The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has congratulated Ghana on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the independence day on Sunday March 6. A message shared on the official Twitter handle of the Russian Embassy in Accra said “President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Ghana.” PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION VLADIMIR PUTIN SENT A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA! 🇷🇺🇬🇭 — Russian Embassy in Ghana (@RusEmbGhanaEng) He said the “bilateral dialogue and partnership meets the interests of our people, contributing to the peace and security on the African continent.” “I wish you good health and every success, as well as happiness and prosperity to all your compatriots,” the statement added. The embassy itself said “On 6th March, the Republic of Ghana 🇬🇭 celebrates Anniversary of the 65th Independence Day. “We wish all the People of Ghana happiness, wealth and prosperity!” Below is the tweet: Story by: Laud Nartey

It is emerging that the office of the President will not provide any financial support for the organisation of this year’s Independence Day celebration per the status quo. This was contained in a ‘Wireless Message’ from the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, to all Regional Ministers (RMs) and their Regional Coordinating Councils (RMCs). She explained that the presidency is budget-constrained thus unable to provide financial support to the regions to celebrate Independence Day. The Chief of Staff has therefore advised that the day be celebrated in modesty. “I am directed to inform your regional coordinating council that due to budget constraint: the office of the president cannot provide financial support to your council for the 65th March activities for this year as has been the practice over the years: you are therefore entreated to be modest in our 65th Independence anniversary celebration activities,” part of the ‘Wireless Message’ sighted by GhanaWeb read. Ghana’s 65th Independence Day anniversary will be held at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium under the theme “Working Together, Bouncing Back Better." Meanwhile, ahead of that celebration, Senior Vice President of Imani Ghana, Kofi Bentil, has raised concerns regarding the treatment of school children during Independence Day celebrations. He wants the abuse where school children parade in the scorching sun to stop. “I sincerely hope we have matured beyond lining kids in the Sun to march in the name of Independence Day! Can we avoid abusing kids this 6th March please!!!” he posted on his Facebook wall. See picture below: Credit: Ghanaweb

Continental Club Masters, Accra Hearts of Oak on Friday beat their bitter rivals, Asante Kotoko 2-1 to lift the 2022 President's Cup. The beautiful event was held at the Accra Sports Stadium. With both teams looking poised in the first half, the Phobia did not leave any stone unturned as they played Kotoko boot for bot in the first half. Also the first half of the game was not as exciting as most spectators assumed, the team clubs played their hearts out. The early stages of second half saw the Phobians pressing. Their efforts was rewarded after Afriyie Barnie drew the first blood for the home side. In the 70th minute, substitute, Boateng pounced on a loose ball and slotted it into the back of the net making it all squad. With what seem to be heading to the extra time or spot kick, the Phobians performed some magic after Patrick Razak was given a through-pall after Kotoko failed to capitalise from a free kick. As fast as he could, Patrick Razak sped off and found the back of the net in the 88th minutes. Midfielder Sulley Muntari made 38 touches with a 69.5% pass accuracy The former Inter Milan star had 4 shots, 3 interceptions, 1 key pass, 1 tackle won and won 3 fouls for the Phobians. The former Black Stars midfielder's effort earned him his first trophy in his first month as a Hearts of Oak player. The Continental Club Masters defended the scoreline until the final whistle was blown. Special Guest of Honor, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo handed over the trophy to the Phobians and congratulated them. The President's Cup was played as part Ghana's upcoming 65th Independence Anniversary. The win today made it, Hearts' 6th Presidential Cup. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, (MP) has admonished mining companies in the country, particularly small scale mining firms to undertake their mining operations in a manner that reduces the risk of harm to the natural environment to the barest minimum. Delivering a speech on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, (MP) at the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ Biennial Expanded Council Conference themed “Deepening the responsible mining agenda to promote socio-economic development in Ghana”, Hon. George Mireku Duker tasked the companies to deploy responsible mining measures in their activities at all times. The Deputy Minister counselled that adhering strictly to responsible mining practices will not only protect Ghana’s natural resources but also help the companies, the mining communities and the country enjoy optimal benefits from mining. Whiles recognizing the contribution of large-scale mining companies to the country’s economy, Hon. Duker emphasized the need for dedication and commitment to mining regulations. “Responsible mining mantra is equally applicable to the large scale mining sector of the industry. Indeed, responsible economic activity has been recognized as a key means of spurring sustainable development by the private sector. Therefore, whiles acknowledging the economic contribution of the sector, being “responsible” also includes taking right decisions, complying with requirements, being accountable and liable to regulatory review and, in case of falling foul, to penalties", he said. Drumming home his sermon on responsible mining at the event which was held in Kumasi on Friday, March 4, 2022, Hon. Duker stated that the unfortunate and devastating effect of the Appiatse explosion should serve as a wake up call to all mining firms. “The recent incident at Apiatse is still fresh in our minds. And unfortunate though it was, it presents us with the opportunity to deepen our sense of responsibility across all levels of mining operations so that we don’t get to erode the gains made so far,” he maintained. He said the Ministry will continue to take initiatives that will facilitate responsible mining in the operations of both small and large scale mining firms. He said since assumption of office the government has sought to re-engineer the governance framework of the mining sector through diverse interventions in an attempt to sanitize the Small- Scale Mining (SSM) subsector in particular. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has since his appointment brought renewed impetus to the process through various initiatives aimed at whipping up a sense of responsibility in mining practices towards the natural environment. “The recently held maiden Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards with a theme, “PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE MINING”, was a deliberate attempt to encourage responsible mining practices in the SSM space. The theme for the conference, “Deepening The Responsible Mining Agenda to Promote Socio-Economic Development in Ghana”, therefore, aligns very well with government vision for the mining sector,” he said. Mr. Martin Ayisi, CEO of Minerals Commission touched on the Review of Minerals and Mining Act, the Implementation of Minerals and Mining (Local content and local participation) Regulations, L. I. 2431. He charged the CEO’s of Mining companies to comply with local content provisions in their infrastructural developments. Mr. Eric Asubonteng, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines observed that the efforts of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A.Jinapor in addressing some of the challenges facing the mining sector is encouraging. He said that the strides made by Hon. Jinapor and his deputies in the mining sector fills him with confidence that the challenges facing the sector are surmountable. The Expanded Council Meeting is held every two years by the Ghana Chamber of Mines to bring together key stakeholders in the mining industry under one umbrella to discuss matters relating to the growth of the industry. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

Twenty-six (26) teams of researchers from thirteen (13) universities and research institutions across the country have received grant from the Jospong Group of Companies’ (JGC) Environmental Sanitation Research Fund (ESRF) to investigate issues in the space of environmental sanitation. The grant is expected to fund research projects led by these researchers to help keep Ghana clean, and more importantly, for governments to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The maiden ESRF awards saw the Africa Environmental Sanitation (AfES) Consult Limited, the administrators of the fund, present certificates to all the successful applicants. The teams and their number of researchers are from institutions including Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (4), C.K. Tedam University of Applied Science (2), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute for Industrial Research (1), Ho Technical University (2), Institute of Local Government Studies (1), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (5), Kumasi Technical University (1) and Koforidua Technical University (1). The rest are University for Development Studies (1), University of Energy and Natural Resources (1), University of Environment and Sustainable Development (2), University of Education, Winneba (2), University of Ghana (1) and University of Professional Studies (2). In her welcome address, the Managing Director of, AfES Consult Ltd., Dr. (Mrs.) Abena Asomaning Antwi, said these institutions will conduct their research within their respective regions, adding that they constitute eight (8) out of the sixteen (16) regions of the country. “These projects will help in development and the realisation of the SDGs on climate action, clean water, and sanitation. The research topics include waste to energy, improvements to the solid and liquid waste management systems, and enhancement of compost quality, among others,” she disclosed. According to her, the 26 teams of successful researchers were selected out of 45 applications. While congratulating the winners and commending the organisers including JGC and AfES Consult Ltd., the Board Chair of AfES Consult Ltd., Dr. Mercy Gardiner Tenkorang, underscored the importance of research and development on the environment and sanitation. She explained that this funding scheme will provide the necessary support for practical and empirically based sustainable research in the field of environmental sanitation. This, she added, will help bridge the “ever-widening gap” between academia and industry: “specific industry problems within the eco-system of waste management will be identified and researched for sustainable solutions.” "Private sector development has resulted in a significant improvement in the investment of technologies for waste service delivery since the privatisation of the sector some decades ago" “It is obvious that private sector players, such as the Jospong Group of Companies with keen focus on its waste companies, have given critical components for developing models aimed at guaranteeing sustainable waste collection, recovery, and disposal. Over time, this progress has improved economic growth, reduced poverty, and ensured a safe, clean, and habitable environment,” Dr. Gardiner Tenkorang said. However, the board chair of AfES Consult Ltd., indicated that thriving private sector in environmental sanitation was saddled with socioeconomic and environmental challenges in their day-to-day business operations. These challenges, she pointed out, included finding new ways to add value to the waste collected by adopting circular economy models, and other environmentally friendly approaches such as green and smart cities. She said these challenges required innovation and long-term solutions that were both cost-effective and environmentally beneficial in order to promote and sustain economic growth and well-being. “To foster economic growth and social inclusion, a knowledge-based society is required, thus investment in research and development (R&D). However, this will not happen by itself. It will need a long-term commitment to quality scientific inquiry, and innovation to steer continuous progress in business and policy while also ensuring that a competent peer-review procedure is in place to lead funds toward high-quality science,” Dr. Gardiner Tenkorang urged. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Environment and Sanitation Group of the JGC, Mrs. Florence Larbi, in a speech read for her, stressed that for the gains along the waste management value chain to be sustained and further improved, there was the need for a “strong research, development and innovation framework.” “An integrated system should focus on both the technical and non-technical elements of waste management and strategic and appropriate partnership with stakeholders. …Elements to be considered will not only include research and development. Findings should be integrated with good governance, adequate funding and communication,” she suggested. In this regard, Mrs. Larbi underscored the need for waste management solutions to look beyond just disposal of waste and “move up the so-called hierarchy which factors waste prevention, minimisation, re-use and recovery.” Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor has outlined new and stringent measures for the transportation of explosives following the Appiatse disaster. Addressing Parliament on Thursday, March 3 investigations so far into the accident, he said the committee investigating the matter did not consider a possible collision of the tricycle as widely reported in the media. “The committee recommended that Maxam [the company transporting explosives] be sanctioned. The committee also made some recommendations to make the transportation of the explosives safer. “These include the installation of fire suppression systems in explosive vehicles, the use of two escort vehicles, one in front and one behind, the use of two Police officers, one-armed and the other unarmed, the use of sirens to alert road users and the review of the entire health and safety regime of the mining industry. “As to the specific issue of publication of the report, it is the considered view of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that it will be more useful to publish the report of the health and safety committee of inquiry which has a broader mandate and whose recommendations are geared towards reformation of the mining sector. “The matters of tricycle and vehicle crossing each other on roads is not a matter within the remit of the Minister for Lands and Natural resources. Those are matters within the remit of the MTTD of the Ghana Police service. I have no mandate to investigate these matters, left alone to make findings.” The Police had said immediately after the accident which occurred on Thursday, January 20 that its preliminary investigation established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion. The Police statement said “Reference to our earlier emergency public notice, the Police have taken charge of the situation providing security to enable the emergency workers including the Ghana National Fire Service, NADMO and the Ambulance Service to manage the situation. “The public has been advised to move out of the area to nearby towns for their safety while recovery efforts are underway. An appeal is also being made to nearby towns to open up their classrooms, churches, etc to accommodate surviving victims. “Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion. Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality. Source: 3news.com

A litre of fuel, petrol and diesel, has crossed the GH¢8.00 mark, now selling at the pumps at a minimum GH¢8.29 across the country. Some oil marketing companies are selling their products as high as GH¢8.45. With government reeling under great financial pressure arising from what analysts say is a very poor state of the economy, and not prepared to either effect any subsidies or adjust taxes on the petroleum price build-up to cushion buyers, the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US dollar will continue to push the prices up. The Ghana cedi is on a free fall against the US dollar, and according to the Institute of Energy Securities, other factors pushing the fuel price increases “include the 3.33% increase in the price of Brent crude, the 2.71% rise in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price, the 3.58% increase in the price of petrol, and the 4.50% jump in diesel price; all on the international oil and fuel markets”. Checks by WoezorTV News reveal an increase in a litre of fuel from GH¢7.990 to GH¢8.290 at Total, Shell, and Puma filling stations. Sel Oil has followed suit, increasing their prices by 6:00am on March 2, 2022. Goil prices however remain at GH¢7.99. Within the last three months, fuel prices have skyrocketed. A litre of fuel cost GH¢5.80 at the pumps on January 1, 2022. This, however, has increased and is presently selling at an average price of GH¢8.29 on March 2, 2022. Meanwhile, The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is predicting that a litre of fuel will sell at GH¢9.00 by end of March 2022. Executive secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, says the current increase is even on the downside. “What the situation in Ukraine will mean is that international market prices will continue to surge. Again, we also have a situation where the cedi is not doing so well. I foresee the Ghanaian fuel prices crossing GH¢9.00 per litre before the end of the month.” he added. The Institute of Energy Securities and COPEC had previously warned that if Ghanaian authorities do nothing to address growing global fuel prices as Russia invades Ukraine, prices of petroleum products at the pumps could reach the GH¢8 level in the first pricing window of March. Credit: 3news.com

The Airport Divisional Police MTTD says it arrested the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembele Constituency, Emmanuel Kofi Buah and four others for careless driving. According to the Police, the arrests were made on the evening of March, 2022 near the Aviation Social Centre. In a statement signed by the Regional Public Affairs Unit, Chief Inspector Bright Danso, it said "The Airport Divisional Police MTTD on the evening of 3rd March 2022, near tye Aviation Social Centre arrested the folks drivers for careless and inconsiderate driving, including driving in tye middle of the road facing oncoming vehicles" The arrested drivers include; Ahiadoglo Godnows, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number WR 2416-17, Arthur Asafo-Agyei Adu, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser Pravin with registration number GT 489-15. Others are; Avdul Bandaogo, driving a Hyundai Sonata with registration number DV 6056-22; Ntiedu George, driving a scion taxi cab with registration number GR1851-21. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembele Constituency, Emmanuel Kofi Buah not spared and he was also arrested. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The first batch of Nigerian nationals evacuated from the conflict in Ukraine arrived on Friday morning in the capital, Abuja. The group consists of 451 students according to the chairman of Nigeria’s parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Yusuf Buba, who accompanied them from Romania’s capital, Bucharest. Nigeria is expected to evacuate 5,000 citizens who are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Many have crossed over to the neighboring countries of Romania, Poland, and Hungary. The repatriation exercise was meant to start on Wednesday but was delayed because of logistics challenges. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission have tweeted photos of the students’ arrival at Nnamdi Azikwe international airport. Check the tweet below: Credit: BBC

Painstaking investigations conducted by Onua TV News indicate that the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has been wallowing in serious financial challenges for the past two years. The investigations uncovered that over 130 contract staff of the Programme have not been paid for the past eight months, and salaries of permanent staff are also in arrears for months. The situation is so dire that staff including cleaners did not receive even a Pesewa as a Christmas bonus in December 2021, demoralizing them and frustrating them further. A confidential document intercepted during the investigations also revealed that management of the social intervention programme did not receive even a cedi for their operational activities for all four quarters in the year 2021. The government in the 2021 budget approved over GH¢440 million for GSFP to be used for operational activities as well as compensation and goods and services. Though the money was transferred to the Gender Ministry’s account, it idled there whilst the Programme suffered unduly. Due to this, the Secretariat could not embark on essential monitoring activities since funds to embark on such activities were withheld by the Gender Ministry, even under Caretaker Minister, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, whom many had hoped would inject some seriousness into the pro-poor programme. The confidential document, which was an SOS (save our soul) message sent to the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, last year, asked her to use her office to intervene in the situation to save the Programme from collapsing under the Akufo-Addo-led government. “Funds for 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2021 have not been released to the secretariat and have brought our operational activities to a standstill,” part of the document read. “This situation is quite worrying as it has brought undue hardships to these affected staff and their families.” This is how the document captured the pain of the unpaid staff to the Chief of Staff. A senior staff member of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, speaking on anonymity confirmed the content of the confidential document to Onua TV. “Currently, operational activities of the Programme have seriously been affected by the failure of the Ministry to release funds. We are unable to go on monitoring to check the activities of caterers, giving some caterers a field day to do whatever they want which does not insure the benefit of the programme,” the staff member said. Apart from this, over 10,000 caterers are yet to be paid for services rendered to the Ghana School Feeding Programme for the third term of the 2020/21 academic year, a situation most caterers are finding difficult to cope with. The Programme is currently indebted to its service providers, who are unwilling to service even air-conditioners, printers, vehicles, furniture etc. Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Secretariat, Siiba Alfa, has admitted that the Programme is facing some financial challenges, hence the decision to halt enrollment of more schools onto the Programme. Story by: Kweku Antwi-Otoo

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bgabin has said he does not expect both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to like him in the performance of his duty as speaker. Mr. Bagbin said he remains impartial as Speaker but that does not mean he is neutral. He said he cannot be neutral because he has an interest. “Throughout my practice, I have never been a fanatic of party politics,” he told the Council of State members in a meeting" He added ” I have always preached across the political divide. I have very good friends from the other side and that is how come I won. I couldn’t have won without the support of members from the [NPP] and so you will hear me say that at the end of the day, I don’t expect either party to praise me" “You also heard me say that in the performance of my functions, I will be impartial, but I will not be neutral. This is what I learned from my father the late Rt Honorable Peter Ala Adjetey. “He said in a ruling which is in the hansard. So, any matter that comes before the House I cannot be neutral because I have an interest in it but in performing my duty as a speaker I will be impartial" “I cannot sit as Speaker and see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. That will be abdicating my rule as a stateman, as one of the leaders of the country" “So I have an interest in what happens on the floor. When I disagree against the left or the right I will say it. That is what I am committed to doing. That is why I said that at the end of the day I don’t expect either party to praise me because I may hurt both.” Story by: Laud Nartey

Sometime ago rapper Medikal and his bestie Shatta Wale, announced their world tour together, titled DTB Tour. The two really geared up for this tour and have arrived in the USA to kick off their tour. The two were in a mood in a video sighted online at their arrival. Watch the video below; Credit: Anything GH