Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly (WGMA) in the Greater Accra Region, Mr Patrick Kwasi Brako Kumor, has stated that the assembly, in collaboration with the National Youth Authority (NYA), will soon institute a programme to refurbish existing sports amenities and community youth resource centres to lick them into shape for frequenters.

The centres, he said, would have facilities such as FIFA-standard football pitches, basketball, handball, tennis and volleyball courts to enhance youth and sports development in the municipality.

The intended move, according to him, forms part of the assembly’s efforts to help the government address the sports infrastructure deficit and provide the youth with opportunities to develop their artistry and help unearth and nurture talents for the abundant disciplines.

Speaking in an interview with Today, Mr Brako Kumor disclosed that his outfit would set up a committee to oversee how to effectively promote sports development in the area.

“It has always been my dream to help kids who have aspirations like me to realise their dreams. Playing out there is a blessing that everybody would love to experience.”

He noted that his assembly deems it necessary to invest in lesser-known sports as the nation’s focus was always shifted to football.

He said his dream was to have a lot of such football pitches for the benefit of our young people and for the development of the game in the Weija-Gbawe municipality,” he said.

He noted that the employment situation was a threat to security and democracy in the country, hence the need to empower the youth and employ their skills as well as talents to be involved in the decision-making processes at all levels for a sustained growth of the economy.

He pledged the assembly’s unflinching commitment to improving the youth to enable them live meaningful lives and contribute to national development.

Despite doing well at the juvenile level at the international sporting stage, winning laurels and becoming an envy of a lot of countries as regard sporting talents, Ghana lacks first-rate facilities to train and groom young footballer athletes to compete in world events.

The West African country’s bane has been the lack of facilities to develop talents, with the situation culminating in the abysmal performances showcased by Ghanaian footballers and athletes at global competitions in recent times.

Analysts believe the availability of such national facilities will totally transform and polish Ghanaian youngsters’ talents.

But the MCE believes that with the refurbishment of the existing football pitches in the area, Ghana stands a chance to produce quality young footballers and athletes who will help it win more honours in the coming days.

According to him, it was important for the government to continue to make such investments to secure the future of Ghana.

He pointed out that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government sees and recognises the immense contribution sports can bring to the socio-economic development of the nation, which is why it still wants to commit to the development of many sporting infrastructure across the country.

Story: Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU

Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has landed a mouth-watering deal with PaySwitch Company Limited to assist National Federations in the payment of their International affiliation fees.

This deal will see the various federations get at least US$500.00 as subsidy in support of their affiliation fees.

Explaining the arrangement to www.ghanaolympic.org, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, explained that one of the biggest challenges facing federations in the country was the payment of their affiliation fees, therefore, it was prudent to find ways of assisting them.

He noted that the GOC under his leadership would continue to find alternative ways to supporting federations in their developmental programmes.

It would be recalled that prior to Ghana’s participation in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia, the GOC solicited funds from Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) to aid participating disciplines to prepare.

Non-participation disciplines were also given support for their developmental programmes.

PaySwitch Company Limited has been supportive of the Ghana Olympic Committee, and this would be the second time they are coming on board to assist the Ghana’s Olympic family.

They were Ghana’s headline sponsor for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games held in PyeongChang, Korea, early this year, and have now come on board to assist the federations in the payment of their 2018 affiliation fees.

PaySwitch Company Limited is a Ghanaian company providing alternative banking solutions. The company owns a switch and has built the state of the art data-centre.

PaySwitch Company Limited provides an integrated payment solution that facilitates the circulation of money as well as the exchange of values between individuals (C2C); individuals and organisations (C2B); organisations and individuals (B2C); and between organisations (B2B) on a timely and consistent basis.

Currently, their target market includes commercial banks, non-banking financial institutions, telecommunication companies and other organisations within the payment space in Ghana and West Africa.

All is set for the commencement of the maiden edition of the StarTimes Cup with 52 clubs confirming their readiness for the cup competition.

The makeshift competition to engage players in the absence of the local league has been endorsed by all 16 premier league clubs with 36-division one clubs joining as well.

The competition will see clubs in the two top tiers of Ghana football zoned based on geographic location and played in an round robin format in the groups.

The 3 zones in the division one league will be subdivided into mini zones to add to the two zones from the premier league.

The competition is set to kick-off later this month and would be preceded by a stakeholders meeting early next week.

Organisers of the competition are yet to come out with the list of clubs competing in the cup games with some 14 clubs opting not to play.

Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the contenders in the reckoning to feature in FIFPro and FIFA’s World XI.

FIFPro and its affiliated player associations asked professional footballers to pick a team from the best players in world football last season. It will include one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers who were the best at their position in 2017-18.

The XI will be unveiled by FIFA and FIFPro during the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London on Sept. 24.

Luka Modric is named after his stellar season in 2017-18, helping Real Madrid to their third successive Champions League crown as well as starring in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final. Ronaldo, meanwhile, was snubbed by UEFA in the Player of the Year award as Modric beat him and Salah to take the trophy. Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes called the decision a “disgrace.”

World Cup winners France are well represented with Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe all on the list.

The shortlist of goalkeepers, defenders and attackers is a who’s who of world football talent, with David De Gea joining last year’s winner Gianluigi Buffon on the keepers shortlist. Virgil van Dijk, the most expensive defender in history at £75 million, is among the top defenders while Pogba, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and N’Golo Kante are in the running as part of the midfielders’ category.

Up top, Ronaldo and Salah are joined by Messi, Neymar and Harry Kane. The England striker enjoyed another fine season in front of goal, culminating in winning the Golden Boot as England reached the World Cup semi-finals. Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo were eventually named the attackers in last year’s World XI. This time around, there was no place for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez also missed the cut.

Pogba, who has been strongly linked with an exit from Manchester United, features on a star-studded list of midfielders. Andres Iniesta, who left Barcelona for Japan’s Vissel Kobe, is on the list for the 12th year in a row. He has already won nine World XI awards, including last year’s.

A deputy General Secretary hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ephraim Nii Tan Sackey has promised to provide a comprehensive skilled data base of all members of the party when given the node.

According to him, even though the party has a list of registered members at all branches across the country, the names are not compiled as an identifiable and workable document for the benefit of party members.

He stated that it is important for the party to know who its actual members are in its reoganisation agenda for victory in the 2020 general elections.

A comprehensive data base for the party at every level he said will help eliminate the challenge of identifying who the actual members of the party are in creating opportunities for them when the party comes to power.

Mr Nii Tan Sackey has therefore assured to ensure a compilation of a comprehensive skilled data of all members from the grassroots in the lead up to the polls so that true members can benefit from any opportunity that might arise.

As the immediate chairman of the Greater Accra elections Committee, Nii Tan Sackey said he helped developed a picture album for the party that ensured a peaceful conduct of the elections.

He gave the promise after submitting his nomination forms to contest for the General Secretaryship at the party’s headquarters in Accra.

 Positions held by Mr Ephraim Nii Tan Sackey who has risen through the ranks of the party before seeking to become the NDC’s deputy scribe include; the Greater Accra Regional Election Committee Secretary, the Ablekuma District Committee Secretary,  Ablekuma South Constituency Secretary, Chairman, Ablekuma South Election Committee, Deputy Ablekuma South Constituency Secretary and the Ablekuma South Constituency Election Director.

“I have worked from the grassroot level as a ward secretary, branch secretary, deputy constituency, constituency secretary, a District elections Committee secretary and at various levels at the region; this is the time for me to move to the national level and take up the deputy General secretary position to serve the party” he said.

  The NDC Deputy Secretary aspirant who is currently pursuing Law- LLB at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) had his Masters Degree in Development Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and first Degree (Bachelor of Arts) in Management and Psychology from the University of Ghana, Legon.

 He also attended the Graduate School of MAMSA in the United Kingdom (UK), where had an Advanced Diploma and Higher Diploma in Sales Management and Marketing and the College of Selling Management also in the UK, where he obtained Salesmanship and Standard Diploma.

 Nii Tan Sackey who had his secondary education at the Bueman Secondary School where he pursued General Arts also possessed certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation Programme from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a Certificate in Oil and Gas Project Management from the Management Development & Productivity Institute.

The potential NDC General Secretary said his brings on board values such as sensitivity to confidential information, creativity, intrinsic motivation, openness to new ideas, good leadership and communication skills and a team player.

News Desk

The mortal remains of the late United Nations (UN) Secretary General will be laid to rest today at the Military Cemetery in Accra.

The three-day state funeral of Mr Kofi Annan enters its final day today.

Government officials, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), Diplomatic Corps, Chiefs among other dignitaries, filed past and paid their last respects to the man described by many as a “Global Icon’ at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The wife of Kofi Annan was also among the dignitaries who yesterday paid their last respects to the fallen hero.

Her three children—Kojo Annan, Nina Cronstedt de Groot, and Ama Annan—accompanied Nane, who was married to Kofi for over 30 years, respectively.

It was such a difficult moment for the family as the wife and children struggled to hold back their tears while bidding their head of family farewell.

Nane extended pleasantries with the family of Kofi Annan after filing past the remains of her husband.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected in Ghana today, September 13, 2018 to attend the final funeral service.

He will be in the company of a host of other African heads of state including Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, George Weah of Liberia, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger among others

Members of the traditional council, chiefs and queen mothers, the Akwamuhene and his delegation including that of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also paid their last respects after a special tribute by the Asantehene.

Old students from his former school, Mfantsipim Senior High School, were also at the venue in their numbers to mourn him.

They used the opportunity to sing the school’s anthem and chanted some popular songs from their days in school.

The chiefs and people of Akwamu Traditional Council in the Eastern Region, Mr. Annan’s ancestral home, poured libation and performed some rites to bid their beloved farewell.

Kofi Annan died on August 18, 2018, at the age of 80 after a short illness in Switzerland.

People from all walks of life have been trooping to the AICC since Tuesday to view his remains, which was brought into the country from Geneva last Monday.

The burial service for Dr Annan is set to take place this morning at the AICC at 9am.

The service will see the attendance of UN officials, Heads of State, Diplomatic delegations and the general public.

It will be followed by a private burial at midday at the Military Cemetery with full military honours and 17 gun salutes.

According to government sources, the late Dr Annan’s personal statement stressed on a simple and solemn final ceremony devoid of any fun-fare.

Mr Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006.

Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He was  the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as chairman of The Elders, an international organization founded by Nelson Mandela.

Annan was born in Kumasi; Annan went on to study economics at Macalester College, international relations from the Graduate Institute Geneva and management at MIT.

He joined the UN in 1962, working for the World Health Organization’s Geneva office.

He then went on to work in several capacities at the UN Headquarters including serving as the Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping between March 1992 and December 1996.

Annan was appointed as the Secretary-General on 13 December 1996 by the Security Council, and later confirmed by the General Assembly, making him the first officeholder to be elected from the UN staff itself.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2001, and was succeeded as Secretary-General by Ban Ki-moon on 1 January 2007.

As the Secretary-General, Annan reformed the UN bureaucracy; worked to combat HIV, especially in Africa; and launched the UN Global Compact.

He was criticised for not expanding the Security Council and faced calls for resignation after an investigation into the Oil-for-Food Programme.

After leaving the UN, he founded the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2007 to work on international development.

In 2012, Annan was the UN-Arab League Joint Special Representative for Syria, to help find a resolution to the ongoing conflict there.

Annan quit after becoming frustrated with the UN’s lack of progress with regard to conflict resolution.

In September 2016, Annan was appointed to lead a UN commission to investigate the Rohingya crisis.

Story: Kofi OWUSU TAWIAH

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

It is now clear that the seeming feud between the two stalwarts of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former Central Regional Chairman, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, and General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has no end in sight, Today can report.

This was after the second verbal attack on Mr Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General ‘Mosquito,’ in less than one month by Mr Allottey Jacobs, describing him [Asiedu Nketia] as “undisciplined” and a “hypocritical person.”

A few weeks ago, the immediate-past NDC Central regional chairman called on Asiedu Nketia to step down as the General Secretary of the party.

He consequently called on delegates to vote out the latter because “he had outlived his usefulness in the NDC.”

The outspoken former NDC Central regional chairman also known as ‘Educated Fisherman’ alleged that there was ‘mafia’ at the NDC headquarters being led by Mr Asiedu Nketia, which was hindering the progress of the party.

Speaking on Peace FM in Accra yesterday, Allotey Jacobs who nearly went overboard did not take kindly with Asiedu Nketia, calling him all sorts of names.

“Asiedu Nketia is very arrogant. He’s undisciplined…He is a hypocritical person…” he fumed but the host stepped in to prevent further attacks on his (Asiedu Nketia’s) personality.

The NDC’s chief scribe who is seeking for his third term in office has come under threat since his deputy, Koku Anyidoho, picked nomination forms to challenge him.

But the man known for his no-nonsense comments on national discourse claimed “he is not perturbed by the ‘vile propaganda’ to get him out of the party office.”

According to him, he has what it takes as a seasoned politician to deal with all forms of propaganda against him, and “therefore, not afraid of any manipulations to ensure that he loses the party’s upcoming primaries slated for November 2018.”

What is, however, not clear is the posture of the NDC’s leadership in the midst of the ongoing impasse between Asiedu Nketia and Koku Anyidoho.

A statement purported to have been issued and signed by the party’s National Chairman, Kofi Porturphy, seemed to have taken side in the matter.

The said statement hinted of taking a disciplinary action against Koku Anyidoho, who they believed  was on a separate agenda to betray the opposition party and feed it to the wolves.

The statement accused Koku Anyidoho of being the face behind a group calling themselves “Young Democratic Forces,” designed to frustrate the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and the hard work of the NDC in the recovery process from their defeat in the 2016 Election.

The party chairman further blamed the recent happenings in the NDC on the activities of some high-ranking executives to incite fellow members against the party.

To him, this shows their disloyalty to the cause and vision of the party.

“.. the party bemoans the involvement of some high ranking executives in this grand scheme to mudsling fellow comrades under the possible influence of the opposition NPP,” it said.

The statement further described Koku Anyidoho and his cohorts as “bought mercenaries” working for the opponents of the NDC.

Meanwhile, political pundits have called on the leadership of the NDC to ensure that cool heads prevail to avoid any serious rancor within the rank-and-file of the  party.

Story: Atta KWAKU BOADI

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

Hundreds of fishermen and outboard boat operators at Yeji and its adjoining communities along the Volta Lake in the Pru District of the Brong Ahafo Region are furious

Their anger was because for several months now that they have been denied pre-mix fuel by the National Premix Committee.

Consequently, they have threatened to storm the Flagstaff House—seat of government—if the National Premix Committee (NPC) fails to supply them with premix fuel.

Speaking to Today via telephone yesterday, scores of the fishermen complained bitterly about the situation.

The situation, according to them, was depriving them of their livelihoods.

Again, the fishermen and the boat operators protested the commercial sale and distribution of the pre-mix to the local fishing communities, which by a Legislative Instrument (LI) is supposed to be carried by the fishermen at Yeji, have now been taken over by non-fishermen and politicians.

The development, according to them, has adversely affected the supply of fuel to the fishermen, thereby making it difficult for them to go fishing.

They also alleged that whenever the pre-mix fuel tanker arrived at Yeji the fuel is allocated to people who are not into the fishing business.

According to them, the profit accrued from the sale of each tanker of the premix fuel, which is supposed to be paid into the coffers of the communities is also not being followed.

“We are appealing to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to urgently do something about our current situation because it is time for bumper harvest but we are confronted with this fuel shortage to power outboard motors. We are also appealing to the minister in charge of fisheries and aquaculture and the Brong Ahafo regional minister to ensure that the fuel get to the right beneficiaries” the fishermen stressed.

Fisher-folks in Ghana have and continue to play a cardinal role in the country’s development.

In addition to providing jobs for over two million citizens involved directly and indirectly with local fishing, fish also serves as food with high nutritional value.

That perhaps underpins the rationale behind the introduction of pre-mix fuel by former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of 1992 and later improved by the late President Prof. John Mills in May 2009, with the introduction of pre-mix fuel Landing Beach Committees (LBCs).

This was to empower the fisher-folks to oversee the sale and distribution of premix fuel by local fishing communities.

Story: Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU

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

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered gold trading firm, Menzgold Ghana Limited, to suspend operations with the public with immediate effect.

In a letter dated September 7, 2018 SEC said it had thoroughly investigated the activities of Menzgold and had found that, the Nana Appiah Mensah-owned firm did not have the license to trade in gold collectibles from the public.

The statement explained that interactions with representatives of Menzgold confirmed to SEC the view that the aspect of Menzgold’s business, which involved purchase and deposit of gold collectibles and guaranteed returns was a capital market activity under Act 929 without a valid license issued by SEC which contravenes the law.

The statement added that subsequent requests had been made by SEC to Menzgold’s lawyers to furnish SEC with specific detailed information on the operations of the firm.

The supply of those documents, however, does not clear Menzgold to continue the mentioned aspects of Menzgold’s business.

“That aspect poses a threat to unsuspecting and uninformed investors,” SEC noted.

SEC also ordered that no new contracts of such should be created and all advertisement on same should cease.

It added that failure to comply would force SEC to enforce the directive through alternative means.

Menzgold, the statement however, said was free to continue purchasing gold from small-scale miners and exporting same.

Meanwhile, the Gold-trading firm yesterday described as unfortunate, the letter from SEC directing the company to stop forthwith, all investment trading in gold without license.

Menzgold described the letter as “needless, in bad faith” and “distasteful,” as they were cooperating with the commission to arrive at a cordial resolution to matters relating to their operations.

Reacting to the letter, the management of Menzgold, in a statement, said: “It is very unfortunate that a letter relating to business discussions between the organisation and the Securities and Exchange Commission has found its way to the public.

“Menzgold, in the wake of the Bank of Ghana’s warning to the public to desist from doing business with the organisation, availed itself of all relevant state institutions for various consultations and dialogues designed to arrive at a productive and sustainable resolution.

“One of such organisations is the Securities and Exchange Commission with whom we have been hopeful of arriving at a cordial resolution to all matters, if any, then we submit to its standards, if we must. 
“This needless leak believed to be coming from the Securities and Exchange Commission is, to say the least, in very bad faith and distasteful; as it defeats our confidence in the body and an affront to cooperation. We totally condemn it!”

Management of Menzgold said they had referred the matter to their lawyers for the right action to be taken and assured their customers that neither Menzgold as a business entity nor any of its products has been shut down.

“Your gold trades are very safe and business is proceeding as usual,” the company assured.

Head of Communications of Menzgold Nana Offei, told journalists that though the company had   received a copy of the letter from SEC, the firm was still operating.

Story: Kofi OWUSU TAWIAH

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

The Birthday Drive Promo, organised by Accra Mall to reward its loyal customers has officially come to an end, with Mr Joseph Bentil emerging grand winner of a brand-new Renault Logan car.

The month-long promotion which is part of the celebration of Accra Mall’s tenth anniversary, allowed shoppers to enter a draw to stand a chance of winning a brand-new Renault Logan from Premium Motors, as well as, phones and modems from Huawei Ghana.

Shoppers had to spend a minimum of 300 Ghana Cedis in either one shop or a combination of shops in Accra Mall, leave their details by filling out an entry slip at the promotion area of the mall, and stand a chance of winning amazing prizes.

The Grand winner, Mr.Joseph Bentil, expressed his profound gratitude and excitement to Accra Mall upon winning the sleek Renault Logan.

Speaking on the anniversary promotion, Marketing Manager of Accra Mall, Ms. Denise Asare said; “Accra Mall has served homes, businesses and individuals for ten years running and we are happy with our customers’ patronage of our products and services. For us, the best way to say thank you is by rewarding our cherished customers. They are a big part of our story, so we are rewarding them today for keeping us in business”

The Gaming Commission asked random shoppers to determine the ultimate winner by the click of a button. After the first round Mr Joseph Bentil emerged the proud winner of the brand-new Renault Logan after passing all the conditions of the promotion.

Other winners on the day were, Edna Wilmax, Juliet Odame Asamoah and Princess Acheampong who won Huawei Y7 mobile phones each.  Ali Ibrahim, Mimi El Bernard Eshun , John Fuseini also walked away with the Huawei Y6 mobile phones while Felicia Klu, Naomi Akyeampong, Zong-Nba, won Huawei Modems, the last set of consolation prizes.

Ms Asare acknowledged the sponsorship of Premium Motors and Huawei Ghana, as well as support of the Gaming Commission and Global Media Alliance.

Story: News DESK

RECENTLY, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) closed down five local banks to protect depositors’ funds.  The move also follows the closure of two banks (Capital Bank and UT Bank) in 2017, bringing the total to seven.

IT is estimated that over 2,000 workers have lost their jobs; this is quite frightening.  The scariest aspect is the domino effect on families, relations and the economy in general.

THIS is why we at Today, are advocating for a massive psychological counseling for these unfortunate Ghanaians.

PSYCHOLOGISTS tell us those job losses have an impact on the incidence of low life satisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, and uncertainty in life.

THESE massive job losses in the banking industry and other sectors of the economy are a clear and present danger and we must develop innovative and pragmatic steps to tackle the problem.

IN a depressed economy like ours, losing a job is catastrophic and an immediate alternative for these victims is also practically non-existent.

EVEN though the employment ministry is liaising with stakeholders to find an amicable solution by urging the Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) Limited to maintain “sizeable number of staff,” we believe the Ghana Association of Psychologists and the Social Welfare Department to move in swiftly to prevent the breakdown of families.

MAKESHIFT counseling centres should be set up across the country to offer services to these victims.

WE at Today believe professional psychologists should see this approach as a national service and do their maximum best.

WHO knows?  A simple professional advice could erase thoughts of suicide by victims currently having emotional breakdown.

A stitch in time saves nine!

Wesley Girls’ High School Old Girls Association cordially invites all old girls and the general public to activities marking this year’s Wrigley Day celebration as follows:

14^th September – After work relaxation at Rockstone’s Office, Osu, from 6pm

15^th September – Jubilee Fair, Health Talk, culinary competition and fun games at the National Council for Tertiary Education, Okponglo, East Legon, from 9am

16^th September – Thanksgiving Service at National Council for Tertiary Education, East Legon at 8am

Wey Gey Hey old girls and the general public are welcome.

Massive works are taking place in earnest on the Madina-Melcom road in the La-Nkwatanang Municipal Assembly (LNMA) of the Greater Accra Region as part of promises the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) made to the electorate in the last election.

The works under the leadership of the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for the Madina Constituency, Abubakar Saddique Boniface, and Minister of State at the Vice President’s Office, broke ground for the construction works to start on the road from PRESEC Staff School to Madina-Melcom shopping mall area on September 10, 2018.

The roads have over the years been a bane of worries for the residents and commercial drivers in the area.

A contractor by name Useer Construction Company Limited has moved some earth moving equipment to the municipality for the reshaping of the bad roads in the area.

The start of work on the said roads fall in line with the promise by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako-Atta, made to the chiefs and people of the area at a durbar organised by the assembly and in attendance was the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina and former Minister for Inner-City and Zongo Development.

According to the MP, works on the bad roads also formed part of the government’s decision to validate contracts signed by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration for the smooth take off of developments in the area.

He said areas like University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) all the way to the American House roundabout have been upgraded and asphalted.

Others include the Rawlings roundabout road to the Old Asanka Locals.

According to Saddique Boniface, six new storm drains will be constructed in the area to save lives and properties in the municipality.

Earlier, Mr Amoako-Atta said the country needed this quality of roads to enhance goods and services.

“When the roads are good people turn to over speed on them thereby creating additional problems for the country but when the roads are bad they turn to be a little cautious when driving on it’’ he said.

The minister made the comment after assessing some bad roads in the La-Nkwantang Municipal Assembly.

The roads minister moved his team of directors led by the Director of Urban Roads, Dr Abass Awal, to tour the area to assess the levels of bad roads in the area.

The tour took the two ministers to areas including UN, Washington-SDA, Odo road Grace, Victory Academy road as well as the road in front of the NPPP Member of Parliament for Suhum in the Eastern Region Opare Ansah’s residence in Accra; Redco flats roads, Madina Zongo roads among others.

Story: Today CORRESPONDENT

Government has rubbished reports that it is planning to abolish single-sex education system in Ghana.

According to the Ministry of Education (MoE), such reports were false.

“…This statement is false and must be treated with the contempt it deserves,” a statement from the education ministry stated.

There were media reports citing the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah of hinting of plans to abolish single-sex education system.

The report claimed Prof. Yankah made the remark during a familiarization tour to the converted halls at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The Katanga, Unity and Africa halls, which were used by male students, have now become mixed halls following a decision by authorities of the university.

“If we continue to perpetuate the exclusive male and exclusive female thing within our setting, in the light of realities, we won’t be helping in the realization of the national development plan,” Prof. Yankah reportedly said.

But a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations Unit at the Ministry of Education, Ekow Vincent, urged the public to disregard such report.

“The attention of the ministry of Education has been drawn to an erroneous impression being created in the media landscape after Prof. Kwesi Yankah spoke to the media at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is quoted to have said that government is planning on converting all schools in the country to mixed schools. Let me hasten to add that this statement is false and must be treated with the contempt it deserves,” the statement added.

“The President Akufo-Addo led government is committed to ensuring that girl child education remains a priority on the developmental agenda of our country.

…I want to take this opportunity to admonish all and sundry to bring to the doorsteps of the ministry of education all concerns and doubts for redress”, the statement said.

Story: Gottlieb BAAKO

Writer’s email: gottlieb.baako@todaygh.com

Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo, has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over alleged interference by Board Chairman, Prof Edward Dua Agyeman.

The petition, dated July 27, 2018 requested the President to intervene in the “unlawful interferences” by the Board Chairman of the Ghana Audit Service whom the Auditor-General accusing of manipulating the procurement processes among others.

Mr Domelevo’s petition also accused the chairman and his allies of clothing themselves with powers to direct and control him unconstitutionally.

He vowed he would  “not obey any unlawful instructions from the Board, including existing and new decisions that are inconsistent with the Constitution…”

The 10-point letter, levelled several allegations against Prof Dua Agyeman including “manipulating the procurement process”, “attempting to commission an audit”, “interfering with audit process” and “unlawful circulation of audit circulations.”

It cited an instance when he wrote to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for approval to do restricted tendering in accordance with Section 38 of the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

He alleged, however, that the Board Chair instructed two of his subordinates- Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu; Deputy Auditor-General and Ebenezer Aglomasa, a Procurement Officer “to replace the approved firms with his choice” after approval was obtained from the PPA.

“This was done without my knowledge and without going back to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to change the list originally approved,” the letter stated and claimed that: “The Chairman admitted to the offense with the excuse that the law did not exist during his tenure of office as Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General also accused Prof. Dua Agyeman of holding a meeting with another Deputy Auditor-General, Blessed Baffuor-Atta and others, “to discuss the audit of MMDAs liabilities without my knowledge”. “The DAG showed me a letter inviting the Chairman in his capacity as the Chairman of the Audit Service Board to that meeting.”

According to Mr Domelevo, when he questioned the Chairman where his mandate to audit in the Public Service and the reasons for calling the DAG to that meeting without his knowledge emanated from, the response he had was that: “he thought the audit in question was below my level as the Auditor-General”.

In another instance, the Auditor-General said the Board Chair, who served as Auditor-General between 2001 and 2009 in the administration of President John Agyekum Kufuor, instructed another Deputy Auditor-General, Mrs Roberta Asiamah-Appiah to invite an audit team conducting special audit at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to a meeting while he was away in Kigali, Rwanda.

He said he sent a mail to the Board Chair to confirm the information he received from the DAG regarding this meeting.

Mr Domelevo quoted Prof. Dua Agyeman as stating in his reply that “…the Chief Executive of NHIA came to him [Chairman] with audit observations that were of concern to the management of the NHIA and hence his directive to meet with the audit team.”

Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

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

Deputy Education Minister, Dr Yaw Adutwum, has said any staff of the Computerised School Selection & Placement System (CSSPS) who accepts bribe to place unqualified students or change their placement in any way, will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution – if caught. 

Anyone caught “will never work with the CSSPS ever again”, Dr Adutwum warned.

His warning comes amidst a plethora of challenges facing the placement of some students into senior high schools.

While some students are yet to be placed in senior high schools, others are clamouring for a change in school since they come from far places.

Others have also been made day students instead of being boarders although they live faraway.

Other concerns are that despite obtaining good grades, some students were not placed in their preferred school of choice.

In the face of these challenges, there are reports that some staff of the CSSPS are cashing in on the challenges by taking bribes to manipulate the system for some parents and their children.

Reacting to this claim yesterday, Dr Adutwum said: “If we get hold of anyone, of course we’ll deal with him. We are working so hard, breaking our backs for the system to work, and, so, if you want to accept money, go ahead and accept money, when we get hold of you, we’ll hand you over to the law enforcement agencies and you’ll never work at the CSSPS again…”

The first batch of students for the double-track system under the Green Track have been reporting to school since Monday, while the second batch of students, who form the Gold Track, will report to school on November 8, 2018.

Story: Today CORRESPONDENT

Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare, says there will be sanctions against Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Chief Executives (MMDCEs), if they fail to lead the crusade against illegal mining or ‘galamsey’ in their respective areas.

According to her, “MMDCEs are expected to spearhead the fight to achieve its purpose”.

“Systems have been put in place to assist you perform this role. So there is no excuse not to deliver. Failure is not an option”, she added.

Government was compelled to issue a ban on all forms of small-scale mining in 2017; at the time the menace was destroying the county’s land, forests and water resources.

Analysts warned that Ghana may resort to the importation of clean water in the next two decades if the threat was not eradicated.

But speaking at a forum in Accra for MMDCEs on government’s plan against illegal mining, Akosua Frema Opare said the war on on galamsey must be won.

“It’s commitment that we expect from you. Commitment that buys into the vision of the President for the good of Africa today and for the future”, she indicated.

The government had given the assurance that it may lift the ban on all forms of small-scale mining by the end of 2018.

Professor Frimpong Boateng, Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Task-force

Against Illegal Mining, was optimistic that small-scale miners would be able to return to work by December.

The inter-ministerial task force on Galamsey adopted what it called technology driven strategies to combat illegal mining.

Key among the technologies is a software called Galamstop, which will monitor the activities of illegal miners.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, said the team hoped the innovations will culminate in the eventual lifting of the ban.

“These are things that have been pledged at this conference in the fight against illegal mining. The integration of activities of these regulatory agencies through a computer application we call Galamstop.

The Minerals Commission, EPA, Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission (FC), our current DCEs will be integrated through this software application.”

Story: Kofi OWUSU TAWIAH

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

Pix: Akosua Frema Opare, Chief of Staff

The family of the late Kofi Annan has said the covering of the casket of the former UN Secretary-General was his personally wish. 



“It was his own decision, we have to respect his wish; that is his wish; that is what the man wanted, we have to give respect for what he stands for. It does not take anything away from the ceremony, for as long as what he wanted, the family is doing that; I think we are happy with it,” cousin of Mr Annan, Isaac Ahuma said.

His comment comes on the heels of concerns by some Ghanaians over the closed casket.

The ordinary citizens who filed past the remains on Tuesday, 11 September, 2018 wondered why organisers did not open the casket to allow those of them who never had the opportunity to see the man alive, do so before he is buried.

The closed casket was draped with the national flag.

Meanwhile, the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has said it will name a sweet potato after the late UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

This, according to the council, was in recognition of Mr Annan’s contribution towards sweet potato production through the founding of the Alliance for Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA), Senior Research Scientist and sweet potato and taro breeder.

The new breed of sweet potato or AGRA SP-19 or CRI-Kofi Annan, is pending approval by the National Varietal Release Committee of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Mr. Annan, who was the seventh United Nations Secretary-General from January 1997 to December 2006, died peacefully in Switzerland on 18 August 2018 after a short illness.

Story: News DESK

Election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), is an idea that has arrived. When it happens in Ghana, it will remove the democratic deficit in the operation of the 1992 Constitution, give power back to the people, allow local government authorities to focus on local issues, guarantee accountability at the local government levels and trigger the race to growth and development among the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

Ultimately, the race would see the districts that represent the basic units of development, competing effectively and efficiently to progress simultaneously. And before we know it, development would have engulfed the entire nation faster than our wildest imaginations. Many developed nations that did not benefit from the industrial revolution did so within 40 years or one generation. Ghana was born in 1957. It is 61 years old and still under-developed. The difference is in leadership.

Leadership:

The leadership of developed nations is unique, in the sense that it envisions what is good for the country and its people and does it even if it does not sit well with the leader’s own idiosyncrasy. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in its 2016 manifesto promised to “oversee the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) within 24 months of election into office, to coincide with the next District Assembly elections in 2019.”

This policy, when implemented, would take away the President’s powers of appointment of the MMDCEs. The executive’s control and influence in the districts would decrease as the local government officials, especially the MMDCEs, would no longer be answerable directly to the President but to the people. If the people are satisfied with their work, they will be re-elected. If not, they would be ousted through the ballot box.

The policy:

Admittedly, this policy vision had become the baby of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) since the party was formed in 2012. When it found its way into the NPP’s 2016 manifesto, it created “credibility and believability” issues for obvious reasons, as the same NPP had promised to implement the policy but reneged on the promise when they won elections and governed the country between 2001 and 2008.

In July this year, the President assured the nation at the orientation for newly appointed MMDCEs that the elections would take place as promised, insisting that they would be the last batch of MMDCEs to be appointed. But in a spectacular “U” turn, a Deputy Local Government Minister, O.B. Amoah, has given reasons why Ghanaians must not expect election of MMDCEs until 2021, contrary to what the President reassured.

Challenges:

The deputy minister’s revelation was anchored on a challenge posed by Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution – “Subject to the provisions of this article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower local government units.” This is an entrenched provision that requires a referendum to amend to pave way for political parties to sponsor candidates for local government elections.

If the NPP leadership were really interested in implementing this policy, the challenge would be a “no brainer.” Work on the referendum would have started by now, just as work on the referendum for the creation of new regions had started. I am convinced that it is the imminent loss of control by the executive over local government appointments and resources that have resulted in government failing to take early action to keep to the manifesto promise to have MMDCEs elected.

With the current arrangements, MMDAs rely on national fiscal transfers from the central government for the development of their territories and jurisdictions. This fiscal role by central government has been over abused. Recent examples of abuse include the supervising ministry’s favourite bulk procurement of goods and services through the obnoxious sole sourcing window and the evil of deducting the costs at source. The MMDAs do not have control over their resources. The government has. And that may just be the reason why the government is not in a hurry to implement the policy.

Solutions:

If the President is really in a hurry to develop the country as he insists, then election of MMDCEs should be one of his top 20% priority items. Article 55 (3) must not be used to as an instrument of delay. Election of MMDCEs is a great policy. Our leaders must make it happen even if it will take away some of their powers.

*On the Ghana Stock Exchange

SWL once again failed to impress investors as it reported a loss of GHS 773,100 in Q2-2018. Losses reported in Q2-2018 were largely driven by a decline in its revenue. Its turnover fell to GHS 237,544 in Q2-2018 from GHS 857,442 in Q2-2017.

Revenue generated in Q2-2018 was insufficient to cover its cost of sales, which increased significantly to GHS 244,719 in Q2-2018 from GHS 72,459 in Q2-2017. Its earnings per share slipped to GHS -0.0354 in Q2-2018 from GHS 0.0018 in Q2-2017.

SWL’s ability to cover obligations on its short-term liabilities worsened as its current ratio slipped to 0.07x in Q2-2018 from 0.35x in Q2-2018. Its total asset turnover, which indicates the efficiency with which it uses its assets to generate revenue, fell to 0.06x in Q2-2018 from 0.24x in Q2-2018. The provision of digital books, which can be easily accessed and purchased online, could re-position the company to reach a much larger market to boost its revenues.

In terms of share price performance, SWL’s share price has stayed at GHS 0.05 since year open despite the decline in its earnings. SWL’s share price is expected to remain steady at its current price in the medium to long-term anchored on its current performance and stock liquidity.

The Composite Index and the financial stocks index gained 12.15 points and 2.36 points to peg at a YTD return of 11.60% and 14.84% respectively. There were 2 gainers [CAL & MTN.GH] and 4 losers [GOIL, GGBL, SIC & ETI]. GOIL topped the charts in terms of volumes as 19,197,100 shares worth GHS 38,411,300 changed hands.

On the Ghana Alternative Market

Trading activity on the Ghana Alternative Market was hushed as no shares changed hands

On the Currency market

The Cedi appreciated marginally against the Euro and the British Pound but lost to the Dollar at the end of yesterday’s trade. The local currency exchanged at a mid-rate of GHS 4.7569 to the USD, GHS 6.1813 to the GBP and GHS 5.5100 to the EURO. The GCFM Cedi index, a measure of the holistic performance of the Cedi on the interbank market now records a year-to-date depreciation of 5.93%.

By GN REASERCH