The vote of censure motion filed by the Minority against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has failed. This is because only 136 legislators on the Minority side voted on Thursday to demand the removal of Mr Ofori-Atta thus falling short of the two-thirds constitutional requirement for the motion to pass through. The proponents of the motion needed the votes of 183 legislators to have the motion passed against Mr. Ofori-Atta. Prior to the vote, the New Patriotic Party MPs staged a walkout and decided not to support the motion of their colleagues from the opposition side of the House. The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Mensah, who led the walkout said his side cannot be part of a process that was baseless and politically motivated. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu addressing the Speaker said the censure motion by the Minority caucus was pushed out of bad faith and only sought to embarrass the Finance Minister. "You [the Minority] want us to follow you on this misadventure. Mr Speaker, like Pontius Pilate did, we will wash our hands of this”, he said. The Minority caucus filed a motion of censure against the Finance Minister, accusing him of mismanagement of the economy, financial recklessness, conflict of interest, and gross mismanagement of the economy. In his defence, the Finance Minister rejected allegations of conflict of interest and gross mismanagement of the economy levelled against him by the Minority caucus in Parliament. He said he had done nothing wrong and described the allegations against him as witch-hunting. “If I say I am innocent they [the minority] will not believe me and if I ask for the truth and proof, they will not be able to provide that. I have committed no crime,” Mr Ofori-Atta insisted on Thursday. Watch video below: Credit: Citinewsroom

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has commissioned a network centre at the Minerals Commission to monitor and track earth moving and mining equipment, including excavators, and vehicles used in the transportation of explosives. The Centre, which was built by the Minerals Commission in partnership with the George Paa Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), provides real time information on the movement and activities of excavators and explosive vehicles. Commissioning the Centre on Thursday, 8th December, 2022, the Minister said the establishment of the Centre is part of measures adopted by Government to deal with the illegal mining menace. He noted that excavators are one the main machineries used in illegal mining, with its attendant consequences on lands, forests and water bodies. In 2020, Government promulgated the Minerals and Mining (Minerals Operation – Tracking of Earthmoving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), to provide for the registration and tracking of earthmoving and mining equipment used in mineral operations. To give effect to this law, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, on 24th October, 2022 directed all owners and operators of excavators to register them with the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies where these excavators are located. The Minerals Commission explained that excavators will be installed with trackers, and will be assigned to specific concessions. According to the Commission, the system has been designed to ensure that any excavator that moves outside its concession area will automatically go off. It said a pilot exercise has been done with excavators in Tarkwa and Obuasi, and excavators that go outside their concessions cannot work again unless unlocked by the Minerals Commission. In addition to excavators used for mining, vehicles used in the transportation of the explosives will also be installed with trackers for the Minerals Commission to monitor their movement, including their speed, and the activities of drivers. This follows a recommendation by the Committee on Health and Safety which was established by the Minister after the Appiatse incident, where a vehicle carrying explosives exploded and destroyed the community. The Committee, as part of its recommendations, recommended that vehicles carrying explosives be tracked to monitor their movements and activities. The Minister commended the Minerals Commission for their hard work in getting the Centre established. He, however, charged the Commission to expedite action on the registration and installation of tracking devices to ensure effective monitoring. Hon. Jinapor said Government is committed to the fight against illegal mining through law enforcement and reformation. He said while law enforcement is important, reformative measures have proven to be the best means of dealing with illegalities in the extractive sector. He mentioned some of the reformative measures adopted by Government as the revamping of the Community Mining Schemes and the introduction of the mercury-free gold processing equipment known as Gold Katcha. He called on all stakeholders to partner with Government to clamp down on illegal mining. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Bank of Ghana through its Facebook page is asking the general public to disregard reports that fire has gutted the bank. According to the Facebook post, the smoke which emanated from its premises was a routine fire drill, a simulation exercise which it has been organising for its staff. In the Facebook post, it said "The Bank, today, Thursday, 8th December 2022, conducted a routine fire drill (simulation exercise) to prepare staff for real-time fire situation" It added that the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Ghana National Fure Service, National Ambulance Service and Ghana Police Service. It also noted that as a public facility, routine fire drill is necessary for testing the efficiency and preparedness of the Bank's safety systems to manage emergencies like fire and inculcate in the staff of the Bank fire safety evacuation procedures. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Director General of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Ambassador Edward Boateng says some Chief Executive Officers of State Owned Enterprises (SOE's) are to be blamed for the current economic woes of the country. According to Ambassador Edward Boateng, some State Enterprises in the country fail to pay dividends to the state as expected of them which has contributed to loss of revenues. Addressing the media in Accra, the Director General Ambassador Edward Boateng questioned how some CEO's of specified entities fail to meet targeted dividends by the state, hence government day in and out embark on infrastructural projects with these same dividends. He added these dividends that is needed by government and the ministry of finance to run the economy but they fail to pay the right dividends. He explained that only 175 entities are under the SIGA with 43% considered as other SOE's whereas 30% considered Profit making State Enterprise. He therefore advised all CEO's of various State Owned Enterprises to pay the right dividends else they will recommend to President to relief them of their posts. In addition, Ambassador Edward Boateng projected that from 2023, SIGA will deploy what it calls Real Time Monitoring System to put various on their toes to deliver on their mandate. Furthermore, more State Enterprises will be made to sign performance contracts for easy assessment. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

News coming in indicates that Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan has cancelled the country’s upcoming Idependence Day celebrations scheduled for Friday December 9. According to President Hassan, the budget set for the celebration should be used to build dormitories for children with special needs. The 61st Independence Day event was expected to cost the country $445,000. The President hinted that said money could build eight dormitories in primary schools around the country. Story by: Thinknewsonline.com

As part of efforts to give hope to Ghanaians in these trying times, the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL) used its Annual Thanksgiving Service (2022), to reach out to lost souls and win them for Christ. As a directive from the Executive Chairman of JGC, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, staff members of JGC and ZGL on Thursday, December 8,2022, marched onto the streets to speak to people about the unfailing love of Jesus Christ. The evangelism programme, which began from the group's premises through to the School Junction end of the main Ashley Botwe-Nmai-Dzorn in Accra, saw the participants interact with people on the streets, homes and in vehicles about the saving grace of Christ. Many who received the good news were excited about the fact that Christ is the centre of the JGC and ZGL. Speaking in an interview with the media on the essence of the programme, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of JGC, Mrs. Sophia Kudjordji, said the outreach was meant to remind Ghanaians that all hope was not lost. She said the only way to be joyful in life was to surrender one's life to Christ and as well experience peace. Just as cleanliness is next to Godliness, she admonished Ghanaians to ensure that their environment was treated with respect. For her part, the Communications and Corporate Affairs Director of ZGL, Mrs. Emma Adwoa Appiaa Osei-Duah, entreated the citizenry to take advantage of the free bins initiative currently ongoing, stressing however, that they may doon be required to pay fot it. She again urged the public to eschew the practice of dropping trashes around and rather adopt putting them into dustbins. Earlier, the Mission Director of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyeman Bekoe, stated that the Lord deserves to be celebrated for what He has done and who He is. He explained that celebrating God for His greatness was very vital, especially in the light of His mighty works. Sharing the word of God with a gathering of staff members, heads of departments of JGC and ZGL Apostle Agyeman Bekoe underscored the importance of celebrating the Lord always. According to him, God ought to be worshipped for all His deeds. He further explained that offering thanksgiving to God means sounding trumpets and other musical instruments. While in the Old Testament, thanking the Lord means singing and marching to the glory of the Lord, praying and singing are characteristics of the New Testament era, he averred. Tracts and placards bearing inscriptions such as "Are you ready for His coming?, Jesus still saves, Jesus is the Way,the Truth and the Light and Jesus, your Shepherd is looking for you amongst others were on display with the aim of reconnecting lost souls back to their Maker. Gospel Musician, Akesse Brempong, who was the guest artiste, graced the celebration with his melodic ministrations as well as the Present King Choir. There were amazing displays from various departments within the Jospong Group and Zoomlion. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

There are plans by the Akufo-Addo administration to establish an Agricultural Development Zone in the Northern Region. The agricultural development zone, which will cover between 20-40 hectares of farm land, will be developed for prospective agriculture investors. The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, at his Gbewaa Palace, Yendi in the Northern Region on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. The visit by the minister formed part of his ongoing working tour in the northern part of the country. “I have with me a proposal to the Ya-Na. We are proposing to set up an Agricultural Development Zone in the Kingdom of Dagbon. This zone will consist of 20-40 hectares of farm land,” he disclosed. According to him, his ministry already has some international companies who are willing to invest in agriculture in Ghana, assuring that “I will bring them to the Kingdom of Dagbon.” The minister confidently expressed that within a space of three (3) to four (4) years, the economic landscape of the Northern region will be transformed after the establishment of this “special agricultural development zone.” This facility, he said, will provide jobs to the teeming youth in the region, adding that “we will furnish it well with accurate machinery to help brand our farm produce well for domestic and foreign exports. He added that the zone will not only cultivate crops but more importantly, add value to the produce. Dr. Afriyie Akoto, however, used the visit to appeal to Ya-Na Abukari II to use his authority to help the government enforce the ban on export of foodstuffs to Ghana’s neighbouring countries. He said it was sad that his ministry continued to receive reports of foodstuff being smuggled to Ghana’s neighbouring countries, “I plead with you to use your power and authority to act as a check on the illegal export of food to our neighbouring countries. This issue has been discussed with the regional minister already, but I am pleading with you together with your various traditional rulers to help the government deal with it,” he appealed. He stressed that the essence of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) policy is to inure to the benefit farmers and by extension Ghanaians, hence “if there is an outcome of the initiative, it should benefit us in the country and not outsiders.” In a show of appreciation, the Overlord of the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, warmly welcomed the minister and commended him for his hard work in the agriculture sector. “Your visit today shows your continuous recognition and readiness to collaborate with the traditional authorities as custodians of the land and major stakeholders in agriculture and its related fields.” “I further wish to thank the President of the Republic for the confidence he has reposed in you to continuously steer affairs of the agriculture ministry,” Ya-Na Abukari II gladly expressed. He encouraged the minister to continue the path of forging good working relationships with the traditional authorities. “I wish, once again, to give you the assurance and readiness of the Dagbon Chiefs to collaborate with you to ensure that you leave an excellent footprint in the ministry,” the Overlord of Dagbon firmly assured. He seized the opportunity to congratulate the 2022 National Best Farmer, Nana Yaw Sarpong Serebour, who is a traditional ruler. “His award serves as an inspiration to the chiefs and increasing unemployed youth in the country,” he stated. On that score, Ya-Na Abukari II called on the youth and chiefs in the Dagbon Kingdom to direct more attention to agriculture to help deal with food shortages and increasing unemployment in the country. He bemoaned the fact that northern Ghana was still lagging behind in development. “I must say it is unfortunate that our vast arable lands are left without any attention, and despite the enormous interventions by governments, Dagbon is still struggling with high levels of youth unemployment,” he lamented. This, he stressed, required an immediate action, calling on the minster to direct more attention to the Kingdom of Dagbon to help create opportunities for the many unemployed youth. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

As part of the Jospong Group of Companies annual thanks giving, the group has gone out for evenglism to preach the gospel. Speaking to the media, the chief cooperate communications officer for the Jospong Group of Companies, Sophia Kudjordji said given thanks to God in times like this is very essential, but they cannot do it alone, that is why they are going out to do evenglism. The thanksgiving service is a yearly celebration by JGC and ZGL to commemorate the awesomeness of God throughout the year despite challenges along the way. Themed ‘Celebrating the Goodness of the Lord’, the five-day event (Monday, December 5 – Friday, December 9, 2022,). She stressed that celebrating the goodness of the Lord, there are others in town who needs to hear the Lord's goodness, that is why, they need to go out and evenglis Also the Jospong Group of Companies Chaplin, Rev Daniel Danso stated that, the initiative of this evenglism is to proclaimed  the goodness of God. He said that, as a Sanitation Company, what they are doing today is relating the environment to what God has told mankind to do, that is keeping the sanity of the environment. Taking her turn, Director Of Communications And Corporate Affairs, Emma Duah underscored the need for Ghanaians to keep their homes and environment clean. She stressed that although there has been some challenges, she is hopeful that 1 households 1 bin project will help reduce filth. She appealed to the populace to devoid of making the environment dirty in order to help achieve the dreams of making the country the neatest. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, has said motorists should brace themselves to pay higher road tolls in 2023. According to him, the amount previously paid as road toll was not enough to construct enough good roads. Therefore, there will be an increment in the amount paid as road tolls to obtain more funds to construct good roads in the country. "We were paying the lowest toll in the whole world while we wanted excellent and good roads. If we want good roads then we must be prepared to pay more. We will no longer be paying the fifty pesewas and one cedi. Tolls are even more expensive abroad,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Amoako-Atta has stated that the road toll payment will be via electronic means. “We are going to build a modern expressway which will come with tolling facilities, but those tolling facilities will be electronic tolling facility. If it has to come, it will be done electronically,” He further explained that “road tolls have not been cancelled or abolished since the law to collect tolls is still there.” Payment of tolls on public roads ceased in November 2021 as part of the policy measures announced by the government under the 2022 Budget. However, the government has reintroduced it as one of the revenue measures in the 2023 budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta. “The fiscal policy measures to underpin the 2023 Budget for consideration and approval by Parliament include the reintroduction of tolls on selected public roads and highways with a renewed focus on leveraging technology in the collection to address the inefficiencies characterized by the previous toll collection regime,” paragraph 462 of the 2023 Budget statement reads. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has opened a National Lands Conference in Accra, with a charge to the Lands Commission to ensure the Commission goes fully digital. The four-day national conference, which is being held under the theme, “Leveraging National Land Policy, Legislation and Institutional Capacity towards Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” brings together stakeholders in the management and administration of lands in the country, including traditional leaders, Members of Parliament, the Judiciary, academia, civil society organisations, among others, to deliberate on leveraging land policy and legislation for socio-economic development. The Conference was organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission, in partnership with the Department of Land Economy of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and COLANDEF, with support from GIZ and the German Cooperation. Speaking at the Conference on Wednesday, 7th December, 2022, at the Accra International Conference Centre, the President commended the Lands Commission for moving some of its services online, but said it is still unacceptable that the Commission still operates largely manual in this age of technology. “We cannot deliver an efficient land administration if documents on land have to be processed manually. We must, therefore, expedite action on the digitalisation agenda, and ensure that the Commission goes fully digital,” the President said. He underscored the importance of land to socio-economic development. He said virtually all human activities revolve around land, with some ninety percent (90%) of our population depending, directly or indirectly, on land for their livelihoods. That is why, according to the President, Government prioritised the passage of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which had been in the draft stage for over twenty (20) years. The President said several interventions have been made over the years, particularly through the Land Administration Project (LAP), but the country’s land administration is still fraught with several challenges. He therefore called on stakeholders to work together to ensure that we deliver an effective and efficient land administration. He said Act 1036, with its various innovative provisions, provide a strong foundation for delivering a robust and efficient land administration. He pledged Government’s commitment to work with all stakeholders to ensure a land administration that is fit for purpose. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, in his remarks said the land conference is the first of its kind in the history of the country, and seeks to provide policy direction for land administration through broader consultations. He said the Land Policy of 1999, though still relevant, does not address new challenges posed by technological advancement and infrastructural development. He bemoaned the several challenges in land administration in the country, including conflicting judicial decisions, but said the Ministry and the Lands Commission have been working together, to deal with these challenges, through interventions such as online searches, the use of drones for surveying, and decentralisation of land services. He said the Ministry will continue to work with the Lands Commission and all stakeholders to deliver “a robust and functioning land administration, which will discard the usual inefficiencies, fraud and delays, and which will be anchored on the principles of transparency and integrity.” On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Mr. James Dadson stated the purpose of the Conference saying the National Conference is to create a platform to discuss policy options and experiences to foster high levels of ownership of interventions and promote efficient land administration in Ghana. He acknowledged and thanked the President, the Lands Minister and his deputies and all other partners for their support, adding that he has no doubt that with the choice of resource persons spearheading discussions at the conference, they will bring their expertise to bare and ensure that practical recommendations are made for effective land administration. He encouraged all to participate fully at the conference to ensure that the land economy of the country takes its rightful place in the government's transformation agenda as he belives that "If we get it right with Lands, we will surely get it right with all other sectors" The Conference, which begun on Tuesday, will end on Friday, and is expected to produce a set of recommendations for addressing the various challenges with land administration in the country. Below are some pictures: Story by: Nadia Aidoo

Black Stars Midfielder, Thomas Patey has rendered an apology to Ghanaians over Black Stars' abysmal World Cup performance. In a Facebook post sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, he said "It was our biggest wish to give Ghanaians something to cheer about but unfortunately it didn’t go as we wanted" He also ceased the opportunity to say a huge thank you to Ghanaians for the unconditional support from home and across the world. "With the support of God we will come back stronger.🙏" Below is his Facebook post: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A thoughtful reflection of the deeds of the Almighty God generates praises, the Chairman of Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Dr. Nana Amo Tobin I, has said. According to him, this was critical, especially at all times, including the season the country finds itself. Nana Amo Tobin I, who is the Chief of Apinto Traditional Area in the Western Region, made the statement on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, (day three of the ongoing Annual Thanksgiving Service-2022 of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited-ZGL) at the group’s head office at Ashalley Botwe-Nmai-Dzorn in Accra. The thanksgiving service was also streamed live on various social media platforms and replicated at the regional offices of the group across the country. Delivering the sermon on the theme: "Remembrance Engender Thanksgiving,” Elder Amo Tobin I admonished the gathering not to forget the mighty deeds of the Lord in their lives but reflect and offer thanks. Quoting from the Bible- Psalm 103:1-2, which says, "Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not all His benefits," he urged them to reflect on mighty deeds in the past to inspire hope for the future. Praises, he explained, emanate from the deepest part of the heart only if there was remembrance. "If you have remembrance of the past miracles from the Lord, you will have every reason to thank God," he emphasised. Furthermore, he said one's praises will be progressive only when one employs deep reflections in life. He recounted an adventure while on his way from Nigeria some years back. According to him, he was kidnapped by armed robbers who mercilessly beat him up and intended to kill him but for the intervention of the Lord through a lady. He continued that the lady cried profusely and sought assistance from one police commander who instructed the robbers to release him. Aside from that, he also recalled an incident which witnessed four heavily-built robbers storm his house and held his driver hostage after he had returned from an errand. Since then, Nana Amo Tobin I indicated that he said he and his family have never seized praising the Lord for His mercies over their lives. For his part, the Executive Chairman of JGC, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, charged the gathering of heads of department, staff members of JGC and ZGL, invited guests amongst others, that in spite of the ongoing challenges in the country, there was the need for them and by extension Ghanaians to offer thanks to God. Expressing optimism, he encouraged the gathering that Ghana will not collapse but stand. "In all the situations encountered in the country, what remains constant and must be consistent is thanksgiving and that is the game changer," he underpinned. He led the gathering to sing songs such as "Great is Thy Faithfulness and Now, Thank we our God" to the praise of the Sovereign Lord. To keep hope alive, he announced that 30 minutes of the service for tomorrow was going to be used for outreach around the enclave of the group. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith