This follows the completion of the task of the Commmitte set up by government to make recommendations for the procurement of COVID-19 shots to further the high-stakes fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

President Akufo-Addo made the disclosure when he opened the 72nd annual New Year School and Conference at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, legon, near Accra.

The event, being organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, University of Ghana, is on the theme, “Building Ghana in the Face of Global Health Crises”.

The flagship outreach programme of the university, provides a forum to deliberate on issues of national interest. This year’s conference is spotlighting the global health crises occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic, the ramifications for Ghana’s economy and measures to counter the effect of the pandemic.

Some 300 academics, administrators, politicians, technocrats, social workers, and other stakeholders are attending the two-day event.

President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that though government was seeking upend the disease with vaccines sources from international sources, the pandemic had illustrated vividly the need for self reliance in all areas of social and economic life.

He said it utmost that the country broke the cycle of dependence on foreigners in the field of science and medicine, urging Ghana’s scientist and pharmaceiutical companies to be “up and doing” in the production of locally made vaccines to combat the disease.

“It is not beyond our scientist and pharmacuatical companies, whose knowledge and expertise cannot be questioned, to produce and indigenous vaccine to combat the virus. They must be up and doing,” he said.

The President said Government is already working to reverse the negative economic impact occasioned by the pandemic.

He said his administration is pursuing measures that would ensure that critical sectors of the economy, such as education, health, agriculture, trade and industry remain productive and vibrant.

The President said though the pandemic took a huge toll on the gains his administration had chalked during the first three years of his first term in office, statistics however indicate that the country’s economy was rebounding earlier than expected.

This, he said, was due to the raft of measures and proactive decisions employed by government to revamp critical sectors of economy, placing particular emphasis on the reduction of the monetary policy rate that has supported credit extension to businesses, and the institution of the 100 billion Cedis Ghana Cares Obaatanpa programme, which he noted anchored bright prospects for the revitalization and transformation of the economy in the medium to long term.

Government has also provided soft loans and grants totalling 600 million to support
micro, small and medium scale enterprises who have taken a hit due to the pandemic.

The President said the pandemic had presented the country the opportunity to resolve some of the long-standing problems in the health sector such as the improvement of infrastructure.

Additionally, the pandemic, he said, helped ramp up domestic production of personal.protective equipments, thus creating opportunities for the local garment and textile industry.

President Akufo-Addo remimded Ghanaians on the need to observe the coronavirus hygiene and safety protocols to consolidate the gains made economically and in the fight against COVID-19.

Source: richnews

The attention of the ministry of roads and high ways has been drawn at a press conference by the NDC caucus in parliament during their press conference on Wednesday January’s 13th, 2021 calling for the abrogation of Accra_Tema motorway expansion contract signed between the government of Ghana and Mota_ Engil Engenharia E Contrucao Africa S.A. The ministry wishes to state without equivocation that the assertion and conclusion made by the NDC caucus in parliament do not represent the accurate status of the contract

Hon Lawyer Amoako Atta said, after failed attempt by the previous NDC government to procure the said works to other foreign contractors, Government understook a transparent and competitive process between 2017 and 2020 using Public private parternership (PPP) arrangements to select the contractor, These included
. A market sounding events at Alisa hotel in September 2017 where all interested bidbers were briefed on the projects
. This was followed by a pre_ Qualifications process from December 2018 to February 2019 in which 23 entities took part and 4 was pre-qualified
. Request from proposal for the four(4) pre_Qualified bidbers from July 2019 to January 2020
. Technical And financial evaluations of the 2 complaints bids from February 2020 to April 2020
Approval of the Evaluation report by the Public private Paternership Approval committee (PPPAC) at the ministry of finance on June 30, 2020 and a mandate to negotiate with the preferred bidder, MOTA eland it’s financial parterners.

During the negotiation with the contractor, it engaged that the financial arrangements proposed by the contractor were not favourable to Government hence the need to restrictive the project as a Design and Build contract.

He said, because of the sound technical design proposal,a decision was also taken to retain the same contractor consequently,the ministry of roads and highways (MRH) through the Ghana highway Authority (GHA) rescoped the project and invite Mota_ Engil to submit a sole bib proposal in line with the relevant clauses of the public.

Mota-Engils bid was duly evaluated, negotiated and the statutory approvals were obtained from the Public Procurement Authority PPA and the central Tender Review Committee (CTRC). A commercial contract was signed on December 16,2020.

Further approvals will be obtained from cabinet and Parliament after the financial arrangements have been finalized.

The project has been designed as a composite design and build project with complex traffic issue with over 60,000 vehicles per day and therefore cannot be sliced-pakaged for only local contractors to undertake.

The contract has made strict provision for 40% local content which implies that goods and services will be provided by local contractors and business under the management of the Lead Contractor Mota-Engils.

It should be noted that no stage during the procurement process were local contractors excluded from participation in the bidding.

The Government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and all the relevant procurement agencies to ensure that no mandate is side stepped in the interest of the nation and to obtain value for money.

The Accra Tema motorway has exceeded it’s designed life since it was constructed in 1964. The scope of the project includes expansion of the lane ,new interchange and remodeling of the Tetteh Quashie interchange to remove traffic bottleneck on the corridor for the benefits of roads users.

The ministry of Roads and Highways therefore request all stakeholders to support the project that is expected to benefits the entire country.

RICHNEWS

The decision of Independent Member of Parliament for Fomena, Andrew Asiamah Amoako to do business with the NPP caucus in the House has earned the governing party the Majority status.

Reading out a letter requesting to do business with the NPP caucus submitted by Mr Amoako Asiamah to him, Speaker of the House, Alban Sumana Bagbin disclosed that his wishes have been granted, and as such resulted in the NPP being the Majority side in the house.

“What we have now, you have the New Patriotic Party wing or caucus in Parliament together with the independent Member of Parliament from Fomena, and they now constitute the Majority group,” he told the House on Friday, January 15.

The Speaker’s declaration puts to bed all arguments about which side of the house has attained the Majority.

The declaration was met with an eruption of cheers from the NPP Members of Parliament as they waved white handkerchiefs and chorused “Aba mu awie”, to wit it has finally happened.

Earlier today, in a typical repetition of events, over 70 Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party, all clad in white apparel stormed the chambers parliament around 4 am to occupy the right-hand side of the Speaker.

Last week, their counterparts at the other side of the house, did same; a situation which culminated into chaos as some of the NPP members who were beside themselves with chagrin attempted to oust them from their rightful seats.

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West ended up in the lap of her colleague MP, Mintah Akandoh as she sought to get him to move from her seat.

Source: richnews

Mr Augustine Kofi Gyedu, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, says the Fulani herdsmen and bush fire is the most dangerous weapon to the Ashanti regional forest reserves.

Speaking in an excluded interview said, they’ve identified some flashpoint which includes Offinso North and South, mampong and Kumawu. As a measure to curb they are appealing to the community to help control the bush fire.
Mr Gyedu said, Fulani herdsmen has now invade the forest in Asante Akyem and Mampong and called Nananom to help fight the menace.

Mr Augustine Gyedu said, last year the forestry commission in collaboration with Farmers under modified tonure system and they were targeted to plant two thousand six hundred Hectors (2,600) but able to achieve two thousand five hundred and eighty three Hector (2,583) .

He said they also partner Youth in afforestation and target six hundred and thirty five (635) hectors and achieved five hundred and thirty six (536) hector’s in all, they planted eight million six hundred and thirty one thousand seven hundred and fourty four trees in the Ashanti region.

Therefore, he said, concerted efforts were needed to change the annual trend of bush fires in the region.

Mr Augustine Kofi Gyedu, said the trend continued to be a threat to vegetative cover as it harmed tree saplings and seedlings, both matured and new ones among others which also affected human life, especially in fringe communities.

Speaking in an interview with the richnews.com , he said many livelihoods depended on the trees while women, especially relied on forest products to sustain their families.

Therefore, Mr Augustine Kofi Gyedu said it was not acceptable for people to destroy the forest through bush fires and Fulani herdsmen.

He said forest reserves in the Region were created for many purposes, and therefore advise that, we are having bad weather, (hammatan) dry season so they should desist from farm cooked, Hunter’s, and smokers.

He reiterated that bush fires were prohibited in those areas like Mampong forest, Juaso, Kumawu and Offinso North and South.

He said though many schools of thought and local knowledge accepted views that bush burning reduced rampant snakebites, it had dire consequences on the environment and wildlife.

“If you don’t burn for some time the soil will get replenished, get richer and fresh foliage will increase for livestock to feed on,” he noted.

He urged opinion leaders and chiefs in communities to help sensitize the people and called for enforcement of the laws to deter culprits from such acts.

The Forest Protection Act, 1974, N.R.C.D. 243 provides functions of forest officers and offences relating to forest reserves and its related matters.

It states inter alia that, “a person who sets fire to grass or herbage, or kindles a fire without taking due precaution to prevent its spread, makes or lights a fire contrary to an order of the forestry commission, among others commits an offence and is liable on summary convictions to a fine not exceeding five hundred penalty units or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both fine and the imprisonment.”

Source: richnews.com

The immediate past Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso South in the Ashanti region Ben Abdallah Banda has stated that James Gyakye Quayeson Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North is a stranger to Parliament regardless of his swearing on Thursday 7 January.

The erstwhile chairman for Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is of the view that the Assin North cannot be regarded as an MP per the Cape Coast High Court ruling and the standing orders of Parliament.

Ben Abdallah speaking in an interviw with richnews.com disclosed this and asserted that the Cape Coast High Court can serve and direct Clark of Parliament and speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin to prohibit Assin North MP from entering the chamber.

He explained that the order of the court was in two components which sought the Clark of Parliament to desist from swearing in James Gyakye Quayeson as MP and the fact that he should not regard himself as an MP.

He told the host Nana Okyere Awurukuo that even though the Clark of Parliament defiled the court order and sworn in James Gyakye Quayeson as an MP on January 7 but the part that bars him from becoming an MP is still pending until the court’s final judgment on the case over his dual citizenship.

“If the court redirects the Clark of parliament to its order and demands that the order should be treated as such, the Clark of parliament and the speaker off course can prevent James Gyakye Quayeson from going to the chamber when the house sits for business”.

Within the interpretation of Parliament standing orders, the Assin North MP is a stranger because the court has barred him from holding himself up as a Member of Parliament for Assin North he reiterated.

Source: richnews

The leader of the NPP MPs in Parliament and member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has said, the issue of who becomes the majority in Parliament has been dealt with at the leadership meeting held last Tuesday when they met with the Speaker of Parliament.

He explained, the Fomena MP who doubles as the second deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako has written to Parliament yesterday stating clearly that, he is associating himself with the NPP caucus to discharge his duties as an MP and that alone settles the matter.

Mr Kyei Mensah-Bonsu gave this explanation in a press conference held in Parliament this afternoon soon after the NDC MPs had held their Press conference with the Parliamentary Press Corps to state their stands on the matter of who becomes the majority in Parliament.

The leader of the NDC caucus, Mr Haruna Iddrisu stated that, as it stands today, both NPP and NDC does not form the majority in Parliament since both of them have same number of parliamentary seats of 137 and one independent MP.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu further said, once non of the two sides form the majority, they would make sure they share the various committees in Parliament equally since they all have 137 Parliamentary seats and must reflect in the composition of the various committees as such.

Source: richnews

The most important thing for us to do at this stage, is to keep together, is to reinforce our unity and maintain our morale.

If we’re going to spend a lot of energies pointing fingers at each other neither of those things are going to be attained. So I want you very much to have that in mind, you’ll have something else, very important in mind, these NDC people making so much noise, we won we won, remember they began, one time we even went to 145 seats. they could never be quite clear how many with 139, 140 , 141, 145, Mahama had won the election.

It turned out all to be false, and we should remember, ever since Jerry John Rawlings left the presidential scene of politics in our country, no NDC presidential candidate has won more than 51 percent of the votes. His successor Mills, in his first round against Kufour 44 percent, second round 47 percent. When it came to the second time against Kufour the same figures and in 2008 when he contested against me after three rounds he got 50.03 percent of the vote. Mahama in 2012, 50.7, in 2016 44 percent of the votes, 2020 47 percent of the vote. what do these figures tell us, is that whenever the NPP we put our acts together we win.

The majority is with us, so let us be very clear in our mind, our opponent with all the shouting and the hey hey hey hey do not have the support of the majority of the people in our country. So the future of Ghana, the future of this country is in our hands. it is the function of how we behave, how we organize ourselves that will determine how the country will also move ahead.

Source: richnews

The authorities of Ghana Highway Authorityhas cautioned the people in the country to quashed the rumor circulating the airwaves that Ghana Highway Authority is recruiting people regarding quality surveyor interview and orientation at Ghana Highway Authority starting Thursday 14th January 2021 in all the region of the country.
They describe it as “recruitments fraud”

Ag Chief Executive A.B.K Nuhu in a released said, they’ve come across a group of people , scammers are using various online portal lure potential job seekers offers a quality surveyors with the Ghana Highway Authority.

These individuals recruitments agencies are misguiding these job seekers and promising them well placed jobs with the Authority.

Further, they’re asking applicants to purchase inspection voucher PIN Ghana Job Head Office East Lagon American House to enable them to attend upcoming interview slated for 14th January 2021.

The Ghana Highway Authority follows a formal recruitments process through it own HR division and does not outsource selection of prospective employee to any individual or agency.

Further, Ag Chief Executive of Ghana Highway Authority Mr A.B.K Nuhu said, GHA does not ask for any deposits or fees (refundable or not refundable) at any stage of the recruitment process as advertised on the numerous online portal.
He cautioned that, be advised that any potential job seekers who willingly corresponds with such faceless individual crooks or recruitment agencies does so at their own risk.

The Ghana Highway Authority will not accept any liability for any loses or damage that may be suffered or incurred directly or indirectly through correspondence with such fraudulent individuals or recruitment agencies and such communication should not be treated as an offer or representation of GHA . The public may contact the Public Affairs Division of the Authorities for any further clarifications.

Source: richnews.com

As armed robbers terrorizes, torture, and render unspeakable havoc on unsuspecting victims, Drivers and residence of Kobeng, Seidi and Amankyia and traders alike who commute the Nkawie- Kobeng, Amankyia- Seidi road in the Atwima Nwabiagya South municipality of Ashanti Region, poured out their tears of sorrow and hopelessness.

The Kobeng-Amankyia road is increasingly becoming a fertile ground for miscreants who capitalized on the poor police presence to rob residence and traders alike of their valuables.

The robbers, drivers and residence say, are equally taking advantage of the poor road network to ply their ungodly profession.

Akwasi Safwi, leader of the drivers told richnews.com, that the continuous robbery on the road is making life unbearable to both residence and traders. “My brother, look, it is a very worrying situation that needs urgent security attention. Recently, one of my drivers were victim to a disgusting robbery on that stretch of the road. He was robbed at gunpoint. Gun wielding robbers, holding AK 47 riffles.”

He added that “you see, the road linking these three towns is very bad, giving these robbers upper hand over their poor unsuspecting victims. The Municipal Chief Executive should work on the road. More accidents are recorded on that very road due to the poor nature of the road.” –

A trader, Abenaa Korama opined that if the police visibility along that stretch is increased, it will go a long way to minimize the unbearable rampant robberies that residence and traders endure in the hands of robbers. “Mostly, these robbers operate on market days. After suffering to sell through the scorching sunny weather, you are robbed of all your sales. It is very bad,” she said.

Some residents recount past horrific instances where traders on the stretch have been subjected to severe beatings by robbers. Most of the robberies, they say, usually take place on Market days.

Kwame Isaac a driver, noted that “In Atwima Nwabiagya South municipality, the police station is centralized. There are no checkpoints in the villages as well as police stations. If the command can put in structures, it will help curb the menace. I am calling on the MCE, who is the head of Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) to look into it. He should not be armchair leadership. The situation is very bad” he fumed. He lamented that prominent persons in the municipality have fallen victims to numerous robberies on the said road but nothing is been done on it.

Source: richnews

Chief of Akim- Gyadam and a former Assembly member for Adubinso in the Afigya Kwabre South in the Ashanti Region Nana Ansah Sasraku I has appealed to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to consider the good works done by Hon Christian Adu-Poku, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, and retain him in his second term.

According to the chief, their DCE performed extremely well in his first term and believes will do even much better for the area if he is maintained.

The chief addressing the media said changing Hon Christian Adu-Poku will cause a delay in the progress of the area considering the services he has rendered to the District since his appointment.

“He has done nothing wrong and has served the people well since he assumed office. His sacking will bring a retrogression in our area. The President must give him another four years and if he is not able to perform then we change him but not now.” Said Nana Sasraku Ansah I.

In a sideline interview with Silver FM’s Akwadaa Nyame, the chief disclosed the DCE did not get things easier in his first term which lasted for only two years after the district was separated into two district of office as according to him, the DCE used the largest part of the Assembly’s fund in settling outstanding debts.

Meanwhile, Hon Christian Adu-Poku, as gathered, has completed most of the abandoned projects under Hon Acheamfour Karikari when he was the DCE for both Afigya Kwabre North and South since he took the office.

He has connected electricity to about 95% (40) communities in the Afigya Kwabre South, and also made provision of mechanized and manual boreholes for the people.

Aside from that, he also lobbied for several CHIP compounds which have been built to help the people to get access to quality healthcare.

Under his watch as the DCE, the Assembly has also been able to construct Taabuo police station, construction of Hemang teachers quarters and ultra-moden KG Block at Apagya and many more.

He has also cut the sod for the construction of clinic at Buoho-Petransa while 3 storey maternity block at Atimatim health center in the area.

His outfit helped the NPP in winning the parliamentary seat.

Some of the residents in the district has also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the DCE in the past two years and has also backing him to be reappointed.

According to them, Christian Adu-Poku never undermined the work of the NPP and they will support him if the government maintains him as the DCE.

They affirmed that they will petition the government should they decline to maintain him as their DCE.

Source: richnews