Naa Ashorkor quits Asaase Radio
Media personality and host of “Between Hours”, Naa Ashorkor has announced her exit from Asaase Radio after working for three years. Naa Ashorkor in her Facebook post made the announcement, by posting “it has been three beautiful years of serving at Asaase Radio”. She further expressed her gratitude for the support over the years. “Today I say goodbye to my family at Asaase Radio. It’s been three beautiful years serving you on 99.5. “My deepest appreciation to you all. “Excited about what the future holds,” she posted. The media personality started working with Asaase Radio in 2020 as host of the afternoon show, “Between Hours”, on June 29. ‘Between Hours’ is a music radio show interspersed with live listener interactions, games, sing-along sessions and according to her it is meant to put the target audiences at ease whilst ensuring they are prepped up for the rest of the day’s work. Apart from hosting Between Hours, the mother of two was also the presenter for ‘Just Us’, an all-girls talk show every Wednesday.
$300m dispute: Court places injunction on mining firm
The Commercial Division of the Accra High Court has placed an injunction on Australian mining firm, Cassius Mining Limited, from going for international arbitration over a $300 million dispute with the Government of Ghana (GoG). Cassius Mining has been fighting the government in international arbitration forums since February this year, seeking compensation for what, it claimed, were unfair treatment and breaches of mining laws by the GoG’s failure to extend the term of the company’s Prospecting Licence Agreement (PLA) after exercising its contractual right of extension. The court, presided over by Justice Akua Sarpomaa Amoah, imposed the injunction yesterday after it upheld an application by the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame. The A-G had argued that per the PLA, any dispute between the mining firm and the GoG ought to be settled by arbitration in Ghana in accordance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798), and not by an international arbitration panel. Court’s decision In upholding the application for injunction, Justice Amoah held that Cassius Mining failed to convince the court that it would suffer greater hardship, if the arbitration was done in the country. On the other hand, the judge was of the view that the GoG stood to suffer greater hardship, if the arbitration was done outside the country. “The balance of convenience also tips in favour of the applicant (A-G) as allowing the respondent to resort to international arbitration is not only arbitrary but will incur costs on the Ghanaian tax payers,” Justice Amoah held. Again, the court was of the considered view that the dispute settlement clause in the PLA, which enjoined the parties to resort to arbitration in Ghana, was an enforceable contract which was binding on the two parties (Cassius Mining and GoG). “The respondent (Cassius Mining) is restricted from instituting any international arbitration or taking any steps to initiate an international arbitration until the arbitration initiated at the Ghana Arbitration Centre by the respondent is determined,” Justice Amoah ordered. Challenge This is not the first time the A-G has successfully challenged Cassius Mining’s decision to go for international arbitration over the dispute. In March this year, the A-G successfully challenged the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, to hear the dispute after Cassius Mining had filed for arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules before the PCA. Raising a preliminary legal objection, Mr Dame argued that the GoG had not consented to the PCA administrating the arbitration and also per the PLA, any dispute between the two parties must be resolved in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. The PCA upheld the objection by Mr Dame, declined jurisdiction over the dispute and refused to constitute a panel to hear the dispute. “The PCA Secretary-General may act as appointing authority under the UNCITRAL Rules, if all parties so agree. The PCA understands that no such agreement has been reached in this matter,” the PCA said in a letter dated March 20 this year to the parties. Background Per court records, on October 12, 2016, Cassius Mining Limited applied for a prospecting mining licence to explore minerals in Talensi in the Upper East Region. On December 28, 2016, the government, through the then Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, granted the mining firm a prospecting licence for two years, which was to expire in December 2018. On June 14, 2018, Cassius Mining alleged that the government had failed to uphold its part of the contract by not renewing the prospecting licence which was set to expire in December 2018. The mining firm, therefore, dragged the government to the Ghana Arbitration Centre on June 26, 2018, in accordance with the dispute settlement clause of the Prospecting Licence Agreement, which enjoins the parties to settle their disputes in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. An arbitral panel, which comprised Emmanuel Amofa, Kizito Beyuo and Professor Albert Fiadjoe, was formed to hear and determine the dispute. However, per the court documents, on January 23, 2019, Cassius Mining applied for a stay of proceedings for three months in order to explore settlement with the government. After the expiration of the three months, the mining firm applied for an extension which was granted but nothing was heard about the arbitration, although it was still pending. In February 2023, Cassius Mining instituted fresh arbitration at the PCA, which declined to hear the matter following the objection raised by the A-G. Graphic Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
10 ways Africa could be made better by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
Education: Improving the education system is crucial for the long-term development of Africa. This includes providing quality education to all children, reducing dropout rates, training teachers, and increasing access to educational resources. Infrastructure Development: Developing and improving infrastructure, such as transportation networks, energy sources, communication systems, and healthcare facilities, is necessary to promote economic growth and improve people’s quality of life. Poverty Alleviation: Tackling poverty is essential for sustainable development. Implementing effective poverty reduction strategies, such as social safety nets, microfinance programs, and skills training, can empower individuals and communities. Health Improvement: Addressing healthcare challenges, such as inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services, is crucial. Investing in healthcare infrastructure, disease prevention, and healthcare workforce training can significantly improve health outcomes. Sustainable Economic Development: Promoting economic growth through investment in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology can create job opportunities, reduce inequality, and foster innovation. Good Governance: Promoting accountable and transparent governance systems can help combat corruption, protect human rights, and ensure the fair distribution of resources. Strengthening institutions, promoting democracy, and enhancing the rule of law are essential for long-term development. Environmental Protection: Protecting Africa’s natural resources, promoting sustainable land use practices, and addressing climate change are vital for the continent’s future. Encouraging renewable energy sources, implementing environmental regulations, and promoting sustainable tourism can help preserve Africa’s biodiversity. Empowerment of Women and Girls: Ensuring gender equality and empowering women and girls can have a profound impact on Africa’s development. This includes promoting access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and decision-making roles. International Cooperation: Encouraging partnerships and cooperation between African nations and the international community is crucial. Supporting initiatives such as trade agreements, foreign investment, and development aid can contribute to Africa’s progress. Strengthening Peace and Security: Promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and strengthening security measures are essential for stability and development. This includes supporting peacebuilding initiatives, conflict resolution mechanisms, and investing in security forces and peacekeeping operations. Overall, addressing these various aspects requires the collaboration and efforts of governments, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and the international community to work together for a better Africa. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
8,000- housing project receives sod cutting by Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has giving justification about government’s choice to start new housing project instead of continuing already existing John Dramani Mahama Saglemi Housing project, which was stopped since 2016. Addressing congregation at the sod-cutting ceremony in Accra for the National Affordable Housing Project, which aims to construct 8,000 units with private sector support, President Akufo-Addo explained that completing the Saglemi Housing Project would have incurred additional debt for the government. He acknowledged the delays and setbacks encountered during the execution of the Saglemi project and mentioned that issues concerning its scope of work and expenses have been referred to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation, leading to criminal judicial proceedings. President Akufo-Addo revealed that in addition to the $198 million already spent on the Saglemi project, the government would need an extra $46 million to complete infrastructural works such as water, electricity, and drainage to mitigate flooding. Additionally, $68 million would be required to finish the buildings and essential onsite infrastructure, including waste holding bays, sewage treatment plants, and the development of socioeconomic and civic facilities like schools, clinics, and shops. Considering the project’s assessment, location, and viability, the cabinet instructed the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, to explore the possibility of involving the private sector to complete the Saglemi housing project at its current value without any further cost to the government.