Day: June 27, 2024

Mr Abdul Mumin-Issah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), says the Assembly internally generated an amount of more than GHS13.3 million as of December 2023.

This is compared to a budgeted revenue of more than GHS17.5 million for the period under review.

Also, Government grants comprising DACF, MPs and PWD amounted to over GHS3.2 million, representing 44.57% of GHS7.3 million estimated for the period.

The Assembly received funds from donor partners amounting to GHS13.1 million, which represented 102.55 per cent of the budgeted GHS12.8 million.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive, who announced this at the 19th assembly meeting in Sekondi, said management would continue to intensify efforts at enhancing revenue generation for the Assembly to enable it to meet the developmental needs of the people.

Meanwhile, the Assembly would remain committed to making available the necessary logistical support to the security agencies to enable them to discharge their dutie
s in a professional manner.

‘The Assembly will continue to work hard to ensure that individuals and businesses go about their daily activities in a safe and secure environment.’

Mr Mumin-Issah said STMA, through the Metro Agriculture Director was sensitizing stakeholders on registration processes for the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs and urged them to extend the information to farmers in their respective communities.

He said, so far, 100 farmers had been registered.

The MCE said desilting drains which had been allocated to various contractors was ongoing in the various communities marked as high-risk flood-prone areas to ensure a cleaner, safer and more resilient environment for the residents.

The MCE said the second phase of the E-Tankas initiative would focus on community watch, where community members could download the application to lodge complaints.

The Assembly has so far realized GH?25,000.00 from the E-Tankas initiative.

He announced the progress of Work on Axim Road, Shippers
Council Road, De-graft Johnson Road, Harbour Road, Sekondi Road and Adiembra Road, ‘ work on these roads has been ongoing since August 15, 2022. As of the end of February 2024, contractors had been on site for 18 months representing 75 per cent of time spent on site.’

He said the PTC Interchange project had remained suspended for some time now with Sino-hydro, the main contractor for the project vacating the project site since January 2023.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Market and Transport Infrastructure Project, which involved the Redevelopment of the Sekondi market into an ultramodern market, Construction of an automated multi-storey car park in Takoradi (Beach Road taxi station),

Redevelopment of the Eburufom Market and Main Spain (Amanful Electoral Area), Construction of a Haulage Terminal at Sofokrom and Bus Terminal at Nkroful junction had secured a Transactional Advisor to conduct a full feasibility and selection of a suitable private investor to develop the project.

In recognition of the untapped potentia
l of recycling non-biodegradable materials like plastic, as a sustainable livelihood option for the teeming unemployed youth in the Metropolis, the Twins- Cities in Sustainable Partnership Project established and equipped a plastic recycling workshop at the TCSPP Skills and Entrepreneurship Training Centre at STMA Depot, in Sekondi, MCE added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Five Ghanaian Legislatures and an Officer, who were on an official visit to the Parliament of Kenya, who were caught up during the Kenyan violent protest are safe and secured.

A statement issued by the Parliamentary Service of Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency said the High Commission of Ghana in Kenya had confirmed that the five Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Officer accompanying the delegation are safe and secure.

It said the delegation, which was made up of some members of the Local Government Committee of Parliament, including Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi, the Chairman of the Committee; Mr Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the Ranking Member of the Committee,

The rest are Mr Sylvester Tetteh, Mr Thomas Ampem Nyarko, Mr Mohammed Taferu and Madam Anita Quartey Papafio, a Senior Principal Assistant Clerk.

The statement said the delegation was in the Kenyan Parliament on a bench-marking visit when the unfortunate incident occurred.

It noted that they were immediately escorted and secured in the Senate b
uilding and finally evacuated to their hotel by Officials of the Kenyan Parliament.

‘We appreciate the concern from the general public and wish to indicate that efforts are underway to ensure their safe return to Ghana,’ the statement said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has assured Ghanaians that the Free Secondary Education Policy will not be abolished by the next NDC Government.

She urged Ghanaians to disregard the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government’s propaganda that the next Mahama administration would cancel the policy.

A statement issued by Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, Spokesman of the NDC Running Mate, copied to the Ghana News Agency said Prof Opoku-Agyemang stated this in her address to NDC members and supporters at New Tafo Zongo as part of her one-day tour of the Abuakwa North Constituency in the Eastern Region.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC would not cancel the free education policy which started as progressively free under the Mahama administration.

‘They are going round peddling falsehood that Mahama will cancel Free SHS. It is not true. Mahama is not a wicked person to cancel the policy’, she said.

She noted that the next NDC administration would rather improv
e the free education system by working hard to ease congestion in schools and provide learning materials and adequate food for students.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has met with Mr Park Kyongsig, the Ambassador of South Korea to Ghana, to discuss the invaluable support and investments South Korea has committed to Ghana.

A statement issued by the Office of the former President, copied to the Ghana News Agency said Mr Mahama expressed his profound gratitude to South Korea for restructuring Ghana’s debt, which would significantly bolster the nation’s debt restructuring efforts during these challenging economic times.

It said their discussion also delved into the $2 billion framework arrangement, a substantial investment that would significantly impact crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, environment, and agriculture.

The statement noted that this arrangement, coupled with the introduction of new rice varieties, holds immense potential for enhancing food sufficiency in Ghana.

It said South Korea’s commitment to bolstering our agricultural sector was truly commendable and
will undoubtedly make a substantial difference.

It said Mr Mahama also shared with Mr Park the NDC’s plans to establish rice mills and Farmer Service Centres to boost the nation’s agricultural sector.

‘As we gear up for the upcoming elections, I raised concerns about the independence of the Electoral Commission,’ Mr Mahama stated.

‘I urged South Korea and the international community to swiftly advocate for free and fair elections in Ghana, an issue of utmost importance.’

It said Mr Mahama was grateful for the support and looked forward to the continued partnership between Ghana and South Korea.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama has commended the Buz Stop Boys, a Sanitation Team, for their exemplary patriotic volunteerism aimed at seeing a cleaner, healthier, and better Ghana.

A statement issued by the Office of the former President, copied to the Ghana News Agency said he donated GhS50,000.00 to the group and assured them of working to facilitate a few resources they might require discharging their voluntary service such as tricycles, shovels, and wellington boots.

He also challenged the group not to relent in their efforts and never hesitate to make any recommendations to his office in line with future sanitation policies.

The statement said the group thanked the former President and assured him of putting to good use his donation.

Source: Ghana News Agency