The convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has explained why he believes the Ghanaian armed forces are “useless.”
Oliver Barker claimed that he gave the military the nickname because, rather than defending the public, the military actively brutalized citizens. Barker maintained that he labeled them useless due to recent actions in an appearance on Asaase Radio.
Oliver Barker made the remark in response to an interview he gave on June 10th.
“Given this perception of our Ghanaian Armed Forces, I believe they are useless. They believe that their sole responsibility is to run through our streets and murder us. They are meant to be a cornerstone of our democracy, according to Barker-Vormawor.
Sadiq Sulley, also known as SDK, a Ghanaian actor and writer of comic skits, has pleaded with Ghanaians to stop equating their country’s artistic prowess with that of Nigeria.
In an interview with Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana on Okay FM’s Ekwansodwodwo segment, SDK said that Ghana is endowed with an abundance of creativity and that virtually everyone tries their hardest to be innovative in their area.
He claimed that because of their population, Nigerians have dominated the scene, thus there is nothing wrong with some Ghanaian talents learning from them, but they should attempt to be original.
He described how he borrowed an idea from a Nigrian comedy sketch and was able to adapt it to his own needs by using a Ghanaian tune to match the theme.
SDK advised Ghanaians to respect local talent and critique it based on its originality rather than equating it with brilliance from other nations.
The Akufo-Addo administration has been beset by a string of corruption, according to Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for which Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen should have resigned.
If Mr. Kyerematen had had the guts to leave the current administration, which in his opinion has been mired in a string of corruption scandals, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe claimed he would have followed him.
He added, “The Alan situation, Alan is a nice gentleman but politics you don’t employ nice gentleman to conduct politics,” in an interview with TV3’s Johnnie Hughes. You’ll need individuals who can assert their strength and say, “This is it; I stand by it.”
“The government, of which Alan is a member, has seen a number of corruption cases. I would have followed Alan wherever he went if he had quit, but since he lacked the bravery to do so, I can’t regard him as a leader.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe claimed that it would be impossible for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to serve as the party’s flagbearer and ultimately as President of Ghana due to the NPP’s organizational structure.
He claimed that despite the fact that Dr. Bawumia is a lovely gentleman and someone he has known for a good while, the NPP will make it difficult for him to realize his ultimate goal of becoming head of state.
“I did an interview, it was with a foreign magazine, I will find out if I still have it, I will share with you, where I made plain that by the structure of our party, Bawumia cannot come to power.
“Bawumia is a fine gentlemen, if Bawumia would have had that independent mind and strength and not just always praise what the president has done or has not done, I would have looked at him differently, I know Bawumia very well..”
Kwasi Amoako-Attah, the Minister of Roads and Highways, has stated that contemporary road designs aim to give better ways of protecting schoolchildren and pedestrians by incorporating subterranean crossings where practical. He cited the Sofo Line and Kentinkrono roads in Kumasi as instances of such underground crossings.
On Monday, June 13, 2022, over thirty students from Kumasi’s Islamic Senior High School were rushed to the hospital after police allegedly used tear gas and live bullets to disperse students who were protesting incessant vehicular knockdown after their numerous requests for authorities to build speed ramps on the road were ignored.
On the numerous roads in Ghana, unauthorized speed ramps are relatively widespread. There are no street signs ahead of these illegal speed ramps to warn drivers to slow down, and they are also not properly constructed to fulfill regulations.
Mr. Amoako-Attah has also recognized that the issue of unlicensed speed ramps is difficult to address, despite the fact that it is illegal to construct such ramps.
He added that if residents of a community continue to be hit by vehicles, it is only logical that speed ramps be built to force overspeeding vehicles to slow down.
“I am not endorsing unauthorized speed ramps but some communities are compelled to do this. All of us have a part to resolve these problems. Ideally, everybody prefers to drive on the highway without speed ramps because they are problematic. In other parts of the world, you would travel on the highway for so many kilometers without any speed ramps” he emphasised
Drivers are to fault, according to the Roads Minister, for disobeying traffic signs and speeding even in towns where the speed limit is 50 km/h..
“You and I know the behavior of drivers, I am referring to all those who sit behind the steering wheel including me. Some of us drivers irresponsibly including both private and commercial drivers even those who are supposed to know better are irresponsible when driving. Even when it is clearly written that drivers should not exceed 50km/hour, you see them not heeding to the road signs and over speed”
There are procedures to follow, according to Amoako-Attah, before an official speed ramp can be erected on the road. He explained that anyone who want speed ramps can write to the Ministry of Roads’ headquarters and explain why they are needed.
According to the Minister of Roads, unlawful speed ramps on our roadways generate a lot of traffic congestion, therefore he formed a special committee inside his ministry to inventory and audit all of the speed ramps on our roads. Many of the unlawful speed ramps have been removed, and the essential ones that were not properly constructed have been reconstructed, as a result of the technical committee’s recommendations.
The cousin of a middle-aged man traveler who died tragically at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday, June 17 has revealed the circumstances that brought the dead to Ghana. A cousin of the deceased, James Baiden, stated in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson on Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show on Monday, June 20, that they were scheduled to see their father in Kumasi when they learned of his death at the airport.
“Our mother died last year and our father is in Ghana so they decided to fly over to Ghana so that we can all visit our father in Kumasi.
“My cousin arrived. We were on our way to meet him and we heard he has died at the airport upon arrival,” he indicated.
He also stated that the family will meet as soon as possible to provide an official statement regarding their relative’s death.
“We have seen the Ghana Airport Company release a statement. We are having a meeting this morning on the issue and we will also release an official statement,” he indicated.
According to reports, the dead landed at the airport on United Airlines from Washington’s Dulles International Airport.
He was also said to have complained of exhaustion and respiratory problems before passing away.
According to a statement made by the Ghana Airport Company Limited, the traveler was provided the requisite medical attention at the Airport Clinic.
The Accra-Kumasi road dualization project, as well as the Sinohydro Inner City Roads project in Kumasi, are both proceeding well, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. This project is part of the president’s ‘building Ghana together’ program, he said in a tweet on Monday, June 20.
As part of the ongoing Accra-Kumasi highway dualization project to alleviate vehicular traffic, construction of four major by-pass routes on the Accra-Kumasi highway began in March 2022.
The Osino by-pass is 11.6 kilometers long, the Anyinam bypass is 6.1 kilometers long, the Enyiresi by-pass is 10.6 kilometers long, and the Konogo by-pass is 13.5 kilometers long.
To that goal, the government signed eight separate contracts for the program totaling GHc2 billion.
Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Chairman of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, made the news.
“The government is doing these initiatives with the goal of reducing accidents on this stretch of road and managing the heavy traffic flow for motorists and other road users,” he said.
“These are government-awarded contracts; the corporations are the largest construction companies in Ghana with the most resources,” he explained.
Blessed Godsbrain Smart, host of Maakye on Onua TV/FM, has asked the National Cathedral’s Board of Trustees for permission to use the cement he has supplied so far for the project.
Captain Smart, as he is affectionately known, stated that the value of work completed thus far on the site and the amount spent on construction do not add up.
Captain Smart, while raving on his show on Monday, June 20, 2022, stated that the Board of Trustees must answer for the funds spent thus far, as the government has stated that the Board is responsible for the fund’s disbursement.
Following the project’s start, the broadcaster pledged to provide 100 bags of cement to the project at the end of each month.
Aside from the GH200 million the government has already spent, including the GH32 million paid to Sir Adjaye and Associates as consultant fees, a fund has been established for citizens to donate to the edifice.
After visiting the building site to film the controversy that erupted after North Tongu Legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the amount of money the government has so far invested in the cathedral, he has been asking:
“Where is the money? Whoever is in possession of any of the money should bring it. The government says they don’t disburse the funds but rather the Board of Trustee. Is this the representation of the money given you so far? Where is my cement? What did you use it for? Can this represent the money spent so far? I’m asking the Board of Trustees because the government says the money is disbursed by you.”
Watch him speak on the issue on his show this morning.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said it is keenly monitoring the payment of rental income tax across the country, and will soon take action against defaulting landlords and property owners.
Despite high compliance of payment, general perception has it that the sector has been left untapped by the tax authority.
“When it comes to rent-income tax, there is a project that is raking in lots of revenue for GRA by the use of geospatial data – a software being used by the authority in collaboration with the various district assemblies to collect rent income tax,” Isaac Kwabena Amoako, Head-Project Management Unit of the GRA told the B&FT.
“We assure the public that those who are evading this tax will soon be contacted to render an account, with the necessary sanctions,” he added.
He said collection of the tax has been automated since 2020, with various district assemblies contacting property owners in their districts to ensure payment. Mr. Amoako said, like any other system, there are people who may contravene; but emphasised that the GRA is determined to ensure 100 percent compliance in the rent sub-sector.
On responsiveness, he noted that when the assemblies take digital records of the properties in their jurisdictions, then through the geospatial data software GRA is able to know whether the said property is being rented or not, adding: “This process has raked in massive revenue since 2020”.
Mr. Amoako was speaking on the margins of an E-levy forum with traders in Accra, where some participants expressed views on the purported neglect of rent tax revenue; a sector they said is very profitable.
There are two rates for rent tax according to the GRA; 8 percent for residential premises and 15 percent for non-residential premises.
The revenue, the tax authority indicates, must be paid within 30 days after the rent income is received by landlords or property owners.
Despite the use of technology for the tax collection, the GRA has been reminding property owners to make copies of all receipts of rent tax payments for inspection by officers of the authority when the need arises.
The authority maintains that failure to pay the tax on rent income by the due date, attracts an interest of 125 percent of the statutory rate compounded monthly.
Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered the arrest of four more police officers in connection with the disturbances at the Kumasi Islamic Senior High School last week.
While analyzing CCTV footage of the turmoil that transpired when police officers rushed the school to disrupt a student protest last Monday, the cops were captured on tape making Islamophobic comments.
“Have you seen their mentality [referring to pupils of the Islamic SHS]?” one of the cops running commentary while examining the CCTV tape is heard saying in a video that has gone viral on social media. Do you suppose they’d act the same way if it was an Akan school?” “They’re filthy,” observed another. They’re filthy! There are Muslims wherever they go.
Following this event, the Ghana Police Service’s Operations Commander, DCOP Mohammed Suraji, led a delegation to Kumasi’s Zongo Chief, Alhaji Umar Sulta Farouk, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
DCOP Suraji confirmed the officers’ interdiction during the visit, according to a report by Asaaseradion.com.
“Such [a remark] does not reflect the Ghana police force.” As a result, we’ve come to apologize. The cops, including a chief inspector, have been detained as I speak. They are being investigated by the military for their unprofessional behavior, and we agree with this decision. DCOP Suraji stated, “We should regard this with the disdain it deserves.”
DCOP Suraji emphasized the police’s commitment to respecting all Ghanaians, regardless of their political, religious, or tribal affiliation.
The police administration’s newest interdiction puts the total number of officers arrested for the disruptions at the Kumasi Islamic Senior High School to seven.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6VhzvQaAtac
On Monday, June 13, 2022, students from Kumasi Islamic Senior High School caused heavy traffic on the Abrepo road that runs in front of their campus to express their discontent with the area’s regular accidents.
The outraged pupils claimed that they and their teachers had become victims of regular pedestrian knockdowns and that the protest was intended to raise attention to their condition.
However, a police force sent in to quiet the students decided to manage the situation by firing firearms and teargas.
This created an even more chaotic situation, with 30 pupils passing out and having to be transported to the hospital.
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. says government should stop blaming the rising cost of fuel prices on Ukraine and Russia impasse.
Over the months, there’s been astronomical increases in fuel prices, hence burdening commercial and private drivers and passengers.
The prices currently stand at over 10 cedis and 12 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively.
However, the government blames the Ukraine/Russia war for the fuel price increases.
William Owuraku Aidoo, a Deputy Minister of Energy, has said that the recent surge in prices of petroleum products in the country is due to the conflict in Eastern Europe.
According to a publication on pulse.com.gh, Mr. Aidoo, in an adress before Parliament, stated the government’s hands are tied in intervening because of the deregulatory regime.
“Sanctions and boycotts on petroleum exports from Russia, a major exporter especially to Europe, are reducing availability even further and intensifying upward pressure on fuel prices. Under the current deregulated regime in Ghana where govenrment is not responsible for determining the prices of petroleum products, prices on the global market and the depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar are passed on directly to the end-consumer,” he said.
Also according to the Deputy National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Asante Yeboah, Ghana is following the sanctions imposed on Russia by some member countries of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN).
These sanctions, he noted, make it impossible for Ghana to buy fuel directly from Russia which is selling at subsidized prices to other countries.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, Kwesi Pratt snapped at government’s explanation that the Ukraine/Russia war is the cause of the recurrent fuel price increases.
“When you go to Western Europe, it has a fuel crisis which is self-imposed. They have placed sanctions on Russia. They are the ones saying we can’t pay you if you bring the fuel which has resulted in this crisis. Other third world countries that are still buying their fuel from Russia, they are buying it at subsidized rate; rate below the price at the Ukrainian war.
“So, if we want the fuel price to reduce, why can other countries buy petrol from Russia at a moderate price but we can’t?…Did I tell you to join the sanction regime? If you are a government and America says we should sanction Russia and you know when you sanction Russia, you will suffer but you do it anyway, what are you talking about?…You choose to follow America and you are suffering, then return to tell us to blame Ukriane/Russia war, are you not the one who caused it? Stop saying these things!”, he fumed.
He wondered why the Government of Ghana is not buying fuel directly from Russia when the Eastern European nation is selling her gas at subsidized price.
“Any Ghanaian who will be boldly point to himself or herself that the petroleum problem is caused by Ukraine/Russia war doesn’t like the government. In fact, then they want to collapse the government. In this age of enlightenment, what country buys fuel at spot market price today? All this Ukraine/Russia brouhaha, what is affecting is the spot market price…So, spare our ears with this Ukraine/Russia war because you are disgracing the government.”
He noted that the Akufo-Addo government cannot blame Ukraine and Russia’s conflict because the country is purchasing fuel at the spot market price.
As if to describe the government as incompetent, he stressed it is only an “incompetent and inefficient government that will buy fuel at spot market price”.
