General News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• JUSAC National President has mounted a spirited defence for the Chief Justice following allegations of corruption• Alex Nartey says Justice Anin Yeboah would not stoop low to lower his standards• The Chief Justice is currently under investigation for allegedly collecting a $5m bribeThe National President of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG), Alex Nartey has attested to the good character and integrity of Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah. In spite of the nature of the allegation, the JUSAC president in an interaction with Daily Graphic on Friday spoke highly of Chief Justice Anin Yeboah’s personality, standards and work ethic. According to him, it should have been taken to the president and copied only to the Chief Justice. “If you want the President to remove the Chief Justice, your petition should be right in the eyes of the Constitution. The scandal made the top headline after a private legal practitioner, Akwasi Afrifa alleged that Chief Justice Anin Yeboah had demanded a US$5 million bribe to influence the outcome of a case.

Business News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The CEO of NPA, has reiterated government's commitment to implementing the CRM• Mr Mustapha Hamid has said that the CRM will be made a reality• The LPG Marketers Association have pledged their support towards a proper implementation of the CRMThe Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid has said that the government is devoted to the implementation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM). Speaking at a meeting with the Liquid Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) in Accra, he noted that, the NPA is dedicated to ensuring that the CRM is implemented despite years of delay. He said: "We at the NPA are determined to make this policy a reality. “It is not our interest that four years after the commitment to implement a cylinder recirculation model, it has still not been done.”The policy directive for marketing and distribution of LPG through the Cylinder Re-circulation Model is to ensure that, the country curbs the regular explosions and also to ensure stringent monitoring mechanisms. “The LPG Marketers Association have pledged their support to the proper implantation of the Cylinder Recirculation Model.”Mr Kumi again called on the government to remove all taxes on LPG in other to make it more affordable for homes and commercial use.

Former Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Otiko Djaba has revealed how this issue can be solved. According to her, the only way to end this menace is to patronize the goods made by persons living with disabilities (PWDs). The former Gender Minister advised Ghanaians to patronise products locally made by PWDs. “Patronising products made by people living with disabilities is a sure way of taking them off the streets,” she stated. The Fair was to showcase the works of PWDs and also to make clear that disability is not inability.

Entertainment of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comTalented highlife/afrobeat artiste, Kwame Ayi Kwaw, professionally known as Stone Gee has received rousing applause from radio disc jockeys (DJs) in the country following the release of his latest single, Bad Friends featuring Okyeame Kwame. The song seeks to educate people about the activities of bad friends. They were impressed with the beautifully crafted music piece ‘Bad Friends’ and encouraged the fast-rising singer to keep working hard on good music for his fans. Stone Gee’s ‘Bad Friends’ single which according to his management team is a street gospel song comes after the release of two hit singles titled Jealousy and Bottom Power and serves as a prelude to his compilation album which is expected to be out next year. The Gavali Music signee is looking forward to breaking into the Ghanaian music scene with his ‘Bad Friends’ single followed by other hit singles by the close of the year.

He explained that these persons are purporting to offer jobs and scholarships in his name, which he describes as purely fraudulent cases. "The impression being created us that they can secure jobs and scholarships and offer other opportunities for people at a fee. "One of the phone numbers these criminals ask their prospects to contact is 0573428508, registered in the name of Bennett Togbe Saah. I believe there are other numbers they could be using," the statement said. He has, in the meantime, urged anybody who is contacted by these imposters to report the matter to the National Cyber Security Center on 0503185846.

Business News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The price of crude oil dropped down on the commodities market today at a unit price of -0.85• Cotton on the market today stood at a unit price of +0.22• Coffee also stood at a price unit of -5.40On the commodities market today, August 2, 2021, the price of crude oil is seventy-three dollars, ten cents ($73.10) per barrel to open the 30th trade week of the 2021 fiscal year. Gold is trading at one thousand eight hundred and six dollar, sixty cents ($1,806.60) per ounce. Cocoa is trading at two thousand, three hundred and forty-seven dollars ($2,347.00) per bag. Coffee, on the other hand, is trading at one hundred and seventy-four dollars, fifteen cents ($174.15) per bag. Cotton is trading at ninety dollars, five cents per ($90.05) per bag and it is projected to trade around that unit price until October 7.

According to the driver, Samuel Afolabi, the police officer took a GH¢200 bribe from him after he was stopped at the checkpoint in Sogakope while travelling from Aflao to Accra on August 1, 2021. He narrated that; the Police Officer decided to take a bribe of GH¢200 after the hours of pleading but all to no avail. He later realized that the Police Officer had left her phone in his car when a call came through. I was about to enter the Tema motorway when a phone rang beside me, and I was surprised to see Apple’s iPhone 12 pro max on my passenger seat. I picked the call only to discover that the Police officer forgot her phone in my car.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of Water Resources Commission (WRC), Ben Yaw Ampomah, in an interview with the Mirror Newspaper which was sighted by GhanaWeb. He explained that the activities of individuals and companies who engage in this activity are guided by the Drilling Licence and Groundwater Development Regulations Legislative Instrument (L.I.) This is to manage water resources in the country. Mr Ampomah noted the Water Resources Commission has begun arresting defaulters to ensure strict compliance with the law. So far, a total of 100 drillers have registered with the Commission, the Executive Secretary, Ben Yaw Ampomah stated.

Business News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comOn August 2, 2019, the Ranking member for the finance committee in parliament, Cassiel Ato Forson stated that, the committee needs more time to review the financial agreements and loans the government is proposing. This situation according to him leaves them with very limited time to scrutinize the agreements for better results. Ahead of that, a lot of financial agreements have been laid before parliament for approval. Reacting to this, Cassiel Ato Forson expressed worry particularly about how government appears to be unduly burdening the MPs considering they don’t have much time to scrutinize the documents. He appealed to government to present agreements on time so proper due diligence is done and government is advised accordingly.

Against the Pound Sterling, the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢8.0589p and a selling price of GH¢8.0676p. With the Euro, the cedi is trading at a buying price of GH¢6.8774p and a selling price of GH¢6.8842p. The South African Rand is trading at a buying price GH¢0.3969p and a selling price of GH¢0.3973p. The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of GH¢70.8573p and a selling price of GH¢70.8659p. For the CFA, it is trading at a buying price of GH¢95.2844p and a selling price of GH¢95.3786p.

Business News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comChief Operations Officer at the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) has revealed a minimum 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of raw cashew nuts will be auctioned in the upcoming cashew crop season. According to Robert Dowuona Owoo, the exchange last week recorded some 1,000 MT of raw cashew nut at its auction session and is well on course to achieve its target. In an interaction with the B&FT newspaper monitored by GhanaWeb, Owoo said the introduction of cashew onto the electronic trading platform will positively reap many benefits for Ghana’s cashew value chain, as well as key players in the sector. “In the next season for cashew, we are going to do 20,000 MT – because if in a lean season we have been able to do 1,000 MT, I don’t see why during the main season here in Ghana we can’t do 20,000MT.”“As an Exchange, the projected auction – which is about 20 percent of the total production in Ghana – is something we think is very possible looking at the interest being shown by market participants, the Exchange and its efforts to have a structured trading system for raw cashew,” Owoo added. Meanwhile, the GCX in previous sessions has auctioned 50MT and 1,000MT of raw cashew nut in a reserve auction.

According to a report by Citi Business, the FDA boss noted, “We would sample and test all palm oil in the market. The launch of the software was organised by the Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association was under the theme, “Introducing Digital Technology into the Palm Oil Industry to curb the menace of Sudan IV”. On his part, the President of the Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association, Paul Amaning, assured consumers that Association will work with FDA to help filter out the increasing use of Sudan IV in locally produced palm oils. About the Artisanal Palm Oil appThe purpose of the Artisanal Palm Oil app is to ensure that authentic and healthy palm oil is sold in the Ghanaian market. The app has functions to detect if the QR code of the branded palm oil is approved by the Food and Drugs Authority.

The Minister, in addition, stated that government will not provide fisherfolks in Elmina with premix fuel for “some time” as this forms part of the punishment. Hawa Koomson has however noted that, once it is observed that the affected fishermen are complying with the laid down policies, the restrictions will be lifted. “By the close of today [Saturday] and tomorrow [Sunday], all the landing beaches will have premix fuel, except Elmina, because we don’t want them to go fishing. The actions taken by the Minister has been met with a bag of mixed reaction from the general public. Some Ghanaians have been sharing their thoughts on social media:Ibrahim Muntari on Facebook wrote: “Are we serious people at all.

General News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called on Muslims to make peace, unity and tolerance the bedrock for development. Sheikh Sharubutu was addressing the first National Muslims Conference in Accra on Friday. In his address, Sheikh Sharubutu commended organisers of the conference for bringing Muslims together to pursue unity and development among themselves but was quick to add that unity should go beyond Muslims. "Let us continue to promote peace and unity amongst ourselves and also among those who do not ascribe to our religious beliefs." Sheikh Sharubutu said God has blessed Ghana with peace and unity, adding that the Conference had been made possible due to the peace in Ghana, which is a result of inter-faith tolerance.

General News of Monday, 2 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comOn August 2, 2019, the Ministry of Transport stated that measure is in place to will regularize ‘Okada’ use in the country after a consultative engagement with stakeholders. The ministry said the initiative is part of measures to improve local transportation on the country. Read the full story belowThe Ministry of Transport has undertaken a consultative engagement with a cross-section of Ghanaians to solicit views on the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles in the country. Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister for Transport, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the ‘okada’ issue in road safety management has necessitated the initiative that could eventually regularise their operations. This year, the Ministry began a series of nationwide consultations to solicit views from the public on the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles.