Here are the stories that made the news Friday:

1. KATH gets new Mother and Baby Unit 

First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has expressed confidence, that Ghanaians can build a dignified, self-sustaining country and shun the tag as a beggar nation. She said the new Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Maternity block built entirely out of fundraising efforts is an example that the President's mantra of Ghana beyond aid is possible. Delivering a speech at the commissioning of the facility in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, she mentioned the numerous support the project received after fundraising efforts in Accra and Kumasi in 2017.

2. NCCE vows to protect staff against abuse

The ongoing feud between the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE)  and the police appear to be worsening with the Commission accusing the men in black of deliberately “twisting” facts to favour them. The Commission chair, Josephine Nkrumah has served notice they will liaise with the relevant bodies to seek justice for the two Biakoye District NCCE staff who were assaulted by the police yet found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

3. Foreign vessels threaten to leave over NPA tax operation

Foreign vessels operating in the West African coastal area have threatened to pull out of Ghana due to what they describe as “heavy taxes” imposed on their operations by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). A letter from the NPA, dated January 12, 2018, and sighted by Myjoyonline.com read that "...effective January 16, 2018, all the taxes, levies and margins applicable to domestic Gasoil (except UPPF Margin) will apply to Marine Gasoil (MGO) Foreign." The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta during his presentation of the 2018 budget to Parliament told MPs the decision, which has become necessary, is aimed at curbing the dumping of marine gas oil on the domestic market.

4. Fulani group challenges police account of Agogo shooting incident

A Fulani group, Tabital Pulaaku International Ghana has raised questions about the alleged shooting of three soldiers and a police officer by nomadic herdsmen at Agogo in the Ashanti Region. The group has challenged the account of events given by the police, saying the four security personnel were not shot by the herdsmen as the public was made to believe.

5. New KATH Mother and Baby Unit named after Otumfuo's late mother

The newly constructed Mother and Baby Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has been named after the late mother of Otumfuor Osei Tutu II. Health Minister, Kweku Agyeman Manu disclosed this at the commissioning ceremony of the facility in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi on Friday, January 19, 2018. He said following deliberations between authorities at KATH and the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, it has been agreed that the Unit will be called Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem.

6. Sam Okudzeto concerned about Akufo-Addo

Experienced lawyer, and a member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto, has shed light on President Nana Akufo-Addo’s work ethic, revealing that he frequently works late into the night. The former President of the Ghana Bar Association said contrary to the popular view that being the highest public servant is a comfortable job, it comes with a lot of tough calls and self-sacrifice – and for Nana Akufo-Addo, who wants to leave a lasting legacy, it can become a source of worry for people close to him. “It is not an easy job. Sometimes I worry for him in the sense that he works too much...he will wake up very early in the morning and work till about 10 o’clock in the evening...Sometimes I tell him, ‘please take your time and rest and cut down on what you are doing.’

7. Fulani Community calls for compensation over killing of their cattle

The leadership of the Fulani Community in Ghana has called for compensation for some of their compatriots who they claim have lost more than 1500 cattle. The group has estimated the cattle which were caught in the line of fire since December last year to be about GH¢6 million. Sheikh Osuman Bari made the claim on behalf of the group at a press conference in Accra, Friday.

8. Liberia's Vice President Boakai visits Rawlings

Outgoing Liberia Vice-President, Joseph Boakai and his wife Katumu Yatta paid a courtesy call on former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings at his office in Accra on Thursday. Mr. Boakai who contested the last Presidential election and lost to in-coming President George Weah held fruitful discussions with the former President on the transition in Liberia. Former President Rawlings commended Mr. Boakai for helping to ensure a successful Presidential election and described the outgoing Vice-President as having a reputation as a man of integrity.