Akufo-Addo outlines plan of action to combat illegal, unregulated fishing

President Akufo-Addo says illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing activities have contributed significantly to a decline in fish stocks in Ghana, and, as such, the nation has been compelled to spend some $200 million annually to import fish to shore up the country’s fish requirements.

Speaking at the One Ocean Summit in Brest, France, at the invitation of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, President Akufo-Addo explained that the health of the planet and the health of the peoples of the world are inextricably linked to the health of our oceans.

“70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans, which account for the very origins of life, as we know it. The world’s oceans provide food and sustenance, mineral resources, energy, employment and livelihoods, transport and recreation.

“Acting as the lungs of the planet, oceans are responsible for some fifty percent (50%) of the oxygen produced on the planet, and absorb 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from human activity,” the President said.

According to him, however, this God-given asset faces an existential threat, largely, from pollution and over-exploitation, and the world has to take decisive actions now to safeguard the ocean’s capacity to regenerate, and to continue to deliver substantial economic, environmental, and social value for human development.

“To curb the menace of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing activities, a National Plan of Action is being implemented. Components of this Plan include fish catch certification, reactivation and installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS), automatic identification system (AIS) on vessels, port and beach inspections, and sea patrols. We support the principle of a global convention in this area,” the President said.

….AKUFO ADDO…..

‘The oppressor will not prevail’ – Sam Korankye Ankrah prays for ASEPA’s Mensah Thompson and Bobie Ansah

The Executive Director of Alliance of Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson and Accra FM presenter, Bobie Ansah, joined the Royal House Chapel International Church to thank God for their release.

Their work colleagues and families joined them for thanksgiving service on Sunday.

The head pastor of the Royal House Chapel, Apostle Sam Korankye Ankrah, prayed for the two and assured the two media practitioners have nothing to fear since notable persons have added their voice to the issue.

Praying for theduo, he said, “I pray grace upon your lives, for wisdom and protection for any threat upon your lives today on this altar we cancel it. Any threat to your family members we cancel it, they will gather against you but not by the Lord.

He continued that, any weapon that is formed against them whether it is political, spiritual, financial, manipulation or brute force; we pray that the Lord will raise your standard against them.

He noted that as a result of the case against the two, “the freedom of the liberty of the press will move to a different level.”

….REV. KORANKYE FIRST….

Rev. Sam Korankye again said, he doesn’t support the harassment of journalists who are going about doing their work.

….REV. KORANKYE SECOND….

 

Akuapem North Fire Service calls on government for equipment to improve service delivery

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Akuapem North Municipality has called on the government and corporate institutions to support them with vehicles, tenders among other fire-fighting equipment.

According to the Municipal Fire Officer, DOI Martha Annang, fire prevention has been a challenge in the municipality as they have recorded countless bush fire cases since last year December till date.

She explains that this will improve their service as they intend to embark on a fire sensitization programme to educate the populace on safety measures to prevent the occurrence.

She added that, they will be very grateful it the nation or the citizen help provide equipment to the Ghana National Fire Service in Akuapem North to help prevent fires from occurring.

DOI Martha Annang mentioned that the outfit needs vehicles and tenders.

“This is to our President. So far as they have provided the Ghana Fire Service with office accommodation in the Akuapem South, we’d be very grateful if they can give us the tender.”

…DOI MARTHA ANNANG…

 

 

 

 

Police gives blow-by-blow account of Tamale shooting incident

The Tamale Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent George Yeboah Afari, has explained the circumstances that led to the shooting incident in Lamashegu in Tamale in the Northern Region.

Four persons including a minor from Lamashegu suffered various degrees of gunshots wounds Sunday February 13.

The incident took place after a police officer allegedly shot a young man who was driving an unregistered car and refused to stop after several attempts by the said officer to stop him.

Chief Superintendent George Yeboah Afari gave an account of what happened while speaking to journalists.

He said, they were aware of the visit of the Vice President, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia therefore he went out within the Tolon District when communication was relayed that a Police man was under attack at the Lamashegu Naa’s Palace.

Following that information , he asked his driver to drive straight to the Lamashegu Naa Palace and when they got there, the crowd was too much and even his reception was not encouraging not by the Chiefs and his Elders but by the youth around.

He added that, he entered and the Chief said his man (Police Officer) was nearly to be lynched but he has been brought inside so he should find a means to take him away.

He noted that, he called the patrol team, the FPU, to come and they came and whisked all of them away to the Regional Police headquarters and at the headquarters he decided to go to the Tamale Teaching Hospital to see the victim it was alleged was hit by the bullet.

He revealed that, he saw a 24-year-old man who was on a sick bed and according to reports earlier; he had been hit with the bullet in the hip.

.…SUPT. YEBOAH….

Vormawor’s comment was uncalled for- Dep. Defence Minister

Deputy Defence Minister, Hon. Kofi Amankwah Manu has jabbed Convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement Oliver Barker-Vormawor following his post he made on his facebook page.

Oliver Barker- Vormawor on his facebook posted that, “If this E-levy passes after this cake bullshit, I will do the coup myself. Useless Army!”

But the Atwima Kwanwoma lawmaker, Hon. Amankwah Manu speaking to the media said, it is uncalled for the call the Army as Useless.

According to him, people who have witnessed numerous coups in the country from 1979 and 1981 would never mention the name coup.

He added that, there are some words you cannot utter despite having freedom of speech.

Hon. Manu urged Ghanaians to adhere to all rules and regulations of the country.

Oliver Barker- Vormawor has been arrested by the Tema Regional Police Command and will appear before court today.

….HON. MANU FIRST…..

Touching on Rev. Sam Korankye’s comment following the arrest of some Journalists, Hon. Amankwah Manu said, they are not harassing Journalist but rather maintaining law and order in the country.

.…HON. MANU SECOND…..

 

 

Barker-Vormawor’s detention a breach of the constitution – Martin Kpebu

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has condemned the Police over how they arrested one of the conveners for the #FixTheCountry Movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

According to him, the Police poorly handled the arrest, which he described as “a mockery of the power of arrest”.

On Friday night, Mr Barker-Vormawor was picked up by the Police at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) while returning from abroad.

According to the Police, the activist was apprehended over a social media post on Facebook announcing a plot to stage a coup should the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) be passed.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor made the threat after pictures of an E-levy-designed cake emerged during the 65th birthday party of the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Lawyer Kpebu speaking to the media argued that, Oliver was just doing advocacy against the prolificacy of the government, and the Police say they have arrested him to investigate the coup.

He added that, the Police should have invited him openly but not in such a Rambo style.

Lawyer Martin Kpebu believes the decision by the Police to hold him in custody for over 48 hours is a clear breach of the constitution.

He noted that, the Supreme Court has said that the Police have the right to keep a suspect and take him to court within 48 hours and not the expiration of the 48 hours for court processes to begin.

.…LAWYER KPEBU…..

 

We are not clamping down on media freedom- Police

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwesi Ofori, Director-General, Public Affairs has stated that, the Ghana Police Service under any circumstances is not trying to clamp down on the Freedom of Media.

According to him, the Police under the leadership of Dr. Akufo Dampare is not suppressing against the media but will arrest anyone who’s actions goes contrary to the constitution.

DCOP Kwesi Ofori made this known to the media after some group of people accused the Police and the government for harassing media personals who stand against their governance.

Media General Presenter, Captain Smart, Accra fm presenter, Bobie Ansah and Convener of #Fixthecountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor have all been arrested by the Police following their series of comments they made.

But DCOP Ofori added that, the Police will only intervene ones your comments can course riot in the country.

Oliver Barker- Vormawor is currently in the Tema Police custody and will soon be arraigned before court.

….DCOP OFORI…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FixTheCountry’s Barker-Vormawor charged with treason felony

A lead convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been charged with treason felony.

This was after the private legal practitioner was put before the Ashaiman District Court on Monday, February 14, 2022.

He has been remanded into police custody and set to reappear on February 28, 2022.

Mr Barker-Vormawor was arrested on Friday over a Facebook post that announced a plot to stage a coup should the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) be passed.