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The Ministry of Education has announced that a committee headed by Prof. Dominic Fobih, a former Minister of Education, to advise on matters relating to the reopening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year has submitted its report to the Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Press Secretary, Mr. Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, Dr. Prempeh thanked the members of the committee for their hard work and diligence and further stated that the report will be forwarded to the President ahead of extensive stakeholder engagement on the rollout of the decision by the President.
It is expected that the President and his advisors will study the report along with its recommendations and then issue the relevant directives within the context of an announcement by the Presidency that the next academic year will commence in January 2021, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March this year, which saw the closing down of all schools in the country.
Subsequently finial year JHS, SHS and tertiary students were allowed to return to school to complete their terminal examinations, and Form 2 JHS and SHS students are to return to school to close their 2019/20 academic year.
Chiefs in the Tain Traditional Area have hailed the significant impact President Akufo-Addo’s flagship educational intervention, Free SHS is having on their community.
At a durbur of Chiefs on Thursday September 24, 2020 in Nsawkaw, the Chiefs said Free SHS has made it possible for their children to access secondary education.
“The people of Tain are so grateful for your Free SHS. Today, most of our people are getting free education and that will help us,” said Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodu Ampem III, Nsawkaw Chief, who spoke on behalf of the Tain Chiefs.
The Chiefs said as a poor and marginalised communuty, the Free SHS policy will help transform the community.
“It will help to change the socio economic structure of our district,” Daasebre Okogyeaman said.
While commending the government of Akufo-Addo for its educational intervention, the Chiefs urged the government to continue to do more to bridge the gap in social differences in the country, especially in their community.
“We are part of the marginalised; very poor, low income. So then, every effort that the government will undertake to help us is very critical.”
“Your programs should be geared towards alleviating poverty in the poor communities like Tain.”
The Chiefs acknowledged government’s ongoing project of building a cashew factory in the area, and also appealed to government to have a second look at the pricing of Cashew to help cashew farmers in the area.
“We grow cashew and we know there is an attempt to build a cashew factory for us; it is in the process and we are waiting for it.”
“We also want you to do something about cashew prices because the cashew farmers are complaining of the pricing.”
Akufo-Addo government committed to Cashew production
Prior to Dr. Bawumia’s visit to Nsawkaw, he had earlier in the day visited Bongaase in the Damba Constituency, where chiefs there also spoke about the welfare of cashew farmers.
The Vice President spoke extensively on government’s plan to prioritise the cultivation and processing of cashew, and other crops.
He said the Tree Crops Development Authority Bill has been passed by Parliament, and the Authority will supervise the activities of cashew farming and other crops, just as the Cocoa Marketing Board does for Cocoa.
On pricing, the Vice President said the Tree Crops Development Authority will be the exclusive government agency to manage Cashew pricing, as well as conduct research into cashew production and other tree crops.
Mali’s new president is to be sworn into office, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
Former Defence Minister Bah Ndaw, 70, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months.
Col Goita will be his vice-president.
The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for the West African regional group, Ecowas, to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup. Stocks of goods are running low in the capital, Bamako, where businesses are hoping for an announcement from Ecowas after the inauguration.
Who will really rule Mali? By Mayeni Jones, West Africa correspondent One thing that is unclear is how far Bah Ndaw will be able to call the shots after he’s sworn in.
He was chosen because he was well respected, both in the military and by the general public. He’s also said to get on well with Col Assimi Goita. Portraying a unified front will be central to the success of the tenure of Mr Ndaw and his vice-president.
Any perception that the interim president is not really in charge could lead to renewed international pressure on the junta.
West African heads of state are afraid the coup in Mali may lead to other uprisings in a region that is facing several elections in the coming months. Members of the opposition M5-RFP coalition which organised mass protests against the ousted leader will also be watching closely, having already felt sidelined in the process of appointing a replacement.
The next 18 months will be crucial in determining how close or far Mali steers from democracy.
Why was there a coup?
President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown on 18 August following mass protests against his rule over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections.
Mali is also struggling with intense Islamist violence, with thousands of French, African and UN troops based in the country to tackle the militants.
The coup sparked international condemnation, but it was welcomed by many Malians.
About 5,200 basic and 79 senior high schools (SHSs) are expected to be disinfected in the Northern Region.
The Zoomlion Manager of Northern Region, Mr Peter Dawuni, made the disclosure when he spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the disinfection exercise in Tiyumba S/D School in Tamale, Northern Region.
According to him, the exercise which started yesterday was expected to be completed before the schools reopen on October 5, as directed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He went on to explain that the exercise marked the third phase of the national disinfection exercise in both basic and SHSs.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited is carrying out the exercise in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), he said.
And it forms part of the government’s measures to fight the coronavirus disease, and also safeguard Form Two students of both SHSs and basic who would be going back to school to complete the academic calendar.
The Headmaster of Tiyumba S/D School in the Sagnarigu Constituency, Chief Justice Sully, whose school was the first to be disinfected, thanked the government and Zoomlion for the exercise.
According to him, his school was prepared to welcome the Form 2 students back to school.
“All COVID-19 safety protocols have been put in place to ensure that the students strictly observe them,” he added.
On the issue of social/physical distancing, the headmaster indicated that his school had more classrooms to accommodate the students.
“We will also enforce the “No face/nose mask no entry’ rule; in fact, that that is the school’s new logo,” he said.
He disclosed that the school was expecting about180 students. From the Tiyumba S/D School, the Zoomlion disinfection crew moved to Kalponhin S.D.A School, a basic school in Tamale North and then also to Bamba International Academy Complex.
A police Officer at Bassa in the Bono East Region, believed to be in his early 40s, has allegedly stabbed to death his co-tenant, one Maa Mary and his landlord, the Gyasehene of Bassa Traditional Area, Nana osei without any provocation.
The police officer who is yet to be identified also stabbed one other person in his house . His third victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The police officer at the Bassa Police Command who is rumoured to have a mental problem claimed God spoke to him to kill people for him and therefore had to obey that instructions.
The police command is yet to make a a statement on the matter despite pressure from the media
Atinkaonline.com will update the public on any latest development .
The Electoral Commission (EC) has set October 1, 2020 as date for its one -day continuous registration exercise for specific groups of voters , who could not register earlier due to some genuine reasons.
The specific groups being targeted in this second round exercise include eligible voters who were outside Ghana due to COVID-19 restrictions instituted by government and persons affected by the 14-day mandatory quarantine and could therefore not register.
Members of the newly created Oti Regional House of Chiefs have expressed their profound gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the creation of the region.
The Oti Region was created out of the Volta Region after an emphatic yes in a referendum last year, and the process was completed with an historic inauguration of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs by Vice President Bawumia on Tuesday September 22 in Dambai.
At the colourful inauguration, traditional authorities couldn’t hide their excitement and gratitude towards President Akufo-Addo, the man who made their dreams a reality.
“Thank you for giving us an identity with the creation of the new region,” the traditional authorities said during their address.
According to them, the creation of the new region has given them an identity, and they will remain thankful to President Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Bawumia said the creation of six new regions has redemarcated the administrative boundaries of the country and will help speed up development.
He added that the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to bringing democracy to the people, and urged the chiefs to be part of the process, using their revered institution.
“As the President said in Goaso during the inauguration of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Government is determined to bring governance closer to the people, and expand the boundaries of democracy in our country.”
“We are counting on you to help shape and integrate yourselves into these developments. This way, the peculiarly Ghanaian contribution to the concept of governance, which emanates from the integration of royal, aristocratic institutions into the fabric of a republican, democratic framework, will be enhanced and strengthened to the benefit of the Ghanaian people.”
“I urge you to speak out and join Government’s fight against the ills of our society – corruption, social and economic injustice, crime, the illegal mining menace, popularly referred to as galamsey. As Chiefs, you have a responsibility, as was done in the days of our forefathers, to help preserve our lands, water bodies and environment.”
As a new region, the Vice President assured the Chiefs of government’s readiness to build a new regional hospital as part of the Akufo-Addo government’s Agenda 111 health project.
The Vice President also updated the chiefs on the extent of development projects the Akufo-Addo government has undertaken in the region so far.
“There are 299 projects being executed in the Region, with 159 completed, and the remaining 140 ongoing. These are projects in education, health, roads, water and sanitation, etc.,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“Together with flagship policies like the free shs, planting for food and jobs, one district one factory, one district one warehouse, one constituency one ambulance, NABCO, Zongo Development Fund, as well as the provision of free electricity and water, the people of Oti have seen a lot of development and improvement in livelihoods in less than four years under President Akufo-Addo. We therefore need to protect all these achievements as we seek to do more in the next four years with your support”. Dr. Bawumia stated.
The First Lady Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, has cautioned supporters of the NPP in the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, against voter complacency and apathy when she met with market women at Chantan and Anyaa and participated in a durbar of Chiefs and people in the constituency.
In her meeting with market women in Chantan and Anyaa, the First Lady entreated them to turn out massively on December 7, to return the NPP, to power to continue with the good work, saying “President Akufo-Addo continues to work to fulfill all his promises to the people of Ghana, through the many social intervention policies he has implemented including Free SHS, 1 Constituency 1 Ambulance, 1D1F and strengthening of the NHIS, all of which have largely benefited women and deserves another four years to work for Ghanaian women”.
At a durbar held in her honour by the traditional leaders in the constituency, the First lady outlined some initiatives she has undertaken to complement government’s effort to enhance the lives of women and children.
She said through the Rebecca Foundation, a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Mother and Baby Care Unit have been constructed at the Korle Bu teaching Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, respectively.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo said The Rebecca Foundation through its Learning to Read Reading to Learn initiative is putting up libraries across the country and has also partnered with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) through its “Because I want to Be” Initiative to train young girls and mothers to acquire skills to enhance their livelihood.
She said The Rebecca Foundation will continue to help in the empowering of women and children.At the Anyaa Sowutuom Municipal Clinic, the First Lady presented some medical items including blankets, thermometer guns, bedsheets, nose masks and sanitizers to the health facility to assist them in the discharge of their duties and congratulated health personnel for standing firm in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was accompanied by MCE for Anyaa Sowutuom Dr. Emmanuel Lamptey, NPP Parliamentary candidate for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Adomako Kissi as well as Regional and Constituency executives.
The National Chairman for Concerned Drivers Association, Charles Danso has warned the public to desist from patronising the services of commercial motor riders, also known as the ‘okada’ in the country.
He reiterated that due the high risk involved with motorbikes, the insurance companies have refused to insure them and therefore if one gets involved in an accident with or on a motorbike, the person will not benefit any insurance package.
He was of the view that persons who get involved in accidents on motorbikes stand the risks of losing their lives, body parts without any compensation.
After the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced its intention to legalise the operations of okada riders, a section of the riders have mounted pressure on the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government to legalise the operations of the okada business.
Although some NPP members are for the motion, others are strongly against it.
Recently, the Vice President of the country, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stated clearly that the NPP-Government will not legalise okada business despite the pressure from the opposition to legalise the business when it comes to power.
Reacting to the legalisation of the okada business in Ghana on Atinka TV’s Morning Show, Ghana Nie, hosted by Nana Owusu Nkrumah, Charles Danso stated that the NDC would have to do a lot more research on the operations of okada before legalising it.
“They want to legalise the okada business for profit but not to help the drivers. They will give them different number plates, they will have to do road worthy amongst others. They did not say motorbikes should not be used for commercial purposes, it is allowed for courier services so why won’t they concentrate on that one but want it to be carrying people around which may result in a lot of deaths,” he quizzed.
Charles Danso added ,”Let us ask how they will regulate those who walk on pavements and middle of the roads, how are they going to arrest them?”
He alleged that some policemen and politicians have rather bought the motorbikes for people to work with and therefore have failed to enforce the law.
“We need to let people know that patronizing okada is illegal, and the police must enforce it but some of the police officers have bought some and given it to people to work with. It is illegal to patronise their service so do not go and sit on it. Look at how they behave, most of them do not have number plates, if you go and sit on it and you die, you would have died a stupid death .
