The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, in charge of Lands and Forestry and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee, Benito Owusu-Bio, has together with some members of his team, paid a working visit to Appiatse to ascertain the progress made on the Odumase temporary structures earmarked for the temporary settlement of the people of Appiatse. The Deputy Minister and his team were given a quick tour of the compounds, revealing a path which has been cleared to be constructed into a road within the settlements. Hon. Owusu-Bio who inspected these structures on the sidelines of his trip to Appiatse to commiserate with the Chiefs and people of the town, following the burial of the explosion victims said he is impressed with the work done so far and urged workers to speed up efforts before the rains set in. He also applauded the Forestry Commission for donating the wood products which has aided builders to fix roofing frames for about 20 of the structures with 3 already furnished with doors and windows. Meanwhile, a group from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) who promised to test the soil at the explosion site before buildings are erected, were on site to do as promised. Hon. Benito employed the opportunity to inspect their work at the site, expressing his gratitude on behalf of his team and the Ministry for keeping their word. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Team, Benito Owusu-Bio, has on Friday, 11th March, 2022 led a delegation from the Ministry and other State officials to commiserate with the Chiefs and people of Appiatse as they bury 7 out of the 13 victims who died from the explosion at Appiatse, which occurred on Thursday, 20th January, 2022. Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, at the burial ceremony, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio Bio extended condolences of government and the Ministry to the bereaved families. "We are here on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and my Sector Minister who are on an equally important official duty in Dubai, to sympathize with you in this hard time. They send their heart felt condolences to the Chiefs, people and all the bereaved families. We know this is hard but do take heart". He bemoned the sad and sudden situation saying "This is sad and we hope and pray this doesn't reoccur but as we cry and mourn the dead, we also have to keep in mind that there are others  alive who need to be sheltered as soon as possible and we are committed to do this within the shortest possible time" Hon. Benito who attended the burial ceremony in the company of some members of the Reconstruction Committee and a representative from the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Mr. Samuel Akuaku announced that within a period of 12 months the new Appiatse Commmunity promised by government will be reconstructed into a Green, sustainable and model community. Hon. Benito on behalf of the Ministry and it's agencies donated an amount of 30,000 Ghana Cedis to support the Burial and funeral rites as well as the bereaved families. The seven victims laid in state during the burial ceremony were, Ekua Nyame 80 years old, Isaac Benyin (45), Isaac Anane (35), Emmanuel Quainoo (29), Justice Kwesi Takwa(21), Michael Afriyie (19) and a fifteen months old baby, Ella Baidoo. According to the disaster relief committee, 4 out of the other 6 victims of the total 13were laid to rest last weekend while the remaining two namely Emmanuel Awingura (24) and Eric Gyimah (24) will be given a private burial by their families in their respective birth homes in the coming days. Representatives from the bereaved families were given the opportunity to read out tributes in turns and pay their last respects to the deceased. The Chief of Appiatse, Nana Atta Kwadwo Bremebi expressed his profound gratitude to the President of the Republic, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and all other stakeholders for all efforts towards the rebuilding Appiatse and for sympathizing with them. He also urged his people to support the project and remain patient as government zooms into the third phase of the project. The mass burial ceremony which took place at the explosion site in Appiatse, a suburb of Bogoso in the Western Region also had in attendance the Board Chairperson of the Minerals Commission, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, MCE for Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly, Dr. Isaac Dasmani, The MP for Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency, Hon. Robert Wisdom Cudjoe and other mourners from home and abroad. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has clashed with President Akufo-Addo saying his comments on the Supreme Court's judgement is unfortunate and myopic. According to the Speaker, he had no option than to let it out despite he resisting temptations of commenting on the issue. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin said "Good morning comrades. I have resisted the temptation of making a comment on the judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue of the voting rights of Deputy Speakers when presiding. But the unfortunate and myopic comment of the President has compelled me to let it out" The Speaker further mentioned that the Supreme Court decision, is to say the least, not only an absurdity but a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament. He added that the trend of unanimity is equally troubling adding that it doesn't help explore and expand the country’s legal jurisprudence. "The President's comment is myopic and unfortunately. It only goes to worsen the schism between the Executive and Parliament. The impartiality of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Presiding Officer has been tresusured and fought for by this country throughout our democratic development" "Mr President, the issue being discussed is not about Parliament being above the law. Everyone knows that Parliament is not above the law. The Executive and the Judiciary are equally not above the law. The issue being discussed is the political question doctrine. It took centuries to detail out the strands of this doctrine and the principles are settled as to when and how this closed book could be opened" The Speaker of Parliament is appealing to the Plaintiff to go for a review. Background It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo noted that the decision of the Supreme Court on the voting rights of Deputy Speakers cannot amount to judicial inference in the work of Parliament. President Akufo-Addo noted that the suggestion that Parliament is beyond the scrutiny of the Supreme Court is to suggest that Parliament is a law onto itself. “I’m not sure people who are saying this have actually taken the time to read the Constitution of our country. It says so in Black and white. The legislative powers of the State, which are vested in Parliament, are subject to the provisions of the Constitution. All organs of the Ghanaian State, including me as the Head of the Executive, we are all subject to the teachings of the Constitution,” the President said. He continued, “There is nobody in the Ghanaian State that is above the fundamental law of the land. It will lead to the very matter that we have striven so long to avoid – the concentration of unregulated power in our state – we don’t want that. And we brought about this Constitution to allow that to not reoccur.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Secretary to the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) Board, Kofi Tonto has replied New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Activist, Dr. Arthur Kennedy saying coup d'etat is not an option for Ghana. According to Mr. Tonto, Ghanaians should ground their democracy in statute. In a three page response to Dr. Arthur Kennedy sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Mr. Tonto said "Let us put our wheels to the shoulders and work assiduously to resolve the myriad of challenges facing our democracy. Let us reinvigorate our can-do spirit imbued in us by our first President. Coup D'etat is not and should never be an option" The Secretary to the PMMC Board also mentioned that it is about time Ghanaians prove to the world that they are a country that can rise up to any adversity and succeed. "And Yes, we definitely can!" he noted. Mr. Tonto further said "As a renowned physician, I don't have to remind you about the complex procedures and the great lengths you have to go to save just one life. Ghana may be sick, but it does not deserve to die. Our democracy may be fraught with its own challenges, as with all democracies across the world, but it does not in any way justify a truncation of our statehood built on sound principles of democracy and the rule of law." The Secretary to the PMMC Board reminded the Renowned Physician that just as he will not give up on any of his patients, so does Ghanaians have a patriotic duty not to give up on Ghana. It is emerging that following a survey by the Afrobarometer, Ghanaians are mostly at peace with their democratic approach to governance. "They just want democracy to deliver more than political goods. They want our democracy to address our bread and butter issues. A very legitimate expectation which we must all work together to achieve." he noted. Background It will be recalled that Political activist, Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, noted that individuals who are committed to staging a coup d’etat do not sit on media platforms to make their initiatives known to the public. Dr. Kennedy noted that is the norm because the success of a takeover is hinged on secrecy, therefore, anything short of this could foil their plans. Speaking on an Accra-based television station said: “People who are planning to stage coups normally don’t plan on radio. They don’t make announcements on radio before they go and do whatever they do because secrecy is of utmost sense.” Below is a copy of the response to Dr. Arthur Kennedy from Mr. Tonto: COUP D’ETAT NOT AN OPTION: KOFI TONTO RESPONSES TO DR. ARTHUR KENNEDY You can liken Ghana’s fledgling democracy to a young man. Let’s call him Kwame. Although he has made some progress in life, he still depends largely on his parents for survival. At the age of 30, he is still behind in a lot of things compared to his peers. While Kwame struggles to feed himself, one of his classmates has finished his PhD degree in Engineering, and is currently working for a top multinational company. Even though Kwame is determined to make it, he can’t abstain from the challenges that continue to weigh him down. His expenditure far outstrips his income and he’s unable to fully harness his potential as a means of improving his income. Could Kwame, a young man full of potential make it? Should his parents throw their hands up in despair and give up on him? A similar comparison can be made between Ghana and Singapore. While Ghana is struggling to asphalt all of its 78,000 kilometers road network, Singapore has built a modern city-state that can rival any advanced country in the world. There is no denial that, as of today, Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators remain relatively vulnerable. Even though this government has reduced the rate of borrowing, interest rates remain high. Same phenomenon is true about the inflation rate. Disruption in the global supply chain has heightened demand for dollars. Increase in interest rates in the US has forced capital flight as investors prefer investing in a more stable market. These two realities are having a devastating toll on the cedi. Corruption is still evident in our public sector. The private sector has not been spared either. Dilapidated roads abound. If not for the sound management of COVID-19, our fragile healthcare system would have collapsed. Reports from the Auditor General point to irregularities that continue to hamper efficiency in our public sector. Singapore, a nation that had a similar income per capita as Ghana, can now boast of income per capita of $64,103 compared to $2,374 for Ghana. South Korea has built an industrialized economy that is producing high value products like phones, appliances, cars and many more high-end products. A report by the Brookings Institute grades Ghana's manufacturing complexity level as low because our productions are mainly in natural resources and agricultural products. We have not yet developed a manufacturing sector that can produce complex and sophisticated products. I have enumerated the above issues to highlight some of the grave challenges our country faces. I have also cited countries that were in similar economic situations like Ghana some 50 years ago and their current economic standings to show that indeed Ghana lags far behind its peers in terms of economic independence. But just as the young man Kwame, Ghana is still a country with great potential. Although a pale shadow of what the Chaebols have achieved in South Korea, Ghana has committed to re-engineering its industrialization strategy to add value to her raw materials. Today, some 170 green and brown companies are operational providing about 120,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, five car manufacturing companies including Toyota, VW, Sinotruk and Kantanka have set up assembly plants in Ghana. Ghana is now home to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Can Ghana pursue a rigorous industrialization strategy and ultimately become the tech and automotive giant in West Africa? Can we add value to our raw materials, produce sophisticated products and also develop new inventions for the global market? Can we pursue prudent autarky policies or smart protectionist policies to grow our domestic market? Like President Obama’s campaign slogan; “Yes, we can!”. The Free SHS program has made it possible for millions to acquire education and stands to be a formidable source of talent for our industrialization drive in the next few years. Today, the government is building 16 model secondary schools that can rival that of advanced countries. Construction of STEM and creative arts schools aimed at reimagining our academic frontier has started. TVET education has been revamped to suit our needs. Can the government pursue a research strategy that invests at least $1billion per year in advanced research? Can the government pursue building a research city that brings the best and brightest together? Can a true and sustainable connection between academia and industry be established and incentivised? Yes, we can! President Mahama’s commencement of Terminal 3 and President Akufo-Addo’s resolve to make Ghana the aviation hub in the sub region gives hope that the country is making strides in the aviation industry. Can the government re-establish the country’s airline undergirded by sound management and progressive yet innovative policies to restore hope in our aviation industry? Yes, we can! The government’s digitalization drive, led by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, is another indicator of progress. Fifteen million Ghanaians have been registered onto the government’s identification database. Efforts are being made to integrate all government databases to ensure harmony. Can Ghana harness these opportunities to expand the tax net, improve transparency, enhance efficiency in the public sector and help build credit report platforms to promote internal borrowing at lower interest rates? Yes, we can! Ghana is set to launch its first gold refinery as part of the government's efforts to promote value addition of our mineral resources. Can the government explore obsolescing bargains to renegotiate contracts with multinationals that are mining and exploiting our natural resources? Can the government invest in additional gold refineries and other value addition initiatives? Can the government reinvigorate Tema Oil Refinery to boost its natural resource value addition objectives? Yes, we can! In the last five (5) years, the government built about 4,000 kilometers of road. This is an unprecedented achievement when it comes to the history of road construction in Ghana. But China built 126,000 kilometers of road averaging 6,300 kilometers per year. The fact is that 70% of our total road network still remains unpaved. Can we relook at how road construction is done in Ghana and come up with a better model that scales quality road construction at a faster rate? Yes, we can! Access to electricity is now at 83%, one of the highest on the continent. Can the government aggressively liberalize its energy policies to ensure efficiency and at the same time achieve stable and reliable energy at 100% accessibility? Yes, we can! Performance analysis of Ghana’s socioeconomic and governance indicators conducted by iRIS Research shows that the country is making progress in several areas. In addition to improved access to electricity, youth literacy rate is at 93% and overall literacy at 79%, life expectancy has increased from 57 years to 64 years, unemployment is declining, among other things. But for COVID, the economy was growing at an average rate of 7% from 2017 to 2019. These development indicators are further testament that our country is on the ascendancy albeit slow-paced. But can we find innovative ways to even accelerate growth of these socioeconomic indicators? Yes, we can! As a renowned physician, I don't have to remind you about the complex procedures and the great lengths you have to go to save just one life. Ghana may be sick, but it does not deserve to die. Our democracy may be fraught with its own challenges, as with all democracies across the world, but it does not in any way justify a truncation of our statehood built on sound principles of democracy and the rule of law. Dear Dr. Arthur Kennedy, just as you will not give up on any of your patients, and just as parents do not give up on their children like Kwame, we have a patriotic duty not to give up on Ghana. As found by the Afrobarometer survey, Ghanaians are mostly at peace with our democratic approach to governance. They just want democracy to deliver more than political goods. They want our democracy to address our bread and butter issues. A very legitimate expectation which we must all work together to achieve. Let us ground our democracy in statute. Let us put our wheels to the shoulders and work assiduously to resolve the myriad of challenges facing our democracy. Let us reinvigorate our can-do spirit imbued in us by our first President. Let us prove to the world that we are a country that can rise up to any adversity and succeed. And Yes, we definitely can! Coup D'etat is not and should never be an option! By Kofi Tonto Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A 'duku' or head tie is a women’s clothing item that is usually worn in West Africa and Southern Africa. It is usually worn as a fashion item or for purposes of practical functionality. The duku is usually styled by folding it into a triangle, pulling the ends to the back of the head, bringing it to the front, and then tying a knot or bow on the side of the head or the side, depending on what occasion one is marking or even for what activity one is participating in. Like most clothing item of Ghanaian and even African origin, the colour of duku one wears and the way it is styled has a significant meaning and conveys a particular message. A black or red duku for instance, shows that one is either attending a funeral or that one is bereaved. In such circumstances the duku will be worn by tying a knot in front, in the middle of one’s forehead. When a relatively young person predeceases their parents, white clothing including white dukus may be worn at the funeral, in what is referred to variously in our local parlances as the fia ceremony. Again, in some tribes, twins do not wear any other colour of duku to funerals apart from white. A white duku signifies the birth of a child, or the celebration of a victory or special blessing. The Ga tribe are especially identified with the white duku. They wear it for most of their festivals and special occasions. It is believed that white dukus attract good luck. A woman who has a safe delivery will be adorned with white cloth and white duku. As the baby grows, the colour of the duku and clothes with change to golden tones (which is believed to signify wealth and prosperity) and then to other vibrant colours. Marriage ceremonies and other special happy occasions are marked with specially selected dukus, sometimes in the same colours and tied in the same style as a show of solidarity and unity. Traditionally, dukus are worn with slit and kaba or with Ankara fabrics sewn in an African style. But times changing fast and now, the duku is used to accessorize almost all kinds of clothing styles. One may for instance chose to wear a denim and a T shirt and then throw a fancy duku on it or decide to wear a classy duku tied in a sophisticated bun for a black-tie event or for other formal events. SIGNIFICANCE Apart from dukus being worn for fashion reasons, they also posses other significances. In some African traditions, the wearing of duku by women is believed to signify moral uprightness or chastity, especially of women. Married women, for instance would rather go about with their heads covered in a duku, than with their bare heads, with their hair showing. Also covering one’s head with a scarf has religious implications. The Jews for instance are required by the Torah that married women wear scarves. Mostly during prayers or prayer time, women are more likely to cover their heads than to leave it. Moslem women and some Hindi tribes for instance are required to cover their heads at all times as a sign of reverence for their husbands. It is believed that the woman’s glory is her hair and that she is not to show nor share that with the general public. But dukus are not the preserve of just women. Now, some men accessorize with dukus. It is believed that the bandana worn by black males in America has its roots in the duku tradition. MEANING There are meanings to how people tie their dukus. The various styles have names like hyia me wo nkwata (in Akan) which is usually worn by women in love, suggesting a venue for a date with their love interest. The Jee nnor duku style in Ga is worn when one is trying to convey a nonchalant attitude. The keemo mie fee or money swine style of duku is fun to wear. It signifies playfulness and prosperity. The nkuu nsee nbaa donn (I hsall not return) style is worn with both sides of the duku hanging out. The style is most common among market women and traders. Baa kwe ni oya ta (rumour monger), is another popular style with the Gas in the greater Accra region. Below are some pictures: Source: Witten by Kate Addo For Tuck&Tie.

The Management of Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated GHc200,000 to the Appiatse Support Fund. According to the bank, the donation will not only help support the reconstruction of the community but the boost the STEM education for girls in Appiatse community. Leading the team, Head of Brands and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mawuko Afadzinu said "100,000 of our donation is to support the Fund on with regards to the reconstruction of the community, while the other 100,000 cedis will be channelled into to a STEM education project for girls in Appiatse themed: Breaking the Bias" He stressed that the project will ensure that school girls in Appiatse community are given the opportunity to proper education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. "I want to commend the committee for its remarkable role it is playing in soliciting funds for this worthy cause" Receiving the donation, Chairperson of the Support Fund, Rev. Dr. Joyce Roselind Aryee thanked the Management of Stanbic Bank Ghana for their contribution. She was particularly concerned about the interest to invest GHc100,000 into STEM education for girls girls in the community. "The Sterm education is very important and key and I am sure the Minister for Education will be happy about this initiative. Thank you for such a generous thought" Rev. Aryee told the media that all monies collected are being invested while awaiting the commencement of the reconstruction project. "The media should note that the monies taken are being invested, it's an investment account and not a savings account and we are continuing this until we are ready to start building". A Member of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee and President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Sulemanu Konney said "The Mining Industry has been hit by the sudden occurrance but as a resolute team, we are working closely with the Health and Safety committee to ensure that, such an accident does not reoccur" He disclosed that a few companies from the Chamber have donated privately towards the recovery process of Appiatse community and hoped that more companies and individuals will also donate. Dr. Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, also a member of the Support Fund Committee added her voice to appreciate Stanbic Bank for their generous donation. She said she was particularly touched by the contribution directed towards the STEM education for girls in Appiatse. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ladies Society of the Accra Metro East of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) have celebrated seven of its industrious members following the International Women's Day. According to the Ladies Society, the gesture forms part of measures of appreciating and acknowledging the good works of their fellow members. Leading the Ladies Society, Chair of the Accra Metro East District, Gifty Aku Mensah, said "We are on a very simple but serious mission. This morning, we are here to honour our Krowor Municipal Education Director. Mama, we came to visit and tell you that we love you. We came to assure you that we will do what you want. You whistle a lot to us and we listen to you" "We came well prepared. We are here to celebrate Madam Justina Djaba, Director of Education, Krowor Municipality and Rev. Mrs. Hannah Odjenma Botchway, our Former National Treasurer, GNAT" The two industrious women were presented with different citations from the Ladies Society from the Accra Metro East of GNAT. Receiving her citation, Director of Education, Krowor Municipality, Madam Justina Djaba thanked the Ladies for their kind gesture. Left in a state of shock, Madam Djaba appealed to young ladies to aim high in life and not belittle themselves. She called on the young ladies not to be moved by worldly things but strive for excellence. On her part, Former National Treasurer, GNAT, Rev. Mrs. Hannah Odjenma Botchway said "I am humbled by your kind gesture. I didn't see this coming and I must say, I appreciate this. Thank you" She charged the young ladies to defy all odds and project the teaching profession. Later on the day, the Ladies Society stormed the GNAT Office at Nungua and surprised the Regional ChairLady and Supreme Lady, Yaa Aso Kyei, Supreme Lady Sarah Owiredu, Greater Accra Regional Chair, GNAT and Gifty Aku Mensah, Chair, Accra Metro East District. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, the Greater Accra Regional Chair of GNAT, Supreme Lady Sarah Owiredu said "Women across the world are indeed breaking the bias. Many women have occupied great positions and they are inspiring u" "Ghana has celebrated women enough. We have celebrated women who have inspired us. Ghana we are celebrating women and we are still doing it" She believes that although most female Ghanaian teachers are not celebrated she feels its about time, women are given more recognition. Miss Akosua Aframmea Okyere commended Women Organisations for celebrating women adding that such gestures motives the young one to aim high. Sharing her view, Regional ChairLady, Yaa Aso Kyei challenged young female teachers to defy all odds and aspire for the best. She appealed them not to belittle themselves in tye profession. Chair, Accra Metro East District, Gifty Aku Mensah appealed to young girls not to deceive by material things and rather bring out their all to help nurture great talents. GNATLAS Coordinator, Accra Metro East, Mrs. Evelyn Ampomah Nkansah Mainoo said "This day is very important because we are beginning to recognise tye achievements of women and see their roles in societies" "This is the time to come together globally so we talk about how to take up challenging roles" "We have women in GNAT who are paving the way. They might be fading away but we have to let them know that we appreciate them" "These are great women who have done lots of services to GNAT and GNATLAS" The Leadership of the Ladies Society, Accra Metro East also paid a courtesy call on two other members on Wednesday March 9 and honour them. The two are Madam Marian Cobblah, Anglican Regional Manager for Greater Accra, Former Regional Treasurer and Former GNATLAS Coordinator (Greater Accra) and SISO, Madam Martha Breh. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the decision of the Supreme Court on the voting rights of Deputy Speakers cannot amount to judicial inference in the work of Parliament. According to President Akufo-Addo, the suggestion that Parliament is beyond the scrutiny of the Supreme Court is to suggest that Parliament is a law onto itself. “I’m not sure people who are saying this have actually taken the time to read the Constitution of our country. It says so in Black and white. The legislative powers of the State, which are vested in Parliament, are subject to the provisions of the Constitution. All organs of the Ghanaian State, including me as the Head of the Executive, we are all subject to the teachings of the Constitution,” the President said. He continued, “There is nobody in the Ghanaian State that is above the fundamental law of the land. It will lead to the very matter that we have striven so long to avoid – the concentration of unregulated power in our state – we don’t want that. And we brought about this Constitution to allow that to not reoccur.” President Akufo-Addo made this known in an interview with Charles Takyi Boadu of the Daily Guide Newspaper, on Thursday, 10th March 2022, on the sidelines of Dubai Expo 2020. Astonished by the “public energy” dissipated in the debate, he was happy with the unanimity of the decision taken by the Supreme Court, especially as it is the most emphatic way in which the Court can pronounce. Touching on suggestions that the Parliament is beyond the scrutiny of the Supreme Court regarding issues of interpretation, the President indicated that “the whole principle of judicial review was developed by the judges, both in America and England, to be able to check the activities of Parliament.” Indeed, in Ghana, he stated that the first major constitutional case, which looked at the work of Parliament was in the case Tuffuor vs Attorney General, where the Act of Parliament, the decision of the Parliament to subject the then Chief Justice, the late Frederick Kwesi Apaloo, to a vetting process in Parliament had been expressly forbidden by the Constitution. “And that is the reason why the late Dr. Amoako Tuffuor took the matter to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court made it quite clear that all the activities of all the institutions of our Republic that impugn, that violate the Constitution are subject to the powers of the Court and to the Declarations of the Court,” he said. President Akufo-Addo continued, “Me, I wat to repeat it, as President, Head of the Executive, I am subject to the Constitution and to law. I cannot set myself above it. Everybody has his remit, but those remits are subject to the operations of the Constitution, and I am happy that the Constitution has been so declared in such an emphatic manner by the Supreme Court, I support the Supreme Court to continue to do its work.” Credit: Presidency

Adansi Asokwa MP KT Hammond has lambasted the opposition NDC for criticizing the Supreme Court ruling allowing Deputy Speakers of Parliament to vote while presiding over proceedings in the House. Watch the video below: Credit: Modern Ghana

The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding the plastics collection sector of the country to help clamp down on the excessive plastics in the public space. According to the Minister, the plastic collectors are the backbone of the move by his Ministry to ride off the entire country of plastics that has been littered all over the country therefore his wish to expand the collection aspect as well. The Minister who is also the MP for Sefwi Wiawso was speaking to the media when he visited plastic recycling companies and plastic collectors association to interact with them on how best collection and recycling of the plastics could be done with support from the government. The Minister visited Space Plast Company Limited and Pure Water Collectors Association, both in Accra and the Kpone Land Fill Site in Kpone. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie also noted that, after the visits, he will engage other Ministers to help find out the gaps in the plastics collections so that they can address the issues they are being faced with. He used the opportunity to also commend them, especially the plastic collectors for their tireless efforts in helping get plastic waste off the streets and sea. Also, the Pure Water and Plastic Collectors Association on their part also appealed to the Minister to support them get a factory which will fall under the 1 District 1 Factory as they believe it will hasten their collections as they appeal for tricycles and trucks to convey the plastics after collection. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. George Mireku Duker has charged District Assemblies to urgently put in place adequate measures to check encroachment of quarry sites. This, he said, was necessary to forestall fatal incidents that could result from the exploration of granites and protect the operations of quarry businesses in the country. Addressing members of the quarry operators at Afigya Kwabre South District in the Ashanti Region on Thursday, 10th March 2022, Hon. Duker tasked the operators to take measures to secure their concessions. He underscored the important role of the quarry industry in Ghana’s economy by accentuating that the continuous encroachment on quarry sites by unaccredited persons and institutions thwarts the effort of the government in raising revenue for the industry and the country. He thus declared war on encroachment of quarry sites and warned that any person or organization found to have acted in contravention of the laws and regulations will not be spared. “It is really important for us to protect our natural resources. We are all yearning for development projects but how can we do it without our stones. If you encroach, how do we get them? If the assembly wants to build schools and you encroach, how do we resolve that? Where are they going to get the stones?” “Let’s come together as an association and a country to protect and prevent encroachment on these concessions,” he said. Hon. Duker also disclosed that the government as part of plans to increase local participation in the mining industry has agreed with some banks to set up a special unit designated to provide financial assistance to Ghanaian investors in the mining sector. This, he said will erase the phenomenon of Ghanaians fronting foreigners in the small-scale mining industry. He further cautioned that after all these steps, the government will not condone any act of illegality by any Ghanaian or foreigner. “I agree mining is capital intensive and that you may involve foreign nationals but with small-scale mining, the law abhors foreigners from engaging in it. Small-scale mining is the preserve of Ghanaians. If you are a foreigner, you are only allowed to mine in the large-scale industry, he added. “Those who have been fronting for foreigners in the small-scale industry must stop immediately because our law frowns on it. The very act that guides us frowns on Ghanaians fronting for foreigners. The only excuse they give is the lack of adequate funds and that is why we have negotiated with banks to have a dedicated unit called the Mineral Development Unit to assist individuals who want to mine,” he concluded. The District Chief Executive of Afigya Kwabre South Mr. Christian Adu Poku bemoaned the encroachment of concessions in the area whiles lamenting the situation, he also outlined steps taken so far by his outfit to deal with the situation. He warned that Ghana risks losing out ‘billions of dollars’ if punitive actions are not instituted to prevent encroachment of concessions. The Chairman of the Northern chapter of the Ghana Quarry Operators Association, Mr. Adu Tutu Gyamfi tasked the government to take drastic measures to stop what he described as ‘’attack on quarry concession’. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

Screen goddess and newscaster Nana Aba Anamoah has got people’s eyes on their screens after releasing these photos. The newscaster and General Manager of GH One were looking just absolutely beautiful in her new set of photos. Photos below are some pictures: Credit: Anything GH