The youth of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region are unhappy with the rate of unemployment in the area. They believe the government has rejected them in its decision to establish the community mining flagship programme. They indicate that all requests for the government to establish part of the programme in their community have proven unsuccessful. The young people, who are currently unhappy with the unemployment situation, are getting fed up with their request and have resorted to issuing threats that they will resist any attempt to participate in the 2024 elections in their communities. A few weeks ago, the youth staged a demonstration in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, George Mireku Duker, to demand their request. They believe all assurances by authorities have not been granted. “Our request to the Deputy Minister to have the Community Mining in our area has still not been granted. We have not heard from anyone since his assurance to us. When we visit the authorities, no one is telling us anything. Our MP, Yaw Frimpong, we have tried many times to engage him, but he appears not ready to help,” the angry youth indicated. They lamented that even though they are Ghanaians and voters, the interest of foreign mining firms is being prioritized over theirs. “We are Ghanaian voters and we are unemployed yet our authorities are rather protecting a foreign company in the area. We are telling them that, no Community Mining, No Vote. So, we won’t allow anyone to come here to campaign,” they indicated. The spokesperson of the youth, Kwabena Animoyam, vowed that in the event the government fails to heed their call to establish the initiative, they will carry out their threat. They have, therefore, given authorities up to the end of December 2023, to meet their demands. Their threat comes after a series of clashes with a South African mining firm in the area. They accuse operators of the mine of chasing them with armed security officers. They believe the establishment of a community mining scheme in the area will bring an end to the clashes between the community and the mining company. According to them, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, had earlier this year promised to look into their concerns for subsequent action. At a recent event to launch a Community mining project at Atwimanso in the Amansie West District, the youth numbering about 400 wielding various placards, stormed the programme to communicate their grievances to the Deputy Minister and requested the government to also extend the program to their community to curb the frightening unemployment rate. They claim the Deputy Minister, before delivering his keynote address, took time to specifically address the Tontokrom youth and tasked the Member of Parliament together with the District Chief Executive (DCE) to ensure their issue is looked into. But several months on, Mr Animoyam said, the youth are disappointed that no attempt has been made to look into the matter. The youth leader blames the MP for Manso Adubia and a Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong, for failing to pull strings together to ensure the implementation of the program. “We have visited the MP many times however, his commitment level is not encouraging. He does not look like someone ready to engage the minister on our behalf meanwhile, he is the one we voted for and has the capacity. I visited him about three weeks ago at his office at the Ministry. He normally doesn’t have anything to say rather he is always pleading with us to exercise restraint. “I paid a visit to the Deputy Minister but I met his absence. As for the DCE, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, he is ready to help but he cannot do much. We are only pleading with our MP to justify why he is our elected leader”, he said. He said their situation is dire as development is lagging in the community. According to him, their road network is nothing to write home about. “Just a while ago, the Vice President used our roads for the campaign and he saw how deplorable our roads are. We have no jobs and we don’t want to engage in illegal mining, known as galamsey, but want Community Mining, so that is our only request.” Government in 2019 launched the implementation of the Community Mining scheme in place of the destructive illegal mining popularly known as galamsey. The aim is to create decent livelihoods for Ghanaians especially the youths, an initiative that hugely impacts lives in mining communities in the Ashanti, Western, and Eastern regions among others. Credit: 3news.com

Two persons have been arrested in connection with the Adoagyiri chieftaincy conflict in the Eastern Region. The police are investigating the death of three persons in two separate incidents connected to the chieftaincy dispute. In the first incident, months ago, a death was recorded from a suspected gun shot. Weeks later, precisely on Tuesday, August 29, two deaths were recorded in a cross fire at Adoagyiri. The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) Chairman, Seth Kwame Acheampong, who doubles as the Regional Minister, had mentioned the incident contravened the Public Order Act and Arms and Ammunition Act, which deals with possession of arms or ammunition without authority. A ban on outdoor activities is in force, whiles heavy police presence has been sustained for public safety and stability. Credit: 3news.com

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bekwai in the Ashanti Region, Kyei Baffour, could not hold back his tears upon learning about the death of 18-year-old girl in Ahwiankwanta, a suburb. The 18-year-old lady was allegedly raped and murdered. Speaking on phone on GhanAkoma morning show on Akoma FM with Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin, Bekwai MCE Kyei Baffour could not control his tears. The MCE, whose daughter was shot dead in Bebu in Ashanti Region about two months ago, was sad about the turn of events. He expressed his condolences to the family of the young lady who was allegedly raped and murdered by the unknown assailants. The young girl, identified as Georgina, is a hairdresser apprentice. Her family got alarmed when she failed to return home after work last Friday. On Saturday morning, her dead body was discovered in a position that depicts she was raped. Those who found her dead body saw blood in her private part. The Bekwai MCE pointed out that the Municipal Security Council would be meeting on the increasing insecurity in the area. “As I’m speaking with you, my daughter’s autopsy report is on my bed. I’m really sad about the current situation,” he stated amid wailing. Credit: 3news.com

Some unknown individuals have sexually assaulted an 18-year-old, Georgina Agyeman to death. The incident occurred over the weekend at Anwiankwanta, a community within the Bekwai Municipal area of the Ashanti Region. According to reports, the deceased Georgina’s lifeless body was discovered in an uncompleted building in Abenkyim, a suburb of Anwiankwanta with her pants used to strangle her, her buttocks exposed, and her jeans trousers partially removed. Disturbingly, there were bloodstains on her person and the floor where she was found, indicating a gruesome ordeal. She reportedly didn’t return home after work on Friday evening, causing grave concern among her family and community members. The family members then mounted a search for her, until they found her lifeless body in the uncompleted building on Saturday at 4pm. The Assembly Member for the area, Frank Awuah, who confirmed the incident on radio explained that “The deceased was half naked when her body was found in the uncompleted building close to her home. Some residents in the area suspect she was raped, killed at a different location but was dumped in the building.” He expressed that “I side with my people on their suspicions because I also believe the young woman was raped and killed by some unidentified assailants”. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has since been deposited at a morgue at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi by the police, pending autopsy as the Police are investigating the cause of the incident

Commissioner of Police, (COP) Alex George Mensah (Rtd), has announced that he will contest for the Asante Bekwai parliamentary seat in the upcoming general elections. According to him, he has harbored the intention of going to parliament for a long time and he believes now is the time to make it manifest. COP Mensah who retired from the Ghana Police Service last week told Angel TV on Sunday September 17, 2023 that “I have harbored the intention of going to Parliament for a very long time and I it is time for me to make it manifest.” He however, did not disclose the ticket of the party he will be representing but he had in earlier interview his family are NPP. COP Mensah has served in various positions within the Ghana Police Service and was the Director-General, Technical until his recent retirement. He became a household name after he and others were allegedly caught on a leaked tape plotting to remove the current Inspector General of Police (IGP). He has since appeared before a bipartisan parliamentary ad-hoc committee to defend himself and criticize the IGP for allegedly mismanaging the service and restricting information flow within the service. As he retires from the Ghana Police Service, congratulatory messages have been pouring in for him. He is scheduled to meet with the parliamentary committee probing the leaked tape on October 2, 2023. Credit: Daily Guide Network

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has entreated the general public to adhere to regular handwashing practices to combat the rising instances of Acute Haemorrhagic Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Apollo. Director of Public Health at the GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, revealed that over 50% of reported eye cases at the Police Hospital’s eye clinic, are attributed to Apollo. “This is about prevention, how do we ensure that people avoid touching their eyes, and we need to also promote handwashing,” the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service advised. “Apollo” is an inflammation of the thin, transparent layer (conjunctiva) covering the white part (sclera) of the eye, typically caused by viruses like enterovirus 70 and coxsackie virus A24. This viral conjunctivitis spreads rapidly and presents various signs and symptoms, including excessive tearing, significant watery discharges, eye pain, conjunctival redness, eyelid swelling, gritty sensations, and sub-conjunctival hemorrhages. While Apollo usually resolves on its own, patients may be prescribed eye drops to prevent secondary bacterial infections and mitigate severe inflammatory symptoms associated with conjunctivitis. To prevent the spread of this eye condition, individuals are advised against touching or rubbing the eyes, shaking hands, and are encouraged to ensure regular handwashing with soap and water, the use of hand sanitizers, and rubbing alcohol. Meanwhile, the Ghana Optometric Association has recommended that infected individuals stay away from schools, workplaces, or social gatherings. Credit: theindependentghana.com

Ghanaian Highlife, Afrobeats Musician and Dancer, Andrew Nii Commey Otoo known by the stage name, Mr Drew has slammed Entertainment Critic, Sally Mann over her recent comments against Singer, Cina Soul. In a tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Mr. Drew tweeted "That woman in make up like engine oil 😫" The tweet has generated lots of reations on social media. It will be recalled that Entertainment Critic, Sally Mann in a viral video described Ghanaian Singer, Cina Soul as an overrated Artist in Ghana. Sally made these remarks on a TV reality show called 'The Darling Factor'. In the viral video, Sally Mann, who appeared as a judge on the reality show was attempting to give her remarks on a performance by one of the contestants. She said "Listen, I don't know what happened to you today. I don't know if you wanted to sound like Cina Soul but your vocal range is beautiful" "You could have done it like you do all the time. What happened? It took a lot of things away from you. I didn't feel you. I was like 'ah' is this Diana singing? The Diana that song the Diana Hamilton 'God'?" "No! No!! No!!! Today, you didn't come through at all. Be yourself. There can be only one Diana and that is you and your vocal ability is beautiful" "You didn't need to sound like Cina Soul because for me, I think Cina Soul is one person that has been overrated in Ghana, so be you!" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Entertainment Critic, Sally Mann has described Ghanaian Singer, Cina Soul as an overrated Artist in Ghana. Sally made these remarks on a TV reality show called 'The Darling Factor'. In a video making waves on social media, Sally Mann, who appeared as a judge on the reality show was attempting to give her remarks on a performance by one of the contestants. She said "Listen, I don't know what happened to you today. I don't know if you wanted to sound like Cina Soul but your vocal range is beautiful" "You could have done it like you do all the time. What happened? It took a lot of things away from you. I didn't feel you. I was like 'ah' is this Diana singing? The Diana that song the Diana Hamilton 'God'?" "No! No!! No!!! Today, you didn't come through at all. Be yourself. There can be only one Diana and that is you and your vocal ability is beautiful" "You didn't need to sound like Cina Soul because for me, I think Cina Soul is one person that has been overrated in Ghana, so be you!" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

I write to you to officially call for urgent action on the Airbus SE corruption. As you are aware Airbus SE has admitted to paying nearly $4 billion to resolve foreign bribery and other charges with authorities in the United States, Britain and France. The aircraft maker has also admitted using intermediaries over several years to bribe government officials and airline executives in order to win lucrative contracts the world over including Ghana. Again, the company admitted hiring the brother of a top elected Ghanaian official as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft. Also, Airbus confessed paying the said consultant through a third party when its Compliance Unit raised red flags about the close relationship between the consultant and the top elected official who was a key decision maker in the purchase of the military aircraft. And rightly so, your good office has signalled its intention to delve into the matter. It's been over a year and the public is still in the dark as to where you're with the investigations. Whereas I do not doubt the competence of your office to get to the bottom of this massive international corruption, I respectfully submit and appeal to your good office to take immediate action in helping the people of Ghana to put this matter behind us. The Airbus corruption is the biggest corruption case ever. Indeed, payment of bribes were made and received, and the biggest beneficiary as alleged was former President John Mahama, codenamed as GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1 in the US Court documents. Again, documents were falsified in making the payments to disguise the payment of bribes to GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1 is on the record of the Court as the recipient of the corrupt proceeds from this transaction. Paragraph 136 of the US Court documents actually described Government official I as having a reputation for bribe taking. It reads: "Government Official 1" had such a reputation as a prolific bribe-collector that within three weeks of the election of the incoming Government, AND BEFORE IT WAS SWORN IN, Airbus reached agreement with brother of "Government Official 1," described in the US version of Court documents as "Individual 1." Respectfully, everyone who is privy to the core details of the series of court documents published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of the United Kingdom cannot allege ignorance of the persons who have brought our nation into this international shame. Bearing in mind the above realities, it is most unfortunate that your good office has, for political expediency, treated Mr Mahama with kids gloves. Like most Ghanaians, I have grown sceptical about the lip service being paid to such a huge international corruption involving our former President. I may not be a lawyer, but I suspect if those countries can benefit in fines from Airbus for corruption which our country was the real victim, then we believe that your investigations if it yields success can create an even bigger case for Ghana to also seek compensation from Airbus for the damage caused to our national treasury. Respectfully sir, the nonchalant attitude being deployed on this matter ought to give way to real action. Thank you. Credit: Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah, Deputy Director of Communications, NPP

The Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has charged over a hundred public and civil service employees who have graduated out of the DigSMART pilot programme to be change champions in their various Institutions. The Minister made these remarks while speaking at DigSMART, an event powered by TBI Digital Academy aimed at fast tracking digitalization for service delivery. The Minister of Communications and Digitalization, said "I expect these graduates to be change champions in their organizations providing visionary leadership, promoting digital solutions in the public and civil service, and demonstrating exemplars on tech transformation and policy” "You are at the fore-front helping form the way we work in civil and the public service. It is not enough to assume that you will know what to do to roll-out digital initiatives. Sometimes we make the mistake thinking that public servant appointed to positions organically acquire the knowledge and skills that they need to undertake their obligations" "It is important that the various heads of Institutions to know, understand the terminologies and what it is all about" "Have the requisite skills to guide the process of moving from largely manual processes to digitalized workplaces. Taking his turn, the newly appointed Head of the Office of the Head of Civil Services, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, challenged the pioneer DigSMART participants to be torchbearers of the digital transformation of the civil service. He charged them to ensure that technology becomes the vehicle that enables their success. "Being DigSMART and harnessing digital prowess for the greater good” "It is important that we strife in this digital age" Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh stressed that leaders must view technology as an enabler, catalyst and a strategic asset. "We have to cultivate our ability to use technology and also inform actions to create new opportunities, solve problems in the quest for developments and we need to bridge the inequality and quality gap to solve unemployment problems and reduce poverty tremendously" Chief Director, Ministry of Finance, Eva Mends said "Government over the past years have been making strategic interventions to fast-track digitalization initiatives" "These are towards a robust digital economy. This supports and accelerates the development of our country's communication and digitalization infrastructure to support the country as a regional hub for digital services" She appealed to the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization to ensure that all public and civil service employees across the country to be trained in the DigSMART pilot programme. "I am looking forward to more training so that all of us are well-equipped to ensure Ghana has a better economy" As a collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization through its GhanaCARES Delivery Unit, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), the programme offered, forty (40) leaders, seventy (70) managers, and 60 officers from six (6) ministries, departments, and agencies, an in-depth digital skills training. Over a six-month period, the DigSMART graduates received face-to-face group or plenary sessions, at the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (KACE), and online training covering various aspects of digital skills and knowledge necessary for effective digital leadership and transformation, in government. They were also introduced to emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, metaverse and their applications. Their curriculum focused on digital strategy, digital leadership and governance, digital transformation, digital change management principles and processes. The graduating cohorts represented the Office of The President, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Planning and Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, as well as Controller and Accountants General. Daniel Busscher, Senior Advisor of Digital and Tech Transformation, explained that DigSMART (a contraction of Digital Smartness), “was branded and first launched in Ghana in March 2023, as a flagship programme for Tony Blair Digital Academy. It aims to build digital skills, culture, and leadership in the public sector to achieve a more cohesive and accelerated digital transformation in Ghana.” He commented that the midterm evaluation of the programme showing a 95.29% participation rate, was encouraging enough for an up-scaling of the programme. Piloted simultaneously in Ghana, Senegal, and Malawi. DigSMART will expand in 2024 to train an additional eight hundred and thirty (830) public and civil servants in Ghana, alone. The programme will enroll participants from 20 additional Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and be implemented by KACE (face-to-face sessions) and TBI Digital Academy (online sessions). The DigSMART programme is one of many undertaken by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, to further its goal of promoting the development of Ghana into a knowledge-based country, with a smart economy using digital tools. DigSMART is preparing the civil service for a digital government future, where citizens are served efficiently and effectively by its government: fast-tracking digitalization in Ghana. Some ten well-deserving participants were rewarded with a two-day trip to Kigali, Rwanda to partake in an upcoming Digitalization programme. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The government has opened fresh invitations to E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc bondholders to trade their holdings for a new package under the domestic debt exchange programme. A September 13, press release from the Ministry of Finance urged holders of the domestic notes and bonds to actively and voluntarily accept the invitation and participate. “The Government announced today that it is reopening its invitation to the exchange that settled in February 2023 (the “February 2023 Exchange”) and is therefore once again inviting holders of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic of Ghana, E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc that are specified in Appendix A attached hereto (the “Eligible Bonds”) to tender their holdings of the Eligible Bonds in exchange for a package of New Tranches (as defined below) of the same new bonds that were issued by the Government (the “New Bonds”) as part of the February 2023 Exchange (such invitation hereinafter referred to as the “Invitation”).” The Ministry in its statement indicated that the offer is to grant an opportunity to holders who were unable to participate in the February 2023 exchange programme due to some delays. “We are aware that a number of holders of Eligible Bonds did not participate in the February 2023 Exchange on time and, as a result, were left with their holdings of the Eligible Bonds. Mindful of this development, we are proceeding with an administrative reopening of the February 2023 Exchange.” The release, however, clarified that the invitation “is available only to registered holders of Eligible Bonds that are not Pension Funds, except that if you have tendered Eligible Bonds in either of the two prior GHS-denominated invitations to exchange by the Government in 2023 (i.e., the February 2023 Exchange or in August 2023 with respect to Pension Funds (the “Pension Fund Alternative Offer”, and together with the February 2023 Exchange, the “Prior Domestic Cedi Exchanges”)) you are not eligible to tender in this Invitation and are no longer an Eligible Holder.” The Domestic Debt Exchange Program was launched in December 2022 with the hope of restoring Ghana’s capacity to service its debt.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has called on all Ghanaians to rally and provide the Bank of Ghana with the needed support in the ongoing construction of its new head office. In an article titled “Citizens – Standing Strong with the Bank of Ghana,” Ofori-Atta urged the public to cease the uproar and opposition against the ongoing construction and render support to the Central Bank to build an edifice that is “a befitting office space for a country that hosts the AfCFTA.” Ofori-Atta acknowledged that the country is facing economic challenges, but he said that the construction of the new BoG headquarters is a necessary investment in the future of Ghana’s economy. “With respect to the BoG’s new headquarters, the evidence is clear that decisions to build had already been made long before these “losses” occurred,” he wrote. “It is important for us to support such a critical institution to modernize its operations and have a befitting office space for a country that hosts the AfCFTA and has the vision to become the financial services hub of the continent.” Ofori-Atta also defended the work of BoG Governor Ernest Addison, who has been criticized for his handling of the economy. “Governor Addison is a competent professional of quiet courage,” Ofori-Atta wrote, adding, “In these nearly seven years, we have worked together to ensure: the inviolability of the banking system; the establishment of the Consolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) and the Development Bank of Ghana; the raising of over $10 billion in the Eurobond market and AfriExim bank. He brought inflation down to single digits of 7.9% for the first time; and managed an impressive period of currency stability in our country including the implementation of the Goldfor-Oil programme.” A section of Ghanaians have described the construction of the new headquarters as a needless investment, due to the prevailing economic conditions. The Minority has scheduled a protest demanding the resignation of the Central Bank governor and his deputies for October 3. According to the Minority, the BoG governor has mismanaged the Central Bank leading to the Bank recording losses of over $60bn. Credit: Citinewsroom