Considering the status of Ghana before the swearing-in of President Akufo-Addo in January 7, 2017, and comparing to the current state of Ghana, it is evidently clear that, President Akufo-Addo has performed exceptionally better than his counterparts; President of the United States of America (USA) and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) in the following areas of socio-economic architecture and development of the respective Countries: *1. Management of COVID-19/Omicron Variant* President Akufo-Addo demonstrated world-class leadership when COVID-19 emerged and he continues to show quality leadership towards the management of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. President Akufo-Addo became the reference point during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis and he was globally quoted to motivate the citizens of other countries, and popular quote, "We know how to bring the economy back to life. What we do not know is how to bring people back to life". Some of the various strategies implemented by President Akufo-Addo to address the surge in Coronavirus cases in Ghana were adopted and subsequently implemented by several countries around the world. The partial lockdown of the country, the closing of the borders, rapid testing and enhanced contract tracing, providing personal protective equipment and insurance packages for health workers and frontliners, are all measures that were adopted and implemented by other Countries. President Akufo-Addo's in collaboration with the private sector set up the Ghana COVID-19 private sector fund, through which about thousands of Ghanaians were provided with free food for days/weeks. Ghana Infectious Disease Center was established by the help of Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund. President Akufo-Addo also provided free water and free electricity to all Ghanaians for several months during the peak of the Coronavirus cases, a policy both the United Kingdom and United States could not offer to their respective citizens. More human lives have been lost to COVID-19 and Omicron Variant in the United Kingdom and United States than in Ghana. Facts are sacred. *2. Education* Millions of Ghanaian Children have become beneficiaries of Akufo-Addo's Free SHS Policy and thousands continue to enjoy this laudable policy currently, and mind you, the Free SHS Policy of Akufo-Addo is non-existent in the Uni Kingdom and United States of America. This makes President Akufo-Addo's free SHS policy globally special. Beginning next year, Ghanaian children are also going to enjoy free TVET. Free SHS graduates, who have qualified for university education, would also be enjoying the No Guarantor Policy for Students Loan, a policy which is exclusively special to Ghana. Allowances for Teachers and Nursing Trainees are paid by President Akufo-Addo, a policy which is non-existent in the United Kingdom and United States of America. Relatively, in terms of Educational infrastructure, President Akufo-Addo has performed better than the United Kingdom and United States. *3. Policy Initiatives and Implementation* President Akufo-Addo's government has formulated and implemented several policies within the last five years than the governments of the United Kingdom and United Kingdom. From 1 District 1 Factory, Planting for food and jobs, Rearing for food and jobs, Aquaculture for food and jobs, 1 Constituency 1 Ambulance, 1 Village 1 Dam, Free SHS, Free TVET, NABCO, NEIP etc. *4. Employment* Considering the size of Ghana's economy and population, President Akufo-Addo has provided more jobs for his people than the jobs that have been provided by the United Kingdom and United States to their respective citizens. Millions of jobs have been created by Akufo-Addo's Government over the last five years under the various policies listed above and certainly, in terms of comparative relativity, Akufo-Addo's Government has done well than the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States. *5. Rate of Development* The number of infrastructure projects executed by President Akufo-Addo since 2017 have been phenomenal and in terms of relativity, it outshines his counterparts in the United Kingdom and United States. The leaders of UK and US inherited solid infrastructure and beautiful estates for hundreds of years unlike President Akufo-Addo who came to meet the snail pace of infrastructural development in Ghana. President Akufo-Addo inherited an inflation rate around 17.5% from Mahama John, however Akufo-Addo's Government has to reduce it significantly to 12.37% in 2017, 9.84% in 2018, 7.14% in 2019, 9.89% in 2020 and currently around 9.28%. Interestingly, in 2017 inflation rate in the United States and the United Kingdom were around 2.1% and 2.68% respectively, however in 2021 it is around 6.8% and 5.1% respectively for the United States and United Kingdom. Therefore, one can state emphatically that, relatively in terms of the management of Country's inflation rate, President Akufo-Addo's government has performed better than the governments of the United Kingdom and United States of America over the last five years. *6. Economic Recovery Strategy Post COVID-19 and era of Omicron Variant* President Akufo-Addo's Government as part of the efforts and strategies to rebuild the Ghanaian economy came up with the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support(CARES), also known as the "Obaatanpa" Programme and this policy is aimed at supporting Ghanaians and enterprises with over a hundred billion Cedis budget to rebuild and transform the Ghanaian economy with the ultimate objective of pushing the Country towards the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda. Through GEA and NEIP, millions of jobs would be created, nurtured and sustained under the YouStart Policy. All the critical sectors of the economy are also receiving the necessary attention from Akufo-Addo's Government so that our rise post-COVID-19 becomes a comprehensive one. With the little resources we have as a Country comparable to the United Kingdom and the United States, clearly, the pragmatic methodology by President Akufo-Addo to rebuild, transform and reposition the Ghanaian economy post-COVID-19 and the era of Omicron Variant is second to none and better than the approaches of the United Kingdom and the United States. Credit: Razak Kojo Opoku NB: Views expressed are solely those of the author. Thinknewsonline.com cannot be held liable for defamation

The Government of Ghana says it has initiated a temporary travel restrictions on all travellers arriving from Israel. According to Government, the travel restrictions takes effect on Monday 20th December, 2021. In a statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, it said "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana wishes to inform the general public that the Government of Ghana has initiated a temporary travel restriction on all travelers arriving from Israel from Monday, 20 th December, 2021 for a period of 14 days, except in exceptional humanitarian cases or during official travels" The statement added that permission would have to be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in exceptional cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to state that the general public should take note of the above and adhere to it accordingly. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

It was all joy and a moment worth remembering as the son of the Director-General of the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) Bureau of the Ghana Police Service, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Edward Akosah Danso bagged 15 out of 21 awards at the recently held 54th graduation of the University of Cape Coast (UCC). According to Dr. Dando, although he is grateful to God for such success, he is super proud of his mother for single-handedly taking care of him. Dr. Danso said "I am extremely grateful to my mother, my best friend, my confidant, and my role model Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah who has single-handedly taken care of me for as long as I can remember,” he said. Dr. Danso further stressed that COP Maame Tiwaa Addo Danquah ought to be proud of her massive efforts. It is emerging that Dr. Danso bagged Best Student in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Psychiatry, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology. With what looked like one-way traffic, Dr. Danso also snatched the Best Graduating Male Student. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed the desire to hand over power to an NPP government in 2025 but indicated that internal party actions leading to the next election will actualise that dream or not. "Every step taken now leading to 2024 is going to be decisive either to give us victory or not," he told party delegates in Kumasi on Sunday. The New Patriotic Party is in Kumasi for it's annual delegates conference to take stock, amend portions of it's constitution and touch base with it's grassroots. The president said competition within the party could not be avoided but "it help the party and not hinder it so we can break the eight." But he reckoned that it would require discipline and a united front; promising a level playing field for all presidential aspirants to produce an acceptable leader to be backed by all. Economy On the economy, the president said he was aware of the situation in the country and the difficulties people were going through as a result of the economic slowdown caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. However, he said it was not time to through our hands in despair as a people indication his government was determined to bring Ghanaians out of the situation. The president said the solution lied with the "Obatampa" economic programme which if followed through will lead to progress and prosperity for all. Touting his economic achievement in the last five years, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his government has spent more money on education, health, agriculture, infrastructure especially roads than any other government under the fourth republic. He said most of the programmes and projects being executed were thought through while in opposition challanging the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to point to one social intervention they rolled out while in government. Majority in parliament. President Akufo-Addo seized the opportunity to clarify what appear to be a wrong impression about the majority and minority status in parliament. Himself, once an MP said the standing orders of Parliament focused on majority groupings and not party saying as things now NPP are the majority groupings following the addition of the Fomena MP. He commended NPP parliamentarians for supporting government business and passing the appropriation budget last Friday with the hope of navigating the final fave of the bill. Veep Bawumia The Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia jabbed the NDC by making mockery of it's 2020 presidential election petition describing it as "fundamental incompetence." He said after deceiving it's followers of winning the election, the NDC came to court to change the narratives that indeed no one won the election. To him, the NPP has become the most important driver of the Ghanaian vision and developmental agenda and responsible for most important policies that touched on the lives of everybody. The Vice president said comparing the NPP and the NDC was like comparing day and night. Focusing more on the NDC the Vice-president said the opposition party has no transformational policy unlike the NPP which has rolled out at least 25 social interventions to reduce the suffering of Ghanaians. He reckoned that the government had not solved all the problems facing Ghanaians but per the macro economic indicators, the NPP has performed better. For instance, he said inflation as of today stood at 12.2 per cent while under the NDC in 2016 it was 15.4. According to him, average bank lending rate under the NPP is 21 per cent while under NDC it was 32 per cent. To him, average exchange rate depreciation over the last four years is the lowest since 1992 while trade balance has recorded surpluses consistently for four conservative years. On jobs, the vice president said the government has created at least 750,000 to the unemployed youth. Kufuor In a message sent to the conference, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, called for reconciliation among the rank and file of the party membership. "With unity and committed fellowship, the party and government's attractiveness will be urgently restored and deepened," he said. Former president Kufuor said the party must urge party headquarters to urgently equip itself with a professional strategic team to ensure that it's opponents do not outsmart the party in the current battle of wits which is pervading in the national political arena. He said this has to be sustained to guarantee victory for the party in the 2024 general elections. The former president said under no circumstances must leadership of both party and government become detached from the grassroots since it will destroy the tradition's of Democratic genome. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu The Majority Leader and Minister of Parliament Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, appealed for a serious introspection of things that were holding the party down. According to him, if the NPP is able to unleash it's full potential it will be difficult for any other political party to operate in contemporary time. But he insisted that this could only be realised if the party members were able to burry their hatred against each other after primaries. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the increasingly monetization that accompanied the party's internal elections called for refection on the appropriate methods in choosing party leaders at all ranks of it's structure. He said the current system only helps to widen and deepen the gaps rather than helping to build a united party. The Majority Leader reckoned that the current system only breeds factionalism which is tearing the party apart. The Suame legislator applauded the people of Ashanti for playing a central role in the party's last election and it was time to connect with the grassroots. He described the region as the nerve centre of the party saying that Kumasi was always crucial in determining who wins any general elections. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said, however, that as a party it was time to confront the reality and not assume that everything was right. Wontumi The Ashanti regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi), in a characteristic mood touted Ghana as a better place to be even better than the USA and the UK under the COVID-19 regime. He reiterated the need for unity because according to him, "development will not fall from heaven." He reassured party faithful that the party was working hard to win the 2024 election and beyond because "it's a movement and cannot be stopped." Chairman Wontumi as he is affectionately called said not even the NDC could stop it. Credit: Graphiconline.com

The Anti Armed robbery unit of the Ghana Police Service, has shot five persons to death at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region. Ghanasonline.com has learnt from Citi News sources, that the armed men who were allegedly on a mission to assassinate the Chief of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Abor Attah, were in a taxi with registration number GG 3427-21. The timely intervention of the police saved the Chief of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Abor Attah from being assassinated. Speaking to Citi News on the development, Nana Abor Attah said: “I was at the Palace when I heard gunshots. I initially thought it was some persons firing crackers, only to realise it was a gun battle between police and some persons who have been sent to kill me and my Abusuapanyin. We initially picked intelligence, but we didn’t take it seriously until it happened. But as Chief of Gomoa Fetteh, I was taken through the proper process, of ascending the throne.” “But I am surprised that some persons have planned to kill me. I want to thank the police for the swift response in saving my life.” The anti-robbery unit had recently shot and killed two suspected armed robbers at Kalba, a community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region. The police say the robbers, numbering four, engaged some police officers in a gun battle after robbing residents of Kalba, leading to the killing of the two. Police say they believe they are the same group of robbers that killed two residents of Sawla after robbing a MoMo vendor and others on December 9, 2021. Source: Citinewsroom

President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has admitted that although Ghanaians are going through difficult times, he is not to blame. While admitting that the current economic terrain is a trying one for citizens, he has absolved himself of any responsibility in that regard. “I admit that Ghanaians are going through difficult times; some people are trying to say that it is my fault, but you know that is not the case. Yet, they will continue to say it,” he explained on Saturday, December 19. A section of the populace has complained about hikes in prices of some essential commodities, inadequate access to some social amenities and an increasing standard of living which is taking a toll on their lives. Over the past year, government has blamed the economic challenges on the Covid-19 pandemic, which rocked many countries worldwide. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted this is not the case as the NPP administration is only using that as a distraction from an abysmal management regime. Isaac Adongo, a leading member of the party has stated that the Covid-19 pandemic helped the Akufo-Addo government more than it affected Ghanaians. Speaking at a Public Forum by the NDC on December 9, the Bolgatanga Central MP said even though the pandemic imposed difficulties on Ghanaians, it gave the NPP an opportunity to better their efforts in the management of the economy. According to him, towards the end of 2019, Ghana’s economy was sinking. “I’ve always said these people were very very lucky because they’re the very good friends of Covid-19. Covid-19 actually rescued these people better than it damaged Ghanaians. “And all the indicators reflect the fact that 2019, Ghana was headed in a very wrong direction, and that it was becoming almost impossible to deal with the propaganda and to deal with the PR because the truth would expose you”, Isaac Adongo stressed. But President Akufo-Addo disagrees with such views. He was speaking to residents during the commissioning of an NPP constituency office complex at Juaben in the Ashanti Region. He was, however, hopeful that “if you all support the vision of this government, we will be able to turn things around.” According to him, initiatives such as the GhanaCares Obaatampa programme will help ease the situation if Ghanaians rally behind his administration. President Akufo-Addo said this ahead of the NPP National Delegates Conference, held in the region Sunday, December 19, 2021. Source: Myjoyonline

Ghanaian Social Media Influencer, Rosemond Brown, known in showbiz as Akuapem Poloo in a new video has thanked God for saving her from trouble after being released from jail. In a video making waves on social media, the Social Media Influencer was captured jamming to Gospel Musician, Obaapa Christy's 'W'agye me' It will be recalled that Akuapem Poloo was taken to jail to continue serving her 90-days sentence. Akuapem Poloo regained her freedom a few days ago after being able to pay the fine imposed slapped at her. Watch the video below; Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

It was both a frightening and hilarious scene to watch when popular Ghanaian musician, Shatta Wale landed in Asankragua in the Western Region for the Sammertex 2021 concert. One fan of Shatta Wale, who was obviously too ‘crazy’ about him jumped on the bonnet of the award-winning musician and tried to literally pull him out of the car in his quest to get a feel of Shatta Wale. The fan who looked possessed by some evil spirit tried his possible best to pull the shirt of Shatta Wale but the bodyguards of Shatta Wale did their work diligently and got him off the car. This rather bizarre scene was seen when Shatta Wale and Medikal stopped in the middle of the road to blessing their fans with some money by spraying it in the air as soon as they finished a radio interview they went for in Asankragua ahead of the concert. Watch the video below Source: zionfelix.net

Three suspected illegal miners including an 18-year old woman have been arrested at Sekyere-Boase in the Wassa-East District of the Western Region. Some items found at the site including four Changfan machines and one tool box, were also confiscated. The operation on Sunday, December 19, 2021 which was undertaken by the Delta taskforce, which is part of the anti-galamsey Operation Halt II, initiated this year to clamp down on illegal mining activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey.’ The woman was identified as one Doris Abena from Tamale with the identities of the other arrested miners yet to be established. The anti-galamsey fight has seen a revival under the leadership of Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. The Ministry has been consistent with its message that it will not renege on its resolve to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the country. It warned that it will continue to wage war against illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s forest and natural resources while promoting responsible mining at all levels. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Former First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama has put smiles on the faces of some orphans at the Osu Children's Home in Accra. According to her, the gesture forms part of her annual charity activity for the less privileged in the society. Mrs. Mahama led officials of her organisation, the Lordina Foundation, to present Christmas goodies to the children and the staff. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that Mrs. Mahama has been supporting a total of six orphanages across the country. It is also emerging that she does not only pull such surprises during Christmas but at other times during the year. In other developments, the Lordina Foundation also sent items to the Christ Faith Foster Home at Fafraha, Tamale Children's Home, Anfaani Children's Home in Tamale, Bethesda Children's Home and Frank May Children's Home, both in Techiman. Another beneficiary was the Gambaga Witches Camp. Below are some pictures: Story by: Obuobia Darko-Opoku

The Methodist Church of Ghana has rewarded an Octagenarian (80-year old woman) with a car after serving the Methodist Church-Conference Office for 42 years. Handing over the keys to the old woman, the Presiding Bishop of Methodist Church, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo charged the other staff to emulate the long service and loyalty of the woman. He said the commitment and dedication of Auntie Lucy during her service to the Church was remarkable hence the gifting of the car to make her mobile even in retirement. These came to light during a brief End of Year Staff Get together for Staff of the Methodist Church- Conference Office held in Accra on Friday (December 16, 2021). A staff however received the car on behalf of Auntie Lucy who could not make it in person to receive the car due to old age. The Bishop later admonished the staff to be hopeful and eschew all fears and anxieties as they break to go celebrate Christmas. “Christians are to take all fears and anxieties. Jesus coming to the world would be a fight over our strong enemies. This fight brings us peace and joy”, Bishop Boafo emphasized. On covid-19, the Presiding Bishop again admonished them not to lose their guards as we are not out of the woods yet. “Don’t lose guard, covid is around. With the new variant lurking around”, he advised. Below are some pictures: Source:www.senaradioonline.com

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has implored on the members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs to embrace the Lands Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which came into force on 23rd December, 2020, for effective and efficient administration of land in the country. He said the new law which revises, harmonises, and consolidates existing laws relating to land, have several innovative provisions that will promote sustainable land administration and management, and effective and efficient land tenure. The Minister was speaking at a meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday 16th December, 2021, where he engaged the members of the House on the Lands Act. The engagement was at the invitation of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs to educate them on the provisions of the Act and to discuss matters pertaining to the lands and natural resources of our country. The Minister used the occasion to explain in detailed the law to the members of the House, particularly on the provisions relating to the management and administration of stool lands. He reminded the Chiefs that they hold lands in trust for their subjects, and are therefore fiduciaries, accountable to their people. Under the Land Act, a breach of this fiduciary duty constitutes a criminal offence. The Minister highlighted the requirement for all stools, skins, families and clans that own land to establish a Customary Land Secretariat, and assured the Chiefs, that the Lands Commission and the Administrator of Stool Lands, will work with them to ensure that the Secretariats are established. He also emphasised on the provisions of the law that require all allodial title holders to survey and demarcate their lands before disposing them. This is necessary to prevent land and boundary disputes, and to ensure that the development of such lands are in accordance with the development plans of the community. The Chiefs raised other issues involving the management of our forest reserves and our mineral resources which the Minister took time to explain Government’s policies in these areas to them. The Minister assured the Chiefs that the Ministry will work closely with them to ensure the efficient management of the country’s lands and natural resources. The President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs and the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who presided over the meeting, thanked the Minister for taking time to engage the House on such an important matter of great concern to the Chiefs. He lauded the Minister for his exemplary leadership and work at the Ministry. The Asantehene noted that since assumption of office, “Hon. Abu Jinapor has discharged his duties with diligence, humility and integrity”, he called on him to continue on that same path. On his part, the Minister thanked the House for taking the law serious and for the invitation to engage with the House on it. He reiterated the commitment of the Government to build an effective, transparent, responsive and orderly land and stool land revenue administration which is steeped in integrity, and to work with all stakeholders to ensure the efficient utilisation of our natural resources for the benefit of the people of Ghana. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith