Category: General

Dr Abed-Nego Bandim, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bunkpurugu, has reiterated the pressing need for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

He appealed to the Government to invest in climate resilience measures as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Dr Bandim made the call in his submission on the floor of Parliament during a debate on a proposal to empower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help in the fight against the phenomenon.

‘Mr Speaker, I think it is important that in the fight against climate change, we should look at the Government’s own actions and inactions that are detrimental to its fight,’ the MP said.

‘Mr Speaker, there are a number of policies that the Government has embarked upon or continue to embark upon that are inimical to the fight.’

‘Mr Speaker, just about two or three weeks ago, the Government, through the Ministry of Energy, went round; particularly the rural constituencies, to distribute locally made clay C
oal pots for households to use.’

Mr Speaker, the question is, how did they use these coal pots? Obviously, they are going to depend on charcoal, they’re going to depend on firewood in order to use them.’

He said whereas the Government was working with the EPA to combat climate change, the same Government was promoting the use of coal pots in the countryside, encouraging the local folks to continue to fall trees, so that they could be able to survive.

Ghana was an oil and gas producing country but what percentage of the citizens used the gas to survive, he asked.

The MP said the whole of the North East Region did not have a regular supply of gas and the few gas stations there mostly did not have gas to sell to the citizenry.

‘In my constituency for example, Bunkpurugu, sometimes we have to commute to Bawku or Walewale; from Bunkpurugu to Walewale in order to get gas for cooking and for commercial purposes,’ he said.

‘Mr Speaker, the Government needs to double its efforts to make sure that gas is made ava
ilable for its citizens, so that we can stop depending on the felling of trees to survive, because it is adding to the issues of climate change’.

He said the North East Region was closer to Togo and Burkina Faso, and the residents had observed that the Sahara Desert was fast eating into the country.

‘So, it is not enough to just empower the EPA with laws but the Government itself must look at its policies and where it will not help in the fight against climate change should be amended,’ Dr Bandim said.

‘It means, there is no coordination, there is no conversation between Government agencies. I am not sure the EPA is aware that the district assemblies and the Ministry of Energy went round doing all these things (distributing clay coal pots).”

‘I believe they would have advised them and probably given them some alternative measures that could help,’ he said and advocated a national dialogue at addressing climate change.

‘Mr Speaker, if you look at our transportation system, we are only relying on road tra
nsportation. There is no rail, even though the Government some time ago promised even sky trains that have not been made possible.’

He said using railways as a means of transportation between Tema Harbour to the northern part of the country and other neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali would help reduce the destruction of the nation’s roads and the emission of gases by heavy-duty trucks.

‘The stakeholders, while empowering the EPA, also need to ensure they do the right things in their board rooms.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

In a recent announcement, the Minister of Territorial Administration and President of the National Hajj Commission, Atanga Nji Paul has declared the commencement of registration for the Hajj pilgrimage for the year 2024.

This decision comes amide various challenges, including the recent increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) in Saudi Arabia, housing shortages, and the soaring dollar exchange rate impacting service costs.

According to a communique released on Thursday, February 29, 2024, Paul Atanga Nji announced that the price for the Hajj 2024 has been set at three million two hundred and sixty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty-two (3.267.942) CFA francs, marking an increase compared to the previous year’s edition.

‘Despite the increase in VAT in Saudi Arabia, the scarcity of housing and especially the high rate of the dollar which has a substantial impact on all services, the price of Hajj 2024 amounts to three million two hundred and sixty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty-two (3.267.942) CFA francs,
a slight increase compared to the 2023 edition,’ MINAT boss stated in the communique.

Pilgrims have been urged to take note that registrations through the Single Hajj Window, operated by Afriland First Bank, are now open and will remain so until March 15, 2024.

However, it is emphasized that if the quota of registered pilgrims is reached before the specified date, the Single Window will be automatically closed.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Zoomlion Foundation, in collaboration with the Accra College of Education, has launched an initiative dubbed ‘Agenda Zero Waste’ as part of efforts to get everyone on board in tackling sanitation challenges in the country.

The initiative is aimed at involving teacher trainees to be champions of environmental education across the country.

Launching the initiative, Mr Robert Kwaku Adjei, the Writers’ Bureau Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Zoomlion, Madam Gloria Anti, emphasised that the company through the initiative was nurturing a community of passionate individuals who will be actors in the sanitation space in the near future.

He said the initiative also signified a momentous move to address waste management and climate change in the country.

The event, which was on the theme: ‘Achieving Zero Waste: The Role of The Teacher Trainee in Combating Climate Change’, was also used to unveil the Green Generation Champions, an environmental club for tertiary insti
tutions.

The Principal of Accra College of Education, Prof Samuel A. Atintono, said the sustainable management of waste was a critical component of global efforts to mitigate climate change, preserve and present the planet for future generations.

‘The time is up for all, especially our young teacher trainees, to rise up to work towards achieving zero waste in order to recover the negative impact of climate change,’ he said.

According to him, the onus is on all citizens to improve consumption patterns and adopt sustainable waste management practices that protected the environment through recycling of waste.

The National Coordinator of Zoomlion Foundation, Mr Thomas Narh Korley, said Zoomlion had committed resources to the mobilisation of the youth and children to change the sanitation narrative in the country.

He explained that even though Zoomlion’s public education programmes had achieved remarkable results, they still needed to educate citizens on reducing, re-using and recycling of waste instead of du
mping it on landfills, which resulted in environmental and health hazards.

‘We are therefore drumming home that waste is a resource and we need everyone to appreciate that fact and lean towards benefiting from it,’ he stressed.

He said the Foundation agreed to work with the Accra College of Education because the teacher trainees were key stakeholders in involving children and the youth to impact the knowledge of transforming waste into resource.

‘So when they become professional teachers they would not find it difficult at all to teach children and the youth to transform waste into resources,’ he emphasised.

He said Agenda Zero Waste would be replicated in all tertiary institutions, particularly teacher training colleges in the country.

The President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Mr Richmond Adjei, explaining the rationale behind the programme, said there was so much filth on campus and to address it they decided to collaborate with Zoomlion to bring a lasting solution to the challenge.

‘
The collaboration birthed Agenda Zero Waste and the establishment of Generation Champions GGC,’ he added.

‘Zoomlion has done a great job for us by offering us a lot of support including the provision of waste bins to promote waste management on campus,’ he noted.

Mr Adjei further added that the SRC would not rest there, but lobby for more support to push forward the agenda.

He encouraged other tertiary institutions to adopt the initiative and institute programmes that would prompt students to promote good sanitation.

Zoomlion is providing training for the Green Generation Champions and resources for the implementation of Agenda Zero Waste Project.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ms Jennifer R. Littlejohn, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, urged the youth, particularly females, not to be discouraged by difficulties and to strive for excellence.

She said the youth’s capacity to leverage their talents in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics would aid in the development of answers to difficult growing global concerns.

Speaking at a seminar organised at the University of Ghana, Legon, as part of her visit to Ghana, Ms Littlejohn said, ‘If we are to address the major problems of our time, we need the best and the brightest,’.

‘You are going to be leaders, thinkers, innovators, and with a lot of hard work…, you may be able to change the world. You should think about what kind of changes you would like to make.

‘It does not matter who you are or where you come from. No career path should be closed to you if you are smart and willing to work hard,’ she said.

The Environmental Diplomat said the story of S
ylvia Acevedo, an American tech executive who had made significant contributions globally despite her modest background and limited opportunities, should inspire the youth, especially females, to pursue careers in science.

She recounted how Sylvia grew up in a house on a dirt road in New Mexico, the United States, and did not fit the typical profile of a college student, to the point where her high school guidance counsellor told her she was unfit to attend college.

‘Thankfully, she did not listen and went on to become a rocket scientist and later a senior executive at toptech company.’

?She has made enormous contributions to her country and her communities.

Ms Littlejohn stated that the United States of America was adopting several measures, one of which was assisting in the development of connections through the Embassy Science Fellows program, which brings government scientists to serve at its overseas embassies.

She stated that during the last eight years, the State Department had reached agreements
for 18 government scientists to work in West Africa, including two in Ghana.

‘As one example of this program, the State Department brought a U.S. expert on biotechnology to Accra to connect with Ghanaian companies on mentorship for young women on research in agricultural sciences,’ she noted.

Ms Littlejohn said the US would continue to partner with Ghana and other countries across Africa on environmental and scientific issues.??

‘And of course, as President Biden said at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, the United States is all in on Africa and all in with Africa.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority has appealed to the Government to fix the ongoing energy crisis, which is affecting socio-economic activities in the country.

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, and NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Yapai Kusawgu, made the appeal during a press conference at the Parliament House in Accra.

He noted that since 2nd February there had been consistent load shedding by the power generating companies, which was getting worse by the day.

‘The very day his Excellency the President was delivering the State of the Nation Address and…., at that very period the utility companies were shedding load, the Ranking Member stated. The situation appears to be exacerbated.’

Yesterday alone, there was some whooping 530 megawatt of deficits, culminating in curtailment of power to La Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and to Togo.

Mr Jinapor said investigations indicated that some of the thermal plants were down; ‘specifi
cally

TAPCO is down, TICO is down and so they are not generating enough power. But more importantly there is a lack of fuel in the system.’

He reiterated that because of the financial constraints, the Government had not been able to procure adequate fuel to fire some of the nation’s thermal plants, culminating in the load shedding being experienced by Ghanaians.

‘One month of load shedding is more than enough. This is not sporadic, this is continuous, this persistent, and we think that the handlers of the power sector should do the onerous thing by informing the people of Ghana, so that they can plan ahead of time.’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Amasaman Circuit Court has remanded two persons into Police custody for allegedly taking part in a riot at Papaase, near Amasaman.

Nelson Ahiamedzi and Prince Asa alias Asafo were arraigned on a bench warrant.

Ahiamedzi pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit assault, cause harm, use of offensive weapon.

Prince and 15 others, who are on the run, were also charged with discharging guns or firearms in public, and possession of firearms and ammunition without authority.

However, Prince’s plea was rejected since he could only understand Nzema and there was no Nzema interpreter.

The Court, presided over by Ms Enid Marful-Sau, requested that the Registrar provide him with an interpreter on the next adjourned date, March 12, 2024.

According to Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, Papase and Chinto are two neighboring communities in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

He said Nii Papa-Asa Ill is the Chief of Papase and witness, while Nana Fianko Ababio II is the
Chief of Chinto.

Both Chiefs are related, but are deeply divided due to land disputes, the Court heard.

Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah said the complainant, Eric Dodzi, and the victims, who include De-Graft Addotey, Emmanuel Ackah Otoo, Grace Quaye, Sowah Justice, and Christopher Neequaye live in Papase, but support the Chinto Chief.

He said that Ahiamedzi, also from Papase, is a supporter of Nii Papa-Asa II.

On April 18, 2021, Nana Fianko Ababio III led some people who confronted some members of the Zongo Community over a Mosque land at Chinto which Nii Papa Asa III is laying claim to.

The prosecution said the Zongo Community made a complaint to the Kotoku Police and the case was receiving attention.

It said however that on April 20, 2021, at about 0930 hours, Dodzi sent his damaged shirts to Florence Commey, another witness and seamstress, to be mended at Papase for him, noting that the witness’s shop is located opposite the Papase Palace.

He said that Nii Papa Asa IIl, who was in front of his palace wi
th the accused, Torgbui Boni II alias K.K, Prince Asa alias Asafoatse Kaka, and Ahiamedzi, recognized Dodzi as one of the Chinto Chief’s supporters who went to assault the Zongo Community.

The prosecution said Nii Papa Asa III followed him to the tailoring shop and took a hammer from a deaf and dumb carpenter working there at the time.

Nii Asa IIl began pounding Dodzi with the hammer and was later joined by Torgbui Boni II, Prince, and Martey.

He said with the help of Torgbui Boni II and Ahiamedzi, Dodzi was beaten mercilessly.

Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah said De-Graft Adotey, Sowah, Otoo, and Grace Quaye, who were sitting at the Okada station near the palace, heard about the situation and went to Dodzi’s rescue.

This incensed the accused, who went in for pump action guns from the palace and fired at them, injuring each of them.

Nii Asa IIl then led a party of men, including Torgbui Boni II, Prince, Ali Yakubu alias Asa Baba, Asafoatse Martey, and others, who were armed with pump action weapons and pist
ols, to surround the Palace.

He said at about 1500 hours, Christopher Neequaye, a victim, unknowingly alighted from a motorcycle in front of of Papase Palace.

He was also identified as one of the Chinto Chief’s supporters, so the group, including the accused, fired gunshots at him, causing him to fall to the ground.

The prosecution said Thelma Neequaye, the victim’s sister who was at the scene, ran to rescue him and was also injured in the buttocks from pellets fired at her.

She fled to hide and later saw the victim being carried to the Papase Palace; the Court heard.

He said that Thelma heard her brother yelling for help in the Palace and ran to Chinto to alert the Chief and elders about the shooting and abduction of her brother.

The Chinto and Papase youths who supported the Chinto Chief came out in large numbers, armed with stones, to vandalize Nii Asa’s palace in search of their brother, oblivious that Christopher Neequaye had been driven out of the palace and abandoned at Abanman near Adjen Kotoku.

The prosecution said that Chief Superintendent of Police Mr. Michael Ofosu Anim, Adjen Kotoku District Police Commander, led six patrol teams to the Papase palace area to restore order.

He said that police officers retrieved nine spent cartridges from the Palace for investigation.

Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah said a good Samaritan, one Donne Agonde, who was passing with his motorcycle rescued Chrstopher and sent him to the Amasaman Government Hospital.

He said a report was lodged with the Kotoku Police and medical forms were issued to the complainants and the victims to attend hospital.

The accused persons were apprehended, and efforts are being made to arrest the other culprits.

The prosecution said Neequaye who was later sent from the Nsawam Government Hospital to the Koforidua Central Hospital before being transferred again to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

He is still on admission in a critical condition.

After their cautioned statements, they were arraigned, Prosecution told the Court.

Source: Ghana
News Agency

Simon Dorve, 41, a prime suspect in the murder of Christopher Alavi, a 31-year-old boy from Ziope, has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in police cells at Akatsi in the Volta Region.

Dorve, a fetish priest and resident of Wlitey-Agamakope, until his demise, was in police custody together with two other suspects for allegedly masterminding the murder of Christopher Alavi, who had gone missing for several months.

A police source confirmed that the ‘suicide’ was carried out on Tuesday, February 27, and the body of the deceased had been moved to the Ho Teaching Hospital Morgue by a team from the Regional Police Command for further examination.

Mrs Lisah Dorve, a sister of the deceased, told the Ghana News Agency that the Akatsi South Police Command had informed the family about the act and upon arrival at the station, they were taken to the toilet room within the police cells, where the crime allegedly occurred.

She said reports also indicated that the deceased had used a duster meant for cleani
ng the toilet to hang himself on a fan holder when he was discovered.

Some residents of Akatsi South said they were skeptical about the emerging development.

Further information gathered showed that two suspects; Godfred, a student, and Ahomey Gbeti, also a fetish priest, had earlier been arrested for having in their possession some belongings of the deceased (Alavi) who had then gone missing.

After interrogation, Ahomey Gbeti confessed to having committed the crime with Dorve, in whose custody the deceased’s (Christopher Alavi) motorbike and body were later found and retrieved.

Mr Dorve was subsequently arrested on Saturday dawn, February 10, at Wlitey-Gamakope to assist in investigations.

However, the suspects, arraigned at the Akatsi Magistrate’s Court, had been remanded into police custody and expected to reappear on March 13.

Alavi, prior to the arrest of the suspects, went missing after he left home to attend a family meeting at Lume Ahugakope on September 7, 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency