Ada: Pupils sit on ‘pieces of cement blocks’ to learn (photos)

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School children in some parts of the Greater Accra Region continue to learn in hazardous and strictly uncomfortable atmosphere. 

This became manifest when Atinka News visited some schools in the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region. 

Calling at a number of schools, it was stunning to meet KG Two and Class One pupils of Kportitsekorpe Basic School in the District sitting on pieces of broken Cement blocks to learn. Interestingly, some pupils even share pieces of the blocks, uncomfortably tilting their buttocks to sit in a sandy uncompleted church building. 

A few of the pupils brought kitchen stools from their homes while others who could not afford stools or find pieces of blocks to sit on. 

The two classes study in the same room with only one teacher catering for both classes. As the teacher takes on one class, pupils in the other class who await their turn have to play, thereby disrupting the peace of the learning class. The uncomfortable situation hinders quality teaching and learning. 

In the upper primary, classes are overcrowded to the extent that pupils are at the back do not have access to an exit and therefore have to climb over the pavilion walls to go out to attend to nature's call or pass out water.

The headteacher of the school, Joseph Amatey Alimo, disclosed to Atinka News that two teachers requested for transfer, adding that four out of the woefully inadequate number of teachers have been transferred since the resumption of school this term. The development, he noted has aggravated the already disadvantaged teacher numerical strength of the school. 

The Ada West District Director of Education, Cynthia Winifred Aku Gbadago who expressed worry about the development, said she would quickly convene a PTA meeting to deliberate on how parents and the directorate can address the challenges.

Ghana |Atinkaonline.com | Edward Sebbie

NADMO admits error in expired food items to Wa flood victims

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The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has admitted it erroneously added some expired cooking oil to food items presented to flood victims in Wa at the weekend by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

NADMO has accordingly initiated a move to immediately withdraw the expired cooking oil and supply the flood victims with new ones.

According to NADMO, the expired cooking oil had been isolated at the warehouse in Wa awaiting authentication by the internal auditor, before they could be disposed-off.

However, when loading boys were picking the items for distribution to the flood victims, they erroneously picked six expired cooking oil and added them to the items.

“Tonight, we are moving fast to Wa to see the situation on the ground and so tomorrow definitely, we are going there,” George Ayisi, Director of Communications at NADMO said.

He said the Director General of NADMO, Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh would himself be in Wa on Wednesday.

He said NADMO was in Wa to help the flood victims but, “unfortunately when we were loading relief items, respectfully, oil, we had in our warehouse in Wa, some expired items which expired on the 28th of August which has been put aside, some of the loaders, unfortunately, picked about six of the oil and then added them to the items that were being loaded and that is how come unfortunately we have this situation.”

Explaining, Mr Ayisi said when items expire, they put them aside for the internal auditor to come and inspect and authenticate that indeed, they are expired, and they need to be disposed-off, before they give the authorisation for the items to be disposed-off.

“If that is not done, the Regional Director does not have the authority to dispose-off the items, you know they were bought with government money and so we need to account for every single item that goes to the warehouse,” he said.

NDC Press conference

Graphic Online's correspondent in Wa, Michael Quaye reported that officers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Upper West Region have called for investigations into how the food items distributed by Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia to flood victims in the region have turned out to be expired products.

Cooking oil and rice were among food items distributed to flood victims in Wa and Sissala East municipalities by the Vice President during his visit to the region on Saturday.

But while some of the cooking oil seen by Graphic Online had September 10, 2018 as expiry date, the rice seen by Graphic Online did not have expiry date at all.

According to our reporter, some beneficiaries of the items have since complained about having suffered various health conditions, including stomach upset, upon the consumption of the food items.

graphic.com.gh 

Tarkwa: Chiefs, residents block major road over 'poor road networks (photos)

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The Nananom and the people of Tarkwa Apinto Divisional Council in the Western Region, on Wednesday morning, blocked the main road that links Tarkwa to Takoradi to register their displeasure over the bad nature of roads in the municipality.

The demonstrators, also comprising of sub-chiefs from across towns and villages around Tarkwa describe the present state of the road networks as an eyesore and do not “befit the town as a mining area”.

The angry protesters were clad in red and black outfits, signifying outrage; they also chanted war songs to drum home their point.

The demonstration started exactly 0600 hours GMT Wednesday. Indeed, reports indicate that the road networks are just unmotorable that several attempts in making city authorities fix them have proven futile.

The immediate cause of the demonstration was when 8 innocent children out of 33 in a bus, aged between two and ten years died in a horrific accident whilst the rest sustained various degrees of injury on the Tarkwa – Takoradi road.

Primarily, the journey between these two towns should take about one and  half hours but due to the unmotorable nature of the roads, it takes close to three hours.

The Traditional Authorities have had their fair share of insults and accusations that they (Nananom) have sat aloof and indigenes die from preventable deaths.

Thus, in response to that they decided to register their displeasure by blocking the roads and demonstrating. Travelers going to Bogoso, Sefwi, Ayamfuri have all been denied passage.

Teachers, nurses and school going children took to walking to reach their various workplaces and schools.

According to Atinka news’ Western Regional correspondent, Mathew Dadzie,  the demonstration was monitored by the Tarkwa Divisional Command and the Tarkwa Municipal Chief Executive, Gilbert Kennedy Asmah visited the scene and spoke with the Traditional Authorities. 

The Tarkwa to Takoradi road and other minor roads per investigation done by our correspondent were contracts given to one Asabea Engineering Construction but have been left unattended to.

Historical facts suggest that this construction company has the penchant for not completing about 40% of all contracts given it, with the excuse that government has not released funds.


Ghana |Atinkaonline.com | Mathew Dadzie with additional files from Patrick Ofoe Nudzi          

 

 

 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

“Guarantee access to education for the Youth” – Akufo-Addo

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the only way to create a society of opportunities for the youth, empower them to confront the challenges of this globally competitive world, and, at the same time, realise the 17 UN SDGs, is to guarantee for them access to education.

Lending Ghana’s voice in support, at the launch of the United Nation’s Youth Strategy, on Monday, 24th September, 2018, President Akufo-Addo stressed that “that is exactly what we are doing in Ghana, through our policy of Free Senior High School education.”

Associating himself with comments made by the late former Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, who rejected the characterization of the youth as a "disinterested, insular group", the President stated that “I want to help ensure that our energetic, restless young population, who demand the best in the world, get the best.”

Ghanaian and African youth, he stressed, “are not in a mood to wait for the dividends from a slow progression, as the hazardous trek across the Sahara vividly illustrates.”

That is beginning September last year, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering of Heads of State that his administration has removed one of the biggest obstacles that stood in the way of Ghanaian youth accessing education, i.e. cost.

“The Free SHS policy ensured that, in September 2017, the first year of its implementation, ninety thousand (90,000) more Ghanaian youth gained access to Senior High School, than in 2016. This year, the number has doubled, with one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) more young men and women entering Senior High School,” he said.

The President continued, “We are also investing in our institutions of learning, which are the providers of skills and education to our young people. No nation can afford to marginalise the youth, the very group that makes up the chunk of its labour force. Education is the key.”

With access to education helping in the growth of democracy and political stability, he added that it is also allowing citizens, particularly young ones, learn about their rights and responsibilities, and helping them acquire the requisite skills and knowledge to exercise them.

“If we are to ensure that the UN Youth Strategy succeeds, then, together, let us guarantee the youth of our respective countries, irrespective of the circumstances of their birth, unfettered access to education,” he said.

Ghana, President Akufo-Addo assured, will continue to remain an active and dedicated partner to the United Nations in the implementation of this strategy.

“Through the UN Youth Strategy, we have, essentially, made a pact with both present and future generations to leave them a better legacy than we inherited from our forebears. Let our generation be at the measure of history,” he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

We must go beyond economic stability – Bawumia

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Vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has noted the various policies being introduced by government must transform the lives of Ghanaians beyond stabilising the economy.

He admitted there is hardship in the system, but promised the various social policy interventions will soon address challenges of the average Ghanaian.

“I know and share in the sentiments of the Ghanaian public that macroeconomic stability is however not sufficient,” Dr. Bawumia stated at the ongoing National Policy Summits in Tamale.

He added: “It has to translate into the well-being of Ghanaians”.

“… Thankfully, our focus in government has not just been on the restoration of macroeconomic stability,” the vice president promised.

Dr. Bawumia further highlighted some of the policy interventions by government, other than macroeconomic stability aimed at alleviating the hardships on Ghanaians.

He stressed on the many tax cuts and abolishment introduced by government such as the abolishment of excise duty on petroleum, reduction of special petroleum tax rate from 17.5% to 15%, abolishment of levies imposed on ‘kayayei’ by local authorities, abolishment of the 1% Special Import Levy, abolishment of the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on domestic airline tickets, and abolishment of the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on financial services.

Others are abolishment of the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines, that are not produced locally, abolishment of the 5% VAT/NHIL on Real Estate sales, abolishment of the import duty on the importation of spare parts, reduction of National Electrification Scheme Levy from 5% to 3% and reduction of Public Lighting Levy from 5% to 2%.

On the Free SHS education policy, Dr. Bawumia stressed that it is not only helping to educate children, but also helping families to save and use that savings to invest in small businesses.

“The free SHS has relieved the suffering of many parents,” the veep noted. “If you are a small business person or a trader, this is substantial savings that can be invested in your business without having to take a loan from the bank.”

He said the savings parents could make from the Free SHS policy are as follows: for a parent with a Day SHS student the saving is GHC 1,075.41; for a parent with a Day TVET student the saving is GHS1,175.41; for a parent with a boarding SHS student, you save GHS2,015.22; for a parent with a boarding TVET student you save GHS 2,115.22; and over a 3 year period a parent with a boarding SHS student would have saved nearly GHS 5,534.43 (or about 55 million old cedis). The savings is about 110 million old cedis if you have 2 children going through the free SHS.

Dr. Bawumia further indicated that “notwithstanding the above progress, we will also be the first to admit that there is still a lot more to do to get to the President’s objective of a Ghana beyond Aid.  This is why this policy summit is so important.”

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 200-year-old Winneba Local ‘Prison now death trap (video)

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There is a serious cause for alarm at the Winneba Local Prison as the structure is gradually becoming a death trap.

The building has not seen any renovation since it was constructed by the colonial masters 200 years ago.

It was built to accommodate 80 prisoners but currently has 215 inmates of which 55 are on remand.

The fenced walls have developed cracks and all the sewerage systems have broken down.

Attempts by our news team to speak to the Officer in Charge (O.I.C) of the Prison, ADP Augustine Bopam failed.

Watch the video of the below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTVoR3Lp0tI&feature=youtu.be 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Madugu Ebenezer

Nothing honest about Akufo- Addo’s admission of hardship – Ex NDC MP 

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Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central and Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Theophilus Tetteh-Chai, has been critical of  President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s economic management.

The president has admitted that indeed, there are hardships all over but quickly noted that the economic management team led by leadership of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is working to fix it.

However, the former legislator teased and said there is nothing honest about his admission rather his statement shows clearly litany of lies the President made prior to the 2016 election where he said he would shape the economy in 18 months.

The lead conspirator is the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia calling former President Mahama incompetent, besides there is money in the country the Mahama-led administration could tap.

But per current economic hardship, the former legislator jabbed the Preisdent Akufo Addo for his failure to fix the economy within 18 months.

“You know this promise is not feasible but for winning power…today, after 18 months, you tell the people that times are hard you, have failed! As a President you have failed because you were voted for as a result of your 18 months promise,” he jabbed.  

And in reaction by then, former President Mahama told his successor that he knew nothing about being the President of Ghana. He would only take criticisms from former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kuffour.

Ghana |Atinkaonline.com |Patrick Ofoe Nudzi 
  
 

 Akufo-Addo receives 2018 Outstanding Leader’s Award

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has received the 2018 Outstanding Leader’s Award, given to him by the United States Chamber of Commerce and its U.S. Africa Business Centre.

Receiving the award on Monday, 24th September, 2018, President Akufo-Addo noted that “it is good to know that advocating for Ghana to opt for a partnership with the rest of the world on the basis of trade and investment co-operation, not aid, has its rewards.”

In his acceptance remarks, the President stated that the receipt of the award represents a summary of his focus as Ghana’s President, since assuming the reins of office some 21 months ago.

“I have sought not only to strengthen my country’s democratic credentials, but also to help create wealth and provide opportunities for its people,” he added.

Ghana, like most countries in Africa, the President said, is blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources, but has, however, over the years, been heavily reliant on the production and export of these natural resources, in their raw form.

“We have also not taken deliberate steps to create an educated workforce to spur on the development of our country. Unsurprisingly, we have not been able to bring sufficient progress and prosperity to the mass of Ghanaians. This sad state of affairs has deepened our reliance on aid, charity and handouts, thereby, making us vulnerable to the politics of foreign powers,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that his government has decided to buck this trend, as it is the only way his government can bring wealth to the Ghanaian people, and halt the dynamic of young men and women leaving the country in search of non-existent greener pastures abroad.

“We want, thus, to emulate the paths to prosperity taken by countries that have become today’s success stories, especially those of Asia,” the President added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

“Global business community now eager to engage with Ghana” – Akufo-Addo

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the modest successes his government has chalked in transforming Ghana’s economy, over the past 20 months, is being recognised by the global business community, that is now eager to engage with Ghana.

According to President Akufo-Addo, his government’s overarching goal to diversify the Ghanaian economy, from being a producer and exporter of raw materials to dealing with the world on the basis of things we make, continues to receive major boosts from major multi-national companies seeking to invest in Ghana.

The decision by two global car giants, Volkswagen of Germany and Sinotruk of China, he said, to establish very soon assembly plants in Ghana, with the intention, in the medium term, of producing their vehicles in the country, is a case in point.

“Tech giant, Google, has also decided to base its African Artificial Intelligence Centre in Ghana, which will make it the first in Africa. ExxonMobil has also signed an agreement with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to undertake deep-water oil exploration and production,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “For us, the rapid enhancement of foreign direct investment is an essential ingredient in realising our vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid, that is building in Ghana a strong, productive economy, capable of generating a dignified, prosperous existence for its people, and banishing the spectre of poverty.”

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Monday, 24th September, 2018, when he delivered an address at the US-Africa Business Centre, where he received the 2018 Outstanding Leader’s Award.   

In his remarks, the President noted that his government is creating a resilient and robust economy, and the macroeconomic indices, at the halfway point of my term of office, are pointing in the right direction, a direction, he added, that will be maintained “so that we can provide the stability to stimulate investments.”

Having inherited, in 2016, an economy that was in steep decline, and growing at 3.6%, he stated that “by dint of hard work and prudent management, GDP growth rate grew to 8.5% in our first year”, with growth rate in 2018, expected to be 8.3%.

“Sector after sector, we are making significant advances. We have also taken steps to formalise the Ghanaian economy, and, in the process, we aim to establish the most business-friendly economy in Africa, to enable the private sector to thrive,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo, therefore, urged representatives of Fortune 500 companies present at the event to look at Ghana, and not to ignore her.

“You can choose to invest through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, or set up as a company in our Free Zones enclave. Regardless of where the investment is, government has instituted a number of incentives for the investor, depending on the nature of the activity or the location of the investment. This is to ensure that your investment succeeds. I assure you that your investments will be safe in fact, and will be protected by law,” he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

 

Fernabache honours cult-hero Stephen Appiah

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Former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah has been presented with a plaque in honour of his commitment and dedication during a memorable two-and-a-half-year stint with former club Fernabache.

Appiah, 37, and another former Fernabache star Diego Lugano were presented with plaques before Fernabache played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with rivals Besiktas on Monday.

The pair were presented with framed Fernabache-themed plaques which had their images by a Board Member of the club Selahattin Baki.

Appiah received massive cheers from a packed Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium as he departed pitchside after collecting his award.

Appiah who spent only two and a half seasons at Fernabache during his playing career later in a post on Instagram said he believes he won over fans of the club and his status in Istanbul through his positive work ethic during his stint in Istanbul.

He posted: "Like Steve Jobs said "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Though i may not have played there for long, the two and half seasons i spent and played for Fenerbache has never gone unnoticed because man worked hard and the work was done with deep love and dedication. Last night, another honour was added to our collections by God's grace. Once again i dedicate this to God, my family and you..Yes you my dear fans around the world. Your support brought us very far. I'm grateful. En Buyuk Fener" (sic).

Appiah joined Fenerbache in 2005 and left in 2008 after an extended knee-injury layoff and a contract dispute with the club.

He went on to play for Bologna, Cesena and Vojvodina before calling time on his career on June 27, 2015.

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