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Increase LEAP stipends—Advocate of the Aged Welfare pleads

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The government has been urged to increase stipends given to beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) especially the aged, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This, in the view of Advocates of the Aged Welfare, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), would go a long way to aid the elderly to meet their daily needs especially during these trying times.

According to the Executive Director of the NGO, Richard Ofori, the support received by the aged had declined because their dependents were grappling with the economic impact of COVID-19, including job losses.

In an interview with the Ghanaian Times yesterday, he said; “The socio-economic effect of the COVID-19 will eventually reduce the number of aged to death if nothing is immediately done to mitigate the impact.”

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He was speaking on the backdrop of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is being marked today across the world on the theme “The impact of COVID-19 on violence, abuse and neglect of elderly persons.”

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has designated June 15 to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders and seek support to make their lives more comfortable.

The LEAP stipends, introduced in 2008, is given to the extremely poor including aged who are 65 years and above without any form of support, severely disabled without productive capacity and orphaned and vulnerable children.

As of last year, a household of a beneficiary was paid GH¢64 every two months, households of two, three and four beneficiaries were paid GH¢74, 83 and GH¢106, respectively every two months.

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This, according Mr Ofori, was not sufficient in the prevailing times.

On abuse, he said the WHO estimated that one out of the six people aged 60 and above suffered abuse, adding that a survey conducted by his NGO in 2009 showed that seven out of 10 aged people in Ghana suffered same fate including neglect.

He said the abuse was still ongoing with many aged tagged as witches and wizards, a situation which, was affecting the elderly people emotionally and thus urged the public to report incidences of aged abuse to the police.

Mr Ofori appealed to the government to dedicate some health facilities as specialist hospitals for the aged because most of them were afraid to go for their routine check-ups due to the fear of contracting the virus.

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Source: Ghanaian Times

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Baffour Awuah currently under arrest – EOCO

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The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed that Manhyia South MP and Senior Partner of Sarkodie, Baffour Awuah and Partners, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, voluntarily surrendered himself at its premises today.

In a statement release on Thursday October 1, EOCO said the MP reported at approximately 10 a.m. today to assist investigators with ongoing investigations.

“His appearance follows several months of efforts by the Office to secure his attendance before investigators,” the statement said.

EOCO said Baffour Awuah is being investigated over allegations relating to criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, tax-related offences and other matters.

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“The Office subsequently commenced the applicable investigative and operational procedures in respect of Mr. Baffour Awuah. In accordance with those procedures, Mr. Baffour Awuah was subsequently placed under arrest and is currently cooperating with investigators as the investigative process proceeds,” EOCO stated.

The Office assured the public that its investigations will progress professionally, independently and in accordance with due process.

“The Office will continue to pursue all relevant lines of inquiry, examine the available evidence and afford all persons involved their rights under the Constitution and applicable laws,” it added.

EOCO further urged the public to allow the investigative and judicial processes to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions about the culpability of any individual, adding that further information will be provided when it is appropriate and legally permissible to do so.

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By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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President John Mahama joins African leaders at Alamein Africa Forum

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President John Dramani Mahama will be joining African heads of state, business leaders, investors and innovators shaping Africa’s next chapter, at the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum scheduled to take place from 2nd to 4th October 2026 in the historic city of Alamein on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.

The three-day Alamein Africa Forum is established as a permanent African Business Forum to convene biennially in Egypt.

It is to become the continent’s premier gathering where political power meets entrepreneurial prowess, bridging the established engines of African growth with the new sectors defining its future.

Co-organised by the Government of Egypt, African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union and AUDA-NEPAD, it is expected to bring together more than twenty (20) heads of state and government representatives alongside business leaders, bankers and development institutions.

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Ghana’s President, who on 23rd September 2026 declared Ghana is open for business in New York after ringing the ceremonial closing bell at the Nasdaq Stock Market will be leading the Ghanaian delegation, to include the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu – Adjare, to the forum.

Other members of the Ghanaian delegation are the Head and Presidential Advisor for Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Hon. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, Colonel Larry Gbevlo – Lartey alongside key Ghanaian private sector players.

Bringing together leaders in politics, business and policy from across the continent, the Alamein Africa Forum will provide a unique opportunity to shape Africa’s growth agenda by aligning policy and investment priorities, mobilising partnerships for implementation and strengthening financing and investment pathways.

The private sector must become an integral part of Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic fifty-year masterplan to transform the continent. The private sector is the core economic engine required to turn the African 2063 from an aspirational government roadmap into realized infrastructure, jobs, and value-added trade.

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By Chris KONEY

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