AM News with Samuel Kojo Brace on JoyNews (14-10-23)
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Let's do AM news now and management of Electrochem Ghana Limited, a sword mining firm operating
00:05 in the Adan Songo Lagoon, has denied any involvement in the death of a 47-year-old called Te Uwemeno.
00:12 On Monday, November 6, 2023, residents of Toflopo and some staff of Electrochem Ghana
00:17 Limited allegedly clashed over sword mining concessions in the Songo mining site in the
00:23 Adan West District of the Greater Accra region, leading to the death of one person.
00:28 The resident blamed the death on some personnel of the company.
00:32 Management of Electrochem Ghana Limited maintains it had no hand in the death.
00:37 Carlos Kaloni has more in the following report.
00:41 On Monday, November 6, 2023, some residents of Toflopo, a sword mining community in the
00:47 Adan West District of the Greater Accra region, clashed with some staff of Electrochem Ghana
00:52 Limited over mining concession, leading to the death of a 47-year-old called Te Uwemeno.
00:59 Resident blamed his death on the police and tax they believed were hired by Electrochem
01:04 Company Limited.
01:31 But reacting to these claims, Chief Operating Officer of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Benatete
01:36 Dibang, data session.
01:37 On the 6th of November, our team, which was made up of some engineers, drivers and operators,
01:45 internal security and the police, went to the areas around Toflopo as part of our normal
01:52 operations, to go and clear the ground and also proceed with the construction of brine
01:58 reservoirs.
02:01 The purpose for the going is that Toflopo is one community where we have already constructed
02:07 community ponds for the community.
02:09 We do not have commercial ponds even yet.
02:12 As a company, our first priority is that wherever we go, that we think we can do so, we first
02:16 create community ponds for the communities before later on we think of doing commercial
02:21 ponds for ourselves.
02:23 So as you speak, Toflopo has our 10 community ponds.
02:27 Now the lagoon, we have restored it.
02:30 We've been able to put in brine.
02:31 But how do you get the brine to move from the lagoon into the community ponds at Toflopo?
02:38 You need to construct what we call reservoirs.
02:40 Now we had given prior notice to the community that we'll be coming in there to create reservoirs
02:46 so that we can supply your own community ponds, which we've created free of childhood brine.
02:51 And so the taproling materials and the people who are there, if they can clear the way so
02:56 that we can go ahead to work with excavators and dozers to create reservoirs for them.
03:01 Two weeks on the line, we went there and we saw that the materials were still on the ground.
03:07 So with our internal security and also the police, we went in there to clear the ground
03:11 for the taproling materials so that we can go ahead to construct these reservoirs for
03:17 the benefits of that same community.
03:19 Unfortunately, though, we were met with violence and attack and retaliation or attack from
03:26 the community.
03:27 They began to throw stones and various objects at our people, the security and also the police.
03:33 So when it became a bit agitated, we had to pull back our team from there and we brought
03:40 them to the site.
03:42 So when they came to the site, that's when we saw that there was smoking in the area
03:48 that we left.
03:49 We flew the drone and saw that four of our machines, two excavators, one dozer, one compactor
03:55 were burning.
03:56 And you ask yourself, I mean, what crime have we committed?
04:00 And our whole crime is that construction that we are seeking to do to supply brine to this
04:07 same community to do salt, that is a crime that we've committed.
04:12 We must be clear that the security that went there, the police that went there in our name,
04:19 nobody fired any gunshot, not even a warning shot.
04:24 In a twist of events, some electrochem staff, on the other hand, accused the residents of
04:29 rather assaulting them and making threats on their lives.
04:33 And after the incident, there was a rumour and a call coming from our town, a threat
04:43 that they will kill us.
04:45 We do smoking at electrochem and we are from the neighbouring community around the Songo
04:51 Lagoon.
04:52 We are the next target to be killed.
04:55 And this caused fear and panic in us.
04:58 And up to date, we didn't go home.
05:00 While the residents want Electrochem Ghana Limited to limit its operations to the original
05:05 Songo concession, the COO of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Bernard Teter, said that is not feasible.
05:13 It's impossible to forego Lagoon and then say that you operate in where old Songo used
05:21 to operate in that thousand acre concession, because to produce proper salt, you need brine
05:31 from the sea to travel a certain distance.
05:34 And that's the only way in which you get to drop the impurities, the magnesium salt, sulfate
05:40 salts that you do not need.
05:41 They drop along the way so that by the time it gets to where they are crystallising, you
05:46 have pure sodium chloride.
05:48 So to say that we should leave the Lagoon and then stick to only where salt crystallises,
05:55 I find it a bit difficult.
05:57 I struggle, I struggle, I struggle to swallow that.
06:00 The Thermal Regional Police Command is however investigating the death of the 47-year-old
06:05 Kolete Wemeno as the family of the deceased demands justice within 14 days.
06:11 Carlos Kaloni.
06:13 Now, three days after two brothers were allegedly shot and killed by a Forestry Commission task
06:22 force at a community mining site in Infante, the Directional Office of the Commission in
06:27 the area remains shut.
06:29 The youth of Pococromi, the Havuano South East District and the family of the deceased
06:34 are asking for justice.
06:36 Emmanuel Bright-Kweku, who vested the area, reports residents of Infante fear the task
06:41 force will return.
06:49 A sudden mother, a sister left in excruciating pain.
06:56 Whales continue to emanate from the home of Abdul Samad Razak, 35, and Hashmi Usman,
07:03 25, after the two were allegedly shot dead by a security task force of the Forestry Commission
07:09 at a mining site.
07:11 The family is in pain.
07:17 You've killed a human like animal.
07:32 The two were protecting the Havuano North municipality when a security task force seized
07:41 them in a swoop.
07:43 So we understand this is the very spot one of the deceased was laid when he was shot
07:48 by the security task force right here at Infante.
07:53 As you can see behind me, that's some equipment that were bent by the security task force
07:59 when they came here.
08:00 I haven't really sighted much of operations happening, but the few people we found around
08:05 tell us today there haven't been any working by the miners.
08:18 The forestry officer drew a line on the ground that we shouldn't cross, but one of the deceased
08:24 did not heed and went ahead to cross it.
08:28 That's when they started shooting him.
08:47 So they surrounded him and hit his neck with the back stock of their gun.
08:52 The other was shot from behind through his skull.
09:04 Some miners at the site sustained various injuries with four critically wounded.
09:09 In 2021, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources commissioned a community mining
09:16 scheme to be operated by the Enso Group of Companies.
09:20 So this is the junction leading to the two mining sites.
09:24 On my left is a route to the Enso Group of Companies mining site under the Infante community
09:30 mining scheme.
09:32 And this is also another route leading to where the incident happened.
09:36 The miners, however, claim both sites are under the community mining scheme.
09:43 But there are fears of a possible return of the task force to comb the community.
09:48 Because gunshots, you know, they're straight from site.
09:51 Incidents happen on site.
09:54 From site, one of them, straight to...
09:58 We are scared because they might come back.
10:03 Back at Pokukrum, there is seeming tension as families of the deceased and the youth
10:21 threaten to avenge the killing.
10:29 After burying them, we demand justice within four days.
10:32 If it doesn't happen soon, we will retaliate.
10:42 He left behind five children.
10:43 Who is going to take care of them?
10:48 If the laws are working, it must work for us too.
10:57 Forestry commission offices were not built in this constituency.
11:05 Tension is mounting at the Tamale Central Market between the traders and the Tamale
11:09 Municipal Assembly over the sale of a parcel of land in the market.
11:14 Joy News understands the land has been sold to a private developer, but the women say
11:19 they have occupied that space for decades and will not vacate.
11:24 The traders locked up the main gate leading to the market to protest the sale of the land.
11:31 Activities at the Tamale main market grounded to a halt this morning as the women left their
11:37 trading and masked up at the Tamale Circuit Court.
11:41 The traders had been allegedly summoned by the court to appear before it.
11:45 They had been accused of pulling down construction works on a piece of land under contention
11:52 between the assembly and the traders.
11:55 Speaking to Joy News, Chairman of the Market Women Association, Alahassan Ziblim said that
12:01 at 11 o'clock their case had not been called yet.
12:06 He said over 100 women would be affected.
12:08 We were there in the market when the assembly came.
12:12 They were building a structure where we can't get access to pass in again.
12:18 Even a tender can't go in when there is a fire outbreak.
12:23 So it's better you people must go there and find out to see how things are.
12:29 And then the assembly issued that they give us a court warrant that we should come here.
12:35 That's why we are here.
12:36 How many women are we talking about who have been affected?
12:40 Plenty.
12:41 It's almost more than 100 plus.
12:44 And they are going to give it to two people to build.
12:49 And then more than 100 plus.
12:52 Who is better?
12:53 Some of the women who spoke to Joy News said the court premise said they had occupied the
12:59 land several decades and would not find a place to relocate.
13:04 While others said they are taking loans and would not be able to pay if they are evicted.
13:10 My brother was sitting there before getting married.
13:14 And now I'm getting to 40 years today.
13:17 And we are just sucking my mother.
13:19 And I just like that.
13:21 What kind of life is this?
13:24 It's very painful.
13:25 We are more than 100 people over there.
13:28 And one person, one particular person is going to take all over the place.
13:34 Everybody is standing there watching us.
13:37 Even your government is watching us.
13:41 Now we know that when we are sucking somebody, you give us a sitting place to sit.
13:46 They didn't give us a sitting place to sit.
13:50 So we are begging.
13:53 We are begging.
13:54 We don't have anybody.
13:55 While we are sitting there, we collected loans.
13:59 We collected loans.
14:00 It's not our money.
14:02 We don't have a single one city to do their business.
14:05 They are giving us credit.
14:08 And we collected loans.
14:09 Now, why you say we should get up there?
14:11 Where are we going to sit?
14:13 My problem is when there is a fire outbreak,
14:16 it will be very difficult for firefighters to get their way in.
14:21 And also, we are those in the markets.
14:24 We have to carry our goods inside.
14:27 Now we use YOLO YOLO and Motokia.
14:30 There is no space.
14:31 Even when we are working with our human beings, we are very choked.
14:35 And we are there with our mothers.
14:37 And they are going to vacate a lot of people, giving it to two people.
14:42 At the main market, the women waited outside, locking up the main gates into the market
14:49 in solidarity with their colleagues.
14:51 From the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly now,
14:59 the Minister of Food and Agriculture has underscored the importance of collective responsibility
15:04 by the various stakeholders in the agri-food chain
15:07 in order to build resilient food systems in the country.
15:11 Deputy Minister Yafrem Pong Addo says Ghana's food system
15:14 currently does not adequately prioritize safety, fairness, sustainability and health
15:19 and thus requires significant transformation.
15:22 He was addressing participants at the 6th annual conference
15:25 of the Ghana Association of Agricultural Economists this month in his report.
15:30 Mr. Addo noted that building resilient food systems
15:34 requires sustainable action throughout the agricultural value chain.
15:39 He indicated that ensuring the health and well-being of all Ghanians
15:43 depended on access to safe nourishing and affordable diets
15:47 to address poverty and malnutrition.
15:49 We recognize that ensuring the population's health and well-being
15:53 depends on access to safe
15:59 It is clear from the previous meetings that addressing issues such as hunger, poverty, malnutrition and illness
16:04 is closely tied to this access.
16:07 However, it is evident that current food systems do not adequately prioritize safety, fairness, sustainability and health
16:17 thus requiring a significant transformation.
16:24 Sustainable food systems deliver food security and nutrition for all
16:29 in such a way that the economic, social and environmental basis
16:33 to generate food security and nutrition for future generations are not compromised.
16:39 Developing resilient and sustainable food systems is crucial
16:44 for building sustainable economies and livelihoods everywhere.
16:48 President of the Ghana Association of Agricultural Economists,
16:52 Professor Daniel Bruce Sappo noted how imperative it has become to explore
16:57 more innovative pathways towards sustainable food systems for job creation.
17:02 The youth participation is expanding rapidly and Africa is grappling with the task
17:08 of creating sustainable jobs for her young people.
17:13 Sustainable agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship
17:17 offer a way to enhance livelihoods and improve living conditions
17:23 especially in rural areas where agriculture is a crucial role.
17:29 Our esteemed panelists are well positioned to delve into these topics
17:35 and share their insights, lessons learned and future perspectives.
17:40 Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences at the University of Cape Coast,
17:45 Professor Martin, called for close collaboration between the various stakeholders
17:50 in the agri-food chain.
17:52 The issue of food security also has to do with national security.
17:57 An angry man is an angry man.
18:00 And so if we do not do everything possible to attain these sustainable food systems
18:10 it's definitely a compromise.
18:13 In fact, we have a role to play, the government also has a role to play.
18:21 And there is one thing that the president of the Association mentioned,
18:26 he talked about the issue of gallantry and the destruction of farmlands.
18:34 And this is why we are so seriously relying on the government to ensure
18:39 that this problem is tackled headlong and the problem solved.
18:47 I do not think it is beyond the capability of the government of the day.
18:53 The 6th Annual Conference of the Ghana Association of Agricultural Economists
18:58 rallies support from various stakeholders for sustainable agriculture
19:02 to safeguard national food security.
19:05 Now, Agreement Officer at USAID, Paul Napare, has urged thieves and parents
19:16 to demand accountability from managers of educational institutions in their localities.
19:21 He says when that is done, it will give a better outcome for education in their respective areas,
19:26 as teachers will no longer take decisions that will be affronted to the education of their children.
19:31 Mr. Napare made a statement at the original launch of the USAID in Ghana
19:35 strengthening accountability in education systems, SAGES project in Wa.
19:40 Rafik Salam reports from Wa.
19:43 The strengthening accountability in Ghana education service, SAGES activity,
19:48 has been carefully designed to support the government of Ghana,
19:52 particularly the Ministry of Education and its agencies
19:56 in delivering the education accountability framework across the country.
20:00 The initiative is being implemented in 17 districts in four regions in the northern Gulf of the country.
20:08 Executive Secretary of the Community Development Alliance,
20:11 Mr. Alafuisi Fokanton, whose outfit are the local implementers of the project,
20:16 says they are rolling for the upper-west region's launch of the project.
20:20 If you read the accountability framework document,
20:23 it essentially looks at what is it that the Minister of Education is supposed to do,
20:27 what is it that the Director General of Ghana Education Service is supposed to do,
20:31 and how should he be helped to do it.
20:33 What are the regional directors of education supposed to do, how should they do it?
20:37 What are the district directors of education supposed to do, how can we get them to do it?
20:41 What are the school support improvement officers supposed to do,
20:44 and how can we support them to do it?
20:47 And when we employ teachers and send them to school, what are they supposed to do,
20:51 and how can we get them to do it?
20:53 So, SAGES is going to ensure that we provide direct support,
20:58 working with all these 17 districts within the USAID zone of influence,
21:03 to be able to improve or institutionalize accountability
21:07 so that we can begin to see improved learning outcomes for our children.
21:12 Agreement officer representative for USAID, Paul Napare,
21:16 disclosed that the SAGES activity is a five-year project funded by USAID
21:21 at an amount of 60 million US dollars.
21:24 Community members, you must demand accountability.
21:29 Don't just sit down. It is because of you that teachers are in that community teaching.
21:34 If you were not there, the district director didn't have a job,
21:37 the head teacher didn't have a job, the teacher didn't have a job.
21:40 So, parents, let our chiefs rise up, let us rise up.
21:45 Thank God, I've had a good job that some of you are already doing.
21:49 Comprehensively, let us rise up and demand accountability.
21:54 Director of Pre-Tertiary Education, and the Minister of Education,
21:59 Nenepo Fwaiwa, opined that the SAGES activity signifies the country's resolve
22:04 to create an education system that holds managers of education accountable.
22:09 We are not only launching the SAGES activity,
22:12 we are also embarking on a journey of transformation.
22:16 A journey that holds the promise of enhancing the quality of education,
22:22 expanding access to learning opportunities,
22:26 and most importantly, ensuring accountability in our education system.
22:31 Now, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences,
22:36 Professor Lydia Aziato, has asserted that the exit of health professionals
22:41 would impede effort towards attaining Sustainable Development Goal 3,
22:45 that's universal health coverage.
22:47 She wants stakeholders to design modules to lessen the migration
22:51 of health professionals.
22:53 She was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Leaders
22:57 and Managers Conference, and the 3rd Excellence Award in the Voter Regional Capital of Hope.
23:02 The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association reported that
23:07 about 4,000 nurses migrated from Ghana in search of world-paid jobs in 2022.
23:13 This was fuelled by Western countries recruiting nurses,
23:16 leading to Ghana losing a significant number of health care providers.
23:20 Addressing the 4th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Leaders and Managers Conference in Hu,
23:25 the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences,
23:28 Professor Lydia Aziato, lamented the development.
23:32 I'm also attracted to universal health coverage.
23:37 Before we started, I came earlier, so I was engaging some of you,
23:42 and I asked some of you whether you have nurse specialists in your facilities.
23:47 The answer was no.
23:49 Somebody said we have one who went to school, but the person has migrated.
23:56 So I was asking myself, how would the institution now have the confidence
24:03 to sponsor or allow another person to go if the first person did not come back?
24:10 The important people are here for me, and the question I want you to discuss at the end
24:17 will be recommendations not to stop migration, but to moderate it such that
24:26 we can have experienced, qualified, dedicated nurses and midwives caring for me
24:35 when I become sick one day, because I don't know when I will need the service.
24:41 The country representative for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities,
24:46 Dr. Wilfred Okun, admonished leaders in the health sector to adopt best practices
24:52 towards achieving transformational change.
24:55 In the fourth and last part, I see nurses and midwives freely associate
25:01 under professional association.
25:03 All participants are members of the active association branches.
25:08 There's one united association with one unequivocal voice for representation.
25:14 The leadership and members are united to advance the interests of the association,
25:21 including professional development of the members, advancing the welfare of members
25:25 and better services for the pregnant population.
25:28 The chief director of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, called for unity
25:33 in the country's health workforce.
25:37 As a ministry, it will not augur well with us if we continue to see a divided 60%
25:46 care gap of the health workforce.
25:52 It will affect quality care, no doubt about that.
25:57 Our ministry, through the Office of Nursing and Midwifery, is therefore mandated
26:02 to provide oversight responsibility for the nation of policy, planning, monitoring
26:10 and evaluation of all health care services.
26:15 The conference would provide a platform for the discussion of several policies
26:19 and programs aimed at enhancing health care delivery in the country.
26:23 Fred Kwame Asare, Joy News.
26:27 Who?
26:34 And on that note, we wrap up today's edition of the AM News.
26:37 There's more news on majoronline.com.
26:39 Up Next is a news review here on the show. Please stay.
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