The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, says Ghana’s legislature will do what is best for the country in relation to the anti-gay bill which is currently before the House.
He told TV3’s Dzifa Bampoh in interview that the lawmakers will do what is appropriate regarding this bill.
Asked about his reaction to concerns that Ghana is likely to face sanctions from the international community if the bill is passed, he replied saying “Let us pass the bill, we will do what is appropriate. In our dealing with the international community the interest of Ghana withhold, we should consider the interest of Ghana, but the same constitution also says that we should also submit to international treaties.”
“That is why I am saying let us get there and I believe that ultimately, Parliament will do what is best for this country.,” the Suame Lawmaker said.
On this issue of the anti-gay bill, the Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh has told the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin that he acted inappropriately in his comments.
In the view of Prof Prempeh, the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament is supposed to serve as the referee and not a player in the matter.
Therefore, he said, a comment made by the Speaker to the effect that the bill was going to be passed smacks of impropriety on his part.
Mr Bagbin shared his views on the ongoing debate on homosexuality in Ghana and also on the antigay bill.
He said he is pro-life therefore parliament will pass the bill as soon as possible.
“Ghanaians have spoken with one voice. I sit here as Speaker of Ghana, I represent Ghanaians and the country Ghana. We have spoken with one voice that we don’t want anything to do with whatever things they add,” Mr Bagbin said in an earlier engagement.
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3/3FM on Saturday October 30, Prof Prempeh said “There is no question that from the beginning, even before the bill was laid the RT Honorable Speaker, a very good friend, had made promises about when the bill was going to be passed. This was completely out of order for a Speaker. Our speaker is not the Speaker of the House in the US, he is not Nancy Pelosi.
“Nancy Pelosi is a an elected member of congress, she votes, she participates in debates, that is their system so she can have an opinion about a bill, express it and do all kinds of things to enhance it, our speaker is not of that kind.
“Our speaker actually is like a referee, an umpire of debate in the house and it is quite unsavory for him to be the person promising when the bill will be passed and that it will be passed by all means. I think from the very beginning the Speaker has acted inappropriately in this matter. There is nothing special about this bill.”
The controversial anti-gay bill which is currently before parliament has already divided opinion in the Ghanaian public discourse.
While some, particularly the religious and traditional groupings, have supported the Bill and hopeful of its passing, others say it could incur the wrath of the international community against Ghana.
For instance, a private legal practitioner Mr Akoto Ampaw has said the way and manner the bill has been designed indicates the extremism of the mind frame that produced it.
He is totally against the bill and wants it abandoned.
“The fact that the bill goes to that extent of criminalizing somebody who is an intersex or criminalizing somebody who is asexual, this is a meaningless project, shows the extremism of the mind frame that produced that bill,” he said on TV3’s Key Points with Dzifa Bampoh on Saturday October 9.
He further said the current debate on homosexuals in Ghana is not about religious beliefs or numbers.
“First of all, I want to make the point clear that this debate is not about religious beliefs.
“Secondly, this debate is not about numbers. It is not lining up how many people support gays -30million, how many people are against gay – 2million, that is not the issue.
“The fundamental issue has to do with our constitution and rights .That is the basic issue that we have to address.”
He added “It is a bit gratifying that just recently the Majority leader in Parliament said that the matter will not be discussed on the basis of religious beliefs. I think that is a major step forward if that is how parliament is going to address this matter. It is a constitutional matter.”
The Bishops described the practice as abomination on the basis of scriptures in the Holy Bible.
“As a Church, we want this abominable practice made illegal in our country… The Bible, which is foundational to Christian beliefs and practices, condemns the practice,”
“Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered towards an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder…
“The Church rejects the unfounded and demeaning assumption that the sexual behaviour of homosexual persons is always and very compulsive and, therefore, they should not be blamed for their homosexual acts,” a statement they issued said.
It added “Nevertheless, according to the Church’s understanding of human rights, the rights of homosexuals as persons do not include the right of a man to marry a man or of a woman to marry a woman. For the Church, this is morally wrong and goes against God’s purpose for marriage. We should also point out that the European Court for Human Rights has ruled that same-sex “marriages” are not considered a human right, making it clear that homosexual partnerships do not in fact equal marriages between a man and a woman. The ruling was announced 9th June 2016 in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.”
Meanwhile, the dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Kofi Abotsi has said the debates for gay rights or criminalization in Ghana is unwinnable.
According to him, both sides are digging in and positions are becoming irrational and untenable.
“The debates for gay rights or criminalization is unwinnable! Both sides are digging in and positions are becoming irrational & untenable and this is crowding out good reasons and circumspection as lawmakers ponder the bill & it’s intents!” he said in a tweet on Thursday October 7.
The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.
Reading for the first time, a clerk in the legislative assembly stated that the Bill proscribes lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) and other related activities and propaganda or advocacy and promotion for same.
It also came to light that it supports protection for children and persons who are victims or accused of homosexuality.
Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah Amoako referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration.
“For the first time, it is referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report,” Mr Asiamah Amoako, who is also the MP for Fomena, directed.
The Chairman of the Pentecost Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fight Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI+) before he exits office.
He said although Mr Akufo-Addo has stated categorically that gayism and lesbianism will not be legalized under his watch, the President must begin to take measures to stop the gayism movement that has started in the country before he exits office.
“The church of Pentecost is 10.38 per cent of the Ghanaian population and we are against this LGBTQI+.
“Our concern is not about today, it is about the future. Today when we let in this LGBTI what is going to happen is that we are going to accept same sex marriage which the president says it is never going to happen at his watch.
“But if he allows LGBTQI to start, it is true that it is never going to happen at his watch but, by the time it gets to same sex marriage the president will not be the president of the nation. I agree with him but he should stop this, he should close the doors at where it matters and we are saying that he should close it now.
“This movement is an insult to God the creature, you are just telling God that he didn’t think enough,” he told journalists on Wednesday October 6.
The Church of Pentecost on Wednesday presented a memo to parliament in support of the steps taken to pass the anti-gay bill which is currently before the legislature.
The memo was presented to the lawmakers on Wednesday October 6
17 people are feared dead in an accident that occurred Monday dawn at Offinso Abofour in the Offinso South District of the Ashanti Region.
Sixteen others who sustained varying degrees of injuries are receiving treatment at St Patrick’s Hospital.
The accident involved a Sprinter Bus heading towards the Northern part of the country and had on board head porters numbering 31 and a Trailer loaded with logs travelling down south.
Preliminary investigations by the National Road Safety Authority indicate both drivers were tired and veered off from their lanes colliding head on.
Information gathered by TV3 has it that most of the casualties are children of the head porters.
One of the beneficiaries of the Nation Builders Corp (NABCo) has expressed frustration as to the way forward after the expiration of the programme on Sunday, October 31.
The programme was introduced in May, 2018 by the government as a stop-gap measure to solve the graduate unemployment conundrum in the country.
Contracts for the beneficiaries were to take three years with an assurance by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to make the programme permanent.
However, some organisations are yet to take a decision on the beneficiaries.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), for instance, has asked all NABCo trainees to proceed on two-week leave from Monday, November 1 in order “to plan and strategize on retaining trainees for the services of the Authority”.
Speaking on anonymity on TV3‘s New Day on Monday, November 1, a beneficiary with the ‘Educate Ghana’ module said he has been asked to continue teaching despite the expiration of the programme.
He told host Berla Mundi how he was prevailed upon by the Kumasi-based demonstration school to stay on for sometime for a firm decision from the secretariat.
He said not only him, but the head of the school also is confused.
“I am just confused,” he blurted out, complaining he does not know where his payment for the rest of the time will come from.
“Clearly, there is no payment of any fund or school fees at the primary school.”
‘Knee jerk approach’
On the promised continuation of the programme by President Akufo-Addo during the electioneering period in 2020, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) graduate said there was no planned approach to that promise.
“Career pathway was a knee jerk approach,” he said.
“It was because of elections.”
But also speaking on the programme, labour expert Benjamin Arthur commended the programme and said there will definitely be a transition in the coming days.
Citing the GSA case, he said: “If you understand employment language, it tells you that something is cooking.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has communicated to the Police his inability to release Member of Parliament for Madina Francis-Xavier Sosu to them as requested
The Police are seeking to arrest the lawmaker for allegedly partaking in a violent protest in his constituency.
But in a letter dated October 28, addressed to the Deputy-Director General of Criminal Investigation Division, F.K. Agyei, the Speaker indicated that due to limitations of Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Sosu cannot be released.h
“I am directed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker to inform you that proceedings of the 3rd Meeting of the 1st Session of the 8th Parliament commenced on Tuesday 26th October, 2021 and having regard to the limitations of articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic, he is unable to release the Member of Parliament as requested in your letter,” Deputy Director of Legal Services, Nana Tawiah Okyir wrote on behalf of the Clerk of Parliament.
Article 117 stipulates the immunity legislators enjoy.
It says “Civil or criminal process coming from any court or place out of Parliament shall not be served on, or executed in relation to, the Speaker or a member or the Clerk to Parliament while he is on his way to, attending at or returning from, any proceedings of Parliament.”
Article 118 also states; “neither the Speaker, nor a member of, nor the Clerk to, Parliament shall be compelled, while attending Parliament to appear as a witness in any court or place out of Parliament.”
The Speaker had earlier ruled on a complaint filed against the police by Sosu that “The committee will investigate the complaint and will submit a report to the house for the whole consideration of the matter.”
He added “I receive complaints. I receive information about police service personnel pursuing Members of Parliament on both sides of the house, and I have on a number of occasions intervened to talk to the authorities and to draw their attention to the law.”
“Members of Parliament have some special rights because of the peculiar nature of the position, functions, and duties of the Member of Parliamen.”
Sosu was seeking the police chief and others to be hauled before the privileges committee for contempt of parliament.
“The Police officers under the command of the said ACP Isaac Kojo Asante m, the regional operations commander and Eric Wilful the Divisional Commander of Adenta Aokobi led their boys to manhandle me and virtually held, me , humiliated me right in the presence of my constituents with whom we were demanding for better roads.”
He escaped police arrest on Monday, October 25 as he finished addressing protesters at Ayi Mensah.
The opposition MP had led some of his constituents to embark on a demonstration against deplorable roads in his constituency.
The demonstration started peacefully at Danfa around 6:00am but later saw demonstrators burning tyres and mounting roadblocks on the Ayi Mensah-Danfa Road.
TV3’s reporter Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alor said this action by the residents led to reinforcement from the police, whose Formed Police Unit (FPU) rushed to the scene with combat vehicles.
After he addressed the demonstrators, reiterating the power of the people over people in power, the MP came under attack from the police, who attempted to pick him up.
There was commotion as a result of the attempted arrest.
The demonstrating residents, however, resisted the police and vowed to fight back if their representative in Parliament is arrested.
The police then arrested one of the opinion leaders. He is said to be a chief of the area.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Sunday, 31 st October 2021, to lead Ghana’s delegation to the World Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP 26), being held from 31st October to 3rd November, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The COP26 Summit, which will be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders, will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
President will deliver a statement on Ghana’s position on Climate Change, as well as measures put in place to combat the threat it poses. He will also deliver three (3) separate statements on efforts Ghana is making to protects her forests and ocean, and participate in the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Summit, being held on the sidelines of COP 26.
Whilst in Glasgow, President Akufo-Addo will hold bilateral meetings with H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway; Hon. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta; Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Truss, MP, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; and Mr. Raphael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The President was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the Minister for Energy, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, MP; the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, MP; the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP; and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.
The President will return to Ghana on Thursday, 4 th November 2021, and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.
The committee has a week to investigate circumstances leading to a confrontation between the police and the military in Suame
A four-member committee has been set up to investigate clashes between the police and the military in Suame in the Ashanti Region on Friday (29 October).
“The committee has one week from Tuesday (2 November) to submit their report to enable the police administration and the military high command to determine the next line of action,” a joint statement from the police and the armed forces said.
The committee is made up of ACP Benjamin Osei Addai and ASP Ernest Kwofie of the Ghana Police Service and Colonel Jonathan Kumador and Lt. Col David Addo of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Below is the full statement:
What we know so far
The police in the Ashanti Region have confirmed that some soldiers attacked their personnel at the Suame police station on Friday (29 October) to release one of their colleagues who was arrested for riding an unregistered motorbike.
Staff sergeant Jamal Deen Mohammed who was in civilian cloth at the time of his arrest called his colleagues when he was allegedly manhandled by the police, a source told Asaaseradio.com.
A melee then ensued when the soldiers arrived to release their colleague in custody.
“A misunderstanding ensued between the soldiers and the police. The impasse was resolved after the intervention of the Ashanti Regional police commander and the commanding officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion in Kumasi,” a joint police and military statement said.
It added: “The Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces have commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and anyone found culpable will be dealt with administratively and according to law. The two security institutions are committed to a harmonious relationship and will not condone any proven act of wrongdoing of personnel
The Nations Builders Corps (NABCO) initiative which was launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 1st May, 2018 comes to end in this month of October 2021.
Mr Akufo-Addo while launching the programme was confident that by the time NABCO trainees exit scheme “the requisite work readiness skills and experience, often deemed a barrier to their employment as fresh graduates, would have been resolved.”
According to President Akufo-Addo, “NABCO will be the vehicle to deliver one hundred thousand (100,000) jobs in seven (7) prioritised areas, defined as the following modules: Educate Ghana; Heal Ghana; Feed Ghana; Revenue Ghana; Digitise Ghana; Enterprise Ghana; and Civic Ghana.”
Explaining the rationale for the establishment of the Corps, President Akufo-Addo noted that the grim story of youth unemployment had been a tragic part of the lives of Ghanaians for far too long in Ghana.
“I gave an indication that a new employment scheme will be launched to tackle the issue of the growing numbers of graduates exiting our tertiary institutions with no job placements in sight,” he said.
NABCO’s central focus, the President said, was create employment avenues and opportunities for young people who hold diplomas or degrees from accredited tertiary institutions, adding that “NABCO will enhance the dignity and self-esteem of our graduates, and will also present them with the added benefit of efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of some essential public services.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) has asked all trainees under the programme working with the authority to proceed on a two-week mandatory leave starting Monday November 1.
A notice signed by Douglas Nii Teiko Annan dated 29th October 2021 said “As part of the exit plan of the NABCO programme which ends this month, we write to inform all NABCO trainees to proceed on two weeks mandatory leave effective Monday 2021-II-1 to 2021-11-15.
“The Mandatory leave has become necessary for management in consultation with the National NABCO secretariat to plan and strategize on retaining trainees for the services of the authority
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah will on Sunday, October 31, 2021, host a live audio conversation on Twitter Spaces with young entrepreneurs to take feedback and inputs from them that will inform government policy directions as it prepares to present the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament in a fortnight time.
Dubbed “#ListenUp”, the Spaces is the first of its kind and will feature a host of young entrepreneurs coming together in a virtual space to deliberate around entrepreneurship, its prospects and how to resolve bottlenecks in business creation.
This follows an ongoing national conversation triggered by comments passed by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta during a recent graduation ceremony at the UPSA that the government’s payroll is full.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah who is himself an avid Twitter user will through his Twitter handle (@konkrumah) join young entrepreneurs to take inputs from them that will feed into government policy decisions for the future.
Listen Up is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Information and is expected to be an occasional platform for deepening engagement particularly feedback from the Ghanaian people.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana
The Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) High Command have commenced investigations into circumstances that led to the clash between officers of the two institutions in Kumasi on Friday October 29.
A joint statement issued by the Military Command and the Police said they had taken notice of an incident that happened in Kumasi, today, Friday, October 29, 2021, at about 10:00 am.
“The two institutions are committed to a harmonious relationship and will not condone any proven act of wrongdoing of personnel.
“we want to assure the general public of our unflinching commitment to peace , security and harmony in the country.”
ALLEGED ATTACK ON SUAME POLICE STATION BY MILITARY
THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE AND THE GHANA ARMED FORCES (GAF) HIGH COMMANDS HAVE TAKEN NOTICE OF AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN KUMASI, TODAY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021, AT ABOUT 10:00 AM. PIC.TWITTER.COM/HNNSF3MWNI— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) October 29, 2021
A an eyewitness said a non uniformed military officer was alegedly hit with a rifle by the police.
Report says the military officer who was riding an unlicensed motorbike was earlier stopped by the police but sped off.
The police is said to have chased him and hit him with the back of a rifle.
The military man who was not in uniform also called his colleague officers and they clashed with the police.
The skirmishes at the Suame police station created tension
A moving train has killed a 20-year old student, Stephen Ackon, at Nkotompo, a suburb of Sekondi in the Western Region.
The accident reportedly happened on Tuesday October 26 at around 7am when Stephen, a student of the Takoradi Technical Institute was on his way to school.
The Assembly man for Nkotompo, Anthony Ephraim told Connect fm that the deceased, a mechanical engineering student, was a resident of Nkotompo.
Meanwhile the Sekondi Takoradi metro National Disaster Management Organization director, James Obeng says their investigations reveal the deceased was partially deaf and may not have heard the sound of the approaching train resulting in the accident.
Former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah seems to have given up on Ghana’s development and the opportunity to create jobs under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The former retired soldier is worried that the majority of the youth are unemployed despite numerous promises by this Nana Akufo-Addo-led government to create jobs.
Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah who was discussing the excessive youth unemployment on NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’ expressed his disappointment in the current administration.
To him, Ghana has never experienced such privation for a very long time until recently.
“I have never seen Ghana as hard as this,” the former military capo said.
He said sooner or later the “desperate” youth will rise against government as seen in other African countries.
“The desperation is coming from so many areas,” he noted.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere Darko has questioned the decision of the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to make voting on the anti-gay bill which is currently before Parliament, public.
He asked where the Speaker would be if the Members of Parliament who voted for him to win the Speaker position had done so through public vote.
“My good friend Mr Speaker must first ask himself where would he have been today if MPs didn’t have a secret ballot on Jan 6?”He asked in a tweet.
The Speaker Alban Bagbin had said that the sitting of the committee on the anti-gay bill which is currently before the House will be made public.
In his opening remarks as Parliament reconvened on Tuesday October 27, he said, “the seating of the Committee will be public and the decision of this House will be public. We will want to know where each Member of Parliament comes in.
“I know Ghanaians are expectant and there are over hundred petitions before the Committee of Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. But we will try not allow any Filibustering of this bill. Because it is not only Africa, the whole-world is looking for the outcome of this bill.”
“In fact, it has assumed some different dimensions. For me, this is healthy for a maturing democracy like Ghana. It is important we allow various shapes of opinions to canvass their position on the bill. As Ghanaians, I want to plead that we accommodate the views of others on whatever perception they have and let’s maintain the peace that we have.
“It is a law that will take into consideration the richness of common sense, human decency, morality, fact and logic. At the end of the day it will be a law that will transform this country into something else,” he added.
This directive attracted criticisms from some Ghanaians including private legal practitioner, Mr Akoto Ampaw.
In the view of Mr Ampaw, the Speaker’s directive had nothing to do with Parliamentary procedure.
Rather, he asserted, it is meant to let the majority of Ghanaians who are opposed to homosexuality to use it as a benchmark for voting in the next general elections.
He said “It is for Members of Parliament to decide whether or not the Bill will be passed. I am sorry to say that this is a bait by the Speaker that everybody votes in public so that Ghanaians will see whether they stand. It is a political bait.
“It is not a legislative process. So that the vast majority of Ghanaians who are opposed to homosexuality , as the CDD survey suggest, will use this as a benchmark for political elections, it has nothing to do with the constitutionality of the bill.”
The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.
Reading for the first time, a clerk in the legislative assembly stated that the Bill proscribes lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) and other related activities and propaganda or advocacy and promotion for same.
It also came to light that it supports protection for children and persons who are victims or accused of homosexuality.
Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah Amoako referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration.
“For the first time, it is referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report,” Mr Asiamah Amoako, who is also the MP for Fomena, directed.
The controversial bill has already divided opinion in the Ghanaian public discourse.
While some, particularly the religious and traditional groupings, have supported the Bill and hopeful of its passing, others say it could incur the wrath of the international community against Ghana
The Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has announced that the Finance Minister will, on November 17, 2021, present the 2022 budget before Parliament.
He made this known while presenting the business of the House for their third sitting of the Eight Parliament today, Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
He described the third sitting as a budget sitting since, after the presentation, they would be going on recess on December 17, 2021, for the Christmas and New Year break.
He also revealed that some 58 bills have been advertised for consideration before the House.
He said the House would not have enough time to consider all the bills before the budget presentation.
He, therefore, urged the Ministers and various committees to be very proactive in the advertised bills and begin to work towards them so when they present it before the House, MPs will deliberate on them expeditiously.
”Mr. Speaker, this meeting, is a budget meeting. The budget is going to be introduced, on November 17, 2021, and exactly one month after the introduction of the budget, Parliament will proceed on recess December 17, 2021. What it means is that we have very little time at our disposal.”
He said Parliament should spend at least eight weeks interrogating the budget, but they don’t have the luxury of time for that since they would be limited to four weeks.
He asked the various committees to work with the various ministries on their allocations for the budget diligently so it would not be difficult for the House to approve the budget.
The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) has banned the use of tricycles, popularly known as Pragya, in the municipality.
Speaking at the Assembly’s third general meeting, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Kojo Acquah, disclosed that the decision forms part of efforts at ensuring the safety of residents.
He noted that most of the Pragya riders are below the age of 18 years and do not have the necessary insurance cover.
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metro and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality have been hailed by visitors to the Western Region as the only areas without the tricycles on the roads.
As part of efforts to reduce the rate of accidents on the roads while ensuring the safety residents, a ban has been placed on the use of Pragya to prevent its use in the greater Sekondi-Takoradi area.
Mr. Acquah emphasized that the Assembly will confiscate any Pragya that will be seen operating in the Municipality.
He cautioned the residents to comply or face the consequences, adding that no one will be spared.
In another development, the Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Dr Prince Hamid Armah, says he will continue leveraging on his position and influence to improve the lives of his people.
According to him, his electoral victory in the 2020 election was hinged on the message of an integrated plan of development that addresses the gap in skills, jobs and infrastructure in a meaningful and sustainable way and that is what he intends to do.
He disclosed that his office together with the MCE has secured scholarships for more than 200 students at the various levels of education and a fully funded international scholarship for a Kwesimintsim indigene, who left Ghana last week to study in the United Kingdom.
Another thousand persons have been enrolled in entrepreneurial training in different programmes involving digital skills and vocational training.
He said he intends improving social infrastructure such as football fields and durbar grounds and building a health post as well as equipping all CHPS compounds by the close of 2022.
Nana Akufo-Addo wants the Police Council’s full backing in the Inspector General of Police’s quest to reform the service
The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the Governing Council (Police Council) of the Ghana Police Service to do everything within its mandate to support the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the police administration to build a professional and a world class service.
The Police Council is a constitutional body that derives its mandate directly from the 1992 Constitution of the Republic. Article 203 clauses one to three of the 1992 Constitution spells out the mandate of the Governing Council of the Ghana Police Service.
Constitutional mandate
Article one (1) says, “the Police Council shall advise the President on matters of policy relating to internal security, including the rule of the Police Service, budgeting and finance, administration and the promotion of officers above the rank of Assistance Commissioner of Police.
Two (2), the Police Council may, with the prior approval of the President, by constitutional instrument, make regulations for the performance of its functions under this Constitution or any other law and for the effective and efficient administration of the Police Service.
Three (3), regulations made under clause (2) of this article shall include regulations in respect of – (a) the control and administration of the Police Service; (b) the ranks of officers and men of each unit of the Police Service, the members of each rank and the use of uniforms by the members; (c) the conditions of service including those relating to the enrolment, salaries, pensions, gratuities and other allowances of officers and men; (d) the authority and powers of command of officers and men of the Police Service; and (e) the delegation to other persons of powers to discipline person and the conditions subject to which delegations may be made.
Charge by president
Addressing the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Ghana Police Service after administering the oath of secrecy and the official oath to them in Accra on Tuesday (26 October), Akufo-Addo said his government is determined to ensure that the Police Council succeeds, “to help guarantee that we have a police service that the people of Ghana deserve”.
“I want to encourage the Police Council to provide the requisite strategic direction to the Police Service that will with the support of other security agencies within our national security architecture, help consolidate peace and security in the country.
“I have deep confidence in you members of the Council, to meet the expectations of Ghanaians. I believe strongly that in you, we can help create a society governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. The Police is at the frontline of this enterprise,” Akufo-Addo said.
Chairperson of the council
In his response, the Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, chairperson of the Police Council, noted that the governing council will work very hard to make the Ghana Police Service one of the best in Africa.
“Police professionalism over the years has been a major issue for the police administration to grapple with. It is refreshing that the IGP has started rolling out a number of policies and strategies to regain public confidence.
“We want to assure His Excellency and the good people of this country that we will consistently support the IGP and the police administration to consolidate these gains,” Dr Bawumia said.
Members of the Council
Ambrose Dery, Minister of the Interior, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Godfred Yeboah Dame, Minister for Justice and Attorney General, and Bram-Larbi Kwaku Esq. member of the Ghana Bar Association, are members of the Council.
The other members are Commissioner of Police (COP) Joseph Boakye Appiah (retired), representing the Officers Association, ACP Faustina Agyeiwaa K. Andoh-Kwofie, Ghana Police Service (Senior Rank), INSPR Felix Essuman, Ghana Police Service (Junior Rank), Hadih A. Bin Salih, president’s nominee and Madam Cecilia Eguakun, president’s nominee
The Electoral Commission (EC) is calling on the Ghana Police Service to immediately initiate investigation into allegation made by former President John Dramini Mahama that the Commission thumb printed one million ballot papers in favour of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo in the 2020 presidential election. ×
According to the EC, it was in the public interest for the police to initiate full-scale investigation that would subject Mr Mahama strict proof to substantial the allegations over electoral padding.
The Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, Dr Eric Bossman Asare, who addressed the media, at the Let the Citizens Know series held in Accra Monday October 25, 2021 described the claim by the former President as “false and untrue” explaining that an investigation into the matter would help to maintain public confidence in the country’s electoral process.
“The former President has said the EC thumbprinted one million ballot papers for the President of the Republic. This is untrue; and it is a great matter that undermines the credibility of the electoral system and should not be ignored.
“We see that our silence on this matter has dire consequences on public confidence in the Commission, and we want the police to investigate it,” he requested.
On another claim by the former President that the military was used to influence the election results, the EC categorically denied that claim; rejecting the scoring of the EC’s performance in 2020 elections as the worst in the country’s electoral history.
Dr. Bossman Asare further noted that the EC cannot be blamed for the violence in Techiman South as claimed by John Mahama.
It would recalled that the former President Mahama made the allegations at various fora during his “Thank You tour” of the country claiming that the EC stole the election for the incumbent and NPP candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Read the full response by the Electoral Commission below:
LET THE CITIZEN KNOW 25-10-2021 Updates on the 2020 elections and responses to some allegations Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the Press.
The Electoral Commission is very grateful for the support you continually provide in the dissemination of its programs to the good people of our dear country. More especially, we applaud you for your display of professionalism during the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Indeed you helped the Commission to demystify all the processes in the elections from the registration of voters to the declaration of the results in all the 275 parliamentary elections and the presidential election.
This edition of Let the Citizen Know is aimed at providing an update on the 2020 elections and addressing a number of allegations that have been leveled against the Commission by the Former President who led the NDC in the 2020 presidential election. I will begin by providing a brief overview of the 2020 Elections.
Let me state that the 2020 elections have been hailed globally as transparent and successful for the orderly and efficient manner they were conducted in spite of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The elections began with the replacement of an entire biometric voter management solution-the software and the hardware comprising Biometric Verification Devices and Biometric Voter Registration kits. It took the Commission only six months to conduct the entire electoral process from the preparation of a new biometric register on the 30th of June to the declaration of results on the 9th of December, 2020. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic and yet the entire process came off without a hitch.
In spite of the projections of the spread of COVID-19 and deaths there was no spread of the virus. This was due to the stringent safety practices put in place by the by the EC. In all our 38,622 polling stations across the country, there was sufficient supply of PPEs throughout the entire electoral cycle. We were able to register more than 17million people in just 38 days despite projections of apathy and low turnout due to the pandemic.
We ensured that our registration centers were placed at the doorstep of all eligible Ghanaians making it possible for any person who so desired to do so.
The recent 2021 Population and Housing Census have confirmed the effectiveness of our registration process. Out of a population of 30.8 million, 17 million plus were registered. This represents 55% of the population and puts Ghana ahead of all the ECOWAS countries except Cape Verde which has a population of less than 1 million. The average registered voters in ECOWAS countries is 40%. So Ghana has done well. Note that the registration took place in the midst of COVID-19.
To demystify the operations of the Commission and in the spirit of transparency and accountability, we organized weekly engagements with the citizens under the platform Let the Citizen Know. For the first time in our history Commissioners themselves provided regular updates directly to the citizens. As a result, the secrecy and suspicion that characterized our work was reduced. This helped build confidence in our processes and reduced the tension that surrounded our work and elections.
For example, during the registration, the Commission provided regular figures on demographics to Ghanaians such as male/female ratio, youth, PWDs etc-So transparent was our process that anyone could on a weekly basis calculate the number of registered voters across board. This was not the case previously.
Again, in spite of the fact that this was an entirely new register, there were no incidents of missing names on elections day unlike previous elections when people went to the polling stations but could not find their names. The presidential candidates of the two major parties also attested to the effectiveness of the registration exercise.
For the first time in our history we were able to reduce the cost of elections per voter from $13.34 in 2016 to $ 7.70 in 2020 and saved over GHS 500 million or $90 million at a time when the cost of elections the world over was rising. The savings were made in spite of the purchase of huge numbers of COVID-19 items which were in no short supply in all the 38,622 polling stations and in spite of the fact that unlike in 2016 we paid full taxes on all our items. It is important to note that we also created an additional 10,000 polling stations.
This was achieved through prudent procurement processes which favored open, competitive tender rather than single and restrictive sourcing.
Again, for the first time, the elections were fully funded by the government of Ghana with no donor support.
Yet another first, we did not experience the long queues at our 38,622 polling stations as in previous elections. By 1pm most centers were near empty as voters had already voted well before the 5pm deadline. Again, for the first time in our history, there were no shortages of materials anywhere in all the 38,622 polling stations. Even in advanced cities such as Berlin, in Germany, in a recent election, materials run out leading to delays.
Again we reduced the voting time from 10-12 minutes to 3-5 minutes.
Furthermore, we declared the results in a record 48 hours.
We created another layer of transparency and scrutiny by creating the Regional Collation Center. This enabled all the Party Agents to verify constituency presidential results for the second time before signing and forwarding them to the National Collation Center. We are reliably informed that the Agents at the RCC were professionals. NDC, for example, had seasoned lawyers at the RCC throughout the country.
It is important to note that that the introduction of the facial verification in addition to the verification of the fingerprints significantly reduced the percentage of manual verification. Previously this was a source of concern to the Commission. Of the over 13.4 million persons who voted, more than 99.9% were verified through either fingerprint or facial recognition biometric verification. An indication the Commission took the right decision to introduce the facial recognition feature to our verification process. Nationally only 11,050 people were manually verified. We are determined to ensure this statistically insignificant figure is further reduced in future elections.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this in a nutshell provides the significant developments of the 2020 elections.
Distinguished citizens, in the last few weeks Former President Mahama has made a number of allegations against the EC and the 2020 elections. As Officials charged with the responsibility of conducting elections in Ghana, we owe it a duty to provide Ghanaians with the facts and the truth about the elections and the allegations raised. We are of the view that our silence on these false allegations could have dire consequences as it could undermine citizens’ confidence our dear country.
The Former President has said the EC thumb printed 1million ballots in favor of the president. This is untrue. This is a grave matter that undermines the credibility of our electoral process and should not be ignored. We call on him to provide evidence to support his claim. This is not a matter to be ignored and we call on the Ghana Police Service to investigate this.
The Transparency of our process makes it totally impossible for this to happen. At the polling stations, prior to the start of the elections, the empty ballot boxes are opened and displayed in the presence of everyone, and thereafter they are sealed. There are serial numbers on the ballot papers for each region and constituency. This is made known to the Agents before the elections.
Our ballot papers also have security features; so any trace of new material will be clearly visible.
Again, at the end of the poll, the ballots cast are crosschecked against the voters who were verified and issued the ballot papers. This ensures that over-voting is detected immediately. Nationwide, we had no issue with over-voting at all our 38,622 polling stations except in Savelugu in the parliamentary election where there was one and I repeat one over-voting. The transparency of our processes from the beginning to the end makes this impossible. Ballot Stuffing cannot be done-it is impossible. We call on the Former President in the interest of our democracy to provide evidence of the stuffing of the ballot boxes by the EC.
The Police should investigate this as a matter of urgency due to its potential to derail and undermine our democracy, and lead to a lack of confidence in our systems and processes.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the former President has alleged that the Military influenced the declaration and announcement of the elections results. This is also false. It never happened.
Nowhere did the Military influence the declaration and announcement of results. It is not true. The 2020 processes were widely participatory. The media, local and international observers all participated in the elections.
The results declared and announced at all the polling stations and collation centers were a true reflection of the will of the people.
The Media and Observers also picked their data right from the ground directly from the 38,622 polling stations and the collation centers and the results were no different from what the EC declared. To buttress the fact that the results were a reflection of the will of the people, it is important to indicate that all the major networks-Peace FM, UTV, Adom FM/TV, Joy News/FM, Kessben, Sky, GBC, Atinka Media collated their own results and it was the same as what the EC declared. These networks called the election for the President before the EC declared. The parallel voter tabulation employed by CODEO also confirmed the results declared by the EC. We call on the good people of Ghana to disregard this allegation of the military influencing the declaration and announcement of results as it is false and untrue.
In the interest of our democracy we call on the Former President to provide evidence of where the influence by the Military occurred.
We have also noted that the Former President has called the 2020 elections the worst elections. We refute his scoring. The good people of Ghana who experienced our processes are the best judges.
Their testimonies on social media demonstrated that Ghanaians were highly satisfied. Additionally, the 2020 elections have been hailed locally and globally as highly transparent, fair, credible, and inclusive.
World over, scientific methods are used to measure the success or otherwise of elections. International and Local Observers who used scientific, internationally-acceptable methods to measure the quality of elections have confirmed that the elections were transparent, credible and highly successful. It is not a wonder that the internationally recognized EU International Observer Mission which has a track record of elections observation scored the 2020 elections 95%.
Once again, we refute the ranking giving by the former president and state that, on the basis of scientific evidence the 2020 elections would go down as the best in the history of this country. It will be important to note the scientific tools used by the Former President to reach his conclusion.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, once more, the former president has accused the EC of being responsible for the violence that took place at Techiman. We state for the records that the violence was not caused as a result of the EC or its staff. More importantly, the EC is not responsible for security as the former President sought to portray. Nowhere in our laws or in the Constitution is security one of the functions of the EC. To lay the security lapses at the doorstep of the EC is unfortunate.
While we sympathize with the family members of the deceased, we reject any attempt to associate the violence with us. Again we call on the former president in the interest of our democracy to provide evidence that the EC orchestrated the violence.
In Techiman, for example, one of the radio stations asked the townsfolk to go to the Collation Center to protect the ballot for the NDC parliamentary candidate. This is what led to the chaos that ensued at the Collation Centre. Our Regional and District Officials indicated that but for the presence of the Security personnel they would probably not be here today. In Savelugu the violence occurred at the police station. None of them had anything to do with the conduct of our officials.
Therefore, to blame the EC for the violence portrays a deliberate attempt to malign and impugn on the integrity of the Commission. Whiles we collaborated with the security agencies under the platform of the Elections Security Taskforce, our responsibility was to conduct the elections and we did that creditably.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the Former President has also said the elections were fraudulent. This is not true. The elections were fair, transparent, and credible which have been attested to by local and international observers and the General Secretary of the NDC.
After the declaration of the results, the NDC initially challenged the elections by stating that the elections were rigged and that they had won. But they went to the Supreme Court alleging no one had won. However, throughout the proceedings at the court, they were not able to provide any pink sheet to support their claim of fraudulent elections.
In the full glare of Ghanaians when the General Secretary of the NDC was asked about the figures to support the Petitioner’s claim that no one won the election, he said they did not come to challenge the validity of the results.
When the General Secretary was also asked to tabulate the results during cross-examination he confirmed that the President actually won the presidential election with more than 50% plus 1 of the votes.
The two main political parties had at least two agents at all the polling stations representing the interests of their presidential and parliamentary candidates. The Commission did not receive any reports from the Party Agents complaining of fraud by the EC
As the saying goes, he who alleges must provide the proof. The NDC had this fine opportunity to provide evidence to support their claim of rigged elections.
They failed to do so. They did not provide a single pink sheet as earlier stated.
Finally, we have on several occasions heard the former President state that the Chairperson has been running away from accountability. This is false. The EC is an institution. As such for the Former President to equate the entire institution to the Chairperson is an attempt to malign her and cause disaffection for her. As an institution we account to the good people of Ghana through the Special Budget Committee of Parliament and we have done so. And we report regularly. We do not account to individuals. We do not account to presidential candidates. The Constitution does not permit that. For the information of the public, before and after the elections the EC Officials held meetings with the Special Budget Committee for our stewardship. We continue to do this. Furthermore, the Supreme Court is not the platform for the EC to account to the people of Ghana. As far as elections are concerned the Supreme Court is a court for settling presidential election dispute as stated in Article 63 (3) of the 1992 Constitution. That is why the Former President took us to court.
After the evidence adduced by the three witnesses of the Petitioner, it became evident the Petitioner had no credible evidence to support his claim. Indeed the General Secretary of the NDC said they did not come to court to challenge the validity of the election. In fact there was no single evidence to support their claim that no one won the presidential election. Our Lawyers were of the view that the witnesses had not provided credible evidence during cross-examination on which the Chairperson could be cross-examined. In their view there was no need to respond, and they asked the Court to decide the matter based on the evidence adduced by the Petitioner’s Witnesses.
Ghanaians watched the proceedings and saw that the Petitioner and his witnesses did not tender any evidence. as the General Secretary in an answer to a Judge as to the figures they brought to court to make their case said they did not come to court with any figures neither did they come to challenge the validity of the results.
In any case where a person goes to court and accuses another person of wrongdoing and the person accused chooses not to respond shouldn’t the Accuser go home a happy person? In conclusion on this subject, we wish to state that the EC is mindful of its obligations to account for its stewardship to the good people of Ghana through Parliament. We will continue to do so.
We will continue to provide you with the facts and truth on all our activities and we entreat you all to work to defend our democracy. Lastly, we will not watch persons tear down our institution for no legitimate or just cause.
The Commission is concerned about the attempt to undermine and malign the state institution that has been provided with the Constitutional mandate to conduct elections. The EC is an important vehicle in our democratic process. It is a key institution of democracy. The Commission does not determine and cannot determine who win elections in Ghana; the people of Ghana do.
The Electoral Commission has never wavered in its belief that a great work was done in 2020. This has been corroborated by Ghanaians across all walks of life
The Supreme Court has in a 4:3 majority decision reinstated Justice Clemence Honyenuga, a Supreme Court Judge sitting as an additional High Court judge to continue hearing the case of former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, Stephen Opuni who is standing trial for causing over GHc217 million financial loss to the state.××
This follows the decision of the court to grant an application for review filed by the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who challenged an earlier decision of the court to take the judge off the case on grounds of bias.
Dr. Opuni had applied to the Supreme Court to take Justice Honyenuga off the case on ground that he will not be given the opportunity to defend himself as the trial judge was bent on sending him to jail.
The ordinary bench in a 3:2 majority had granted the application and prohibited the trial judge from further hearing the case.
But the the Attorney General in a motion for review argued that the decision of the ordinary Bench contained multiple fundamental flaws which occasioned substantial miscarriage of justice.
He said the ruling will occasion irreparable damage to the Republic in the substantive trial if the errors committed by the ordinary Bench are not corrected.
Samuel Codjoe, counsel for Dr. Opuni opposed the application arguing that it did not meet the threshold for invoking the review jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
He further argued that the AG was rehashing its old argument, adding that the court was right in prohibiting the trial judge and prayed it to uphold the majority decision.
The court in a 4:3 majority granted the review application and reinstated Justice Honyenuga to continue hearing the case, indicating that their reasoned ruling would be made available by close of Friday.
Justices Jones Dotse, Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey and Gertrude Torkonoo formed the majority while Justices Gabriel Pwamang, Agnes Dordzie and Amadu Tanko dissented
Information reaching KWESI TV 24 indicates that the Accra Area Manager of the Ghana Railways Company Limited, Ing. Michael Asante, has died from a train accident.
According to reports, he lost his life when a moving train run over him.××
The unfortunate inside happened when he together with his management members were on an inspection tour of the Accra-Nsawam rail line.
According to the report, he was standing in the outer frontage of the train when they saw a naked electric wire across the route around Pokuase.
In an attempt to avoid being entangled by the wire, he jumped off the moving train, and was overrun by the train.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has told newly confirmed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives that it continues to be a “good time to be in charge of districts, municipal and metropolitan areas”, as they have the opportunity to transform their local economies, and preside over the creation of jobs for the Ghanaian people.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the local area is the target for all the programmes we set forth by his government in 2017, programmes that continue to be implemented for the growth and transformation of the Ghanaian economy.
“‘Planting for Food and Jobs’, ‘One Million Dollar One Constituency”, “One District One Factory”, and “One Village One Dam” and “Agenda 111” policy initiatives, like all the other innovative introductions to the economy, are all very much local initiatives… The challenge is, thus, for all areas to take advantage of these programmes to develop your localities,” he said.
While admonishing the MMDCEs to be minded of the fact that all government initiatives at the local level come within their purview, whether initiated by them or not, he stressed that “the argument that you are not aware of, or are not responsible for government initiatives in your localities, will not wash with me”.
He continued, “You have to familiarise yourself with everything, whether of your making or not. A Chief Executive, who is indifferent or unaware of government activities in his or her area, is not a suitable Chief Executive… Be reminded, however, that I will not hesitate to ‘disappoint’ any MMDCE who does not live up to expectations.”.
President Akufo-Addo urged the MMDCEs to acquaint themselves with all the relevant laws, and work in close collaboration with their Assemblies, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, religious leaders and other key stakeholders in their localities, urging them further to ensure that the Assemblies function effectively and efficiently, especially in the sub-structures.
In reminding the MMDCEs of the chain of command, he stressed the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Botwe, Kwaku Botwe, has oversight responsibility for decentralisation implementation and local government.
In addition, President Akufo-Addo indicated that: “Regional Ministers are required to monitor and evaluate the performance of MMDCEs in their Regions, and submit periodic reports to the President about them. I, therefore, expect you to accord Regional Ministers all their due respect, as they are the President’s representatives in the Regions”.
While imploring them to be careful and tactful in managing issues of intelligence and security, the President requested that all MMDCEs, in accordance with the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998, (Act 550), (Schedule 1 (V)), should, within three (3) months of assuming office, declare their assets.
This exercise, he indicated, will be monitored, especially as “it is important that the Ghanaian people understand that, for us, public service is exactly that, public service, not personal gain.”
On the matter of the election of MMDCEs, the President noted that there is nothing to fear in the direct election of Chief Executives, as it will, on the contrary, should lead to a deepening of democracy and better accountability.
“My Government and I will continue to work for a broad, national consensus on this issue, and should such a consensus be attained for the repeal of article 55(3) of the Constitution, and an agreement reached for political parties to participate in and sponsor candidates for election to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, at any point during my tenure of office as President of the Republic, the matter will be brought again back to the front burner of our public discourse for the necessary action,” President Akufo-Addo stated
The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has announced the sudden demise of its President, Torgbor Mensah, whose sad event occurred on Saturday, October 23.
A statement issued by Vice President Mansa Amoa-Awuah on Monday, October 25 said the sudden demise of Mr Torgbor Mensah, who was re-elected AAG President in 2020, “is a monumental loss to the AAG and the entire advertising fraternity worldwide, for which he was Colossus”.
From a graphic designer, Mr Tee, as he was affectionately called, rose to become the “doyen of the advertising industry in Ghana and indeed Africa”.
He was first elected President of the Association in 2018 and held the position until his demise.
He was also the President of the Ghana Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and in October last year was appointed its Vice President, Corporate Member Development-Africa.
He was also in April selected as a member of the juror for the 2021 Cannes Lions awards outdoor.
Mr Tee was widely known as the brain behind DDP Outdoor Limited, Ghana’s biggest outdoor advertising company with affiliations across Africa.
He was instrumental in the process to see the passing of the Advertising Council Bill, which is still before Parliament, and his passion for Accra and indeed the development of local assemblies saw him supporting the Make Greater Accra Work Again campaign by regional minister Henry Quartey.
Leadership and members of AAG will pay a courtesy call on his family on Tuesday after which a book of condolence will be open at the Secretariat the following day for all sympathisers.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has met leaders of the various religious groups in Ghana over the latter’s activities within the remit of the laws of the country.
The meeting was held on Monday, October 25 at the police headquarters.
It was moderated by Professor Margaret Ivy Amoakohene, a member of the Council of State, with lawyers Ace Ankomah and Sampson Lardy Anyenini as resource persons.
After the meeting, the Acting Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, said there was a consensus between the two parties on the matters of the law and religion.
“There was that sort of mutual discussion and respect for each other and all is based on how the churches might conduct their operation and activities, taking into account the position of the law,” ACP Kwesi Ofori told journalists.
“Of late, we have witnessed so many challenges, limitations and things that call for dialogue and I can say that we have agreed and key among the issues discussed is education and law enforcement.”
On his part, the immediate past Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, who is also the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church-Ghana, was satisfied with the discussions.
“. . .We pray that it will go on so that we can have sanity, discipline, in our nation and all of us as Ghanaians will be happy for it”.
In an attempt to restore order at the James Town Fire Training Centre of the Ghana National Fire Service, where the current recruitment into the Service is ongoing, personnel had to resort to what they termed as ‘minimum force’ to ensure discipline at the centre.
On Tuesday morning, there was near-chaos when thousands trooped to the venue to get screened into the Service.
A potential recruit who claimed she got to the venue at 1:00am on Tuesday explained to 3FM Sunrise host Alfred Ocansey that “they were proving stubborn”.
“They asked them to push back and they refused so they used the baton to push them back to instill discipline in them and in the place.”
She added: “I got here at 1am and around that time, there were about five hundred people in the queue”.
“They are sitting on the ground because there is no chair so they asked us to sit on the ground. They asked some of us to pick rubbers and sachet”.
The potential recruit continued: “I spent time in a guest house and came back at 1am. I don’t have a number. I am just in the queue and they are now attending to those who they could not attend to”.
Pollster and Editor of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper, Ben Ephson, has challenged former President John Mahama to seek redress at the Supreme Court (SC) if he found any electoral malpractice in the just ended 2020 General Elections.
According to him, the stuffing of ballot boxes in order to win elections cannot work in the current electoral dispensation hence former President Mahama can go to court if he has any evidence.
“The EC is not perfect; I am saying that John Mahama is using the wrong route to force the EC, that is what I’m saying. If you are really focused, you said this and you petitioned this and the EC is not minding you. Go to where the EC will fear when the order is given or do you want to continue saying it is an attempt to say that the EC didn’t do his job? No, you are being reckless.
“If the EC is being irresponsible, go to the Supreme Court to make him responsible, that is my point,” Ben Ephson told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday.
The Electoral Commission has rejected claims by former President Mahama that the 2020 election was rigged in favour of President Akufo-Addo.
According to the commission, they are ready to welcome a police probe into the claims of Mr. Mahama.
“The former President has said the EC thumb printed one million ballot papers for the President of the Republic. This is untrue, and it is a great matter that undermines the credibility of the electoral system and should not be ignored.
“We see that our silence on this matter has dire consequences on public confidence in the Commission, and we want the police to investigate it,” Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, Dr Eric Bossman Asare said at a press conference on Monday.
Mr Mahama has described the 2020 polls as the worst election in Ghana’s history.
According to him, the election was marred by numerous irregularities which are unprecedented in the history of the country.
“2020 was Ghana’s worst election. If I was marking her, I would have given her an F. She is marking her own paper after the examination so she can give herself any mark she likes,” the former President who was flag bearer of the NDC in the 2020 polls told Cape FM in during his ‘Thank you tour
Five people have met their untimely death in a gory accident on Dominase to Mankessim road in the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region.
The accident occurred Saturday between a fully loaded taxi cab and a trailer.
Information gathered by EIB Network’s Central Regional Correspondent, Yaw Boagyan indicates that the speeding trailer somersaulted while negotiating a sharp curve following which the taxi rammed into it leading to the instant death of the five onboard the taxi.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The trailer driver and his mate who sustained injuries are receiving treatment at the Saltpond Government hospital.
Police have commenced investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident
President Akufo-Addo thinks the implementation of by-laws and logistics alone cannot solve the insanitary conditions in the country.
Rather he believes attitudinal change will help rewrite the narrative to a large extent.××
He has therefore called on his fellow countrymen to change their attitude to rid the country of filth.
This was when he launched the Operation ‘Clean Your Frontage’ in Accra on Friday.
Operation ‘Clean Your Frontage’ is part of the “Let’s Make Greater Accra Work” transformational agenda that seeks to mobilise and empower all urban actors to practically and sustainably respond to the region’s waste management and sanitation challenges.
It is also intended to create opportunities for sustainable urban and economic growth in the context of enhanced security, clean and green environment, public private partnerships and good urban governance.
The Agenda was formulated by the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council under the leadership of Henry Quartey, the Regional Minister in response to President Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Accra the cleanest city in West Africa.
The “Operation Clean Your Frontage” campaign would make it mandatory for property owners of residential, private and public institutions and the citizenry to clean and green their frontage and all open spaces around their property.
President Akufo-Addo believes “the aesthetic appearance of our communities, especially the urbanized communities is critical to among other things attract tourist, investors and promote the wellbeing of the citizenry.”
This implies that, cleaning and greening would be a daily practice in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region.
Some of the strategic interventions under the “Operation Clean your Frontage” campaign includes by-laws on cleaning of the frontage of premises formulated and gazetted, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAS) deployment of systematic approach to sensitize residents, corporate organizations and community members on their roles and responsibilities in waste management.
Under the initiative, Assemblies are expected to create extensive awareness on sanitation and cleaning by-laws and commit to enforcing the by-laws, deployment of a new City Response Team, evacuation of accumulated refuse at sanitary sites and other locations.
It will also involve transfer stations in MMDAs, daily sweeping of streets, curbs, walkways, and open spaces, picking of litter from walkways, road medians and open spaces, daily collection of refuse from streets, road medians, and public open spaces, daily emptying of street litter bins, provision of concrete bins by the major highways, desilting of public drains, regular weeding of road medians, greening of public open spaces road medians and road shoulders and periodic curbs painting on ceremonial streets.
Looking at the enormity of the project, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the JOSPONG Group is releasing logistics and equipment to support the Accra Must Work Campaign to achieve maximum impact aside the already deployed logistics for its regular operations.
Chairman of the JOSPONG, Joseph Siaw Agyepong who announced this in addition to providing its personnel, the company is providing about 85 compactors and 1,000 Tricycles to support this campaign.
He revealed that “the company has come out with the new tricycle model and system of operation that will unionize and assist the informal waste collection sector to contribute to the waste management processes in a more formal and organized manner to improve waste collection in slums and poorly planned areas.”
He has therefore encouraged all Ghanaians to as it were “take advantage of this laudable initiative to clean their frontage to ensure that we, in our own small ways, also play our parts in making Ghana a clean and health country
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead Ghana’s delegation to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from October 31 to November 12, 2021.
Ghana’s key propositions for the global meeting are to seek funding to implement her climate change adaptation measures, negotiate for an alternative to the 2030 fossil to renewable energy transition agenda, and push for the conclusion of the discussions that deal with carbon trading.
Dr Kweku Afriyie, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, who announced this at a Pre-COP26 conference in Accra, noted that climate change effects, such as erratic rainfall and increase in temperature, were already impacting Ghana, including her food systems, energy and cocoa production, the major foreign exchange earner.
To adapt to the impacts, the Minister said Ghana, in her interim Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs), had identified 47 adaptation and mitigation measures, which would need between US$9.3 and US$15.5 billion for its implementation in the next decade.
Just like other developing countries, Ghana had huge deposits of hydrocarbon resource needed to be harnessed for development.
The global agenda to phase out fossil fuel and resort to renewable energy would lead to disruption of the economy resulting in revenue and job losses, he said.
Dr Afriyie said: “Ghana depends so much on its natural resources, so the energy transition must be done carefully in a way that will not compromise our development.”
Touching on Ghana’s participation, he said a pavilion would be set up at the conference ground to showcase some of the steps she had taken to deal with climate change.
The country’s participation in the COP26, the Minister said, would enable Ghana to contribute to global discussions on climate change, and showcase national efforts at mitigating and adapting to its impact.
It would also provide a platform for bilateral discussions with development partner agencies for mobilising resources to address the menace.
Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressed the Agency’s willingness to continue to provide technical leadership on climate change in the country and avail itself to supporting the COP26 preparation process and beyond.
Ms Beth Cadman, the Charge d’Affairs for the British High Commission, said the UK was playing her part to ensure that rich countries provided the finance that developing countries needed to adapt to climate change.
“Ghana is right to prioritise her needs at the COP; her voice is vital to spur action. It is a country with little responsibility for creating a crisis but one in which the effects will be strongly felt” Ms Cadman said.
“Securing access to climate finance will be one of Ghana’s key ambitions for the COP26. The UK is working hard to reach the target of $100 billion a year, as well as reducing emissions.”
Over 30,000 delegates, including 125 world leaders, have confirmed their participation in the COP26, on the theme: “Keeping 1.5 alive-ensuring it is still possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees,” the UK High Commission announced.
Rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong popularly known as Medikal has been remanded into prison custody for the next five days.
This was after the rapper pleaded not guilty to the charge of displaying arms and ammunition.
The court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Essandoh, a High Court judge sitting with additional responsibility as a circuit court judge remanded the accused person into prison custody for five days.
Lawyer for the accused Emmanuel Yeboah Ghana had argued that his client is well known and has lived all his life in the country and will not disobey the court.
According to him, if granted bail he had persons to stand sureties for him including his wife and mother.
The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpetey while opposing the grant of bail said, the interest of the larger society is what the court must consider.
He argued that there is an aspect of the case that is still under investigation and he ought to be remanded.
EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports his wife Fella Makafui and his mother were in tears throughout the court sitting
Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged party executives and supporters to volunteer to man the polling stations and collation centres to ensure the right things are done to secure the victory for the party in the next elections.
He said he would not resort to the Supreme Court with an election petition following how the court handled the 2020 election petition.
“All of us are going to be polling agents. I am the presidential candidate but will go and sit at a polling station and be a polling agent on that day,”
The president said that infrastructure project was never a part of the list of commitments tabled before him for his second term
Cape Coast harbour saga: I goofed, forgive me, says Akufo-Addo
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he goofed in saying that he never promised to building a harbour in Cape Coast in the Central Region.
He has, therefore, asked the residents of Cape Coast to forgive him for the blunder during a recent radio interview.
Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM on Thursday (21 October) President Akufo-Addo admitted, “I must confess, I made a mistake.”
The president speaking on Cape Coast-based Eagle FM on Monday said the Cape Coast harbour project was never a part of the list of commitments tabled before him for his second term.
“I never said I was going to build a harbour in Cape Coast. I said I was going to build a landing site like what I’ve done in these six other places in the Central Region. Cape Coast will also have its landing site, and the construction of that will start next year.”
He added “The commitment was never to a harbour; it was to a landing site,” he said.
Watch the video below:
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However, ahead of his Greater Accra tour, he said, “I made a mistake, let me just confess it. I made a mistake in looking at the manifesto, I tried to do that before I go, I saw one page which talked about the landing site, I didn’t go further to see. But in any event even with the mistake, I think still we have to rethink a lot of things.
“We have a harbour in Elmina which is being developed liked that, obviously Takoradi [too]. We have another one projected for Cape Coast before we go further down. I think some rethinking has to go on, for us to be able to find what the value for money arrangement is ….”
He added, “But it was a mistake and I have to apologise to the people of Cape Coast and the Central Region for that mistake. Presidents are human, after all, we are not supermen
According to the report, parliamentary candidates have to cough up nearly ¢4 million to win a constituency seat.
A new research by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has found that a presidential candidate will need at least $100 million to win an election in Ghana.
“And for the cost for running for president, the study estimated that the most viable sum of money that a person who needed to run for president was $100 million…this is why we need to engage in conversations more to reform the state of monetisation of Ghana’s politics,” a CDD-Ghana representative said.
The scope of the study was to assess the extent of illicit and illegal moves in local politics and to get a fair idea of how much investment goes into the cost of politics.
According to the report, parliamentary candidates have to cough up nearly ¢4 million to win a constituency seat.
“In the current estimate per this statement, running for Parliament was ¢4 million, out of this amount two million is dedicated towards nurturing constituencies and the other two million is after the securing of the candidature position,” the report further revealed.
Experts, following the just-ended elections, have raised concern over election financing and its propensity to affect the playing field as far as campaigning is concerned.
A representative at the Centre, Saajida Shiraz made these details public at an engagement between some political parties and the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.
According to her, stakeholders need to reassess the terrain and come up with measures to address the problem.
This, she believes, will strengthen the democracy and ensure that competent personnel man the country’s resources.
A private security man has been murdered by suspected robbers at Ahenema Kokoben near Kumasi in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti region in an alleged armed robbery operation at A2 Aluminium Company Limited.
The deceased, believed to be a 45-year-old who was identified as Mr Annorh was reportedly killed on Tuesday, October 20, 2021, when he was on duty on the day of the incident.
The robbers according to the report bolted with about 98,000 Ghana cedis after the operation. A staff of A2 Allumminium Limited Omono Asamoah explained, the victim was also an employee of the company.
He added that the man was found dead Wednesday morning with his hands and legs tied behind him.
The yet to be identified assailants also attacked an office of the Electricity Company of Ghana ECG Vending shop and made away with some unspecified amount of money.
Police have conveyed the lifeless body of the security officer to the morgue, while investigations have commenced into the circumstances surrounding the robbery case.
Two security officers within two weeks have been killed in a similar manner in Kumasi
Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng aka Funny face who allegedly threatened to kill his ex-wife and girlfriend and commit suicide has been remanded into Police custody by the Kaneshie District Court.
The court has ordered that a psychiatric examination be conducted on Funny face.
He is also be subjected to substance abuse examination at the Police Hospital.
Funny face is expected to reappear on November 10.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has reiterated that the private sector has the capacity to absorb the country’s teeming youth seeking for job opportunities.
According to him, even though a vibrant public sector can provide some number of employments, the main purpose of the government is to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to flourish in the private sector.
He argued that even the most efficient public service cannot be a substitute for the role that the private sector and entrepreneurship play in helping answer the questions of economic fortunes as a nation.
“Orienting our people, that it lies within our own hands to innovate, develop technologies and solutions that make our society better off, as against waiting for an expansion of the public sector to accommodate all our interests, is a challenge which however we have not met very well as a nation.
If entrepreneurship, private business, innovation and technology is what will be a most significant pillar in economic recovery, then our best energies, our best attention, must be directed there,” Mr. Nkrumah made this remark at the opening ceremony of Day-2 of the Ghana Economic Forum (GEF) in Accra organized by the B&FT.
He explained that entrepreneurship is the most significant instrument that can get the majority of the people, particularly the young, economically engaged and rewarded, thereby, calling for a renewal of the mindset and encouraging the youth to venture into it and take advantage of the good policies initiated by the government.
The information minister further said that entrepreneurship, when taken seriously, will enable the country build its own products and services, thereby, increasing exports to improve the balance of payment position of the economy.
Making some recommendations, Mr. Nkrumah said the conversations around entrepreneurship, its prospects, resolving its bottlenecks and highlighting its rewards must be mainstreamed as one of the most important conversations in this country.
He advised that public conversations on traditional media, digital media and all other platforms must reflect what citizens believe is the most important value driver for economic transformation.
“We cannot spend all our times discussing allegations and suspicions of one another. We cannot spend all our time comparing pastors, debating partisan political positions, and for the younger ones, we cannot spend all our time amplifying social media beefs and expect that entrepreneurship will gain its pride of place”.
“My point is that whatever we choose to include in academic curricular, one field of academic work which I believe should now be taught across all levels of education as a core subject just like literacy, numeracy and science, is entrepreneurship. So that no matter what else a Ghanaian child has studied, he / she is also equipped with the basic orientation to use that technical knowledge even in building on their own, a business out of it,” he said.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, however, stressed the need for government to step up its efforts in promoting entrepreneurship, despite programmes that are already in existence to achieve the purpose.
“I believe we all can agree that looking at the enormity of the challenge ahead, we need to quadruple our efforts as a country at the minimum. We need to provide avenues for more technical support, patient capital and paradigm orientation if truly we want to see more young people take up entrepreneurship. Government policy, must be bolder and larger and more focused in support of growing entrepreneurship in Ghana and indeed across the continent,” he said.
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called for private sector support for young entrepreneurs in Ghana.
Speaking to journalist on the side-lines of the Ghana Economic Forum on Tuesday October 19, he said both the public and privates sector must scale up support for young entrepreneurs in the country.
“A public service that can, as quickly as possible, on-board as many of our young people who want to support public service delivery but it cannot be a substitute for what the private sector, if supported to develop properly, can do for the advancement of the Ghanaian economy.
” It is important that we do a number of things to support the private sector particularly young entrepreneurs to succeed in this space.
“By main streaming the conversation about entrepreneurship. we cannot be a country that spends all our time and our best energy focusing on some other conversation and yet we expect entrepreneurship to excel in its rightful place, it must be , for me, the most important conversation that we should be highlighting, promoting this country.
“Number two, state support for entrepreneurship need to be stepped up and I refer to what Kuffuor administration did, what Mills administration and Mahama administration did, what the Akufo-addo administration is doing, and make the argument that however we need to, at the minimum, quadruple our efforts in terms of funding technical support and building an entrepreneurial echo system for young entrepreneurs in this country.
“Three, we are asking the private sector to support entrepreneurship, value chain, supply chain support, mentoring and technical support, these are the things we must make available to private sector particularly young entrepreneurs.”
Mr Ofori-Atta revealed that 60 per cent of Ghana’s revenue is spent on salaries and remuneration for workers on the government’s payroll.
He described this situation as unsustainable.
He however assured new graduates from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and all Ghanaians youths across the country that the next budget statement of the government will prioritize programmes that will support the youth become their own bosses.
He said the government is determined to create the enabling environment for the youth to create their enterprises.
This, according to him, will reduce the over-reliance on the government for jobs and also lessen the burden on the payroll.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at UPSA on Friday October 15, he said “So, the future for you with regards to jobs is the most important thing at this stage. We have gone through a period where most people look for jobs from government etc. That payroll is full because we are spending some 60 per cent of our revenue on remunerating some 650,000 people and that is not sustainable.
“The question then really is has UPSA trained you to be entrepreneurs, and your question will be where the financing is coming from. But you do, in you, have the skills set to be able to do what you have to do.
“Our responsibility as government is to create the environment and the macro stability, currency stability and ensure that you have access to the relevant skills and financing.
“This budget that we are going to be doing is going to really focus on the youth and we will have a programme here, looking at the youth and demands and how we can structure, in the next two or three years, the Ghana Obaatanpa Programme to ensure that you become your own bosses and you become entrepreneurs.
” So there is a new world out there , it is not a factory that employs ten people, but individuals like you employ two or three of four five people to create that energy for our country to transform
The founder and leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Stephen Akwasi, otherwise known as Jesus Ahuofe, has been picked up by the police at the forecourt of Accra100.5FM on Tuesday morning.
His arrest is allegedly in connection with his prophecy on September 28, 2021, that dancehall artiste Shatta Wale will be shot on October 18, 2021.
Three men clad in mufti, with the driver in a police uniform, picked up the prophet while he was waiting to appear on the mid-morning show Ayekoo Ayekoo.
The prophet had earlier indicated his plans to report himself to the law enforcement agency after the show.
He was taken to the police headquarters.
The police, in a statement earlier, said it cannot trace the whereabouts of Shatta Wale.
It said its attention had been drawn to the widely circulated news on the alleged gunshot attack on Shatta Wale.
On hearing the news, the police noted that launched an investigation into the matter including making contact with some of his close friends and family members and all of whom claimed not to have knowledge of his whereabouts or the alleged incident.
Meanwhile, Shatta Wale says his life is in danger and he is on the run until the country shows him that there are laws.
He said this in a Facebook post to break his silence after rumours went viral that he had been shot by some unknown gunmen on Monday, 18 October 2021.
The police have arrested embattled comedian Funny Face for allegedly threatening some persons in a social media video that has since gone viral.
The arrest according to the police via their Facebook page was effected on October 18, at about 10:14 pm after Funny Face threatened to kill the mother his children and commit suicide afterwards.
The statement indicated that the controversial actor would be submitted to court for an order for psychiatric examination.
The statement read “due to the history of the suspect, the police shall submit Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng to the court for an order for psychiatric examination, to determine the next line of investigative action.”
”The police is committed to protecting lives with the generous help of the public. We want to assure the public that we shall not take anything for granted in the interest of public safety
The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs of the United States of America, Molly Phee, today, Monday, 18 October 2021, visited the Jubilee House.
Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia received Ms Phee on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is on a tour in the Central region.
Dr Bawumia and Ms Phee discussed Ghana and US policy priorities and explored areas of mutual interest.
Dr Bawumia noted that Ghana looks forward to continuing to work together with the US to strengthen bilateral relations
Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko has said the ruling New Patriotic Party must rule Ghana for about 60 years to position the country well for economic prosperity and development.
According to him, the NPP has demonstrated over the past five years since gaining power that it is capable of transforming Ghana if stays in government for a longer period.
“…so after breaking the 8, then we hand over power to NDC? absolutely not. My intention for this party is to become the dominant political force on the political space. So that there would be no challenger to the NPP in any election that we go. So that every election, election after election we will continue rule. The Japanese Liberal Party has been in power for 54 years, the PRI of Maxico has ruled for 71 years so NPP ours must be 60 years”.
Mr.Boakye Agyarko said this Sunday, October 17,2021 while addressing the party at Eastern Regional Annual Delegates Conference held at Kyebi.
The comment by Boakye Agyarko comes less than 48 hours after the Director of Operations at the Presidency Lord Commey was criticized for stating that he was committed to ensuring that the NPP will continue to reign for a longer period dismissing the ‘breaking the eight’ mantra.
Boakye Agyarko however stated that this could be possible only when the party remains united ahead of 2024 and the party supporters are motivated enough to work harder.
The General Secretary John Boadu who delivered the keynote address said, “breaking the 8” will not be on a silver platter.
According to him, the party has learned enough lessons from the era of former President John Agyekum Kuffuor who introduced great pro-poor policy interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, Free maternal care in addition to improved economic indicators yet the NPP was voted out in 2008.
Mr. Boadu, therefore, indicated that the NPP is investing more in strengthening communication and publicity of major government achievements for the Ghanaian populace to buy into the vision of the party and how it intends to improve their living standards and position Ghana on the world map.
The regional delegate Conference was flooded by banners and posters of aspirants who have declared to contest Regional and National Positions.
The biggest and high quality banner which radiated tremendous charisma and attracted much attention was that of Frederick Opare Ansah, a former Member of Parliament for Suhum Constituency who has declared his intention to contest John Boadu as General Secretary.
Meanwhile, Micheal Oteng Adu a former New Juaben South Constituency Chairman of the NPP also shook grounds with his intention to contest the 1st Regional Vice Chairmanship position in Eastern Region.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Samuel Annor bused hundreds of supporters of Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng from New Juaben North Constituency to conference grounds to cheer and dance
Ghana is ready to share her learnings and development experiences with other countries as they all seek to better the lives of their citizens, Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia has said.
Thus, Ghana will continue to develop and enhance cordial and mutually beneficial relations with friends both near and far, with the ultimate aim of accelerated development and improved livelihoods.
Dr Bawumia assured of Ghana’s commitment to the exchange of practical development ideas on Friday, 15 October 2021 when he welcomed Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice-president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to the Jubilee House, Accra for bilateral talks at the beginning of a three-day visit to the country.
Amongst other objectives, Vice President Jagdeo and his delegation are in Ghana to learn about the country’s experiences in the oil and gas sector, with particular reference to local content and participation, the legal framework, and general best practices in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon finds, having discovered hydrocarbons on a large scale in 2015.
During the visit, technical teams from Ghana’s Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Petroleum Commission (PC), Ghana Gas, Energy Commission and other stakeholders in the energy sector will be engaging their counterparts from Guyana to share ideas and exchange learnings.
“We are here to listen and learn, and given your experiences in the oil and gas sector, I am sure we have come to the right place” Vice President Jagdeo declared, adding, “Our ongoing cooperation is testament to how well we can work together and learn from each other.
“We want to deepen our cooperation beyond the oil and gas sector, to trade and investment in each other’s country. We want to learn from you in the areas of agriculture, digitization, health, especially your Agenda 111, and infrastructure development” he indicated.
Recalling the longstanding relations between Ghana and Guyana and the uncanny similarities in their histories, Vice President Bawumia said Ghana remains a bulwark for peace and democratic development in the West Africa sub-region and indicated that given the emerging opportunities, particularly in the energy sector, greater cooperation would serve as a catalyst for trade and investment for both countries.
As a sign of Ghana’s readiness to provide practical learnings, Dr Bawumia presented a large, bound folder detailing the origins and implementation plans for Government’s Agenda 111, designed to make health care accessible and affordable at the lowest level of society.
A beaming Vice-president Jagdeo described the document as the “highlight” of his day
Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International has claimed that some members of a particular political party have already commenced spiritual machinations towards the 2024 General Elections.
Reverend Owusu Bempah said members of the unnamed party traveled to the United Kingdom to seek directions from a powerful man of God on what must be done to enable them win the polls.
He said the UK-based prophet in turn referred them to him as the prophet with the spiritual legitimacy to reveal the winner of elections in Ghana.
“One Great Prophet of God in Britain was approached by some politicians to find ways of winning the 2024 elections. The prophet told them God has lifted a certain prophet and that the said prophet is higher than him. He told them to go look for Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah,” he said.
He subsequently cautioned politicians that it will be impossible to win an election and govern the country without sharing ties with him.
Reverend Owusu Bempah said that he has been handpicked by God to prophesy the presidency of the country and that anyone who wants to win an election must share some relationship with him.
“When the name of Reverend Owusu Bempah is mentioned, people ask a lot of questions about him. Recently there was a revival in South Africa and during prayers someone began to prophesy that God has anointed a great prophet for Africa and that the said prophet is from Ghana. God is going to use the prophet to lift Africa and embark on a new move in Africa. He heard the name, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah.
“It means God has lifted a certain name in this country. Sometimes when I say certain things, people feel I’m bragging. I swear by God, nobody can lead this country without connecting himself to me. You may choose to believe it or not. I know the person God has made me and I speak in humility,” he added.
Godsbrain Captain Smart, the host of Onua TV breakfast show has alleged that some foreign-based organizations are offering huge sums of money to influential Ghanaians to have them advocate for the legalization of LGBTQ+ in the country.
Captain Smart said that some radio personalities, religious and political leaders have fallen for the bait and are now championing the cause of LGBTQ+ in the country.
On the Thursday, October 14, 2021, edition of his show, Captain Smart revealed that similar advances were made to him and private legal practitioner, Moses Foh-Amoaning.
He said, he and Foh-Amoaning were offered US$200,000 each to campaign for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
He recounted that some promoters of LGBTQ+ rights held separate meetings with him and Moses Foh-Amoaning to have them support the cause.
Captain Smart explained that he turned down the offer because his conscience would not have judged him right had he picked money over his principles.
“Lawyer Foh-Amoaning and I were handed proposals. They met the two of us at the same venue separately. They said that they like how I handle issues so they wanted me to take US$200,000 to advocate for LGBTQ. They also wanted me to recruit people to advocate for this stupid thing,” he said.
Captain Smart alleged that a popular female TV presenter has been financially induced to defend and campaign for LGBTQ+ in the country.
He called on President Akufo-Addo and the fundraising committee of the National Cathedral not to accept any funding from a pro-LGBTQ+ person or organization.
“I want to appeal to the President not to accept any funding from the LGBTQI community for the National Cathedral. It’s better we don’t build it at all than to use LGBTQ money. Anyone who tries to use LGBTQ+ money for the National Cathedral will suffer.
The Minority caucus in Ghana’s parliament has said it will at a press conference on Friday, 15 October 2021 that it is rallying the full bipartisan support of the house to pass the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to “hold high the moral flag of our country.”
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu told the press: “Certain issues of significance, either make or put asunder the collective unity of people of a nation at critical moments in its history, and the parliament of Ghana must stand the litmus test.”
According to him, “if anybody fails you, it is not the NDC Minority.”
He said “we will insist on a vote” on “every accompanying sentence”, including “amendments to every provision”.
“We will do what is legally needful within the 1992 Constitution clause by clause, and we want every member of parliament to get counted and to stand to be counted as reflecting the aspirations of Ghanaian people.”
The Majority side of the house held a press conference on Tuesday at which Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the bill must be handled in a carefully balanced manner, noting that Speaker Alban Bagbin, on his own, cannot commit the entire chamber in reference to the bill’s passage.
The Suame MP said: “We are a democratic country and parliament should ensure that the rights of citizens are protected.”
Democracy, he noted, does not mean “we should trample on the rights of others.”
“The appropriate thing will be done,” he noted, citing Article 40 (a) of Ghana’s Constitution as “the driving principle that should underpin our international relations.”
“In its dealings with other nations, the government shall promote and protect the interests of Ghana,” the Majority Leader noted.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu added that “the Speaker cannot commit parliament, the Speaker can make a referral to Parliament which will be programmed by the business committee for consideration.”
“I’ll find it difficult if we have a Speaker who, as part of his own antecedent as a former member of parliament, says that parliament is going to pass the bill. It’s a bit of difficulty unless I didn’t hear well.”
“I’m not saying parliament is not going to pass it, but the Speaker should not make a predetermination for the house because he’s not a Member of Parliament and this is the business of Parliament,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told journalists.
A member of the governing New Patriotic Party, Razak Kojo Opoku is demanding commitment, loyalty and unalloyed love from persons who intend to lead the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 elections.
Razak Kojo Opoku believes that these character traits will prove decisive if the party is to ‘break the eight.
In Facebook post, Razak Kojo Opoku eulogized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as one who typifies what a Ghanaian leader should be.
He explained that President Akufo-Addo have over the years played various roles for the country and the NPP and bid his time. Razak said that despite some disappointments chalked on the way, President Akufo-Addo’s maintained an unwavering support for the NPP which eventually earned him the crown of president.
He is therefore urging prospective aspirants of the party to glean lessons from President Akufo-Addo’s exemplary lives. Read the post below
I would like to urge potential presidential aspirants to emulate the tenacity, commitment and unwavering love of President Akufo-Addo for Ghana and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if they truly desire to lead NPP for 2024 general elections.
Breaking the 8-year-cycle curse requires Presidential Aspirants who will not quit or undermine the collective efforts of the party, maybe through unjustifiable resignation as result of the inability to get the nod from the delegates of the Party.
We have to fully remain committed to the Victory 2024 agenda whether your candidate win the Flagbearership or not.
Now let’s consider the political sufferings and batispm of President Akufo-Addo:
Nana Akufo-Addo as the 1st National Organizer of NPP and Campaign Manager to Prof. Adu Boahen was rejected by the party when attempting to be the Flagbearer of NPP in 1998.
There is no denying the fact of the major and instrumental role he played in the formation of NPP from the Danquah-Busia Club. Yet Nana Akufo-Addo was never bitter and abandoned the party. He fully supported the Presidential candidate and the party for the victory in the 2000 general elections.
In 2007, when it was unquestionably obvious that Nana Akufo-Addo was going to lead the party for the 2008 general elections yet 16 other people contested him for the flagbearership position.
He was bastardised by the supporters of the other aspirants thereby giving arsenals to the opposition to vilified him ahead of the 2008 general elections yet Nana Akufo-Addo rallied everyone for the elections to the extent of appointing a competitor’s Presidential Aspirant to served as Director of Communications.
After the 2008 elections, the appointed Director of Communications wrote: “Chasing the Elephant Into the Bush” which became a weapon for the NDC in 2012 general elections.
Ahead of the 2012 and 2016 general elections, some of the people who served in the first NPP government deserted Nana Akufo-Addo. It took the efforts of Akufo-Addo to recruit and nurture fresh young people for the task in the 2012 and 2016 general elections.
Adding insult to injury, some of the old party gurus constantly attacked Nana Akufo-Addo in the media space and incite Ghanaians against the candidature of Nana Akufo-Addo. This should not remind us of anything but lessons we must learn.
In 2021 January, Nana Akufo-Addo was betrayed again by some NPP Members of Parliament by electing an opposition person as the Speaker of Parliament as against the choice of the party.
Nana Akufo-Addo is the first President in the 4th Republican Constitution to work with a Speaker of Parliament who is from the other side of the political divide.
President Akufo-Addo committed his government to the protection of the funds of depositors through the Banking/Financial Sector clean-up exercise. A lot of public funds were pumped by President Akufo-Addo to save several banks from collapsing yet some Ghanaians were angry at Akufo-Addo for saving several banks from collapsing and protecting the funds of thousands of depositors.
These Ghanaians vowed to campaign and vote against Akufo-Addo in the 2020 general elections for doing the right thing of saving banks/financial institutions and funds of depositors.
The decision of President Akufo-Addo to stop galamsey in order to prevent the Country’s water bodies from being destroyed was greeted by anger and sadly some Ghanaians especially in the galamsey areas and communities vowed to campaign and vote against President Akufo-Addo in the 2020 general elections.
It was quite surprising when some people decided to campaign and vote against President Akufo-Addo in the 2020 general elections simply because his Government has decided to protect the Country’s water bodies as well as ensuring the sustainability of the environment and survival of the humans, plants and animals ecosystems.
However, after the 2020 general elections, President Akufo-Addo never give up even though the Parliamentary Candidates of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) miserably lost their seats in the Constituencies where the activities of Galamsey were very predominant. President Akufo-Addo in his second term in office has still committed resources to the fight against galamsey and that is the hallmark of quality leadership.
Nana Akufo-Addo is the only President in the 4th Republican Constitution with the implementation of most policies and programmes such as free SHS, 1D1F, Digitalization, free TVET, Planting for Food and Jobs, 1 Constituency 1 Ambulance, NABCO, 1 Village 1 Dam etc.
President Akufo-Addo has to his credit also social interventions such as free water, free electricity during the Covid-19 major period, yet some Ghanaians decided to vote against him and his Parliamentary candidates in the 2020 general elections. In spite of this, President Akufo-Addo is still focused on addressing the needs and challenges of Ghanaians by providing first-class governance to the good people of Ghana.
Let’s emulate the political struggles of President Akufo-Addo, stay united for Victory 2024. No matter how you are treated by your Party or Ghanaians, you have to bear in mind that collective interest overrides Individual interest.
The Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame constituency, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said Parliament will not disappoint the people with regard to the anti-LGBTQI+ bill which is currently before the House.null
He emphasized that no Member of Parliament will be against the principle of the bill.
The Majority Leader gave the assurance this morning at a press conference held by the Majority Caucus of Parliament.
He expressed delight over the high public interest generated in the bill and pleaded with the public to demonstrate the same high interest in other bills which will appear before the House such as the Property rights of spouses bill.
Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the bill will be considered in line with provisions of the Constitution and made particular reference to article 125 of the 1992 Constitution which states that justice emanates from the people.
Calls for Live Telecastnull
On the issue of live telecast of debate on the bill, he said proceedings of Parliament on the floor has always been done in the full glare of the media and added that discussion on the bill in Parliament will be done in the same manner.
The Majority Leader urged the public to be dispassionate when discussing the LGBTQI+ issue.
Speaker cannot determine passage
On a comment reported to have been made by the Speaker, Rt Hon Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin that Parliament will pass the anti-LGBTQI+ bill, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the Speaker cannot decide for the House, as he is not a Member of Parliament.
Adding his voice to comments made by the Majority Leader, Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Whip said the Majority caucus fully supports the anti-LGBTQI+ bill which is currently before the House.null
Anti-LGBTQI+ bill
The proponents of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values 2021 bill are seeking to criminalise the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
Should it be passed, persons who identify as LGBTQ and or engage in said practice could face up to five years imprisonment.
LGBT activists could also face up to 10-year-jail time.
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has adjourned the case in which some 14 persons are standing trial for the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama to Monday, October 18, 2021.
Back from the two months legal vacation, lawyers of the accused persons were expected to open their defence in the mini-trial after the prosecution had earlier closed their case.
In Court on Monday, October 11 when the case was called Theophilus Donkor, Counsel for Kofi Nyame told the court the difficulties he had in having a conference with his client at the Nsawam prisons.
Though he prayed the court to order the prison officers to allow him to access his client, the court said its jurisdiction does not interfere with such provision.
The court instead urged him to take advantage of the accused person’s presence in court and have a conference with them.
The court presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, a Justice of the Supreme Court has given the lawyer next Monday to open his defence in the matter.
EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the substantive trial has been put on hold for the mini-trial to be conducted after lawyers raised questions over the manner investigations cautioned statements were obtained from their clients.
William Baah, an Assemblymember for Dankyira Obuasi and some 13 others are standing trial for the murder of the military officer
The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been decorated with the Medal of the Republic of Serbia, the highest state order of Serbia, by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, at a ceremony on Monday, 11th October 2021, at the seat of the Serbian Presidency in Belgrade.
President Akufo-Addo received the award “for exceptional merits in developing and strengthening co-operation and friendly relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Ghana.”
The order was awarded by the decree of the President of Serbia on the sidelines of the ceremony to celebrate the founding of the 60 th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Earlier in the day, the President delivered a statement at the plenary session of the Conference, where he indicated that since the days of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, one of the five (5) historic founding fathers of NAM, Ghana has remained a faithful adherent of its principles, i.e., respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States, non-interference in the domestic affairs of States, and non-aggression against States.
“We believe that the strength of this Movement is determined not just by its numbers, but, more significantly, by the attachment to the principles that founded it.,” the President said.
Recounting the words of Ghana’s first leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at the 1961 Conference in Belgrade, who bemoaned the hesitance of the world’s super powers to disarm, President Akufo-Addo stated that “60 years later, the great powers have not disarmed, neither has the threat of nuclear war receded. They are still as powerful as they were then, and this has been highlighted by the COVID pandemic, and the unsavoury politics of vaccine nationalism we are currently witnessing.”
He bemoaned the fact that member states of NAM have become global power play, and are subject to the benevolence of powerful countries, who give out their hoarded supplies at their own pace, not necessarily in tandem with realities.
“The need for self-reliance today in the global south is as important as positive neutralism was in the era of the Cold War. The impact of the pandemic on our populations has been severe. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder, and be resolved to ensure that we are better prepared for future pandemics,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He continued, “We must not miss the opportunity of this occasion to take far-reaching decisions for a more equitable and balanced world, based on the principle of the equality of sovereign States. We should continue to work towards the global objectives of peace, development and inter-dependence.”
The President reiterated Ghana’s belief that the Non-Aligned Movement is as relevant in this 21st century as it was in the 20th century, in protecting the interests of the developing world.
“There will be challenges but, working hand-in-hand, we can move ahead together, and, indeed, much further, more so, when, through our co-operation and solidarity, we achieve the restructuring of the global financial system to facilitate the rapid development of our economies. The next sixty (60) years of our Movement must mark its empowerment to meet the wishes and aspirations of our peoples for development, dignity and diversity,” he added.
A woman identified as Akua Afriyie, has been arrested by the Bekwai Police after she poured a hot groundnut soup on her child.
Isaac Antwi reporting on the incident told Ali Baba Dankambari on Breaking News that, the woman claimed her child is very stubborn.
According to the woman, the child does not attend to any errands or do any house chores in the house but always
the first to eat when food is ready.
Prior to pouring the hot soup on the child, the woman asked the child to go and buy tomatoes to be used to prepare soup.
The child refused to attend to the errand by her mother. Moments after the soup was ready, ironically the child came to her mother’s kitchen with a kenkey and took some of the soup.
The mother could not control her anger when she saw the child taking some of the soup. She hysterically poured the whole soup on the child.
The victim was sent to the Bekwai Government hospital, but due to the deep burns, an arrangement was quickly made for the child to be transported to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor has ended his 6-day working tour of the five regions in the northern sector, with a call on the Bole Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale miners (GNASSM) to adhere to responsible and regulated mining practices.
Among other things, he said, ensuring acceptable mining practices would promote sustainable environment for the current and future generations.
The Minister said this at Bole in the Savannah Region to wrap up his 6-day working visit to the 5 regions in the northern parts of Ghana.
The visit forms part of the Minister’s ongoing nationwide tour, to among others, solicit support of the Chiefs and people in the respective regions for the protection and management of the natural resources of the country.
He admonished the miners to embrace environmentally friendly mining practices that will benefit everyone.null
Hon. Jinapor maintained that, efforts are being made under his watch to ensure sustainable mining practices across the country and asked the Miners to rally behind him and the government to improve the sector.
In a remark, the miners collectively requested the Hon. Minister to grant concessions at Dollar-Power, Banda Nkwanta, and Kui including Cluth and Sakpa fir their operations to provide jobs for the youth in the area.
The Minister’s 6-day working tour, saw him and his entourage engaging stakeholders in the Northern, North East, Upper East and West regions, as well as the Savannah Region.
The restoration of Ghana’s vegetative cover through aggressive Afforestaion, security of mining operations, vis a vis the role of REGSEC, responsible Artisanal small scale mining and the proper management of Public Lands were central in the discourse of the Hon. Minister throughout the 6-day tour.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng will be in court on Monday, October 11 officially for the first time since he started work on Monday, August 9.
He will be at the Financial Court 2 in relation to the tax evasion case brought against Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga.
The case was started by former Special Prosecutor Martin Alalmisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu, who resigned his position in 2020, just days after the demise of his mentor Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Amidu, Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, had put the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP on trial over two issues – breaching procurement processes in the purchase of some ambulances for his constituency and tax evasion in the importation of some “luxurious” vehicles.
Despite standing trial with six others on the former, the former Youth and Sports Minister was acquitted and discharged on Friday, May 7.
An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaah Asare-Botwe acquitted and discharged all seven after it upheld a submission of no case filed by the defence lawyers.
But the latter case is still pending and trial resumes on Monday.
He is accused of abusing his office after clearing three Toyota V8 vehicles without paying tax.
He is also sued for illegal transfer of foreign exchange from Ghana to Dubai without having the required license to undertake such transaction.
Joined to the suit is one Kendrick Marfo, a car rental dealer, for purchasing the “fraudulent” vehicles from Mr Ayariga. Mr Marfo, 50, is also accused of deliberately evading tax in the purchase of the vehicles from the lawmaker.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has left Accra for the Serbian capital of Belgrade, leading Ghana’s delegation to attend the 60th anniversary ceremony of the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The Non-Aligned Movement is a forum of 120 developing states that are not formally aligned with any major power bloc.
After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.
Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was one of the five historic founding fathers of the Movement. India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, Indonesia’s Ahmed Sukarno, Egypt’s Gamel Abdel Nasser and former Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito launched the Movement in Belgrade in 1961.
The Government of Serbia is, therefore, organising a commemorative event in Belgrade on Monday, October 11 and 12 to mark the 60th anniversary of the first NAM Conference.
According to a statement from the Presidency, President Akufo-Addo will deliver a statement at the Conference, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the principles of the Movement.
He will also hold bilateral talks with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vučić, aimed at strengthening the ties of co-operation between the two countries.
He is also expected to meet the Prime Minister of Algeria and the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the Conference, to discuss matters of mutual interest.
President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the daughter of Ghana’s first President, Samia Nkrumah, who is also a former Member of Parliament for Jomoro and former Chairperson of her father’s party, Convention People’s Party (CPP) as well as officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.
They will return on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
“In his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60 (8) of the constitution, act in his stead.
• Koku Anydoho believes LGBTQ+ traits can be reversed medically
• The former NDC Deputy Organiser has declared support for the anti
• LGBTQ+ Bill pending before Parliament
Former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Samuel Koku Anyidoho says the decision by some individuals categorise themselves as LGBTQ+ is borne out of a hormonal disorder that can be corrected medically.
Speaking in an interview with Okay FM monitored by GhanaWeb, Mr Anyidoho stated that the argument in favour of LGBTQ+ rights lacks both scientific and spiritual support.
“To be born as a man and for you to look into a mirror and say you are a woman, there is some hormonal defect somewhere, and there is science and medical evidence that those issues can be solved clinically and medically. These transgender people go to hospitals for them to be injected in their butts and breast with hormones so they become women. So if you can go to a medical center for them to pump those hormones into your system, does it not stand to reason that you can go to the same medical center and they will take out the same hormones and heal you?
“Apart from the spiritual aspect that some people try to downplay it because they don’t believe in the Bible, what about the science of it? If you don’t believe in spirituality what about the science of it?” he directed a question at some 15 personalities fighting against the passage of an anti LGBTQ+ bill pending before the Parliament of Ghana.
When the parliament of Ghana reconvenes on October 26, 2021, one of the first things it will consider as part of its businesses is a bill that will unequivocally criminalize LGBTQ+ activities if passed.
The 38-page bill before parliament, among other things, stipulates that, people of the same sex who engage in sexual intercourse are “liable on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than seven hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years or both.”
The Bill targets persons who “hold out as a lesbian, a gay, a transgender, a transsexual, a queer, a pansexual, an ally, a non-binary or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female.”
The Bill also targets promoters and advocates of LGBTQ+ rights including “a person who, by use of media, technological platform, technological account or any other means, produces, procures, markets, broadcasts, disseminates, publishes or distributes a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill, or a person uses an electronic device, the Internet service, a film, or any other device capable of electronic storage or transmission to produce, procure, market, broadcast, disseminate, publishes or distribute a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill” as well as a person who “promotes, supports sympathy for or a change of public opinion towards an act prohibited under the Bill.”
As part of its provisions, the Bill outlines that a flouter can be sentenced to a jail term of not less than six years or not more than ten years imprisonment.
At the back of the public support the Bill has received, a group of academicians and other professionals have expressed their opposition to the bill.
According to the group of 18, the bill, Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, when passed into law, would erode a raft of fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
Members of the group opposing the anti-gay bill include Mr Akoto Ampaw; author, scholar and former Director of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Prof. Emerita Takyiwaa Manuh; a communications and media expert, Prof. Kwame Karikari; the Dean of the University of Ghana (Legon) School of Law, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, and the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Information and Communication Studies, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo.
The Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata; the Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, and a former Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Prof. Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, are also members of the group.
Others are Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Dr Yao Graham, Mr Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Dr Kojo Asante, Mr Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, Mr Akunu Dake, Mr Tetteh Hormeku-Ajie, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Dr Joseph Asunka and Nana Ama Agyemang Asante.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has urged the Upper West Regional Security Council not to allow the illegal mining menace to thrive in the Upper West Region.
He said that it will be better to nib the situation in the bud while they still can.
The Minister said this at an extraordinary meeting with the Upper West Regional Security Council in Wa on Thursday, 7th October 2021.
The Minister, who is on a 6-day working tour of the 5 regions of the north, said his engagement with REGSEC is a central feature of his ongoing tour of all the 16 regions of the country.
The Minister indicated that the time has come for REGSEC to have full control over the operation of the mining sector in the region.
He added that, “I am confident that with the kind of leadership of the Regional Minister and the kind of professionalism and commitment exhibited by you, we will work to safeguard the region and our country.”
On Forestry, Mr. Jinapor reiterated that the harvesting and exportation of rosewood are outrightly banned, stressing that any wood species harvested will require a direct permit from him.
Touching on public lands, and it’s related issues, the Minister said “we need to have mechanisms of protecting public lands”.
He maintained that, the sale and encroachment of public lands should be a thing of the past while thanking the members of REGSEC for their efforts in assisting government to protect the natural resources of the country.
The security heads, collectively, agreed to up their game in combating illegalities in the natural resources sector, particularly deforestation and illegal mining.
The government has paid the uniform allowance for nurses and midwives in the country.
A statement by the leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) confirming the reimbursement said the payment has reflected in the September 2021 payslip.
“This is a one-off payment which will be made every year per the collective agreement signed in November 2020 between the GRNMA and its employers.
All members of the Association are to verify payment on their payslip and report any anomalies including none payment to their GRNMA District Executive for redress,” a statement signed by the National Public relations officer Joseph Wolimmor Krampah said.
It further directed the District Chairmen and secretaries to compile the names, staff IDs and facilities to the Regional Chairman for onward submission to the assistant national PRO for rectification.
“We are grateful to you all for your patience and c. all on all those who have exited GRNMA to come back into the GRNMA family because we continue to work for your welfare,” it said
Some fifteen suspected armed robbers have been apprehended by the police in Ashaiman for robbery and car snatching.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Ashaiman Divisional Police Headquarters assisting with the investigation.
Information available to DGN Online indicates that the suspects snatched an unregistered Range Rover from a woman at Adjei-Kojo and took to their heels.
They were, however, given a hot chase by some commercial motorbike operators commonly known as Okada riders and later joined by the police.
The suspects were traced to their hideout in an area around Atadeka where they were arrested.
Police conducted further search in their hideout where additional suspects were arrested.
Meanwhile, a weapon has been reportedly retrieved.
The presentation, which was made along with other Christian groups and church denominations, took place at the office of the committee of constitutional, legal, and parliamentary affairs.
During the presentation, the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, did not mince words when he voiced out the Church’s strong stance against the activities of LGBTQ+.
He said the church has a membership of over three million members, which forms 10 per cent of the nation’s population, adding that, with these significant numbers, it is throwing its weight behind the passage of the bill.
“As a church, our concern is not about today, but the future. When we allow the activities of LGBTQ+ what would happen is that it would lead to same-sex marriages, which the President has said would never happen under his watch,” he said.
He added: “However, if he allows LGBTQ+ activities to continue, although same-sex marriage may not happen under his watch as president, it will happen after he is no more president of the nation. Rather, what he should do is to stop it. He should close the door where it matters; and we are saying it should be now”.
Apostle Nyamekye urged parliamentarians to critically consider the bill and not to regard it as an issue of right, but one of morality. He also revealed that among the 15,000 signatories were trustees of the church, workers, and the youth. The memos, on the other hand, he said, were received from the Youth, children, men, women, workers, and theologians of church.
Other churches represented at the presentation ceremony were the Methodist Church of Ghana (MCG), the Apostolic Church of Ghana (ACG) and the Christ Apostolic Church of Ghana.
Presenting a memo on behalf of the Methodist Church of Ghana (MCG), the Presiding Bishop of the MCG, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, said the MCG has always held a strong stance against the activities of the LGBTQ+ and is therefore in full support of the bill laid before parliament for legislation. He said that attached to the memo of the mother-church are separate memos by the Accra Diocese and the Children’s Ministry of the Methodist church, who associate with the bill, describing “it as one for the future.”
Expressing the support of the Apostolic Church for the bill, the President of the ACG, Apostle Dr. Narh Ami, said that LGBTQ+has been a long-standing issue in the nation, and was glad that the bill has finally been brought to the fore to be addressed.
According to him, the activities of LGBTQ+ has great consequences on the future, hence the need for the country to take a strong stance against it.
“As a church, we believe that when we make sexuality so fluid to the extent that anyone can just get up and say ‘I am this or I am that,’ it becomes difficult, and no nation has what it takes to deal with that kind of confusion. We also believe that God only made the male and female,” he said.
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), National Clergy Association, and Ghana Congress on Evangelisation (GHACOE) also formed part of the Christian delegation that presented the memos to the office of the committee of constitutional, legal, and parliamentary affairs. The memos were received on behalf of the committee by Mr. Owusu Mensah (Acting Deputy Clerk, Finance, Administration and Legal Affairs), who assured them that it would be submitted to the committee for consideration.
Meanwhile, other Christian groups such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ghana and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) have also submitted memos in support the new private members’ bill.
They also argue that the new bill stems from its long-standing and consistent biblical position on the preservation of God’s original plan for marriage, procreation and the preservation of the family value system and any attempt to pervert this system would be fiercely resisted through all spiritual, physical and legal means
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday appealed to the chiefs and all who matter in peace-building to help bring lasting peace to Okuapeman.
“I want peace in Okuapeman to end this chieftaincy dispute and to facilitate my developmental agenda,” he said.
He called on Otobuor Djan Kwasi, Aburihene and acting president of the Akuapem Traditional Council to ensure peace prevailed in Okuapeman.
The President cited the peaceful installation of a new Ga Mantse signalling the end of a long-standing dispute in that area as, “an example to be emulated by all including my own Okuapeman”.
President Akufo-Addo made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Aburihene as part of his three-day tour of the Eastern Region.
The Akuapem Traditional Area has been hit with a chieftaincy dispute characterising the installation of a new Okuapemhene, following the death of Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa five years ago.
He said plans were advanced to upgrade the famous Aburi Botanical Gardens to improve tourism as well as create jobs for the people.
He said the Aburi-Adambrobe and the Berekusu-Accra Road would all be constructed to open up the area for economic activities.
Earlier, Otobuor Djan Kwasi, Aburihene, appealed to the President for a pineapple processing factory and upgrade of the Aburi Botanical Gardens to create employment opportunities for the youth.
President Akufo-Addo also inspected ongoing work on the upgrading of the Kom Clinic into a district hospital for Aburi.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 6th October 2021, commissioned ‘Shoe Fabriek Ltd.’, the GH¢6.2 million shoe manufacturing company operating under Government’s 1-District-1-Factory initiative.
The state-of-the-art factory is fitted with the requisite infrastructure and equipment capable of producing 800 pairs of high-quality shoes, including security boots, school shoes and casual shoes for men, women, and children, per day.
According to the promoters of the project, the siting of the factory in the Akuapem North District is going to create jobs for the residents, which will help reduce rural-urban migration.
Shoe Fabriek has, so far, created jobs for one hundred and forty-four (144) people in the district, and is a classic example of the import substitution programme being implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as part of the 1D1F Initiative.
President Akufo-Addo congratulated the promoters of the factory, Michael Asare Bediako, Opoku Benson and Salomey Gyamfi, for supporting the industrial transformation agenda of his administration.
Whilst encouraging Ghanaians institutions, such as schools, to patronize made in Ghana shoes from this factory, the President expressed gratitude to the traditional authorities and the residents of the community for their unflinching support to the company, and advised the workers to put in their best to ensure sustained growth of the company.
As of September 2021, 278 1D1F projects are at various stages of implementation under the 1D1F Initiative. Out of this number, 104 are currently in operation, 150 are under construction and 24 are at the mobilization stage. one hundred and sixty-five (165) out of the 278 are new projects representing 60% whilst 113 companies are existing projects being supported, representing 40%. In promoting the 1D1F initiative, the Akufo-Addo Government is seeking to address the youth unemployment challenge, by attracting private sector investments into the development activities of these communities.
Adukrom-Nkurakan Road 30% complete The President also inspected ongoing work on the reconstruction of Nkurakan – Adukrom – Trom Junction Road. This bituminous road has not seen any major intervention for a very long, as such the road is narrow and in poor condition.
The road was awarded on 23rd December 2020 to Messrs. General Construction & Development Limited, with work commencing on 19th July, 2023.
It is expected that, when the road is completed, it will bring relief to both motorists and pedestrians. It will reduce vehicle operating cost and reduce travelling time and facilitate the movement of goods and services. It will also serve as alternative link to Koforidua, the regional capital when coming from Mamfe
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended the leave of absence from office for the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, a statement from the presidency announced on Wednesday, 6 October 2021.
It said the Dome Kwabenya MP’s leave of absence was to have ended on 31 August 2021 but has been extended.
“In her absence and until further notice, President Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to act as caretaker minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection”, the statement signed by the Communications Director at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, noted
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has served notice that it will resume its strike by Friday, 8 October 2021, if the negotiation stalemate persists.
“Following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Employer to complete the negotiations on the Conditions of Service of University Teachers within one (1) month by resolving all outstanding issues, which formed the basis for suspending the strike, it is sad to report that the one-month moratorium has elapsed and the negotiation has almost reached a stalemate”, UTAG said in a statement.
The group noted: “Unfortunately, within the one-month moratorium, the Employer never shifted its position even though UTAG made a number of concessions.”
“For this reason, the National Executive Committee of UTAG at its meeting held on October 1, 2021, resolved that if the Employer’s position remains unchanged by Friday, 8th of October 2021, members should resume the suspension of teaching and related activities until further notice.”
In mid-September, Prof Ransford Gyampo, Secretary to UTAG, reminded President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia that the one-month negotiation window opened between the group and the government – for which the union suspended its strike a few weeks ago – was about ending but nothing had been done about their issues because Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has not been personally involved in the matter.
In an open letter to the president and his deputy, Prof Gyampo said: “I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial”.
“He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess”, Prof Gyampo noted.
Read Prof Gyampo’s full letter below:
Open Letter to the President and Vice-president of the Republic
As you may be aware, some of us have deliberately been quiet about what has been happening following UTAG’s decision to temporarily suspend its strike and return to the negotiations table. We believe the stakeholders needed some peace of mind to talk.
I, however, wish to respectfully remind you that the one-month negotiation period expires in five days’ time.
Unfortunately, as of now, nothing concrete has been achieved.
As you may be aware, some of us had to practically beg our members to agree to suspend the strike action for negotiations because we knew that you were both worried about the impasse and were very much resolved to bring finality to the matter.
Unfortunately, I repeat, nothing concrete has been achieved.
I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial.
He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess.
I respectfully urge you to intervene in this matter yourselves. For, no one can contain the anger of University teachers should they be allowed to strike again, after the expiration of the one-month negotiation period.
A simple survey on the various campuses would give a sense of how bitter and angry they are, for the disrespectful manner in which they have been treated over the years.
The Chief Director of the Presidency (Jubilee House), H.M. Wood, has debunked claims that the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, is involved in the unlawful auctioning of state property, particularly, some nine vehicles belonging to the Kumasi Technical University (KTU).××
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has reportedly sued the state over the alleged public auction of nine unserviceable vehicles belonging to the KTU.
The MP is said to be pushing that the approval for the auction, said to have taken place in December 2020, was given by the Chief of Staff and has insisted that she has “no authority to approve the disposal of the nine vehicles in the possession of the Kumasi Technical University by auction sale.”
The Chief Director has rebutted the MP’s claim, saying that there is no basis for the MP’s claim because the Chief of Staff never breached any procurement laws in carrying out her lawful duties.
“In the first place it must be stated that such an allegation has no basis and is therefore not true, since the Chief of Staff has not signed any letter or made a declaration to that effect on any platform,” the Chief Director said in a memo dated September 29, 2021.
“As regards approval for auctions in the public sector, we must indicate that the function used to be performed by the Ministry of Finance during the days of the Provisional National Defense Council until 1993 when the function was taken over by the Office of the President.
“Until then, it was noted that the Ministry of Finance could not do the needed due diligence to establish the true state of property earmarked by MDAs/MMDAs/ Institutions for auction before it gave approval for the exercise. Upon taking over the approval function, the Office of the President established a valuation unit which follows up on requests submitted to the office by the public entities and does verification/assessment of the items, and make recommendations on whether approval should be given or not for consideration by the Chief of Staff. From the above, it is clear that giving approval for disposal of state property did not start with the current Chief of Staff,” the Chief Director’s memo said.
“Again, the Chief of Staff does not request any entity to make available cars and property to be auctioned as claimed in the publication attributed to the Member of Parliament for South Dayi,” he added.
The memo insisted that “the assertion made by the Hon. Member of Parliament with respect to the case of the Kumasi Technical University that it is the Ministry of Education that has the mandate to give approval for the University to undertake the auction is also not grounded in law.”
He said “Per Section 1(2) of the Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 992), a technical university established under this Act is a body corporate with perpetual succession,” adding “Section 31(1) of Act 922 further provides that a technical university may, for the purpose of the performance of the functions of that technical university, or any purpose which that technical university considers necessary or expedient, acquire and hold moveable or immoveable property, sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise alienate or dispose of that property and enter into any other transaction.”
The Chief Director said “from the foregoing, the law does not in any way impose a duty on such ‘corporate body’, in this case the Kumasi Technical University, to necessarily get approval from the Ministry of Education before it carries out any of such activities. However, since it is a government policy that all public sector entities should obtain approval from the Office of the President before they purchase or dispose of any property acquired with public funds, the Kumasi Technical University was under obligation to seek and obtain approval from the Office of the President before it dispose of the vehicles in question.”
The memo said all auction proceeds are paid “directly into the Consolidate Fund at the Bank of Ghana by the auctioneers,” saying “Accordingly, we do not think the Chief of Staff has infringed on the law by granting approval for the disposal of the vehicles deemed unserviceable by the Kumasi Technical University and corroborated by the technical reports from the STV-Vi Coaches Ltd on the vehicles.”
Parliament is expected to reconvene from recess on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 10 am for the commencement of its third meeting.
The announcement was contained in a notice to the Members of Parliament (MPs) dated October 5, 2021, and signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
“Pursuant to Standing Order 37 of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, hereby give notice that the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at Ten O’Clock in the forenoon at Parliament House, Accra”, the statement to the Members stated.
The House, which started sitting on January 7, 2021, went on recess on March 10, 2021 and reconvened for the second meeting before going on recess for the third sitting.
Meanwhile, the statement did not spell out some of the agenda the House may consider during the next sitting
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has sworn in new executives to steer the affairs of the group for the next two years.××
Professor Solomon Nunoo, is the President, Dr Eric Wiah, Vice President, Dr Asare Asante-Annor, Secretary and Dr Akyene Tetteh, treasurer.
The ceremony was performed at the 20th biennial delegates conference of the Association held at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa in the Western Region.
It was on the theme: “Post COVID-19 tertiary education in Ghana- the role of government and preparedness of public universities in promoting quality education.”
Prof. Nunoo, in his acceptance speech, said he joined the National Executive Committee of UTAG as the National Secretary 10 years ago, and at the time, it was at the crossroads.
He said while a section of the members wanted enrolment onto the Single Spine Salary Structure, others were apprehensive about the policy.
Prof. Nunoo said, “Today, we are on the ‘spine’ with its attendant challenges. The challenges have resulted in our engagement with our employer with the quest to improve on the Conditions of Service for UTAG members.”
“Regrettably, the engagement has not yielded the expected results that we were all anticipating at the start of the engagements, thus, resulting in the strike action of August 2021,” he added.
Prof. Nunoo said, “Having failed to conclude the negotiations within the one-month window after the suspension of the strike action on 23rd August 2021, we find ourselves at the crossroad again. I must say, that each group has cogent arguments as to which direction to go.”
The current national executives, Prof. Nunoo believed, had an unenviable task to steer the affairs of UTAG through this period.
He said the previous NEC, led by Prof. Marfo, had made some gains and that it was up to them to continue to build on the foundations they had laid, adding that negotiation of Non-Payroll Allowances with the Governing Councils of the various public universities was also pending.
Presently, the dream of building a National Secretariat of UTAG, which had been on the drawing board for the past 12 years, is still pending, UTAG president said.
Calling for unity, Prof. Nunoo said: “It is my prayer that together with my colleagues, National Officers and NEC members, we will work hard to serve the interest of all UTAG members across the length and breadth of Ghana for posterity to judge us fairly.
“This is the time for unity with one mindset. We need to stay focused on our ultimate goal of improving the working conditions of our members, this calls for us to provide the needed leadership to attain the goal.
He called on the Government to respect the various agreements signed with labour and that the present negotiations on the conditions of service must end.
“We are in October 2021, and payment of the Book and Research Allowances (BRA) are still pending. The question across the campus is where is the BRA,” he said.
Prof Nunoo reiterated, “To maintain industrial harmony, the government should urgently pay the BRA and quickly attend to all the pending issues for some peace to prevail.”
Prof Charles Ofosu Marfo, the immediate past National President of UTAG, urged members to help the executives to achieve their mandate because the task ahead would not be easy
The Chief of Obo under the Kwahu traditional area in the Eastern Region, Osaberima Yeboah Afari-Buagyan II, has eulogized President Nana Akufo-Addo for his unflinching support towards the fight against the coronavirus pandemic that has wrecked the world.
According to him, the President saved Ghanaians from the disease after implementing social interventions for the vulnerable after the outbreak of the disease.
He made this assertion when the President and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him as part of his 3-day tour in the region.
‘The President has something unique, had it not been Nana Akufo-Addo many people could have perished through Covid-19. He implemented a lot of social intervention policies like free water, electricity, and others and now we can all testify the disease has decreased. I believe that, by the time Nana Akufo-Addo leaves here to Accra, the country will get rid of the Covid-19” he said.
Nana Effah Opinamang III pleaded with the President to help establish a police station due to the enlargement of the Obo community.
“I will plead with President to help us establish a police station because of the increase in our number” he said.
President Akufo-Addo responding to the Chief’s plea promised to do his best to help establish a police station for the community.
“I have the IGP here and I believe tasking him to establish a police station won’t keep long,” he said.
The President said, by the time his mandate comes to an end, the people of Kwahu will realize he came purposely for them considering the number of developmental projects put in place under his auspices.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and the people of Kwahu for their undying support towards the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and also voting massively in retaining the seat at the end of the 2020 polls
Prof. Ken Attafuah, Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA)
• Ghanaians have begun the process of SIM card re-registration
• The exercise will end in March 2022
• the only identification card accepted is the Ghana National ID or ECOWAS card
Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof. Ken Attafuah has explained why a passport cannot be used as an identification card for the ongoing SIM card re-registration exercise.
He narrated that during the mass registration for the Ghana Card, a lot of passport holders in the country acquired it through improper means, making it an unreliable source of one’s identity.
He added that aside the improper means people used to acquire the passport, the booklet is the primary document which makes one eligible to travel across countries and not for identity.
He affirmed that for a superior index of one’s identity, the Ghana card is far ahead of a passport.
“A passport is a primary document for establishing your citizenship and eligibility to travel across borders but even so, you see visa requirements. There is a limit,” he said on The Point of View on Citi TV, on Monday, October 5.
“During the mass registration, there were people who went to registration centres with Ghana passports but were denied the right to register, because, upon interrogation, it was found that they were not Ghanaians.”
“It can be found to be procured through improper means and you cannot rely on it,” the NIA boss added.
Prof Attafuah also noted that, as a requirement of law, “wherever identification is to be established, a Ghana card shall be required.
President Akufo-Addo has told members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) that their threat to reject the nomination of Sam Payne as the Mayor of Kumasi on the grounds of the nonpayment of the assembly’s debts running into some GH¢50 million is unfounded.
He says the debt which has become a yardstick for the assembly members was not incurred by the nominee and so it would be unfair to hold him to ransom and make him a victim of the past.
Speaking with Kwame Adinkrah in an exclusive interview on Kumasi-based Pure FM monitored by Mynewsgh.com on Monday morning, the President said the debt remains mysterious since its origin and or authenticity has not been verified, stating he is unable to make any commitment to settle it until a thorough investigation has been instituted.
“He is not the one who incurred the debt so I don’t understand the connection; if he was the one then I would bear with them but to make him a victim of the past, I think it is unfair. That is why I have come to plead with the assembly members to confirm him to make way for him to address the issues of the debts.”
He said the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Decentralization, Dan Botwe has been tasked to take steps to investigate the genesis of the debt and brief government accordingly.
He therefore appealed to the assembly members consider the “popularity of Sam Payne” and the interest of the City of Kumasi to confirm his nominee.
Meanwhile, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly is set to vote on the nomination of Sam Payne as the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi at the Prempeh Assembly Hall tomorrow morning.
Presiding Member of the KMA and Amakom Assembly Man, Hon. Stephen Ofori who spoke in an interview with Angel News last week insisted that nothing short of written commitment by government to have the assembly’s debts paid would make them vote for Sam Pyne.
Thirteen people have been confirmed dead in an accident at Konongo on the Accra-Kumasi Highway in the Ashanti region.
The accident is reported to have been Sunday evening, around 10 pm between an Accra-Kumasi bound bus and a Cargo Truck at Konongo.
An eyewitness said one of the buses attempted to overtake another vehicle which led to a head-on collision with an oncoming bus.
The injured people have been rushed to the Konongo Government hospital for treatment while the deceased have been deposited at the morgue awaiting autopsy.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inspected work on the construction of the J. A Kufuor Senior High Technical School, the Creative Arts Senior High School and Bosomtwe Girls’ Senior High School all in the Ashanti Region.
On Saturday, 2nd October 2021, President Akufo-Addo visited the J. A Kufuor Senior High Technical School and the Creative Arts Senior High School, whose construction commenced in December 2019.
Named after the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, the J. A Kufuor Senior High Technical School, located in Dabaa in the Atwima Nwabiagya North, it will serve as a model Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) school.
Taking the President on a tour of the facility, the Project Manager told the President that the school has a capacity to house some 1,200 students, with the school placing an emphasis on technical education, which would prepare students for jobs involving applied sciences and modern technology.
The school, the Project Manager stressed will be completed in the course of 2022, ahead of the commencement of the 2022/2023 academic year.
The J.A. Kufuor Senior High School is fitted with a full complement of amenities such as playing fields, administrative buildings, libraries, and dormitories. Additionally, the V-Block in the school has a total of 24 classrooms, as opposed to 12 classrooms in the E-Blocks constructed by the former administration.
Plans are in the pipeline for the construction of 35 more such model schools around the country.
President Akufo-Addo also inspected work on the construction of the creative arts industry, the very first Senior High School in Ghana dedicated solely to the industry, located in Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region.
The school will equip students for the Arts, through powerful learning experiences, embrace and excel in the arts and academics, whilst working towards their visions of the future.
The Project has been designed to include the following 2-storey administration block; library block; auditorium/theatre (1,300 designed capacity); 4-storey 16-unit creative arts block with ancillary facilities; 4-storey 20-unit classroom block with 4 dedicated laboratory rooms; 3-storey dormitory block; 2-storey dormitory block; dining hall with kitchen; principal’s residence; 2 vice principals’ residence, 2 no. staff flats; sports area; maintenance shed; waste treatment/holding bay; access roads and paved walkways; and gatehouse.
On Sunday, 3rd October 2021, President Akufo-Addo inspected ongoing work on the construction of Bosomtwe Girls Senior High School, which is being established to promote the participation of girls in STEM education.
The school is complete and equipped with the requisite labs to aid 21st-century learning approaches and methods in science-based learning.
The President was told the construction of an 18-unit classroom block with offices and washrooms and external works was 100% complete. A 4-Unit Science Laboratory Block, being constructed by GNPC, is 90% complete, with the construction of a girls’ dormitory block currently ongoing
A Tema-bound low-bed truck is stuck under the Hong Kong footbridge on the George Walker Bush motorway.
Personnel from the Odorkor Motor Traffic Transport Department (MTTD) have been at the scene directing and assisting approaching motorists.
The police said in a statement that efforts are underway to remove the stuck equipment from the truck.
Meanwhile, the driver of the truck has been arrested by the police to assist with investigations.
Also, the Greater Accra Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highways Authority has been to the scene to support the police with on-the-spot investigations.
The police has advised approaching motorists to drive cautiously on that route
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said his administration will remain resolute in its mission to address the socio-economic needs of the people.
“It has been my policy to get to the grounds and listen to the concerns of the citizenry.
“Governance is about the welfare of the people,” the President noted, assuring that his Administration would advance the good cause of the state to transform the lives of Ghanaians for the better.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Akropong in the Ashanti Region, he cited the implementation of numerous development projects nationwide, saying these initiatives had the objective of bringing prosperity to the citizenry.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is in the Region on a four-day tour to interact with the people, and inspect ongoing infrastructure projects encompassing education, roads, industrial and health as well as sports facilities, amongst others.
At Dabaa, he inspected work on the construction of the J.A. Kufour Senior High School (SHS), a facility which is in honour of Ghana’s former President, John Agyekum Kufour.
He also toured Atwima-Boko to look at the upgrading of the 15.2-kilometre Kwadaso-Trabuom road, a project being undertaken by Messrs. Asabea Engineering Limited.
Another project visited on the second day of the President’s tour, was the Darko Farms Poultry Processing Plant, which falls under the government’s ‘One District, One Factory’ Programme, as well as the Creative Arts SHS construction site at Kwadaso.
President Nana Akufo-Addo said the government would monitor effectively, work on social amenities being carried out in various communities across the country.
This is to ensure their successful completion in order to improve the living conditions of the beneficiaries.
A fire officer with the Agona Swedru Fire Service in the Central Region has died while attempting to rescue three men from a well in which they were drowning. According to Citinewsroom.com, the sad incident occurred at Gomoa Obuasi in the Central Region.
The report identified the deceased officer as Assistant Station Officer Joseph Aidoo.
It is reported that the Fire Service was called to rescue the three persons who were working on the well before they mistakenly fell inside.
Officer Joseph Aidoo who was part of the team deployed to the scene attempted to save the trapped victims but ended up drowning and dying.
The three persons were later removed from the well and are receiving treatment at the Agona Swedru Hospital, the citinewsroom.com report said.
It added that the incident has left the deceased officer’s family in a state of grief.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa Central, Benjamin Kojo Otoo visited the bereaved family to commiserate with them.
He promised that his assembly will collaborate with the Member of Parliament for the area to give the officer a befitting burial.
They include Professor Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, Dr Rose Kutin-Mensah, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Professor Kwame KariKari, Mr Akoto Ampaw and Professor Raymond Atuguba.
In their view, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which is being championed by some legislators, is an “impermissible invasion of the inviolability of human dignity.”
The private members’ bill, which is in the works, is proposing a 10-year jail term for offenders, including promoters of any sexuality that falls within the LGBTQI+ spectrum other than between a man and a woman.
The 36-page bill, which is yet to be considered by parliament, seeks to unequivocally criminalise LGBTQI+ activities.
Among other things, it says people of the same sex who engage in sexual intercourse are “liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than seven hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years or both.”
It covers any person who “holds out as a lesbian, a gay, a transgender, a transsexual, a queer, a pansexual, an ally, a non-binary or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female.”
The legislators promoting the bill submitted a copy of the draft to the Speaker of parliament on 29 June 2021.
The bill is not only targeting persons of LGBTQI+ orientation but also promoters of such spectrum of sexuality.
For instance, it proposes that: “A person who, by use of media, technological platform, technological account or any other means, produces, procures, markets, broadcasts, disseminates, publishes or distributes a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill, or a person uses an electronic device, the Internet service, a film, or any other device capable of electronic storage or transmission to produce, procure, market, broadcast, disseminate, publishes or distribute a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years.”
Additionally, it suggests that persons who engage in any activity that “promotes, supports sympathy for or a change of public opinion towards an act prohibited under the Bill” be held liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years or not more than ten years.
It also wants all LGBTQ+ groups, societies, associations, clubs, and organisations disbanded.
Flouters of this section could face up to not less than six years or not more than ten years imprisonment.
In the view of the 15 professionals opposing the bill, railroading it through would mean challenging Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The 18-page memorandum noted that “the proposers of this far-reaching claim have not provided any data or evidence to suggest that there is such a threat, beyond a resort to some dogmatic religious tenets and so-called Ghanaian family values.”
The opposers said: “Christ’s message was/is that we should love our neighbour and not be judgmental and promote the hate and bigotry that many self-styled Christians exhibit and seek to impose on Ghanaian society.”
They argued per Article 18 of the Constitution that Ghana is a secular democracy and “not a theocratic Christian or Islamic Republic or an African traditional monarchy or chiefdom.”
“In other words, while it allows Christian, Islamic, African traditional and other religious beliefs and practices to exist in harmony with one another as fundamental rights, our Constitution rightfully forbids the imposition of a religious dogma, whether Christian or Islamic or traditional on Ghanaians.”
They cautioned the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs against creating a “society where the state, through legislation, imposes one view of ‘proper human sexual rights’.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that there are no justifications in the military intervention in the governance of a country in spite of the reasons the men in uniform always give for their actions.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Ash FM on Saturday, 2nd October 2021, as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana has been enjoying political stability since 1992 because the Ghanaian people have the opportunity, every four years, to use the ballot box to decide whether to change a government or maintain one in office.
“Using the ballot box has contributed to the stability of our country. People believe that if a leader is not doing well, they can vote against that leader in four years’ time. We don’t need a coup to change someone,” he said.
As a result of military takeovers in Guinea and Mali, President Akufo-Addo revealed that ECOWAS has started reviewing its protocols to strengthen the growth of democracy in the sub-region.
“To be honest, I am not speaking (now) as Chairman of ECOWAS, I support the idea… I feel ECOWAS protocols on good governance should outlaw the third-term mandates in any country. I feel strongly it is something that we ought to do to prevent what is happening in Guinea elsewhere,” he added
When asked why the regional bloc looked on while Alpha Conde changed the constitution to extend his term, President Akufo-Addo said, “there are varied reasons for the military intervention, but there is no justification at any stage.”
He continued, “We are opposed, in principle, to any intervention of the military to the political life of a country. The population is capable of resolving its problems through the ballot box
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed gratitude to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Asanteman for supporting the New Patriotic Party and his candidature in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, 1st October 2021, when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at his Palace at Manhyia, at the commencement of his 4-day working visit to the Ashanti Region.
“I am here to show my gratitude to you and Asanteman for your support in the last elections. You have supported the NPP since time immemorial, and in the last elections, but for your unshrinking support and that of Asanteman to me and the NPP, we would not have been in government,” the President said.
He continued, “I am here to show you and the entire kingdom my gratitude for that solid support that has seen us in power.”
President Akufo-Addo, in explaining the rationale for his visit to the Region, indicated that he is in the Region to familiarise himself with the numerous developmental projects going on in the Region, and listen for himself the concerns of residents, the traditional authority and opinion leaders.
The President also used the opportunity to assure the people of the Ashanti Region that he will not take their support for him and the NPP for granted, stressing that it is for this reason that several developmental projects have been done, with many still ongoing in the Region.
“There are many ongoing projects. We can all attest to the fact that Kumasi and Asanteman have not witnessed such massive road infrastructural projects in our political history. Other projects like the 1D1F, the ongoing Kumasi Airport construction which is 77% complete and by June next year, it will be completed after which its international status will be achieved’’ he said.
President Akufo-Addo also assured Otumfuo Osei Tutu II that, even though there were delays with respect to the Boankra Inland Port project, plans are far advanced for the project to take off.
For his part, the Asantehene praised the President for his commitment to the development of the region and the country.
He also praised the President for his tour of the country, adding that, “if you stay in your office, your appointees will tell you what you want to hear. This tour will help you verify what you hear and know the truth.”
“I know you and you do not disappoint. I trust you and I know you will honour Asanteman,” the Asantehene said.
President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah; Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah; Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Works and Housing; National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah; and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako; amongst others
President Akufo-Addo has been cautioned by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, not to act on reports from his appointees without independent verification.
According to the Asantehene, leaders might be misled by trustworthy officials who only give favorable feedback.
He therefore admonished the President to regularly visit key projects to access first-hand information on progress of work.
The Asantehene believes regular visits to project sites will help the President to accurately update himself on the state of progress.
Through such visits, appropriate decisions will be taken to the benefit of the people and government.
“It is good for the President to visit the projects himself. If you listen to reports from the people, they will always deliver the positives. But if you visit the projects, you will see the negatives and make necessary changes”, he said.
The Asantehene however wants the President to ensure development in the Ashanti Region by delivering on his mandate.
“Ashanti Region has seen some development in your term. We are trusting you to complete the outstanding ones”, he added.
The comments by the Asantehene follow a courtesy call by the President as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region.
President Nana Akufo-Addo on his part indicated government’s commitment to ensuring every region gets its fair share of the national cake.
“We haven’t been able to deliver on all the promises but we are doing well. In the area of roads, there have been massive improvement. There were delays at the Boakra inland port but we have found solutions so we will start soon”, he emphasised.
As part of the visit, the President inspected progress of work at the Kumasi Airport.
The upgrade of the airport to international status is 77 percent complete and is expected to be completed by August next year.
Project Consultant, Nana Ametepe, said the existing airport building would be demolished when the new edifice is completed.
The Chief Justice Kwesi Anin-Yeboah has asked the 278 new lawyers who have been called to the Bar not to entertain any corrupt behaviour in the line of their work.
He recited a verse in the Holy Bible which says “Good name is better than riches” to stress the point to them to eschew any corrupt act.
“A Good name is better than riches. Please remember this Bible verse as you begin your journey, it will help you to avoid all the temptations and short cut that you are likely to encounter along the way.
“Resolve to be honest at all times,” he said.
He further told them that complaints made against lawyers will be taken seriously by the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council (GLC).
“Remember that the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council takes actions when complaints are lodged against lawyers, it does not sweep these complaints under the carpet,” he said.
The new lawyers were called to the bar on Friday October 1, 2021
The Special Prosecutor has said officers of the Electoral Commission (EC) who indulge in malpractices such as changing election results will be arrested and prosecuted.
Kissi Agyebeng, who granted series of interviews yesterday, said his mandate is not only to tackle financial crimes but also look at all other corruption-related offences and corrupt EC officials fall within the ambit.
“If you are an electoral officer or a returning officer and you change results, I am going after you,” he said, explaining “Immediately you declare the results, I am going after it and matching polling stations and matching pink sheets with pink sheets and if they don’t tally, I am going after you.”
Office Set Up
He said he met an empty office when he assumed his mandate, and said only one person was on the payroll of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) with nine others on secondment.
“Some of the divisions include Finance and Administration; there is no HR. We have given you Prosecution Division but there’s no Prosecution Division. Investigation Division isn’t there. Asset Recovery and Management isn’t there. The law says the office can create more divisions but if the ones stipulated in the law isn’t available, not to talk of what you (Special Prosecutor) must set up,” he explained.
Work In Progress
Mr. Agyebeng said that “what we are doing now is that we are building the ship as we are sailing. The office was established in 2018. The Act was passed in 2017 and the assent was given in 2018. So, imagine my shock when I go in after 5th August to find out that the office has been established but it hasn’t been set up and it hadn’t been operationalised.”
“So, I’m setting it up and operationalising it. I won’t say nothing has been done; things had been done but the office hadn’t been set up,” he admitted.
He said the “Act provided for the establishment of some divisions and if the board were minded, to create further divisions, but when I took up, there are no structures, no division, department and all.”
“Nothing had been set up; nothing – even a front desk. Not a single division, no HR, there was nothing when I took up that job,” he said.
“There is only one person on the payroll. I won’t disclose who. So, you have a chief accountant, who is on secondment; and one investigator, who is on secondment from the police [service]. You have a lawyer, who’s on secondment from the Attorney General’s office and that’s that.
“The rest then will be gatemen, cleaners, stewards, an office secretary, a special assistant to the office. In all, I counted 10, first day. Second day, one resigned because I asked him some questions he couldn’t provide answers to it. So, within 24 hours, nine; but it’s only one on payroll. What are you going to do?”
“By the end of January, immediately I get a Board, I’m going to have, at least, 250 staff,” he assured.
Amidu Attack
Mr. Agyebeng reacted to some remarks made about him by his predecessor Martin Amidu when his nomination was announced.
“When I heard Martin Amidu’s ‘poodle’ comment, I shrugged. If you don’t know me and you sit in your house and write something for people to believe you, that’s you. I knew it will be a daunting task but I didn’t anticipate going into an office that’s not been properly set up. It meant that I had to revise my notes.”
He said just as there are people who want him to succeed, others are yearning for his failure, saying “if you have done nothing wrong, why should you be afraid? If you’re involved in corruption-related activities, I’m coming for you. I see some people on the divide praying and fasting that I fail. There are detractors all over. There are some well-meaning people who want this fight to go on well.”
Luxurious Lifestyles
The Special Prosecutor said people would have to start explaining how they acquired properties and are living in life of luxury.
“Those of you driving cars that we have no idea where you get them from. What work do you do to be driving a Bugatti? You will explain it to me. It’s also part of my job. I can give you a notice for you to report in my office to show me where you acquired the Bugatti from. What work do you do? Come and show me your salary . . . If you don’t explain it clearly to me for me to better understand, I will impound the car and proceed to court,” he warned.
All Targets
He made it clear that “the Office of Special Prosecutor is not targeting only politicians but public officials, politically exposed persons, meaning a person who the government has given a position in this country – the person can be a judge, police officer and so forth – and the person’s spouse, children and anyone closely associated with the person is politically exposed person. Also, political party officials like a party chairman at a constituency, a party chairman/executive at the national level; the Special Prosecutor can investigate all of them,” he said
Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Government has downplayed concerns expressed by lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over the use of Ghana’s presidential jet by Liberian leader George Oppong Weah.
Reacting to the claim, the foreign affairs ministry in a statement said it is normal practice for other African leaders to be allowed to use Ghana’s jet.
“In the light of the strenuous and concerted efforts by ECOWAS leaders to broker peace in the region, the Ministry finds it rather unfortunate that Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa would seek to deliberately muddy the waters with these negative comments.
“In the latest of such utterances, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa sought to suggest that transporting the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Weah, aboard Ghana’s presidential jet to participate in the emergency ECOWAS Summit during the recent political crisis in Guinea, constituted an impropriety. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“It must be emphasised that the practice of sharing travel resources among West African Heads of State and high-ranking officials, is not a recent phenomenon. Indeed, in the past, some Heads of State have, in their capacity as Chair of ECOWAS, extended this courtesy,” the statement said.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has called for an intensified advocacy and campaign as new statistics show that the rate of new HIV/AIDS infections among minors is increasing. Director-General of the Commission Mr. Steve Gyeremeh Atuahene disclosed this in an interview on Rainbow Radio adding, the rate is an issue every Ghanaian must show concern about.
He explained that new infections among children from 0-14 years were 3,596. Also, it was discovered that older men are infecting young girls by deliberately not protecting themselves. In an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said 5,211 young people between the ages of 15-24 years contracted the virus with, 4,325 being females and 866 being males.
He said this major problem, and we must adopt measures to address the rate of infections in this age bracket. He advised older men to stop infection with young girls with the virus. ”The older men sleeping with the young girls are not wearing condoms. They are not using protection. They are deliberately sleeping with these young girls and infecting them. He indicated that persons who are infected are also not taking their anti-retroviral drugs as required by their doctors.
• The office of the Special Prosecutor is a security prone area; the Special Prosecutor has said
• Due to the nature of the job, close confidants are all vetted when an applicant qualifies for a position
• Wives, husbands, fiancees are all vetted
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has noted that persons who will apply for jobs at his outfit will undergo scrutiny.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokroo morning show, monitored by GhanaWeb, the Special Prosecutor said, applicants who are married will have their spouses equally vetted, to ensure that they are not posing security risks to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Also, the young ones who are in a relationship will have to disclose it during their vetting for the necessary actions to be taken.
The legal luminary noted that, the applicant risks losing his/her job if he/she fails to disclose his relationship status; his/her spouse or fiancée and the OSP finds out.null
Also, if an employee is ready to tie the knot, he/she must inform him about it for a piece of advice.
Should the fiancée be found as a security risk, the employee would have to forgo the marriage and keep working or choose the marriage and resign from office.
He however indicated that the interview will be done in a free and fair manner.
Kissi Agyebeng said, “Anyone who applies will go through an interview. We’ll give everyone the opportunity to go through the interview…it will be done on a fair basis. If you want to work with the Office of the Special Prosecutor, you have to understand that you are about to work in a prosecutorial institution, investigative division, asset recovery and management division so it is a security set up so we don’t have an ordinary code of conduct.”
“Before you are invited, you will be vetted to ensure that you are not a security risk. If you are married, we’ll vet your husband/ wife. If you don’t disclose your marital status during the vetting and we find out, you will be disqualified,” he added.
“In a case where you passed the interview and you are about getting married, you have to tell us about your fiancée for him/her to be vetted. After vetting your fiancée and we realize he/she is a security risk, you will be given 2 options. Either you forgo the marriage or work. When you are an employee and you want to get married, you have to inform me about it,” he stated.null
Parliament on July 30, 2021 approved the nomination of Kissi Agyebeng for the position of Special Prosecutor.
His approval follows a recommendation by the Appointments Committee, barely an hour after his vetting by members of the Committee.
The private legal practitioner has replaced Martin Amidu, who resigned from the position in November 2020.
• The finance minister is expected to present the 2022 budget statement on November 15, 2021
• The presentation is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and PFMA 2016 (Act 921)
• The ministry is seeking inputs from the public and various bodies before the presentation
The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to deliver the 2022 budget statement before Parliament on November 15, 2021.
The presentation of the budget is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
According to a statement issued by the ministry, it is prior to the presentation, seeking inputs from various business associations, professional bodies, faith based organisations as well as the general public.
The inputs the ministry added will cover the budget preparation from 2022 to 2025 and should reach its offices not later than October 8, 2021.null
This approach, the ministry explained, forms part of government’s commitment to deepen citizen engagement and participation in the budget process.
Meanwhile, at the 2021 mid-year budget review, Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that government will not be seeking additional funding and supplementary budget for the next half of the 2021 financial year.
According to him, the move is intended to contain the country’s rising debt stock as well as avoiding fiscal revenue slippages.
Ken Ofori-Atta during the presentation announced some key job creation programmes and projects government intends to undertake over the next three to four years.
The ambitious plan, the finance minister said will deliver one million jobs for the youth over the next three to four years which will be facilitated through the Ghana Coronavirus Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (Ghana CARES) programme.
The programme is expected to promote and support the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), new ventures and start-ups.
The Police are investigating the circumstances leading to the death of a policeman, Constable Ernest Newtown Dwamena, of the Savannah Regional Police Operations Department. A truck is said to have run over Constable Dwamena, killing him instantly.
The unfortunate incident occurred Wednesday September, 29, 2021 whilst on official duty at Buipe in the Savannah Region. According to a statement issued by the police today, and sighted by DGN Online, the truck driver is believed to have lost control of his vehicle and crashed into, Constable Ernest Dwamena thereby killing him on the spot.
“Like other police officers, Ernest said goodbye to his family and left for duty hoping to see them after the close of work but unfortunately met his untimely death due to the nature of our work.
“Like other fallen colleagues, his name will be engraved in gold on our hearts,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Savannah Regional Police Command led by DCOP Ebenezer Larbi visited the family of Ernest at Kintampo in the Bono East Region to commiserate with them.
The Ag. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has reached out to the parents via a phone call and extended the condolences of the Police Administration to them
Public sector workers should have had no pay rise this year, former GIMPA rector Prof Stephen Adei has said.
He noted in an interview with Class91.3FM’s Kofi Oppong Asamoah on the Class Morning Show that no group of workers should have had any salary increase considering the fact that Ghana’s economy was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country got plunged into an economic crisis.
On 18 August 2021, some aggrieved public sector workers demonstrated in the national capital, Accra, against the 4 per cent and 7 per cent rise in their base salary for 2021 and 2022, respectively.
They were also not in favour of the 6 per cent and 8 per cent rise in the national minimum wage for 2021 and 2022, respectively.
One of the demonstrators told Class News: “We only want to tell the politician that the country does not belong to them alone and that public sector workers also deserve a bit of the cake and that 4 per cent is nothing to write home about”.
“So, we just want at the end of the protest, to hear from the government that they have changed their decision, they are going back to the negotiation table and they are giving us nothing less than 25 per cent”.
However, Prof Adei said rather than agitate, the public workers should count themselves lucky to have even had a 4 per cent pay rise.
“The situation in the country is such that except that – I must qualify it – you cannot say zero per cent for them and other people get 70 per cent or get an increase”, the former Board Chair of the Ghana Revenue Authority clarified.
“It should have been zero across the board because the message should have been sent that we are in a crisis, so, we can’t have ‘Monkey dey chop baboon dey work’”, he explained.
He said the president’s decision not to accept a pay rise for himself and the executive was enough to have signalled to the rest of the country that it was time to make sacrifices.
“The president has come out and yet, in Ghana, good news is not good news. The president has said that all the increase which was recommended, he is not going to accept it; as well as his vice and his ministers, and you know, it was just a flash in the pan”, Prof Adei observed.
“He [president] gave the instruction right from the beginning and what he has done is that, still, automatically, the Controller and Accountant General paid it into his account so he was refunding it. But whatever it is, whether it is from the outcry [of Ghanaians] or not, if you are a leader, it’s a good example. It says that: ‘We are in difficulty and, therefore, I’m – whether he was prompted or reacting – going for zero’. Then the other people should know that their 4 per cent is actually higher”, Prof Adei said.
“But the parliamentarians should come out and say something quickly”, he noted
Mr. James Dadson, acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, has stated that the Commission is working hard to address the myriad of challenges facing land administration in the country, and very soon, Ghanaians will enjoy very smooth services from the Lands Commission.
In that regard, he said, the Commission was putting measures in place to improve mapping and spatial data, production of digital-based maps for accurate data collection, establishing a National Spatial Data Infrastructure to ensure that agencies that required land data had a reference point as well as ensuring that all manual land records were transmitted into a digital one.
So far, 10 percent of the manual land records in the Greater Accra Region had been digitized, Mr. Dadson stated.
The Executive Secretary added that efforts were ongoing to decentralize land service delivery by opening district offices across the country.
To achieve the Commission’s digitisation agenda, he said, it intended to build the capacity of its staff and improve corporate governance culture, saying that, digitization and modernization of land administration was a catalyst for developing all sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Dadson further announced that government is in the process of rolling out a new policy on property rates for appropriate rates to be charged on every structure.
He said the process required multi-sectoral efforts and that the Lands Ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to promulgate a legislative instrument that would ensure that land was considered a vital ingredient in evaluating the value of any property in the country.
“The current law that regulates property rates cannot include land as a variable or ingredient for valuation of the property and so you value the property based on the structure and not the value of the land and I think it’s inequitable and unfair. Therefore the new policy would ensure equity in property valuation,” Mr. Dadson emphasized.
Additionally, a Committee was set up to take inventory of all state acquired lands and ensure that all vested lands were protected from encroachment.
Mr. Dadson announced this in Accra on Tuesday when the management of the Lands Commission updated the media on its digital transformation programme to ensure efficient delivery of land services.
So far, with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Lands Commission had completed an appraisal of property rates of 75 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide.
On the part of the Lands Minister, Mr. Jinapor expressed the government’s commitment to reforming the land administration system in the country by leveraging technology to digitize all land records for efficient service delivery.
The Minister said the government would work with the private sector in that endeavor and was of the belief that by the first quarter of next year, all the digitization interventions rolled out by the Commission would take shape
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 396 suspected criminals between the ages of 17 and 55years after swoops in the 15 Police Divisions in the region.
According to the Police, the swoops were conducted simultaneously within all the fifteen (15) Police Divisions in the Region, between Wednesday 14th September and Monday 20th September 2021.
A statement by the Police said, the arrested persons were screened and profiled and those found culpable put before the various Courts in the Region. Some of the suspects were remanded into custody to reappear at a later date, whilst others were granted Court bail to report.
The Police have also revealed that the various Divisions have conducted motorbike swoops from Saturday 25th September to Tuesday 28th September 2021 and intercepted Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two (792) motorbikes and impounded same.
Some persons were arrested and have all been asked to produce the documents covering the motorbikes for inspection and verification, those found to be fake will have the owners prosecuted.
The Police Command assured the general public of it continued fight in bringing crimes to their barest minimum and to assuage the fear of the citizenry
A Ghanaian prisoner who was rearrested after escaping from a police cell in Nkafoa, Central Region, has narrated how a police officer helped her escape after giving him four rounds of sex. 27-year-old Theresa Forson who had earlier been convicted in a theft case and was in police custody at Nkanfoa Police Station awaiting sentencing, said 36-year-old Lance Corporal Isaac Apomah released her after she gave in to his demand for sex.
Presenting a case against Apomah who made his first appearance before a court on Monday September 27, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Daniel Mensah disclosed that the police officer was the station officer at the Nkanfoa Police Station on September 25, 2021.
He said around midnight, L/Cpl Apomah brought four sachets of ‘Abe Nsuo’ also called “One Show”, to the station and gave the plaintiff, who was at the time, a prisoner on remand at the station, two sachets to drink which she drank.
Around 3:00am, L/Cpl Apomah in a conversation with Miss Forson, said the detective handling her case was troublesome and that he could let her go scot-free if she would allow him to have sex with her. Miss Forson reportedly agreed to the deal and had sexual intercourse with L/Cpl Apomah, after which he opened up the cells for her to have her bath.
ASP Mensah said; “Apomah then gathered Ms Forson’s items, which were being kept in police custody, including a mobile phone, and put them at the entrance of the police station and signalled her to run away.”
Upon arriving her family house, Ms Forson went to her father-in-law and narrated the incident that had transpired. The man then took her back to Bakaano Police Station where the incident was reported.
Theresa was rearrested and handed over to the Kotokuraba Police for investigations. The policeman who is to appear before the court again on October 12, 2021, was charged with rape and aiding the escape of a convict.
Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has rubbished claims by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that there is disquiet within the ranks and file of the Armed Forces.××
According to the GAF the statement by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP’s statement is not only a palatable lie but also without basis.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleged in a story carried by an electronic media on Tuesday September 28, 2021 which was sourced from the Facebook timeline of the legislator that “there is some form of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s preference for luxurious aircraft operated by a foreign crew”.
However, a statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate, General Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 denied the remarks by the notorious MP.
“We wish to state unequivocally that this allegation is untrue and without basis,” according to the statement signed by Commander Andy La-Anyane, Acting Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He indicated that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces are rather excited with high level of moral as result of the support the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done for them in terms of retooling of the Forces for smooth running of operations and accommodation provided for the troops and their families.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the morale of personnel, not only in the Ghana Air Force as is being alleged, but the entire Ghana Armed Forces has never been at a very higher level. Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces appreciate the numerous additions that the government has made for the smooth running of operations, including accommodation for troops and their families, vehicles to enhance mobility, review of salaries amongst many others.
“Troops also appreciate the efforts being made by government in retooling the Forces with the acquisition of a number of platforms including war ships for the Ghana Navy, Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Ghana Army, various aircraft including strategic lift for VIPs for use by the Ghana Air Force and many others.
“It is also important to state that the fighter squadron of the Ghana Air Force is currently being retooled by government to augment the professional posture of the Ghana Air Force.”
“The Ghana Armed Forces therefore admonished the general public to treat the allegations of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with the contempt it deserves”.
Serving warning notice to Ablakwa and other politicians over politicization of the Forces, the GAF further stated that “Additionally, we wish to entreat all Ghanaians, including politicians, not to drag the Ghana Armed Forces into partisan politics. Our mandate as captured in the 1992 Constitution is to defend the territorial integrity of Ghana and we should be allowed to focus on our mandate.
“Finally, we wish to assure the general public once again that morale of troops is very high
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has said the government is focused on fostering closer collaboration with the Swiss government to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Key among the areas for collaboration were the adaption of best responsible mining practices and afforestation.
Mr Jinapor explained that the preservation of Ghana’s forest cover is critical saying that the government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources was working to protect and manage the country’s natural resources as well as reduce the impact of deforestation on climate change.
The Minister stated this on Monday, 27 September 2021 when the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Philipp Stalder called on him in Accra.
Mr Jinapor further highlighted efforts being made by Ghana to develop an efficient land administration system.
On the Greening Ghana initiative, the Minister commended the Swiss Ambassador for leading his team to plant trees and touted the many areas of cooperation the two countries can work at.
He said the Greening Ghana programme will be scaled up next year.
For his part, Mr Stalder said there is room for investment under the Paris Agreement in the protection of the environment and mitigation against climate change.
He explained the relevance of mining in the development agenda of both countries and pledged to work with the government to tackle the issues relating to deforestation and climate change.
The government has held an engagement with the media aimed at sensitising journalists on Ghana’s newly-drafted National Security Strategy (NSS).
The engagement is the first of three sessions put together by the National Security Ministry and the Ministry of Information in taking broad-based inputs from relevant stakeholders, the media inclusive, on the implementation of the NSS.
The participants included journalists drawn from various television and radio networks in the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Volta, Western-North and Oti regions.
Addressing the participants, National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah said the government is using the engagements to primarily equip the media with the appropriate information on the document and how it will be implemented.
He emphasised the need for the media in the country to be circumspect in their daily reportage, especially on issues that have national security implications.
“The media, by definition, is an independent institution”.
“There is a limit to the role of other accountability institutions but for the media, it possesses the independence that enables it to hold the government to account”.
“It is a very important duty the media play, which is why we get concerned”, Mr Kan-Dapaah noted.
“That is why it is important that our media men and women don’t play with the security and stability of the country. Also, it is important that the media is able to do away with sensational stories that have very serious security implications and not because it will help to sell newspapers and get viewership”, he said.
The NSS document was launched on 7 June 2021 by President Akufo-Addo, as part of measures to coordinate national response efforts to protect and safeguard the country from threats, risks and challenges to its security and stability from both domestic and international environments.
For his part, the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, whose ministry facilitated the engagement, underscored the need for extensive education and sensitisation on the content of the strategy.
He said the engagement is important because it provides stakeholders the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their roles in the implementation of the strategy
The Ghana Armed Forces has said the morale of its personnel has never been so high contrary to claims by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s preference for chartering ‘luxurious’ jets for his foreign trips, is raising concerns among the air force.
In a recent open letter to the president, Mr Ablakwa said: “Ghanaians deserve and demand to know from you why you prefer alien luxury aircrafts operated by foreign crews when our celebrated Air Force professionals with unquestionable loyalty trained at significant expense to the taxpayer guarantee better security for our presidents — an action creating considerable disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force”.
However, the Ghana Armed Forces said in a statement signed by Commander Andy La-Anyane, Acting Director Public Relations, that: “We wish to state unequivocally that this allegation is untrue and without basis”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the morale of personnel, not only in the Ghana Air Force, as is being alleged, but the entire Ghana Armed Forces, has never been at a very higher level”.
Read the army’s full statement below:
RE: THERE IS DISQUIET WITHIN THE RANKS OF THE GHANA AIR FORCE – ABLAKWA ALLEGES
The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to a disturbing story carried on Ghanaweb on Tuesday 28 September 2021 which was sourced from the Facebook timeline of Honourable Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleging “there is some form of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s preference for luxurious aircraft operated by a foreign crew”.
We wish to state unequivocally that this allegation is untrue and without basis.
For the avoidance of doubt, the morale of personnel, not only in the Ghana Air Force, as is being alleged, but the entire Ghana Armed Forces, has never been at a very higher level.
Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces appreciate the numerous additions that the government has made for the smooth running of operations, including accommodation for troops and their families, vehicles to enhance mobility, review of salaries amongst many others.
Troops also appreciate the efforts being made by the government in retooling the Force with the acquisition of a number of platforms including warships for the Ghana Navy, Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Ghana Army, various aircraft including a strategic lift for VIPs for use by the Ghana Air Force and many others.
It is also important to state that the fighter squadron of the Ghana Air Force is currently being retooled by the government to augment the professional posture of the Ghana Air Force.
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to advise the general public to treat the allegations of disquiet within the ranks of the Ghana Air Force with the contempt it deserves.
Additionally, we wish to entreat all Ghanaians, including politicians, not to drag the Ghana Armed Forces into partisan politics. Our mandate as captured in the 1992 constitution is to defend the territorial integrity of Ghana and we should be allowed to focus on our mandate.
Finally, we wish to assure the general public once again that the morale of troops is very high.
Two thousand and thirty-four (2,034) LLB candidates who sat for the 2021/2021 academic year Ghana School of Law 2021 Entrance Exams failed in the exams.
Of the 2,824 students from the various law faculties across the country who sat for the exam, only 790 of them passed representing approximately 28% while the failure represents 72%
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has warned bidders for road projects without needed resources to stay away completely.
Speaking at a press conference after a three-day road inspection in Wa, he indicated that he will not allow any visionless contractor to halt government’s road initiative which has been extended to 2021.
Describing road projects as capital intensive, he cautioned that those interested in the field should not come unprepared.
“No matter who you are, no matter your size, no matter your pedigree, once you cannot perform, I have the moral courage and the moral authority to knock you off and be replaced by a more competent person” the Minister warned.
He said a total number of 106 projects have been awarded in the region and work is currently on going.
He assured that measures were being put in place by Ghana Highways Authority, Feeder and Urban roads departments to monitor contractors across all 16 regions in the country.
He also indicated that not all the sites were active but assured that all will be completed in due course.
The Minister added that, his ministry will from next week change the narrative hence, those interested in bidding should be well prepared to venture in to the industry
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Dan Kwaku Botwe has warned Assembly members to stop blackmailing the President’s nominees.
He threatened that President Akufo Addo is clothed with powers by the Constitution to dissolve any assembly found to have defaulted its functions, and transfer such functions to an individual or a body to run the assembly.
“So nobody should think that they can blackmail anybody, blackmail the district because they cannot be dissolved. They can be dissolved and your functions can be taken over by one person or body and we pray that nobody pushes us to that level,” Dan Botwe said.
The comment by the Minister follows reports of rejections of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives nominees.
Addressing the Okere District Assembly in the Eastern Region on Monday, September 27, 2021, the Minister explained that, these powers of the President are explicitly stated in the Local Governance Act, 2016 Section 36&37 of Act 936 which can be triggered by the President if the need arises.
“This goes to many of the assemblies knowing the functions of the Assembly yet some wants to use various means to subvert the work of the assembly and the nomination process. We must understand that by the same law, in Section 36 of Act936, the President has some powers. An investigation by the President that is section 36 Act936 states ‘the President may cause the performance of any function or matter of a District Assembly under this or any other enactment be investigated if the matter is likely to affect the discipline of the District Assembly and shall give direction as appropriate,” Dan Botwe stressed.
He continued that “Section 37 states, [and I want it to be known across the country]. By the Law, the President may declare a district assembly to be in default of its functions by Executive Instrument if it is in the interest of the public to do so. And May by the same Executive Instrument or another Executive Instrument, direct the district assembly on how to perform any office function specified in the Executive Instrument or (B) the President may transfer to a person or body the performance of any of the functions of a District Assembly in default specified in the executive instrument. Where the President has transferred the functions of a district Assembly in default to a person or body, the President may by the same or other Executive Instrument dissolve or suspend the district assembly for not more than a year”.
Dan Kwaku Botwe said governance is a serious business hence Assembly members must understand to commit to the processes.
“Running a country is a serious business so anytime you elect yourself to be of service in any part to develop the nation, I beg you, it is a very serious issue and we expect all of us to do that, it is service to the nation. Service to the community and you are offering leadership”
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive nominee for Okere Kenneth Daniel Addo secured hundred percent votes for his approval by the Assembly
The three-member committee that proved the Ejura killings has presented their their recommendations to the government.
The three-member Committee that probed the Ejura disturbances that led to the death of two persons on June 29, 2021, following the death of Kaaka, has made ten recommendations for government to consider.
The Committee comprised George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Security Expert, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso and Juliet Amoah, Executive Director of Penplusbyte, a civil society organization.
Among others, the committee recommended the transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond for his incompetence in handling the issue.
The Committee also recommended that the families of the two deceased and other affected persons, be compensated.
They also recommended the removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Mohammed Salisu Bamba.
According to the Committee, his continuous presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in Ejura. Meanwhile, Mr. Bamba was reported on July 15, to have withdrawn his application for re-appointment as MCE for the area.
Below are the recommendations;
1. The Committee recommends adequate Compensation for the families of the two deceased persons, namely, Abdul Nasir Yusif and Murtala Suraj Mohammed. Adequate compensation must also be paid to other injured persons, namely; Louis Ayikpa (20 years), Awal Misbau (16 years) and Nasif Nuhu (30 years). These are the names known to the Committee.
2. The Committee recommends the immediate transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, first for his incompetence in handing the situation and for the fact that, his relationship with the community seems to have been damaged beyond repair.
3. We further recommend the structural expansion of the Ejura Police Station and an increase in personnel.
4. We recommend the removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Mohammed Salisu Bamba, since his continuous presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in Ejura.
5. It is further recommended that, the Military Establishment review the actions of the Section on the ground, led by Lieutenant Martin Opoku Adusei, for the inappropriate use of force, and apply appropriate sanctions.
6. We further recommend the training of REGSEC, MUSEC and DISEC officials in the Ashanti Region in Conflict and Crises Management at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at least once every year.
7. We recommend the development of a joint Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) for Military / Police operations, including roles for indispensable allied agencies like the National Investigations Bureau, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, etc.
8. We further recommend that, the NCCE should intensify its Public education in relation to the rights, obligations and civic responsibilities of the people of Ejura.
9. It is further recommended that, all crowd /riot/crises control units be made to wear bodycams and all vehicles and mobile gadgets employed must also have cameras.
10. We recommend the establishment of a Sports and other Recreational Facilities in Ejura under the Zongo Development Fund, so as to re-channel the energies of the youth.
Background
On Monday, June 28, it was reported that a social activist, Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka who was attacked by assailants at Ejura Saturday dawn, had died.
The deceased, was attacked by two assailants, who have allegedly been arrested by the Police. He was repeatedly struck on the head with objects until he lost consciousness.
This led to the youth of the area demonstrating over the death of Kaaka, with some alleging it was politically motivated.
The disturbances led to the deployment of both the police and military to curb the situation, but rather turning bloody, leading to the shooting and death of two persons.
Josephine Panyin Mensah, the main suspect in the controversial kidnapping and pregnancy case at Takoradi is still in police custody despite being granted bail by court on Monday.
Her lawyer Philip Fiifi Buckman told Empire News’ Emmanuel Ohene-Gyan his client could not meet the bail conditions set by the court. He was confident they will meet the bail conditions on Today, September 28.
She pleaded not guilty to two charges of Deceiving a public officer: contrary to section 251(b) of the criminal offences Act 1960(Act 29) and Publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public contrary to section 208(1) of the criminal offences Act 2960(Act 29) levelled against her by the police.
She was granted a GHC50,000 bail with two sureties to be justified.
Western Regional head of prosecutions and legal affairs at the police command who led the prosecutions, Superintendent Emmanuel Basintale, briefing the court said police investigations suggest that the number used by the supposed kidnappers were registered in the name of the accused name Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons
Supt Basintale further told the police that the prosthetics she wore to pretend that she was pregnant was bought at Takoradi market circle at the cost of GHC30.
He further told the court that the lady visited the Takoradi hospital last year on the
Eugene Arhin, Director of Communication at the Office of the President
The director of communications at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, says the process has begun to acquire a bigger presidential jet
The government has started the process of acquiring a new state aircraft that will serve as the presidential jet among other functions, the Director of Communications at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, has confirmed.
The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, in June this year while answering a question on the floor of Parliament posed by MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the state of the country’s existing presidential jet, noted that there was the need for the nation to think about purchasing a new aircraft.
The minister at the time intimated that the current Falcon 900 EX-Easy aircraft, used by the president, was no longer fit for purpose.
According to him, the presidential jet – a Ghana Airforce Falcon Ex-Easy – could only carry 11 passengers minus the crew and it often had to do “undesirable refueling stops at unintended destinations” during long haul flights, causing inconvenience to both the president and the host countries.
To avert such inconveniences, he said the use of the chartered private jet was critical as the plane could carry more passengers and fly long distances without making stops to refuel.
“It is interesting to note that the Armed Forces of Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Uganda, Kenya, Congo (DR), Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, just to mention but a few, all have a Boeing or Airbus Jet of that capacity to serve as strategic air lifts,” he told Parliament in June.
Addressing the presidential press corps on Monday (27 September) at the Jubilee House, Arhin indicated that the government has initiated the process that will lead to the acquisition of a new aircraft to augment the fleet of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The Minister for Defence has made it clear that government has decided to buy a bigger jet to save us from all these troubles.
“I won’t want to go into details. I am sure when the Minister for Defence has the opportunity to give further information as to what government is doing with respect to that I am sure he will do that. I know for a fact that government is already in the process of acquiring a bigger jet for use,” Arhin emphasised.
Regional tour
In a separate development, Arhin indicated that so far President Akufo-Addo has toured 12 out of the 16 regions in the country throughout the year 2021.
To this end, beginning 1 October 2021, Akufo-Addo will undertake a seven-day tour of the Ashanti and Eastern Regions of the country.
After the tour, the president will be left with the Central Region and the Greater Accra Regions to complete his yearly agenda of visiting all regions in the country.
Ministerial assessment
As part of processes towards the preparation of the 2022 budget, Arhin said the President has commenced individual consultation, assessment, review and analysis of the work of each of his ministers.
“Today (27th of September 2021), the President has begun a series of consultative meetings with his Ministers. It is a three-pronged agenda,” Arhin stated.
“The first is to assess their work programme for the remainder of the year; secondly to discuss their budgetary requirements and their work programme ahead of the reading of the budget for 2022 and thirdly to ensure that they continue to be in tune with his agenda for his second term in office,” Arhin added
Farouk Aliu Mahama, son of former Ghana’s Vice President, Aliu Mahama has rubbished news circulating that his mother, Hajia Ramatu Mahama is dead.
A couple of websites have published news of an alleged death of the former Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Ramatu Mahama.
There were also condolences messages pouring in for the former second family from people far and near.
However, son of the former Vice President has denied reports on the death of his mother, saying that her mother is alive.
He took to his Facebook page to deny reports on the death of his mother, saying that it was fake news.
He wrote that “I have taken note of an unfortunate rumours making the rounds about my mom, the Former Second Lady, H.E Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama( neè Egala)
My mom is alive. We should leave matters of death and health in the hands of the Almighty Allah.
Members of the public should please disregard the reports.
Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons, who allegedly confessed that she invented the whole story to “satisfy” her husband, was granted GHC50,000 bail
Josephine Panyin Mensah (Simons), the 28-year-old woman at the centre of a supposed full-term pregnancy and kidnapping, on Monday (27 September) pleaded not guilty in court.
Simons, who has allegedly confessed that she invented the whole story to “satisfy” her husband, was granted GHC50,000 bail in her first court appearance.
The case has been adjourned to 14 October.
She has been charged with deceit of public officer and false publication with the intent to cause fear and panic.
The story of Mensah went viral after it was reported last week that she had gone missing in Takoradi while out on a morning walk. She was said to be nine months pregnant.
She was later found in Axim all in the Western Region.
Arrest
The police arrested her on Friday evening (24 September) after she allegedly confessed that the story was a hoax.
In a Facebook post, the police said: “The suspect, Josephine Panyin Mensah, 28, has confessed to the police during further investigations and stated that neither was she pregnant nor ever being [sic] kidnapped.”
The police had initially informed the public that two separate tests proved that the woman was never pregnant.
The mobile telephone number used to call family members in Takoradi to demand a ransom was actually registered in her name, the state-owned Daily Graphic quotes top police sources as saying.
The woman’s mother and husband, Michael Simons, who were being kept in police custody as suspects, were released late Friday evening
A Police officer stationed at Nkanfoa in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region, Corporal Isaac Apomah, has allegedly freed a suspect in custody after having sex with her.
According to Starr News sources, the suspect Theresah Forson had been in custody for days.
The Police officer is said to have slept with her on Saturday, September 25, 2021, in her cell when nobody else was at post.
Corporal Ampomah after the intercourse is reported to have asked the suspect to run away from the cells to a place where she cannot be found.
On receipt of the information, the Station Officer was instructed to mobilize men in search of the suspect, in the Cape Coast area.
She reportedly went home and due to the fear of the law and to avoid harbouring a fugitive, the family of the convict is said to have brought her back to the police station.
Meanwhile, the police officer in question has been arrested and placed in Police custody to assist with investigations over his alleged conduct
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, says the government is focused on reviving the economy, following the devastating impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
He, however, said that would be achieved if the country is able to vaccinate the majority of its citizens against the disease.
He, therefore, appealed to the public to embrace the government’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out for it to achieve the end-of-year coverage target of 20 million people, to expedite the country’s economic recovery plan.
Speaking at a media briefing in Cape Coast as part of his working tour to the Central Region on Thursday, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah underscored the importance of a fully vaccinated population in building a robust economy.
He said about 1.5 million Ghanaians had either been fully vaccinated or taken the first jab, and expressed optimism that the 20 million target would be achieved.
Additionally, he said the National Vaccine Manufacturing Team was working assiduously for the country to produce its own vaccine.
“Government is making all the necessary efforts but in all of this, people must take the necessary precautions, we must make a point to remind people of their responsibility to protect themselves,” he said.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also reminded the people of the Central Region about the threats of terrorism in the West African Sub-Region and admonished the media to create the necessary awareness for people to become conscious of it.
He encouraged media practitioners in the region to take advantage of the media capacity enhancement and support programmes being rolled out by the National Media Commission (NMC) to build their competencies and skills in the ever-changing profession.
Reacting to concerns about attacks on journalists in recent times, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah reiterated the government’s commitment to protect and guarantee the safety of journalists in the country.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, highly commended the media in the region for their contribution towards its development.She urged them to continue to project the Central Region in a positive way that would attract more investors into the region.
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