This is after the Chairman of the committee, Ken Amankwah, announced that farms were established in about 400 second cycle institutions to boost food production as part of activities marking Ghana’s 60th anniversary in 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BJPZVBJFMBjtAaz7lIYcpwPGwe3Qg6Bv”]Speaking to Citi News, the President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu disputed the claim and charged the committee to substantiate same.

“I am surprised to hear that… which schools? When were the farms established? What is the yield per school? Are Accra schools part of it? We have in Ghana about 570 senior high schools. If you have established farms in more than 400, we would want to know which schools and what is the yield per school,” he said.

According to him, there were no farms in the many schools he has visited.

“For the school I teach in and the several schools I visited as a result of my work, I did not see farms in those schools. So I am very surprised by the assertion of the head of the Ghana@60 committee. But It will be interesting  to know the type of crops cultivated and the yield per school.”

The Ghana@60 committee revealed that it was unable to carry out all of its planned programmes due to a lack of funds.

One other notable educational intervention, the provision of 60 libraries in deprived areas across all 10 regions, did not materialize because the company that submitted the proposal for the construction of the libraries, West Blue, was bought by a new company.

“We could not construct the libraries…It was a proposal that was brought by West Blue consortium who were formerly a digital company. The company unfortunately left and its work was taken over by another company, but the company that came in was not interested in the proposal,” Ken Amankwah explained.

Call for auditing of Committee’s accounts 

The Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Brogya Genfi, rubbished the reasons given by the Ghana@60 committee for being unable to execute a majority of its proposed projects.

He does called on the President to direct the Auditor General to audit the accounts of the committee.

Though the committee said it  was able to raise less than half of its target of GHc 20 million, Brogya Genfi believes the committee received enough funds from corporate entities, and says an audit will help unravel other details about the committee’s work.

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By: Anass Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Provide evidence of Ghana@60 SHS farms – Carbonu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to Ken Amankwah, the Chairman of the “Ghana 60 Years On” committee which was tasked with executing a series of programmes as part of Ghana’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

[contextly_sidebar id=”r6NLWFygxV03ngjnt20hM6YmWzQB3wiQ”]The committee has already revealed that it was unable to carry out all of its planned programmes due to a lack of funds.

Among these programmes was a national flag-draping campaign which would see businesses adorn major roads near their offices with flags, buntings, balloons and lights in Ghana colours.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Amankwah said these flags were originally being printed from China “but we couldn’t bring them down from there so we had to fall on local printers and they couldn’t meet the quantities they wanted.”

This initiative was “subject to us getting the flags in. We had such a short time that the flags could not be manufactured and those that came, we had to send them out to the region. Also, all the commercial painters had to be given enough time to prepare them to get these huge flags.”

Though the irony of printing flags from China for Ghana’s independence celebrations, was not lost on him, Mr. Amankwah insisted that procuring the flags from the East Asian nation were cheap and the local ones “were unbelievably high and we couldn’t afford it.”

The national flag-draping campaign was among several programmes that the committee was unable to see through, including the provision of 60 libraries in deprived areas across all 10 regions, a technology Start-up challenge and a historical documentary.

Committee raised less that GHc 10 million

Mr. Amankwah lamented that there was a perception that the committee was laden with cash because of the GHc 20 million budget annoucnced by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

This budget was however subject to the generousity of fund raisers and in the end. Mr Amankwah said the committee failed to even reach half of its target.

“All these things were predicated on the assumption that we were going to reach our target of GHc 20 million which the President set us. We didn’t even get half of that.”

As an example of some of the high budgets brought to the planning committee,  Mr. Amankwah said there was a budget of GHc 1.7 million for the planned nationwide relay of the torch lit with the perpetual flame at the 2017 Independece Day celebration at the Black Star Square.

“For the torch, they brought a budget to GHc 1.7 million to carry a torch around the country. I mean, how are we going fund that? GHc 1.7 million to carry a torch around the country!”

“We were arguing with the people. This was way out of proportion out of what we intended. So how were we going to fund that? … Our problem was that, because of the publicity, everybody felt we had so much money to spend, ” he stated.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This revelation contradicts the President’s announcement that the funds for the year-long celebrations will be sourced from the private sector.

A Deputy Minister for Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng made the revelation while addressing some issues on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.

Kwaku Kwarteng said the government had allocated some GH¢5.6m for the year-long celebration.

He said GH¢3.1m was sourced from government’s coffers while GH¢2.16m was sourced from the District Assembly Common Fund.

“The Ministry of Finance released an amount of GH¢5.26 million cedis towards the celebration of the 60^th independence anniversary of Ghana. This was made up of GH¢3.1 million from government of Ghana sources of funding and GH¢2.16 million from the District Assembly Common Fund. Out of the total GH¢5.26 million, GH¢ 3 million went to the office of the Chief of Staff at the Ghana at 60 secretariats while GH¢100,000 and GH¢2.1 million went to the 100 regional coordinating councils and 216 district assemblies respectively,” Mr. Kwarteng said.

Mr. Kwarteng was responding to questions by the Juaboso Member of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on how much the country had spent so far on the 60th Independence Anniversary Celebration.

The budget allocation announced for the anniversary was 20 million cedis. Though there were some donations from the private sector, it is unclear if these were added to the overall expenditure.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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[contextly_sidebar id=”UpDvIxwJQOTHMstJXclxIc5kENxbOKVT”]According to him, the government is yet to make commitment to paying him his money.

Last week, Chief Moomen took to Facebook to seek public ask the government to pay him the remainder of the money.

He said the government had contracted him to show his ‘Wogbejeke’ theatre as part of activities to mark Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebrations in March, and has since paid only half of the bill. 

According to Chief Moomen, several attempts to get the government to pay the other half of the bill has proven futile, forcing him into a terrible financial situation. He said he has had to put his car on sale to help raise money to sustain his business.

Days after the post, he said the cry for help “fell on deaf ears.”

He, however, said his upcoming play, Wogbejeke, which was almost called off because of government’s indebtedness to him will be held as planned courtesy the support of some friends.

Read his full post below:

Thank you all for helping to highlight our crisis situation. Unfortunately, all that cry for help fell on deaf ears. I didn’t and still haven’t received any official communications from the committee.

What I have, however, heard is the Chairman of the Committee spewing spurious and ill- informed utterances to people that seeks to impugn my integrity.

And that I will absolutely not countenance! I have already suffered enough indignities at his hands. About two months ago when I went to see him about our plight, he was so patronizing and condescending I left very angry, disappointed and truly quite sad.

I shall release a full account of my experience and my general reflections on this whole process right after my show.

Thanks to my #Botweburg brothers for pooling together resources these last minutes to enable WogbeJeke come off. I invite you all to come out in your numbers tomorrow 3rd July at the National Theatre to support the production.

We are running two shows and 2pm and 7pm. Once again, thank you all for the massive show of solidarity.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chief Moomen decries ‘attack’ from Ghana@60 chair over debt appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is in response to the call by President Akufo-Addo for corporate entities to support activities and projects to commemorate Ghana’s 60th anniversary.

[contextly_sidebar id=”cOaF4P3ttklLEmjmGbLDxhKr1BmGwkKJ”]Presenting the cheque to the Committee, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, stated that the donation forms part of the corporate social investments of the entire membership of the Chamber.

He said, the role of responsible mining in Ghana’s development cannot be underestimated and the anniversary provides a great opportunity to demonstrate the industry’s importance to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Madam Frema Osei Opare, who received the donation on behalf of the Committee commended member companies of the Chamber for coming out to support the anniversary celebration. She indicated the government’s commitment to work with the Chamber to boost Ghana’s image as the preferred destination for mining in Africa.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines is the foremost mining association, which is focused on promoting socially and environmentally responsible mining in Ghana.

The Chamber is made up of mineral producing companies, exploration companies, mine contractors, mine supplies and service support companies as well as research institutions.

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Source: Ghana Chamber of Mines

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The cathedral will serve as a national non-denominational Christian worship centre for the country.

The project is part of the many others that will be undertaken in various parts of the country as part of Ghana’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

Speaking at a short ceremony to cut the sod for the project, President Akufo-Addo said, the lack of such infrastructure in the country prompted him to take the initiative which he said will serve a very important purpose for the Christian community in the country.

He added that funding for the project will be sourced from the Christian community and Churches in the country.

An 11-member committee has been tasked to raise funds for the project.

Details of the deadline for the construction of the cathedral which will be located behind the Parliament house are yet to be announced.

Heads of the various Christian denominations and Churches including the leader of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensah Otabil; leader of the Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams; Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Cephas Omenyo; Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Archbishop Gabriel Palmer Buckle, among others were present at the ceremony.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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Whilst acknowledging the importance of Ghana’s ethnic diversity, which features over 50 ethnic groups, President Akufo-Addo impressed the need to rise above the negative aspects of diversity in the name of national interest.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HldXCTkJ9tlN9rKu0BrYD9eQTwgJzAca”]Speaking at the 60th-anniversary ceremony at the Black StarsSquare in Accra, he said Ghana’s developmental goals would be achieved “when we move and act as a united people.”

“We must take pride in our diversity by all means, but the Ghanaian must always rise above the ethnic or sectional interest. We have a bright future and we must mobilize all our resources and all our strengths, here and in the Ghanaian Diaspora, to get to that Promised Land faster.”

It has been 24 years under the Fourth Republic, and President Akufo-Addo noted that, the effects of this political stability were slowly coming to the fore after decades of instability under various juntas.

Under the political dispensation of the Fourth Republic, he reminded that it came with multi-party constitutional democracy and guaranteed individual freedoms under the rule of law.

“These past 24 years have been the longest period of political stability our country has enjoyed since independence, and the effects are showing, albeit slowly.”

“The pace of our development has quickened and our self-confidence, which had been severely strained, has returned. At independence, the popular slogan was to seek first the political kingdom and all other things would be added. We assumed and, indeed, we expected that rapid economic development would follow the political freedom that we achieved.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaians must rise above ethnic interests – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The parade was graced by the three former Presidents of the country – Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufour and John Mahama as well as heads of states and dignitaries from neighbouring countries.

The Diamond Jubilee was themed: “Mobilizing for Ghana’s future.”

President Akufo-Addo in his address at the Black Star Square implored Ghanaians to mobilize for a better future that will give every citizen equal opportunity to realize their potential.

“Let us mobilize for the happy and prosperous Ghana of tomorrow, in which all of us, including our youth, our women and the vulnerable in our society, will have equal opportunities to realise their potential, and build lives of dignity. Then, our independence will be meaningful. Then, we will have a Ghana beyond aid,” Nana Addo said.

While expressing hope that Ghanaians will “continue to make ourselves worthy inheritors of this land”, the President was also optimistic that “we [Ghanaians] can achieve the dreams of our forebears.”

The President for the better of his speech gave brief history of the country’s independence struggle, acknowledging the men and women whose contributions have brought the country to this point.

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Photos by: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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He made the appeal at the 6^th March Independence Parade at the Black Star Square in Accra.

“Let us mobilize for the happy and prosperous Ghana of tomorrow, in which all of us, including our youth, our women and the vulnerable in our society, will have equal opportunities to realise their potential, and build lives of dignity. Then, our independence will be meaningful. Then, we will have a Ghana beyond aid,” Nana Addo said.

While expressing hope that Ghanaians will “continue to make ourselves worthy inheritors of this land”, the President was also optimistic that “we [Ghanaians] can achieve the dreams of our forebears.”

The President for the better of his speech, gave  brief history of the country’s independence struggle, acknowledging the men and women whose contribution have brought the country to this point.

We’re endangering survival of lands 

The President also expressed concern about the high levels of environmental degradation, saying Ghanaians are “the endangering the very survival of the beautiful and blessed land that our forebears bequeathed to us.”

“The dense forests, that were home to varied trees, plants and fauna, have largely disappeared. Today, we import timber for our use, and the description of our land as a tropical forest no longer fits the reality

Nana Addo reminded Ghanaians about the “right to exploit the bounties of the earth and extract the minerals and even redirect the path of the rivers” but was quick to add that “we do not have the right to denude the land of the plants and fauna nor poison the rivers and lakes.”

“There is nothing we can do better to pay homage to those who fought to free us from bondage than to dedicate this 60th independence anniversary to protecting our environment and regenerating the lands and water bodies,” he added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Let’s mobilize for a better future – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 93-year-old leader is undoubtedly one of the most popular African leaders in Ghana.

He gained much popularity in the West African country over some striking comments he made especially with regards to his country’s stance on homosexuality.

Ghanaians have taken to social media to share various comments and observations from the former AU leader’s presence at the anniversary celebration.

Mr. Mugabe is connected to Ghana in many ways as he once taught as a teacher in Ghana, and got a Ghanaian wife.

Ghanaians are attentively watching President Mugabe’s lips, If he say #Fi it will turn to quote right now…

— Benjamin Lartei (@BenjaminLartei) March 6, 2017

Mugabe is here to give the internet another meme.

— Agent Ressler (@poundsborga) March 6, 2017

Them really dey stress Mugabe. Edey Mobor me sef. There are a few things you can’t cheat on. One is old age.

— Rabbi. (@Obiba_) March 6, 2017

Mugabe is in town. The only I want to shake hands w/ today. I’m want tap more quotes

— Quophi Duke El Jefe (@donduke86) March 6, 2017

We go see the Mugabe go tinop den lef

— MICHAEL BLIGNAM (@m_bligzz) March 6, 2017

Distin dem dey do di3 by now Mugabe lay mattress for the floor there dey snore already

— Papa m3nsah (@GarNettSKM) March 6, 2017

Where Robert Mugabe dey sit is dangerous oo.. It’ll be so easy for him to tell our Prez to learn from him and enjoy power saaa..

— Otu Abiam (@iamOtu) March 6, 2017

The only President amongst African Presidents,H.E Robert Gabriel Mugabe ,welcome to Ghana @60 celebration.# LoveU

— Shadrack F. Ahiable (@fofoahiable) March 6, 2017

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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