Deputy Majority leader denies allegation of any mining lease in Effutu Forest Reserve
The Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency in the Central Region Alexander Afenyo-Markin has denied allegations that the Minerals Commission has leased the forest reserve in the Effutu Constituency for lithium mining. Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin called the claims baseless and untrue, dismissing the protest by some residents. He clarified that the Minerals Commission had previously stated that they had not approved any application for mining in the sacred forest where deer hunting occurs during the Aboakyire Festival. He refuted accusations that government officials, including his office, were involved in the sale of the forest reserve for mining. He urged the protesters to address the real challenges facing the community. The protesters expressed their concern about the potential disruption to their heritage and vowed to stop the mining operations. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
Suffering and abandoned NaBCo beneficiaries gives government 1 month ultimatum to clear arrears
The beneficiaries of the Nation Builder’s Corps (NaBCo) are expressing their disappointment in the government for excluding them from the initial disbursement phase of the YouStart program. Despite previous promises to prioritize NaBCo graduates for the YouStart initiative, this has not happened. YouStart, which was introduced as part of the 2022 budget, aims to support youth-led businesses by providing loans of up to GHS50,000, with a focus on empowering startups and small businesses. In July 2022, Deputy Finance Minister Dr John Kumah announced the government’s plan to transition NaBCo trainees into YouStart, effectively replacing the NaBCo program that ended in October 2021. However, the recent exclusion of NaBCo graduates from the initial disbursement phase of YouStart has left the former trainees feeling betrayed and uncertain. Despite applying for YouStart grants, none of them were selected for the program’s first disbursement phase. Additionally, the NaBCo beneficiaries are still waiting to be paid nine months of arrears. In a statement signed by National Secretary Frank Evans Quansah, the NaBCo beneficiaries have given the government a one-month ultimatum to pay them their outstanding arrears. The statement emphasized that the beneficiaries have “already lost trust” in the current government led by Nana Addo Bawumia. They are demanding full payment of the nine months arrears and have stated that they do not want to have any further dealings with this government. Furthermore, the beneficiaries have expressed their intention to reject any partisan statements or signs that attempt to use the failed NaBCo scheme to gain votes in the 2024 general elections. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062