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We can now track excavators before they arrive in Ghana – Armah Kofi Buah
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emanuel Armah Kofi Buah says the ministry now has the capacity to track earth-moving equipment such as excavators even before they enter Ghana’s ports.
During his presentation at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House, the minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, indicated that a new digital tracking system has been introduced to monitor all imported excavators from the point of entry into the country.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, aims to clamp down on the use of unregistered and illegal machinery in mining operations across the country.
The Government Accountability Series is an initiative by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with key civil society groups to ensure that leaders remain answerable to the people they serve.
Mr. Kofi Buah explained that so far, over 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the ports, pending proper validation and clearance.
He said this is part of efforts to sanitize the mining sector and prevent illegal mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey”.
He further noted that the Minerals Commission is now using real-time geo-fencing and tracking technology to monitor equipment movement across mining areas.
He revealed that a pilot programme involving 191 excavators is currently underway at a dedicated control room within the commission.
“This is a very innovative move. We are now able to know when an excavator is shipped, when it lands, and where it is headed. We will no longer allow the free movement of mining machinery without proper monitoring,” the minister said.
He pointed out that the new system forms part of a broader national plan to enforce mandatory registration and tracking of all mining and heavy-duty equipment used in the country.
Mr. Buah assured the public that government remains committed to cleaning up the mining sector and protecting Ghana’s forests and water bodies from destruction caused by illegal mining.
By Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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