President Akufo-Addo has appointed Mr Edward Asomani as the new National Security Coordinator. Until his appointment, Mr Asomani, was the Deputy National Security Coordinator. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency Mr Eugene Arhin on Friday August 5. The confirmation of his appointment is subject to the receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the National Security Council, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission. The National Security Coordinator Amb. Maj Gen (Rtd) Francis Adu-Amanfoh, according to the statement, has been reassigned with effect from Monday August 8th, 2022 to act as Special Advisor to the President for the Accra Initiative. The Accra Initiative was launched in September 2017 by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo in response to growing insecurity linked to violent extremism in the region. The President has also appointed Nana Attobrah Quaicoe to act, with effect from Monday 8th August 2022 as Director-General of of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB). “Confirmation of his appointment also being subject to the receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the National Security Council, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission,” the statement stressed. This comes after Mr Akufo-Addo appointed Mr Kwaku Domfeh as Ambassador-designate to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Below is a copy of the release: Credit: 3news.com

Arsenal took maximum points on the opening night of the Premier League with a goal in each half enough to sweep aside Crystal Palace 2-0. Expectation and excitement levels have grown around the Emirates after an impressive pre-season and Mikel Arteta’s side delivered on the opening night with Gabriel Martinelli and a Marc Guehi own goal enough for the points. New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both played their part with the Brazil striker a constant threat through the middle and Zinchenko providing the assist for Martinelli’s headed first-half goal. Palace improved as the game wore on and Aaron Ramsdale was called upon to make two top saves before some tricky work from Bukayo Saka led to Guehi heading past his own goalkeeper with six minutes left. “We are top of the league,” sang the away end at full-time. Arsenal wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game, which quietened down the raucous home crowd. Martinelli blazed an early chance wide after some superb solo dribbling from Jesus, who looked like he had been playing in an Arsenal shirt all his life. Much like last season, Arsenal decided to sit on a lead which allowed Palace to grow into the game. Ramsdale had to be alert to divert Odsonne Edouard’s close-range header away from goal from what was Palace’s first attempt on goal just before the break. Ramsdale was called into action again on 52 minutes when denying Eberechi Eze on the angle after the former QPR man was found by a clever pass from Wilfried Zaha. Palace had good flow and maintained their attacks in search of an equaliser but the greater threat came from the away side as Jesus’ persistent work off the ball almost led to Martin Odegaard – captain for the first time – fluffing his lines inside the box. With Arsenal defending their box with great resolution, Saka grabbed the game by the scruff and made the game safe with some outstanding wing play. His cross was clumsily headed home by Guehi and allowed the Arsenal fans to relax for the remaining six minutes. They can certainly be excited for what could be on the cards this season as the club look to improve on their fifth-placed finish last term. Source: Sky Sports

The Government of Ghana has commissioned a Rural Telephony site at Nkwadum in the Sefwi Akontombra Constituency to enable the people have access to connectivity. According to government, the move is order to provide basic telephone voice and data connectivity to underserved and unserved communities. Speaking at the event, Minister for Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said "This is in line with the government's digitalization agenda, which aims to create a strong digital economy and sustainable development throughout the country" "Extending connectivity is capital-intensive and expensive, hence these remote villages would have been blocked off and unable to take part in the digital revolution that is progressively taking place in the country if not for government's intervention" The Minister stressed that the Phase 1's rollout of the project is still proceeding adding that all 2,016 sites should be operational and commissioned by 2023. On his part, the Nkwadum Manhene, Nana Owusu Kwao Tawiah II sang songs of thanksgiving to the government. He recounted the struggles of the inhabitants to access connectivity in the past. He therefore pledged to protect the site from any deliberate physical destruction. Government has started construction of 2,016 cell sites under GIFEC's Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

The Deputy Minister, Hon Ama Pomaa Boateng has opened the training of this year's Girls in ICT for SHS on Cyber Security and Data Privacy targeted at a 100,000 girls across seven regions. The beneficiary regions are Northern, Bono East, Bono Ahafo, Volta and Oti. The program is organised by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE); Ghana Education Service (GES) and Huawei Technologies, Ghana. Speaking at the St Mary Girls Vocational Institute - a TVET school in the Northern region ,Ms Ama Pomaa Boateng stressed the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security in the day-to-day operations of entrepreneurs as well as building successful businesses online. She advised the students to take keen interest in acquiring ICT skills to participate in e-commerce and and choose their career paths that would make them become globally competitive within the digital space. Hon Ama Pomaa Boateng encouraged the students to expand their entrepreneurship ideas to target potential clients through the reputable and secure social media platforms, financial apps and courier services. Noting that every aspect of daily life as well as their entrepreneurial skills requires the constant application of digital technologies to perform tasks and increase productivity in real time. She advised the students to pay attention to Ghana's Cyber security Act and the Data Protection Act to protect the way they act as digital citizens and having good digital habits. According to the deputy Minister,the digital space grants women the opportunity to learn and work remotely at their convenience. She said, “now in the comfort of your home, you can have your courses online and get a degree from any country in the world. Interviews are also now conducted online remotely; one can buy and sell products and services through online platforms irrespective of one’s location,e-health, e-banking & payments(Transfers like momo) , online Meetings, and all these are the possibilities of ICT advancement”. Tamale Girl's Secondary school At the Tamale Girl's SHS Mrs Pomaa Boateng reiterated that, the internet was a whole new world on its own with ability to store information online forever and posts on social media could be retrieved at any time anywhere, hence, students must be guided and mindful what contents they post and share online. According to Deputy Minister, the digital space has many predators hiding behind the internet, therefore students should avoid downloading apps and accepting strangers request for friendship online. The most worrying she mentioned was posting or sending nude pictures and that should be avoided at all cost. She cautioned that, inappropriate contents posted online could damage a person’s reputation and could affect his/her career in future because employers nowadays investigate a prospective employee’s background checks via their online activities and posts. She acknowledged the fact that, though the ICT space is male dominated, girls could venture into that space as long as they were prepared to learn. To address the gender digital gap, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry had implemented the Girls-In-ICT programme with the aim of providing the basic ICT skills and to also encourage more girls to take career paths in the ICT as well as encouraging girls and women in the usage securely of it. The Principal of St Mary's TVET, Tamale, Rev Sister Cynthia Anabire expressed gratitude to the MoCD and partners for the training, adding, " this is timely". She was full of praise for TVET for the resources provided to enable the students get ICT education. "We are grateful for the Cyber security awareness program for the students. With all these computers provided by TVET, I am hopeful that the cyber security training will help the students stay safe online" Last year, the Ministry collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Huawei educated 60,000 Senior High School girls from St. Louis, Yaa Asantewaa Girls, Krobo Girls, Adventist Girls, Holy Child, Wesley Girls, Afua Kobi Girls, St Mary’s, St Monica’s, Mamfe Methodist Girls, St Roses and Kumasi Wesley Girls. Topics that these beneficiaries benefitted from include Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence. Some beneficiary schools for this year’s training in the seven regions include Our Lady of Mount Camel Senior High School, St Ann's Girls Senior High, Our Lady of Providence Senior High, Notre Dame Girls Senior High, Ola Girls Senior High, Serwaa Kese Girls Senior High, Tamale Girls Senior High, E.P.C Mawuko Girls Senior High, St Catherine Girls Senior High and Kyabobo Girls school among others. Story by: News Desk Report

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that Nii Kwabena Bonney V known in private life as Solomon Odartey Wellington has been destooled as Osu Alata Mantse. According to the Nii Ameng Bonne-Weku (Osu Alata), tge destooling was as a result of gross misconduct of Nii Kwabena Bonney V for the past seven (7) years. In a release sighted by Thinknewsonline.com and signed by the Head of Family, Laud Nii Ayertey Botchway, he said "We, the Head and principal members of Nii Ameng Bonne family have observed with great concern, the gross misconduct of Nii Kwabena Bonney V over the past seven (7) years and have unanimously agreed that Nii Kwabena Bonney V should be destooled as Osu Alata Mantse" The statement revealed that Nii Kwabena Bonney V used his capacity as Osu Alata Mantse to conduct private businesses to enrich himself and his immediate family of the Osu Alata Community. It is emerging that Nii Kwabena Bonney V abandoned the stool house and has not visited there for the past seven (7) years without any proper and justifiable cause. Below are copies of the release and pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Award-winning Journalist and General Manager of Citi FM and Citi TV Bernard Koku Avle has lost his wife Justine Avle. MynewsGh reports that Justine Avle died in the evening of 3rd August 2022 after a short illness. The unfortunate incident happened while the journalist was readying himself for Point of View. Sources indicate she collapsed and was pronounced dead on arrival at a health facility. Mr. Avle who is the host of the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM and Point of View Show on Citi TV married Justine in a beautiful ceremony in 2011. The two are blessed with 4 kids. Here is how Ghanaians reacted to the news: Credit: Mynewsgh.com

Former President John Dramani Mahama has accepted an official invitation from the bereaved family of the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, to attend the burial and funeral of the latter’s late father—Opanyin Samuel Kwame Agyepong. Welcoming a delegation from the bereaved family led by Obomeng Aduana Abusuapanyin, Barima Osei Berko, at his residence in Accra on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the former President condoled with the Agyepong family over their loss. According to him, the year 2022 has been a very difficult one for Dr. Siaw Agyepong. “First, it was his driver who was involved in a terrible accident, then his brother passed on, and now his father has also kicked the bucket. And so this year has not been easy for the family of my younger brother [referring to Dr. Siaw Agyepong]. However, he consoled the family of Dr. Siaw Agyepong that God knows what is best for them, adding that “He gives life and takes it away.” “We are part of the Agyepong family and God willing on the funeral day we will come and support you to organise a befitting burial and funeral for our late father ,” the former President said. Early on, Obomeng Aduana Abusuapanyin, Barima Osei Berko, thanked former President Dramani Mahama for being part of the one week observation of the late Opanyin Samuel Kwame Agyepong. According to him, “Not long ago, we respectfully came to inform your Excellency about the death of our father—Opanyin Samuel Agyepong. In spite of your busy schedule, you delegated somebody to represent you at the one week ceremony of our late father. We are truly grateful to you, Your Excellency,” he expressed. After the one week observation, he indicated that the family met to discuss on the date for the burial and funeral of Opanyin Agyepong. “And so we are here to formally inform you of the funeral arrangements, and also officially invite you to the funeral ceremony,” the leader of the delegation said. The funeral date for Opanyin Agyepong, he said, has been set for Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the forecourt of the State House, Accra. “In the afternoon on the same day, the family will accompany the mortal remains of Opanyin Agyepong to Kwahu Obo for interment,” stating that the funeral will then continue at the forecourt of the State House from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm,” he noted. He continued that on Sunday, September 11, 2022, a Service of Thanksgiving will be held in memory of Opanyin Agyepong at the Teshie Nungua Estate branch of the Church of Pentecost, adding that “this was where the late Opanyin Agyepong attended church while he was alive.” “That same Sunday, after church we will continue with the funeral at his residence at Teshie Nungua Estates,” Abusuapanyin Osei Berko informed former President Mahama. Amongst the delegation was Dr. Siaw Agyepong and some prominent members of his family. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has assured that all monies owed State-Owned Institutions will be retrieved under her watch. According to her, her outfit will not sit and watch people or organisations evade tax and also fail to pay monies they owe. Reacting to Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta's Mid-Year Budget Review, Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "I heard the Finance Minister stating the recoveries EOCO has made on behalf of other institutions like GRA and others. These are direct recoveries that are held in our accounts which will be directed to the Consolidated Fund. What he did was the first quarter not even up to sencod quarter, so as at this second quarter, we have recorded about 20 million" "We support, NPA, BOST and don't even go in the current tax period, we go into the previous ones; 2016, 2017 and 2018 where they would have closed" "We go back to check whether whatever they have paid, was actually paid to GRA or whichever institution, the margin, the margins that BOST is supposed to take, some of them take but they don't pay, and we have taken some of them to court" The Executive Director added that per EOCO's mandate, anyone who evade tax and uses the money for any property, or acquire vehicle, the State will go through a process and confiscate those assets when they fail to pay back the monies owed. "So that is what we are doing. Our officers are committed and are poised to do what is expected of them per our mandate" "If there are other institutions that are not on-board, we encourage them to get in touch and I can assure that our competent men will recover whatever monies that is due to the state" Background The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on the floor of Parliament few days ago, read the Mid-Year Budget Review. Touching on the revision to the 2022 Fiscal Framework, he said "Mr. Speaker, the 2022 fiscal framework has also been revised due to the fiscal performance for the first half of the year, including; shortfalls in the expected yields from the new 2022 revenue measures and the implementation of the 30% discretionary expenditure cuts and other expenditure measures announced by, Government earlier in the year. He added that the other expenditure measures are the moratorium on foreign travels except pre-approved critical and/or statutory travels likewise a 50% cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and Heads of government institutions, including SOEs, effective 1st April 2022 Explaining further, Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that the moratorium on foreign travels except pre-approved critical and/or statutory travels. "Mr. Speaker, the revisions in Government’s fiscal operations results in a fiscal deficit (on cash basis) of GH¢38,900 million (6.6% of revised GDP) up from the 2022 Budget deficit target of GH¢37,012 million (7.4% of GDP). The corresponding Primary balance is a surplus of GH¢2,461 million (0.4% of revised GDP), up from the 2022 Budget estimate of a surplus of GH¢435 million (0.1% of GDP)" He hinted that although the deficit is expected to be financed from both foreign and domestic sources, domestic financing will be the key driver while Government works to regain external market access. The Finance Minister mentioned that the some Revenue Measures will be pursued in the remaining half of the year. Touching on eVAT, he said "The digitalization of our Revenue Mobilization processes remains a key focus; therefore, the GRA is finalizing all relevant processes to facilitate the effective collection of VAT revenue.  This includes a proposed amendment of the Value Added Tax Act 870 to enable its electronic collection, effective 1st October 2022" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The current untold hardship being experienced by Ghanaians coupled with gross mismanagement of the economy by the Akufo Addo/Bawumia government has triggered an outburst from the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The National Communications Officer Mr. Sammy Gyamfi who addressed a news Conference in Accra on Wednesday called for the dismissal of the Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori Atta and the removal of the Vice President as head of the economic management team. "First on this list is without doubt the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who has proven to be an unmitigated disaster when it comes to economic management. President Akufo-Addo’s cousin has run down our economy through excessive borrowings that his personal company Databank profits from" "Today, his name scares away investors and evokes a feeling of insecurity for every Ghanaian. Ken Ofori-Atta has become like stale water in a bottle and the earlier President Akufo-Addo fire his underperforming cousin, the better for the economy and all of us. As the venerable former President Mahama recently said, regardless of our running to the IMF, the only way to begin the process of rebuilding, if we are to get any good deal from the IMF is to sack Ken Ofori-Atta immediately and appoint a fresh, able hand in his stead to lead the IMF negotiations" "The next important thing for President Akufo-Addo to do is to relieve his jocular Vice President, Alhaji Bawumia from his position as head of the Economic Management Team. The once so-called “solid economic management team” has now been reduced to a gaseous team who have deserted their roles are no where to be found in these difficult and critical times . It is about time our tired, clueless and incompetent Vice President is finally relieved for new ideas and competent hands to take over and steer the Economic Management Team at this time of unspeakable hardships”, he fumed. He added that cost of living today is unbearable, leading to many individuals and households going hungry, broken marriages and many falling further below the poverty line. He stressed that cost of doing business has gone off the roof, leading to the suffocation of many businesses. On fuel hikes, the NDC Communications Officer stressed that fuel price hikes today have become a frequent occurrence, with prices going up at the pumps sometimes twice or three times a week. He added “ this phenomenon has largely been occasioned by the continuous depreciation of our national currency, the Ghana Cedi under the watch of the NPP’s self-professed Economic wizard now turned comical IT champion, Alhaji Bawumia”. Mr. Gyamfi later called for the scrapping of taxes which are further burdening Ghanaians including the fuel taxes, the Sanitation levy (Borla tax) and special petroleum tax (SPT). The rest are New Energy Sector levies Price stabilization and recovery levy, Covid-19 levy and E-levy. The NDC firebrand later accused Akufo Addo of messing up the country and called on him to heed to calls by Ghanaians to sack the Finance Minister and relieving Bawumia of his post as head of economic management team. Story by: Think News Desk Report

The Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), Edwin Provencal and his team on Wednesday, August 3, presented two photocopy machines and its accessories to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The photocopiers were presented in response to a request by EOCO. Making the presentation, the Managing Director said “EOCO has been our development partners for a while, We escalated our issues to them and within a month they had recovered about GH₵ 3,500,000; which is 5% of taxes and levies that were due BOST popularly known as the BOST margin” On her part, the Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, noted that in the wake of disclosures at the courts, the photocopiers will be very relevant to investigations and other activities. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the gesture and encouraged other institutions to see EOCO as a partner in recovering the necessary revenue to develop the country. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Management of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) have donated two canon photocopy machines to the Economic and Organised Crime Office to help boost its day-to-day activities. According to BOST, the gesture is to say thank you to EOCO for some successes in terms of recoveries of levies and taxes that were due them. Speaking at the brief ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, the Managing Director of BOST, Edwin Provencal said "We have been working with EOCO for a while and they have been our development partner. The only reason we supported EOCO is because we have chalked some successes in terms of recoveries of levies and taxes that were due BOST, that is the BOST margin, so when we escalated our issues to them, within, they were able to collect 5% of those monies and that was quiet substantial" He added that when the request for the photocopy machine came from EOCO, he made a good case of which two machines were purchased instead of one. "So when their request came, all I had to do was to escalate to my board and get the approval and I made a good case and instead of buying one photocopy machine, the board approved to buy two and not only that but plus some UPS, tonnes and other suppliers as well. We think that the work they do is very important to the State and we all know that state at which our State coffers is. Support like this to State-Owned Institutions like this helps contribute to the succcess becomes a no-brainer" Mr. Provencal entreated other organisations who also benefit from the works of EOCO, to also support them with some critical infrastructure and technical tools. Speaking on the 70 Million being owned BOST by some organisations, he said "It is a very huge worry to BOST and we are in court with quite a lot of people and we have to recover monies. The way the collection is done is that we all pay taxes on fuel and it does not come to us directly, the OMCs are the ones who collect the monies on behalf of us and unfortunately when some of them collect, they don't pay back; we rare in court with quite a number of them and EOCO is also chasing a lot of them" "It is a big worry but these things take time and we are happy about the progress EOCO has made so far. There are some, we have won judgement against so EOCO is working with us to retrieve the monies and you can be rest assured that your monies will not be left in the pockets of other people. It will be used for its intended purpose" On her part, the Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "When you collect something on behalf of the State and you don't pay that money, that is stealing and that is a criminal offence" She added that while EOCO is looking at collections and recoveries, it is also looking at prosecuting others. "When you evade tax, whatever you used the monies for, that is the proceeds of crime, we will come after your properties and these are things that we are working together with BOST" The Executive Director sent strong signals to others saying they cannot commit crimes and get away with them. "Once we do these, the revenue challenges Government has will be brought to the barest minimum" She assured that EOCO will take good care of the photocopy machines and use them for its intended purposes. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A pressure group of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA), is appealing to President Akufo-Addo to reshuffle his ministers as a matter of urgency. According to the group, this appeal is a passionate one to President Akufo-Addo to shake up his government and reshuffle his appointees (particularly non-performing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as some CEOs of some state institutions) to pave way for more competent and selfless hands to bring their expertise to bear on his administration. The group, in a statement issued and signed by D.T. Adomako, Executive Secretary, AFFA, said the ministers of state who have almost abandoned their ministerial duties to chase presidential dreams must either be forced to resign or be fired from the government. The group said the ministers have been tolerated for far too long, and their continuous stay in office was distracting government business, adding that it was time to show them the exit, and give opportunity to those who are ready and prepared to serve in the interest of the party and the government. “Inarguably, the NPP is known to have the men and women, and rightly so! It cannot be the case that we have suddenly run out of human resources such that we are compelled to maintain the same old crop of appointees for six years. Ghanaians expect much from us and we cannot fail them.  Mr. President, there is an urgent need for a shakeup in your government,” the group pointed out. “Here, we bring to the attention of the President, a Facebook post made by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, (former Executive Director of the Danquah Institute and close associate of the government) last Monday which reads, ‘It is as if a reshuffle will suddenly end the war in Ukraine, bring down inflation and make the cedi stronger than the dollar" “We find Gabby’s comment very provocative, insensitive, reprehensible and show of arrogance. In this period of growing apathy and anger among the rank and file of the party, the least a leading member of the NPP and, or, a close associate of the presidency should do is to calm nerves, and not to rub it in our faces. Those whose actions and inactions incense the grassroots must be admonished to refrain from same,” the statement added. The group, however, urged the President to listen to them and act immediately to make his government vibrant and proactive for ordinary Ghanaians to have confidence in the NPP administration. Story by: Daniel Bampoe