Akufo-Addo commissions and hands over AfCFTA Secretariat to AU Commission

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commissioned and handed over the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area to the African Union (AU) Commission, at a brief ceremony, at the Africa Trade House, on Monday, 17th August 2020.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo stated that Ghana had discharged all of her obligations towards the establishment and the setting up of the office, following the selection of Ghana, in 2019, by the AU Assembly to host the AfCFTA Secretariat.

“We are, today, handing over a fully furnished and befitting office space, in a secured and easily accessible location within the business centre of Accra, as the Permanent Secretariat of the AfCFTA. We have provided also an appropriate, furnished residential accommodation as the official residence of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA,” he said.

With Africa’s low levels of intra-Africa trade, as compared to those of the European Union, the President explained that this situation hinders Africa’s prospects of bringing prosperity to her peoples.

“A large part of the growth and prosperity that we seek on the continent will come from us trading more among ourselves. We, in Ghana, believe that an increase in trade is the surest way to deepen regional integration in Africa,” he said.

An effective implementation of the AfCFTA, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering, will dispel the notion that the AU is not capable of executing its own decisions, explaining that Africa’s new sense of urgency and aspiration of true self-reliance will be amply demonstrated by the handing over ceremony.

The President, thus, appealed to all Member States, who are yet to ratify the AfCFTA Agreement, to take advantage of the postponement of the date for start of trading, and do so by December 2020, to enable AU Member States to trade fully among themselves, so Africa can harness the benefits of the AfCFTA together.

“The pandemic has heightened the importance of the success of the AfCFTA. The disruption of global supply chains has reinforced the necessity for closer integration amongst us, so that we can boost our mutual self-sufficiency, strengthen our economies, and reduce our dependence on external sources,” he said.

The President continued, “We are now the world’s largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organisation, and we must make it count. Covering a market of 1.2 billion people, with a combined GDP of $3 trillion, across the fifty-four (54) Member States of the AU that have signed up to the Agreement, it will provide the vehicle for us to trade among ourselves in a more modern and sophisticated manner; it will offer a huge opportunity to exploit the abundant wealth and resources of our great continent for the benefit of all our people; and it will give us protection in how to deal with other trading blocks.”

New Secretary General
In welcoming the newly elected first Secretary-General of the Secretariat, Mr. Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, and his family to Ghana, President Akufo-Addo urged him to work towards building a strong, efficient and effective Secretariat, with the capacity to implement the various trade rules, in line with the text of the Agreement, to help build credibility, and reduce trade policy uncertainty in the continent.

“The world is watching to see whether the Secretariat will, indeed, provide the springboard for Africa’s economic integration and rapid growth, and I am confident that, under your tenure, it will. Mr. Secretary-General, be rest assured of the firm support of the Government of Ghana for your work and activities,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo, in concluding, commended the President of the Republic of Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, current Chair of ECOWAS, for the stellar work he has done in championing the African Continental Free Trade initiative.

He congratulated and saluted and congratulated His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and current Chair of the Authority of the Assembly of the AU, for the benign, progressive guidance and supervision he has offered to make handing over ceremony possible.

Ghana l Atinkaonline.com

Rawlings: My book, "The Triumph of Evil" will expose Ahwoi and his cohorts

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Former President Rawlings says his upcoming book,”The Triumph of Evil” will expose Professor Kwamena Ahwoi and his ilk when it is eventually released.

“There is nothing ill-timed about Kwamena Ahwoi serving dankwansere soup at this time. He needed to knock down Rawlings to preempt the exposure that Rawlings’ book, “The Triumph of Evil” promises to reveal about some of them. People like him do not expect the NPP to let go of 2020, so they are hoping to utilize the opportunity of a loss, to damage Rawlings with some vicious, manufactured stuff,” the former President said in a statement on Monday .

Professor Ahwoi’s new book,” Working with Rawlings” has caused a stir in the NDC especially Rawlings’ apologists, who believe the project is an agenda to taint Rawlings’ legacy.

The book makes several shocking revelations including the resignation of Late President Mills, which was triggered by the constant harassment by Mr Rawlings .

Below is the full statement By Rawlings:

“There is nothing ill-timed about Kwamena Ahwoi serving dankwansere soup at this time. He needed to knock down Rawlings to preempt the exposure that Rawlings’ book, “The Triumph of Evil” promises to reveal about some of them. People like him do not expect the NPP to let go of 2020, so they are hoping to utilize the opportunity of a loss, to damage Rawlings with some vicious, manufactured stuff.
Their cunning calculation is that Mahama and his running mate will step aside after 2020 while they consolidate their control over the party and provide their own flagbearer and running mate for 2024″

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Ghanaians descend on Lilwin for posting 'naked' videos

Daniel Opare
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A section of the public have descended hard on Kumawood Actor, Kojo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, for posting videos of naked girls twerking to his new song in a challenge.

Although promoting the song, which a lot of women have danced to in videos, he posted the ones the women were almost naked, generating a lot of controversial comments on his page.

For some people, they could not believe the Kumawood actor could post such videos, with some suggesting that Lilwins page was being handled by someone else.

Others also expressed their disappointment in the posts, calling him to pull them down.

Meanwhile, he is yet to respond to the matter.

Below are some comments.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

12 Nigerians arrested for trafficking and cyber crime

Daniel Opare
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Twelve Nigerians are currently in the custody of the Prampram Divisional Police Command, on charges of trafficking and cyber crime related offenses.

The suspects who also entered into the country illegally, were picked up from their hide outs after months of surveillance on their activities by the police.

The suspects, Samuel John 23, Akosi Buatsi 28, Happy Ebogum 20, Salami Shadrack 21, Julius Eluji 23, Michael Agli 30, Francis Edunuyi 21, Victor Osazi 22, Nosa Osunubum 27, Favour Edupolor 20, Albert Esawo 24, and Collins Osunubum 26, who are all Nigerian nationals, were picked up by the police on August 1st, from their hide out at the Emef Estate in Prampram.

Briefing the press, Divisional Police Commander, Chief Supt Foli Washington, said the arrests were effected after weeks of surveillance, following a report by six of the suspects, who had confessed to the police of being trafficked into the country last year by ring leader, Collins Osunubum, to work as cyber fraudsters.

According to commander, the six suspects had to escape from their masters and report to the police following the harsh treatment meted out to them, anytime they fail to collect monies from their victims.

He said items retrieved from the suspects, includes laptops and other gadgets used for their activities.

Chief Supt Washington, further advised Landlords and house owners to contact the police anytime they intend renting out their houses and rooms to foreigners, so they undertake the needed background checks, to prevent the influx of criminal minded illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile the 12 suspects are expected to be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for onward deportation.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Philip Azu

SA man confesses murder; kills himself

Daniel Opare
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South Africa’s police minister has said the suspect who killed himself in police custody had confessed to the murders of several women in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

Hundreds of community members gathered outside the Mzumbe magistrates’ court on Monday hoping to catch a glimpse of the suspects who were arrested for the murders of five women – whose bodies had been found on a sugarcane farm between April and August.

People who live here were angered when they were told that the main suspect killed himself in custody. Some were even demanding to see his body as proof.

Police Minister Bheki Cele addressed the crowd, telling them the suspect who killed himself had confessed to the crimes while a second accused was beaten up by inmates.

The minister also revealed that police believe there might be more women whose bodies have not yet been found.

Meanwhile, the police are now forced to go back to the drawing board because there is insufficient evidence to link the remaining suspect to the murders.

BBC

Government manipulating electoral process of G.P.R.T.U-Concern Drivers allege

Daniel Opare
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The National Concern Drivers Association and True Drivers Union have alleged that government has been manipulating the Electoral process of the G.P.R.T.U to elect it’s chairman.

According to the drivers,”Time is due for the GPRTU to hold its general election but due to the interference by the President and his appointees, the election has not seen the light of the day.”

The Drivers added that, “We know the government hides behind individuals to disrupt the Electoral process with court injunctions. We are asking the government to desist from its actions and manipulation and allow the Association to run their own affairs.”

The drivers also threatened to embark on a massive demonstration if government does not respond to their call.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

NIA release dates for mop-up registration exercise

Daniel Opare
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The National Identification Authority (NIA) has released dates for the mop-up registration exercise in the Greater Accra Region, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regions.

For the Greater Accra Region, the registration will start from August 24th to September 8th, 2020.

The Bono Region and Bono East Region will start the exercise from August 27th to September 11th 2020.

For those in the Ahafo Region, the registration will begin from August 27th 2020 to September 11th, 2020.

In a statement by the NIA, it said,”The mop-up exercise targets Ghanaians aged 15 years and above who were unable to register during the mass registration exercise.”

The NIA urged applicants to carry along to the registration centres the required documentation as well as their Ghana Post Digital address.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

MSWR, Zoomlion Present 3 Pick-ups to Interior Ministry

Daniel Opare
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The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), in partnership with waste management expert, Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL), has donated three pick-ups to the Ministry of Interior.

This gesture is to enable police personnel to monitor, move freely and enforce the environmental bye-laws in the capital, Accra, and other regional capitals in the country.

Presentation 

Making the presentation at the premises of the Ministry of Interior in Accra on Thursday, the Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, explained that the donation was in line with her outfit’s goal of ensuring that every corner of the country was clean.


According to her, a lot of processes were involved in ensuring effective sanitation, adding that one of them was making available vehicles to institutions like the police who were supporting their efforts. 

Partnership

She described the partnership between her ministry and Zoomlion as very good, stressing that the initiative taken by these two bodies to ensure the country was rid of filth was yielding positive results.


She said a similar donation had already been made to the ministry of defence which had seen the deployment of military personnel to help in ensuring a clean environment   

  
In this vein, Mrs Dapaah praised Zoomlion and the Ghana Police Service for their efforts so far in ensuring that good sanitation practices were adhered to by the citizenry.


Interior Minister’s remarks The Minister of Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, who received the keys of the vehicles, commended the sanitation ministry and ZGL for the gesture. 


He gave the assurance that the vehicles would be used effectively by the police for the purpose for which they were donated. 


He used the occasion to praise Zoomlion for its collaboration with the military and police in helping to fight the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.


According to him, the Akufo-Addo-led government had supported the Ghana Police Service with more logistics and other incentives than any other government under the Fourth Republic.


All this support to the police, he said, were geared towards motivating police officers to give off their best.


In attendance were the Municipal Chief Executive of Ga West, Mr Clement Wilkinson, the Director General Of Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (CoP) Mensah, and the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Jospong Group of Companies, Sophia Lissah..

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

Kwesi Pratt's office invaded; laptops, iPhone stolen

Daniel Opare
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News reaching Atinkaonline.com indicates that, the Head Office of the Insight Newspaper has been invaded by unknown persons.

The attack happened while the editor-in-chief for the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, was in the studios of Atinka FM.

The thieves bolted away with 2 laptops and an iPhone 9.

more soon…

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

School of Hygiene students picket Sanitation Ministry again over unpaid allowance

Daniel Opare
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Students of the Ghana School of Hygiene on Monday, August 17, 2020 converged on the premises of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to picket in connection with the failure by the government to pay their three-year outstanding allowance.

The students started arriving at the ministry by 5:30 am.

Monday’s picketing is a sequel to a similar one held about two weeks ago by the final-year students who invaded the same premises in the early hours of Thursday, 6 August 2020 over the same grievances.

According to the students, their allowances have been completely scrapped without reason despite the government restoring allowances for other nursing students, adding that, though they are the highest fee-paying nursing school, they receive no money from the government.

To top it all, they get sacked over unpaid fees.

These have left them with no other option than to take action.

On Tuesday, 21 July 2020, Class News’ reported that the students had boycotted their final exam for the same reason.

A section of the students bemoaned their current situation, posing questions as to why they have been left out.

The students demanded the financial clearance due them, an extension of their final-year examination (which they boycotted earlier) and also that school fees defaulters be allowed to sit the examination since the government owes them.

One of them said that President Akufo-Addo made them a promise during his campaign prior to the 2016 elections, “to pay the allowance” and “give special treatment to students of the School of Hygiene.”

He said: “This time around, we need to get our money. We are receiving our money because it is due time for us to receive the money. We are beneficiaries, so, why are they doing this to us? When the President restored the allowances, even before the president came to power, it was at the School of Hygiene forecourt that he promised that he was going to pay the allowance and that he was going to give special treatment to students of schools of hygiene. Is this the special treatment?”

Another student, who had resolved to sleep at the premises of the Sanitation Ministry until attention is given to them, questioned the whereabouts of a supposed amount of money that was initially allocated to them because their details were taken as beneficiaries.

“I wouldn’t have been here if I am not determined to sleep here. One thing I want to ask the government and the Ministry is, during the launch of this allowance, the President allocated some amount to be paid to us. I think it is GHS232 million. Where is our share of that money?” she quizzed.

Source: Class FM

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