"Ghana is a beautiful country, with a rich history. We have beautiful tourist sites such as the fascinating Kakum National Park, Mole National park, Larabanga Mosque as well as beautiful beaches and excellent cuisine amongst others. Ghana as a country pioneered the decolonizing of the rest of Africa, having been the first African country, south of the Sahara to attain independence; and played an instrumental role in the constitution of the African Union" These were the words of The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio as he projected Ghana as a destination of choice while wooing all Surveyors at this year's International Federation of Surveyors Conference (FIG Congress) underway in Poland to the FIG Working Week slated for 2024 in Accra. He continued that Ghana has made considerable strides in innovation in Land Administration, Geospatial Information and Surveying practices and therefore Ghana has a lot to offer to the Survey profession, adding that their visit to the country will not just provide wonderful sight-seeing opportunities but will also offer valuable lessons that can be replicated in their home countries. He noted that participants will also get the opportunity to forge strong institutional partnerships to leverage on one another’s expertise and technology to transform the surveying profession and practice worldwide. Hon. Benito touted Ghana's efforts in aiding advance the vision of the Federation saying that the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LISAG), being member associations of the FIG have been very active in pursuing actions in the advancement of the vision of the Federation. "Thus, building a modern and sustainable surveying profession in support of society, environment and economy by providing innovative, reliable and best practice solutions to our rapidly changing and complex world, acting with integrity and confidence about the usefulness of surveying, and translating these words into action" He stated empathically that the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, who is the Co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates, is keen on Geospatial Information and Surveying disciplines, as some of the SDGs cannot be achieved without the contribution of Geospatial Information Professionals. The Deputy Minister on behalf of Government and the Ministry pledged the support of the country in organising such an August programme saying "with membership from about 121 countries, it is a great honour for Ghana to Host the FIG working week, 2024, and I am proud to pledge the support of the Government of Ghana in ensuring that this is well organized". In a presentation he also disclosed that, plans are far advanced for the Working Week in Accra as he welcomed them to an exciting time in Ghana come 2024. "We look forward to welcoming you all to the Working Week in Accra in 2024" He proudly stated. Below are some pictures: Story by: Nadia Aidoo

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have sent a strong warning to the general public to be vigilant and desist from investing in unlicensed investment products. The warning following a joint investigation into activities of some entities largely operating via online channels. In a joint statement issued by EOCO and SEC on September 13, it said "In line with the above, the SEC and EOCO have embarked on joint investigations into the activities of some entities largely operating via online channels" "In accordance with relevant provisions of Act 929 as amended and Act 804, the SEC and EOCO wish to inform the general public that the underlined entities are not licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)" The companies underlined by EOCO and SEC include; PatronPay Ghana/PetronPay Ghana, Cedi Network Ghana, Bitcash Investment, Solar Group, Freedon Synergy, FxKash Investment, Binomo Investment, Hi Pay and Quick Earn. The others also include Lite Earn, Snap Finance, Fauccet Wealth Investment, Opay Investment, Payme Financial Services, Passive Income, Yvonne Hanson Deals and Alpha Pay. "Capital Market Operators, Investors, and the general public should be assured that the SEC in collaboration with all relevant law enforcement agencies is committed to ensuring the rigorous enforcement of all the securities laws for operators in the Capital Market to promote an orderly growth and development of an efficient, fair and transparent securities market in which investors and the integrity of the market are protected" Members of the public have been asked to report directly and also enquire for further information. Below are copies of the joint release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minerals Commission has rejected a request by Cassius Mining Limited to continue with its prospecting of gold with the Gbane Mining Project in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. The Commission has declined to extend the mining company’s prospecting license due to lack of beneficial Ownership Disclosure in registering in accordance with the Regulation 107 (1) (b) of the Minerals and Mining ( Licensing) Regulation, 2021, ( L.I 2176). The gesture means that the directors and shareholders of the company cannot engage in any mining activities in Ghana. In a letter dated January 23, 2020 to Cassius Mining Limited, the Commission regretted to inform Cassius Mining Limited that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources had considered its request but was unable to approve the extension of its prospecting license for the following reason: “You concealed and or suppressed the fact that Messrs Anthony Upul Samantha and Radwin Elhassan, listed as directors and shareholders of Cassius Mining Limited, (the “Company”) in the company’s incorporation documents submitted in support of the application for the PL have been convicted for various offences in Australia and thus not qualified to have been named directors of the company under the companies legislation of Ghana at the time of applying for the PL” “The company would not have been legally established with the above officers being part of its promoters and subsequently part of its directors if they had fully disclosed their criminal past prior to applying for the PL” “The suppression of the foregoing vitiating material facts, clearly known to the Company, at the time of applying for the PL, meant the Company’s application for the PL and for extension of same, contained a statement which was misleading or false in relation to the legal capacity of the said directors and same is a breach of Regulation 107 (1) (b) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing ) Regulations, 2012, ( L.I 2176)”. The letter partly stated that “in view of the conviction of Anthony Upul Samantha and Radwin Elhassan, they are barred from being directors in Cassius mining company by virtue of section 177 of act 992”. On September 16, 2019, Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) submitted a petition to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to investigate the report on the Directors and Shareholders of Cassius Mining Limited for breaching Regulation 107 (1) (b) of the Minerals Commission. NORPRA’s petition, which was accompanied with some documents, revealed that the Australians who are shareholders and directors of Cassius Mining Limited at the time of registration at the Registrar-General Department were ex-convicts and that is criminal according to Companies Act. The Directors and Shareholders who were found to be ex-convicts are Messrs Anthony Upul Samantha and Radwin Elhassan. On December 5, 2019, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice wrote to the Registrar General of the Registrar’s General Department to strike out the names of Anthony Upul Samantha and Radwin Elhassan as Directors of Cassius Mining Limited for being convicted of criminal acts in Australia and that they cannot be directors of a businss in Ghana in view of section 172 of the companies Act 2019 ( Act 992). The Executive Director of NORPRA, Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, in an interview with 3news.com, said: “NORPRA appreciates and commends the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General and the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources for acting positively on the petition we presented to them on ex- convicts acting as Directors and Shareholders of a Mining Company in Ghana.” Mr Adongo Ayorogo revealed that they have conducted a study on Beneficial Ownership Disclosure and Integrity Secreening of Mining Companies in Ghana, and found the reason Ghana gave her mineral resources to Australian ex-convicts in Cassius Mining Limited. NORPRA therefore said: “Ghana having signed onto the open Governance Partnership (OGP) in 2014 needed to strengthen its Beneficial Ownership ( BO) Disclosure regime and due Diligence system to be able to effectively identify and keep high- risk companies out of the country and ensuring that, only honest and responsible mining companies with a strong business integrity track record are granted Mineral rights”. Source: 3news.com

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that Chinese galamsey Queen Aisha Huang was not handed over to the relevant Chinese authority after her deportation from Ghana. In Ablakwa in a tweet said this was inconsistent with protocols for deportations. In a tweet, the Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs said “Aisha Huang was not physically handed over to relevant or competent Chinese authorities when she allegedly landed in China which is inconsistent with deportation protocols.” On Monday September 5, an Accra Circuit Court remanded into custody 4 Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in illegal small-scale mining activities. Hearing the case Monday September 5, three suspects, Jong Li Huang, Huang Jei and Huiad Hua pleaded not guilty in court to a charge of engaging in sales and purchases of minerals without license. Aisha Huang who was deported following her involvement in galamsey activities is facing charges of engaging in sale and purchases of minerals without license, as well as mining without license. She is reported to have returned to the country under a different name. She reportedly applied for a TogoVisa and went through the borders into Ghana to continue her galamsey business in a town in the Ashanti Region. Observers have expressed concerns over the nature of Ghana’s security following the re-entry of Aisha Huang. For instance, a former Governance Adviser to the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, said the way and manner she returned to Ghana after her deportation, exposed the lapses in Ghana’s security as far as foreign criminals as are concerned. In his view, the security system is porous, a situation he said, calls for concerns. Speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3, Thursday September 8, the Chief Executive Officer of the John Agyekum Kuffuor Foundation said “The current case of Aisha Huang, so-called Queen of galamsey, is a very interesting, complex and intriguing one. “Because about four or five years ago when we heard that she was arrested and she was going to be tried, somehow senior government officials intervened and publicly told all of us that perhaps, it wasn’t in the the best interest of Ghana to imprison or try this person and subsequently she was deported. “Then all of a sudden, we find that this lady who was deported has been back for massive long years on a different kind of name and trading. It shows the porousness of our security system. Whether in this particular cases, it is a deliberate policy to allow her in, whatever it is it shows the serious lapse in our security sector so far as foreign criminals are are concerned.” On this same matter, the Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, also said Ghana needs to scale up its intelligence gathering. Dr Antwi-Danso said the country needs to “revolutionalize our intelligence system including vigilance and everything” “She has studied the system so she knows our weaknesses which is why she re-entered,” the International Relations Expert stated on 3FM’s Sunrise show with Alfred Ocansey on Thursday September 8. Earlier, Dr Antwi-Danso indicated that Aisah Huang disrespected Ghana by her re-entry. He said Ghanaian authorities must send a clear signal to all foreigners to respect the laws of the land. [Her re-entry] shows disrespect for us as Ghanaians and for our country. When you are deported, you are declared persona non grata, you are not wanted until you are invited into the country. “She treated us with this kind of disdain, we should let all foreigners know that we are a country to be respected,” he told Alfred Ocansey on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Tuesday September 6. “She treated us with this kind of disdain, we should let all foreigners to know that we are a country to be respected,” he added. Credit: 3news.com

Former President John Dramani Mahama has chastised the Akufo-Addo administration of neglecting the projects, especially in the Volta Region, that were initiated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration. Speaking at the grand durbar to mark the climax of the Asogli Yam Festival in Ho, Mr Mahama said “Projects started by the NDC have been abandoned and others that are to be completed in the region are being done at a slow pace. For some of the projects, this government asked contractors to stop work. “But I make a commitment of the NDC that, God willing and thanks to your votes in 2025, all these projects will be resumed.” He further took on President Akufo-Addo for what he says is the seeming institutionalization of corruption currently in Ghana. The 2020 presidential candidate for the NDC cited the 2021 Auditor-General’s report as evidence of how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has lost the fight against corruption. “The NPP government has completely lost control of the fight against corruption,” he said. “President Akufo-Addo in his inaugural address promised to protect the purse. Today, that public purse cannot be found. “Revelations in the Auditor General report for 2021 are only a microcosm of the seeming institutionalization of corruption under this administration.” The 2021 Auditor-General’s report saw about GH¢17.4 billion lost by the state to various financial irregularities in public sector institutions. For the former president, it is only necessary for all citizens to come together in finding a lasting solution to this as the ordinary Ghanaian is suffocating under the current economic conditions. “I am using this festival to draw attention to this important national issue that requires the support of all citizens. “Economic difficulties in the country are unbearable. Cost of living has increased significantly because of rising inflation. Prices are changing in the market every day, and this makes it difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian to survive.” Story by: 3news.com

Former President Mahama has justified his comments that the image of the judiciary is broken. Mr. Mahama who was speaking in an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Monday said the broken judiciary is a reflection of what Ghanaians think of the judiciary. “Broken Judiciary is a reflection of what Ghanaians think”, Mr. Mahama said It would be recalled that the Attorney General God Yeboah Dame over the weekend chided former President Mahama over his comments, questioning why the NDC lawyers are quiet over their bosses’ comments. But Mr. Mahama fumed at Godfred Dame saying “so because I’m a statesman when something is going wrong I shouldn’t speak about it is that what he means? No it’s my right to comment on issues. I won’t let him take that right from me”. He however called on all to work at it to raise the image of the judiciary from what it currently is”. Story by: Michael Petit Mawugbe

Former President Mahama has hit hard on President Akufo Addo saying the Head of State has packed the country's courts with political judges. Former President Mahama made these known while speaking to an Accra-based television station. The Former Head of State said "President Akufo Addo in the history of the country, has parked the courts with judges more than any government" Mr. Mahama added that the packing of the court with political Judges has contributed to the loss of confidence in the judiciary by the public. Mr. Mahama further mentioned that he is hopeful that a new Chief Justice would fix the broken judiciary caused by Justice Anim Yeboah. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former President John Dramani Mahama says if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were in another jurisdiction, he would have simply resigned. “If we were in some other jurisdiction, he would have resigned by now. By his word, he put his presidency on the line,” Mr Mahama observed in an exclusive interview with TV3‘s Alfred Ocansey on Monday, September 12. The former president noted that all the current illegal mining activities are being conducted on concessions owned by executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This he stresses is making it difficult for the president to fight illegal mining activities. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017 put his presidency on the line in stating his resolve to fight the galamsey menace. “I have said in Cabinet, and perhaps this is the first time I am making this public that I am prepared to put my presidency on the line on this matter,” he told some chiefs at a workshop in July of that year. But Mr Mahama said the president lacks the political will to fight the canker. “If you go to the districts they talk about community mining. Community mining is the NPP party executives and the DCEs who are doing the community mining. “So, they are the ones doing what they are doing, so how can you expect him to fight galamsey when his own people are the ones who are doing it.” Watch the video below: Credit: 3news.com

A High-powered delegation from the United States of America’s Congressional Committee on Natural Resources on Monday, September 12, 2022 paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) to among others discuss matters of common interest between the two countries. In his welcome address, the Minister extolled the historical great relationship between Ghana and the United States of America, noting that, through the incredible works of the current US Ambassador to Ghana, the relationship has been further strengthened and elevated to a new impetus. He outlined the core mandate of the Ministry which is the “efficient management and utilization of the lands, forestry, wildlife and mineral resources of our country”. Hon. Jinapor gave an insight into why framers of the country’s governance structure married both lands and natural resources under one Ministry. “The framers of our governance architecture were deliberate enough to put lands and natural resources under one Ministry. The idea is the manner in which you exploit and manage your natural resources has an impact on your landscape”. “This is a Ministry responsible for the Lands and Natural Resources of our country. By that, all the lands in Ghana, forest, wildlife and mineral resources are situated here in this Ministry”. Throwing more light on each sub-sector under his outfit, the Minister highlighted the key mandate of the Ministry saying the Ministry’s works covers the three broad sub sectors of Land, Forestry and Mineral Resources. “The forestry sector is very Important and consequential of our ministry and the country. It has a lot of impact positively and otherwise on the global efforts on halting climate change. Our strategy is anchored on implementing policies which preserve the forest cover of our country. President Akufo-Addo has since 2017, adopted this strategy to preserve our existing forest cover. There are plethora of policy interventions we are implementing as we speak which are intended to preserve the forest cover. The second strategy is to engage in aggressive afforestation and reforestation. The Green Ghana Day is a project launched last year where in a particular day of the year, the President led the country to plan a certain number of trees.” In the Mining sector, Hon. Jinapor recognized that illegal small-scale mining is a major challenge to the government, nonetheless the Akufo-Addo government has since assumption of office in 2017 embarked on vigorous and aggressive interventions aimed at making the sector more attractive and improve revenue generation. “We have the large scale mining sector and small scale mining sector. The small-scale mining sector contributes 40% to our gold output. As you know until recently we were the leading gold producer in Africa and sixth in the world”. Touching on the Lands Sector, the Minister said the Ministry and the Lands Commission is currently rolling out systems to digitalize all land records to enable the Commission keep proper land transaction and land reform programs. He also called on the need for the US market to assist and support Ghanaian companies on carbon trading and to among others help benefit and promote the Forest sector of Ghana. “Our relations are still strong where the rule of law is the norm not exception” he opined. On his part, Mr Edward Case, member of the US Congress and on the Natural Resources Committee, who led the delegation on behalf of Congressman Raul Grijalva thanked Ghana for her multilateral cooperation so far and pledged the determination of the US to reinforce their International commitment to protect lives and improve livelihoods. The US Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Virginia E. Palmer who was part of the visiting delegation said the team is in Ghana to have a closer look at variety of issues surrounding Ghana's Natural Resources. She also cited Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Cocoa and Sustainable Farming as some of the issues bookmarked by the Congressional Committee as part of their visit. She acknowledged the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor for his relentless efforts in championing issues in the Natural Resources of Ghana. Below are some pictures: Story by: Fafa Nyame

Down Flat hitmaker Kelyvn Boy made a shocking revelation when he disclosed his appetite for smoking. His disclosure in our conventional African setting is causing an uproar over his confident confession. According to Kelvyn Boy, he would not lie nor apologise for his fixation. He references his addiction as a lifestyle forming a part of himself. “It’s my life. It’s a lifestyle, it’s my career. This is the only thing I know how to do, so it forms a part of my lifestyle. The way I live my life is no one’s business, but we come here to discuss it. I can’t hide it. So for real, I smoke.” His confession at the HitzFM studio garnered a lot of disbelief, including possible repercussions of his utterances in the media. Kelvyn Boy responded, “I won’t see any feedback. I don’t read comments. I don’t care, actually.” “People think that you will go mad when you smoke. But for me, I will go mad if I don’t smoke. Smoking is my addiction. I like to smoke. That’s what calms me down. I have learnt a lot from Bob Marley. He used to have it in his hands all the time,” Kelvyn Boy continued to elaborate on why he smokes daily. See embed post below: Credit: 3news.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his determination to build the National Cathedral. He said the National Cathedral Project was something dear to his government, stressing that it will be built at all cost to the glory and honour of God. The President made the statement when he joined the family and friends of Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong at his late father's Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, September 11, at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Graceland Teshie Nungua in Accra. While commiserating with Dr Agyepong and his family for their loss during this difficult moment, the President encouraged him to take consolation in the fact that his late father gave birth to him to affect lives positively. "In fact, the name Dr. Agyepong has been lost on Ghanaians. Now Zoomlion has become his household name, all thanks to his entrepreneurial skills and his passion to help transform lives in the country," he said. According to President Akufo-Addo, his government will continue to support Dr. Siaw Agyepong and his JGC and any other private person who was ready to support Ghana’s development efforts. “My administration will continue to create the enabling environment for private businesses to thrive so they can support the government in its development agenda,” he reinforced. Dr. Siaw Agyepong, the President averred, has a lot to offer the country, hence his government will continue to support him. “Though the economic hardships are having a toll on Ghanaians, I am very optimistic that things will get better, adding that “these challenges too will pass.” He implored Ghanaians to always foster unity to bring about peace and development. Early on, the Director of Pentecost Men's Ministry (PEMEM) and Executive Council Member of the Church of Pentecost, Reverend Vincent Anane Denteh, who gave thanksgiving service sermon, charged christians and Ghanaians in general to carry the burdens of one another. “Carrying someone’s burden is not easy as it is laden with challenges but doing that fulfils the law of Christ,” he said. Preaching on the theme: “Raising Burden Bearers in Our Generation,” the man of God explained burden as a “worrying responsibility.” He stressed that the nation, churches and families can progress if there were burden bearers. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO of Jospong Group According to the man of God, every individual has a dual purpose: one, to worship God, and; two, to serve humanity. “God created us to serve him and serve humanity. The combination of this two is not easy at all, but we must do it since it is a glorious affair,” he added. Rev. Anane Denteh pointed out that in times of troubles and hardships, there was the need for someone to bear the burden of the people. He, therefore, urged Christians to always build their joy on the strength of the Lord and not on what people will say. For his part, Dr Siaw Agyepong, on behalf of his family, used the opportunity to thank first, God for His mercies and favour upon the Agyepong family. He also thanked, in particular, President Akufo-Addo who he described as a “very good” President. Credit: Pulse GH

A Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Abdul Kamal Deen has said the National Communications Authority (NCA) is trying to ensure a credible data of SIM cards in the country. To that end, he said all persons must make it a priority to re-register their SIM cards. Speaking on TV3’s New Day regarding the blocking of SIM cards including some already registered numbers, Kamal Deen indicated that the NCA has apologised for mistakenly truncating some registered numbers. But, he said the apology alone is not enough. “NCA has come out to issue an apology but that is not enough because of some of them are businessmen. “Somebody may have lost 100,000 Cedis because a call to his number did not go through,” he told show host Berla Mundi on Monday September 11. He further said he is against the blocking of unregistered SIMS cards. “I am not for blocking of SIM cards, I am not actually for it,” he stated. The NCA and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General have been sued for blocking unregistered SIM cards. The suit, filed at the Supreme Court by Kwame Asare-Obeng (A-Plus), Convener of the Peoples Project and also a political activist, is seeking a “declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 2, 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the Directive by the Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, on Sunday, July 31, 2022, that the First Defendant will ensure that all SIM cards that are not re-registered by 30 September 2022, will be blocked while the National Identification Authority (NIA) has not been able to issue the Ghana Cards which is the only card to be used for the said re-registration of all Ghanaians is arbitrary, capricious, amounts to an abuse of discretion and same is unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect. “A declaration on a true and proper interpretation of Articles 2, 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the defendants are estopped from blocking the SIM cards of Ghanaians who have not been able to re-register their SIM cards until such a time where the NIA is able to issue the Ghana cards to all Ghanaians.” THE PEOPLE’S PROJECT Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have begun blocking unregistered SIM cards since Monday, September 5. The NCA on Sunday, September 4 released the punitive actions to be taken against unregistered SIM cards. The ongoing SIM registration exercise is scheduled to end on 30th September 2022. Persons who fail to register will suffer consequences. As part of the punitive measures, the NCA said there would be re-routing of all outgoing calls to IVR for a message to be played before all calls go through every day. Also, outgoing calls and Data Services for a sequential batch of numbers will be blocked for 48 hours (2 days) once a week on a rotational basis. “Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) shall divide the Unregistered SIMS into five (5) batches for the purpose of implementing this punitive measure. “These measures shall exclude blocking of SMS to give defaulting subscribers the opportunity to initiate registration if they so wish. Credit: 3news.com