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Scrutinise anti-gay bill, it’s likely to resurrect criminal libel law – Afenyo-MarkinDeputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for increased media scrutiny of the Anti-Gay Bill currently before Parliament.
He expressed concern that the bill could inadvertently reintroduce elements of the repealed criminal libel law for journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ+ activities.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin voiced his opposition to custodial sentences for individuals found guilty of engaging in LGBTQ+ activities.
On Thursday, February 8, Parliament approved a three-to-five-year jail term for individuals who intentionally promoted or sponsored LGBTQ+ activities. Those caught in the act could face a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years in prison.
During the amendment process of the bill promoting proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that punitive measures would not contribute to the rehabilitation of the offenders.
He expressed concern about the state of the country’s prisons and their inability to provide the necessary rehabilitation for offenders.
The Effutu lawmaker proposed replacing a minimum two-month imprisonment sentence with a minimum one-month community service for individuals found guilty of LGBTQ+ activities.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Afenyo-Markin urged journalists to pay more attention to the bill to ensure it does not infringe upon the rights of individuals.
“I do not think the media has paid due regard to this bill because it is written in ink that if a media house expresses any editorial policy on any issue regarding sexuality, that media house and its members or that media person will be jailed. If you impose custodial sentences, you are setting the country back to where, as a country, we said a journalist who errs must face civil liability instead of criminal consequences.”
“We all have to be very careful and pay due attention to the issue in Parliament…And then also those journalists or media houses who may be writing their own editorials or who may be expressing views about it, or talking about it. It is not just talking about you promoting it. Just mentioning it in itself is a crime.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Seek healthcare at facilities where nursing services are available – Ministry of Health
As a result of the ongoing strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and
Midwives Association (GRNMA), it has become imperative for the Ministry of
Health to implement additional measures to mitigate any inconvenience that has been caused.
According to the Ministry, in a statement, it has through all appropriate channels, led negotiations to ensure the smooth approval and implementation of the
new Conditions of Service.
Against this backdrop, the statement added that in line with the Ministry’s policy to ensure healthy population for national development, it has become necessary to make provisions to fill the gaps created as a result of the strike.
Consequently, the Ministry has urged the general public to continue seeking healthcare services at various health facilities, including those where nursing services remain available, to ensure their health needs are met.
They Ministry also attached a link of health facilities across the country in the statement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Check the statement below
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MTN, Telecel & AT to increase value of data bundles effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Minister for Communication and Digital Innovation, Sam George, has announced an increase in the value of data bundles by all telecommunication networks in the country.
Speaking at a Meet The Press held today, he said the new directive will take effect from July 1, 2025.
According to him, the implementation date of July 1, is to allow the telcos to recalibrate and reconfigure their systems to reflect the agreed-upon value increases.
He said The new directive will ensure that “AirtelTigo Ghana (AT Ghana): A 10% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network, additionally, the GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 195GB, will now offer 236GB.”
Touching on Telecel Ghana, he said, “A 10% increase in data bundles currently offered by the network, their GH₵400 bundle, which currently offers 90GB, will offer 250GB, effective from July 1.”
On MTN Ghana, the minister said, there would be “a 15% increase in all data bundles currently offered by the network and I am pleased to announce the restoration of GH₵399 bundle, which currently has been changed to GH₵350 that offers 92.88GB, will hence be reinstated to 214GB for GH₵399.”
Sam George has also urged the operators to invest in the quality of their network to ensure customers are better served.
He charged the regulator National Communication Authority (NCA) to strictly monitor the changes.
The minister expressed appreciation to the CEOs of the various companies for close collaboration over the last four months.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
