The Ministry of Health has launched its official television station, MoH Tv in Accra. According to the Outgoing Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the launch of MoH Tv forms part of mechanisms put in place to facilitate the attainment of the Ministry's committed Universal Health Coverage agenda. Speaking at the launch, the Minister said "Health education is a social science that draws from the environmental, psychological, physical and medical sciences to promote to promote health and prevent diseases, disabilities and premature deaths through education driven voluntary change activities" "Health education is the development of indepth individual, institutional and community systematic strategies to improve health knowledge, attitudes skills and behaviours" "The purpose of health education is to positively influence the health behaviour of individuals and communities an the working conditions that influences their health" Health promotion improves the health status of individuals, families communities and nation. It enhnces the quality of lives for people and reduces premature deaths. "It reduces government's health budget and facilitating socio-economic development. The recognition of the positive impact of health education and promotion on public health" He stressed that the Ministry is focused in doing something that will create a platform to be able to disseminate whatever information it has for the general public. Management of MoH Tv assured the Outgoing Minister of not only a 24 hour service but very educative and informative comtent. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana will soon establish bilateral ECOWAS roaming service with Togo, Benin, and the Gambia, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has disclosed. She made these remarks while addressing Journalists in Accra on Sunday. She said "Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire in June 2023 became the first ECOWAS countries to implement the ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative" "The free roaming service simply means that Ghanaians subscribers visiting Côte d'Ivoire will receive calls without paying roaming fees and will be charged Côte d'Ivoire's local rates when making calls to Ghana while in Côte d'Ivoire, and vice versa" "Also, subscribers travelling between both countries will be exempted from international roaming charges" In other developments, she revealed that her Ministry had constructed over 1,000 rural telephony sites under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (The GRT&DIP) to expand mobile network connectivity to unconnected rural communities. "As of this month, 1,010 of the planned 2,016 sites had been constructed, with 618 of them already operational. We were offering essential voice and data services to citizens in about 1,620 rural communities" "People in those rural communities can now make calls and use data services, thereby enhancing social and economic activities in these communities”. This, she said include; the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project, the Innovative Digital Services and Payments Platform (Ghana Gov), and the Revolutionary Nationwide E-Government Network (eGovNet)" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Four Ministers of State are scheduled to appear before Parliament to answer 37 questions as the House resumes sitting starting from tomorrow, Tuesday, February 20 to 23. They are the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame; Minister of Education, Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum; Minister of Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, and Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah. Ahead of this week’s sitting, the Members of Parliament (MPs) have been busy in Ho, the Volta regional capital, engaged in an orientation workshop on the new Standing Orders. A first batch of 100 MPs were taken through the key Orders while the second batch will later be at the Rock City Hotel for the same exercise. Ministers The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Dame, is expected to address seven important questions including one by the MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, on measures being taken to criminalise the conduct of doctors, who refuse to treat and issue medical form to patients who hold valid NHIS card, for the purpose of prosecution. The other three ministers — Education, Dr Adutwum; Energy, Dr Prempeh, and Roads and Highways, Mr Amoako-Attah, are all expected to answer 10 questions each. Presentation Presenting the Business Statement for the week, MP for Tolon and First Deputy Majority Whip, Habib Iddrisu, said statements and motion would also be admitted. A report of the Committee on Gender and Children on the Affirmative Action (Gender equality) Bill, 2023 and a motion to adopt the report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the Military Operation at Ashiaman are all on the radar. Bills The House is also expected to take the second reading of the Chartered Institute of Restructuring and Insolvency practitioners, Ghana Bill, 2023; Budget Bill, 2023; Grains Development Authority Bill, 2022; Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023 and Environmental Protection Bill, 2023. Credit: Graphiconline

ARTISTE Manager and Entertainment Pundit, Nana Poku Ashis, is cautioning creatives to be mindful of mounting campaign platforms of politicians who only take advantage of them to get into office. With the general election coming off later in the year, politicians will once again use and dump the creatives. They will ride on creatives’ popularity and numbers for their campaigns but do not have their welfare at heart. Talking to Graphic Showbiz in a recent interview, Ashis said: “It is about time players in the Creative Industry come together as one voice to fight for a common goal because politicians have taken them for granted for far too long. “We are only needed during campaign time so they can come to power and after that, we are left on our own. I have told myself that until a presidential candidate can convince me that he has our interest at heart and is willing to implement policies that help creatives, there is no way I am voting. I believe if every creative thinks like me, they will take us seriously and provide us with what we need to effectively execute our jobs" “With how we have been treated so far, I don’t expect to see any creative jumping on any political platform to campaign for a politician until our voices are heard. In December, we will be voting, and we will be needed for campaigns, and this is the time we should make our voices heard. Let’s come together as one and fight for a common goal,” Ashis added. Ashis said the creative sector played a crucial role in the country’s development, contributing to economic growth, job creation and government tax revenue. “It is about time the government took a serious look our way. The creative sector makes huge money for this country, so I cannot understand why we are neglected. Just look at all the money and jobs we created via just December in GH,” he noted. Credit: Graphiconline

Afua Asantewaa has taken a swipe at social media users who have made her family a subject of trolling on social media. Afua Asantewaa and her husband, Kofi Owusu Aduonum have come under online bullying in the last weeks with some netizens passing derogatory comments about their marriage. Reacting in a video, Afua, who has perhaps had enough of the dragging took a dig at such critics, revealing that many of them send her private messages begging for money. “Too many people expose their ignorance on social media. "They comment anyhow with 1gh data and DM [direct message] or meet you in person begging for money or [a] job” “Lack of knowledge, many shall perish. They don’t know their contact or email used to register their ghost can easily be tracked,” she said. Afua Asantewaa also pointed out that some people are intimidated when they see others on their timelines. “Some people on social media are intimidated anytime they see you on their timelines or FYP [For You Page]. “They don’t know you from anywhere and might not have an acquaintance with you, they just hate you and would say you post [yourself] too much, she said. On December 24, 2023, Afua Asantewaa embarked on a task to set the record for the longest-singing marathon by an individual in the Guinness World Record. The historic event took place in Akwaaba village, with a record attempt of 126 hours 52 minutes. Afua Asantewaa, who is the Chief Executive Officer of ASKOF Productions Limited, organisers of Ghana Outstanding Women Awards, Miss Kidi Ghana, Teen Queen Ghana and Pose for Africa, has since been named Tourism Ambassador by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture following the December 24-29 singing marathon. Credit: Graphiconline

The Office of the Flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has denied affiliation to the "Social Democratic Forum" and its claims against the flag bearer. A statement issued and signed by the Aide to Former President John Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, last Saturday denied claims made by the group that the flag bearer of the NDC was "over-relying on Alan Kyerematen and his Butterfly Movement for political gains in the Ashanti Region", the stronghold of the NPP. It noted that the said group was a creation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and its existence is unknown to the NDC and its flag bearer. "The Mahama 2024 Campaign has been made aware of a statement circulated by persons affiliated with the NPP, allegedly from a group called “Social Democratic Forum". "The Mahama 2024 Campaign would like to clarify that we have no affiliation with the said group, which is unknown to the NDC. This non-existent group is yet another creation of the NPP, who are in panic mode due to growing discontent in the Ashanti Region against their misrule, economic mismanagement, corruption, nepotism, and arrogance of power," it said. Failure of NPP It also indicated that the failure of the NPP in its stronghold had made the party very unpopular, leading to the significant support the NDC continued to gain in the Ashanti Region to the surprise of the NPP. It added that "the statement by the faceless group is nothing but a misguided and desperate effort to downplay the severe backlash faced by the NPP's flag bearer for his attempt to distance himself from his own government's poor governance". Credit: Graphiconline

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Vice-President and flag bearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will unveil his campaign team for the 2024 general election today, Monday, February 19, 2024. This is expected to be done at the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council (NC) meeting to be held today in Accra. The list of the campaign team is expected to be presented at the NEC and NC meeting for its consideration and approval. That would be followed by the announcement of members of the Bawumia campaign team for 2024. The list to be presented is expected to reflect the philosophy, strategy and focus of the NPP's 2024 campaign. The NPP flag bearer's campaign team is expected to have a blend of experience and youth, to prosecute the electioneering of the governing party for a third consecutive victory at the polls in 2024. Sources at the party's headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra intimated that looking at the crucial nature of the election, the party was determined to put its best foot forward by ensuring that a formidable team was put together to prosecute the party's campaign agenda for another victory. Possible members The sources indicated that the team would have the outgoing Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, as the National Campaign Chairman of Dr Bawumia’s team. Mr Botwe, considered as a political strategist with a wealth of political experience, is expected to bring on board his magnificent communications and managerial skills. The NPP Member of Parliament for Okere in the Eastern Region, who did not seek relection in the January 27 parliamentary primaries of the party, is said to have offered to be relieved of his position as the Minister of Local Government to enable him to focus on heading the campaign team of Dr Bawumia. Mr Botwe played a significant role in the election of former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2000 as the General Secretary of the NPP, an achievement that earned him the nickname "General" Other names that have popped up as possible members of Dr Bawumia’s campaign team are a former First National Vice Chairman of the NPP, Fred Oware;  a former National Chairman of the NPP and campaign manager for President Akufo-Addo’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns, Peter Mac Menu. Messrs Oware and Manu are expected to play the advisory role in the team by also bringing on board their years of rich political and election campaigning experiences to ensure a successive victory for the party. Other members who are likely to be in the team are Nana  Akomea, who would be in charge of Communications; former Coordinator of Zongo Development, Dr Ben Abdallah Banda; a former NPP MP for Suhum, Frederick Opare Ansah; a former Deputy Minister, Anthony Karbo, and a former National Organiser of the NPP, Sammi Awuku, to inject dynamism into the campaign. Credit: Graphiconline

Government of Ghana says it has adjusted the salary of public sector workers by 23 per cent. This follows the conclusion of negotiations on the 2024 base pay. Payment of the 23 per cent adjustment took effect from January 1, this year. The Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, confirmed this to the Daily Graphic. He said approval had already been given by the government for the payment of the 23 per cent adjustment. Mr Kwaning-Bosompem indicated that the government had been very committed to the emoluments of public sector workers, and that salaries had been paid not only in the right amount, but on dates published for payment of salaries. The Controller and Accountant General’s Department at the beginning of every year publishes the dates of payments for salaries of public sector workers. Commitment "The government is very committed to upholding workers interests and has never faulted in paying salaries even when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020,” Mr Kwaning-Bosompem said. “In other jurisdictions, during the COVID-19 pandemic, salaries were cut and people were laid off, but in Ghana the government kept faith with workers by paying their salaries,” he added. Mr Kwaning-Bosompem said the government had done its bit, and that it was expected that public sector workers would work hard to help to stabilise the economy. "The economy has started showing signs of full recovery, and we must work together to stabilise the fiscal environment and prosecute stability in the macroeconomic environment," the Controller and Accountant General said. Organised Labour Some members of Organised Labour have confirmed the payment of the 23 per cent increase in base pay by the government. The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) confirmed the payment of the base pay. The General Secretary of the union, Mark Dankyira Korankye, who confirmed this to the Daily Graphic, said his outfit had so far not received any complaint whatsoever from its rank and file regarding the payment. "As far as our members are concerned they have received their pay based on the new 23 per cent salary adjustment," he emphasised. Recall The government last year increased the base pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) by 30 per cent across the board. The 30 per cent is the biggest increment Organised Labour has secured out of negotiations with the government since 2010 when the government increased the base pay by 20 per cent, and by the same margin in 2011. The 30 per cent increment of the base pay last year also brought an end to the cost of living allowance (COLA) of 15 per cent which the government paid public sector workers between July and December last year. Before the current administration came to power in 2017, the highest increment had been 12 per cent, which was secured in 2017. Credit: Graphiconline

The Government of Ghana says it has made available an amount of GH¢150 million to contractors to patch potholes across the country. Government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways made this known via a statement. The statement disclosed that that the money is part of the first-quarter releases from the Ministry of Finance. “The government has released an amount of GH¢150 million for the engagement and payment to road contractors undertaking pothole patching across the country. The amount is part of the first quarter releases from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Roads and Highways,” "The intervention by the government is to enable the Ghana Highways Authority and the Department of Urban Roads to take advantage of the dry season to undertake routine pothole patching activities on some major roads, which deteriorated in 2023 due to heavy rains" The statement further appealed to the general public to join forces with the Ministry as it seeks to improve the national road network. “The intervention is to enable the Ghana Highways Authority a. the Department of Urban Roads to take advantage of the dry season to undertake routine pothole patching activities on some major roads which deteriorated last year due to heavy rains.” “The Ministry Is hopeful that this timely intervention will result in smoother road surfaces, help reduce the risk of accidents and prolong the lifespan of our road infrastructure.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Mavis Acheampong, the wife of the late Raphael Dwamena, has paid a heartfelt tribute to her husband, describing him as “more than a husband” and recalling the happy memories they shared. Speaking at the former Ghana striker’s funeral ceremony on Friday, February 16, 2024, Madam Mavis Acheampong said, “Rapha, your name still echoes in my heart with warmth and melody. Reflecting on our shared years of bliss, I find solace in precious memories of your laughter, wisdom, and the love that defined us.” She continued, “You were more than a husband; you were my confidant, guide, and the source of irreplaceable love. Rapha, my heart bears scars from your untimely departure, but I’m grateful for the time we had.” Acheampong expressed her gratitude for the time they spent together, saying, “Until we reunite, your memory is my solace and your love, my eternal guide. Sleep well, my Rapha.” Image via Ghana Football Association Facebook page Dwamena suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a league match between KF Egnatia and KF Partizani in Albania on November 11, 2023. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he did not survive. Image via Ghana Football Association Facebook page Dwamena had previously faced health issues related to his heart, including being fitted with a heart monitor in 2017. Image via Ghana Football Association Facebook page Nevertheless, he persisted in pursuing his passion, ultimately becoming the top scorer in the Albanian league before his untimely demise. He amassed nearly 200 matches as a professional footballer, with an impressive record of 98 goals and 42 assists at club level. For the Black Stars, he scored two goals in nine appearances. Credit: 3news

Sunyani East’s Member of Parliament, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, has been nominated as the Presiding Speaker for Friday’s parliamentary proceedings. This development arose due to the absence of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and his two Deputies, Joseph Osei Owusu and Andrew Asiamah Amoako. In accordance with the new standing orders, the nomination of Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh as the Presiding Speaker was conducted by the Clerk of Parliament. The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, proposed the nomination, and it was seconded by the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in consultation with its media partners, has revoked the media blackout imposed on the Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu-Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson. The Association has, therefore, urged all journalists and media houses to comply accordingly. The decision was taken after the GJA and its media partners met on Thursday, February 15, 2024, to review the blacklist imposed on the MP, who is also the Minister of Fisheries and Aqua Culture Development. The imposition of the blackout was meant to get justice for David Kobenna, a morning show host of Cape FM who was assaulted by thugs wearing a branded T-shirt of the MP during the vetting of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirants in the Central Region, in Cape Coast, on January 4, 2024. This was contained in a statement issued by the GJA in Accra on Friday, February 16, 2024. The GJA said Ms Koomson on Thursday, February 15, 2024, redeemed her promise to engage the GJA to settle the impasse by meeting the National Executive of the Association at the Ghana International Press Centre. “She was accompanied by the Minister-designate for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, for the meeting, which was attended by the President of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Edwin Arthur, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Gloria Hiadzi, and the Programme Manager for Freedom of Expression at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Muheeb Saeed. “Also present were the Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, Simon Agianab, the President of the New Media Association, Eugene Nkansah; the Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, and Gabriel Asante Bosompem, who is one of two GJA representatives on the National Media Commission (NMC),” it stated. The Association said, after extensive deliberations, Ms Koomson said “I will give you the necessary support” to ensure justice for David Kobenna. It indicated that Ms Abubakar said the Awutu-Senya East MP was willing to work with the GJA to lay the matter to rest, adding that the Ministry of Information would also support in that regard. “On behalf of the media partners, the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended the Fisheries Minister for taking such positive steps to help find a solution to the problem and expressed the hope that she would live by her pledge,” it added. Meanwhile, the GJA and its media partners called on all media houses to continue to enforce the blackout imposed on the MP for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama. The blackout was imposed on Mr Mahama for allegedly assaulting Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, the Northern Regional correspondent of Citi FM/TV, during the NPP parliamentary primaries, on January 27, 2024. Credit: Citinewsroom