The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is cautioning the general public not fall prey to fraudsters as the organisation is not recruiting new members. According to the GIS, its attention has been drawn drawn to the Ghana Immigration Service of a fraudulent recruitment exercise on Facebook. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com and signed by the Head, Public Affairs, C. Supt. Michael Amoako-Attah, it said "It has come to the attention of the Ghana Immigration Service of a fraudulent recruitment exercise on a fake Facebook account bearing the name of one KWAME ASUAH TAKYI with telephone number 0559248677." "Management of the Service would like to caution members of the general public that the Service is not recruiting or has hired any agent or persons to conduct recruitment on its behalf." The statement also noted that the use of social media especially Facebook to solicit for persons to join the Service is not part of the process of official GIS recruitment drive. "Therefore the public is hereby cautioned not to fall prey to these fraudsters who are only in to extort them of their monies." "When the Service is ready to recruit we will first of all advertise in the national dailies giving requirements and procedures to be followed. Until such an announcement is made we wish to advice prospective job applicants to ignore any such Facebook recruitment." "Again job applicants are being warned to desist from chatting with WhatsApp accounts with pictures of Ministers of State and Members of Parliament among others offering them protocol placement in the security services with demands for payments of various forms of mobile money payments." The Ghana Immigration Service says members of the public are directed to report all such demands to the Police or nearest Immigration Office. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Finance Minister, Prof. Kwesi Botchway has revealed that when they were serving under the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, he (Rawlings) was informed that he (Kwesi Botchway) owned Reggiemanuel Gray Estate, an information he said got the former military leader very angry. Dr. Botchway explained that because he has same surname as the owner of the Reggiemanuel Estate who is called Emmanuel Botchway, some members of the government thought he owned it and so gossiped to the then leader of government. Prof. Kwesi Botchway disclosed this in Accra during the launch of the collective Biography of the Ahwoi siblings. “When Jerry asked me I said the one who owns it is Emmanuel Botchway. They went for the search in the company registration archives, when he [Rawlings] found out that it wasn’t true, he changed his tonation “you people are lying about us”, Prof. Botchway emphasized. He said the days of Rawlings was a very interesting one full of mixed feelings and uncertainties. Source:www.senaradioonline.com

The National Cathedral Secretariat has said that the National Cathedral of Ghana was registered as a company limited by guarantee, to be used as the instrument for the construction and management of the National Cathedral. The company was legally registered on 18th July 2019. The Board of Trustees, according to the Secretariat, had to be registered as the Directors of the company. “A member of the Trustees, Dr Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, had indicated that he couldn’t give the needed attention to the project so didn’t register. “So, Dr Mensa Otabil did not resign from the Board as being alleged, but excused himself at the point of registration of the Directors in July 2019. For the avoidance of all doubt, Dr Otabil has not been a member of the Board or Trustees since July 2019. Dr Mensa Otabil, nonetheless, remains actively interested in the project and continues to share his views on strategy with the Secretariat,” a statement issued by the Secretariat on Friday June 17 said. This comes at a time North Tongu Member of Parliament Okudzato said Dr Mensa Otabil was no more with the Board. “There is quite an uneasy calm among the Board of Trustees. And I can confirm to you that one imminent priest has walked away from the Board; the revered Dr Mensa Otabil is no longer with them. “The whole year, he has not attended any of their meetings. It is not clear what his intention was, but he has given indication that all is not well,” Mr Ablakwa said. Story by: Laud Nartey

Fresh details emerging from the violent incident recorded at Islamic Senior High School at Abrepo in the Ashanti Region on Monday have revealed an incident of police brutality on a teacher who has now been left with difficulties in seeing. An English teacher at the school, Kofi Antwi in a Citi News interview said he was slapped several times by an armed police officer who used the butt of his gun to hit him a number of times while he was on the floor in pain. The victim, who had been brought in to testify before a committee of inquiry, said he has been going through severe pains since the incident. According to him, he was telling a colleague that while he does not believe the demonstration by the student is the best way to air their grievances, he thinks they have a justifiable reason for the protest, and an officer who heard his statement immediately approached him and began attacking him violently. He added that the tear gas they fired also affected him. “Though nobody wishes for demonstration, the students had a justifiable cause. He [police officer] landed slaps on me, I fell on the ground, and he used the butt of the gun on me. Now, if I want to see, it is painful. When we were even going to the police station, I was telling them that I was severely wounded, but they didn’t take me seriously" " Why should you do that. Some people wanted to come to my rescue, and they were arrested. One Inspector Obeng is the one who told them to land the slaps on me,” he said. About 30 students of the school were rushed to the hospital after police allegedly opened tear gas on them while they were demonstrating over frequent knockdowns in front of the school. The students of the school were said to have blocked the road in front of their school in the course of their protest, prompting authorities to invite the police. The police have been accused of using excessive force to disperse the demonstrating students from the streets. But the police service in its statement said it has restored calm to the school, while some of its men, as well as students, are receiving medical attention after sustaining injuries. Credit: Citinewsroom

Despite the travails of the Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, half of the voters in her constituency still favour her. According to a survey by Global Info Analytics, 50.3 percent of voters in her constituency are very likely or likely to vote for the current MP, whilst 30.6 percent are very unlikely/unlikely to vote for the MP. The survey noted further that approximately 19.2 percent of voters in her constituency say they are neutral. 29.7% of voters in the constituency believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, whilst 70.3% said it is headed in the right direction. The survey however noted that there is a chance the incumbent MP will not be seeking re-election. “The outcome of the 2024 race in this constituency will be determined by several factors, the strength of change, and the loyalty of voters to Adwoa Safo and how she exits as well as the influence of the Christo Asafo church members,” the survey said. Adwoa Safo has been the subject of criticism because of her absence from Parliament and governance. The Privileges Committee summoned her to appear before it on July 6, 2022, over her absenteeism. The Privileges Committee has been tasked by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to engage Adwoa Safo, Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey over complaints of chronic absenteeism brought against them. The three are expected to give justifiable reasons for their absenteeism, failure of which actions will be taken to remove them from Parliament. Credit: 3news

The Ashanti Regional Fire command has directed a poly tank producing company located within the Kumasi Shoe factory enclave at Atonsu to halt its operations until it meets fire safety requirements. “For now I am going to make sure their operations are halted until they meet all the minimum safety standards,” the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO1 Henry Giwah, said to Citi News. This comes after fire gutted parts of the Kumasi Shoe Factory, particularly at a portion where poly tanks are produced, on Friday, June 17, 2022, following a gas explosion. The factory has rented out space to the poly tank producing company. The early intervention of firefighters prevented it from spreading to other areas. The fire led to the destruction of a number of poly tanks, vehicles and other equipment belonging to the company. ACFO1 Henry Giwah also stressed the need for all companies discharging gas at their workplaces to always involve officers of the Ghana National Fire Service. The Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Samuel Oteng who visited the scene, said his outfit has begun engaging relevant stakeholders on the issue. “What they need to do is suspend the work they are doing and do a very good report for us to meet together with the first service and other stakeholders, including the National Petroleum Authority,” he said. “We have spoken to the management team, and they have agreed, so they do not create fear and panic,” Mr. Oteng added. Credit: Citinewsroom

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education of government’s commitment to provide logistics for the execution of her mandate as enshrined in the constitution. He, therefore, urged Kathleen Addy to pursue a stakeholder consultation for the successful fulfillment of the Commission’s mandate. President Akufo-Addo reminded the new NCCE Chairperson about her independence as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution, asking her not to be subject to the control of any authority. “I assure you Madam Chairperson of government’s recognition as enshrined in Act 452 of the independence of the NCCE,” he said. “Madam Chairperson, I need not remind you that you are not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of your functions, including myself as the head of the Executive.” The President was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for Madam Kathleen Addy as the new Chairperson of the NCCE at the Jubilee House on Thursday, June 16. She was appointed to replace Madam Joseph Nkrumah, who resigned from the position to take up an ambassadorial role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). President Akufo-Addo raised opposition to concerns by some elements that the NCCE has become inefficient in the discharge of its functions. He stressed that all the functions of the Commission are even more relevant today given the recent agitation by some elements for the overthrow of the Fourth Republican Constitution. “Despite concerns raised in some quarters about the effectiveness of the NCCE and the discharge of its functions with some going so far to advocate for its abolition, I am of a different opinion. “I believe the NCCE continues to be relevant and still has an important role to play in helping establish a culture of awareness in our country in which citizens are alive to their civic responsibilities and duties especially at this time when some irresponsible elements within the body politic are calling for the overthrow of the constitutional order.” Story by: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has ruled that the House will not entertain any business from the Finance Ministry until the sector Minister Ken Ofori-Atta appears before the House to render an account on how the Covid-19 funds were utilized. Mr Bagbin said in the House on Thursday June 16 that a lot of questions have been asked about how the government spent the funds, questions he said require answers from the Finance Minister. But, he said Mr Ofori-Atta has not been able to show up in Parliament to give a breakdown of the utilization of the funds. “Yes, last week, for good reasons, [his appearance in parliament] wasn’t possible and usually the Business Committee is given the opportunity to do the allotting. So the Minister for Finance was allotted today to come and answer a number of questions. The Minister is not available today, we are told. “The Minister spoke to me why he is not available today but before today, I had given a directive and that directive was to the effect that the Minister should appear before this House to account for monies that we approved for him to use to lead the country as a ministry for us to see how we respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. “A lot of questions have been raised in respect of that so he should come to account to the good people of how that state resources have been applied by his Ministry to the benefit of the people. I did indicate that until that is done, the motion that requested the approval of this house, for more monies to be given him, that is his ministry, for the purpose of Covid-19 be on the hold until he answers the questions, I think that still holds. “I will go further to say that until the answer is provided, until he goes through the accountability process, we will not take that motion. With respect to the questions, well, today he has another request before us, that will also be affected, until he comes to respond to the questions and to submit the statement, given explanation, as to how that money has been applied, we will not entertain any business from that ministry, mark my words,” Mr Bagbin said. North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also said in a tweet that Mr Ofori-Atta has been running away from accountability. This comes after the planned address in Parliament by the Finance Minister on issues including the Covid expenditures was postponed on Thursday June 16. Mr Ablakwa said “Anytime Ken Ofori-Atta must account to the Ghanaian people through Parliament, he makes pathetic excuses & runs away. “If it was an opportunity to engage in unconstitutional withdrawals of taxpayer funds, he would have proceeded with unholy alacrity. He can run but he can’t hide.” The Minority in Parliament recently said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must authorize a probe into Covid -19 spending if he has respect for the Constitution. Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu while addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday May 31 said the 1992 Constitution was premised on probity and accountability. To that end, he said, the President must explain how the funds were utilized if he has respect for the Constitution. “If president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has any respect for the tenets and values of accountability and transparency, then he should to authorize a pubic probe or inquiry into how the over ¢19bn Covid monies were disbursed.” “We are further scandalized and we are calling on president Nana Akufo-Addo and reminding him that the 1992 Constitution is premised on probity and accountability and that if he has nay respect for the values and integrity let him probe Covid spending,” he added. Story by: Laud Nartey

The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah has applauded Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the rapid reclamation of the Oti Landfill towards a complete decommissioning. She said in the beginning the landfill was a nightmare to everybody who lived in the community. "Today I am very happy that the larger part of the landfill has been encapsulated and made beautiful for human occupancy". "This adds to government's effort to ensure climate change in Ghana". She stated. The about 20 years old Oti landfill in the Ashanti Region which covers over 65 acres of prime land has the potential to host wedding receptions, parties, picnics etc when completed. Mrs. Dapaah said the ponds within the landfill would be used for aqua culture to help create jobs for the youth in the region. A representative of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ing. Kwodwo Osei said the motive behind the reclamation exercise is to save the environment. He said the heap of waste was so huge that the company had to remove over 60,000 cubic meters of waste to be able to begin the spreading and capping exercise. He assured government that the project will be completed and handed over by December 2022. The Consultant for Zoomlion Ing. Felix Atsu, said the heap of waste was about 30 feet and in order to drill and sink pipes to capture the gas in the capped landfill they technically had to cut some of the waste away and spread some to an appreciable level of about 20 meters to facilitate the process. He said after their technical evaluation, the gas is not sufficient for commercialisation so they intend to break it into smaller bids and flare it to avoid future explosion as well as safe human lives. Ing Atsu, was optimistic that the project will finish on time despite the heavy rains that make it difficult for their equipment to move on the site. Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah led a pre-tree planting of about 30 trees at the site and gave the assurance that over 5,000 trees of different species will be planted at the place after the decommissioning exercise to further boost government's agenda for climate change. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Institute of Energy Security (IES) has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene to rescue the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) from folding up. The IES said TOR is at the moment saddled with huge debts, poor management and other challenges that must be tackled immediately. A statement issued by IES on Thursday June 16 said “While the price of a gallon of Diesel draws closer to Gh¢60, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) wishes to put the President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo on notice that “the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is still in coma, requiring his urgent intervention to save the State facility which is saddled with over Gh¢400 million debt, from total collapse.” “After close to 6 years of poor management of this vital State institution, the refinery sits idle and hopeless; losing out on the prospects of the Russian-Ukraine conflict, plus the potential of generating that synergy between the upstream and the downstream sectors of the Ghanaian petroleum industry" “Although the global economic crisis caused by the pandemic, and the Russian-Ukraine war somehow presents an opportunity for the country’s petroleum sector to exploit opportunities in the petroleum value chain, TOR sits idle, rusting away.” Below is the full statement… THE PRESIDENT MUST INTERVENE TO SAVE THE TEMA OIL REFINERY (TOR) FROM DEAD COLLAPSE While the price of a gallon of Diesel draws closer to Gh¢60, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) wishes to put the President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo on notice that “the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is still in coma, requiring his urgent intervention to save the State facility which is saddled with over Gh¢400 million debt, from total collapse.” After close to 6 years of poor management of this vital State institution, the refinery sits idle and hopeless; losing out on the prospects of the Russian-Ukraine conflict, plus the potential of generating that synergy between the upstream and the downstream sectors of the Ghanaian petroleum industry. Although the global economic crisis caused by the pandemic, and the Russian-Ukraine war somehow presents an opportunity for the country’s petroleum sector to exploit opportunities in the petroleum value chain, TOR sits idle, rusting away. Over the period, successive managements and Boards of the refinery have literally failed to provide that vital leadership required to maintain and grow the refinery; particularly so, when the present government in January 2017 inherited a refinery that had cracked approximately 7 million barrels of crude between mid-2015 and end 2016. A combination of bad sales and purchase agreements, poor facility maintenance, capacity under-utilization, operational inefficiencies, under-investment, carelessness, and incoherent policies, have diminished any hope that the refinery could run uninterrupted and even profitably. At a time this nation needs it most, the refinery has ceased to play any meaningful role in managing fuel price and supply risks, while pockets of fuel shortages are recorded with the price of fuel almost quadrupling in the past 6 and half years, stoking inflationary pressures on the entire economy, as Ghanaians will attest. Unfortunately, the Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh sits clueless, failing to provide a single strategic option to lift TOR out of its present condition while clamoring towards another refinery. Instead, it is reported that the Minister is uncooperative with TOR’s Management and Board decisions and strategic directions, a situation which would definitely generate another round of leadership failure at the State refinery. After a year and half in office, the Energy Minister has failed to provide that leadership necessary for the restoration of TOR. Put bluntly, the Minister has failed to find for TOR a strategic partner and direction to overturn the crippling state of the refinery. As a result of all the above, and by virtue of TOR’s strategic place in the Ghanaian economy, the IES wishes to call on the President to as a matter of urgency intervene and restore the facility to a sustainable operational path, before it collapses dead in only a matter of months. Finally, we do not want to hold the belief that the President, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, is not interested in the functionality of TOR and the ongoing fuel price hikes hurting Ghanaians at the pump. IES, therefore, wishes to call on the President to ensure the refinery’s Management and Board develop a comprehensive business strategy that ensures that TOR is operationally and financially viable, as developments on the international fuel market will continue to have a direct effect on the Ghanaian fuel market. Signed: Fritz Moses Research Analyst, IES (fritz@iesgh.org)

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has expressed satisfaction about the private sector initiative to transform industry and produce mass organic fertilizer led by Zoomlion Ghana Limited amidst the global fertilizer shortage. He said the capital industrial investment that Zoomlion Ghana Limited has sunk into the transformation agenda supported by other private companies in their produce organic fertilizer to feed the agrarian community was monumental and worthy of commendation by the government. The Agric Minister was speaking to journalist after a tour of the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP). The Minister earlier visited a liquid fertilizer plant in the Atwima Nwabiagya District and farmer groups in other parts of the Ashanti Region as part of his working visit to the region to assess progress and problems related to agriculture. Dr. Akoto was amazed at the size of KCARP saying this is bigger than the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) situate at Adjen Kotoku in the Greater Accra Region. KCARP a subsidiary of Zoomlion Ghana Limited under the Environment and Sanitation Cluster of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) is projected to be the biggest of its kind in Africa. It receives all kinds of waste, processes it to produce quality and efficient organic fertilizer and recycles the plastics into useable products such as waste bins, tables, chairs and different kinds of containers for storage purposes. The minister said he was panicked when in one of the ECOWAS agric ministers meeting under his chairmanship it became clear that fertilizer shortage had hit the sub-region but upon seeing what the KCARP, ACARP and the IRECOPs all subsidiaries of Zoomlion and other partners are doing in the area of organic fertilizer production he is most relieved of his fears and assured that Ghana has a better alternative after all. He attributed the chemical fertilizer shortage worldwide to the Ukrainian and Russian upheavals and advised Ghanaian farmers to patronise the local products. Dr. Akoto said it was reassuring to see that the 18 producers and suppliers of fertilizer who have applied to the ministry and assured it at a meeting recently of their capabilities are working hard to provide the needs of the farmers. He specifically pointed out that it was clear Zoomlion has invested hugely into organic fertilizer production and government appreciates that effort and will ensure that the farmers patronise it for the good of the Ghanaian economy. "I am also particularly impressed about the almost instantaneous demand for organic fertilizer in Ghana during my tour of the regions" the minister disclosed. He said government will subsidise organic fertilizer as it was part of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme and increase the threshold given to local companies to supply organic fertilizer accordingly. Communication and Corporate Affairs Manager of KCARP, Mr. Eugine Amoh-Asamoa, disclosed that KCARP alone produces over 3,000 (25kgs bags) a day. Meaning 35,000 bags are produced in a week. He said the fertilizer that is produced by KCARP is highly potent and enriched by natural nutrients to help the nation produce more organic food and vegetables for consumption. He assured the Agric Minister of the company's readiness to increase production once the demand has improved. Zoomlion is currently constructing the IRECOP concept in all 16 regions which are at various stages of completion. These plants will all produce organic fertilizer for the farmers and recycle plastics to improve the sanitation situation in the regions. Two different plants are operational in Accra, one in Kumasi while Goaso, Takoradi and Oti are are test operations levels. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has challenged the Ghana Police Ladies Association (POLAS) to be committed to their work in order to win the heart and trust of the general public. The Inspector-General of Police made these known at the opening ceremony of 2022 Annual General Meeting held at the NARPO Hotel in Accra on Thursday. Speaking at the event, the IGP said "If we don't do our best to make the Police attractive, if we don't do our best to make the Police win the trust of the public, if we don't do our best to go out there for people to give us the authority to effect arrest and protect them, it will come back to us because we will always be known as Police Officers" "When individually you develop yourself and gain respect, you also gain the trust of the community" "If you do the wrong thing as an individual and you don't have principles, or certain values, and your organisation is also having difficulties, people will consider you not living that values and that makes you unattractive and not respected, then you become the worse of all human beings" "If we succeed in developing ourselves in a principled and God-fearing nature, in a way that earns us an individual respect, both within our families and the length and breath of this country, and also do what we are supposed to do, wherever we walk, we will be duly respected and acknowledged" The IGP reminded members of POLAS that they have the future of the Police Service in their hands. "Let's come together and do 3 or 4 things. First, to be committed to being professional, to be committed to doing the right thing, and to be committed to winning the trust and minds of the people" "When we succeed in doing these at the individual level, and each station starts doing same, it will put out a good picture or image of the organisation" "Until we get that right, we will not get the full respect, cooperation, trust and confidence of the people because, we can not force it, it must be earned" The IGP noted that although there has been some ups and downs in gaining the respect and trust from the public, he is challenging members of POLAS to make the difference. "Much as we want constructive criticisms, we also want people to commend the service when we do the right thing because that is the only way, we can be encouraged to continue to give out our best under the circumstances we work, in terms of conditions we work and the physical constraints, we are so patriotic to protect lives and properties and we do these things without considering the limitations that we have" "We don't say, don't criticise us but the criticisms should be fair and straight to the point and it should be something that encourages us to continue to improve and continue to protect lives and properties than something that demotivate us in such a way that at the end of the day, we are weakened and yet based on the courage we have, we cannot ask the Nigerian police to come and represent us in Ghana, we cannot ask Togo police to come and represent us, we have only Ghana Police and we need to work togetger to make it better" On her part, President of POLAS, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "This AGM will offer a unique opportunity to reflect on previous years’ activities, render accounts to members and plan for the ensuing year. This is in line with the Constitutional mandate of POLAS" She added that this year’s AGM is deemed a unique one as it announces the impending 70th anniversary celebration of women policing in the Ghana Police Service. Maame Tiwaa revealed that from POLAS' humble beginning of 12 women almost 70 years ago, Police Ladies have grown to ten thousand nine hundred and fifty-one (10,951) which is 28% of the police population of thirty-nine thousand one hundred and eighty-four (39,184). She noted that out of that number, 282 are Senior Officers which is 19% of the of Senior Officers’ population of 1,456. "POLAS is committed to a progressive approach of enabling Police women achieve their professional development goals, prepare them to become more resilient with mental fortitude to help fight crime to create the enabling environment for businesses to strive in Ghana" "It is my expectation that we will come out with concrete decisions which will leverage our quest for excellence, enhance performance of Police Ladies in particular, and the Ghana Police Service as a whole" COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah assured the members of the wholehearted determination of the Executive Council of POLAS to advance the work of female Police personnel in tandem with the mandate of the Ghana Police Service. She urged all members to contribute significantly to the current themes of the Police Administration to restore public trust, command public respect, regain public confidence and cement Police legitimacy. "In our diverse effort to advance the course of women policing in the 21st century, we should always bear in mind that we are called to serve humanity" "We should thus treat respective stakeholders with utmost civility, honesty, commitment and a great sense of accountability" She charged members of POLAS to use the two days to deliberate on issues dispassionately and roll out policies which will have far-reaching impact on the operational and administrative effectiveness of the Service. "We should continue to 'keep the foot on the gas pedal' and push for opportunities and advancements if we can. "Opportunities abound in this age of Information and Communication Technology and so we should move from our comfort zones and take up challenging ventures to unearth our hidden potentials" "The IGP, POMAB Members, Distinguished Guest, permit me at this stage to thank DCOP Ms Lydia Yaako Donkor’s led committee and all who have worked with commitment to put this together" "As we deliberate, we should be mindful that Covid-19 is still with us. Let us strictly adhere to the hygiene protocols prescribed by our health professionals" Quoting Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, a former Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), who concisely summed the role of women in development, COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "No community agenda, no national agenda, no global agenda can move forward without … the involvement of Women" She re-echoed her sincerest appreciation to the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for the opportunity given to POLAS to have its AGM. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith