NIA to continue operationalization of regional, district offices tomorrow
Effective 1st June 2021, the National Identification Authority (NIA) will begin the operationalization of 17 regional and 275 district offices across the country. This decentralisation initiative according to the NIA will increase access to the Ghana Card, other related registration activities and the NIA’s visibility throughout the nation. This is in line with NIA’s statutory mandate to register and issue National Identity cards (Ghana Cards) to all Ghanaians from age zero to infinity, as well as foreign nationals lawfully resident in Ghana. To ensure a smooth roll-out of the decentralization process, NIA in a statement noted that it will use the following plans: a. 1st – 6th June – Setting up, public sensitization and engagements with community leaders on the operation of the Regional and District offices; b. 7th June onwards – Issuance of Ghana Cards to Ghanaians who registered during the mass registration exercise but could not get their cards; c. 7th -18th June – Continuation of public education and sensitization across the Regions and Districts; d. 5th July onwards: i. Registering of Ghanaians aged 15 years and above for the Ghana Card; ii. Replacement of lost, stolen, and damaged Ghana Cards; and iii. Update of personal information of applicants in the National Identity Register (NIR). The NIA said it will announce in due course the timelines for the registration of Ghanaians under 15 years. The regional and district offices of the NIA will operate within the usual business hours from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
MTN Ghana targets 25% localisation by year end
Telecoms giant, MTN Ghana says it plans to increase local ownership in the company to 25% by the close of this year. Currrently, the company has local participation of 16.9%. Selorm Adadevoh, chief executive officer of MTN Ghana, announced this at the virtual annual general meeting of the company on Tuesday (25 May). He said the MTN Group remained committed to its agreement with the government to increase other shareholdings in Scancom PLC to 25%, with a focus on local shareholding. Also, in line with the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 Mobile Money Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scancom PLC, is required to achieve 30% localisation of its shareholding as part of Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) license requirements. Adadevoh said the BoG had extended the deadline to meet the requirement, to 15 January 2022. Significant market power (SMP) On the issue of the significant market power (SMP) declaration, Adadevoh said a series of engagements with the regulator and other key stakeholders was ongoing to resolve the issue in an amicable manner. He said from October 2020, MTN Ghana implemented the National Communication Authority’s directive to apply a 30% asymmetrical interconnect rate reduction for two years. He said engagements and discussions with relevant stakeholders were ongoing after a brief suspension in the lead up to the national elections in December 2020. “We are optimistic that these discussions will result in a positive outcome for MTN Ghana and the long-term sustainability of Ghana telecommunications industry. “We remain grateful to the NCA, the Ministry of Communications and key stakeholders for their commitment to engage with the view to resolve the issues amicably,” he said. The business reported a profit after tax of GHC1.4 billion which represents a 38.4% increase year on year. Shareholders approved a final dividend of five pesewas per share, bringing the total dividend for the 2020 year to eight pesewas per share. This represents 70.5% of profit after tax and a 33.3% increase in dividend per share over 2019. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Ghana’s debt stock hits GHS304.6bn
Latest figures from the Bank of Ghana’s Summary of Economic and Financial Data, show that Ghana’s debt stock rose by GHS13 billion to hit GHS304.6 billion as of March 2021, representing 70.2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The additional GHS13 billion debt came about between December 2020 and March 2021. The $3 billion Eurobond raised by the government in March substantially constituted to the GHS13 billion rise in debt. Ghana’s total debt stock, as of December 2020, was GHS291.6 billion. Of the total debt stock, the domestic debt is GHS163.6 (37.3% of GDP) as of the end of March 2021. It was GHS149.8 billion in December 2020. The external debt component was GHS141 billion (37.7% of GDP). Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Suspend mining for one year – Okyehene tells Gov’t
Okyehene Osagyefo Amotia Ofori Payin has urged Government to suspend mining activities across for a period of one year. According to him, the suspension will pave way for a review of the legal regime governing the mining sector. He made the call on Thursday, May 27, 2021, when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor called on him at his palace in Kyebi. The courtesy call formed part of the Minister’s two-day visit to the Eastern Region. The Okyehene further called for the decoupling of the Minerals Commission from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the Commission to have the free hand to operate. He said it was important for government to adequately resource the Minerals Commission in order to effectively carry out its mandate. Touching on remuneration for mine workers, he said the disparity between the Ghanaian miner worker and others in other jurisdictions is too wide and must be looked at. On his part, the Minister, Mr Jinapor noted that all the issues and concerns raised by the Okyehene will be tabled for further deliberations. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Stealing human organs ‘untrue, distasteful’ – Ridge Hospital to Chief Imam
The leaderships of the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) have called on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, over allegations of organ harvesting levelled against some hospitals in Accra in a viral video. In the said video, a man alleges that some hospitals, especially the Ridge Hospital, were stealing vital human parts such as kidneys for sale, an act the man in the video said was targeted at people belonging to the Muslim faith. However, the officials from the regional directorate have completely dismissed the allegations, describing them as “untrue” and “distasteful”. No truth Addressing the meeting with the Chief Imam at his residence in Fadama, Accra Wednesday, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Charity Sarpong, said the video in circulation was “disturbing” because it did not create harmony. “The issues he put across were not true and he tried to create separation, fear and panic within a certain section of the community. There is no iota of truth in them. “As a health sector, we make sure that we provide quality health care to anybody who comes, irrespective of your religious background, race and social standing,” she said. No fear Dr Sarpong further appealed to the Chief Imam to assist the health sector in allaying the fear of the public, particularly the Muslim community, over the matter, insisting that “it can never be true and it can never happen.” “We want to say that nobody should come to the hospital fearing for their lives. You are coming to the hospital to be healed and not to be killed. I believe that every human life is important. We have gone into a profession where we have sworn an oath to care for the sick; not for a particular group,” she stated. The regional director of health services appealed to the Chief Imam to tell everybody to have confidence in the health system. “We are there for everybody irrespective of your religion or race. We are all one people and we will work within the confines of our ethics and professional values to deliver quality health care at all times,” she advanced. Dr Sarpong also gave an assurance that the directorate would hand over the circulating video to the authorities so that it was investigated and the culprit made to answer or prove his allegation.” Response In his response, Sheikh Sharubutu said he appreciated the urgency with which the officials responded to the development. Making reference to the Holy Qur’an, he indicated that his office would not rush into taking any actions based on the allegations making rounds on social media. “If the mischievous person comes to you with any information, seek an explanation that will lead you to the authentication of the information before you act. Therefore, we do not work with what somebody says just like that, like such information. We will apply God’s own commandment in dealing with some of these things to know whether they are false or true,” he said. “Medical practitioners are people who help us. We are praying that God will support them. Anyone who comes to us with any information about your work, we will not work with that information. Except we have investigated and found the truth,” he stated. The Chief Imam promised to use all available platforms to help in impugning the allegations. “We will propagate the message. We will dismiss completely the allegations with our platforms,” Sheikh Sharubutu said. Graphic
MTN COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING GHANA’S DIGITAL AGENDA– RALPH MUPITA,MTN GROUP CEO
MTN GROUP CEO PAYS THREE DAY WORKING VISIT TO GHANA, AS MTN GHANA GETS READY TO LAUNCH ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS MTN Group CEO and President Ralph Mupita has reiterated MTN’s commitment to support Ghana’s digital agenda as well as government’s initiatives to drive rural financial inclusion and support for businesses under the ‘Ghana Cares’ initiative. Mr. Mupita commended government on its efforts to digitalize various sectors of the economy when he paid a courtesy on the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the Jubilee House as part of his three-day working visit to Ghana. During his interaction with the Vice President, Mr. Mupita shared updates on steps MTN has taken to align its strategy with the national agenda to create a shared value. He said, “We are committed to supporting Ghana’s QR code project and other digital initiatives such as the fight against cyber-attacks and the development of Women in ICT”. Mr. Mupita gave a hint about MTN’s intention to construct an ICT Hub to commemorate its 25th anniversary celebrations. He also shared updates on MTN Ghana’s commitment to complete its localization drive of 12.5% for Scancom Plc by end of 2021 and the sale of 30% shares in MobileMoney Limited by January 2022. He shared highlights on discussions with competition and technology partners aimed at improving and expanding network infrastructure in readiness for ACFTA opportunities. In his remarks, H.E Dr. Bawumia commended MTN for its belief in the Ghana market and for expanding its investments over the past 25years. He reiterated his commitment to protect and support MTN’s operations in Ghana especially its request for spectrum to enhance its operations. The Group CEO and his team of executives paid similar courtesy calls on other stakeholders to interact and discuss issues of mutual interest. He called on the South African High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Grace Jeanet Mason, Member of MTN Group’s International Advisory Committee and the former President of Ghana, Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor. Ralph Mupita also had meetings with the Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful and the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta. The Group CEO and his team also met the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and the Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Mr. Ekow Afedzi Mr. Mupita was accompanied by the Vice President for West and Central Africa Region(WECA), Mr. Ebenezer Twum Asante, Samuel Addo, Chief Enterprise Business Officer representing Selorm Adadevoh, Chief Executive Officer and Samuel Koranteng, Chief Corporate Services Officer. Ralph Mupita’s visit to Ghana is the third since he assumed office as Group CEO in September 2020. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Bremang galamsey pit consumed 3; about 15 others still trapped
According to information, three people are feared dead after they were trapped in an illegal mining pit in Bremang in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central region. Fifteen more suspected galamseyers are still trapped in the pit, as rescuers race against time to save them. Two others were pulled out of the pit but are in critical condition and have been rushed to the hospital for treatment. A team of police and officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is currently at the mining site helping to rescue the trapped miners. The government recently intensified its fight against illegal mining in the country. A task force called Operation Halt has been sent to mining areas to arrest all culprits and destroy their mining equipment with which they prospect for gold in the country’s water bodies and forest reserves. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
European Commission sues AstraZeneca for Covid-19 vaccine delays
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca was in court Wednesday, facing the European Commission, which says the company did not honour its contracts to deliver Covid-19 vaccination doses, and slowed European inoculation campaigns The Commission, which is responsible for procuring vaccinations for the entire EU, is suing AstraZeneca to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine before July, and face financial penalties for not delivering on a mid-June deadline. In the first quarter of 2021, AstraZeneca delivered only 30 million doses, out of the 120 million it agreed to supply to the EU. For the current quarter, which runs until June 30, the company plans to deliver only 70 million of the 180 million in the contract. EU lawyer Rafael Jafferali told the court Wednesday that the company expects to deliver the full 300 million doses by the end of December – a delay which is “obviously a failure.” The Commission argues the company should have used all of its production sites to supply the EU, but instead it favoured the United Kingdom, by not exporting doses produced at its two UK-based plants. AstraZeneca says it has fully complied with its contract with the EU, and has argued it made its best effort to deliver vaccines on time, despite difficulties in manufacturing. It said it had warned the EU had about delays as early as February. Lawyers for the company will address the court later Wednesday. Shifting away from AstraZeneca The Commission had intended to use the AstraZeneca vaccine as a pillar of its vaccination campaign. Now it has shifted its focus to the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. Now that there are more than 2.5 billion vaccine doses from various manufacturers in Europe, the Commission might find it difficult to prove the urgency of its case against AstraZeneca. Lawyers for both sides will argue their cases Wednesday in a court in Brussels, as the contract was signed in Belgium. Another hearing is scheduled for Friday, with a judgment to be delivered at a future date that has not been announced. In addition to the emergency action, the Commission has started the process to claim for damages, though a hearing has not yet been set by the court. RFI Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
NDC Chairman Boldly named John Boadu and Others At National Security as Galamsey Kingpins; Shocking Names Dropped -CHECK LIST
Bismark Aborbi-Ayitey claims some bigwigs of the NPP are involved in galamsey. He spoke against the the burning of excavators. Aborbi-Ayitey says President Akufo-Addo is aware of the NPP members involved in galamsey Without any cogent evidence to substantiate his claims, Bismark Aborbi-Ayitey, the Ayawaso West Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress has named some bigwigs of the New Patriotic Party whom he claims to be involved in illegal mining, known popularly as galamsey. Contributing to a panel discussion on illegal mining on Neat FM, he listed a number of high profile NPP members as galamsey kingpins impeding the progress of the fight against the menace. “I’m telling [you] on authority that there is a gentleman called George Asante. George Asante is the PA of General Amanfo, the acting National Security Coordinator. He was part of the National Security operatives who were caught in the forest. He is in BNI cells now. It means people around the National Security Coordinator are doing galamsey. “Kennedy Agyapong said the truth. If you look into it, you’ll realize that John Boadu and the National Organizer are all involved in galamsey. I can tell you that Sammy Awuku is neck-deep in galamsey. Your callers mention a certain Abanga, he is the galamsey partner of the NPP General Secretary. When quizzed by the host on why he has not submitted his evidence to the appropriate authorities to apprehend the persons he alleges are involved in illegal mining, Bismark Aborbi-Ayitey said, “ even the president knows this but the party needs money”. He also cautioned the government against the burning of excavators, warning that it could incur the country further losses. He expressed concern that the government, in trying to solve the galamsey menace, is committing illegality. “I’m scared that the little resources we have as a country will be used to pay judgement debts. We are paying $15 million as judgement debt so we should be careful. We should look at the legal aspect of whatever we are doing so that we don’t incur debts,” he warned. Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces have vowed to destroy all equipment seen on galamsey sites According to the Armed Forces, the destruction of the equipment is the best possible means of ensuring that they do not return to the sites. “The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to once again caution all citizens especially those living in and around major rivers and their tributaries and forest reserves that Operation Halt II is still in progress. Any equipment found in and around water bodies and forest reserves would be destroyed. “These illegal activities were mostly being done in the night or under the cover of darkness protected by armed guards, as used cartridges were found at the sites. The Operation Halt II patrol that accompanies the team was ordered to destroy logistics found in these areas,” the statement released by GAF on Sunday reads. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Kennedy Agyapong drops names of those engage in galamsey
Outspoken Ghanaian politician, Hon Kennedy Agyapong has dropped one of the names of the government officials who are the bane of illegal mining in the nation. According to the member of Parliament for Assin Central in a phone interview with a TV station, though Otumfuo Osei Tutu mentioned that most of his colleagues are behind the excess illegal mining in the country, there’s a governmental body that has more influence on the activity. He mentioned that the Ghana Mineral Commission which is headed by Mr. SK Boafu is the main brain behind galamsey in the nation. The business mogul explained that it is the Mineral Commission that deploys people to mine particular places for gold. He continued that though it’s a governmental institution, the government has only small control over it. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093