Ghanaian Musician, Charles Nii Armah Mensah who is widely known as Shatta Wale has been slapped with a fine. The award-winning musician was fined GHC 2000 today, June 29 after he pleaded guilty to the charge of publishing false news and also causing fear and panic. It could be recalled that Shatta Wale was made to spend some days at Ankaful Prison after he claimed that he has been shot some months ago. The case has been ongoing in court, and initially, the musician pleaded not guilty, however, his stance changed today as he pleaded guilty. His guilty plea saw him slapped with a fine of GHC 2000 and this was made known by the popular Ghanaian Instagram blogger, Aba The Great. The post reads; “Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale changed his plea from not guilty to guilty for publishing false news, today at the Accra circuit court. The court fines him GHc2,000. In October last year, Shatta-Wale Personal assistant reported that Shatta Wale has been shot by unknown person and was receiving treatment at a medical facility. The police through an investigation revealed there was no incident of that sort. Shatta Wale later took to his Facebook wall and apologized to his fans and said it was a way to end the death prophecy in the country… He was arrested and put behind bars for 2days, his charges were, false publication and causing fear/ panic.” Source: www.ghgossip.com

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has debunked claims that funds received for the reconstruction of the Appiatse Community is being channelled to the the construction of the National Cathedral. According to Mr. Jinapor, it is completely outrageous for anybody to make such suggestions. Addressing the media on his trip to the Appiatse Community, he said “I want to debunk the usual political propaganda which is that the funds which have been contributed or raised for the construction of the Appiate community is being used for the construction of the National Cathedral. It is completely outrageous for anybody to make such suggestions” The Lands Minister also described the alleged allegation as palpably untrue. Mr. Jinapor reminded all that government in 2022, firmed a the Appiatse Board which came up with the Appiatse Support Fund aimed at soliciting some funds for the building of the country. Mr. Jinapor on his tour to Appiatse Community donated some assorted relief items. While commending the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality for its tremendous work, Mr. Jinapor revealed that he was impressed with work so far and urged them to do more. “Indeed, I’m happy to say from my visits to this site for the construction which shows that considerable work is being done under the able leadership of my Deputy, Benito Owusu Bio and his team and I must commend them. We are now at a stage where the construction is going to begin in the not-too-distant future. We are determined to reconstruct the Appiate community into a model modern Ghanaian rural community which is fit for purpose and will serve as an example for the future“ Tents which used to be the homes for the affected persons were demolished as they were ushered into the Future Global Resource’s temporary settlement site. An amount of GHc10,000 was also donated to the residents by the Lands Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, is calling on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to come together and help eradicate terrorism in Africa. Madam Ayorkor made these pronouncements at the opening of the 48th Ordinary Ministerial Session of the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS in Accra on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said "We need to committ to mobilise the requisite resources to support the implementation of the ECOWAS 2020-2024 action to eradicate terrorism in the region" She reminded the house that African countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria are tye current hot zones to recurrent terrorist attacks and violent extremesms. Madam Botchwey, on insecurities in neighboring countries, cited Benin and Ghana as the red zones. "These attacks poses socio-political, security and humanitarian challenges and hamper the commissions effort to improve the living standards of its members  hence my appeal for members to mobilise more resources" "I commenserate with families of people who fell prey to recent attacks in some member states including Nigeria" "I am reiterating the Commission's strong condemnation to the attacks and pledge solidarity to ending the menace" The Summit was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security of the various member states and other international organizations was used to  brief members on the report of the Draft Supplementary Act on the Revision of the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. "The purpose for the revising the protocol emanated from the directive of the authority of heads of states and government at its extraordinary summit of 16th September, 2021 in response to developments in the region" "The other reason is to reaffirm  that the consolidation of democracy and good governance is  crucial for the development of peace and stability of the region" The Summit was used to review the memoranda on political and security situations in the region as well as the review of the Draft Supplementary Act on the Transfer of Persons Suspected of Piracy. Participants also received update on the status of the implementation of the ECOWAS Early Warning Centers in members states as well as an update on humanitarian situations in the region. Participants also deliberated on the Draft Supplementary Act relating to the Amendment of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister appealed to the participants to make recommendations that would help resolve terrorism and insecurities in the region because the  issue require urgent attention and responses. Touching on mediation processes to return countries such as Mali and Guniea to democratic rule, the Minister said that efforts of mediators must be well  supported in order to sustain the mediation. "Although some progress are being made to return these countries back to democratic rule, a lot still remains to be done so let support the mediators to work." President of ECOWAS, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou also  expressed hope that members would be able to reach a clear concensus on the various reviews that would take place at the summit. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

One of the leaders of the Arise Ghana demonstrators, Joshua Akamba has replied the police saying they can arrest or invite him later but not when he is in his line of duty. Mr. Akamba made these utterances after some police officers advised him to do away with a weapon he was alleged to be carrying among the demonstrators at El Wak. Speaking to the media, Mr. Akamba said "For some reason, I suspect a foul play because you saw the way they came to me; one person could have come and I have heard that they want to arrest us so I suspect that it is a game that they will get people" He also said "Even me; I will resist that oppressor now. You can come and arrest me later on. You can invite me later on but not when I am in my line of duty, no; you can't" He expressed worry saying Ghanaians cannot afford to buy fuel or even take care of their families under the Akufo-Addo administration. "We had an agreement to picket at the presidency so if the police decide otherwise, what could they have done. The IGP was not there but his commissioners were all there, I was there too" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Police Service says it has spotted a demonstrator, Joshua Akamba with a weapon among the crowd of demonstrators gathered around the El-Wak Stadium. According to the Police, it has duly advised Mr. Akamba to put away the weapon. In a tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the Ghana Police tweeted "The Police have spotted a demonstrator, Joshua Akamba with a weapon among the crowd of demonstrators gathered around the El-WakStadium, today, 29th June, 2022" The tweet further said "He was duly advised by the Police to put the weapon away after his attention was drawn to the illegality associated with such an act" The Ghana Police Service says Mr. Akamba has been asked to notify other demonstrators to desist from carrying offensive weapons during the demonstration. Below is a screenshot of tweet: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A group calling itself Progressive Zongo Youth have sent a strong warning to the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi to stop giving credit to persons for jobs they have not done. According to the Zongo Youth, it is unhappy about how the NDC National Communications Officer, keeps crediting Former President Mahama for facilitating the construction of tye National Mosque in the country. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Abdul Rahman Ishaq, he said "Sammy Gyamfi can go on with his anti National Cathedral campaign; that is his business, and not our concern. But in pursuing his propaganda, he should leave the National Mosque out of it, and he should stop giving credit to people  for roles they did not play" The group also added that the National Chief Imam’s comprehensive down-memory-lane account, rightly credits the facilitator of the National Mosque, through whom the Turkish NGO decided to fund the construction of the mosque. It stressed that facts about the national mosque, just as the mosque itself, are sacred. The statement further hinted that, it has now become a new trend, for both opponents and supporters of the construction of the National Cathedral, to distort these facts to further their own agendas. "We can forgive others, for this ignorant or deliberate posture, which continue to disrespect the efforts of many stalwarts and the financiers, but we cannot ignore the deliberate falsehood of Sammy Gyamfi" The Progressive Zongo Youth reminded Sammy Gyamfi that the National Mosque, is a sacred monument of unity for all Muslims in the country irrespective of political affiliation, and it should not be the place for this kind of unfortunate politicization. Below is a copy of the release: PRESS STATEMENT BY PROGRESSIVE ZONGO YOUTH ON REPUGNANT LIES BY SAMMY GYAMFI THAT FORMER PRESIDENT MAHAMA FACILITATED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL MOSQUE AND THAT IT WAS BUILT BY A GRANT BY TURKEY The Progressive Zongo Youth has read with abhorrence the sickening politicization of the National Mosque in Accra, and the spread of lies about it by Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Chief NDC Communicator, in his zeal to perhaps, bastardise the construction of the National Cathedral, was quoted by a number of publications as saying that former President John Mahama facilitated the construction of the National Mosque. He also also added that the National Mosque was financed through a grant from the Turkish government. These claims by Sammy Gyamfi are not only outrageous lies, his attempt to score cheap political points for former President Mahama, using the National Mosque, is also disrespectful to Ghanaian Muslims, and the philanthropic NGO, which fully-funded the construction of the Mosque. In recent times, we have watched on and ignored attempts by various uninformed groups to spread misinformation and lies about the origin and funding of the National Mosque; but when a senior member of a leading political party joins this lying bandwagon and deliberately spreads falsehood, we cannot allow it to slide without setting the records straight. The claim by Sammy Gyamfi that Mahama facilitated the construction of the mosque is a blatant h lie. As for the ridiculous claim that the mosque was funded through a grant from the Turkish government, it could only have come from a desperate propagandist trying to justify his opposition to the construction of the National Cathedral by making baseless claims with the National Mosque. We dare say Sammy Gyamfi knows very well his claims are unfounded, but he still pushed it through, knowing that public records and the facts can never support his falsehood. Sadly he deliberately chose to push through his lies, clearly out of his disregard for Ghanaian Muslims, the donors and the sanctity of the mosque itself. We do not believe Sammy Gyamfi, and those who reason like him, are oblivious of the origin and all the facts on the National Mosque. If they are, then they should seek for clarity and stop the lies and cheap politics with the national mosque. We recommend to Sammy Gyamfi and his ilk, the official commissioning brochure of the National Mosque published on Friday July 16th 2021. In this comprehensive document, everything about the mosque, from origin to funding are clearly stated. In pages 11, 12, and 13 of the brochure, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, in his welcome notes, gave a comprehensive account of the history behind the national mosque, including its origin, national mosque construction committee members, initial contributors and facilitators for the arrival of the Turkish NGO that fully funded the project through their charity organization. It was not a grant from the Turkish government as Sammy Gyamfi claimed, and nowhere in this comprehensive report was former President Mahama named as the one who facilitated. In fact, the National Chief Imam’s comprehensive down-memory-lane account, rightly credits the facilitator of the National Mosque, through whom the Turkish NGO decided to fund the construction of the mosque. Facts about the national mosque, just as the mosque itself, are sacred. However, it has now become a new trend, for both opponents and supporters of the construction of the National Cathedral, to distort these facts to further their own agendas. We can forgive others, for this ignorant or deliberate posture, which continue to disrespect the efforts of many stalwarts and the financiers, but we cannot ignore the deliberate falsehood of Sammy Gyamfi. Sammy Gyamfi can go on with his anti National Cathedral campaign; that is his business, and not our concern. But in pursuing his propaganda, he should leave the National Mosque out of it, and he should stop giving credit to people  for roles they did not play. The National Mosque, is a sacred monument of unity for all Muslims in the country irrespective of political affiliation, and it should not be the place for this kind of unfortunate politicization by Sammy Gyamfi. SIGNED ABDUL RAHMAN ISHAQ (CHAIRMAN) Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has said that Ghanaians have not been able to distinguish between demonstration and rioting. He stated that people in Ghana normally confuse demonstration to be rioting hence, resort to burning of tyres and pelting of stones at security officer assigned to protect them. Speaking on News 360 on TV3 Tuesday, June 28 in relation to the violence that characterized the first day of the demonstration by members of the Arise Ghana pressure group, he said “we must also understand that demonstration is demonstration, rioting is rioting. Rioting can even escalate into something else. “So when people are demonstrating, the leadership must understand the psychology of demonstrations. When you are demonstrating, the Police will do nothing against you but when it turns into rioting, burning tyres in the streets, pelting Police with missiles, it is no longer demonstration, it is riot. “Unfortunately in Ghana, let us be honest with ourselves, as soon as we say we are going to demonstrate, then it is riot rather, even student demonstration is rioting. We have not been able to distinguish between rioting and demonstration, that has always been the problem.” The Police announced that 12 officers have been injured during the demonstration by members of the Arise Ghana pressure group on Tuesday, June 28. The injured officers have been transferred to the Police hospital in Accra for further treatment. “Some Police vehicles have also been damaged,” the Police said in a statement. The Police further described the development as shameful. “What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned.” But a leader of the group, Sammy Gyamfi dismissed claims that members threw stones at the Police during the demonstration. He described the persons who exhibited that conduct as agent provocateurs who were planted in their midst by the Police. They are agent provocateurs planted in their midst by the Police, these are not members of the Arise Ghana. We arrested them and gave them to the Police. “We did not go there with sticks, we did not go there with stones, we went there with our voice to protest against the obnoxious e-levy which amounts to thievery. He added “our hands are clean, our conscience are clean, we believe in what we are doing.” Sammy Gyamfi further accused the Police of embarking on Public Relations (PR) gimmick to brand the demonstrators as violent citizens. “If you look at the statement being issued by the Police on their social media handles, you can clearly see through the PR gimmicks being mounted by the Police. “PR gimmick intended to brand Arise Ghana as violent citizens of this country. They described us as rioting demonstrators. No one who intends to embark on a riot will give the Police the Police 20 days notice to embark on a riot,” the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said. Cresdit: 3news.com

Pressure group, Arise Ghana has moved the second day of its demonstration to the El Wak Sports Stadium. Leaders expressed displeasure at the action of the police on Day 1 after their followers clashed with the law-enforcement officers. Despite a High Court ruling, which ordered the demonstration to start at 8:00am and end at 4:00pm Tuesday, the demonstration dubbed #KromAy3Hye began at around midday. The leaders also demanded to use the Ring Road Central to the Presidency but were stopped by the police, a situation which resulted in the pelting of stones and firing of tear gas. Credit: The Herald

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) says it has arrested Twenty-nine (29) members of the Arise Ghana demonstration. According to the Police, it is also pursuing some other members who engaged in violent attacks on Tuesday's demonstration. In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, CSP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, she said "The Police have arrested 29 demonstrators for their participation in violent attacks on the police and some members of the public including school children during the Arise Ghana demonstration in Accra today" The Police added that available video footages of the event are being reviewed and a other person's identified for taking part in the attacks as well as inciting the violence will be arrested and brought to face justice. The statement also said "Also, the organisers of the demonstration will be arrested and put before court for the attacks and damage of public property, in line with the provisions of Section 3 of the Public Order Act (Act 491)" It added that the Police would like to draw the attention of the public to the calculated falsehood and misinformation being peddled by the organisers and their cohorts. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

One of the convenors of the #KromAy3Hye demonstration, Bernard Mornah, has described how some key political players in attendance at Tuesday’s march escaped from police action. The former People’s National Convention (PNC) National Chairman said while National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia escaped by great “skills”, the leading opposition party’s National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, fell as his sandals got hooked to the balustrade of the KIA vehicle they were in and “he was blinded” by the explosion of a tear gas that landed in front of him. He also recounted how former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi fell and was enveloped by his bodyguards. Mr Mornah narrated this to journalists after Day 1 of the demonstration organised by pressure group Arise Ghana. Credit: 3news.com

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has said that those who threw stones during the demonstration by Arise Ghana pressure group were all captured on tape hence, it will make it easier for identification for arrest and prosecution. It is during prosecution in court that it will be determined whether these persons are Police officers as is being claimed by organizers of the demonstration, the Ofoase Ayirebi lawmaker said. “When they are arrested and put before court we will find out whether they are Police or not,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah said on the Good Evening Ghana show Tuesday June 28. He further said the Police should be commended for the high level of professionalism they exhibited during the demonstration. “First, we should commend the Policemen and women for their professionalism. The IGP was very clear that [the demonstrators] are supposed to be your brothers and sisters, treat them with decorum, assist them to exercise their constitutional  right under Article 21(1)(d) which gives you the right to join an assembly  to protest to as you please. “Even when they were attacked by these persons, though they had superior force that they could use  even in their own defence , in compliance with the instruction of their superior  they still kept their calm and  did their best to control the situation. “There is an obvious attempt to create instability in our country at this time, we don’t need to mince words about it. There is a trajectory, first, there was a group  that wanted to demonstrate with weapons , then there was this group that  said they wanted to demonstrate throughout the night till the following morning . The Police raised obvious security questions against that. “This  is even day time,  broad day light at Obra Spot here at Accra, you have people  attacking Police in this manner, can you imagine what could have happened  at night  if some of these things were allowed to continue  throughout the night ,” he said on the Good Evening programme Tuesday June 28. The Police announced that 12 officers have been injured during the demonstration by members of the Arise Ghana pressure group on Tuesday, June 28. The injured officers have been transferred to the Police hospital in Accra for further treatment. “Some Police vehicles have also been damaged,” the Police said in a statement. The Police further described the development as shameful. “What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned.” But a leader of the group, Sammy Gyamfi dismissed claims that members threw stones at the Police during the demonstration. He described the persons who exhibited that conduct as agent provocateurs who were planted in their midst by the Police. They are agent provocateurs planted in their midst by the Police, these are not members of the Arise Ghana. We arrested them and gave them to the Police. “We did not go there with sticks, we did not go there with stones, we went there with our voice to protest against the obnoxious e-levy which amounts to thievery. He added “our hands are clean, our conscience are clean, we believe in what we are doing.” Sammy Gyamfi further accused the Police of embarking on Public Relations (PR) gimmick to brand the demonstrators as violent citizens. “If you look at the statement being issued by the Police on their social media handles, you can clearly see through the PR gimmicks being mounted by the Police. “PR gimmick intended to brand Arise Ghana as violent citizens of this country. They described us as rioting demonstrators. No one who intends to embark on a riot will give the Police the Police 20 days notice to embark on a riot,” the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said. Story by: Laud Nartey

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has presented Ninety-Five (95 ) signed licenses to Members of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM). At a brief ceremony held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 to present the mining licences to Members of the Association, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor explained that the issuance of the licenses is an affirmation of government’s commitment to the growth of the Small-Scale Mining sector. The Minister relayed the vision of the government which is to create a complete value chain which will result in value retention in the mining sector. He disclosed that government is in the process of building a completely new small-scale mining sector typified by responsible mining, employment and improved living conditions for miners and mining communities. He said government’s plan to achieve the above-stated objectives has seen the adoption of two approaches. These approaches, he mentioned as being reformation and law enforcement is exemplified by the policies of reform at the Minerals Commission and allied agencies and an effective enforcement of anti-galamsey laws. He warned that government will be ruthless in its fight against illegal mining, adding that law breakers will be dealt with in accordance to the law. "Those who will not come under the umbrella of the Responsible Small Scale Mining should know that the Ministry will come after them ruthlessly. All measures will be thoroughly enforced with no apologies" According to the Minister, seizure and decommissioning of mining equipment will continue unabated as government continues to clampdown on activities of illegal mining. He revealed that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is leading a drive to build a new gold purchasing model, similar to that of the Produce Buying Company in the cocoa sector. Under this model, he said gold purchasing will be done in a robust regime led by the Bank of Ghana and therefore appealed to the members of the small-scale mining association to support the government to achieve the purpose for the new drive. Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister in charge of Mines, in a presentation outlined government’s support for the small-scale mining sector including the improved relations between the Ministry and the GNASSM. He further disclosed that government through the Minerals Commission has introduced a mechanism that allows for easy application and granting of mining resources. The General Secretary of the GNASSM, Mr. Godwin Armah expressed gratitude to the Sector Minister for accommodating and implementing some proposals made by the group. He said the Association will continue to partner the government to ensure that the mining sector is developed to its apex. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith