The Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has closed the Bolgatanga Technical Institute and the Bawku Technical Institute following simultaneous students’ riots. The move was necessitated after some students went on rampage, pelting stones at teachers and security personnel and destroying properties. Four students, a teacher and a National Service Person of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute were on August 1, 2022, picked up by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) for interrogation over alleged examination malpractice when the students were writing their Mathematics paper. This, coupled with alleged strict invigilation did not go down well with some students and they resorted to rioting to express their displeasure. The final year students are expected to commute from their various homes to the schools to write the ongoing Certificate II Core and Elective Subjects Examination on every examination day. About five vehicles, a number of motorbikes belonging to teachers of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute and some school properties have been vandalised by the irate students. Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister and Chairman of REGSEC, who made the announcement in Bolgatanga, noted that the decision was to maintain peace and security in schools and the region at large. “My understanding is that, what is happening here is exactly what is happening in Bawku Technical Institute and that tells me that it is a coordinated plan. “So, we have conferred and decided that we are going to close the schools, all of you are to leave campus by 1600 hours and we will allow the final year students only to come to school when they have a paper to write,” he said. He said there would be security presence around the schools and warned that any student found flouting the laws would be dealt with according to the laws. He also said the students would be charged for causing damages and be made to pay, adding “we are not going to allow anyone at all to break security on campus and in this region.” Mr Zachary Yorose, the Principal of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the students picked up by the NIB were two final year students and two second year students. He said the teacher (name withheld) who is the Head of Electrical Department had created a WhatsApp group page involving himself, the students and a National Service Person. It is alleged that some of Mathematics questions were posted onto the WhatsApp page by the National Service Person which the second-year students solved and the third-year students went out of the examination hall to access. He said the suspects were sent to the Regional Headquarters of NIB in Bolgatanga where they were later released but asked to report later. The principal said he had sent the suspects back to the NIB quarters for them to report themselves when the students begun rioting, destroying properties, and pelting stones. He said it was believed that the students were protesting the interrogation of the suspects and the strict nature of invigilation which did not allow them to cheat. A total of 651 students from the Bolgatanga Technical Institute are taking part in the examination. Credit: GNA

The Ghana National Tanker Drivers Association has escalated its ongoing strike to include drivers who transport all forms of petroleum products. The strike which began on Monday saw drivers who transport mainly LPG abandoning their trucks in protest of their treatment by the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited and the National Petroleum Authority. They have been unhappy with the continuous ban on LPG Stations under construction since 2017. Some LPG marketing companies also shut down their stations in solidarity. Following the government’s failure to address their concerns, the group says transportation of products such as petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene will be halted as well until their demands are met. The Chairman of the association, George Nyaunu, said this escalation is necessary to stress their demands. “We don’t want to take the country to ransom but with this indication… failing to address the issue, the white product drivers will also join,” he said. The group was absent from a meeting with the National Petroleum Authority on Monday. Mr. Nyaunu noted that the decision not to attend a meeting scheduled by the authority was because it was not notified in time. The union was engaged in a meeting of its own at the time. “We told them we were sorry, we were having an emergency meeting concerning this sit-down strike,” he said to Citi News. National Petroleum Authority says it would schedule another meeting with the striking unions. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), has inaugurated a committee to oversee to the planning and implementation of the Green Street Project which is set to commence immediately. At a brief ceremony held at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Tuesday, August 8, 2022, the Lands Minister tasked the members of the committee to act virtuously in helping the government accomplish its aim for the project. Disclosing the rationale behind the Green Street Project, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor stated the prevailing circumstances elsewhere relative to climatic conditions as well as government’s bid to beautify the nation’s cities and towns necessitated the birth of the project. He said that whereas the successful Green Ghana Project is government’s flagship afforestation program, the Green Street Project will focus on the growth of trees to improve the aesthetics of the cities and towns. Hon. Jinapor remarked that government has taken notice of the quality of air in the major cities and believe that greening the cities is a definite way of improving it. In view of the fact that the exercise will perform the dual role of improving the environment and making the cities pleasing to the eyes, he said specific trees crops will have to be deliberately and cautiously selected by the committee. “A look around some of the major cities across the world, reveals an intentional planting of particular types of trees, to add to the aesthetics of the city. London in the United Kingdom, Paris in France, and to some extent, Cairo in Egypt, Abuja in Nigeria and Abidjan in Ivory Coast, are just a few examples”, he stated. “Government has, therefore, decided to implement this Ghana Green Street Project, as part of measures to beautify our cities and contribute to global climate action. The overarching objective of this Project is to plant appropriate tree species, capable of providing both aesthetic view and environmental related benefits for a healthy and sustainable world”, he added. The first phase of the project according to the Minister, will see to the planting of selected trees on principal streets in the major cities of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi before being extended to the sixteen regional capitals. Owing to the robustness and ambitious nature of the project, the committee, he said , which is co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Forestry and that of the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development draws members from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization, Department of Urban Roads. The committee is also composed of members from the Forestry Commission, Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Urban Roads, Department of Parks and Gardens, Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Mullen Lowe. The committee have been charged with the responsibility of identifying principal or major streets and avenues in the cities where trees will be planted, picking out the resilient and fast-growing tree species to be planted in each of the regional capitals of the country and also developing detailed strategy, work plan and budget for the project, including strategies for nurturing and protecting the trees planted. A Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio who is a co-chair of the committee welcomed the responsibility handed them and assured that the committee will discharge its duties to utmost satisfaction. Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the Deputy Local Government Minister said the partnership between his Ministry and the other Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in the project is an indication of the willingness by government institutions to work together for the growth of the country. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some Twitter users have taken to their handles to express their condolences to the family of Veteran Actor, Prince Yawson known in showbiz as Waakye following his sudden demise. In series of tweets sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, many could not come to terms with the news of the sudden demise. @NebaSark tweeted "Waakye is dead .. May his soul Rest In Peace" @I_Am_Einter also tweeted "Rest In Peace Waakye 💔💔" @S3_Asa tweeted "Condolences to the family of Waakye. A legend who entertained when we were kids" @mingle_tweets also added "Tomorrow, I'm not eating waakye due to the death of our dear brother Prince Yawson" On Tuesday 2nd August, 2022, news broke of the demise if popular Veteran Ghanaian Actor, Prince Yawson. The Late Actor who featured in many movies and TV series was known for funny way of expressing himself using the Ewe local fialect. The Late Actor is said to have passed away at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. He was 52 years. Below are some screenshots of tweets: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

News coming in indicates that Veteran Ghanaian Actor, Prince Yawson known in showbiz as Waakye has been reported dead. According to sources, the Veteran Actor died in the early hours of Tuesday 2nd August, 2022. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the Veteran Actor gave up the ghost at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. The cause of his death is yet to be known. The news of his death was confirmed by Veteran Actor, Bob Smith. He was 52 years old. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has appointed the Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale, Lariba Zuweira Abudu as the new Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection. The Walewale MP replaces the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo following her long absence from office. In a communique sighted by Thinknewsonline.com and signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, it said "The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in accordance with article 78 of the Constitution, has appointed the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the Member of Parliament for Walewale, Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection" The statement also added that the appointment of the Walewale MP is subjected to the approval of Parliament. Mr. Ashington added that pursuant to Article 79, of the Constitution, President Akufo-Addo has also nominated Francisca Obeng Mensah, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East as Deputy Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection. Her appointment is also subject for approval by Parliament. President Akufo-Addo says he is hopeful that Parliament will expedite the approval of his nominees for such important Ministry. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing printing of textbooks for basic schools by Appointed Time Press (ATP), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC). So far ATP has printed and distributed 600,000 Science textbooks to government basic schools in the country. ATP is one of five printing houses contracted by the government to print textbooks for basic schools across the country. The company is expected to print 800,000 basic school Science textbooks for distribution across the country. In July, this year, the company announced that it was 50 per cent through with the project. This followed an inspection tour of ATP's facilities by the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum. The committee was particularly, excited at state-of-the-art printing machines used by ATP in its operations. The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah, said ATP has done an impressively good job. The committee members were on an inspection tour of ATP's head office in Accra on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, to appraise the state of the printing project being undertaken by the company. Briefing journalists after the inspection tour of the printing house, Mr. Amankwa Asiamah, said school children at the basic level will now get books to read and study. According to him, the quality of printing and the books was top notch, adding that it meets the required standard, especially for school children at the basic level. He, however, called on the government to take a critical look at the tax components on the importation of printing materials. He noted that the prices of textbooks imported from India and China were cheaper. He attributed this to tax rebates given by the governments of these two countries to the printing firms in their respective countries. The Managing Director of ATP, Ms. Jacqueline Afful, disclosed her outfit had so far printed and distributed 600,000 basic Science textbooks across the nation. She assured that the remaining 200,000 textbooks will be ready on schedule. She rehashed her company's commitment to print the remaining textbooks by the end of August 2022, for onward distribution to basic schools. She disclosed that the company paid particular attention to the quality of the books owing to the fact that children were going to use them. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Mark Okraku-Mantey, who delivered a speech on behalf of the President and, the Sector Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has implored all Ghanaians especially the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area-Cape Coast, Osaberima Kwesi Atta II, the Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, MMDA'S, the traditional authorities and all stakeholders to keep the beaches clean to attract tourism in the region. "Central Region is the hub of tourism in Ghana, beaches are the Gold of the region" he added The Deputy Minister was the special guest of honour who opened the trade, tourism and investment Fair (Central Expo 2022 ) He said, "By the powers vested on me by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo, and my immediate boss Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal the sector minister and with the special recognition and respect to the Cape Coast Paramount Chief Osaberima Kwesi Atta II, and Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, I Mr. Mark Mantey, has today Monday 25th July, 2022 officially Open Central Expo 2022". In her welcome address remarks, the Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, thanked the Central Expo 2022 Committee, the partners and Sponsors. She stated that this year's Fair being organized at this time where the right platform is created to open up Central Region for trade, tourism and investment, properly describes the theme "PROMOTING TRADE, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT IN THE CENTRAL REGION- CHALLENGES PROSPECTS AND SOLUTIONS". As the first of its kind in so many years in the region, I am delighted about the enthusiasm of over 400 exhibitors from the various MMDA's and regions across the country participating in the Fair". "It is our expectation that, at the end of the 7days exhibition and trade Fair, solutions will be found in line to our regional development strategy" she alluded. The Cape Coast Paramount Chief, Osaberima Kwesi Atta II, expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Nana Addo, the Regional Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture and other stakeholders for organizing such an enthusiastic Fair after so many years. We heard Minister's appeal and I want to assured him of our support to ensure beaches are kept clean and healthy. "The Chiefs, RCC, Minister, MMDAs, Security Services and concern individual citizens I urge you all to let's join forces to prosecute and punish people who litter our beaches" Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Identification Authority (NIA) has given indication that not all who are applying for a new card or correcting errors on old ones or even seeking a replacement due to loss or damage will be able to get them sorted out by Friday, September 30. Executive Secretary of the Authority Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah told host Alfred Ocansey on TV3‘s Ghana Tonight on Monday, August 1 that his outfit was not established to operate by deadlines but rather in perpetuity. The national identity cards, popularly known as the Ghana Cards, have become the primary document for the recent re-registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. Failure by many to get their SIM cards re-registered saw the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, extend the July 31 deadline by two more months. It was the second extension after the first on Thursday, March 31. Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, while addressing the press on Sunday, said she had to extend the deadline again “reluctantly” “Upon consultation with the industry and in view of the challenges enumerated above, I have very reluctantly decided to grant a final conditional extension.” She said this latest decision will take the exercise, which started on Friday, October 1, to exactly a year since it started. “The programme will be extended to 30th September to end on the anniversary of its commencement. That will give us one full year of SIM registration.” With the Ghana Card as the single most sought-after document for the registration, pressure is on the NIA to get applicants captured for their cards. But Prof Attafuah said the Authority was set up to allow Ghanaians the luxury of time to get their cards. “NIA was not set up with a specific deadline,” he stressed. “NIA is an organisation set up in perpetuity. What that means is that we are to deliver our mandate pretty much the same like the hospital or a maternity ward that people go there as and when they need to.” He explained that the law that set up the NIA required it to conduct a mass registration within a one-year period and get Ghanaians who turn 15 years and non-citizens the luxury to register. “That is the scheme prescribed by law and that is the scheme we are implementing and we are doing so in perpetuity. There is no timeline and the intendment of the law is that people will go to the NIA at their leisure and pleasure to go and get registered and those people will be those who were not captured during registration.” Prof Attafuah, however, expressed hope that a large chunk of Ghanaians out of the over 800,000 left will get their cards for the SIM re-registration before the latest deadline. Credit: 3news.com

Ghana is set to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Youth from the 10th to12th August, 2022 at the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center at Akwapem Mampong in the Eastern Region. According to the National Youth Authority (NYA), it is taking the opportunity to ask for the active involvement and support of youths in the country. Speaking at the National Media Launch in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NYA, Pious Enam Hadzide said "Friends in the media, the Government of Ghana through the National Youth Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will participate in this year’s global celebration of the youth in a remarkable manner. To that end, a series of activities have been put together and we are here today in the spirit of accountability and involvement to break communications on these activities as we perform this media launch" Touching on the Maiden National Youth Conference, Mr. Hadzide said "The Authority is enjoined by Section 3 subsection (d) of the NYA Act to organize annual youth conferences at the national, regional and district levels with the objective to bring young people from different parts of the country together to promote friendship and co-operation through the exchange of ideas and create platforms for the youth to discuss contemporary issues affecting their lives and to increase youth participation in responding to socio-economic issues in the society" He added that in fulfilment of the statutory requirement, the NYA shall for the first time since the passage of the Act 939 in 2016, organize a National Youth Conference. Explaining further, he noted that representation is national and non-partisan with each district sending a minimum of two delegates. The CEO, hinted that youth groups and special interest groups have also been accredited to send delegates. "A total of about two thousand young Ghanaians with diverse backgrounds and drawn from; Youth NGOs and CSOs, Young Journalists, Students and Student Leaders, Young Entrepreneurs, Young Parliamentarians, Ministers, MMDCEs and other duty bearers, Youth Wings of registered political parties, Young Women Networks and the Young Persons with Disabilities; etc shall gather under one roof to interact and plan together towards national development" Touching on the Youth Policy Launch, he noted that it is aimed at ensuring a comprehensive framework and direction for all stakeholders involved in the implementation of policies, programs and projects for youth development. Mr. Hadzide pointed out that the National Youth Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports after extensive consultations have reviewed the 2010 youth policy. He clarified that the policy document received cabinet approval recently and would be launched by His Excellency, the President of the Republic. "A framework to track implementation and monitor progress has also been developed. We cease this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Hon Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif for his leadership in this regard" On the National Youth Policy Dissemination Forum, he said "The aim of this activity is to sensitize and inform stakeholders about the thematic areas of the National Youth Policy and the implementation plan to ensure their understanding and create awareness and enhance stakeholders’ ownership of the policy" Highlighting on the Star of the Youth of Ghana Award on President Akufo Addo, Mr. Pious Enam Hadzide also said "Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is said that a country that does not recognize and honour its heroes and heroines is not worth dying for. Historically the young people of Ghana have faced challenges and inhibitions which successive Governments and Presidents have rolled out programs and interventions to address with varying degrees of success" He mentioned that under his leadership, President Akufo-Addo has initiated a comprehensive agenda to elevate the stature of the youth in the crucial sectors of education and employment. "The free SHS policy has removed the financial inhibition to secondary education drastically reducing the rate of qualified JHS leavers who have been placed in a SHS but have failed to enroll from over 1 in 4 children to about 1 in 10 currently" "The Guarantor free policy is further increasing access to tertiary education for the youth. Beyond education, the industrialization agenda as seen through policies such as 1D1F and the sustained investment in TVET and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ghanaian youth is grooming a new class of young Ghanaians as job owners and creators as opposed to job seekers" The CEO told Journalists that the YouStart initiative which seeks to inject some 10 billion Ghana Cedis into the youth of Ghana within the next three years would create an estimated 1 million jobs. Beyond these programs and interventions, Mr. Hadzide hinted that President Akufo-Addo has also brought a fresh impetus of young brains into his cabinet and around the decision-making table. "The Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif; the Hon Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Godfred Dame; the Hon Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye; the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Hon Minister for the Western North Region, Richard Joojo Obeng; through to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives including for instance the Hon District Chief Executive of Amansie South District of the Ashanti Clement Kwame Opoku Gyamfi" "In recognition of his exemplary leadership and the numerous interventions that create a conducive atmosphere for the youth to develop and thrive, the youth of Ghana acting through their Youth Authority will use the occasion to honour His Excellency President Akufo Addo and confer on him the Star of the Youth of Ghana Award" Mr. Hadzide hinted that the National Youth Authority as the apex body for Youth development in Ghana with strong support from Government will continue to take up the challenge of effecting policy in the areas of job creation, entrepreneurship, education and the like for the betterment of the youth in the country. Background The National Youth Authority (NYA) is the successor of the erstwhile National Youth Council which was established in 1974 by NRCD 241. Having endured a period of metamorphoses after its inception as sometime the National Youth Organizing Commission, then the Democratic Youth League of Ghana, the National Youth Authority Act 2016, Act 939 consolidated the institutional knowledge acquired through the various stages of the Authority’s evolution and reformulated same as the Statutory Agency with the mandate to co-ordinate and facilitate youth empowerment and development activities in Ghana. It is to also develop a dynamic and disciplined youth imbued with a spirit of nationalism, patriotism and a sense of propriety and civic responsibility and to provide for related matters. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

One person has died from Monkeypox in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed. A total of 13 people who are believed to have come into contact with the victim are being monitored by the GHS. The Regional Directorate of the GHS made this known in a statement. The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi, noted that the confirmed case was identified after an investigation of three suspected Monkeypox cases on July 22, 2022. “This is the first confirmed case in the region. The confirmed case was seen on the 22nd July 2022 at the Upper East Regional Hospital, with a history of fever and skin rash. Unfortunately, the [person] died on 26th July 2022,” he said. “Samples were taken on the 22nd of July 2022 for confirmation at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra. We received feedback on the 28th of July, 2022 indicating the sample tested positive for the Monkeypox disease.” Dr. Dzotsi said 13 persons who came into contact with the victim are currently being monitored but added that no additional case of Monkeypox has been recorded as of July 31, 2022. Dr. Dzotsi indicated that his outfit has initiated measures to contain any further spread of the disease. He stated that the Directorate has increased its surveillance of Monkeypox disease through awareness creation and has activated all health emergency response teams to contain the disease. Dr. Dzotsi appealed to residents in the region to avoid all forms of body contact and report cases of fever and skin rashes to the nearest health facility. The GHS earlier stated that Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Eastern, and Upper West had also recorded some cases. On Saturday, July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Monkeypox disease a global Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The classification is the highest alert that the WHO can issue and follows a worldwide upsurge in cases. Credit: Citinewsroom

There is a brewing tension following a decision by the Western North Region Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng, to unilaterally appoint his spokesperson to act as the Municipal Chief Executive for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai. In a letter intercepted by 3news.com, John Koah, who is a Personal Aide to the Minister, is to “act as a care-taker liaison officer between the Assembly and the Regional Minister on all matters that require the attention of the regional minister” Regional Ministers over the years act as chief executives of any assembly anytime the substantive political appointee is removed or deceased. Alfred Amoah, the former MCE for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, died in a car accident on Tuesday, July 12 while he was returning from Accra from an official meeting. In his stead, the regional minister was supposed to have assume his position until a new chief executive is nominated by the President. However, Mr Ebbah Obeng has delegated his powers because of what he states as “busy schedules” in a letter dated Friday, July 29, 2022, and copied the Municipal Coordinating Director and the Presiding Member. The development is said t have ignited uproar within the corridors of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly. Some assembly members, who spoke to 3news.com, have threatened to physically prevent the minister’s surrogate John Koah from coming to the Assembly. “We are waiting for him, we will resist this with our blood,” an assembly member said. Source: 3news.com