Energy Minister Dr. Opoku Prempeh Slams Ex-President Mahama Over Dumsor
Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has taken a swipe at former President John Mahama over the erratic power outages that occurred during his administration. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee sitting on May 3, 2024, Dr. Opoku Prempeh jokingly referred to the phenomenon as “dum dum,” a play on the local term for power outages, “dumsor.” The Minister’s criticism comes amid a resurgence in electricity supply problems, which has become a cause of concern among Ghanaians. However, Dr. Opoku Prempeh insisted that the current situation is different from the “dumsor” experienced during Mahama’s tenure. “We have gone past the era where we have 72 to 96 days of lights out and six hours of light on. We are in the era of ‘dum sie sie’ which is profoundly different from dumsor,” he explained. According to Dr. Opoku Prempeh, “dumsor” as inflicted on Ghanaians was a characteristic of Mahama’s governance, where there was inadequate power to keep the lights on consistently. On the other hand, “dum sie sie” implies that the lights go off to allow for maintenance work and other activities within the energy sector. “His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is the only President on record that for four years that he reigned, for four years that he ruled, for four years that he governed ‘dum dum dum’,” the Minister added. Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s comments are a clear jab at the former President, who has been criticized for his handling of the energy sector during his time in office. The Minister’s distinction between “dumsor” and “dum sie sie” is an attempt to downplay the current power outages and shift the blame to the previous administration. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.
Ghana Climbs 12 Places in 2024 World Press Freedom Index
Ghana has made significant progress in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, rising from 62nd place in 2023 to 50th position, according to the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor. Apexnewsgh reports This improvement was announced during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3 in Koforidua, Eastern Region. Last year, Ghana experienced a decline in its ranking for the second consecutive year, slipping from 60th place to 62nd in 2023, its worst performance in 18 years. However, the GJA’s aggressive efforts to defend journalistic freedom have contributed to this year’s improvement. The blacklisting of political figures whose supporters attacked journalists and media outlets was a key strategy that led to the success. Despite this progress, challenges persist, including recent attacks on journalists and media outlets, such as the petrol bomb attack on Class FM. The GJA condemns these attacks and urges the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations and prosecute the perpetrators. The GJA remains committed to using journalism to address environmental issues like illegal mining, sanitation, and climate change, aligning with the global theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024, “Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.” The association seeks to lead a strong media campaign for environmental protection and is working on initiatives with key institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Collaboration with stakeholders and security agencies is crucial to continue the momentum of their collective action, which has yielded positive results in the past. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.
Mahama Pledges to Reexamine Cecilia Dapaah Corruption Scandal if Elected
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama, has vowed to reinvestigate the corruption scandal involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah if elected president. Apexnewsgh reports In a tweet on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Mr. Mahama stated, “My administration will reinvestigate alleged instances of corruption and malfeasance in the Cecelia Dapaah affair.” This pledge comes after the Attorney General’s office advised against pursuing money laundering investigations into Dapaah’s conduct, citing a lack of substantial grounds. The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) had been requested by the Special Prosecutor’s Office (OSP) to initiate an investigation, but the Attorney General’s office found that the OSP failed to submit a comprehensive report or respond to requests for findings. The investigation, which involved agencies like the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, found over $1 million in cash at the former minister’s residence, raising concerns about money laundering. However, the Attorney General’s office concluded that there was no evidence of corruption or related offenses against Cecilia Dapaah, and therefore no basis for pursuing a money laundering investigation. Mr. Mahama’s promise to reinvestigate the scandal suggests that an NDC government would prioritize accountability and transparency, and ensure that allegations of corruption are thoroughly examined. This move is likely to resonate with Ghanaians who demand action against corruption and abuse of power. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.
Dr. Bawumia Pledges Free Tertiary Education for Individuals with Disabilities
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has made a commitment to provide free tertiary education to all individuals with disabilities who gain admission to universities in Ghana. Apexnewsgh reports This promise was made during an interaction with the clergy in the Western North Region as part of his ongoing nationwide tour. Dr. Bawumia emphasized that his administration would prioritize scholarships for persons with disabilities, recognizing the importance of inclusive education. The scholarship would cover both academic and residential fees, starting from 2025. He stated, “I am very clear on the way forward. I believe that for persons with disabilities, we are going to support them a bit more. We are giving scholarships to every person, but I am going to dedicate some of the monies to our scholarship secretariat and the GET Fund to provide free tertiary education; both tuition and accommodation to every person with a disability who makes it into the university, so they can all benefit.” This initiative demonstrates Dr. Bawumia’s dedication to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in accessing higher education. By offering free tertiary education, the NPP aims to alleviate financial burdens and empower individuals with disabilities to pursue their academic aspirations without constraints. Dr. Bawumia’s pledge reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the educational needs of marginalized groups, highlighting the party’s commitment to promoting equity and accessibility in Ghana’s education system. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.
NDC Chairman Calls for Accountability Among Ruling Party Appointees
In a stern address to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, National Chairman Johnson Asiedu-Nketia issued a call for accountability among appointees of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Apexnewsgh reports He emphasized the importance of returning any ill-gotten gains acquired through corruption or misuse of state resources. Speaking on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news monitored by this platform on Friday, May 3, 2024, Mr. Asiedu-Nketia underscored the NDC’s commitment to upholding transparency and integrity in governance. He warned NPP appointees that they must be prepared to return any state properties or funds they have unlawfully acquired, or face accountability measures. Mr. Asiedu-Nketia likened the situation of NPP appointees to a person riding on the back of a lion, fearing both the consequences of dismounting (becoming prey) and the risk of starvation if they remain astride. He accused them of engaging in widespread looting of state resources, emphasizing the urgency of rectifying this misconduct. Furthermore, Mr. Asiedu-Nketia cautioned that the NPP, despite being wounded, remains a formidable opponent in the upcoming 2024 elections. He urged NDC members, both domestically and internationally, to mobilize and actively participate in the electoral process. The national Chairman stressed that the 2024 elections represent a crucial call to duty for all NDC supporters, requiring collective effort and dedication to uphold democratic values and principles. In conclusion, Mr. Asiedu-Nketia rallied NDC members to join forces and contribute their efforts towards achieving electoral success, emphasizing the importance of unity and communal labor in advancing the party’s agenda. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.
BasicNeeds-Ghana Executive Director Advocates for Increased Government Support for Mental Health Services
Mr. Peter Yaro, Executive Director of BasicNeeds-Ghana, has called on the government to allocate more resources to mental health services in Ghana. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at a public lecture on maternal mental health organized by the Ghana Mental Health Authority, Mr. Yaro emphasized the need for increased funding to support mental health initiatives. He expressed support for the proposal to redirect the COVID-19 Levy to support mental health, as stipulated in the Mental Health Law (Act 846). “The mental health act talks about having a mental health fund, but has it been created? Our distinguished board chair and CEO recently suggested shifting the Covid-19 levy to support mental health, and I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Mr. Yaro stated. Mr. Yaro urged the government to prioritize mental health by allocating a larger percentage of the health sector budget to support mental health initiatives. “Civil Society will continue to call on the government to provide more resources for mental health. We will take every opportunity to advocate for the health sector budget to go beyond the less than 5 percent currently allocated to support mental health,” he insisted. The call for increased government support for mental health services comes at a time when mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent in Ghana. The advocacy efforts of organizations like BasicNeeds-Ghana aim to ensure that mental health receives the attention and resources it deserves. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.