The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has commenced the 5th Regional Centre of Regulatory Excellence (RCORE) Fellowship Training in Accra for regulators, researchers and Clinical Trial stakeholders from some selected African countries. According to the FDA, the 5th Regional Centre of Regulatory Excellence (RCORE) Fellowship Training will last for four (4) weeks. In a speech read on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FDA, Delese Darko, the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE), Health Products and Technology, Seth Seneake said “The Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee; Clinical Trials, the Dean of School of Public Health, Resource Persons, and Training participants, may I take this opportunity to welcome you all to the 5th Regional Centre of Regulatory Excellence (RCORE) Fellowship Training Programme in Clinical Trials. We thank God we are able to meet in person for this year’s training after COVID-19 restrictions prevented this in 2020” The statement also mentioned that the RCORE fellowship training, which is a collaboration between the Food and Drugs Authority Ghana and the School of Public Health, University of Ghana, seeks to build capacity in Clinical Trials in Africa and improve access to much needed pipeline therapeutic medicines by harmonizing clinical trial regulatory requirements. This, according to the statement, is to ensure that African citizens have access to quality, safe and efficacious medication. He said “This training provides a great platform for regulators, researchers and Clinical Trial stakeholders to meet and continually share ideas, knowledge and experiences over the years with the aim of learning from one another and improving activities” This year’s training is being organized under the EDCTP funded project titled Building Regulatory Capacity in Africa (BERC-AFRICA) with additional sponsorship from the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI). “It promises to be special as for the first time since its inception, we have Francophone participants in this training.” The 4-week intensive programme will cover Clinical Trials Authorization, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspection, review of reports from trial sites and a practical session where trainees will have a hands-on experience of the theoretical aspect of the training by reviewing a clinical trial application using the AVAREF forms. Participants were urged to fully participate in all activities. Madam Darko extended her gratitude to the Africa Union New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD), EDCTP, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI), the School of Public Health, the training facilitators and coordinators that have made it possible for this training to come off today. On his part, Professor and Dean at the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Kwasi Torpey said “As an RCORE, the FDA seeks to build regulatory capacity in Africa to facilitate quality review of clinical trials and harmonize existing clinical processes in the sub region in line with globally accepted standards.” He added that this is to ensure that African citizens have access to quality, safe and efficacious medication, medical devices and health products. He remined the participants that the RCORE Fellowship training is an intensive programme with theoretical and practical training modules. “The specific objectives are to increase regulatory workforce to facilitate revie of clinical trials conducted in Africa and also harmonize and improve existing clinical trial processes in Africa in line with globally accepted standards (WHO and ICH guidelines) while taking into consideration local conditions peculiar to each African country” Taking her turn, Head of Clinical Research Department, Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapem, Mavis Boakye-Yiadom said “The FDA since 2004 has given authorization for the conduct of many clinical trials. She added that prior to this, clinical trials were conducted without regulatory approval as required by International best practices and Good Clinical Practice. “When the FDA started regulating the conduct of clinical trials in Ghana, many applications were deferred after initial evaluation due to incomplete documentation and the lack of awareness of the regulatory requirements by sponsors and investigators” She added that there has been a tremendous improvement over the years with regards to general regulatory compliance due to the inputs and advice from the Technical Advisory Committee. The participants who spoke to Thinknewsonline.com promised to partake fully in the four weeks programme. They also added that they will use their stay to tour some interesting sites in the country. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced that Thirty (30) of its officers have successfully graduated from the Detective Training Academy (DTA) as Prosecutors. The Officers who underwent a 6-week training in immigration laws and practices, and other areas of law are expected to boost prosecution for immigration-related offenses through the newly created Prosecution Unit of the Service. In a speech read on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Finance and Administration, Isaac Owusu Mensah, the CGI said the training formed part of the strategy of expanding the legal department of the Service to all 19 operational regions of the Service This, the CGI said, will solve jurisdiction problems and human rights issues that befall current practices in immigration prosecution. The CGI said that the new prosecutors will be posted across the regions for swifter prosecution of offenders in the bid to discourage immigration crimes and improve national security. The CGI thanked the Ghana Police Service for their continuous collaboration with the Service, earlier in helping prosecute some Immigration offenses, and now in training prosecutors for the Service. “We share common interests in ensuring internal security for all persons resident in Ghana”, the Immigration boss said. The CGI also appreciated the Denmark Embassy for their support through the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Strengthening Border and Migration Management in Ghana (SMMIG) for the training course. On his part, the Danish Ambassador, H.E Tom Norring congratulated graduands for their hard work over the 6-weeks training period. The Danish Ambassador noted that migration is very beneficial for individuals and nations if it is well-regulated. Conversely, H.E Tom Norring said migration poses high risk to individuals, receiving nations and sending nations if it is not legal and regulated; the reason his government proudly supported the initiative. The Danish Ambassador reiterated his outfit’s commitment to further support in building capacity of Officers of the GIS. Project Manager for SMMIG was also grateful to the Government of Denmark for supporting one of the strategic objectives of the project to strengthen the legal directorate. According to her, the training was a first step considering that the Service had limited number of prosecutors. She entreated that the trained officers are posted to the right places where their knowledge and work is required. Director-General for Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police (COP), Isaac Ken Yeboah entreated graduands to exhibit high sense of professionalism, confidence and knowledge in laws to aid their work. He encouraged them to continue learning as that is the only way to sustained success, reaffirming that, “the Detective Training Academy and the CID Administration is ready and committed to facilitate capacity building in prosecution and other areas of criminal investigations.” On his part, commandant of the Training Academy, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Baba Iddrisu said the Officers should maintain their network and continue sharing ideas in order to be effective and efficient in their new roles. Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI), Emmanuel Faith Otchere-Baafuor emerged the Overall Best Student and Best in Criminal Investigations during the course. ASI Kusi-Appiah Kuffuor was also awarded for Best Conduct whereas ASI Prospera Soliku received the Commandant’s Special Award. The best student, ASI Emmanuel Faith Otchere-Baafuor in his valedictory message, expressed immense gratitude to instructors who have prepared them reliably for the work ahead. Also present at the ceremony were Regional Commander for the Greater Accra Regional Command of GIS, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI), Samuel Ayer, Head of Operations, DCOI Maud Anima Quianoo, Head of the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department (PPMED), Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Thomas Ewuntomah, Head of Legal Department, ACI Arnold Asenso, and Head of Immigration Professional Standards and Ethics (IPSE) Unit, Chief Superintendent Peter Andoh. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Afua Asabea Asare says a collective effort from all can help deliver Ghana from its current state of dependency on inputs. According to the GEPA Boss, this can only be achieved through tackling the situation from the grass roots. Speaking at the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS)/Afcfta National Implementation Workshop at the Africa Trade House in Accra on Monday, Dr. Asare said "You would agree with me that we can’t continue to do things the same way and expect different results. We need to all put our hands on deck to deliver the nation Ghana from its current state of dependency on imports and this can only be achieved through tackling the situation from the grass roots. She added that the workshop is to provoke all to make things happen and think like there is no box. Dr. Asare also hinted that after the conference, GEPA together with other stakeholders will embark on a district sensitization programme across the country. She noted that the project when completed will ensure that stakeholders are not only aware of the content of the NEDS but also know and appreciate their roles and contributions towards attaining the target and particularly towards the One District, One Exportable Product (1D1EP) Project. "I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the technical committee ( the Ministry of Trade and Industry, National Development Planning Commission, Ministry of Local Government, and the National AfCFTA Coordination Office) who have worked tirelessly to plan this event as well as the district sensitization programs" "Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a packed agenda and I do not propose to keep you from it any longer. I trust that the message you will take from my words to you this morning is that let us make a difference. Export matters: it matters for job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development" The GEPA Boss stressed that good results can only be achieved through a good joint effort adding that she is confident that each of the contributions to be submitted will be worth the while. Two years ago, the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) was launched to provide a clear direction and intent, to increase non-traditional export (NTE) earnings to US$25.3 billion by the end of the tenth year of implementation, 2029. After the first year of the NEDS implementation, records indicate a US$3.3 billion revenue from NTEs. This represents a 17% growth over 2020 earnings of US$2.84 billion, posing an increase in the annual average growth rate of 7.07%. Despite this increase, a lot more effort would have to be exerted to ensure significant increases for the achievement of the target. The work plan of GEPA has particularly been centered around the implementation of the NEDS. A couple of months ago, Hon. Herbert Krapa, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry inaugurated a ten(10) Sector Committees drawn from the public and private sectors to drive the implementation of the NEDS. "We are indeed charting an integrated approach not only in terms of finding the right mix but also the need for partnerships for a groundbreaking approach to implement the strategy" Dr. Asare concluded. On his part, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Herbert Krapa said "“We are gathered here this morning, each with a renewed sense of duty, mindful that the story of Africa’s economic integration is not complete without us. It is so because a hopeful continent looks to us – Ghana – the inspirer of a concatenation that will yield ultimately a liberated Africa, to once more show the way” “And it is so, because we have proven over and again, that the African is capable of leading a change that has for so many long years, eluded us. Africa’s Agenda 2063 is a historic duty. A duty that begins with a collective changing of mindsets, about how we see and do things; A changing of mindsets that must necessarily translate into a change of our attitude to work” He stressed that the National Export Development Strategy cannot be implemented without institutional collaboration. “I mean institutional collaboration in the truest sense of the phrase: which naturally starts with a recognition that parties being invited to the table truly have something to offer, and parties sitting around the table, accepting in similar respectable fashion, that they must give everything they can to make what we do a success. And this, is my charge to each of us today” Explaining further, he noted that the Export Strategy, which is a blueprint for transforming Ghana’s export revenues, is also an opportunity for all to leave their footprints in history. “I was asked once to describe the African Continental Free Trade Area in one word. I said ‘export’. If after all the agreements, and protocols, and annexes, and meetings, and conferences and etc etc, we do not add value to our abundant and begging natural resources for export, we have failed, and I am confident that we will not fail.” He said “Based on the broad framework of the National Export Development Strategy, help to expand and diversify our supply base and production capacity with emphasis on processing and value addition; improve the policy, regulatory and legislative environment; and build and expand the required human capital for industrial export development” He commended GEPA for leading the charge thus far, and urge them to do even more. “Our target is ambitious, or perhaps even audacious, but we have everything it takes to make it happen” “Gradually, slowly, surely and steadily, we are shifting gear into full -blown implementation of the National Export Development Strategy. This is perhaps the junction they call ‘a point of no return’, and we cannot afford to retreat at this point. We have built enough momentum for take-off and we must do so with only one outcome in mind: a successful implementation” The Deputy Minister appealed to all institutions, both public and private sector, to trigger the interventions outlined in the National Export Development Strategy document. “I equally appeal to our ever dependable associations – Association of Ghana Industries, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Farmer based associations, Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, to together, help drive this implementation.” “I make a further appeal to all other stakeholders – Ministries, Departments, Agencies – Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Enterprises Agency, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Free Zones Authority, Ghana Exim Bank, to commit some of their budgets to support the district sensitisation programme as well as other implementation interventions” He assured the gathering that the Ministry of Trade and Industry and GEPA will continue to provide policy direction and coordination support for a successful implementation. “If our National AfCFTA Policy Framework and Action Plan for Boosting Ghana’s Trade with Africa, which His Excellency the President will launch tomorrow, will work, National Export Development Strategy must work too” Below are some pictures: tory by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), on July 21, 2022, arrested one, Sunny Anwamini (Alias Sunny Enyindah Anwamini @ Apostle Sunny Chigeru), a Nigerian national, and charged him with three counts of Uttering forged documents, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering. The accused, between January 2017 and May 2022, used forged documents including an Export Declaration Form from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to obtain various sums of money totaling Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($6,500,000) from one Mazen Farakh, the complainant, under the pretext of exporting teak wood from Ghana to him in Ukraine. The accused was arraigned before Her Ladyship Elfreda Dankyi at Criminal Court 2 of the High Court, Accra. After the accused person’s plea was taken, EOCO’s legal team prosecuting on behalf of the Republic, prayed the court to take into consideration the amount involved in the offence allegedly committed in granting bail. The Court in its ruling set the terms of bail at Twenty Million Ghana Cedis (GHc 20,000,000) with three (3) sureties, two (2) of whom must be justified. The accused is to surrender his passport and other travelling documents and to report twice a week to the EOCO headquarters. Below are some picture: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Communications and Digitization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says the much-talked-about sim card registration exercise has been extended to the 30th September, 2022. The Minister made the announcement during a meet-the-press in Accra on Sunday. Addressing Journalists, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said "That will give us one full year of SIM registration. It will be reviewed at the end of this month and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from receiving certain services including voice and data services" The Minister also hinted that it will also be more expensive to use unregistered SIMs if people fail to register their sim cards. "The full range of punitive measures will be announced at another press briefing in September. Kindly do not blame your service provider when you suffer that fate due to your own inaction. To be forewarned is to be forearmed" Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful also clarified that her Ministry is not the supervisory ministry for the National Identification Authority, even though they collaborate with them. "My hapless self has been roundly vilified in certain quarters particularly this past week for Ghana card challenges which I am not responsible for. Prof. Ken Attafuah and his sector Minister, Hon. Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior, are available to answer any Ghana card related issue please. I am staying firmly in my lane" "Actions also have consequences and in all that we do, we must put the interests of our country first. In 2018, the NDC vociferously opposed the Ghana card and called on all their supporters to boycott the registration process. Those who heeded that antisocial call and refused to register are now feeling the effects of it. You listen to the NDC on any issue at your own peril" Speaking on next steps, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful noted that the SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS the week barring any unforeseen circumstances. She stressed that each registration via the app will be subject to a 5 cedi surcharge. "Non-resident Ghanaians who do not have the Ghana card can use their passports to complete the process but will be required to update their details with the Ghana card once they acquire it. They have up till December 2022 to do so. "I urge them to comply with these directives and to contact the NCA if they have any peculiar challenges. Ghanaians on official assignment outside the country or students on  scholarships who cannot acquire the Ghana card by December should contact the NCA" The Communications and Digitalization Minister noted that special provision has already been made for members of the diplomatic corps in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of which have been notified. "It has come to my knowledge that Amputees and others who have some physical challenges are also a category of persons that are having problems registering their SIMs. We will have discussions with the NIA to resolve them" "All visitors to Ghana can now acquire SIMS with their passports and I encourage the Airport Authority to work with MNOs to provide adequate venues for the acquisition of SIMS at the airport. As indicated earlier, these will be valid for 3 months and if they want to use them for a longer period, they must acquire the non-citizen ID card to validate their SIMs. MNOS must provision their systems to send notifications to this category of SIMs" "Now to the vexed question of the deadline. The statistics indicate that there was a 90% drop in sim registrations as soon as the first deadline was extended on 21st March. Until a week ago, there were no queues at any registration center. People started rushing to register when they realized the deadline was imminent after going to sleep when it was extended" "About 50% of those who have completed the first stage of the process have not concluded the second stage. They have linked their SIMS to the Ghana card so that cannot be attributed to Ghana card challenges" The Minister also hit hard on persons who have decided not to embark on the exercise due to quick loans they owe to desist from that. "I have also been informed that some people who have obtained quick loans from their service providers have decided not to register those SIMs to avoid repaying the loans. That is evil corruption and you will be found out" "The MNOs and the NCA (and I dare say the NIA too) have all engaged additional staff, procured the necessary logistics and are incurring significant expenses to conduct this exercise successfully. Any extension of the process increases their cost. Upon consultation with the industry and in view of the challenges enumerated above, I have very reluctantly decided to grant a final conditional extension" Touching on the rural telephony project, she said "Expanding access to broadband, voice and data connectivity, is indispensable to and facilitates economic growth. GSMA, an industry organization representing mobile operators globally, conducted a study for the period from 2000-2017 and the results indicated that a 10% increase in mobile penetration increases GDP growth up to 2%" “Investing in broad-based digitalization, from a geographic and sectoral point of view, is crucial not only to address socioeconomic problems but also to deal with peace and security challenges. And it boosts economic growth. A study by the International Telecommunication Union found that 10 percent greater mobile broadband penetration would generate a 2.5 percent rise in Africa’s GDP per capital” - CRISTINA DUARTE is special adviser on Africa to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (IMF Publication Mar’2021 – Africa Goes Digital after CoVID 19)" "Another recent study in 2021 (The Economic Impact of broadband and digitization through the COVID-19 period – Econometric modelling) also estimated that an increase of 1 per cent in mobile broadband penetration yields an increase in 0.16 per cent in GDP" She noted that over 3,000 communities in Ghana had zero connectivity to mobile voice and data in 2020. She explained that it represented approximately 4.5 - 5 million people spread across the nation with a need and desire for voice and high-speed data services who were cut off from the rest of the country. The Minister added that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are reluctant to build ‘Cell Sites’ in these rural communities as the low economic activities and sparse population there makes it economically unviable. She added that extending connectivity is capital intensive and expensive and without government intervention, these rural communities will remain cut off and unable to participate in the digital revolution which is gradually unfolding in the country. On Girls in ICT project, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said "In 2021 2000 girls from the Western North and North East Regions were trained in Basic Computer Skills, Fundamentals of Programming, Scratch and HTML" She mentioned that in order to continue encouraging girls to pursue careers in the evolving, lucrative ICT industry and in recognition of the many more girls in deprived communities who need to be exposed to the programme, her Ministry has scaled up the programme this year and plan to double the number trained in the previous 9 years in one year by training 5,000 girls and 500 teachers from Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah and the Northern Region. "By the end of May, 2022, 3,000 girls and 300 teachers from the 29 Districts of the two Bono and the Ahafo Regions were trained in Basic Computer Skills, Fundamentals of Programming, Scratch, HTML and Cyber Security under the theme ‘Access and Safety”. Madam Ursula stressed that her Ministry has started preparations to train 2,000 girls and 200 teachers from the Northern and Savannah Regions in September and October respectively to complete the target for the year. "To ensure continuity of the benefits of the programme, 51 cyber laboratories have been set up for top performing schools since 2017. For the 2021 and 2022 editions of the GIICT, 100 ICT laboratories are being set up for the top performing schools" "A mentorship programme has also been included to facilitate the interaction of women in the ICT profession and academia with these young girls to inspire and educate them with their personal life stories and experiences" Furthermore, the Minister noted that a total of 1,000 laptops have been awarded to girls and teachers since 2017. She added that her Ministry is hoping to give out 550 laptops, along with protective bags to the best performing students and teachers by the end of this year alone. "The programme which has been running for 10years now had not been evaluated to ensure that it is reaping the intended benefits and achieving its set objectives" "The Ministry in partnership with GIZ, conducted an evaluation of the GIICT programme in 2021. Some strengths and weaknesses have been identified and this information will be used to improve the programme" "50,000 plus girls in second cycle Girls schools have also been trained in cybersecurity and cyber hygiene in selected schools in the Eastern, Central and Ashanti Regions" She revealed that an equal number will be trained this August in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Northern and Savanna Regions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

On Thursday 28th July, 2022, the Ministry of Youth and Sports were crowned Champions of the maiden edition of the Inter-Ministerial Football Tournament in a colourful event at the Accra sports stadium. The 2022 Civil Service Week celebration which was organized by the Office of the Head of Civil Service has been made memorable with the line up of activities to mark the celebrations. This year a novel activity was introduced to the line-up of events which was the Inter-Ministerial Football tournament organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and sports as well as a Policy Fair Exhibition for the various Ministries to showcase their achievements pictorially and other side attractions to increase the interest of civil servants for the celebrations. The Inter- Ministerial Football tournament which begun on 8th July, 2022 with 32 Ministries in contention for the ultimate trophy was climaxed at the Accra Sports stadium in a short closing ceremony. The final match was between the Ministry of youth and sports and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department who all won their matches through the preliminary stages to Quarter Final and Semi Final through to the finals of the tournament. The Head of service, Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena in a short speech to close the event, noted that it had been a fruitful exercise by bringing together all the Ministries to play for the coveted prize adding that the purpose of the tournament had been greatly achieved. In his welcome address, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Hafiz Adam congratulated the players, match officials and the organizers for a professionally organized tournament adding that he greatly admired the commitment of all to make the maiden edition of the tournament a success. The best player of the tournament went to Henry Brock of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the top scorer also went to Andrew Koranteng of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the best fan base went to the Ministry of youth and sports with the best Goal keeper going to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The players were all awarded for the individual brilliance and roles they played in the entire duration of the tournament. The third and fourth teams were the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and the Ministry of Trade and Industry respectively and were also awarded. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has hinted that the Energy Transition team has put in place lot of work to ensure that the country embarks on the Clean Energy Agenda. The Minister made these known when he joined the Energy Policy Team to hold a stakeholder's engagement with the country's Council of State. Speaking at the event held in Accra, he said "10% of our energy mix should be renewable or clean meanwhile we already have 40% of our energy being renewable or clean because of our hydro but of course, because we have a huge amount of that energy, the Paris Climate Agenda decided that we call that Legacy generation so we are starting from zero and between 2015 and now, we have put in place a lot of work to ensure that we embark on the clean energy agenda" "The clean agenda led us to go to parliament in 2020 to renew the renewable energy act to ensure that from individuals to corporate citizens to industry, everybody contributes to this agenda of clean energy" "In Ghana, over 60% of our energy use is from wood fuel, which means cutting down on our forests and committing them into charcoal and using them directly in feeding ourselves" "Let us not think that this energy transition has an agenda that we should not think about. I dont think any secondary school in this country should use wood fuel or charcoal, because the effects it has on the vulnerable. We need to change that agenda" "Apart from cooking, we come to cars. Now we have cars everywhere. Once the dollar is out of control, our citizens are going to suffer. We should not think that one's activities is going to affect the other" Dr. Prempeh stressed that Ghana has to quickly find a way of transiting from diesel and petrol to a more cheaper fuel like gas or solar. "We are trying to get into E-Vehicles. So energy transition, we have to understand is not something that is far away from us. They developing the E-Vehicles such that me and you will enjoy the cars and also allow those who want to drive at high speeds also do so" He reminded the Council of state that the Energy Transition is to ensure that the citizenry is aware of what is happening. "All the cars in Europe are switching to electric but we are getting there and by 20 or 39 years time, all these diesel/petrol will be out. We have to embrace the technology as quickly as possible to enable us play an economic role" "We have solar in the country to put on in our houses and this year when the PURC catches up with the tariffs, it is bringing what we call the net zero charges. We have to engage ourselves, our communities and the citizens to accept that it is here with us and what are we doing to take advantage of it" "In a developing country like ours where we desperately need to create jobs through industrialization, we should not use that agenda to increase our carbon footprint but challenge ourselves and use clean renewable energy in minimizing our footprint" The Minister for Energy commended his Deputy, Dr. Amin Adam and the Deputy Transport Minister, Hon. Obeng for touring all 16 regions and explaining to Ghanaians the need for the Energy Transition Plan. The Energy MInister said "I have the strong believe that you will take keen interest in the draft Energy Transition Plan" Explaining further, he said "The reason for the extensive collaboration, extensive stakeholder consultation is simple. Energy Transition affects everybody in the country and it affects our activities and our daily living that is why it is so essential to consult everybody. When we consult everybody. From the market woman to the person with the suit and the tie" The Minister also said "It has the potential of dramatically changing our way of life so everybody should be involved. We will be meeting the judiciary tomorrow after meeting the parliamentarians today. The committee of Lands and Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation, Environment and Finance are all Committees that we have engaged with on this" He revealed that since the advent of the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, Ghana under His Excellency, John Mahama made some commitments towards the Energy Climate agenda called the Nationally Determined Contributions. Napo noted that it warranted Ghana to take certain actions on the energy transition agenda. He hinted that Ghana gave the commitment that by 2030, 10% of its energy mix be renewable or clean energy. On his part, the Deputy Minister for Transport, Hassan Sulemana Tampuli said "We all know what transport does in the energy sector and you will all agree with me that the transport set is very vital to the functioning of our economy and also ensures social protection" He added that depending on what technology is being adopted, there could be direct and indirect impact on the natural environment. He revealed that per the data available to the Transport Ministry from DVLA indicates that as 2021, out of the 2.8 million registered vehicles, 72% are powered by petrol, 27% by diesel engines and less than 1% by LPG and other energy sources. "The results of this high dependency on fossil fuel coupled with a number of factors including the traffic congestion has made the transport sector a net emitter of greenhouse cars" The Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr. Amin Adam was optimistic that the views from the members of tye Council of State will go a long way to shape the draft Energy Transition policy. Chairperson of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siribuo II in his remarks thanked the Energy MInister and his Deputy as well as the deputy Transport Minister for their tremendous work. He, however, appealed to them to make public the current charging stations for E-Vehicles likewise the numbers of cars in the country at moment. He also thanked fellow Council of State members for adding their voice to the draft Energy Transition Policy. He was hopeful that the views collected likewise that of others will help tye Energy Ministry draft a proper policy document. Some Council of State member, charged the Energy Ministry to consider a short term plan as a back up while it looks at achieving the long term plan. Members of the Council of State were taken through the policy draft of which their inputs were collected. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Daboase Police Command in the Western Region has launched investigations into circumstances leading to the death of a hunter who was allegedly shot by a colleague hunter at Wassa Esaamang in the Wassa East District. According to Angel News correspondent, Kwame Asante Owusu Shadrack, the suspect, a 29-year-old hunter by the name Francis Akwasi Takyi is currently in police custody assisting police investigations. He is said to have allegedly shot to death a colleague hunter, Andy Korankye, aged 24, while both were on a hunting expedition in the Wassa Esaamang forest on Sunday night, July 24, 2022. Detailing the incident, the two hunters reportedly trekked the whole night without finding any animal to kill, thus the deceased, Ampofo who claimed to be exhausted decided to rest on a trunk of a dead tree lying on the ground. Meanwhile, the suspect, Akwasi who was eager not to go home empty-handed continued on the lookout for an animal before the crack of dawn. In the process, Akwasi spotted a light from a far distance and thought it was an antelope. He, thus, set his gun and positioned himself appropriately to get an accurate target. He subsequently shot at what he thought was an antelope only to realise that he had killed his friend, Andy Korankye. Confirming the tragic incident to Angelonline.com.gh, the Assemblyman for Esaamang electoral area Amos Adjei, said the suspect Francis Akwasi Takyi reported himself to the Daboase Police Command and confessed that he went to the Wassa Esaamang Forest reserve together with his colleague to hunt. The case is currently in the hands of the Daboase District Police Commander, Anthony Duodu whiles investigation is underway. Credit: Ghanaweb

The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is calling the Judiciary to take keen interest in the draft Energy Transition policy document. The Minister made these known during a stakeholder engagement with the Judicial Service (Southern Sector) in Accra on Thursday. The Energy MInister said "I have the strong believe that you will take keen interest in the draft Energy Transition Plan" Explaining further, he said "The reason for the extensive collaboration, extensive stakeholder consultation is simple. Energy Transition affects everybody in the country and it affects our activities and our daily living that is why it is so essential to consult everybody. When we consult everybody. From the market woman to the person with the suit and the tie" The Minister also said "It has the potential of dramatically changing our way of life so everybody should be involved. We will be meeting the judiciary tomorrow after meeting the parliamentarians today. The committee of Lands and Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation, Environment and Finance are all Committees that we have engaged with on this" He revealed that since the advent of the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, Ghana under His Excellency, John Mahama made some commitments towards the Energy Climate agenda called the Nationally Determined Contributions. Napo noted that it warranted Ghana to take certain actions on the energy transition agenda. He hinted that Ghana gave the commitment that by 2030, 10% of its energy mix be renewable or clean energy. "10% of our energy mix should be renewable or clean meanwhile we already have 40% of our energy being renewable or clean because of our hydro but of course, because we have a huge amount of that energy, the Paris Climate Agenda decided that we call that Legacy generation so we are starting from zero and between 2015 and now, we have put in place a lot of work to ensure that we embark on the clean energy agenda" "The clean agenda led us to go to parliament in 2020 to renew the renewable energy act to ensure that from individuals to corporate citizens to industry, everybody contributes to this agenda of clean energy" "In Ghana, over 60% of our energy use is from wood fuel, which means cutting down on our forests and committing them into charcoal and using them directly in feeding ourselves" "Let us not think that this energy transition has an agenda that we should not think about. I dont think any secondary school in this country should use wood fuel or charcoal, because the effects it has on the vulnerable. We need to change that agenda" "Apart from cooking, we come to cars. Now we have cars everywhere. Once the dollar is out of control, our citizens are going to suffer. We should not think that one's activities is going to affect the other" Dr. Prempeh stressed that Ghana has to quickly find a way of transiting from diesel and petrol to a more cheaper fuel like gas or solar. "We are trying to get into E-Vehicles. So energy transition, we have to understand is not something that is far away from us. They developing the E-Vehicles such that me and you will enjoy the cars and also allow those who want to drive at high speeds also do so" He reminded the Judiciary that the Energy Transition is to ensure that the citizenry is aware of what is happening. "All the cars in Europe are switching to electric but we are getting there and by 20 or 39 years time, all these diesel/petrol will be out. We have to embrace the technology as quickly as possible to enable us play an economic role" "We have solar in the country to put on in our houses and this year when the PURC catches up with the tariffs, it is bringing what we call the net zero charges. We have to engage ourselves, our communities and the citizens to accept that it is here with us and what are we doing to take advantage of it" "In a developing country like ours where we desperately need to create jobs through industrialization, we should not use that agenda to increase our carbon footprint but challenge ourselves and use clean renewable energy in minimizing our footprint" The Minister for Energy commended his Deputy, Dr. Amin Adam and the Deputy Transport Minister, Hon. Obeng for touring all 16 regions and explaining to Ghanaians the need for the Energy Transition Plan. On his part, the Deputy Minister for Transport, Hassan Sulemana Tampuli said "We all know what transport does in the energy sector and you will all agree with me that the transport set is very vital to the functioning of our economy and also ensures social protection" He added that depending on what technology is being adopted, there could be direct and indirect impact on the natural environment. He revealed that per the data available to the Transport Ministry from DVLA indicates that as 2021, out of the 2.8 million registered vehicles, 72% are powered by petrol, 27% by diesel engines and less than 1% by LPG and other energy sources. "The results of this high dependency on fossil fuel coupled with a number of factors including the traffic congestion has made the transport sector a net emitter of greenhouse cars" The Deputy Minister noted that achieving a net zero future requires a coordinated approach. "It also means that we also need to work on the way we use and generate energy to power the various sectors of the economy" he stressed. "Globally, countries are responding to the call for a net zero emission future. The United Nations has set a target to achieve a net zero future by 2050." In his remarks, the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah said "It is indeed a welcoming initiative, to seek the broad view of members of this arm of government on the Energy Transition Plan, taking cognisance of the fact that a shift to a greener future as a nation, is imminent" He added that Ghana obviously cannot stand aloof, at a time the drive fir Global Energy Transition is at its peak. He stressed that there is certainly a need to strategically plan, through this broad consultation to find a remedy, if not a lasting solution to the challenges as a people. "Today's session, as I am made aware, is meant for broadly selected members of the bench, representing the Southern Sector" He commended the his colleagues on the Supreme Court Bench for taking time of their busy schedules to partake in the draft Energy Transition Plan. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A 40-year-old man has slashed his lover in several places after the latter refused to be intimate with him. Reports gathered by Angelonline.com.gh indicate that the two, though not married, have been cohabiting for some time. According to the brother of the victim, Kwabena Marfo, the suspect is a farmer who started a relationship with his sister, Yaa Attaa who is also 40 years, about six months ago at Kwahu Bepong. Speaking in an interview with Kofi Adoma Nwanwani on Angel FM’s Anopa Bofo Morning Show, he stated that the lady explained to her partner that she could not consent to sex because she was tired at the time of the request. He furthered that his sister later agreed to the demands of her boyfriend after resting for a while but he did not say anything and attacked her with a knife. “The lady [the victim] is his [the suspect] girlfriend and he has promised to marry her. The lady said her boyfriend requested sex to which she replied that she was tired. She later said yes to the request after resting for a while but he replied angrily that he wouldn’t do it anymore and went for a cutlass and started slashing her all over,” said Mr Marfo. He narrated that the children of Yaa Attaa raised an alarm which drew the attention of a woman who came to her rescue. “A woman came to help but ran for her life when he tried attacking her with the cutlass too. So she ran and shouted for men to come but by the time they came the suspect had escaped. They transported my sister to the hospital…” “He poisoned himself after the incident…and was lying in front of a house but he was rescued and taken to the hospital”, he added. Kwabena Marfo disclosed that the suspect is currently in the grips of the police but his sister is yet to recover. Credit: Ghanaweb

VGMA Artiste of the year, KiDi, has suggested that males should have females as their best friends as opposed to a male-male relationship. According to the afrobeats singer, a same-sex friendship [either male-male or female-female] is fraught with problems since both parties would be fighting each other for something of interest. The ‘Touch it’ hitmaker, who defended that having an opposite sex as a best friend is just a perfect combination, disclosed that his best friend is a female. Speaking in an interview on Joy FM monitored by angelonline.com.gh, KiDi said “My best friend is a female. Well, I think if you are a man, the best friend you can have is a woman. If you are a woman, the best friend you can have is a male.” “It’s just the perfection combination. Because female-female best friends, they will fight about a boy. Man-man best friend, they will fight about money or a girl.” “But when it’s man and woman, what can you fight about?”, he quizzed. Sensational musician, Adina, who was also on the show, however, disagreed with KiDi’s school of thought. When asked if she agreed with KiDi’s opinion, she declared that “I don’t know… I don’t know where he is coming from…” Though Adina revealed that her bestie is not a male, she, however, agreed with KiDi that friendship in the music industry should not be forced but allowed to flourish if there is a ‘chemistry’. Credit: Ghanaweb

A 15-year-old boy’s act has left residents of Asante Akyem Obogu in a state of shock after he attempted to poison his father and stepmother. The boy, according to Kessben FM’s correspondent, lives with his father, Kwame Adu and his stepmother, Akua Safo after his parents divorced. His mother had left the marriage with his 3 siblings leaving him with the father and his new wife. Akua Safo upon returning from a funeral placed a bottle of water she came home with in their corridor while she went indoors to get some rest. She later asked for the bottle of water to quench her thirst but was informed by her 4-year-old grandson that her stepson had poured rat poison into the water. Akua Safo upon inspecting the water in the bottle found visible traces of undissolved rat poison settled under the water. The four-year-old further prompted her grandmother that the boy poured some of the poison into a pot of soup meant for his father. According to the reporter, the family of Akua Safo upon hearing about the incident stormed her matrimonial home with a tricycle and packed her out over fears for her safety. The stepson, according to the reporter, is a notorious truant who has dropped out of school Credit: Ghanaweb