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Military launches nationwide fumigation exercise of all facilities
A nationwide fumigation and disinfection of military barracks, schools, offices, accommodation, churches, mosques and other facilities was yesterday launched at Burma Camp in Accra.
The exercise aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to improve the wellbeing of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) who are considered as frontline service providers.
Launching it, a Deputy Minister of Defence, Major (rtd) Derek Oduro said aside fumigation and disinfection, the fight against the virus requires strict observance of social distancing, regular handwashing under running water, use of face mask and hand sanitiser and undertaking regular exercises.
Major Rtd. Oduro stated that the efforts of personnel in enforcing regulations on restrictions in the wake of the outbreak of the disease were commendable.
While applauding Zoomlion Ghana Limited for undertaking the exercise and using World Health Organisation (WHO) approved chemical for fumigation/disinfection, the deputy minister urged the waste management company to endeavour to cover every military facility in the country.
In a welcome address, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Obed Akwa said COVID-19 is no respecter of persons and professions and called for strict adherence to mitigation factors.
He said the GAF was committed to support the course of curtailing the virus.
Mrs Florence Larbi, the Managing Director of Zoomlion said the company had deployed motorised knapsack and boom sprayers to rid viruses, fungus, bacteria and other vector causing diseases.
She said Zoomlion offered its disinfection/ fumigation exercise at a 50 per cent discount and urged individuals and organisation to take advantage of that.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited had earlier this year, carried out disinfection of markets, lorry stations, drains, schools including specialised facilities such as the Akropong School for the Blind, universities, technical institutions and many others.
The company was executing the project under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Last month, Zoomlion fumigated more than 4,000 police facilities nationwide.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
