The Chief Executive of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Engineer Dr Kwadjo Siabi has described as worrying the deteriorating surface water sources due to human activities. According to him, these human activities do occur in most river basins in the country. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Sunday, Engineer Dr. Siabi said "The surface water sources have also deteriorated due to human activities in most river basins in the country" He also disclosed that frequentwater breakdown of the water facilities has been one of the biggest challenges facing CSWA. "My outfit also observed during its studies that “there are very high unaccounted for water.” This is a huge challenge as 50% of water is unaccounted for" He further bemoaned the quality of water in the country. "We also noted that water quality is a problem in Ghana. This, was observed from a study the CWSA undertook" "About 95% of water sources in the country are obtained from groundwater. All the data that we have, suggests that about 30% of the groundwater that has high levels of iron, manganese, fluorides, arsenic and hardness, and all of these have health challenges.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ICT Group of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Samuel Ofori Gyampoh, became the proud recipient of the Top 30 Transformational Technology Award and, IoT Innovation award - going to Nerasol Ghana at the 4th National Communication Awards (NCAs). The award recognises Mr. Ofori Gyampoh’s for his “outstanding strides, success, innovation and tieless efforts” in the information technology, communication and digitalisation sectors of the country. Held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, dubbed ''The Digitalised Economy: Innovation for National Development.” The National Communications Awards is a high-impact digitisation and communication event organised by RAD Communications Limited to recognise digitisation across all spaces, including the private and public sectors, banking, FinTech, telecoms, ICT, manufacturing, agriculture, health and all other sectors involved in digitisation. The event celebrated and rewarded excellent communication and digitisation companies, organisations, teams and professionals across the country. The objective of this year’s award event was to bring together players in the communications industry, championing digitisation and national development in Ghana. Below are some pictures: Story by; Joshua Kwabena Smith

Government has announced a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a $3 billion loan deal. The agreement, reached on the back of a record 6 months of intense negotiations between the Bretton Woods institution and the Government of Ghana, will help government stabilize the country’s ailing economy. Announcing the agreement at a joint press conference between the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the IMF on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta noted that the deal, subject to approval by the Executive Board of the Fund, will help government reboot the economy, largely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes for almost 6 months when Government formally announced its intention to engage the IMF for an IMF-supported programme, to enable us reach this Staff Level Agreement (SLA) today which paves the way for the IMF’s Management and Executive Board to approve Ghana’s programme request early next year,” Ofori-Atta said. He said government will make sure it sticks to the strong reform programme under the Fund to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, while preserving financial stability and laying the foundation for strong and inclusive recovery. The Minister for Finance outlined 6 key deliverables that government will be working on over the period, including preparation of the Post-Covid-19 Programme for Economic Growth; a medium-term macroeconomic framework; Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) and Debt Management Strategy; structural reforms to address structural bottlenecks, improve competitiveness and promote efficiency and effectiveness; a memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP); and an agreement on prior actions which are expected to be completed before the Fund goes to the Board. On his part, the Fund’s Mission Chief to Ghana, Stéphane Roudet, expressed his delight at the fast completion of the staff-level agreement. He noted the significant economic challenges that have impacted the country’s fiscals, stressing the Fund’s willingness to assist government in its fiscal consolidation efforts, and efforts to implement measures to address the depreciation of the local currency and build back the economy. Story by: Ruth Botsio

Onua FM/TV morning show host Captain Smart has apologised to all female sports presenters hurt by his recent admonition to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following the early exit of the Black Stars from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Captain Smart, real name Blessed Godsbrain Smart, said he is offering the apology because of the “respect” he has for women, female sports presenters in particular. He said he was “wise” not to have minced words about his admonition to the GFA. The firebrand tv-cum-radio presenter admonished the Association to ensure that female TV presenters stop following the Black Stars. Speaking on Maakye on Tuesday, December 13, Captain Smart said, “I chose my words right, so I didn’t say ‘TV Female Sports Presenters’. I didn’t say that.” He clarified that what he made reference to was TV female presenters, many of whom are on YouTube currently, he cited. He admitted that some female sports presenters have taken this issue a “world cup” but “because of the respect I have for women. . .if you think you are hurt [as] a female sports presenter”, he apologises. Captain Smart’s utterance stirred the anger of many journalists, female journalists in particular, with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) calling for an unqualified apology from him. The Association, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the morning show host and said it found his utterance demeaning to female journalists in general. Credit: 3news.com

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is demanding what it calls ‘sufficient’ assurances from the Government of Ghana on debt restructuring before its board approves $3bn deal. This was made known by IMF's Mission Chief and Lead Negotiator for Ghana's financial bailout, Stephane Roudet. He said "Despite reaching a staff-level agreement with the government for a $3-billion extended credit facility, approval will be done by Management and Executive Board" "The agreement, to span three years, is also subject to the receipt of the necessary financing assurances by Ghana’s partners and creditors" Addressing Journalists in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Roudet said "Ghanaian authorities have committed to a wide-ranging economic reform programme post-Covid and assured of tackling deep challenges facing the economy" "One of the key areas to tackle is restoring public debt sustainability, for which the government, according to the IMF, has announced a debt restructuring programme" He hinted that to support the objective of restoring public debt sustainability, the authorities have announced a comprehensive debt restructuring. “Sufficient assurances and progress on this front will be needed before the proposed Fund-supported program can be presented to the IMF Executive Board for approval.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Interior Minister, Ambrose Derry and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare have paid a visit to the police officer who sustained a gunshot injury in a shoot out between the Police and some of the Caprice armed robbers at the hospital. The visit by the Interior Minister and IGP was to assess the condition of the officer and also wish him speedy recovery. In a tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the Ghana Police Service tweeted "The Police officer who was shot yesterday in a shoot out between the Police and some of the Caprice armed robbers was today, 12th December visited by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Derry at the hospital where he is receiving medical attention. The visit was to assess the condition of the officer and also wish him well" It is emerging that the officer was shot in the thigh by the armed robbers during a special operation to arrest them at their hideout. The Hon. Minister took the opportunity to thank the Police for their invaluable services to the country. He assured the Police of his Ministry's commitment to support the service in the fight against crime. Accompanying the Hon . Minister were the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye, COP/George Mensah, COP /Paul Manly Awini, COP/ Habiba Twumasi Sarpong and some other senior officers. Below are some pictures and screenshot: Story by: Thinknewsonline.com

Director General of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), Isaac Mwinbelle has argued the public to remain calm and go about their normal business despite the disturbing earth tremor which occurred on Monday. According to GGSA, it will intensify the education and sensitization among the public about earth tremors and what to do when such natural occurrences happen. In release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Director General of Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), Isaac Mwinbelle said "These are natural occurrences and therefore difficult to predict" It will be recalled that some parts of Accra was hit with moderate earth tremor on Monday. It occurred at 11:53am on Monday 12th December 2022. The magnitude 4.0 occurred twice within 40minutes. Areas affected were; Kokomlemle, Kaneshie, Achimota, Adenta, Circle, Osu, Ablekuma Manhean, Accra, New Town, Legon, Dansoman, Kasoa, Haatso, Kwashiman, Teshie, Nungua and McCarthy Hill. Below are some videos: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha has survived a plane crash in south-east Kenya three years after also escaping unharmed from a car wreck. Rudisha, who won 800m gold at London 2012 and at Rio 2016, said it was a “scary episode” and pictures of the plane show it upside down in a field. “All was well close to seven or eight minutes into the flight when the engine of the plane suddenly went quiet,” Rudisha told the Daily Nation" "[The pilot] saw some clear space where he tried to land the plane but one of its wings hit a tree as the plane started to spin before landing on the rocky field.” Five other people were in the plane and all escaped with minor injuries when it came down on Saturday. “The pilot did an incredible job to keep the plane afloat and stable for long,” said Rudisha. In August 2019, Rudisha was unharmed when his SUV collided with a bus on a highway near Keroka in his native Kenya. In addition to his two Olympic gold medals, Rudisha won world championships in 2011 and 2015 and the 1min 40.91sec he ran when winning the Olympic title in London – one of the undoubted highlights of the 2012 Games – remains the 800m world record. Credit: theguardian.com

The launch of the Economic Enclave Project (EEP) to cultivate 110,000 acres of land in seven regions sets the tone for a new journey of youth engagement in commercial agriculture. Under the programme, government will provide support such as clearing and development of land and facilitate access to credit, including the recently approved GH₵500 million from the Development Bank Ghana (DBG). Speaking at the launch of EEP, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta the key objective is to convert lands into fields that will limit imports and transforms Ghana into a net exporter within five years. Driven almost entirely by private enterprise and finance, he said government will take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The EEP is open to agricultural land owners with at least 1,000 acres of land, private value chain actors of priority commodities namely rice, tomato, maize, soya, vegetables and poultry. Individuals, private sector actors, organized groups, churches, traditional leaders, financial institutions are being invited on this new journey of commercial agriculture. The objective is to remarkably expand Ghana’s productive capacity in rice, tomato, maize, soya, vegetables and poultry. It has been dubbed a massive programme of change to how the country organizes production and promotes productivity. The novel EEP targets to create 195,000 jobs for the youth comprising 105,000 direct and 90,000 indirect jobs. The current EEP model is starting on a 10,000-acre stretch of land around the Kasunya-Nyaphienya area in the Greater Accra Region. A pilot phase of the current model has commenced with cultivation of 1,000-acres of rice. EEP is projected to generate over GH₵500 million per annum for private sector actors participating in the project. Ofori-Atta noted that the Partnership Framework envisages direct market linkages with ongoing Government interventions such as Buffer Stock Company, School Feeding Programme and Government procurement such as supply of food to Prisons, Hospitals and the Security Services. According to him, government has designed a well-consulted Programme - the Post COVID-19 Programme of Economic Growth (PC-PEG) and the 2023 Budget - to guide Ghana out of the current difficulties. He explained that the EEP is a critical part of the strategy for ensuring that Ghana transition into an Upper Middle Income economy within a decade. In partnership with the National Service Scheme (NSS, the project will develop 50,000 acres of land in Kumawu in the Ashanti Region. Arrangements for similar interventions in Oti, Savanna, Central, Western North and Western Regions, are being pursued to bring the total cultivated lands to 110,000 acres. Ofori-Atta explained that the EEP complements existing agriculture-based flagships such as the Planting for Food and Jobs and sharpens the focus to promote competitive food import substitution, initially focused on rice, poultry and maize, through commercial and large-scale farming. Story by: Thinknewsonline.com

Ex-Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Samuel Boadu, has been appointed as the coach of the national Under-20 side, the Black Satellites. The 36-year-old former Medeama SC coach was among a list of local coaches who were attached to the national team to understudy coach Otto Addo at the World Cup in Qatar to gain some experience. Boadu who graduated from the Kumasi Technical University succeeds Karim Zito who has been shifted to the Black Starlets. Coach Boadu is not new to the national team as he has previously worked as an assistant in the Under-20 national team. He is expected to fill in the shoes of some previous local coaches such as Fred Osam-Duodo, Francis Oti Akenteng, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie and Sellas Tetteh who guided to the team to international glory. The coach who played for Prestea Mine Stars, Ghapoha FC and Berekum Arsenal as a midfielder would have the task of developing young talents that would be used as a feeder into the senior national team. He would be assisted by Desmond Offei and Salifu Fatawu who previously worked as assistant to Karim Zito while ex-Black Stars and Ashantigold goalkeeper, Fatawu Dauda would be the goalkeeper’s trainer. Their immediate assignment is to lead Ghana to the 2023 African Games slated for Accra in August next year. Credit: Graphiconline.com

Some parts of Accra have been hit with moderate earth tremor. It occurred at 11:53am on Monday 12th December 2022.The magnitude 4.0 occurred twice within 40minutes. Areas affected include Kokomlemle, Kaneshie, Achimota, Adenta, Circle, Osu, Ablekuma Manhean, Accra, New Town, Legon, Dansoman, Kasoa, Haatso, Kwashiman, Teshie, Nungua and McCarthy Hill. Even though we are yet to receive an official report on the magnitude of the earth tremor from the seismological department of the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet). According to the Android Earthquake Alerts System, the seismic movement reached magnitude 4.0 which makes it one of the strongest earthquakes in Ghana. The last time similar incident happened was on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. It occurred thrice few minutes to 11pm, all within 12 minutes. Reports also indicated that parts of the Eastern Region recorded same.The impact in some areas was very high. Earth tremors of magnitude ranging from 1.0 to 4.8 on the Richter scale have been recorded in recent times. Credit: Modern Ghana

The first batch of Zoom Riders who will assist in efficient collection of waste across the country have passed out. The passing out ceremony, held at Burma Camp, Accra on Friday, December 9, 2022, attracted management of Zoomlion and senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces. The riders were taken through various drills. The training, which took place at Burma Camp, spanned over a period of three weeks. It was meant to empower the trainees to ensure defensive driving to prevent accidents in their line of work. Addressing the media after the ceremony, the Managing Director of Zoomlion Private Services Limited, Mr. Edwin Amoako, disclosed that the programme is one of his outfit's initiatives to drive efficiency in the collection and management of waste. "We at Zoomlion are always finding new ways of making our country clean and this is one of the initiatives,” he noted. He said the trainees will be tasked to go from house to house with hands-on professionalism. With assurance, Mr. Amoako said the Zoom Riders will be entrusted with branded tricycles to enter every nook and cranny of the country and help in the efficient collection of waste. Just about three weeks ago, some 100 interested individuals were enrolled to give them hands-on training in professional training which will give them skills to properly manage waste. And upon successful completion of the course, a graduation ceremony was held for them. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith