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Author: Abigail Ampofo

  • Full text: Asiedu Nketiah’s speech on ambulance, Richard Jakpa case

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has released a 16-minute recording to support the claims made by Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the faulty ambulance case involving Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

    The tape captures a conversation between Attorney General Godfred Dame and Jakpa, in which Dame allegedly instructs Jakpa on what to say in court, specifically implicating Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

    READ THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE NDC BELOW

    STATEMENT READ BY HON. JOHNSON ASIEDU NKETIA, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE UNPROFESSIONAL AND CRIMINAL CONDUCT BY THE ATTORNEYGENERAL, GODFRED YEBOAH DAME, IN THE AMBULANCE CASE.

    Tuesday, 28th May, 2024

    Good afternoon, distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the media.

    I welcome you on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to this crucial Moment of Truth press conference.

    We have called you here over a very grave matter that has the potential to completely undermine the administration of justice in Ghana.

    As you may be aware, since late 2021, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has been persecuting the Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Dr. Cassiel AtoForson, over the purchase of some ambulances by the Ministry of Health under the erstwhile NDC/Mahama government.

    As a law-abiding political party, we have restrained ourselves from commenting on this matter publicly. This is because we respect the principle that matters pending in court should not be commented on in a manner that prejudices the outcome. We therefore have no intention of doing so today.

    However, in the light of repeated falsehoods, deliberate misrepresentations and distortions churned out by Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and NPP propagandists, we are compelled to correct certain misconceptions in the public domain about the said ambulance transaction and situate this discussion in its proper context.

    This is without prejudice to any matters pending before the law courts in this case.

    Every reasonable person would agree that, it will be irresponsible of us to sit aloof and allow deliberate falsehood to be peddled about us without putting out the truth.

    1. For the avoidance of doubt, the specific claim that the Attorney-General has based his persecution of the Minority Leader on is that, in the Attorney-General’s view, there has been financial loss to the state because he as Deputy Minister of Finance, wrote letters to the Bank of Ghana requesting the Bank to set up Letters of Credit in favour of Big Sea Trading Limited of
      Dubai, suppliers of the ambulances in question, without authorisation from his then boss and Finance Minister, Hon. Seth Terkper. This is publicly available information captured in the records of the High Court, Accra.
    2. It is also a matter of public record, that Hon. Seth Terkper has appeared before the trial court and stated unequivocally under oath that he gave express authorisation to his then Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Ato Forson, to write the said letters to the Bank of Ghana for Letters of Credit to be established in respect of the ambulance transaction. This authorisation is evidenced by the seal of the Ministry of Finance that is apparent on the face of the letter written by Hon. Ato Forson.
    3. It is instructive to note that the establishment of the Letters of Credit was done on the advice of the Attorney-General then, that failure to do so was going to make it difficult for the Government of Ghana to defend any suit brought by Big Sea Trading for breach of contract.
    4. Godfred Dame and hordes of NPP propagandists also continue to falsely claim that the NDC government brought in ordinary vans purporting to be ambulances without medical equipment under the said transaction.
    5. We want to state emphatically that the first set of 30 ambulances supplied under the transaction arrived in the country with the necessary fittings in them sometime in the year 2015.

    On the screen are pictures of the exterior and interior of the ambulances as they arrived in the country. It is clear from these pictures that the ambulances that were procured were not empty vans as claimed by dishonest Godfred Dame and the NPP.

    1. In addition, a container load of medical equipment to be installed in these ambulances were shipped by Big Sea and arrived in the country around the end of 2016. Sadly, these medical equipment have been sitting at the Tema port for the last eight (8) years because this government, specifically the Ministry of Health, which is the consignee, has refused to clear them just so they can falsely claim that there were no equipment.

    Once again, we have projected on the screen a copy of the bill of lading dated 8th October, 2016 covering this shipment. As can be seen, this container has 30 sets of medical equipment and defibrillators for installation, as well as spare parts for the 30 ambulances.

    1. All that was required for this government to do was to clear the medical equipment from the ports and give engineers of Big Sea access to the ambulances, which have since been parked at the Airforce Base in Accra, to install them, train personnel of the Ghana Ambulance Service to use them and then formally take possession of the said ambulances.
    2. It therefore makes no sense that after refusing to do this simple task and allowing the ambulances to deteriorate for 8 years, Godfred Dame would turn around to persecute Hon. Ato Forson for allegedly causing financial loss to the State, when that loss has been clearly occasioned by the deliberate negligence of the government he represents.
    3. We firmly believe that the decision to take the Minority Leader and some others to Court over this matter was born out of a malicious, sinister and wicked desire to silence him through unjust imprisonment and nothing more.

    As we publicly stated from the very outset of this case, the timing and circumstances of this socalled prosecution, show that it was instituted mainly to intimidate and silence the then ranking member on Finance, now Minority Leader, following his vehement opposition to the government’s 2022 budget, the E-levy and the general economic mismanagement by the AkufoAddo/Bawumia government. This is the very embodiment of political witch-hunt and persecution.

    Having set out the factual background of this whole matter, I will now proceed to address certain grave matters that have emerged from the ongoing trial, which border on professional misconduct and crime on the part of the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

    1. Ladies and gentlemen of the media, last Thursday, 23rd May 2024, the 3rd Accused person in this case, Richard Jakpa, took the stand to be cross-examined by counsel for Dr. Ato Forson. During this cross-examination, Attorney-General Godfred Dame, shot up from his seat to accuse Mr. Richard Jakpa of defending Dr. Ato Forson rather than himself.
    2. In response to the Attorney-General’s accusation, Mr. Jakpa who was testifying under oath and felt attacked without provocation, dropped a bombshell that Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General, has been having clandestine meetings and telephone conversations with him at odd hours to persuade him to falsely testify against the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, so that the prosecution can secure a conviction. This testimony by Mr. Jakpa was given to the court under oath and captured by the court’s record.
    3. At last Thursday’s hearing, the Attorney-General who was personally present in court, could not object to this damning evidence of Mr. Jakpa. He did not deny calling and meeting Jakpa at odd hours. Neither did he deny Jakpa’s claim that he has been impressing on him to skew his testimony in a manner that will allow the State to secure a conviction against the Minority Leader.
    4. Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, in the period following these startling revelations, the National Democratic Congress, has obtained compelling evidence which supports Mr. Richard
      Jakpa’s claim that the Attorney-General indeed has engaged him on countless occasions and urged him to falsify his testimony to aid the case of the Attorney-General against Dr. Ato Forson.
    5. This evidence points to a devious, diabolic and dangerous plan by the Attorney-General to secure conviction against Minority Leader Dr. Ato Forson at all cost, contrary to what the 3rd Accused knows and believes to be the truth.
    6. We have in our possession a series of recordings in which the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, is clearly heard goading, urging, impressing upon and coaching Mr. Jakpa to bear false testimony against the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson.

    All of this desperate subornation by Mr. Dame is just because he is hellbent on securing the incarceration of the Minority Leader.

    1. Ladies and Gentlemen, the first of these recordings is a 16-minute five seconds telephone conversation between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the 3rd Accused person, held on the morning (7:12am) of 9th April, 2024, a day that the 3rd Accused Richard Jakpa was preparing to go to court to continue his testimony.

    In this recording which we will play to your hearing and share with you shortly, Godfred Dame, the Attorney-General, is clearly heard doing the following:

    A) Witness tampering

    In this recording, Godfred Dame is heard impressing upon Richard Jakpa, the 3rd Accused,
    Richard Jakpa, to skew his answers and testimony to support the prosecution’s case.

    This was despite Mr. Jakpa’s insistence that the line the Attorney-General wanted him to tow was dishonest, untenable and that his conscience could not allow him to do so.

    The dishonourable Attorney-General then dangled the assurance that Richard Jakpa’s acceptance to testify the Attorney-General’s way was not going to get him into any difficulty.

    B) Conspiracy against an accused person

    In the recording under reference, Richard Jakpa reveals that Godfred Dame had met him on several occasions at the residence of a sitting Supreme Court Judge to impress upon him to testify in a manner that the Prosecution wants in order to fix and wrongfully jail the Minority Leader Dr. Ato Forson.

    Godfred Dame did not refute this statement by Richard Jakpa except to caution him that they were speaking on phone, and that he was not sure if anyone was recording their conversation.

    Also, Godfred Dame is heard in the recording urging and coaching Richard Jakpa, albeit with strong protest from Mr. Jakpa, to provide answers that Jakpa knows to be false to the Court.

    C) Professional Misconduct

    The audio recording provides incontrovertible evidence of professional misconduct on the part of Godfred Dame as a Lawyer and a prosecutor.

    By talking to a represented person in an ongoing trial, on the blindside of the represented person’s lawyer and urging the represented person to testify in a manner that aids the prosecution’s case, Godfred Dame violently violated the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423) in many ways.

    This gross professional misconduct on the part of no less a person than the Attorney-General, who as the leader of the Bar bears a high responsibility to adhere to the rules of ethics of the legal profession, is reprehensible and totally unpardonable.

    D) Fabrication of evidence to pervert the course of Justice

    It is instructive to note that in the audio recording, Godfred Dame is heard persuading Mr. Jakpa not to end his testimony by a particular time to allow him to travel.

    The dishonourable Attorney-General is also heard persuading Mr. Jakpa to procure and submit a fake medical excuse duty to the court which he was scheduled to testify before that morning. This was to enable Godfred Dame travel abroad without missing Jakpa’s testimony.

    By asking a witness to fabricate evidence to deceive a court, Godfred Dame, the AttorneyGeneral, sought to undermine the judicial and justice administration process.

    This conduct of Godfred Dame constitutes the offense of perjury which is a crime punishable under the laws of Ghana, specifically sections 213 and 214 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).

    Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, I would at this stage invite you to listen to the content of this recording after which I will make some important observations.

    (Play audio recording)

    Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the recording you just heard is one that is worrying and all Ghanaians must be concerned about it.

    This is a scandal of unimaginable proportions that seriously exposes the criminal-mindedness and lack of integrity of the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame.

    It also highlights the dishonesty of the prosecution in the Ambulance trial and the desperate lengths they are prepared to go to secure wrongful conviction against Hon. Ato Forson at all cost.

    Clearly, Mr. Dame, who as Attorney-General ought to know better, was doing everything he could, including criminal acts, to defeat the long cherished legal principle that it is better to set a thousand guilty persons free than to convict one innocent person.

    Again, this recording, confirms our long-held position on Godfred Dame’s notoriety for judicial manipulation against opponents of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime.

    After many years of getting away with his shady, crooked and underhand dealings, Godfred
    Dame’s cup has become full and his day of reckoning has finally come.

    Today, Godfred Dame stands exposed as an unethical, scheming and devious Attorney-General who will go to whatever length, including engaging in criminality to unjustly silence, persecute and imprison critics of his government. Dame is clearly a devious character bereft of integrity, honour and unfit to occupy the high and hallowed public office of Attorney-General.

    Ladies and gentlemen of the media, why should we be concerned about this tape recording?

    As I have already intimated, this tape recording captures professional misconduct, unethical behaviour and criminal conduct on the part of no less a person than the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ghana, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

    This conduct of Attorney-General Godfred Dame offends Rules 13, 40 and 54 of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette Rules) L.I. 2324.

    Rule 13 of L.I 2324 , which is on Communication with a represented party states:

    “A lawyer shall not approach, communicate or deal with a represented person on a matter or attempt to negotiate or compromise a matter directly with a represented person except through or with the consent of the lawyer of that represented person”.

    At the time that Mr. Godfred Dame was calling and meeting Richard Jakpa at odd hours to urge, goad, impress upon and coach him to testify the Attorney-General’s way, Mr. Jakpa was represented by a lawyer.

    The claim that the Attorney General has been engaging the 3rd Accused directly because he has been changing lawyers frequently is totally false.

    For instance, at the time Godfred Dame engaged the 3rd Accused, Richard Jakpa in the phone call conversation that we just played to you on 9th April, 2024, the 3rd Accused was represented by the distinguished lawyer, Thaddeus Sory.

    It is clear from the tape recording that Godfred Dame was communicating with the 3rd Accused, Richard Jakpa, on the blindside of his lawyer as well as the court, and he was attempting to compromise Jakpa in order to wrongfully convict Dr. Ato Forson. This is a cardinal sin against the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette Rules) L.I. 2324.

    Again, Rule 40 (1) of LI 2324, which highlights special responsibilities of a prosecutor states:

    “Where a lawyer acts as a prosecutor, the lawyer shall act resolutely and honourably within the limits of the law and shall treat the court or tribunal with candour, fairness, courtesy and respect”.

    It is clear from this tape that Godfred Dame’s conduct violates Rule 40 (1) of LI 2324. He consciously, deliberately and knowingly did not act resolutely nor honourably. Neither did Dame treat the court with the candour, fairness and respect that all lawyers, and in this particular case prosecutors, are required by law to do.

    The standard for Integrity of evidence is provided for by Rule 54 of LI 2423. It states:

    Rule 54 (1) A lawyer shall not advise or suggest to a witness to give false evidence.
    (2) A lawyer shall not (a) suggest, or
    (b) condone a client or another person suggesting to a prospective witness, the content of any particular evidence which the witness should give at any stage in a proceeding.

    This is the duty placed by law on all lawyers, including the Attorney-General. Godfred Dame by his conduct, which are captured on this tape, clearly violates this duty placed on him as a lawyer.

    Again, Godfred Dame’s conduct violates section 213 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29) which is on fabrication of evidence and states as follows:

    “Whoever fabricates evidence, with intent to defeat, obstruct, or pervert the course of justice in any proceeding, shall be liable to the same penalties as if he had committed perjury in that proceeding.”

    It is clear from the tape recording that Mr. Dame was urging, goading and encouraging the 3rd Accused to fabricate evidence in the form of a fake medical excuse duty to deceive the trial court.

    FALSE ENTRAPMENT EXCUSE
    Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we note that following Mr Richard Jakpa’s explosive testimony last Thursday and the widespread controversy it has generated, Godfred Dame has resorted to peddling more lies in an attempt to escape accountability.

    First, the Attorney General publicly stated at paragraph 2 of his press release of 23rd May, 2024 that;

    “The Republic has never required or desired the cooperation of any of the accused persons in the matter, in which it has already succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against all the accused persons. Neither the Attorney-General nor any officer from the Office of the Attorney-General has approached any of the accused persons with the view to obtaining evidence from them”.

    It is glaringly clear from the tape recording you just listened to that this claim is a barefaced lie peddled by the dishonourable Attorney-General and his office to deceive the public.

    In sharp contrast to his earlier claim that he has never met any of the accused persons, the Attorney-General now claims that he has actually contacted and met the 3rd Accused, Richard Jakpa, but that he met him only once at the residence of a Supreme Court Judge and that this meeting was not at his behest but rather at the behest of a sitting Supreme Court judge who entrapped him.

    Ladies and gentlemen, all these claims by the Attorney-General through his spokesperson are lies, and we have evidence to prove so.

    In addition to the voice recordings, we have other evidence by way of screenshots of chats on WhatsApp between Godfred Dame and Mr. Jakpa which further prove that the Attorney-General contacted a represented person without recourse to the represented person’s lawyer.

    The chats further show, that it was Godfred Dame who chose to meet Richard Jakpa at the house of the Supreme Court Judge (Project WhatsApp Exhibit 1).

    As you can see from the screen this is a WhatsApp chat dated 16th February, 2022 in which Godfred Dame undertakes to arrange a meeting with Mr. Jakpa through his brother (actually, his cousin, the Supreme Court Judge) through a WhatsApp message sent at 7:32pm. This evidence totally belies Dame’s contrived and ridiculous claim that he was entrapped.

    The next set of WhatsApp chats (Project WhatsApp exhibits 2, 3 and 4) dated 17th July, 2022, shows Godfred Dame, receiving certain soft copies of documents from Mr. Richard Jakpa to facilitate his prosecution of the Minority Leader at 11:29pm. This was immediately after the Attorney-General had met Mr. Jakpa at the residence of the Supreme Court judge, at the instance of the Attorney-General.

    In the next WhatsApp chat (WhatsApp exhibit 5) dated 23rd November, 2023, Godfred Dame is seen to have placed a call at 10:40am to Richard Jakpa and followed it with a message at 10:49am acknowledging a message sent to him by Mr. Jakpa that the case had been adjourned to Thursday, the following week.

    The final WhatsApp chat (WhatsApp exhibit 6) dated Tuesday 9th April, 2024 shows evidence of a 26- minute phone call placed to Richard Jakpa by GodfredDame at 7:12am, the morning of a day Jakpa was scheduled to testify in court.

    It is this telephone conversation that we have played to you and it was in this conversation that Godfred Dame, among others, asked Jakpa to fabricate a fake medical excuse duty to deceive the trial court.

    Thus, the claim by the dishonourable Attorney-General Godfred Dame that he only met the 3rd Accused person once and that same was through entrapment by a Supreme Court judge is not only false but hogwash.

    CONTRIVED PLEA BARGAIN EXCUSE
    Ladies and gentlemen, following Mr. Jakpa’s explosive testimony in court, the Attorney-General has falsely claimed through his spokesperson and various assigns that his engagement with the 3rd Accused was for purposes of plea bargain negotiations at the instance of the 3rd Accused.

    We want to state for the records that there has not been any plea bargain meetings between the Attorney-General and the 3rd Accused throughout this trial.

    All the letters being circulated by the Attorney-General in the media dated 27th April, 2023, 16th May, 2023, 30th May, 2023 and 12th June, 2023, were proposals for amicable settlement and plea bargaining from Big Sea LLC and Mr. Jakpa.

    All these proposals were rejected by the Attorney-General, whereupon the trial court decided to continue with the hearing and adjudication of the case.

    Since then, the court has not been informed of the commencement of any plea bargain negotiations as required by section 162C(3) of Plea Bargaining Act, 2022 (Act 1079).

    For emphasis, aside the letters submitted by Mr. Jakpato the Attorney-General for settlement or plea bargaining, which proposals were all rejected by the Attorney General, there has not been any meeting between either Mr. Jakpa or his lawyers on one hand and the Attorney-General or his assigns on the other hand.

    It is worthy of note that all those letters were signed by lawyers for Mr. Jakpa. This means that assuming the Attorney-General had accepted to engage the 3rd Accused in plea bargain negotiations, same should have been done with the lawyers of the 3rd Accused as required by section 162A(3) of Plea Bargaining Act, 2022 (Act 1079).

    More importantly, the evidence of clandestine communication and meetings between the
    Attorney-General and the 3rd Accused which we have shown you, dates back to as far back as 16th February, 2022 and 17th July, 2022 when no settlement or plea bargain proposal had even been made by Big Sea and Mr. Jakpa.

    We have also played to you a recording of a phone call conversation held between the AttorneyGeneral and Mr. Jakpa as recent as 9th April, 2024, a day Mr. Jakpa was scheduled to testify in court.

    It is evidently clear from the foregoing facts that the plea bargain excuse being mounted by the Attorney-General and his assigns are palpable lies calculated to divert attention from the critical issues at stake.

    The question every well-meaning Ghanaian should be asking is, why the Attorney-General will refuse a proposal to settle this case, which will ensure the payment of Two Million Euros to the State, at a time our country is faced with economic bankruptcy.

    DEMANDS
    Considering the scandalous nature of this recording and other forms of evidence we have shown you, we wish to make the following pressing demands as part of efforts to restore credibility to the Attorney-General’s office and Ghana’s judicial system as a whole.

    1. The immediate and unconditional resignation or dismissal of Godfred Dame for bringing the high office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice into disrepute and public opprobrium. Clearly, Mr. Dame is not fit to hold himself out as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. He is unfit to be the Leader of the Ghanaian Bar.
    2. The immediate prosecution of Godfred Dame for multiple violations of the laws of Ghana. We wish to make it clear that should President Akufo-Addo fail to prosecute him, a future NDC government will prosecute Godfred Dame for this heinous crime of fabrication of evidence.
    3. Commencement of disciplinary proceedings by the General Legal Council against Godfred Dame and his disbarment for conduct unbecoming of a lawyer and more importantly the leader of the Ghana Bar.
    4. A publicly-televised Parliamentary inquiry into this and other reports of judicial manipulations by GodfredDame with a view to censure Godfred Dame to prevent the recurrence of such judicial manipulations.

    CONCLUSION
    Friends from the media, it is clear from the incontrovertible evidence we have adduced today, that the government has no evidence of wrongdoing against the Minority Leader but is only involved in fabrications to persecute him as retribution for his strong opposition to the economic mismanagement and general misrule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

    These damning revelations call into question the integrity of the case of the prosecution in the ongoing Ambulance trial and the necessity for same.

    Godfred Dame has brought shame and disrepute to the honourable office of the Attorney-General with his criminal, devious and vicious conduct. He is a danger to fairness and justice in our judicial system and represents the lowest point in the history of persons who have occupied the hallowed office of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

    While we have pointed out many times that GodfredDame epitomises all that is inherently wrong in vesting both the office of the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice in the same person, we believe that he has recklessly abused both offices and his continuous stay in office is no longer tenable.

    The primary responsibility of the Attorney-General is to be the voice of rule of law, ensure the impartial enforcement of law and advise the President and government to take actions that conform to law.

    More importantly, an Attorney-General must be a shining example and a leading light for the Bar, not a criminal-minded, crooked, devious and vicious person who is pre-occupied with witchhunting and victimisation, as has become the cup of tea of Godfred Dame.

    Mr. Dame has demonstrated time without number that he cannot prioritise the national interest over his party’s parochial and self-serving interest. He must therefore resign or be sacked by the President without delay.

    SIGNED.
    HON. JOHNSON ASIEDU NKETIA NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, NDC

  • Mahama ‘vows’ to cancel free utility bills, fuel, DSTV others for govt officials if voted into power

    Mahama ‘vows’ to cancel free utility bills, fuel, DSTV others for govt officials if voted into power

    Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has vowed to end the provision of free fuel and other perks to government officials if he wins the presidency in the upcoming December polls.

    During a discussion with the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mahama detailed his administration’s cost-saving measures, which include reducing incentives for government officials.

    He emphasized that only government vehicles used strictly for official duties would receive state-funded fuel.

    “We will discontinue the payment of utility bills, fuel, DSTV as conditions of service for top government officials, directors and the political class.

    We believe that people should take up paying their own electricity bills and water like every other Ghanaian does.”

    “Unless you are using a government vehicle on government assignment you should buy your own fuel if you are using your own car. And so we are going to discontinue them.

    Our budget will be to support small businesses and use tax as incentives for job creation,” he said.

    Mr. Mahama also revealed plans to introduce tax incentives for registered Ghanaian businesses. Additionally, he outlined a strategy to transition the country from cash payments to electronic payments, such as Mobile Money, in both the public and private sectors by 2028.

    “We want to phase out cash as a form of all payments by 2028, and so for any payment that you have to do for any service that has to do with the public sector and some to do with the private sector, by 2028, we will no longer receive cash.”

    “So in the hospital and other places, you would have to use your mobile money to pay. Only electronic forms of payments.”

  • EPA advises Ghanaians against excessive tiling of their houses to check flooding

    EPA advises Ghanaians against excessive tiling of their houses to check flooding

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning to Ghanaians, urging them to limit the use of tiles and cement in their compounds to prevent flooding. 

    The agency points out that the common practice of tiling or cementing outdoor spaces is a key contributor to flash floods and lower groundwater levels, as it hinders the natural absorption of rainwater.

    At a climate change adaptation event, Mr. Kwadwo Opoku Mensah, speaking with the media, stressed the importance of a balanced approach to home landscaping. 

    He recommended combining permeable materials like green grass and paving with harder surfaces to promote rainwater absorption, which would help replenish groundwater reserves and mitigate flooding.

    Despite existing regulations by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority to curb excessive tiling and cementing, compliance remains low among property owners.

  • Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid as he emerges as favorite for Reims

    Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid as he emerges as favorite for Reims

    Ligue 1 club Reims has expressed interest in appointing Davide Ancelotti, son of renowned manager Carlo Ancelotti, as their new head coach.

    According to RMC Sport, Reims is seeking a new manager for the 2024-25 season following the mutual departure of Will Still earlier in May.

    Davide Ancelotti has emerged as their top target, with negotiations expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

    The 34-year-old Davide has been working as an assistant coach to his father since 2016, starting at Bayern Munich.

    He subsequently worked with Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli and Everton before joining Real Madrid in 2021.

    Despite long-held managerial ambitions, Davide turned down an offer from the Saudi Pro League in January.

    Davide Ancelotti played for AC Milan’s youth team but did not break into the first team, eventually retiring from playing in 2009 to pursue a coaching career.

    Reims plans to approach Real Madrid after the Champions League final on June 1.

    However, Madrid may resist letting him go, as they value his contributions to their coaching staff.

  • Hansi Flick reaches Barcelona to seal his coaching deal

    Hansi Flick has arrived in Barcelona, poised to become the new head coach of the Catalan club.

    The German manager is set to replace Xavi Hernández, who managed his final game against Sevilla on Sunday.

    Flick, 59, has been out of a job since being dismissed as Germany’s national team coach last September.

    He arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday with his agent, Pini Zahavi, to finalize the details of his new position.

    According to sources from ESPN, Flick will sign a two-year contract, which will be officially announced once Xavi’s departure is confirmed.

    Barça president Joan Laporta has long admired Flick, having initially considered him to replace Ronald Koeman in 2021.

    However, Flick was then committed to taking over the German national team after his tenure with Bayern Munich.

    Negotiations between Barcelona and Flick resumed earlier this year when Xavi announced in January his intention to step down in

    the summer. Flick’s prospects of securing the position seemed dim in April when Barça stated that Xavi would see out his contract, which lasted until 2025.

    However, the situation took an unexpected turn last week when Laporta decided to part ways with Xavi and seek a new coach.

    Flick, who served as Joachim Low’s assistant with the German national team, achieved significant success at Bayern Munich, including winning the treble in 2020.

    His tenure with the Germany national team was less successful, leading to his dismissal in 2023 following poor results and a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.

    In other news, defender Héctor Fort has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2026.

    The 17-year-old has made 10 first-team appearances since his debut earlier this season.

  • BoG never gave GN bank a bailout; our case is different – Group Nduom VP clarifies

    BoG never gave GN bank a bailout; our case is different – Group Nduom VP clarifies

    Vice President of Group Nduom, Nana Ofori Owusu, has clarified the fate of the GN Savings and Loans, as against other local banks whose licenses were revoked by the Bank of Ghana in 2017.

    He explained that, unlike the others, GN Bank before it was made savings and loans till its subsequent collapse never received a bailout from the Central Bank.

    This was after the Chairman of Groupe Ndoum and owner of the defunct Gold Coast Fund Management Company, Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum claimed over the weekend that the government still owes two of his companies and other subsidiaries over GH¢7 billion.

    To revive his companies, Dr Ndoum has called on the government to reimburse contractors who borrowed money from Groupe Ndoum.

    He argued that if the government had paid some of the contractors years ago, his companies would not have had the current financial challenges.

    Speaking on the matter on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Mr Ofori Owusu, emphasised the uniqueness of GN Bank’s situation, distinguishing it from other cases in the banking sector.

    “A statement was made that some people have been jailed in the banking sector, I want people to understand that this is not a ‘banku effect’; that everybody is the same.

    Somebody was jailed for taking a bailout from the Bank of Ghana and using it in a way that was not appropriate. With the GN bank matter, GN has never taken a bailout from the Bank of Ghana,” he stated.

    The conversation around bailouts and financial misconduct in the banking sector was reignited by the recent imprisonment of William Ato Essien, the former CEO of the now-defunct Capital Bank.

    On October 15, an Accra High Court, led by Justice Kyei Baffour, sentenced Mr Essien to 15 years of imprisonment with hard labour after he failed to repay GH¢90 million to the state as ordered by the court.

    Mr Essien had previously struck a deal with the state under section 35 of the Courts Act, which allows for an accused person to plead guilty and make restitution for financial losses to the state, potentially avoiding a custodial sentence.

    Despite this agreement, he did not fulfil his financial obligations within the stipulated timeframe.

  • My announcement was clear – Laryea Kingston to GFA over discontent regarding his resignation

    My announcement was clear – Laryea Kingston to GFA over discontent regarding his resignation

    Former coach of Ghana’s U17 team, Laryea Kingston, has addressed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) regarding the circumstances of his resignation.

    Following Ghana’s defeat to Burkina Faso in the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship, Kingston announced his decision to step down during a press conference on Saturday, May 25.

    In response, the GFA issued a statement on Sunday, May 26, accepting Kingston’s resignation but condemning his actions.

    “Coach Kingston announced to the players and the coaching staff that he has resigned. Coach Kingston also got off the Team Bus whilst the team was on its way to the Team Hotel.

    He failed to attend the Team’s evening meeting with the Management Committee and has since not reported at the Team Hotel,” portions of the GFA statement read.

    Addressing concerns about his conduct of abandoning the team bus, Laryea Kingston explained that the announcement of his resignation was made clear and without ambiguity.

    He also took responsibility for the team’s failure to qualify for the U17 AFCON.

    “Concerning any other issue about my personal conduct, with suggestions that I abandoned the team following last Saturday’s semi-final defeat to Burkina Faso, I state unmistakably, that my announcement during the post-match press conference was without ambiguity that my role as coach with the team ends after the tournament,” Kingston stated.

    The ex-player apologized to the GFA President, Exco, and all affected parties for any inconvenience his decision to resign has caused.

    “To the President and the Exco, I also want to unreservedly and sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding, inconvenience and embarrassment my decision to announce my resignation last Saturday caused.”

  • Effutu: NDC concerned of potential manipulation after EC’s abrupt transfer

    Effutu: NDC concerned of potential manipulation after EC’s abrupt transfer

    Effutu constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed serious concerns over the sudden transfer of Emelia Ama Akotiah, the Electoral Commissioner (EC) for the area, just days before the conclusion of the limited voter registration exercise.

    During a press conference, James Kofi Annan, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate in Effutu, raised suspicions of potential manipulation associated with this unexpected transfer.

    He emphasized that while Akotiah’s past performance as Electoral Commissioner had been marred by allegations of voter manipulation during the 2020 elections, her recent efforts were focused on addressing these issues.

    “Why will you transfer an officer at such an ungodly hour when you know that there is an ongoing registration exercise and there is an impending transfer to be done?”

    Mr. Annan quizzed, implying that the transfer might be a strategic decision to disrupt fair processes ahead of the upcoming December 7 polls.

    Mr. Annan emphasized that the timing of the transfer is highly suspicious and could potentially compromise the integrity of the electoral process in the constituency.

    He suggested that Emelia Akotiah’s proactive measures to rectify past irregularities and prevent future ones might have prompted her abrupt transfer.

    The Effutu branch of the NDC is urging transparency and accountability from the Electoral Commission regarding this decision.

    They are demanding clear explanations for Akotiah’s transfer and insisting that the registration and upcoming electoral procedures remain free from any form of manipulation or bias.

  • Jordan Ayew follows father, brother as he goes bald; see his new look

    Jordan Ayew follows father, brother as he goes bald; see his new look

    Following in the footsteps of his older brother Andre Ayew, Ghana forward Jordan Ayew has recently opted for a bald look.

    Despite previously maintaining his hair, the 32-year-old has now embraced the ‘Santo’ haircut style, aligning his appearance more closely with his brother’s.

    This change coincides with Jordan’s strong performance in the Premier League, where he played a pivotal role in helping Crystal Palace secure their top-flight status for the season.

    In a video shared by Fiifi Tackie, the spokesperson for the Ayew family, Jordan proudly showcases his new bald look, signaling a fresh style choice.

    “Jordan Ayew has followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Abedi Pele, and joined the esteemed ranks of Ghanaian footballers who sport the iconic ‘Santo’ haircut style.

    He’s in good company, alongside his brother Andre Ayew and Stephen Appiah,” Fiifi wrote alongside the video.

    Jordan Ayew enjoyed a commendable season with Crystal Palace, contributing four goals and eight assists across all competitions, including seven assists in the Premier League alone.

    As a former player for Aston Villa and Swansea City, Jordan’s decision to adopt a new bald look symbolizes another chapter in his football journey.

    This change not only reflects his family heritage but also signifies his personal evolution as a player and individual.

  • Kotoko coach so happy to beat Hearts of Oak back-to-back; calls it a big achievement

    Asante Kotoko’s head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, expressed his delight after securing consecutive victories against Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League.

    The Porcupine Warriors added to the Phobians’ woes with a commanding performance at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

    Ugandan striker Steven Desse Mukwala netted a goal in each half, propelling the Porcupine Warriors to victory and granting them bragging rights.

    Reflecting on the match, Prosper Narteh Ogum emphasized that securing back-to-back wins over Hearts of Oak serves as motivation for his team to finish the season strongly.

    “Beating Hearts of Oak back-to-back is not an easy job, so I’m happy. I think it’s an honour for this group of players; it’s been a while since this happened.

    I’m not very sure of when this actually happened, but it’s been a while, so we are all happy, and you could see that when the final whistle was blown.”

    Following the victory, coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum’s team has ascended to 9th place in the league standings, while Hearts of Oak has slipped to 14th.

    Asante Kotoko’s upcoming match is against Accra Great Olympics at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

  • Charles Taylor calls for dissolution, relegation of Hearts of Oak

    Charles Taylor calls for dissolution, relegation of Hearts of Oak

    Former Hearts of Oak forward Charles Taylor expressed his desire for the club to face relegation from the Ghana Premier League.

    Taylor, a key member of Hearts of Oak’s treble-winning team in 2000, believes that relegation would provide closure for fans amidst a challenging season.

    Additionally, Taylor proposed the dissolution of the club’s board, citing a perceived loss of the team’s iconic “Never say die” spirit.

    “I want Hearts of Oak to go to relegation. They should dissolve the Hearts of Oak board because there’s no ‘Never Say Die’ spirit in the team again,” he said on Angel TV.

    “If necessary Hearts of Oak should go to relegation because their supporters are going through a lot,” he added.

    Hearts of Oak currently sit in 14th place on the table, holding onto a slim two-point margin above the relegation zone.

    This precarious position follows a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Asante Kotoko on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

    Their recent form has been dismal, with the team suffering four losses and managing just one victory in their last five matches.

    With only three games remaining in the season, the Phobians face a crucial opportunity to salvage what has been a disappointing campaign.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2koyNxbPnn8
  • Egnatia honors Raphael Dwamena following debut league win

    Egnatia honors Raphael Dwamena following debut league win

    Egnatia Rrogozhine paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Black Stars striker Raphael Dwamena as they celebrated their first-ever Albanian Superliga title.

    In touching images captured by GhanaWeb, the players were seen holding Dwamena’s shirt during their trophy-lifting ceremony.

    Their historic triumph came after Egnatia defeated Partizani Tirana 2-1 on Sunday, May 26, 2024, securing the league title.

    It was a poignant moment for the team, honoring Dwamena’s memory on this significant occasion.

    The Ghanaian striker tragically passed away after suffering a heart seizure on the pitch during Egnatia Rrogozhine’s match against Partizani Tirana on November 11, 2023.

    Dwamena had showcased exceptional talent, scoring 12 goals and providing one assist in 12 games during the 2023/2024 season before his untimely passing.

    On February 16, 2024, Dwamena was laid to rest, with numerous former Ghana footballers attending to bid him farewell and pay their respects.

    His legacy lives on in the hearts of his teammates, fans, and the football community at large.

  • No challenger! Stonebwoy congratulates Ghana’s amputee team after AAFCON triumph

    No challenger! Stonebwoy congratulates Ghana’s amputee team after AAFCON triumph

    Multiple award-winning dancehall artist Livingstone Etse Satekla, known by his stage name Stonebwoy, has praised the national amputee team, the Black Challenge, for winning the Amputee Africa Cup (AAFCON).

    The acclaimed musician took to Twitter to congratulate the team on their remarkable achievement.

    “CONGRATULATIONS CHAMPIONS…#BlackChallenge NO CHALLENGER,” he wrote on X while quoting a tweet about the team’s triumph.

    The Black Challenge came from a goal down to beat Morocco 2-1 in the finals on Monday, May 27, 2024.

    The win confirms Ghana as back-to-back winners of the competition and have also secured a place in the 2026 Amputee World Cup in Panama.

    The squad is expected to arrive in Ghana on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

  • Video: Messi speaks English in movie with Will Smith, Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys 4 promo

    Video: Messi speaks English in movie with Will Smith, Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys 4 promo

    Lionel Messi has tested his acting skills and spoken English in a promotional video for the upcoming film “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die,” alongside Will Smith.

    As the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise prepares to hit cinemas worldwide, the promotional campaign is in full swing.

    Will Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence have enlisted help from Miami’s finest to generate excitement for the release.

    NBA superstar Jimmy Butler, a key figure for the Miami Heat, features prominently in the latest teaser video.

    In the clip, Butler attempts to join the Bad Boys but ends up returning to the basketball court after failing an initiation.

    Messi also appears in the promo, humorously joining the initiation process.

    The Argentine star makes a rare attempt at speaking English, only to be hilariously rejected by Smith and Lawrence.

    When Messi shows up at their house, he is turned away due to his size and directed to try a different address as the door is slammed in his face.

    Despite not fitting the role of a Miami cop, Messi continues to shine in his primary career.

    He has been a standout performer in Major League Soccer (MLS) this season, generating MVP buzz.

    Messi is expected to return to action on Wednesday after being rested for a long trip to Vancouver.

  • Saddick Adams names Akufo-Addo as one politician who has disappointed him the most

    Saddick Adams names Akufo-Addo as one politician who has disappointed him the most

    Award-winning sports journalist Saddick Adams has expressed his deep disappointment in Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Adams initially believed that Akufo-Addo, who appeared tough and principled, would be the ideal leader for Ghana.

    Speaking on Angel TV, Adams revealed that his expectations of the former Attorney General have been completely unmet.

    He criticized Akufo-Addo for presiding over what he described as a disordered country since taking office, adding that no other politician has disappointed him more than Akufo-Addo.

    “Nana Addo is the politician who has disappointed me the most. No politician has ever disappointed me as he’s done. And it’s not even about me, he has disappointed all NPP members. I thought he was tough.

    I never thought someone (a member of parliament) would keep 1 million dollars in her room under his regime. It’s not about building bridges, the country is in chaos,” he said.

    He, however, refused to blame the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Nana Addo’s supposed sub-par performance of President Akufo-Addo’s government.

    “How can a Member of Parliament be richer than Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)? I wouldn’t blame it on NPP but Nana Addo.

    If anybody comes and claims to be tough without showing…Look at Burkina Faso,” he added.

  • Laryea Kingston hasn’t resigned, we have asked him to step aside – GFA Executive Council member

    Laryea Kingston hasn’t resigned, we have asked him to step aside – GFA Executive Council member

    Contrary to the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) statement announcing the acceptance of Laryea Kingston’s resignation, Nana Oduro Sarfo, a member of the FA’s Executive Council, has stated that no final decision has been made.

    Nana Oduro Sarfo explained that the Executive Council plans to engage with Laryea Kingston to seek an amicable resolution.

    Speaking on Asempa FM, he mentioned that Kingston’s decision to resign came as a surprise to the Council, prompting the need for further discussions.

    He emphasized that the upcoming meeting with Kingston will determine whether he will continue in his current role or proceed with his resignation as previously communicated.

    Sarfo explained, “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has not sacked Laryea Kingston. We have asked him to step aside. We will call him after the tournament to find out about his decision. We will sit and know if would love to continue.”

    “He said he would resign, so the Management Committee thought having him there for the Nigeria game wouldn’t be good for the team,” he added.

    Laryea Kingston announced his resignation from the Black Starlets following the team’s defeat to Burkina Faso in the semi-final of the 2024 WAFU Zone B Championship.

    The Black Stars lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the match played at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    “I know Ghanaians remember me as a player and are familiar with the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but in the end, I wasn’t happy.

    I focused more on my coaching career and educated myself to ensure I came back to change the narrative around Ghanaian football.

    “Within these past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve given my all. I decided when we came back from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. The explanation will come later,” he said.

    The Ghana Football Association, in a press release, said that Laryea Kingston announced his resignation to the players of the Black Starlets using inappropriate language.

    The Ghana Football Association also claimed that “Coach Kingston got off the team bus while the team was on its way to the team hotel.

    “He failed to attend the team’s evening meeting with the Management Committee and has since not reported to the team hotel. The GFA duly accepts Laryea’s resignation,” reads part of the statement issued on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

  • ACP for Volta North died in a hotel room while on official duty an not form pleasure – Report shows

    ACP for Volta North died in a hotel room while on official duty an not form pleasure – Report shows

    Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Antiri-Addo Nicholas Aletso, who was serving as the Volta North Regional Police Commander, tragically passed away in a hotel room where he was staying for official duties.

    According to a report by the Chronicle Newspaper, investigations have dispelled social media rumors suggesting ACP Aletso was at the hotel for personal pleasure. Instead, he was there due to his official responsibilities.

    At 58 years old, ACP Aletso had recently relocated to Hohoe to take on his new role as the Deputy Regional Police Commander for the newly established Volta North Region.

    The region, created on December 1, 2022, faced a shortage of permanent accommodation for high-ranking officials.

    As a result, the police administration arranged for ACP Aletso to stay in a local hotel temporarily, a common practice until suitable permanent housing can be found.

    The circumstances of ACP Aletso’s death unfolded when his family, unable to reach him by phone, alerted the authorities.

    On the morning of March 27, 2024, a police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Simon Yevu was dispatched to the hotel to investigate.

    They found ACP Aletso’s room unlocked and discovered his lifeless body inside.

    His body was taken to the Government Hospital in Hohoe, where medical personnel confirmed his death.

    An autopsy was subsequently performed at the Police Hospital in Accra to determine the cause of death.

    Before his transfer to Hohoe, ACP Aletso had served as the Divisional Commander of Police in Akropong in the Eastern Region.

    He had been on leave to visit his family in the United Kingdom and had returned to Ghana, reporting for duty in Hohoe on March 25, 2024.

  • NPP’s Nana B names Supreme Court Justice in Dame-Jakpa case

    NPP’s Nana B names Supreme Court Justice in Dame-Jakpa case

    National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, has revealed the identity of the Supreme Court Justice referenced in a meeting where Attorney-General Godfred Dame discussed a high-profile financial crime trial with an accused person.

    In a social media post on May 27, 2024, Nana B identified the Supreme Court Justice as Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi.

    A spokesperson for the Attorney-General confirmed on May 26, 2024, that a meeting took place between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial involving Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson.

    Wilberforce Mensah, speaking on behalf of the A-G, stated that the meeting occurred at the home of an unnamed Supreme Court Justice, who is Jakpa’s cousin.

    He clarified that Dame was unaware of Jakpa’s attendance at the April 2024 meeting and, although they discussed Jakpa’s plea-bargaining proposal, the A-G did not seek Jakpa’s assistance to implicate Ato Forson.

    Nana B’s post also claimed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleges to have evidence implicating the A-G in unethical and criminal conduct, which reportedly consists of an audio recording from the mentioned meeting.

    “We are reliably informed that NDC is trying every means to maliciously ‘doctor’ the said tape to exclude portions of the conversation and particularly the voice of the Supreme Court Justice, whose invitation the AG honoured out of courtesy.

    “The full-length recording will reveal the AG never requested Richard Jakpa to skew his testimony in any manner as bandied around by the NDC,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the NDC has dedicated its Moment of Truth press conference scheduled for today (May 28, 2024) to provide its incontrovertible evidence of the A-G’s misdeeds.

    Details of the event are below:

    TOPIC: Unprofessional and criminal conduct of the Attorney-General in the Ato Forson trial.

    SPEAKER: Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman, NDC.

    DATE/TIME: 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

    VENUE: NDC Headquarters, Adabraka.

    Below is Nana B’s full post

    On the dishonorable and discredited Ato Forson’s trial:

    The NDC has since the commencement of the prosecution of Ato Forson employed every rule in the book to frustrate, manipulate and curtail bringing Ato Forson to justice for the huge financial loss occasioned by Ghana at the expense of much-needed emergency health services for the Ghanaian populace.

    The latest in this charade is the claim of possessing some damning evidence which has been found out to be a recording by Richard Jakpa at a meeting the AG was invited to by a Supreme Court judge, Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi without being informed Richard Jakpa will be present.

    We are reliably informed that NDC is trying every means to maliciously ‘doctor’ the said tape to exclude portions of the conversation and particularly the voice of the Supreme Court Justice, whose invitation the AG honoured out of courtesy.

    The full-length recording will reveal the AG never requested Richard Jakpa to skew his testimony in any manner as bandied around by the NDC.

    Justice they say must be done even if the heavens fall and no amount of scheming by the NDC and its affiliates will exonerate any person who participated in misrepresenting ordinary vans as ambulances to the Ghanaian populace.

  • Partey, Baba Rahman listed in Otoo-Addo’s 24 man squad for Mali, CAR clash

    Partey, Baba Rahman listed in Otoo-Addo’s 24 man squad for Mali, CAR clash

    Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and PAOK defender Baba Rahman are reportedly set to be included in the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

    After missing the last international fixtures in March, the pair are expected to be named in Otto Addo’s 24-man squad to face Mali and the Central African Republic, according to Akoma FM.

    The report also mentions that former Medeama striker Jonathan Sowah will make his return to the national team following a successful stint at Al Nassr in Libya.

    Sowah is set to replace Atletico Club striker Inaki Williams, who will be absent due to foot surgery.

    In terms of new additions, Cagliari midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana is anticipated to be the only debutant in the squad.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that the Black Stars will commence their training camp on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

    According to a statement released by the GFA on Monday, May 27, 2024, the team will undergo a six-day training session before traveling to Bamako on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

    Here is the full Black Stars list:

    Lawrence Ati-Zigi
    Frederick Asare
    Jojo Wollacott
    Alidu Seidu
    Tariq Lamptey
    Denis Odoi
    Gideon Mensah
    Baba Rahman
    Daniel Amartey
    Alexander Djiku
    Salisu Mohammed
    Abdul Salis Samed
    Mohammed Kudus
    Ibrahim Sulemana
    Andre Ayew
    Thomas Partey
    Baba Iddrisu
    Osman Bukari
    Fatawu Issahaku
    Ernest Nuamah
    Joseph Paintsil
    Jonathan Sowah
    Antoine Semenyo
    Jordan Ayew

  • Martin Amidu reveals fresh insights into the Airbus scandal

    Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has reportedly shared new insights into his investigation into the Airbus scandal during his tenure.

    As per a statement cited by GhanaWeb, Amidu disclosed that he chose not to disclose many details about the investigation in 2020 due to the country’s election year and the sensitivity surrounding the identity of “Government Official 1” implicated in the scandal.

    The former special prosecutor, who has previously served as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, claimed that he withheld information, including the alleged involvement of former President John Dramani Mahama and his brother Samuel Adam Mahama Foster, in the scandal.

    “Does the fact that a court of law heard the charges against Samuel Adam Mahama Foster and his UK friends in the Airbus SE-Ghana case and issued an arrest warrant for them, resulting in the INTERPOL Red Notice, not signify beyond doubt that Government Official 1 is his elder brother, John Dramani Mahama, who was the Vice-President and later the President of Ghana at the time of the bribery loot of almost €5 million from the public purse?

    “I led the Airbus SE investigation and showed the head of investigation at the OSP at the time, then Inspector Mark Karikari and his team, the hotels and leased apartment where Samuel Adam Mahama Foster and his UK friends resided, including the government property sold to Michael Abu Sakara Foster where Samuel Adam Foster claimed as his abode on the forms he filled at the Ghana Immigration Service at the Kotoka International Airport upon his first entry into Ghana with his UK friends,” Martin Amidu wrote.

    He added, “Apart from acquiring all the immigration records of entry and departure from Ghana of Samuel Adam Mahama Foster and his UK friends as part of the Airbus SE-Ghana corruption investigation, I managed to secure bank accounts and statements of Samuel Adam Foster as supporting evidence.

    I also showed the investigation team the office of Abu Sakara Foster at the T-junction at the Adabraka/Kokomlemle junction on the Kojo Thompson Road in case he was required for interrogation. This is how thorough the Airbus SE investigation was conducted by the OSP under my watch before I postponed the investigation to after the 2020 elections to avoid accusations of election interference.”

    Amidu also said that he refused to invite former President Mahama for interrogation because he didn’t want the OSP to be seen “as a tool of political electioneering campaign on behalf of the NPP government.”

    He dared the former president and his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to reopen the investigation and invite “Scotland Yard” if they indeed claim to have committed no wrong should they come to power again.

    “Asiedu Nketiah and John Mahama, if you claim to be incorruptible, kindly make a promise to Ghanaians that should you win the 2024 elections, you will invite Scotland Yard to conduct an investigation into the Airbus SE-Ghana scandal in which the American, British, French, and Spanish Governments already identified Government Official 1 as Samuel Adam Mahama Foster’s elder brother who served as Vice-President and President of Ghana.”

    About the Airbus Scandal:

    Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer, was accused of paying bribes in Ghana during the sale of three military aircraft.

    The aerospace company acknowledged hiring the brother of a prominent Ghanaian official as its consultant for the sale of the aircraft to the country.

    Additionally, Airbus admitted to making payments to the consultant through a third party after its Compliance Unit raised concerns about the close relationship between the consultant and the senior Ghanaian official, who played a significant role in the military aircraft purchase.

    Former President John Dramani Mahama was among the government officials implicated in the scandal, with former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu suggesting that the label “Government Official One” in the scandal referred to the former president.

    In a communication during his tenure as Special Prosecutor, Amidu disclosed how John Mahama allegedly leveraged his position to secure a Ghanaian passport for his brother, Samuel Adam Mahama.

    Martin Amidu said, “Amongst other reasons for the letter to the said Ministry, Samuel Adam Mahama’s elder brother of full blood, who without a doubt and the evidence available to this Office answers to the description of the elected Government Official 1, allegedly granted a denial interview to the Daily Graphic which published the same on June 20, 2020, fortunately containing suspected admissions that he is the elected Government Official 1 referred to in the UK judgement.

    “Serving appointees of this government have been unable to obtain the voice recording of this interview to enable the Office to confront the former president with his own admissions in the interview as answering to the description of the brother of Samuel Adam Mahama as Intermediary 5.”

    John Mahama, however, refuted the allegations and urged Martin Amidu, who was serving as Special Prosecutor at the time, to prosecute him if he was indeed the individual referred to as Government Official One.

  • “Salmon, pasta and a nap” – Ancelotti reveals anti-stress pre-match routine

    “Salmon, pasta and a nap” – Ancelotti reveals anti-stress pre-match routine

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has shared his pre-match routine leading up to the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

    The 64-year-old revealed that he plans to stick to his customary pre-match meal of salmon and pasta before the crucial encounter with Dortmund on Saturday.

    Ancelotti intends to follow this with a nap to rest and recharge before delivering his team talk to players such as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.


    Madrid boss revealed his pre-match routine ahead of the final, telling reporters: “I like to eat. Salmon and pasta. And then an hour-long nap, if I’m able (laughs).

    Before the team talk, the heart begins to rise to 120 beats and is there until the start of the game, when it begins, it returns to its normal rhythm.

    “We are going to focus on offensive and defensive work. The important thing is to have clear ideas of what to do. I have to give information to the players so that they are clear about what to do.

    For them it is the best way to relieve stress, you don’t think about other things that can stress you out.”

    Madrid secured their spot in the final after a thrilling two-legged semi-final victory over Bayern Munich.

    The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw in Germany, but a late double from substitute Joselu sealed a 2-1 win for Los Blancos at the Bernabeu Stadium.

    Ancelotti’s squad is now set to face Dortmund in the final, following the Bundesliga giants’ progression past Paris Saint-Germain in their own semi-final.

    The final showdown between Madrid and Dortmund will be held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, marking the culmination of the 2023-24 season for Ancelotti.

    The seasoned manager, eyeing his fifth Champions League trophy, last lifted the prestigious title in 2022 when Vinicius Junior’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in Paris.

  • Please don’t leave Ghana – Mahama begs multinational companies

    Please don’t leave Ghana – Mahama begs multinational companies

    Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has appealed to multinational companies not to exit the Ghanaian market.

    The economic environment in Ghana, spanning 2022 to date, has compelled many multinational companies to relocate all or part of their business to other countries.

    The latest to quit its operations in Ghana is the food delivery giant in Africa, Glovo. The Spanish firm announced that it will be exiting the Ghanaian market on May 10, 2024, citing profitability challenges and a reassessment of investment priorities.

    Speaking at the 8th Ghana CEO Summit in Accra, the NDC flagbearer indicated that their departure will obviously impact negatively on job creation, tax revenue to the state and ultimately economic growth

    “Amid all the companies leaving, our public debts have hit a staggering 658.6 billion cedis. But we cannot despair over the poor quality of governance that has served us in the last seven and a half years.

    I use this opportunity to appeal to you captains of the industry to tarry a bit more. Please don’t leave our country. There is a saying that the darkest hour is before the dawn,” he said.

    He also promised to create a conducive environment for companies to run their businesses should the NDC win the 2024 polls

    “The beauty of our democracy is that it affords us the opportunity to change our current trajectory. You can be rest assured that the new NDC ad.

  • Bono Region NPP communicators strike over ‘illegal’ auction of trucks, other equipment

    Bono Region NPP communicators strike over ‘illegal’ auction of trucks, other equipment

    Communication officers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono Region have announced an indefinite strike, demanding transparency regarding the auction of tipper trucks, front loaders, and graders owned by the Bono Regional Coordinating Council.

    During a press conference in Sunyani, the communication officers expressed their frustration over the lack of information about the auction process for these pieces of equipment.

    Abubakari Yakubu, spokesperson for the communicators in the region, emphasized that the equipment could have been utilized to improve the region’s roads.

    Consequently, they have decided to suspend their media engagements until they receive a satisfactory explanation about who authorized the sale and the reasons behind it.

    “Somewhere last week, before the region woke up, these important trucks have been auctioned out to God knows who and why.

    It is therefore on the back of the development that we as communication officers in the Bono region, all of us, 12 of us, have decided to pursue this matter and demand answers from the Bono Regional Coordinating Council.

    “Who authorised the auction of the trucks and why? We demand the answer and also, why did authorities park the trucks when the assemblies needed them for reshaping and other activities?

    “These are our questions and we shall wait for the answers before we go back to the studios. As communication officers, we will not sit on radio to defend this party until this matter has been resolved.

    No communicator from the NPP will defend the party in the region until the questions are adequately answered.”

    According to reports, attempts to obtain details from the Bono Regional Coordinating Council regarding the reasons behind the auction of the equipment have been unsuccessful.

  • Judge dismisses Nana Oye’s 1.5m dollars libel claim against Tony Lithur, fines her GHS 5K

    Judge dismisses Nana Oye’s 1.5m dollars libel claim against Tony Lithur, fines her GHS 5K

    High Court in Accra has dismissed the lawsuit brought by former Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, against her ex-husband, Tony Lithur, accusing him of damaging her reputation domestically and internationally.

    According to GHOne TV, the court ruled that Bampoe Addo’s claims were unjustified. She had sought $500,000 in general damages and $1 million in exemplary damages from Lithur.

    “Accra High Court dismisses $1.5 million suit filed by Nana Oye Bampoe Addo against her ex-husband, Tony Lithur, for no reasonable cause of action,” part of a post shared by GHOne TV on Monday, May 27, 2024, reads.

    The media outlet also reported that the court imposed a GH¢5,000 cost on Nana Oye Bampoe Addo. This ruling follows Tony Lithur’s notice of appearance to contest the libel suit filed against him by his ex-wife, the former Gender Minister.

    In April 2024, Bampoe Addo, who is also a lawyer, sought $1.5 million in damages for alleged libelous statements made by Lithur in their divorce petition filed years prior.

    In Lithur’s notice of appearance filed on May 14, 2024, he was seeking “an order dismissing or staying or striking out the Plaintiff’s (Nana Oye) writ of summons and statement of claim.”

    According to Accra-based Starr FM, the notice of appearance was filed in accordance with Order 11 Rules 18(1)(a)/(b)/(d) and was scheduled to be heard on May 27, 2024.

    In his filings, Tony Lithur outlined three grounds on which he sought to have the case dismissed, stayed, or struck out.

    “Take notice that the Plaintiff shall move the Honourable Court for an order dismissing or staying or striking out the Plaintiff’s writ of summons and statement of claim filed on April 25, 2024, on grounds (a) that they do not disclose a reasonable cause of action against the Defendant; and/or (b) that the same are frivolous and vexatious; and/or (c) that they constitute an abuse of the process of the Court; and for such further order(s) as the Court may deem fit,” he stated.

    Nana Oye Bampoe Addo Drags Ex-Husband to Court in $1.5 Million Damages Suit

    At the heart of the latest suit is the “alleged malicious contents of the divorce petition Mr. Lithur filed on May 2, 2018, to end their 27-year-old marriage,” a report by The Chronicle newspaper said.

    Nana Oye stated that this has resulted in significant damage to her reputation both domestically and internationally. She further claimed that the divorce has maliciously subjected her to hatred, ridicule, and public contempt.

    “The divorce petition, which was variously reported by the media, stated that the Plaintiff was a lazy, irresponsible mother, an adulterous, cruel and violent person, as well as engaged in acts that contradict her professional ethics as a human rights lawyer. These claims, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo says, have maliciously injured her image.

    “Nana Oye (Plaintiff) said Mr. Lithur’s (Defendant) claims could be understood to mean that she is a cruel and violent philanderer, adulteress, human rights violator, mean and wicked person, and unfit to hold public office.

    “In reference to the divorce petition, the former minister said her ex-husband accused her, as a human rights lawyer, of acts of cruelty and violence, including pouring water, beating, slapping, and using her fingernails to harm their domestic staff,” portions of the suit read.

  • Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee snubs Arsenal, Juve?

    Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee snubs Arsenal, Juve?

    Bologna’s standout player, Joshua Zirkzee, has shed light on his future with the club amidst attention from Arsenal and Juventus.

    Initially seen as Arsenal’s prime target, the Dutch forward has now hinted at the possibility of remaining with Bologna for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

    Despite Arsenal’s interest, Zirkzee, 23, reflects on his impressive performance in the recent Serie A campaign, where Bologna clinched fifth place and secured a coveted Champions League berth.

    Throughout the season, Zirkzee showcased his prowess by netting 12 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions, alongside providing seven assists.

    Speaking to Corriere di Bologna (via TMW) about experiencing Champions League football next season, the forward said, “I have to believe in it, I have to be convinced of it, as a player I have to have faith in my abilities and say: ‘Yes, I can get to that level’. It wouldn’t make sense for me to think otherwise.

    In Italy, we already play against Champions League teams. Ok, we don’t know the competition, but the level yes, because Serie A is high quality, difficult. It will be a great challenge, very exciting.

    “I dreamed of playing it since I was a child, I won it with Bayern Munich, but now it will be exciting to play it, because with the German club it’s as if I hadn’t done it. Now I’ll be on the pitch living the moment.”

    When asked about his future at Rossoblu, the player added, “At the moment my mind is only in Bologna. I want to recover from the injury, have some nice holidays in the United States with my childhood friends and then we’ll see what happens. I’d choose the best for the club.

    I will only do what makes sense in my heart. It’s clear that for me it would be wonderful to defend this goal achieved together. What we experienced in Piazza Maggiore was unforgettable.”

    In addition to Zirkzee, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is actively pursuing RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko, entering into competition with Manchester United to secure the signature of the Slovenia international.

  • See how you can start your visa application right after you receive your I-20

    See how you can start your visa application right after you receive your I-20

    1. Create your DS160 and fill the first page with your details
      Full name that appears on your passport, Your marital status, date of birth, full name in alphabetical order kindly check does not apply to.

    Your region and save the first page for later. Your DS 160 confirmation number can for found on the top right corner of your DS160 page, Screenshot it and use that to book a date in your CJI portal.

    https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/
    Link to CJI portal to book visa appointment date or Visa Interview date. Make sure you have your DS160 confirmation number I-20 And Passport with you!

    For Ghana Pay it at GT bank

    1. Register with your full name and email address
      Location click Ghana/ IC register and generate coupon before
    2. After Registering, on your left hand side of your screen you will see Scheduled Appointment or New Appointment click that
    3. Select Non immigrant Visa
    4. Select F1, M, F2 etc
    5. Fill this page with your passport, I-20 and DS160 details
    6. Click Continue and Input your GT bank payment Receipt Reference number
    7. Dates will pop up, Select earliest available date and Hunt for favorable dates available to your start date.

    Anytime you can go and check if the are favorable dates available.
    Just click on Reschedule Appointment and check if there are favorable dates available

    How to go back and continue DS-160 Form

    1. Visit https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
    2. Enter the location where you submitted your form, followed the CAPTCHA.
      Click Retrieve Application
    3. In the next page, enter the DS-160 Confirmation Number.
    4. After that, enter your surname, year of birth and answer the security question.
  • Ghanaians will regret all the falsehoods they have spread about Akufo-Addo one day! – X user

    Ghanaians will regret all the falsehoods they have spread about Akufo-Addo one day! – X user

    Amid the backlash and criticism from many Ghanaians over the poor economic management by the Akufo-Addo-led government, an X (formerly Twitter) user, @JaBoasiako, believes Ghanaians will regret the falsehoods being spread about Akufo-Addo and his leadership as president.

    “A day will come when many Ghanaians will regret and apologize for the falsehoods they spread about

    @NAkufoAddo… May God bless you, Mr. President, and continue to guide you in your leadership” he tweeted.

    This comment was in response to a video shared by Rev. Eastwood Anaba, founder and president of Eastwood Anaba Ministries (EAM) and senior pastor of Fountain Gate Chapel.

    In the video, Rev. Anaba praised the president for his warm reception during a visit to the Jubilee House when the COVID-19 pandemic was rapidly escalating globally.

    The preacher recounted how he presented three pressing issues to the president, the most important being the urgent need to repatriate a group of Ghanaians stranded in Cuba.

    According to Rev. Anaba, the president promptly addressed all his concerns, and within a few weeks, the distressed Ghanaians in Cuba were brought home.

    Rev. Anaba shared this story during a sermon to emphasize the importance of treating helpers right and not relying on hearsay about them.

  • PSG decides on Man City’s Bernardo Silva after long pursuit

    PSG decides on Man City’s Bernardo Silva after long pursuit

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are reportedly ending their pursuit of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, according to French media sources.

    Le Parisien has reported that the Ligue 1 champions have decided to halt their efforts to bring the 29-year-old to the French capital this summer. Silva had been frequently linked with a move to PSG since Luis Campos became the club’s sporting director in 2022.

    Campos, who shares Portuguese roots with Silva, had been keen on securing his transfer, but after recent unsuccessful attempts, PSG will now shift their focus elsewhere.

    The report also suggested that PSG had initially planned to revisit the deal for Silva this summer, but those plans have now changed.

    With Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola determined to retain the experienced playmaker, Campos and PSG coach Luis Enrique have decided to prioritize other areas of the squad.

    Instead of pursuing right-wingers, PSG will now focus on strengthening the left-wing position, with Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia emerging as a top target.

    Despite the ongoing transfer speculation, Silva has expressed his long-term ambitions for the remainder of his playing career.

    “I want to return to Benfica. If the club wants me at the time, obviously things will happen,” he told CNN. “I was incapable of playing for Porto or Sporting. It’s not going to happen.”

    After enduring disappointment from the recent FA Cup final loss to Manchester United, which concluded the 2023-24 campaign, Bernardo Silva is set to take a well-deserved break before joining his Portuguese teammates for Euro 2024.

    Silva signed a contract extension with Manchester City last summer, committing to the club until 2026. However, the contract reportedly includes a release clause of just £50 million ($62 million) if he decides to move elsewhere. Additionally, La Liga giants Barcelona have also shown interest in acquiring the player.

  • Video: Hudson-Odoi joins King Promise on stage at Pent Hall Week

    Video: Hudson-Odoi joins King Promise on stage at Pent Hall Week

    English footballer of Ghanaian descent, Callum Hudson-Odoi, was seen displaying his dancing skills on stage with musician King Promise during the Pent Hall Week on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    Hudson-Odoi, who is vacationing in Ghana, accompanied the “Terminator” hitmaker, who was scheduled to perform at the event.

    During his performance, King Promise invited the Nottingham Forest player on stage.

    As the DJ played the “Terminator” track, Hudson-Odoi delighted the audience by showing off his dance moves.

    Hudson-Odoi arrived in Ghana after a successful Premier League season, where he scored 8 goals and provided 1 assist in 29 matches.

    The former Chelsea player, who often spends his holidays in Ghana, was first seen at a nightclub in Accra on Friday.

    Although he has represented England in three matches, Hudson-Odoi was left out of the squad for the 2024 Euros, making him still eligible to switch his national allegiance to Ghana, a move the Ghana Football Association has been pursuing.

  • Ablakwa readies to hit the streets against sale of SSNIT hotels to Bryan Acheampong

    Ablakwa readies to hit the streets against sale of SSNIT hotels to Bryan Acheampong

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to lead a public protest against the sale of hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company owned by Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

    The former Deputy Education Minister has already petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction.

    However, Ablakwa has decided to escalate his actions due to information indicating that the deal is still progressing despite widespread opposition.

    Given CHRAJ’s typically thorough and lengthy investigative process, Ablakwa fears the deal might be finalized before the investigation concludes. Therefore, he believes it is essential to increase public pressure on SSNIT to halt the transaction.

    “We are ready to hit the streets, and we have notified the Ghana Police,” he stated on the Joy Super Morning Show on Monday.

    Mr Ablakwa also hinted that he’s working with some lawyers to draft a private member’s bill to stop the sale of state assets to politicians.

    “In the coming days, I shall be sponsoring a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to expressly prevent politicians and politically exposed persons from participating directly or indirectly in the purchase of state assets.

    The objective will be to legally block all loopholes in the current legal regime which some politicians appear to be exploiting.

    “After 16 years of crusading against politicians purchasing state assets under conflict of interest, opaque, abuse of power and unethical circumstances; I believe it is time to have a strong piece of legislation with deterrent sanctions to end the canker.

    Mr. Ablakwa revealed that after notifying the police about the protest, he received a call from the Accra Regional Police commander acknowledging the notice.

    “I have served the Ghana Police Service with a notice of demonstration because the latest documents I have intercepted reveal that the parties involved are proceeding with the sale and purchase of state assets.

    The petition at CHRAJ has not halted their actions, as they are exploiting a loophole in the CHRAJ law, which does not grant injunction powers.”

    “I want to scale up the public agitation and the pressure and get all of these public officials who are not acting in our interest to listen to the public anger and stop all they are doing.

    “So in compliance with the public order, Act 419. I have notified the police that on June 18, 2024, at 9am, we shall be leading a public demonstration against this sale.

    We intend to start in front of Labadi Beach and proceed through La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, through the Ministries and then end at the jubilee house where we intend to present a petition to His Excellency Akufo-Addo.

    Mr Ablakwa said he expected the president to stop his appointees from proceeding with the transaction.

    “All of those who are acting, the people selling our SSNIT, his cabinet Minister who is keen on buying, they are all his appointees, and he told us that if people want to come into his government to make money they should know that, his government is no place for them, they should go to the private sector and make money, so I’m wondering what’s going on, “he said.

    Ablakwa pointed out that it has been over a week since the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption held a press conference urging the president to intervene directly, yet the president has remained silent.

  • PURC confirms ECG’s compliance with CWM for March payments

    PURC confirms ECG’s compliance with CWM for March payments

    Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has confirmed in its latest validation report, the that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has fully complied with the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) for March 2024 payments.

    This compliance comes after significant scrutiny and criticism from both the media and the PURC regarding ECG’s previous failures to adhere to the CWM since its revision in August 2023.

    According to the report, ECG generated over GHS 1 billion for March 2024, which was allocated to settle invoices from January 2024.

    Out of this revenue, ECG disbursed GHS 620 million ($52 million) to seven Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo). This payment represents a significant 62% of ECG’s total revenue for the month.

    “The CWM application for March 2024 payments was based on invoices submitted for January 2023.
    The total ECG revenues reported for March 2024 was GHS 1,002,850,000.00,” the report stated.

    The remaining GHS 334.8 million, after payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and statutory obligations, was allocated to Level B beneficiaries.

    These beneficiaries include state-owned enterprises such as the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority, the Ghana National Gas Company, regulators, some power generators, and ECG itself.

    Notably, for the first time since the revised Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) was implemented, ECG fully compensated all Level B beneficiaries in March 2024.

    This is a significant improvement from its previous record of incomplete payments to these entities.

    However, the Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for covering any shortfalls, has not met this obligation since August 2023.

    The shortfall for March 2024 is GHS 159.9 million. The PURC is currently in discussions with the Ministry to ensure these obligations are fulfilled.

    “The Commission wishes to state that, MoF has not made up for the shortfalls since August 2023,” it stressed.

  • “I want to end it once and for all” – Ablakwa on bill banning politicians from buying state assets

    “I want to end it once and for all” – Ablakwa on bill banning politicians from buying state assets

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced his intention to lead a team of lawyers in drafting a private member’s bill aimed at addressing the issue of Ghanaian politicians engaging in the sale or purchase of state assets.

    Ablakwa asserts that this longstanding practice, which persists under the Akufo-Addo regime, must come to an end.

    Taking proactive measures, Mr. Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and halt the sale of hotels such as Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Ridge Royal Hotel to the Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong.

    In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, May 27, Mr Ablakwa disclosed that respected Ghanaian legal luminary Professor Kwaku Azar has responded positively to his request to lead the team of lawyers that he’s putting together to have a private member’s bill “on this matter of politicians participating in the sale or purchase of state assets.”

    “I want to end it once and for all, because this has opened a can of worms and it will appear that it started gradually in very small forms, an now it has taken a dimension that is not in the national interest and people are taking advantage of.

    “Some politicians are taking advantage of grey areas and loopholes.

    Matters that appear amorphous and ambiguous are not settled and so they are just engaging in naked conflict of interest so I want us to have a law that expressly bans serving politicians in executive positions from participating in the sale and purchase of state assets.

    “And I want to thank Professor Kwaku Azar for leading the team. So in the coming days, we will be finalising our works and then we will share with the public what we have done.

    I know that the right honourable speaker who is forward-looking and he is a reformist will support in this regard.”

    The former Deputy Education Minister also hinted at an impending demonstration he would be leading against the proposed sale of SSNIT hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited owned by the Agric Minister.

    According to him, despite the expressed opposition to the deal, the processes are still ongoing between SSNIT and the potential buyer.

    He said he has already notified the police about the protest scheduled for June 18th.

  • Ten Hag still ‘restless’ about potential dismissal despite FA Cup win – Source

    Ten Hag still ‘restless’ about potential dismissal despite FA Cup win – Source

    Erik ten Hag is still uncertain about his future at Manchester United despite securing an FA Cup victory, sources told ESPN.

    Ten Hag led his team to an unexpected 2-1 win over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

    However, the Dutchman, who began his holiday on Sunday, remains anxious about his position as the club prepares for its end-of-season review.

    According to a source, the review will start this week, with Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford leading the process, which typically takes around four days.

    Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Brailsford, and new technical director Jason Wilcox are dedicated to evaluating every aspect of United’s season, including Ten Hag’s performance and future.

    Club sources told ESPN that a final decision on Ten Hag’s future has not yet been made and will depend on the review’s outcome.

    The decision will be based on on-field performance and whether Ten Hag fits into the club’s new leadership structure, including accepting a reduced role in player recruitment.

    Ten Hag, who has one year left on his contract, wants to stay.

    However, sources indicate that informal talks have been held with representatives of Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, and Thomas Frank as potential alternatives.

    There is also interest in Gareth Southgate, but he remains focused on leading England in this summer’s European Championship.

    In his post-match news conference at Wembley, Ten Hag defended his tenure, stating that the team he inherited in 2022 was “a mess” and that winning two trophies is a solid achievement over his two years at Old Trafford.

    Nonetheless, sources close to Ten Hag are worried that neither Ratcliffe nor Brailsford have guaranteed his job security, even after the FA Cup win.

    Ratcliffe, present at the final with Brailsford, released a brief statement that evening but did not specifically mention Ten Hag.

    Those close to Ten Hag doubt that the FA Cup victory has significantly altered Ineos’ perspective on the club’s future, especially after an eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

    But sources have told ESPN that victory over City has made the decision harder for Ratcliffe and Brailsford.

    A source has told ESPN that if Ten Hag does leave he will go with “his head held high.”

    Winning the FA Cup has secured Manchester United a spot in the Europa League next season.

    Sources informed ESPN that if Ten Hag is dismissed, he is now entitled to a larger compensation package than he would have been if United had failed to qualify for European competition.

  • It’s a difficult club; Xavi warns next Barça coach

    It’s a difficult club; Xavi warns next Barça coach

    Following his final game as Barcelona coach, a 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday, Xavi Hernández expressed that he feels his contributions have been underappreciated and warned that his successor will face significant challenges.

    Barcelona secured the win with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López, while Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Sevilla.

    This match concluded Barça’s LaLiga season with a three-point finish, coming just two days after the club announced Xavi’s dismissal at the season’s end.

    “I don’t think the work we have done has been sufficiently valued considering the adverse situation we came into,” Xavi told DAZN after beating Sevilla.

    “Barça were ninth in the table when we arrived at the end of 2021. We finished second. Then, in the first full season [in charge], we won two trophies [LaLiga and the Spanish Supercopa].

    “This year has not been at the level required, but it’s come down to details in several key games. It’s a shame. I am sad, but this is the job of a coach.”

    ESPN has revealed that Hansi Flick will replace Xavi, with the Germán coach’s appointment expected to be announced in the coming days.

    “They have to know it is a difficult situation, because Barcelona is a difficult club, but also because of the adverse financial situation, above all [LaLiga’s] financial fair play rules,” Xavi said when asked if he had any advice for his successor.

    “It won’t be easy at all. They will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job. The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not [previously].

    “I have been looked at through a magnifying glass and a certain level of expectations were generated, because I was part of Barça’s best-ever era, which has played against me.”

    Xavi initially announced in January that he would step down this summer, but he changed his mind in April. However, he was dismissed in a meeting with club president Joan Laporta on Friday.

    Despite his earlier doubts, Xavi maintained that he wanted to stay in the role and declined to disclose the reasons for his dismissal.
    “It’s not for me to explain the motives, the president has to do that,” Xavi continued. “I just have to accept and respect them. The decision is made and there is no looking back. The club is above any person. I wanted to stay on.

    I get [the decision], I respect it, but it is a shame. The feelings are contradictory because the work has been positive despite not winning trophies this season. I thought we were on a good path and I still think that.


    “But this is football, decisions have to be made. I am happy, proud and satisfied with what we have done: 2.5 years and two trophies in the adverse, difficult situation the club is in, that’s the reality.


    “I have not been able to work with calm. We asked for stability one month ago when we decided to stay. We thought by staying on we had achieved that and we were hungry to work hard, but this is the life of a manager.”


    Xavi said he is “open” to anything in the future regarding the next step in his career, but that in the short-term he needs to “rest and be with my family.”

    The former midfielder, who played over 700 matches for Barcelona, took over from Ronald Koeman in 2021, guiding the team from ninth place to second in his first season. He secured Barcelona’s first LaLiga title since 2019 last season.

    However, this year the team did not maintain that momentum, finishing second in the league and ending the season without any trophies after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

  • Atlético Madrid return to historic crest after fan discontent

    Atlético Madrid return to historic crest after fan discontent

    Atlético Madrid announced they will revert to the club’s 1947 crest starting July 1, following widespread disapproval of the updated badge.

    The decision to modernize the emblem in 2017 was highly unpopular, with nearly 78,000 out of over 138,000 club members voting last year to reinstate the previous design.

    Although both emblems are similar, the modern version features a right-facing bear instead of a left-facing one, reaching up against a tree (the symbol of the city of Madrid).

    Additionally, the updated badge has thicker red stripes, smoothed edges, and uses three colors instead of six.

    Some Atlético fans even refused to purchase merchandise featuring the new emblem.

    “The club pays special tribute to the thousands of enthusiasts who longed for the return of the 1947 crest,” an Atlético statement said.

    “As of July 1, 2024, the official return of the club’s crest will take place. The transformation process is challenging and is expected to take a few months to fully implement but it is already showing up in the most iconic places.”

    Atlético also shared a video on their official social media channels re-unveiling the original badge, with the closing caption: “Sometimes the heart has reasons that marketing can’t understand.”

    The club said the soon-to-be jettisoned logo “will now become part of the family of crests and emblems that have depicted our club over the course of our history.“

  • Lewandowski, Félix were on Xavi’s exit list at Barcelona – Sources

    Lewandowski, Félix were on Xavi’s exit list at Barcelona – Sources

    Xavi Hernández had ambitious plans for Barcelona, intending to move on Robert Lewandowski, João Félix, João Cancelo, and Vitor Roque if he remained as coach, sources revealed to ESPN.

    Xavi was dismissed by Barça last week, with his final match being a 2-1 victory over Sevilla, leaving the Catalan side second in LaLiga and without a trophy this season. Prior to his departure, Xavi had radical plans to revamp the squad, particularly in attack.

    The coach aimed to rejuvenate the team by offloading top scorer Lewandowski, loanees Félix and Cancelo, and January signing Roque.

    Lewandowski, 35, has two years remaining on his four-year contract, though the final year depends on his game time next season.

    The Polish striker, who has netted 59 goals in 95 appearances since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022, expressed his desire to stay at the club last week. He is represented by Pini Zahavi, who also represents German coach Hansi Flick,

    Xavi’s expected successor according to ESPN sources. Flick previously worked with Lewandowski at Bayern, leading the team to a treble in 2019-20.

    Jorge Mendes, another influential agent at Barça, represents Félix and Cancelo, both of whom spent this season on loan at the LaLiga club.

    Félix is set to return to Atlético Madrid and Cancelo to Manchester City, although they might return to Barcelona this summer.

    However, sources told ESPN that Xavi was not eager to re-sign either player.

    Félix, who started his loan spell strongly, finished the season out of the squad, scoring 10 goals in 44 appearances.

    Cancelo was a regular under Xavi when available, but sources indicated that the coach was content for the Portugal international to return to City.

  • “Na na na na” – It’s a blue parade as Man City fans celebrate Premier League trophy

    “Na na na na” – It’s a blue parade as Man City fans celebrate Premier League trophy

    On Sunday, Manchester City celebrated their record fourth consecutive Premier League title under brightening skies, with fans flooding the streets to cheer their heroes once more.

    City showcased their dominance by concluding the title race with a decisive 3-1 victory over West Ham United on the final day of the season, amassing 91 points, two more than Arsenal.

    This achievement marks them as the first English club to secure four league titles in a row.

    Players and staff waved to the jubilant fans as confetti rained down and blue smoke flares lit up the route of the open-top bus parade, just hours after thousands participated in the Great Manchester Run.

    Despite the previous day’s FA Cup final loss to arch-rivals Manchester United, 2-1, the weather and the anti-climax could not dampen the celebration.

    Flags, bananas, and even a blow-up Jack Grealish dummy were held aloft in triumph.

    “We’re delighted with this season but we want to go back and try and win more,” said player of the year Phil Foden, who scored 19 league goals.

    “It’s the hunger inside me to win trophies. We have a great group. It’s been a special season.

    Obviously it’s something nobody’s done before, an incredible feeling, we couldn’t have done it without the staff or the fans,” he added.

    Portugal international Bernardo Silva also expressed City’s ambition to continue winning trophies and their disappointment over losing the FA Cup.

    “Obviously last night was frustrating but we have to forget that and celebrate four in a row. It’s been a very good season for us,” he said.

    After securing the treble last year, Pep Guardiola’s team added the Super Cup and Club World Cup to their collection this season, along with the Premier League title.

    The Spanish manager, who was honored as Premier League Manager of the Year, smiled and enjoyed the celebrations with the fans, even though he took responsibility for his team’s failure to achieve a second consecutive domestic double.

  • My team already in the Champions League mode -Ancelotti says

    My team already in the Champions League mode -Ancelotti says

    Carlo Ancelotti declared that Real Madrid are fully focused on the Champions League as they prepare for their final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.

    Madrid ended their LaLiga season with a 0-0 draw against Real Betis, having secured the league title weeks in advance.

    They now have a week to get ready for the Champions League final.

    The Spanish powerhouse boasts a record 14 European Cup victories, including five in the past ten years.

    “The cold sweat arrives on Saturday afternoon,” Ancelotti said at Madrid’s pre-final media day at their Valdebebas training ground.

    “The fear, that’s normal. I have experience. My team gives me confidence and hope. They look focused on the game. They’re in Champions League mode.”

    Ancelotti’s teams have reached nine European Cup finals — three as a player, and six as a manager — and he is now hoping to land his second Champions League since returning to Madrid in 2021 for his second spell as coach.

    “It’s always the same ahead of these games,” he said. “Excitement, happiness, being involved in the most important game of the season… We’re not on holiday yet, and the other teams are. They’ll see the game on TV.”

    Ancelotti refused to confirm that back-from-injury Thibaut Courtois would start the final in goal, ahead of Andriy Lunin, as ESPN has reported.

    “It’s very difficult,” Ancelotti said. “Of course it’s really difficult, because both of them deserve to play this final. Lunin has had a fantastic season, Courtois is back from his injury.”

    “One of the two is going to play,” he added, laughing, “and the other will be on the bench.”

    The Italian coach said midfielder Toni Kroos — who announced his retirement last week — doesn’t need another trophy to be remembered as a club legend.

    “Let’s hope he can end his career with the Champions League, he deserves it,” Ancelotti said. “He’s gone down in Real Madrid history, he’s already there, but ending with a Champions League would be fantastic.”

  • Mbappe says he will announce his next move in a few days

    Mbappe says he will announce his next move in a few days

    Kylian Mbappe announced that he would reveal his future plans in a “few days” after Paris Saint-Germain’s French Cup victory on Saturday.

    Widely anticipated to join Real Madrid, Mbappé has already stated he will depart PSG when his contract concludes this summer.

    Following PSG’s 2-1 triumph over Lyon in the final, reporters questioned Mbappé on why he has not yet officially disclosed his next club.


    “Because I think the best thing to do is to finish saying goodbye,” the France captain said in the mixed zone of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.


    “All I wanted was to finish well. There is a time for everything. I will announce my new club in due course. It will be only a few days away so there is no problem.”


    Pressed by journalists if that meant the transfer would be official before the national team meets to prepare for the European Championship, Mbappé added: “I still don’t know, there are still some details. The most important thing was to win and to experience these final emotions.”


    Mbappé spoke about what he felt playing his last game for PSG after seven seasons.
    “Nostalgia, emotion; It was cool. I always understood where I was, this unique experience of playing for PSG. Playing for PSG, I would recommend it,” he said.


    “I was lucky enough to experience it. What I have had, I wouldn’t experience anywhere else. Now I’m going to experience something else and I’m sure that will be magical too.”

  • GFA accept Laryea Kingston’s resignation; makes allegations against him

    GFA accept Laryea Kingston’s resignation; makes allegations against him

    Ghana Football Association(GFA) has accepted Laryea Kingston’s resignation as head coach of the Black Starlets, though it has shed light on some allegations that reveal the nature of his relationship with the Football Association.

    In a recently revised press release, the Ghana Football Association stated that Laryea Kingston informed the Black Starlets of his resignation “using inappropriate language.”

    The Ghana Football Association also claimed that “Coach Kingston got off the team bus while the team was on its way to the team hotel.

    “He failed to attend the team’s evening meeting with the Management Committee and has since not reported to the team hotel. The GFA duly accepts Laryea’s resignation,” reads part of the statement issued on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

    Laryea Kingston announced his resignation from the Black Starlets following their 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the WAFU Zone B Under-17 championship.

    The Starlets, who coasted through their first two matches in the competition, fell to the Burkinabes in the game played at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    “I know Ghanaians know me as a player and are familiar with the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but in the end, I wasn’t happy.

    I put more focus on my coaching career and educated myself to make sure I came back to change the narrative around Ghanaian Football.

    “Within these past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve given my all. I decided when we came back from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. The explanation will come later,” he said.

    Under Laryea Kingston, the Black Starlets scored 54 times and conceded 15 goals.

  • Laryea Kingston’s abrupt resignation is a calamity – Coach Opeele

    Laryea Kingston’s abrupt resignation is a calamity – Coach Opeele

    Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach, Isaac Adade Opeele Boateng, has criticized Laryea Kingston’s resignation as the Black Starlets coach, calling it a feeble attempt to gain public sympathy.

    In a social media post, Coach Opeele outlined his reasons for considering Laryea Kingston’s resignation a poor decision.

    Opeele emphasized that a key quality of a competent coach is the ability to navigate behind-the-scenes politics, an area where he believes Kingston lacked proficiency.

    Additionally, Opeele criticized the way Kingston communicated with his players, referencing the language used in some viral videos.

    “Laryea, in a video, was seen shouting at two of his players for running slowly. He should understand that not all players respond well to being yelled at.

    Yelling at players at that level can undermine confidence and have negative psychological effects.

    Laryea achieved good results but chose to quit abruptly after a loss. The GFA alleges he left the team bus, abandoning the kids en route to the team hotel.

    “No matter what he’s experiencing, Ghanaian coaches endure worse at the club level but they adapt. Many coaches haven’t even had the chance to lead a national team, yet Laryea got the opportunity and left the team.

    “Such actions have consequences, and this particular one will likely have a detrimental effect on his future employment with club owners.

    Seeking public sympathy in this manner will only result in future critics dubbing you as the ‘Coach Who Abandoned His Team’ after failing to qualify.

    It’s a disaster that the next generation will use to criticize you. Laryea Kingston must reconsider!” he stated.

    Laryea Kingston declared his resignation from the Black Starlets after the team’s defeat to Burkina Faso in the semi-final of the 2024 WAFU Zone B Championship.

    The Black Starlets fell 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the match held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    “I know Ghanaians remember me as a player and the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but ultimately, I wasn’t satisfied.

    I focused more on my coaching career and educated myself to ensure I could return and change the narrative around Ghanaian football.

    “Over the past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve dedicated myself completely. I decided when we returned from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. I will provide an explanation later,” he said.

  • Mourinho allegedly on Chelsea’s wish list to replace Poch

    Mourinho allegedly on Chelsea’s wish list to replace Poch

    Jose Mourinho has emerged as a leading candidate for the Chelsea managerial position following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure, with bookmakers significantly lowering the odds for his potential return to west London.

    Mourinho, who departed Chelsea in 2015 for the second time, has since managed Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma.

    With Pochettino’s exit, various names have been linked to the role, including Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Leicester’s Enzo Maresca, who are currently leading the betting odds.

    However, a surge in bets on Mourinho has caused his odds to drop dramatically.

    According to the London Evening Standard, Chelsea are reportedly in search of a young, dynamic coach. This preference seemingly contrasts with the betting trends favoring Mourinho.

    Despite being currently unemployed and available, it is uncertain if Chelsea’s current ownership is interested in rehiring the Portuguese manager.

    During his two previous stints at Chelsea, Mourinho secured three Premier League titles.

    Bet365’s Steve Freeth told the Standard: “From 10.15 until 10.50 this morning, every single bet we took on the next Chelsea manager was on Jose Mourinho, which goes against the grain of the reports of Chelsea wanting a young and dynamic manager.

    “In that time his odds plummeted from 40/1 into 2/1 favourite.” Maresca and McKenna remain the favourites.
    Chelsea will want to move decisively as they aim to appoint Pochettino’s successor.

    While it feels unlikely Mourinho will be the man to replace the Argentine, stranger things have certainly happened.

  • EC extends voters registration exercise to May 29

    EC extends voters registration exercise to May 29

    Electoral Commission (EC) has declared an extension to the limited voters registration exercise, adding two more days to the schedule.

    Consequently, the exercise will conclude on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

    A statement issued by the EC explained that, “this arrangement has been put in place to make up for the network challenges experienced during the first two(2) days of the registration exercise.

    “The Commission aims to ensure that all eligible voters who wish to registrar, are afforded the opportunity to do so.

    We urge all eligible citizens who are yet to register to visit the Commission’s office in the district where they reside to register to vote.”

  • Name all GMO foods on market – Court orders National Biosafety Authority

    Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra has ordered the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to label all Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on the market to enable the public make an informed choice.

    The Court also directed that, the NBA should with immediate effect publish all data of all GMOs including the BT Cowpea products from Nigeria to enable easy identification.

    The Court presided over by Justice Barbara Tetteh Charwey made this orders while delivering a judgment in a case in which the Food Sovereignty sued the National Biosafety Authority against the commercialization of genetically modified (GMO) foods in Ghana.

    The Court while dismissing FSG’s has also directed the NBA to undertake a sensitisation exercise in all their areas to help the people know what is happening around them.

  • Ghanaian students in Morocco protest as stipend payments face delays

    Ghanaian students in Morocco protest as stipend payments face delays

    On Friday, May 24, Ghanaian students enrolled in the Morocco scholarship program staged a protest at the Ghana Embassy in Morocco, citing alleged delays in receiving their stipends.

    The demonstrators, comprising undergraduate, masters, and PhD students, expressed grievances over the prolonged wait, which they claim has led to emotional distress, academic challenges, and increased risks.

    The students are calling on the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Scholarship Secretariat to accelerate the process and ensure timely disbursement of their stipends, thus averting any further delays.

    “The question is how do we survive? Our landlords are chasing us out of our apartments, some of us are sleeping with our friends, some of us are sleeping outside.

    “Imagine sending your daughter to another country to come and study for 10 months without sending her money to pay her rent, how do you want her to survive?

    There are people here in debt, and some are depressed. The last time, we had someone almost commit suicide.

    “This is not noise. This is not a story or a narrative, this is what we are going through.

    Our lives are in danger. We are begging you Mr. President, if you don’t intervene, there will be blood on your hands,” one of the students lamented.

  • Asamoah Gyan has 30 days to pay 50% of GH₵1 million judgment debt – Court orders

    Asamoah Gyan has 30 days to pay 50% of GH₵1 million judgment debt – Court orders

    Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has been instructed by the High Court in Accra to settle 50% of the over GH₵1 million judgment debt awarded against him within 30 days as compensation for malicious prosecution.

    This ruling followed Gyan’s plea for a stay of execution as he pursued an appeal against the judgment, which was granted by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa.

    The judgment, issued on December 8, 2023, stemmed from a case of malicious prosecution brought against Gyan by entertainment journalist, Osarfo Anthony, who was awarded damages exceeding GH₵1 million.

    Nearly five months after the judgment, Gyan and his legal team filed for a Stay Execution and appealed the ruling.

    On May 8, 2024, Justice Owusu-Dapaa, after hearing arguments from both sides, approved Gyan’s request for a stay of execution pending appeal, with the condition that he pays half of the judgment debt before the appeal.

    The Court stipulated that the payment must be made to the court’s registrar within 30 days from May 8, excluding weekends and public holidays, and directed the registrar to invest the sum in the government 182 days treasury bill until the appeal’s resolution.

    Bench ruling

    In his bench ruling, Justice Owusu-Dapaa, a Justice of the Court of Appeal serving as an additional High Court judge, instructed the Registrar to invest the bond in the government of Ghana’s 182-day Treasury Bill, with a rollover basis until the appeal is decided.

    “I have internalized the submission made viva voce at Bar and also critically reflected on the depositions in the affidavit in support and affidavit in opposition the Court is satisfied that there are special or exceptional circumstances when both affidavits are globally considered and properly contextualized against the exhibits especially the notice of appeal, judgment, witness statement among others.

    “I will grant the stay of execution of judgment dated 8th December 2023 on terms which are;

    “That the 1st Applicant (Asamoah Gyan) should deposit fifty percent (50%) of the total judgment debt in Court through the registry and the registry is ordered to invest the fifty percent (50%) of the judgment debt in Government of Ghana 182 days Treasury Bill on rollover basis until the appeal is finally determined.

    “It is a well-considered view of the Court that the grant of the stay on terms is fair to both parties.

    “In the case of 1st Applicant, a world-class professional player who was earning excess of USD million, when he succeeds on appeal, he will not have to worry about inadequate means of Respondent who is said to earn GH¢1,000.00 when the incident occurred to refund the judgment debt were it to be executed.

    “The Respondent on the other hand also is saved from the risk of the 1st Applicant, a world-class professional player who was earning excess of USD million, being unable to pay the judgment debt should he lose the appeal, particularly so when the Court has not been given his current state of inabilities and other encumbrances that may exist in respect of his assets,” the Court ordered.

    30 days ultimatum

    The Court also said, “Having heard counsel for Applicants and Respondent, the Court further orders the 1st Applicant (Asamoah Gyan) to comply with the order for paying fifty percent (50%) of the judgment debt aforesaid within thirty days (30) from today (May 8) excluding weekends and any public holiday.

    The Court said, in the event of default, “Plaintiff/Respondent/Respondent may go into full execution of the judgment debt.”

    Background

    It would be recalled that Asamoah Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, had caused the arrest and prosecution of Osarfo Anthony and others for extortion.

    Following their acquittal and discharge, in action involving an alleged rape incident between the former Black Stars skipper and one Sarah Kwablah, Osarfo Anthony and his lawyers sued for malicious prosecution.

    Osarfo Anthony in his civil action against Asamoah Gyan and his manager Anim Addo demanded compensation in the sum of GH¢1 million.

    On December 8, 2023, Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaa held that the Plaintiff had been able to prove his case that he was maliciously prosecuted.

    The Court held that the report made by the Manager of Gyan, Samuel Anim Addo to the Airport Police was based on “falsehoods.”

    The Court said that the report to the Police was rather made to protect Asamoah Gyan’s image because at the time he was negotiating a transfer to a Chinese club.

    The Court said available evidence to the court showed that the Plaintiff was never extorting money from Gyan when the report was made for his arrest over an alleged publication.

    Justice Dapaa said, the Plaintiff discharged the burden of proof and held that the manager of Asamoah Gyan set the whole malicious prosecution in motion.

    Damages

    Consequently, the Court issued a judgment totaling GH¢900,000 in damages to the Plaintiff. Additionally, the plaintiff was awarded GH¢111,000 to compensate for the 111 months of lost income from his GH¢1,000-per-month job at the time.

    Furthermore, a cost of GH¢60,000 was imposed on Asamoah Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, bringing the total judgment against the defendants to GH¢1,071,000.

  • Police arrest Sean Kingston after home raid

    Police arrest Sean Kingston after home raid

    Singer Sean Kingston was arrested in California, just hours after police raided his Florida mansion, where his mother was also taken into custody.

    In February, a company accused Kingston of not fully paying for an extensive TV and sound system.

    He was arrested in Fort Irwin, southern California, on charges of fraud and theft based on a warrant from Florida, according to the police.

    Prior to his arrest, Kingston mentioned on social media that his lawyers were “handling everything.”

    The Florida police raid was conducted at a residence near Fort Lauderdale, which court documents from February listed as Kingston’s address.

    US media, including the BBC’s partner CBS News, reported that the woman arrested was Kingston’s mother.

    The Broward County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the BBC that they served arrest and search warrants at the property. Kingston’s legal name is Kisean Anderson.

    “As a result of the investigation, an adult female, Janice Turner, 2/16/1963, was taken into custody on numerous fraud and theft charges.”This investigation is active and ongoing.”

    Following the incident, law enforcement officers were observed taking items from the property. It’s uncertain if the arrests are related to the allegations made by the company.

    Subsequently, Mr. Kingston was apprehended in southern California without any resistance, as stated by Broward police.

    He is anticipated to be booked into the San Bernardino jail.

    Both Mr. Kingston and his mother, referred to as Mama Kingston on Instagram, have been approached for comment.

    Before his arrest, Mr. Kingston seemed to address the situation on his Instagram profile.

    “I am good and so is my mother,” the singer said in response to reports that the arrested woman was his mother.
    “My lawyers are handling everything as we speak,” he added.

    A lawyer representing the pair acknowledged that allegations had been made against them, telling the AP news agency: “We look forward to addressing these in court and are confident of a successful resolution.”

  • American missionaries killed in escalating gang violence in Haiti

    American missionaries killed in escalating gang violence in Haiti

    A US missionary couple was among three people killed in Haiti amid ongoing rampant gang violence.

    Natalie Lloyd, 21, her 23-year-old husband David, and 20-year-old Haitian Jude Montis were ambushed by gunmen while leaving a church.

    Gangs continue to dominate much of Port-au-Prince, leading to thousands fleeing their homes in recent weeks. The couple’s deaths were confirmed on Facebook by Natalie’s father, Missouri State Senator Ben Baker.

    “They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed,” he wrote. “They went to heaven together.”

    Their organization, Missions in Haiti, confirmed to US media that Mr. Montis was the third casualty. In a previous Facebook post, the organization detailed that the three victims were assaulted by two different armed groups. The attack commenced with gunmen arriving in three vehicles.

    After another group arrived and a gang member was shot dead, the three missionaries were trapped in a house while the gang went “into full attack mode”, the post added.

    “They are holed up in there, the gangs have shot all the windows out of the house and continued to shoot,” the post said.
    Missions in Haiti confirmed that all three were dead three hours later.

    The state department is aware of the deaths, a spokesperson told the BBC’s US partner CBS.

    “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” the spokesperson said. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”

    On X/Twitter, Missouri Governor Mike Parson called the deaths “absolutely heart-breaking news”.

    In a similar incident in 2021, 17 North American missionaries were kidnapped near Port-au-Prince. While five were released, the remaining 12 escaped by navigating through dense bush using stars.

    Missions in Haiti, an organization focused on aiding Haitian children since 2000, has faced numerous challenges.

    For weeks, gangs had orchestrated deadly attacks, demanding the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who eventually agreed to step down in March.

    Consequently, a nine-member transitional council has been sworn in to lead the nation. However, gangs have exploited the power vacuum created by Henry’s departure, expanding their control over large areas of the country.

    In response, Kenya plans to deploy police forces to Haiti, heading an international mission to support the country’s transitional authorities in restoring order.

    Meanwhile, UNICEF recently warned that escalating violence and widespread malnutrition have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse.

  • Top UN court orders Israel to cease Rafah offensive

    Top UN court orders Israel to cease Rafah offensive

    United Nations (UN)’ highest judicial authority, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has delivered a significant ruling, demanding that Israel “immediately cease its military offensive in Rafah.”

    This decision supports a recent application by South Africa, which called for various actions against Israel, accusing it of escalating what they describe as a genocide.

    Israel has strongly denied these accusations and indicated it would disregard any directive to stop its operations.

    Government spokesperson David Mencer told the BBC: “There is no power in the world that will push us to commit a public suicide, because that’s what this is, to stop our war against Hamas.”

    A Hamas spokesmansaid: “We welcome the decision of the International Court of Justice, which demands that the brutal Zionist entity [Israel] stop its aggression” in Rafah.

    Reading the court’s ruling on Friday, presiding judge Nawaz Salam said that “Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate” which could bring about “the physical destruction” of the Palestinians – alluding to what constitutes genocide under international law.

    Israel, he added, must also allow unimpeded access to Gaza to any UN body investigating allegations of genocide.

    The ruling also reiterated a requirement for Israel to enable “unhindered provision at scale” of basic services and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

    “The humanitarian situation [in Gaza] is now to be characterised as disastrous,” the ruling said.
    Aid agencies and the UN say insufficient amounts of aid are reaching people in Gaza, which they say is facing famine.

    The UN suspended food distribution in Rafah on Tuesday because of the perilous situation there.

    Israel says it has made “extensive efforts” t ensure that humanitarian aid is “flowing into Gaza”.

    Judge Salam also said that the court found it “deeply troubling” that Israeli hostages were still being held by Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, and called for “their immediate and unconditional release”.

    Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised the ruling, calling it an “abject moral failure” that the ICJ did not connect their bombardment of Rafah to the release of the hostages.

    He said Israel was forced to defend itself, adding: “There is no country in the world which wouldn’t defend itself against an attack like that.”

    Minutes after the ruling was delivered, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on the Shaboura camp in central Rafah.

    A local activist at Kuwait Hospital nearby informed the BBC that the intensity of the raids prevented rescue teams from reaching the site.

    Israel commenced a long-awaited offensive in Rafah approximately three weeks ago, aiming to eliminate the remaining Hamas battalions and asserting that Israeli hostages are being held in the town.

    According to the UN, over 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the offensive began, with about 1.5 million people taking refuge there from conflicts elsewhere in Gaza.

    The hearing is part of a case initiated by South Africa at the ICJ in December, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The case remains ongoing.

    Israel’s offensive in Gaza began after Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages back to Gaza.

    Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that at least 35,800 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.

  • EU condemns Russia’s removal of border markers

    EU condemns Russia’s removal of border markers

    European Union (EU) has condemned Russia’s removal of buoys demarcating the border with Estonia along the Narva River.

    According to Estonian officials, 24 out of 50 buoys installed to delineate sailing routes were removed in the early hours of Thursday.

    Tensions over the border have escalated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has denounced these actions as unacceptable.

    “This border incident is part of a broader pattern of provocative behaviour and hybrid actions by Russia, including on its maritime and land borders in the Baltic Sea region,” he said in a statement.

    Moscow has raised objections to the positioning of floating markers, which are employed to prevent boats from entering foreign waters, disputing the planned locations of approximately half of the 250 buoys, as reported by Estonia’s border guard service.

    Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that she is working to clarify the situation with Russia.

    She said it appeared to be part of a “broader pattern” of action by Moscow to use “tools related to the border to create fear and anxiety”.

    Estonia’s foreign ministry said it had summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and said it was treating the move as a “provocative border incident”.

    In a statement, it said it had demanded the “immediate return” of the buoys.

    Following the Russian defense ministry’s brief publication of a proposal to alter its maritime border in the Baltic Sea this week, the plan sparked concern among NATO members, notably Estonia.

    However, the proposal was swiftly deleted. As of now, Moscow has not issued any comment on the matter.