Michael Kenetey Kofi

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi A durbar of farmers and other stakeholders in the Agric value chain has been held at Moseaso near Anyinam in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region.  The event, organised by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Service Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was under the theme; “Protecting Plants Health in a challenging world”. The durbar forms part of activities to mark the day.   In his welcome address, the District Chief Executive for the Area, Kwabena Nkansah Panyin demonstrated his gratitude to the organisers for choosing the district for the celebration of such an important day in the life of Ghanaian farmers. He said it is a good decision for the United Nations General Assembly to set this year aside to take a critical look at the health of plants with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of healthy plants for achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Mr. Nkansah Panyin said plant...

  Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi  A Technical Health Officer at the Public Health Department of the Eastern Regional Hospital, George Antwi has revealed that staff at the facility who voluntarily availed themselves to treat patients with the coronavirus pandemic suffered stigmatization from other staff of the Hospital.  Speaking on GBC Sunrise FM’s weekly health discussion programme “Your Health” he stated that this development caused emotional and psychological trauma to those affected.  Mr. Antwi noted that the issue came about as a result of fear on the part of other staff that they could get infected by their colleagues since they were dealing with people suffering from the virus.  He further added that the pandemic caused low patronage of patients at the facility.  Mr. Antwi stated that the pandemic overstretched staff of the hospital as some of them had to be redeployed to other departments to augment the staff there to cater for increasing number of p...

            The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh has paid a day visit to Koforidua to find out the level of operational preparedness of the police personnel in the region for the upcoming general elections in December.  He said similar visits will be replicated in other regions in the country. He cautioned the youth to refrain from taking part in violent acts during this year’s elections.  Mr. Oppong-Boanuh added that he has appealed to traditional leaders to educate the youth on the need for peace before, during and after the elections. He also called on the police service not to be partisan but act in line with their duty as security personnel.  The IGP added that areas which are tagged as hotspots for violence, security will be tightened and other measures taken when the need arises.  He revealed that security personnel who will be designated to polling stations will have a duty armlet on the arm of one of their ...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta says Ghana’s economy is currently stronger compared to what it was four years ago.  Presenting the 2021 first quarter budget to Parliament yesterday, he noted that though the COVID-19 pandemic has frustrated and weakened economies of many countries including Ghana, government has managed to contain the virus by putting in place the necessary safety protocols and also demonstrated compassion to Ghanaians by instituting innovative measures to cushion the living condition of Ghanaians during the pandemic.  Mr. Ofori-Atta added that government is planning to establish a new national development bank with an initial capital of 500 million dollars to further support institutions in the financial sector which suffered during the banking reforms.  He pointed out that government has put in place all the necessary provisions to ensure free, fair, safe and transparent elections on December seventh.  The Finan...

The Chief Superintendent of Police who doubles as Operational Commander in the Eastern Region, Raymond Erzuah has observed that the media is very important as they disseminate issues of national interest into the limelight.  He said the media can plunge the country into civil war if journalists do not adhere to the ethics of the profession in their reportage.  Chief Superintendent Erzuah said this at a day’s crime training workshop for journalists in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital. Correspondent Candida Dery was there and has filed this report. The training workshop was meant to equip participants with the needed skills in crime reporting. Chief Superintendent Erzuah urged journalists to be fair, accurate, and provide comprehensive information to the public.  He said the media are expected to play a pivotal role in the maintenance of peace before, during and after the polls. He appealed to all journalists to collaborate with the police to fight for peace in the u...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi A  Dietician at the Koforidua Regional Hospital, Esther Owusu Agyei has advised Ghanaians to consume more fruits and vegetables daily.  She said consuming more fruits and vegetables provide the body with anti-oxidants that help to fight against chronic diseases.  Speaking on Koforidua-based radio Development Agenda on the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, she said they serve as organic immune booster adding that fruits provide the body with all the vitamins that the body needs for growth and also provides the body with fibre that helps reduce weight. According to her, it is advisable for everyone to eat fruits every day. Clarifying the misconception on whether it is right to eat fruits before or after eating cooked food, she stated that there is no specific time to eat fruits stressing that there has not been any research on that.   She however pointed out that some fruits such as oranges, apples and pineapples have...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified some thirty thousand persons from voting in this year’s general elections. The persons have further been barred from registering as voters for a period of time.  Speaking to Accra-based radio station, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the EC, Sylvia Annor explained that the identified persons fall into the category of those who engaged in multiple registrations and those who were challenged and not cleared by the various district review committees.  Madam Sylvia Annor, PRO of EC. She indicated that the names of about thirty thousand registered voters have been deleted or expunged from the provisional voters’ register because they are either on the exceptions lists or the multiple lists.  The multiple list is made up of names of all those who engaged in double registration during the voter’s registration exercise.  Madam Annor further explained that the exceptions list is made up of...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Atta has revealed that his Ministry is currently constructing over two hundred road projects simultaneously in the Eastern Region. He made the disclosure when the President Nana Akufo Addo commissioned the Kpong Generating Station Retrofit Project at Akuse in the Eastern Region.  He added that before the President declared the year 2020 as ‘The Year of Roads’ some of the roads were already under construction in the region and the two hundred and 60 districts in the country.  He further stated that the government is concurrently constructing six interchanges in the country which is unprecedented in the history of Ghana. Mr Amoako Atta announced that by the end of next month, the Pokuase Interchange will be open for traffic. The Minister of Foreign Affairs who is also the MP for Anyaah Sowutuom, Shirley Ayorkor Botechwey urged Ghanaians to vote for the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo and all NP...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, has called on the people of Fanteakwa North in the Eastern Region to vote massively for President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the seventh December general elections.  According to Mr Dame, the performance of Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP government in the last three and half years is a proof that the party is the only one that knows the needs of Ghanaians.  Addressing the NPP Eastern Regional Youth Wing programme dubbed 'Boots on Ground', the Deputy Attorney General said the country has not forgotten about the bus branding scandal, the ford expedition scandal and the guinea fowl episode which occurred under the previous administration.  Mr. Dame called on Ghanaians to again reject Mahama and his NDC at the ballot coming general elections. He further added that Ghanaians are reaping the fruits of good governance which is the envy of many nations in West Africa...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Electoral Commission (EC) will start printing ballot papers for the December seventh presidential and parliamentary elections today. Seven printing houses in Accra have been selected by the EC to spearhead the exercise.  Report indicates that all qualified parties and independent candidates of all the 12 parties are to nominate a representative to each of the seven printing houses to observe the exercise.  Concerns have been raised about the length of this year’s presidential ballot paper owing to the unprecedented number of qualified aspirants.  The Deputy Chairman of the Commission in-charge of Corporate Services, Dr Bossman Eric Asare, however, said the challenge of more candidates can be overcome with better sensitization.  He added that as the country approaches the elections, the Commission will intensify its public education especially on how to properly vote as a way of reducing the number of rejected ballots. Source: CITINEW...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to the Chiefs and people of Upper West Akim to change their voting pattern this year and  vote massively for NPP to continue its transformation agenda.  He noted that since 1992, the constituents have been voting for NDC which have not brought any development to them. He made the appeal when he addressed the constituents at Adeiso in the Eastern Region as part of his three day campaign tour of the region.  Dr. Bawumia mentioned Free SHS policy, planting for food and job, restoration of teacher and nurses training allowance, NABCO and the increase of cocoa prices as  some of the government’s achievements  Meanwhile, more than 30 NDC Zongo youths at Akyem Oda have defected from the party to NPP following what they claim as neglect by the party leaders.  The defected youth commended the NPP government for the various social intervention initiatives which is yielding posit...

   Story By Michael Kenetey Kofi The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCSALW) says over four thousand hotspots have been identified for the proliferation of illegal arms in the country.  The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Jones Applerh, at the launch of the Commission’s ‘Ballot without bullets’ campaign which is aimed at achieving a zero gun violence in the general election said the commission is committed to ensuring peaceful polls by curbing the influx of illegal arms.  He said that data from the Police showed that four thousand and 98 hotspots have been identified across the country with regions such as the Ashanti recording the highest number of six hundred and 35, Central five hundred and 37, Eastern four hundred and five and Western region recording three hundred and 23 flashpoints.  Mr. Applerh stated that the porous source of our borders has been a major source of illicit flow of arms into the country. He emphasized the need f...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Eastern Regional Director of Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), Alhaji Seidu Ibrahim has assured NABCO trainees of permanent job adding that a contrary decision will defeat the purpose of the scheme since the policy seeks to prepare young graduates for future prospects.  He disclosed this  at a workshop to commemorate the second Anniversary of NABCO in Koforidua the Eastern Regional capital.  He said securing permanent status of NABCO personnel is part of the scheme transitional plan to enable the trainees to be retain in their respective work place where there is a vacancy after the period of their engagement.  Alhaji Ibrahim also disclosed that trainees who need financial support to start their own business will be given funds, while those who need scholarship to further their education will also be supported.  The New Juaban South NABCO Coordinator, Michael Adarkwa disclosed that Supervisors or Line Managers will play a vit...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has ordered the management of the various public universities in the country not to increase school fees for the 2020/2021 academic year.  Speaking on an Accra-based radio station on the sidelines of the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning Program by the National Council for Education, Prof. Yankah said the recurrent increase in fees is worrying and alarming. He stated that he is surprise and abhor about the arbitrary increases which appear to be recurrent almost every year. Prof. Yankah further reminded school authorities that any increase in fees without parliamentary approval is unlawful.  He stressed that public universities have been clearly told about the need to rout any increases they envisage to Parliament because of the Fees and Charges Act which requires them to do so.  Prof. Yankah further said he did not expect the universities to be comp...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi Ninety- three Parliamentary candidates made up of 81 males and 12 females have filed their nomination to contest this year’s parliamentary elections in the Eastern Region.  The Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Faith Amedzake disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent in Koforidua.  According to her, New Patriotic Party, NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC filed for all the 33 constituencies in the region whiles Ghana Union Movement (GUM) filed for 11 constituencies.  Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and Liberal Party Ghana (LPG) filed for three Constituencies. People National Convention (PNC), National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) filed for one constituency each with seven independent candidates.  She said all their names and particulars have been forwarded to their Head office for processing. She advised the candidates to conduct their campaigns devoi...

 Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi At least 28 people had been injured yesterday when soldiers shot at #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos State in Nigeria.  The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this in a series of tweets this morning, although he is silent on the number of fatalities.  He made the disclosure shortly after he visited the victims who sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds as a result of the action of the soldiers.  Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the injured victims were receiving medical treatment across three hospitals in the state.  According to him, 10 victims are being treated at the General Hospital, 11 at Reddington, and four hospitalized at Vedic medical facility. The governor confirmed that the victims sustained mild to moderate levels of injuries, but two were receiving intensive medical care. Ɖ He added that three patients have so far been discharged from the hospital, while 25 others were on admission at the...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi The Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo will be placed number one on this year’s general election presidential ballot paper.  John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) followed suit occupying the number two position whilst Christian Kwabena Andrews of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) will be placed three, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) which is led by Ivor Kobina Greenstreet is placed four.  The rest are Madam Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) fifth place, Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP), sixth, Hassan Ayariga of All People’s Congress (APC) on seventh, and Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party Ghana (LPG) eighth.  The rest are Peoples National Convention (PNC) led by David Asibi Apasera ninth, Madam Bridgette Dzogbenuku of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) tenth, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP) is pla...

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi A three-storey church building belonging to the Church of Prosperity collapsed yesterday afternoon at Akyem Batabi in the Eastern Region trapping some worshippers.  According to reports, indicate that six people have so far died while seven others have been rescued.  The report also stated that about 65 worshippers were in the building at the time of the collapse.  The Eastern Regional Coordinator of NADMO, Kwame Appiah Kodua said when they arrived the scene, they realised that the scope of the disaster is beyond the strength of the Regional Secretariat, so they informed the National Secretariat for assistance.   He noted when they arrived at the venue, the local members and members from the Achiase Warfare were at the venue helping the situation. According  to one woman who escaped the wreckage said they went to the top floor of the building to have service and came to the down floor to rest after the service when they noticed...