Patrons of state-owned Intercity State Transport Company Limited (STC) have expressed their displeasure at the suspension of the company’s services to Tamale in the Northern Region.

The company’s management suspended operations from the south to Tamale, following the temporary closure of the Buipe and Yapei bridges.

The development, Today learnt, was affecting mostly travelers who rely on the Intercity STC coaches for safety, reliability and comfort.

The unpleasant situation has also incurred the wrath of Intercity STC users who as quickly as possible want the resumption of the services.

One of the affected patrons told journalists in an interview that “In fact, it has been a problem for us who use STC. Assuming all the private transport service providers suspend their services, imagine the socio-economic implications.”

“We just want to appeal to those in charge, especially Nana Akomea, to ensure that they reactivate the movement of STC coaches in the Northern Region. I want to appeal to the Speaker of Parliament as well to look into this very delicate issue. It is not the best for us at this time of our lives because we are losing money and other things.”

The temporary closure of the Buipe and Yapei bridges in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region is affecting socio-economic activities in the area and beyond.

Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, ordered the temporary measure for routine maintenance ahead of the Christmas.

He estimated that the rehabilitation works would last for four weeks, and proposed that motorists should use the Eastern Corridor, Fufulso-Sawla and Central routes as alternatives.

Since the closure, motorists from the Sahel and Northern and Upper East Regions have been stranded at the bridges site due to the long hours they have to spend waiting for their turns to cross.

Commercial transport service providers including the VVIP have been compelled to use the Salaga-Makango Ferry through Yeji to connect to the southern part of the country.

Transporters of perishable farm produce to the south are in bad business because of the number of days they spend on the road.

The two main bridges connect Ghana to neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Togo.

The proper construction of the Daboya bridge together with Buipe and Yapei will begin in 2018.

According to the minister, each of the three new bridges is estimated at 25 million US dollars each.

Story: Franklin ASARE DONKOH

Writer’s email: franklin.asare-donkor@todaygh.com

Amasaman township in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region was thrown into a state of shock on Farmers’ Day, [Friday, December 1, 2017], following the death of three children. 

The children who were between the ages of 10 and 13 drowned while swimming in an abandoned dugout close to road construction firm, Sonitra.

The Amasaman police confirmed the news and indicated that they were conducting further investigations.

An eyewitness, Kwesi Adamu, told journalists that two bodies were recovered as of Saturday morning and that a search party was hunting for the last body.

According to him, two of the victims ignored an advice of a third colleague not to swim, leading to the tragic news.

Story: Kofi OWUSU TAWIAH 

Writer’s email: kofi.tawiah@todaygh.com

African Union (AU) has sent a delegation to Libya to ascertain the situation on the ground regarding human trafficking and purported slave trade, Acting Director for AU Peace and Security Department, Dr Admore Kambudzi, has revealed.

A video that shows African migrants sold as slaves in Libya sparked a global outcry. It came to light that hundreds of Africans are being auctioned in modern day slave markets for $400 per person as Libya is the main transit hub for illegal immigrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe.

A video published by CNN showed two men stand in the dark negotiating with an auctioneer to buy migrants.

In an interview with the media on Friday, December 1, 2017 Dr Kambudzi revealed that the AU is interested in finding out the reality on the ground in order to address concerns of slave trade.

“Our Chairperson has taken robust measures. He has decided to deploy a delegation of the AU Commission to Libya to establish the fact and make recommendations,” he said.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other global figures had condemned the slavery, describing it as “gross and scandalous abuses of human rights.”

Others including Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, however, called for a joint military intervention to free the black African slaves being held captive.

Dr Kambudzi, who was not enthused about the development, blamed it partly on the overthrow and murder of former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

“We allowed people outside Africa to come and destroy a country that was doing well. Libya used to pay the contributions for so many African countries to the AU. Now it can’t,” he stated.

Six years after the overthrow of Mr Gaddafi, Libya is still a failed state with heavy presence of militants and other violent groups perpetuating heinous crimes.

Story: Atta KWAKU BOADI

Writer’s email: kwaku.boadi@todaygh.com

Danger is looming in Bowire in the Afigya Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region following the recent quarry dynamite explosion by K.K. Quarries Limited, a multi-national stone quarry company in the area, causing damage to lives and properties.

The disturbing commercial activities of the Chinese quarry company which had been posing serious health risks to the population of over1,500 residents, Today understands, are being done on the blindside of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The aggrieved affected residents have threatened to institute legal action against KK Quarries Limited to enable the company pay compensation for damages and also ensure that due diligence is done during the blasting process.

Residents have also complained that the activities of the stone quarry company have affected their health and livelihoods, and thus called for the halting of what they described as “irresponsible” quarry activities of the company.

Speaking in an interview with Today via telephone on Thursday, November 30, 2017 Assemblyman for Bowire-Akrowa Electoral Area, Mr Isaac Kwabena Kokroko, and the Bowire Unit Committee Chairman, Mr Yaw Twumasi, accused the Chinese quarry company of destroying their community through its commercial quarry activities.

The two personalities claimed that the company’s activities, especially its constant dynamite explosion, were negatively polluting the community, resulting in the destruction of building structures in the area. They alleged that school buildings and houses including the Family Care Hospital and water bodies were being destroyed by the company since its commercial operation in 2016.

Both Mr Kokroko and Mr Twumasi described the situation as “disturbing trend” and called on the officials of the Environmental Protection Agency, Minerals Commission and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, to prevent the company from any further explosion.

They therefore, called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to, as a matter of urgency, set up a commission of enquiry to institute a full-scale investigation into the activities of the company.

According to them, they find it extremely difficult to understand why the company has been allowed by its god fathers in the area to continue to engage in irresponsible quarry operations. Additionally, Mr Kokroko and Twumasi noted that the heavy-duty machine crashes big rocks as trucks cart away stones to different destinations.

“Rock dust can be seen rising in the air and the noise of the crashing stones indicates that you have now entered the mines. “…the quarry is right on the hospital exposing us to flying stones, loud noise of the crushers, dust and stones being thrown on the hospital that put fear and panic in the patients. The quarry should be closed off to reduce the noise and destructions in the area,” Mr Kokroko and Twumasi stressed.

However, several attempts by Today to get management of K.K. Quarries Company Limited to respond to the allegations proved unsuccessfully.

Minerals & Mining Matters

…with Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu

A group of unknown intruders on Friday night (December 01, 2017) forced their way into a radio station in Tamale and severely injured one of the station’s anchor and three other panelists before vandalising transmission gadgets as tension flared in Dagbon over preparations towards getting a new Yaa Naa for the traditional area.

The raiders, suspected to be sympathisers of the Andani Royal Family, besieged Justice FM, while a regular programme was running and attacked all four men including the presenter before turning their fury on the station equipment, forcing the live show to an abrupt end.

The panelists have been identified as members of DAMAZ (Dagbon Malima Zungo), a pressure group rooting for an end to the chieftaincy crisis.

Yunus Yiripha, host of the station’s morning show, confirmed the attack to Kasapa News and said the members of the pressure group on the show were responding to a press statement by Concerned Youth of the Andani family where they accused them of being a political tool backed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to undermine the family in favour of rival Abudus.

This so-called Concerned Youth of the Andani Family last week said DAMAZ was a propaganda tool sponsored by the Akufo-Addo-led government to use pressure and other arm twisting means to compel them to the negotiating table to end the decades old chieftaincy stalemate.

Spokesman for the pro Andani youth, Basharu Dabali, also accused the NPP government of supporting the Abudu family anytime it was in government.

Yunus said the public relations officer of the DAMAZ and his two colleagues were responding to this explosive allegations which were being transmitted on another radio station, Diamond FM, when the heavily built men burst into the studios and beat up all the occupants.

He said the angry intruders plucked off electrical gadgets and kicked equipment which forced the station to a total shutdown for moments before police crisis response team arrived.

According to him, a gentleman who was just a spectator in the studio also suffered the fury of these suspected Andani youth who fled from the scene before the police came.

Police reportedly secured the network station and the normal programmes have since resumed while a probe launched into the attack, Yunus indicated.

However, on the same night, in what appeared to be coordinated attacks, the tension rapidly spread to Gushegu where three rooms at the Kpatinga palace suffered rash of arson attack by some unknown youth.

Assemblyman for Nayilifong Electoral Area, Suale Alidu, said the palace was set ablaze midnight and that many vital traditional regalia and items were consumed by the fire.

He said police have visited the scene and the elders of the palace and were still accessing the damage.

The police have not been able to identify the perpetrators and no arrest has been made yet.

Story: News Desk

A Lebanese national has been arrested for allegedly raping his 19-year-old househelp at Airport Hills residential area in Accra.

Four policemen from the East Legon District Police Command arrested Haddad Rabih, around 11:45 pm on Sunday.

The suspect, Graphic Online gathered forcibly had sex with the victim around 5:00pm on Saturday in the absence of his wife and other occupants of his household, after subjecting her to severe beatings for resisting his demands.

The Commander of the East Legon District Command, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, told Graphic Online in an interview that investigations are ongoing.

He said the suspect would be processed for court after investigations.

The Ordeal

Narrating her ordeal to Graphic Online, after seeking medical care, the victim (name withheld), who speaks only Ewe and French, said the suspect beat her up mercilessly after she refused to respond to his demands for the second time.

He slapped her twice on the face, finally overpowered her and dragged her to his bedroom to rape her.

According to the victim who could barely turn her neck, she had been in the employment of the suspect from the month of November but was persistently harassed by him for sex anytime his wife was not at home.

Sector players in the Ghana e-Commerce industry have called on government to come up with a legal framework to regulate transactions in the e-Commerce space.

They made call at the fourth Ghana e-Commerce conference and exhibition held in Accra over the weekend.

It was a platform for online businesses and businesses that want to trade safely on the internet.

Speaker after speaker at the two-day event gave several reasons why there was the urgent need for a legal framework to regulate online trading in Ghana.

E-Commerce Expo 2017, the fourth in a series, was organised by OML Africa.

It was on the theme: “Shaping Ghana’s e-Commerce Landscape Through Innovation, Regulation And Adoption.”

The event provided a platform for key stakeholders in the industry―online retailers, telcos, government agencies, internet service providers, banks, online payment platforms regulators, cyber security experts and courier services, among others― to lay the foundation as well as chart the course for Ghana’s e-Commerce industry.

Alongside the conference was an exhibition which about 40 companies showcased their online solutions and services.

In an interview with Today after the programme, Events Director of OML Africa, Mr Paul Asinor, revealed that buying and selling in Ghana was slowly and steadily shifting towards online trade, with several retail start-ups successfully entering the market.

Mr Asinor cited the McKinsey Global Institute as projecting e-Commerce to be worth US $ 75 billion in Africa’s leading economies by the year 2025.

But he was quick to add that African e-Commerce faced several challenges while cross border e-Commerce was confronted with the problem of poor infrastructure, underdeveloped logistics and difficulties surrounding international bank transactions.

He identified low credit card penetration in a number of regions and customers’ anxiety over fraud as drawbacks to the development of the industry as customers still preferred cash on delivery.

Mr Asinor therefore, stressed the need for industry players to devise strategies to overcome the challenges.

Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

Writer’s email: franklin.asare-donkor@todaygh.com

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, says his outfit will reward anyone who will hand in core evidence of any bribery or match fixing act with an amount of 20,000 Ghana cedis.

According to the GFA boss, there have been several calls by football administrators, referees and players claiming bribery allegations in the local game in recent years without proofs which makes them difficult to substantiate.

But with the upcoming season all these allegations when brought up must be proven with evidence for a handsome reward.

“One of the things that we will be doing come next season is to discourage corruption. This act involves two people, without one reporting, you can’t hold any one responsible. So we are putting aside GHC 20,000 as an incentive package for whoever reports with evidence,”Nyantakyi told the press.

This decision was reached when the Ghana FA held a 3-day football brainstorming summit in Cape Coast to strategize for the way forward of Ghana football.

Today Sports

…with Gottlieb Baako

Greater Accra Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr Delali Nutsukpo, has tasked numerous employable graduates with no jobs and scattered across the country to go into farming.

According to him, farming is not the preserve of people who did not go to school.

Mr Nutsukpo made call in an exclusive interview with Today at a capacity building workshop held in Accra for Agriculture Tutors from about 56 selected Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Greater Accra Region.

He appealed to the youth, especially the unemployed graduates, to take advantage of the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs policy.

According to him, the policy presents enormous opportunities for every youth, asserting that “agriculture will continue to play a vital role in our national development, into the future.”

The Greater Accra regional director of agriculture maintained that “the prospect of agriculture as a subject in Ghanaian schools is brighter now than before, but to achieve this, the face of agriculture had to change to respond to global trends.”

He was of the view that Ghana needs more educated farmers, and “to get educated farmers required a change in teaching of Agriculture Science in our schools to producing practitioners instead of just Agricultural Scientists.”

On her part, Greater Accra Regional Coordinator of Science, Technology, Mathematics, Innovation and Education (STMIE), Mrs Berthy Buah, explained that the one-day capacity building workshop was aimed at building the capacity of agric science tutors to make teaching and learning of agric science attractive as well as to also help them know the various policies that are related to agriculture in general in the country, so that they can benefit from the policy.

She, therefore, charged the participants to focus more on the practical aspect of the subject and combine it with the theory or the classroom work in teaching students.

According to Mr Buah, her outfit did not want their teachers to see agriculture course like other teaching subjects, adding that “If it happens so, it becomes something like a theoretical activity, but when they see it as something that can benefit them financially; they will teach and practice it too.”

“We want teachers to go beyond teaching the students but also to enlighten them on the many government policies, interventions and incentives put out by government to attract the youth into the sector,” he said.

Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

Writer’s email: franklin.asare-donkor@todaygh.com

At long last the 15-year vacant stool of Amakye Bare, near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region has got an occupant, under the stool name, Nana Gyedu Kumanini IV, who is known in private life as Mr Kwame Alex Frimpong.                        

Historically, indigenes of Amakye Bare came from Akyem Kumanini and settled in Offin Ano Bare, a suburb of Kumasi, under the reign of the third Asante king.

Formerly one Nana Osei Kwabena ruled Amakye Bare for 60 years and since after his reign it has been vacant for almost 15 years, reasons being that there has been internal fabricated wrangling and issues to deal with.

But by the matured guidance of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his elders, the case was resolved and thrashed amicably in the presence of the Bantamahene, Nana Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, Head of the Krontire Clan and War Marshall for Asantehene, Tepahene Nana Adusei Antwima Ampem, and many others on Monday, 27 November, 2017.

This was the day Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his elders sat in state and resolved the issues between the two parties.

And following that, Nana Gyedu Kumanini IV swore an oath of allegiance to Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The second day saw the new occupant, Nana Gyedu Kumanini IV, being officially introduced to his town people amidst singing, drumming and chanting of praises.

Later Nana Gyedu Kumanini IV sat in state at Amakye bare to receive greetings and well wishes from his subjects/people.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Abusuapanyin Kojo Mprah, (Head of Amakye bare Stool), Nana Mamisehene, Nana Kwabena Krofromhene, Obaapanyin Akosua Ataa, staff members of T&G Royal Ghana and partners from Taiwan and the  general community members of Amakye bare.

Story: Today Correspondent

Chief of Oshiuman in the Ga West Municipal of the Greater Accra Region, Nii Oshiu IV, has installed a new Asafoatsɛ of the town.

The new Asafoatsɛ is in the person of Joshua Nii Ayida Quansah, who is popularly referred to as Scorpion.  He is now Nii Odum Gya I.

At a short but colourful installation ceremony, Nii Oshiu IV, who was gazetted as Chief of Oshiuman in 1973, called on his people to support the newly installed Asafoatsɛ to enable him perform his role diligently.

He also entreated his people to live in peace and contribute their quota towards the development of Oshiuman, Joshua Nii Ayida Quansah works with Emwl Capital Micro-finance.

Story: Kwamena ANANSE

Writer’s email: denniskeelson@yahoo.co.uk

Chairman of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council (NICFC), Mr Jacob Tetteh Ageke, has accused political party executives within the various constituencies in the country of masterminding the wanton diversion of premix fuel meant for fisher-folks for the past eight months.

Speaking on Citi FM in Accra, Mr Ageke disclosed that these party executives profit hugely from the mismanagement of the distribution of premix fuel.

He claimed that local executives of whichever political party was in power or persons who claimed to have contributed to that party’s ascension to government, take possession of the fuel meant for fisher-folks and sell it at exorbitant prices. “We [fishermen] have been thrown out, the moment government changes the pre-mix fuel is taken and given to party chairmen and businessmen.

One person could come and say that they supported President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to come into power so they are going to take over the pre-mix fuel and they indeed do so.

There are communities that have no outboard motors which are taking pre-mix fuel.  “…the fishermen are not diverting the pre-mix fuel. It is the fuel dealers in Ashaiman and other places, party chairmen and foot-soldiers who are not fishing and have taken over the pre-mix fuel.

It happened in National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime and it is happening more in New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime,” Mr Ageke claimed.  He pointed out that “The fishermen have turned to NPP because President Akufo-Addo said that when he becomes President, he would give pre-mix fuel to fishermen to handle, but that has not happened.” He stated that “The party chairmen take it and sell it wherever they will make more money. The pre-mix business is one of the booming businesses in this country.

A gallon of pre-mix fuel is sold between Gh¢7.20 and Gh¢7.50.” Mr Ageke’s comment follows revelations by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) that that huge amount of pre-mix fuel meant for fisher-folk, loaded from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), had been diverted for the past eight months. According to him, it was unfair for the inland fishermen to be singled out for blame, when in most cases they don’t even receive the fuel allocated to them. “I don’t agree totally [that the diversion is only happening inland].

The diversion is happening across the country. The pre-mix is for fishermen, and they are supposed to handle it, but the diversion is happening in Ashaiman.  Ghanaians are at risk because when they go to the fuel station, they don’t know what they are buying. There is diversion inland and along the marine as well,” he said. “For the inlands, where I represent, to be singled out is unfortunate. We the inland fishermen didn’t create the problem, the pre-mix is for us and we have to handle it.”

Meanwhile, Today has gathered from the NPA’s series of letters that from January 2017 to October, for instance, about 200 premix fuel consignments loaded from the Tema Oil Refinery, were not delivered to the intended destinations indicated on the invoices and returns of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs.)

Story: Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU

Writer’s email: freeman.koryekpor@todaygh.com

The 4th edition of now Ghana’s biggest outdoor event, the S-Concert, lived up to its billing and hype by assembling the biggest music audience ever to hit the Accra Sports Stadium.

Scores of people from all walks of life thronged the Accra Sports Stadium to partake in the neon edition of the music show organised by the lead brand of the EIB Network, Starr 103.5FM.

An estimated 40,000 people sung along tunes and performances from their favourite stars like Shatta Wale Stonebwoy, Edem, Fancy Gadam, Kidi, Kwame Eugene, actor, lilwin, and many others throughout the 11-hour event.

Security at the show was watertight as the military and police team ensured that order could as well be part of an outdoor event.

Many of the patrons who attended the show told StarrFMonline.com that they cannot wait for another full year to experience such a thrill again, asking the EIB team to consider a midyear edition of the show.

The 2017 S-Concert is sponsored by Storm Energy Drink, Accra City Hotel, Express Savings and Loans, Ghana Post GPS, Hubtel, and Cosmopolitan Health Insurance.

Entertainment Desk

Zylofon Media signee, Stonebwoy, known in real life as Livingstone Etse Satakle, has held a press conference as part of activities to herald his new album christened: ‘Epistles of Mama’ (EOM) in Accra. 

The album, which has 24 songs with two genres of music (Reggae and Afrobeat) has 12 genres on each side of the album.

Addressing the media, Stonebwoy revealed that the album which is scheduled to be released on 12th and 22nd December, 2017 respectively, will be the second edition of the BHIM Concert.

According to the 2015 BET award winner, the album is dedicated to his late mother and all mothers who are sacrificing for their families.

“I dedicate this album to my mum because I still hear her voice in my head. Everything she said will happen when she was alive is actually happening to me, it’s unfortunate I lost her two years ago, she should have been alive to enjoy the fruits of her labour,” he added.

The “Epistle of Mama” features international acts like Chronixx, Sean Paul, Agent Sasco and on the afrobeat side, the likes of Burna boy, Sarkodie, Efya, Kofi Kinaata and Joey B.

Stonebwoy disclosed that it took him two years to come out with the album and that explains the amount of energy and time he has invested in the work.

 Story: Edward Blagogee

It is that time of the year again and the word corruption has come back to occupy the media space.  It will be discussed for a week or two and several views points will be made but by the end of the third week, something new will attract the media and corruption will be relegated to the back burner.

We will then wait till another release of the “Afro-Barometer” to discuss the issue again. So, the word corruption has become a regular thing to talk about and as to whether we are winning the war against it or not, no one cares.  The truth is that we shall not win this way because of the nature of corruption, and need l add that as humans we are by nature greedy and so a few of us will always find ways of beating the system.

In my Anlo language, bribery or corruption has several words to describe it.  One that l like is “Zanu” which literally means something taken or done under the cover of darkness.  Perhaps, the reason for the use of this word is the fact that the deed is something that must not be seen by anyone and thus, it connotes an illegal act.

Therefore, the fight against “Zanu” must cover all aspects of our life if we are to defeat it.  Unfortunately, we have somehow reduced its meaning to what an internet resource says: “dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.”

But then, from this same source, we have the synonyms for corruption as including among other things, “dishonesty, dishonest dealings, unscrupulousness, deceit, deception, duplicity, double-dealing, fraud, fraudulence, misconduct, lawbreaking, crime, criminality, delinquency, wrongdoing, villainy, bribery and bribing.”  This means that it is not only public officials whom we should be looking at when we want to understand corruption. Corruption goes deeper than a public official receiving money to do a favour.

The journalist who refuses to report on a particular organisation because of the favour he receives is corrupt.  Unfortunately, we do not see it that way.  The dee-jay that refuses to play a particular song on air because he has not been properly “settled” by the musician is corrupt.  In the same way, the pastor who is finding it difficult to reprimand a church member because of the “blessings” he receives from that particular person is corrupt.

Because of the nature of corruption and the way it has permeated society, some scholars are of the view that, “it is unlikely that any reforms will ever eliminate it completely.”  The argument is that “wherever men compete for valuable but limited commodities, whether they are licences to operate taxicabs, franchises to sell goods to the government, or freedom to operate a number game, there will be a temptation to secure these commodities through corrupt inducements if other efforts fail.”

One writer on the subject, Mark Jorgensen Farrales, has tried to look at the evolution of corruption and says, “the timeless nature of corruption is best illustrated with examples from the ancient world,” and cited the Indian text, The Arthashastra, which is approximately 2400 years old which states that Kautilya, one of the advisors to the emperor, Chandragupta Maurya, talks about the inevitability of corruption, and of the need to restrain it: “Imported goods shall be sold in as many places as possible… [and] local merchants who bring in foreign goods by caravan or by water routes shall enjoy exemption from taxes, so that they can make a profit.  The King shall protect trade routes from harassment by courtiers, state officials, thieves and frontier guards… [and] frontier officers shall make good what is lost… Just as it is impossible not to taste honey or poison that one may find at the tip of one’s tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up at least a bit of the King’s revenue… And there are about forty ways of embezzlement by the government servant…”

Farrales goes on to say that “corruption was enough of a problem that an investigatory institution, the Council of Areopagus, had as one of its duties the reporting of corrupt behaviour.”  In addition, he stated that the timeless and seemingly ever-present nature of corruption is also illustrated by the case of China in 3rd century B.C., during which the Qin dynasty penal code detailed stiff punishments for corruption.  In the 11th century, Chinese reformer, Wang An Shih, pointed out that corruption can arise, even under good institutions and laws, so long as civil servants were not properly chosen.

There is some truth in the way politicians, civil servants and public servants are chosen and the rise of corruption in Ghana.  We must not hide the truth that most of our Members of Parliament used “various forms of influences” to get nominated to stand election in the first place.  It is not a hidden secret that those who are appointed ministers also used “influences” to get nominated.  In their vetting, if what was reported during the last vetting of the ministers, there were “influences” even though these were not proved, we cannot rule them out.

The politicians then use other ways to get people of their choice to positions within the public and civil service.  All these are helping to fuel corruption.  Those of us who should be watching to be able to name and shame have also compromised ourselves in various forms.  We point fingers at the p0olice on duty at barriers but, the honest truth is that most of those who give have also received.  Therefore, we have all become corrupt and so, it is difficult for us to say we are fighting this phenomenon.  In fact, it is not possible giving the way our society has become materialistic.

Unfortunately for us, our society believes in gifts.  Thus, some of the people who receive these “gifts” that might be termed corruption do not see it as such.  For some, it is just part of what they are gathering to support their life-styles.  On a recent Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme one panelist said, “If you don’t pay a judge well and expect him to live above reproach, then we are not being fair to that judge.”  This is true of Ghana and we should not limit it to Judges alone.

Again, what is fuelling corruption is the fact that we all see young politicians who have no employment record but are able to live better after just a year of work in political office.  Given this, we should not blame other members of society who take “something” to meet the standards that are imposed on them by their families and friends.  We must also know that if we live in a country where no one questions the sources of wealth of people, we cannot fight corruption.  What we will continue to do, if we do not look at the root causes of corruption, is to pay lip-service to its elimination—we shall continue to have “Afro Barometers” every year and nothing will be change.

Perspectives

…With Francis Kokutse

Ginger is one of the most ancient spices worldwide. It has become well-known for its health benefits, which include its ability to boost bone health, strengthen the immune system, increase appetite, prevent various types of cancer, improve respiratory conditions, aid in digestion, eliminate arthritis symptoms, reduce excess gas, enhance sexual activity, and relieve pains related to menstrual disorders, nausea, and flu.

Ginger, also known as Zingiber Officinale, is inaccurately referred to as “ginger root”, although the edible section sold in the markets and used in dishes is actually the stem or the rhizome. In many places, it is mostly used in sweets and alcoholic beverages such as ginger beer and wine.

However, in Asian cultures, it is directly used by chopping it up or using its powder in traditional dishes and in soft drinks such as coffee and tea. Ginger’s irresistible fragrance is due to an essential oil in its composition that has been coveted and extracted by perfume makers since ancient times. Not only is ginger known as an essence and a spice, it is known to be one of the oldest remedies known in herbal and aromatic traditional treatments, especially in China, India, and the Middle East.

In China, it has been used for over 2,000 years for curing inflammation and diarrhea. Native to the Indo-Malaysian rain forests, ginger favors lush, moist, tropical soils for cultivation. Its cultivation may have begun in southern Asia, but it has now spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger’s perennial plant grows bright red flowers that come in different shapes such as torch and honeycomb and are often used in seasonal festivals in the South Pacific for the decoration of stalls, houses, and even dresses. Queen Elizabeth I of England, a fan of ginger herself, was the one to invent the gingerbread man in the 16th century, and it is now loved by millions of children (and adults) around the world. The gingerbread man was presented at a Royal ball, and several were made to resemble respected guests. Today, ginger is on the FDA’s list of generally safe foods and is often used to mask the taste of bitter medicines such as cough syrups.

Health Benefits Of Ginger

The various health benefits of this amazing root are given below:

Improves Bone Health

Ginger is known to boost bone health and relieve joint pain. Two years ago, a study was conducted by the University of Miami that had several patients from different backgrounds and ages, who suffered from symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The patients have then weaned away from anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for cleansing purposes. A week later, they were split into two groups; one was put on a placebo and the other on ginger supplements. After six weeks of intensive dosage, a survey was conducted among the two groups. Both groups felt improvement, but 63% of the ginger group felt a notable pain reduction, while only half of the placebo group recorded notable improvement. The last test was for the patients to walk the distance of 50 feet, which proved to be far easier for the ginger group and their results showed twice as much improvement than the test subjects who were on placebos.

Ginger has a number of unique organic compounds which have actually been named gingerols, and these are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, some of the most powerful that can be found in food.

These gingerols have been directly associated with improvements in knee inflammation and associated pain, as well as suppressing the inflammatory compounds like cytokines and chemokines at the source before they can even begin to affect the body. Ginger represents both a preventative measure and a treatment for inflammation and its associated pain.

Treats Diarrhea

Ginger has been used since ancient times to cure diarrhea, and it was recently proven by researchers that ginger indeed helps, since it prevents stomach spasms and gas that contribute to and stimulate diarrhea. In China, its powder has been given to those with diarrhea for thousands of years; scientists have concluded that the ancient ways are indeed beneficial for this condition.

Removes Excess Gas

Ginger is a very strong carminative, meaning that it induces excess gas elimination. Excess gas does much more than leaving you in an uncomfortable situation and it can be dangerous to your health. Too much gas built up in your system can force upwards and put pressure on delicate organs in the torso. A carminative like ginger forces the gas down and out in a healthy way and also prevents additional gas from building up again.

Aids in Digestion

Ginger has been discovered to be a facilitator of the digestive process. The elevated sugar levels after a meal may cause the stomach to reduce its natural rate of emptying its contents. It helps in regulating high sugar levels that may disrupt digestion and soothe the stomach, thus, maintaining its regular rhythm. Along with that, ginger has a number of compounds that improve the absorption of nutrients and minerals from the food we eat. This is why ginger is also frequently used as an appetizer or an aperitif since it can stimulate the appetite while preparing the digestive system for an influx of food. Ginger is popular in Asian countries as an appetizer or raw menu item for precisely that reason.

Prevents Cancer

One of the most exciting developments in the discussion of ginger and its impact on human health has been the positive correlation between the organic compounds in ginger and the prevention of cancer. Gingerols, the same compounds which give ginger its anti-inflammatory qualities, have also been shown to prevent carcinogenic activity in the colon that can lead to colorectal cancer. This is yet another way that ginger benefits the gastrointestinal system, making it such a perfect addition on the side of every meal. However, more recent studies have also connected these gingerols to apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, thereby reducing tumors and the growth of cancerous cells, without harming the healthy cells around them.

Detoxifies & Disinfects

Ginger is good at promoting sweating. Sweating not only cleans out the pores and allows your body to eliminate toxins through the liquid, but research has also shown that sweat includes a germ-fighting compound, named dermcidin. It has been positively connected to reduced bacterial and viral infections in a person who sweats regularly since it can create a sheen on the skin, which is a protective layer of previously unknown proteins!

Increases Sexual Activity

A known aphrodisiac, ginger has been used for years to arouse desire and enhance sexual activity. Ginger’s scent has a unique allure that helps in establishing the sexual connection. Not to mention, this root also helps to increase blood circulation, hence blood flows more easily to the mid-section of the body, an important area for sexual performance!

Prevents Menstrual Cramps

Cramps are the body’s way of alarming an individual to some type of danger or damage. In this case, prostaglandins, which are hormones that function as chemical messengers, are the key activators of symptoms such as cramps, pains, and fevers. Scientists believe that high levels of prostaglandins contribute to increased menstrual cramps. Ginger helps by reducing the levels of prostaglandins in the body, hence relieving the cramps.

Reduces Nausea

Studies have concluded that ginger helps in curing nausea connected with pregnancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy. Its quick absorption and rapid regulation of body functions cure nausea without the side effects of modern medications.

Treats Flu

Ginger has been prescribed to fight illnesses and infection for all the ages. Its soothing effect helps to reduce the body’s emergency symptom responses to the damaged cells in the body. While the white cells work on patching the cells and defending against the illness, ginger acts a barrier to the high levels of prostaglandins that induce fever, headache, and cramps. Other health benefits of ginger currently under research are its function in reducing heart diseases, arthritis, migraines, depression, and curing stress-related anxiety disorders. Ginger may, at times, have side effects for those suffering from gallstones, since the herb incites the release of bile from the gallbladder. Therefore, if this sort of condition is expected or if you have a history of gallbladder conditions, it is best to consult a doctor before consuming ginger.

Africa’s democratic experiments are many and complex and include entrenching constitutionalism and the reconstruction of the postcolonial state. To move Africa forward, emerging democratic governments would have to confront a legacy of poverty, illiteracy, militarisation, and underdevelopment produced by incompetent or corrupt governments.

For instance, after several decades of colonialism, Zimbabwe became independent in 1980. Having regard to the progressive antecedent of the leaders of the liberation movement expectations was high that the country would witness rapid socio-economic transformation and political stability. Instead of facing the challenge of the development, former President Robert Mugabe turned the country into a one party state. Human rights were suppressed whilst some of the colonial laws were refurbished and applied with ferocity. Many opposition figures were either jailed or driven to exile.

Also recent experiences from Kenya and Zimbabwe illustrate the difficult and daunting task of consolidating democracy on the continent. Available evidence indicates that many of the new democratic regimes remain fragile and some of the euphoria of the early 1990s had evaporated. By the beginning of the twenty-first century, the authoritarianism and statism of the early post-independence years was in retreat, and, where it persisted, was vigorously contested in a context in which democratic aspirations were firmly implanted in popular consciousness and the pluralisation of associational life was an integral part of the political landscape. It was indeed a mark of the changed times that, whereas previously development had been regarded as a prerequisite of democracy, now democracy is seen as indispensable for development.

In Africa, as elsewhere, democratic government and respect for human rights are closely linked. Democracy is the best means the world has produced to protect and advance human rights, based on individual freedom and dignity. In turn, respect for human rights is the only means by which a democracy can sustain the individual freedom and dignity that enables it to endure.

Despite some improvements in some parts of the continent, Africa remains the site of very serious human rights problems. For example, in the Sudan, the armed conflict in Darfur continues and the dismal human rights situation shows no signs of improvement. Both government and rebels commit horrendous abuses. In Somalia, the civil war continues unabated and the human rights situation goes on deteriorating; the civilian population has been the ultimate victim, as recently reported by Amnesty International. Only a handful of countries that hold the regular multi-party elections in Africa are rated as free, and in line with international and regional standards.

In addition, most of the countries in Africa operate ‘semi-authoritarian regimes’ because they have the facade of democracy; that is, they have political systems, they have all the institutions of democratic political systems, they have elected parliaments, and they hold regular elections. They have nominally independent judiciaries. They have constitutions that are by and large completely acceptable as democratic institutions–but there are, at the same time, very serious problems in the functioning of the democratic system.

Semi-authoritarian regimes are very good at holding multi-party elections while at the same time making sure that the core power of the government is never going to be affected. In other words, they are going to hold elections, but they are not–the regime is not going to lose those elections. Semi-authoritarian regimes intimidate voters. Semi-authoritarian regimes manipulate state institutions for self-ends—governments don’t respect the laws, and don’t work through institutions. Semi-authoritarian regimes amend constitutions anytime they want.

Semi-authoritarian regimes will not introduce fully participatory, competitive elections that may result in their loss of power, and some are even unsure of how far they really want to go toward political pluralism in their countries. African politics is generally speaking, a matter of personality, not programmes. For example, during the Obasanjo administration the prevailing idea was that the president was the father of the nation, the big man, or Kabiyesi, that is, no one dared questioned him.

A strong and effective democratic process should be able to establish a functioning administrative structure; and address the issue of how leaders are chosen; the issue of how different institutions relate to each other; the issues of how officials should act, for example, how the judiciary should act, the independence of the judiciary from other branches of government, and the problem of how the decisions that are taken by these democratic institutions can be implemented.

Platform

…With Atta Kwaku Boadi

Government has two years to decide how it intends acquiring 25 percent shares in AirtelTigo, the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has said.

According to her, the move is part of the conditions of the merger between the two telecom companies; government has the opportunity to acquire up to 25 percent shares in the merged entity.

This is to encourage local participation in the telecom industry.

Speaking to Starr Business in an interview, Mrs. Ekuful said government is considering which instrument to use in accessing the shares it is entitled to.

“It is not that government wants a share…government has an embedded option to purchase 25percent of the shares of the merged entity within two years and so the opportunity is there and the government can take up that opportunity.

“We think that there should be local participation in this industry and it shouldn’t just be limited to the players. And they should also understand that if they are working in this market some of the profit must stay here to develop our country in the form of the local partners that they will get. So within the next two years we will decide which vehicle to use to acquire up to the 25percent shares,” she told Starr Business.

The National Communication Authority (NCA) in October  approved  the merger between Airtel and Tigo, making the AitelTigo  the second largest mobile network operator in Ghana.

Source: Starrfmonline

STATISTICS released by the Ghana Chamber of Mines shows that the mining sector contributed about US$1.59 billion (70.8%) to the national economy between the years—2012 to 2016.  

“On the average, more than US$ 2.5 billion is spent annually on non-labour inputs, of which US$ 1.59 billion (70.8%) is spent in country as the distribution of Mineral Revenue to the Ghana Revenue Authority between the years- 2012-2016,” Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr Sulemanu Koney, has revealed.

Speaking in an interview with Today on the side-line of the launch of an online portal by the Ghana Chamber of Mines to provide information to industry players on opportunities available to local businesses, Mr Koney noted that the mining sector in Ghana contributed significantly to the Ghanaian economy in 2016 fiscal year.

According to him, the sector in 2016 contributed about GH¢1.6 billion to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), representing 15.8 per cent of the GRA’s total direct taxes for the year. He told journalists in Accra recently that: “The sector contributed about GH¢1.6 billion to the GRA, representing 15.8 per cent GRA’s total direct taxes for the year.

He mentioned that the mining sector was the leading tax payer and contributor to GRA’s domestic collections in 2016, adding that the sector contributed about GH¢1.64 billion to GRA, representing 15.8% of GRA’s Total Direct Taxes in 2016. “Gold Fields and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), member companies of the Chamber, were adjudged the largest and second largest tax payers respectively in Ghana in 2016 by GRA,” he mentioned.

He added: “The industry accounted for 46% of the country’s gross export revenue in 2016, reinforcing its position as the leading source for forex and a major contributor to the country’s balance of payments. “For the first time since 2011, the provisional balance of payments in 2016 recorded a surplus.

This largely reflected an improvement in the trade balance driven by a rise in gold export receipts and a fall in oil import prices. “Producing members of the Chamber returned USD 2.3 billion, representing 71% of their mineral revenue (USD3.2 billion) through the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the commercial banks in 2016. “This has significant bearing on the international reserve position of BoG and the stability of the monetary system as a whole,” he added.

He, therefore, asked the government to ensure efficiency in the management of mineral resources. “The government should enact a law for the management of mineral revenue to promote sustainability and efficiency in the expenditure of revenue attributable to mining. “While government recently enacted a law (Minerals Development Fund Act, 2016, Act (912)  to govern the transfer of mineral royalty revenue to the District Assemblies (DA), its provisions are yet to be implemented after more than a year of the President’s assent: Constitution and inauguration of Board, Establishment of Mining Community Development Scheme.

He urged the government to put in place the required structure to support the implementation of Act 912 to facilitate development.

Minerals & Mining

…with Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU

Matchroom Boxing Chairman, Barry Hearn, remains hopeful that an Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder heavyweight unification clash will happen in 2018.

At the moment, Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs), who holds the WBA, IBF, IBO world titles, is close to a deal to fight WBO champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) on a date in March or April.

If a fight with WBC champion Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) will happen – it will go down in the summer at the earliest.

The elder Hearn, who promotes Joshua, is very close with Wilder’s adviser, Shelly Finkel, and the two of them have recently discussed the possibility of making that big unification.

The real negotiations will be held between Barry’s son, Eddie, and Wilder’s main manager, Al Haymon.

When it comes down to it, the biggest issue in making the contest – according to Hearn – is the amount of money that Wilder will want for the contest.

“I’ve known Shelly Finkel for 30 years, sociably as friends, as business people,” Hearn exclusively told Sky Sports. “We sit down, two old men, discussing fights we would like to see made. I can’t call them positive, but I call them open as two friends would talk openly.

“The detail will go down when Eddie sits down with Al Haymon, because they are the two guys who actually call the shots. Shelly and I are advisers and I think it’s a fight that we would both like to see. There is no reason why it can’t be staged next summer.

“The big problem you’ve got with anyone who fights Joshua is – the demands of the opponent financially, because you’ve got this financial juggernaut called Anthony Joshua that brings so much to the table, in comparison to what other people bring.

“There is a premium for belts of course, because Anthony has made it clear he wants to collect all the belts, but it’s not a silly premium. Of course, when you get people who haven’t had the earning power that Joshua has, this is their big pay day. Realistically, they are putting their career on the line against one of the most fearsome heavyweights I have ever seen and for that, it brings along the expectancy of a big purse.”

Sports Desk