In my recent interviews and articles written on the current issues with Ghana power supply, I have suggested various ideas/solutions that will help solve the power supply issues characterising certain parts of the country, especially the supply to Ashanti region (Kumasi in particular), including the suggestion that the ECG should embark on introducing effective Power Factor Corrections (PFC) - Capacitor Banks/Static Var Compensators (SVCs), at all substations so as to control the voltage level and reduce the huge power losses due to reactive loads in the system and by so doing, reduce or eliminate unnecessary monies paid by Gridco to VRA to cater for losses since energy generated cannot wholly be accounted for by the time it gets to the consumer. The suggestion made seems to have drawn the attention of other Energy Experts, recommending same, as the report  published by myjoyonline.com  on 3rd April 2021 corroborates the fact that the power generation, transmission and distribution managers have been failing to anticipate rightly and invest the right amount of technical solutions that will deliver power efficiently and reliably. The report quotes that, Ghana loses over $2.5m monthly for 38 Megawatts of power not consumed but wasted on the gridlines and distribution system due to the reactive power loss and failing to install Power Factor Correction capacitor banks with a total cost of $10 million at the substations. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/my-surname-is-john-not-rawlings-ex-prez-rawlings-reveals The report further stated that, the GRIDCo/ECG failure to invest in this corrective equipment at substations has led to only 28 percent of capacitor banks installed for 944 megawatts load across the nation were functional as discovered in 2020 and that is costing Ghana $2.5m per month on reactive power loss. This Substation Equipment – Capacitor Banks/SVCs, are basically used to control voltage level on transmission lines and in distribution system, by reducing drastically or eliminating voltage drops associated with inductive reactance. In other words, the Power Factor Correction (PFC) equipment is a technology which when installed allows the consumers to enjoy quality energy with required Power System parameters such as voltage, current to effectively and safely operate their home appliances without damage to such appliances and accompanying replacement of such appliances due to breakdown. Reactive Power, essentially refers to the difference between the electricity supplied to customer and the electricity actually converted into useful power. What it also means is that, while the reactive power (kVAR) does not register on the true power (kW) or kilowatt hour meters, the utility's transmission and distribution network operators are bound to supply large power enough to cater for the total power demand, for both useful power and wasteful power (reactive power), which generates losses that GRIDCo need to account for, thereby reducing their cash inflows and at the end, can impede Transmissiom System expansion. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-rawlings-funeral-postponed-indefinitely It's worth noting that, that such reactive power aids the useful power to operate the consumer appliances but that power is not sold in some parts of the world including Ghana hence the need to control it at the substations in order to fully harness the useful power by the time it gets to the customer end. Now, gleaning from one of the recent press releases by Gridco, it stated that, “Our power system has grown in terms of demand. For the first time this year, we have crossed 3,000 Megawatt in terms of demand.” Using the 3,000MW power supplied for hypothetical analysis, it means only 264MW of power supply (thus, 28 percent of 944MW) have functional PFC capacitor banks/SVC installed across the nation and for that, 38MW of the 944MW being the wasted power (power not sold) which is paid for at a cost of $2.5M per month paid for 38MW wasted power. Abstractly, it also means that over 2,056MW (thus, 68 percent of 3,000MW) is the power supplied to Ghanaians without any form of Power Factor Correction equipment installed at-all across the nation, plus the 680MW (944MW – 264MW) with the dysfunctional capacitor banks installed. In total, over 2,736MW power supplied to Ghanaian consumers is without Power factor improvement. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/breaking-news-j-j-rawlings-dies-at-73 Plausibly, it can be considered also that about 120MW out of the 2,736MW will be the amount of wasted power across the power supply system. Now, if the 38MW unconsumed power costed Ghana $2.5M per month, then the 120MW wasted power will cost Ghana approximately $7.9m per month. This is a wasted money due to uninstalled/dysfunctional capacitor banks. Thus, in 12 months, Ghana loses $94.8 million for wasted reactive power not consumed. The question is, whose responsibility is it to ensure that these substation equipment for power correction are installed and functioning to control the voltage level thereby reducing system losses? READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/registered-voters-can-access-their-details-on-the-ec-website-ussd-code-android-mobile-apps-ec What must be understood is that, allowing large reactive power demand in the system increases financial burden for all and unbearable pressure on the supply chain equipment to carry the large current. Failure to adopt effective Power Factor Correction, leads to increased voltage drop in the conductors which lowers the voltage at the user end, just like the voltage situation in Kumasi today. The effect of PFC capacitor banks/SVC in distribution system ensures desirable energy efficiency and power quality without unnecessary load shedding application to improve voltage level, thereby inconveniencing the innocent consumer. In my view, it will not be out of order if the Ministry of Energy questions the Heads of ECG and GRIDCo to explain as to why they have failed to ensure maintenance of the installed capacitor banks and not installed new ones to cover bigger megawatts, in order to reduce losses in the system. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/opinion-how-did-we-get-here Also, question the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), having the monitoring and evaluation outfit to ensure efficient management and profitability of the States Owned Enterprises, for their failure to identify these important substation equipment been dysfunctional as the report suggests. Isn’t it mind-boggling that, up until date Ghana as a country, still transmits power to long distance on its traditional 161kV High Voltage level, whiles majority of African countries have moved up to transmitting power as high as 400kV-500kV Ultra-High Voltage, for better efficiency and reliability, to meet the country’s growing demand. This is main reason for the problems GRIDCo is facing with voltage control issues in Ashanti region, leading to the unnecessary load shedding in Kumasi, in particular. Yet, GRIDCo has failed to recognise the need to increase the country’s voltage transmission level to accommodate for any losses and ever increasing demand. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/rudiger-dismissed-from-easter-sunday-training-by-coach-tuchel-after-a-bust-up-with-kepa-arrizabalaga The primary purpose for power to be transmitted at high voltages is to increase efficiency. Other countries have seen this reason and have adjusted to transmitting ultra-high voltages in some African countries, in order to reap the benefits and position themselves for competitive advantage. Why hasn't Ghana seen the need to improve on its grid system to be competitive as well? The essence of transmitting power on very high voltage is to have lower current accompanying high voltage transmission so as to have reduced resistance in the conductors as the electricity flows along the cables and, by so-doing reduce losses. This means that thin, light-weight conductors can be used for long-distance transmission and still receive a desirable High Voltage at the end. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-vaccines-is-gov-t-getting-quality-for-its-money-or-must-it-take-a-second-look-at-pricing In comparison; since 2013, Kenya’s transmission level has been 220KV and then commissioned 400kV Ultra-High Voltage transmission in 2017. Since 2009, Tunisia’s transmission voltage has been 225kV and added new 400kV grid in 2014. Nigeria grid voltage transmission level has remained 330KV and increasing to Ultra-High Voltage. In South Africa, around 60 percent of the country's high voltage network is at the 400kV level per reports in 2019, for efficiency, reliability and competitive advantage to grow their economy. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/boy-killed-by-two-teenagers-to-be-buried-today Ghana's Grid transmission Voltage is still 161kV for long distance transmission till date, whiles Zimbabwe transmits on 330, 400, and 420kV voltage levels. Egypt, transmitting between 400-500kV Ultra-High Voltage, while the country has developed idea to construct a second interconnection with Libya, on 500kV line, in order to upgrade the interconnection with the Arab Maghreb countries. That notwithstanding, feasibility carried out for a 220kV interconnection with Sudan. This is how important some African countries are seeing the need to improve on their power transmission and distribution system for reliability and efficiency. Our technocrats in Ghana who have worked with and/or advised various administrations over the years, and who should have prompted and pointed to the right direction to see need for investing in the upgrades of the system to achieve higher efficiency, have not lived up to expectation. Typically, 220kV - 345kV HV is recommended level for over long distances transmission (to and beyond 240km) between the power generation plant and customer end, in order to reduce the amount of energy lost during the distance. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/akufo-addo-cuts-sod-for-5m-ghana-award-house The Bui Dam plant failing to generate power due to lack of water inflow to augment the 161kV supply to Kumasi, has led to the uncontrollable voltage fluctuations and load shedding in Ashanti region, because no means to cater for the voltage dropped. Obviously, Gridco never saw the need to develop plans, policies and programmes to upgrade Ghana’s transmission and distribution network. Most often, the ordinary Citizen blame the Politicians for interference in institutions, but the fact is, these avalanche of ineptitudes at the management of state owned entities coupled with institutions that are given the Authority to set innovative policies to enhance the systems, facilitates the need for politicians to take over the failures of the institutions and use them to serve their whimsical parochial interest, to the detriment of the entire nation. We must demand performance and delivery from our civil servants and state owned enterprises. It is though, refreshing to follow Ghana’s readiness to take the opportunity to join the 330kV West Africa Power pool project, starting from Nigeria through Benin to Togo, through Ghana to Burkina Faso and beyond. As Ghana connects to the 330kV high voltage transmission, it will help boost the voltage levels in kumasi and supply to northern part of Ghana as well. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/watch-young-man-pounds-fufu-with-2-pestles-simultaneously-at-nkoranza-video-pictures It is also commendable to observe the move by the new Ghana Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, authorising GNPC to start the process for Gas pipeline construction and Ameri power plant to be relocated to Kumasi, to also help improve the voltage level in the capital city of Ashanti Region. Credit: Ing. Peter Antwi Boasiako, London, UK Disclaimer: The views/contents expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of ThinkNews Online. ThinkNews Online will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article.

The 11-year-old boy killed at Coca Cola, near Lamptey Mills, in Kasoa in the Central Region is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, April 8. Ishmael Abdallah is to be buried in accordance with Islamic tradition. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video The murder of Ishmael has raised fears in the area as his killers – both teenagers – had carried out the act allegedly for money rituals. Felix Nyarko, aka Yaw Anane, 16, and Nicholas Kini Kwame, 18, are standing trial at the Ofaakor District Court for the murder. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers They have since been remanded in police custody. On Tuesday, an attempt by the family of the deceased to bury him was foiled by the police, who refused to release the body as they continued investigations. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final But reports reaching 3news.com indicate that the body will finally be released for burial on Thursday. Credit: 3news.com

A fetish Princess has been arrested at Amanase near Suhum in the Eastern Region by a team of police officers to assist with investigations following the gruesome murder of 11-year-old boy in Kasoa. She was arrested on Wednesday April 7. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video Two teenagers are facing trial at the Ofaakor District Magistrate Court following their alleged involvement in the murder of a 10-year-old boy on Saturday at Coca Cola, near Lamptey, a suburb of Kasoa in the Central Region. The suspects are Felix Nyarko, aka Yaw Anane, 16, a mason labourer and Nicholas Kini Kwame, 18, a student. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Ernest Agbo, said the accused – The accused persons were last Saturday arrested following the murder of Ishmael, a Class Four pupil, for ritual purposes. The facts sheet of the Prosecutor suggests that for some time now Felix had been watching Ghana Television channels which entertained Mallams and other spiritualists to promote their prowess in making people instant millionaires. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/accra-aglow-ghana-defies-rain-holds-first-intercessory-prayer-after-lockdown-pictures Credit: 3news.com|Ghana

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday cut the sod for the construction of the ¢5 million Ghana Award House, a new administrative building for the Head of State Award Scheme. Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Akufo-Addo explained that since its inception in 1967, the Head of State Award Scheme has challenged and touched the lives of many young Ghanaians, with some 750,000 young people participating and benefitting from the Scheme. “I have always been excited about the work being done by the Award Scheme, and that is why I continue to urge them to ensure that as many young Ghanaians as possible benefit from it. To achieve this ambitious target, a befitting administrative office for the Scheme will be required. The provision of a Ghana Award House, to serve this purpose, is my commitment towards driving the agenda of the Award Scheme,” the President said. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Once completed, the Ghana Award House project will be a two-storey office block, with a 200 capacity conference room, and training facility designed to house the National Secretariat of the Head of State Award Scheme. It will be constructed at a cost of ¢5 million, and it will help drive growth, impact, and the effective and efficient delivery of the Award Scheme to all young people in Ghana and beyond. The President noted that the “completion of the Ghana Award House project will put Ghana ahead of many of the countries running the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.” It will mean that Ghana “will be the second country in Africa, after the Presidents’ Award of Kenya, and one of the few countries globally, to have its own administrative office.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers He also announced that, in support of the operation of the Award Secretariat, its operational cost will be borne by the Office of the President, under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff. “Vehicles are also to be allocated to the Secretariat for its use. In addition to the ¢1 million contribution to this project, government pledges to do what it can to ensure that the project is completed in the next 36 weeks,” he added. President Akufo-Addo called on individuals, corporate bodies, especially in the construction industry, to join hands and bring this project to fruition, explaining that they can donate bags of cement, blocks and other building materials in support of this project. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video “Together, we can help make this project a reality. I thank all who have contributed consistently towards the success of the Award Scheme. Now is not the time to rest on our oars, but to help realise the vision of an Award Scheme that is truly self-sustaining,” the President added. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

A young man believed to be in his mid 30's has set a new record at Nkoranza, a town located in the newly created Bono East Region after he was spotted pounding fufu with two pestles simultaneously. The young man (name withheld) was captured on camera by his friends. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics In the video which has gone viral, his friends cheered him on as he is said to be the first person to ever successfully pound fufu with two pestles. Cheering him on, his friends said "Heerh, Nkoranza history, fufu hitter pounding fufu with two pestles in both hands. This is the first of its kind" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/accra-aglow-ghana-defies-rain-holds-first-intercessory-prayer-after-lockdown-pictures Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo has refuted assertions that the killing of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa was influenced by spiritualists on national television. Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo believes the connection of the sudden killing of the 10-year-old boy to the proliferation of spiritualists on national television is a lazy man’s approach to investigation. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics “To put it on a charge sheet that this is the reason why they did that, I think that this is a very lazy investigation,” he said on Joy News. The police interrogations with the suspects have revealed that a spiritualist the boys discovered on TV told them he will help them to become instant billionaires by demanding a human being and a sum of ¢5,000. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video Ever since after the unfortunate incident happened last Saturday, there have been a clarion call by many Ghanaians calling for spiritualists on TV to be banned. Many reckon that the proliferation of spiritualists on national television is the reason why most of the youth do not want to work hard and earn, blaming the spiritualists on TV as the cause of the unfortunate incident which recently happened at Kasoa. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers “We should bemoan some of the things that we see on our television and all that. But to impute that a heinous crime as this merely to the fact that somebody watched television, I think that it is too farfetched,” The boss of the NMC said. Mr Yaw Boadu admitted that even though his outfit has an important role to play in safeguarding content on the broadcasting space he added that the commission remains a paper tiger as long as the Broadcasting bill is not passed. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Credit: Yen.com

Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA) has called on the president, H.E Nana Akufo Addo as matter of urgency commence an investigation into KGL's Lotto activities and vile attempt orchestrated to collapse National Lottery Authority (NLA) to allow KGL to takeover lottery for its selfish interests and create a new monopoly over online lottery in Ghana. Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, April 6, Dr Ato Condauh, Barrister-at-Law, Solicitor -Superior Court, Ghana said the dubious act was hatched by the Acting Director-General of NLA, Ernest Mote, and some appointees from the Akufo Addo government for their selfish gain. "President Akufo-Addo has a fiduciary duty to save Ghanaian Lotto businesses, in his bid to protect the public purse. The President must immediately remove the Acting Director General-Ernest Mote for being a failure just after 3 weeks at the post, and implement urgent measures to recover the GH¢20 Million Cedis owed to NLA by KGL to resuscitate NLA, and stop his appointees from interfering with the licenses of the private sector operators to risk huge judgment debts to the state". READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Dr Ato Conduah stated that, if this orchestrated act not stops and investigate immediately it will collapse the 30 years impasse between private lotto operators and NLA leading to over 2 million families unemployment. According to him, KGL has no track record of running any lottery operations anywhere in the world, but through greed, blackmail and chicanery by appointees at the Presidency, KGL has a license to operate online lotto on behalf of NLA and touted as a partner to restructure the operations of NLA, when KGL is indeed indebted to NLA, this transition from a licensed operator to a strategic partner reveals one the biggest conflict of interest cases in recent times. "How can a licensed, but the indebted operator of NLA, become a financier to bail out NLA? The real truth about this farce is that KGL still indebted to NLA in excess of GH¢20 Million Cedis for the year 2020. How can a debtor-licensee owing a State Authority such as NLA, neglect its debt and be pretending to be bailing out NLA?" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers Emphasizing, "this is a fluke orchestrated to fool Ghanaians and create the excuse to hand over NLA to KGL. NLA’s financial challenges are a direct result of KGL using its online platform to sell NLA 5/90 numbers, to deny the NLA lotto marketing companies the needed revenue, which otherwise would have come from NLA kiosks manned by the Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs). If KGL had paid its 2020 debt of GH¢20 Million Cedis to NLA, that would have helped NLA to pay outstanding winnings, and its numerous indebtedness to media companies in Ghana", he stated. Background Somewhere in February 2019, a company known and described as KEED was licensed to operate “Lucky 3” online games and was issued with shortcode*959#. The company illegally started operating NLA 5/90 online without any authorization from NLA. The then Director-General Hon. Osei Ameyaw wrote to NCA to pull down *959# for the illegal sale of NLA 5/90 online. There was also a lot of media publication emanating from the Public Relations Department of NLA signed by Razak Kojo Opoku on the illegality of the use of shortcode *959# by KEED to operate NLA 5/90 online. Soon thereafter a company known and described as KGL was surreptitiously introduced to NLA by Alex Dadey with the backing of Government appointees in the Presidency to the then Director-General of NLA, Osei Ameyaw as a company to operate NLA 5/90 online. The then Director-General Hon. Osei Ameyaw resisted and even wrote to the Minister of Finance on the illegality of the transaction and advised against it. The Presidency brought pressure to bear on the former Director-General of NLA who was nearing the end of his contract. He succumbed to the pressure leading to a penalty fine of GH¢10 Million against KGL the new company who had hitherto had no dealings with NLA for illegally operating NLA 5/90 online. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video The question, what was the penalty against a company that had no dealings with NLA for? This was a ruse to make KGL seem as though it was the same company known as KEED where in fact and indeed they were two separate juristic companies. This new company KGL Technologies then continued to use the shortcode *959#. The use of the same short code *959# by two different companies KEED company Ltd and KGL Technology Ltd raised series of questions that ought to be answered by the Director-General of NCA as well as the director-General of NLA. This inherent inconsistency is a clear manifestation of “righting the wrong”. But discerning Ghanaians shall see through this. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics Dr Ato Conduah further stated that the restructuring of NLA in the 2021 budget and through uniformed schemes by the Acting Director-General of NLA, Ernest Mote are all fake attempt to surrender NLA to KGL, by using information already in the public domain, to psychologically manipulate Ghanaians to buy into the deception to hive off NLA to KGL without the public noticing. Speaking on the illegal NLA attacks on Alpha Lotto, he said is a clear attempt to prevent competition, and create a monopoly for KGL, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) to capture the lottery sector. "From the initial lies peddled against Alpha Lotto of not having a license to not licensed to operate online lotto to not permitted to operate its own lotto, to not authorized to use USSD Short Code, and finally suspension of license and applications for review of existing licenses, are all subtle schemes to create an exclusive online lotto for KGL". READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/accra-aglow-ghana-defies-rain-holds-first-intercessory-prayer-after-lockdown-pictures "Razak Kojo Opoku is a discredited “black sheep” of the political opposition, who has become a “dove” in NPP, was used to blackmail the former Director-General - Osei Ameyaw to gain employment at NLA. He is to date, the only employee with two simultaneous contracts of employment, the first has a salary of GH¢ 2,300.00, and the second has a salary of GH¢7,000.00 Cedis. Though his contract of employment has expired, he continues to draw salaries from NLA, reflecting the decadence in the administration at NLA superintended over by an acting Director General-Ernest Mote, who hasn’t yet figured out how to bring the needed changes to the NLA, but doing the bidding of KGL supported by appointees at the Presidency", he said. Revocation of License Sound bites of Razak Kojo Opoku currently trending on online media platforms reveal the diabolic intentions of NLA and KGL, designed to collapse private lotto operators. He has been heard to state that under his watch, all private lotto operators' business shall be collapsed and their licences would not be renewed after its expiration. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/rudiger-dismissed-from-easter-sunday-training-by-coach-tuchel-after-a-bust-up-with-kepa-arrizabalaga He further stated that he wants the private lotto operators out of business in the shortest possible time so that KGL who he perceives have heavier financial might, shall be the only operator on the field. These sound bites of Razak Kojo Opoku feeds into the broader narrative of calculated acts by the acting Director-General, Ernest Mote, himself, and KGL to extinguish the private lotto operators, bring NLA to its knees and create a conducive environment for an eventual take over by KGL. The revealed contrived media statements from the Public Relations Unit of NLA, purporting to revoke the licenses of private operators is unconscionable, illegal, and will be resisted fiercely by private operators. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/mahama-neglected-atta-mills-presidential-library-koku-anyidoho In conclusion, Dr. Ato Conduah said, Ernest Mote, is compromised to KGL, and deserves no mercy, as his actions are actuated by malice and intended to collapse private sector lotto businesses. This daylight robbery of taking huge licensing fees supported by GH¢5Million Cedis Bank Guarantees by NLA, and the intended capricious cancellation of licenses in the name of regulation, will not be allowed to stand. Credit: Modern Ghana

Preliminary investigations conducted so far have revealed that the mass fish mortality on the shores of some beaches in Ghana was a result of stress. This was disclosed by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Mavis Hawa Koomson. According to her, she gathered the information from Dr Peter Zidda, a fish health specialist of the Fisheries Commission when she interacted with veterinary doctors of the Fish Health Unit of the Commission to be updated on the progress of the investigation so far. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Ms Koomson, who made the revelation in a Facebook post, noted that further pathological investigations on the gills of the fish, are ongoing and any new development will be made public. Local fishermen said the phenomenon is extremely rare. The chief fisherman in Osu, Greater Accra, Nii Djamlodja VI, indicated that washed-ashore fish are seasonally witnessed by the fisherfolk but the recent happening is not normal. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Speaking on Class91.3FM’s Class Morning Show on Tuesday, 6 April 2021, he noted that “normally, these things happen so when it happened, we thought it was the normal thing because by this season, fish used to wash ashore but the quantity is different from what was witnessed in previous years”. He told show host Kofi Oppong Asamoah that the Assembly, Fisheries Ministry and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) visited the scene for investigations. The fisherfolk, he noted, are waiting for an official report from the FDA to ascertain the cause of the phenomenon and find appropriate ways to dispose of the carcasses. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers Nii Djamlodja VI, however, noted that the leadership of the fisherfolk have made sure the washed-ashore fish do not hit the markets because “it will dip sales if something goes wrong”. The mammals were washed ashore the Osu Castle in the Greater Accra region and Axim-Bewire beach in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. They were discovered on Sunday, 4 April 2021. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video Source: Classfmonline.com

A team of experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Fisheries Commission has released 38 of the dolphins that were washed ashore at Axim-Bewire last Sunday back into the sea. However, 25 of the marine mammals that were found dead in the communities have been buried. Officials said an estimated 120 dolphins were washed ashore alive, but they were weak and unable to swim back to their habitat. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final Some people picked 29 of the sea mammals to the communities but a search found all of them dead. Consequently, 25 of the carcasses were buried, while four were taken to the University of Cape Coast for examination. Back into sea The rest of the dolphins, according to the team, could not be accounted for. Besides, the heads, tails and pieces of dismembered parts of nine dolphins were picked along the shores of Axim-Bewire, with the suspicion being that the other parts had found their way into the communities. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers Based on that, officials had to stay late into the night last Sunday, with the view to picking up any person who would, under the cover of darkness, go to process the mammals either for consumption or sale. The acting Western Regional Director of Fisheries, Mr Arafat Alhassan, said for now, they had buried what they were able to retrieve from the community. A team of experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Fisheries Commission has released 38 of the dolphins that were washed ashore at Axim-Bewire last Friday back into the sea. However, 25 of the marine mammals that were found dead in the communities have been buried. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video Officials said an estimated 120 dolphins were washed ashore alive, but they were weak and unable to swim back to their habitat. Some people picked 29 of the sea mammals to the communities but a search found all of them dead. Consequently, 25 of the carcasses were buried, while four were taken to the University of Cape Coast for examination. Coastal communities Apart from the dolphins, large numbers of other fish species were also washed up on beaches in Accra, necessitating investigations by the authorities. Experts noticed that there were10 species of small dead pelagic and demersal fishes at Osu. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics Officials of the FDA, the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Fisheries Commission had appealed to coastal communities in the Nzema East area to volunteer information on the whereabouts of the remaining mammals. Protected species Mr Alhassan said the Fisheries Commission and other members of the team from sister agencies faced fierce resistance from community members in the team's quest to take over the marine animals. He said the police intercepted some of the dolphins loaded onto a truck. “We found out that some were alive and we released them, but the people caught them back and tied them to canoes but they died the next day,” he said. Mr Alhassan said dolphins in the country's waters were one of the highly protected marine mammals and his outfit had, on many occasions, educated fishermen and coastal communities on the need to protect the mammals. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/accra-aglow-ghana-defies-rain-holds-first-intercessory-prayer-after-lockdown-pictures “We are surprised that they saw the animals and subjected them to such troubles. From time to time, there are accidental catches, but not to take custody of such volumes ashore, ”he stated. The Western Regional Director of the EPA, Mr George K. Diawuoh, said the office was in touch with the security agencies to help in the retrieval of the rest of the mammals from the communities. He urged members of the communities to ensure that they helped the institutions of state to ensure that the right things were done in the interest of the people. Minister appeals Meanwhile, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, has appealed to individuals who have consumed some of the fishes that were washed ashore to avail themselves to be placed under medical surveillance. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/rudiger-dismissed-from-easter-sunday-training-by-coach-tuchel-after-a-bust-up-with-kepa-arrizabalaga She said it was important for an examination to be conducted to establish the wholesomeness or otherwise of the fishes before the public consumed them. The minister made the appeal at a stakeholders' durbar at Osu Anorho in Accra Tuesday. It was to enable the inter-sectoral committee tasked to investigate the phenomenon to interact with fisher folk and seek their opinion on the matter. At the durbar, which was also attended by the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Mrs Koomson noted that even though occasionally some quantity of fishes had been washed ashore, the volume and magnitude of what happened over the weekend raised issues of concern. She asked fisher folk at Osu in the Klotey Korle municipality in the Greater Accra Region to cooperate with the authorities in ongoing investigations to ascertain the reasons behind the death of the fishes. I've eaten fish A woman, Madam Abigail Nortey, said at the durbar that she had already eaten some of the fishes and did not believe it was unwholesome. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/mahama-neglected-atta-mills-presidential-library-koku-anyidoho However, she said due to the call by the minister, she was going to hold on with consumption of what was left in her custody until the report was made public. Examination Mrs Koomson told the gathering at Osu that samples of the fishes had been taken to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to be examined and the findings would be made public soon. “It is important that we remain one another's keeper and ensure that our health is of paramount concern to all,” she said. For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mrs Mimi Delese Darko, said her outfit had commenced investigations into the circumstances that led to that large number of fishes been washed ashore dead. She said the state in which the fishes were found at the beaches made them unwholesome for consumption, adding: "Even if our investigations prove that they died through natural causes, it is important for us to note that how they were found at the beaches will not make them right for consumption." READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/akwatia-man-found-dead-in-his-room-after-4-days-body-decomposed Apart from the dolphins, large numbers of other fish species were also washed up on beaches in Accra, necessitating investigations by the authorities. Experts noticed that there were10 species of small dead pelagic and demersal fishes at Osu. Officials of the FDA, the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Fisheries Commission had appealed to coastal communities in the Nzema East area to volunteer information on the whereabouts of the remaining mammals. Source: graphic.com.gh

A man has been found dead in his room at Akwatia in the Denkyembour District of the Eastern region. Snippets of information suggest that he died four days ago. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video The police is yet to convey the decomposed body to the mortuary for autopsy and preservation. More soon... READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics Credit: Modern Ghana

Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra says it is not true that the maternity block of the hospital has been gutted by fire. The clarification follows a viral video circulating on social media around 11pm on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The minute video, shared by one Maxwell Akpabli showed nurses at the maternity ward of the hospital, attempting to evacuate some newly born babies from a room believed to be on fire. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final In the commentary on the video, the male voice alleged that although the Ghana Fire Service has been called, personnel are yet to arrive on scene. Again, viewers were asked to come to the aid of hospital staff and the babies if they were interested in helping. But rubbishing the claims, the Public Relations Officer for the Hospital, Mustapha Salifu described it as an exaggeration. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers According to him, an air-conditioning system at the doctors’ restroom caught fire, but the situation was quickly contained. “The staff on duty quickly used fire extinguishers to put out the fire before the arrival of the Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS). “As a precautionary measure, some of the babies were moved to another wing of the same floor. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video “We wish to state no patient or staff suffered any casualties or injury. Normal operations have resumed after assessment by the Ghana National Fire Service indicated that, there was no further threat of danger to either patients or staff. We wish to commend the staff on duty for their alertness and professionalism,” he added. Below are some pictures: Credit: Myjoyonline.com

Some 1,679 reports of adverse side effects of the Covishield vaccines have been recorded in Ghana after 490,000 doses were administered. This was disclosed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs Delese A. A Darko. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/champions-league-bayern-s-lewandowski-set-to-miss-psg-quarter-final According to the FDA, the most commonly reported adverse events were headache, fever, weakness, body pains, chills, pains at injection point, malaise and dizziness. The FDA noted that the joint COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Review (JCVSR) Committee, at its 3rd meeting held on 26th March 2021, discussed these reported adverse events in addition to an in-depth review of nine suspected serious adverse events following assessment of the causality. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/so-when-will-we-learn-ghana-how-can-you-say-this-to-a-world-star-shattawale-fumes-at-bloggers The FDA said the JCVSR concluded that eight of the serious events were unrelated to the vaccine but one (a case of febrile illness) was considered as vaccine product-related. “The Committee maintained that based on review of the side effects received and the expected benefit of the vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infections, hospitalisation and reduce deaths, the Covishield Vaccine continues to have a positive benefit-risk profile in Ghana and should be used as part of the key strategies to contain COVID-19,” the statement said. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/live-turn-unto-ghana-oh-lord-and-have-mercy-on-us-aglow-gh-international-video The Committee, according to the FDA, endorsed the Authority’s continuous education and awareness creation programmes targeted at the healthcare professionals and the public to encourage reporting of all suspected adverse events after COVID-19 vaccine administration. The FDA said it will continue to promote reporting of adverse events and continuously review all safety data received in Ghana and from all over the world and will update the general public of any changes in the benefit-risk profile of the Covished Vaccine. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/criminality-on-lgbt-is-non-negotiable-and-our-cultural-practices-frowns-on-it-adwoa-safo-pics Source: Classfm