Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo, has been re-affirmed as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The ECOWAS at its extraordinary session organized on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, gave President Akufo-Addo the power to serve another one year as Chair of the Sub Regional body.
The ECOWAS brought this to notice in a press statement.
It stated that: “To this end, the Authority calls on His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Republic of Ghana with the support of the Ministerial Ad hoc Committee on institutional reforms to lead a reflection on the issues and a report on this point be submitted to the ordinary session of the Authority to be held in June 2021.”
”To that effect, a consensus emerged from the heads of state and governments that His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo continues for a second term as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority to oversee the implementation of the reforms.”
“The heads of state and governments expressed sincere appreciation to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of ECOWAS Authority of heads of state and governments for his leadership in steering the affairs of the community.”
The report reaching richnews.com coming from the Speaker of parliament this morning discloses that not less than eight Members of Parliament (MPs) have contacted the dangerous pandemic disease COVID-19, which makes it very sad
He stated some of the MPs showed signs of the disease and the Speaker, Alban Bagbin made it mandatory for all MPs to take the Covid-19 test, especially because of the recent Covid-19 deaths
Parliament of Ghana
According to the news, the eight confirmed cases are share equally among both minority and majority sides but their names were not mentioned for fear of stigmatisation.
The Speaker has issued another strong message to those who haven’t done the Covid-19 should do it and bring the result.
According to the speaker, the names of the infected MPs can’t be disclosed for now, because of security reasons and stigmatisation. According to the speaker, the 8 MPs been affected is dangerous for the rest and very sad because they can’t continue doing any meeting now until the rest are recovered.
You may not know who the person is and because of the policy issues of intimacy, we are not publicizing those who are now Covid-19 patients. But we have some of us in that category,” Speaker Alban Bagbin said.
In conclusion the MPs should follow the protocols to keep everyone safe.
The member of Parliament for Bantema constituency and the Minister designate for Works and Housing Hon Asenso Boakye has promised to bring back the love of football in Bantema as it used to be in a subsequence years. He said this when he toured Bantema constituency and expect the ongoing Astro turf projects and 12 unit classroom block in Bantema Islamic Basic school.
Minister designate for Works and Housing said his motive to construct 3 astro turf in Bantema constitute relate to the fact that, Bantema is a football hub of Ghana in a previous years and he wish to bring back the love and provide more footballers from Bantema in his tenure in office as MP.
Hon Asenso Boakye interacting with Islamic Basic students
He urged the youth to make used of the project when it’s completed and engage themselves in football.
Asenso Boakye inspects three astroturf projects, promises to produce quality players for Ghana
MP for Bantama constituency, Hon. Asenso Boakye has promised to make the area a national hub for player production. According to the Member of Parliament, he dreams to make sure numerous players within the constituency are encouraged and supported to reach international standard, and hence, become the quality player hub for the national team. He however advised the youth never to relent on their talents since he is more determined to support them
The minister/ MP disclosed this to richnews.com when he go for an inspection of three astroturf projects under his watch.
The three astroturf projects which were given to contractors by the MP last year, and was expected to complete within few months was affected by the pandemic coronavirus.
Bantema State Boys astroturf
The ongoing astroturf projects are located in areas such as the Lebanon Club, Kokoase (State Girls Basic school park) and the other one at the Bohyen Abease park.
Speaking to the richnews.com after the inspection, the MP revealed that he dreams to make Bantama a national hub for football player production since the area is full of talents. According to him, players such as Safo Gyamfi, Prince Opoku and Akwasi Appiah, the former national team coach were all produced from the constituency.
Revealing his dream and source of funding for the projects, the MP disclosed that he made the move after realizing that the area, full of good players, lacked play grounds. He however sorted for sponsorship from the GNPC, Zongo development fund and the National lottery authority. He commended the aforementioned organisations for financial support.
Astroturf Nearly in completion
The Member of Parliament who was satisfied with progress of the work said he was very optimistic the project was going to complete very soon after speaking to the contractors.
Hearing commenced at exactly 9:30 am. The Petitioner’s 2nd witness, Dr. Kpessah Whyte was sworn into the witness box and his witness statement admitted as his evidence without objection.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY 1ST RESPONDENT’S LAWYER
Under cross-examination, the following admissions were made:
That the Ashanti regional summary sheet was duly signed by Brogya Gyamfi, the agent of the Petitioner there without any complaint.
That the results from Ashanti were duly certified at the national centre after confirmation with the regional representatives.
That as of the time he was testifying, none of the regional summary sheets contained any complaint by any agent of the petitioner even though a column was provided for that purpose.
That the witness never spoke to the EC Chair himself and the alleged instruction that he leaves the strong room together with Rojo Mettle Nunoo was communicated to him by Rojo Mettle Nunoo.
That even for the regions which Petitoner’s agents refused to sign, no reasons were assigned.
Counsel for the EC also put it to the witness that the alleged letter containing their grievances were in fact never delivered to the EC. He further put it to him that together with Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, they decided to leave the strong room by them selves when they realised the Petitioner had lost the elections. In concluding, Counsel put it to him that his abandonment of his post as an agent of the Petitioner led to the present ill-fated action and indeed that the witness was not a credible witness.
At some point in the cross-examination, Prof. Ashie Kotey JSC, sought to find out whether the witness was saying he was instructed by the EC to leave the strong room to consult or he was asked since the two words did not mean the same. The witness answered he was using the words interchangeably but the learned Justice cautioned that they can’t be used interchangeably because they meant differently.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY 2ND RESPONDENT’S WITNESS
The witness under cross-examination admitted the following:
That the EC Chair has no power to instruct the witness who is an agent of the Petitioner.
That in a public interview the witness alleged 390,000 votes had been padded in Ashanti Region but that allegation was not contained in the petition or his witness statement.
That either him or Rojo Mettle Nunoo could have left the strong room for the other to stay. He however stated the weight of the matters required both of them to go.
Counsel then concluded his cross-examination.
Questions from the Bench
As allowed by the rules of Court, the Bench sought to ask some questions to clarify matters.
Justice Marful-Sau caused to be shown a copy of the regional collation sheet and the witness admitted that indeed there was a column provided for agents who refused to sign to state the reasons for not signing.
Justice Marima Owusu also sought to find out whether there was any peculiar reason for which the witness and Rojo Mettle Nunoo as agents of the Petitioner, both had to leave the strong room at the same time when they knew they were there for a particular purpose.
Justice Yaw Appau quizzed the witness whether he was sent to the strong room to take instructions from the Chairperson of the EC to which he answered that was right.
He further sought to make the point that the the witness did not help the cause of the petitioner when he elected to take contrary instructions from the Chair of the 1st Respondent when he had specific instructions from the Petitioner, who was his principal.
Justice Marful -Sau finally asked the witness that since he says he never spoke to the Chair of the 1st Respondent in person, by what means was he instructed to leave the strong room by the EC and he said his colleague, Rogo Mettle Nunoo informed him.
The Court adjourned the matter to tomorrow, 3rd February, 2021 to enable Petitioner move his motion to inspect documents which was filed today. Respondents are to file their opposition by close of day.
A 16-year-old boy by name Kojo Appiah has been found dead in his cold blood as the report said he was stabbed to death in Abuakwa-Sepaaase .
Named locally as Kojo Appiah the teenager died of his injuries in Afari Community hospital
A friendly brawl which ensued between two besties, Kojo Appiah a.k.a Kojo London,16 and Nyamekye Beckham a.k.a Beckham,19 has resulted into the demise of one.
Given a vivid report about how the unfortunate incident happened, eyewitness said, the teenagers are friends but had little misunderstanding between them last night resulting in unflinching of cutlass.
Speaking with richnews.com, the eye witness said the the deceased mother told him at the family house today, it was disclosed that Beckham claimed Kojo borrowed his jeans trouser but has refused to pay or return back.
Nyamekye Beckham unhappy an unsatisfied about the reasons given to him by Kojo London, he furiously stabbed him to death…….. . This disheartening incident happened at Abuakwa-Sepaaase in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The information service department of the Bosomtwe District Assembly in the Ashanti region, has begun a three weeks covid 19 safety protocol campaign to remind the general public on the need to protect oneself and the people around them against the deadly virus.
The nature of the campaign is to reach out to people in their homes, market places, schools, lorry terminals, and all other public places across the sixty six communities within the district.
Speaking with Mrs Vida Agyekum Boatemaa, the information officer leading the campaign at Jachie market on, she disclosed that, the decision to embark on such campaign was taken at a Covid 19 committee emergency meeting, to create awareness of the safety protocols of the disease, and also assured that the assembly has provided her office with all needed support to intensify the campaign.
She therefore revealed that the assembly has make bylaws to enforce the covid 19 safety protocols to calm down the spread of the virus.
She cautioned that, whoever found guilty about the bylaws will face the wrath of the assembly in spite of your personality, henceforth,she urged alessandra to comply with the safety protocols.
In the witness box was Mr. Aseidu Nketia, who countless questions were put before, below are some of the questions he answered in the house.
Bench: Mr Asiedu Nketiah you have told the court you have figures from all the 275 constituencies.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah: Yes, My Lords.
Bench: This is very important to me. From your own calculations, what is the total valid votes cast in the December 2020 election
Mr Asiedu Nketiah: My Lords because of the inconsistencies from the first respondent we were not able to come out with that figure.
Bench: But Mr Asiedu Nketiah You said you have figures from all the 275 constituencies?
Mr Asiedu Nketiah: Yes My Lords But..
Bench: Mr Asiedu Nketiah From your own calculations, what did the second respondent get as total valid votes?
Mr Asiedu Nketia: Mr Lords because the first respondents kept changing the figures…
Bench: Mr Asiedu Nketiah if you don’t know say you don’t know
Mr Asiedu Nketiah: My lords I don’t know
Bench: Last one Mr Asiedu Nketiah, from your own calculations,what did the petitioner get as total valid votes.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah: My lords I don’t have it here.
Ladies and Gentlemen, while the NDC has not been able to put their figures from the 275 constituencies together after 60 days of the December 7th 2020 election requires Forensic Audit.
This is as a result of the public outcry concerning the cost of and access to testing as COVID-19 infections continue to spike.
The Ghana Health Ministry has directed all public health testing laboratories not to charge residents in Ghana for COVID-19 testing.
The Ministry in a circular to all public health testing laboratories dated January 27, 2021, said it “has decided that public COVID-19 testing laboratories providing walk-in services can charge only charge travellers for testing”.
It added that “all other walk-in requests such as ill-health, contact tracing and exposure must be done free-of-charge using public health resources.”
This comes after a public outcry concerning the cost of and access to testing as COVID-19 infections continue to spike.
For persons who are able to test, there are questions about the timelines for the delivery of test results.
The Ghana Health Services has said test results should be ready within 48 hours.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the service’s director said the average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results was 48 hours when he was interviewed on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday.
As part of measures to improve quality healthcare delivery in Ghana, The Ashanti regional chapter of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana is organising a workshop for it members to deliberate on measures to consider in providing quality healthcare delivery and to also find lasting solutions to challenges facing private health facilities in the country.
The acting Ashanti Regional Chairman for the Association Mr Francis Fosu said providing quality healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility and that it was necessary to deliberate on measures to improve it Services to it customers and to create a peaceful atmosphere for the Association in it operations.
According to Mr. Francis Fosu,the Association will continue to work hand in hand with government to reduce the burden on the limited public health facilities in the country.
“There has always been pressure on public hospital so it were necessary to to put active measures in place to ensure that members of the Association improve the face of their facilities and also ensure quality healthcare delivery to help reduce pressure on public facilities.
He indicated that their efforts in health care delivery forced the government to introduce them into the National health insurance scheme of which their output is not questionable.
Participants
Mr Francis Fosu called on the government to equally support the Private Health facilities with logistics to health improve the quality of their output and to create space for them to fully give out their best to the society in the health sector.
RICHNEWS.COM 