Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region on the ticket of NPP, Hon. Michael Okyere Kofi Baafi has urged his colleagues MPs to persistently have engagement with their constituents to enable ascertain their problems.

He stated that some MPs only made themselves available to their constituents during elections period, a situation he termed as “unencouraging”.

According to Hon Okyere Baafi, should his colleague MPs cultivate the manner of persistent engagement with their constituents they can use such platforms and show to them developmental projects they have at their disposal for the constituency.

“If they do this their constituents will stop saying that my MP hasn’t done anything when we voted him to Parliament” he said.

He told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH in an interview during a town hall meeting with residents of Nyamekrom in his constituency to see how togetherly with the New Juaben South Assembly can address to their challenges.

Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, however indicated that, for some periods now, when someone becomes MP in Ghana especially Koforidua they use their common funds to do developmental projects in the name of their political party as well as performing their parliamentary duties without thinking about the wellbeing of their constituents which is very worrying.

“So I decided that if the people of Koforidua voted me as their MP, in every quarter of the yearly I will meet my constituents to listen to their problems and help them” he revealed.

Furthermore, he underscore how the [town hall meeting] with residents of Nyamekrom has given him a broad knowledge with a lot of things needed to be done for them as their plight.

Again, Hon. Okyere Baafi, opined that, they had previously thought of given the people trade funds to help boost business in the area.

“But when we gave the residents an opportunity to ask questions , someone said, most of the people in Nyamekrom are into farming. So they will need agric fund to run their farms”.

He then noted, the idea was very brilliant and if they hasn’t done this town hall meeting, electorates wouldn’t have gotten such opportunity to vomit their predicament out. This, he said will help him to get many ideas to work hand in hand with the constituents.

Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH speaking to some of the attendees after the programme stated that, the gathering has given them an opportunity to voice out their problems to both their MP and MCE of New Juaben South Municipal Assembly , Hon. Issac Apaw Gyesi respectively.

“We are very excited and we wish this town hall meeting will not end here” they added.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews

The newly installed chief of Akyem Anyinasin in the Abuakwa North Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana,Osabarima Agyei Bosompem Appiah Korang III, today 7th April, 2021, received the member of parliament, Hon Gifty Twum-Ampofo who was the former deputy education minister and her entourage made up of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives of the Abuakwa North Constituency led by the 1st vice chairman who doubles as Eastern Regional Coordinator of Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), Alhaji Seidu Ibrahim in his home at Akyem Anyinasin.

The member of parliament presented schnapps and other assorted drinks, packs of bottled water, boxes of hand sanitizers and a hamper to the chief to welcome him to the royal stool.

On receiving the items, Osabarima Agyei Bosompem Appiah Korang III, thanked the member of parliament and her delegation for such a wonderful gesture and displayed his surprise to the gifts presented him.

He further mentioned that, he is poised to work hand in hand with the leadership of Abuakwa North for the development of Akyem Anyinasin, the Municipality and the country as a whole.

Osabarima Agyei Bosompem Appiah Korang III, pleaded with the government to expedite the construction of the Anyinasin to Akyem Old-Tafo road which has been awarded on contract to and also beef up security in the area to curb the robbery incidents in the area.

Osabarima Agyei Bosompem Appiah Korang III, was sworn in on the 27th of March, 2021. The sworn-in was performed by the Abontendomhene of Kibi, Osabarima Marfo Kwabrane III and the second in command for the Nifa traditional division of Okyeman who doubles as Akyem Achiase chief, Dasebre Gyenin Kantan II, the colourful event attracted other chiefs in the enclave and the general public with all COVID 19 protocols duely observed.

Osabarima Agyei Bosompem Appiah Korang III was subsequently outdoored on the 3rd of April, 2021 in Akyem Anyinasin.

By// Nana Kwasi Asare.

Source// Nopras FM, Kukurantumi.

The Eastern Regional Organiser on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwame Appiah Kodua has hinted, arguing or debating about who become NPP’s presidential candidate leading them into 2024 Ghana’s general elections is not their priority at this moment.

He said, their main priority is fully centered on how to rally their support behind Prez Nana Addo to continue his good works he started in the last 4yrs, as well as his step towards changing the destiny of this country.

Mr. Appiah Kodua, then noted that at this juncture, prayers from the NPP fraternity are needed by President Akuffo Addo to get sound mind to enable him govern this country rather than ‘touring round’ to seek for the presidential slot.

He again stated that, the novel pandemic coronavirus disease has has brought the economy of every country down including Ghana.

“Any candidate who will be chosen to lead the party in 2024 will ride on the success of Prez Akufo-Addo to become the Prez, so we all have to support him ” he added.

Adding salt to issues, he indicated, they[NPP] are sending a strong warning to their party supporters who will violate this purpose, alerting that, whoever found guilty will be sanctioned by the party’s constitution.

Mr. Kwame Appiah Kodua, the Eastern Regional Organizer told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH in an interview concerning the growing debate as to who become the party’s next flagbearer to succeed Prez Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Kwame Appiah Kodua stressed, at this moment we[NPP] have to assist Prez Nana Addo and his gov’t to developed the country since that’s what is expected from the masses but not focusing on who lead the party in 2024.

Notwithstanding, he highlighted that their main concentration is to use their strength to support and help Prez Akufo-Addo in his 2nd term to achieve more developmental projects for Ghanaians.

Moreover, Mr. Kwame Kodua underscore how the NPP Executives in the Eastern Region haven’t endorsed any of the said presidential aspirant candidates. A situation he described as “very disturbing”.

“Because our party constitution doesn’t allow us to do that….”he opined.

To conclude, he advised all and sundry especially NPP party followers to desist from such distractive brouhaha since Prez Nana Akuffo Addo has another 4yrs of which he has spent three months only and is on-course with his good initiative he has begun to better the standard of Ghanaians living.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

It could be recalled that, the Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly circulated a letter dated 11th February, 2021 to bring to the attention of the general public and stake holders, measures of private burials in line with COVID 19 presidential directives number 23 as reviewed by the municipal security council (MUSEC) at a meeting held on Thursday 11th February, 2021.
The following were emphasized.

1. Corpses should be moved from the morgue to the cemetery.
2. Activities at the morgues are limited to 25 persons including mourners and sympathizers detailed to prepare and pick up corpses for burial.
3. Erecting of canopies for mourning on the compounds of the morgues by the bereaved families are prohibited.
4. Corpses should not be allowed into houses.
5. Burial process should not exceed 2 hours.
   6.There should not be more than 25 persons including mourners and sympathizers.
6. There should be no admission of any corpse into any church premises for burial services.
7. Management of morgues are encouraged to schedule times for pick up of corpses to prevent over crowding and spread of the pandemic.
8. Funeral celebrations should be postponed until ban is lifted per presidential directives.

” Persons who flout these directives would be prosecuted in line of the relevant laws”, the letter captured.

At the second session of the second general assembly at the assembly’s first (1st) ordinary meeting held on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021, at the Assembly Hall in Akyem Kukurantumi, the presiding member, Hon Asare Gyekye, in his early submissions causioned members to avoid mentioning names when informing public about the decisions taken by the assembly and also be guided by the principles of collective responsibility.
He further clarified that, the unconstitutionality raised by a member of the house on earlier measures by the MUSEC and executive committee on restrictions on private burials was in the right direction per order 21:3 of the existing rules and regulations.

In the same development, Honourable Gifty Twum-Ampofo, member of parliament of Abuakwa North and former deputy minister of education in charge of TVET, proposed to the august house that, the aforementioned directives are making it difficult for the constituents to burry their dead. She added that, the Akyem tribe honour their dead relatives with a lot of respect so it would be welcoming for the assembly to reverse it’s earlier decision but with strict adherence to the COVID 19 safety protocols.
The honourable member of parliament encouraged all to make adherence to the COVID 19 protocols a priority to help curb the spread.

In line with the assembly’s standing orders, Hon Asare Gyekye, called for a debate on the matter after which they arrived at a decision where corpses must be allowed to homes and church premises with strict adherence to the presidential directives and COVID 19 safety protocols within the municipality.

The Assembly has further tasked the zonal councils to inform the chiefs of their catchment areas after which a letter will be issued to that effect.

The Ag. municipal health director, Mrs Rebecca Dede Bantey, commended the Assembly for their commitment in fighting the pandemic and added that, the restrictions by the assembly helped a long way to curb the spread in the municipality.
She further admonished the assembly members to be ambassadors in the fight of the pandemic now that the restrictions are eased in the municipality.

Present at the session were, Honourable Gifty Twum-Ampofo, MP, Mr Asare Gyekye, PM, Mrs Ruth Woode, MCD, Honourable assembly members, government appointees, departmental heads, stakeholders, opinion leaders and the press.

Abuakwa North from January 1st, 2021 to March 31st, 2021 tested sixty seven (67) suspected COVID 19 cases of which twenty five (25) persons tested positive all the twenty five (25) persons have recovered living no active case with seven results pending. This was disclosed by the health directorate.

By// Nana Kwasi Asare.

Source// Nopras FM, Kukurantumi.

The Western North Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) has backed on the call for the appointment of more youth into leadership positions in president Nana Akufo Addo’s administration.

The NPP in the Western North Region believes that such move will create a platform for the young people in the NPP to be actively involve in his governance system and participate at the highest level of decision making and advancing the course of youth development at the same time.

Speaking to Kaakyire Kwasi Afari, on New Day FM news on Tuesday, the Regional Secretary, Mr Samuel Kofi Abiaw said, consequently, the youth in Western North Region who are mostly grassroots members have remained largely at the periphery of the NPP development structures, with little recognition.

Adding that, the New Patriotic Party’s grassroots has revealed how hunger and angry they are with their leaders due to their failure to provide them job.

Mr. Kofi Abiaw noted that, NPP lost 2008 presidential election because the youth in the party withdrawn their service during the campaign season, and claiming that they have been neglected for a very long time, and deserve to be rewarded.

The regional secretary added, several capable and prominent NPP loyalists in the party especially, Western North Region had spent their time, money, and energy galvanizing support for the party when they were in opposition.

Mr. Samuel Kofi Abiaw requested from the Appointment Authority, especially President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to remember the NPP Western North Regional Executives and its grassroots members who immensely served and understand the party philosophy to support his Administration.

Source// New Day FM, Jomoro.

By// Kaakyire Kwasi Afari

The Chief of Okorase in the Akuapem North Municipality of Eastern Region, Nana Asare Kumi III has welcomed the gov’t directives to place ban on this year’s (2021) easter conventions to be observe by various churches in the country to curb the spread of novel pandemic coronavirus disease.

The move he said is very laudable and everyone must embrace it noting that many countries have lost many of their citizens after failing to put up good measures in place to protect its people from the covid.

He stated that, no leader or Head of State will take a decision that will have negative impact on its citizens, thus believe these directive will help all and sundry.

Nana Kumi III then stated that, following the worship of the almighty’s God since he firstly created the universe including Adam and Eve, numerous conventions have been held so if this year’s festive is called-off, it wont cause the country any harm.

This, he called on all churches to understand and cope with the situation alerting that “we are not in good times”

Again, he’s of the view that when such directives are given out in most times, it is the one man churches who normally defy such orders. A situation he labeled as ‘very disturbing’.

“If you do that and in the end of the convention all your church members contracted the disease and pass away, which people will you use to run your church” he asked?.

Nana Asare Kumi III who made this known in an interview with Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH urged various churches to obey these directives by the gov’t to save lives of their church members.

In addition he said, looking at the effort being put in place by the gov’t of Ghana in fighting against the coronavirus is very encouraging as compared to some other countries across the globe.

Nana Asare Kumi III hinted that any man of God who will flout this directives must be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others since everyone’s life matters.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews.

Member of Parliament for Wassa Amenfi East constituency in the Western Region , Hon. Nicholas Amankwah a.k.a ‘Home Boy’ has said, the real solution to eradicate illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’ is to decentralised minerals right enforcement laws in the country. Because the Minerals Commission alone can’t do the work.

According to Hon. Nicholas Amankwah, it is not right for people with interest in small scale mining to come to the Minerals Commission office in Accra to obtain licenses before going back to the remote area where the mining will take place.

This, he emphasisd that, there is the need to establish Mineral Commission’s Office at the various District and Municipal Assemblies especially, where mining activities remains the only source of income for the youth.

He made this call during his address at the National Dialogue Series with the Nananom, Miners and residents from the various communities in his constituency to see how possible best they can work together to eradicate the illegal miners from their area. Theme: “A National Conversation on illegal mining (Galamsey)- the way forward” organised by the Multimedia Group at Amenfiman Senior High School Assembly hall on Friday, March 26, 2021.

According to him, his request will help Miners in his mining community, Wassa Akropong and Ghana at large to easily acquire mining license from their own assembly to operate and devoid from harassment.

The MP, who doubles as Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises is of the view that, these illegal mining activities and their associated problems are local problems demanding a local enforcement approach.

“This will help enable the small-scale miners to work and earn their livelihoods in a regulated, secure, and lawful environment” he said.

Hon. MP admonished gov’t to include Chiefs in the fight against illegal mining.

“The wanton destruction of the environment and natural resources would be curtailed if the Nananom, as custodians of the lands are given some authority by the State” he opined.

Hon. MP stressed that, if gov’t include the local authorities, the Chiefs will have a role to play to help the gov’t to achieve its aim of fighting illegal miners in Ghana .

Hon. Amamkwah made an humble appeal to all the stakeholders to come together and work as one people to stop the canker from destroying our environments.

By// Kaakyire Kwasi Afari.

Source// New Day FM, Jomoro.

The Jomoro NDC Communication Officer, Mr. Patrick Ellonu has noted that some state security who have been employed to unapproved routes at Elubo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region are allegedly aiding the illegal immigrants to and fro into the country.

Mr. Ellonu mentioned that, some Immigration and Custom Officers stationed at Jaway Wharf and Samenye barrier are allegedly extorting amount ranging from gh¢100 to gh¢200 from the immigrants, the Ivorians.

He made this revelation when speaking to Nhyiraba Gideon on Jomoro based New Day FM Morning Show on Thursday.

He counted his eye-saw, how a Custom officer mercilessly humiliated a family from Ivory Coast whom they have no money to pay ‘bribe’ to guarantee their entry into the country, but, were later allowed entry into Ghana following a plea by a colleague Officer on their behalf.

The NDC Communication Officer angrily sent a word of caution to the officers to immediately desist from the such act. According to him, the trend may have adverse security and health threat to the good people of Jomoro especially during this global pandemic Covid-19 upsurge.

However, he acknowledged some security officers for their excellent job at the borders of Nzema enclaves but lamented that, there are wolves amongst them who their activities causes discredit to the reputation of the security agencies in Ghana.

Mr. Patrick Ellonu comment came on the back of the MP for Jomoro, Hon Dorcas Afo Toffey who made a call on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to called on the government to open land borders to ease the suffering of businesses in the border towns of Elenda Wharf, Elubo and Jaway Wharf in the Municipality.

“You are here to serve, we use our taxepayers money to pay you people but the corruption is too much on our borders” he cries out.

The loudmouthed NDC Communicator commended the Member of Parliament for Jomoro constituency for seeking the welfare of the constituents in the area on the floor of parliament.

By// Kwasi Afari.

Source// New Day FM, Jomoro

As majority of the people in Abuakwa North Municipality lament on the “lackadaisical” approach of M/s Itracco Ghana Limited to the construction of a 5.9 kilometer Ofori Panin Senior High School through Akyem New-Tafo township to Akyem Old-Tafo Engen stretch of bituminous surfacing road.

The Municipal urban roads engineer for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, Mr Benard Adams, has assured the people of Akyem New-Tafo that, his office as mandated to supervise the contract which was signed between Government of Ghana and the aforementioned firm in 2020 with funding from road fund, will be completed by the end of 2021 as scheduled.

He debunked rumors that, the contractor abandoned the project and further explained that, the contract is in phases, the first phase which was drainage construction was completed by the contractor on schedule and thus the rest will also be completed on schedule.

It could be recalled that, this stretch of road was first constructed in 1995 by the erstwhile late president JJ Rawlings’ administration and has since seen no face lift until now.

By// Nana Kwasi Asare.

Source// Nopras FM.

One of the abandoned Community Day Senior High Schools built by the formal President Mr. John Dramani Mahama located at Denkyira Kyekyewere in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of Central Region has started admission for fresh Senior High School (S.H.S) Students.

The school was built and commissioned by former president John Dramani Mahama in 2016. But the school remained unused until 2021.

When I visited the school, I saw some of the new students and their parents in the school premises who are there to finalize the admission process.

In an interview with some residents of Denkyira Kyekyeware, they Express gratitude to former President John Dramani Mahama and the formal Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Emelia Ankomah for building a Senior High School in their community.
They believe that the present of the school would boost market in the town.

The residents urged the parents to bring their wards who are still in the house to the school because the school has all the facilities.

Some of the parents who brought their wards to the school expressed satisfaction with the school facilities. The parents also urged their wards to take their learning materials serious.

Meanwhile some of the fresh students express satisfaction with the school facilities and encouraged their fellow students who are still in the house to join them….

Source// Solar FM.

By// Bediako Gabriel Obofour.