233PrimeNews When You Need It

Ghana currently a capital-short country – Spio-Garbrah

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March 24, 2016

Ekow Spio-Gabrah

Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has bemoaned the inability of many crop growers to get prompt payment after delivery, blaming the situation on the country’s current economic condition.

He said the inability of government to meet statutory payments and constantly recording budget deficits, among other challenges, are as a result of shortage of needed capital.

“Ghana for all kinds of reason is a capital-short country,” Dr Spio-Garbrah mentioned on TV3’s New Day on Thursday, March 24.

“That is why we are in an IMF programme and we have budget deficits and constraints in our budget and all ministries, departments and agencies are enduring a 50 per cent budget cuts.”

He was hosted by Martin Asiedu-Dartey on the recent tango between his ministry and cashew growers after his imposition of a two-month ban on exports.

The move, according to him, was to get 11 of the 12 cashew processing plants back in operation.

But farmers as well as lawmakers asked him to lift the ban, a situation he expressed unhappiness about especially given his position as a cashew farmer himself.

“It is only up to them. If they want to export the cashew and deprive their own families in the same Brong Ahafo Region…then that’s fine.”

He promised going back to the drawing board and involving cabinet and parliament in a broad consultation to see to the re-introduction of the directive as he blamed the backlash on inadequate education and sensitisation.

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|tv3network.com|Ghana

Twitter: @kwame_amoh

Employment is best measure of living standards— Haruna Iddrisu

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March 24, 2016

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Employment is best measure of living standards— Haruna Iddrisu

The Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Mr Haruna Idrrisu, has called for a marked paradigm shift from the use of “traditional classical economics in measuring standard of living based on per capita income” to the use of employment.

He advocated the need to focus on employment since “that is by far a better measure of living standards of a people”.

Sharing some thoughts on the subject in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra on Tuesday, he said employment focused on individual persons and their sustenance and therefore, “employment and job creation must be used at all times as a measure of how we are contributing to improving living standards in the country”.

Measurement debate

Generally, the standard of living measures people’s material welfare. For instance, according to Helen Clarke of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), equity, dignity, happiness, sustainability are all fundamental “to our lives but absent in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Progress needs to be defined and measured in a way which accounts for the broader picture of human development and its context,” she said.

Other economists have held the view that the baseline measure is real national output per head of population or real GDP per capita.

Meanwhile, just like Mr Iddrisu indicated, real income per capita is an inaccurate and insufficient indicator of living standards.

For many economists, there is a growing disconnect between GDP and well-being. As a result, some others argue that national income data can be used to make cross-country comparisons, adding that this requires converting GDP data into a common currency; making an adjustment to reflect differences in the cost of products in each country to produce data expressed as purchasing power parity standard; and the purchasing power parity (PPP) dollar takes into account the fact that it is cheaper to live in some countries than others.

Problems using national income statistics

A website on economic matters, tutor2U, indicates that official data on GDP understates the growth of real national income per capita over time due to the shadow economy and the value of unpaid work by volunteers and people caring for their family.

It said the “shadow economy” includes illegal activities such as drug production and distribution, prostitution, theft, fraud and concealed legal activities such as tax evasion on otherwise-legitimate business activities such as un-reported self-employment income.

It noted that often, official GDP data is inaccurate. For instance, it said many “countries in sub-Saharan Africa do not update their reporting often enough, and so their GDP numbers may miss large and fast-growing sectors, like cell phones.”

In 2014 according to the website, Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa (overtaking South Africa) after a fundamental reassessment of their GDP calculation, adding that “GDP data may become a target for political manipulation.”

Casual worker phenomenon

Subsequently, Mr Iddrisu announced a review of the casual worker phenomenon in Ghana.

According to him “many a Ghanaian worker had their rights abused and their entitlements denied on matters relating to health, safety and occupational environment not up to standards to support decent and productive work”.

He also expressed regret that the country was behind labour market information systems and the lack of a dedicated manpower needs of the country.

Mr Iddrisu said to address the problem regarding casual workers in the country, the ministry would soon compel all private employers to leave their staff employment data with the Labour Department, declaring the status of the casual worker.

“We will be interested in knowing when they were employed; their level of compensation – whether it meets the daily minimum wage requirements; their working environment and conditions and for how long they have been employed as casual workers.

Mr Iddrisu said “Defaulting companies will be sanctioned accordingly”.

Source: Daily Graphic

GNPA finalises US$67m deal to stabilise sugar prices

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March 24, 2016

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GNPA finalises US$67m deal to stabilise sugar prices

The GNPA Limited, formerly Ghana National Procurement Authority, has entered into a strategic alliance with an indigenous company to import 12,500 tonnes of sugar every month to help tame prices of the commodity in the local market.

A tonne of the commodity is estimated at US$450, bringing to US$67 million the annual value of the agreement between the supplier and the GNPA.

The imports are to be done under the free zone initiative, the Managing Director of GNPA, Mr Douglas Y. Kumasi, told the Daily Graphic.

Although a bulk of the sugar would be consumed in the country, Mr Kumasi said part of it was to be retailed in neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

“We expect it to help drive down prices of sugar or at least stabilise the prices. We also expect the small foreign exchange we will generate from the sale in neighbouring countries to help our finances and the country in general,” he said in an interview.

Sugar prices

The MD declined to disclose the name of the private company involved, citing contractual clauses, but said the sugar would be sourced from Brazil.

“It should have even started in January but the company had some issues with the supplier. They are sorting them out and we understand it will be finalised soon for the first consignment to come before March ending,” he added.

Global price of sugar, which is a household and commercial commodity in the country, fell by 10 per cent in 2015 but is now estimated to rise by some 15 per cent this year as a result of a supply deficit.

The deficit is estimated at 1.4 million tonnes and has been blamed on expected poor harvests of sugar cane, the raw material, in major producing countries, including Brazil and India.

An increase in sugar prices in the country could impact negatively on most consumables, resulting in an uptick in inflation.

Thinking outside the box

The alliance between the GNPA and the private importer is one of the initiatives to help revive the company, which was established in 1976 as a strategic importer of essential commodities to help stabilise prices of those consumables in the local market.

After becoming a household name in the commodity import and retail business in the country in the 1990s, the GNPA’s fortunes nosedived, following a restructuring that cut off its source of funding in the early part of 2000.

The result was the accumulation of debt, which took a toll on the company’s finances and operations.

Although it has successfully cleared those debts, years of underfunding from the state has weakened its balance sheet, forcing GNPA to downsize and lay off some staff in the recent past.

To be able to remain relevant, the MD said the company had to do things differently.

“We are now trying to think outside the box because if you do not have a strong balance sheet, what do you do?” he asked.

“That is why we came out with this idea of strategic alliance, whereby private companies can bring their finances and we also come on board with our marketing expertise and credibility to still stay in business,” he said.

The imported sugar is expected to augment produce from the Komenda Sugar Factory, which is expected to produce 125 tonnes of the product when it starts production.

Sugar imports currently cost the country over US$300 million annually, an amount that could be saved if sugar cane production was encouraged to help feed local processors.

Source: Daily Graphic

Mobile data penetration soars in Africa

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March 24, 2016

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Mobile Phone

Subscribers of mobile telephony across the world reached 7.4 billion in November last year, a five per cent increase over the 7.1 billion recorded in 2014. The figure included 87 million new subscribers.

Smartphone subscriptions were particularly impressive in 2015 as the 10 per cent growth over the 2.6 billion subscribers in 2014 gave credence to projections that the world is moving into an area where data and broadband will shape everything.

The smartphone subscriptions are projected to rise to 6.4 billion in 2021, from the 3.4 billion recorded in November 2015. These subscriptions are already driving mobile broadband adoption, which increased from 2.9 billion subscribers to 3.6 billion within the period under review.

According to the Mobility Report, a survey conducted each year by telecom technology provider Ericsson, smartphone subscriptions will increase by a cumulative average growth rate of 50 per cent and a 35 per cent CAGR in tablets as well as other smart devices.

This will underlie the exponential increase in data use that the world will see by 2021 in the next five years. According to the report, data use will also rise, for smartphones by a cumulative 35 per cent average growth rate to 8.5 gigabytes per smartphone, and that of tablets will rise by 25 per cent to 9.7GB per month.

In all, data use by all mobile devices will increase by 45 per cent CAGR by 2021.

By the close of this year, Mobility Report projects the number of smartphone subscriptions will surpass those for basic phones. Smartphones make up the majority of mobile broadband devices today and subscriptions are expected to almost double by 2021.

As part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 139-member countries of the United Nations agreed on a universal access to the Internet which is affordable and open, especially for closing the gap in least developed countries.

This is due to greater affordability in developing markets such as Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. It is projected that 85 per cent of all subscriptions will be for mobile broadband by the end of 2021.

Mobile broadband subscriptions will reach 7.7 billion globally by 2021. They account for an overwhelming share of all broadband subscriptions. Mobile broadband will complement fixed broadband in some segments and will be the dominant mode of access in others.

Sub-Saharan Africans

With a population of 830 million, about 80 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) were expected to own mobile phones by the close of last year. This is a marked improvement over the 50 per cent penetration five years ago.

The Ericsson Mobility Report estimates that by 2021, mobile subscription penetration in SSA could reach 100 per cent in the region. General mobile subscriptions in the region stood at 690 million at the end of November 2015, but this is expected to rise to 1.02 billion by 2021.

Ghana and South Africa have already gone past the 100 per cent subscription mark. Ghana’s mobile subscriptions currently stand at 125.6 per cent as of November 2015, according to the National Communications Authority (NCA). The NCA gives the mobile data penetration rate as 65.74 for the month of December 2015.

Smartphones define future

Smartphone subscriptions, which stood at 170 million in November 2015, will rise at an average cumulative growth rate of 25 per cent to reach 690 million by 2021.

Similarly, data traffic per active smartphone, which stands at 0.8 gigabytes per month, is projected to hit 4GB per month by 2021, an average cumulate growth rate of 30 per cent.

These developments are powered by rising urbanisation levels in the region, as well as growing investment in rural network coverage by mobile operators will drive this growth. MTN Ghana, for instance has earmarked US$163.5 million to expand infrastructure and improve network quality. The capital expand includes US$18 million for expansion to rural areas.

Also, the region has been experiencing strong economic growth, driven by improved political stability, a global commodity boom and greater regional integration. The World Bank has projected economic growth in the region to average 4.4 per cent until 2018.

Capitalising on the continent’s large unconnected population, operators are aggressively pursuing growth in mobile broadband. Their effort is supported by the proliferation of lower cost devices and evolving regulatory policies.

In addition to this, service providers have increased their focus on extending offerings around increasing mobile financial inclusion and media delivery. Growing smartphone ownership and a lack of fixed broadband availability has resulted in mobile broadband being the most common way to connect to the Internet. Eighty-three per cent of Nigerian mobile phone subscribers rely solely on this channel.

3G and 4G coverage

In 2014, population coverage of WCMDA/HSPA networks in Sub-Saharan Africa was just above 25 per cent, compared to global population coverage of around 65 per cent, the report notes. However, “in 2021, WCDMA/HSPA coverage is expected to triple to approximately 75 per cent, while long-term evolution (LTE) will cover around half of the population,” the Ericsson report stated.

Coverage of GSM networks – which enable the provision of basic mobile telephony services such as voice, SMS and low-speed data – is high at around 70 per cent. The implication is that even with a lack of access to mobile broadband, the population is still able to access a variety of services, a major example being SIM-based mobile financial services.

Outlook – 5G LTE Evolve

As the cellular telecommunication industry deploys fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology which provides faster broadband access, technology developers are already talking about the fifth generation modules which would allow every item to be connected to the Internet. The emerging terminology is therefore known as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Ericsson, which has been behind telecommunication technology provisions across the world, expects 5G subscription uptake to be faster than for 4G.

“5G consists of a new radio access (NX), an evolved LTE access and an enhanced core network. It offers a wider range of services and will open up new industries and verticals,” the report stated.

5G networks, based on standards that will meet ITU IMT-2020 requirements, are expected to be deployed commercially in 2020. Pre-standard, pre-commercial networks are expected to be launched earlier in selected markets.

5G subscriptions will provide enhancements in mobile broadband services, as well as enable a wider range of use cases, e.g. for the Internet of Things (IoT).

In 2021, South Korea, Japan, China and the US are expected to have the fastest uptake of 5G subscriptions.

Source: Daily Graphic

UNIDO trains forestry scientists in internal auditing

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March 24, 2016

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UNIDO

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as part of equipping testing laboratories in Ghana to conduct quality testing of products under its Trade Capacity Building (TCB) program has organised a four-day internal auditing training workshop for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) in Kumasi.

The four-day workshop is part of an ongoing preparation for the staff of CSIR-FORIG wood and furniture testing laboratory in Kumasi towards their accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025.

National Project Coordinator of the UNIDO programme for Ghana Victor Mills revealed that the training is one of series planned to be conducted by UNIDO for all relevant agencies and institutions involved in exports of Ghanaian goods.

Head of the FORIG Testing Centre (FTC) Dr. Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi said the UNIDO internal audit training has been intensive compared to other training the team have had over the years.

He said: “It has enlightened the team a lot. It has helped the team members to understand the concepts, documentation, and the procedures towards accreditation of the laboratories.”

A Senior Research Scientist of FORIG and a participant of the workshop, Dr. Emmanuel Ebanyenle, also said the training will help conduct regular internal auditing at the FTC.

Dr Ebanyenle noted also that it will help improve on the quality management handbook and position FORIG to hold an ISO certificate.

“It has opened our eyes to the standard management, technical and auditing functions of the FORIG Testing centre. Our trainer has been resourceful. We have had theoretical, interactive and practical training,” he said.

A participant from the Forest Product Division of FORIG, Sarah Pentsil, commenting on the training said the workshop took into consideration other relevant aspects that will help create a multi-disciplinary team at FORIG.

“This training will help promote effective monitoring of daily activities of the lab,” she noted.

UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) is implementing the Trade Capacity Building Programme for Ghana, funded by the Swiss Government.

The programme for Ghana aims at ensuring that products are adequately tested according to international standards and conformity assessment requirements before they enter global markets.

The UNIDO – TCB Programme Ghana seeks to build expert capacity for the implementation of management systems standards and other relevant standards for fruit, wood, cocoa and fish value chains.

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Expedite steps to get EU ban on vegetables lifted – farmers

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March 24, 2016

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Farmer

Ghanaian vegetable farmers have asked government to step up its efforts at getting the European Union to lift the ban on exports of selected vegetables from the country.

The farmers say they are losing substantial revenue as a result of the ban because the sale of vegetables at the local market has not been fetching them enough revenue as compared to what they would have earned through export to the EU.

But speaking at the launch of the 2016 Vegetable Business Opportunities Report (VBOR) in Accra Wednesday, the sector Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru assured the government was addressing their concerns.

The 2016 Vegetable Business Opportunities Report (VBOR) prepared by the GhanaVeg, is an initiative of the Netherlands Embassy in line with efforts towards prioritizing commercial agriculture.

The Food and Agriculture Minister said a multi stakeholder committee set up by government to lead the process of getting the EU ban lifted is making progress.

He said adopting safe, sound and responsible practices in the cultivation of vegetables will guarantee the sustainability of the vegetable value chain which includes farmers, transporters and distributors.

“It was our inability to handle the basis of safe vegetable farming that resulted the ban on exports of selected vegetable to the EU since September last year,” the minister said.

“We have lost much needed foreign exchange, income for farmers and employment creation avenues for Ghanaians especially the youth,” he added.
Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru said the Ministry collaborated with Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) to establish the green label that provides certification for agricultural produce such as vegetable to reaffirm its safety for consumption.

He said government was also exploring the use of greenhouses to cultivate vegetable production to ensure that farming practices were undertaken under safe conditions and reassure vegetable consumers that the country’s vegetables are safer and healthier.

In an interview with Onua FM, Deputy Programmes Leader of GhanaVeg, Sheila Assibey-Yeboah said the 2016 VBOR highlighted key issues that would help invigorate the sector.

She said the report also identified the inadequate number of extension office for the falling standards of sanitary operations of vegetables farmers in the country.

The vegetable business report accused the excessive import of vegetable produce as the cause behind the falling output of Ghanaian vegetable farmers.
According to the report, the domestic vegetable sector is struggling to survive since imported vegetables cost lower than the country’s high cost organically produced vegetable.

As a result, the report said, most Ghanaian vegetable consumers prefer the cheaper imported vegetables as compared to the locally grown ones.

By Nii Okai Tetteh|Onua 95.1FM|Ghana

Pope more popular than world leaders – poll

World

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March 24, 2016

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Pope Francis — Francis has enjoyed enormous goodwill since his papacy began

The poll by WIN/Gallup International indicates that Roman Catholics and Jews have the most favourable opinion of the Pope.

More than half of the world’s protestants and even the majority of atheists and agnostics view him favourably.

About 1,000 people were questioned in 64 countries.

BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that, three years into his papacy, Francis has enjoyed enormous goodwill and won the hearts and minds not just of Roman Catholics but also of people from other religions and the non-religious.

Those taking part in the poll were asked: “Irrespective of your own religion, do you have a very favourable, somewhat favourable, somewhat unfavourable or very unfavourable opinion of Pope Francis?”

The Pope was most popular with Roman Catholics, of whom 85% said they had a favourable opinion of him, and among Jews questioned the figure was 65%.

Among the 64 countries polled, Portugal and the Philippines were most enthusiastic, with 94% and 93% thinking favourably of the Pope respectively.

‘Transcends his religion’

Pope Francis’s lowest ratings came in Tunisia, Turkey and Algeria, while most people in Azerbaijan said they did not know much about him.

WIN/Gallup said that the Pope heads the rankings when compared to the global popularity of political world leaders.

It gave him a net score – the difference between favourable and unfavourable opinions – of +41 ahead of US President Barack Obama on +30; German Chancellor Angela Merkel on +13; UK Prime Minister David Cameron on +10 and French President Francois Hollande on +6.

WIN/Gallup International President Jean-Marc Leger said: “Pope Francis is a leader who transcends his own religion. Our study shows that an ample majority of citizens of the world, of different religious affiliations and across regions, have a favourable image of the Pope.”

Source: BBC

One robber shot dead in a daylight robbery

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March 23, 2016

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ROBBERY

One of four armed robbers who attacked a forex bureau at Kaneshie in Accra Friday afternoon has been shot dead. The three others are being hunted for by the police.

One other person, who attempted to stop the four armed robbers from escaping was also shot in the mouth by the robbers. He has since been rushed to a hospital for medical attention but it’s not clear whether he would survive.

Eyewitnesses told TV3 Online that the four robbers jumped on a motorbike to escape and on reaching the Shell fuel station, scaled a wall into the premises of the Royal House Chapel near the Obestebi Roundabout where they shot a security man in the mouth.

A police officer who was on duty at an insurance company near the place moved in and shot one of the robbers dead as they tried to scale the wall.

By tv3network.com|Ghana

Gyan to miss Ghana – Mozambique

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March 23, 2016

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Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan is unlikely to play a part in Ghana’s 2017 Nations Cup qualifying against Mozambique because of a thigh strain.

The striker could not complete Wednesday morning’s training session and now sources within the team have confirmed to TV3 Sports that is highly unlikely that he will play.

Gyan has struggled with injuries this season but claimed on arrival in Ghana for the double header “I wasn’t fit at all due to those injuries so it was quite frustrating but right now am back. I think I am back and I feel good in my body.”

Ghana coach Avram Grant had also claimed he had no doubts about Gyan’s fitness because he had played in his club’s last two games. Now he might have to find a replacement but with Majeed Warris in good goal scoring form and Ebenezer Assifuah working hard, Gyan’s likely absence might not hit Ghana as hard

By TV3 Sports|Ghana

Thirty-eight foreigners naturalised as Ghanaians

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March 23, 2016

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Naturalised

A total of 38 foreigners from various countries have naturalised as Ghanaians effective Wednesday.

The 38, who are from Britain, Lebanon, the United States, Spain and other African countries, were each issued with a certificate of naturalisation by the Accra High Court on Wednesday.

This was after they had taken the oath of allegiance to Ghana at the High Court, having satisfied all the legal requirements. This means they have now truly become full Ghanaians.

They can now apply for a Ghanaian passport and register to become a voter to be able to vote in all elections in the country, Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga told TV3 Online.

“What we usually look out for is that, and of course, that is the requirement of the law; you should be able to demonstrate that you are somebody who is capable of contributing your quota to the development of Ghana,” he said.

He said authorities also investigated the background of all the people to ensure they had no criminal record, adding they also considered the extent to which they have all assimilated into the Ghanaian culture.

“What it means is that if you take the oath of allegiance you truly become Ghanaian. The essence of taking that oath simply means that from now onwards they’re Ghanaians and are prepared to act as such and defend the territorial integrity of Ghana, to preserved and to protect our constitution,” Mr. Agalga said

By Lydia Ezit|tv3network.com|Ghana

Humility and tolerance won Kufuor the 2000 elections

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March 23, 2016

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The leadership qualities of the twice defeated NPP flag bearer has once again come under scrutiny. This time it is no less a person than NPP stalwart and former press secretary to the former president Kufuor – Andrew Awuni.

According to Mr Awuni, Nana Addo’s leadership posture is to blame for the dilapidated and sad state in which the NPP finds itself at the moment for which he’s concerned about.

According to Mr Awuni, politics is about learning to work with people even if you disagree with them and their modus operandi; those qualities in his view Nana Addo lacks.

“Go and find out, Kufuor will go down on his knees and beg you to help him win the elections if needs be”. He knew not everybody in the NPP wished him well but he was able to work with everyone to achieve the ultimate. An obviously livid Awuni reminded the leadership of the party that politics was about numbers and hence the need to bring all and sundry together to work for the common goal of the party. Awuni’s concerns come on the heels of similar ones expressed by a cross section of Ghanaians following Nana Addo’s ‘True State of the Nation Address.’

In his typical fashion of leadership which has seen the opposition NPP in its worst form since he took over the leadership mantle of the party, Nana Addo sought to lampoon all the laudable achievements of President John Mahama in a derogatory and disrespectful manner.
Nana Addo in his so called state of the nation address described the sitting President John Dramani Mahama as engaging in theatrics when delivering the state of the nation address on Thursday.

The third time president seeking septuagenarian said that instead of the president telling Ghanaians about the true state of the nation he was rather involved in theatrics and PR Gimmicks.

The attitude, according to analysts and political watchers, smacks of a level of intolerance and arrogance on his part and that doesn’t bode well for a man wanting to lead the country.

For Nana Addo to say that “running a country is not a public relations activity and that it is serious business” is in bad taste particularly when Nana Addo has never been president before and knows nothing about what it takes to become president.

Political pundits believe the earlier the twice defeated candidate respects the president, the better especially when he’s seeking to assume the same office he’s seeking to denigrate. “What did Nana Addo achieve when he was Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” they asked. “Didn’t he end up wrongly stating in a writ that it is the President Vs. Tsatsu Tsikata instead of the Republic Vs. Tsatsu Tsikata?”

Key party members of the NPP who have spoken on condition of anonymity have condemned the twice defeated NPP flagbearer for his show of intolerance and arrogance, adding that it is this same posturing that has destroyed the NPP and left it in this state. It is their belief that Nana Addo is envious of John Mahama’s brilliant and unmatched communications skills which many believe has brought him this far as a politician.

Nana Addo’s character has made leading members of the NPP, both home and abroad, now convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Nana Akufo-Addo has destroyed the party and its chances in 2016, and have therefore decided to rally around the suspended Mr. Paul Afoko to restore hope and position the party to form the next government after John Mahama. Top guns within the party like former Health Minister Dr. Richard Anane, former chief of staff Kwadwo Mpiani and Sammy Crabbe a second Vice chairperson of the party have all thrown their weight behind Afoko.

Afoko is now referred to as “the Messiah,” by some founding members, members of the council of elders and national, regional and constituency executives and influential Members of Parliament, regrettably, including the slain Akuakwa North legislator.

Source: Dan Acheampong

Three SA arrested for training NPP Boys, Bogus and Mockery!

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March 23, 2016

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ex SA police officers

NDC is on it again, Masters of mischief and unguided twisters of facts for cheap political gains. The BNI is again resurrected to champion their games for their paymasters just as it happened in the year 2000 when they arrested some Italians accused of sponsoring NPP.

The stomach-motivatiled media houses (the rented paid NDC media houses and radio hosts) are up again for what they are known best for – diverting public attention from the economic hardship meted out to Ghanaians by the incompetent government.

1. The Three SA ex-policemen

These three are retired servicemen in South Africa without any hint of criminal or wrongdoing whiles in and after their service. They are neither terrorists nor criminals. They served their country without shedding blood. They have never been arrested or charged with any criminal activity. So what is their crime of being in Ghana? The BNI should be more concern about killings by the Fulani herdsmen. BNI should be more worried about the Gitmo-Two known terrorists and other undisclosed seventeen(17) Syrian war fighters secretly brought into the country by the NDC. Where are these known terrorists? Are they on their job of training NDC party soldiers?

2. The Training

Is it a crime to train people in an election year for defending and protecting? Or it is now a crime for a foreigner to train people in a registered security company. Which law is that? The said training was done under a licensed or accredited security agency, Delta Security in Agona Duakwa. The hotel being used for the training has a much known facilities for the training of members of National Association of Private security Companies. It has normal classroom for its programs such as the training. It runs usually in-service training for many private security groups.

If BNI wants to be trusted and respected as they wished, they should have arrested the then NDC national organizer, Yaw Boateng Gyan for recruiting and training his party foot soldiers as national security men, issuing to them Ghana Police uniforms and guns, pepper spray, etc. giving them national security ID cards to foment and cause harm on their political opponents. They should be more interested in arresting Kofi Adams, Fifi Kwetey, Harry Zakour, Joe Mentle Nunoo, chief Azorka and co for organizing and training people from Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso in the same security matters.

So it is their wish for the NPP to sit aloof, fold their arms and watch whilst:

1. Our MPs are being murdered by “coached madmen”?

2. When our national Headquarters are being raided by ex-soldiers who are walking free today?

3. When our men are being attacked by faceless beings even on radio?

4. When NDC cutlasses are being sharpened and ready to kill us?

5. When they are planning how to poison NPP bigwigs?

6. When their national chairman, Kofi Purtophy is holding 38 pump action gun in his car going through Talensi mobilizing thugs?

7. When police attack innocent demonstrators?

8. When contract and political killings are on the rise?

9. When chiefs are being murdered without arrest?

10. When NDC foot soldiers are being trained how to shoot and kill?

3. Comprehensive Report on STL

and so what? Is STL company a no go area or STL is now a national security outfit? Is STL, a foreign company now hosting national security details? What is their fear if they are not into dubious and questionable operations with the electoral commission?

We are NOT going into 2016 with this cheap type of arrest.

By Chris Arthur

President

Students Network for Nana Addo (STUNNAD)

Jon Benjamin swoops in to stifile ‘anti-Mahama’ bad press

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March 23, 2016

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Jon Benjamin

“The way the issue has been reported is a bit exaggerated and overstated. The gay issue came up but I can’t give you details, it was one of many issues that was discussed. President Mahama spoke in a large reception room which was full. From what I saw, everyone applauded President. I think we are spending much time on what was a non-issue at all,” he told Starr FM’s Morning Show Host, Nii Arday Clegg.

He probably was surprised at social media posts which went viral on Thursday night alleging that Scottish MPs had disgraced the Ghanaian President by boycotting his visit. It triggered sharp ridiculous responses accompanied by a picture of the President, his wife Lordina, Foreign Affairs Minister, Hannah Tetteh, Ambassador Victor Smith and few others among Ghana’s delegation.

I was particularly intrigued by the reactions as I read what people had posted on their face book pages and on other social media platforms. It was obvious a section of the public were just interested in taking advantage to embarrass the President by spreading falsehood while others sought to neutralize it.

Mahama sad

Ato Kwamena Dadzie, a News Editor at Accra-based Joy FM posted this message, “I love this picture. And to think that he was so excited to be going to Scotland for ‘international recognition’ and that useless doctorate degree. I bet he can’t wait to rush back home”

Senyo Hosi, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors shared this, “I am not anti LGBT nor pro LGBT. I am a firm believer in equal and fair rights for all. I do not recall when an LGBT was last jailed for his or her sexual preference”

Aspiring MP for Tamale North, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini wrote, “It is only wizardry or witchcraft that will make one ridicule OUR PRESIDENT because some foreigners disrespected him for OUR COLLECTIVE stand against Gay Rights. I expect outrage. How dare them!!!”

And this was what Manasseh Azure AWUNI also of Multi Media splashed on his wall. ‘As we are angry at how our most important personality was treated outside, we should also learn from what has happened. The Gurune (Frafras) say if you drag your fat goat to Bolga market and price it cheaply, the buyers will act on the price tag of your goat and not its size”.

Comments that followed each of the comments was influenced by personal interests. On some platforms, the discussion was reduced to insults and it exposed how shallow minded we seem to be as a people.

I reflected on Manasseh’s post and juxtaposed that with the 59th Independence Day ‘Brochuregate’ and it was obvious we [Ghanaians] are fast losing our sense of pride, the need to protect our image as a people and Ghana as a sovereign state.

It first started as a brief story posted on the BBC world service website captioned, ‘Holyrood applause for Ghanaian President, John Mahama’, The report suggested Ghana’s President, was received ‘polite applause by MSPs despite controversy over our country’s human rights record’. It mentioned gay rights, violence and child abuse as key issues raised by Independent MSP John Finnie who claimed that President Mahama had given his “full support” to “discriminatory laws and relentless persecution” of LGBT people in Ghana.

And that the Scottish Human Rights Commission said it expected the Scottish government and parliament to “show leadership protecting and promoting international human rights standards.”

First of all, none of the issues raised reflects Ghana. There is no official sanction of a deliberate effort to persecute gays and lesbians. Majority have spoken against attempts by some Western nations and activists to push Ghana to accept them.
Even Queen Elizabeth II has openly said “Marriage should be for Man and woman only” and has declined to approve same sex marriage, so what is our beef?

Why can’t we as a nation protest about such incidents? Why are some happy it happened? Was it hatred for John Mahama and the First Family? Those who sought to push a propaganda on social media may not understand the implication because no matter what, even if it was to score cheap political points, it exposed how parochial minded they were. The ‘Put Ghana First’ mantra was completely swallowed by politics, hatred, wish for failure and ignorance.

But I strongly believe President John Mahama is not the first to have encountered such protests on international trips.

World leaders like George Bush, Vladmir Putin and Tony Blair just to name a few have faced much more bigger ones elsewhere.

Manasseh Azure wrote again that “the president going to Scotland completely unaware that he could face such ’embarrassment’ is yet another sign that he needs more than an honorary doctorate degree. A little homework would have alerted everyone in this picture that this trip was not worth it. But having allowed some other world leaders of little consequence to address our parliament, I guess ‪#‎IncompetentMahama felt he deserved some pay back”.

Sad again. Because his colleague earlier used the word ‘useless’ to describe this honorary degree. But since when did people conclude such honorary degrees are useless? I saw a reply by Eric Ahianyo a former News Editor of Metro TV asking him ‘when such awards were instituted’ and who the ‘past recipients were’.

At least in Ghana I remember all former Presidents and their wives, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, prominent Church leaders like Mensa Otabil, business tycoons, and the list goes on.

The trend of events gives me a strong feeling the incident, the initial reportage and how others tried to skew matters on social media was an agenda. To take away the purpose of the visit and what President Mahama said.

It probably was another attempt to embarrass the Presidency after the Independence Day brochure fiasco.

But it failed. British High Commissioner, Jon Benjamin stopped them. Kudos Jon and all the well-meaning Ghanaians who tried to resist it.

But the Scotland incident is not peculiar. I have witnessed protests organized by Ghanaians in New York, Germany and few other countries President Mahama has recently visited. Those may be politically motivated but has anyone thought about the wrong signal it sends to the international community about Ghana?

I seize this opportunity to challenge each and every one of us to see Ghana first and remember when we sink our reputation, we shall struggle together to build it. Britons would never have forgiven Ghana if this had happened to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, neither will Germans, Americans, the Chinese or citizens of countries within our sub region.

Today I give thumbs up to Lawyer Ace Ankomah. He shared this message, “I feel offended at what some Scottish MPs did or sought to do yesterday. Some TV footage is making rounds on social media. That behavior was cheap, low, crass and not right. The President did not pass the laws on homosexuality. He has no power to repeal them. That power is for parliament. And for the information of these dummies, those laws were first written in official statues here by the UK, the country to which they, the Scots, technically and happily remain a colony”.

I rest my case. Let’s respect the Presidency, protect Ghana’s image and be proud of what we cherish. God bless our homeland Ghana!

Source: Dan Acheampong

Terror alert: NPP must come again!

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March 23, 2016

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Invisible Force

The arrest of three South African nationals brought in secretly by the NPP to train personnel purportedly to guard the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and his Vice is sending shivers down the spines of Ghanaians.

Security experts say this must be thoroughly investigated and dealt with swiftly. The NPP has attempted to rubbish serious concerns raised insisting the men being trained are going to be engaged in crowd control as the popularity of Nana Akufo Addo grows.

One of NPP’s deputy Director of Communications, Perry Okudzeto told Accra-based Joy FM the party doesn’t need clearance from government or the Interior Ministry to be specific to bring the SA African suspects currently in the custody of national security into the country.

The three Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis (retd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwayhe, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45 — were picked up at the EL-Capitano Hotel. They had been training about 12 Ghanaians in security drills, including unarmed combat, weapon handling, VIP protection techniques and rapid response manoeuvres. The activity was taking place at Agona Dunkwaw far away from the national capital. The facility in which they were lodging belongs to a registered private security firm, Delta Force.

Besides, the following were found in Hazis’ possession. A comprehensive report on the operations of Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) and most alarming, a detailed profile of all the workers of STL, both past and present, and identified key staff members, assessing their strengths and vulnerabilities.

Remember the STL is the company engaged by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the transmission of collated results to the EC during the 2012 general election.

There is nothing wrong for the NPP to engage private security men to protect their leaders. But why will they be training them in the bush, faraway Agona Dunkwaw. The party argues the men are being trained for crowd control as Nana Addo’s popularity increases.

Nana Akufo Addo’s campaign strategy is an open secret. He hasn’t been active on the ground and the Police Service has offered him adequate security wherever he has been so far, the Thank You Tour, the Rise and Build Tour etc.

No incidence of violence, or difficulty in controlling crowds have been raised. Has the NPP lost confidence in the Police Service, has it made it public or formally lodged complaint?

The suspects reportedly entered the country as businessmen. Good, but do they have working permit, who issued them the visas? Delta Force which is fronting for the NPP must answer the following questions….How does it train its recruits? Are the VVIP escorts trained separately, why Agona Dunkwaw, Why were the national security operatives denied easy access to the suspects? Is the company hiding anything?

More so they had in their possession profiles of staff of STL. The same company NPP alleged in 2012 helped the NDC to ‘steal’ the elections. Why STL documents? Why were they digging the vulnerability of staff? How did they get those documents? Aren’t those profiled at risk in this era of terrorist attacks and hit men hired to eliminate people?

Security expert and lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center, Dr Nicholas Okine is cautioning the state security to be on high alert. He told Accra-based Joy FM such militia groups easily transform into rebel groups.

“If you are a soldier for that matter, you can just come to Ghana and say you have come to train people. That request should come formally from the Interior Ministry. After training them in weapon handling and so on where are they going to get the weapons from, and under what command or control structure are they going to operate?” he asked.

He told Joy News Francis Abban there are people out there planning to foment trouble and the state must be worried. Dr Okine was blunt in condemning the activity warning of grave consequences if security agencies are not extra alert.

The development has put NPP again on the spotlight because of pronouncements threatening mayhem by its activist. MP for Assin, Kennedy Agyapong, National Organizer, John Boadu have gone public asking party supporters not to trust the election security taskforce and attack people on the day of voting. Yaw Buabeng Asamoah, aspiring MP for Adenta told Accra based OKAY FM on Tuesday NPP won’t take calls for peace in 2016 for granted. Other party communicators and affiliate pressure groups have subtly been inciting the public of mayhem if the EC does not act on their demands.

Has anyone thought about how Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and other militias within the sub region sprang up?
Source: Dan Acheampong

Ghanaians in Finland applauded for being law abiding

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March 23, 2016

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Finland

Ghanaians in Finland have been applauded by their host nation for been generally law abiding.

The commendation was relayed to Ghanaians resident there by Mrs. Edith Hazel, Ghana’s Ambassador to Denmark at a belated 59th anniversary of Ghana’s independence held in Helsinki.

Mrs. Edith who has a concurrent accreditation as ambassador to Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Norway further encouraged her compatriots to keep the good attitude that has earned them admiration from the Finnish society.

” I would like you to (continue to) live at peace with your host government,” she advised them.

She further urged the Ghanaian community not to hesitate to offer suggestions and constructive criticisms that would enable her outfit to enhance the delivery of necessary services for their benefit.

She said her office is committed to the objective of ensuring an improved relationship between the government of Ghana and Finland in the area of economics and informational collaboration.

She therefore appealed to Ghanaians to consider the investment opportunities presented through the emerging collaboration.

Ambassador Edith however stressed on the need for Ghanaians to endeavor to remain tolerant on political issues without resorting to insults over issues they disagree on.

She urged her compatriots to learn the best practices of the Finnish society and share them with family and friends back home to enhance Ghana’s development.

The anniversary which was organized by Ghana Union Finland, an association open to all Ghanaians living in Finland was also used to showcase the rich Ghanaian culture which included traditional dances and poetry recitals as well as orienting the younger generation to their heritage.

The president of the Ghana union, Mr. Mensah Abrampah commended the Ambassador for her effort in uniting Ghanaians in the Scandinavian region.

The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Ansah Bonsu and was attended by dignitaries including the Honorary Consul of Ghana in Finland Ms. Ulla Alanko who also commended the Ghanaian community and encouraged them to continue as good ambassadors of Ghana.
Source: Emmanuel Adjei | Helsinki-Finland