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Adhere to safety protocols to fight COVID-19 – Omanhene of Berekum
The Omanhene of Berekum, Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo, has urged residents in the Bono Region to strictly adhere to the safety protocols to fight the COVID-19 as the region recorded its first confirmed case.
The Omanhene said he was worried that some residents, drivers and operators of tricycles, popularly called ‘pragyia’, were not attaching seriousness to the observation of COVID-19 safety protocols.
Last Wednesday May 6, 2020, the Bono Region recorded its first positive case of COVID-19 at Sampa in the Jaman North district by a Togolese national who was in the company of some other foreigners who entered Ghana illegally.
Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo, who is also a surgeon at the Regional Hospital in Sunyani, said in an interview in his palace at Berekum in the Bono Region that discussions were underway between the Police and the Berekum Traditional Council to arrest and sanction any resident who flouts the safety protocols, especially in relation to the wearing of nose masks and the observation of physical distancing.
Berekum is one of the largest cities in the Bono Region where tricycles, popularly known as ‘Pragyia’ are the major means of transport.
The Bono Regional Co-ordinating Council recently banned the operations of ‘ pragyia’ in the region but lifted the ban after about a month and instructed that each tricycle should carry a maximum of two passengers, who together with the operator must be in a nose mask at all times.
A visit to the Central Business District of Berekum, showed number of passengers and operators of ‘pragyia’ not wearing nose masks, a situation the Omanhene described as worrying.
He said it was about time residents realised that the coronavirus disease was real and could infect anyone, regardless of one’s status in society.
Meanwhile, the Omanhene has presented assorted items worth over Twenty-three Ghana cedis to the Berekum Municipal and Berekum West District offices of the Ghana Health Service for distribution to the various health facilities in the two districts.
The items included 1,000 pieces of nose masks, 600 bottles of hand-sanitiser, ten boxes of hand gloves, 12 pieces of infrared thermometer and 10 packets of tissue paper and ten gallons and 20 Veronica buckets.
FROM: DANIEL DZIRASAH, BEREKUM
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
