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Deputy Ministers: 3 DROPPED 12 Get The Nod

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY approved 12 more Deputy Ministers of State after three of the nominees were dropped from the report of the Appointments Committee over what the Speaker described as “miscommunication and lack of information” between the leaderships of the House.

The nominees, whose approvals were put on hold by Parliament, were Gifty Twum-Ampofo, Deputy Minister-designate for Education; Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, Deputy Minister-designate for Sanitation and Water Resources; and Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Deputy Minister-designate for Attorney General and Justice.

There was no reason assigned for the deferment of approval of the nominees, but wrangling over one of them, Gifty Twum-Ampofo, prolonged the approval process that started on Thursday evening, thereby forcing the leaders of both the Majority and Minority to go into conclave.

Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, raised preliminary objection to the procedural motion moved by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Wusu and seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, asking for amendments to the Committee’s report.

Those who received approval are Andrew Kofi Egyapa-Mercer, Deputy Minister-designate for Energy; John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister-designate for Education; George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources; Kofi Amankwah-Manu, Deputy Minister-designate for Defence; Naana Eyiah Quansah, Deputy Minister-designate for Interior; and Hassan Sulemana Tampuli, Deputy Minister-designate for Transport.

The rest are Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, Deputy Minister-designate for Finance; Frederick Obeng Adom, Deputy Minister-designate Transport; Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, Deputy Minister-designate for Roads and Highways; Evans Opoku Bobbie, Deputy Minister-designate for Youth and Sports, Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture; and Tina Naa Ayeley Mensah, Deputy Minister-designate for Health.

This figure brings to 24 the number of deputy ministers approved so far by Parliament, with 16 more to go.

On Wednesday, 21st April, 2021, President Akufo-Addo submitted to Parliament nominations of a Minister of State and 39 Deputy Minister-designates for consideration and approval in accordance with Article 78 (1) and 79(1) of the Constitution.

Speaker Bagbin subsequently referred the nominations to the Appointment Committee for consideration and report pursuant to Order 172 of the Standing Orders of the House.

He told the newly approved appointees that their primary duties were to the people of Ghana as “the representatives of the people.”

“That is your primary duty. The people elected you to represent them in Parliament. You own that primary duty to the people and to Parliament that given an additional responsibility by His Excellency, the President, is secondary.

“If you decide to sacrifice the mandate and the legitimacy of the people of that of His Excellency the President you do that at your own peril,” the Speaker admonished

Mahama’s aide Joyce Bawah Mogtari gives birth to triplets, social media users show her love

Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to former President has received tons of congratulatory messages on social media following her delivery of triplets.

The former Deputy Minister of Transport is seen in a picture in a Facebook adorned in a white dress carrying one of the babies while her husband, Hudu Mogtari, a former CEO of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and ex Mahama carry the rest.

Social media users have expressed their joy for the lawyer cum politician who’s now a mother of four.

Below are some of the comments

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Police man found dead at Flagstaff House barracks

The late Inspector Emmanuel Kofi Nunekpeku

The late Inspector Emmanuel Kofi Nunekpeku

A policeman was found dead in his room at the Flagstaff House police barracks on Friday morning.

Inspector Emmanuel Kofi Nunekpeku was found dead lying in a prone position on his bed at about 10:25am.

Graphic Online gathers that it was the wife, who is also a police personnel who discovered the husband’s body in the room at Block E, Room 35.

The wife, Sergeant Faustina Nunekpeku of the Police Hospital Public Relations Department reportedly visited the husband and found him dead in bed.

Accompanied by another police officer, they reported the incident at the Cantonments police station.

The police visited the scene of the incident and inspected the body.

No marks of assault were detected to suggest any foul play Graphic Online gathers.

The body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy

Our fight against crime is not at pace with what the criminals are doing’ – Atik to National Security

Atik Mohammed   New FSHS

Atik Mohammed, Executive Secretary of the Mass Action Movement, has urged the leadership of National Security to upgrade their security tactics to clamp down on criminals in the country.null

According to him, crime has become sophisticated, so to fight it demands a high level of sophistication.

He was commenting on the recent criminal activities in the country which involve recent armed robbery attacks on bullion vans.

There have been two bullion van attacks within the week.

On Monday, June 14, a Police officer and a woman in her forties were shot dead by armed robbers who attacked a bullion van at Jamestown in the Greater Accra Region.

The driver survived by gunshot wounds while two other women on the vehicle escaped unscathed.

Another bullion van attack reportedly happened on Thursday, June 17 on the Kasoa road.null

The occupants escaped unhurt amidst gunshots from the assailants.

Expressing concerns over the recent happenings, Atik Mohammed charged the National Security to train more experts to be proactive in fighting crimes.

He stated, “It is just not enough to change labels. You go and change BNI to NIB. It doesn’t imply that their work has become unique or you’ve taken it to the next level. You merely changed labels and changing of labels does not fight crime. I would have expected that the BNI early on used to do their work in this form but [AB] we have introduced a new technology. We have trained people to become experts in areas where we didn’t have experts in earlier.”

Atik Mohammed asked, ”what are our security agencies doing to make sure that they are at par? In fact, with crime, you always have to be ahead. What are they doing to equip themselves well enough to be ahead of these criminals?”

“Society is growing; it’s modernized. Crime is keeping pace . . . The truth is that it is outpacing [the way] even though there is modernity but crime is also trying to keep pace. But our management of crime or fight against crime is not at pace with what the criminals are doing. When you look at our security architecture, it’s lagging behind,” he emphasized

.Source: peacefmonline.com

Robbery Attacks: ‘Police Are Not God’ – Sam Pyne To Ghanaians

NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary, Sam Pyne has called on Ghanaians to assist the Ghana Police Service in fighting crimes.

In recent times, crimes have been happening in regular succession and this has become a serious matter of concern to the citizenry.

On Monday, June 14, 2021, a Police officer was shot dead in broad daylight by armed robbers who attacked a bullion van he was escorting in a vicinity at Jamestown, Accra.

The robbers also injured the driver of the van and killed a trader while two women on board escaped unhurt.

Another bullion van on the Kasoa road was attacked yesterday.

Days ago, there was another report of armed robbers’ attack at a forex bureau in Osu, Accra.

Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Sam Pyne expressed worry over the recent spate of criminal activities in the nation.

He believed winning the fight against corruption is the responsibility of all and sundry, opining the Police cannot solely fight against crime.

He advised the citizens to provide intel on criminals so as to nip crime in the bud.

“Fighting crime, the Police are not God . . . We have to provide an intel to the security agencies to work with. We know those who engage in such things . . . It will be difficult for the security agencies if you don’t give them the intel . . . It is difficult to read the mind of a criminal before he commits the crime. So, when people talk about prevention, it’s the duty of all of us,” he said.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

You are being irresponsible – Kweku Baako tells Okudzeto Ablakwa over Akufo-Addo’s luxurious jet

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako 2021

• Baako says Ablakwa should wait for the Finance Minister to answer his questions on the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s trip to France, Belgium, France and South Africanull

• He says his conduct are not befitting of a member of parliament

• Kwakye Ofosu however disagrees

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, the Editor-in-Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper has chided the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for misconducting himself with his public commentaries on the use of a luxurious aircraft by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Baako on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana lost his cool and took on Ablakwa for acting in ways which in his view are inappropriate for a member of parliament.

He noted that Ablakwa is not respecting the standing orders of Parliament with his commentaries on the issue.null

Baako fumed that having submitted questions on the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s trip to France, Belgium and South Africa, Ablakwa should have waited for the Finance Minister to answer the questions before running to the media.

He suggested that his conduct is prejudicial and shows a lack of faith in the parliamentary process.

“What he did was irresponsible. You set questions before Parliament, expecting answers and you are out there. You can’t ask questions and go out there.

“I heard Ablakwa talking about 200,000, 2.8 million and all that, it is needless. Completely needless at this stage. He ought to wait for the Minister of Finance to come to the house and give answers relative to the financial package. It’s a needless reaction that reflects what Ablakwa has been doing all along. He didn’t need the minister of Defence’s reference to cost. The Minister’s answer was not an answer to Ablakwa’s question which is tailored for the Minister of Finance.

But Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a member of the National Democratic Congress dissented to the views by Kweku Baako.null

Kwakye Ofosu argued that Ablakwa like every other Ghanaian has a right to free speech and could use every legitimate platform to air his views on issues.

“Parliament is not the only forum he could use. There are other platforms that he can use as a Ghanaian and he did that,” he said.

Okudzeto Ablakwa in a reaction to Dominic Nitiwul’s statement on the trip suggested that the country was bound for destruction under the Akufo-Addo regime.

He tweeted, “How on Earth can the Defence Minister tell Parliament cost doesn’t matter in considering which aircraft to charter for the President! We are really doomed!!!’ he posted.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Don’t surprise me again – Bagbin cautions MPs

newmont ghana

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cautioned the leadership of both majority and minority against springing surprises on him while presiding on the floor.

The caution follows some dramatic scenes on the floor Thursday evening during the presentation of the report of the Appointments Committee on some 12 deputy ministerial Nominees including a deputy Education Minister-designate Gifty Twum Ampofo.

The minority shot down an attempt by the majority to secure an expedition of approval since a member of the Appointments Committee Alhassan Suhuyini voted against her approval at the Committee level.

The Speaker ordered a headcount which was disrupted by the majority side.

Addressing the MPs on Friday, the speaker charged leaders on both sides to adequately brief him during pre-sitting meetings and not make moves on the floor that may undermine his authority.

He warned the MPs that Thursday’s episode must not repeat itself

VGMA must apologize to Shatta Wale – Bulldog demands

newmont ghana

Outspoken artist manager and owner of Bull Haus entertainment Bulldog says organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) must apologise to Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale before he attends any of their events.

According to the manager of Shatta Wale, the scheme for so long has disrespected his artist and they have to apologize before Wale rejoins the scheme.

Speaking on Starr Chat with Nana Aba Anamoah, Bulldog said “Shatta Wale will not attend the VGMA until VGMA come to apologize to him. They have consistently disrespected Shatta. If he decides to join the scheme again I will concentrate on farming that will mean my journey with him will come to an end.

Father Burns Daughter’s Hand for ‘Stealing’ GHC10

An eight-year-old girl has been hospitalized at the Walewale hospital in the North East Region after her father burnt her hand with fire for allegedly stealing GHC10 belonging to her grandmother.

The victim was accused by her stepmother that she had stolen GHC10 from the grandmother and reported her to the father.

The father of the survivor, Alhassan Maijida is said to have beaten her severely with a stick resulting in her sustaining injuries on the eye as well.

The incident which happened on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Kparpiri near the West Mamprusi municipality left the little girl traumatized.

DGN Online gathered that the victim denied the allegation and was vindicated by the grandmother but that did not stop her father from subjecting her to severe beatings.

After the torture, the victim was abandoned by the father and stepmother for days until an uncle visited their home and realized the victim was in a bad condition and took her to the Wulugu health centre and was later transferred to the Walewale hospital for treatment.

The sister of the victim’s mother, Aminatu Salifu told a journalist that she was called by a doctor at the Walewale hospital and that when she arrived at the hospital and saw the little girl she could not control her tears.

“ I asked her what happened to her and she told me her father put her hand in fire and that she was innocent of the allegation that she stole GHC10 belonging to her grandmother.”

Madam Aminatu lamented about the absence of the victim’s father at the hospital adding that it shows he is not remorseful about what he did to the little girl.

“This man has no patient so we will take care of the child and I will ensure that my sister leaves the marriage for good and never return to this kind of marriage .”

Meanwhile, the mother has refused to report the matter to the police for fear of her being punished because it’s alleged that the Mampurugu tradition does not accept wives reporting their husbands at the police station

Government Is Vigoursly Pursing Afforestation Schemes- Lands Minister

The Minister, Samuel A Jinapor says government is actively and vigoursly pursing afforestation schemes in an effort to restore the nation’s forest cover.

Speaking at a UK-Ghana press conference held today, Friday 18th June, 2021 as part of the UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth RT. Hon. Anna-Marie Trevelyan’s visit to Ghana.

The Minister touched on the Green Ghana Day which was held on June 11 2021 where at least 5 Million trees were planted in a day nationwide as parts of efforts to role out the continuous green initiative to make Ghana much Greener.
Mr Jinapor highlighted three key activities being persued by the Ministry notably efforts at dealing with illegal Small Scale Mining, curbing illegal harvesting of trees and the aggressive afforestation program.

Earlier at a close door meeting with the outgoing UK High Commissioner to Ghana, Ian Walker discussions centred on how to further strengthen UK-Ghana collaborations among others.
The outgoing envoy at a recent farewell meeting with the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated ” although I leave after 4 years , I have a genuine sense of taking Ghana with me in my heart”.

Wife ‘Killer’ Gets GH¢200k Bail

PRINCE CHARLES Dedjoe, the businessman arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, has been granted bail by an Accra High Court.

The accused person through his lawyer Nkrabea Effah Dartey had been pushing at the High Court to grant him bail after he was remanded into police custody by the Madina Magistrate Court when he appeared before it for committal.

A General Jurisdiction division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu granted the accused person bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties yesterday.

Mr. Dedjoe, as part of the bail condition, was ordered by the court to be reporting to the police once every two weeks pending the trial.

He will appear before Madina District Court on June 18 for the committal proceedings.

Whilst in custody, the accused tried to prevent the family of his late wife from going ahead to organise a burial ceremony for the deceased, but the court dismissed his application.

‘Murder’

Mr. Dedjoe, Chief Executive Officer of Chadeco Group Of Companies Limited, was arrested on Independence Day after his father-in-law reported the alleged murder of his daughter to the East Legon Police, Accra.

The 43-year-old woman, Lillian, according to police’s initial information, died after reportedly slipping and falling off the stairs at their East Legon home.

However, the father of the deceased, according to the police, later accused the suspect of assaulting his daughter, leading to her death.

The couple was married for some years, a union blessed with two children.

The relationship however, reportedly, turned sour, leading to the wife suffering alleged assaults from the man

You can run but cannot hide – COP Kofi Boakye warns Jamestown bullion van robbers

Head of Legal and Prosecutions at the Ghana Police Service headquarters Nathan Kofi Boakye, a Commissioner of Police (COP), has warned perpetrators of last Monday’s robbery at Adedenkpo near Jamestown that their time will be up “very very very soon”.

“I want to emphasise to the nation that very, very, very soon all those involved in this bullion robbery and especially those who committed it, they will be arrested very soon,” the former Ashanti Regional Police Commander stated.

“They can run and run and run but they cannot hide.”

COP Kofi Boakye gave this assurance on Friday, June 18 when 320 new recruits of the Service passed out in the Ashanti Region at the Regional Police Training School in Kumasi.

He said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, has put in “innovative” strategies to help combat the menace that currently confronts the nation.

He also called on the new recruits to start nosing around for information that will help in arresting Monday’s criminals.

“It is incumbent on all of us including you – the new recruits – to help us achieve this objective, starting from now and you have a duty of arresting these criminals who killed one of us.

“This is non-negotiable and we cannot compromise on the need to arrest these criminals.”

Monday’s attack on a bullion van left the police officer on escort duty, Lance Corporal Emmanuel Osei, dead and a by-stander, Efia Badu, also hit by a stray bullet.

The driver is on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Armed Young Men In Viral Video Arrested – Police

Three of the four young men recently seen in a viral Video brandishing guns have been arrested by the police in the Ashanti Region.
The police have asked the public to help provide information on their criminal activities.

A fourth person in the video is being looked for by the police.

They are currently in police custody pending further investigation. The Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP David Agyeman Adjem said the police is appealing to the public to provide any information of criminal activities against them.

Already, the young men, one of whom has been identified as Obour has been explaining on social media that they are not criminals.

Obour said the video doing the rounds on social media was recorded a long time ago and that it happened in Wa in the Upper West Region.

According to him, they were engaged in small scale mining (galamsey) and were involved in an altercation with a rival group and after overpowering the rival group, they brandished the guns on social media.

more to follow…

Source: graphiconline.com

Defence Minister to petition NMC over his defence of Akufo-Addo’s luxurious private jet

Dominic Nitiwul, Defence Minister GEG

• Dominic Nitiwul is unhappy that the media misled the public over his response to a question on Akufo-Addo’s travelnull

• He says, he will be reporting the media to the NMC

• He described headlines after his appearance in Parliament as “comedy”


Dominic Nitiwul, the Defence Minister, has expressed his displeasure over media reportage after he appeared before Parliamentarians on Wednesday, June 16, to answer an urgent question filed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa concerning President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s luxurious travel abroad in a £15,000 per hour private jet.

According to him, media houses misquoted his response to the North Tongu MP’s question in Parliament.

Nitiwul told Paul Adom Otchere on Good Evening Ghana that he never said President Akufo-Addo wanted to shower in the sky, hence the decision for the state to hire him a luxurious £15,000 per hour private jet for his recent trip abroad.null

“I said that no President using the [Falcon] can shower in the aircraft. No president can freshen up; I never said Akufo-Addo or Mahama or Kufuor, no I never said that.

In fact, three Presidents have used this aircraft before; President Mills used it, President Mahama used it and President Akufo-Addo has also used it. I was very amazed that [the media] chose to use the word Akufo-Addo cannot shower in the aircraft,” he explained.

He asked, “Why didn’t they say, John Mahama or President Mills couldn’t shower in the aircraft, why didn’t they say that?”

Dominic Nitiwul is of the view that it was mere mischief and propaganda by the media to single out President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in their reportage and not President Mills or Mahama.

“There are three Presidents that have used this aircraft and I said no President; why did they pick Akufo-Addo’s name, what is the motivation to pick Akufo-Addo’s name?null

Were they trying to ridicule him to the people of Ghana? Why didn’t they say John Mahama?” he asked further.

Dominic Nitiwul said if he wanted to mention President Akufo-Addo’s name in his answer to the Parliamentarians, he would have done that.

“I was talking generally and not talking about a specific person nor specific period,” he noted.

The Defence Minister claims that he was shocked to have seen a headline that inferred his response in Parliament because in giving an answer to the urgent question filed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, he never mentioned Akufo-Addo cannot shower.

“…I was hit with some propaganda headline that Nitiwul says Akufo-Addo cannot bath in a presidential jet. Obviously wrong, misleading. I saw it on my phone, on joy online, and people started sharing. I was so shocked and like what sort of journalism do we have in Ghana. I didn’t say that. Even if you wanted to infer, quote what I have said [as the headline] and say that you are inferring.null

I thought journalism should be higher than this. I thought that in journalism school, you are told not to think for the interviewer but rather quote what the interviewer has said…No minister would have said Akufo-Addo couldn’t shower in the Falcon; it is too silly and basic,” Nitiwul indicated.

He described the headline as “comedy”.

“You don’t reduce this very important topic to comedy…I think [journalism] standards have been lowered. I am actually going to petition the National Media Commission (NMC) so that at least they can use that opportunity to reaffirm what they teach journalists…yes you can infer but do the right thing by saying you are inferring. It is unfair to Akufo-Addo, unfair to Nitiwul and particularly, you are doing propaganda,” he stressed.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGoodEveningGhanaOfficial%2Fvideos%2F318620786554684%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Why Okudzeto Ablakwa’s question on Akufo-Addo’s luxurious aircraft ‘disappeared’ from Parliament

• Okudzeto Ablakwa had filed a question on the cost of President Akufo-Addo recent trip to France, Belgium and South Africanull

• The question was admitted by the Speaker but on the day of Ofori-Atta’s appearance, the question was omitted from the list

• It emerged later that Ken Ofori-Atta requested for time to answer the question

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu had reason to complain after a question he posed to Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, over the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s trip to France, Belgium and South Africa was expunged from the list of questions to be answered by the minister on the floor of parliament on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

The question had earlier been advertised in the provisional order paper of parliament on Tuesday, June 15 and was due to be answered by Ken Ofori-Atta.

But on Thursday, when the Ofori-Atta appeared before the house, that particular question and another one posed by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, on payments by the Bank of Ghana to the government in the fight against coronavirus were missing from the order paper.null

Okudzeto Ablakwa raised a question over the disappearance of his question but no answer was given as the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was unavailable and had the second deputy speaker acting.

“Coming to the House today and looking at the order paper, the question that was advertised for the Honourable Minister responsible for Finance on the cost of the President’s recent trip to France, Belgium and South Africa is conspicuously missing on today’s order paper and Mr Speaker, I am wondering what is the cause of this rather strange development,” he said.

It, however, emerged that later the deletion of the questions was at the behest of Ken Ofori-Atta who had requested time to get the needed information to furnish the house.

“So, Honourable Ablakwa, I will persuade you that the question will be rescheduled and the Minister of Finance will come and respond to it, Mr Speaker,” Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu assured.

Ofori-Atta was expected to address the cost element of the trip after Dominic Nitiwul had justified why an aircraft was rented instead of the use of the presidential jet.null

“Again, when he (Akufo-Addo) is travelling with more than 20 people for a business trip, as he has done and brought huge sums of money for this nation, he will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the others would have to go a day ahead before the President to prepare themselves,” he added.

“Also in this Covid era, when you are travelling to multiple destinations like the President’s recent trip, Falcon jet couldn’t have been taken because we would have had to do technical stops which is not desirable. When he is travelling with more than 20 people like he has been doing that has brought huge sums of money to this country, the President may need not just the Falcon.

“In fact, the President would also have to go a day ahead because no president can shower in this aircraft. He cannot move from this aircraft straight into a meeting,” he stated

.Source: www.ghanaweb.com

It Was A Good Day For Russia’ – Trump Blasts Biden-Putin Summit

Former US President, Donald Trump has reacted to Joe Biden’s summit with Russian president Vladmir Putin in Geneva. 

Trump joined Fox News “Hannity” on Thursday, June 17, for an exclusive and wide-ranging interview, hours after President Biden held a closed-door summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Geneva, Switzerland.

Trump told host Sean Hannity he is upset that Biden didn’t score any wins during the summit, while in claiming Putin and Russia came out tops.

Trump highlighted the fact Biden stood by his decision to assent to the NordStream II pipeline’s completion while canceling a Canadian-American pipeline project. 

He said Russia will receive an undue windfall from oil sales to Germany while Chancellor Angela Merkel continues to underpay her country’s own dues to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which balance will instead continue to be subsidized by the United States.

“We gave a very big stage to Russia, and we got nothing. We gave up something that was unbelievably valuable. I stopped the pipeline, NordStream II, and the pipeline was stopped, and it was given back [to Germany and Russia] and nothing was gotten for it,” Trump said.


“I think it was a good day for Russia. I don’t think we got anything out of it.”

Hannity went on to point out Biden’s near-simultaneous canceling of the North American pipeline and approval of the North Sea connection killed as many as 10,000 U.S. jobs “with the stroke of a pen” 
 

With reports also circulating about Biden’s 51-year-old son Hunter’s purportedly lucrative business deals in Russia and Ukraine, Hannity asked Trump what would happen if his own son Donald Jr. was being scrutinized for business dealings in Russia/Ukraine while he as the president made policy decisions that benefitted Moscow.

“Well, you just have to read the news,” replied Trump. 


“For five years, from the day I came down the escalator, we have been under investigation, and it turned out to be all full stuff. It was a terrible thing with the Russia, Russia, Russia, which actually made it difficult to deal with Russia,” he said.

“It was a phony deal created by [California Rep. Adam] Schiff and [Hillary] Clinton and all of these people. It was a disgrace, an absolute disgrace that it should happen, and it really was dangerous and very bad for our country.”

Trump added that Hunter Biden was reportedly paid $183,000 per month for being a member of the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

“But he admits that he knows nothing about energy. The whole thing is just terrible. The money from Russia, $3.5 million from the wife of the former mayor of Moscow,” he said.
 

When asked about whether Biden is showing signs of frailty as of late, with host Sean Hannity pointing to public statements where the 78-year-old Delaware Democrat appears to lose his train of thought, Trump said the current President’s age should not be a problem.


“[H]is age is not the problem,” said Trump, who himself turned 75 this week. 

Trump said his good friend and Home Depot co-founder Bernard Marcus is 92 and still at “100 percent.”

“Look, I hope [Biden] has no problems. I want him to do well. I want him to go out and do well. I think the election was unbelievably unfair, but I want this guy to go out and do well for our country

Let’s stop copying blindly – Opanyin Agyekum On Parenting

Opanyin Agyekum Peace

Professor Kofi Agyekum, Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, has cautioned parents against giving too much freedom to their children.null

Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly called Opanyin Agyekum, speaking on the spate of current crimes in Ghana admonished parents to train their children well.

He noted that there is a vast difference between child rearing and child training, explaining most parents are rearing their children instead of training them.

He expounded that, with child rearing, the parents overpamper their children which encourages bad behaviours because of the little to no parental discipline.

“There is too much freedom today, so we have left the children,” he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.null

Opanyin Agyekum also expressed worry over the over-indulgence of children on social media.

He wished parents could turn back to the primitive ways of disciplining children because too much copying from Western culture is spoiling them.

To him, parents should train the children to sift what they watch or concern themselves with on social media because the children learn a lot of things on social media, therefore should they be exposed to the bad ones, they will potentially turn into social misfits.

“We must inculcate the spirit of sifting in the children to tell them not everything on social media is for them to know or see,” he advised.

Source: peacefmonline.com

Involve the youth in governance for inclusive development – Bagbin

Mr Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, has called on the country to learn from the Denmark experience on involving the youth in its democratic governance for inclusive development.

He said Denmark had placed priority on its youth development and appointed some of them as advisers to Ministers to ensure social democratic governance.

Mr Bagbin said the sustainability and long-term vision of any democratic policy depended on the youth, and urged African leaders to give prominence to the youth to equally and effectively participate in all areas of leadership.

The Speaker of Parliament made the call on Wednesday at a webinar forum on “Inclusive Party Governance and the Future of Democracy” organized by the Institute for Democratic Governance in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development.

He said it was imperative for leadership of political parties to engage the youth in policy formulation from the beginning to the end and not push the decisions on them, saying, “The youth understand their own problems”.

“We need to create opportunities for the youth to participate in governance to gain the needed experience and contribute to nation-building in future”.null

Mr Bagbin pledged to partner with civil society organizations to reach out to all political parties to institute a collaborative engagement with the youth in policy decisions to strengthen democratic values.

He said Ghana and Denmark shared common democratic values and both were committed to expand the frontiers of democracy, adding that even though there were threats in practicing democracy, there was the need to work together to ensure inclusive governance.

Mr Mogens Lykketoft, former Speaker of Parliament in Denmark, said his country had a strong engagement with the youth, citing youth involvement in addressing the menace of climate change in recent times. He said the young generation was vibrant and willing to participate in democratic governance, stressing that there was the need for countries to give the youth more opportunities to explore through learning and take up the leadership mantle in future.

Mr Emmanuel Ametepey, Executive Director, Youth Advocates Ghana, urged government to create the enabling environment for the youth to participate fully in democratic governance and not only be used for political campaigns and violent activities.

He commended government for initiating the free Senior High School policy to ensure access for all students, but called for an expedited action on expanding infrastructure to address the challenges of congestion in schools.https://f3ed00c016465d2920d8b15a29533ee4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

“There is the need to a build a culture that will embrace long-term learning in schools to improve students’ performance for socio-economic development”, he said.

Mr Ametepey called on authorities and civil societies to continue to educate young girls on their sexual and reproductive rights to be productive in life since some of them dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy.

Ms Malene Bentsen Laursen, the United Nations Youth Delegate, said non-inclusion of the youth in policy making had gradually led to a negative shift in the tone of public debate on national issues with 57 per cent of them saying that they are less likely to participate in the democratic process.

She noted that several protest movements had sprung up to fight for their rights and hence called on politicians to give recognition to the concerns of young people and allow them to engage in policymaking, adding that inclusive governance was a way of overcoming challenges in the democratic process in both Ghana and Denmark.

Ms Laursen urged political leaders to take responsibility of ensuring that political debates were organized effectively and not allow race, tribe or any form of affiliation to be a hindrance to the inclusion of the youth in decision making.

Source: GNA

Akufo-Addo is messing up, criticize him as you did to Mahama – Clergy told

Founding Member of the Ghana Clergy Association and the General Overseer of Elim Glorious Church Rev. Dr. James Mensah, has challenged other men of God to criticize the ruling government because they have disappointed Ghanaians.

The man of God stated that just as former President Dramani Mahama was criticized when he was in power, the current President should also be called to order.

‘The NPP promised Ghanaians they would deliver leadership that would transform lives and create better economic opportunities, but what we see today is that Ghanaians are getting poorer’, he opined.

He told Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that Ghanaians are struggling to survive, and the ruling party must take steps to change the narrative or forget their quest to break the 8.null

He added that Ghanaians had a lot of hope in the President, but he has failed woefully but quickly added that things could change if the ruling government put in measures to address the economic hardship in the country.

To him, Ghanaians voted for the NPP because they were fed with the Mahama’s administration.

However, they have lost hope all because the promises by the NPP seems not to be working.

Source: rainbownradioonline.com

We can’t kill you – Onion sellers tell Henry Quartey

Onion sellers at Agbogbloshie in Accra have debunked allegations by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey that they have contracted a spiritualist to have him killed.

Speaking to Kasapa News, the traders said the Minister should not pay attention to the lies being peddled around, since they have no such intention of killing him as it’s been rumoured.

“We beg the Minister, and we never said we will not relocate so he should not out of anger move us forcefully. He should give us 2-years so that by then we can pay off the loans we’ve injected into our business. There is no truth in the claims that we are using a spiritualist to kill him, never, we can’t do that,” one of the traders stated.

Another trader said: “I have never heard anywhere that someone is planning to use a spiritualist to kill him, we are all Ghanaians and respect authority. So if that is the rumour then that is very unfortunate.”

The Traders further said they cannot be a hindrance to the development agenda of the Minister through his ‘‘Let’s Make Accra Work’ campaign.null

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey in an interview with NET 2 TV disclosed that nothing can stop him from his intended plan of relocating the onion sellers even as they are plotting to have him killed by a spiritualist.

“Whether they like it or not, we will move them because we have made an alternative arrangement for them. I have heard they have gone to some mallam (spiritualist) to kill me,” the Minister narrated.

He continued “They are kidding. They should tell the mallam to return to his hometown because so far as God exists, nothing will happen to Henry Quartey, and by July 1, 2021, we shall move them.

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Police Nab Driver Who Knocked Down Teacher And Dumped Her In The Bush

An unlicensed driver has been charged with the murder of a 27-year-old teacher of De Youngsters School, Adentan, after he knocked her down with his vehicle and abandoned her in a bush at Abokobi leading to her death.
The suspect, Emeka Adams, 42, was arrested nine days after he had allegedly knocked down the teacher and abandoned her.

He is alleged to have committed the crime at the Adentan-Dodowa traffic intersection at about 7 p.m. on June 7, 2021 while he was in charge of a Hyundai Sonata Saloon vehicle with registration number GB 2126-20.

Investigation

Briefing the Daily Graphic after the arrest of the suspect, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mrs Effia Tenge, said after knocking down the teacher, the suspect picked her up under the pretext of taking her to a health facility for treatment.

However, she said police investigations showed that the suspect allegedly abandoned the teacher in a bush at Abokobi, instead of taking her to the hospital.


The body of the victim, she said, was later found in the bush at Abokobi and the police were informed. The police retrieved the body and conveyed it to the Police Hospital Morgue for autopsy and preservation.

Police intelligence, she said, led to the arrest of Adams last Wednesday and the vehicle was also found in his possession.

In another development

Two suspected robbers alleged to have attacked a motorcycle rider with machetes and made away with the motorbike have been arrested at the Tunga Childrens Park at Dansoman in Accra.

They are Mawuli Amegbo and Sule Mohammed. The machetes used have also been retrieved.

Mrs Tenge said the suspects were arrested at about 8a.m. last Sunday.

She said they were arrested after the victim raised the alarm when he was attacked by the suspects with two others currently on the run.

When the victim cried for help, some eyewitnesses came to his aid and pursued the robbers while others tried to contact the police.

 

Source: graphiconline.com

Govt Pays $937.5m To 3 Ipps For 4 Years’ Excess Capacity Charge

The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, has told Parliament that the government paid $937.5 million to three independent power producers (IPPs) for excess capacity charge between 2017 and 2020.

He said out of the amount, AKSA was paid $347 million, Karpower $359 million and Cenpower $251 million.

Giving a breakdown of the payments, Mr Ofori-Atta stated that AKSA was paid $35.7 million in 2017, $59.4 million in 2018, $136.8 million in 2019 and $115.3 million in 2020.

In the case of Karpower, he said, the company received $65.5 million in 2017, $108.9 million in 2018, $138 million in 2019 and $46.8 million in 2020.

With regard to Cenpower, the finance minister indicated that the company received no payment in 2017 and 2018 but was paid $86.5 million in 2019 and $144.8 million in 2020.

Urgent question

Mr Ofori-Atta disclosed these when he answered a question by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, Mr Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, who asked which IPPs had received payment from the government for excess capacity charges and how much was paid to the companies in the last four years.

The MP also sought to know the quantity of megawatts (MW) that was determined to be the excess power for which the $937.5 million was paid.

In response, Mr Ofori-Atta described the latter question by the MP as a “legitimate question” but told the House that he had to go and prepare to furnish the House with the accurate answer.

He, however, told the House that the power sector was a crucial area, for which reason the government had been negotiating with the three IPPs to bring down the cost of excess capacity charges.

“Mr Speaker, we have gone a long way with AKSA, Karpower and Cenpower and co, so that the whole issue of take-or-pay will be reviewed and we’ll come down to more tolerable and sustainable levels,” he said.

McKinsey & VRA

On the question why McKinsey and Company Inc. Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) agreed to suspend a June 2018 contract, which was aimed at increasing tax revenue collection, Mr Ofori-Atta said the two entities signed a three-year service agreement which would have ended in 2021.

However, because of a leadership change at both the board and the management levels of the GRA in 2019, the McKinsey agreement, among others, was reviewed to ensure that it was in line with the new strategic direction.

The finance minister said after the review, the GRA and McKinsey mutually agreed to change the focus of the agreement from supporting only the immediate need to increase revenue collection in the 2018/2019 fiscal year to a long-term objective to create a sustainable revenue collecting entity.

“Mr Speaker, the new contract, therefore, represents this new strategic direction and is focused on three areas of digitisation, performance management and supporting the creation of a transformation office to build internal capacity,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

The finance minister said per the contract agreement, McKinsey had been paid $7 million up-to-date and the new contract summed up to about $9 million.

Answering an urgent question by the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, on total amount of temporary advances from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the government of Ghana for the 2020 financial year, Mr Ofori-Atta said the devastating impact of the pandemic required urgent actions to contain its negative and harsh impact on lives and livelihoods.

The minister said as part of measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on public finances, the Governor of BoG, the Controller and Accountant General and he triggered the central bank’s asset purchase programme, in line with Section 30(6) of the BoG Act, 2002 (Act 612) to provide the government with GH¢10 billion through the purchase of the government of Ghana COVID-19 Relief Bonds to help finance COVID-19 and related residual expenditures.

He said since the facility was raised under Section 30 of Act 612, which related to borrowing under emergency, it was structured as a long-term facility and not subjected to Section 30 (3) where repayments were to be done within three months after granting the advance.

“The terms of the COVID-19 relief bonds programme are as follows: programme size GH¢10 billion, tenure 10 years or two-year moratorium and repayment (amortising after repayment),” he said.

Mr Ofori-Atta said the GH¢10 billion was issued in two tranches, with the first tranche issued being GH¢5.5 billion on May 15, last year, and the second GH¢4.5 billion issued on September 9, last year.

“Mr Speaker, consequently, the first repayment (principal and domestic interest due) will be reflected in debt repayment schedule for the 2022 budget statement and economic policies of the government.

“Mr Speaker, the GH¢10 billion was the clear major transactions that were done from our own drawdown of deposits and from the BoG,” the finance minister said.

Mr Ofori-Atta added that there were no temporary releases from the central bank to the government last year.

Source: graphiconline.com

Vice President Bawumia/UK Minister For Africa Co-Chair Fifth UK-Ghana Business Council

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr James Duddridge, UK Minister for Africa, have virtually co-chaired the fifth UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC).

A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the meeting built UKGBC 2020, which supported more than £223m of investment in Ghana’s infrastructure.

It said the UK Government announced a new programme of support for Ghana Revenue Authority and noted that the meeting reflected on the achievements of the UK-Ghana partnership over the past year, including support for the security sector following the recent visit of Madam Priti Patel, the UK Home Secretary.

The statement said since the last meeting of the UKGBC, the UK-Ghana economic partnership had supported more than £223m of investment in infrastructure across the country, the biggest UK investment into infrastructure in Ghana in a generation.

“This investment has significantly developed the country’s critical infrastructure, combining UK support and expertise with Ghanaian skills and entrepreneurship to build roads, bridges, hospitals, water infrastructure, airports and the expansion of Kumasi market,” it stated.

The statement said Council members discussed the progression of key projects that had grown out of the work of the UKGBC, such as supporting work to create jobs and build a sustainable industry in the auto, garments and pharma sectors through the UK’s £12m JET programme and the ongoing the construction of the Tema to Afloa road.

It said the £80.3m projects, supported by UKEF, would improve transport links across the country and ultimately West Africa whilst creating skilled jobs for Ghanaians.

The statement said Mr Iain Walker, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Ghana; Emma Wade-Smith, the UK’s Trade Commissioner for Africa; Sir Graham Wrigley, Chairman of the CDC Group and Louis Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance also attended the Council.

Ghana’s side included Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry; Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of Defence; Mr
Joseph Osei Owusu, the Minister of Public Enterprises and Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, the Senior Adviser to the President.

It said delegates welcomed the signing of the UK-Ghana Trade Partnership Agreement, recognising it as the foundation for a strengthened trading relationship securing tariff-free access for products sold in British shops as well as supporting jobs in Ghana and helping both nations to build back better from COVID-19.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Walker said: “Today’s fifth UK-Ghana Business Council UK recognised the long and enduring partnership between our nations and the real progress we have made since the Council was established in 2018.

“Together, the UK and Ghana have worked to encourage economic diversification, seen new investment in manufacturing and improved tax policy and signed a Trade Partnership Agreement that will support Ghana’s own priorities in trade and investment, and ensure that our mutual partnership strengthens.”

The statement said during the meeting, the UK Government announced a new support programme for the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Revenue Authority to increase tax revenue and strengthen the country’s tax policy and administration.

Mr Duddridge reiterated the UK’s full support of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and again welcomed Ghana’s successful hosting of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

The statement said both Council Chairs acknowledged the challenges and opportunities ahead as both Ghana and the UK continued the fight against climate change and collaborate to build a cleaner, greener future.

Established in 2018, the UKGBC functions as a high-level forum to promote bilateral relations and strategic partnerships between the Ghanaian private sector and UK counterparts.

The aim is to promote trade and investment for the mutual benefit of each nation and enhance economic growth.

The UK-Ghana Trade Partnership Agreement will provide Ghana with tariff free access to the UK and restore the terms of trade that applied until 31 December 2020.

Total UK trade with Ghana was £1.2 billion in 2019.

The Agreement restores Ghana’s duty free, quota free access to the UK.

It will allow the UK to further deepen its relationship with Ghana and pursue common interests.

BHM Construction International is said to be a civil engineering company specialising in airports and roads.

The Tema to Afloa road – border with Togo major upgrade will be their first project in Ghana.

UKEF is the UK government’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.

Working with more than 100 private credit insurers and lenders to help UK companies access export finance -a particular class of loans, insurance policies or bank guarantees that enable international trade to take place as easily and securely as possible.

Held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, the COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Source: graphiconline.com

Bank Of Ghana Launches Domestic Gold Purchase Programme

The Bank of Ghana has launched a domestic gold purchase programme to help shore up the country’s foreign reserves.

The move will enable the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to buy gold from selected local aggregators and mining firms and pay in the local currency at the prevailing market price.

The Bank hopes to double its gold holdings in the next five years from 8.7 tonnes to 17.4 tonnes, the Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison said.

Dr. Addison, who launched the programme, said it would allow the BoG to grow its foreign exchange reserves to foster confidence, enhances currency stability, creates a more attractive environment for foreign direct investments and economic growth.

He said the programme would also enable the Bank to leverage its gold holdings to raise cheaper sources of financing to provide short term foreign exchange liquidity.

He said the Bank had engaged domestic mining firms in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines to buy refined gold from their refineries.

So far, only one gold aggregator has been selected for the programme after an independent due diligence was conducted.

However, in the near-term, other gold aggregators will be eligible to participate in the programme once a roadmap is developed to ensure they meet the governance, risk, compliance and supply chain requirements.

The Governor said the domestic purchasing programme had the potential to improve the small-scale gold mining sector by ensuring they receive a fair purchasing price for their gold, provide an incentive to formalise and move away from damaging environmental and social practices.

It would also lead to a route to formalise and improve ability to sell into formal gold markets and thereby reduce their vulnerability to illegal actors in the domestic and international gold supply chains.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, last year announced that a decision has been taken to increase the country’s reserves.

The Bank of Ghana ‘s foreign reserves has grown steadily over the last years to current levels of almost US$11.00 billion, but the portion of gold reserves has remained unchanged at 8.77 tonnes with the average value of gold reserves held as a percentage of Gross International Reserves (GIR) at 6.14 percent.


GNA

Ghana is safe; go to other countries and see what’s happening’ – Ambrose Dery

The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has vehemently rejected the assertion that the government has lost the fight against crime.

He insists the recent incidents of crime in the country does not mean that crime is on the increase.

Reports of robbery attacks with the recent being the killing of a police officer escorting a bullion van in Accra and other criminal activities, have put fear in some citizens, who have called on the government and the security agencies to up their game to arrest the situation.

For instance, the Minority in Parliament has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to demonstrate leadership in dealing with the recent rise in violent crimes in the country.

The Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee in Parliament, James Agalga, who addressed the media on the caucus’ behalf stressed that the killing of policemen in such attacks was further worsening the police-to-civilian ratio in the country.

“Four more years for Nana [Akufo-Addo] has begun with a rise in crime. Ghanaians no longer feel safe compared to our immediate past. Violent crime-related cases, particularly robbery, are shaking the foundations of our nation, and it is only fair and a duty for us to call on the Nana Akufo-Addo administration to up its game.”

“We are calling on the President, Chairman of the Security Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces to ensure the peace and security in a country that has remained an oasis of peace in a troubled region is not compromised.”

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, also said there was a breakdown in law and order in the country.

But the Interior Minister disagrees, insisting that government is on top of issues.

He, however, said the government will do more to ensure the safety of citizens.

“What we should know is that the criminals continue to change the modules and we have to be changing with them and the police is doing all it can. We have not lost control. I always want to emphasise that, we need to go to neighbouring countries to see what is happening there, but we are not in the same league with them.”

“We want to do better than we are doing now, but believe me, Ghana is safe; that is why all the other countries are running to Ghana

Zambia’s First President Kenneth Kaunda Passes On

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president and one of the last of the generation of African leaders who fought colonialism, has died aged 97. Kaunda was admitted to a military hospital in the capital, Lusaka, on Monday suffering from pneumonia.

His aides said he did not have COVID-19. In the 1950s, Kaunda was a key figure in what was then Northern Rhodesia’s independence movement from Britain.

He became president following independence in 1964.

As head of the left-leaning United National Independence Party (UNIP), Kaunda then led the country through decades of one-party rule.

He stepped down after losing multi-party elections in 1991.

“I am sad to inform we have lost Mzee,” Kaunda’s son, Kambarage, wrote on his late father’s Facebook page, using a term of respect. “Let’s pray for him.”

Zambian President Edgar Lungu said the country was mourning “a true African icon”.

“I learnt of your passing this afternoon with great sadness,” he wrote on Facebook. “On behalf of the entire nation and on my own behalf I pray that the entire Kaunda family is comforted as we mourn our First President and true African icon.”

Another tribute came from Kalusha Bwalya, former captain of the national football team, who said Kaunda had made “an immense impact”.

Kaunda – popularly known as KK – was a strong supporter of efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. He was also a leading supporter of liberation movements in Mozambique and what is now Zimbabwe.

In later life Kaunda turned his attention to the fight against HIV after one of his sons, Masuzyo, died from an Aids-related disease.

“We fought colonialism. We must now use the same zeal to fight Aids, which threatens to wipe out Africa,” he told Reuters in 2002

Withdraw your officers if banks fail to buy armored bullion vans – Sefa Kayi to IGP

Host of Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Kwami Sefa Kayi, affectionately called Chairman General, has backed the IGP’s calls on banks to buy armoured bullion vans for the transport of currencies.null

The IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh, in a statement to the press, reminded the banks of an earlier agreement between them and the Police to purchase fortified bullion vans to safeguard his officers.

“The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties’,’ the statement read.

The reminder follows the murder of a Police officer at Jamestown on Monday, June 14, 2021.

Police Account

“Preliminary investigation shows that unidentified armed men on a number of motorbikes crossed the bullion van which was on a pay/collection errand at about 1100 hours and shot at the police officer who was on escort duty on the van, killing him instantly. The armed men also fired sporadically in the air and on the driver, who sustained gunshot wounds and is responding to treatment.

“A hawker was also killed by the armed men when one of two ladies on the bullion van stepped out of the van and run towards the deceased seller’s direction. Both ladies on the van, tellers of Mon-tran escaped unhurt but were sent to the hospital to be treated for trauma. Crime scene experts have already visited the scene of crime and are going through the necessary procedures,” the Police recounted.null

As a result, the IGP has directed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take over the investigations.

Withdraw Your Officers

Mr. Sefa Kayi insists the IGP should be true to his word and withdraw his Police escorts if the banks don’t meet the deadline.

He believed the banks have what it takes to purchase armoured bullion vans, so any of them that fails to comply with the directive should face the penalty.

”As for me, I support the IGP that, by the end of this month, if you don’t provide security . . . he should withdraw all the Policemen. Because it’s like taking your children out there to die,” he stressed.

Source: peacefmonline.com

Ken Ofori-Atta asks for more time to respond to Akufo-Addo’s luxurious travel – Ablakwa

• Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says Ken Ofori-Atta has asked more to be able to respond to his question in Parliamentnull

• The order paper of the House did not contain the question he asked regarding the President’s luxurious travel

• He described the event on Thursday as sad day for accountability and good governance


Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP has stated that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has asked for more time to enable him to prepare adequately to respond to an urgent question concerning President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s luxurious trip abroad in a £15,000 per hour private jet.

The Minister was supposed to tell Parliamentarians on Thursday, June 17, the exact cost of the President’s trip abroad which the Minority alleged to have cost £15,000 per hour, but the order paper of the House communicated something different.

Earlier, the Business Committee had fixed the Finance Minister’s response to Okudzeto Ablakwa’s question to the controversial luxurious trip of the President on Thursday, but the question was not part of the things the Minister was supposed to respond to.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was unhappy and he questioned the Speaker why the question was conspicuously missing on the order paper.null

He said, “Coming to the House today and looking at the order paper, the question that was advertised for the Honourable Minister responsible for Finance on the cost of the President’s recent trip to France, Belgium and South Africa is conspicuously missing on today’s order paper and Mr Speaker, I am wondering what is the cause of this rather strange development.”

But in a post on his Facebook timeline, the MP noted, “very surprising that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is asking Parliament for more time to respond to my urgent question on the full cost of President Akufo-Addo’s recent luxury travels to France, Belgium and South Africa.

The question had been advertised in the Provisional Order Paper for a response today [Thursday].”

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa added, “this is terribly disappointing after his Ministry has had more than a two-week notice to prepare an answer for Parliament and the people of Ghana.

Sad day for accountability and good governance.”

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fokudzetoablakwa%2Fposts%2F4027279537353933&show_text=true&width=500

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Customs intercept 3 rifles hidden in personal effects at Tema Port

Officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, have intercepted three rifles concealed in some consignments at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port.

The officials say the rifles were hidden in barrels that contained items declared as personal effects.

Speaking to Citi News, an Examination Officer with the Customs Division of GRA, Charles Okrah, said investigation is underway to unravel how the rifles were mixed up with the personal effects.

“We found three weapons concealed in a consignment. They were concealed in three barrels as part of personal effects. As an examination officer, it is our duty to examine every consignment to ensure that what a person has declared to Customs is the same as it is at the Port so that we can check what they have paid for as against what they have declared to us. It’s part of the job we do every day. We found three weapons. We have handed them over to my boss. Investigations are underway,” he added.

This comes on the back of heightened surveillance in parts of the country following information picked up about a potential terrorist attack in Ghana.

There are reports of a potential terrorist attack in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region and Tamale in the Northern Region.

The Upper East Regional Security Council has however allayed the fears of inhabitants following the alert issued.

GRA confirms seizure of 436 pistols and ammunition at Tema Port

This is not the first time weapons have been seized at the Tema Port.

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in October 11, 2020, seized pistols and ammunition at the Tema Port.

The arms and ammunition were concealed in personal effects made up of clothing, shoes and bags among other items.

A statement from the GRA at the time said the Authority in collaboration with some state authorities at the Tema Port impounded a 20-footer container containing 436 pistols, 26 packs of 50 pieces of ammunition and 1(40millimetre) piece of pepper spray, that were illegally imported from Turkey into Ghana.

GRA in the statement signed by its Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Florence Asante, stated that the arms were detected during a physical examination on October 9, 2020, at the Terminal Three facility by officials of the Tema Command of Customs

I Don’t Know You Anywhere – Afoko Tells State Witness

Gregory Afoko, one of the two persons standing trial for the murder of the New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman Adams Mahama has through his lawyers denied knowing one Robert Atule, a Prosecution Witness in the ongoing trial.

The witness, who is the State’s sixth witness, said he is a friend to Afoko and like brothers in the Bolgatanga Estate where they both lived until the incident of May 20 that led to the death of the late Mahama.

While being led by the Chief State Attorney Marina Appiah Opare to give his Evidence-in-Chief, the witness said, he met with Afoko a day before the incident who had expressed to him (witness) the grudge between his elderly brother Paul Afoko, the National Chairman of the NPP then and the Regional Chairman.

The witness said, acting as a senior brother to Afoko, he asked him to come over to his office to calm him down if he had in mind of doing something untoward, but the witness said Afoko never came as agreed.

Under cross-examination from Lawyer Stephen Sowah Charway, holding brief for Osafo Buabeng, put it to the witness that, he does not know Afoko anywhere, but the witness disagreed saying “I know him and we know ourselves.”

Counsel further put it to the witness that, his testimony to the court about meeting Afoko somewhere on May 19, 2015, a day before the alleged acid incident was never true and it was an after taught.

But, the witness said “If he is saying so, I can’t say yes or no. But, I know that I know him and I met him.”

To this end, counsel ended his cross-examination of the six witnesses who were subsequently discharged by the court for the next witness to be called on June 24.

Deteriorating health

Meanwhile, the Lawyer for Afoko has concurred with the state’s request to the court to remand the accused persons to the Nsawam Prison custody.

The accused persons have been in the custody of the National Investigations Bureau.

According to counsel, his client, who has had surgery on his arm is having his health deteriorated at the NIB custody and wants his client transferred to the Nsawam Prisons where he can have enough ventilation and move freely.

According to him, “considering he is almost held in low ventilation at NIB custody, we believe sending him to Nsawam to enjoy some fresh air and walk around will benefit him,” and prayed the court accordingly.

Even though counsel for the second accused person Andrew Kudzo Vortia preferred his client to be in NIB custody for easy accessibility, the court said bo5th accused persons should be moved from the NIB custody to Nsawam.

The case has been adjourned to June 24.

Source: kasapafmonline.com

IGP Must Apologize For ‘Irresponsible’ & ‘Needless’ Comment About Killing of Police Officer – Obiri Boahene

The Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has described some comment made by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh as “irresponsible” and “needless”.
 
The IGP noted that despite the alarming rate of insecurity in the country, citizens should be modest in their expectations from the police.
 
He explained that several developed countries are still battling crime, therefore, the recent spate of crime rise, however alarming, is not peculiar to Ghana.
 
He was responding to calls for his retirement during a visit to the family of the late Constable General, Emmanuel Osei, who was killed by armed robbers on Monday afternoon.
 
“We are doing what we can to protect the people of Ghana. There is no society in the world where there is no crime. Even in the USA, UK and Sweden, where they, more or less have everything, they still have crime. The only place that doesn’t have crime is heaven and we are not in heaven,” he said.
 
But Obiri Boahene in an interview with NEAT FM’s said the security is a ‘failure’ – after condemning his comments.
 
“He has to apologize to Ghanaians and the bereaved family. This is unacceptable,” he noted.

Listen to interview below

https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-VzMXlkZlU

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

NCA Wins RTI Case Against Media Foundation For West Africa

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has won a case which was filed by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MWFA) against the Authority. Today, the High Court of Accra (Human Rights Division) upheld the legal submissions of the NCA and dismissed all the reliefs claimed by MFWA again NCA in respect of the former’s request for information

It will be recalled that on 22nd July, 2020, MFWA made a request to the NCA to provide the full list of all Authorised FM stations as of the second quarter of 2020, indicating the dates of first Authorisation, dates of last Authorisation renewals, locations, and operational status (on air or off air); full list of all Authorised television stations as of the second quarter of 2020, indicating the dates of first authorisation, Dates of last Authorisation renewals, locations, and operational status; an explanation for the recent replacement of the published 2020 second quarter report titled: ‘List of Authorised VHF-FM Radios in Ghana as at Second Quarter 2020’ which contained columns for date of first Authorisation and date of last Authorisation renewal, with one that now excludes the dates of first authorisation and dates of last Authorisation renewals.

The MFWA also requested for the full list (name of company, name of radio station, location and frequency number) of all FM radio stations that were shut down following the 2017 FM Spectrum Audit and in line with the 2018 decision of the Electronic Communications Tribunal.

The NCA, upon assessment of the above requests by the MFWA, asked MFWA to pay a fee of GHS2,000.00 in accordance with law. MFWA however refused to pay the said service fees charged by the NCA and subsequently filed an action at the High Court of Accra (Human Rights Division) against the NCA.

The High Court presided over by Justice Gifty Agyei Addo ruled that the request for the NCA to provide an explanation for the discharge of its mandate in publishing quarterly reports was untenable and violates the Right to Information law. The Court also held that MFWA had failed to establish any basis for the claim that its request is in the public interest; the Court upheld NCA’s contention that the public interest argument was an afterthought.

The High Court again held that the request made by MFWA was personal to the NGO, and that the said requests must to be paid for by MFWA. Accordingly, the Court ordered MFWA to pay GHS1,500.00 to the NCA before the permitted information requested can be answered.

The NCA wishes to stress that the Authority will endeavour to execute its mandate as set out by law. The Authority’s doors are always opened to engage with its many stakeholders, provided this is done through due process.


Source: National Communications Authority

Does Akufo-Addo take his bath every six hours? – Okudzeto Ablakwa to Nitiwul

Akufo Addo   Luxury Travel

• Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has questioned if President Akufo-Addo bath every six and half hoursnull

• He could not comprehend why the government will be concerned with the President taking his shower to enable the country hire £15,000 per hour private jet

• He claims the President could have used the Presidential jet for his recent trip aboard and not to incur additional cost for the country


Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP says it is ridiculous for Dominic Ntiwul, the Defence Minister, to tell parliamentarians that Ghana decided to hire President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the luxurious £15,000 per hour private jet because he needed to take a bath in the sky.

He questioned the number of times the President takes his bath when working from the Jubilee House in Accra.

Dominic Nitiwul in answering an urgent question in Parliament filed by the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs on why President Akufo-Addo hired a £15,000 per hour private jet recently for his trip abroad said:

“This aircraft will carry a load of 11 persons minus the crew. When this aircraft is travelling to the eastern part of the USA or Asia, it will not load a crew of more than eight plus the luggage. So, it depends on where it is going. Secondly, I have also said the aircraft has to do refuelling stops, and also in this COVID-19, when you are travelling to multiple destinations like the president’s recent travel, the Falcon couldn’t have been taken because he would have had to do technical stops which are not desirable.”null

Nitiwul added, “the president works hard enough to rake in money for the country, hence deserves more than a Falcon.

When he is travelling with more than 20 people like he has been doing for business trips that brought huge sums of money to this country, he will need more than just a Falcon, otherwise, the others would have to go a day ahead of the president to prepare themselves. In fact, the president would also have to go a day ahead because no president can shower in this aircraft. He cannot move from this aircraft straight into a meeting,” Nitiwul justified.

But speaking to Joy FM, Wednesday evening, monitored by GhanaWeb, Okudzeto Ablakwa asked, “when the President is on land, in Accra, working as President, does he take his bath every six and half hours?

Accra to Paris is just six and half hours, why is having a shower so important [to the President].”

Ablakwa averred that Ghana bought its presidential jet the same year France bought its presidential jet, that is, 2010, “they are still using the Presidential jet”.

When asked if it is the same specifications, Okudzeto Ablakwa said, “no, that’s another spec”.https://d8ace8ef393c830174ed976014ef2e67.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

He, however, pointed out that the analogy is that France is still using the Presidential jet they bought in the same year that Ghana bought its own.

He further stated that, before the Falcon was bought, Ghanaians were made aware that the lifespan of the aeroplane was at least 20 years and 2021 is the eleventh year of the plane and “[the] presidential jet is in serviceable condition, there is nothing wrong with it”.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa noted that the government’s explanation is just a “post-facto rationalization just to justify an unjustifiable £15,000 per hour [private jet the country hired]”.

He added that President Akufo-Addo could fly back to Ghana to refuel the Falcon if he was afraid of contracting COVID-19 as the Minister claimed in Parliament.

“Look, I have been part of a presidential delegation [before], when you land for refuelling, you are given an option to disembark or you stay in the aircraft. Often President Mahama and Mills have stayed on board, so, this COVID excuse is a non-starter […] Accra to Paris, you don’t need to refuel. The only other challenge will be Paris to Johannesburg. Now, all you do is travel from Paris to Accra; six and half hours, you refuel and you go to Johannesburg for five and half hours. So this COVID excuse is a total non-starter,” Okudzeto Ablakwa explained.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Armed robbers attack 5 Kumasi gold dealers; shoot 2 for refusing to surrender gold

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Two persons have been shot in the leg after they resisted attempts by armed robbers who came to rob them of their cash at Motikrom in the Amanse South District of the Ashanti region.null

According to an eyewitness who spoke to MyNewsGh.com, the armed robbers stormed the small town at about 1:30 am and sounded several warning shots before they started their robbery expedition.

They are said to have robbed five gold dealers of their valuables including huge sums of monies but the two who got shot in the leg are said to have resisted the robbery hence the shooting in their legs.

They have since been sent to the St. Martin’s government hospital, Manso Agroyesum where they are receiving treatment but one is said to be in a critical condition.null

Our source says the Police got to the scene just after the armed robbers had left and spent an hour before leaving the scene.

Meanwhile, a victim of the robbery incident has reported the case to the Police and investigations are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to book.

Source: www.mynewsgh.com

STC drivers killed in a car crash

CAR ACCIDENT FILE PHOTO

• An accident has occurred on the Akim Asafo road in the Eastern regionnull

• Two people died on the spot

• Passengers involved in the accident were rushed to the nearby hospital for medical care

STC driver and his co-driver have died in a car accident at Akim Asafo in the Eastern region on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

The accident occurred at about 2:30 am after the STC bus with registration number GE 8136-16 rammed into an abandoned articulated truck with registration number GC 7150-11.

The deceased drivers have been identified at Victor Quest and Joshua Tay.null

Their bodies have been deposited at the Suhum Government Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

Meanwhile, the passengers aboard the bus have been rushed to the Kibi Government Hospital for medical care.

According to the Eastern Regional Police Command, the STC bus was moving from Kumasi to Accra while the articulated truck was heading towards Kumasi but was abandoned on the road after it developed a mechanical fault.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Sergeant Francis Gomado stated that it is about time there is a rapid response system to tow broken down vehicles from the road to prevent deaths on the highway

.Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Police shouldn’t buy and hire out Bullion vans to banks – Kweku Baako on recent robberies

Kweku Baako Ndc Boycott

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako has supported the Inspector General of Police’s order to banks to provide armoured bullion vans for carting currencies or else he will withdraw his men from escort duties.null

The IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh issued a statement to remind the bankers that the directive will take effect by the end of June, 2021.

The statement followed the murder of a Police officer at Jamestown.

Armed robbers on a number of motorbikes attacked a bullion van at Jamestown, killing two people including the Police officer, Emmanuel Osei, and hurting the driver before absconding with some money.

An account by the Police read; “Preliminary investigation shows that unidentified armed men on a number of motorbikes crossed the bullion van which was on a pay/collection errand at about 1100 hours and shot at the police officer who was on escort duty on the van, killing him instantly. The armed men also fired sporadically in the air and on the driver, who sustained gunshot wounds and is responding to treatment.”

“A hawker was also killed by the armed men when one of two ladies on the bullion van stepped out of the van and run towards the deceased seller’s direction. Both ladies on the van, tellers of Mon-tran escaped unhurt but were sent to the hospital to be treated for trauma. Crime scene experts have already visited the scene of crime and are going through the necessary procedures.”

The IGP has directed the “Director-General Criminal Investigation Department to take over the investigation into the attack on a bullion van at Adedenpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra on 14th June 2021, which led to the murder of a police officer”.null

He also threatened the banks will forfeit Police protection should any fail to purchase an armoured van when the ultimatum elapses.

“The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties,” the statement read.

Making submissions on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kweku Baako stressed it is in the right order for the IGP to caution the banks against using ordinary vans to transport currencies.

He also dissented to views that the Police should procure the armoured vans for the banks.

“I disagree with the idea that the Police should buy and hire it. I disagree with it; I don’t get where that drift is coming from. But rather, the banks, it is in their own interest,” he asserted.

Source: peacefmonline.com

Bridging Agriculture and Road Networks in the Upper West Region

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Food and Agriculture together with the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako Atta, received a delegation of Chiefs and elders from three (3) Constituencies in the Upper West Region, specifically, Sisaala East, Sisaala West and Wa East Constituencies on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

The meeting convened at the behest of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto was in response to a petition by the Chiefs on matters relating to the improvement of roads network in the three communities which are widely regarded as major contributor to the Country’s agricultural growth and development.

The concerns expressed by the Chiefs were deemed as germane by the two ministers, requiring urgent attention and consideration.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and the Minister for Roads and Highways therefore pledged on behalf of Government, to address the road infrastructural challenges confronting the people in the respective constituencies in order to as well help boost agriculture in the respective areas and Ghana as a whole.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture particularly expressed his profound gratitude to the people of the Sisaala enclave for their massive contribution to the government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

The Paramount Chief of Pulma and Gandawii Traditional Area in the Sisaala West District, and Leader of the delegation, Kuoro Osman Deiwia Nankpa III, expressed his joy and appreciation to Government for the swift intervention, pledging that they would work in collaboration with the government to ensure that all the major developmental challenges confronting their respective communities are addressed.

Also in attendance were Members of Parliament for the three constituencies; Hon. Mohammed Adam’s, MP for Sisaala West, Hon. Amidu Chinnia, MP for Sisaala East and Deputy Minister-designate, Water and Sanitation, Hon. Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, MP, Wa East.

Others include Mr. Asante Krobea, Technical Advisor, MoFA and Mr. Samuel Banini, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Roads and Higways.

‘We need an IGP who will make Ghana a living hell for armed robbers’ – Kwaku Azar

IGP James Oppong Boanuh

• Kwaku Azar has charged the IGP to make Ghana a hell for armed robbers

• He says even though we have not been to heaven before, the IGP can make Ghana safe for Ghanaians

• The IGP had started that apart from heaven, crime is everywhere in the world


Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare a. k. a. Kwaku Azar has charged the Inspector-General of Police to make Ghana a living hell for armed robbers to operate.

His comments come after the IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh, told journalists after he visited the residence of the late Police Constable General, Emmanuel Osei, who was shot by some armed robbers on Monday, June 14, while he was providing escort to a bullion van that crime is everywhere apart from heaven.

The IGP indicated that, despite the alarming rate of insecurity, Ghanaians should lower their expectations from the police because crime is experienced everywhere including developed countries so, the recent spate of crime is not peculiar to Ghana.

“We are doing what we can to protect the people of Ghana. There is no society in the world where there is no crime. Even in the USA, UK and Sweden, where they, more or less have everything, they still have crime. The only place that doesn’t have crime is heaven and we are not in heaven,” James Oppong-Boanuh said.

“So, if any so-called security analyst is saying that we are not on top of our game and that’s why these things are happening, he does not know what he is talking about,” he charged.

Reacting to this in a post on his Facebook timeline, the US-based Ghanaian Professor wrote:

“The IGP has reminded or is it assured, us that ‘the police are doing what they can to protect Ghanafuo. There is no society in the world where there is no crime. Even in the USA, UK and Sweden, where they, more or less have everything, they still have crime. The only place that doesn’t have crime is heaven and we are not in heaven.’

We may not be in heaven but we need an IGP who will make the country a living hell for armed robbers.”

Adam Bonaa, a security analyst, in an interview on Joy FM, monitored by GhanaWeb, called for the resignation of the IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh, due to his inability to bring an end to the rise in daylight robberies in the country.

He said, “I am putting the blame at the doorsteps of the Police IGP and I am advocating that he should go, he has reached retirement, they have given him two extensions so he should go home for more enthusiastic, energized officers who are within the 60 years limit to take over and probably put a bit more enthusiasm into the Ghana Police.”

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkwaku.azar%2Fposts%2F4760746793941296&show_text=true&width=50

0Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Prof Gyampo calls for IGP’s retirement over ‘Heaven’ comments

Professor at the University of Ghana, Legon Ransford Yaw Gyampo says the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, must retire from service.

This follows comments made by Mr Oppong-Boanuh in reaction to criticisms about the recent spate of robbery attacks in the country.

“We are doing what we can to protect the people of Ghana,” the IGP indicated.

“There is no society in the world where there is no crime. Even in the USA, UK and Sweden, where they, more or less have everything, they still have crime. The only place that doesn’t have crime is heaven and we are not in heaven.”

But Mr Oppong-Boanuh has received flak for these comments with many asking him to retract them and apologise.

Taking to his Facebook page on Wednesday, June 16, Prof Gyampo stated that the IGP must learn the art of public speaking especially in times of sorrow.

“The IGP must learn the tact of communication, particularly in times of sorrow.

“We need no soothsayer to tell us we are not in heaven. He must learn the art of public speaking and be politically smart in his utterances.

“Actually, he must retire,” he demanded

Cop killer’s case adjourned due to lack of jurors

The case of Eric Kojo Duah, aka Sakora, the man accused of killing two police officers at Buduburam in the Central Region, on August 28, 2019, has been adjourned to July 1.

The adjournment came as an Accra High Court had indicated that it had some challenges with the empanelling of the jury.

In a trial by indictment, a seven member jury are expected to join a High Court judge to hear the matter.

Kojo Duah has been charged with murder for allegedly murdering Sgt. Michael Dzamasi, a service driver, and L/Cpl Awal Mohammed, at a spot called Big Apple at Buduburam, near Kasoa.

Another accused person, Michael Osarfo Ani, has been charged with abetment to commit murder.
The two were committed to stand trial at the High Court by the Kaneshie District Court.

Prosecution said Duah allegedly shot Sgt Dzamesi and L/Corporal Awal, both attached to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at Budumburam, who were on taskforce duties on the Kasoa-Winneba Highway.

It said Duah, in the company of his friends, using an unregistered Toyota Camry vehicle, and driving recklessly, allegedly shot the unarmed policemen after refusing to stop when the security officers signalled them to do so.


GNA

Involve The Youth In Governance For Inclusive Development – Bagbin

Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, has called on the country to learn from the Denmark experience on involving the youth in its democratic governance for inclusive development.

He said Denmark had placed priority on its youth development and appointed some of them as advisers to Ministers to ensure social democratic governance.

Mr Bagbin said the sustainability and long-term vision of any democratic policy depended on the youth, and urged African leaders to give prominence to the youth to equally and effectively participate in all areas of leadership.

The Speaker of Parliament made the call on Wednesday at a webinar forum on “Inclusive Party Governance and the Future of Democracy” organized by the Institute for Democratic Governance in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development.

He said it was imperative for leadership of political parties to engage the youth in policy formulation from the beginning to the end and not push the decisions on them, saying, “The youth understand their own problems”.

“We need to create opportunities for the youth to participate in governance to gain the needed experience and contribute to nation building in future”.

Mr Bagbin pledged to partner with civil society organizations to reach out to all political parties to institute a collaborative engagement with the youth in policy decisions to strengthen democratic values.

He said Ghana and Denmark shared common democratic values and both were committed to expand the frontiers of democracy, adding that even though there were threats in practicing democracy, there was the need to work together to ensure inclusive governance.

Mr Mogens Lykketoft, former Speaker of Parliament in Denmark, said his country had a strong engagement with the youth, citing youth involvement in addressing the menace of climate change in recent times.
He said the young generation was vibrant and willing to participate in democratic governance, stressing that there was the need for countries to give the youth more opportunities to explore through learning and take up the leadership mantle in future.

Mr Emmanuel Ametepey, Executive Director, Youth Advocates Ghana, urged government to create the enabling environment for the youth to participate fully in democratic governance and not only be used for political campaigns and violent activities.

He commended government for initiating the free Senior High School policy to ensure access for all students, but called for an expedited action on expanding infrastructure to address the challenges of congestion in schools.

“There is the need to a build a culture that will embrace long-term learning in schools to improve students’ performance for socio-economic development”, he said.

Mr Ametepey called on authorities and civil societies to continue to educate young girls on their sexual and reproductive rights to be productive in life since some of them dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy.

Ms Malene Bentsen Laursen, the United Nations Youth Delegate, said non-inclusion of the youth in policy making had gradually led to a negative shift in the tone of public debate on national issues with 57 per cent of them saying that they are less likely to participate in the democratic process.

She noted that several protest movements had sprung up to fight for their rights and hence called on politicians to give recognition to the concerns of young people and allow them to engage in policy making, adding that inclusive governance was a way of overcoming challenges in the democratic process in both Ghana and Denmark.

Ms Laursen urged political leaders to take responsibility of ensuring that political debates were organized effectively and not allow race, tribe or any form of affiliation to be a hindrance to the inclusion of the youth in decision making.

Source: GNA

Two Dansoman Robbery Suspects Arrested

Police in Accra Region have arrested two persons who attacked and snatched the motorbike with registration number M-21-GW-490 from its rider at Tungah Children’s Park, Dansoman Accra. The suspects Mawuli Amegbo and Sulley Mohammed snatched the motorbike on 13th June 2021 when they attacked the victim with machetes.

On 15th June, 2021, luck eluded them when the victim saw them riding the bike and raised alarm, leading to the arrest of the suspects by a nearby Police patrol team. A search conducted on the suspects led to the retrieval of a machete, which together with the motorbike are with the Police. Two accomplices of the suspects are at large but are being pursued by the Police, while the suspects are in police custody being processed for Court.

The Police calls on the public to report incidents of crime and cooperate for investigation to carry through. This particular incident was not reported until victim sighted the suspects and his motorbike two days after the robbery incident.

Africa Should Create A Better Future For Children – Rebecca Akufo-Addo

Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo on Tuesday asked African societies to use the Day of the African Child as an opportunity to reflect on ways to create a better future for children.

She also asked all organisations, including civil society, to strategise and provide a much more secure environment to enhance the proper nurturing of all African children.

In a message to mark the Day of The African Child, that falls on June 16 each year, Mrs Akufo-Addo, said: “It is a poignant reminder to us of the horrors the African Child has encountered throughout history”.

“Whether in demanding better education, nutrition or any other necessities of basic living, the African Child should never have to feel threatened in wanting a better life,” she said.

While joining all well-meaning Africans in remembrance of the Day, the First Lady said the Rebecca Foundation would continue to work to ensure that it created “fighters and champions for the young ones.”

The Day was on the theme: “30 Years after the Adoption of the Charter: Accelerate the Implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for Children”.

It is commemorated annually to remember hundreds of South African children killed while protesting in Soweto on June 16, 1976.

Hundreds of over a thousand black schoolchildren in Soweto, who took to the streets to protest the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language, were shot down.

Within the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand injured.

Therefore to honour their courage and in memory of those who lost their lives, the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) established the Day of the African Child in 1991.

It is also used to draw attention to the lives of African children presently.

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, in 2016, established a 25-year Agenda, namely: “Agenda 2040: Fostering an Africa fit for Children”.

The main objective of the Agenda is to restore the dignity of the African Child through assessing the achievements and challenges for the effective implementation of the African Children’s Charter.

Source: GNA

Ritual Killing: AG Orders Police To Charge Kasoa Teenagers With Conspiracy, Murder

The Attorney General (AG) has directed the Police to charge the two teenagers who allegedly killed 11- year old Ishmael Mensah, at Kasoa, with conspiracy and murder.

Nicholas Kini and Eric Nyarko reportedly killed Mensah in April this year for ritual purposes at Lamptey Mills, near Kasoa.

Chief Inspector Ernest Agbo told Ofaakor District Court, “My Lord we have received the advice from the AG’s office directing the police to charge accused persons with the offences of conspiracy to commit crime to wit Murder and Murder.”

Chief Insp. Agbo said the Police had obtained the investigation charge statements from the teenagers and forwarded them to the AG for further directions.

“We are, therefore, waiting for bail of indictment and summary of evidence from AG’s office for same to be served on the accused persons for committal proceedings to commence,”he said.

Mr Samuel Attuah, defense counsel for the teenagers, said they were waiting for the AG so the trial could start as soon as possible.

Mr Attuah also stated that he had filed for bail for his client and the bail application was expected to be heard next week.

The matter has been adjourned to July 15.

The teenagers allegedly lured Mensah, their playmate, into an uncompleted building and smashed his head with a club and cement blocks, killing him instantly.

They, subsequently, buried him in the building. Police said the teenagers planned to recover the victim’s body later that night for money rituals.

The crime shocked the nation, sparking nationwide debate about parenting and charlatans who claim to make people rich.

Source: GNA

Country’s Policing Needs ‘Greater Reforms’ — Haruna Iddrisu

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has called for “greater reforms” of policing in the country in the wake of the murder of another policeman in the line of duty by armed men on Monday.

According to him, he has been reliably informed that many police officers were not sufficiently and adequately prepared to protect lives and property, which underscored the need for reforms.

He called for more community involvement and participation on the part of the police, and the provision of modern logistics as part of the reforms to enhance the work of the police.

“That is why I continuously share the view that as expensive as CCTV cameras would be, it would be the way to go into the future,” he said.

Book launch

Mr Iddrisu was speaking to journalists at the launch of a book titled: “My defining moments: A trip from the village to Parliament and beyond,” by a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah.

In the book, the former Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and South Tongu chronicles his life experiences from early childhood through to his adult life, capturing intriguing aspects of his life as a lawyer, journalist and politician.

Murder of policeman

Mr Iddrisu remarks comes on the back of the murder of Lands Corporal Emmanuel Osei of the National SWAT unit and an unidentified woman by suspected robbers who ambushed a vehicle carrying money at James Town, near Korle Bu in Accra on Monday.

The police said it had launched a grand security operation to hunt down the suspected robbers.

‘Breakdown of law and order’
 
Mr Iddrisu said the murder of another police officer showed that there was “gradual breakdown of law and order,” and blamed the government for not doing enough to guarantee the safety of police officers.

“The primary responsibility of the President is the safety and security of the citizens. If what we are reading is anything to go by, then we all must collectively express our disappointment at the Presidency and the handling of matters of personal safety and security,” he said.

He added: “When the police officer who needs to protect the state is not secure, then it leaves much to be desired.”

While extending his condolences to the bereaved family, Mr Iddrisu further called for calm and restraint in the country while the Minority pushed for reforms in the Ghana Police Service.

 

Source: graphiconline.com

C/R: Police officer’s vehicle ‘kills’ Ghana National Teacher

newmont ghana

A 31-year-old English tutor at the Ghana National College in the Cape Coast Metropolis has died after she was knocked down by a vehicle driven by a Police officer.

26-year-old Sheila Afful was struck by the vehicle at the entrance of the school, killing her instantly. The incident happened on Wednesday at about 11:00 am when Miss Afful was on her way to teach at the school.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue.

An eyewitness who spoke to Kasapa FM’s Yaw Boagyan said, the driver of the vehicle 27-year-old Police constable Eodia Adu Gyemfi stationed at Twifo-Praso, was descending from the hills when her Toyota Corolla Saloon car with registration number GG-4680-18 with one another person onboard lost control of the vehicle and landed on the deceased at the pedestrian path of the school’s gate after the car somersaulted several times.

The vehicle in the process also hit a motorcycle belonging to a security officer parked at the gate.

According to sources, the Police constable had gone to the school to visit her brother who is a student. The eyewitness added that the Police MTTD later towed the vehicle from the scene after the accident.

A family member of the deceased who pleaded anonymity described the deceased as a smart, intelligent, promising and determined woman who was pursuing her PhD programme at the University of Cape Coast.

The Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Mrs Irene Serwaah Oppong confirmed the story adding that investigations have begun

AG Saves State GH¢1.297bn In NDK Claim

Godfred Yeboah Dame

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, yesterday saved the country from paying a whopping GH¢1,297,985,310.26 as outstanding judgment debt to NDK Financial Services.

The private financial institution had filed claims to the effect that it was still entitled to more payments amounting to about GH¢1,273,000,000 as judgment debt flowing from a Supreme Court judgment.

But this position was vehemently opposed by the Attorney General who insisted that the state had made all outstanding payments to the firm and owes it nothing.

The AG had contended that as far as the government is concerned, it has already complied with the judgment of the Supreme Court, but NDK continues to make ‘unsubstantiated’ claims for more money.

Auditing

The Supreme Court in March 2019 then appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana – an accounting firm – to ascertain the veracity of the over GH¢1.27 billion claims being made by NDK Financial Services Limited against the government through the Ministry of Energy.

The state being represented by the Attorney General and the private firm were subsequently ordered by the court to prepare legal accounts for the auditing firm to work with.

PWC was expected to verify how much the state had been able to pay through the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and whether NDK was still entitled to more payments amounting to GH¢1,273,000,000 as judgment debt.

The parties in the matter complied with the orders of the court and PWC after its auditing, submitted its findings to the Supreme Court.

Judgment

A five member panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah and assisted by Justices Jones Dotse, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Sulemana Gbadegbe, as well as Nene Amegatcher, in a unanimous decision held that government only owed NDK Financial Services only GH¢14,689.75 and not the huge amount it claimed.

Justice Gbadegbe, now retired, had to come back to give his opinion because Article 145 (4) of the 1992 Constitution gives him six months to enable conclude cases he was handling prior to the date of retirement.

Government, the court held, is to pay only GH¢14,689.75 as outstanding debt with interest at the prevailing rate, starting from November 14, 2014, to the day of final payment.

The court said full reasons for its judgment would be ready at its Registry by June 4, 2021.

NDK Claims

The AG in 2019, had filed an application before the Supreme Court insisting that the government had fulfilled all financial obligations to NDK with regards to certain payments and interests based on the court’s order.

Then Deputy Attorney General Mr. Dame now AG, had told the court that “NDK through a process of categorising the judgment debt into ‘ascertained’ and ‘unascertained’ parts, has been persistently making claims for humongous sums from the applicant herein, albeit totally unjustified.”

Mr. Dame further argued that, “that in the view of the state implies the sum of GH¢867,441.5 plus interest at the agreed rate of 6.5% per month calculated at the close of each day and payable at the end of every month from  April 1, 2009 till the date of final payment.”

According to him, “payment of any sums made in contravention of the letters of undertaking cast a burden on the respondent to produce evidence of such payment in contravention of the letters of undertaking by the Ministry of Energy.”

However, Alfred Bannerman Williams, counsel for NDK, opposed the application which he said “seeks to truncate the execution of the court’s order.”

He also challenged the ‘inherent jurisdiction’ of the Supreme Court based on which the AG had filed the application.

Counsel was however, unable to tell the court how much money the state owed NDK, but said there were ‘unascertained’ payments.

It was on this basis that the court appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana, an accounting firm, to ascertain the veracity of claims made by NDK Financial Services Limited’s over GH¢1.273 billion claims against the government, and it was established that the private firm was entitled to only GH¢14,689.75 and not GH¢1,273,000,000 that was claimed.

State Ambulance Saga: Okoe-Boye Calls For Severe Punishment For Mechanic

A former Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, has called for severe punishment for the mechanic who was caught using a state ambulance to carry cement.
The former lawmaker for Ledzokuku told TV3 on Wednesday June 2 that the failure to punish such a person will serve as an incentive to others who are also handling the other ambulances to do same or even worse.

The National Ambulance Service has revealed that mechanics repairing their ambulance used it to purchase cement as was captured in a video that went viral on social media.

A statement issued on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, by the Ambulance Service said the incident happened on March 26, 2021.
 
“The Ambulance is still in the custody of Service Ghana Autogroup Ltd., and therefore not being used by the paramedics of the National Ambulance Service. It is thus not part of the National Ambulance Service Fleet”, the statement said.

The Public Relations Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Mr Simon Yusif Kawula in media interviews said “The investigation we did revealed that this particular ambulance was being used by the mechanics of the suppliers. It is an ambulance under the 1 Constituency 1 Ambulance, and it is stationed at Sege.


“This ambulance developed a gearbox problem, so it was sent to the suppliers, so they also gave it to their mechanics at Mamprobi called Nana Ofosu Gearbox enterprise. After they fixed the problem and were doing a test drive, they drove to the Mallam – Cape Coast highway, and that was when they went to purchase cement.

“It was not the staff of the Ambulance Service who were using the ambulance at that time, but rather the mechanics,” he explained.

Commenting on this development, Dr Okoe-Boye said “I wasn’t surprised when I saw this because if you know human nature people can be very reckless or indiscipline if there is no threats of punishment. I expect whichever garage the gentleman works with to sanction the individual who did this and the public must know that either he has lost his job or they have taken away that  contract of servicing.

 “If the whole company loses this contract because of the attitude of this guy  whichever company handles the other ambulances  will make sure that it is  strictly monitored  when it comes into their hands.

This is of one of the few instances that you realize that there are people in this country who don’t care  about what happens to the country, it is about them, they want to fix their home , they want to build their house  even if they have to use an ambulance to carry stones they don’t care.”

Source: 3news.com

Prioritize post coronavirus recovery agenda – Akufo-Addo to Envoys

Nana Addo Akufo Addo President Of The Republic Of GhanaASD

President Akufo-Addo has appealed to 21 newly commissioned Ambassadors and High Commissioners to familiarize themselves with his government’s post-coronavirus recovery agenda and to champion same at their various destinations and duty post.null

Addressing the newly commissioned Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Jubilee House after administering the Oath of Allegiance, Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy to them, President Akufo-Addo said the selection and appointment of the new Envoys have come at a time when the entire world has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic and are looking for the path to recovery.

Ghana, the President said has equally been hit by Coronavirus and the recovery of the nation should be the burden of members of the government which includes the Ambassadors and High Commissioners.

President Akufo-Addo stressed the fact that his government’s flagship programme, Obaatapa Cares and its main objectives must be the pivot around which the new Envoys ought to engage the rest of the world on behalf of Ghana.

The main elements of this programme (the Ghana Obaatapa cares) according to President Akufo-Addo, are; a. “Supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into commercial farming, b. Building the country’s line manufacturing sector, c. Developing engineering machine tools and digital economy industries, d. Fast-tracking digitalization, e. Developing Ghana’s housing and construction industry, f. Establishing Ghana as a regional hub, g. Reviewing and optimizing the implementation of government’s flagship and key programmes and h. Creating jobs for young people and expanding opportunities for the vulnerable in society”.

“Ambassadors and High Commissioners, you have to familiarize yourselves with this objective which are at the core of my second term mandate as they represent our surest way out of the pandemic and which will thrust Ghana back to the path of progress and prosperity”.

“Each one of you must help and contribute to the success of this programme by facilitating as much foreign investment into the country as you can” President Akufo-Addo admonished the envoys.https://530b461948aed5daef9b3143633e99ad.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

In a response to the President’s charge, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, on behalf of his colleagues assured the President that they will work extremely hard to help the recovery process of the country from the impact of coronavirus.

“We wish to assure that we will work assiduously to justify the confidence that you have reposed in us by our appointment and worthy representatives of Ghana”

The Envoys

The twenty-one Ambassadors and High Commissioners who were commissioned include: Ms. Khadija Iddrisu, High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Kwabena Okubi-Appiah, Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, Oheneba Dr. Lesley Akyaa Opoku-Ware, Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa (Rtd), Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Charles Asuako Owiredu, High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Francis Danti Kotia, Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mrs. Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Napoleon Abdulai, Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, and Mrs. Sylvia Naa Adaawa Annoh, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark.

The rest are Madam Barbara Akuorkor Benisa, High Commissioner to the Republic Of Malta, Ms. Alima Mahama (Hajia), Ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Yakubu Alhassan, High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia, Mr. Samuel Yaw Nsiah, Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Madam Christine Churcher, Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mr. Damptey Bediako Asare, High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, Alhaji Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mrs. Charis Obestebi-Lamptey-Zwennes, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr. Michael Ofori –Atta, Ambassador – At -Large, and Mr. Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi, Ambassador In Situ (Chief Of Protocol)

.Source: starrfm.com.gh