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Accra, July 12, GNA - Political actors and stakeholders on Monday conveyed varied opinions on the proposed date for this year’s general election, questioning the Electoral Commission’s (EC) readiness to conduct the polls.

Though majority of them agreed to the new set day of November 7, they were worried that the EC does not have enough time and might to get the necessary funding to undertake the processes, leading to the elections, considering its nearness.

The Electoral Commission has set Monday, July 18 for the re-registration of National Health Insurance (NHIS) registrants whose names have been deleted from the register.

The Director of Electoral Services at the Commission says the exercise will last for ten days.

The EC on Tuesday announced it has deleted 56,772 names of persons who registered with the NHIS cards from the voters’ register in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

Kumasi, July 12, GNA – The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kojo Bonsu, has announced his resignation.

This comes amid strained relations between him and the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC).

Mr Bonsu, in a signed statement, said he had communicated his decision to the President.

He thanked President John Dramani Mahama for giving him the opportunity to serve his country.

He also expressed appreciation to the Asantehene, the KTC, staff of the Assembly and the people for their support and cooperation.

Accra, July 12, GNA - The Minority in Parliament on Tuesday urged President John Dramani Mahama, as a matter of urgency, to appoint a substantive Power Minister to effectively manage the energy challenges of the country.

They said the Ministry is important to the functioning of all critical sectors of the economy and therefore demanded that should be a competent hand to direct its affairs to mitigate the effects of debilitating power issue.

The Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) for June, declined marginally to 18.4% from 18.9% in May 2016

The monthly change rate was 1.3% in June 2016 compared to 1.1% recorded in May this year. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), food inflation went up to 8.6% in June compared to 8.5% in May 2016.

The non food inflation rate however declined from 25 to 24.1 percent between the one month period.

Meanwhile, the inflation rate for imported items increased to 27.1% in June, from the 18.5 percent recorded in May 2016.

The Electoral Commission has said it will outline how it plans to delete the names of the 56,000 voters whose names were captured on the voters’ register, using the National Health Insurance Scheme card as proof of Ghanaian citizenship.

“The Commission is taking the appropriate steps to comply with the Court’s directives and would make same public in the coming week,” a statement signed by Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, Deputy Chairperson at the EC said.

Kumasi, July 9, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has advised the citizenry, particularly the youth, to explore opportunities provided through the advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for self-development.

“ICT must become the carrier of an expanded educational system that makes it possible for learners to acquire the skills needed to function in the global economy,” he said.

The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNET) has presented a total of 25 million cedis in dividends for 2015, to the government of Ghana for its share in the company.

The payment was concluded when the company presented a 10 million cedis interim dividend cheque to the Ministry of Finance on Friday.

Kumasi, July 9, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday advised the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research to partner stakeholders in construction to ensure quality roads and other development projects.

He said the BRRI, which was established years ago at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to facilitate the construction of quality roads and other projects, had the expertise to transform the construction industry and allay the fears of Ghanaians on poor road works.

This implies that whilst the CI 75 made explicit instructions for all voters to be verified before voting, which triggered the catch phrase “no verification no vote”, the new document requires all party agents to agree before a voter, who could not be verified, would be allowed to vote.

Some minority Members of Parliament are demanding the withdrawal of a new Electoral Commission Constitutional Instrument (CI) which seeks to indemnify its presiding officers from any form of punishment or prosecution.