Chief Imam Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu has said in consultation with his elders, he has “noted with deep concern, the discomfort in the Muslim community of Ejura and surrounding areas” over the “loss of our dear brothers”.
“Equally, disturbing”, he noted, “is the tension that continues to rise following the unfortunate incident”, which led to the death of three Muslims in the Ejura community – one being through lynching and the two others being through shooting by soldiers during a protest to demand justice for their lynched colleague Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed, a social media activist.
The revered Muslim cleric said “there is no doubt that the rising tension constitutes a threat to the existing state of harmony in the country”, adding: “While there is the need to empathise with the bereaved families, it remains a collective responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the country at all times”.
“I, therefore, call on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the security agencies to handle the matter in line with the ethical principles of criminal justice”, he urged.
He said “in the spirit of peace and harmony, I further urge Muslims in Ejura and surrounding areas to desist from any act that may inflame passion among the Muslim youth”.
Furthermore, the Chief Imam said, “I call on the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that in the end, justice becomes the winner”.
“Finally, I pray for Allah’s perpetual mercy on the departed souls”.
His call for peace dovetails into a similar call by the National Peace Council.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev Dr Ernest Adu Gyamfi, the council expressed “grave concern that three Ghanaians have lost their lives” in the recent disturbances in Ejura, Ashanti Region.
“The council condemns this unfortunate incident and calls on the relevant agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the matter without delay”, the statement from the Peace Council said.
The council noted, “with appreciation, the president’s directive” to the minister for the interior, “to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences”, saying: “We encourage the proposed committee to work within the terms of reference”.
The council has also expressed “its deep condolences to the affected families” and encouraged “all persons in the community to keep calm and allow the investigations to take their full course without hindrance”.
The council further appealed to the “media and all those who make statements on the matter, to exercise maximum restraint in their pronouncements
A group, Concerned Citizens of the Komenda Traditional Area, has written to the police about its intention to march in connection with, in its view, the abandonment of the Komenda Sugar Factory in the Central Region.
The group has scheduled its march for Tuesday, 6 July 2021.
It is billed to start from Komenda and Kissi simultaneously around 6:30 am and end at the Komenda Junction by 1:30 pm.
The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the dismissal of the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejura-Sekyedumase, Mohammed Salisu Bamba following the lynching of social media activist Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed and the subsequent shooting and killing of two protesters by soldiers a day after.
They are also calling for the MCE’s arrest and subsequent prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
Additionally, the NDC, which paid a consolation visit to the bereaved families on Thursday, 1 July 2021, say the suspects involved in the lynching of Kaaka, who, according to the party, are known bodyguards of the MCE, must, as well be prosecuted.
They also called for the interdiction of the municipal police commander, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, as well as the military commander who was in charge of the military team that helped the police team to handle the demonstrators.
The National Communications Officer of the NDC, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, who led the delegation to visit the bereaved families as well as the injured, said the shooting incident was a state-sponsored killing and called for justice for the deceased and the injured victims.
The party also issued a statement on its concerns:
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS CONSOLES FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF STATE-SPONSORED EJURA KILLINGS AND CALLS FOR SWIFT PROSECUTION OF ALL CULPRITS INVOLVED
The Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has this morning dispatched a delegation to the town of Ejura in the Ashanti Region.
The visit comes in the wake of the mindless killing of Mohammed Ibrahim alias Kaaka by known assailants said to be bodyguards of the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejura, Mohammed Salisu Bamba and the subsequent murder of two other individuals, namely, Nasiru Yussif and Murtala Mohammed by a combined team of military and police personnel.
The NDC condemns, in no uncertain terms, the killing of “Kaaka”, a social media activist who has been using the power of social media to champion change and development in the Ejura community. Kaaka’s activism predates the Akufo-Addo government, as he has always been known to be an influencer who highlights the ills of his society in dynamic ways to achieve the desired development for his community.
For him to have, therefore, been ambushed and killed by persons believed to be bodyguards of the Municipal Chief Executive for Ejura, who accused him of making the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government unpopular, is most unfortunate and reprehensible to say the least.
These incidents, yet again, highlight the institutionalisation of violence and state-sponsored thuggery that have taken center-stage under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo. The NDC has constantly bemoaned how state security has been abused and used as a veritable weapon of oppression against Ghanaians by the tyrannical Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.
The NDC joins other well-meaning Ghanaians in moral society, the media and from all walks of life, in condemning the gruesome killing of the three individuals, and thus demand that justice be served without delay in order to appease the souls of the departed, their families and to serve as a lesson to all who think they can act criminally and brazenly get away with same.
Even as we console and support the families whose loved ones were murdered and injured few days ago, we wish to call for the following immediate actions from the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government:
2. The immediate dismissal and prosecution of the Municipal Chief Executive for Ejura, Mohammed Salisu Bamba, who as Chairman of the Municipal Security Council, sanctioned the deployment of armed military and police personnel who shot into the crowd of peaceful protestors and murdered the two young men in cold blood.
3. The immediate interdiction and prosecution of the district police commander and the army commander who sanctioned the said mindless deployment of the trigger-happy military and police officers on the day.
4. The interdiction, arrest and prosecution of the military and police officers who were deployed on the day, especially those caught on camera squatting and shooting directly into the crowd of protesters.
The NDC’s delegation comprises Comrade Joshua Hamidu Akamba, National Organiser, Comrade Sammy Gyamfi, National Communication Officer, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw, National Women Organiser, Comrade George Opare Addo, National Youth Organiser, Comrade Peter Boamah Otokunor, Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Director of Elections, Mr. Haruna Rashied, Director of IT, Comrade Kobby Barlon, Deputy National Organiser, Comrade Ruth Dela Sedoh, Deputy National Women Organiser, and Comrade Edem Agbana, Deputy National Youth Organiser. Signed,
Government has decided to fully complete the University of Ghana Stadium to compliment facilities which would be built at Borteyman for the 2023 African Games, Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif has said
Responding to an urgent question in Parliament on Wednesday, the Sports Minister announced that due to delays in starting the construction of a proposed 50,000 Olympic Stadium in Borteyman for the Games as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become apparent that the full stadium may not be completed on time, hence the decision by government to resort to its plan B.
In what the Minister described as a phased approach, government will now focus completing the University of Ghana stadium at Legon, and also build the Olympic stadium in Borteyman in phases by prioritising the urgent construction of facilities which the University of Ghana stadium doesn’t have
“After careful study of timelines, the Ministry in consultation with the LOC have decided to adopt a hybrid approach to construct the project in phases by leveraging on existing facilities at the University of Ghana and build the other facilities that are not available but are requirement for the hosting of the Games,” Mustapha Ussif said in Parliament.
According to the Minister, the refurbishment of the University of Ghana Stadium will include the resurfacing of existing athletics tracks and the construction of a new athletics warm-up running tracks.
At Borteyman, the following facilities will be constructed for the Games: one thousand (1000) seater competition swimming pool, i.e. 8-lane ompetition swimming pool, 8-lane warm-up swimming pool, 500-seater temporary dome (handball, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, basketball, etc), and 1,000-seater multi-purpose hall (badminton, boxing, volleyball weightlifting, parasports).null
Other facilities to be constructed are are; 1000-seater multi-purpose hall (basketball, table tennis, wrestling), five (5) tennis courts complexes, including one thousand (1000) seater centre court (covered spectator stand) with a 20 capacity VVIP viewing seats). The other four (4) courts would each have a two hundred (200) spectator seats.
The Minister, who gave parliament a detailed background and timelines of how Ghana won the bid to host the Africa Games, also spoke at length about how the global pandemic has affected Ghana’s preparations.
Nonetheless, the Minister assured Parliament of Ghana’s commitment and ability to stage a successful competition.
Ghana won the bid to host the African Games ahead of countries such as Egypt and Burkina Faso.
• Boakye Agyarko is coy on his presidential ambitions
• He says he remains committed to serving Ghanaians and will not retire from politics
• He maintains that the NPP must unite and support President Akufo-Addo
Boakye Agyarko, former Energy Minister has broken his silence on reports that he is lacing his boots to contest the 2023 presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party, NPP.
Boakye Agyarko’s name has featured prominently as one of many NPP bigwigs who could challenge Vice President Bawumia for the position – if the latter contests.
Speaking as a guest on Net2 TV’s ‘The Seat’ program, Boakye Agyarko offered a coy response to the reports.
He also rejected claims that he will take a permanent break from politics, noting that “public service has always been my first passion.”null
Boakye Agyarko disclosed that the reason for which he left his base in the United of States of America to come to Ghana was to contribute to the development of the country.
“It was the presidential race of 2007 that brought me back from the US. I left the US to participate in our politics and in fact I was a participant in our politics before the unfortunate incident of June 1983 sent me into exile. I was in exile for 18 years. I never quit politics and will never quit politics because public service is my first passion. When the time comes, it shall be made known,” he said.
He however encouraged all members of the NPP to focus on helping Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo deliver a successful second term.
Boakye Agyarko admonished that the failure of the NPP government will have a devastating effect on Ghana’s democracy hence the need for all members of the party to join forces and ensure a successful final term for the president.
“We must all come together and help our President achieve his targets for the country. The failure of the NPP is tantamount to a failure of democracy so let’s unite and work for Nana Addo to succeed,” he said.
He also touched on the Ejura shooting incident, describing it as ‘unfortunate and avoidable.’
An Accra High Court has thrown out the government’s case against former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi over the No 12 invesitgation after the state’s delays in filing a witness statement.
The decision of the Criminal Court 4 of the Accra High Court to discharge Nyantakyi has forced the state to rush to another court to file the same charges agianst the former FIFA Council member.
It has now emerged that the former CAF 1st Vice President was discharged by the Accra High Court on March 11, 2021, after Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame ruled that delays by the state prosecutors denied Nyantakyi and Abdulai Alhassan justice.
In the fallout from the ‘Number 12’ documentary, which exposed corruption in Ghana football, Nyantakyi together with the Northern Regional Representative of the GFA, Abdulai Alhassan were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
With the case being in court for more one year, the state’s lawyers struggled to file their witness statement against the ex-Ghana FA president which forced the judge to throw out the state’s case against the football official.
The judge rejected the request of the state for another adjournment as the charges of fraud and corruption had been consistently postponed to allow the prosecutors to file their witness statement.
“I think in this modern times there can be a way out for prosecution who has the whole state apparatus behind her to file a witness statement without us going and coming,” Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame said in her ruling.
“I think the prosecution may need a longer time to put their house in order. Justice delayed they say Justice denied. Justice is two-way traffic for prosecution and accused as well.
“It’s been one year since we set out to do case Management Conference but due to the excuse by the learned counsel for the Republic, that they have a witness statement to file, we kept adjourning this case till today.
“I think in this modern times there can be a way out for prosecution who has the whole state apparatus behind her to file a witness statement without us going and coming.
“As it stands now, I have no option other than to discharge accused persons. Any time prosecution is ready, they can do the needful. Accused persons are discharged.” Justice Tasiame concluded.
Following the ruling of the court, lawyers for the state led by Victoria Asieduaa, rushed to The Accra High Court’s Criminal Court 2 to have the case reheard in the new court.
Despite the counsel for Nyantakyi opposing the move to take the case to a new court, Justice Elfreda A. Dankyi of Court ruled that the case will be heard before her with the same charges.
The National Youth wing of the New Patriotic Party has learned with profound concern reports of the alleged murder of Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka and the unfortunate death of two protesters in Ejura in the Ashanti Region.
At the outset, we condemn in no uncertain terms the alleged mob attack that led to the untimely death of Kaaka and also the use of disproportionate force by the joint security force against the rampaging youth in Ejura.
We sincerely sympathize with the families of the deceased and pray that the good Lord comfort and strengthen them in the difficult times they find themselves.
As agonizing and regrettable as the death of these three individuals are, the Youth wing, in all humility, appeals to the youth in Ejura to calm down and tread a path that engenders peace, love and unity to honor the memories of the dead.
As youth we hold the key to the future of our great nation and we cannot jeopardise this great task by resorting to instant retaliation and violence which threatens the peaceful coexistence in our country.
We welcome and support the directive from H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the Minister of Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, MP, to immediately conduct Public Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences on Tuesday, 29th June, 2021.
Again, we add on to the numerous calls on the Police to expedite investigations into the unfortunate death of Kaaka and serve justice to him and the bereaved family by bringing the perpetrators to book.
That said, It is deeply worrying that the opposition NDC seeks to use these very unfortunate and tragic occurrences as an opportunity to undermine the peace and progress we have collectively attained in almost 30 years of our democracy, admired and spoken about in the Sub-Region.
As citizens of Ghana and as Youth, it is our duty to denounce and condemn such statements which rather weakens our strength as a nation in fighting atrocious acts.
We must take up the call for social justice in an appropriate manner which ensures that all are protected and we contribute in the collective effort to support the peace process.
Once again, we solemnly commiserate with the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako Jnr. has called on government to compensate the families of the three deceased in the Ejura incident.
The death of the three, Ibrahim Mohammed a.k.a ‘Kaaka’ a social media activist, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed has caused a stir in the Ejura community in the Ashanti Region with the irate residents demanding justice for them.
Kaaka’s demise was reportedly caused by a mob assault on him for being vociferously vocal about national issues.
The other two were killed while protesting for justice for Kaaka when soldiers deployed to the community released live bullets into a crowd of protesters.
Addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said; “Our security agencies should be quick and clinical in getting to the bottom of this and other unresolved comes. While we understand that police investigations sometimes take a while, it does not instil confidence in the population if such acts go unresolved and unpunished. So the police need to get to the bottom of this, and justice must be done.
“A credible investigation also needs to be conducted into the crowd rioting and crowd control incidents of 29th June. This will bring clarity to the sequence of events and ensure that if any persons acted inappropriately, those persons are punished.”
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has revealed that four suspected killers of former Mfantseman MP, Ekow Quansah Hayford have been jailed 20 years each for robbery.
DCOP Ken Yeboah briefing the media at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday stated that five armed robbers were apprehended on May 11, 2021, during a robbery incident on the Jakobo-Obuasi highway but unfortunately, one of the robbers was shot dead by the patrol team.
According to him, the robbers during interrogation confessed to being involved in the murder of the late Ekow Quansah Hayford.
DCOP Ken Yeboah added that per the confession, the convicts will be made to face the courts again for the charge of murder of the late legislator.
“They were charged with robbery based on the fact of the May 11, 2021 incident, that is the highway robbery on the Jakobo-Obuasi road. On June 18, 2021, after the trial, they were convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each.
“All the convicts are to be arraigned before the court in respect of the robbery and murder of the late Ekow Quansah Hayford. It means that we are now going to charge them and try them for the murder of the MP,” he stated.
Mr. Hayford was shot and killed after his car was attacked on the Nkusukum Mankessim-Abeadze Duadze road in the Central Region.
Eyewitnesses say the suspected armed robbers numbering about six shot at the MP’s vehicle when his driver attempted to drive away from the robbery scene.
After the car stopped, the driver was shot by the armed robbers to serve as a deterrent to others who might try to escape.
The MP is also alleged to have confirmed his identity to the robbers when asked who the MP of the constituency was. He was then shot twice, resulting in his death.
Today, July 1, 2021, is Republic Day. The day commemorates Ghana attaining a Republican status after independence on July 1, 1960.
Until 2019, July 1 had been marked as a statutory public holiday but the Ministry of the Interior on May 8, 2019, announced that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had assented to the Public Holidays (Amendment Act) 2019 (Act 986).
The day has since been made a commemorative day.
Speaking in an interview with some opposition political parties, they called for a repeal of the law which changed the status of the day from a statutory public holiday to a commemorative one.
PNC
According to the General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Ms Janet Nabla, the commemorative day denied Ghanaians the opportunity to reflect on what it meant to be a republic.
“It should have been a holiday to give Ghanaians the opportunity to sit and reflect on the things that have happened from 1957 till date and whether we are still on track to becoming self-sufficient”.
She said Ghanaians had deviated from the political ideals and vision Dr Kwame Nkrumah had when he pushed for independence from the British monarchy.
“We must ask ourselves where we went wrong and why Ghanaians have become so self-centred. They are thinking of how to amass wealth at the detriment of the common man with shoddy public procurement and road constructions which are still outlasted by many of the projects of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
“Tomorrow should be a day of reflection so that all politicians, NGOs and citizens must look at where we have gone wrong because we are not going forward, we are going backwards and the founding fathers who risked their lives will be very disappointed. As Ghanaians, we must sit and reflect on this,” she said.
NDC
The Director of Communications of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kakra Essamuah, said the current commemoration degraded the importance of the day which was intended to celebrate the efforts of forbearers in the collective struggle to affirm the benefits of equality, liberty, freedom and justice.
About Republic Day
Republic Day (July 1, 1960) marked the day Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah was sworn into office as the first President of Ghana. The amendment made May 25, African Union (AU) Day and July 1, Republic Day, commemorative days.
In the past, to mark the Republic Day holiday, various governments used to meet the elderly in society and interact with them.
An enumerator in the ongoing 2021 Population and Housing Census in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region died and another sustained injuries when the motorbike they were travelling with crashed into a cargo truck at Saka, a suburb of Zebilla on Wednesday.
The truck had been parked on the road and the motorbike crashed into it.
The deceased was identified as Faisal Issah, a nurse by profession while the other accident victim who sustained injuries was identified as Gifty Abane Alalbilla, a teacher.
According to eye witnesses, the accident happened on Wednesday (June 30, 2021) at about 6:30am.
The deceased was reportedly riding while Alalbilla was the pillion and they were on their way to collect census data at Googo and Tambigu communities in Zebilla when the accident occurred.
Issah died on arrival at the Zebilla District Hospital while Alalbilla is currently responding to treatment at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.
Sources at the Zebilla District Hospital said the deceased suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures.
The deceased was a nurse stationed at the Zebilla Senior High Technical School Clinic while his colleague was a teacher employed by the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), an international non-governmental organization founded in 1993 to teach students of the Zebilla Senior High Technical School.
The District Census Officer, Mr Thomas Awuni told Graphic Online that the unfortunate accident has thrown the community and other enumerators into a state of shock and sadness.
He expressed condolences to the bereaved family and wished Alalbilla the other accident victim a speedy recovery .
He explained that the counting exercise will not be affected since other enumerators will be reassigned to the communities affected due to the unfortunate accident.
Issah has since been laid to rest in his hometown in Bawku in line with Islamic tradition.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, has ordered the Kumasi city authorities to pull down over 300 structures which have been identified to be on watercourses.
That, the Minister said, would help avert further flooding in the future, with the onset of the rainy season.
He said it was important to take the difficult decisions now to avert disaster in the future, saying the incidents of flooding being recorded in recent times in Kumasi could be attributed to building on watercourses.
Enforcement
According to Mr Asenso-Boakye, managing flood was not the responsibility of only the Ministry but also the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), as well as their chief executives, who had been mandated to manage flood at the local level and help solve the perennial floods across the country.
He explained that the pulling down of illegal structures was the responsibility of MMDCEs, since they were in charge of the planning of the city, as affirmed by the Local Government Act.
He said the issuance of building and development permits was also the core mandate of the MMDAs, and that any time regulations with regard to structures and construction were breached, it was the responsibility of the assemblies to make sure that those buildings were pulled down.
Affected areas
In the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah, and the Director of Urban Roads, Nana Poku Agyemang, the Works and Housing Minister visited Atasomanso, Santasi-Anyinam, Bantama, Asafo Market, the new Kejetia Market, Aboabo, Asawase, Anloga Junction and Atafoa.
Atafoa
At Atafoa, where a developer was putting up a washing bay and adjoining stores along a watercourse, the Minister ordered the KMA to pull the structure down with immediate effect.
Mr Asenso-Boakye said he had gathered that the developer pulled a gun on the authorities when they confronted him (developer) to stop work, describing that incident as criminal.
He called on the KMA to report the incident to the police for action to be taken against the developer to deter others from going contrary to the law.
Solid waste
The Works and Housing Minister also singled out the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, especially into drains, as the main cause of the flooding and advised residents to desist from that unlawful practice, as it did pose a danger to their health and could lead to the outbreak of cholera.
Mr Asenso-Boakye, said when the team of engineers visited the area soon after it got flooded, it observed that residents had dumped all kinds of waste into the drains, which caused them to get choked.
He said it took community action, led by the Assembly Member for the area, Mr Kwabena Boateng, and his team, who went into the tunnel and pulled out debris to allow free flow of water through the drains.
“The fact is that we are the cause of our woes,” he reiterated, saying it was about time residents took responsibility, instead of blaming officialdom.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has spent GH¢450 million to fight flooding in this country”, he said, saying all that investment would go to waste if the citizenry did things the same old way.
Former President John Dramani Mahama and two political parties have called for calm in the Ejura town following the death of two persons and injuries to four others in clashes between the youth and security agencies.
They have also called for thorough investigations into the incident leading to the murder of the youth activist, Ibrahim Mohammed, also known as Macho Kaaka, and the shooting of two persons by the security agencies.
The parties are the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
In his statement, Mr Mahama called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take steps to de-escalate the situation in Ejura.
“There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others,” he stated.
Minority
At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Caucus called on the youth not to allow the Ejura violence degenerate into an alarming situation, reports Nana Kunadu Agyeman.
He also called on the President to establish a commission of enquiry within the meaning of Article 278 of the Constitution to make the recommendations of such commission more acceptable.
“The President’s instruction is for a ministerial commission of enquiry but we reject it; that is not good enough. We want a commission of enquiry within the meaning of article 278 of the 1992 Constitution,” it said.
“We want to see the President appoint a justice of the superior court or a retired Justice of the Supreme Court to lead this process because ultimately we will accept recommendations that call for reforms,” he said.
NDC
In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Mr Kakra Essamuah, the NDC called on the security agencies to be measured “in the way and manner in which they handle citizens who are exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to demonstrate to protect the lives of innocent citizens.”
It said the party’s national chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who were currently participating in a workshop at Ada were proceeding back to Accra to take charge of developments.
PPP
The PPP, for its part, condemned, in no uncertain terms, the shooting and killing of the two persons at Ejura and called for a special investigation into the matter and those responsible brought to book expeditiously.
A statement signed by its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr Simon Quansah, said the party was expecting the President to condemn the acts of brutalities meted out to citizens by the security forces.
It also called on Parliament to set up a committee of enquiry to look into the matter to establish the circumstances that led to such unfortunate happenings in order to avoid any possible cover-ups.
“While we call for calm in the Ejura town and its surroundings, we urge the people/youth of Ghana to stand up and defend their constitutional rights to demonstrate and demand accountability from their elected officers,” it said.
The statement urged the President to visit Ejura to help restore calm and confidence among the people.
Nana Yaw Amponsah is set to step down as the CEO of Ghanaian football giant Kumasi Asante Kotoko with immediate effect after he was slapped with a five-year ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The decision by the Disciplinary Committee means that the former football agent will not be able to hold his position as the CEO of the Kumasi-based club.
Amponsah has three days to appeal the decision at the Appeals Committee of the GFA.
Nana Yaw Amponsah, who doubles as a Director of division One club Phar Rangers FC, is suffering the consequences of the decision of the club to pull out of the league without a just cause.
Phar Rangers announced their decision to pull out of the Division One League early this month as well as withdrawing from all GFA Competitions with immediate effect.
The Disciplinary Committee deliberated the matter before coming to the conclusion that all provisions of the GFA regulations must be enforced including banning their directors for five years.
“That the Shareholders and Directors of Phar Rangers FC on the records are hereby also banned from all football activities for a period of five (5) years effective from this 2020/2021 football season in accordance with Article 13(3) of the GFA Division One League Regulations,” the ruling from the Disciplinary Committee of the GFA read on Wednesday.
Attached is the full verdict of the Disciplinary Committee of the GFA.
• Sam George says President Akufo-Addo is interested in chasing shadowsnull
• He accused him of failing to deliver justice to victims of electoral violence
• He said, the president did not pay compensations to the victims
Samuel Nartey George, Ningo-Prampram MP, has criticised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for not acting on systemic reforms recommended by the Short Commission when they investigated the violence that erupted at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
He indicated that the President has failed woefully to deliver justice to the victims of electoral violence because he [President Akufo-Addo] has constantly shown that he is more interested in chasing the shadows and ignoring the substance of any issue.
He also accused the President of failing to pay “compensation to victims of State-sponsored terrorism in Ayawaso West Wuogon”.null
The MP’s criticisms of the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Force, comes after a letter signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communication at the Presidency, indicated that the President has instructed the Interior Minister to undertake a Public Inquiry into incidents in Ejura, where the Police cum Military Operatives shot into a crowd of unarmed protesters.
President Akufo-Addo gave Ambrose Dery ten days to present to his outfit “a detailed report from the inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action”.
Commenting on the President’s call, Sam George said on his Twitter timeline that President Nana Akufo-Addo is “quick to condemn violence in other countries and commiserate and organise funerals for victims of State brutalities in other jurisdictions but failed to call and commiserate with victims of violence and families of those murdered by men wearing uniforms of the Ghana Army during the December 2020 elections”.
He further stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will go down in history as the President of Ghana who under his watch, unarmed Ghanaians were murdered by the Military.
“You are President of Ghana Sir & your mandate is to Ghanaians. You are the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces & it is under your watch that we see [the] murder of unarmed Ghanaian citizens by your men.null
Your legacy is bloodstained and the memory of your leadership will be on of insecurity, fear, intimidation and failure,” .
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, has justified the use of lethal force by his personnel in handling the protesters who marched in Ejura, Ashanti Region, recently.
Two protesters were killed by the police and soldiers on the ground.
The spontaneous protest was sparked by the lynching of social media activist Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed a day earlier.
“So, depending on the nature of the situation, you are dealing with, then you can go through all these,” he said.
“Let me add that if you are dealing with unarmed demonstrators, then you will not go for live amour but when you see somebody in the crowd holding a weapon, which is capable of being used to kill or injure a police officer, our laws permit us to use lethal force to eliminate that threat to the officers on duty.
“So, it depends on the situation you are dealing with,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has instructed the Minister for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the shooting and killing of the two protesters on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.
A statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Office of the President, Mr Eugene Arhin, on Wednesday, said the Interior Minister is to provide a detailed report from the inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action, within ten days; that is by 9 July 2021, to President Akufo-Addo.
The president, the statement said, is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Kaaka, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed.
He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The commotion at Ejura happened following the burial of Kaaka at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura on Tuesday after he was attacked by unknown mob.
Some irate youth, after his burial, blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road, thus, impeding traffic flow to demonstrate for justice.
The police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth, according to the police, charged on the security personnel with all manner of implements, including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.
The security officials fired into the crowd killing two and injuring seven.
Some Ghanaians have taken to social media to condemn the security personnel
Just recently, Ghana incurred a judgment debt of $170 million for terminating a power contract with Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC).
Feednews.com reported that the Commercial Court in London refused to allow Ghana to bring a belated challenge to an UNCITRAL award worth over US$134 million in favour of a power contractor, ruling that national elections and COVID-19 pandemic did not make the state’s delay reasonable.
The case started under Gloria Afua Akuffo, when she was the Minister of Justice with Godfred Yeboah Dame as her deputy.
State attorneys, including Helen Akpene Awo Ziwu, Anna Pearl Akiwumi Siriboe and Grace Oppong Dolphy in Accra, were also mentioned in the case as having failed to beat a 28-day deadline.
However, the state attorneys, together with Mr Dame, who took over from Gloria Afua Akuffo, went sleeping on the job, leading to a delay in contesting the judgment debt.
The result of that deep sleep is that poverty-stricken Ghana will be paying a whopping US$170 million in damages to the claimants; Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) located at 1 Airport Square Building, 7th floor, Accra.
Mr Dame and his subordinates’ attempts to hide behind the 2020 general election and the COVID-19 pandemic as excuses for the delay was rebuffed by the London court. In a ruling on Wednesday, 8 June 2021, Mr Justice Butcher refused to grant the government a time extension to apply to set aside the award – adding that the state’s grounds for challenging it were “intrinsically weak”.
Global Arbitration Review previously reported on the award in favour of GPGC against Ghana.
GPGC was represented before the court by Charles Kimmins QC and Mark Tushingham, where Ghana was said to have been too late to challenge the decision against it.
Ghana had used Khawar Qureshi QC of Serle Court and Volterra Fietta, having initially retained Omnia Strategy. In the arbitration, GPGC, used Three Crowns and Ghanaian firm, Kimathi & Partners, along with damages experts from FTI Consulting.
Ghana also had representation from the attorney general’s office and Amofa & Partners in Accra.
The underlying dispute concerned the government’s alleged wrongful repudiation in 2018 of a contract for a “fast-track power generation solution” – involving the relocation of two aero-derivative gas turbine power plants to the government’s territory.
A London-seated UNCITRAL tribunal composed of former ICC Court president John Beechey as chair, J William Rowley QC and Ghanaian academic, Albert Fiadjoe, issued its final award in January, ordering the government to pay a contractually defined “early termination payment” of more than US$134.3 million plus interest and costs. It also dismissed the government’s counterclaim.
The award is said to be worth around US$170 million. Under English law, the government had 28 days to bring a challenge to the award.
Three days before the expiry of that deadline, the government’s then solicitors, Omnia Strategy applied to the court for a 56-day extension.
Omnia said it had only just been instructed and that bureaucratic processes had been delayed because of national elections in the country and because key members of the attorney general’s office had contracted covid-19. The court agreed to extend the deadline for any challenge to March 8, but the government only brought its set-aside application on April 1, now represented by Volterra Fietta.
The law firm explained that, the new attorney general, had only been sworn in on March 5, and the firm had been instructed 10 days later.
In the latest ruling, Butcher J, said the government’s delay was “significant and substantial”, as its request for a second extension had come 38 days after the statutory deadline and 27 days after the first extension expired.
The fact that a large sum was at stake in the arbitration was not a reason for the challenge taking longer to make. The fact that the attorney general had not been sworn in until March 5, did not mean the government was unable to act in the meantime, the judge said. The government had still managed to instruct Omnia during this June 12, 2021, 10:37 Pagina 2 di 5period and the new AG, who was previously deputy attorney general, had been among the counsel in the arbitration.
Echoing a ruling in the P&ID v Nigeria case, the judge said the fact that a party is a foreign state is a matter of “little significance” when it comes to compliance with court directions.
That an entity may have “bureaucratic decision-making processes” does not justify the delay.
As for arguments about covid-19, the judge said the evidence as to the way in which the pandemic had affected the government was “wholly inadequate”. There needed to be a detailed explanation of how it had affected “particular people or particular processes”. The judge also said that the grounds of the government’s proposed challenge to the award were “intrinsically weak”.
One argument that the tribunal failed to be “guided by the terms and conditions” of the contract was a “clear case of an attempt to present alleged errors of law as errors of procedure”.
Butcher J, was likewise sceptical of the government’s other complaint that the tribunal failed to deal with all issues put to it. The judge said that the tribunal had dealt with the issues raised and that the government was in fact arguing that the tribunal’s reasons were inadequate.
He said there was no unfairness in denying an extension, as the government had already been granted one extension and was solely responsible for having missed the deadlines. This followed delays in the arbitration for which the government was also apparently solely responsible.
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for linking the death of an activist at Ejura, Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Kaaka’, to President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
The NDC Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi has blamed the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the killing of Ibrahim Mohammed a.k.a ‘Kaaka’.
Allegations
Sammy Gyamfi is convinced the mob that attacked Macho Kaaka are members of the ruling party stressing the killing of the activist is an indication of insecurity under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In an interview with Okay FM, Sammy Gyamfi alleged; “There is hardship in the country and people are afraid to talk because they are afraid for their lives. Today, they have killed Kaaka. NPP killed Kaaka. Kaaka stays in Ejura and has been on this #fixthecountry campaign. He has been talking about abandoned projects. Before he was attacked by a mob, he announced that he has been threatened by the known NPP members. He even published the threats. He was beaten by a mob.”
Ex-Prez Mahama’s Statement On Ejura Killing
Former President John Dramani Mahama has also called on the President to direct an immediate de-escalation of the situation at Ejura in the Ashanti Region.
“I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today, following the murder of youth activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed. I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire, after the burial of the murdered youth activist.
“There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others,” Mr. Mahama stated on his website.
Kwamena Fires NDC
Discussing the issue on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Kwamena Duncan blasted the NDC for scoring political points with the Ejura incident.
He questioned the party’s motive saying, “the NDC and President Mahama, are they telling us that, during that time when such incident occurred, the NPP should have issued a statement to say President Mahama and the NDC did it? 2014, there was an incident. They have always taken Ghanaians that these are persons or people who forget easily. I mean they will forget easily and therefore we will take advantage of their nature where they tend to forget. At the time, no NPP member issued a statement saying we hold NDC responsible for what has happened because we didn’t have basis for that”.
”When people want to ride on the back of bloodshedding to gain some political mileage, it’s difficult to understand. The incident that has happened, drawing attention to it; well and good but, when you say ‘warns Police and blames government for death of activist’, is that how you intend drawing attention to what has happened? If you want to draw attention, is that how you do it? When government neither stood left nor right, when government has absolutely no hand; why do we want to rush?”, he fumed.
He, however, challenged the oppostion party to make public any evidence they have to corroborate their claims.
”What information does the NDC have which proves that it is the government that murdered Kaaka Mohammed? Can they make that information available to the Ghanaian people?”, he asked.
”Let’s focus on building the nation. Why? Why has the NDC become something like without power, they simply cannot survive as a political party? Why? When they get power too, it is only just to take the entire country back,” he further rebuked the NDC.
A Joint Security Taskforce headed by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Adansi Akrofuom, Maurice Jonas Woode, has arrested 24 illegal miners operating in the Sukuma Forest reserve at Pewodie near Grumesa in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
The illegal miners aged between 14 to 45 were said to have been operating in the middle of the forest for some time now despite the ban on illegal mining and mining in forest areas.
The task force also destroyed 16 Chanfan machines, over 200 tents and also seized 104 pumping machines and 11 Gold detector machines from the miners.
It was the second time in two weeks that the Akrofuom DCE had led a raid on illegal miners in the area after a similar exercise at Betenase.
The DCE told the media that “we had a tip-off that there has been fracas among illegal miners operating at Pawodie and Betenase. This prompted the District Security Council to map out strategies to arrest them and halt their operations”.
He announced his resolve to go after illegal miners destroying water bodies and forest areas in the District.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in clamping down on the activities of these illegal miners. We want these arrests and subsequent burning of mining equipment to serve as a deterrent to others,” the visibly furious DCE stated.
Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Joseph Nyaaba, said the Security Taskforce was committed to nipping the activities of illegal miners in the bud.
He promised that such operations will not be a flash in the pan, disclosing that,” 83 Security personnel were involved in this operation. This is an indication of our preparedness to stop the activities of illegal miners “.
He cautioned illegal miners who had defied the Presidential orders of banning all illegal mining activities, to halt their operations since the Police would not relent in their efforts to go after them.
Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Isaac Ken Yeboah, says no arrest has been in the Jamestown Bullion Van robbery which claimed the life of General Constable Emmanuel Mensah.
He said two persons were arrested upon suspicion but later through investigations, it was discovered that they were nowhere near the crime scene on that day and therefore could not be linked to that crime.
COP Yeboah appealed to the public to assist the Police with vital information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators, adding that crime combat is a shared responsibility thus crime could be reduced through joint effort between the Police and the public.
He advised that any information about any criminal activities should not be put on social media.
COP Yeboah assured the public that confidentiality of informants would be guarded and called on all to have confidence in the Police.
The public could reach the police through these emergency lines: 191, 18555, 0275000156 and 0206639121, he stated and cautioned those who misused them to desist from it, whether to divert attention, insult police, among others so as to make way for genuine calls.
On Monday, June 14, 2021 at about 12:28pm, police received a distress call from James Town that three armed men on two unregistered motorbikes had attacked and robbed a bullion Nissan van with the registration number GT 8592 W belonging to MON-TRAN Company.
Police rushed to the scene and found Constable Osei on board shot dead and the driver injured.
The James Town District Police Command also found the car parked in the middle of Adedenko Metal Market road with glass of three doors shattered.
The body of the deceased of the National SWAT was found at the front seat bleeding from the head and other parts of the body, with his AK 47 snatched by the robbers.
Wisdom, the driver of the van was not met at the scene by the police team. Eye witnesses led police to a wooden structure where a body of one Afua Badu, 40, a casualty, was found.
A search found Grace Essel, an official of the financial institution who escaped unhurt and had taken refuge in the community. She was sent to the Police Hospital.
Meanwhile, the bodies have been kept at the Morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The gang made away with the AK 47 rifle the police officer was wielding as well as an unspecified amount of money.
A Kumasi High Court has slapped government with a $15.3 million judgment debt for the unlawful seizure of excavators.
It has also ordered that government pays the mining company, Heritage Imperial Limited an amount of ¢600,000.
This amount was awarded to the mining firm prospecting for gold in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
On December 6, 2018, the company’s concession was raided by the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Mining under the suspicion of engaging in activities outside their mandate.
According to the taskforce, the company had been mining illegally though the license granted them only allowed for prospecting.
In court, lawyers for the mining firm argued that they procured a prospecting mining licence from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on October 25, 2018.
The plaintiffs said they stuck to this commitment until the raid was conducted on their concession by the taskforce where their excavators and other equipment were confiscated in December that same year.
In its ruling on May 18, 2021, the court deemed the action on the site against Heritage Imperial Mining Company as unlawful, adding that no evidence had been advanced by the taskforce to back their claims of illegality on the company’s part.
The court, presided by Justice Samuel Obeng Diawuo, also held that the move by the taskforce on the said day was against the mandate within which they were to operate in the fight against illegal mining in the country.
It further concluded that the company also permitted other entities to invade the concession and mine from the plaintiff’s concession.
Former President John Mahama has denied claims on social media that he has visited troubled spot Ejura in the Ashanti region where three people have been killed.
A video of the former President visiting some patients at a hospital has surfaced on social media with some NDC activists claiming Mr. Mahama has visited Ejura to commiserate with bereaved families.
However, in a post on Facebook, Mr Mahama said: “The video circulating of my visit to injured persons in a hospital is an old one, and has no link to current developments in Ejura”.
The National Peace Council has condemned the killing of an activist Ibrahim Kaaka by some unknown persons at Ejura in the Ashanti region.
The Council has in a statement also bemoaned the subsequent killing of two other residents of the Ashanti regional town by security officers who were deployed to the town to de-escalate tensions. The officers were deployed after the youth of the town took to the streets over the killing of Kaaka.
“The Council received this unfortunate report in the middle of a National Stakeholder Dialogue to chart a path to consolidate the gains the country has made beyond the 2020 elections.
“The Council expresses grave concern that three Ghanaians have lost their lives in this violent incident. The Council condemns the unfortunate incident and calls on the relevant agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the matter without delay,” the council said.
The statement added: “The Council notes with appreciation the President’s directive to the Minister of the Interior, to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences. We encourage the proposed Committee to work within the terms of reference
• Nana Aba Anamoah has condemned the decision of the Christian Council to remain silent over the Ejura killings
•She finds it disappointing that the council has not addressed the issue yet
•The murder of the three protesters has earned the government criticism from a cross-section of Ghanaians
Popular TV/Radio presenter, Nana Aba Anamoah has described as disappointing, the ‘deafening silence’ of the Christian Council of Ghana, on the various issues that have plagued the country recently.
According to GHONE’s general manager, the Council’s decision to keep mute at a time when it is required for them to condemn the killings of three #FixTheCountry protesters in Ejura is worrying and unbefitting of leaders who represent the largest faith denomination in the country.
Following the unrest, many citizens have mounted pressure on the clergy to condemn the government for allegedly watching on while security operatives misconduct themselves with the latest being the Ejura shootings.
The latest to join the group of persons adding their voice to the subject is Nana Aba who finds it unacceptable that these Christian leaders have refused to address the issue.
“The Christian Council of Ghana is the biggest disappointment. They could roar for days. Now dier it’s just meooowww,” she wrote on Twitter on June 30, 2021.
Meanwhile, scores of individuals including civil society organizations and the opposition National Democratic congress have openly condemned the shooting incident.
The likes of Kweku Baako jnr, Professor Gyampo, Kwame Sefa Kayi have questioned why the military were deployed to control the protesters at Ejura.
Speaking on Kokrokoo on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Kweku Baako said ” “I’m disturbed about the military intervention and intrusion. I cannot reconcile myself with it. I know there is a principle that if internal security is difficult for police to handle, they bring the military but there are procedures.
“I still don’t believe there was a sufficient base to bring in the military. I think it was an overkill. Apart from that, they are not trained for crowd control. Their rules of engagement is different. Their skills are different. This whole tragedy was completely avoidable. It doesn’t help the image of Ghana. It’s just not right and it ought to be condemned ought right. I can’t stand it and I don’t think it was right. The army high command should check their contingent there,” he said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after coming under attack for being silent on the issue has also instructed the Minister of Interior to investigate the issue.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, said beginning next week government would disburse GH¢55million grant to players in the tourism industry to support their businesses.
According to the minister, the sector lost about 75 per cent of its resources and about eight million Ghana cedis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year, and the grant was for industry players to bounce back.
Briefing the media after a visit to some tourism facilities in the Greater Accra Region, the sector minister said ads would be rolled out in the dailies, and urged players to apply.
Dr. Awal said he had toured about nine regions already, and had planned to visit all the 16 regions to see their tourism attractions to ensure they were developed into acceptable standards and new ones created where necessary.
“The objectives of the Government is to, at least, develop two iconic sites in each of the 16 regions. Ghana is now number three in West Africa to Senegal and Gambia and we do not think this is enough,” he said.
“We think that Ghana is so big and endowed so by the end of 2024, we want Ghana to be the most attractive tourist country in West Africa.
“That is why we are touring these sites to see where to partner with the traditional authorities, and the communities to uplift the sites. We are the most peaceful nation in West Africa with very diverse cultures, forts and castles, which are unique selling points that Ghana can develop,” he added.
Dr. Awal said with the task to make tourism, arts and culture the number one of Ghana’s economy, the ministry would ensure that the sector contributed five million dollars annually to the economy, by the beginning of next year.
On developing domestic tourism, he said plans were also underway to train all stakeholders in the value chain to become competitive on both the local and international markets.
“Domestic tourism is one of the key things the President wants us to promote, so the Ghana Tourism Authority has rolled out the ‘Experience Ghana’ and ‘Share Ghana’ to whip up interest and encourage people to explore the country.
Dr. Awal said the ministry was working to attract at least 250,000 people to visit Ghana under the ‘Beyond the Return’ campaign by the last quarter of this year, adding that this is also aimed at creating jobs, and generate revenue for the country.
Some of the tourist sites visited were the National Museum, James Town Light House and Receptive Facility, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Labadi Pleasure Beach.
The First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has made a clarion call for stakeholders to take action towards ending children dying from malnutrition, malaria or other preventable illness in Ghana.
She said the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the current nutrition crisis due to the disruption in the food supply system hence the need to fast truck actions to salvage the situation.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo was speaking at the Nutrition Advocate Event which brought stakeholders together to deliberate on improving the nutrition, health, survival and development of women.
The First Lady commended the good initiative from the health sector ” Start Right Feed Right” Campaign that has help to improve the quality of children’s diet to keep the country on the path to meeting the global nutrition targets.
She pledged her support to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring the decline in the prevalence of malnutrition and its resultant ill- health and death among children.
“I wish to restate my resolve that, no child should die from malnutrition, malaria or other preventable illness in Ghana. So together with Malaria Prevention Foundation, our partners and stakeholders, I stand committed to the task that is ahead of us”, she said.
She, again, urged all stakeholders to help in the strengthening of school-based interventions like the provision of safe portable water, health, nutrition, hygiene and infection prevention education.
Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu in his remarks said in order for the country to achieve its objective of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which is Goal three of the SDGs and other equally important goals, the government is ensuring a robust health insurance system, strengthening the implementation of policies such as the free maternal health care services to benefit women and children largely and by extension the entire population.
“We do recognise that the determinants of maternal and child health and nutrition are complicated and delivering on our set goals is beyond what the government alone can do, collaboration with other all stakeholders and the traditional and community leaders is critical to success,” he said.
Mr Agyeman-Manu stressed that the country’s national response has been to focus on scaling up cost effective interventions, innovations, improved accountability and governance, advocacy and health system strengthening.
“Government is working tirelessly to ensure equitable distribution of a competent health workforce and improve the health infrastructure,” he added.
Director General, Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, indicated that the country’s Maternal Child Health and Nutrition situation has evolved over the years evidently showing in the incremental improvement recorded with regards to access and quality of health services particularly for mothers, children and adolescents.
“In order to continue in the current trajectory of reducing the situation regarding stunting, wasting and anaemia and explore actions that will focus on addressing overweight and obesity and the potential effects on non-communicable diseases, it goes without saying that community level actions are important,” he said.
He said the resolve of the service to improve the nutrition status and survival of women and children is guided by the knowledge that investing in maternal and child health feeding, present both short term and long term benefits which are vital to the development. Our focus today is certainly in line with this and will contribute to pushing these programs forward
Ghana has been taken off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list”.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced this to the media in Accra on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
According to him, ” The FATF took this decision at their plenary meeting held on June 23, 2021, when it was unanimously agreed that Ghana had satisfactorily completed her Action Plan after the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) had submitted their report.”
He said by this decision, FATF and, for that matter, the international community has renewed its confidence in Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
” This is great relief for the country, considering the economic consequences suffered by the country while on the list. This will boost confidence in the integrity of our financial environment and also boost foreign direct investment. To give you a background of the “grey list”, in 2016, Ghana was subjected to a Second Round of Mutual Evaluation by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in West Africa (GIABA). Ghana was the first among her peers in the West African sub-region to have gone through the Second Round of Mutual Evaluation. Even though this round of mutual evaluation showed some progress over an earlier one in 2009, there were still significant gaps that needed to be addressed. Ghana was therefore placed under observation by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG), one of the technical groups of the FATF charged with the responsibility of identifying, reviewing, and monitoring jurisdictions with AML/CFT deficiencies that present a risk to the international financial system.”
” The ICRG and Ghana developed a 2-year Action Plan spanning 2019 – 2021 with timelines, to address the deficiencies. Following the ICRG plan and FATF acknowledgment, the European Union also issued a press release on 18th October, 2020 adding Ghana to their list of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime as a result of Ghana being on the FATF list.”
“Over the last three years, an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Ministry of Finance has been hard at work coordinating key reforms to cure strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. In addition, I have been chairing and guiding a multi-stakeholder National Task Force on AML/CFT.”
He added that “The Inter-Ministerial Committee has worked closely with the President and Cabinet Office to fundamentally transform AML/CFT governance of Ghana by approving the National AML/CFT Policy and Strategy, enacting critical legislation, and instituted key measures. Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to inform you that FATF has expressed satisfaction with our work so far, and as indicated earlier, a unanimous decision was taken at their plenary meeting of June 23, 2021, to take Ghana off the “grey list”.
He added that “as you all know, Ghana is the pillar of stability, good governance, and democracy in a fragile region. Ghana has also positioned itself as the gateway and spearhead for African economic and financial integration.”
“The GhanaCARES) Obatanpa Programme, is Ghana’s post-pandemic recovery and transformation plan. It has been developed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the lives & livelihoods of Ghanaians & ensure that we quickly emerge from the pandemic with a stronger and more resilient economy.”
“We now host the headquarters of the AfCFTA. Over the past few years, we have engaged in significant reforms to make Ghana the most attractive investment destination in Africa. We believe that we can achieve this. More importantly, a Ghana Beyond Aid impetus highlights our eagerness for partnerships and linkages to enhance trade and economic cooperation with our friends for mutual benefit. Ghana exiting the ICRG process is also an important signal for the rest of the African sub-region
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) says it is “disgusted” at the shooting incident in Ejura that led to the death of two young men Murtala Mohammed and Abdul Yusif both 25 during a demonstration to demand justice for the murder of Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka, a social media activist by a mob.
The Catholic Bishops said they have expressed time and again for the need for the security agencies to be very professional in the discharge of their duties especially when it comes to crowd control but the situation is rather getting out of hand and it does not auger well for the country.
The Catholic Bishops said soldiers aiming and shooting at unprotected and unarmed civilians is not only condemnable but criminal and must be investigated and the perpetrators punished.
“This must be done with the urgency it deserves because citizens are gradually losing trust in the ability of our security agencies to handle such cases effectively and competently,” the Bishops said in a statement.
The Bishops have, however, appealed to all agitated youth across the country particularly those of Ejura to restrain themselves from engaging in acts that can result in social unrest.
Police have arrested one Michael Tyron for attacking and snatching the mobile phones of two persons (names withheld) at Thunder Lilly East Legon at about 9:00 pm on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.
The two phones, two kitchen knives, a wifi device and some cash were retrieved from the suspect.
The police said the suspect is in their custody pending processing for court.
The arrest according to the police was made easier by the victims’ actions of reporting to the nearest police patrol team.
“It is hoped that the general public will follow this good example of reporting crimes to the police immediately they occur and cooperate for police to carry through actions,” the police stated in a statement
The youth wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has written to the Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh to notify the Police Service that it will hold a demonstration and street protest.
The exercise, dubbed “A March for Justice” will be held in Accra on Tuesday, 6 July 2021.
A letter signed by the NDC National youth organiser, George Opare Addo on 30 June 2021 indicated that “this protest is to demand justice for all persons killed and brutalised by state sponsored thuggery and/or adventurism by police and military forces.
The letter noted that the protestors will follow four separate routes: Madina, Accra business district, Osu and Lapaz.
Afterwards, all protesters will converge at the Jubilee House to present a petition to the President, and head to the police head office to present petitions to the IGP and to the Speaker of Parliament at the Parliament House.
Three armed robbers busted for a crime in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on 11 May 2021, have confessed to taking part in the murder of late Mfantseman MP Ekow Quansah Hayford.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, 30 June 2021, the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, COP Isaac Ken Yeboah, said the robbers have been tried and jailed 20 years each for a robbery incident but are yet to be arraigned and tried for the murder of the late MP.
He noted that one of the armed robbers, who was of Fulani extraction was shot and killed.
Three others are on the run.
Mr Hayford was shot dead in October 2020 on the Abeadze Dominase-Abeadze Duadzi-Mankessim road.
The late MP of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) was returning from a campaign trip at Dominase to his residence at Mankessim.
The editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako has described the military intervention in a youth protest at Ejura, which led to the shooting and killing of two people, as an “overkill”, which could have been avoided.
A joint military and police force shot and killed two protesters as they marched in anger on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, a day after the mob killing of local social media activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed who was calling on the government to #FixTheCountry.
Four other protesters also got injured in the clash between the demonstrators and the security personnel.
Speaking on the subject, Mr Baako said: “I can’t reconcile myself with the military intervention”, explaining: “I know, generally speaking, we have the principle or philosophy when the police or internal security is difficult for police to handle, the military are brought in, but there are procedures on how to bring the military in and for what purpose, there are lots of restrictions and limitations and all that…”
“I don’t believe there was a sufficient base to bring in the military”, he said on radio Wednesday, 30 June 2021.
“I think it was an overkill and apart from that they are not trained for crowd control. Their rules of engagement are different. They don’t have the same skills [like the police]. The expertise is not there. This is a completely avoidable intervention”, he argued.
“In my candid opinion, this whole tragedy was completely avoidable. It doesn’t help the image of Ghana. It’s just not right and ought to be condemned outrightly and I’m doing so although I’m not fully briefed on all the circumstances, so, somebody can take me on for that and I’m OK with that but I can’t stand it and I don’t think it’s right…”
Mr Baako made his comments on Accra-based Peace FM.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti regional police command has commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the violent clash.
In a statement, the police said its preliminary investigation shows that following the burial of Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura on Tuesday, some irate youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road, thus, impeding traffic flow.
The police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged on the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.
The security officials fired into the crowd to disperse the angry mob, who failed to retreat but rather massed up in all corners.
The death and injuries were recorded in the process.
However, security has been reinforced to ensure total stability.
The regional command has also taken over the investigation into the murder of Kaaka and has appealed to anyone who has credible information to share with the command at the Central Police Station, Kumasi or call 0299207770.
“The strictest confidentially is assured,” the police said.
The command also appealed to everyone, especially the youth of Ejura, to remain calm and also called on the traditional and opinion leaders to call for restraint to avert an escalation
A professor at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Yaw Gyampo, has blamed the mode of recruitment and training of security personnel in the country for the “ignorant and unprofessional soldiers who went to kill two more human beings” at Ejura during a youth protest over the murder of their colleague and #FixTheCountry campaigner Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed.
Four other protesters also got injured in the clash between the demonstrators and the security personnel.
Reacting to this development, Prof Gyampo noted that regimes would continue to suffer even more monumental embarrassments from unprofessional security forces, so long as recruitments into these agencies are politicised and based not on meritocracy.
He quizzed: “Who squats to shoot when demonstrations are ongoing? What was he aiming at? Human being or ‘beela’? Is that how to shoot to disperse? How was this soldier recruited? Who hired him? Who trained him?
“Are Ghanaian demonstrators immune to tear-gas? How about the hot water cannons and rubber bullets?
Prof Gyampo noted that “the kind of unbridled hawkish-intolerance exhibited by some elements within regimes and the childish manner with which our security agencies act in dealing with demonstrators, constitute a severe blot on the maturation of our democratisation process.”
He called on the government to fire some security heads to send a certain signal that would compel and elicit highly professional conduct of the security agencies when it comes to crowd management and dealing with demonstrators.
He also suggested that the government sends top security brass to school again for them to be socialized in the dogmas of the kind of relational competence they need, to talk agitators out of demonstration, if need be, “rather than the very cheap and democratically infantile way of quickly running to court, to seek an injunction. This only annoys and presents a needless potential recipe for revolt.”
Below is the full statement from Prof Gyampo:
1. The killing of Kaaka Mohammed is unfortunate and regrettable. My condolence to the family and may his soul Rest In Peace. But quickly, some have started pointing accusing fingers at the current regime with others expressing the hope that this shouldn’t be state-sponsored. This is also not too good, as it would not allow proper investigations to be undertaken.
2. Looking at the official government responses to the “Fix The Country”, agitation, I doubt whether this killing may be sanctioned by the state, even though I am also very much aware that, in our kind of nauseating politics, everything may be possible, including turning a man into a woman and vice versa. Government met the agitators to try and calm them down. Later, the agitations compelled, at least, two pressers to explain what the government is doing to fix the country.
3. But of course, there are the hawks within the regime, who demonstrated intolerance by calling the bluff of the agitators and asking them to first fix themselves. Then, we have our Police Service that typically tried to frustrate the intentions of the agitators to demonstrate, using very nonsensical explanations of Covid as basis, when they could not prevent or disperse the mammoth crowd at Sir John’s funeral. These things make any attempt to link the state to abuses, including murder of an agitator, easy and plausible, even though scepticisms can be entertained because of the absence of watertight evidence.
4. We must also know, and not be oblivious of the fact that sometimes, our nasty and very dirty politics may push individuals outside government, to carry out such abuses, just for the purposes of deepening agitations and making governments unpopular. Again, there is no evidence to support this, in the case of Kaaka’s death. But as we analyze the situation, through the lenses of fairness and objectivity, we must do so broadly, to cover all probabilities.
5. For the ignorant and unprofessional soldiers who went to kill two more human beings, I won’t blame them too much. We must blame their mode of recruitment and training. Regimes would continue to suffer even more monumental embarrassments from unprofessional security forces, so long as recruitments into these agencies are politicized and based not on meritocracy.
6. I was part of the 2000 Mobrowa Struggle and I played an active role, sometimes as the “Divine Drummer” for our group. We saw the professional manner with which the police and the soldiers handled us even when they had to physically stop us for being unruly.
8. Elsewhere, I am touting our democratic credentials to some scholars and African leaders. But behind the scenes, they are pointing these abuses to contradict my claims about Ghana’s drive towards democratic maturity. The point is: the kind of unbridled hawkish-intolerance exhibited by some elements within regimes and the childish manner with which our security agencies act in dealing with demonstrators, constitute a severe blot on the maturation of our democratization process.
9. Are Ghanaian demonstrators immune to tear gas? How about the hot water cannons and rubber bullets? The government may want to fire some security heads to send a certain signal that would compel and elicit highly professional conduct of our security agencies when it comes to crowd management and dealing with demonstrators.
10. Government may also want to send top security brass to school again for them to be socialised in the dogmas of the kind of relational competence they need, to talk agitators out of the demonstration, if need be, rather than the very cheap and democratically infantile way of quickly running to court, to seek an injunction. This only annoys and presents a needless potential recipe for revolt.
11. The President may have to personally intervene to give the needed assurances, bring peace and finality to this impasse. The security agencies have lost credibility in the sight of the agitators and demonstrators. The near-docility of our Peace Council has also created a certain legitimacy deficit that may make the Council ineffective in intervening. Given these challenges, the President’s personal intervention may be helpful and this must be done in a timeous manner. Yaw Gyampo
A nine-member committee of the National Memory of the World (MoW) has been inaugurated.
The newly-inaugurated committee members include Dr Kweku Rockson, Chairman for Specialised Committee for Communication and Information, Ghana Commission for UNESCO as its Chairman; Dr Helena Hassan-Asamoah, the Secretary-General, African Regional Memory of the World Committee (ARCMOW); Mrs Judith Opoku Boateng, Archivist, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana; Dr Getrude Aba Mensah Eyifah Dzidzianyor, Lecturer Museums and Heritage University of Ghana; Mr Edward Addo-Yobo, Ghana Library Authority and Professor Kwabena Akurang-Parry, Historian, the University of Ghana.
Others are Mrs Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh, Secretary-General, Ghana Commission for UNESCO; Mr Christopher Wetcher, Program Officer for Culture, Ghana Commission for UNESCO; Ms Joan Agyekum Nsowah, Program Officer for Communication and Information, Ghana Commission for UNESCO.
The deputy information minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, during the swearing-in ceremony of the committee members on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, urged the newly inaugurated committee to collaborate with relevant institutions such as professional bodies like the Public Records and Administration Department, Ghana Museum and Monuments Board to ensure the efficient preservation of Ghana’s heritage and to fully harness, preserve and protect the country’s documentary heritage and cultural norms with due recognition of the diversity of people.
Ms FatimatU Abubakar urged members of the committee to bring their expertise and knowledge to bear for the fulfilment of its terms of reference.
“This I believe will serve as a good source of information for both academic and developmental purposes,” she said.
UNESCO in 1992 established the MoW Programme to recover and safeguard significant collection worldwide.
Ghana joins about 91 countries that have established National Mow committees
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has instructed the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, MP, to conduct, forthwith, a Public Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences of Tuesday, 29th June 2021.
The Interior Minister is to provide a detailed report from the Inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action, within ten days, i.e., by 9th July 2021, to President Akufo-Addo.
The President is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias ‘Kaaka’, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed.
He extends sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Boama Otokunor, has described the murder of the #Fixethcountry activist, Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed, as a state-sponsored attack.
He noted that the country is saddled with impunity borne out of political intolerance, a development he said must stop.
In a tweet, Otokunor said “I condemn in no uncertain terms the dastard killing of #FixTheCountry activist, Ibrahim “Kaaka” Mohammed.
“This culture of state-sponsored murder and wanton impunity borne out of political intolerance must die prematurely. We cannot allow this trend to continue. #justice4kaaka.”
His comments follow the gruesome murder of Macho Kaaka in Ejura in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.
There were violent clashes between the youth of the area who were demonstrating in that town on Tuesday, June 29, and the members of the security agencies following the murder.
This led to the death of two persons with four sustaining various degrees of injury.
Former President John Dramani Mahama asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation in Ejura.
Former President Mahama has added his voice to calls for calm in Ejura but demanded thorough investigations into the firing of live ammunition into the protesting crowd.
“I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today, following the murder of youth activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed.
“I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire after the burial of the murdered youth activist.
“I urgently call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to initiate an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Ejura.
“There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others.null
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Ejura community.”
I condemn in no uncertain terms the dastard killing of #FixTheCountry activist, Ibrahim “Kaaka” Mohammed.
This culture of state sponsored murder and wanton impunity borne out political intolerance must die prematurely. We cannot allow this trend to continue.#justice4kaaka— Peter Boama Otokunor (@potokunor) June 29, 2021
• Efia Odo has issued a stern warning to some persons who are allegedly defaming
• She has disclosed her intention to drag such persons to court to be dealt with
• The actress has labeled as false all accusations made against her person
Popular social media influencer, Efia Odo has threatened to drag the New patriotic Party’s Bono regional chairman, Abronye DC, and some other individuals to court for peddling falsehood about her.
According to Efia, Abronye in particular has on several occasions publicly spewed lies about her and it’s time to put him in check.
It can be recalled that Abronye DC in an interview with Wontumi TV amongst other things alleged that Efia Odo is championing the #FixTheCountry protest because she was denied some funds by the NPP government.
Abronye also claimed that Efia Odo is seeking attention because she has been struggling to make ends meet ever since the opposition National Democratic Congress left power.
He also alleged that the actress was ‘in bed’ with the NDC while they were in power adding that she was gifted a house and was kept on the party’s payroll.
But addressing such issues in a Twitter post, Efia Odo on June 29, 2021, retweeted an article in which Abronye was captured making such allegations and wrote:
“It’s time to start suing people for defamation of character.”
The popular actress has been pivotal in advocating for the #FixTheCountry campaign. Her activism in support of the protest resulted in her arrest together with 15 others last Friday.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a statement signed by its Communication Director, Kakra Essamuah, has appealed for calm in Ejura in the Ashanti Region following the lynching of social media activist, Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed, and the subsequently shot to death by soldiers, of two of several protesters on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 and called “on the security agencies to be measured in the way and the manner in which they handle citizens who are exercising their constitutionally-guaranteed right to demonstrate to protect the lives of innocent citizens.”null
The party said in view of the fluid security situation in Ejura, its national chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, and general secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, who are “currently participating in a workshop at Ada, organized by the National Peace Council, with sponsorship by the UNDP and the Commonwealth Secretariat, have left Ada and are proceeding back to Accra to take charge of developments.”
Also, former President John Dramani Mahama has said “I urgently call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to initiate an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Ejura.”
Four other protesters also got injured in the clash between the demonstrators and the security personnel.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, the former president said: “There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others.”
Mr Mahama said: “I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today.
“I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire, after the burial of the murdered youth activist,” he observed.null
He added that “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Ejura community.”
Meanwhile, the Ashanti regional police command has commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the violent clash.
In a statement, the police said its preliminary investigation shows that following the burial of Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Kaaka, at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura on Tuesday, some irate youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road, thus, impeding traffic flow.
The police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged on the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.
The security officials fired into the crowd to disperse the angry mob, who failed to retreat but rather messed up in all corners.
The death and injuries were recorded in the process.null
The security situation as of 3:30 pm, according to the police, is calm.
However, security has been reinforced to ensure total stability.
The regional command has also taken over the investigation into the murder of Kaaka and has appealed to anyone who has credible information to share with the command at the Central Police Station, Kumasi, or call 0299207770.
“The strictest confidentially is assured,” the police said.
The command also appealed to everyone, especially the youth of Ejura, to remain calm and also called on the traditional and opinion leaders to call for restraint to avert an escalation.
The government has condemned the incidents of violence that claimed the lives of 3 persons and led to 3 persons sustaining various degrees of injury after a youth protest in Ejura in the Ashanti Region of Ghana yesterday.null
The youth protest was after Ibrahim Mohammed, a resident of Ejura was attacked by unknown persons last Friday and subsequently died on Monday.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, condemned the act of violence and called on the security agencies to swiftly carry investigations on the matter.
The Minister said: “our security agencies should be quick and clinical in getting to the bottom of this and other unresolved comes. While we understand that police investigations sometimes take a while, it does not instil confidence in the population if such acts go unresolved and unpunished. So the police need to get to the bottom of this, and justice must be done.
“A credible investigation also needs to be conducted into the crowd rioting and crowd control incidents of 29th June. This will bring clarity to the sequence of events and ensure that if any persons acted inappropriately, those persons are punished,” he added.null
Saaka, 45, was reportedly attacked by some unknown people in Ejura last Friday. He died on Monday afternoon, June 28, 2021, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, checks with the Regional Police Command indicate that two suspects have since been picked up by the police in connection with the death of Saaka.
This the Minister appealed for calm even as the security agencies work to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
Multiple award-winning dancehall artiste and leader of the Shatta Movement, Shatta Wale, has described as “educated fools and ‘disappointmented’ graduates’ social media activists who are engaged in the #FixTheCountry campaign.
The past few months have seen Ghanaian youth take to social media to demand accountability, good governance and better living conditions from governments under the hashtag #FixTheCountry.
The advocacy has garnered huge support that caught the attention of the government which engaged the leaders of the movement on the way forward. Attempts by the campaigners to have a protest have been foiled by the police through a court action but the campaign continued online unabated.
The recent murder of one of the members of the #FixTheCountry campaigner, Kaaka Ibrahim Mohammed, by a mob in Ejura in the Ashanti Region reignited the campaign and got many talking both on social media and in mainstream media
The Takoradi Technical University in the Western region has rusticated sixty-five (65) students of the University for various Examination Malpractices.
A document intercepted by Empire News means the affected students can no longer hold themselves as students of TTU for two semesters.
Confirming the university’s decision to Empire News’ Emmanuel Ohene Gyan Public Relations Officer of Takoradi Technical University, Ekow Payin Nketsiah Richardson, said the decision was taken after the disciplinary committee exhausted all its processes and took the decision to rusticate the affected students effective from the second semester of the 2020/2021 academic year
“As a centre of excellence we can achieve a lot only if we churn out good products, and it involves discipline, we want the corporate world to value our certificates, examination malpractices is a serious offence and the school frowns on that.”
Richardson emphasised out of the sixty-five rusticated, fifty-one (51) of them are males while fourteen (14) of them are females.
The hardest-hit department was the HND Mechanical with seventeen (17) rusticated students followed by HND Electrical with seven (7) rusticated students.
The other department including welding, construction, accounting, among others had between five (5) to just a student (s) being rusticated.
Meanwhile a level 300 procurement and supply student, Constance Asante has initiated legal processes against the management of Takoradi Technical University for including her name in the list of students who have been rusticated for various examination malpractices.
Uncle of the student, Kingsley Fredricks has also accused the disciplinary committee of TTU of what he claims to be twisting of facts of her siblings when she appeared before the committee after she was charged with what the university termed as misconduct.
Constance Asante was charged with unacceptable conduct (improper use of university’s logo without authorisation, assembling and plotting to organise an unlawful demonstration, inciting students against management and displaying posters to demonstrate on all social media without approval.
But her uncle in a separate interview with Emmanuel Ohene-Gyan denied all the charges claiming that his niece only wanted a breakdown of the school fees structure after they realised that the school fees posted to students for payment is different from what was on the students portal.
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Adukwei Mensa, says attitude is everything and determines how far a person goes in life.
“Most people who have made it in life will testify that, it is not only the degrees but the right attitude, perseverance, determination, humility, courage and resilience that took them to the top,” she said.
Mrs Mensa said this when she received the NanaYaa Most Confident Personality Award for being a strong person before, during and after the 2020 election.
The award was conferred on her by the Spirit, Soul & Body Workshop (SSBW), a non-governmental organization with focus on social welfare, at its 10th anniversary in Accra.
The EC Chairperson said, “We need to rely on God in all our endeavors,” but it was also important to have the right attitude always.
Reverend Betty Mensah, President, Aflame Ladies Network, said right attitude was important in “breaking barriers for success and it was a gift, revolving around a way a person spoke and responded to situations, which in the end brought blessings or frustrations.
Reverend Nanayaa Tina Owusu-Prempwh, Executive Director, SSBW, said the Organisation was set up to motivate and change lives of people who were going through difficulties.
She said the SSBW platform had created an opportunity to save lives of people who wanted to commit suicide and said it had saved many lives in the past 10 years and gave thanks to God.
Rev Prempeh added that the workshop had helped its members to network, got life partners, job opportunities and believed that the years ahead would be phenomenal.
The celebration was on the theme; “Attitude is everything.”
The Ashanti Regional Boss of NABCo, Dennis Kwakwa has promised the scheme will pay all allowances to Nation Builders’ Corps (NABCo) beneficiaries.
Speaking on Kessben FM’s “Maakye” hosted by Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye, said the process to pay the beneficiaries have started with the Bank of Ghana. “The good news is that all NABCo beneficiaries will be paid their April, May, and June allowances by the close of next week 9th”
The Nation Builders Corps, also known as N.A.B.C.O, is a Ghanese initiative to provide jobs to unemployed post-secondary school graduates (graduates of universities, training colleges, etc.) It was introduced by the government of Ghana.
Source: kessbenonline.com/ Story by Ray Charles Marfo
Highlighting some events which according to her, have made government unpopular, the actress has established that president Akufo-Addo seems unconcerned about them.
Reacting to the death of the late Kaaka Anyass Ibrahim Muhammed, a popular #FixTheCountry activist, who was allegedly murdered by some persons believed to be bodyguards of the Ejura MCE, Yvvone has condemned why a person who seeks the interest of the country could be silenced forever.
In a Twitter post on June 29, 2021, Yvonne wrote:
“Mr President you will be remembered for the many things happening under your watch. Nobody must die for protesting for A BETTER GHANA,”
The outspoken actress has been a strong activist in the #FixTheCountry campaign in recent times.
She has consistently criticized the Nana Addo government for failing on its promise to Ghanaians
The Ministry of Trade and Industry says government is on course in making the country the manufacturing hub of the continent, as it has so far identified more than 200 exporters who are receiving support to export to potential markets.null
Mr. Anthony Nyame-Baafi, a technical advisor to the ministry, speaking on behalf of the Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremanten, said the government in 2017 realised there was the need to increase exports, especially of value-added products.
“So from 2017, the ministry started to implement this industrial transformation agenda, and the first one was the 1 District 1 Factory (1D1F), which basically is to add value to the raw materials,” he said at a National Trade Forum in Accra.
He explained that under the Industrial Transformation Agenda, the government has a strategic plan to develop the automobile, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, industrial starch, bauxite, and iron and steel industries, which will enhance the country’s exports.
“We believe that can enhance production for both local consumption and export. Now you know, for example, that VW from Germany has come to do some manufacturing and will be exporting to neighbouring countries,” Mr. Nyame-Baafi said.null
He added that as part of the strategy to boost manufacturing and export, the ministry launched the National Export Development Strategy last year, with the country now in full gear to enhance its exports to the United States market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), to the European Union (EU) market under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and to the continental market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) agreement.
“So, we can say with confidence that from this year onwards our export is going to be enhanced and we will increase our export revenue from what we gained in 2019.”
Mr. Nyame-Baafi said the government is aware of the challenges facing exporters and is doing a lot to resolve them, including by providing training to help exporters meet the quality standards of the European Union and other key external markets.
Citing an example, he added that “for smoked fish exports, the Ghana Standards Authority trained some fishmongers, and now they are able to meet the international standard.”
I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today, following the murder of youth activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed. I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire, after the burial of the murdered youth activist.
I urgently call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to initiate an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Ejura. There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Ejura community.
John Dramani Mahama Former President of Ghana Tuesday June 29, 2021
•Over 300 graduates have been offered jobs at the Toyota, Suzuki assembling plant in Ghana.
•The highly skilled jobs being created at the facility will reduce the use of foreign exchange to import second-hand vehicles
•The Toyota Tsusho Vehicle Assembly Plant is located at the Free Zones enclave in Tema
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed that some 300 young Ghanaian graduates from tertiary institutions across the country have been offered employment opportunities at the Toyota Tsusho Vehicle Assembly Plant.
According to the president, the new and highly skilled jobs being created at the facility will reduce the use of foreign exchange to import secondhand vehicles, boost the exports of Made in Ghana cars to other African markets and earn the nation much needed foreign exchange.
“This facility has already offered some three hundred and thirty-four (334) employment opportunities to young Ghanaian graduates from our tertiary institutions across the country, notably from the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the George Grant University of Mines and Technology, and some technical and vocational institutions,” the president said.
“The vision is to make Ghana a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for the automotive industry in West Africa, and we are very much on course,” he added.null
Akufo-Addo said the presence of the Toyota Tsusho plant in Ghana is a bold move that will help towards developing the Ghana Automotive Development Policy under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
President Akufo-Addo and the Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Ichiro Kashitani had earlier signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Toyota and Suzuki Assembly Plant in Ghana.
The two countries earlier projected the last quarter of 2020 for the production of locally manufactured vehicles to commence in Ghana but that was pushback as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Already Volkswagen, Sinotruk and now Toyota & Suzuki have established their presence in the country.
There were heated exchanges in open court as the Member of Parliament for Assin Central Ken Ohene Agyepong and lawyers of investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas traded in vulgar language.
Under cross-examination lawyers of Anas sought to enquire about the personal competency of Ken Agyepong regarding a video he obtained from Salis Newspaper, one of the basis for his ‘Who Watches the Watchman.’
Unhappy with counsel’s use of the word “incompetent” the MP who is the respondent in the GHc25 million defamation suit from Anas, exploded in open court.
“The words he (counsel) used were an insult to me (Ken Agyepong). He earlier said I’m incompetent…You are foolish, who the hell do you think you are? I am a Member of Parliament. My Lord, he (Counsel) is disrespecting me. Have you campaigned before?, a visibly angry Ken Agyapong asked.
Sammy Darko, one of the lawyers of Anas rose to his feet and said if the witness (Ken Agyapong) disrespects the Bar, he is disrespecting the court.
According to him, the action and the conduct of the witness is disrespectful to the court.
The court presided over by Justice Eric Baah intervened and said, lawyers and witnesses address the court and not lawyers of the parties. If there is any foul language used, it goes against the dignity of the court.
The court said, ‘I agree that the unprinted words used by the defendant are not acceptable and I call on him to withdraw his words”
The court also urged Counsel for the plaintiff to also watch his words in dealing with the matter and urged him to focus on the substance of the case.
The Assin Central MP Ken Agyepong subsequently apologised to the court and tempers were calmed down.
The court accepted the apology of the witness but cautioned the lawyer for the plaintiff to be mindful of the words used.
Who Watches the Watchman
In the substantive matter, the court has ordered the showing of Ken Agyepong’s video titled ‘Who Watches the Watchman’.
The watching of the said video has become necessary after the Member of Parliament for Assin North mounted the witness box to give evidence.
The lawyer for Ken Agyepong, Rapheal Agyapong prior to adjourning proceedings prayed for the exhibits to be shown to the court.
Though the lawyers of Anas indicated that, the showing of the over 2 hours video will further delay the case, the court said, the proper procedure is that, the admissibility of the video can only be determined after it had been played.
*Cross-examination *
Under cross-examination, Ken Agyepong told the court that, the Salis newspaper brought him the video and according to them, it was recorded as far back as 2010.
According to him, they brought it to him around 2018, when Kwesi Nyantakyi was accused by the plaintiff that the former GFA president was corrupt during his tenure as GFA boss.
Though agreed with counsel that, per his own admission he cannot testify to the authenticity of the content of the exhibits Who Watches Watchman, he explained that, “I can testify because, I did further investigations before, I showed the video.”
He said, the first video was recorded in Lagos Town in Accra and the second one was recorded in a prosecutor’s office.
‘The first video ‘KOA1’ and is titled ‘Who Watches The Watchman’. It happened in Lagos Town in Accra when the plaintiff was trying to extort money from a group of fraudsters who had gone to defraud a man who wanted to buy gold.
“The second one was the plaintiff talking to a prosecutor in the said case about how to destroy the case by giving the prosecutor $5k and also claimed to have given money to the CID Head,” he explained.
He further told the court that, ‘I’m not the author, but when I saw the video, I did my own investigations by calling some people im the video. I called Aziz and he confirmed that Yes, the meeting did happen at Lagos Town. Aziz further came on air to admit that it was true. I called the current EOCO director who was then the CID Director that the plaintiff mentioned in the video that he has given him (CID Director) money. So after the check then we showed the video. I admit that I’m not the author but I did my investigations to authenticate the truth in that video.
“My Lord, simply put, I was told and also saw the video to support what the Salis Newspaper told me. They have a video, that is what has been tendered in,” he noted.
Background
Sometime in 2018, the ace international investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas dragged the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, to court for defaming him.
Anas was asking the High Court to award aggravated damages to the tune of GH¢25 million arising from defamatory materials published by the MP.
He said, the MP had been publishing materials in his bid to discredit the investigative journalist, who had released an explosive piece on the rot in Ghana football.
Displeased with the MP’s actions, Anas through his lawyer, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, sued Mr Agyapong for the award of general damages for defamation in the defendant’s publications.
A journalist, Mr Listowell Yesu Bukarson, has been granted the lawful attorney to stand in for Anas.
Publications
The publication complained of are a May 29, 2018, live programme in Twi on Adom TV, where Mr Agyapong categorically stated that Anas was a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist and evil.
According to the statement of claim, the defendant, in a similar manner, published defamatory words on May 31, 2018 via Oman FM, a private radio station owned by the defendant.
The statement of claim also stated that the defendant published more defamatory materials against the plaintiff via other platforms to the extent of releasing pictures purported to be those of the investigative journalist in his bid to blow the latter’s cover.
Flagbearer of the All People’s Congress, Mr. Hassan Ayariga has bemoaned what he terms as the ill-treatment meted out to the #FixTheCountry protestors.null
His comments are in reaction to efforts by the Attorney-General and the Ghana Police Service to restrain protestors from taking to the streets.
At a media briefing in Accra on June 29, 2021, Mr Ayariga stated that campaigners are fighting for a better course and shouldn’t be seen as a threat to the country’s security.
To him President Akufo-Addo swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution which includes allowing peaceful demonstrators to exercise their constitutional rights.
“When has it become a crime to assemble, demonstrate and demand that government and duty bearers should fix the country? It is our constitutional right to do so and whoever is preventing these campaigners should now burry his head in shame,”
“We must all come out to condemn this act by the police and the people responsible for such acts. If we sit unconcerned and allow the police and government in power to intimidate citizens, then am afraid one day another party in power will use police and military to prevent our constitutional right to even vote. Where are the religious bodies? Where are the academics? Where are the Chiefs? Where are the political parties and the stakeholders? Why would a President who swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the country refuse these peaceful demonstrators the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights?” he added.null
It will be recalled that the Police represented by the Attorney General, Mr. Godfred in a quest to stop the group from embarking on the street protest cited public health concerns and the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions as its basis.
The court however ruled against the police and granted the activist permission to demonstrate albeit with approval from the police.
Meanwhile a #FixTheCountry activist, Kaaka Anyass Ibrahim Muhammed has allegedly been murdered by some persons believed to be bodyguards of the Ejura MCE.
Consumers of petroleum products are expected to witness a two percent increment from Thursday July 1, 2021, Joy Business has reported.null
According to the report, the marginal increment in prices is due to the increasing price of crude oil on the international market. It will translate to a litre of petrol being sold at ¢6.33 while a gallon will be sold at GH¢28.48 for both petrol and diesel.
The expected increment, which comes despite the local currency having remained relatively stable against the dollar, is likely to affect transport prices and cost of goods and services.
The new pricing list according to Joy Business was released by the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) and is set to take effect from July 1, 2021.null
Meanwhile, the Oil Marketing Companies are yet to determine whether it will absorb the projected fuel price increment.
Market watchers have also projected that fuel prices will hit peak levels should government not offer fuel subsidies.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it has begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting incident at Ejura on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
The Police in a statement noted that it will probe what caused the violent clashes between the joint police and military personnel and residents in the area.
Two persons were shot dead following a clash between residents of Ejura and the security personnel over the death of Ibrahim Mohammed otherwise known as Kaaka.
Several others also sustained serious injuries in the process.
The statement from the Police said: “Preliminary investigation shows that following the burial of Ibrahim Mohammed @ Kaaka at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura today 29th June 2021, some irate youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road impeding traffic. The Police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged on the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes, and stones. The security officials fired shots to disperse the angry mob who failed to retreat but rather massed up at all corners. The death and injuries were recorded in the process.”null
It has also asked the public to provide information that could assist them in their investigation.
“The security situation as at 3:30pm is calm. However, security has been reinforced to ensure total stability. The Regional Command has also taken over investigation into the murder of Kaaka and appeals to all who have credible information to share with the Command at the Central Police Station. The strictest confidentially is assured,” part of the statement read.
The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, and other top officials of the Ghana Health Service, on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, had a hectic time answering questions from the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on issues raised in the 2017 Auditor-General’s report.
The 2017 report on the public accounts of Ghana had established a pattern with which institutions under the Ministry of Health mismanaged public funds meant for development and unearthed deficiencies in using internal controls to monitor these activities.
The committee’s queries today, among others, centred on bad debts, failure to pay internally-generated funds (IGFs) into the public fund, as well as issued relating to unretired imprest and unearned salaries.
Other infractions reported by the Auditor-General were unrecovered bonds, irregular payments of funeral expenses, unrecovered staff advances, misapplication of drug funds in health institutions, unsupported payment vouchers and failure to obtain non-availability certificates.
The report said more than GHS 9,302,800 was, within the period of January 2016 and December 2017, indebted to health institutions under the Ministry of Health by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Similarly, the management of Achimota and Ridge Hospitals as well as the Adabraka Polyclinic did not recover outstanding debts amounting to GHS 4,582,550.69 that the NHIA owed them in respect of the supply of drugs and services for a period ranging between January 2016 and December 2017.
The management of three institutions, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, for instance, also failed to present 58 paid vouchers raised between April and September 2016, totalling GHS1,155,301.62 for examination by the auditors.
Seven health institutions, as of June 2016, collected maintenance fees totalling GHS 476,387.75 but failed to pay them into state coffers while five separated staff of 16 health institutions were paid unearned salaries totalling GHS 587,521.77 between January and November 2016.
The Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) recorded 49 unsupported payment vouchers totalling GHS205,450 without proper authentication while Achimota Hospital failed to obtain non-availability certificates to the tune of GHS185.10 between February and December 2017.
Deputy Minority Leader and Chairman of the Committee, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, indicated the frustration of the committee’s members, noting that the health institutions continue to violate the rules, procedures and legal requirements in the administration of their funds.
He urged the Ministry to recover and surcharge the Executive Secretary of the Health Training Institutions Secretariat, Mr Christopher Beyere, an amount of GHS 28,000.00, which he wrongfully paid to himself on 13 April 2016 from the IGF for his sister’s funeral.
When officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) took their turn before the Committee, it was discovered that poor loan recovery from tractor and equipment beneficiaries from the Architectural and Engineering Services Department of the Ministry, resulted in indebtedness of GHS1,614.650.000
Similarly, an examination of the accounts of four district directorates discovered that four officers received unearned salaries totalling GHS 37,397.91 within the period under review.
However, it came to light that three officials who stole 28 maize sellers procured by the Ministry and valued at GHS 112,000.00 have been handed to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Service for prosecution and are currently facing trial
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament has described LGBTQI+ sexuality as a pandemic “worse” than COVID-19.
“This pandemic must be fought by all of us”, he said on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 when an eight-member bipartisan committee of lawmakers, led by Ningo Prampram MP Sam Nartey George, presented to him, a private members’ bill to criminalise LGBTQI+ sexuality in Ghana.
“I can tell you it’s worse than COVID-19”, Mr Bagbin said, adding: “Now, I’m happy our beloved country, Ghana, is together in this”.
The “faint-hearted”, he noted, “will soon be stranding to come back to join the fight”.
“His Excellency the President has spoken, our traditional leaders have spoken, our religious leaders have spoken. Together, Ghanaians have spoken”, Mr Bagbin added.
He assured Ghanaians that Parliament will work assiduously to pass the bill by the end of the year.
The bill, apart from criminalising LGBTQI+ sexuality, also seeks to ban the airing of LGBTQI+ materials on media platforms among other things.
In attendance were members of the clergy, chiefs, other religious groups and opinion leaders, who have vowed to fight the LGBTQI+ community with one voice.
Presenting the bill, Mr George expressed confidence that it will become a reference law for other African countries
Minister for the Interior Ambrose Dery has revealed that he forwarded pictures of battered and bloodied #FixTheCountry activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Muhammed to Inspector-General of Police James Oppong-Boanuh the moment he chanced upon it on a platform.
“I saw pictures on some platforms about a person who has been beaten and what I did immediately was to forward the picture to the IGP and say: ‘What about this?’ And his response was: ‘We are trying to find out where it is’”, Mr Dery told journalists on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, adding: “The first information that came out didn’t tell us where it was”.
Asked if the IGP didn’t know where the incident had happened, Mr Dery responded: “No, I sent the information to him because it’s all over the place”.
“He’s been beaten and he’s in a hospital, he’s unconscious, no indication of where the hospital is, no indication of where he was beaten, so, when you give such information, we have to now call the whole country and ask: ‘This picture, where is it and what happened?’” he noted.
Mr Dery also said neither the Akufo-Addo-led government nor the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is behind Kaaka’s murder.
Kaaka, who was also a member of the Economic Fighters League, was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, 26 June 2021, which resulted in his unconsciousness and hospitalisation.
He died while on admission on Sunday, 28 June 2021.
Mr Dery told journalists that “we want to know who did the beating, we want to know who attacked the person”, adding: “What is this thing about the government, it’s NPP [who killed him?].”
“No”, Mr Dery denied.
“Who attacked the person? And #FixTheCountry [campaign], where have we shown high-handedness against the #FixTheCountry [campaign]?” he asked.
In his view, the government has rather been magnanimous toward the #FixTheCountry campaigners, saying “the first thing they came out with was that they wanted to demonstrate and then we said: ‘Look, at that time – even now, Sierra Leone, Liberia and all that, even you know the UK had to postpone its lifting of the lockdown – corona is really increasing around us; so, we said: ‘Look, immediately, it will not be possible for us to allow you to [demonstrate] but come to a meeting”.
“So, we held a meeting. At that meeting, all the security ministers were there, the minister of finance was there, the minister of foreign affairs, and we said: ‘While we are waiting to see how we can give you the chance to demonstrate, what are the issues? Can you bring up the issues and we see how we can resolve them? If we fail to resolve them and you want a broader representation from the government, we would do so”, he noted.
“They told us they had to go back and consult”, the minister revealed.
When parallels were drawn between the intended demonstration and the funeral held for late Forestry Commission CEO Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Dery retorted that with “Sir John’s funeral, no permit was given to them to attend the funeral. It’s different”.
In contrast, he said: “You are asking the police to give you a permit to demonstrate”.
“By the way, you are doing so because you want to give us a message and we are saying: ‘What is the message? Is it that the security agencies are not really doing their work? Is it the economy?’”
Mr Dery insisted the government is not against the march, stressing: “We have no difficulty whatsoever with the #FixTheCountry movement”.
“Let me make it clear; we are not a government that is against demonstrations. At all. We are not”, he emphasised.
So, he noted, “we are interested in whoever they said is fixing but that name that I heard, that’s the first time I heard it and they say he’s fixing”.
He, however, warned: “Don’t also let us allow criminals to get away because while we are supposed to be pursuing them, we are engaging in this argument about this”. “Whoever it is who attacked that person, it was a criminal act; we condemn it. The government does not support illegal, criminal acts at all”, he said.
Asked what he was doing about the murder, Mr Dery said: “I’m making sure the police follows up. That’s why I told you that the first thing I got, I sent it to the police and the police said: ‘Look, I’ve seen your thing, where is the hospital?’ I said: ‘Go ahead and find it out’”.
“We are interested and I am condemning it”, Mr Dery said and also expressed his sympathies to the family of the deceased.
“I want to actually extend my condolences to the family and to ask all those who have information about what exactly happened to come forward and I’m assuring you that the government is not out to protect any criminal”, explaining: “If he kills you today, he’ll kill me tomorrow and, so, we are not interested in that
FOUR Young men are currently receiving treatment at the Begoro Government Hospital in the Fanteakwa North District of the Eastern Region following violent clashes amidst the firing of gunshots over a land dispute.
The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend at Dedeso, a community near Begoro when they stormed there with some others to settle a land dispute.
Genesis
The construction of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam in 1961 inevitably created the Volta Lake which displaced 730 villages with a total population of 80,000 people.
These displaced people were relocated and resettled by the state in 52 townships spread over six regions of the country; namely Volta, Oti, Eastern, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah, covering 20 districts of the country.
Angry residents of Dedeso, a VRA resettlement community a few months ago held a press conference accusing the acting Chief of Begoro – Osabarima Bosompem Ayirepe II sacking them from government acquired land through the use of gun-wielding thugs violently grabbing farmlands from families and asking them to vacate their ancestral homes since the area belongs to Akyem Abuakwa.
They say the 8,700.24Km square land was acquired by the government of Ghana in 1969 by Executive Instrument (EI.54) for the resettled families for agricultural purposes and that land is being taken away from them by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.
The agitating residents claimed that Osabarima Bosompem Ayirepe II – Regent of Begoro has invaded the community with gun-wielding thugs chasing away farmers and taken away their farmlands amidst gunshots that, the lands belong to Akyem Abuakwa since Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did not pay compensation for the lands acquired.
Recent Attacks
However, to enable them to settle the land dispute, the residents led by one of the chiefs from Begoro Palace went to the Police to escort them to the community.
A Police officer at Abouso Police post, Constable Kinni Daniel, 28, who narrated the incident said while he was on duty at Abouso station one Nana Bimpong of Begoro palace in the company of about 20 men on board Kia Bongo truck with registration no. GW 551-21 and a motorbike came to inform him that they needed a police escort to Dedeso to settle a land dispute.
According to him, based on that information, he led them to Pertiefoo near Dedeso, one of the areas in a land dispute between the Dedesohene and the Krobos.
He said on their arrival, they were confronted by the Krobos, adding that sensing imminent danger, he fled to Dedeso police station to seek refuge together with the chief.
Constable Kinni Daniel narrated that, he then called for a reinforcement from Begoro command, quickly proceeded to Dedeso to restore law and order but before the team arrived, two men who were butchered were in a pool of blood, dumped at the roadside.
The Police as gathered rushed them to Begoro District Hospital and currently receiving treatment. DGN Online learnt that, the Kia Bongo truck which conveyed the men was set on fire at the roadside by the angry residents. While the melee was ongoing, it started to rain, and due to the heavy downpours and the muddy nature of the road, the Police weren’t able to cause any arrest.
However, on the following day at about 7am, the police visited the scene of the crime at Ashaiman cottage and an investigation revealed that one Peter a Krobo who sustained a cutlass wound during the clashes was missing where a search was dispatch to look for him.
The Police also established that one Abu Nasan alias Lasagbe aged 58 who claimed his 15,000 cedis cash was stolen from the room thatch house building was close to the scene of the crime was damaged and the room was ransacked.
The Begoro District Police Commander, ASP Aboagye Duffuor when contacted said investigation is still ongoing and the situation closely monitored
President Akufo-Addo has endorsed proposals for a ‘two-state’ solution to end the infamous Middle-East crisis between Israel and Palestine.
The two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict envisions an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, west of the Jordan River.
The boundary between the two states is still subject to dispute and negotiation, with Palestinian and Arab leadership insisting on the “1967 borders”, which is not accepted by Israel.
The territory of the former Mandate Palestine (including Jerusalem) which did not form part of the Palestinian State would continue to be part of Israel.
At a farewell meeting with the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Shani Cooper – Zubida, he declared his government and that of people of Ghana to the proposed roadmap.
“We are so very committed here in Ghana to the two-state solution to the problems in the Middle East which will see Israel living within universally acknowledged borders side by side with the Palestinian state that is also well defined”, he said.
“We believe it has been a feature of Ghanaian policy for sometime, that is the two-state solution is the solution that will hopefully bring an end to this long protracted conflict in the Middle East which has affected so many lives and so many relationships across the world” President said.
On her part, the outgoing Israeli Ambassador, Shani Cooper – Zubida said after three years in Ghana, she is proud of the fact that Ghana and Israel has been able to deepen their relations in three sector, namely; Agriculture, Innovation and Health.
“We have done it through business and through public diplomacy and I am happy to report that the number of Israel companies interested in doing business with Ghana and in Ghana has gone up tremendously and the number of beneficiaries of the Israel development agency has also gone up including specific programmes that were built by the agency for Ghana in Agriculture and in Health”, she said.
Also at the presidency to bid the President farewell was Jesus Mba Bela Abaha, outgoing Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Ghana.
In his remarks, he indicated that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what was supposed to be the commencement of deliberations between a joint Ghana-Equatorial Guinea joint permanent mission for cooperation in Equatorial Guinea, could not materialize.
He was hopeful that his successor would ensure that it comes to fruition.
President Akufo-Addo talked of the relationship between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea which he said is evidenced in the story of 1878, when Tetteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian blacksmith, brought cocoa beans to Ghana from the Fernando Po Islands (now called Isla de Bioko).
This single act, he said is responsible for Ghana’s cocoa sector that the country prides itself in.
He therefore wished the envoy success in his new challenge back home as Councilor at the presidency of Equatorial Guinea
Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has been jailed.
He had been been implicated in aiding and abetting the stealing of state funds during the nine years he led South Africa.
He was sentenced to 15 months in jail for defying a court order to testify at a graft inquiry.
The Constitutional Court had ruled in January this year that Mr Zuma had to respond to questions from a judicial commission headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
However, Mr Zuma refused to appear before the court.
The 79-year-old intelligence operative had accused the court of bias.
Mr Zuma ruled South Africa on the ticket of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The operative walked out of the judicial panel hearing in November and February.
The panel then filed contempt charges against him.
Ruling on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Johannesburg, acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe noted that “This sends an unequivocal message in this our constitutional dispensation, the rule of law and the administration of justice prevails.”
The South African government believes over 500 billion rand ($35 billion) was stolen from the state during Zuma’s rule, and at least 40 witnesses who’ve appeared before Zondo linked the ex-president to the looting spree. Zuma, who the ruling party forced to quit in 2018 to stem a loss of electoral support, has denied wrongdoing and says the allegations against him are part of a smear campaign
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned what he describes as the “mindless killing” of #FixTheCountry activist and member of the Economic Fighters League, Ibrahim “Kaaka” Mohammed.
Mr Ablakwa, in a statement to mourn the late Kaaka, said a culture of impunity and murderous intolerance cannot be allowed a foothold in the country.
He said “justice for Kaaka must be swift and non-negotiable.”
Kaaka, 45, a resident of Dagombaline at Ejura was ambushed in front of his house when he was returning home on his motorbike at about 1:30 pm on Saturday, 27 June 2021.
He was rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital but was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he died while on admission on Sunday, 28 June 2021.
The Ashanti regional police command has arrested two suspects in connection with his murder.
The police has commenced investigations to ascertain whether the murder was linked to his work as a journalist or the #FixTheCountry movement.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is not interested in winning the media to his side to prevent them from criticising his government.
“I don’t look upon the intercourse as government buying the press. I don’t want to believe that the Ghanaian press is buyable, neither am I interested in buying the Ghanaian press.”
“I’m interested in having a press that can serve the larger purposes of our society and play its role in building a strong durable democracy in Ghana. That for me is the most important aspect of the work of the press in Ghana.”
The President said these on Monday, 28 June 2021, when the President and National Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
The other issues discussed bordered on the provision of a stimulus package for the media, following the onset of COVID-19.
They also discussed the construction of a new building to serve as the new Ghana International Press Centre and addressing the issue of attacks on journalists.
The GJA also requested the Office of the President to take up the donation of VW cars to the four previous winners of Journalists of the Year, which are pending.
The President, however, disclosed that his government has already presented a VW vehicle to the current Journalist of the Year, Samson Lardi Ayenini
Kwesi Nyantakyi was slapped with charges of fraud and corruption after he was captured in an investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw dubbed Number 12.
The former Vice President of CAF together with former President of the Northern Regional Football Association, Abdullai Alhassan are also facing charges of conspiracy to commit fraud.null
Nyantakyi as per a report by Kasapa FM pleaded not guilty to the above-mentioned charges and was thus slapped with a bail condition of GH¢1million with three sureties.
He is also supposed to report to the investigator of the case until a judgement is made on the case.
These conditions also apply to Abdullai Alhasssan who has also pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit crime.
The High Court presided by Justice El-Freda Denkyi turned down pleas by Nyantakyi’s counsel to grant himself recognizance bail. Instead, he referred him to his previous bail terms.
The case has been adjourned to July 23, for Case Management Conference.null
Kwesi Nyantayi, it will be recalled was arrested after an investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw Anas implicated him.
Nyantakyi who is a member of the FIFA Executive Council, CAF first vice-chair and President of the West Africa Football Union lost all these positions after the expose.
Nyantakyi was in 2018 banned from “all football-related activities at both national and international level” by the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA for breaking their statutes that border on fraud and corruption.
He appealed the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) but no official ruling has come out yet.
• Salisu Bamba says he does not engage the service of bodyguards contrary to what is being said about himnull
• He maintains that he is innocent as far as the death of Macho Kaaka is concerned
• He is ready to assist the police investigate issue
Salisu Bamba, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejura Sekyeredumase who has been accused by some youth in the Ejura area for masterminding the assault on social activist Ibrahim Mohammed which resulted in his death has denied sanctioning any such move.
In an interview with Neat FM, Salisu Bamba denied knowledge of the supposed bodyguard who allegedly attacked Mohammed who is popularly known as Macho Kaaka.
He urged the public to desist from making comments that could sway the police’s focus from the main killers of the activists.
He assured the police of his cooperation and called for peace in the Ejura area. He also called on the police to work hard to identify the culprits.null
“I don’t walk around with bodyguards. If it becomes necessary for me to get security, I usually engage the service of a police officer. Most of the time I walk around without security. It is unfortunate that instead of us assisting the police to investigate the matter, it is being blamed on a supposed bodyguard. If we do that, we make it difficult for the police to find the real culprits.
“What matters most is that the perpetrators of the act are arrested. I’m ready to assist the police investigate the issue. I will submit myself to the police to ensure that justice prevails but if we start accusing people, it wouldn’t help. Not until this issue came, I didn’t know about his social media activities,” he said.
Accusing fingers are being pointed at Salisu Bamba for the death of Kaaka, with critics alleging the persons who pummeled Kaaka on June 25, 2021, were his security escorts.
The youth of the place are calling President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to relieve him of his post as he has been ‘tormenting’ the people.
“Do you know how many people have died since this guy was forced on us as MCE? NPP will collapse and this town can’t contain us if Sualisu Bamba is forced on us again. How many people must die before Akufo-Addo realizes he has imposed a tyrant, incompetent and heartless mafia boss as our MCE.
First, it was Rauf, and one guy at Hiawoanwu and now Kaaka. What we are telling the President is that enough is enough. We won’t sit down for Bamba and his boys to rule this town like a separate territory,” Inyass Awudu said.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged the support of the legislature to the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) and has called on all citizens to participate in the national exercise.null
The Speaker, who was among the first personalities to be counted on Monday, June 28, said the exercise is necessary for planning, budgeting and coordination of state response to the challenges facing the development of the country.
“The population and housing census is so critical to survival, quality of life, and the development of the country.
“I therefore call on everybody to stand up and be counted,” he said.null
Speaker Bagbin said Members of Parliament (MPs) have been directed to be in their various constituencies to actively participate, mobilise, educate and sensitise their constituents on the ongoing exercise.
He noted that five post-independent censuses were conducted in the country in 1960, 1970, 1984, 2000 and 2010 with the last two consisting of both a population census and a housing census, making the 2021 PHC the third to be conducted in the country.
The exercise is scheduled to end on Sunday, July 11.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged the support of the legislature to the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) and has called on all citizens to participate in the national exercise.null
The Speaker, who was among the first personalities to be counted on Monday, June 28, said the exercise is necessary for planning, budgeting and coordination of state response to the challenges facing the development of the country.
“The population and housing census is so critical to survival, quality of life, and the development of the country.
“I therefore call on everybody to stand up and be counted,” he said.null
Speaker Bagbin said Members of Parliament (MPs) have been directed to be in their various constituencies to actively participate, mobilise, educate and sensitise their constituents on the ongoing exercise.
He noted that five post-independent censuses were conducted in the country in 1960, 1970, 1984, 2000 and 2010 with the last two consisting of both a population census and a housing census, making the 2021 PHC the third to be conducted in the country.
The exercise is scheduled to end on Sunday, July 11.
• Macho Kaaka was attacked by a mob on June 25, 2021
• He was admitted to the Komfo Anokye Hospital where he died on Monday, June 28, 2021
• The police has arrested two persons as part of investigations into the mob attack
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has confirmed that it has arrested two persons in connection with the attack and subsequent death of #FixTheCountry advocate Ibrahim Mohammed known popularly as Macho Kaaka.
This was made known by the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Godwin Ahianyo who is the Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.
ASP Ahianyo at a press conference announced that Ibrahim Issaka also known as Anyass and Fuseini Alhassan were picked up on Monday, June 28, 2021 around 10:45pm.
Whiles urging the public to exercise restraint on the issue, ASP Ahianyo said the police will look into suspicions that he was attacked because of his activism works on social media.null
He said ‘the witness accounts show that the deceased Kaaka was ambushed in front of his house when he was returning home on his motorcycle around 1:30am on Sunday June 27, 2021.
“Police investigation will also extend to rumorsrumours that the deceased was a journalist and a member of #FixTheCountry movement to ascertain if the murder was linked to his work or the movement.”
Maacho Kaaka died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, three days after he was attacked by a mob on the dawn of June 25, 2021.
The youth of Ejura in the Ashanti Region where he hails are pointing accusing figures at the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the area.
“Do you know how many people have died since this guy was forced on us as MCE? NPP will collapse and this town can’t contain us if Sualisu Bamba is forced on us again. How many people must die before Akufo-Addo realizes he has imposed a tyrant, incompetent and heartless mafia boss as our MCE.
“First, it was Rauf, and one guy at Hiawoanwu and now Kaaka. What we are telling the President is that enough is enough. We won’t sit down for Bamba and his boys to rule this town like a separate territory,” Inyass Awudu, a member of the youth group said.
Eight Members of Parliament have presented a bipartisan Private Members’ bill to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin for a clear ban on activities of LGBTQ+ in Ghana.
Addressing a Speaker’s prayer breakfast meeting, President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship and Ho West MP Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra argued the bill is aimed at stopping what he terms invasion of the moral and cultural fabric of the Ghanaian society from LGBTQI activists.
Speaking on behalf of the 8 MPs Sam George disclosed the bill seeks to criminalize not just the practice of homosexuality but promotion and sponsoring of such activities too.
According to him, the bill will offer protection to LGBTQI activists against extrajudicial killings as well as support for those who want to reform.
Hon. Sam George expressed his gratitude to stakeholders who contributed to putting the bill together including his colleague MPs, the National Coalition for the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, National Chief Imam’s Office, members of the clergy, the Speaker of parliament, and the Legislative Drafting Unit of Parliament.
He was confident that the bill if passed will serve as a guide to other countries that are also working hard to outlaw activities if LGBTQ+.
“I can assure you that this bill will be a reference for countries and parliaments across the world, that is the work we have done. Our traditional religion, Christianity, Islam are all religions that preach love and peace and that is what this bill does. This bill does not preach hate, it preaches the saving love of our saviour to all those who are in need. This bill seeks to criminalize not just the activity but the promotion, advocacy and funding of homosexuality in all of its forms. And so it will become criminal upon the successful passing of this bill into law for anybody to produce any promotional material, any TV station to show contents that support it, anybody who wants to provide funding for LGBTQ activities and those engaged in the activities
• Sammy Gyamfi says the attack on Anyass Ibrahim is another indication of the insecurity in the countrynull
• He has blamed the attack and subsequent death of the activist on the NPP
• He says Ghanaians are afraid to speak out on issues due to fear of being victimized
Even before the police conclude their investigations into the death of Kaaka Anyass Ibrahim, Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, is convinced that the mob that attacked him are members of the New Patriotic Party.
Despite not having any evidence to substantiate this claim, Sammy Gyamfi has no doubt on his mind that members of the governing body ‘killed’ the social activist.
In an interview with Accra-based Okay FM, monitored by GhanaWeb, Sammy Gyamfi said that the death of Kaaka is further proof of the perception of the culture of silence and insecurity, which in his wisdom have become pervasive in the country.null
The premise of this allegation by the legal practitioner is that prior to being assaulted, Kaaka published threats by some supposed NPP members.
“There is hardship in the country and people are afraid to talk because they are afraid for their lives. Today, they have killed Kaaka. NPP killed Kaaka. Kaaka stays in Ejura and has been on this #FixTheCountry campaign. He has been talking about abandoned projects. Before he was attacked by a mob, he announced that he has been threatened by the known NPP members. He even published the threats. He was beaten by a mob,” he alleged.
Sammy Gyamfi spoke with utter conviction that Kaaka was allegedly targeted by the NPP and was killed by the party.
“My fact is that the persons who attacked him before he died are known members of the NPP. That is why there are disturbances at Ejura. They (NPP) killed him,” he said.
Kaaka Anyass Ibrahim, known widely as Macho was assaulted by some yet-to-be-identified persons on the dawn of June 25, 2021.null
He sustained injuries and was admitted to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he, unfortunately, passed on Monday, June 28, 2021.
His death has triggered disturbances in Ejura with the youth threatening reprisal attacks against the Municipal Chief Executive of the area for sanctioning the assault.
Meanwhile, the wife of the deceased has suggested that she is aware of the persons who threatened her late husband.
“Before the attack, he told me that someone had warned him against posting some issues on social media. I even warned him to stop since that could lead to his death, but he wouldn’t listen. I know the person that issued the warning to my husband. We want the police to thoroughly conduct investigations into it to ensure the perpetrators are arrested,” Zahada Hudu said.
The Government of President Akufo-Addo is undertaking a radical reform in Ghana’s education sector with the aim of preparing Ghana’s population and economy to fully participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This reform will be underpinned by a greater focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with the overall aim of repositioning the entire educational system to produce a critical mass of assertive and empowered Ghanaian students equipped with the relevant skills for socio-economic transformation.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who disclosed this on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the launch of the 70th anniversary celebration of Tamale Senior High School, said the President’s vision of producing well-equipped, rounded Ghanaians has resulted in one of the most fundamental reforms in the school system to be carried out in this country.
“The reform programme is anchored on interventions that will leverage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to prepare our population and national economy to become active participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“The reason is simple: a strong national STEM programme will develop learners with 21st century skills (i.e. creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration) required to drive the country into economic prosperity beyond aid.”
This focus on STEM is starting at the basic level with a B-STEM (Basic STEM) programme “under which essential equipment, including robotics kits, electronics, computers, promethean boards, projectors, etc are to be provided. In addition, the Ministry of Education is in the process of setting up eleven (11) model state-of-the-art, never-before-seen STEM Senior High Schools across the country, each of which shall be equipped with 12 laboratories that can rival any such school anywhere in the world,” he pledged.
“I am also happy to announce that, as part of the plan, a STEM pathway will be established in some existing Senior High Schools, which will benefit from additional four (4) laboratories and Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO) will be one of them.”
The Vice President, who joined past and present students of the first secondary school in northern Ghana to launch the celebrations, said lessons had been learnt from the history of educational deprivation in northern Ghana, where the effects of a lack of access to secondary education laid the foundation for the development gap between the north and the south.
Thus, Government is determined to provide access to every Ghanaian child wherever they may be in order to create a level playing field and bridge the gap, he reiterated.
TAMASCO @ 70
Dr Bawumia, who is a member of the 1980 Year Group of TAMASCO, praised early politicians from the north who recognized the importance of education and through the Northern People’s Party advocated for more access to education and significantly influenced the 1961 Education Act to be more sensitive towards the north.
“Seventy years of secondary education has improved human quality, equipped beneficiaries with much knowledge and skills which in turn have improved the ability to analyse, appreciate, assimilate, socialize with others as well as opened better avenues for employment. Ultimately, these have helped to minimize poverty.”
The establishment in 1951 of the then Government Secondary School in the northern territories created the opportunity for students of northern Ghana to, for the first time, access secondary education in northern Ghana, 75 years after secondary education was introduced in southern Ghana.
This created access for people living in and around areas such as the upper part of the then Brong Ahafo Region, the northern part of the Volta Region, now Oti Region, the Northern Region which then included the newly created regions of Savanna and North East, and the Upper Region, now Upper East and Upper West Regions.
70 years later, Tamale Secondary School, affectionately called The Northern Light, has produced several illustrious sons and daughters, including a President of the Republic, two Vice Presidents, two Supreme Court Justices, an Inspector General of Police (IGP), two Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) as well as a Speaker of Parliament.
In a related development, Vice President Bawumia Saturday commissioned a Girls’ dormitory constructed by the MTN Foundation and a Boys’ dormitory constructed by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) at the Tamale Senior High School. The school, in appreciation of the Vice President’s continued support, has also named a House, Bawumia House, after him.
A resident of Assin North, Michael Ankomah Nimfah, petitioned the court that his MP, Joe Gyaakye Quayson, did not qualify to contest the 2020 Parliamentary elections because he held dual citizenship: Ghana and Canada, at the time of filing to contest.
The case has travelled for close to three months, and on Monday, the court presided over by Justice Kwasi Boakye announced the day for judgment after all ancillary matters have been dealt with.
Before the court adjourned sitting, it dealt with two motions that had come before him: the application for stay of proceedings and application for the MP’s lawyer, Abraham Amaliba, to withdraw his services.
Abraham Amaliba began his submission by saying he had no clue whether the MP has still not been served.
The judge asked him to enquire from the court registry, and after he did, he indicated on June 10, there were two attempts to serve the MP but the attempts were unsuccessful because the potential recipients at Parliament said the Parliament was in session.
Counsel for the petitioner, Frank Davies, represented to the Abraham Amaliba in the following words: “You’re a lawyer engaged by the MP-your client- to prosecute the case on his behalf.
If you intend to withdraw your services, I would have thought the same way you were engaged would be the same way you would use in your withdrawal.
“You communicate with him because you stand in for him, why should communicating to him that you can no longer be his lawyer a difficult issue?”
Frank Davies intimated that for the past two months, the story has been that the MP has not been served and his believes it’s a calculated attempt to delay the case unduly.
He added, “this is an election petition and time is of the essence and we believe in the expeditious trial of the case.”
The judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye, read CI 47 order 75 rule 5(2) and granted Abraham Amaliba his wishes to withdraw from the case and set a day for judgement after he dismissed the application for stay of proceedings filed by counsel for the 1st respondent because he found no merit in the application.
Mr Amaliba applied for a stay of proceedings because one of the issues he considers cardinal was not set down for trial.
The judge also intimated that the MP has not been coming to court and being represented by his lawyer and so he bears the risk of whatever happens if his lawyer fails to communicate the happenings in court to him.
After court proceedings, Abraham Amaliba told Joy news, the judge setting a date to deliver his judgment is irregular because his withdrawal from the case needs to be served on Joe Gyaakye Quayson, his client.
He explains Order 75 requires that when an order of this nature is made then the client involved should be served so he takes steps to procure the services of another lawyer who would represent him.
“This order has not yet been served on the first respondent, and so we wait to see whether this order would be served on the first respondent before July 14, when judgement has been scheduled.
“If that is not done, then what happened in court flies in the face of order 75, but as it stands now, I see some indecent haste in this case, but at the end of the day, the rules must be applied, and we must all go by the rules.”
Representative of the petitioner, Richard Tachie-Mensah expressed their side’s happiness about the decision in court on Monday, June 28. He says the delay tactics could not go on unabated and that they are happy finality is being brought to the matter He added, “Let us also bear in mind that this is an election petition and definiteness has to be brought on the issue. The delay tactics cannot be done in perpetuity.
“The people must know the outcome of the case, whether their MP wins or he loses the case, so they could be clear in their minds who would represent them. Thank God that come the July 14, finality would be brought on the matter.”
The government has presented an amount of GHS 500,000 to various trader unions at Agbogbloshie in Accra to cart their goods to Adjen Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality.
According to the government, GHS 300,000 will be allocated to the onion sellers, with the remaining amount shared amongst other traders in the business enclave.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, made this known during a grand stakeholders’ durbar at Adjen Kotoku ahead of the relocation of the onion sellers on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
“Government is making available GHS 500,000. I want to reiterate that it is for transportation to Adjen Kotoku. Let me also put on record that from this evening”, the Minister said.
Government-issued a seven-week ultimatum to onion traders in Accra to relocate from Agbogbloshie to Adjen Kotoku.
The new market was established at Adjen Kotoku over a decade ago in a bid to decongest the central business district.
That market however remains abandoned.
The Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, said his outfit will be compelled to demolish the Agbogbloshie Onion market on July 1, 2021.
But some onion sellers have appealed to the government to give them more time to adequately prepare for their relocation
As the deadline, July 1, 2021, however, draws closer, the onion traders want more time to adequately prepare for the move.
“It is unfair for the Minister to give us a short notice to relocate. We pleaded with him for more time, but he did not heed to it. Besides, the stalls that have been provided are not good enough for selling onions. We have not said that we’ll not move; we are only begging for more time to put things together,” a trader said.
Another trader said “1st July is a few days away, we won’t be ready by then. We are pleading with the Regional Minister to give us some more time.”
‘Agbogbloshie onion sellers want a spiritualist to kill me; but I’ll still move them – Henry Quartey
Henry Quartey, recently disclosed that he has uncovered a plot by some onion sellers to have him killed spiritually over plans to relocate the sellers to the abandoned Adjen Kotoku site.
He said nothing will stop him from doing his work as part of the ‘Let’s Make Accra Work’ campaign.
According to him, so far as God exists, nothing will happen to him.
“Whether they like it or not, we will move them because we have made an alternative arrangement for them. I have heard they have gone to some mallam [spiritualist] to kill me. They are kidding. They should tell the mallam [spiritualist] to return to his hometown because so far as God exists, nothing will happen to Henry Quartey by the grace of God, and by July 1, 2021, we shall move them” he insisted
The Achimota Police have arrested one Shadrach Boakye, aka “Anopa” for his alleged persistent harassment, attacks and robbing of commuters along the Achimota forest and its environs in Accra.
Shadrach, 24, had been on the radar of the Achimota Police for several months until he was arrested over the weekend at Fawuhoyeden in the Ahafo Region.
Achimota District Police Commander, Superintendent Christine Srofenyo, told the media that the suspect had been successful in his ‘strike, hit and run’ efforts making his apprehension very difficult.
She said Anopa had also been involved in countless robberies within the Achimota forest enclave since 2019.
Supt. Srofenyo made reference to a case reported on Thursday, June 4, 2020, around 1030 hours when Shadrach, in the company of five others attacked and robbed about four victims of their valuables such as phones, laptops, monies and other items at gunpoint.
Police arrested four of the gang members but “Anopa” being the leader of the gang, managed to escape arrest and went into hiding in his village in the Ahafo Region. His accomplices are on trial.
However, she said, the suspect resurfaced after some few months of hiding to continue with his operations.
Supt. Srofenyo said another case was recorded on Monday, November 30, 2020 when the suspect again attacked and robbed several road users around the CP Roundabout near the Achimota Forest in Accra.
His modus was to hide in the forest, monitor both vehicles and pedestrians, and rob them at the least opportunity.
Anopa used knives, sharp implements or pistol to advance his operations, however, Police were able to track one of the victim’s phone to where the suspect was hiding that night and got him arrested.
Supt. Srofenyo said Shadrach was processed for court in both cases, but somewhere this year, he together with other accused persons were granted bail in all the robbery cases by the two circuit courts and since then the robbery in the forest aggravated.
She said on Monday June 14, 2021, the suspect robbed a car dealer of his bag containing unspecified amount of money and some vehicle documents at CP Roundabout.
The case was reported to the Achimota School Police for investigation and after the complainant described the suspect to the Police, they suspected “Anopa” to be the culprit.
A search was extended to all his hiding places but he was fast to escape arrest.
Police later had information that he was hidden in a village in Ahafo Region and with support from the Ahafo Regional Police Command, the Achimota Police finally arrested him from his hideout. GNA
The Works and Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye has announced that government has secured 4,500 acres of land to build more affordable houses to reduce the country’s housing deficit.
According to him, under the National Affordable Housing Programme, the land secured has been earmarked for affordable housing construction at Amasaman, Amrahia and Afienya, all in the Greater Accra Region and Dedesua in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking at a press conference, Sunday, Mr Asenso-Boakye said, “the Lands Commission has commenced survey works at the sites for the sole purpose of developing service land banks for the affordable housing programme.”
He stated that with the country’s housing deficit estimated in excess of two million housing units, 60% of Ghana’s population need some form of government assistance to support them access housing, hence the need for government’s intervention.
On funding, the Works and Housing Minister said government is willing to grant incentive packages available in the law, to attract developers and investors willing to partner government in the area of affordable housing.
“It is envisaged that with the right mortgage arrangement being piloted jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works and Housing under the National Housing and Mortgage Fund, banks can leverage on a credible mortgage system, to provide long term mortgage financing for prospective homebuyers,” he added.
Mr Asenso-Boakye stated that government believes this is one of the surest ways to secure sustainable financing for the low to middle income earners.
Commenting on abandoned projects commenced under previous administrations, including the controversial Saglemi project, Asenso-Boakye said the government is committed to complete all existing and stalled projects within the short term.
“This year, this government will not renege on its duty to ensure that Ghanaians obtain value for money. Government has explored several ways on the ways forward and at the right time, we shall communicate government’s chosen option to the good people of Ghana,” he added.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for the creation of an institutional memory bank to help enhance the transfer of knowledge in the public service.
He said there was a pressing need for state institutions to create a common platform where present and retired public officials could share knowledge and transfer experiences.
Courtesy call
Mr Bagbin made the call when the executive of the ex-Parliamentary Service Staff Association of Ghana (EPSSAG) paid a courtesy call on him in Parliament last Friday.
The leadership of the EPSSAG called on the Speaker to remind him of a commitment that was made by his predecessor, Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, to allocate office accommodation to serve as a secretariat for the association.
Check-up
Mr Bagbin urged the group to ensure its members took advantage of the opportunity offered them to visit Parliament’s Medical Centre for regular check-ups.
He said the centre now boasted critical equipment to address some of their health challenges.
He assured members of the group of his willingness to engage with the relevant departments to see to it that an office accommodation was made available to support their work.
He urged them to develop programmes and activities that would bring both retired and serving staff together to share ideas on the need to ensure harmony in their work as parliamentary service staff.
Mr Bagbin used the occasion to advise serving staff particularly directors to endeavour to soften their hold on what he described as undefined sources of power to maltreat their subordinates.
Welfare
The Chairperson of the association, Ms Lillian Bruce-Lyle, appealed to the Speaker to assist the members to address critical concerns bordering on welfare and health needs.
That, she said, would ease the burden associated with old age.
Ms Bruce-Lyle urged the Speaker to support the association’s effort at creating an income-generating venture to cushion the work of the association and its members.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on Ghanaians to avoid division and strive to build a united nation for sustainable development.
Dr Bawumia noted that there was greater reason for Ghanaians to remain united than divided, and that it was imperative for the citizens, irrespective of their beliefs, to try to sustain the prevailing peace and unity in the country.
The Vice-President made the call when he worshipped with the congregation of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish at Bolgatanga yesterday to thank God for the continuous blessings upon the nation and the protection from the harsh effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He donated GH¢50,000 to the leadership of the church to assist in the completion of the new cathedral project.
Peace record
Dr Bawumia explained that the recent ranking, which put Ghana as the second most peaceful nation in Africa and the 38th in the world, should encourage everybody to work towards sustaining such an achievement.
“We are at peace because we have a lot of unity in government, unity among different tribes, religious beliefs, north and south, and we are trying to forge this peace, and we should all know that we cannot stop trying to keep us united,” Dr Bawumia observed.
“The forces of evil will continuously be trying to divide us but the forces of good should continue to keep us together because what unites us as a people and as a country is much greater than what divides us,” he stressed.
Dr Bawumia noted that the enemy of humanity was not religion, tribe or beliefs but poverty and the economic hardships that had engulfed the nation.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to avoid disputes and work together to improve the nation.
Religious diversity
“I am a Muslim and I am here in the Catholic Church, and I feel very comfortable. We are all united, we all worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and we believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah who was born of the Virgin Mary, who is very sacred to us, and there is a whole chapter in the Quran named after Virgin Mary,” he said.
“Our enemy is satan, poverty, illiteracy, people who try to use religion to divide us; we want to stay united because what we share is a common love in Jesus Christ,” the Vice-President said.
Dr Bawumia equally asked Ghanaians to love one another and extend a helping hand to the sick and the needy in society to enable them to live dignified lives, saying it was one of the greatest commandments of God.
The Officiating Priest, Reverend Father Joseph Tabase, prayed for the Vice-President and the government, and thanked him for his efforts to foster religious unity and tolerance among the citizenry.
Minister for Works and Housing has said Nima residents are delaying government’s bid to re-develop the area to a ‘World-Class’ projectnull
He explained that homeowners fear that many may be displaced after the re-development
The growing incidence of slum development in Ghana has been the result of rural-urban migration
Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has blamed the slow pace of the Nima re-development project on residents’ reluctance to accept President Akufo-Addo’s upgrade for the township, Joy News has reported.
According to him, homeowners within the area fear that many may be displaced after the re-development.
“Nima re-development is still on the agenda of the government, except that there is one fundamental challenge or obstacle we need to clear, and that has to do with the engagement of the stakeholders there,” he said.
The Works and Housing Minister noted that although the planned re-development has been met with agitation, his outfit is working around the clock to have an amicable conclusion.null
“I have started engagements with the Member of Parliament there and when I first mentioned it to him, I thought he was going to embrace it because it’s a good project but he tells me it’s not an easy matter, so we are currently putting together a team to start engagements with them,” as quoted by Joy News.
As part of efforts to develop Accra, the president has indicated his commitment to upgrading the slums in Nima and Maamobi areas.
The president is looking forward to transforming the over 1,039 acres of prime land in Nima and Maamobi into a world-class facility.
The area located close to the Jubilee House will witness transformation without dislodging the current occupants.
The said acres of land at Nima and Maamobi will be released to developers in exchange for more befitting structures for the affected residents on the same Nima and Maamobi lands, Joy News has reported.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has once again urged all Ghanaians to make themselves available and be counted during the ongoing National Population and Housing Census.
Mr. Mahama who has been part of a national sensitization campaign launched by the Ghana Statistical Service ahead of the start of the Census was among the first citizens to be counted on Monday morning.
Speaking to the media after his interview with the census official at his residence, President Mahama explained that the data generated from the census would serve as vital statistics to guide national development.
“It is necessary to know how many people live in your country accurately so you can make better provisions in terms of social amenities, in terms of how the economy is managed and in terms of how development is spread so that everybody gets a fair share of the national cake” he stated.
Mr. Mahama also noted that the census data will also help government to consider the creation of new districts and restructure the local government system.
He urged Ghanaians to open their doors and welcome the enumerators when they come to conduct the census.
“Please, when the census officers get to your house, welcome them and answer the very simple questions and let’s have a perfect count.”
Chief Census Methodologist Owusu Kagya gave an assurance that the law mandates and requires that all information collected would be kept confidential and solely for census purposes
• Assin Central lawmaker says he was worth over a million dollars in his thirties
• According to him, it wasn’t until 33 years that he enrolled in a university
• He eventually abandoned his school to come back and save his business
Lawmaker, businessman and media mogul, Kennedy Agyapong, has given insights about how he built himself to become a successful businessman, stressing that it took years of hard work and honesty.
GhanaWeb monitored comments he made last week at a lecture held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra; to commemorate his 61st birthday.
Agyapong said he only enrolled in the university at age 33 and that was purposefully because he was hoping for a role in the government of the then-New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Professor Albert Adu Boahen.
He entered Fordham University in the United States at a time he had done several petty businesses back home and also at a point worked three jobs when he arrived in the United States in search of greener pastures.null
“Even when I was at Fordham University, I had over 1 million dollars in my account at Agric Bank in Ghana here and my business (was growing),” he told the congregation which comprised largely of students.
He then lamented the hurdle of getting genuine people to run a person’s business for them amid issues of dishonesty: “…as you grow and come up or my colleagues here that are into business will tell you the level of dishonesty in this country when you are doing business.
“In my absence, those I left behind collapsed my business and I had to leave, so I stopped the school, the third year going to the fourth year and after twice appearing on American ‘Who is Who,’ I left and I remember my dean, Professor Houston, calling my house, telling my wife to convince me to come back to school,” he added.
Agyapong at the time, approaching his forties, said he returned home and was able to salvage what was left of his investments before building the empire that he has today.
He tasked students to hold on to the twin values of hard work and honesty – that those were key tools to making it in life.
The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Journalism and Research, Harrison Kofi Belley, has said the decision by the Public Accounts Committee of parliament to merely surcharge absentee ministers is not punitive enough.null
Speaking to Dzifa Bampoh on 3FM on Friday June 25, he said the “no show” by the absentee ministers of state and the Committee’s decision to surcharge was all but a let off and that the measure was not deterrent enough to others.
“I think it is even on the minimal side to surcharge them. It should have been something that the ministers should have suffered themselves not the state because surcharging them means that the ministries are going to pay.
“I believe that it is about time we start taking Parliament and its work seriously because there have been occasions where ministries and ministers are invited to answer questions in the house and then they deliberately turn it down, not even with the courtesy of informing the leadership of parliament that they will not be able to honor those invitations.”
Mr Belly expressed concerns over the failure to honour invitations by Committees stressing that such actions were inimical to the democratic growth and transparency.
“If you are invited and then you know what you are supposed to do you and knows you cannot make there, and not even with the courtesy of informing the Committee ahead of your inability to come.null
“So that they will be able to adjust but to allow them to assemble the members and do every preparation and you decide not to come, I think that doesn’t sound well for our parliamentary development and it may be interpreted as people not taking parliament serious.”
The Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, became the third minister who failed to honor the invitation of the Public Accounts Committee after two of her colleague ministers, the Roads and Highways minister, Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta and the minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye failed to attend to the sitting of the same committee.
PAC chairman, James Klutse Avedze openly expressed his anger at the trend of ministers’ absenteeism before the Committee when the Chief Director for the Communications Ministry turned up to represent Ms Owusu-Ekuful with the excuse that the minister had gone on assignment sanctioned by the President.
With apparent anger in his voice, the chairman of the Committee discharged the Chief Director with a simple but instructive message, “kindly communicate to the Minister that we are not happy…on that note, you are discharged.”
The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah has indicated that one of the best ways to facilitate the development agenda of the nation is to have a highly skilled and strongly motivated labour force.null
He indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process for nations and organizations to plan and prepare for the future of work, to ensure that they have people with the requisite skills and knowledge to produce world-class goods and services.
“The widespread adoption of precision quality in training and practice of our skilled labour would greatly contribute to the value addition of the Ghanaian labour force and raise the quality of local products and services to international standards.
“As a nation we need to prepare to adapt to the changes that come with the future of work. The world of work will change; the nature of work will change but TVET will continue to be relevant, we only need to nurture and develop these talents to meet global standards in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
The minister made these observations at the stakeholder conference in Accra to design a national policy on precision quality as a key component of the TVET education in Ghana.
The consultative conference was held under the theme ‘Unlocking the Skills and Competencies of Young People for Quality Jobs in Ghana and the Globalized Labour Market.’null
It brought together key state and non-state stakeholders including the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), academia and Master Craft Persons.
As part of the conference, participants were taken through the findings of a baseline research commissioned by the Design and Technology Institute, DTI to help gather relevant data on the State of TVET education in Ghana.
The establishment of a National Precision Quality Policy is expected to create thousands of sustainable jobs and work opportunities for young Ghanaian women and men.
It will integrate the CTVET accredited precision quality curriculum into the learning outcomes of senior high schools, technical universities and workshops of Master Craft persons ensuring standardization across board.
Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, NDPC, Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa said “The skill development constraints identified are the limited number of skilled industrial personnel and the mismatch to industrial needs.null
“Our proposals for the medium-term would be to ensure improved skills development for industry by transforming the apprenticeship training model from a supply-driven approach to a market-demand model. These would help consolidate our gains in skills training and position our youth for the future of work”.
The Chief Executive Officer of DTI, Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, commended the Mastercard Foundation for their immense role in the implementation of the PQ programme and other stakeholders for their tremendous support so far for the soon-to-be-developed National Policy on Precision Quality.
“We will continue to engage with all stakeholders in our collective effort to support the national agenda in addressing the skills gap challenge facing academia and industry and provide the basis for the creation of sustainable jobs for the youth through TVET programmes,” She noted.
•The SSNIT – Ghana Card merger will commence today across various parts of the countrynull
•Beginning January 2022, the Ghana Card will be the only identification recognised by the Trust
• The intended merger is expected to improve the way of doing business
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) will from Monday June 28, 2021 commence the merger of members on its scheme and that of the card bearers on the National Identification Authority’s (NIA) database.
This comes on the back of a meeting with stakeholders to sensitize them on the merger of SSNIT numbers with the NIA numbers of members of the scheme.
A statement issued by the Trust and sighted GhanaWeb explained that the merger is expected to provide convenience and comfort as citizens will only use one card, the Ghana Card, for all SSNIT transactions.null
“The merger is also in compliance with directives from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) and Regulation 7 (1) of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, L.I. 2111 which requires the use of the Ghana Card as identification for “transactions pertaining to individuals in respect of pensions,” the statement explained
“From January 2022, the Ghana Card will be the only identification recognised by the Trust. All employers will also be required to use only the NIA numbers of their workers to process Contribution Reports and make payments. Voluntary contributors will have to pay their contributions using their NIA numbers,” it added.
The Trust urged members to visit their website https://www.ssnit.org.gh/member/ and follow the instructions to merge their numbers.
It added that members can also visit the nearest SSNIT Branch with their Ghana Cards, valid email addresses and phone numbers to have the merger done.
The intended merger is expected to improve the way of doing business with the Trust by enabling a convenient means to allow members to use one card, that is the Ghana Card, for all transactions.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia this morning joined worshipers at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bolgatanga to celebrate First Mass.
He urged the congregants to continually pray for Ghana, especially in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic and threats to our national security, and guard against attempts to create disunity amongst us.
There is more that unites than divides us, and I called on adherents of all religious faiths to work together to protect our well-earned and acclaimed peace and unity, the vice president said.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor has watered down public expectation in the ongoing clampdown on illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey.
According to the Minister, the menace can never be eradicated.
The Damongo MP argued that the ongoing fight is a process and not an event so results will take time to manifest.
Answering questions at a Public Accounts Committee hearing on the 2017 Auditor General’s report of MDAs, the minister, however, argued the current fight has recorded notable results.
“We have not eradicated illegal small-scale mining, in fact, I am not sure that we can eradicate illegal small-scale mining. The efforts we are making is not an event it is a process, we cannot eradicate or get to a satisfactory situation in respect of illegal small-scale mining overnight.”
Touching on the fundraising drive for tree planting exercise under the greening Ghana Project, the minister revealed over 1 million Ghana cedis has been realized so far out of the target of 125 million cedis.
Abu Jinapor assured the committee of accountability as far as the donations are concerned
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged his new deputy ministers to be loyal to their immediate bosses as any show of disloyalty toward them would mean disloyalty toward him.null
In a post-swearing-in addressing at the banquet hall of the Jubilee House on Friday, 25 June 2021, the president said: “We have launched the 100 billion cedi Ghana Cares Obaatanpa project” to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic “to revitalise and develop our economy”.
“The objectives of the project demand that all of you gathered here bring your A-game to the table to prosecute it”, he noted.
“Your success in this endeavour will be a consequence of three things: first, is the spirit of loyalty you exhibit to your ministers. Article 79, clause 1 of the Constitution of the republic provides that a deputy minister is appointed by the president in consultation with the minister and with the prior approval of parliament to assist the minister in the performance of his or her functions”, President Akufo-Addo stated.
“Your basic responsibility is, thus, to assist your minister in the performance of his or her functions”, he stressed.
Loyalty to the minister, the president noted, “is a fundamental premise for the success of your work”.
“I will not countenance any acts of disloyalty or subversion of your minister, for I will take such acts as disloyalty to me, personally, and by inference, disloyalty to the state and party” the President warned.
In a response on behalf of her colleagues, the deputy minister of trade and industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, said: “We are privileged and grateful to be given these valuable opportunities to serve the country in this capacity and we will give it our utmost best to justify these appointments”.null
The 39 deputy ministers who were sworn into office by the president include:
Abena Osei-Asare, MP; and John Ampontuah Kumah, MP; both for finance.
Trade and Industry Ministry – Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, MP; Michael Okyere Baafi, MP; and Mr Herbert Krapa.
Energy – Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, MP; William Owuraku Aidoo, MP; and Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, MP.
Local Government, Decentralisation & Rural Development Ministry – Augustine Collins Ntim, MP; Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP; and Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah.
Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry – Thomas Mbomba, MP; and Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, MP.
Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice – Alfred Tuah-Yeboah and Ms Diana Asonaba Dapaah.null
Food and Agriculture Ministry – Yaw Frimpong Addo, MP; and Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, MP.
Education Ministry – Rev John Ntim Fordjour, MP; and Gifty Twum-Ampofo, MP.
Ministry of Health – Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah, MP; and Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini, MP.
Lands and Natural Resources Ministry – Benito Owusu-Bio, MP; and George Mireku Duker, MP.
Roads and Highways Ministry – Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, MP; and Stephen Pambiin Jalulah, MP.
Transport Ministry – Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, MP; and Frederick Obeng Adom, MP.
Defence Ministry – Kofi Amankwah-Manu, MP.null
Ministry for the Interior – Naana Eyiah, MP.
Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation – Ama Pomaa Boateng, MP.
Works and Housing Ministry – Abdulai Abanga, MP.
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development – Moses Anim, MP.
Ministry of Railway Development – Kwaku Asante-Boateng, MP.
Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources – Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, MP.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture – Mark Okraku-Mantey.null
Gender, Children and Social Protection Ministry – Lariba Zuweira Abudu, MP.
Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations – Bright Wireko-Brobbey.
Ministry of Information – Fatimatu Abubakar.
Ministry of Youth and Sports – Evans Opoku Bobie, MP.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Charles Adu-Bohene, was the only substantive minister among the lot who were sworn in.
The dead body of a man believed to be in his 40s has been found in the Kasoa Okrudu River in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region.null
Reports indicate that he was killed and dumped into the river.
According to the residents who spoke to Kasapa FM’s Yaw Boagyan, they started experiencing a serious stench in the area about three days ago, just for them to wake up Friday morning [June 25] to find a dead body.
Residents living in the area are now living in fear and panic since unfortunate incidents of this nature continue to occur in their community.
They have therefore appealed to the Municipal Chief Executive Michael Yaw Essuman Mensah as well as the government to beef up security in the area.null
Meanwhile, the Awutu Senya East Municipality National Disaster Management Organization NADMO Director Mr. Amoah has also confirmed the incident to Kasapa FM.
According to him, they have reported the case to the Kasoa Police.
The deceased is unknown to the residents in the area. The decayed body will be retrieved for identification.
The Head Pastor of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr. Mensa Otabil, has declared his support and love for giants Accra Hearts of Oak ahead of the Ghana Premier League Super Clash.
The 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League Super Clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko which comes off on Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Ghana’s capital city has dominated the headlines for days as personalities outside the football circles continue to declare their support for the respective participating teams.
This year’s Super Clash has been tipped to be the biggest in over a decade as politicians, Chiefs, Musicians, Corporate Executives, and Pastors continue to add their voice to the football debate in the country.
Dr. Mensa Otabil in a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb was seen addressing his congregation as he professed his love for the oldest club in the history of Ghana football, Accra Hearts of Oak.
“I don’t like the English Premier League and it’s because I’m a Ghanaian and I like Accra Hearts of Oak. Until the bones are rotten,” Pastor Mensa Otabil said as his congregation kept cheering him on.
However, it is not clear if the video is an old or a current one.
Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko will face off on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the Accra Sports Stadium for the Ghana Premier League matchday 31 fixture.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed gratitude to the people of the North East Region for providing him with “a first-class assistant” in the person of the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.null
He thanked the people of Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the Region, saying, “He has been of great help to me in my government.”
The President, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, said this at Walewale on the first day of his two-day tour of the Region to thank the people of the area for their support to him and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2020 general elections.
“A big thank you to the people of the North East, especially to the people of Walewale, you have given me a first-class assistant in the form of the Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia.”
He said out of the six parliamentary seats in the Region, the NPP won four, and noted that for the first time in the history of the Fourth Republic, the NPP’s Presidential Candidate won an absolute majority of the Presidential votes in the North East Region.
“I have two regrets, Nalerigu and Bunkrungu did not vote for the NPP, it is a pity and am hoping that the next time, we will do better so we can get all six seats in the North East Region.null
President Akufo-Addo said several sons and daughters of the Region were members of his government and there would be more as he completes the construction of his government.
The President entreated all citizens across the country to get involved in the Population and Housing Census for effective planning of the country.
He said it was an important exercise that would enable the Central, Regional and local government to effectively plan the development of the country.
“Everybody without discrimination should allow themselves to be counted. Whatever your tribe or religion, so long as you are here on 27th, Census night get counted,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He noted that if there was accurate data on the population and the breakdown of the population, the government would be able to plan for better development across the country.null
The President, who earlier called on the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayiri Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, said “I am very happy that the Overlord, the Nayiri in his welcome address to me indicated that he and his Chiefs had embraced the idea of the Census.
“It is a very progressive statement from our public-spirited chief and we should all emulate it,” President Akufo-Addo advised.
He acknowledged that the North East Region had managed the COVID-19 pandemic well, saying, “The number of cases here have been very low and continue to be very low.
“The example has been given in this room where all the big Chiefs who are all masked. It is a very good example for the rest of the country and for the people of the North East,” he added
The Board of Governors of Tamale Senior High School has named a newly constructed dormitory block after the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The dormitory, named Bawumia House, is in recognition of Dr Bawumia’s enormous contributions to the development of the school.
Speaking at the launch of the school’s 70th anniversary in Tamale on Saturday, Dr Bawumia expressed deep appreciation to the school for the honour, and also dedicated the glory to all past students of the school.
“I must thank the Board of Governors and the school for the honour done me to name a house after me, Bawumia House,” Dr Bawumia, himself a former student, said.
He added: “I am so humbled. I just never dreamed of this. So I accept the honour on behalf of all old Tamascans. It is not just for me, it is for all old Tamascans who have contributed in diverse ways towards this great school of ours.”null
Dr Bawumia’s support and contributions to his former school have been enormous, and naming a dormitory after him highlights the depth of the school’s appreciation.
The Vice President is said to have made a substantial monetary and material contribution to the school towards several infrastructure projects, and his support dates back to his days as a private citizen.
Just as he does for other schools across the country, Dr Bawumia has facilitated the provision of government and privately funded facilities for the school, including a 600-bed MTN funded girls dormitory block, which he commissioned on Saturday, as part of the programme to launch the school’s 70th anniversary.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ruled that the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Transport be surcharged with the cost of organising its sitting on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
This was after the two ministries had failed to appear before the committee without any prior notice.
The two ministries have also been asked to bear the cost of the day’s live broadcast of the sitting on national television and media coverage aimed at bringing the Committee’s work closer to the public.
Ruling
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, who gave the ruling, also warned ministries, departments and agencies that take the work of the committee for granted.
He reminded them that Article 103 (6) of the 1992 Constitution granted the Committee, like any other Committee of Parliament, the powers, rights and privileges of a High Court in relation to enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise.
He said the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation were the only Committees of the House chaired by a Member from the Minority side of the legislative body and that was to deepen the mandate of the Committee in scrutinising properly the audited accounts of government institutions.
National reclamation scheme
Meanwhile, at the sitting of the PAC yesterday, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, disclosed that the government would roll out a comprehensive national reclamation scheme and plant different species of economic trees to replenish vegetation cover across the country.
The scheme, which was being finalised, was expected to start from July this year.
Job losses
Under the scheme, he said, former illegal miners, who lost their jobs due to the government’s clampdown on galamsey, would be recruited to plant millions of trees in degraded mining communities and depleted forests.
“I had an opportunity to go on an aerial tour and you will see that the whole landscape has been degraded and we are now working to roll out a national reclamation programme which will see us reclaiming all the lands, and hopefully in the process, the young men and women who have fallen out of the crackdown on illegal mining can be recruited to reclaim these lands and plant economic trees,” he said.
The minister, who was accompanied by the officials of the various agencies under the MLNR, particularly the Lands Commission, was before the committee to respond to questions raised by the Auditor-General on the operations of agencies in the lands and natural resources sector.
He and other accompanying officials answered questions pertaining to the activities of the Lands Commission, the granting of licences and permits for natural resource exploitation, abuse of the ban on rosewood export, measures to sustain trees planted under the Green Ghana Day (GGD), fundraising for the GGD and youth in afforestation.
He also answered questions on the national afforestation and reclamation programme, illegal mining, alternative livelihood for former illegal miners and the management of the Achimota Forest enclave.
Alternative livelihood
Responding to a question on the government’s support for formal illegal miners, Mr Jinapor, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Damongo, said the President’s vision and strategy for the small-scale industry was not to just clamp down on galamsey but the provision of alternative livelihood which was dear to the heart of the President.
In his view, the government was determined to make it a viable industry which would employ the youth and contribute to the economy.
Small scale mining
He told the committee that the small-scale mining sector contributed 40 per cent of the country’s gold output last year and “we are not at all against small-scale mining.”
“What we are against is illegal small-scale mining and the efforts we are making now, which has got the Ghana Armed Forces involved, exclusively is in respect of the red zones — the water bodies and forest reserves of our countries,” he said.
Survival of trees
On how to nurture to maturity tree seedlings planted during the Green Ghana Day, Mr Jinapor said there was a whole strategy to ensure the survival of the over five million trees that were planted on June 11, this year.
He pointed out that from now till the next Green Ghana Day next year, a programme would be rolled out to ensure that more trees would be planted, especially in protected forests and major highways.
On the flouting of the ban on the harvesting, transportation and export of Rosewood from Ghana, the minister said matters of the natural resource sector and issues about Rosewood, which was one of the sought-after species of wood everywhere in the world, had become a complicated issue.
He, however, gave an assurance that adequate measures had been put in place to actively police the activities of those harvesting and exporting Rosewood in the northern part of the country.
To fortify the ban on Rosewood exports, the minister said the MNLR had also entered into partnership with chiefs from the northern Ghana, particularly those from the Savannah Region, who had placed a total ban on the harvesting of shed trees and Rosewood.
With regard to the mechanism for auctioning illegally harvested woods, he expressed worry about the manner in which individuals and groups behind illegal logging formed criminal cartels to benefit from the auctioning of confiscated illegal logs.
“What I have found personally as minister is that in many cases, the criminal cartels involved in this illegal logging find other unorthodox means of participating in the auctioning.
“The enforcement regime we have now is deterrent enough. So, we are examining it at the level of the ministry and to decide whether we should, for instance, begin to burn what we confiscate or give them to other institutions. These are questions which need answers to,” Mr Jinapor added.
President Akufo-Addo has charged Deputy Ministers of his second term administration to justify their selection to service in their various ministerial portfolios by their works and to remain loyal to the leadership and direction of their substantive Ministers of State as required of them by the 1992 constitution.
Addressing the newly sworn-in deputy ministers at the banquet hall of the Jubilee House Friday the 25th of June 2020, after administering the oaths of office, allegiance, and secrecy to them, President Akufo-Addo said the deputy ministers have to justify their selection because there were many of their peers in Parliament who have not been selected even though they have similar claims of competence.
“We have launched the 100 billion cedis Ghana cares Obaatanpa project to respond to it (the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic) to revitalize and develop our economy. The objectives of the project demand that all of you gathered here bring your “A” game to the table to prosecute it” President Akufo-Addo said.
“Your success in this endevour will be a consequence of three things, first, is the spirit of loyalty you exhibit to your ministers. Article 79, clause 1 of the constitution of the republic provides that a deputy minister is appointed by the President in consultation with the Minister and with the prior approval of Parliament to assist the Minister in the performance of his or her functions” President Akufo-Addo further stated.
“Your basic responsibility is thus, to assist you Minister in the performance of his or her functions. Loyalty to the Minister is a fundamental premise for the success of your work. I will not countenance any acts of disloyalty or subversion of your Minister, for I will take such acts as disloyalty to me personally and by inference, disloyalty to the State and Party” the President cautioned.
Response of Deputy Ministers
In a response on behalf of her colleagues, the deputy minister for Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, assured President Akufo-Addo that they will engage, consult and collaborate with all stakeholders in the governance structure in their bid to assist their ministers to deliver the mandate bestowed on respective ministries.
“We are privileged and grateful to be given these valuable opportunities to serve the country in this capacity and we will give it our utmost best to justify these appointments,” Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei said.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance sworn into office was Charles Adu-Bohene. The thirty-nine (39) deputy ministers who were sworn into office by the President for the Finance Ministry are Abena Osei-Asare, MP, John Ampontuah Kumah, MP.
For the Trade and Industry Ministry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, MP, Michael Okyere Baafi, MP and Mr. Herbert Krapa. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, MP, William Owuraku Aidoo, MP and Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, MP, for the Ministry of Energy.
The Local Government, Decentralization & Rural Development Ministry had Augustine Collins Ntim, MP, Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP and Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration had, Thomas Mbomba, MP, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, MP.
The Office of Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, Alfred Tuah – Yeboah and Ms. Diana Asonaba Dapaah. The two deputy ministers for the Food and Agriculture Ministry, Yaw Frimpong Addo, MP and Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, MP. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP and Gifty Twum-Ampofo, MP for the Ministry of Education.
For the Ministry of Health, Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah, MP and Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini, MP. Benito Owusu-Bio, MP and George Mireku Duker, MP, for the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry. The Roads and Highways Ministry has Mavis Nkansah – Boadu, MP and Stephen Pambiin Jalulah, MP. Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, MP and Frederick Obeng Adom, MP, for the Ministry of Transport.
The Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Interior have Kofi Amankwah – Manu, MP and Naana Eyiah, MP, respectively. Ama Pomaa Boateng, MP, Ministry of Communications and Digitalization. Abdulai Abanga, MP, Works and Housing Ministry, Moses Anim, MP, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. Kwaku Asante-Boateng, MP, Ministry of Railway Development
The rest are Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, MP, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mark Okraku-Mantey Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, MP, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Bright Wireko – Brobbey, MP Employment and Labour Relations, Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar, Ministry of Information and Evans Opoku Bobie, MP, Ministry of Youth and Sports
Deputy Education Minister-designate and Member of Parliament for Assin South Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has assured teachers their welfare concerns are a priority to government.
According to him, plans are underway to launch a Teacher Welfare App to promptly address teachers’ welfare grievances.
The deputy minister-designate argues welfare of teachers is a major concern to government and assured all outstanding issues relative to teacher upgrading, recent promotion challenges, allowances and other concerns would be tackled with urgency required.
As a measure to holistically deal with concerns of teachers, Rev. Fordjour has disclosed a deployment of case managers to every region for timeous resolution of the concerns of teachers as part of efforts to improve their conditions of living.
The app, an initiative of the Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is expected to help mitigate to a large extent, the many challenges relating to the welfare and management of teachers.
Speaking to the media at the 90th-anniversary celebration of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Accra where he represented the sector minister, John Ntim Fordjour charged the teacher unions to have confidence in the ability of government to find solutions to the current challenges in the sector.
The occasion which was also used as an investment forum was on the theme: “Beyond Teachers’ Fund; Making the Teacher Economically Sound.”
Addressing the leadership and members of GNAT, he intimated that teachers across the country have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation. He reiterated government’s commitment to timeously address teacher welfare concerns.
He expressed delight at the judicious and productive initiatives undertaken by GNAT in their bid to improve the lots of its members. He particularly commended the business exploits of GNAT including the acquisition of majority shares in Unique Insurance and the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre. He also commended the GNAT for its investments in real estate and the rolling out of a housing scheme for members.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour assured teachers that the Ministry of Education will in due course make available 280,000 laptops to teachers on cost-sharing basis to equip them deliver more effectively.
He called on all teachers across the length and breath of the country to join hands with the Ministry of Education to build a world-class education system
Ace Broadcaster, Kwami Sefa Kayi has denied ever being offered a job by President Akufo Addo.
Soon after the assumption of office by President Akufo-Addo in 2017, there were rumours that the former Journalist of the Year was to resign his position as a radio show host for a bigger job with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
It was rumoured that Kwame Sefa Kayi was to join the communications team at the Presidency when the NPP assumed office after January 7, 2017.
In an interview on “Entertainment Review” show Saturday monitored by Kwesi tv 24, Kwami Sefa Kayi disclosed that it was rather persons around President Akufo-Addo who asked him to help the government in particular areas of governance.
“President Akufo Addo has never communicated to me that he intends appointing me to any public office. What I can say is that people around the President have rather had discussions with me to help the government out in some areas. The only thing I said is no, allow me to concentrate on my radio job. The President did not offer me a job, never
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has dismissed preliminary objections that among other things challenged the capacity of the Attorney General in the matter.
The police has filed an application before the court to restrain the #FixtheCountry protest from their intended protest.
Lawyers of the conveners (Respondents) on Monday, June 21, raised three preliminary objections including one that challenges the capacity of the Attorney General to be in the matter.
The courting in its ruling said, the AG is the principal legal head of the state and the matter before the court is one that is being brought in the name of the Republic.
EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that following the dismissal of the objections, the court is now proceeding to hear the substantive matter.
Earlier, before the Objections were raised, Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame said, the application before the Court is seeking an order directed at the organizer and conveners of an intended demonstration dubbed #FixtheCountry protest match.
The AG said it is to restrain the Associate officers, agents, assigns, and workmen on grounds of public safety, public security, and public health till the restrictions imposed on large public gatherings are lifted by law or in accordance with the law.
But, the lawyers of the respondents raised objections to the application before the court.
Opposing to the application, Mr. Dame contended that, the Objection that the application violates Article 491 is a “totally absurd proposition.”
The application he said is properly before the court and the Objection is wholly misconceived.
The police have picked up some members of the group calling on the government to fix the country.
About 15 of them were arrested in front of the Law Court Complex where they had gathered waiting for the decision of an Accra High Court on the AG’s application seeking to restrain them from demonstrating.
Some of them had carried placards and banners with the inscription ‘Fix the country, cut down on government expenditure.’
They were picked up by officers from the Accra Regional Command and whisked away.
The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame had earlier in the morning moved a motion urging the court to restrain the group from protesting.
He canvased public safety, public security and public health as reasons.
Lawyers for the group have vehemently opposed the application, arguing that it is moot, premature and lacks merit.
The police command in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta Region, in collaboration with the regional command, has arrested some seven suspects in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Cornelius Negble in Nornyikpo, a village near Ziope.
The suspects have been in their hideouts since the incident happened in May, barely two weeks after the police retrieved the decomposed body of the young man in a fetish priest’s shrine.
The suspects were arrested afterwards.
Other suspects who had escaped to the Republic of Togo, have also been arrested by Interpol.
All the seven suspects have made first appearances at the Agortime-Ziope District Magistrate Court.
There is nothing pressing or urgent about the intended #FixTheCountry demonstration for it to be allowed to come off, Attorney General Godfred Dame has argued.
In an interview with Francisca Kakra Forson on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Afternoon Ghana programme on Thursday, 24 June 2021, Mr Dame wondered: “…What is the purpose for this demonstration?”
“They [#FixTheCountry conveners] say they are demonstrating on account of broken promises by successive governments, so, that shows really it’s a demonstration on their own showing”, explaining: “It’s not about the NPP”. “It’s on account of factors that have resulted since independence, so, it’s not urgent, it’s not pressing”, he asserted.
Stressing his arguments against the intended demonstration, Mr Dame asked: “If you’re demonstrating about broken promises by successive governments since independence, what is the urgency about it?”
“And, in any case”, he observed: Are they not also mobilising through other means – social media and what have you?”
Anyway, he pointed out, “the matter is in court. [It’s as] simple as that. I’ll rest my argument here”.
The Supreme Court quashed an earlier ruling by the high court that placed an injunction on the demonstration until COVID-19 was no more.
The injunction was on account of a prayer by the police to the high court to stop the march in keeping with the mass-gathering restrictions instituted by the government to mitigate the spread of the virus, which has, so far, killed close to 800 people in Ghana since it was first confirmed in the country on 12 March 2020.
The state and the conveners are still battling out the matter in court.
Mr Dame believes although the Akufo-Addo government has been magnanimous to the #FixTheCountry campaigners in terms of its overtures to them, he suspects they are up to no good.
“They actually indicated that they wanted to be heard, so, what did the government do? In an unprecedented fashion, the government constituted virtually its top leaders in government to engage them on their concerns”.
“I was one of them, the minister of defence, minister of foreign affairs, minister for the interior, minister of finance, and a few other ministers – national security minister. Clearly it was successful. When I was at the meeting, they actually refused to speak. I understand when I left, they made a few remarks and that was it. I don’t know why. So, that tells you the motive is, perhaps, more mischievous and deeper than [meets the eye]”, he told Kakra Forson.
Responding to why the court case has become more like a personal pet project of his, Mr Dame riposted: “I’m hands-on if necessary because the buck rests with the attorney general”, explain: “I’m the principal legal adviser to the president of Ghana; this is a matter of immense public interest, a matter that the president has deemed it necessary to convene most of his top ministers; finance, trade, interior, defence, foreign affairs, to meet such prospective demonstrators and the matter has resulted in a court proceeding; what is awkward or what is absurd about the attorney general representing state?”
“It shows that the government is actually concerned about them and that concern was exhibited long before we even went to court – by engaging them”, he noted
Seasoned Journalist, Kweku Baako Jnr. has rubbished accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Chief Justice that he is trying to gag lawyers of the party.null
The Chief Justice has petitioned the General Legal Council to summon Dr. Dominic Ayine over some alleged scandalous comments made by the latter.
“His Lordship the Chief Justice therefore finds his alleged disparaging comments totally unacceptable and would like you to investigate the matter,” the CJ said in his petition.
Dr. Ayine is said to have undermined the independence of the Judiciary during a public forum but he has refuted the claims, insisting he made his comments in good faith.
“As I have stated in this response, as a lawyer, I have a special responsibility to engage in criticism of the work of the judiciary. By reason of my training and experience, I am better placed than most of my fellow citizens to point out deficiencies in judgments and in the performance by the judiciary of its core constitutional mandate,” he asserted.
NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, in a press conference organized by the party on the petition, accused the CJ of suprevising a “judiciary tyranny”.
Dissecting the issue during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kweku Baako rebuked the NDC for creating an impression that members of the party who are lawyers are facing intimidation by the CJ.null
Mr. Baako wondered why anybody would think the NDC affiliated lawyers are being intimidated seemingly to say it is untrue.
He disclosed that the lawyers have already confessed and apologized before the GLC, therefore questioned the logic of the NDC presser.
“The problem I have is that you have these lawyers, good lawyers, experienced lawyers members of a party; that is not the material point. The material point is that we are now being told by their party that these lawyers affiliated to them appear to have been singled out and are being intimidated into submission of some sort. Now, these lawyers, they’re lawyers; not people like us. They go before the Committee, a Committee which is part of their own profession, all this thing is captured in the Legal Professional Conduct And Etiquette Rules 2020 (LI 24/23)… They submit themselves to this; I don’t know maybe at a gunpoint and yet we have their party… there soliciting some sympathy… on their behalf that they’re being intimidated,” he stated.
“Don’t they have their own senses? Aren’t they trained minds? Aren’t they learned people? Aren’t they members of the learned profession? When they go to the Committee, what animal is that Committee?”, he lashed out at the NDC.
He called on the lawyers to ‘stand up and fight’ for themselves if they think they haven’t offended the law.
“If they know they have done anything wrong or violated their own (ethics of their profession)…why do you allow yourself to be intimidated into submission. I don’t want to buy that…I am not prepared to accept that they’re so docile.”Source: peacefmonline.com
A London court has awarded US$170 million judgment debt against Ghana for terminating power deal with GPGC
Former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko believes Ghana would have lost more than $170m if some energy deals were not cancelled.
He added that it is unfair for the NDC to chastise them for the US$170 million judgement debt
A former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, has said the Government of Ghana’s decision to abrogate the power contract with Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) was not out of place, Citi News has reported.
The London Commercial Court of international arbitration has granted a US$170 million judgment debt against the Government of Ghana for terminating an agreement with an independent contractor, GPGC.
But speaking to Citi News, Mr Agyarko justified that Ghana would have incurred a cost running over US$170 million if the agreement was still made to stand.
“We have paid almost over US$1 billion for excess capacity. The review committee estimated that the contract as they were if they were allowed to stand, the country will be paying at the end of the 13th year US$7.2 billion in excess capacity charges.null
“Now if the country is going to be saddled with US$7.2 billion for excess capacity, we needed to rethink. In the PPA review, what it said was that if we could get the termination and the management of all the excess capacity, the liability that we will be faced with is about US$600 million out of pocket,” he said.
He further said that it is unfair for the John Dramani Mahama-led administration to accuse the NPP government of causing financial loss to the state when the NDCs are the signees of the excess contracts.
“Now $600 million in year one compared to US$7.2 billion, now even if you do the next present value calculation and bring the $7.2 billion into a one-year payment, we are still better off. I don’t understand why the people whose time these excess capacity contracts were signed now have the guts and the audacity to accuse people who are trying to manage the mess they created,” he told Citi News.
The judgement debt saga has sparked serious conversations, with many calling for the prosecution of the officials involved in the termination.
Others have also suggested that Mr Boakye Agyarko, who was the then Energy Minister, failed to engage extensively in exploring other options instead of a cancellation of the agreement
• Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has endorsed the EconoBio project
• The EconoBio project is an initiative of the French Embassy
• He says government will fully support the project
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the French Embassy to ensure the effective implementation of the second phase of the EconoBio project which is targeted at protecting Ghana’s forest cover and biodiversity.
At a short event held on Thursday, the sector Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor welcomed the EconoBio project, describing it as a major step in the government’s drive to protect the country’s forest cover and biodiversity.
John Jinapor commended the French Embassy for the initiative which he is convinced will not only help protect the environment but also create employment opportunities in the beneficiary communities.
Samuel Abu Jinapor enumerated some interventions embarked on by the Akufo-Addo administration to thwart the degradation of Ghana’s forest cover.
He promised the French Embassy of government’s unflinching support and noted that the project is in line with government’s ‘and Landscape Restoration Master Plan and the Forest and Wildlife Policy.”
“Project we launch today, is another important intervention to protect our forests and biodiversity, while at the same time improving the lives and livelihoods of our people. It combines community development, small industrialization and biodiversity conservation to increase income and preserve natural resources. This clearly aligns with our Forest and Landscape Restoration Master Plan and the Forest and Wildlife Policy.
“I am happy to learn, that one of the focus areas of the Project will be the Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) concept, being implemented under the Ghana Forest Investment Programme, to enhance the capacity of the local communities to manage their natural resources. It is my hope that the lessons learnt from the implementation of this concept in the Western and Western North Regions, will guide us moving forward” he said.
The Minister who doubles as Member of Parliament for Damongo was elated that his constituency is going to benefit from the project.
“Your Excellency, I must add, that I am excited that the good and dignified people of my own constituency of Damongo, are going to benefit from this important intervention. I will encourage the youth and women in particular, in the selected areas, to take active part in this Project and I pledge my full support and that of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, to its successful implementation”.
The French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne-Sophie AVE on her part said “the project will give them economic activities so that they will be active in the protection of their own biodiversity and environment. The idea is of the second phase is to build-up and scale up on what we’ve done. We are going to work around four protective areas. The Mole National Park, Atewa Rainforest, Western Wildlife corridor and Ankasa Forest Reserve.” .
EconoBio is an initiative by the French Embassy which seeks the “development of green value chains for the benefit of local populations living on the outskirts of biodiversity-rich areas, with the support of the private sector and civil society”.
The project thrives on the fusion of environment-friendly methods and economic activities which further the course of protecting the environment.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the deputy education minister, has indicated that the Akufo-Addo-led government will promptly address the welfare of teachers.
According to him, the government finds the affairs of teachers a major concern, therefore, the government is doing everything possible to make sure teachers have better conditions of service.
Speaking at the 90th-anniversary celebration of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Accra on Wednesday, the minister said plans are underway to launch a Teacher Welfare App that will address all the outstanding issues of teachers which includes teacher upgrading, recent promotion challenges, allowances and other tenable concerns would be tackled with alacrity.
He explained, “there will also be the deployment of case managers to every region to address and timeously resolve the concerns of teachers as part of efforts to make life better for them”.null
The occasion which was also used as an investment forum was on the theme: “Beyond Teachers’ Fund; Making the Teacher Economically Sound.”
Rev Ntim Fordjour told the leadership and members of GNAT that teachers across the country have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation.
The Teacher Welfare App, an initiative of the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, is expected to help mitigate, to a large extent, the many challenges relating to the welfare and management of teachers.
GHANA RAKED in $3.6 billion in remittance inflows despite the lockdowns that affected economies globally, a World Bank Migration and Development Report for 2021 stated.
The figure represents a 5 percent increase in remittances from host countries including USA, the UK, Côte d’Ivoire, Italy, Germany and Canada.
Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Abibatou Wane, speaking at the GIZ-Ghana Programme Migration and Diaspora Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Remittance in Accra, said the World Bank had projected that remittance flows to low and middle-income countries will fall by 7 percent, to $508 billion in 2020.
She said a further decline of 7.5 percent to $470 billion in 2021 was expected due to the lockdown and expected economic effects of the Covid-19 in the remittances sending countries but contrary to expectations, remittances to Ghana rather increased.
Madam Wane said remittances were a growing source of foreign funds, raising the standard of living for the vulnerable and low-income households across Ghana.
She said from a study conducted by IOM in the Ghana market, Ghana, as of 2019 was the second largest recipient of remittances in sub-Saharan Africa.
Madam Wane said the flows through official channels have increased from $117.6 million in 2007 to an estimated $3.8 billion in 2018, with remittances equate to 7.4 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
“It is estimated that if monitored, remittances sent through informal channels could increase total flows by as much as 50 percent,” she said.
She said the financial sector in Ghana, according to Findex, had gone through a period of change over the last five years, with financial inclusion reaching 57 percent in 2017.
Madam Wane informed that the increase in mobile penetration had created opportunities for the expansion of financial services by mobile money providers, making Ghana to overtake several markets to become the fastest growing mobile money market in Africa.
The Dialogue which was on the theme, “Leveraging Remittances for Recovery and Resilience Post-COVID-19” also marked the International Family Day of Remittances
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