Day: June 11, 2023

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Medeama clinch historic first league title as Hearts, Great Olympics survive

It was all joy at the Tarkwa Akoon Park as Medeama FC beat Tamale City 3-0 to clinch their first Ghana Premier League (GPL) title. The 'Mauve and Yellow' delivered an impressive performance as they thumped their counterparts, Tamale City, who have been relegated just after a year of gaining promotion. Jonathan Mensah's hattrick ensured Medeama stayed top of the league with 60 points, followed by Aduana Stars (55 points), who beat Bechem United 1-0 to take the second spot. Accra Hearts of Oak prevented an unwanted history of dropping into the relegation zone after securing a point away at Berekum Chelsea. It was a scoreless stalemate at Golden City Park as Hearts got the needed point to ensure survival. Great Olympics, who were third from bottom heading into the last game of the season, secured a vital 2-1 victory against Nsoatreman at the Sogakope Park. Two second-half goals from Emmanuel Nettey and Michael Osei ensured victory for the 'Dade Boys,' who moved out of the relegation zone. Elsewhere, Legon Cities and Karela United secured 3-2 victories against Samartex and Kotoku Royals, respectively, to avoid the drop. Accra Lions secured a vital point away at Bibiani Gold Stars to ensure they stayed in the Premier League for another season. Asanted Kotoko ensured a place in the top four after a goalless game against Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Scores at a glance: Aduana Stars 1-0 Bechem United Asante Kotoko 0-0 Dreams FC Berekum Chelsea 0-0 Hearts of Oak Gold Stars FC 0-0 Accra Lions FC Great Olympics 2-1 Nsoatreman FC Kotoku Royals 2-3 Karela United Legon Cities 3-2 FC Samartex 1996 Medeama SC 3-0 Tamale City FC

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Legon Cities seal Premier League survival after victory over Samartex

Legon Cities pulled off the victory they needed to avoid relegation after beating Samartex 1996 3-2 in the last match of the betPawa Ghana Premier League. Goals from Rahman Abdul, Ebenezer Amegar, and Michel Otou ensured victory for Legon Cities, who moved into mid-table with 46 points, level with Samartex. Emmanuel Keyekeh and Evans Osei Wusu scored the consolation goals for Samartex. Heading into the match, Legon Cities needed all three points to ensure survival. It was a blistering start from the home side, as they scored the first goal in the third minute through Rahman Abdul, who curled in from close range. Legon Cities added their second of the day four minutes later through Ebenezer Amegar, who capitalised on some loose defending from the away side. The 'Royals' were in cruise control of the game, with no major attacking threat from the away side. Samartex pulled a goal back in the 33rd minute after Evans Osei Wusu headed from close range with Legon Cities goalkeeper Slyvester Sackey rooted to his spot. Legon Cities maintained their lead as referee Selorm Yao Bless whistled for recess. The second half started with more intensity in the game, especially from the away side, who pressed for the equaliser. Legon Cities striker Kofi Kordzi had a chance to score the third goal for his side against the run of play, but Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah saved his shot. In the last quarter of the game, Legon Cities were the much better side, and Michel Otou scored the third goal of the game in the 79th minute with a brilliant strike. Emmanuel Kyeyekeh pulled one back for his side in the 88th minute with a brilliant finish outside the penalty box after dribbling past two players. Despite the late surge of pressure from Samartex to pull parity, Legon Cities held on to secure all three points and maintain their premier league status.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Cabinet approves prohibition of exporting raw materials

Cabinet has approved the prohibition of exporting certain critical minerals unprocessed.

The decision was taken during the 8th Cabinet meeting held on 06 June 2023, stating that raw materials such as lithium, graphite, manganese and rare earth elements are not to be exported.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has been receiving public criticism about the lack of value addition locally on the vast amounts of minerals leaving the country, which has the potential to spur Namibia’s economic growth and development.

Cabinet has, however, approved that only smaller quantities of such raw materials may be allowed for export at the direction of the ministry.

The mining industry accounts for approximately 11 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) providing more than 50 per cent of foreign earnings.

Namibia is a world-class producer of rough diamonds, uranium, gold, zinc, acid-grade fluorspar, copper, lead, limestone, cement, salt, and dimension stone and is prospective of lithium, graphite, cobalt and rare earths and other minerals that are now declared critical by many countries globally.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Parliament to celebrate 30 years uninterrupted parliamentary democracy this year

Ghana's Parliament will this year, 2023, mark thirty years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy. To commemorate the milestone, series of activities have been earmarked throughout the year under the auspices of the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. This is contained in a press release issued by Mr Mr Ebenezer Ahumah, Director, Coordinator, 30 Anniversary Celebrations Committee and copied the Ghana News Agency. 'These activities will be celebrated in four regional zones, beginning with the Northern Zone namely Wa,Tamale and Bolgatanga, and will include Mock Parliament, Public Forum and Peace Walk,' it said. The activities, it said would foster civic engagement and enhance public awareness of parliamentary democracy. The commemoration, themed: 'Thirty years of parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic: The Journey thus far', will provide an opportunity for Parliament and Ghanaians to reflect on Parliament's achievements, acknowledge challenges and recommit to the principles of democracy, justice and equality that have guided the nation over the years. It said to kick start the celebrations, three key programmes would be held in the Northern Zone; a Mock Parliament in Wa in the Upper West Region on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Regional Library Complex. The Mock Parliament, it said, would bring together five selected tertiary education institutions in the northern zone. A public forum would also be held at Tamale in the Northern Region at the University of Development Studies (UDS) campus on Friday June 16, 2023. That, it said would be followed by a peace walk and sporting activities would also take place at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region the next day to climax the activities. The converging point for the event would be the Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga, it added. Ghana's 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy is a significant milestone for the country and testament to its commitment to democratic governance. It also serves as a reminder of the progress made in the past three decades and the need to continue to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. A television broadcast will showcase the parliamentary journey thus far, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role and significant contributions of women in the history of Parliament. 'Parliament encourages all Ghanaians to actively participate in the 30th anniversary as we reflect on the past and forge ahead, let us strengthen our resolve to preserve and enhance Ghana's parliamentary democracy, safeguarding it for generations to come,' the release said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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CHRAJ commemorates World Day against Child Labour

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has joined hands with relevant stakeholders to commemorate this year's World Day Against Child Labour. The World Day Against Child Labour was first instituted in 2002 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness of the plight of children engaged in child labour and to rally global support for its prevention. This year's celebration had the theme, 'Social Justice for All. End Child Labour,' Mr. Joseph Whittal, CHRAJ Commissioner, stated in a document to the Ghana News Agency in Tema to mark the day. He said the theme aimed to highlight the link between social justice and child labour; the need to ensure children everywhere were given a fair opportunity of education and grow into adults with decent income and stable employment. 'There is an urgent need to prevent the occurrence of child labour, as it deprives affected children, especially from poor households, of the equal opportunity of education for a better future and to prevent intergenerational poverty. Mr Whittal encouraged the government to evaluate and review social protection policies and especially increase resource allocation to aid in their effective implementation in alleviating poverty and reducing cost opportunities to primary and secondary school enrolment and retention. 'This will ensure all children, especially from households with limited or declining household incomes, the equal opportunity to access quality education and be protected from physical and psychological abuse,' he said. In addition, CHRAJ calls on the government and relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to work assiduously towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 target to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. These include the recruitment and use of child soldiers, as well as ending all forms of child labour by 2025. He also urged the government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to help protect children from commercial sexual exploitation; which is categorised as the worst form of child labour. Mr Whittal explained that globally, an estimated 160 million children are engaged in child labour, that is one in every ten children, stressing the situation in sub-Saharan Africa is even dire. 'Every one in five children is in child labour with an absolute number of 72 million children, followed by the Asia and Pacific region with 62 million children engaged in one form of child labour or the other. 'In Ghana, 21 percent of children aged 5 to 17 years which translates to approximately 1.9 million children are child labourers. Out of this number, 14 percent are engaged in hazardous labour.

Source: Ghana News Agency