The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, does not approve salaries and benefits for the Executive and, by extension, for the First Lady and wife of the Vice-President, the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said. He has, therefore, described as misleading, information making the rounds that President Akufo-Addo had given approval for Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Mrs Samira Bawumia to receive same salaries as Cabinet ministers. While confirming that there had been an increment in allowances for the spouses of the President and the Vice-President, Mr Oppong Nkrumah emphasised that that was an approval given by the Seventh Parliament. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu “The President does approve salaries and benefits for the Executive. Under Article 71, the First Lady and Second Lady are not office holders so no one can determine their benefits under that article. “However, a committee only recommended that an arrangement for the spouses be made formal and that received approval from Parliament,” he indicated. Precedent Mr Oppong Nkrumah explained that an arrangement that was introduced by former President John Agyekum Kufuor during the start of his Presidency in 2000 had seen spouses of Presidents and Vice Presidents, since then, enjoy allowances, though there was no formal documentation to support that. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video The allowances given the two ladies of the executive were considered as part of the privileges of the President and Vice President. “President Kufuor, in his wisdom, instituted this because of the bad situations of some spouses of some former Heads of States then. Presidents Mills and Mahama even increased the rates of these benefits during their time. “The truth of the matter is that all surviving spouses of Heads of State, current and former, have always received salaries. Lordina Mahama, Naadu Mills, Matilda Amissah-Arthur, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Faustina Acheampong, Fulera Liman etc have all been receiving salaries since President Kufuor's time. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath “What has happened now is that the arrangement has been made formal but that was done legally based on the recommendation by the Emoluments Committee,” the Information Minister emphasised. Recommendation, approval Mr Oppong Nkrumah further said the Emoluments Committee, set up in 2019 and chaired by Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, as part of its recommendations, proposed that the allowances given to the spouses of the President and Vice President be formally included in the review of the entitlements for the executive. “That recommendation was then forwarded to the Seventh Parliament which then gave the approval and it is now to be implemented. It is, therefore, not true as it is being circulated that the President has approved of emoluments to the First Lady and Second Lady,” he stressed. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws The Emolument Committee The five-member committee was set up in June 2019 by President Akufo-Addo to make recommendations to him and to Parliament on the salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities and privileges available to article 71 office holders. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu and which also had former Majority Leader and former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Dr Edward Kwapong, the current Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, and a former Managing Director, Donewell Life Insurance Co. Ltd, Mrs Stella Segbawu, the committee had two terms of reference. They were charged to make recommendations in respect of emoluments and other privileges for article 71 office holders, as specified under the Constitution; and also to examine any other relevant matter which the Committee deemed appropriate to its work. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Similar committee, set up in the past, were at various points chaired by Prof. Miranda Greenstreet, Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse, Mr Ishmael Yamson, Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, and Prof. Francisca Edu-Buandoh. In inaugurating the Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee, President Akufo-Addo, then, urged them to bring to the table the work and include in their deliberations, the work and recommendations of those previous committees to be able to establish consistencies. Credit: Graphiconline.com

The Ministry of Energy says it notes with delight the announcement by the ENI Group of a significant oil discovery in Block 4 Offshore Ghana. In a communique issued by the Communications and Public Affairs Unit, it said "The well that led to the discovery is located approximately 50 kilometres off the coast and about 8 kilometres north-west of the Sankofa Hub where the John Agyekum Kufuor FPSO is located" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey The communique also hinted that the well deliverability potential has been estimated at 5,000 barrels of oil per day, similar to the wells already in production from the Sankofa Field. It is emerging that ENI has been present in Ghana since 2009 and accounts currently for a gross products of about 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t The communique also noted over the years, the company has been a valuable partner in the petroleum industry. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has been invited by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to serve on its Mission 4.7 High-Level Advisory Group as an Honourary and Meritorious Member. In a letter of invitation dated 23 June 2021 and co-signed by Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN and Ms. Stefania Gianini, Assistant Secretary-General of UNESCO, it was revealed that the Mission 4.7 High-Level Advisory Group is a new global initiative to put into practice the bold vision articulated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education and Target 4.7. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws “This invitation is only extended to those who have extraordinarily contributed to supporting target 4.7 and quality education globally. This membership enables you to still continue your engagement with Mission 4.7 as the new Minister of Energy for Ghana”, the letter continued. The letter concludes “…we would like to thank you for continued and remarkable leadership in education…” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey Dr. Prempeh, who is also popularly known as ‘NAPO’ and is the MP for Manhyia South, served as the Minister for Education from 2017 to 2021 and was responsible for driving the NPP government’s flagship education policy, the Free SHS programme, which saw the student population of the country’s Senior High Schools jump from 800,000 in 2016 to over 1.2 million by the time he left office. Other important. Story by: News Desk Report

Highly-rated Ghanaian midfielder Solomon Mensah has emerged as a summer target for top clubs in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The tireless defensive midfielder is enjoying an impressive debut season in North Africa, with his services for Egyptian top-flight Aswan SC side going unnoticed. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu A close source told Sportsafric.com the player’s representatives have received offers from the unnamed clubs in Western Asia. According to the source, Mensah still has a contract with Aswan SC until August 2021. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video The 29-year-old has been one of the best performers for Aswan this season, always delivering in the heart of midfield. Unfortunately for him, his displays has not been overshadowed by Aswan’s struggles. They are fighting for survival as they sit 16th on the league log out of 18 clubs. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath The club have been involved in 27 games and he has featured in 19 , assisting once and also helping them reach the Egypt Cup semi final for the first time. He has been deployed in central defense which he excelled on many on occasions. Mensah joined them from Lebanese outfit Sahel Al Shabab last year January. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws He was a former skipper for Bechem United who played an integral role in their 2016 FA Cup truimph. Credit: Linus Siaw Nartey (Twitter: @Linus_siaw)

Haitian President Jovenel Moise has been assassinated at his home, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said. A group of unidentified individuals attacked the private resident of Moise overnight on Wednesday and shot him dead, Joseph said. The first lady was hospitalised in the attack. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu “The country’s security situation is under the control of the National Police of Haiti and the Armed Forces of Haiti,” Joseph said in a statement from his office. “Democracy and the republic will win.” “All measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the state and to protect the nation,” Joseph added. Moise had been ruling Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by decree after legislative elections due in 2018 were delayed and following disputes on when his own term ended. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video In the early morning hours of Wednesday, the streets were largely empty in the Caribbean nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince, but some people ransacked businesses in one area. After the attack, gunshots could be heard throughout the capital. Joseph said police have been deployed to the National Palace and the upscale community of Pétionville and will be sent to other areas. Joseph condemned the assassination as a “hateful, inhumane and barbaric act”. He said some of the attackers spoke in Spanish but offered no further explanation. Situation ‘distressing and deteriorating’ READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath The nation of more than 11 million people had grown increasingly unstable and disgruntled under Moise, who was 53. The attack occurred amid a rising wave of politically linked violence in the impoverished Caribbean nation. With Haiti politically divided, and facing a growing humanitarian crisis and shortages of food, there are fears of widespread disorder. Laurent Dubois, author of Haiti: The Aftershocks of History, said there were still “a lot of details to be understood” about Moise’s “shocking” assassination. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws “There’s been an enduring political crisis worsening over the past several years,” he told Al Jazeera. “Over the past months, in particular, there have been a lot of warnings coming from observers on the ground that the situation has gotten extremely distressing and deteriorating. This is part of that course of events but it is very difficult to understand exactly what transpired and also, worryingly, exactly what will unfold over the next couple of days in the wake of this.” Port-au-Prince had been suffering an increase in violence as gangs battle one another and police for control of the streets. That violence was fuelled by an increase in poverty and political instability. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Some 60 percent of the population makes less than $2 a day. These troubles come as Haiti still tries to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew that struck in 2016. Moise has faced fierce protests since he took office as president in 2017, with the opposition accusing him this year of seeking to install a dictatorship by overstaying his mandate and becoming more authoritarian – charges he denied. In addition to presidential, legislative and local elections, Haiti was due to have a constitutional referendum in September after it was twice postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc Dubois, a professor of history at the University of Virginia, said Moise left “a mixed legacy”. “Since his election, there have been continual problems and contestation of his legitimacy as president,” he noted. “Adding to that, most recently the COVID crisis has been dealt very poorly.” Source: AL JAZEERA and NEWS AGENCIES

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah has justified his decision to request for the deployment of the Military at a civil protest in Ejura in the Ashanti Region. He said the police failed in their method to disperse the crowd. His comment follows the killings of the two persons who were shot by the military in a protest by the youth demanding justice for the slain social media activist, Ibrahim Mohammed popularly known as Kaaka. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, who doubles as the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) says he does not know the identities of the soldiers who shot and killed two protesters and injured four others. Taking his turn at the ministerial committee hearing in Kumasi, he noted that preliminary investigation conducted into the matter is yet to reveal the identities of the operatives. “…As I was informed, the military moved forward for the police to be behind them because their method to disperse the crowd failed. It was during that period that I was told the shooting incidents or whatever took place, but as to who gave the shots, I have not been informed yet or to say it has not been established yet.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video He said he acted in line with the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 1030 to restore calm to save lives and properties. “I've used this strategy all this while. This is the first time we have casualties, and I think we should continue with it,” Mr. Osei-Mensah said. Last week, the Ashanti Regional Minister said he ordered the military deployment to Ejura. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath His reason is that he received intelligence that some youth in the area were planning to attack the police station and kill the two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Kaaka. “There are several questions that who really ordered the soldiers to go there. I ordered them to go there. I requested for the military to offer us support as head of the Regional Security Council. “I got intel that they (youth) said after the burial of Kaaka, they will move and burn the Police Station and burn to death two persons who the Police are keeping in custody in connection with the death of Kaaka. So I realized that wouldn’t help and truly they were going to do that,” he said. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Credit: Modern Ghana

Fire gutted parts of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations ( SCOAN ) complex in the Ikotun area of Lagos state on Monday night. The incident occurred around 11 pm after the candlelight procession held in honour of TB Joshua, the late founder of the church who died on June 5 at age 57. Evelyn, the wife of the deceased, led thousands of church members during the candlelight procession at the SCOAN faith resort in Ikotun. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu The event is the first on the list of special programmes to be held in Joshua’s honour. After the candlelight procession, a fire broke out at the storehouse within the church complex. According to a statement issued by the church management, the fire outbreak occurred as a result of an electrical fault. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video It noted that nobody was injured. “In the late evening of Monday 5th July 2021, there was a minor electrical fire incident at a storehouse within The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) complex. The incident was quickly brought under control without any injuries,” the statement said. The statement added, “As part of the preparedness for the weeklong services celebrating the life and legacy of Prophet TB Joshua, The SCOAN has worked closely with relevant government agencies including the Lagos State Fire Services, whose members were on the ground at the time of the incident. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath “We thank God for His continued protection. We assure the general public that there is no cause for alarm and the services celebrating the life and legacy of Prophet TB Joshua will continue as scheduled.” The late synagogue founder will be buried on Friday on the church premises. Credit: Modern Ghana

Police in Kuntenase in the Ashanti Region have picked up the suspected killer of an Uber driver at Feyiase in the Ashanti Region. Israel Agyei Manu was found decapitated at Feyiase a few hours after leaving his fiancee’s house to pick some people he claimed had booked him for a trip. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu His body was found around 2:05 pm Sunday, July 4 at an uncompleted building at Feyiase New Site. Barely 24 hours after the tragedy, police have arrested one Rashid Ibrahim, who has confessed to the murder. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video Despite giving an alibi to the police when he was initially picked up, Rashid Ibrahim led the police to retrieve the machete used in committing the crime. He is currently in police custody and would be arraigned before court soon. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath Police have commended the community for volunteering information about some strangers in the neighborhood, leading to the arrest. “Police assures them of the strictest confidentiality and appeals to such informants to desist from blowing their own cover by bragging about such exploits.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws The deceased was also the headteacher of Rogel Montessori basic School at Atonsu in Kumasi. Below is an embed tweet: By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana

A Niece of Gregory Afoko, the man who was accused in 2015 of the Alhaji Adams Mahama, the then Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Cynthia Afoko is appealing to President Akufo-Addo to grant her uncle bail to aid him to seek medical attention. According to her, the health condition of Gregory Afoko is worrying adding that failure to seek medical care can cause his life. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, she said "My Uncle deserves justice. Apparently, he was granted bail in 2020 but he is still there. I know a lot of people are surprised. He is not well. He is sick. We are asking that they give him bail so that he comes home for us to give him a special treatment" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/fire-destroys-properties-worth-thousands-of-cedis-at-makola-videos Cynthia Afoko also pleaded with the media to channel their attention on the ailing Gregory Afoko. "The media should also help us. Let this man come out. He can be your brother or it could be you tomorrow. We want him to come out and get treatment. He is not well" Cynthia Afoko hinted that Gregory Afoko has not been treated fairly stressing that release him on bail will do the family lots of good. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu Responding to what she will do if her request is not granted, Cynthia Afoko said "What can we do as law-abiding citizens, you can't do anything other than to protest like this" The niece of Gregory Afoko joined hundred of NDC followers to demonstrate in Accra on Tuesday. She was spotted with plaque cards with the inscription 'Polarized Judicial System, Free Gregory Afoko Now' and 'Bail Gregory Afoko For Better Health Treatment Now' READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video Background It will be recalled that late Alhaji Mahama was reported to have suffered severe bodily injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015. He later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital. Afoko was initially the only one standing trial after Alangdi allegedly absconded from Ghana. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath After more than three years of trial, the Attorney-General (A-G) filed a nolle prosequi on January 28, 2019, to discontinue the trial following the arrest of Alangdi. Afoko challenged the nolle prosequi by filing a case at the Supreme Court, but on June 19, 2019, the apex court dismissed the case on the premise that Afoko failed to prove that the nolle prosequi was capricious, unfair, and arbitrary. Gregory Afoko has since been in custody from 2015 to date. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Below are videos and pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Hundred of followers of the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, July 6 embarked on a peaceful demonstration dubbed 'March For Justice' in Accra. According to the NDC, they believe the peaceful demonstration will bring to an end the killing of the Ghanaians adding that the citizenry are not criminals. Speaking exclusively to Thinknewsonline.com, the National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said "The deaths are more than enough. The death of one person is even one too many. We don't want to see these deaths anymore" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t He added that the NDC and its youth will continue to demonstrate till the Akufo-Addo government treats the citizenry in a good manner. "We will demonstrate against insecurity and also demonstrate for the well-being of the people of this country" On his part, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampraam, Sam George said "As you can see, the demonstration is going on peacefully and everyone is observing the covid protocols unlike President Akufo-Addo when he attends funerals" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey He further described the demonstration as a clear statement from Ghanaians adding that the youth should arise and demand from President Akufo-Addo the fulfillment of his promises. "Do you have confidence in President Akufo-Addo? Look at what happened to Caleb Kudah, Ahmed Suale, Latif of Multimedia, Manasseh, and other journalists. All of these people were brutalized under Akufo-Addo. Does it put confidence in you?" he quizzed. A member of the NDC youth wing expressed disappointment in President Akufo-Addo saying that the killings are one too many. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc He said "Major Maxwell Mahama, where is he? The police officer that was murdered and the two police officers that were also murdered at Kasoa. What has happened till now?" He lambasted the Inspector General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh over his 'heaven' comments stressing that his utterance was highly unacceptable and an insult to Ghanaians. "We will advise ourselves. The power belongs to the masses" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case The General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia in an interview with Thinknewsonline.com charged the President to take a closer look at the security agencies. He challenged the Akufo-Addo government to come out clearly on whether his party has indeed disbanded the vigilante groups "If the police who are supposed to protect you are against you, if you have a problem, where would you run to? You will only resort to your own means of self-defense, in that case, we would have abandoned the state" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Responding to whether the NDC is disappointed in the security services, he said "That is not the way to go. We have to look at how vigilantes have turned out to be security personnel and they go out to commit crimes and soil the image of the police and the army" He further hinted that President Akufo-Addo is politicizing the security services adding that such a move will not mean well for Ghana. After an hour and fifty minutes of the peaceful demonstration, the NDC Youth Wing finally submitted their petition to the Presidency. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath The petition highlighted corruption, unemployment, nepotism as part of the challenges facing Ghana and called on President Akufo-Addo to work on it. It added that there is no hope for the citizenry since their lives are not in good hands. Receiving the petition on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Bossman assured the leadership of the NDC and its youth wing that their request will be submitted to the first gentleman of the land. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video Later at the forecourt of Parliament, The NDC youth wing later made another presentation of a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. The second petition touched on the lawlessness, killing of innocent youths in Ejura and Wa, and violence in some parts of the country. Both Majority and Minority Leaders, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Haruna Iddrisu assured the demonstrators that their grievances will be addressed and those who were found culpable will be dealt with. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu Below are some videos and picture: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Properties worth thousands of cedis have been destroyed after fire gutted some shops at Makola in Accra. According to an eyewitness, a billboard fixed in front of one of the shops on the top floor generated the fire. Speaking exclusively to Thinknewsonline.com, he said "It's a billboard that has caused all these oh. I called on the Fire Service officers but they were slow to respond. Just a billboard has led to a three-story building to be in flames" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-legon-cities-beef-up-technical-team-with-the-appointment-of-maxwell-konadu He added that on reaching the scene, he observed that the fire tanker was without water adding that the officers had to drive to a nearby hydrant before it could pump water. The eyewitness further expressed his disappointment in the fire officers having little logistics. He appealed to the government to come to the aid of the fire service and furnish them with logistics. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video On his part, Head of Communication at the Ghana National Fire Service, Divisional Officer (DO1), Ellis Robinson Okoe appealed to the public to desist from lambasting fire officers. "We are human beings, you don't expect us to know every location that there is a fire outbreak. The public should take it easy on us. Ass you can see we are doing everything possible to deal with the situation" He also mentioned that until the fire is completely quenched, none of his men will leave the scene. "There are fires inside. We have to quench all the fire before we leave here today ad that is the work we are doing" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath DO1 Okoe hinted that it took about 9 fire tenders plus one from the Armed Forces to deal with the situation. "You see don't listen to these allegations. You know when people are affected, they say lots of things. So don't listen to them. Listen to me, I am the Professional and I am telling you that we have been able to bring the fire under control" He added that although the top floors have been badly affected, his men have been able to protect valuables on the first two floors. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws DO1 commended and thanked the Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A), Mohammed Adjei Sowah for making available a petrol station which fuelled the fire tankers for free. Speaking to Journalists, the Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A), Mohammed Adjei Sowah commended the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for their tremendous work at controlling the situation. He said "The fire started around 9 am and immediately, the Fire Service was alerted. We have a fire tender about 100 meters from the location. They all came likewise some from the Ministries, Head Office, Circle, all of them rushed to this place within 10 minutes battling the fire" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case The Mayor described the lack of enough water at the Central Business District of Accra as one of the challenges facing the Ghana Fire Service. He added that it made it difficult for the Fire-team to continue to stay on location to replenish the fire adding that the pressure from the hydrant was very low. "So they had to go a little far as Circle and other areas. That has been one of the challenges that have prolonged the fire. They ran out of fuel but since there is a fuelling station close by, I directed all the fire tenders to go to that station anytime that they ran out of fuel at the cost of A.M.A, so that they will have enough fuel but the main challenge has been the low pressure of water in the Central Business District" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc He also added that although the cause of the fire is unknown, lots of the materials raised down by the fire are inflammable. Reacting to compensating the affected persons, he said "I don't know for now. Our first instincts are to look at the fire, extinguish the fire, save lives and properties, and then after our investigations, we will look at some of these situations" The National Welfare Officer of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (​GUTA), Benjamin Yeboah said "This is really an unfortunate situation because this building houses lots of our members and some of them have been in this building for years, so it's quite unfortunate" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey He said "What is the use of fire hydrant when it's locked and when we need it, we cannot access it. That is really unfortunate" He challenged the Ghana National Fire Service to work hand-in-hand with the Ghana Water Company to ensure that the various hydrants are filled with water. "I have been in Makola for year and we have fire hydrants here so I wonder why we have to go very far for water. I don't understand. It is an unfortunate incident. We have to learn from it" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t "I am in this area and I quite remember we told the shop owners to have fire extinguishers which some of them did so I think this will be another thing for them to look at and ensure that they all get these fire extinguishers" He described Monday's fire outbreak as the biggest to have happened in Makola. The Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Constituency, Nii Lante Vanderpuiye also rushed to the scene and was briefed about the level of damages caused by the fire. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco He assured that an investigation will be done to know what really caused the fire. The NDC MP further appealed to the shop owners to desist from illegal connections. President of Traders Advocate in Makola, Kojo Amoateng said "The Fire Service has really done well. People should stop lambasting them" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures He also urged his members to insure their shops adding that having insurance, helps save lots of issues. "You nailed it. Everything got to do with education but we live in a country that people are refusing to teach and people are refusing to learn" He charged the public not to be disappointed in the Fire Service adding that their work today was very commendable. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath General Secretary of Traders Advocates, Nana Poku also mentioned that although the fire service did a good job. He called for more than enough fire hydrants in the Central Business District adding that it will help the service personnel work effectively. "Per our initial observation, the one and only fire hydrant that was working had a partial pressure in it and a hydrant is supposed to have that speed and power to fill this tank within 10 minutes and if we have a hydrant and it cannot have pressure in it, what can the fire service do," he said. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/man-beheaded-at-feyiase-in-ashanti-region-video Below are some videos: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Legon Cities have confirmed the appointment of Maxwell Konadu to beef up the technical team, the club has announced. The former Asante Kotoko coach joins Bashir Hayford and Wahid Mohammed as Legon Cities fight for survival in the Ghana Premier League. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Maxwell who was recently appointed as Ghana U17 head coach is making a return to the Ghana Premier League since parting ways with Asante Kotoko in December last year. He is a former Wa All Stars coach and has served as the Black Stars assistant coach. Konadu also led the Black Stars B to place second in the 2019 WAFU tournament in Senegal. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/ejura-gunshot-survivor-has-lost-one-leg-after-amputation-at-kath Legon Cities are on 13th position with 39 points after 32 games. Cities will travel to Elmina and face Elmina Sharks in the penultimate game of the campaign. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/knust-suspends-src-elections-following-katanga-and-conti-clash-video Below is the statement: Credit: footballmadeinghana.com