(PHOTOS) FIRST DAY OF VOTERS REGISTRATION EXERCISE IN THE BRIM-SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

The Electoral Commission, Voters Registration ongoing exercise which was dated to start from the 30th June 2020 has been effective as the boss of Electoral Commission, Mad. Jean Mensa said in her Adress to the nation.

These are pictures of the Voters Registration Exercise ongoing at the Birim-South Constituency in the Eastern Region.

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13 points from President Akufo-Addo’s 13th coronavirus address to the nation

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in Ghana has been outlining some measures his government is putting in place to combat the spread.

Sunday, June 28, 2020, saw the president’s 13th address to the nation.

The address came on the eve of the resumption of formal academic work by final-year Junior High School (JHS) pupils; they are going back to the classroom to complete their academic work and eventually write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

President Akufo-Addo in this address announced the distribution of face masks, Veronica buckets, hand sanitizers, and PPEs among others, to schools across the country to help protect teachers, non-teaching staff and students.

He also announced that his government has absorbed the WASSCE fees for all final-year Senior High School (SHS) students who are about to write the 2020 WASSCE.

Below are some 13 points from the president’s address:

1. Reopening of schools to JHS pupils

From Monday, June 29, 2020, final-year pupils in 17,439 schools across the country are expected to return to school to prepare and sit for the 2020 BECE. The pupils are to be in school for 11 weeks of preparation and revision before spending the following week to take the BECE.

“They will be the final, and, indeed, the largest batch of students to return to school. In all, we are expecting some 750,000 persons, comprising 532,000 JHS 3 students and 218,000 teaching and non-teaching staff and invigilators to be involved.”

He indicated there will be no more than 30 students in a class also there will be reduced school days with students reporting to school at 9 am and closing at 1 pm.

2. Govt won’t endanger the lives of JHS pupils, staff

The president asked parents and guardians to be calm over the reopening of schools for JHS pupils amidst the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“I assure all parents and guardians that the Government will not put the lives of 750,000 students, teachers and non-teaching staff, who will be returning to school at risk. We have made all the required provisions to protect them whilst in school. It bears repeating, however, that they must all adhere strictly to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands and hugging, and wear masks to protect themselves and others. Our survival, I repeat, is in our own hands, and, together, we can defeat this virus.”

3. Safety measures put in place for JHS pupils

Government has announced some safety measures put in place for the JHS pupils as they resume academic work from Monday, June 29, 2020.

According to President Akufo-Addo, all Junior High Schools across the country have been fumigated and disinfected.

Government has also procured and distributed 45,000 Veronica buckets; 90,000 gallons of liquid soap; 90,000 rolls of tissue paper; 40,000 thermometer guns and 750,000 pieces of 200-millilitre hand sanitizers to the schools.

2.2 million reusable face masks are also to be distributed, three per person; are all steps taken to guarantee the safety of the students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

Each JHS pupil, as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff, will receive three reusable face masks to protect them from the novel Coronavirus.

4. Ghana records 17,351 COVID-19 cases

President Akufo-Addo announced that Ghana’s total confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus has risen to 17,351 with 12,994 recoveries. This represents 75% of positives.

The total number of active cases is 4,245 with 112 deaths. “This represents 0.6% of positives and it is one of the lowest death rates in the world.”

The president said that 294,867 tests have been conducted so far and it is the highest on the African continent.

5. 30 in critical conditions

There are now 30 patients currently in critical condition at the various COVID-19 treatment centres in the country.

6. 83% of critically ill Coronavirus patients have fully recovered

44 out of the 53 persons with the novel virus and were critically ill have fully recovered.

“Most patients who are critically ill and need intensive care, do, indeed, survive the virus, if they seek medical help promptly. For example, out of 53 patients admitted into intensive care units (ICU) at the Ga East Municipal Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical Centre, since the pandemic struck, 44, i.e. 83%, have fully recovered, and have been discharged.”

7. Ghanaians not taking COVID-19 seriously

President Akufo-Addo expressed worry at the rate some Ghanaians are too complacent and not taking the deadly virus seriously.

According to him, the Ghana Health Service has observed that patients who have died as a result of contracting the novel virus died either on arrival at the hospital or within 48-hours after arrival.

“Unfortunately, we still have some persons in the country who are not taking the dangers associated with this disease seriously, and, therefore, do not seek medical help as soon as they have symptoms that suggest an infection…

“There should be no fear of stigmatization or embarrassment with being diagnosed with COVID-19. So, please, when you begin to experience symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, bodily pains, loss of taste and smell, and difficulty in breathing, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility,” he said.

8. Extension of incentive packages for frontline health workers

President Akufo-Addo announced incentive packages for frontline health workers.

He explained that all health workers will still pay no income taxes for July, August and September.

“Again, all frontline health workers, as defined by the Ministry of Health, will continue to receive the additional allowance of 50% of their basic salary per month, i.e. for July, August and September.

“Whilst we appreciate the efforts of our health workers, I continue to urge them to remain professional and compassionate. Every avoidable death, be it corona-related or not, is a tragedy.”

9. Akufo-Addo lauds support from religious leaders

The contributions by the various religious leaders were recognized by the President Akufo-Addo during his address.

President Akufo-Addo said even though most of them have concerns regarding the safety protocols and guidelines, he “will continue to engage with them and other stakeholders, in our efforts to defeat the virus.”

10. Adhere to safety protocols at all times

The president urged Ghanaians to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols at all times to protect their lives and prevent the health facilities being overburdened.

“Let us wash our hands with soap under running water, use alcohol-based sanitizers, maintain the protocols on social distancing, avoid person-to-person contact, eat our local foods that boost our immune systems, and, yes, wear masks at all times when we leave our homes.

“These are the weapons of our battle. We must keep our guard up at all times, and see to it that sooner, rather than later, COVID-19 becomes nothing but a blip on our forward march to sustained development, progress and prosperity,” President Akufo-Addo said.

11. Let’s “keep our guard up”

President Akufo-Addo said Ghanaians should at all times “keep our guard up” and see to it that sooner, rather than later, COVID-19 becomes not but a blip in the country’s forward march in sustaining development, progress and prosperity.

“As we cross the halfway point of 2020, arguably one of the most difficult years in recent memory, I continue to feel a sense of gratitude, determination and faith.”

12. Akufo-Addo thank Ghanaians for showing selflessness in difficult times

“Determination in my work for all of you, bringing Ghana through this crisis and beyond, and making sure we come out of this stronger than ever before; and Faith in the One true God who orders our every step,” Akufo-Addo said.

13. This too shall pass

President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his calls that the Coronavirus pandemic facing the country and the world at large shall surely come to pass because the battle is in hand of the Almighty God and “with him by our side, we fear nothing but his judgement and need nothing but his grace”.

Man dies after wife violently pulled manhood during a fight

A woman has been arrested by Police in Adukrom Akuapem in the Eastern region for violently pulling the manhood of her husband allegedly leading to his death during a scuffle.

A misunderstanding ensued between the couple – Akosua Kudornu and the husband Agbeko Trevor ,46, after she returned late in the night on Tuesday, June 22, 2020.

This led to a fight which in the process the wife grabbed the penis and scrotum of the husband and pulled it violently in self defence as the husband attacked her.

He was rushed to the Tetteh Quashie Memorial Hospital but died while on admission.

On the following day at about 2:00 pm,Kojo Tovor,Father of the deceased reported the incident to Police that the son told him the wife squeezed his manhood during a fight hence hospitalized but the son died later at the Hospital.

Police proceeded to the Tetteh Quashie Hospital Morgue to take inventory of the body and later proceeded to Quarters, a suburb of Adukrom, and arrested the suspect in her house to assist in investigation.

                                                                   

The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sargeant Francis Gomado told  the media that the body of the deceased would be moved to Police Hospital in Accra for an autopsy to help establish the cause of death to aid in prosecution.

Anas to drop coronavirus exposé dubbed 'corona quacks and thieves in Ghana'

Anas Aremeyaw Anas

Ace Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has hinted he is set to release his latest project on COVID-19 in Ghana.

According to him, the explosive piece will be christened “corona quacks and thieves in Ghana” clearly an indication that some individuals are making gains from the deadly COVID-19.

It’s not clear if his latest piece captures any top government official like his previous exposes have.

However, the title exposes the fact that some individuals have made some monetary gains from COVID-19 which is supposed to be a period of selfless dedication to the fight of the disease.

In announcing the latest piece, Anas in a post Facebook said “Are you ready? Its coming, the corona quacks and thieves in Ghana. It would be served hot on BBC Africa Eye. All major stations in Ghana.”

He, however, did not announce the exact date for the release of the latest piece.

Anas Aremeyaw Anas has since premiering Number 12 that brought about a phase of change in football in Ghana suffered several attacks from people who belonged to the NPP government, paramount among them is Kennedy Agyapong who was on a crusade to taint the hard-earned reputation of the investigative journalist.

Read his Facebook post below

Laws on face masks not clear enough for enforcement – Police

DSP Afia Tenge

The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Afia Tenge has clarified that the laws regarding the arrest of people without face masks in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic are not clear enough to be strictly enforced.

In an interview with GhanaWeb on June 24, 2020, Afia Tenge mentioned that there were so many questions regarding enforcement of the law, such as the space law-breakers will be put after their arrest.

“We are seeing some mass disobedience from people and as I indicated, I have been trying to find out our operational parameters because there were a number of some grey areas in the law regarding the enforcement. It is one thing coming up with a law, it is another thing enforcing it. We need clear guidelines on it, on how we are going to go about it. Even when we arrest them, where do we put them? Not knowing whether the person is a carrier or not?” she queried.

She, however, maintained that people who do not wear face masks could still be arrested as ordered by the president, but it will be on the discretion of the police personnel.

“The law has been passed so everybody can be arrested … but as it stands now, if I see you in a public place and the police officer sees that you are not in nose masks, the police officer can arrest you. At first, there were no laws, but now we have the Executive Instrument 164 criminalizing not wearing of face masks, but most of it will be dependent on the discretion of the police officer,” she stated.

Afia Tenge further cautioned the public to adhere to the president’s directives to largely save their lives and the lives of others from the pandemic.

“It is behavioural, so if people are not adhering to the wearing, it has become more of a humanitarian operation and we expect people to comply so that they do not infect others or they also do not contract it,” she concluded

Election 2020: 18 NDC promises Mahama must fulfill to Ghanaians if elected

 John Dramani Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has an obligation to fulfill if Ghanaians give him the mandate to lead the country in December 2020.

His party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has outlined some 40 promises it will undertake if its flagbearer, wins the December general elections.

The document, titled, ‘John Mahama’s Commitment to the People of Ghana’ highlights projects the Mahama government will carry out in all sectors of the economy.

Below is a list of promises John Mahama has to fulfill if elected President:

1. Pay all customers of the collapsed financial institutions whose monies are locked-up in full and restore indigenous Ghanaian participation in the financial sector.

2. Reduce the size of government by at least 40 ministers to reduce government expenditure and channel those resources into the productive sectors of the economy for the benefit of Ghanaians.

3. Provide free Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) from the second cycle to Tertiary level to build the human resource base of the nation for industrial development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

4. Institute a National Apprenticeship Programme in line with his vision of rapid industrialisation and job creation for the country.

5. Scrap the 50% increment in the Communication Service Tax to reduce the cost of telephoning and data. This will reduce the cost of living and the cost of doing business in the country.

6. Construct a regional hospital for each of the six newly-created regions and the Western Region to improve access to quality and efficient health care delivery.

7. Provide districts without hospitals with fully-equipped modern health facilities.

8. Take healthcare to the doorsteps of the people by building a first of its kind ‘Onipa Nua’ Hospital Ship and deploy it to provide medical services to the inaccessible riverine and fishing communities on the inland Volta waterways.

Additionally, the next Mahama government will rehabilitate the ‘Onuador’ mobile vans that have been abandoned by the Akufo-Addo government and procure more, to provide medical outreach services in underserved and hard to reach areas in all the 16 regions of the country.

9. Construct two new international-standard Infectious Diseases Centers and two additional international research centers.

10. Abolish the dreaded double-track system of secondary education through an emergency and massive infrastructure drive. This will ensure a conducive environment and a one-track qualitative learning experience for SHS students.

11. Establish University Campuses in each of the six (6) newly-created regions.

12. Abolish the mandatory national service and obnoxious licensure exams for teacher trainees and restore the automatic employment of teacher trainee graduates. Let me state unequivocally that no teacher trainee graduate will be denied posting or employment under the next Mahama government.

Additionally, the promotion and welfare of teachers will be prioritised by the next Mahama government.

13. Restore the automatic employment of Nursing Trainee graduates. Again let me state unequivocally, that no nursing trainee graduate will be denied posting or employment under the next Mahama government.

14. Restore the distribution of free cocoa fertilizer and chemicals to cocoa farmers to boost cocoa yield and improve the welfare of cocoa farmers.

15. Complete the Eastern Corridor roads, dualise the Aflao, Cape Coast and Kumasi roads among others.

16. Complete all abandoned or uncompleted hospital and health projects, educational projects, road projects, and other infrastructural projects in the country.

17. Punish corruption and end the practice of nepotism.

18. Train, remunerate, and empower assembly members to be responsible for the local level registration of births and deaths in their electoral areas, to improve the national population register.

Meanwhile, the NDC's Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi on Monday, June 22 revealed that the party will be outdooring its manifesto for the 2020 general election in August.

He also opined that the NDC's leader, John Dramani Mahama will also be announcing some “big-ticket policies which are central to his transformational vision for this country.”

“This will include a major and comprehensive job creation policy he intends to undertake, to create millions of permanent and dignifying jobs for the teeming unemployed youth when he assumes the reins of power in 2021,” he noted.

You smoke weed but street boys go to jail for it - A Plus drags politicians

Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus)

Loudmouth political activist, Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus, has dragged politicians through the mud, claiming that, plenty of them are chain weed smokers.

According to A Plus, about 90 percent of people who have been in power over the years, smoked the substance yet, the poor, the ordinary and the street boys were those who suffered the consequences.

He said if the laws of Ghana were not made in a way that only the poor will suffer, how then could a whole Managing Director of the Accra Digital Centre, Eric Ofosu Nkansah, be wandering about freely during the NPP's parliamentary primaries without wearing a face mask, when a law has been passed to curtail that.

The founder of The People's Project (TPP), could not fathom why the police, who have been tasked to enforce the law cannot arrest and prosecute Eric Ofosu and other government appointees for flaunting COVID-19 safety protocols but can so same to the ordinary Ghanaian.

He spoke about the now overwhelming "impunity" in the country.

"If Kofi Ofosu, CEO of the Ghana data center is not arrested and prosecuted for not wearing face mask, can the same police arrest and prosecute anyone for not doing the same in this country? The impunity is becoming too much!!!", he wrote on Facebook.

The post continued: "Every law in this country is made for poor, ordinary and street boys. 90% of the people who have been in power over the years smoke weed yet weed smoking is a serious crime in Ghana and many people have spent their lives in jail for that crime."

"The president just passed a law that police should arrest and jail ordinary people who go out to find their daily bread without a face mask for 10 years. But your own appointee is clearly seen in this video breaking the law - no social distancing. Nothing will happen to him. But police will arrest an ordinary person and a judge will jail a poor person for 10 years for breaking the same law!!! Where is the freedom and justice?", he questioned.

He cautioned: "This was one of the major causes of the June 4th revolution. Impunity!!! Stop forcing huge volumes of gas into a tiny space, it shall explode one day."