Residents of Kpone Barrier-Dawhenya have threatened to stage a protest against the government over stalled works on the expansion of the 17-kilometre-long Tema to Central University section of the N1 Highway.
According to them, their demonstration will span 20 days in order for their ordeal to register in the minds of those in authority.
Residents say the daily traffic congestion they have been compelled to grapple with due to construction works on the stretch is no longer bearable.
“I have stopped my work. We have to start our day around 3:30 am just to get them ready, send them to school before you go to work and so I gave up,” an aggrieved resident bemoaned.
Residents, motorists, and business owners along the Kpone Barrier to Dawhenya stretch of the main Accra – Aflao road issued a similar threat in June of last year.
The government in June 2022 commenced the expansion of the 17-kilometre-long Tema to Central University section of the N1 Highway.
This followed the signing of a $100m contract with a UK-based construction firm BHM on September 25, 2020, for the design and construction of 17 kilometres Tema – Aflao phase 1 project. Four years on, residents and motorists say their lives are being negatively impacted due to the slow pace of work.
Some appreciable level of work has been done on all four intersections and storm drains. However, a drive through the stretch shows work on some of the sites has stalled with some construction machines lying idle at Savana Junction.
Kpone Barrier – Dawhenya traffic: Aggrieved residents mobilizing on social media to stage a 20-day demonstration.#JoyNewspic.twitter.com/aDaulMX2Nn
Renowned investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni‘s latest book christened “The President Ghana Never Got” will be launched today, Thursday, August 8, 2024.
This will take place at Christ the King Parish Hall, opposite Jubilee House at 5pm. The Head of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Prof. Alidu Seidu, will review the book at the launch.
Prof. Alidu Seidu
All indications point to the fact that the book features Ghana’s current president, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The X post that announced the launch of the book had the image of the president on the flier.
The book is over 40 chapters, in over 400 pages of revealing and riveting content, which some will find explosive” the journalist revealed.
Manasseh has “cordially invited” members of the general public to the launch of his book. The Harmonious Chorale Ghana will perform at the event.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Book is here. Over 40 Chapters In Over 400 Pages Of revealing and riveting content, which some will find explosive
Launching: August 8, 2024 At Christ the King Parish Hall, Opp. Jubilee House
A young man named Emmanuel has come forward with shocking allegations against police officers, claiming he was beaten and robbed near Jubilee House in Accra.
“I was on an okada moving from Accra when I got to Flagstaff House and was stopped by some police officers on new motorcycles,” Emmanuel recounted. He disembarked from the motorcycle when the driver sped off, prompting the officers to chase the rider unsuccessfully.
The officers then turned their attention to Emmanuel, arresting him despite his protests of being only a passenger. “They told me to keep quiet, and out of nowhere, one of the officers slapped me. After that, they cuffed my hands,” he said.
Emmanuel detailed a harrowing experience, stating that the officers took him to an undisclosed location where they beat him severely and even shocked him with an electric device. They then demanded his mobile money code, threatening his life in the process.
“They took the money I had on me, GHC120. They kept threatening me, and I gave them the code. They transferred GHC3,750 from my phone.”
The situation escalated when one officer suggested they shoot him after obtaining the money.
“The one with the gun is an Ewe man, so I started engaging him in our dialect. He convinced the other officer to let me go, and they abandoned me in an unfamiliar area,” Emmanuel revealed.
After finding his way home, Emmanuel decided to lodge a formal complaint at the Adenta Police Station but was directed to the Cantonment Police Station instead.
There, he was informed that the mobile money account used for the transfer was linked to a police officer. However, the officers refused to let him see the suspect’s face.
Emmanuel expressed frustration, noting that it has been three weeks since the incident and no arrests have been made despite the ongoing investigation.
Oyiwa! criminals have perforated the Police Department. We are not safe at all. pic.twitter.com/T9XfkMuUMP
Former Deputy Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has revealed that the construction of the Ho-Sokode road by the Akufo-Addo-led government stemmed from a request by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
In a video exhibiting the constructed road, Mr Anyidoho noted that the late president engaged President Akufo-Addo after he asked him to.
This was after Mr Anyidoho convinced Rawlings to use the deplorable road in 2020.
“This was in 2020 and I begged him and I said President Rawlings please use this bad road and beg President Akufo-Addo to construct it. He did and President Akufo-Addo constructed this road,” he said.
JJ Rawlings on the Ho-Sokode road. Evidence that he stopped on the road. This is what the road used to look like before construction. Ghana 🇬🇭 first 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/zvgRBOwpTb
Since taking office in 2017, he said his government has completed over 12,830 kilometers of road and constructed six interchanges, achievements he contrasts with those of the previous administration.
Speaking at the launch of the District Road Improvement Programme on Wednesday, July 31, the President emphasized that this initiative embodies his administration’s dedication to decentralizing development and ensuring equitable progress across Ghana.
He also revealed the commissioning of 2,240 pieces of essential equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, and rollers, describing them as vital tools for transformation and a reflection of the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Ghanaians.
“Improving our road infrastructure is crucial for economic growth and social development,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
“This programme will not only advance our road networks but also generate 10,000 jobs for Ghanaians, including roles for mechanics, engineers, and artisans. By equipping local assemblies with necessary resources, we are promoting community ownership and responsibility.”
He called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives to fully embrace the initiative and adhere to the guidelines set out by the relevant ministries and stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for 2024, John Dramani Mahama, has attributed the current diplomatic strain between Ghana and Burkina Faso to President Akufo-Addo’s indiscreet remarks.
Mahama criticized Akufo-Addo for allegedly causing “diplomatic tension” through his comments, despite subsequent efforts to mend the relationship.
During a media interaction in the Upper East Region, Mahama underscored the necessity of maintaining strong ties with neighboring countries, especially given the security threats emanating from the Sahel region.
He illustrated the importance of vigilance and cooperation with a local proverb: “When your neighbour’s beard is on fire, you fetch water and put it by your beard because it can spread to your own.”
“We know what is happening in Burkina Faso, and we should be working closer with our comrades in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, this government has created tension between us and Burkina Faso because our President went to open his mouth too widely, gossiping about your neighbour, so it has created some diplomatic tension,” Mahama said.
He emphasized that an NDC government would prioritize repairing the relationship with Burkina Faso, noting the need for collaboration to address shared security concerns. He also called for enhanced border security, increased surveillance, and robust measures to prevent the spillover of regional conflicts.
Mahama urged the current government to resolve the Bawku crisis swiftly as part of the broader efforts to bolster national security.
The diplomatic rift began when President Akufo-Addo, speaking alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on December 14, alleged that Burkina Faso had hired Russian mercenaries and offered a mine as payment to the Wagner Group.
“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo stated, describing it as a troubling development for Ghana.
In response, Burkina Faso summoned Ghana’s Ambassador on December 16 for “explanations.”
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry expressed its disapproval, stating that Ghana should have sought direct communication with Burkinabe authorities to obtain accurate information.
To address the fallout, Ghana’s National Security Minister, Mr. Kan-Dapaah, led a high-level delegation to Burkina Faso, including security chiefs and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. Following these efforts, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to jointly combat terrorism in the West Africa region.
Akufo-Addo the Konkonsa Oldman went and opened his mouth gbayaaaaaa and created tension between Ghana and Burkina Faso🤣🤣🤣#leaked| Apology| Ashanti| John Mahama pic.twitter.com/Ll2BMoGgaQ
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has leveled accusations against Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, alleging the misuse of sole-sourcing for contract awards.
The opposition party claims that the government has granted contracts to members of Bawumia’s family, including his brother.
The allegations were made by the Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi.
He noted that the government awarded two juicy cocoa road projects to Resource Access Limited, a company owned by the Vice President’s brother, in the year 2020.
Below is the NDC’s statement on the subject matter.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that two lucrative cocoa road projects, cumulatively valued at GH₵83 million, were awarded to Resource Access Limited, a company owned by the brother of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in 2020.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, these contracts were granted through sole-sourcing rather than a competitive bidding process, resulting in inflated costs.
Gyamfi identified the projects as the upgrading of the Assin Akropong – Odomasi – Asibrem road (22.18km) and the Kyibosohasowodze bungalow feeder road (14.50km).
He detailed that the contract for the Assin Akropong – Odomasi – Asibrem road was awarded at a value of GH₵54,263,718.64, while the Kyibosohasowodze feeder road was valued at GH₵29,468,546.54.
“Apart from the overpriced Sunyani Airport Phase One rehabilitation project, two juicy cocoa road projects were also awarded to Bawumia’s brother’s company, Resource Access Limited through sole-sourcing at an inflated cumulative cost of GH₵83 million in the year 2020,” Gyamfi claimed.
He further argued that these single-sourced projects were found by the Auditor-General to be “overpriced and awarded in breach of the Public Procurement Law, thus, causing the nation huge financial losses.”
Gyamfi referenced paragraph 65 of a Performance Audit Report by the Auditor-General on the construction of cocoa roads, which stated: “COCOBOD did not rigorously analyse its procurement options for value for money but sought approval from PPA for single sourcing and restricted tendering, thus procuring contracts which were up to three times more expensive than they could have obtained through competitive tendering.”
The NDC’s allegations raise concerns about transparency and accountability in the awarding of government contracts, particularly those involving significant sums of money.
Electrochem Ghana Limited is set to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), opening up investment opportunities for citizens.
This announcement came during a visit by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, George Mireku Duker, to the company’s salt harvesting operations at the Songhor Lagoon in Ada, Greater Accra Region.
The Deputy Minister’s visit on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring the seamless operations of Electrochem Ghana Limited.
The tour provided Mr. Mireku Duker and his delegation from the Ministry and the Minerals Commission with a detailed briefing on the salt mining process, emphasizing the meticulous steps involved in extracting salt from the lagoon.
Speaking to the media after the tour, Mr. Mireku Duker disclosed the upcoming listing of Electrochem Ghana Limited on the GSE, stating, “Electrochem Ghana Limited will soon list on the Ghana Stock Exchange to allow Ghanaians to invest in it.”
He emphasized that this move is a testament to the company’s accountability and transparency credentials.
The Deputy Minister commended the Group Chairman of McDan Group of Companies, management, and staff for their visionary Electrochem Project, which has created over 1,800 direct jobs and seen an investment of $80 million.
He was particularly impressed by the high level of local content representation within the company.
Highlighting the project’s potential, Mr. Mireku Duker called for collective support, especially from disgruntled residents of Ada communities.
He noted, “The Songhor has a history of litigation because the people of the area have not benefitted enough, but if we take into cognizance how this project is progressing, then obviously the people are going to earn more.”
Mr. Duker also praised the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, mentioning that they have injected $3 million into getting women into trade, constructed sporting facilities, and planned other community projects.
He advised Electrochem to establish a trust fund to ensure direct benefits for the local communities from the revenue generated through salt mining.
Reflecting on the socio-economic impact, Mr. Mireku Duker remarked, “Since its arrival, Electrochem Ghana Ltd has shed positive light on the people of Ada and made them a topic of global interest as well as a beacon of positive news for the area.”
The company’s plans to build a refinery align with the government’s policy of moving Ghana from raw material exploitation to value addition.
Mr. Duker stated, “I’m so impressed and happy that we are building local champions in the industry. I believe McDan must be motivated and encouraged, and I also want to appeal to the people to support this enviable project.”
Speaking on behalf of Electrochem, the Group CEO of McDan Group of Companies, Mr. Kwaku Ampromfi, thanked Mr. Mireku Duker for his visit and ongoing support.
He assured that the company is taking pragmatic measures to expand and fulfill its CSR commitments, ensuring that local communities benefit from their resources.
Nene Agudey, Vice President of the Ada Traditional Council, expressed his gratitude, noting that Electrochem’s arrival was an answer to years of prayer for effective resource harnessing.
He assured that traditional authorities would continue to work with the company to resolve conflicts and ensure the development of Ada and Ghana.
Former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, asserts that Ghana and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are suffering under a curse allegedly placed by former President Kwame Nkrumah.
In an interview on Oman FM’s Pae Mu Ka show, she emphasized the need for a ritual to lift this supposed curse to enable the country to develop.
“I always say this. Kwame Nkrumah has cursed Ghana and the NPP more. That is why their government is so disgusting. So if we do not sit and reflect on the need to apologize and perform some ritual to pacify him,” Nana Jantuah expressed.
She criticized President Akufo-Addo for failing to give Nkrumah the respect and recognition he deserves. “Instead of you doing this, you are saying you reject him. That is why your government is like that,” she added.
Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah’s call for a rite to revoke Nkrumah’s curse underlines a deep-rooted belief in the spiritual and symbolic significance of Ghana’s founding history and the need for reconciliation to pave the way for development.
President Akufo-Addo has repeatedly dismissed the notion that a single person was responsible for founding Ghana.
During his 2024 Founders’ Day address on August 3, he emphasized the collective efforts involved in the independence struggle, stating, “I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely, the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge for ourselves that respect that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations.”
In 2019, Parliament passed a law establishing August 4 as Founders’ Day to honor all individuals who contributed to Ghana’s path to independence.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s recent comments regarding Ghana’s founders. Mahama emphasized the importance of respecting Ghana’s established history, saying, “We all know the history and will follow our history. When we are elected, as president I promise you, we will reset all.”
Mahama elaborated that the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), which included J.B. Danquah among its members, historically opposed Ghana’s independence.
“Apart from destroying the economy, one of the things this government wants to do is to rewrite our history, and we shall not allow them to rewrite our history because the president said he does not accept that one person can be the founder of our nation.”
Additionally, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana’s first President, challenged President Akufo-Addo’s assertion. In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah emphasized, “What the President completely misses is that Nkrumah was one man, but he represented millions of Ghanaians, and that was exactly the grassroots connection he had.”
Ghana and the NPP (UP) have been cursed by Kwame Nkrumah; it is about time we do something to pacify him to lift the curse. – Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah (Former General Secretary, CPP)#OnuaFM#PaeMuKapic.twitter.com/kFycL6hcia
Former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, believes that the country together with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been cursed by former President Kwame Nkrumah.
In an interview on Oman FM’s Pae Mu Ka show, Nana Jantuah noted that the ruling government has been unable to develop the country due to Nkrumah’s alleged curse.
According to her, a rite must be performed to revoke the alleged curse. She further lambasted President Akufo-Addo for failing to give the late Nkrumah the due respect and recognition he deserves.
“I always say this. Kwame Nkrumah has cursed Ghana and the NPP more. That is why their government is so disgusting. So if we do not sit and reflect on the need to apologise and perform some ritual to pacify him.”
“Instead of you doing this, you are saying you reject him. That is why your government is like that,” she said.
President Akufo-Addo has adamantly dismissed the idea that a single person was responsible for founding Ghana, emphasizing that former President Kwame Nkrumah alone was not responsible for Ghana’s independence.
He made this remark during his 2024 Founders’ Day address on Saturday, August 3.
The president made mention of collective efforts that were involved in the independence struggle, stating that while Nkrumah‘s role was significant, he was not the sole figure behind Ghana’s liberation.
“I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely, the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge for ourselves that respect that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
In 2019, a law was passed by Parliament establishing August 4 as Founders’ Day to honor all individuals who contributed to Ghana’s path to independence.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized President Akufo-Addo for his recent comments regarding Ghana’s founders.
In response, Mr. Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s history is well-established and should be respected. “We all know the history and will follow our history. When we are elected, as president I promise you, we will reset all,” he asserted.
Mahama elaborated, explaining that the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), which included J.B. Danquah among its members, historically opposed Ghana’s independence.
“Apart from destroying the economy, one of the things this government wants to do is to rewrite our history, and we shall not allow them to rewrite our history because the president said he does not accept that one person can be the founder of our nation.”
Also, the son of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has challenged President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that Ghana was not founded by a single individual.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Sekou Nkrumah emphasized, “What the President completely misses is that Nkrumah was one man, but he represented millions of Ghanaians, and that was exactly the grassroots connection he had.”
Ghana and the NPP (UP) have been cursed by Kwame Nkrumah; it is about time we do something to pacify him to lift the curse. – Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah (Former General Secretary, CPP)#OnuaFM#PaeMuKapic.twitter.com/kFycL6hcia
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced its plans to host presidential and vice-presidential debates in October and November 2024.
Despite previous criticisms from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding a lack of engagement, the IEA has now begun discussions with various political parties to secure their participation.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, a distinguished fellow of the IEA, highlighted the significance of the debates, noting that they will provide voters with a better understanding of each candidate’s policies and offer a platform for thorough evaluation.
“The IEA envisages holding the encounters in September and the debates in October and November. We will announce the precise date, time, and venues after conducting engagements with candidates and their political parties,” she stated.
She also encouraged the public to stay informed via the IEA website at www.ieagh.org.
However, the NDC has dismissed these calls, suggesting that Dr. Bawumia is attempting to revive his political career.
In response to the IEA’s announcement, the Mahama 2024 Campaign has issued a strong rebuke, criticizing the IEA for not engaging with or informing the NDC prior to the announcement.
The NDC, a major political party in Ghana, was caught off guard by the IEA’s plans. Campaign spokesperson Joyce Mogtari emphasized in a press release that the Constitution does not grant the IEA any authority to organize election-related activities.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is holding an episode of their ‘moment of truth’ series.
The event is being moderated by the party’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
He is presently comparing and contrasting the achievements of the party’s flagbearer, former President John Mahama and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is Ghana’s Vice President.
Award-winning Ghanaian broadcast journalist and author, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has opened up about his harrowing experiences as an investigative journalist during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure.
In an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Awuni detailed the life-threatening challenges he has faced, which necessitated police protection and even temporary relocation to other countries.
“I’ve personally encountered a lot of woes. If you look at the ‘fictional Agyapadie’ document, you’ll find my name in that document. I have not had it easy in this administration,” he stated.
He recounted, “I had to go to South Africa in 2019. In 2020, I had to go to Germany. All these because of death threats.”
Between 2019 and 2021, Mr. Awuni often had to drive with police protection due to the severity of the threats against him. The intense pressure also took a toll on his mental health, leading him to seek therapy from a clinical psychologist.
These revelations come as he prepares to launch his latest book, “The President Ghana Never Got,” on Thursday, August 8.
His book, “The President Ghana Never Got,” delves into these personal encounters and his attempts to communicate his plight directly to President Akufo-Addo.
“Sometimes you find people asking, ‘Does the President even know what is happening behind the scenes?’ I had a personal experience where I had to take a step to let people within the Presidency know,” he shared.
At one point, feeling his messages might not be reaching the President, Mr. Awuni sought an audience with the President’s wife. “I booked an appointment with his wife,” he recounted. Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo was surprised, noting his direct access to the President. He responded, “Well, it is true, but for ABC reasons, I should let you know.”
“The President Ghana Never Got” is a 400-page, 40-chapter book that offers an in-depth look at President Akufo-Addo’s administration. According to Mr. Awuni, the book contains “revealing and riveting content, which some may find explosive.”
The book launch will take place on August 8, 2024, at the Christ the King Parish Hall, opposite Jubilee House. This new work follows his 2016 book, “The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound,” which explored the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama.
“The President Ghana Never Got” promises to be a compelling read, providing insights into the decisions and nuances of the current administration that shaped its governance.
Renowned investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni‘s latest book christened “The President Ghana Never Got” is expected to be launched tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The launch of the book takes place at Christ the King Parish Hall, opposite Jubilee House.
All indications point to the fact that the book features Ghana’s current president, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The X post that announced the launch of the book had the image of the president on the flier.
The book is over 40 chapters, in over 400 pages of revealing and riveting content, which some will find explosive” the journalist revealed.
Manasseh has “cordially invited” members of the general public to the launch of his book.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Book is here. Over 40 Chapters In Over 400 Pages Of revealing and riveting content, which some will find explosive
Launching: August 8, 2024 At Christ the King Parish Hall, Opp. Jubilee House
The Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana Immigration Service have opened recruitment opportunities for individuals who showed interest and applied in 2021.
Applicants from the 2021 recruitment cycle must submit their details, including full name, date of birth, place of birth, reference number, current phone number, email address, previous screening center, and qualifications, to recruitment@police.gov.gh by Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Applicants need to meet several general requirements: they must be Ghanaian by birth, possess good character, have no criminal record, and should not have been dismissed from any public service or employment.
Additionally, applicants must be between 18 and 28 years old, physically and medically fit, and hold a minimum of five SSCE/WASSCE passes, including Mathematics and English, as of December 1, 2021. Height requirements are set at a minimum of 5 feet 8 inches for males and 5 feet 4 inches for females.
Similarly, the Ghana Immigration Service is seeking to employ individuals who applied in 2021. Interested candidates should submit their details, mirroring those required by the Police Service, to recruitment@immigration.gov.gh by the same deadline. Applicants must meet the same general requirements, including age, character, and academic qualifications.
The Ghana Prisons Service has announced positions for General Duty Recruits, Tradesmen Recruits, Sportsmen/women recruits, General Duty Graduates, and Graduate Professionals. Applicants from 2021 should send their details to recruitment@ghanaprisons.gov.gh.
The general requirements include being Ghanaian by birth, of good character, without a criminal record, and not dismissed from public service.
Specific height requirements are 5 feet 6 inches for males and 5 feet 2 inches for females. Age limits are slightly varied, with a minimum age of 18 and a maximum age of 33 years, except for sportsmen/women, who must be between 18 and 25 years old.
For all three services, successful applicants will proceed to the next phase, which includes body selection, document inspection, medical examinations, and thorough background checks. Applicants will be responsible for the costs associated with vetting and medical examinations, as well as their transportation, feeding, and accommodation during the recruitment process.
The Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana Immigration Service stress that they are equal opportunity employers and caution against engaging with middlemen or agents, warning that involvement with such activities is at the applicant’s own risk and may result in arrest and prosecution.
The deadline for submission of applications is Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Applicants are urged to ensure the accuracy of all submitted information and the validity of certifications. No physical submission of application forms will be accepted.
These recruitment notices were published in the August 7, 2024 edition of the Daily Graphic.
Ghanaian Sports journalist, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, has jumped to the defence of Ghanaian athlete, Benjamin Azamati, who has been trolled after he and his colleague Abdul Rasheed Saminu fell short of reaching the men’s 100m final at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris.
In their respective semi-final heats, Azamati clocked 10.17 seconds while Saminu finished with a time of 10.05 seconds, both insufficient to advance to the final.
Azamati placed ninth in his heat, which was dominated by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, with world champion Noah Lyles securing second place.
Saminu finished seventh in his heat, surpassing Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, who ended up in eighth.
Following this, some X users trolled Azamati and ridiculed him for putting on fancy spectacles but failing to win.
Some users described him as the ‘specs man’.
Peeved by their actions, Mr Fentuo provided clarification as to why Azamati wears spectacles during big tournaments.
According to him, Azamati is sponsored by a men’s eyewear company Oakley, and as such, is to advertise the company’s product whenever he appears at events with large audience.
He therefore entreated those trolling the Ghanaian athlete to desist from that and show Azamati some respect and encouragement.
“One more thing – Azamati is sponsored by men’s eyewear company Oakley. The contract requires him to wear these running glasses at some major meets. It’s not just for the fun of it. It’s not easy in the track world to get sponsorship. He’s worked hard to secure this one, funds from which he’s able to use to support his training to come and compete for Ghana. If anything, he deserves encouragement, not trolling. Stop calling him ‘specs man’,” he wrote in a post on X.
One more thing – Azamati is sponsored by men’s eyewear company Oakley. The contract requires him to wear these running glasses at some major meets. It’s not just for the fun of it. It’s not easy in the track world to get sponsorship. He’s worked hard to secure this one, funds… pic.twitter.com/m9DZCBCYGK
Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, remains hopeful that his constituents will renew his mandate in the upcoming 2024 election.
Mr Quayson, who once held dual citizenship with Canada and Ghana, faced a court case in 2020 that challenged his eligibility to hold office. After his seat was declared vacant, he contested and won a by-election to regain his position as MP.
Despite the legal challenges, Quayson has focused on numerous developmental projects to give back to the people of Assin North.
Following a visit from NDC running mate Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang to the constituency as part of her Central Region tour, Mr Quayson emphasized his commitment to development and justice.
“I will do everything in my capacity as a member of parliament to bring development to Assin North because that’s what they voted for me for in the last year. Since you all know my members well, membership of Parliament has been legitimised,” he stated.
Mr Quayson highlighted a recent project, the reconstruction of the Tweanka Bridge leading to Assin Breko, noting the community’s excitement and support.
“I’m not going to give up. I’m going to pull every resource at my own capacity and availability to make sure this project is done.”
Confident in his re-election prospects, Quayson added, “I see Assin North is going to renew my mandate because they appreciate the work I’m doing and I also appreciate the dignity and the respect and being resilient and fighting for them. They know that I’ll never leave them behind.”
A controversial 38-page document titled ‘Agyapadie,’ which prominently features the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, alongside President Nana Akufo-Addo and his late father, has resurfaced.
This has reignited discussions about its contents. The document, whose author remains unidentified, outlines strategies for a particular family or clan to establish significant influence and control over key sectors of Ghanaian society, including the economy, politics, media, judiciary, telecommunications, and banking.
First made public over eight years ago, the document has recently gained renewed attention due to certain events in Ghanaian politics that appear to align with its predictions.
This article will take a dive into two actions that were projected to happen in the document but failed to take place.
Ecobank Group and wife of Ace-Ankomah
The Agyapadie document predicted that to aid entry into Ecobank, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) would aid the wife of Renowned legal practitioner Ace-Ankomah, Josephine Anan-Ankomah to obtain the role of Group CEO and Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana.
“Secondly, the wife of Ace-Ankomah is the Group Head of Commercial Banking and a member of the Executive Management of the Ecobank Group. Our intelligence is that both the role of Group CEO and Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana will become vacant in the next two to three years. Nana has been advised to use all diplomatic avenues to support Ace-Ankomah’s wife to fill one of these impending vacancies,” the document stated.
In February 2023, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) appointed Josephine Anan-Ankomah, a Ghanaian banker as the managing director of Ecobank Kenya.
The announcement of her appointment follows the approval from the Central Bank of Kenya.
She replaced Cheikh Travaly who retired at the end of 2022 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in accordance with Ecobank Group policy.
By the appointment, Anan-Ankomah serves as the regional executive, central, eastern and southern African (CESA).
Her appointment did not correlate with the prediction.
Oppong-Nkrumah heads the Communications Ministry
The Agyapadie document also predicted that in the second term of President Akufo-Addo, now former Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah would be made to head the Communications Industry.
Per the document, a prominent member of the NPP, Gabby Otchere-Darko, had already engaged the president about the move and made headway.
“In the next government (2021-2024), Gabby has already convinced Nana to move Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah to the Communications Ministry to continue the clamp down on the opposition, as well as the not too friendly radio and television stations. He is already excited about this promise on two grounds; he would be deemed to remain one of the loyalists for the future. Secondly, that ministry has a one of the richest hence a conduit for him to increase his personal financial muscles for his presidential ambition,” the document stated.
The Presidency announced a major ministerial reshuffle on Wednesday, February 14.
Among those reshuffled was Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, who was moved from the Information Ministry to the Ministry of Works and Housing, and not the Communications Ministry as alleged.
The Communications Ministry is presently headed by Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
Annette Echikunwoke, who was originally set to represent Nigeria at the 2020 Olympics before being disqualified due to administrative errors by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, has now achieved Olympic success under the United States flag.
Echikunwoke won a silver medal in the women’s hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
After her final throw, Echikunwoke confidently exited the hammer cage, waving to the enthusiastic crowd at Stade de France. She had secured her position as the Olympic silver medalist in Paris.
As she left the wait area and moved towards the stadium’s corner, she spotted Ashley Kovacs, the wife and coach of shot put silver medalist Joe Kovacs, holding an American flag. Echikunwoke took the flag and draped it over her shoulders, keeping it there for the rest of the evening.
Reflecting on her journey, Echikunwoke expressed a bittersweet sentiment about her disqualification three years ago, which had denied her the chance to compete for Nigeria. “I’m happy it’s happening now,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason, even if it’s bad or good or ugly. But this is beautiful.”
Echikunwoke’s Olympic journey took a significant turn in 2020 when she and nine other Nigerian athletes were disqualified from competing due to missed mandatory tests, a mistake attributed to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. This unfortunate event led her to change her allegiance to the United States in her quest for Olympic glory.
Had she been able to compete in Tokyo, Echikunwoke believes she would have reached the podium donning Nigeria’s green and white. However, she now celebrates her triumph wearing the stars and stripes of the United States.
Deputy National Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has expressed displeasure with the management of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC).
On Tuesday, August 6, Mr Basintale announced his presence on GTV’s show, Focus, to discuss the ‘Agyapadie’ document on August 7, 2024. The other guests were Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye Danquah, and Member Citizens Coalition, Ato Bonful.
“I will be discussing Agyapade3 on GTV with Akufo-Addo’s nephew,” he wrote in a post on X.
A controversial 38-page document titled ‘Agyapadie,’ which prominently features the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, alongside President Nana Akufo-Addo and his late father, has resurfaced, reigniting discussions about its contents.
The document, whose author remains unidentified, outlines strategies for a particular family or clan to establish significant influence and control over key sectors of Ghanaian society, including the economy, politics, media, judiciary, telecommunications, and banking.
First made public over eight years ago, the document has recently gained renewed attention due to certain events in Ghanaian politics that appear to align with its predictions.
Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Papa Owusu Ankomah, has noted that the Ghanaian community in the UK remains largely unscathed by the recent protests that erupted late last month.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Ankomah reassured that the Ghanaian community has not experienced significant harm amidst the disturbances.
“Except for one incident where a Ghanaian reported being threatened while taking a bus, there have been no reports of any untoward incidents affecting Ghanaians in the UK,” the High Commissioner confirmed.
Efforts are being made to ensure the continued safety of the Ghanaian community, Mr. Ankomah stated. “Even as of this morning, our officers are calling around the country, speaking with the leadership of the Ghanaian communities, asking for updates and urging them to encourage Ghanaians in the UK to try and be indoors by 7 pm.”
The protests, fueled by an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign, broke out following a tragic stabbing attack in Southport, northern England, which resulted in the deaths of three children.
On Tuesday, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service announced that approximately 100 individuals have been charged in connection with the violent unrest that ensued. The protests, which began as anti-immigration marches, quickly devolved into disorder and violence.
He also noted that Ghanaians have been advised to stay indoors at night and avoid areas where protests are anticipated.
With the community’s safety being a priority, the High Commission continues to monitor the situation closely and remains in constant communication with local Ghanaian leaders to provide support and updates.
Ireland’s Kellie Harrington has etched her name in the annals of Olympic history, winning consecutive gold medals with a victory over China’s Wenlu Yang in the women’s 60kg final at Roland Garros.
Following the bout, Harrington announced that this triumph would mark the end of her illustrious boxing career as she looks forward to beginning a new chapter of her life with her partner, Mandy.
For the 34-year-old, this victory was the perfect send-off. In an atmosphere that felt more like Dublin than Paris, Harrington secured a split 4-1 points decision over Yang.
Harrington’s gold medal has contributed to making Paris 2024 the most successful Olympics in Ireland’s history, with the nation winning a total of four golds and three bronze medals.
It was particularly fitting for Harrington to achieve this feat, as the Dublin boxer had previously won gold in Tokyo three years ago, solidifying her status as one of Ireland’s greatest Olympians.
Upon the announcement of her victory, Harrington fell to her knees in jubilation before dancing in the ring, while the large contingent of Irish supporters celebrated wildly in the stands of Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Irish fans, energized by the victory, moved closer to the ring as the medal ceremony was prepared, with the in-house sound system keeping the celebratory mood alive with hit songs.
As Harrington stepped forward to receive her gold medal, the stadium erupted in deafening cheers and whistles, with her radiant smile visible to everyone in attendance.
Overcome with emotion, Harrington burst into tears as she was officially declared an Olympic champion for the second time, the magnitude of her achievement beginning to sink in.
So far, the United States has the most gold medals, 24, followed by China, with 22. The former also has the most medals won in the tournament so far with 86. China follows with 59 medals.
Egypt, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda are among the African countries with medals.
Below is a medal table by BBC Sports showcasing the countries with their respective medals earned so far.
Algerian welterweight boxer Imane Khelif is set to compete for an Olympic gold medal on Friday after overcoming the controversy surrounding her eligibility.
Khelif secured a comprehensive victory in her semi-final against Janjaem Suwannapheng in Paris.
Khelif, one of two boxers in Paris despite her disqualification from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to failed gender eligibility tests, delivered a dominant performance. Under the enthusiastic support of the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier, a venue usually reserved for tennis, Khelif won by unanimous decision.
This victory propels her to her first Olympic final, a significant improvement from her quarter-final exit in Tokyo three years ago. She will face Liu Yang of China in the gold-medal bout, aiming to become Algeria’s first boxing gold medallist.
“I am focused,” the 25-year-old stated. “I am here for a good performance and my dream. I will give everything I have for the final.”
Khelif’s eligibility had previously come under scrutiny when she was disqualified by the IBA after winning against Suwannapheng at last year’s World Championships. Despite the controversy, the crowd fervently supported her as she entered the ring, boosting her confidence throughout the match. After her victory was confirmed, Khelif celebrated by dancing on the canvas and sharing a warm embrace with her opponent.
“I had heard about the news regarding her, but I wasn’t following it closely,” Suwannapheng commented. “She is a woman, but she is very strong. I tried to use my speed, but my opponent was just too strong.”
Khelif expressed her gratitude for the support, saying, “I am very happy. I am happy for all the support here in Paris. I want to thank all of the people of Algeria who came here.”
Khelif’s journey in the Games began with a quick victory against Angela Carini, who abandoned the fight after just 46 seconds, sparking debate over Khelif’s eligibility along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who also faced disqualification by the IBA.
The IBA claimed Khelif “failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition, as set and laid out” in its regulations. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her and Lin to compete, asserting that their disqualifications lacked due process.
IOC President Thomas Bach affirmed on Saturday that there was “never any doubt” they are women, and the IOC, which had suspended the IBA in 2019 over concerns about its governance and other issues, has strongly supported the athletes.
A chaotic IBA news conference on Monday failed to clarify the situation, with conflicting statements from key IBA figures. The IOC has maintained that competitors are eligible for the women’s division if their passports identify them as female.
With her bronze already secured by reaching the semi-final, Khelif now looks forward to competing in the final, the pinnacle of her sporting career so far.
Meanwhile, Lin Yu-ting will compete in her semi-final in the 57kg category on Wednesday.
Minister for Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has announced that Ghana’s economy has expanded by $20 billion under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Administration as of December 2023.
Speaking at the Greater Accra Regional Town Hall meeting in Accra, Dr. Amin Adam explained that the economy, which was valued at $64 billion in 2013 under Mahama’s administration, had decreased to $56 billion by 2016. However, it had risen to $76 billion by 2023, reflecting significant nominal growth.
The Finance Minister highlighted the government’s tough economic decisions amid global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which have begun yielding positive results.
He noted, “The economy is now turning the corner.”
One of the key measures cited by Dr. Amin Adam was the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which achieved 95% participation from local bondholders.
Additionally, the government negotiated with external bilateral creditors to secure $2.8 billion in debt service relief, granting Ghana a grace period until 2026 with reduced interest rates.
Dr. Amin Adam also pointed out the $3.4 billion trade surplus recorded in 2023 under the current administration, compared to the $1.8 billion trade deficit in 2016 under the Mahama-led government.
The town hall meeting, organized by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council, aimed to showcase the government’s infrastructural projects and social interventions in the Greater Accra Region.
It provided an opportunity for all 29 District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies (MMDAs) to exhibit key projects implemented since 2017. The event also allowed journalists and the public to ask questions and seek clarifications from government officials.
Discussing inflation, Dr. Amin Adam reported a significant drop from 54% in 2022 to 22% as of June 2023, attributing the surge in inflation to global economic challenges rather than domestic mismanagement.
He projected that inflation would decrease further to 15% by the end of the year and promised to bring it down to a single digit by 2025 if given the mandate in the upcoming December 7 election.
Dr. Amin Adam also highlighted the increase in exports due to the ‘One District, One Factory’ initiative, with 169 factories currently operational.
Minister of Information, Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar, in her welcome remarks, stated that similar town hall meetings would be held across all 16 regions until November.
It is alleged by the Minority in Parliament that the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, is exerting pressure on the Ministers for Finance and Health to make payment to Service Auto Group Ghana Limited which has been linked to the daughters of President Akufo-Addo in the ambulance spare parts deal saga.
Chairman of the Assurances Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who engaged the press on Tuesday, August 6, made this known.
The North Tongu Member of Parliament said, “the Minority is also urging the President to instruct his Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, to cease pressuring the Ministers of Health and Finance to make unlawful payments to SGAGL”.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the Chief of Staff’s alleged action is to enable her to be on the good side of the president.
“I know the Chief of Staff, she wants to be in the good books of the president. Let me help the president’s daughters and their business partners. As for this one, it is the Ministry of Health’s statement that exposes the Chief of Staff. Chief of Staff, we now know what you are doing behind the scenes. You are mounting pressure on the ministers,” Mr Ablakwa added.
He thus entreated the President to call his subordinate to order and avert any payment to the company and also halt the “scandalous, unconscionable, sweetheart, family-affair” ambulance spare parts deal.
Ambulance Spare Parts Deal: Stop payments of $34m to Service Ghana Auto Group – Okudzeto Ablakwa to Prez. Akufo-Addo#UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/ajBQetAZU6
The role of the Office of the Chief of Staff in the ambulance spare parts deal came to light when the Ministry of Health responded to concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, about a service contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited for the maintenance of ambulances.
The Ministry clarified that this contract was originally signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives and that subsequent actions were taken under the guidance of the Office of the Chief of Staff.
On September 10, 2020, the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives entered into a contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited to provide after-sales service and maintenance for 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 315 CDI ambulances. The contract included a provision for the supplier to offer a projected budget for necessary spare parts and lubricants to ensure smooth servicing and maintenance.
Following the dissolution of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat took over the contract’s execution. However, in March 2023, the Office of the Chief of Staff requested the Ministry of Health to explore ways to support the National Ambulance Service in maintaining the ambulances due to Parliament’s refusal to approve the budget estimates of the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat for the 2023 fiscal year.
In response to this directive, the Ministry of Health approached the Ministry of Finance to establish letters of credit totaling $34,904,505.00 on behalf of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited for procuring spare parts for the 307 ambulances. The Ministry of Finance responded, indicating it could only fund up to $10 million of the requested amount and recommended that the Ministry of Health seek additional financing through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Despite this, the NHIA stated in correspondence with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance that it could not fund the procurement of spare parts from the 10% allocation to the Ministry of Health, as this expense was not included in the allocation formula approved by Parliament.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that Service Auto Group Ghana Limited had not been paid the widely reported $34.9 million. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring a sustainable maintenance regime for all fleets procured for the National Ambulance Service to provide reliable, efficient, and safe emergency medical services.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had raised concerns about potential corruption in the deal, alleging that the contract was hastily approved and that $10 million had already been paid to the company. He also questioned the legitimacy of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited, noting that the company was incorporated a year after the ambulances were commissioned in 2019 and raised concerns about the company’s capacity to service the ambulances.
Furthermore, Ablakwa alleged connections between the company and President Akufo-Addo’s daughters, suggesting that one of the company’s directors is a close business associate of the President’s daughters. These allegations prompted Ablakwa to petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
In its statement, the Ministry of Health noted that all documentation covering the transaction is a matter of public record and accessible to the public. The Ministry expressed its readiness to support any efforts to bring further clarity to the issue in the public interest.
The Minority in Parliament has accused the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, of pressuring the heads of the Finance and Health Ministries to make payment to Service Auto Group Ghana Limited which has been linked to the daughters of President Akufo-Addo in the ambulance spare parts deal saga.
Chairman of the Assurances Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who engaged the press on Tuesday, August 6, entreated the President to call his subordinate to order and avert any payment to the company.
The North Tongu Member of Parliament said, “the Minority is also urging the President to instruct his Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, to cease pressuring the Ministers of Health and Finance to make unlawful payments to SGAGL”.
He made this appeal after he called on President Akufo-Addo to halt the “scandalous, unconscionable, sweetheart, family-affair” ambulance spare parts deal.
Ambulance Spare Parts Deal: Stop payments of $34m to Service Ghana Auto Group – Okudzeto Ablakwa to Prez. Akufo-Addo#UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/ajBQetAZU6
The role of the Office of the Chief of Staff in the ambulance spare parts deal came to light when the Ministry of Health responded to concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, about a service contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited for the maintenance of ambulances.
The Ministry clarified that this contract was originally signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives and that subsequent actions were taken under the guidance of the Office of the Chief of Staff.
On September 10, 2020, the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives entered into a contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited to provide after-sales service and maintenance for 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 315 CDI ambulances. The contract included a provision for the supplier to offer a projected budget for necessary spare parts and lubricants to ensure smooth servicing and maintenance.
Following the dissolution of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat took over the contract’s execution. However, in March 2023, the Office of the Chief of Staff requested the Ministry of Health to explore ways to support the National Ambulance Service in maintaining the ambulances due to Parliament’s refusal to approve the budget estimates of the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat for the 2023 fiscal year.
In response to this directive, the Ministry of Health approached the Ministry of Finance to establish letters of credit totaling $34,904,505.00 on behalf of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited for procuring spare parts for the 307 ambulances. The Ministry of Finance responded, indicating it could only fund up to $10 million of the requested amount and recommended that the Ministry of Health seek additional financing through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Despite this, the NHIA stated in correspondence with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance that it could not fund the procurement of spare parts from the 10% allocation to the Ministry of Health, as this expense was not included in the allocation formula approved by Parliament.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that Service Auto Group Ghana Limited had not been paid the widely reported $34.9 million. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring a sustainable maintenance regime for all fleets procured for the National Ambulance Service to provide reliable, efficient, and safe emergency medical services.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had raised concerns about potential corruption in the deal, alleging that the contract was hastily approved and that $10 million had already been paid to the company. He also questioned the legitimacy of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited, noting that the company was incorporated a year after the ambulances were commissioned in 2019 and raised concerns about the company’s capacity to service the ambulances.
Furthermore, Ablakwa alleged connections between the company and President Akufo-Addo’s daughters, suggesting that one of the company’s directors is a close business associate of the President’s daughters. These allegations prompted Ablakwa to petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
In its statement, the Ministry of Health noted that all documentation covering the transaction is a matter of public record and accessible to the public. The Ministry expressed its readiness to support any efforts to bring further clarity to the issue in the public interest.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has rendered an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the hardships caused by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
On 5th December 2022, the Government of Ghana launched Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange programme, an invitation for the voluntary exchange of approximately GHS137 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, including E.S.L.A. and Daakye bonds, for a package of New Bonds to be issued by the Republic.
During a town hall meeting in Accra on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Dr. Amin Adam explained that the DDEP was a necessary requirement set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize the economy. He emphasized that it was never the government’s intention to impose hardships on the citizens.
“We decided to restructure our debts because it was one of the requirements by the IMF. We started with the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, the DDEP was a very successful programme, achieving 95% participation. And on this note, I would like to appeal to the people of Ghana to forgive us, forgive us.”
This apology follows advice from Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, who urged members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to acknowledge their economic management mistakes and apologize to the public.
Dr. Amin Adam acknowledged the difficulties caused by the programme but highlighted its essential role in ensuring the country’s long-term financial health.
He expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support and resilience during this challenging period, emphasizing that their sacrifices were crucial for the economic recovery being witnessed.
“It is never the intention of any government to impose hardships on its people. More so, the NPP government has demonstrated that we want to reduce the burden on the Ghanaian people.”
“It was a necessary, very important decision at the time, that if we had avoided it, our economy would not recover as it has recovered today. The decisions we made, and all the support you gave us during the DDEP have contributed largely to the recovery our economy is seeing today.”
Dr. Amin Adam reassured the public of the government’s commitment to mitigating the negative impacts of the DDEP and working towards sustained economic growth.
He called for continued cooperation from the citizens, promising that the collective efforts would lead to better economic stability.
“This is why I want to appeal to you to forgive us. But also to thank you on behalf of the president for the sacrifices, for the efforts that you all have made participating in the DDEP that saved our economy,” the Finance Minister concluded.
The finance minister has apologised to Ghanaians for the struggles and difficulties induced by the domestic debt exchange program.
Mohammed Amin Adam says the apology is necessary to assure Ghanaians that the government meant well in its fiscal consolidation.#News360pic.twitter.com/Y0gOYpwKw2
State-owned Cocoa Processing Company Limited (CPC) has reported a loss of $9.57 million in the first half of 2024.
This is a 4.5% increase compared to the $9.16 million loss recorded in the same period the previous year.
The rise in losses is mainly due to increased operational costs, particularly in selling, distribution, and financial expenses.
According to CPC’s 2024 Unaudited Financial Statement, the company’s total revenue for the first half of 2024 dropped to $22.2 million, an 8.2% decline from the $24.2 million generated in the first half of 2023.
The period also saw a significant reduction in production. The volume of cocoa beans processed fell sharply to 2,886 metric tonnes, down from 6,614 metric tonnes in 2023.
The production of semi-finished products decreased to 2,239 metric tonnes from 5,425 metric tonnes, and confectionery output declined to 1,049 metric tonnes from 1,418 metric tonnes.
To combat these challenges and move towards profitability, CPC has secured an ongoing supply of cocoa beans from COCOBOD. Importantly, COCOBOD has agreed not to demand repayments that would threaten CPC’s operations.
The Board of Directors has introduced several strategies to turn the company around. These include reducing costs, investing in infrastructure and machinery, and broadening the revenue base.
In an effort to strengthen its financial standing, CPC’s management is negotiating an $86.7 million loan facility with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). This loan is intended to settle debts owed to a consortium of banks, support working capital needs, and fund upgrades to property, plant, and equipment to boost production capacity.
Management expects to finalize the loan agreement by December 2024, with the first tranche of funds to be released by March 2025.
Dr Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has criticized the NPP vice presidential nominee for making belittling remarks about his father, calling the comments ridiculous.
Speaking on Joy News PM Express on Tuesday, Dr Sekou Nkrumah suggested that former Energy and Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, was pandering to his political base.
“I understand what he meant by trying to please his masters coming from the United Party (UP) tradition…that’s what they have done for years, running down Nkrumah,” Dr Sekou Nkrumah stated.
During his introduction as the running mate for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Opoku Prempeh praised President Akufo-Addo, claiming no president had developed the nation like him, including Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
“Since independence from 1957 till today, we’ve not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah…no president who has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” Opoku Prempeh asserted.
However, Dr Sekou Nkrumah strongly disagreed. He expressed concern over the denigration of a global icon who was even honored with the African of the Millennium Award, surpassing Nelson Mandela.
“If somebody’s running down Nkrumah that way, I just couldn’t figure out what was going on, honestly, in his mind, on his mind,” he said.
Dr Sekou Nkrumah acknowledged the historical rivalry between the CPP and UP but emphasized that Nkrumah’s global stature made such criticisms embarrassing on the international stage.
“From the Ghanaian point of view, I had lived through and understood a division in our country between CPP and UP, the rivalry and so but for an outsider who sees Nkrumah in a larger-than-life light, I felt so embarrassed,” he explained.
He understood Opoku Prempeh’s motives, suggesting he was merely pleasing his political patrons.
“He was just trying to please his masters who have put him in this high position to represent them, so he was just playing to the gallery. Remember that after the 1966 coup, Nkrumah’s name was dragged into the gutters?”
Dr Sekou Nkrumah highlighted the enduring legacy of his father’s projects, such as the Akosombo Dam, despite their neglect after the coup.
“Even the things Nkrumah did and the physical things that he left behind, again, a lot of it was neglected after the coup but we still benefit from things like the Akosombo Dam,” he noted.
He also mentioned feeling inspired by his father’s visionary ideas whenever he drove through Tema, recognizing the lasting impact of Nkrumah’s infrastructure projects and ideas that helped decolonize Africa.
“The infrastructure that he left behind up to today, what have we done really beyond the significant things that he did? Not much. Yes, others came to do a bit, but Nkrumah left so much of a physical legacy, let alone his ideas that helped decolonize Africa,” he concluded.
The son of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has challenged President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that Ghana was not founded by a single individual.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Sekou Nkrumah emphasized, “What the President completely misses is that Nkrumah was one man, but he represented millions of Ghanaians, and that was exactly the grassroots connection he had.”
Sekou Nkrumah elaborated that the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) initially brought his father on board because they needed his expertise and leadership.
He pointed out, “UGCC was the biggest political movement, but its presence across the country was not big enough. They were just active in six constituencies or so across the country. Nkrumah came, did the legwork, went across the country, mobilized people, energized the whole struggle for independence, and kind of took over leadership after breaking away and forming the Convention People’s Party (CPP). He created a mass movement.”
He further explained that after Nkrumah’s split from the UGCC, the majority of the populace followed him, resulting in his decisive victories in the 1951 and 1956 elections.
“The point that the President is missing is that Nkrumah is not one man but represents millions,” he added.
These comments come in response to President Akufo-Addo’s 2024 Founders’ Day address, where he emphasized the collective effort behind Ghana’s independence, stating, “I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations.”
Dr Sekou Nkrumah criticized this view, suggesting that President Akufo-Addo is “caught up in the emotions of the past.” He reflected on a turbulent period in Ghana’s history marked by political violence and multiple attempts on his father’s life. As Kwame Nkrumah sought to reduce the violence, opposition members, including some of the Big Six, suffered.
“Three of the Big Six ended up in political detention under Nkrumah – Obetsebi Lamptey, J.B. Danquah, and Ako Adjei, who had actually suggested that Nkrumah become the general secretary,” Sekou Nkrumah noted.
“Two of them, Obetsebi Lamptey and J.B. Danquah, tragically died in political detention, which is a very sad chapter in Ghana’s history. I am sensitive to the feelings of their families because Nkrumah took responsibility for those actions.”
Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom say they are stranded and unable to leave their homes amid anti-immigration demonstrations across the country.
The UK has seen protests for a week, which have become increasingly volatile, with some demonstrators resorting to violent actions. Protesters set ablaze two Holiday Inn hotels in the town of Rotherham, northern England, and in Tamworth, in the Midlands, central England, which were believed to be housing asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their claims.
Engaging the media, UK-based Ghanaian journalist Kofi Marfo, who works with Rainbow Radio UK, revealed how Ghanaian immigrants in the UK have been cowed by fear of being attacked without provocation.
“They said they’re law-abiding migrants in this country. They do pay or honour their tax obligations. They don’t see any reason why one out of the millions as a result of someone committing a heinous criminal activity must affect each and everyone.”
He indicated that they are hopeful the recent tension will be quelled to prevent further escalation.
“[They hope] this will not get out of hand, this will not escalate to a different level,” he told JoyNews on The Pulse.
Protests first broke out late last month, after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage over a stabbing attack that left three children dead in Southport, northern England.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that prosecutors have already charged around 100 people over the violent unrest.
The gatherings ostensibly started as anti-immigration marches but quickly turned disorderly and violent.
A violent robbery has been reported at Wassa Dompoase in the Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region, where seven armed individuals targeted a gold buyer’s establishment.
The recalcitrants made off with two sacks filled with money and gold.
According to information obtained by EDHUB, the incident took place around 1 p.m. yesterday at Humble Gold Buying Enterprise.
Three shopkeepers were present when the robbers, armed with guns and knives, barged in and demanded the keys to the safe containing money and gold.
One of the shopkeepers, suspected by the robbers to have the keys, denied possessing them and was subsequently shot twice.
He is now in critical condition at the hospital. The other two shopkeepers sustained injuries from gunshots and knife stabs during the ordeal but are reported to be in stable condition.
Despite the shopkeepers’ resistance, the robbers successfully obtained the keys and fled the scene with two sacks of gold and money.
The police have launched a manhunt to capture the perpetrators of this brazen attack.
Blòòdy scenes unfolded at Wassa Dompoase in the Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region as about seven armed robbers attacked a gold buyer's shop and made off with two sacks of money and gold.
The Coalition of Students of the Schools of Hygiene is demanding the settlement of their two-year unpaid trainee allowances, which have been outstanding since January 2023.
This demand also includes a full year’s allowance for the 2021 batch from the Ho School of Hygiene.
The students, expressing concerns about the prospect of prolonged unemployment, revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources indicated delays due to the Ministry of Finance not providing the necessary financial clearance.
The Coalition’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Awuku, highlighted the difficulties faced by students and emphasized the need for job placements for graduates still awaiting deployment. The coalition has also issued a warning of a potential demonstration if their demands remain unmet.
“Tempers are rising among School of Hygiene trainees across the country,” Awuku stated.
“The urge to resort to a massive demonstration at the presidency and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources is getting to its peak by the day.”
Mr Awuku also pointed out the constitutional eligibility of School of Hygiene trainees to receive allowances.
“School of Hygiene trainees are also health trainees and remain constitutionally eligible to receive our trainee allowances. It seems stakeholders are using technicalities to push our people off the scheme of trainee allowance. We haven’t received an allowance for two years now, and some have even completed without receiving a Cedi as trainee allowances,” he added.
In a related development, three unions in Ghana have announced plans for industrial action on August 9, 2024, if the Ministry of Finance fails to authorize the payment of agreed allowances by August 8, 2024.
These unions include the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC).
The unions have expressed frustration over the Ministry’s delay in issuing a letter to authorize the payment of the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.
They have set a deadline of August 8 for the Ministry to act, warning that failure to do so will lead to industrial action the following day.
The University of Ghana (UG) has paid tribute to the renowned late Sociology Professor, and academic luminary John Maxwell Assimeng.
On Friday, August 2, the management of the premier university officially renamed the library of its Department of Sociology after the late professor.
This comes after the children of the late Professor – Shirley Assimeng Stobie, Sylvia Assimeng Archer and Dr (Mrs) Joycelyn Assimeng Dame’s decision to renovate and re-equip the library.
The kind gesture aims to mark the 10th Anniversary of the death of the professor who passed away a decade ago, in July.
The library underwent renovation prior to the renaming. The exterior of the entire library building and three other office spaces were repainted. Other refurbishments include fitted modern tiles, new lighting, air conditioning, new storage lockers for students and new books.
Chairperson for the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, addressed the gathering.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo noted that the renovation of the library by the family of Professor Assimeng falls within the University of Ghana’s strategic plan which was launched two weeks ago and took effect on 1 August 2024.
In the strategic plan, Professor Aba Appiah Amfo said UG plans to achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning using a technology driven and a people centred approach.
“If we look at what his (Professor Assimeng) life stood for, what we have heard this morning, what we are about to see with this refurbished library, we can see that we (University of Ghana) are right on course,” Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo said.
“I like to assure the family that we commit to take good care of what you have provided for us. We seek to continue to partner with you with regard to the maintenance of this facility. But we have the primary responsibility to ensure that when you come back here in two years from now or five years from now, this library is not dilapidated,” she added.
Guests at the ceremony included the Chief Justice of the Republic, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, Senior Presidential Advisor and lifelong friend of the late Professor, Yaw Osafo Marfo, former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, prominent academic and politician, Professor George Hagan.
The others are Prof Kwame Karikari, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, Minister for Roads and Highways, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Deputy Minister for Justice and Deputy Attorney General, among others.
Head of the Department of Sociology, Professor Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya, also extended his gratitude to the family of the deceased for their decision to renovate the library of the Sociology department.
“The Department’s decision to honour Prof. Assimeng has yielded some positive results. The family has come forth to renovate the department’s library. The library has undergone a profound transformation. The floor has entirely changed with new tiles. There is a new wiring system that connects almost every seat to power to enable users connect to their gadgets.
“There are newer and bigger bookshelves, and a new reserved section for the works of Professor Assimeng. The entire furniture has been changed completely. There are twelve new lockers for students to keep their bags and other items whilst in the library, thus ensuring security of valuables. The lighting system has also witnessed a remarkable change. There are two new air conditioners and two new desktops for the library,” Professor Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya said.
New award by Professor Assimeng’s family
Professor Anamzoya disclosed that, Professor Assimeng’s family has also instituted an annual award scheme called the John Maxwell Assimeng Award for the Best Female Student in Sociology. An initial deposit of $2,500 has already been paid into the accounts of the College of Humanities for the next five years.
“This is a huge blessing to the Department, but more importantly, after the Department received this award scheme, two additional families unbeknown to each other, have also brought letters to the Department, expressing their desire and willingness to institute separate award schemes in the Department. I stand on behalf of the Department of Sociology to express our sincerest gratitude to the Assimeng family for all these positive things, Professor Anamzoya further stated.
“I want to assure them that the refurbished library would be put to the best use for students and faculty, and further promise them that the award would be given uncompromisingly to the actual person deserving it. I want to urge students in particular to handle every item in the library with extra care in order to preserve the facility for future generations,” he added.
Beacon of knowledge
Dr Mrs Jocelyn Assimeng Dame, daughter of Professor Maxwell Assimeng and wife of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in a statement eulogized her late father noting that he was more than a professor of sociology.
“He was a beacon of knowledge and kindness. From humble beginnings – bereft of formal secondary education – he attained the highest academic heights possible, earning a first-class degree at the University of Ghana and proceeding to Oxford University, UK, where he excelled and obtained his PhD.
“Driven by his love for his motherland, passion for education and the desire to uplift others, he returned here to teach and dedicated the rest of his life to the University of Ghana. He was devoted to pursuing knowledge and improving society, as beautifully eulogised by colleagues, students, and his family.
“He encouraged countless students to dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. His kindness extended beyond his professional life; he even took it upon himself to support the education of other family members. His commitment to education, indeed, knew no bounds,” Dr Mrs Jocelyn Assimeng Dame remarked.
“Renovating this library has been a labour of love, a tribute to a man who believed education was the key to unlocking one’s potential and liberation from the shackles of poverty. We wanted to create a space that preserves his memory and serves as a sanctuary of knowledge and inspiration, just as he envisioned.
“This exercise is not only our commitment to the fulfilment of his vision, but also our little token of appreciation for the community in which we grew up and have lived for more than half of our respective lives. It is our quest to further his vision of a world where knowledge is accessible and ideas are exchanged freely,” Dr Jocelyn Assimeng Dame further remarked.
The late Professor Assimeng was one of Ghana’s foremost sociologists and lectured at the Department of Sociology for over 45 years.
Fitch Solutions has projected that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) will lower its benchmark policy rate by 200 basis points to 27.00% by the end of 2024.
This revised forecast is an increase from the firm’s earlier prediction of 25.00%.
At the most recent monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting on July 26, 2024, the Central Bank decided to maintain the key policy rate at 29.00%, citing “uncertainty regarding the inflation path” due to recent exchange rate volatility and rising fuel and utility costs.
Although this decision was anticipated by Fitch Solutions, the significant depreciation of the cedi and the BoG’s cautious stance prompted the firm to adjust its end-2024 forecast upward from the previous 25.00%.
Fitch Solutions stated, “We anticipate that the BoG will leave the policy rate unchanged at the upcoming MPC meeting in September for two key reasons.”
Firstly, the firm noted that while inflation is expected to decrease in the coming months, underlying price pressures will persist.
“We project that consumer price growth will moderate to 20.7% year-on-year in August—the last inflation print before the September MPC meeting—down from 22.8% in June. However, inflation readings will remain higher than what central bank policymakers are comfortable with, driven by the ongoing effects of exchange rate weakness and rising food prices.”
Secondly, Fitch Solutions emphasized that robust economic activity reduces the necessity for a more accommodative monetary policy.
“Real Gross Domestic Product growth accelerated sharply to 4.7% year-on-year in quarter one 2024—from 3.8% in quarter 4 2023—marking the fastest economic expansion in over two years. We anticipate that quarter 2 economic growth, which will be released prior to the September MPC meeting, will also surpass the Bank of Ghana’s full-year forecast of 3.7%, driven by strong domestic demand.”
Fitch Solutions concluded, “We think that the BoG will implement a 200bps-cut at the last MPC meeting of the year in November [2024], bringing the key rate to 27.00%. Although inflationary pressures remain more persistent than the central bank would like, we believe it will remain on a downward trend, falling below 20.0% by September.”
The projected cut in the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) benchmark policy rate by 200 basis points to 27.00% by the end of 2024 could have several implications for the Ghanaian economy, particularly in the areas of business, loans, and interest rates.
Lower interest rates generally reduce the cost of borrowing, which can encourage businesses to take out loans for expansion and capital investments. This can lead to increased business activities, higher production levels, and potentially more job creation.
With lower borrowing costs, consumers may find it cheaper to finance purchases of goods and services. This can lead to increased consumer spending, which in turn can boost business revenues and economic growth.
For businesses already servicing debt, a reduction in interest rates can lower their interest expenses, improving their profitability and cash flow. This can free up resources for further investment or operational improvements.
The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has called on the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to evaluate and address the informal forex market to eliminate unregulated activities that disrupt the country’s exchange rate regime.
In its 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review, titled “A Critical Assessment of the 2024 Mid-Year Budget,” ISSER emphasized the need for the Central Bank to intensify its efforts against illegal forex operations that contribute to exchange rate instability.
The report recommends that the Bank of Ghana work closely with security agencies to target and shut down unregistered businesses within the financial sector.
“Assess the size of the informal forex market and institute efforts to reduce its dominance and activities that drive exchange rate instability. The Bank of Ghana, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, should clamp down on unregistered and unregulated businesses,” the review states.
Additionally, ISSER advised that both the central bank and fiscal authorities ensure that the Development Bank of Ghana offers affordable funding to the agricultural sector to stimulate the local economy.
“Effective monetary and fiscal policy coordination is needed to support macroeconomic stability and growth. The Bank of Ghana and fiscal authorities should strengthen their partnerships and institutional coordination with global and regional financial and economic institutions, development partners, and the private sector to unlock resources to catalyse and sustain economic recovery,” the report suggests.
Moreover, ISSER highlights the importance of providing lower-cost financing to the agricultural and light manufacturing sectors to enhance local production and export competitiveness.
“The central bank and the fiscal authorities should ensure that the Development Bank of Ghana provides a cheaper source of funding to the agricultural and light manufacturing sectors to support higher value addition. This will significantly enhance local industry’s ability to produce import substitutes and improve export competitiveness,” the review mentions.
A new joint Military and Police Patrol team has been initiated to address the increasing crime rates in Bawku and its surrounding areas.
The official ceremony took place on August 1, 2024, at the forecourt of the Bawku Divisional Police Headquarters.
Colonel Appah Yaw Owusu, the Joint Task Force Commander for Bawku, emphasized the need for unity among security forces to effectively tackle the emerging crimes in the region.
He urged the military and police to work cohesively to restore and maintain peace.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Raymond Adofiem, representing the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), echoed this sentiment. He highlighted the importance of a united front among the security services to consolidate the progress made in improving security in Bawku and its environs.
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic joint patrol through the main streets of Bawku, involving the military, police, and other security agencies. The event was attended by heads and representatives of all security services.
The ongoing conflict in Bawku, driven by ethnic and chieftaincy disputes, has resulted in numerous casualties and significant instability.
Various stakeholders, including government bodies, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations, have been engaged in efforts to resolve the crisis, though the situation remains fragile.
In a related development, Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has accused National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah of receiving GH¢18 million quarterly to manage the ongoing conflict in Bawku. The National Security Minister has yet to respond to these allegations.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate.
Known for his progressive policies and straightforward communication style, Walz is expected to bolster Harris’s appeal among rural, white voters.
Walz, a 60-year-old veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard and former teacher, gained prominence after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from a Republican-leaning district in 2006.
He served for 12 years before becoming the governor of Minnesota in 2018. As governor, Walz has championed a progressive agenda, advocating for free school meals, climate change initiatives, middle-class tax cuts, and expanded paid leave.
Additionally, he has been a strong proponent of women’s reproductive rights while also defending agricultural interests and gun rights during his tenure in the House.
Harris, whose parents immigrated from Jamaica and India, has added a popular Midwestern figure to her ticket. Minnesota, while reliably Democratic in presidential elections, is bordered by crucial battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan.
Walz’s ability to connect with rural, white voters, a demographic that heavily favored Donald Trump in previous elections, is seen as a strategic advantage.
The Harris campaign is banking on Walz’s military background and relatable persona, including his time as a high school football coach and his “Dad joke” videos, to attract voters who may be undecided about a second Trump term.
“For the records, Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Friday had a very successful campaign tour of Winneba in the Effutu constituency. She visited market women in their shops and stalls at the Winneba market, and interacted with shoppers and lorry drivers, amongst others, amidst cheers and encouragement from the public.
“She also drove through some principal streets of Winneba and was given a rousing welcome.”
Harris, 59, revitalized the Democratic Party’s electoral hopes after becoming the candidate following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign on July 21 under party pressure.
Walz, previously a relatively unknown figure on the national stage, gained significant attention during the Harris “veepstakes.” His selection was reportedly backed by influential figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a crucial role in persuading Biden to exit the race. Harris and Walz will face off against Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, in the upcoming November 5 election.
Walz, often seen campaigning in casual attire like a camouflage baseball hat and T-shirt, has been vocal in his criticism of Trump and Vance, calling them “weird,” a term that has resonated with the Harris campaign, social media, and Democratic activists.
In the 2016 election, Trump secured 59% of the rural vote, which increased to 65% in 2020 despite his overall loss. Walz’s 2022 gubernatorial victory, with 52.27% of the vote against his Republican opponent’s 44.61%, demonstrated his appeal, though rural areas still largely supported his opponent.
Throughout his career, Walz has supported key Democratic positions on issues like abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and the Affordable Care Act. However, he maintained a centrist voting record in Congress, advocating for farmers, military veterans, and gun rights, earning praise from the National Rifle Association. His stance on gun control shifted during his gubernatorial campaign, resulting in a failing grade from the NRA.
Walz’s evolution from a centrist congressman to a progressive governor may reflect the demands of his voter base in urban areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul, though it leaves him vulnerable to Republican criticism. Political analyst Dawkins noted, “He runs the risk of reinforcing some of the worst fears people have of Kamala Harris being a San Francisco liberal.”
Walz counters such attacks by highlighting his progressive achievements. “What a monster. Kids are eating and having full bellies, so they can go learn and women are making their own healthcare decisions,” Walz remarked in a July CNN interview. “So if that’s where they want to label me, I’m more than happy to take the label.”
As governor, Walz implemented mandatory face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic, signed a law making marital rape illegal, and managed several years of budget surpluses. His tenure also saw the high-profile prosecution of the police officer responsible for George Floyd’s death, a case that drew national attention.
With the backing of influential labor unions and a track record of addressing critical social issues, Walz’s selection as Harris’s running mate aims to strengthen the Democratic ticket’s appeal to a diverse electorate in the upcoming election.
A violent altercation in Awutu Bawjiase, located in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region, has led to the death of one individual.
The incident took place around 10:45 PM when a group of armed men, suspected to be land guards, attacked the Bawjiase chief’s palace.
This assault occurred just before the planned outdooring ceremony for the new chief, Nai Nana Kwaku Osardu (III), scheduled for the following day.
According to police sources, family members were at the palace preparing for the event when the armed assailants arrived and created chaos.
During the attack, a man in his 30s was fatally shot. This tragic event comes as a shock to the community, which has been entangled in a chieftaincy dispute for the past 25 years. The dispute was finally resolved by the National House of Chiefs earlier this year, raising hopes for peace in Awutu Bawjiase.
The Bawjiase District Police Command is actively working to restore peace and order in the area. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been sent to the Police Hospital for further examination.
The campaign team for Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Mahama, has firmly denied allegations of an interraction with the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during her visit to the Winneba market.
Recent reports had claimed that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang abruptly left the Winneba market after being ignored by market women. In a statement released on Monday, August 5, the campaign team dismissed these claims as entirely unfounded and fictitious, asserting that the incident was a fabrication by the reporter.
The statement emphasized the continued warm reception Prof. Opoku-Agyemang receives from the people of Winneba, urging the public to disregard the false reports.
“For the records, Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Friday had a very successful campaign tour of Winneba in the Effutu constituency. She visited market women in their shops and stalls at the Winneba market, and interacted with shoppers and lorry drivers, amongst others, amidst cheers and encouragement from the public.
“She also drove through some principal streets of Winneba and was given a rousing welcome.”
According to the team, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang addressed a well-attended rally at the Winneba Lorry Station, where she discussed the benefits of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy and the forthcoming Women’s Development Bank initiative, designed to support about one million women in business.
The statement clarified that Afenyo-Markin was not present at the market during Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s visit, debunking claims of a confrontation.
“At no point was the Member of Parliament for Effutu present at the same place and time that Prof Opoku-Agyemang was at the Winneba market,” the statement added.
This clarification comes as the NDC campaign team seeks to set the record straight and emphasize the positive reception and successful engagements Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has experienced during her tour.
A controversial 38-page document titled ‘Agyapadie,’ which prominently features the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, alongside President Nana Akufo-Addo and his late father, has resurfaced, reigniting discussions about its contents.
The document, whose author remains unidentified, outlines strategies for a particular family or clan to establish significant influence and control over key sectors of Ghanaian society, including the economy, politics, media, judiciary, telecommunications, and banking.
First made public over eight years ago, the document has recently gained renewed attention due to certain events in Ghanaian politics that appear to align with its predictions.
This article will take a dive into three actions that were projected to happen in the document that have materialised.
SSNIT and Kofi Bosompem Osafo Maafo
The Agyapadie document predicted that the son of the Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, would find his way into the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to aid entry into Ecobank.
“ii. Ecobank: We have two routes of entry into this institution. First is through SSNIT, which has a seat on the Board of Ecobank Ghana by virtue of its shareholding. That seat is occupied by the Director General of SSNIT. In Phase 2 of our agenda, Kofi Bosompem Osafo Maafo, who is a Deputy Director General of SSNIT, should be made the DG to give him the seat on the Ecobank (Ghana) Board,” the document stated.
In April 2024, President Akufo-Addo appointed Kofi Osafo-Maafo, the son of Osafo-Maafo, as the new Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), following seven years of serving as Deputy Director-General.
He replaced Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang. In a statement released on Saturday, April 13, Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, explained that Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang’s dismissal was not a result of misconduct or malfeasance.
The Presidency asserted that Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang’s departure is part of the ongoing restructuring initiated by President Akufo-Addo.
Kofi Osafo-Maafo assumed responsibilities on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Bawumia to succeed Akufo-Addo
While stressing the need to intensify Databank’s presence as a government adviser on financial transactions, the ‘Agyapadie’ document made mention of the succession of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The document noted that the role of Databank would be to generate the needed funds to aid the succession plan.
“Biological Children: Databank is a household name in the financial industry. It is our beloved child in the industry. Its presence as government adviser on financial transactions is to be intensified, including knobbing interested foreign companies to partner with Databank on such issues. In furtherance of this end, all major government financial transactions are to be executed in the first two years of Nana’s 2nd term. This will bring in the needed funds to fight the battle to install Bawumia as part of the succession plan to the advantage of Bawumia,” the document stated.
On Saturday, November 4, 2023, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was declared winner by the Electoral Commission at the Accra Sports Stadium, as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party after his contenders, Honourable Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (Assin Central Member of Parliament) polled 71,996 votes, representing 37.41%, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto (former Minister for Agriculture) polled 1,459 votes, representing 0.76% and Honourable Francis Addai-Nimoh (former Member of Parliament of Mampong) polled 781 votes, representing 0.41%.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia won the 2023 Presidential Primaries with 118,210 votes, representing 61.47% of the total valid votes cast.
Following Dr Bawumia’s victory, Alan Kyerematen, one of the contenders resigned from the party.
Mr Kyerematen lamented that the New Patriotic Party has gone through an unhealthy transition in recent years and has been hijacked by some selected party leaders of which he can no longer be a part.
“I have devoted the best part of my professional career to serving the Party, and I still believe in the vision of the founding fathers of the Party. However, the NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture. The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, “behind the curtain power brokers” and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks.”
Introduction of Kelni GVG
The ‘Agyapadie’ document alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) doesn’t have much foothold in the telecommunication sector, and as such will have the “successful planting of Kelni GVG into the telecom sector” to give “unparalleled advantage in terms of having a view of activity flow within the sector and the ability to monitor communication of persons of our choosing.”
The document further adds, “The intelligence gathering power allows us to target and eliminate any potential threat from within the NPP; particularly those not inherently loyal to our cause and Nana’s, which include members of the opposition NDC.”
“Our sister in charge of the ministry responsible for this sector is doing remarkably well especially her confrontations with MTN Ghana resulting in administrative measures aimed at curtailing the business of MTN. From 2021, legislation will need to be introduced to breakup the business of MTN using national security and anti-trust reasons as justification. Our loyal allies will then be enabled to occupy the spaces to be ceded by MTN. such entry will yield significant strategic advantages over our competitors.”
In May this year, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni expressed concerns over the contract awarded to NextGen InfraCo Ltd. for the 5G network rollout.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 30, Awuni highlighted that the company was incorporated barely a week before President Akufo-Addo granted executive approval for the deal.
Awuni pointed out that the contract, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, was awarded through sole sourcing, without giving other companies the opportunity to bid for the project. This lack of competitive bidding raises suspicions about the transparency and fairness of the procurement process, according to Awuni.
Before these claims, the government had announced a partnership with seven industry leaders to develop a new shared infrastructure aimed at delivering affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana. The partners, including Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecommunications companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana, have formed the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), which has been awarded a 5G license.
Communications and Digitalisation Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has confirmed that NextGen InfraCo, the company awarded the contract for the rollout of the 5G network, was established just one week before receiving the contract.
Madam Owusu-Ekuful clarified that the company was specifically created for this purpose because there was no existing neutral infrastructure company capable of handling the rollout at that time.
During a press briefing on the 5G rollout, she elaborated on the government’s reasoning behind this decision. She noted that auctioning the contract was not pursued due to previous experiences and setbacks that had hindered the rollout of the country’s 4G technology, which has achieved only a 15% nationwide penetration since its introduction in 2015.
The Minister highlighted that the challenges faced during the 4G rollout influenced the government’s approach to the 5G deployment. By directly awarding the contract to a newly created entity, the government aims to avoid similar obstacles and expedite the implementation process for the 5G network.
The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West provided insight into the government’s strategic decision-making process, emphasizing the need for a dedicated infrastructure company to ensure the successful and timely rollout of 5G technology across the country.
“This is a special purpose vehicle and once the government took the decision that we will use a neutral infrastructure company to deliver this service, there is no existing neutral infrastructure company that can deliver it at the moment.”
“So, it had to be specifically formed for the purpose of delivering this service based on the strategic policies and decisions of the government, and it is borne out of our experiences and that is why we chose not to auction it,” she stated.
The ‘Agyapadie’ document has gotten many Ghanaians concerned, especially after some of its predictions have materialised.
A leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Arthur Kennedy, has expressed difficulty in accepting that the ‘Agyapadie’ document is fictitious and holds no relationship with Ghana’s present situation.
He noted that when he came into contact with the document some years ago, he dismissed it but can no longer do so since recent happenings cannot be left to coincidence.
“I would have agreed with the president a year ago……but the problem is as time has gone on there are things in the document that have gone on so if it was indeed a fake document, whoever has prepared the document has very good prophetic skills because a lot of the things they are predicting are coming true. So it is very difficult to see these things that are coming true,” he said in an interview on TV3.
On August 1, 2024, President Akufo-Addo addressed growing speculation about the document, which is purported to be a strategic plan of the Akyem faction within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The president and the government New Patriotic Party (NPP) have dismissed the document as a fabrication, attributing its circulation to political adversaries aiming to discredit the party and its affiliates.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has also denounced the document as a baseless creation by those intent on sowing discord and inciting animosity towards the Ofori Panin family and the Okyeman community.
The campaign team for Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has firmly denied allegations that market women in Winneba shunned her during a visit.
Recent reports claimed that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang left the Winneba market abruptly after being ignored by the market women.
On Monday, August 5, the campaign team issued a statement dismissing these reports as entirely unfounded and fictitious, asserting that the incident was a fabrication by the reporter.
The statement highlighted the continued warm reception Prof. Opoku-Agyemang receives from the people of Winneba, urging the public to disregard the false reports.
“For the records, Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Friday had a very successful campaign tour of Winneba in the Effutu constituency. She visited market women in their shops and stalls at the Winneba market, and interacted with shoppers and lorry drivers, amongst others, amidst cheers and encouragement from the public.
“She also drove through some principal streets of Winneba and was given a rousing welcome.”
According to the team, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang addressed a well-attended rally at the Winneba Lorry Station, where she discussed the benefits of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy and the forthcoming Women’s Development Bank initiative, designed to support about one million women in business.
The statement clarified that the Member of Parliament for Effutu was not present at the market during Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s visit, debunking claims of a confrontation.
“At no point was the Member of Parliament for Effutu present at the same place and time that Prof Opoku-Agyemang was at the Winneba market,” the statement added.
President Akufo-Addo has affirmed his intention to step down as president without resistance when his term ends.
He pledged to follow the precedent set by his predecessors, ensuring a smooth transition of power.
“I willingly step down as president on 7th January. And I do so because I will be in good company with that of Jerry John Rawlings, and Agyekum Kufuor who in the fourth have been privileged by the people of Ghana to serve two terms as president of the republic,” Akufo-Addo declared during a Senior Citizens luncheon at the Jubilee House on August 5.
Reflecting on his tenure, President Akufo-Addo expressed profound gratitude for the honour of serving as Ghana’s head of state for two terms.
He also committed himself to overseeing a peaceful and fair election in December as his final major challenge before leaving office, emphasizing his dedication to this goal with the support of all Ghanaians.
“The last major challenge for me is to preside over peaceful and fair elections in December, and that is a commitment,” he stated.
Earlier, during an address to the chiefs and people of Wa, President Akufo-Addo conveyed his gratitude for their support throughout his presidency.
He informed the Paramount Chief of the Waala traditional area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, of his intention to support the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as his preferred successor.
However, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), countered that it is not within President Akufo-Addo’s authority to determine his successor in the upcoming general elections.
Mahama emphasized that the decision rests with the people of Ghana, who will choose the next leader through their votes.
Former National Security Coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Esq. delivered a speech at ‘The Ghana Report Summit’ in Accra on the theme “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024.”
The Ghana Report Summit brought together key stakeholders to address the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation in the lead-up to the general elections.
Topic: 1st Plenary Session: Misinformation and Disinformation – Challenges and Impact
First of all, I wish to take the opportunity to thank the organizers for making me part of this conversation. This is a conversation that is most relevant to forging and shaping together, as a people, the conducive environment that we so much require for the planning, preparation and conduct of the 2024 elections in our dear country, particularly with respect to misinformation and disinformation. I am most grateful to be invited here.
My task here is one of a supporting effort. I am simply to make some introductory remarks that will usher in our team of distinguished panellists who will deliberate on the topic at hand – Misinformation and Disinformation – Challenges and Impact in the Context of the 2024 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections
In doing so I wish to draw attention to a few issues hopefully within the 10 mins that have been allocated to me.
Let me start by saying that our dear country Ghana, guided by our motto of Freedom and Justice has since the inception of 4th republic, become an example of Democratic constitutional rule with peaceful change of governments through elections, and that Ghanaians wish that the 2024 elections would be transparent, and result in the declaration of credible results that reflect the will of the electorate and leave contestants with no choice but to accept the results.
Article 5 of our 1992 constitution captures the fundamental human rights and freedoms that should be enjoyed not only by the citizenry but by all who live here in Ghana, These rights derive their global character from the ethics outlined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international law as captured in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, as well as other International and Domestic Human Rights laws. Paramount among these rights is the Freedom of Expression.
Ghana actually stands out in Africa, when it comes to respect for the right of Freedom of expression.
The right of Freedom of expression is however not an absolute right. It is a derogable right and has primary limitations to the extent that it should not in its exercise, encroach or infringe on the rights of others, threaten or endanger peaceful coexistence, national stability and therefore national security for that matter.
Misinformation and Disinformation are two primary ways in which the very right of freedom of expression could be abused or, by which peaceful coexistence, national stability and national security could be undermined in spite of existing domestic and international restrictive control mechanisms and protocols. In fact the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Perception Survey for 2023-2024, ranks Misinformation and Disinformation as the number one global risk for the two years 2023 and 2024. In the context of our 2024 elections, while misformation would basically refer to the unintentional spreading of false or inaccurate information on the situation or of other stakeholders, Disinformation would refer to the deliberate creation and spread of false information with the intention of deceiving the electorate.
Electioneering entails influence operations that involve the passage of copious information by political leaders and their party activists, aimed at convincing the electorate to vote for them and to deny the other Party the vote. The challenge we face as a country is that the 2024 elections have already gathered such momentum that they promise to be a highly contested election. It is, therefore, most appropriate that we have a conversation such as we have today, to clearly identify the menace we face and to brainstorm on innovative ways that will keep misinformation and disinformation before, during and after the 2024 elections in check, so as to avoid their impact as a threat to the peaceful co-existence that we are so proud of; or pose a threat of violence or social disruption in the nature that some of our neighbours have had to go through in time past.
I will therefore edge you our distinguished panellists for this morning’s 1st plenary session, to critically evaluate the threat of misinformation and disinformation and examine the potential challenges that we are likely to face therefrom, before, during and after the 2024 elections, as well as the impact that those challenges are likely to have on our democracy, so as to enable us all together, seek consensus on how to address them.
Let me please in that regard, draw attention to the fact that misinformation and disinformation could be used for various purposes, often with significant social and political impacts, including to sway public opinion, discredit opponents, influence election outcomes or indeed be the source of societal tensions, polarization and violence by amplifying and spreading controversial and unproven matters.
Please permit me also to remark that although misinformation and disinformation have been with us through the ages, these concepts have been greatly influenced by technological innovation and are no longer in their rudimentary form. As both scholars in the military and the academia agree, we are now in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous and Diverse (VUCAD) global environment, which due to rapid technological innovation is constantly evolving in digital space at a rather unpredictable pace, Cause and effect relationships are no longer simple and direct, but come in diverse complicated loops.
We are indeed in an information age that is unfolding in digital space, access to which is highly pervasive among the general population all over the world. The ubiquitous global pervasiveness of access to social media with impact across regions of the world attests to this. The social media attributes of global anonymity, and speed of spread, also provide strands that immensely task the security response effort.
The task of seeking a balance between freedom of expression on the one hand and public accountability, the security and stability imperatives of the state and its institutions on the other hand with respect to elections has thus become even more daunting and complex. I must say that it is in this context that you are being called upon today to seek that balance not only within the domestic environment but the global battlespace considering that the threat and impact of misinformation and disinformation to the 2024 elections is not restricted to the domestic environment. I dare say that, that will require quite some innovative and collaborative thinking from you, our distinguished panelists. No wonder you have been so carefully selected by the organizers
Let me also please remind you, our distinguished panellists, that we are barely 4 months to the elections. The solutions that you will seek to propose today, need necessarily take cognisance of this time frame within which compliance is to be exacted. You may therefore also want to consider innovative preventative measures that emphasize a transparent, free and credible election that reflects the will of the people, makes the risks posed by any misinformation and disinformation residual and inconsequential and thus leave the loser with no choice but to graciously accept the results.
Deputy Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu-Bempah, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for lacking a compelling campaign message as the 2024 general elections approach.
He accuses the NDC of resorting to spreading falsehoods about the NPP government instead.
Owusu-Bempah claims the NDC is using the controversial Agyapadie document as a means to disseminate misinformation against President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
He argues that the NDC’s strategy aims to deceive Ghanaians with lies in order to gain political power.
In a statement titled “The Agyapadie Nonsense and NDC’s Big Political Lie,” Owusu-Bempah urged Ghanaians to see through the NDC’s tactics and recognize their true nature. He emphasized the importance of not placing any value on the NDC’s claims, expressing concern that their approach is designed to manipulate public perception and undermine the achievements of the NPP government. He called for a more honest and issue-based political discourse.
“As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, a chorus of leading politicians of the NDC have devised a new strategy to repeatedly shove their big lie down the throat of the average Ghanaian, in the hope that it could reverse their political fortunes which is irredeemably in comatose,” Owusu-Bempah stated.
“That pushback sits at the heart of the fictional publication codenamed ‘Agyapadie’ making the rounds.”
He further highlighted that the 38-page document, lacking an identified author, prominently features the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, on the cover, with President Nana Akufo-Addo and his late father on the subsequent page.
“The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has dismissed the document as pure fiction fabricated by those who have long sought to incite hatred against the Ofori Panin household and Okyeman,” he added.
“But the NDC won’t stop. Even more insidious is how the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, has waded into the matter, making categorical statements regarding the Agyapadie document. Mahama’s words and actions indicate that he has no regard for our democratic norms,” Owusu-Bempah concluded.
Former National Security Coordinator and ex-AU Special Representative for Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Esq., has stressed the need for innovative measures to control misinformation and disinformation before, during, and after the 2024 elections.
Speaking at “The Ghana Report Summit” in Accra on August 1, 2024, Gbevlo-Lartey emphasized that managing these risks is crucial for maintaining Ghana’s cherished peaceful co-existence.
Gbevlo-Lartey warned that misinformation and disinformation pose significant threats to national stability, potentially influencing public opinion, discrediting opponents, and affecting election outcomes.
He highlighted that Ghana is in an information age where access to social media is pervasive, and the speed of information spread, combined with anonymity, complicates security responses.
“We are indeed in an information age that is unfolding in digital space, access to which is highly pervasive among the general population all over the world. The ubiquitous global pervasiveness of access to social media with impact across regions of the world attests to this. The social media attributes of global anonymity, and speed of spread, also provide strands that immensely task the security response effort,” he said.
Gbevlo-Lartey called for greater engagement on the proposed National Action Plan to combat misinformation and disinformation, advocating for fairness in the election process to ensure the 2024 election results are credible and acceptable to all parties.
“Ghanaians wish that the 2024 elections would be transparent, and result in the declaration of credible results that reflect the will of the electorate and leave contestants with no choice but to accept the results,” he added.
Held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, under the theme “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024,” the summit brought together over 700 participants to address these critical issues.
Gbevlo-Lartey, in his opening remarks, urged the panelists to evaluate the threats and challenges of misinformation and disinformation, both domestically and globally, and to propose solutions that ensure transparent and credible elections.
Gbevlo-Lartey underscored the importance of balancing freedom of expression with public accountability, security, and stability, especially in the context of the upcoming elections.
He stressed the need for preventative measures that make the risks posed by misinformation and disinformation residual and inconsequential, ensuring that election outcomes are widely accepted.
“The solutions that you will seek to propose today, need necessarily take cognisance of this time frame within which compliance is to be exacted. You may therefore also want to consider innovative preventative measures that emphasize a transparent, free and credible election that reflects the will of the people, makes the risks posed by any misinformation and disinformation residual and inconsequential and thus leave the loser with no choice but to graciously accept the results,” he said.
As Ghana approaches the 2024 elections, the call for addressing misinformation and disinformation is seen as crucial for preserving the nation’s democratic integrity and peaceful co-existence.
The Auditor-General’s report has revealed that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) experienced significant financial losses totalling over GHC6 billion in the first nine months of 2023.
These losses encompass system, technical, commercial, and collection losses, highlighting the pressing need for reforms within the company.
According to the Energy Ministry’s report cited by the Auditor-General, ECG faced collection losses amounting to GHC2.05 billion from January to September 2023. This figure represents an improvement compared to the GHC2.45 billion recorded for the entire year of 2022.
System losses for ECG soared to GHC4.04 billion by September 2023, a substantial increase from the GHC2.6 billion reported in 2022. Breaking these losses down, technical losses were GHC1.3 billion, which is a decrease from the previous year’s GHC2.8 billion. However, commercial losses escalated to GHC2.8 billion, up from GHC1.9 billion in 2022.
The Auditor-General’s office has recommended several measures to address these issues. These include strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act (PPA), improved contract management and enforcement, enhanced monitoring of prepayment meters, recovery of detected fraud, and prosecuting customers involved in power theft to serve as a deterrent.
In response, ECG management stated they are “implementing a new monitoring regime whereby meter readers will visit both post-paid and prepayment meters.” However, they cited staff inadequacy as a challenge for effective field monitoring.
The report also uncovered that between 2016 and 2021, ECG entered into 50 contracts totaling US$145 million for the procurement of 862,750 meters, bypassing the mandated competitive bidding procedures and opting for restrictive tendering methods without adequate justification. The audit indicated that ECG did not explore the possibility of obtaining meters of the same specifications at lower prices from other manufacturers.
“ECG did not take steps to explore the possibility of getting meters of the same specifications at lower prices from manufacturers other than the ones in their database,” the report states, highlighting a lack of value for money considerations.
The issue of non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act is particularly concerning. ECG’s stance, as noted in the report, suggests they believe they should not adhere to the PPA requirements since they operate as a limited liability company without government subvention.
“ECG is of the opinion that it should not adhere to the PPA requirement as it is a limited liability company that does not depend on government subvention to finance its operations,” the report states. This position was reinforced by a letter dated February 12, 2014, in which ECG sought the Energy Minister’s legal opinion on PPA adherence.
Despite seeking exemption from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in July 2020, ECG proceeded with non-compliant procurement practices without official approval. The report notes: “In the absence of exemption from the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, we expected that ECG would be guided by commercial procurement practices in Section 15 (2) of the Public Procurement Act to procure meters.”
The audit uncovered staggering losses from faulty readings, meter bypassing, and power theft. In just four regions over a five-year period, ECG detected GHC54 million (US$4.5 million) in losses, recovering only 39.3 percent of this amount. Commercial losses averaged 30 percent, well above the 21 percent target, due to insufficient monitoring.
“ECG recovered GHC21,260,166 representing 39.3 percent of the GHC53,988,463 total amount detected from fraud activities and faulty readings,” the report states.
Contract management issues further exacerbated the situation. The audit found that “ECG failed to comply with conditions of contract to terminate a contract with a manufacturer in the process of procuring the meters,” even when suppliers failed to deliver on time.
The report cited instances of customers resorting to illegal connections after waiting over a year for meter installations. One frustrated customer at the Legon District Office stated: “If I don’t get the meter today, I will be forced to connect directly to the mains until such time ECG supplies me with a meter.”
President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed that Ghanaians were not dormant before the advent of former President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
His comments, made during the 2024 Founders’ Day address on August 3, and reiterated while hosting senior citizens in Accra on August 5, have sparked a renewed debate about Ghana’s history and the recognition of its founders.
“I know there are some who question this ceremony that is 4th August as Founders’ Day because they believe that we were asleep in Ghana until the arrival of Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP,” President Akufo-Addo remarked. He emphasized his belief that Ghana’s history is more extensive than the contributions of any single individual.
“I have already stated my views on that several times including in my speech last Saturday evening. I don’t intend to go over that matter again. Suffice to say I believe that the consensus that parliament arrived at in 2019 honouring Kwame Nkrumah in a memorial day and preserving the historical importance and significance of August 4th in our history is a good consensus and it deserves to last,” he added.
The President’s stance underscores the law passed by Parliament in 2019, which established August 4 as Founders’ Day, honouring all individuals who contributed to Ghana’s independence.
Additionally, September 21 was designated as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, specifically to honour Nkrumah’s contributions.
This dual recognition has been a source of contention among some individuals and groups who advocate for exclusive acknowledgement of Nkrumah’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding.
Among these critics is Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former Senior Governance Advisor at the United Nations, who asserts that Nkrumah’s leadership was singularly crucial and deserves exclusive recognition.
Despite the opposition, President Akufo-Addo remains steadfast in his position, advocating for a more inclusive historical narrative that acknowledges the collective efforts leading to Ghana’s independence.
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