Monday Briefing: Minority casts doubt on gov't's job creation, police hunt for Kwabenya suspects

Here are the stories that made the news Monday:

1. Water shortage hits major areas in Ghana

Residents across the country who are hard hit by water shortages may have to look to God for redemption. According to the Communications Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Stanley Mantey the rate of evaporation of water bodies across the country has become alarming and unless there is rain, there will be consequences for some communities. While blaming bad farming practices, illegal felling of trees and galamsey activities, the water company spokesperson said if the rains do not come soon enough in Yendi, the river, which is their only source of water, will evaporate completely.

2. Bread seller behind Kwabenya jailbreak

A bread seller near the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters is alleged to have aided the jailbreak that led to the shooting and killing of an officer and the escape of seven inmates. Identified as Nancy Dentah, the trader is reported to have initiated contacts between inmates and the armed group that staged the bloody attack last two weeks. Police sources say preliminary investigations revealed she smuggled her phone to a Nigerian inmate identified as Chibuzor Akwubar in the cell, hours before the attack.

3. Gov't 745,000 jobs claim 'big joke of the year' - Minority

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentarian is convinced that it is statistically impossible for the government to claim it has created 745,000 jobs from its flagship agricultural program, Planting for Food and Jobs. The Minority spokesperson on Agriculture, Eric Opoku, government's own records show at best it created 822 jobs for agricultural extension officers. The Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, said last week that 745,000 jobs were created through the areas of inputs like fertiliser and distribution of surplus food resulting from the programme.

4. Take advantage AU free trade agreement - Foreign Affairs Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has implored Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) yet-to-be rolled out by the African Union (AU). She said the Agreement, targeted at creating a single continental market for goods and services, will open up the over one billion African market to Ghanaian businesses. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 30th Ordinary Session of the AU's Assembly of Heads of State and Governments, the Minister said the CFTA will bolster trade and ensure a "borderless Africa."

5. Annul legal profession regulations - Association of Law Students' Presidents

The Association of Law Students’ Presidents has called for the annulment of the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2017 currently before the Parliament's Subsidiary Legislation Committee. In a petition addressed to Speaker Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, the Association has raised grave issues with the Regulation including some breaches of sections of the 1992 Constitution. “We wish to suggest, in our respectful opinion, that if the Regulation is allowed to pass by the lapse of time, it will constitute another unfortunate passing of a Regulation by Parliament,” a copy of the document dated January 5, 2018 read.

6. Ignore Bawumia's video, pictures - Expert

A media analyst wants Ghanaians to ignore viral photos and videos which show a healthy-looking Vice-President Bawumia who is in the UK on what government said is medical leave. "It hasn't got any official underpinnings," the Executive Director of the Centre for Media Analysis, Dr Messan Mawugbe said on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Monday. He wants an official statement from the presidency on the authenticity of the publications on social media. This must be done timeously to dispel any rumours on the health of Dr. Bawumia. The health of politicians remains a political issue in Ghana following the death of President Mills in July 2012.

7. Human Rights fight must remain constant - Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched the 70th-anniversary celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with a call on all to ensure that the fight for the protection and respect for human rights remains a constant one. Speaking at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration, which took place on the sidelines of the on-going 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, President Akufo-Addo noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, since its adoption on 10th December, 1948, has been the basis of considerable advances in the universal protection of human rights. With Africa having overcome several trials and tribulations, such as slavery, imperialism, colonialism, tyranny, and dictatorship, the President indicated that the African peoples continue to chalk significant successes in advancing the promotion and respect for human rights in their governance.

8. No money for street beggars - Gender Minister launches campaign

The Gender and Social Protection Minister Otiko Afisah Djaba has appealed to Ghanaians to stop giving money to beggars on the street. She says those who do this are encouraging a bad practice which must end. According to her, efforts are being rolled out by her Ministry to help empower such people to be able to take care of themselves. She, therefore, charged Ghanaians to support the Ministry to end this practice by ceasing from giving such people alms. “It is demand and supply, as some of the people contract some of the children to be pushing them and preventing them from being in school.

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