The Africa Media Advertising Sales Summit (AFRIMASS NETWORK) has partnered with GUINNESS GHANA, MultiChoice Ghana, Genet Service Ltd and TV3, to bring to Media enterprise owners, Media business executives, Journalist, Media Ad Agencies, Media sales executives and seasoned industry professionals the 3rd edition of the Africa Media Ad Sales Summit (AFRIMASS). This year’s edition of the AFRIMASS 2021 themed “The Sustainability of Media Revenue Post COVID-19” will focus on challenges as well as the available opportunities for media outlets post the pandemic. Founder and Managing partner of AFRIMASS NETWORK, Raymond Smith commenting on the impact of the Covid19 pandemic on the media and in the lead to the event, noted the media industry has had its fair share of the pandemic’s ravaging effects on businesses, households and the economy at large. According to him, advertising budgets of most media houses were significantly affected with most of them cutting down on the expected revenue to be generated from advertisements on their respective platforms. “In this year’s Summit, we will take a look at what has been the extent of the effect of the pandemic on media organizations in Ghana and how media organizations can take advantage of the opportunities of revenue generation the pandemic has indirectly presented,” he said. “A report by PwC on global entertainment and media outlook indicates that the industry’s longer-term outlook remains robust, which speaks to the agility and dynamism of the media ecosystem. And although the shock waves from the 2020 will reverberate into the foreseeable future, the report forecasts that the industry’s fundamental growth trajectory is still strong,” he added. Objectives of this year’s Summit include; • Bringing together media and advertising professionals to share knowledge on the best ways of sustaining the media business through resilient revenue strategies. • Creating a networking platform beyond the summit to foster a common industry thinking and interest towards a sustainable media business. • To influence policy makers, corporate firms and regulators on the need to support the media with tax breaks and other incentives. Guest speakers for the Summit also include; Uncle Ebo Whyte, (CEO Roverman Productions); Bright Ladzekpo, (CEO PHD Media- Ghana); Stephen Naasei Boadi, (Lead Enabler - Enable Growth Consult); Kwasi Owusu Asare, (CEO Media Works Ltd); Alex Okyere, (Managing Director MultiChoice Ghana), Maximus Ametorgoh, (Digital Strategist & CEO Pop Out); Jerry N. Halm, (CEO Grit Business Group), Gad Ocran, (Lead Consultant), Eazzy Social, Abena Chrappah-(Digital & Media Manager, Guinness Ghana), Venus Tawiah-(Director of Business & Corporate Communications , Now Available Africa), Regina Adzo Dzathor- (Chief Executive Officer- Admaro Ltd), Karen Bossman-( Media Manager – Vodafone Ghana), Ekow Blankson- (Commercial Director – Ghanaweb), (Raphael Beinamwin- (PHD Media Ghana -Business Unit Director – Strategy, Planning & Account Management),Flora Lamptey – (Biz Door Company Ltd), Omane Mensah Bonsu – (CitiFM/CitiTV Business Development Manager) and Daniel Sarpong Jnr MBA – (Head, Marketing & Digital Media Strategy -Tonaton.com) Scheduled for November 25, 2021, the event will be a hybrid one (both in-person attendance and online) and will be held from 9am to 5pm at the MultiChoice-DSTV Office in Accra. Below are some videos and pictures: Credit: Afrimass Network

Ningo Prampram MP, Sam George, has threatened to haul the Executive Director of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana before the Parliament’s Privileges Committee. According to the lawmaker, Prof. Kwasi Prempeh passed insulting remarks against MPs during his presentation before Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs on Thursday. The former law lecturer had expressed misgivings that the promotion of the Proper Human Sexual Rights Bill was a march towards totalitarianism and populism. Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh said the thoughts expressed in the Bill are not original of the proponents since such discussions have been ongoing in various quarters for some time. However, his comments did not sit well with some of the MPs, including the Ningo-Prampram MP, who is one of the sponsors of the BIll. According to the lead sponsor of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, the comments are insulting and an attempt to mislead the House. “You don’t lie to a Committee of Parliament. If he did say on tape, during his submission, which we heard him say, that these thoughts were not the original thoughts but the thoughts of other people we were representing, we will drag him to Parliament,” Sam George said on Joy FM’s Top Story with Evans Mensah on Thursday. On Thursday, the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament began the first of a series of public hearings on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021. The Bill, if passed in its current state, will criminalise Lesbianism, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and their related activities. Over 140 memos have been presented to the committee so far, regarding the Bill. The public hearing on the memos received is expected to last for 15 weeks. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The family and sympathizers of former President Jerry Rawlings gathered at the Holy Spirit Cathedral at Adabraka in Accra to mark a year since his passing. Children of the late president, Zanetor Rawlings, and Kimathi Rawlings, took turns to eulogise their father, who was Ghana’s longest-serving Head of state who died on November 12, 2020, after a short illness. Zanetor Rawlings paid tribute to what she called her father’s anti-corruption ideals, among others. “The journey of combating corruption has been a complex journey for Ghana, but while you lived, you never stopped championing that cause,” she said. She further acknowledged the central role Mr. Rawlings played in Ghana’s history. “Your loss was a loss to the whole country, and the pain one felt was by most Ghanaians,” Zanetor Rawlings added. Kimathi Rawlings expressed the gratitude of the Rawlings family to the government and the party Mr. Rawlings founded, the National Democratic Congress. “We are very grateful for the huge presence and love showed to your founder and the family. We count on your continued support.” Former President, John Dramani Mahama, who was one of the NDC stalwarts present paid tribute, saying the memory of the late former President, Jerry John Rawlings will live on forever. “It [His memory] will live forever. Today we mourn him. It is exactly one year since he passed, and yet he remains a colossus in the history of this country,” he said to the press after the service. The Director of Elections for the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, also spoke to the media and said the party will continue to abide by the principles of its founder. “On these occasions, it hits you very hard that he is really gone and the best we can do is to follow his principles as a party, particularly in these difficult times that we are,” Mr. Ankrah said. Below are some pictures: Credit: Citinewsroom

Lawyer for the Founder of the Resurrection Power New Generation Ministries, Reverend Anthony Kwadwo Boakye, has break his silence on reports of the latter’s passing. Social media has been rife with reports of the renowned man of God’s passing after being hospitalised for an undisclosed illness. But the lawyer, Alexander Kwadwo Kom Abban, has indicated he is alive despite being sick. “I can confirm he is sick but he is alive and can talk so it is not true that he is dead. I will urge all Ghanaians to disregard the death reports,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Peace FM. Mr Abban further appealed to all and sundry to remember Reverend Boakye in their prayers for a speedy recovery. However, he did not disclose the hospital he has been admitted to, adding the pastor will address the public at the right time if necessary. Credit: Atinkanews.net

Ghana is ready to invite for bids towards the negotiation of contract to set up the first nuclear power plant, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The country’s current position falls within Milestone 2, the penultimate milestone to commissioning and operating a nuclear plant in Ghana. This places her behind only Egypt and South Africa, and ahead of Nigeria, in the latest Africa Nuclear Development Race rankings. The Ghana Nuclear Power Programme formed in 2012, seeks to ensure the smooth implementation of the Ghana Nuclear Power Road Map towards the commissioning of the first Nuclear Power Plant in Ghana by 2030 to support baseload power demand and provide cheap power for industrialization. The decision to revive interest in nuclear energy – and its associated technologies was on the back of a report of a Presidential Committee in 2007, which recommended the incorporation of nuclear power into the energy mix for Ghana. Ghana Nuclear Power Planning Organisation was subsequently established to steer the implementation of a nuclear energy programme to address all the issues associated with nuclear planning and this is under the coordination by the Nuclear Power Unit of the Ministry of Energy At the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow Scotland, Energy Minister, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a panel discussion, said in response to a question on nuclear energy that Ghana’s energy mix has significant contributions from renewable energy sources, particularly hydro, which forms the base load energy in the country. According to Dr. Prempeh, due to the growth in demand and the incidence of climate change, the large hydro dams have become unreliable and cannot meet baseload demand in the near future. He said nuclear energy is the only clean baseload power that will meet the energy source criteria for the country, given that Ghana is mindful of her commitment to the Paris Agreement, not to contribute to the increase in carbon footprint and her determination to provide baseload power. The Manhyia South Member of Parliament also intimated that a nuclear power plant built in any part of the continent should be considered as a replacement for a possible fossil fuel power plant, as this is a step towards global decarbonization. He called for a comprehensive program with funding to be initiated for nascent countries to enable them build capacity to address all the 19 infrastructure issues required by the IAEA for such countries. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Highness, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has pledged his commitment to support the Accra Metropolitan (AMA) and its sister assemblies in the quest to ensure a clean Accra. According to him, the sustainable collection and disposal of plastic waste in Accra had persisted over a decade and to ameliorate the menace, he would collaborate with the Regional Coordinating Council, AMA, Security Service, Asafoiatsemei and Asafoianyemei as well as all stakeholders. The Ga Mantse, His Royal Highness, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II made this known on Thursday when he visited the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to familiarise himself with activities of the Assembly and have first-hand information. His Royal Highness, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, also announced plans by the Ga Traditional Council to roll out an initiative in the first quarter of 2022 to address issues of climate change by perceiving waste as a resource. "Madam Mayor, we have witnessed many interventions by various governments to make Accra clean. The problem of sustainably collecting and disposing of plastic waste in Accra has persisted for well over a decade. Plastic waste clogged-gutters, and plastic-littered streets in the national capital, the beaches are not left out." he noted. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II said "However, whether Accra is clean now or not, as part of efforts to ameliorate the menace, as the Ga Mantse and the President of the Ga Traditional Council we are committed to supporting your outfit and the government to ensure Accra is clean" "We shall do this in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council, AMA, the Security Service and our Asafoatsemei and Asafoianyemei as well as all stakeholders" the Ga Mantse disclosed. "Towards this end we hope to roll out a holistic and innovative initiative that aims at tackling challenges like climate change by viewing waste as a resource in the first quarter of 2022," he said. The Ga Mantse expressed concerns over the rise in social vices among the youth in Accra and assured that he would immediately engage the security services and other stakeholders to effectively clamp down on all persons engaged in such criminal social vices. On her part, the Chief Executive of AMA, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey who welcomed the Ga Mantse said the Assembly would collaborate with the Traditional Authority to secure the needed support toward the development of the city. She was hopeful that the King would be a "reliable source of counsel" to help drive the developmental agenda of the Assembly for the good of its people. "Hon Presiding Member, please permit me to share a few words about His Royal Majesty: He is a very brilliant and intelligent person. A very creative man, a bold and fearless person, an excellent team player, a very disciplined person, and an affable person" she said. The new Accra Mayor further noted "Hon PM, with these qualities there is no doubt that the King is going to be a very reliable source of counsel for me and the entire Assembly to tap into to shape and drive the developmental agenda for the good of its people, especially in the current difficult financial moments of the Assembly," she said. His Royal Majesty accompanied by the Chief Executive of the AMA and some other dignitaries later inspected some ongoing projects within AMA's jurisdiction namely the reconstruction of the Salaga Market, construction of the Sempe School, the James Town Fishing Habour and the construction of a two-storey expansion project to serve as a maternity block for the Kaneshie Polyclinic. Story by: News Desk Report

Former Accra Hearts of Oak Legend, Bernard Dada Don Bortey known by many as the 'Serial Killer has joined thousands of social media users to celebrate the club’s hundred and tenth (110th) birthday. The Midfielder Legend took to his Twitter handle to wish his former club a happy birthday. In his tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, he tweeted "Happy birthday my darling club 🌈🎊🍾 " The Serial Killer who plied his trade for the Continental Club Masters was part of the team that humiliated bitter rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko by 6-0. Don Bortey also helped the Phobians to lift the Super Cup after burying Kotoko in Kumasi. The Creative Midfielder had great moments with Accra Hearts of Oak. Some scores of Ghanaians also showed loved to Accra Hearts of Oak by wishing the club a happy birthday. Below are some screenshots: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buabeng Asamoa has charged Ghanaians to turned a deaf ear to the rants of Former President Mahama saying he and the NDC have no future plans for the country. According to Mr. Asamoa, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), will set the country back should they be given the 2024 mandate to rule the country. Addressing Journalists at the NPP Headquarters in Accra, Mr. Asamoa said "Despite pressing concerns to do with re-energising livelihoods, funding public infrastructure and services and putting people back to work in this difficult Covid-19 recovery period, we are being forced into a premature 2024 general election campaign by the posture and pronouncements of losing Candidate Mahama. We have to be ready. We have to respond. Many well-meaning Ghanaians and friends of Ghana worry that John Mahama’s attitude and words set Ghana back and so it’s critical that the NPP is ready. Former President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not the alternative" He further took a swipe at Former President John Mahama stressing that the Ex Leader has no solutions to solve Ghana’s perennial problems of weak revenue mobilisation, high debt investment in infrastructure, rigidities in job creation and general difficulties in generating and protecting livelihoods. "It is not true. Whatever John Mahama is doing now is about John Mahama and his personal gain. We do not believe it’s about the people of Ghana because none of his sayings has a plan for Ghana. His track record in governance in Ghana shows that he is unable to help Ghana progress. Indeed, any would be political leader of this era who refuses to recognise the true depth of social and economic stress imposed by Covid-19, seriously amplifying existing challenges, shows that he is only bent on taking power for his own purposes and not for Ghana" Mr. Asamoa noted. He reminded Journalists that even the world's most powerful democracy on earth, the United States of America, has had to spend trillions of dollars in deficit financing of public infrastructure to kick start employment and pay direct cash subsidies to victims of Covid-19 amid job losses in the millions. He also mentioned that the US have a publicly funded programme to administer Covid-19 jabs to over 300 million people. Mr. Asamoa said "We in Ghana, by virtue of our weak position in the world of international finance, do not have the luxury of deficit financing our way out of our economic difficulties. Our Government is obliged to finance roads, energy, water, sanitation, ICT connectivity, education, health and salaries and support job creation from a weak tax base, expensive loans and inadequate concessional grants. Faced by these traditional challenges, the NPP has articulated a vision of Ghana Beyond Aid, and is seeking through innovative measures to expand the tax base, clean up revenue leakages, tighten expenditure controls and diversify economic activity into value addition for international competiveness. We have a plan. We have a road map and we are implementing it" Hitting hard again at the Former President, the NPP's Director of Communications mocked at Mr. Mahama saying the NDC is seeking the mandate of his people to lead again for the fifth time. "The first time was by default as he was sworn in as President on the sad demise of H.E Professor Atta Mills. He delivered a ‘critical policy actions’ paper in September 2012 in which he decried all the ills of Ghana without any workable solutions. Then he bulldozed his way to the nomination in 2012, winning an election that was disputed in the Supreme Court for eight months. His first term Presidency was distinguished by his declaration to Parliament that the beautiful middle income economy inherited from Kufuor had been ‘chewed to the bone’ under his leadership and, despite the lavish economic forum held at the Royal Senchi Hotel, supposedly to develop “home-grown” economic solutions, the return of the same economy to the IMF" he noted. "As President, he took the nomination in 2016 without challenge, going on to lose the 2016 elections with a record margin for an incumbent. His own party review blamed him for the loss, citing a rising culture of monecracy, waning political ideology leading to ethnocentrism, neglect of social democratic focus in policy making, alienation from voters and poor messaging that did not resonate with the worsening living conditions of the people. Perhaps for redemption, but more likely for economic reasons, his party gifted him the nomination in 2020, only for him to lose again" Mr. Asamoa trolled John Mahama saying the NDC leader is yet to recover from that loss, leading him to all manner of stale and incredible allegations about the 2020 general elections. "Don’t get it wrong. It’s deliberate. The allegations, however incredulous, are designed to reinforce his dubious claim for a fifth run at NDC leadership for the 2024 General Elections. Hence the elaborate “thank you tour” concluding with a televised “thank you” lecture on the 10th November 2021. Ladies and gentlemen, Ghana is a multi-party democracy. It requires the participation of diverse political parties to be functional. Per article 55 of the 1992 Constitution, political parties are to help form opinions and take charge of implementing ideas acceptable to the people. Indeed, article 55 (3) says" “… (a) political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office… So the real question, ladies and gentlemen, as demanded by the Constitution. Has the NDC, under former President and several times candidate Mahama, presented credible political ideas and a social and economic programme capable of moving Ghana beyond the present and into a future of wealth creation? Please let us together examine briefly his claims against his delivery. John Mahama and the NDC are yet to deliver one socially sensitive policy for the benefit of Ghanaians to justify their tag of social democracy" Mr. Asamoa cited the monumental failure of the ‘one time premium’ NHIS proposal as a glaring example of Mahama's failureas FormerHead of State. "They collapsed Free Maternal Health Care. They delivered a few cargo vans in the name of ambulances. They opposed drone services to improve medical supply delivery. They struggled with the capitation grant for schools. They barely sustained Mass Transportation. They sunk MASLOC with alleged corruption. They just about managed to continue with LEAP and School Feeding, leaving heavy arrears. Above all, they opposed and continue to oppose free education, a policy that is perhaps the most socially inclusive in the Fourth Republic" "On the ‘thank you tour’ campaign trail, John Mahama, who is seeking your mandate to come back into Government for only four years, spoke about four themes, none of which he offered solutions for. He talked about the 2020 General Elections being violently rigged against his victory. Only he talks like that. The rest of the country and the international observer community know otherwise. CODEO corroborated the EU findings of a free fair, peaceful and credible election, whilst several media houses called the election for President Akufo-Addo well before the EC formally did. Within six months, in the teeth of Covid -19, a brand new voter register was compiled and voting done and declared in free fair and peaceful conditions. For the first time ever, the entire electoral process was paid for by the Government" The NPP Bigwig praised the Akuffo-Addo government for guaranting the most peaceful Ghanaian election ever by ensuring that political vigilantism was eliminated. Mr. Asamoa explained that the very unfortunate deaths occurring from a security incident during counting is not reflective of the entire election and its use to describe the election is disingenuous and an affront to the families who lost loved ones. "So apart from John Mahama’s fertile imagination and the cabal in the NDC leadership who prop him up, everybody else, including the Supreme Court of Ghana, knows that John Mahama lost the 2020 Presidential elections fair and square. His second favourite topic is abandoned projects. It is now clear that no matter the response, he will insist on his abandoned projects mantra. Because it sounds good in his ears. Yet, if he had really done infrastructure in the interest of Ghanaians, the projects would have returned him to power. The truth is that with the IMF in charge, he had no money to do roads. He mortgaged the Road Fund to the hilt and sneaked through the backdoor of Kufuor’s cocoa roads initiative to overburden COCOBOD with billions of questionable road contracts. His suspect E-Block accounting will be dealt with in other fora but his record of signing onerous ‘Take or Pay’ contracts and high priced natural gas deals have to be exposed for the financial problems they continue to pose to the economy. His inability to fund fuel to run power plants protracted “dumsor”, causing havoc to businesses and social life, an admission he made to Parliament several times" "His third favourite topic is about current debt and how he was accused of borrowing excessively. Of course, if you borrow recklessly, you need to be told. His IMF journey was because of his inability to manage the dangerous territory into which he led our financial sector. He confessed in Parliament how recklessly the financial sector had been mismanaged leading to major losses in savings, incomes and jobs for banks and savings and loans financial houses. Former President Mahama was the architect in chief of the financial sector bubble and its collapse. Simpliciter. He can never run away from putting us on the path to mega debt. In any event, in seeking to lead this country for only four years, he has not contributed positively to any conversation on restructuring the financing patterns of this country. How and where is he going to refinance the current public debt and run his programs, if any? His only solution is the IMF. In that case, what new thing is he bringing? Indeed, in refusing to admit the economic ravages of Covid-19, as well as laughing off the international financial magazine analysis that the NDC MP Sam George’s advocacy style could cost us some standing on international financial markets, the former President continues to keep the question of his incompetence on the front burner. Arguably, with the whole world in deficit financing mode, this is the best time to get the old financial rules that disadvantage developing countries re-written. And that exactly is what President Akufo-Addo and his financial advisors are doing. Business as usual will not deliver the resources needed to bridge our significant infrastructure and social capital gaps" "Finally, former President Mahama talks about corruption. He is asking Ghana to give him-the walking embodiment of corruption-the mandate to come and fight corruption. His solution to corruption fighting in his critical actions paper of 2012 was that he would lead by example. This example had to be investigated by his own President for doubtful Aircraft procurements, is implicated as Government Official One in the Airbus bribery Scandal and signed off on $1.2 billion to deliver a project eventually done for $4.6 million, a difference of 26,000% savings. This example was swallowed by alleged organised judgement debt shenanigans. He can talk about corruption, but he has not the faintest inkling of integrity to combat it. His attempt at dealing with employment is totally laughable. Researchers assert that since the NDC collapsed what was left of Dr Nkrumah’s state industries and public service expansion in the 1980’s, it was the NPP under President Kufuor which started active state support of employment creation through the Presidential Special Initiatives and the National Youth Employment Programme. Former President Mahama bastardised these programmes with ghost names and dubious modules leading to flying Guinea Fowls. Graduates were organised under an unemployment umbrella and the IMF stopped him from recruiting. In spite of his long stay in power, aspirant Mahama is yet to learn any lessons about public sector finances for job creation. In his speech, he complains about a gap in financing of the public wage bill. Then he states the creation of one million jobs in the public sector. How is he going to fund those jobs? Has he so soon forgotten that public sector jobs do not turn a profit but rather facilitate other sectors of the economy? Without clear revenue, how is he to generate and pay three shifts of public sector workers? In some ways, the near impossible promises show an unprepared John Mahama selfishly seeking your mandate by exploiting your current difficulties. The issues are real but John Mahama and the NDC are not the solution. The CDD post-election 2020 survey is clear. All told, only 35% of the people surveyed voted for the NDC because of performance. The voter reduction against the NPP was for the NPP to react positively. Therefore, from 60% to 70% of voters expect changes in the NPP style of governance in order to continue to break the eight rather than change to NDC and set us back" The Director of Communications told Journalists that the NPP Government will continue to respect the people' democracy. "We will continue to respect the will of the people. We will continue to respect the peoples’ rights and support the discharge of their obligations. We will continue to respect the dignity of the people. We will continue to push for substantial changes to the world financial architecture so we can also help our people out of distress" He added that the Akufo-Addo Administration will continue to champion programmes that support the delivery of crucial infrastructure, and create jobs and incomes. "We will continue to offer clear visionary leadership that not only diagnoses problems, but seeks to resolve them. We will continue to offer hope and belief in the Ghanaian and Ghana" he concluded. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some scores of Tink Tank Groups have called on the Akufo-Addo government to effect changes in the country’s fuel pricing system to help cushion transport operators, vehicles owners and passengers as well. The call on government came up when the Center for Policy Scrutiny (CPS) held a public forum on the theme: the balance between affordability and funding of public transport interventions which was held in Accra. The forum which follows the recent fuel price increments and agitations from the various transport operators brought together players in the transport sector and other policy advocators to deliberate on how best the matter could be addressed. Speaking at the forum, a Research Fellow at the Center for Social Policy Study at the U-G, Dr Kojo Opoku stated that, it will be difficult to see the government scab the taxing being suggested by the operators but he appealed to the government to generate money elsewhere to subsidize the fuel price which he says will help all and sundry. The General Secretary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah also was of the view that, some of the taxes on the fuel should be scrapped by the government as he says burden of fuel prices should not always be forced on Ghanaians. The General Secretary of the GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire also re-echoed on the taxes that need scrapping as he say, most of the taxes on the fuel price are duplicates and a way for the government to make more money thus their protest. He added that as of now most of the buses provided are not running. "Most of them are broken down the cylinder engine and yes, they structure wise which they had seen at cost of the bus came now that we feed the engines and lower capacity engines. So if we look at the number of passengers to carry pay the waiter to curry against the engine, the engine cannot sustain and run for a long time. Right so that's for me" he revealed. Responding to scrapping of some vehicles, he said "These are the ones we think government should scrap but on further discussion with the minister last Tuesday, we were made to understand that if we talk about any debt recovery, it composed of the fuel and then the power and if the depth on the fuel which was compiled legacy as a result of the subsidy that was engaged, that was allotted 1% to one person were being charged, so perhaps to one person was removed from that legacy depth levy that's covered up the whole 49 personal level." "On petroleum tax is like a VAT charge on food. I've gone on fairly all the levies are up to about 18 Agent all the fares for we have mentioned taxes that need that. They're just duplicating roads on Is there any is there Energy Fund, or about 18 of them, which within some of them are duplications, just to make money from that is another point" he concluded. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana's Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, is calling on African leaders to leverage on the abundance of the gas resource on the continent. This, according to him is a key step in bridging the poverty gap in various countries. The Secondi Member of Parliament made this call when he represented Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh at an African ministerial panel at the on-ongoing Africa Oil Week in Dubai, UAE. Hon. Mercer further called for a responsible exploitation of this fossil fuel resource as it is being held in trust for generations yet unborn. This he says would ensure that the economic value of the resource is sustained for a long of period of time. He said Ghana’s Gas Master Plan recognizes the power sector as the most important sector to channel the natural gas resources as currently, over 70 % of the country’s fuel requirement for power generation is met by natural gas. Hon. Mercer also called for attention to be given to the legal and regulatory framework of various countries as it provides the basis for the overall benefit of the resource for their people. He also called for the deployment of appropriate technologies in the development and utilization of the gas resource. At the session on prospects in the upstream sector that took place during the conference, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., walked prospective investors through Ghana’s legal and regulatory regime as well as its fiscal system which makes the country an attractive destination for upstream investment. He also touched on available blocks for investment in the sector. On his part, a Deputy CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Benjamin Acolatse touched on the role of the National Oil Company in Petroleum Agreements and their readiness to partner potential investors in the exploitation of Ghana’s hydrocarbon resource. The Ghanaian delegation continues to engage prospective investors and key players in the African oil and gas space at the conference all in the bid to position Ghana favourably for investments. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Director-General at the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori has stressed that both the State-Owned Security Service and the Creative Arts Industry needs each other in order to ensure a smooth policing and security in the country. According to ACP Kwesi Ofori, the players in the creative arts industry are the movers and shakers of the society. Addressing Journalists at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Wednesday after a closed door meeting with the Creative Arts Industry, he said "We need you and you need us. You are the movers and shakers of our society" ACP Kwesi Ofori also added that the Creative Arts Industry is a major shareholder to the Ghana Police Service. He further noted that the Ghana Police Service recognises the major role the Creative Arts Industry is playing in the socio-economic development in the country. "And playing that key role definitely suggests that you have a major stake in the security direction, policy formulation affecting security, public safety and the general well being of Ghanaians" he said. He hinted that since the Creative Arts Industry delves in many areas, the Ghana Police Service will not abandon its players. On his part, Ghanaian director, filmmaker, and Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture in Ghana, Socrate Safo thanked the Ghana Police Service for the great opportunity and assured that the industry players will not hesitate to call on the IGP anytime they need help. He also promised that his colleagues will abide by all rules and regulations of the country to avoid having problems with the police. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The first anniversary commemorative mass for the Late President Jerry John Rawlings will be held on Friday 12th November, 2021 – exactly one year since he passed away. The Memorial Mass will be held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka and is open to the public. It is expected to draw people from all walks of life from government officials, traditional leaders, political leaders, members of parliament, diplomats, cadres and many more admirers and sympathisers. The service, being held by the family, will commence promptly at 9.00am and will last for approximately one and a half hours. All those who wish to attend are urged to arrive at the Cathedral early and should note that due to Covid-19 requirements social distancing seating will be in effect. The event will also be streamed on the Facebook page of Late President J.J Rawlings. Attire for the occasion is white traditional or formal. Parking for the event will be at the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board car park which is opposite the Holy Spirit Cathedral. About his death Late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings passed away at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Thursday, November 12, 2020 after a short illness. He was 73years. Credit: tvnewsgh.com