The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has touted the achievements of the party in the political history of Ghana. The NDC is celebrating its 29th anniversary today, [Thursday], June 10, 2021. According to Asiedu Nketiah, the social-democratic political party played a very instrumental role when Ghana’s 1992 Constitution was being written. He said the 1992 Constitution which stood the test of time laid the platform for the country’s democracy to thrive till this day. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case At an event to commemorate the party’s 29th anniversary, Mr Nketiah said the NDC’s achievements cannot be compared to any other political party in Ghana. “You will agree with me that maybe our performance will be better. But as we stand here, the NDC remains the most successful party in Ghana since our independence. So we have every reason to be proud of our party. When it comes to development, NDC arguably is a political party that has a track record that will be difficult to beat by any other political party in this country,” he said. NDC’s history The NDC is a social-democratic political party in Ghana. It was founded by the late Jerry Rawlings, who was the Head of State of Ghana from 1981 to 1953 and the President of Ghana from 1993 to 2001. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc The symbol for the party is an umbrella with the head of a dove at the tip. The party colours are red, white, green, and black, and the party slogan or motto is “Unity, stability, and development.” Internationally, the NDC is a member of the Progressive Alliance and Socialist International. Following the formation of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), which ruled Ghana following the military coup d’état on 31 December 1981, there was pressure from the international community to restore democracy. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey The NDC was formed as the ruling party ahead of elections in 1992, in which the late JJ Rawlings was elected president, and in 1996 he was re-elected as the NDC candidate. Omane Boamah praises party Former Communications Minister, Edward Omane Boamah in a piece to celebrate the party asked Ghanaians to be proud of the NDC because “development is our goal.” He wrote: NDC built unprecedented Regional and District hospitals & CHPS facilities that have provided and still provide quality healthcare to Ghanaians over the years. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t In recent years, the University of Ghana Medical Centre, the Ridge Hospital project, the Bank of Ghana hospital, the Maritime hospital have been added and have saved many Ghanaians from death particularly during this COVID-19 period. In addition, NDC established Universities, built schools including Community Day Senior High Schools, primary schools and early childhood development centres to provide access and improve education for pupils and students. Furthermore, in the power sector, NDC established the Aboadze Thermal Power Plant, initiated the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project (WAGPP), established the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant which brought about over 800 mega Watts of thermal power (the fastest in the history of Ghana) to solve dumsor in 2016 and has an unmatched record in rural electrification in Ghana. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco Comrades and fellow Ghanaians, there is more that should make you proud of the NDC because we are unique and positively distinguished from the NPP (our ‘noisy neighbours’): massive telecommunications, roads and transport infrastructure such as the National Data Centre, the Accra Digital Centre, the over 800 kilometres Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic project from Ho through six regions to Bawku with a link from Yendi to Tamale, interchanges, port expansion among others. Looking into the future with hope, I believe there is more that must be offered to restore confidence in governance and in Ghana’s democracy. There is more we can do to encourage free speech, protect journalists, promote freedom of assembly and to demonstrate, fight corruption and ensure law and order becomes the tool for Ghana’s accelerated socio-economic development. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures Fellow Akatamansonians, let’s stay together and work very hard for victory 2024 to rescue Ghana, our motherland. Happy 29th Anniversary. Credit: Citinewsroom

News coming in indicates that Kumasi Asante Kotoko is likely to face another unsavory news from the Court by the close of next week. According to sources, this is in relation to monies owed Offset Consult been headed by Ashford Tetteh Oku when he was approached to play an intermediary role in helping Kotoko to reclaim the hundred and forty thousand dollars as transfer fee of Kwame Bonsu (conte) to the Tunisian outfit. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations Kotoko, however, reneged on its promise. The former Hearts of Oak general manager subsequently resulted to the law court to seek redress. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws It is emerging that the Court after studying the merit and demerit of the case has decided to award sixty thousand dollars as compensation to Ashford Tetteh Oku. Credit: Fox Sports 97.9, Kumasi

President Akufo-Addo has dropped the National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah, Minister For Gender and Social Protection, Adwoa Safo, and Minister for Communication, Ursula Ekuful from his new 19 member cabinet team for his second term. The three heavyweights were part of his team during his first term as President. It is emerging that apart from the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development, and the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, all other ministries featured in the 2017 cabinet have representation in the new cabinet. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations See the full list of cabinet ministers below: The new ministers that come to replace those missing from the 2017 list are the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Minister for Works and Housing, and Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The constitution mandates the President to constitute a Cabinet of not less than 10 and not more than 19 ministers and shall have a secretary appointed by the President. The cabinet consists of the President, the Vice President, aside from the Ministers of state; and it shall assist the President in the determination of the general policies of the government. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures The cabinet shall be summoned by the President who shall preside over all meetings; and in the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside. The cabinet is solely responsible for the regulation of the procedure at its meetings. Despite the number that the constitution mandates, the President is free to invite other ministers to the meeting who may provide some answers or vital information but do not have the power to vote on issues. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Below are some pictures: Credit: Citinewsroom

As part of its social and corporate responsibilities in the country, the leadership of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) has commissioned a canteen facility for the staff and patients of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital at Ridge in Accra. According to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hayford Attah Krufi, he believes his outfit’s little contribution to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital help alleviate some of their plights. Speaking at the commissioning of the facility, he said “On the 15th of October, last year, Mr. Paul S. M. Koranteng, the then Board Chairman, and Board Members of the NPRA cut the sod for the start of construction of this facility for staff and patients of this hospital. Today, I deem it a great privilege and honor to be here again to participate in the commissioning of this facility for the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, which we as an Authority are proud to have been sponsored” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws He added that the NPRA chose to construct the canteen as part of their 10th Anniversary which was held last year. “Our choice of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital for this project is obvious. The hospital and its operations are so dear to us, as an Authority, furthermore we are neighbors, by way of, proximity. We are all aware that in recent years, the delivery of mental health services in Ghana has expanded substantially, especially since the passing of the Mental Health Act in 2012. This has brought some pressure on facilities in mental health institutions in the country including this very one. This little contribution, we believe, will therefore help alleviate some of your plights” The CEO also mentioned that he was saddened by the news that a hospital that was established in 1904 did not have a canteen hence the move by the NPRA. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures He further explained that the over 700 staff and over 100 visitors had to go outside the walls to find food for themselves, a situation he believed thwarts the smooth progress of work. “I am particularly happy therefore that I am leading Management of the NPRA to help solve this 117-year-old problem of this hospital. The canteen will serve as a long-lasting solution to the challenges faced by both staff and patients as well as visitors to have easy access to a healthy and nutritious meal daily. The issue of staff going outside the four walls of the hospital for food, I believe, will be a thing of the past” Mr. Krufi also noted that as Regulators of the pensions industry in the country, with a mission to ensure retirement income security for all Ghanaians, it is their quest to ensure good mental health and wellbeing of the citizenry. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco He disclosed that the Authority has been working tirelessly over the last ten years to ensure informal sector workers in Ghana are enrolled in pension schemes to enjoy pension benefits when they grow old. He mentioned that there have been many successes and some challenges in their efforts to help alleviate poverty. He congratulated members of the committee and management of the hospital for their hard work and dedication towards this occasion. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t The CEO charged all persons involved to continue with the hard work and dedication to ensure the project is completed as scheduled. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that out of 333 patients who are currently on admission at the Psychiatric Hospital, 222 have been abandoned by their families. It is emerging that a patient on admission at the Forensic Ward has been at the hospital for over 45 years. Reading a speech on behalf of the Hospital Director for Accra Psychiatric Hospital, an Administrator, Julius Kuu Salifu hinted that instead of some family members coming checking up on their relatives on admission, they are rather ready and willing to come for the remains of their beloved should any pass away. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey He said, “The courts are not also helping our cause because all the 66 patients currently on admission in the Hospital’s Forensic Ward have vertically been abandoned too. Assuming it cost Gh¢10.00 a day to feed a patient, an amount of Gh¢66,600.00 would be required to feed the abandoned patients monthly. This is too expensive to finance and sustain and we, therefore, urge the Attorney General’s Department to expedite action on these cases to relieve the Hospital and the State of this burden” “No one is immune to mental health disorders. Indeed, the WHO estimates that mental health disorders constitute about 14% of the global disease burden and around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have Mental Health conditions”. Mr. Salifu also explained that stigma and discrimination can make mental health problems worse and stop a person from getting the needed help. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc Honorable Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah commended the leadership of NPRA for their kind gesture. He tasked the Authorities at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to take good care of the canteen. Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority, Professor Kwasi Osei thanked the leadership of NPRA for thinking about the hospital. He added that he is confident staff and visitors will make good use of the canteen. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Member of Parliament for Ho West Constituency, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah has hinted that the journey to Ghana’s Open Parliament has been long, winding, and difficult, largely because Parliamentary Democracy continues to evolve. According to him, the concept that comes with its bureaucracy in delivering public goods is relatively new in Ghana’s part of the global divide. In a virtual meeting, the MP said “I am therefore particularly happy that today’s event is being championed by no other institution but parliament itself. This indeed is a statement to the fact, that we are on our way towards implementing Open Parliament in its real form and substance. Definition, to begin with, it is important to make a distinction between Open Parliament and e-Parliament because the two concepts are often confused by many commentators who operate outside the confines of parliamentary systems” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Quoting the ParlAmericas, the Ho West MP stressed that Open Parliament is a new form of interaction between citizens and legislative powers that promote parliamentary openness to ensure transparency and access to public information, accountability, citizen participation, ethics, and probity in parliamentary work. He added that e-Parliament or Digital parliament is also the use of ICT tools in parliamentary institutions to enhance and strengthen their core functions and operations. Mr. Bedzrah stressed that the e-Parliament concept, therefore, functions as a subset of Open Parliament in promoting openness and easy access to parliamentary work globally. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc “Historical Background Having said that, let me proceed by providing a brief historical context for the Open Parliament concept. In 2011, some 78 Government Leaders (Executive Arm) and Civil Society advocates came together to create a unique partnership called Open Government Partnership (OGP) to promote four key objectives: Transparency. Participatory, Inclusiveness, and Accountable governance. They tasked themselves to co-create a 2-Year National Action Plan with concrete steps or commitments across a broad range of issues” he said. The MP also explained that the model will allow civil society organizations to help shape and oversee governmental commitments. He, however, mentioned that in 2013 some MPs realized that apart from the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) National OGP to the International body, Parliaments play a major role in executive oversights when it comes to issues relating to Transparency, Participatory, Inclusiveness, and Accountable governance adding that Parliaments cannot be left out in the OGP architecture. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey “We, therefore, formed a loose association called Legislative Working Group, to lobby OGP for Parliamentary inclusion. Just as we have other thematic working groups like Open Data, Extractive Industry, Right to Information, Civic Space, Anti-Corruption, etc. whilst lobbying for parliamentary inclusion, members of the group noticed that Parliament itself is traditionally not opened and friendly to civic space and needed to purge itself” “The group decided to adopt Declaration on Parliamentary Openness launched in Rome at e-Parliament Conference in 2012 as its working tool for any Parliament that wants to be part of Open Parliament. OGP officially accepted our proposal and currently one of our champions from PMO is now a Co-Chair” Mr. Bedzrah further noted that the Ghanaian Situation on OPG Ghana signed on to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in September 2011; and as an obligation under the Partnership, developed and implemented two action plans. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t He stated that the government also provided the necessary reports like the self-assessment reports, end-of-term reports, and both action plans to the OGP Support Unit. It is emerging that Ghana now has a third National Action Plan which is a continuation of the country’s efforts to meet all the requirements under the partnership. This third Action Plan intends to address the challenges identified in developing and implementing the two previous action plans and building on the progress and achievements made. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco Currently, Ghana is implementing 8 commitments out of its 2017-2019 Action Plan including; Open Contracting and Contract Monitoring Anti-Corruption Transparency Beneficial Ownership Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Extractives Sector Transparency Right to Information Civic Participation and Accountability Technology and Innovation. The Ho West MP said “It is also useful to indicate that the Declaration on Parliamentary Openness covers four 4 thematic areas with forty-two 42 Commitments These are Promoting a culture of Openness Making Parliamentary Information Transparent Easing Access to Parliamentary Information and Enabling Electronic Communication of Parliamentary information (Thank God to Covid 19 Ghana has learned its lesson” Stressing on the theme: Citizen Participation In The Legislative Process: Getting Civil Society Involved, Mr. Bedzrah stressed that it best fits Ghana’s situation or could not have come at a better time. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures He mentioned that the theme can now be considered under the following topics Strengthening and enhancing citizen participation in the Legislative Process Empowering Civil Society groups for more effective monitoring and influencing the performance of Parliament and state accountability Managing Citizens' expectation of Parliaments and its Members. “The first Topic relates to Part one of the Declaration and this is as follows:- (Read from 1-12 points) The Second Point:- Empowering Civil Society groups for more effective monitoring and influencing the performance of Parliament and state accountability has to do with the formation of Steering committee of Open Parliament, this will be co-chair CSO and draft our own ambitious action plans to be adopted by parliament” Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the process of OGP must be followed by allowing an independent Reporting Mechanism and peer review. This will give confidence to CSOs and empower them to effectively monitor us. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws “Finally, Madam facilitator, Majority Leader and Colleagues. Managing Citizens Expectation of Parliament and its Members is an ongoing conversation among matured democracies. It largely depends on the individual MPs and the institution of Parliament as a whole” The Member of Parliament for Ho West Parliament appealed to the chamber to engage a consultant to find out what does our electorate expects of us, when do they want it and how do they want it. He noted that Parliament should effectively communicate its achievement to the electorate adding that it should all be in line with its laws. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Executive Director at Child Rights International, Bright Appiah says if the Ministry of Education stays focused and follows the new educational policy it has introduced, it will help build better students in the country. According to him, although there have been lots of inconsistencies in the educational system, he is hopeful that the new policy will help improve the teaching and learning in the country. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, he said “We should be hopeful, looking at the new educational strategy, it is in a certain fold which is long-life learning so we expect that everything goes head-on and we follow the same structure in terms of what we want. At a point we had 3 years, we had to go 4 years. At a point, we had to redesign the school’s system even when we introduced the JHS system, so there are a lot of inconsistencies have gone on” He also mentioned that in 1960, the country had series of educational reforms as a result of similar inconsistencies. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc “I think that everything that concerns the right to education and one of the things the Ministry must do is to communicate rightly to understand the direction the state wants to go. Once that is missing, the parent will find it difficult to understand the direction the government wants to go and it is important that engagement is established so parents can contribute their quota because, in all these policies we have, there is a role that parents must play so that communication must be there so that day-in and day-out, they can have information and contribute to the development” he said. Speaking on the newly introduced standardized test, Mr. Appiah revealed that although his outfit is yet to probe deeper into what it entails, it is always important that students are accessed often to help know their strengths and weaknesses. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey “We don’t have the details of how they are going to do the exams yet, if it comes, we will do a detailed authentication of the process to know. It is always important that we do an assessment of children to be able to know their weaknesses and then they prepared to build on it but purposes of writing the exams will be whether or not it will burden on children and all that” He hinted that Child Rights International is patiently waiting to see how the roll-out and modalities before it engages the Ministry oh how it will benefit the children. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t Executive Director and his team paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum on his new appointment as Minister for Education. In his congratulatory message, he also appealed to the Minister to help curb the religion-education brouhaha happening in second-cycle schools. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco Mr. Appiah noted that no child ought to be discriminated against in his or her school. On his part, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum assured him that his Ministry will not let their guards down adding that he will ensure the country’s education becomes the envy of the world. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures Below are pictures and videos: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor is calling on the general public to partake in the nationwide tree planting exercise slated for Friday, June 11. According to him, the exercise is an important national undertaking that seeks to green the country. Addressing Journalists, he said "The project is a bigger project which will take 4 to 5 years to implement fully and by which time our forest cover will be fully restored. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case He added that the event will bring about the needed consciousness and awaken the country on the need for tree planting. He also explained that the planting of trees should be the responsibility of all regardless of their political affiliation. "It should be the responsibility of all regardless the political affiliation, the faith-based organization" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc He also noted that the country's forest cover which stood at 8,200,000 hectares now stands at 1,600,000 which is a worry. "In 2019, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia lead some 19 million people to plant some 350 million trees in a day, and the culture In Ethiopia is enhanced. This is what we are looking at doing in Ghana" he noted. The Minister hinted that seedlings will be dotted out across the country. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey The Ministry has worked out some 6 million seedlings of which will be available at its regional offices, malls among others. He noted that President Akufo-Addo will be the first to plant a seed followed by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia at the Jubilee House. "Some 1.2. million school children will be planting trees on Friday. They will be in charge of the trees planted" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t The Minister revealed that the seedlings which will be planted on Friday will be monitored to ensure that they are not tampered with. He also disclosed that the Church of Pentecost and Presbyterian Church of Ghana has promised to plant 1million trees each on Friday. "The Apostolic Church of Ghana is committed to planting 500,000 trees, Primary and secondary schools will plant 1,290,607 seedlings on that day. The Catholic church will also plant 1 million trees" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco He called on the media to partake in the tree planting exercise. "The President, Vice president, Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Asantehene, Ya-Naa among other diplomats will partake in the tree planting exercise" Below are some pictures and a video: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced that the next phase of Ghana’s waste management is to convert trash to energy. He indicated this will add to Ghana’s energy capacity and also ensure the realisation of clean Ghana agenda. According to him, the government has provided an enabling environment through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to make this work. The President said the country currently generates some 7,517,540 metric tonnes of waste. This situation, he said, presented enormous investment opportunities for which the private sector can take advantage of. “I will therefore reiterate my invitation for more private sector companies to collaborate with government in creating business opportunities in the waste management space such as waste to energy, recycling and composting,” he reiterated. President Akufo-Addo maintained that rapid population growth with its consequent increase in human activities meant that waste management generation activities still continued to be a challenge in the country. In this regard, he underscored that the procurement of this additional fleet by Zoomlion will go a long way to address the waste management problems in the country. President Akufo-Addo made the announcement during the unveiling of 100 state-of-the-art waste management trucks and 25 disinfection equipment secured by waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, at a brief and colourful unveiling ceremony at the Independence Square in Accra, on Tuesday. In a welcome address, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, said the unveiling of these fleet of waste trucks confirmed the need for the government to continue to engage with the private sector. “I stand to pledge the resolute commitment of the Regional Coordinating Council and all Metropolitan and Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure these trucks are put to judicious use while strictly adhering to maintenance regimes for a longer life span,” he firmly assured. He stressed that his ministry will continue to collaborate with Zoomlion and its affiliates and the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) to provide quality service to the communities, especially with the Greater Accra Region. However, he called on the citizenry to also play their role and avoid littering indiscriminately after the waste has been collected. “Accra can and must indeed work again. Every one of us has a role in achieving this,” the regional minister averred. For her part, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, commended the President for his unwavering commitment to ensure that Ghana becomes the cleanest country in Africa. She said under the presidency of Akufo-Addo, her ministry, the first of its kind in the history of Ghana, has achieved a lot in the sanitation space. “For the first time, many aged dumpsites have been evacuated across the country,” she said. She pointed out that her ministry has had some excellent working relations with stakeholders in the sanitation sector,” thereby commending Zoomlion for its enormous role in the sector. In a brief remark, the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr Joseph Siaw-Agyepong, disclosed that his outfit was unveiling 100 state-of-the-art trucks with modern technology and well-trained drivers to boost their already existing fleet. He said this was part of a total consignment of five hundred (500) new waste trucks acquired by his group. "It is expected that the remaining trucks should arrive by the end of the third quarter of this year," he added. Additionally, he revealed that JGC was on the verge of receiving over 5,000 motorised tricycles. These tricycles, he said, will be distributed across the country to support the haulage of solid waste in the cities and communities. He used the opportunity to announce that a new phase has been added to his company's operations. "Our drivers have been taken through rigorous training on discipline, defensive driving and customer service to ensure that they deliver service at an optimum standard," he said. Concluding, Dr Siaw-Agyepong thanked the Akufo-Addo administration for enabling the private sector to thrive and contribute to the social and economic development of the country. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some scores of female Facebook users have taken time to school a male user on why some mothers use their mother to suck phlegms from the nostrils of their babies instead of using tissue paper. According to some comments from the female Facebook users, the mothers do that to ensure enough phlegm gets out of the child since he or she cannot sneeze out at such tender age. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case The response from the female facebook users comes after a male user, whose name was given as Efo Sammy posted a question asking "How can a mother use the mouth she uses to eat to suck catarrh from her baby's nostrils? Tissue paper no dey?" Responding to his post, Garnet RJ Smith said "You don't understand bcos you are not a mother so leave us alone ok" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc Ohemaa Efya Nhyira Nkunim also said "Hwana nie" Zenabu Bawa said "That's real love, not everyone can afford tissues. Besides tissues can't clear the mucus or thick phlegm from the child's nostrils, and not every child or baby can blow their noses to clear off the mucus in their nasal sinuses. When the mother sucks it clears out the phlegm from the baby's nostrils completely. You should be grateful for mothers who practice such to make their children comfortable. What do you think will happen to the child if the child is congested and can't breathe and the mother doesn't have any tissue to wipe the child's nose. Wiping phlegm off a nose is not the same as sucking phlegm from the nasal sinuses. Don't mock good nurturing" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey Obaa Akua Asantewaah Berko added"I did for my baby coz I saw my mom do for my sister's baby. You will only understand when you become a mother (coz I've never seen a father or a man do that). There's nothing disgusting about that for me. It's my baby. Only hv to make sure my mouth is clean." Emefa Ethel Ehia also added "There's a rational behind the use of the mouth on those fragile nostrils. You can easily blister the newborn or baby's soft nose during those early stages. The mouth helps to suck out the mucus without hurting the nose" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/amplified-will-focus-on-amplifying-mentoring-youth-dev-t-activities-in-various-quarters-gov-t Some guys such as Elvis Oyeh, Anaesthetist Ba RJ and Evans Addo Tetteh also shared the same views with the ladies. Elvis Oyeh said "You're just a child of yesterday" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco Evans Addo Tetteh added "Be there and say tissue no dey, it saved u when u were a baby. How can babies blow their nose? When the catarrh is severe, I believe u've not thought about that. Admi shouldn't be allowing certain post on the page nonfa no adoso" Anaesthetist Ba RJ also said "It might seem or sound weird but bruv, that's how far, some mothers can go just to make their kids feel ok. God bless mothers" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures Below are screenshots of some replies: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Sensational Ghanaian Actor, Emil Gerald Woode known in showbiz as Nana Tornado has taken a swipe at the Akufo-Addo government for its failure to create jobs for the youths in the country. In an interview with Zionfelix and monitored by Thinknewsonline.com, he said "If you feel the system is really working and you also know that you are being paid hourly, will you go to work at 11 am instead of 9 am and lost GHc20? Will you like to lose that money? So then nobody is stupid, my brother, they should just try as much as possible to create the jobs and the youths will do it. Why are youths traveling? I was speaking on Mona's show the last time and ended up being misinterpreted" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case He added that for the youths in the country to rescind their decisions of traveling for greener paths, Government must rise to the occasion and make its people happy. "We live in a country where, if you speak your mind, you are tagged as being disobedient however, it is sad because, the rich are always getting richer, whiles the poor still remains poorer" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc "I am pleading with our leaders to create the jobs and that is all the youths are asking for" he added. Speaking on the #Fixthecountry brouhaha, he said "If in this country, there more jobs and the youths are refusing to do it then it will be right on the part of our leaders when they say we should fix our attitude but this is the situation where you visit the ghettos and you get to meet the kids there smoking and living bad lives and you tell them to fix their attitudes, which attitude, are you asking them to fix?" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Sensational Ghanaian Actor, Emil Nana Wood known in showbiz as Nana Tornado has hinted that henceforth, he will no longer keep any celebrity as a friend anymore stressing that he is tired of their fake lifestyle. In an interview monitored by Thinknewsonline.com, he said "What do you mean, she is my tight paddy? She is now into the media landscape fully, and since we are in the industrious, we will vibe. Zion, you have been coming to my house often, does that make you my tight paddy? Mona and I are not that tight, when we are done with the job, it ends there. I have decided that henceforth, I will no longer keep any celebrity as a friend again. I am tired of their fake lifestyle" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey He added that although there are some celebrity friends in the business, he will not single out one person and tag him or her as 'tight paddy'. Speaking about his friendship with Mzbel, he said "Mzbel, nothing is happening so why? I am friends with everyone. I am friends with her but I am not friends with Afia Schwarzenegger. With Mzbel, it's just been a while, that's it. Yea, I know her spot but I have been busy, she also knows my house" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case Nana Tornado further explained that having a celebrity friend did not help him. "I have learned a lot of lessons and you know that in Ghana, I have been tagged as a troublesome person so now, I don't want to be tagged as such anymore. Zion, you have known me, I am a very sincere and honest person READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc "I have friends who live in Ashaiman. I drive there, we have fun and I enjoy it and people will not understand why I will be driving to such places because it is in the slums, but I enjoy it. I want to be free. Drama-free and everything. Not that I have cut them off. I have friends like the way, I have met you" he added. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Campaigners of the #FixTheCountry movement will go ahead with their planned street protest after a Supreme Court ruling nullifies a Police injunction. On May 6, 2021, the campaigners were stopped from protesting last month by an injunction secured by the Ghana Police Service from an Accra High Court on grounds of Covid-19 restrictions on mass gatherings. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/empire-star-bryshere-gray-sentenced-to-jail-in-domestic-violence-case “It is hereby ordered that the organizers/conveners of FixTheCountry protest march, their associates, officers, agents, assigns, and workmen are prohibited from embarking on any demonstration on Sunday, 9th May 2021, or any other date until the restriction on public gatherings is lifted by the appropriate authority,” the order secured by the police stated. The campaigners subsequently proceeded to the Supreme Court on May 7 to file an application seeking to quash the injunction by the Ghana Police Service. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-suspect-arson-targeted-at-destruction-and-concealment-of-material-evidence-at-tano-south-ndc A month on, the Supreme Court has today nullified the injunction by the Ghana Police Service, paving way for the #FixTheCountry demonstration to go ahead. The leaders of the campaign say their planned protest is a result of the economic hardship arising from the bad administration of Akufo-Addo's government. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/summit-will-enable-authority-deliberate-take-decisions-on-political-security-in-mali-s-botchwey Credit: Modern Ghana