Home Blog Page 776

Huge turnout at Ablekuma West NPP primary

oo v
-
0
Huge turnout at Ablekuma West NPP primary

file photoVoting is underway to elect a parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma West Constituency in Accra to represent the New Patriotic Party in the November 7 elections.

The primary in the constituency was delayed due to a disagreement over the credibility of the voters’ register, which supporters of former constituency chairman, Theophilus Tetteh challenged at the High Court.

Today’s primary was okayed after the National Executive Committee of the party resolved to allow two different voters’ register to be used in the exercise after back and forth.

TV3’s correspondent Jonathan Adams reports large number of voters have thronged the only voting centre at the Dansoman Police Station to cast their vote., adding that it has been peaceful  so far.

About 1,260 members of the party are expected to vote in the primary.

Ahead of the today’s primary, Mr Tetteh who was contesting the incumbent Member of Parliament, Ursula Owusu Ekuful and Robert Kwesi Hayfron Nicole withdrew from the race.

Screen Shot 2016 04 09 at 10.38.18 AM

On Friday night some 13-constituency executives announced their resignation from the party citing the decision to allow the use of the two registers for the primary.

“We have all resigned!” the disgruntled executives who stormed the studio of TV3 Friday night announced.

“The NEC, Nana Akufo_addo has taken a decision. They say if you don’t like it, you can leave the party. We have left the party for Nana Akufo-Addo and Usurla Owusu. They should carry it!” Mr Tetteh said.

By Stephen Kwabena Effah|tv3network.com|Ghana

Twitter @steviekgh

Ursula Owusu wins Ablekuma West NPP primary

oo v
-
0
Ursula Owusu wins Ablekuma West NPP primary

file photoMember of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu, has won the candidature of the New Patriotic Party to represent the constituency in the November 7 elections.

Mrs Owusu Ekuful polled 554 votes to win Saturday’s primary that was delayed for months due to disagreement over the constituency’s voters’ register. Her only contender, Robert Kwesi Hayfron Nicol garnered 317 votes.

A total of 1168 members of the party were expected to cast their vote but at the close of poll only 876 members managed to vote.

An elated Mrs Owusu Ekuful in her acceptance speech, urged all members of the party in the constituency to unite for the task of winning to the election for the NPP

Mr Nicol who accepted defeat urged all members to come together to ensure victory for the party.

The primary in the constituency was delayed due to a disagreement over the credibility of the voters’ register, which supporters of former constituency chairman, Theophilus Tetteh challenged at the High Court.

Today’s primary was okayed after the National Executive Committee of the party resolved to allow two different voters’ register to be used in the exercise after back and forth.

TV3’s correspondent Jonathan Adams reported earlier that large number of voters thronged the only voting centre at the Dansoman Police Station to cast their vote.

Ahead of the primary, Mr Tetteh who declared his intention to contest failed to submit himself to be vetted due to the disagreement he had with the party over the register.

By tv3network.com|Ghana

Enough of the paranoia; leave EC to do its work – Dr Gyampo tells Ghanaians

oo v
-
0
Enough of the paranoia; leave EC to do its work – Dr Gyampo tells Ghanaians

EC boss Charlotte OseiSenior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana has asked Ghanaians to shun their paranoia towards the Electoral Commission and give it the needed space to concentrate on delivering a credible election on November 7.

 

The Electoral Commission has come under intense scrutiny following its refusal to change the voters’ register as requested by some political parties and recently the role of Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) in the management of Ghana’s electoral process.

Speaking on 3FM’s flagship program Sunrise, Dr. Gyampo bemoaned the attitude of some groups towards the EC, observing that paranoia was a major factor in their posture.

“The Electoral Commission is an independent body which has every right to do all these things and it seems we are being too paranoid about everything that the EC does.”

People are raising eyebrows over the Commission’s decision to reassign members of its communication team.

“This is a purely administrative arrangement within its hold… The most important thing is that they are able to conduct elections and deliver results which will be accepted by all and for me if doing this will help them to be able to achieve and deliver on their core mandate then so be it.

“We shouldn’t always be hyping some of these minor things that in my view aren’t so relevant to the conduct of elections.

“Let us leave the Electoral Commission to conduct its work otherwise there cannot be any meaningful discussion of building and strengthening institution of State when everything that the institution does is subjected to unnecessary scrutiny.

“I am not saying we should all be aloof and unconcerned and all that but enough of the paranoia”.

 

Nana Afrane Asante | tv3network.com

2016 gets exciting as TV3 rolls out programmes

oo v
-
0
2016 gets exciting as TV3 rolls out programmes

MG CEO Ray Nkwe talks about the excitement of TV3's upcoming programmesMedia conglomerate Media General (MG) has rolled out its programmes for the rest of the year.

Owners of TV3, 3FM, Onua FM, Connect FM and Akoma FM as well as other media firms, MG is poised to surpass its peers in the media landscape.

Speaking at the screening event held on Friday, April 8, Chief Executive Officer Ray Nkwe observed that programming across the various MG media firms have been well-researched.

Mr Nkwe explained that the programmes have also been tailored to meet the needs of all Ghanaians especially those between the ages 16 and 34, who form the core primetime audience.

He, therefore, indicated that the programmes exude quality at its best.

“The only challenge,” he admitted, “remains that when TV3 made these promises, our partners prepared to meet us halfway.”

“I have no doubt that since we meet their needs, they will also meet our needs.”

Present at the event were board members of MG, management and staff of the various MG media firms and, most importantly, clients of MG for whom the programmes were particularly screened.

Election 2016

Not only did the screening involve existing programmes, but also new ones were shown to all gathered at the plush Kempiski Hotel.

Snippets of upcoming shows such as The Key Point, Eye on the Seat, Taste of Love and Shampaign were screened.

Mr Nkwe announced that TV3 will launch a “dedicated campaign” in terms of coverage for the 2016 elections.

“We are going to deploy the largest news crew for an election in the country.”

MG Digital Media is also expected to be launched soon. It will see one composite news portal for TV3 and MG radio stations.

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana

Twitter: @kwame_amoh

GNAT bares teeth at decision to suspend teachers’ validation process

oo v
-
0
GNAT bares teeth at decision to suspend teachers’ validation process

file photo3FM is gathering that the ongoing validation process of documents of about 6,000 teachers to facilitate payments of their salary arrears is likely to be suspended by the end of the week.

Information available to 3FM suggests that the decision to halt the exercise was due to lack of funds to host persons working on the validation at a hotel in Apam in the Central Region.

Members of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other stakeholders were undertaking the exercise at the Mensvic Hotel in Accra but had to be relocated because the commission said it was expensive operating from there.

However, it seems the Commission is cash-strapped to fund the exercise.

But the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has threatened it will go on strike if the validation process is suspended.

Head of Compensation, Salaries and Conditions of Service at GNAT, Ahinaquah Quarshie disclosed to 3FM that the association will not agree to the suspension.

The association is convinced the suspension is a deliberate attempt to delay the validation process and further worsen the situation of affected teachers.

He said, “The work must be done and must be completed before we come back. The initial 29,000 documents have not been done and you want to suspend. We are even requesting that the entire exercise be completed before payment. What’s the guarantee that the rest will be paid?’’

Ahinaquah Quarshie demanded, ‘‘what is going on does not guarantee completion of the exercise so if it’s about funding, they should go and look for the money to complete the work’’.

So far 1,882 teachers have been validated but only 8,762 have been approved for payment.

Background

Teachers across the country earlier this year served notice to embark on strike on February 29, 2016 if government failed to pay them their outstanding arrears by the end of February.

Government subsequently met the various teacher unions on two different occasions and the teachers agree to rescind their decision.

Government had however maintained that arrears for 2013 and 2014 will not be paid, until the payment processes are validated.

This necessitated the validation of documents of teachers to enable them get their salary arrears.

 

Story by Sarah Parku 3FM 92.7

George Afriyie rebukes Grant, media

oo v
-
0
George Afriyie rebukes Grant, media

file photoThe Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) George Akwasi Afriyie has condemned Black Stars coach, Avram Grant for using unprintable words at a post match press conference.

The Black Stars coach is reported to have used the word “bullsh**t” during the conference after Ghana played against Mozambique in African cup of Nation’s qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.  .

Though Grant has since withdrawn the comments, he maintains that he did not regard the word as an insult as was suggested by some critics
But speaking on Onua FM Thursday Mr Afriyie said “It is unacceptable for him to use such a word publicly when there are pressmen around, it is not allowed in our society, he said.”

Meanwhile, Afriyie rebuked the media and for not properly interrogating the Black Stars coach, Avram Grant, when given the opportunity.
According to him, the media is fond of holding the GFA accountable for the activities of the coach of the senior team but lack the confidence to ask the coach salient questions about his plans for the development of the black stars.

‘’The media cannot even ask him why he was out of the country for three months and what he was doing while he was away, but they will come and ask me those questions, are they afraid of him?,” he asked.

“Media personnel at the post match interview could not ask him of what he has been doing to advance football in the country, they can’t ask him any questions but rather they keep on asking me the Vice President of the GFA about the squad Avram Grant  has invited to camp meanwhile the coach was there,’’ he added.

By Yaw Badu Acheampong|Onua 95.1FM|tv3network.com

Ethiopia PM in Ghana for 3-day visit

oo v
-
0
Ethiopia PM in Ghana for 3-day visit

file photoThe Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, will arrive in Accra on Thursday for a three-day state visit to Ghana.

Accompanied by his wife, Roman Tesfaye, Prime Minister Desalegn will hold talks with President John Dramani Mahama and visit the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre where he will sign a Cooperation Agreement between the Centre and Ethiopia.

The visiting Prime Minister will also tour a cocoa processing company in Tema and visit Akosombo.

As part of the three-day visit, the Ethiopian leader will lay a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and address a joint press conference with President Mahama.

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Nana Akufo-Addo will win 2016 election – Research

oo v
-
0
Nana Akufo-Addo will win 2016 election – Research

file photoA statistics-based research by a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana has predicted a win for the New Patriotic Party, NPP, after a runoff in this year’s presidential election.

Dr Ezekiel Nii Noye Nortey however indicated that none of the two main parties will win the first run in this year’s presidential election.

He told TV3 in an interview that the NPP will win with 51.7 % while the governing National Democratic Congress trailing with 48.3% after a re-run.

His forecast is based on a model called Markov chain:  a random process that undergoes transitions from one state to another on a state space.

His research shows that NDC is popular in Greater Accra, Volta, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions whereas the NPP’s popularity is in Eastern and Ashanti regions.

He predicted that in the main presidential election, the NDC will secure 48.7% while the NPP will obtain 47.80%.

Other political parties, he claimed, will get 1.8% whilst1.6% votes will be rejected.

He used results from 1992 to 2012 presidential elections to predict the 2016 general elections.

Dr Nii Noye Nortey explained that the Markov chain has been used to predict elections in United States and Britain.

He said the model purely makes use of data in the previous elections in order to predict the one ahead.

He however said the research did not factor the current socio-economic environment.

The results can change depending on the prevailing socio-economic factors between now and November, he added cautiously.

The margin of error is 2. 4%.

 

Source: tv3network.com | Ghana

Korle-Bu Senior Staff Association President dismissed?

oo v
-
0
Korle-Bu Senior Staff Association President dismissed?

file photoSources at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have told TV3 that the President of the Senior Staff Association (KOSSA), Dr. Charles Offei Palm has been dismissed.

According to the sources, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr. Gilbert Buckle signed the dismissal letter and called a dispatch rider at 6pm on Wednesday, April 6 to deliver the letter to Dr. Offei Palm.

However, upon reaching the residence, the sources further indicated that the dispatch rider did not meet the President of KOSSA and therefore could not serve him.

TV3 gathered that the dismissal letter indicated that Dr. Charles Offei Palm failed to appear before a disciplinary committee investigating a case of misconduct against him.

Meanwhile, the President of KOSSA Charles Palm, who is a Specialist Pharmacist, told TV3 on Friday that he is yet to receive any dismissal letter.

He wondered why management of the country’s premier hospital would choose to serve a dismissal letter on an employee at home and in the evening.

“What kind of harassment is that?” he flared up.

Korle Bu

He was emphatic that he would be available for any dismissal letter, declaring “if management wants to sack me I am around”.

“So far as I am concerned I have not received any dismissal letter from management,” he stressed.

Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital interdicted Dr. Offei Palm over comments he made on an Accra-based FM station last week.

The hospital management said Dr Charles Offei-Palm’s pronouncements on Class FM on Thursday March 17, 2016 “constitute misrepresentation of facts and peddling of falsehood”.

The interdiction letter signed by Korle Bu’s Director of Human Resources, Samuel Akotuah Akweri, said the Specialist Pharmacist breached the hospital’s media policy.

“Pronouncements made during the said interview tarnished the image of the Hospital and also brought the name of the Hospital into disrepute,” he letter said in part.

Meanwhile, the President of KOSSA has filed a writ at the Human Rights Court praying the court to place interlocutory injunction on the actions of management against him.

TV3 has also learnt that the Korle-Bu Senior Staff Association is to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the 48 hour ultimatum to management to withdraw the interdiction letter served on its president, which elapsed on Thursday.

Members of the association had indicated that they would not allow the management to dictate to them on what to do.

When tv3network.com contacted the public relations department of the hospital, they would not want to comment on the raging issue between management and Dr. Offei Palm.

 

Source: tv3network.com | Ghana

Police mount search for unapproved customized numbers including VOTE NPP 16

oo v
-
0
Police mount search for unapproved customized numbers including VOTE NPP 16

file photoThe Motor Traffic Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has directed all police personnel to apprehend any vehicle with customized number plat which is more than six letters.

MTTD says under the laws of Ghana, customized numbers are allowed but the letters should not exceed six letters. This means any vehicle owner using customized number plate which is more than six letters did it on his own which goes contrary to the laws of Ghana.

The Director-General of MTTD, ACP Patrick Sarpong gave the directives on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa Friday following complaints from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) that some people are using unapproved number plates.

Some of these vehicles popped up in Kwahu during the Easter celebrations.

Two vehicles have so far been published as flouting the laws. A black Mercedes Benz has been spotted with “GT Ye Wo Krom 16 and a white Hyundai Accent with registration number VOTE NPP 16”.

ACP Sarpong explained that the DVLA has not given any authorization to these customized numbers, indicating that there is a search to arrest the two vehicles and other unauthorized ones.

He emphasised that one can use his or her name or company’s name for the registration but the letters should not exceed six letters.

Police personnel have therefore been ordered to look out for such unauthorized numbers.
Story by Kweku Antwi-Otoo/Onua FM

Kumasi Int. airport gets Aviation fuel storage facility

oo v
-
0
Kumasi Int. airport gets Aviation fuel storage facility

file photoThe Kumasi International Airport has received a major boost with the provision of aviation fuel storage facility.

This means domestic airlines which hitherto had to fuel from Sunyani, Tamale and Takoradi, can now refuel their aircrafts at the Kumasi Airport, the second major airport after the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The containerised fuel storage facility which is equipped with an airside bowser, was built and provided by Ghana Oil Company [GOIL], is expected to open up the Kumasi-Tamale route to more domestic airlines. Already, some airlines like the Africa World Airlines have begun to take advantage of the facility.

Aviation

“Kumasi is a strategic location for business and it is an opportunity for airlines to take advantage of this facility’, Alphonso Okai  Jnr,  Technical Services Manager of GOIL explained.

It is expected that the air link between the two cities will ease travel time and provide convenience to travellers who would have had to travel to Accra before emplaning for Tamale, the company said in a statement.

By tv3network.com|Ghana

Tigo clarifies position on staff maternity leave

oo v
-
0
Tigo clarifies position on staff maternity leave

file photoTigo Ghana has directed Reliance Personnel Service, one of its out-sourcing agencies, to pay all female staff on maternity leave their full salaries and ensure that they return to their jobs after their timeout.

Nursing mothers are also to be allowed shorter working days.

These were contained in a statement issued by Chief Executive Officer of Tigo Ghana Roshi Motman after a crunch meeting on Wednesday, April 6.

It follows reports that Reliance Personnel Service has told female staff to be contracted for the telecommunications firm not to expect maternity leave or payment for such as part of a new policy.

“The policy is unfair and does not meet the standards of our commitment to diversity and inclusion especially at a time when the world is calling for gender parity to bridge the gender gap,” Ms Motman stated.

“As a company that has deep respect for transparency, diversity and equal opportunities, we will not tolerate any breaches in respect to our Suppliers Code of Conduct and/or higher standards.”

The CEO said Tigo Ghana will conduct an in-depth audit of some of its vendors and suppliers including Reliance Personnel Service “to ensure strict adherence and compliance to all our Service Level Agreements and Code of Conduct, without exception”.

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana

Twitter: @kwame_amoh

‘Set Me Free’ will become a world cup theme song one day – Raquel

oo v
-
0
‘Set Me Free’ will become a world cup theme song one day – Raquel

file photoGhanaian songstress Raquel says she sees her song titled ‘Set Me Free’ being used as a World Cup theme song in the future.

‘Set Me Free’ is Raquel’s third single and was released in February 2012.

Raquel comes from a family of four siblings, she being the third born. Her Mother, Sister Dinah Asabea (Caterer, Teacher, and First Aider) raised all four children mostly alone and worked hard in giving them a good life. Raquel’s father Mark Ayitey Ammah (Farmer and Chef) spent more time traveling.

Speaking exclusively to tv3network.com the ‘Sweetio’ hitmaker stated that she always loved to combine real life activities with her music and therefore believes her song “Set Me Free” can go on to become a world cup theme song in the near future.

“I always like to combine whatever I am doing with my music and I actually have a song called Set Me Free

“When I wrote this song I actually had the vision of that song being used for the World Cup one day and if you listen to the song, it just about being Set Free and it just has that feel to it which takes you deep.

“I feel like it’s not always making music about love but you can always make music about sports.

“For me, my voice is my strength and I can use that in so many ways to push sports out there”.

By Nana Afrane Asante|tv3network.com|Ghana

Mahama chides WAEC; orders it to put house in order

oo v
-
0
Mahama chides WAEC; orders it to put house in order

file photoPresident John Dramani Mahama says he is disappointed in the West African Examination Council  (WAEC) following the latest leakage of some examination papers.

 

The president has therefore charged the sub regional examination body to put its house in order to prevent the recurring leakages.

About four papers including Oral English, Integrated Science ad Social Studies in the ongoing West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have been leaked. Even though WAEC has admitted to the leakage, it discounted the possibility of cancelling papers that have already been written.

Addressing a gathering at the University of Mines and Technology at Tarkwa in the Western Region as part of his Accounting to the People Tour, President Mahama pointed out government’s inability to interfere in the operational affairs of WAEC as an international independent body.

“But the government wishes to call on the West African Examination Council to put its house in order,” he said.

The president noted it is “most discouraging for students who have prepared assiduously for three solid years only to be confronted with incidences of examination leakages”.

He recalled last year’s leakage during the Basic Education Certificate Examination in which two persons are currently facing prosecution following investigations conducted by the Bureau of National Investigations.

President Mahama also made reference to internal investigations by WAEC which led to the dismissal of three officials of the organisation. The examination body, he said, promised to conduct reforms in its examinations preparation.

“We are therefore disappointed at news of a possible leakage in the secondary school certificate exams,” he said.

“We therefore urge WAEC to urgently work to plug all loopholes to protect the integrity of the examination and I have asked the BNI to work with WAEC and deal drastically with anybody found to be involved in this negative practice.”

More soon

 

Story by Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana

NPP will never win in Volta even if Nana Addo relocates to Volta Region – Gyapong

oo v
-
0
NPP will never win in Volta even if Nana Addo relocates to Volta Region – Gyapong

Nana Akuffo-AddoVolta Regional Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Kwadwo Gyapong, has maintained that there is nothing the opposition New Patriotic Party can do to change the voting pattern in the region.

Even if the NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo moves from Accra to resettle in the Volta Region from now till the elections, he would not make any impact, he assessed.

According to Mr. Gyapong, the NDC has done a lot for the people of Volta Region to justify why they will not vote for the opposition NPP. He equally doubted if the NDC would be voted for in the Ashanti Region, which is the stronghold of the NPP.

The Regional Chairman was reacting to comments by former President Kufuor that the NPP constructed the Ho Polytechnic and several major roads in the Region despite claims by President Mahama that the NPP did nothing for the Region.

He conceded on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa hosted by Kwame Karikari that “Kufour did some developmental projects in the Region but what the NDC has done for the region is more than the NPP”.

He however maintained, “we should stop the propaganda because the NPP can never win in Volta just as the NDC can never win in the Ashanti Region”.

Story by Kweku Antwi-Otoo | Onua FM

1...775776777...802Page 776 of 802
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv