The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), working on anti-corruption and good governance issues has called on President Akufo Addo to ensure that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has adequate funding for the first crucial year of operations. They further urged the President to expedite action on the formation of the new OSP board to allow the Office recruit its staff in accordance with the OSP Act 2017 (Act 959). This came to light when the CSOs met with the Special Prosecutor (SP), Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) at Ridge in Accra. The meeting, was to deliberate on how best the OSP can work with CSOs to engender public space where corruption is a high risk and low reward activity. At the meeting, the SP laid out his vision for the Office which included focusing on corruption prevention activities targeted at addressing issues such as gift-giving, developing and preparing integrity plans for public agencies, conducting corruption risk assessments for major financial transactions, production of a manual to guide citizens on the operations of the Office and the launch of a flagship tool to track the progress of institutions called the Corruption League Table. The vision of SP, also focused strongly on asset recovery, use of plea bargaining, and prosecution, backed by good forensic work and investigations. The CSOs commended the SP for the Office’s effort to communicate and engage with citizens through the media and online platforms and recommended that, the activity be extended to the regions to help educate Ghanaians on the work of the OSP. The CSOs observed that, the OSP has moved into a new ten-story building at Ridge although it was currently occupying one floor as the OSP, it is yet to retrofit the rest of the floors, recruit the necessary staff and set up the Office fully. They commended government for providing the OSP with the appropriate space to set up its operations but added that, there is still a lot to do for the OSP to be fully operational to pursue all its functions. “We are dismayed to hear that of the GHS 1.2 billion that was budgeted for capital and recurrent expenditure, only GHS 80 million was allocated for the 2022 financial year representing only 6.6% of what was requested. This is far below what was even allocated by government in the 2018 financial year for the setting up of the Office, although the money was never accessed. We acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on government resources and there are many essential competing needs”. The CSOs however, urged the government to do its best to ensure that the OSP is able to get off the ground so that, it can do its important integrity building and anti-corruption work saying, it is an agenda that the President and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have identified as a key development priority if Ghana is to transform and go beyond aid. Corruption the CSOs noted, remains a serious challenge in Ghana and appealed to all key investigative and prosecutorial agencies to come on board to ensure effectively work to help the country achieve its objectives. “We remain resolute in our commitment to promote integrity in public life and we assure the OSP of our unflinching support,” they pledged. Story by: Williams Sarpong

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed unhappiness about the manner in which some chiefs and family heads go about encroaching portions of lands belonging to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). To nip the practice in the bud, he issued a stern warning to the chiefs involved to desist from the act or face his wrath. Asantehene, the Chancellor of the school was speaking at the launching ceremony of the 70th anniversary of KNUST on Wednesday, October 27 2021 under the theme: KNUST- 70 Years of Global Impact, New Age for Renewed Focus" attended by intellectuals and high profile personalities from across the country. According to the King of the Ashantis, no chief or family head (Abusuapanin) can claim ownership of lands in the region except him, the occupant of the Golden Stool who by the virtue of his status owns all lands in the region. "Stop encroaching KNUST's lands or continue to mess up and see where power lies," Otumfuo stated, stressing that the encroachers can even go to court to challenge him. He stated, “There’s no family land in Ashanti. No ‘abusuapanin’ can claim that the land belongs to him, and therefore he has the right to alienate a portion of the university land. “You can go to any court, take it there. But, I’m sure also there will be a judge who will know that the constitution of Ashanti says, there’s no family land in Ashanti. “And therefore get the lawyers to take you to court and I will get them to also turn over their decisions to affirm my authorities on the lands.” Otumfuo emphasised that in Ashanti Region, chiefs are regarded as caretakers with no right to claim ownership of any land. Story by: King Amoah

A 24-year-old Ghanaian lady who for security reasons pleaded to be anonymous has revealed how her uncle forcibly had sexual relations with her. When she was about 17 years old and in secondary school, he kept persuading her into having sex with him but she refused. After his persistence, she allowed him to lick her private part. In an interview with Rev Nyansa Boakwa on Happy 98.9 FM’s NsemPii, she said, “Ever since the incident, my aunty’s husband irritates me and cannot even look me in the eye. "The mere sight of the man irritates me and I always feel guilty whenever I remember the incident because my aunty has been good to me.” Now 24-years-old, she is single and relies on masturbation to satisfy her sexual needs because of her dislike for men now. The young lady went on to add that she is tired of living such a life and wants to stop masturbating but finds it very difficult to do so. Credit: Happyghana

In his effort to make his Unit Committee members relevant and work to the expectation of the people, the Assemblyman for Kumawu Dadieso Electoral Area in the Sekyere Kumawu District of Ashanti Region, Hon Kofi Adade on Sunday, October 24, 2021, donated five bicycles to the committee members to facilitate their work. The bicycles worth GHS2,000 was financed by the Assemblyman's own resources. Making the presentation Hon Kofi Adade who also doubles as a news reporter of a Kumasi-based privately-owned radio station Oyerepa 100.7 FM noted that Unit Committee work is purely voluntary which needs support to enable contribute to local governance. To this end, Hon Adade affectionately called Aljazeera by his sympathizers urged the five beneficiary Unit Committee members to use the bicycles to move around and identify challenges in areas that need to be addressed. The Queen mother of Kumawu Dadieso Nana Akua Akyiaa congratulated the Assemblyman for the kind gesture and hoped that the donation will motivate the beneficiaries to work hard to realize the developmental agenda of the electoral area. Receiving the items on behalf of his colleagues, the committee secretary Mr. Stephen Asumadu thanked the Assemblyman for the offer and assured him that they would use the bicycles for the purpose they were donated for to achieve positive results in the area. Story by: King Amoah

Public health officers of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) have arrested one Nuru Musah, a driver of a cesspit truck with registration number GX 3726 – 18 belonging to A & D Waste Company, for allegedly dislodging untreated effluents into the Odaw river. The driver was apprehended during the early hours of Monday, 1 November 2021 after he was captured by some citizens on amateur video footage. Confirming the arrest, Mr. Gilbert Ankrah, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, said officers from the Metropolitan Public Health Department (MPHD) led by Joseph Asitanga and Ishmael Tagoe, in the early hours of Monday, managed to apprehend the owner of the company who assisted in arresting the driver. He disclosed that the driver was currently in police custody pending court. He noted that it was an offense under the AMA Sanitation by-laws to "indiscriminately dump solid and liquid waste in open spaces, drains, gutters, behind walls, or burn solid waste in one's compound,” adding that a person who contravenes this by-law "commits an offense term of imprisonment of not less than thirty days and not more than six months or to both; and in case of a continuing offense, is liable to a fine of not more than one penalty unit for each day that the offense continues." Mr. Ankrah pointed out that the city of Accra currently had excess capacity to treat liquid waste, adding that wastewater generated in the city was treated by the Mudor Treatment Plant and other waste treatment facilities in the city. He said the environmental effects of discharging sewage indiscriminately into the drains were enormous and cautioned would-be offenders to desist from the practice to avoid the wrath of the Assembly. Source: Classfmonline.com

The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has reiterated government’s determination to to achieve universal access to electrification by 2025 in accordance with the country’s commitment to its Sustainable Development Goals 7 (SDG7). Dr. Prempeh, who is also the Minister for Energy, made this announcement the Ghana Energy Day during the ongoing UN Climate Conference also known as COP26 in Glasgow. He noted that the subject of energy has become one of the most important global issues for discussion from industrialization, social and economic development and climate change viewpoints and stated that the country’s drive in this direction shall include the development of eco-friendly energy supply chain, double access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. Touching on the government’s progress in the energy sector, the Minister laid emphasis on the achievement of national electricity access rate of 86.63% by the end of the third quarter of 2021 and a 120MWe grid-connected installed solar PV capacity representing 2.4% renewable energy in the national generation mix. He also alluded to the creation of the first ever renewable energy park in the subregion which has the capacity to hold up to about 650MWe capacity at Bui, with the potential for up to 250MW solar PV plant which would be hybridized with the existing Bui 400MW hydropower plant. Dr. Prempeh stated “We are fast transitioning the Volta River Authority to increase its renewable energy asset portfolio. Some 20MW of solar have been completed by the VRA and construction of 50MWe solar PV by the Volta River Authority is ongoing which is to be hybridized with the Pwalugu Multipurpose Hydropower plant.” On the household sector, the Minister noted that its often either forgotten or little attention is paid to it and revealed that energy for cooking in households account for more than 35% of the total energy supply. The Minister further highlighted Ghana’s commitment to achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, investment opportunities in utility scale and distributed generation as well as clean cooking, including promotion and distribution of LPG and biomass end-user technologies. Ghana’s delegation to the COP26 event is led by President Akufo-Addo. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Hillary Nzilani was living an ordinary life until yesterday when she posted lovely photos in her graduation gown. She had been a student at the Mighty University of Nairobi for 5 years and admits she even struggled to secure a spot for her internship. The graduate of Economics and Statistics claims she got more than 21 job offers as soon as she uploaded photos on her social media platforms. "At first I thought the offers were pranks because most were from relatives and neighbors who were congratulating me despite the fact that we hadn’t talked for years. Then came an avalanche of employment offers from serious corporate CEOs in Large as well as Medium Sized businesses" Nzilani told Flame Tv Reported Robert Mogoi. While pressed to list some of the companies that offered her employment, she said she won't name them as she fears ruining her chances with the huge corporates. She also admits the offers come with heavy perks and allowances. "Once I attend interviews and am absorbed into one of the companies, I will get back to you and give thanks publicly. For now, let me keep my fingers crossed and keep praying€ she said. Credit: nggossips.com

A class three pupil of the Salvation Army Preparatory and Junior High School, in Lapaz-Chantan, is reported to have gone missing. According to her guardians, the 13-year-old Dzifa Dyunie left home at Tabora in the Ga-Central Municipal of the Greater Accra Region on Saturday, October 23, 2021, and has since not returned. Efforts by her guardians to trace her whereabouts have also proven futile. Speaking to this portal, the guardian of the missing girl, Hajia Zuweratu Osman, said they reported the case to the Israel Police Station the same day they suspected she went missing. She stated that she and other relatives had searched and followed several leads they got from people all to no avail. “My family has sleepless nights. We don’t eat or do anything. We are frantically searching for Dzifa and following any lead we get, but we don’t see any good results. "We are hoping she will be found alive and healthy,” Hajia Zuweratu Osman told this portal. She further called on the Ghana Police Service not to relent in their efforts to search for the missing Dzifa Dyunie. The guardians of Dzifa Dyunie are calling on the general public to help them with any information that can lead to her whereabouts. "I am begging Ghanaians to help me look for Dzifa ...you can contact Zuweratu Osman on 0244042879/ 0266671772 or the nearest police station if you find Dzifa Dyunie," she stated. Below are pictures: Story by: Ralph Apetorgbor

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) have together launched a new licensing scheme for street food vendors across the country. According to FDA and KoKMA, the new introduction is aimed at sensitizing street food vendors and the general public on the new street food licensing scheme. Speaking on the theme 'No Street Food Vending Permit, No Business', the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Delese Mimi Darko said "Street food micro-industries are vital for the economic planning and development of many towns. Street food represents a quick and inexpensive source of nutrition for a growing number of urban dwellers, mainly low-and-middle-income workers and students. It represents a source of income and economic sufficiency" Madam Darko added that aside from its advantages, street foods have often been contaminated either biologically, chemically, or physically with levels above the recommended limits. Mrs. Darko further hinted that the FDA together with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations have been working tirelessly to instill best practices in their operations that will ensure that the food that the vendors prepare and sell is handled hygienically and safely to minimize food illnesses in our communities. "This journey began in 201 when the FAO supported the FDA to implement the Healthy Street Food Incentives project. The project was informed by the rising spate of the sale and consumption of street food nationwide" She noted that the FDA together with KoKMA will ensure that the food safety laws are observed. "This led to the signing of an MOU on the 11th September 2020 which has culminated into the launch of this Street Food Vending Permit Programme intended to compel vendors to comply with all the requirements of Good Hygienic to provide the needed assurance to consumers" she mentioned. She reminded the food vendors that the star presented to them marks the beginning of their journey as street food vendors. "You are therefore to work hard and continue to adhere to all the food safety practices that you have been taught" Mrs. Darko stated that this will help to reduce foodborne disease outbreaks in the country and improve on nutritional needs of customers. The FDA Boss was confident that most vendors will comply and obtain their street vending permits. Representing the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of KoKMA, the Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr. Aquaye charged the street vendors to set good examples for the other vendors to emulate. He added that there will be frequent checks to assess whether or not the beneficiaries are making good use of the veronica bucket given to them and also exhibiting high levels of professionalism to their clients. He commended the FDA for coming u with such an initiative and urged all street food vendors to come on board. The CEO of the FDA later visited and pasted the certificates as well as a star on the shops of the beneficiaries. She appealed to the general public to look out for joints having the FDA certificate and star and enjoy not only good food but great customer service. Some beneficiaries told Thinknewsonline.com that they will preach the good news to their fellow food vendors and ensure they also obtain the certificate and star from the Food and Drugs Authority. Below are some videos and pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

In the midst of a growing debate for an expansion and reform of Ghana’s legal education system, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has stated emphatically that practising law is a privilege, and not a right. He said this during the induction ceremony of new executives of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) earlier this week. “Mr. President and new executives, you owe a duty to drive home the point that the practice of law is not a right, it is a privilege. Along with it comes a moral obligation and a legal duty to uphold the dignity of the profession to ensure that the privileged call to the bar is not abused through unprincipled and disreputable conduct,” he advised. Mr. Dame was also not enthused about the disregard of ethical standards in the legal profession. “Standards of practice have declined to their lowest depths, and I speak from experience of what I witnessed in the Supreme Court last week in the conduct of some lawyers in certain cases that they handled. Ethics is virtually thrown to the dogs in the dishonourable quest of some lawyers to win a case.” He believes “it is only when practitioners maintain the highest standards of ethical standards that the law will continue to be a noble profession”. Mr. Dame thus admonished the new executives of the GBA to stem the tide by constantly upholding moral standards and ethics. The Attorney General’s comments come on the back of challenges LLB graduates face while trying to access professional legal training at the Ghana School of Law. Some 149 LLB graduates who participated in the recently held law school entrance exam have dragged the General Legal Council and the Attorney General to court, insisting that they passed but were deliberately denied admission. Although Parliament stepped in and directed the Attorney General to liaise with the General Legal Council to ensure that the entire 499 students are admitted, Mr. Dame insisted that the law-making body was going beyond its boundaries. Credit: Citinewsroom

A joint task force has arrested at least twelve tricycle riders on the Accra-Tema Motorway for defying a directive not to use the highway. The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, banned the use of tricycles popularly known as Aboboyaa on the Accra-Tema Motorway effective November 1 as part of ensuring discipline on the highway. But some tricycles were still using the highway to cart refuse to the Kpone landfill site. In an interview with Citi News during the operation by the task force, the team leader who doubles as the Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso North, Mohammed Zakaria Aminu, said the tricycles would be impounded, and the riders sanctioned accordingly. “We have to offload the refuse, so we are moving them to the transfer stations and dump them there, and subsequently, the tricycles will be impounded.” Mr. Aminu also arrested persons who may be fined or prosecuted. Some of the tricycle riders who were carting the waste through the Accra-Tema motorway to the Kpone landfill site appealed to the government to provide them with alternative ways to dump their refuse. Ghana’s Informal Waste Workers Union, whose members use tricycles for waste collection, also called on the government to provide waste compactor mobile trucks at vantage points within the Greater Accra Region before implementing the restrictions. The region plans to have waste transfer sites in every district in the region by February 2022. Following this, tricycles will be barred from using other major roads aside from the motorway. They will be expected to deposit refuse at the waste transfer sites. Below are some pictures: Credit: Citinewsroom

The Acting Director-General for the Public Affairs Department of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, has said the police administration is yet to come across any contempt summons from Parliament following attempts to arrest the Madina MP. “The invitation has not officially come to the attention of the administration, and when that comes, the administration may take a firm decision,” ACP Kwesi Ofori said to the media on the sidelines of a meeting by the IGP on Wednesday. The attempt to arrest Mr. Sosu during a demonstration in his constituency over bad roads on October 25 led to the MP filing a complaint in Parliament accusing two police commanding officers of contempt of Parliament. Though protestors had blocked roads during the protest, Mr. Sosu said there was no basis for any arrest because he had followed due process in organising the protest. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred the complaint against the two police personnel to the Privileges Committee of Parliament. The officers cited in Mr. Sosu’s complaint were ACP Isaac Kojo Asante, the Greater Accra Regional Operations Commander, and ACP Eric Winful, the Adentan Divisional Commander. Police were also reported to have tried to arrest Mr. Sosu while at Church on Sunday though the Police administration denied the reports. The Speaker of Parliament subsequently refused a Police request to release the Madina MP for interrogation. The Ghana Police Service has since said it has secured a judicial order for Mr.Sosu to appear in court on November 8, 2021. Sosu’s response In his first formal response to the developments, Mr. Sosu accused the police of being disingenuous with its account of events. He insisted that he was not involved in blocking roads nor destruction of property during the protest as alleged by the police. The MP also said the police were trying to shift the public’s focus from the reason for his protest. “The Police were part of the demonstration from the beginning till the end. There were no casualties, no destruction of public or private property,” Mr. Sosu said. Credit: Citinewsroom