In a move designed to strengthen its brand presence and adapt to an increasingly competitive media landscape, Citi TV has officially rebranded to ChannelOne TV. This rebranding initiative, which had been in development since July 2021, was unveiled during a ceremony held at the newly named ChannelOne TV studio in Tesano, Accra, coinciding with the station’s sixth anniversary. The strategic rebranding aims to create a more identifiable and cohesive brand, positioning ChannelOne TV as a premier source of news, business, sports, and educational programming in Ghana and beyond. The channel's new catchphrase, “Telling Your Story, Empowering Change,” reflects its commitment to delivering high-quality content and fostering impactful narratives. Samuel Attah-Mensah, the Managing Director of ChannelOne TV, highlighted the motivations behind the change. "As we transition to ChannelOne TV, we are not just changing our name; we are embracing a new identity that reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and connecting with our audiences on a deeper level,” he stated. “This transformation represents a new drive to elevate our content, engage with our community in even more meaningful ways, and deliver an unparalleled viewing experience.” The rebranding event was attended by prominent figures from the media industry, including the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, and Inspector General of Police George Akuffo Dampare. Attendees witnessed the unveiling of the new logo, marking the channel’s fresh start. ChannelOne TV is set to continue offering the high-quality content that viewers have come to expect, with plans to introduce new shows and segments designed to engage and inform a broader audience. The rebranding promises an enhanced presence, a fresh perspective, an expanded reach, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. During the ceremony, Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar commended the contributions of Citi TV, now ChannelOne TV, to the development of the country. She emphasized the importance of factual and fair reporting, especially in the context of the upcoming election season. “While we commend you on this feat, we also want to remind you of your responsibility to deliver factual and fair reportage going forward. Taking into consideration the season of elections, any act of misinformation and disinformation can cause serious setbacks in our democracy. We count on you as allies to sensitize the public on the subject matter,” Abubakar remarked. She also highlighted the government's efforts to protect journalists, mentioning ongoing work with stakeholders to curb attacks on media personnel. “In our engagement with the judiciary, we have advocated for severe punishment for those who attack journalists,” she added. Reflecting on the legacy of Citi TV, Honourable Fatimatu Abubakar noted, “Over the years, the Citi brand has been a powerhouse within the media fraternity, synonymous with high standards and ethics. It has created a safe space for intellectual, socio-cultural, and political dialogues, bringing the latest news to the public while upholding professionalism.” As ChannelOne TV embarks on this new chapter, it aims to solidify its position as a leader in the Ghanaian media landscape, committed to providing viewers with an unparalleled viewing experience and continuing its tradition of excellence in journalism. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

After Israeli forces pulled out of Gaza City’s vast al-Shifa hospital complex on 1 April, following their second raid there, stunned Palestinians who pored over the burnt-out ruins said it reeked of death. During the past eight months of war, hospitals have come under repeated attack, with Israel claiming they are used as bases by Hamas; something the group denies. But events at al-Shifa – once the biggest and best equipped medical facility in the Gaza Strip – have arguably been the most dramatic. The two-week surprise raid, launched after Israel said Hamas had regrouped at the site, was described by the Israeli government as "precise and surgical". Its spokesman, Avi Hyman, asserted that it had set "the gold standard of urban warfare". He said: “We took out over 200 terrorists. We apprehended over 900 terrorists with not a single civilian casualty.” With decaying bodies sticking out of the sand piled up by combat bulldozers in the courtyards of al-Shifa, the claim that there had been no civilian casualties was immediately questioned. In recent weeks, four mass graves have been uncovered at the site, with Palestinian search teams saying that several hundred bodies have been found. Palestinian search teams say they have recovered hundreds of bodies. “We’ve extracted martyrs, many of whom are decomposed and completely unidentifiable,” a Palestinian Civil Defence worker, Rami Dababesh told us grimly on 8 May as he stood by a line of white plastic body bags at al-Shifa, wearing a face mask and full protective gear. “We’ve found corpses of women, children and individuals without heads as well as torn body parts,” he added. The Civil Defence lacks forensic equipment and expertise, but its teams have been using photos and videos to document the remains. A director, Dr Mohamed Mughir, told us there were suspicious finds; describing how “signs of field executions, binding marks, gunshot wounds to the head and torture marks on the limbs were observed on the bodies of some martyrs". The UN Security Council has expressed “deep concern” at the discovery of mass graves at both al-Shifa and Nasser hospital in southern Gaza. Along with the US and the European Union, it has called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says that during its raids of the Gaza hospitals, its soldiers exhumed bodies that Palestinians had buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of some 250 hostages captured during the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October. It maintains bodies were examined respectfully and those not belonging to Israeli captives were returned to their place. However, at least some of the corpses found recently at al-Shifa were those of patients who died during Israel’s latest military action. A paramedic involved in the search said some had IV catheters still attached. On 15 April, the BBC met two men whose dead mothers were last seen being treated at the hospital. Their bodies had just been recovered from a mass grave. “I came running here when they told me of the grave,” said Mohammed al-Khatib, who had spent days searching for his mother, Khawla. “By the grace of almighty God her body was found.” Walid Fteima said his elderly mother, Lina Abu Leila, was being treated for malnutrition and severe dehydration when she died. Her body was decomposed, and he could only identify her from injuries she had from an Israeli bombing last year. “[She] had a toe amputated on each foot,” he explained. After it began its operation at the hospital early on 18 March, the IDF ordered thousands of civilians sheltering there and living in the vicinity to leave and head south. However, it said the hospital could continue to function. By the end of two weeks, only some 140 patients and medics reportedly remained. The WHO's Dr Rik Peeperkorn said those left behind at the hospital ended up in facilities that were "completely unfit for treatment" The local WHO representative, Dr Rik Peeperkorn, says this group endured “horrific conditions”. After being repeatedly moved around the complex, he says, they “actually ended up in the human resources building which was completely unfit for treatment". Ultimately, he says, 20 patients died. Several surviving patients – all wounded in previous Israeli strikes – told us they were given only tiny quantities of food such as canned tuna. They said there were severe shortages of drinking water and medication. “The bombing surrounded us 24/7,” said Mohamed al-Nadeem who is half paralysed. “I am sick and unable to move. I was sleeping on the floor without blankets.” “There were no dressings or painkillers,” said Rafif Doghmush, 15, whose foot has been amputated. The IDF has told journalists that no staff or patients died as a “direct result” of its action, but that some may have died of “natural causes". During its raid, it said it helped patients by moving them out of harm’s way and that medical supplies and devices as well as food, water, and a generator were brought to the hospital. Grainy drone footage shared by the IDF after it launched its raid on 18 March showed Palestinian gunmen apparently shooting at soldiers from inside al-Shifa hospital. Later, the gunmen were said to have barricaded themselves in wards and corridors, opening fire and throwing explosives. Three Israeli soldiers were confirmed to have been killed during the two-week long operation. The IDF briefed journalists that its action at the hospital was taken based on “concrete intelligence” that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad had taken over parts of the site, suggesting their operatives had been using it to access basic supplies as well as power and the internet. While Hamas denied using al-Shifa as a base, its officials did not deny the presence of some members inside the complex, indicating that they may have been among displaced people sheltering there. Israel has said that “over 200 terrorists” were killed in and around al-Shifa, as well as the hundreds detained, but has only given some names. These include Faiq al-Mabhouh, described as head of operations in Hamas’ internal security service. The Hamas-run government’s media office said he was a police commander who had been co-ordinating aid deliveries to northern Gaza. Others killed were identified as a senior Hamas commander, Raed Thabet, said to have been head of recruitment and supply acquisition, and Mahmoud Zakzouk, said to have been deputy commander of the Hamas rocket unit in Gaza City. Two other Hamas operatives were named as Fadi Dweik and Zakaria Najib, said to have been involved in organising attacks in the occupied West Bank. In April, the IDF also released footage which it said was from the interrogation of Tarek Abu Shaluf, spokesman for the political wing of Islamic Jihad. It said he had been captured at al-Shifa. Hamas and Islamic Jihad do not routinely confirm the names of low-level fighters killed by Israeli military action, making it very difficult to estimate how many were killed at the hospital and in the vicinity. It is likely that a number were among the dead found in mass graves. There have repeatedly been conflicting narratives about what has happened in and around al-Shifa Despite the Israeli claim that there was “not a single civilian casualty” from its raid, we have been given strong testimony that there were Palestinian civilians killed by heavy Israeli bombardment and intense shooting in the surrounding neighbourhood. The Palestinian Civil Defence told us that hundreds of Palestinians were still reported to be missing following the raid in March. There have repeatedly been conflicting narratives about what has happened in and around al-Shifa. During its first controversial raid there, the Israeli military raised expectations that Israeli hostages might be found at the site. It also released a graphic depicting a vast underground tunnel network that it suggested was underneath the hospital, serving as a major Hamas command and control centre. While the IDF said it retrieved the bodies of two Israeli hostages near to the hospital, it did not announce that it had found any within the complex. Security camera footage that was recovered did show that at least two foreign captives were taken there on 7 October. The IDF showed what it said was a fortified 55-metre tunnel on the hospital grounds. This fell short of its initial claims about the extent of hidden tunnels, although later reporting suggested the passage – which was blown up – had actually been longer and was most likely connected to a wider network under Gaza City. When it returned to the site in March, the IDF suggested its key discoveries were of a different nature, releasing pictures of cash, weapons, and ammunition it said it had found there along with Hamas documents. The IDF says its forces discovered weapons and ammunition at the site Al-Shifa has been at the heart of a debate about whether Hamas uses medical sites as a cover. Israel has consistently claimed that the group hides its fighters and infrastructure behind the sick and wounded, which it suggests has rendered hospitals legitimate military targets. Hamas denies misusing civilian sites and accuses Israel of violating international humanitarian law by targeting hospitals. In April, when the UN called for “a clear, transparent and credible investigation” of mass graves in Gaza, its spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that more journalists needed to be able to work safely in the territory to report on the facts. During the war, Israel and Egypt have denied free access to foreign media. Mr Dujarric also said: “It’s important that all forensic evidence be well preserved.” So far, that is proving to be a challenge. International forensic specialists have been unable to reach Gaza to investigate what happened at al-Shifa. That has left much of the focus locally on registering and identifying the dead where possible, and giving them proper burials. The disturbance of the mass grave sites, experts say, will ultimately make it much harder to uncover the truth about them. Meanwhile, although al-Shifa has been largely destroyed, there have been recent efforts to restart very limited medical services on site. These gained momentum as Israel targeted other health facilities which it said were being used by Hamas, particularly Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. In late May, in a hastily repaired room of the kidney dialysis unit at al-Shifa, the journalist working with us met four patients as they sat connected to steadily beeping machines. After so many deaths at the hospital, it is once again providing some life-saving treatment. Credit: BBC

Manchester United will be allowed to compete in next season's Europa League despite concerns over Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' ownership of fellow participants Nice, according to a report. The Red Devils looked set for a 2024/25 campaign without European football after finishing eighth in this year's Premier League - their lowest return in 34 years. However, their surprise victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final booked them a Europa League spot. Reports last week claimed that United's place in the competition was in jeopardy as minority shareholder Ratcliffe is also the owner of French side Nice, who qualified for the Europa League thanks to a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1. UEFA rules decree two teams under the same ownership cannot compete in the same competition, and as Nice had recorded a higher league finish, United were in danger of being relegated to the Conference League. Ratcliffe's ownership of Man Utd and Nice came into question A statement from INEOS last week revealed a dialogue was ongoing with UEFA over the issue, and The Times now report that United and Nice will both be allowed to partake in the Europa League. UEFA's Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) will confirm this decision over the next fortnight after the deadline for submissions for multi-club ownerships passed on Sunday. City faced a similar problem to United with sister club Girona qualifying for next season's Champions League, though they too will be given the all-clear to compete together. However, UEFA are expected to inform United and City they will not be allowed such leeway in future instances. Current regulations decree two competing clubs cannot have over 30% of same ownership groups - Ratcliffe's stakes in United and Nice do not violate such rules, but City Football Group's ownership in Girona stands at 47%. UEFA may look to tighten these rules in future, as revealed in a leaked document seen by The Times. Credit: 90min

Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang, the 2024 running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a fervent appeal to the people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam and Ghanaians nationwide to vote against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7 general election. Speaking at a gathering to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the June 4 Uprising, Prof. Opoku Agyemang delivered a scathing critique of the NPP’s economic management and highlighted the hardships faced by citizens under the current administration. "Let us come out in our numbers and vote against the NPP," Prof. Opoku Agyemang urged. "They have failed abysmally and brought hardship on Ghana with their mismanagement of the economy. It will take a government led by John Dramani Mahama as President to salvage Ghana and bring it back to the path of growth." Her remarks came amid a significant gathering of NDC supporters and community members at Enyan Dankyira, where the historical June 4 Uprising was remembered. The event also served as a platform for the NDC to consolidate its support base and rally for the forthcoming elections. Prof. Opoku Agyemang underscored the critical state of the nation's economy and the urgent need for a change in leadership. She argued that the NPP’s policies have led to widespread economic difficulties, including high unemployment rates, inflation, and a declining standard of living. The solution, she posited, lies in the experienced hands of former President John Dramani Mahama. In addition to her economic critique, Prof. Opoku Agyemang emphasized the importance of unity and collective action. "We must unite and work together to ensure that the NDC wins the upcoming election. Our country’s future depends on it," she said. Her address also resonated with calls for justice and support for NDC's embattled Member of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is currently on trial for allegedly causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the state over an ambulance procurement deal. The trial, which includes charges of willfully causing financial loss, abetment, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property, has been a focal point of contention within the party. Prof. Jonathan Annan, Chairman of the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, reiterated the party’s solidarity with Dr. Forson and called on constituents to pray for his exoneration. "This 45th June 4 anniversary is in solidarity with our Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson. Let us go down on our knees and pray for him seriously; he is our leader," Prof. Annan stated. The event at Enyan Dankyira thus served dual purposes: it was both a commemoration of a pivotal moment in Ghana’s history and a strategic rallying point for the NDC as they gear up for the critical 2024 elections. The speeches delivered underscored the party's readiness to challenge the status quo and their commitment to addressing the pressing economic issues facing Ghanaians today. As the December 7 elections approach, the NDC’s message is clear: a call for change, unity, and a return to growth and stability under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chairman of the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jonathan Annan, has called on constituents to fervently pray for their Member of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is currently on trial for allegedly causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the state over an ambulance procurement deal. Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Minister of Finance and MP since 2009, along with Richard Jakpa, a representative for Big Sea, are accused of causing financial loss to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to willfully causing financial loss, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property. Addressing a gathering to mark the 45th anniversary of the June 4 Uprising at Enyan Dankyira, Prof. Annan urged the constituents to intercede for Dr. Forson, asserting his innocence. "Nananom and all the people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam, this 45th June 4 anniversary is in solidarity with the Minority Leader, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam constituency, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson" "Let us go down on our knees and pray for him seriously; he is our leader. He has helped in bringing developmental projects to the constituency. If you touch Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, you have touched Ajumako Enyan Essiam. Let us pray for him and the good Lord will exonerate him," Prof. Annan stated. In addition, the NDC's running mate, Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang, appealed to the people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam and Ghanaians at large to vote against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7 general election. She criticized the NPP for its economic mismanagement and the resultant hardships, emphasizing the need for a government led by John Dramani Mahama to restore the nation's growth. "Let us come out in our numbers and vote against the NPP" "They have failed abysmally and brought hardship on Ghana with their mismanagement of the economy" "It will take a government led by John Dramani Mahama as President to salvage Ghana and bring it back to the path of growth," Prof. Opoku Agyemang urged. As the legal proceedings continue, the NDC leadership remains steadfast in their support for Dr. Forson, emphasizing his contributions to the constituency and calling for unity and collective prayer for his exoneration. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Locked-up Investment Holders' Forum has announced plans to resume its picketing at the Finance Ministry today, Wednesday, June 5, following the ministry's failure to fulfill its recent promise to engage with them. Despite assurances from Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Stephen Amoah, the ministry has not addressed the group's concerns, leaving members increasingly frustrated. The forum had previously suspended its protest after Dr. Amoah intervened, promising to address their issues. However, the lack of subsequent engagement has compelled the group to reconsider their decision. The members are demanding concrete assurances from the Finance Ministry that will enable the Bank of Ghana to release funds locked up in defunct finance firms. Dr. Adu Anane Antwi, the Convenor of the Locked-up Investment Holders' Forum, expressed the group's disappointment over the ministry's inaction. "We will be resuming our picketing this Wednesday, June 5, 2024, as the meeting that was promised by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. Stephen Amoah, with us after he returned from his trip on May 27, 2024, has still not come on," Dr. Antwi stated. He added that despite multiple attempts to contact Dr. Amoah, there has been no response. "I sent the Deputy Minister a text message and a WhatsApp message last Thursday reminding him that we are still waiting for him to call us for the meeting," Dr. Antwi said. "We still have not received any response whatsoever from the Ministry of Finance, and therefore…this coming Wednesday, June 5, we are resuming the picketing." The forum remains determined to continue its protest until their grievances are addressed and its members receive the funds they are owed. The group's renewed picketing underscores the urgent need for the Finance Ministry to engage with the affected individuals and provide a clear resolution to the ongoing issue of locked-up investments. As the picketing resumes, the Locked-up Investment Holders' Forum hopes that the increased visibility of their protest will prompt the Finance Ministry to take swift action and fulfill its commitments to the affected investors. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Richard Kofi Asiedu, has called on party members to work in unity and remain vigilant as they prepare for the 2024 general elections. His remarks came during the June 4th commemoration event held in Enyan Denkyira, located in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam constituency. Prof. Asiedu highlighted the significance of the June 4th Uprising commemoration as a source of motivation for NDC supporters to strive for electoral success. Reflecting on the previous year’s commemoration in Ganga, which preceded a decisive NDC victory in the Assin North by-election, he expressed optimism that this year’s event would similarly galvanize the party's efforts toward a win in the December 7 polls. During the event, George Kweku Rickets-Hagan delivered a speech on behalf of the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson. In his address, Rickets-Hagan urged Ghanaians to recognize that the issues which sparked the June 4th Uprising still persist under the current government. He emphasized that the solution lies not in another uprising, but in exercising their democratic right to vote out the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration and elect John Mahama to restore the nation. Prof. Asiedu's call for unity and vigilance resonated with the party faithful, as he stressed the importance of working together to secure a victory for the NDC. The June 4th event, a significant moment in Ghana’s political history, served as a rallying point for the party to consolidate its efforts and focus on the upcoming election. As the NDC gears up for the 2024 election, party leaders and supporters alike are being encouraged to stay united and proactive in their campaign efforts, aiming to bring about a change in leadership for the betterment of the country. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi, has commended the concerted efforts of security agencies working together at the nation's borders. His remarks came during the commissioning of the renovated Mognori and Pulimakom Border Posts, a key event in his ongoing tour of Ghana's five northern regions. In his address, Mr. Takyi underscored the importance of heightened vigilance as the country approaches its general elections. He urged all security agencies to intensify their efforts to prevent unauthorized individuals from crossing the borders and potentially disrupting national peace. "Whether you belong to Immigration, the National Intelligence Bureau, Port Health, Plant Quarantine, Customs, National Security, or the Narcotics Control Commission, our paramount concern must always be the safety and security of our nation," Mr. Takyi emphasized. The CGI's tour, which has already covered the Northern, North East, Upper West, and Upper East regions, aims to bolster morale and assess operational readiness. In the Upper West region, Mr. Takyi visited several key locations, including Missiga and Kulungugu under the Bawku Sector, as well as the Zebila Command. He held a durbar with officers at the Regional Headquarters, where he praised their dedication and encouraged continued diligence. Further stops in the Upper West included the Tumu Sector and checkpoints at Nero and Lane, where Mr. Takyi inspected ongoing projects and engaged with border officials. His visit also featured a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Council, Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV. The CGI was warmly received by the Council of Elders, led by the Busa Naa, Ali Seidu Pelpuo. Throughout his tour, Mr. Takyi has been focused on strengthening inter-agency cooperation and ensuring all personnel are prepared for the upcoming electoral period. His efforts reflect a commitment to maintaining border security and supporting the officers who play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

It was 11:00 am on July 6, 2023, at one of Ghana’s prestigious senior high schools, Accra Academy. Students had gathered in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) lab, tapping their fingers impatiently on keyboards with exasperating sighs. In contrast, others muttered under their breaths in frustration, desperately trying to connect to the internet. With time slipping away and their assignment deadline fast approaching, disappointment was etched on their faces as the blank screens on their computer monitors flashed with the inscription, “No internet acces" Accra Academy Senior High School (SHS) was one of over 700 schools connected to the internet as part of the government’s Wi-Fi for Schools programme. For a while, jumping on the information superhighway was a breeze for both students and tutors. But within a year, the internet was no longer available. The school was disconnected. “The internet stopped working when we were in Form 2,” says a final-year student. “We no longer use it at the ICT lab.” The headmaster, Emmanuel Ofie Fiemawhle, explains that the government-supplied internet only worked for a year but was always unstable. Complaints have been filed. He claims that the company responsible for the network has failed to respond positively or meaningfully. The Old Students Association has since intervened to keep Accra Academy’s vital administrative functions connected to the Internet. Currently, it is only the school’s administration, accounts office and data room that are connected, said the headmaster. The ICT lab and the libraries, where students usually go for research, are without an internet connection. The situation is no better at Labone SHS, also in Accra. Although the school has the IT infrastructure installed by the government, the internet has never worked. A member of the management of the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they currently rely on Telecel Ghana’s internet service. However, this service is only accessible in the school’s administrative block, which houses the headmaster and other management staff. At the Bolgatanga SHS (Big Boss), an E-learning centre sits in the heart of the school. The centre was put up to facilitate teaching and virtual learning among students while assisting teachers to undertake academic research and prepare their lessons. But a year after it was opened, Wi-Fi internet connectivity stopped working. This has not only affected the E-learning centre and the purpose it was supposed to serve. It has also affected the preparation of lesson notes by teachers. Since the Wi-Fi stopped working, staff have had to use their mobile data to conduct online research. Authorities say several complaints to the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education have yielded no results. Despite this challenge, Bolgatanga Senior High qualified for two national championships – the National Science and Maths Quiz in 2023 and the Energy Commission’s Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge in 2022. However, the unavailability of internet connectivity affected preparations as the students could not hold virtual lessons and conduct research work online, forcing the school to opt out of both competitions. “This is frustrating and demoralizing,” a student, who did not want to be named, said of the situation. The free Wi-Fi for schools’ programme was in fulfilment of a 2016 manifesto promise by the governing New Patriotic Party to collaborate “with the private sector [to] provide free Wi-Fi coverage for senior secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide, dedicated to learning, administration and enhancing the capacity to do research.” According to the project contractor, the policy resulted in the connection of over 1,000 institutions to the Internet as of February 2024. Apart from the SHSs, 16 regional education offices, 46 colleges of education and 260 district education offices were also expected to be connected within a year. Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who launched the initiative in February 2020, said it was part of a broader programme to bridge the technology gap in the country and improve learning through internet use. “There is much knowledge on the internet and we have to allow senior high schools to access that knowledge. We promised free Wi-Fi and we are going to deliver,” Dr Bawumia said at a town hall meeting in Kumasi in 2020. The project, Dr Bawumia said, will be “a [leveler] of academic opportunities” and provide “an equal opportunity window to the world of [the] Internet of Things.” Almost four years after the launch of the programme, the lofty promises are yet to be fulfilled and a number of schools are without internet connection in Ghana. Yet, GHS56 million has been paid to Busy Internet, an internet service provider, which appears to have since folded up, and its contract is now assigned to a company called Lifted Logistics, which only secured a conditional internet service provider (ISP) license in February 2024. When the contract was awarded for the provision of internet services to schools in December 2019, the intent was to have school administration blocks, libraries and the ICT labs connected. However, 48 of the 50 schools Evans Aziamor-Mensah of The Fourth Estate visited between June and July 2023 had no internet connectivity. Service provider’s unresponsiveness angers school IT co-ordinators To ensure effective communication on the internet connection, Busy Internet (now Lifted Logistics) created a dedicated line for the schools to lodge complaints about disruptions. It also created a WhatsApp platform for school IT coordinators across the country. In the Bono and Ahafo regions, though the coordinators reported the challenges they were facing with the Wi-Fi connectivity, Busy Internet failed to act. “The network has been down for a long time. At the regional level, we always get complaints but when we channel it, we don’t get any proper response from your end. I can say for a fact that all schools, districts and regional offices are facing the same challenge. The internet is not working especially Bono Region,” one of the co-ordinators wrote on the WhatsApp platform in May 2023. At another time on May 15, 2023, when one of the Busy Internet supervisors asked for an update in the WhatsApp group, it drew the anger of the IT coordinators. “There’s no Wi-Fi anywhere. It’s a white elephant,” one of the coordinators responded. “At times, it is irritating to ask such a question,” another coordinator wrote. “Why?” the Busy supervisor asked. “Are you not the managers and providers of the service? You should know best,” the IT coordinator responded. Busy Internet, Education Ministry’s responses Business Lead of Lifted Logistics, Dickinson Agyapong Bempa, told The Fourth Estate that the company did not present any bill to the government of Ghana for the months it did not provide service to certain schools. But this claim is false. Accra Academy, Labone Senior High School, and Bolgatanga Girls have been without internet under the Busy Internet project for periods of up to 24 months. However, they featured prominently on a list of schools whose internet services Lifted Logistics invoiced and received payments for. The company also received payments for St Mary’s SHS, Korle Gonno, Fafraha Community Day SHS, Ada Technical, Nungua SHS, Presby SHS, Teshie Presbyterian SHS, Ashaiman SHS, Kpedze SHS, Toase SHS, Bawku and Adugyama SHSs between 2020 and 2023 but all of these schools had no internet access for those years. A policy advocacy organisation, Africa Education Watch, has also conducted research and found that 107 schools out of 150 visited across the country were not enjoying any benefits under the free Wi-Fi for schools project. Demand for value-for-money audit Divine Kpe, a senior programmes manager at Eduwatch, says Ghana seems to be paying for a service that is not being rendered and called for an investigation into the project. “… if we have invested about GHS 84 million for installation,” he says “and we have to pay GHS6.3 million for the next five years and yet the students and the teachers cannot access the service then there’s no value for money.” Mr Kpe says there is a need for the Auditor-General to look into that. The Fourth Estate wrote to the Minister of Education for responses to these revelations. The Minister directed that we speak to the Executive Director for the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling, Nana Gyamfi Adwabour, who revealed that a monitoring system was set up to review the contract with Busy Internet in September 2023, almost three years into the implementation of the project. Nana Gyamfi Adwabour also admitted that apart from the manual verification by a committee, there was no real-time monitoring system in place for the project until September 2023. Such a monitoring system was to be installed as part of Busy Internet’s obligations under the contract. One of the legal wires that binds the government and Busy Internet in the contract was that, if Busy Internet failed to deliver its service to a school for 15 days, the company would not be paid. This legal wire was tripped not just for 15 days in some schools. As The Fourth Estate has learned, some schools did not have internet for as long as two years. President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) who is also the headmaster of Opoku Ware Senior High School in Kumasi, Rev Fr Stephen Owusu Sekyere, said the internet outages have been affecting teaching and learning in schools. “At times, it goes off for about 2-3 weeks, other times, a month and then it’s restored but as we speak, my school has been off for over a month now and it’s not helping us at all,” he told The Fourth Estate on May 4, this year. He continued: “We can’t use the service to improve teaching and learning in our schools.” When The Fourth Estate sent a list of 53 schools without internet spanning 2020 to July 2023 to Lifted Logistics, the company failed to provide any information on that, stating “Busy Internet, which was in charge of this implementation at the time, has since suspended operations.” Mr Agyapong-Bempa, however, said, “We have from August 2023 provided a monitoring system, which we gave you a briefing at our last meeting.” Mr Agyapong-Bempa’s excuse that they could not provide the information on whether a school’s internet was functional or not until August 2023 because Busy Internet suspended its operations for those years is not accurate. This is because Lifted Logistics bought Busy Internet in 2018, a year before the contract was awarded and all payments for work done were made to Lifted Logistics. If some schools did not have internet for more than 15 days as stipulated in the contract, why did the government of Ghana continue to pay the company for services in these schools? The Fourth Estate asked Nana Gyamfi Adwabour of the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling. “I think this is a clear case for us to review again those two monitoring mechanisms to protect the public purse,” was his response. Despite multiple requests for information, since July 2023, the Ministry of Education has refused to provide a monthly breakdown of what it has paid Busy Internet since January 2020. Nana Gyamfi Adwabour also promised to provide the data after the interview on May 6, 2024, but failed to do so. The Business lead of Lifted Logistics, Mr Bempa denied knowledge of how much his agency has so far received from the contract from the government. But so far what we know is that the company received GHC56 million for work it supposedly did for nine months for which it cannot show any tangible results because most schools don’t have the services they were supposed to provide. This period includes the months The Fourth Estate visited and observed that the internet was not working in 48 out of 50 schools Credit: The Fourth Estate

A newborn baby found earlier this year in Newham, east London, is the third child abandoned by the same parents, the BBC can report. DNA tests presented to the East London Family Court established that “Baby Elsa” is the sibling of two babies, a boy and a girl, found in very similar circumstances in 2017 and 2019. Despite appeals by the Metropolitan Police, their parents have not been identified. The BBC and PA Media were given special permission by the court to report the sibling link - and that the children are black. Judge Carol Atkinson said the story was of "great public interest" as babies are very rarely abandoned in modern Britain. An expert told the court that, in his opinion, the genetic findings provided extremely strong scientific support for the view that Baby Elsa was “a full sibling” of the other two babies. The older children have been adopted and Baby Elsa remains in foster care. She was found by a dog-walker in January in sub-zero temperatures - the coldest night of the year - wrapped in a towel inside a bag. Family Court documents stated Baby Elsa still had her umbilical cord, and doctors estimate she had been born only an hour before. Although she was extremely cold when found, Elsa was described as crying and responsive. The court has since heard that she is doing well. The Family Court has heard that the children - whose names have now been changed - will all know that they are full siblings, and there are plans for them to have some form of contact as they grow up. The reporting of the sibling link was not supported by the local authority and England's Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), which advises courts about children's best interests. The Met Police said it was up to the court to determine whether the link between the children should be reported, but they told the court they did not wish to “inadvertently promote or encourage struggling mothers to abandon unwanted babies in public spaces”. East London Family Court is taking part in a transparency pilot, which has been extended to cover almost half the family courts in England and Wales. This makes it easier for the BBC and other journalists to report cases. The BBC and PA Media argued in court that it was a matter of public interest that the three children had been abandoned at birth by the same parents. Carol Atkinson, the most senior judge in East London Family Court, agreed. “Abandonment of a baby in this country is a very, very unusual event,” she said, adding that there was considerable public interest in such cases, for that reason. She said the fact the three babies were full siblings was, for the same reason, “of enormous interest” in “our current society”. She said that if she were to refuse reporting, it would affect the “public consciousness” of these matters, and restrict open justice in such cases. The BBC and PA said further reporting was likely to assist the authorities in locating the children’s parents, and that highlighting the relationship would put the focus back on the children’s mother. The junction of the Greenway and High Street South in Newham, east London, where a newborn baby was found in a shopping bag. Baby Elsa was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in Newham, east London in January Very few babies are recorded as abandoned at birth in England and Wales. The ONS only published data until 2015, and that showed no babies were registered as abandoned for the previous three years, with just one logged as abandoned in 2011. However academic researchers estimate the number higher, at about 16 per year - in analysis covering the period 1998-2005. The press reported on an abandoned baby in Hackney, east London, in 2020 - and another in Birmingham in 2021. Their mothers were eventually traced, several months later. Credit: BBC

The family of a three-year-old boy, who tragically lost his life in a road accident involving the renowned actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, has declared their unwavering commitment to seeking justice. The young victim was laid to rest amidst deep mourning by his family. In an emotional interview with Angel FM, a relative emphasized their determination, underscoring that they would not be intimidated or swayed by any means. "He thinks he’s dealing with a family of modest means... We are taking this matter extremely seriously. When the actor's public relations officer suggested we could be bought off, I made it clear that everyone familiar with our family knows we are not destitute," stated the boy’s uncle. LilWin was granted bail set at GH¢50,000 with two sureties by the Asokore Mampong District Court in Kumasi on Monday, June 3, 2024, following his earlier arrest. Initially hospitalized, LilWin was later taken into custody by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Manhyia Divisional Command. The arrest stemmed from a fatal accident where his vehicle collided with another, resulting in the death of the three-year-old. The grieving family has been vocal in their quest for justice. Law enforcement explained that the delay in LilWin's arrest was due to his medical condition at the time. The actor is currently under investigation and faces charges of dangerous driving and causing harm through negligence. Despite the delay caused by his health issues, his lawyer, Margaret Adjei-Twum, successfully argued for his bail, citing the need for him to continue medical treatment for his injuries, including internal bleeding. Adjei-Twum assured the court of LilWin's commitment to the legal process, noting his high profile in Ghana mitigates any risk of him fleeing. The defense also expressed concerns about the police rushing the case to court before LilWin had fully recovered. The court has adjourned the case to June 27, 2024. Reports indicate that LilWin was driving at high speed weeks before the accident, which led to the collision with the vehicle carrying the young boy, Nana Yaw, and his father, Jacob Kofi Ampomah. Nana Yaw sustained severe head injuries and was unresponsive at the scene. Despite being rushed to the hospital and later transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the boy succumbed to his injuries. The bereaved family remains resolute in their demand for accountability, ensuring their tragic loss does not go unaddressed. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

In a dramatic turn of events, Ghana's Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has addressed a leaked audio recording that allegedly captures him attempting to fabricate evidence against Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson. The recording, released by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), suggests Dame pressured a witness, Richard Jakpa, to provide incriminating testimony in a high-profile case concerning financial losses. The controversy erupted when Jakpa, a key witness, revealed in court that he had been under pressure from Dame to deliver testimony detrimental to Forson. According to Jakpa, the Attorney General had been calling him at odd hours, urging him to cooperate. This revelation was followed by the NDC releasing a 16-minute recording purportedly substantiating Jakpa's claims. The tape has intensified scrutiny over Dame’s conduct in the prosecution of Forson. Cassiel Ato Forson, who has served as the Minority Leader since January 2023, faces allegations of causing the state a financial loss of €2.37 million. The case revolves around a government deal to purchase 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016, during Forson's tenure as Deputy Finance Minister. Following his first court appearance since the audio leak, Mr. Dame addressed the media with a faith-based response to the accusations. He expressed confidence in overcoming what he described as traps set against him. “All I can say is that the Lord does not delight in the pleasure of the wicked. Even though they have laid traps for me, I will flee from them. And righteousness will always prevail over evil,” Godfred Dame stated. The recording has sparked calls for Dame’s resignation, with critics arguing that it undermines the integrity of the legal process. The NDC has been particularly vocal, asserting that the tape raises serious ethical questions about Dame's actions. Adding to the political tension, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has condemned the prosecution of Forson, describing it as a persecution by the Akufo-Addo government. Bagbin characterized the case as a political gamble, suggesting that the charges against Forson are part of a broader strategy to weaken the opposition. The unfolding drama has captivated the nation, with significant implications for both the legal community and the political landscape. As the case continues, the integrity of the judicial process and the conduct of the Attorney General will remain under intense scrutiny. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith