The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) intercepted a large cocaine shipment on March 4, 2025, seizing around 3.3 tonnes of the illegal substance that was being transported from the Western Region to Accra.
Acting on intelligence, NIB officers stopped a tipper truck at Pedu Junction in Cape Coast, where they discovered 143 sacks of cocaine concealed beneath sand.
The truck, which was making its way from Takoradi to Weija, had two occupants who were immediately arrested.
Field tests conducted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed the seized substance as raw cocaine, with an initial weight of 2,974 kilograms.
Subsequent investigations on March 8 led officers to a suspect’s residence, where they uncovered 13 additional sacks along with another bag of suspected cocaine, bringing the total to 345.07 kilograms.
Laboratory tests carried out by NACOC and the Ghana Standards Authority established the total weight of the consignment at 3,319.68 kilograms, with purity levels ranging from 50% to 70%.
The cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $350 million, is suspected to have been smuggled into Ghana by sea through fishing vessels.
A report by 3news indicates that two suspects, Isaac Quaicoe and Kenneth Cobbinah, have been remanded in custody and are set to reappear in court on April 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, the NIB has identified more suspects who remain on the run and is actively pursuing them to ensure that all those involved face justice.
Health authorities in the Central Region have raised concerns over a looming cholera outbreak in Cape Coast Municipality, attributing the threat to a prolonged water shortage affecting several communities.
The Central Regional Health Directorate has urged immediate action to prevent the potential spread of the disease, warning that a failure to address the crisis could put hundreds of residents at risk.
Communities such as Amomoma, Bonkus, Apewosika, Ola, and Nkanfoa have been grappling with severe water shortages, leaving residents desperate for alternatives. Many now rely on expensive water tanker services, creating financial strain on households.
“We haven’t had water in over three months,” a frustrated Nkanfoa resident shared. “We are forced to buy water from tanker services, and it’s really expensive. Not everyone can afford it.”
The situation is particularly dire for students living in Amomoma, Bonkus, and Apewosika, as the crisis is disrupting their academic activities.
“We sometimes have to walk long distances just to fetch water, and it’s affecting our studies,” said Doris Dorgu, a university student in Bonkus. “There are days we miss lectures because we have to prioritize getting water.”
Dr. Joojo Cobinah, the Central Regional Deputy Health Director of Public Health, cautioned that the dire water situation could create the ideal conditions for a cholera outbreak if not urgently addressed.
“If immediate interventions are not made to resolve this water shortage, more people will fall victim to the disease,” he warned.
He urged residents to prioritize hygiene by ensuring they drink clean water and practice proper handwashing. Additionally, he called on authorities to implement alternative water supply solutions to prevent a potential health crisis.
The warning comes amid an alarming rise in cholera cases across the region. As of January 26, 2025, 20 out of the 22 districts in the Central Region had recorded cases, resulting in 14 deaths. Out of 1,929 suspected cases, 180 have been confirmed.
Dr. Cobinah stressed the importance of early medical intervention, revealing that many of the fatalities were preventable. He noted that several patients arrived at health facilities in critical condition, while others were already deceased upon arrival.
In response to the escalating crisis, public health officials have intensified surveillance and monitoring efforts to contain the outbreak. Authorities are also emphasizing preventive measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging residents to maintain hygiene and seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms like acute diarrhea and dehydration.
With concerns mounting, health officials continue to push for immediate government intervention to ensure affected communities receive sustainable water solutions before the situation worsens.
Three rooms of a ten-bedroom house in Tsibu Darko, Cape Coast, were destroyed in a fire caused by negligence, while the remaining seven rooms were saved thanks to the quick response of the University of Cape Coast Fire Station.
Upon arrival, firefighters found three rooms already engulfed in flames but managed to prevent the fire from spreading further.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire was sparked by a lit match and combustible materials.
The blaze resulted in the destruction of three rooms and their contents.
Eight people sustained injuries in a road accident at Nananom Junction on the Accra-Cape Coast highway on Wednesday, with one victim trapped in a mangled vehicle.
A rescue team from the Mankessim Fire Station, led by ADO II B. Eduful, responded to the incident at 10:48 a.m. The crash involved a Sprinter Mini Bus, a Hyundai Hi Mini Cargo, and a Toyota Hiace.
Upon arriving at 10:50 a.m., the team worked to extricate the trapped victim, completing the rescue at 11:10 a.m. The other eight casualties had already been transported to the Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital in Mankessim before the rescue team arrived.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, but the impact caused significant damage to the front sections of the vehicles and resulted in the loss of several cartons of fresh fish being transported at the time.
As excitement builds, the 2024 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is set to return in grand style, with Cape Coast as the host city for this year’s national championship.
Schools from across Ghana are gearing up for the prestigious quiz competition, which will see over 100 institutions competing for the top prize.
Among the competing schools, 27 have already secured a place in the one-eighth stage of the contest, setting the stage for an intense battle of wits. The competition will take place at key venues, including the Centre for National Culture (CNC), UCC Auditorium 900, and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Auditorium, where the intellectual showdown will unfold.
NSMQ 2024: For the first time in its history, the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) will be hosted in Cape Coast. Follow the event closely on JoyNews, Joy Prime and JoyFM.#NSMQOnJoypic.twitter.com/yCHpU8C6mg
The official launch of the 2024 NSMQ and balloting for the preliminary stage is scheduled for October 1 at 3 PM at the New GNAT Hall in Accra. Following the launch, the preliminary rounds will take place from October 14 to October 17, where schools will vie for a spot in the next stage of the championship.
Successful schools from the one-eighth stage will move on to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, which will also be held at the SGS Auditorium in Cape Coast. The competition will culminate with the grand finale at the New Education Centre (NEC), where the ultimate champion will be crowned.
The 2024 NSMQ, produced by Primetime Limited, continues to be a significant event in the country’s academic calendar. Sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, the competition aims to promote excellence in science and mathematics education.
In addition to the live audience, the NSMQ will be broadcast on JoyNews and Joy Prime, with support from key sponsors including Vitamilk, NASCO, German Ozone Medical Center, Royal Foam, Jamaa Soap, Heritage Christian College, Virtual Security Africa, Ace Medical Insurance, Chopbox Technologies, Sintex Tank, DBS, Built Financial Technologies, Beta Malt, and Family Health University College.
As the national championship approaches, the suspense builds, and students and schools alike are eager to make their mark on Ghana’s premier science and mathematics competition.
Eleven individuals are feared dead and several others have been injured in a horrific accident on the Cape Coast-Takoradi Road.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 25, 2024, when a Sprinter bus collided with a tipper truck.
Reports from EDHUD on X indicate that the bus, which initially had 28 passengers on board, had already seen some passengers get off before the crash.
“Eleven people are feared dead, and several others have sustained various degrees of injury after a Sprinter bus collided with a tipper truck on the Cape Coast-Takoradi road early this morning.
“According to reports, the bus was carrying 28 passengers. Some had alighted on the way, but the bus was unfortunately hit by a tipper truck just a short distance from its destination.
“The casualties have been taken to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for medical attention,” the post said.
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed a bold plan to transform Ghana’s aviation sector, beginning with the development of the Cape Coast Airport.
During the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, Dr Bawumia announced that $2 billion in funding has been secured from Korean investors to kickstart the airport project.
Highlighting the importance of expanding public infrastructure, Dr Bawumia outlined a broader vision for the aviation industry in Ghana.
He pledged to facilitate the establishment of a private-sector-led Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Tamale Airport, aiming to make it a key hub for aviation cargo, horticultural goods, and logistics.
In addition to the Cape Coast Airport and Tamale MRO facility, Dr Bawumia committed to constructing a new airport in the Upper East Region, further emphasizing his dedication to enhancing the country’s aviation infrastructure.
“Our plan includes the development of the Cape Coast Airport, funded by the $2 billion Korean facility, the establishment of an MRO facility at Tamale Airport to make it a cargo and logistics hub, and the construction of a new airport in the Upper East Region,” Dr Bawumia stated, promising to propel Ghana’s aviation sector to new heights.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Cape Coast North, Horace Ekow Ewusi, has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Professor Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi from his position as chairman of the University of Cape Coast governing council.
In his petition, Ewusi argues that Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi’s actions are disrupting the university’s operations, necessitating his removal for the institution’s benefit. He claims that the chairman is pursuing a personal agenda detrimental to the university’s management.
“I humbly write to bring to your attention the disturbing conduct of the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi, which is affecting the smooth running of the University and further petition your high office to investigate same and further humbly request for his removal.
“This request is being made as a final resort after numerous efforts by the eminent of the community, including myself to request him to conduct himself as a seasoned statesman and responsible Chairperson of a highly esteemed institution as the University of Cape Coast has proved futile. Although the Chairman may be seen as a party person and professional, his conduct clearly demonstrates that he is seeking a personal agenda than the one that he was brought in for which is the collective interest of the University thereby affecting our chances of winning the seat,” portions of the petition read.
Mr Ewusi criticized the chairman of autocratic decision-making, lacking a fundamental understanding of corporate governance, and acting as an executive chairman by making unilateral decisions without consulting the University Council members.
“He has repeatedly taken it upon himself to make unilateral decisions, including solely responding to a petition on an advertisement without seeking input from other members of the Governing Council. Additionally, he has clashed with two major unions (UTAG and GAUA), the convocation and the Board of convocation of the University. Attached as Appendix 1 to 3 are copies of the responses written by Prof. Harold Amonoo-Koufi to these bodies.”
Furthermore, Mr Ewusi accused Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi of consistently targeting the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, creating significant tension and division within the university community.
“Faculty and staff of the University, who form the base of our party, have expressed concerns about the sudden turn of events since Prof. Harold Amanoo-Kuofi assumed office and the potential impact this has on the University’s reputation.”
On August 2, Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi issued a notice announcing the termination of Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor of UCC.
Steve Quamz, known on social media as Kuami Eugene‘s doppelgänger, has shared that he’s been receiving significant attention from women.
In a recent interview with Amansan Krakye on Cape Coast‘s Property FM, he revealed that many women who admire the real Kuami Eugene but find it hard to approach him are turning to him instead.
Quamz explained, “Being recognized as a lookalike of a famous star like Kuami Eugene brings a lot of attention, especially from women.
Some of them have told me that, although they’ve admired Kuami Eugene for a long time, they find it difficult to get close to him. Since they can’t meet him, they prefer to date me instead.”
He continued, “It’s not always about a serious relationship; some women are interested in a brief encounter simply because of my resemblance to Kuami Eugene. I’ve definitely noticed a surge in attention because of this.”
A fuel tanker on Sunday evening, July 28, overturned on the Cape Coast-Takoradi highway, approximately 100 meters before the UCC east gate, resulting in a fuel spill across the roadway.
The cause of the tanker’s pod tipping over remains unknown.
The spilled fuel rendered the affected section of the highway slippery, endangering both pedestrians and motorists.
Some individuals were observed risking their safety by collecting the spilled fuel in containers.
Emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ghana Police Service were present to avert any potential disasters.
Police redirected traffic away from the spill area to prevent additional accidents.
Fifteen individuals have been injured in a crash on the Cape Coast-Accra highway near the Childcare School junction in the Central Region.
The incident involved a Toyota Hiace with registration number GB 2053-22, which occurred at approximately 6:30 AM on Monday, July 22, 2024. The vehicle was en route from Takoradi to Accra when it veered off the road and into a nearby bush.
Emergency services were called to the scene and successfully rescued 10 passengers who were trapped inside the vehicle, while five others had managed to escape before their arrival.
The injured were transported to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital by the National Ambulance Service using three ambulances for medical treatment.
Fire officials, who are investigating the cause of the accident, reported to Kasapa News’ Yaw Boagyan that the vehicle sustained significant damage.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has declared that the Accra-Cape Coast highway, which collapsed on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, is now accessible to motorists.
On that day, motorists traveling on the Accra-Cape Coast road found themselves stranded due to the Okyereko Bridge’s collapse over the River Ayensu in the Gomoa East district of the Central Region.
The bridge reportedly gave way due to heavy rainfall and the diversion of the River Ayensu by the road contractor.
To aid travelers during the day, the Ghana Highway Authority announced alternative routes.
However, in an interview with Accra-based Asaase Radio on Friday, the Gomoa East District Director of NADMO, Robert Nana Hackman, disclosed that the road is now open to motorists.
He mentioned that after conducting engineering work on the road, it was reopened on Thursday, June 7, 2024.
“Yesterday, with the help of the district engineer and the contractor himself, we were able to fix the road, and it was opened around 9:34 pm.”
“Currently, the road diversion has been closed, and motorists and passengers plying Kasoa to Winneba, Apam, and Mankessim Takoradi Cape Coast can now use the old road,” he said.
During the ongoing limited voter registration drive in Cape Coast North, the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justice Agyemang, has been viciously assaulted, sustaining head injuries from a machete attack.
According to a report on onuaonline.com, the assault on Agyemang was allegedly perpetrated by Eric Sampson, also known as Bullet, purportedly the bodyguard of Samuel Kwamena Mintah, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North.
The chaos erupted at the registration center when individuals seeking to register were reportedly hindered, with suspicions that they were brought from other areas to the venue.
This led to a confrontation between the MP’s team and members of the NPP.
Reports suggest that at one point, the machete used to injure the NPP official was in the possession of the MP’s bodyguard.
Following the violent incident, bystanders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The Electoral Commission’s limited registration initiative, which commenced on May 7, aims to register eligible Ghanaians who have reached the age of 18. The registration process is scheduled to conclude on May 27.
A concerned group at the University of Cape Coast is urging the government to promptly investigate alleged unauthorized spending by Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong.
The group, preferring to remain anonymous, also demands full transparency regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s questionable expenditures.
“We will not tolerate the misuse of funds that undermines our shared mission of education and research,” it said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency.
The group alleges that the Vice-Chancellor utilized two million Ghana Cedis on overseas travels, prioritizing it over the well-being of the university’s students and faculty.
“Our painstaking investigations have revealed that he traveled more than 20 times between February, 2022 and December, 2023.
“The investigations uncovered an amount of $75,000. 00 on per diem alone and over GHC600,000.00 on air tickets as evidenced by receipt from Global Wings and Tours Limited. This is over 268% more than the budgeted amount for the year 2022.
“On one of his travels on 22nd December, 2023, his air ticket alone cost GHC118,267.00.mWhat makes the situation murkier is the fact that the Vice-Chancellor approves the travels himself without recourse to Council. The Governing Council which was supposed to hold him in check either neglected its duties or was compromised. Many are calling for his head and that of the then Council Chair and Members for breach of duty.”
These expenses have caused widespread outrage among faculty, staff, and students,the group said.
“The Vice-Chancellor’s lack of fiscal responsibility has undermined the university’s financial stability and eroded public trust.
“It is strange that a University that struggles to pay its utility bills, accommodate students and pay lecturers would condone such lavish expenses by one man who has not brought any grants during his four year tenure but strangely illegally lobbied for a 2-year extension that overlaps his 60th birthday.”
“As the university’s highest-ranking official, the Vice-Chancellor has a legal obligation to act in the institution’s best interests,” the group said.
As a result, he has violated his fiduciary responsibility. Some alumni are already preparing to take legal action in court to address the illegal extension of his tenure beyond his 60th birthday, which is a clear violation of the Ghanaian Constitution, as determined by the previous Council.
Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong did not pick calls on both his Telecel number 0208 and MTN number 0547.
He did not also reply WhatsApp messages sent to him on the matter.
Renowned broadcast journalist and host of Peace FM’s Kokrookoo morning show Kwami Sefa Kayi, known as “Chairman General,” has expressed scepticism about the feasibility of constructing an airport in Cape Coast.
The host of Ghana’s popular morning show “Kokrokoo” on Peace FM shared his views on the proposed airport for Cape Coast in the Central Region.
In 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pledged to build an international airport in the Central Regional capital, with feasibility studies reportedly nearing completion.
Further details about the project emerged in 2023, revealing plans for the airport to include the first aircraft repair center in West Africa.
Located near Komenda in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality, the project aims to serve the entire sub-region with its aircraft repair center, positioning it as a significant aviation hub in West Africa.
But to Chairman General, “Building an airport inCape Coast is a useless venture. Look, it will be as useless as the Ho airport”.
He categorically said this on his show Thursday morning.
The coastal city of Cape Coast in Ghana has taken a significant step in addressing the escalating issue of plastic waste with the inauguration of a waste to resource collection and preprocessing plant.
The facility, located at OLA Kojokrom, marks a pivotal moment in the city’s efforts to combat environmental pollution caused by plastic waste.
Over the years, the proliferation of plastic usage, particularly by water bottling and sachet companies, coupled with the shift towards plastic packaging in malls and shops, has led to a surge in plastic waste generation. This unchecked disposal of plastics has had devastating effects on the environment, with plastics littering streets, clogging drainage systems, and polluting water bodies.
The impact of plastic waste on Cape Coast’s coastal communities and fishermen has been particularly concerning, with nets often catching more plastics than fish, jeopardizing livelihoods and endangering aquatic life. Additionally, the release of microplastics into water bodies from plastic waste poses a significant threat to the environment and public health.
Recognizing the urgent need to address the plastic waste menace, the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) has taken proactive steps to tackle the issue. Environmental Officer Iddris Shani highlighted the assembly’s efforts to impose stiffer punishments for offenders and manage waste more efficiently. However, limited financial resources have hindered the establishment of a recycling plant and comprehensive waste management system.
The inauguration of the recycling plant, spearheaded by Caritas with support from City Waste Recycling Limited, the German Development Cooperation, and an Austrian group, represents a ray of hope in Cape Coast’s battle against plastic pollution. The facility, which will be managed by Caritas, aims to collect and recycle plastic waste from schools and institutions, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of plastics and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The ceremony, attended by selected primary, junior high, and senior high school students, underscored the importance of youth involvement in environmental conservation efforts. Rev. Fr. Stephen Amoah-Gyasi emphasized the need for collective action to combat plastic waste and urged institutions to support the recycling plant’s operations by supplying waste plastics.
The initiative received widespread support from dignitaries and community leaders, who pledged to sustain efforts to keep Cape Coast’s environment clean and healthy. Most Rev. Mathias Kobena Nketsiah emphasized the spiritual significance of the recycling plant, calling on individuals to fulfill their responsibility to nurture the environment.
As Cape Coast takes strides towards a cleaner and greener future, the inauguration of the recycling plant represents a pivotal moment in the city’s journey towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Through concerted efforts and community engagement, Cape Coast aims to turn the tide against plastic pollution and create a healthier environment for future generations.
A Ghanaian historian has elaborated on the reasons behind the relocation of Ghana’s capital from Cape Coast to Accra.
According to him, the relocation is a historical event deeply rooted in the colonial era, shaped by the colonialists’ strategic decisions and their perceptions of the socio-political landscape.
In a video shared by an X user, Scottbolshevik, the historian indicated that, during colonial rule, the British administrators found themselves grappling with a perceived challenge arising from educational advancements among the Fante people in the South.
The introduction of education to the Fante population resulted in a rapid sophistication of the community.
In a short span, the Fante people began producing professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers, leading to increased assertiveness and resistance against the colonial powers, particularly in Cape Coast.
“The colonialists drew an imaginary boundary between the North and the South. And their reason was this, that when they gave education to the Fante people they became sophisticated and within a short time they started producing lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc, and they started fighting the Whites over lands and anything you can imagine in Cape Coast,” he sated.
The escalating conflicts between the Fante people and the colonial authorities over land and various issues compelled the colonialists to make a strategic decision – relocating the capital from Cape Coast to Accra.
By moving the administrative center to Accra, the colonial rulers aimed to mitigate the challenges posed by the educated Fante populace, avoiding confrontations and disputes that had become more frequent in Cape Coast.
The decision to draw an imaginary boundary between the North and the South was driven by a desire to prevent a recurrence of the situation witnessed in Cape Coast.
The colonialists believed that restricting education in the North would ensure a steady supply of labor for the mining and cocoa industries without the potential for educated individuals in the North to challenge their authority.
“That was what forced them to move the capital from Cape Coast to Accra and they felt they should not make that mistake anywhere else. So in the North they made sure there will be no education for the Northerners so that they will get Northern labor for the mining industry and the cocoa industry,” he added.
Frederick Douglass if you teach that black man how to read, there would be no keeping him. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master.
They still keep the black man slave to economic theories, religion, and political stooges. pic.twitter.com/RJ2fkIHfzh
Numerous businesses in the Cape Coast Metropolis and surrounding areas are experiencing a significant surge in patronage during the Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebration.
Hotel rooms, guest houses, and other accommodation facilities are fully booked, accommodating both local and foreign visitors who have flocked to the town to partake in the festival. Checks conducted by Ghanaweb reveal that these accommodations were reserved two to three months prior to the event.
Many businesses are taking advantage of this festive season, capitalizing on increased sales and promoting their products to the public. Telecommunication companies like MTN, Vodafone, and others are witnessing a high level of customer activity as festival-goers utilize their services.
The week-long festival includes a variety of activities such as Akom’s night, Refatta, free health screenings, old school nights, and more, all aimed at showcasing the rich culture and tradition of the Oguaaman.
Commercial motorbike riders, known as ‘okada’ or ‘Pragyia,’ as well as taxi drivers, are enjoying increased demand in the area.
Food establishments, pubs, restaurants, and clubs are also bustling with business.
Several business owners interviewed by GhanaWeb expressed satisfaction with the patronage and anticipate even higher sales as more visitors are expected to arrive by the end of the day.
Mr. Kwame Gyasi, the Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), encouraged the public to explore various tourist sites in the area to boost revenue for development. He highlighted accessible attractions such as Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, and Kakum National Park, urging foreign nationals to take advantage of the opportunity to visit and explore the region before the festivities conclude.
The Food and Drugs Authority has issued a cautionary note to the public, advising vigilance and caution when purchasing drinks, foods, and beverages during the festive season. While the authority is working diligently to identify counterfeit products, individuals are reminded to purchase from accredited vendors to ensure safety.
The Oguaa Traditional Council has welcomed four Chinese industrialists into the Cape Coast community through a special traditional naming ceremony held at the Emintsimadze Palace, the residence of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Oguaamanhen.
The ceremony was conducted to acknowledge their commitment to the development of Oguaa and to grant them local names reflecting their affiliation with the Ebiradze Royal Family of Cape Coast.
The honorees are prominent figures from the TIAST Group, an agricultural machinery company, and their partners, Health Community of West Africa, a health-focused organization.
Mr. Hehui Chen, Chairman of TIAST China, who was born on a Friday, was named Kofi Esar. Similarly, Mr. David Tai, CEO of TIAST West Africa, also born on a Friday, received the name Kofi Sekum.
Ms. Anna Jiang, the Chief Director of the Health Community of West Africa, was named Ekua Bentumaa as she was born on a Wednesday, while her translator, Ms. Danchen Xu, who was born on a Friday, was named Efua Aboagyewaa.
In accordance with tradition, the Omanhen, who conducted the naming ceremony, used the Adwen (wisdom) Leaf to scoop water three times for each honoree to drink. They were then offered liquor using the same leaf, repeated three times, to help them distinguish between good and bad and to discern truth from falsehood.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II also provided a mixture of water and liquor to all those present as part of the ceremonial tradition.
Kofi Esar, Kofi Sekum, Ekua Bentumaa, and Efua Aboagyewaa, visibly delighted, were adorned with vibrant bead accessories as tokens of appreciation.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II encouraged the newly inducted members of the community to contribute actively to its development. He emphasized the importance of honesty, respect, and assistance to the people of Oguaa, considering them as family.
He concluded by stating that if they continued to make positive contributions to the city, the community would gather once again to honor and reward them for their dedication.
A courageous action by an entrepreneur Daniel Anane resulted in the revelation of an impersonator posing as a military officer and an individual suspected of engaging in drug peddling within a shared commercial vehicle, commonly referred to as a trotro.
The occurrence transpired while traveling from Cape Coast to Twifo Praso, where Anane promptly responded by alerting the Twifo Hemang police station about the situation.
Originally from Wassa Ateiku located in the Western Region’s Wassa East District, Daniel Anane narrated the series of incidents to Eric Annan of Sompa News.
Anane described how a male passenger began assaulting another passenger while on the journey, prompting concern from fellow travelers.
The assailant identified himself as a military officer and claimed to have discovered illegal drugs on the victim as justification for his actions.
Doubting the legitimacy of the supposed military officer, Daniel Anane pressed for evidence of identity, but the individual couldn’t provide any substantial proof.
Unconvinced, Anane requested that the driver of the vehicle drive directly to the Twifo Hemang police station, where both individuals were held.
Upon conducting a thorough search, the police discovered two parcels suspected to contain “wee” (marijuana) on the passenger who had been subjected to the beating by the fake soldier.
In a surprising turn, a subsequent search of the imposter soldier revealed needles and other injectable substances.
Anane persisted, urging the police to extend their search to the fake soldier, leading to the discovery of needles and injectable concoctions.
During interrogation, the fake soldier made shifting claims, initially claiming to be a radio presenter and later a veterinary doctor. However, he failed to provide any identification to validate these professions.
The case now rests with the Twifo Hemang police command as investigations into the matter begin.
Following the emergence of a distressing viral video showing a student violently attacking another in a dormitory, the Adisadel College student involved has been apprehended by the Police in Cape Coast.
The arrested student has been charged with causing harm and assault and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Meanwhile, the victim, who was initially suspended, has been called back to the school and is currently receiving medical treatment and psychological support to aid his recovery from the traumatic incident.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, leading the school to take prompt action by suspending all students involved pending further investigations.
Adisadel College’s administration is unwavering in its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and addressing any form of violence or misconduct.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on education stakeholders to seize the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance teaching, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
During the 75th Anniversary celebration of Ghana National College in Cape Coast, the Vice President highlighted that the initiative, if utilized effectively, could serve as a means to narrow the gap between developed and developing nations.
“If we are in agreement that the boys and girls in our schools today are being trained to compete on the global stage, there is every justification for our students to be given exposure to AI.
“Government’s ongoing digitalisation agenda is ample testimony of its appreciation of AI and the commitment to ensure that this country is not left behind. We have focused on pursuing digitalisation as part of our economic strategy because the Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and we must be part of the modern world…
Hailing the impact Ghana National College has had on Ghana’s pre-and post colonial life, Vice President Bawumia said government was going to do its part in ensuring that AI becomes a key ingredient in providing education in Ghana.
“Whilst Government will do its part by leading the charting of a pathway to the deployment of meaningful AI in our national life, I expect our educational authorities to devise and deploy innovative teaching strategies that factor in ICT as a key ingredient,” he indicated.
Mamdev Ghana Limited, the contractor responsible for the Prof John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library in Cape Coast, has officially delivered the facility to the government for renovation and subsequent commissioning.
The facility is now in the hands of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), and the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) who have resolved to get it running within three months.
The three institutions will work in close collaboration with other stakeholders, including the family of the late President, to raise the edifice to the standard of an ideal cultural and intellectual heritage centre to promote tourism.
The one-storey facility, sitting face-to-face with the Cape Coast Castle, was built, commissioned, and handed over to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) by the erstwhile Mahama Administration in honour of the late President.
The edifice has a conference hall, multimedia room, e-lecture halls, offices, reception, secretariat, VVIP Lounge, kitchen, museum, roof terrace garden, among other facilities to enable it function as a research and memorabilia hub for the late President.
But more than six years after the commissioning, the library has failed to work because the contractor held on to it chiefly due to the failure of the State to pay him for the work done.
Consequently, parts of the building have deteriorated with broken glass windows, corroded and non-functional air-conditioners, broken ceiling, peeling paints on walls, among other challenges.
At a short handing over ceremony, Mr Akwasi Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, noted that all issues had been resolved to pave the way for the utilisation of the library.
He said it was imperative to renovate the facility to harness its potential to contribute to tourism in the region and called for a synergy between the Castle and the Library.
“Given its proximity to the Cape Coast Castle and its significance, it will become one of the recent attractions that we have in the municipality,” he noted.
He further revealed that the stakeholders had agreed to introduce new ideas and facilities such as shops and a learning centre for the youth, to help modernise and enhance the vision of the project.
“The Library Authority will make sure that it becomes a learning centre for the youth in the municipality,” he indicated.
Mr Agyemang further advised that the facility must be properly managed and maintained to raise the necessary revenue for itself to avoid falling on government for maintenance and other necessities.
Mr Joseph Kojo Mamphey, the CEO of Mamdev Ghana Limited, apologised to the people of Cape Coast and Ghanaians for holding on to the library for the non-payment over the years.
He was however glad that his action and continuous stay in the ancient city had birthed the Green City project, which aims to transform Cape Coast.
He thanked the chiefs and people and all other stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the execution of the project.
“We are privileged to hand over the keys to you today,” he said in an emotional voice.
Mr Kingsley Agyei Boahene, the Chief Director of the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) who represented the Regional Minister, expressed joy over the greenlight to get the facility running.
According to him, it was in the Regional Minister’s plans to reactive the project as it aligned with the development agenda of the region.
“We advise that it should be vibrant so that visitors can patronise it in their numbers,” he said, assuring the three institutions of the Council’s support in the rehabilitation of the project.
Police have apprehended four individuals suspected of being involved in kidnapping activities at a rented residence in Ntranoa, near Ankaful, in Cape Coast.
One of the suspects, who had allegedly disguised himself and entered a mosque, reportedly lost his life. Meanwhile, two other suspects, including the supposed leader who is believed to be in his 60s, are currently evading capture.
In an operation conducted on Wednesday evening, the Police successfully rescued several victims, all in their 20s, and promptly transferred them to a hospital for necessary care.
According to information obtained from the local community, the suspected kidnappers enticed their victims from various parts of the country, including Accra, by offering job opportunities and subsequently housed them within their fenced apartment for illicit purposes.
Reports indicate that the apartment is owned by a university lecturer.
Some residents told the GNA that they noticed the presence of the suspects, believed to be francophone nationals, in the community about two months ago.
However, their decent disposition did not give them away as being involved in any illegal activities, such as trafficking or ritual activities.
Some residents said that on Wednesday afternoon, at about 1300 hours, one of the victims managed to escape and called for help from the community members.
The matter was then reported to the Regional Police Headquarters whose timely intervention saved two of the suspects from being lynched by the community members.
One of them, who also attempted to escape, was reportedly caught and beaten at Atrokwa before he was handed over to the Police.
Later in the evening, a female who identified herself as the cook for the suspects was also arrested.
The Police reportedly retrieved talismans, knives and other implements from the apartment. The victims were put on a bus with their luggage and mattresses.
The Police declined to comment on the issue when contacted by the GNA.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency in the Central region, Barbara Asher Ayisi, has has spoken out about the trauma of losing an election.
According to her, it taught her valuable life lessons, highlighting the challenges she faced following her electoral defeat during the 2020 general elections.
She explained that, after serving as a women’s organizer and deputy constituency secretary for Cape Coast, she embarked on her political journey with a clear objective to develop her constituency after having spent a significant portion of her life in Cape Coast and engaging in various endeavours.
She further stated that she had never experienced defeat at an election since she began her political journey.
“For me, I haven’t lost an election before; I mean, for over 20 years, I became a women’s organizer and deputy constituency secretary for Cape Coast, and by God’s grace, I got the opportunity to go to the assembly as well.
“I was also doing fashion and at the same time teaching at Wesley Girls… so I have spent most of my life in Cape Coast; the truth of the matter is that I haven’t lost in any election, so I believe this loss has helped me seriously, in fact, it has changed my whole perspective about life because I thought when you are in your hard times, that is when you get loved ones to console you,” she said.
Speaking in a panel discussion on Onua TV on May 24, 2023, she expressed her disappointment in those whom she trusted as they gradually distanced themselves from her after the election. She added that some individuals even resorted to spreading lies about her.
“My challenges started when I lost the election, especially in the constituency. Those that I thought were my loved ones…I went into politics with a genuine heart and not that typical politician because I knew I had the passion to make Cape Coast better; that is it, I came raw like that, and I thought that getting the mandate as a Member of Parliament would make me bring changes to Cape Coast. So, when I lost, then I was like, this thing is not easy… so those that especially I used to walk with, most of them left, and others began to tarnish your name.
“So, when I lost the election, the way I dressed, you might think that everything was all right, but I knew what was going on inside me, so the feeling is not pleasant, but I have learned lessons,” she added.
Barbara Ayisi, who served as Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, lost her Cape Coast North parliamentary seat to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The National Democratic Congress’s candidate, Dr. Kwamina Minta Nyarku, polled 22,972 votes against Barbara, who garnered 21,643 out of the total votes cast in the 2020 general elections.
At Daboase Junction, a car carrying a driver and two passengers drifted off the Takoradi-Cape Coast highway and into a nearby stream. The three were fortunate to have survived.
An eyewitness who talked to Adomonline.com claims that on Sunday, April 30, 2023, the driver was traveling from Takoradi to Accra when he attempted to swerve around a pothole. Unfortunately, this caused his automobile to become airborne, and it somersaulted till it crashed in the muddy water.
It took some of the passersby, who were mainly locals, to swim to the rescue of the travellers who were stuck in a grey Hyundai Elantra registered vehicle.
Luckily, none of them got severely injured with the locals saying the incident would have been deadly if it had occurred in the night.
They had to cut the seatbelt of the lady who was locked in the front passenger seat, subsequently, the impact of the accident activated the airbags of the saloon car.
The 2023 Oguaa Fetu Afahye, an annual celebration of Cape Coast‘s chiefs and people, has been launched by the Oguaa Traditional Council.
This year’s festival is on the theme: “Celebrating our Educational Institutions for the Enhancement of Ghana.”
There were cultural performances from the seven Asafo companies and many other cultural troupes during the launch.
The Oguaa Fetu Afahye is celebrated on the first Saturday of September by the people of Oguaa, the former capital of Ghana.
Launching the festival, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen (Paramount Chief) of Oguaa Traditional Area, called on parents and guardians to create security and a better future for themselves and their families by investing in the education of their children and wards.
To him, quality education did not depend solely on the output of teachers, but also on the support of parents to enhance teaching and learning.
He lamented the situation where many pupils in Junior High Schools in the area do not get admission to the array of first-class schools due to poor performance.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta called on corporate bodies and philanthropists to support the festival and urged his people to obey the customs and practices and keep their surroundings clean.
Chairman of the Afahye Planning Committee, Mr. Perry Mensah said the festival had become a conduit for reviving and redeveloping the once socio-economically vibrant and culturally rich metropolis.
Mr. Mensah was optimistic that the celebration would live up to its expectations, having lined up a series of activities to ensure that Cape Coast took its rightful place in Ghanaian Society.
The activities would include a vigil at Bakado, the beach, which would also host a regatta for the Asafo companies, a youth colloquium, and children and gender activism day.
He reminded all residents to religiously obey the ban on drumming and noisemaking, particularly religious organizations, to ensure peace.
The ban affects noise making, including the use of loudspeakers, drums, tambourines, clapping of hands and the use of any form of musical instruments during the period.
During the period, the Oguaa Traditional Council would pray for the country and the citizens to continue to keep the flame of peace, love, tranquility, and good brotherliness.
“We also entreat all persons in Oguaa to comply with the ban on drumming and noise making and refrain from making derogatory remarks about the rites, customs, practices, and beliefs of the people,” the Chairman of the Afahye Planning Committee cautioned.
Mr. Mensah urged residents to work together towards keeping the metropolis clean and healthy by participating in the monthly clean-up exercise.
He said residents could, on their own, get together to clean their immediate environs without necessarily waiting on the community leaders to organize a clean-up and urged the media to project the festival and all its related activities.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Prof Eric Nyarko-Sampson, urged old students to endeavour to support their former schools to facilitate academic work.
Prof Nyarko-Sampson who chaired the function, said people needed to give back to schools and communities which mentored them to become what they were today.
The surname of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, who served as prime minister of Ghana from 1969 to 1972, has been scrutinized due to its true meaning or nomenclature, according to tales and occasionally what others have asserted to be facts.
While the actual meaning of the name Busia cannot be independently stated by GhanaWeb, some people believed the name was rather an abbreviation.
According to a report published by OnuaOnline.com, it is claimed that Busia was a name that was accorded to Ghana’s second prime minister by the colonial masters.
The details of the report have it that Nicholas Osei, popularly known as Prophet Kumchacha, founder and leader of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, claimed this during a radio interview.
He is said to have stated that he believes that Busia was the “truest brilliant scholar he has ever heard of,” while adding that even the composition of his name was an abbreviation.Interestingly, he claimed the name “BUSIA” is the acronym for “Best University Scholar in Africa.
“The claim, however, has been challenged by a scholar with close ties to the former prime minister.Actually, this scholar, Kofi Abrefa Busia, –a man named after Dr. Busia who teaches history and social studies at the Seventh Day Adventist at Bekwai, said that this assertion is wrong.
Dr. Kofi Busia stated that his father was a personal secretary to Prime Minister Busia in the 1960s and that the original name was Bosea (gravels), and not Busia as known now, the report added.”The name Busia is of a typical Wenchi origin.
The name was Bosea, which is gravel, meaning ‘many’.”He was called Bosea because he had charisma and could draw a lot of people around him wherever he goes. So just as gravels are many, he was associated with it considering the number of people he could garner within his circus wherever he would be found.
But it was adulterated by the white teachers during his (Dr. Busia’s) primaryeducation, and Bosea became Busia.”Modern scholars have tried to give another meaning to the name because of his wonderful academic performance, thus “Best University Scholar in Africa.”
The name came before the acronym,” he told OnuaOnline.He further explained the relationship his father had with Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia and how he came to understand the true meaning of the name.”My father is from Wenchi.
He was a politician and personal secretary to Dr. Busia in the 1960s. So he named me after him. About 20 years ago, I went to Wenchi, the hometown of Dr Busia, and paid a courtesy call to the queen mother, where I got the opportunity to ask for the origin and the meaning of the name “Busia”, and she gave me that explanation,” the report added.
About Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia:Kofi Abrefa Busia (July 11, 1913 – August 28, 1978) was a Ghanaian political leader and academic who was Prime Minister of Ghana from 1969 to 1972. As a nationalist leader and prime minister, he helped restore civilian government to the country following military rule.Busia was born a Bono prince in the traditional kingdom of Wenchi, in the then Brong Ahafo region of Ghana.
He was educated at Methodist School, Wenchi, Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, and then at Wesley College, Kumasi, from 1931 to 1932. He taught at Wesley College and left to study at Achimota College in 1935 and taught there.
He gained his first degree with Honours in Medieval and Modern History from the University of London through correspondence during this period. He then went on to study at University College, Oxford, where he was the college’s first African student.He returned to the Gold Coast in 1942.
He took a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (1941, MA 1946) and a DPhil in Social Anthropology in 1947 at Nuffield College, Oxford, with a thesis entitled “The position of the chief in the modern political system of Ashanti: a study of the influence of contemporary social changes on Ashanti political institutions”.
He was a Fulbright scholar in 1954.Busia served as a district commissioner from 1942 to 1949 and was appointed the first lecturer in African Studies. He became the first African to occupy a chair at the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana). In 1951, he was elected by the Ashanti Confederacy to the Legislative Council.
In 1952, he was the leader of the Ghana Congress Party, which later merged with the other opposition parties to form the United Party (UP).As leader of the opposition against Kwame Nkrumah, he fled the country on the grounds that his life was under threat.
In 1959, Busia became a professor of sociology and culture of Africa at the University of Leiden near the Hague, Netherlands. From 1962 until 1969, he was a Fellow of St. Antony’s College, Oxford.
He returned to Ghana in March 1966, after Nkrumah’s government was overthrown by the military, to serve on the National Liberation Council (NLC) of General Joseph Ankrah, the military head of state, and was appointed as the Chairman of the National Advisory Committee of the NLC.
In 1967/68, Busia served as the Chairman of the Centre for Civic Education.He used this opportunity to promote himself as the next leader. He also was a Member of the Constitutional Review Committee. When the NLC lifted the ban on politics, Busia, together with Lawyer Sylvester Kofi Williams and friends in the defunct UP formed the Progress Party (PP).
In 1969, the PP won the parliamentary elections with 105 of the 140 seats. This paved the way for him to become the next Prime Minister. Busia continued with NLC’s anti-Nkrumaist stance and adopted a liberalised economic system.
There was a mass deportation of half a million Nigerian citizens from Ghana, and a 44 percent devaluation of the cedi in 1971, which met with a lot of resistance from the public.While he was in Britain for a medical check-up, the army under Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong overthrew his government on January 13 1972.
Busia remained in exile in England and returned to Oxford University, where he died from a heart attack in August 1978.Busia’s name is associated with Ghana’s political right, along with J. B. Danquah and S. D. Dombo.
The Cape Coast District Court has ordered the seizure of two vehicles, a bus and a Mahindra pick-up truck belonging to Aggrey Memorial A.M.E Zion Senior High School.
This according to a report by Myjoyonline.com is due to the failure of the school to settle a debt of over one hundred thousand Ghana cedis owed to a businesswoman who supplied food items to the school.
The vehicles have thus been seized on the orders of the court and are currently parked on the premises of the Cape Coast District Court.
The court in due course will hand over the cars to an appointed auctioneer to be sold to settle the debt.
Kanamis Enterprise whose Managing Director is Comfort Nkrumah filed a suit against the school at the court.
According to the statement of claim, Kanamis entered into a contract with the school for the supply of food items on credit basis in 2018.
The company supplied a total amount of goods valued at some GHS 257,000, out of which the school settled GHS 157,000 leaving an amount of GHS 154,717.
The company after futile attempts to get the school to settle the remainder of the amount resorted to initiating the court action.
The school has since admitted to the debt in court.
The report says the vehicles have been parked on the premises of the court for over a week.
The Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has given a strong assurance of deepening trade relations between Ghanaian and Namibian businesses for shared growth.
The increased relations, she explained, were a top priority of the Namibian government towards tapping the investment potential in the country, particularly in the Central region, while capturing new foreign direct investment between the two countries for mutual gain.
The move is based on the premise that with combined efforts, the two countries would become stronger and more prosperous to address common challenges and take advantage of shared opportunities for their common benefits.
Among others, the major areas of interest include education, agriculture, environment and tourism, trade and investment, mining, energy, science and technology, health, fisheries and aquaculture, infrastructure development, and maritime.
Namibia has a well-established fishing industry and seeks to increase the existing volume of its fish and marine products in the Ghanaian market.
It is known worldwide for its export of beef and related products, beverages, dates, grapes, fish, salt, and minerals.
The Namibian High Commissioner also visited the Holy Child School and Adisadel College, where she interacted with the students and the school authorities as part of her gender empowerment, mentoring and coaching, particularly for young girls.
It was also to explore educational partnerships between schools, particularly Senior High schools in the academic city of Cape Coast and its counterparts in Namibia for exchange programmes and academic partnerships.
As well, she visited many businesses, including the Ekumfi fruits and Juices factory and paid a courtesy call to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area to explore other cultural and traditional ties.
The Namibian High Commissioner had earlier called on Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Regional Minister, and indicated that the move was a springboard to consolidating the bilateral relations between the two historic countries.
She said Ghanaian entrepreneurs, businesses and institutional collaborations were central within the framework of mutual commitment that led to the signing of a Ghana and Namibia General Cooperation Framework Agreement.
The arrangement includes the establishment of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) in 2022, which serves as the platform for the conduct of bilateral relations to identify and pursue bilateral cooperation across multifaceted sectors.
Backed by the PJCC, she said, Namibians had recognised the growing trading relationship between the two countries, saying each country could serve as a launching pad for higher volume trading relations with other countries in southern and Western Africa.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the partnership at major international institutions, like the African Union, the United Nations, and other major multilateral platforms have continued to also yield joint benefits.
Building on the existing relationship, the two countries also desire to increase bilateral trade in the context of the timely African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA), thus boosting the two countries economic recovery and development in the post-COVID-19 era.
The Namibian High Commissioner indicated that there were complementarities between the economies of the two countries, which the private sector of Namibia and Ghana should take advantage of.
The Namibian High Commissioner expressed her personal resolve to empower women, saying it was essential to the health and social development of families, communities, and countries.
She said when women lived safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they could reach their full potential and contribute their skills to the workforce and raise happier and healthier children.
In a remark, Mrs Assan expressed gratitude to the High Commissioner and the Republic of Namibia and described the engagement as useful for deepening bilateral ties.
She indicated that the region had many investible areas aside from the tourism and hospitality industry, which had been largely advertised.
She stressed that “investors must take advantage of the agro-processing sector, tourism, property and real estate and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) opportunities in the region to expand their market and provide more job avenues in the region.”
Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, has appointed US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, a liaison officer between Oguaa Traditional Council and the US.
She made the appointment while at Cape Coast on Tuesday following a request by the Paramount Chief of Ogua, Osaberima Nana Kwesi Atta II.
US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer
The liaison, according to the chief, will improve contacts between the White House and the paramountcy in order to support the latter’s undertaking of specific development projects with the help of the former.
U.S Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff received a traditional Kente cloth, from the Chief of Cape Coast, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, at the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast.
Kamala Harris further noted that a positive relationship will assist both groups forge a stronger bond and enable them to re-learn history for the benefit of passing it on to future generations and preserving their sense of historical pride.
The Oguaamanhene further asked for a reciprocal visit to the White House as a show of solidarity between Oguaa and the United States of America.
“I have intentionally not talked about the castle which I know you’re going to visit. Over the years we’ve had President Obama and the wife visiting the castle, we’ve had the wife of President Trump, we’ve had Pelosi and now it’s your turn.
“When you go there, and you carefully look around, you’ll ask yourself so many questions. Why should anybody treat anybody the way our ancestors were treated and this gives a lot of thought but we’re not in those days now,” he indicated.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris is expected to leave Ghana on Wednesday to continue her 9-day trip in Africa.
The account of how Dr. Jemima Elike Nunoo, the Technical Director for Media and Strategic Communications at the Office of the President, was accorded her wish for a child is an intriguing miracle.
After many years of trying without success, the University of Birmingham-trained Dr. Jemima was left with only her hopes and the prayers she said in an almost giving-up situation.
Married for so many years but yearning to have a child of her own, she got lucky in 2017 – February 9, which was 5 days to her birthday (February 15), but the icy hands of death robbed her of that blessing.
In fact, in that year, instead of marking her birthday on the 15th, she rather bid her daughter a final goodbye as that baby was put in the ground.
It became the beginning of years of sorrows and flashbacks of the unbelievable pains she went through, losing her first child, so much so that her subsequent birthdays were not longer fun.
But as they say, God surely has a good sense of humour, and He knew what he was about.
In a narration of how things took a rather beautiful turn for Dr. Jemima Elike Nunoo, and her husband, King Nunoo, the Chief Executive Officer of Cape Coast Vipers Football Club, after 6 years, one of their long-time friends, shared the story.
Known on Facebook as Marie-Anne Blessings To Nations, this friend – who has known Dr. Jemima since her sister and the presidential staffer were mates at the university, wrote that the day things happened, she was around.
According to Marie-Anne, she had been in Ghana some time in May 2022 when Dr. Jemima gave her a treat of a lifetime.
She explained that on her second day, after having had the privilege to go to Ghana’s oldest-living former president, John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr. Jemima had to leave her to go meet her husband; who had just returned from a trip.
“You see Dr Jemima was born on the 15th of February, and after many years of praying to God for a child, was blessed with a child (a babygirl) 6 days to her birthday on 9th February 2017. Unfortunately, the child died and was buried on her birthday on 15th February 2017.
“It has been a very hard time for her. Every year on the anniversary of the birth and death, her birthdays were no longer fun but sorrowful. She would talk to my elder sis and I about how she felt and we would try in our small limited human efforts to cheer her up. But what can you say to your sister who is crying with no child to hold when yours are rolling in? And never once was she bitter towards us…
“So, we prayed and begged God for a child – that by this time next year she would be carrying her child (it was early May 2022). Shortly after I left, she informed my sister & I that she was pregnant. COME AGAIN?!!
“And guess what? please scroll back up again… remember the day she dropped me after a beautiful day at the mountains? my second day in Ghana? when she dropped me and went home to meet her husband who was returning from a trip? turns out she took in that day after years of trying to no avail!! She JUST TOOK IN!!!! and 3 days later we were still crying to God for a baby! God has a serious sense of humour!!” she wrote.;
But even better, Marie-Anne wrote that the new baby girl came in as an early birthday gift to her in 2023.
A gory accident at Gomoa Nyamebekyere on the Kasoa Cape Coast Highway in the Central Region has left many injured.
The accident occurred near the Gomoa Dominase onion market on Friday evening in a collision involving a Ford with a Tipper truck.
Preliminary investigations by the Winneba Municipal Fire service indicate that the Ford with the registration number GE 7270-17 was travelling from Takoradi to Accra.
The driver made a wrongful overtaking and collided with the tipper which was coming from the opposite direction.
In an interview with Adom News, theofficer in charge of the rescue team from the Winneba Municipal Fire service station, ADO2 Jude Oppong Manu, confirmed the incident.
He said the driver of the Ford was stuck in his car for an hour due to the impact of the crash but was rescued and rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital together with other passengers.
ADO2 Manu entreated drivers plying on the Kasoa Cape Coast Highway to avoid unnecessary overtaking to save lives and property.
A gory accident which occurred at Gomoa Nyamebekyere on the Kasoa Cape Coast Highway in the Central Region has left many injured.
The accident occurred near the Gomoa Dominase onion market on Friday evening in a collision involving a Ford with a Tipper truck.
Preliminary investigations by the Winneba Municipal Fire service indicate that the Ford with the registration number GE 7270-17 was travelling from Takoradi to Accra.
The driver made a wrongful overtaking and collided with the tipper which was coming from the opposite direction.
In an interview with Adom News, theofficer in charge of the rescue team from the Winneba Municipal Fire service station, ADO2 Jude Oppong Manu, confirmed the incident.
He said the driver of the Ford was stuck in his car for an hour due to the impact of the crash but was rescued and rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital together with other passengers.
ADO2 Manu entreated drivers plying on the Kasoa Cape Coast Highway to avoid unnecessary overtaking to save lives and property.
Davis Mac Iyalla, a well-known Nigerian born British LGBTQIA+ rights activist who sworn in as a traditional chief in Yamonransa in the Central Region over the weekend, is no longer in that position.
The chiefs of Nkusum Traditional Area stripped him of the title and reversed his installation on the grounds that he failed to reveal his true identity to them.
According to the traditional leaders, they had known him only as Kweku Adu, a resident of Cape Coast, for the past 10 years and only got to know that he was actually known as Davis Mac Iyalla, an LGBTQIA+ rights activist only a few moments to the installation. In view of that, they (the chiefs) decided to reverse the process and that Mac Iyalla cannot refer to himself as a chief anymore.
“During the process of his installation as Amankorehen, (Nkosuohen ie Development chief), information came that Kweku Adu is also known as Davis Mac-Iyalla and has been supporting LGBTQIA+ and it’s related activities.
“Immediately this information came to our attention, we called for the whole process of Mac-Iyalla to be halted. We wish to state that no title has been conferred on him as Amankorehen of Yamonranza.”Nana Okese
The popular gay activist was outdoored at a ceremony at Yamonransa, under the stool name Nana Kweku Gyasi I. However, Nana Okese Esandoh IX, Paramount chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, disclosed that the traditional council was not aware that Mac Iyalla was a gay activist and had thus refrained from conferring that chieftaincy title on him.
The traditional leader explained that, he got to know Mac-Iyalla through some friends in Cape Coast, who recommended that he had been supportive with developmental projects. He made known that he discussed the issues with the Ebusuapayin (family head) of Yamonransa to install him as Amankorehen to help with the area’s development.
Among others, the Chief indicated that, the Amankorehen was to organise the African-American people who have traced their roots to Yamonransa to support the area’s development. Nana Esandoh admitted that Mac-Iyalla had shown some dedication and commitment to the development of the area.
“His broader vision to attract investors from America and Europe, particularly the United Kingdom to boost economic activities is great.”Nana Okese
Fall From Palanquin Incident
Davis Iyalla was carried in a palanquin through the Yamonransa township, pouring schnapps along the route. The palanquin ride did not go smoothly, as he fell off the palanquin to the ground on his way to the durbar grounds.
On reaching the grounds, Davis together with the paramount chief, Nana Okese Esandoh, were held in an engagement with police officials for about an hour before the proceedings continued with an amended programme lineup. The swearing of oath of allegiance to the Omanhene in state on the initial programme lineup was cancelled.
Mac Iyalla in his address disclosed that, he had completed all traditional formalities emphasizing that he was now a chief. He stated that he was born Nigerian but now a British citizen saying by “the grace of God he practice what he preaches”, ie human rights for all persons.
“I don’t believe in discrimination. Whether you are tall, short black, white, yellow or green you are a human being and I will fight for that my belief to the very end. No matter what it cost me. I am not a hypocrite and I will not start now to be a hypocrite. You don’t need to like me but you have to respect my views.”Davis
Mac Davis explained that, he came to know the Omanhene in April 2022 when the Omanhene had been in a chieftaincy dispute for 13years. He said soon after knowing him (the Omanhen) they worked to ensure he was gazetted in December 2022 and sworn into the regional house of chiefs. “I am a man of action. When I enter somewhere I bring change. Whenever I enter anywhere if I say I want to do something I do it and I do it very well.” he averred.
The gay actitivist, asserted that he belonged to Nkusukum Yamonransa and nobody can take it away from him. “Let us not waste time. Let us celebrate and enjoy. I have completed the process as a chief.” he declared.
News of his installation on various social media received a lot of attention with many criticizing the chiefs for installing him.
An educational forum has been held in Cape Coast to mark the International Day of Education with a call on stakeholders to support education financing to improve standards.
The Director General of the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration of the University of Cape Coast, Dr Michael Boakye-Yiadom who made the call said while government’s budgetary allocation to the sector was woefully inadequate, stakeholders must not look on as this could compromise quality.
He said the country must not give up in striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on education adding that all must devise innovative ways to get all in school and support finance education for enhanced quality.
The forum was organised by the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, a semi autonomous Institute at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) that trains educational planners, leaders and administrators and a UNESCO category two institution in collaboration with the Cape Coast office of the Ghana Education Service and the University Practice Senior High School.
Theme
This year’s celebration was on the theme, Invest in People, Prioritize Education.
The first International Education Day was celebrated in January 24, 2019.
Dr Boakye-Yiadom said in 2001 at an international educational forum, the government of Ghana pledged a minimum of 23 percent of budgetary allocations to education.
However, he noted this year’s allocation was 12 percent, one of the lowest in many years.
He said public funding of education would never be enough in any country and particularly in developing countries charging, traditional rulers, district assemblies and the private sector to support finance education.
1.2 million out of school
He said about 1.2 million Ghanaians between the ages of four and 17 were out of school.
Out of the number, he noted that almost one million had never been in school saying figures should be a worrying concern for all.
Huge investments
He all levels of education from basic to tertiary required huge investments in infrastructure and teacher development to increase access and improve quality.
He said it was sad that some senior high school graduates with good grades could not get admissions into tertiary institutions because of limited facilities.
He said if the country did not effectively mobilize to work towards achieving the sustainable development goals on education it would not be attained.
Dr Boakye-Yaidom urged stakeholders to consciously make efforts towards educating all from the individual to the national level.
He indicated that visits to some of the communities in and around Cape Coast indicated that some of the children were not in school because they still did not understand the relevance of education.
Others did not have mentors and role models who inspired them to go to school.
Developing mentors
He said IEPA was considering developing mentors and roles for communities across the country to encourage them to go to school and stay in school. Peer role models
He said if every young person in school encouraged one person to go to school the problem would be almost solved.
He said as they developed their leadership skills through peer inspiring out of school children to go back to school.
Stay in school
He advised the students to stay in school and encourage others to stay in school.
Speaking on theme, the Metropolitan Director of Education of Cape Coast, Ms Phyllis Krobea-Asante said education held the key to developing productive and functional workforce essential for accelerated socio-economic development.
She said government must increase its allocation to education from 12 percent to 23 percent saying the future benefits of such investments would silence all critics.
She said to this end the nation must continue to prioritize education and to help prepare the youth for the future saying that was the best way to ensure growth and development and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
Ms Krobea-Asante called on educators to invest in the future by invest time and resources in positively mentoring the students into productive citizens to themselves and society.
A GH50,000 bail with two sureties have been granted to the three defendants who are on trial for their roles in the unrest at the NDC Youth and Women’s Congress.
Lawyers of the accused assured the court that their clients will not absent themselves from court nor interfere with investigations.
Though the prosecution did not oppose the bail, the judge noted that the sureties should be residents within the jurisdiction of the court and be civil servants who earn not less than GH¢ 2,000.
The court also directed that the accused must report themselves to the police twice a week specifically on Mondays and Fridays.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare-Addo has described as unfair the resolve by the police to prosecute the matter.
Background
The police declared 16 people wanted for violent disturbances at the National Democratic Congress Youth and Women’s Congress held at Cape Coast on December 10, 2022.
“While proceedings were ongoing at the Congress two rival groups violently clashed throwing stones, blocks, sticks, clubs, chairs among others, causing injury to three persons and destruction to property,” the police said in a statement.
“The intervention of the Police brought the situation under control for the processes to continue to the end without any further incident.”
After an initial review of Police-specific video footage of the event, 16 suspects were identified as some of the people involved in the violence and were declared wanted.
The University of Cape Coast was also ranked 3rd best university in the country and 2,205th in the world.
The report also indicated that the University of Ghana retained its position as the best Ghanaian university under Impact ranking category while the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University for Development Studies came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
It added that the University of Ghana (UG) was also ranked the best in the Openness ranking category followed by KNUST and the University of Cape Coast.
KNUST and the University of Cape Coast were also beaten to the first by UG in the Excellence ranking category.
Webometrics.com indicated that its ranking is to engender healthy competition among the various university in the world in terms of web presence.
“We intend to motivate both institutions and scholars to have a web presence that reflect accurately their activities.
“If the web performance of an institution is below the expected position according to their academic excellence, university authorities should reconsider their web policy, promoting substantial increases of the volume and quality of their electronic publications,” is quoted to have said.
About Webometrics.com:
Ranking Web started in 2004 (current is the 18th year of publication) to offer full coverage of Higher Education institutions whatever the country or discipline involved. Currently, we ranked 31 000 HEIs from more than 200 countries.
Editors of the Ranking Web are scientists working at one world-class public research institution with long experience in metrics-guided evaluation
The Ranking Web or Webometrics is the largest academic ranking of Higher Education Institutions offering every six months an independent, objective, free, open scientific exercise for providing reliable, multidimensional, updated and useful information about the performance of universities from all over the world.
The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the incidents of violence that occurred during the election of the party’s National Youth and Women’s Organiser last Saturday at Cape Coast.
Four persons sustained injuries during the conference with 16 persons being arrested by the Police for their involvement in the scuffle.
In a statement on December 14, the party’s Council of Elders demanded a full report on the violence which marred the conference.
It said persons found to have breached the party’s rules whether elected or not will face disciplinary action.
“In this regard, the Council has called for a full report of the incidents and any member(s), whether elected or not, found culpable in the breach of the rules prescribed by the Congress Planning Committee or complicit in any of the incidence will take serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Party’s code of discipline.
“The Congress Planning Committee should have no hesitation in removing any person(s) whose behavior is not conducive to the orderly conduct of the Congress,” the statement said.
The party urged strict observance of the rules announced by the Congress Planning Committee to avoid the recurrence of violent events and to ensure a peaceful outcome of Saturday’s Congress.
The Council of Elders expressed worry over the current internal wrangling in the party ahead of the national congress.
It cautioned contestants that the “Council wishes to remind all contestants that acting contrary to laid down rules and regulations will carry severe sanctions including disqualification of any contestant.”
“All contestants are reminded that the party stands supreme and this will not be sacrificed for the personal interest of any contestant, delegate or party member.”
At least two persons have allegedly sustained gunshot wounds at the ongoing congress of the National Democratic Congress in Cape Coast.
Over 1,800 delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to vote in Cape Coast Saturday, December 10, to elect candidates for the National Youth Organiser, Deputy Youth Organiser, Women’s and Deputy Women’s Organiser positions of the party.
The election is being held at the campus of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
For the Youth Organiser position, George Opare Addo and the party’s Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi are contesting.
Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Ruth Dela Seddoh, Bright Nudokpo Honu, Sulemana Abdul Karim and Mohammed Abubakari Sadiq Gombilla are all in the race for the National Deputy Youth Organiser position.
The rest are; Kabiru Ahmed, Eric Dadson, Pendilock Owusu Asare, Obed Opintan and Jude Sekley.
Women Organiser
The contest for the Women Organiser position is between the incumbent, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw and a former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Suhum, Margaret Ansei.
Aspirants for the Deputy Women Organiser are; Abigail Akwabea Elorm Mensah, Felicia Dzifa Tegah, Jessie Adams and Hajia Alijata Sulemana.
The party’s national executives election will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on December 17.
Teacher trainees in all sixteen Colleges of Education affiliated with the University of Cape Coast have boycotted all mid-semester quizzes.
The teacher trainees refused to write the first mid-semester paper; Gender and Writing paper scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 2022.
Trainees at the OLA College of Education, Berekun College of Education, Abetifi College of Education, St. Francis College of Education, St. Monicas’s College of Education, Seventh Day Adventist College of Education, Christ the Teacher College of Education, Atebubu College of Education and Foso College all boycotted the mid-semester examination.
Similarly, trainees at the Holy Child College of Education, Kibi College of Education, Holy Spirit College of Education, Jasikan College of Education, St. Ambrose College of Education, St. Teresa’s College of Education and Offinso College of Education all followed suit.
At the Atebubu College of Education, for instance, the trainees availed themselves for the examination but refused to write the paper and stormed out of the hall with the examination papers when the question papers were distributed to them.
The boycott follows a three weeks old strike by two bodies, the Colleges of Education Tutors Association of Ghana and the Colleges of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association of Ghana (CENTSAG) over welfare concerns.
According to the students, they have lost five weeks of contact hours as a result of the ongoing strike by CETAG and will need a postponement of all examinations until issues surrounding the strike are resolved.
They contend that the tutors have not been able to cover most of the topics nor have they been able to award scores for continuous assessment.
A second year of the Atebubu College of Education, Peter Katari, supported the boycott because their earlier pleas to the mentoring university for a postponement like other sister mentoring universities were ignored.
“The boycott is in the right direction because we can’t write exams when tutors have been on strike for three weeks now. We have a lot to cover in terms of content but the university wanted to go ahead with the examination and we responded by boycotting it”.
Confirming the boycott to GhanaWeb, the General Secretary of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Musah Sumaila, disclosed that they have resolved not to take part in the mid-semester quizzes as well as the scheduled end-of-semester examination.
He added that they want the University of Cape Coast to postpone the mid-semester quizzes and end-of-semester examination until the impasse between CETAG and the government is resolved.
“We have decided to boycott the mid-semester quizzes as well as the scheduled end-of-semester examination because of impending issues. We cannot write examination under the current conditions and it is only fair that they postpone it until the strike is called off”.
Meanwhile, this portal can confirm that all SRC Presidents in the 46 Colleges of Education across the country had earlier written to the National Executive of TTAG directing all students and teachers to stay off the examination.
The review of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) was received with disappointment by some Cape Coast residents in the Central Region, and they renewed their requests for the government to rescind the policy entirely.
They bemoaned that the already shaky economy would not be improved by the proposed revision of the revenue collection policy.
The E-Levy was implemented by the government in 2022 as part of efforts to boost revenue. It is a 1.5 percent deduction from a set list of electronic transactions with a daily threshold of 100 Cedis.
In view of this, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, while presenting the 2023 budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 24, announced a reduction in the rate of the policy from 1.5 percent to one percent without the threshold.
The review, among other fiscal and austerity measures, is targeted at salvaging the country’s southbound economy.
This means that subject to approval by Parliament, Ghanaians will pay E-Levy of one percent on all affected forms of transactions despite the amount involved.
Speaking to some citizens on the development, they expressed disappointment at the policy and questioned the sensitivity of government to their plights.
Madam Abigail Mensah, a trader at the Kotokuraba Market, said she did not want the policy in any form and that it must be scrapped off immediately.
“Already, we can barely afford to feed ourselves and our families and the best government can do is to push us off the cliff with taxes?” she queried with a visibly livid expression.
Comparing the E-levy in its current form to the proposed review, Madam Lordina Ackah, also a trader, preferred it to be left untouched because the percentage removed was an insult.
In an interesting twist, another market woman, Madam Gertrude Dadzie who also called for the levy to be scrapped, suggesting that the government found better means of easing the plight of Ghanaians.
A taxi driver, Mr Francis Awotwe, called on the government to cancel the E-Levy and bring back the tollbooths.
Lamenting the hardship in the economy, he said he made nothing from his taxi business because every money he made went into buying fuel.
“I buy a gallon of petrol for more than 80 Cedis and I do not make up to 300 Cedis in a day. How much do I give my car owner and how much do I take home to cater for my family?” he retorted.
“In spite of this, the government still wants to take away the small money I send to my poor old mother in the village.”
Meanwhile, some mobile money vendors have said the development would collapse their businesses even further.
Mr Nii Armah Tagoe indicated to the Ghana News Agency that his average daily profit of 80 Cedis had dropped to 20 Cedis since the introduction of the levy.
He said even though transactions conducted were not affected by E-Levy, customers’ activities had dropped significantly due to the lack of proper education on the policy.
“We have not made any profit since the E-Levy came and the trend now is that many people no more do withdrawals and deposits than money transfer.
“The review is worse, and it is going to kill us more,” he added.
Another vendor, Mr Ahmed Yussif, said he did not expect any significant effect on his business, adding that the impact, if any, would be felt after a month.
A man has reportedly been killed in a hit-and-run accident at Assin Akyiase, off the Cape Coast-Assin Fosu Highway.
The accident, according to a report by Onuaonline.com, occurred when a speeding truck knocked and ran over the victim.
According to an eyewitness, the victim of the accident appeared to be drunk, hence his failure to move out of the way when the truck was approaching.
“It was a hit-and-run. The car was big. The police have come to assess the situation and [have] covered him with weed. It’s a man. His intestines are all out. His head is crushed, and his hands and legs are all broken. We know him. He’s from our side. He was drunk. He would have fled,” the eyewitness, Kojo Rockson, narrated.
Meanwhile, a police team is said to have arrived at the scene to assess the situation and convey the body of the deceased for further investigation.
Going into the finals of the 2022 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), all finalists have each had a taste of the victory they all once again seek.
Whether in many years past, or very recently, each of these three boys schools have another opportunity to prove to the rest of the country why they deserve the bragging rights they so yearn for.
And already, there are those who are seeking to further upset their contenders, or, for others, get another feather in their caps through this victory and make a statement that they are not in this to play.
Besides, this competition is one that, far beyond the schools, is a bragging right for three major regions of the country: the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Central Regions.
PRESEC Legon
Currently the school to have won the NSMQ the most times since it started in 1994, PRESEC looks to win the competition for the 7th time.
The last time it won the competition was in 2020.
All the other times it has won the competition have been in 1995, 2003 2006, 2008, and 2009.
Prempeh College
The next closest contender in tally is the Prempeh College.
This school was the first winner of the NSMQ in 1994 and are currently the reigning champions.
The Kumasi-based school looks to retain its position as the current title-holders.
Should they win, it would bring the number of times they have won to 5, matching up the number of their closest contenders, PRESEC-Legon.
All the other times the school has won the NSMQ have been in 1996, 2015, and 2017.
Adisadel College
The least victorious school in the 2022 finals of the National Science and Maths Quiz the Cape Coast-based all boys school, Adisadel College.
Having won the competition only once in 2016, the school hopes to have another bragging right from winning this contest.
Regardless of that, the school has been at the finals five times in the history of the competition.
Beating both PRESEC and Prempeh College would be a slaying statement for the school should this happen.
Below is the full list of all the winners of the NSMQ since 1994:
1994 – Prempeh College
1995 – PRESEC–Legon
1996 – Prempeh College
1997 – Opoku Ware Senior High School
1998 – Achimota School
1999 – Mfantsipim School
2000 – St Peter’s Senior High School
2001 – Pope John Senior High School
2002 – Opoku Ware Senior High School
2003 – PRESEC–Legon
2004 – Achimota School
2005 – St Peter’s Senior High School
2006 – PRESEC–Legon
2007 – St Augustine’s College
2008 – PRESEC–Legon
2009 – PRESEC–Legon
2010 no competition was held
2011 no competition was held
2012 – Ghana Secondary Technical School
2013 – St Thomas Aquinas
2014 – Mfantsipim School
2015 – Prempeh College
2016 – Adisadel College
2017 – Prempeh College
2018 – St Peter’s Senior High School
2019 – St. Augustine’s College
2020 – PRESEC–Legon
2021 – Prempeh College
Prempeh College will have a chance to defend the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) trophy in the grand finale after their victory in the first semifinal contest.
The Kumasi-based giants defeated Cape Coast’s Mfantsipim School in a close contest on Sunday.
They now stand a chance of equalling two records set by Presec Legon; that is winning the trophy back-to-back and winning it for the sixth time.
The scores at the end of five rounds stood at Prempeh College with 49 points, Abetifi Presby came second with 43 points and Mfantsipim School came last with 41 points.
Meanwhile, St James Sem, Kumasi High School and Presec Legon will compete for a slot in the finale at 12 pm.
The 2022 National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service in partnership with Absa Ghana and supported by GOIL, Prudential Life Insurance, AirtelTigo, Dano Milk, Newmont, GNPC, Accra College of Medicine, Academic City University College and Y FM.
The broadcast of the National Science & Maths Quiz on JoyNews is supported by Virtual Infosec Africa, Virtual Security Africa, Vita Milk, Cowbell, Alumni by Enterprise Life, Fay Toilet Roll, Ace Medical Insurance, Azar Group, Kings Group Limited, Family Health Medical School, DBS, ZnZ, The Barstow School, KORBA and Pharmatrust Limited.
The paramount chief of Cape Coast, Oguaamanhen Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, has posited that the central government has too much power.
According to him, the powers of chiefs, who had complete control of their territories before the colonial era, have almost been completely taken away by political authorities.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II said that chiefs nowadays have to seek permission from politicians in the capital town of Ghana, Accra, before they are allowed to do anything on their own land, asaaseradio.com reports.
“With the advent of politics as we see it today, chiefs as it were, are relegated to the background. The position they held and the part they played is not the same today; where you had the power to do certain things, you do not have the same power now.
“You have to channel certain decisions to Parliament and even to the government before you implement certain things and I wouldn’t say it’s an affront, but it subjects the chief to either the government or to Parliament and that was not the case in the past. It is a nuisance; it’s a delay in the resolution of matters in your own environment,” he said.
“For example, if you are chief, that land of which you are the chief belongs to you [hold it in trust for the people] and therefore, anything whether minerals or whatever there is in that land, you should have control. If you are misusing it your people are there to check on you,” the chief is quoted to have said by asaaseradio.com.
He added that “Why should I go to Accra to get a permit before I can explore what is in my own land? … you can have your treaties but leave my land for me.”
The Oguaamanhen’s comments come following conservations on the role chiefs play in leasing lands for mining activities in the country.
Many Ghanaians have said that chiefs are complicit in the menace of illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as ‘galamsey’, in the country.
But the chiefs have maintained their innocence, saying that they are not the ones who give out mining licenses to prospective miners.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has ordered the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to pay compensation to its customers affected by its prepayment system across the country from September to early October, this year.
This follows the failure in ECG Prepayment vending System at Volta, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw andTafo among other locations.
To demonstrate good customer service, the commission has asked ECG to pay lifeline customers GH¢15, residential customers with 10 penalty units equivalent GH¢120; non-residential customers with 20penalty units equivalent GH¢240; commercial customers with 40penalty units equivalent GH¢480 and industrial customers with 100 penalty units equivalent GH¢1,200.
Dr Ishmael Ackah in a statement issued and signed and copied to Ghanaian Times in Accra on Tuesday said the ECG would pay the compensation in the form of a one-time electricity credit from last Saturday to Friday October 7, 2022 with the compensation clearly indicated on customer receipts.
“ECG shall issue widespread notifications to inform customers of the compensation due to them and shall maintain accurate records of measures taken to comply with this order including the number of temporary staff engaged (if any), for purposes of regulatory monitoring,” he stated.
“This order is without prejudice to any additional directives the Commission may issue with respect to the incident,” he added.
Dr Ackah noted that the order was issued under sections 11 and 12 (1) and (2) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538); and regulations 41 and 45 of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (Consumer Service) Regulations, 2020 (L12413).
He said that the law imposed a duty on public utilities to provide safe, adequate, efficient, reasonable and non-discriminatory service.
“The law also mandates the Commission to impose compensation orders among other penalties on public utilities for failure to comply with their legal obligations,” he said.
Dr Ackah said it was for that reason the commission in consideration of the inconvenience occasioned by the failures with the ECG prepayment meter system determined that ECG would pay compensation to all its affected customers.
The Executive Secretary of the PURC said that the ECG would additionally adopt immediate measures to increase staff output and responsiveness to customers.
Dr Ackah said ECG would extend the working hours at all affected locations to 8pm,
engage temporary staff to ensure that affected customers were speedily attended to and were credited with the approved compensation by October 7, 2022.
“Final resolution of the vending failure as soon as possible with minimum further inconvenience to consumers,” he added.
Filming and voicing out his frustration in the dark, a livid Derrick Kobina Bonney (DKB) was concerned about the technical challenge that has affected prepaid metering systems making it impossible for customers to top up.
The situation has led to some customers sleeping in darkness as the purchase of electricity credit for prepaid metres has sadly been interrupted.
“Prepaid network down, can’t buy lights, darkness everywhere! But I have to wait on NDC before I’ll know if I’m in darkness! Pure rubbish and nonsense!” the comedian fumed in a tweet, Thursday.
In the video clip that had the aforementioned caption, DKB could not fathom why genuine concerns are diluted for political expediency. He noted that whenever concerns are raised, there is a swift attempt by a section of the public to politicize the matter, a posture he condemned without equivocation.
“In this country, if there is a socio-economic problem bothering you and you complain about it, they’ll tell you you’re manipulated by the opposition,” he said.
“Since morning that we’ve not had prepaid to buy and our lights are off, me as a human being, as a Ghanaian, I can’t see that I don’t have light so I need to wait for NDC to tell me that I don’t have light so that I’ll complain about it and it will unpopularize NDC.”
Meanwhile, the Electricity Company of Ghanahas in a statement assured the general public of its resolve to surmount the challenge.
“Affected customers should please note that our ICT team is working assiduously to correct the anomaly and restore the system to normalcy. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this technical challenge,” parts of the statement read.
Some customers in Volta, Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw, and Tafo have been affected by the hiccup.
The Commission, in a statement, said it was closely monitoring the situation and was in full discussions with the service provider to address the issue.
The ECG on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, informed its customers on the E-cash and PNS metering systems that due to a technical challenge, purchase of electricity credit had been interrupted, affecting customers in Volta, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw, and Tafo.
The Company on Thursday, September 29, 2022, said that it was working to rectify the technical anomaly, which had affected the purchase of electricity.
It, therefore, urged customers in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Western and Volta regions to visit the Company’s district offices to purchase electricity.
Meanwhile, some customers have described the incident as unfortunate and asked the PURC to direct ECG to compensate those affected.
Built on mutual trust for development, bilateral trade volume between Ghana and China peaked at US$9.57billion in 2021 from US$6.67billion in 2017, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun has disclosed.
Representing a 12 per cent year-on-year increase, China’s direct investment also increased by US$15 million, making Ghana, China’s largest trading partner in Africa.
The Chinese Ambassador disclosed this at a durbar to commission a 22-km Cape Coast inner city road infrastructure funded by the Chinese government through the Sinohydro agreement.
He attributed the steady rise in trade and investments to the strong demand for Chinese products by Ghanaians as well as measures put in place by both countries to leverage the long-standing relations.
The Vice-President, Dr Mohamudu Bawumia, together with Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta, Roads and Highways Minister joined the chiefs of the Area to commission the road project aimed at expanding access to ease traffic and accelerate development.
Elated by the increasing trade volumes between China and Ghana, the Ambassador said: “These are not just numbers, but a symbol of China-Ghana friendship we value and cherish.”
“The China-Ghana ties have been kept on a sound momentum of high-level bilateral exchanges and ever-increasing trust built on mutual strong conviction for development.
“The decades of solid relations remain a springboard for a win-win China-Ghana cooperation hinged on consolidating bilateral traditional friendship, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and broad consensus building on issues of mutual concern,” he stated.
The Chinese Ambassador indicated that China and Ghana have always supported each other on issues concerning their core and major interests, keeping close cooperation in the international and regional arena and thus safeguarding the relationship.
Through that, Mr Kun said the Chinese government had financed, partnered, and executed several critical national projects relating to the economic growth and the livelihood of people in Ghana.
Key among them are the National Theatre, office complexes of the Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry, the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho and the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Others are the Atuabo Gas Processing Project, Bui Dam, and Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project, Asogli Power Plant, and Africa World Airline (AWA) which have played a key role in resolving the power shortage and promoting the interconnection of the sub-region.
Lately, the Chinese equipment and technologies have accelerated the pace of integration with local enterprises and capital, bringing into being several local star enterprises and adding fuel to the enthusiasm for Ghana’s cooperation with China.
On people-to-people exchanges, he said cultural exchanges were close and ever-increasing on mutual understanding, as wood sculpture, music, and dance, among other forms of tourists, enjoyed high popularity among Chinese tourists.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan said the completion of roads was key to the region’s investment drive to become the preferred investment destination in the country.
She said the Region remained the most preferred destination in Ghana’s quest to continuously attract investment from the Diaspora.
