Newspaper headlines Friday 16th October 2020
PRESENTATION OF POLICY STATEMENT AND OUTDOORING OF VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
The National Committee (NC) of the Progressive People’s Party is pleased to announce that the party’s Policy Position document and the Outdooring of our 2020 Vice-Presidential candidate shall take place on Saturday, 17th October, 2020 at the International Press Center, near GIJ at 9:30am.
In compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols, the manifesto committee has set up google meet and jitsi platforms for party members and our international partners to participate in the programme.
A number of media houses shall broadcast the event live for the pleasure of our supporters, sympathizers and the general public. The event shall also be streamed live on the PPP facebook page, PPP Twitter and Instagram accounts; as well as the facebook pages of our Flagbearer and Vice-Presidential candidate.
The Policy statement focuses on 10-areas of principles in line with our vision of delivering world class education, healthcare and jobs to the Ghanaian people with a sense of urgency, compassion and incorruptible leadership.
We are committed to making Ghana a place of opportunity for everyone and we shall do our utmost to see that victory is won.
There will be photo opportunities at the event.
Awake Ghana!
National Secretary
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is “SUV of the Year”
The 2020 model year of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio receives an award that the Italian high-performance SUV won once before two years ago: the car magazine AUTO ZEITUNG once again awarded the 375 kW (510 hp) top version of the series as the “SUV of the Year”. This time the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio prevailed against eleven competitors, including the most powerful SUVs of the major German, Italian and British brands.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equipped with a V6 bi-turbo petrol engine: its 375 kW (510 hp) provides acceleration from a standing start to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 283 km/h. This agile handling is due to the active suspension with electronic shock absorber control (AlfaTM Active Suspension), the AlfaTM D.N.A. Pro Dynamic Driving Control system, enhanced by the “Race” performance mode, the Brembo® high-performance braking system, the AlfaTM Q4 electronically controlled four-wheel drive, the ideal weight distribution of almost 50/50 between front and rear axles and the extremely direct steering. Sports seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara® and an eight-speed automatic transmission that allows gear changes using paddles on the steering wheel further enhance the driving pleasure. Shortly after its premiere, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio set a lap record for production SUVs on the legendary Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. Highlights of the 2020 model year include advanced electronic driver assistance systems, which enable autonomous driving at level 2, and a newly developed infotainment system with an 8.8-inch (22.3-centimetre) display.
Torino, 14 October 2020
Tema Police Command confers with political parties, media
The Tema Police Regional Command has held a stakeholders’ meeting with the various political parties and the media in Tema to plan towards a peaceful election in the region.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Barima Tweneboah Sasraku II, Tema Police Regional Commander, said it was important for the Police to meet with the stakeholders especially the representatives of the political parties to agree on the best way to keep peace before, during and after the elections.
DCOP Sasraku noted that the paramount thing all stakeholders wanted was peace, adding that as Ghanaians cherished democracy, they must tolerate each other’s views irrespective of their political affiliations.
He therefore asked stakeholders to propagate the message of peace and togetherness instead of violence and misunderstanding.
To the political parties, he reiterated the need for issue based campaigning devoid of verbal attacks, adding that the parties must not undertake activities at the same time in the same vicinity as that could degenerate into clashes.
He asked the political parties to give their itinerary to the Command to enable it plan its deployment of men and logistics effectively.
The Police Commander asked political parties to strictly adhere to the Public Order Act, saying that under the Representation of the People’s Law, PNDC Law 284, bribery, inducement, interference with the electoral process, defacing of EC notices and political parties posters among others, were criminal offences.
DCOP Sasraku also urged the media to play their role of educating, informing and entertaining the public well instead of using their platforms for the playing of war drums and publishing what would inflame passions.
He also appealed to the Electoral Commission’s representatives in the region to be fair to all parties and clearly spell out the election processes to all to avoid misunderstanding.
He assured that measures would be put in place for the electioneering, revealing that the Command had over 2,000 personnel who together with other state security agencies would provide the needed security.
He disclosed that his outfit was taking care of the whole region which spanned Tema, Ashaiman, Kpone-Katamanso, Dodowa, Prampram and Ada. According to him, the Tema Police Region was key and played an active role in the Greater Accra Region.
Mr Manasseh Ofosuhene Asante, Tema Metropolitan Director of the EC, disclosed that at the end of nomination filing, only the ruling New Patriotic Party ((NPP) and main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had successfully filed.
Mr Asante urged those who registered during the one day limited registration exercise and were issued with off line cards to visit the EC office to collect their voter ID cards, saying that even though they could vote with the one given, they could not use it as a national ID for other activities including bank transactions.
The media personnel appealed to the Command to educate its officers on the role of media in the political process and stop them from harassing journalists and seizing their gadgets during election coverage.
Representatives of the political parties pledged to engage in peaceful campaigning and appealed to the Police to urgently handle issues reported to them as according to one party, a complaint on poster defacement reported to the police for over three weeks had not received any attention, a situation he said could bring about mistrust.
Opuni’s Trial: Agricult never registered to manufacture fertilizer-Witness
Agricult Ghana Limited has never applied to the Pesticides and Fertilizer Regulatory Division (PFRD) under the Plant Protection Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) to manufacture fertilizer in Ghana.
Dr Felicia Ansah-Amprofi, the fourth prosecution witness in the case involving Dr Stephen Opuni and two others said Agricult Ghana Limited only applied for a certificate to import and distribute Lithovit follar fertilizer into the country.
Dr Ansah-Amprofi was answering questions in a cross-examination led by Mr Nutifafa Nutsukpui, Counsel for Seidu Agongo, Chief Executive Officer of Agricult Ghana Limited.
The witness said as explained to the court, the application for registration submitted by Agricult Ghana Limited was for certification to import and distribute fertilizer meant for food crops, not for Cocoa.
The Counsel asked the witness, whether per their records, there was any evidence to show that Agricult was registered to manufacture fertilizer but the witness answered in the negative.
Dr Ansah-Amprofi explaining further said per their records, they were expecting to see lithovit powder fertilizer on the shelves in the market but what the inspectors saw on the shelves was different.
She said “so my lord, whether it was imported or not it will be difficult for me to answer but per the records, we have an entity which cannot bring any fertilizer product into the country without a permit from the PPRSD.”
She said maybe the product might have been smuggled or manufactured in the country.
Mr Nutsukpui asked the witness, whether there was any evidence in their records that indicated Mr Agongo ever submitted any application for the registration of Lithovit follar fertilizer in his personal capacity, the witness said the application was submitted by the CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited.
“The CEO was the one, who signed the letter for the application for the registration,” she added.
The Counsel enquired that the PFRD, having been established by the Fertilizer Act meant that the Act provided the requirements and conditions for the registration of fertilizer and the witness answered in the affirmative.
She said the Fertilizer Act 803 and its regulations made provision on how to register fertilizer products.
Mr Nutsukpui said, “You told the court that the duration for registration of all fertilizer products is two years and can be renewed for another two years, ”the witness answered in the affirmative.
He asked Dr Ansah-Amprofi, whether there were any exemptions to the duration and renewal procedures either by the Fertilizer Act 803 or L.I 2194 and the witness said per the Acts and its regulations there were no exceptions.
The Counsel enquired from the witness whether, persons or entities interested in dealing in fertiliser in respect of Cocoa must bring Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) Certification to PPRSD, the witness answered in the affirmative.
Asked, whether the requirement that the entities should furnished the PFRD with report and certificate from CRIG was a prescription of Act 803 or L.I 2194 and the witness said it was in the procedures and guidelines for registration.
She said it was so because before Act 803, registration of product for Cocoa was being carried out by CRIG, because of the nature of Cocoa.
She said with the enactment of the Act, which superseded all registration of fertiliser products, a letter was written to CRIG, requesting CRIG to submit all results on products trials, so they could issue certification for Cocoa products.
She explained that CRIG was invited for a discussion on the certification of Cocoa products, there CRIG informed PPRSD Cocobod needed to put in a request for the trials.
Counsel ended his cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness.
The trial is adjourned to October 14, 2020 for the prosecution to introduce its fifth witness
Dr Opuni and Mr Seidu Agongo are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, corruption by a public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GHS300,000.00 self-recognisance bail each.
FDA and GSA harmonisation of processes will reduce cost -Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) has lauded the harmonisation of the processes of the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority.
It said the removal of the bottlenecks that increased cost and time of doing business, especially due to duplication of processes in the registration and certification of products was a welcome news.
Upon establishment of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) the continuous stringent requirements to certify FDA regulated products, Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, Household Chemicals, Herbal Medicinal products and Medical devices by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) led to duplication of some of the processes involved in FDA’s regulatory approval of products .
“This led to delays in acquiring regulatory and certifications for products and an increased regulatory cost which made cost and ease of doing business in Ghana not as competitive as desired,” the statement signed by Lucia Addae, Executive Secretary said.
“We applaud the Government, Ministries of Trade and Health, The CEOs of FDA, Mrs Delese Mimi Darko and GSA, Prof Alex Dodoo for removing these bottlenecks effective 1st October 2020,” it added.
The statement said as the two regulatory bodies mandated to protect health, safety, setting standards and facilitating trade “ we as Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturers with the goal of producing to meet the needs of the local and African market are appreciative of the benefit this will bring to our members.”
The GSA certification mark, FDA number and Made in Ghana logo will go a long way to enhance standardisation and trade within the continent for our members.
The Association encouraged government to partner industry to remove such regulatory and policy bottlenecks in trade without compromising on quality and standards .
The Association expressed the hope that the two institutions with their high global and continental pedigree globally will continue to support manufacturers to project the quality made in Ghana Pharmaceutical products within and outside the country.
“We look forward to further engagements and collaboration on the implementation so that we can promote and protect the pharmaceutical industry,” the statement added.
We are working to make mobile fraud expensive
Mr Derek Laryea, Head, Research and Communications Unit, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has said the Chamber is working with stakeholders to make mobile fraud an expensive venture.
He said the Chamber was considering the blocking of phones used in such transactions and blacklisting the identity of such users across all telecommunication networks.
This is because persons who indulged in fraud using mobile phones did not find it costly when their chips were blocked because the chip costs only GHC 1.00
Mr Laryea said this at a forum held in Accra to discuss Mobile Money Fraud and the way Forward,” at a Cybersecurity workshop.
He said the systems handling Mobile Money transaction were secured, but most people fell victim to fraudsters due to vulnerabilities on their side and said efforts were underway to make the venture costly and unprofitable.
Mr Godwin Kwami Tamakloe, Senior Manager, Risk compliance and Anti-Money Laundering, MTN Ghana, said MTN had invested about 2.5 million dollars into Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to upgrade its existing technology to track down the identity of such fraudsters.
He said in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, over 50 persons had been arrested for their involvement in Mobile Money related crimes and names of such persons would be published to deter persons indulging in such activities.
Mr Tamakloe said the collaboration would build the trust of the populace in Service providers.
Dr Herbert G. Yankson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Director of Cyber Crime, Crime Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, said there was the need for stakeholders to intensify education, targeting all sectors of the economy, saying, records had shown that number of cases recorded at his office had reduced from 93,000 in 2018 to 49,000 as at June, 2020.
He called for collaboration between the telecommunications service providers and the Police Service to facilitate data sharing to enable quick arrest of offenders.
Mr Eric Kwaku Mensah, Acting Head of Technical Operations, e-Crime Bureau said mobile phone users should avoid filling push prompt notifications, which demanded their pin codes because that was the new technique being used by fraudsters.
He advised them to report issues to the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) through its short code 292 or to the mobile networks immediately.
Mr Kwame Agyapong Oppong, Head of Fintech and Innovations, Bank of Ghana, said there was the need for an upgrade in the identification structure of citizens to enable easy sharing of information across institutions to fight such crimes.
He advised the public to “Report incident of attempt fraud or fraud early without delay.”
Exclusive: World’s first long-range wireless transmission project to be presented at Africa Energy Forum
The Africa Energy Forum (www.Africa-Energy-Forum.com) will host a special presentation on 21st October at 9am (UK time) by EMROD CEO and Founder Greg Kushnir, demonstrating the world’s first ever long-range wireless transmission project, currently operating in New Zealand.
EMROD has developed the world’s first commercially viable long-range, high-power, wireless power transmission as an alternative to existing copper line technology.
Emrod’s technology works by utilising electromagnetic waves to safely and efficiently transmit energy wirelessly over vast distances.
“Being able to transmit high-power electricity without any cables is game-changing for the continent. It means barriers to energy-access are smashed and Africa could be fully electrified within ten years. This is the technology millions of people have been waiting for.” Simon Gosling, Managing Director, EnergyNet
The company was founded by serial tech entrepreneur Greg Kushnir, who was determined to find a technology that can reduce power distribution costs, avoid outages and support renewable energy.
“We have an abundance of clean hydro, solar, and wind energy available around the world but there are costly challenges that come with delivering that energy using traditional methods, for example, offshore wind farms or the Cook Strait here in New Zealand requiring underwater cables which are expensive to install and maintain,” said Mr Kushnir.
“I wanted to come up with a solution to move all that clean energy around from where it’s abundant to where it’s needed in a cost-effective, eco-friendly way.”
Energy generation and storage methods have progressed tremendously over the last century but energy transmission has remained virtually unchanged since Edison, Siemens, and Westinghouse first introduced electric networks based on copper wires 150 years ago.”
By significantly reducing infrastructure costs, Emrod’s technology has the capacity to support remote communities such as in Africa and the Pacific Islands by providing access to cheap, sustainable energy to power schools, hospitals and economies.
“The data is compelling. We are talking about a potential 50 per cent increase in sustainable energy uptake, up to 85 per cent reduction in outages and up to 65 per cent reduction in electricity infrastructure costs due to the Emrod solution,” said Kushnir.
“Since announcing Emrod’s technology we have had a high level of interest from energy distribution and engineering companies from across the globe. We are progressing with some exciting opportunities to improve energy access for remote communities in areas such as India, Africa and Island Nations”, added Kushnir.
The company has achieved strong interest from electricity distributors with Powerco, New Zealand’s second-largest distributor deciding to invest in a proof of concept of the technology currently operational.
Kushnir commented; “The system we are currently building for Powerco will transmit a few kilowatts but we can use the exact same technology to transmit 100 times more power over much longer distances. Wireless systems using Emrod technology can transmit any amount of power current wired solutions transmit.”
More information about this session:
Event name: Africa Energy Forum 2020 (online)
Event dates: 20th October – 13th November 2020
Session date & time: 21st October, 09:00 (UK time/GMT)
Register: https://bit.ly/30YFJ4g
SOURCE
Africa Energy Forum
