Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has clarified that her outfit does not intimate people it invites to its office as purported by many. The Executive Director made these known when the leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) paid a courtesy call on her in Accra on Monday. Speaking at the event, COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "I want to state that we don't intimate people we invite here. We only extend invitation to people for them to come and clarify whether they are on track or not" "We will not collapse your businesses. We have a mandate and our mandate expects a lot from us" The Executive Director also hinted that the doors of EOCO are open adding that persons who have little understanding of their mandate can walk in for further education. COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah revealed that her outfit has been organising awareness programmes in which some traders were educated on tax and other matters. "When we invite you, take it as a friendly match not world cup. We are not here to scare or intimidate you" "Going forward, we can have a training program for the leadership so that when the leadership are aware of things, you can go on to educate members. So it will be sort of train the trainers" On his part, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Obeng said "Looking at the name, EOCO, once you are invited, that alone puts fear in you. The tone of the letter receives by some members placed" The GUTA President called EOCO to hasten slowly with its invitation adding that once its members receive enough education, it will not only help them to comply when invited but also kill that fear of being intimidated. Some Executives of GUTA who were present at the meeting said "People understand our language more than EOCO. When you speak through us, they understand well. So this comes to education" They called for a collaboration with the leadership of GUTA and EOCO. The Ghana Union of Traders Association is an umbrella body that regulates the activities of trades in Ghana. The body also lobbies the Government of Ghana on issues that affect traders in the country. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was established by the Economic and Organised Crime Act, 2010 (Act 804) in 2010. As a specialised agency, EOCO monitors and investigated economic and organised crime. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the governing board of EOCO under section 4, Act 804 consists of a Chaitperson, an Executive Director, one representative of the Inspector-General of Police not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner, and one representative of the Narcotics Control Board not below the rank of Director. The others include; one representative of the Attorney-General's Office not below the rank of Principal State Attorney, one representative of the Ghana Revenue Authority not below the rank of Director, one lawyer in private practice with at least ten years experience nominated by the Ghana Bar Association. Others are; one Chartered Accountant with at least ten years experience nominated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants and one person with intelligence background and not below the rank of Director nominated by the Minister responsible for National Security. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Several parents have massed up at the entrance of Kumasi Islamic Senior High School following an incident involving students of the school and officers of the Ghana police service. The students on Monday, June 13, 2022, embarked on a protest to register their displeasure over recurrent pedestrian knockdowns involving students on the road in front of the school. The protest led to heavy traffic on the stretch of road in front of the school and police were subsequently called on to disperse the protesting students. In their bid to disperse the students, the police reportedly fired gunshots which they have clarified were warning shots and not live bullets like was earlier reported. About 20 students in the process collapsed and were rushed to the hospital for medication attention. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, who visited the scene following the incident has since assured agitating parents who have been asking for access to their wards that their children are safe. Yaw Opoku Mensah after addressing the press denied in an interview with Joynews that the police fired live ammunition at the protesting students. According to him, the police only fired warning shots to disperse the protesting students and that the reported collapse of the said students was resultant of shock. Watch the video: Credit: Ghanaweb

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is warning the public to desist from taking Easy Sports Energy drink, saying the product has expired. According to the FDA, it has been reliably informed that persons who consumed the expired drink are said to having diarrhoea and unable to sleep. In a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Delese Darko, it said "It has come to the attention of the Food and Drugs Authority that some persons in a white KIA truck were seen dumping cartoons of expired Easy Sports Energy Drink along the streets of Assin Aworoso, Kasim, Adianom, Auro Camp and Nyame Bekyere, all in the Assin South District in the Central Region" The statement added that a team of officers from the Central Regional office of FDA, the District Environmental Health office and the Police, visited the communities where the said drinks were dumped and interacted with the community members as well as traditional and opinion leaders. The FDA sensitised them on how harmful the expired product was auditing that they should refrain from its intake. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has noted the circulation of several videos on social media claiming the existence of 'plastic rice' on the Ghanaian market, which is of public concern. According to the FDA, in 2017, it on the basis of these videos, investigated the claims and issues a press statement denying the existence of plastics rice. In a statement signed by the DCEO, Health Products and Technologies Division, Seth Seaneke, it said "As part of that investigation, and through our nationwide market surveillance activities, the Authority obtained random samples and subsequently requested members of the public to assist our investigations by either submitting samples of the alleged plastic rice or giving information of where theu could be found" The statement also mentioned that the samples received were subjected to laboratory analysis. It added that results from the analysis showed that all the samples were in fact authentic rice and not alleged plastic rice or giving information of where they could be found. Below is a copy of the letter: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has admitted that flooding remains one of the most threatening disasters confronting cities across the country. According to him, this is so despite the significant gains the Akufo-Addo Administration have made in minimizing the flood risk in such areas. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Sunday, he said "Ladies and Gentlemen, notwithstanding the significant gains we have made in minimizing the flood risk in these areas, flooding remains one of the most threatening disasters confronting cities across the country. In the last few weeks, we have experienced some daunting incidents of flooding in the Greater Accra Region, with dire impact on lives, livelihoods and properties, as well as undermining the longevity of other critical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges" The Minister added that without doubt, these result in devastating economic, social and environmental costs to the country. "Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, government’s commitment to improving the resilience of our human settlements to flooding has been unwavering" The Minister also explained that flooding, a perennial occurrence in Ghana for decades, has been most prominent in Accra, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihood, and damage to properties. He stressed that in recent times, other urban centres, such as Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Koforidua and Tamale have also been experiencing increasing incidents of flooding. "It is to address the flooding challenge that the government has instituted the National Flood Control Programme, as a vehicle for mitigating flood risks, while increasing the resilience of our vulnerable communities." "Over the past four years, investment in flood control measures under the 2018 and 2020 National Flood Control Programme (NFCP), has been the highest commitment by any government in our history, committing approximately GH¢450million" "To date, the 2018 and 2020 National Flood Control Programmes have completed the construction of 35km of drains, while over 1,000km of drains have been excavated, re-channeled and maintained across the country towards reducing the devastating perennial floods" "Indeed, during my recent tour of some parts of Accra, it is evidenced that the National Flood Control Programme has provided a tremendous relief in the communities in which they have been implemented and notable amongst these are Kuntunse Satellite, Achimota Mile 7, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Larbadi Olympia, Tse-Addo, Teshie Yoomo Specs, Nungua (United Church Area), Haatso, Madina Firestone, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco, Madina Oblogo, Dome Crossing, Santa Maria (Plus FM and Washing Bay Area), A Land, Mallam-Gbawe, Weija GEICCEL, Kasoa Iron City, Kasoa Obom and Ashaiman, among others communities across the country." He noted that flooding is not peculiar to Ghana, as evidenced by the recent incidents in various parts of the world, including Germany, France, Britain, China, Australia, India, South Africa and nearby Nigeria, among others. "Whilst accepting that these incidents globally point to the increasing role of climate change, we do not use that to excuse or shirk our responsibility to ensure flood-resilient drainage infrastructure for the present and the future" The Minister for Works and Housing hinted that his Ministry is still intensifying its efforts to mitigate flood risk across the country. He added that his outfit will pursue the implementation of the National Flood Control Programme, and continue to engage the Ministry of Finance to secure additional funding for the 2022 Programme. "Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as part of efforts in tackling flooding in the most vulnerable communities, the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project is being implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, with the objective of mitigating flood risk and addressing the solid waste management challenges in the Odaw Drainage Basin" "Currently, the procurement process for the engagement of a Contractor for the Performance-Based dredging of the Odaw channel is far advanced and hopefully, the process will be concluded by the end of the month" The sector Minister revealed that, draft detailed engineering designs for the construction of priority drainage interventions at Kaneshie, Nima and Achimota have been completed and are currently being jointly reviewed by the Ministry and the World Bank. He mentioned that it is expected that construction works will commence by the end of the year, 2022. "Other important interventions include the construction of retention ponds in the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission area to hold large volumes of water, which would have otherwise flowed towards the city centre to cause flooding. Construction of the ponds are expected to commence by the end of the year" "Moreover, the designs for a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) for Accra have been completed and the processes leading to the engagement of a service provider to deliver the System have commenced" "With the Early Warning System, people in vulnerable communities will have the benefit of advanced notice of flooding so they can take steps to protect their lives and their valuables" "Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, beyond GARID, the reinstallation, maintenance and monitoring of hydrological gauging stations within the White Volta, Oti and Pra River Basins to enhance the country’s preparedness for flood events through the collation of reliable, accurate, timely and robust hydrological data, have been undertaken. Mr. Asenso-Boakye revealed that his Ministry aims to extend the coverage to other significant water bodies. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Police in the Ahanta West Municipality have arrested eight (8) persons for their alleged involvement in the setting ablaze of the Egyambra Chief. The victim, Nana Blaychie, was set ablaze while in his vehicle, 3news.com has reported. The incident was reported by Ahanta West Municipal Chief Executive, John Agyare, who stated that the disturbing incident happened in the afternoon of Thursday, June 9, 2022. “I was in a meeting settling another issue when I heard that there was confusion over the installation of a chief at Egyambra. We quickly dispatched police officers to the community but some community members started throwing stones at the officers. About eight persons have so far been arrested, that is the briefing I have had from the police commander,” he indicated. He added that he believes the followers of two individuals who are also claiming rights to the chieftaincy stool, are behind the disturbances. Narrating what exactly happened, however, the victim, Chief Nana Blaychie, who is receiving treatment at a hospital, is reported to have said that there was no chaos surrounding his installation in the community. He added that shortly afterward, however, when he was with some of his elders, they were stopped by some young men. “After my successful installation, I was in a vehicle with my elders when some young men stopped us along the way. They poured petrol on my driver and quickly set the vehicle ablaze whilst we were still in it. My driver sustained severe burns but I was fortunate to have escaped on time whilst the vehicle was on fire. I’m currently in the hospital with my driver and other elders receiving treatment,” he explained. The MCE for the area, John Agyare meanwhile has since assured that he would work to restore peace to the community. Augustine Dua, a unit committee member, who has since fled the town, explained to the portal that he does not currently know the whereabouts of his wife and children. “As I speak to you, I don’t know the whereabouts of my wife and children. The community is empty now, we are pleading with the IGP to assist us,” he noted whilst shedding uncontrollable tears. In the meantime, there are also reports that some residents of the community have absconded due to the disturbances. Source: Myinfo.com.gh

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor is appealing to persons who partook in the tree planting exercise on Friday to ensure proper monitoring and maintenance of the various seedlings. The Minister made these known when he joined some foreign diplomats to plant some seedlings in Accra. Addressing Journalists, he said "The monitoring is even more important than the planting. If you plant and don't monitor, it is meaningless" "The Forestry Commission and the Ministry has a robust framework of ensuring monitoring, evaluation and making sure that we have the architecture to ensure that the trees survive" "I am happy to say that 85% or so of last year's trees survived and as I travelled across the country, I took time to inspect how the trees were doing" "Some of the trees are doing well and we have learned some lessons and we have decided to plant 10 million trees of forest reserves" The Minister also charged personnel in the media fraternity to also indulge in the exercise. The Green Ghana exercise which began last year saw about 7 million trees planted across the country. This year, it is expected that 20 million seedlings will be planted across the country. President Akufo-Addo, Lands Minister, Chief Justice, Foreign Diplomats among others partook in the exercise. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has described the depleting rate of the country's forest as alarming despite its importance to human existence. The President made these known the 2022 Green Ghana Day celebration which which was held at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park in Accra. President Akufo-Addo said "Despite the importance of the forest to human existence, our forests are depleting at an alarming rate” “Some 18 years ago, half of the earth’s surface was covered by forest. Today, with an estimated forest area of four billion hectares, forest cover less than 30% of the world’s surface” “In the last three decades alone, the world has lost one billion and 37 million, 846 thousand, 602 arches of forest, more than 10% of the current total forest area,” “More troubling is the current date that show that globally, we are losing 150 arches of rain forest every single minute, 200,000 acres a day and 79 million a year and this is just rain forest,” Speaking under the theme; “Mobilising for a Greener Future”, President Akufo-Addo, said “The target of planting 20 million trees set by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, is attainable if every person living in Ghana joins in the effort to achieve it" He also added that some 1.6 billion people depend on forest for their livelihoods and in Ghana, some 85% of the population rely on forest resources for subsistence to satisfy their socio-cultural needs. To deal with this challenging situation, President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration has “embarked on an aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme aimed at restoring our lost forest cover and halting the current rate of deforestation”. “It is in this spirit that I call on each and every one of you, whether you are a Ghanaian or not, in so far as you are in Ghana, to join us today (10 June) to plant at least, 20 million trees,” Akufo-Addo said. “I call on Members of Parliament, members of Corporate Ghana, traditional leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, judges, workers, farmers, bankers, students, religious leaders, traders, civil servants, public servants, members of the diplomatic corps and indeed, every person living in Ghana as well as those visiting Ghana on Green Ghana Day, to help us plant these trees,” “Together, let us build a greener future, for current and future generations of Ghanaians and mankind,” Akufo-Addo further stated. On his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, hinted that the 2022 nationwide tree planting exercise will see 10 million of the 20 million trees being planted in forest reserves across the country. "The remaining 10 million will be planted in unforest reserves including water sheds, boundaries, office compounds, sites within communities such as parks, roadsides, homes, Churches, Mosques, schools and other significant areas" “Given the very ambitious nature of our target, we have had to mobilize 20 million seedlings, distribute them, get them planted and develop a framework to nurture them to maturity” Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some trucks carrying about 500,000 oil palm seedlings have arrived at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources ahead of the much-awaited Green Ghana Day celebration on June 10. Some members of the Ministry and a section of the general public trooped in to pick their seedlings. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Richie Plantation, Richard Quansah also donated 420 packs of bottled water to the Ministry. Mr. Quansah indicated that his generous gesture was to help refresh the staff of the Ministry who will be partaking in the exercise. Launched in 2021, the Green Ghana Day is earmarked for the planting if trees across the country. The first edition of the programme saw over 7 million trees being planted, 85% of which turned out to be successful. The second edition is scheduled for June 10 with goverment targeting 20million seedlings. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information circulating on social media suggests that Ghanaian rapper Medikal and his family risk losing their East Legon Hills mansion to a Ghanaian Businessman. It was loud in the news when Medikal organized a huge housewarming party at his newly purchased mansion. He said claimed to have bought the mansion for $200,000. According to a new video now gone viral, Ghanaian businessman by name Bobby Yawson is claiming ownership of Medikal’s 4-bedroom luxury apartment built at East Legon Hills Santeo. He has dragged the Hiplife musician Medikal and others to court, the report added. Bobby Yawson narrated in an interview with Attractive Mustapha claimed to be the original owner of the manaion occupied by award winning rapper Medikal and his actress wife Fela Makafui. Explaining further, he said he bought two parcels of land from a family identified as Sinare family and his properties includes the land Medikal is occupying with his family. The businessman added that he traveled abroad only for a concerned neighbour to tell him that another person has built on his land and moved in with his family. Bobby Yawson said he had filed a complaint with the police and the case will be addressed in court soon. Watch him speak in the interview below: Source: GhanaCelebrities.com

The West African regional bloc Ecowas says it regrets the Mali junta’s decision to fix the length of the transition to civilian rule to two years, given negotiations are ongoing. It said its mediator would continue talks with the Malian authorities “with a view of reaching a mutually acceptable transitional agreement that will ensure ECOWAS’ support”. On Monday, Mali’s junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, signed a decree fixing the length of the transition period to 24 months starting from March this year. The army initially seized power in 2020 and has been under international pressure to hold elections sooner – the junta had initially agreed to hold them in February this year. When Mali missed this deadline, Ecowas imposed stiff sanctions. Over the weekend, an Ecowas meeting decided to keep the measures in place but is due to meet by next month to review the progress. Source: BBC

The Asogli State Council is challenging host of political show, Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere to provide the attendance register of the Council of State which has records of the number of times, Togbe Afede XIV attended its meetings. According to the Asogli Council, the numbers presented by Paul Adom-Otchere are untrue and misleading. In a statement signed by the Secretary, Asogli State Council, Stephen Tetteh, it said "The numbers Paul Adom-Otchere presented on Togbe's attendance at meetings of the Council of state are both incorrect and misleading and are a disingenuous attempts to discredit Togbe's performance at the Council" The statement further added that the Council had three committee, one of which Togbe chaired, the Economy and Special Development Initiative Committee adding that Togbe had an excellent plenary meeting attendance record. "Togbe did not take a loan from Government. SG Bank offered commercial loans to Council members, which Togbe has fully repaid" The statement stressed that Togbe presented himself as resident of Accra and did not claim any transport allowances from the council. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith