‘Lecturers deserve better salary structure’ – Prof. Gyampo on UG UTAG intended strike

 Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG UTAG), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has stressed that until their conditions of service is improved, they will not hesitate to withdraw their services.

He says if salaries of university lecturers are not increased, the UG chapter of UTAG will embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, January 10, 2022.

Speaking to the media, the academic recalled that the decision by UTAG’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to accept the proposed payment of $1,600 was opposed by some members of the Association; hence, a reason for their industrial action.

According to him, “It’s purely about the fact that our salaries are not stated anywhere, conditions of service are poor, negotiations have not yielded much, timelines and agreements reached have not been respected. People are frustrated and it’s gotten to that time where I don’t think any amount of persuasion or sugarcoated words would get people to rescind their decision.

Prof. Gyampo questioned the 7% salary increment for public sector workers, adding that if there is no equity in the salary structure for workers, there cannot be industrial harmony.

He called for a review of the constitution to ensure that Ghanaians enjoy better payment modules. The political science lecturer argued that it would be misplaced for anyone to say the 70% pay raise for Article 71 office holders is a constitutional matter.

.…PROF. GYAMPO….

 

Ghana celebrates Constitutional Day

 “The 1992 Constitution came into force for the Fourth Republic of Ghana, on January 7, 1993, following its overwhelming approval in a referendum held on April 28, 1992.

The Constitution defines the fundamental political principles, establishing the structure, procedures, powers and duties of the government, structure of the judiciary and legislature, and spells out the fundamental rights and duties of a citizen.

Constitution Day of Ghana is observed every 7th January, the day new Heads of State are sworn into office in Ghana after the presidential and parliamentary elections and election of a new president and new members of the Parliament.

Private Legal Practitioner, Lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey commemorating this day said, for this constitution has been there for the past 29 years.

Speaking to the media the retired Military Officer said, this constitution showcase who is a President, DCE etc and it has become the only constitution of the country.

Constitution Day is a new Public Holiday, which was observed for the first time in Ghana on January 7, 2019. This day has been declared as an additional holiday under Section 2 of the Public Holiday Act, 2001 (Act 601).

Lawyer Nkrabea added that, it is a very good idea to setup a day aside to remember the day the constitution was made.

.…LAWYER NKRABEA FIRST……

Lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey again calls for the amendment of the 1992 constitution.

…..LAWYER NKRABEA SECOND….

Constitutional Day: Let’s defend constitution against interference, interruptions – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is encouraging the study of Ghana’s fundamental laws as a guide to civic rights and responsibilities as Ghanaians celebrate the Fourth Republican 1992 Constitution today, 7 January 2022.

Today, 7th of January dubbed “Constitution Day”, since its inception in 2019 has been set aside to commemorate the birth of the 1992 Constitution which ushered in the Fourth Republic.

The NCCE in a statement to mark the day stated that having uninterrupted constitutional rule for 29 years is a milestone that “we must celebrate as Ghanaians recalling our chequered political history and the overthrow of three previous Republican Constitutions, which were truncated by military interventions.”

The NCCE said it is using the day to remind Ghanaians of our collective commitment to uphold and defend the 1992 Constitution against interference and interruptions “as article 3(4) of the 1992 Constitution reminds us, every citizen of Ghana has a duty to defend the Constitution, must stand in defense against any person, group or issue that threatens the very fabric of our democracy, and must reject oppressor’s rule in any form or anything that seeks to disturb the peace and stability we enjoy.”

The NCCE, however, noted that despite these gains, strengthening Ghana’s democracy by reforming and improving the constitutional infrastructure should once again be made a national priority.

This, the commission believes will help tackle constitutional deficits and aspects of the 1992 Constitution that seemingly breed apathy from the public, disengages the public in major aspects of governance at the grassroot and national levels, further deepens marginalisation, promotes excessive powers of the Executive and festers the course of corruption.

“Our constitutional framework is anchored on the cardinal pillars of freedom, justice, probity and accountability, liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity,” the statement said adding “the dynamism of these principles must empower

Anesthetists suspend intended strike

Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists have suspended their strike effective today Thursday January 6 after an engagement with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.

The Association on Saturday, January 1, 2022, started an indefinite nationwide strike following what it described as the expiration of the license of its members.

The National Public Relations Officer of the group, Seth McAndoh speaking to Kwabena Wireko on Silver fm Omanbapa morning show said, they suspended their strike after an extensive engagement with Health Ministry.

According to him, taskforce has been constituted with terms of reference in relation to the concerns tabled by GACRA and a timeline of six (6) months for the taskforce to complete and submit its recommendations for implementation by the MOH.

He added that, as law abiding professionals, leadership has agreed to allow the MOH to see to the amicable resolution and bring the matter to its logical conclusion within the stipulated time as resolved by the meeting.

He noted that, they have suspended the strike and all their members are going back to work due to the fact that they have had extensive engagement with all the stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Christian Health Association of Ghana, Medical and Dental Council, the Ghana Health Service and all the other agencies, and per the agreement that they had, all the stakeholders are happy, and they are also happy.

.…MCANDOH….

 

 

 

 

 

We’re reviewing '31st night' prophecy videos; guilty prophets’ll be prosecuted – Police

The Ghana Police Service has said it is reviewing 31st December prophecies by some self-styled prophets and anyone found guilty to have predicted doom which can cause fear and panic will be prosecuted.  

The Police in a statement further cautioned that the law on publication of information including prophecies that have the tendency to cause fear and panic or put people’s lives in danger, is not limited to 31st December only but should be adhered to on a daily basis.

The Police reiterated that the law is not against religious practices or the performance of religious doctrines and beliefs such as prophecies.

“However, if such information is communicated publicly and undermine the laws of the state, the relevant laws and sanctions will be applied,” the law enforcement agency said in its statement.

The police commended religious groups in particular and the public for their general support and understanding of their proactive policing initiative on the communication of prophecies and related matters prior to the 31st December celebrations.

Due to this directive, the usual dooms day predictions by some self-styled prophets were largely missing in last year’s watchnight services across the country.

Some pastors known for their 31st-night doomsday predictions like Rev Owusu Bempah, Nigel Gaisie, Badu Kobi, Elisha Salifu Amoako among others, have, however, described the IGP’s caution as an attack on the church.

They said the IGP needed to be educated on the work of prophets.  

 

 

 

 

Wasa Amenfi: Man killed over goat

A misunderstanding over the ownership of a goat, has claimed one life at Wasa Amenfi in the Western Region.

Giving an account to what transpired, eye witness and a local reporter, Prince Obeng Mframa told Kwabena Wireko on Silver FM’s Omanbapa Morning that, the Twenty Eight (28) year old deceased, Yaw Anning was a brother in-law to the Fifty (50) year old suspect, Philip Kwabena Ampong Oduro.

He continued that, on the night of 31st December, 2021, the suspect, Philip Kwabena Ampong Oduro unexpectedly went to the late’s house to take away a goat, which he claimed to have bought from the deceased mother.

The deceased disagreed and wanted to authenticate the claims from her mother before bowing to it but the suspect insisted.

This led to scuffle between the two, and the 28 year old young man beat the suspect mercilessly, and sack him from the place.

On January 3, 2022, the suspect, together with his friend, Antwi went to the brother in-law’s house with intention to patching up their differences as we enter into a new year.

Known to the suspect and his friend alone, he had a gun on him, therefore, when Yaw Anning, the late, opened his door to welcome them, he was shot straight on the neck and chest.

He died on the spot.

The matter was reported to the Wasa Akropong Police and the body conveyed to Wasa Akropong Government Hospital for autopsy and preservation.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Philip, his wife and their five children, together with his friend, Antwi are at large.

However, the police have commenced investigation into the case.

….PRINCE….

MTN takes steps to decongest service centres during SIM re-registration

In a bid to reduce congestion at various SIM card re-registration centres across the country, telecommunication giant, MTN Ghana, says it has deployed mobile teams to support activations going on at registration centres.

In addition to that, it says it is set to have almost 200 community activations taking place across the country.

It further added that it is working to increase the number of devices officers are using for the registration exercise to enhance the process.

General Manager for Regional Sales and Distribution for Southern Ghana, Abubakar Mohammed speaking to the media said, they have deployed their mobile teams to support the SIM activations at the various service centres and have also been community activations to support various service centres.

According to him, they will have almost 200 community activations happening across the country to ease the decongesting.

He added that, their mobile teams will be going to the institutions to support them with the re-registration exercise.

Some Ghanaians who are seeking to re-register their SIM cards with the Ghana card are complaining about the excessively long queues they’ve had to endure at the offices of some telecommunication companies.

The situation has worsened since the first working day in 2022.

…..ABUBAKAR…..

 

 

 

We’re open to all kinds of criticism – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo says he is unperturbed about the numerous attacks that have come his way and that of his government in recent times.

He said he understands the huge task of bettering the lives of Ghanaians as President of the land.

The President and his administration have faced criticism over its management of the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

Speaking at a special church service for the first family at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said he will work to make things better for Ghanaians with the help of God.

This is in line with comments by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who assured that the government is committed to ensuring a turnaround of the economy in 2022; following shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, things will normalize.

On the criticism, President Akufo-Addo said, “it enables us to be able to tolerate many of the slings and arrows that are thrown at us in this house.”

President Akufo-Addo added that his administration remained open to criticism, regardless of the intent.

“We see this as part of the work we have to do for the people of Ghana, and we prepared to be open to all kinds of statements; some malicious, some in good faith. But then we take it all on board.”

“We are trying to build an open society and a nation that guarantees freedoms of all sorts, so those who are in the front of it have to have the temperament and psyche that enables them to tolerate whatever is said and in many cases be able to divine some hidden truths in what is said,” the president said.