Nzema people are mad!

But why?

Author

Chale News
August 02, 2024

QUICK BYTE

  • Yo, Nzema people are mad! The government wants to snatch 20,000 acres for a Petro-Hub. Activists are teaming up with IMANI and ACEP to fight back. They’re saying, “No more landgrabs! We want equity in this billion-dollar project.”

    Remember the Achimota Forest mess? Same vibes. Nzema peeps want their land’s true value recognized. They’re not backing down until they get a fair share. Go to the Deep Dive section for full deets

  • Chale, did you hear? The government’s been splashing GH¢10 billion on roads since January 2024! Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam says it’s all about making your ride smoother than smooth pick-up lines. No more dodging potholes like you’re playing Mario Kart, we guess.

    They’ve rolled out 2,240 pieces of construction equipment to MMDAs. Plus, 10,000 jobs are coming our way for mechanics and operators. Get the lowdown in the Deep Dive section

  • The financial sector’s getting spicy again. Parliament wants to drop another GHS 9 billion to settle folks from Gold Coast Fund Management. Total clean-up cost? A jaw-dropping GHS 34 billion!

    Joe Ghartey says we gotta handle this in court ASAP. Meanwhile, the Committee’s like, “Insurance for everyone! Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below

  • The NHIA is giving out free health checkups! No, this isn’t a prank. They’re hooking you up with blood pressure, sugar, and BMI tests, and you won’t have to cough up cash. Whether you’re already on the NHIS train or just thinking about hopping on, this gig’s for you. So, what's the catch? There isn't one! Whether you're chilling in Accra or vibing in a remote village, this program’s got you covered. They're rolling it out nationwide at both public and private facilities, ensuring no one gets left behind, not even your cousin Kwaku who lives in the middle of nowhere. Read more

  • So, there’s been this buzz about former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and ex-Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu allegedly pulling a fast one on the state. MP Okudzeto Ablakwa made the claims about some shady business and last-minute approvals. But the Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe Boye wasn’t having any of it. During his appearance before the Government Assurances Committee on August 1, he cleared the air. He said, "Nah fam, no coins have been handed over to Service Ghana Auto Group." Apparently, they’ve got a letter of credit chilling with the Bank of Ghana, but it’s all about performance. No parts, no pay.

    Dr. Boye even chatted with a Deputy Governor from his Health Insurance days, who checked his pockets confirmed, “We’ve still got it. Not a single dollar has left the building.” The Deputy Governor dropped some finance lingo, explaining that payments are only made when parts are delivered. So, for now, Service Ghana Auto Group is still waiting for their payday. Read more

  • The NPP is rallying behind their parliamentary candidate, Ebenezer Dwamena, who's currently taking a little unexpected vacation in police custody. The drama started when Dwamena and a couple of his pals were accused of, let’s say, a high-stakes game of "now you see it, now you don’t" with a car deal gone awry. Apparently, they took the cash but forgot to deliver the ride.

    Charles Amoah, the NPP communications officer for the area, says the party's got Dwamena's back like a well-fitted suit. They’re letting the legal eagles handle the nitty-gritty while they wait for the court’s next move. The judge, Her Ladyship Sophia Priscila Yeboa, has the case on ice for now, with the matter in the hands of the Attorney General’s Office. Read more

  • Oti Regional Minister, ASP Daniel Machator (RTD) is advising the Oti Region to do some serious introspection. He was telling the people Gyamonome, "Look at your lives after 32 years of voting NDC and tell me, has it really paid off? Reconsider your choices and give the New Patriotic Party (NPP) a chance to continue their development spree.”

    He’s pointing out that the NPP has been busy rolling out the red carpet of progress, from Free Senior High School policies that are changing lives to new equipment for roadwork that will soon be cruising through Oti.

    And, oh, he’s not stopping at just getting new machines. He’s talking about sending two people to China to learn the ropes of maintaining this gear. Read more

  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino just gave Ghana’s football scene a huge shoutout! In a meet-up with GFA President Kurt Okraku, Infantino couldn’t stop raving about how Ghana’s been using the FIFA Forward programme to level up. New floodlights, a fancy 40-bed hotel for our national teams, and a fresh artificial pitch. The FIFA cash is being spent like it's on a Black Friday sale!

    Ghana’s not just about fancy gear; we're all in on nurturing talent with the FIFA Talent Development Scheme. Infantino was pumped about the recent workshop that brought together ten African countries. Okraku’s also riding high, saying Ghanaian football is not just back – it’s back with a bang. Read more

  • Ghana is cooking up a National Action Plan to tackle disinformation and misinformation. Why? Because we need to keep our elections as clean as a whistle and our national vibe as chill as a Sunday afternoon. This plan is like a “spam filter” for the national conversation, aiming to shut down fake news sharp sharp.

    At the recent ‘Ghana Report Summit,’ a squad of experts and tech wizards got together to brainstorm how to keep the election vibes smooth and the info legit. With the internet buzzing more than a beehive and social media platforms buzzing with rumors, they’re working on strategies to separate fact from fiction without killing the fun of free speech. Read more

  • Fella Makafui just dropped a tweet: "To err is human to forgive depends on what you did to me." Naturally, the rumor mill is churning, and people are speculating that she might be throwing some shade at her ex-husband. Read more

DEEP DIVE

The Nzema Land Drama

Let’s talk about the drama brewing in Nzemaland. The government is eyeing a massive 20,000-acre chunk of land in Jomoro for a flashy new Petro-Hub, but the locals aren’t exactly thrilled. So lush, green land with coconut plantations and communal farms, are all set to be bulldozed for oil refineries and petrochemical plants. This Petro-Hub was announced back in 2018 and was supposed to be a done deal by 2030. Fast forward six years, and there’s a sudden rush to take over this land, leaving the local communities fuming.

Community activists in Nzema are linking up with civil society heavyweights like IMANI and ACEP, trying to figure out their next move. They’re rightfully worried because history isn’t on their side. Remember the Achimota Forest saga? Land taken for public good ends up in the hands of private developers faster than you can say “Jomoro.” Now, activists are hearing whispers that the President might sign an Executive Instrument any day now, turning communal land into state property, destined for some shady investors.

These activists argue that the communities deserve more than just a slap on the back and a “thanks for your land.” They’re demanding equity stakes in the Petro-Hub project. In other places, indigenous communities have successfully fought for and received equity, reflecting the true value and risks associated with such projects. The Nzema people want a cut of the action that matches the billions their land is worth. Read more

Roads are Getting Smooth(er)?

The government’s been flexing with GH¢10 billion on road projects since January 2024. Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam said it’s all about making our road trips smoother than a fresh cut.

The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration has been on a mission, upgrading everything from road networks to air transport. The latest move? Rolling out the District Road Network Improvement Programme (DRIP). We’re talking 2,240 units of construction equipment handed over to our local assemblies – bulldozers, graders, the whole shebang.

Presido Nana Addo himself was there to kick things off at Black Star Square, making sure we know this isn’t just about better roads – it’s about creating jobs. With 10,000 new positions for mechanics, operators, and technicians, it’s like the government’s on a roll.

So, next time you’re cruising down a road that feels like butter, remember it’s all part of the DRIP. Read more

Sprinkle, Sprinkle

Parliament just decided to sprinkle another GHS 9 billion on top of the GHS 25 billion already splashed out to clean up the finanancial sector. Why? Because 61,000 peeps from the Gold Coast Fund Management are screaming, “Where’s my money?”

Joe Ghartey, Chair of the Special Committee, isn’t playing games. He’s pushing the government to keep their promises and sort out this mess in court. This extra GHS 9 billion isn’t just loose change; it’s about fixing the trust fall that’s been happening in our financial system. With Ken Ofori-Atta already mentioning how deep we’re in, this additional bill feels like we’re in a financial soap opera, and the drama just keeps escalating.

To dodge this drama in the future, the Committee’s like, “Yo, let's get some insurance up in here!” They want to make sure all financial moves have insurance so we don’t keep playing this tragic game of catch-up. Joe’s message is clear: we need to protect ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

So, the idea is to get insurance sorted for financial deals, making sure we don’t end up in another “government saves the day” scenario. Read more

FACT OF THE DAY

Believe it or not, in the early 19th century, tomato ketchup was sold as a medicine. Dr. John Cook Bennett claimed it could cure ailments like indigestion, diarrhea, and jaundice. So next time you squeeze ketchup on your fries, remember it had another job!

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