The Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Jerry Kofi Hinson, has written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to inform him about his resignation. He is resigning on health grounds, he said in his letter. “I am unable to continue my role as the Managing Director due to unforeseen health circumstances,” portions of his letter said. The letter added “It has been a privilege, honour and pleasure to serve as the Managing Director for Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for the past 18 months. “Working in partnership with the Board of Directors and Management, we have undertaken the daunting task of identifying a suitable entity to partner with TOR to revamp its operations in a sustainable and profitable way. “The process, though long and arduous, has resulted in the selection of a potential partner who needs to be taken through the various approval stages.” Credit: 3news.com

Parliamentary Candidate hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Abuakwa North Constituency Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has pledged support for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming presidential primaries. He also made his intentions clear to lead the party in the Constituency in the 2024 elections. Dr Boakye-Danquah made this known on the sidelines of the campaign visit to the Constituency by Dr Bawumia over the weekend. “For me, as the incoming Candidate for the New Patriotic Party for Abuakwa North, I have pledged my support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, I have pledged support for the young people of this constituency,” he told journalists. He also made known his intentions to build a factory in the constituency under the One District-One Factory Policy, underscoring his borehole initiative, which has seen two already constructed in Old Tafo-Fofiase and Anyinasin. On the upcoming presidential primaries of the NPP, Dr Boakye-Danquah urged all aspirants to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls. “We talk to all our followers to make the right decision to vote the right person to lead.” He urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Ado to remain “forthright to ensure that he fulfils his legacy for this country”. Credit: 3news.com

Leadership of National Democratic Congress (NDC) says its First National Vice Chairman, Sofo Awudu Azorka will be acting as its party’s National Chairman following the absence of Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia. The NDC made this known via a communique which was sighted by Thinknewsonline.com. In a communique signed by Director of Communications, Kakra Essamuah, he said "The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has left Accra today to participate in a meeting of United States State Legislators in Minneapolis" "In his absence, Hon. Sofo Azorka will act as the Chairman" The communique further disclosed that Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia will return to Ghana on August 19th, 2023. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has questioned the justification of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to build a new head office despite recording a huge loss in 2022. The largest opposition party says the excuse given by the Central Bank for the decision is “most ridiculous to say the least”. BoG had explained that its current head office is not fit for purpose after a structural integrity test was conducted. “The outcome of the structural integrity work was that the main building does not satisfy the full complement of excess strength required for a building to be considered safe for usage,” the Central Bank explained in a statement on Wednesday, August 9. “This means that in the case of a worst-case gravity and wind loading scenario, for example, unusually strong wind, the building may be significantly affected. “The building also does not have the required strength to withstand the expected imposed significant earthquake loads that would be expected to occur in the Accra area. Based on the above, and looking at the strategic objective of positioning Ghana as the financial hub of the sub-region, with prospects of a potential Headquarters for a future regional Central Bank.” But a statement issued by the Members of Parliament (MPs) of the NDC led by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said even previous governors who consistently recorded profits did not find the need for a new head office and rather relocated aspects of the operations of the bank to the Cedi House and the Spintex Road facility. “The question BOG must answer is that if at the time the Bank of Ghana recorded successive years of profit under NDC/Mahama government (2012-2016), the managers of the bank did not consider a new office complex an urgent priority but rather invested in the construction of the BOG hospital to support the healthcare needs of the country, how can BOG prioritize a new $250 million dollar office complex at a time it has recorded an unprecedented loss of GHS60.8 billion and a negative equity of GHS55.1 billion?" “It is instructive to note that the cost of the ill-timed new head office complex the BOG is rapidly putting up is four times the cost of the ultramodern Ecobank Head Office building and six times the cost of Kempinski hotel in Accra.” The Minority Leader also disclosed that the Caucus’ conservative estimates show that the cost of the new head office can build at least, 3,750 new six-unit classroom blocks to expand access to education or at least 3,500 CHPS compounds to improve the access to health care delivery in the country. “It is also instructive to note, that the cost of the new Bank of Ghana head office complex is more than the capital expenditure allocation of the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ministry of Transport put together.” He described the move by the Central Bank to have this new head office as “profligacy” “Clearly, the outrageously expensive new head office complex of BOG is a misplaced priority" “There can be absolutely no justification whatsoever for this profligacy at a time the Bank of Ghana must be concerned about its immediate recapitalization.” Credit: 3news.com

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has justified the need to tax winnings on betting and lottery. He said betting is a lazy adventure and if not regulated it will corrupt the youth in Ghana. According to him, betting does not encourage hard work but rather teaches people to engage in lazy activities. Speaking in an interview on Kumasi-based Angel FM on Thursday, the Suame MP advised the youth to work hard and quit betting. In his view, God only blesses hard and does not encourage lazy behaviors. “I don’t believe in betting. I don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work and sweating to get money. Let’s be serious. As for me, I’m against betting coming into the country. I don’t support it because it doesn’t encourage hard work.” “As an individual, I don’t engage in lottery because I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe in luck. Work hard so God will bless it.” The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced that it will start with the implementation of a 10% withholding tax on all gross gaming winnings from August 15, 2023. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu According to the Authority, the previous 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on each stake will no longer be applied. Instead, withholding tax will be imposed on earnings that are accrued after each win. The GRA further explained that the new policy is in line with an amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023 (No.2), Act 1094. A Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division at the GRA, Edward Gyamerah said there would be a punitive measure against any gaming company that disregards the new policy. He stated that companies that flout the law would be subjected to fines, including having their licenses revoked. Credit: Pulse GH

The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, has successfully filed his nomination to contest the parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Awutu Senya West Constituency. Mr Arhin filed his nomination on Wednesday, August 9, at the party’s constituency office amid massive party faithfuls. In a subsequent post on Facebook on Thursday, August 10, he said the support he has received from the constituents is massive and will not disappoint them. According to him, he is overwhelmed by the support and has thus assured the delegates of the party of his utmost commitment towards the course. “Yesterday, 9th August 2023, I successfully filed my nomination forms to contest the NPP Parliamentary Primaries in the Awutu Senya West Constituency.” “I was overwhelmed by the show of support for my candidature by the rank and file of the Party in the constituency, which can only spur me on to victory in the primaries and, God willing, in the parliamentary election on 7th December 2024.” He added that he is focused on reclaiming the seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). “The quest to turn Awutu Senya West BLUE has commenced,” he concluded. The NPP shall hold its parliamentary primaries from Saturday, September 23, 2023 to December 2, 2023, for Orphan Constituencies on a case-by-case basis across the country. Orphan constituencies are constituencies the party currently does not have a sitting Member of Parliament (MP). Credit: 3news.com

A Deputy Minister of Education, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has dismissed reports that the Basic Education Certifcate Examination (BECE) is going to be cancelled after over four decades. “There has not been any discussion or policy to terminate BECE today or tomorrow, the notion should be disregarded,” he stressed. Rev Ntim Fordjour made this known after interacting with some BECE candidates at the St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in Accra. The 2023 BECE started on Monday, August 7 and scheduled to end on Friday, August 11. Accompanied by the Greater Accra Director of Education, Stephen Bamfo, to visit candidates, the Assin South Member of Parliament said “the West African Examination Council (WAEC) remains our partner in education development”. “We will keep resourcing WAEC so it would continue to discharge its mandate as required of them.” He recounted the supportive role WAEC has played over the years towards the development of education in the country, indicating, “once in a while, we remit them depending on their needs and the programme they are running”. The Deputy Minister lamented the few isolated infractions at certain examination centres across the country which he described as very unfortunate. He stated that those involved would be dealt with to serve as a deterrence to others. Rev Ntim Fordjour assured candidates that there are available space in the over 900 senior high schools (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions once they pass. Credit: 3news.com

Thinknewsonline.com can confirm that the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo will contest the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency seat again. A source to MP in an interaction with Thinknewsonline.com said "She will contest again". It will be recalled that Adwoa Safo was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency in 2012. She was again re-elected in 2016 and 2020. The move by the MP to contest in the upcoming parliamentary primaries and election will be her fourth time contesting for the Dome-Kwabenya seat. Parliamentary Election The Dome-Kwabenya MP managed to retained her seat after polling 75,041 votes in 2020 parliamentary election. NDC's parliamentary candidate, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu also had 52,262 votes. The NPP also polled 78,467 in the presidential ballot to beat the NDC, which secured 50,136 votes in the constituency. Ghana Union Movement (GUM) had 611 votes; Convention People’s Party (CPP) 75; Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) 40; Great Consolidate Popular Party (GCPP) 6, All People’s Congress (APC) 22; Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) 24; People’s National Convention (PNC) 22; Progressive People’s Party (PPP) 73; National Democratic Party (NDP) 24 and independent 19. Total valid after the December 7, 2020 electios stood at 129,519 out of which 1,352 were rejected. Parliamentary Primaries The incumbent MP defeated Lawyer Mike Oquaye Jnr in the parliamentary primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Adwoa Safo polled 496 votes while her opponent, lawyer Oquaye Junior garnered 488 votes. That was the second time Mr Qquaye had contested her. It is however unclear whether Lawyer Mike Oquaye Jnr will be contesting the incumbent for the third time. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Parliamentary Aspirant for the Abuakwa North Constituency on the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has has constructed new mechanised boreholes for the people of Akyem old Tafo Fofiase and Akyem Anyinasin communities. According to him, the move is aimed at tackling the pressing need for reliable and safe water sources for these communities. It is emerging that, residences in these communities previously had to rely on neighboring communities for water, which posed various challenges in their daily lives. Thinknewsonline.com has confirmed that, with the newly constructed borehole, equipped with modern technology residents will now have access to a sustainable supply of clean water from underground sources. This eliminates their dependence on rainfall and nearby communities. Dr. Boakye Danquah said "I believe that access to clean water is a fundamental right for all communities and have therefore promised to extend the construction of boreholes to other communities in the Abuakwa North constituency, including Mid Tafo, Dar salaam, Osiem, Kukurantumi, Sokode Juaso, and Nobi" "This initiative not only improves water availability and health but also provides economic opportunities for small-scale businesses that rely on water access" The residents of Akyem Old-Tafo Fofiase and Anyinasin communities were immensely grateful to Dr. Danquah for his generosity and dedication to improving their lives. They view the project as a significant turning point and a foundation for future development initiatives as promised by Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Searches conducted at the Abelemkpe residence of embattled former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) revealed additional five Thousand United States dollars (US$590,000.00) and Two Million Seven Hundred and Thirty Thousand cedis (GHC2,730,000.00). Consequent to this and in line with further searches, the OSP has filed an originating motion at the High Court to seek confirmation order of the bank accounts of the former Minister which hold substantial amounts in both dollars and cedis have been frozen. Per the originating motion filed at the Financial Division of the Accra High Court on August 9, for a confirmation order from the court against her bank accounts and investments of the Cecilia Dapaah domiciled at Prudential BankLimited and Societe Generale. The OSP described it as “suspected tainted property” in corruption and corruption related activities. The motioned filed states “TAKE NOTICE that the Special Prosecutor shall move this Honourable Court on an application to confirm the freezing order issued by the Special Prosecutor in respect of the bank accounts and investments of the Respondent domiciled at Prudential Bank Limited and Societe Generale Ghana as suspected tainted property; and the confirmation of the seizure by the Office of the Special Prosecutor of the property of the Respondent upon the grounds contained in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as the court may deem fit.” EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, reports that, the motion for confirmation of seizure would be moved on August 17, 2023. Credit: Starr Fm

GhanaWeb can confirm that the embattled former minister of sanitation and water resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s assets and bank accounts containing millions of dollars and cedis have been frozen by the office of the Special Prosecutor. Documents sighted by GhanaWeb from our sources at the court also confirmed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has commenced processes to have this administrative freeze confirmed and endorsed by the courts. The powers of the OSP permit it to administratively freeze the accounts of a person of interest but beyond that, it will need the confirmation of the court to keep the account(s) frozen for a longer period. The case to confirm the freezing of the accounts and assets is expected to be heard next week. Meanwhile, our unimpeachable sources say millions of US dollars and millions of Ghana cedis were identified to be lodging in several bank accounts of the former minister while some monies were also retrieved in her various homes following a visit and search by the OSP. Documents we have seen from our sources at the court show the OSP filing a motion of seizure of monies it retrieved from the search at her various residences. The embattled former minister has been in the spotlight following an alleged theft that occurred in her Abelemkpe residence in Accra. Her house helps are accused of having stolen monies in excess of one million dollars and other valuables belonging to her and her husband at home. The OSP’s investigation into the former minister’s affairs is separate and different from the investigations by the police and the office of the Attorney General. The OSP is investigating the minister for corruption and corruption-related offences while the AG and police are prosecuting persons alleged to have stolen monies belonging to or owned by the former minister. Source: www.ghanaweb.com

A total of fifty-one/51 Prisoners from the Nation’s Prisons have sat for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the country. This comprised 26 Juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), 9 inmates from the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, 8 inmates from the Kumasi Central Prison, 4 inmates from the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison and 4 inmates from the Sunyani Central Prisons. According to the Officer In Charge of the Senior Correctional Centre, DDP Millicent Owusu, the Juveniles (candidates) who were between the ages 13-21 have gone through intensive preparation and training by professional trained teachers of the Ghana Prisons Service and some from the Ghana Education Service. ‘’We have trained teachers with us and when it is getting to examination, we try to invite the education unit from the Ayawaso District to come and talk with them and also give them the requisite information that they may need to hold on to face the examination with courage and enthusiasm. Our officers are always with them every morning to discuss past questions to enable them successfully write the exams’, DDP Owusu added. She outlined some challenges such as inadequate teaching and learning materials for the inmates to upgrade themselves. She urged the public to come to the aid of the inmates especially the juveniles at the SCC and donate materials such as textbooks and past questions to enhance their studies. An inmate of the Centre (name withheld) said it is his dream to become an Engineer in future. "Our dream can only materialize if the general public come to our aid and support us with the needed materials like computers and past questions on all the subjects to adequately prepare us for the Exams" "I also want to commend our teachers who are Prisons Officers for sacrificing all their time to teach and groom us, so that we come out with flying colours" he stated. He urged the public especially family and friends not to shun from them, but rather accept them when thay are discharged. He said they (candidates form SCC) were optimistic to excel in all the 8 subjects and make the Prisons Service proud. The Ghana Prisons Service in its quest to deliver on its reformation and rehabilitation mandate and in line with modern universal best practices introduced inmates formal education on a pilot basis at the SCC in 2007 and later extended it to the other prisons. This was to help the inmates acquire some basic literacy skills as well as certification to facilitate their smooth reintegration upon discharge and also to reduce recidivism. The first batch sat for the BECE in 2009 and they were 21 juveniles and young offenders. The Centre has had 100% passes since 2009. Story by: DSP Irene W. P. Arthur Photos: L/CPL Justice Selorm Gadri