He indicated that, this Bishop came to his office to convince him that his church is having a convention and he is inviting him to be one of the speakers at the programme. Pratt Jnr said, he declined the invitation with the excuse that, he [the Bishop] will not be happy about what he will be talking about before his congregation but the Bishop insisted and he agreed. “And the Bishop came from the back and said; that is a revolutionary, that is somebody whose views I share. He was walking towards me and came and took the microphone from me,” Kwesi Pratt Jnr narrated on the KSM show on Friday, August 6. “He praised me so he could take the microphone from me,” Kwesi Pratt Jnr observed.

General News of Saturday, 7 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The Minister of Finance has been tasked to retrieve monies paid to the intermediaries• Ghana had paid 50% of the contract sum of the Sputnik V vaccine• This was contained in the ad hoc committee report to parliamentKen Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, has been asked by the nine-member bipartisan ad hoc committee of Parliament probing the procurement deal of the controversial Sputnik V vaccine to take the necessary steps to recover the total amount of US$2,850,000 spent on the procurement of the Russian-made vaccine. The committee in their report noted that about 50 percent of the total contract sum of money was paid by the Ministry of Health even though Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the health minister had stated when he appeared before the committee that, no money was paid to the intermediaries the ministry engaged. The report of the committee is to be presented to the plenary for consideration. The committee has, however, urged the House to adopt the report. “The committee, by consensus, recommends to the House to adopt this report.”

He posted five tweets on the phenomenon with the third one specifically asking what constituted anti-party conduct. When did, free-thinking & free speech intended to, right the wrongs, become anti-party conduct? WalahiActually: what really constitutes anti-party conduct? What is more anti-party conduct than sharp teeth babies insulting Elders at the behest of a cult character? They will fall on their evil swords soonThey shall soon petition that the smelly fart of their cult leader, is anti-party conduct & indiscipline.

General News of Saturday, 7 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Martin Kpebu says the Minister of Health is not fit to be in office• He indicated the minister should have gone a long time• Martin Kpebu stated that Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is not the only Ghanaian to be a Minister of HealthLawyer Martin Kpebu has said Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health has demonstrated that he is not fit to be at the ministry, following revelations from the probe of the procurement of Sputnik V vaccines. So lone ranger falls into trouble, he should take the fall.”Martin Kpebu reiterated that Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is not the only Ghanaian who can serve the nation in his capacity as the Minister of Health. The nine-member ad hoc committee set up by Parliament to probe the procurement of Sputnik vaccines, has revealed that the health minister paid 50% of the contract sum to Messrs Al Maktoum prior to appearing before them. The Agreement would have been taken under certificate of urgency in accordance with the Standing Orders and the practices of the House. “The point must also be made that, even if it was an emergency, the Minister should have found time to communicate effectively and engage with the Committee on Health.

General News of Saturday, 7 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Ministry of Health has defended the Minister of Health• The ministry said Agyemang-Manu didn’t know about payment for vaccine prior to the committee meeting• The minister had denied knowledge of the payment when he appeared before the committeeThe Ministry of Health has defended Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the sector minister over the payment of US$2,850,000 to Messrs Al Maktoum, in the procurement of the Sputnik V vaccine. Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has been subsequently asked by the committee to take steps to recover the US $2,850,000, being the cost of the Sputnik V vaccines that were proposed to be procured. The ministry of health in their letter of defence sighted by GhanaWeb attached three documents the ministry claimed it received. They include; a letter from the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to the Bank of Ghana in respect of an order of telegraphic transfer of funds, the Bank of Ghana foreign exchange transfer instructions and the Bank of Ghana notice of transfer of funds from the Government of Ghana to the Private Office of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum. The health ministry further explained, “in line with clause 8.2 of the Agreement, the Ministry of Health has taken steps by requesting for the assistance of the Ministry of Finance to recover the remaining amount from the Private Office of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, which should be the total amount paid, minus the amount due for the 20.000 doses already supplied.”

Ofori-Atta insists that the Health Minister meant well when he entered the now abrogated agreements for the supply of Russia-made Sputnik V vaccines. “I kind of have listened to the argument and sort of on hindsight…I think there is so little empathy in appreciating what my colleague minister must have been going through,” he told Asaase Radio on August 5. He recounted how Agyeman-Manu in his opinion had gone out of his way to ensure the safety of Ghanaians at the time of a raging pandemic and when vaccine supply lines were heavily constricted against most African countries. Ofori-Atta also praised the efforts of the Ministry in securing the initial doses of AstraZeneca and spearheading the successful rollout by the Ghana Health Service. He added: “To be so unsympathetic to someone who felt like what can I do to ensure that there is continuity and to sit now comfortably ….

General News of Saturday, 7 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• In May, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reiterated plans to vaccinate 20 million citizens by end of 2021• That projection is highly unlikely according to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta• He cites global vaccine crunch as a reason the target looks unlikely with five months to end the yearGhana will likely not achieve its plan to vaccinate 20 million Ghanaians by the end of 2021 given the unavailability of Coronavirus vaccine supplies on the global market. This is the view of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who admits that despite having a roadmap for vaccination, achieving herd immunity is not feasible. “We are yet to hit even 2% of our target of vaccination, which is 20 million people by the end of the year, will we be able to do this as promised?” he was asked on Asaase Radio’s Evening News of August 5, 2021. The minister responded: “I get confused with questions like that when you know that the supply element now has changed considerably and it is evident that the way in which the world dealt with this ensured that Africa was not going to get the supply. “The target is to vaccinate 20 million Ghanaians by the end of the year, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” the president said.

General News of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• A renowned Ghanaian plastic surgeon has denied being arrested for illegally practising in Ghana• He has instructed his legal team to probe the matter• He spoke in an interview monitored by GhanaWebRenowned Ghanaian-American doctor, Dr Michael Obeng, has dismissed claims that he was arrested in Ghana for operating without a certified licence from the Ghana Medical and Dental Council. Dr Obeng claims he was rather a victim of extortion disguised as an arrest. Earlier this week, state-owned Graphic Online reported that the doctor who is famed in both the US and across Africa had been arrested in a swoop by the Medical and Dental Council (MDC), with the support of the police. Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast show on Thursday, August 5, 2021, he opined that the fictitious arrest was not from the Ghana Medical and Dental Council as purported. Dr Michael Obeng has directed his lawyers both in Ghana and Los Angeles to look into the matter and take any actions against the people.

“I believe COVID-19 is a strategic battle that Africa must fight and win,” he said while addressing his congregation on the first night of the Greater Works Conference in Accra. According to him, though the pandemic has wreaked havoc and claimed several lives it has also presented an opportunity for innovation which African countries must take advantage of. Thus same can be said of the fight against Covid in African countries. “Sometimes God will give you strategic fights to battle, if you see like Joshua, it’s God's opportunity,” he preached. While asserting himself as a firm believer of Africa’s dreams, he declared that the time has come for Africa to be seen for its enormous potentials.

General News of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comIn a thrilling display of grit and intelligence, 115 young people from various schools across the country, have qualified for the final national championship of the Spelling B competition. With most participants drawn from Accra and Tema, the competition also saw new entrants into the competition from various parts of the country. Out of this number, 115 advanced to the National Finals after a thrilling bout of spelling. According to organisers of the competition, some participants took part in the spelling bouts from their homes due to the resurgence of the COVID-19. There will be an official launch in September 2021 and the final event will be held in 2022.

“Honestly, the government helps cocoa farmers in diverse ways. He told Ghanaweb’s McAnthony Dagyenga that cocoa farming is a difficult venture hence, needs people who are determined to be in this job. This makes cocoa farming difficult,” he explained. “At the moment, most of the elderly persons into cocoa farming are getting older and weaker, so if the youth do not get into cocoa farming, it will dwindle cocoa production in Ghana." He advocated for Ghanaian scholars to look at inventing technologies that would make cocoa farming and cocoa processing an attractive venture for the youth.

Business News of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comPetroleum expert, Dr Theo Acheampong has said the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has enough justification to proceed with its intention to purchase two stakes in Ghana’s offshore fields. Energy Minister, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh in a memorandum submitted to Parliament earlier this week requested approval for a US$1.65 billion loan for the purchase. Reacting to the development, Dr Acheampong believes the move will ensure GNPC gains control of some of the country's oil exploration and production projects. Theo Acheampong further adds the move falls in with GNPC’s strategy towards becoming a world class exploration and production entity by the year 2027. Meanwhile, in the just presented mid-year budget statement by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta hinted at GNPC’s resolve to acquire two stakes in the offshore field which will primarily accelerate exploration and production.

Entertainment of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Diana Hamilton has celebrated her husband• The couple on August 6 marked their 16th wedding anniversary• The two have two children togetherGospel musician, Diana Hamilton is celebrating sixteen years of marriage to her husband, Joseph Okoi Hamilton. In a post sighted by GhanaWeb on her Instagram page, she wrote: “16 years ago, I married the best husband God ever created and given the chance, I will do it all over again with him. Happy anniversary my love.”The artiste who randomly shares photos of her family has been blessed with two children in her marriage. Sokoohemaa on Instagram wrote: "Awwwwww well doneMay God bless this marriage till eternity. Below is the post by Diana Hamilton:

Entertainment of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• KiDi said Ghanaians patronized his event despite criticizing him• He said the GH¢15,000 worth of tables which were labeled exorbitant were fully booked• KiDi launched his ‘Golden boy’ album on July 29, 2021Ghanaian afrobeats singer, KiDi has expressed shock at how Ghanaians highly patronized his ‘Golden Boy’ album launch despite subjecting him to immense criticisms. He said in spite of the numerous criticisms that his ticket rates were expensive, all GH¢15,000 worth of tables were fully booked. One can recall that KiDi was subjected to attacks on social media for charging what was described as exorbitant fees as ticket rates for his ‘Live with KiDi’ concert which took place on July 29, 2021, in Accra. This was after he took to Twitter to announce that the ticket prices and packages ranged from GH¢3,000 to GH¢15,000. “When I got to the venue and realized the place was fully packed I was shocked because of the earlier criticisms.

According to him, public service CEOs are earning 10 times the amount of the president and ministers. In his view, these heads of institutions are not supposed to earn more than the president who steers the affairs of the nation. Speaking on Good Morning Ghana monitored by GhanaWeb, the lawmaker said, "Even in the public service, there are wild disparities. We have CEOs who earn more than the President of the Republic. Okudzeto Ablakwa averred that some people in the country only want to occupy the position of CEO in public institutions because of the money involved.