Daakye Mining Enterprise, a mining company located at Wassa Gyapa, Amenfi East District in the Western Region of Ghana has been adjudged the Overall Best Small Scale Mining company at the maiden edition of the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards, held at the Alisa Hotel on Wednesday 22nd December, 2021. The Enterprise was adjudged Overall Best Miner on the basis of the company managing a mining site with valid Mining and environmental licence and digging permit. In addition to this, the Enterprise was said to have a well coordinated working system with good records keeping, an emergency assembly point, first aid kits and other relevant requirements which makes the company outstanding and worthy of the prize awarded them. Daakye Mining Enterprise took home a plaque, a mining equipment known as a gold catcher, worth USD 125,000 and a sponsored trip to a mining conference. This award was presented by the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Aside the Overall Best Small Scale Miner, the event presented other three categories including the Most Promising Small Scale Miner, Best District Officer and a special award from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. The Most Promising Small Scale Miner award which was presented by the Hon. Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Osei-Opare, was given to Mr. Bright Kwabena Obeng of Beloved Mining Enterprise, Assin Fosu Mining District. Mr. Obeng also took with him a plague and a sponsored trip to a mining conference. The next award was presented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor to Mr. Clemence Adzormahe as the Best District Officer, noted for his regular visit to sites and  hardwork. The last of the four awards for the night was the Special Award, presented to Omanhene Kwabena Asante of Adom TV for his consistent efforts towards sanitizing the sector. He received a cash price of Ghs10,000 and a citation from Hon. George Mireku Duker who did the presentation. As part of efforts to encourage and promote Responsible Small-Scale Mining in the country, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources instituted the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards Scheme. The Awards Scheme is going to be an annual event aimed at acknowledging and rewarding Small Scale Miners who have complied with regulatory and operational requirements including adhering to health, safety, environmental and other operating standards of mining. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed popular musician Bice Osei Kuffour, widely known as Obour, as the Managing Director of Ghana Post Company Limited. The former MUSIGA boss will act as the MD till he is substantively confirmed, In a report by Accra based Asaase Radio, Obuor’s role is see to the expansion of the company’s postal network to viable areas and improve service to non-viable areas. For a period of 8 years (October 2011 to August 2019), Bice Osei Kuffour worked as the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana where he successfully energized the Union and created initiatives like the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWEF), Musiga Academy with NAFTI, Ajumapa loans and Musiga Grandball which received patronage from all sitting president’s of Ghana during the period. Bice Osei-Kuffour Obour He has also held leadership roles such as Board Member of National Folklore Board, 2017 – 2021; Executive Member of International Federation of Musicians (FIM), 2013-2018; Advisory Board Member of School of Performing Arts (SPA), University of Ghana, Legon, 2013 – 2017, and Executive Director for Ghana Tourism Booster Project, 2016-2017. Digitization of Post Offices across the country has been at the centre of the turnaround strategy by Ghana Post, allowing the company flexibility to easily add on new services, whiles the introduction of digital addresses by the government has come to enhance delivery of mails and parcels. Their online platform, “Ghpostpay”, was launched in 2019 to allow customers to access Ghana Post services remotely. Ghana Post’s significant growth and contributions over the past 3 years has been recognized by both international and local partners in the form of awards. Credit: Pulse

Scores of social media users have expressed mixed reactions to the just-ended #BhimConcert21 held at the Dome in Accra. According to social media users, they are impressed with Stonebwoy for pulling up an unforgettable show. In a series of tweets monitored by Thinknewsonline.com, Lexis Bill @lexisbill tweeted "This is a @stonebwoy appreciation tweet! #BhimConcert21 was massive! Mad energy all through! @stonebwoy x @KingBeenieMan x @samini_dagaati Burniton Music Group® @BurnitonMSG also tweeted "1 GAD is Music#BhimConcert21" Burniton Music Group® @BurnitonMSG tweeted "@stonebwoy is the standard for live music in Ghana. With him, you get much more than your money's worth when it comes to Live Stage Performance. #BhimConcert21 #BhimConcert" Cookie Tee @TheCookieteeGH also added "Congratulations 1GAd @stonebwoy for a phenomenal job done at #BhimConcert21 . The pool of artiste alone over me sef. The love was too moooccchhh. Ashaiman to the whole wiase!!" Burniton Music Group® @BurnitonMSG again added "SPOTLIGHT All hail the KING. The moment we’ve all been waiting for. @stonebwoy grand entry at the #BhimConcert21 is absolutely impeccable." #GenerationalThinker #Blogger @KobbyKyei_ tweeted "This guy is dammmmnn good!!! Talent Winner Of the #BhimConcert21 cypher #Blogger" Below are screenshots: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian Gospel Musician, Empress Gifty Osei has nailed this year's Bhim Concert 21 with a stunning performance. The gospel act who is known to be very urban and uses her youthful ways to win souls for Christ was seen doing same at the just ended Bhim Concert. She gave an energetic performance to match the occasion. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabnea Smith

A Fuel pump attendant at one of Total Ghana's filling stations in Accra, Samuel Hackman has received lots of congratulatory messages from a section of social media users after he shared a touching story of how he managed to graduate with a second class upper degree from the University after 8 years of struggles and hardships. According to Mr. Hackman, though he had no helper, that could not stop him from achieving his dream. In a Facebook post sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, Mr. Hackman wrote "So today I decided to also "Tell it all", I've been feeling soo reluctant to do this. I worked at the filling station for 8 years as a pump attendant to help get myself in and out of the University" "I had no helper, i risked my health because I never had enough time to rest, my spine got wearing off, my heart was always beating unusual,my eyes were always red, my face always looked stressed, my daily routine was full of tiredness but I never stopped pushing, because I needed a better someday, i lost lots of nice relationships that could have ended beautifully, I stopped engaging myself in church activities because I had limited time to study. I was soo focused on this, I just couldn't compromise it with anything because I was my own helper" He further noted that he is proud of himself not because of the second class upper Degree he bagged but rather surviving in the glade "Today I'm proud of myself not because I'm a second class upper Degree holder but I'm proud of myself because I never gave up, I survived in the glade, in the jungle and i got out from the syndicate of he cant complete. What ever situation you find yourself, remember it just a phase, it just a matter of time, be strong enough and face it" He reminded social media users that God is not dead, adding that he helps those are ready to risk their lives for a brighter future. "Just believe in yourself, Pray, Trust in God and walk the talk. I'm an example of nothing is impossible with God. It wasn't easy as a pump attendant schooling but its now worth it" Mr. Hackman ceased the opportunity to also congratulate all who survived various dying situations. Information gathered reveals that Mr. Hackman attended Methodist University and read Bsc Procurement and Supply Chain Management. He told Thinknewsonline.com, "I was an evening student, I attended lectures only when I was off duty and sometimes when I'm at work. I ask permission to attend lectures after I go back to work" His post has received lots of heartfelt messages. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor has pledged continuous support for the press corps of his Ministry, through training and re-training to make them more effective and professional. According to him, the media has been integral in the effective implementation of government policies, hence the need for support to enhance their work. The Hon. Minister was speaking in Accra on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 during a soirée with members of the Ministry’s Media Team. Reiterating further the importance of the media, Hon. Jinapor said the media has also been critical in disseminating plans and programmes of the Ministry as well as providing the necessary feedback to government and implementors. “The media is the oxygen of governance. Whatever work the government does, if the media does not take it to Ghanaians, the people won’t know the work being done. "For instance, people have to understand government policy on small scale mining. Understanding the policy is as important as the implementation of the policy. That’s why the media is crucial to the work we do,” he stated. The Minister reiterated his determination to improve relations with the media and ensure the growth of their welfare. “Yes, we will continue to work together both from a professional and personal level. I am concerned about your welfare and know that in me, you have a strong partner and a friend,” Hon. Jinapor added. Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio, the Deputy Lands Minister in charge of Lands and Forestry also added his words of appreciation to the media saying " the media I will say has been our backbone in the work that we do. They have been championing all we do and ensuring that Ghana gets to know" *I believe it is a good thing that at the end of the year, we meet them and let them know how appreciative we are of them. We thank you very much and we are also very proud of you. "  he concluded. Vice Dean of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Press Corps, Godwill Arthur-Mensah commended the Ministry for sustaining the cordial relationship over the period. He said the media, as a partner to the Ministry, would support in carrying out strategies and plans aimed at clamping down on illegalities in the sector including illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey.’ He commended the Minister for leading the fight against galamsey and intensifying efforts at addressing issues in the lands and natural resources sector. "We will praise the Ministry when it is performing well and criticize you constructively when necessary. In, all we will work as partners for the good of our dear nation” Mr Arthur-Mensah added Also present at the Soirée was the Deputy Minister in charge of Mines Hon. George Mireku Duker and some Directors of the Ministry. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Leadershiop of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has partnered with MUSIGA to mitigate the canker of substance abuse predominantly among the youth in Ghana. According to FDA, the partnership which takes the form of a music video, features some key industry players such as Kwame Eugene, Article Wan, Bogo Blay, Eno Barony, Amerado and Yaa Yaa. In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Delete Darko, it said "The video, which is set for release on Monday 20th December, is staged in a mixed urban setting and depicts different scenes of substance misuse peculiar to communities in Ghana. Emphasis is placed on the use of tobacco recreational use of tramadol and the corresponding social enablers" The statement added that the adverse effects of drug abuse are dire and include a diminished immune system, infectious diseases, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues and ultimately death. The communique stressed that the music video is part of the FDAs comprehensive strategy to sensitise the public on substance abuse. Below is a video and a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has reminded the newly sworn in governing board of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to capitalise on its resources in order to do more for the country. The Minister made these known when he swore in the new governing board of CSIR. "One of the things you were supposed to do and the difference between your research institution is that it is purely applied academic research than other Universities" He told the governing board that his outfit has been tasked by the President to set up a unit which is equivalent to CSIR agencies. "The office will manage any discovery of economic importance can enter the market as quickly as possible" He was confident that the governing board will assist his outfit in working for the good of the country. On his part, Chairman for the CSIR Council, Prof. Robert Kingsford Adaboh said "I am elated that the President Akufo-Addo has had the confidence personally in me and the council to be reappointed for this very important position" He added that food security in the country cannot be taken for granted without CSIR. "You may think your maize and things you eat are from the hard work of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture but most are from CSIR" He noted that in order for Ghana to be compared to countries which are well to do, political actors, the citizenry and government must throw their support behind the dealings of CSIR. He appealed to the citizenry to reach out to CSIR in order to be educated, entertained and informed. He revealed that CSIR has opened units across the country. "If we do our things well, we can be able to give the Government of Ghana loans" Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The consideration of the E-Levy under the Certificate of Urgency led to another fisticuff in the Legislature when the presiding speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, left the seat to cast a vote. The Minority MPs who insisted the Speaker had no vote impeded his movement when he was changing baton with the Second Deputy Speaker to allow him go out and cast his vote. This is the third time blows have been exchanged in Ghana’s 8th Parliament. Watch some of the fight below. Credit: Ghanas Online

The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, and three other persons, have sued the Attorney General and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) over the government’s mandatory covid-19 vaccination policy. As part of efforts to get more Ghanaians to vaccinate against COVID-19, government has introduced new measures at the Kotoka International Airport. It has also announced plans to prevent the unvaccinated population from accessing certain public spaces such as stadia and entertainment event centres during the yuletide. However, Mr. Gyamfi together with three other applicants in a suit, argue that the directive has no legal backing. “That I am advised by Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the respondents do not have any constitutional, legal or reasonable basis whatsoever for the directives issued and dated 9th and 14th December 2021, and the public announcement of 15th December 2021 by the President of the Republic of Ghana and being implemented at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).” He indicated that the new directive restricts unvaccinated Ghanaians from traveling outside or into the country. “There are many Ghanaian citizens abroad such as the 4th Applicant herein who although are desirous to travel to Ghana their motherland and many people in Ghana such as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Applicants, who although are desirous to travel out of Ghana to other countries for business or other important purposes, have been held hostage and are unable to do so due to the unlawful and unreasonable directives and conduct of the respondents.” He is thus seeking the following reliefs: A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents breach or threaten to breach the Applicants’ fundamental human rights as enshrined under Article 21(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents violated Section 2(1) of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (ACT 1012) and Sections 21, 22 and 30 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) and therefore illegal. A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana on the administration of Emergency Use Authorized medical products and same are unreasonable. “A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the World Health Organization regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travelers, and that same is unreasonable. “A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene medical ethics and best practices that govern COVID-19 vaccine administration.” New measures at KIA As the omicron variant of covid-19 threatens to erode gains made in the fight against the pandemic, Ghana’s health authorities and the Aviation Authority, have issued strict guidelines to airlines flying passengers into the country. In a statement announcing new plans to guard against another wave of COVID-19 infections, the authorities said effective Tuesday, December 14, 2021, persons flying in and out of the country are to be fully vaccinated and to strictly follow stipulated guidelines for both self-preservation and the protection of the larger society. They also warned that Airlines which bring in passengers to the Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated shall be surcharged U$3,500 per passenger; and Airlines which board passengers without PCR test results, or transport and disembark passengers with Positive PCR test results into Accra will also be fined US$3,500 per passenger. Credit: Citinewsroom

The majority group in parliament is anticipating that the debate on the controversial e-levy bill currently before parliament will end up in votes and is therefore demanding the return of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to chair the proceedings. According to the caucus, the absence of Bagbin has forced the second deputy speaker, Andrews Amoako Asiamah to preside over the sitting and that means a possible loss of one vote for them. Alexander Afenyo Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader while addressing the press said the absence of Alban Bagbin throughout the first part of the sitting appears to be part of a grand plan by the the minority to frustrate the approval of the bill. He insisted that the majority caucus will not proceed to take decisions without the Speaker Bagbin. “We will not proceed to take decisons without Mr. Speaker. We need him in the House because by the technicalities of our own procedures, one of our people would have to sit in and therefore he will not have the opportunity to have his right of voting as a member. Mr. Speaker must show leadership in parliament,” he said. Mr. Markin said the majority side was not given any information about the whereabouts of Alban Bagbin and so they want him to immediately return to the House. “We have no information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Speaker. We see this as a grand political partisan design by the minority group to frustrate us, and we don’t’ want to suggest that Mr. Speaker is unavoidably absent to frustrate government business. We expect Mr. Speaker to be present. We have our numbers, and we are ready to do government business. We can’t be cajoled into pettiness because we see this as a strategy by the minority to create a standoff,” he added. With Andrews Amoako Asiamah currently presiding, voting on the E-levy bill may see a tie of 137 votes for it by the majority side, and 137 votes against it by the minority side. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has described the controversial e-levy bill as ‘technically incompetent’ insisting that his side will fiercely resist it. This comes after parliament temporarily suspended sitting on Monday night while considering a report from the Finance Committee on the bill. Before the house rose, the sit-in speaker, Andrews Amoako Asiamah, had ruled in favour of the majority caucus on the approval of the committee’s recommendation for the bill to be considered under a certificate of urgency. Although that ruling was challenged by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, the Speaker asked that the sitting be suspended for one hour. Haruna Iddrisu in a subsequent press briefing said his side will not endorse the bill because it is fraught with many challenges. He said it was wrong for the bill to suggest that for every transfer of above GHS 100, the sender will be charged and in cases where the same amount is transferred to different people that sender will be charged multiple times. “Their grand deception will fail. I have the technical competence in the telecom and communications sector. What the telecos are charging is on fees and not transactions. The government is deceiving them to lower their fee charges by 0.25% and that makes up for what the 1.75% they want to introduce. No telco charges on transactions. They only charge transaction fees of 1% of transfers. I think that technically, this bill is incompetent and they must consult well,” he said. Ahead of going on recess on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, the House is considering the controversial E-levy bill which the government wants passed to enable its implementation in January 2023. Credit: Citinewsroom