Military Personnel Accused of Raping 18-Year-Old Girl in Bolgatanga Guest House
A disturbing incident has shaken the community of Soe, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality, where a military personnel allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl at the Siim Lina Guest House on Monday, September 2, 2024. Apexnewsgh reports The victim, who had been working at the guest house for just four days, recounted a terrifying encounter with the soldier. The soldier arrived at the guest house around 9 a.m. and began expressing romantic interest in the victim, which she declined. Despite her clear refusal, the soldier continued to harass her, even following her outside the premises. A woman, suspected to be the soldier’s girlfriend, arrived and left shortly after, but the situation escalated when the soldier threatened the victim with scissors, warning her of harm if she didn’t comply with his demands. Fearing for her life, the victim reluctantly gave in, and the soldier allegedly raped her. After the assault, he took pictures of her with his phone. The victim raised an alarm, and concerned neighbors apprehended the soldier. Military officers took him into custody, and an investigation has commenced. The incident has sparked outrage, raising concerns about the conduct of security personnel. The victim, traumatized by the incident, seeks justice and wants appropriate action taken against the suspect. The community demands a thorough investigation, and the military is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GES Opens Recruitment Portal for University Degree Holders
Exciting news for job seekers in the education sector! The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the opening of its recruitment portal for qualified university degree holders. In a Facebook post on Monday, September 2, 2024, GES invited eligible candidates to apply for employment opportunities within the service. The recruitment portal will be open for a limited time, from September 3rd to September 10th, giving interested applicants a one-week window to submit their applications. This presents a fantastic chance for university graduates to join the GES team and contribute to shaping the minds of future generations. Don’t miss this opportunity! If you’re a qualified university degree holder passionate about education, visit the GES recruitment portal between September 3rd and September 10th to apply for a fulfilling career in the Ghana Education Service. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minority Calls for Removal of Lands Minister and Deputies Over Galamsey Crisis
The Minority on the Works and Housing Committee has demanded the immediate removal of Ghana’s Lands Minister and his deputies, citing their failure to protect the country’s water bodies from the devastating effects of illegal mining, known as “galamsey.” Apexnewsgh reports Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Ranking Member of the Committee, argued that replacing the ministers is crucial to addressing the crisis, stating, “If they cannot protect our mineral body, the best you can do is to sack them.” Asamoah emphasized the widespread nature of the galamsey crisis, noting that even the hometown of Deputy Lands Minister Mireku Duker is affected. His comments reflect growing frustration over the ineffective management of illegal mining activities. The call for action follows alarming reports from Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), which warned of severe disruptions in water supply due to illegal mining in the Pra River. The contamination has led to a dramatic reduction in water production nationwide, from 70 percent to just 40 percent. The Central Region, including cities like Cape Coast and Elmina, has been particularly hard-hit, leaving residents without water for extended periods. Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of GWCL, suggested deploying the military to protect vulnerable water sources. Despite these recommendations, Asamoah expressed doubts about the likelihood of effective measures being implemented before the upcoming general elections. Water and Sanitation Minister Lydia Alhassan assured the public that the ministry is actively working on interventions to mitigate the impact of illegal mining, stating, “The situation is getting worse by the day. We have put measures in place to minimize the situation.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bawumia Sets the Record Straight: ‘DRIP Project Was Our Brainchild, Not Parliament’s
In a bold move, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has categorically dismissed claims by some National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) that they played a crucial role in procuring equipment for the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP). Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the Awubia Festival in Awutu Bereku, Awutu Senya West, in the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia vehemently rejected these claims, stating, “It has nothing to do with Parliament. We came up with the idea, we funded it. It didn’t go to Parliament for any approval.” Dr. Bawumia revealed that the initiative was born out of a committee he led, which aimed to provide critical road infrastructure across Ghana. “I came up with the idea that we should buy equipment to help every district construct roads in Ghana,” he explained. The project, which has provided excavators and other earthmoving machinery to districts nationwide, was fully funded and executed by Dr. Bawumia’s committee without any involvement from Parliament. With a sense of pride and ownership, Dr. Bawumia emphasized, “So nobody should come and lie about it.” His statement sets the record straight, giving credit where it is due and showcasing the NPP’s commitment to improving Ghana’s infrastructure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Gov’t set to raise cocoa farmgate price by nearly 45%, sources say
The government will increase the state-guaranteed price paid to its cocoa farmers by nearly 45% for the 2024/25 crop season, two sources with knowledge of the price review told Reuters. Apexnewsgh reports This, according to the sources, aims to help boost their incomes and deter bean smuggling out of the country. The world’s number two cocoa producer raised the farmgate price by more than 58% to ¢33,120 ($2,123.08) per metric ton, or ¢2,070 per 64 kilogram (kg), in April for the rest of the 2023/24 season. The mid-season price hike came after top cocoa producer, neighbouring Ivory Coast, raised its farmgate price to 1,500 CFA francs (US$2.55), or around ¢40 per kg for the April-to-September mid-crop of the 2023/24 season, up from 1,000 CFA francs last season. One source said Ghana’s cocoa producer price review committee had pegged the price at 48,000 cedi per ton, translating to ¢3,000 per 64 kg of cocoa, for the 2024/25 season due to begin later in September, an increase just shy of 45%. The source said the decision would be sent to the cabinet pending an announcement. Both sources asked for anonymity because the decision is not yet public. The second source said it was unlikely that the cabinet would change the committee’s decision, saying also the price could not be increased beyond ¢48,000 per ton without pushing Cocobod, Ghana’s cocoa marketing board, into a deficit. Ghana’s price will also have to align with Ivory Coast’s 2024/25 farmgate price, which has yet to be announced, the person added. The two biggest cocoa-growing countries set up an initiative to coordinate farmgate prices and cocoa supplies to help sustain the sector and boost their farmers’ incomes. Cocoa prices have been buoyant this year as disease and adverse weather in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which together supply more than 60% of the world’s cocoa, pushed the market to a third successive deficit. The International Cocoa Organization on Thursday raised its global cocoa deficit forecast for the 2023/24 season (October-September) to 462,000 tons from 439,000 tons, saying the market was headed for a 45-year low stocks-to-grindings ratio. Cocobod previously planned to launch the 2024/25 season on Sept. 1, earlier than usual, with a reduced production target of 650,000 tons, but both sources said the opening will be later. Opening the season earlier was aimed at helping reduce bean smuggling, which has been incentivised by low prices and delayed payments to farmers. Some of Ghana’s cocoa farmers and licensed buyers accused both sides of hoarding beans to benefit from the proposed price hike in the new season. Source: Reuters
NPP Announces Re-Run of Walewale Parliamentary Primary After Court Ruling
In a surprising turn of events, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been forced to re-run the Walewale parliamentary primary, following a High Court ruling in Tamale that annulled the original election results. Apexnewsgh reports The court’s decision, delivered on Monday, September 2, 2024, cited irregularities, impersonation, and over-voting as reasons for the annulment. In response, the NPP has issued a statement outlining the new election schedule. Aspiring candidates will have from Tuesday, September 3, to Thursday, September 5, to secure nomination forms by paying a non-refundable application fee of GHS3,000 via banker’s draft. The filing fee for nominations has been set at GHS35,000, also payable via banker’s draft. However, in a bid to promote diversity, the NPP has introduced a 50% rebate on the filing fees for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). This group will pay a reduced non-refundable filing fee of GHS17,500. The re-run election is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The party is eager to rectify the issues that led to the annulment of the original results and ensure a fair and transparent process for all candidates. Source: Apexnewsgh.com