The Counsel of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare has raised an objection against the presence of three other witnesses who are being investigated over the leaked tape on plans to oust the IGP.
Dr. Dampare was invited to appear before the Ad-hoc committee over the matter and earlier reports indicated that the hearing would be made in camera.
However, upon appearance, it was indicated that portions of the IGP’s testimony would be made public in the presence of other witnesses; former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, as well as COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent George Asare, who have already appeared before the Committee.
This, the Counsel of the IGP, Kwame Gyan, noted as “unfair, unjust, and unequitable.”
He added: “We strongly object to the presence of other witnesses.” He noted that the IGP should have been called in earlier interrogations to sit in.
The committee, chaired by Mr Samuel Atta Akyea has overruled the claims, noting that the committee has been just. He argued that there was no need to have brought the IGP in earlier, as no foul comments had been made against him then.
He also noted that the witnesses would not be allowed to put any question before the IGP.
“When they are here, it will not affect the IGP’s testimony,” he added.
A letter requesting the presence of the IGP over the probe by Parliament was presented to the head of the Police Service last Friday.
On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament appointed Samuel Atta-Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, as the chairperson of a 7-member ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating a recently leaked controversial audio recording. This audio recording revealed clandestine discussions about plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The audio, which exposed an alleged conspiracy involving a senior police officer and a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to oust IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, sparked a debate in Parliament. The Minority called for a forensic audit in response to the revelation.
As part of its proceedings, the committee has heard testimonies from individuals such as the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, as well as COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent George Asare, both of whom have made several allegations against their superior, the IGP.
The two officers claim that Dr George Akuffo Dampare masterminded the recording and has the original copy.
New information has emerged regarding the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare’s testimony before the Parliamentary Committee investigating the leaked viral tape.
Dr. Dampare was invited to appear before the Ad-hoc committee, and he arrived at Parliament accompanied by senior police officials.
During his appearance, Dr. Dampare is expected to address allegations made against him by some earlier witnesses who testified before the committee.
Initially, the chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the hearing would be conducted in-camera, emphasizing the need to keep certain aspects of the proceedings confidential to protect national security.
However, today’s developments indicate a change in this approach, with parts of the probe now set to be conducted publicly.
On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament appointed Samuel Atta-Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, as the chairperson of a 7-member ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating a recently leaked controversial audio recording. This audio recording revealed clandestine discussions about plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The audio, which exposed an alleged conspiracy involving a senior police officer and a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to oust IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, sparked a debate in Parliament. The Minority called for a forensic audit in response to the revelation.
As part of its proceedings, the committee has heard testimonies from individuals such as the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, as well as COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent George Asare, both of whom have made several allegations against their superior, the IGP.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, appeared before the ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the alleged tape plotting his removal from office.
Dr. Dampare addressed various allegations that have been made against him by previous witnesses who have testified before the committee.
On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament appointed Samuel Atta-Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, as the chairperson of a 7-member ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating a recently leaked controversial audio recording. This audio recording revealed clandestine discussions about plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The audio, which exposed an alleged conspiracy involving a senior police officer and a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to oust IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, sparked a debate in Parliament. The Minority called for a forensic audit in response to the revelation.
As part of its proceedings, the committee has heard testimonies from individuals such as the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, as well as COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent George Asare, both of whom have made several allegations against their superior, the IGP.
Deputy Constituency Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Anyaa Sowuttuom, Ralph Apetorgbor, has alleged that the Electoral Commission is closely aligned with the current government.
He has argued that the Electoral Commission’s refusal to address concerns and appeals to open up the ongoing limited voter registration process poses a significant threat to the nation’s governance.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, coinciding with the commencement of the limited registration exercise nationwide, Ralph Apetorgbor emphasized that this stance taken by the EC should be a cause for concern for everyone, both within and beyond the country’s borders.
“The unholy alliance between Jean Mensa’s EC and the NPP is a threat to our democracy. The EC’s decision to ignore the call by political parties to open up the limited registration process to be conducted at the electoral areas is a testament that Jean Mansa and her commissioners are ‘inside the deepest corner of Nana Akufo-Addo’s pocket.’
“Ghanaians and the international community should be worried! No wonder the EC is a monumental disgrace,” he wrote.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has officially commenced a limited voter registration exercise, effective today, September 12, 2023, at all its regional offices nationwide.
This registration process, characterized by criticism regarding its design, is scheduled to conclude on October 2, 2023.
Visuals of Limited Voter Registration exercise at EC Headquarters where the exercise for three Districts i.e Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ayawaso North, Korley Klottey are underway.#GHOneNewspic.twitter.com/Rh3naaTgpM
Social media users have been buzzing over a viral video featuring the sale of a high-tech water closet in the Ghanaian market.
On the X platform, people are expressing astonishment at the WC’s selling price, which has been set at approximately GH¢360,000. This uproar began after media personality Serwaa Amihere shared the video.
One user on the platform, Ibrahim Issifu, went a step further by questioning the authenticity of the WC’s price tag.
He conducted an online search and found that the water closet is available for $9,937.50 (equivalent to GH¢113,770.44). This stark contrast in prices has raised eyebrows among social media users in Ghana.
“We dey kill wana sef too much, see profit margin,” Issifu lamented.
Additional users on the platform have drawn comparisons between this situation and a potential money laundering scheme, casting doubt on the true target market for the product.
Furthermore, some individuals have taken a humorous approach to the features offered by the WC, which encompass WiFi connectivity, motion sensors, and other amenities.
360K because of Wi-Fi? Router be how much… I thought you could drive it to work pic.twitter.com/zmg0qgLzxs
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has heightened its efforts to safeguard the marine environment, particularly against oil spills, through the acquisition of a new versatile vessel.
MV Esther Ocloo, the new vessel, was officially commissioned at the Sekondi Naval Base by President Akufo-Addo over the weekend. During the same ceremony, the President also commissioned two boundary-class vessels, the Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Aflao and GNS Half Assini, which were donated by the United States to the Ghana Navy.
Named “Esther Afua Ocloo” in honor of the pioneering industrialist behind the Nkulenu canned foods brand, the vessel is equipped with a modern oil spill recovery system, featuring a Desmi DBD 16 combination skimmer, HARBO oil spill Boom, and an oil spray Dispersant System capable of addressing TIER 1 and 2 spills both in harbors and offshore areas.
Furthermore, the vessel is equipped with two Aerial Drones designed for wide-area surveillance to detect activities and potential spills within the country’s waters.
President Akufo-Addo, in his speech, emphasized the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity by equipping the Navy for its responsibilities. He expressed concern about criminal activities in Ghana’s waters, citing previous ship attacks and crew kidnappings in 2021.
Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah commended the Authority for its efforts in protecting Ghana’s marine environment from oil spills, which can have severe repercussions on marine life. He noted that the acquisition of the Oil Spill Response Vessel, MV Esther Ocloo, represented a significant milestone in the country’s maritime sector, as it provided a crucial platform for the Authority to fulfill its mandate of fostering a vibrant, safe, and secure maritime ecosystem for economic growth and development.
Built in Singapore by renowned shipbuilders Penguin Shipyard Asia Pte Ltd., MV Esther Ocloo boasts an overall length of 40.00 meters, a molded breadth of 7.60 meters, a molded depth of 3.65 meters, and a draught of 1.89 meters. It is powered by three Cummins KTA36-m2 engines and features three Caterpillar SR4 Alternator 86eKW generators.
Considering the rapid expansion of ports and offshore activities in Ghana, the Ghana Maritime Authority has recognized the need to enhance its Oil Spill Response Recovery capabilities to meet the increasing demand.
The Authority has outlined a long-term plan that includes expanding its fleet of vessels and equipment, training and equipping personnel to respond to Tier 1 and 2 oil spills, implementing measures for detecting spills within Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction, and engaging stakeholders to raise awareness and preparedness.
2. When reps. of United Nations Environment Programme (@UNEP) called on the Ghana Maritime Authority on a fact-finding mission last week, Mr. Numbu Issahaque Sumabe, an Officer at the Technical Division, gave them an overview of the Authority's mandate. Here is an excerpt: pic.twitter.com/gaRWrxUO7n
A senior official who recently visited the eastern port of Derna in Libya has reported a staggering death toll exceeding 1,000 from the floods in that city alone.
According to the minister representing the eastern-based government, the situation is dire, with bodies strewn throughout the area. Derna, a city with approximately 100,000 residents, has been inundated due to the collapse of two dams and four bridges.
These devastating floods, which have also caused widespread destruction in other coastal regions, are the aftermath of Storm Daniel, which struck the area on Sunday.
“The number of bodies recovered in Derna is more [than] 1,000,” Hichem Chkiouat, the aviation minister and part of the eastern government’s emergency response committee, told Reuters by phone.
He said the final death toll was expected to be much higher.
“I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. Many, many buildings have collapsed.”
Hundreds feared dead, thousands missing after devastating floods hit Libya
The flooding has also impacted the eastern cities of Benghazi, Sousse, and Al-Marj. Earlier, Eastern Prime Minister Osama Hamad reported to a Libyan TV channel that an estimated 2,000 people had lost their lives, and thousands were still missing. He described the situation, stating that “Entire neighborhoods in Derna have disappeared, along with their residents, swept away by water.”
In addition to the eastern regions, the western city of Misrata has also been affected by the devastating floods.
Libya has been mired in political turmoil since the overthrow and killing of long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. This has left the country effectively divided, with an interim government recognized internationally operating from the capital, Tripoli, and another government in the east.
According to Libyan journalist Abdulkader Assad, this political divide is hindering rescue efforts, as the various authorities struggle to respond effectively to a natural disaster.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia via rail for an anticipated meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
The United States suggests that Moscow is interested in procuring ammunition for the conflict in Ukraine.
In contrast, North Korea is seeking food aid and potentially technology support for its prohibited nuclear and missile programs, as per analysts.
President Putin is currently in Vladivostok, located in Russia’s far east, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the North Korean border. However, the exact meeting location remains unclear, as Kim’s train is reportedly moving northward, away from Vladivostok.
This marks Kim’s first overseas trip in four years, with his last face-to-face meeting with Putin occurring in 2019.
Putin Challenges the U.S.: "If Ukraine is Ready for Talks, Let Them Revoke Zelensky's Ban,"
September 12, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a bold challenge to the United States, stating that if they believe Ukraine is prepared for negotiations, they should… pic.twitter.com/Nw2qe22YFk
The most recent meeting between the Russian and North Korean leaders occurred in 2019, coinciding with a breakdown in denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
During that time, Putin served as an intermediary, providing updates to both China and the Trump administration. Additionally, Russia supported UN sanctions aimed at curtailing North Korea’s weapons programs in 2017.
The geopolitical landscape has evolved significantly since then. Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer in the wake of the Ukraine conflict, with both nations holding the US responsible for the war.
In July, North Korea extended a warm welcome to Russia’s Defence Minister, Sergey Shoigu, and subsequently, Moscow blocked efforts within the UN Security Council to bolster sanctions against Pyongyang.
Furthermore, the power dynamics in Northeast Asia have shifted as the United States forged an alliance between Japan and South Korea, an alliance that few believed was possible.
On Monday, Italy’s anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, revealed that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba had tested positive for testosterone.
The test was conducted following Juventus‘ match against Udinese on August 20.
While Pogba did not participate in the Serie A game, he was present on Juventus’ bench.
As a result of this positive test, Nado Italia has imposed an immediate provisional suspension on Pogba. Pending a trial and the testing of a backup B sample, he faces the possibility of a suspension lasting up to four years.
“In acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Anti-doping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” Nado Italia said in a statement.
The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites,” adding that the results were “consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds.”
Juventus issued a statement acknowledging the positive result and suspension, adding that it would “evaluate the next procedural steps.”
“We are waiting for the results of the counter-analysis and cannot say anything until then,” Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement reported by Italian media.
“The only certain thing is that Paul Pogba never intended to break the rules.”
Paul Pogba, who has been plagued by injuries since his return to Juventus from Manchester United just over a year ago, has encountered another setback. He was sidelined from France’s journey to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury.
In addition to his injury struggles, Pogba has been at the center of a police investigation in France concerning allegations of extortion, with even his older brother Mathias implicated, although Mathias has denied any wrongdoing. Earlier on Monday, Pogba admitted to contemplating retirement as these events unfolded.
In the current season, Pogba has not yet started a game but has made two substitute appearances, with his most recent appearance coming in the 2-0 victory against Empoli.
This development adds to the challenges faced by Juventus, which endured a season marked by investigations into false accounting and irregular salary reporting. These legal matters resulted in UEFA excluding the Turin club from European competition this season.
As of now, Pogba has not provided an immediate comment on the situation.
Paul Pogba's agent Rafaela Pimenta has issued a statement following his provisional suspension for an anti-doping offence. pic.twitter.com/wqEMXu5FUR
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has issued a call to eligible Ghanaian voters, including those who have recently turned 18 and adults who have yet to register, to make use of the Limited Voter Registration exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, September 12.
This registration process is being carried out at all Electoral Commission district offices across the country. Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the essential right to vote begins with the responsibility of registering with the Electoral Commission (EC) and encouraged citizens to actively participate in this process to ensure their eligibility for the forthcoming 2024 elections.
Dr. Bawumia conveyed this message via a Facebook post, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and the role of voter registration in enabling citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.
“The right to vote starts with the responsibility of registering with the Electoral Commission (EC).
I urge citizens just turned 18 years old or adults of voting age who have not yet registered to take advantage of the registration exercise starting today, September 12, across all EC district offices and register,” he wrote.
Despite facing an injunction application from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other political parties, the Electoral Commission is proceeding with the Limited Voters Registration Exercise that started on September 12.
This registration is taking place at all 268 District Offices. According to the EC, the exercise is scheduled to continue until October 2, 2023.
Eligible individuals who have turned 18 since the last registration in 2020 or those who did not register for various reasons are encouraged to visit their District Office of residence.
To register, they will need either their Ghana Card or Ghana Passport for identification. In cases where eligible applicants do not possess these identification documents, they can be vouched for by two registered voters to facilitate their registration.
The five political parties, which include the NDC, CPP, All People’s Congress, Liberal Party of Ghana, and Great Consolidated Popular Party, filed a lawsuit on September 7 challenging the EC’s decision to limit the voter registration exercise to its district offices.
Their argument centers on the concern that this decision may disenfranchise numerous eligible voters, particularly those in remote areas.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, is scheduled to appear before the ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the alleged tape plotting his removal from office.
During this appearance, Dr. Dampare will be called upon to address various allegations that have been made against him by previous witnesses who have testified before the committee.
The chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, disclosed this information in an interview with JoyNews on Sunday, September 10th.
“On Tuesday, all the individuals (Chief Daniel Bugri Naabu, Supt. George L. Asare, (COP) George Alex Mensah, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyebi) … will come back with their lawyers.”
“Also, the most prominent person whose name has been bandied about, the IGP himself should also come with his lawyers.”
Mr. Atta Akyea stressed that the hearing would be conducted behind closed doors. He reiterated that certain matters within the hearing needed to be kept confidential to safeguard national security and, therefore, should not be made public.
“Some serious allegations have been made in public, but the substance of the allegations has not been made in public. That is to say, the evidential support for those allegations is what we are going to unearth, so which piece of evidence that we’ll give to the public that will not hurt national security, we’ll exercise that discretion,” he added.
On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament appointed Samuel Atta-Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, as the chairperson of a 7-member ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating a recently leaked controversial audio recording. This audio recording revealed clandestine discussions about plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The audio, which exposed an alleged conspiracy involving a senior police officer and a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to oust IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, sparked a debate in Parliament. The Minority called for a forensic audit in response to the revelation.
Subsequently, Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin proposed the establishment of the Special Committee and set a deadline for its report submission by September 10, 2023.
As part of its proceedings, the committee has heard testimonies from individuals such as the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, as well as COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent George Asare, both of whom have made several allegations against their superior, the IGP.
This exercise will be carried out across all 268 District Offices of the EC and is slated to conclude on Monday, October 2.
This decision to conduct the registration at the district offices has sparked disagreement, as some opposition political parties have taken legal action in the form of an injunction application against the EC.
Their argument revolves around the concern that this approach may disenfranchise numerous young voters, particularly those residing in rural areas.
Additionally, the EC has issued a directive stating that individuals who have reached the age of 18 since the last registration exercise or those who, for various reasons, did not register in 2020, should visit the District Office in their place of residence.
They must bring either their Ghana Card or Ghana Passport as identification for registration purposes.
“The general public is informed that it is a criminal offence for non-Ghanaians (foreigners) and persons who are not 18 years and above (minors) to attempt to register.
“Offenders and those who guarantee for them will be liable for prosecution. Additionally, guarantors who guarantee for more than the legally mandated number of ten (10) persons will be prosecuted,” the EC warned.
The EC further encouraged all eligible applicants to register and vote in the upcoming District Level Elections.
“We urge the general public to support the 2023 Voters Registration Exercise,” it concluded.
President Akufo-Addo has provided evidence to back his claim that his administration has combatted corruption better than any other government in the 4th Republic.
In his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023–2024 Ghana Bar Conference in Cape Coast, he made this known.
He noted that, personifying the adage “charity begins at home”, every single alleged act of corruption levelled against any of his appointees has been investigated by independent bodies, such as CHRAJ, the CID, and, in some cases, by Parliament itself.
He said: “From the allegations against the then Minister-Designate for Energy, Boakye Agyarko, at his parliamentary confirmation hearings in 2017; to that against the former CEO of BOST, Hon. Alfred Obeng; to those against the then two deputy Chiefs of Staff at the Office of the President, Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye and Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor; to the conflict of interest allegations against the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; to the claims of extortion against the then Trade and Industry Minister-designate, Alan Kyerematen, at his parliamentary confirmation hearings in 2017;
Also, “allegations of doubling in visa racketeering against the then deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Pius Hadzide, and the then Director General of the National Sports Authority, Hon. Robert Sarfo Mensah who, even though exonerated by the CID, later resigned; the Chairperson of the Board of the National Sports Authority, Hon. Kwadwo Baah Agyemang ; to the allegations of bribery levelled against the Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Charles Bissue; to those involving the dismissed acting CEO of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), A. B Adjei; and the dismissed CEO of the National Youth Authority, Emmanuel Asigiri,” he named as other cases.
The president stressed that “they have all been investigated and, in most cases, cleared by the authorised institutions of our state, and not by President Akufo-Addo. “
“The latest episode involving the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, is evident for all to see. I am not aware of any government in the 4th Republic subjecting so many of its officials to such investigations and inquiries. At the same time, several officials of the previous Mahama administration, such as William Matthew Tetteh Tevie, Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman and Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, in the infamous $4 million NCA scandal, have been tried and convicted of various corruption-related offences, and several others, including Dr. Stephen Opuni, the former CEO of COCOBOD, and Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, are standing trial as we speak.”
He clarified that none of the accountability institutions of state, including the new Office of Special Prosecutor, have ever indicated any pressure from the Executive over their investigations.
“There are some who refuse to accept my method of proceeding and have characterised me as a ‘clearing agent’, because, for them, the mere allegation without more is enough to merit condemnation of the public official. For my part, I will not set aside due process in the fight against corruption, no matter how much opprobrium this incurs for me,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo has announced that the government is in the process of drafting legislation pertaining to the Conduct of Public Officers.
In pursuit of this objective, the Attorney General has engaged in extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including public sector organizations, civil society, and other interest groups.
The President made this announcement during the 2023 Bar Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in Cape Coast, Central Region, on Monday.
He specified that this legislation would draw inspiration from similar laws in other jurisdictions, such as the United States Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Kenya’s Public Officers Ethics Act of 2003, and the UK’s Constitutional and Governance Act of 2010.
The proposed legislation aims to address various aspects of public officers’ conduct, including their financial interests prior to assuming public office, familial business connections, improper enrichment, responsible care of public assets, professional ethics, property ownership, investments and shareholdings, conflicts of interest, impartiality in duty performance, and the misuse of public or confidential information for personal gain, among other matters.
“The Bill will provide a gamut of stringent administrative measures and sanctions to deal with violations of the law, ranging from a bar against holding public office for limited and indefinite periods, to penal measures.
“The Bill will also seek to strengthen the role of CHRAJ in the investigation of allegations of contravention of or non-compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, including conflict of interest, non-declaration of assets, and illicit enrichment. The Attorney General will bring the Bill soon for the consideration of Cabinet and subsequent enactment by Parliament, upon the conclusion of his consultations,“ the President said.
President Akufo-Addo assured the gathering that the fight to enhance standards and integrity in public life would continue under his government.
“We will enforce the law, no matter who is affected because it is a necessary foundation for the successful fight against corruption, and for guaranteeing integrity in public life.
“The law must truly be no respecter of persons,” he added.
The President highlighted that corruption flourishes when conditions allow it to remain hidden and stressed the importance of access to information in combating corruption.
For this reason, during his first term, his government took the initiative to pass the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which serves to fully implement Article 21(1)(f) of the Constitution, providing genuine significance and impact.
“The Act, which successive governments had failed to pass, sees to the implementation of the constitutional right to information, held by a public institution, to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs, subject to exemptions necessary and consistent with the protection of the public interest in a democratic society,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the Right to Information Act is presently in full execution, overseen by a governing board led by a seasoned, retired High Court Judge.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the Ministry of Information has conducted training for information officers across different Ministries, Departments, and Government Agencies to facilitate the comprehensive enforcement of this law.
“In 2018, again during my first term, Parliament passed the Witness Protection Act, 2018, (Act 975), to which I gave assent on 24th August the same year. The Act established a Witness Protection Agency to establish a witness protection scheme as a vehicle for offering protection to persons, who are required to co-operate with law enforcement agencies as witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of cases, particularly corruption cases affecting public officers,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the enactment of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1034), which amended section 239 of the Criminal Offences Act, elevating corruption from a misdemeanor to a felony. This amendment imposes stricter penalties of imprisonment ranging from 12 to 25 years.
He also mentioned several other laws passed by Parliament under his administration’s direction, which have significantly strengthened the state’s capacity in the battle against corruption. These include the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1029); the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982); State Interests and Governance Authority Act, 2019 (Act 990); Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044); Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act, 2020 (Act 1015); Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992); Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019); and Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047).
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo mentioned that his administration has implemented numerous other significant measures aimed at aiding the fight against corruption.
“A Memorandum of Understanding, on information exchange and collaboration in combating corruption and crime in general, has been signed by CHRAJ, EOCO, Parliament, Office of the Attorney-General, Ghana Audit Service, Ghana Police Service, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Narcotics Control Commission, Internal Audit Agency, National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, to this end,” he stated.
The President emphasized that the primary goal of his government’s digitalization agenda, encompassing a comprehensive national identification system, digital property address system, paperless port system, e-justice system, pensions and insurance data management, digitized land registry, and mobile money interoperability system, is to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the public sector.
“A digitised environment helps to eliminate and prevent corruption in various institutions and agencies. The passport office, ports and harbours, Registrar-General’s Department, National Health Insurance Service, Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, which, hitherto, were fertile grounds for corrupt activity, are being transformed beyond recognition.
He stated that the Ghana.Gov platform “has significantly reduced the risk of public sector corruption through embezzlement, allowing services to be accessed and payments made online by card or mobile money, with a significant reduction in the conduit of middlemen or ‘goro boys.’”
President Akufo-Addo has called upon chiefs and other traditional leaders to facilitate the availability of land for large-scale agricultural ventures in the country.
As custodians of the land, the chiefs have a vital role in releasing land to support large-scale commercial farming within the framework of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) phase II project.
This appeal was made by President Akufo-Addo during a round-table discussion with members of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.
The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the active involvement of chiefs in the second phase of the PFJ II project, an initiative led by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the leadership of Mr. Bryan Acheampong.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized that agriculture remains the driving force behind all activities in Ghana and that positioning it effectively is crucial for national development.
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 on global economies, the government has continued to work diligently to ensure economic sustainability through various interventions.
The President noted that the high cost of upfront land payments has discouraged agricultural activities in the country, and therefore, the government is shifting away from state land acquisition for agricultural purposes. Under the PFJ II, a new policy direction will be explored.
He highlighted the significant role traditional authorities play in the implementation of government programs and policies, emphasizing their importance in facilitating development.
Through government policies and interventions in the agriculture sector, Ghana has started to witness positive changes in its economic stability, despite the challenges posed by climate change.
President Akufo-Addo stressed the need for the chieftaincy institution to continue playing an active role in supporting the government’s historic PFJ II project by releasing land for agricultural activities.
The meeting was attended by notable figures such as Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Kennedy Kankam, the Municipal Chief Executive for Asokore-Mampong, among others. Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs, chaired the meeting.
The Ghana Association for Suicide Prevention (GASP) is advocating for the development of a National Suicide Prevention Plan to establish a unified framework for addressing suicidal tendencies in Ghana.
GASP has expressed appreciation for the government’s initiative to decriminalize attempted suicide, recognizing it as a mental health concern that warrants support rather than legal prosecution.
However, GASP emphasizes that more comprehensive measures are needed to effectively reduce the incidence of suicides and suicide attempts in the nation.
“While lauding this great effort, GASP also calls attention to the fact that decriminalisation alone does not necessarily lead to drastic reductions in suicide, unless there is political will to equip health facilities and help centres with the needed logistics and personnel to be able to receive and support the increasing numbers of people who might want to go there to seek help,” GASP said in a statement commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day.
According to a 2020 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana experiences approximately 1,993 suicides each year.
Furthermore, a 4-year report on suicide attempts in Ghana, released by the Ministry of Health (MOH), disclosed that there were 707 suicide attempts in 2018, 880 in 2019, 777 in 2020, and 417 recorded attempts as of June 2021.
In light of these statistics, GASP asserts that implementing a unified framework to address suicidal behaviors in the country is a necessary and crucial step forward.
They noted that “A National Suicide Prevention Plan can, among other benefits, help produce locally relevant recommendations and guidelines in the areas of suicide research, surveillance, reportage and content in the media, support for persons in suicidal crises, help for loved ones left behind and family members bereaved by suicides, and operations of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the area of suicide prevention.”
They also encouraged individuals to desist from maltreating persons who may verbalise a wish to die or may have attempted suicide.
“People in suicidal crises require empathy and practical assistance and not condemnation,” they stated.
They added that “We at GASP are trained experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds committed to helping anyone undergoing suicidal crises. GASP is working closely with the Mental Health Authority to come up with a dedicated toll-free helpline that persons experiencing suicidal crises can call and receive prompt professional support.”
Guinness Ghana, a prominent beverage company, has recently achieved its most robust financial performance in the 63 years since its establishment.
During the “Facts Behind the Figures” event held in collaboration with the Ghana Stock Exchange, Managing Director Helene Weesie addressed investors.
She emphasized that the company faced challenges in the first half of the year, including inflation, continuous rises in input costs, and the devaluation of the local currency, which impacted its business performance.
Since November, however, the company has been able to course correct by putting various stringent measures in place to mitigate the FX effects, combat inflation, and reduce costs.
“Meanwhile, we continued investing in our priority brands. We turned the business around, ending the year with double digit revenue growth while maintaining our volumes.
“Yes, H1 was challenging, but a strong H2 helped us to deliver the best year ever for Guinness Ghana.” According to the first female Managing Director of the company, a strong foundation has been laid for an ongoing period of challenging economic circumstances for the business.
“We have demonstrated resilience. We have demonstrated resourcefulness in adapting processes, taking swift actions and bringing different solutions to problems. We stayed close to our consumers and customers, and the increases in brand equity demonstrate that our brands are valued. As a team, we can be very proud on what we accomplished. We have truly demonstrated our Guinness Ghana motto ‘YES WE CAN’ in real time.
Finance Director, Justin Mollel, “all of the measures that the business introduced to deal with the current economic circumstances have led to a strong set of results. We grew revenue by 36%, grew profit by over 600% and generated positive cash flow, a turnaround from a negative cashflow last year. We have delivered positive value for our cherished shareholders with a 676% increase in earnings per share, a positive return on capital and have declared dividend to our shareholders.”
Corporate Relations Director Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah highlighted that the company’s performance was also reflected in its community engagement efforts throughout the country.
“As a business, we remain focused on championing our 10-year ESG action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world. Our strategic priorities are to promote positive drinking, champion inclusion and diversity and pioneer grainto-glass sustainability. Doing business the right way, underpins everything we do.”
“We were very deliberate about giving over 11,000 community members in the Pusiga and Jirapa assemblies access to clean water, championing a national plastic collection campaign for recycling, empowering farmers to enhance our sorghum and maize value chain and educating over 20,000 young people on the impact of underage drinking. Our focus on diversity and inclusion, particularly in ensuring we embrace gender equity across our business as well as involving women as beneficiaries of our community programs continue to be a driver of our sustainability initiatives,” she added.
Helene Weesie also added that though the economic circumstances were unprecedented, “we have shown that we can weather such storm, come out with market share growth and increasing brand equity, while maintaining very high engagement of our employees. That, to us, demonstrates that we have laid a strong foundation for the future.”
Netizens are reacting to recent comments by President Akufo-Addo with regards to his government’s fight against corruption in the country.
Speaking the 2023–2024 Ghana Bar Conference in Cape Coast today, the president noted that his government has undertaken, arguably, the boldest initiatives since our nation attained independence, nearly sixty-six (66) years ago, to reform and strengthen the capacity of our institutions to tackle corruption in the public sector.
He, however, noted that his responsibility has been “to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant enquiry and action, including, if necessary, the suspension of the affected official, pending the conclusion of investigations.”
“That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership on 7th January, 2017,” he added.
Some social media users beg to disagree. They note that corruption has heightened under the tutelage of President Akufo-Addo.
The words of Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, have been adopted by the critics to run down the government’s claim. They argue that the president is the “mother serpent of corruption”.
No Ghanaian leader has been as irresponsible in the destruction of our economy and institutions as you,the Mother Serpent of Corruption,have been.Ghanaians didnt have a difficulty electing you and they will have none electing @JDMahama who is far better than you. https://t.co/m9xC9ENaCu
Court description of Gov't Official One indeed clearly points to former President Mahama but what is the link between that and his supposed attack on the Judiciary?
Also didn't the same First Special Prosecutor describe President Akufo-Addo as the mother serpent of corruption? https://t.co/2EXJ5bTszc
You were caught on camera grabbing fat brown envelope with both hands yet you have the effontory to labelled someone who has cleared by an international investigative body for NO corruption or whatsoever. You mother serpent of corruption, you do not have shame pic.twitter.com/GpKgDNHpcZ
The former Deputy Spokesperson for Alan Kyerematen’s campaign, Richard Nyamah, has declared his determination to regain the Kpandai seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He has expressed his commitment to securing a victory for the party, which lost the seat in the 2020 general elections.
In a press release issued on Monday, Mr. Nyamah affirmed his readiness for the upcoming challenge and stated that he is prepared to go to great lengths to achieve success.
“As an aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for Kpandai, his withdrawal from the race makes my role as his Deputy Spokesperson and Deputy Director of Communications to his campaign redundant and ineffectual.”
“As a result, I am by this statement informing the public of my intention to refocus all my efforts henceforth, on my campaign to become the Parliamentary Candidate of the NPP in Kpandai to ensure we recapture the seat from the NDC and help NPP break the eight.”
Meanwhile, he thanked Mr Kyerematen for the opportunity to serve him.
“I thank Hon Kyerematen for the opportunity to have served him and the party and wish him well as he reevaluates his role in Ghanaian politics. I also wish to thank the Ghanaian media for its support so far and hope that as I deepen my focus on the Kpandai seat, I will continue to enjoy the same level of cooperation.”
Seven months into the second tenure of the sitting President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had made some new appointments and reshuffled a few appointees, but the retorts that will follow the announcement of the then National Organiser, Sammi Awuku, as Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) could deter even the hard-nosed from taking the job.
It spanned assertions of his inexperience in corporate governance, his incapacity to handle an organisation previously managed by military men and technocrats, his lack of experience in lottery and revenue generation, to warnings from a church youth to reject an “indecent and ungodly appointment.”
Perhaps the only empathetic voice in the public space would be that of the appointing Authority, President Akufo-Addo, who believed in the choice he had made and thus urged his appointee with the words, “Sammi, I think you can make a difference. Go out there and show the world what you can do.”
After 12 months of managing the NLA, has Sammi Awuku proven his critics right or wrong? Has he justified the confidence reposed in him? Is the NLA any better than it used to be, or worse off than he met it?
Let’s put the NLA in perspective, shall we?
Global House
Fortune House, one of the iconic buildings on the high street of Accra, credited with transforming the lives of many Ghanaians, now exemplified an organization with a battered image riddled with deep-seated problems and needed its fortunes turned around. Still, like a man on a mission, Mr. Awuku was determined to rewrite the story of the NLA when he walked onto the premises on August 9, 2021.
He hit the ground running by embarking on a trip to one of the most prosperous lottery bodies in the West African sub-region, the Lotterie Nationale De Cote d’Ivoire (LONACI).
His objective? Carry out a fact-finding mission to understudy what the Ivorian lottery body was doing differently to gain so much profit.
Several trips to Ivory Coast would develop a relationship that would endear NLA to the Ivorians and win their unwavering support.
This support is seen in a delegation led by the Director-General of LONACI, Dramane Coulibaly, who also doubles as the President of the African Lotteries Association (ALA) attending the relaunch of NLA’s Caritas Lottery Platform and the launch of the NLA Good Causes Foundation in October 2021 and presenting the Foundation with Sixty thousand Dollars ($60,000.00). This relationship will also help the NLA get re-accepted into ALA, having been kicked out from the Association a couple of years ago.
At an annual event that celebrates and highlights the importance of horse racing in sports lottery on the African Continent in Morocco, the Grand Prix d’Afrique, Mr. Awuku pitched for NLA to host the next African Lotteries Association Seminar on Responsible Gaming and won the bid.
NLA, therefore, got to host the seminar on Responsible Gaming as part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration in December 2022, drawing over 20 lottery bodies and about 150 people across Africa, Europe, and North America to Ghana.
The President of the World Lottery Association (WLA), Rebecca Paul, and her General Secretary, Lynne Roiter, visited Africa for the first time to attend this event.
For the next four days in Accra, they were thrilled to a series of events that culminated in the Grand Durbar of NLA’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo as the Special Guest of Honour. President Akufo-Addo repeated history by pressing the knob for the first winning number as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did 60 years ago for the first winning number and prize money of Five Thousand Pounds (5,000.00).
Hosting about 150 people in Ghana, most of whom were experiencing the Ghanaian culture, food, music, dance, and hospitality for the first time, not only put NLA on the global lottery map but also contributed to our tourism industry, ultimately generating revenue for our country.
NLA has since attained Level 2 Certification in Responsible Gaming from the World Lottery Association and is working to achieve Level by the end of the year.
While visiting the Ivory Coast on the assumption of office, Mr. Awuku and some management members also paid working visits to Nigeria to have discussions with the Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila, on how NLA can receive some royalties for Nigeria’s use of its Draw numbers.
These visits would, almost two years on, earn NLA Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis. (¢18,000.000.000) in royalties, Thirteen Million Ghana Cedis. (GHS 13,000.000.000) from Ivory Coast. NLA’s 5/90 Game has been exported to Ivory Coast and Nigeria and is now being officially played there via NLA’s online partner, KGL Technology Limited.
Conversations held on the side-lines of a trip to Morocco in March 2023 with the Director Generals of Liberia and Burkina Faso will set the tone for NLA’s 5/90 Game to be exported to both countries for royalties by the end of 2023.
Icreased revenue generation
KGL Technology Limited, one of the leading companies of the KGL Group, online partner, and Third Party Collaborator of the NLA, contributed to Mr. Awuku’s woes on the assumption of office. It was professed as one of the banes of the Authority’s dwindling business; thus, cancelling the contract would restore the Authority’s fortunes.
In examining the state of affairs, Mr. Awuku, with the support of the Governing Board, decided to renegotiate the contract sum from ¢25,000,000.00) to ¢55,000,000.
A deal that not only doubled the contract sum but also contributed ¢2,000,000.00 to the Authority’s Good Causes Foundation ¢3,000,000.00 as a Stabilization Fund to the Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) to cushion their business.
In 2023, the KGL Sum Contract moved up to Sixty-Five Million Ghana Cedis ¢65,000,000 and, together with the royalties from Ivory Coast and Nigeria, is paying NLA a total sum of ¢96,000,000.
NLA has also signed on new Third-Party Collaborators, including Afri Lotto Systems Limited, operator of the Afriluck 6/57 Mega Jackpot; Zeta Technologies Ltd., operator of the Mega6 Lotto; Game Park Limited, operator of the Pick 4 and Pick 1 Games, Blue Star Hi-Tech Company Ltd and Fortune Synergy Limited, operator of the Mega Fortune.
Apart from generating revenue for NLA, these wholly owned Ghanaian businesses, operating Games that are not 5/90, have injected some excitement and variety into the lottery space.
NLA’s licensed Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) operating under the frameworks of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) and Veterans Administration Act, 2012 (Act 844) pay a current annual renewable license fee of One million, Five Hundred Thousand ¢1,500,000 and ¢500,000.00 respectively.
Mr. Awuku has stated on several platforms that the NLA is working in collaboration with the security agencies to clamp down on all unlicensed illegal lottery operators, and no friend or foe will be spared when caught as the NLA will only be fulfilling its obligations of raising revenue for the state.
The Caritas Lottery Platform and The Good Causes Foundation
“This promotion is regulated by the National Lottery Authority on the Caritas Lottery Platform” must be a familiar refrain on most consumer promotions on our airwaves.
The Caritas Lottery Platform, established in 2012 to regulate consumer promotions, suddenly dropped, giving the Gaming Commission the upper hand to regulate the space.
Three months into Office, in October 2021, NLA relaunched the Caritas Lottery Platform and launched the Good Causes Foundation, graciously done by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.
NLA also petitioned the Office of the Attorney General to clarify who should regulate the consumer promotion space. In an advice from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice in August 2022, NLA was named as the sole statutory body, to the exclusion of all others, to regulate all consumer promotional schemes with elements of chance (raffles, draws, points-based selection criteria, etc.).
The Caritas Lottery Platform has since bounced back, giving legitimacy and credibility to promotions by Corporate Ghana and assurance to consumers. Managers of the Platform have gone beyond raising revenue to provide clients with essential feedback from the market regarding what people are thinking about their brands and products.
The good thing is proceeds from the Caritas Lottery Platform fund the NLA Good Causes Foundation.
The Good Causes Foundation stems from Section 2(3) of the National Lotto Act – stipulates, “NLA conducts, as part of the operation of National Lotto, a lottery to provide care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans, and destitute children.”
NLA, therefore, operates its Good Causes Foundation under four pillars: Education, Health, Youth and Sports Development, and Arts and Culture.
The Foundation has built recreational centres, sanitary facilities, mechanized boreholes, refurbished schools and hospitals, granted scholarships to brilliant but needy students, and provided educational and medical equipment, amongst many others, for communities, individuals, and institutions nationwide.
NLA says it invests in these projects to fulfil its statutory obligation, give back to the communities in which it operates, and let our patrons know that when patrons do not win, their money supports national development.
Mr Awuku’s critics, however, say the Good Causes Foundation is concentrated in the Eastern Region to help him win the Akuapem-North seat. He refutes that the records of projects undertaken since 2021 and ongoing projects have been made public in several publications by the Authority and can be easily verified.
As the local slang goes, is it a case of “outside gentility, home cry,” where the Authority, albeit fulfilling its mandate in Section 2 (3) of its National Lotto Act, gives to society at the expense of the welfare of Staff?
According to the Coordinator of the Good Causes Foundation, Amma Frimpong, over 70 Staff who have applied to the Foundation, primarily for medical aid and scholarships, have all received support with outstanding requests to be granted in the last quarter of the year.
Employee engagements and staff development
“I am not here to inherit anybody’s enemies; I am here to generate revenue; let us put our hands to the wheel and work together…” This statement by Mr Awuku on his first day at NLA undoubtedly endeared many of the Staff to him, yet some of his worst critics have been the NLA Staff. In his own words, he is loved and hated in equal measure.
Staff and salary upgrades for Staff who had been on the same grade at NLA for over ten years and more, the Institution of the Cola Scheme, Medical insurance, Team bonding activities, Fuel subsidies, and Training Opportunities both locally and abroad are reasons some Staff appreciate the Director-General.
Yet, some staff have alleged the award of contracts to family members of the Director-General and the sole source of such agreements. For instance, the building of a Data Centre, Monitoring System, and ERP have emerged.
According to Mr. Awuku, one of the challenges he noticed NLA grappling with on assumption of office in August 2021 was the absence of a Data Centre and an automated platform.
Some of the challenges identified include:
1. Systemic weakness due to lack of real-time transparency regarding transactional data.
2. Revenue generation and cash flow management due to the volume of transactions that the automated platform permits and the opacity that the current system brings, causing huge risks for large pay-outs due to nefarious internal or external actors who take advantage of the disorganized information flow of the system.
3. Different software systems that the NLA depends on, which are owned by its partners and collaborators, put the NLA at a disadvantage during disputes and resolutions—for instance, a shutdown by technical partners, which happened in the past.
After analysing various alternatives,’ financial and non-financial benefits and risks, Management decided to invest in an NLA-owned custom-built comprehensive Lotto Monitoring Enterprise Resource Planning Solution that will provide direct and easier access to real-time data and transparency of its operations.
In the long run, the solution will save the institution an estimated ¢48,000,000 over the next 10 years.
After multiple presentations, the NLA Governing Board approved the solution’s procurement.
Owing to the security implications of procuring an IT solution and NLA being a government agency, it was not prudent to open this bid up, a fact PPA acknowledges, thus granting NLA approval, particularly to a service provider who had understudied and identified the systemic challenges the Authority was faced with.
One would wonder if the Staff crying foul belongs to the camp of those who take advantage of the lapses in the system to steal from the company, some of whom have recently been indicted by the National Signals Bureau.
An audit of the Authority revealed that about ¢18,000,000 had been lost between 2021 and March 2023 due to these lapses in the system.
The Governing Board directed a complete investigation of all Staff to ensure that others were not involved in the misconduct, inviting the presence of the NSB to the NLA premises, with Staff duly informed of their presence.
Even though the Authority has approval to build the Data Center, the project has been shelved until the Authority is in a great position to do so.
Mr Awuku debunks the assertion that about 90% of contracts awarded are sole-sourced and says, on the contrary, a recent audit pegs the figure to 20%. Other Contractual Agreements attributed to the Director-General’s family have also proven untrue, and can easily be verified from the Public Procurement Authority, Registrar General and the NLA.
Checks revealed that Sammi Awuku has personally decided not to take salaries over the last two years and has been using his own vehicle as a cost-cutting measure.
Some staff commend him for instilling a sense of discipline, punctuality, and industrial peace in the NLA and reviving its corporate status.
While Mr. Awuku acknowledges the challenges, in his words, the tragedies and triumphs of the past two years, he believes with the guidance of the Governing Board, and the support of the Deputy Director-General, Anna Horma Miezah, Management and Staff, the NLA has greatly improved its lot and will seek to do more
With the Authority recently modernising its operations with new state-of-the-art draw machines, an ultra-modern draw studio, and a French presenter for its French Community in Ivory Coast, Mr. Awuku believes the NLA can only get better from here and should get ready to partner with investors to improve its operations and generate revenue for the Authority.
So, has Sammi Awuku justified the confidence reposed in him or should the appointing authority not have bothered? As is said in Latin, res ipsa loquitur, meaning “the thing speaks for itself.
President Akufo-Addo has asserted that his government’s actions in combating corruption are among the most robust anti-graft measures implemented since Ghana gained independence.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized that he has not provided protection to any of his appointees facing allegations of misconduct.
He made this known while addressing the 2023 Ghana Bar Conference held at the University of Cape Coast on Monday, September 11.
“I accepted the invitation to speak here in order to take advantage of this occasion to place, once again, my government’s record on corruption for public scrutiny. It will show that my government has undertaken, arguably, the boldest initiatives since our nation attained independence, nearly sixty-six (66) years ago, to reform and strengthen the capacity of our institutions to tackle corruption in the public sector.
“What I have done is to show you that my government has fought and is fighting corruption not just in high-sounding words, but, actually, in concrete deeds. We have shunned mere exhortations and showy denunciations of unproved corruption. It has been a holistic approach.”
To ensure government officials do not take their position for granted, engage in corrupt activities, the president noted that his administration has made institutional reforms, enacted additional requisite laws.
“Our fight against corruption has been grounded in legislative, financial, and institutional action, and not on mere lip service,” he added.
With all these achievements, the president noted that they were not done solely by his effort, as he is not mandated by the law to sanction corrupt government officials.
Such responsibility, he said, lies in the hands of the courts and law enforcement agencies.
He admitted that “My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant enquiry and action, including, if necessary, the suspension of the affected official, pending the conclusion of investigations.
“That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership on January 7, 2017. The latest episode involving the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, is evident for all to see.”
RuffTown Records, the management team overseeing the career of Ghanaian artist Wendy Shay, has provided an official statement regarding the car accident she was involved in over the weekend.
On the night of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Wendy Shay, known for hits like ‘Uber Driver,’ was in a car accident on the Kwabenya road in Accra.
According to a report by UTV, Wendy’s Jeep Wrangler, bearing the registration plate SHAY 21-19, sustained significant damage to the front after colliding with a sand-loaded tipper truck.
During a live account of the incident on UTV’s ‘United Showbiz,’ Prince Obimpeh, Deputy News Editor of the station, mentioned that Wendy Shay had complained of severe headaches at the scene. She was subsequently transported to a hospital for medical attention.
A press release issued by RuffTown Records’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ricky Nana Agyeman (Bullet), confirmed that Wendy Shay is currently under medical care and is responding to treatment.
“According to latest medical reports, Wendy Shay is in a stable condition and is expected to make full recovery,” he wrote.
Bullet has also issued a request for the public to offer prayers for Wendy Shay.
This request comes just days after the artist herself emphasized the importance of spiritual strength for creatives striving to achieve greater success in their careers.
For the second time, President Akufo-Addo has urged his critics to channel their concerns regarding what they perceive as a delay in the delivery of justice for corruption and related activities through the proper channels.
The president emphasized that the responsibility for investigating and passing judgment on individuals accused of corruption rests with law enforcement agencies, not with him.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023–2024 Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference on Monday, he emphasised that “It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption.”
“That is the job of the courts and the law enforcement agencies,” he added.
His remarks follow criticisms from both the general public and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have accused the government of not taking sufficient measures to penalize individuals allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has asserted that President Akufo-Addo’s leadership has fostered an environment conducive to corruption.
However, President Akufo-Addo has absolved himself of responsibility and directed attention to the relevant institutions that should handle such matters.
This is not the first instance where the President has clarified his stance on addressing corruption. Back in 2019, during the same event hosted by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), concerns about corruption were raised, particularly regarding the government’s crackdown on illegal mining and the confiscation and destruction of mining equipment.
Allegations had surfaced implicating some government officials in illegal mining activities, prompting calls for the President to take stern action against his appointees.
The President, however, noted that “It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or of engaging in acts of corruption”.
“My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary action. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership on 7th January 2017”.
The President said this while addressing members of the Ghana Bar Association at the Annual Bar Conference in Takoradi Tuesday, September 9, 2019.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently conducting an investigation into the activities of two shipping companies and their agents. These entities are suspected of colluding to manipulate trade documents in order to pay reduced duties and taxes to the government.
The fraudulent process involves providing false information about the goods to expedite customs clearance and evade the full tax obligations owed to the state.
Commissioner of the Customs Division, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, revealed in an interview that the division had received intelligence regarding these two companies and their importers.
Upon further investigation, it was uncovered that these entities had altered the details on their bills of lading when clearing goods at the Tema Port.
Subsequently, the goods were specifically targeted and subjected to physical examination, which revealed discrepancies between the descriptions of the goods on the Bill of Entry (BOE) and the actual physical contents within the containers.
“The actual description of the consignments were footwear, bags, belts, underwear, galvanized pipes, etc. as against the entered description of Knapsack Sprayer,” he said.
Alhaji Iddisah reported that following the discovery, the Customs Division’s Management took action by assigning both the Internal Audit and Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Department to carry out an audit on the implicated agents and importers. This audit was conducted in accordance with sections 7 and 9 of the Customs Act 2015 (Act 891) and aligned with the guidelines of the World Customs Organisation Revised Kyoto Convention.
The audit investigation revealed that a total of 23 Bills of Entry (BOEs) were implicated, with 22 of them linked to a single shipping line. These entries had been manipulated, with the identified companies providing inaccurate descriptions, misclassifications, and undervaluations of their imported goods, all aimed at reducing their Customs duties and tax liabilities.
Remarkably, the audit of just one of these Bills of Entry disclosed a staggering tax evasion amounting to 10.15 million cedis. Furthermore, the audit unveiled instances where certain agents had processed customs declarations containing incorrect information intentionally to lower Customs duties and taxes.
Simultaneously, they provided cloned Customs declarations containing the actual details of the goods, the accurate Customs value, and duty rates, while collecting the reduced amount from the importers.
“So, it means they’re cheating both the importers and the government. So, we went to the importers he will show you a customs declaration that they gave to him but that was not what he submitted to us,” he said.
During the course of the investigation, Alhaji Iddisah disclosed that the two companies in question admitted that their personnel had indeed manipulated the accurate descriptions of the goods originally provided to them by the shipping company. He further noted that the ongoing investigation aims to determine the extent of involvement and collusion of the importers in these fraudulent activities.
“We want all those involved and we want to give a warning to everybody that you cannot hide whatever happens it will come up and those who are into that practice can own up,” he added.
Additionally, it came to light that both the Bills of Lading from the shipping lines and the invoices declared to Customs had been falsified by the local shipping company.
Alhaji Iddisah explained that in light of these discrepancies, the Customs Division’s management made the decision to expand the scope of their investigation to cover the past six years, with the aim of identifying any other companies involved in such fraudulent practices.
He also noted that while the involvement of customs officers had not been ruled out, investigations had not definitively established their complicity. Interestingly, the initial intelligence that prompted the investigation had come from customs officers themselves.
Alhaji Iddisah stated that demand notices had been issued to recover the taxes and penalties that the state had lost, and the investigations were still ongoing, potentially leading to legal prosecution.
In an effort to enhance monitoring and oversight, Alhaji Iddisah mentioned that the Customs Division was shifting its monitoring activities away from the ports to its headquarters, ensuring more effective supervision.
While still aiming to facilitate efficient clearance through the green channel, Customs had also implemented a holding area to enable officers to thoroughly screen shipments and request re-examination if deemed necessary.
“In fact, since we reintroduce it a lot of containers which are passed through the green channel have been reexamined at the port and the differences have been critical and we’ve given them penalties,” he added.
The Police have arrested a 24-year-old illegal miner on charges of sexually assaulting a young girl in Akrokere in the Ashanti Region’s Adansi North District.
The victim, a 9-year-old girl currently enrolled in Primary 3, is identified as Ebenezer Adu’s target.
According to information obtained from sources close to Adom News, the suspect and the mother of the young girl both reside in the same residence.
Allegedly, the woman had asked the suspect to allow the girl to sleep in his room when her boyfriend or fiancé visited her during the night.
The source disclosed that the illegal miner took improper advantage of the situation and sexually abused the young girl on multiple occasions.
The distressing situation came to light when the girl attended school with a mobile phone given to her by the accused miner.
The girl’s mother, Faustina Yamu, has verified the incident in a phone conversation with Adom News.
She confirmed that the suspect has been turned over to the Obuasi police, while her daughter is presently receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
Member of Parliament (MP) representing Dormaa East, Paul Twum-Barimah, has confidently asserted that former Trade Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential aspirant, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, remains committed to the party.
This declaration comes in the wake of Alan Kyerematen’s unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race, citing reasons such as intimidation, violence, and bias. In his official statement, Alan alluded to a forthcoming evaluation of his political role within the NPP.
While speculation has arisen about the possibility of his departure from the party, Twum-Barimah, speaking to the media within the parliament, firmly maintained that Alan Kyerematen is here to stay.
He is determined to work towards the party’s success in the upcoming elections, aiming to break the cycle of two terms and secure another term for the NPP.
“NPP will always come out strong, NPP will always come out unified, I mean we are tried and tested and proved to be one of the best democratic parties on the continent and in the world, we will be among the top ones.
“Clearly, this is not the time I strongly believe that the party hierarchy or let me say the rank and file of the party will sit and realize that breaking the eight. We cannot break the eight with a divided front. We cannot break the eight with this person moving to the other side and the other person calling names and that,” Mr. Twum-Barimah indicated.
He continued: “This is the time that we need to sit around the table and all of us put our hands to the wheel and make sure that we break the eight. The current leader Nana Addo Dankwa is a symbol of unifier, we know that the party Chairperson, Chairman Ntim fantastic man with the General Secretary I am sure they are going to do a good job and they are going to call for a unity approach to whatever is going on this party.”
President Akufo-Addo has for the second time entreated his critics to divert their frustrations over what they deem a delay in justice delivery on corruption and corruption-related activities through the appropriate channels.
According to the president, the onus to investigate or pass judgement on individuals accused of corruption does not fall on him but on law enforcement agencies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023–2024 Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference on Monday, he emphasised that “It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption.”
“That is the job of the courts and the law enforcement agencies,” he added.
His comments come after some members of the general public and the opposition National Democratic Congress condemned the government for failing to ensure individuals allegedly caught engaging in corrupt activities are sanctioned.
Former President John Dramani Mahama believes that President Akufo-Addo has created a conducive environment for corruption to thrive.
But President Akufo-Addo has absolved himself of blame, pointing to the institutions that need to be engaged over the matter.
This is not the first time the President has made his mandate clear when it comes to tackling corruption. In 2019, at the same event held by the GBA, the confiscation and destruction of mining equipment due to the government’s fight against illegal mining raised corruption concerns. It was alleged that some government officials were involved in galamsey. Some individuals called on the President to go hard on his appointees.
The President, however, noted that “It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or of engaging in acts of corruption”.
“My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary action. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership on 7th January 2017”.
The President said this while addressing members of the Ghana Bar Association at the Annual Bar Conference in Takoradi Tuesday, September 9, 2019.
The U.S. Embassy and EducationUSA are set to host more than 40 U.S. higher education institutions in Ghana this week.
This initiative includes EducationUSA’s College Fairs scheduled for Thursday, September 14, in Kumasi, as well as Friday and Saturday, September 15–16, in Accra.
These events will provide thousands of Ghanaian students with the chance to engage with admission representatives from various U.S. colleges and universities.
“Ghana is a top sender of students to the United States—number 18 in the world for graduate degree programs.
“We are excited to welcome forty U.S. institutions to speak about educational opportunities ranging from undergraduate studies to doctorate degree programs for Ghanaian students and professionals,” said Counselor for Public Diplomacy Emily Fertik regarding the EducationUSA Fairs this week.
The EducationUSA College Fair in Kumasi takes place on Thursday, September 14, at KNUST’s Great Hall, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for students interested in pursuing an undergraduate bachelor’s degree and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those interested in a graduate degree program.
In Accra at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, graduate programs will be featured on Friday, September 15 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is dedicated to undergraduate programs. Prospective students should register to attend in advance.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, more than 4,900 Ghanaian students studied in the United States, attending 700 colleges and universities in all 50 U.S. states, and earning more than $7 million in scholarships.
Throughout the year, EducationUSA advisers provide assistance and advice to Ghanaian students seeking opportunities in the United States.
President Akufo-Addo has slammed his predecessor for his recent comment on the composition of the judiciary.
The president is of the assertion that the Judiciary is not politically biased, as suggested by former President John Dramani Mahama.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has claimed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has selected individuals with close ties to the ruling party to hold positions within the judiciary.
Mr Mahama contended that President Akufo-Addo’s appointments to the judiciary seem to be a deliberate strategy aimed at installing judges who might lean toward his interests once his tenure ends.
The 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer proposed that the president’s actions are designed to protect himself from accountability once he finishes his term in office.
Mr Mahama said: “Currently, the judiciary is packed with NPP-inclined judges because this government has carried out a deliberate policy of putting their people onto the bench.”
“He has appointed the biggest number of judges onto the bench, it is more than 80 towards 100 and counting. You can see what the current president has done. He has packed the court, and we know they have packed the court because they want to avoid accountability after they have left office.”
He made this assertion while addressing the closing ceremony of the 3rd Annual Lawyers Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, September 2.
Reacting to his comment at the 2023/2024 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association which began on Monday, September 11, President Akufo-Addo noted that such statements attack the integrity and independence of the Judiciary. According to the President, such comments must not be uttered by “an allegedly responsible politician of the 4th Republic.”
“He has told the world that I have packed the courts with so called NPP judges and that one of the key purposes of opposition NDC in 2024 will be to enable him to balance the courts with so called NDC judges.
“Not only are these concepts of “NPP NDC Judges” new in our public discourse, they are also extremely dangerous. They represent the most brazen attack on the Independence of the Judiciary by an allegedly responsible politician of the 4th Republic,” the president said.
This year’s conference is on the theme: “Ensuring High Standards and Integrity in Public Life: The Role of Legal Profession.”
President Akufo-Addo has once again refuted the tag ‘clearing agent’ in the country’s fight against corruption and corruption-related activities.
In recent times, government officials such as former Sanitation Minister, Madam Cecilia Dapaah, have been involved in corruption and corruption-related activities for which they are being investigated.
Pending the determination of the case, President Akufo-Addo expressed his confidence in the integrity of Madam Dapaah. This prompted condemnation by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some members of the public.
Reacting to this concern at the 2023/2024 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association on the theme: “Ensuring High Standard and Integrity in Public Life: The Role of Legal Profession,” the president noted that it is unwise to pass judgement on his subjects before investigations are concluded.
“There are some who refuse to accept my method of proceeding and characterise me as a clearing agent. Because for them, the mere allegation without more is enough to merit the condemnation of the public officer,” he said.
According to the president, he will continue to chart this course despite being labelled a “clearing agent” by some critics.
“For my part, I will not set aside due process in the fight against corruption. No matter how much opprobrium this incurs for me,” he added.
For the president, he has done no ill, as none of the state’s accountability institutions, including the new Office of Special Prosecutor, have reported any interference from the executive branch regarding their investigations.
This is not the first time the president has been tagged as a “clearing agent”. In 2021, the President came out to the public to indicate that he had no power to absolve any individual accused of corruption, as that was not part of his mandate.
The Ghana Bar Association today held its 2023–2024 Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference.
The opening ceremony of the conference is being held at the National Examination Center, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast. The event is on the theme: “Ensuring High Standards and Integrity in Public Life: The Role of Legal Profession.
Present at the event were President Akufo-Addo, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, and Attorney-General Godfred Dame, among others.
Reports indicate that North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has commenced his journey to Vladivostok for an upcoming summit with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin.
According to South Korean media sources citing a government official, Kim’s armored train, typically used for his foreign visits, has left Pyongyang. The summit is anticipated to occur as early as Tuesday local time.
Earlier, the Russian news agency Interfax had reported that Kim’s visit to Russia was expected “in the coming days.” This summit marks Kim Jong Un’s first international trip in over four years and his first since the onset of the pandemic.
During the meeting, the two leaders are likely to discuss the potential for North Korea to provide military support to Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, as indicated by a US official speaking to the BBC’s US partner, CBS.
Kim Jong Un’s previous foreign trip was to Vladivostok in 2019 for his initial summit with Putin, following the breakdown of North Korea’s nuclear disarmament talks with then-US President Donald Trump.
The North Korean leader’s travel to Vladivostok involves an armored train rumored to include at least 20 bulletproof cars, making it heavier than standard trains and limited to a maximum speed of 59 km/h (37 mph). The journey to Vladivostok is expected to span an entire day.
This potential meeting comes after the White House disclosed that arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia were “actively advancing,” with Russia’s Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, reportedly attempting to negotiate the purchase of artillery ammunition from Pyongyang during a recent visit to North Korea.
Russia is believed to be in need of 122mm and 152mm shells due to dwindling stocks, although determining North Korea’s full artillery inventory is challenging due to its secretive nature.
The weapons displayed during the meeting between Kim Jong Un and Sergei Shoigu in July included the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile, believed to be North Korea’s first ICBM to use solid propellants.
This event marked the first time Kim Jong Un had opened North Korea’s doors to foreign guests since the onset of the Covid pandemic.
Starting in October, the National TB Programme (NTP) in Ghana is set to introduce a new treatment regimen for Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) tuberculosis care.
This new regimen, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), consists of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Moxifloxacin (BPaLM), and offers patients a shorter treatment duration of six months, as opposed to the previous regimen that spanned nine to 18 months.
Additionally, this updated approach will reduce the pill burden on patients, shifting from the current requirement of seven groups of medicines with over 14 tablets to just three medicines daily.
The decision to implement this new regimen was made after the National TB Advisory Board expressed satisfaction with the WHO’s implementation plan. This approval came through the Ghana Health Service, facilitated by its implementing body, the TB Programme.
The Programme Manager for NTP, Dr. Yaw Aduse-Poku, informed the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the newly recommended BPaLM regimen promises better treatment outcomes, notably shortening the treatment duration and substantially enhancing the quality of life for individuals dealing with MDR/RR-TB.
To initiate the plan, the Programme intends to hold national, regional, and district consultations, seeking external technical assistance to devise a tailored implementation approach for the country. The drugs, Dr. Aduse-Poku mentioned, are expected to arrive in the country by September 30, 2023.
He said a national guideline, training manual and desk aide were being developed adding “logistics in terms of the new drugs have been quantified and procured, and they are scheduled to be in country by September 30, 2023.”
Dr. Aduse-Poku clarified that the new WHO DR-TB treatment regimen, which comprises Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Moxifloxacin (BPal M), offers a reduction in side effects compared to the old regimen.
The previous regimen was associated with common side effects such as gastritis, vomiting, decreased appetite, peripheral neuropathy, depression, and suicidal tendencies. The new regimen is designed to be less burdensome for patients, their families, and healthcare workers.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis (TB) ranks among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. In Ghana, it is estimated that approximately 30 individuals lose their lives to TB each day, while 125 people become ill daily due to the disease.
On a global scale, it is estimated that every day, more than 4,000 people succumb to TB, and nearly 30,000 individuals fall ill with TB disease.
“Currently, Ghana has 169 GeneXpert, 79 digital x-rays in 260 districts and there should be deliberate efforts to provide diagnostic tools for TB diagnosis.”
According to the WHO Report, 2022, Ghana recorded 12,000 TB mortality with 45,000 TB incidence with childhood TB recording 6,500 cases.
“The Programme is currently involved in contact tracing, diagnosing and treating Paediatric TB, intensifying case finding in all facilities, embarking on community outreach programmes, actively involved in TB prevention and treatment, as well as embarking on active screening at mining and prisons to increase detection cases in the country,” Dr Aduse-Poku noted.
Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily transmitted through droplet infection, typically occurring when an individual with TB coughs, sings, or sneezes. Inhalation of these infected droplets by a person without the infection can lead to TB transmission.
While TB commonly affects the lungs, it can also impact other organs within the body, including the pleural cavity, liver, scrotum, kidney, intestines, and womb, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Furthermore, TB can affect animals like cattle, known as bovine TB.
TB presents with various symptoms, including cough, weight loss (particularly seen as poor weight gain in children), fever, fatigue, night sweats, chest pain, and coughing with blood-stained sputum. It’s important to note that TB is both preventable and curable. Diagnosis and treatment for TB are readily available at no cost in all public and accredited private healthcare facilities.
Former President John Mahama, also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed his dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s recent announcement of a GH¢1,308 producer price per bag of cocoa.
He characterized this decision as detrimental to hardworking cocoa farmers.
At an event in Tepa on September 9, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges faced by cocoa farmers, including the impact of low international cocoa prices, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these difficulties, he revealed that COCOBOD and the government had chosen to increase the producer price of cocoa.
The President explained that cocoa prices had risen significantly from GH¢7,600 per tonne in 2016 to GH¢12,800 per tonne in 2022, representing a substantial 68% increase.
Moreover, the government had further elevated cocoa prices from GH¢12,800 per tonne to GH¢20,943 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢1,308 per bag. This new price corresponds to 70.5% of the Gross FoB price and is equivalent to $1,821 per tonne, marking the highest price paid to cocoa farmers in West Africa in nearly half a century.
However, in a Facebook post on Monday, September 11, John Mahama argued that given the international market price of cocoa, which reached a 46-year record high of $3,600, the government should have provided cocoa farmers with a more equitable share of the international FOB price.
He expressed his disappointment that the government opted to offer farmers only GH¢1,308 per bag, amounting to just 52.7% of the FOB Price on the international market.
“The government’s just-announced increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa is a rip-off of our hardworking cocoa farmers and their families who continue to sustain our economy through their toil.
“With the international market price surging to a 46-year record high of $3,600, the government should have given our cocoa farmers their fair share of the international FOB price.
“Sadly, the government has chosen to give them a paltry GH₵1,308 per bag, constituting only 52.7% of the FOB Price of the product on the international market.
“This is unfair to our cocoa farmers, who have been worse off since the NPP took over the reins of government in 2017.
“In 2016, my government, in addition to the free fertiliser and free cocoa seedlings programme, gave cocoa farmers 66.06% of the FOB Price of cocoa.
“This NPP administration should have built on this foundation. They have rather increased the operational expenses of COCOBOD and reduced the international FOB share for the farmers. Cocoa farmers certainly deserve better!” he wrote.
The Bureau of Public Safety has advocated for the initiation of criminal proceedings against individuals whose actions and negligence played a part in the explosion that took place in Anto-Aboso, located within the Shama District of the Western Region.
This tragic event unfolded on Sunday, September 10, leading to the regrettable loss of four lives and causing numerous others to suffer from various degrees of injuries.
In a conversation with Citi News, Nana Yaw Akwada, the executive director of the Bureau of Public Safety, stressed the vital importance of ensuring accountability through legal channels for those responsible for this unfortunate incident.
“Looking at the extent of destruction and the fact that lives have been lost, we should be looking beyond administrative sanctions of persons whose act of commission or omission may have led to this incident in less than two years after Appiatse.
“Criminal prosecutions must be pressed against such persons at all costs and people must come to the realisation that willful negligence or inaction that leads to fatal workplace incidents is criminal and must be sanctioned as such.”
Nana Yaw Akwada also urged for an unbiased assessment of safety protocols at all mining sites across the country to guarantee the implementation of improved safety standards.
“I will also recommend an immediate independent reassessment to be conducted across all mining sites nationwide with respect to the manufacturing, transportation, storage, and use of explosive materials and I believe that if we take this step, we can certainly make some good strides in today’s occurrences within the mining sector.”
After preliminary investigations, the Minerals Commission in a press statement issued on Monday, September 11, has revealed that the site of the explosion is a subject of an application by a company with the name Sta Addsams Enterprise.
The company, the Commission said, has applied for a Restricted Mining Lease for granite.
The recommendation for the company to be considered for the grant of a formal lease was granted on 20th March 2023.
According to the Minerals Commission, at the time of the explosion, the company had not been issued a lease by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
It is expected that those found culpable will be sanctioned after the completion of a full investigation.
The Minerals Commission, in a press statement issued on Monday, September 11, has revealed that Sta Addsams Enterprise had not obtained a permit to mine at Anto-Aboso in the Shama District of the Western Region during the period of the explosion.
The company, the Commission said, has applied for a Restricted Mining Lease for granite.
The recommendation for the company to be considered for the grant of a formal lease was granted on March 20, 2023.
According to the Minerals Commission, at the time of the explosion, the company had not been issued a lease by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
In its press release, it further revealed that “the administrator of the enterprise informed the inspectors that the company was working at night ostensibly to prevent them from being noticed by the inspectors of the Commission and the local task force comprising the police and members of the sand winners and quarry Association.
“A routine monitoring visit by the inspectors from the Takoradi Office to the site revealed that the enterprise was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory works and had conducted run of the machines and equipment on site without the approval of the Commission.
The enterprise was therefore notified by the inspectors that such activities are illegal and was directed to cease any activity on the site until the lease is granted and all other permits and approvals for the storage, transportation and use of any substance to undertake operations are obtained.”
The Commission therefore noted that “the activity of the enterprise was illegal.”
It is expected that those found culpable will be sanctioned after the completion of a full investigation.
Background
An Ammonia nitrate explosion at Anto-Aboso in the Shama District of the Western Region has claimed the lives of five persons including one Chinese national.
The unfortunate incident occured around 11 p.m. at the Omni Quarry site on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Affected surrounding communities in the Shama District are currently in shock, with many people counting their losses. Those injured have been admitted to various hospitals within Sekondi-Takoradi for treatment.
The cause of the explosion is yet to be established.
The disaster has prompted national concern and calls for sanctions against individuals whose actions may have led to this.
Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has taken a swipe at the Akufo-Addo-led government, asserting that corruption has flourished under its watch, owing to the favorable conditions it has fostered.
He contended that the government has turned corruption into a buy-and-sell affair, where unscrupulous individuals can pay a paltry sum to gain permission to engage in various wrongdoings that harm the public purse.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for some newly elected Executives of the party on Wednesday, September 6, he said: “We have never come this low, where corruption in government has become like an American buffet. Eat all you can, only for $10. So once you pay the gate fee, which is an appointment from the Akufo-Addo’s government, you enter there and eat everything you can.”
“In fact, if you allow yourself to be outdone in the race to amass wealth from the system then you blame yourself,” he added.
The Akufo-Addo led government has been tagged as one where corrupt individuals go unpunished due to their alleged affiliation with those in power.
The president has been accused of not walking the talk when it comes to combating corruption.
A prominent advocate against corruption, Vitus Azeem, condemned the efforts of the president to check corruption, noting that individuals must be sanctioned to register government’s commitment to the agenda.
“He’s not doing anything physical, there’s nothing on the ground. He’s even worse by way of always trying to exonerate some of his appointees from allegations that he has not even investigated. The best thing as a president is to call the person, and find out what has happened and if there’s a need for a committee to investigate you do that. But the president is the first person to come out and declare the person innocent. That is why he’s called a clearing agent. Apart from using it for a political game, you need to be able to investigate and sanction people that are guilty,” Vitus Azeem said.
Most recent among the critics is former President John Mahama, who in a Facebook Live address on September 6, 2023, said government has misappropriated limited resources and overspent instead of investing in essential infrastructure for job creation and overall development.
“President Akufo-Addo and his administration have failed to address the pressing challenges they have exerted on the people of our country. Misapplying our precious scarce resources and overspending instead of building the critical infrastructure this country needs for job creation and development. Their promises during their campaigns have not been fulfilled leaving the ordinary Ghanaian burdened with the consequences of their incompetence, cluelessness and shameless arrogance.”
“Today, some Ghanaians glorify and make excuses for corruption because the NPP government has allowed it to permeate every aspect of our society. This must not be accepted as the norm. It hinders progress on many fronts, denying our youth many opportunities that could come their way if state resources were meaningfully applied. We cannot allow this dire state of affairs to continue.
“We must all join the fight against corruption, and demand accountability from our leaders. We must not allow corruption to continue to hold our country back,” he said.
The Ministry of Information, in a statement, said, “President Akufo-Addo will on Saturday engage with members of the National House of Chiefs as part of efforts to make large tracts of land available for farming”.
The Ministry, in its statement, underscored the importance of traditional authorities’ support in bolstering endeavors to ensure the success of the programme.
“The President expects that the support of Chiefs will further enhance efforts to make the program successful. With about 80% of Ghana’s land being customary ownership by chiefs and families, it is acknowledged that chiefs have the power to allocate, lease, or sell land for various purposes”.
On Monday, August 28, 2023, President Akufo-Addo officially inaugurated Phase Two of the government’s flagship agricultural initiative, “Planting for Food and Jobs,” at the University for Development Studies in Tamale.
This second phase of the program, designed to build upon the achievements of its predecessor, is a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at revolutionizing Ghana’s agriculture sector. The primary focus is on modernization, which includes the development of specific commodity value chains and the active involvement of the private sector.
Phase Two of the Programme seeks to “improve service delivery to maximise impact, substitutes direct input subsidy with smart agricultural financial support in the form of comprehensive input credit, with provision for in-kind payment,” the President indicated.
On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, President Akufo-Addo launched the inaugural “Planting for Food and Jobs” program in Goaso, located in the Ahafo region.
This initiative was a pivotal government effort to modernize the agricultural sector, enhance production efficiency, and ensure food security and profitability for farmers.
Its primary goal was to substantially boost agricultural productivity while implementing a value-addition approach that would accelerate agro-processing and establish new, sustainable markets.
The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency has revealed that neither public nor private mortuary facilities in the country have obtained the necessary license for operation as mandated by the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Part 2).
The agency has identified a total of 232 mortuaries currently in operation across the country, with the possibility of additional facilities emerging in the future.
“None of these 232 mortuaries is licensed to operate per the law,” the Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Yaw Twerefour, told the Daily Graphic, adding that “licences will tell you how to operate.”
In pursuit of enforcing the act and bringing proper regulation to the mortuary system, the agency, under the leadership of Dr. Twerefour, has established standards that align with the law. These standards are intended to streamline the operations of mortuary operators.
Dr. Twerefour emphasized that the agency would share these standards with relevant stakeholders. Subsequently, operators will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the standards. Following this, a grace period will be provided for operators to prepare for inspections, culminating in the issuance of licenses to compliant facilities.
“By the end of the next quarter, we would have engaged everybody for them to know what they are expected to do,” Dr Twerefour said.
After that, he said, they would be given three months to put their houses in order in terms of licensing.
“After all of this, when we come to your premises and you still don’t comply or you don’t fall within what we have, then you don’t have any business on the field,” he said.
The agency, established in accordance with Part Two of Act 829, assumes the responsibility of licensing, overseeing, and regulating facilities associated with the storage, transportation, and disposal of human remains. This includes functions such as evaluating and approving license applications for both facilities and practitioners.
The practitioners eligible for licensing encompass a wide range of roles, from pathologists and embalmers to funeral home directors, mortuary attendants, and many others. Facilities that require licensing include cold storage facilities for human remains, mortuaries, crematoria, funeral homes, columbaria, cemeteries, and various transportation services like hearses.
This regulatory framework is intended to ensure proper oversight and compliance within the sector.
Dr Twerefour said the facilities had standards they were supposed to meet, adding that, “for instance, if I come to your morgue, I need to know the composition of management, the registration — who are the owners, their financial capacity, your vision, your mission, infection prevention control, security, backup water and backup generator”.
According to Dr. Twerefour, a contingency tank must have the capacity to sustain the facility’s operations for a full week. This entails the need for a substantial tank since water is a crucial resource for the proper functioning of mortuaries.
“So if I come and you don’t have a storage tank of a certain capacity, you are out; you can’t work.
Even if you have a borehole, you must have a storage tank since that could fail and may not be able to pump water,” he explained.
Dr. Twerefour emphasized that the absence of standards had created a scenario in which individuals could commit crimes, such as murder, dispose of the victims’ bodies at any mortuary, and then disappear without a trace. Consequently, this practice led to bodies remaining in mortuaries for extended periods and ultimately being classified as unclaimed, frequently culminating in mass burials.
He further noted that the lack of standards resulted in certain facilities accepting bodies indiscriminately without conducting inquiries into their origins or adhering to other necessary procedures.
“Now, who is checking them, nobody.
So now it’s a free-for-all field and people are just doing what they like.
He pointed out that while some morgues were inclined to adhere to proper protocols, they sometimes felt compelled to relax their standards due to the lack of compliance by others in the industry.
Dr. Twerefour underscored that licensing morgues would have an additional benefit in regulating unlicensed hearses. These unlicensed vehicles would undergo scrutiny to determine if they met the legal requirements. Consequently, this measure, along with other initiatives, would lead to a cascading effect, streamlining activities within the sector.
“But the ultimate goal is to go digital such that when I sit in my office I can know how many bodies entered the cemetery in the Western Region on a daily basis.
This is because once you enter you have to key in the information, real-time information,” he said.
Dr Twerefour disclosed that the infrastructure to that effect was being developed.
“By the end of the year we would have started licensing all the facilities – hearses, morgues, crematoriums, mausoleums.
“This is a new dawn, things are changing; it is either you join us or you fall out.
I am for collaboration; I am not here to kill or destroy anybody’s business.
I am here to support and set the standards; either you meet the standards or you drop out,” he emphasised.
Commercial banks have raised concerns over the increasing Treasury bill rates and how they might affect the cost of credit and loan repayment, especially for borrowers facing difficulties meeting their obligations.
“If the market rate moves into the 30 and 40s which company or household will be able to borrow at the rate and make good on the re-payment” the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association Banks John Awuahsaid on PM Express Business Edition with host George Wiafe on September 7, 2023.
“We should not forget that if you give 10 loans and one goes bad it wipes off the benefits of the other nine”, he added.
The government had initially employed the first phase of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme to reduce interest rates to approximately 15 percent. However, due to the government’s extensive borrowing via the Treasury bill market, interest rates surged to around 30 percent.
Some financial experts attribute this situation to the fact that the Treasury bills market has become the sole domestic source for the government to generate funds needed to sustain its operations. Ghana’s unfavorable credit ratings and high debt levels have made it challenging for the country to access funds from the international capital market.
Mr. Awuah expressed concern that the elevated interest rates are not advantageous for banks in terms of generating substantial returns on credit. He dismissed the notion that banks have been profiting from high interest rates. On the contrary, Mr. Awuah clarified that elevated interest rates elevate banks’ operational costs and hinder their capacity to provide new loans.
“When these rates are going up, depositors are also pushing for high rates on their funds and that is not good for the banks” Mr. Awuah added.
Mr. Awuah firmly dismissed arguments that banks have contributed to the current high Treasury bills rates in the market.
In terms of recommendations, Mr. Awuah called for a reassessment of how market participants promptly adjust rates when they rise. Regarding the successful completion of the domestic debt exchange programme, he emphasized that banks deserve recognition for their role in the exercise, even though they did not fully meet expectations related to interest payments, principals, and regulatory reliefs.
Mr. Awuah also acknowledged the positive impact of the first payment coupons for debts issued under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on market confidence.
While commercial banks achieved strong profits in the first half of this year despite the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, Mr. Awuah cautioned against premature conclusions. He stressed the importance of measuring expectations and noted that the recovery of banks would largely depend on the stability of the economy.
During this year’s Akwasidae Kese celebration in the Eastern Region, the Paramount Chief of the Akwamu State, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, made a resolute commitment to combat illiteracy within the Akwamu community.
At a grand dinner event, the Akwamuhene introduced the Odeneho Kwafo Akoto Education Fund, aimed at offering educational scholarships to talented, intelligent, yet underprivileged students in the Akwamu State.
In his impassioned speech, the Akwamuhene underscored the significance of harnessing the human resource potential of the Akwamu people.
He drew a parallel between the heroic efforts of his predecessors, who had established a formidable empire for the Akwamu community, and his own ambitious vision of creating an empire of intellectuals.
He firmly believes that it is now the moment to initiate a new campaign, one against illiteracy, with the objective of nurturing and cultivating the intellectual potential of his community.
“The only war I want to declare on behalf of my people is the war against illiteracy. The weapon against poverty must be fought with the mind and heart. In the words of the great man, Nelson Mandela, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’
“We observe with grave concern the dilution, erosion and even rejection of our values, customs and traditions by some of our young people who are often attracted by the influence of other cultures. With education, we can reverse this trend and return our young people.
“Together we can turn their dreams into reality, potentials into achievement, and obstacles into opportunities. So I invite you to help me fight this menace of lack of relevant development oriented education from all angles. I really appreciate all of you in your efforts to return the Akwamu state to its proper place in history. Let us be the catalyst of change, the enablers of dreams and the champions of education,” he said.
Personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service’s Nyive Sector Command in the Volta Region has successfully intercepted 80 slabs of suspected Indian hemp.
The alleged contraband was discovered near Atikpui, which shares a border with Togo in the Ho Municipality.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration Abdullah Zakaria, who serves as the Sector Commander for Nyive, reported that the parcels were abandoned near a local clinic in Atikpui once the suspects realized that immigration officers were pursuing them.
He emphasized the Immigration Service’s commitment to eradicating all illegal activities in the region, leaving no stone unturned in the process.
ACI Zakaria called on residents and the public to cooperate with the Service in its efforts to combat criminal activities in the area and the broader region.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration Noah Ahomka Yeboah, who is currently acting as the Volta Regional Commander, took the opportunity to visit other sector commands in the region.
He commended the Nyive team for their excellent work over the years and encouraged them to continue their efforts. ACI Yeboah praised their vigilance and rapid response to such cases.
“My men here at Nyive and other sectors of the service are really doing well and need to be commended for always being ready to extend services to the nation,” he said.
ACI Yeboah reiterated that criminal activities such as the trafficking of illegal substances like this must be completely eradicated or significantly reduced, and this can only be accomplished with the assistance of the public.
He emphasized the necessity for everyone to adopt a change in attitude toward the issue of illegal possession of narcotics or controlled substances.
ACI Yeboah assured the public of the Immigration Service’s unwavering dedication to combating these unlawful activities in the region.
The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has declared that its member banks will refrain from participating in any further rounds of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) until they receive official communication from the government confirming the end of the program.
John Awuah, the Chief Executive Officer of the GAB, emphasized that imposing additional burdens on the banks could lead to the collapse of many banking operations.
The government had previously entered into an agreement with banks to restructure ¢15 billion of locally issued U.S. dollar bonds and cocoa bills, a key condition for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal. However, there are indications that another round of the program is imminent.
John Awuah expressed that the banks have no appetite for another round of the DDEP.
“I’m not sure as a country there’s any kind of appetite for any round of domestic debt. The local bondholders have taken a lot of hits, even the central bank…in terms of what they did to make sure the process moved forward and the resulting media and public outcry…so the appetite at this stage, I am not sure there is any kind of space to accommodate another round,” he said on JoyNews’ PM Express.
He further mentioned that the Association is eagerly awaiting official communication from the government to confirm the conclusion of the DDEP, which is essential for maintaining investor confidence in the local market.
“We have not had any formal communication but of course, those were the outstanding issues on the table.
“The market moved on and we need some certainty within the financial markets it is important that very concrete messaging is sent out and market participants are aware that this is where we are and from now we can only look at the upside of our engagement in the marketplace.
“So as banks, we are not looking forward to whatever name you have for it, but we’re not looking forward to any exchange or debt operations or other technical language you have for it.
“The point is the industry has taken too much hit and when the industry takes a hit, the long-term effect is that it is the economy that takes a hit because you need a strong financial system to anchor any kind of recovery,” he said.
Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, is, however, encouraging the banks to engage in the forthcoming exchange.
“I want to encourage them to participate when we open because they will face challenges with their liquidity to pay and then also tradability of their bonds is going to be a problem for them. Eventually, their bonds will lose value. And so when we open it is in their interest to participate,” he said.
Meanwhile, John Awuah, the CEO of GAB, stated that commercial banks have been compelled by the current economic environment to strengthen their precautionary measures when extending loans to customers.
“The way the banks have managed to weather the storm during these difficult periods where we’ve had to take on some significant losses, it should tell you that the banks had built up the required capital buffers.
“Of course, there are one or two or three banks that would need some capital top-ups in order to operate within the regulatory confines. But we have some time through the regulatory reliefs that the Bank of Ghana gave to the industry to work our way back into the right capital levels.
“But as I say, if you’re a bank if the regulator says three years, it’s in your own interest that you kind of upfront manage your capital requirements to make sure that if it is three years you’re working within a shorter period to bring in capital.
“We have to also take cognizance of the fact that Ghana is not particularly an attractive destination for capital at the moment given all the market fundamentals that we have moving against us. But we are coming out. I read the IMF that said we’re gradually working our way out,” he said.
Several military personnel have been individually charged a fee of GH¢1,770.00 (equivalent to $150) each for misplacing their Identity Cards.
An inquiry conducted by the Ghana Military Police identified these officers as responsible, and the assessed fee is intended to cover the expenses associated with replacing the ID cards.
This information was communicated in an official document dated September 6, 2023, by the Ghana Armed Forces.
The military has clarified that the deducted funds will be categorized as misconduct debt and should be remitted to the Department’s Research Operational Account.
“Attached is a list of military personnel who have been found liable by various GMP Investigation Reports for losing their ID Cards. Consequently, they are to be surcharged and re-issued with new ID Cards. In light of the above, I am to kindly request that each individual be charged an amount of US$150.00 which is equivalent to GH01,770.00 as the cost of the ID card replacement. The said amount is to be deducted as a misconduct debt. I am to further request that the recovered amount be paid into the Department’s Research Operational Account”.
Private Legal practitioner Kwaku Paintsil, has noted that the Ghana Police Service’s decision to reverse the interdiction of three senior officers is a significant embarrassment for the security agency.
The three; Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi and Superintendent George Lysander Asare were interdicted due to their connection with an audio tape that reveals plans to oust the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
He asserts that the Service should never have interdicted these officers initially, especially considering the alleged leaked recording of a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which is currently under parliamentary investigation.
In an interview with JoyNews, the lawyer emphasized that such action should have been taken only after the Committee had concluded its investigations. He cast aspersions on the counsel the IGP receives.
“Even though in my honest view, they now claim to have withdrawn the interdiction, it is giving the public an idea of what they want to do and even what I am hearing is worse, that they are talking about a disciplinary hearing.
“That is a presumption that what they have heard so far suggests or is an indication that something wrong has taken place but that is not proper because Parliament has not finished its inquiry, they have not come out with their findings and facts and recommendations or whatever it is. So where did they fall on the view that there is evidence or a case to go for disciplinary hearing and if it is so, what are they waiting for?
“So I am thinking that the way they are going about this is very embarrassing and what it means is that somebody is not advising the IGP or their legal department is not doing a good work,” he added.
In a statement dated September 7, the police indicated that the decision to suspend the interdiction, which was to make way for disciplinary proceedings in line with Police Service regulations, was to ensure it does not affect the ongoing probe by parliament.
As such, the Service noted that it would commence disciplinary proceedings into the officers’ conduct upon the completion of the parliamentary probe.
“Following the interdiction of COP/Mr George Alex Mensah, Supt/Mr Emmanuel Eric Gyebi and Supt/Mr George Lysander Asare in connection with the leaked audio tape, the Police Administration would commence disciplinary proceedings into their conduct upon completion of the ongoing probe by Parliament.”
“In order not to prejudice the ongoing probe, the Police administration has suspended their interdiction,” the statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Frace Ansah-Akrofi read.
But a day later, the Police rescinded their decision.
The Progressive Firefighters Association (PFA) Charities Inc of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has generously donated various Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) valued at $8,392.50 to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
This significant donation was officially handed over on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the Fire Service Headquarters in Accra.
The donated items include 30 sets of bunker coats and pants each, 30 firefighting/proximity suits, 20 helmets, 100 pairs of gloves, 50 hoods, 30 pairs of boots, 50 suspenders, 30 ear flaps, 15 goggles, and 5 HT1250 radios.
These materials aim to enhance the Fire Service’s capacity to provide firefighting services to the public and to facilitate training for firefighters.
The Chairman of the Fire Service Council, Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, along with the Chief Fire Officer, received the donation on behalf of the Service during a brief ceremony. Also in attendance were Mrs. Doreen Annan, a member of the Fire Service Council, and members of the Fire Service Management Committee.
Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi expressed his gratitude to the Board of County Commissioners and the PFA Charities, Inc of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for their generous contribution.
He also appealed for continued support and assured that the donated PPEs would be effectively utilized by the GNFS.
Madam Tanya Y. Vetta Phillips, the representative of PFA, attended the event with her family and expressed her joy at being part of this vital charitable mission.
She highlighted the collaboration between her association and the Ghana National Fire Service as a significant step toward saving lives and protecting properties. She also mentioned that this collaboration opens doors for future philanthropic endeavors in Ghana, particularly in support of the GNFS.
Special recognition was given to DCFO Alhaji Richard Gibril Nuhu (rtd), DOIII Is-haq Iddrisu, and ADO I Engr. Wilhelm, whose tireless efforts facilitated this timely donation by PFA Charities, Inc of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA.
A pre-funeral ceremony has been conducted at the Tema Community Centre in Accra in memory of the late NSMQ Star, James Lutterodt.
James, a young man of only 19 years, was a valuable member of the Keta Senior High School team that achieved historic success at the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) in 2021.
The funeral is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, in Keta.
James tragically passed away on July 1 after a short illness at a hospital in Tema.
During the ceremony, Francis Jackson Ahiable, a close family friend, delivered a touching tribute on behalf of James’ mother, expressing her deep grief and sharing cherished memories of her beloved son.
“You meant everything to me, and you were everything a son could be. You were precious and so wonderful and one in a million. Your future looked promising and good. Your future could have been so beautiful and to be cut off in your prime is a loss that is so hard to bear.”
“Why couldn’t death spare you? You had your whole life ahead of you, but God knows best. James, I miss you and think of you all the time. How I wish I could have you here. Death took you away from my hand but not from my heart and I shed tears when I say your name. There is no one who misses you more than me and I will treasure my memories of you forever because you live in my heart. Rest in peace, my dear son.”
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has commended Ghana’s Parliament for passing a bill that criminalizes the act of declaring, accusing, naming, or labeling another person as a witch.
She expressed her appreciation while addressing inmates at the Gambaga Witches Camp during her official visit to the North East Region.
Madam Thompson told the inmates, “We are happy that this law has been approved by parliament that will stop people from being accused of witchcraft because we don’t want other people to be treated the way that some of you have been treated.”
The High Commissioner also emphasized the importance of Parliament’s actions in safeguarding the human rights of individuals.
She expressed her commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at preventing the abuse of women and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups in the North East region.
“Human rights are as important as anybody else’s human rights and so we will continue to work with other people in Ghana who are supporting you to make sure that those human rights are respected and those of your children and your children’s children.”
In July this year, Parliament approved the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022, which was introduced by Madina MP Francis Xavier Sosu and four other MPs.
This bill makes it illegal to declare, accuse, name, or label another person as a witch in Ghana. Additionally, the amended bill prohibits individuals from practicing as witch doctors or witchfinders, among other provisions.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has expressed its concern regarding the high number of malpractices detected in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This sub-regional examination scheme in Ghana has, over the years, faced numerous irregularities, including the smuggling of electronic devices into examination halls, paper leaks, and script impersonation, among other issues.
During a press briefing on the conduct of the 2023 WASSCE for school candidates, John K. Kapi, the head of public affairs for WAEC, revealed that the individuals responsible for these malpractices have been apprehended and will soon face legal proceedings.
“It is sad to note that some of the schools have devised grand schemes for cheating at their examination centres. Information reaching us indicates that some of the schools charge their candidates ranging between GH¢500 and GH¢1000 each to enable them to get assistance during the examination and this practice has given some of the students a certain sense of entitlement, and they want to be allowed their way.”
“Proprietors of some schools have shown open hostility towards our monitoring teams prompting us to call for support from the Ghana Police Service to ensure their safety. And some persons have been arrested for attempting to bribe our personnel to look the other way so that the cheating can go on.”
On September 8, President Akufo-Addo visited the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to inaugurate the official first oil production from the Jubilee South Area by turning on the valve.
The addition of the Jubilee South-East Area is expected to contribute 30,000 barrels of oil per day to the greater Jubilee Field. This expansion is set to increase the total oil production at the Jubilee Field to 100,000 barrels per day by the end of the current year.
The Jubilee South-East Area project, a joint venture, has attracted a $1 billion investment from its partners.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized that this milestone reflects the government’s commitment to advancing the Ghanaian petroleum industry.
The Jubilee South East project involves cooperation among six oil companies, including Tullow Oil, Kosmos Energy, Kosmos Energy Ghana Investments, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, PetroSA, and Jubilee Oil Holdings Limited.
Accompanying the President during the valve-turning ceremony was Energy Minister Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, who highlighted the project’s incorporation of local content initiatives.
“The project has been a huge success, delivered in a record time because of utmost cooperation between the operator, and the Ministry of Energy. It 2021, we started this project and now within two years, we are delivering 30,000 more barrels a day, and we have increased the capacity in two years,” Mathew Opoku-Prempeh stated.
Chief Executive of Tullow, Wissam Al-Monthiry, emphasized that the additional 30,000 barrels of oil per day, in conjunction with the greater Jubilee Field’s production, represents a significant advancement in their production capabilities.
Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille, extended congratulations to the Jubilee partners for their work on the Jubilee South East Project.
He also acknowledged the involvement of local companies like Orsam Oil and Gas in the fabrication of certain subsea installations, such as suction piles and manifolds, highlighting their dedication to promoting local content.
With the Jubilee partners planning to invest further in the field’s expansion and development, it is expected that the local community will benefit from increased job opportunities and contract opportunities.
