintain and leverage data effectively, hindering GRA’s ability to accurately regulate, monitor, assess, and tax petroleum products across the downstream and upstream sectors. To address this challenge, SML’s state-of-the-art EMMS has digitalized the measurement and reporting of petroleum product supplies, replacing error-prone manual processes with advanced digital solutions. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, as an independent audit by KPMG revealed an incremental volume of 1.7 billion liters and an incremental tax revenue of GHS 2.45 billion for the period under review. This substantial revenue boost represents a significant win for Ghana, but the benefits of SML’s intervention extend far beyond mere fiscal gains. KPMG’s assessment highlighted the qualitative advantages of the EMMS, including 24/7 electronic real-time monitoring of petroleum product outflows and partial monitoring of inflows at depots equipped with SML’s flowmeters. This round-the-clock surveillance serves as a powerful deterrent against under-declarations, safeguarding the nation’s revenue streams. At the heart of SML’s success lies the transformative power of digitalization and data-driven solutions. Real-time data streams provide unprecedented visibility into petroleum product flows, enabling precise tracking and accurate assessment of taxes. This level of granular insight not only bolsters revenue collection but also enhances operational efficiency by streamlining administrative processes and enabling data-driven decision-making. Moreover, SML’s rigorous six-level reconciliation process, coupled with the sharing of discrepancy reports for follow-up action, underscores the firm’s commitment to fostering transparency and accountability within the sector. The digital nature of the EMMS promotes these critical pillars of good governance, as comprehensive digital records and transparent data sharing foster public scrutiny and oversight, mitigating the risks of corruption, manipulation, and misappropriation that can plague traditional, opaque systems. SML’s pioneering model has garnered significant international acclaim, with nations like Kenya actively seeking to emulate its successful approach. Governments across borders have reached out to learn from SML’s framework, underscoring the transformative potential that entrepreneurs can unleash when provided with an enabling environment and opportunities to pursue productive ventures. While SML’s immediate impact has been felt in the downstream petroleum sector, the ripple effects of this pioneering public-private partnership (PPP) extend far beyond. The government’s recent recognition of SML’s success has prompted a comprehensive assessment of potential revenue leakages in the upstream petroleum and minerals sectors, with plans to explore the implementation of similar PPP models in these critical industries. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

All private properties of Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah will be disconnected from the nation's grid if he owes any bills, angry workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana have warned. The red-clad workers who are protesting to demand an apology from the minister for ordering the arrest of the Ashanti East General Manager, Mark Wiafe Asomani, for disconnecting Kumasi Technical University from the grid over debt have warned the minister to pay all his power bills if he has not already done so. "If the regional minister owes any bill in his private house, we are going there," a furious worker announced to the media, adding, "This week, we will get to his house."If he owes a pesewa, we will disconnect him, and then the police must come and arrest all of us." the workers have resolved that their managers will not attend any regional security meetings called by the minister as part of their protest. Asked by journalists if that did not risk worsening the security situation in the region, another angry worker retorted, “The action of the minister is more of a security concern than our general manager’s meeting at the REGSEC." "The reason is that the actions can lead to other customers emulating what he did, and we think that he should just apologise unreservedly to ECG, then we move on." He threatened, "We have a series of actions to take. This is the first step. That is why we said that if he is not apologising, someone should tell him to do so.” Source: classfmonline

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has rejected calls from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Workers’ Union to apologise for the arrest of one of their Managers. He defended his actions, stating that he had requested the Police to arrest the Ashanti East Manager of the ECG, Mark Wiafe Asomani, for security reasons. During a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday, the Minister revealed that there were agreements in place between the ECG and the Kumasi Technical University to address the University’s outstanding debts. Mr Osei-Mensah assured reporters that he was merely carrying out his responsibilities and had not committed any wrongdoing. “Do I have to apologise for doing my security work? What I want to tell you is that I asked the police to invite Ing Mark Asomani Wiafe on security grounds because of the happenings in the electricity sector in the region and the fact that a task force can always come from outside to disconnect without the proper information. “What is ironic is that they tell me that they are not under me and for that matter, I cannot tell them what to do but they want to tell me how to execute my security responsibilities as enshrined in the Securities and Intelligence Act of 2020, Act 10(30).” The Minister also dismissed claims that some managers of the ECG are members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC). The Minister also criticised the ECG for not heeding warnings from the Security Council to maintain uninterrupted power supply at the residences of the President and his Vice when they are in the Ashanti Region. Furthermore, he alleged that the ECG had been overcharging him for electricity at his residence while denying any outstanding payments to the power company. Credit: Citinewsroom

Fighting between peacekeeping troops and personnel of the Ghana Prison Service in Bawku in the Upper East Region has left scores of officers injured. The fight between the officers of the two security agencies, TV3 gathered, broke out at the Bawku Naba Palace where an inaugural ceremony was held to kick start his 40th anniversary on the Skin. A source within the police in Bawku told TV3’s Upper East Regional correspondent, Castro Senyalah, that an earlier grudge over a missing phone caused the Wednesday, April 24 feud. The source said some soldiers who had been detailed to provide security during the ceremony, confronted and beat to pulp, one prisoner office who was also on duty at the palace, over the missing phone. The injured prison officer was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Reprisal attack The source said following the attack on their colleague, prison officers from the Bawku Central Prisons rushed to the Palace where they massed with guns against the soldiers on duty. They allegedly fired gunshots to disarm the soldiers and mercilessly beat them up. The injured soldiers were also rushed to the Vineyard Hospital in Bawku for treatment. The police who were called in, TV3 learned, have managed to bring the situation under control. The police have not commented on the incident yet. But it has been gathered that leadership of the two security agencies have taken steps to amicably resolve the matter. Credit: 3news

Media Personlity, Serwaa Amihere has broken her silence on the leaked intimate video. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the Media Personlity said "On April 2, 2024, someone posted an intimate video of me on the Internet. This came almost 5 months after threats and extortion, along with efforts by the police to bring the extortonists to book" She further explained that the said video which was made 5 years ago has severely embarrassed her, family and loved ones. "It has also exposed my employers, and the businesses and brands I represent to embarrassment" She stressed that the video has been a source of frustration to all who have been her support, inspiration, and encouragement throughout her journey in the media. "Sincerely, I say sorry for the embarrassment, disappointment and frustration which this matter has caused my family, loved ones, businesses and brands I represents and to you" "In all, I have learnt deeply useful lessons for the future", she noted. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The 2024 Running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang says the next Mahama government will rebuild the broken Ghana and restore hope in lives of the citizens. She made these remarks while speaking at her outdooring as running mate for the NDC party ahead of the 2024 elections. She said “The victory we seek as a party is to invite everyone to the onerous task of rebuilding a broken Ghana, of restoring hope, in a manner that the NDC is capable of doing by their history and achievements" She added that victory for NDC in the 2024 election will serve as an opportunity to heal Ghana again. "It is about the opportunity to pull Ghana back from the precipice of destruction, of normalising corruption, of incomprehensible greed and from deep despair.” “It is to work towards a Ghana where citizens have confidence and hope and are determined to regain their independence of thought and of agenda,” she told the teeming NDC supporters" ‘We must work towards a Ghana that at the very least, can feed itself; where the law truly works; where there is shared prosperity; where democracy has not become a fluke; where people are not abused and where the basic necessities of life are not denied the majority or eventually, anyone.” “It is a chance to work hard towards a country where citizens do not feel disrespected, are not intimidated, ignored because of the way they vote or the language they speak. Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang noted that she would share in the party’s accomplishments as a whole and accept responsibility for its failures. “I will share in our collective successes and share responsibility for our setbacks if any. And at the time of reckoning, Your Excellency John Mahama, I will not in advancement of self-serving ambition declare to the whole world that I was only the driver’s mate,” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has cautioned leading members of the party to stop fighting about positions in Mahama’s next government. He made these remarks while speaking at the official outdooring of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate for the party ahead of the 2024 elections. He said "I want to assure everybody that we’re not there yet. Don’t be fighting about positions, and don’t be talking about who will make appointments" He added that if the party was not careful, such behaviours will dampen the enthusiasm and spirit of its followers. "Let’s all go for the hunting first and when we kill the game we can now argue about sharing of the meat.” “Because we’re convinced that we are there, a lot of people have begun taking positions and fighting over who will be what in the next government" "Some people are not only fighting about the positions they will occupy. They are telling all others that they will be the kingmakers and they will be making appointments" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional parliament’s approval of payment of salaries allowances to spouses of the President and the Vice-President from the consolidated fund. In a ruling today, a seven-member panel chaired by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, held that the positions of the First and Second ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of Public Office holders. It added that the Emolument Committee of Parliament is limited to recommending the salaries and other benefits and privileges of only public office holders. This was the judgement of the court in the case filed by the Bono Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwame Baffoe alias Abronye D. Mr Abronye’s fourth relief, which was praying the Court to to declare that parliament cannot, on its own accord, initiate or approve payment of any such emoluments; which would necessarily be paid from public funds; without a bill to that effect emanating from and introduced by the government and duly passed into law, was not granted. Although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) for South Dayi Constituency, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, filed a similar action, his reliefs which focused on the recommendations of the Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee were dismissed, while only one was granted. Other members of the panel were Justices Gabriel Pwamang, Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Barbara Ackah-Yensu, Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu and Ernest Yao Gaewu. Credit: Graphiconline

Before the Pope's Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis received the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the “auletta,” or small study, of the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, according to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office. After his encounter with the Pope, Dr. Bawumia met with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. According to the statement, the talks at the Secretariat of State were "cordial" and highlighted "the good relations between the Holy See and Ghana." Particular attention, the communiqué noted, was focused on some aspects of the country's political and socio-economic situation, especially regarding collaboration in the fields of education and healthcare. In the course of the conversation, it added, there also was an exchange of views on current international issues, especially on security problems facing West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. Credit: Vatican News

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will later today formally outdoor Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang as 2024 running mate of the party. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA). Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will be expected to address the nation on the NDC’s vision for a progressive, inclusive and prosperous Ghana, as well as the live-transforming policies of the party's visionary Flag-bearer for the 2024 general elections. The event is expected to be attended by several prominent figures within the NDC, including the former president and the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 general elections,  John Dramani Mahama. Also in attendance will be members of Parliament and an array of distinguished guests from the Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy, Nananom, Women Groups, academia, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, Labour Organizations, and Creative Arts, among others. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, social media was abuzz with excitement as a video featuring Ghanaian singer King Promise surfaced, purportedly capturing his wedding day. In the footage, King Promise was seen adorned in traditional attire, accompanied by notable Ghanaian celebrities including superstar Sarkodie, Soafrican, DanceGodllyod, and Efia Odo. The images sparked widespread speculation about the singer's nuptials, sending fans into a frenzy. However, checks by Pulse.com.gh have revealed that the alleged wedding was, in fact, part of an upcoming music video and not an actual matrimonial ceremony. Credit: Pulse Ghana

Two Malaysian navy helicopters collided in mid-air as they flew in formation during a rehearsal for a military parade, killing all 10 crew on board. One of the aircraft clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed into the ground, footage published on local media showed. The incident took place at 09:30 local time (02:30 BST) in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a Royal Malaysian Navy base. There are no known survivors. "All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification," said the Royal Malaysian Navy. It added that it would form a committee to investigate the cause of the incident. One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed onto a running track. The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby. The state's fire and rescue department said it was alerted to the incident at 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT). Malaysia's Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "the nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy". "Condolences to all the families of the victims and prayers for strength to face this calamity," he said. In March, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed into the sea off Malaysia's Angsa Island during a training flight. The pilot, co-pilot and two passengers on board were found and rescued by fishermen. Credit: BBC