The Paramount Chief of the Prang Traditional Area in the Pru West District of the Bono East Region, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, has expressed his gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for establishing a starch processing factory in his district under the “One District, One Factory” initiative.

In his speech, following the President’s visit to his palace, on Sunday, 8th August 2021, at the commencement of his 2-day working visit to the Bono East Region, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III expressed his profound joy and appreciation to the President for the establishment of the factory.

According to the Chief, “Pru West District is a proud host of a gigantic starch processing factory that we are confident that very soon you will be back with us again to commission. Personally, I feel proud and privileged to see such a project in my lifetime.”

Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III continued, “Since ascending the throne, as the Paramount Chief of Prang, it has been my desire to attract industries and companies to my area, which would become my legacy by posterity. Lo and behold, Mr. President, now I can say that this long-burning desire and dream has become a reality in my lifetime. The youth will be employed and hopefully, vices will reduce.”https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=2366005940&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1628535511&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F1D1F-starch-factory-a-dream-come-true-for-me-Prang-chief-hails-Akufo-Addo-26348&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1628535511122&bpp=4&bdt=1273&idt=858&shv=r20210803&mjsv=m202108060101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=3222336667879&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=553946908.1628535512&ga_sid=1628535512&ga_hid=309694517&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=1696&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42530672%2C20211866%2C31060032%2C31060475%2C31062165&oid=3&pvsid=1718231793030826&pem=241&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=Uspo19ZHCJ&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=889

The Paramount Chief also thanked the President for solving their perennial water shortages that have plagued the Traditional Area.

“Mr. President, as part of improving the perennial water shortage that was a nightmare in Prang, you have successfully constructed the Prang Small Town Pipe Water System Project. The people of Prang now have running water in their homes, all year round” he said.

He also indicated that several mechanized boreholes and hand pumps have also been constructed across the district, supplying potable water to the people in Pru West.

The chief was also full of praises for President Akufo-Addo for ensuring that, under his government, “Pru West District has witnessed historic developments across the district. These include all the governmental flagship programmes; first under your able leadership, Pru West constituency was made a district on 15th March 2018. This was after several years of failed attempts. It was a dream come true for us” he stressed.

Touching on agriculture, the Paramount Chief noted that the Pru West District has received two farm tractors and other farm implements, and has started an Agriculture Mechanization Centre, which is helping farmers plough their fields at subsidised rates.

“Mr. President, with the free SHS education program, Planting for Food and Jobs and Planting for Exports and Rural Development, my people who are mostly farmers are grateful to you”, he added.

Thanking President Akufo-Addo for the citing of an office of a state institution in the district, the Prang Chief stated that “we are grateful, once more, that you were generous to make Pru West District the host of an ultra-modern regional office of the Department of Feeder Roads. The construction of the two-story office complex is fully completed and we understand that you are here today to commission it. We say thank you, and God bless you.”

On the fight against COVID-19, he congratulated the President on the “remarkable leadership” shown in the battle to defeat the disease.

“It is without doubt your industrious leadership efforts and abilities have earned you the Chairmanship of ECOWAS, and, I must say through your dedication and commitment to duty, we shall defeat the pandemic. This too shall pass”, he stressed.

With the pandemic having ravaged even the most resourced countries, Omanhene Kwadwo Nyarko III said, “we are certainly very fortunate that Ghana has you as our President and leader in these very trying times.”

Acknowledging the inclusion of the Pru West district as a beneficiary of the “Agenda 111”, in which a district hospital will be constructed for the area, he indicated that, “a team of consultants from Accra have already visited the site to undertake an assessment of the land provided for the construction of the district hospital. I know we soon be commissioning the district hospital and will no longer have to travel to Atebubu or Mampong to access healthcare

The Minister for Energy, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has officially confirmed his attendance at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2021 in Houston, Texas, the USA from 16th to 19th August 2021.

OTC ranks among the largest 100 tradeshows held annually in the United States and is among the 10 largest meetings in terms of attendance. 

Ghana has significant investment opportunities arising out of its oil and gas sector and these opportunities position the country to be a leading player on the African energy market, with significant implications for her industrialisation, jobs, technology and skills transfer and ultimately her economic agenda.

The areas that will be highlighted during the conference include;

Acreages for exploration: Ghana has four (4) sedimentary basins namely:  Voltaian Basin, Central Basin, Eastern Basin, Western Basin. All of the country’s current production comes from the Western Basin. This presents an opportunity for investors to invest in the other (3) basins. GNPC has conducted seismic surveys over the Voltaian basin, and these will provide potential investors with adequate data to make favourable investment decisions concerning Ghana. Plans are also underway to acquire data on the other two under-explored basins to ensure data availability for similar reasons.

Farm in opportunities: Farm-ins present an opportunity for prospective investors to operate in Ghana through an existing Petroleum Agreement without having to go through the application process. There are opportunities in the following Petroleum Agreements: West Cape Three Points Block-2, Central Tano Block, East Keta Block, Deepwater Cape Three Points West Offshore Block, Expanded Shallow Water Block Offshore and Offshore South West Tano Block.

Gas Market: The natural gas sector is relatively new in Ghana, however, the sector has experienced some significant infrastructure development e.g the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Development Project. The Gas Processing Plant (GPP) at Atuabo has an installed capacity of 150 mmscfd. However, given the potential for increased associated gas production from the offshore fields, plans are underway to upgrade the GPP’s Capacity to 300 mmscfd as part of the Phase 2 of the WCGIDP. There is also the opportunity for private sector entities to partner Ghana Gas to construct pipelines that will transport natural gas to various demand centres across the country.

Petroleum Hub: Ghana aspires to become a hub for refined petroleum products in the West African sub-region and beyond by the year 2030. Government will provide land and basic infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity etc. but will require private sector participation to provide the facilities within the hub. Investments are therefore required in the following areas:

·      Crude oil refining (3 refineries to be established. Each with a capacity of 300,000 bpsd)
·      Storage of petroleum products (tank farm to be constructed for storage of crude and refined products)
·      Bulk distribution infrastructure throughout the country (2 or more Jetties with multiple berths to be constructed)
·      Establishment of a petrochemical industry (five petrochemical plants to be constructed)
 
Ghana’s delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry and various sector agencies as well as the oil giants, Tullow and Kosmos.

Among others, the Ghanaian delegation shall be joined by Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, H.E. Hajia Alima Mahama. Meetings with high-ranking personalities from companies in the oil and gas sector in Texas are also on the agenda.

The OTC also provides for an exhibition by various countries and institutions and Ghana is not left out, with key exhibitors including the Ministry, GNPC, Petroleum Commission, and the Ghana Gas Company Ltd, among others, all with a view to attracting investments into the country in the sector.

One of the events among several to take place during the conference is the West Africa Oil & Gas Forum. West Africa’s offshore deep and ultra-deep space has continued to attract oil explorers and producers in increasing their operations, especially in Southern and Western Africa, where major projects have either stated or have been unveiled, awaiting resource appraisal and development.

The growth of West Africa’s offshore exploration and production activities have been mainly driven by efforts of governments in their region, to provide key incentives and supporting policies to unlock the investment opportunity, as well as a growing number of international oil and gas companies interested in exploring alternative fields to replacing the maturing offshore producing sites in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. Nigeria is the leading gas producer in West Africa and has 99% of the region’s total proved resources.

The West Africa Oil & Gas Forum will address some of the issues emanating from the oil and gas industry in the sub-region. Dr. Prempeh will deliver the keynote speech.

Ghana’s participation in the OTC will afford international financiers and potential investors the opportunity to engage the country’s energy sector leaders on the energy investment opportunities available, together with the supporting infrastructure such as legal and fiscal regimes, telecommunications and Technology

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated the determination of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the eight-year electoral jinx in the 2024 polls to sustain socio-economic gains.

That would be hinged on the Party’s commitment to accelerate socio-economic and infrastructural development across the country and the various social intervention programmes which were transforming the lives of all Ghanaians under the stewardship of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He said President Akufo-Addo was determined to hand over power to NPP, hence his unwavering commitment to work tirelessly at all times to make sure the party succeeded in governance.

Dr Bawumia was addressing the Central Regional Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) conference at the University of Cape Coast.

The conference which was on the theme: “Breaking the eight, the role of TESCON”, assembled scores of TESCON members, Members of Parliament (MPs) and party stalwarts including; Mr John Boadu, National Secretary, Mrs Marigold Assan, Central Regional Minister among others.

Dr Bawumia, said the NPP was determined to build upon the solid foundation it had laid and as well, complete all innovative initiatives in fulfilment of its 2010 manifesto pledge.

The foundation includes; some bold social interventions such as free Senior High School, free utilities, banking sector clean up, NABCO, one constituency, one ambulance, public sector employment, digitalization among others.

He said even though development achievements provided great assurances for the NPP, the party was not going to be complacent but would continue to work hard to win the 2024 election.

The NPP was committed to building a prosperous country with a resilient economy, free and fair trade, efficient public sector to support the growth of the private sector to create jobs.

“Ghanaians will continue to give the mandate to NPP to continue governance beyond 2024. We will deliver and we will break the eight-year electoral tenure in Ghana with our strong foundation.

“The NPP will not disappoint Ghana,” Vice President Bawumia assured, as he called on the youth of the Party to rededicate themselves in that pursuit saying “let’s see ourselves as collaborators and agents of break the eight.”

Mrs Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister called for support of the youth of the Party to sustain its electoral feat in the 2024 polls

Source: GNA

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has rejected the recent upward adjustment of salaries for public sector workers pegged at four and seven per cent for 2021 and 2022 respectively.

“That is not what we expected. The ongoing discussions on various social media platforms indicate clearly that workers are understandably unhappy with the outcome of the negotiations,” National President of GNAT, Philippa Larsen, said.

She was speaking on Thursday during the opening session of the sixth Quadrennial Eastern Regional delegates’ conference of GNAT, themed: GNAT@90 surviving as a reliable and vibrant teacher union in the 21st century – teaching the journey, explicating the essence and examining the prospects.

Ms Larsen said, “We are not happy either. We had to settle on the relatively low rates of increments reluctantly after intense negotiations spanning many weeks.”

She also said the association’s leadership were so sad and that explains why they could not muster courage to inform members about the outcome of the negotiations with the tripartite committee.

“I am sad, all leaders are so sad and that is why we didn’t have the courage to disclose the initial outcome of the negotiations to you,” she said.

She noted that the current system of remuneration in the country’s public sector was not fair and that it only favoured some categories of office holders, saying, “And we are not going to agree. We will not agree to that”.

She called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene swiftly, otherwise there would be no industrial harmony in the coming days, insisting, “Otherwise there will be no peace and the country will become ungovernable”.

“For industrial harmony in the country, the four and seven per cent, we are never happy,” she added.

She urged the president to initiate a process towards the establishment of a commission made up of experts from various fields to advise government on salaries for all jobholders in the public service to guarantee fairness.

“After all we all go to the same market and there should be fairness in the salaries of all public sector workers,” she stressed.

Ms Larsen also urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to continue to work on all outstanding issues of teachers such as promotions for industrial peace and harmony.
“We have a lot of unresolved issues and we called on the GES to factor in concerns of teachers, otherwise we will not agree and before the close of the week, they are going to hear from us,” she added.

Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong, also told the delegates that prioritising the welfare of teachers remained a key objective of the government. “Without teachers, government education policy implementation is practically impossible”.

He said Government was ready to implement a robust education policy and entreated all stakeholders to support it.

He also promised to convey concerns of the teachers to the President, saying, “I will certainly make sure all your sentiments expressed will be carried to the Education Minister and the President”.

John Appoh Selby, Eastern Regional Chairman of GNAT, called for the need for teachers to be adequately remunerated, cautioning that, “a frustrated and ill-motivated teacher is a virus in the knowledge dissemination chain”.

He said the title “teacher” brought with it huge responsibilities that did not appear in most job descriptions.

“The teacher is charged with that exclusive function of sculpting young minds and preparing young people for positive, active and productive participation within the community.”

GNAT is considered as the largest teachers union with more than 230,000 members countrywide.

GNA

• Akufo-Addo took freedom of speech to its pinnacle in Ghana

• Talk of a return of culture of silence under his administration are unfounded

• These are the view of former NPP National Chairman, Peter Mac Manu

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s credentials relative to promoting freedom of speech has been celebrated by the New Patriotic Party’s former national chairman, Peter Mac Manu.

According to the NPP’s director of elections during the 2020 elections, talk of the Akufo-Addo government superintending over a perceived return of the culture of silence was untenable.

GhanaWeb monitored comments Mac Manu made on the August 8, 2021 edition of Joy News’ ‘The Probe’ programme answering an array of questions around the party’s 29th anniversary.

“I cannot understand how a party in government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the man who brought freedom of speech to its peak in this country, will turn his back against the same thing he has fought for.

“Early this year, in Africa, in terms of freedom of speech, Ghana placed third, so why are people saying all manner of things?” he quizzed.

He touted the NPP’s role in breaking the culture of silence in Ghana through its first flagbearer, the late Professor Albert Adu Boahene.

The subject of culture of silence gained traction months back when Sir Sam Jonah in a public lecture alleged that there seemed to be a creeping culture of people and insititutions being overtly and covertly gagged from expressing dissenting views.

Government roundly rejected Jonah’s position touting strides made in engendering public discourse and critique of the administration.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

There was a near exchange of physical blows between controversial musical satirist, Kwame A Plus and a journalist cum radio presenter, Halifax Ansah Addo, at the studios of UTV during last Saturday night episode of United Showbiz hosted by Abeiku Santana for Nana Ama Mcbrown.

The whole scene was created when Halifax asked A-Plus a critic of the government why he didn’t join the #Fixthecountry demo since he (A-Plus) once stated he was not interested in the demo describing it as ‘jogging exercise’.

This got A-Plus infuriated, throwing insults at Halifax which he equally responded in kind.

However, Abeiku Santana who was in charge of the show virtually lost control leading to the two guests clashing that nearly ended in trading of physical blows.

A-Plus even got up at a point to pounce on Halifax, after using harsh words and insults on live TV.

Even the ‘F word’ was used by A-Plus at a point but he was made to apologize in the end.Video Player00:0006:55

The police has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Lance Corporal Sarah Adjei, a policewoman at Nkawkaw in a hotel room.

They are Timothy Dampare, a lotto agent who also happens to be the boyfriend of the late policewoman and the manager of the hotel in which the cop was found dead, one Richard Nimo.

A statement issued by the police said they are on a manhunt for a third suspect, an unknown male, who answered the mobile phone of the deceased policewoman and said the late officer owed him GHS28,000 and for that, he had to seize her car, a Hyundai Elantra.

Among other things found in the late policewoman’s purse was a handwritten note to Timothy Dampare, which read: “Dear Mr Timothy Dampare, I told you that I owed people money, and you decided to help me, and you have been with me in my house for one week now, and you have refused to help me, so if anything happens you cause it, Mr Timothy Dampare. Thank you [phone number]”.

Her body was found with swollen cheeks and blood in her nostrils on Saturday, 7 August 2021.

She served with the Stores unit of the Nkawkaw Divisional Headquarters.

An earlier police report said they received a call from Mr Richard Nimo, the manager of Misiho Hotel at Akwasiho near Nkawkaw that the late policewoman, believed to be in her mid-twenties, booked the hotel at about mid-day on Saturday but was found dead around 7 pm as he checked up on her.

Apart from the handwritten note found in her purse, a mirror, blue pen, padlock key and a cash sum of GHS11.60 were retrieved.

There were also eight envelopes, all addressed to Mr Dampare, including the one with the handwritten note.

The body has been deposited at the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw for preservation and autopsy as the police investigates the matter.

Source: classfmonline.com

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Saturday, 7th August 2021, commissioned the GH¢7.3 million Savelugu rice processing factory, as part of his 2-day tour of the Northern Region.

The rice factory is a state-of-the-art rice facility, with the capacity to produce between 1.5 and 2.8 tonnes of processed rice per hour. The processing plants installed at the factory include modern parboiling, milling and packaging plants.

It has a standby generator plant and a mechanised borehole to supply the facility with water. It also has a fully furnished office accommodation for staff, a conference room, laboratory and a canteen/kitchen.

The Savelugu Rice Factory was constructed under the 1-District-1-Factory Common User Facility (CUF), which is an agro-industrial factory established by the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The factory, President Akufo-Addo was told, will employ some employ about 118 people including management professionals, factory floor workers and plantation workers who will work on a nucleus rice farm.

In addition, over 600 farmers from Savelugu Municipality and neighbouring communities will be directly engaged to supply paddy rice for processing.

With funding from the African Development Bank, the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) has established five (5) of these CUFs nationwide.

The 1D1F CUF factories are located in Savelugu (rice processing; Nkran Nkwanta in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region (rice processing); Akontombra in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western North Region (rice processing); Dompim in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality of the Western Region (Oil Palm processing); and in Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region (Maize processing).

Savelugu Technology Solution Centre
President Akufo-Addo also commissioned the GH¢6.04 million Savelugu Technology Solution Centre (TSC), which is one of 5 new facilities being established by the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP). The other four are located at Kumawu, in the Ashanti Region, Hohoe in the Volta Region, Elmina in the Central Region and Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region.

The five new TSCs are an upgraded version of and an addition to the original 26 Rural Technology Facilities (RTFs) established by REP, across the country in collaboration with GRATIS and the host District Assemblies.

The TSCs are set up to support the Government’s Industrialization Agenda particularly the 1D1F initiative.

The key functions include production of spare parts and repair services for district factories and the oil & gas industry, manufacturing of agro-processing equipment, provide training for human resource capacity building. To enhance the increased number of trainees, hostels facilities have been provided for both males and females at five of the older TSCs; and to admit trainees from within and outside the districts/municipalities they are located

Ghanaians seeking to travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now do so unhindered following the approval of visa free deal between the two countries.
An agreement to offer visa free entry to Ghanaians and UAE passport holders has been approved by Parliament.

The visa waiver agreement, which was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Ghana and the UAE on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements, is in respect of diplomatic, service/special and ordinary passport holders.

The agreement was executed on November 18, 2019 with the object of waiving the visa requirements for these passport holders in Ghana and the UAE, who can stay for a period not exceeding 90 days.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, presented the MoU to the House on May 26, 2021, which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration and report in accordance with Order 140(4) and 183 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Chairman of the Committee, Bryan Acheampong indicated that during a presentation of their report that Ghana/UAE had had fruitful cooperation, indicating that the two countries were desirous to take the bilateral relations to another level.

According to him, the agreement constitutes a comprehensive framework on visa regimes for both countries and does not impose obligations on the two parties to admit people who are considered to be of questionable character into their territories.

He reported that neither did the MoU impose any financial obligation on the two countries nor provided direct financial gains from its implementation.

The Abetifi MP said the agreement had been fashioned in a way to create a win-win situation for both countries, and added that relaxed visa entry requirement is expected to yield tremendous benefits to citizens of Ghana and UAE through improved relations, trade and bilateral co-operation.

Mr. Acheampong stated that visa waiver arrangements to facilitate the movement of diplomats and government officials are common, except that this one makes ordinary passport holders beneficiaries

Ghana on Saturday received 177,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccines under the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT).The doses are part of a total of 6.4 million vaccine doses to be shipped to African Union Member States in August 2021.

Ghana is among the first ten African countries to receive vaccines through the partnership.

The Deputy Minister of Health Tina Gifty Mensah and the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye were at the airport to receive the vaccines.

The vaccine deliveries are part of the historic COVID-19 vaccine advance procurement agreement signed on 28 March 2021 by AVAT for the purchase of 220 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine, with the potential to order an additional 180 million doses.

“The agreement and the start of deliveries mark the first time that the African Union Member States have collectively purchased vaccines to safeguard the health of the African population,” a joint press release announcing the arrival of the vaccines at the Kotoka International Airport said.

In total, the 400m vaccines acquired by AVAT are sufficient to immunise a third of the African population.

The Member States who have ordered vaccines through AVAT will continue to receive shipments for the next following months.

World Bank financing has been mobilized to support both the acquisition and equitable deployment of vaccines.

Under the additional credit of $200 million for the Ghana COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project, the World Bank is contributing towards financing a total of 16.9 million vaccine doses through AVAT.

In addition, the project is helping to strengthen vaccine deployment, so that doses translate into effective and equitable vaccinations.

This includes support to logistics and cold chain, needed supplies to carry out vaccination, training vaccination teams, and demand generation activities.AVAT was established by the African COVID-19 Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, set up in November 2020 under the African Union chairmanship of President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.

It is part of the African Union’s COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Access Strategy, and its goal of vaccinating at least 60 per cent of the African population with safe and efficacious vaccines against COVID-19.

The agreement with Johnson & Johnson was made possible through a USD 2 billion facility provided by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), who are also the Financial and Transaction 

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has hit back at the opposition National Democratic Congress over management of debt levels and its impact on key economic indicators, and also exposed the NDC in the process.

In a two minute and 49 seconds video, Dr Bawumia defended the government’s management of the economy and made a comparative analysis between the NPP and the NDC, of records of debt management levels and their impact on the economy – analysis, which will surely rile the NDC, as it showed the NPP as better managers of the economy.

The video was recorded during the Vice President’s address to the NPP’s students group (TESCON) branch of the University of Cape Coast over the weekend during their annual conference.

The Vice President, a former economics assistant professor and central banker, took the students, and perhaps, the NDC, through the rudiments of economics, by telling them the relationship between maintaining prudent debt levels and its impact on positive economic indicators.

Dr Bawumia’s riposte was in response to the NDC’s claims of increasing debt levels under the NPP administration, but the Vice President told the NDC of jow prudent the Akufo-Addo government has managed Ghana’s debt levels, which is proven by positive economic indicators, unlike the NDC who couldn’t manage the debt levels and left the economy in ruins with declining indicators.

“I want to let you think about one thing; you hear the NDC saying aah, the debt level has gone up. Sure, the debt level has gone up, but economic levels have not gone down. The debt level has increased yes, but why do we want to maintain prudent debt level?,” Dr Bawumia noted

“When you teach economics, you have to ask your students that question; why is it that we want the debt levels maintained at prudent levels? The reason is that, if you do not manage your debt levels properly, it will affect your exchange rate, it will affect your interest rate, it will affect your inflation and it will affect your growth.”

“You’re managing the economy in a way to look at its impact on these variables; exchange rate, interest rate, inflation and growth rate. That is the issue.”

Having explained that economic principle in simple terms, the Vice President then switched his focus on the NDC and exposed their “incompetent” economic management record, in typical fashion.

“When the NDC was in government, well way before, they took us to HIPC. They had mismanaged the debt levels such that we had very high inflation, very high exchange rate depreciation, very high interest rate and low growth. That was the legacy they left us,” Dr Bawumia said.

“By the time we were going towards 2016, the debt levels had increased such that inflation was going up, the interest rate was going up, exchange rate depreciation was going up and growth also coming down, and they had to run to the IMF for a bailout. Wasn’t that the case? That was NDC economic management.”null

Unlike the NDC, Dr Bawumua indicated, economic levels and growth are up, which, he said, shows the clear difference between the competence of the NPP and the incompetence of the NDC.

“Our debt levels have gone up, but what has happened to inflation? It has come down. What has happened to exchange rate depreciation? Depreciation has come down. What has happened to the interest rate? It has come down. What has happened to growth? It is going up.”

“That is a difference in economic management. There is one that is incompetent and there is one that is competent. If you choose the NDC, you go to the incompetent path, and if you choose the NPP, you have competent economic management.”

VERDICT

Indeed Dr Bawumia is right with what he describes as prudent management of debt levels, and its positive impact on economic levels, or indicators.null

According to data from international and local economic institutions, the rate or average rate for every indicator in the past 4 years, and ultimately, growth, show that the NPP recorded better figures than the last NDC administration led by John Mahama.

For instance, Fact Check Ghana data indicates that the economy under the Akufo-Addo government in 2017, 2018 and 2019, before covid-19, registered a growth rate of 8.144%, 6.263% and 6.478% respectively (before Covid-19 ruined it down to below 1%), while under the NDC between 2013 and 2016, the economy shrank from 7.313% in 2013 to 3.448% in 2016 before the NPP assumed office.

For the depreciation rate of the Cedi, which is the most talked-about indicator, Dr Bawumia is right that there has been a better indicator. The average depreciation rate of 7.52% in the first term of the Akufo-Addo administration between 2017 and 2020, is the best depreciation rate for any first-term government in the 4th Republic, and it is second only to the best of 6.77% depreciation rate, which was recorded in the 2nd term of the Kufuor administration between 2005 and 2008.

And in spite of the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, the cedi, recorded a 3.9% depreciation rate in 2020, which remains the best in any year in the 4th Republic.

The Ghanaian economy is one of the few economies projected by international analysts as being on track to getting out of the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.null

According to global economic analysts, Ghana’s economic growth in 2021, is projected to increase to about 4%.

Watch the video below

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DO6GtFmM-eqk5XVg5.

Source: ghanaguardian.com

Apostle Daniel Adjei

The Evangelical Methodist Church International has dissociated itself from comments made by its Head Pastor for the Asylum Down branch in Accra at the #FixTheCountry protest march, insisting that his loose talk does not represent its position.
The church also indicated that going forward, it is reviewing its association with the beleaguered pastor.

Apostle Daniel Adjei told journalists during the #FixTheCountry demonstration last Wednesday that he joined the protest march because members of his church were no longer able to pay tithes and offerings because they are broke.

But the Church in a statement signed by its Administrator, Samuel Ampadu, is calling all and sundry “to disregard those loose utterances” since they do not represent the position of the Evangelical Methodist (Mission) Church.

The church said it does not resort to public demonstration to demand something but rather advocates “change of mind” through education.

“The Evangelical Methodist Mission wishes to make this public announcement and to all concerned regarding the public utterances of Apostle Adjei during the recent “#FixTheCountry” demonstration on 4th August, 2021,” the statement urged.

It continued that “his public utterances do not represent the position of Evangelical Methodist (Mission) Church.”

The statement noted that Apostle Adjei’s association with the church had been put under review, pointing out that “the Evangelical Methodist Mission is a Christian foundation for the promulgation of the gospel we advocate for change of mind through education not public demonstration.”

“We have built schools (Obo Methodist JSS); we secured the Tail Experimental School property,” the statement indicated and added that the church does not rely on tithes and offerings for its finances.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said that despite government’s creation of thousands of jobs through various initiatives in the past four years, creating more opportunities for the youth remains a top priority of the Akufo-Addo government.

Speaking at the launch of University of Ghana Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (UGIEP)  at the University’s campus on Friday, the Vice President said majority of Ghana’s population (about 52%) is made up of the youth, and with a growing number of young people joining the job market in search of jobs every year, government cannot relent in its efforts at creating jobs and  enabling environment for more entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Some 250,000 young people enter the job market every year, putting pressure on the limited employment opportunities. Getting this population employed remains our major socio-economic challenge. We need to create new jobs or help provide access to existing job vacancies,” Dr. Bawumia noted.

“The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the realities exposed, show us that creating gainful employment for young people now more than ever is crucial to our development.”

The UGIEP is a non academic programme, under the auspices of the Vice Chancellor’s Office, which seeks to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the University of Ghana by developing knowledge and capabilities necessary to create and grow products and services that add social and economic value to society.

The Vice President commended University of Ghana for the initiative, adding that the UGIEP should collaborate with government’s employment and youth development agencies to create more opportunities for the youth.

“At the heart of the UGEIP is empowerment, leverage and value creation. These objectives are in line with our government’s strategic focus for the economy and human capital development within this COVID-19 era,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“It is the expectation of government that the UGIEP, being launched today, will work with existing initiatives like the National Youth  Authority,  Youth Employment Authority, Youth Enterprises Fund,  National Entrepreneurship and Innovative Programme, Ghana Enterprises Agency and others, to help our young people create sustainable jobs opportunities.”

“Government’s strategic anchors of Human Capital Development, Entrepreneurship, Skills development, and education will also provide a platform for this and similar programs to be scaled up leveraging on our digitalization agenda.”

Stressing on the importance of digitization in entrepreneurship, Dr. Bawumia said entrepreneurship will not thrive in an environment with difficulties in doing business, hence the government’s digitization drive to eliminate all bottlenecks in doing business as fast as possible.

“The use of National Identification Card as a unique identifier, the digitization of the processes at the Registrar General Department and the passage of Act 992, give specific focus to business as part of the institutional innovation to grow and support entrepreneurship.”

“Our pledge as a government is to continue to create the right environment to allow the initiatives and companies started through this program to thrive. In so doing I am optimistic that this program will unearth innovations and support and grow companies.”

Source: Office of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

• A-Plus has criticized #FixTheCountry protest leaders for not having a plan

• He described their protest as a mere form of exercise

• He beleives their demands are already being fixed

Avid social commentator, Kwame Asare Obeng popularly known as A-Plus has intimated that the Fix The Country demonstrators just went for jogging and had no plan for their August 4 march.

After several months of battling in court to hold the demonstration, hundreds of Ghanaians on Founders Day, August 4, took to the streets of Accra to demand accountability, transparency, good governance and better living conditions from the government.

Although some notable personalities joined the movement on social media when it commenced, a lot of them did not join the street protest that started from the Obra spot and ended at the Independence Square where some of the protestors outlined issues that needed fixing.null

A-Plus who has been a major critic of government over the years and who’s agenda many perceive was in line with the Fix The Country demonstrators, did not show up for the protest.

Explaining why he exempted himself, A-Plus stated emphatically that in his view, government has already begun the process of fixing the country which includes roads.

According to him, people who joined the protest only went for jogging because the leaders of the campaign had no goal in mind.

“The era of shouting has ended. I don’t go for jogging or keep fit, my understanding of exercising and demonstration are two different things,” A-Plus said on the United Showbiz show on Saturday.

He added, “Let’s get serious in this country, if you know your enemy and yourself, you are always going to win. The event that took place, what was the plan, what was the plan game?“

“They just went for jogging, that is it. You cannot change a constitution by holding a placard and standing on the roadside. I agree that there must be a demonstration but it must have an end goal,” the founder of The People’s Project said.

He quizzed: “After Fix The Country what next? When they started this thing, the road in front of my office was getting fixed. There must be a constitutional change in the country but it does not change by marching. The march must have a plan.” he added.

Watch the video below from the 30-minute mark

https://www.youtube.com/embed/deFaSdp1bMM

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

• Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says embattled Health Minister deserves empathy

• According to him, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu meant well in his efforts to secure jabs for vaccination

• The Health Minister has been mired in a vaccine procurement scandal for months now

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has come to the defence of his embattled colleague minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, whose role in a botched vaccine procurement has been raging for the past weeks.

Ofori-Atta insists that the Health Minister meant well when he entered the now abrogated agreements for the supply of Russia-made Sputnik V vaccines.

“I kind of have listened to the argument and sort of on hindsight…I think there is so little empathy in appreciating what my colleague minister must have been going through,” he told Asaase Radio on August 5.

He recounted how Agyeman-Manu in his opinion had gone out of his way to ensure the safety of Ghanaians at the time of a raging pandemic and when vaccine supply lines were heavily constricted against most African countries.null

Ofori-Atta also praised the efforts of the Ministry in securing the initial doses of AstraZeneca and spearheading the successful rollout by the Ghana Health Service.

He added: “To be so unsympathetic to someone who felt like what can I do to ensure that there is continuity and to sit now comfortably …. I am empathizing with him and I expect that others will realize the type of pressure that he was under and his commitment to ensure that the Ghanaian people are safe.”

The latest on the Sputnik V saga is a Parliamentary committee report that has tasked Ofori-Atta to retrieve in excess of 16 million cedis Ghana paid to an Emirati vaccine contractor. The Minister is on record to have said: “We will always get our monies back.”

Agyeman-Manu came under enormous pressure when during his appearance before the committee last month, he said he wasn’t thinking properly when he entered the deal for the vaccines.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

• Kwaku Baako Jnr. describes health minister’s breach of procurement processes as a mess

• A committee probing the deal says due process was not followed

• Baako believes it will do the minister a lot of good to resign

By and by, people are mounting pressure on the minister of health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, to resign.

The latest is Kweku Baako Jnr, the Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide who says the minister committed “unmitigated disaster”.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the celebrated journalist stated that on NewsFile that it would be welcome news for him should the minister decide to step down now.

“It is an unmitigated disaster. [There was] No cabinet approval, no PPA approval, and no parliamentary approval. It is a mess. It was an unmitigated disaster. He must do the honorable thing and resign because he cannot defend it. If he was minded to resign, I will vote for him,” he said.null

The controversial subject of the procurement of Sputnik V vaccines by the government, led by Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has been exacerbated after the minister appeared before the ad hoc committee constituted by parliament to look into the matter.

It was established that the minister, besides telling lies even under oath, breached processes involved in such procurements, as well the constitutional requirements for such contracts.

In its words, the committee said that “The Agreements ensuing from the negotiations have been submitted to the PPA for ratification… Indeed, at the time of completing its work, PPA was yet to do the ratification.

“The committee urges the Minister for Finance to take steps to recover the money due to the Republic in respect of the amount of US$2,850,000.00 (Cedi equivalent of GH¢16,331,640.00) being the cost of the Sputnik-V vaccines that were proposed to be procured.”

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

• Former Minister E. T. Mensah touts his time as minister of government

• He says he was least worried when in 2012 ex-president John Dramani Mahama ‘retired’ him

• He has recently been making critical remarks of the state of the party

Former Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Enoch Teye Mensah, popularly referred to as E. T. Mensah has disclosed that he wasn’t bothered that then president John Dramani Mahama stripped him of his ministerial post when he won the 2012 elections.

GhanaWeb monitored comments he made when he appeared on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana program late last week to discuss issues around the Saglemi Housing project, which issue is currently the subject of criminal prosecution.

Asked by host Paul Adom-Otchere if he was “unhappy that President Mahama changed you from the Ministry of Works and Housing?”

E. T. Mensah replied: “No, I wasn’t at all, why should I be unhappy?”null

A follow up question about whether he wished that Mahama “should have let you finish the Sege project before you exited the Ministry?” elicited the response: “Wish that? Wishes are not horses, otherwise everybody will ride.

“So if the man says this is the man I want to work with, you have to just handover and walk away.”

President Mahama after winning the 2012 election redeployed three Mills-era top ministers to the presidency with the trio later becoming known as the ‘Three Wise Men.’ Aside Mensah, the other two were current speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and Cletus Avoka.

E. T. Mensah has been defending his role in birthing the Saglemi Housing project whiles belieing claims by some party members that the project was meant to be executed in phases.

Following his recent critical remarks about the party and some members, a petition has been submitted with the party hierarchy to probe the former Accra Mayor and Youth and Sports Minister for anti-party conduct.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been elected Acting Vice-Chairperson of the Commonwealtth Parliamentary Association, CPA.

He beat his only opponent, Gerry Brownlee of New Zealand by 16 votes to six in an election held to fill the vacant position.

An August 6, 2021 letter sighted by GhanaWeb announced the outcome of the vote stating: “The voting of the CPA Acting Vice-Chairperson was undertaken in accordance with Article 21(6) of the Constitution, which allows for an election of Acting Vice-Chairperson in the absence of a formal meeting, an election to determine the successful candidate with a simple majority vote will take place by an email ballot of the Executive Committee Members.

“The votes for the two candidates were counted and the results are as follows:

Candidate A – Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana) – 16 votesnull

Candidate B – Hon. Gerry Brownlee (New Zealand) – 6 votes

“As such, I am delighted to confirm that Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu from the CPA Africa Region, has been voted by the Executive Committee to be the CPA Acting Vice-Chairperson.”

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu will join his colleague lawmakers in late September when next the Executive Committee Meeting takes place.

He is leader of business in Parliament and also Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. The 64-year-old stands as one of the longest serving lawmakers having served in all eight Parliaments in the fourth Republic except the first session i.e. between 1992 – 1996.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ernest Owusu Bempah

Convener of the ‘Fixing The Country Movement’ Ernest Owusu Bempah, has called for the immediate arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, leader of the ‘FixTheCountry’ group for allegedly inciting protesters to overthrow the 1992 constitution.

According to Mr Owusu Bempah, on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 during the ‘FixTheCountty’ protest in Accra, Oliver Barker-Vormawor purportedly called for the overthrow of the 1992 Constitution.

Mr Owusu Bempah described the comments by the leader of the #FixTheCountry group as treasonable and flagrant breach of Section 180 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act (Act 29).

He said Barker-Vormawor’s position as the leader of the public pressure group, required that he would be more circumspect in his public utterances.

He noted that the impression of impunity may encourage others to take the same route and it may ultimately lead to violence and the destruction of the fabric of the state.

He said the “Fixing The Country Movement” is of the view that by making that bold declaration, Oliver was imperilling the life of the fourth republican constitution.

He stated that the impression of impunity may also encourage others to take the same route and it may ultimately lead to violence and the destruction of the fabric of the State.

He has therefore called on the Acting Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo-Dampare and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), to arrest Mr Barker-Vormawor with immediate effect for investigations.

He also called for the arrest of every single person who is involved in conniving to have the fourth republican constitution overthrown and hauled before court for sedition or treason.

The Convener of ‘Fixing The Country Movement, Owusu Bempah indicated this in a statement he issued last Friday, a copy of which was given to DGN online.

He said “We cannot let these people get off without any consequences to their actions,” the ‘Fixing The Country’ Convener said in the statement.

He said it is stipulated in the country’s constitution that “Any person who by himself or in concert with others by any violent or other unlawful means, suspends or overthrows or abrogates the Constitution or any part of it, or attempts to do any such acts commits the offence of high treason and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to suffer death

The Landlord says he will eject the government agency from his property after collecting his rent from them.

The landlord of a building occupied by the Rent Control Department of Ghana at Amasaman has locked the space due to the latter’s inability to pay its rent.

Joseph Nsiah Abugri, the landlord whose building the Rent Control Department inhabits, stormed the office and demanded payment of rent debts owed by the government institution.

According to Mr. Abugri, the Rent Control Department has failed to pay for its rent for the past five months. He said the Department initially made a two-year advance payment to rent his place; and per an agreement between both parties, they were supposed to make monthly payments after the two years advance had expired.

This, he said, has been a real challenge for the past five months after the two years advance expired. Mr. Abugri said all efforts to collect his money have yielded no positive result.

According to him, he reported the issue to the Rent Control Department at Ministries as the law requires of him as a landlord but they directed him to make an official report to the Amasaman branch – the same people who owe him.

“When there is a dispute between a landlord and tenants, it’s the Rent Control Department that settles it. As the law requires of me as the landlord, I made an official report at the head office at Ministries. They asked me to direct it to the Amasaman office since that’s where my property is situated. In effect, they asked me to report to the same people who owe me,” Mr. Abugri said.

He continued, “I was left with only one option – to buy padlocks and lock the facility. I’m demanding the full payment of the five months arrears.”

When asked if that’s the only way he would unlock the office for them to work, Mr. Abugri said “I do not want them in my facility anymore. They should look elsewhere. There are plenty of houses in Amasaman that they can rent.”

The Rent Control Department is a division under the Ministry of Works and Housing that works co-operatively with landlords and tenants to promote optimum peaceful co-existence through education, reconciliation while also providing on rent matters in compliance with the Rent Act 220.

Source: GhanaNewsPage

Founder of the Atta-Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has reiterated the need for Ghana to reconsider the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Commission set up by late Prof. Atta-Mills.null

Mr. Anyidoho said one of the issues raised by the #FixTheCountry demonstrators was for the constitution of Ghana to be reviewed because it has contributed to the challenges of the nation.

The former director of communications at the presidency under Prof. Atta-Mills is demanding answers as to why the recommendations and white paper issued by the late Atta-Mills was not implemented after he passed on.

“As an integral component of his avowed pledge to build a Better Ghana, visionary Leader and Unifier President Atta-Mills, set-up a Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), to seek the views of Ghanaians for appropriate amendments to be made to the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

A report was submitted and a Government White Paper was issued before the death of President Atta-Mills. What happened to the White Paper after the death of President Atta-Mills?.”

He said the Atta-Mills Institute is asking what has happened to the White Paper that was issued by the NDC Government under President Atta-Mills as regards the work of the Constitution Review Commission set-up by President Atta-Mills- when John Mahama took over as President?”null

He averred that in the wake of the fix Ghana’s call for a review of the constitution of Ghana, the Atta-Mills Institute is putting it out that President Atta-Mills began the process but it was truncated after his death.

The CRC was set up by a Constitutional Instrument 2010 (C.I.) 64 as a Commission of Inquiry to conduct a consultative review of the Constitution by the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

The CRC was mandated to ascertain from the people of Ghana, their views on the operation of the 1992 Constitution and help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Constitution; articulate the concerns of the people of Ghana as regards the amendments that may be required for a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution; and make recommendations to the Government for consideration and provide a draft Bill for possible amendments to the 1992 Constitution.

The CRC embarked on activities including District and Community Level Consultations; Specialized Consultations with Identifiable Groups; Diaspora Consultations in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Libya, Botswana, USA, Netherlands, Canada, Italy, and UK.

The commission finally held a National Constitution Review Conference before submitting the Final Report to the late President John Evans Atta Mills on December 20th, 2011.null

The late president also issued a white paper but the country was yet to implement the recommendations of the report.

This Mr. Anyidoho believes was unfortunate especially when the umbrella family had made it clear that it was committed to reviewing the 1992 constitution.

He wondered why the party failed to deliver on these promises after the death of Atta-Mills who was succeeded by former President John Dramani Mahama

.Source: rainbowradioonline.com

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, has waded into discussions over the just-ended “#FixtheCountry” protest held by some aggrieved Ghanaians on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.

Hundreds of Ghanaians trooped into the streets of Accra to register their displeasure with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s governance.

They wielded placards with some reading; ‘Ghana is the most religious yet most corrupt’, ‘If Ghana was your personal property, would you run it like this?’, ‘No to Nepotism, Family and Friends Government’, ‘Fix Dumsor’ among others.

Speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly called Nana B strongly opined that the President is fixing the country already, therefore questioning the logic in embarking on such a protest.

Nana B noted that the President has done exceptionally well looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the World’s economy and the ravages of the pandemic on the growth of Ghana.

”His Excellency, the President, he is fixing the country and everyday, he’s working…I will pray God to continually give Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the wisdom, the strength, the courage and divine direction to effectively execute his duties,” he said.

He added that, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, ”Ghana’s economy presently is one of the best in the world…because they assess the economy with the negative impact of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 has affected every nation…I was proud to be a Ghanaian but how we managed this COVID-19 has made me super-proud to be a Ghanaian”.

Nana B believed the ”FixtheCountry” campaigners have an ulterior motive.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on President Akufo Addo to initiate processes to establish a Commission to look into the poor condition of service of public sector workers.

The President of GNAT Philippa Larsen said there is an imminent disturbance in the labour front over unfairness and disparities in conditions of service in various categories of officeholders which requires immediate redress.

“The current system of remuneration in the public sector is not fair. It favours some categories of office holders in the public service and we are not going to agree. We will not agree to that. We are asking the President of the Republic H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to as a matter of Urgency initiate a process of setting up a Commission to look at salary levels of public sector workers in the country.

“We are calling on the President otherwise there will be no peace and the country will become ungovernable” Phillipa Larsen warned during the 6th Quadrennial and 53rd Delegates Conference of Eastern Regional Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNA) in Koforidua on Thursday, August 5, 2021.

The President of GNAT expressed the disappointment and displeasure of the association over the recent paltry 4% increment in public sector salaries by the government which has sparked outrage.

“I cannot conclude my message without establishing my greatest displeasure about the paltry 4% and 7% salary increment given to public sector workers for 2021 and 2022 respectively. That was not what we were expecting. And that is why my General Secretary doesn’t want to talk about it. He is so sad within him and I am also sad. All teachers are so sad. The ongoing discussion on various social media platforms indicates clearly that workers are understandably unhappy with the outcome of the negotiation. We are not happy either. We have to settle on the relatively low rate of increment reluctantly after intensive negotiation spanning many years ”

The Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong who was a guest of honour reiterated the government’s efforts to maintain the welfare and the development of teachers as a major priority in its education policies.

He said teachers remain the fulcrum upon which government education policies revolved, affirming that without them the success of government policies would be impossible.

Speaking on the theme “GNAT at 90: Surviving as a reliable and Vibrant Teacher Union in the 21st Century- Tracing the Journey, explicating the essence and examining the Prospects “, the Regional Minister said urged teachers to build their capacities to meet the changing demands and dynamics in teaching and learning.

He, therefore called on them to used the occasion of the Delegates Conference to discuss thoroughly measures that would ensure job satisfaction and improve teaching and learning.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah

South Africa’s jailed former President Jacob Zuma has been admitted to hospital, less than a week before he is due in court on further charges of corruption.

The South African prison department said a routine examination at the jail in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where Mr Zuma is being held, prompted the authorities to take him to a hospital outside the prison for further observation

As a former head of state Zuma was being treated at a military facility, the authorities said.

His foundation said it was an “annual medical routine check-up” and there was “no need to be alarmed… yet

Zuma has been serving a 15-month prison sentence since 7 July for contempt of court.

Next week, the former president is scheduled to appear in person in court on a separate issue – an arms deal corruption case.

He has pleaded not guilty to involvement in the $5bn (£3bn) deal.

More than 300 people were killed during violence and looting sparked by his arrest last month.

Source: BBC

Staff of the Petroleum Commission have been cautioned against leaking sensitive information to key players in the petroleum sector.

The sector minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, described the act as unacceptable adding that delicate information made public are usually used against government negatively.

Making the call during the inauguration of Governing Board of the Petroleum Commission, the energy minister urged the board to remain responsible in the management, regulation, and utilisation of petroleum resources.

“If we all look at the gas and oil sector and we are not happy then it means the regulator is either not strong or is not asserting itself, but of more importance is the staff that work at the commission and those passing on confidential information to their friends. Instead of being patriotic, they are rather letting the country down. I hope that you [board] will look into it and the commission will find out what is going on,” Opoku Prempeh cautioned.

“Those who are leaking information and hurting government and the state, we are watching and you must know that there is no ‘sacred cow’ within the Petroleum Commission. Because when the whole of Ghana has decided to go a certain direction, nobody in the commission should feel so knowledgeable that they can outwit the board,” he warned.

Opoku Prempeh further tasked the Board to examine meaningful ways to ensure that the local content law allows for more Ghanaian participation in the petroleum industry

.Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The University of Ghana has denied media reports that a US court has awarded a judgment debt of $165 million against the school in connection with an erroneously abrogated contract with Africa Integras LLC in 2018.

The school, in a statement, described the reports as “misrepresentations and falsehoods”, adding: “The circumstances of the project and its termination are being falsely represented”.

“Further, the nature of the New York petition has similarly wrongly been described”, the school added.

The statement, signed by the Registrar, Ms Emelia Agyei-Mensah, said, “Contrary to certain reports seen in the media, the university can categorically confirm that no court judgment has been issued against the university in relation to the project”.

“The New York petition does not, in any way, comprise a judgment, the school insisted.

“Rather, the New York petition simply represents an initial step directed at commencing proceedings before the New York courts. Such courts will allow the university full opportunity to respond to and contest the contents of the Petition.”

“The New York petition presents an inaccurate and one-sided account of the project. Further, the petition is ill-founded and fundamentally flawed,” the school noted.

Further, it said: “The New York petition now represents an attempt to avoid setting out and substantiating a proper claim against the university, and avoid the contractually-required arbitration process, by proceeding in an inappropriate forum – the New York courts,” it said.

“The university is confident that it will prevail and that the New York petition will be dismissed,” it noted.

Background

It was widely reported on Thursday that a US court awarded the judgment debt against the school after Global Insurer Chubb Ltd. asked a New York federal judge to confirm the $165 million arbitration award against the university after it defaulted on a US-backed flagship agreement to construct and maintain four new facilities and a dormitory on the campus of the Ghanaian state-run university.

According to a petition filed in the Southern District of New York, W.P Carey investment trust won the award in 2018 after the University of Ghana terminated the deal.

The award reflects the value of rent income that the new campus facilities would have generated, Chubb told the court.

“SEC reports show that the $64 million partnership was signed in 2016, with a mortgage financing agreement from the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Private Investment Corp. (now Development Finance Corp.) of up to $41 million”, a Law360 report said.

“The project was insured with a Chubb corporate country risk policy. According to a public information summary filed with OPIC, the project would help meet a demand for higher education in Africa”, it added.

“University press releases said the expansion would help attract and accommodate Ph.D. students, transforming the school into a first-class research institution,” the report noted.

University of Ghana, the initial report said, was unable to procure a contractually required letter of credit, according to the Chubb petition, and moved to terminate the contract, triggering arbitration in 2018.

The W.P. Carey trust settled with Chubb for $45.6 million later the same year — $10 million more than what it spent on the project — transferring its right to collect tenant default damages, according to company financial records.

The report said while Chubb’s petition stated that the agreement was terminated because of the university’s failure to procure a letter of credit, the deal appeared to go sour earlier, when a new vice-chancellor took office and openly voiced his opposition to the contract in a series of inflammatory letters and statements to the press.

According to W.P Carey’s partner, Africa Integras, the companies had already poured tens of millions of dollars into the expansion, and the project was only a year away from construction completion. Andrea Pizziconi, founder and managing principal, told Law360 that new chancellor, Prof Ebenezer Owusu, was “actually offered several options to obtain the letter of credit. However, against the strong advice of his own advisers, Owusu refused to proceed with any of the options presented to him.”

Pizziconi noted that his actions seemed “personally motivated as even the Ghanaian government, at times, attempted to intervene to avoid the disastrous termination of the project that ensued.”

In a 2019 press release, the university denied being subject to any arbitration award.

Meanwhile, Owusu personally attacked his predecessor and Pizziconi in the press. The project would have expanded the university’s facilities by 60%, Pizziconi said.

“As it stands today, I estimate that at least 20,000 additional Ghanaian students were prevented from enrolling at UG because those facilities were not finished,” she said.

The financial default also cast a chill over development projects across the region, “since UG was a flagship project for education public-private partnerships in Africa generally,” Pizziconi added. “This impact exacerbated the losses felt across the continent with so many universities keen to access private finance to address their own infrastructure constraints.”

“Now, to make matters worse, if this claim is not paid, the entire insurance industry will become more reticent to insure key infrastructure projects in Ghana, which will impact the country’s entire development agenda,” she continued. “Also, with an unpaid insurance claim, the U.S. government’s Development Finance Corp. will struggle to proceed in financing other projects in Ghana that require government commitments, which could cost Ghana billions in development financing.” The University of Ghana did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Counsel for Chubb declined to comment.

According to Chubb’s petition Thursday, the court has no basis to refuse confirmation of the award, which falls under the New York Convention.

Chubb is represented by Kurt W. Hansson, Joshua M. Bennett and Jonathon C. Drimmer of Paul Hastings LLC. Counsel information for the University of Ghana was not immediately available.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, on his first public outing after the December 2020 elections, has assured Ghanaians of comeback and victory of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the next polls in 2024.

‘I want to thank you,” the former President said, adding,” let’s not be disappointed and discouraged. They say he who fights and loses, lives to fight another day.”

The former President gave the assurance when he joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Volta Region Caucus in Parliament on Wednesday on a visit to the chiefs and people of some coastal communities recently affected by tidal waves in the Ketu South Constituency.

Former President was taken round and saw the extent of destruction of the tidal waves in the face of a stalled sea defence wall project.

Addressing the chiefs, elders and people of the Some Traditional Area, at Agavedzi, near Aflao, the former President thanked the people of the Volta Region for their support and vote for the NDC in the last election and asked them not to be discouraged with the party.

“I want to take this opportunity thank you all, our Brothers and Sisters in the Volta Region, for the strong support you showed me during the election.

“You didn’t disappoint me at all, you did your best; you did your part. Let’s not be disappointed and discouraged. They say he who fights and loses, lives to fight another day,” the former President said.

He added: ”And so what we need to do is to focus on re-organising the party, selecting a new leadership and getting a flagbearer to lead us back into the next battle.

“And I’m sure that in 2024, by the grace of God, by the grace of Mawu Sogbolisa, by the grace of Mawu Sogbolisa, NDC will come back into office.”

President Mahama noted the effects on economic activities on the area as a result of the closure by the Government of Ghana of the border, in nearby Aflao, due to health threats posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He praised Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Chairman of the Volta MPs in Parliament and a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament, for adding his voice to discussions on the effects of the closure of borders of countries of the sub-regional group.

On the stalled progress of work of the sea defence wall project that started under his administration, the former President observed that, the abandonment of projects by former government by current ones was a major problem.

He told journalists, after the meeting with the chiefs and people, at Agavedzi that, ‘it’s a major problem. Everywhere you go in the country, you find projects left by previous governments that were not continued.”

Former President Mahama announced that the next NDC Government would use its first year in office to complete abandoned projects.

He said: “We’re going to use the resources to continue and finish all the projects that have been abandoned by previous governments
“I think that’s what we should do. You don’t go building a new secondary school where you have a secondary school that has been abandoned.

He gave assurance that though not in power, the NDC would continue to respond to the plight of the people as they awaited the intervention of government.

“Our elders say that if the housefly has nothing at least it can rub its hands,” former President Mahama said, implying that, the NDC as a government in waiting would continue to respond to the plight of the people even with scanty available resources.

Togbega Adama III, Paramount Chief of Some Traditional Area, expressed appreciation to former President Mahama and the Volta Regional NDC caucus in parliament for their presence, donation and encouragement.

The Paramount Chief said the quality of the donation was an expression of the strong love that the NDC had for the people.

GNA

National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, is set to continue in his role as chairman of the seven member board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

Freddie Blay served in the same role during the first term administration of President Akufo-Addo, between 2017 and 2021.

Kwabena Kwakye, who also served on the seven member GNPC board through the first term government of President Akufo-Addo, is expected to remain on the board.

Noted absentee

Noted absentee on the GNPC board this time round would be Nana Adjoa Hackman, Managing Partner of Africa Legal Associates (ALA), and a Director at Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited (owners of Asaase Radio). She served as the chairperson of the legal & governance sub-committee on the GNPC board.

As a result of her outstanding performance, she received high praises from the CEO and head of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), Stephen Asamoah Boateng, for her dedication to the course of GNPC.

Recent GNPC Achievement

The state-owned oil company in the areas of transparency and accountability was recently ranked the best governed national oil company (NOC) in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as the fifth (5th) best governed NOC globally.

Furthermore, GNPC according to the 2017 Resource Governance Index (RGI) of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) is adjudged the 8th best state-owned enterprise globally out of 74 state-owned enterprises assessed by the RGI.

GNPC, Aker Energy, AGM partnership

Government through the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has initiated the process expected to lead to the acquisition 37% interest in the Deep Water Tano Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) operated by Aker Energy Ghana Limited and 70% stake in the South Deepwater Tano (SDWT) operated by AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited which will ultimately result in the establishment of a joint operating company between Aker Energy, AGM and GNPC Explorco.

GNPC acknowledges that it will need some capacity building in order to become an operator on its own. The process requires a major oil company willing to travel on this learning route with GNPC. Partnership with AKER Energy and AGM, with proven deep water capabilities, provides such opportunity for the national oil company to develop operator capabilities.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-9851803229604827&output=html&h=343&adk=3559006387&adf=3229197991&pi=t.aa~a.2816640267~i.33~rp.1&w=412&lmt=1628275052&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1604435693&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacefmonline.com%2Fpages%2Fpolitics%2Fpolitics%2F202108%2F449573.php%3Futm_source%3Ddlvr.it%26utm_medium%3Dfacebook&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=319&rw=382&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1628275051948&bpp=34&bdt=5232&idt=-M&shv=r20210803&mjsv=m202108060101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D86df3f380efe390e-22de95ea94c90072%3AT%3D1628274916%3ART%3D1628274916%3AS%3DALNI_MZow7ukcQuGzkdS4ZlBNYHCVFQRlA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C412x343%2C412x343&nras=2&correlator=1894886452952&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=910119415.1628274917&ga_sid=1628274917&ga_hid=834488793&ga_fc=1&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=2893&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=1431&eid=44739547%2C20211866%2C31062064%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=2700293281524249&pem=962&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=PDMlb4XXZp&p=https%3A//www.peacefmonline.com&dtd=80

GNPC proposes to partner with Aker Energy/AGM to jointly develop the DWT/CTP and SDWT blocks. The two companies, with a wealth of deep water experience and the requisite technology, are keen to entering into this arrangement with GNPC.

The existing discoveries by Aker Energy and AGM (the Pecan and Nyankom fields) are by far the largest discoveries in Ghana, and the only ones that can be developed as stand-alone developments. This partnership has the potential to add more than 200,000 barrels of crude oil to Ghana’s current production within the next 4 to 5 years.

The mission ahead

The Freddie Blay board is expected to  support the management of GNPC, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr K.k. Sarpong, to ensure that the mandate of the GNPC which is to undertake the exploration, development, production and disposal of petroleum and their objectives which are to promote the exploration and the orderly and planned development of the petroleum resources of Ghana, to ensure that Ghana obtains the greatest possible benefits from the development of its petroleum resources, to obtain the effective transfer to Ghana of appropriate technology relating to petroleum operations, to ensure the training of citizens of Ghana and the development of national capabilities in all aspects of petroleum operations and to ensure that petroleum operations are conducted in such a manner as to prevent adverse effects on the environment, resources and people of Ghana, are achieved.

GNPC

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is Ghana’s National Oil Company (NOC), established in 1983 by PNDC Law 64, to support the government’s objective of providing adequate and reliable supply of petroleum products and reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, through the development of the country’s own petroleum resources.

The Petroleum [Exploration and Production] Law, 1984, PNDC Law 84, was subsequently enacted to provide the regulatory framework for the exploitation of the country’s hydrocarbon resources. PNDC Law 84, establishes the contractual relationship among the state, GNPC and prospective investors in upstream petroleum operations.

This law also grants GNPC the right of entry into any open acreage to undertake exploration activities. The corporation, which started operations in 1985, is partner in all petroleum agreements in Ghana. GNPC is also the national gas sector aggregator in Ghana, and aims to supply efficient fuel to meet Ghana’s increasing energy needs.

After the inception of GNPC in 1983, technical assistance was sought from Braspetro, the international subsidiary of the Brazilian National Petroleum Corporation (Petrobras) under UNDP sponsorship in 1985 for the preparation of a strategic organizational plan and recommendations for institutional capacity building.

The organizational plan approved by the Board of Directors involved five main functional divisions and four staff departments. Reviews of the structure have since taken place and currently incorporate a wider scope of activities consistent with our current strategy.

The current staff strength is 300. GNPC has a seven-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Ghana Government, which exercises oversight responsibility over the corporation, giving it policy direction.

Frederick Blay

Frederick Armah Blay, popularly called Freddie Blay, is a Ghanaian lawyer and a politician. He was a Member of Parliament for the Ellembele constituency in the Western Region for years, and served as the First Deputy Speaker in the Fourth Parliament of Ghana.

He lost his seat in the general elections held on 7 December 2008 to Armah Kofi Buah of the NDC. He was a member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), but resigned to join the New Patriotic Party after being criticized by some CPP stalwarts for not campaigning for the CPP flagbearer Paa Kwesi Nduom, instead endorsing the NPP’s presidential candidate then, Nana Akufo-Addo. Between 2017 and January 2021, he served as the board chair of GNPC even though issues were raised over a party chairman chairing the national oil company.

Source: asaaseradio.com

On Wednesday, August 4, scores of aggrieved Ghanaians hit the streets of the Capital City in protest against the governance of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The protesters have been complaining bitterly about how the citizens’ living conditions have been aggravating day by day, particularly under the President’s second term.

They embarked on a demonstration dubbed ‘#FixtheCountry’ to petition the President to up his performance with regard to improving the lives of Ghanaians and developing Ghana’s economy.

Some of the placards that the protesters held during their street protest were inscribed, ‘Ghana is the most religious yet most corrupt’, ‘If Ghana was your personal property, would you run it like this?’, ‘No to Nepotism, Family and Friends Government’, ‘Fix Dumsor’ among others.

Touching on the ‘#Fixthecountry’ campaign during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, the former Acting General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh lauded the conveners and participators for not rioting on the streets.

He applauded them for the peaceful protest saying, “you can’t control all the voices but largely you want to applaud the demonstrators for comporting themselves”.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Bv6mulQD6E

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

This is “the most important moment for Africa’s economic emancipation and the entrepreneurial empowerment of its young men and women”, Pastor Mensa Otabil has said.

Delivering a message titled, “It’s Coming Down,” on the second day of Greater Works Conference 2021, the pastor and motivational speaker recalled the biblical account of God leading the Israelites through Joshua to defeat the Amorites by raining hailstones and yet protecting Israel.

Pastor Otabil referenced Joshua chapter 10 v 7-14 from where Joshua and his army fought the Amorites to possess the land.

He described how the passage used anthropomorphism – the use of human language – to describe an act of God.

According to him, God routed the Amorites and moved them noisily to break and destroy their camp.

He said, the hailstones, though universally deployed, were intelligently manipulated to protect and give Israel an advantage.

“Peradventure, COVID-19 is a hailstone that could give Africa an advantage and we need to seize the opportunities it presents”, he said.

The highly respected theologian posited, “The time to motivate Africa to raise captains of industry is here because a new opportunity has been opened.”

The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church prayed that African leaders would seize the opportunity to position the continent to catch up with the rest of the world and bridge the developmental gap.

“This is not a time for discouragement, this is the time for encouragement because a door of opportunity has been opened to us”.

He challenged Africans to avoid a self-defeating mindset, but rather strive to increase wealth.

Pastor Otabil wondered how the African continent appears not to have been overrun by the coronavirus pandemic, as previously predicted, compared to other more endowed countries with superior health infrastructure.

He said, having copiously read literature that seek to explain the phenomenon with various theories, his only possibly conclusion, albeit not scientific, is that God’s hand of mercy is on a people who comparatively seem to have nothing.

Pastor Mensa Otabil believes God is telling the rest of the world that this is Africa’s season and it is time for a shift.

The night also saw musical performances by Harmonious Chorale, Lumina, the Greater Works Hymns Choir and the ICGC Praise Team

Nine suspects have been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command in connection with the chaos that erupted at Teshie, which resulted in the burning of the chief priest’s palace (Wulomo shrine).

The incident occurred on the night of Thursday, 5 August 2021.

All properties in the shrine have been destroyed.

Over 50 occupants of the building have been displaced.

The clashes that led to the fire outbreak began when some two gun-wielding men allegedly stormed the residence and started firing indiscriminately, as a result of a chieftaincy dispute in the area.

The Secretary to the Osabu-Ayiku clan, Mr John Adjetey Commey, suspects those involved in the incident are persons involved in the chieftaincy dispute.

According to him, in an earlier confrontation between the warring factions (Mantse and Shikitele) after embarking on a fishing expedition to mark the harvesting of fish, one person from one of the sides was shot, leaving him with a serious wound on his leg.

This angered the injured person’s faction (the Mantse side) and they followed their rivals to retaliate.

He alleged that the Mantse group proceeded to the family houses of the rival group and burnt two funeral parlours to the ground

Residents of the Budumburam camp in the Central Region have been asked to move from the area by 30 September 2021 to pave the way for a planned demolition.

This was contained in a letter signed by the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, Mr Solomon Darko Quarm.

The camp, which, for over two decades, has served as a refuge for Liberian refugees, will be demolished and redeveloped.

The place will be gentrified to have a senior high school, a residential community, and a modern market.

The camp, which was decommissioned as a refugee base by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in June 2010, has become a settlement and now bears the infamous credential as a hideout for social deviants, including alleged robbery gangs

A pregnant woman believed to be in her 40’s has been killed while the unborn baby was removed from her belly at Ekumfi Akwakrom in the Ekumfi district in the Central Region.

Reports say the woman is not known in the community and was only seen in the area on Thursday evening suspected to have visited a resident.

The woman’s unborn baby was placed beside her with one of the baby’s legs chopped off lying in a pool of blood.

Eyewitnesses said they saw the deceased on Thursday evening only for them to see her lifeless body early Friday morning around 6:00 am.

They believe she was knocked down and run over by a runaway driver.

Other accounts also suspect some unscrupulous people killed her and removed her unborn baby.

Meanwhile, the case has been reported to Ekumfi Esuehyia Police for investigation.

Source: Ghana/Kasapafmonline.com

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (left) inspecting the cold chain facilities.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has taken delivery of vaccine storage facilities to help in the expansion of immunisation services in the country.

The storage facilities including vaccine freezers, vaccine fridges, Ice pack freezers and cold boxes, puts the country in a better position to receive larger quantities of ultra-low Covid-19 vaccines like and Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna which have recently been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for use in the country.

The facilities are therefore expected to help accelerate the country’s Covid-19 vaccination programme target of reaching 20 million people by the end of 2021.

Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, at a brief handing over ceremony in Accra, said the cold chain storage facilities were procured by the government at an estimated cost of $8m.

He indicated that the entire consignment comprised 58 ultralow temperature vaccine freezers, 50 normal vaccine fridges, 3000 Ice pack freezers and 300 cold boxes.

He said an additional 18 distribution cold vans are expected to arrive in the coming days to support the nationwide vaccination programme.

Mr. Agyeman-Manu indicated that the freezers were equipped with real time monitoring systems to track performance adding that they also had protection against damage caused by power fluctuations.

“In events where power supply is interrupted, the freezers could maintain their set temperature for at least 10 hours. They are also equipped with systems that uses carbon dioxide or dry ice to maintain the temperature where there is no power or during fault condition,” he stated.

The sector minister pointed out that the fridges and freezers would be deployed to all 16 regions to store the vaccines at the right temperatures.

He disclosed that some Covid-19 vaccines were expected by close of the week with about 1.2 million Pfizer vaccines expected before the end of the month.

The Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye lauded government for the move which he believed would go a longer way to boost healthcare delivery.

“Vaccination is something that will stay with us for a long time so these fridges will go a long way to harness immunization and help in storing new vaccines that will come into the country,” he said

Peter Mac Manu, Sammi Awuku, Mike Oquaye

The list of appointees to serve on boards of government organisations continues to grow as many people expect appointments from the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in its second term.

The latest to be appointed is Peter Mac Manu, the campaign manager for President Akufo-Addo in both 2016 and 2020 elections, who is going to become Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

He will replace Hackman Owusu Agyemang who had served as the Board Chairman in the first term of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Mr. Mac Manu and other members of the board are expected to be sworn in on Friday by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.

COCOBOD’s functions among other things include the initiation of programmes aimed at controlling pests and diseases of cocoa, coffee and shea nut, undertake and encourage the processing of cocoa, coffee, shea nut and cocoa waste with the aim of adding value for export and local consumption, encourage scientific research aimed at improving the quality of cocoa, coffee, shea nut and other tropical crops.

President Akufo-Addo has appointed Michael Oquaye Jnr as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), replacing Michael Okyere Baafi who was elected as the NPP MP for New Juaben South in the Eastern Region and subsequently became the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.

Until his appointment, Mr. Oquaye, a lawyer, was Ghana’s High Commissioner to India with concurrent accreditation to the Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The free zones organisation has been designed to promote processing and manufacturing of goods through the establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZs), as well as to encourage the development of commercial and service activities at sea and airport areas.

Already, NPP National Organiser Sammi Awuku has been appointed as the new Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

Mr. Awuku, who takes over from Mr. Kofi Osei Ameyaw, is expected to inject some massive transformation into the state-owned institution.

Until his appointment as the NLA boss, Sammi Awuku was the Board Chairman of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

Also, the immediate past Minister of Zongo Development, Dr. Mustapha Hamid has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

Dr. Hamid who was the Information Minister in the formative days of the NPP administration took over from Hassan Tampuli, who has been elected as the Member of Parliament for Gushegu and subsequently became Deputy Minister of Transport.

Dr. Hamid was the Deputy Campaign Manager for President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 general election

Captain Smart has called on the spirits of Ghana’s leaders to spiritually put to book, any leader that steals from the nation.

TV and radio presenter, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, who is a leading member of the #FixTheCountry picketing has invoked the spirit of Ghana’s ancestors to grease the revolution Ghanaian youth are calling for.

At the Independence Square Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Captain Smart poured libation with two bottles of gin, calling the spirits of some of Ghana’s former presidents and kings to champion the revolution.

Whilst calling for the vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and heart of J.A. Kufuor, he prayed for the boldness of J.J. Rawlings, not forgetting Otumfuo Osei Tutu I and Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah I, the warrior traits of Yaa Asantewaa as well as departed heroes and heroines of the country to come and support the agenda, and put on track any thief that intends to dry the nation’s coffers. 

He asked that the life of any leader who intends and steals the sweat of the ordinary citizens be taken by the river gods of their land.

The #FixTheCountry protest was a registration undertaken by some Ghanaians to spell their displeasure over state of affairs, calling for the overthrow of the 1992 Constitution. 

 Source: SmartMediaGh.com

Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini has described Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong as a “coward” after travelling outside the country while, thus, making it impossible to be served to appear before the committee for threatening the life of Multimedia Group journalist Erastus Asare Donkor.

Mr Suhuyini, who drew the attention of the Speaker to the alleged threat, told journalists on Thursday, 5 August 2021 that it was baffling Mr Agyapong has not made himself available to be served.“How come they couldn’t find him to serve him?” the opposition MP wondered.

“I have interpreted it to mean he only shows bravery in his comfort zone in Madina but in actual fact, he is a coward because if I were in his shoes and heard the chairman talk about a sitting today, I would have approached the committee to find out if there is an invitation available for me so that I will plan my schedules appropriately and if he didn’t do that then I take it that he deliberately avoided the committee and that’s why they haven’t been able to find him to sever him and I think that’s an act of cowardice”, Mr Suhuyini noted.

The Privileges Committee was expected to start hearing the case against Mr Agyapong today, Thursday, 5 August 2021 for stating on his Net 2 TV programme ‘The Attitude’ on 9 July 2021 that: “We should beat the hell out of Erastus Asare Donkor” and also threatened that if he (Honourable Agyapong) “were the president of Ghana, he would have ensured that Erastus Asare Donkor is beaten mercilessly”.

The TV programme was streamed live and widely published on social media platforms.

The Multimedia Group has made a complaint to the police in the Ashanti region and called on the law enforcement agency to protect Mr Asare.

According to The Multimedia Group, Mr Agyapong threatened their reporter “because of the journalistic work that Mr Asare undertook during the recent shootings and killing incident at Ejura, and his appearance before the Kingsley Koomson Committee investigating the incident.

Speaking on the matter on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 14 July 2021, Speaker Bagbin said: “This is my first time of hearing this matter and as it is now I am compelled to refer it to the privileges committee. It’s a matter the privileges committee would have to go into and then report to the house and it’s for the house to decide whether the honourable member is contentious of the house

One person has been shot dead by suspected armed robbers at Akyem Asuom near Kade in the Eastern Region.

The deceased, believed to be a 62-years-old man, was a labourer helping a popular food vendor in the community.

The man identified only as Congo was sleeping on the corridor of the house during the robbery attack which occurred at 2:30am Thursday, August 5,2021.

Starr News has gathered that the alleged robber alleged to be wielding an AK47 rifle fired multiple gunshots and broke into the room and demanded monies from the woman who was with her three children in the room.

” I was sleeping when I heard some noise and suddenly the dogs started barking so I peeped through the window and started asking who was there. Then suddenly I heard two gunshots so I run into the room. Then the robber entered and demanded money I gave him all that I have but he said it was not enough. He fired gunshots six times in the room,” Daavi said.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Kade Government Hospital

Member of Parliament for Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini has labeled Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong a coward for running away from service from the privileges committee.

The committee hearing over inciteful comments from Mr Agyapong against journalist Erastus Asare Donkor scheduled for today(Thursday) had to be canceled because the MP could not be served because he’s left the country.

Speaking Kasapa News, Mr. Suhuyini who caused the Speaker to refer the Assin Central MP to the Committee said the NPP firebrand deliberately left the country to avoid appearing before the committee.

“It came to me as a surprise when the committee indicated to me that they have not been able to invite him yet due to the fact that he’s outside of the country. I find it unfortunate, I think that it amounts to an act of cowardice because we’ve all known about this case for some time now, and given the bravery he shows in his comfort zone, one would have thought that he’ll be eager to make himself available to the committee to serve him and for this matter to be dealt with by the committee and by extension the House. So I find it quite disappointing that his bravery is only exhibited in that comfort zone around him at Madina.” 

Responding to a tirade from Ken Agyapong who described him as a nonentity after the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini questioned the upbringing of the Assin Central MP

New Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has said he will suppress and repress corruption, which he describes as a pandemic.

As far as fighting corruption is concerned, Mr Agyebeng said after President Nana Akufo-Addo swore him into office on Thursday, 5 August 2021: “We are confronted by two pandemics: one is a health crisis and its outlook, macabre”.

“The other is not a health crisis but it is also a pandemic, which is corruption itself and corruption-related activities.”

“The zeal with which your administration has approached the fight in respect of the health crisis, I also see in respect of the other pandemic which is corruption, and, as, I come to this office, I pledge to the people of Ghana, as I said exactly two weeks ago that, I am going to work assiduously with deliberation to suppress and repress corruption.”https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=2366005940&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1628182526&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FCorruption-is-a-pandemic-I-ll-suppress-repress-it-Kissi-Agyebeng-26290&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1628182526170&bpp=6&bdt=1744&idt=701&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=8054576197703&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=620817129.1628182527&ga_sid=1628182527&ga_hid=65972562&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=1438&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=457&eid=20211866%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=2604843851767755&pem=398&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7Co%7CEebr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=pNkoo3ww8q&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=726

“I said two weeks ago at parliament that I will not be naïve to assume that I am coming to stop corruption”.

“It is innate in humans but as much as possible, my office is going to drive it down and repress it to its barest minimum”.

He also thanked President Akufo-Addo for considering and appointing youthful persons like him into public office.

“When my name was mentioned as a nominee for this position, much was shared about my nomination. Nothing negative was said about my competence”, he observed, adding: “Everything had to do with my youthfulness – my age”.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=520316108&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1628182526&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FCorruption-is-a-pandemic-I-ll-suppress-repress-it-Kissi-Agyebeng-26290&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1628182526176&bpp=3&bdt=1750&idt=752&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=8054576197703&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=620817129.1628182527&ga_sid=1628182527&ga_hid=65972562&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=2228&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=457&eid=20211866%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=2604843851767755&pem=398&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7Co%7CEebr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=G4N7VuCV5c&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=812

“And, if that is so, Mr President, I can only express the thanks of the youth of this nation that you have given youthful persons the opportunity to serve just as my friend and mate, the Hon Attorney General and Minister of Justice”, Mr Agyebeng said.

In his view, “the youth of this nation should feel proud that they have their own represented in such high offices”.

“This is our time – the youth of this nation – to carry on the development of our nation”, Mr Agyebeng added.

“Mr President, thank you very much and I express my profound gratitude”.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=387235050&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1628182527&psa=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FCorruption-is-a-pandemic-I-ll-suppress-repress-it-Kissi-Agyebeng-26290&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1628182526180&bpp=3&bdt=1754&idt=916&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=8054576197703&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=620817129.1628182527&ga_sid=1628182527&ga_hid=65972562&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=2989&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=457&eid=20211866%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=2604843851767755&pem=398&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7Co%7CEebr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=R0GVlPMMSC&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=956

Citing the new Special Prosecutor’s extensive educational and professional legal background, President Akufo-Addo stated that “it is clear that Mr. Kissi Agyebeng is eminently qualified to occupy the Office of Special Prosecutor. He has the capacity, the experience, the requisite values and intellectual strength to succeed in this vital position”.

Congratulating Mr Agyebeng on his appointment, the President stated that the “wide acceptance of his nomination by the Ghanaian people, and the nature of his performance during Parliament’s approval process are, for me, indications that the confidence I reposed in him, to discharge one of the most critical functions of State, was not misplaced.”

Addressing the gathering, which included Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and MP for Mpraeso Davis Opoku Ansah, the President reiterated that the creation of the Office of Special Prosecutor was borne out of the commitment to fashion an additional instrument to fight the canker of corruption.

“The genuineness of that commitment to create an independent, non-partisan body with the relevant professional capability, to lead the fight, and hold public officials, past and present, accountable for their stewardship of public finances, was made manifest in the appointment of a very senior figure from the opposite side of the political divide to establish and head this very significant Office. This appointment, as you would all recall, was met with stiff opposition by some members from both sides of the aisle,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, “In spite of the unfortunate events that led to the departure of the first occupant of the Office, I do not regret making that appointment. On my part as President of the Republic, I ensured that the Office was adequately resourced to enable it carry out its mandate. I am, however, consoled by the oft-cited statement that there is no use crying over spilt milk”.

Thus, when the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on 16th April 2021, moved to nominate Mr Kissi Agyebeng, under section 13(3) of Act 959, for consideration as the second occupant of the Office of Special Prosecutor, the President indicated that he had little hesitation in accepting the nomination.

He, therefore, urged Mr Kissi Agyebeng to bear in mind at all times that the Office carries an extraordinary responsibility to fight corruption independently and impartially, describing the remit of the Office as broad and challenging.

“I want to assure Mr Kissi Agyebeng, like I did his predecessor, that not only will the Executive, including the Attorney General, respect scrupulously the independence of his Office, but will also provide him with whatever assistance is required to enable him discharge his high duties effectively, in the interest of the Ghanaian people. Indeed, all institutions of state will work and co-operate with him in the same spirit, which he articulated at his approval proceedings in Parliament,” President Akufo-Addo assured. While acknowledging that the activities of the Office of Special Prosecutor, no matter how vigorous, cannot provide the entire panacea to the problem of corruption, the President urged other institutions of State to co-operate with the new Special Prosecutor.

“Government will continue to give stronger budgetary assistance to the other constitutionally mandated institutions that hold government accountable, and help fight corruption, i.e., the Auditor General, Parliament, Judiciary, the Police Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO),” he added

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, 5th August 2021, swore into office the second occupant of the Office of Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, at a brief event at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency.

Citing the new Special Prosecutor’s extensive educational and professional legal background, President Akufo-Addo stated that “it is clear that Mr. Kissi Agyebeng is eminently qualified to occupy the Office of Special Prosecutor. He has the capacity, the experience, the requisite values and intellectual strength to succeed in this vital position”.

Congratulating Mr. Kissi Agyebeng on his appointment, the President stated that the “wide acceptance of his nomination by the Ghanaian people, and the nature of his performance during Parliament’s approval process are, for me, indications that the confidence I reposed in him, to discharge one of the most critical functions of State, was not misplaced.”

Addressing the gathering, which included Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei- Opare; Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame; and MP for Mpraeso, Hon. Davis Opoku Ansah, the President reiterated that the creation of the Office of Special Prosecutor was borne out of the commitment to fashion an additional instrument to fight the canker of corruption. 

“The genuineness of that commitment to create an independent, non-partisan body with the relevant professional capability, to lead the fight, and hold public officials, past and present, accountable for their stewardship of public finances, was made manifest in the appointment of a very senior figure from the opposite side of the political divide to establish and head this very significant Office. This appointment, as you would all recall, was met with stiff opposition by some members from both sides of the aisle,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, “In spite of the unfortunate events that led to the departure of the first occupant of the Office, I do not regret making that appointment. On my part as President of the Republic, I ensured that the Office was adequately resourced to enable it carry out its mandate. I am, however, consoled by the oft-cited statement that there is no use crying over spilt milk”. 

Thus, when the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on 16th April 2021, moved to nominate Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, under section 13(3) of Act 959, for consideration as the second occupant of the Office of Special Prosecutor, the President indicated that he had little hesitation in accepting the nomination. 

He, therefore, urged Mr. Kissi Agyebeng to bear in mind at all times that the Office carries an extraordinary responsibility to fight corruption independently and impartially, describing the remit of the Office as broad and challenging. 

“I want to assure Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, like I did his predecessor, that not only will the Executive, including the Attorney General, respect scrupulously the independence of his Office, but will also provide him with whatever assistance is required to enable him discharge his high duties effectively, in the interest of the Ghanaian people. Indeed, all institutions of state will work and co-operate with him in the same spirit, which he articulated at his approval proceedings in Parliament,” President Akufo-Addo assured.  

Whilst acknowledging that the activities of the Office of Special Prosecutor, no matter how vigorous, cannot provide the entire panacea to the problem of corruption, the President urged other institutions of State to co-operate with the new Special Prosecutor. 

“Government will continue to give stronger budgetary assistance to the other constitutionally mandated institutions that hold government accountable, and help fight corruption, i.e., the Auditor General, Parliament, Judiciary, the Police Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO),” he added. 

CEO of Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah, has responded interestingly to a Menzgold customer who asked for his money.

The customer went under his post asking him for his locked money. The customer posted; saying “won’t you pay me my money?.”

In a reply by Nana Appiah Mensah, he said, he doesn’t owe anyone and anybody but the company does because he Himself is heavily owed by the company.

Screenshot below

President Nana Akufo-Addo has said from the educational and career backgrounds of the new special prosecutor, “it is clear that Mr Kissi Agyebeng is eminently qualified to occupy the office”.

“He has the capacity, experience, requisite values, and intellectual strength to succeed in this vital position”, Mr Akufo-Addo said when he swore the 43-year-old law lecturer in as Mr Martin Amidu’s successor.

“I urge the new special prosecutor to bear in mind at all times that the office carries an extraordinary responsibility to fight corruption independently and impartially”, the president noted.

The president also reminded Mr Agyebeng of his mandate.

“The special prosecutor, as the Act says in its preamble, shall: ‘Have full authority and control over the investigation, initiation and conduct of proceedings of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically-exposed persons in the performance of their functions as well as persons in the private sector involved in the commission or alleged of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences’”.

The remit of the office, the president noted, “is broad and challenging”.

Mr Akufo-Addo also assured Mr Agyebeng of the independence of his office and the necessary assistance.

“I want to assure Mr Kissi Agyebeng, like I did his predecessor, that not only will the executive, including the attorney general, respect the independence of his office, but also will provide him with whatever assistance is required to enable him discharge his high duties effectively in the interest of the Ghanaian people”.

“Indeed, all institutions of state will work and cooperate with him in the same spirit which he articulated in his approval procedure in parliament”, the president added.

During his vetting, Mr Agyebeng told the committee that he intends to guard his independence jealously in carrying out his mandate in terms of investigating, preventing, prosecuting corruption cases and managing seized, frozen or confiscated properties.

In his view, the relevance of the OSP cannot be overemphasised and, thus, warned: “…The day we scrap this office is the day we say goodbye to our fight against corruption”.

“Its relevance is borne out by its attributes and its uniqueness”, he argued, adding: “It is unique, as compared to all the other law enforcement agencies in respect of its mandate because no other institution has been carefully designed and thought-out to fight corruption specifically as Act 959 has done and Hon Chair, in respect of this, the office of the special prosecutor is the gold standard under the UN convention against corruption and the AU convention on the prevention and combatting of corruption”.

“The international community, including Ghana ratified these conventions in the early 2,000s, I think 2002 if I’m not wrong, that every jurisdiction requires such a specialised agency, it should be made independent with a specialised trained staff to focus on the fight against corruption”, he observed.

According to him, the OSP is relevant because the Attorney General “is a member of cabinet, he’s part of the government. How independent would he be in terms of certain individuals if they were to fall foul of the law if, for instance, they are also members of cabinet or members of the government?”

“But in respect of the OSP, the person manning it, who is not part of the government machinery, who is independent; and Hon Chair, if given the nod, I’m going to guard my independence jealously,” he said.

Mr Agyebeng also admitted to the committee that: “I am not naive to assume that I am coming to stop corruption”, adding: “There’s no way I can stop corruption”.

“God himself will not acclaim to that but I am going to make corruption very costly to engage in”, Mr Agyebeng told the committee.

Mr Agyebeng is the Chairman of the Electronic Communications Tribunal.

Mr Agyebeng was nominated as Ghana’s second Special Prosecutor following the resignation of Mr Martin Amidu.

Mr Amidu resigned from the position on 15 November 2020 citing interference by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his job. In a letter to the Presidency, Attorney General Godfred Dame said: “Kissi Agyebeng possesses the requisite expertise on corruption and corruption-related matters and is of high moral character and proven integrity and satisfies all the other requirements stipulated in section 13(1) and (2) of Act 959.”

Section 13(8) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) requires the President to appoint a person qualified for appointment as Special Prosecutor to that position, within six months of the Office of Special Prosecutor becoming vacant

New Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has thanked President Nana Akufo-Addo for considering and appointing youthful persons like him into public office.

Speaking after the president swore him into office on Thursday, 5 August 2021, the 43-year-old lawyer said: “When my name was mentioned as a nominee for this position, much was shared about my nomination”.

“Nothing negative was said about my competence”, he observed, adding: “Everything had to do with my youthfulness – my age”.

“And, if that is so, Mr President, I can only express the thanks of the youth of this nation that you have given youthful persons the opportunity to serve just as my friend and mate, the Hon Attorney General and Minister of Justice”, Mr Agyebeng said.

In his view, “the youth of this nation should feel proud that they have their own represented in such high offices”.

“This is our time – the youth of this nation – to carry on the development of our nation”, Mr Agyebeng added.

“Mr President, thank you very much and I express my profound gratitude”.

As far as fighting corruption is concerned, Mr Agyebeng said: “We are confronted by two pandemics: one is a health crisis and its outlook, macabre”.

“The other is not a health crisis but it is also a pandemic, which is corruption itself and corruption-related activities.”

“The zeal with which your administration has approached the fight in respect of the health crisis, I also see in respect of the other pandemic which is corruption, and, as, I come to this office, I pledge to the people of Ghana, as I said exactly two weeks ago that, I am going to work assiduously with deliberation to suppress and repress corruption.”

“I said two weeks ago at parliament that I will not be naïve to assume that I am coming to stop corruption”.

“It is innate in humans but as much as possible, my office is going to drive it down and repress it to its barest minimum

The Minority leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has described as selective Justice the manner in which the Attorney General department rushed to court to press charges against Collins Dauda and four others.

While wondering the rush in putting the accused persons before a vacation court when the Judicial service is observing a two months break, Mr Iddrissu said, persons who made similar payments in 2017 have been left out.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-8731784857660975&output=html&h=343&adk=2759439306&adf=3955101594&pi=t.aa~a.86673156~i.5~rp.4&w=412&lmt=1628177996&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6320142137&tp=site_kit&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkasapafmonline.com%2F2021%2F08%2Fsaglemi-case-trial-of-collins-dauda-4-others-selective-justice-haruna-iddrisu%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=310&rw=372&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1628177996197&bpp=16&bdt=4206&idt=-M&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D2bf90cffccbd1778-22b7379296c9003d%3AT%3D1628177995%3ART%3D1628177995%3AS%3DALNI_MYlsn0kWin3j1QyQkXNO3M9Depytg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x600&nras=2&correlator=3539326959025&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=2145562043.1628177995&ga_sid=1628177995&ga_hid=2018313991&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=947&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42530672%2C20211866%2C31062065%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=4465379201185135&pem=900&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=alQw1bBUp7&p=https%3A//kasapafmonline.com&dtd=147

Addressing journalists after the sitting, Mr Iddrissu said, it baffles minds when persons who made payments in 2018 in respect of the Saglemi Affordable Housing project case were not arraigned.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-8731784857660975&output=html&h=343&adk=2759439306&adf=24769314&pi=t.aa~a.86673156~i.7~rp.4&w=412&lmt=1628177996&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6320142137&tp=site_kit&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkasapafmonline.com%2F2021%2F08%2Fsaglemi-case-trial-of-collins-dauda-4-others-selective-justice-haruna-iddrisu%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=310&rw=372&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1628177996197&bpp=13&bdt=4205&idt=-M&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D2bf90cffccbd1778-22b7379296c9003d%3AT%3D1628177995%3ART%3D1628177995%3AS%3DALNI_MYlsn0kWin3j1QyQkXNO3M9Depytg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x600%2C412x343&nras=3&correlator=3539326959025&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=2145562043.1628177995&ga_sid=1628177995&ga_hid=2018313991&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=1431&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42530672%2C20211866%2C31062065%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=4465379201185135&pem=900&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=3z3n0cnbZx&p=https%3A//kasapafmonline.com&dtd=276

“Is it not interesting that they’re being charged for financial loss to the state when we have evidence that as at May, 31, 2018 some payments were made to the same contractor yet the persons who made those payments are not being charged. It only can be a matter of selective justice,” he told Journalists on Thursday.

The former Minister of Works and Housing Alhaji Collins Dauda has been admitted to a self-recognizance bail in the Saglemi Affordable Housing project case.

He was granted bail after he pleaded not guilty to charges including causing financial loss to the state and was ordered to deposit his Ghanaian passport to the registrar of the court.

Kweku Agyeman Mensah, also a former Minister of Works and Housing, and Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Chief Director of the Ministry were granted bail in the sums of $65 million each.

In addition, they are to produce three sureties one of whom should be a public officer.

Andrew Clocanas Executive chairman of Constructura OAS Ghana Limited who is the fourth accused person was also admitted to bail in the sum of $179M with three sureties one of whom should be a public servant.

Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, the fifth accused person was admitted to bail in the sum of $13M dollars with three sureties.

The court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame ordered all accused persons to deposit their Ghanaian passports to the registrar of the court

The case has been adjourned to October 13.

The Aggrieved workers say they’ll close down their Union offices if their leaders don’t provide them reasonable reasons by close of Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

.The Aggrieved Public Sector Workers of Ghana have given an ultimatum to leaders of the various labour unions to come out clear on actions being taken against the 4% salary increment agreed on their behalf.

The workers, who are fumed over the unreasonable compromises reached by its representatives at the salary increment negotiations says its leadership have been adamant despite calls by the public sector workers to reject chicken change given them.

In a statement released by the group and signed by its Lead Convenor,  Norbert Gborgbortsi, it says all Union offices would be closed down by close of day Wednesday, August 11, 2021, if nothing comes from the leadership.

The group has also informed the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, of their intention to petition him on August 18 where they are going to stage a demonstration. 

Read the full statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

AGGRIEVED PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS GHANA – ACTION NOW OR NEVER

A timeline was given to the organised labour to reconvene a meeting with government and renegotiate the 4% salary increment but the leadership is adamant and is bent on perpetuating illegality by forcing members to accept the percentage increment.

The leadership which is supposed to be law abiding is doing otherwise whilst the members rather turn to be law abiding.

If by 11th of August 2021, nothing is heard about the leaderships’ position on the issue of renegotiations, members accross the country will have no option than to close down all Union offices until further notice.

We are reliably informed that the various leadership have recently increased their allowances to a minimum of 100% , some with effective date backdated to 2020 and arrears paid in full.

If you can spend and pay yourselves handsomely but will refuse to let us have what is due us from the government, we will be left with no option than to close all Union office accross the nation before our pending national demonstration scheduled to take place on the 18th of August 2021.

A word to the wise is enough.

The lead convenor

NORBERT GBORGBORTSI

0246986081

Today 5th August, 2021, at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, some conveners of the “FixTheCountry” demonstration called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police (Ag.IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as part of a post demonstration interaction and also to express their gratitude to the Police Administration for the level of professionalism demonstrated on 4th August 2021.

During the interaction, Mr. Kumi Danso and other members of the conveners took turns to thank the Police Service and the Acting IGP for the show of discipline, professionalism and above all, the level of respect for human rights as exhibited on the day of the “FixTheCountry” demonstration.

The Ag. IGP in response, also thanked the group for their cooperation and reassured them of the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that there is peace and security in the country. He added, “Our doors are always open, we are your friends, therefore, let’s work together to make our nation a safer place to live”. He also indicated his satisfaction about the good conduct of Police personnel detailed for the demonstration duty.

At the meeting were, Director-General (DG) Special Duties Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu, DG National Patrols Department COP Mr. Akuribah Yaagy, DG Criminal Investigation Department COP Mr. Isaac Ken Yeboah, DG Private Security Organisation COP Mr. Alphonse Adu-Amankwaah, DG Research and Planning COP Mr. Paul Manly Awini, DG National Patrols Department COP Mr.Patrick Akolgo, DG Police Intelligence Department COP Mr. Edward Tabiri, DG Police Professional and Standards Bureau COP Mr. Redeemer Vincent Dedjoe, Accra Regional Commander, DCOP Mr. Afful Boakye Yiadom and Commanding Officer, Formed Police Unit ACP Mr. Henry Otoo.

We are glad to share with you some photos from the meeting chaired by the Ag IGP.

The Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Freddie Blay, has noted that the NPP government has so far proven its ability to better position Ghana for economic growth and prosperity even in the face of difficulties.
He explains that the NPP government has excelled in its leadership, in managing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), adding that the government would continue to work to ensure that the country’s democratic system is beneficial to all Ghanaians.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our ability to manage the country, even in very difficult circumstances. The NPP, led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has excelled in its leadership in managing the COVID-19 crisis in the country and proving the efficiency of our party in government,” he said.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-9851803229604827&output=html&h=343&adk=3559006387&adf=3229197991&pi=t.aa~a.2816640267~i.5~rp.1&w=412&lmt=1628176558&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1604435693&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peacefmonline.com%2Fpages%2Fpolitics%2Fpolitics%2F202108%2F449512.php%3Futm_source%3Ddlvr.it%26utm_medium%3Dfacebook&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=319&rw=382&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1628176558592&bpp=18&bdt=3556&idt=19&shv=r20210802&mjsv=m202108040201&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D530b7bd416a89501-2251555594c9001a%3AT%3D1628176450%3ART%3D1628176450%3AS%3DALNI_MaFC5aWPHGqWn2dI3nHr_VE7Tft4w&prev_fmts=0x0%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343&nras=2&correlator=7969657368205&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1377038728.1628176449&ga_sid=1628176449&ga_hid=1077790516&ga_fc=1&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=1622&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42530672%2C20211866%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=826408078286255&pem=59&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=jb0TceVw10&p=https%3A//www.peacefmonline.com&dtd=127

Mr. Blay was speaking during a ceremony to mark the 29th anniversary of the NPP at its headquarters in Accra, on Thursday, August 5, 2021.

The celebration is on the theme, “NPP at 29: a tradition for stability, prosperity and continuity”.

The event was attended by President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and other national executives of the party.

Democracy

The NPP Chairman, indicated that it was time for the NPP to develop an improved version of democracy that provided quality and long lasting development beyond the four-year cycle for the citizenry.

“When it comes to Ghana body politic and democratic development, as champions of democracy, the NPP owes Ghanaians a duty of care in ensuring that our democratic system is beneficial to its people.

“The party must have a clear roadmap on how it seeks to remain in power beyond 2024 and work hard for the government to achieve such a very ambitious task,” he urged.

He said the occasion of the party’s 29th anniversary calls for sober reflection on the democratic journey both for the party and the country. “Let us ask if our best has been good enough for the greater Ghanaian population and ensure that we create a stronger reconnection with the people,” he added.

Mr. Blay also used the opportunity to encourage members of the party to prioritise unity within the party to enable it achieve its objectives.

“I want to charge the members of the party to prioritise unity over parochial interest. This is the only way that we will still be on top of government and our contract with the people of Ghana in terms of its development.”

Source: graphiconline.com

Legal practitioner Mr Kissi Agyebeng has been sworn in as the new Special Prosecutor of Ghana.

Mr Agyebeng was administered the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today, August 5, 2021 at the Jubilee House in Accra.

He was approved unanimously by Parliament for the role last week after vetting by the Appointments Committee.

Mr Agyebeng becomes the second person to occupy the office of Special Prosecutor after Mr Martin Amidu who resigned in November 2020 amidst controversy.

Profile of Kissi Agyebeng

According to his profile, on the University of Ghana School of Law website, Mr Agyebeng has been a lecturer since October 2006, teaching and researching into Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Law, Corporate Law and Legal Research and Writing.

He was awarded the Bentsi-Enchill Prize for Best Graduating Student of the University of Ghana School of Law in 2001.

He proceeded to the Ghana School of Law and was called to the Ghana Bar in October 2003, earning the E.N. Sowah Memorial Prize for Best Student in Family Law.

Since then, he has successfully argued numerous cases before the superior courts of Ghana and participated in several international arbitration hearings.

Mr Agyebeng has a wide range of expertise in consulting for public sector institutions, including the A-G’s Department, EXIM Bank Ghana Ltd, the Youth Employment Authority, the National Lottery Authority, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited and the Ghana Olympic Committee.

He is also an associate at the African Centre for Cyber Law and Cyber Crime Prevention and the National Moot Court Coordinator for the Commonwealth Moot Court Competition on International Criminal Justice.

He has also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnakufoaddo%2Fvideos%2F206622678088409%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

Source: graphiconline.com

The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay, has said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is moving Ghana forward despite the “ugly noises” from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at the party’s 29th-anniversary on Thursday, 5 August 2021 at the party’s Accra headquarters, Mr Blay said: “The core value of the New Patriotic Party is commitment and dedication to public service”.

“We must never forget what defines who we are – which is the democratic ideals of serving in the interest of the people to build a better Ghana”, he reminded.

“And I believe this is what Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is doing at the moment, irrespective of the ugly noises and, sometimes, direct confrontations”, Mr Blay said.

“What will keep us in power and help us build a sustainable future is our dedication to delivering faithfully the promises we made to the people of this country,” he said.

At the same event, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said he is confident another NPP administration will succeed his government.

“Today, the challenges that confront our country, the difficulties that we have been plunged into by the COVID-19 pandemic are going to give us the opportunity to grow stronger and stronger and that strengthening of our party and its organs means one thing, and I am very confident of it that on December 7, 2024, the new NPP presidential candidate is going to win the election”, he said.

Mr Akufo-Addo said: “Our objective and responsibility are to do whatever is necessary to make sure that that victory is forthcoming”.

“We have to continue our way forward in Ghana”.

“We cannot continue to accept the backsliding that takes place every now and then”.

“It hasn’t benefited our nation and will not benefit our nation”, Mr Akufo-Addo noted.

According to him, the “foundations that we are laying today for the prosperity of our nation will be shaken if again through our own fault we allow the path of progress to be diverted

• Collins Dauda and four others have been slapped with 52 charges for causing financial loss to the state

• Appearing before a High Court Wednesday, the MP for Asutifi South Constituency was granted a self-recognisance bill because he is a public officer

• The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, October 13

The Accra High Court has granted former Chief Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Highways, Collins Dauda, who has been charged for causing financial loss to the state a self-recognisance bail.

Collins Dauda, together with 4 others have been slapped with 52 charges by government.

Out of the 52 charges, 14 has been levelled against Collins Dauda.

The High Court took this decision after the Attorney General, Godfred Dame made a request on the basis that Collins Dauda is the only public officer among the rest accused by the government.

Godfred Dame in his submission to the court requested that Collins Dauda‘s passport be deposited at the court registry.

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi South Constituency’s lawyer, Thadeus Sory, opposed this motion, arguing that, his client will need his passport for travels.

The court, presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiane, also granted the other four accused persons bail with various amounts and sureties.

null

Kwaku Agyemang Mensah and Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu were granted bail in the sum of $65 million each.

Andrew Clocans, was granted $179 million bail.

Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, was also granted bail in the sum of $13 million with three sureties.

The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, October 13.

Background

The Government of Ghana has filed 52 charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state on two former ministers, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Highway, a contractor and a consultant.

Of the 52 charges, 14 have been levelled against Alhaji Dauda who currently is the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South.

In the charge sheet sighted by GhanaWeb, the Attorney General argues that the contractor that executed the project was paid $179 million for doing a $68 m worth of work.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Akufo-Addo government under the leadership of Samuel Atta Akyea, as Minister for Works and Housing, amended and restated the Works Agreement and effected payments of over $5.6 million to the contractor for the abandoning Saglemi project yet, neither Atta Akyea nor his Chief Director has been charged for any wrongdoing by the current government, according to National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communications Officer Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi.null

“And so assuming the lack of Parliamentary approval for the Works Agreement or a variation of same constitutes a crime, then why hasn’t Atta Akyea or his Chief Director been charged? Why this obscene selective application of the law?,” the private practitioner quizzed on Accra Joy FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com

According to the NDC spokesperson, the legal suit against former Minister of Works and Housing under erstwhile NDC administration Hon. Collins Dauda and others is frivolous and a poor attempt by the vindictive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to create a convenient excuse for their abandonment of the Saglemi Housing project.

“That $200 million was not given to Collins Dauda. Anyone who tells you that money was given to Mr Dauda is a liar. That money was presented to the Ministry of Finance and the Housing Ministry only supervised the project,” Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi told host.null

“What Parliament had to approve was the terms of the loan agreement as required under Article 181 (1) of the Constitution which they did and not the Works Agreement. In any case, the Works Agreement was amended and restated by the Akufo-Addo government without Parliamentary approval”, the young politician added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Eric Opoku says the money Mr Dauda is alleged to have misapplied was not given directly to him, it was rather disbursed by the Ministry of Finance

.Source: www.mynewsgh.com

The caretaker District Executive Chief (DCE) for Ellembelle District Assembly in the Western Region, Kwasi Bonzoh, has said President Akufo-Addo will re-nominate him as the DCE for the area.

Kwasi Bonzoh who was nominated by President Akufo-Addo and subsequently confirmed by the Assembly Members of Ellembelle in 2017, is seeking re-appointment to serve the Ellembelle District Assembly for another four years.

Speaking to newsmen in the area on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, the Ellembelle NPP 2020 parliamentary candidate, Kwasi Bonzoh appealed to the residents of Ellembelle District to remain calm as President Akufo-Addo is getting ready to officially announce his MMDCEs within this month.

“I understand the list has delayed but let us remain calm and have hope in the President to release the list on his appointed time and I know the list will be released very soon”, he pleaded.

Asking whether the President will re-nominate him or not, Kwasi Bonzoh boldly said President Akufo-Addo would re-nominate him to continue his good works.

“I know President Akufo-Addo is going to re-nominate me because of my good works, since I became the DCE, I have done a lot of projects for Ellembelle District and I have made President Akufo-Addo popular in Ellembelle District because of the works I have done on his behalf”, he said.

He added that: “Today through my leadership we have asphalted Esiama to Nkroful road, we have built many schools in Ellembelle District, we are constructing so many town roads in Ellembelle District, we have built a fish market complex at Nzema Aiyinasi among others”.

He, therefore, took the opportunity to rubbish reports circulating on social media that a certain young man has been nominated by the President as the next District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle.

“Officially I have not been re-nominated but it is some people who are writing on social media that a certain young man I don’t want to mention his name has been nominated as Ellembelle DCE, every morning they will post a picture of that young man congratulating him so it not my supporters who are congratulating me”

“I have told my supporters and my well-wishers not to make noise on social media and allow the President to do what is right but I know the President, Akufo-Addo will mention my name and even if the President did not mention me, I will still support the NPP and my supporters should not fear”, he concluded.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to officially announce his MMDCEs within this month to steer affairs of the local Assemblies.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has disclosed that President Akufo-Addo would release the MMDCEs list immediately the President has returned home from his UK trip.

According to him, the infusion of youthful people and other factors, including ethnic background, also contributed to the delay in settling for the selected persons.

“The committee has finished and presented its report to the president. There is the need to ensure gender balance, the infusion of youthful people, and also to respond to local dynamics and ethnic backgrounds as well,” John Boadu told Citi News.

Per Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, the District Chief Executive for every district shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the Assembly present and voting at a meeting.

Member of Parliament for Wassa East, Isaac Agyei Mensah has accused the Akufo-Addo government of failing to fulfil his numerous promises.

The former Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways under the Mahama administration said the government was reluctant to admit there are several challenges confronting Ghanaians that need to be tackled head-on to assuage the suffering of Ghanaians.

Speaking to Kwame Minkah on Tonton Sansan on TV XYZ, the MP noted the demands of the thereby triggering calls for the country’s leaders to fix the country.

“The president knows there are challenges to fix that…If there are nit challenges there would not be leaders so the leaders know there are problems. However, it is good to remind leaders to act always,” he told host Kwame Minkah.

“The most important thing is for the government to act. Nana Akufo-Addo asked to be given the mandate to be president and Ghanaians did some when they’re asking for the problems to be fixed, his government must fix it but first of all, he must admit that there are existing problems,” he added.

Reacting to the online protests by conveners of a group known as the #FixTheCountry group, Agyei Mensah urged that government must outline its policies clearly to the citizens of the country and tell them how it is going to fix them.

“Tell us how the one district, one factory policy is going as well as the free education policy so we know where you are heading towards,” he said. “I support #FixTheCountry protest.”

The group will hit the streets tomorrow, August 4, 2021, as they demand the government to be on its toes.

The August 4 date was arrived at after an Accra High Court dismissed an application by the police seeking to injunct the protest, using COVID-19 restrictions as an excuse.

The youth are expressing their displeasure at the government on the streets after weeks of frustrations from the police to stop them from hitting the streets.

The campaign started as an online protest about broken systems within the Ghanaian economy and gained grounds in national and international discourse. Many young people jumped on the hashtags, demanding better governance from the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

The conveners of the protests have cited issues such as bad infrastructure, healthcare gaps, high standards of living, and high youth unemployment as some key concerns they demand addressed by the government within the shortest time possible.

The agitating youth will petition the president after the long protest which is expected to attract a huge crowd of frustrated citizens who are bent on venting their spleen.

An Executive of the Tema East branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Stephen Ashitey Adjei, has accused former President John Mahama of continuing in a life of disrespect to Ghanaian workers, years after he used his presidency to disdain them.

In a write-up, Mr. Ashitey Adjei, who is popularly called Moshake, warns that Mr. Mahama’s disrespect is only festering resentment that he has provoked for himself.

“Mr. Mahama has still not apologized to the Teacher and Nursing trainees that he denied training allowances; and the former Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA) workers whose retrenchment benefits he refused to pay even after his boss, former President Atta Mills had instructed payment.

“This shows that he has not repented of those misdeeds, and is not remorseful about them,” Moshake wrote.

The firebrand NDC Executive member said the former President’s attitude also creates the impression that if he is given the mandate to rule Ghana again, he will repeat the same mistakes, a thing he says does not augur well for him and the NDC which he has led in the past.

It would be recalled that when Mr. Mahama was President, he stopped the age-old arrangement to pay training allowances to nursing and teacher trainees.

This became a fatal mistake for his Presidency and the NDC’s government as the NPP, led by then opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, capitalized on it to successfully paint Mahama and the NDC as wicked.

Mr. Mahama also made the classic political blunder of explaining his thick skin against insults by saying he had become like a dead goat, another political misstatement that became powerful ammunition in the hands of the New Patriotic Party.

Moshake has never forgiven Mr. Mahama for those blunders which cost the NDC power because he says that former President Mahama made those mistakes out of listening to former President Kufuor, the NPP’s first Presidential success.

According to him, Mahama had given ear to Kufuor in a bid to silence the NDC’s party founder, late former President Jerry John Rawlings and that Mahama’s hobnob with Kufuor was what estranged Rawlings almost permanently from the NDC.

But for Moshake, the most grievous mistake Mahama should not have made was disrespecting a last wish of former President John Mills for whom Mahama had served as Vice President, after Mills had issued a fiat for some former workers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to be paid.

Mr. Mahama, he says, scoffed Mills’ instruction after Mills had suddenly died in office, leaving the workers, many of whom have since died of abject poverty, unpaid of their severance entitlements.

“To think that several years after Mahama did these things, he has not had the humility to apologize shows the kind of person that he is,” Moshake wrote, adding, “the unfortunate thing is that, he is a former leader of the NDC and this rubs on all of us. Mahama must not rule Ghana again.”

A former deputy spokesperson for the John Mahama 2020 campaign, Magaret Ansei has slammed President Nana Akufo-Addo for failing to transform Ghana as he promised in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.

The former MCE for Suhum who was speaking on Tonton Sansan on TV XYZ emphasized the need for Ghanaians to express their frustrations to the government through protests to help put the Akufo-Addo administration in check and also remind it of its mandate.

She was speaking on the justification or otherwise of the online protest, #FixTheCountry.

Madam Ansei, who is affectionately called Magoo, told host Prince Minkah that “the fix the country demonstration is highly justified” and rallied Ghanaians to join the street protest in Accra slated for August 4, 2021.

“Ghanaians should not wait for 4 years before they voice their frustrations through the polls. It can be done now,” Madam Ansei noted as she threw weight behind the conveners of the protest.

Explaining why she saw the protest as a good initiative, Magoo noted that Akufo-Addo has “destroyed” the country with his bad policies thereby putting Ghanaians through hardship stemmed from tax and fuel hikes.

To her, the previous administration led by former president John Mahama was governed with wisdom and compassion which saw a development-driven agenda in his government.

However, she noted that under the NPP government, the country’s economy is struggling with profligacy soared among Akufo-Addo’s appointees while Ghanaians struggle to make ends meet.

“During former president, Mahama’s era, roads, hospitals, schools were built every day but same cannot be seen today under this government,” she observed.

Criticizing persons, including members of the clergy, who were loud under the Mills-Mahama administration, Magoo indicated that “It is worrying why the vociferous stakeholders who were loud under Prez Mahama are now quiet.”

Background
Over the last three months, what started as an online protest about broken systems within the Ghanaian economy gained ground in national and international discourse, with many young people jumping on hashtags, demanding better governance from the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

The conveners of the protests have cited issues such as bad infrastructure, healthcare gaps, high standards of living, and high youth unemployment as some key concerns they demand addressed by the government within the shortest time possible.
Although the campaign has enjoyed remarkable success on social media, attempts to hold a physical protest and to present a formal petition to the government hit the rocks, as the planned protest was prohibited by lawsuits that stalled the protest from seeing the light of day.

The Verdict

The Accra High Court, however, struck out an application by the police seeking to stop the demonstration by the #FixTheCountry movement, paving way for the demonstration on Wednesday.

In a ruling in June, the court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, struck out the application on the basis that the date for the protest (May 9) had already passed so there was no protest to be stopped.

“I’m of the opinion that the planned demonstration is passed and therefore the application is moot,” she ruled.

She, however, stated that in the event the #FixTheCountry protestors wanted to embark on a new protest, they must go through all the laid down procedures including the one relating to the restrictions on public gathering.

Conveners have said they are ready for the march on Founders’ Day.

Former Works and Housing Minister E T Mensah has denied claims that the controversial $200 million Saglemi housing project was planned to have been executed in phases.null

The Council of State member told Paul Adom-Otchere on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana programme on Tuesday, 3 August 2021: “I was not involved in any phasing system”.

“We knew that we wanted to build – that is 5,000 houses to be built for workers – and it was approved”, he said.

According to him, “executive approval was given and parliament approved it, so, if anything at all, if I wanted to change something, I had to go through the same process again”.

Recently, former housing minister Collins Dauda was charged with causing financial loss to the state in connection with the Saglemi housing project.

The opposition politician is accused of intentionally misapplying the project sum of $200 million “by causing the said amount, which had been approved by the parliament of Ghana for the construction of 5,000 housing units, to be applied toward the payment of 1,412 housing units under the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.”

Last year, Mr Dauda’s successor, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, disclosed that all former government appointees and officials involved in the Saglemi housing project were being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.

Mr Atta Akyea, who described the project as a rip-off, noted that it does not measure up to the cost purported to have been invested in it.

Mr Atta Akyea disclosed this while speaking to the parliamentary press corps on Thursday, 8 October 2020.

He also condemned the habit of new governments discontinuing projects started by previous administrations.

“In relation to Kufuor’s uncompleted housing structures, the evidence is clear that the Mills government and the Mahama government did not continue it. Then, I was met with this jejune argument that we have abandoned Saglemi. I say, ‘no, we have not abandoned Saglemi,” the minister said.null

Mr Atta Akyea further noted that the Mahama-led administration ripped the country off in executing the project.

He stated: “Saglemi is tainted with embezzlement”.

“There’s no dispute about it, and I could tell you that the Ghana Institution of Surveyors has come out with a conclusive report to the effect that Saglemi is a rip-off and the amount of money that has been blown in Saglemi is over USD100 million and the housing structures over there do not measure up to the money they’ve collected”, he said.
“So, I’m not here to embarrass anybody; I’m here to say that if you didn’t go into the legalities of it, how do you continue? So, now that we’ve surrendered the report of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors to CID, now, we can deal with the issue of going to continue”, he added.

Mr Atta Akyea noted at the time that: “We’re pushing so hard to deal with the issue of Saglemi; it’s not abandoned. It doesn’t give this nation credit at all.”

“They’ve invited several of them, including Honourable Collins Dauda. They’ve invited them but you see how civil NPP is; we don’t make it like a drama, so, the police are dealing with them. We’re not going to parade people like: ‘Look at how they’ve arrested this man or they’ve arrested that man’”.

“That is how civility is all about. You do not try to embarrass somebody because you think that he’s been investigated by the police. Eventually, the police might say that they do not have anything against the person and you would have embarrassed him”.

“So, all those people who were involved in Saglemi, they’ve started inviting them. I’m telling you and even people working in my Ministry, they’ve started inviting them. So, investigations are ongoing, let’s leave the police to do its work. There’s no propaganda or party issues about theft, theft is theft,” the minister added.

Source: classfmonline.com

• John Dramani Mahama says the government should not roll out new programmes

• He stated that, it will be better for the government to focus on completing abandoned projects

• Mahama made this known when he visited the Volta Region together with some Minority MPs

Former President John Dramani Mahama, has advised the Akufo-Addo administration to not roll out new projects, but instead focus on the old projects and complete them.

Speaking to the media during his recent visit to the Volta Region, Mahama observed that there are so many uncompleted projects by successive administrations that are dotted across the country which need completion.

“It’s a major problem; everywhere you go in the country you find projects left by previous governments that were not continued. That is why we said that when we come [back] into office, for the first year, we were not going to start new projects; we were going to use the resources to continue and finish all the projects that have been abandoned by previous governments,” Mahama stated.null

“You don’t go building a new secondary school when you have a secondary school that has been abandoned. I think that is what [the] government should do; suspend new projects, spend the resources, and finish ongoing and existing projects.”

John Dramani Mahama added: “In everything, you prioritise, depending on how things are and I think that the plight of the people that we’ve seen here deserves some attention if the funds are available to continue this project.”

The former President expressed worry that the recent tidal waves incident had destroyed the homes of some residents in the Volta Region.

He joined the Volta Caucus in Parliament to visit the affected residents and presented some relief items to them.

Addressing residents of Agavedzi in the Ketu South constituency after he presented relief items including building materials to victims of the recent tidal waves devastation, Mahama assured the region of a comeback to wrestle power from the incumbent NPP.null

“I want to take the opportunity through you, the people here, to thank all our brothers and sisters in the Volta Region for the strong support you showed for me in the 2020 polls. You didn’t disappoint me at all; you did your part and you did your best. And so I want to thank you.

“Let us not be disappointed and discouraged, they say he who fights and loses lives to fight another day. What we have to do is to focus on the party, selecting a flagbearer to lead us again and I’m sure by 2024 by the grace of God, NDC will come back into the office,” he said.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

• University of Ghana is to pay a judgement debt of $165 million for terminating a contract in 2018

• The order was made by a US Federal Court

• The court indicated that the University defaulted on a flagship developmental partnership programme

A US Federal Court has awarded a $165 million judgement debt against the University of Ghana for wrongly terminating the Africa Integra Contract in 2018.

The University of Ghana had defaulted on a flagship developmental partnership programme backed by the US government; therefore, Global Insurer Chubb Ltd. asked a New York federal judge to confirm a $165 million arbitration award against the University.

In a Law360 report sighted by GhanaWeb, a petition filed in the Southern District of New York, W.P Carey investment trust won the award in 2018 after the University of Ghana terminated an agreement to construct and maintain four new facilities and a dormitory on its campus. The award reflects the value of rent income that the new campus facilities would have generated, Chubb told the court.null

“SEC reports show that the $64 million partnership was signed in 2016, with a mortgage financing agreement from the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Private Investment Corp. (now Development Finance Corp.) of up to $41 million. The project was insured with a Chubb corporate country risk policy. According to a public information summary filed with OPIC, the project would help meet a demand for higher education in Africa. University press releases said the expansion would help attract and accommodate Ph.D. students, transforming the school into a first-class research institution,” the report stated.

University of Ghana was unable to procure a contractually required letter of credit, according to the Chubb petition, and moved to terminate the contract, triggering arbitration in 2018. The W.P. Carey trust settled with Chubb for $45.6 million later the same year — $10 million more than what it spent on the project — transferring its right to collect tenant default damages, according to company financial records.

The report further explained that while Chubb’s petition stated that the agreement was terminated because of the university’s failure to procure a letter of credit, the deal appeared to go sour earlier, when a new vice chancellor took office and openly voiced his opposition to the contract in a series of inflammatory letters and statements to the press. According to W.P Carey’s partner, Africa Integras, the companies had already poured tens of millions of dollars into the expansion, and the project was only a year away from construction completion.

Andrea Pizziconi, founder and managing principal, told Law360 that new chancellor Ebenezer Owusu was “actually offered several options to obtain the letter of credit. However, against the strong advice of his own advisers, Owusu refused to proceed with any of the options presented to him.” Pizziconi noted that his actions seemed “personally motivated as even the Ghanaian government, at times, attempted to intervene to avoid the disastrous termination of the project that ensued.”

In a 2019 press release, the university denied being subject to any arbitration award. Meanwhile, Owusu personally attacked his predecessor and Pizziconi in the press.null

The project would have expanded the university’s facilities by 60%, Pizziconi said. “As it stands today, I estimate that at least 20,000 additional Ghanaian students were prevented from enrolling at UG because those facilities were not finished,” she said.

The financial default also cast a chill over development projects across the region, “since UG was a flagship project for education public-private-partnerships in Africa generally,” Pizziconi added. “This impact exacerbated the losses felt across the continent with so many universities keen to access private finance to address their own infrastructure constraints.”

“Now, to make matters worse, if this claim is not paid, the entire insurance industry will become more reticent to insure key infrastructure projects in Ghana, which will impact the country’s entire development agenda,” she continued. “Also, with an unpaid insurance claim, the U.S. government’s Development Finance Corp. will struggle to proceed in financing other projects in Ghana that require government commitments, which could cost Ghana billions in development financing.”

The University of Ghana did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Counsel for Chubb declined to comment.

According to Chubb’s petition Thursday, the court has no basis to refuse confirmation of the award, which falls under the New York Convention.null

Chubb is represented by Kurt W. Hansson, Joshua M. Bennett and Jonathon C. Drimmer of Paul Hastings LLC.

Counsel information for the University of Ghana was not immediately available.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Ashanti Region has as at July 31, this year, recorded a total of 304 COVID-19 deaths, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has disclosed.

Eighty-eight of the cases were recorded in the last three months of this year, REGSEC Chairman and Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, told the media in Kumasi.

The Region, he said, had also recorded 1, 253 active cases of the pandemic from April to July, the second-highest of such cases to be documented in the country.

Mr. Osei-Mensah indicated that the emergence of the new Delta variant of the pandemic was responsible for the upsurge in mortalities and active cases in the Region.

“The Council is warning the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to enforce strictly the existing safety protocols for the safety of the public,” the Minister stated.

According to him, it was mandatory for the Assemblies to work with the security agencies to enforce the safety protocols, especially at public places.

“They should adhere to the government’s directive of ensuring limited people at public gatherings, including funerals, weddings, churches, amongst others.”

He cautioned commercial drivers not to allow passengers without nose masks to get on board their vehicles.

“Any driver who fails to comply with this directive will be in trouble,” he noted, saying, the REGSEC had given authority to the police to arrest offenders and deal with them in accordance with the law.

Mr. Osei-Mensah observed that the emergence of the new Delta variant had increased the risk factors associated with the pandemic, therefore, it was expected of all and sundry to abide by the existing safety protocols.

GNA

Ernesto Yeboah has said Ghanaians should begin thinking of a better Ghana without NDC NPP.

A Co-Convenor of the #FixTheCountry demonstration, Ernesto Yeboah, has charged Ghanaians to begin imagining a better Ghana without NPP and NDC. 

At the Independence Square Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Ernesto told Ghanaians to discard the notion of Ghana’s existence being dependent on the two political parties. 

“Let us start thinking of having a better Ghana without thinking of the NDC and NPP. Don’t think you don’t have a Ghana without NPP and NDC,” he indicated. 

Responding to government officials who asked Ghanaians to fix themselves when the hashtag #FixTheCountry started on social media, Mr. Yeboah said they’ve fixed themselves by gathering the filth the protesters left on the streets.

He displayed a ‘polythene bag’ containing empty water bottles, sachet water disposal and other garbage. 

Mr. Yeboah called for the abolition of the 1992 Constitution which serves only a group of people at the expense of others. 

“When we asked our leaders to fix the country, they told us to fix ourselves. We’ve fixed the refuse we made on our way here,” he told the crowed and showed them evidence. 

Convenors of the demonstration have hinted of the protest being replicated in the other regional capitals. 

Source: SmartMediaGh.com

Captain Smart says Ghana will be fixed at all cost

Captain Smart’s conviction of Ghana becoming a better place was reemphasised when thousands joined him and others to stage the #FixTheCountry protest.

During his speech at the Independence Square Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Captain Smart, a leading member of the demonstration noted the protest will change the fortunes of the country to assuage the usual challenges confronting the people.

The era, where graduates stay home for half decades without jobs after graduation will cease.

“Whether they like it or not, this country will be better. It’ll never happen again that the youth of this country will complete university and stay unemployed,” he expressed.

Proceeding with his speech, he mentioned series of corruptible incidents from various governments since the inception of the 4th Republic.

“Before Rawlings became president, he told us he is going to make Ghana better but he sold Nsawam Cannery to his wife before leaving office”

“Kufuor gave Professor Kassim Kassanga $5 million for mango plantation and he brought only three trees”

“President Mills’ time was when the money was given to Woyome whilst he warned them not to pay. Then Mahama came and guinea fowls flew to Burkina”

“Nana Addo said he’s going to protect us but police officers are being killed anyhow. Ahmed Suale was killed after which Ken Agyapong said he knows the killer but Nana Addo hasn’t done anything about it”

“The outgone IGP sat on a radio station and deceived Ghana police about their salary increment”

“31 people are going to use $3.5 million to purchase vehicles whilst the youth of Ghana have no jobs,” he narrated to the protesters.

He added that president Akufo-Addo cannot utter his “I’m not corrupt” mantra anymore because he is surrendered by corrupt people and it was time Ghanaians rethink their lives without the NPP and NDC.

Source: SmartMediaGh.com

Some angry NABCO Personnels who are not unhappy with their GH¢700.00 monthly allowance joined FIX THE COUNTRY Demonstration as they Captured something serious for Government and the Roads Minister. They didn’t only capture their small allowance which needs to be fixed.

During the Demo, The NABCO Personnels captured a serious deplorable drainage which has created a big hole in the middle of a busy High streets in Accra. The NABCO Personnels knelt down beside the hole to draw the attention of the Roads Minister and Government to Fix it.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1034279410013336&output=html&h=343&slotname=2546304617&adk=1922084380&adf=3300910721&pi=t.ma~as.2546304617&w=412&lmt=1628103117&rafmt=1&psa=0&format=412×343&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenfransmedia.com%2Ffix-the-country-demo-angry-nabco-personnel-captures-something-serious-for-govt-and-roads-minister%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&fwrattr=true&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&dt=1628103113420&bpp=10&bdt=3895&idt=3611&shv=r20210729&mjsv=m202108030101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D2ef99da055fb218e-224a879494c9004a%3AT%3D1628103117%3ART%3D1628103117%3AS%3DALNI_MYowWnoqYjhmfLUthI-wNYBg8p20Q&prev_fmts=412×343%2C412x90%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343&correlator=5905704481530&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1743504406.1628103115&ga_sid=1628103115&ga_hid=156377978&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=3590&biw=412&bih=694&scr_x=0&scr_y=1523&eid=42530671%2C20211866&oid=3&pvsid=138115838431336&pem=241&eae=0&fc=896&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C877%2C412%2C877&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CoEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=23&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=h6AqcLWdWW&p=http%3A//enfransmedia.com&dtd=3645

If not fixed, this hole can cause an accident in the future. Aside the big hole which needs to be fixed by the Roads Minister.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-1034279410013336&output=html&h=343&slotname=2546304617&adk=2682029865&adf=3425202328&pi=t.ma~as.2546304617&w=412&lmt=1628103117&rafmt=1&psa=0&format=412×343&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenfransmedia.com%2Ffix-the-country-demo-angry-nabco-personnel-captures-something-serious-for-govt-and-roads-minister%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&fwrattr=true&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&dt=1628103113430&bpp=10&bdt=3905&idt=3942&shv=r20210729&mjsv=m202108030101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D2ef99da055fb218e-224a879494c9004a%3AT%3D1628103117%3ART%3D1628103117%3AS%3DALNI_MYowWnoqYjhmfLUthI-wNYBg8p20Q&prev_fmts=412×343%2C412x90%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343%2C412x343&correlator=5905704481530&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1743504406.1628103115&ga_sid=1628103115&ga_hid=156377978&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=4036&biw=412&bih=694&scr_x=0&scr_y=2129&eid=42530671%2C20211866&oid=3&pvsid=138115838431336&pem=241&eae=0&fc=896&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C877%2C412%2C877&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CoEebr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=23&ifi=9&uci=a!9&btvi=4&fsb=1&xpc=Cgc1s5hek5&p=http%3A//enfransmedia.com&dtd=4007

The NABCO Personnels also captured Their monthly allowance of GH¢ 700.00 paid by Government as a “joke”.

” Mr politicians, our Honorable members, if you can’t survive on GH¢ 700 , why give it to me for the whole Month? FIX THE COUNTRY

Former US President Barack Obama has scaled back plans for a big birthday party amid a rise in Covid infections nationwide.

Mr Obama turned 60 on Wednesday and had planned a major celebration on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts this weekend.

But as the highly contagious Delta variant has led to a surge in new infections, Mr Obama has announced plans to scale back the event.

Only close friends and family will now attend.

His spokesperson said the outdoor event on Saturday was planned months ago “in accordance with all public health guidelines”. But he and his wife Michelle Obama have now decided to limit its size.

“President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.”

Media reports say hundreds of people were invited to the occasion, with rumours that actor George Clooney, director Steven Spielberg and talk show host Oprah Winfrey were all on the guest list.

But criticism about the event has grown with cases.

Daily cases have risen to an average not seen in months, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that masks should again be worn indoors for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated in light of rising infections.

The Obamas had reportedly encouraged people to get tested before attending, and have repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated.

Asked this week about the event, White House press secretary Jen Psaki advised attendees “to follow public health guidelines, which I know the former president… would certainly advocate for himself as well.”

Reports say President Joe Biden, who served as vice-president under Mr Obama, had chosen not to attend the party

Three persons have died in a ghastly road crash that occurred at Vume near Sogakope, on the Accra-Sogakope highway on the evening of Tuesday, 3rd August 2021.

The deceased persons who are yet to be identified were plying the route in a tricycle (aboboya) when an over-speeding vehicle from the Sogakope direction with registration number GW 8151-18 collided with the tricycle killing all three persons on the spot.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-8731784857660975&output=html&h=343&adk=3174372843&adf=938312355&pi=t.aa~a.86673156~i.5~rp.4&w=412&lmt=1628102142&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6320142137&tp=site_kit&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkasapafmonline.com%2F2021%2F08%2Fv-r-3-persons-killed-in-road-crash-at-sogakope%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=310&rw=372&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1628102142744&bpp=37&bdt=4628&idt=-M&shv=r20210729&mjsv=m202108030101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D81add2fd57c772de-22631a9f8bc900a9%3AT%3D1628102074%3ART%3D1628102074%3AS%3DALNI_MbgHl2o0FRbz92u6QRoAqDLIzdezg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x600&nras=2&correlator=1415356654064&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=156843843.1628102072&ga_sid=1628102141&ga_hid=2053101263&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=900&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=42530672%2C20211866%2C31060475&oid=3&pvsid=1341415073396866&pem=743&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=Dd3RiiqgHr&p=https%3A//kasapafmonline.com&dtd=73

Kasapa News has gathered that the vehicle was being driven by a Dabala junction-based Customs Officer who together with his colleagues were pursuing another vehicle suspected to be carrying some smuggled goods.

According to some eyewitnesses, some youth in the area who became agitated over the incident set the vehicle ablaze a situation that forced the deployment of some military and police personnel to the scene to restore calm.

Meanwhile, the Sogakope police commander has declined comments on the issue when Kasapa News’s Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu contacted him.

Bodies of the victims have since been deposited at the Sogakope District hospital for preservation.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/ Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu

Former President and 2020 NDC Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has expressed his appreciation to the people of Volta Region for the support he received during the 2020 elections.

According to Mr. Mahama, the region known as the world bank of the opposition NDC did not disappoint him in spite of losing the election once again to President Akufo-Addo.

Addressing residents of Agavedzi in the Ketu South Constituency after presentation of relief items including building materials to victims of recent tidal waves devastation on behalf of the NDC minority caucus and on his own behalf, Mr. Mahama assured the region of a comeback to wrestling power from the governing NPP

Speaking to Kasapa News after touring the devastated areas, the former President once again bemoaned the abandoning of projects started by his administration by President Akufo-Addo.

According to him if the Nana Addo administration had continued with a sea defence project, residents would not have had their homes washed away.

Mr. Mahama wants the government to halt the commencement of new projects until old ones are completed as promised by the NDC in its 2020 manifesto.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Ibrahim Alhassan

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is in self-isolation after being in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19, the presidency has said.

The name of the person was not released.

President Ouattara has encouraged the Ivorian population to get vaccinated while respecting the protection measures in place in order to fight the disease.

If the president’s isolation is prolonged he might not be able to take part in the official Independence Day ceremony in a few days as is usually the case.

Ivorians will be celebrating the country’s Independence Day on 7 August

Apostle Dr. Daniel Adjei, Head pastor of Evangelical Methodist Church, Joshua Kwame Ampadu Cathedral, Asylum Down has indicated that he personally joined the fixthecountry demonstration because ‘my church collection and tithes have reduced’.

According to the Apostle, who looked very frustrated while speaking on camera “Nowadays when our church members come to church, they can’t give offering. They can’t pay their tithes because all our members are broke. There are no jobs in this country. That is why I have joined this demonstration”.

On Wednesday, thousands of demonstrators bussed from all parts of the country on Founder’s Day hit the Principal streets of Accra with the intentions of mounting pressure on the Nana Akufo-Addo government to create more jobs under the social media hashtag #FixTheCountry.

The Protestors, led by some disappointed media personalities, and celebrities among the youth were clad in black and red attires blowing vuvuzelas amidst the chanting of patriotic and war songs as early as 7am when they stormed the venue to commence the demonstration against the ruling government.

Earlier, the Police advised the protestors to respect all directives by the police during the march to ensure a smooth exercise.

They urged them to adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols – wearing face masks, ensuring social distancing, and avoiding handshakes.

But they totally disregarded the social distancing protocols in the over three-kilometer walk demonstration from the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle as they carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Honesty will make Ghana heaven”, “Corruption breeds poverty”, “Turn all prisons into hotels and put prisoners on state farms”, “Stop tribal discrimination”, “Fix our education system now” among others.

The much talked about the street protest on Wednesday starting from the Obra Spot through the principal streets of Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Farisco, TUC, Kimbu, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), through the Atta Mills Highway, and end at the Black Star Square.

#FixTheCountry is a hashtag being used by a group of independent, non-political Ghanaians, the middle class, and some celebrities with a call on the government for urgent social and economic reforms in the country.

The campaign started on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, after thousands of Ghanaians on social media, specifically on Twitter, got hooked up to the hashtag #FixTheCountry to protest poor governance and challenges in the Ghanaian economy.

Within 24 hours after the hashtag started the online campaign spread and gained nationwide attention promoting calls for street protests.

Leaders of the protest chose Sunday, May 9, 2021, for the demonstration but the police, on Thursday, May 6, obtained a restraining order from the High Court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, against the protest march until the restriction on public gathering was lifted.

However, a Supreme Court Panel, presided over by Justice Yaw Appau, later set aside the High Court order that barred the protest indefinitely saying the order was in error and proceeded to quash it.

But they were later given the green light to hit the streets

The Speaker of Parliament Alban S. K. Bagbin, has urged countries in Africa to direct their energies towards building stronger institutions and systems that work.

He said globally, countries that have succeeded in this endeavor, tend to discharge their mandates for the benefits of their people.

The Speaker made the call after the President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço addressed Parliament on Tuesday, 3 August 2021.

President João Lourenço on Tuesday led a high powered delegation from his country to address Parliament as part of a three-day official visit to Ghana.

President João Lourenço was met on arrival in parliament by the Speaker who was accompanied by his two deputies and the leadership from both sides of the house.

The Angolan President during his address commended the 8th Parliament and Speaker Bagbin’s leadership, for being able to steer the affairs of the house despite its unique nature.

He called for deeper cooperation between the two countries in building a formidable energy sector, parliamentary diplomacy and good governance.

Speaker Bagbin commended President João Lourenço for his dedication in tackling corruption head-on and reducing economic graft in his country.

Ghana’s parliament, he said, was encouraged by that feat which he said, would guide its watch-dog role to give constructive criticism to the government and its agencies.

That, he said would help put the government in check to account to the people

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the umbrella body of doctors in the country, has threatened to strike in October if, by the end of September, their outstanding arrears are not cleared.

In a communiqué issued after a National Executive Council meeting, the group said the strike will start with the withdrawal of services to out-patients.

Subsequently, the “withdrawal of all in-patient services will begin the following week (effective Friday, 8th October 2021) if all the issues are still not completely resolved”.

They will then declare a full-blown strike by mid-October.

The strike threat by the doctors comes on the heels of ongoing industrial actions by other labour unions.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) recently asked the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) to suspend their separate strike actions and come to the negotiating table for talks.

In two separate letters to either union, the NLC said the parties are hereby invited to appear before the commission on Thursday, 5 August 2021 at 11 am (UTAG) and 12: 30 pm (SSA-UoG), “for hearing of the matter in dispute”.

“The National Labour Commission directs that with this intervention, the union should stay all action(s) for the parties to appear before the Commission”, the letters noted.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=520316108&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1628075165&psa=1&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2FDoctors-threaten-strike-October-26257&flash=0&wgl=1&dt=1628075164612&bpp=5&bdt=1127&idt=1181&shv=r20210729&mjsv=m202108030101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D63794c735ee2e507-22e0a23187c9004a%3AT%3D1628075045%3ART%3D1628075045%3AS%3DALNI_MZ-awOyc2iJb6U8yQuKONm85eqArg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=6366638216401&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=302061505.1628075046&ga_sid=1628075165&ga_hid=235206892&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=56&ady=2181&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=610&eid=44719338%2C31060474%2C31060049%2C20211866&oid=3&pvsid=1881667014878975&pem=269&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7Co%7CEebr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=vzUAsGhuBl&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=1213

They noted that the “invitation is in accordance with section 139 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651”.

“In view of the COVID-19 protocols, the representation by each side is restricted to a maximum of two persons and this must also be noted”, the correspondence signed by Dr Bernice Welbeck, Director, Administration/HR, said on Monday, 2 August 2021.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has appealed to both UTAG and SSA-UoG not to suspend their intended strike.

Both UTAG and SSA-UoG started their separate indefinite strikes today, Monday, 2 August 2021.

In a press statement issued on Monday, NUGS urged the two unions to reconsider their decision as a “mark of good faith towards students”.

“The National Union of Ghana Students appreciates UTAG and SSA-UoG for the patience and sacrifice of their membership toward service rendered to Ghanaian students and the nation at large”.

“We believe strongly that the answers UTAG and SSA-UoG are seeking from the government are for the right reasons.”

“That notwithstanding, we disagree with the strike approach, considering its effect on students, especially within the abnormal times we find ourselves in and the earlier obstruction of academic work by the global shutdown.

“UTAG and SSA-UoG must as an act of good faith toward students and the government avoid an entrenched position in all dialogues to address their concerns.”

“We appeal to our lecturers to stay in the classroom for the sake of the future generation as they continue to negotiate with the appropriate quarters since Ghanaian students shouldn’t always be at the receiving end.”

Announcing the strike, UTAG said: “We write on behalf of the National Executive Committee of UTAG to inform and/or remind you of the intended strike of UTAG. By this notice, all campuses are to withdraw all teaching and related activities – teaching, examination, invigilation, marking of examination scripts, processing of examination results, etc., from Monday, 2 August 2021 until further notice. We encourage all members on our various campuses to comply with this directive”, the letter signed by Prof Charles Marfo, National President and Dr Eric K.K. Abavare, National Secretary, said.

A few weeks ago, UTAG’s NEC notified the National Labour Commission (NLC) of its intention to strike. The industrial action, according to UTAG, is against the “government on the grounds of its failure to address the worsening conditions of UTAG’s members within an agreed period”.

A statement co-signed by the same national executives dated 15 July 2021, indicated: “Specifically, negotiation of our conditions of service, which was started some two years ago and was early this year scheduled to end by the end of this month, July 2021, has overly been delayed with no end in sight,” adding: “In our last meeting with government, UTAG strongly indicated to the government that if by the agreed date of the end of negotiations – i.e. 31 July 2021 – no agreement is reached, the association would have no option but to resort to indefinite strike”.

UTAG has, therefore, decided “to withdraw teaching, one of its main duties, from 2 August 2021 if no agreement is reached by 31 July 2021”.

Similarly, SSA-UoG, in a statement, said the government failed to “respect and fulfil the agreements between both parties at different intervals.” The association also accused the government of “contemptuous and total disregard to the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) directives on January 28, 2021, upon hearing from both parties to resolve all our concerns within a three-month stipulated period, which also regrettably elapsed on March 31, 2021, repugnantly.”

It said “all members of the Senior Staff Associations across all the 16 public universities in Ghana (SSA-UOG and FUSSAG) are required to lay down their tools until further notice.”

A few days ago, the association – which declared a strike on 18 May 2021, to compel the government to pay its members’ tier 2 pension contributions and also demanded the award of market premium and non-basic allowance, as well as the finalisation of negotiations of the members’ conditions of service – but later froze it upon the intervention of the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), threatened a worse form of its earlier industrial action if the government did not fulfil the promises it made which prompted the group to suspend the strike on 11 June.

An earlier statement signed by Mr Zakaria Mohammed, National Chairman, said, at the 12th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Cape Coast on 9 and 10 July 2021 respectively, the Senior Staff Association – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) discussed and resolved the following: 1. The inability of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to communicate feedback on our counter proposal to government by Wednesday, 7 July 2021 as promised;

The SSA-UoG suspended its strike action on 11 June 2021 on the promise of commitment by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission with Vice-Chancellors Ghana (VCG) as guarantors to completely resolve and conclude all outstanding issues on the negotiation table from 30 June to 19 July 2021.

Since the last negotiation meeting on 30 June 2021 on our counter-proposal to the government, the FWSC was to secure the needed mandate and communicate feedback to SSA-UoG.

This has since remained a mirage and it is creating agitations, fear and panic among our rank and file because there have been similar illusive promises in the past that never saw the light of day. 2. Computation of interest on Tier 2 and roadmap for payment;

The government requested SSA-UoG to submit names of its technical team to work hand in hand with the government technical team on the computation of interest on the outstanding Tier 2 Pension Contributions Arrears paid by Government. As requested by the government, SSA-UoG have since submitted names of its technical team to the government on 30 June 2021 which has since not been acknowledged.

It is our fervent belief that government has acted in bad faith.

3. Interestingly enough, the National Labour Commission (NLC) in all the above infractions being perpetrated against SSA-UoG and its loud silence on their part as a statutory body is not only worrying but also very shocking, as it is seen as an arbiter grounded in law. 4. The National Executive Council of SSA-UoG have resolved to resume full strike in the unlikely event that the government fails to meet the deadline as promised and agreed upon by all parties.

We, therefore, direct all the 14 public universities of SSA-UoG to keep themselves in readiness for a full-blown strike as resolved by NEC.

Source: classfmonline.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is calling for a concerted effort to break away from the neo-colonial structure where the country export raw materials without adding any value which in his view does not inure to the country’s benefit.

He called on Ghanaians to help drive the nation to its destination where there will be a united, developed, prosperous, free, democratic and independent nation.

Nana Akufo-Addo said these in his Founders’ Day message on Wednesday, 4 August 2021.

Founders’ Dayis a nationalpublic holidayobserved to commemorate the contributions of all the peoplewho led the struggle for Ghana’s independence.

The Founders’ Day was formerly called “Founder’s Day”with the letter “S” appearing after an apostrophe and it was celebrated to earmark the achievements ofDr Kwame Nkrumah Ghana’s first president and his role in attaining independence for the country.

But the Akufo-Addo-led government insisted others helped in the independence struggle and deserved to be celebrated as well.

The name was changed from “Founder’s Day” to “Founders’ Day” to include others who helped in the struggle for independence

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has asked the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Senior Staff Association – University of Ghana (SSA-UOG) to stay in action and appear before the Commission on Thursday August 5, 2021.

A statement from the NLC, signed by its Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Bernice A. Welbeck for the Executive Secretary said the Commission read in the media a letter dated 30th July, 2021 titled: “Withdrawal of Teaching and Related Activities on Member Campuses” by UTAG.

It also read in the media a letter dated 30th July, 2021 titled: “Notification and Resumption of Indefinite Industrial Strike” by SSA-UOG.

The letter stated that the actions were to commence yesterday, August 2, 2021.

The Commission, therefore, urged the Associations to stay in action and appear before it on the aforementioned date for hearing of the matter in dispute.

The invitation is in accordance with section 139 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651, the statement said.

It said in the view of the COVID-19 protocols, the representation by each side was restricted to a maximum of three persons and called on both parties to take note.

GNA

Parliament on Tuesday concluded the debate on the 2021 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, with divergent views from both sides of the House on its merits.

The Majority Side supported the statement, describing it as a review of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s programme for accelerated recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minority, on the other hand, accused the Minister of Finance of presenting a superficial budget review, which it called; “the New Patriotic Party’s 2021 Manifesto” rather than mid-year budget review.

Winding up the debate, the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the Mid-year Policy Statement would restore and sustain macro-economic stability.

He said the policy document would help to attain improved fiscal performance through enhanced revenue mobilisation, strengthen the economy and ensure investor confidence.

“It’s the vision of President Nana Akufo-Addo to create an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous nation through the creative exploitation of human and natural resources, and create a fair society in which economic opportunities exists for all,” the Majority Leader said.

He discounted the position of the Minority Caucus that the 2021 Mid-year Budget Review was superficial, adding that the document was based on policies and principles.

The Minority NDC, on its part, indicated that the government’s decision not ask for additional money deserved no commendation.

“I’m not impressed by government’s decision not to request more funds,” Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said, and suggested that the Government should have used the Mid-year Budget Review to withdraw some new taxes introduced earlier in the year.

Mr Iddrisu said Ghana’s economy was ont doing well, and on the brink of collapse due to the crippling debt of the nation.

He said the country was rather spending more money servicing debts against investing in state infrastructure, pegging the debt stock at GHS332 billion.

He bantered at the President and Minister for relying on debt relief and debt forgiveness for solutions.

The debate began on Friday, July 30, after Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, on the authority of President Akufo-Addo, had read the document to the nation, through Parliament, on Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Accra.

His presentation was in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which provides that the Government details its programmes and policies for the rest of the year.

The presentation provided the economic and fiscal performance of the economy for the first half of 2021, and provided an update on the implementation of key programmes.

The Finance Minister announced strategies by Government to create employment for Ghanaians in general and the youth in particular, and highlighted the status of the implementation of the Ghana CARES “Obaatanpa” Programme.

The Ghana CARES “Obaatanpa” Programme seeks to revitalise and transform the economy to pre-pandemic times and focussed on revenue, expenditure, and financing performance for the first half of 2021.

It further provided an overview of the implementation of the 2021 Budget, touching on the assurance of government on securing Covid-19 vaccines for vaccination and effective domestic revenue mobilisation.
GNA

• Haruna Iddrisu says there will be more strikes in the public sector

• He said, the 4% increase in wages is a recipe for industrial conflicts

• UTAG is currently on strike

Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader has envisaged more strikes in the public sector following the UTAG strike.

He attributed this to the 4% increase in the public sector salaries has contributed greatly to the instability on the Labour front.

This increase, he noted, is a “recipe for the industrial conflicts”.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Tamale South MP explained, “The public sector workers of Ghana can have no smiles into 2022. When inflation is at 8% or 9%, the appropriate thing to do in terms of minimum wage negotiation is to place the wage increase not above inflation.

“So, if you say inflation is 8% or 9%, increase the wages by just 8% or 9%, that is the best practice and that has been the practice.”

According to the Minority Leader, the strike action by UTAG and other staff from the various universities is not surprising, indicating that this is one of many to come.

“Going into the future, we should be ready to bear the consequences of an unstable labour environment, which is likely to be characterised by protests, and strike actions which ultimately, will affect the productivity of our country,” Iddrisu said.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), directed members to withdraw all teaching and related activities on various university campuses beginning Monday, August 2.

Members of the Association laid down their tools and have stayed off teaching, examinations and invigilation, marking of examination scripts and processing of results until further notice.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

A former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, has said that the comments made about him by National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi in the suit against Collins Dauda over the Saglemi Housing project, were all lies.null

He said the facts do not support what Sammy Gyamfi said about him.

This comes after the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame earlier this week filed court processes to prosecute former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda; his successor, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, and three other persons for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss to the state over the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.

The state is hitting the accused persons with 52 counts of criminal charges against them for allegedly misapplying the state’s $200 million to pay for less than 1,500 affordable housing units at Saglemi, instead of the 5,000 units parliament granted approval for.

In response to the suit, Sammy Gyamfi said in a statement among other things that “It is instructive to note, that the Minister of Works and Housing at the time, Hon. E.T Mensah informed Parliament during the debate on the approval of the loan facility, that the 5000 housing units will not be built at a go, but rather over a period of time, that is, in phases. This is captured in black and white in the Parliamentary Hansard of 23rd October, 2013.

“Subsequent to the grant of Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Works and Housing under Hon. E.T Mensah prepared and executed a Works Agreement with the Contractor for the project, Construtora OAS Limited. It is in the Works Agreement that government decided to build the 5000 housing units in 4 phases. The consultant for the project was AESL. Note that Parliament had already approved the loan Agreement, and therefore the Works Agreement which was an issue of implementation by the Ministry was not required to be approved by Parliament.”

But Mr ET Mensah who is currently a member of the Council of State said on the Good Evening Ghana show on Tuesday August 3 that “Every thing is not true, it is a packed of lies. You [host of the programme] should have alerted me, I would have come with the handover notes.null

“The project started when the STX became a fiasco. It was Mills’ project, he was the one who signed and gave the approval.”

Below is Sammy Gyamfi’s full statement on the sui

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE “SAGLEMI” HOUSING PROJECT.

AKUFO-ADDO GOVERNMENT PERSECUTING HON. COLLINS DAUDA OVER “SAGLEMI” HOUSING PROJECT.

1. In the year 2012, the NDC government in line with its vision of addressing the huge housing deficit facing the country secured a loan of $US200 million from Credit Suisse International for the construction of up to 5,000 affordable housing units.

2. The terms of the loan agreement was approved by Parliament on 23rd October 2013, in line with Article 181(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Note that, Parliament only approved the Loan Agreement and not the Works Agreement for the project.null

3. It is instructive to note, that the Minister of Works and Housing at the time, Hon. E.T Mensah informed Parliament during the debate on the approval of the loan facility, that the 5000 housing units will not be built at a go, but rather over a period of time, that is, in phases. This is captured in black and white in the Parliamentary Hansard of 23rd October, 2013.

4. Subsequent to the grant of Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Works and Housing under Hon. E.T Mensah prepared and executed a Works Agreement with the Contractor for the project, Construtora OAS Limited. It is in the Works Agreement that government decided to build the 5000 housing units in 4 phases. The consultant for the project was AESL. Note that Parliament had already approved the loan Agreement, and therefore the Works Agreement which was an issue of implementation by the Ministry was not required to be approved by Parliament.

5. Under the Works Agreement, Government was supposed to provide a serviced plot of land with roads, water, electricity, drains, sewage systems and other ancillary facilities for the smooth takeoff of the project, the cost of which had not been factored into the amount of $US200 million approved by Parliament for the project. Since government did have any funds to fall on to discharge these responsibilities, the decision was taken by the ministry to use part of the approved amount of the project ($US200 million) for all the necessary ancillary works to pave way for the construction of the housing units and to make the project site a commercially viable and habitable community. This is what informed the decision by the Ministry to do the project in Phases, as the Minister, Hon. E.T Mensah had already intimated to Parliament. Clearly, the 5,000 houses could not be built at a go.

6. Also, the initial drawings presented to the Ministry of Works and Housing by the developer was based on the Brazilian building code and not fit for the Ghana setting. In fact, it was on this basis that the local district assembly refused an application for building permit for the project. The project Consultant (AESL) and the Contractor was then tasked under the Works Agreement to generate the appropriate designs and drawings for the project.

7. Under the Works Agreement, the first Phase of the project was to deliver about 1,500 housing units which was going to be bought by the Off-taker, Ghana Home Loans and proceeds from same was supposed to be paid into a revolving Escrow Account to be used for the next Phases, until all the 5,000 housing units were delivered. The claim that the decision to build 5000 housing units was reviewed downwards to about 1500 houses is therefore palpable falsehood.

8. At no point was the objective of building 5,000 houses approved by Parliament changed or varied, save that, same was supposed to be delivered in Phases. And this was going to be delivered with the approved amount of $US200 million only and nothing more.null

9. When Hon. Collins Dauda took over as Minister for Works and Housing, he only amended and restated the Works Agreement in line with the provisions of same, and reduced the number of Phases from 4 to 3 to shorten the project duration.

10. It is instructive to note, that the approved funds for the project was at all times in the custody and control of the Ministry of Finance, which was responsible for effecting payments for actual work done by the contractor. Payments were made upon the project consultant raising Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) for actual work done and same being recommended for payment by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing. All payments made under the erstwhile NDC government went through this due process and was commensurate with actual work done on the ground. Hon. Collins Dauda was not responsible for either raising IPCs or effecting payment for work done.

11. The project consultant (AESL) who raised all the IPCs hasn’t been accused or charged by the Akufo-Addo government for any wrongdoing.

12. Save a half-baked draft report by the Ghana Association of Surveyors which was done in an unprofessional manner and without recourse to AESL, the project consultant, there is no proper Audit that has established over payment or any case of embezzlement or wrongdoing in the implementation of the project. There hasn’t been any misapplication of funds or financial loss to the State.

13. It is worthy of note, that the Akufo-Addo government under the leadership of Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea as Minister for Works and Housing, amended and restated the Works Agreement and effected payments of over $US5.6 million to the contractor for the project. Yet, neither Atta Akyea nor his Chief Director has been charged for any wrongdoing by this government.

14. For emphasis, the claim that Parliament approved an agreement for 5,000 housing units but that was reviewed to about 1500 houses without recourse to Parliament is false. Firstly, at no point did government indicate that it was going to stop the project at building 1500 houses only, which is just Phase 1 of the project. The decision that the 5000 housing units should be built in Phases was provided for in the Works Agreement which was executed by Hon. ET Mensah. What Parliament had to approve was the terms of the loan Agreement as required under Article 181 (1) of the Constitution which they did, and not the Works Agreement. In any case, the Works Agreement was amended and restated by the Akufo-Addo government without Parliamentary approval. And so assuming the lack of Parliamentary approval for the Works Agreement or a variation of same constitutes a crime, then why hasn’t Atta Akyea or his Chief Director been charged? Why this obscene selective application of the law?null

15. What is germane in all this, is the failure and/or refusal of the Akufo-Addo government to complete the about 90% complete Saglemi housing project (Phase 1) for the benefit of Ghanaians. The case against Hon. Collins Dauda and others is frivolous and a poor attempt by the vindictive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to create a convenient excuse for their abandonment of the Saglemi Housing project. If there has been any financial loss to the State at all, then it has been occasioned by the people who have recklessly abandoned and supervised the deterioration a 90% complete project for almost five (5) years. The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government should stop persecuting innocent people and rather take urgent steps to complete the project which they have left to rot. The Ghanaian taxpayer deserves better.

SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.

Source: 3news.com

Angolan President Joào Manuel Lourenço, has ended his three-day State visit to Ghana. President Manuel Lourenço called on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House to bid him farewell.

The Angolan President expressed his appreciation to President Akufo-Addo, government and the people of Ghana for the warm reception offered him and his delegation.

He stressed the need for the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and follow up on some Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed during the visit and implement same for their mutual benefits.

President Akufo-Addo, was grateful for the visit. He said the visit has further deepened the ties of cooperation between Ghana and Angolan.

SOURCEGBCGHANAONLINE

Sammy Gyamfi, National Communication Officer, NDCWed, 4 Aug 2021Source: GNA

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament, James Gyekye Quayson, whose election was challenged and quashed on the grounds that he was holding dual citizenship has been revealed to have delayed in obtaining his renunciation certificate because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This latest information comes after he was ordered by a Cape Coast High Court to vacate Parliament with immediate effect and the cancellation of the results of parliamentary elections in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region, which Mr. Quayson won on December 7, 2020. He is appealing the decision.

Speaking in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Sammy Gyamfi, National Communication Officer of the NDC said Mr. Quayson denounced his Canadian allegiance as far back as December 2019.

According to the young NDC lawyer and spokesman speaking to Tikese of Okay FM, under Canadian law, it took “normal” 6 months to be given a renunciation certificate when one denounces allegiance, hence Mr. Quayson should have ideally received his certificate by June 2020. However, it instead, “took 11 months… and we all know the pandemic that came to disrupt our lives”.

Sammy Gyamfi said but for the Coronavirus pandemic, it was a forgone fact that Mr. Quayson would have had no delays.

Even with the 11 months delay, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi argued that the NDC MP still did not fall foul of the law, as an existing Supreme Court decided case, Paa Kwasi Nduom Vs the Electoral Commission shows EC nomination is not limited to filing and submitting papers.null

Sammy Gyamfi expressed strong confidence in the appeal the party has filed to challenge the judgement given by the Cape Coast High court presided over by Justice Kwasi Boakye who ordered for fresh elections to be conducted in the constituency.

The court held that filing of parliamentary nomination forms by Mr. Quayson when he held a Canadian Citizenship at the time of filing the said nomination forms between October 5-9, 2020 with the Electoral Commission (EC) violates Article 94 [2] [a] of the 1992 Constitution, Section 9 [2] [a] of PNDCL 284 and C.I. 127.

The court condemned the EC’s decision to clear Mr. Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections in the Assin North Constituency when the latter was not qualified as a candidate on account of his holding allegiance to Canada other than Ghana, which violates Article 92 [2] [a] of the 1992 Constitution, Section 9 [2] [a] of PNDCL 284, as amended and C.I. 127.

The court said Mr. Quayson’s election “is null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever as same violates the electoral laws of Ghana,” because at the time of the election the respondent was not qualified to contest as a candidate in accordance with the electoral laws of Ghana.Source: GNA

The General Overseer and Founder of God’s Crown Chapel, the Eagles Cathedral, Rev. Reindolph Oduro Gyebi, has prophesied that anyone who speaks against the National Cathedral’s construction will die a miserable death.

During his mid-Year Budget Review reading on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the Parliament House, Finance Minister Ken Ofor-Atta made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians to help the government build the proposed National Cathedral by donating GHC100 a month.

The Finance Minister’s statement has received mixed reactions from the general public. While some agree with the government on this initiative, others also think otherwise.

Expressing his views on the government’s initiative in an interview on HardBall’ on Accra-based Hot 93.9FM, Prophet Reindolph Oduro Gyebi, better known as the Eagle Prophet, said anyone who would speak against the building of the Cathedral would die a miserable death.null

According to the Eagle Prophet, known for his doom prophecies, “building the national cathedral was a command from God to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; anyone who speaks against it will die miserably or be put to shame by God.”

The National Cathedral will be commissioned on March 6 2024.

Source: hotfmghana.com

The Ghana Health Services has confirmed 518 new COVID-19 cases as of 30 July 2021.

It brings the active caseload to 6,278.

Of that number, 86 are severe and 17 critical.

The death toll has jumped to 844.

Since mid-March 2020, Ghana has recorded a total of 105,512 cases.

Out of that number, 98,392 have recovered.

Regional breakdown:

Greater Accra Region -57,058

Ashanti Region -18,432

Western Region -6,077

Eastern Region -4,969

Central Region -3,875

Volta Region -3,177

Northern Region -1,676

Bono East Region -1,671

Bono Region -1,666

Upper East Region -1,328

Western North Region -937

Ahafo Region -847

Oti Region -553 Upper West Region -500

North East Region -234

Savanna Region -135

A 34-year-old man suspected to be mentally unstable has set himself ablaze to prevent arrest after inflicting knife wounds on his father at Santa Maria.

According to the Odorkor Police, a complaint was received from the father of the suspect on 31st July 2021 to the effect that his son Harry Amponsah suspected to be mentally ill attacked him with a cutlass and inflicted wounds on his left arm.

The complainant led Police to his house in Santa Maria to arrest his son. The suspect upon seeing the Police quickly entered his room and locked the door.

While in his room, the Police suddenly saw smoke emanating from the suspect’s room.

When the door was forcibly opened, the suspect was found on his bed in flames and a deep knife wound on his stomach.

The fire was quenched and he was rushed to the Police Hospital for treatment.

The police found a kitchen knife and a gallon of petrol which has been retained by the Police for further investigations

Last week at an Education summit in the United Kingdom, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo disclosed for the first time that government had plans of replicating the Free Senior High School policy at the tertiary level.

According to the president, the subject of free tertiary education has been discussed at top levels because it is seen as a natural consequence of broadening the base for SHS.

But for musician turned politician, Kwame A-Plus, the announcement is a case of the president taking his “promises” international.

“Chairman take the promising distin go international. He’s making the other presidents look useless for no reason,” he captioned a video in which Akufo-Addo is making a strong case for Free SHS and why government is planning to extend the policy to the next level.

At a point in his first term, the president was referred to by a section of the public as ‘King Promise’ in jest for the many unfulfilled promises that the ruling New Patriotic Party and the Akufo-Addo led government had failed to execute.

President defends Free SHS, hints of Free Tertiary in London:
“For now, what has been put in place is a system where students at the tertiary level are provided loans while in school to help them cater for their needs, but we’re considering free Tertiary education too,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo noted that the Free SHS policy has driven up Ghana’s budget for the education sector and that there are plans to invest more in the initiative.

He stated that Free SHS has been a success and handed education opportunities to Ghanaians who would have been left out due to lack of finance.

“It’s one of the highest on the continent, and we intend to ramp it up even more,” the President stated.

Adding that “the policy has reversed decades of exclusion, which denied, on the average, one hundred thousand young men and women, annually, entry to senior high school education because of the poverty of their parents.”

It has emerged that the alleged killer of the Police constable in Damango in the Savannah Region left behind a note on the wall with the inscription “ We love together, we die together” and hand written with blood. 

On August 2, the police officer was found dead in a pool of blood with wounds believed to be knife stabs.

Secondly that Sunday evening, the boyfriend told other tenants in the house that he is travelling with the lady to Kumasi and that the lady has gone to town to buy certain items and he is following suit”.

According to the Savannah police, series of events make the boyfriend a prime suspect in this case.

“So, if Monday morning we see this heinous crime being committed, we cannot suspect anybody other than the boyfriend.

“Another clue is that the person who killed the lady tried hanging himself unfortunately; the ceiling fan detached from the ceiling so all these elements go to show it was the boyfriend who committed the crime,” revealed.

According to the police account, after the crime was committed the murderer locked the door to the room.

Other tenants, mostly student nurses, were not around at the time. However, Inspector Agyekum Owusu said one other tenant who was around the house witnessed an unusual behaviour of the boyfriend but did not expect the man would murder the girlfriend.

“The only tenant who was in the house suspected something: the guy would come out and look around and enter the room. Anytime he comes out he will lock the trap door so she suspected something

The office of the president has, in a letter to pressure group Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), stated that the civil society group’s request for the suspension of the Chief Justice pursuant to Article 146 (10), is premature.

The presidency explained that this is because “there has not been any appointment of a committee to inquire into the petition you submitted.”

ASEPA petitioned the president to remove Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah for being cited in an alleged $5-million bribery allegation.

The president started the necessary processes in dealing with the petition when it got to his attention but ASEPA has been requesting vital information on the processes so far.

Responding to the civil society organisation, the presidency, in a letter signed by Nana Asante Bediatuo, Executive Secretary to the president, stated: “We are not aware of any law, rule or practice that requires a petitioner to be furnished with what you describe as vital information and, therefore, it could not have been contemplated that the information you requested in your letter could have been made available to you in any event.”

“In our view, having submitted the petition, nothing more is required of you in the matter to warrant any reports being made to you, further to our acknowledgement of receipt,” the letter added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice has denied ever demanding or receiving any bribe from one Ogyeedom Obranu Kwasi Atta IV, a plaintiff in a case at the courts, a statement issued by the Judicial Service on Monday, 12 July 2021 and signed by Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, Judicial Secretary, said.

The denial followed an allegation by a lawyer, Mr Kwasi Afrifa, to the effect that Ogyeedom Obranu Kwasi Atta IV had told him (Kwasi Afrifa) that the CJ demanded a bribe of $5 million to help him (Ogyeedom Obranu Kwasi Atta IV) get a favourable outcome at the courts.

The statement issued by the CJ, however, said: “His Lordship is saddened that without any shred of evidence, his name has been dragged into this sordid and potentially criminal matter”.

“His Lordship confirms that he does not know the plaintiff and has not met or seen him anywhere except in the courtroom when he rises to announces his name when his case is called”, the statement noted.

It added: “His Lordship asserts that he had had no personally interaction either with the plaintiff or his lawyer on this matter or any other matter”. “His Lordship further asserts that he has not demanded or received any money from any person to influence any decision on this matter or nay other matter”.

“Indeed, the records show that the plaintiff, unsuccessfully petitioned for the recusal of His Lordship the Chief Justice and His Lordship Justice Victor Jones Mawulom Dotse from the matter, on the claim that they were prejudiced against him”, the statement continued.

It said: “The records further show that the Chief Justice was the only judge on the panel, who recently on 31 March 2021, dissented in an application at the instant of the plaintiff Ogyeedom Obranu Kwasi Atta IV in favour of the respondent, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited”.

Further, the Judicial Service said: “To ensure that this matter is fully investigated, His Lordship has directed that a formal complaint be made to the CID of the Ghana Police Service for investigations and nay necessary actions”.

“He has further directed that a petition be lodged with the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council in respect of this specific matter”.

His Lordship is available to assist in all investigations into this matter while he considers his own civil legal options to ensure that this matter is dealt with to its logical conclusion.

The CJ’s denial comes 24 hours after the plaintiff also denied the bribery allegations.

Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta VI, in a short statement issued on Sunday, 11 July 2021, said the allegations were false.

Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta VI dragged Mr Afrifa, his former lawyer, to the General Legal Council, through a petition dated 1 March 2021, to have him sanctioned concerning his handling of a case involving the petitioner and Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited. In the petition, Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta VI said: “I engaged the said lawyer, Mr Kwasi Afrifa, to handle my case, in which engagement we agreed on a fee of GHS300,000, which I paid him in full”.

“In the course of handling the case, he suggested to me that it was in my interest to, besides his fully paid-up fees, provide an amount of USD100,000 to enable him to do some ‘ways and means’ (gymnastics) on my case so that we can obtain a favourable decision”.

“Being naïve and eager to see to the completion of my case favourably, I acceded to his request for him to have the money to go and perform the said gymnastics to ensure success in my case. Although I believed in the strength of my case, I decided to give him the said money based on the advice he gave”, the petition wrote.

However, he said: “I realised, from is demeanour, that he did not use the money for its intended purpose as advised, and, so, I fired him from the case and asked him for a refund of the money but he has since refunded USD25,000 leaving a balance of USD75,000. All efforts to retrieve the remaining amount have failed”, he complained. “I am appealing to you, as the chairman of the General Legal Council of lawyers, to help me retrieve my USD75,000 from Kwasi Afrifa”, he pleaded via the petition.

Responding to the claims made against him in the petition, Mr Afrifa said: “At the end of July 2020, the petitioner informed me that friends of his, who were highly connected, politically, had taken him to see the Chief Justice, who had agreed to help him win his case on condition that he drops my good self, as the lawyer handling the case for him, and engage Akoto Ampaw Esq in my stead”.

“He [petitioner] further informed me that the Chief Justice has demanded a bribe of USD5 million for a successful outcome of his case and that he had already paid USD500,000 to the Chief Justice”, he claimed.

“He further indicated that he was hard-pressed to raise the remainder of the USD5 million and, so, I should refund some of the GHS300,000 paid to me as fees because he had, in line with advice of the Chief Justice, engaged Akoto Ampaw Esq as solicitor, to continue the case before the Supreme Court”, he noted. “Out of a sense of dignity on my part, I told him that I would rather refund the entire GHS300,000 paid to me and bear the cost of air travel, hotel bills and other expenditure incurred by me in prosecuting his cases at Cape Coast and in Accra”, Mr Afrifa wrote.

He continued: “We aggregated the GHS300,000 paid to me as being the equivalent of USD50,000, which I was to refund to him without any timeline being indicated. He said he wanted the payment in dollars because he was raising the remainder of the money to be paid the Chief Justice and that currency was his currency of choice”.

“On the 27 January 2021, I paid an amount of USD25,000 to the petitioner and subsequently paidUSD15,000 to him, making a total of USD40,000, so, the outstanding amount that I have to refund to him is USD10,000”, he insisted, adding: “I am ready, willing and able to make the said payment of USD10,000 when I appear before the committee on 15 July 2021”.

“I categorically deny ever suggesting to the petitioner that he provide any money whatsoever for what he cryptically describes in the said petition as ‘ways and means (gymnastics)’. I certainly have not and will not collect or receive any such money from him”. In his denial press statement, however, Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta VI said: “My attention has been drawn to a media publication – allegations against my good self and some prominent third parties, including the Chief Justice”.

“I unequivocally deny all allegations of intended bribery or actual bribery of any judge including the Chief Justice, who I have never met or known personally apart from seeing him a distance from the bench”, he noted.

He added: “I re-emphasise that I have never met the Chief Justice before nor dealt with him directly or indirectly in official or private capacity, neither do I know where he lives nor have his phone number to have communicated with him”.

“I have since applied for a copy of the said response to my petition against Mr Afrifa in which those fabrications and allegations are said to be contained and will appropriately react to the General Legal Council upon receipt of same”, announcing: “Stay tuned for the truth

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, through the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has asked parliament to pass a €111 million agreement for the supply of six L-39 next-generation aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces.

The supplier is AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s of the Czech Republic.

Some seven aircraft were to have been acquired for the Ghana Armed Forces before the end of 2020.

The Defence and Interior Committee is considering the request after it was referred to it.

Per the Defence ministry’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework for 2020 – 2023, as of 30 June 2019, it had “overhauled three Casa Aircraft for the Ghana Air Force and two helicopters which were grounded since 2012.”

Additionally, the government is also targeting to “refurbish 15 aircraft by December 2020

The Ministry of Information (MOI) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) have launched Spark Up, an investment initiative to promote investments in Ghana’s economy, stimulate growth and move the country forward from the COVID-19 induced setback.

The initiative which is an annual investment summit is aimed at reigniting the passion for investment in Ghana and create a platform for investors and investment facilitators to discuss investment challenges and find solutions to them.

Unveiling the initiative in Accra on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said it is about time the country put in measures to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities.

He said: “it is with excitement that the GIPC, the Ministry of Finance supported by the Ministry of Information come together to introduce an annual investment summit of the GIPC which brings together the various stakeholders in the value chain.

“Heads of State may have done their part by traveling the world to sell Ghana’s investment potential, GIPC may have followed up telling everybody about the various investment opportunities and have attracted them to register $2.7 billion worth of investment with 27,000 direct jobs. Our role now is helping to ensure that these investments are onboarded and that is why Spark-up has been created.”

On his part, GIPC boss, Yofi Grant touted the initiative as one of the innovative ways of bringing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country as well as reinvigorate local investment in critical sectors of the economy.

He said the goal of Spark Up is to revive interest in investing in Ghana and to help restore economic growth as we emerge from the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic

The first of Spark Up conferences will be held on 6th September, 2021. It will be opened by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana in an opening ceremony followed by series of investment conferences to market the investment opportunities in the country.

Speakers at the opening ceremony will include the President, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Minister of Information and the Chief Executive of the GIPC, and other high-profile personalities

Ken Ofori-Atta

Government, in the coming weeks, will launch National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programmes for illegal small-scale miners affected by the activities of Operation Halt II.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced this in Parliament last Thursday, said this forms part of the government’s efforts to create jobs for young people in the country.

According to him, the programme will be anchored on six main interventions and named them as the National Land Reclamation and Re-afforestation; Agricultural and Agro-processing; Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship; Responsible, Viable and Sustainable Community Mining; Mine Support Services and Community Enhancement Projects.

“These initiatives will target mainly illegal miners displaced by the ongoing efforts to sanitise the mining industry,” he noted.

Mr. Ofori-Atta stated that the government recognised the need to protect the country’s environment, just as it found it necessary to provide alternative employment and livelihoods for “our compatriots who will inevitably fall through the cracks.”

“We are determined to ensure the responsible or sustainable exploitation of the lands and natural resources of our country,” he posited.

He also said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in line with the President’s directive, had held a National Dialogue, followed by two Regional Dialogues on Small Scale Mining.

“Following this, several measures are being put in place to build a sustainable, viable and responsible small scale mining industry that protects the national environment.”

“The Ministry will beef up the personnel and other logistics of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission to undertake strict monitoring and enforcement of our mining laws,” the Finance Minister intimated.

He disclosed that the Lands Commission had commenced the process of regional education and sensitization on the new Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).

He said the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry intended, for the rest of the year, to undertake digitization of the records of the Lands Commission, and added that the move would reduce the time for registration to a maximum of one month.

“The digitization will also be a step forward towards the implementation of the Electronic Conveyance introduced by the Land Act. With these interventions, the government seeks to develop an efficient, robust, land administration anchored on integrity, which responds to the needs of the citizenry and contributes to the development of the national economy.”

Jinapor

The Minister of Lnads and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor asserted that “this year’s budget review is intended to enhance the effort the government laid out in March this year. We are seeking to get into the mode of recovery to get the national economy work again in order to create the thousands of jobs for the Ghanaian youth.”

According to him, he feels happier because the government, through the budget review, has recognised the loss of job and livelihoods of some Ghanaians who were engaged in illegal mining activities.

“This is why President Akufo-Addo, through the Finance Minister, has announced the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programmes, which seek to provide employment to illegal miners who have fallen out.

“These will create 800,000 jobs in the five mining regions – ie. Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Western, and Western North,” the Minister told the Parliamentary Press Corps after the budget

Godfred Yeboah Dame

A High Court in Kumasi last Friday, set aside a $15.3 million judgment entered against the government following the seizure of equipment of a private company by the taskforce of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining in 2018.

The court presided over by His Lordship Justice Samuel Diawuo, on July 30, 2020, held in a judgment after trial, that, the invasion of the mining site and the seizure of its excavators and equipment of Heritage Imperial Company, was unlawful.

The court as a result, ordered recovery of the sum of US$15,304,714.20 being the value of machinery and equipment seized from the plaintiff’s site by the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Mining on December 6, 2018 or its current value in cedis; general damages of GH¢500,000; and costs of GH¢100,000 against the state.

However, on July 13, 2021, the Attorney General filed an application for an order setting aside the judgment as a nullity and vitiated by a lack of jurisdiction of the High Court to entertain the action.

Arguing the application himself on July 23, 2021, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, contended that the commencement of the action by plaintiff without regard to the mandatory statutory stipulations of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), was unlawful.

He further contended that the order for payment by the Government of Ghana of the sum of US$15,304,714.20, was manifestly unlawful and utterly without basis, as no indorsement on the writ of summons issued in action supported the move.

He explained that the rules of court required a writ of summons to be indorsed with a concise statement of the nature of the claim made, or the relief or remedy required in the action.

In no part of either the writ of summons or the pleadings of the statement of claim did the plaintiff claim the sum of US$15,304,714.20 against the state.

“The relief of US$15,304,714.20 granted by the court was a material and specific one, clear notice of which had to be given on the writ of summons and statement of claim. The Court thus did not have jurisdiction to grant the relief of US$15,304,714.20,” the AG had argued.

Mr. Dame further said the company failed to indicate on its writ of summons whether the claims against the defendants were either jointly and severally or jointly or severally and the judgment of the court also failed to indicate that, insisting that the reliefs granted were unenforceable.

The Attorney General asserted that the default in stating whether reliefs claimed by plaintiff or granted by the court were jointly and severally or jointly or severally was a fundamental and incurable defect which avoids the entire judgment, as the 1st defendant, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, did not have capacity to be sued under Ghana law.

The Attorney General also contended that the failure of plaintiff to claim the relief of US$15,304,714.20 on its writ of summons was clearly intended to deceive the court and deprive the state of appropriate revenue, as appropriate filing fees were paid on the reliefs awarded to Heritage Imperial Company.

The act of the plaintiff in concealing the specific cost of the equipment it alleged to have acquired, according to Mr. Dame, was one calculated at overreaching not only the court but also the Government of Ghana, and therefore ought not to be rewarded by the court.

Delivering the ruling, the court presided over by Justice Diawuo held that a Superior Court has inherent jurisdiction to set aside its own judgment it was plainly entered without jurisdiction or is offensive to any provision of the laws of the country.

He found the failure of the plaintiff to state the specific relief claimed by the plaintiff on its writ of summons a fundamental defect, especially as it resulted in the state being deprived of the fruits of the appropriate filing fees.

Failure of a party to indorse the specific relief claimed by that party on its writ of summons, with the consequential effect of the plaintiff not paying appropriate filing fees, meant that the court had no jurisdiction to consider the case placed before it.

The judge ruled that to the extent that the court had no jurisdiction to consider the claim before it, the judgment was a nullity and would be set aside.

Case Background

Sometime, in 2017, the government, in order to tackle the menace of illegal mining, set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining and the committee was assisted by a taskforce made up of members of the security forces and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials.

On December 6, 2018, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining invaded Heritage Imperial Company’s mining concession and seized its equipment, machinery and monies.

Claiming that the invasion and seizure were unlawful, the company on February 20, 2019, instituted an action for reliefs, including a declaration that the invasion of the plaintiff’s mining site and the seizure of its excavators and equipment is unlawful.

The company then sought an order directed at the defendants to release the plaintiff’s machineries, equipment and monies seized by the taskforce of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining from its concession.

The company had said in the alternative, the court should assess the cost of the machineries and equipment, the value paid to the plaintiff as well as general damages with cost of the proceedings including counsel’s fees on a full indemnity basis

It has emerged that a total of 181,277.319 cubic metres of Rosewood salvaged and exported during Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration only earned Ghana GH¢93.98 million.

The amount is far less than GH¢291.807 million earned by the country from the export of 108,773.171 cubic metres between January 7, 2017 and January 7, 2021, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has revealed.

Answering questions on the Floor of Parliament and interacting with the press corps after on Monday, Mr. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor gave the breakdown of the 181,277.319 cubic metres of Rosewood salvaged and exported by the Mahama government.

According to him, in 2013 a volume of 40,998.646 cubic metres Rosewood was exported at the value of GH¢17.28 million, 20,823.978 cubic metres in 2014 at GH¢8.155 million, 22,770.16 cubic metres in 2015 at GH¢13.010 million, and 96,684.519 cubic metres in 2016 at GH¢55.534 million.

On the other hand, 56,190.892 cubic metres of Rosewood was sold for GH¢148.814 million in 2017 with 42,561.031 cubic metres in 2018 sold for GH¢112.946 million and 10,021.248 cubic metres in 2019 sold for GH¢30.047 million, adding that they were no export in 2020 and 2021.

The Minister said President Akufo-Addo government had not only taken far-reaching interventions to protect the forest cover of the country, but also made the country to reap better benefit from salvaged Rosewood.

“Since 1900, the forest cover of Ghana has been deleted by 80% and therefore required urgent measures to be implemented since it was getting to a point our very survival as a country was to be threatened,” he told the media.

“In a very unprecedented and dramatic fashion, President Akufo-Addo has taken the measures with consequential interventions regarding the harvesting of Rosewood,” he argued.

He disclosed that available data showed that between January 7, 2013 and January 7, 2017, a total of 13 companies were issued with permits to salvage Rosewood.

Mr. Jinapor mentioned the companies as Trans-Atlantic Resources Limited, GL Interlink Limited, Riyaad Farm and Wood Limited, Dero Limited, Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited, Jowak Limited, and Time Concept Limited.

The rest are Boakyewaa Enterprise Limited, Adu-Tutu and Sons Limited, Sikadon Woods Limited, Kambonse Ghana Limited, Savannah Investment (GH) Limited, and Brasoma Company Limited.

The Minister noted that in 2017, after the government re-imposed the ban on harvesting of Rosewood, a decision was taken to diversify participation in the salvaging of already harvested Rosewood, as it was noted that some of the companies holding licenses were actually subletting with onerous conditions.

“Between January 7, 2017 and January 7, 2021, a total of 104 different companies were granted salvage permits to evacuate Rosewood from the bush,” he revealed.

He pointed out that “an analysis of the figures showed that while the number of permits issued between January 7, 2017 and January 7, 2021 far exceeds the permits issued between January 7, 2013 and January 7, 2017, more Rosewood was salvaged and exported from the country between 2013 and 2017 than between 2017 and 2021.”

“And although the volumes exported between 2013 and 2017 far exceeds the volumes exported between 2017 and 2021, the revenue accruing to government from these exports between 2017 and 2021 is more than triple the revenue that accrued to government between 2013 and 2017,” he stressed.

He noted that since he became the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on March 5, 2021, he had not, to date, granted a single authorization for the harvesting, salvaging or exporting of Rosewood.

The Minister said he did not intend to grant authorisation in the foreseeable future until such time that the Government is satisfied that the harvesting of the species will be sustainable

President Nana Akufo-Addo has appointed Mr Michael Oquaye Jnr. as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA).

Ghana’s former High Commissioner to India, will, thus, be leading the Authority designed to promote the processing and manufacturing of goods through the establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZs), as well as encourage the development of commercial and service activities at sea and airport areas.

Mike Oquaye Jnr., son of former Speaker Prof Mike Oquaye, will be replacing Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, who is now the MP for New Juaben South in the Eastern Region.

Mr Baafi is also the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged the chiefs and people of Atibie and the entire Kwahu range and its environs to patronize the five-day free medical outreach being embarked upon by the Ghana Medical Relief (GMR) in partnership with the Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN)in the area.The former President gave the advice when the GMR medical team paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Accra at the weekend.

The GMR is a non-profit organization based in the United States of America and would be providing general health screening, pediatrics, dental, urological, obstetrics and health education to more than 5,000 people in the Atibie and other areas of the Eastern Region from August 2 to Friday, August 6, 2021.

Former President Kufuor said; “Doctor Owusu and this powerful team have come from United States to render humanitarian medical service…I know that they’ve targeted the Atibie hospital as the major hospital to go and render service to the people on the Kwahu Mountains.

“I want to use this occasion to appeal to all the people around to go for this free service.”

He pledged his support for the group for their commitment to such activities to deprived communities in Ghana.

Dr Samuel Kwapong Owusu, the President of GMR expressed gratitude to the former President for hosting the team and looked forward to the Ghana Medical Relief partnering with the John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation to improve the health of the citizens especially in deprived communities.

The medical team, which is under the leadership of Dr Owusu and Dr William Rockson has in previous years visited Anomabo in the Central and Asiakwa in the Eastern Region and provided similar services to over 3,000 indigenes of those areas.

The organization made up of medical practitioners and volunteers work in collaboration with hospitals, churches, and agencies in the United States for supplies and medical equipment that are then donated to hospitals and clinics, while also providing free medical services to deprived communities in Ghana annually.

To date, the organization has donated hospital beds, ultrasound machines, examination tables, cardiac defibrillators, operating room equipment, and numerous medical supplies/medications to several hospitals and clinics in Ghana.

In a related development, Davis Ansah Opoku, the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso in the Eastern Region has applauded the GMR for their commitment to provide health services to deprived communities.

He made the commendation when the executives of the Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN), partners of this year’s medical outreach welcomed the medical team to the country at a brief ceremony.

Mr Opoku assured the team of the communities readiness, saying that there have been massive awareness creation in the media at Kwahu to ensure that residents in and around Atibie benefit from the gesture

A deputy National Youth Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edem Agbana has charged the Akufo-Addo government to fix the economy and make life bearable for Ghanaians.

Speaking on the Morning Update on TV XYZ, Agbana, a youth activist, argued that the government led by Akufo-Addo has failed to deliver on their promises to Ghanaians prior to the 2016 elections.

He said in opposition, Candidate Akufo-Addo chastised the erstwhile Mahama administration for taking loans to embark on infrastructural development, saying they will not borrow to build but are doing the opposite of what they campaigned on.

Currently, the country’s public debt stands at 322 billion Cedis, with the Akufo-Addo government contributing to about 60% of Ghana’s public debt stock since independence.

At an NDC Ranking Members forum dubbed “Policy Dialogue on the Economy” at the UPSA Auditorium in Accra yesterday, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed that the country had attained a HIPC status due to the reckless borrowing by the NPP government.

“The IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) in 2019, put Ghana at High Risk of Debt Distress. This was before Covid-19. The situation worsened by the end of 2020. With the planned borrowings in 2021, the situation is likely to deteriorate further,” Dr Forson stated.
However, the government is touting that the economy is growing faster despite a COVID-19 third wave starring at the country.

But Edem Agbana says if the country’s economy is doing well as the government is projecting, Ghanaians do not need President Akufo-Addo to announce it.

“The point is that all these things about Ghana being the fastest growing economy and all of that does not lie with the President of the Republic to tell us. If the economy is strong and is growing, we’ll feel it in our pockets,” Agbana told host Eric Ahianyo. “There are indicators; there are things that everybody uses in judging how well an economy is doing.”

“We see how prices of goods and services are rising, we see how the debt situation is,” he lamented and urged the government to be truthful to the suffering masses whose
taxes offer officials comfort.

He commended the NDC MPs for exposing the government whenever they “manipulate” economic figures to favour the government.

“Even the World Bank in 2019 admitted that the government had submitted some figures that were incorrect,” he added.

Agbana also noted that the NDC, through the forum, presented the alternative to economic recovery as they “gave a true picture of the economy.”

He observed that the country’s debt-to-GDP- ratio was about 57% under the Mahama administration but candidate Akufo-Addo who kicked against that ahead of the 2016 polls rather escalated it to 74% debt to GDP ratio.

He said Akufo-Addo had added 171.222 billion Cedis to Ghana’s public debt, hastening that there is nothing good about the economy Akufo-Addo presides over.

To him, the terrible economic indicators “exposes the inability of the Akufo-Addo government to manage the economy.”

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress has said that the party acted within its rules with the decision to expel former deputy General Secretary, Samuel Koku Anyidoho.

According to him, the party’s regulations state clearly what ought to be done in such circumstances as Anyidoho found himslef and the rules were applied without favor.

Asiedu Nketia said neither him nor any party official is above the dictates of the party’s laws and that once you fall foul, you will be dealt with.

“Party membership is not categorized into high profile or low profile. All members are equal and same before the law and that is what has been done in this case. We work according to our rules,” he told JoyNews.

Asiedu Nketia further urged Koku Anyidoho to return all properties of the party in his care.

He warned that the party will take legal action against him if he fails to submit the materials to the appropriate authorities.

“We urge him to return any party property in his care whether at the constituency, regional or national level that we may not know of. Failure to do so will mean that we will apply the laws.” Asiedu Nketia said.

In a statement announcing his axing from the party, Asiedu Nketia said that: “The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) acting in compliance of Article 48(1) of the NDC Constitution unanimously adopted the report and accepts full responsibility for your expulsion from the party.”

The letter dated Tuesday, July 27, 2021 continued: “You are, therefore, by the decision of FEC expelled from the National Democratic Congress and for that matter you are no more recognised as a member the party and cannot carry yourself as such.”

The Acting Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, has thrown his weight behind the conveners of the #FixTheCountry demonstration and assured them of providing them with maximum security.

This was contained in a presser released by the Economic Fighters League after a meeting with newly appointed IGP and other members of the police top hierarchy in Accra on Monday, August 2.

The meeting, which was called by Mr Akuffo Dampare, was, according to him, to “assure the protesters of maximum protection from the start to the end of the August 4 #FixTheCountry protest”.

The conveners, in turn, notified the IGP on the routes planned to be taken by the protest and plans made to ensure the adherence to Covid-19 protocols by training marshals who would enforce compliance.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6359669600040540&output=html&h=343&adk=2673199636&adf=4266349633&pi=t.aa~a.23905774~i.7~rp.4&w=412&lmt=1627983348&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1135190008&tp=site_kit&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkessbenonline.com%2F2021%2F08%2F03%2Fnew-igp-okay-with-fixthecountry-demo-plans%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=317&rw=380&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1627983347889&bpp=20&bdt=6983&idt=-M&shv=r20210728&mjsv=m202107290101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dd2c238e8e0c21d7e-2269de598bc90054%3AT%3D1627983345%3ART%3D1627983345%3AS%3DALNI_MbStyx0tq3l0vq_UvM5umjNE5ckFg&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=2&correlator=4606372765265&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1708190730.1627983347&ga_sid=1627983347&ga_hid=1214154259&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=1531&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=717&eid=42530671%2C31060474%2C20211866&oid=3&pvsid=1121790425857124&pem=903&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&alvm=r20210729&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=2&uci=a!2&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=csFsha84v0&p=https%3A//kessbenonline.com&dtd=392

The conveners also inquired from the Inspector General of Police if there would be counter demonstration(s) and the use of water canons come Wednesday to which he answered no.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6359669600040540&output=html&h=343&adk=2673199636&adf=2184461763&pi=t.aa~a.23905774~i.9~rp.4&w=412&lmt=1627983348&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1135190008&tp=site_kit&psa=0&ad_type=text_image&format=412×343&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkessbenonline.com%2F2021%2F08%2F03%2Fnew-igp-okay-with-fixthecountry-demo-plans%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=317&rw=380&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1627983347889&bpp=13&bdt=6982&idt=-M&shv=r20210728&mjsv=m202107290101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dd2c238e8e0c21d7e-2269de598bc90054%3AT%3D1627983345%3ART%3D1627983345%3AS%3DALNI_MbStyx0tq3l0vq_UvM5umjNE5ckFg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C412x343&nras=3&correlator=4606372765265&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1708190730.1627983347&ga_sid=1627983347&ga_hid=1214154259&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=892&u_w=412&u_ah=892&u_aw=412&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=2013&biw=412&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=717&eid=42530671%2C31060474%2C20211866&oid=3&pvsid=1121790425857124&pem=903&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C412%2C0%2C412%2C797%2C412%2C797&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&alvm=r20210729&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=14jJMJL3AD&p=https%3A//kessbenonline.com&dtd=924

They ended the meeting by assuring the IGP and all Ghanaians the protest will be a peaceful one and that anyone who comes there with the intention to foment trouble will be handed over to the law enforcers for further prosecution.

The protest will begin at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange through the Farisco Traffic Light towards the TUC-Kinbu Senior High School road.

It will end at the Black Star Square.

SOURCE: 3news

A member of the legal team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has said that his party will win the Assin North by-election if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) do not use thugs to intimidate voters.

“I have told Nana Akufo-Addo not to send hoodlums and blood sucking people to the place as they did in Ayawaso. If they don’t do that we will win the seat.”

“The good people of Assin North also know how difficult the country is now,” Mr Amaliba said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 31.

The Assin North seat has become vacant after the Cape Coast High Court annulled the parliamentary election results of 2020 in that constituency.

A cost of 10, 000 has been awarded against the Electoral commission and 30 thousand against Mr Gyekye Quayson who until the cancellation of the result was the Assin North MP.

The presiding judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye said Mr. Quayson was “restrained from holding himself out as Member of Parliament-elect for the Assin North constituency within the Central Region of the Republic of Ghana and further presenting himself to be sworn in as Member of Parliament-elect as such until the final determination of the petition.”

One Michael Ankoma-Nimfah, a mason and resident of Assin Bereku filed a petition against over dual citizenship.

A private legal practitioner and law lecturer at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) Justice Abdulai has said that he foresees a criminal prosecution being initiated against the Assin North lawmaker Joe Gyekye Quayson whose election has been cancelled by the Cape Coast High Court.

Asked whether he can contest again for the seat in the by-election, Justice Abdullai said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 31 that “I foresee the state coming after him. This is a pure criminality. It has happened to Adamu Sakande and I do not see any different treatment in this as well. So he may not be able to contest again.”

Regarding this, Mr Amaliba responded by saying “If the judgment of the court is what we are going by there will be nominations and he has the certificate. People have thought that he was sitting down with a foreign nationality, so he is qualified. With the issue of he being prosecuted. On what basis? Deceit of public officer. How will it be a deceit of public officer if the EC itself which is the public officer called him and okayed him. I give you my certificate, you were not sleeping, you looked at it and you said it is Okay then you turn around say I have deceived you.

“In fact even if he is being prosecuted he can still contest and we will take this seat.”

James Gyakye Quayson has charged his supporters and, by extension, all sympathetic Ghanaians not to be worried by events on Wednesday, July 28 at the Cape Coast High Court.

He insinuates that the judgement by Justice Kwasi Boakye annulling results of the December 7, 2020 Parliamentary Elections is as a result of “dark machinations of an elite few”.

He assured his supporters that “I am in high spirit and confident that this momentary travesty shall rather make us emerge stronger”.

These were contained in a statement he issued on Thursday, July 29.

“Our massive victory in Assin North on December 7, 2020 was a pure and legitimate one handed over to us by the discerning people of Assin North and we shall resist every attempt to subvert the true will of the people,” he stated.

“Victory from the masses is far superior to the dark machinations of an elite few.”

He expressed gratitude to chiefs and people of Assin North as well as the rank and file of his party for their support over the last 24 hours.

“The solidarity from the rank and file of the NDC and the general public as a whole has renewed my confidence in a brighter future for this country regardless of the treacherous momentary setbacks.”

He charged his supporters not to be discouraged and that “the confirmation of our historic victory beckons”.

Award-winning Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie has officially joined the Sony Music Publishing UK label.

This was announced in a tweet by the distribution label.

“We are beyond excited to welcome @sarkodie to the SMP family! Great things to come,” the tweet read.

The rapper and songwriter also took to his Twitter to share the big announcement with his fans when he tweeted: “Officially part of the SMP @SonyMusicPubUK family”null

Sony Music Publishing is an American music publisher, part of the Sony Music Group owned by Sony Entertainment. The company was formed as Sony/ATV in 1995 with the merger of the original incarnation of Sony Music Publishing and ATV Music, which was owned by entertainer Michael Jackson. It is the No. 1 global music publisher & home to the world’s greatest songwriters: The Beatles, Beyonce, Calvin Harris, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Pharrell, Queen & more.

Not too long ago, Sarkodie released a new album dubbed ‘No Pressure’ which featured among other acts, UK rapper Giggs.

Source: etvghana.com

• Sammy Gyamfi has said the ruling that ousted the Assin North MP from Parliament was plagiarized from Wikipedia

• He stated that the case did not go through a trial

• The NDC has since filed an appeal to overturn the ruling

Sammy Gyamfi, National Communication Officer, NDC, has indicated that the ruling of the High Court in Cape Coast which has ousted the Assin North legislator from Parliament was full of plagiarized contents from Wikipedia.

A High Court in Cape Coast on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void.

According to the trial judge Justice Boakye, the National Democratic Congress’ 2020 parliamentary candidate for the constituency, James Gyakye Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution concerning dual citizenship.null

He, then, ordered for a fresh election to be conducted in the constituency.

But speaking on Joy FM, Monday, August 2, Sammy Gyamfi stated that the trial judge determined the case in accordance with Canadian law.

“And if you look at section 1 subsection 2 of the Evidence Act of Ghana, issues of foreign law are questions of facts which the Supreme Court has said can only be determined at the trial stage through the abduction of evidence; in this case, there was no evidence before the court.

“He [the trial judge] resorted or if you like plagiarized some writings from Wikipedia and sort to determine issues of foreign law on his own as a judge with when he has no such powers under the Evidence Act in this country; he didn’t even allow the matter to go for trial, abduction of evidence or expert witness to be called so clearly, he did not determine that issue with accordance with the law,” Gyamfi explained.

He further indicated that the decision of the judge to annul the election on grounds that the NDC legislator was not qualified at the time of nomination “violates section 20(1)(d) of PNDC Law 284 which says that a High Court can only annul a parliamentary election if the candidate was not qualified as of the time of election no nomination, so, the judge got that wrong.”

Meanwhile, the NDC has filed an appeal to overturn the decision of the High Court in Cape Coast.

According to the lawyers of the ousted MP, the decision of the court was not based on settled laws and was in clear violation of the 1992 constitution.

Background

After he was declared winner in the constituency’s election, James Gyakye Quayson was dragged to court by Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region.

Akomah-Ninfa filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency for owing allegiance to Canada.

In November last year, a group calling itself ‘Concerned Citizens of Assin North’ petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Gyakye Quayson, arguing that he owes allegiance to Canada.

According to Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana, “A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he or she – (a) owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana.”

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), had insisted that their MP is “a full citizen of Ghana who owes no allegiance whatsoever to any other country. He is a Ghanaian in law and, in fact, qualifies to be a Member of Parliament according to the laws of Ghana.”

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Koku Anyidoho, the Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Memorial Institute, has fired a subtle jab at the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, known in the political circles as General Mosquito

Anyidoho who responds to the tag ‘Koku the bull’ suggested that Asiedu Nketia will not succeed at whatever he is plotting against him.

“As a student of literature, I have read volumes of books but never read that a solid bull was ever conquered by an intransigent mosquito,” he wrote on his Twitter timeline.

The former deputy General Secretary of the NDC is challenging the party’s claims that he has been expelled from it.

According to him, he has not received any letter to the effect hence remain a member of the party.

“I am please requesting for the ‘expulsion’ letter for my perusal to enable me advice myself on the subsequent action(s) that I need to take.

“In case that you have obliterated by phone number from your records, you can please reach me on 0208138709. Please treat this letter as very urgent sir! I remain a loyal member of the National Democratic Congress,” part of his letter read.

Koku Anyidoho was sacked from the NDC after he was found guilty of breaching aspects of the party’s disciplinary codes.

A letter from the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the party dated July 27, 2021, to him said, “the National Democratic Congress considered the report and recommendations of the National Disciplinary Committee on the case of misconduct and anti-party behaviour brought against you (Mr Samuel Koku Anyidoho), according to Article 48 (1) (9) (a) of the NDC Constitution.”

It added: “The FEC acting in compliance of Article 48 (1) of the NDC Constitution unanimously adopted the report and accepts full responsibility for your expulsion from the party.

“You are, therefore, by this decision of FEC expelled from the NDC and for that matter, you are no more recognised as a member of the party and cannot carry yourself as such.”

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

On his first day in office, Acting Inspector General of Police, Dr Akuffo Dampare, has re organized the police service through transfers and new responsibilities.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Kwasi Ofori, In-charge (i/c) of Operations, Greater Accra Region, is now the Public Affairs Director (PAD) General of the Ghana Police Service (GPS).

Superintendent Mrs Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the PAD of the Service is now in charge of the Judicial Police in the Eastern Region.

All these take effect from August 1, 2021, according to a circular signed by Dr Dampare.

Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, in charge of MTTD, Headquarters is now the Director, PAD.

Whilst Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Elizabeth Effia Tenge, incharge of Accra PAD moves to Volta Regional PAD, DSP Ms Juliana Obeng incharge of PAD CID, is now at Accra Regional PAD.

The rest are Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP)/Mr. Francis Agrippa Oppong, Dir/M & I Unit/Hqrs to Director, Pensions and ACP/Mr. Banabas Nambont Nasumong, i/c Dodowa Division to i/c IRD/Hqrs.

As ACP/Mr Isaac Asante, i/c Dansoman Div/AR moves to Director Operations/Accra Region ACP/Mr. Samuel Winful, Estate/National/Headquarters (Hqrs) moves to i/c Adenta/Division/AR.

ACP/Mr Joseph Owusu Ansah, National/Hqrs will now be to i/c Ashaiman Division/Tema Region (T/R).

It said Chief Superintendent (C/S) Mr Samuel Ammisah, i/c Ashaiman Division (Div)/TR moves to Finance/Hqrs whereas C/Supt/Dr. Baba Iddrisu, Director/ Transport (TPT) moves to Director/DTS/AR.

C/Supt/Mr Alex Kwame Safo-Adu, Deputy Chief Staff Officer is now the Chief Staff Officer as C/Supt/Mr Raymond Adofiem Director/CTU moves to Director/HROT.

C/Supt/Mr Joseph Owusu-Bempah, i/c Adenta Div. is currently the i/c Dansoman Division as C/Supt/Mr Joseph Owusu, Suhum District/ER moves to i/c Dodowa Division/TR.

DSP/Mr. Andrews Kofi Okonengye i/c Berekum/District (Dist) moves to MTTD/Nat.Hqrs.

It added that C/Supt/Mrs Priscilla Eva Bempong, Nat/Hqrs/AR is now taking to Cantonments/District/AR and C/Supt/Mrs Fanny Aboagye, i/c IRD/Hqrs to Estate Unit/Hqrs.

C/Supt/Mr Theodore Hlormanu, Nat/SWAT/Hqrs goes to i/c OPS/Kasoa/Region,
C/Supt/Mr. Kwame Tawiah, SEMU/Hqrs to i/c Nat/SWAT/Hqrs, C/Supt/Mr. Jerome Wawal Kay Kanyog, R,P & ICT/Nat.Hqrs to i/c SEMU/Hqrs, Supt/Mr Al-Meyao Abass Kwarasey CO/RDR to Director/CTU/Hqrs and Supt/Mrs Grace Ansah Asamoah, Dir. DTS/AR to Deputy Chief Staff Officer/Hqrs.

“Supt/Mr Abdul-Latif A. Nbonwura, Osu/District moves to Karaga Dist/Northern Region as the i/c, Supt/Mr. Kwame Gyasi, ii/c East Legon Dist/AR to i/c Peki District/VR, Supt/Mr Anthony Arthur, i/c Finance/BER to Finance/Hqrs/AR, Supt/Mr Mohammed Issah Cantona, NPD/HQ to i/c Suhum District/ER and Supt/Mr. Charles Nyarko Baffour, Finance/HQ to i/c Finance/BER.”

Others are Supt/Mr Henri Ayisi Mensah, Transformation/HQ to i/c Oyibi District/AR, Supt/Mr John Atanga, Police Council/HQ to i/c Airport/District MTTU/AR, Supt/Mr Thomas Kwasi Obah, Cantonments District/AR to Effutu West Dist/CR, DSP/Mrs Cecilia H. Appiah-Ampofo, i/c DOVVSU/Airport/Div/AR to i/c Legon Dist/AR and DSP/Mr. Maister Klay, i/c Legon District/AR to i/c Osu District/AR.

The circular said DSP/Mr Peter Kwesi Okyere, i/c Peki/District/VR to i/c Transports/Hqrs/AR, ASP/Mr Simon Kesseh, Nat/Hqrs/AR to Police Council Secretariat. GNA

One person perished and 12 others sustained various degrees of injuries in a fatal accident at Brahabebome near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, on Monday, August 02.

The accident involved a Tata bus and a Hyundai Grace mini bus.

Police Corporal Winfred Acheampong of the Obuasi Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Obuasi, said the severity of the head-on collision left the Hyundai driver perishing on the spot and his mortal remains had since been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

Ten other passengers on board the Hyundai, as well as the two passengers in the Tata bus, who sustained injuries were sent to the Obuasi Government Hospital for treatment.

Corporal Acheampong said of the twelve injured, a pregnant woman, as well as another passenger with life-threatening injuries had been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

GNA

The ‘Proper Human Sexual and Ghanaian Family Values Bill’ 2021 has been finally laid in parliament.

The second deputy speaker Andrews Amoako who was presiding on Monday, August, 02, 2021 referred the bill to the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.

The Bill is a private members’ legislation sponsored by eight Members of Parliament – seven from the NDC and one from the NPP.

The bill mostly titled the anti-LGBTQ bill, proscribes people of the same sex to engage in sexual activity. People engaged in the act could be fined or jailed for between three to five years.

The bill also has strong support among Ghanaians.

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