Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa has been sacked. According to sources, the termination of contract followed a directive from President Akufo-Addo. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "His Excellency, the President of the Republic per letter No. OPS127/22/104 dated 31st January, 2022, has directed that the appointment of Mr. Yaw Kwakwa as the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited be terminated" The statement further said "8n this regard, kindly the necessary steps to give effects to the directive" The statement was signed by the Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie has finally shared his two cents about the introduction of tax on electronic transactions (E-levy) in the country. The award-winning rapper was forced to give his opinion on the matter after a Twitter user by the name @TsaatseB asked that he did so. “@sarkodie Please I want to know what you think about the E-Levy, you have been quiet on it your paddies are speaking their minds ooo,” the Twitter user inquired. Sarkodie responded to the tweet stating that he understands the importance of paying taxes outside of Ghana since he enjoys avenues it has created. However, he believes although citizens pay taxes in Ghana, they do not enjoy the amenities these taxes are meant to bring, hence the reason why he believes Ghanaians are complaining about the introduction of the e-levy. “I pay a lot of taxes outside and I don’t complain because I’m using avenues they made available to make money ( it’s only right ) it’s not same here and that’s why we complain not because the “E Levy” is bad . When you broke, a harmless “good morning “ can sound like a tease,” Sarkodie responded to the tweet. See tweet below; Credit: Ameyaw Debrah

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker in charge of Mines says the efficient exploitation of natural resources is key to Ghana’s socio-economic development. According to him, natural resources relating to mining, forestry, agriculture among others are the backbone of Ghana’s economy and that the growth of the country hinges on the maximization of gains in these sectors. Hon. George Mireku Duker who commissioned the joint Project Steering Committee for the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 noted that the government has instituted various measures to reduce the losses in the exploitation of resources and increase it benefits. “You will agree with me that contributions of the natural resource sector to Ghana’s socio-economic development cannot be overemphasised. Thus, Ghana’s socio-economic development is highly dependent on the exploitation of natural resources in the agricultural, forest and mining sectors in addition to a thriving services sector,” he said. Addressing members of the joint-committee, the Deputy Lands Minister said government appreciates the contribution of small-scale mining to the economy. “In recognition of the vital contributions of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) to Ghana’s sustainable development, the mineral exploration policy was developed, to ensure sustainable extraction of mineral resources in an environmentally sustainable manner. This policy intervention complements the goals and strategies of the National Environment Policy revised in 2014.” Government dealing with threats Hon. Mireku Duker said government efforts to help the extractive sector is under threat from climate change and other biodiversity loss. He, was however of the opinion that with the current policy interventions by government these challenges will be addressed. Hon. George Mireku Duker further appealed to members to work together to ensure that the objectives for which the joint-committee was set up is achieved. The Coordinator for the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project, Dr John Krugu pointed out that the Project Steering Committee (PSC) as part of their mandate will meet twice in a year, with todays inaugural meeting being one of their key mandates; approving a work plan and a budget to enable the coordinating unit to proceed with implementation. All you need to know about the joint committee The Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project is a joint project to be implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). The project seeks to strengthen the ecosystems for integrated natural resources management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscapes. Program (FIP), with an amount of USD 103.36 million facility from the following funding streams: • International Development Association (IDA) Credit of US$75 million. • The project is designed to build on the achievements and lessons from the just ended Sustainable Land and Water Management Project (SLWMP) and the Forest Investment Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant of US$12.7 million. • Global Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Landscapes (PROGREEN) grant of US$15 million. • Extractives Global Programmatic Support (EGPS) Multi-Donor Trust Fund grant of US$0.6 million. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Maxam Ghana Limited has reluctantly agreed to pay a hefty fine of Six Million United Sates Dollars (US$6,000,000.00) imposed on the company by government through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP. In a Statement issued by the Company on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, shortly after the Minister communicated the imposition of the fine to the public, Maxam said, although the breaches found by the Minister did not cause the incident, the company had decided to pay the fine and comply with the measures imposed by the Minister. The fine followed an explosion which occurred on Thursday January 20, 2022, when a truck carrying explosives from Maxam’s Iduapriem plant in Tarkwa to Chirano Gold Mines Ltd, was involved in an incident, leading to the death of thirteen (13) people and the destruction of the entire Appiatse community. In a six-page Press Release issued on Tuesday February 8, 2022 to update the public on the incident, the Minister said after reviewing two reports of the incident submitted by the Minerals Commission and a three-member committee he constituted to conduct independent investigations into the matter, the Ministry established some regulatory breaches on the part of Maxam in respect of the manufacture, storage and transportation of explosives. The Statement further stated that although the regulatory breaches attract fines ranging between Six Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS600.00) and Ten Thousand United States Dollars (US$10,000.00), the Minster imposed the US$1,000,000.00 fine due to “the totality of the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.” In addition to the fine, Maxam has also agreed with the Government to pay an additional amount of Five Million United States Dollars (USD5,000,000.00) bringing the total amount payable by Maxam to Six Million United States Dollars (US$6,000,000.00). The Statement lists a set of ten conditions to be complied with by Maxam before the restoration of their licence to operate. In a swift response shortly after the Minster’s Press Release, Maxam said based on a different interpretation of the law, they did not believe they committed any regulatory breaches. However, to ensure the continuity of their business, and to be able to supply their customers and protect the employment of their workers, they will pay the fine imposed by the Minister. The Statement also said Maxam has agreed to pay the additional US$5,000,000.00 due to their commitment to Ghana and its welfare. The company has also pledged to ensure full compliance with the new regulatory measures announced by the Minster to ensure that their operations are in accordance with the laws of Ghana and international best practices. Below are copies of the releases: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

As the various sectors of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources goes digital, the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands,( OASL) which is also an office under the Ministry, have been highly commended and encouraged to among others, continue in the good work of digitization of their operations. Speaking on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor at the opening of OASL's 24th Annual Review Conference held at the Volta Hotel, Akosmbo on the theme "OASL @ 25, Accessing the Past, RedefiningThe Future of Customary Land Administration", the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio said digitalizing OASL operations and making efforts towards aquring more Regional and District offices are steps in the right direction, expecially in the light of efforts being made to bring land administration services to the doorstep of the people. The Deputy Minister also applauded the Administrator and her staff for their role in the socio-economic development of the country saying "the role of OASL in the Socio-economic development of the country cannot be underestimated, this can be seen in how revenue mobilised over the years have been used by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in their development activities in the form of schools, markets, community centers among others" " Traditional authorities have also been seen to use their portion of the stool land revenue in the development within the communities like building of libraries and scholarship scheme for their subjects. All these have been made possible because of your hard work as an office" he continued. He said he believes that if appropriate strategies are put in place, Ghana's Natural Resources will have the potential to contribute significantly not only to the progressive socio-economic and political development of the country but also to the transformation of the economy. In his speech, the Deputy Minister disclosed that the Ministry has plans to implement policies that will stimulate growth in the land and natural resources sector, stressing that one of the main policies is to liaise with the Ministry of Finance to secure clearance for the employment of right mix of staff to support the agencies particularly in the Regions and Districts. Hon. Benito used the opportunity to congratulate OASL on their 25years in good administration of the Stool Lands in the country and hoped that the next 25years will even be better. He urged staff and Management of the OASL to delve deep and bring ideas that will improve the fortunes of the Office in the ensuring year and also intensify it's publicity on all fronts to sensitise the general public on their obligations to pay rent, dues, royalties and all other payments to boost revenue generation. He said it is the expectation of the Ministry that the OASL will continue to collaborate with the Lands Commission to facilitate the establishment of Customary Lands Secretariat to improve customary lands administration at the local level. "This we believe will go a long way to minimize land related disputes and conflicts". He then assured OASL that the Ministry’s doors are widely opened to assist them saying that the Ministry will put in place the necessary support mechanisms to help the OASL achieve its set mandate as enshrined in the enabling Acts and Regulations. The Administrator of Stool Lands, Surveyor, Mrs. Maame Ama Edumadze-Acquah in her opening statement at the conference on Tuesday, 8th February, 2022 thanked the Minister for gracing the ocassion saying that it's an absolute privilege to have the him travel all the way to attend their 24th Annual Review Conference. She said the purpose of the Annual Conference is to assess the activities of the previous year (2021), identify shortfalls and find ways to improve them. She disclosed that during the year 2021, the efforts of the OASL culminated into mobilising an amount of GHC 105,677,023.09 which is about 80% of their annual target, adding that 90% of this amount has been disbursed to their beneficiaries for development in the various communities and traditional areas. Suveyor Ama Edumadze-Acquah outlined a number of issues to be discussed at the conference, making mention of the review of OASL Act 1994 ( Act 481), efforts  towards developing Guidelines for the use of Stool Land Revenue, finalizing on OASL Rent Application among many other issues. She commended her staff for their support and hard work during the year under review and hoped that the discussions and decisions made at the ongoing review conference will go a long way to better the lot of the OASL in 2022 and the years ahead. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A Jinapor, MP, has imposed a fine of Six Million United States Dollars (USD6, 000,000.00) on Maxam Ghana Limited, the company at the centre of the explosion that occurred at Appiatse in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region, which killed some thirteen (13) people and razed the entire community down. According to a Press Statement issued by the Minister, the Six Million is made up of One Million Dollars fine and Five Million Dollars which the company agreed with the Ministry, after extensive discussions, to pay to Government. The statement said the fine was imposed after the Report of the three-member Committee constituted by the Minister to undertake independent investigations into the matter affirmed some regulatory breaches on the part of the company, in the manufacture, storage and transportation of explosives for mining and other civil works. Although the penalties for the said breaches, pursuant to L.I. 2177, ranges between Six Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS600.00) to Ten Thousand United States Dollars (USD10,000), the Statement said the Minister imposed the hefty fine due to the nature and the totality of the circumstance leading to this tragic incident. The Minister has also set out fourteen (14) conditions to be met by the company before the restoration of their operating permit. The measures include a ban on the transportation of Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (ANFO) on a public road to a mine or civil work site unless expressly permitted by the Chief Inspector of Mines. Other measures include explosives being guarded by two escort vehicles, one in front and one at the back, both having sirens to warn people about the explosives. The company is to notify the Chief Inspector of Mines of their intention to transport explosives, forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled transportation, and mine inspectors are to inspect every transportation to ensure that all regulations and protocols are complied with. The Minister said the fourteen (14) measures are to apply, fully, to all companies involved in the manufacture, supply, transportation, and use of explosives. The Statement also says sanctions against Jocyderk Logistics Limited and Arthanns Enterprise and Transport Services, two entities involved in the Appiatse tragic incident are being reviewed and will be applied and communicated in due course. The statement explained that the Ministry is putting in place the necessary measures to ensure that mining and mine support services, are conducted in a safe and healthy environment that poses no danger to life or property. Below are copies of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah has hinted that all tollbooths across the country will be converted into proper and decent public urinals. According to him, the conversion will help curb the attitude of roadusers peeing along the roads. Speaking to Journalists, the Minister said "We even want to refurbishment all tollbooth structures to provide proper and decent washrooms for the use by motorists" "This will advise them to desist from that practice where sometimes you see cars stopping on the highway and people getting down to wee-wee as we usually see" It will be recalled that in the 2022 budget read in Parliament by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, he mentioned that government has decided to scrap the collection of road toll across the country. Thinknewsonline.com can confirm that the tollbooths have been abandoned since the pronouncements. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the controversial E-Levy as NOT being a TAX but rather, a plain thievery in the league of the PDS scandal and the likes. This was disclosed at a press conference by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Youth Organizer, Mr.George Opare Addo, as he declares the party’s preparedness in joining an amalgamation of political parties, CSOs, other identifiable groups etc coming together under the cloak of the Coalition of Concerned Ghanaians to stage ‘Yentua Demonstration’ on Thursday, February 10, 2022 in Accra as the beginning of a nationwide protest to be staged across the country. “Already, Ghanaians are saddled with many taxes resulting in the increase in petroleum products, high tariffs, increase in prices of goods and service, increase in the cost of living etc. Even when Ghanaians have almost unanimously kicked against the introduction of the obnoxious e-levy, the Akufo Addo/Bawumia administration is bent on using all means possible to force it down their throats” He emphasized that, No leader who has the interest of his people at heart, wouldl seek to impose 1.75%, soon to be a 1.5% levy on the savings of the already suffering people. According to Mr. Opare Qddo, the rationale behind the demonstration is to give backing to Members of the Minority Group in Parliament, who are fighting at the peril of their lives to stop the Akufo Addo/Bawumia administration from foisting its unpopular E-levy tax down the throats of Ghanaians. Again, demand that the pain of university students at the mercy of the UTAG strike comes to an end. Also, the gratuities of NABCO trainees and other outstanding arrears owed young people on various government platforms are paid immediately, Furthermore, the weak cedi be strengthened and nuisance taxes on petroleum products rescinded. “The President and his spokesmen have given comic reasons why there is the need to impose the levy. The only reasons why this government is doing everything possible to impose the levy is that Ghana is not credit worthy hence it can no longer borrow or raise bonds on the international market” He lamented that, President Akufo Addo is in bad need of the e-levy not to do things they claim they would use it for but principally, to finance his expensive globetrotting expeditions. “At a time University students are lazing on campuses because lecturers are on strike, this government is only interested in passing an e-levy. All of a sudden, the economic prowess of the so-called fantastic economic management team has fizzled out such that e-levy has become the savior”. The NDC National Youth Organizer therefore, call on all Ghanaians, including NPP members feeling the pinch, to join the Coalition on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Obra Sport at 7:00am to demonstrate their revulsion to government. He asked Government to immediately honour its obligations to university teachers so that they can return to the lecture halls likewise, urgently pay NABCO beneficiaries who are painfully depressed. “We also demand that the Price Stabilisation and recovery levy be suspended without fail and the irrelevant sanitation and pollution levy all added to the petroleum price build-up be cancelled”. Story by: Williams Sarpong

Ghana’s biggest opposition party NDC, Civil Society Organisations, other political parties and concerned citizens are joining forces to stage demontration against controversial 1.75% e-levy Thursday. The process to pass the E-levy Bill into law under the certificate of urgency by Ghana’s Parliament resulted in chaotic scenes after First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Owusu presiding attempted to bend the rules and vote. Speaking at a press conference in Accra-Ghana on Monday 7 February 2022, National Youth Organiser of NDC Lawyer George Opare Addo said “Ghaianans can’t be forced to clean the economic mess caused by Akufo-Addo Bawumia government. Thursday 7am, February 10, 2022, We’ll protest whilst protecting lives and property. Where are the men they promised they have? “. Meanwhile, Former PNC National Chairman and Convener of Justice for Ghana Bernard Monah says “Government must put the well-being of Ghanaians first when taking actions. E-levy is thievery. This is not NDC affair. Yentua Demo will come on”. Source: africaneditors.com

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that 5 persons have lost their lives in a ghastly road accident at the Nsawam Mobil in the Eastern Region. According to sources, the unfortunate accident occurred on the afternoon of Monday 7th February, 2022. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who was at the scenes took to his Twitter handle to break the sad news. He tweeted "I was at the scene of a fatal road accident at "Nsawam Mobil", which claimed 5 lives & left 12 people with serious injuries" The MP prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased & speedy recovery of the injured. He mentioned that the Emergency services & police were also at the scene managing the situation. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that a taxi and a cargo truck were the two vehicles that caused the accident. He called on the media as well as social media users to honour the dignity of the deceased and. injured. He charged them not to share the gory or bloody photos of the victims. Below are more images from the scene: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Legon, Dr. Samuel Nkumbaan has stated that the National Labour Commission (NLC) after dragging them to court cannot act as the mediator between them and government. Speaking to Accra based Joy News, he stated that, upon the advice of the court the NLC sent the association a letter to meet and reach a resolution. According to him, upon a second thought came to the conclusion that NLC is not fit to mediate their issues. He indicated that the NLC has no right to order them. “We were of the opinion that, we could not possibly be in the court with the NLC and be ordered to appear before it. In actual fact, the letter did not have an agenda item and so for us the best to have done was to write to the commission and let them know that the meeting wasn’t the best forum for us.” Dr. Nkumbaan added that it was government that can resolve their issues not the NLC. He indicated that the absence of a representative from government in the proposed meeting with the NLC is the reason for their boycott. However, Dr. Nkumbaan stressed that the association has received an invitation from the Minister of Education through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and its stakeholders to meet on February 8, 2022 at 3PM. UTAG is in its fifth week of the strike action since February 10 after government according to them failed to meet their demands per timelines agreed upon by both parties. Prior to this strike, UTAG embarked on strike action in September 2021. Story by: Vanessa Calys-Tagoe

Former President John Dramani Mahama says the Akufo- Addo led administration has no credible or viable plan to get the Ghanaians out of the current economic crisis. In a Facebook post, he stated that the collective buy-ins from Ghanaians, development partners and investors are being ignored when they can be used to alleviate the current crisis. He added that the much needed Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan is nowhere in sight. According to him, the recovery plan would lay “a firm blueprint for fiscal consolidation in the face of a worsening economic situation.” The former President further adds that, beyond the “ill-conceived” E-levy, the Akufo-Addo administration seems to have no viable plan to alleviate the current economic hardships of the Ghanaian people. In addition, he states that government must borrow a leaf from the approach of the NDC during the challenges the party faced in 2015 while it was in power. “As I have indicated previously, the government must as a matter of urgency, borrow a leaf from our sound approach toward the challenges we faced in 2015. We immediately convened the Senchi Economic Forum at which we tapped the brains and expertise of a wide variety of knowledgeable people and stakeholders and built a consensus on our economic plan going forward.” Former President John Mahama stressed that President Akufo- Addo is nonchalant to the crisis on the ground and his team has limited responses to harsh tax measures. “Yet, President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Head of the Economic Management Team, rather appallingly, remain nonchalant in the face of this serious crisis and have limited their response to the imposition of very harsh and regressive tax measures, one of which is the E-Levy, which has been roundly rejected by the people of Ghana.” He also stated that the Akufo- Addo administration received and misused the largest economic bailout in the history of Ghana from the IMF, World Bank and others. He said, it's a pity that the NPPs economic plan is largely reliant on the e-levy. “The Akufo-Addo administration in 2020/21 received and misapplied the largest windfall or bailout in Ghana's history: a $1 billion concessional facility from the IMF, another $1 billion in SDR allocation, $430 million from the World Bank, $250 million from the Stabilization Fund, Gh¢10 billion from the Central Bank. This amounted to a total of about GH¢33 billion. "It is a pity that today, the NPP's entire economic plan hinges on the passage of an E-levy expected to raise a little over Gh¢6 billion. How did we arrive here?” The former President is of the view that, the current administration must swallow its pride and set up a forum to engage stakeholders for a better solution to the current challenges before "we hit a point of no return." Below are some screenshots: Story by: Vanessa Calys-Tagoe