The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio has disclosed that Government through the  Ministry will soon set up a regional office for the Mineral Commission in Sefwi Wiawso to help deal with the many illegal activities in the region. He said he is aware that the office in Bibiani is operational but with all the illegalities happening in the Regional Capital, it is expedient an office is established to deal with the issues more closely. The Deputy Minister said this when he met some members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) at Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region on Thursday, 13th January, 2022. Hon. Benito gave the RECSEC an assurance that he will prompt his colleague Deputy Minister in charge of Mines to start a Community Mining Scheme in the area which he believes will help the situation as it will give these illegal loggers and miners an alternative source of livelihood. Addressing the Regional Security Council members, the Deputy Minister announced that his visit follows the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor's earlier visit and request of them to put together a list of needs and also to ascertain their challenges particularly with regards to the forest reserves. He said "We have come to the RCC because we know you are in charge of administration, security and all others that happens in the region. Our Minister has also been here but we are here today specifically because of the forest reserves" He added that he is aware of some illegal activities on going in some forest reserves in the region and therefore came to verify the claims and see how best the Ministry can help curb the menace. Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio assured the REGSEC that his outfit will liaise with the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso to find best ways to resolve the issues raised. Nana Bumagama II, the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso who was also present at the meeting thanked the Deputy Minister for his assurance of support and promised to donate a full house to accommodate the new Minerals Commission office as and when it is established. The Chief Director of the Regional Cordinating Council (RCC) who received the Deputy Minister and his entourage on behalf of the Regional Minister said the REGSEC have had series of meetings to review their security operations because illegal activities in the reserves are becoming increasingly dangerous, even for the workers of the Forestry Commission. He disclosed " these illegal loggers operate in many of the reserves, even the ones that share boarders with  Ahafo Region. They mostly operate during the night and threaten the lives of the Forestry officers when they are seen" The Director added that another issue that needs immediate attention is the reclamation of mined out areas in the region. He said it has become a scare to people living in communities with such pits. He opined that they have been trying to help the Commission in some ways. Stating that they had plans of organising a police and military joint operations in the reserves but due to finance and logistical constraints they haven't been able to execute this plan. The Director was however quick to admit that the Ministry has already requested for a budget from the REGSEC to help in that regard and they believe that there will soon be some action. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio has commended higly the staff of the Sefwi Wiawso Forestry Commission for working tirelessly even under tough conditions to keep under control the issue of illegalities in the district. He said this during a staff durbar with the Sefwi Wiawso Forestry Commission on the sidelines of his fact-finding trip to some forest reserves in Sefwi Wiawso district of the Western North Region on Thursday, 13th January, 2022. Hon. Bento said "I am highly impressed with the work that you have done here so far expecially under such challenging conditions" He added that witnessing the situation for himself has made him appreciate seriousness of it and as matter of urgency he will report to the sector Minister and come back with strict actions to curb the situation. The Deputy Minister was  however worried about how the operators are able to transport  wood out of the region, saying that if there are any officers helping these operators, investigations will be conducted to expose them. He therefore charged them to be patriotic, urging  them to work even harder to check the in roads and find ways to stop their means of transportation immediately. Touching on the staff welfare issues, he stated that they are aware of all their concerns and the sector Minister who paid an earlier visit to the region has already started putting  measures in place to ensure that their concerns are attended to. " We have actually already started working on your welfare issues. Sector Minister has been here and you will hear very good news in the coming months" He aslo employed the opportunity to remind the staff of the Ministry’s plans to plant 20 million trees during the 2022 Green Ghana  exercise. As the main stakeholders of this excerise  Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio urged the staff of the Commission to prepare their minds and be in readiness to work harder than they did last year. " As the main stakeholders of Green Ghana, we are here to whip up your support and commitment towards  the exercise this year. We will have to deliver and we will need your support to make this happen" On his part, The Chairman of the Forestry Commission Board, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, who also doubles as the Paramount Chief of the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area,  also praised the Sefwi Wiawso Forestry officials, for a job well done so far. The Paramount chief said he is however sadden by the situation on the grounds. Stating that " It is heartbreaking to see what is happening in the corridors of the region and as a matter of urgency, we must combat it". He added that the Board will immediately set up a meeting and strategize workable  ways to resolve the issue of illegalities before they get out of hand. Tetrete Okuamoah assured the staff that upon seeing the dangerous circumstances in which they work, he is going to ensure that their safety is always a priority to make officials feel safe as they deliver on their mandate. Mr. John Allotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission in his address, outlined details of  plans put in place by the commission with regards to staff welfare and safety. He said they are putting together measures to train more guards on the usage of some equipments and weapons to  improve on their work both on the field and to enhance the capacity of the officers, Disclosing that they have procured some laptops, desktops and about 1000 weapons which will soon be realised to beef up their work. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio in charge of Lands and Forestry, has paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Nana Katakyie Kwesi Bumagama II on the sidelines of his field trip to Sefwi Wiawso of the Western North Region on Thursday, 13th January, 2022. Addressing the Omanhene and his Chiefs, the Deputy Minister disclosed that his visit follows claims of some illegal activities on going in forest reserves in Sefwi Wiawso which has caused him to lead a team from the Forestry Commission to verify these claims. He added that regardless of his position as the Deputy Minister in charge of Forestry, he cannot go ahead with his operations in the area without the permission and blessings of the Omanhene and hence his visit to the Palace. The Deputy Minister reiterated and assured the Chief that, the Ministry's mandate to curb illegal activities in the country continues unabated and therefore he should count on the outfits support on the combat. The Omanhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Nana Katakyie Kwesi Bumagama II said he has been trying to get in touch with the Minister on these claims and therefore he is happy the Deputy Minister's has visited at such an opportune time. The Omanhene further confirmed that there are indeed illegal mining activitues taking place in the area saying that" there are even some illegal loggers who come in armed to the teeth posing a threat to the lives of the people in the communities and Forestry officers". Nana Bumagama said considering the gravity of the issue, he would personally accompany the Deputy Minister on his field trip to the forest reserves in question. Also with the Deputy Minister on this trip is the Cheif Executive Officer, Mr. John Allotey and other Board members of the Forestry Commission. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Gyasehene of Dawuriso in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region has committed suicide after using a huge sum of money belonging to some cocoa farmers in the area to bet on the ongoing African Cup of Nations. The 76-year-old retired educationist shot himself on Thursday morning, January 13, 2022, in his bedroom, after asking his son to prepare him some porridge for breakfast. Reports say the late chief discussed the circumstances surrounding his indebtedness to his colleague cocoa farmers in the district together with his family and they promised to help him raise the said amount but failed. According to Class Media Group’s correspondent, Nana Amoako Gyampo, the late chief was the treasurer of the cocoa farmers in the Asante Akyem North district and it was suspected that he had collected money amounting to GHS120,000 for the bet. Nana Amoako Gyampo told Accra100.5FM’s mid-day news that somebody prevailed on the late chief to bet the money on the ongoing Afcon games to double it and he obliged. It is, however, not clear which team and match the late chief bet on. Nana Amoako explained that the late chief was expected to account for the money by Monday, January 17, 2022. Nana Amoako further reported that the late chief’s hopes were dashed on Thursday, 13 January 2022 when he could not raise half of the money he had lost through betting, hence the decision to commit suicide. Credit: Class Fm

As part of efforts to improve education in the Assin land of the Central region, the Network for Assin Development, (NAD) a Non-Governmental Organization, has begun the 4th edition of its ‘Boanimdea project’ to donate Furniture, school uniforms, and other learning materials to the Assin Dwenakye community school. Network for Assin Development is a registered independent non-governmental and non-profit organization based in the Assin District of the Central Region. `Boanimdea Project` slated for 20th January 2022, forms part of the NGO’s vision to support deprived communities especially the Assin land. The organization was established in 2017 by a group of educated, dynamic and like-minded youth, who are interested in the socio-economic development of the Assin District. The aim is to mobilize resources to help address the developmental challenges confronting the people. The Executive Director/Founder Mr. Samuel Adobah disclosed that, Education has always proven to be a very important tool for development in any country. In Ghana, however, though the government has taken steps to ensure the realization of quality education, there are still lot of work to be done as the educational sector still faces several challenges, especially in the rural areas including the Assin land. According to him, Assin land, over the years, has faced numerous challenges in education and therefore government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities. Mr. Adobah urged the society to take education seriously to help build a better future hence, quality education start from good foundation. He stated that, much attention should be given to children in the deprived Communities by stakeholders in order to achieve SDGs goal 4. Mr. Adobah mentioned that, NAD is gathering data of all schools facing challenges in the 3 districts of Assin to help effectively mobilize resources to help address them. 18 schools, so far, have been identified in the Assin North districts which includes, Tweapease Bask School, Simpa Kg/Pry, Kushea Ninkyiso Kg/Pry, Subinso African Faith Basic, Asuoankomaso Kg/Pry, Nkranfuom Basic School ,Pewodie Kg/Pry School, Kadadwen DA Kg/Pry School Donkorkrom Da Basic School ,Ntowkrom DA Basic School, Adukrom Asuogya DA Basic School, Wawase DA Basic Shool, Nyame Nnae DA Basic School, Odumase Wawase DA Basic School, Camp C DA Kg/Primary, Basofi Ningo, Camp C, Kojo Benyin DA Kg/Pry School, Sekanbodua Da Basic School, Sekanbodua Dwendamba MA Basic School. The Project coordinator Rev. Stephen Arthur added that, the organization, since its inception has distributed over 5,000 educational materials to support some schools in Assin land. He revealed, building materials were also donated to the Assin Brofoyedur M/A basic last year to renovate some blocks which were destroyed by the rains. Rev. Stephen Arthur also made a passionate appeal to individuals and benevolent organizations to support the course. Below are some pictures Story by: News Desk Report

The National Convenor of the Teachers and Trainees Advocacy (TTA), Antwi Karikari Patrick has hinted that the cancellation of allowances by government will be very suicidal for teacher trainees across the country. According to him, the cancellation will not only make things difficult but also bring life to a standstill. Speaking on a Kumasi-based radio station, Mr. Karikari said "The cancellation will be suicidal on the part of teacher trainees regardless of the fact that the colleges are tertiary on paper and not in activities" He added "during my time as the former TTAG National Public Relations Manager, we were the student leaders on the cross line to fight for the restoration of the allowance in 2016 because we knew the kind of things we went in/through. Mr. Karikari also revealed that although opportunities were given to trainee teachers to access student loans but the procedure was too stressful and sometimes the attempt to secure the loan on several counts proved futile . "Four to five years now, there has not been any campaign calling for the cancellation of the allowances for teachers. There is no shred of doubt that they need it. Statistics have proven that as at the time it was removed by the previous government, the reduction of the people having the passion to get into the institutions declined drastically. The reintroduction of the allowances positioned the colleges well for more enrollments. He, however, mentioned that the cancellation of the allowance will fuel more exodus of teachers outside the country after their training. Mr. Karikari, who is also famously known as 'Commandant' in the teacher trainees fraternity stressed that should that happen, it will cost the country greatly. "There are a lot of cracks and even those within, some of them wish to bow out because of those cracks. Should they leave, what will we do as a nation?" he questioned. The National Convenor noted that the allowance provided serves as a bond between the authorities and teachers stressing that it boosts them to teach well. He appealed to authorities to rescind their thoughts on cancelling the allowance. "The allowances is helping them. The government of the day gave their word and they have to ensure, they fulfill it" They knew the huge amounts en mass to be disbursed for the allowances but they still went ahead to fulfil their promise and reintroduced it. We have nothing to loose as a country. Let's maintain it and successive governments must keep paying to trainee teachers. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Paul Adom-Otchere insists that the company’s expenditure on Christmas inspirations at the Kotoka International Airport was prudent. According to him, the cost incurred to the State is far below what was spent in 2016 on just Terminal 2 of the airport. In an editorial on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana on Tuesday night, Mr. Adom-Otchere said the viral image of an invoice of GH¢82,000 for the Christmas inspirations was not what was settled on or paid. He explained that while the cost of the inspirations at terminal 2 and terminal 3 cost about GH¢128,000, advertising company DPP Outdoor donated a sum of GH¢50,000 while the State paid about GH¢78,000. “We didn’t use this invoice, and people have gone around and talked about the cost on this invoice being the cost of the inspirations. That is totally wrong because this invoice is the one that has four Christmas trees for GH¢84,000.” “In 2016 the spending on Christmas inspirations was GH¢120,000 and this was at just one terminal. In 2021, GH¢128,366 is the total amount of money that was [supposed to have been] spent on two terminals; terminal 2 and terminal 3. We called on Ghanaian advertising companies and one of them, DPP, came out and helped us to pay for the Christmas inspirations. That has not happened in a very long time, but it happened this time. DPP decided to support us with GH¢50,000. That total cost [of the inspirations] is GH¢78,366. That is the amount of money spent [by the state] in 2021 compared to 2016.” There has been a social media discussion about the cost of the inspirations at the Airport to the taxpayer, with various figures being quoted as amounts spent on the inspiration. The Minority in Parliament is set to file an urgent question directed at the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, on the procurement processes used recently to acquire Christmas trees and inspirations at the Kotoka International Airport. Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Governs Kwame Agbodza believes there are a lot of questions surrounding the circumstances under which the decorated pieces were purchased. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has disclosed that the government’s ambitious Agenda 111 project has made progress of 35 percent amid some challenges. Speaking on Ghana Television, Mr. Agyeman-Manu, explained what had held some projects back. “On average, we have done close to about 35 percent works on all the 101 facilities… There were a lot of pre-contract arrangements, things that we needed to do; sitting, topography surveys to ensure that there are places where contractors can move into.” “Out of the 101 district hospitals, 55 sites are progressing. Forty-six have various challenges and will be held back a little,” he added. Mr. Agyeman-Manu noted that there are land dispositions in some locations. “In some districts, we do not even have the land yet. In places in the cities like Accra, the whole place is littered, and you don’t know where to put your facility.” He further indicated that “for the five regional hospitals, we are about 25 percent complete with arrangements. For those, we are not using direct government money. We are going outside [for funds].” “We are anticipating that between now and the two years ahead of us, we will get closer to completion, if not fully completed,” he added. About Agenda 111 The Agenda 111 project is part of a plan by the Akufo-Addo administration to ensure that 101 outstanding districts will be provided with hospitals in addition to 10 selected regional and specialized hospitals. In August 2021, President Akufo-Addo cut sod in the Ashanti Region to signal the beginning of hospital projects across the country. There will also be the construction of two new psychiatric hospitals for the Middle Belt and Northern Belt, respectively, and the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region. So far, the government has said sites have been identified for 88 of the 111 hospitals, with over 200 contractors expected to work on the grounds. It is expected to take 18 months to complete from the commencement of each unit, with a funding of $100 million from the government through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Each of the hospitals will cost $16.88 million, with $12.88 million being used for the construction of the hospitals and $4 million for medical equipment. Credit: Citinewsroom

The host of Drive Time on Accra FM, Kwesi Owusu Acquah, has condemned the rambo-style invasion of the company by some 20 police personnel, to arrest journalists of the station. Mr. Owusu Aquah, popularly known as Doctor Kay, described the actions of the officers as unprofessional. Some police personnel accompanied by staff of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), stormed the premises of Class Media Group, the mother company of Accra FM, to demand a permit the company was using to broadcast the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) games. But things quickly escalated when journalists working for the station demanded that the police provide identification. Narrating the incident to Citi News, Host of Drive Time at Accra FM, Kwesi Owusu Acquah, said the officers took offense and called for reinforcement to have the journalists arrested for daring to question them. “One of our news anchors, Nana Ama Agyarko, saw the need to question the regalia of the police officer. The guy brought out an ID card. Showing the ID card, he covered his face and name on the ID card. My colleague Nana Ama was surprised and questioned his actions.” “The Police officer got furious at the lady’s actions and called for reinforcement. The policemen who came in were more than 20, some of them even tried to break into our studio.” He bemoaned the violence meted out to the journalists by the police. “It’s about time they put a stop to it,” he added. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, is demanding a full-scale parliamentary probe into the circumstances that led to the death of a pregnant woman, allegedly due to the cost associated with the use of a public ambulance. The deceased, Augustina Awortwe, lost her life earlier this month allegedly due to a delay in the movement of the ambulance to Accra after doctors referred her from the Holy Child Clinic at Fijai in Takoradi, to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. According to the family of the deceased, the delay was occasioned by their inability to readily come up with a sum of GH¢600 to cover the cost of fuel for the ambulance. Speaking to the media after a visit to the family and the Holy Child Clinic, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh also called for the immediate interdiction of all officials involved in the incident. “I don’t want to pre-empt any investigation, but it is not the best. I don’t think that anybody deserves to lose their lives when they are going to give birth. The story is bizarre, and so we have to get back into Parliament and commence a probe of the whole issue. They are not supposed to pay anything [to ambulance drivers] so if as a country we want to make ambulance cash and carry, we should say so, so that before anybody calls the ambulance service, he or she knows that you must pay for the services of the ambulance.” “I assured the husband and the family that we will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. We’ve spoken to the husband and the facility that did the referral and there are more questions. [I think] The ambulance driver and crew could be interdicted pending investigation.” Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased, John Obiri Yeboah, says he is devastated by the turn of events. “I gave GH¢50 demanded of me to the ambulance driver to buy fuel, and after they bought the fuel, one of the officials told me we had to return to Fijai. When we got to Fijai there was an altercation between the officials and the hospital and all along my wife was helpless in the hospital. It was while we stood at the Cape Coast hospital entrance that one of the men came to tell me I have lost my wife. When I checked the time they said she died, it was the same time one of the officials told the driver to go and stake lotto. Later they told me the ambulance is not used to convey dead bodies,” he said. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ghana Police Service has hinted that it has referred the perceived drunk officer in the viral video to its Medical Board for thorough review and support towards rehabilitation where necessary. According to the Police, it has also assigned a clinical psychologist to evaluate him. In a statement signed by the Director-General, Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori and sighted by Thinknewsonline. com, it said "Also, a clinical psychologist has been assigned to evaluate him and offer him the necessary support. In addition, he will be referred to the Police Medical Board for thorough review and support towards rehabilitation where necessary" The call comes after the attention of the Police Administration was drawn to a video circulating on social media in which a police officer was captured in uniform possibly drunk. The statement further noted that the said officer has been identified and in line with Police regulations, he had been interdicted to make way for investigation into his conduct. "The said officer's suitability or otherwise to remain in the service will be based on the outcome of investigations and the recommendation of the Police Medical Board. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Talented TikTok Star, Asantewaa has taken to social media to share a romantic moment with her husband. This comes after several backlashes over her spending too much with her manager and doing extra. After sharing the video, the TikTok Star added a caption saying she will still choose him in the next life. Post below; Credit: Anything GH