Written by Michael – Modern Times Reading Time: 3 mins
Ghana US Embassy
27/05/2025
Ghana’s diplomatic presence in the United States is set to be fully restored as the country’s embassy in Washington D.C. reopens this Thursday, May 29, 2025. The reopening comes after a dramatic shutdown ordered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, due to a wide-reaching corruption scandal that rocked the embassy earlier this year.
The Scandal That Shook Ghana’s Diplomacy
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
On May 26, 2025, Foreign Minister Ablakwa announced the embassy’s temporary closure, citing serious findings from a special audit team. The investigation had uncovered an elaborate fraudulent operation that had gone undetected for at least five years.
At the heart of the scandal was Fred Kwarteng, a locally hired IT staff member employed in August 2017. Kwarteng confessed to setting up an unauthorized link on the embassy’s official website. This link secretly redirected visa and passport applicants to his private business, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where they were charged unapproved fees between $29.75 and $60.
These fees were neither approved by the Ministry nor Parliament under the Fees and Charges Act, and the proceeds went straight into Kwarteng’s personal account. The scheme not only compromised the integrity of the embassy’s services but also defrauded unsuspecting applicants some of whom may have been denied legitimate services or overcharged for routine processes.
A Necessary Reset
Minister Ablakwa described the closure as “regrettable but necessary,” emphasizing that it was part of broader reforms to cleanse Ghana’s foreign missions of rot and rebuild trust in its diplomatic services.
“This is part of the drastic and decisive actions I have taken with the firm support of President Mahama, following the damning findings of a special audit team I put together to investigate alleged corrupt practices at Ghana’s embassy in Washington D.C.,” Ablakwa stated.
He added that the shutdown allowed for a complete systems overhaul, the dismissal of implicated individuals, and the installation of improved security and accountability protocols.
Reopening and Moving Forward
Now, with internal reforms reportedly complete, the embassy is set to resume full operations. Thursday’s reopening is expected to restore visa processing, passport renewals, and other essential consular services for the large Ghanaian diaspora in the United States.
Ghanamoderntimes
The reopening symbolizes more than the resumption of administrative functions it marks a recommitment to transparency, ethical governance, and the safeguarding of Ghana’s international image.
Many Ghanaians living in the U.S. have welcomed the development with relief, hoping the new systems will prevent future abuses and make diplomatic services more efficient and accessible.
Conclusion
As Ghana reopens its embassy in Washington D.C., the nation sends a clear message: corruption will not be tolerated, and public service must be rooted in integrity. The incident may have been embarrassing, but the government’s swift action has created an opportunity for a more accountable and resilient foreign mission.
With eyes now turned to the embassy’s renewed operations, the coming months will be crucial in rebuilding public trust and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are never repeated.
President John Dramani Mahama on the growth of our GDP
Former President John Dramani Mahama has projected that Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio could hit 55% by the end of 2025 a significant improvement from current levels if prudent economic policies are implemented under the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
The announcement, made during a recent media interaction, underscores Mahama’s broader plan to restore fiscal discipline, promote investment, and ease the economic burden on ordinary Ghanaians. “We’re likely to achieve our debt to GDP ratio of 55% by end of 2025,” he said confidently, pointing to a roadmap aimed at responsible borrowing, better revenue management, and stronger accountability.
Understanding the Debt-to-GDP Ratio
The debt-to-GDP ratio is a critical indicator of a nation’s fiscal health. It compares a country’s public debt to its gross domestic product (GDP), serving as a measure of how well a nation can pay off its debts. A lower ratio generally indicates a healthier economy with more fiscal space for development.
In recent years, Ghana’s ratio has exceeded 70%, leading to concerns from international bodies such as the IMF and World Bank. A decline to 55% would mark a notable turnaround restoring investor confidence and improving the country’s credit rating.
Mahama’s Strategy for Recovery
Mahama’s proposal includes:
Enhanced Domestic Revenue Mobilization: Through tax reform and plugging leakages in revenue collection.
Fiscal Discipline and Anti-Corruption Measures: A tighter rein on government expenditure and eliminating waste in public finance.
Productive Investments: Channeling borrowed funds into infrastructure, agriculture, and industry to spur growth.
Inclusive Economic Growth: Supporting small businesses and reducing youth unemployment.
A Political and Economic Statement
Beyond the figures, Mahama’s projection is a direct response to current economic hardships and what he describes as “reckless borrowing and mismanagement” under the current administration. By offering a clear benchmark 55% debt-to-GDP by 2025 he is setting the stage for a policy-driven campaign as Ghana heads toward the 2024 elections.
What It Means for Ghanaians
If achieved, this reduction could stabilize inflation, ease interest rates, and attract more foreign investment. It could also translate into less pressure on the cedi and improved economic conditions for everyday citizens.
However, skeptics argue that such a target will require not only competent leadership but also cooperation from global financial institutions and robust structural reforms.
Conclusion
Mahama’s pledge to bring Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio down to 55% by the end of 2025 presents a hopeful vision for the country’s economic future. While challenges remain, the goal is both ambitious and necessary for sustainable development.
As the political season intensifies, Ghanaians will be watching closely not just for promises, but for credible plans and the will to execute them.
Warning on fraudulent award company known as Premier Award’s scheme
In light of a resurgence of “advance fee fraud schemes”, the public is advice against deals with individuals and brands that seek recognition of their hard work by award organizations.
Like many other large organizations, we have seen increased use of sophisticated forms and crooked means to distort money form
Advanced fee schemes like Premier Awards involve solicitations that encourage potential victims to involve in voting and at the end loose everything that people who believe in their dreams and visions on. Police estimate that thousands of these advance fraud award schemes solicitations – only a very small fraction involving favouritism get honoured for zero input.
We would therefore like to caution the public to be wary of PREMIER AWARDS and other similar solicitations that falsely claim to be awarding brands.
The individuals goes around the nation seeking to extort money from those that have worked hard to maintain their brands.
This come after they held an award ceremony on Saturday 17th December, 2022 at the premises of Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Nominee’s were left in a confuse state after they invested in voting according to the categories they have been nominated for. Nominee’s were promise that those who did not meet the cutoff point of 500 votes will still be awarded a plague of honor. This made more nominee’s show up, only to be disappointed by such scammers called award organizations.
The organizers left the auditorium even before the closing of ceremony. Let’s be care full, warned and watch out for such a fraudulent Award’s scheme.
The Volta Regioñ is one of the historical landmarks that beams with tourist sites, history and culture. Most tourist that came to Ghana in 2018 troops to the region for beautiful sceneries.
Sogakope Beach resort is one of the beautiful destinations one need to visit when entering into the region, they provide you a comfort and relaxation, they care for their own customers , therefore they provide you spa and and an encentric cussons that for your healthy stay in their lodge. The resort gives you a wider view of the Volta Lake. The largest man made lake in the world.
One need to visit this destination and birth out your views of the most loving people in Ghana.
Al-Shabab claims responsibility for the attack on the Villa Rose hotel in the Somali capital with no word yet on any casualties.
Published On 27 Nov 202227 Nov 2022
Fighters from the al-Shabab armed group have attacked a hotel used by government officials in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, according to police and government officials, with security officials saying the gunmen were wearing “suicide” vests.
There was no word yet on any casualties in the latest attack claimed by the al-Shabab armed group.
Al Jazeera could not independently verify the claims that it was a suicide attack.
The attackers stormed the Villa Rose hotel, which is close to the presidential palace, with explosives and guns, said police officer Mohammed Abdi on Sunday. It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were, he said.
Some government officials at the Villa Rose were rescued after escaping from windows, said Abdi.
The state minister for the environment, Adam Aw Hirsi, wrote on Twitter that he was safe after a “terrorist explosion targeted at my residence” at the hotel, where many government officials stay.
“We were shaken by a huge blast, followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire,” said Ahmed Abdullahi, who lives close to the scene of the explosion.
“We are just indoors and listening to gunfire.”
The attack comes as al-Shabaab has intensified its attacks in Somalia, with at least 100 people killed in twin car bombings in the Somali capital on October 30.
“Our people who were massacred … included mothers with their children in their arms, fathers who had medical conditions, students who were sent to study, businessmen who were struggling with the lives of their families,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said after visiting the site of the October 30 blast.
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At least 21 people were killed in August when al-Shabab attacked another hotel in Mogadishu. The armed group also claimed an attack on yet another hotel in the southern city of Kismayo last month that left nine people dead.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-allied armed group fighting in Somalia for more than a decade, is seeking to topple the country’s central government and establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The group uses a campaign of bombings both in Somalia and elsewhere, and targets have included military installations as well as hotels, shopping centres, and busy traffic areas.
Its fighters were driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 by the African Union peacekeeping forces. But it still controls swaths of Somalia’s countryside and has stepped up attacks since President Mohamud took office in May and pledged an “all-out war” against the group.
President Mohamud, with support from the United States and allied local militias, has launched an offensive against the group, although results have been limited.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched a multi-country development project dubbed, the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project in Bolgatanga.
The SOCO Project is a $450 million multi-country Credit Facility Project secured by the Governments of Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire, Togo and Benin from the World Bank, and the project is aimed at improving facilities and security in the northern sectors and boarder towns of the four West African countries, in the face of emerging extremism in the West African sub-region.
Launching the project in Bolgatanga on Friday November 25, 2022, Vice President Bawumia revealed that out of the total amount of $450m facility, the Government of Ghana has secured US $150Million to implement the Project in forty-eight (48) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in six regions of the country, distributed as follows: Northern – eight (8) District Assemblies, North East – six (6) District Assemblies , Upper East – all the fifteen (15) District Assemblies, Upper West – all the eleven (11) District Assemblies , Savannah – four (4) District Assemblies and Oti – four (4) District Assemblies. .
Dr. Bawumia described the project as “a very important and timely intervention aimed at addressing some key emerging and recurring challenges in the northern part of Ghana.”
“The Project has been conceived and designed to address the effects of the spill over of conflicts and extremism from the Sahel Region; reduce vulnerability because of exposure to the impacts of climate change; strengthen local institutions; improve economic opportunities and build public trust,” he added.
For the Ghana project, the Vice President further explained that the project will focus mostly on border communities in these regions, where the citizenry especially women and youth are exposed and susceptible to the threats of terrorism from the Sahel Region.
“This is very significant as countries all over the world are pursuing strategies to address these challenges in view of the anticipated worsening of the situation if the necessary interventions are not promptly instituted,” said the Vice President.
“The project as conceptualized, takes cognizance of regional perspectives and impact of the issues that are common to the four countries, whilst enabling country led actions that respond to local needs. It also leverages experience sharing on prevention of the spill over effects from the Sahel, fragilities, climate-related risks in the four (4) participating Gulf of Guinea countries, as well as, conflict prevention by the affected countries,” he added.
The project will also prioritize the needs of communities and strengthen local institutions to give the citizenry, especially the vulnerable, a voice to take part, influence and play a vital role in prioritizing local development investments, as well as, promote social cohesion and build trust in their communities.
For almost a decade, the living conditions of over sixteen million people living in the northern parts of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo have been threatened by the spread of conflict from the Sahel, which has led to increased vulnerability to the impact of climate change.
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Ghana head coach, Otto Addo, believes the Black Stars still have a huge chance of qualifying for the knockout stages at the 2022 World Cup despite the defeat to Portugal.
The Black Stars face an upheaval task of trying to beat South Korea to keep their qualification hopes alive when the two teams meet on Monday at Education City Stadium.
Portugal leads Group H with three points after their contentious 3-2 win over Ghana last Thursday while South Korea and Uruguay are level on a point each after drawing goalless.
Otto Addo is convinced Ghana can take advantage of the draw and push their way through to the last 16 from, arguably, the group of death at the Mundial.
“First of all, surely, we have a chance especially since they [Uruguay and South Korea] played a draw,” Addo said at his pre-match press conference.
“So, if we win against South Korea and Portugal win, hopefully, against Uruguay, then we will be second, so the chance is still big.
“And surely it will be very, very tough to beat South Korea because they are good. But now, we have to win. We are under pressure, but they are too.”
Ghana will wrap up their group campaign against Uruguay on December 2 after the South Korea game on Monday.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Belgium was anticipating a win against Morocco in the second round of games that is being played in Qatar world cup 2022.
But they were beaten 2:0 by the Moraccan national team, this has made the qualifications to the next round of the games in limbo as they face nock-out.
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Black Stars midfielder, Mohammed Kudus, has said he does not think Brazilian star player, Neymar is better than him. According to Kudus, he is as talented as the Brazilian captain is, except that Neymar is a high-profile player. “He’s not better than me. He’s just a higher profile player, that’s all,” Kudus told Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith in an interview.
The Ghanaian player, however, believes with hard work and determination he would get to Neymar’s level soon. “…What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot, but “I’ll get there soon.”
Kudus and Neymar met in September when the Black Stars played Brazil in an international friendly match. Ghana lost by 3-0. The Black Stars of Ghana open their World Cup campaign in Qatar on Thursday, November 24 against Portugal.
Kudus is likely to face another world superstar in the person of Cristiano Ronaldo. But the Ghana player says the spirit in camp is high and encouraging.
“We’ve not been great recently, but I know what I feel when I speak to the guys. The spirit is really great and this team will come good very soon,” he says. “Maybe not now, but very soon.”
Meanwhile, Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew has also said the Black Stars are motivated to take on Portugal in their group opener at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
“We all know that if we are going to get into this game Portugal are the ones who are favourites on paper.
“But after, we have to show that on paper is not what will happen on the pitch so we are ready.
Dede opined that the match against Portugal will be a tough one but the Black Stars will show their pedigree on the pitch for 90 minutes.
The Ghanaian songstress raises her support to the Ghana national team in their game with Portugal tomorrow 24th November, 2022.
She was speaking in an interview with an Accra base radio station. This statement came as excitement to football lovers around the country who are yearning to see the men in Qatar win against their opponents come tomorrow.
IF GHANA SCORE 3-0 AGAINST PORTUGAL, ON THURSDAY I WILL GO NAKED AND DROP MY SELF IN A POOL ON LIVE 😂😂😂 SO GOD HELP ME 🙏🙏🙏
In March, John Dumelo also promised to walk barefooted, with a load of fresh ginger from his farm, from Ghana to Lagos if Nigeria won the 2022 FIFA Qualifier.
Twitter founder and former CEO, Jack Dorsey has launched a new social media platform, ‘Bluesky’.
This is coming barely a weeks after a business magnate and investor, Elon Musk, acquired Twitter.
The new app, which is in its testing stage, already has over 30,000 people signed up for its beta testing within two days of the announcement.
Bluesky is said to give creators independence from platforms and developers and the freedom to design, allowing users to choose their experience as it gives users control of their algorithms.
Musk began the acquisition of Twitter on April 14, 2022, and completed it on October 27, 2022.
Democratic voters attend a rally for President Joseph Biden at Florida Memorial University, a historical black college, .Democratic voters attend a rally for President Joseph Biden at Florida Memorial University, a historical black college, . POLITICSUNITED STATES OF AMERICA
US midterms: 5 key races to watch Carla Bleiker
Results from races for more than 400 congressional seats will come in when election polls close on Tuesday. Can’t stay on top of them all? Then keep a close eye on Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
On Tuesday, Americans head to the polls to vote for congressional representatives. Held every four years, halfway between presidential elections, midterms are “often a referendum on the president and party currently in power,” J. Miles Coleman, election analyst with the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told DW. “The Republicans, as the minority party, are in about as good a position as they can be.”
Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives (220-212, with three seats vacant), while the Senate is evenly divided, with 50 Democratic and 50 Republican lawmakers. Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, as president of the Senate, acts as a tiebreaker when necessary.
Once voters head to the polls, this balance of power is likely to shift. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of all Senate seats are up for grabs. In 36 states and three territories, the governorship and other key posts are on the ballot as well.
That’s a lot to keep track of once returns start rolling in (even though it might take a while before final results are announced, especially in the close races). But don’t worry ― DW has you covered.
Pennsylvania Senate race: Perennial swing state Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz, a famous TV personality, are vying for a seat that will be vacated by Republican incumbent Pat Toomey, who is not seeking reelection.
Democrats hoping to flip the seat have painted Oz as an outsider (he’s from New Jersey) who doesn’t care about Pennsylvania. Oz has focused his attacks on Fetterman’s health.
The Democrat suffered a stroke in May, and while he says he is on the road to a full recovery, Fetterman’s speech and hearing are still not back to 100%.
Pennsylvania, a key swing state, was decided by barely 1 percentage point in each of the last two presidential elections. At the moment, Fetterman and Oz are neck and neck. If the Democrats can pick up this seat, it will be an important win in the tight race for control of the Senate.
John Fetterman at a campaign eventJohn Fetterman at a campaign event Democrat Fetterman, seen at a recent campaign event, has served as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania since 2019Image: Gene J. Puskar/AP/picture alliance Georgia: High likelihood of a split ballot After a close loss in 2018, Democrat Stacey Abrams is again trying to win the governorship in the southern state of Georgia. Abrams has been credited by newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post with boosting Democratic voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election and thus contributing to Joe Biden’s narrow win over Donald Trump. Still, observers believe she will lose to sitting Republican Governor Brian Kemp again this year.
Nevertheless, many experts think voters are likely to split their ballot, pulling the lever for Republican Kemp in the gubernatorial race ― but for Democrat Raphael Warnock in his fight against former football star Herschel Walker, a Republican, in the race for the US Senate. Warnock, an incumbent, won his seat in a special election just two years ago.
In Georgia, if no candidate wins more than 50% in the first round of votes, there will be a runoff election. If this happens, and control of the Senate is down to Georgia just as it was two years ago, Americans would have to wait until December 6 to see whether Democrats or Republicans ultimately take the chamber.
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (l), former President Barack Obama (c) and US Senator Raphael Warnock (r) at a campaign rally in AtlantaGeorgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (l), former President Barack Obama (c) and US Senator Raphael Warnock (r) at a campaign rally in Atlanta Observers say Abrams (left) will likely lose her race for governor, though suggest Warnock (right) may hang on to his Senate seatImage: Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS/abaca/picture alliance Arizona gubernatorial race: Will an election denier take the reins? In Arizona, Republican Kari Lake, a former television news anchor, is facing off against Democrat Katie Hobbs. The current Republican incumbent, Doug Ducey, cannot run again because of term limits. Lake is a vocal Trump supporter, and has said again and again that she believes the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, a claim that has been thoroughly refuted.
Neither Lake nor Hobbs has managed to pull ahead in the close race. If Lake wins, Arizona — which was the site of a prolonged and bitter fight by election deniers to overturn the results of vote in 2020 — is likely to side with the Republican nominee for president in 2024, should there be questions surrounding results again.
Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, a Republican, seen at a campaign event, as former US Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell looks on Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, a Republican, seen at a campaign event, as former US Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell looks on Former news anchor Kari Lake is a Republican election denier who observers say may have a big future ahead of herImage: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP Nevada Senate race: Economic issues take center stage In 2016, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto became the first Latina ever elected to the US Senate. Now, her seat is among those Democrats are most at risk of losing.
The economy is an extremely important issue for many voters this election cycl, and Nevada, which relies heavily on income generated by tourist magnets Las Vegas and Reno, has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Republicans hope voters are looking for a change in leadership and will vote for Adam Laxalt, whose father and grandfather both served in the Senate. Laxalt, too, was endorsed by Trump and is one of hundreds of Republican election deniers on the ballot this year.
Latino vote in US midterms could be crucial 02:58 Virginia House races: A potential bellwether “For me, the question is not ‘Who wins the House?’ but how big the Republican majority will be,” election analyst J. Miles Coleman told DW.
According to the political scientist, there are three US House districts ― all of which are currently held by Democrats ― whose early returns will be a good indicator for how the rest of the evening goes for Republicans.
Virginia’s Second Congressional District has a large military population, and Biden only narrowly managed to win it in 2020. District 7, however, went to Biden by nearly seven percentage points in 2020.
“If Republicans pick up the Second District in these midterms, that’s the bare minimum type of district they need to win a majority” in the House, Coleman said. If they win District 7, too, “they’re probably on track for a good night.”
And if Republicans take District 10, which Biden won by a whopping 18 points in 2020?
“Then,” Coleman said, “they are going to have maybe their biggest majority in the House since World War II.”
Best to lead, he was the Organizer for the National Progressive Youth of NDC, he was part of the National Progressive Youth of NDC team as an Organizer that went to the Tanlisi District to help the NDC candidate BT Baba in the 2015 by-election of which the NDC eventually won the seat back.
He also served as the Youth Chairman of NDC in Sandafong prior to the 2016 election and later was elected as the NDC branch Youth Organizer in Sandafong before declaring his intention to contest for the constituency Deputy Organizership position.
He is not new in the role of organising the grassroot for victory. Yakubu Ayariga Abdul kadri is the best man for the Deputy organizership position. He has done it before and can do more if giving the opportunity.
Mr. Abdul Kadri ayariga has determine to help communities with Portable water and the fulfillment of the millennium development goal in North East Region of Ghana.
Overall, the rate of increase of coverage in the West Mamprusi Municipality is very slow. This is the natural result of the growing difficulty of reaching populations located in areas that are more remote, isolated, scattered, or on the periphery of cities, or that have special access issues . It also coincides with the fact that the population gaining access to services is growing more slowly, most boreholes drilling have been politicized both in quality and availability.
Which is why Mr. Kadri a representatives of the people, is using the help of donors to show some partiality in sighting these projects in different communities
Through the hard work and the assistance of our donors, we have boast of improved water in about 18 communities and others on the pipeline
Sandafong 2 Gbimsi 3 Sayoo 1 Namiyela 2 Yaroyiri 1 Misio 1 Saribugu 1 Kpa’atusi 1 Nakpaya 1 Tiya 1 Daboya 1 Zaagu vuga 1 Tamaligu 1 Kukobila 1 Totalling 18 boreholes and more still on the pipeline.
During our interview with Mr. Kadri, he raises hopes by saying “Another two boreholes coming next month and this time they are going to Bimbagu lapaak community and Bimbagu Nandook community in the Bunkpurugu district.”
Again he retreated that, “My friend who was enskin as the chief of Bimbagu traditional area, told me to help him get just one borehole for his people b ut upon going to the community myself to see the kind of water they drink, it was terrible. So after taking some pictures of their source of water and send to my people, they told me they will give them two boreholes , so the chief then said he would give one to Bimbagu lapaak and the second one to Bimbagu Nandook.”
“We have been able to start Geophysical surveys to locate water in a few communities were the chiefs and elders are calling on us for help. We have identified and marked such points. With further grants, we will commence work of drilling.” Said Mr. Kadri.
Mr. Kadri is a known member of the National Democratic Congress NDC in the constituency, He has work hard to help the needed and help solve societal issues in improving development.
He is seeking for election as the Deputy Organizer of the party in the constituency.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic about the history of the popular palace, the Secretary of the Wala Traditional Council, Naa Kadir Ibrahim, said the first palace was in the form of the Mole-Dagban round thatched cottage.
New palace
He recounted that it was when the then Waa Naa, Naa Yamusa Pelpuo III, saw the then Central Mosque at Wa built by the Limanyiri clan whose members had migrated southwards from the Mandingo tribe, as a unique one, that he thought of replacing the old structure.
“If there is to be an outstanding monument of such politico-cultural significance, then that should be the Wa Naa’s Palace,” Naa Pelpuo is reported to have said.
As a result, Naa Ibrahim said the king ordered an immediate demolition of the Mole-Dagban round thatched cottage and replaced it with the current western Sudanese architectural palace.
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When the Limanyiri clan which can presently be found in Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso, among others, migrated, they moved along with their culture and built the Central Mosque at Wa as well as the new palace for Naa Pelpuo, Naa Ibrahim added.
Since migrating to their present location at Wa, the traditional authorities have enskinned 34 kings but four of them, including Naa Yakubu Seidu Soale II, Naa Gura, Naa Kpaaha and Naa Yakubu Seidu, lived at the old palace at Fongu.
Out of the 34 kings, eight of them were buried in front of the new palace, with the rest buried at various locations that have now become residential areas.
Significance of palace
The palace serves as the official residential property of the Wa Naa who currently is Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV. It symbolises the soul of the people of Wa and in times of crisis, it serves as the safest place of abode for the people.
It is also the venue for all the traditionally significant ceremonies of the people such as the Dumba and Jinbenti festivals, enskinment of a new Wa Naa and other paramount chiefs.
The confirmation of titles of the Regional Chief Imam and the Yeri-Naa, who is one of the seven kingmakers of the Wa Naa, is also held there. The Yeri-Naa also acts as a liaison officer between the Wa Naa and Regional Chief Imam.
The other kingmakers of the Wa skin are the Busa Naa, Kperisi Naa, Sing Naa, Buli Naa, Tendaana and Foriko. The Tendaana chairs the meetings of kingmakers and the convener as well in consultation with other members.
On the politico-cultural arena, it is the headquarters of the Wala Kingdom. Royal blessings and approval are given to all the newly enskinned chiefs at the palace. Therefore, any chief who does not appear before the Wa Naa shall not be recognised.
Tourism
Apart from that, it serves as a tourist attraction and also showcases the traditions of the Wala people. Shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists to the palace which was before then about 30 on a weekly basis has reduced.
“On a weekly basis, about 15 tourists visit the site at the moment,” he said.
With the restrictions now eased, the plan is to encourage, develop and get the region involved in tourism development in the country, Naa Kadir said.
A Madina Trotro mate and a passenger were left to test their strength as they squared it off in a fistfight over the increase in transport fares.
Recently, an increase in transport fares was announced and that didn’t sit well with commuters who couldn’t keep up with the constant increase in transport fares.
This has often resulted in disagreement between trotro mates and passengers but this disagreement in a Madina-Lapaz trotro ended in a serious fight between the mate and a passenger.
Ghbase.com is a popular news website that publishes content on several personalities around the world. The site also curates relevant content that serves the needs of its audience.
Address: Madina Estate Road, Adjacent Cash Oil Fuel Station
Caterers of the School Feeding Programme has advised parents to start cooking for their children before they go to school. Speaking to Adom News, Co-Ordinator for the caterers, Juliana Codjoe said they want the Ghana School Feeding Secretariat to increase the 90 pesewas allocation for each child to 3 cedis.’
The caterers say a meeting they held with the Secretariat on Monday did not yield any outcome hence their decision not to continue cooking for the children.
Madam Juliana Codjoe also added that the GSFP owes some members outstanding payments to caterers with no assurance of when payment would be made.
Earlier, Cecilia Dapaah on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, said “Mr. Speaker, currently the expansion of the programme is on hold. We are clearing all arrears of caterers and putting in place measures to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to all beneficiary schools as well as the caterers.
“We are also putting in place a management information system to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the system. We shall surely inform this august House when we are ready to expand the programme to cover additional schools.”
Ghbase.com is a popular news website that publishes content on several personalities around the world. The site also curates relevant content that serves the needs of its audience.
Address: Madina Estate Road, Adjacent Cash Oil Fuel Station
Parents are worried about the current situation in the Ola Girls Senior High School in the Volta Region.
As their wards keep complaining of the worrying situation that leads to students be admitted in Hospital and others experience different kinds of sickness.
One students whose name have been withheld speaking to our correspondent ask the student if the school authority was aware of this situation, she sad, “yes they are aware and they even promise us that they will make arrangements for the dormitories to be fumigated.” And we’ve not heard anything again.
It is so irritating to us, and we feel very uncomfortable, she said. Last my friend was admitted in the hospital for three days, we can’t sleep at night after we are back from preps.
Bedbugs is one of the insects that can suck blood it’s host and can lay dozens of eggs, so within the shortest possible period they can spread from one place to another.
The government and Ministry of education need to take measures in solving this issue to prevent it escalating. The students need a serene environment for learning and we need to Accord them that.
Some teachers under the Ghana Education Service (GES) who are directly linked to the supposed prescribed uniform being circulated on social media have broken their silence.
According to the teachers, the uniform they are wearing was not prescribed by the Ghana Education Service but rather a self initiative without the knowledge of the Service. The teachers are believed to be in Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North District of the Ashanti region.
There were reports that the Government of Ghana through the GES has introduced uniform for public school teachers.
The uniform, dull peach colored shirt and deep brown skirts and trousers has Ghana Education Service tag on the left pocket.
For easy identification, names of the Teacher is boldly written on the right pocket of the shirt.
According to social media gossips, the GES has contracted some Teachers to model the uniform ahead of it introduction.
However, the Service has come out to denied the reports that its intended to introduce any prescribed uniform for teachers.
The Director General of GES, Prof Akwasi Opoku Amankwa denied such introduction of prescribed uniforms on social media calling it fake news.
According to him, “GES is not a mushroom agency. It’s the largest Gov’t agency in Ghana. We employ more than half of all Gov’t employees. If we want to introduce uniforms for teachers we won’t do that through social media and over the weekend.”
He said the Service is considering investigating as to whether those individuals in the purported uniforms are teachers or non teaching staff of GES who decided to have photoshop.
“I guess it’s some group of teachers who’ve decided to have a uniform. Or it could even be photoshop. We may have to look for those in the pictures to first find out if indeed they’re teachers and if they’re what’s their motivation for the uniform.
“In this era of unionized labour, GES cannot introduce a uniform for teachers without engaging the teacher unions. Issues relating to who pays, govt or individuals for the fabric, etc. would all have to be discussed.”
The Director General noted that in case the Service intended to introduce a prescribed uniform it would be officially announced.
Furtherance to that, one of the said teachers, Sylvia Yeboah mentioned that they sew the uniform themselves and not a GES sanctioned attire for all teachers thereby it is fake news.
The teacher who works within the Tepa District posted on her Facebook timeline that “Stop the fake news. We sew it by ourselves not GES.”
In a other post, Sylvia stated that “#attention #attention. Please the news about the uniform is a fake news and anyone who comes across it should disregard it the uniform was a self initiative by us and not by GES Thank you”
A voice note in circulation from another teachers chanced on by DGN Online said that “the pictures in circulation are old pictures. The pictures were taken last year.
“It is not Akufo-Addo who sew the uniform for us. Even in our district, it is not everyone who have the uniform in the Tepa Distrcit here. It is only in our school here that we’ve the uniform. We’re only three teachers who have the uniform but another lady has also bought the material to sew but she is yet to do so.
“So it is not Akufo-Addo, it is not Tepa District, it is not GES but we sew the uniforms ourselves. We’ve about 8 staff here but only three of us have sew the uniform. How can last year incident be going viral now on social where some are castigating and others praising us. It is very ridiculous.”
The much awaited moment is here, the Wulugu traditional area in the West Mamprusi Municipality.
Will be using one of the ultra modern senior high School built in Kpasemkpe,
Speaking at the site, the North East Regional Minister, Hon Yidana Zakaria said the newly School will most likely start operation this academic year.
Speaking to the chiefs and elders, the Minister stated that, Mr. Amadu Mamudu Timbilla (a.k.a Kurata) will be Heading the school as the School’s new Head Master.
The Paramount Chief for the Wulugu traditional area, Naa Professor John Sebiyam Nabila gave his remarks to the Minister and the Sports Minister.
The Chief said he and his elders will do everything in their power to support the development of this institution when it began operation.
The North East Regional Minister Hon. Yidana Zakaria and Sports Ministers who is the member of Parliament for YAGABA KUBORI constituency, Hon. Mustapha Yussif.
Conduct a sod cutting to commence the construction of a 100 bed capacity District Hospital for the Yagaba Kubori constituency on Saturday.
The Hon. Yidana Zakaria urge the chiefs and elders of the area to help assist and cooperate with the constructor on site to speed up work.
The chiefs and elders also use the opportunity to thanks His Excellency the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, the Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for their enormous support for the development of the Region.
This Hospital is part of the government flagship Program promise by the current Npp administration to Ghanaians. Which is the Agenda 111.
All the Various Districts with no Hospitals will have their share this cake.
Any Patriotic citizen of the North will yearn for change, if you have traveled throughout the country.
Where you will be thrilled by the development in such areas.
Meanwhile since Independence of Ghana as a Republican. The North have been providing leaders into higher position in governance. It is a shame to see that they’ve not actually contributed anything to help develop the Northern sector.
Students still seat under trees to study.
The land which is our natural gifted is lying bare without being put into it’s usefulness. Our roads are still in their bad shape.
A 44-year-old headteacher, who was contracted to teach a 15-year-old Junior High School (JHS) pupil but defiled her, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.
George Agyekum pleaded not guilty to defilement.
However, the court, presided over by Christina Cann, found him guilty at the end of the trial and sentenced him accordingly.
Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant was a trader residing at Shaibu, near Dansoman, Accra.
The prosecution said the complainant lived with the 15-year-old pupil.
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It said the accused, now convict, was the headteacher of a private school name, withheld, at Shaibu.
The prosecution said as a part of the preparation for the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination, the victim and her colleagues were asked by the school authorities to remain in the school for “effective teaching and learning.”
On September 6, 2021, the prosecution, said in the evening, that Agyekum informed the victim that her father had contracted him to teach her in the school.
It said Agyekum took advantage of that and lured the victim into his room at Shaibu Night Market and had sex with her.
According to the prosecution, after the act, Agyekum gave the victim ₵50.00 to buy anything she liked.
It said on September 7, 2021, Agyekum gave the victim some medicines to swallow and insert the same so as not to get pregnant.
The prosecution said the victim after collecting the medicines, refused to do what Agyekum had instructed her and narrated her ordeal to “a Good Samaritan.”
It said on September 17, 2021, the complainant went to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit at the Dansoman Police Station and reported the matter.
The prosecution said a Police medical form was issued to the complainant to send the victim to a hospital for examination and treatment.
Later, Agyekum was picked up by the Police.
National Covid-19 team to face Health Committee of Parliament over COVID-19 protocol review
The Health Committee of Parliament is set to meet the national COVID-19 Taskforce today, March 22, 2022, on liable measures to review the restrictions and protocols issued during the peak of the pandemic in 2020.
This comes on the back of calls for some restrictions to be lifted as they are long overdue, like the re-opening of the land borders and the COVID-19 restrictions at the airports.
The ranking member on the committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, speaking to Citi News, said the Ministry of Health and the National COVID-19 Taskforce are to appear before the committee to answer some questions to enable an informed decision to be made.
“This is the committee of Parliament and our agenda is not determined by the executive, we are playing our oversight responsibility. We have received a number of petitions from the good people of this country on reviewing some covid protocols on both land borders and the airports.”
“We want the Covid team to appear before us, so we can ask them some questions bordering Ghanaians and if possible suggest to them some reviews which are long overdue. It is a public meeting since it is an issue of high public interest. The president is reported to have agreed to consider the easing of COVID-19 restrictions; land borders among others during the cabinet meeting held over the weekend.”
Eighteen people have reportedly been burnt to death in an accident at Asem Asa, a community at Tarkwa on the Accra-Takoradi Highway.
The accident, according to an eye witness, David Agyekum, occurred Tuesday around 12:00pm.
The accident involved a tipper truck and a Ford bus loaded with Chinese Nationals and Ghanaian driver from Tarkwa with a registration number GW 5628-21.Fatal accident at Asem Asa on Tarkwa road
The occupants on board the Ford 15, including a two-year-old child, were burnt to death beyond recognition.
The witness told Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show that the tipper truck, which was transporting stones, collided with the Ford bus which was travelling from Tarkwa to Accra.
He narrated the tipper truck driver was driving recklessly and at top speed, hence, the Ford sparked fire shortly after the collision killing the occupants on the spot.
“The driver of the tipper truck was on top speed and there are curves on the road and so he collided with the bus and killed the 16 people including a two-year-old child burning them to death. The driver of the tipper truck and his mate were also burnt in the truck,” he narrated.
Fire service personnel and the police, he noted, were at the scene to help douse the fire and direct traffic on the stretch.
Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu believes Ghana’s best chance of beating Nigeria over two legs in the upcoming World Cup Playoffs is dependent on the ability of individual players to produce moments of magic.
The West African rivals face off on March 25 in Kumasi with the return leg slated for Abuja four days later.
Badu is of the opinion that the current crop of players have not been together long enough to develop the necessary chemistry required to beat a team of Nigeria’s stature.
“Seriously speaking the only option we have now to beat Nigeria is through individual brilliance.
“We don’t have a team right now and I have been saying this for the past two years.
“We have quality players but we don’t have a team.
“It is a new team so they won’t have cohesion and the required teamwork.
“The national team is not like the club side and so you don’t always get a chance to train with players.
“The team was assembled in three days making it very difficult for the coach to get the cohesion he needs.
“So prayers, great support from the fans and individual brilliance is what we need to rely on,” he told Citi Sports.
The winner over two legs will secure one of Africa’s five slots for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Roads minister, Amoako Atta speaking to Caleb Kudah of Citi Fm/TV, voice out the plans of the government to complete various commutable roads in the country. The Minister was inspection the dualization of the Nsantor Nanakrom road in Greater Accra.
Contractors are serious working on the roads that needs to be completed this year, 9 interchanges, 5 Bridges and more will be completed this year.
Ghanaians should know that the second term of this government is going to be completion gallore.
Nine people including a toddler have been confirmed dead in an accident at Gindabuo in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.
According to the Police, the driver of the Wa bound VVIP bus with registration number, GT 5693-15 allegedly lost control over the steering wheel and veered off the road.
The vehicle subsequently somersaulted and entered a ditch leading to nine casualties.
The Police Command is currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, the injured have been transferred to the Wa Regional Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
This accident, brings the total number of crashes on that stretch of road to eleven, with several casualties
John Kumah, the deputy finance, just confirmed the 241million CEDIS to pay as services to a third party to monitor and track the E-Levy collection. And this is not a one-off payment oooo. It is every year.
This is ROBBERY on us, and no reasonable person should allow the E-Levy to go through even if it is at 0.00001%. It is another Create, Loot and Share for the government to steal from us.
How can you collect money from the poor and pocket some all in the name of a third-party service? What happens to government institutions like Ghipps.
We really have a government that is more trained than “ARMED ROBBERS”
The Nima Divisional Police Command has arrested Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as “Captain Smart”, the host of Onua TV/FM morning show in Accra.
A statement issued by the Police on Thursday said he was arrested following some unsavoury pronouncements that hinge on peace and security.
“He has been cautioned on the offence of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace as provided under section 207 of the Criminal,1960 (Act 29),” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the National Media Commission (NMC) has described Captain Smart’s utterances as unprofessional and inciteful.
In a letter to Onua FM and copied to the Ghana Journalists Association and other media stakeholders, the NMC said “we are particularly concerned about a recent broadcast in which “Captain Smart” calls for insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions.
While that particular broadcast, without more, constitutes adequate grounds for regulatory action, we still retain the belief that given the chance, management could take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability. We are fortified in this belief by the fact that considerable parts of your other broadcast, including the news, offer that hope,” the NMC stated.
The Commission reminded the management of Onua FM that exercising the required professional caution, “is in your interest
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