Two thousand and sixty-five health workers tested positive for Covid-19 since the country recorded its first case. Out of the number, one thousand, eight hundred and seventy have recovered with six deaths.
Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, at a Media briefing in Accra said that the rate of infection among health workers has reduced significantly.
He assured health workers of government’s commitment to support them in terms of the provision of PPEs and other equipment to protect them.
Dr. Aboagye also gave an update on COVID-19 infections. For a period of three weeks, six hundred and ninty-five new cases have been recorded in fifty-two Districts of seven Regions.
The recovery rate stands at twenty-two thousand, two hundred and seventy and death toll remains at one hundred and thirty-nine. He said a downward trend is being recorded in Covid-19 cases which is a positive sign.
The Governing Council of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has extended the tenure of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye, by two more years.
This means that Professor Teye, whose first term as Vice-Chancellor ends on September 30, 2020, will continue in office until September 30, 2022.
The decision to extend the tenure of Professor Teye was taken by the UDS Governing Council at its meeting held on Friday, May 8, 2020.
A statement issued by Dr Abdulai Baba Tanko Zakaria, Registrar of UDS, and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Thursday, said under the leadership of Professor Teye the University saw tremendous development.
“The University has seen tremendous drive in respect of the formulation and implementation of policies, expansion and introduction of academic programmes, creation of new faculties, schools, and learning and research centres,” the statement said.
It added that “His tenure also witnessed significant increase in terms of infrastructure and sports development.”
The statement said in resolve to boost teaching, research and learning through partnership, Professor Teye offered good leadership that yielded benefits in terms of collaborations such as the West Africa Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) and the West Africa Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT).
It said the partnerships had placed UDS on the pedestal of global centres of excellence. “Professor Teye is expected to continue to offer leadership that will further enhance the image and international visibility of the UDS,” the statement added.
The Deputy Information Minister Pius Enam Hadzide has said that the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC),John Dramani Mahama is only expelling some level of hatred against the government’s routine in dealing with the spread of covid-19.
The Minister made this remark following former President Mahama’s response citing the government for bungling up the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to him, NDC has never been faithful to the good people of Ghana and the government since the COVID 19 fight commenced.
In an interview with Nana Ampratwum on SilverFM’s breakfast show dubbed Omanbapa Morning Show, PiusHadzide indicated that,
”What more can we expect from an opposition leader who is in contest with a hardworking President…We all know that Mahama will never praise this government in the fight against the pandemic”
”The NDC is just engaging in politics , telling lies to appeal votes and for the public to hate the government otherwise they do not understand covid-19 as a communicable disease and world’s pandemic”
Former President John Dramani Mahama cited the government for bungling up the national response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
John Dramani Mahama said increasing cases of community spread of the virus is attributable to the government’s response, which put other considerations ahead of science.
The former president was speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in Accra on Wednesday.
Mr. Hadzide reacted to the former president’s comment describing it as hatred for the NPP, while touching on the efforts of the government by increasing the payment of health workers by 50%, free use of water and electricity, fund Launched to support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and others, ”all these shows that Nana Addo is doing well in this covid 19 pandemic fight”.
The Ningo-Prampram MP has described as porous, the Communications Minister’s argument justifying the intention to close three GBC channels on the DTT platform.
Sam George, who is member of Parliament’s Communications Committee says not only is Ursula Owusu-Ekuful’s argument unconstitutional, but it also shows she does not understand her Ministry’s mandate.
The Minister in an interview with journalists in parliament on Wednesday said among the reasons for the intended closure of the channels of the state broadcaster, is the need to create redundancy on the DTT platform which she said is operating at full capacity.
Also, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful claims government has no platform of its own to communicate to the nation
Right now, if the state has need of broadcasting urgent communication to the public, it does not have any means of doing so.
“If the national security has need of broadcasting urgent communication to the citizens, it does not have any means of doing so,” the Minister saidBut disputing these assertions on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Thursday, Sam George noted that government’s primary mode of communication to citizens has been the state broadcaster..
The firebrand lawmaker does not understand why three channels must be ceded from the state broadcaster for the same purpose.
Freedom of the press
Speaking on the legality of the directive to GBC to consolidate their programming in readiness for the closure, Sam George stressed that the Minister’s order is riddled with unconstitutionality.
The order, he said, amounts to directing editors of the station which content they can put out, a violation of Article 162 of the Constitution which guarantees media freedom.
“Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by Government, not shall they be penalised or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications,” clause four of Article 162 reads.
Meanwhile, Director-General of GBC has written to the Minister rejecting the directive, adding, the GBC cannot close down three of its channels.
The management has also written to the National Media Commission asking them to get the government in order.
The runningmate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has charged head potters popularly known as ‘Kayaye’ not to allow themselves to be disrespected following jabs from NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, after her nomination.
Speaking during a visit by the minority women caucus to congratulate her following her nomination, the former UCC VC asked the Kayayes who were present to protect their dignity.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s comments follow assertions Mr Boadu that only head potters will recognize her in public if she decided to take a tour in Accra.
Mr Boadu made the assertion to indicate that the NDC runningmate was unpopular and not recognizable among Ghanaians.
In her remarks, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further assured of inclusive governance by a future NDC administration.
“I want you to know that your name is not Kayayei, you have proper names, you deserve the respect like anybody else, don’t let anybody to disrespect you. Without you, our society will not be what it is.
“Believe that whatever you are doing in whatever category it is as important as any level, so be confident in yourself. If you didn’t get there, let your children be there.”
The flagbearer and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cited government for bungling up the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.
John Dramani Mahama said increasing cases of community spread of the virus is attributable to the government’s response, which put other considerations ahead of science.
The former president was speaking at a meeting with the leadership of Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in Accra on Wednesday.
The meeting was to enable Mr Mahama be abreast of the concerns of nurses and midwives so that the NDC’s manifesto for this year’s elections can appropriately respond to them.
Whilst highlighting the contribution of the NDC towards helping stop the spread of the virus in the various constituencies, Mr Mahama said the party’s COVID19 Technical Team submitted at least three reports to the government, making suggestions on how to fight the pandemic.
He noted the absence of a cohesive national response plan to coronavirus, adding that this is adversely impacting health workers.
The flagbearer and leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cited government for bungling up the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.
John Dramani Mahama said increasing cases of community spread of the virus is attributable to the government’s response, which put other considerations ahead of science.
The former president was speaking at a meeting with the leadership of Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in Accra on Wednesday.
The meeting was to enable Mr Mahama be abreast of the concerns of nurses and midwives so that the NDC’s manifesto for this year’s elections can appropriately respond to them.
Whilst highlighting the contribution of the NDC towards helping stop the spread of the virus in the various constituencies, Mr Mahama said the party’s COVID19 Technical Team submitted at least three reports to the government, making suggestions on how to fight the pandemic.
He noted the absence of a cohesive national response plan to coronavirus, adding that this is adversely impacting health workers.
Mr Mahama said despite making a significant contribution to the health sector, the next government of the NDC will continue to make the health sector a major plank of its development agenda by providing more health facilities across the country and providing health workers with sustainable jobs.
Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia visited the Rent Control Department to observe their operations and understand their challenges. I was accompanied by the Minister for Works and Housing Hon. Atta Akyea and his deputy Hon. Mrs. Barbara Ayisi.
I announced the decision of government to digitize the operations of the Rent Control Department.
With digitization, landlords and tenants will have an option to register as well as submit their tenancy agreements electronically. This will reduce the queues at the office and enhance efficiency. Each property will be uniquely identified by the digital property address. From next year all complaints by tenants or landlords can be filed online.
I also noted that on rent advance government will be introducing a new programme to bridge the information and financial gap between tenants and landlords. The programme will enhance the creditworthiness of tenants and therefore reduce the need for large rent advance requests by landlords. The government will also be focusing, going forward, on increasing the stock of low-income social housing for rent.
Cabinet has also received and is working on a new Rent Control Bill to replace the existing Rent Control Act (Act 220), passed in 1963. This will enhance the enforcement powers of the rent control board amongst others.
Following a Joy news documentary of an 80 year old woman who is a leper abandoned by her children, H.E the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia responded positively upon watching the documentary by directing the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih to go to the aid of the woman on his behalf. Dari Pogo believed to be in her 80s, is suffering from leprosy and living at Gurungu in the Wa West district of the Upper West Region. Dari suffered from leprosy at a tender age and the condition deformed her, changing her life. She said at the time, the Upper West region was not as developed as it is today so she relied on concoctions to treat the ailment. She has lost all her 10 fingers and depends on only her two big toes left to walk. According to her, She has lost four of her ten children and the rest hardly visit; she hasn’t seen any of them in five years. “All I have now is my granddaughter,” she says. On behalf of the Vice President, the Upper West Regional Minister Dr Hafiz Bin Salih donated 3 bags of rice, a bag of maize, gallons of cooking oil, assorted items such as; bottle water, drinks, milk, millo, Lipton, pepsodents, Magi and toilet rolls. In addition to the donated items was a cash amount of GHS2,000. The Minister also indicated that, where Dari Pogo lives is not conducive so as part of the the package, a construction of a two bed room house with kitchen, toilet and bath would commence tomorrow and expected to be completed soon to accommodate Dari.
Dari Pogo was very excited and extremely grateful to the Vice President and the Regional Minister for coming to her aid. According to her, she never expected the donation and that she was going to sleep well today. She pray for God’s blessings on the Vice President and the Regional Minister for what they have done when she had no hope left.
The Receiver of the collapsed microfinance companies, savings and loans, and finance houses, Mr Eric Nana Nipah, has assured all affected depositors whose claims have been validated that they would be paid their locked up investments by end of July 2020.
According to him, the total value of valid claims is GH₵5.4 billion and that about 96 per cent of depositors have been paid.
For depositors, we have come a very long way and I have been able to determine that the depositor base in the three sets receiverships is in the region of GH₵5.4 billion by value of valid depositor claims…and out of that, I have been able to pay close to 96 per cent of these claims,” Mr Nipah said in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.
He added that about 98 per cent of the claims will be paid in cash while the remaining two percent will be paid through a combination of cash and bond.
“I am on course to fully pay 98 per cent of all depositor claims by way of cash…The two per cent that remains are being paid through a combination of cash and commercial paper which we commonly refer to as bonds…Through the very effective and robust validation mechanism that I have put in place, I have been able to save the nation close to a billion cedis by way of robust and resilient validation processes,” he added.
Following the revocation of the licences of the 347 microfinance companies, 39 micro-credit institutions and 23 savings and loans companies, a validation of the affected customers commenced on November 18, 2019, with the aim of repayment.
For depositors, we have come a very long way and I have been able to determine that the depositor base in the three sets receiverships is in the region of GH₵5.4 billion by value of valid depositor claims…and out of that, I have been able to pay close to 96 per cent of these claims,” Mr Nipah said in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.
He added that about 98 per cent of the claims will be paid in cash while the remaining two percent will be paid through a combination of cash and bond.
“I am on course to fully pay 98 per cent of all depositor claims by way of cash…The two per cent that remains are being paid through a combination of cash and commercial paper which we commonly refer to as bonds…Through the very effective and robust validation mechanism that I have put in place, I have been able to save the nation close to a billion cedis by way of robust and resilient validation processes,” he added.
Following the revocation of the licences of the 347 microfinance companies, 39 micro-credit institutions and 23 savings and loans companies, a validation of the affected customers commenced on November 18, 2019, with the aim of repayment.
Deputy MASLOC CEO, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, says media reports suggesting that she admitted to using state funds for political campaigning and vote-buying are completely false.
She says she is not a custodian of any state money and therefore could not have used public money to run her campaign or buy votes in the parliamentary primary of the governing New Patriotic Party in the Yendi Constituency of the Northern Region.
Corruption Watch last week published what they said were findings of alleged vote-buying during the NPP primaries weeks earlier.
Hajia Abibata was accused of distributing “state money under the MASLOC loans to delegates…” an allegation she flatly rejected as baseless.
She said there are well-known laid down procedures for the disbursement of loans under the scheme.
“On the said date, an event was organized to present loans to 35 groups of 25 each, and as is the practice, and as someone from the area, I supervised the disbursement and addressed the gathering.
“I advised the beneficiary groups to utilize the loans judiciously and to invest in their farming activities. I explained that I had to plead with my bosses to release their disbursements ahead of time because it was the farming season and they needed to till the soil and sow their crops. This was a public event. How could I have organized such an event to distribute state money? She asked.
Hajia Abibata, narrowly lost the slot to Farouk Aliu Mahama, said the beneficiaries were not chosen on political grounds as claimed by the publication.
“When the lady called me from Corruption Watch, she said from their information, delegates from the Yendi constituency were given MASLOC loans. In a very candid response I said, of course, there were delegates [as] part of the beneficiaries but they were not only delegates.”
The Deputy MASLOC CEO says despite this clear and unambiguous statement, Corruption Watch without any contrary evidence stated categorically that the beneficiaries were all delegates, which is patently false.
“I must emphasize that the beneficiaries were not delegates as claimed. Unless they were purposely excluded, some of the beneficiaries of a transparent loan scheme were always going to be members of the various political parties including the NPP and some would be delegates. So to generalize that all the beneficiary groups were party delegates because some of them may have been was utterly unfair,” she said in a rejoinder issued in Accra.
Explaining her comments that she secured early release of the loans to the beneficiary groups, the failed parliamentary aspirant said, “I did that because it is in the interest of the scheme itself that beneficiaries get the loans when they need them. It is the only way they can repay. With May being the most critical period of farming in the northern parts, it was the most prudent thing to do to give them their loans at that time.”
“..And for the avoidance of doubt, many constituencies in the Northern Region and elsewhere had far larger number of MASLOC loan beneficiary groups than Yendi and this is verifiable. Tamale Central – 117 groups; Tamale South – 69 groups; Tamale North – 56 groups; Yendi – 35 groups,” Hajia emphasized.
Touching on the accusation of conflict of interest and abuse of office, Hajia Abibata said she does not determine who benefits from MASLOC loans and whose application is approved.
“I had no power to manipulate the process and I couldn’t possibly say people whose applications have been approved by the Board should be denied because they are delegates. That would be an unfair and unconstitutional discrimination.”
She said the claim by Corruption Watch that when they “contacted her for her response, she admitted to the findings but insisted that I didn’t err in her decision to give state money to induce delegates,” is most unfair and unethical.
“I made no such admission. I specifically refuted the claims that I gave state money to delegates. I said so repeatedly because I did not give, could not have given, any state money to delegates. And yet Corruption Watch unfairly claimed I made an admission.”
Hajia Abibata said “residents of Yendi applied for loans as many other citizens and were assessed and granted the loans which they will pay back. I, therefore, did not buy any votes with state money.”
“I didn’t admit to giving state money to delegates to induce them because that did not happen. I couldn’t possibly admit to something that didn’t happen.
“I ran the campaign on my own meager resources and lost. If I were capable of, and minded to use state money for my campaign, I would not hold a public gathering and distribute the money on tables as the videos indicate.”
“Corruption Watch simply picked publicly available information, distorted and sensationalized it, causing grave and unjustified injury to my reputation.”
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