Ghanaian-South African songstress, Adina Thembi has joined Lynx Entertainment. Her signing unto the Ghanaian record label was announced yesterday. Lynx Entertainment launched its 15 years in the industry on April 6, 2022. They unveiled Adina as their latest signee at a ceremony covered by Zionfelix.net. Currently, Lynx Entertainment manages KiDi and Kuami Eugene. They also unveiled Adjetey Anang, Ntim Nation and Sika Osei as part of their signees. The Lynx Legacy has been a successful journey so far. Watch the unveiling video below. Story by: Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku

The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has reiterated that, the party will cancel the E-levy policy, if it wins the 2024 general elections. According to him, the tax imposes hardship on citizens, therefore the NDC will repeal it, if it assumes the reins of power. Speaking in an interview with Raymond Acquah on UpFront on Wednesday, Sammy Gyamfi argued that, government’s decision to impose a 1.5% levy on electronic transactions is unfair. “The General Secretary of the party has already said so. He’s my boss. He’s the Chief Executive Officer of the party, [and] he has said so. And I believe that he has the blessing of the leadership of the party, and that is a party position, that we do not subscribe to the E-levy, and we will not continue to take E-levy from Ghanaians should power change hands." "Because we need to bring honesty to the politics we do in this country. If the E-levy is bad now, it cannot be good in 2025. And I believe that the NDC will stand by that position the General Secretary has announced. I’m even looking for a situation where that will be captured expressly in our 2024 manifesto”, he stated. In his view, the E-levy is a double taxation which affects medium of payment. He also reiterated that, concerned citizens should not blame the NDC for the passage of the Bill into law. According to him, the Bill is a tax initiative of the ruling New Patriotic Party, stating that despite the passage of the Bill, the NDC will continue to employ all avenues to fight the said passage. Mr. Sammy Gyamfi made these comments, as part of his submissions on the “Review of the first quarter of 2022”. In that regard, he bemoaned the country’s current debt profile and the dwindling economic fortunes. The NDC Communication Officer reiterated that until President Akufo-Addo and his appointees, are able to cut down on their ‘reckless’ expenditure and ‘mismanagement’, the country’s economic fortunes will remain the same. Meanwhile, amidst the growing concerns about the state of the economy, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is set to address the nation, tomorrow, April 7, on the state of the economy. The address by the Vice President is expected to reiterate the measures by government to deal with the current economic difficulties, which has become a raging subject of discussion in recent times. Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Asempa FM on Tuesday, March 22, Dr. Gideon Boako noted that Dr. Bawumia will speak on the economy at a public forum in Cape Coast. “The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will speak next month, in April 2022, also at a platform somewhere in Cape Coast, for you to see that the Government has rolled out a plan to deal with the issues”, he said. But ahead of this address, a leading member of the opposition NDC, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has rubbished the said address, stating that, the Vice President’s delivery will amount to nothing. “Incessant pressure has finally smoked Bawumia out of his rat hole after running away from economic commentary like a plague. His horrible mismanagement of the economy has resulted in the worst public debt, worst budget deficit, worst debt to GDP ratio, worst performing currency in the world after the Russian Ruble, runway inflation, worst ever credit ratings, loss of access to the international bond market, unprecedented accrual of arrears, unparalleled economic hardships, rising cost of living and dozens of killer taxes. In light of this, expect him to be limited to ridiculous excuse making to shirk responsibility for the economic catastrophe and the falsification of economic theories in an attempt to explain away his disastrous performance as the very worst Head of the Economic Management Team. He will run back into his favorite rat hole because we will be ready”, he wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Source: Paa Kwesi Schandorf

An Accra bound military bus carrying some military personnel has been involved in a single accident between Adjei- Kojo and Tema Abattoir stretch of the Kwame Nkrumah Motorway (N1). Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that personnel from Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) are currently at the scene managing traffic flow. The Road Safety Management Services Limited is also at the scene to recover and tow the roll over bus to allow the flow of traffic. The Police says all Accra bound approaching motorists should exercise patience and comply with directions. No casualties have however been recorded. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

The Executive Director of the Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng has questioned Ghana’s democratic credentials, as the country’s prisons are choked and managed under deplorable conditions. According to him, the situation, which dents Ghana’s image as the beacon of human rights, is as a result of failed policy direction to stem the canker. Mr. Kwarteng made this observation when he was briefing the press on the implementation of a project to protect the rights of the poor and vulnerable in society. The project, ‘Decriminalizing Vagrancy Laws and Advocacy’ (DVLA) is an Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) funded programme. The DVLA project seeks to create an enabling environment for vagrants (the homeless and other poor and voiceless persons) to know, claim and exercise their rights. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, he said the low level of commitment to formulate policies and laws such as the Non-Custodial Sentencing law to check the unnecessary incarceration of petty offenders has contributed to congestion in prisons. "No democratic country desires that its prisons are choked but if there is no clear policy, if there is no law regulating how prisons are managed and if there are no laws preventing petty offenders from going to prison, our prisons will be choked," he said. Mr. Kwarteng who is also the Ambassador Extraordinaire of Ghana’s Prisons described as inhumane how some vagrants are targeted for arrest by police officers. "Most vagrants sell on the streets and we do not condone the act because it does not make our streets beautiful. But it is inappropriate on the part of the police to arrest these people because of the situation they find themselves,” he said. "The police must contextualize the situation when they arrest these vagrants who due to their impoverished conditions are targeted for arrests for carrying out their activities. Successive governments have failed to introduce interventions to improve their conditions,” he said. He called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to increase advocacy to promote the rights of vagrants adding that such awareness creation will help prevent petty offenses which would lead to arrests. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Courage Atsem, commended CCF for its interventions such as the Petty Offenders project and its crime prevention advocacy to help decongest the prisons. "We have an authorized capacity of 9,945 but as we speak today, we have a total population of 13,828. Through its advocacy and programmes, CCF has been pivotal in helping decongest the prisons. It pays fines of petty offenders to get them released and that creates space in the prison," he lauded. Mr. Atsem advised the youth to stay out of trouble to avoid being put behind bars. Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Victor Dosoo from the Police Headquarters Public Affairs Department urged the to quickly report any officer who uses unlawful means to effect arrests. "Police officers have been trained professional and therefore we want to encourage the public to report to the Commander of the nearest police station when a police officer makes an arrest without basis," he said. The decriminalization of vagrancy laws and advocacy project is an agenda spearheaded by the Crime Check Foundation (CCF) in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen relations relating to the Mining operations of both countries. This came to light when the Chargé d'affaires of the Australian High Commission to Ghana paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor on Tuesday 5th April 2022 in Accra. The two countries, according to the Lands Minister have had long standing relations and will continue to improve on it especially in the area of Mining. "We have a very close collaboration with a lot of Australian presence in the Mining Industry here in Ghana. Perseus Mining, Azumah, Geodrill Mining services, all of these are giants Mining firms of Australian interest". "I believe that you and I can continue to work together to further collaborate and ensure a mutual beneficiary relationship of our respective country", he asserted. The Honorable Minister re-echoed the vision of the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in making Ghana the Mining Hub of Africa, where all the various linkages of Mining beginning from exploration, Mining , Refinery, Downstream Industry and the Financial Sector of the Mining Industry ought to be planted in Ghana. The Minister said his responsibility and that of the Ministry, is to create a conducive environment for the needed investment and capital to help build Ghana's Mining Hub. Touching on the government's Green Ghana program, the Minister indicated that under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Ghana has set aside a day in a year to plant trees nationwide, as part of the country's aggressive afforestation drive and in an effort to help in the global fight against Climate Change. On her part, H.E Leann Johnston said Australia and Ghana have a very long and deep history in the Mining sector and her country is very proud of that engagement. H.E Johnston also expressed the readiness of the Australian High Commission in Ghana to strengthen ties with the Lands Ministry on behalf of the two countries noting that "We are very keen to continue to help Ghana grow and to achieve Ghana's Mining Hub status". She also expressed the interest of her country to assist Ghana to protect her environment and ensure a sustainable future. "I have engaged some of our Mining partners about what they are doing to contribute towards the regulation of the Mining industry in Ghana" she pointed out. Below are some pictures: Story by: Fafa Nyame

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) says government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has begun a nationwide clampdown on encroachers of quarry sites. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Graphic on Tuesday, 5th April, 2022, Hon. Jinapor said a multi-stakeholder team comprising security persons and regulatory agencies is being deployed by the Ministry to as a matter of urgency, Halt illegal human settlement activities within various concessions. The Minister explained that the exercise formed part of a gamut of measures the government was rolling out to protect Ghana's quarry sector from imminent collapse. He stressed that given the critical role the quarry played in national development, the  lack of respect for regulations relating to quarry operations would no longer be countenanced. The Minister was reacting to the Daily Graphic's lead story in last Monday's edition which said Ghana risked importing stones and other quarry products in the next 10 years if nothing was done to halt encroachment activities on the quarry concessions. Against that backdrop, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister stressed that the fight to protect the quarry concessions would hinged on the enforcement of Regulations, 2012( L. I. 2177), which states that Manager of a quarry site shall ensure that for any explosion, there is 500 metre minimum Saftey distance between a blast and a person near the blast site. Hon. Jinapor indicated that the Ministry was working on a proposal for quarries to be exempted from the list of minerals that needed ratification for their licences to be valid. He further said an initiative had been rolled out by the government, through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) to support quarry operations and entrepreneurs in the sector to boost their operations. He also said as part of measures to rake in the needed royalties from quarries, an inter-agency taskforce had been formed to perform that special role. Story by: Nadia Aidoo

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) says players in the Oil and Gas industry have a shared responsibility of ensuring that they meet the net zero carbon target by helping to plant trees to aid in the balancing emissions of carbon dioxide which will lead to the elimination of carbon emissions from society. He said this when he met over twenty-six (26) representatives from the Oil and Gas Industry on Tuesday, 5th April 2022 to discuss how they can help achieve government's target in planting 20 million trees nationwide. The Minister in his remark indicated some reasons for the engagement with the representatives from the Oil and Gas sector, saying the actors of the Oil and Gas Industry are a major component and key stakeholders in the development agenda. The President of the Republic, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the Minister said, has instructed that this year’s Green Ghana Day should be owned by the citizens adding that efforts are being made to mobilize the citizenry in the planting of 20 million trees. The Lands Minister again said, the Green Ghana Day program is a matter that has to be embraced by all, whiles stressing that matters relating to Climate Change, Afforestation, Greening is significant for all and encouraged Industry players to work together with the Government for a successful Green Ghana Day program. “We have a program, where you can own forest compartment, plant it, fund the budget and do some of the planting yourselves and brand it in your name “, he added. The Minister also underscored the importance of the oil and gas industry in nation building emphasizing that “We believe that the oil and gas companies of the Energy sector constitutes a major component of our national lives” and therefore called for closer partnership for the smooth implementation of this years Green Ghana. The CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey on his part gave an overview of the 2022 Green Ghana Day Implementation Strategy. He highlighted two strategies to be adopted for this years program which includes what government expects from key stakeholders such as the Oil and Gas Industry, the species of trees to be planted and the regional breakdown for planting the targeted 20 million trees. On his part, the Co-Chair of the Green Ghana Finance Committee, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI encouraged the representatives of the oil and gas Industry to adopt and own the 2022 edition of the Green Ghana Day project. He also conscientized the stakeholders to fully participate in the Green Ghana Day project and stressed that the initiative by the President Akufo-Addo led government "should be owned by Ghanaians" as we recognize the need and feel as part of contributing to the survival of Country. The Green Ghana Project under the distinguish leadership of H. E Nana Addo Akufo-Addo was launched as part of an aggressive afforestation/reforestation program to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to fight climate change. Today’s engagement with the sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor saw representatives from the Oil and Gas Industry namely : Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, National Petroleum Authority, Tullow Oil, Bui Power Authority, Volta River Authority, Vola Aluminum Company, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company, ENI, AKER and Petroleum Commission. The rest are Ghana Gas, Ghana Grid Company Ltd, Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana Oil Company, VIVO Energy, Frimps Oil, ZEN Petroleum, Allied Oil,Santor Oil, Nick Petroleum and Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Information and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ofoase Ayirebi Constituency, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has constructed a modern school block for the Akyem Ayirebi Presbyterian Junior High School (JHS) in the Akyemansa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The block, financed by the Oppong Nkrumah Education and Skills Development Fund established by the MP of the area in 2017 to take care of the education-oriented needs of constituents, will help lessen the burden on pupils, who previously, could not study in their classrooms when there is heavy down pour. The facility comprises three classrooms, an office and a store all connected to electricity and equipped with mono desks, teachers’ tables, and chairs, ceiling fans and washrooms to provide a safe teaching and learning environment for the school. Speaking at a brief commissioning ceremony at Ayirebi on Friday, March 29, 2022, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the gesture is part of series of educational projects he initiated in 2017 to touch the lives of individuals and communities in the Ofoase Ayirebi constituency. He said the new edifice could not have come at a better time since the old structure was in a deplorable state and hence, the school was in urgent need of new classroom blocks to facilitate teaching and learning. “The history behind this Presby School is one that we are all aware of. Because of the deplorable state of the school, the NPP executives in Ayirebi drew my attention to how the classroom blocks needed major upgrades. So, I had fruitful deliberations with all stakeholders, the result of which is a brand new JHS block for Ayirebi Junior High School,” he added. This he advised the staff and pupils of the school to maximize the usage of the facilities to justify the investment intended to produce intellectuals to contribute towards the progress of the town. Also present at the commissioning were the District Director of Education, Loretta Akua Ayisi, the West Akyem Presbytery Chairperson of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Raymond Baah Abekah, Resident Pastor of the Ayirebi Presby Church, Rev. Asaan Emmanuel, former District Chief Executive Officer, and elderly man of Ayirebi, Akwa Frempong and other well-known dignitaries. Ms. Ayisi on behalf of the Ayirebi people thanked Mr. Oppong Nkrumah for providing the edifice which was second to none in the district and charged managers of the facility at the district education office to take good care of it to prolong its life span in order for it to serve future generations. Below are some video and pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Kumahood Actress, Christiana Awuni says this year's Passion Night concert will not only be memorable but sweeter than 'milk and honey'. According to her, she is calling on patrons to throng the National Theatre to watch the Kumahood stars perform to perfection Christ's journey to the cross. Speaking in an Accra-based television station, she said "This year's Passion Night concert will be sweeter than milk and honey. I am calling on patrons to come and enjoy our performance" She further added that although the Kumahood stars are noted for splendid performances, she believes this year's concert will draw more people to Christ. Passion Night is a concert powered by one of Think Media Expert, one of Ghana's powerful production hub. Organisers say all covid-19 protocols will be observed. Tickets for the event are selling for GHc30, GHc50 and GHc100. Below is a video and pics: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Magdalene Abena Serwaa Asante

Thinknewsonline.com can confirm that Dangote Industries will be introducing its fertilizer to the Ghanaian market in the coming days. A deal signed by the business mogul and Ghanaian Businessman and Chairman of Translas Logistics Company Limited, Alhaji Baba Kamara, has made the Ghanaian company the sole distributor of Dangote Fertilizer in the country and some other West African countries. The company has several years of experience in the distribution industry and is expected to bring its expertise to bear in this new endeavour. A letter appointing Translas Logistics Company as sole distributors of the urea-based fertilizer to parts of the West African Sub-region, said the products will be sold in accordance with the international laws and regulations. The agreement also allows Translas Logistics to transact business directly with the main Fertilizer Plant at Dangote Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Africa's richest man, Dangote, already has a chain of businesses across the world and is already in the Ghanaian market with his Dangote cement. Translas will be the sole distributor of the fertiliser products in Ghana, Cote d'ivoire Togo and Burkina Faso. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL) has been awarded Excellence Change Management Brand of the year at the just ended 4th Africa Human Resources Innovation Awards 2022 (AHRIA) held on Friday, March 25, 2022, at Movenpick Hotel, Accra. Also, Mr. Collins Kofi Frempong, who is the Group Head, Human Capital for the Environment and Sanitation Cluster of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), was awarded Male HR Professional of the Year. This year’s event, which was on the theme “Rewarding Excellence in the HR Sector,” was graced by the crème de la crème of the HR fraternity within Ghana and its neighbouring countries. The 4th AHRIA was organised to recognise organisations with excellent HR practices and outstanding HR practitioners who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in the HR profession within the African sub-region. The night provided an exceptional opportunity for stakeholders to network, entertain clients and reinforce relationships with partners and reward staff with exceptional performance. In a welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer/Founder of Instinct Wave, Mr. Akin Naphtal, commended organisations and practitioners who have pushed the boundaries and raised the bar of excellence in the profession in spite of the effect of the Covid -19 pandemic on the global workforce. “HR undoubtedly, is the focal point of every organisation, However, the Covid-19 pandemic has permanently solidified the position of this noble profession. Employers and employees were thrown into chaos and uncertainty, with no clear end in sight. ...HR operated in crisis mode for much of 2020 and the first half of 2021, figuring out how employees could work from home, trying to provide extra mental and physical health support, and working more than ever on C-level strategies for keeping their organisations functioning. As the dust continues to settle and companies adjust to a new normal, the role of HR has fundamentally changed,” he stressed. Some of the winners during the gala night included telecommunication giant, MTN Ghana, who went home with six most coveted awards, Goldfields Ghana, Absa Bank, VRA, DVLA, Bank of Ghana, Nigerian Brewery, among others. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The announcement was made on Friday by the committee in charge of overseeing all parts of the Olympic Games and determining whether sports would be included or not. According to the website, many of the organization’s 99 members are former athletes or current leaders in athletics from all around the world. It’s also responsible for determining what criteria must be completed for a sport to be considered for inclusion. Twerking, for those who don’t know, is a dancing motion that involves crouching and thrusting your hips. “Booty shaking,” as it’s often known, is another term for it. The name was created by combining the words “twist” and “jerk.” One committee member noted in a statement that many celebrities and public figures had been observed twerking, and she was blown away by rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s twerking skills. Another committee member, however, pointed out that the soon-to-be sport is a global phenomenon, citing Jamaican singer Spice as a wonderful example of the dance. “During the games, contenders will have to demonstrate how their glutes’ cheeks strike every beat of a song while simultaneously making unique motions; a skill that not everyone can master,” stated committee members Margret and Antonette Willis. Although the rounds are still being finalized, members have revealed that participants will have to dance to a version of the song in the first round in 2024. Story by: Aladdyn King