The Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has thanked labour organizations for cooperating with the government to arrive at the 30 per cent salary increment for public sector workers. He stated that the government was interested in ensuring peace within the labour front hence, the 30 per cent increment.On Thursday January 12, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Ignatius Baffour-Awuah announced the increment in a meeting with labour unions. The increment took effect January 1, 2023. Mr Baffuor -Awuah said “Since August last year, we started meeting to determine the base pay for 2023. “This was after in July, we had worked together to grant a COLA of 15 per cent, being a relief for hardships that the Ghanaian worker was enduring. It was our hope to have completed this negotiation by December 2022. “Unfortunately, we were not able to finish but thankfully, today, we have worked together to come to a conclusion. “I am happy to announce the outcome of our engagements. The base pay has been increased by 30% for the 2023 financial year. “The effective date is 1st January 2023. As I said this brings to an end the 2022 COLA of 15% of base pay salary.” Addressing the gathering after the announcement, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta said “As I mentioned this will take a toll on the budget, but we are confident that we would enhance productivity and the commitment that we both have given to each other to make sure that there is peace in this country as we look at pension and labour issues. I think we have come to satisfying conclusion. “I really will like to thank all of you for your commitment to that. Fiscal implications, of course, we will have to work with that but really, the issue of peaceful environment for us to work is something that we treasure, we really applaud you for that. “There are a lot of things that we have to do and we really encourage that we continue with this sense of unity going forward and if, as a people, we continue to speak the same language then there will be nothing that will be impossible for us to do.” Credit: 3news.com

Chelsea's new signing, João Felix began his debut game for the Blues on a wrong note as he was set off for a nasty tackle on a Fulham player. Felix, who played as a number 10, created some goalscoring chance and also wasted others. The Atelico Madrid star was push to Chelsea on loan few days ago. With what was expected to be his dream debut, the young star went in for a rough challenge which saw him leave the field. Some pundits have explained the the red card spells doom for the player and his play time which is likely to affect Chelsea. PoojaMedia tweeted "6 months loan deal is now 5 months after the red card for João Felix" He added a straight red is a 3-match ban thus a month off from the loan deal. "With the loan fee & the red, this could go down as a "waste" of money. Tough for Potter" Fulham managed to beat Chelsea by 2 goals to one to secure the maximum three points in the ongoing English Premier League. Below is the tweet: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has dismissed eight students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Upper East Region for allegedly insulting President Akufo-Addo.Prior to the dismissal, the students had been on suspension. The GES says its investigation into the incident confirmed that the students used unsavoury language against the President. It has thus described the actions of the students as “very undesirable, and contrary to the acceptable standards of the conduct generally required of any student in Ghana’s educational system.” The GES had earlier apologised to President Akufo-Addo over the comments by students. “We wish to inform the general public that the students in the video have been identified as second-year students of Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District. “Management of GES wishes to extend our sincerest apology to the President and the general public on behalf of the students and school”, says portions of the statement issued on November 14, 2022. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

Dear Mr. Flagbearer Hopeful, I have followed with considerable interest your nationwide broadcast to Ghanaians on the eve of Tuesday, January 10, 2023, and wish to commend you largely for your boldness, particularly on your decision to resign from the Akufo-Addo government to pursue your age-long presidential ambition. By way of introduction, I am Nana Osei Boateng, a polling station executive of the NPP in the Ejisu Constituency of the Ashanti Region. Like every other committed member of the NPP, I am so passionate about my Party’s quest to ‘break the eight’ by winning the 2024 general elections. I am optimistic that it is doable subject only to how we conduct our affairs as Party people. We expect our leaders including your good self to rise above their interests and prioritize that of the collective. The NPP cannot ‘break the eight’ if there is no DISCIPLINE in the Party. This is the basis for my open letter to you, and I shall proceed accordingly. Hon. Alan Kyerematen, you are very much aware that to maintain discipline and sanity in the Party particularly ahead of the flagbearership contest, the NPP’s National Council, the second highest decision-making body of the Party, formulated a CODE OF CONDUCT to regulate the conduct of all Party members. In particular, the Code, which is STILL IN FORCE, does not only prohibit early campaigns, but also the making of public statements on the propriety of any prospective presidential candidate until the Party decides otherwise. You are also aware that Article 3(5)(4) of the NPP Constitution enjoins all Party members “to abide by and publicly uphold decisions of the Party”. Failure to do so, which you are aware of, constitutes MISCONDUCT, which is in breach of Article 4(7) of the Party Constitution. Then, why have you chosen, not only to DISREGARD the Party Constitution, but also the clear directives of the National Council? Is your political ambition greater than the interest of the NPP? And if you win the flagbearership contest and become the leader of the Party, will you expect your decisions to be respected by ordinary Party members? Was it you, Alan Kyerematen, speaking on the eve of Tuesday? I still cannot believe you could run down your government in the manner you sought to do. At some point, I thought I was listening to Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of the NDC. You very well know that we, the Party footsoldiers, always do the ‘donkey job’ to win elections for persons like you to be appointed as Ministers of State. Is that how you intend to reward us for our hard work? For those of us who have not been lucky to get appointments under this government and are hoping that we would be lucky in the next NPP government, why are you dashing our hopes? You have, by your conduct, given me reasons to agree with many Party people who had cause to question your commitment to the Akufo-Addo administration despite heading the Trade and Industry Ministry, which is the fulcrum around which our national economy revolves. Why haven’t you ever spoken publicly in defense of your government’s record, particularly during times of crisis? Where was your so-called Great Transformational Plan (GTP) which you now claim is the only solution to Ghana’s developmental conundrum? As then Trade Minister, where were you when traders took advantage of the economic crisis to exploit consumers by increasing the prices of goods unconscionably resulting in galloping inflation? Why didn’t you employ effective tools including moral suasion to get the traders to do the needful? Why were we paying you as Trade Minister? Or, you only wanted other Party people to ‘dirty themselves’ for you to take credit when it suits you? And today, you have the moral authority to insult all those talking in defense of our government records. We are a government of ‘No Action Talk Only (NATO)’ indeed. Well, since you claim to be an action man, why don’t you tell us the actions you took as Trade and Industry Minister to resolve our economic challenges for the many years you served as a key member of the Economic Management Team? Please, don’t mention 1D1F because we all know that until recently the 1D1F secretariat was under the Office of the President and not the Trade Ministry. Did you also criticize the size of the Akufo-Addo government? Wow! When did you come to that realization? And when you came to that realization, I thought as a matter of principle, you would decline the appointment or resign forthwith so that the size of government, will, at the minimum, be reduced by one. I thought that is what men of principle do. How can you stand up to the NDC? It is not surprising that you enjoy a lot of support from our NDC friends. Why have you failed to show leadership when it mattered most, in times of crisis? I thought leadership is not about titles but about solving problems. Need I remind you of one of the popular quotes of Martin Luther King Jnr, who once said that “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. Respectfully, Hon Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, until you can answer these questions and adequately respond to the concerns I have raised above, you are not deserving of my vote as a delegate in the upcoming presidential primaries of the Party. I will vote for the party interest; party discipline; party unity; party commitment and party progress. I also call on my colleague delegates to do the same, because the interest of the NPP must, always, prevail over the individual political ambitions of party members. Need I say more? Credit: Nana Osei Boateng, NPP Polling Station Chairman - Ejisu Constituency, Ashanti Region DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by the author on this platform do not represent the views or policy of Think News Online.

I had never heard the name MEEK MILL, neither have I heard his song, but I am sure if we have to trace his roots to Africa, he wouldn't fall short of being a Fante. Not because of his name Mill(s), but his attitude in all the confusion around his video. As meek as his name, he apologised, deleted and didn't want to have issues with anyone !!! Protocols are enforced by hosts not visitors !!! Meek Mill did no wrong but the irresponsibility of this Nana Addo administration is dragging this issue to unnecessary heights. No one has owned up, no one has apologised, no one has resigned. They don't just care. Is this one too a government? If you have a group of irresponsible and/or unfit individuals gathered to serve a political interest and not the nation, this is how far it gets to. Jubilee House was the same place a serving police officer, Nanka Bruce, was beaten to pulp, and the perpetrators promoted to join the National Security outfit. What else can be expected from that House? As this unfortunate MEEK Mill discussions travel into weeks, let's give an ear to the hundreds of bond investors who are dying out of shock. People who have invested their severance packages, life savings, gratuities and have no means of survival. How did we get here? Did we really bargain for such irresponsibility? People being denied returns on their savings, as the President and his family draw salaries every month for mismanaging the economy. This story can not be on the back burner. Let's remain resolute in our struggle because there are better days ahead. *Kun Fa Yakun* Credit: Godwin Ako Gunn, Deputy Communications Officer, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President, Kunfa Yakun Movement DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by the author on this platform do not represent the views or policy of Think News Online.

African Nations for Championships (CHAN) defending champions, Morocco, have pulled out of the tournament. Their withdrawal comes only a day to kickoff of the biennial tournament which will be hosted in Algeria. Ironically, their decision to withdraw from the tournament comes on the back off a stand off with the host country over travel arrangements. Despite the cancellation of direct flights between the two countries over tensions, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) were insistent of a direct flight from Rabat to Constantine. Morocco’s withdrawal means CAF is now without its defending champions for one of its flagship competitions. Equally, it now leaves the 2022 edition of the tournament solely reserved for ‘local’ players, with three groups of only three competitors. Groups D and E originally had Angola, Mali and Mauritania and Cameroon, Congo, Niger respectively. However, Ghana, Madagascar and Sudan in Group C, now join the list. Credit: Joy Sports

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana National GAS Company, Dr. Ben K. D. Asante says the country needs a Gas Act which will provide the necessary legal impetus to run the Gas industry. The CEO made these remarks while addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday. Speaking at the State of the Agencies Report on the topic, leading the transformation of Ghana’s Power Sector, the Ghana Gas story, he said "Ghana needs a Gas Act. The Act which is an Legislative Instrument (LI) will provide the necessary legal impetus to run the Gas industry" INDIGENIZATION OF GHANA GAS OPERATIONS Dr. Asante revealed that Ghana Gas operations commenced November 2014, with Chinese Operators. He also explained that Indigenous Ghanaian Engineers/Technicians took over the plant operations completely from the Chinese in March 2017. "It took Trinidad 40 years to fully indigenize; Nigeria 50 years; Ghana Gas took 3 years!!! Saves $3million a month in operating cost. Built solid intellectual capital to sustain the industry. Three successful full maintenance shutdowns and no loss-time to injury" POWER GENERATION – Takoradi Enclave Explaining further on the power generation for the Takoradi Enclave, he said "Provision of gas to power plants in Takoradi, VRA’s twin power plants TAPCO(330MW) & TICO(330MW), KARPOWERSHIP (450MW) and AMANDI Power Plant (192MW) POWER GENERATION – Tema Enclave On the Tema Enclave, the Ghana Gas CEO also said "Provision of gas to power plants in Tema Enclave, AKSA Energy (203MW), CENPOWER (330MW) and Sunon Asogli Power (560MW)" Minimization of Power Outages-Dumsor (3Fs) The Ghana Gas CEO noted that his outfit ensured there was fuel, facilities and funding hence the minimization of power outages popularly know as Dumsor in the country. "On fuel, we ensured adequate Gas Supply and security –Domestic and Regional; Ensure adequate reserve margin for protection for both planned and unplanned outages (MP) – GNPC/GNGC" "On facilities, we also ensure availability and reliability of Gas Delivery Facilities: Processing and Transportation. - GNGC Ensure availability and reliability of Power Delivery Facilities: Generation, Transmission and Distribution. VRA& IPPs/GridCo/ECG" "On funding, we ensured availability of Funds to cover purchases for Fuel – Gas, HFO and LCO. Addressed debts owed Fuel Suppliers and Commodity/Service Providers/MoF" Community Social Responsibility Stressing on Community Social Responsibility of Ghana Gas Company Limited, the Ghana Gas CEO said "Ghana Gas has Community Social Responsibility projects in all sixteen (16) regions. The CSR projects commenced in 2019 as a way of giving back to the communities" He added that the projects cover Health/health facilities, Educations, Water & Sanitation, roads, sports facilities, security. The CEO also disclosed that to date, 152 projects have been completed and 301 projects ongoing/health facilities. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The building of the National Cathedral is enough testimony of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s devotion to God and no matter the opposition, it will be built, the Anglican Church, Ghana has said. Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Primate & Metropolitan Archbishop, Church of the Province of West Africa/Archbishop, Internal Province of Ghana said throughout life, there have always been people who would support and assist a vision and others who will always criticise. At a special Presidential Eucharist Service held at the Jubilee House for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and their families on Tuesday, the Most Revered said such as any other leaders, King David faced similar challenges—murmuring and lamentations by some people, “yet King David stood resolute in his conviction amid opposition.” “The naysayers—they are there and they will always be there. Do not bother about them,” Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith told the President. Despite the challenges and the times that the world finds itself, Most Rev. Dr Ben-Smith assured that God’s promise remains the same “his mercies are new every morning.” Speaking under the sermon theme: “New mercies, New love; New hope for Ghana”; Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith's spiritual text was Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” He assured President Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana that God’s faithfulness remains sure for the nation. “God’s mercies will never run out as promised as his mercies are new every morning" “It is for the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed bodily, intellectually morally — Mr President, GOD is still GOD and let every Ghanaian know that God is God and directs all affairs.”“…and in Psalms 46, King David,” said “the LORD is my refuge and my strength, every present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth be moved and the mountains fall into the sea…” “The LORD Almighty is with us…and would always be with us…” Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith assured. On his part, President expressed gratitude to the Church for the organisation of the prayer session which began last year and assured it would be repeated in 2024 and finally in 2025 when he will be completing the task assigned to him and his government by the Ghanaian people. "It's been an exciting and wonderful experience so far simply because God had always been in control,” he stated. President Akufo-Addo also commended the financial sustainability strategy implored by the Church to remain financially viable and self-reliant. The bold venturing into the licensing and broker environment with the establishment of Spirit Insurance Brokerage Company Limited owned by the Church, the President said, is highly commendable as well as motivating. Credit: Modern Ghana

In the wake of the indications of a looming reshuffle occasioned by the resignation from office of Trade and Agric Ministers, it seems like some person close to the Presidency want the Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh removed from his office. It seems that some persons are not comfortable with the works of Napo and thus are pushing for his reshuffle. Pundits say some personalities close to the President are behind the removal of Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh from the Energy Ministry. These among others are largely because of the tough character of Dr. Prempeh who is said to be blocking them from benefiting from shady deals, likely to bring the name of the President and government into disrepute and embarrassment. Dr. Prempeh is said to have the backing of the President who has seen the sterling work he has done at the Ministry ensuring the stability of power and the availability of petroleum products even in the wake of global crisis. However, the nepotistic antics of these supposed 'family of the President' are the some of the reasons they want the Minister out. Industry pundits are predicting the massive return of ‘DUMSOR’ if Dr. Prempeh is removed from the Energy Ministry as the stability is largely due to his leadership style and strong character as a visionary and diligent politician. Could it be that his achievements at the Ministry of Energy in two years which is unassailable and has even been touted by independent observers pose as a threat? Credit: Charles Boateng, Concerned citizen, Affram Plans. charlesboateng@gmail.com NOTE: Views expressed in the above write-up are solely that of the author and not that of Think News Online. Hence Think News Online cannot be sued for defamation.

NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, has wondered why the likes of Daddy Lumba, Sarkodie, and Samini, who have been tagged as NPP sympathizers, have never been invited to shoot their music videos at the Jubilee House. His comments are on the heels of the massive outbursts on social media after Meek Mill’s music video recorded at the Jubilee House went viral. Some individuals who have been appalled by the development have described it as a complete desecration of the seat of the president, while others have questioned why such an act was tolerated. Amid the rants, the one thing that angered netizens was that some Ghanaian musicians would not have gained access to the Jubilee House as Meek Mill did. But reacting to the development, Sammy Gyamfi said during an interview with Asempa FM, that it would have been more understandable to allow Ghanaian artistes, particularly the ones who campaigned for the government to shoot music videos inside the Jubilee House. Adding his voice to the large section of Ghanaians who have criticized the presidency for tolerating Meek Mill’s conduct, he said;“A friend of mine said, why not then allow Sarkodie shoot a video at the Jubilee house? Looking at how he has thoroughly campaigned for the NPP. Or Samini, or even Daddy Lumba. Since NPP came to power, the only musician who has been able to produce a beautiful record for them is Daddy Lumba. I’m referring to that ‘Na na na’ song. I’m sure these people will suffer to even gain access to the president.” Among other things, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi also identified what he described as the ‘height of disrespect, lack of decorum and disregard for protocol, displayed by Meek Mill during his visit to the Jubilee House. “As for Meek Mill, because he is taller than our president, he even clutched his arm around his shoulders. Look at the way he even dressed. Wearing sneakers, shorts and T-shirt. After that he still had the nerve to fly cameras around the Jubilee House,” he added Credit: www.ghanaweb.com

The Ghana Gas Senior Staff Association has questioned the Minister of Energy’s commitment to the construction of a second state-owned gas processing plant and the entire indigenisation drive of the sector. A statement issued by the Ghana Gas-SSA urged President Akufo-Addo to intervene since his dream of having a second gas processing plant is on the line. The workers of Ghana Gas expressed disquiet about the way the current Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, is handling the issue of the concurrent existence of Genser Energy Ghana Limited’s (GEGL/Genser) Gas Conditioning Plant and Ghana Gas’ Gas Processing Plant Train 2. They claimed the situation reverses the hard-earned indigenisation achievement by his predecessors. "Ghana Gas is 100% owned by the state whiles Genser is known to have about 90% of its shares being owned by foreigners. It is also known that Genser repatriates over 80% of its revenue to South Africa. Therefore, it baffles the minds of workers of Ghana Gas for any Minister of State to do the bidding of Genser at the expense of a state-owned company. It is worthy to note that Ghana Gas derives its obligation to construct a second Gas Processing Plant from the 2022 President’s State of the Nation Address. The President was emphatic that Ghana Gas will be building a second Gas Processing Plant with a higher capacity than the existing Gas Processing Plant,” part of the statement said. The statement further added that having a private-owned entity compete with Ghana Gas for raw gas from the Jubilee fields is a recipe for disaster. The Ghana Gas-SSA has therefore called on the President to overturn the Minister’s approval of the 50MMSCFD of raw gas supply to Genser’s plant. Below is a copy of the release: Source: starrfm

Thinknewsonline.com can confirm that the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Akoto Afriyie has officially resigned from his position. The Food and Agriculture Minister tendered in his resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, January 10. His resignation comes few days after Former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen also resigned from his position under the Akufo-Addo administration. The resignation will help Dr. Akoto Afriyie to pay much attention to his Presidential ambition. Dr. Akoto Afriyie believes, he is the right candidate to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), to victory in the 2024 Presidential elections. President Akufo-Addo has however accepted the resignation and wished him well. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith