The Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of KomsKraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah, has revealed that he is the best bet to power-up the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). According to him, the GJA will transform when voted as its President. Leading his campaign, Mr. Mensah said "I am a visionary leader and I am your best bet to power-up the GJA" He added that with his vast experience as a Journalist, he believes that the Association will have a new face-lift and be the most envied in the country. "I am your best net outside the past Executives. I am an Experienced Journalist" Wuth a rich background in Journalists, it is emerging that Mr. Mensah is a pioneering member of the GTV Breakfast Show, who once hosted a current affairs programme on GTV called News conference. He was also the author and presenter of a GTV Commentary Segment. "The next phase of the GJA will require the association to 'Power Up' in all fields of endeavor in order to be more relevant to the practice of journalism, the journalist and to the development of Ghana" "Power in my campaign slogan represents Professionalism, Organization, Welfare, Empowerment and Restoration/Respect for the journalism profession, whilst the UP, is a rallying call for the association to step up its game and take up its rightful place as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, not just in theory but in a very pragmatic way" “We must introduce a higher sense of professionalism into the practice of this profession if we want to attract the required respect. We must organize ourselves better in order to deploy our unique profession in the service of Ghana. We must keep the welfare of our members upfront on our minds and build a suite of benefit that members can point to, and that will serve as an attraction to both current and potential members." “We ought to explore ways of empowering our membership, particularly in the context of the emerging trends within the profession, and help build confidence and optimism for our members. Above all, it is imperative that we restore respect to our profession through our engagement as individuals and as an association.” Haven served in the media industry for 33 years, Gayheart Mensah believes he stands tall among other contenders. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that Mr. Gayheart Mensah worked as Presidential Correspondent, Parliamentary Correspondent, Court Correspondent and Assistant to the Features Editor of the Daily Graphic. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio(MP) has called for collaborative and urgent efforts to salvage the environment from further destruction. He said "We are in trying times, our environment, forests, and water systems are in need of our urgent help. We have only one Ghana, therefore the responsibility lies on all of us to make a difference" Hon. Owusu-Bio said this during his opening statement at the Ghana Forest Investment Programme (GFIP) Stakeholder Validation Workshop held in Accra on Thursday, 16th June, 2022. Addressing the participants, the Deputy Minister asserted that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, believes in partnership, collaboration, mutual respect and collective effort as the main strategy to overcome the current situation the country finds it self in and hence the call. Hon. Owusu-Bio noted that the emerging challenges affecting the environment, forests, and other natural resources cannot be overemphasized."We can all attest to the changing patterns in our rainfall, temperatures and the resultant rampant floods in our various communities" he said. He said, the Ghana Forest Investment Programme (GFIP) over the years has been one of the opportunities available to the Ministry to address some of the underlying drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the country, and touted a number of things the programme has contributed. The Minister noted that GFIP has managed to achieve majority of the key targets in a transparent and inclusive manner which has brought major funding partners, Climate Investment Fund and the World Bank, to provide an additional funding to tackle other emerging issues on the landscape. "The World Bank has fully bought into the Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) concept and are exploring the opportunity of adopting it in future projects, in-country and outside of Ghana", Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio, noted that managing Artisanal Small Scale Mining has become a challenge in recent years with unimaginable visible destruction to forests and riverine systems but was quick to add that as a people, "we have risen to calls to halt this destruction which poses an existential threat to all Ghanaians". He disclosed that the strategic plan which is being discussed in the forum includes a study on institutional and legislative framework for mining rehabilitation in the Artisanal Small Scale Mining Value Chain. He hoped that the study will bring out clearly, the various stakeholders in the value chain, particularly the Government Agencies, where their roles interact, overlap, identify gaps and make recommendations to enhance coordination and reducing duplication and redundancies in the system. The Deputy Minister maintained the importance of salvaging the areas destroyed and possibly rehabilitate them to levels that can support lives and livelihoods. He further stated that although the initiative under the GFIP is a pilot and has reflected in the Strategic Plan, its intention is to rehabilitate a total of 150 hectares spread across Afao Hills Forest Reserve in Bibiani Forest District, Supoma and Denyua Forest Reserves in the Bekwai Forest District. Hon. Benito said, to monitor and supervise the rehabilitation work to ensure sustainability and ownership, the Project has instituted District Implementation Teams to ensure that the planned value for the initiative is achieved. The Deputy Minister assured participants that he will personally come on board when implementation of the programme begins as he believes in collaborative work. The Stakeholder Validation workshop on the Draft Strategic Plan for reclamation saw participants drawn from the forest Districts, the Mining Regions and the Ministry. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Farmers in the Bono East Region have bemoaned the high cost and scarcity of inorganic fertilizer in the country. They believe the high cost of fertilizer and farm inputs has charactized the high cost of food stuffs in the market. They say it is far cheaper to buy locally produced organic fertilizer than the foreign chemicals which they struggle to even find and yet when they find it, the price is often higher than expected. The farmers expressed their frustration during different interviews at the sidelines of a durbar held in honour of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, his deputy in charge of crops, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Manso and some directors from the ministry who were in the region to assess the performance of the agricultural sector. The farmers said, we don't have all the food crops and when we go to market to buy some the price often trips up more than double likewise our own produce and it has become common knowledge that the high cost of food stuffs is the result of cost of production due to high cost of farming inputs. Mr. Ibrahim Talabi, a farmer in the region reckons that organic fertilizer though the results are usually not so rapid it has a long term positive effect than the inorganic fertilizer. "When you use the organic fertilizer this year, it stands the test of time such that the nutrients are still helpful in the next farming season", he said. We are even advising ourselves to patronise the locally produced fertilizer to save some money he assured. The Deputy Agric Minister in charge of crops, Mr. Yaw Frimpong Manso had stated the shortage of fertilizer worldwide due to current crisis in Ukraine and Russia and advised the farmers to adopt organic fertilizers. The Regional Director of Food and Agriculture, Mrs. Cecilia Kagya assured that there was not going to be food shortage any time soon as their statistics do not support that. We are encouraging and educating the farmers to do both rainy and lean season farming and this is yielding good results as they even do better in the lean season than the major season. More than 18 local organic fertilizer and inputs producers and suppliers have registered with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to produce and supply the agrarian community across the country. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong Addo, has stated that there is no food crisis in the country. He said there was a clear distinction between food availability and pricing, stressing that Ghanaians were misconstruing the high prices of some foodstuff to mean food shortage. Mr. Addo made the statement while addressing the media on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Techiman, Bono East Region as part of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) six-day tour of five regions across the country. He explained that his outfit's tour was informed by statements, especially in Accra and some big cities, that there was food shortage in the country. "Around this time of the year, food prices are high, but fortunately for Ghana since 2016 till now, there has been high stock of maize," he noted. According to him, about 270, 000 metric tonnes of maize was available in about ten (10) satellite markets in the Bono East Region. However, Mr. Addo sympathised with farmers on the practice where buyers decide to shortchange them by giving them any price for their produce. "So it is totally false for people to sit somewhere and say that there is maize or food shortage in Ghana," he stressed. He gave a firm assurance that the current government will do everything humanly possible to prevent hunger in the country. What is more, the deputy Minister used the chance to debunk satements in certain quarters that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme of the Akufo-Addo administration has failed. "In 2016, we use to see trucks loaded with sacks of maize from Niger come to Ghana because at the time we were experiencing shortage. But ever since we started the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative in 2017 till now, records available at the Techiman maize market indicate that these same trucks from Niger come to buy maize and other foodstuffs from the Techiman market to Niger," he indicated. This, he said, was very significant, "because we are now producing far in excess to sell to other African countries." Consequently, Mr. Addo admonished politicians to help reduce the political temperature in the country. "If we don't have a very good political temperature in this country to allow farmers the space and peace of mind to go about their businesses, it will affect us all," he cautioned. He was however, optimistic that when farmers begin to harvest the new maize, prices of maize will naturally reduce to the benefit of Ghanaians. The deputy Minister also visited cashew and cabbage farmers at Bonya. According to the farmers of these crops, it was increasingly becoming difficult for them to find market for their produce. One of such farmers was Joshua Yaw Damashie, who lamented that he use to cultivate cabbage on a large scale "because I had buyers from Accra but due to transport issues there's reduction in my cabbage cultivation." He appealed to the government to continue subsidising the prices of fertilisers. The deputy Minister and his team will wrap up their tour with visits to Ashanti and Eastern Regions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has bemoaned the perennial flooding in Accra and called on MPs to rally together to address the issue. According to him, the annual flooding situation in the capital is “unacceptable”. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, he disclosed that Parliament has taken note of the issue, and is determined to deal decisively with the matter On that note, he proposed a dialogue between the House and the respective sector ministers to generate viable solutions to resolve the annual crisis. “This day is a rainy day. We those who are representatives of the residents of Accra, are as you know completely worried about the rain and its effect on the lives of people. Actually a number of MPs are around their constituencies trying to do what they could to help their constituents. “So my attention has been drawn to it and we’ve been trying to see what we can do. The House would need to have a meeting whether at the Committee or [as a] whole with the sector ministers in charge of the situation. “The drainage situation, the housing sector, works, we have to move to welfare; you know, our behaviour as people, so that we see what kind of intervention as a House we could put in place to support this. It’s very very important”, Bagbin said. The Speaker added that: “We can’t continue to have this year in and year on [flooding situation]. It’s not acceptable. And leadership must try and get in touch with the sector ministers, let’s have a conversation on this issue. If not, you are the people that your constituents will continue to blame. Because you’re the people that they elected to make their lives better”. Mr. Bagbin’s comments were in connection with Wednesday’s downpour in Accra and some other parts of the country which led to the usual stagnation in human and vehicular movements. Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has questioned government’s reason for taking the responsibility of flood control from the Works and Housing Ministry to a department within the same Ministry. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minority Leader stated that the flooding challenges confronting the country transcend the establishment of another bureaucratic state agency. He added that, the change of the Hydrological Services Department into an Authority is pointless. Works and Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye“I don’t need to ask him [the Works and Housing Minister] why from January 2021, he waited until 2022 when the flooding problem is now a national crisis. Flooding, particularly in Accra, is an unacceptable perennial problem. I do not think the solution lies in just a bureaucracy called a strengthened Hydrological Authority”, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu argued. Wednesday’s Flood Some notable places in the Greater Accra Region were flooded following today’s downpour. The affected places included the Tema Station Junction and Osu. At the Tema Station junction, there was a heavy gridlock as vehicles struggle to move through the flood. Video footage from the Ghana News Agency also showed several vehicles stuck in the flood. Also, parts of Osu were flooded with some areas almost submerged by the floods. Story by: Paa Kwesi Schandorf

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo- Danquah together with her Management team paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Mrs Ursula Owusu - Ekuful at her office in Accra. COP Maame Tiwaa Addo- Danquah, speaking at the meeting noted that EOCO’s collaboration earlier in the year with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Cyber Security Authority (CSA) under the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, has began yielding results in the area of request for information to aid investigations. Furthermore, Maame Tiwaa Addo- Danquah said there was however the need to meet with the Minister to see the best way forward in dealing with online businesses that continue to scam their clients through the cyber space. She also asked for resources in the form of computers to help EOCO with its work. The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Mrs Ursula Owusu- Ekuful on her part mentioned that a lot of crimes are carried out via the use of the internet and computers. She therefore underscored the need to equip EOCO in fighting these emerging crimes. Mrs Ursula Owusu- Ekuful also indicated that it is important to amend the EOCO Act to be at par with its Nigeria counterpart the The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This would enable EOCO to audit life styles of persons who acquire their wealth through illegal means. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is cautioning the general public to pay heed to weather warnings and act accordingly to keep safe. According to NADMO, the cautioning follows a report from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (G-Met) over a possible rainfall on Wednesday evening. In a statement signed by the Director, Communications, George Ayisi, it said "Reports from Ghana Meteorological Agency (G-Met) indicate that there will be more rains in the night along the Coast Cities of Accra, Kasoa, Cape Coast and Takoradi" The statement also added that citizens living in such areas are warned to take precautionary measures to stay safe, especially those living in flood-prone areas. Mr. Ayisi stressed that such people are advised to move to higher grounds and identified Safe Havens in their communities to avoid danger. NADMO says it is cautioning the public since it places premium on the safety of lives and properties. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A young man believed to be in his 30’s has been subjected to severe beating and manhandling by a task force formed by the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region. A bizarre footage intercepted by Akoma FM shows how some well built men numbering seven clad in military uniform beat a young man to pulp. Identified as John Okyere, the victim who suffered the said barbaric act by the task force team exclusively spoke on Akoma FM‘s current affairs and political show GhanAkoma Wednesday, June 15 and explained that he is a mason and was working on a project site at Kodie. He further recounted his ordeal to the sit-in host of the show JB that “whiles I was working at the site, some people came in a branded pick-up truck with the Assembly’s brand embossed on the left and right sides of the truck. They asked me to stop working so I decided to gather my tools and they restrained me from taking my own tools then they pounced on me and started beating me left right center”. The young man explained that the taskforce team, after beating him left him, in an unconscious state and fled. He added that but for the timely intervention of some nearby residents who showed concerns and rushed him to the hospital, a different story might have been told. John Okyere further appealed for swift police investigation to ensure justice is served. The District Chief Executive for the area, Adu Poku Christian, during an off-air conversation, explained that he has just chanced on the said videos so he will summon those involved for appropriate sanctions. Story by: Nana Asenso Mensah

Some Ghanaians have shared mixed reactions on social media following Wednesday's downpour. In series of tweets sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, some users expressed their disappointment in Authorities for failing to put in place proper measures during downpours while others wished they were far away from Accra. Nana Quophi tweeted "Is Better To Live In Techiman Or Sunyani Than To Live In This Flood Prone Accra. #AccraFloods" Queen Erica tweeted "It's good paa...I wish the rain will fall for 3 continues days and flood the whole of Accra, there the citizens will change their behavior and know dat dey have caused it demselves by turning drains into refuse dams #AccraFloods" Caleb Yeslord tweeted "Current situation, somewhere close to Taifa, Accra. #AccraFloods #CalebYeslordWorld" Pope Molato Gee tweeted "#AccraFloods Teshie" Mauvie The Motivator tweeted "All the open gutters are overflowing so please y’all be careful 😢 If you die they won’t come to your funeral @hitz1039fm @joy997fm @joyprimetv #2022 #accrafloods #warning #drivesafely #rainyday #loyalaudience #commonsense" Below are some screenshots: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some parts of Accra have flooded again after hours of downpour on Wednesday morning. In series of videos sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the floods did not only caused heavy vehicular traffic but has left some residents in a sad state as their properties have been destroyed. Some areas affected after Wednesday's downpour include; Taifa, Tema Station, National Theatre, Teshie among others. Below are some videos: Story by: News Desk Report

A Committee set up by the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II have expressed worried over how some squatters have taken over portions of the Mantse Tackie 1 and 3 and Liberty Avenue School in Accra. The Committee made these known when it toured the school edifice on Tuesday. Addressing Journalists after the tour, Chairman for the Ga Mantse Committee, Dr. Ekow Spio-Gabrah said "The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II set up this Committee few months ago to review the current situation of this school and propose requisite improvements and to mobilize public opinion and through private and public support, raise funds to address the challenges facing the school" "If the school is located in an area named after of founding father, Kwame Nkrumah and also name after the Chief of the Ga Community and it is deteriorating then we have to collectively come together to save the school" "I was a pupil in this school and we are told reportedly that President Akufo-Addo also schooled here. The Queen of England in 1960 when she visited Ghana drove through this stretch" Mr. Spio-Gabrah who was once a Minister for Education added that the Mantse Tackie 1 and 3 likewise the Liberty Avenue School needs urgent attention. "We have to save our school. If we can save Achimota Forest then we can save this school. The forest may breath on its own but school actually bring up our future leaders" On his part, Adarabaka Atukpai Mantse, Nii Tetteh Adjabeng II, said "I want to thank the Committee. But there are many companies in this area who have seen how deplorable this school is gradually turning into but they seem not to care. Absa, GLICO and COCOBOD are all stationed here but there has been no help from them" "Look at how bad the school is and where it is situated. We (Committee) will be visiting the various companies in this community and solicit for help in the rebuilding of the school" A member of the Committee said "This is a wake up to the Ga State, Institutions to turn its attention to the school" "If care is not taken, the kids attending school here will end up growing up to become less important personalities in the society" School Improvement Officer, Adjaben Circuit under the Korley Klottey Municipal Education Directorate, Ernestina Owusuaa Boadu thanked the Ga Mantse for the initiative to renovate the school. "This will see to it that teaching and learning in the Adjaben Circuit especially Mantse Tackie 1 and 3" Former Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba who also doubles as a member of the Committee said "It is sad to see a school in this form. I am particularly sad about what I saw upstairs during our tour." She called on old students and philanthropists to come to the aid of the school. The Committee warned the squatters to vacate the school premises or get arrested by the police. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) is cautioning the general public to be wary of the new tactics deployed by gold scammers to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money. According to PMMC, the scammers present fake photos and videos of gold available for sale. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "Some of these eventually turn out to be gold plated tungsten. Using the fake pictures and videos, the gold scammers then convince victims to provide huge amounts of money for the purpose of transporting the gold from the mining sites or specific locations to Accra the said sale transaction" It added that once the money for thr supposed transportation of the gold is received by the scammers, various excuses are now given as reasons for the failure to deliver the gold to Accra. Below is a copy of release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith