Author: aejay_wp

General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has debunked media reports that he sent a delegation to ask his closest contender for the chief scribe position, Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Mr Asiedu Nketia was reported on Rainbow radio to have sent some persons to ask Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Read: I gave Koku an option to be my deputy or contest me Nketiah

The report said he has confessed to some individuals that he [Nketiah] told Koku Anyidoho to contest because he would no longer contest the race.

But Mr Asiedu Nketia who sounded angry over the story denied sending a delegation to Koku Anyidoho. According to him, he has done no such thing and blamed some faceless individuals for orchestrating such reports.

He also revealed that Koku Anyidoho recently led a group of NDC elders to come to his official residence to apologise for claiming that he [Koku] received blessings from him [Nketiah] to contest because he was no longer interested.

Read: NDC race: A vote for me will bring NPP down Koku Anyidoho to delegates

He made reference to Dr Carl Mark, Mr Kofi Attoh and five others saying, “these individuals came to me and apologized”. “How on earth would I beg Koku not to contest? I was very angry when I saw the story because I never did such a thing. I have no problem if Koku contests me. It is his right but reporting that I begged him to step down is false,” he said.

“Koku rather came to me with some NDC members to apologise for claiming that I have given him the green light to contest. I accepted the apology and asked that we move on to develop the party,” he said on Accra based Okay FM

Source: peacefmonline.com

General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has debunked media reports that he sent a delegation to ask his closest contender for the chief scribe position, Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Mr Asiedu Nketia was reported on Rainbow radio to have sent some persons to ask Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Read: I gave Koku an option to be my deputy or contest me Nketiah

The report said he has confessed to some individuals that he [Nketiah] told Koku Anyidoho to contest because he would no longer contest the race.

But Mr Asiedu Nketia who sounded angry over the story denied sending a delegation to Koku Anyidoho. According to him, he has done no such thing and blamed some faceless individuals for orchestrating such reports.

He also revealed that Koku Anyidoho recently led a group of NDC elders to come to his official residence to apologise for claiming that he [Koku] received blessings from him [Nketiah] to contest because he was no longer interested.

Read: NDC race: A vote for me will bring NPP down Koku Anyidoho to delegates

He made reference to Dr Carl Mark, Mr Kofi Attoh and five others saying, “these individuals came to me and apologized”. “How on earth would I beg Koku not to contest? I was very angry when I saw the story because I never did such a thing. I have no problem if Koku contests me. It is his right but reporting that I begged him to step down is false,” he said.

“Koku rather came to me with some NDC members to apologise for claiming that I have given him the green light to contest. I accepted the apology and asked that we move on to develop the party,” he said on Accra based Okay FM

Source: peacefmonline.com

How does one go about distilling the memory of a man once he’s no longer here?

We eulogize, we mythologize, we grasp at ways to neatly and succinctly sum up a person’s existence; what it meant to them, what it meant to us, what it meant to the world. They become the hero or the villain. We categorize them, we need it to be neat. It’s just easier that way. But people in their truest forms are more complicated than that, their lives a jumbled confluence of contradictions, a melding of noble intentions and inherent flaws—the sinner and saint all wrapped up in one messy package.

And Michael Jackson’s life just may have been the messiest.

As we celebrate what would’ve been the King of Pop’s 60th birthday on August 29, nine years following his untimely death thanks to acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication at the hands of an enabling physician later convicted of involuntary manslaughter, one still wonders how best to consider him: the iconic, unparalleled performer or the complicated, tortured soul underneath? Can you have one without the other? And should you even want to try?

Source: www.eonline.com

How does one go about distilling the memory of a man once he’s no longer here?

We eulogize, we mythologize, we grasp at ways to neatly and succinctly sum up a person’s existence; what it meant to them, what it meant to us, what it meant to the world. They become the hero or the villain. We categorize them, we need it to be neat. It’s just easier that way. But people in their truest forms are more complicated than that, their lives a jumbled confluence of contradictions, a melding of noble intentions and inherent flaws—the sinner and saint all wrapped up in one messy package.

And Michael Jackson’s life just may have been the messiest.

As we celebrate what would’ve been the King of Pop’s 60th birthday on August 29, nine years following his untimely death thanks to acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication at the hands of an enabling physician later convicted of involuntary manslaughter, one still wonders how best to consider him: the iconic, unparalleled performer or the complicated, tortured soul underneath? Can you have one without the other? And should you even want to try?

Source: www.eonline.com

Religious leaders and the Government of Ghana have agreed to set up a body that will ensure that religious institutions pay taxes on the income they generate.

On Wednesday, 29 August 2018, President Nana Akufo-Addo met with members of the clergy at the seat of government, the Jubilee House, to discuss issues of national interest and to solicit their views on government’s plans and programmes.

Read: Government to form committee to look into church tax

Rev. Victor Osei, Senior Pastor of the Family Chapel in Kumasi and Vice-President of the National Association of Charismatic Churches, addressing the press after the closed session with the president, indicated that a body is to be set up within weeks that will regulate the taxing of religious establishments.

“The religious community is much more than the Church. We tend to forget that it includes Muslims, Bahia … Eastern religions are all part of religious bodies. Normally, people just talk about the Church, but for all these bodies, some monies come out and some monies come in, so, at the end of the day, it should be all inclusive. All these things were spoken about and we know the way forward is going to be good,” Rev. Victor Osei said.

Churches, according to Rev. Osei, already pay taxes as individuals and also on businesses they run.

Read: Churches need task and not tax ; Methodist Bishop tells government

The task of the proposed regulatory body will be to develop measures that will rope in all other churches who may be evading the payment of statutory taxes required of them.

President Akufo-Addo, in his opening remarks before the closed door session with the clergy, said he is looking forward to meeting with the clergy on periodic basis to discuss issues of public interest.

“I am hoping that what we are doing here today is going to be a regular feature of my government, so a couple of times a year, we have the opportunity to meet and hear your considerations and you will also hear the things that are on the heart and mind of government,” the President said.

Read: Churches differ in style of worship; national cathedral unnecessary John Ghartey

Among the clergy were Archbishop Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast; Bishop Charles Agyinasare, Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International; Rev. Clement Anchebah of the Fountain Gate Chapel International; Bishop Gideon Titi-Offei, Senior Pastor of the Pleasant Place Church; Evangelist Lawrence Tetteh; Rev. Michael Boadi Nyamekye of the Makers House Chapel International; Prophet Owusu Bempah, Senior Pastor of the Glorious Word Power Church, amongst others.

Source: classfmonline.com

Religious leaders and the Government of Ghana have agreed to set up a body that will ensure that religious institutions pay taxes on the income they generate.

On Wednesday, 29 August 2018, President Nana Akufo-Addo met with members of the clergy at the seat of government, the Jubilee House, to discuss issues of national interest and to solicit their views on government’s plans and programmes.

Read: Government to form committee to look into church tax

Rev. Victor Osei, Senior Pastor of the Family Chapel in Kumasi and Vice-President of the National Association of Charismatic Churches, addressing the press after the closed session with the president, indicated that a body is to be set up within weeks that will regulate the taxing of religious establishments.

“The religious community is much more than the Church. We tend to forget that it includes Muslims, Bahia … Eastern religions are all part of religious bodies. Normally, people just talk about the Church, but for all these bodies, some monies come out and some monies come in, so, at the end of the day, it should be all inclusive. All these things were spoken about and we know the way forward is going to be good,” Rev. Victor Osei said.

Churches, according to Rev. Osei, already pay taxes as individuals and also on businesses they run.

Read: Churches need task and not tax ; Methodist Bishop tells government

The task of the proposed regulatory body will be to develop measures that will rope in all other churches who may be evading the payment of statutory taxes required of them.

President Akufo-Addo, in his opening remarks before the closed door session with the clergy, said he is looking forward to meeting with the clergy on periodic basis to discuss issues of public interest.

“I am hoping that what we are doing here today is going to be a regular feature of my government, so a couple of times a year, we have the opportunity to meet and hear your considerations and you will also hear the things that are on the heart and mind of government,” the President said.

Read: Churches differ in style of worship; national cathedral unnecessary John Ghartey

Among the clergy were Archbishop Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast; Bishop Charles Agyinasare, Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International; Rev. Clement Anchebah of the Fountain Gate Chapel International; Bishop Gideon Titi-Offei, Senior Pastor of the Pleasant Place Church; Evangelist Lawrence Tetteh; Rev. Michael Boadi Nyamekye of the Makers House Chapel International; Prophet Owusu Bempah, Senior Pastor of the Glorious Word Power Church, amongst others.

Source: classfmonline.com

Mourners have begun pouring into a museum in Detroit to pay their respects to the body of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

The singer’s gold-plated open coffin was placed on display for hundreds of grieving fans at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Read: Aretha Franklin fans remember Queen of Soul at public viewing

Fans of the singer travelled from across the length and breadth of the US to see her lying in state, dressed in red from head to high-heeled shoes, legs crossed at the ankles.

Museum board member Kelly Major Green said the goal was to create a dignified and respectful environment akin to a church, the place where Franklin got her start.

“What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Ms Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”

“What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Ms Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”

Ms Green said Franklin’s attire and pose communicates both power and comfort, as she did in life.

The shoes, in particular, show “The Queen of Soul is a diva to the end,” she said.

Tammy Gibson, 49, from Chicago said she arrived about 5:30 a.m. She came alone but made fast friends with others who sang and reminisced.

Growing up, Ms Gibson said she heard Franklin’s music “playing all the time” by her parents, who, “told me to go to bed – it’s an adult party.”

Outside the museum, she said: “I know people are sad, but it’s just celebrating – people dancing and singing her music.”

Aretha has been a constant in her life.

“I saw the gold-plated casket – it dawned on me: She’s gone, but her legacy and her music will live on forever.”

Aretha Franklin’s body will be on display to the public for two days.

Paula Marie Seniors, an associate professor of Africana studies at Virginia Tech said it was a fitting tribute to the singer.

Read: Aretha Franklin will be laid to rest in Detroit following a public viewing

“I think it’s incredibly significant – she is being honoured almost like a queen at one of the most important black museums in the United States,” she said.

She said the Queen of Soul was “a singer of the universe.” She added that Franklin, who died on August 16 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, also was “so unapologetically black – she was so proud of being a black woman.”

The museum, which had been the largest black museum in the U.S. until the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., in 2016, also hosted similar viewings for civil rights icon Rosa Parks after her 2005 death. In further symbolic symmetry, Franklin sang at Parks’ funeral, which was held at the same Detroit church as Franklin’s, and the singer will be entombed in the same cemetery as Parks.

The women came to their activism from different places and used different techniques, but “in the long run, they were both fighting for the same cause, which is freedom,” Ms Seniors said. She added that if she could attend the viewings, she would bring her 8-year-old daughter, Shakeila, who loves singing along to Aretha Franklin’s videos.

“I want my daughter to know anything and everything about African-American culture and history,” said Ms Seniors, whose father, Clarence Henry Seniors, was roommates at Morehouse College with Aretha’s brother, Cecil. “I would want my daughter to know of the people like Aretha Franklin – to be able to listen to that voice … and hear that there is something special about it.”

Source: standard.co.uk

Mourners have begun pouring into a museum in Detroit to pay their respects to the body of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

The singer’s gold-plated open coffin was placed on display for hundreds of grieving fans at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Read: Aretha Franklin fans remember Queen of Soul at public viewing

Fans of the singer travelled from across the length and breadth of the US to see her lying in state, dressed in red from head to high-heeled shoes, legs crossed at the ankles.

Museum board member Kelly Major Green said the goal was to create a dignified and respectful environment akin to a church, the place where Franklin got her start.

“What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Ms Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”

“What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” Ms Green said. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”

Ms Green said Franklin’s attire and pose communicates both power and comfort, as she did in life.

The shoes, in particular, show “The Queen of Soul is a diva to the end,” she said.

Tammy Gibson, 49, from Chicago said she arrived about 5:30 a.m. She came alone but made fast friends with others who sang and reminisced.

Growing up, Ms Gibson said she heard Franklin’s music “playing all the time” by her parents, who, “told me to go to bed – it’s an adult party.”

Outside the museum, she said: “I know people are sad, but it’s just celebrating – people dancing and singing her music.”

Aretha has been a constant in her life.

“I saw the gold-plated casket – it dawned on me: She’s gone, but her legacy and her music will live on forever.”

Aretha Franklin’s body will be on display to the public for two days.

Paula Marie Seniors, an associate professor of Africana studies at Virginia Tech said it was a fitting tribute to the singer.

Read: Aretha Franklin will be laid to rest in Detroit following a public viewing

“I think it’s incredibly significant – she is being honoured almost like a queen at one of the most important black museums in the United States,” she said.

She said the Queen of Soul was “a singer of the universe.” She added that Franklin, who died on August 16 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, also was “so unapologetically black – she was so proud of being a black woman.”

The museum, which had been the largest black museum in the U.S. until the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., in 2016, also hosted similar viewings for civil rights icon Rosa Parks after her 2005 death. In further symbolic symmetry, Franklin sang at Parks’ funeral, which was held at the same Detroit church as Franklin’s, and the singer will be entombed in the same cemetery as Parks.

The women came to their activism from different places and used different techniques, but “in the long run, they were both fighting for the same cause, which is freedom,” Ms Seniors said. She added that if she could attend the viewings, she would bring her 8-year-old daughter, Shakeila, who loves singing along to Aretha Franklin’s videos.

“I want my daughter to know anything and everything about African-American culture and history,” said Ms Seniors, whose father, Clarence Henry Seniors, was roommates at Morehouse College with Aretha’s brother, Cecil. “I would want my daughter to know of the people like Aretha Franklin – to be able to listen to that voice … and hear that there is something special about it.”

Source: standard.co.uk

President of Ghana Journalists Association has descended heavily on a two-time presidential hopeful, Hassan Ayariga, for his manhandling of a journalist who had gone to his house upon his invitation to cover a story.

The GJA President described Hassan Ayariga as a ‘footnote’ in the country’s electoral history and a shameless person with no ‘iota of civility.’

Affail Monney solidarised with the victim of the assault indicating the readiness of the GJA to push for justice for him as his ordeal is considered a disregard for the profession and rule of law.

Read: Hassan Ayariga attacked in Bawku

The victim Jerry Azanduna is a Ghana News Agency reporter based in the Upper East Region, where the incident occurred.

He was allegedly brutalised almost to the point of death for reporting an alleged assault on Hassan Ayariga barely a week ago by a Batik Tie and Dye dealer who was enraged with the Former Presidential hopeful for defecting from the Peoples National Convention to form his own party.

Media reports have it that Jerry Azanduna was picked up by some men allegedly sent by Hassan Ayariga to attend a press conference to clarify the alleged assault that happened about a week ago but was instead taken to the residence of the APC Founder who ordered his beatings in the presence of security personnel.

The timely intervention of some security personnel who got wind of the incident led to his rescue from the inhumane treatment meted out to him by alleged thugs of Hassan Ayariga.

Read: Tension brews between GJA executives; Affail Monney accused of using GJA for his agenda

“Let me extend some few words of caution to someone who has been consigned to the comical footnote of our electoral history, someone who aspires to occupy the most consequential position in our land but who without any sense of shame, any iota of civility and without any twinge of conscience organise thugs, some ferocious beats to pounce on a journalist he has called to occupy an assignment in his own home. Jerry Azanduna had a brush with death because of Hassan Ayariga’s thuggery. Our concern is predicated on a principle that once you touch one journalist you touch all of us” the GJA President bashed.

Urging immediate action from the security agencies, without favouritism or bias, Affail Money asserted, “As we speak all of us are bleeding profusely from that attack and one of the way to staunch the blood flow is for the law to take its course. No one is above the law and certainly, Hassan Ayariga is not above the law so we expect the law to deal with him surgically”

Launch of 23rd GJA Awards

Affail Monney expressed this sentiment at the launch of the 23rd Ghana Journalists Association Awards scheduled to be held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra on 27th October at 7 pm.

Read: GJA boycotts meeting with police

The event has received sponsorship from several corporate bodies and stakeholders including Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources who donated GHC50, 000. Kempinski Hotel has given out a 1, 200 seating capacity room for free and other services to the tune of $40, 000, Ashfoam also pledged a package worth GHC20, 000 for some awardees and GHC30, 000 to the organisers and Vokacom have also donated 20, 000 for the organisation of this year’s Awards ceremony.

The event is on the theme, “The state of investigative journalism; Boundaries of privacy and borders of public interest” and it is expected to be graced by President of the Republic H. E. Akufo-Addo with the Chairman of the occasion being Professor Henritta Mensah Bonsu.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President of Ghana Journalists Association has descended heavily on a two-time presidential hopeful, Hassan Ayariga, for his manhandling of a journalist who had gone to his house upon his invitation to cover a story.

The GJA President described Hassan Ayariga as a ‘footnote’ in the country’s electoral history and a shameless person with no ‘iota of civility.’

Affail Monney solidarised with the victim of the assault indicating the readiness of the GJA to push for justice for him as his ordeal is considered a disregard for the profession and rule of law.

Read: Hassan Ayariga attacked in Bawku

The victim Jerry Azanduna is a Ghana News Agency reporter based in the Upper East Region, where the incident occurred.

He was allegedly brutalised almost to the point of death for reporting an alleged assault on Hassan Ayariga barely a week ago by a Batik Tie and Dye dealer who was enraged with the Former Presidential hopeful for defecting from the Peoples National Convention to form his own party.

Media reports have it that Jerry Azanduna was picked up by some men allegedly sent by Hassan Ayariga to attend a press conference to clarify the alleged assault that happened about a week ago but was instead taken to the residence of the APC Founder who ordered his beatings in the presence of security personnel.

The timely intervention of some security personnel who got wind of the incident led to his rescue from the inhumane treatment meted out to him by alleged thugs of Hassan Ayariga.

Read: Tension brews between GJA executives; Affail Monney accused of using GJA for his agenda

“Let me extend some few words of caution to someone who has been consigned to the comical footnote of our electoral history, someone who aspires to occupy the most consequential position in our land but who without any sense of shame, any iota of civility and without any twinge of conscience organise thugs, some ferocious beats to pounce on a journalist he has called to occupy an assignment in his own home. Jerry Azanduna had a brush with death because of Hassan Ayariga’s thuggery. Our concern is predicated on a principle that once you touch one journalist you touch all of us” the GJA President bashed.

Urging immediate action from the security agencies, without favouritism or bias, Affail Money asserted, “As we speak all of us are bleeding profusely from that attack and one of the way to staunch the blood flow is for the law to take its course. No one is above the law and certainly, Hassan Ayariga is not above the law so we expect the law to deal with him surgically”

Launch of 23rd GJA Awards

Affail Monney expressed this sentiment at the launch of the 23rd Ghana Journalists Association Awards scheduled to be held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra on 27th October at 7 pm.

Read: GJA boycotts meeting with police

The event has received sponsorship from several corporate bodies and stakeholders including Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources who donated GHC50, 000. Kempinski Hotel has given out a 1, 200 seating capacity room for free and other services to the tune of $40, 000, Ashfoam also pledged a package worth GHC20, 000 for some awardees and GHC30, 000 to the organisers and Vokacom have also donated 20, 000 for the organisation of this year’s Awards ceremony.

The event is on the theme, “The state of investigative journalism; Boundaries of privacy and borders of public interest” and it is expected to be graced by President of the Republic H. E. Akufo-Addo with the Chairman of the occasion being Professor Henritta Mensah Bonsu.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has debunked media reports that he sent a delegation to ask his closest contender for the chief scribe position, Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Mr Asiedu Nketia was reported on Accra-based, rainbow radio to have sent some persons to ask Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Read: NDC race: Asiedu Nketia asking Koku to step down; sends delegation to beg him

The report said he has confessed to some individuals that he [Nketiah] told Koku Anyidoho to contest because he would no longer contest the race.

But Mr Asiedu Nketia who sounded angry over the story denied sending a delegation to Koku Anyidoho.

According to him, he has done no such thing and blamed some faceless individuals for orchestrating such reports.

Read: Aseidu Nketia suffering from political menopause Wontumi

He also revealed that Koku Anyidoho recently led a group of NDC elders to come to his official residence to apologise for claiming that he [Koku] received blessings from him [Nketiah] to contest because he was no longer interested.

He made reference to Dr Carl Mark, Mr Kofi Attoh and five others saying, “these individuals came to me and apologized”.

“How on earth would I beg Koku not to contest? I was very angry when I saw the story because I never did such a thing. I have no problem if Koku contests me. It is his right but reporting that I begged him to step down was false,” he said.

“Koku rather came to me with some NDC members to apologise for claiming that I have given him the green light to contest. I accepted the apology and asked that we move on to develop the party,” he said on Accra based Okay FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

Source: adomonline.com

General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has debunked media reports that he sent a delegation to ask his closest contender for the chief scribe position, Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Mr Asiedu Nketia was reported on Accra-based, rainbow radio to have sent some persons to ask Koku Anyidoho to step down.

Read: NDC race: Asiedu Nketia asking Koku to step down; sends delegation to beg him

The report said he has confessed to some individuals that he [Nketiah] told Koku Anyidoho to contest because he would no longer contest the race.

But Mr Asiedu Nketia who sounded angry over the story denied sending a delegation to Koku Anyidoho.

According to him, he has done no such thing and blamed some faceless individuals for orchestrating such reports.

Read: Aseidu Nketia suffering from political menopause Wontumi

He also revealed that Koku Anyidoho recently led a group of NDC elders to come to his official residence to apologise for claiming that he [Koku] received blessings from him [Nketiah] to contest because he was no longer interested.

He made reference to Dr Carl Mark, Mr Kofi Attoh and five others saying, “these individuals came to me and apologized”.

“How on earth would I beg Koku not to contest? I was very angry when I saw the story because I never did such a thing. I have no problem if Koku contests me. It is his right but reporting that I begged him to step down was false,” he said.

“Koku rather came to me with some NDC members to apologise for claiming that I have given him the green light to contest. I accepted the apology and asked that we move on to develop the party,” he said on Accra based Okay FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

Source: adomonline.com

About 100 specialized vehicles with the emblem of the Ghana Police Service have landed at the Tema Port.

About 60 cars have already been parked at the Police headquarters for onward distribution to enhance police operations.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the Toyota Corolla cars were part of the bullet-proof vehicles ordered by the former President John Mahama at the tail end of his administration on January 3, 2017 for use by the new Akufo-Addo administration.

Read: Call 191 and 18555 to combat crime Ghana Police Service

However, the new administration renegotiated the deal and obtained additional 100 vehicles without paying extra money.

The Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery during the opening of the 2nd Crime Officers Conference at the Police Headquarters in July this year, announced that the police would be allocated about 100 additional vehicles.

Over 200 vehicles and motorbikes were last year allocated to the Ghana Police Service by government to resolve their logistical problems.

He said government had provided vehicles and other logistics to the Formed Police Unit to improve its operations.

Background

The acquisition of presidential fleet sparked heated political debate during the transition in early 2017.

However, the $9.1 million deal for the procurement of 43 special vehicles with communication squadron and ambulances was renegotiated by the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, and as a result the contract sum reduced to $8.8 million.

In the end, the NPP administration took delivery of 34 vehicles instead of the original 43, and the money that was to be paid on the nine outstanding vehicles was used to purchase 100 Toyota Corolla cars for the Ghana Police Service.

Read: Policeman arrested for stealing a motorbike

Former Information Minister Mustapha Hamid, at a news conference in February, this year, said that the government was bound by the terms of the contract signed with Amalgamated Securities Limited and added that abrogating the contract may incur significant liabilities for government.

He indicated that “in doing so, government has, however, made sure to obtain maximum gain for the public and also for ensuring the security of the state.

“In place of the nine, we have acquired 100 Toyota Corolla cars for use by the Police Service in line with our commitment to retooling the Police Service to enable it play effectively, its role of protecting the Ghanaian people. We have done all this with a total amount of $8.8 million,” he underscored.

Source: dailyguideafrica.com

About 100 specialized vehicles with the emblem of the Ghana Police Service have landed at the Tema Port.

About 60 cars have already been parked at the Police headquarters for onward distribution to enhance police operations.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the Toyota Corolla cars were part of the bullet-proof vehicles ordered by the former President John Mahama at the tail end of his administration on January 3, 2017 for use by the new Akufo-Addo administration.

Read: Call 191 and 18555 to combat crime Ghana Police Service

However, the new administration renegotiated the deal and obtained additional 100 vehicles without paying extra money.

The Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery during the opening of the 2nd Crime Officers Conference at the Police Headquarters in July this year, announced that the police would be allocated about 100 additional vehicles.

Over 200 vehicles and motorbikes were last year allocated to the Ghana Police Service by government to resolve their logistical problems.

He said government had provided vehicles and other logistics to the Formed Police Unit to improve its operations.

Background

The acquisition of presidential fleet sparked heated political debate during the transition in early 2017.

However, the $9.1 million deal for the procurement of 43 special vehicles with communication squadron and ambulances was renegotiated by the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, and as a result the contract sum reduced to $8.8 million.

In the end, the NPP administration took delivery of 34 vehicles instead of the original 43, and the money that was to be paid on the nine outstanding vehicles was used to purchase 100 Toyota Corolla cars for the Ghana Police Service.

Read: Policeman arrested for stealing a motorbike

Former Information Minister Mustapha Hamid, at a news conference in February, this year, said that the government was bound by the terms of the contract signed with Amalgamated Securities Limited and added that abrogating the contract may incur significant liabilities for government.

He indicated that “in doing so, government has, however, made sure to obtain maximum gain for the public and also for ensuring the security of the state.

“In place of the nine, we have acquired 100 Toyota Corolla cars for use by the Police Service in line with our commitment to retooling the Police Service to enable it play effectively, its role of protecting the Ghanaian people. We have done all this with a total amount of $8.8 million,” he underscored.

Source: dailyguideafrica.com