Supporters of Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia were stopped from campaigning during Sunday’s Akwasidae festival hosted by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the Ashanti Region.
The near clashes between the supporters from Dr. Bawumia and Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng was stopped by the timely intervention of security guards at the Manhyia Palace.
The arrival of Vice President Dr. Bawumia and government entourage to the Manhyia durbar grounds turn the 2021 Akwasidae festival celebration into a political campaign grounds amidst singing, drumming and open display of party colours, Ultimate FM’s Isaac Bediako Justice reported from the festival grounds.
The inner perimeter of the durbar grounds became more charged when the supporters of Dr. Bawumia openly displayed “break the 8 with Dr. Bawumia’’ banners.
The action by the Bawumia’s supporters provoked the Alan camp at the festival who also resorted to chanting at the National Executives.
According to the Alan Supporters, the National Executives have failed to ensure that party members comply with the directive of no campaign in order not to create tension within the party ahead of the various internal elections.
The two supporter groups have threaten a show down during their impending National delegates conference scheduled to happen in Kumasi on 23rd December 2021.
“We will not tolerate any act of “stupidity” here if they dare what they did in Manhyia today at the conference. We will react in equal measure to prove to them that Kumasi is our home,’’ the Alan supporter warned.
Baba Iddrisu, a supporter of Dr. Bawumia also replied that “we are aware of plans by Alan Kyeremanteng’s camp for the conference. So therefore, this is a warning to them. They will overpower us if we remain silent, don’t forget Ashanti Region is their stronghold.”
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Executives say the incident will not go unaddressed adding that “the right decision will be taken in preparation to have a successful National delegates conference.”
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, has discontinued the defamation case he brought against a Net2 TV Journalist, Justice Kwaku Annan.
The former IGP sued Justice Kwaku Annan, host of ‘The Seat’ of Net 2 Television for defamation.
The decision to discontinue the case comes after the lawyer of the former IGP was told in court by the judge sitting on the case that he ‘did not know the people he was dealing with’.
“Counsel, you say today s your birthday, if I were you, I will use my birthday to write a letter to the registry and let Clark together with the court look for him and service him. You don’t know the people you are dealing with”.
Mr. Asante-Apeatu asked the court for damages; costs, including lawyers fees over defamatory comments made by Mr Annan in a June 16, 2021 broadcast which he avers injured his reputation as a well-known retired IGP of Ghana and a forensic specialist.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Annan in the broadcast suggested that the IGP is a fence for criminals in Nigeria and Ghana, harbours as well as works in cahoots with criminals and is on the payroll of top criminals in Ghana.
“The plaintiff avers that the words complained of are utterly false, products of the defendant’s imagination and were mischievously calculated by the defendant to disparage the plaintiff and to create disaffection for him and to bring him into odium in the eyes of right-thinking members of the Republic and the global community,” the suit reads.
“In consequence, the plaintiff’s reputation has been egregiously damaged and he has suffered debilitating distress and embarrassment. Further, he has been inundated with numerous calls from professional associates, journalists, social relations and friends and outright strangers, and he has had to answer very mortifying questions”.
However, in a letter sighted by Starrfm.com.gh Mr. Asante-Apeatu instructed his lawyer to stop pursing the case without stating any reason for discontinuing with the case.
Attached is the discontinuing statement from the Former IGP
Tamale North Lawmaker, Alhassan Suhuyini has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to stop giving himslef a pat on the back following the implementation of the free senior high School (SHS) programme and address the challenges the programme is saddled with at the moment.
He said Mr Akufo-Addo must be reflective, open-minded and accept the concerns raised against the implementation in order to address the issues.
Mr Suhuyini was speaking on the New Day show on TV3 Monday December 13 after Akufo-Addo expressed utmost satisfaction with the Free SHS policy, introduced by his administration in September 2017, that is currently guaranteeing a minimum of senior high school education for all of Ghana’s children.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “five (5) years on following the implementation of the Free Senior High School programme, which has guaranteed a minimum of Senior High School education for 1.6 million Ghanaian children, I want to state, without any equivocation, that I am very proud of the policy and of its results thus far.”
Speaking at the 70 th anniversary celebration of the Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO) in Tamale, on Saturday, 11 th December 2021, the President stressed that the experiences of developed nations have shown that the most efficient way to create a society of opportunities, and, thereby, guarantee the future of a nation, is by investing in education and skills training of the youth.
Without an educated populace, he stated that, Ghana cannot transition from the status of a developing to a developed nation, adding that “it is the people of Ghana, Ghanaians like you and I, and especially the youth of today, who are going to build Ghana.”
The results of the 2020 and 2021 WASSCE results, the President stated, give further evidence of why the Free SHS policy has been a success so far.
“There were some who described Free SHS as “a waste”; some said it would “destroy our Ivy League Schools”, and some indicated that the policy was going to compromise the quality of senior high school education. None of these have happened, and I am sure they have eggs on their faces now, or should have, President Akufo-Addo stated.
He continued, “The 2021 WASSCE results of the second batch of the “Akufo-Addo graduates” shows 54.08% of students recording A1-C6 in English, as opposed to 51.6% in 2016; 65.70% recording A1-C6 in Integrated Science in 2021, as opposed to 48.35% in 2016; 54.11% recording A1-C6 in Mathematics, as compared to 33.12% in 2016; and 66.03% recording A1-C6 in Social Studies, as compared to 54.55% in 2016. Lest we forget, the 2021 batch of students were the pioneers of the double track system, which elicited a lot of vilification and unfounded criticism on its introduction.”
Another indication of the value of the Free SHS policy, he stated, is the dramatic increase in the percentage of students from TAMASCO, who have qualified to attend University.
“In 2015, it was 29.2%; in 2016, it was 31.4%; in 2017, it was 34.7%; in 2018, it was 31.3%; in 2019, it was 46.3%; and in 2021, it was 45.8%. Surely, Chairperson, there can no longer be any controversy about the validity of the Free SHS policy and its consequential measures. It is working,” he said.
The President, thus, appealed to all Ghanaians to “forgo partisan, parochial considerations, which confer little benefit, and all agree that Free SHS has to be a part of our national educational architecture, for, at least, a generation, if not forever. Our nation will clearly be empowered and enriched”.
But Suhuyini who is also a former teacher and broadcaster said “You don’t taunt those who say we have a problem over here.
“Those who raise issues get taunted by the president, it tells you that there is something wrong. The attitude of the president is wrong. The president must stop the chest-beating.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) was in Ghana on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 for a state visit
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for Covid-19 and is being treated for mild symptoms.
Mr Ramaphosa started feeling unwell on Sunday after leaving the state memorial service of South Africa’s last apartheid President FW De Klerk in Cape Town, according to a statement from the presidency
.
People who had contact with the president on the day have been advised to watch for symptoms or to get tested.
The president is fully vaccinated and has delegated all his responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza.
President Ramaphosa returned last Wednesday from a trip to the West African countries of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal.
The presidency said he and his delegation were tested for Covid in all the countries they visited. It said the president had tested negative on his return.
The highly contagious Omicron variant, which has prompted global concern, was first identified in South Africa last month.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has banned all activities associated with internal party contests which include Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries campaigns ahead of its National Delegate Conference.
In a statement, the Party stated that its impending National Delegates Conference is expected to be held between 18th and 20th December 2021 at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
According to the NPP, they cherish the tradition of democratic competition and the belief that well-meaning aspirants will appreciate the need for such measures, which are necessary to enable a clear focus on the aims of the Conference.
“At a meeting held on Thursday 9th December 2021, the National Steering Committee of the Party, acting under Article 10 (10) (1) of the Constitution of the Party and in furtherance of the Code of Conduct issued under Article 18 to regulate and guide the activities of members prior to the opening of nominations, has banned the display of paraphernalia and advocacy for individual aspirants at the upcoming National Annual Delegates Conference.
“The Party continued that “no billboards and or sign boards, banners or any kind of outdoor signage with the images and or names of individual members, with or without the consent of the individual, shall be acceptable. This applies to the area within the Greater Kumasi Metropolis. All such displays, if put up already, should be removed,” the NPP Director of Communications, Yaw Buaben Asamoa disclosed said in the statement.
Read the full statement below;
NPP Bans All Activities Associated with Internal Party Contests, Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries. Institutes a Vaccination Policy at its 2021 National Annual Delegates Conference*
At a meeting held on Thursday 9th December 2021, the National Steering Committee of the Party, acting under Article 10 (10) (1) of the Constitution of the Party and in furtherance of the Code of Conduct issued under Article 18 to regulate and guide the activities of members prior to the opening of nominations, has banned the display of paraphernalia and advocacy for individual aspirants at the upcoming National Annual Delegates Conference.
Prior to and during the Conference on 18th to 20th December 2021, no billboards and or sign boards, banners or any kind of outdoor signage with the images and or names of individual members, with or without the consent of the individual, shall be acceptable. This applies to the area within the Greater Kumasi Metropolis. All such displays, if put up already, should be removed.
In response to enhanced protocols due to the fourth wave of Covid-19, attendees to the National Conference, are advised to take jabs of vaccine immediately, wherever they may find themselves. The Party is humbly requesting the Ghana Health Service to publish a list of places where shots of vaccine can be received in order for Party members to take jabs before the Conference date. There will also be medical personnel at the Conference venue to support compliance with the Protocols. All must carry their vaccination cards with them.
At a recent public lecturer he delivered,Dr Bawumia said,“Easily one of the most depressing visits I have paid to a government office during my time as Vice President was to the Births and Deaths Registry headquarters. There clearly was insufficient investment in the institution. It was messy and it was sad.
“It turned out that the Births and Deaths Registry had three separate databases as registers for births and deaths and these databases were in silos. It is not surprising therefore that corruption and fake birth certificates thrived in this environment.
“Thankfully, the process of digitization of the records is almost complete and the three databases have been cleaned up and integrated. Furthermore, we are integrating the births and deaths register with the databases of Ghana Health Service, National Identification Authority, Ghana Statistical Service, Immigration and the Police so that the record of births and deaths
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said, as part of his fight against corruption, his government, through the Attorney General, is prosecuting some high-profile persons for various offences including fraud, economic crime, procurement breaches and money laundering.
Speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Conference on Friday, 10 December 2021, President Akufo-Addo said the Office of the Attorney General and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in addition to the countless cases being prosecuted around the country, have successfully prosecuted a number of high-profile cases, including a case of stealing in the Republic vs. Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie & Others.
“Many other high-profile prosecutions involving corruption, economic crime, fraud, procurement breaches and money laundering, like the Republic vs. Alhaji Collins Dauda & 4 Others in the Saglemi Scandal; Republic vs. Ernest Thompson & Others; Republic vs. Dr Kwabena Duffuor & Others are ongoing. It is worthy to note that these cases have, as their sole object, the principle of holding public officers to account, and involve sums in excess of $850 million and GH₵2 billion,” he added.
The President also said the Attorney General, on behalf of the government, is currently leading the effort to enact a law on the conduct of public officers.
He said, “inasmuch as public officials are required to declare their assets upon taking office as a tool of fighting corruption, I am, however, of the candid opinion that existing legislation on corruption, relating to the conduct of public officers in Ghana, appears to be inadequate to deal extensively with public office accountability.”
According to the president, “the need to lay down a set of far-reaching and a more fit for purpose set of regulations for the conduct of public officers, which will give effect to the provisions of Chapter 24 of the Constitution on conduct of public officers, is, in my view, now self-evident”.
To this end, he revealed that the Attorney General, over the past four months, has undertaken various stakeholder consultations with a number of public sector organisations, civil society and other interest groups to this end.
When passed into law, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the Conduct of Public Officers Act will follow the example of legislation in other jurisdictions like the United States Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Public Officers Ethics Act of Kenya, and the U.K. Constitutional and Governance Act of 2010, in addressing issues regarding financial portfolios held by public officers before assuming public office, links to family business, improper enrichment, care of public property, professional practices, property, investments/shareholdings and other assets, self-dealing, partiality in the performance of duties, use of public or confidential information to further private interest, amongst others.
“The Bill provides a gamut of stringent administrative measures and sanctions to deal with violations of the law, ranging from a bar against holding public office for limited and indefinite periods to penal measures. The Bill also seeks to strengthen the role of CHRAJ in the investigation of allegations of contravention of or non-compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, including conflict of interest, non-declaration of assets, and illicit enrichment,” the President added.
Updating the Conference about some of the important contributions of the Office of Attorney General in the detection and prosecution of high-profile corruption cases, as well as in the protection of the public purse, the President acknowledged that the state’s tight purse is very much affected by the award of judgment debts, in various unconscionable transactions.
“The recent example of a financial house claiming payment of interest of some GH¢1.3 billion after 11 years, from a transaction involving a meagre GH¢268,000 in 2008, even after the state had already paid some GH¢79 million, comes to mind”.
“Through the effort of the Attorney General, the Supreme Court declared further payment as unlawful, saving the State some two hundred and thirty million dollars (US$230 million),” he said.
He also told the gathering about how, on 31 July 2021, the Attorney General succeeded in setting aside a judgement debt in excess of US$15.3 million imposed by the High Court, Kumasi, in an action arising out of the activities of the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining about two years ago.
An economic policy analyst at the office of the Vice President, Kabiru Mahama has assured that the government will continue consultations on the e-levy proposal in the budget statement.
He said stakeholders including the Minority in Parliament and civil society organizations are being engaged on the levy.
“Government will continue to engage the minority,” he said on the Key Points on TV 3 Saturday December 10.
He added “The Finance Minister will lead the consultation.”
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer African Energy Consortium Limited, Kwame Jantuah, indicated that government should have done a wider consultation before its introduction.
In his view, the Finance Ministry should have sought ideas from civil society groups and all other stakeholders on the policy to make acceptable by all.
Also speaking on the Key Points, he said “Whether they put e-levy on it or they don’t, government wins.
“So, they put a levy on MoMo, Ghanaians decide we are not going to do MoMo. Two things, they might either keep their money under their bed or they will revert to the banks. If they revert to the banks, who borrows from the banks? Who do the banks want or likely to loan money to?
“Is it the private sector or government? It is government. So, if people put their money back to the banks, government goes to the banks, loan moneys from the banks because the banks know that it is guaranteed that government will pay, and what does that do to the private sector as the engine of growth? It collapses because these same banks don’t give private sector the money. so either way government wins.
“But I feel that if it so happened that initially before they start to think about e-levy they had consultations with civil society , stakeholders and all maybe it would have been more acceptable than it is now.”
Bongo Member of Parliament, Edward Bawa who was also on the same programme revealed that negotiations on the introduction of the e-levy have collapsed.
“Negotiations have collapsed,” he said.
He further questioned the Akufo-Addo administration’s decision of introducing more taxes when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) condemned the Mahama administration for making similar decisions.
Referring to an article published by the pro-NPP Statesman newspaper which criticised Mr Mahama’s introduction of taxes, Mr Bawa said Ghanaians thought the Akufo-Addo administration was not going to levy the people.
But reacting to his comment, Dr Kabiru Mahama, disagreed with the comments that negotiations have collapsed.
“From the government’s view, negotiations haven’t collapsed,” he said on the same show.
He further stated that the position of the Minority on the e-levy is not the position of government.
“It is quite unfortunate to state that consultations have collapsed,” he said.
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta had said at a press conference earlier that consultation were ongoing on the proposal.
He said “On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.
“We are determined to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation, the presence of our proposal on the E-Levy is to widen the tax net and generate the required revenue to support entrepreneurship, youth employment to build our infrastructure especially roads and reduce our debts,” he said.
“Let me emphasise that the E-levy represents our greatest opportunity to in the medium-term widen the tax base and meet the tax to GDP ratio of 20% as pertains among our peers.”
Meanwhile the e-levy was absent from the business statement for next week after Deputy Majority Speaker did not mention it in the House on Friday December 10.
President Akufo-Addo has challenged his critics to prove mismanagement of the economy
He said, his govt has prudently managed the Ghanaian economy
He spoke at an anti-corruption conference
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has challenged his critics to prove that he has mismanaged the Ghanaian economy.
According to him, the prudent management of the economy by his government has made the country meet the development demands of Ghanaians.
He indicated that, allegations of wanton dissipation of public funds are untrue and no one can prove such claims against his government.
Speaking at an anti-corruption conference in Accra, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo noted, his government has made a significant investment in all aspects of the economy than all other presidents under the fourth republic.null
“My government has spent a lot of money on education, health, infrastructure particularly roads, agriculture, industry, security services and the anti-corruption institutions than by any other government in the fourth republic if not in the entire history of Ghana.
“Furthermore, after all these expenditures, my government was still able to find some GHC25 billion to pay for the refund of depositors monies arising from the financial sector crisis. These expenditures indicate clearly what taxpayers monies and the revenues of government has been used for by the Akufo-Addo government,” the President was quoted in a citinewsroom report.
He added that, “it is difficult to sustain any serious argument about the wanton dissipation of public funds in my time as president.”
The Akufo-Addo led administration since it was sworn in on January 7, 2017, has come under criticism for what many say is poor management of the economy leading to economic hardship.
But President insists that, Ghana is moving in the right direction and the claims are baseless.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the double-track system which was introduced to enable more students benefit from the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) suffered unfounded criticisms and vilification.
In his views, the result of this year’s West African Senior Secondary School Examinations (WASSCE) indicate that the criticisms were unsubstantiated.
The double-track system was introduced by the government of Ghana on the 11th September, 2018.
It started with green track students enrolled for the 2018/2019 academic year to absorb more students into the Senior High School SHS.
The policy attracted criticisms from some Ghanaians including members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who believed that the government was destroying the educational system.
“I believe that if Ghanaians come together we can come out with a workable timetable and schedule for implementing free SHS, because the double track system is not understandable. We just finished vacation, children have been at home for almost three months, it’s time to go to school and you say they should stay back at home for another forty-one days and let their friends go so they can also go after that time.
“It doesn’t make sense and that is because our friends don’t listen to advice,” Mr Mahama said at Cape Coast where he was campaigning for the slot to lead the NDC in the 2020 election.
“I believe that if Ghanaians come together we can come out with a workable timetable and schedule for implementing free SHS, because the double track system is not understandable. We have talked about this national stakeholders conference for so long but they have refused to hold it”.
But in a short statement released by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin on Saturday December 11, 2021 reacting to the results of this year’s WASSCE, Mr Akufo-Addo said “The 2021 WASSCE results of the second batch of the Akufo-Addo graduates” show 54.08% of students recoding AI-C5 in English, as opposed to 51.6% in 2016, 65.7% recording AI-C6 in Integrated Science in 2021, as opposed to 48.35 in 2016, 54.11% recoding AI-C6 IN Mathematics, as compared to 33.12% in 2016 and 66.03% recording AI-C6 in Social Studies, as compared to 54.55% in 2016. Lest we forget, the 2021 batch of students were the pioneer of the double track system , which elicited a lot of vilification and unfounded criticism on its introduction.”
WAEC on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, in a statement said “a total of 1,339 subject results and 174 entire results of some students who sat for the 2021 WASSCE for School Candidates in Ghana have been cancelled”.
“It added that “the entire results of 3,667 candidates have also been withheld pending the conclusion of investigations into various cases of examination malpractice detected during and after the conduct of the examination.
Additionally, the scripts of candidates from 194 schools in certain subjects have been withheld and are being scrutinized”.
“Whether or not President Akufo-Addo is not the clearing agent of corruption does not lie in his mouth,” Sammy Gyamfi said.
National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has accused President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the biggest enabler of corruption Ghana has ever had.
His comment follows President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that all allegations of corruption leveled against his appointees so far, have been probed.
Speaking on Accra based Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, December 10, 2021, Sammy Gyamfi said President Akufo-Addo has not shown positive attitude towards addressing corruption in the country.
“Whether or not President Akufo-Addo is not the clearing agent of corruption does not lie in his mouth. It has to do with his conduct, as it is said, action speaks louder than words and so what can the good people of Ghana reasonably infer or deduce from the conduct of President Akufo-Addo that is what matters. It is not about coming out to say I am not a clearing agent of corruption.
“It is about what your conduct says, it is about how you handle corruption matters and scandals and the kind of signals that is sent to the populace. And if you look at the countless cases of corruption we have witnessed under President Akufo-Addo and how same have been handled by him, you cannot but come to the inevitable conclusion that President Akufo-Addo is the chief corruption clearing agent. He is the mother serpent of corruption as Martin Amidu told us and he is the biggest enabler and promoter of corruption ever that we have had in this country,” he said.
Citing many corruption scandals such as the PPA scandal, the SSNIT scandal, the ‘Cocoa Nti’ scandal among others under the Akufo-Addo administration, Sammy Gyamfi indicated the government has failed in fighting corruption in Ghana.
“Why must the special prosecutor be the one prosecuting this case [the PPA scandal] if President Akufo-Addo is interested in fighting corruption. Who is prosecuting Dr. Opuni? Who is prosecuting Seidu Agongo? Who is prosecuting Sedinam Tamakloe? Who is prosecuting Ernest Thompson? Is it not the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice appointed by President Akufo-Addo?
“If his Attorney-General and Minister of Justice had prosecuted former appointees of the erstwhile NDC regime, why can’t they prosecute his own appointees who have been found by independent constitutional and investigative bodies to have engaged in corruption,” he added.
Reacting to the comments by Sammy Gyamfi, the Director of Communications of the NPP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa said the country must build a resilient institution to fight against corruption in the long term and not leave the menace into the hands of presidents.
He noted independent institutions mandated by the Constitution to fight corruption must step up and deal with the canker.
“We shouldn’t leave this in the hands of presidents, we should build a system that is resilient that serves us over the long term, and the institutions vested with the authority and power to fight corruption must step up and deal with this canker once and for all because they have the freedom, they are free to do so particularly the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
The Majority Caucus in Parliament has refuted claims it leaked the purported medical records of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
“The Majority Caucus, to avoid doubt, has no interest in such an irresponsible deed,” it said in a statement.
The Majority also said it was shocked by such “spurious allegations”.
“Indeed, to protect the Speaker’s integrity, the Chair and the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, we find the said publications unfortunate and unwarranted, and we condemn them accordingly,” it added.
“However, if the persons behind the publications intend to set the Speaker and the Majority Caucus in the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana on a collision course, we would not hesitate to offer the appropriate response” it noted.
“By this statement, the Majority Caucus also wishes to clarify that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has not taken a dime from Parliament to seek and or receive medical attention in Dubai.”
“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation, and it should, thus, be disregarded entirely for its spuriousness and hopelessness,” the statement said.
Mr. Bagbin left the country on November 27, 2021, for a medical review in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Police in Tema on Monday, December 6, 2021, gunned down a suspected armed robber in a shoot-out with the Golf City Police Motorbike Patrol team.
Following a distress call about a robbery attack in the area, a police patrol team immediately responded and pursued two suspects, who were on a motorbike with the registration number covered with a black polythene bag.
The Police in a statement explained that the suspects engaged them in a shoot-out leading to the death of one.
The second suspect, however managed to escape.
The Police further indicated that a search on the deceased led to the retrieval of one Samsung A12 mobile phone, one Nokia keypad phone, GHC10.00, and one black 9 mm pistol.
Later, at the scene of the robbery, some victims identified the phones as theirs.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital, awaiting identification and autopsy.
The Police say they have mounted a manhunt to arrest the second suspect who is believed to be limping on one leg.
“The Police Administration lauds the two patrol officers for their bravery in pursuing the suspects.”
“We continue to give the assurance that criminals will be pursued with all available resources to make our communities crime-free,” the statement added
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said on Thursday, 9 December 2021, “I received, officially, the Forbes “African of the Year Award” from Forbes Magazine”.
Also, he said the President of the US National Bar Association, Judge Carlos E. Moore, presented a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of my “initiative to provide free quality education to students”, which “will help with the broader development” of Ghana, as highlighted in Goal 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A few days ago, the President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, paid glowing tribute to President Akufo-Addo, for his recognition by Forbes Magazine as the “African of the Year”.
At a state dinner held in honour of the visiting South African President at Jubilee House on Saturday, 4 December, the South African President was full of praise for his Ghanaian counterpart for being adjudged the African of the Year by the world’s renowned media entity, Forbes.
President Ramaphosa extolled the virtues of President Akufo-Addo, which, in his view, led to Forbes awarding him the prestigious African of the Year crown.
“We are proud of this recognition, Your Excellency, because it speaks of your commitment, it speaks of your creativity, your innovation, and your clear strategic vision of what should happen in your own country, as well as on our beloved African continent,” he said.
President Ramaphosa also stressed that the recognition of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by Forbes is about his vision for Ghana, in particular, and the African continent as a whole.
“The recognition by the magazine is about your vision, not only for Ghana but for the people of our continent as well”, the South African President stated.
Not only was President Ramaphosa pleased with President Akufo-Addo’s recognition as the African of the Year, but also impressed by the cultural heritage of the Ghanaian people.
“This morning, Your Excellency, you took me to Kumasi to show me the wonders of Ghanaian culture and spectacular traditions during the 50th celebration of Nana Otuo Sriboe II of Juaben. I was deeply moved and impressed to see how Ghana has continued to keep true to the traditions of old, traditions that span generations and generations”, the South African President said.
Continuing, President indicated: “I will go back to South Africa with vivid memories of a people who are together in the very peaceful spirit celebrating, and I was truly honoured and humbled that you did take me to see the wonders of Ghanaian culture and tradition,” he said.
For his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked President Ramaphosa and his delegation for their visit to Ghana and reiterated his confidence that the visit will deepen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.
“For me, one of the essential pillars of our relations must be the mutual nurturing of our young people. They are the ones to inherit the legacy of our current co-operative endeavours, who should work towards preserving and further enriching it,” he said.
The President continued: “With your visit, I am confident that a solid foundation for this new and mutually-beneficial cooperation has been laid, just as we have renewed our determination to work towards strengthening our common commitment to our continental organisation, the African Union
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he is not a court to clear or convict persons accused of corruption in his government.
That job, he noted, is solely for the courts.
Speaking at a high-level national conference on the theme: “Building a culture of integrity for generations” to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day in Accra on Friday, 10 December 2021, the president said no corruption allegation against any of his appointees has gone uninvestigated under him.
“The government has undertaken, arguably, the boldest initiative since our nation attained independence nearly 65 years ago, to reform and strengthen the capacity of our institutions to tackle corruption in the public sector”, the president said.
“Charity, they say, begins at home; and, that is why, so far, every single alleged act of corruption levelled against any of my appointees has been investigated by independent bodies such as the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and, in some cases, by Parliament itself”, he asserted.
“It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or of engaging in acts of corruption; that is the job of the courts”, he emphasised.
The president clarified: “My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary action, including – if required – the suspension of the affected official pending the conclusion of the investigations”.
“That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of national leadership on 7 January 2017”, said the president.
He recalled: “As it was in 2019, I suspended the then-acting head of the Public Procurement Authority from office after conflict of interest and corruption allegations had been levelled against him”.
“Following recommendations from CHRAJ based on their investigation, I removed him from office in October 2020 and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, is seized with the matter for prosecution”, he noted
State-owned Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) has suspended its membership of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) with immediate effect following accusations that its recent reduction in fuel prices was due to government influence.
The government had urged oil marketing companies (OMCs) to reduce prices of petroleum products in order to cushion the motoring public. This had followed a sit-down strike by some driver unions.
GOIL complied with this recommendation and reduced its prices to GHp15 per litre at the pumps, having recently reduced them by GHp14 per litre.
But the AOMC wrote to the Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, asking government to steer clear of price deregulation as being implemented by OMCs.
This appears not to have gone down well with GOIL as captured in a statement dated Wednesday, December 8, 2021.
“GOIL wants to state categorically that at no point did the government ‘direct’ the company to reduce its fuel prices as being alleged and circulated.
“GOIL is a listed company with a constituted Board of Directors and Management and takes decisions based on prudent commercial principles,” the statement signed by Managing Director Kwame Osei-Prempeh said.
It stressed that the recent reduction in prices was as a result of the consideration of the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“Profit is therefore not the company’s prime motive, we also take cognisance of our corporate social responsibility to Ghanaians.”
It sad the motive was “to cushion Ghanaians in the difficult post-Covid period”.
It therefore challenged AOMC to provide proof of its allegations.
“The allegation that government is interfering in the industry is unfounded and baseless. GOIL has the right as any other OMC to determine its prices.
“We at GOIL believe the association has shown gross disrespect to the company and treated it with contempt and public ridicule. GOIL has therefore decided to suspend its membership of the association immediately
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said West Africa and for that matter, Ghana must not give up when it comes to guaranteeing the integrity of the electoral process and consolidating peace through the establishment of accurate electoral registers, the due validation of candidatures, the material organisations of ballots, and the proclamations of authentic results.
Speaking at the 2 nd Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), on Wednesday, 8th December 2021, stated that Ghana is often touted as a beacon of democracy in Africa, and has won plaudits for her democratic credentials.
Though still fraught with challenges, he indicated that Ghanaian democracy has been consolidated with the conduct of eight (8) elections, five (5) presidential transitions, three (3) of which resulted in the peaceful transfer from one political party to another.
“We want to be seen as a positive influence in other African countries who continue to face challenges with democratic consolidation,” he added.
He continued, “Out of duty towards our children and grandchildren, we must not give up when it comes to guaranteeing the integrity of the electoral process and consolidating peace through the establishment of accurate electoral registers, the due validation of candidatures, the material organisations of ballots, and the proclamations of authentic results”.
Touching on Ghana’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the years 2022-2023, which was successful, with Ghana garnering the highest number of votes on the day, he assured that Ghana will make sure that Africa’s voice is heard loud and clear in the deliberations of the Council, both on matters affecting the continent and on global issues.
“With the continent confronted by multiple threats to the territorial integrity of some of its states, and many of its civilian populations being put under serious threat, it will be our position on the Council that now is not the time for the Security Council to reduce its peacekeeping mandates on the continent. On the contrary, it should look to increasing them. We must not, on the global scale, be caught in a “penny wise, pound foolish” scenario,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, has asked Ghanaians who do not want to pay the 1.75 e-levy to stop using Mobile Money (MoMo).
He said the propanganda against the e-levy for political expediency is nauseating.
He told TV3’s Komla Klutse in an interview in Parliament on Wednesday December 8 that “No human being or no person likes to pay tax but it is a known fact that taxes are generally appalled by people who are supposed to pay them.
“So, what is happening is quite understandable. But to the extent that it has been used to gain some political points or it is being done for political expediency, for me, is very unfortunate.
“I will tell you something, I have always been saying that the MoMo tax is not a compulsory tax, you only pay when you use it. If you don’t use it you don’t pay so for me, there is no way any other procedure for making payments is going to equal MoMo.
“Right now, what we are saying is the tax is targeted at those who have the ability to pay, not those who are receiving. If you are receiving it is okay to go and negotiate with the person who has gone to the bank to borrow money and be a MoMo agent, pay money out, otherwise keep the money on your phone and you don’t pay any money.
“It is money targeted at those who want to use the service, even if I stand here and tell people that if you like don’t pay or if you like don’t use MoMo, I tell you, using MoMo will be far cheaper. If you think using the MoMo service is difficult or expensive, you try taking your money out there and even see.”
Contrary to assertions that Members of Parliament on the Minority side fighting against some taxes and levies introduced in the 2022 budget, are against taxation, John Asiedu Nketia says that is not so.
The General Secretary of the NDC explained that the party rather has a different approach to the subject of taxation.null
Speaking during a public forum on the 2021 ‘Awudie Budget’ organized by the NDC, he elaborated the stance of the party, stating that taxing people should benefit the nation and its people more than it impoverishes them.
“NDC is not against taxation. Indeed, our philosophy is based on taxation. We believe in redistributive justice and taxation is a means of achieving redistribution of wealth in the country. Our philosophy is hinged on the belief that what we have come together and we want to fight, we have different means: some will get rich, others will get richer, others will remain poor whatever happens but if we want to live in a group to ensure that everybody can have the basic needs in life, we believe that it is through taxation.
“Our principle of taxation is each according to his means. So, those who have bigger means will pay more than those who don’t have. And we are very conscious about what taxation and how those taxations are implemented. Because, if you put in taxation measure that works to put the greatest burden on the people who are already sinking then you are not helping to build a well-fed society,” he said.
The Minority in parliament had, on November 26, 2021, rejected the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in a historic event, but that decision was overturned days later on November 30, 2022, by the Majority.
Social Commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has reprimanded the Members of Parliament over their conduct in the House.
The Majority and Minority have shared dissenting opinions on the 2022 budget that was presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
With the Minority kicking against the budget, the Majority have approved it.
To the Minority, the budget, with particular reference to the government’s e-levy, will compound the hardships of Ghanaians whereas the Majority strongly believes the budget named “Agyenkwa Budget” will rather relieve Ghanaians.
On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, things escalated quickly while the Minority and Majority were broaching issues on the floor of Parliament resulting in the Minority members attempting to attack the Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise) who sat in for the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
The Speaker’s seat was pulled away by a Minority member in protest against the Deputy Speaker.
Addresssing the issue during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Bernard Allotey Jacobs scolded the Parliamentarians for playing with the budget.
‘”The budget is our destiny for the year 2022. It involves and includes everyone, even an unborn baby in the womb and we have turned the budget into gutter to gutter playing sides depending upon how people are being influenced from behind the scenes,” he said.
“Some of the Parliamentarians are like spoiled child or spoiled children, so they are playing with the Parliament,” he further slammed the MPs.
To him, it would be better to turn Parliament into a “supermarket Africana and sell kobi, kako and other things” if the MPs can’t be serious in Parliament, adding, “when a foreigner comes and wants to go to a chop bar in the Parliament House, you will find the Parliament House very clean”.
”You can’t hold the destiny of this country. You can’t!”, he warned them.
Former Minister of Central Region, Kwamena Duncan, has rebuked the Minority over their behaviour in Parliament.
The Minority and Majority members have been having heated arguments regarding the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
As the Minority is against the budget, the Majority, on the otherhand, are in favour of it.
The drama began when the Minority on Friday, November 26 rejected the budget after the Majority staged a walkout from their chambers but their vote was counted as a breach of the standing orders of the Legislative House.
On Tuesday, November 30, the Majority, by a 138 representation in a quorum, approved the budget.
During a Parliamentary proceeding after the Majority vote, some members of the Minority attempted to attack the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise) with one of them violently pulling the Speaker’s seat.
Discussing the Parliamentary brouhaha during Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kwamena Duncan called out the conduct of the Minority, describing them as ”aggressors”.
Alluding to a similar incident during the formation of the 8th Parliament where the Minority misbehaved, Kwamena Duncan said; ”Since 7th January what we witnessed and they all came out and said that oh we are sorry for what we have done, and we thought that they have learned some lessons out of what they did. It is even worse today and those who are the aggressors are the NDC Members of Parliament. The least thing, they want to unleash violence. Go back to 1996 and see those who were there, whether that was their enterprise in Parliament.”
He dreaded the Parliament of today may degenerate into anarchy.
“The Parliament we have today that people queued up to elect their representatives, today, the least thing, they descend into anarchy and violence. That a Member of Parliament can climb to where the Speaker is sitting to pull the Speaker’s seat and this country is muted over this matter. It’s not been called out and shamed. Now, Parliament has become a place where it easily degenerates into anything,” he stated.
Social commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has urged the Members of Parliament (MPs) to place Ghana first in all they do.
He expressed concerns over the conduct of the MPs in Parliament.
The MPs, both Majority and Minority, have been altercating about budget.
The Minority argues the budget won’t favour Ghanaians but the Majority believes this budget is one that will remedy Ghana’s economic situation.
Also, there was drama at Parliament following the Majority’s approval of the budget as some members of the Minority disagreeing with the Majority’s position caused chaos in the House.
Allotey Jacobs reminded the Parliamentarians of their duties to their constituents and why they elected them to represent them in the Legislative House.
”Immediately you enter into Parliament, Ghana first!”, he exclaimed and cautioned them to stop misbehaving.
“People are flexing their muscles. They want us to see they are militants, tough guys . . . sometimes some people foolishly will come out that we don’t like our country and that they are going to reside abroad like it’s their country . . . Ghana is our own. Ghana is our own country, we can’t go nowhere else . . . we should think about Ghana first,” he said.
He further called on them not to do things for their parochial interest, saying, “we are making progress. That’s what should have motivated us to help and move this country forward because at the end of the day, whether your party is in power or not, it will be the Midas touch”.
Allotey Jacobs made these comments while discussing the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Akufo-Addo government during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo” Wednesday morning.
Three school children have died after a vehicle conveying them home collided head-on with an overtaking car.
The three deceased children have been identified as Jerry Quartey, Osten Kwaku and Albert Odame Sarfo, all 7 years.
Starr News has gathered that the incident occurred Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at about 4:30 pm when an Almera Taxi Cab with registration number GS 5736-09 carrying the twelve (12) school children and driven by Atiemo Erasmus collided head-on with an unregistered Toyota Camry driving by suspect Penry Boahen, 24, who engaged in wrong overtaking upon reaching Mampong Akuapem from Akropong direction.
Occupants on both vehicles including the school children and both drivers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital.
Three of the children were confirmed dead while two were quickly rushed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital in Accra.
Parents of the victims have since been trooping to the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital in anxiety after hearing the accident.
This resulted in near chaos and stampede as parents and family members were forcing their way to the wards to see their children.
The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told confirmed the accident to Starr news when contacted.
He, however, said the two suspect drivers will be arrested to assist investigation when discharged.
The two vehicles have been impounded and towed to the Police station for testing
According to the Foreign Minister, Ghana decided to give out the Presidential jet, having considered important relations with its neighbours.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghana’s presidential jet has been turned into a presidential Uber for other African heads of state.
According to the North Tongu MP, Ghana’s presidential jet has been used on more than 10 occasions by other African heads of state to go about their business when President Akufo-Addo rents private jets for his international trips.
The MP filed a question for the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayokor-Botchwey, to answer how much it was costing the Ghanaian taxpayer for Ghana’s presidential jet to be given out to other heads of state.
According to the Foreign Minister, Ghana decided to give out the Presidential jet, having considered important relations with its neighbours.
She, however, failed to provide answers on how much it cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, saying that was in the purview of the National Security Minister.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said he is not satisfied with the answers given by the Minister and will continue to press for answers.
The North Tongu legislator said he’s worried the presidential jet is being used as a presidential Uber to carry other African Heads of States around.
“We keep giving out this presidential jet for free; they don’t even pay for aviation fuel. So there have to be some parameters, some policy that guides, so it doesn’t become a presidential Uber.”
He added, “Why is it that when our president has to travel particularly to Europe and America, he chooses to charter these ultra-luxurious aircraft and then leave our presidential jet in the hands of other African presidents?”.
Meanwhile, the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, is scheduled to appear before Parliament on Friday to answer Okudzeto Ablakwa’s question on the cost of chartering private jets for the President’s foreign trips.
The government has launched six community mining schemes in galamsey-endemic areas of the country to address the issue of illegal mining.
The schemes, which are being rolled out in communities in the Western, Ashanti and Eastern regions of Ghana, is expected to enable willing persons to mine in a responsible manner and create 10,300 direct jobs and 21,000 indirect jobs.
Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, made this known at the regular Meet The Press session organised by the Ministry of Information in Accra on Wednesday, 8 November 2021.
According to him, the government is sanitising the extractive sector of the country with the introduction of the community mining scheme which paves the way for the commencement of regulated, responsible, and sustainable community mining, aimed at helping to get rid of illegal mining.
“We are creating community mining schemes to hold onto those who will be moved out of the illegal mining and to cushion them as well”, he told journalists.
“So far, we have created these schemes in six mining areas of the Western, Ashanti and Eastern Regions”.
“The schemes are intended to provide livelihoods for members in the mining communities, promote sustainable and responsible mining and therefore prevent illegal mining,” Mr Duker said.
He said community mining had become the main fulcrum around which the nation sought to organise responsible small-scale mining, explaining that it is the reason the government has developed a Small- Scale and Community Mining operational manual to guide the operations of small-scale miners.
Establishment of Mineral Development Unit at ADB
Mr Duker also disclosed that the government, as part of efforts to continuously support relevant players within the mining sector and ensure that small-scale miners have access to credit facilities for their operations, has established a Minerals Development Unit at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
This, he said, will help tackle the issue of operational capital as the lack of credit facilities for small-scale mining operators has been identified as one of the driving forces behind foreigners’ involvement in the small scale mining space
The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has called on farmers and Ghanaians as a whole to embrace the government’s proposed E-Levy transaction which was announced in the 2022 budget statement by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, last month.
According to Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Akufo-Addo administration was working assiduously to raise money enough to support farmers in the country, hence the introduction of the E-Levy.
However, he pointed out that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) entrenched position on the matter was very worrying.
Dr Afriyie Akoto made the assertion when he visited one of the government’s built warehouses at Gambaga in the North East Region on his first-day visit to the region as part of his 13-day tour of the northern sector.
The warehouse contained thousands of tons of harvested rice for safekeeping.
Prior to the visit to the warehouse, Dr Afriyie Akoto held a durbar with stakeholders and farmers in the agriculture industry in the region where he encouraged them to support the government’s policies in the sector.
These, he said, included Fertiliser Subsidy, Planting For Food and Jobs ((PFJ) among others aimed at improving farming activities in the region.
On shortage of fertilisers, he indicated that the government was seriously working to address it.
“We are making arrangements to ensure that farmers in the country have fertilisers to apply to their crops,” he assured. He explained that the problem has come about because of the global shortage of fertiliser, adding that this has caused increases in the price of fertilisers.
He said, regrettably Ghana does not produce fertilisers, however, added that the government has subsidised fertilisers’ for farmers by 50%. This facility, he said, started when the government begun its PFJ programme.
While admitting that there were demands for warehouses, he averred that the uncompleted ones will be worked on as quickly as possible.
The minister also paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of Mamprugu Kingdom, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sherigu, at his Nayiri Palace.
Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sherigu thanked the minister and his directors for making time to visit his community.
He recounted how his senior brother who was an agriculture extension officer helped him in his farming activities.
He, therefore, challenged the agriculture minister to ensure that extension officers carry out the needed knowledge to the farmers to improve their yields, adding that the region was one of the leading food baskets in the country.
Speaking to journalists, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Mamprusi West, Aremeyaw Somo Lucky Basiutaly, who spoke on behalf of the farmers, mainly rice farmers, mentioned some challenges bedevilling the farmers.
These, he mentioned, included no power at the processing centre and a lack of warehouses in the district for rice farmers.
He, therefore, appealed to the minister to help resolve these challenges.
From the palace of the Overlord of Mamprusi, the minister’s team visited the Presbyterian Agriculture Services at Lanbinsi Tenguri where he interacted with the women farmers and promised to support their activities.
He then took his visit to Tamanaa Rice Factory located along the Tamale Highway where rice in its raw state were processed, packaged and sold to the final consumer or exported
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has announced the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah, for flouting road traffic regulations.
Dr Amoah was busted during a police operation on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, around the Airport By-Pass to arrest drivers of V8 vehicles who were not complying with the Road Traffic Regulations.
During the exercise, some V8 drivers including Dr Amoah were arrested for the offences of careless driving, dangerous driving and causing road obstruction among others.
Six other drivers were also arrested as part of the operation which lasted between 4 pm and 6.30 pm.
They include;
1. Driver in charge of Toyota Landcruiser V8 with registration number GN 5532 – 17, Mr Joseph Brown.
2. Driver in charge of Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GT 7059 – 20, Hon. Dr Stephen Amoah.
3. Driver in charge of Toyota 4 Runner with registration number GE 303 – 20, Mr Samuel A. Anim.
4. Driver in charge of Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GE 1611 – 17, Emmanuel Kofi Ofori.
5. Driver in charge of Toyota Highlander 4×4 SUV with registration number GE 14 – 21, Mr Dimini Atuahene
6. Driver in charge of Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GN 3516 – 18, Mr Daniel Boateng
7. Driver in charge of Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GT 856 – 20, Thomas Atinga.
They were processed for court today (December 8, 2021
Ten passengers travelling on a VIP bus with registration number GT 5693-15 toward the Upper West Region have died in an accident around Gindabor in the Savanna Region.
The accident occurred when the passenger bus veered off the road and rammed a tree.
The ghastly crash led to the bus being split into two halves.
Apart from the deaths, several other passengers sustained serious injuries.
It is, however, not clear what caused the accident.
Speaking on Accra100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, about the accident, the Sawla Tuna Police Commander, Mr De-graft Adjei Armah, said the vehicle heading toward Wa, veered off the road into a tree.
He noted that the police suspects the driver was fatigued.
He said the bus started the journey with 45 passengers but some alighted leaving about 20 aboard the vehicle when the accident happened.
He stressed that the dead is made up of three children and seven adults.
The dead have been deposited to the Wa morgue while the injured are receiving treatment at the Wa hospital
The police investigator testifying at the trial of National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and a communications officer of the party, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, has insisted that the NDC Chairman had planned to endanger the lives of other people.
According to Chief Inspector Bernard Berko, the leaked audio tape from a meeting organised for communicators of the NDC which was played in court, captured Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo planning to endanger the lives of the Chairman of the National Peace Council (Prof. Emmanuel Asante) and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (Jean Mensa).
This, he said, was the reason why Ofosu-Ampofo and Kwaku Boahen who allegedly conspired to commit those offences, were charged and put before the court to be tried.
Chief Inspector Berko was responding to a question by Tony Lithur, counsel for Ofosu-Ampofo while under cross-examination on the basis for charging the two accused persons.
The lawyer had asked the witness whether an interview granted by Kwaku Boahen in the aftermath of the leaked tape that those in attendance supported what the party chairman had said, was the basis for charging the two with conspiracy.
“There was a plot to commit those offences and it was done by A1 (Ofosu-Ampofo) and A2 (Boahen) that was why they were charged with those offences,” the witness responded.
Mr. Lithur further asked if those comments in the interview were the basis of the plot as alleged by the investigator, and he answered that it was based on the plan to endanger the lives of others, that they were charged.
“My Lord, the audio was played in open court. A1 was heard planning to endanger the lives of other people, attacking the Chairman of Peace Council, Chairperson of Electoral Commission. It was based on those plans that they were charged before this court,” the witness answered.
“My question was about A2 (Boahen). Since you yourself admitted that you did not hear A2 speak during the meeting, was these comments which he made during the interview what you said constitute the plot?” Mr. Lithur probed further.
“My Lord, so many people attended the meeting but not all of them were heard. Also A2 in an interview said he was part of the meeting and he appreciates whatever A1 (Ofosu-Ampofo) said and he supports it. This is why he was charged to appear before this court,” Chief Inspector Berko responded.
“I suggest to you that A2 did not say in that whole interview that he supported what A1 said. The statement clearly was that his political party, the NDC supported what A1 was alleged to have said,” Mr. Lithur fired.
“On Page 7 line 9 of Exhibit 1 (transcript of interview), he said he appreciates whatever A1 said and he supports it,” the witness responded.
“Are you suggesting that when he said ‘we’ he meant he?” the lawyer asked, and the witness answered “It means he and others.”
Mr. Lithur then suggested to the witness that those others referred to as ‘we’ are the members of the NDC, and the witness said ‘that is so’, adding that “Since the meeting was meant for NDC communicators, it can be true the others are members of the same party.”
Hearing has been adjourned to January 18, 2022 for continuation.
Main Trial
Ofosu-Ampofo has been charged with one count of conspiracy to cause harm and two counts of assault against a public officer, while Kwaku Boahen is facing one count of conspiracy to cause harm.
They have both been granted bail of GH¢100,000, with one surety each.
Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo and one of the party’s leading communicators, Kwaku Boahen, are on trial over the audio recording containing the chilling strategies the NDC allegedly intended to use for the 2020 elections – one being the kidnappings of family members of political opponents.
Per the prosecution’s facts, they had planned to commit crimes in the country and turn round to blame them on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run up to the 2020 general election which the NDC lost.
Among the strategies were the creation of a general state of insecurity in the country through kidnappings, arson and verbal attacks on public officials like the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Prof. Emmanuel Asante, and Electoral Commission boss, Jean Mensa.
The audio detailed how Ofosu-Ampofo, for instance, was asking the party members to make those officials “know their lives are in danger” as well as taking the EC Chairperson “to the cleaners.”
At one point on the tape, the NDC Chairman appeared to express delight that their ‘tactics’ were working after he heard one of the targets was not able to sleep in the house
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to continue to respect the two term presidential limit and abide by the the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on democracy and good governance.
He insisted that good governance must exclude political manipulations to stay in power beyond given mandates.
President Akufo-Addo who was speaking at the 2021 Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum at the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre in Accra, reiterated ECOWAS’ resolve to restore democracy in Mali and Guinea.
The two day 2021 Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum which is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance, has adopted a hybrid format and focused on the theme, democracy in the context of complex crisis in west Africa.
The forum will aim at building political will to reaffirm the avowed commitment to democracy and credibility of elections on the west African sub region.
The forum which has brought together some former african heads of states and leaders, is expected to contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to strengthen the role of democratic institutions in their function as gatekeepers in promoting and maintaining peace and stability.
He also appealed to Ghana’s diplomat, Mohamed Ibn Chambas to assist the Authority of Heads of States of the ECOWAS to restore Guinea to constitutional rule.
Mr Akufo-Addo who is also Chair of the ECOWAS admitted that the task to restore Guinea to democratic path is a sensitive one that requires persons such as Dr Chambas who has just been appointed as the Chair of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum.
“I must at the outset congratulate Ghana’s distinguished diplomat , the chair of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas on his new appointment as ECOWAS Envoy to Guinea.
“He is has won many hearts in the course of of his stellar career and I want to assure him of the support of the of the Authority of ECOWAS whose Chair I am privileged to be the current occupant , in the collective quest to restore Guinea on the path of democracy and stability.
“If there is anyone who can assist the authority to accomplish this sensitive task , it is my good friend of many years Mohamed Ibn Chambas,” he said while speaking at the 2021 Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum at the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre in Accra, on Wednesday December 8.
ECOWAS had imposed sanctions on Guinea in a bid to get the country back to the democratic governance after the regional body held an extraordinary meeting in Accra on Thursday September 16 to deliberate on happenings in Guinea after Alpha Conde’s government was overthrown on Sunday, September 5 by members of the Special Forces of Guinea, led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who has now formed the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD).
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They as well as their family members have been banned from travelling and their financial assets have been frozen. This has been communicated to international bodies like AU, UN, EU and other bilateral bodies.
A decision was taken for the Chair of the Authority to personally travel to Conakry to convey the messages to the military leaders.
“[The heads of state] also, of course, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ firm commitment to work and help Guinea in this process of restoring the constitutional order.
“They insisted also on the close support of traditional partner the United Nations, the African Union, European Union and also other bilateral countries and they also decided that there will be a visit by the Chair of the Authority to the Republic of Guinea as soon as possible to convey those messages regarding the decision of the Summit personally.”
Ernest Norgbey, MP, Ashaiman, has regretted his actions of seizing the chair of the Speaker of Parliament when chaos erupted in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
He told Joy FM on Tuesday, December 7, that the incident that occurred in the Chamber was unfortunate and he apologises for his action.
“There is nothing wrong when you err, you just apologize to the very person you erred against. That is why I said it was an unfortunate incident that happened in the Chamber. I am ever ready to apologize.
“It’s just an unfortunate incident that happened, it occurred during a situation that all of us found ourselves in and so if my actions have offended anybody, I take full responsibility for that and then apologize,” Ernest Norgbey told Evans Mensah.
There was chaos in Parliament after the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu gave a ruling which didn’t favour the Minority Caucus.
The Minority, through its leader, Haruna Iddrisu, had challenged the approval of the 2022 budget statement and requested that a motion be adopted to set aside the approval of the policy document.
According to the Minority, it was wrong for the Deputy Speaker who chaired proceedings on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, to count himself as part of the Majority while he assumed the speaker position.
After listening to the arguments for and against the motion, Joe Wise, as he is known popularly ruled that he did no wrong, hence could not accept the proposal from the Minority.
He argued, although he is sitting in for the Speaker, he cannot be described as “the Speaker of Parliament” since he is a Member of Parliament and was only assisting the substantive Speaker, Alban Bagbin, who is currently in Dubai for a medical check-up.
He, then, suspended the House after the ruling because of the confusion that ensued after his decision on Wednesday.
Amid the heckling, shouting and shoving from members of both sides, the Ashaiman MP walked straight to the place where the Speaker sits and dragged the chair towards the Minority section of the House.
Some Marshals of Parliament had to intervene to restore the chair to its original position.
Defending his actions, the MP told TV3 that he did nothing wrong relocating the seat of the Speaker of Parliament.
“I didn’t snatch the seat of the Speaker, I was only preserving it. Yes, it is not my duty to preserve the seat of the Speaker, but when he rules that he is not the Speaker, then we would have to preserve it [the seat] for the Speaker till he comes.
“I don’t agree with the view that touching the Speaker’s seat, is sacrilegious. The Speaker was not on the seat when I touched it. So many people touch the Speaker’s seat. I can also touch it. When I touch it, what happens? And no, my action did not attract the Marshals. They were already there. They were already positioned around the mace and the seat. No one intended to carry the seat outside the chamber,” Ernest Norgbey said.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GRPTU) has explained that the 15p reduction in fuel prices by GOIL is not entirely what commercial transport operators are demanding.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the GPRTU Abass Imoro said they are demanding Ghc1.50p per litre.
He disclosed that at the meeting held at the presidency, authorities told them they cannot reduce fuel prices at Ghc1.50p all at a go. He said authorities have promised to reduce fuel prices at a gradual process.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he noted they have given the government the benefit of the doubt and were hopeful their demands would be met.
Mr. Imoro indicated that the constant increase in fuel prices has affected commercial transport operators.
Commercial drivers on Monday, December 6, 2021, embarked on a sit-down strike in protest of high fuel prices.
Many passengers, including workers, traders, and school children, were left stranded at various bus terminals and roadsides while drivers blocked roads to prevent their colleagues and private vehicles from moving amidst resistance.
The sit-down strike was led by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other transport operators.
The strike was later suspended following a meeting at the Jubilee House.
Abass Imoro said authorities have realized how strong the driver unions were and would take steps to address them.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has shed light on the need for every Ghanaian to pay tax.
There is an ongoing contention over taxes as aggrieved Ghanaians complain bitterly about the introduction of an e-levy and petroleum product taxes.
Yesterday, some incensed commercial transport vehicle drivers staged a strike action, refusing to convey passengers in protest against fuel price increments and taxes on petroleum products.
Although the drivers have suspended the strike following a statement that the leaders of their Union have been invited to the Presidency, there is uncertainty on whether or not they will hit the streets again.
Also, the e-levy has attracted opposition with the Minority in Parliament and some Ghanaians fighting for either the removal of the levy or a reduction.
The levy, which will take effect in February next year, is purposed to compensate for the removal of road tolls and with the aim to provide infrastructure development in the country.
All Ghanaians are expected to pay a 1.75% e-levy on all electronic transactions but many citizens are already shedding tears as they believe this new tax will overburden them.
Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Ken Ofori-Atta appreciated the citizens’ concerns regarding the payment of taxes but maintained that taxation is the right way to go in transforming the economy.
“Taxes are disincentive to everybody. It isn’t anything strange. The question is how do you put in administrative measures to ensure that people do not migrate from it and that everybody pays their due. And we’re moving towards a cashless society, you find ways to make it expensive to be handling cash, so you change the society,” he argued.
He wondered how Ghanaians expect the nation to develop and will complain about paying taxes.
With emphasis on the e-levy, he disclosed that there is a huge tax inequity in Ghana showing a few people pay taxes, hence the need to resolve this issue.
“You know things are introduced. Things are managed and monitored. Things are adjusted; it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t start when we know that the world is moving towards a digital economy. So, we don’t have our heads in the sand to purport that we are doing something we haven’t thought about. What we want to do, especially with the employment and the debt situation [and] infrastructure, we are very convinced that that is the way to go . . . so, it’s just a new dawn; a new era and the plea understanding that we should all support it.”
He encouraged the citizens to embrace the idea of paying taxes saying, “like the sons of Issachar, we should understand the times that we are in and therefore agree on a way in which, as a nation, we move forward. So, that’s where we are at this junction”.
The Minister further promised that the government will ensure no person is left out of the tax net, saying ”societies have to change and that will be, as a government, our responsibility to implementing a way in which trying to evade, dodge, whatever is mitigated. So, society has to change and we will work with everyone”.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted that the December 7, 2020, polls was a terrible blot on Ghana’s democracy.
General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah said the government unleashed its goons on Ghanaians during the elections, a situation which led to the death of some 8 persons. The chief scribe said although the current president was touted as a man who respects the rule of law, his governance had been characterized by violence, intolerance and machoism.
The party also recounted the death of journalist Ahmed Hussein Suale without concrete outcome.
Read the full statement below:
A statement issued and signed by the party’s General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia on Monday December 6 said, “For us in the National Democratic Congress, who were the victims at the hands of the NPP goons who have been unlawfully integrated into the security services, that day will always remain a terrible blot on the much-acclaimed democratic credentials of Ghana whose genesis we in the NDC are proud to be associated with.
“It is a matter of grave irony that the one person who, before the elections of 2016, was touted as the best thing that could happen to Ghana’s leadership, turned out to be a politician whose style of governance is dominated by intolerance, violence and machoism.
It was during the first term of President Akufo-Addo that the politically-motivated murder of Ahmed Suale took place. Ahmed Suale was murdered almost 3 years ago, and yet nobody knows when his murderers would be apprehended and brought to trial. But that is not all.”
It added that “In the first year of the 2nd term of President Akufo-Addo, another obviously politically-motivated murder has been committed, this time in Ejura in the Ashanti Region. The callous murder of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Kaaka and the apparent silence and inaction of the security agencies to find his killers, has fortified us in our belief that President Akufo-Addo is not fully committed to his oath to preserve the lives of Ghanaians, and that anyone who dissents cannot count on his protection.
“It is a matter of great regret that a President who in his professional career, spent several years defending human rights issues would, upon the assumption of the highest office in the land, preside over such egregious violations of the rights of citizens.”
“Today, we recall, with grave sadness and sorrow that eight (8) Ghanaians were needlessly murdered by agents of the state under the ultimate control of the Presidency during the 2020 general elections. What is even more baffling over and beyond the tardiness of the Akufo-Addo government in bringing to book the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, is the fact that the President has never for once acknowledged that his victory was secured over the lifeless bodies of his fellow citizens.
“The National Democratic Congress wishes to place on record its promise to the families of the deceased and the injured that, at the earliest possible opportunity, we shall seek justice for the bereaved and the injured, and take all appropriate steps to ensure that compensation is paid to the families of those who were murdered or needlessly assaulted by NPP hoodlums. These dead persons, in our humble opinion, are the martyrs of the 4th Republic. And we will never forget them.
“Let it also never be forgotten that this ready resort to violence on the part of President Akufo-Addo and his NPP predates his accession to the Presidency. For even in opposition, violence was freely employed by he and his supporters to cow his adversaries in his own party into submission. And it is this clearly visible trait that has plunged the country into the confusion surrounding the approval of the 2022 Budget.
“We now have a President who obviously does not believe in dialogue nor negotiations and would, at any stage of engagement, seek to employ the tactics of a wannabe dictator to bully his way through. Unfortunately, in a real democracy, such methods do not yield peace or stability. And fortunately, the people of Ghana awarded the NDC with enough seats in Parliament to ward off the President’s intolerant approach to governance.
“We in the National Democratic Congress wish to place on record our unblemished admiration for our 137 MPs who, in the face of naked power play and threats, have stood up to be counted. We honour them most especially for their forthright rejection of the E-levy. By ensuring the successful election of the vintage Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament, the gallant NDC MPs have carved out a name for themselves and posterity.
“The people of Ghana are now assured that Parliament has assumed its proper role as an oversight institution that checks the excesses of the government of President Akufo-Addo. The National Democratic Congress salutes all Ghanaians who, despite the threats to their much cherished rights, despite the unjustified killing of as many as eight citizens, despite the intolerance of the Akufo-Addo government, went to the polls and cast their votes a year ago.
“We pledge to fight as hard as possible within the law, to prevent the current government from bastardising our democracy; and we promise that no sacrifice on our part would be too much for us to bear in order to secure for ourselves and our posterity, the benefits of the democracy that we toiled so hard to establish.”
Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayerebi in the Eastern Region of Ghana Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has hinted that government cannot pay salaries in 2022 if the current budget is not approved.
According to him, if appropriations are not done on the 2022 budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, all government can do is to set aside money for three months in 2022 after which the country will have to ground into a halt.
He made this known when he spoke to Accra-based OKAY FM in an interview.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said “if we are unable to do the appropriations, we have the opportunity to allocate funds to sectors of the economy for three months after which we have no power to spend.
We will not be able to pay salaries, we will not be able to service our debts, we will not be able to pay for power, the country will grind to a halt as a result of our inability to work on the appropriations”.
The Lawmaker said it is therefore imperative that the appropriations are worked on in Parliament and passed in order for government business to go on as expected for the growth of Ghana.
“There is the need for us to work together as a house to ensure that we pass the various appropriations so that Ghana can move forward towards the right direction,” he said on OKAY FM in Accra.
The Government of Ghana has for the first time had difficulties in approving its budget for a fiscal year.
The government has been forced to modify the budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister because the Minority in Parliament are said to not be happy with some of the levies and other programmes the government intends to undertake and implement in 2022.
The Minority believes that these levies will bring untold hardship to the people of Ghana and therefore have kicked against the 2022 budget.
Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga has asked the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia not to contest for the position of the National Chair against the current chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.
Mr Ayariga believes that if Mr Asiedu Nketia contests for the posotion, it will put the party in a very difficult situation because the party cannot afford to lose one of them from the leadership.
Asked who he is supporting for the chairmanship position, while speaking on the Good Evening Ghana show on Tuesday December 7, he said “I actually haven’t given a thought. I believe that the two of them should find a way of continuing to work together, if you ask for my honest view. Because whatever Asiedu Nketia will accuse the chairman of, the chairman can equally accuse Asiedu Nketia of. They were together when we won elections, they were together when we lost two elections so the two of them are equally responsible.
“We have confidence in the two of them and so we want them to remain to work together but if they force us to have to make a choice it will be a difficult choice but we will prefer that the two of them find a way of continuing to work together.
“I don’t see the difference between the powers of a General Secretary vis-à-vis the National Chairman, If you ask me.
The General Secretary is more of the engine of the party so, to move yourself from General Secretary and go to chairmanship, I don’t know what will happen but I prefer that they are all there because Asiedu Nketia, in a way, has become the soul of the party, everybody in the party likes Asiedu Nketia, the grassroots like him, everybody feels that he worked very hard for the party. At the same time, they also have respect for the chairman of the party.
“So he is putting us in a very difficult situation given that it is not the chairman who wants to go and contest General Secretary , it is he who wants to go and contest the chairman.
“So he is the one who is putting us in a very difficult situation . We like him so much.
“I know he has quite some weight in the party and he is one of the very few people who can have their way through anything that they want in the party except that in this instance, I will plead with him to reconsider his decision because it is going to put us all in a very difficult situation.
“We like him, under any circumstance we cannot lose Asiedu Nketia but at the same time we don’t want to also throw away our chairman.”
Chaos erupts in Parliament as Deputy Speaker sought to rule
Deputy speakers insist he ruled on the motion by minority
2022 budget has been controversial, chaotic and confrontational
The Minority leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has said he will file a motion to challenge the conduct of the first Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, for insisting he ruled on the motion to overturn the approval of the 2022 budget statement and Economic policy.
According to the Minority Leader, the first Deputy Speaker cannot rule as he wishes in the House as the vote and proceedings captured that the speaker’s ruling was truncated by chaos last Wednesday.
“…Let me serve you notice that Mr Speaker under order 93(5) I will file a motion to question your conduct as Speaker or as a member of Bekwai, whenever is appropriate, because this directive you are giving does not and we ourselves recall the recording for scrutiny and we will look at it closely because as far as we know Mr Speaker, you attempted to rule and there was an uproar and there was a suspension and subsequently an adjournment and that all we know. So Mr Speaker I intend to invoke order 93(5) I will serve you and submit your conduct because you cannot operate with this Standing Orders at your wish and caprices.”
The First Deputy Speaker, however, insisted that he ruled in the midst of the chaos rejecting the motion.
The minority had moved for a vote to overturn the approval of the 2022 budget as passed by the all-majority side of the house on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
The majority voted to overturn a vote of rejection passed on the budget by the minority side on Friday, November 27, 2021, after they (the majority) staged a boycott of proceedings
The majority side in the absence of the minority who stayed out of the chamber on Tuesday after overturning the rejection vote of Friday, also voted to approve the 2022 budget.
The minority wants the Speaker’s ruling overturned but the Speaker insists he ruled amidst the chaos and still stands by his decision.
The suspects reportedly vandalised the glass doors before setting all furniture on fire in the commander’s office.
Some suspected land guards have allegedly set ablaze a newly built police station in Tenbibiano near Obom of the Ga South Municipality.
Residents of the area who have been thrown into a state of shock said the edifice was set to be commissioned this week.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspects reportedly vandalised the glass doors before setting all furniture on fire in the commander’s office.
Adom News’ Kofi Agyei reports that due to the notorious activities being perpetrated by some land guards in the area, Tenbibiano, Obom, and Ashalaja have all been declared “no go areas” by the residents.
However, Chief of Tenbibiano, Nii Quashie Amponsah has called on the Police to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits.
“It is an unfortunate incident which has not rested well with me nor any of my council members or the people of this community. I am pleading that they [Police] investigate this incident.
“We are not happy with it. We are not behind it. We don’t like what happened and we are not in support of it. So the Police and all its bodies should take this matter up and make sure the culprits are brought to book,” he insisted.
Finance minister officially submits budget modification to Speaker
Government makes seven modifications to 2022 budget
TELCO’s to reduce all-inclusive cost by 0.25 percentage point
Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. John Kuma, has described the NPP administration as a listening government.
According to him, the current government has acknowledged the concerns being made by citizens regarding the budget and have considered them.
He made reference to the former president John Mahama saying, “We are not like President Mahama, we listen to the concerns of citizens.
“Being responsive to concerns doesn’t make you notarial, the thoroughness involved in listening to the concerns of other people and saying that, is it possible to review it this way or is it possible to do it that way, so we are in consultations to reach a consensus on the way forward”.
He made these remarks in an interview on the AM Show on the Joy News channel.
The finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during a press briefing on Monday said, he has written to the speaker of parliament on seven modifications to the 2022 budget.
He mentioned that matters arising in relation to the e-levy will be addressed by parliament as government is in consultation with TELCO’s to ensure that the all-inclusive cost is reduced by 0.25 percentage points.
Parliament has adopted modifications to the 2022 budget statement and economic policy presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Minister in a letter to parliament made some concessions such as a 10 million cedis provision for the Keta sea defence project, revision of Aker Energy, AGM Petroleum GNPC deal, withdrawal of Agyapa from the budget among others.
The Minister, however, failed to adjust the 1.75% E-levy in spite of agitations from the public and the minority.
Commenting on the modifications after they were laid on the floor, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu stated his side cannot and will not support the levy and will shoot it down anytime it surfaces in the budget.
Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga questioned the absence of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta who according to him should have moved a separate motion to amend the one moved during the presentation of the budget.
The demand was however rejected by Interior Minister and Nandom MP, Ambrose Dery with First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu explaining provisions were made for the modifications during the approval of the budget.
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin on his part disclosed government will still dialogue and consult on the E-Levy.
Elembelle MP Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah cautioned the house has 10 more days to sit and thus Ghanaians should blame the government and the Majority if Parliament fails to approve the budget estimates and pass the appropriation bill.
The former Energy Minister singled out the Finance Minister for a mention arguing he’s not shown enough seriousness with the work of parliament in approving the budget
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has insisted that his side in the House will not support the introduction of the E-levy in the 2022 budget statement.
Contributing to a debate on the floor of the House Tuesday December 7, he said “We are unable to support government and we will continue to oppose it.”
His comments came just a day after the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta had indicated at a press conference that consultations were still going on regarding the proposal in order to reach a consensus.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time,” he said on Monday December 6.
The Finance Minister had announced in the budget statement a new levy to be charged by government in 2022 on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector.
“It is becoming clear there exists enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the ‘informal economy’,” Mr Ofori-Atta observed on Wednesday, November 17 as he presented the 2022 budget statement in Parliament.
“After considerable deliberations, government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the ‘Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy’.”
He explained that the new E-levy will be a 1.75 per cent charge on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances to be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.
This will, however, not affect transactions that add up to GH¢100 pr less per day.
“A portion of the proceeds from the E-Levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure among others.”
This new levy is scheduled to start Saturday, January 1, 2022.
In 2020, total value of transactions was estimated to be over GH¢500 million with mobile money subscribers and users growing by 16 percent in 2019.
According to a Bank of Ghana report, Ghana saw an increase of over 120 percent in the value of digital transactions between February 2020 and February 2021 compared to 44 percent for the period February 2019 to February 2020 due to the convenience they offer.
This was definitely heightened by the advent of Covid-19 especially during the lockdown.
But the proposal has met resistance from the Minority in Parliament.
Haruna Iddrisu said the E-levy is a disincentive to the growth of digital economy. To that end, he said, the Minority will not support it.
Speaking at a post budget workshop in Ho on Saturday November 20, he said “Mr Speaker, understandably, we see that the Minister of Finance seeks to introduce some measures including the now popularly declared e-levy or digital levy as some have quite named it.
“Mr Speaker, our concern is whether the e-levy itself is not and will not be a disincentive to the growth of digital economy in our country . We are convinced that the e-levy may as well even be a disincentive to investment and a disincentive to private sector development in our country. We in the minority may not and will not support government with the introduction of that particular e-levy . We are unable to build national consensus on that particular matter.”
Lawyers of convicted actress Rosemond Alade Brown popularly known as Akuapem Poloo have filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the dismissal of her appeal by the High Court.
On Monday, December 1, 2021, the High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey dismissed her Appeal seeking a non-custodial sentence instead of a custodial sentence.
The High Court ruled that the 90 days custodial sentence imposed on her by the Circuit Court was not “manifestly excessive” and “harsh” and therefore cannot interfere with that decision.
Five days after, her lawyers led by Andrew Kudzo Vortia have filed a notice of appeal to challenge that decision and a notice for bail.
A copy of the notice of appeal sighted by Kasapafmonline.com filed on Monday, December 6, 2021 stated as follows;
“Please take note that the convict/appellant/appellant herein, being aggrieved by the judgment of the High Court Criminal Division (1)Accra, Her Ladyship Ruby Aryeetey dated 1st December 2021 dismissing the appellant appeal against the conviction and sentenced to 90 days imprisonment imposed on the appellant on each count to run concurrently by Her Honour Mrs Christiana Cann dated April 16, 2021 hereby appeals to the court of appeal on the grounds set out below and for the release stated here under.
“That the learned judge erred in failing to appreciate that as a young first offender and a single parent, a noncustodial sentenced of a fine instead of a custodial sentence of 90days imposed on the appellant by the trial court is appropriate in this case,” the notice of appeal stated.
“That the custodial sentence of 90 days imposed on the appellant be set aside and in lieu, be substituted with a noncustodial sentence of a fine,” It stated.
Aside, the notice to appeal, the lawyers have also filed for bail pending the determination of the appeal.
EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the notice for bail application would be moved on December 15, 2021.
The convict is currently serving the remainder of her jail terms.
First Appeal
The High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey on Monday, December 1, 2021 dismissed the appeal filed by Rosemond Alade Brown challenging her 90 days custodial sentence.
The court while affirming the Circuit Court decision said, the punishment imposed was to cause much harm to the convict which will then become a deterrent to herself and others.
April 16, judgment
On April 16, Actress and social media personality Rosemond Brown popularly known as Akuapem Poloo was jailed for 90 days or three months by an Accra Circuit Court.
This was after Akuapem Poloo pleaded guilty to three charges.
She was charged with the publication of nude pictures with her seven-year-old son. She changed her not guilty plea to guilty before being convicted.
She was sentenced to 90 days on each count but the court said, the sentence must run concurrently.
This means she will only serve a 90-day jail term which is three months.
The Court presided over by Her Honour Mrs. Christiana Cann, said such cases are becoming prevalent in society, and Institutions including the court must act.
The court said it took into consideration all the pleas for mitigation before arriving at the decision.
Pregnancy test
Before her sentencing, the presiding judge confirmed that the actress was not pregnant after her test came out negative.
The pregnancy test ordered by the court is a requirement by law to ensure that, before a woman who pleaded guilty in court is sentenced, the court should know her status.
She was then remanded into custody for the prosecution to take her to any Government hospital to conduct the pregnancy test and produce the results.
Charges
The outspoken actress was charged with three counts of publication of obscene materials, engaging in domestic violence, conduct that in any way undermines another person’s privacy or integrity, and engaging in domestic violence namely conduct that in any way detracts or is likely to detract from another person’s dignity and worth as a human being.
Rosemond who had displayed her naked picture with her son on social media on June 30, 2020, earlier pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Brief facts
Brief facts of the case presented to the court by the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Agartha Asantewaa were that the complainant is Bright K. Appiah, the Director of Child Rights International Ghana.
According to the prosecution, on June 30, 2020, the accused person celebrated her son’s seventh birthday and she took her nude pictures together with her son who was also half-naked and posted same on her Instagram page which went viral on social media.
She told the court that, the pictures attracted comments, adding that the behaviour of the accused person was likely to detract from the dignity of her seven-year-old son among others.
Chief Inspt. Agartha told the court that the complainant petitioned the Director-General Criminal Investigations Directorate and the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit.
Akuapem Poloo, she said was arrested and in her caution statement, admitted posting the nude picture with her son unintentionally.
But, the prosecution held that Rosemond had deliberately posted the nude picture together with her son
The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has pledged his country’s commitment to a “strategic engagement and partnership with Ghana” as the two countries work together to improve the lives of their citizens.
President Ali, who was speaking at a State Dinner in honour of Ghana’s visiting Vice President, H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Sunday, 5th December, 2021 in Georgetown, Guyana, emphasized that the Guyana-Ghana partnership was “not one of the usual engagements or talks”, but one to which both countries had laid out clearly defined expected outcomes.
“We are very excited about this strategic partnership; it is receiving attention from the highest levels of Government. On the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly meeting, we held bilateral meetings with Ghana President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo and within weeks, a timetable to design and achieve a framework for strategic cooperation was in place. Within weeks our Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was in Ghana. And just weeks after, Ghana’s Vice President is here to further work on the framework.
“This is a sign of concrete progress, and we will continue to engage and agree on practical steps and develop policies for the mutual benefit of our two countries” President Ali said, to applause from the audience, which included the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Heads of the security agencies, Ministers of State, captains of Industry and some Ghana government officials.
Recalling the uncanny similarities in the histories of the two countries, Vice President Bawumia, who is on a three-day working visit to Guyana less than two months after his Guyanese counterpart, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo led a delegation to Ghana, promised “rigorous, open and mutually beneficial” discussions between Ghana Government officials and private sector leaders with their Guyanese counterparts, with the ultimate aim of knowledge-sharing and improved livelihoods for their citizens
“Ghana and Guyana have long, historic ties. We are both robust democracies, have similar natural resources, and science tells us that we were all part of one continent until the continental shelves broke apart and drifted away. Our histories are very similar as well, and our bonds are very strong. This, I believe, forms the basis for a lasting partnership as we work together to design and put in place measures that position us as masters of our own destinies.”
During the three-day visit, Vice President Bawumia is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the President and senior officials of Guyana, meet with the leadership of the University of Guyana to among others, explore ways for capacity building, participate in a forum of the Ghanaian and Guyanese private sector, meet with the Ghanaian community in Guyana, and witness the signing of a framework agreement between Ghana and Guyana.
The agents at a press conference today have therefore sounded a word of caution to government to consider dropping the policy and has given itself one month to determine the next course of action .
“It will elicit behavior that will undermine the cash lite and the digitalization drive of the economy, millions of young people will lose their jobs , 80 per cent chances of going back to the cash system, an envisaged potential business will be a mirage, innovative businesses that thrive on mobile money may lose their investments, the country will be taken several years back from where we have gotten to,” Evans Otumfuo, General Secretary said at a press conference on Tuesday December 7.
The Finance Minister Mr Ofori Atta indicated at a press conference on Monday December 6 said that consultations were still going on regarding the proposal in order to reach a consensus.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time,” he said.
The Government of Ghana is implementing two major interventions to urgently respond to the effects of climate change.
These are the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) in cocoa forest land scape, mainly in the southern part of the country and The Ghana Shea Lands Scape Emission Reduction Programme in the Northern Savannah zones of Ghana.
Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon Samuel A. Jinapor stated this at the opening of 12th Bosphorus Summit, in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday 6th December, 2021.
These programmes, the Minister said will enhance the ecosystem whiles improving Livelihood opportunities for farmers, women groups and Forest users in general.
Hon. Jinapor said in line with the vision of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the country on June 11th 2021, successful planted 7 million seedlings nationwide under the flagship Green Ghana initiative.
He also stated that a robust Afforestation Programme which seeks to restore degraded land scapes across all ecological zones and inculcate the culture of tree planting among the Ghanaian Youth will be rolled out soon as part of government’s Master Plan on Land scape restoration.
The Minister also called on various countries, institutions and the private sector actors to partner Ghana and exchange the rich experience and best practices in land scape restoration among others.
Hon. Jinapor further urged participants at the Summit and the International Community to deliberate on the effects of Climate Change on the ecosystem which links forest and sustainable Livelihoods.
He said ” Let us invest in technology and science that prevents impact of climate change on the Livelihoods of the people we lead”.
The Minister was of the view that ” We can only achieve our aim if global climate actions are real and verifiable, and this we must do, by embracing real and verifiable emissions reduction initiatives”.
On his part, the Chairman of the International Cooperation Platform (ICP) Mr. Rona Yircali said the time has come for the International Community to reaffirm their commitment towards the enhancement of the environment.
He hoped discussions at the Summit including Climate Change and the importance of Agriculture will help to make the world a better place.
The 12th Bosphorus Summit hosted by Turkey’s Commercial Capital Istanbul, featured the participation of Ministers of State, Diplomats, experts and Academics from Ghana, Angola, Jordan, Turkey, Kosovan, Palestine, Denmark, Belgium, UK, USA , Norway, Azerbaijan and many other countries worldwide.
Other discussions centered on cyber security, artificial intelligence, conflict resolution, transport and Industrialisation.
The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said Ghana has a robust democracy just as his country.
President Ali said this while speaking at a State Dinner in honour of Ghana’s visiting Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Sunday, 5th December, 2021 in Georgetown, Guyana.
“not one of the usual engagements or talks”, but one to which both countries had laid out clearly defined expected outcomes.
“We are very excited about this strategic partnership; it is receiving attention from the highest levels of Government. On the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly meeting, we held bilateral meetings with Ghana President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo and within weeks, a timetable to design and achieve a framework for strategic cooperation was in place. Within weeks our Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was in Ghana. And just weeks after, Ghana’s Vice President is here to further work on the framework.
“This is a sign of concrete progress, and we will continue to engage and agree on practical steps and develop policies for the mutual benefit of our two countries” President Ali said, to applause from the audience, which included the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Heads of the security agencies, Ministers of State, captains of Industry and some Ghana government officials.
Recalling the uncanny similarities in the histories of the two countries, Vice President Bawumia, who is on a three-day working visit to Guyana less than two months after his Guyanese counterpart, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo led a delegation to Ghana, promised “rigorous, open and mutually beneficial” discussions between Ghana Government officials and private sector leaders with their Guyanese counterparts, with the ultimate aim of knowledge-sharing and improved livelihoods for their citizens
“Ghana and Guyana have long, historic ties. We are both robust democracies, have similar natural resources, and science tells us that we were all part of one continent until the continental shelves broke apart and drifted away. Our histories are very similar as well, and our bonds are very strong. This, I believe, forms the basis for a lasting partnership as we work together to design and put in place measures that position us as masters of our own destinies.”
The cases involving musicians Shatta Wale and Medikal have been adjourned to 25 January 2021.
Shatta Wale was arrested for a shooting prank while Medikal was arrested for brandishing a gun on social media.
Shatta Wale is being prosecuted with three others in connection with the hoax staged on his birthday following a prophecy by a pastor that the artiste would be shot dead.
He has been charged with causing fear and panic by publishing false news.
His other accomplices: Kojo Owusu Koranteng, personal assistance; Eric Vanetor, a graphic designer; and Iddrisu Yussif, a beautician; have been charged with abetment of the criminal of publication of false news.
Shatta Wale has pleaded not guilty and is on self-recognisance bail.
His accomplices have also all pleaded not guilty and admitted to GHS100,000 bail each with a surety.
During the hearing on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpetey, prayed the court to let the counsel for the accused persons produce one more fugitive suspect.
After an in-camera hearing granted by the court following a prayer by Shatta Wale’s counsel for such, Mr Jerry Avenorgbo, then prayed for an adjournment to the last weekend of January.
Mr Avenorgbo told the court that his client would have a lot of engagements during the festive season.
Also, the lawyer for Medikal, Mr Pobbi Banson, prayed the court to adjourn the case to give his client the chance to take part in scheduled Christmas activities.
The court, presided over by Emmanuel Essandoh, granted the request and adjourned sittings to January 25, 2022
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called on stakeholders to help safeguard the country’s democracy.
He said the events in Parliament in the past two weeks did not augur well for the country and undermined the country’s multi party system of governance.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Nketiah said the current situation where statesmen and women were avoiding commenting on national issues was not good.
He, therefore, urged all Ghanaians to help ensure peace and stability in the country.
He said after practising uninterrupted democracy for 30 years under the Fourth Republic, it was important that state institutions and the various arms of government exhibited maturity in the conduct of state affairs.
Institutions
He said Ghana had come far under the 1992 Constitution and it was important that all arms of government lived up to their functions and not become subservient to any other arm of government.
Similarly, he said, if the populace lost confidence in any arm of government, it would not augur well for the country’s democracy.
Mr Nketiah urged Ghanaians not to take the relative peace and stability in the country for granted but work hard to protect it.
“This is the only country we have. Let us ensure we safeguard its peace and stability,” he said.
On November 26, 2021, the Majority walked out of Parliament. In its wake, the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy was rejected.
However, on November 30, 2021, the Majority rescinded the decision of the Minority to reject the budget by getting it approved. In this instance, it was only the Majority caucus who were in Parliament as the Minority also staged a walkout.
An attempt by the Minority to reverse the decision of the Majority resulted in chaos on the floor of the House on December 1, 2021.
Tamale Central Lawmaker, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has said that as far as the Minority is concerned, the 2022 budget statement remains rejected.
For the budget to be accepted, he said, the Minister of Finance would have to relay the entire document in Parliament with the changes duly reflected.
“As far as we are concerned the 2022/2023 budget statement was rejected,” he said on the New Day show on TV3 Tuesday December 7, adding that “that is our position.”
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta announced some changes in the budget document at a press conference in Accra on Monday December 6.
He said “With regards to Agyapa Royalties Ltd, he said “we shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralisation. It is important to note that, any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes, and as such was not reflected in the fiscal framework;
“In respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, we shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected.
“We will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram. Meanwhile, NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline;
“Relating to the Aker Energy transaction, we shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July, 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution; and
“On the benchmark values, we shall avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people. This administrative exercise which reviewed 43 out of 81 line items, has the objective to promote local manufacturing and the 1D1F policy, including the assembling of vehicles. It is important to note that this adjustment affects only 11.4% of the total CIF value, of which 50% is for vehicles. From our analysis, the potential increase in retail prices should be relatively insignificant and therefore inflation should be muted.
“The YouStart policy will also support our accomplished Traders with appropriate training and access to capital to become Manufacturers in order to expand the industrial base of our society and our import substitution strategy, in line with our Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. We will work with the relevant Committees of Parliament to reflect these modifications in the 2022 Budget as is the usual practice, before the Appropriation Bill is passed. Any other concerns which may emerge shall be addressed during the discussions of the estimates by the Committees, as has been the tradition.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.
These changes became necessary following the spirited objections raised against the budget by the Minority in Parliament.
The Ashanti Regional branch of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has served notice that billboards and paraphernalia advertising some personalities seeking to lead the party in the 2024 general elections, will not be tolerated at the party’s delegates’ conference slated for 17 to 20 December 2021.
The party has warned that the wearing of T-shirts bearing the portraits of flag bearer hopefuls and mounting of giant billboards of such personalities, will not be tolerated prior to and during the conference scheduled for the Heroes Park in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region.
Dr Francis Adomako, the Ashanti Regional Organiser of NPP, served this notice during an interview on Accra-based Happy FM.
He said delegates who are spotted wearing paraphernalia of some of these aspirants will not be admitted into the inner perimeters of the conference arena.
According to him, the party is considering these measures to bring sanity into the flag bearer race.
He added that billboards already existing in the area will not be touched but those mounted for the sake of the conference will all be removed.
He said any activity that seeks to campaign for any individual can be done several metres away from the venue.
“The mounting of billboards in front of the venue will also not be tolerated”, he warned
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, has been told to reduce the budget to the Office of the government machinery by 25 per cent.
The suggestion was made by Founding President of Imani Africa Franklin Cudjoe in a statement reacting to the adjustments made by the Minister in the budget statement.
Mr Cudjoe said “I have read the Finance Minister’s statement on the 2022 budget. The part on Agyapa and Aker deals are a good first step to dealing with the vexed issues. We will watch the space.
“I had hoped there would be an emphatic statement on the E-levy, beyond consultation with the Minority and a clarification on agency fees for collecting same. Admittedly, we are in the hardest of times with a debt overhang so perilous that girding our collective loins seems inescapable.
“The Minority should continue discussing with government, but charity begins with the government- at least reduce the budget to the office of government machinery by 25%. It can help build a few school blocks. Carpe diem.”
In announcing the changes in the budget, Mr Ofori Atta said “With regards to Agyapa Royalties Ltd, he said “we shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralisation. It is important to note that, any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes, and as such was not reflected in the fiscal framework;
“In respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, we shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected.
“We will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram. Meanwhile, NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline;
“Relating to the Aker Energy transaction, we shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July, 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution; and
“On the benchmark values, we shall avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people. This administrative exercise which reviewed 43 out of 81 line items, has the objective to promote local manufacturing and the 1D1F policy, including the assembling of vehicles. It is important to note that this adjustment affects only 11.4% of the total CIF value, of which 50% is for vehicles. From our analysis, the potential increase in retail prices should be relatively insignificant and therefore inflation should be muted.
“The YouStart policy will also support our accomplished Traders with appropriate training and access to capital to become Manufacturers in order to expand the industrial base of our society and our import substitution strategy, in line with our Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. We will work with the relevant Committees of Parliament to reflect these modifications in the 2022 Budget as is the usual practice, before the Appropriation Bill is passed. Any other concerns which may emerge shall be addressed during the discussions of the estimates by the Committees, as has been the tradition.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.
These changes became necessary following the spirited objections raised against the budget by the Minority in Parliament.
The Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare and some members of the Police Management Board, POMAB, on Monday, 6 December 2021 held a stakeholder engagement with the National Courier Association-Ghana.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss safety and security issues affecting courier operators and how to reduce accidents involving motorbike riders especially, during the festive season.
The meeting was moderated by Mr Kwame Bekoe, president of the association.
Also present was the Monitoring and Evaluation officer from the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission.
Members of the Courier Services raised several concerns including all riders being tagged as armed robbers, frequent harassment and lack of civility from some police officers, indiscipline on the part of some commercial riders resulting in accidents, destruction of car mirrors among others.
They, therefore, appealed to the police administration for more consultation with their leadership to reduce reckless road accidents involving motorbikes.
The police administration, for its part, pledged to immediately address the police-related concerns.
The leadership of the association was charged to introduce some form of identification for their members such as uniforms and badges.
The association members were informed that the police service was putting in place a mechanism to monitor, arrest and prosecute recalcitrant riders.
The riders were urged to be ambassadors of good riding and an example for other riders.
They were also advised to observe all road traffic regulations to save lives during the Christmas season and beyond
The government, according to the head of communications of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Abass Imoro, has directed state oil firm Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), to cut the prices of fuel at the pumps effective Tuesday, 7 December 2021.
The decision comes after the presidency met union leaders of commercial drivers on Monday, 6 December after they went on a sit-down strike and demonstration.
Additionally, Mr Imoro also said the government committed to cutting taxes on fuel prices in the mid-year budget.
Per the directive, the Chairman of the transport committee of parliament, Mr Osei Nyarko, told Accra-based Joy FM that a reduction of GHp15.
This means fuel will sell at GHS6.7 per litre at the pumps.
The nationwide sit-down strike by the commercial drivers led to thousands of commuters getting stranded.
The drivers took the action to force the government to reduce the price of fuel, which has consistently soared since the beginning of the year.
A few commercial drivers, who broke ranks with their unions, were seen being harassed and prevented from moving by their fellow striking colleagues, who turned themselves into a strike enforcement mob.
A mob of striking drivers were seen on the Ablekuma-Lapaz stretch in Accra massing up and mounting blockades in the middle of the road to prevent their other colleagues from working.
The working drivers are forcibly stopped and every passenger disembarked by the mob.
As a result, schoolchildren, parents, nurses, market women, and people of all walks of life, were seen trekking long distances to their various destinations.
A few of them were lucky to be given lifts by private drivers.
Taxi-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt and Yango cashed in on the strike as demand for their services shot up
The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is marking the first anniversary of what it describes as the controversial 2020 General Elections.
They said President Akufo-Addo secured his victory in that election on the bloody altar of violence and mayhem.
A statement issued and signed by the party’s General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia on Monday December 6 said “For us in the National Democratic Congress, who were the victims at the hands of the NPP goons who have been unlawfully integrated into the security services, that day will always remain a terrible blot on the much-acclaimed democratic credentials of Ghana whose genesis we in the NDC are proud to be associated with.
“It is a matter of grave irony that the one person who, before the elections of 2016, was touted as the best thing that could happen to Ghana’s leadership, turned out to be a politician whose style of governance is dominated by intolerance, violence and machoism. It was during the first term of President Akufo-Addo that the politically-motivated murder of Ahmed Suale took place. Ahmed Suale was murdered almost 3 years ago, and yet nobody knows when his murderers would be apprehended and brought to trial. But that is not all.”
It added that “In the first year of the 2nd term of President Akufo-Addo, another obviously politically-motivated murder has been committed, this time in Ejura in the Ashanti Region. The callous murder of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Kaaka and the apparent silence and inaction of the security agencies to find his killers, has fortified us in our belief that President Akufo-Addo is not fully committed to his oath to preserve the lives of Ghanaians, and that anyone who dissents cannot count on his protection.
“It is a matter of great regret that a President who in his professional career, spent several years defending human rights issues would, upon the assumption of the highest office in the land, preside over such egregious violations of the rights of citizens.”
“Today, we recall, with grave sadness and sorrow that eight (8) Ghanaians were needlessly murdered by agents of the state under the ultimate control of the Presidency during the 2020 general elections. What is even more baffling over and beyond the tardiness of the Akufo-Addo government in bringing to book the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, is the fact that the President has never for once acknowledged that his victory was secured over the lifeless bodies of his fellow citizens.
“The National Democratic Congress wishes to place on record its promise to the families of the deceased and the injured that, at the earliest possible opportunity, we shall seek justice for the bereaved and the injured, and take all appropriate steps to ensure that compensation is paid to the families of those who were murdered or needlessly assaulted by NPP hoodlums. These dead persons, in our humble opinion, are the martyrs of the 4th Republic. And we will never forget them.
“Let it also never be forgotten that this ready resort to violence on the part of President Akufo-Addo and his NPP predates his accession to the Presidency. For even in opposition, violence was freely employed by he and his supporters to cow his adversaries in his own party into submission. And it is this clearly visible trait that has plunged the country into the confusion surrounding the approval of the 2022 Budget.
“We now have a President who obviously does not believe in dialogue nor negotiations and would, at any stage of engagement, seek to employ the tactics of a wannabe dictator to bully his way through. Unfortunately, in a real democracy, such methods do not yield peace or stability. And fortunately, the people of Ghana awarded the NDC with enough seats in Parliament to ward off the President’s intolerant approach to governance.
“We in the National Democratic Congress wish to place on record our unblemished admiration for our 137 MPs who, in the face of naked power play and threats, have stood up to be counted. We honour them most especially for their forthright rejection of the E-levy. By ensuring the successful election of the vintage Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament, the gallant NDC MPs have carved out a name for themselves and posterity.
“The people of Ghana are now assured that Parliament has assumed its proper role as an oversight institution that checks the excesses of the government of President Akufo-Addo. The National Democratic Congress salutes all Ghanaians who, despite the threats to their much cherished rights, despite the unjustified killing of as many as eight citizens, despite the intolerance of the Akufo-Addo government, went to the polls and cast their votes a year ago.
“We pledge to fight as hard as possible within the law, to prevent the current government from bastardising our democracy; and we promise that no sacrifice on our part would be too much for us to bear in order to secure for ourselves and our posterity, the benefits of the democracy that we toiled so hard to establish.”7
Government has reviewed 1.75% e-levy to 1.5%, Ken Ofori-Atta
Government to generate revenue from e-levy
Brouhaha surrounding e-levy sends uncertainty to the global capital market, Oppong Nkrumah
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has said the probability of Ghana running back to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance is high if the proposed e-levy on all electronic transactions and remittances is rejected.
According to him, the e-levy has been programmed in a way to generate about 6.7 billion dollars as revenue for the country.
Speaking on CitiTV Point of View programme on Friday, December 3 and monitored by GhanaWeb, the Information Minister said, the more people talk ‘evil’ about the e-levy, the more it sends the wrong signals to investors on the global market.
He said, “this e-levy has been programmed to bring us about a billion dollars. About 6.7 or so billion dollars. It is equivalent to what if you don’t go for this e-levy, we will end up going to IMF… We have found a revenue measure which we believe will do the trick for us. Now, if you come and stand on the floor and begin litigating – okay I’ll move it to this, I’ll move it to that, you begin to send signals unto the global capital market of uncertainty,” he added.
“Even present investors in your bonds will begin to ask themselves whether your fiscal measures are credible, whether they should continue staying in your bonds or begin to withdraw which will have an effect [on us],” he stated.
It would be recalled that on November 17, 2021, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, during the 2022 budget reading in parliament, announced the introduction of 1.75% tax on all electronic transactions.
He later said government has reviewed the e-levy tax from 1.75% to 1.5%.
According to him, this new directive forms part of strategies to widen the country’s tax net.null
He added that the e-levy will enhance financial inclusion and protect the vulnerable in the country.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has kicked against the travel ban on some countries which have recorded the new Coronavirus variant, Omicron.
Countries such as Nigeria and South Africa among other Southern African countries have been placed on the travel red list of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Ten southern African countries have been added to Britain’s travel red list due to fears resulting from the spread of Omicron variant.
This means stringent coronavirus testing and quarantine restrictions have been imposed on citizens from these countries who desire to travel to the UK and US.
With the UK, they will have to pay for and self-isolate in a pre-booked government-approved hotel for 10 days.
But Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye is unhappy about the travel ban.
To him, it doesn’t make sense to ban the African countries questioning how effective such decision would be to prevent the spread of the virus.
He cited an instance where somebody who has contracted the virus would travel from a Western country to the UK, wondering why they should only ban African countries.
To him, it would rather make a lot of sense if every country is banned from entering another country but to single out Nigerian and South African citizens among others won’t solve the issue.
”I am sure it’s probably a way of giving you time to prepare but I don’t it’s the solution,” he stressed.
He made these comments on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme.
The proposed E-levy in the 2022 budget statement has not changed, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, has said.
He said at a press conference in Accra on Monday December 6 that the proposal is still at 1.75 per cent.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time,” he said.
This is contrary to what the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin had said earlier to the effect that the levy had reduced to 1.5 per cent.
“For nothing at all when it comes to the bill, we know that government has shifted from 1.75 to 1.5,” the Effutu Lawmaker said on Accra-based Joy FM.
He further announced some changes in the budget statement.
He said “with regards to Agyapa Royalties Ltd, we shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralisation. It is important to note that, any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes, and as such was not reflected in the fiscal framework;
“In respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, we shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected.
“We will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram. Meanwhile, NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline;
“Relating to the Aker Energy transaction, we shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July, 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution; and
“On the benchmark values, we shall avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people. This administrative exercise which reviewed 43 out of 81 line items, has the objective to promote local manufacturing and the 1D1F policy, including the assembling of vehicles. It is important to note that this adjustment affects only 11.4% of the total CIF value, of which 50% is for vehicles. From our analysis, the potential increase in retail prices should be relatively insignificant and therefore inflation should be muted.
“The YouStart policy will also support our accomplished Traders with appropriate training and access to capital to become Manufacturers in order to expand the industrial base of our society and our import substitution strategy, in line with our Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.
“We will work with the relevant Committees of Parliament to reflect these modifications in the 2022 Budget as is the usual practice, before the Appropriation Bill is passed. Any other concerns which may emerge shall be addressed during the discussions of the estimates by the Committees, as has been the tradition.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.”
The Minority ad rejected the levy. In their view, the proposal will worsen the plight of Ghanaians.
Asawase Member of Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak in a statement on Friday December 3 said ” The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to assure Ghanaians that it will continue to use every legitimate and lawful channel to resist the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose on the ordinary Ghanaian.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the position of the NDC Caucus in Parliament right from the outset of the 2022 Budget debate has been that the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose is regressive, punitive and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
“The Minority Caucus has vigorously championed this position in Parliament and in the media space to draw Government’s attention to our demands. Subsequent to our rejection of the Budget on 26th November, 2021, government has sought to engage the NDC Caucus in a series of discussions towards finding an amicable solution to the impasse.
“Surprisingly despite the good faith demonstrated by the NDC team recognising the importance of the Budget to the economy, business and households, the government side out-rightly rejected our proposal for a revision of the E-levy leading to a breakdown of the discussions.
“We wish to state unequivocally that no concrete decision or agreement has been reached between government and the NDC Caucus in Parliament on this matter.
“As we speak, government’s so-called concessions are unknown to us and we have no clear indication that they intend to seriously consider any of the proposals that have come up.
“Under the circumstance we wish to state that the NDC Caucus will maintain its original position as stated earlier
Ghana cedi under intense pressure, Bloomberg survey
Bawumia’s rhetoric exposed by weak exchange rate, Duffour
Investors on international capital market exit from Ghana’s bonds
Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Bank of Ghana Governor has said poor economic management has resulted in the woeful performance of the local currency on the foreign exchange market.
According to him, incompetence on the part of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been widely exposed due to Ghana’s weak exchange rate regime.
Speaking on GHONE TV on Monday, December 6, 2021, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said the cedi keeps depreciating at a much faster rate against the US dollar hence claims made by Dr Bawumia before seeking to stabilise the local currency has proven to be mere rhetoric.
“There are challenges obviously, look at the cedi for example, when I was in office [2012] you needed 1 cedi 88 pesewas to get a dollar but now you need 6 cedis 20 pesewas to get a dollar. Years ago, Dr. Bawumia said when the fundamentals are weak the exchange rate will expose you, the exchange has exposed the government now, meaning the fundamentals are weak by Bawumia’s own explanation,” he explained.null
“The cedi is running and he promised that he will arrest the cedi, where is he, Dr Bawumia the cedi is running arrest it. He also made a point that he had worked at the central bank and that there was soo much money and we didn’t have to go and borrow, what has happened during his term,” Dr. Duffuor continued.
Meanwhile, the Ghana cedi has come under intense pressure as the year comes to an end.
According to a recent Bloomberg survey, the cedi is classified among African currencies with the ‘Worst Spot Returns’ and is now ranked 14th among 20 top African currencies tracked by Bloomberg after being the best performing currency in Africa in the first quarter of 2021.
The survey however attributed this to increased corporate demand for the US dollar and the exit of Ghana’s bond by some foreign investors on the international capital market.
Over the past few months, the cedi has succumbed to pressures from the foreign exachange market, losing more grounds to the dollar. Bloomberg has however, put the depreciation of the cedi at 4.05%, though the Bank of Ghana data shows a lower decline in value of the local currency to the US dollar.
Share of intra-Africa trade to Africa’s combined GDP only 16 percent, Akufo-Addo
AfCFTA key to promoting intra-Africa
We are determined to produce our vaccines, Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Africa needs to put in more efforts to greatly increase intra-African trade.
This, he said, is essential in creating wealth and prosperity on the continent.
He noted that the intra-European trade was pegged at 72 percent of the combined GDP of Europe while that of Africa was merely 16 percent.
“These two statistics tell us everything about the relative economic development of Africa and Europe”, he said.null
The president who disclosed this at the Ghana-South Africa Business Forum in Accra added that to promote inter-African, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement must be implemented successfully.
“As God will have it at this critical moment of Africa’s history, the AfCFTA’s Secretariat is located here in Ghana, and the first Secretary-General of the AfCFTA is a South African, who had shown a great deal of attitude and enthusiasm for the work,” he stated.
He further stated that the role of the private sector was very critical for the implementation of AfCFTA and, therefore urged them to take on the responsibility of moving the process of regional integration and regional trade forward.
The president assured the business community especially South African, businesses that his government would continue to create a conducive investment environment for them.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that Ghana and South Africa had agreed to set up a Business Advisory Council to promote investment among the two countries.
Also, President Akufo-Addo said the countries must work together to ensure that the continent’s capabilities in vaccines production was enhanced.null
“We cannot enter the next round of the pandemic and are dependent again on people who hoard vaccines when the world needs them. We are determined this time around, to develop our capacity to produce vaccines,” President Akufo-Addo said.
On his part, President Cyril Ramaposa commented the business community and the government of Ghana for putting in measures to ensure that a lot of business did not collapse during this COVID-19 era
According to him the critical condition for the recovery of the economies of African countries was the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the continued adherence to the measures and protocols put in place to keep citizens safe and alive.
He lamented that while more than 220 million vaccine doses had been administered worldwide only 6.7 percent of the African population was fully vaccinated.
Minority raises key concerns on support for the tidal waves victims
Finance minister sends seven proposed changes to 2022 budget
NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis in Keta, Ofori-Atta
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said that the government would make necessary budgetary allocations of at least GH¢10 million for the coastal communities adversely affected by the recent tidal waves.
According to him, the money would be used to complete the feasibility and engineering studies for the construction of sea defense structures for communities affected by the tide waves including Keta.
Mr Ofori Atta added that the government would broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram.null
On the support for affected persons, he said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta.
In addition, to GH¢10m for Keta Sea defense, the proposed amendments include concerns on the Agyapa Royalties Limited and the Aker Energy transaction.
On the Agyapa Royalties Limited, the minister said: “We shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralization. It is important to note that, any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes, and as such was not reflected in the fiscal framework.”
Also, he said the Aker Energy transaction has been amended to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution.”
The government, through Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has amended the 2022 budget to take into consideration certain demands of the Minority in parliament.
At a press conference on Monday, 6 December 2021, Mr Ofori-Atta said he has officially written to the Speaker of parliament concerning the modifications.
“On behalf of the President, I have written to the Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament with details of amendments in response to emerging concerns by all stakeholders including the Minority Caucus”, he said.
The modifications are:
Agyapa Royalties deal: We shall amend paragraphs 442 and 443 to take out references to mineral royalties collateralisation. It is important to note that any reference to Agyapa was for informational purposes and, as such, was not reflected in the fiscal framework
Tidal Waves disaster: In respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, we shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected. We will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram. Meanwhile, NADMO has responded to the humanitarian crisis created by the tidal waves on the Keta coastline.
Aker Energy transaction: We shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution; and
Benchmark values: We shall avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people. This administrative exercise, which reviewed 43 out of 81-line items, has the objective to promote local manufacturing and the 1D1F policy, including the assembling of vehicles. It is important to note that this adjustment affects only 11.4% of the total CIF value, of which 50% is for vehicles. From our analysis, the potential increase in retail prices should be relatively insignificant and therefore inflation should be muted. The YouStart policy will also support our accomplished Traders with appropriate training and access to capital to become Manufacturers in order to expand the industrial base of our society and our import substitution strategy, in line with our Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.
E-Levy: On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.
Mr Ofori-Atta noted: “We will work with the relevant Committees of Parliament to reflect these modifications in the 2022 Budget, as is the usual practice before the Appropriation Bill is passed. Any other concerns which may emerge shall be addressed during the discussions of the estimates by the Committees, as has been the tradition”.
Following the stalemate over the budget, theMinority made five demands, which it said needed to be met before it could support the passage of the budget.
They include the following:
1.Suspend the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy):The Government should suspend the E-Levy and properly engage stakeholders to agree on a reasonable policy. How can mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances be charged 1.75 per cent? The policy is not retrogressive, not pro-poor, and does not support the much-touted digitalisation agenda and cash-lite economy that we all yearn for.
2.Withdrawal of Agyapa:The NDC Minority will not support any collateralisation of our revenues, particularly mineral resources. The future of our country will be bleak if we continue in that regard. We cannot jeopardise the future generations of our country just for our present desires.
3.Provide for Tidal Waves Disaster:The Government should incorporate in its revised Budget adequate measures to address the issue relating to the Tidal Waves Disaster in Keta and other communities. The victims should be supported. And the Phase II of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project must find space in the Budget.
4.Properly re-construct the wording relating to the Aker Energy:Relating to GNPC acquisition of stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum, the revised Budget should reconstruct paragraph 829 of the rejected Budget to reflect the decision of the House as captured on 6th August 2021 Votes and Proceedings of Parliament.
5.Review the Benchmark Value for Imports:Government should, in a revised Budget, reconsider paragraph 247 of the rejected Budget which sought to restore the Benchmark Values of imports by suspending the 50 per cent discount on selected General Goods and the 30 per cent discount on vehicles. Some concession should be given to the importers
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta says proceeds from government’s proposed Electronic Transaction Levy, commonly called E-Levy would create jobs for over 11 million people.
According to him, proceeds from the 1.75 proposed levy in the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy will be used to support young entrepreneurs in the country as a way of tackling unemployment.
“Of this number, 2.4million are in formal employment whilst the remaining 15 million are split between informal and underemployment as 11 million people are with no clear path when it comes to employment opportunities,” Mr. Ofori-Atta said this when addressing thousands of young people, at a Springboard Youth Dialogue at the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region themed: “Building a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Nation; Opportunities for Ghana’s Youth”.
According to him, “Nothing is impossible for us as a government, our task is to ensure we extend opportunities to the youth. The consequences of having eleven million people with no clear path, undoubtedly, our recovery efforts hinges on tailored support to provide skills and funding to our young people to pursue their ambition to free them.
“How do we as a nation move into an entrepreneurial stage to have an opportunity to contribute to national development? How do we reduce our debt and create employment? How do we take care of our infrastructure and roads so that we open up the country and build good Internet systems to create opportunities for all? Why are we being resistant to the future? We have nothing to fear. Have we as a nation understood the times that we are in and are we ready to sacrifice to move to a whole different level?
“When somebody tells you we shouldn’t go there, tell them, give me an alternative for this 11 million people who are at home and not working,”
He stressed that 58 percent of the country’s population are between 15 and 59 years, which is about 18million people.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Springboard roadshow, Rev. Allbert Ocran appealed to stakeholders to bring on-board interventions that would empower the youth to show interest in entrepreneurship.
Passengers have been left stranded in most parts of Accra following the strike by the Coalition of Commercial Transport Operators which started today, Monday December 6.
The drivers are protesting the high cost of fuel in the country.
Scores of frustrated passengers were seen standing on the pavement at Lapaz as they waited for vehicles to pick them to their various destinations.
Some Commercial drivers who complied with the decision to strike were seen with canes hitting other buses who had loaded passengers and failed to heed the call to strike, forcing all of them to step down from the vehicles.
According to her, all the necessary data and figures had been worked on, and submitted to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department for the release of funds to pay the caterers.
Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah said this on Sunday, December 5 when answering questions at the Ministry of Gender’s turn at the Meet The Press series in Accra at the Ministry of Information.
“When it comes to the School Feeding payment, we have the last lot of arrears to pay. We know the figure, we’ve put in and it’s at the Controller…so very soon we hope to get it.”
The Ministry of Finance, according to a recent statement issued by the Management of Ghana School Feeding Programme, has already directed the Controller and Accountant General to mobilise funds for the payment of the 2020/2021 2nd term arrears to the caterers.
The said statement which was signed by the Head of Public Relations, Siiba Alfa, on behalf of the National Coordinator of GSFP, Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah, also assured the caterers of government’s commitment to pay all other arrears owed to them
The Police in Accra at dawn this Sunday, December 5, 2021, have arrested two men, Samuel Agyei and Sumaila Mahama, on suspicion of involvement in a robbery.
The two suspects were arrested following a distress call received by the Police patrol team that some unknown men had invaded a neighbourhood at CPL Estates , East Legon Hills, a Police statement said.
It added “The Police rushed to the scene and with support from some of the residents managed to arrest the two suspects.”
NEWS RELEASE; TWO SUSPECTS IN POLICE CUSTODY FOR ROBBERY AT EAST LEGON HILLS
THE POLICE IN ACCRA AT DAWN THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021, HAVE ARRESTED TWO MEN, SAMUEL AGYEI AND SUMAILA MAHAMA, ON SUSPICION OF INVOLVEMENT IN A ROBBERY. PIC.TWITTER.COM/UIUPIJAY25— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) December 5, 2021
President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has urged African countries to prioritize efforts to produce their own vaccines.
He said the best way to vaccinate the entire population on the continent is for African countries to start producing their own vaccines.
Speaking at the Ghana-South Africa business forum in Accra on Saturday December 4, he said “The fastest way to vaccinate our population is if we are allowed to manufacture our own vaccines and at the same time build our own domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
“As African leaders, we have to adopt strategies for a resilient recovery and one of the best ways of doing so is if we manufacture our own vaccines.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had said earlier said that, the global shortage of coronavirus vaccines meant Ghana must develop its capacity to produce its own vaccines domestically, and reduce the dependence on foreign supplies.
He said Ghana must be self-sufficient in this regard in the future, and prepare better to deal with any such occurrences in the future.
To this end, he said in an address to the nation on Sunday July 25 that “the Committee I established, under the leadership of the world-renowned Ghanaian scientist, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, to investigate Ghana’s potential as a vaccine manufacturing hub, to meet national and regional needs, has presented its preliminary report which, amongst others, recommends the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead this development.
“Government has committed to inject seed funding of some twenty-five million United States dollars (US$25 million) this year into this whole enterprise
President Akufo-Addo has described as unfair and discriminatory travel bans placed on some African countries after South African scientists sequenced and recorded the Omicron variant of COVID-19
According to Akufo-Addo, attempts to single out African countries for the imposition of travel bans, as instruments of immigration control, were highly regrettable given the fact that the variant was discovered initially in the Netherlands and not in Africa.
The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union have barred entry to travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Egypt, Mozambique, Malawi and Nigeria, following the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in those countries.
At a joint media briefing at the Jubilee House on Saturday in Accra, after bilateral talks by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day visit to Ghana, called for the bans to be lifted immediately.
“We repeat our firm opposition to all attempts to single out African countries for the imposition of travel bans as instruments of immigration control when we are told, for example, that the omicron variant of COVID-19, which was recently sequenced and reported by South African scientists, was discovered much earlier in the Netherlands,” said President Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo added, “Those scientists should be applauded by the world and not be the object of condemnation and travel bans.”null
President Ramaphosa said the travel ban was a “slap in the face of not just South Africa but African excellence in scientific endeavor.”
“It was African Scientist who detected this variant and who alerted the world to it. Instead of the world applauding the scientific excellence of an African country, they have decided that they should punish the country where these excellences emanated from.
“It was African scientific expertise particularly in genomic sequencing that brought it to the world’s attention. Now, these arbitrary travel restrictions are already causing substantial damage to the economies in our region SADC, particularly those countries that are most reliant on tourism.
“This is an imposition of apartheid measure against countries in southern Africa,” he emphasised.
The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has paid glowing tribute to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, over his recognition by Forbes Magazine as the “African of the Year”.
At a State Dinner held in honour of the visiting South African President, at Jubilee House, on Saturday, 4 th December, the South African President was full of praise for his Ghanaian counterpart for being adjudged the African of the Year by world’s renowned media entity, Forbes.
President Ramaphosa extolled the virtues of President Akufo-Addo which led to Forbes awarding him the prestigious African of the Year crown.
“We are proud of this recognition, Your Excellency, because it speaks of your commitment, it speaks of your creativity, your innovation, and your clear strategic vision of what should happen in your own country, as well as on our beloved African continent” he said.
President Ramaphosa also stressed that the recognition of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by Forbes is about his vision for Ghana, in particular, and the African continent as a whole.
“The recognition by the magazine is about your vision, not only for Ghana but for the people of our continent as well” the South African President stated.
Not only was President Ramaphosa pleased with President Akufo-Addo’s recognition as the African of the Year, but he was also impressed by the cultural heritage of the Ghanaian people.
“This morning, Your Excellency, you took me to Kumasi to show me the wonders of Ghanaian culture and spectacular traditions during the 50th Celebration of Nana Otuo Sriboe II of Juaben. I was deeply moved and impressed to see how Ghana has continued to keep true to the traditions of old, traditions that span generations and generations”, the South African President said.
Continuing, President indicated that “I will go back to South Africa with vivid memories of a people who are together in the very peaceful spirit celebrating, and I was truly honoured and humbled that you did take me to see the wonders of Ghanaian culture and tradition” he said.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked President Ramaphosa and his delegation for their visit to Ghana, and reiterated his confidence that the visit will deepen the ties of friendship and co-operation between the two countries and their peoples.
“For me, one of the essential pillars of our relations must be the mutual nurturing of our young people. They are the ones to inherit the legacy of our current co-operative endeavours, who should work towards preserving and further enriching it,” he said.
The President continued, “With your visit, I am confident that a solid foundation for this new and mutually-beneficial co-operation has been laid, just as we have renewed our determination to work towards strengthening our common commitment to our continental organisation, the African Union”.
President Akufo-Addo addressing Ghanaians on Christmas eve
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has placed a temporary ban on all Ministers of State and their deputies at least for a month
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has placed a temporary ban on all Ministers of State and their deputies at least for the next one month except travels for motivated by serious medical emergencies sources close to the Presidency has confirmed to Asaase News.
This action by President Akufo-Addo, will be the second of its kind since he assumed office as President of the Republic in January 2017.
On the 21st of June 2018, the President, in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, directed that, all foreign travels by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MMDCEs and Heads of Government Agencies be temporarily suspended with immediate effect”.
“Guidelines in respect of future foreign travels aimed at minimizing disruption to Government’s domestic work will be communicated to you shortly” the 2018 directive indicated.
It is not clear what is informing the latest decision of the President to ban all Ministers and their Deputies from traveling outside the Ghanaian jurisdiction.
However, in light of the fact that most of the President’s Ministers and Deputy Ministers are serving Members of Parliament and with the pendency of the appropriation of the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of government by Parliament, the directive of the President is perhaps to ensure that all members of the Majority caucus in Parliament are readily available to carry out domestic and parliamentary work
The Minority are suffering from a leadership crisis
Leader Haruna Iddrisu is facing internal and external opposition
Afenyo Markin says the crisis affects business in the House
Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo Markin has alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus is suffering a leadership crisis in Parliament.
According to him, the party’s leadership is not in control of its members, which situation had led to discordant tunes from some members and the leadership.
He cited the events of November 26, 2021, during a sitting to vote on the 2022 budget statement when Ningo Prampram MP, Sam Nartey George, held a press conference accusing the NPP of refusing to enter the chamber to proceedings to begin. Markin noted that at the time of the press conference, the leadership of both parties and the Speaker were in a meeting.
“Going forward, the budget has been approved. If they will be fair, they have no leadership. The NDC as it stands today, they have no leadership, because the leader speaks, a backbencher says no.
“Because that Friday (November 26) when we were having a meeting with Mr. Speaker, my colleague Sam George held a press conference to say the majority side was refusing to come to the chamber.
“Meanwhile, we are at a meeting at the instance of Mr Speaker with his own side, yet he held a press conference that we didn’t want to sit. So I think that the NDC should put its house in order,” he added.
According to him, even a recent 20-man bipartisan committee meant to deescalate tensions between the caucuses saw members challenging their leaders on choice of representatives.
“We know what is happening in their caucus because even the 20-man committee, the 10 (reps) some other group said, they don’t agree, why were they not selected.
“So they have a problem, leadership crisis or some hawks have taken over their party, some external interests making life difficult for us. So at the end of the day, they will visit their displeasure on us. They will come and think that we should take responsibility for their own instability in their backyard,” he added.
Afenyo Markin was speaking on the December 4, 2021, edition of Joy FM’s News File programme. His views were rejected by Sam George who was also a guest on the programme.
North Tongu Lawmaker, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described the E-levy proposal in the 2022 budget statement as e-robbery.
To that end, he has called for a united front to reject the proposal.
“This is how humongous the e-Transaction Levy Services is. We must unite and foil this e-Robbery!” he tweeted on Sunday December 5.
But reacting to his comments, Nsawam Adoagyiri Member of Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompre said Mr Ablakwa’s comments smacked of dishonesty.
“It is dishonest to conclude that indicative costs for services shows wrongdoing. Obviously, GRA, which will take the lead with the revenue collection, is no one’s personal company.
“If it becomes necessary to include a third party, transparent procurement processes will apply,” he also tweeted.
He added “Again, the fact that you conveniently ignored allocations for YouStart, Agenda 111 & GhanaCARES shows the intended mischief of these baseless allegations. I suggest you confer with your leaders in Parliament and provide an evidence based critique rather than these speculations.”
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced a new levy to be charged by government in 2022 on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. But this levy has been rejected by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“It is becoming clear there exists enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the ‘informal economy’,” Mr Ofori-Atta observed on Wednesday, November 17 as he presented the 2022 budget statement in Parliament.
“After considerable deliberations, government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the ‘Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy’.”
He explained that the new E-levy will be a 1.75 per cent charge on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances to be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.
This will, however, not affect transactions that add up to GH¢100 pr less per day.
“A portion of the proceeds from the E-Levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure among others.”
This new levy is scheduled to start Saturday, January 1, 2022.
In 2020, total value of transactions was estimated to be over GH¢500 million with mobile money subscribers and users growing by 16 percent in 2019.
According to a Bank of Ghana report, Ghana saw an increase of over 120 percent in the value of digital transactions between February 2020 and February 2021 compared to 44 percent for the period February 2019 to February 2020 due to the convenience they offer.
This was definitely heightened by the advent of Covid-19 especially during the lockdown
Forbes Africa magazine in its latest issue unveiled on Friday 3 December 2021 named him as the African of the Yea.
“@NAkufoAddo, Ghana’s President, has repositioned the country in the global marketplace as one reliant on its own resources and strengths. Get your copy of FORBES AFRICA and read an exclusive interview with #NanaAkufoAddo,” Forbes Africa tweeted.
[NEW ISSUE] #AFRICANOFTHEYEAR @NAKUFOADDO, GHANA’S PRESIDENT, HAS REPOSITIONED THE COUNTRY IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE AS ONE RELIANT ON ITS OWN RESOURCES AND STRENGTHS. GET YOUR COPY OF FORBES AFRICA AND READ AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH #NANAAKUFOADDO
Reacting to this announcement, President Akufo-Addo is reported to have told the CNBC Africa, that he was grateful for the recognition.
He said. “Thanks very much for recognizing the work that we are doing here in Ghana. For the African version of the magazine to pick me, I’m very grateful for me.”
Dr Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Friday pledged government’s continued commitment to building robust and resilient agricultural systems to maintain national food security.
“We are firmly on that path to building a robust, resilient and equitable food system that can withstand shocks. The evidence of this finds expression in Government’s flagship programme; Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), which was launched by the President in 2017,” he said.
“All the five modules of the PFJ are contributing significantly to the national transformational agenda of government. These are Food Crops Module, the Tree Crops Module, the Livestock Module, Rearing for Food and Jobs, Greenhouse Technology Module, and the Farm Mechanisation Module.”
Dr Afriyie-Akoto gave the reassurance at the 37th Farmers Day celebration at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast, on the theme: “Planting for Food and Jobs: Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana,” which honoured 165 farmers and fishers across the country.
The strategic agriculture interventions had the potential to do more in the coming years to better the lives of the people.
He underlined the recent global shortage of fertilisers and the dramatic rise in the international prices of the commodity due to world market price instability over the last 12 months.
The Ministry was also working to redouble efforts in attracting the Multi-Billion US Dollars required to invest in a fertiliser manufacturing plant, using the surplus gas find in the offshore explorations, Dr Afriyie-Akoto said.
In that regard, the Ministry, through the promotion of agribusiness, has transformed the Youth in Agriculture Programme from a non-performing institution to a vibrant one since 2018.
The programme, in 2021, engaged more than 15,000 youth, including young women, through 54 nucleus-outgrower agribusiness partners, to cultivate maize and other crops, the Minister said.
The high yielding varieties and efficient fertilisers used in the programme more than doubled their yields, resulting in the indirect engagement of 62,000 additional youth, as grain aggregations, transporters and marketers.
Also, the programme implemented three Greenhouse projects in the southern and mid-belts of the country.
This resulted in the creation of various youth jobs and a highly thought-through arrangement for the trainees to acquire agro technological skills in Israel, Dr Afriyie-Akoto said.
From 51 and 75 students, who participated in the 11-month paid internship in 2018 and 2019, respectively, the programme has more than doubled student participation.
“I am happy to announce that 200 trainees are embarking on the Israeli internship this year 2021 alone,” the Minister said.
The increase in the numbers was due to the high reputation gained by the Ghanaian trainees in Israel due to their hard work, discipline and the mentoring arrangements put in place by the Ministry before departure.
“Back from Israel, the trainees are assisted by the Ministry to develop agribusiness plans and to seek support for their own private agribusinesses,” he said.
“The returnees, who arrived this year, are being assisted to develop their own businesses in the Dawhenya and Bawjiase Greenhouse villages for vegetable production.”
The Minister congratulated all farmers and fishers and the Agriculture Development Bank, Exim Bank and Stanbic Bank and partners for their support towards a good cause.
Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, left Accra on Friday, 3 December 2021 for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, for a 3-day official visit.
While in Guyana, Dr Bawumia will conduct a series of meetings that would lead to the signing of mutually-beneficial development agreements between the governments of Ghana and Guyana.
Dr Bawumia is accompanied by some government officials.
He will return to Accra on Wednesday, 8 December 2021
According to him, some sessions which involve heated debate has sometimes culminated in threats of physical harm and abuse.
Speaking on the News File segment on Joy News, Afenyo Markin alleged that the recent impasse over the 2022 budget statement has revealed a plot by the minority to physically abuse, Joseph Osei-Owusu who presided over a ruling as the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
“Sometimes I sit in the chamber and I fear for my own life. I fear for my life because one moment we are debating then you threaten someone that I will beat you. You should call them out. Sam George is apologizing on behalf of the minority and majority, we don’t need you to apologise for us. With all due respect, apologize for your caucus. NPP has been gentle,” he said.null
Meanwhile, Parliament has come under intense criticism over the behaviour of the both Majority and the Minority clashing heads as a result of a ruling by 1st Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu who was acting as speaker.
Ningo Prampram MP, Sam George, making his submission on the News File segment, rendered an apology on behalf of the house.
His apology was, however, rejected by the Deputy Majority leader, Afenyo Markin, who implied that the chaos was orchestrated by the NDC side of the house.
“Sam George is apologizing on behalf of the minority and majority, we don’t need you to apologise for us. With all due respect, apologize for your caucus. NPP has been gentle,” Afenyo Markin stressed.
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak has criticised the Minority Leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu for the position he has taken on the E-levy proposal in the 2022 budget statement.
Ras Mukara who is also a former Chief Executive Officer for the National Youth Authority said the Mr Iddrisu’s posture is the kind of shifty attitudes and “dangerous flip flopping that make the public feel NDC and NPP are the same.”
His comments come after Mr Iddrisu who is also MP for Tamale South had said the Minority would accept the e-levy if it is reduced to 1% from 1.75% proposed in the budget statement, contrary to the earlier view of the Minority to reject the proposal entirely.
“A week ago, we said no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance, I am convinced to accept a departure from my original no to accepting a one percent e-levy,” Mr. Iddrisu said at the 10th-anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
“We are not against it, but we want it fixed at one percent. We fear for double taxation because we already have the Communication Services Tax,” he said.
But reacting to his comments in a post of=n Facebook, Ras Mubarak said “He’s completely lost the plot. It is no longer the views of experts like Kwame Pianim, Terkper, Ato Forson, Nii Moi Thompson, & others that matter but that of the Finance Minister who’s run the economy to the ground. What a joke. What have they done with taxes collected already?
“In case the Minority Leader hasn’t been reading the Auditor General’s report, over 1.2billion cedis disappeared into thin air due to procurement irregularities and no one has been held responsible. There’s wanton dissipation of public funds and you want them to take more from the people albeit 1% and waste it as we’ve seen in 5years? This is nothing short of a betrayal of the people’s cause.
“It’s the sort of shifty attitude and dangerous flip flopping that make the public feel NDC and NPP are the same.”
Meanwhile, the Minority in a statement issued by Asawase lawmaker, Muntaka Mubarak has said its position on the proposed 1.75 per cent e-levy has not shifted.
The opposition lawmakers say the proposed levy is regressive, punitive and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
on Friday December 3 said ” The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to assure Ghanaians that it will continue to use every legitimate and lawful channel to resist the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose on the ordinary Ghanaian.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the position of the NDC Caucus in Parliament right from the outset of the 2022 Budget debate has been that the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose is regressive, punitive and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
“The Minority Caucus has vigorously championed this position in Parliament and in the media space to draw Government’s attention to our demands. Subsequent to our rejection of the Budget on 26th November, 2021, government has sought to engage the NDC Caucus in a series of discussions towards finding an amicable solution to the impasse.
“Surprisingly despite the good faith demonstrated by the NDC team recognising the importance of the Budget to the economy, business and households, the government side out-rightly rejected our proposal for a revision of the E-levy leading to a breakdown of the discussions.
“We wish to state unequivocally that no concrete decision or agreement has been reached between government and the NDC Caucus in Parliament on this matter.
“As we speak, government’s so-called concessions are unknown to us and we have no clear indication that they intend to seriously consider any of the proposals that have come up.
“Under the circumstance we wish to state that the NDC Caucus will maintain its original position as stated earlier
Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsia Asare, has allayed fears of persons who are worried about the potential reaction from taking the covid vaccine.
He stated that it is normal to experience headache, body pains and other reactions. These are indications that the vaccine is functioning properly in the body, he said.
“If you are vaccinated and you feel slight headache it means the vaccine is working very well,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday December 4 with Dzifa Bampoh.
Dr Nsia Asare further urged all persons who are yet to receive their vaccines to do so in order to save their lives and the lives of others.
In his view, Ghana cannot afford to go through fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic hence the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has taken the vaccination exercise a step higher in order to get as many as possible inoculated.
Vaccination centres, he stated, are being created closed to the people in the communities including market areas to make it easier for them to go through the exercise.
“We cannot afford a fourth wave,” he said, adding that “we can all do this together if you are vaccinated,” he said.
The month of December has been decaled bythe GHS had as the vaccination month.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Sunday November 28, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye said vaccination was the surest way to deal with the virus.
He further assured that the authorities are going to scale up surveillance measures at the Kotoka International Airport during the Christmas season to ensure that Covid infections do not increase.
He further said that the mistakes that were made in December last year which occasioned the escalation of infections in January this year, will not be repeated.
There is going to be a “strict enforcement of the protocols at the KIA. We are going to increase surveillance. We are expecting increased number of people to arrive in the country.
“we are going to ensure that our logistics are prepared, we will continue our surveillance to be able to look at that, we are going to look at isolation centres,” he said.
He added “Our contact tracing will be strengthened.
“We are going to engage with religious organizations to ensure that activities in done in Christmas are in accordance with Covid protocols.”
Former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has stated that Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu remains unsupportive of government’s decision to impose the electronic transaction tax (E-levy).
Speaking on the position of the Minority pertaining to the levy, Mr Ofosu Kwakye indicated that reports that the Minority leader has settled for the imposition of 1% E-levy are inaccurate.
According to him, interactions with the Tamale South MP revealed that he, Haruna Iddrisu will together with the NDC MPs oppose the introduction of the E-levy irrespective of the rate presented by the Akufo-Addo-led government.
“I have had the opportunity to engage the Minority leader since yesterday after a clip of him at an event organized by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications surfaced. There have been some varied interpretations and many have expressed concern over whether the NDC was backing down from its initial position.
“From my discussions with him, he has permitted me to state authoritatively, for the avoidance of doubt that he will be joining all his 136 colleagues to reject this budget anytime it comes up if all the five conditions they have tabled are not met including zero percent E-levy.
This is the position of the Minority leader,” he said on Accra-based Metro TV.
His comments come to rectify reports in the media that the Minority leader has settled for the imposition of 1% E-levy.
According to sources, Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, speaking at the 10th Anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra on Thursday said his side will readily accept a reduction of the proposed electronic transaction levy (e-levy) to 1% from 1.75%.
“A week ago, it was no no no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance. I am convinced to accept a departure from my original no to accepting a one per cent e-levy,” he said.
“We are not against it but we want it fixed at one per cent. We fear for double taxation because we already have the communication services tax,” he added.
These comments according to Mr Ofosu Kwakye have been misconstrued; adding that “it is unfortunate only a small potion of the clip was played.”
Meanwhile, the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Muhamad has in a press statement noted that the NDC Caucus is committed to opposing the introduction of the electronic transaction tax.
He revealed that no consensus has been reached by both the Minority and Majority side in Parliament.
“We wish to state unequivocally that no concrete decision or agreement has been reached between government and the NDC Caucus in Parliament on this matter.
As we speak, government’s so-called concessions are unknown to us and we have no clear indication that they intend to seriously consider any of the proposals that have come up.”
In view of this; “The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to assure Ghanaians that it will continue to use every legitimate and lawful channel to resist the 1.75% E-Levy.”
Government is working towards establishing a Farmer Database Scheme to track the subsidized fertiliser distribution programme to halt smuggling.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture will also take the biometric data of beneficiary farmers to aid in the authentication.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced this at the 2021 National Farmers’ Day celebration at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast on Friday.
He said the number of farmers benefiting from the subsidized fertiliser distribution programme had increased from 597,662 in 2016 to 1.2 million as of October 2021.
President Akufo-Addo urged all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain to support the sector policies and interventions to ensure sustainable livelihoods and an improved economy.
Government would strengthen linkages of the Planting for Food and Jobs and the Rural Industrialisation Agenda to improve livelihoods and empower Ghanaians, he said.
The investment in the agricultural sector, over the past five years, was yielding positive results, complemented by the efforts of the farmers and fishers to prevent food shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic, the President said.
The Ghana COVID-19 Revitalization of Enterprises Scheme, otherwise known as ‘Ghana-Cares’ or Obaatanpa programme, with GHc100 billion budget projection from both government and the private sector, had components for youth who wanted to enter into agro-processing and agribusiness, he said.
He, thus, urged the youth to take advantage of the Scheme to establish themselves in those areas to be self-sufficient and create jobs.
Alhaji Mashud Mohammed from the Mion District of the Northern Region was crowned the 2021 Overall Best National Farmer.
He received GHc600,000 from the Agricultural Development Bank, 500,000 worth of insurance cover from GLICO Insurance and a study trip to Israel, sponsored by Broadspectrum Limited.
Mr Suleman Yidaana from the East Mamprusi District of the North East Region was the First Runner-up and received a tractor, trailer, Disc Plough, a Boom Sprayer and Ghc300,000 worth of insurance cover by GLICO Insurance and a study trip to Israel.
Reverend Samuel Sida from the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region was the Second Runner-up and was presented a Nissan Navara Double Cabin Pick-Up and Ghc200,000 worth of insurance cover by GLICO Insurance.
Mr Kweku Ehun from the Gomoa West District of the Central Region was the Overall Best Fisherman and would receive a two-bedroom house built at his preferred location.
A total of 165 gallant farmers and fishers across the country were rewarded for their sterling efforts in sustaining the economy through the production of food and cash crops as well as fish over the period.
This year’s Farmers Day was celebrated on the theme: “Planting for Food and Jobs; Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana.,”
President Akufo-Addo was the Guest of Honour, and Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, the Paramount Chief of Breman Asikuma Traditional Area and President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, the Chairman.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Ghana Cocoa Board jointly hosted the colourful and well-attended programme to recognise the enormous contributions of Ghana’s gallant farmers and fishers.
As part of the Community Engagement strategy, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare and his team, on the third day of his visit to the Ashanti Region, engaged community members of Kwaafokrom, a cocoa farming community, about 5 kilometres from Mabang.
At the time of his visit, all the community members were engaged in a customary communal activity, helping one of their own, Commissioner of Police Rtd. and a former Director of National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) formally the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Mr. Ellis Owusu Fordwouh on his 65- acre cocoa farm plantation.
The farmers were in the process of cutting open the harvested cocoa pods, removing the seeds and heaping them on layers of banana leaves for fermentation.
The IGP and his team joined in this process, with the Kwaafokrom community members, listened to their security concerns and shared some security tips with them.
The team took the opportunity to share some good memories with the 83-year old retired Commissioner of Police, lawyer and farmer, Ellis Owusu Fordwouh
We are glad to share with you some of the pictures and video footage from the farm.
The Police Administration wishes all famers a happy farmers’ Day
Former Central Regional Chairman, Kwamena Duncan, has thrown a subtle jab at the Minority over their claim of impersonation against the Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament and Minister of Gender, Adwoa Safo.
Adwoa Safo reportedly joined her colleague MPs to vote for the 2022 budget on Tuesday, November 30 but her person is being challenged by the opposition party.
There are speculations that the person who participated in the voting in the name of Adwoa Safo is an impersonator as the opposition believe the woman in the pictures and videos circulating around isn’t the Dome-Kwabenya MP.
According to North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minority is investigating the impersonation case.
“Following pictures and videos we are reviewing this morning, it is becoming quite apparent to us that there may be a case of impersonation with regards to the lady who was presented as Adwoa Safo. It’s beginning to appear that she may not be Adwoa Safo,” he said in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.null
Hon. Kwamena Duncan has ridiculed the impersonation claims.
He finds it very risible that any person could say Adwoa Safo isn’t the woman who voted in Parliament on Tuesday.
Replying the Minority on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ in what appeared to be a passing comment, the former Minister satirically asked them ”if it’s not Adwoa Safo, is it her mother?”
Social Commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has jabbed the Minority in Parliament over last Friday’s incident where the Majority walked out from the August House allowing the Minority to vote alone on the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government.
The Minority rejected the budget but their position was declared unconstitutional by the Majority who, on Tuesday, November 30, held another voting thereby approving the budget.
The Minority’s vote was counted invalid because, according to the standing orders of Parliament, voting could only take place in the presence of a majority number, with at least half of all the members in the House.
Discussing the 2022 budget and matters arising, Allotey Jacobs, former Central Regional Chairman of the NDC found the incident on Friday very distasteful.
In his view, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, was forced to accept that the Minority’s decision despite being aware that his action together with the Minority is unconstitutional.
“For me, what I saw on last Friday was not in a good taste, because even when you looked at Bagbin’s face, you would see he was forced to do it,” he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.null
He concluded that “what happened on Friday was null and void”.
Allotey Jacobs, however, called for consensus-building stressing what the nation needs is not the chaos that transpired in Parliament.
“We need consensus building in this country,” he emphasized, adding it should “cut across the political divide”.
Allotey further stated the Minority’s presser following the budget approval was done out of envy.
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress has taken the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, to the cleaners, describing his actions on November 30, 2021, as something not even a Class One pupil would do.
On that day, the House overturned the Friday, November 26, 2021, rejection of the budget, going on to approve it with only members of the Majority in the Chamber, with the sit-in Speaker counting himself as the 138th member.
This allowed for the House to form a quorum and for which reason they were able to vote for the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.null
On December 1, 2021, when the Minority MPs returned to the Chamber and attempted to move an application for the overturning of that decision from the day before, things did not go as planned, throwing the House into chaotic scenes.
In the long run, the Bekwai MP and sit-in Speaker rejected their application, even after all the constitutional arguments presented by MPs against his decision to accept the approval of the budget.
Reacting to this while speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Sammy Gyamfi, without mincing words, said this was a shame and something not even a first-year pupil would do.
He also argued that based on the Standing Orders of Parliament, the House did not form a quorum.
“Yes, they had 138 members in parliament on that day but one of them was in the seat as Presiding Speaker – the honourable member for Bekwai, meaning that the number of MPs who were present in the Chamber were 137. They didn’t have 138 and so they could not have rescinded the decision parliament took on that Friday,” he said.
“His conduct was shameful. Not even a Class One pupil would do this. Anybody who has read the Standing Orders of Parliament will know that when a motion is moved on the floor, the Speaker has the right to admit the motion. If it is admitted, it is seconded, debated, the Speaker cannot rule – he has to put it to a vote and announce his verdict on the vote,” he said.
The House is currently adjourned till Tuesday, December 7, 2021, after MPs travelled to their respective constituencies to join in the national celebration of farmers on National Farmers’ Day.
A 44-year-old Alhaji Mohammed Mashud from the Northern region has been crowned as the National Best Farmer for 2021.
For his prize, Alhaji Mashud would get GH¢600,000 cash and a GH¢500,000 insurance cover.
The first runner up, Suleman Yidana from the North East Region would receive a tractor and disc plough, GH¢200,000 insurance cover, a study trip to Israel and a sprayer.
The second runner up, Rev Samuel Sida from the Ahafo Region also received a Nissan Navara pickup and a GH¢200,000 insurance cover.
The Best fisherman award went to Mr Kweku Ehun of the Gomoa East district of the Central Region who received a two-bedroom house to be built at a location of his choice. Other regional award winners were also awarded.
The awards ceremony was instituted to reward the nation’s hard working and gallant farmers and fishers for their commendable and meritorious contribution to the nation’s food security.
This year’s celebrations was on the theme: “Planting for Food and Jobs-Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana was graced by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and minsiters state from the regions.
As early as 7am, hundreds of people from all over the country thronged to the Adisadel College Park to join the celebrations.
The Park which from Monday November 29 has been host to the Agricultural Fair and the various Regional Focus days saw much higher patronage as the celebrations was climaxed
In all 165 farmers and fishermen were awarded at the ceremony.
Alhaji Mashud said it was important that government worked to accelerate efforts at mechanizing agriculture to make the sector more attractive for the youth.
He said it was time to support the local agriculture sector to produce more to the nation and extra for exports to reduce the food importation burden on the country.
Mr Ehun called for stringent efforts at stopping all forms of illegalities in the sector to sustain the fisheries
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sent out his gratitude to all farmers across the country for what he says is their hard work that ensured that during these difficult times of the novel Coronavirus, there has not been shortage of food in the country.
The president, celebrating all farmers on Farmers’ Day today, Friday, December 3, 2021, wrote that this year’s celebration is with a lot more significance because of the efforts made by all farmers to ensure there is food supply all year round.
“This year’s event has taken on added significance because of the efforts of our farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring that there were no shortages of food at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a Facebook post.
Also, President Akufo-Addo stated that his government is committed to creating the best environments to ensure that the agriculture sector continues to thrive.
“There is wealth in agriculture, and government will continue to create the enabling environment, and put in place the necessary policies and programmes for the rapid growth of the agricultural sector,” he said.
The first Friday of every December is set aside to celebrate the hard work of farmers and fisherfolk who feed not only the citizens of Ghana but also those of our neighbouring West African countries.
The 37th National Farmers’ Day is on the theme, “Planting for Food and Jobs: Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana” and is being held at Cape Coast.
Farmers Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in December
You ensured there was no shortage of food, Akufo-Addo
Farmers, fisherfolk feed our neighbouring countries too, Akufo-Addo
As Ghana celebrates farmers and fisherfolk today, December 3, 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed that a lot of money can be raked from agriculture.
He noted that his government is always poised to create enabling environment for these farmers and fisherfolk to produce more to grow the agriculture sector.
In a Farmers Day message to celebrate persons in the agriculture sector, President Akufo-Addo also pointed out that farmers ensured there was no shortage of food in the country during the peak of the global pandemic, coronavirus.
He said to ensure their growth, policies and programmes have been rolled out to facilitate their growth.
“This year’s event has taken on added significance because of the efforts of our farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring that there were no shortages of food at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is wealth in agriculture and government will continue to create the enabling environment and put in place the necessary poli?cies and programmes for the rapid growth of the agricultural sector,” part of his message read.
Farmers Day is an annual observance in various countries to celebrate the national contributions of farmers and agriculturers.
The 37th National Farmers’ Day celebration will be held at Cape Coast and about 157 farmers and fishermen will be honoured.
The 2021 National Best Farmer will receive a two-bedroom apartment at a preferred location of the winner.null
It will be hosted jointly by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, and the Ghana Cocoa Board.
This year’s celebration is themed “Planting for food and jobs: Consolidating food systems in Ghana.”
A former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) Koku Anyidoho, has ‘fired’ the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia again.
This time, Koku says that Asiedu Nketia is bereft of ideas because he Koku is no longer around him to be issuing press releases on his (Asiedu Nketia) behalf.
“I was the one who used to write and issue Press Releases, in the name of Asiedu-Nketiah. I am not doing for him any longer so he is bereft of ideas,” he said in a tweet.
Another one said “I don’t hate Asiedu-Nketiah: he betrayed me; and he shall have to live with his betrayal of me. He will pay a very high price for his betrayal. He begged me; he will beg me again to forgive him for his wickedness.”
“Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah CANNOT sack me from the NDC. He thought he will provoke me to leave the NDC. Asiedu-Nketiah is ashamed of himself!!!. He has not been able to serve me with any Dismissal letter. I am NDC for life.”
The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the NDC suspended after a meeting on Wednesday, January 20.
Two separate petitions were said to have been brought against the former Presidential Spokesperson.
A letter signed by NDC’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, to Mr Anyidoho explained that the petitions from Oti Region’s Communications Officer, Mobarak Abdul-Karim, and Bono Region’s Deputy Communications Officer, Eric Adjei, have been referred to the Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“You are therefore by this letter to take note, and notice is hereby given, that your membership of the NDC is suspended pending the hearing and final determination of the petitions against your conduct,” Mr Asiedu Nketia, who was contested against by Mr Anyidoho at NDC’s last national executive congress, stated in the letter dated Monday, February 8, 2021
Onua FM/TV morning show host Captain Smart was arrested by the police on Thursday, 2 December 2021 for what the police describes as “unsavoury” pronouncements that threatened the “peace and security” of Ghana.
But what exactly did Captain Smart say that got him into trouble?
During his show on Thursday, Captain Smart wondered why elected MPs who ought to think about the citizenry were “fooling” in parliament but when anyone calls them out, that person will be accused of being too harsh.
He then said in English: “Listen, let me sign this warning to all of you: I don’t support a coup d’état but I support an uprising”.
Captain Smart then added that with where we are right now, “we require an uprising with a positive defiance”.
He then expressed his disappointment with the military saying: “I’m even amazed at the soldiers: you were able to enter parliament during the swearing-in of the MPs but are unable to go in there now that the MPs are fooling”.
“And everybody is quiet in this country”, he observed.
Meanwhile, Media General, who own Onua FM/TV has said the arrest of Captain Smart is an example of the “intolerance” that is “creeping” up in the Ghanaian society.
In a statement, the media group said: “This recent trend of picking journalists has affected journalists who work with Media General, who are simply doing their work and, like every Ghanaian, should be protected by the Constitution”, the statement in defence of Captain Smart said, adding: “Today’s arrest and detention of Captain Smart is by no means an isolated incident, but just one more egregious example of the intolerance increasingly creeping into the Ghanaian society”.
Read the full Media General statement below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAPTAIN SMART RELEASED
ACCRA, Thursday, December 2, 2021
The Nima Divisional Police Command today arrested broadcaster Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as “Captain Smart”, the host of the morning show “Onua Maakye” on Media General subsidiaries, Onua TV and Onua FM.
At about 11 am on Thursday, Smart received officers from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) in his home who invited him to their office, to which he obliged. He was subsequently taken to the Nima Police station in Accra for interrogation.
At the Nima Police Station, Smart was cautioned on the “offence of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace as provided under section 207 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29).” He provided a caution statement and then was granted bail.
According to the Police, the arrest of Captain Smart was due to some unsavoury pronouncements he was alleged to have made that, according to them, hinged on the peace and security of the country.
However, Media General believes that the statement made by Captain Smart should not be one that should be interpreted in the manner that the police did and also to add that we are increasingly concerned about the new trend of arrest of journalists and media practitioners. This recent trend of picking journalists has affected journalists who work with Media General who are simply doing their work and, like every Ghanaian, should be protected by the Constitution.
Today’s arrest and detention of Captain Smart is by no means an isolated incident, but just one more egregious example of the intolerance increasingly creeping into the Ghanaian society.
We are convinced that a careful review of the entire statement made by Captain Smart would reveal that it did not amount to threats to the peace and or stability of the country as claimed by the Ghana police.
The Media General Group would like to urge the Ghana Police Service and the IGP to exercise restraint in their dealings with journalists legitimately doing their work and dismiss these broad charges so that press freedom would be protected. We at Media General shall continue to preach and exercise responsible journalism. However, we would continue to empower our journalists and broadcasters to be fearless, honest and forthright in their professional outlook always.
In another twist, however, the National Media Commission (NMC) has warned the Accra-based station to “take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability” following “calls for an insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions” by Captain Smart.
A letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the NMC, Mr George Sarpong, dated Thursday, 2 December 2021, and addressed to the company’s CEO, condemned Captain Smart’s comments as “unprofessional” and “inciteful” broadcasting.
“Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action”, the statement which is reproduced in full below, said. December 2, 2021
The Chief Executive Officer
Onua Fm
Accra UNPROFESSIONAL AND INCITEFUL BROADCAST
Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action.
We are particularly concerned about a recent broadcast in which “Captain Smart” calls for insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions.
This, by all standards, crosses the line of robust and critical broadcasting and transforms your radio station into a megaphone of war. While that particular broadcast, without more, constitutes adequate grounds for regulatory action, we still retain the belief that given the chance, management could take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability. We are fortified in this belief by the fact that considerable parts of your other broadcast, including the news, offer that hope.
We would be glad if you noted that exercising the required professional caution is in your interest.
The Minority in Parliament says its position on the proposed 1.75 per cent e-levy has not shifted.
The opposition lawmakers say the proposed levy is regressive, punitive and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
This comes after the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu had said the Minority would accept the e-levy if it is reduced to 1% from 1.75% proposed in the budget statement.
“A week ago, we said no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance, I am convinced to accept a departure from my original no to accepting a one percent e-levy,” Mr. Iddrisu said at the 10th-anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
“We are not against it, but we want it fixed at one percent. We fear for double taxation because we already have the Communication Services Tax,” he said.
But a statement signed by Asawase Member of Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak on Friday December 3 said ” The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to assure Ghanaians that it will continue to use every legitimate and lawful channel to resist the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose on the ordinary Ghanaian.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the position of the NDC Caucus in Parliament right from the outset of the 2022 Budget debate has been that the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose is regressive, punitive and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
“The Minority Caucus has vigorously championed this position in Parliament and in the media space to draw Government’s attention to our demands. Subsequent to our rejection of the Budget on 26th November, 2021, government has sought to engage the NDC Caucus in a series of discussions towards finding an amicable solution to the impasse.
“Surprisingly despite the good faith demonstrated by the NDC team recognising the importance of the Budget to the economy, business and households, the government side out-rightly rejected our proposal for a revision of the E-levy leading to a breakdown of the discussions.
“We wish to state unequivocally that no concrete decision or agreement has been reached between government and the NDC Caucus in Parliament on this matter.
“As we speak, government’s so-called concessions are unknown to us and we have no clear indication that they intend to seriously consider any of the proposals that have come up.
“Under the circumstance we wish to state that the NDC Caucus will maintain its original position as stated earlier
In his message, Mr Mahama said the farmers “remain our heroines and heroes.”
“Not only do you provide our nation’s food and nutrition needs, you also wield the potential to eradicate hunger and poverty and lead our country toward rapid industrialization and shared prosperity through agribusiness,” he said.
Read his full message below…
Heartiest congratulations to our farmers and fishers on the occasion of this year’s National Farmers Day. You remain our heroines and heroes.
Through your effort, Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of our economy, employing most of our nation’s working population and being a leading contributor to GDP.
Not only do you provide our nation’s food and nutrition needs, you also wield the potential to eradicate hunger and poverty and lead our country toward rapid industrialization and shared prosperity through agribusiness.
As we commemorate this important day, we must diversify by delving into agro-processing and agri-business as ways of ensuring value addition and wealth creation for all persons in the agriculture value chain.
This wealth must particularly benefit our farmers and fishers, and also the country.
This way, we can get more young people into agriculture to employ more of Ghana’s youth and increase our food stock.
We will also earn foreign exchange through exports and, ultimately increase the income levels of our hardworking farmers and fishers.
Our world is fast changing, and we must find new ways of doing business, if we are to survive.
I believe once government averts its mind to the opportunities and comparative advantage we have as a country, we can achieve the goal of prosperity for our country and its people.
Ningo Prampram lawmaker, Samuel Nartey George, has said that the E-levy will be rejected at the committee level in Parliament.
He said it is the will of the people that the levy is rejected hence, the Minority will ensure that happens.
“As far as I know, the position of the Minority as a Caucus is that we would reject the imposition of an e-Levy at Committee and Plenary. That’s the will of the People!,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, his leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has said the Minority would accept the e-levy if it is reduced to 1% from 1.75% proposed in the budget statement.
“A week ago, we said no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance, I am convinced to accept a departure from my original no to accepting a one percent e-levy,” Mr. Iddrisu said at the 10th-anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
“We are not against it, but we want it fixed at one percent. We fear for double taxation because we already have the Communication Services Tax,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu had earlier said the levy serves as a disincentive for the growth of digital economy.
Speaking at a post-budget workshop in Ho on Saturday November 20, he said “Mr Speaker, understandably, we see that the Minister of Finance seeks to introduce some measures including the now popularly declared e-levy or digital levy as some have quite named it.
“Mr Speaker, our concern is whether the e-levy itself is not and will not be a disincentive to the growth of digital economy in our country. We are convinced that the e-levy may as well even be a disincentive to investment and a disincentive to private sector development in our country. We in the minority may not and will not support government with the introduction of that particular e-levy . We are unable to build national consensus on that particular matter.”
“That is the first point that I want to make,” he said.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced a new levy to be charged by government in 2022 on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector.
“It is becoming clear there exists enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the ‘informal economy’,” Mr Ofori-Atta observed on Wednesday, November 17 as he presented the 2022 budget statement in Parliament.
“After considerable deliberations, government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the ‘Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy’.”
He explained that the new E-levy will be a 1.75 per cent charge on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances to be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.
This will, however, not affect transactions that add up to GH¢100 pr less per day.
“A portion of the proceeds from the E-Levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure among others.”
This new levy is scheduled to start Saturday, January 1, 2022.
In 2020, total value of transactions was estimated to be over GH¢500 million with mobile money subscribers and users growing by 16 percent in 2019.
According to a Bank of Ghana report, Ghana saw an increase of over 120 percent in the value of digital transactions between February 2020 and February 2021 compared to 44 percent for the period February 2019 to February 2020 due to the convenience they offer.
This was definitely heightened by the advent of Covid-19 especially during the lockdown
Work has begun in earnest to present a piece of legislation to Parliament by the middle of December to elevate the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA) to a statutory body, President Akufo-Addo has revealed.
This, he said, is consistent with Section 171 of the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act, 2020 (Act 1015), which was signed into law in April 2020 and stipulates that within two years of the coming to force of the law, GARIA – an association of corporate restructuring, business recovery and insolvency advisory professionals – attains the status.
The president disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf by the Attorney General of the Republic and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, at the second GARIA Presidential Fundraising and Awards night – where he said the move is in line with GARIA’s primary objective of playing a leadership role in developing an efficient regime to tackle corporate insolvency and restructuring, as well as enhance corporate governance.
“Section 171 of act 1015 instructs us that within two years of the law coming into force, the attorney general will ensure it attains the status of a statutory body under the authority of an act of parliament,” the president explained. “I am happy to inform you that the Attorney General’s office has commenced work in this regard, and indeed we will conclude by the middle of December 2021.”
President Akufo-Addo remarked that the passage of the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act (CIRA) is another chapter in the long list of business-centric initiatives undertaken under his administration, adding that it could not have been more opportune in light of the ongoing pandemic.
“The passage of act 1015 represented a big shot in the arm of my government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business. It couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time, as most businesses and indeed economies the world over are facing challenges due to COVID-19,” he said.
Speaking on the event’s sidelines to B&FT, the president of GARIA, Felix Addo, welcomed the development, noting that it will allow for standardisation of the insolvency and restructuring ecosystem. “I am excited about it; despite the delays of COVID-19 we are on course. As it stands, GARIA has been a professional association voluntarily and we did not have the force of law until the passing of CIRA; with the new status in view, we will be able to regulate the space,” he said.
The night, which had as its theme ‘The Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Act: A Vital Lifeline for Distressed Businesses amid COVID-19’, had three primary objectives: to celebrate the passage of CIRA; relaunch GARIA Trust Fund; and recognise the contribution of three founding council members of GARIA, which was formed in 2006.
The Fund, first launched two years ago, was designed to be the principal financing vehicle for GARIA, which had so far had to rely on erratic funding from subscriptions from its membership, foundation members, development partners and the erstwhile Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund, among others.
The three founding council members of GARIA recognised for their immense contributions were Justice Therese Striggner Scott; Prof. Samuel Nunoo Woode; and Madam Aurora Lokko.
National Farmers Day in Ghana is celebrated on the first Friday of December each year to recognise the contributions of farmers and fishers in the country.
The holiday is designed to pay respect to the importance of the farming and fishing industry in the socio-economic growth of Ghana.null
In a tweet as part of the celebrations today Friday, December 3, Mr Anyidoho said “Papa J is gone: Farmers Day remains. Jerry John Rawlings instituted Farmers Day in 1985, and it remains one of his lasting legacies. Ayekooo to ALL our farmers and fishermen for keeping bodies and the soul of the nation alive. Long live Ghana.”
Papa J is gone: Farmers Day remains. Jerry John Rawlings instituted Farmers Day in 1985, and it remains one of his lasting legacies. Ayekooo to ALL our farmers and fishermen for keeping bodies and the soul of the nation alive. Long live Ghana ???????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/GCI8W3EFGd— Samuel Koku Anyidoho???????? (@KokuAnyidoho) December 3, 2021
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has disclosed that he is willing to accept a reduction of the controversial e-levy.
According to the Tamale South MP, he has shifted from his previous stance of no e-levy at all to a reduction of the initial 1.75%.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra on Thursday, the Tamale South MP, the Minority Caucus in Parliament will accept a reduction of the proposed e-levy to 1% from the original 1.75%.
“A week ago, it was no no no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance, I am convinced to accept a departure from my original “no” to accepting a one percent e-levy,” Iddrisu said at the launch.
He noted that when the e-levy is pegged at one percent, it will be a great contribution to fiscal consolidation and would ensure the economy did not collapse going forward. The digital economy, according to Haruna Iddrisu, was doing well and had facilitated a revolution in financial inclusion, hence it was unwise to overburden the telecommunication sector.
“We are not against it but we want it fixed at one percent. We fear for double taxation because we already have the communication services tax,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu and his Minority Caucus initially disagreed with the deduction fee for business transactions not exceeding the GHC100.00 threshold a day and called for it to be pegged at GHC500.00.
He, in a similar vein, suggested that the money be pegged at GHC300.00 after revising his notes.
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has urged the general public to continue to adhere to all covid-19 prevention protocols after recording 34 cases of the Omicron variant in sequenced samples that were taken from 120 returning travellers.
The samples were taken between 21 and 25 November 2021.
The discovery comes after the Ghana Health Service told the media that Ghana has so far recorded its first two cases of the variant.
The Acting Director of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, Dr Joseph Oliver-Commey, said if the government plans to achieve herd immunity during the Christmas festivities, it will have to intensify public education and sensitisation on the need for vaccination against the pandemic.
With the fear of the country entering a fourth wave of the pandemic and a possible surge in cases after the yuletide, the ministry of health has declared December as a month of COVID-19 vaccination.
Persons who are not vaccinated will be denied entry into places such as sports stadia, restaurants, beaches among others.
About 3,493,688 Ghanaians have been vaccinated so far
The Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has revealed that Ghana is steadily working towards a comprehensive and universal social protection programming which is a requisite safeguard and a pedal to accelerate sustainable development.
This she noted would guarantee that as much as possible, all members of society irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, education, disability and status in society live dignified lives.
Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare stated these when she delivered her keynote address at the 2021 University of Ghana Alumni lectures, under the theme, Social Protection in Ghana; Are we on track?
The Chief of Staff opined that the state has provided an appreciable amount of social protection in the last 20 years.
She noted that research data from the National Health Insurance Authority indicates that as of September 2021, the authority had recorded a total membership of twenty-four million, four hundred and four thousand, five hundred and fifty-seven (24,404,557).
Out of this total, 63.4% that is, fifteen million, four hundred and seventy-two thousand, four hundred and eighty-nine (15,472,489) persons were exempted from the payment of premium and processing fees as a condition for enrolment. These exemptions are granted to indigents, prison inmates, persons with mental disorders, persons in foster homes/leprosaria, pregnant women, TB patients and children under the school feeding programme and LEAP beneficiaries.
The Chief of Staff added that another significant social protection initiative of the government is the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), which targets public schools in urban and deprived communities to eradicate hunger and improve nutrition. She said at the inception of the programme, 10 pilot schools drawn from each region of the country participated. By August 2006, the School Feeding programme had been expanded to 200 schools covering 69,000 pupils in all the 138 districts at the time and the coverage has steadily increased in selected schools in all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. Currently, the school feeding programme has reached 3.4 million pupils in 10,560 schools nationwide.
It is important she said to underscore that in 2018, GSFP achieved an unprecedented 30% expansion of coverage (of both schools & pupils) and also increased feeding grant from eighty pesewas (GHC 0.80) to one cedi (GHC 1.00) per pupil per day. Ghana School Feeding Programme Cost-Benefit Analysis Report shows that the school feeding programme has a clear impact on enrolment for both boys and girls.
The former Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency also accentuated the positive impact LEAP has had on the vulnerable and poor communities in Ghana.
She said its implementation commenced in 2008 with 1,654 households in 21 Districts and currently (2021) has been expanded to cover 344,023 households comprising over 1.5 million individuals across all districts in Ghana.
She added that expenditure has also more than tripled from about GH¢60 million in 2008 to over GH¢ 190 million by the end of 2019. Depending on the household beneficiary composition, the bi-monthly cash grants range from GH¢ 64, GH¢ 72, GH¢88 and GH¢106. Even though these amounts may appear small, their impact on these households remains tremendous. Impact studies conducted (by ISSER in collaboration with the University of North Carolina and UNICEF in 2016) on the programme indicate improvements in school enrolment by (12%), food security (65%), and investments in Productive Inclusion Livelihoods (63%).
Given that the LEAP programme as a social protection intervention is currently covering 344,023 households, Mrs Osei-Opare declared the intention of the Akufo-Addo government as stated in the 2022 National Budget is to expand coverage of the programme by 150,000 more households. This means that in 2022 LEAP would reach 494,023. If we had an integrated poverty profiling system in place, potentially, LEAP would be reaching about 90% coverage.
She used the occasion to express optimism on the future of social protection programs and interventions in the country. ‘I would like to reiterate the point that, this country is pursuing a strong social protection agenda for the vulnerable that increasingly guarantees provision for good healthcare, education, poverty alleviation and support for persons with a disability she said.
Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare used the opportunity to call on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to have a national dialogue to unlock innovative ideas to tighten the delivery of Ghana’s social protection agenda.
‘As we vigorously pursue the social protection agenda, to make it universal, I reiterate the call to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to convene a national social protection dialogue, of all key stakeholders in order to identify sustainable financing mechanisms, generate stakeholder commitment, explore sustainable public-private partnerships and to unlock innovative ideas to tighten the delivery of Ghana’s social protection agenda so that nobody is left out!’
The Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has disclosed to personnel of the Service plans to introduce a one million dollar Police emergency fund to cater for officers who sustain injuries in the line of duty.
According to the IGP, the fund was triggered by his own experiences with officers who were injured in the line of duty but are struggling to secure funds for the needed medical attention.
“We are putting things in place to revive your welfare and I’ll give you two first. Very soon there will be an operationalisation, we are waiting for a presidential endorsement, which of course the President will come in and launch. There will be an over one million dollars police emergency intervention fund.
“Any officer who in line of duty gets sick or injured, we will not wait for any paper to be worked on from minister of interior, minister of finance and chasing round round looking for money to treat that person, we will immediately get help for that person. We will have funds available to treat that person wherever that treatment should be been it Ghana or abroad,” the IGP told officers in the Ashanti region where he is currently on a working tour.
Dr Dampare also assured the officers of efforts to improve medical access for them.
“We are establishing police Virtual Medical Center. You can be in Kumasi or wherever and still be in police hospital in Accra. And if you don’t understand let me explain to you. You just download the app onto your phone and if you’re sick at any time of the day or midnight and you want to see a doctor, you will just go and press the app and it will tell you what time and how many minutes you have to wait to see a doctor virtually. So as soon as your time comes five minutes, 10 minutes, then the doctor will do video call and start consulting. And after a consultation, then electronically, the lab request will be sent to you
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has told members of the black business community in the United States of America of the numerous investment opportunities existing in Ghana, as the country seeks to build back strongly from the ravages of COVID-19.
Delivering the keynote address at the “Africa Flagship Programme” session of the 45th Annual Legislative Conference of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, 1st December 2021, President Akufo-Addo stated that “it is a great time to invest in Ghana, for the opportunities are bright”.
According to the President, despite the very real difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana is doing some things right, and sending out the right signals to the global investor community.
“Last year, 2020, Ghana recorded FDI of US$2.65 billion from two hundred and seventy-nine (279) projects. For 2021 alone, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) recorded FDI of nine hundred and seventy-three million dollars (US$973.38 million), from one hundred and seventy-three (173) projects for the first three quarters of the year, with large ticket projects in the pipeline to boost FDI flows by the close of year” he said.
Ghana, President Akufo-Addo stated in his address, was among the first countries, anywhere in the world, to put together a medium-term response strategy to address the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, and to outline an economic recovery, revitalisation, and transformation plan to build back better and stronger.
“We have identified the relevant sectors of the economy requiring the needed investment that will help accelerate the rebound and growth of the Ghanaian economy, as was witnessed in the immediate years before the pandemic struck, which saw, between 2017 and 2020, our average annual GDP growth rate of seven percent (7%) as one of the fastest in the world. We call the recovery package the Ghana CARES ‘Obaatampa’ Programme,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that the GH¢100 billion Programme, aimed at stabilising and revitalising the Ghanaian economy, has two phases, the Stabilisation Phase, which was implemented between July to December 2020; and the Revitalisation and Transformation Stage which is currently under implementation, and will end in 2023.
“We are focussing our energies on supporting commercial farming, and attracting educated youths into agriculture, building Ghana’s light manufacturing sector, fast-tracking efforts at digitisation, developing Ghana’s housing and construction industry, establishing Ghana as a Regional Hub, and strengthening the enablers of growth of our economy,” he said.
The President continued, “However, the most attractive and the greatest selling point of Ghana is and has always been her people, the Ghanaian people. The welcome that you find in Ghana, with all due respect to you at this gathering, is unique, and like none anywhere else.”
With President Akufo-Addo reassuring the investor community that Ghana remains a safe country, he reiterated his position that “Ghana is the safest country in West Africa. Our police and security agencies work hard to keep Ghana an open and happy place, where we are not embarrassed to see ourselves as each other’s keeper.”
He, thus, to the investor community that they can choose to invest in Ghana through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre or set up as a Free Zones enterprise, stressing that his government has instituted a number of fiscal incentives for the investor depending on the nature of the activity or the location of the investment.
Touting Ghana’s democratic credentials, which has seen the country conducting 8 presidential elections in the twenty-eight (28) year period of the 4th Republic, the President indicated that investors are optimistic about the Ghanaian economy.
“We have done the heavy lifting required to transition our economy into a growth economy, and are now establishing sustainability and irreversibility. We are spearheading regional integration and cooperation in industrialising Africa, and currently hosting the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which comprises fifty-four (54) states, with a combined GDP of three trillion United States dollars (US$3 trillion),” he said.
Founding President of Imani Africa, Mr Franklin Cudjoe has proposed a 0.75% e-levy rather than the 1.75 in the budget statement.
In a Facebook post regarding the debate on the budget, he said
“The 2022 budget christened “Agyenkwa”( “Saviour” in English) is itself struggling to survive. How about 0.75% E-levy instead of 1.75%, and a $3bn value for 49% royalties in Agyapa instead of govt’s projected $1bn (based on present value calculation of gold prices)?” he wrote.
There was pandemonium after the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Wusu (Joewise) justified the approval of the 2022 budget statement.
During deliberations in the House on Wednesday December, 1 Joewise stated that a Deputy Speaker could not be described as a Speaker hence, arguments being against the number of MPs in the chamber as of the time of the approval of the budget could not hold.
“I am a member of Parliament, the Second Deputy Speaker is a Member of Parliament
“Our work is to assist the Speaker. Any attempt to read and interpret the constitution to include Deputy Speakers is a misreading of the constitution.
“When the Speaker is not around either of us can preside so like any other member. That member does not lose his right of being a member of the House.”
Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey had asked him not to set aside the approval.
He said said the approval of the budget statement by Parliament on Tuesday November 30 was constitutional
To that end, a motion by the Minority to reject the approval should be dismissed completely, he added.
The former Attorney General said the approval was grounded in law because the number of MPs required in parliament to take decision met the constitutional threshold.
“I urge you not to change your mind. What you did was grounded in the constitution, it is grounded in law,” he said.
For his part, a former Deputy Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine asked persons quoting the constitution to support the approval of the 2022 budget to read the constitution as a whole to be able to arrive at a meaningful conclusion, a point that was supported by Mr Joe Ghartey.
Dr Ayine said those arguing for the approval of the budget could not pick and choose aspects of the constitution to support their points. Otherwise, he said, they will be wrong.
Contributing to the discussion on Wednesday December 1, the Bolgatanga East MP said “We think the decision that was taken yesterday gross undermining of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
The Minority in Parliament were seeking to overturn the approval of the budget by the House on Tuesday November 30, without them.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu in moving a motion to overturn the approval said 137 lawmakers of the Majority could not have taken a decision.
He said they don’t consider Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Wusu (Joewise) who deliberated over proceedings yesterday, as Member of Parliament at the time he was sitting in as speaker hence, that leaves the number present at 137.
It is recalled that immediately after the approval of the budget on Tuesday, Haruna Iddrisu said that the Majority did not have the numbers to enable them approve the 2022 budget statement.
He said at a press conference in Parliament that as of the time the Majority were taking the decision to approve the budget, they were 137 and not 138.
“The precedent they are setting will haunt them in the future. At the time that they were taking the decision the house was not 137.”
They further rejected the assurance by the Finance Ken Ofori-Atta that their concerns in the 2022 budget would be addressed at the committee level.
Haruna Iddrisu said that they wanted their concerns captured in the original budget statement, not to be discussed at the committees’ sittings.
“If you are acknowledging and admitting that there were concessions, let it reflect in the statement” and not a meeting at the committee level.
He further stated that the Minority will oppose to the E-levy proposal in its current any day and anytime.
“We don’t support the E-levy in its current. Our point is to revise it to take care of the ordinary people.”
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had assured them that all the issues they raised against the 2022 Budget, would be addressed at the committee level.
The Minority had raised issues including the request that the budget for Parliament should be raised from GHS510m to GHs1.7bn, issues about the e-levy and others.
Mr Ofori Atta said in Parliament on Tuesday November 30 that their concerns would be considered.
His comments came just before Parliament approved the 2022budget statement on Tuesday November 30.
The First Deputy Speaker who sat in for the Speaker said on Tuesday, Joseph Osei Owusu said that “The House has adopted the Financial statement and approved the budget statement for the ensuing year ending 31st December 2021.”
“This house has approved the budget and economic statement,” he stressed.
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu had asked him to set aside the purported rejection of the 2022 budget statement.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said on the floor of the House on Tuesday November 30 that the rejection of the budget “did not meet the test established under Article 104,” because Parliament did not have the required numbers to be present in the chamber for purposes of taking decisions.
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators of the United States Congress have presented the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with the first ever International Nation Builders Award of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
Presenting the award to President Akufo-Addo, the President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators of the United States Congress, Congressman Billy Mitchell, explained that the “Nation Builders Award” was established “to recognize those African-Americans who have distinguished themselves to live-long service and dedication to enfranchisement and inclusion of Americans of African discent into the national body of politics.”
Speaking at the award ceremony on Wednesday, 1st December 2021, at the 45th Annual National Black Caucus of State Legislators in Atlanta, Georgia, Congressman Billy Mitchell explained the nation build award ceremony was renamed in 1995 to honour the late David P. Richardson, a twenty-three-year member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and NBCSL’s third President.
“I must say as the President of NBCSL, it is my belief, that we must unite and partner with our brothers and sisters of the continent and throughout diaspora. It is not lost on me that Ghana is widely regarded as the hub of pan-Africanism and the final resting place of many of our great thinkers, yes, even W.E.B. Du Bois,” he said.
Describe himself as “a student of Kwame Nkrumah”, Congressman Mitchell, I know we are stronger together and when we unite and advance the causes of our people, internationally, we are all better.
“It is for this reason I present to you this award Mr. President, for your commitment to working collaboratively to achieve the liberation of African people despite where we were born. Mr. President, I present to you, the first International Nation Builders Award of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators,” he added.
Ghana and the Diaspora In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana’s connection with the African Diaspora pre-dates her independence, stating that “currently, we are creating platforms for adoption of legal frameworks in key sectors to drive diaspora engagements. This has culminated in the Homeland Return Bill, on which we are currently working.”
The Homeland Return Bill, he explained, recognises Ghana’s moral and spiritual obligation, as an African nation, to facilitate the return of diaspora Africans to Ghana and the motherland, and to initiate the legal and regulatory processes for integrating them into Ghanaian society.
“When enacted, the Law will provide the much needed regulatory and practical changes to improve the requirements for the acquisition of Ghanaian citizenship and permanent residence by diasporan Africans. Indeed, in the Year of Return, I granted citizenship to one hundred and twenty-six (126) members of the diasporan community in Ghana of African-Americans and Caribbeans,” the President stressed.
He continued, “It will, in fact, be a critical indication for business and investment, presenting an avenue for Africa in the diaspora to work towards partnerships, and establish Ghana as a launchpad to the rest of the continent of Africa through the AfCFTA”.
The President told the gathering that “We, in Ghana, and in Africa as a whole, have a keen interest in how you in the Diaspora fare. If you flourish, it will reflect well on us in Africa. Your success will boost our confidence. If we do well, and the continent flourishes, you will have an easier time of it here
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