Chinese province of Hunan to partner Lands Ministry in mineral investment
A high-powered delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-council on Wednesday, May 16, 2023 paid a courtesy on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor (MP). The visit was to engage the Ministry on avenues the two countries can deepen their bilateral relations and ramp up economic and trade ties to the mutual benefit of citizens of both countries. Speaking during the visit, Mr Jinapor disclosed that Ghana’s relationship with China is a great and mutually beneficial one which has gained noteworthy recognition in areas of economic trade, mineral and mining investments, education and social development. “There is a strong people-to-people relationship between Ghana and China. There are a lot of Ghanaian citizens who travel to China for all kinds of businesses and there are Chinese citizens who travel to Ghana for all kinds of businesses”, he said. The delegation from the Hunan sub-council made a presentation to the Minister and other officials of the Ministry on the various aspects of the country in which they seek to collaborate with Ghana on. The key sectors which were highlighted in the presentation include mining, healthcare, industrial growth among other things. The leader of the delegation, Zhou Shengqiao, Deputy Inspector, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-Council through the presentation also outlined various means in which they can collaborate with the Ministry for the responsible and sustainable harnessing and exploitation of the country’s natural resources. The Minister noted with satisfaction the detailed presentation offered by the Chinese delegation to partner the Ministry in the area of natural resources exploitation and added that his outfit through the Chief Director will hold further engagement with the council. He also promised to pay a working visit to the council establishment as part of his Ghana’s participation in the Beijing Mining Conference slated for October this year. —Classfm—
UER: 197 cases of dog bite reports recorded so far in 2023
Even though no cases of rabies has been recorded so far in 2023, a total number of One Hundred and Ninety Seven (197) cases of dog bite has been reported in various health facilities in the Upper East Region between January and April 2023. Rabies is one of the viruses ignorantly taken for granted by the general public. Is a kind of sickness that easily consume innocent lives for something that could be prevented if realized on time. According to the report, It is estimated that rabies is responsible for 59,000 agonizing human deaths every year – with most of those people living in poor rural communities in Africa and Asia. 40% of these deaths happen in children below the age of 15 years. Below are a few things you need to know about dog bite and rabies virus ■ Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease caused by a neurotropic virus of the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, a subgroup rabies virus that causes progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. ■ Clinically, it has two forms: ■ Furious rabies – characterized by hyperactivity and hallucinations. ■ Paralytic rabies – characterized by paralysis and coma. ■ Rabies affects all warm-blooded animals, and the disease is prevalent throughout mainly in developing countries of Asia and Africa, including Ghana. ■ Rabies remains one of the most important zoonotic diseases, with case fatality rates approaching 100%. ■ Bites from domestic dogs constitute the major mode of rabies transmission, disproportionately affecting the poorest communities. Suzuki et al., 2008 ■ Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths contributing to 99% of all cases ■ Rabies remains one of the under reported, neglected tropical diseases that affects the marginalized, poor and vulnerable populations How big is the problem? ■ It is estimated that rabies is responsible for 59,000 agonizing human deaths every year – with most of those people living in poor rural communities in Africa and Asia. 40% of these deaths happen in children below the age of 15years. ■ To put that into perspective, one person dies of rabies somewhere around the world every nine minutes. In addition to the human deaths, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of animals also die of rabies every year, creating suffering for individual animals and for the families who depend on these animals as a source of livelihood or companionship. ■ Rabies is 100% fatal with no cure once clinical signs start. ■ Rabies kills people and domestic animals such as dogs and cattle ■ Rabies causes financial hardship when people have to pay for vaccination after bite wounds including the cost of the medical treatment, and cost of travel to the medical facility ■ Children are at a greater risk of getting rabies. This is because children: ■ Play with animals ■ May not report bites ■ May receive more severe bites ■ Are often bitten in the head ■ People with limited resources and knowledge especially in rural areas are those most at risk of the disease. Please kindly, remember to report any dog bite incident to any health facility near you for immediate medical assistance. For they say, prevention is better than cure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Mona 4Real extradited to US over alleged $2m ‘sakawa’ targeting older single Americans
Socialite Mona 4Reall or Hajia4Reall has been extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom over her alleged involvement in a $2 million romance scam locally called ‘sakawa’ targeting older, single Americans. According to federal prosecutors, the 30-year-old model appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday, May 15 for her alleged involvement in a series of romance schemes targeting older people who lived alone. The lady born Mona Faiz Montrage pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hajia4Reall is set to be released on home detention to her aunt’s New Jersey residence in the coming days on a $500,000 bond with GPS tracking via an ankle monitor, her lawyer and the prosecutor’s office have confirmed. Photo source: Instagram / @hajia4reall Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the unsealing of a six-count Indictment charging Hajia4Real for her role in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes. Mona 4Reall is a public figure who rose to fame as an influencer through her Instagram profile, under the username “Hajia4Reall,” which at one point had approximately 3.4 million Instagram followers and was among the top 10 profiles with the most followers in Ghana. She was arrested in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023. Photo source: Instagram / @hajia4reall She was presented before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty, to whom the case is assigned today. FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said, “We alleged today that Ms. Montrage participated in multiple romance scams – often targeting elderly victims – resulting in more than $2 million in fraudulent funds under her control. “Romance scams – especially those that target older individuals – are of major concern. The FBI will be tireless in our efforts to hold fraudsters accountable in the criminal justice system.” According to the court, from at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2019, the Influencer was a member of a Criminal Enterprise based in Ghana that committed a series of frauds against individuals and businesses in the United States, including romance scams. Photo source: Instagram / @hajia4reall The court said, “Many of the Enterprise’s romance scam victims were vulnerable, older men and women who lived alone. The Enterprise frequently conducted the romance scams by sending the victims emails, text messages, and social media messages that deceived the victims into believing that they were in romantic relationships with a person who had, in fact, a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise. “Once members of the Enterprise had successfully convinced victims that they were in a romantic relationship and had gained their trust, they convinced the victims, under false pretences, to transfer money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when, in fact, the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise.” Photo source: Instagram / @hajia4reall The prosecution said, “Montrage received money from several victims of romance frauds whom members of the Enterprise tricked into sending money. Among the false pretences used to induce victims to send money to Montrage were (i) payments to transport gold to the United States from overseas; (ii) payments to resolve a fake FBI unemployment investigation; and (iii) payments to assist a fake United States army officer in receiving funds from Afghanistan. The court said in one incident with her victims she used her real name and spoke to the victim several times by phone. “Montrage later sent the victim a tribal marriage certificate purporting to show that Montrage and the victim had been married in Ghana. Photo source: Instagram / @hajia4reall “The victim sent Montrage approximately 82 wire transfers totalling approximately $89,000 to purportedly help with costs associated with Montrage’s father’s farm in Ghana.” It added that “In total, Montrage controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the Enterprise.” —myjoyonline— DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Apexnewsgh.com.
Let’s trade more – Ghana to Pakistan
The Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong has called for increased trade relations between Ghana and Pakistan. Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong made the call when he held a meeting with a Pakistani Business Delegation, led by Amb. Eric Owusu Boateng, Ghana’s Ambassador to Iran with concurrent accreditation to Pakistan on Friday, 12th May, 2023. The Deputy Minister welcomed the delegation to Ghana and took the opportunity to introduce Ghana’s business environment to them. He also urged them to explore the numerous investment opportunities in the country for our mutual benefit. Ambassador of Pakistan to Ghana, Farhat Ayesha on her part, noted that Ghana is the biggest trade partner of Pakistan in West Africa. She indicated that the volume of trade between the two countries is worth US$ 67 million and there was more opportunity for growth. In his contribution, the Vice Consul of Ghana in Pakistan, Umar Shahid Butt, added that Ghana has a stable political environment, a large literate Ghanaian population and a skilled workforce, which makes Ghana an ideal country for business. He also emphasised the need to increase the trade volume between Pakistan and Ghana and noted that due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war, developing economies are currently facing difficulties which could be overcome by promoting mutual trade. The 14-member Business Delegation visited Ghana to explore the diverse business opportunities the country has to offer. It is the first major Pakistani delegation visiting Ghana following the re-opening of the Pakistani High Commission in Ghana almost a year ago, after a 30-year absence. —Classfm—
Transport fares: Ghanaians to enjoy 10% reduction from May 17
Passengers in Ghana are to enjoy a 10 per cent reduction in transport fares. According to the press release signed by the General Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Godfred Abulbire, and the General Sectary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GPTCC) on the Monday, May 15, 2023, it was announced that , “In line with the administrative arrangement on public transport fares, the Road Transport Operators have reduced public transport fares by 10 percent.” The group said, it was as a result of the reductions in the price of petroleum products witnessed over the period.” According to the statement, “shared taxis, intra-city (tro-tro), intercity (long distance) and haulage” will experience the 10 percent relief on fares which “take effect from Wednesday, May 17, 2023.” “All commercial transport operators to comply with the new fares and post same at their loading terminals.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Remember my promises and hold me accountable– John Mahama told Ghanaians
The Flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has informed Ghanaians to remember his promises and hold him accountable when elected President in the 2024 general election. The former President made the pronouncement when giving his post-election acceptance speech at the University of Development Studies (UDS) on Monday, May 15 2023 after he received a massive endorsement of 98.9 percent vote from delegates in the just-ended NDC primaries. Giving his speech, Mr. Mahama said “I wish to reiterate some of my commitments to the people of Ghana. I want you to. I will keep each of the promises when I assume office on January 07, 2025, God willing.” Below are the promises: 1. Restore stability and inclusive growth to the economy and rejuvenate the almost collapsed banking and financial sector. This will involve sweeping reforms at the Bank of Ghana because the Central Bank itself has been part of the problem. 2. I will ensure that Ghana never suffers such a deadly debt management programme that threatens to send elderly people holding government bonds to their early graves and wipe out the investments of the Ghanaian middle class. 3. Prioritize local participation in the banking, financial, telecommunications, mining, oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction sectors to generate more jobs for the youth. The Ghanaian young women and men we interact with on daily basis and their colleagues in other African countries are simply tired of jobless GDP figures. 4. Actively attract viable and serious private sector investors to partner government to invest in the productive sectors of the economy for more jobs to be created. This will involve an emphasis on agriculture and agribusiness and will have a strong focus on making Ghanaians own their own micro enterprises. 5. Complete abandoned and ongoing projects instead of rushing to start new ones. We will carry out an inventory of all hospitals, schools, electrification, water, and road projects which have stalled or been abandoned and make annual budgetary allocation for completing them. 6. Beyond the economic front, we will also be very thick on governance because transparent and accountable governance at all levels remains an assured fuel that fires the socio-economic transformation of successful nations. 7. We will establish a Governance Advisory Council to help improve political governance, curb corruption, and ensure the respect for human rights is upheld. The Council will include representatives of civil society organizations, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and ordinary Ghanaians, and among others, they will be empowered to release a State of Governance in Ghana report every year. 8. I will run the leanest but most efficient government under the fourth republic by appointing not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers. 9. I will work to abolish the payment of Ex-gratia and cut out waste and ostentation in Government. 10. We shall work with Parliament and all stakeholders to complete the constitution review process and strengthen separation of powers. 11. Government procurement is recognized as a major source of corruption and misappropriation of public funds. We will among other measures, set up an Independent Value for Money office to scrutinize all government procurements above a $5 million threshold or as shall be recommended by Parliament. 12. I will give anti-corruption state institutions unfettered space to operate – The days of the Clearing agent must come to an end on January 07, 2025. 13. I will also set up a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the matter of looted State Lands and make recommendations for resolving the vexed issue of expropriated Ga-Dangbe lands. 14. And to deepen our democracy, the Fourth Estate of the realm – the media – must also be given the conducive and collaborative atmosphere to operate as the fourth power that they ought to be without threats, harassments, and assassinations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com