Bawumia inaugurates Oti and Northern Regional House of Chiefs

Daniel Opare
-
0

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has on Tuesday September 22, 2020 inaugurated the newly created Oti Region House of Chiefs and the Northern Region House of Chiefs.

The inauguration ceremonies were held separately in Dambai and Tamale respectively to usher in new eras, following the creation of six new regions in the country.

While the Oti Regional House of Chiefs was newly established following the creation of the new region from the Volta Region, the Norther Region House of Chiefs was reconstituted due to the creation of two regions, Savannah and North East Regions, out of it.

Speaking at both events, Vice President Bawumia said the creation of new regions has changed the administrative boundaries of the country, with the paramount objective to quicken the process of developing every part of the country.

“This change has also affected the structure and management of Chieftaincy institutions, and as a result, we have  to form new Regional Houses of Chiefs, particularly in our new Regions,” Dr. Bawumia said.

The Vice President recalled the historical role the Chieftaincy institution played in the liberation of the country, adding that traditional rulers have continued to play  immense roles in the development of the country in contemporary times.

“Chiefs and traditional authority played very significant roles in our liberation efforts. We can recall the contribution of very important Chiefs who stood to protect our land and natural resources, who championed our rights and liberties and were in the forefront in spearheading our social economic, cultural and political charge.”

“Without the active involvement of our chiefs, perhaps the cause of our economic and political roadmap would have taken a different character.  I pay homage to them.”

“Like all institutions of state, at different periods of our history, some have wondered whether chieftaincy is still relevant to our development. But just as it has been in the past, Chieftaincy will continue to be an indispensable part of our history and development.”

“You will continue to be the upholders of our national values and aspirations as a society. So much so that even when our fellow Ghanaians leave our shores, and can be free of the influence of chieftaincy, they create Chiefs and Queenmothers wherever they find themselves.”

Dr. Bawumia stressed that the Akufo-Addo government recognises the important roles taditional rulers have to play in the governance set up of the country, and has thus improved government’s support for the Chieftaincy institution since taking office in 2017.

“Government recognises that, in order to ensure the success of the programme of social and economic transformation that was put before the Ghanaian people, we have to do a lot. It is important that we bring the traditional role of our Chiefs into the modern, constitutional set up, under which we govern our country.”

“As a start, we made a pledge, in the NPP’s 2016 Manifesto, to increase the monthly allowances paid to Chiefs, and the quarterly budgetary support to the Traditional Councils and Houses of Chiefs. This we have done by a hundred percent (100%).”

“Government has also assisted the National House of Chiefs with three million, five hundred thousand cedis (GH¢3.5 million) for the completion of its new headquarters office complex in Kumasi.”

“Government is also committed to assisting the National House of Chiefs to moving speedily on finishing work on the codification of the traditional norms and rules that have guided our communities throughout the ages.

“The Ministry, in collaboration with the National House of Chiefs, has also begun the process of organizing and using technologies to safeguard the records of the National House of Chiefs, particularly records in the National Register of Chiefs.”

Traditional rulers in the newly created Oti Region expressed gratitude to the the government for the realisation of their dreams of having a region, which they said has given them identity.

In Tamale, the President of the Northern Region House of Chief, Ya Na Abdulai II, said the creation of the new region would deepen decentralisation and participatory democracy, which he hoped will ensure equitable distribution of national resources in the new regions.

He highlighted the important role  chiefs play in governance, and called on government to allocate more resources to the various house of chiefs in the country for them to play their traditional roles well.

As part of government’s effort to support and equip the newly created regional house of chiefs, Vice President Bawumia presented two brand new vehicles to the Oti Regional House of Chiefs and also cut the sod for the construction of a new secretariat for the Oti Regional House of Chiefs.

Similar inauguration ceremonies have been held for the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions.

Last week Vice President Bawumia also inaugurated the reconstituted Western Regional House of Chiefs.

The Vice President will also inaugurate the North East and Savannah Regional House of Chiefs tomorrow Wednnesday September 23rd.

Vice President Bawumia was accompanied by the Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development Dan Botwe, Minister Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Kofi Dzamesi.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Nurses, midwives demand respect from gov't, public

Daniel Opare
-
0

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Prince Opuni Frimpong has expressed worry over how nurses are being treated and intimidated by their employers including patients in the country.

According to him, due to their training, nurses, midwives, Physician Assistants, and other health workers  are noble but the people they render i services to, including patients, employers among others take advantage of their nobility to intimidate them.

His comments come after the GRNMA and its allied association i.e Physician Assistants and Certified Registered Anaethetists, embarked on strike on Monday, September 22, 2020 over government’s failure to meet deadline for the implementation date of an agreed Conditions of Service.

Speaking with Adwoa Mirekua Ampomah on Perspective, a segment on Atinka TV’s Morning show, Ghana Nie, Opuni Frimpong said, “Some patients attack nurses and midwives but because of our training, we do not retaliate. Everybody should know that the nurses of yesterday, the midwives of yesterday are not the same people now.”

Also speaking on the strike, he was of the view that government was in a better position to meet their needs, adding that whatever they are asking for is not outrageous.

“We are human beings and we will not ask for anything outrageous to bring down the nation. All the things we are requesting for is doable, it can be done, and it is not outrageous. Are the employers saying that our services are not important?” he quizzed.

Opuni Frimpong said the Association has not been directed by its national executives over any injunction and therefore, the strike will continue.

“The Police were being used to force the nurses to go to work, and some were being threatened of losing their jobs. The employer should tell us they will do what we are requesting for us and when we see that it has been documented, we will call off the strike. Some of the things we are requesting for do not even need negotiations, it just needs approval and well documented and we will go back to work,” he said.

For clients, Opuni Frimpong said, “It is not our will to go on strike, but a facility like 37 military Hospital is working, and therefore they should seek healthcare from other places. They should talk to our employers and tell them to admit that nurses deserve what they are asking for.”

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Expert calls for review of Labour law

Daniel Opare
-
0

Ben Arthur, a Labour expert, has called on government to consider reviewing the Labour Law.

This statement follows the strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and its allied association-Physician Assistants and Certified Registered Anaethetists to embark on a strike action on Monday, 21st September, 2020.

The association has accused government of failing to address issues that have to do with their conditions of services.

“GRNMA National Council in collaboration with its Allied Associations has discussed fully the report of the GRNMA/Allied negotiation team on the proposal of the Employment and has concluded the following adding that, the proposal as reported cannot serve the economic interest of All Nurses, Midwives, PAs and CRAs” President of the Association, Perpetual Ofosu-Ampofo said at press conference Thursday 18th September 2020.

Mr. Ben Arthur, a Labour expert, who spoke in an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka FM’s AM Drive explained that a review of the law will address hitches such as strike actions embarked by institutions which provide essential services.

He explained that although the constitution gives freedom of association, which does not exclude the nurses and doctors, the Labour Law gives further particulars with respect to how workers in the essential services sector are supposed to present their grievances to be addressed by the commission.

He, however, noted that the GRNMA should have given credence to the injunction and stopped the strike.

“ I’m sure an opportunity to review the labor law will address all these hitches. I think these hitches are as a result of the lack of supportive laws. For example, why should somebody go on strike whether legal or illegal and come and take back their jobs as well as get paid. If there are law that stipulates a subtraction of fees from striking unions, trust me unions would think twice before embarking on strikes”, he added.  

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Abronye punches Mahama for suspending Bono campaign tour

Daniel Opare
-
0

The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye has opined that Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, suspended his campaign tour of the Bono Region due to low turn out.

It was communicated earlier that the Former President had cut short his campaign tour of the Bono Region due to several complains with regards to abnormalities in the ongoing voter exhibition exercise.

But reacting to the matter, Abronye stated that,”It must be noted empathically that, the main reason for cutting short his tour in the region is that, yesterday after visiting Sunyani Odumasi around 1am mid night, John Mahama was not encouraged about the turn out and for that matter in a meeting held at Esubett with a session of his regional executives he told them that, to avoid any disgrace, he has to return back to Accra and come back later after a better mobilization has been done.”

He added that,”He was very furious with his regional Executives after they failed to make proper preparations by busing people from Bono East which is their strong hold to the Bono region.”

Below is a statement:

Abronye fires a shot

RE: JOHN MAHAMA CUTS SHORT VISIT TO BONO REGION

I have sighted an official communication from the office of the Former President cutting short his campaign at the Bono Region.
According John Mahama, this has been necessitated due to several complains with regards to abnormalities in the ongoing voter exhibition exercise.

It must be noted empathically that, the main reason for cutting short his tour in the region is that, yesterday after visiting Sunyani Odumasi around 1am mid night, John Mahama was not encouraged about the turn out and for that matter in a meeting held at Esubett with a session of his regional executives he told them that, to avoid any disgrace, he has to return back to Accra and come back later after a better mobilization has been done.

He was very furious with his regional Executives after they failed to make proper preparations by busing people from Bono East which is their strong hold to the Bono region.

John Mahama In 2016 insulted the people of Bono region after the collapse of DKM and stated that, “even his illiterate uncle will not engage in such a ponzy scheme” insinuating that, all persons who traded with DKM are “senseless”

The good people of Bono region have not forgotten about these insults because they do not have short memories as John Mahama thinks and that is why they refused to step out to welcome him when he visited the region.

To add to that, through out his visit after seeing the good works done by Prez Akuffo Addo with regards to the road sector, infrastructure and other developmental projects and listening to the people’s feedback, he had no option than to return to Accra because no one paid attention to him.

For the purposes of the record, I would want to state categorically that, this is not the first there has been abnormalities in exhibiting a voter register.
That is why the process in it self is called an “exhibition “

On this note the reason by John Mahama is unwarranted and unsubstantiated.

To add to the above, NDC in recent times has decided to engage in the tricks of blame game.
They intend to find faults at every activity of the Electoral commission.
They did same during the exhibition done by the Electoral Commission after their compilation of the limited registration prior to the district assembly elections.

THANKS

SIGNED!!
Kwame Baffoe Abronye
Bono Region NPP

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

Naana Opoku-Agyemang suspends campaign tour

Daniel Opare
-
0

The Running Mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has suspended her campaign tours effective from Today, September 22, 2020.

According to the Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the NDC Running Mate, the suspension is a national decision taken in consultation with the Flagbearer who has also suspended his campaign activities effective today.

Below is a statement:

“Effective close of day today, the Running Mate will suspend her campaign tour of the Central Region. There are a number of reasons for that. However, it is a national decision taken in consultation with the Flagbearer who has also suspended his campaign activities effective today. Details will be given tomorrow by the Flagbearer and the Party.”
Mawuena Trebarh,

Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Running Mate

National Democratic Congress

22nd September 2020

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

Luis Suarez: Italian police investigating irregularities around striker's citizenship test

adminbackup
-
0

Italian financial police and the Perugia public prosecutor’s office have opened an investigation into allegations of irregularities regarding Luis Suarez’s Italian citizenship exam last week.

Suarez flew into Perugia to take the test amid reports he was set to join Juventus from Barcelona.

In order to complete the move, the 33-year-old Uruguayan would have needed to have acquired Italian citizenship as Juventus have no available space in their squad for non-EU players.

However, it is alleged that Suarez was aware of the contents of the exam before taking it, and that his score was pre-assigned.

A statement from the Perugia public prosecutor’s office said: “Some irregularities have emerged in the exam of certification of Italian, sat on September 17 by Uruguayan football player Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz, needed to obtain the Italian citizenship.

“From the investigation, it emerged that the topics in the exam had been agreed in advance with the applicant and that the relative mark had been attributed even before carrying out the exam, regardless of the fact that an elementary proficiency of the Italian language had been verified during remote classes carried out by lecturers of the University for Foreigners.

“Today, the Italian financial police are moving forward to capture the documents at the university offices, to verify the actions described beforehand and notify the information assurances for the crimes of revelation of professional secrecy, false representation committed by public officials in official documents and other.”

The University for Foreigners of Perugia denies any wrongdoing, saying in a statement: “In relation to the ongoing investigation, the University for Foreigners of Perugia reiterates the correctness and transparency of the procedures followed for the exam sat by the football player Luis Suarez and trusts that this will emerge with clarity at the end of the inspections underway.”

Suarez’s move to Juventus appears to have fallen through, with the Italian champions now set to re-sign Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrd.

Morata is likely to be replaced at Atletico by Suarez, who has been told be can leave Barcelona.

Source: Sky Sports

"We can't be intimidated" – Striking nurses to gov't

Daniel Opare
-
0

General Secretary for the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), David Tenkorang Twum, has said the association will only halt its strike when their demands are met.

The nurses are currently embarking on a nationwide strike action over their delayed conditions of service.

Speaking in an interview on Atinka FM’s AM Drive with host Ekourba Gyasi, General Secretary for GRNMA, David Tenkorang Twum, said the association remains focused and that government cannot intimidate the them in any way.

According  to David Tenkorang Twum,  the association will only end the strike when government meets their demand

Asked why the association disregarded Labour Commission’s restraining order and embarked on the strike, David Tenkorang Twum said the association has not been served with any letter to that effect.

“Some of the monies involved  are very small and we are surprised government is reacting this way. We will make sure our demands are met ” , he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Stop intimidating employees with court injunctions- Group to Labour Commission

Daniel Opare
-
0

The Advocate for Social Intervention Ghana (ASIG), a civil society organization spearheading social justice in the country, is calling on the Labour Commission to tread cautiously in exercising its duties and stop intimidating Ghanaian employees’ with court injunctions.

In a statement, the group said the Labour Commission is acting in a way that may lead to industrial unrest which the country may not be able to solve.

“Of late, the injunctions sought by the commission to stop employees such as POTAG, UTAG and Nurses from embarking on their industrial actions. We all know that the only weapon workers have is strikes and it has rules governing it,” ASIG stated.

It added that,”If the labour commission thinks the strikes are illegal, why don’t he apply the scansion given to him in the Labour Act 651, 2003 rather than seeking for injunctions from the law court.”

Below is a statement:

EXECUTE YOUR DUTIES WELL ASIG TO LABOUR COMMISSION

Advocate for Social Intervention Ghana (ASIG), a civil society organization spearheading social justice in the country is calling on labour commission to tread cautiously in exercising his duty and stop treating of the Ghanaian Employees’ with court injunctions.

The labour department was not establish to intimidate workers but rather settle grievance and dispute among employees’ and their employers. This is to help trade unions focus on their activities on wages so that their attention might not be directed towards political freedom. The commission should understand that there was a court before embellishment of the Labour Department.

Currently, the labour commission is acting in a way that may lead to industrial unrest which the country may not be able to solve. Of late, the injunctions sought by the commission to stop employees such as POTAG, UTAG and Nurses from embarking on their industrial actions. We all know that the only weapon workers have is strikes and it has rules governing it.

If the labour commission thinks the strikes are illegal, why don’t he apply the scansion given to him in the Labour Act 651, 2003 rather than seeking for injunctions from the law court.

Per the Labour Act 651, section 133 (4) show that he has High Court Powers, so why is he seeking court injunction to stop illegal strikes? If he does that then it means he is not respecting the Acts given him.

The commission is to serve both sides not one side, it is wrongful for the commission to lead and seek injunction from the High court against the other party. It is unfair for the commission to shut workers for not speaking out their grievance.

The labour department is gradually weakening the workers front and this will affect workers of this country especially the private sector.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

Let’s build united, prosperous, stable, secure ECOWAS” –Akufo-Addo

adminbackup
-
0

“

The President of the Republic and Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has tasked the President, Commissioners and Staff of the ECOWAS Commission to work to continue to work to build a united, economically prosperous, politically stable, and secured Community that meets the aspirations of the citizens of the Community.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “As we round off the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2020, and finalise the development of Vision 2050, we should strive to make ECOWAS a Community in which our dreams of prosperity, peace, security, integration and development are realised for the well-being of its citizens.”

The President made this known on Monday, 21st September 2020, when he paid a working visit to the offices of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Addressing a gathering of Commissioners and staff of the Commission, he explained that the purpose of his visit was to interact with the management and staff of Community Institutions on the collective agenda on integration and development of West Africa.

“The challenges in the areas of democracy, health, security, economy, trade and currency, must be addressed in a spirit of genuine cooperation and solidarity, if we are to overcome them, which I am confident we can. I believe that, collectively, we can all make ECOWAS the most viable regional bloc in Africa, and realise the vision of transforming ECOWAS from ‘a body of states to a community of peoples’,” President Akufo-Addo said.

To this end, the President outlined his 5-point Agenda for the chairmanship of the Community, which, he said, are the fight against terrorism; winning the fight against COVID-19; trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); the issue of a monetary union in ECOWAS; and, lastly, the consolidation of democratic governance in the Region.

He also commended the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, and, indeed, the Commission for the achievements chalked in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and humanitarian assistance.

“In the infrastructure, I am aware that the Commission and its Specialized Agencies are implementing a number of infrastructure projects in the road, rail, maritime, energy and telecommunications sectors,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, “I encourage the Commission to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects such as the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project, the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan Corridor Development Programme, and the Dakar-Bamako Railway Project. On telecommunications, the issue of high cost of roaming services should be resolved as soon as possible.”

Touching on agriculture, the President stated that the issue of food security is vital to the development of the Community, as the twin shocks of terrorism and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected negatively the food security situation in the Region.

He was, thus, hopeful that, together the Community can work quickly to guarantee food security within the framework of the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).

“With respect to humanitarian assistance in the Region, persistent terrorist attacks and issues of climate change, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, have caused significant internal displacements of people. The Commission should remain seized on these matters, and continue to provide assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in the Region,” he said.

In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo told the Commission that this generation of West Africans, indeed of Africans, are undertaking one of the most noble ventures of human history, engineering the transformation of poor societies into prosperous ones on the basis of democratic values and principles.

“European, American and Asian industrialization took place at times of limited franchises and authoritarian institutions. Ours is being done with full universal adult suffrage, in open societies. This is the magnitude of our challenge, and the nature of our prize. We should all be proud of being frontline actors in this great drama,” the President added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Nigerian commander dies after Boko Haram ambush

Daniel Opare
-
0

A Nigerian commander named as Colonel DC Bako has died after an ambush on his convoy by Boko Haram militants in the north-eastern Borno state.

The colonel’s convoy was ambushed by militants on Sunday near Damboa, a few kilometres from Maiduguri, the main city in Borno state.

He was evacuated to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Army spokesperson, Ado Isa, said Col Bako was the commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, where the military is battling Boko Haram insurgents.

He said Col Bako was “one of our gallant and finest war heroes”.

The army was however silent on the fate of the soldiers who were reportedly with Col Bako during the ambush.

A military source told local media that six other soldiers died in the ambush.

The Nigerian army has suffered numerous setbacks since the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009.

BBC

1...1,2041,2051,206...1,995Page 1,205 of 1,995