Category: HEADLINES

Suspension of All COVID-19 Dead Bodies Burial by Environmental Health Practitioners in Ghana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SUSPENSION OF ALL COVID-19 DEAD BODIES BURIAL BY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS IN GHANA

Good morning from Environmental Health Officers Alliance-Ghana ( EHOA-GH) Executives to all Environmental Health Practitioners in the entire 260 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and the Media both Local and International.

With much grieve and sorrow we EHOA-GH from this Wednesday of August 18, 2021 have laid down our tools on the burial of all COVID-19 Dead Bodies in this Country until all needed Resources are given by the key actors in this COVID-19 Pandemic Era that’s the Ministry of Health (MoH) for that matter Ghana Health Service (GHS).

This has become necessary since over One(1) year now all COVID19 dead bodies buried in this Country by Environmental Health Practitioners all over the Country in some MMDAs lacks the needed Personal Protective Equipments(PPEs), Hearse, and other incentives which have already given to our counterparts in the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

Right from the day Ghana recorded it’s first COVID-19 Case, the Environmental Health Practitioners who are 100% Health Workers working under the Local Government Service (LGS) that’s Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) were exempted from all Trainings and Workshops which were organized by the Ministry of Health (Ghana Health Service) in all the Sixteen (16) Regions.

It sudens our hearts at this critical moment on why the Government of Ghana specifically H. E. The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will neglect the only Public Health Law Enforcement Agents who are mandated by Section 14 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (ACT 936) with Amendment (ACT 940) and E. I. 4 of 1976 in discharge of our mandated duties or job descriptions.

We EHOA-GH want to state on record without any fear or favour reference to Article 191 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and some Sections of the Labour Act, 2003 (ACT 651) that we have withdrawn our Services as enshrined in the Section 50 clause (c) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) with immediate effect.

EHOA-GH want to caution all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and any other person in the MMDAs who will try to victimize any of our members on all COVID- 19 Burials contrary to Article 191 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana will have the full forces of the Association descending on such a person without any fear or favour.

EHOA-GH Executives entreat all Environmental Health Practitioners in all the 260 MMDAs to stay calm as Executives engage Government on the needed Modus Operandi in the discharge of our duties on this Highly Infectious Virus COVID-19 Dead Bodies burials in our Country Ghana.

We thank each and everyone who have supported EHOA-GH since 2012 to date to continue to support till Ghana becomes clean from Reasonable Preventable Conditions (RPCs) engulfing us as a Country.

Long Live Ghana
Long Live EHOA-GH
Long Live Schools of Hygiene

I thank you for your needed attention.

[SIGNED]
YAW AKWAA LARTEY
(Ag. District Env. Health Officer)
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
EHOA-GH
(0241 527129 / 0543 627320)

August 18, 2021
God hasn’t asked Nana Addo to build any cathedral, Eagle prophet must shut up – Apostle Fires

President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo has been urged to rescind his decision to put up a National Cathedral he claims to be doing for God.

According to Apostle Dirl Airl King Marshal, God is never in agreement to the President’s decision hence the need to boycott that idea and focus on other important matters.

The founder and leader of the Soldiers of Christ Prayer Group of All Churches however cautions Prophet Reindoff Oduro aka Eagle Prophet to shut up from causing fear and panic to people who disagree to the Cathedral idea.

Apostle Airl Marshal also adds that the President’s decision to release Akuapem Poloo from prison despite several cautions from God, coupled with other issues is going to cause the nation a lot.

The man of God finally reveals that God is very angry at the rate at which ministers are prevented from operating in schools, by indicating that there’s the need to open doors for such ministers to get back to the school rooms.

Call Apostle on 0541484812 / 0200128758 for more

August 18, 2021
GHANAIANS SHOULD CHOOSE GA ADANGBE AS THEIR NEXT PRESIDENT TO END GHANA’S SUFFERING – MAN OF GOD REVEALS

GHANAIANS SHOULD CHOOSE GA ADANGBE AS THEIR NEXT PRESIDENT TO END GHANA’S SUFFERING – MAN OF GOD REVEALS

The founder and leader of the Divine Citadel Of Christ Church in GA West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Apostle Felix Gadogbo has revealed to Ghanaians that they should choose a Ga-Adangbe man as their next president to end the suffering and hardship of Ghana.

He said it does not matter the political color of the person, any party who chooses a Ga-Adangbe as flag bearer in the 2024 General elections will not only win the elections but will also bring Ghana’s long-suffering to an end.

SEE ALSO: Amerado, Obibini set social media ablaze with diss tracks

In a press briefing today at the headquarters of the Divine Citadel Of Christ Church, Apostle Felix Gadogbo made it clear that this does not mean any other person can not win the elections, but it is only the Ga-Adangbe that can bring the long-suffering of Ghana to an end.

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August 17, 2021
REPORT CASES OF ABUSE AND DEATH THREATS – GH GIRL’S GUIDE URGES WOMEN

REPORT CASES OF ABUSE AND DEATH THREATS – GH GIRL’S GUIDE URGES WOMEN

The chief commissioner of the Ghana Girl’s Guide Association, Mrs. Abdul Zakiya Wahab has advised victims of domestic violence and death threats especially women and young girls in their various homes, to report all forms of abuse to her outfit or the Ghana Police service for redress.

She said most often, victims failed to report such issues due to societal norms and threats.

Mrs. Zakiya gave the advice in a press conference today in Accra following the recent spike of domestic violence against women and series of murder cases on women in the country.

SEE ALSO: Nollywood Actor, Stanley Rabbi Okoro

She indicated that most often, victims of domestic violence or all forms of abuse were not reported to DOVVSU for fear that the perpetrators, particularly men, would be prosecuted or jailed.

She explained that it was not so because prosecuting or jailing the wrongdoers who were members of the family would aggravate the matter.

The Chief Commissioner said the unit rather invited the perpetrators to solve the issues through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to bring peace and harmony in the affected family.

When you come to us, tell us what exactly you want us to do for you because we are always there for you, do not be afraid”, she stated.

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August 17, 2021
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS BLAMES PRIVATE CAR DRIVERS FOR CAUSING ROAD ACCIDENTS

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS BLAMES PRIVATE CAR DRIVERS FOR CAUSING ROAD ACCIDENTS

The local chapter Chairman and Executive Board member of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr. Eric Asirifi, has revealed that private car drivers are the real causes of the rampant road accidents in the country.
Mr. Eric Asirifi said most of the private cars mostly make the wrong overtaken relying on the small size of their vehicles and the amount of speed their cars can go at a given time.

He said the private car drivers will cause reckless driving and in other to Swerve it, the commercial cars rather end up getting the accidents.

SEE ALSO: Mankyia Palace Finally Breaks Silence on Rev. Obofour Enstoolment

Citing the recent accident at Juaso involving a Hyundai saloon car and a VIP Bus which claimed two lives instantly and the other gory accident at Teacher mante in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The GPRTU Chairman also called on the Ghana Highway Authority and the National Road Safety Authority to repair and replace Road Guards as it posses a threat to road users and commuters.
Chairman Eric Asirifi said this during a workshop organized to sensitizes drivers and other road users in Accra today.

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August 17, 2021
“We are still at home miserably”unemployed registered Nurse assistants, 2019 Batch.

“We are still at home miserably”.. unemployed registered Nurse assistants, 2019 Batch reminding the Government about their posting

The Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive (RNAP) & Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical (RNAC) are calling on the government to absorb them for they have stayed in the house unemployed for quite too long.

In an exclusive interview with Listowel Aboagye Dacosta of Sweet FM, the National President of the Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive and Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical 2019 batch Mr. Eric Kwakye explained that, recently, a joint communique was sent to MoH by Rotational Nurses Leadership about their financial clearance. Surprisingly, a few days after, YEA and GHS signed a Memorandum of Understanding to train 3000 SHS graduates for six months on “Zoom Nurse Module” for the same work there are already trained and licensed professionals numbering over 20,000 in the house unemployed

. SEE ALSO: We should all invest in girl child education and community development – acting Zongo chief

Mr. Eric Kwakye disclosed that they have severally met with the Director HR of MoH on their posting, but nothing fruitful seems to manifest out of the engagements.

“DROP the Zoom Nurse Module which seeks to train & recruit 3,000 SHS graduates and post us first”

Miss Addo Baffour- Sandra is the secretary of the Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive & Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical also lamented on the economic and social implications that the members have been going through in their various communities of abode.

story by Mavis Davor // Shop@torsaa

August 16, 2021
Loyal consumers of ”Waakye & Banku” unhappy about the drastic reduction in quantity as sellers attribute it to the high price of beans and maize + Voice

LOYAL CONSUMERS OF “WAAKYE & BANKU” IN THE TWIFO ATTI-MORKWA DISTRICT UNHAPPY ABOUT THE DRASTIC REDUCTION IN QUANTITY AS SELLERS ATTRIBUTE IT TO HIGH PRICES OF BEANS AND MAIZE

The ardent consumers of “Waakye and Banku” in the Twifo Ati-Morkwa district of central region have expressed dissatisfaction about the sudden decrease in the quantity of the food they buy.

Speaking with Listowel Aboagye Dacosta of Sweet FM, the custumers explained that, previously, with Gh5.00, one could get full plate of Waakye with fish, vegetables and fish or chicken.
With same amount of money, one could equally get two big balls of Banku and fish or meat but of late, with same amount of money, you get nothing that can make you full they lamented.

SEE ALSO: EC directs NDC to put its proposed electoral reforms before IPAC

In response, the “Waakye and Banku sellers in the Twifo Ati-Morkwa district also attributed the recent reduction in the quantity as complained by the customers to the current maximization in prices of beans and maize. The added that they used to purchase a bag of beans and maize Gh600 and Gh300 respectively however, there have been astronomical increments in the prices of beans and maize on the general market that has necessitated for a reduction in the quantity of their food.

SOURCE Listowel Aboagye Dacosta of Sweet FM / / Shop@torsaa

August 16, 2021
E/R: “GHANA COCOA BOARD MUST FULFILL IT PART OF 65 YEARS AGREEMENT OR FACE OUR RATH” – AKYEM MPONUAHENE THREATENED

E/R: “GHANA COCOA BOARD MUST FULFILL IT PART OF 65 YEARS AGREEMENT OR FACE OUR RATH” – AKYEM MPONUAHENE THREATENED

The Chief of Pankese Nana Dr. Boakye Darkwa who doubles as Akyem Kotoku Mponuahene and his elders threatened to take legal action against Ghana Cocoa Board for breaching an for the past 65 years between then traditional leaders Akyem Kotoku mponua and Ghana Cocoa Board.

According to Nana Dr. Boakye Darkwa in an exclusive interview with the media at the palace of Pankese in the Brim North district in eastern region, he said land was released to Ghana Cocoa Board with an agreement of offering jobs to the people of Pankese and Mponua catchment area and to help provide development to the people but not even a single developmental projects can be pointed which was initiated by Cocoa Board. Meanwhile, tons of Cocoa beans are being carried out from the area to Accra. In his submission, he disclosed that for the past 65 years which Ghana Cocoa Board was given some portion of land to grow Cocoa without paying anything, and even those few people who benefited by being employed has being laid off from work according to Nana Dr. Boakye Darkwa.

SEE ALSO: Amerado, Obibini set social media ablaze with diss tracks

He was speaking at Pankese calling for peace and unit among the people of Pankese and Mponua Traditional Area after many years of chieftaincy dispute which he said has caused development to delay in the area.

Nana Dr. Boakye Darkwa added that recently, armed robbers has being tormenting the life’s of his people and he can count on five robbery cases which has come to his notice including some small scale miners being robbed. He also said Pankese, being the paramountcy of Mponua of Akyem Kotoku, they lack basic social arminities such as portable drinking water, public toilet, market, health facility, and police station. He used the opportunity to appeal to the new inspector general of police Mr. Dampare Akufu to help establish police station at Pankese to deal with all criminalities.

The media engaged some citizens present including the unit committee chairman Mr. Mark Agyarko which they called for unity and development.

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August 16, 2021
Flashback: I’ll build Ghana from bottom-up – Akufo-Addo

Flashback: I’ll build Ghana from bottom-up – Akufo-Addo

Ahead of the 2016 presidential elections, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, promised electorates that he was going to adopt a bottom-up approach in his government when elected.

He noted that his plan was going to ensure that the national cake was distributed fairly. He again promised that no one will be left behind under his rule.

Read the full story originally published on August 31, 2016, on Ghanaweb

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the policies and programmes outlined by him so far are indicative of the fact that a future NPP government will employ the “bottom-up” approach to national development.

The bottom-up approach, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, means that local actors will participate in decision-making, and in the selection of the priorities to be pursued in their communities. This, he noted, will achieve balanced national development, creating wealth and prosperity for all Ghanaians, without discrimination.

Pre. Nana Ado

“We are going to build our country from the bottom-up. That is why we’re talking ‘1-District-1-Factory’, ‘1-Village-1-Dam’. We’re building Ghana from the bottom-up, so that we can get everybody involved,” Akufo-Addo said at a mammoth rally in the Bunkpurugu constituency, in the Northern region.

At the same rally, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, also unveiled the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), which seeks to draw US$275 million per year from the nation’s capital expenditure budget, out of which each of the 275 constituencies will receive the equivalent of US$1 million each per year, to tackle issues relating to infrastructural development and poverty eradication in rural and deprived communities across the country.

With thousands defying the rain to listen to Nana Akufo-Addo’s message of hope, the NPP flagbearer assured residents of Bunkpurugu and its environs of addressing the concerns put forward by the Paramount Chief, Alhaji Naba Abuba Nasimong.

The Bunkpurugu Chief, in his interaction with Nana Akufo-Addo, stated that their concerns were the construction of the deplorable roads leading to and within Bunkpurugu; the conversion of an inadequate clinic into a district hospital to serve more effectively the health needs of the peoples of the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo district; and a refurbishment of the rundown secondary schools in the area. He stressed that the needs outlined were for the improvement of the living conditions of his people and not for his own benefit.

The NPP flagbearer assured residents that “I commit myself that if God favours me in December, we’re going to do to all these things to bring up Bunkpurugu”.

With this year’s election being his third attempt at the Presidency, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed for the support of residents, stating that “I want your support so we can go into Jubilee House and bring prosperity to all parts of Ghana.

“Ghana is not a poor country. We are not a poor people. It is poor government that has brought us to where we are. We are looking to come to office to put in place policies that will bring about the revival of our nation, and, for that, we need your support so that in December this year, all of us will say to John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic, goodbye.”

Nana Akufo-Addo also visited the Nalerigu/Gambaga constituency, where he appealed for the support of the Nayiri, the great and highly respected King of Mamprugu, Naa Bohogu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga II, and also urged residents to elect Hajia Alima Mahama as their Member of Parliament, so as to help bring into fruition the NPP’s programme of development for the constituency.

Pre. Nana Ado

The NPP flagbearer’s final stop was at midnight, in the Walewale constituency, where he addressed residents of Kparigu, assuring them that his government will help establish a watermelon processing factory in the district, which, will amongst others, help create jobs and bring prosperity to the district.

“I am not one to make promises I know I cannot keep, all in the name of getting votes. I have too much love and respect for Ghanaians to make promises which I cannot fulfill. I will never do that,” he reassured.

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August 13, 2021
Five alleged Fulani kidnappers arrested

Chinderi District Police Command in the Oti Region has arrested five Fulani suspects for allegedly kidnapping two Fulani minors, aged 12 and 16, respectively.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), John Nchor, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Oti Region, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said on July 31, 2021, the Chinderi District Command received a distress call from one Ali Mohammed that his sons sent his cattle for grazing and had not returned.

The statement said Mohammed later informed Police that, the eldest of the two, escaped at Malla, a village near Borea, while being taken to an unknown destination.

It said preliminary investigations led to the arrest of three suspects – Sule Kassim, 28, Sameko Kaduna, 28, and Kassim Koron,18 at Chinderi on August 1, 2021.

According to the statement the alleged kidnappers who were holding the 12-year-old boy captive, made a contact demanding a ransom of GHC200,000.00 before they would free him.

It said on August 2, this year “three patrol teams drawn from Oti Regional Police Operational Unit and detectives led by Supt. E. Osei-Agbogah, the Counter-Terrorism Unit from the Police Headquarters, Accra, and a patrol team from Kete Krachi Divisional Police were dispatched to Chinderi to assist the District Police Command to rescue the victim and apprehend the captors”.

The statement said on August 3, the three suspects arrested were arraigned before Kete Krachi Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr Ben Attobrah, and were remanded into police custody to reappear on August 17.

It said the Police team co-opted the support of the Youth of Monkra and the Hunters Club for credible information and through Police-Public Corporation, the second victim was rescued at Techiakura, a village near Ehiamankyene in the Krachi West District on August 9, at about 0124 hours.

The statement said two suspects- Gariba Mbonge, 20, and Sanda Abubakar, 27, all Fulanis were arrested, however, three suspects bolted upon realizing that the Mbonge and Abubakar were apprehended.

It said a sharp cutlass, four assorted mobile phones with sim cards used to demand the ransom were retrieved from the suspects.

According to the statement the two were also arraigned before the same Court and remanded into police custody to reappear on August 17, while a man-hunt is ongoing for the other three.

August 13, 2021
Akufo-Addo has largely reduced hardship in Ghana – Bawumia

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has delivered on his promise by largely reducing the hardships of Ghanaians especially, the youths.

He said although challenges still remain in the country owing to the pandemic, the government of Mr Akufo-Addo has through policies and programmes managed the sufferings in the country properly.

He said these in a Facebook post to mark the International Youth Day on Thursday, August 12.

He said “Yesterday, we marked the International Youth Day in Ghana and across the world. I would like to remind the youth of our dear country that the NPP promised to reduce the suffering Ghanaians were going through under the economic mismanagement of the NDC.”

“After four years in office, what is clear is that even though many Ghanaians are facing challenging times especially as a result of the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of the NPP under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has, through policies implemented, delivered largely on its promise of reducing the suffering of Ghanaians even though we have a lot more to do in that direction.”

August 13, 2021
Ghana to earn billions of dollars from 6 tree crops

Ghana is expected to earn billions of dollars from some six identified tree crops in the next decade.

The six crops including oil palm, cashew, coconut, rubber, shea and mango have the potential to generate $2 billion each annually to compete with cocoa and coffee in foreign exchange earnings.

However, because sectors of these crops have not been regulated for years, the country has next to nothing to show for same.

Disclosing this in an interview with Joy Business at the opening of a two-day workshop on regulation for the sectors at Prampram, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), William Quaitoo said “Cocoa brings in about $2 billion annually and President Akufo-Addo has charged TCDA to develop the sectors to earn same if not more in 10 years due to huge demand on the international market”.

Through the workshop, TCDA with the support of its partners is taking technical proposal from actors who are experienced on the field to bring to fore what can be done to regulate the sectors.

The proposed regulation will go to cabinet and then sent to parliament before it becomes binding for all stakeholders within production of the six crops to follow.

This process is expected to be completed latest by December, 2021.

The regulations, according to him will provide key and fine details of TCDA Act 2019 (ACT 1010) which mandates the authority to regulate and develop the six tree crops.

By regulating these sectors, the country will avoid instances where produce or products are banned on the international market for one violation or another.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of TCDA in charge of Operations, Forster Boateng was particularly happy the authority is using an inclusive approach.

According to him, stakeholders put together for the workshop were from drawn from academia, private sector, civil society organizations among others.

About how TCDA would become an effective institution, he said the composition of its board and how useful lessons will be picked from other institutions will go a long way to help carry out its mandate.

“TCDA is expected to make huge impact as the private sector has about 25 members on the 29-member board which is first of its kind,” Mr. Boateng indicated

Meanwhile, Proforest is providing technical assistance and funding for the workshop, having played a major role in the processes leading to the passage of TCDA Act.

Senior Project Manager at Proforest, Africa, Afua Serwah Prempeh said commodity production can help economies but it must be done sustainably.

“Even though commodity production can help economies, there are negative externalities that may come out of it including infringement on human right and environmental problems,” she said.

Proforest’s engagement with private sector and government ensures that outcomes of their actions do not have negative impact on others.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, IFC and other stakeholders are committed to helping Tree Crop Development Authority get the regulation and subsequent development done.

August 13, 2021
Ghana Health Service starts administering Johnson and Johnson vaccines

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has begun administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

The Manager of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Dr Kwame Amponsah Achiano in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show Friday, said the exercise will begin in the Ashanti Region today, August 13, whilst that of Greater Accra Region will commence on Monday, August 16.

A total of 11 districts in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions have been selected by the Service for the vaccination exercise.

Clarifying, Dr Achiano said seven districts in the Greater Accra Region and four in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis have been chosen.

“You know, if you have 177, 600 vaccines to share, you have to be strategic. So, we are going to the most desired and impacted. It is not something we will spread across.

“If we spread across, it is not going to help. So we considered districts that are considered to be hotspots,” he told host Israel Laryea.

Asokwa, Kumasi Metropolitan, Kwadaso and Oforikrom are District Assemblies selected by GHS to receive the vaccines in the Ashanti Region.

In the Greater Accra Region; Ablekuma Central, Accra Metropolitan, Adentan, Ga South, OkaiKwei North, Tema Metro, and Kpone Katamanso have been selected.

Dr Achiano further added that people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine are exempted from this vaccination exercise.

Government took delivery of the 177, 600 doses of the vaccines on Saturday, August 7, as part of the first batch of the Africa Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT).

So far, 405,971 have been fully vaccinated by receiving both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, whilst 865,422 have received only the first dose.

Ghana has confirmed 109,022 cases of the virus, and currently has 6,765 cases with 892 deaths.

August 13, 2021
EC directs NDC to put its proposed electoral reforms before IPAC

The Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission has directed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to table its proposed electoral reforms before the Interparty Advisory Committee (IPAC) for dialogue.

The Commission said it is open to suggestions and feedback to enhance the country’s electoral process but insists IPAC is the appropriate forum for such suggestions.

The directive was after the EC took delivery of the NDC’s proposals.

“We don’t deal with individual parties, and IPAC is designed to promote multi-party views, so IPAC is the right forum for such discussion.

“So we responded to their proposals and asked the party to bring it to IPAC,” it said.

The Commission further explained the decision to ask the NDC to table its suggestion before IPAC was arrived at during a top Management meeting over the suggestions.

But the EC also observed that some of the suggestions captured in the NDC’s proposal go beyond its mandate.

It argued that, “there are some of the issues which are constitutional matters and that would require constitutional amendments and execution from the executive arm of government.”

Some of the issues the Commission listed as not being part of their mandate include, among others.

1. Specially-designated courts should be appointed exclusively for electoral disputes and offences before, during and after registration of voters and elections.

2. Split the EC into two separate bodies, namely an Office for the Regulation of Political Parties (ORPP) and an Electoral Commission (EC) by amending the Political Parties Act, 2000, Act 574.

3. Provide for prior parliamentary approval for the appointment of EC members.

But the commission, says the suggestions which have a direct nexus on their operations would be looked at.

“The Electoral Commission always wants to be the best, and so we are for anything that would enhance the electoral process.

“When the NDC finally submits its electoral reforms to IPAC, we will look at the issues holistically and decide on them.”

The Commission added, “Regional collation centres in our own estimations were good, and that would have been continued-nevertheless if there’s an opportunity to improve, it would be available to do so.”

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August 13, 2021
3 Months Grace Period for Tenants to Vacate a Rented Place is not in our laws – Rent Control PRO
There has been some form of confusion as to whether or not a landlord should grant a tenant grace period to vacate premises after the expiry of the tenancy agreement.

Many tenants say they are entitled to such an arrangement while they find a new place.

However, the Public Relations Officer at the Rent Control Department, Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu, speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, said such a claim is a misconception as there is no such provision in the rent laws.

“This notion in the minds of tenants that when you are being evicted, you should be given three months grace period is not in our laws,” he said.

According to him, a landlord owes no tenant any grace period, let alone permitting the tenant to stay for the period on free rent.

“So there’s no free rent, and there’s no grace period,” he said on Thursday.

He added that Section 31 of the Rent Law indicates that, “nothing should prevent the landlord from collecting his rent from any tenant.”

Mr Kporsu wondered why a landlord would pay their annual or property rate, only for a tenant after the rent period to say, “I should divide that property rate into how many sections, then give you three months free, who is going to pay for that.”
Rented house
The PRO, however, explained: “The scenario is that if you’ve come to stay on somebody’s premises and you want to dwell in for a year, getting to the third or second month to the end of your tenancy, you should start a conversation, start talking to the landlord whether you will renew it or you want to vacate.”

He further noted that the engagement will afford the landlord, since he is a commercial venture, also to start looking for somebody to come and dwell in the room when the incumbent tenant moves out.

“But you wait till the end of your tenancy before you go to the landlord or you run to the Rent Control Department that you want grace period and then also that the grace period must be free, this as I said, there’s no grace period, and there’s no free rent,” he stressed.

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August 13, 2021