Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education

SOME STUDENTS of Sunyani Technical University (STU) in the Brong Ahafo Region are planning to protest against the ongoing strike action by their lecturers, DAILY GUIDE has gathered.

The students were stranded in their various lecture halls following the decision by leaders of Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana to withdraw their services with effect from 12th September, 2018.

Some of the students DAILY GUIDE spoke to expressed anger and said they were going to protest against the lecturers’ action because the strike had come in an impromptu manner; they were dismayed by the turn of events.

According to them, the lecturers did not take into consideration the arrival of fresh students who are yet to be taken through orientation and matriculation. They were worried about the fact that since school re-opened they have not had any serious academic work on campus; they had done virtually nothing.

“The strike is really going to disrupt our academic calendar”, one student lamented. Another student added “we are to take our mid-semester exams probably next month and no lecturer is going to teach us. We don’t know what will happen if the lecturers continue this way.”

DAILY GUIDE has observed that most of the lecture halls are either locked or empty, making some students loiter around on campus aimlessly.

A member of STU SRC board, Alhassan Baba Cobbiah, who spoke to the paper pleaded with government to quickly resolve issues with the lecturers for academic work to resume.

It must be noted that the Technical University Lecturers last Wednesday (12th September 2018) embarked on strike action after the Ministry of Education through the National Council for Tertiary Education  had failed to adhere to their request to ‘migrate’ their conditions of service to that of the status of public universities.

The lecturers embarked on the strike after the National Labour Commission (NLC) had failed to hear their grievances on 12th September.

They said though members of the association were at the venue for the meeting, the NLC failed to sit down with them, let alone hear their grievances, leaving them stranded on the premises of the commission.  They described the situation as gross disrespect to them; hence they decided to embark on an indefinite sit-down strike. Due to the strike action, most of the students have gone back home.

fiifiyorkeprince@gmail.com

FROM Prince Fiifi Yorke

The post Sunyani Technical University Students To Reject Lecturers’ Strike appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Six persons have been dragged before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly forcing a 12-year-old girl to get married to a man who is more than twice her age.

The accused persons are made up of both parents of the victim as well as that of the groom and the Imam of Abeka Zongo in Accra.

The accused persons succeeded in tying the knot between the minor and her 26-year-old ‘husband’, Prince Hakeem Sharif Dekeeney.

The husband is said to have stated in his police caution statement that he had paid a bride price to the parents of the minor for her hand in marriage.

The accused persons are Mohammed Kamal Yussif, 53 and Rufkatu Abdellah, 49 (parents of victim); Shariff Iddris, 56 and Adizatu Alhassan, 53 (parents of groom); Prince Hakeem Sharif Dekeeney, groom; and Sheikh Abas Saleh, 49 – Imam of Abeka Zongo.

The six are before the court charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit crime, abetment and forced marriage.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and their lawyer prayed the court to grant them bail pending trial.

Three other suspects, Sheikh Hidir Iddris Adams, Sheikh Amin Osuman and Sheikh Dr. Bashir Adams, are currently on the run.

The court presided over by Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku granted them bail in the sum of GH¢10,000.00 each with one surety each. The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2018.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered that the victim, who has been sent to the Osu Shelter Home, be released into the care of the assemblyman for Abeka, Umar Abdul Mumeen, for her to continue school.

The court further ordered the assemblyman to report back to the court if at any point he feels he can no longer take care of the victim.

Presenting the fact, the prosecution led by ASP Agnes Boafo told the court that on July 26, 2018, at about 10 am, the Tesano Division of Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) had information that the victim had been married to Prince Hakeem Sharif Dekeeney.

She said on August 16, 2018, the accused persons were arrested and the victim was rescued and taken to the Osu Shelter Home.

The prosecution stated that the victim was later taken to the hospital for medical examination and it was discovered that she had engaged in sexual intercourse.

Upon interrogation, the victim told the police that she had sexual intercourse with one Kwame and not Prince Hakeem Sharif Dekeeney, her supposed husband.

She, however, failed to assist the police in getting the said Kwame arrested for defilement. The police are still making efforts to get him arrested.

ASP Agnes further stated that Prince Hakeem Sharif Dekeeney in his caution statement to the police indicated that he paid bride price to the victim’s parents.

She added that investigations revealed the marriage ceremony was graced by the Imam of Abeka, Sheikh Abas Saleh.

BY Gibril Abdul Razak

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Madam Yacoub (right)exchanging the partnership document with Alberta Nana Akosa

THE WORLD Food Programme (WFP) has pledged $75,000 support package towards the organization of the 8th edition of Pre-Harvest Exhibition.

The Pre-Harvest, which is seeking to build the capacity of farmers from five regions namely Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions, is taking place in Tamale from 3rd to 5th October, 2018.

According to Rukia Yacoub, Ghana Country Director of WFP, the $75,000 is supposed to be used to help about 200 farmers and agro-processors expand business opportunities and build new partnerships to foster the growth of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

In a remark to sign an agreement on behalf of WFP with Agri-House Foundation, organizers of the Pre-Harvest Exhibition, on Friday, September 14, 2018, in Accra, Madam Yacoub said the support of her outfit towards the event was generally aimed at improving food and nutrition security in Ghana.

According to her, the 8th Pre-Harvest Agribusiness event would highlight agro-economic opportunities to investors, policy-makers, business leaders, academics, finance professionals, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and key government ministries.

She said during the three-day event, WFP would lead discussions on the importance and role of supply chains in food systems and agribusiness, focusing on specialized nutritious foods.

On the theme for the event: “Transforming Agribusiness in Northern Ghana,” she added that WFP looked forward to working with all stakeholders for the transformation of the agribusiness sector to improve the lives of the rural poor and vulnerable people.

Madam Yacoub explained that globally the WFP was focusing its support to national government on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 – Zero Hunger and SDG 17 – Partnerships.

Meanwhile, Mel Consulting has also pledged about GH¢ 100,000 support for the exhibition this year.

Executive Director of Agri-House Foundation, Alberta Nana Akosa, explained that the impact of the exhibition on agriculture and agribusiness in northern Ghana had been tremendous over the last seven years.

She gave assurance that the technical and financial support would be used to further transform the agric sector in the north.

BY Melvin Tarlue

The post WFP Assists 200 Ghanaian Farmers appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Akwasi Agyeman

Tour guides from the umbrella of the Ghana Tour Guides Association have completed a three-day training session at the Conference Hall of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in Accra.

The course was made possible through the initiative of the Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman.

Deputy Executive Director Mr. Isaac Adomako-Mensah, who represented his boss during the closing session, charged the trained guides to apply the knowledge, experience and skills acquired on the field.

He said it is important that guides who take tourists round do so professionally hence the importance of the training they went through.

On his part, Mr. Kuntaa Dominic Dekumwine head of Museums, who represented his boss, said tour guides should see themselves as ambassadors on the field and therefore propagate the gospel of the tourism industry.

Ms. Josephine Ohene-Osei who represented the Tourism Ministry announced that the Ministry in collaboration with its implementing agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority, was in the process of finalizing regulations for the tourist sites and attractions. She added this would obviously go a long way to improve industry standards at these sites and attractions, thereby leading to the influx of tourists into the country.

As the 4^th foreign exchange earner for the country, the Tourism Industry has the potential to boost the economic fortunes of the nation since it has a multi-sectoral approach. On behalf of the Ministry, she expressed appreciation to the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority for a laudable initiative.

Mr. Awuku Yirenkyi President of the Tour Guides Association of Ghana charged members to prove their professionalism anytime they engage tourists and the general public.

Certificates were presented to participants who expressed appreciation to the organizations and individuals who made the training possible.

The post Tour Guides Go To School appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Atta Kumah Mensah showing the new machines

THE TEMA branch of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in the Greater Accra Region has acquired its own new computer base electronic roadworthy printing machines to boost revenue generation.

The two Dell D12MOOI machines are supposed to complement the effort of the already exiting one to increase the quality and number of roadworthy stickers printed daily.

Unlike previously when Tema DVLA issued about 20 stickers daily, the authority will be able to issue over 100 stickers daily with the new machines.

Speaking with a section of the media in Tema after installation of the machines, Mr. Atta Kumah Mensah, the Tema Regional Manager of DVLA, mentioned that the electronic machines would massively increase the number of stickers printed daily to eliminate fake roadworthy stickers from the system and also to ensure that all vehicles plying the roads were actually roadworthy to keep drivers, passengers and other road users safe.

He said: “People are likely to get their roadworthy stickers on the same day unlike previously when we used to do what we call ‘rushing’ where you present your document today then we take your number and you are called at a later time for your sticker, but this time round once you finish your transaction you will have it”.

According to him, to ensure that government realizes actual revenue generated by the authority for national development, the machines would also prevent the leakages of revenue orchestrated by middlemen popularly known as “Goro Boys”.

He indicated that the E-roadworthy system coupled with the new machines would ensure that roadworthy stickers were of international standards. The new system would not only transform the authority, it would also help boost its image thereby eliminating the negative perception it has.

The Tema DVLA boss noted that his outfit would ensure only vehicles that had been tested, inspected and proven to be roadworthy were issued the roadworthy stickers and documents.

Mr. Atta clarified that the new machines make use of the latest technology for secure identification and printing; also it has been integrated with other systems with an improved guarantee for securing information.

He disclosed that printing of the roadworthy stickers would not be outsourced as the Tema DVLA has now acquired more printing machines for that purpose.

Until recently, the automated services were provided by five mandated private institutions known as the private vehicle test stations in the Greater Accra Region, while the services were provided in the other regions by the regional offices of the DVLA.

The system verifies if there are no cracks on the windscreen; it checks if windscreen is fake or original; it verifies if wiper has worn-out blades and washer spray; it checks for front and rear reflectors; and verifies if doors and windows are in good condition.

After all the checks have been done, a compilation of the results is done by a computer, and if the vehicle is assessed to have passed the test, the computer issues the E-roadworthy certificate and sticker.

The E-roadworthy sticker has a specially generated QR code which can only be read by specialised verification QR code readers provided by the DVLA for the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to help its personnel to authenticate all E-roadworthy stickers pasted on vehicles.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema

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Cutting the anniversary cake are from right, Hajia Ramatu Ali Mahama, Alhaji Bagaya, Gifty Anti and Hon Mustapha Hamid.

Host of Stand Point, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, has charged Muslims neither to kowtow to intimidation nor contempt from others.

She said this during an interview after hosting the 5^th Muslim Women’s Conference in Accra on Saturday. The conference sought to motivate Muslim women to pursue their dreams without compromising on their religious beliefs.

The well attended programme offered Muslim women a rare opportunity to address the challenges they face in everyday life.

“Allah created you in a unique way with special gifts for the benefit of your family, community and Ghana as a country. Aim higher, forge ahead and pay no heed to what side talkers will say to you,” she said, adding that the Muslim woman should read the Quran and apply its teaching in her daily life.

The programme was part of activities marking the 10^th anniversary of Stand Point, and it was held at the Ghana Muslim Mission Headquarters in Korle Gonno, Accra.

This year’s edition, which was held under the theme: ‘The Muslim Woman on the Move’, was chaired by Hajia Ramatu Mahama, wife of the late former Vice-President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.

It also had in attendance the Minister for Zongos  and Inner Cities Development, Mustapha Hamid; a representative of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Sharubutu; traditional leaders; among several other high profile dignitaries.

A lecturer at the University of Ghana and a former member of Council of State, Dr. Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah, who was the main speaker at the conference, pointed out that before the advent of Islam, women were living in dehumanising situations.

She said Islam came to liberate the women from such terrible situations and urged women to add value to themselves in order to be accorded the needed respect in society.

She posited that the Muslim woman ultimately has an account to give her Maker after death and should, therefore, possess positive qualities and virtues which would impact lives and please her Maker.

Gifty Anti rescued some young girls who were being forced into marriage; currently one of them is at the Accra Technical University.

By Nii Adjei Mensahfio

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Seven school children between the ages of 3 and 14 of the Learner’s Bridge Academy in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region, have been killed in a gory accident that occurred between Apimanim and Tarkwa on Monday.

The accident occurred when they were returning from school.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Tarkwa Divisional Police Commander, DSP Edmond Bosompim said 6 other children, including a teacher, are in critical condition and have been transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

He explained that “at about 4.30pm, one Clement Oduro aged 44 years was in charge of a sprinter bus with registration no, GC 2947-09, driving from Dompim to Ahwetieso, a suburb of Tarkwa with pupils and teachers of Leaders Bridge Acadamy School on board.”

“On reaching a section of the road between Dompim and Bonsa and in a curve, he lost control and veered into the opposite lane and collided with a truck with registration no GT 9135-13 belonging to Shalonis Company limited and driven by Samual Agyei aged 44.”

He said after the collision, 7 pupils aged between 3 and 14 years were rushed to Tarkwa and Agona Nkwanta hospitals but they all died on arrival.

Mr. Bosompim continued that “their bodies have been deposited at Effia Nkwanta and Tarkwa hospital morgue respectively”.

“6 pupils and a teacher are also in serious condition and have been transported to the 37 military hospital and Effia Nkwanta hospital on Ambulances provided by Anglo Gold Iduaprim Tarkwa.”

DSP Edmond Bosompim said the driver of the Sprinter bus is currently on admission at the New Tarkwa Government hospital, whiles the truck driver, Samual Agyei is in police custody at Dompim to assist in investigations.

“Other pupils also sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at various hospitals. Further developments will be communicated,” he added.

Meanwhile, a team made up of the Municipal Chief Executive and the Municipal Education Director and other stakeholders have been visiting parents of the bereaved.

-Citifmonline

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Solomon Kotei 

The Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) says it will no longer countenance false promises by politicians to reduce fuel prices if voted into office.

According to General Secretary, Solomon Kotei, both past and present governments have failed to live up to that promise whenever they assume the reins of power

Mr. Kotei says the ICU, which is the largest Union in Ghana with over 5,000 members from all over the country, has resolved to reject any such promise in the future.

“So we at ICU are saying that no politician will ever use fuel pricing to make any political gains against anybody because they’ve all failed,” Mr. Kotei told Super Morning Show host, Daniel Dadzie, Tuesday.

The position follows the steady rise in the price of petroleum products as petrol now sells beyond GHȼ5 per litter as projected last week by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) Ghana. This has been mainly due to the depreciating value of the local currency against the major foreign currencies especially the USD and British Pounds Sterling as well as the Euro.

The Cedi currently trades 4.76, 6.26 and 5.56 to the Dollar, the British Pound and the Euro, respectively on the interbank market. That means that oil marketing companies which import 90 per cent of the country’s fuel stock, now require more of the local currency to change into the foreign currencies to procure the product from the international market.

Unhappy with the latest development, the workers’ union feels they have been dealt with unfairly by the failure of the current administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, who promised during his 2016 campaign to reduce fuel prices when elected.

Solomon Kotei described the situation as “a major concern for both employers and employees as well…it is not pleasant [and] it also makes planning very difficult”.

However, having realised that the determination of the prices of the products is not within the mandate of any administration, the General Secretary says they will make it a policy for their members to throw out any politician with that promise to reduce petroleum product prices, going into the 2020 elections.

“…we have said as a national union, it is going to be part of our policy towards the coming elections to tell Ghanaians that any politician who will use fuel price to give any promise is a disaster and nobody should listen to them,” he asserted.

Scrap ‘nuisance tax’

Meanwhile, Executive Director of IES Ghana, Paa Kwesi Anamua Sakyi, says President Akufo-Addo should come clean on his campaign promise of scrapping the Special Petroleum Tax (SPT) in the price build-up of fuel products, to provide relief to the Ghanaian public.

Acknowledging efforts by the government to reduce the SPT component from 17.5% to a fixed tax of 46 pesewas per litre, the IES Director said the basis for the imposition of the tax in 2014 no longer exists and, therefore, wants the President to be “sincere” with the people and scrap it wholly.

“Crude oil was 30 [dollars] on the world market so we were not getting enough revenue in terms of our sale of our crude to shore up revenue. Today crude oil is more than 78 dollars per barrel and government’s own suggested revenue or price for crude oil is around 58 to 60 dollars per barrel.

“So today, if we are getting 78 dollars [per barrel] on the world market [which] means government is getting a windfall of revenue, why don’t you take away the special petroleum tax?”

Although he concedes that the windfall will make up for losses in revenue projections, Anamua Sakyi said if the reality has dawned on the government and “…you think you can not remove it [SPT], come clean on your promise.”

”…everybody wants to play politics with it when we know we don’t control the international price of fuel,” he concluded.

-Myjoyonline

The post ICU Warns Politicians Against Fuel Politics; Both Parties Have Failed Us appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister of Communications

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) wants the government to end negotiations with the Chinese firm, StarTimes over Ghana’s Terrestrial Television (DTT) infrastructure immediately.

According to GIBA, the project which aims at protecting broadcasting from interference must not be given to any foreign firm, which also owns a TV network in Ghana.

He argued that Ghanaian companies had made sacrifices in the digital broadcasting migration process.

“They [government] should stop the discussions they are having with StarTimes. Ghanaians are capable of doing whatever project DTT will bring to Ghana. The future of DTT rests in the hands of Ghanaians, and we have enough technology and the know-how,” President of GIBA, Andrew Danso Anninkora said in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) urged governments in the world to migrate from analog broadcasting to digital by June 2015.

Some countries have been able to migrate including some in Africa but Ghana; one of the most technologically advanced countries in Africa missed the deadline several times.

The government of Ghana signed a $95 million deal with the Chinese company, StarTimes to contract to supply and install the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network platform for Ghana.

But the contract with Startimes was then abrogated over what then Minister for Communications, Omane Boamah said was due to “was due to the failure of the company to secure the necessary funding from the China Exim Bank to execute the project.”

The government then awarded the digital migration contract to K-Net,  a Ghanaian-owned company, but K-Net’s work on the project was halted after StarTimes sued the government of Ghana for what it described as the unfair abrogation of their contract with the State.

The former Mahama government promised to attain this feat by September 2017, but the current Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful at a forum in Accra on the digital migration said Ghana is not ready for the move.

She then shifted the deadline for the migration from analog to digital broadcasting to 2018.

According to her, the project implementation process faced some challenges, hence the change in date.

But there are reports that Government plans to allow StarTimes takeover the project, a move GIBA disapproves off.

GIBA in a statement said: “if StarTimes is allowed to control both Ghana’s only digital television infrastructure and the satellite space in the name of digital migration, Ghana would have virtually submitted its broadcast space to Chinese control and content.”

Mr. Anninkora on the Citi Breakfast Show said the issue borders on Ghana’s security and democracy.

“It has the history of migrating from analog to digital. For some time now the project has been stalling, and we are asking questions, but we are not getting answers. In the interim we are hearing about foreign entities who are registered one way by our understating, entering into space and having many advantages over Ghanaian entities who want to come in as directors, players, and managers of the space. We believe that when that is allowed to happen, the independence of the Ghanaian broadcaster, the media is being compromised. It borders on the security of the country. It borders on threatening the democracy of Ghana.”

He further added that StarTimes wants to reap where they did not sow.

“When we wanted to launch out, StarTimes said…we should find money to start the DTT project. Ghanaians raised spectrum, we raised the money locally, and we started the project, and we did 90% completion with our public funds. If there is a need for expansion, a Ghanaian will be able to do it.”

“When you decide to buy a car, and you don’t need it again, you can sell it. But when you buy broadcasting equipment and you don’t need it again, you can’t sell it to anybody. The various analog sites that are coming down, those infrastructures and equipment there, when you take them down, you can’t sell them anywhere. They are analog, obsolete and they cannot be reused. They are scraps. And that is what the Ghanaian investor is sacrificing to move this country to the next level of technology as far as broadcasting is concerned, and if someone will not understand it and respect the sacrifice then we reason to shout and make noise,” the GIBA president added.

He further called on Ghanaians to revolt against the alleged StarTime deal with the government on the DTT infrastructure.

GIBA concerned by delays in digital migration

GIBA had earlier expressed worry over interruptions that have stifled progress in the nation’s quest to migrate from analog to digital terrestrial television.

Speaking on Citi TV’s major evening news program, Citi Newsroom (CNR), Mr. Anninkora called on the Ministry of Communications to provide a definitive date for the migration.

“The Ministry should come out to be able to tell us the date. Because you see again that the date has been changed and we are waiting for the new date. For instance, the analog is supposed to be switched off. For instance, the one who is going out there to do business should know that the analogy is off. For instance, the one who is talking about getting clients onto his platform should know what percentage of the country we cover, what geographic area do we cover, how many viewers we cover.”

The migration is to protect broadcasting services from interference from neighboring countries as well as improved services.

Mr. Anninkora also demanded answers from the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to questions over the managers of the migration platform and the costs.

“There are questions, who is managing the platform who are the managers, what are the charges which are managing the whole platform? he quizzed.

-Citifmonline

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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

In what appeared to be a pre-election push for NPP in 2020, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia spoke to a packed audience reemphasizing his commitment to strengthening Ghana’s economy.

“A strong economy expands opportunities and allows individuals to venture into new territories,” said Bawumia at the Ghana Industrial Summit in Accra Tuesday. “We cannot develop a strong economy if we don’t factor in certain entities.”

Those entities include oil, gas and construction in the local market. He attested that through these capacities, the country can work to gain macroeconomic stability. Additionally, the role of energy in Ghana will aid in strengthening its infrastructure, Bawumia said.

Another issue the Vice President stood firmly on was the high cost of credit.

“Bringing interest rates down is ultimately a result of supply and demand. The supply and demand of savings will determine the interest rates in the economy.”

The solution, he said, would be to engineer more financial inclusion within the country. He pointed out that under the Akufo-Addo administration, some of that inclusivity has been met already, including the newly-rolled mobile money interoperability system, the incorporation of digital addresses and national ID cards.

These components are all critical factors that will bring down exorbitant interest rates.

Finally, Bauwmia acknowledged that the country is on target to fulfilling “Ghana Beyond Aid,” a new measure implemented by President Akufo-Addo, to manage natural resources without assistance from international partners.

At a roundtable discussion at the “Africa CEOs Forum” in Switzerland last year, Akufo-Addo said: “We want to build a Ghana beyond aid; a Ghana which looks to the use of its own resources. We want to build an economy that is not dependent on charity and handouts, but an economy that will look at the proper management of its resources as the way to engineer social and economic growth in our country.”

Bauwmia agrees. Alongside Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, who also spoke at the event, he said that local entrepreneurs would need to take more advantage of the country’s vast resources to compete internationally.

Kyerematen added to that sentiment suggesting that rather than focus on importing goods, Ghana must export just the same.

“Unless we take exports seriously, we cannot stabilize the currency,” said Kyerematen. “Fortunately for us, we can export duty-free products to the United States and the European Union, and enhance our foreign influence.”

-Myjoyonline

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US President Donald Trump

The US is imposing new tariffs on $200bn (£150bn) of Chinese goods as it escalates its trade war with Beijing.

These will apply to almost 6,000 items, marking the biggest round of US tariffs so far.

Handbags, rice and textiles will be included, but some items expected to be targeted such as smart watches and high chairs have been excluded.

The Chinese commerce ministry said it had no choice but to retaliate but is yet to detail what action it will take.

The US taxes will take effect from 24 September, starting at 10% and increasing to 25% from the start of next year unless the two countries agree a deal.

US President Donald Trump said the latest round of tariffs was in response to China’s “unfair trade practices”.

“We have been very clear about the type of changes that need to be made, and we have given China every opportunity to treat us more fairly. But, so far, China has been unwilling to change its practices,” he said.

Mr Trump also warned that if China retaliated then the US would “immediately pursue phase three” and impose further tariffs on another $267bn worth of Chinese products.

Such a move would mean almost all of China’s exports to the US would be subject to new duties.

After opening lower, the Shanghai stock market ended the day 1.8% higher, while Tokyo was up 1.4% and Hong Kong gained 0.6%.

-BBC

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Nurudeen Iddrisu

An air condition technician who allegedly inserted his fingers into the private part of a four- year-old girl has been remanded in custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Nurudeen Iddrisu, 22, who lives behind the shop of the mother of the victim at Ashaley Botwe New Town is said to have taken the Kindergarten 1 pupil to his room where he inserted his finger into her vagina.

The mother who noticed the victim’s absence from the shop went looking for her and found her slippers at the door of the suspect and called her out.

Later in the evening, while bathing the victim, she noticed some unusual behaviour and when she inspected the victim she saw blood coming out of her vagina.

When questioned, the victim led her mother to Nurudeen Iddrisu who at the time was in the company of two colleagues. The victim managed to point him out as the one who inserted his fingers into her vagina.

The accused is before the court charged with one count of indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and the court presided over Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku remanded him to reappear on September 26, 2018.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the court that on September 9, 2018, at about 12:00pm, the victim left her mother’s shop to play around.

He said at about 4:00pm, she realised that the victim was nowhere to be found. She therefore went looking for her and found her slippers at the doorsteps of the accused.

The prosecutor told the court that the victim’s mother called the victim, who responded and came out of the accused person’s room.

She said that same day, the complainant, while bathing the victim, noticed some strange behaviour in her and saw blood coming out of her vagina.

“When questioned, the victim took her (mother) to the accused person’s place and pointed him out among two of his colleagues as the one who inserted his finger in her vagina”, Chief Inspector Atimbire told the court.

He noted that a report was made to the police that same day at Nmaidzor and the accused and his colleagues were arrested for investigations.

The prosecutor added that a medical form was given to the victim’s mother to take the minor to any government hospital for medical examination and treatment.

BY Gibril Abdul Razak

The post Technician Caged For Indecent Assault appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

The Alumni Associations of Katanga and Unity Halls of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have described the decision by management of the university to convert them into mixed halls as arbitrary and discriminatory.

The two associations accused the university authorities of deliberately converting the halls into mixed ones.

They indicated that they made suggestions to management of KNUST on how to address the accommodation problems facing students.

The associations, in a joint press statement, said they engaged an estate developer in the United States of America, as well as some architects to present some plans to management to solve the problems.

“But the management of the university did not budge, and this gives us cause to believe that the real intention of the management is not to increase the number of females on campus but to destroy the age-old tradition and brand of Katanga.”

As a result, the associations have vowed to petition President Akufo-Addo to intervene in the matter to ensure that the traditions of the two halls are safeguarded.

Speaking at a press conference jointly organized by the two associations on Tuesday in Accra, President of the Katanga Hall Alumni Association, Charles Dontoh, said that management of KNUST had dislodged all males from the main hall of Katanga with 198 rooms, leaving the annex with 96 rooms for them.

It would be recalled that management of KNUST introduced a policy to increase the number of female students studying science and technology by 40 percent by 2025.

To help achieve the target, management later converted the Katanga and Unity Halls into mixed halls to among other things accommodate female students on campus to protect them from rapists and other miscreants.”

The decision was also reportedly taken to curb student riots and vandalism on campus.

But the associations later filed a suit in a Kumasi court to try to prevent the management of KNUST from converting the halls.

Mr Dontoh stated that “We, indeed, have been pondering over how the KNUST management can  increase the number of female students on campus without discriminating against the males, given that there have not been attempts to construct new halls of residence for the students.”

Mr. Dontoh added that “indeed, there is no gainsaying that changing the status of the halls has not solved any problem related to accommodation, as many students continue to rely on accommodation outside the campus.”

He observed that the number of females assigned to Katanga Hall is equal to that of males who would have been in the hall.

By Melvin Tarlue

The post Katanga Alumni Reject Girls appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Napo commissioning the project

The Education Minister, who doubles as Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Constituency, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka ‘Napo,’ has constructed a modern borehole project with Polytank to help supply potable water to the constituents.

He used his share of the MPs’ Common Fund to construct the project for the people.

Some residents in the Manhyia Electoral Area informed Napo about their water challenges during the MP’s popular ‘Meet Your Constituents’ programme.

During the programme, the Manhyia South lawmaker gave assurance that he would work to help solve the water challenges in the Manhyia Electoral Area without delay.

Speaking at the commissioning of the borehole project, Napo said that he has the responsibility to solve problems facing people in the Manhyia South Constituency.

The legislator stated that he continue to work hard to expedite the development of Manhyia South.

Napo disclosed that water from the borehole should be supplied freely to the public, admonishing the people to take proper care of the facility for future generations.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

The post Napo Build Borehole For Manhyia appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Some youth activists of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Aboadze and Abuesi, both in the Shama District of the Western Region, are up in arms against the District Chief Executive (DCE), Joseph Amoah.

Allegedly, they are accusing the DCE of doing nothing to ensure that the qualified youth in the area are employed at the Aboadze Thermal Plant near Takoradi.

According to the incensed youth, the power-generating company had signed some agreement with the communities on how to employ qualified natives of Aboadze but the agreement had not been followed in recent times.

Therefore, they have suggested that the youth in the Aboadze community should be allocated at least 40 per cent quota of job placement at the thermal plant.

They claimed “. . . we are the immediate people to suffer when there is any unforeseen circumstance by the activities of the power-generating company. In fact, we are not saying Ghanaians who are not from Aboadze should not be employed. The 60 per cent job placement could be given to other people but we are only demanding 40 per cent job placement for the qualified indigenes of Aboadze and Abuesi”.

The youth said they were not happy with their DCE for suggesting that the district assembly should be the centre for employment at an ongoing project at the Aboadze Thermal Plant by Amandi Energy.

The youth bemoaned the fact that all permanent workers at the Thermal Plant were employed outside the Aboadze community and the few indigenes employed were casual workers.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE in an interview after a press conference organized by the youth, Assembly Member for Aboadze Electoral Area, Isaac Baidoo, indicated that the majority of the youth in the area had what it takes to work at the Thermal Plant.

“We have both skilled and unskilled labour like mechanics, electricians, welders, civil engineers, and safety personnel required by the companies for employment”, he added.

He noted that the DCE stated at a recent town hall meeting held at Shama Senior High School that the employment problem, particularly with the energy-producing companies located in the district, had been solved adding “but I can tell you that our DCE was not telling the truth”.

“Information we gathered indicated that the DCE had been telling the companies operating in the enclave that the youth of Aboadze and Abuesi are troublesome people, which is not true”, he continued.

He alleged that the DCE had asked all the companies to direct all funds for co-operate social responsibilities through his office and which had deterred all the companies from doing what was  expected of them as far as the co-operate social responsibility was concerned.

“We want the President and the current NPP government to know that if they want to win the next election in 2020 in Shama constituency, the DCE Joseph Amoah should be removed from office with immediate effect”

DAILY GUIDE was not able to reach DCE Amoah when the paper decided to call him for his reaction to the allegations levelled against him.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

The post Aboadze Youth Make Job Demand appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Buipewura, Mahama Jinapor II

The Buipewura Mahama Jinapor II, who was enskinned in 2008, has launched the 10th anniversary of his ascension to the throne as the Buipewura of Buipe.

The celebrated and respected king of Buipe has been praised by many for his contributions towards the socio-economic development of Buipe and the Gonjaland especially in the areas of education, sanitation and health delivery.

As a strong advocate of education, the Buipewura under his reign has set up the Buipewura Educational Fund with a sum of GH¢50,000 to support needy students in the catchment area of Buipe.

He has also provided accommodation for students of the Buipe Vocational and Technical Senior High School. The school has been battling with accommodation challenges for students in recent times.

Besides, he has built a mini stadium and a recreational centre in the area where sporting and other activities are held.

According to the Buipewura, chiefs in the Northern Region and especially in the Gonjaland should use their influence and clout to promote education and development and build ties that would engender peace and unity among their subjects.

Speaking on the proposed Savannah Region, the Buipewura commended government and said the creation of the new region was a platform for development and stability.

He therefore urged all his qualified subjects, who have attained the age of 18 years to duly register with the electoral commission to participate in the referendum for the creation of the region.

“The electoral commission will open the register to register all qualified voters from Sunday 16th to the 25th of September, 2018, for people who have attained 18 years and above . . . for the creation of the region,” he said.

FROM Eric Kombat, Buipe

The post Buipewura Launches Anniversary Celebration appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Yam farmers at Atebubub Amantin District in the Brong Ahafo Region have bemoaned the low patronage of yam in the district in recent times.

According to them, the situation is adversely affecting their business. The farmers who spoke to local media in the district said the lack of buyers was giving them sleepless nights as the tubers are going bad even though they had reduced prices significantly.

According to the farmers, 100 tubers of yam that went for GH¢1,500 last year is now being sold for GH¢500. They blamed the Atebubu Municipal Assembly for the unfortunate situation because the buyers are not coming due to high taxes charged on their cargoes by the assembly.

The retailers also complained about high tariffs and transportation cost engendered by the assembly. They claimed they had been running at a loss hence they were losing interest in the business gradually. They entreated buyers all over the country, especially those in Accra, to come and patronise the yams. Efforts by this paper to reach the assembly for comments proved futile.

danielyaodayee@yahoo.com

FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Atebubu

The post Atebubu Farmers Lament Low Yam Price appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Ignatius Baffour Awuah

The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, has called for collective and sustained efforts in ending the rampant workplace accidents occurring in most organizations.

According to him, statistics from the labour department of the ministry from 2015 to 2017 on workmen compensation as a result of accidents must be a cause for worry to both policymakers and industry players.

He disclosed: “In 2015 for instance, the mining and quarry sub-sector recorded 552 accidents of which 550 cases resulted in incapacitation, while two were fatal. Electricity, gas and water recorded 218 accident cases out of which 216 resulted in incapacitation and two cases were fatal. In 2016, the mining and quarry recorded 62 cases and one fatal incident; while electricity/gas and water recorded 219 cases, one of which was also fatal”.

He further disclosed that in 2017, mining and quarry recorded eight cases of incapacitation while electricity, gas and water recorded 368 incapacitation and two deaths.

The minister made the revelation at the 4^th edition of the Ghana Extractive Industry Conference (GEISCon) organized by the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI) in Takoradi.

The two-day conference was on the theme: “Handling of Dangerous Goods: Global Standards and Existing Practices in Ghana”.

GEISCon 2018 was attended by players in the oil and gas industry, mining, banking, security services and among others.

Some of the topics discussed included introduction to the United Nation (UN) model regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, the necessity of safety and control measures for the handling and transport of dangerous goods, road safety and how to educate the public.

The minister noted that most Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) incidents were avoidable adding “their continuous occurrence and presence at our workplaces constitute injustices of grave magnitude and are inexcusable”.

He stressed: “I think we should we pay attention to the key principles for eliminating occupational accidents including prioritizing security at the workplace, improving social dialogue and enhancing social protection for the worker and their families”.

Mr. Ato Van-Ess, Chairman of Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI), mentioned that the suffering caused by accidents and illnesses to workers and their families was incalculable.

He indicated that the International Labour Organization (ILO) had estimated that more than four per cent of the world’s annual Gross Domestic Products (GDP) was lost due to occupational accidents and diseases.

Mr. Benjamin Dziboku, General Manager, Finance and Strategy of Republic Bank Ghana Limited, added that safety and disaster management were critical in every industry or organization.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

The post ‘Workplace Accidents Must Stop’ appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

The students and an official of the Israeli Embassy

Fifty-one (51) Ghanaian students will travel to Israel to begin an 11-month long intensive practical agricultural training with Agrostudies, an Israeli programme which offers apprenticeship that focuses on agriculture capacity building and promotes food security. This is collaboration between Ghana’s Ministry of Food & Agriculture and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony for the apprentices, Shani Cooper, Israeli Ambassador designate to Ghana, explained “the state of Israel sees this project as a great opportunity for a perfect cooperation since Ghana and Israel are equal in the equation of beneficiaries. Israel is in need of good and trained people to work in agriculture and at the same time gather knowledge and rich experience.”

Being the pioneers of this collaboration, Shani Cooper charged the apprentices to take up the responsibility of ensuring that their conduct would be above impressive to pave way for the next batch of apprentices.

“Though you represent yourself, your community and your country, you also carry the burden of the next groups of students that would like to be part of this project in the future,” she added.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, also called on the apprentices to take this opportunity seriously and learn every aspect of the trade since they are expected to return to help set up a vibrant vegetable sector in Ghana. He further asked them to be good ambassadors of Ghana, ensure discipline and comport themselves very well.

Speaking on behalf of the management of Agritop, an Israeli greenhouse technology-training academy in Ghana, Mr Prince Kwame Boakye encouraged the beneficiaries to learn very hard.

The apprentices, who have also undergone three-month training in greenhouse technology with Agritop, will be attached to cooperative farms called Kibbutz or Moshav, where they will work on the field for five days and attend theoretical classes once a week in Agrostudies campuses across Israel. While in Israel, the graduates will be paid a monthly allowance, which they will be expected to save to enable them kick start their own agribusiness upon their return. They will be among 1,600 students from Africa, Asia and South America. The beneficiaries are expected to return to Ghana with enriched experience and knowledge given by the best farmers in Israel.

The send-off ceremony brought together officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Agritop, the apprentices of the programme and dignitaries such as Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko, Robert Ilatov from the Israeli Knesset.

The post 51 Agric Students Off To Israel appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Mrs. Mayfred Owusu (middle) addressing journalists

The demolition of property on some disputed lands at Kitase near Aburi Akwapim in the Eastern Region is causing uneasiness in the usually quiet town.

According to the James Toah Agyare Family of Kitase, a developer called Solomon Opare Addo Quaynor has allegedly taken over their lands and was using land guards to ‘terrorise’ them.

At a news conference at Kitase on Saturday, Mrs. Mayfred Owusu, a leader of the James Toah Agyare Family, claimed that Mr. Addo Quaynor, despite a court judgement that he should take seven parcels from their land, had taken the entire 45 and was on a demolition spree.

She said on 29^th November, 2001, the family sued Mr. Quaynor at a circuit court – first at Somanya and later at Akropong. However, after about 12 years on 29^th April, 2013, the court held that Mr. Quaynor was entitled to only four out of seven parcels of land he counter-claimed.

Not satisfied, Mrs. Owusu said Mr. Quaynor appealed against the decision at a Koforidua Court of Appeal three years after the Circuit Court judgment and got all the seven parcels of land back on October 26, 2016.

She said that on 22^nd February this year, Mr. Quaynor sought a demolition order pursuant to the execution of the Court of Appeal’s decision but the portions of lands earmarked for the demolition far exceeded what the court had granted the appellant.

Mrs. Owusu alleged that Mr. Quaynor’s land is made up of about seven different portions, covering 1.219, 1.27, 1.41, 1.388, 2.73, 1.34, and 0.38 acres, all located at different locations within their family lands.

“Addo Quaynor has taken all our lands and is using land guards to prevent us from going to farm there. We want the chief justice to look into this matter for justice to prevail,” she appealed.

However, in his affidavit, Mr. Quaynor said he successfully set aside the judgement of the Circuit Court and has since been acting lawfully to take possession of the disputed land.

By William Yaw Owusu

The post Kitase Family Cry Foul Over Property appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.