The Appiatse Support Fund Committee has assured Ghanaians and all donors of the fund that they should be rest assured for thier contributions are being put to good use by the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team. "The Fund so far has been approving money for this work and receiveing progress reports while interacting with the Implementation Team but today we decided to visit the site and witness for ourselves what the monies are being used for and I must say we are really impressed and satisfied with the work and we would like to assure Ghanaians and all donors that their monies are bring put to good use." Giving this assurance on behalf of the Chairman and Members of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee Dr. Rev. Joyce Aryee, Dr. Mrs. Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, a member of the Committee and Senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, said that the Committee, having taken a tour of the reconstruction site, is highly satisfied and impressed with the work done so far. She gave this assurance when some of the Committee members paid a working visit to Appiatse on Thursday, 23rd March, 2023 to among others inspect progress of work on the reconstruction of the model green community. As a Community Development Analyst, Dr. Tsiboe-Darko noted that she can appreciate the effort and work that has been put into the reconstruction and in upgrading the existing structures which she believes is the first point of call, as far as improving the livelihoods of a community is concerned. "In the hierarchy of needs, shelter is very important and so providing shelter for individuals speaks volumes about how you have improved their standard of living" she added. She also expressed joy and satisfaction over the social cohesion that has been maintained in the construction of the community so much so that neighbours can still have that bond they are used to even in their new found community. Dr. Antionette Tsiboe-Darko applauded the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team Chaired by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the promise government made to restore the lives and livelihoods of the people of Appiatse is almost a dream come true. She also thanked the contractors for their daily effort in ensuring that regardless of the many challenges, they still push through to get the work progressing and the care and concern attached to their work, is worth commending. Mr. Sulemana Koney, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and member of the Committee, in a remark hoped that the work progression from henceforth will go faster than before to meet set targets and also to prevent the rains from distracting the beauty of their work. This he said will motivate people to give more even for the second phase of the project. Dr. Koney sounded a loud thank you to all who have donated so far to the Fund, while adding a voice of appeal for more funds from all and sundry, adding that "the work is not done until it is completely done". On behalf of his people, Nana Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, Omanhene of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area and member of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee, appreciated the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team and the Contractors for their efforts and hoped that soon the work will be done for his people to have good homes to return to. The Municipal Chief Executive of the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality, Mr. Isaac Dasmani who joined the team on the tour also gave a brief saying that his Municipality has already started registering the structures with their rightful owners to ensure easy identified when the entire construction is completed. The team as part of their tour met with the project contractors on site and applauded them for good work done while urging them to double up their efforts before the rains sets in. The contractors on their part appealed to the Appiatse Support Fund Committee for an advance payment to help speed up their work as requested and most importantly get the building roofed before the May-June rains. The team also made a whistle stop at the Odumase Temporary settlement, the site housing the indegenes of Appiatse temporarily, to check up on their well-being and welfare. Also with the team on the tour were Mrs. Josephine Baddoo, Administrator of the Support Fund Committee, Mr. Robert Gyamfi, member of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team and Manager for Stakeholder Communications and Community Engagements at FGR, a Mining company in Bogoso and Mr. Walter Semordzie, the Site Manager with the Project Consultants for the project who briefed the team on the tour. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Executive Director of Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah among some notable public sector and industry experts are scheduled to speak at the ACCA Africa Virtual Public Sector Conference slated for March 30. This year’s Africa Virtual Public Sector Conference will see the experts share their views and experience on effective transformation in the sector. The experts will be speaking on the theme; "Transforming the Public Sector- Accounting for A Better World". Governments across the continent are taking steps to transform the public sector toward effective service delivery and economic development goals underpinned by climate commitments. Despite these efforts, there remain significant obstacles that impede progress, which conversely presents opportunities to the governments for multi-stakeholder collaboration facilitated by the finance profession. Against the background, ACCA is hosting its annual Africa Virtual Public Sector Conference. The conference will engage government leaders and key stakeholders to share their experience and insights on effective transformation in the sector including public finance management systems, institutional harmonization for effective continental trade, and harnessing skills and systems to operationalize national delivery of development goals. Previous conference attracted over 4,000 registrants, who explored public finance functions and developing agile processes and systems to enable effective transformation. This year, organisers say they are shifting gears to move the public sector discussion from planning to action. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

News coming in indicates that there is tension brewing at the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the party’s snubbing of two parliamentary candidates. According to sources, the two aspirants being snubbed at the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency are DJ and Sheikh Issah Salifu Taylor. The two are said to be contesting for the position of Parliamentary Candidates of the party ahead of the December 2024 Parliamentary Elections. Thinknewsonline.com is monitoring and will update its readers on new developments. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

To mark World Water Day, EcoZoil, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), in collaboration with Friends of The Nation, a non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has embarked on clean-up exercises along the country’s coastal communities. The exercise was carried out on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the four coastal regions of the country—Greater Accra, Volta, Central and Western Regions—to mark the annual event which is held on March 22. Workers of the company were provided with protected gears to keep them safe during the operation. The safety wears included boots, gloves, overall jackets and nose masks. Community members who participated in the clean-up operation were also provided with tools such as brooms, rakes and shovels to facilitate efficiency. Also pupils from the Abuesi Methodist Junior High School (JHS) were not left out in the clean-up exercise as they also played their part. One of the pupils who spoke to media said they heard about the exercise and thus sought permission from their teachers to join in order to have a clean environment. Speaking to journalists, the Assemblyman for Apo Electoral Area in the Shama District in the Western Region, Mr Ebenezer Amoquandoh, expressed displeasure at the current state of the beach in Apo. He attributed the deplorable state of the beach to the practice of open defecation and dumping of refuse by ‘recalcitrant residents’ of Apo. He said his priority was to make the Apo beach one of the cleanest in the region, but bemoaned that the lack of toilet facilities in the community was derailing all his efforts. He, therefore, pleaded with Ecozoil to help them collect the garbage gathered from their periodic clean-up exercises. “I am not giving up on my goal to make Apo beach the cleanest, but more importantly, collaborating with the chiefs and the fisher-folk to build a public toilet facility to end the unfortunate situation they find themselves,” he assured. Again, Mr Amoquandoh appealed to the government to come and assist them compete a place of convenience which was 70% completed. He pointed out that the toilet project had stalled because of the lack of funds, but cautioned residents to refrain from defecating along the seaside, warning that “anybody found culpable will be dealt with accordingly.” Briefing the media later, the Business Development Manager at Ecozoil, Daniel Lamptey, who participated in the exercise, said his outfit cleans the beaches on a daily basis, adding that they already have personnel in the four coastal regions who do this operation. According to him, when the beaches are very clean and devoid of dirt, they will boost the country's tourism. He indicated that nobody would want to spend a holiday under an unhygienic environment, and thus, urged the residents of Apo to consciously make the effort of keeping the beach clean. He explained that due to the current state of beaches in the country not much was being generated through tourism. “Furthermore, people could also use the beach as a recreational centre and also as a holiday destination if proper care is taken,” he noted. On this score, Mr Lamptey entreated Ghanaians to stop dumping waste materials into the drains. Interacting with the residents, a leader of the group from Friends of The Nation, Madam Anita, implored the residents of Apo to always keep the beach healthy. “I not sure anyone wants the beach to be in an unhealthy state so we must all help in keeping our beaches clean,” she charged . She pledged her NGO’s support to always lend a helping hand to make sure water bodies in the country were clean. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Presidential Hopeful for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has appealed to the grassroot of the party not to engage in politics of insults as the party prepares to elect its flagbearer on May 13. He made this known after filing his Presidential Nomination Forms at the party’s headquarters on Thursday. Speaking at the party’s headquarters, he said "Please don't insult anybody because of me. We are one people and we must show respect eachother" He added that politics of insults does not help build a better political image. The Former Finance Minister under the late Atta-Mills administration stressed that he will ensure the grassroots of the party are not neglected like before. "Grassroots, forgive us. We have ignored you for far too long. We are begging you. This time around, we will not neglect you" He assured the female supporters of NDC of some benefits when voted into office as President. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor also mentioned that he will ensure that every constituency has a state of the arts office when voted as President. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor was optimistic that when given the chance as Flagbearer, he will not only secure victory for the party but also kick the elephant into the bush. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor is among four members of the party contesting the Flagbearership crown. Receiving the nomination forms, General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Kwetey said "Let us remember that this party belongs to us and we have a common enemy." "Let us devoid of insults and let us be ready to support whoever the party chooses on May 13" The General Secretary says he is confident that a united NDC will help kick the NPP from office come January 2025. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

An aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the the Trobu Constituency, Kwame Olympio has filed his nomination forms. Accompanied by his dad and some members of his campaign team, Kwame Olympio is confident that he will be elected by the Executives to contest the 2024 Parliamentary seat on the ticket of NDC. Speaking exclusively to Thinknewsonline.com after filing his nomination, Kwame Olympio said "I am coming for the youth. This is our time to shine and I will ensure that the youth of Trobu Constituency are fully employed" "I am appealing to my followers and that of my other opponents to be of good behaviours in these periods. We are one people. Victory is what we want" Kwame Olympio further called on Ghanaians to bring the NDC back to power in January 2025. He believes NDC will not only solve problems but make lives of the citizenry very comfortable. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Asian African Consortium (AAC), Mrs. Adelaide Araba Agyepong, has stressed the need for an all hands on deck approach to make the President’s vision of boosting rice production in Ghana a reality. She said the vision of ending rice importation in Ghana goes beyond Jospong Group of Companies (JGC). “It is heartwarming to mention that anywhere that we have been stakeholders both in Ghana and Thailand have shown great support and enthusiasm for this project,” she expressed. Mrs. Siaw Agyepong was speaking at the Thailand-Ghana Business Conference at the Grand Fortune Hotel, Bangkok Sunday, March 19, 2023. The business conference, which brought together captains of Thailand rice industry and Ghana’s delegation to Thailand, led by the Executive Chairman of JGC, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, was on the theme: “Ghana-Thailand Business Forum; Partnership for Sustainable Rice Production in Ghana.” Members of the Ghana delegation included experts and researchers in various fields drawn from the University of Ghana, Legon, University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Center for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crop Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), the Ghana Rice Farmers Association, the Competitive African Rice Platform, traditional rulers, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) and private entrepreneurs with the focus on rice, fertilizer, maize, cassava and poultry as well as executives of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC). Mrs. Siaw Agyepong indicated that from the inception of this project (last year-2022) till now, a lot of efforts have been put in by her outfit towards actualising it. “Key among the activities accomplished include the following: the setting up of the Asian African Consortium, as a company to drive the rice project; the engagement of high government officials including the President of the Republic of Ghana; meeting key sector ministers; key rice sector players and many others,” she pointed out. Against this backdrop, Mrs. Siaw Agyepong said forging strategic partnerships was fundamental to the success of the project. She also used the opportunity to announce that a fully-furnished National Rice Office for the project has been set up in Accra. “Three zonal offices in Koforidua, Kumasi and Tamale for the southern, middle and northern belts respectively will also be ready soon for the project. Adequate and suitable lands have been acquired across the country and ready for cultivation,” she further revealed. She was upbeat that the visit to Thailand will help concretise and firm up the plans for implementation “as soon as we get back to Ghana.” Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture (in charge of Crops), Mr. Yaw Addo Frimpong, encouraged the investors in the Thailand rice value chain to come and invest in Ghana. He said such an investment will mutually benefit both Thailand and Ghana, adding that the former has the experience and the technology to support Ghana to become self-sufficient in rice production. According to him, as a leader in rice production, Thailand can support Ghana in its efforts to close its rice consumption demand gap, and also produce in excess to export to countries within the West African sub-region. “Our [Ghana’s] consumption demand for rice is between 1.2 million and 1.4 million metric tonnes of rice per annum and with this huge gap, the Ghana government together with the small scale rice farmers are only able to do 600,000 metric tonnes,” he disclosed. He explained that the business forum was a continuation of the rice project that was started some five months ago. That process, he said, was initiated through the instrumentality of the Executive Chairman of the JGC, Dr. Siaw Agyepong. Following the huge gap in the demand for the consumption of rice in Ghana, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo tasked Ghanaians to go at any length to ensure self-sufficiency of rice in the country, he said. Mr. Addo Frimpong, therefore, commended the initiative by the private sector being spearheaded by the JGC to go into large scale rice production in Ghana, adding that the government of Ghana has given its full support. He went on to stress that this project will help fill the rice consumption gap in Ghana. He was also particularly excited at the level of enthusiasm shown in the Ghana-Thailand rice project by stakeholders in Thailand. “Apart from that, the interest that has been shown by all stakeholders in the rice industry in Thailand is quite remarkable,” Mr. Addo Frimpong said. In a brief remark, the Executive Chairman of the JGC, Dr. Siaw Agyepong, added his voice to the call by the deputy minister to captains in the Thailand rice sector to come and invest in Ghana. He stressed that Ghana was a peaceful and safe haven to do business, assuring them that their investments will be protected. “I am inviting you to a prosperous country; a peaceful country; a leader in the West African Sub-region, and; a leader in the whole of Africa, especially in the area of peace and stability,” Dr. Siaw Agyepong assured. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Presidential Hopeful for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu has filed his nomination forms at party's headquarters in Accra. According to Kojo Bonsu, he is confident that the he will be elected to lead the party ahead of the upcoming December 2024 Presidential Elections. Addressing the media after filing his Presidential Nomination Forms, he said "My government will not look down on the youth. I will ensure that even those without qualifications but have the skills are fully employed" He also noted that he will build state of the art offices for the various constituencies. Kojo Bonsu debunked claims that there are growing tension between his camp and that of Candidate John Dramani Mahama. "There is no tension. John Mahama was my boss and I give him that respect. The most important thing is the upcoming elections" He charged the party faithful to come together to ensure that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are kicked out of office come 2025. The Former Mayor of Kumasi stressed that he is the best bet to lead the NDC to victory. He called on the Muslim Community to remember him in prayers as he eyes the Flagbearership crown. Receiving Kojo Bonsu's forms, General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Kwetey wished the Presidential Hopeful best of luck in his quest to lead the NDC. He appealed to followers of Kojo Bonsu and other candidates to rally behind whoever is elected to lead the party after May 13. Fiifi Kwetey ceased the opportunity to call on the various supporters to avoid bad languages in order not to paint a bad image for both their candidates and the party. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Electricity Company Ghana (ECG) Managing Director has revealed that he has received calls to stop the disconnection exercise they are embarking on to retrieve unpaid debts. According to Samuel Dubik Mahama, the calls he received are from friends, power brokers, and politicians. He said the request made is “can you hold off?”The ECG boss made this disclosure in an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday. This follows the power company’s massive disconnection operation on Monday in an effort to pay off a debt of GH¢5.7 billion. ECG asked its customers to pay up or be disconnected from the grid. The company says it risk shutting down if they are unable to clear an outstanding $1 billion owed to some Independent Power Producers (IPP) hence the revenue mobilisation drive. As a result, Mr Mahama says a halt in the exercise could be dire for ECG. “How do we pay the Independent Power Producers? How do we pay GRIDCo? How do we pay VRA? It is a shared responsibility. “Please let’s just do the right thing because I don’t even have the moral right after sending somebody out of the office to pick up the phone and call him and say ‘hello, can you cut X, Y and Z slack? No’ then what is the moral of the exercise?”’ he questioned. Meanwhile, the ECG boss says the ongoing revenue mobilisation exercise being carried out by the ECG is not politically motivated. Samuel Dubik Mahama says concerns that the exercise is being targeted at some party’s political base are unfounded and should be treated with the utmost contempt. He stressed that he has no intention to politicise his office or mandate. “I don’t see myself as doing politics, I see myself now as a technocrat. The biggest mistake we could ever do is to politicise the work done by this office. “So for me, your electricity bill doesn’t have a party colour…your electricity bill is red, gold, and green with a black star in the middle, that’s your electricity bill. So believe me, as I said, the status quo balances straight out,” he said. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

A police dispatch rider whose name has been given as L/Cpl Mustapha Mohammed has met his untimely death after he was crushed to death by a speeding truck at Ofankor, a community in the Greater Accra Region. It is emerging that the late dispatch rider was chasing a Toyota Corolla car before his demise. Sources says spotting the speeding truck approaching, driver of the Toyota Corolla slowed down as if he was availing himself for arrest of which got the police dispatch rider to also pull his brakes. This, according to eye witnesses, caused the truck driver who had no option, to run over the dispatch rider killing him instantly. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio has disclosed that the 2023 edition of government's aggressive afforestation/reforestation programme, Green Ghana Day to help restore the country’s degraded landscapes will be launched in April. The Deputy Minister made this declaration when he made a statement on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, 21st March, 2023, to mark the International Day of Forests 2023 on the theme; "Forests and Health". Hon. Benito explained that this year, the Green Ghana Day has been scheduled for June 9, 2023, with a target of 10 million seedlings to be planted across the country; 6 million on-reserve and 4 million off reserve. He expressed gratitude to the Speaker of Parliament, and the Parliamentarians for taking active part in the Green Ghana Day since it's inception, while congratulating them for nurturing all trees planted during the event and ensuring a 100% survival rate. Hon. Benito employed the opportunity to appeal to all Ghanaians and the international community to embrace and support the 2023 Edition just as they have demonstrated high enthusiasm in the previous years. The Deputy Minister in his speech mentioned some flagships interventions undertaken by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to address the challenges in the sector, these he mentioned to include, the Green Ghana Day, National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), Landscape Restoration and Small Scale Mining Project, Ghana Forest Investment Programme, Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Project and the Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Programme. He mentioned that to observe the International Day of Forests, the Forestry Commission had a week-long programme for school children, which was aimed at creating awareness and active involvement of children in the celebration while he called on all and sundry to support the vision of H.E the President of the Republic of Ghana to restore the country’s degraded landscapes for better nutrition, better environment and a better health for all. He also noted that the measures being embarked on by Government through the Ministry are yielding some positive results. However, added that "we still need to do a lot of work in this area as a collective responsibility from all of us to ensure that we leave our children unborn a better and richer forest estate than we inherited" Some members of Parliament also took turns to contribute to the matter on the floor, stating the importance of forests while urging parliamentarians and Ghanaians alike to take it up upon themselves to protect Ghana's forests which will go a long way to contribute to the reduction in Global warming. They also called on all and sundry to take active part in the Green Ghana Day day to foster a better environment and health for all. Among the members who gave comments include Hon. Alhassan Ghansah, MP for Brakwa/Asikuma/ Odoben, Hon. Gizella Tetteh-Abotui-Awutu Senya West, Hon. Alexander Afenya-Markin - Effutu, Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor- North Dayi and the Hon. Emmanuel Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP for Tarkoradi. On November 28, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21st as the International Day of Forests and to be celebrated on the 21st of March each year. The purpose of the International Day of Forests is to celebrate forests across the world and also create awareness on the role that forests and trees play in the socio-economic and environmental, development of our nations. The United Nations allows countries to select suitable periods in the year to celebrate this day so as to make the situations. Ghana, therefore, over the years has celebrated the occasion in June during which period we have good rains to plant trees across all ecological zones. Today, March 21st, 2023, is therefore, a day of global and national celebration and also a day to create awareness on the importance of forests and the need to protect and preserve them. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, has disclosed that the Support fund has so far received an amount of GHC62million as donations from various institutions, organisations and individuals all in support of the Reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Appiatse township which was razed by fire explosion early last year. The Chairman revealed this when she received a GHC200,000 cheque donation from Goil on Monday, 20 as their contribution towards the reconstruction of Appiatse. Madam Joyce Aryee explained that aside contributions received from various organisations, Maxam Company, the Mining Firm implicated in the accident, has also been consistent in paying their fine and that she noted has contributed to the GHC62million amount raised. On behalf of her team and the people of Appiatse, she expressed their profound gratitude to Goil for such a generous donation saying that this will go a long way to help them do timely payments to contractors. She hoped that the gesture of love shown will be the launch of a second wave of donations from institutions that are yet to donate to the fund. She opined that more money is needed to complete the entire project. Rev. Joyce Aryee outlined a number of challenges contractors face at the site, particular among them she mentioned to be the consistent rainfall in the area, which slows down progress. Madam Joyce was hopeful that by September, most of the buildings would have been fully completed for the residents to move in. The Managing Director of Goil, Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh in his remarks said having heard of the unfortunate incident that happened in Appiatse, Goil as a socially responsible corporate entity, decided to also join the frail and contribute towards the reconstruction of the model green community. He however explained why their donation to the Fund seems to have delayed, saying that the institution issued a cheque when the incident occured last year but was not able to deliver it on time but "better late than never". The MD also mentioned that Goil at the initial stages of the incident made some donations to Appiatse directly even before the fund was instituted while he applauded the efforts of Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee and her team for the good work being done for the people of Appiatse and humanity. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith