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The Education Ministry has sent a final demand notice to TANIT Ltd for the refund of an amount of eight hundred and fifty-nine thousand, one hundred and fifteen cedis, forty-six pesewas (Gh859, 115.46).

The demand for the refund was due to TANIT’s failure to execute the given assignment within the specified duration.

In a letter dated 18th August 2022, the Ministry indicated that it will advise itself if TANIT Ltd fails to comply with the final demand notice.

The Ministry made reference to letters dated 22nd June 2022, 24th June 2022 and 18th July 2022 all in relation to the contract agreement signed on 26th July, 2021 between them.

Terms of contract 

The Education Ministry in the contract expected TANIT Ltd to have performed each of the five deliverables and submit a claim respectively for work done at each stage and report for verification before moving to the next stage.

Here are the five deliverables spelt out in the contract by the Ministry to TANIT Ltd: 

1. Submission of inception report by August 2021 attracting payment of 15 per cent of the contract sum which was met by TANIT Ltd.

2. Design, construct and build a platform for the training of teachers online by September, 2021 attracting payment of 25 per cent.

3. Develop and build curriculum design by October 2021 also attracting 20 per cent payment. 

4. Operationalise a dashboard, platform sign off and go live by November 2021 which also attracted payment of 20 per cent. 

5. Consultant to be required to stay on board for additional two months (December 2021 to January 2022) after the project goes live for quality assurance which attracted the remaining 20 per cent.

The bone of contention is the fact that TANIT Ltd did not submit monthly reports for the remaining four deliverables but rather lumped the four reports together and requested the payment of the remaining 85 per cent contract sum.

In addition, TANIT Ltd also failed to complete the project within the five-month period as prescribed by the contract.

Background

It must be noted that TANIT Ltd submitted a lumped payment claim of the remaining 85 per cent on 14th February 2022 meanwhile, the contract which was signed on 26th July 2021 was supposed to be completed by January 2022.

It must be put on record that TANIT Ltd's contract was NOT TERMINATED as is being speculated but it rather EXPIRED forcing the Education Ministry to seek support from another source for the successful execution of the project.

The Education Ministry is therefore informing the general public of its commitment to making good use of resources it received from the government for the provision of quality education to all Ghanaians irrespective of location.

Again, the Ministry did not cook up figures but gave actual training figures to merit the payment of the project fund from the World Bank.

Former MMDCEs in the Country who worked under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo’s first term of government are calling on the President of the Republic to credit them with their End of Service Benefit.

According to them, for over twelve months that they were sacked from government ,the Nation has refused to pay them their End of Service Benefits.
Speaking to this newspaper,the inability of the government to pay them their End of Service Benefit has rendered some of them into abject poverty.

Source has it that,most of them cannot even afford to pay their utility bills,let alone their wards' school fees because of the untimely sack and it forgoing characters.

The source indicated further that , most of them depend on their wives for living which according to them has resulted into broken homes leading others to their untimely death.

Report has it that some of them are finding it difficult to have their daily three square meal.

The above reasons have compelled them to demonstrate against their own party government if not paid .

According to them,if the President fails to attend to them then they have no option than to demonstrate against their former master.

They revealed that, lives have not been eazy for them since they were sacked from government and the only way they could enjoy lives in this difficult times is to have access to their End of Service Benefits but the government has refused to pay them since.

They however appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo to as a matter of urgency release their money in order to make lives better for them because they are suffering.

The Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) is a five-year project to improve the quality of education in low-performing basic education schools to strengthen education sector equity and accountability in Ghana for an over view to know where to tackle from as a ministry in other to bring out the best from our student right from primary school. As a ministry we will render services as remedial from Primary two(2).

Hon. Adutwum in his speech told the press ways the ministry have set measure for text books to be available to schools in next academic year.

Secondly there was assessment of students of primary Four(4) in other to know their strength to be able to be guided on the education sector to know what should be focused on and Ahafo was able to come first in both Maths and English.

Thirdly he spoke about the STEM High Schools which most of them has been completed and others in progress of completion which gets people overwhelmed about the standard of construction. There are 12 science labs in the Creative art Senior High School which will create a network of Sci-fi Movies.

Our administration is task to fully complete a school before is handed over for a full academic studies with well equipped tools to learn. There are advance equipment in our various Technical Universities. There are about seven(7) Technical college under construction in the midst of our economical challenges in all new created regions he said.

In addition there are five(5) STEM University approved under the budge which is going through visibility studies. There are also 32 Super STEM High Schools, ten(10) of which will begin this year. 100 million Cedis has also been allocated for the construction of lower secondary schools or the lower high schools.

Education is been transformed, I am glad to inform you that education is changing under His excellency President Nana Addo and as a sector minister I am excited. Top notch high schools science labs are being renovated and advance.

Everywhere you turn there are level of transformation and we as a team are increasing opportunities for a student to peruse science. The country will develop when a lot of our students are pursuing STEM education with a lot of engagement of girls he said.

Who approved a school under tree? Is the Ghana Education Service which boils down to inability to plan well before sending teachers and head teachers. There are measure on board to make sure community with no schools will get adequately and there will be schools under tree.

He finally throws light on t he Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) is a five-year project to improve the quality of education in low-performing basic education schools and strengthen education sector equity and accountability in Ghana. It reason of creation is to make sure teachers are well trained for students in other for a no child to be left behind policy. The GALOP has been structured different for many countries and country like Ghana the world Bank has offered us the credibility for a result meant. You are paid after you train, which an amount was paid into the ministry accounts after they render the service with a certified report from the World Bank.

Joseph Anaman communication team member of the NPP in his speech on Womtumi Radio, emphasized on the fact that Weija-Gbawe is one the best constituency. As member of Parliament is always working hard together with Quame Bequin their youth leader. 

In the New Patriotic Party we have structures in assigning one for a Presidential bait. As a presidential aspirant what you can used to win a vote is your level of communication as it is a currency in Politics. Their spokes person should take note the only thing that can be helpful is how they communicate.

In addition if our administration is keen in communicating what they have done so far towards the developmental goals of the Nation, especially the free Shs policy, the citizenry will appreciate their efforts to vote for them for a continuous rendering of service to the Ghana.

Let communicate efficiently for Ghanaians to know the good work Nana-Addo and his team are doing for their citizens to conclude his speech.

We once raised the hope for EFFUTU and everything useful within her land as much as development and growth is concerned. This flag of hope was raised by past NDC leaders, 2013. 

EFFUTU (NDC) again strangely acted mischievous to dash the hope of the whole EFFUTU  constituency developmental race, Emmanuel Kwesi Egyir, next deputy Communicator who is prayerful and hopeful states.

It therefore behooves on us , this generation of EFFUTU youth to set the new pace , renew the EFFUTU  constituency hope again , and this time guard against any reactionaries, traitors , betrayals within ourselves so religiously to avoid another historic disgrace , historic disappointment to shoot ourselves in the foot. 

Let us grow EFFUTU NDC  to bring the old message of hope for EFFUTU and the people of EFFUTU descents.

This is call to duty to redeem our EFFUTU NDC image we tainted on the 7th of DECEMBER,2013. 

We have to make a new indelible name in the annals of EFFUTU NDC history for ourselves to gain the trust of our fellow EFFUTU'S and the people all over . 

Effutu can and must be made to start working again . Nature don't work against itself..

*#1 voice is the answer*

WE THINK EFFUTU 

WE THINK PROGRESS 

 *THE STRUGGLE WILL SURELY MAKE SENSE ONE DAY..* 

EFFUTU WE FROM 

EFFUTU WE SPEAK 

EFFUTU WE STAND....!!

The Minority in Parliament has taken note of the significant utility tariff hikes for electricity and water in an announcement by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

Firstly, we wish to debunk the misleading conclusion that the PURC has increased the Electricity tarrifs by 27% for all consumers.

A critical look at the tarrif structure as announced reveals that all residential consumers who falls between 0-300 kWh bracket have witnessed a price increase from GHp/kWh 65.4161 to GHp/kWh89.0422, representing an increment of almost 34%.

It should be noted that the bulk of residential consumers fall within the 0-300 kWh bracket and will therefore be adversely affected by the 34% adjustment.

More importantly, we have taken note that the increment is on account of the worsening Ghana Cedi against other major trading currencies.

The Cedi has in recent times witnessed a free fall-reaching almost 50% and currently rated amongst the worst performing currencies in the world.

The country is already realing under a galloping inflation estimated at about 32% thus, this utility tarrif increment will only exacerbate the current high cost of living and will thus worsen the plight of the already impoverished Ghanaian.

Prior to this electriciry tarrif increments, Petroleum products at the pumps have witnessed a collosal increment of about 100%. So far the Energy Debt Recovery Levy has seen an increase of 20%; the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy is up by 40%. The Unified Petroleum Pricing Formula has been increased by 164%, whilst the BOST margin has been increased from 3 Pesewas to 9 Pesewas representing 200% increase. As if this is not enough, the fuel marking margin levy has also been increased by another 233%.

This is against the background that the volume of petroleum products consumed has increased by 35% from 4 billion litres to 5.5 billion litres.

We are of the strongest conviction that Government can and must do something to cushion Ghanaians who are going through unimaginable hardships with ever worsening poverty levels under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah led government.

It will be recalled that following the major tariff review in 2016, the NDC Government intervened, resulting in a reduction of the rate of increment by close to 50%.

We have also taken note of government’s announcement that an unexpected windfall of about USD500,000 from Ghana's share of petroleum resources was accrued in the 2022 mid-year budget statement.

This statement clearly means government is making huge unanticipated revenues from crude exports hence the need to cushion the suffering masses from these windfalls.

Finally, we wish to caution the PURC to refrain from capturing the AKSA plant which has had its contract tenure expired in the price build-up since that will be illegal.

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 5th August 2022, commissioned the €37.6 million Upper East Region Water Supply Project, as part of his tour of the Upper East Region.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “the Upper East Region Water Supply System will provide the people of Bolgatanga, Navrongo, Paga and its environs with twenty thousand, five hundred (20,500) cubic metres of water per day, which is approximately four and half million gallons (4.5 million) of water per day, a three-fold increase from the 1.5 million gallons a day originally available to the Region.

It will be recalled that in January 2018, Government, through the Ministry of Finance (MoF), secured funding to the tune of €37,683,266, consisting of a €12,341,308 grant from the Netherlands Government, and a €25 million facility from ING Bank, also from the Netherlands, to implement the Upper East Region Water Supply Project.

The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, together with the construction firm, DENYS NV, structured the project into two phases, with the aim of increasing the design horizon from 2030 to 2040, to make adequate provision for future demand in line with our policy to construct water projects taking into consideration future population growth.

“Apart from Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Paga, communities such as Zuarungu, Zarre, Sumbrungu, Kalbeo, Gambibigo, Winkogo, Bongo, Yorogo, Pungu and Akomkongu are also set to benefit from the project. Three hundred and forty-seven thousand, four hundred and forty-six people, in total, will be served with safe, potable water,” the President said.

He told the gathering that the execution and completion of the Upper East Water Supply Project falls in line with the programme of Government to achieve the target, set under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment, through the provision of social infrastructure, that will attract businesses to communities.

“Accordingly, I expect that, with the availability of potable water in this area, investors will take advantage of Government’s Flagship Programmes, such as “One- District, One-Factory”, to establish small and medium scale enterprises to create employment for young people, so as to stimulate the growth and development of the domestic economy,” he added.

He told the gathering that Government is working diligently to provide funds to improve the water supply situation in other parts of the country, with the objective of ensuring equity and an improved quality of life to all communities in the country.

“It is, thus, worthy to mention that works have commenced on the Keta Water Supply Expansion Project in the Volta Region, the Wenchi Water Supply Project in the Bono Region, and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project in the Ashanti Region. Works will commence, by the end of the year, on the Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Expansion Project in the Western Region, the Tamale and Yendi Water Supply Projects, both in the Northern Region, and Damongo Water Supply Project in the Savannah Region,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo also revealed that processes have started to develop Phase Two of the Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project, which will augment the supply of water to the people of Greater Accra.

“The Fanteakwa-Begoro Water Supply Project in the Eastern Region, the Tarkwa Water Supply Project in the Western Region, the Techiman Water Supply Project in the Bono East Region, the Assin Fosu Water Supply Project in the Central Region, the Western North Region Water Supply Project, the Hohoe Water Supply Project in the Volta Region, and the Kumasi Water Supply Project in the Ashanti Region are all in the pipeline, to help respond to the growing demand for water,” the President said.

He urged inhabitants of the beneficiary communities in the Upper East Region to help to maintain the water infrastructure, “so we can continue to have access to potable water and, through that, ensure the general well-being and health of all the respective communities.”

President Akufo-Addo thanked the Netherlands Government for the considerable financial support for the project, through its ORIO funding, and also acknowledged the great contribution this project will have in the urban water supply delivery to the people of the Upper East Region.

below are images of the Commissioning:

Alhaji the CEO of Divine Media Network on The HotSpot Show, Hosted by Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah on M-Love radio suggested that the governments, both current and incoming in budgeting for every project that would be undertaken should allocate funds for Operation of the facility (OPEX) as much as they allocate for Capital expenditure ( CAPEX).

Firstly, he stated many government project have been completed but cannot be commissioned due to lack of funds to run the facility. Operational expenditure is not factored in as part of the planning phase of the project so has rendered many completed project in the bush deteriorating.

He added, the government should prioritize its projects in other to meet the demands of the citizenry, thus proper feasibility studies should be conducted to know what the country needs not what would only win electoral votes from a particular region.

Furthermore at the construction phase of every government project quality assurance should be adhered to enable national assets last longer for public good and not to cause financial loss to the State. Especially in construction of facilities like roads, Bridges, Education and Health facilities. He also stated that equipping the human resource of the country would go a long way to revamp the countries economy and also bring about economic stability.

Ghana will be better of if we practice inclusiveness governance this help tap the expertise of people in the opposition parties but the current mindset of our political leaders is winner take all.

The country's Asset don't last long because of bad maintenance culture. A lot of the countries Asset is deteriorating overtime due to poor maintenance of these facilities, during the construction stage of most Government project a Preops team is not included and this poses challenges to the maintenance team of the facility at the operation stages. He urge government to invest more in the maintenance of the facilities for better reliability and availability of state Assets.

Alhaji the CEO of Devine Media Network in his submission on The HotSpot Show, hosted by Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah on M-Love radio Accra, Ghana.

He firstly stated, the citizens should directly blame the MMDCE’s for neglecting their duties.  We always focus on the President who have other responsibilities to look at which is the reason he has appointed MCE’s who receives reports daily from the assembly, knows whatever goes on in the district and a financier . They set by laws for proper conduct of the citizens and knows the needs of the people.

Secondly he emphasized on the fact that MCE’s can set avenues to raise funds for community building and create channel for investors to come into the community.

He added the Ghanaians can vote to choose a MMDCE but the time is not ripe yet , because elections entails much and the country is not well set for that.

He further, spoke about the government should make sure networks that boost the economic growth of the country is highly focus on as a priority. Such as the planting for food and Jobs, the one Village one dam, the one district one factory and the need for a low imports.

The e-levy is good, as taxation tool but the charge is too high. The government should reduce the percentage on transactions in other to ease the burden on the people.

Dr. Ibrahim Anyars addressing participants at the Consultative Breakfast Meeting on Harmonizing Policies and Programmes on Youth Development in Ghana

The CEO of NABCO, Dr. Ibrahim Anyars, has hinted that the entrepreneurship initiative under the YouStart programme will provide about 66,648 trainees from the NABCO Scheme with an immediate and ready resource o start their own business.

“This is in the light of their exit arrangements, but even more imperative is the quantum of investment that has been made already in these tertiary graduates.”

He indicated that the 3-year NABCO Scheme bridges the gap between academia and industry by providing opportunities for young people after tertiary education to add value to themselves and become attractive to the demand side of the industry which indicates that young people from school did not adequately have the required skills and values for industry.

Dr. Anyars made his remarks on a panel discussion at a consultative breakfast meeting on ‘Harmonizing Policies and Programmes on Youth Development in Ghana’ organized by The National Youth Authority (NYA) in Accra.

According to him, the youth-focused agencies agreed on the need for convergence, harmonisation, and the coordination of their respective mandates for greater impact.

The meeting brought together The Nation Builder’s Corps (NABCO), The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), National Service Scheme (NSS), Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (SCHOLSEC) among others who discussed the core objectives of their agencies and how to synergize to create greater impact.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta who was the special guest of honor reemphasized that entrepreneurship must be at the centre of job creation for Ghana’s youth and the YouStart under the Ghana CARES Programme will be the platform to provide the needed capacity; Technology, required Skills Set and Capital.

The Minister for Public Enterprises and MP for EFFIA, Joseph Cudjoe in his closing remarks stated that entrepreneurship creates jobs and not the other way round, and therefore youth programmes in harmonizing should prioritize entrepreneurship.

Dr. Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, Director General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) chaired the meeting and was very clear that the older generation must stop encouraging the youth to go look for public sector jobs but go into entrepreneurship and drive value from the private sector which has a much larger potential.

Representatives of The United Nations (UN) Systems in Ghana, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, and other youth development organs were part of this meeting.