Akufo-Addo congratulates New South African President

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “It is well-deserved, and a vindication of the trust and confidence reposed in you by the Members of the Parliament of South Africa, and by your great party, the African National Congress (ANC).”

President Akufo-Addo added that “I look forward to working closely with you to improve the living conditions of our two peoples, and advance their mutual interests, and the wider interests of the African peoples.”

Below is the message sent by President Akufo-Addo.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

The Ghanaian people and I congratulate you warmly on your election, by the South African Parliament, on Thursday, 15th February, 2018, and your subsequent swearing-in as the new President of the Republic of South Africa.

It is well-deserved, and a vindication of the trust and confidence reposed in you by the Members of the Parliament of South Africa, and by your great party, the African National Congress (ANC).

Your predecessor, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, is also to be commended for his patriotism and statesmanship in resigning his high office, to satisfy the demands of the South African people. I wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

Hopefully, South Africa, under your leadership, will succeed in overcoming her recent challenges, and reinforce her position as a champion of progress and prosperity on the African continent. A strong, united, prospering South Africa is a great force for progress in Africa.

The relations between Ghana and South Africa are firmly rooted in the common struggle of our two peoples for the liberation of our continent from foreign control, and also in our shared commitment to the building of the new Africa on principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

I look forward to working closely with you to improve the living conditions of our two peoples, and advance their mutual interests, and the wider interests of the African peoples.

Warm congratulations, once again, to you Mr. President, and to the good people of South Africa. Best wishes to you, and to the continued success of South Africa.

……signed……

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

President of the Republic of Ghana

Illegal bunkering, fuel smuggling will be dealt with forcefully –Bawumia

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The Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has reiterated government’s resolve to deal forcefully and decisively with the issue of illegal bunkering and the smuggling of petroleum products by sea into Ghana.

Government, he said, is in the process of formulating policies aimed at nipping the situation in the bud once and for all.
H.E. Dr Bawumia gave the assurance when he paid a working visit to the Western Naval Command at Sekondi on Thursday February 15, 2018.

According to the Vice President, the visit was to enable him understand at first hand the issues surrounding illegal bunkering and the smuggling of petroleum, as well as discuss the challenges of the Ghana Navy in the fight against illegality.

He also took the opportunity to inspect a number of canoes specially modified by the illegal bunkerers to store petroleum products off-loaded at sea. According to the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hassan Tampuli, some of the modified canoes can hold as much as 120,000 litres of fuel, enough to fill two and a half Bulk Haulage Vehicles popularly known as tankers.

Mr Tampuli disclosed that nine persons had been arrested and handed over to the police while four tankers been seized in recent months.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Vice President Bawumia said government was disturbed by the increasing reports of smuggling, and Cabinet was considering various models to fight the canker, which has a direct effect on efforts to move Ghana beyond aid.

He stated government’s determination to deal with the matter in a decisive manner, and warned those engaged in it to desist for their own good.

“We’ve had closed door discussions, and we’ve got some decisions that we’re going to take, and I believe that the task that President Nana Akufo-Addo has set for us, to try to understand this phenomenon and implement the policies that will stop it, I think it is a task that we are going to be very forcefully dealing with.

“I am leaving here quite well informed about the challenges, and have some good ideas about what we’re going to do. We will see the implementation soon.”
 
Vice President Bawumia also underscored government’s ongoing efforts to adequately equip the Navy, especially with patrol boats, to address the challenges outlined by the Commander of the Western Naval Command, Commodore Isaac Osei-Kuffuor.

The Vice President was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Hon Dominic Nitiwul; Minister for Fisheries Hon Elizabeth Afoley Quaye; Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo; Western Regional Minister Dr Kwaku Afriyie; Deputy Energy Minister and MP for Effia Hon Joseph Cudjoe; Deputy Minister for Aviation and MP for Takoradi Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah; MP for Sekondi Hon Andrew Mercer; Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority Hassan Tampuli, and other government officials.

The Vice President later paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

Atinka TV's BB blasts Shatta Wale over Facebook live video on motorway

Daniel Opare
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Bismark Brown, Host of Ghana Nie on Atinka TV, has taken self-acclaimed Dancehall king, Charles Nii Armah Mensah aka Shatta Wale, to the cleaners for reportedly driving while making a Facebook live video without seat belts.

Shatta Wale on Wednesday 14th February posted a Facebook live video where he was driving without seat belts in a Range Rover, accusing pastors of involving in numerous vices. He added that a pastor was the cause of the  collapse of her parents’ marriage.

“I am driving on the Motor way, if you are a man of God come and cause an accident”, the artiste reportedly said in the video.

The presenter, popularly known as 'BB', who was speaking on” Si No Pi” a segment on the “Ghana Nie” morning show Thursday expressed his disappointment in the artiste for driving on the Tema Motorway without seatbelts despite beeping sounds from the car.

According to Bismark Brown, he is a big fan of the dancehall King and it  was  proper  for the  artiste  to be cautioned.

“Some pastors have prophesized but lack of precautionary measures such as driving without seat belts can go a long way to affirm the prophecies,“  Brown advised the  "Kakai" hit maker.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

General Legal Council shifting goal post after being floored – Law Students 

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Leader of the Concerned Law Students, Ken Addor Donor, has accused the General Legal Council of shifting the goal post after being floored on all fronts in the Ghana Law School enrolment debate.

The General Legal Council (GLC) has argued that falling standards in the legal profession have compelled it to institute stringent admission processes.

A member of the Council, Professor Kofi Quashigah, told Accra based Joy FM that “judges at the various courts have complained many times about poor standards in the law profession.”

However, speaking on Atinka Midday news Thursday, Addor Donkor, said the General Legal Council wants to divert attention from the low capacity at the Ghana Law School to   so-called fallen standards in the legal profession.
He said the GLC is confused because it can no longer advance superior argument as long as the substantive issue is concerned.

He said they (GLC)  initially held the view that they lack the capacity to admit students to the Ghana Law School but  after failing  to sustain the argument, they want to shift the goal post to low standards.

“If you listen to  the Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, and MP for Tamale Central, Hon. Fuseini Inusah , he  said in the past, students with Degree Qualification Pass and Third class were given admission to the Ghana Law School and they have been excellent in the law profession,” Addor Donkor said.
 
He pointed out that the 2-hour Ghana Law School Entrance Exams by GLC could not determine the standard of the law profession.
The Concerned Law Students leader could not fathom why a student who is qualified and backed by law, should be denied the opportunity to enroll in the school.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Hughes Boateng 
 


 

$45m spent on 'imported chocolates' for hampers in December

Daniel Opare
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 The country spent a whooping amount of 45 million dollars to import foreign -made chocolate for hampers during the Christmas festivities in December.
 
The Corporate Affairs Director for Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Noah Amenya, made the disclosure in an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Thursday.

“If half the amount had been used to purchase locally made chocolate, it would have added some profit to grow the cocoa industry”, he added.

He urged the general public to support the cocoa industry by consuming locally made chocolate to expand the economy.

The Managing Director of the Cocoa Processing Company, Nana Agyenim Boateng, also confirmed the figure  on Wednesday  during the celebration of   National Chocolate Day in Accra.

Mr Amenya also told Atinka FM   that Ghana loses $600 per tonne on cocoa exports, the Corporate Affairs Director for Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has said.

He explained that COCOBOD losses huge sums of money especially as it pays GH¢7,600 per farmer for every one tonne, which is the equivalent of $1,808.

He added that the GH¢7,600 paid to the farmers is the equivalent of charges involved in the cost of shipping every tonne of cocoa to the international market.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

Photos: 5th Dist. Commandery & Accra East Dist. 2 Ladies’ Auxiliary of KSJI cut sod for Grotto Construction

Daniel Opare
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The 5th District Commandery and Accra East District 2 Ladies Auxiliary of Accra East Grand of the Knight of St. John International (KSJI) have cut sod for the construction of an ultra-Modern Grotto facility at the Archbishop Andoh Catechetical Centre, Kordiabe in the Greater Accra Region.

The Grotto which is expected to be one of biggest prayer centre in Accra is estimated at GHC46,000.

The colourful sod cutting ceremony on the theme ‘for nothing will be impossible for God – Luke 1:37’ was proceeded with a Mass, well attended by officers, brothers, sisters of KSJI and officiated by Rev. Fr. Richard Ayivi Aziati, Very. Rev. Hanson and Rev.  Cyril Makafui.

After the mass, members of KSJI together with the catholic faithful at Kordiabe solemnly processed to the site dedicated for the ultra-modern Grotto.

In a short address, the 5th District Commander, Major John Aidoo and the Accra East District 2 Ladies Auxiliary President, Sister Juliana Katsekpor explained the that construction of the grotto forms part of their charity work towards the church and humanity.

It is their hope that the Grotto will serve the prayer needs of persons who visit the Archbishop Andoh Catechetical Centre for retreats and other religious programmes.

The Director of Religious Education and Catechesis, Rev. Fr. Richard Ayivi Aziati thanked members of KSJI for their intention to build a prayer centre and assured of continuous support towards a successful completion.

A pickaxe was used to dig the ground as well as a commemorative tree was planted.

About the Knight of St. John International

Knight of St. John International is a Noble Order in the Catholic church known for its charity works towards the church and humanity.

Knights contribute time, talent, and monetary funds to numerous nationwide and diocesan charities.

Its aims and purposes include; to create and foster a feeling of fraternity and fellowship; to improve their moral, mental and social condition; to aid, assist and support members and their families in case of want, sickness and death; to promote a more generous and filial respect for the spiritual authority of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Regina Asamoah|[email protected]

Video : Shatta  Wale prays for divine protection after death  prophecy 

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Dancehall superstar, Shatta Wale, has turned to his Maker for divine protection after a so-called prophet predicted his death before the end of the year.

The “Ayoo” hit maker went ballistic  earlier  this week  after a prophet predicted that, he was the next in line after the tragic death of Dancehall diva, Ebony, who died in a tragic accident exactly a week ago on the Kumasi-Sunyani road.

“I will burn down churches if I don’t die by December,” the Dancehall King threatened via a video posted on Facebook Tuesday. 

However,  Shatta  used Valentine’s Day  to pray to God to avert the  impending calamity.

Pope Skinny, a confidante of Shatta Wale , posted a video of the prayer session Thusrday on social media.     

Watch video:

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

Kweku Awotwi appointed MD of Tullow Ghana

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Tullow Ghana has appointed Kweku Awotwi as the new Managing Director.

Mr Awotwi is an experienced international business executive with over twenty-five years’ experience working in the energy sector, electricity, oil and gas, as well as the mining and extractive industries, in both the public and private sectors in Africa and the United States.

In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Kweku served at the Volta River Authority as Chief Executive for over four years and at Ashanti Goldfields Company, where he was MD, Strategic Planning and New Business Development.

Managing Director of Tullow, Charles Darku will be retiring from his role, following almost five years of dedicated service.

Charles Darku joined Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL) in 2013 as the first Ghanaian to lead the company, and has been instrumental in delivering the company’s primary objectives of oil and gas production.

Mr Awotwi joins Tullow on 1 March, 2018 to enable a smooth transition before Charles’ retirement date at the end of April.

Gary Thompson, Executive Vice President for Tullow, West Africa, said, “Kweku’s 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions across the energy and extractive sectors together with his executive management experience makes him an excellent candidate to lead our Ghana business, as we look to consolidate upon our strong operational performance from the TEN and Jubilee fields and further grow our business in Ghana.”

He said, “I would like to thank Charles for his commitment and dedication over the last five years and for the significant contribution he has made to Tullow Ghana and Tullow Group.We wish Charles a long and happy retirement.”

Charles Darku said, “I am hugely proud of the work the team in Tullow Ghana and I have achieved over the last five years, working with government and the private sector to nurture Ghana’s new oil and gas industry. I am also grateful for the support I have received from Tullow, the Government and all our other stakeholders. I wish Tullow every success in the future.”

Responding to his appointment, Kweku Awotwi said: "I am extremely pleased to be joining Tullow Ghana at such a pivotal moment in the Company's history. With the ITLOS ruling behind us, and the approval of the Greater Jubilee Full Field Development Plan, this is a great opportunity to build on Tullow's leadership in the development of Ghana's maturing oil and gas sector."


Myjoyonline

Ethiopia Prime Minister  resigns amid deadly anti-government protests

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The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has resigned amid deadly anti-government protests, state TV reports.

In a televised address, he said his resignation was "vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy".

Mr Hailemariam, who has led the country since 2012, also stepped down as chairman of the ruling coalition.

His departure follows a national state of emergency that ended last year.

Ethiopia's largest regions, Oromia and Amhara, have seen waves of demonstrations in recent months.

In the latest violence, 10 people were killed and dozens more injured following an opposition protest.

The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza, in the capital Addis Ababa, says the government has released thousands of opposition supporters from jail, but the protests have continued.
The country has witnessed repeated violent clashes since 2015, with protesters calling for political and economic reform, and an end to state corruption.

The ongoing disturbances have led to deep divisions in the governing coalition, says Mary Harper, Africa Editor for the BBC World Service.

Some of Ethiopia's powerful elites have come to see the prime minister as weak and lacking in direction, she says.

A weak and turbulent Ethiopia is risky for the entire Horn of Africa, our correspondent adds, as this normally stable state is seen as key to holding the region together.

Mr Hailemariam said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until Ethiopia's parliament and ruling coalition accept his resignation and choose a replacement.

BBC

Cyril Ramaphosa succeeds Zuma as South African president

Daniel Opare
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Cyril Ramaphosa has become South Africa's president after embattled leader Jacob Zuma resigned.

The new president was the only candidate nominated in parliament on Thursday and the announcement was welcomed by singing in the National Assembly.

The ANC had told Mr Zuma to step down or face a vote of no-confidence.

In a televised statement he said he was quitting with immediate effect but said he disagreed with the party's decision.

Mr Zuma faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing.

One opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, walked out of the parliamentary debate. It wants new elections, rather than the ANC deciding on the identity of the new president.

bbc

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