A 32-year-old man has been detained by police in Agago District on suspicion of fatally stabbing a 53-year-old peasant after they got into a fight over a Shs1,000 debt.
Aldo Okello Akech, a resident of Ocoyo Lamero village, Kaket parish, Lapono Sub County, was taken into custody after Tarasisto Okwera was attacked on October 23 and left critically injured.
Okware lived in the village of Nyer Ikan South.
“The suspect repaired the Padlock of the victim for Shs2000, which he demanded from the victim. The victim gave him Shs1,000 and asked him to return for the balance of Shs1,000 later but the suspect turned violent while demanding for the full amount.”
“He then grabbed a knife from the victim, chased and stabbed him at the left side of the rib,” police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said Wednesday. According to police, several members of the community responded, arrested the suspect and took him to the LC1 Chairperson following the 2pm attack.
“They also tried to rush the victim to hospital but he unfortunately died on the way to Kalongo hospital and the body returned home. An angry mob attacked the suspect but he was rescued by the police from Lapono police post. The exhibit of a knife was recovered.”
“We strongly condemn such acts of elderly abuse and impunity within the community where perpetrators of violence, transfer their anger on innocent elderly persons. We are going to fast track this violent murder through the courts of law and ensure the suspect is punished,” Mr Enanga added.
A 60-year-old retired teacher in South Africa fell victim to a dating scam, losing 800,000 rand ($43,000; £35,000) of her pension funds, according to the police.
The woman was deceived by a man she was dating, who convinced her that a 3.8 million rand fortune was awaiting her with the assistance of “ancestors.” The man continuously requested money to secure this alleged fortune.
She ended up paying more than 800,000 rand, but the man disappeared, leaving her defrauded, as reported by the police.
This incident took place in Polokwane, the principal city in South Africa’s northern Limpopo province. Authorities noted a “rapid increase” in dating scams targeting affluent single or widowed women in the province.
Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) has introduced translated versions of the national stigma and discrimination guidelines to enhance accessibility for individuals with visual and hearing impairments.
This initiative includes Braille materials for the visually impaired and sign language resources for those with hearing impairments.
The primary objective of this effort is to ensure that people with hearing and visual impairments have access to essential information related to HIV/AIDS, as explained by Dr. Vincent Bagambe, the Director of Planning and Strategic Information at UAC. It is recognized that individuals with disabilities are particularly susceptible to HIV infections.
In 2021, the Uganda Aids Commission initiated the National Policy Guidelines on Ending Stigma and Discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS. This policy framework emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of individuals living with HIV.
Justification “We realised that although we are making good progress in the fight against HIV/Aids, the progress is not uniform, there are some people being left behind and unfortunately, people with disabilities are among the groups that are vulnerable to acquiring new HIV infections and even those living with HIV are behind in accessing care and treatment,” Dr Bagambe said.
He added: “Persons with disabilities who are living with HIV are stigmatised by community members, health workers . Some of these people even fear accessing treatment and care. So to fight all this stigma and improve access to care, we have come up with these guidelines in braille and sign language form.”
Dr Bagambe said UAC has in the past lacked funds to translate the materials.
“Translating is a costly exercise, you need special material. You must use experts to translate the content into the braille, engage the community so that when the guidelines are translated, they are actually communicating the correct message,” Dr Bagambe said.
Mr Charles Byekwaso, the acting executive director of Uganda National Association of the Blind, decried difficulties in accessing information, including on health matters..
“All the work that agencies and government do, they put it in print very well knowing that for us we don’t see so you cannot read print unless someone endeavours to read it to you, which is tiresome. So we have no independence in accessing information,” Mr Byekwaso said.
He added : “So we are very happy that Uganda Aids Commission has come up to support the production of the stigma and discrimination document into braille and we believe it will also be produced into other formats like the human narration, large print for those who partly see, audio, machine reading for you.”
President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation and a niece of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Henrietta Rushwaya, has been found guilty by a court of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold through the VIP route at the main international airport in the capital, Harare, three years ago.
According to the state-owned Herald newspaper, the court has detained her in custody until November 10, when her sentencing is scheduled.
Rushwaya had previously entered a plea of not guilty.
However, two Central Intelligence Organisation operatives, who faced charges alongside her, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, as reported by the newspaper.
Uganda’s cabinet has granted approval for a bill that would enable the state-owned oil company, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), to procure and distribute oil within the domestic market.
Pending parliamentary approval, this bill would replace the existing practice of importing oil through Kenyan distributors.
Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa on Tuesday said that the change aims to “improve the security of supply of petroleum products to the country”.
She criticised the existing arrangement with Kenya, saying that “it exposed Uganda to occasional supply vulnerabilities where Ugandan oil marketing companies were considered secondary whenever there were supply disruptions”, subsequently raising oil prices in Uganda.
Uganda, being a landlocked nation, currently relies on the import of over 90% of its fuel through Kenya’s Mombasa port, with the remainder arriving via Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port, as noted by Ms. Nankabirwa.
Furthermore, the Energy Minister revealed that Uganda has reached an agreement with the Bahrain-based energy firm, Vitol Bahrain EC. This deal entails Vitol Bahrain EC financing Uganda National Oil Company’s efforts to procure and distribute oil.
Additionally, Uganda plans to bolster its fuel reserves within Tanzania and within the country itself, including the construction of a storage facility in Mpigi, located in central Uganda.
The German president vented “shame” over Tanzania’s colonial atrocities committed by his nation.
One of the bloodiest anti-colonial uprisings occurred in the early 1900s when German forces put nearly 300,000 people to death during the Maji Maji rebellion.
Speaking in Songea, the site of the rebellion, at a museum was President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“I would like to ask for forgiveness for what Germans did to your ancestors here,” he said.
“What happened here is our shared history, the history of your ancestors, and the history of our ancestors in Germany.”
The Maji Maji rebellion was incited by a German policy aimed at coercing the native population into cultivating cotton for export. At the time, Tanzania was a part of German East Africa, encompassing present-day Rwanda, Burundi, and sections of Mozambique.
During a visit to the Tanzanian city of Songea, President Steinmeier conveyed his hope that Tanzania and Germany could collaboratively confront the historical legacy of this period. He pledged to bring these narratives back to Germany to raise awareness among his fellow countrymen.
Germany, until recently, has grappled with a form of “colonial amnesia,” as noted by Jürgen Zimmerer, a history professor at the University of Hamburg. However, it seems the visit and acknowledgment of these events by President Steinmeier signify a step toward addressing this historical amnesia.
“The brutality and the racism of this colonial empire was not understood by the German public.”
During his three-day visit, the President met the descendants of Chief Songea Mbano, one of the leaders of the Maji Maji rebellion who was executed in 1906. Chief Songea Mbano is now regarded as a national hero in Tanzania, and President Steinmeier assured the family that German authorities would make efforts to locate his remains.
Thousands of human remains were brought from German colonies, partly as “trophies” and also for racist research. Jürgen Zimmerer, a history professor, pointed out the lack of substantial funding available to identify the origins of these bones and skulls, which are dispersed in various museums and institutions. Some descendants of the victims have managed to trace their ancestors’ remains through DNA tests.
In a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam, President Steinmeier pledged Germany’s cooperation with Tanzania for the repatriation of cultural property. While Tanzania historian Mohamed Said appreciated the president’s apology, he also expressed the view that it fell short of addressing the full extent of the historical issues.
“They decided to set farms on fire so people would run out of food and be unable to fight. This is unacceptable, in today’s world they would be taken to court,” he said.
Germany formally admitted to committing genocide in Namibia during its occupation in 2021 and announced financial assistance totaling more than €1.1 billion (£940 million; $1.34 billion).
The statements from Germany’s president come after King Charles acknowledged the “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans” during their independence struggle, while on a visit to Nairobi.
However, the British monarch did not deliver a formal apology which would have to be decided by government ministers.
Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has expressed deep regret for the atrocities committed during the era of German colonial rule in Tanzania.
Mr. Steinmeier made these remarks while visiting a museum in the Tanzanian city of Songea, which serves as a memorial to the Maji Maji uprising that occurred at the beginning of the last century and was brutally quelled by German authorities.
During this brutal suppression, it is estimated that as many as 300,000 people lost their lives, primarily due to the systematic destruction of fields and villages by German troops.
The visit to the museum marked the conclusion of a three-day tour of Tanzania.
Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association in the Greater Accra Region has opted to cancel its planned sit-down strike, previously set for November 1 to 3, 2023.
This decision follows actions taken by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to address the association’s concerns regarding the Electronic Value Added Tax (E-VAT) and its compliance exercise.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Accra on November 1, with Takyi Addo, Head of Communications, speaking to the media.
Below is the full statement:
Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association Calls Off Sit-Down Protest Against GRA’s Compliance and Manual-Policing Exercise
For Immediate Release: November 1, 2023
The leadership of the Abbosey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association wishes to inform the public about the cancellation of our sit-down strike against the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) compliance and monitoring exercise.
The issues that led to our planned demonstration and temporary closure of shops were related to the GRA’s implementation of the Electronic Value Added Tax (E-VAT), which our association perceived as intimidating and lacking in respect.
In light of the concerns raised, the GRA has taken steps to withdraw its personnel from our members’ shops.
Our members have always been law-abiding citizens of Ghana, living in peace and providing services to our fellow citizens.
We, therefore, found it perplexing that the GRA would implement a policy without consulting our association.
It is important to clarify that we do not oppose the E-VAT policy itself but rather the manner in which it was being enforced.
We were baffled by the daily presence of GRA officers monitoring our activities, which seemed to be excessive in the name of revenue generation for the government.
Today, we are pleased to announce that the closure of our shops, which was intended to send a message to the government and the GRA, has been suspended indefinitely.
This decision follows engagements with the GRA and the Customs division, resulting in an agreement to withdraw officers from our shops. Furthermore, the Customs officers stationed along the Accra-Kumasi highway will also be recalled to their respective stations.
We take this opportunity to commend the government for heeding the concerns of our association, and we would like to express our gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support during our protest against the policy.
May God continue to bless our beloved motherland, Ghana.
Actor, farmer, and politician John Dumelo made a presentation to the winners of the 2023 National Maths and Science Quiz competition hours after carrying out a widely publicized vow he made to walk backward.
On November 1, Dumelo announced this on his X handle and thanked God and everyone who came to support him in keeping his pledge to walk barefoot back to the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School grounds.
He added that he had given the competition winners and the headmaster of the school eight crates of eggs.
“Yesterday, I walked the talk. I walked backwards from Ayawaso West to Presec. I also presented 8 crates of fresh eggs from my farm to the Headmaster and the NSMQ winners. Want to thank everyone who made this possible. God bless us all,” his post said.
The walk’s initial location was adjusted to Legon Mall, near the University of Ghana (UG), and it commenced at approximately 4:50 p.m.
Donned in a black T-shirt and shorts adorned with the Ghanaian flag, John Dumelo walked along the Legon-Madina road, accompanied by two vehicles and members of the media.
Remarkably, he successfully completed the walk in a mere 25 minutes and 40 seconds. John Dumelo raised questions about PRESEC’s future participation, as Achimota SHS was preparing to challenge them.
His dedication received accolades from social media users, and his political supporters saw it as a testament to his competence in public office.
Yesterday I walked the talk. I walked backwards from Ayawaso West to Presec. I also presented 8 crates of fresh eggs from my farm to the Headmaster and the NSMQ winners. Want to thank everyone who made this possible. God bless us all. #walkthetalk#manofhiswords#johndumelopic.twitter.com/TldnVqOyWB
Political Marketing Strategist, Prof. Kobby Mensah, has remarked that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lacks strong candidates for the upcoming 2024 election.
This assessment stems from the underperformance of two out of four candidates during their respective roles in the current government.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Prof. Mensah pointed out that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who are vying to represent the NPP in the 2024 general election, have tarnished their political images due to their subpar performance in their previous positions.
Known for his astute political analysis, Prof. Mensah expressed skepticism about the leadership capabilities of these two contenders and suggested that the party was, “for the first time, presenting very weak candidates.”
The situation of economic management under the NPP, with Dr. Bawumia leading the Economic Management Team, was one of Prof. Mensah’s main concerns.
“Economic management has been in shambles, and I’m surprised that they are trying to tout Dr. Bawumia’s credentials.”
The Political Strategist further criticised Dr. Bawumia for his deafening silence on economic matters since the country’s financial crisis began, noting, “I have never heard him [Dr. Bawumia] speak about the economy since the economy started plummeting.”
“Let us be frank, whenever they have spoken, they’ve attributed our economic woes to Ukraine and Covid-19 but everybody knows that they have mismanaged the economy,” he told host Evans Mensah on Wednesday.
Shifting his focus to Dr. Afriyie Akoto, Prof. Mensah raised concerns about the performance of the Food and Agriculture Ministry under his leadership. He specifically pointed to the “Planting for Food and Jobs” program, describing it as being in a state of disarray. Prof. Mensah criticized the strategies implemented during the minister’s tenure, characterizing them as reactive and insufficient in producing meaningful results.
However, during the show, Sammy Awuku, a former National Organiser of the ruling NPP, strongly disagreed with Prof. Mensah’s characterization of the party’s presidential aspirants. He argued that the NDC had even less promising presidential candidates during their primaries, and yet Prof. Mensah did not make similar statements about them.
In response, Mr. Awuku highlighted the qualifications held by the two NPP contenders and expressed his belief that they would perform effectively if given the opportunity.
The ruling party is gearing up to select its flagbearer this weekend, with delegates tasked with deciding whether Vice President Dr. Afriyie Akoto, Kennedy Agyapong, and Francis Addai-Nimoh will be included on the party’s ticket for the 2024 elections.
State Prosecutors have lodged new charges at the High Court against Patience Botwe, the former housemaid of ex-Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
Botwe, aged 18, along with seven others, faces charges related to the alleged theft of significant sums of money, including $1 million, 300,000 euros, and various other properties.
Since July 6 of this year, they have been under investigation and appeared before the Circuit Court. During a court session on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, a police prosecutor, along with Superintendent Sylvester Asare and Akosua Agyepomaa Agyemang, a Senior State Attorney, informed the Court that a fresh charge sheet had been submitted to the High Court.
ASP Nyamekye explained that the Registrar of the High Court had yet to schedule a hearing date, which was necessary for the Prosecution to inform the Circuit Court of the upcoming withdrawal.
ASP Nyamekye clarified that, with this recent development, the charge sheet pending in the Circuit Court would be withdrawn once a hearing date at the High Court is assigned.
“The State Attorney informed me that they have filed an enehanced Charged Sheeet at the High Court yesterday waiting for a date to be issued,” DSP Nyamekye told the Court.
According to him, if a date is assigned, the Prosecution “will come and seek the leave of the Court and withdraw the case from here (Circuit Court) and continue at High Court.”
As a result, the case has been adjourned until November 8, 2023, to allow the Prosecution to withdraw the application from the Circuit Court.
Murtala Inusah, the Legal Affairs Correspondent for EIB Network, reported that the fresh Charge Sheet was submitted to the High Court on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
All the accused individuals were present in court, with the exception of the eighth accused, who remains at large.
Patience Botwe, an 18-year-old hairdresser, along with Sarah Agyei, aged 30 and unemployed, Benjamin Sowah, aged 29 and a plumber, Malik Dauda, aged 34 and unemployed, Christiana Achab, a trader, Job Pomary, a mechanic, and Yahaya Sumaila, an Excavator operator, face provisional charges consisting of 14 counts of offenses.
The eighth accused person, facing similar charges, is currently evading capture.
Their pleas on the 14 provisional counts, which include one count of conspiracy, five counts of conspiracy, and eight counts of dishonestly receiving, have not yet been recorded.
More than four hundred prepaid meters have been reported stolen within the Anyaa West electoral area located in the Greater Accra Region.
Michael Acquah, the Assembly Member representing the Anyaa West electoral area, disclosed to Rainbow Accra the alarming increase in theft activities that have afflicted the community in recent weeks.
He expressed frustration over the situation, explaining that despite having reported the incidents to both the Electricity Company of Ghana and the local police, no substantial action has been taken to address this unfortunate issue, which continues to persist.
“This started gradually, like four months ago, but now the situation has gotten out of hand. They have been stealing the metres in the area, and sometimes you are in your room at night and the light will go off, and when you go out and check, you will see that your metre is gone.”
He added that “we suspect that ECG has something to do with this because once the metre has been registered in a particular area, they should be able to see if it is running in other areas because we have reported the situation to them and they know what is happening, but we haven’t heard anything from them.”
He added that because their roads are poor, the police have refused to assist them, so the young people in the community have formed a committee to help control the situation.
“Nobody has been arrested yet, even though we have reported the issue to the police. So we have formed our own committees to deal with the issue because the police told us that our roads are bad and, as such, their cars can’t operate on them.”
A prospective candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, Kennedy Agyapong, has announced his intention to step down from his position as the chairman of Ghana Gas’s board if he does not secure the NPP leadership during the primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.
During an interview on Oyerepa TV on November 1, 2023, Agyapong expressed his desire to address misconceptions surrounding his role and compensation as the chairman of the Ghana Gas board. He emphasized that there have been widespread allegations of financial benefits associated with his position, which he vehemently denied.
Agyapong clarified that he receives a payment of GH¢2,600 for each board meeting he attends, noting that these meetings take place at irregular intervals, with sometimes several months elapsing between them.
“Sometimes three months we haven’t even gone for a meeting. Funny enough, I didn’t even know how much I take, so when those conversations started, I went to ask the secretary, and I was told I take GH¢2,600,” he said.
Agyapong further disclosed that he had discussed his resignation with a few board members, one of whom being Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, the Minister of Energy.
He claims, though, that some members have been hesitant to allow him to resign from his role because of his beneficial contributions to the group.
“I have told the board members, several times that I just want to resign. Even last week I was discussing it with NAPO, the minister, that I wanted to resign and go, but the board was even begging me not to leave. NAPO was advising me that I shouldn’t leave.
“Go and sample opinions from the workers from Ghana Gas, changes that I have brought, investments that they have made. I have that leadership quality you can’t take it from me,” he added.
He continued “If lose, I will stop, whoever will talk I won’t listen, I will leave, they have created the impression that there is money they to be looted.”
Kennedy is one of three candidates vying for the flagbearership position: Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
November 4, 2023 is the date set by the NPP to elect President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s replacement as the party’s leader.
Fitch, the ratings agency, has raised Ghana’s long-term local currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from Restrictive Default (RD) to CCC.
This upgrade comes in the wake of the successful implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
Fitch emphasized that Ghana has reestablished normal relations with a significant majority of its local currency creditors, with a participation rate of 92% on local-currency government bonds (similar participation rates apply to Cocobills and locally issued foreign-currency bonds) as a consequence of a series of domestic debt exchanges.
Furthermore, Fitch maintained Ghana’s long-term foreign IDR at Restrictive Default and the country ceiling at B-.
In a report filed by Asaaseradio.com, it said the rating agency “has assigned ‘CCC’ ratings to two interest-only bonds issued on completion of pension funds holdings of the domestic debt exchange.”
“Fitch has also assigned ‘CCC’ ratings to four domestic US dollar-denominated bonds issued on 4 September 2023,” it added.
Sizeable debt service reduction
According to Fitch, in 2023, the local-currency debt exchanges will result in a ¥52 billion reduction in debt service.
The International Monetary Fund estimates that in 2022, debt service will account for 117% of total revenue.
“Of this total debt service reduction, we estimate the interest payment reduction in 2023 amounts to 1.8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or 12% of revenue and grants,” Fitch added.
Gambia’s High Court has handed down a 12-year prison sentence to a soldier who was deemed to be the leader of a thwarted coup against President Adama Barrow’s administration in December 2022.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, following the trial of eight soldiers who faced charges of treason and conspiracy in January for their roles in the coup attempt, which unfolded in Gambia, a West African nation of 2.5 million people almost entirely enclosed by Senegal.
Two civilians and a police officer were also accused of concealing treason and conspiring to commit a felony. During the course of the trial, seven individuals, including the two civilians and the police officer, were acquitted and released.
Sanna Fadera, the soldier implicated as the mastermind of the coup, was found guilty of treason by the court. Meanwhile, three other accused soldiers were acquitted of all charges.
Coup attempts have been relatively frequent in Gambia, a nation still grappling with the legacy of over two decades under the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Yahya Jammeh took power in 1994 and thwarted numerous coup attempts before losing an election to Adama Barrow in late 2016. Fadera, who has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, has a 30-day window to appeal the verdict.
Since 2020, West Africa has experienced an increase in coup attempts, with military takeovers occurring in countries such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
Meta has made announcements on Monday, of its plans to introduce subscription options for an advertisement-free experience on Facebook and Instagram, marking the first time such offerings will be made available to users in Europe.
This development underscores the influence of regulatory pressures on major tech companies, compelling them to adapt their core products.
Starting next month, users can opt for monthly subscription plans priced at 9.99 euros ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have the option to subscribe for 12.99 euros per month.
The European Union’s regulations present challenges to Meta’s capacity to personalize ads for users without their explicit consent, potentially impacting a significant revenue source for the company.
As the most widely used social media network globally, Meta has been under increased antitrust scrutiny within the EU. In July, it suffered a setback in its battle against a German data restriction order, as Europe’s top court upheld the German antitrust watchdog’s authority to investigate privacy violations.
By offering users a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and a paid ad-free subscription, Meta aims to encourage users to opt for the former. This strategy enables Meta to comply with regulations without significantly affecting its advertising business.
Earlier this year, Meta faced a 390 million euro fine from Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner and was instructed not to rely on the so-called “contract” as a legal basis for delivering targeted ads based on users’ online activities. Subsequently, the company expressed its intention to seek user consent in the EU before enabling businesses to target ads, in response to evolving regulatory requirements in the region.
The significance of wise financial planning and astute saving techniques increases in an unstable economic environment.
First National Bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Akweley Laryea, claims that high inflation causes money’s value to fluctuate like sand under our feet, which has an impact on interest rates and living expenses.
“Despite this, it’s encouraging to see many individuals and families continuing to explore ways to save”, says Akweley.
The significance of wise financial planning and astute saving techniques increases in an unstable economic environment. First National Bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Akweley Laryea, claims that high inflation causes money’s value to fluctuate like sand under our feet, which has an impact on interest rates and living expenses.
“During high inflation and market volatility, people who keep their savings will not lose value unless they decide to withdraw the cash. Interest on savings may be lower compared to the inflation rate, but the value of their savings is steady and does not lose any value.”
Saving money isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. The right approach to saving depends on your unique circumstances and goals. That’s why it’s essential to consider a variety of options to meet your individual or family’s financial needs.
One option is a savings account, which provides flexibility and easy access to your money when you need it. While savings accounts typically offer lower interest rates than fixed-term accounts, they serve as a valuable tool for building an emergency fund.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for higher guaranteed returns on your investment and can forgo immediate access to your funds, a fixed-term investment like fixed deposits may be the ideal choice. Fixed deposits lock your money in for a specific period, usually ranging from 1 to 60 months, depending on your preferences. At maturity, you’ll receive your principal along with the accrued interest.
For those seeking a middle ground between fixed-term and flexible savings accounts, a flexible fixed investment account, such as the First National Bank Flexi-Fixed Investment Account, offers an attractive compromise. This account allows you to earn substantial returns on your fixed-term investment while retaining access to your funds in case of emergencies.
It permits withdrawals up to a certain limit and even enables you to top up your fixed investment using the bank’s digital channels.
Suppose you prefer gradual growth and higher interest rates as your savings increase. In that case, a Notice Deposit investment may be the right choice for you. The First National Bank 32-day Interest Plus account is designed to help your money grow over time.
The longer your funds stay with the bank, the higher the interest rate becomes after 32 days and further increases after 64 days. Adding more funds to your account rewards you with higher interest rates, speeding up the growth of your savings. When you’re ready to withdraw your funds, simply notify the bank.
These diverse savings options ensure that you can select the solution that aligns best with your financial goals and unique circumstances.
“You don’t need to halt or pause saving or investing because of a temporary economic difficulty. Saving during higher interest rate periods increases the income you earn over this time. The earlier you begin saving, the more you give yourself a better chance to grow your savings and be better off over the long term” concludes Akweley.
Senegal’s Ministry of the Interior has declined the request of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (Cena) to reinstate opposition politician Ousmane Sonko on the electoral roll and provide essential candidacy documents for the 2024 presidential election.
In a response to Cena’s letter, the Directorate General of Elections (DGE) stated that it lacks the jurisdiction to act on the electoral roll but did not specify who holds that authority.
Cena had previously written to DGE, urging that Mr. Sonko should be reinstated on the electoral roll with all the rights associated with voter registration.
Mr. Sonko’s removal from the electoral roll prevented him from participating in the presidential election, with the government citing his conviction in absentia on a vice-related case in June as grounds for his removal. However, Mr. Sonko has claimed that these cases are part of a plot to exclude him from the presidential race.
A judge in Ziguinchor ordered on October 12 that Mr. Sonko, a prominent political figure in Senegal, should be reinstated on the lists.
However, the Ministry of the Interior has thus far refused to provide him with the official forms required for collecting sponsorships, an essential step in the candidacy process.
The Cena has urged DGE to take the necessary measures to ensure the prompt provision of sponsorship forms to Mr. Ousmane Sonko’s representative.
In its response, DGE maintained that the forms were not provided to Mr. Sonko’s representatives because he was not on the lists, a position affirmed by the Supreme Court on October 6.
While the Cena oversees and supervises the electoral process from registration to provisional result proclamation, the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for organizing elections.
However, a Cena spokesperson acknowledged that the commission lacks the authority to compel the interior ministry.
On Tuesday, Mr. Sonko’s legal team challenged the refusal to provide sponsorship forms in the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS). The regional court has given itself until November 6 to resolve any disputes related to this case.
Data released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has it that the cost of a kilogramme (kg) of loose local rice increased by 60.5 percent year over year (YoY) from N471.42 in September 2022 to N757.06 in September 2023.
This was revealed by the Bureau in its September 2023 “Selected Food Price Watch” report, which also noted that during the review period, the prices of beans and yams increased YoY by 28% and 45%, respectively.
The Bureau stated: “The average price of 1kg of rice local sold loose increased by 60.59 percent on a YoY basis from N471.42 in September 2022 to N757.06 in September 2023.
“The average price of 1kg of beans brown (sold loose) rose by 28.76 percent on a YoY basis from N556.81 in September 2022 to N716.97 in September 2023.
“The average price of 1kg of Yam tuber rose by 45.11 percent on a YoY basis from N409.23 in September 2022 to N593.83 in September 2023.
“The average price of 1kg of beef boneless stood at N2,816.91. This indicates 28.08 percent rise in price on a YoY basis from N2,199.37 rec-orded in September 2022.”
Meanwhile in its ‘Transport Fare Watch’ report for September 2023 the NBS said that the average fare paid by commuters for bus, air, okada and waterways transport journeys increased during the period.
“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 0.11 percent from N1,336.38 in August to N1,337.80 in September 2023.
“On a year-on-year basis, it rose by 117.29 percent from N615.69 in September 2022.
“In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey was N79,013.48 in September 2023, showing no significant differences in the fare paid in the previous month.
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 8.70 percent from N72,690.54 in September 2022.
“The average transport fare paid on Okada transportation was N646.29 in September 2023 which was 0.03 percent increase when compared with the value recorded in August 2023 (N646.12).
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 48.66 percent when compared with September 2022 (N434.73).
“For water transport (waterway passenger transportation), the average fare paid in September 2023 in-creased to N1,406.84 from N1,406.74 which indicates an increase of 0.01 percent on monthly basis.
“On a year-on-year basis, it increased by 43.53 percent from N980.20 in September 2022.”
“On state profile analysis, for intercity bus travel (state route charged per person fare), the highest fare was recorded in Abuja with N8,525.42, followed by Anambra with N8,055.00.
“The least fare was record-ed in Kwara with N3,520.16, followed by Zamfara with N3,750.13.
“Similarly, Delta recorded the highest air transport charges (for specified routes single journeys) with N87,000.90, followed by Enugu with N85,000.00.
“Conversely, Abia recorded the least fare with N70,000.10, followed by Niger with N73,000.00. “Also, Lagos state had the highest motorcycle transport fare in September 2023 with N900.17, followed by Taraba with N850.74.”
The US has announced the reinstatement of Mauritania’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) program following a review of its eligibility status. This reinstatement will take effect in January of the next year.
The decision comes after Mauritania made significant strides in improving worker rights and eliminating forced labor, according to the US trade office. In 2019, the Agoa trade benefits were suspended due to concerns about labor rights violations in the country.
This development follows the recent decision by US President Joe Biden to terminate Agoa benefits for Gabon, Niger, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Gabon and Niger lost their Agoa eligibility due to recent coups, while Uganda and CAR saw their benefits terminated because of human rights violations. Previously, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea were also expelled from Agoa after military takeovers in their respective countries.
Mauritania’s economy heavily relies on extractive industries, particularly oil and minerals, which constitute more than three-quarters of its exports. Fisheries, animal husbandry, and agriculture also contribute significantly to the country’s government revenues.
The Agoa program, introduced in 2000, grants eligible sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to the US for over 1,800 products, promoting trade between the US and Africa.
Zimbabwe’s lack of clean water has forced the country to fight for months to stop the deadly cholera from spreading through its towns and cities.
“If the water comes at all it’s often dirty,” Regai Chibanda, a 46-year-old father of five from the sprawling township of Chitungwiza, told me.
Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, has been spreading rapidly in Zimbabwe due to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. This disease has had devastating consequences for the nation, particularly during the 2008-2009 outbreak when over 4,000 people lost their lives amidst the turmoil of a political and economic crisis marked by hyperinflation that reached an astonishing 80 billion percent. This crisis eventually led to the establishment of a historic power-sharing government, which took measures to combat the epidemic.
Today, Zimbabwe is grappling with a resurgence of inflation, and cholera has re-emerged in all ten provinces of the country, primarily affecting children who are often left unsupervised in sweltering conditions as their parents seek work.
The outbreak initially began in February, and as of the end of October, official reports from the Health and Childcare Department indicate nearly 6,000 cases and around 123 suspected deaths.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who secured a controversial re-election in August for his second term, has vowed to implement a nationwide program to drill boreholes.
This program will be complemented by the installation of solar-powered water points, primarily aimed at serving approximately 35,000 villages lacking access to clean drinking water.
In Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, residents endure prolonged periods without consistent water supply from the Harare City Council.
In Chitungwiza, a satellite township of Harare, more than 50 cholera-related deaths were reported by the end of October. Chitungwiza, despite its size and population, grapples with inadequate infrastructure for water supply and urban planning, as it continues to accommodate a growing population that seeks employment, leading to rural-to-urban migration.
“In Chitungwiza things are not good as far as water is concerned. There have been many people affected by cholera and every year it’s the same,” said Mr Chibanda, who commutes by car daily to central Harare for his job as a printer. He said he had heard of several deaths in his neighbourhood.
“Our water supply is not good, residents are resorting to buying mineral water from the supermarkets to save their lives but of course it’s hitting their pockets.”
The situation is the same in Mutare, the capital of Manicaland’s eastern highlands: more cholera cases and a city that struggles to provide its citizens with clean water, the most basic necessity.
There are a lot of cholera information alerts on social media, but for most people, the situation was best described by a comment posted earlier this month on the health ministry’s Facebook page by a resident of the southern city of Bulawayo: “How can we wash our hands? We don’t have running water in Bulawayo – for almost two weeks now.”
A Ugandan court has ordered a US couple, Nicholas and Mackenzie Spencer, to pay approximately $26,000 (£20,700) in compensation to their foster child after convicting them of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment.
This compensation resulted from a plea deal that led to the court dropping more severe charges of aggravated trafficking and torture.
If convicted on these charges, the couple could have faced life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The Spencers were arrested last year and charged with torturing a 10-year-old boy over a two-year period. The charges stemmed from a police report filed by the child’s nanny, alleging that the couple repeatedly subjected the child to inhumane treatment.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the couple pleaded guilty to the charges of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment, working without permits, and staying in Uganda unlawfully. As a result, they were fined 4.86 million Ugandan shillings ($1,285).
However, this ruling has sparked outrage among some child rights activists who view it as “a mockery of justice.” Proscovia Najjumba, an activist, questioned how the court allowed the couple to avoid more severe consequences, given that they admitted to “mistreating a child.”
Court documents revealed that the couple subjected the child to cold food, had him sleep on a bare wooden platform without bedding, and forced him into an “awkward position.”
Mali’s Tuareg rebels have seized a UN base in Kidal, northern Mali, after UN peacekeepers hastily left the area.
The UN mission, Minusma, ended its presence in Kidal due to two explosive attacks on its peacekeepers’ convoy en route to Gao, another significant northern town.
The Tuareg coalition claimed victory on social media, asserting control of the Kidal base. Local sources reported that the rebels occupied the camp immediately after the UN mission’s departure.
This marks the third and final camp evacuated by the mission in the troubled Kidal region, plagued by jihadist and separatist violence.
Despite previous ceasefire agreements with authorities, separatist groups have recently resumed hostilities, opposing the handover of their camps to the Malian army.
Mali’s military government has also called for the UN force to leave the country by year-end, citing the mission’s failure in combating Islamist militants over the past decade.
King Charles III of the United Kingdom has articulated his intention to utilize his country’s colonial history in Kenya as a source of valuable lessons that could enhance bilateral ties.
This move underscores how the historical context has played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two nations.
During a speech at a state banquet held in Nairobi in his and Queen Camilla’s honor, the British monarch refrained from issuing the apology demanded by activists and relatives of those who suffered injuries or fatalities during the colonial era.
Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of that historical period in guiding the future relationship between Kenya and the United Kingdom, expressing regret for some of the harsh incidents involving colonial governors.
While contemporary Kenya-UK relations largely revolve around trade, investments, and security cooperation, King Charles acknowledged that learning from past mistakes can serve as a means to prevent future errors in forging “a partnership of equals.”
“The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret. There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged…a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty – and for that, there can be no excuse.
“In coming back to Kenya, it matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding of these wrongs, and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously affected.”
King Charles III, accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, is currently on a state visit to Kenya. In the lead-up to the trip, he faced mounting pressure to issue an apology for the pre-independence actions of the British colonial government in suppressing Kenyan freedom fighters, which included instances of torture and killings. Additionally, there was pressure for him to acknowledge and commit to delivering justice to victims of misconduct by British soldiers still stationed in Kenya as part of a bilateral agreement.
For instance, the Kenya Human Rights Commission had released an open letter on October 29, urging the King to “acknowledge its historical responsibilities and collaborate with Kenya” in addressing the calls for justice.
However, during a dinner on Tuesday evening, King Charles adhered to London’s established position: expressing regret but not offering an apology.
His host President William Ruto said the monarch had demonstrated “exemplary courage” even though he said a lot remains to be done to atone for the brutal era “in order to achieve full reparations.”
Ruto said Kenya and the UK should not deny their checkered history but should not also be enslaved by it.
“Neither can we go far into the future if we turn our backs on historical actions and omissions whose legacies encumber our present,” Ruto said.
“I am optimistic that through the Kenya-UK partnership, we shall keep up our endeavour to inspire the change we hope for by making people and their well-being the fundamental consideration in our pursuit of trade and investment, defence and security, conservation and climate action, research, development and innovation as well as our work of designing a future that works for present generations and distant posterity.”
Previously, in 2013, Britain expressed regret and provided approximately $24.3 million in compensation to a group of Mau Mau veterans who had endured brutality during the colonial Emergency period from 1952 to 1960.
During his visit to Nairobi, King Charles emphasized that no amount of regret could alter the past. He stated, “But by addressing our history with honesty and openness, we can perhaps demonstrate the strength of our friendship today. And, in doing so, I hope we can continue to forge an ever-closer bond for the years to come.”
Both parties have expressed their desire to move beyond historical dependencies and explore opportunities that benefit both sides.
The monarch described the relationship as a “modern partnership of equals, confronting today’s challenges and exploring the many opportunities that we can jointly seize.” These challenges encompass issues like climate change and security.
He also mentioned specific examples of cooperation, such as using the King’s Cross regeneration as a model for the development of Nairobi Railway City or learning from Kenya’s successful implementation of the Blue Economy for the benefit of local communities. King Charles expressed gratitude to those involved in the ongoing efforts to realize their shared aspirations.
Earlier, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Uhuru Gardens, where Kenya’s new museum of history was inaugurated. They had the opportunity to view statues of freedom fighters Dedan Kimathi and Mekatilili wa Menza.
On Wednesday, they are scheduled to tour Karura Forest, an emblem of the environmental activism led by Kenya’s late hero, Wangari Maathai, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Sudan’s army leader, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has conducted visits to two strategic bases in the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city, Omdurman.
These visits come in the wake of recent losses on the battlefield to rivals from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the past week.
The state-run Sudan TV aired Gen Burhan’s inspection of troops at the Wadi Saidna and Karari bases on Tuesday.
While the RSF claimed to have seized three army headquarters in Darfur, witnessed hundreds of soldiers defecting to their group (including in Khartoum), and captured the airport in West Kordofan since October 26, Gen Burhan downplayed these assertions.
He accused the RSF of launching attacks despite ongoing peace talks in Saudi Arabia, asserting that the military remained resolute in their determination to continue the fight.
However, Gen Burhan also emphasized the army’s commitment to negotiations in Jeddah aimed at ending the war that began in mid-April.
The army had previously explained its withdrawal from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, was due to a shortage of supplies. Mediation efforts are being led by Saudi Arabia, the United States, the African Union (AU), and the trade bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad).
In divorce cases, it is often advisable for couples to reach a settlement rather than leaving the division of their assets in the hands of a judge.
According to Forbes.com, a divorce settlement agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the divorce. While various terms are used to refer to such agreements, they generally cover similar aspects.
These references include Marital settlement agreements, Mediated agreements, Separation agreements, Property agreements, and more. The emphasis is not on the specific names but on the content of the agreement.
Frequently, during divorce settlements, wives may seek substantial sums in settlement offers and other assets from their spouses.
Notably, the individuals most significantly impacted during divorce settlements tend to be wealthy men and women. Many women have become millionaires as a result of their gains from divorce settlements.
This article arises in the context of a recent divorcesettlement involving Ghanaian football player Asamoah Gyan and his wife. The court’s ruling determined that Gyan is required to provide his wife with a monthly child support payment of GH¢25,000.
While this amount is substantial, others have been obliged to pay even larger sums to their former spouses as part of divorce settlements.
Here is a look at some of the most expensive divorce settlements in the world so far.
1. Bill Gates’ divorce in 2021 from Melinda Gates is the most expensive divorce with Melinda getting $76 billion.
2. Jeff Bezos’s divorce in 2019 from MacKenzie Bezos; is the second most expensive divorce with MacKenzie Bezos getting $38 billion ($43.5 billion inflation adjusted).
3. Alec Wildenstein’s divorce in 1999 from Jocelyn Wildenstein; $3.8 billion ($6.7 billion inflation adjusted).
4. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s $2.7 billion divorce,[4] plus $200,000 per month child support paid by West.
5. Rupert Murdoch’s divorce in 1999 from Anna; estimated at $1.7 billion ($3 billion inflation adjusted).
The Bank of Ghana’s Interbank forex rates as of November 1, 2023, has it that the Ghana Cedi is currently trading against the US Dollar at a buying price of 11.4906 and a selling price of 11.5020.
At a Forex bureau situated in Accra, the US Dollar is being bought at a rate of 11.95 and sold at 12.20.
In the case of the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 13.9323 and a selling price of 13.9474.
At a Forex Bureau located in Accra, the Pound Sterling is being purchased at a rate of 14.30 and sold at 14.80.
For the Euro, the Cedi is currently trading at a buying price of 12.1383 and a selling price of 12.1493.
At a Forex Bureau in Accra, the Euro can be acquired at a rate of 12.50 and sold at a rate of 12.90.
The South African Rand, on the other hand, is trading at a buying price of 0.6129 and a selling price of 0.6135.
At a forex bureau based in Accra, the South African Rand can be bought at a rate of 0.35 and sold at a rate of 0.95.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 70.4575 and a selling price of 70.5009.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the Nigerian Naira is obtainable at a rate of 8.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi when buying and sold at a rate of 14.50.
Finally, for the CFA, it is trading at a buying price of 53.9913 and a selling price of 54.0403.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the CFA can be acquired at a rate of 17.00 CFA for every 1 Cedi when buying and sold at a rate of 19.50 CFA for every 1 Cedi.
Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
Note that these rates may be different at a forex bureau near you. Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
A junior navy officer, who was identified by Gambia’s government as the mastermind behind a thwarted coup plot in December the previous year, has been convicted of treason and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
On Tuesday, a high court determined that Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera had conspired and made unlawful attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Adama Barrow.
Fadera and seven other soldiers had been charged with treason, conspiracy, and inciting mutiny for their alleged involvement in the 2022 coup attempt.
However, the court acquitted three other military officers on Tuesday. One soldier involved in the coup attempt remains on the run and is considered a fugitive.
Additionally, the court exonerated a police officer and two civilians who had faced charges of concealing treason and conspiring to commit a felony.
Before President Barrow’s ascension to power, The Gambia had been under the rule of Yahya Jammeh for two decades.
Jammeh had seized power in a coup in 1994 and successfully thwarted multiple coup attempts against his regime before losing the 2016 election.
An NGO has issued a concerning warning regarding the escalating cases of severe malnutrition among children under the age of five in northeastern Nigeria.
According to FHI 360, an alarming total of 15,781 malnourished children required treatment at its facilities between February and September.
This figure represents a staggering increase of almost 160% compared to the previous year.
“The situation in north-east Nigeria is grave, and increased support is needed to address the critical health and nutritional needs of communities, especially women and children,” the organisation added.
Unicef, the United Nations children’s organization, has previously reported that Nigeria holds the unfortunate distinction of having the second-highest global rate of child stunting. This condition, often caused by extensive malnutrition, is particularly prevalent in the northern region of the country.
Unicef’s estimates indicate that approximately two million children in Nigeria are affected by malnutrition. However, only a mere 20% of these children receive the necessary treatment.
Furthermore, according to Unicef data, malnutrition plays a significant role in contributing to 45% of child deaths in Nigeria among those aged under five years.
Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has stated that during the last four months, the power distribution company has fulfilled its commitment to pay off all outstanding debts owed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He emphasized that ECG has paid its debts on time every time.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr Mahama said, “we work with something called the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) in distributing the resources under the collections that we make in a month. The new cash waterfall provides for tier one and tier two. So tier one is the IPPs, and I must say for four months now, the ECG has been paying the IPPs and ECG hasn’t failed, it has been constant with the IPPs, and you can check with all of them.”
The Cash Waterfall Mechanism plays a crucial role in distributing the monthly interest and principal cash flows among the involved parties in a transaction.
It’s worth noting that the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), who had previously threatened to interrupt power supply from the national grid, have now received a second payment for current outstanding bills dating back to June 2023, directly from the power distribution company, ECG.
These IPPs, including Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy, and CENIT, assert that the government owes them approximately US$2 billion in unpaid payments.
These Independent Power Producers play a pivotal role in electricity generation for distribution, holding a controlling share of roughly 47 percent in the country’s overall power generation mix.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently issued a warning to his son, Seyi, regarding his unauthorized attendance at weekly cabinet meetings.
The president conveyed this message during the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which took place on October 30, 2023.
President Tinubu expressed his concern, stating, “Last week, I noticed the undue access of people sneaking in and out of this council, including I saw the photograph of my son, Seyi,” whom he noted was sitting alongside an official whose name he mentioned.
He emphasized that such actions were not acceptable, and he clarified the specific individuals permitted to participate in FEC meetings, even if they are not members of the cabinet.
Seyi Tinubu had played a significant role in his father’s political campaign and had recently stirred controversy for traveling on a presidential jet with armed guards to attend a polo game in northern Kano State.
Vice president at IMANI Africa, has lent his support to the call made by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu regarding the need for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to provide an explanation for its inaction in the ‘NLA/TekStart Africa Limited Procurement Malpractice and Abuse of Public Office for Private Profit’ investigation.
In a post shared on X on October 31, 2023, Simons asserted that the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, should publicly inform the people of Ghana about the progress of the investigation concerning the lotteries scandal, which Amidu had indicated was nearing completion prior to his departure from the office.
The IMANI vice president further noted that he had actively participated in an inquiry into the scandal and expressed his view that the corruption within it ranks as one of the most severe instances he has ever encountered.
“I agree with Ghana’s former Special Prosecutor: the current Special Prosecutor must update us on the status of the scandalous National Lotteries Authority’s Nexgo project.
“I personally helped Joy FM to investigate Nexgo, one of the most brazen corruption cases I’ve ever seen,” he wrote.
What Martin Amidu said about the NLA scandal:
Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has raised questions about why his successor, Kissi Agyebeng, has not finalized the investigation into the ‘NLA/TekStart Africa Limited Procurement Malpractice and Abuse of Public Office for Private Profit,’ which he had initiated.
Amidu stated that this investigation, which involves allegations against the CEO of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and other authority officials, was almost complete before he left his position. However, Agyebeng has not taken any action on it, and it has not been included in the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s semi-annual report.
In a statement reported by GhanaWeb, Amidu mentioned that all the witnesses and suspects associated with the scandal, where certain government officials at the NLA, including a CEO, are accused of using their positions for private gain in a deal exceeding US$25 million, had already been interrogated.
“Kissi Agyebeng needs to explain the reasons for consistently not listing as part of his half yearly report the almost completed investigation of the suspected 2018 procurement contract giving rise to procurement malpractices and abuse of public office for private profit involving the NLA, and the alleged Chinese entity of Messrs. Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited to supply 30,000 units of NEXGO N5 Smart Point of Sales Terminals (POSTs) for an approved Contract sum by the Board of Twenty-Five Million, Twenty-Three Thousand US Dollars (USD25,023,000.00) which was allegedly represented in Ghana by its agent, Tekstart Africa Limited.
“Witnesses and suspects had been interrogated with witness statements, and suspect statements on caution taken from them, as the case may be. The relevant documentary materials had been obtained through requests for information and production of documents and filed on the case docket. The progress of the investigation is verifiable from the station diary of the OSP, and diary of action in the investigation docket,” he wrote.
He added, “The investigation was left with the interrogation of the three (3) prime suspects, Mr Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of TekStart Africa Limited, one Venesa Marfo associated with TekStart Africa Ltd, and finally the CEO of NLA to be completed and a decision made whether to prosecute or not”.
The evidence, according to Amidu, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, before he left office indicated that over GH¢20 million had been transferred from the NLA to TeskStart despite the lack of a formal agreement.
“The evolving investigation made it necessary to investigate the financial affairs of TekStart Africa Limited, a Ghanaian company reasonably suspected of collaboration with public officers in the NLA to use their public offices for private profit. The investigation evidence evolved showing the transfer of a sum of GH₵20,413,864.37 on 18 December 2018 from the NLA account at United Bank for Africa to TekStart Africa Limited’s account at the same bank. It transpired that there was no agency agreement or relationship whatsoever between Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited and Tekstart Africa Limited. The evolving investigation also pointed to the irresistible fact that Tekstart Africa Limited was ordering the subject matter of the procurement contract directly from suppliers in Hong Kong and supplying them to the NLA and taking suspicious levels of fees for clearance and transportation from the Port of Tema to the NLA as though it was the agent of Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited.”
Amidu went on to state that Kissi Agyebeng was the lawyer of the Managing Director of Tekstart Africa Limited, Derek Appiah; suggesting that he (the current special prosecutor) was the one who used all kinds of means to prevent the interrogation of the director.
He reiterated that the special prosecutor must explain to Ghanaians why the case has stalled.
Read Marting Amidu’s full statement on the NLA/TekStart Africa Limited Procurement Malpractice and Abuse of Public Office for Private Profit investigation below:
THE NLA/ TEKSTART AFRICA LIMITED PROCUREMENT MALPRACTICES AND ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PRIVATE PROFIT
Kissi Agyebeng needs to explain the reasons for consistently not listing as part of his half yearly report the almost completed investigation of the suspected 2018 procurement contract giving rise to procurement malpractices and abuse of public office for private profit involving the NLA, and the alleged Chinese entity of Messrs. Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited to supply 30,000 units of NEXGO N5 Smart Point of Sales Terminals (POSTs) for an approved Contract sum by the Board of Twenty-Five Million, Twenty-Three Thousand US Dollars (USD25,023,000.00) which was allegedly represented in Ghana by its agent, Tekstart Africa Limited. Witnesses and suspects had been interrogated with witness statements, and suspect statements on caution taken from them, as the case may be. The relevant documentary materials had been obtained through requests for information and production of documents and filed on the case docket. The progress of the investigation is verifiable from the station diary of the OSP, and diary of action in the investigation docket.
The evolving investigation made it necessary to investigate the financial affairs of TekStart Africa Limited, a Ghanaian company reasonably suspected of collaboration with public officers in the NLA to use their public offices for private profit. The investigation evidence evolved showing the transfer of a sum of GH₵20,413,864.37 on 18 December 2018 from the NLA account at United Bank for Africa to TekStart Africa Limited’s account at the same bank. It transpired that there was no agency agreement or relationship whatsoever between Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited and Tekstart Africa Limited. The evolving investigation also pointed to the irresistible fact that Tekstart Africa Limited was ordering the subject matter of the procurement contract directly from suppliers in Hong Kong and supplying them to the NLA and taking suspicious levels of fees for clearance and transportation from the Port of Tema to the NLA as though it was the agent of Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited.
The investigation was left with the interrogation of the three (3) prime suspects, Mr. Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of Tekstart Africa Limited, one Venesa Marfo associated with Tekstart Africa Ltd, and finally the CEO of NLA to be completed and a decision made whether to prosecute or not. Kissi Agyebeng wrote letters to the OSP as the lawyer for Mr. Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of Tekstart Africa Limited. Kissi Agyebeng’s client, Mr. Derek Appiah, from June to August 2020 consistently used subterfuges and excuses to avoid being interrogated. On the only or so occasion he came to the OSP he was accompanied by junior lawyers who indicated that Kissi Agyebeng insisted he wanted to be present in person for the interrogation of Mr. Derek Appiah to take place. Kiss Agyebeng confirmed this in writing to the OSP. The fact of his writing was recorded in the Letters Received Register of the OSP, the Station Diary, and also in the Diary of Action on the investigation docket.
In the course of the investigations the link between the NLA, Tekstart Africa Limited, and one Venesa Marfo emerged from my personal UK sources. This led the OSP to the discovery of a Sales Notice for the sale of Plot No. 5205 The Madison, 199-207, Marsh Wall, London, E24 9YT at an agreed price of £1,600,000 (One Million and Six Hundred Thousand Pounds Only) with the purchasers as Kofi Osei-Ameyaw/Venesa Marfo with addresses at 9 Sunflower Lane, Teshie Nunguah with telephone number 233-244-56-3894 and Hse. No. 8 7 th Road Tesano with telephone number 233-246-83-2924 respectively. The vendor of the property was listed as: LBS Properties Limited of the UK. The purchaser’s solicitor was one Samuel Tetteh Quaye in the UK. The transaction from the investigations later fell through but the findings were relevant for the OSP’s investigations of the abuse of public office for private profit at the NLA. The investigations further disclosed that coincidentally, one Venessa Marfo had been involved in several procurement transactions at the NLA including the NLA/Tekstart Africa Limited NEXGO transactions.
The people of Ghana, therefore, deserve an explanation for the reasons for which Kissi Agyebeng decided not to list the NLA/Tekstart Africa/ Venesa Marfo reasonably suspected corruption cases as part of his half-yearly report under Section 3 (3) of Act 959 since he has chosen to list all major pending cases which are not required to be listed for public consumption to give the false appearance that the persons involved must already be liable for corruption offences under Act 959.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Yofi Grant, has emphasized that the establishment of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) will empower African nations to capitalize on opportunities for attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
He noted that this collaboration will lead to the standardization of various practices, enhance the quality of services, and ensure a constant and effective presence in front of potential investors.
Addressing the media during the African IPAs capacity building conference in Accra on Monday, October 30, 2023, Yofi Grant also expressed confidence that common issues identified in certain countries, such as the absence of a clear mandate and the inability to effectively market their countries, will be effectively addressed through this initiative.
The GIPC CEO said, “We realized that many of them are operating outside the fray of government policy which makes it difficult for them for them to mobilize capital, so under our leadership, we want to form the African Investment Promotion Association where all the IPAs from countries in Africa come together to form a self-government association to increase quality and standardize some of our practices and ensure that we can optimize the opportunity given us to sell our countries to Foreign Direct Investors.”
“The policy orientation that we had to change the structure of the economy is value addition and manufacturing has been very useful so we are seeing quite a number of small-scale manufacturers coming into Ghana. There’s been relatively a lot of investment in services. What for us is a bigger concern is to diversify the opportunities from the urban areas in the cities to probably the other sessions of the size of the economy,” he said.
Investment Promotion Agencies’ primary responsibilities include project management, investment generation, image building of the nation hosting foreign direct investment, and aftercare services. Their goal is to draw investment to a nation.
Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia has encourages NPP delegates to elect Dr. Bawumia. She praises his honesty, humility, and hard work.
She believes he will unite the party and lead them to victory in the 2024 General Elections. She made this appeal on October 31, 2023, at a rally hosted by Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team.
“Are we ready for an honest leader? Are we ready for a humble leader? Are we ready for a hardworking leader? Are we ready for a leader that will unify and not divide us?
“Are we ready for a leader who will take us to victory in 2024, InshAllah? Are we ready for 4th November? Are we ready for 4th November? I want Upper East to send a strong signal. I want Upper East to send a strong signal. And the signal is that it is possible,” she stated.
Mrs. Bawumia has been an essential component of her husband’s campaign and has actively supported him.
On November 4, 2023, the NPP will choose a presidential candidate. Many polls have predicted that Dr. Bawumia will win with a landslide.
Host of Egyaso Gyaso on Okay FM, Afia Pokua, also known as Vim Lady, has forecasted a triumph for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.
She pointed out that the Vice President has the upper hand due to his 15-year track record of self-promotion and the advantage of incumbency, while Kennedy Agyapong entered the race more recently.
“There is nothing that will surprise me in this NPP election, I’ve predicted everything that will happen in this NPP congress but Bawumia will win this election. I’ve already told you. If you are for Kennedy Agyapong you don’t have to agree with me, I am saying what I have seen.
“This election, Kennedy Agyapong has really done well because Bawumia started marketing himself from 2008 while Kennedy Agyapong started recently.
“So, if you look at the period that Bawumia has had, the laxity; the fact that he is a sitting Vice President… he’s had the opportunity to sell himself for a long time. The advantage is on Bawumia’s side,” she said.
Vim Lady highlighted that if Ken had begun earlier, the outcome would have been different.
“If you compare it to the fact that Ken recently came into the race, then technically if Ken had the same period Bawumia has had, then maybe he would beat him. But with this election, Bawumia will win,” she said.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is scheduled to choose its presidential candidate for the 2024 election on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The candidates vying for this position include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, has described Ghanaian youth as showing a lack of responsibility for their health. This remark comes amid a rising incidence of cases among young individuals requiring dialysis.
While Sam George acknowledges that not all individuals may bear direct responsibility for their health issues, he condemns the widespread neglect of adopting safe and healthy lifestyles among the youth.
“I am not a fan of hospitals, but my wife has insisted you need to get yourself checked at the year, mid-year… just to be sure everything is intact. We all just need to take care of ourselves, and I have been talking about it, especially with this dialysis thing, you know, and I am saying that, when you look at people reporting with kidney failures, it is young people. It is more and more young people. And it’s because we… look, I’m going to say something that Ghanaian youth will not be very happy about, but we are very irresponsible when it comes to our healthcare and our life choices,” Sam George said in an interview on Joy News’ AM Show.
Sam George specifically pointed out some unhealthy behaviours among the youth today. “They are smoking like locomotive engines. They have dumped cigarettes and have jumped on that killer called shisha. You drive around Accra, East Legon and you see young people puffing off steam like locomotive engines, all in the name of fashion. They’ve flavoured death for you in pineapple, watermelon, whatever, and you are licking death,” he stated.
“We are not eating well, alcohol, for a country of just 33 million people, we have almost 100 different types of bitters. All kinds of concoctions in the name of aphrodisiacs. We are drinking the wrong things, eating the wrong things, and smoking our lungs into oblivion. We need to check our life choices as a country. It is a problem; it is a pandemic!” He further expressed.
Expanding his concern to fellow lawmakers, Sam George cited the recent loss of Philip Atta Basoah, the Member of Parliament for Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, as a cautionary tale. He believes that stress played a significant role in Basoah’s sudden passing, which he linked to an extended parliamentary meeting the two had attended the night before Basoah’s death.
To mitigate such risks, Sam George urged not only the public but also lawmakers, who often engage in lengthy parliamentary debates, to make regular check-ups and health assessments a priority.
“Recently we lost a member of parliament, Hon. Basoah, may his soul rest in peace. It was stress-related. We need to manage this, especially for members of parliament who sit for hours on end,” he added.
Sam George’s comments underline the urgent need for a renewed focus on public health and responsible lifestyle choices among Ghana’s youth.
Ghanaian youths are irresponsible – Sam George
Via: Joy News #INDNews R2bees | Nana Ama McBrown | Asamoah Gyan | Victor Osimhen | Messi | Bawumia | Copa America | Shatta Wale pic.twitter.com/SHMNr090U2
In a recent development, Saudi Arabia has been officially designated as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA, the global governing body of football, revealed this decision after declaring that only bids from the Asia and Oceania regions would be considered for the 2034 tournament, citing the need for continental rotation.
This decision coincides with an agreement between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco to jointly stage the 2030 World Cup, and another pact involving Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to each host specific matches.
Following FIFA’s declaration, Saudi Arabia promptly submitted a letter of intent expressing its interest in hosting the 2034 event. This move effectively made them the sole bidder for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Football Australia, previously seen as a potential contender to Saudi Arabia’s bid, announced its decision to withdraw from the competition to host the 2034 World Cup.
The deadline for nations wishing to host the 2034 World Cup was October 31 for formal interest expression and November 30 for signed bid agreements.
Now that FIFA has verified the declarations of interest for the 2030 and 2034 competitions, the World Cup hosts have essentially been confirmed.
Lionel Messi, representing Argentina, raises the 2022 World Cup trophy with his teammates in celebration of their victory in Qatar. (Image source: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
The confirmation of Saudi Arabia as the exclusive bidder for the 2034 World Cup has essentially predetermined the tournament’s host.
Awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia would probably necessitate another winter World Cup, similar to Qatar’s hosting, which led to the temporary suspension of Europe’s premier football leagues in November and December.
Saudi Arabia’s summer temperatures can regularly reach 43 degrees Celsius, so the only humane choice for a World Cup location is a winter one.
Despite growing their sporting portfolio in recent years with Formula 1, boxing, and the signing of superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia’s hosting would be controversial.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has disclosed that the Volta River Authority (VRA) will face parliamentary scrutiny regarding the recent Akosombo Dam spillage, which has resulted in the displacement of numerous residents. This event has affected over 30,000 individuals living along the Volta River, with property damage amounting to millions of cedis.
During a press briefing held in Parliament on Tuesday, October 31, the Majority Leader stressed the necessity for the VRA to provide a detailed account of the incident and propose measures to prevent similar events in the future.
“I believe we may need to find some answers to some questions, and I guess the speaker is not yet here, but when the Speaker comes, we will have some discussions with him, and I believe it will be important for us to invite VRA to come and fully brief the House about what has happened, the repercussions, and how to avoid any future events,” he said.
He added that the victims’ losses of property have added to the poverty of the people in the South.
As a result, he added “as representatives of the people, we need to show concern. We need to have some dialogue with the Speaker to know what we will be able to do as a House to assist them.”
The Majority Leader also voiced worries that the country’s inflation problems might get worse and that the flooding might have a major effect on food security.
“This year, thanks to the heavy downpour of rains, we were preparing ourselves for a bounteous harvest. Unfortunately, we had this inundation of farmlands and thanks to the massive rainfall and also the spillage of Akosombo Dam, that certainly is going to compound the food situation in the country and the hope is that it would not lead to skyrocketing food prices to add to the already high levels of food inflation in the country.”
In the meantime, a parliamentary investigation into the Akosombo Dam spill has been ordered by the Speaker of Parliament.
He voiced his strong disapproval, emphasizing that it is not permissible for an operation with the potential for such extensive harm, like dam spillage, to occur without a comprehensive security and safety readiness strategy in place.
He went on to stress that addressing this issue is a national imperative, and Parliament must take the lead in devising solutions to this challenge that the nation is currently facing.
In this regard, he noted that “Parliament will take the necessary action to inquire into the matter and make recommendations for the protection of properties and lives living along the Volta Lake and other settlements along riverbeds.”
The Ghana Shippers Authority has clarified that, despite letters circulating, they have not introduced new fees for clearing agents and freight forwarders. This clarification was communicated through a statement sent to the media on Monday.
It said: “Please be warned that the GSA has neither issued any such notice nor authorized any person or organization to do so on its behalf.”
The Authority called upon its stakeholders and the general public to dismiss any letters claiming to be from the Shippers Authority demanding new fees.
Furthermore, it encouraged stakeholders and the public to promptly report such occurrences to either the Authority or the Police. Reports can be made by calling 0244236266, 18555, or 191. Additionally, individuals can use the WhatsApp number 0206639121 to make reports.
Minority in parliament has given notice that it will oppose the 2024 budget if the government does not put the needs of the general public and corporations first.
After the break, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson addressed the MPs, expressing his frustration that young people are abandoning their home countries in search of safer havens abroad.
Dr. Forson went on to say that his party would make a motion to call for a parliamentary investigation into the Akosombo Dam spill catastrophe.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure the people of Ghana that we in the Minority caucus will scrutinize the upcoming budget and the economic policy of the government with an eagle eye. Mr. Speaker, the prevailing economic conditions have already made it very difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian and businesses.
“Therefore, we cannot be a party to any policy which makes things more unbearable, in fact miserable for the ordinary Ghanaian. Mr. Speaker let me be blunt here that the budget statement will encounter resistance if it does not prioritize the needs of the people and businesses,” Dr. Ato Forson stated.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the majority leader, promised that the government would only provide the public with accurate information regarding the 2024 budget.
Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has initiated the construction of a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility for the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL), with an estimated cost of $14 million.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 30th of October 2023. During the event, Chief Justice Torkornoo praised the project as forward-thinking and visionary in nature.
She emphasized that upon its completion, the facility will position UGSoL to be a strong contender among esteemed law schools across the globe.
“This project will showcase a world-class facility surpassing those available to many schools of Law around the globe. It reflects the spirit of leadership and excellence that the University of Ghana and its School of Law had always been,” declared.
She believes that the new project signifies the evolution and expansion of both the University of Ghana (UG) and the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL) throughout the years, solidifying their positions as the nation’s top university and law school.
“For 45 years, the University of Ghana Faculty of Law stood as the only Faculty of Law in the country. During this period, it incubated and housed almost all the legal knowledge and infrastructure for the training and practice of law,” Justice Torkornoo said.
She added, “I am hopeful that the envisaged state-of-the-art facility will not only contribute significantly to legal education but will also act as the leadership beacon to all involved in the learning, administration, and implementation of law and justice”.
The Deputy Attorney-General Tuah-Yeboah, who highlighted the University of Ghana School of Law’s introduction of Graduate Law programs for law graduates and other disciplines, thereby expanding their knowledge of the law, praised the school for its significant contribution to legal education in Ghana.
“The University of Ghana School of Law is the mother faculty and sets the standard for all other faculties of Law in the country. The school, therefore, deserves such a befitting edifice to carry on its good work,” he added.
When finished, the four-story, GHC14 million building project will feature a 1,500-seat auditorium, roughly 50 lecture rooms with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 16 seats, two 750-seat moot courts, 100 offices, a 500-seat library, a gymnasium, clinic, cafeteria, baby bay, bookstore, and a rooftop bar, among other amenities.
The European Union (EU) has entered into a 42-million euro Financing Agreement with Ghana, with the aim of promoting sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and strengthening key sectors crucial for the EU-Ghana partnership.
These Financing Agreements mark a new era of cooperation and progress between the two parties, focusing on green transition for agribusiness, sound public financial management, and private sector development.
The agribusiness component will support the sustainable development of four value chains, including shea, soybean, vegetables, and beekeeping. It will also back sustainable cocoa production and initiatives to prevent deforestation and promote reforestation, in compliance with EU Deforestation Regulation and Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT).
This investment in agribusiness aims to uplift smallholder farmers, generate employment, enhance productivity, and improve market access. It will enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products, drive economic growth, and promote a sustainable and inclusive agriculture sector.
The other component recognizes the vital role of the private sector in the green and digital transition. It will support access to innovative, green finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enhance the regulatory environment, and develop digital and green business skills, while fostering connections between academia and industry.
Furthermore, the agreement will promote sound public financial management, ensuring stability, transparency, and accountability. It will enhance gender and green responsiveness, transparency, and accountability, reinforcing audit and procurement functions.
Mr. Ken Ofori Atta, the Minister of Finance, expressed his gratitude for the partnership, highlighting the mutual benefits it will bring to both countries. He emphasized the commitment to efficient resource coordination for development, especially during the Ghanaian economy’s rebound.
Mr. Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, underscored the comprehensive approach to sustainable development, serving as a catalyst for the implementation of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy. He emphasized the strength of the EU-Ghana partnership and their shared commitment to sustainable development.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which criticized a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, for influence peddling, explained in a recent statement why it was unable to bring charges against him.
Influence peddling is a recognized form of corruption worldwide. The OSP’s investigation, which was based on an investigative documentary titled “Galamsey Economy,” produced by Tiger Eye P.I. and led by renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, raised serious concerns about this practice.
“Influence peddling or trading in influence is a significant index of corruption worldwide, and it is deprecated under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC),” the OSP explained.
Nevertheless, despite Ghana’s status as a state party to the UNCAC (United Nations Convention against Corruption), it has not introduced specific legislation to criminalize influence peddling or trading in influence.
Consequently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) emphasized that it lacked the legal authority to initiate legal proceedings in such cases, emphasizing the legal constraints it encountered.
The OSP emphasized the urgency of enacting legislative changes, including the adoption of a Corrupt Practices Act and a Conduct of Public Officers Act.
This aligns with the demands of various civil society organizations, notably OccupyGhana.
Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has raised concerns about the apparent delay in completing the ‘NLA/TekStart Africa Limited Procurement Malpractice and Abuse of Public Office for Private Profit’ investigation that he initiated.
Amidu asserts that the investigation, which implicates the CEO of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and other NLA officials, was nearly concluded during his tenure.
However, his successor, Kissi Agyebeng, has yet to take any action on the matter or include it in the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s half-year report.
In a statement shared with GhanaWeb, Amidu disclosed that all the witnesses and suspects involved in the scandal, where government officials at the NLA, including the CEO, are accused of exploiting their positions for personal gain in a deal exceeding US$25 million, had been interviewed.
“Kissi Agyebeng needs to explain the reasons for consistently not listing as part of his half yearly report the almost completed investigation of the suspected 2018 procurement contract giving rise to procurement malpractices and abuse of public office for private profit involving the NLA, and the alleged Chinese entity of Messrs. Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited to supply 30,000 units of NEXGO N5 Smart Point of Sales Terminals (POSTs) for an approved Contract sum by the Board of Twenty-Five Million, Twenty-Three Thousand US Dollars (USD25,023,000.00) which was allegedly represented in Ghana by its agent, Tekstart Africa Limited.
“Witnesses and suspects had been interrogated with witness statements, and suspect statements on caution taken from them, as the case may be. The relevant documentary materials had been obtained through requests for information and production of documents and filed on the case docket. The progress of the investigation is verifiable from the station diary of the OSP, and diary of action in the investigation docket,” he wrote.
He added, “The investigation was left with the interrogation of the three (3) prime suspects, Mr Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of TekStart Africa Limited, one Venesa Marfo associated with TekStart Africa Ltd, and finally the CEO of NLA to be completed and a decision made whether to prosecute or not”.
The evidence, according to Amidu, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, before he left office indicated that over GH¢20 million had been transferred from the NLA to TeskStart despite the lack of a formal agreement.
“The evolving investigation made it necessary to investigate the financial affairs of TekStart Africa Limited, a Ghanaian company reasonably suspected of collaboration with public officers in the NLA to use their public offices for private profit. The investigation evidence evolved showing the transfer of a sum of GH₵20,413,864.37 on 18 December 2018 from the NLA account at United Bank for Africa to TekStart Africa Limited’s account at the same bank. It transpired that there was no agency agreement or relationship whatsoever between Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited and Tekstart Africa Limited. The evolving investigation also pointed to the irresistible fact that Tekstart Africa Limited was ordering the subject matter of the procurement contract directly from suppliers in Hong Kong and supplying them to the NLA and taking suspicious levels of fees for clearance and transportation from the Port of Tema to the NLA as though it was the agent of Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited.”
Amidu continued, claiming that Kissi Agyebeng represented Derek Appiah, the managing director of Tekstart Africa Limited, and implying that it was he—the current special prosecutor—who employed every tactic possible to keep the director from being questioned.
He restated that the special prosecutor needs to give Ghanaians an explanation for the case’s impasse.
Read Marting Amidu’s full statement on the NLA/TekStart Africa Limited Procurement Malpractice and Abuse of Public Office for Private Profit investigation below:
THE NLA/ TEKSTART AFRICA LIMITED PROCUREMENT MALPRACTICES AND ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PRIVATE PROFIT
Kissi Agyebeng needs to explain the reasons for consistently not listing as part of his half yearly report the almost completed investigation of the suspected 2018 procurement contract giving rise to procurement malpractices and abuse of public office for private profit involving the NLA, and the alleged Chinese entity of Messrs. Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited to supply 30,000 units of NEXGO N5 Smart Point of Sales Terminals (POSTs) for an approved Contract sum by the Board of Twenty-Five Million, Twenty-Three Thousand US Dollars (USD25,023,000.00) which was allegedly represented in Ghana by its agent, Tekstart Africa Limited. Witnesses and suspects had been interrogated with witness statements, and suspect statements on caution taken from them, as the case may be. The relevant documentary materials had been obtained through requests for information and production of documents and filed on the case docket. The progress of the investigation is verifiable from the station diary of the OSP, and diary of action in the investigation docket.
The evolving investigation made it necessary to investigate the financial affairs of TekStart Africa Limited, a Ghanaian company reasonably suspected of collaboration with public officers in the NLA to use their public offices for private profit. The investigation evidence evolved showing the transfer of a sum of GH₵20,413,864.37 on 18 December 2018 from the NLA account at United Bank for Africa to TekStart Africa Limited’s account at the same bank. It transpired that there was no agency agreement or relationship whatsoever between Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited and Tekstart Africa Limited. The evolving investigation also pointed to the irresistible fact that Tekstart Africa Limited was ordering the subject matter of the procurement contract directly from suppliers in Hong Kong and supplying them to the NLA and taking suspicious levels of fees for clearance and transportation from the Port of Tema to the NLA as though it was the agent of Shenzhen Xinguodu Technology Limited.
The investigation was left with the interrogation of the three (3) prime suspects, Mr. Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of Tekstart Africa Limited, one Venesa Marfo associated with Tekstart Africa Ltd, and finally the CEO of NLA to be completed and a decision made whether to prosecute or not. Kissi Agyebeng wrote letters to the OSP as the lawyer for Mr. Derek Appiah, the Managing Director of Tekstart Africa Limited. Kissi Agyebeng’s client, Mr. Derek Appiah, from June to August 2020 consistently used subterfuges and excuses to avoid being interrogated. On the only or so occasion he came to the OSP he was accompanied by junior lawyers who indicated that Kissi Agyebeng insisted he wanted to be present in person for the interrogation of Mr. Derek Appiah to take place. Kiss Agyebeng confirmed this in writing to the OSP. The fact of his writing was recorded in the Letters Received Register of the OSP, the Station Diary, and also in the Diary of Action on the investigation docket.
In the course of the investigations the link between the NLA, Tekstart Africa Limited, and one Venesa Marfo emerged from my personal UK sources. This led the OSP to the discovery of a Sales Notice for the sale of Plot No. 5205 The Madison, 199-207, Marsh Wall, London, E24 9YT at an agreed price of £1,600,000 (One Million and Six Hundred Thousand Pounds Only) with the purchasers as Kofi Osei-Ameyaw/Venesa Marfo with addresses at 9 Sunflower Lane, Teshie Nunguah with telephone number 233-244-56-3894 and Hse. No. 8 7 th Road Tesano with telephone number 233-246-83-2924 respectively. The vendor of the property was listed as: LBS Properties Limited of the UK. The purchaser’s solicitor was one Samuel Tetteh Quaye in the UK. The transaction from the investigations later fell through but the findings were relevant for the OSP’s investigations of the abuse of public office for private profit at the NLA. The investigations further disclosed that coincidentally, one Venessa Marfo had been involved in several procurement transactions at the NLA including the NLA/Tekstart Africa Limited NEXGO transactions.
The people of Ghana, therefore, deserve an explanation for the reasons for which Kissi Agyebeng decided not to list the NLA/Tekstart Africa/ Venesa Marfo reasonably suspected corruption cases as part of his half-yearly report under Section 3 (3) of Act 959 since he has chosen to list all major pending cases which are not required to be listed for public consumption to give the false appearance that the persons involved must already be liable for corruption offences under Act 959.
The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The much-anticipated grand finale of this prestigious competition is scheduled for the afternoon of Monday, October 30, 2023.
The event will be graced by the presence of the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is expected to be the guest of honor.
The stage is set for an exhilarating face-off as the finalists, namely Opoku Ware Senior High School (OWASS), Presbyterian Boys Senior High (PRESEC-Legon), and Achimota Senior High School (MOTOWN), prepare to battle it out. This showdown promises to be one of the most thrilling finals in the history of this annual competition. Yet, when the spotlight isn’t on the competing schools, the other cherished aspect of the NSMQ is the quiz mistresses.
In this feature, GhanaWeb sheds light on the quiz mistresses who have graced Ghanaian television screens over the past three decades, contributing significantly to the NSMQ’s success and popularity.
Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, 1993-2000
The first quiz mistress of the NSMQ was the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, who held that position from 1993 until 2000.
She was also the first Ghanaian woman to become a full professor of natural science.
In her memoir, Rewards: An Autobiography, she said “When in 1993/94, during the planning of a televised quiz programme on science, I was asked to be the Quiz Mistress, I could not say No…
“I was interested in females becoming scientists and this was an opportunity to invite the young ones to become scientists… I thought that this was a most effective way of being a role model.”
Prof. Marian Addy received the 1995 Marketing Woman of the Year award from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in recognition of her work encouraging female students to pursue science and math education through the NSMQ.
On January 14, 2014, however, Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy passed away at the age of 72.
Dr. Eureka Emefa Adomako, 2001-2005
Dr. Eureka Emefa Adomako, an alumna of St. Roses Secondary School and a trained botanist, succeeded Prof. Marian Addy as the second quiz mistress.
Currently serving as a senior lecturer in the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology at the University of Ghana-Legon, Dr. Eureka took the reins of the National Science and Maths Quiz for a tenure of four years, spanning from 2001 to 2005. She assumed this role upon the recommendation of the late former quiz mistress, Prof. Marian Addy.
Her departure from the National Science and Maths Quiz scene occurred when she was granted a Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in the United Kingdom, specifically at the University of Aberdeen, in 2005. Her academic journey culminated in November 2008, when she achieved a Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science.
Prof Elsie Effah Kaufmann, 2006-date
The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is currently under the competent leadership of Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, marking the third quiz mistress in the competition’s history.
Prof. Kaufmann holds the prestigious position of Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana-Legon, a remarkable achievement that distinguishes her as the first Ghanaian woman to attain this honor.
She has earned the distinction of being the longest-serving quiz mistress in the history of NSMQ since its inception in 1993. Her appointment came after she was recommended by her predecessor, Dr. Eureka Emefa, who was stepping down from her role as an NSMQ mistress.
For a remarkable 17 years, spanning from 2006 to 2023, Prof. Elsie Kaufmann has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in managing the National Science and Maths Quiz. Her tenure has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest and support from numerous Ghanaians, making her a pivotal figure in the competition’s history.
Renowned media figure Nana Aba Anamoah has questioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in office regarding its pledge to construct an airport in Cape Coast.
At the NPP 2020 Manifesto launch in Cape Coast, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia pledged that the Akufo-Addo administration would construct an airport and harbor in the coastal town during its second term in office.
“For the people of Cape Coast, I have good news for you. We are building a new harbor in Cape Coast and a new airport in Cape Coast,” he said.
At the manifesto launch, Dr. Bawumia stated that the development of an airport in Cape Coast was essential to the survival of what he called one of the nation’s principal tourist and economic centers.
“An airport makes a lot of sense in Cape Coast. It’s a real tourist hub and between Greater Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast, you have a triangle that is a hub for economic activities,” he said.
Three years have passed since the promise was made, but neither the Akufo-Addo-led administration nor any efforts have been made to fulfill their promise, nor have they been made to build the airport in Cape Coast.
In response to a post by the NPP on X highlighting the accomplishments of the government, Nana Aba Anamoah questioned why the promise to construct an airport in Cape Coast had come to a standstill.
“Where is the airport you promised Cape Coast People?” she wrote on her X page in response to a tweet by the NPP X formally known as a Twitter account.
Gospel Musician, Ohemaa Mercy has asserted that Christians have a duty to worship and converse with God with the utmost reverence.
She stated this opinion in a recent interview with Accra 100.5 FM, saying she thought it was reckless for Christians to worship while taking pictures with their phones.
In a brief excerpt from the interview shared online, Ohemaa Mercy, who recently launched the 10th edition of her event ‘Tehillah Experience,’ expressed her belief that many Christians are unaware of the actions they partake in, which can leave them vulnerable to curses.
The winner of the 2023 VGMA Best Gospel Song of the Year highlighted the protocols commonly observed during public interactions involving prominent figures like presidents and monarchs.
She drew a parallel between these protocols and Christians’ encounters with the supreme sustainer of their lives. Ohemaa Mercy argued that during worship sessions, Christians must not neglect to demonstrate the reverence they hold for God.
An X user has shared a post describing NPP flagbearer of the 2024 election, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, as a man who is loved cherished and loved by residents in Walewale .
The current vice president visited Walewale some months ago as part of preparations ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
He was welcomed and celebrated with an enthusiastic reception from the people which reflects their strong support and admiration for him.
A reason @AbdulRaufIbra20 shared a post on X and captioned it “Dr. Bawumia in Walewale. The man is loved. Breaking the 8 is a done deal.”
The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has taken a stand to refute media reports suggesting that it has submitted a Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) to parliament for the creation of 25 new constituencies alongside the existing 275.
In a recent interview with GhanaWeb conducted on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, addressed the issue of misreporting by certain media outlets.
Dr. Asare provided clarification, emphasizing that the EC’s submission to parliament pertains to the establishment of only one new constituency, which is the Guan Constituency.
This newly proposed constituency is intended to serve the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke, and Lolobi (SALL) Traditional Areas.
“… we have never said that (creating 25 constituencies) anywhere. But what we have only said is that we are creating the Guan Constituency, in the Oti Region to increase the numbers from 275 to 276.
“The report is misleading. It is intended to deceive the people and cause either disaffection or over-affection for the EC,” he added.
The Deputy Commissioner of the EC emphasized once more that, at no juncture, has the commission made any statement about the creation of an additional 25 constituencies.
In a prior interview conducted with Accra-based TV3, Dr. Bossman Asare is reported to have stated,
“We are in the process of creating some new constituencies and Guan District is one of them. If not because parliament is on recess, we should have started the process in parliament”.
