Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A Jinapor, MP, says Government is fully committed to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as "Galamsey." He said despite the numerous challenges, Government will continue the fight relentlessly to bring sanity to the small scale mining industry. The Minister was speaking at Datano in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, where he led a team from the Ministries of Information and Lands and Natural Resources to visit the Operation Halt II team in the area. He said the purpose of the visit was to encourage the military and assure them of the President and Government’s support for their operations. Speaking to the Media after the Operation, Mr. Jinapor expressed his satisfaction with the work done by the military, led by the General Officer Commanding of the Central Command, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour. He explained that the military have been able to clear the site of illegal miners, demolished their infrastructure, and brought their operations to a halt. He added that the team arrested some illegal miners and seized excavators and other mining equipment, which have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service. The Minister said the operation is one of many to come, aimed at exposing the complexities involved in the illegal mining business. He queried how the activities of these illegal miners could elude all the security apparatus in the district, the traditional and local authorities, and mine inspectors in charge of the area. “All of you can see the level of devastation, it should baffle all of us as citizens, policy makers and as stakeholders in this fight, how an operation like this in the heart of the Forest and in the faraway areas of our country can go on without notice by police, the Chiefs, local political leadership and even the inspectorate division of the Minerals Commission here, and these are questions I as Minister intend to seek answers to,” the Minister said. He stressed that the fight against illegal mining is a collective one, and required the cooperation of all citizens, particularly the members of the local communities. Brigadier General Joseph Aphour who led the team said six excavators were ceased, while three were destroyed. He thanked the Minister for the visit and the assurances, adding that he was optimistic that with the support of Government and the citizens, they can come to grips with the matter. The Minister later met with Regional Ministers and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives from mining endemic areas. He charged them take up the responsibility of leading the fight against illegal mining in their various jurisdictions saying " the fight can only be won if local leaders rally behind central government", adding that the Regional and District Security Councils, headed by the Regional Ministers and the MMDCEs, should ensure law enforcement in their various jurisdictions." Below are some pictures: Stroy by: Nadia Aidoo

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has marked its 60th Anniversary celebration in Accra. The celebration which was held at its headquarters brought under one umbrella patrons, stakeholders among other high-profiled personalities. Speaking at the event, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku said "The Authority has had its fair share of challenges. It has been a 60-year journey of generating revenue for national development, touching lives, communities, and institutions as well as making its patrons millionaires" Mr. Awuku added that some new reforms, policies, and decisions taken by the current Boards and Director-Generals have helped shaped the premier organisation. "A new dawn is upon the Authority, and management looks forward with anticipation to what the future holds in this new exciting journey.” “Mr. Chairman, from the very first draw held by the Department, which had Five Thousand Pounds (5,000.00) as the prize money, through the years of operating manually, transitioning from the Department into an Authority, with its attendant evolution into an automated system 44 years later, NLA can confidently boast of exemplifying its mandate to make all stakeholders ultimate winners,” he said. The Director-General took the opportunityto shower praises on the Boards, Director-Generals, Directors, Management, and Staff. He commended them for working tirelessly to keep the NLA at the level it finds itself. Touching on the activities lined up for the anniversary celebration, the Director-General disclosed that October has been dedicated to its cherished customers adding that November is slated for its Good Causes. “In this month, we will give back to society by commissioning some Projects, in various parts of the country.  These will be climaxed with a Grand Durbar of the Anniversary Celebration in December, held concurrently with a Conference on Responsible Gaming as we host the African Lotteries Association (ALA), “ he added. Juristic person On his part, the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul said "60 years of existence in any person’s life is no mean feat noting that if the NLA were a natural person, then the Authority would be retiring from active service" “Fortunately, NLA is a juristic person, hence this launch to commemorate this eventful milestone and also look forward to a more successful future for the organisation as a going concern" "Enriching Lives Through Gaming,” is highly germane to the current lottery space since “the whole idea of lottery is a celebration of the partnership between NLA and its patrons to give every member of the staking public an exceptional lifetime opportunity.” He stressed that much of the success and popularity of the national lottery can be attributed to the combination of a chance to win and dream, and undoubtedly, this has been a huge success with the general populace. “Even in instances where people fail to win any prizes, the thought that NLA applies the proceeds towards good causes makes this experience worthwhile,” he added. Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II commended the NLA for changing the lives of many. He charged the NLA to continue to ensure transparency in its game. Other speakers lauded the NLA for its immense contribution to the national development. Below is video and some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says customers in the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern and Volta Regions can now purchase electricity from any of its district offices. The ECG made these known following an update on vending challenges with its prepayment system. In a release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the ECG said "The Electricity Company of Ghana wishes to update our cherished customers, especially those on our prepaid metering systems that our team is working progressively to rectify the technical anomaly which affected the purchase of electricity" The statement also added that tye ECG is working to restore the systems in Kumasi and Tema as well as the 3rd party vending centres and the Mobile App. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Minority in Parliament has noted with serious concern the inability or refusal of the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumia led government to account for over $100Million accruing from Ghana's Petroleum lifting in the first quarter of 2022. According to the Minority, the decision by the current NPP Government to transfer revenues accruing from about 944,164bbls of crude lifting in the Jubilee and TEN fields to a company established in a safe haven (outside Ghana) without Parliamentary approval, amounts to a gross violation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and Public Financial Management Act (Act 921). In a release issued by Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee, John A. Jinapor said "We have become aware that following the acquisition of a Seven percent (7%) interest in the Occidental (Oxy) transaction in respect of the Jubilee and TEN Fields by the Government ostensibly for GNPC in 2021, the Minister of Finance has clandestinely ceded the shares to an offshore company known as JOHL (a company set-up in the Cayman Islands) in a very surreptitious and opaque manner" The Minority added that it is very much alarmed that contrary to requirements of the PRMA, revenues accruing from the nation's oil fields are not being paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), which has been confirmed in the 2022 semi-annual report on petroleum receipts by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC). "As if this is not enough, the report further reveals that Capital Gains Tax was not assessed and collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the sale of the 7% interest by Anadarko in the Jubilee and TEN Fields in 2021" "This NPP Government is proving by the day, that the nation's oil resources cannot be entrusted in their care because not long ago the PIAC under the chairmanship of Dr. Steve Manteaw accused them over their inability to account for about GHȼ2 billion of Ghana’s oil cash for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 fiscal years" "This is surely another "Agyapa" deal in the making and we as a Minority will not sit aloof for this Government to raid the national purse, especially at a time when the nation is struggling to raise much needed revenues for critical expenditure" The Minority in Parliament says it demands the Minister of Finance and Government to with immediate effect repatriate all such illegal transfer payments back into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF). The Minority stressed that failure to comply with its ultimatum will compel the Minority to use the necessary parliamentary processes to haul the Minister of Finance to parliament for possible censure.

Nine (9) Ghanaian citizens who filed a court action against the Attorney General and the National Communications Authority (NCA), seeking an interlocutory injunction against them from going ahead to implement the 30 September 2022 deadline for sim card re-registration in Ghana, have discontinued their application. The application was premised on the argument that the applicants had applied for Ghana Cards at various times but were yet to receive their identity cards. Consequently, should the court allow the state and the NCA to adhere to the re-registration deadline, they risked losing their SIM cards through no fault of theirs, they argued. NCA request letter The applicants’ decision to discontinue their case followed the response by the National Identification Authority (NIA) to a search letter, written to the NIA by counsel for the NCA, Gary Nimako Marfo, requesting the NIA. The letter requested the Authority to furnish the NCA with detailed information on the status of the Ghana Card application of each of all the nine applicants. The NIA response to the NCA, dated 28 September 2022, signed by the executive secretary of the NIA, Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, and copied to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, revealed that all nine applicants had indeed applied for a Ghana Card. However, each of the applicants had failed to pick up her card, which had been processed and printed, at the various locations from where they had been asked to do so. NCA deposition Following the NIA’s response to the letter from the NCA’s lawyer, an affidavit deposed to by one Kofi Ntim Yeboah-Kordieh, principal manager at the Regulatory Administration Division of the NCA, among others, is quoted as saying:“From the response given in Exhibit NCA 2 (NIA’s response), it is clear that the substantive action including the present application for injunction is frivolous, bereft of merit and same is merely intended to vex the respondents" "That again, it is clear that the applicants have been indolent and have not taken any positive steps to collect their Ghana Cards from the National Identification Authority. That this is a proper case where this Honourable Court ought to dismiss this application with punitive cost,” Yeboah-Kordieh said in his deposition. Applicant reliefs sought The applicants – Belynda Naa Odey Hammond, Jennifer Elorm Dzikunu, Charisty Mansah Afua N Ackotia, Nsor Sabasi, Josephine Annor Prempeh, Vida Delacy Kemevor, Regina Elkplim Dagadu, Irene Ayariga and Tracy Ashong – told an Accra high court (General Jurisdiction 10) today, 29 September 2022, that they do not intend to proceed further with the case. In their application filed on 22 September 2022, the applicants were seeking seven reliefs. First, they sought a declaration that the impugned directive of the respondents requiring the applicants to re-register their mobile phone sim with the Ghana Card as the only identity document, at a time when the National Identification Authority had not been able to issue Ghana Cards to applicants, was in breach of Articles 21, 23 and 296 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the National Communications Authority Act 2008 (Act 769), the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Regulation 2011 (LI 2006) and the National Identity Register Regulation 2012 (LI 2111) and so, to that extent, null and void. Second, they wanted a declaration that the impugned directives of the respondents, on the use of the applicants’ mobile phone sim cards and network services, imposing punitive measures/sanctions commencing 5 September 2022, breach Articles 21, 23 and 296 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the National Communications Authority Act 2008 (Act 769), the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Regulation 2011 (LI 2006) and the National Identity Register Regulation 2012 (LI 2111) and so, to that extent, were null and void. Third, the applicants sought a declaration that the impugned directives of the respondents to applicants’ mobile telecommunication companies to block, disconnect, deactivate, churn and/or in any other way or manner limit the use of the applicants’ mobile phone sim cards and network services by 30 September 2022, at a time when there was no reasonable possibility of applicants receiving their Ghana Cards from the National Identification Authority on or before 30 September 2022 for the purpose of using the identity cards to register their sim cards, was unfair, unreasonable, contrary to law and to that extent, unenforceable. Fourth, the applicants sought an order of the court in the nature of certiorari directed at respondents to bring before the court for the purpose of being quashed any order, decision, policy and/or directive issued to mobile telecommunication companies operating in Ghana to block, disconnect, deactivate, restrict and/or in any other way or manner limit the use of the applicants’ mobile phone sim cards and network services, unless applicants register or re-register the said sim cards on or before 30 September 2022. Fifth, the nine applicants sought an order of the court in the nature of certiorari directed at respondents to bring before the high court for the purpose of being quashed any order, decision, policy and/or directive issued to mobile telecommunications companies operating in Ghana to impose punitive measures/sanctions against applicants’ mobile phone sim cards and network services during the period commencing 5 September 2022. Sixth, they requested the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, whether acting by themselves or through agents, workmen, contractors and subcontractors, associates, as well as any and all such person or persons, from claiming and/or deriving authority through and/or under any or all of the respondents named in the application from imposing punitive measures. The potential sanctions included blocking, deactivating, restricting, churning and/or in any other way or manner limiting the applicants’ use of their mobile phone sim cards and network services. The applicants desired the injunction to remain in place until such time as the National Identification Authority would make available to the applicants their Ghana Cards. Finally, they prayed the court to issue any further order, relief or reliefs as might seem just to it. Following the applicants’ decision to discontinue the case, the court did not sit on the matter at all. Below are copies of the release: Credit: Asaase Radio

Ghana, co-chair of the Commonwealth ITU Group with United Kingdom has been appointed by consensus as the Chair of the Group until the next International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in 2026. United Kingdom was appointed as Vice Chair responsible for Europe, India as Vice Chair responsible for Asia, and Trinidad & Tobago as Vice Chair responsible for Americas. The Government of Ghana is determined to provide the necessary digital infrastructure, a conducive legal and regulatory environment, build digital capabilities to enhance the adoption and use of ICT and digital innovation, and close all digital gaps to propel our digital transformation. In pursuit of this, Ghana reiterates its commitment to working with the ITU to achieve its strategic objectives for the benefit of all ITU Member States. The ITU Plenipotentiary conference consists of the representatives of the member states of the Union. The plenipotentiary conference is the highest policy making body of the ITU. Held every four (4) years, it is the key event at which ITU member states decide on the future role of the organization thereby determining the organizations ability to influence and affect the development of ICTs worldwide. The conference sets the union's general policies; adopts four-year strategic and financial plans; and elects the senior management team of the organization, the member states of the council, and the members of the Radio Regulations Board. The plenipotentiary conference 2022 (PP 22) is being held in Bucharest, Romania from Monday, 26 September to Friday, 14 October 2022. It was preceded by a last meeting of the 2022 session of the council. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Oyibi Traditional Council has render an apology for declaring September 30, 2022 as a holiday. According to the Council, it is sorry for any inconvenience caused. In a communique sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "I wish to apologise to the entire citizens living in any part of Oyibi Community and the general public for releasing such communique and I seek that such information should be disregarded" Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has hinted that due to a technical challenge which has affected its prepaid metering systems, purchase of electricity credit has been interrupted. According to the ECG, the challenge has affected customers in some areas. In a release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "Some customers in the following areas have been affected; Volta, Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swredu, Koforidua, Nkawkaw and Tafo" The ECG further added that its ICTteam is working assiduously to correct the anomaly and restore the system to normalcy. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Executive Director of Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has hinted that the country cannot fight organized crime without effective collaboration. According to Maame Tiwaa, all stakeholders likewise revenue mobilising agencies ought to join forces in order to clamp down all deadly operations of criminals. Addressing a gathering at a stakeholders' engagement in Tamale as part of her tour of the Northern Region, Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "As stakeholders, we cannot fight organized crime without effective collaboration. We must always be a step ahead of them in terms of intelligence gathering" The tour by the EOCO Boss and her team was aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships to fight crime and also promote peace as well as security in the Northern Region and its environments. On his part, the Tamale Area Director of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Cephas Nelson Agroh said "There is the need for all to come out with measures aimed at enhancing effective communication which will help track the activities of criminals in the Northern Region" He further underscored the urgent need to prioritize a good record-keeping system to minimise tax leakages likewise illicit cash inflows into the country. Taking his turn, the Director of Administration, EOCO, Edward Cudjoe noted that once effective collaboration sets in, it will pave way for speedy investigations into alleged criminal activities in the region as well as others parts of the country. The stakeholders' forum brought under one umbrella, representatives from EOCO, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Attorney General’s Department, Ghana Revenue Authority among a host of other institutions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that the Controller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Kwame Tackie has sued host of 'Johnnie's Bite', Johnnie Hughes, TV3 Network Limited and Media General. In a writ issued on the 27th September, 2022 and signed by the Chief Justice, Justice Anim Yeboah, it stated that an action has been commenced against the show host and the broadcast network. The writ further said "YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED that in default of you so doing, judgement may be given in your absence without further notice to you" Background It will recalled that host of 'Johnnie's Bite' show, Johnnie Hughes has been hitting hard on government and various institutions over what he describes as failed promises and a call for accountability. The show which is a segment on the 'New Day' is aimed at putting government and various institutions on their toes. Although the show and its host takes swipes at its target, it also commends and showers praises on individuals and institutions who do the right thing. For some time now, the Johnnie's Bite show has been exposing what it calls 'rot' in the Ghana Immigration Service. The show revealed that some officers in the Service got promoted twice and three times in a year, while others have also been denied promotion for some unknown reasons. Johnnie's Bite which is devoid of insults and attacks has been widely accepted by some factions of the NPP and also the NDC. Below is a copy of the writ: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The 2022 Edition of 'Ayeyi Ndwom', a powerful gospel show has been scheduled for October 23, 2022. Host of 'Ayeyi Ndwom 2022', Heavenly Jewels Chorale, is said to be a non-denominational group with an orchestra based in Ghana. The group is made up of people from across the country, irrespective of age, social background, and race. Over these few years, the Heavenly Jewels Chorale has been able to stage and perform at high-profiled platforms with their prolific style that have attracted the admiration of diplomats and the ordinary citizen. The Leadership of Heavenly Jewels Chorale have announced that this year's concert will focus on propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ through choral music. The leadership says it is expecting a fully packed auditorium on October 23. Checks by Thinknewsonline.com indicates the versatile Heavenly Jewels Chorale is poised to not only entertain the audiences and public but serve them with good choral music. The 'Ayeyi Ndwom 2022' concert will be on the theme 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness'. The concert will be held at the National Theatre in Accra. Organisers says it will be providing free health screening as a side attraction from 1pm to 4:30pm before the main event. The event which is said free and is powered by Think Media Expert (Think Tv, Jewels Tv, Think Professional Institute, and ThinkNewsOnline) and sponsored by Jed Medical Services, DAMs Premium Travel and Tours and Anti Ama Sardine. The program is expected to begin at 5pm. Below are some flyers: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian Musician, KiDi, is being called out for a series of tweets he made in the past about former President Mahama. KiDi, then, had taken a swipe at the erstwhile Mahama administration by describing his speeches as useless. He went on to chastise Mahama for failing to solve Dumsor and doing nothing about the economy. Some Twitter folks have dug into the archives and brought out some of these tweets, which he also made about Voltarians and Northerners. KiDi had immaturely insinuated that people from the Volta Region and the North were clueless about voting for the NDC after the 2012 elections. He subsequently used the late Amissah Arthur, the late Atta-Mills, and President Akufo-Addo to make jokes. KiDi had immaturely insinuated that people from the Volta Region and the North were clueless about voting for the NDC after the 2012 elections. He subsequently used the late Amissah Arthur, the late Atta Mills, and President Akufo-Addo to make jokes. Check out some the screenshots below: Beno Sarkcess wrote: By now Kidi dry get plenty notifications, he go think say menners dey spoil there for en EP give am or some Grammy nominations drop, he go come online na old tweets wey set agenda give am. Fosty wrote: As KiDi say one shoddy ein avi dey rec Atta Mills ein ghost. Ano know how Ghana Yesu pop for my head inside. GhanaSocial wrote: Thank God Kidi’s career is about die.. that guy was negatively influencing the children! Ghana Yesu wrote: Kidi was once an underground agenda boy before he became musician and man has become big. Another win for twitter agenda boys. Below are some screenshots: Credit: BongoIdeas