If the Executive takes an action and you are not pleased, you go to court. We can’t live in a banana republic and I don’t think those of us calling for the total destruction of this mining equipment are saying we live in a banana republic. There is a law and so if you think that somebody is breaking the law, you go to court,” he added. The burning of seized mining equipment including several excavators by the military contingent involved in the anti-illegal mining fight has courted controversy with some Ghanaians taking an exception to the action by the military. “The Ghana Law Reports of modern times are littered with cases in which my clients thought it necessary to challenge government action.

General News of Friday, 28 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The exercise is being undertaken by 401 military officers drawn from all ranks• The new phase of Operation Halt II focuses on the Ankobra River and its tributaries• The public have been asked to to stay away from the earmarked areaOver four hundred officers of the Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed for the fourth phase of the fight against illegal mining dubbed Operation Halt II. In a press release announcing the commencement of the operation, the Ministry of Information said the operation is aimed at removing all persons and logistics involved in mining from water bodies. According to the release signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the new phase of Operation Halt II focuses on the Ankobra River and its tributaries. The Ministry thus cautioned the public to stay away from mining in water bodies to avoid any action by the military. Read full statement below:

A Closed-circuit-Television (CCTV) recording of the incident reported to have occurred at a pre-school located at Ashongman estates in Accra, has since courted emotional reactions from social media users. In the video sighted by GhanaWeb, a frustrated Clara could be seen coercively striving to push what looked like a liquid-based food substance down the throat of the frail baby. The wanton struggle between a full-grown woman and a disadvantaged 11-month-old baby gasping for breath, amidst cries for help while two other babies helplessly looked on without a full understanding of the ensuing incident is reported to have led to the death of the baby. Reports indicate the incident occurred at Happy Bloomers, a preschool located at Ashongman Estates on May 18, 2021. Watch the CCTV footage below (viewers discretion is advised):

GH¢2,828,432.80 at the current exchange rate on his recent 9-day visit to France, Belgium, South Africa and back to Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has alleged. “Aviation experts inform me it would have cost Ghana less than 15% of this 2.8million Ghana Cedis had President Akufo-Addo opted for Ghana’s available presidential jet which is in pristine condition. Okudzeto Ablakwa said, the manufacturers describe the aircraft President Akufo-Addo hired as “the most outstanding ambassador for Airbus Corporate Jets. “President Akufo-Addo undoubtedly has the greatest taste any Ghanaian President has ever had but the question is, should that insatiable appetite for his creature comforts be at the expense of the suffering masses? “The irony is that President Akufo-Addo engaged in this fantastic extravagance on his way to France to go beg President Emmanuel Macron for debt cancellation.

CUTS International, a research and public policy think tank, has stated that the proposed upward adjustment in electricity tariffs has nothing to do with the prices of crude oil and gas on the international market. According to them, there is no correlation there between the two, hence their decision to kick against the upward adjustment of electricity tariffs which will start in July. “Crude oil prices and gas prices have not gone up that much, so if you’re talking about electricity, then it leaves me with the doubt of the rationale on why these companies are asking for tariff increases at the time when the global prices of these goods have remained stable. But now we know that on average, prices of these goods have remained stable,” he said. However, the Consumer Protection Agency has noted that any possible increment in electricity tariffs at this time would be ill-timed.

General News of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ministry of Information has unveiled an innovative social marketing project dubbed “Amplified” aimed at supporting young Ghanaians embarking on selected causes. The project will utilize the social media mileage of the Ministry, social media influencers and partner media houses to promote the works of young entrepreneurs, social causes and mentoring opportunities. He said: “the Ministry has succeeded in growing its online audience to more than 1.2 million followers across all of its social media channels. On his part, Dr. Adutwum touted the project as one of the creative and inventive ways of developing the country’s human capital. Mr. Owusu Ansah bemoaned how the youth belatedly have given room for inappropriate content to fester on social media instead of highlighting stories that uplifts and set them on the right path.

Entertainment of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Amanda Jissih has expressed a lack of interest in dating men• According to the popular TV/radio presenter, she’d rather be single than to open up her heart to any man• Ms Jissih said she currently has no plans of getting marriedPopular media personality, Amada Jissih, has established that she currently has zero intentions of dating men. Although unclear the reasons for her assertion, it could perhaps be as a result of her bitter experiences during her past relationships. Amanda is said to have dated the likes of Adom FM presenter, Jerry Justice and Prince Bright of Buk-Bak fame among others. But recounting how unlucky she has been in her past relationships, Amanda in a recent Interview with NeatFM’s Ola Michael said:“I’m done with men. I’m thinking about ways to make money,”“There are several men chasing after me but I chose to remain single,” she added.

The Director-General of the Maritime Authority, Thomas K. Alonsi, expressed his profound appreciation to the UNODC for the technical and financial support towards the legal reform process in Ghana. The fact is these criminals and their international backers have the money and the motivation to exploit any lacuna in our laws. The MT Mariam incident (2016), presented Ghana with its first test case of piracy. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you may already know, the Gulf of Guinea has in recent years earned the undignified reputation as a “piracy hotspot”. The insurance industry classifies the region as a High-Risk Area and thus exacts exorbitant premiums from ship operators and ship owners.

Entertainment of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Afia Schwarzenegger has shared a video of her son's new tattoo• The tattoo is a photo of her mother Afia Schwarzenegger• According to the actress, her son is 'happy' with his tattooGhanaian actress and comedienne, Afia Schwarzenegger has shared a video of a recent tattoo by one of his twin sons, Irvin Geiling Jnr. The actress who is the mother of the twin boys James Ian Hedeergen and Irvin Geiling Hedeergen revealed that her second son is finally happy following the fulfilment of his greatest wish. Irvin Jnr who seemed pleased with his new tattoo gave out smiles in a video recorded by his mother. It is unclear the inspiration behind the tattoo but from all indication, it was with the consent of his mother. Thank you, @khemitoonsartandmusic, for making my boy happy.”Irvin Geiling Jnr who turns 20 years in August is a Level 100 student of the University of Ghana.

Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: GNADaniel Akpablie, 25, a motor rider and Reuben Doh, 25, a farmer, have been remanded into prison custody by a Ho Circuit Court for robbery. The Court presided over by Mr Felix Datsomor remanded them to reappear on June 15, 2021, after they had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. They were charged with two counts, including conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Agnes Ahiable, narrated to the court that the complainant (name withheld) is a student of Ho Technical University, while suspects are residents of Adaklu and Ho respectively. The Prosecution said the complainant and his friends managed to run away, however, the complainant's mobile phone XS Max iPhone valued Gh¢4,000.00 fell in the process.

For those abreast with Ghanaian football at the grassroot level, Sani Demdem popularly known as 'Bra' is the 'mother' of most of Ghana's football stars. For more than five decades, the owner of Anokye Stars has contributed to the country's football industry in various ways. Sani told Owusu Benjamin(Benji Deflowman) of Atinka FM in a documentary dubbed ‘SANI DEMEM; A Football Legend’ aimed at honouring him. Between the shoemaker and shoe- shine, who is better? Look at Ebony and Kamarat, they are all nurturing players.

Stephen Appiah in 2003 joined the Old Ladies of Serie A(Juventus) from Parma after excelling on his loan move to Brescia Calcio. 16 years on after leaving Juventus, Appiah has revealed that choosing to represent Ghana in the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens cost him his career with the Old Ladies. Read Stephen Appiah's narration on why he left Juventus in an interview with EMY Africa magazine below:"I was told the club had received a letter from Ghana. I went into the Sporting Director’s office only to see three men; Luciano Moggi – Juventus Director of Football, Geraldo, the club’s lawyer, and the legendary Roberto Bettega himself. People don’t know Moggi.

Business News of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Ashiagbor has charged government to maximise the country’s revenue potentials to close its fiscal gap• He adds government must minimize its non-discretionary expenditure as well•Ghana's debt-to-GDP ratio is currently pegged at 78% (including energy sector debt)Vish Ashiagbor, a Country Senior Partner at the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Ghana has admonished the central government to ensure it is maximising the country’s revenue potentials and minimising its non-discretionary expenditure. The move he believes must be implemented towards a long-term approach rather than a short-term one. Making his submission during a preliminary session at the maiden edition of the Money Summit organised by the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) on May 25, 2021, in Accra, Vish Ashiagbor said the financial sector’s contribution to closing the fiscal gap is basically to partner government in the best way possible. The ratio which is currently pegged at 78 percent (including energy sector debt) is also projected to increase to 83.2 percent in 2022 – and then further to 84.8 percent in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund. This however leaves a huge fiscal deficit in the government’s revenue and growth targets.

The move according to Wamkele Mene is hinged on inspiring confidence among traders, offer clarity and certainty of trade deals as they use the platform. “The most important aspect of the protocols is resolution of disputes which arise under the AfCFTA. We know that there will be disputes, but the key thing is how to resolve those disputes. And so, it is a very elaborate and comprehensive dispute settlement mechanism that is really at the heart of legal certainty and predictability of market,” Mene assured. We need a rules-based avenue for the resolution of disputes,” Bawumia pointed.

Business News of Thursday, 27 May 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The price of cocoa dropped on the market today at a unit price of -21.00• Cotton also dropped up slightly and stood at -0.05• Coffee also dropped with a unit price of -0.35On the commodities market today May 27, 2021, the price of Crude Oil is sixty-five dollars, sixty-nine cents ($65.69) as compared to yesterday’s trading of sixty-five dollars, eighty-eight cents ($65.88). Gold is trading at one thousand, eight hundred and ninety-five dollars, ninety cents ($1,895.90) as compared to yesterday’s trading of one thousand, nine hundred and five dollars, thirty cents ($1,905.30). Cocoa is trading at two thousand, four hundred and one dollars ($2,401.00) as compared to yesterday’s trading of two thousand, four hundred and three dollars ($2,403.00). Meanwhile, Cotton is also trading at eight-two dollars, thirty-nine cents ($82.39) as compared to yesterday trading of eighty-two dollars, seventy-three cents ($82.73). And Coffee is trading at one hundred and fifty-five dollars, thirty-five cents ($155.35) as compared to yesterday’s trading of one hundred and fifty dollars, seventy-five cents ($150.75).