The Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has outlined the benefits of the Ghana card at the official launch of the collaboration between Accra Business School and South East Technological University Ireland in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday, July 14. He said the Ghana card has received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to be used as a travel document from the outside world to the country. “People could not understand how the Ghana Card, certified by ICAO, could be used as travel document and they mocked the idea. But today, it is a reality and our diasporans should get the Ghana card before they leave Ghana. When they get the Ghana card, they can travel to Ghana without applying for a visa at any embassy abroad,” Dr. Bawumia said. However, On the Accra-based Joy FM’s News Night on Tuesday, July 19, monitored by Modernghana News, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampam constituency, Sam Nartey George challenged the Veep. The vocal legislator dared the Vice President to use his Ghana card to travel as an example before Ghanaians can take his word serious. He claimed no airport would recognize the Ghana card at the moment arguing that currently, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) does not have an office to serve that purpose. “He does not understand the issues. You need to use the Ghana Card as a travel visa if it can allow you to embark and disembark. As we speak today, when you get to the Kotoka International Airport, for departures, there is no desk for Ghana cards. There is only a desk for Ghana cards for arrival and so it is only for citizens of this country returning home. "And even for citizens returning home, if you are returning from London for example, at London Heathrow, you will not be allowed to board any plane by showing only your Ghana Card. You must show a passport and show that either that passport is a Ghanaian passport that allows you to fly back to Ghana without a visa, or if it is of any other country, show a Ghanaian visa,” he challenges. Sam George stressed that “Dr. Bawumia himself, as Vice President, cannot travel from Ghana with his Ghana card. I am challenging Dr. Bawumia to embark on a foreign trip from Ghana, using his Ghana card alone. This level of deception of the public by a public officer of the rank of Vice President is unbecoming.” Credit: Modern Ghana

The Outgone Director-General, Public Affairs Directorate, DCOP Samuel Kwesi Ofori has appealed to the media to be more favourable to the police in their various reportage. According to him, the media should use their platform to talk about the good things the police service is doing and not always hammer on the ba ones. Speaking a pull-out ceremony held for him at the National Police Training School in Accra, he said "Be more favourable toward police. Support us in our campaigns and be balanced in media narratives about policing,” DCOP Kwesi Ofori also appealed to the public to throw its support behind the Dampare administration. He stressed that the massive support will not only help reduce robbery but also curb it to its minimum. He appealed to the men and women in the uniform to respect the profession and work not only to their interest but that of tye nation. DCOP Kwesi Ofori is said to have served for 31 years. The outgone Director-General rose through the mill and made it to his current position before retirement. Ij his speech DCOP Kwesi pleaded with the general public to work hand-in-hand to ensure peace and security in the country. "You need to demand of us because you deserve the best from us, but you also need to understand the incredible pressures we face as police officers.” Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has hinted that government will soon launch a green street project which intends to plant trees in the median and avenues of the regional capitals of the country. According to the Minister, the Green Street Project will be an addition to the Green Ghana Project which was launched last year. Addressing Journalists, he said "Ladies and Gentlemen, on Monday, July 25, 2022, I will again, have the honour to inaugurate a National Planning Committee to implement the Green Street Project, which is intended to plant trees in the median and avenues of the regional capitals of our country" The Minister made these known at a meet-the-press in Accra. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor also hinted that he will be inaugurating a National Planning Committee which will implement the Green Street Project. He further noted that the inauguration will be held on July 25. "Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, given that we have already lost over eighty percent (80%) of our forest cover since 1900, our second approach to the management of the forest and wildlife resources of our country is through an aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme, to complement the work we are doing to halt deforestation" "Under the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, a total of Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One point Seven hectares (547,891.70 ha) of degraded forest lands were cultivated between 2017 and 2021, far in excess of the one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred hectares (157,300 ha) of forest cultivated between 1963 and 2016, a whopping period of fifty-three (53) years" The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources told Journalists that in 2021, over seven million trees were planted on the Green Ghana Day. Touching on 2022 Green Ghana Day, Mr. Jinapor said "This year, preliminary figures shows that over twenty-five million seedlings were distributed on the Green Ghana Day" The Lands Minister urged persons who partook in the 2022 Green Ghana Day exercise to nurture their trees to maturity. Below is a video: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has warned that his outfit will not hesitate to demolish all unauthorised structures built on public lands. According to him, his outfit will demolish those structures since it is mandated by law to do so. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday, he said "We will not hesitate to demolishing unauthorised structures on public lands as we are required to do by law" "And where appropriate, we will in addition to the demolishing, prosecute the encroachers. No person other than the Lands Commission has the rights to grant any interest in the public land" "If I may say, for the avoidance of doubt, public lands continues to be the property of the Ghanaian people and they ought to be protected" Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Leadership of the World Cooperation Industries Forum (WCI Forum) says it is looking forward promote businesses of Sub-Saharan African Countries in Turkey. According to WCI Forum, promoting African businesses will help bridge the gap between Turkey and Africa. Speaking at a media launch in Accra on Tuesday, President of WCI Forum, Utku Bengisu said "WCI is an international business in Turkey. It is a multi-sector forum which discovers a lot. We want to propose to economy and trade facilities of Sub-Saharan African Countries" "We want to promote Sub-Saharan African Countries in Turkey because, our country is big and have more than 4 million companies in Turkey" He added that Turkey's population sits at 85 million while it is the 19th biggest economy in the world. He also revealed that Turkey's export last year reached a target of $225 million USD. "So Turkey got a new hub of technology to raise investments and we are at a strategic location in the world and we are very close to Africa and also Europe" Mr. Bengisu also revealed that most African countries have started collaborating with Turkey on different markets. He noted that more than 10,000 African countries are making it following the collaboration. "In 2003, Turkish Embassies that were operating in Africa were small but now we are operating in 44 African countries. Turkish Airlines are operating in 63 African Sub-Saharan countries" He revealed that Turkey's investments in Africa now stands at 7 billion. "There are more more than 200 Turkish companies in Ethiopia and they are manufacturing companies. They are are into furniture, manufacturing, food among other companies. We are looking for entrepreneurs" Mr. Bengisu revealed that there are over 4 million Turkish companies who are looking for trade partners in Africa. He added that these Turkish companies are not only seeking for trade partners but also discover business opportunities. Explaining further, he hinted that there will be an International Business Forum from the 21st to 22nd July in Accra which seek to bring over 51 Turkish business to Ghana. "They are into multi-sector, furniture, construction, automotive, design, textile, steel iron and other sectors. We are looking at promoting manufacturing which are of high Turkish quality" he concluded. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Derick Ampadu

Manchester United continued their excellent start to life under Erik ten Hag with 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in which their attack purred. Anthony Martial looks a striker reborn as he notched his third goal in three pre-season games, while Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were also rewarded for enterprising performances by getting on the scoresheet. Palace, stripped of several first-team regulars, carried little threat going forward as United dominated but Joel Ward headed home a consolation. Manchester United continue their 100 per cent start to pre-season against Crystal Palace.. Anthony Martial opened the scoring with his third goal in as many games during pre-season Marcus Rashford tapped home the second for United just after the start of the second-half Man United fans bemoan lack of action for duo on social media - and insist they're 'TIRED' of seeing Fernandes, Fred and McTominay in midfield already in third pre-season friendly Young defender Will Fish was sent off for United in the closing stages but they racked up another encouraging result having knocked four past each of Liverpool and Melbourne Victory before this. Ten Hag stuck with much of the team that saw off Melbourne Victory 4-1 on Friday but was able to welcome back David de Gea between the posts and hand a first start to Tyrell Malacia at left-back. It didn't take United too long to get into their stride, albeit against the strange backdrop of their own fans booing Harry Maguire's every touch in the opening minutes. A lovely through pass by Fred sprung Martial but his shot was straight at Palace keeper Jack Butland when he might have gone for the dinked finish given the time and space he had. Butland saved with his fingertips and was left in pain as a result, the issue forcing him off injured. Jadon Sancho added the third for United on the hour mark as they settled the contest. United were dominant and duly broke the deadlock through Martial after 18 minutes. It was a nice move involving both full-backs. Malacia pinged a ball across the box to Diogo Dalot on the opposite side and his cross was controlled on the chest by Martial before a hammered low finish. It continued the Frenchman's resurgent form under the new manager after it looked for all the world like his Old Trafford career was over. Palace carried an intermittent threat and De Gea got down well to turn Malcolm Ebiowei's shot around his near post, before Jordan Ayew flicked a header wide at the near post. But it was United creating most of the first-half chances, with Rashford shanking an effort wide, Martial coming within inches of converting Rashford's tempting cross and both Fred and Maguire missing the target with shots. Joel Ward headed home from a corner to cut the deficit during the closing stages. Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Renowned Radio Personality with Kessben Media, Sammy Adu Boakye has advised young folks who intend to marry not to keep their eggs in one basket. The host of Kessben FM’s Church Bells reckons it is prudent to always be judicious when planning a marriage so to avoid being caught unaware, especially during the last hour. He reiterated that as a young man or woman preparing to marry it is imperative to have at least have 3 pools of choices to fall on in case of any unforeseen situation. According to the Director of Programs at Kessben Media, any man or woman who is planning to marry should have a serious partner, a semi-serious partner and a casual partner all in mind in case of any last-minute circumstances to avoid a possible “Broken heart” "As a young man or woman, once u make up your mind to marry, make sure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Be strategic so u are not caught….Have at least three to choose from. Very serious one, semi serious one, and a casual one. … This is hard truth no one will tell u" Sammy posted on his Facebook page. Below is his Facebook post: Credit: Kessben Media

GJA is currently bedeviled with a debt over hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GHc100,000.00) caused by the Affail Monney administration. The debt which ranges from statutory payments, and utilities remains a setback and places the Association at a disadvantaged position resulting in the disconnection of electricity at the Press Centre ( GJA) by the ECG. A copy of the statement [itemizing the debt] stumbled upon by the Writer details how the immediate past President of the GJA Mr. Affail Monney allegedly mismanaged the Press Centre in a manner akin to create loot and share. The rots which have been uncovered by virtue of the current debt of the Association further emboldens perception by some Journalists that the Affail Monney regime was not only a failed regime but a disaster that has never been experienced in the history of the Association since its inception. Snippets of information has it that Fiifi Nettey became a demigod at the Press Centre and whipped Affail Monney and some Executives into line-those of whom were non conformist of his whip were treated as enemies to the regime. This ignominious scenario has had a cascading effects leading to the sorry state of the Press Centre where the underground library which has become “a swimming pool” was left unattended to by the Affail Monney regime. Meanwhile the new GJA President Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, when contacted to react to the issues only said his focus now is to transform the GJA and the Press Centre into a state of the art edifice to attract more partnerships from local and International institutions adding that “I am dealing with the issues and it is my hope that the debt will be cleared as soon as possible. Story by: Dotse Amematekpor, Journalist (Amematekpor @gmail com)

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is demanding what it calls the total overhaul of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Some of the reasons given by the Secretary-General of the union, for the call, include disparities in the pension scheme and the low pension premium paid to public sector retirees. The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr. Yaw Baah addressing the media said SSNIT is not functioning as it is expected to. The union vowed to end what it describes as a “class system” in pay administration in favour of Article 71 office holders. Speaking at a press conference, General Secretary of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah said, although the government has agreed to pay fifteen percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure, the TUC is determined to work together with other Labour Unions to end the unfairness in remuneration for public sector workers. ”The essence of SSNIT is completely gone. What is social security about people who earn GH¢300? I can assure you that if it wasn’t pushed further to GH¢300, there would still be people who earn less than that.” ”How can someone who earns GH¢40,000 be paying SSNIT whereas another who earns about GH¢300 be deducted also?” He said, “The TUC and its affiliates have our eyes and minds firmly fixed on the outcome of the Single Spine Salary Review process currently underway. We are determined to work together with other organized Labour groups to end the unfairness in remunerations for public sector workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure on one hand and Article 71 office holders and State Owned Enterprises on the other hand.” He emphasised, “we will not allow the class system in pay administration in favour of Article 71 office holders to continue, it must end now.” The union once again reiterated its objection to Ghana’s decision to seek support from the IMF. Dr. Yaw Baah said it will worsen the prevailing harsh economic conditions. He said corruption and failure to transform the structure of the economy are responsible for the country’s lack of progress. Dr. Yaw Baah said, “we have already communicated our objection to the decision to seek an IMF bailout for the umpteenth time. We are convinced that an IMF programme will not solve our problems. It will only impose hardships on Ghanaians”. Credit: Citinewsroom

A driver’s assistant has died in an accident that occurred at Asitey in the Eastern Region. The accident involved a truck, which was returning from the Odugblase mines with limestone and was heading towards Tema in the evening of Monday, July 18. The driver’s assistant identified as Kofi Emmanuel Dompreh died on the spot. The two were in the 12-wheeler man diesel truck, which failed its brakes and rolled down the Asitey mountains and landed on its side. Police and Fire Service personnel moved to the scene to rescue the situation. The driver’s assistant was trapped under the truck, affecting his upper part and killing him instantly. The driver, Mohammed Awudu, sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the St Martin’s de Porres Hospital at Agomanya. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Atua Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy. Story by: Yvonne Neequaye

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected an invitation from the National Security and the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) to a function meant to officially commission the Asomdwee Park – the final resting place of former President John Evans Atta Mills. A letter signed by the General Secretary of the Party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and addressed Chief Executive of CODA noted among others that. "Any commissioning of the refurbished Asomdwee Park should in all sincerity, be a truly national affair befitting the stature and character of Prof JEA Mills, a man of peace who devoted his Presidency to the cause of national unity. The commissioning should be a national affair not just by invitation, but by the participation of key stakeholders, not usurpers, in the planning process.” Below is the letter: The Chief Executive Coastal Development Authority(CODA) Accra. Attention: Mr. Jerry Shaib Dear Sir, Re: Invitation to Commissioning of Asomdwee Park. We have sighted invitations to a ceremony to Commission the Asomdwee Park, burial place of President John Evans Atta Mills who died in office on July 24, 2012. The invitations are in the name of an Atta Mills Institute and the Coastal Development Authority(CODA) “under the distinguished patronage of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “. We presume CODA to be funding agency for the refurbishment of the Park whose said commissioning is slated for July 24, 2022 and is separate from the 10th anniversary commemorative events being organized by the NDC. We wish to state that the Asomdwee Park was conceived as a possible final resting place for deceased Presidents and Vice Presidents. The fact that  late President Atta Mills is so far the only dignitary buried there does not change its non political purpose. Indeed, the facility was developed by the National Security Office during the tenure of H.E John Dramani Mahama and remains a National Monument as well as a place of pilgrimage to honor the memory of dignitaries buried there. It was designed to be managed by the national security office with access authorized only by that office. While it is in order for the Government of Ghana to organize functions at the facility and invite persons to same, it is, in our candid view, wholly inappropriate for any private entity to be given an office at the location, directly or indirectly conferring on it a role as overseer even to the extent of issuing invitations in the name of the state. It is our position that no privately owned NGO should be clothed with such powers as to issue invitations bearing the National Coat of Arms. We are concerned  about the posture and activities of an Institute that has assumed for itself some form of mythical ownership of the  name  John Evans Atta Mills, three times NDC flag bearer and President of Ghanaians 2009-2012. That Institute appears to be serving as a vehicle for our political opponents to sow seeds of confusion in the minds of Ghanaians and obliterate the enviable legacy of late President Atta Mills, a man of peace who was elected into office on the ticket of the NDC. It would be a shame, as the invitation purports, for President Akufo-Addo to be  associated with a divisive organization, well-known for its fabrications and abusive language. Let us be clear, the Institute in question has been on a collision course with the NDC party on whose ticket Prof Atta Mills contested and won the 2008 election and became President. For your information, its founder has been dismissed from the NDC. An unfortunate impression should not be created that the Institute is being used by the Presidency and the enviable Coastal Development Authority(CODA) to spite the Atta Mills family, former President John Mahama and the entire NDC for that matter. Any commissioning of the refurbished Asomdwee Park should in all sincerity, be a truly national affair befitting the stature and character of Prof JEA Mills, a man of peace who devoted his Presidency to the cause of national unity. The commissioning should be a national affair not just by invitation, but by the participation of key stakeholders, not usurpers, in the planning process. Given the above, we kindly request that you withdraw the invitations to the advertised function and meet with the NDC of which Prof. Atta Mills was leader up to the time of his untimely death, and alongside his immediate family, review arrangements for a commissioning event which will reflect the true purpose  and outlook of the Asomdwee Park. Until that is done, the NDC will not participate in the proposed Commissioning event on the strength of  invitations issued by the Institute. All  persons associated with the NDC  have been duly notified of this binding decision. Please accept our warmest compliments. Sincerely yours, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary. Cc 1.Hon. Minister for National Security National Security Coordinator Credit: Ghananewsonline.com

Three persons including a pregnant woman and a five-year-old child have died after a truck ran over them at Sefwi Juaboso in the Western North Region. Liberty FM’s, Emmanuel Sowa reports on Onua FM’s midday news that a Kia Rhino with registration number AS 9238-22 carrying plantain suckers ran into a stationary tricycle popularly known as Pragyia which the woman had boarded with her child. The Rhino also ran into a Mercedes Benz with registration number AS 5233-19. The woman and her chilled were killed instantly whilst four other persons have sustained various degree of injuries. In his report, Sowa narrated the Kia driver was overspeeding and confronted an oncoming vehicle when he tried overtaking another car. He says the driver’s brakes failed him when he applied and turned the steering off the road which resulted in the massacre. The incident occurred on the higway linking Juaboso to Asawinso and Bodi. He stated the brain of the child gushed out of his skull where he died instantly. The pregnant woman was sending the child to school and were awaiting other passengers to join them on the tricycle that had parked at the roadside. The injured and the Kia driver are currently receving treatment at the Sefwi Juaboso Government Hospital for. Source: Onuaonline.com