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Medeama SC qualify to next stage of Caf Confed Cup

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SportsMedeama SC on Sunday booked a place in the next round of qualifiers for the Caf Confederation Cup at the expense Al Ittihad Tripoli of Libya.

Ghana’s FA Cup champions qualified 2-1 on aggregate.

After losing 0-1 to the Libyans last week, the Mauve and Gold cancelled the deficit early in the game before adding another goal to end the second leg 2-0 at the Essipon Stadium.

A late goal by Ittihad was ruled out by the center referee Daouda Gauye.

Medeama SC play Sudan’s Al-Ahly Shendi in the next qualifying stage of the continent’s  second-tier club competition, which is in its 13th edition.

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

UMB Prominence Club organises seminar on performance management

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UMBThe Private Banking unit of Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), also known as the Prominence Club, has organized its first seminar in 2016 on the topic, “Re-Thinking Performance”.

The symposium which was conducted in partnership with IBS Consulting Alliance, is part of UMB’s quarterly seminar series aimed at discussing relevant topics that will enhance the businesses and investments of members of the Prominence Club.

Mr John Awuah, the Chief Executive Officer of UMB, in his welcome address, said UMB’s distinct focus is on being a bank that thinks globally, acts locally and always puts the needs of its clients first.

He said UMB is always committed to the success of its customers and that the symposium was indicative of a relationship which transcends that of banker and client.

The presentation on “Re-thinking Performance” was delivered by Mr Percy Yankey and Mr Chris Essilfie of IBS Consulting Alliance, who encouraged participants and business leaders to see performance as a cultural orientation which ensures that employees develop a behaviourial disposition towards achieving measurable business results.

Commenting on the topic of the seminar, Elizabeth Naami Grant, the Head of Private Banking at UMB, said the working world had changed – and traditional notions of performance management were no longer sufficient for maintaining and assessing a productive workforce.

“That is why we have partnered with a respected consulting firm to equip our customers with ideas and tools that promulgate new ways and models of thinking about business success”, she said.

At the end of the event, participants expressed their appreciation to UMB for the relevant and engaging session.

UMB is a full-service financial institution specializing in customized banking products and services. UMB opened on March 15, 1972 and is a leading Ghanaian indigenous bank with considerable financial expertise.

UMB is recognized for its entrepreneurial approach, innovative use of technology, and distinctive banking solutions. UMB currently has 28 branches and a vast network of ATMs.

 

Source: GNA

Korle Bu reopens ICU after shutdown

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File photoThe renovated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is now operational nearly two years of closure.

Even though this is good news, consumables available to sustain the unit in functioning effectively can only last for six months.

3FM has also gathered that there are no trained biomedical engineers in Ghana who can assist in maintaining the machines at the centre.

The Anesthetic Department is therefore calling on corporate Ghana to intervene in ensuring the continuous functioning of the centre.

Head of the Department, Professor Ernest Aniteye, who led some businesses to inspect the facility, lamented the maintenance culture at the hospital.

“The maintenance agreement has nothing to do with us. It was decided centrally. We have been told recently that a company belonging to a group of Indians would come and service them. So it’s a big problem for us. So those are the issues we are battling with,” he explained.

“If I have ordered this equipment, I would have ordered consumables that would last for a year. The equipment can only be used for one patient. We have told the hospital to start thinking of replacing this equipment because we are going to have issues with these ones,” he added.

Members of cooperate Ghana have promised to open a trust fund in the name of the unit to support the smooth running of the unit.

Chairman of Atlantic Holdings and leader of the delegation, Alex Asiedu said the fund will be opened as soon as possible and called on policy makers and leaders of the hospital to show leadership in running the unit.

“I knew it was bad but didn’t know it was this bad. We are at this destination simply because of leadership. We have decided to set up a fund initially capitalized by Atlantis holdings then we bring other cooperate entities on board later.”

The hospital’s ICU was shut down in August 2014 for a renovation.
Source: Sarah Parku | 3FM | tv3network.com

Esi out with Pempamsie Foundation to fight teenage pregnancy

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Esi GMBThe reigning queen of TV3’s reality pageant show, Ghana’s Most Beautiful, Esi has called on all stakeholders to get on board to help curb the menace of teenage pregnancy in the Central Region.

According to the beauty queen, though the Region is endowed with many resources, the high incidence of teenage pregnancy is one that dents its image.

The Central Region has for some time now been ranked one in Ghana with the high incidence of teenage pregnancy

Known as Vera Oheneba Safoah, Esi made a call to end teenage pregnancy at the launch of her foundation, Pempamsie Foundation, in the regional capital, Cape coast.

Esi, who represented the Region in the ninth season of TV3’s realty show, adopted ending teenage pregnancy as her project.

The launch brought together the Region’s crème de la crème, who spoke about the reality of the teenage pregnancy menace and the immediate need to curb it.

Institutions such as the Department of Children, Ghana Education Service, the PPAG and the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service had representatives to offer perspective on measures to be taken to help curb teenage pregnancy.

The night was characterized by a variety of activities to make the event a colourful one.

The chairman for the occasion and Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, underscored the importance to have stakeholders to support Esi to fight the high incidence of teenage pregnancy in Oguaa.

The immediate past Central Regional Minister and a patron of the foundation, Dr Thomas Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, also called on organizations and individuals to help Esi to get a success story in the fight against teenage pregnancy.

In her speech, the beauty queen Esi appealed to all to extend the necessary support to deal with the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the Central Region.

Pempamsie was couched out of the Adinkra symbol which signifies readiness, steadfastness, hardness, strength, valor, fearlessness and unity.

Among members present were GMB IX contestants Araba (Western) and Aisha (Northern) and other beauty queens Miss Malaika 2015, Miss Model Earth 2015, Miss Nigeria in Ghana and Miss Model of the World.

By Thomas Vincent Cann|tv3network.com|Ghana

Jake’s death should help NPP’s efforts at reconciliation & unity – Kufuor

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ake served Kufuor as his campaign manager and later his Chief of Staff and ministerFormer President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed profound shock and sadness at the demise of Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey died on Sunday in a London hospital, where he had gone for treatment.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey was campaign manager of Former President Kufuor in the run-up to his successful bid for the presidency in 2001.

He served as the first Chief of Staff in the Former President’s administration and variously as Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City.

Former President Kufuor described Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey as “very professional in his field of Public Relations and Advertising”.

He added: “He conveyed serious matters with a relaxed mien and charm, was affable and had a great sense of humour. He was a good man.

“Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey was born into the Danquah – Busia tradition and stayed true to its tenets though-out his adult life. The party has lost a pillar and Ghana a true son.

“The party must be in mourning and his death must be a period of deep and sober reflection for all NPP members.

“It should help in our efforts at reconciliation and unity which are principles for which Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey stood for. May He Rest In Peace.”

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Obama in Cuba for historic visit

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obama cubaPresident Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for a historic visit to the island and talks with its communist leader.

He is the first sitting US president to visit since the 1959 revolution, which heralded decades of hostility.

Speaking at the reopened US embassy in Havana, he called the visit “historic”. He also spent time in the old city.

Mr Obama will meet President Raul Castro, but not retired revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and the pair will discuss trade and political reform.

The US president emerged smiling from Air Force One with First Lady Michelle and their daughters Sasha and Malia.

Holding umbrellas, the party walked in light drizzle along a red carpet to be greeted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

Two hours after landing, Mr Obama greeted staff from the US embassy with the words: “It is wonderful to be here”.

“Back in 1928, President [Calvin] Coolidge came on a battleship. It took him three days to get here, it only took me three hours. For the first time ever, Air Force One has landed in Cuba and this is our very first stop.”

He added the trip was a chance to for him to lay out a “vision for a future that is brighter than our past”.

The Obamas later began a walkabout in historic Old Havana.

The tour was meant to see them interacting with ordinary Cubans on the streets, but this part of the itinerary was marred by a tropical storm.

They huddled under umbrellas before visiting the national cathedral.

President Obama’s visit is the highpoint of a recent easing of ties, which included the opening of embassies last year.

But only hours before his arrival, protesters calling for the release of political prisoners were arrested in the capital, Havana.

Police took away dozens of demonstrators from the Ladies in White group, formed of political prisoners’ wives, from outside a church where they attempt to hold weekly protests.

Correspondents say the visit – the first by a sitting US president for 88 years – marks a huge turnaround in US-Cuban relations.

Mr Obama and Raul Castro will sit together at a state dinner, there will be a joint news conference and they will discuss trade.

The White House has made it clear President Obama will meet political dissidents, whether the Cuban authorities like it or not. That is expected to include members of the Ladies in White group.

Economic sanctions

This visit does not mark a complete normalisation in relations, however.

The 54-year-old US economic embargo of Cuba is still in place and can only be lifted by a vote in Congress. Meanwhile, Cuba still complains about the occupation of the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Nevertheless enormous strides have already been taken, our correspondent says.

Mr Obama and Mr Castro agreed in December 2014 to end decades of frozen relations that began when Cuba’s revolution overthrew a pro-US government.

Since 2014 there have been commercial deals on telecoms and a scheduled airline service, increased co-operation on law enforcement and environmental protection.

On Wednesday Mr Obama sent a letter on the first direct mail flight from the US to Cuba since the revolution.

And on Sunday, US hotel company Starwood become the first American firm to agree a deal with the Cuban authorities since 1959.

Source: BBC

Akufo-Addo attends Akwantu Kese festival at Suma Ahenkro

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File photoThe 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, joined the chiefs and people of Suma Ahenkro in the Jaman North Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region to celebrate the Akwantu Kese festival.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who was the special guest of honour at the Adinkra durbar, the first of its kind which commemorates the Adinkra symbol, was accompanied by national and regional party stalwarts including the National Women’s Organiser of the NPP, Otiko Afisa Djaba, former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Trade, Industry and PSIs, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and NPP Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh.

The colourful durbar was also attended by Nana Kwasi Adinkra Agyemang, the Gyamanhene, who resides in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, as well as eminent traditional rulers in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

In his brief remarks to the gathering, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III, the Paramount Chief of the Suma Traditional Area, thanked the NPP flagbearer for gracing the durbar, held to commemorate the journey, centuries ago, by the people of Suma from Akwamu to their current settlement.

With barely 8 months to the conduct of the general elections, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III called for peaceful polls and a level playing field for all political parties so the outcome of the election will be readily accepted by all.

He also appealed to the NPP flagbearer tha if he is elected President in this year’s election, he should help establish an International Adinkra Village in Suma Ahenkro to boost tourism, and also set up a satellite campus of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Suma Ahenkro.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who addressed the gathering in French, for the benefit of the Ivorian participants, and in Twi, thanked the organisers of the festival for the honour done him by the invitation.

He assured the chief that the NPP, as a peaceful party with a proven track record, will continue to act for peace in the conduct of the elections.

He assured the paramount chief and the people of Suma Ahenkro that the requests put forward by the Chief will be given serious consideration since they were progressive ideas, should the people of Ghana entrust the mantle of leadership in his hands in this year’s elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment of transforming cashew into a major cash crop and foreign exchange earner for the country, through, amongst others, the establishment of a Cashew Marketing Board to look after the welfare of cashew farmers in the country.

Additionally, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed for the support of Suma Ahenkro ahead of the conduct of the elections, stating that “I’ve come to appeal to you to trust and have confidence in me. The change we seek to bring is a change that will affect positively all parts of the country without discrimination. Suma Ahenkro is going to benefit strongly from an Akufo-Addo government. I assure you that I will not disappoint you. The trust you put in me, I will not disappoint you.”

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Ghana vows to avert terrorism attacks on its people

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Dr. MahamaPresident John Dramani Mahama says the government will leave no stone unturned in protecting its people from any acts of terrorism that is beginning to gain grounds in the West African region.

He said the recent attacks in three West African countries – Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast- gives Ghana every cause to be pay attention to any possible threat, noting the country’s National Security Council is assessing all possible threats to Ghana.

“Increasingly, the threat of terrorism is an issue that we need to pay attention to,” he said, explaining that the destabilisation of the north African region has led to the movement of a lot of weapons into that region saying “a lot of weapons and arms have filtered into the Saharan area. It’s becomes a bit of lawless area.”

The President Mahama gave the assurance Thursday at a meeting with the Ghanaian community in Scotland as part of his four-day tour of that country.

Screen Shot 2016 03 18 at 5.45.19 AM

He said developments in Northern Mali, southern Algeria, southern Libya and that whole belt in the Sahara area has become a problematic area adding “and we are beginning to see the results stretching us far down as West Africa”

In view of that, he said the threat levels posed cannot be discounted, and that the government is doing everything possible to avert any possible attack in the country, which has been known as the beacon of peace in Africa over the years.

Economy

Addressing the people on the country’s economy, President Mahama underscored the need to diversify Ghana’s economy to make it more robust.

“One of the major challenges our economy has faced is that it has been a commodity export dependent economy and also highly import dependent and so if we are to make the economy more resilient then we need to diversify the economy so we are not just exporters of primary products. Even if we have to export primary products then we must ensure we add value to those products before exporting them,” he explained.

President Mahama said there is six commodities that Ghana has a comparative advantage to produce yet the country import them in huge commodities. He mentioned sugar, rice, oil, poultry, fish and tomato as the commodities adding  “we import 1.5 billion dollars worth of those commodities every year”.

He said efforts are being put in place to drastically reduce the amount of import of these commodities, adding the government has been able to move local rice production from 30 per cent of total consumption to 60 per cent, and hopes achieve over 100 per cent and become a net exporter by year 2020.

On the energy sector, President Mahama Ghana is aiming to become the power hub for West Africa through the associated gas from the jubilee and other oil fields, noting Ghana has reserves to produce in excess of 2000 additional megawatts of power.

By tv3network.com|Ghana

Unsatisfied Ace Ankomah demands breakdown of AGAMS’ repayment

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Ace AnkomahA leading member of pressure group Occupy Ghana, Ace Ankomah is requesting a breakdown of repayment made by the AGAMS Group to government.

He indicated that other members of Occupy Ghana and himself are not satisfied by the mere pronouncement of the Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong that AGAMS Group has paid all outstanding debt owed the government of Ghana with interest.

The payment is in respect of interest-free loans various companies under AGAMS Group took from then Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) now Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

Three subsidiaries of the AGAMS Companies, CraftPro Limited, Rlg Communications Limited and Asongtaba Cottate Industry and Exchange Programme in 2013 ordered to refund a total of GH¢ GH¢55.5 million to the state.

It has now emerged that the Group has finally settled its debt.

But in an exclusive interview on 3FM’s morning show Sunrise, legal practitioner Ace Ankomah indicated that he would want to probe further into the repayment.

He suspects the current interest rate was not considered.

“We should be restored to the position that we were at; not just the amount of money but if Ghana has used or invested that money, how much will Ghana have made on it,” he pointed out.

He wondered why the state would be happy about monies taken from its coffers for a failed project only to be refunded after four years.

“Somebody takes 40 million of your money since 2012 and refunds in 2016 and gives you 10% of that which is 25% or so per annum and we should be happy,” he questioned.

 

Source: Collins Essuman | 3FM | tv3network.com

Ghana’s readiness to respond to terrorism attack questioned

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SoldiersAn international conflict management expert, Dr Kingsley Adjei, has questioned the readiness of Ghana’s security forces to respond to any potential terrorism threat to the country, describing the government’s alert as “belated”.

The government on Wednesday issued an alert of a possible terrorist threat in the country in the wake of the upsurge of terrorist attacks in the sub-region. It thus asked the general public to be vigilant, cautious and curious as it stepped up its counter-terrorism measures.

But speaking to Winston Amoah on Sunrise on 3FM Thursday, Dr Adjei said “I think it’s quite belated and I think we are prone to attack and that started long ago. But for the attack in the Ivory Coast, what would the government or the security agencies have told us and I can say some of us knew this long ago.”

Dr Adjei argued that if the country’s security agencies were up to the task, they should have known these possible threats long before now considering the activities of Boko Haram, al shabaab and other militant groups in neighbouring countries.

“You know the proliferation of these terrorist groups. we have Al Shabab where our own professor went to Kenya and was killed. We have Bukom Haram and so many others we cannot name being in the system and if our own security agencies were up to the task they should have known this long ago and given us this caution,” he indicated.

He said the government’s warning to the people was largely influenced by series of terrorism attacks being record in the sub-region, with the recent one being Ivory Coast.

He observed that there was some kind of difference in the dynamics of the attacks Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, saying “these are all French-speaking countries and they have some affiliations with the Metropol which is France and if you would remember France has been attacked twice from 2014 and so France is on alert”.

“In international relations and international conflict, my enemy friend is my enemy so if I cannot attack my enemy because of my enemy’s resilience and strength, then I would have to attack the younger or weaker friend,” he argued.

According to him, the only thing that puts Ghana in danger is the branding of the country as an oasis of peace in the sub-region, adding  “anything goes because everybody who is seeking refuge comes here.”

“Wherever there is peace is where terrorist visit so we have to make sure everybody understands the situation by putting in place all the necessary measures such as decentralizing all the pieces of information across the country and educating everybody on their day to day movements”.

By Nana Afrane Asante|tv3network.com|Ghana

ANC warns of South Africa ‘mafia state’

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South AfricaSouth Africa risks turning into a “mafia state”, a senior governing party official has warned, as pressure grows on President Jacob Zuma over his links with a wealthy family.

Gwede Mantashe made the comment after deputy Finance Minister Mcebesi Jonas alleged that the Gupta family had offered him the minister’s post.

The family has denied the allegation.

The main opposition party is expected to ask Mr Zuma tough questions about the allegations in parliament.

Mr Mantashe is the third most powerful person in the governing African National Congress (ANC), and his comments suggest that Mr Zuma may be losing the confidence of influential members of the party, correspondents say.

Mr Zuma’s presidency has been marred by allegations of corruption, cronyism and incompetence, amid a worsening economic situation.

The crisis deepened on Wednesday, when Mr Jonas said that a member of the Gupta family had made “a mockery of our hard-earned democracy” by offering to promote him to the minister’s job last year.

In an interview with Bloomberg news agency, Mr Mantashe, the secretary-general of the governing African National Congress, said: “We need to deal with this; it will degenerate into a mafia state if this goes on.”

He is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying that no-one, including Mr Zuma, was “untouchable”.

The opposition has long accused Mr Zuma of letting the Guptas wield excessive influence.

The Guptas, who arrived in South Africa from India in 1993, have huge interests in computers, air travel, energy, and technology.

They said Mr Jonas’ statement was political point-scoring.

In 2013, there was an outcry after a private jet carrying guests to the wedding of a Gupta family member was allowed to land at a South African military air force base in Pretoria.

The opposition has said that links between President Zuma and the Guptas were so close that they have been nicknamed the “Zuptas”.

Source BBC

Harvest Praise 2016 set for AICC on Good Friday

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Harvest praiseThis year’s Harvest Praise has been billed to come off on Good Friday, March 25 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

Powered by Harvest International Ministries, Harvest Praise 2016 promises to be yet another total praise experience at the feet of Christ, organisers say.

The 18th edition is expected to line up “true worshipers” at the venue.

“Coming all the way from the United States of America is Byron Cage to lead the praise,” a statement issued on Wednesday, March 16 said.

“Also treating patrons to the best tunes of worship and praise songs from our homeland Ghana are multiple gospel award winner – Selina Boateng, Minister Francis Amo and many more.”

The event will be hosted by the Harvest Gospel Choir while HP Kids will be on hand in praise evangelism. The kids will have America’s renowned child evangelist and entertainer Donut man and Duncan the donut in company.

As usual, the show runs for two sessions – first at 1:30pm and the second at 6:00pm.

Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

 

Tigo Cash records phenomenal growth for 2015

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Tigo cashAward-winning mobile money solution, Tigo Cash, recorded a remarkable increase in the volume of transactions last year, thanks to continuous investment in product enhancement and empowerment of agents to educate customers.

With more than 12,000 agents nationwide, Tigo Cash recorded over 35 million transactions in 2015, a quintuple-digit growth over its 2014 figure of 7,962,078.

“Lower barriers of entry coupled with our strong drive for mobile wallet adoption and improved value chain were major contributors to the high number of transactions we chalked last year,” said the General Manager for Tigo Cash, Kwame Oppong.

“We are happy to be at the forefront of financial inclusion in Ghana, and we will continue to offer innovative payment solutions for customers and businesses,” he added.

He explained that the company’s aim is to further drive its cashless agenda by helping customers see and experience the clear tangible benefits of a digital payments. “We believe in an economy where citizens can transact all types of business transactions online or via phone.”

Every month, Tigo Cash records over three million transactions and has successfully brought banking to the unbanked.

Since it was launched in 2011,Tigo Cash has grown outstandingly catering to millions of Ghanaians and has been ranked as the most preferred mobile money wallet by traders, famers and several others in the informal sector.

Tigo cash also enables purchase of airtime, even for other Mobile Network Operators, and payment of goods and services such as DSTV bills.

 

Source: tv3network.com | Ghana

Tons of cashew nuts rot as Ministry imposes ban on export

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CashewTons of cashew nuts are getting rotten in the Brong Ahafo Region as cashew buyers are unable to export nuts to foreign markets due to an export ban placed on the commodity by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI).

 

The ban was enforced as part of measures to improve local processing of cashew which is expected to create jobs and add value to agricultural products before exports.

However, buyers of the produce say, out of the 950,000 bags of cashew produced in the country, factories in the country have the capacity to process only 35,000 bags of cashew leaving over 900,000 bags worth millions of cedis to rot.

In an interview with Onua FM’s Obaapayin Abena Nyamekye, the acting Chairman of the Cashew Buyers Association in Techiman, Mr Mumuni Issah said if the ban is not lifted by the end of May this year, “no processing plant will be allowed to buy any cashew nut from the region.”

He said most farmers have invested in the expansion of their farms and as result the farmers have to sell their produce and provide returns to their investors, most of whom are foreigners from Nigeria.

“We want government to lift the ban on export of raw cashew nuts to allow us export the commodity to generate revenue to pay back our investors and provide livelihood for our families,” he said.

“The ban on export of cashew is putting farmers at the mercy of the two functioning processing plants who can quote low prices to buy the cashew, but farmers will have no choice since there are no alternatives,” he added.

He said though the association supports the strengthening of local industries, the ban would impoverish cashew farmers as their produce go bad.

There are 12 processing companies in the country, 10 have shut down, leaving Mim Cashew and Agricultural Products Ltd and recently opened Usibra Limited.
Source: Nii Okai Tetteh | Onua FM | tv3network.com

President Adjaho has ‘limited powers’ – law lecturer

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Mr Adjaho [left] and lawyer OppongA law lecturer, Yaw Oppong, says although the Speaker of Parliament has assumed the country’s presidency, he cannot perform certain critical functions without consulting President John Dramani Mahama.
He observed that the 1992 Constitution is silent on the decisions that could be taken by the Speaker of Parliament when he is sworn-in as the President in the absence of an elected President and his Vice.

“There is a constitutional shortfall in the area where he [Doe Adjaho] can do reshuffle but as a rational human being, if something has happened and it needs dismissal, he must consult the President and take the decision,” Mr Oppong argued on Onua 95.1FM Thursday.

He said notwithstanding the fact that both President John Mahama and Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur are outside the jurisdiction, they remain the President and Vice respectively as the 1992 constitution  empowers them to perform their legitimate duties outside the country.

According to him, Mr Doe Adjaho cannot be said to be an acting President in view of the absence of President Mahama and his Vice, arguing “if we say he is acting, it means there is no President in Ghana but in this case, we have them but they have just travelled on official assignments”.

Commenting on the swearing in of Mr Adjaho as President on Wednesday, Mr Oppong added: “while they are not here, they are performing their constitutional duties”.

He advised against the President and his Vice travelling out of the country at the same time because some of the businesses they travel outside to do could be done by our ambassadors in those countries

“We should look at the situation where the two will not be absent in the country because some of the issues can be handled by our ambassadors and high commissioners so the President and the Vice should not travel together at the same time,” he advised.

Mr Adjaho was sworn-in as President on Wednesday by Chief Justice Georgina T. Wood at the Parliament House in Accra amidst cheers from the minority Members of Parliament who shouted “Presido” repeatedly. He took the Presidential oath.

The minority MPs urged Mr Adjaho, who can best be described as a temporary or caretaker President, to use the opportunity to announce a ministerial reshuffle of the Mahama-led government, TV3’s Parliamentary correspondent Evelyn Tengmaa reported.

President Mahama left Accra Wednesday morning for Glasgow in the United Kingdom on official visit where he is scheduled to observe the First Minister’s question time and address a meeting of parliamentarians. He is expected to return on March 19.

His vice, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur arrived in New Delhi, India on Monday for a two-day investment summit on Africa. It is not clear when he is likely to return as official communication did not state.

Although the 1992 Constitution prescribes that the Speaker be sworn into office to act as President any time the President and his Vice are out of the country, Mr. Adjaho on two occasions on November 5 and 7, 2015, declined to be sworn as the acting President when both the President and his Vice were out of the country on official duties.

He explained to the House that he had, in consultation with the Chief Justice, agreed that since he had taken the same oath on October 19, 2013 when the President and his vice were out of the country, there was no need for him to do so again.

But the Supreme Court in December last year ruled Mr Doe Adjaho breached Article 60 (11)-(12) of the 1992 Constitution by the said refusal that received mixed reaction from Parliamentarians and governance experts.

 

By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|Onua 95.1|tv3network.com