The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against the abuse/misuse of Nitrous Oxide gas at nightclubs and parties in the forms of balloons and canisters to induce euphoria and laughter. According to the FDA, Nitrous Oxide gas is used as a propellent and a preservative in the food industry and a medical anesthetic analgesic. In a release signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Delese A. A. Darko, she said "The Authority hereby cautions the public that the misuse of Nitrous Oxide gas is extremely hazardous and includes risks of low blood pressure, heart attack and anaemia" The statement also added that abusers of Nitrous Oxide gas are also prone to the risk of suffocating and loss of consciousness. "Long-term recreational use(abuse) of Nitrous Oxide gas could also compromise the immune system, mental and neurological disorders (hand and foot numbness and limb spasms), depression and incontinence" The FDA stressed that it strongly admonishes nightclubs, pubs and party organizers to desist from the inappropriate use of Nitrous Oxide gas in their facilities. "The public is hereby urged to promptly report to the Authority on the abuse of Nitrous Oxide gas" The Authority says it is collaborating with other relevant stakeholder agencies to address the emerging safety concerns. "In the meantime, the FDA assures the public of its commitment in ensuring public health and safety through continuous public education, engagement and sensitization of the public on the risks of substances of abuse" Below are some copies of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that a massive shake-up has hit the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to sources, the massive shake-up has seen Haruna Iddrisu has lost his Minority Leadership seat to Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. In a release signed by the General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Kwetey said "The national leadership of the National Democratic Congress wishes to formally bring to your notice the following changes the Party has undertaken in its parliamentary leadership. "Minority Leader, hon. Dr. Cassel Ato Forson; Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Kofi Armah Buah; Minority Whip, Hon. Kwame Agbodza; First Deputy Whip, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim and Second Deputy Whip, Hon. Comfort Doyo Ghansah" the release further noted. The new Leader says it would be charged to recommend consequential changes in the Ranking membership to Headquarters of the party for approval. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ministry of Finance has revealed that the Government of Ghana and Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) have made significant progress on the terms for the participation of Banks in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP). According to the Ministry of Finance, the agreement encompasses final improvements to the terms of the DDEP. In a joint release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it read "An agreement to pay 5% coupon for 2023 and a single coupon rate for each of the twelve (12) new bonds resulting in an effective coupon rate of 9%. Clarity on the operational framework and terms of access to the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF)" The release also disclosed the removal or amendment of all clauses in the Exchange Memorandum that empowers the Republic to, at its sole discretion, vary the terms of the Exchange. The GAB says it recognises the progress made and notes that participation of its member banks in the DDEP, per the new terms, is subject to each individual bank’s internal governance and approval processes but, in any case, not later than January 30, 2023. "This is a significant milestone towards addressing our economic challenges, and will thus help to restore macro-economic stability and accelerate Ghana’s economic growth" Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Export Promotion Council (GIPC) says it will be hosting its sister agencies within the continent at the first annual Assembly of African Investment Promotion Agencies in Accra. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIPC, Reginald Yofi Grant shed more light about the event when he took his turn at the information Ministry's meet the press. Mr. Grant said "Wednesday' event will take place at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra." The event is been held ahead of Ghana’s hosting of Africa’s political and business leaders at the maiden edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues Series, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The maiden edition of The Africa Prosperity Dialogue Series will also take place from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 January, 2023 in Ghana, host nation of the AfCFTA Secretariat. As an initiative of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), the Dialogue Series are expected to bring Africa’s political and business leaders, as well as other leaders in Africa, together in conference, to brainstorm on the all-important single market project for the continent, It will also create an annual platform for the continent’s leaders to spearhead the collaborative implementation of the all-important Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement. It is a recognition that, for it to work, there must be a shared ownership of the objectives of AfCFTA, particularly with businesses big and small, right from the onset. Action on AfCFTA In recent times, global geopolitical issues have exposed Africa’s over-reliance on the global supply chain and natural resources export, and highlighted the imperative for Africa to seriously consider how to strengthen capacity for greater intra-Africa reliance. Africa ought to also consider how to cushion itself against exogenous shocks from events beyond her control. The Africa Prosperity Dialogues Series will incorporate the launching of various platforms for political and business leaders on the continent and in the Diaspora to think, plan and collaborate towards building the world’s largest single market of Africa’s 1.4 billion people. It will further help to create more opportunities for African citizens and build a more prosperous Africa. Kwahu Summit On the 'Kwahu Summit', a concept which was developed at the Rock City Hotel on the Kwahu Mountains, the Dialogue Series will help bring into sharp focus the continent’s critical challenges. It will also outline its industrialisation priorities, and aggressively advance the required commercial and infrastructural interventions to achieve the goal of deepening inter-continental trade. Private Sector Mr. Yofi Grant says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made it very clear that the private sector must be energized to take over the wheels of the economic growth of the country. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some scores of social media users have expressed mixed reactions over the payment of GH₵151,500 to senior management and some supporting staff as a covid-19 risk allowance. In some series of tweets sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Uncle Paa Kwesi tweeted "At the Ministry of Information, allowances totalling GH¢811,800.00 were paid without adequate document these were fund given to club 700 YawAabban and Kwadwo Sheldon. The national cake is for a few 💔🇬🇭" MotiaNfama also tweeted "Ministry of Information paid themselves risk allowance GH151,500 for sending information virtually. Meanwhile, frontline workers and those who did contact tracking were not paid risk allowance. NPP has really benefited from Covid -19 #NPPGrandCovidTheft" Kwabena_k2 tweeted "When you check what @konkrumah is doing at the Ministry of information and the Npp reckless blowing cash left right.Nana Addo is no doubt the Worst president Ghana has ever had.Ghana is the funniest episode on heaven's DSTv channel for god's children up there. #NPPGrandCovidTheft" General Agbesi said "At the Ministry of Information, allowances totaling GH¢811,800.00 were paid without adequate supporting documents. Did he share that for his Twitter 700 boys, where is the #COVID19 money? Thieves" Kevin Taylor also said "@konkrumah what do you say to this? #Senior management staff and other staff of Ministry of Information paid themselves 151,500 cedis as covid-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lock down without approval from Chief of Staff. Auditor General." Below are some screenshots of tweets: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Auditor-General has revealed that senior management and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves GH₵151,500 as a Covid-19 risk allowance. According to the Auditor General's report, the said payment was in relation to coming to work during the lockdown period. It is also emerging that the payment was done without approval from the Chief of Staff. The Auditor General's report further hinted that the Ministry of Information paid allowances of GH¢811,800.00 without adequate supporting documents. It added that there were no activity or program reports to support and authenticate the allowances paid. Below is a copy of the report: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu has indicated that he has obtained more documents of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, whom he has accused of operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for criminal purposes. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that he has now obtained the National Identification Card (GhanaCard), different driver's licenses plus other additional documents of Kusi Boateng. During an interview on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, on Friday, when asked about the GhanaCard of Rev Kusi Boateng by broadcaster Randy Abbey, Ablakwa said, “I have secured that (the Ghana Card) too. I’m keeping that close to my chest. You know I told you about the structure" “I have the National ID (GhanaCard) and I have other driving licenses too, but I am keeping those close to my chest. You see this matter we are not even midway yet. It is a relay race, it is going to be very interesting,” he said. Ablakwa also said that the explanation by the National Cathedral Secretariat that the $2.6 million paid to Rev Kusi Boateng was a loan repayment was an afterthought. According to him, the Board of Trustees never discussed acquiring a loan facility, and at the time the loan was acquired, the Cathedral had about $6 million in its bank accounts. Source: ghanaweb

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has announced a dry season water conservation measures. According to GWCL, the onset of the dry season, the entire country is expected to experience challenges with water supply because of the depletion of raw water from the various water bodies. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "As a result, consumers may encounter erratic flow of water in some parts of the country, especially the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Western and the Northern Regions" Management of the Ghana Water Company Limited has assured the consuming public, that it has put in measures to ameliorate the situation. "Management therefore wishes to call on all to be part of the solution, hence, consumers are advised to strictly adhere to the following conservation measures" "Cease indiscriminate watering of lawns with treated water, moderate the use of treated water for car washing by resorting to the use of buckets, instead of hosing, shut all taps when not in use, repair all leakages in your homes, like overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps, valves, etc. (the little drops also swell your water bills." "Report all burst pipes and leakages immediately to the nearest GWCL District offices, Customer Service Centers and Fault Offices" The general public has been advised to report all persons engaged in illegal connections, by-passes, and all malpractices against GWCL. The statement also mentioned that the GWCL has currently resorted to Water Demand Management to ensure equitable distribution of the water from the various treatment plants. All District Offices have been requested to announce to customers, days on which water will be flowing so customers can store water. "During dry seasons, consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green, for commercial washing of vehicles etc. currently the dry season is on and consumers with greater dependence on rainwater have also compounded the problem by taking to treated water use" "These practices ease the pressures in the pipelines thereby causing low pressures and no flow in some areas, especially the hilly areas" Management of GWCL says it is very much concerned about the impact of the dry season on the raw water sources, which has been compounded by the excessive pollution of the water bodies. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A Janaaza burial ritual has been held for the late Former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen (MND) Jawula. According to sources, the late Former Chairman will be buried in the United States of America (USA), with burial prayers at his family house in Accra. A burial prayer for the colossal Lepowura Alhaji MND Jawula would be held on Sunday, January 22, in the evening at his family house at Accra Newtown. The late Alhaji MND died yesterday at age 73, and would be laid to rest in the USA in line with the Islamic religion. A statement from the Islamic Centre of Nashville (ICN), Bellevue Mosque said, “It is our deepest sorrow to inform you that Brother Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula passed away today. He was the father of Sis Eliham Jawula–Imam and father-in-law of Dr. Abbas Imam”. “Janaza would be on Sunday, January 22, at 1:15 pm at the ICN Bellevue,” the statement added. Alhaji MND Jawula was chief of Lepo Kpembe of the Kujolobti Gate in the Northern Region and retired as a Chief Director of the Ghana Civil Service. Until his death, the former GFA Chairman was head of the Professional League Board and a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Inter-clubs competition committee. He was the Chairman of the GFA from 1997 to 2001, and also supervised Ghana’s U-17 World Cup success in Ecuador in 1995 Below is a picture: Credit: Thinknewsonline.com

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) organized an end-of-year get-together for the Association of Retired Immigration Officers (ARIO) on Wednesday in an effort to provide members of the Association a platform to dialogue with the Service's leadership. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration in charge of Finance and Administration (DCG/F&A), Mr Isaac Owusu Mensah who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration revealed Management’s intention to strengthen ARIO and improve welfare of Retired Officers of the Service considering that they are very important stakeholders of the GIS. DCG Owusu Mensah said, the CGI’s love for the Association was no secret, “All your concerns are very well noted and will be forwarded”, he assured. He further acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions members had invested into the country and opined that their wealth of experience could not be underestimated or go unnoticed. The Association used the occasion to swear in its newly elected Vice President in the person of Madam Veronica Addy. Mad. Addy who until her retirement was the Deputy Director, Finance and Administration (DD/F&A) pledged her commitment to working in the interest of the goals and aspirations of the Association. Mr. Moses Gyamfi, President of ARIO who doubles as the representative of ARIO on the GIS Governing Council said the event was an opportunity to discuss the improvement of retired Officers’ welfare and address any challenges members may be facing. He was grateful to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi for his deep concern for retired Officers and entreated that such collaboration be deepened between ARIO and Management members of the GIS. He said more collaboration with the GIS is needed in identification of new members across the regions of the country and in addressing certain critical health challenges some members are facing. Mr. Gyamfi also entreated continuous coordination of ARIO’s meeting schedules by the Protocol Unit of the Public Affairs Department of the GIS. Present at the get-together were serving Officers of the GIS including Management members; Head of the Operations Secretariat, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Maud Anima Quainoo, Head of Audit, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Constance Debordes and the Chief Staff Officer (CSO), ACI Lawrence Agyapong. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Education Directorate says it has opened application and nomination for Duker Teacher's Award 2023. The ultimate award is opened to all professionally frained teachers currently working in the pre-tertiary space (public) and have taught in the municipality for at least five (5) years. In a relwase sighted by Thinknewsonline.com it said "The non- teaching category is open to all who are currently working at the pre-tertiary education institution (public administration and labourers) and might have worked for at least five (5) years" "We would be grateful if you could bring this to the notice of all teachers and non-teaching staff in the municipality" The release addedvthat deadline for the submission of the application is Friday, 27th January, 2023. All applicants should apply to the Municipal Education Director with their letters endorsed by their Headteachers, School Improvement Support Officers (SISO) or Unit Heads. Categories of Awards under KG include; Best KG Teacher, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, Categories under Primary also include; Best Primary Teacher, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Best JHS category also includes; Best JHS Teacher, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up For Headteacher, the categories are; Best Headteacher, 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up. For Best Non-Teaxhing Staff, the categories include; Best Non-Teaching Staff (Basic/SHS), 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up. Below are copies of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, George Mireku Duker has donated 210 mono and dual desks for three different schools in his constituency. According to the MP, the gesture will help boost teaching and learning in the constituency. The MP said "On 20th January 2023, I donated a total of 210 dual and mono desks to three (3) schools within my constituency upon request" The three schools benefitting from the 210 mono and dual desks include; Tarkwa Nursing and Midwifery Training School and Nsuta MA Basic School and New Atuabo John Taylor Primary and JHS was named the third school to benefit from the mono and dual desks. "This forms part of the usual support my office provides to enhance Education within my constituency" The Director of Education who spoke on behalf of the beneficiary schools expressed gratitude and assured the MP that the furniture provided will be put to good use. George Mireku Duker was accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Benjamin Kessie. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith