President inaugurates new boxing & sports complex

By Edmund Mingle and Michael Abayateye

PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama yesterday inaugurated the Trust Sports Emporium, a modern boxing gymnasium and sports complex at Korle-Bu in Accra that is aimed at promoting the lesser-funded sporting disciplines in the country.

The multi-purpose sports complex is expected to boost efforts at promoting sporting activities in Accra as well as nurturing talents of the youth in the various disciplines.
Located near Bukom, a fishing community that has produced world champions like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, among others, it is aimed at providing a platform for the redevel

opment of boxing in particular and sports in general to revive its dwindling fortunes.
Among other facilities, the complex has a 4,000 seating capacity boxing arena, 800 capacity hall that houses a basketball, volleyball and table tennis courts.

The complex also has a two-storey physiotherapy block, a gym, swimming pool for training and competition, changing rooms, a 300-capacity conference hall, and clinic, a restaurant and shops, as well as a nine-unit Junior and Senior High School block to educate needy students that have sporting talents.
The complex is a flagship facility owned by the Trust Sports Emporium Limited, a joint venture company controlled by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and European Transportation Consultancy Polska (ETC Polska) of Poland.
President Mahama, inaugurating the complex amidst excitement among the large number of sports enthusiasts and sports personalities, chiefs and residents who filled the boxing arena, expressed delight at the successful completion of the project.
He said it falls in line with government’s policy to boost the sports industry by providing the relevant facilities to support the development of sportsmen and women.
He gave the assurance that the government remained committed to the development of the sports sector, saying more interventions would be rolled out in his next term.
He cited the passage of Sports Bill into law as part of the foundation built by the government to revamp the sports industry.
The law will help establish the National Sports Commission to provide for the development, promotion and management of amateur and professional sports.

It will also to enable the country to operate its sports in conformity with international law.
In addition, the law encourages increased participation and improved performance in sports and to encourage the private sector to contribute to the funding of sports, and according to President Mahama, the stage has been set to offer the sports industry a well deserved facelift.
Touching on plans to revamp the education of the youth in sports, he said a number of the Community Day Senior High Schools would be dedicated to the teaching of sports where young people with identified sporting talents would be support to enrol for effective combined nurturing of their talents and provision of regular education.
President Mahama commended all the partners in the project, particularly SSNIT and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for the foresight, and urged other Assemblies and institutions to emulate.
A number of thrilling boxing bouts were staged on the night to mark the opening of the facility.

TUC lauds govt on 'remarkable achievements'

Dr Yaw Baah addressing the President and his Ministers

By Edmund Mingle          

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has praised the government for the “remarkable achievements” in the various sectors of the economy, citing the numerous projects which it believes will help spur economic growth.

“We have seen all the infrastructural developments that have been carried out under your leadership -roads, bridges, airports, schools, sea ports, rural electrification, energy and job-creation programmes.

“These are remarkable achievements,” said Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary-General of the TUC, when he led the executives of the Union to meet President Mahama and his Cabinet at the Flagstaff House in Accra, yesterday.

The encounter was to offer the platform for the new TUC executive to be officially introduced to the President, and also state their concerns on pertinent national issues, as well as seek clarification on the President’s development plans in his next term of office.

In addition to the projects, Dr. Baah said the Union had taken note of the government’s plans to increase jobs under the Youth Employment Agency from the current 100,000 to 400,000, and the plan to increase funding for the Youth Enterprise Support programme from GH¢10 million to GH¢100 million next year.

“These initiatives would go a long way to address the acute joblessness among young people in Ghana,” he said.

President Mahama in a chat with the leadership of the TUC after the meeting

The TUC boss also commended the government for the implementation of the various macro-economic stability measures which were producing results.
However, he expressed concern about the high interest rates that were adversely affecting businesses, saying “we also expect you to do something about the high interest rate and high cost of living when you get the nod.”

Dr Baah noted that banks were currently charging as high as 3.5 per cent per month, while some micro-finance savings and loans companies charged six per cent, and stated that “the high interest rates reflect the uncertainties in the economy.”

Touching on the planned private participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), he thanked the President for stopping the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA) from holding the Bidders’ Conference to pave way for the privatization arrangement, and said the Union was awaiting government’s response to its concerns on the issue.

Assuring the President of the support of the TUC in implementing his development agenda, he said “we are ready to work with your government to formulate and implement home-grown policies and programmes in the true spirit of social partnership.”

President Mahama, in his response, lauded the cooperation his administration continued to enjoy from Organised Labour, and reiterated his commitment towards advancing the welfare of workers and the unions.

Regarding Organised Labour’s protest over some of the clauses in the ECG privatisation issue, he said the government was consulting the Attorney-General to find a solution that would satisfy all parties.

In spite of that, he assured the TUC that the implementation of the US-sponsored Compact for the power sector would not result in any job losses, saying that it would rather support the sector to generate more jobs.

Touching on housing, the President announced that the government had plans to deploy a comprehensive housing scheme for public sector workers as part of measures to protect their welfare during service and in retirement.

He said various public sector housing models, including that of Morocco, were being analysed, and would involve Organised Labour at the planning stage.

President Mahama gave the assurance that the TUC Hall, the headquarters of the trade unions, would be offered a facelift to befit the Union, adding that the government would continue to be receptive and consult the Union on relevant matters.

After the meeting with the TUC, President Mahama also met the executives of the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA) and Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) during which he explained the current economic dynamics as well as current and future macro-economic measures to sustain and improve the stability of the economy.

President Mahama with the executive members of the TUC after the meeting at the Flagstaff House

President allays fears of business community

By Edmund Mingle
President John Mahama has asked investors and the private sector business operators not to harbour any fears about the impending general election, “There is nothing to worry about because the elections would be held peacefully and smoothly," he assured.

Although elections create uncertainty among the business community, he said “nothing will happen,” and urged the players to continue investing in the country.

“I will play my part as president and Commander- In- Chief of the Armed Forces to ensure a stable and secure environment that will protect your investments,” he stated at a breakfast meeting with business chief executive officers in Accra yesterday.

Organised by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the meeting offered the platform for interaction between the President and the business leaders, during which President Mahama explained the various economic measures and plans for the next four years.

President Mahama in a pose with the business leaders after their meeting. 

Touching on the economic management interventions by the government over the past four years, he noted that all the measures were difficult decisions taken in the interest of the private sector, but were now bearing fruits.

He cited the deregulation of the petroleum pricing, removal of petroleum subsidy, import substitution policy, inflation targeting, interest rate management, stabilisation of the local currency borrowing and intense investment infrastructure as some of the measures that continued to inure to the benefit of the private sector.

President Mahama said although the ongoing global economic recession continued to affect most countries, Ghana’s economy had been recording growth due to its resilience and development out of the macro-economic stability reforms the government implemented.

With regard to inflation, he was optimistic that the year would end with an inflation of about 14 per cent, which he projected to further decline to single digit next year.

He called for a stakeholders’ debate on the management of interest rates for the central bank, private banks and companies to find a common ground on the setting of interest rates that would favour all sectors of the economy.

Touching on measures to reduce government’s domestic borrowing, he said the government has rolled out a public debt management strategy that was guarding against domestic borrowing to avoid crowding out the private sector.

On foreign borrowing, he said, efforts were underway to reduce borrowing on the international market, but noted that more prioritised infrastructure works would be pursued.

President Mahama urged the large bank to increase lending to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, adding that the sector needed more financial assistance to expand their operations to support the economy.

With regard to power generation, President Mahama said the power crisis has been effectively resolved with the generation of additional 850 megawatts in the last 18months, describing it as the swiftest fast-tracked power generation in the country.

As a result of the increased generation, he said Ghana faced an over-generation challenge because the excess power would go to waste if not utilised.

In that regard, he said the government would continue to export to neigbouring countries, but noted that excess power was still too much for Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso, who consume less.

The only option, he said, was to convince Nigeria to buy some of the power and more industries to open up in Ghana to consume the power.

He, therefore, urged manufacturing firms to expand their operations and open new factories in the regions since they can be assured of reliable power supply.

President Mahama commended the business community for the cooperation and support during the difficult times, and assured them that the economic prospects are very bright.

“We will do everything possible to sustain the gains and improve on the economy,” he assured.

Ghana's landmark interchange opens

By Edmund Mingle

President John Mahama yesterday, inaugurated the multi-million Euro Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, a monumental project that has transformed the capital.

Being the flagship project of the government in Accra, the iconic three-tier flyover provides a major boost for the transport sector in the capital, as it will help to significantly ease traffic in the business district, reduce travel time and vehicles operating cost and, thereby, stimulate economic growth.

The landmark interchange is the longest and highest flyover in West Africa, with the top tier stretching 1.2-kilometres.
Apart from the flyover, the project produced an enhanced drainage system, modern transport terminals and offices for transport unions, police, fire and ambulance stations, pedestrian walkways, landscaping, and a dancing fountain and water park (designed after the water park in Dubai), with a giant imposing statue of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, all of which have culminated in shooting the zone into a major tourist attraction site.

The project, which started in October 2013 with a 74.88 million Euro loan from the Brazilian government, was executed by Queiroz Galvao Construction, a leading Brazilian construction firm.

The construction of the interchange became necessary when the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, which handled over 84,000 vehicles from the arterial roads and their intersections daily, created heavy traffic in the area.
It removes a highly frustrating bottleneck in the nation’s road network as it would save the thousands of motorists and commuters who use the hub, from wasting time in traffic.
Hitherto, motorists spend over an hour during rush hour in crossing through the hub, but the interchange has reduced the travel time to less than five minutes.
The inauguration was characterised with wild jubilation among scores of people who thronged the interchange.
President Mahama, inaugurating the facility, described yesterday as a “momentous and historic day.”
“Ghana is rising,” he said, adding that the project, added to recently completed ones and ongoing road projects aimed at opening up the country for rapid economic growth.

“It is not just an interchange,” he said, adding that the project had offered other facilities which had transformed the area in the government’s quest to create a congenial environment for businesses and transport operators.
The President paid tribute to the memory of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, under whose tenure the idea was mooted, saying he continued the arrangement after taking over as President.
“I am glad we did it,” he said, and also commended the other Presidents, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor for the various interchange and road projects they also undertook in the road sector.
This adds to what has been done by my predecessors,” he said, adding that “governance is an incremental process”.
Touching on the new water park and the Kwame Nkrumah statue, President Mahama described them as befitting for the memory of the nation’s first President, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, from whose development vision the government continued to draw inspiration.

President Mahama rededicated himself to the infrastructure development of the country, which his administration would use to support job creation efforts.
“This is just one of the many top projects in the road sector,” he said, announcing that the Kasoa interchange would also be completed next month, while the Pokuase interchange would be undertaken next year.
The President thanked the government of Brazil for the support, and the management and workers of Queiroz Galvao Construction for the remarkable project execution, and all stakeholders for their contribution to the successful completion of the project.
Nii Doudu Nsaki, acting president of the Ga Traditional Council, in his address earlier, lauded what he described as the “visionary leadership” of President Mahama, citing a number of monumental projects undertaken by the government which continued to transform Accra.

President accuses NPP of setting stage for electoral dispute

By Edmund Mingle & Dzifa Tetteh
President John Mahama has accused the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of setting the stage to dispute outcome of the December 7 general elections, by constantly attacking the Electoral Commission (EC).

President Mahama is highly confident of victory

“They know they have already lost the election, so they want to find ways of discrediting the Electoral Commission so that the public and the international community will believe it when they claim that the EC has rigged the election for the NDC,” he stated.

Describing the NPP’s recent attacks on the EC as needless, he said the attitude was “a show of frustration and desperation to win power at all cost”, adding that the electoral system made it impossible for the EC to rig the election for any party.

Addressing the chiefs of the Kpone Katamanso Traditional Council and residents at Kpone near Tema on Saturday, President Mahama said “the NDC has no fears because it is confident of victory in the December election”.

“In its last attack on the EC, the NPP at a press conference in Accra, claimed that the EC had failed to provide it with the 2016 Voters’ Register to enable the party to plan for the election.

“But it emerged later that all of the parties, including the NPP, had been provided electronic version of the register, and observers believe that the NPP’s claim that the EC gave them a corrupted copy of the electronic copy was untenable since they could have simply gone with a new external drive for another copy rather than holding a press conference.”

“The NPP knows it will lose the election and so they are falsely claiming the EC boss wants to rig the election in our favour. They are setting the stage to dispute the election because they can’t win. So then after the defeat, the NPP will say the EC rigged the elections for us. But that is not possible, the Electoral Commission can’t do that. Our victory in this election will come from God. I’m not the least nervous about the election because I know the NDC will win convincingly,” he declared, and urged the people of the area to vote massively for the NDC to gain an outright win to avoid any dispute by the NPP.

President Mahama touted the achievements of his administration, indicating that Ghanaians were the best witnesses to what the government had been able to achieve.

“I will not say I have solved all of Ghana’s problems, but I have done what is humanly possible in the past four years,” he said.

The President cited a number of development projects in the Kpone area, including a community day senior high school, asphalt roads and clinics, saying more projects would be undertaken in the area in his next term.

Nii Tetteh Otu II, president of the Kpone Traditional Council, who declared the council’s support for the ruling NDC, described the government’s commitment to development as laudable.

“If I have not seen anything at all, I have seen the Kpone Community Day Senior High School (SHS) complex with its teachers’ flat and headteacher’s bungalow,” he stated, describing it as a remarkable investment that would highly benefit the area by offering quality secondary education to the youth.

From Kpone, President Mahama moved to Tema where he interacted with traders and commercial drivers at the Community One Market, after which he addressed a mini rally at the TMA park.

Afterwards, he moved to Tema Community Two where he addressed a mammoth rally, and assured the people of more development in the Tema area.

Aside from the plans to commence a $1billion expansion of the Tema Port which was expected to create about 3,000 jobs, he said an industrial park would be created within the Tema port to create jobs and enhance business in the area.

President promises Jewellery Village for Tepa

From Edmund Mingle, Tepa

President John Dramani Mahama has assured the people of Tepa of the government’s commitment to establish a modern jewellery village in Tepa, in the Ahafo Ano North District of the Ashanti Region, to boost the jewellery business in the area.

The President said the village would pave the way for the refining of mined minerals in the area, into jewellery, instead of exporting the raw minerals to other countries to be refined.

The establishment of the village, which is captured in the 2016 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was expected to advance the jewellery market in the district, and the region in general, and to create sustainable jobs and skills training for the youth.

President Mahama, who gave the assurance at a rally at Tepa on Monday evening as part of his campaign tour of the region, said the government was collaborating with the Jewellery Institute of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to build the village, adding that the chiefs of the area had already provided land for the project.

“With the village here, people from across the country and Africa would now come to Tepa to purchase jewels instead of travelling all the way to Dubai and other foreign locations in the quest for quality jewellery.

“This place will be a robust jewellery market where many, including tourists can visit to purchase jewels,” he said, attracting loud cheers from the teeming supporters.

Ahead of the plan for the jewellery village, the President said many projects in the area, such as the building of roads, schools, clinics, markets and water supply systems had been undertaken, and that foundation for the economic growth of the district had been laid.

“We have done the most difficult part of the work, and what remains is the building on the foundation,” he said.

According to President Mahama the district had benefited from development projects, and urged the people to vote massively to retain the government to continue the good works.

He thanked the chiefs of the area for the support, and assured them that they would not be disappointed in his second term.

The Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, commended President Mahama for his style of leadership, which he described as very productive.

According to him, the chiefs would continue to support the government in the quest for the development for the area, and prayed for God’s blessings for the President in the impending election.

Earlier, President Mahama visited the Manhyia Palace, where he held a closed door meeting with the Ashantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Hundreds of supporters thronged the rally grounds

Monkey won't work for baboon to chop - President declares

President Mahama (left) addressing that charged crowd of supporters at Nyinahin

From Edmund Mingle, Nyinahin

President John Mahama says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will not be a monkey to work for any "baboon" opposition party to "chop."

According to him, the government had done a lot of work which had built the right foundation for national socio-economic growth, and it would not allow the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to destroy it.

Quoting the popular phrase, "Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop," President Mahama, who was addressing a mammoth rally at Nyinahin, capital of the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, on Monday, as part of his campaign tour of the region, said the NDC would not work for another party to enjoy the benefits.

"We have fixed the economy into becoming the best in Africa, by taking tough decisions, fixed the power crisis, and we have built the roads, schools, water systems, and improved the agriculture and other sectors.

"We have built a solid foundation, and we are the ones in the best position to build on the foundation.

"No one builds a foundation for someone else to build on," he said, adding that the NPP had no knowledge of what went "into the foundation and the building plan."

All the gains made, he claimed, would be destroyed by the NPP if Ghanaians made the mistake of voting that party into power.

"The NPP has no constructive development plan for Ghana. All they know best is to engage in cheap talk," he said, adding that the NPP's campaign of unrealistic promises was reflective of its inability to lead the country.

The President urged the people of the area, and the region in general, to do a sincere comparison of the performance of the eight years of the NPP and his four-year administration, saying the difference was clear.

"The NDC government has treated the Ashanti Region very well, although it is the stronghold of the NPP, all because we are not vindictive and we don't discriminate,” he said.

He advised the people to fully support the NDC to continue to lead the country, saying the NDC remained the most viable option for sustainable national progress.

From Nyinahin, President Mahama moved to Tepa, where he addressed a similar rally, after which he moved to Sabronum and Kunso where he separately addressed the chiefs and hundreds of residents of the towns who had waited into the night for his arrival.

Inesfly Africa supports Accra High School

By Edmund Mingle

Mr. Armah (left) receiving the paints from Mr.  Afugani.

Inesfly Africa, producers of insecticide paints, has advanced its support towards the development of Accra High School (AHISCO), with the provision of buckets of its paints.

The donation is to help in giving a facelift to the structures of the school which is the first secondary school in Accra.

It was in response to an appeal by the 1995 year alumni group to support a painting project as part of activities marking this year's AHISCO Homecoming celebration.

The donation, which was in line with the company's corporate social responsibility, would also help to rid the structures that would be painted, of insects, especially mosquitoes.

Presenting the package consisting of 10 buckets of insecticide paints, Mr. David Afugani, Sales Director of Inesfly Africa expressed appreciation for the opportunity for the company to partner the school in promoting education.

He also commended the school for its immense contribution to human resource development in the country, and declared the company's commitment to continue to partner the school on educational projects.

Apart from the donation, Mr. Afugani announced to offer the school a special discount package on purchases.

He explained that the company continues to support health and educational institutions in fighting insects, particularly mosquitoes and bedbugs.

"Our objective is to make schools free of bedbugs and mosquitoes to create a health environment students and teachers," he said.

Receiving the items, Mr. Thomas Armah, Representative of the Old Students on the AHISCO Board, thanked the company for the gesture.

Hr said the support would go a long way to ensure the success of the school's painting project, which is part of a redevelopment plan for the school.

Mr. Armah, after receiving, also presented the items to the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Betty Aduhene-Chinbuah, who commended the old students for their renewed efforts towards the progress of AHISCO.

Mr. Armah (left) presenting the paints to Mrs   Aduhene-Chinbuah, with Mr. Afugani (middle) and other old students   and teachers looking on..

AHISCO Alumni holds Homecoming

By Edmund Mingle

Dozens of old students of Accra High School (AHISCO), at the weekend, returned "home" in an exciting homecoming event.

The annual event, which brought together members of the various year groups, had the objective of building a strong alumni body to promote the redevelopment of the school, which was established in 1923 as the first secondary school in Accra.

It also created a platform for networking among the old students, and also provided role models for the current students.

The event comes at a time the school needs more resources to enhance and sustain its performance to reflect its status as a leading secondary school in the capital.

The two-day event was marked with a motivational seminar, mentorship and career guidance forum during which the students were educated on career choices, tertiary education, job creation opportunities, and personal development indicatives.

The main event on Saturday was characterised by a cadet parade and drama performance by the students, inter-year fun games and cooking competition.

In addition, there was a torch bearing and procession from the school through some of the streets around the school, after which the celebration was climaxed with a bonfire.

Opening the celebration, Mrs Betty Aduhene-Chinbuah, Headmistress of AHISCO, commended the old students for returning to their root.

According to her, the school continued to progress steadily, but stressed the need for support to enable it achieve its targets.

She was optimistic that the school could rely on the assistant of the alumni group, and assured the old students of the effective collaboration of the school's management.

The Chairman of the AHISCO Old Students Association, Mr. Edmund Kofi Duffour Addae, for his part, thanked the management of the school for its efforts that have helped to sustain the school.

He gave assurance of the renewed commitment of the alumni to support their Alma mater, and announced that various projects would soon be rolled out.

President advocates quality career counseling for students

From Edmund Mingle, Kumasi

President Mahama addressing the students

President John Dramani Mahama has called for quality career guidance to support students in selecting courses, especially at the tertiary level.

That, he said, was necessary in ensuring that students pursued academic programmes that are relevant to the job market, and provides an opportunity for employment.

Pursuing courses that have demand in the current modern job market, he said, would also help to address the problem of graduate unemployment.

President Mahama made the call during an encounter with students and faculty members at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Tuesday as part of his campaign tour of the Ashanti Region.

He said it was regrettable that some students undertake courses that are not very relevant or those fields no longer provide job opportunities, adding that students need proper guidance in deciding on courses and career path.

The President also urged the universities to align their academic courses with the demands of industry to help address graduate unemployment.

“Ghana needs a new breed of graduates whose field of study put them at an advantageous position to be absorbed by the private sector based on their knowledge and competency on the job market,” he stressed.

He indicated that many of the courses run by the universities were gradually losing their relevance on the job market.

He said they had become saturated and no longer held any prospects for the industrial development of emerging economies.

Speaking frankly, President Mahama told the students that the public sector had become choked, with the government employing about 600,000 people, saying the private sector now holds the key to employment.

In that regard, he said graduates need to possess the knowledge and skills required by the private sector to gain employment, or be proactive and innovate enough to create their own enterprises.

He encouraged the youth to have the courage to set up their own businesses to create job for themselves and others.

The students listening to President Mahama during the
encounter at the Great Hall of KNUSt

Touching on national development in general, he highlighted his government’s achievements over the last four years and said a lot of progress had been made, and therefore urged the students to vote massively for the ruling NDC to enable them government to continue its works.