Photos: COPEC, drivers protest over high fuel prices 

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The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), the Commercial Workers Union (ICU) and some drivers are currently embarking on a demonstration against what they describe as  “ the persistent increase in the price of petroleum products in the country.”

The protest, which attracted scores of Ghanaians, started at the popular Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. The protesters will converge at the Accra Arts Center and latter submit petitions to the Ministries of Finance and Energy, Parliament and the Office of the President.  


Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

India officials investigate if fake doctor spread HIV

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Indian officials are investigating claims that a fake doctor in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has infected at least 33 people with HIV with a used syringe.

The unqualified practitioner allegedly used one syringe, which he recycled to treat colds and the flu.

Federal health officials will visit Unnao district, where the incident occurred, to investigate the matter.

The suspect reportedly charged 10 rupees (11p; 15 cents) for each jab.

It is not clear how many of the confirmed cases were contracted from the alleged used syringe.

"Medical research shows that the spread of HIV through infected needles could be just 0.3% as the virus cannot survive in open air," Dr Tanymay Kakkad, a member of the investigating team, told The Indian Express newspaper.

The 33 people confirmed with HIV were among 566 people who were tested at a screening camp organised by the government, health officials told Reuters.

"We ask HIV patients various things to know the source of infection," SP Choudhary, a senior medical officer said.

"When we asked these patients whether they had used common syringes, some of them told us about a doctor they went to who uses the same syringe on all his patients."
Local police are also probing the matter, and are on the lookout for the suspect who is believed to be in hiding.

The state's health minister, Sidharth Nath Singh, said that many truck drivers in the area are also carriers of the disease, implying that this could be another reason.

"As far as the case of anyone giving injections without a licence is concerned, strict action will be taken against them," he added.

India has seen a 50% decline in the number of new HIV infections over the last decade, according to a UN report, which also said that the most persistent source is mother-to-child transmission.

Unqualified medical practitioners in India are routinely arrested for posing as doctors – a shortage of official doctors leads many to seek out these so-called "quacks". Around 45% of medical practitioners in India are not formally trained, according to the Indian Medical Association.

BBC

NPA: Reasons for COPEC-ICU demo misleading  

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The National  Petroleum Authority (NPA)   says reasons  for Wednesday’s demonstration by the  Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) and the Commercial Workers Union (ICU) against recent increases in price of petroleum products "are anything but noble having regard to the interventions made time and again by the Authority."

The NPA further argued that, government has made some interventions to cushion consumers despite  increases on the international market.

“ Since 1st February, 2018, for instance, the PSRL which hitherto were GHp12/Lt on petrol and GHp10/Lt on diesel have been completely neutralized to reduce the impact of rising prices on the international market on Ghanaian consumers. This means that government has forfeited the revenue it would have collected on these products for the period 1st – 15th February, 2018 in order to cushion consumers,” the NPA  said in a statement 

Read full statement:

PRESS RELEASE

6th February, 2018

INCREASES IN EX-PUMP PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has received notice of an intended demonstration by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) and Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) ostensibly in response to recent increases in price of petroleum products at the pump by some selected Oil Marketing Companies.
We do recognise that the right to demonstrate for or against any course is a constitutionally guaranteed one and COPEC will be acting within its right as such.
We are however of the considered view that the reasons for the intended demonstration are anything but noble having regard to the interventions made time and again by the NPA by way of the Price Stabilisation interventions over the past three (3) months. The truth of the matter are as follows:
1. Prices of petroleum products have been on the rise on the international market. For instance the prices of petrol and diesel on the international market have increased cumulatively by 17% and 19% respectively since November 2017;

2. Under the current price deregulation regime which has been in effect since July 2015, price volatility on the international market is expected to directly impact domestic pump prices because government has no direct control over the setting of the bi-weekly prices of petroleum products;

3. However, being concerned about the impact of the upward trend of international market prices on domestic product prices, government has since December 2017 used upfront, the expected receipts from the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL) in the price build-up as a mechanism to bring stability to prices;
4. Since 1st February, 2018, for instance, the PSRL which hitherto were GHp12/Lt on petrol and GHp10/Lt on diesel have been completely neutralized to reduce the impact of rising prices on the international market on Ghanaian consumers. This means that government has forfeited the revenue it would have collected on these products for the period 1st – 15th February, 2018 in order to cushion consumers;

5. This intervention by the government has brought down the expected increase of petrol’s price for the period 1st – 15th February, 2018 from 5.06% to 2.16% and from 3.60% to 1.26% for diesel;

6. Despite the expected increases above after the intervention, the actual price changes observed on the market at the moment range between 0.66% and 1.08%;
7. It is worthy to note that the large majority of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) still have their prices unchanged whilst some have even reduced their prices, and consumers are at liberty to purchase petroleum products from OMCs with competitive prices as expected under a price deregulated regime; and
8. The consuming public is hereby assured that the National Petroleum Authority will continue to monitor the prices of petroleum products on the market to ensure that they are set in conformity with the Prescribed Petroleum Price Formula.

We wish to advise all interested groups that need further clarity on the current state of petroleum product prices to contact the NPA for a discussion. This will ensure that the public is not misled by those who are motivated by reasons other than those of national interest.

Signed
Corporate Affairs Division

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

Lumba Jnr sued for impersonation

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Highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly called Daddy Lumba (DL), has reportedly sued Kwame Anokye also known in the media as Daddy Lumba Jnr. for impersonation.

According to atinkaonline sources close to Daddy Lumba, the music Legend filed the suit at the Accra High Court.

According to the high life legend, Kwame Anokye also known as DL Junior walks around town claiming to be his son to the extent of taking gifts from people.

Anokye emerged after his appearance on TV Africa-produced reality show, ‘Just Like You’, which gave contestants the platform to mimic their favourite celebrities in 2010.

DL junior imitated Daddy Lumba in the reality show.

Ghana | atinkaonline.com

Ghana FA postpones Congress after injunction

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The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has indefinitely postponed the 24th Ordinary Session of Congress which was scheduled to be held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram on Thursday, February 8, 2018.

A statement on the FA's website read: ''The postponement is as a result of a legal action brought against the Association by Accra Great Olympics Football Club.

The GFA has also indefinitely postponed its much-publicized GFA Seminar for the Premier, Division One, Women League clubs, Match Officials and the Media scheduled for Wednesday, February 7 at the GSCE in Prampram".

The Wonder Club, Monday, served the GFA with an injunction, to halt all activities related to the start of 2017/18 Ghana Premier League. 

Olympics are crying foul after their protests against unqualified players fielded by Bechem United and Elmina Sharks were thrown out despite having proof.

The disciplinary committee of the FA annulled both cases which according to the constitution merit a deduction of six points. 

Olympics will be eligible to play in the league if points are docked.

myjoyonline.com

 

Minority Boycotts Parliament Over Cash For Seat Report

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The Minority in Parliament has stormed out of Parliament to avoid being part of the debate to approve and adopt the report of the committee which probed extortion claims against the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The 5-member ad hoc committee of Parliament in its report cleared the Minister Alan Kyerematen and his officials of any wrongdoing over claims that they charged expatriates $100, 000 to secure seats close to President Akufo-Addo at an awards ceremony.

Prior to submitting the Committee’s report to Parliament, the Minority had issued its own version indicting the Ministry of Trade and Industry of engaging in “serious ethical violations” by allowing its credibility as a public agency to be used to “amass profit” at the awards.

Ahead of the boycott, the Minority Leader Harruna Iddrisu told the House there was no need to rush the report since MPs are yet to study it.

“I got a copy of my report only this morning and it’s only fair and proper… why the rush and why are you in a hurry? 146-page report in the interest of transparency and accountability, this matter cannot be railroaded through Parliament.

“I need to read like any other member to satisfy myself. So Mr. Speaker this report is one-sided by the chairman. I’m sorry, we’ll be guided. You can proceed but the Minority is unable to participate in the debate,” the Tamale South lawmaker declared before marching his members out of the Chamber.

The Committee in a 146-page report sighted by Starr News said: “… After the hearings and the analysis and evaluation of the evidence adduced before it has come to a conclusion that there is no merit in the allegations leveled against the Ministry of Trade and Industry as contained in the Motion and which culminated in the setting up of the Special Committee.”

The Committee, however, made the following recommendations: “That the Controller and Accountant General and the Ministry of Finance should consider in the formulation of the new Regulation of the PFM Act, adequate provision to cater for public private partnership arrangement and emerging or contemporary issues.

“That there is a need to have a second look at the recall mechanism and ensure that it is not needlessly invoked at any time because of its mandatory nature in the Constitution. Upon a recall, Mr. Speaker may have to establish that there is a “prima facie” case and if Mr. Speaker is not satisfied that there is a good reason for the summoning, he may dispense with the meeting. This test is likely to curtail frivolous and vexatious request for a recall.

“That the practice of some Members of Parliament trooping to the media to make allegations against highly placed officials must cease. The Committee is of the view that Members of Parliament who indulge in such acts ought not to be heard in Parliament if they should thereafter bring those matters before Parliament for Parliament to deliberate on the matter.”

The Committee is presenting the report to the House for approval and adoption today, February 6, 2018.

Starrfmonlime.com 

Meningitis scare hits Navrongo SHS as one student dies, another on admission

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A suspected case of meningitis has left at least one second-year student of the Navrongo Senior High School in the Kasena/Nankana East Assembly dead and one more student on admission at the War Memorial Hospital.

According to a top member of the school management who spoke on grounds of anonymity, Abass Ibrahim, the form two home economics student, died at his home in Bongo, Sunday and his death was only reported to school authority Monday morning by a relative.  

The top management member explained that the deceased who complained of symptoms synonymous to  meningitis the previous week after taking part in an inter-house sports activities, was rushed at dawn of Tuesday by his house master to the War Memorial Hospital for treatment when his health deteriorated.

She continued:“the student responded to treatment initially and was discharged from the War Memorial Hospital. He, however died at home, after his parents read "spiritual meanings" into his ill health and took him away from the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital where he had been re-admitted for further treatment, against the orders of management of the regional hospital".

The management of the school is yet to make an official comment on the issue. However, education on symptoms, detection and preventive measures against the membrane inflammatory disease, according to the top management member, has been given to students by the municipal health directorate.

Meanwhile, confirmed information gathered from the War Memorial Hospital identified meningitis as the cause of ill health of the one more student on admission. Tests have been ran on him and she is being treated at the hospital.

Other students of the school in their multitude had also thronged the premises of the emergency ward of the hospital with traces of the symptoms when Atinka News' Senyalah Castro Cazo visited.

The top management member of the school is calling on the government and the Ghana Health Service to as a matter of urgency act to help control the situation from going from bad to worst. She also appealed to parents to desist from collecting their wards from the school campus.

Students were also urged at the school's Monday morning assemble to stay calm and return back to campus.

Meningitis related developments at some senior high schools in the region recently have led to loss of lives of students. Cases of the disease were recently recorded at Tempane Senior High School and the Bawku Senior High Technical School.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include headache, fever and a stiff neck.

 

Ghana |Atinkaonline.com |Senyalah Castro Cazo

12 patients stabbed in their beds at hospital in DR Congo

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Twelve patients were stabbed in their beds at a hospital in Goma, eastern DR Congo, government officials told news agency AFP on Tuesday.

The attack, which happened overnight on Sunday, occurred in two health centres in the Mbosho district, and left three people seriously hurt.

Government officials have warned the attackers might have been Islamist rebels from neighbouring Uganda.

"It is the first time we have seen patients being stabbed in health facilities in Goma," said Etienne Kambale, civil society rapporteur in North Kivu province. "We are wondering if it was the [Islamist Allied Democratic Forces] who have turned up in Goma, because this is the way they killed people in Beni."

The Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have been accused of killing more than 700 civilians in Beni, northeastern DR Congo as they try to control the east of the country.

The group is also blamed for the deaths of 14 UN peacekeeping troops last month.

BBC

Proof of 745,000 jobs already provided –Agric Ministry

Daniel Opare
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Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Kennedy Osei Darko, says the proof of the 745,000 jobs allegedly created by the ministry is available and can be verified by the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU),

The Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Afriyie Akoto announced that 745,000 jobs had been created under the first phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme with the caution that the jobs were not official.

The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU), opposed the announcement ,describing  as  an exaggeration and asked the minister to show proof of the said jobs.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, the Deputy Agriculture Minister, Kennedy Osei Darko explained that the data for the said job placements is available at the various district officers which can be verified.

According to him, the list of the number of companies involved is available at the ministry for verification by the general public.

 “We have given the numbers, if you doubt you can cross check from the ministries as well as the planting for food and jobs secretariat for the figures. When you are doubting, come out with refuting claims,”he charged.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Occupy Ghana backs Auditor General’s call for prosecutorial powers

Daniel Opare
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Pressure group, Occupy Ghana, has backed calls  for prosecutorial powers for the Auditor General.

The Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo,  addressing the media Monday, said he had applied to the Attorney General to grant him powers to prosecute corrupt  persons cited in the Auditor General’s report.

The Auditor General request follows damning  revelations in the 2016 Audit Report which suggested that some state agencies had engaged in unlawful monetary practices.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, convener for Occupy Ghana, Nana Sarpong, lauded the Auditor-General’s quest to be granted prosecutorial  powers, adding that the act is long overdue.

According to him, the Auditor General is capable of handling prosecutorial powers if given the needed resources among others to execute the said duties effectively.

“I am sure the Auditor General has weighed itself and is convinced that, it can execute the function of a prosecutor when given the power. I am sure they have a legal department among others,” he added.

The Supreme Court in June 2017 ordered the Auditor General to begin surcharging persons found to have misappropriated monies belonging to the state.

The order was secured after a suit filed by the pressure group, Occupy Ghana in June 2016.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa 

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