Do not treat drug abuse in basic and Senior High Schools as a crime – Bright Appiah
The high spate of drug abuse in Basic and Senior High Schools in recent times is considered a Public Health issue by a new report by the Child Rights International(CRI) proposed to the President and the Interior Ministry of Ghana. The Director of CRI Bright Kweku Appiah has recommended to the government to treat the prevalence of drug abuse among young people in the country, especially Junior and Senior High School students not as a criminal matter but rather a Public Health canker in the country in order to curb it adequately. Mr. Appiah said the research surveyed one hundred and seventy-six (176) Basic and Senior High Schools across the country, interviewing one hundred and thirty-eight(138) heads of institutions with reference to the causes and effects of drug abuse amongst young people in the country. “Basically we were given two types of reference, that is to look at the causes and effects, then again to make recommendations to the President and to have engagement with stakeholders. Based on the work, we as a committee decided to look at different mergers in getting data to support what is going on in our schools, so we looked at 176 Junior and Senior High Schools, we also looked at 10 psychiatric and rehabilitation centers, we had engagements with about 72 Guidance and Counselling units of the various Secondary schools and some Basic schools” he pointed out. “Then also we looked at 138 heads of institutions, so that formed the basis for data that we got for this report, we also resorted to some statutory institutions to look at what is happening and to make our recommendations on the basis of what is happening and so this is what gave us the picture in terms of the key findings that we made”. He went on to say that the report made some key recommendations to government on the way forward in dealing holistically with the canker among the youth in the country. “We have made some proposals in terms of recommendations to the President to consider looking at the social support systems in our schools, and then also strengthening some institutions to do their work because we realize that some institutions have been given legal authority to do works in relation to what we did, so all that we did was to make a proposal that we need to reinforce the statutory authority that has been given them to do”. “Then one recommendation we also had to do was to do with the punishment regime that we have, we made it clear to his excellency through the report that we think that drug use and drug abuse is a public health issue, therefore we have to look at the punishment regime so that we can reduce the effect of the criminality and how best we can resolve the social component of it, so when a student commits an offense that is drug-related we feel that we should purely look at it in the context of public health rather than the pure criminal application we give to it” he pointed out. 3news Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Your fundamental errors caused miscarriage of justice – Mahama writes to Supreme Court
Former President John Dramani Mahama, the Petitioner in the ongoing Election Petition, is seeking a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling against his motion to re-open his case. The Supreme Court on February 16, 2021, chaired BY Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah dismissed the application in which the Petitioner was asking to be allowed to re-pen his case and subpoena the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) to mount the witness box as his “hostile witness.” This was after lawyers of the EC, the 1st Respondent and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2nd Respondent waived their rights to adduce evidence. The unanimous ruling of the apex court was to the effect that, the Petitioner has not demonstrated any exceptional grounds that should warrant the Court to exercise its discretion in his favour. However, in a motion for Review which has been tabled for hearing on Monday, February 22, the Petitioner in his affidavit in support of the motion stated that the fundamental errors have occasioned a miscarriage of justice against him. Below is the full affidavit in support of the motion for review PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that this Honourable Court shall be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of Petitioner/Applicant herein (Applicant), praying for an order of the Court reviewing its Ruling delivered on 16th February 2021 in respect of an application by Applicant to re-open his case; UPON the grounds set forth in the Statement of Case and the accompanying affidavit, and for such further or other orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit. AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT l, JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, of House No. 33 Chain Homes, Airport valley Drive, Accra, make oath and say as follows: I am the Petitioner and Applicant herein. The facts in this affidavit, unless otherwise stated, are within my personal knowledge, information or belief. On 16th February 2021, this Court delivered a unanimous ruling refusing an application by me to re-open my case for the purpose of causing a subpoena to be issued and directed at Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa to appear in court to be cross-examined by my Counsel. The ruling is attached to this affidavit and marked as Exhibit “3RD REVIEW 1”. At the hearing of this application, I shall, through my Counsel, seek leave of this Honourable Court to refer to all processes filed in this case up to the date of the hearing of the application. In respect of Exhibit 3rd Review 1″, I am advised by Counsel and verily believe that the Court made fundamental errors of law, including the ruling being per incuriam of constitutional provisions, statutes and previous decisions of the Supreme Court. “Among these errors, I am advised by Counsel and verily believe, is an error whereby the Court subordinates a provision in the Evidence Act to a rule in subsidiary legislation by the Rules of Court Committee. “Attached herewith marked as Exhibit 3 RD REVIEW 2″ and 3 RD REVIEW 3″ are the two affidavits of the Chairperson of 1 st Respondent, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, whose legal effect (by virtue of the Evidence Act), the ruling attempts to sidestep by recourse to subsidiary legislation. “The fundamental errors which have occasioned a miscarriage of justice against me are set out in the Statement of Case herewith attached. “I am advised and verily believe that they constitute exceptional circumstances that warrant the Court reviewing its own decision. “WHEREFORE I swear to this affidavit in support of the application herein.” kasapa Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Ghana’s health system is fairly robust – Dr Afriyie
Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister Designate for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation has stated that despite recent reverses in COVID- 19 cases, Ghana has made tremendous contribution in the fight against disease. He said contrary to the popular believe, Ghana’s public health system was fairly robust in relation to the African situation. Besides, Ghana at the outbreak of COVID-19 was able to marshal all the arsenals at its disposal with President Akufo-Addo leading the fight against disease. Dr Afriyie made the remark when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointment Committee for vetting on his renomination for ministerial role. The nominee who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso served as the former Minister for Western Region in the first term of President Akufo-Addo’s administration. The nominee who has been moved to the Ministry for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation is expected to deal with issues of climate change and the environment especially the effects of illegal mining on the water bodies. Dr Afriyie, who is also a public health expert, explained that Ghana’s public health system had structures which dealt with health promotion, prevention and reporting mechanisms as well as systems that dealt with such outbreaks. He said Ghana was at the forefront in abolishing measles, whooping cough among other diseases disturbing the people in the tropical climates. He said as a result of the capacity that had been built over the years, the government was able to marshal this expertise at the beginning of COVID-19 and was able to stem the rapid spread of the disease. He said even though the spread of the disease in other places were exponential, that of Ghana was nowhere near the exponential curve that people were worried about. Dr Afriyie however explained that a major challenge of the public health system was the clinical services, which he noted had a shortfall. He insisted that Ghana had some of the best health system in the world, adding that Ghanaians could be proud of themselves anywhere in the world. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Breaking: Deputy Clerk of Parliament dead
Ghana’s parliament has lost one of its serving deputy clerks, Robert Apodolla. Apodolla passed away on Friday, February, 19, 2021 after a short illness. The deceased is respected by MPs in Ghana’s legislature as he was well versed with parliamentary rules and procedures. He’d the experience of working with all past Speakers of Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana. A former lawmaker for Kumbungu in the Northern region, Ras Mubarak in a Facebook post mourning Apodolla said: “Parliament of Ghana has lost one of its unsung icons, a dedicated servant of parliament who knew his work inside out, and discharged his duties diligently.” The deceased until his demise was a member of the Society of clerks-at-the-table in the Commonwealth parliaments. MyNewsGH Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
No ministerial nominee will be rejected – Inusah Fuseini explains why
Parliament’s Appointments Committee will approve all ministerial nominees put forward by president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo because so far there are no constitutional blocks facing any of them. This was the view of Insuah Fuseini, a lawyer and former lawmaker, whose submissions GhanaWeb monitored on NewsFile, Joy FM’s news analysis program today, February 20, 2021. Asked by host Samson Anyenini whether he thought the legislature could reject a nominee, Fuseini answered: “I have my doubt whether they will be rejected. I have my doubt, not a single person.” He explained the basis of his doubt: “… all I hear is people talking about the fact that somebody has not been able to speak English or somebody doesn’t understand exactly the portfolio they have been given.” He added that there was the need to appreciate that the president, as an appointing authority, had done some checks to be assured of the capacity and capability of nominees he presents to lawmakers for vetting. “You must not take it away from the president that he had a minimum assessment of the capacity of his nominees to deliver on his policy. That is why he nominated them in the first place. “So you must credit the president with some modicum of intelligence in putting people in places so that they can be able to push through his programs and policies,” he added. Parliament, he explained, had the main responsibility of throwing light on the “the inadequacies of the nominee.” But that it was the president who maintained the prerogative to withdraw a nomination or for the house to reject a nominee who fails to meet the minimum requirement as contained in law. Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Mahama files application for review of ruling stopping him from reopening his case
But according to the review application, Mr. Mahama insisted that the apex court made fundamental errors in its ruling. He is thus praying the court to reconsider his new argument and depart from its earlier ruling. “I am advised by counsel and verily believe the court made fundamental errors of law including the ruling being per incuriam of constitutional provisions, statutes and previous decisions of the Supreme Court.” “Among these errors, I am advised by counsel and verily believe is an error whereby the courts subordinates a provision in the Evidence Act to a rule in subsidiary legislation by the Rules of Court Committee,” the application added. The said application is expected to be heard on Monday, February 22, 2021. What happened within the week? The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision within the week dismissed the application filed by the petitioner, seeking a review of an earlier ruling affirming the right of the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa not to testify in the ongoing case. In that ruling, the court also said the petitioner didn’t convince the bench to depart from its earlier ruling. “The applicant has failed to satisfy the court that a new or important matter resulted from the reference to the constitutional provisions referred to [in the earlier ruling].” “In the result, the application fails, and it is hereby dismissed,” the Chief Justice read on behalf of the panel of justices. The court also struck out application of stay of proceedings filed Mr. Mahama. The court in ruling on the matter said the determination of the review application renders the stay application moot. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
MTN and Mastercard empower millions in Africa to make payments
The MTN Group and Mastercard has announced a strategic partnership to enable millions of consumers in 16 countries across Africa to make global e-commerce payments safely and securely. “Through a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) wallets, consumers and merchants can engage with brands and businesses abroad through digital commerce, extending their reach to an international marketplace and unlocking a host of opportunities,” it said. A joint statement issued by the MTN Group and Mastercard said across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile devices were the primary channel used to connect to the internet and that according to GSMA, by 2025, it was estimated that there would be 300 million more people using their devices to access internet services. “In light of this significant growth, mobile financial services have become the dominant form of digital payments, with twice as many mobile money accounts as bank accounts in the region. As a result, consumers increasingly expect to have access to a broader range of digital financial services,” it stated. The statement said, however, consumers and merchants were mostly restricted to a local base of online and offline businesses, therefore curtailing customers’ ability to engage in global commerce. It said through this strategic partnership, MTN customers with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to their MoMo wallets can make payments to global online merchants through a seamless and secure digital payment experience on websites and mobile applications and that the service was available regardless of whether or not the customer has a bank account. The statement said the solution would enable consumers to explore and shop at well-known global e-commerce brands and pay quickly and securely for leisure shopping, travel, accommodation, entertainment, streaming services and more. It would also allow small business owners to purchase from suppliers abroad and pay with the virtual payment solution. “We are very excited about this partnership with Mastercard, which is another step in realizing our ambition to build Africa’s largest fintech platform, accelerating economic and social development through digital innovation to the benefit of citizens across the continent and beyond,” the MTN Group said. It added that “This noteworthy partnership is another step to enable our customers to participate in the global economy. We are resolute that accelerated financial inclusion is a potent enabler of socio-economic development that empowers the most vulnerable in society.” The Mastercard said: “This significant milestone will enable millions of MTN customers to benefit from global digital commerce and drive digital and financial inclusion across Africa through easy and secure access to financial services. “At Mastercard, our innovation strategy is based on partnerships and collaboration. This agreement with MTN shows that we can deliver innovative digital solutions that have a far-reaching impact and realize the true potential of inclusive growth across the continent. “Partnering with MTN allows us to accelerate our global pledge to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025, bringing us closer to a world beyond cash,” it said. The MTN and Mastercard first launched the digital payment solution in 2018 for MoMo customers. MTN, the largest mobile network operator, is the ‘Most Admired African Brand’ based on spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2020 survey and the most valuable telecoms brand in Africa by Brand Finance Africa. The company will extend the virtual payment solution offering throughout its Fintech footprint. The expansion of this payment solution will play a significant role in driving the growth of digital inclusion and e-commerce thus increasing MTN MoMo customer inclusion into the global economy. Initially designed to facilitate the transfer of cash between mobile users, MTN’s MoMo offering is now much broader – including loans, insurance, remittances and payments. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
FIFA rankings: Ghana placed 52nd
Ghana maintained 52nd position on the latest FIFA world rankings released by football’s global governing body on Thursday. The country also maintained its 8th position on the African continent. The Black Stars have not played any games in the last two months. In the latest ranking, Senegal top the African continent ahead of Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Nigeria, with Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso rounding out Africa’s top ten teams. The next FIFA world ranking will be published on April 8. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
MMDCEs: We have not tasked any executive to vet MMDCEs, be wary of such people. John Boadu cautioned
Upper East Region is one of the regions that started with the compilation of names a few weeks after the general election for those interested in the position of MMDCEs in the region. Even though such a hasty move by the secretariat received some kind of criticisms from some well-meaning members of the governing NPP and some members of the opposition in the region, following the abysmal performance witness by the governing party in the region in the 2020 election It appears the national secretariat of the governing party did not sanction or even tasked any region to start any vetting process which had actually taken place in the Upper East Region. The National general secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr. John Boadu has cautioned prospective candidates for the position of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to be wary of people purporting to have been tasked by the President Akufo-Addo and the party to vet candidates for those positions. Mr. Boadu insists that President will be in charge when time is due for the selection of MMDCEs, stressing that the party will not have any hand in the selection. ”I want to put it on record that the selection of MMDCEs is yet to start and when it does the New Patriotic Party will have no hands in it”. ”We have seen stories indicating that the party has tasked people to vet candidates for us, we want to put it on record that nothing of that sort has been done and people who engage in this act do so at their own peril” Mr. Boadu told the media. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
BREAKING NEWS: Three people dead in gory accident at Winneba-Highway
Three foreigners were on Friday confirmed dead in a fatal accident at Gomoa Okyereko on the Winneba-Highway in the Central Region. The three, a male and two females on board a Toyota Landcruiser Prado with registration number GN 3966-17 were from the Accra direction heading towards Winneba when their car collided with a trailer with registration 752-20 from Winneba to Accra just before the main Okyereko bridge. The mangled Toyota Landcruiser Prado The bodies of the deceased, whose identities were unknown at the time of filing this report, have been deposited at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital. The driver of the trailer and his mate, who sustained serious injuries, are receiving treatment in the same hospital. Adom News’ Kofi Adjei, who was at the scene, reported that the driver of the Toyota Prado made a dangerous overtaking, veered off into the other lane and collided head-on. All occupants in the car, he added, died instantly. The police, Kofi Adjei said, rushed to the scene to convey the bodies to the morgue pending investigations. Source: Kofi Adjei Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093