Posts in category: Other News

The National Election Security Taskforce is admonishing citizens to abide by the rules binding voters to ensure a peaceful election process on December 7.

Speaking at a media briefing, the Director of Public Affairs for the Ghana Police Service, Grace Ansah-Akrofi reiterated the rules and regulations, urging voters to be responsible.

“We wish to entreat voters to freely go to the polling stations to vote. They should check whether the ballot paper has a validated stamp if required. Every person is required to vote once and leave the polling station immediately after casting a vote.

“We wish to urge all voters to avoid jumping queues which may lead to some misunderstanding. We wish to entreat every person to abide by these rules and comport ourselves in such a manner that the electoral process will proceed peacefully.”

The National Election Security taskforce has received logistical support from state organisations including, Ghana Education Service, various District Assemblies and the Ministry of Local Government to facilitate swift operations.

Grace Ansah-Akrofi expressed the gratitude of the Police Service to government agencies and other stakeholders for providing vehicles and other forms of support.

Source: citinewsroom.com

The National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) has cautioned political parties against the use of well-built or ‘machomen’ to intimidate voters on election day.

During an engagement with political parties on December 3, Chairman of NESTF, Dr George Akuffo Dampare took strong exception to political parties clothing party foot soldiers with state security uniforms on election day with the view of causing mayhem at Polling Stations.

The engagement with the political parties was a follow up to a previous one held a fortnight ago to address their preparedness for a transparent and violent free poll on Saturday December 7.

Three concerns bordering on election security were tabled for discussion with the political party representatives following an intelligence picked by police in some constituencies.

The National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) has cautioned political parties against the use of well-built or ‘machomen’ to intimidate voters on election day.

During an engagement with political parties on December 3, Chairman of NESTF, Dr George Akuffo Dampare took strong exception to political parties clothing party foot soldiers with state security uniforms on election day with the view of causing mayhem at Polling Stations.

The engagement with the political parties was a follow up to a previous one held a fortnight ago to address their preparedness for a transparent and violent free poll on Saturday December 7.

Three concerns bordering on election security were tabled for discussion with the political party representatives following an intelligence picked by police in some constituencies.

Dr George Akuffo Dampare cautioned that the task force will not hesitate to deal with individuals that maybe found foul of the law.

He further indicated that ” this culture of machoism which makes people think that biceps are ways to determine the strength of a person will not be tolerated.”

“If any of such people is found closer to polling station, a community, an environment or a collation center trying to intimidate the people, we will find a place for that person to sleep,” he added.

The IGP continued that, “we have brought you here to inform you of our plans so that when we begin to act you (political parties) won’t say that we have taken sides.”

He further warned against the clothing of party foot soldiers with state security uniforms to create the impression that they are security officials to cause mayhem at polling centers.

The political party representatives present expressed satisfaction with the mechanisms instituted by the election security task force to protect the peace of the elections.

General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey who spoke on behalf of his party said members appointed by the party to work on the election day will be urged to abide by the directions offered by the task force.

Director of Elections of the New Patriotic Party, Evans Nimako said the NPP is poised at all times to stick to the rules of the game.

He however expressed concern about the growing misinformation and disinformation about the electoral process which he said must be checked.

Other political parties’ representatives including the Convention People’s Party and the All Peoples Congress urged cooperation with the security personnel detailed for duty at the polling centers.

Source: 3news.com

The Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen says a major source of air pollution in the country is the mishandling of waste.

According to her, the burning of waste, especially plastic materials, in the country’s major cities is contributing to high levels of air pollution and affecting climate change in several ways.

“In some of Ghana’s biggest cities, a major source of air pollution is the open burning of waste. This is an illegal and extremely dangerous practice, especially because of all the plastic often involved in the burning,” she said.

“This has a severe negative impact on public health, contributes to climate change, and causes severe air pollution,” she added.

The Ambassador noted that this situation is a common practice among Ghanaians, as she experiences it even in her neighbourhood, and she observed that it is difficult to put a stop to such practices.

“I experience these illegal and harmful practices even in the suburb where I live in Accra. I have found that it is very difficult to stop these practices,” she stressed.

She was speaking at JoyNews’ National Dialogue on Clean Air and Election 2024, held on Tuesday, November 26, in Accra.

She therefore suggested ways to combat air pollution in the country, recommending how Denmark tackles the issue.

Ms Vibeke Sandholm also suggested that the country needs to focus on public awareness to combat the menace and make the environment healthier for its citizens.

“In Denmark, we have seen the power of communities coming together, whether by sorting waste, embracing clean technologies, or planting green spaces. Ghana’s vibrant communities are well-placed to drive similar change, but we need to raise awareness first,” she advised.

She added that the nation should not view clean air as a burden but see it as an opportunity to develop the country in diverse areas.

“Let us not see the transition to clean air as a burden, but let’s try to see it as an opportunity—an opportunity for Ghana to lead in green innovation, create jobs in emerging industries, and build healthier and more resilient communities,” she said. The dialogue by Joy News aims to bring together stakeholders, including various political parties, to discuss how to improve the environment for habitation, focusing on climate change issues and how to combat its negative impact on lives.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Electoral Commission (EC) has provided further clarity on its decision to limit media access to constituency and regional collation centres during the upcoming elections.

Earlier this week, the Commission announced that only three television stations (with two personnel each) and five radio stations (with one representative each) would be granted access at constituency collation centres. At the regional collation centres, access will be limited to 12 media houses, comprising five TV stations with two personnel each and seven radio stations with one representative each.

The EC explained that this measure aims to prevent congestion at the collation centres, ensuring a smooth and orderly process.

Speaking at a media engagement at the Plush Royal Hotel on Wednesday, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, Director of Electoral Services, elaborated that the restrictions are intended to promote equal and effective media coverage across all constituencies. He cautioned that without these measures, a few constituencies could become overcrowded with media personnel while others might receive little to no coverage.

The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized that a balanced media presence nationwide would help deter any attempts to execute malicious agendas during the electoral process.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by the media, Dr. Quaicoe assured that the EC is actively engaging with the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to address these issues and refine the implementation of the decision.

PENT NEWS.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Accra Sports Stadium to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.

The Black Stars face the Falcons of Jediane on match day three of the qualifying series for the tournament to be hosted in Morocco.

Prior to the approval, CAF had directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to select an alternative venue for the game after the temporary approval of the Baba Yara Stadium was lifted.

CAF inspected both the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium last week before eventually turning down the former.

A statement from CAF on the approval read:

‘’Following a comprehensive review of the reports of the CAF independent inspection regarding the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadia, we are pleased to inform you that the Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host the AFCON Qualifiers for Morocco 2025. Specifically, it will host the Group F – Matchday 3 encounter between Ghana and Sudan, which is scheduled for October 11, 2024.

“In light of this approval, we kindly request that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the stadium management team prioritise the necessary enhancements to the pitch and other critical areas of the stadium leading up to the match day to ensure an optimal experience for both teams and the attending fans.

“Please note that CAF will continue to closely monitor the readiness of the stadium for this match, as well as for future CAF-sanctioned events.”

The Black Stars are hoping to get their qualifying campaign back on track after failing to win any of their opening two games against Angola and Niger.

This fixture is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has launched a free health screening initiative under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as part of national efforts to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic conditions. 

The ‘Free Annual Health Checkup’ programme will provide free health screening to all citizens.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, told the Daily Graphic in Accra on Wednesday that the initiative, on the theme “Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases and Chronic Diseases in Ghana”, was the preventive aspect of health care.

He said it would offer comprehensive annual health screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, and Body Mass Index (BMI) testing, along with counselling and referrals as needed.  

All NHIS subscribers and Ghana Card holders would be invited once a year to do the check-up.  “The initiative provides an opportunity for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above, irrespective of NHIS enrolment, to access health care at any credentialed provider nationwide,” Dr Aboagye stated.

It is aimed at enhancing healthcare access and promoting preventive measures against non-NCDs and chronic conditions through early detection. NCDs such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancers have been identified as the major cause of mortality in the country; a silent killer precipitated basically by lifestyle.

The first phase of the NHIS preventive health initiative will provide the services at designated public and private health facilities nationwide, ensuring accessibility regardless of location or socio-economic status.

At the launch of the initiative in Accra last Monday, Dr Aboagye said it was a demonstration of the government and the NHIA’s commitments to enhancing health care access and reducing disease incidence.

“Our Free Annual Health Checkup programme is designed to prevent severe health conditions, reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life”.

“The initiative aims to increase life expectancy, reduce healthcare costs and accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal Three,” Dr Aboagye said.

The NHIA boss emphasised the importance of disease prevention and using the initiative to increase NHIA membership. He said it was also in line with the global shift towards preventive health care, stressing the benefits of early detection and intervention.

Dr Aboagye acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), private health facilities, teaching hospitals, the Society of Private Medical and Dental Health Practitioners, and community leaders.

He also expressed gratitude to development partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their support and dedication to improving public health in the country.

“The NHIA will work with its partners to ensure they are well equipped to deliver this high-quality screening. This programme is not just about testing, but also about educating our population on healthy lifestyles and preventive measures,” he stated.

Dr Aboagye said a nationwide orientation would be carried out to encourage Ghanaians to take advantage of the Free Annual Health Checkup to safeguard their health and contribute to a healthier and more productive nation.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the wife of the Vice-President, Samira Bawumia, the Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Codjoe, highlighted the significance of the initiative as one of two biggest policies, along with the Free Senior High School policy the government introduced to improve the lives of Ghanaians.

“Ghanaians are encouraged to utilise the Free Annual Health Checkup for early detection of health issues, enabling better life planning,” the minister said.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana has announced a 15% increase in transport fares, effective Monday, July 22.

The association cited the rising cost of fuel as a primary reason for the fare hike, with some oil marketing companies now selling products at prices exceeding GH₵15. 

They added that increased prices of essential items such as spare parts, crucial for the transport business, have further necessitated this decision.

David Agboado, the Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, expressed concerns in an interview with Citi FM on Wednesday, July 17, about the adverse effects these rising costs are having on the transport sector. 

He emphasised that the fare increase is justified given the current economic pressures.

According to Mr Agboado, drivers cannot continue to absorb the escalating fuel prices, which are significantly impacting their earnings. 

The fare increase is seen as a necessary measure to ensure the sustainability of their operations amidst the rising costs.

“We will be increasing transport fares by Monday by 15%. The reason is that fuel prices have gone high. All that we use in servicing our vehicles has gone high. That necessitated the 15% increment.”

“Transport Ministry is not aware and we don’t need to sit with Transport Ministry before we increase our transport fares. We keep saying this,” he stated.

Several oil marketing companies (OMCs) have increased their prices at the pumps with the start of July’s second pricing window.

Shell, one of the leading OMCs, has raised the price of a litre of petrol from GH₵14.80 to GH₵15.10, and a litre of diesel from GH₵14.92 to GH₵15.25. 

More OMCs are expected to follow suit and adjust their prices upward soon.

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Director of Tema Port, Mrs. Sandra Opoku has assured the business community of her outfit’s readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She indicated the Tema Port is positioned to deliver efficient port services to facilitate and ensure a successful implementation of the agreement which seeks to promote intra-Africa trade.

Mrs. Sandra Poku disclosed this when a business delegation from Kenya paid a visit to the port.

The delegation was acquainted with the operations of the port, received first-hand information on operations, and had the opportunity to discuss trading seamlessly with their Ghanaian counterparts.

It was jointly led by the Chief Executive Officer of Eminence Global of Kenya, Mikaela Mwangura, and the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regional Chair of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dela Gadzanku.

Ms. Mwangura indicated that her outfit identifies Ghana as an important trading point in the West African Sub-Region hence the visit to establish partnerships between entrepreneurs from Kenya and Ghana.

She believes both countries have the potential to promote intra-trade on the continent, as envisioned by AfCFTA.

Ms. Mwangura, therefore, requested port authorities in Ghana and Kenya to firm their collaboration to ensure swift freight forwarding between both countries.

Mr. Gadzanku stated that Ghanaians are eager to flood the Kenyan market with finished products and are ready to help their counterparts penetrate the market here in Ghana.

He said the visit was a great eye-opener for the delegation, as it provided an opportunity to strategise to surmount challenges businesses may encounter to ensure smoother trading activities.

The Tema Regional Chair of AGI, Dr. Eddie Akwetey was impressed with the operations of the Tema Port and assured management of the support of AGI in the Tema region to build a strong logistical base for West Africa.

Source: ghanaweb.com