Oct13

Friday , October 13, 2017 No. IN-N-13-17 www.theindependentghana.com Gh¢ 2.00cIganmopreai2g0n2p0opsrteesrsid-eBanwtuimaila Story on Pg 2 70% contracts to go to local contractors – Adwoa Safo Story on Pg 2

News2 www.thewinwdwe.tpheeinnddeepnentdgehntaghnaan.ac.coomm Ignore 2020 presidential campaign posters - BawumiaVice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says he has no intention to lead the governing campaign against destructive mining activities do not worry him because he may notNew Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2020 elections. even be on the ballot.A statement from the Office of the Vice President Thursday said people should disregard “I’ve been told there are young men who have said they voted for me and if I continueposters suggesting that Dr Bawumia has started a campaign to that end. down this way they can be sure that they will not vote for me again in 2020.\"It is clear that the perpetrator(s) of this act intends to cause disaffection for the Vice \"Well, with the 2020 vote it’s not clear if Akufo-Addo’s name will be on the ballot in thePresident but their campaign will fail,\" the statement signed by the Communications first place and even if his name is on the ballot, this is not going to be the reason why I’llDirector at the veep's office, Frank Agyei-Twum, said Thursday. stop, I’m going to continue,” the President said.Deputy Chief of Staff, Abu Jinapor, at the National Delegates Conference of the governing Following the President’s statements to the journalists at the Flagstaff House, Informationparty in Cape Coast in August said he was eagerly anticipating a victory for the party in Minister, Mustapha Hamid, also clarified that Nana Akufo-Addo will run for the 20202020, with President Nana Akufo-Addo declared the winner of the presidential polls. presidential elections if he is in good health.He was emphatic in declaring a second term bid for the 73-year-old President. Distancing himself from the controversy, Dr Bawumia's office emphasised that \"For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state unequivocally that the posters are the figment of theAkufo-Addo’s re-election bid has been doubted following his comments in July this year imagination of the originator(s), and we call on all Ghanaians and the general public tothat it was not given that he would be on the ballot in 2020. treat the poster campaign with the contempt it deserves.\"Speaking to journalists at the Flagstaff House, the President said threats by a group of Source: Presidency and Myjoyonlineillegal miners that they will vote him out in the next election because of his unwaveringGovernment is working quality works. However, Adwoa If you look at section 93 of the on a policy document Safo argues inherent in the procurement act, it lists all the that will see 70 percent new policy will be capacity offences. There are criminalcontracts go to local contractors. building measures for the local offences under procurement but contractors. nobody has ever been caught toThe new policy, government face the full rigors of the law,”believes, will help grow local Office of Special Prosecutor she noted.businesses. This was disclosedby Minister of State in charge The deputy majority leader The Office of the Specialof procurement, Sarah Adwoa also disclosed the yet to Prosecutor bill is currentlySafo, at a Press Soirée. According be established office of the before parliament.to the Minister, the new policy Special Prosecutor will becurrently being developed will clothed with the powers to “When identifying thesealso reserve a 30% quota of all prosecute public procurement companies, we are also going tocontracts for women. infractions. Adwoa Safo believes build their capacity as well to existing legislations have not be able to be competitive and70%contracts “So the 70% and the 30% been effective in checking responsive bidders. It is not asActoodngwotortaaocSltooacfrosal– we will be engaging all procurement excesses. if we are just putting together of you. The 70% we are the policy and leave it as it is going to rely mostly on According to her, an audit of because we know that many the data that we get from claims at the roads ministry of our local contractors will the Ministry of Trade for instance has revealed need a lot of capacity building because they have all some road contractors moved in the procurement process to that database. So we don’t to sites to execute projects be able to take advantage of the have to reinvent the without a written contract with contracts that come in,” she said. wheel on who our local government. companies are and what According to the Dome government can engage “In the Office of Special Kwabenya MP, African them on” Prosecutor bill emphasis is countries like Kenya, Tanzania made there that the prosecutor are already implementing There have always will also be prosecuting similar policies aimed at been concerns about procurement fraud and empowering indigenous the capacity of local procurement malpractices. contractors. contractors to execute



4 News www.theindependentghana.comStakeholders Entrepreneururged to urges tertiaryaddress students togender gaps brand themselvesconfrontingthe girl-child Mr Samuel Bright Kaitoo, the themselves,”he added. Chief Executive Officer, Galaxy He noted that in the workingMrs Christiana Gockel, the advice of their parents and teachers. Group, has urged tertiary environment, some graduates come in Executive Director of Insight Mrs Genevivie Eba-Polley, the students who will be prospective job with theoretical knowledge, but when Foundation Ghana (IFG), on Executive Director of Ghana Book seekers to brand themselves for a it came to the industry some of themWednesday urged the Government Trust, advised the students to let their competitive corporate world. depending on the courses they pursued,and development partners to address dreams be their focus and never sway were not able to fit into the industry andgender gaps to ensure that no girl- from their passions. He said it is important for tertiary sometimes employers had to spend timechild is left behind in terms of students to create a career brand to be and money to train them to be suitabledevelopment. “Do not be distracted and allow able to get the attention of prospective for what employers required. certain things to waste your time, employersShe has, therefore, called for women empowerment is just about He said it was also important to have acontinuous support from stakeholders saying; give us equal opportunities,” Mr Kaitoo made the call in an interview synergy between academia and industry;including governments and she said. in Accra on the sideline of ‘Chat the so that academia would be able to knowdevelopment partners to invest in Experts 2017’, an event organized by the the needs of the industry.the girl-child to realise her dreams She, therefore, urged the boys to be Association of Business Administration He urged academia to develop curricula,and contribute her quota to the a support to the girls to realise their Students (ABAS) of University of which would structure academicdevelopment of society. potential, adding; “Work together Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). programmes to suit the needs of the with the girls for a better society industry.Mrs Gockel said this at the because empowering women means The event on the theme: “Employercommemoration of the 2017 ensuring a better society”. or Employee? Build Your Brand and Mr Collins Agyemang Badu, a lecturerInternational Day of the Girl-Child in Be Unique” was aimed at encouraging at UPSA also told GNA that in Ghana,Accra on the theme: “The Power of the Dr Charity Binka, the Executive students to brand themselves to enable there was a mis-match between whatAdolescent Girl: Vision for 2030”. Director of Women, Media and them position themselves for the job university instructors teach and what Change, said personal development market. employees required from the job market;The Day is celebrated annually should be accomplished so UPSA’s effort was to bridge the gap.on October 11 to highlight issues systematically. He said it was very important for He said one of the key components wasconcerning gender inequality facing students to be exposed to some basic the fact that certification was not enough,young girls. She urged the students to take their truth about life; as employers know that but rather competence, whereas students studies seriously and aspire to the in life what makes them stand out was, who attended such seminars were likelyThere are nearly 600 million girls highest level. how unique they were and what kind of to establish their own businesses; statingfrom 10 to 19 years in the world services they could provide. that the “UPSA’s mantra is scholarshiptoday, each with limitless individual Mrs Cynthia Prah, the National with professionalism”.potentials, Mrs Gockel said, adding; Information Officer of the United “In developing themselves they need“Investing in adolescent girls can have Nations Information Centre, advised to acquire certain skills including \"We don’t focus on academic tutoring,a formidable ripple effect to create a the students to work with passion personal, social, technical and spiritual; but the need to blend academic withbetter world by 2030.” and work on discovering their innate it is important to build these four professionalism,\" he added. talents. skills to help them build a brand forMrs Gockel said it was the agenda ofIFG to see girls stay in school and walk She called on the Government and Former Black Starsup the educational ladder alongside parents to put measures in place AcappptiaaihnteonktereeaptfsoKcwusesithe boy-child. to help the children, especially the girl-child, to achieve their goals and Former Black Stars cap- ed some experienced that I will still be playing.“Not just a matter of the girls going dreams. tain, Dan Owusu, has players in the Black Stars Someone like Asamoahto school but, as stakeholders, we entreated Ghana coach, set up, noticeable among Gyan has helped theare making sure they stay in school Dr Isaac Annan, a Director at the Kwesi Appiah, to concen- them includes Mubarak Black Stars in manyto develop themselves amidst the Commission on Human Rights and trate on building a strong Wakaso, Agyemang ways but if his form ishindrances they encounter,” she said. Administrative Justice, said equality team by inviting new Badu, Andre and Jordan dwindling we should in human rights education was players but not necessar- Ayew. give others the chanceMr Theodore Adjetey Adjei, the fundamental to empowering the girl- ily axing the experienced likewise Dede Ayew.Headmaster of the Association child on her rights to fight for equal ones. But according to theCommunity Model Basic School in treatments in society. former Ghana Interna- “So I entreat Kwesi Ap-Accra, urged girls to take their studies Appiah since his appoint- tional, nobody can play piah to keep giving theseriously, be religious and follow the By Elsie Appiah-Osei/Samira Larbie ment back in May, has for the Black Stars till the new players the opportu- made certain changes in end, for that reason new nity and when he thinks the senior national team players would have to be they can help, he should which has been met with invited to give way for concentrate on them but mixed reactions across smooth succession. not necessarily excluding the football fraternity. the experienced ones,” “Nobody can play for the Owusu told Space Fm. Firstly, Appiah has given Black Stars to the end, at debut call ups to over 20 a certain points new ones Ghanacrusader.com players and has exclud- have to come if not for

www.theindependentghana.com News 5Auditingmust gobeyond merebureaucraticprocedures –MinisterMadam Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Company (Ghana) Limited.the Minister of Foreign Affairs and The rest are Mr JamesRegional Integration, has said auditingneeds to go beyond mere bureaucratic Nyasembi, a Foreign Serviceprocedures to become an integral part Officer and Director of Policyof long-term planning of institutions. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Bureau of the“l expect the Audit Committee to Ministry and Mrs Audreytake a keen interest in the state Abayena, a Foreign Serviceof the property and equipment of Officer and Acting Director,both the Ministry and our Missions Legal and Consular Affairsabroad so that we can develop a more Bureau, also of the Ministry.pre-emptive and proactive system ofmaintenance. The Committee is to assist the Ministry in fulfilling its“l also believe that better management obligations under Sectionwould ensure that the situation 86 of the Public Financialwhere many of our Missions are Management Act, 2016 ( Actsaddled with unacceptable high 921), whichs aims at regulatingcosts of maintaining over-aged and financial management withinunserviceable vehicles, as well as public institutions, includingbuilding and equipment that are Ministries, Departments andgenerally in the state of disrepair, Agencies (MDAs).becomes a thing of the past.” The Minister said: “We are, therefore,Madam Botchway said this in a expected to ensure that there is value-speech read on her behalf at the for-money in the disbursement ofinauguration of a five-member public funds by the Ministry and itsAudit Committee of the Ministry on Missions abroad”.Wednesday. She urged the members to performThe Committee members are Mr their duties diligently and reviewT.A. Thompson-Aryee, a Director at the Audit Reports objectively, addingthe Internal Audit Agency, Dr S.T. that; “It is my desire to ensure that theAkrobor, a Lecturer at the University observations and recommendationsof Professional Studies, and Mr Isaac made by the Committee will beAdomako, the Director of Finance and carried out in a dispassionate manner”.Administration, Allianz Insurance The new law requires that the Audit Committee members ensure that issues arising from the Auditor's reports as well as Parliamentary directives are implemented by the MDAs. Her Ladyship Sophia Benasko Essah later led the members to swear the Oath of Secrecy and Allegiance. Dr Akrobor, on behalf of his colleagues, said they were grateful for the responsibility and assured the Ministry of their preparedness to ensure due diligence in discharging their duties. He appealed for the total support of the Ministry to enable them to discharge their duties diligently to justify their appointment. By Patience Gbeze

6 News www.theindependentghana.com TourismMinister welcomesTourism AmbassadorsPresident Talon holds talks best for our people and get to know ourwith President Akufo-Addo countries better than Europe”. He extended his country’s condolence mounted by spearheaded democratic governance in to Ghana for the loss of lives in the the Ghana the sub-region. tragic gas explosion that occurred at the Air Force, Atomic Junction in Accra and claimed and thence President Talon, on his part, said his seven lives and injured as many as 132 proceeded to visit was within a wider framework of people. the Flagstaff enhancing cooperation between Ghana House where and among the countries of the region Benin and Ghana have had relations bilateral talks and thanked President Akufo-Addo and bothering on politics, economics and were held the people of Ghana for the warm show culture dating back to 1962. Both between both of hospitality accorded him and his have followed similar socio-economic leaders. entourage. development strategies since attaining independence, with both countriesPresident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- After President Talon, married to a Ghanaian sharing similar orientation and commonAddo and his Beninoise counterpart closed-door woman, noted that although the people positions on issues of internationalPatrice Talon on Wednesday discussed discussions, of West Africa shared socio-cultural concern.security and regional integration to climax both similarities, the process of integratingthe activities of the visiting President’s Presidents the region, which would bring tangible The socio-economic cooperation betweenvisit. addressed the benefits to the region was not being both nations have been conducted mostly media, with pursued with the urgency it deserved. within the framework of a Ghana-BeninThe Beninoise President who arrived in President Akufo-Addo sharing his delight “Our region has reached a level of Permanent Joint Commission, signed inGhana for a day’s working visit to boost to discover that he and his Beninoise integration that should lead to real August 1976 and ratified on February 8,ties between both countries was met on counterpart held similar views on the progress in the region…What our 1979.arrival at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoka issues of the region. forebears did not succeed in doing,International Airport by President Nana He said their discussions centered on we should do it now to guarantee our The two nations have within theAddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. the need for a faster integration of the development,” he said. framework of the Permanent Joint people of West Africa and on the need for Commission, concluded variousHe later inspected a full guard of honour security in the sub-region. He continued, “The onus is on us as leaders agreements of cooperation ranging from to work towards the integration of the tourism, agriculture, road transport, The President described Mr Talon’s region for the benefits of our people.” telecommunications, health, extradition, presence in Ghana as “important”, because The Beninoise President told his host, civil aviation, with the last being relations between the two countries had President Akufo-Addo that he would be a Protocol Agreement on military been greatly renewed, and that Benin spending more of his vacation in Ghana cooperation signed in Accra in October and Ghana hold the same values that had than in Europe. “We would have to do our 2011.Muslimsurgedto facilitated national nate.” The theme of the festival was manifested interest of the Inner- City communities.embraceunityfor develop. Dr Iddi through all the events of the festival, thus exhibi- was speaking at tion of arts and crafts, traditional performances, She said reckoning the arduous task ahead, the the second edition food-fair, and artistes’ performances. Ministry needed the full support of Ghanaians to of the Celebration achieve its objective. Mr Sultan Nii Nortey Caesar, The National Commission on Culture organised the President of the Ga-Dangme Muslim Councildevelopment of the Inner-City the festival in collaboration with the Ga-Dangme and the representative of the Council of the nine Leyyah Festival, Muslim Council and the Council of the nine Regional Inner-City Muslim chiefs, also pledged in Accra, on the Regional Inner-City Muslim Chiefs. their full support and frequent engagement in en- theme: “Bridging suring the success and vision of the Government. The Leyyah Festival seeks to promote peaceful the Traditional and co-existence, economic empowerment, and He called on the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and national development through culture. Culture and the Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Religious Barriers”. Development to support the Leyyah Festival fi- It also seeks to promote talents and unite Ghana- nancially for it to become an umbrella that wouldDr Ziblim Iddi, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, He explained that the Leyyah Festival was not ians through the act of sharing and sacrifice. advance the interest of the indigenous MuslimsArts and Culture, has urged Muslims within the in competition with the Zongofest but rather, Mrs Gifty Mahama Biyira, the Chief Director in Ghana.indigenous communities in Ghana to unite under promoting peace and unity together. of the Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Devel- opment, who represented the sector Minister, By Julius K. Satsione umbrella and voice out mutually beneficial \"The Leyyah Festival is not competing with reaffirmed the Ministry’s support to promote thedevelopment projects for national development. Zongofest, therefore, the negative information outHe said healthy and peaceful relations with ones’ there, that is meant to make the National Com-neighbour born out of hospitality and tolerance mission on Culture and the Ministry of Tourismwere part of the national culture, which had Arts and Culture appear unpalatable is unfortu-

www.theindependentghana.com News 7We do not bury our chiefs withhuman heads - Nene Benta IIIThe Acting President of the Prampram Traditional He said, \"For sometime, we did not have a peaceful He added that \"all guns that use gun powder/pin are Council and the Mankralo of Prampram, says transition. It was from his term that we had a peaceful exempted, but their use would be closely monitored to human sacrifice has never been part of the burial transition from one chief to another and it stopped the avoid any mishap.\"rites of their chiefs. destoolment of chiefs. Those days, they would enstool one chief and destool him a year or two later.\" Nene Benta III said the funeral which would\"Here in Prampram, our deities do not accept blood be conducted amidst drumming, musketry andsacrifices. Even the main deity of Prampram doesn't He observed that during his reign, there was unity and performance of traditional rituals would start onaccept the blood of goats, fowls, etc. So there is no way no fighting within all sub and divisional chiefs as they Monday, the 23rd of October 2017 and end on 29thout for people to be beheaded in this area for rituals,\" duly recognised him as the Paramount Chief of the October.Nene Benta III said. area. He said the body of the late chief would be laid inNene Atsure Benta III was addressing a press He assured that “this smooth transition they had state from the 24th to 28th October 2017 during whichconference at Prampram to officially announce the enjoyed under him will continue”, adding that, \"I can the people of Prampram, Greater Accra Chiefs, otherdeath of Nene Tetteh Djan III, Paramount Chief of the assure you because the systems are firmly in place Regional Houses of Chiefs, and the President of thearea, and to outline his burial and funeral rites. you can't jump one system to do another. So it will be Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo problem free. We will make sure that the right things would file past and pay their last respects.He observed that notwithstanding, they were still are done so we can have a peaceful nomination andvigilant to prevent persons who might want to carry installation of the next Paramount Chief.\" Others to file past included Members of the Diplomaticout such hideous acts just to tarnish the good reputation Corps, State Functionaries, and other dignitaries as wellof the traditional area and mar the beauty of their He also assured of the adequacy of security saying that, as the Clergy and other invited guests.custom. \"We have made arrangements for the Police to beef up security in the town. We are also trying to support “There would be an inter-denominational burial serviceIn an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), them with some military personnel.\" on Saturday the 28th of October and a thanksgivinghe said the late Paramount Chief was worth celebrating service on the 29th of October at the funeral grounds,because his reign symbolized stability of leadership in Nene Benta III announced the ban on the use of any “ he said.the traditional area. type of rifle; pump gun, hand gun, AKs, pistol and any weapon that used cartridges. By Alexander Nyarko YeboahEditorial Social Media And The Graduate: An Open OpportunityPerhaps more than ever, students are facing personal brand. Admittedly, to further one’s the way to go. Social media is way more thanthe hardest progression from education to the brand, there is the need to show experience colourful pictures and if the youth soon realise itsworkplace. With record numbers of school and demonstrate worth to a potential employer. vast global potential, many would regard it as aleavers and new graduates armed with a record This is where many may ask, “how do you get virtual lecture room and workstation.number of top grades, it is becoming increasingly experience when no-one will give you a jobdifficult to stand out from their peers. unless you have experience? Individual profiles, networks and social media footprints continue to grow with peopleYou may want to couple that with the shrinking When starting a brand, first impressions last. It throughout their academic and employmentpublic sector, national financial instability and may sound cliché but that is exactly what it is. lives. The social media space is more than just athe high unemployment figures and you have a Many times, young graduates seem to ignore the simple CV. It is interactive and puts people at theyoung, educated population struggling to live up fact that exuding a professional, knowledgeable centre of the world.to their potential. If you are one of these fresh, and experienced outlook is a way to imprint onenergetic hopefuls, then fashioning yourself into the mind of a potential employer and by so doing, In conclusion, to be enduring within a changinga brand may give you that extra edge and added establish a good first impression. It takes seconds job environment, brand identity needs toprominence a prospective employer will latch to leave a bad first impression and an age to be dynamic and flexible to meet consumers'onto. reverse it. expectations. Students and graduates for that matter, cannot hide behind the excuse of beingReally, in today’s social media age, setting oneself By putting some serious thought into a personal occupied with tons of school work that makingup as a brand isn’t difficult. The social media tools social media presence, graduates will ensure they time for crucial self-upgrade on social media isare all out there ready and waiting for individuals are not punished by selling themselves short disregarded.to utilize them. In the ‘people market’ - which is or becoming their own professional saboteur.Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, there lies the Nude pictures and exuding needless youthfulpotential for determined students to start their exuberance via social media posts cannot be

Education8 wwwww.wt.htheeiinnddeeppenednedntegnhtangah.caonma.com 8CARE International The District Chief Executive forprovides infrastructure for AOB, Mr Isaac Odoom, thankedcommunities in AOB CARE-General Mills partnership for lessening the burden of the AssemblyTo complement Government’s educational infrastructure in the area. communities were therefore full of praise to provide educational infrastructure efforts at improving access to Hitherto, children from Abehenase for the CARE International-General Mills and urged the Schools Management quality education for all, CARE had to trek two kilometers to Asikuma Partnership for providing them with Committees to ensure that theInternational in Ghana with support to access primary education and this the new buildings, which they said had facilities were properly maintained.from General Mills Foundation, had discouraged many parents from sending changed the schools environment for theconstructed four school projects for four their young children to travel that long better. Nana Kweku Esuon II, Chief ofcommunities in the Asikuma-Odoben- distance to school thereby delaying their Bedum expressed gratitude to CAREBrakwa (AOB) District of the Central enrolment until they were 11 years. At a durbar to hand over the keys to International for its numerousRegion. the Headteachers of the four schools, assistance, particularly to cocoa The district, earlier this year experienced Dr. Theophilus Nkansah, Team Leader/ farmers in the area, which had helpedThe projects are a two-classroom KG one of the most tragic occurrences Project Manager of CARE, said CARE them to increase their yields to generateblock each for Wansabiampa, Kokoado in the history of the country when a will continue to undertake educational revenue to improve their lives.and Abuakuwa D/A schools with the dilapidated Kindergarten (KG) school interventions that will aid betterlatter benefitting from a library facility building collapsed and killed six KG teaching and learning and improve He expressed concern that encroachersstuffed with books and a four-unit pupils at Breman Gyamera. access in deprived communities to help had developed parts of the school landsclassroom block for the Abehenase D/A the country train the needed human at Wansabiapa and asked the communityPrimary School which formerly had no The incident still fresh on the memories resources. to immediately stop the encroachers andprimary school. of Ghanaians, generated a lot of urged the children to take their studies sympathies and debates across the In a speech read on his behalf, the seriously, adding that they could excelAll the classrooms furnished with dual country with the public calling for the Country, Director of CARE in Ghana, by wherever they found themselves.desks and teachers’ tables and chairs also audit of all old school projects to have Mr Richard Oppong, HR/Administrationhave toilets, offices and stores. them replaced by new ones. Director, Mr. Elkanah Odembo said due Nana Esuon urged the District Assembly However, the story has not changed as to the involvement of children in farming to facilitate the construction of the 12The projects completed within three the GNA observed that many buildings as well as the limited access to education kilometer Cocoa roads from Bedum toyears, have been lauded by the chiefs in the district had deteriorated and in the area, the organisation moved in to Assin Fosu to enable farmers cart theirand people of the Area considering its continuous usage could have dire save the situation. farm produce to the market centres withthe deteriorating nature of school consequences for both the children ease.buildings as well as the lack of some basic and their teachers. The beneficiary CARE is one of the world's leading humanitarian and development organisations, fighting global, poverty and defending the dignity of people around the world since its inception in 1945. By Alice TetteyBameheneworried Speakinginan were developed within a short period to speed up interview at development. Aduamoa, the He said Aduamoa is a major producer of tigeraboutlowschool Bamehenesaid nuts in the district, and he would ensure thatenrolment he would ensure with the introduction of the ‘One district, One the promotion of factory’ policy, the Kwahu East District could add effective teach- value to the nuts to raise the standard of living of ing and learning the farmers. in schools in the Nana Safo appealed to the Kwahu East District Assembly to rehabilitate the road linking Obo area. through Aduamoa to Nkwatia to promote eco- nomic activities of the people in the area.Nana Kwadwo Safo, the incoming Bamehene He said there are plans to organise a Home Com-of Aduamoa in the Kwahu Traditional area has ing event during the Easter festivities to bring all He pleaded with the inhabitants to assist andexpressed worry at the alarming rate at which the indigenes from across the country and abroad support him in executing development projectschildren in the community abandon school hours to the festival to enable them to help in the devel- in the community to lift Kwahu Aduamoa to afor farm work. opment of the community. befitting standard.Nana Safo said he would enforce laws that will Nana Safo urged traditional leaders to make lawsbind the inhabitants to send their wards to school that would ensure that lands bought by investorswhen he is officially enstooled next month.10child Atotal of ten child in an interaction with Madam Akpeloo noted welfare. Madam Akpeloomothers mothers who pupils of Ho International that the situation of the asked teachers and parentsgobackto dropped out of School Complex to com- girl child in the Region re- to give sex education toschool school due to teenage memorate this year’s In- mained “poor” with many children and teach them pregnancy at Sogakope in ternational Day of the Girl in hard-to-reach communi- how and where to seek the South Tongu District Child, said her outfit was ties not in school due to the help when in trouble. are back to school. Seek moved by the plight of the distance between commu- to Save Foundation a girls to help them continue nities and schools and other October 11, is marked every non-governmental orga- their education. social factors. year as International Day nization supported the of the Girl Child. The day girls with books, school She said the organization Speaking on the theme, aims at highlighting and uniforms and school was also working on giving “Empowering girls before addressing the needs and bags to continue their employable skills to those and after crises,” in com- challenges girls face, while education. who were not willing memoration of the Day, she promoting girls' empower- to go back to school and urged parents and opinion ment and the fulfillment of Madam Commend Ak- called for support from the leaders to develop interest their human rights. peloo, Executive Director, Assembly. in the growth of the girl Seek to Save Foundation child and invest in their By Rosina Oyivor

wwww.wthwe.tihnedinedpepeennddeenntgthgahnaa.ncoam.com News 99German national whoposed as Bui DamCEO caged 6years Facts as presentedAn Accra Circuit Court has engaged a lawyer to represent by Superinten- sentenced a 51-year-old him. He therefore pleaded with dent Rebecca German national, to six the court, presided over by Mrs. Nyamah, was thatyears’ imprisonment with hard Marian Affoh, to tamper justice in January 2016,labour, for defrauding two indi- with mercy and that he was the syndicate used their modusviduals of GH¢40,500. remorseful. operandi to defraud a construc-The convict, Michael Punke, was tion engineer of GH¢24,000found guilty by the court, after When delivering the judgment, under the pretext of giving him aprosecution proved beyond rea- the court was of the view that, contract to supply pipe sealantssonable doubt that he committed Punke failed to provide any ev- to Bui Dam.the crimes. idence to back his claim of alibi, to prove that he was indeed not According to prosecution, PunkeThe court convicted Punke on present or involved in any of the in this instance presented him-four counts of conspiracy to fraudulent transactions. self to the engineer as Fernandodefraud by false pretence and Lopez and CEO of Bui Power.was sentenced to five years for It was established in court that, Superintendent Nyamah, toldeach count. The court also found the syndicate which Punke was the court, after the act, all thehim guilty on two counts of part, usually contacts individuals members of the syndicatedefrauding by false pretense and with an offer that Bui Power discarded their sim cards. Sheslapped him with a six-year-jail needed people to supply them said this made it impossible forterm for each count which will with pipe sealants and stabilizer the engineer to get in touch withrun concurrently. rings for a project. them for follow ups.The court ascertained that Pun- The prosecution said, Punke Again, Punke and the syndicateke was part of a syndicate who would subsequently introduce were said to have defraudedact with the common purpose himself to the individuals with a another man of GH¢16,500 usingof defrauding contractors. It was fake name and under the pretext the same trick.said that he normally presents that he was the CEO of Buihimself to their victims as the Power, who needed samples of Prosecution said this time, theChief Executive Officer (CEO) of the items before they would get syndicate pretended to be inBui Power Authority, in order to the contract. the process of offering the manhoodwink gullible individuals. a contract to supply stabilizerMeanwhile his three other Afterwards, a member of the rings.accomplices are currently on the syndicate would then tell therun and the Police are in a frantic individuals to buy the samples According to the Prosecutor,move to bring them to book. from a certain person, who nor- police investigations eventually mally happens to be part of the led to Punke’s arrest. Thereafter,Punke when pleading for mitiga- syndicate and eventually pays complaints from various personstion said, he was poor and if he monies to them, and subsequent- about the syndicate’s activitieshad any money, he would have ly go into hibernation. surfaced. By Maame Agyeiwaa Agyei

10 Business www.theindependentghana.comInflation falls household equipment and routine maintenance, clothing and footwear, and miscellaneous goods and services.to12.2 percent He said the driver for food inflation rate was fish and sea food. Seven regions; Upper West, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Western, Ashanti, Eastern and Central Regions recordedThe annual consumer price inflation per cent the month before, whilst food inflation rates higher than the nationaldropped to 12.2 per cent in September inflation rose to 8.1 per cent in September average of 12.2 per cent.from 12.3 per cent in the previous month, from 7.4 per cent in the preceding month.however, the general price level between Upper West Region recorded the highestAugust 2017 and September 2017 did not He said the annual non-food inflation rate year-on-year inflation rate of 13.1 perchange. was more than one and half times of that cent, followed by Greater Accra Region of the food inflation rates. 12.8 per cent. The Volta Region recordedMr Anthony Amuzu, Deputy Government the lowest year-on-year inflation 10.5Statistician presenting the figures in Accra Mr Amuzu said the main “price driver” for per cent in September 2017; Upper Easton Wednesday said the non-food inflation non-food inflation rate were transport, recorded 10.6 per cent; and the Northernfell to 14.1 per cent compared to 14.7 recreation and culture, furnishing, Region 10.7 per cent.Don’t workat In a statement Wednesday, the Ghana Police Service has warned mobile money vendors to be cau-night – Police tious in their operations following increased attacks on them by armed robbers.warns mobilemoney vendors The statement said, “The Accra Regional Police Command is concerned about recent robbery attacks on mobile money and recharge card vendors and wishes to draw the attention of the public, especially those in the business to take necessary security precautions to prevent possible attack.” It added: “The robberies are usually perpetrated by two men on unregistered motorbikes who rob their targeted victims of their daily sales and other valuables at gunpoint. As the police continues to fight this menace, it will advise operators in the industry to be extra vigilant when transacting businesses in quiet and isolated areas, deposit sales with the banks or financial facilities periodically, avoid deep-in- the-night business activities, note and report suspicious characters loitering around business locations or centers.” Ghana Police can be contacted on hotlines 191 and MTN/Vodafone Toll-Free 18555. By Anita Odei-OsafoUnder 40 CEOsForum set for 16thNovember, 2017The Under 40 CEOs Forum of tools and information.” Find the full statementis scheduled to take place at Under 40 CEOs Forum, a below:the Swiss Spirit Hotel and live interactive event is an Under 40 CEOs Forum,Suites Alisa in Accra on Fri- extension of the mother Ghana Set to Hold on Friday,day, November 15, 2017. brand Under 40 CEOs, a tele- 16th November, 2017. vision show. The forum is aAccording to host, Familusi platform featuring a conver- After a successful 24 monthsAkin Babajide, the event is sation between established on television across Westto motivate young Ghana- young business leaders and and South Africa and aians to get involved in the 500 young aspiring business successful launch on GHOnegrowing of the country’s leaders. TV in Ghana with the serieseconomy. Under 40 CEOs, there has Under 40 CEOs launched been increased demandThe forum on the theme, on TVC Entertainment and from emerging and aspiring‘Building, Running and Sus- TVC News on the 9th of Oc- young business leaders fortaining Business in Ghana’ tober, 2016 and subsequent- offline engagements andwill allow participants the ly launched on Silverbird the opportunity to haveopportunity to pitch their Television Network on the these ones interact directlybusinesses for funding to 13th of January, 2016 has with the established younginvestors. spotlighted inspiring young business leaders. Hence, the business leaders aged 40 and Under 40 CEOs Forum.Familusi Akin Babajide said under from Nigeria, Ghanain a press statement that and South Africa. With the diaspora edition“we are absolutely excited of the forum scheduled forto be bringing the event to Under 40 CEOs recently 2018 in London, UnitedGhana and know without launched on GHOne TV in Kingdom and a well-attend-a shadow of a doubt that it Ghana will be reaching a ed and impactful session inwill go on to motivate young record 15 African countries Lagos, Nigeria, the GhanaGhanaians to get in the game via Africa Magic on DSTV. forum to be held in Accra isof growing the country’s expected to be grand.economy with the right set

wwwww.twh.etihnedinepdeenpdenendtegnhtgahnaan.cao.mcom Feature 1111Achieving Sustainanble DevelopmentGoals through Clean CookingThere is no doubt that the Sustainable Development Goals ment of the SDGs, it has not been given much attention in The Coordinator regretted the lack of access to affordable(SDGs), adopted by the 193 nations in 2015, is a major Ghana. and efficient energy systems like LPG and improved cookstep towards addressing poverty, inequality, and climate stoves in those regions and said, due to the availability ofchange over the next 15 years. Interestingly, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District the product in the Greater Accra Region, only four per centAs the global community including Ghana works towards Assemblies (MMDAs) particularly in Northern Ghana have of consumers use fuel wood and charcoal as the source ofimplementing the goals, it is very significant to invest in failed to mainstream Clean Cocking into their Medium cooking energy.pragmatic solutions with the greatest potentials in tackling Term Development Plans. Most of them rather focus onthe root causes of poverty, inequality and climate change. the Rural Electrification Project at the expense of promot- Mr Awaregya said the problem in the northern regions ing improved cooking stoves and subsidising the cost of would continue to worsen if pragmatic measures wereOne of the pragmatic measures that could help fast-track LPG and its accessories as more than 56 per cent of energy not adopted to address the issue and suggested that one ofthe attainment of the SDGs is Clean Cooking. Clean cook- is needed for cooking and heating. those measures could be the implementation of the cylin-ing can contribute to an enabling environment for achiev- der recirculation reform.ing the entire Agenda 2030 and directly deliver across 10 What is more frightening is that a 2010 statistics availableof the SDGs. In other words, developing a thriving global at the Renewable Energy Unit of the Ministry of Energy There is the urgent need for the MMDAs to mainstreammarket for clean and efficient cook stoves and fuels can indicate that the three regions are the most affected when clean cooking into their Medium Term Developmenttransform the way the world cooks: saving lives, improv- it comes to fuel wood consumption where the Northern Plans by supporting community members with LPG anding livelihoods, empowering women, and protecting the Region leads with 78 per cent, Upper West Region 75 per improved cooking stoves.environment simultaneously. cent and Upper East Region 62 per cent. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the MinistryOne may ask how clean cooking could propel achieve- Research further revealed that some women in rural com- of Energy must urgently implement the proposed energyments of the SDGs. Goal number three talks about Good munities in the Upper East Region compete with farmers cooking reform to help curb the spate of environmentalHealth and Well-being. There is no doubt that the for cow dung and plant residue for cooking, making them degradation and the mitigation of climate change.reduction of smoke emissions from cooking decreases the go through drudgery from collecting such fuel sources The NPA has indicated that instead of customers patron-burden of disease associated with household air pollution while the smoke from such traditional cooking contribut- ising the LPG stations, the product would be packaged inand improves the well-being of the households particular- ed to a range of chronic illnesses and acute health impacts cylinders at retail shops for customers to buy under thely women and children. such as respiratory illnesses, affecting pregnant women cylinder recirculation to help curb the spate of accidents and children. and calamities at the Gas filling stations.Besides, Goal four deals with Quality Education. Manychildren, particularly the girl-child is often kept out of Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Paga in the Kas- Whilst there is an urgent need for Government to re-school because she has to travel distances in search of fuel sena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, Mr move the subsidies on LPG and use the fund to supportwood for cooking, thereby either going to school late or Julius Awaregya, the Coordinator of the Organization for LPG devices and accessories to make them affordable andnot at all and thus affect quality education. Indigenous Initiatives and Sustainability (ORGIIS), an en- accessible, there is also the need for the private sector to vironmental Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), said be encouraged to set up LPG stations at vantage points forThe Goal number five talks about Gender Equality and the speedy implementation of the cylinder recirculation customers in addition to the education of households onunpaid work, including collecting fuel wood and cook- reform would help in addressing the spate of environmen- the use of LPG to avoid disasters.ing, which remain a major cause of gender inequality. If tal degradation and climate change that characterised thewomen have easy access to clean energy cooking tools, the regions. The implementation of the programme tailored towardsaffordability and availability would help address Gender promoting LPG use in the domestic, commercial and publicEquality and help reach the targets. The new reform allows customers to exchange their empty institutions including schools, also requires the training of gas cylinders with the filled ones and retail shops would be rural women in the construction of improved stoves forGoal 13 deals with the climate. About 25 per cent of black responsible to ensure that safety and quality standards are households as well as encouraging the use of open venti-carbon emissions come from burning solid fuels for followed to reduce consumers’ risk. lated kitchens to reduce indoor air pollution in the kitchen.household energy needs. Clean cooking solutions addressthe most basic needs of the poor and also deliver climatic “This will lead to easy access, efficient and sustainable In conclusion, any Assembly that would want to be seenbenefits. energy use since the product will be placed at vantage supporting the country to achieve the SDGs should not points in many communities for customers to patronise. hesitate to attach the importance of energy cooking sys-Additionally, the Goal number 15 puts more emphasis on As a country, If we succeed in the implementation of the tems particularly under Goal seven, which places empha-Life and Land. Research has shown that harvesting wood reform we are likely to reduce the consumption of biomass sis on access to affordable, efficient and cleaner fuel for allfor fuel is unsustainable as it contributes to forest degrada- and charcoal production particularly in the three northern by 2030.tion, deforestation, and climate change challenges. In spite regions and help curb environmental degradation,”of the significant role Clean Cooking plays in the attain- he stressed. by Samuel Adadi AkapuleCRIME in which Laryea walked leisurely during the incident raised curiosity of his involvement in the robbery.” He indicated.Lands salesman and two said to have made away with cash in the sum Mr. Aboagye Tandoh said in the CCTV camera footage,notorious armed robbers of GH¢3,710.00 and other valuables belonging Laryea was seen signaling to the robbers and showing them to the company in 2013 during the robbery where the monies were kept. operations. He opined that, his denial of the offence was an after-jailed 25 years each The two, Ali and Shaibu have been in Police thought since his evidence was full of contradictions. custody on remand since they were nabbed and Facts according to Chief Inspector Victor Dosoo are that, Kweku Swanzy Enterprise Limited is a firm that deals inAn Accra Circuit court presided over by Mr.Aboagye were convicted on the counts of Conspiracy and retailing of assorted soft drinks at Mamprobi in Accra. Tandoh has sentenced a salesman at Kweku Swan- robbery. The court found them guilty at the end He said on July 18, 2013, at about 4:30pm, staff of the compa- zy Enterprise and two persons who robbed the of the trial. This robbery operation according to the court, ny were busily working when six armed men on two motor led to the death of an ex-soldier, Daniel Mills, who was the bikes stomped the company’s premises.beverage retail firm at Mamprobi at gun point to 25 years security man on duty. The Prosecutor stated, the armed robbers started ordering all the workers around the gate to get into the company’simprisonment each. premises and asked that the staff lay on the floor. The security man at post, Daniel Mills, was shot in the processEmmanuel Laryea, who was a salesperson at Kweku Praying for mitigation, Mr. Paul Kumi who represented Ali and shortly after, they (robbers) entered the various offices, making away with cash in the sum of GH¢3,710.00.Swanzy Enterprise and has been convicted on the count and Shaibu and also held brief for Lawyer George Asamani Chief Inspector Dosoo said the security man was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital but died on admission.of abetment of crime, told the court, he and his two friends who was representing Emmanuel Laryea, prayed the court An autopsy conducted concluded that the security man died of “Massive right subdural hemorrhage consistent withaided in committing the heinous act which led to the death to tamper justice with mercy in order not to waste their gunshot wounds to the head”.of a security man under the influence of “Alata bitters” (a young lives. He said Laryea was picked up after the CCTV camera foot- age showed him leading the robbers to the various offices oflocal alcoholic brew). the company. Shaibu was also nabbed by the Police at Zongo Junction, near Abossey Okai, following a tip off, whilst Ali Delivering the judgment, the judge said he considered their was identified by a staff of the company.According to the court, in Laryea’s own statement to the plea for mitigation and the number of years spent in cus- By Maame Agyeiwaa AgyeiPolice, he confirmed he knew of the robbery as he together tody by the accused. He however said, Ali and Shaibu hadwith Nicolas and Solo, both accomplices, drunk some con- been tagged as “Notorious robbers”, therefore their sentencecoction given to them by a Mallam (spiritualist) before em- should be a deterrent as they had little consideration forbarking on the robbery. Laryea on the day of judgment was humanity.already on bail on the count of abetment of crime. However,prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt he was part of Addressing Laryea the salesperson, the court said “As forthe robbery operation. Laryea, the least said about him the better.” The judge was of the view that, CCTV camera footage also captured Lar-Meanwhile, his accomplices with whom he drank the yea, who then as a staff of the company was part of the rob-bitters are currently at large, whilst the other two who bery. He added that prosecution had been able to establishwielded guns during the robbery, have also been jailed 25 that the three convicts met to plan the robbery with threeyears each. The two convicts, Hafiz Ali, 22 years, aka ‘Send others at Abossey-Okai Zongo Junction, but are now atthe Money’, and Yakubu Shaibu, 24 years, aka ‘Jelilu’, were large. “Whilst the robbers ordered staff about, the manner

12 Health www.theindependentghana.comMy government Don’t abandoninherited GH¢1.2 mentallysickbillionNHISdebt– relatives–ACPPresidentAkufo-Addo AwumeyThe previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government left behind GHC1.2 billion debt at Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Michael Awumey, the Asok- the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. wa Divisional Commander, has called for everybody to show love and care for the mentally sick.The President, however, disclosed that his government through the Ministry of Health has paid GHC560million of the debt and was working tirelessly to settle all to revive the scheme. They should not be abandoned by their family and friends but be assisted to go through psychiatric treatment. He was speaking at a public forumHe was speaking at the launching of the restoration of the nurses and midwives trainee allowances on organized by the “Mental Care Home” in Kumasi to mark this year’s men-Tuesday in Sunyani. tal day celebration.The previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government scrapped the allowance in 2014, under The Home has been taking mentally-challenged people off the streets ofwhich nursing trainees got at least GH¢450.00 every quarter. the city and providing them with care. ACP Awumey said those patients deserved more from the society andBut, during the 2016 electioneering period, President Nana Addo DankwaAkufo-Addo promised to that they should not be despised.restore the allowance for the trainees to go through a smooth training to serve the nation. He added that he found it deeply worrying that the only time the familyWith the reinstatement, about 58,000 trainee nurses and midwives are expected to receive GHC400 of such people demonstrated some level of care was when the patient hadallowance. been knocked down by a vehicle.President Akufo-Addo stressed the government’s determination to resuscitate the NHIS, implement Evangelist Kwame Asamoah, Founder of the Home, said their goal was togood and pragmatic policies and build the country beyond aid. provide the patients with every care they needed, feed, clothe, treat and help re-integrate them into the society.“We believed, and still believe, that Ghana needs all the nurses and healthcare workers she can get, ifthe nation is to have a solid, world-class healthcare system, and we think it is necessary to provide the He called for strong public support to give humanitarian care to thoserelevant incentives to make that possible”, he said. people.The President told the joyous trainee nurses who had gathered at the Sunyani Nursing and Midwifery By Abigail N-ebene BakaTraining College that “the pledge was not mere political rhetoric and campaign talk, neither was it todeceive nursing trainees in order to get their votes. It was much more than that”.

www.theindependentghana.com 13

International14 www.theindependentghana.comCalifornia wildfires: Winds fan 'catastrophic' blazesRenewed high winds are fanning the deadliest in reduced entire neighbourhoods in the city be without each other. The fact that they\"catastrophic\" wildfires that have killed at California's history of Santa Rosa, a city of 175,000 people, to went together is probably what theyleast 23 people in northern California, the and have sent smoke ashes. would have wanted,\" their son Mikestate fire chief says. as far south as San Rippey told the New York Times. Francisco, about 60 The evacuated towns include Calistoga inThousands of people have been left miles (100km) away. Napa County, where all 5,000 were told to In the hills above Santa Rosa, resident Peterhomeless by the 22 huge blazes, which are leave and police stopped all traffic trying to Lang was forced to choose between savingspreading fast and unpredictably. \"This is a serious, approach the area. his home or more than 1,000 animals thatNearly 300 people are missing, but critical, catastrophic were trapped at his Safari West wildlifepolice say that may be due to the chaotic event. We're not At least 13 of the deaths have occurred preserve, the Press Democrat newspapernature of evacuations. Entire towns in going to be out of the in Sonoma County, officials say. Some reported.the state's wine-producing region have woods for a great 25,000 people across the county have beenbeen abandoned. The fires are among number of days evacuated and 40,000 homes are without The 77-year-old owner said he did not to come,\" said fire power. lose a single animal, but his home was chief Ken Pimlott. destroyed. At least four wineries have He warned that the Six people have died in Mendocino County, suffered \"total or very significant losses\", death toll could rise two in Yuba County and two in Napa Napa Valley Vintners said, with nine further. \"We are still County, officials told told the Los Angeles others reporting some damage to buildings impacted by five years of drought. These Times. Family members and friends of or vineyards. fires were driven by the critically dry fuel those missing have made appeals on social bed. We are literally looking at explosive media to locate their loved ones while California Governor Jerry Brown declared vegetation,\" he added. authorities have urged missing residents emergencies in Sonoma, Napa and five to mark themselves safe on a registry of other counties. US President Donald Trump More than 200 fire engines and crews are missing people. has also approved a disaster declaration, being rushed to California from the rest of allowing federal emergency aid to be the US, officials said. Among the victims were Charles Rippey, disbursed. 100, and his wife, Sara, 98, who had Mr Pimlott said 73 helicopters, 30 air recently celebrated their 75th wedding BBC tankers and nearly 8,000 firefighters were anniversary and who died on Sunday at currently battling the blazes. The fires have their home in Napa. \"They just couldn'tDeadlock over UK's TheEU'schiefnegotiator progress on the area of citizens The EU has said it wants money should be spent now Michel Barnier says there has rights that had moved the two \"sufficient progress\" on issues on preparing for Britain's exitBrexit bill, says not been enough progress sides \"even closer to a deal\". Mr including a financial settle- from the EU without a trade to move to the next stage of Barnier said Theresa May's ment, citizen's rights and deal. Brexit talks as the UK wants. announcement that Britain the Northern Ireland border He said there was \"new would honour financial com- before the talks move on to He told BBC Radio 4's Today mitments entered into as an trade. programme there were \"slightEU's Michel Barnier momentum\"intheprocess EU member was \"important\". differences of opinion\" but the but there was still \"deadlock\" Earlier this week, European government is \"going to be over the so-called divorce bill, But he said there had been no Council President Donald prepared for every eventu- which he said was \"disturb- negotiations on the issue this Tusk warned that if the cur- ality\". ing\". week because the UK was rent \"slow pace\" of negotia- not ready to spell out what tions continued the UK and Labour's Hilary Benn, chair- \"Decisive progress is in our it would pay. \"We confined the EU would \"have to think man of the Commons Brexit grasp within the next two ourselves to technical discus- about where we are heading\". committee, said it would be \"a months\", he added. sions - useful discussions, but disaster for Britain if we end- This week's fifth round of technical discussions. He suggested that the green ed up with no deal\" and talk talks are the final discussions light to begin talks about a of the UK being relaxed about before a crucial EU summit on \"On this question we have post-Brexit trade deal would that \"I don't think convinces 19 and 20 October. reached a state of deadlock not come until December at anyone\". which is very disturbing for the earliest. Last month Prime The UK has been hoping EU thousands of project promot- Minister Theresa May used He urged ministers to stop leaders at the summit will de- ers in Europe and it's disturb- a speech in Florence to set arguing amongst themselves cide enough progress has been ing also for taxpayers.\" out proposals for a two-year because the \"clock is ticking\". made to open trade talks. transition period after the UK \"All the signs coming from But Mr Barnier said: \"I am not Both EU and UK teams have leaves the EU in March 2019, Brussels are that when the able in the current circum- said the ball is in the other in a bid to ease the deadlock. European Council meets, it stances to propose next week side's court this week - im- Conservative MP Kwasi will say, I'm sorry there hasn't to the European Council that plying that it is the other side Kwarteng, Parliamentary aide been enough progress,\" he we should start discussions on that has to make the next to Chancellor Philip Ham- added. the future relationship.\" concession. mond, played down reports of The UK's Brexit Secretary Da- a cabinet row over whether BBC vid Davis said there had beenThe Palestinian group Hamas says it has reached Palestinian factions He said the Palestinian Au-an agreement with rival group Fatah, ending a Hamas and Fatah 'reach thority would begin takingdecade-long rift. deal' in Cairo control of Gaza's administra- tive affairs and \"security re-Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, said details sponsibilities\". Egypt and Israel,of the deal would be released later on Thursday. Hamas' chief adversary, haveFatah has not commented. maintained a blockade aroundEgypt has been brokering reconciliation talks in Gaza since 2006. Hamas callsCairo. for Israel's destruction and has fought three wars with thePalestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have Jewish state.been ruled separately since deadly clashes be-tween the two groups broke out in 2007. the Fatah delegation about what was agreed and and deep\". Israel resolutely opposesHamas won parliamentary elections in the occu- I considered it the final agreement to end the \"The talks are positive and the Egyptian side is any involvement by Hamas in the Palestinianpied territories the previous year, and reinforced division.\" even-handed,\" he said, according to the Palestin- Authority. It considers Hamas a terrorist groupits power in Gaza after ousting Fatah from the ian Information Centre. and has said it will not deal with a Palestinianenclave. The pro-Hamas Palestinian Information Centre government that contains Hamas members. announced the agreement, saying details would Last month, Hamas agreed to dissolve the com- Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its militaryPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on be revealed at a news conference in Cairo on mittee that rules Gaza. The move had been a key wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, theThursday that the talks had led to a \"final agree- Thursday. demand of Mr Abbas, whose Fatah-dominated US, EU, UK and other powers.ment\" to end the rival split. Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West On Wednesday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Bank.Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdal- BBC\"I welcome the agreement,\" he told the AFP news Zuhri said the talks in Cairo had been \"serious lah then made a rare trip to Gaza.agency, adding: \"I received a detailed report from

www.theindependentghana.com Sports 15G4tCUh-ur-0u1opm7tu:oGpWpthAooIanprndldaia My decision to Partey and a “My ambition is to build a team for bring in new Husama Haswani 2019 and the introduction of some faces paid off - own goal sealed new players in the team is proving Kwesi Appiah the win for the to be the right decision, and I want Stars. Ghanaians to watch and judge for themselves,” he said. The win was Citifmonline perfect revenge for the Black Stars who suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Sau- Black Stars Head Coach Kwesi dis back in 2007. Appiah says he feels vindicated after Kwesi Appiah, who controversial- his new look Black Stars side beat ly left out the Ayew brothers and Saudi Arabia 3-0 in an international Mubarak Wakaso in his squad for friendly on Tuesday night. the games against Uganda and Saudi Appiah made five changes to the Arabia, is delighted his decision has team that drew 0-0 with Uganda in been justified after the impressive last Saturday’s World Cup qualifier, win. handing starts to Kazakhstan based “I was very impressed with the indi- Patrick Twumasi, Kasim Nuhu and vidual performances. It proves that former Ghana Under-20 goalkeeper if other players are given the chance Lawrence Zigi. they can deliver. Goals from Kasim Nuhu, ThomasGhana’s Black Starlets proved too strong for We lack hosts India as they won 4-0 in the final Group cKfraooltnmotknooefscgsooaianclh- A match of the ongoing U-17 World Cup tour-nament on Thursday. Asante Kotoko head coach, Steve Polack, says his players are simply not calm enough to put away chances creat-The Starlets needed to win to be sure of a place in the ed in their league matches.second round but their great start to the match wasnot rewarded with goals as their usual trait of way- The Porcupine Warriors have scored 21 goals from their 28ward finishing kept appearing as the half wore on. matches played this season and they are second lowest scorers after Bolga All Stars (who have 19 goals) and fans of the teamHowever, captain Eric Ayiah found his scoring boots have been very upset at the development.and opened his account in the 43rd minute with ashot he smashed into the roof of the net after a cross Polack, in an interview with Kotoko TV on Tuesday, said thatfrom the right was spilled by the Indian goalie. his players were suffering because of their impatience in fin- ishing the opportunities off.Ayiah made it two for himself and for Ghana in the52nd minute when he swept home a cross from the “Our problem is all about one thing. It is not a matter of confi-left wing from left-back Rashid Alhassan. dence.Paa Kwesi Fabin, Ghana coach, made some changes It is a matter of composure. People can ask the players. Weand two of the players who were introduced, Richard work on shooting every single day and the goals go in all theDanso and Emmanuel Toku grabbed the third and time in training.fourth goals respectively. Goal scorers are not supposed to think when in front of goal.Danso was put through on goal and he held his nerve They only score. Maybe my players think too much in thoseto finish the chance while Toku was alive to shot that situations. They need to get it out of their heads and they needwent off the post and he tucked home the rebound. to finish the chances when they come.The Starlets made it to the second round of the He also spoke on the need for the team to be very regular intournament as Group A winners with 6 points with terms of chance-creation.Colombia and the USA finishing second and thirdrespectively also on 6 points. “We are making chances in games. The coach is not field kicking the ball and that is the truth. Good goal scorers areColombia got second place due to their superior head- consistent over a period of time. They do not score ten thisto-head record against the USA after they tied even season and get another ten three seasons later.”on goals scored and goals difference. Asante Kotoko play against Berekum Chelsea and Liberty Professionals in their final two matches of the Ghana Premier League.

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