As part of government’s recognition of the integral role the general public plays in the fight against illegal mining, the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has embarked on a campaign to sensitize the public and invigorate their interest in the fight against galamsey. The first of such community engagements was held on Monday, October 24, 2022 with the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Mining, Hon. George Mireku Duker deliberating with the Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, Small Scale Miners and residents of Hemang in the Fanteakwa South District on how they can collaborate with government to eradicate illegal mining. Hon. George Mireku Duker in his address to the gathering, made a passionate call on Nananom and Ghanaians in general to liaise with and support government to win the fight. He strongly encouraged them to consider the dire ramifications of illegal mining on the country’s waterbodies before offer a tacit or explicit support for any form of illegal mining. According to him, government’s resolve to fight illegal mining is not borne out of personal interest but rather in the interest of Ghanaians and unborn generations. Stressing on the need for the public to throw their weight behind the government, Hon. Mireku Duker espoused that “a win against illegal mining is a win for all so let’s all come together and do this”. Allaying concerns of unemployment and livelihood issues that could emanate from government’s fight against illegal mining, Hon, Mireku Duker outlined that alternative livelihood program introduced by government to solve these challenges. He mentioned the Community Mining Scheme, reclamation and afforestation modules as some of the interventions rolled out by the government to ensure that people who desist from illegal mining operations have something to survive on. “It’s a shame that we’ve allowed our lands to be destroyed to this point. Long-term enjoyment is better than short term so we must all think about that. People give out their cocoa lands for galamsey money. You’ll get the money but for how long. “Lets all think about the future. If we all decide to mine responsibly, we’ll enjoy for the long-term and also save our lands and rivers. Government is ensuring that the license regime is rigid and well-followed. We need to report all persons engaged in illegal mining. “Lets protect our lands for future generations. We all must embrace the right form of mining. We’ll continue to sensitize and educate the public on the need to protect our resources. All Ghanaians must know that mining can be beneficial to us but must be done the right way. The sensitization is key to solving the menace,” he said. The District Chief Executive Officer of Fanteakwa South, Ernest Ofosu noted with optimism that the engagements with the chiefs and residents of Fanteakwa will be immediate and long-term fruits. He appealed to his people to pick nuggets from the program and help government win the fight against illegal mining. The Chief Inspector of Mines at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Kofi Adjei urged the people, especially cocoa farmers not to give out their lands for galamsey activities. He said illegal mining was dangerous and come at the cost of many innocent lives. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former President John Dramani Mahama will be speaking on the economy on Thursday October 27. This was announced by the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), Sammy Gyamfi on Monday October 24. “John Mahama speaks on Ghana’s collapsed economy and the unprecedented hardships sweeping across the land and the way forward on Thursday 27th October at 7pm,” Mr Gyamfi tweeted. Mr Mahama descended on the current government on the economic difficulties Ghanaians are going through, describing the situation as dire. He expressed concerns whether the country can even survive until an IMF programme is reached because the economy appears to be heading into a crash. Addressing leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at his office on Friday, former President Mahama said the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, all along, had been hiding behind a woeful economy and he was rather painting a rosy picture as if all was well. Mr Mahama, therefore, charged the government to be transparent and call for help from well-meaning Ghanaians with the “best brains” “The government should come clean and tell us, ‘What is the state of the economy?’ You must put everything on the table,” he said. “That is why I called for a national dialogue. I said bring the best brains together. I have been president before, it served me well. I called the Senchi Forum, it didn’t reduce my stature as President.” He said if immediate action is not taken, “it will be catastrophic for all of us”. Ghana is currently at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking a $3-billion cushion to save the ailing economy. The programme is expected to be reached by close of 2022. Credit: 3news.com

Your Excellency, It appears your role for a successful electoral fortune of your party is being questioned by many, including some people in your own government and party. Rather than being a catalyst for a successful electoral fortune of the the party that enthroned you, it appears you are making it difficult for the party in its quest to break the eight. But you would agree with me that, this is not what Kufuor did to the party. Sir, as you may be aware, Kufuor conducted himself in a manner that made him and his achievements the reference points for your good self and the NPP campaign from 2008 to 2016. Respectfully, in my opinion, Sir, you now appear to be more of a liability for your party than an asset. Your intransigent choice of loyalty over competence/national interest, and your failure to listen to the conscience of the nation diversely expressed in the areas of downsizing your government, and ministerial reshuffle to bring on board other fresh competent brains to assist in navigating Ghanaians out of our economic malaise, dissipates your goodwill and the little fortunes of the party that birthed you. At the moment, Sir, there is a cocktail of challenges brewing even in these times of hardships, namely, galloping and mentally retarded inflation, wanton depreciation of our currency, high transport fares, Labor Union Strike Action, GUTA Action, Banks’ Daily Liquidity Challenges etc etc. These are matters that raises serious national security concerns. Instead of coming into our homes to address us on what we must do as a people in rallying behind your government to sail us through the hardships, you are indulged in unnecessary opulent tour of the regions with too many V8 Land-cruisers, including the one carrying your chair, to tout achievements that for now, and due to the hardships, looks to many like miracles performed on crusade grounds by fake pastors. This cancels out the sensitivity and care you showed during the peak of Covid 19 and I am wondering whether you are the same president whose sober appeals to Ghanaians nearly carried the force of law, when we were battling the global pandemic. Your Excellency, that you were booed in your strongholds in Kumasi and Akyem Akroso, points to a gradual legitimacy deficit you may likely face, should there be more leadership failures on your part. In that case, the Elders of the party, if they exist, may have to rescue the party from you and your government, if they truly care about the future electoral fortunes of the party. As President, you can only call the bluff of voters if you are dismantling negative institutionalize norms that run contrary to development. We were happy when you boldly indicated your willingness to put your presidency on the line in your earlier efforts to fight galamsey. So, if you are fighting galamsey, ridding the city off hawkers, or breaking down buildings on water ways, taking out ghost names from the public sector payroll, for example, you can confidently tell off voters who may threaten to vote against you. But Sir, you fell for the trap of arrogance often set by the near unbridled exercise of power, when you called the bluff of voters who were disappointed that their bad roads had not been fixed. This was unpresidential, undiplomatic and uncharacteristic of a leader expected to lead in crisis. The fact that you are on your way, out does not mean you should show blatant ingratitude to the people you went to beg to give you four more years. It doesn’t also mean you shouldn’t care if people decide to vote against the very party that enthroned you on the presidency. This is not what Kufuor did to the NPP. Please apologize to all Ghanaians for your rather unpresidential comments you made in response to the threats to vote against your party should some roads not be fixed. Also, end the regional tours NOW and come and address the nation on what you are doing to address the current economic hardships as well as what all Ghanaians must do. Furthermore, please rethink the managers of our economy beyond your intransigent choice of loyalty over competence/national interest. Finally, kindly tone down your practice of winner-knows-all politics and bring on board others from your own party and experts outside your party to help navigate us through the hardships. For clearly, your government doesn’t know it all. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Yaw Gyampo A31, Prabiw PAV Ansah Street Saltpond & Suro Nipa House Kubease Larteh-Akuapim

Founder of Heaven Way Church Patricia Asiedua Oduro (Nana Agradaa) has been granted GHc150,000 bail in another case by the Accra Circuit Court 10. This comes a week after she was granted bail by Accra Circuit Court 9 in a different case against her. Agradaa, who is facing charges of 6 counts of defrauding by fault pretense and charlatanic advertisement has been ordered to deposit her passport at the court registry. Her bail conditions consist of 3 sureties of whom one must be justified with landed property. Case has been adjourned to November 15, 2022. Source: 3news.com

Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor has charged all owners and operators of excavators in the country to register them with the Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) within seven days. According to the Lands Minister, the directive takes effect from October 24, 2022, excluding weekends and statutory holidays. The Sector Minister also added that deadline for the registration of all excavators in the country is by close of business on Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, he said “An owner, operator and/or user of an excavator shall, at the time of registration, specify the purpose for which the excavator is being used or to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used, as the case may be,” "Any excavator not registered in accordance with this directive, whether found at a mining site or any other operational site or elsewhere, shall be seized and the necessary legal steps taken to confiscate same to the State" Below are copies of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Savannah Regional Minister, Muhazu Saeed Jibril says no investor would be attracted to start-up or invest in a business in a country full of conflict, violence and insecurity. According to him, no development would be able to take place in such location or country. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Sunday, the Minister said “No investor would be attracted a situation of conflict, violence and insecurity. By extension, no development takes place in a situation of insecurity” He added that in order to get investors into his region, the Regional Security Council (RESEC) has been engaging with fellow colleagues in the Northern Region to help resolve all land boundary disputes. The Regional Minister hinted that the land boundary disputes between Traditional Authorities dates back to the creation of the new region in 2019. “Some land and boundary litigation between some traditional authorities sometimes leads to occasional tribal fights. The Nanton Naa in Nanaton District Region and Kikpandi Wura in the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region cannot be left out. “I’m convinced that with peace and unity, the Savannah Region will become a beacon of development for the nation” Touching on Education which he described as a previous challenge, he noted that about 80 educational infrastructure projects such as classroom blocks and dormitories were currently ongoing. He praised the Akufo-Addo Administration for providing his region with an ultra-modern secondary school. He was hopeful that with much effort, students from his region will be able to excel in their education. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibriil has blamed the flooding in some communities in the Central Gonja District including Buipe, the capital, on the spillage of the Bui Dam. The minister who was speaking after visiting the affected area in Buipe assured the victims of government’s plan to support them with relief. About 297 households in 4 communities have been affected, displacing over 1,200 residents by the flood in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region. Public and private properties including electricity poles and cables and school buildings have been submerged by the flood. As a result, two schools have been forced to shut down and victims seeking shelter with relations and friends. The Savannah Regional Minister attributed the flood to spillage of the Bui Dam by the Bui Power Authority. He made the comments during a visit to the affected areas. “The waters started rising as a result of the spillage of the Bui Dam, and we asked the resident NADMO officials and various security agencies to start monitoring the situation. But as it is now, the water has risen so high that about 219 households have been affected. Per my count, the number of people occupying the households should be over 1,200.” Mr. Saeed assured the victims of government’s plan to cushion them and assured that pupils from the affected schools will from Tuesday be put in other schools until their schools can be reopened. “There are two schools that have been affected by this flooding. So I am going to be in touch with the District Chief Executive and the District Education Officer to see how the various schools within the catchment area, particularly Buipe, the epicentre of this flood, to see how they can absorb these children into the other schools so that they will not be losing a lot.” Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Kintampo North, Joseph Kwame Kumah who also has the Black Volta as its boundary wants government to extend relief to victims on his side of the river. Mr. Kumah who also visited affected areas in Benkrom says government must turn its attention to the area. Mr. Kumah also called on authorities of the Bui Dam to take more responsibility for the disaster. “Bui dam, I know they have a patrol boat. If they don’t, they have a means by which they can know what is happening along the Bui Dam settlements so that they can come to the aid of the people and maybe if there are any technical advice they should give, they should let us all know as members of Parliament so that we can also talk to the chiefs and people of the area and see how we can have a lasting solution to it.” Credit: Citinewsroom

Four industrious young men and women from the camp of the Jospong Group of Companies have been nominated and awarded at the just ended 2022 edition of 40 Under 40 awards held at Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana. These young hardworking individuals whose nominations were facilitated by Sophia Kudjordzi, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Jospong Group were nominated in the categories of Transport & Automobile contested by Adwoa Frimpomaa Nimako Boateng, GM for J. A. PlantPool and S. A. Automobile, Environment and Climate Sustainability contested by Ing. Senam Tengey the GM for Medical Waste Services Ltd., Logistics & Supplies contested by Hannah Boohemaa Otu, Head Procurement and Supply Chain at the Jospong Group Office and Consultancy and Professional Services which was also contested by Mr. Felix Atsrim C.E.O of FEDEMS LTD. a consultant and a business partner to the Jospong Group. In the various categories contested, Adwoa Frimpomaa Nimako Boateng, GM for J. A. PlantPool and S. A. Automobile emerged the Winner for Transport & Automobile followed by Hannah Boohemaa Otu, Head Procurement and Supply Chain at the Jospong Group Office who also won her category, Logistics and Supplies, however Ing. Senam Tengey couldn’t win his category which was Environment and Climate Sustainability. In an appreciation remarks, all awardees dedicated their awards to the hardworking staff and partners whose contributions and corporations propelled them into achieving this feat. Addressing patrons at the event, Richard Abbey Jnr. Event Director, Xodus Communications Ltd. underscored that the 40 under 40 awards scheme seeks to identify, honor and celebrate a cross-section of the nation’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age Forty from a wide range of industries. According to the Event Director, putting the spotlight on these young achievers will not only celebrate them but also build a strong platform for them by giving a voice and opportunities to the next generation of industry pacesetters whiles building a positive attitude in our youth to strive for excellence at a tender age. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The long awaited, choral concert, Ayeyi Ndom 2022 is set to take off today. The special choral concert is determined to commence at 5:00pm at the National Theatre. Nonetheless, as part of the lovely package put together by the organizers of the event, a free health screening exercise is currently ongoing. Several people, involving juveniles and the aged have presented themselves to take part in the various health check ups which include, breast screening and many other vital health screenings while getting preppedfor the main concert. The main concert will comprise of a display of fine choral music by the Heavenly Jewels Chorale and a host of other ace gospel artists. Story by: Stephanie Nana Yaa Anim

Former President John Dramani Mahama has descended on the current government on the economic difficulties Ghanaians are going through, describing the situation as dire. He expressed concerns whether the country can even survive until an IMF programme is reached because the economy appears to be heading into a crash. Addressing leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at his office on Friday, former President Mahama said the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, all along, had been hiding behind a woeful economy and he was rather painting a rosy picture as if all was well. Mr Mahama, therefore, charged the government to be transparent and call for help from well-meaning Ghanaians with the “best brains” “The government should come clean and tell us, ‘What is the state of the economy?’ You must put everything on the table,” he said. "That is why I called for a national dialogue. I said bring the best brains together. I have been president before, it served me well. I called the Senchi Forum, it didn’t reduce my stature as President.” He said if immediate action is not taken, “it will be catastrophic for all of us”. Ghana is currently at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking a $3-billion cushion to save the ailing economy. The programme is expected to be reached by close of 2022. Credit: 3news.com

On Friday, October 21, 2022, following intelligence that an armed robbery gang was planning an attack on the cluster of banks in the Suame Magazine and Maakro enclave in Kumasi, the Police launched a special anti-robbery operation in which one of the armed robbers was shot. The armed robber and his accomplice who were on motorbikes attacked a customer who had stepped out of the Fidelity bank, Maakro branch, carrying a brown envelope. The robbers attacked the bank customer and snatched the envelope amidst the firing of guns. The rear windscreen and the left door glass of a Daewoo Matiz saloon car which was parked on the bank premises was hit during the shooting. The Police, who had mounted surveillance in the area, responded to the situation by firing at the armed robbers and succeeded in hitting the pillion rider who fell off the motorbike. However, the rider who also sustained gunshot wounds, managed to escape. One of the police officers was shot by the armed robbers during the exchange of fire and sustained a gunshot wound to his right hip. Both the injured officer and the suspect were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for medical attention. The suspect was, however, pronounced dead on arrival. The body of the deceased suspect has been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy. Efforts are underway to get his accomplice arrested to face justice. “We wish to appeal to the public especially those who run health facilities within the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to report any person seeking medical attention with a gunshot wound, for prompt Police action. “We would like to commend all the officers who took part in the operation and also wish our injured colleague a speedy recovery,” a Police statement said on Saturday October 22. Below are copies of the release: Source: 3news.com

Minister of Water and Energy for the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Ing. Habtamu Itefa, has commended Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) for their impressive work towards the environment in Ghana. He, therefore, gave a firm assurance to recommend the JGC to his government on his return home, so that Ethiopia can equally benefited from the better environment that Ghana is enjoying. "I am impressed with what I have seen, especially the compost plant. It is very wonderful," he satisfactorily expressed" He disclosed that most African countries are facing the challenge of finding sites for disposing of refuse generated, but said he was optimistic that a similar plant like the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) would be extended to other African countries, particularly Ethiopia. He asserted that JGC has been a very exceptional group as far as waste management was concerned. The Ethiopia Water and Energy Minister made the commendation when he led a team of participants who attended the All Systems Go Africa 2022 Symposium in Ghana, to visit the JGC’s Accra Compost and Recycling Plant at Adjen Kotoku, in Accra on Friday, October 21, 2022. The Executive Secretary for Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), Madam Ama A. Ofori Antwi, said the international conference was attended by key stakeholders in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector from all over the world. She pointed out that as private sector operator in Ghana, they took the opportunity of the All Systems Go Africa Symposium to exhibit their products in Ghana. The private sector, she said, as a stakeholder in the environment sector, plays a key role as far as systems were concerned, adding that the sector had taken the lead in the WASH space. "The private sector has especially taken the lead to implement the necessary infrastructure on the system that would be needed to ensure that the SDG Goal 6 is achieved," she said. Madam Ofori Antwi reiterated that the private sector was playing a key role in the sanitation space of Ghana, and thus called on the government to continue supporting players in the WASH space. The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of JGC, Madam Sophia Kudjordji, explained that her group was at the "All Systems Go Africa Symposium" to represent the private sector on their role play in the WASH sector. According to her, participants at the symposium were amazed at the level of investment made in the country by JGC in the area of waste treatment plants to support government of Ghana’s agenda of a sustainable clean nation. She added that the participants’ visit to the ACARP was to give them an insight into the practical work of the private sector in Ghana. She however, condemned the destruction caused to the country's water bodies through illegal mining, stressing that people have to learn how to do the right thing by putting human beings above everything else. All Systems Go Africa is a bilingual event dedicated to strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. This year's All Systems Go Africa Symposium was hosted by the Government of Ghana, IRC and UNICEF from 19th to 21st October. It brought together policy makers, academia, development partners, service authorities, providers, among others, to explore and act on opportunities to build effectiveness and resilience into water, sanitation, and hygiene service delivery in Africa. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith