Ghana’s economy recovering from coronavirus than anticipated – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the Ghanaian economy has begun to recover faster from the novel Coronavirus than “initially anticipated”. This, he indicated, is according to the Bank of Ghana’s assessment on Ghana’s economy. Delivering his 18th address to the nation on Sunday, October 18, he stated that “consumer confidence is bouncing back strongly, and is today above pre-lockdown levels”. “Business confidence has also increased, reflecting the improving macroeconomic conditions, stability in the exchange rate, lower input prices, moderation in lending rates, and positive industry prospects. “Consumer spending, industrial consumption of electricity and construction activities have all reached pre-lockdown levels, whilst tourist arrivals and port harbour activity are gradually edging upwards,” Akufo-Addo noted. He, however, urged Ghanaians to continue to comply with the strict hygiene, mask-wearing and social distancing protocols that have become part. “This is the surest way by which we can defeat the virus, and avoid a second wave of infections,” he observed.
Ardent Asamoah Gyan fan quits football over dying mother
An 8-year-old boy who follows Ghana football on the television in the Upper East Region because he admires Asamoah Gyan has taken his attention off playing soccer with friends for now because his 26-year-old mother is seriously sick and helpless. The boy, Albert Aburipoore, learned his mother, Susana, was dying with a chronic kidney disease after she had been to four health facilities in the region before she was finally referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) in the Northern Region where she has been on haemodialysis (a blood-purifying process) since 2019. “We visited Annicom (a private health facility). Annicom suspected fibroid. From there, we went to the Amiah Hospital. I was told I had diabetes and was admitted there. We also assumed it was fibroid; so, we went to Dr Razak’s private facility. Dr Razak said he didn’t see anything wrong with me; he said he only saw my intestines and liver turning around inside my stomach,” Susana said (with a very faint voice) during Starr News’ visit to their impoverished home at Sirigu, a quiet community in the Kassena-Nankana West District. Her husband, Atingane, added: “In the beginning, we thought it was pregnancy. Several tests were run at the Upper East Regional Hospital. Nothing was found after the tests had been done. Later, they diagnosed diabetes. We visited a number of facilities. Her legs and stomach were swollen. As she was not recovering, we went back to the regional hospital. They (the regional hospital) referred us to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.” “Asamoah Gyan is my idol. But it has been difficult to play football outside there with friends and be happy even when you score a goal or when your team wins when you always remember your mother is weeping at home because she is not well and your dad is sad because he is too poor to help her. I feel it is better to always stay around her even if I cannot help her,” the boy said. Sick Susana spends Gh¢900 every week to survive The troubled couple owns a small farm near a forested hill in the mostly green community. The family depends on that smallholder farmstead for a scanty livelihood. The TTH takes Gh¢300 from Susana three times a week— which is Gh¢900 every seven days— to keep her alive through haemodialysis. “She [also requires] getting an arteriovenous fistula (permanent vascular access) for dialysis which is done in Accra or Kumasi at a cost of Gh¢1,500. The ultimate treatment for Madam Susana’s condition is kidney transplant which is mainly done outside Ghana at an estimated cost of $35,000 and $45,000,” the Head of the TTH’s Medical Social Work Unit, Alhaji Braimah Saaka, says in an appeal-for-fund letter. The letter states further: “The Medical Social Work Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital is a department which appeals to organisations, religious bodies, co-operative institutions and individuals to help vulnerable patients. We are, therefore, counting on your support, be it cash or kind, to help save the life of this woman.” The family has sold out everything— livestock, harvests and even clothes inherited from grandparents— to pay Gh¢300 three times a week at the TTH to sustain her life. “It is even worse today after we have sold all our possessions. Today, we contact friends for support. We have been appealing to people at marketplaces, funeral grounds and other places. Even getting money to pay our transport fares to Tamale is sometimes difficult. “At times, whilst we are on our way to the TTH, we are still contacting those we know to not forget about us. We have so far reached out to about 95% of the people we know to keep going in this situation. We have covered about 95% of them in search of help,” said Albert’s father with grief in the tone of his voice. He furnished Starr News with a copy of the appeal-for-fund letter from the TTH and gave out his mobile-money account details as “0248223870, Atingane Aburipoore” in an appeal for public assistance in support of the ailing mother of his football-loving only son. Starrfm Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Ghanaian dancer Incredible Zigi allegedly pays off police after he was arrested due to his looks
While out and about celebrating his birthday, Ghanaian dancer Incredible Zigi said he was arrested by officers of the Ghana Police Service. Accrording to the dancer, he was arrested and handcuffed because of how he looks. Hours before that, Incredible Zigi, who is spotting dreadlocks, had spent time with his friends to celebrate his birthday. The alleged police profiling on the dancer based on his physical appearance is similar to what Nigerians are currently fighting for their police to stop doing in the End SARS protests. When the police arrested Incredible Zigi near American House at East Legon, he shared posts on his Instagram account to inform his friends. Hours later, he updated that he had been released though he also alleged that he had to pay to police to secure his release. Incredible Zigi, whose real name is Michael Amofa, is credited to have created the popular Kupe Dance. Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
NPP gurus storm Akwatia for unity walk, Ama Sey ‘missing’
Some national and regional executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party on Sunday stormed the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region for a unity walk as victory appear uncertain for the party in December. Spotted among the dignitaries were Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Sammy Awuku, National Organizer of the NPP, and the National Women’s Organizer Kate Gyamfua. Also some Eastern Regional Executives including, Eastern Regional Organizer, Kwame Appiah Kodua, and Regional Youth Organizer – Jerry Osei-OPoku, as well as some regional Campaign team members were present. The walk saw multitude of NPP supporters participating but conspicuously missing was the embittered Member of Parliament for Akwatia Mercy Adu Gyamfi popularly known as Ama Sey who was expected to participate in the event to demonstrate reconciliation and unity. It is not clear why the MP did not show up. Her mobile phone has since been off. Firebrand Ohene Agyapong addressing the supporters said they were expecting the MP and her husband to participate in the walk having reached out to them in the house. Nonetheless, Kennedy Agyapong advised the Parliamentary Candidate Ernest Kumi to Personally go to the MP to beg her for advice on how she managed to gain grounds in Akwatia and learn from her if he wants to be successful in his political career. On October 9, 2020 the incumbent Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Mercy Adu Gyamfi popular known as Ama Sey officially announced her withdrawal from the parliamentary race as Independent Candidate. The MP was expected to file her nomination form but rescinded her decision stating that she has been spoken to by many dignitaries including President Akufo Addo and wife Rebecca Akufo Addo, Okyenhene and some Pastors. “I petitioned the NPP for recounting after the Primaries but they ignored it however they did recounting for a candidate at Asamankese, my supporters got angry and decided to support me to contest as Independent Candidate because the party was not fair to me. My supporters were angry. I agreed to go Independent because I was bitter however many people called me,” she said at a press conference Friday at Akwatia. She added ” President Akufo-Addo called me, his wife called me, Chief of staff called me, Okyenhene, Juabeng Chief, Pastors and many other dignitaries called to speak to me. So I have decided not to file my nomination form as EC closes filing today”. “It is painful to be cheated and if pains are afflicted on you and you don’t take the decision to prevent it will continue but because I have been spoken to I have decided to remain calm and rescind my decision. I know many are still angry in Akwatia I beg them to let bygones be bygones”. The Member of Parliament for Akwatia Mercy Adu Gyamfi had earlier boycotted a mini-rally held for President Akufo-Addo during his visit to Akwatia as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Eastern region. Supporters of the MP chanted war song to demonstrate their displeasure soon as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate Ernest Kumi mounted the platform to address them in presence of President Akufo Addo and his entourage. Starrfm Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
Even if you swim in the Ayawaso flood you won’t win – John Dumelo shades Lydia Alhassan
The NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has taken a swipe at the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan, over what he describes as her refusal to see to the social welfare and development of the constituents whiles harbouring a tendency to jump into action whenever he (Dumelo) makes any move to that effect. According to Dumelo, the MP’s action speaks of her failure and as much as she tries, she will not be able to rescue herself from being defeated on December 7. “Last week Saturday, I went to wear my boots and entered the water. Somebody too came and wore her boots with her Kaba and slit in the water. If she likes, she should even swim in the water you (she) will not win the election. They stopped me from doing that work, but they cannot stop us from victory. They stopped me from fixing the drain in West Legon but they cannot stop us from victory. The seat is for us and we are taking the seat,” he declared to a gathering of party faithful and sympathizers on Sunday, October 18, 2020, when he launched his campaign at the Bawaleshi School Park. The Ayawaso West Wuogon race will arguably be the most interesting one in the parliamentary elections come December 7. Long before he gained his party’s nomination, John Dumelo of the National Democratic Congress gave a strong signal to the incumbent, Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party, of his intention to be the opponent that will give her a run for her money. As part of his way of reaching out to the people of Ayawaso West, John Dumelo some months back hired excavators to dredge some drains in the West Legon area due to the problems faced by residents in that area whenever there is heavy rainfall. He was, however, reported to have been asked to stop the dredging by the Ayawaso Municipal Assembly pending the granting of a permit by the Assembly. The action by the Assembly was interpreted by many as being politically motivated. Months down the line when it rained heavily last week, some parts of the West Legon area and other areas of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency were heavily flooded. Some residents in the area, as well as the NDC parliamentary candidate, linked the flooding to the refusal of the Assembly to allow the dredging exercise and accused the assembly of doing so on political grounds. Minutes after the rain had stopped last Saturday, John Dumelo was seen in pictures and videos shared on social media walking through the floodwaters visiting some residents to find out how they had been affected by the rain and later in the day, the same was seen of the Member of Parliament, Lydia Alhassan. Speaking during his campaign launch on Sunday, Mr. Dumelo who repeated his confidence in winning the Ayawso West race, indicated that the many social interventions he has undertaken in the constituency are only a prelude to what he intends to do for the people as a member of parliament. “Last year when I won the primaries I got to work and I can confidently tell you that things are happening in Ayawaso West Wuogon. We are sharing laptops, not that when we come, we will share, we are already sharing laptops. We are already creating jobs, they claim that One District One Factory, I don’t see any factories in Ayawaso West Wuogon, I will make that factory and produce that factory in Ayawos West Wuogon. You cannot come and lie to us that you will do the thing when you are not doing the thing. I am here to do it and I will do it. I have started doing it already. Last week I started or inaugurated my mushroom farming, that is what we are going to implement to create a factory in Ayawaso west. So that we can create jobs for everybody,” he said. GhanaWeb Please kindly contact Apexnewsgh.com on Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
The alleged insecurity and the leaked tape: Rawlings’s concerns were indeed legitimate!
Columnist: Kwaku Badu The spate of monstrous crimes, such as armed robberies, kidnappings, and mindless murders during Mahama’s administration, in fact, prompted The then IGP in 2015 to inaugurate a seven-member committee, codenamed –Cold Case – to investigate the rampant armed robberies and murder cases, locate perpetrators and put forward recommendations (See: Police inaugurates special unit to investigate murder cases – MyJoyOnline, 30/01/2015). The fact however remains that vicious and sanguineous crimes have unfortunately been a societal problem from time in memorial. So, it is quite unfortunate for no less a person than former President Mahama to resort to petty politicking in this moment of sorrow. Considering the volume of heinous crimes under his watch, the thoughtful observers cannot be faulted for upbraiding former President Mahama for inferring that Ghanaians do not feel safe under the current Akufo-Addo led administration. That being said, the ceaseless and senseless armed robberies and murders in the country cannot be allowed to pass without commenting. Regrettably, the most recent of such witless and fiendish murders took place in the Central Region, where some mindless hoodlums barbarically took the life of the NPP Member of Parliament for Mfantseman Constituency, the Honourable Ekow Hayford. In retrospect, the revoltingly horrible leaked audio tape, alleged to have emanated from the opposition NDC’s meeting sometime last year, somehow, gives credence to the sceptics claim that the owner of the voice in the audio has questions to answer over the perceived insecurity in the country. In the said leaked tape, observers can hear clearly how the remorseless suspect is detailing his diabolic scheme to cause mayhem in the country by kidnapping the perceived opponents and their family members. The suspect unblushingly went ahead to tell the audience, believed to be the executives of the party, to attack the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, and insult the then Peace Council Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Asante. Mind you, any serious investigative body anywhere in the world will cause the arrest of the protagonist and any deuteragonist in the audio tape over the ceaseless and mindless attacks in the country. This is the reason why back then I suggested that the Criminal Investigation Department unnecessarily delayed in its investigations. However, it is better late than never, they say. In fact, the Police should have started preparing for action as soon as former President Mahama declared that the National Democratic Congress has a revolutionary root, and when it comes to unleashing extreme violence, no one can beat them. I have stressed on numerous occasions that some of us regrettably witnessed the revoltingly ugly events which took place over a period of three decades (1970-1990s) and therefore cannot be hoodwinked by the inveterate propagandists to believing that political violence is not synonymous with NDC. It is absolutely true that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was formed on the ideals of militant vigilantism, and therefore it is somewhat baffling to hear the baseless claims from the NDC quarters that the party is not synonymous with violence. The story is told, though vividly, that in their desperate attempts to defend their illegitimate power and lay the foundation for a supposedly true democracy in Ghana, the founders of the NDC officially set up paramilitary organs such as the People’s Defence Committee (PDC), the Civil Defence Organisation (CDO), which was popularly known as the Militia and the Workers Defence Committee (WDC), where the last two organs were later reorganised and renamed as the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR), whose collective mandate was to defend the revolution by hook or by crook. The CDRs were established in villages, urban communities, and workplaces and intended to be the organs of popular power and political initiative. In addition, Forces’ Defence Committees were established in the armed forces and the police service. The June Four Movement was a militant mass revolutionary movement dedicated to keeping alive the ideals of the June 4 1979 uprising that Rawlings had led. It sought to arouse the population at large to assist in establishing so-called people’s power within the avowed objectives of the revolutionary process. “The PDCs and the WDCs (Workers Defence Committees) had their own courts and “meted out justice according to no established legal procedures” [Amnesty International, 1983). Unsurprisingly, therefore, the PNDC’s political opposition back then vehemently contested the democratic nature of such organs and saw them as nothing but state-sponsored vigilantes engaged in intimidation and human rights abuses (Source: U.S. Library of Congress). It is against such background that some of us were extremely surprised when former President Mahama stated on radio on Friday 22nd February 2019 that President Akufo-Addo is rather the father of the militant vigilantism in contemporary Ghanaian politics. Dearest reader, take my word for it; nothing could be further from the truth. How on earth would a supposedly responsible opposition persistently organise clandestine meetings with the view to making the country ungovernable? We cannot, therefore, accuse the critics of harbouring risible and inborn proclivity for suggesting that violence is the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) available political tool. Somehow, the sceptics hit the nail on the head for suggesting some time ago that the insecurity in the country may be a scheming guile being orchestrated by some conspiratorial plotters to make the incumbent NPP government look bad in the eyes of the voting public. To be quite honest, some of us were extremely concerned about the spate of vicious and calculated armed robbery attacks on innocent citizens and denizens a few months into the NPP’s administration. It was against such backdrop that some of us shared in President Rawlings sentiments that the deadly armed robbery attacks in the country could well be the work of unpatriotic partisan creatures motivated from either within or without to undermine the nation’s security; (See: I hope robberies are not politically motivated-Rawlings; starrfmonline.com/ghanaweb.com, 01/03/2018). Ex-President Rawlings was reported to have expressed grave concern over the insecurity and thus wrote on his Twitter page: “Let us hope the recent robbery and killings