The fifth suspect in the Asaman Tamfoe robbery incident, which occurred some few months ago, has been arrested, the Ghana Police Service has said.
In a statement, the police also indicated that it is still on the heels of two other suspects.
This brings the number of arrested suspects in connection with the crime to five.
The police named the suspect as Yahaya Adama, who is believed to be the mastermind of the robbery.
“Suspect Yahaya Adama, believed to be the mastermind of the robbery, was arrested at his residence at Akwaboaso in the Eastern Region. He admitted haven received Ghc 11,000.00 out of the booty.
“The suspect and his gang of armed robbers, numbering seven (7) attacked and robbed a gold buying company at Asaman Tamfoe on May 27, 2022 where they shot and killed a security man and one other in the process and also made away with over GHc 100,000.00,” the statement said.
The Asaman Tamfoe incident was about a viral video showed some persons suspected to be part of an anti-illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’) taskforce and some illegal miners clashed.
Read the police statement below:
POLICE UPDATE ON ASAMAN TAMFOE ROBBERY: 5TH SUSPECT ARRESTED, TWO MORE TO GO
The police have arrested one more suspect in connection with the Asaman Tamfoe robbery, bringing the number of suspects arrested so far to five.
Suspect Yahaya Adama, believed to be the mastermind of the robbery, was arrested at his residence at Akwaboaso in the Eastern Region. He admitted haven received Ghc 11,000.00 out of the booty.
The suspect and his gang of armed robbers, numbering seven (7) attacked and robbed a gold buying company at Asaman Tamfoe on May 27, 2022 where they shot and killed a security man and one other in the process and also made away with over GHc 100,000.00.
Through sustained-intelligence operations, the police have so far arrested five out of the seven robbers. Suspect Moro Saado was arrested on June 03, 2022 in Kumasi, suspect Ali Ousmanu who shot the security man was arrested on June 04, 2022 at Akanten near Asesewa, suspect Elvis Kwaasi was arrested on June 15, 2022 at Asaman Tamfoe, suspect Issaka Abdul alias Baba Liman was arrested on August 02, 2022 at Sofoline Kumasi and the 5th suspect Yahaya Adama has been arrested at Akwaboso near Kwabeng.
We wish to once again assure the public that the remaining two gang members will surely be arrested to and brought to face justice as promised.
Over the past couple of days, news headlines in the South American country of Paraguay have been dominated by “Gordito lindo” (Cute fatty), an inmate who managed to walk out of prison by dressing as a woman.
On Sunday, César Ortiz, a supposed leader of the Rotela crime gang, escaped Tacumbú National Penitentiary by simply walking out through the front gate.
Along with his freedom, he also earned the nickname “Gordito Lindo” or “Cute fatty”, because he disguised himself as a woman in order to fool the guards.
Photos and video footage released by Paraguayan authorities show the convicted criminal wearing a long hair wig, fake eyelashes, lipstick, fake fingernails and women’s clothing.
His disguise made such an impression on the public that the “Gordito Lindo” nickname stuck.
Ortiz made his daring escape after a conjugal visit. He entered the private room with a woman and walked out wearing an elaborate female disguise that managed to fool guards at several checkpoints. In a video that has been doing the rounds online, he is seen leaving through the main door of the penitentiary with several bags and wearing a facemask.
Although Gordito Lindo’s prison escape was probably easier than even he had anticipated, his freedom was short-lived, as police captured him only a couple of hours later. He has been taken into custody and is scheduled for transfer to another penitentiary for security reasons.
César Ortiz was serving a prison sentence of three years, nine months and twenty days for aggravated assault and robbery. His sentence has likely increased after Sunday’s incident.
An official investigation into how such a simple prison escape was even possible is currently underway, and the security officers on duty at the main gate of Tacumbú National Penitentiary have already been suspended.
This isn’t the first daring prison escape we’ve featured on Oddity Central. A few years ago, we wrote about a thin inmate who tried to break out of prison by hiding in a suitcase and being carried out by his visiting girlfriend.
Then there was the guy who disguised himself as his teenage daughter, and the Turkish man who switched places with his identical twin brother.
Major Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the country have started reducing prices of petroleumproducts at the pump stations.
Market leader GOIL has reduced the price of petrol to ¢13.40 per litre, representing more than ¢2 drop from its previous price.
Diesel is also going for ¢16.10 per litre from the previous ₵18.86.
TotalEnergies is also selling petrol for ¢13.40 per litre, while diesel is going for ¢15.85 per litre.
Meanwhile, most of the smaller OMCs have reduced their prices earlier on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.
Some of the OMCs told Joy Business the reduction in the prices of the petroleum products has been influenced by improved dollar supply and the stability of the cedi.
An Economist at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has predicted that the appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the major trading currencies may not last long.
Professor Godfred Bokpin said even though the stabilisation is good, it cannot be sustained in the long run.
According to him, the resurgence is not backed by strong economic fundamentals.
The Economist speaking during a roundtable discussion by the Citizen’s Coalition on Thursday, December 15, however, said it is commendable and would bring some relief to Ghanaians.
“Because it is not driven by strong economic fundamentals, you cannot say it is going to last. But at least, what we have seen is good. It means the system is responding to the changes.”
“The cedi thrives on technicalities and general sentiments. When the sentiment is good, the cedi feels it also.
The 2023 budget has also brought some clarity in terms of the way forward with the Staff Level Agreement. All of these things working together moderate the economic uncertainties,” he said.
The Ghanaian currency has continued to strengthen the trend against the US dollar and all the other major foreign currencies.
The cedi in the last two weeks has been on a path of resurgence against all the major trading currencies.
The local currency is currently trading at ¢8 to a dollar.
Pound and euro are also selling at ¢9.80 and ¢8.50 respectively to the cedi.
A relationship counsellor, Dr. Tony Adoasi has shared that it is acceptable for an individual to ask for a gift to be returned after a break up with a loved one depending on the magnitude of the gift.
Speaking on Prime Morning, he stated that certain gifts could be retrieved if they were bought with a loan.
Dr. Adoasi explained that if the money was borrowed from the bank, then the bank would have official ownership of the property until the money is completely paid, then the ownership could be transferred to the actual owner.
“So having given the car to the lady, you have not transferred the ownership to the lady because you have not finished paying, in that case you can claim it” he mentioned.
Still on the issue, Dr. Adoasi quizzed “… because how do you pay for a car that you bought for a lady where you cannot even find her?”
He also acknowledged on the show that gifts are given out to loved ones with no intentions to be taken back unless the relationship appears to be hitting the rocks.
I read a news story on myjoyonline.com on 15 December 2022 in which it was reported that: “Exclusive documents available to Joy News indicate that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng and his staffare yet to receive their salaries, 16 months after assuming office. According to the said documents, only the Deputy Special Prosecutor has been paid; leaving other staff of the office agitated. The documents further disclosed that the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu is owed salary arrears.”
My name has been mentioned in respect of the supposed salary arrears. I accordingly invoke my right to a rejoinder under Article 162(6) of the Constitution. I agreed to the request by the President to be the Special Prosecutor (SP) not for the purpose of the salary and/or benefits attached to the Office but for the patriotic duty of fighting corruption which I had been undertaking at personal expense before my appointment. Consequently, I wish to state that I know how to fight my own cause and I do not need anybody to do so on my behalf.
The Special Prosecutor holds a warrant of appointment from the President and is at liberty to pick up whatever method and fights he wishes with his appointing authority for himself and on behalf of his friends and cronies who do not hold any warrant of appointment under Section 21 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
My information is that the SP has not been paid because he is asking for a higher personalized salary than that offered him. I do not want to be part of the SP’s discourse on his salary and my relationship to any salaries when I served.
Whosoever provided documents to Joy News should have included my petition dated 31 August 2022 to the Chairman of the Public Services Commission on the unconstitutional appointment of permanent staff to the Office of the Special Prosecutor contrary to Section 21 of Act 959 and Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution. The person who made the documents available to Joy News should also have made available to Joy News my letter dated 2nd September 2022 addressed to the Minister of Finance, the Auditor-General, the Accountant-General, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament referring to my petition and warning them of the danger of making unconstitutional disbursement from the public purse to unlawfully appointed staff of the OSP. I copied each of my above letters to the Chairperson of the OSP, and the Special Prosecutor, amongst others.
Joy News should have asked for the appointment warrants or letters for the so-called staff of the OSP as part of the documents available to it and it would have found that no appointment has been made by the President to the OSP in accordance with the advice of the OSP Board and in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
All the unconstitutional appointments made by the OSP before the Board was appointed in June 2022 do not contain the salary levels of the appointees and do not state that they were appointed by the President under Section 21 of Act 959 and Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution. Each of the letters begins as follows, with the square brackets showing a variation of type,: ” Offer of Appointment as ……We are pleased to offer you appointment…..with effect from ………2022 on the following terms and conditions: (i) to x [or] xi”. Please return the duplicate of this letter on or before ……….2022 duly signed and
dated as acceptance of the offer of appointment and terms of appointment. I extend a warm welcome to you and wish you all the best for a successful career. [I wish you all the best for a successful career.] Faithfully, (signed)….” Arbitrary and discriminatory ranks were assigned to seconded staff who were compelled to resign or retire from the Public Service, and cronies and friends were given enhanced ranks and positions in the OSP at massive cost to the public purse.
There is no official reference number to each letter and no other person is copied to be informed about the appointment, such as the Chairman Public Services Commission, the Minister of Finance, the Auditor-General, the Accountant-General, the Chairperson of the Board, and the Presidency as is usual when persons are appointed by warrant under the authority of the President. Not even the Chief Accountant of the OSP is copied. The Special Prosecutor signed the supposed letters of appointment, without any authority whatsoever. How does the Government pay such workers who do not hold valid warrants of appointment? The Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General cannot authorise the payment of salaries for newly appointed staff without verifying that the persons have been properly appointed in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
Parliament cannot support such unconstitutionality and it is for this reason that I addressed my letter to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament who happens to be the Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament. He was under a duty to inform the Minority Leader which he failed to do for his own reasons. This, understandably, misled the Minority Leader into making the comments he made to Joy News on this matter.
The OSP was established to ensure that it demonstrates integrity in the recruitment of permanent staff transparently and accountably in accordance with the provisions of Article 195 and Section 21 of Act 959. The OSP cannot in the name of fighting corruption, corruptly and unconstitutionally recruit cronies and friends from Cromwell Gray LLP and others associates without the involvement of the Board and the Public Services Commission.
An OSP that intends to rape the public purse massively for cronies and friends in contravention of the 1992 Constitution has gone rogue and has become itself a corrupt institution that cannot fulfil any objects and functions under Act 959. Joy News may wish to invite the Chairperson of the OSP to contradict me on the unlawful and unconstitutional appointments made by the Special Prosecutor for which blame is deliberately and maliciously being passed on to the Government.
I reproduce hereunder the content of my letter dated 2nd September 2022 addressed to the Minister of Finance, the Auditor-General, the Accountant-General and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament which was copied to the Special Prosecutor and the Chairperson of the Board of the OSP.
“2nd September 2022
RE: THE PETITION OF MARTIN ALAMISI BURNS KAISER AMIDU (MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU) ON THE APPOINTMENT OF PERMANENT STAFF INTO THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR (OSP) WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNING BOARD AND THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION – ARTICLE 195 AND SECTION 21 OF ACT 959
I write this letter to each of you as a sequel to my petition to the Chairman of the Public Services Commission on the above subject matter dated 31st August 2022 and delivered to his office the same day (I attach herewith a photocopy of the said petition for your ease of reference.)
My petition to the Chairman of the Public Services Commission necessitates this letter to you as keepers of the public purse/and or overseers of the expenditure charged on the public purse to ensure that you are well informed of the content of my petition. A constitutional and statutory duty is imposed on you to ensure that no expenditure is approved and charged upon the consolidated fund (the public purse) which is unlawful and violates Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Act, 2017, and pursuant regulations.
Recruitments and appointments of staff made not “….acting in accordance with the advice of the governing council of the OSP and in consultation with the Public Services Commission” will be inconsistent with and in contravention of Article 195 of the Constitution and accordingly void (Emphasis supplied). The case of Ghana Bar Association & Others v Attorney-General & Others (Consolidated Writs), Supreme Court, 20th July 2016, is binding authority on this matter. The governing council cannot ratify such unconstitutional and unlawful recruitments and appointments, neither can the Public Services Commission do so. The purported appointment letters and subsequent warrants of appointments (if any) would be standing on nothing and equally void.
It is, therefore, because of your respective gatekeeping functions of protecting the public purse that I found it expedient to write to you (for the avoidance of any doubt) to become aware of the issues raised in my petition to the Public Services Commission should you come to approve or authorise the disbursement of expenditure arising from the compensation budget of the OSP in the matters I have petitioned against to the Commission.
Kindly accept my compliments of the highest consideration.”
I am attaching a PDF copy of my petition dated 31 August 2022 to the Chairman of the Public Services Commission, and a PDF copy of my letter to the Minister of Finance, the Auditor-General, the Accountant-General, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament reproduced above as part of this rejoinder to demonstrate that the Government could not and cannot in the name of fighting corruption have paid any salary to any of the cronies and friends corruptly and unlawfully recruited and promoted by the OSP contrary to the 1992 Constitution. The reason the OSP relied on seconded staff under my tenure is fully explained in my petition to the Chairman of the Public Services Commission.
We do the public a great disservice when we accuse or indict the Government for not facilitating the fight against corruption when the fault lies squarely with an Office which has gone rogue under a Special Prosecutor who acts corruptly in violation of Article 195 the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 of Act 959.
It is only a corrupt OSP that will encourage the media to call the Government a bad name just to hang it when the culprit is the OSP itself. Where is integrity in the fight against corruption? Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.
A Nigerian tech company, Klasha, has brought in a new policy which will allow its employees to take timeoff when they are on their period.
It is reported that they are the first tech company in Nigeria to introduce a menstrual leave policy of this kind.
Klasha has said the policy will initially provide five days off a year but that could be subject to change as they evaluate its effectiveness once implemented.
CEO, Jess Anuna, said in a statement: “At Klasha, we understand that we must make room for women’s biological needs as a part of everyday business. Rather than leave the subject as an unspoken taboo, we want to build a culture of trust, truth, and acceptance.“
On their website, they state that 60% of their employees are female.
The move has been applauded by some on social media, but it has also sparked debate about how the policy will work in practice.
Zambia is currently the only country in Africa that grants menstrual leave – allowing a day off per month. Other counties that offer flexible working for periods include Japan, Indonesia and South Korea.
A study in 2019 found that period pain was linked to nearly nine days of lost productivity for a woman in a year.
Founded in 2018, Klasha is a Nigerian e-commerce company which operates in six African countries. They currently have offices in San Francisco and Lagos.
An announcement by the Ministry of Transport should be expected before the end of 2022.
“We have assisted government in the process. What we have done is that the home-based carrier has been given the air-carrier licence by the GCAA. We are at the last stage of granting the air operator certificate, which is the last stage of our processes; and we hope that, very soon, the home-based carrier will be launched,” he said.
During its early period of operations, the carrier is expected to start with some West Africa routes to Lagos, Abuja, Senegal and Gambia, among others, as well as London and other European routes. However, the full list of operational routes will be realised once the final agreement with the strategic partner is signed.
Initial information on the deal suggested that the strategic partner will hold a 49 percent share while local individuals/corporate institutions get 41 percent, with government left holding 10 percent. Establishing the carrier has a potential to generate financial and economic benefits with multiplier effects on Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Talks about operationalising the home-based carrier started in 2018, when a deal was signed with Ethiopian Airlines as the strategic investor. However, this could have changed given the several delays in finalising a set-up of the home-based carrier.
Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA)
Ghana has so far signed more than 65 BASAs with countries across the world. This lays a good foundation for the yet-to-be unveilled carrier.
The BASA allows designated airlines of the two states to operate commercial flights covering transport of passengers and cargo between the two countries.
Over the years, government through the ministry has signed various aviation-related deals with Canada, Rwanda, Seychelles, Jamaica, Namibia and Guyana as it seeks to open more air routes and create opportunities for investment, trade and tourism.
The agreements with these countries will further position Ghana as the aviation hub of the West African sub-region as envisaged by government, as well as maximise the huge investment in on-ground aviation infrastructure.
After today, Friday, December 16, CAF will stop receiving applications from countries interested in hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Among the countries that have submitted bids, Benin and Nigeria have partnered and submitted a joint bid for the hosting rights.
Meanwhile, Algeria are also interested in the hosting rights and have submitted a bid as well.
This has been confirmed by Algerian Football Federation (FAF) President Salah Bey Aboud who traveled to Cairo, Egypt, to finalise the submission of the bid himself.
“I am currently in Cairo and I have just officially submitted Algeria’s candidacy file for CAN 2025 “, he told the press in Cairo during an engagement.
Meanwhile, Morocco have also successfully filed their bid for the hosting right.
South Africa, Senegal, and Zambia are also interested in hosting the 2025 AFCON but are yet to finalise the application.
They have until the close of today to complete the process or abandon the plans and try for the subsequent AFCON.
She observed that Ghana’s NLA boss is good at what he does and therefore not surprised that he has been able to woo heads of the various lottery bodies across the globe to Ghana for the NLA’s 60th anniversary.
Madam Rebecca Paul does not regret her collaboration with the NLA and underscored its significance to the world lottery body in pursuing Good Causes among others.
“Ghana is very important to the World Lottery Association. Your contributions are immeasurable. The welcome we have received from you, particularly the NLA has been amazing. Congratulations Sammi Awuku, an amazing gentleman. As I walked in and saw the pictures of the past CEOs of the NLA, I was pleased and appreciative of the corporation with share with Sammy”, she revealed at the grand durbar of NLA at 60.
The historic celebration last weekend attracted the President of the World Lottery Association Madam Rebecca Paul an American, General Secretary Lynne Roiter a Canadian, African Lotteries Association (ALA) President, Mr. Dramane Coulibaly from Ivory Coast and Younnes El- Mechrafi General Secretary of ALA.
Over 80 foreign guests From North America, Europe, Caribbean and Africa were also in attendance for the celebration.
Tamale City coach Mohammed Abdul Wahid has left for the United States of America (USA) for a refresher course.
The former Legon Cities gaffer is expected to undergo some programmes to upgrade his knowledge in coaching.
He is expected to spend one-month in America for his course.
In his absence, assistant coach Hamza Mohammed will take charge of the team with support from the rest of the technical team.
A statement from the club reads, “Tamale City Football Club wish to announce that head coach Mohammed Abdul Wahid has left the country to the USA for a one-month refresher course”
“In his absence, assistant coach Hamza Mohammed will act as the head coach with support from the rest of the technical team”
The Ghana Premier League will resume on Monday, December 19 after month break due to the 2022 World Cup.
Tamale City will take on Bechem United at away in matchday 9 of the domestic top-flight on Wednesday, December 21.
Before the World Cup break, the Ghana Premier League newcomers had recorded just a win in the 8 matches played so far.
They currently find themselves in the relegation drop, sitting 17th position with 6 points.
The Minority in Parliamenthas served notice it will block the approval of the 2023 budgetary estimates for the Electoral Commission (EC).
The special budget committee is expected to present its report to the House today, Friday, but the Minority Caucus has said they will resist the approval of funds allocated to the EC.
Leader of the caucus, Haruna Iddrisu told JoyNews the EC has failed to conduct continuous registration of voters who have turned 18 since 2021 and this year.
According to him, the action of the EC violates Article 42 of the constitution.
“The Minority will not support the approval of the budget of the Electoral Commission unless the EC upholds the letter and spirit of article 42. Persons who attained the age of 18 years in 2021 have not been given the opportunity to be on the electoral roll and to be registered as voters and persons who attained the age of 18 years in 2022,” he stated.
The Tamale South MP explained that his side will only support the EC’s budget if the Commission publicly announces to make provision for the registration of persons who have turned 18 years in this year and 2021.
“I do not see why we should be giving them approval and more importantly, the EC is now seeking to depend on the data of the National Identification Authority.
“We still have difficulty appreciating the EC as an independent constitutional body and NIA under ministerial control. We simply will not accept the EC yielding unto an Executive institution that is subject to the control of the President or a Minister of State,” he added.
Meanwhile, the EC’s Constitutional Instrument currently before Parliament seeks to use the Ghana Card as the sole form of identification for the registration of eligible voters.
In July, the EC placed before Parliament a draft C.I titled: Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2021, which is expected to regulate continuous voter registration.
The C.I has been referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament. By convention, the committee is chaired by a member of the Minority group.
Some National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters in the Trobu Constituency have entreated delegates to be resolute in election of national officers at the National Delegates Congress to be held on December 17, 2022.
In a press statement, the supporters urged their delegates to vote in favour of the outgoing Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia who is now competing in the chairmanship race.
They noted that Mr Nketia after serving the party as its General Secretary has political experience under his belt, thus can lead the party to victory come 2024.
“We have the firm belief that he is the one to lead us as Chairman into 2024 general elections.
“We are therefore making an appeal to the delegates across the country, and more especially of Trobu Constituency, who are going to exercise the sanctity of their votes on our behalf, to vote massively for General Asiedu Nketia for the Chairmanship position without fear,” parts of the statement read.
General Mosquito, as he is affectionately called, will be contesting with bigwigs like Samuel Ofosu Ampofu and Nii Armah Ashitey.
On Saturday, Saturday 17, delegates of NDC will head to the polls to decide who they wish to lead the party ahead of the 2024 general polls.
Ghanaian broadcaster, Nana Aba Anamoah was among the few personalities who rose to the defense of Nigerian singer Wizkid when he failed to show up at his concert at the Accra Sports Stadium on December 10.
Nana Aba in a series of tweets blamed Live Hub, organizers of ‘Wizkid Live in Ghana’ which has now been described as a flopped event.
In a tweet dated December 11, she wrote: “Wizkid is a huge star. He has standards for his concerts. If you can’t meet those standards, forget. I feel bad for all the fans that turned up. The organisers failed you.”
Entertainment journalist, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo in an article titled ‘The ‘WizkidEvent’ Fiasco: Who Is To Blame?’ condemned Nana Aba Anamoah’s unbiased defense of the Nigerian Afrobeat musician.
According to Arnold, the broadcaster’s statement was disappointing considering her expertise as a media executive who has equally organized events in Ghana.
Terming persons who rose to the defense of Wizkid as cheerleaders, Arnold added that the narrative could have been different should it have been a Ghanaian artiste who stood up fans at the Accra Sports Stadium on that faithful Saturday.
Read parts of Arnold’s article below:
Here Comes the Cheerleaders
Led by Media Executive and broadcast journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah, there were a few personalities who refused to blame Wizkid for such an eventuality and were quick to lay all blame on the organizers. Incredulously, the likes of Ms. Anamoah are also event planners and command that knowledge and comprehension in what goes into putting events together.
The blatant disregard for patrons and the speed to lay all blame on Live Hub, especially from a personality like Ms. Anamoah was disappointing. With such influence and respect, she could have done better.
If it were a Ghanaian artiste who was involved in such a debacle, these cheerleaders would not have even remembered the names of the event planners, but for Wizkid, they are quick to yelp and point out who the event planners are and offer unwanted explanations on exactly what ought should have been.
The likes of Ms. Anamoah, who are Media Executives, need to give more respect to these planners and when something goes awry, it is only germane for such people to exercise restraint in offering analysis and judgment. It is these same events people that offer businesses to the likes of Nana Aba and other media houses.
“For any company that borrows to pay bonuses, you are not ready… you are just acting because it’s like borrowing to get married. You are just not ready for such a move. Because payment of borrowed funds starts in January where is the profit and where is the money going to come from to settle the debts?” he added.
According to financial consultant, Charles Mensah, it is more prudent to consider financial planning towards the coming year.
Speaking on the Business edition of JoyNews’ PM Express, the finance expert highlighted on how employees can make good use of their received bonus from their employers.
“I want you to adopt something called BSI. When you receive your bonus, the B stands for pay down your debt, your own personal debt people that you owe, the S stands for savings. When you pay down your debt then you can save before you probably do the Investment,” Mensah explained.
He further charged employers to desist from borrowing to pay employees bonuses.
“For any company that borrows to pay bonuses, you are not ready… you are just acting because its like borrowing to get married. You are just not ready for such a move. Because payment of borrowed for funds starts in January where is the profit and where is the money going to come from to settle the debts?”
The Finance expert also tasked employers to introduce insurance policy schemes for their employees as he believes will be more beneficial to them.
“Introduce them [employees] certain insurance scheme like savings and loans or something that they can cash out by November, December because once you start January, there would be December.
“So, December shouldn’t be a surprise that you are now looking, scratching here and there selling assets of the company or doing this just to please them. Only to Ghana Revenue Authority knock on your door in the morning of January and then you cannot even pay,” Charles Mensah stated.
Meanwhile, holiday lovers are expected to spend more during the festive season as a result of high demand for goods and services.
A New York man who bought 300 iPhones from the Apple flagship store on Fifth Avenue was reportedly robbed just moments after walking out of the store.
In a world where basically anything can be ordered online, a man decided to buy 300 iPhones at a physical Apple store in Manhattan at 1:45 in the morning and walk out with a few branded “Apple” bags like it was no big deal.
What could go wrong? Well, as you’ve probably already guessed by reading the title, the man got robbed while making his way back to the car, losing 125 smartphones worth approximately $95,000.
According to a statement by the NYPD, the unnamed 27-year-old man was a regular at the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, and regularly bought high volumes of iPhones which he then resold through his small business. Now, why he bought them in the middle of the night remains a mystery.
The police said that a man pulled up beside the man as he was walking with his three bags stuffed with iPhones, and two men got out to demand that he hand over his small fortune. The man refused, they tried to forcefully take the bags, he put up a fight, so they punched him in the face and manage to steal one of the bags.
Because of his buying habits, police say that there is a possibility that the robbers had been monitoring him for some time, but the case is still under investigation and authorities have asked anyone with any information to come forward.
The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue is open 24/7, and it reportedly had a Black Friday sale going on at the time, which the robbers may have been aware of.
Moral of the story – don’t buy hundreds of iPhones from a physical store and simply walk out with them in the middle of the night like crime doesn’t exist. Some people sell their kidneys for an iPhone, imagine what they’re capable of for hundreds of them.
France and AC Milan forward, Olivier Giroudhas revealed that his side will do everything to prevent Argentina star Lionel Messi from fulfilling his World Cup dream.
Messi is set to complete the fairytale end of his international football career on Sunday when his side clash with the reigning champions in the showpiece final of the 2022 World Cup in Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward finished as a runner-up in the 2014 WorldCup in Brazil and was left heartbroken following their 1-0 defeat to Germany in Rio.
The footballing icon is now eager to clinch the world trophy that has eluded him – after revealing this will be his last World Cup.
However, French striker Olivier Giroud has cautioned the Argentine forward that his side has no intention of giving up their crown – saying “we will try everything to stop him”.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal hitman said, “Messi is an incredible player, but we are not going to let him enjoy the best night he can have.
“We want to win this game. We want to win another World Cup – and we will try everything to stop him.
“But there is not only Messi in that team. They have got great players who work for the team also. I think that is why they are so strong”, he said.
Giroud, who during the tournament has become France’s all-time leading goal scorer, was part of the side that defeated Argentina 4-3 during the 2018 World Cup in Russia to dump Messi out of the tournament in the last 16 stage before claiming the trophy.
During that match, Chelsea’s midfielder N’Golo Kante man-marked Messi – but with him missing out on the Qatar World Cup through injury, Giroud has, however, hinted his side could do same again in Sunday’s final.
“I don’t know if we need a special plan. I remember back in the days of 2018, N’Golo was all the game on his back, behind him. But this time I don’t know what will be the plan. We will see with the manager.”
France full-back, Theo Hernandez also echoed Giroud’s sentiments and insisted that their side [France] does not fear Messi who is desperate to win a World Cup trophy.
The AC Milan left-back broke the deadlock in Wednesday night’s semi-final triumph over Morocco.
“Lionel Messi does not scare us, and we will do everything we can to stop him.
“I am tired but it’s so good to win a World Cup semi-final,” Hernandez told Gazzetta dello Sport. Now we must recover for Sunday. We are not scared of Messi, but Argentina are an incredible team and we have a few days to work,” he said.
The Tribaverse event was developed by a group of people as part of their attempts to raise environmental consciousness through music, art, and culture.
According to Luigi Houdson, a co-founder of the event, money raised through the effort will assist research initiatives and environmentally friendly activities.
“We are very much concerned about the environment and as environmentalists, we are keen on undertaking afforestation projects, and environmental cleaning projects with the proceeds from the festival. The choice of Aburi gardens for the festival aligns with our mandate and the green scenery is one that will boost this environmental initiative.”
“Patrons can expect a rich culture of display through music and arts in a bid to create awareness and help address solve climate change concerns which have been topical in our globe. We all must come on board to safeguard our environment to protect our future”
Meanwhile, the festival will feature spectacular performances from Ghana and the diaspora with acts such as Kwesi Arthur, Camidoh, Sefa, Joey B, Sauti Sol, G Money, King Promise, Kofi Jamar, Temple XTD, and many more.
It is inspired by a unifying theme to promote and showcase the different genres of African music and celebrate the traditions that shape our communities.
Social commentator, Kwame A Plus, has predicted that the cedi is about to experience a massive improvement than it already has.
As of Friday, December 16, 2022, the Ghana Cedi was trading against the US dollar at a buying price of GH¢9.00 while selling at GH¢8.0055 on the interbank forex market.
The development has since compelled A Plus to predict that the local currency is likely to further appreciate in the coming days.
“The dollar is singing I fall for you down flat to the cedi. By Monday, it will be 5 cedis to a dollar. Things are getting better,” he wrote as caption to the Bank of Ghana exchange rates on Instagram.
Meanwhile, scores of Ghanaian celebrities asides from A Plus, have reacted to the strengthened performance of the Ghana Cedi against foreign currencies, particularly, the US dollar.
The likes of Kwame A Plus, Lydia Forson, Prince David Osei, and others have taken to social media to register their satisfaction with the cedi’s improvement in value.
These individuals form part netizens who believe that the development could be a sign of relief from the country’s current economic woes.
However, others insist that the development isn’t worth celebrating if prices of goods and services are still stagnant even whiles the dollar seems to be performing well.
Lands and spatial planning engineers in the various local assemblies are to appear before the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs over the poor spatial planning of Kumasi.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expects the professionals to be assertive in decongesting the city through proper planning.
He has asked the Ashanti Regional Minister to ensure the various town and city planning officers meet the House on the poor siting of structures.
Vehicular congestion and petty trading on pavements have choked parts of Kumasi, depriving the city of its beauty.
Despite the operations of satellite markets, business activities are mostly centered in the central business district.
At a meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, Bantamahene, Baffour Amankwatia the VI, questioned the Regional Minister on the indiscriminate siting of temporary structures.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, blamed some assembly members for the congestion.
He is hopeful the second phase of the Kejetia redevelopment project will help ease congestion in the city.
The Asantehene however expects professionals in land and spatial planning to properly plan the city.
He has directed the Regional Minister to summon Metropolitan, Municipal and District planning officers to the next meeting of the House.
The head coach of Hearts of Oak, Slavko Matic is one of four coaches who have been shortlisted for the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League coach of the month award for November.
The other coaches are Michael Osei, Baba Nuhu, and Jimmy Cobblah.
The four coaches have been shortlisted for the award after leading their respective clubs to pick important points before the Ghana Premier League went on break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Four Coaches have earned nominations for the NASCO Coach of the Month Award for November, 2022
“Slavco Matic of Accra Hearts of Oak SC, Michael Osei of Bibiani Gold Stars, Baba Nuhu of Real Tamale United and King Faisal FC’s Jimmy CObblah are gunning for the monthly award.
“The four Coaches lead their respective sides to impressive performances before the topflight league was halted for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” a statement on the website of the GFA said on Friday.
The eventual winner of the award will be presented with a 43-inch NASCO Television set from Electroland Ghana Limited.
According to the GFA statement, the winner of the award will be announced live on the next edition of the GFA News programme.
When you love someone, you won’t let your stubbornness get in the way. You won’t walk away at the first sign of confrontation. You won’t break up with your partner, simply because you’re having trouble seeing eye-to-eye on something small.
When you love someone, you’ll compromise during disagreements. You won’t insist you’re right. You won’t stubbornly cling to your argument. You won’t drown out what your partner is saying because you’re so sure that they’re wrong.
You’ll try to see your partner’s point of view. You’ll respect them enough to listen to what they have to say. You’ll understand that, even if you don’t feel the same way as they do, their feelings are valid. Their voice deserves to be heard.
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When you love someone, you won’t turn down their date ideas. You won’t roll your eyes when they ask when you’ll come along on an adventure. If they’re excited about seeing a certain movie or concert or play, you’ll agree to go with them.
You’ll be their plus-one for life. And you’ll at least try to have a good time so you don’t ruin theirs. You won’t spend the entire night complaining, or reminding them that they owe you because you were nice enough to tag along. You’ll enjoy the quality time spent with them because you would rather be with them than anybody else.
When you love someone, you’ll do things you never thought you would. You’ll agree to visit new places, try new cuisines, meet new people.
You’ll do whatever it takes to make your partner happy — and they’ll do the same. Your relationship is supposed to be reciprocal. You’re supposed to learn new things from each other and teach new things to each other. This is one of the most beautiful parts of dating. The fact that you get to experience a fresh perspective.
When you love someone, you can’t expect them to do everything you say. You aren’t their boss and you aren’t their caretaker. You’re their partner. Their teammate. You should be making decisions together.
You can still maintain your independence in a relationship without stubbornly refusing to compromise. Refusing to see their point of view. Refusing to give them the respect they deserve.
When you love someone, you need to act as equals. You need to give as much as you receive. You won’t always get your way — and that’s okay.
Sometimes, seeing your partner smile is more important than your ego. Sometimes, making a compromise is more important than winning an argument. Sometimes, relationships require you to bend. You need to stay flexible. You need to be willing to meet your partner halfway.
When you love someone, you can’t be too stubborn. You’re allowed to stick up for yourself. You’re allowed to have an opinion that differs from your partner’s.
You’re allowed to speak your mind. However, you need to give your partner a chance to speak their mind as well. You need to listen to their opinion. You need to give and take.
Zionfelix posted a video taken at his current workplace in Hamburg Germany. He also disclosed that, the video captures his first experience as a Garden Boy abroad.
He took his fans through a day in the life of a Garden Boy in Germany. Showing into details how they battle with the snow to hustle for cash.
Dressed to match the 7 degree Celsius weather, Felix can be since pushing and lifting tools for his Garden Boy Job.
Netizens in reaction to the video wanted to know if he has left the shores of Ghana for good.
Meanwhile, Zion’s 1st Baby Mama, Minalytouch was reported to have sold her shop in Ghana and relocated to Germany. What we can’t tell is if Felix has finally joined her or it’s just for content creation as usual.
Check out the video of Zionfelix’s first day at work in Germany below.
In a statement on the website of the Ghana FA, attackers Bright Adjei and Ibrahim Laar are among the five players who have been shortlisted.
The others are David Abagna, Cephas Kofi Mantey, and Mezach Afriyie.
“Five outstanding players have been nominated for the NASCO Player of the Month for the month of November, 2022.
“Bright Adjei (Aduana FC),David Abagna Sandan(RTU), Cephas Kofi Mantey(Bechem United) have earned nominations for the monthly award for following impressive performances for their respective clubs.
“Other nominees are Mezack Afriyie (Berekum Chelsea and Ibrahim Laar of Bibiani Gold Stars FC,” a statement on the GFA website said on Friday.
The winner according to the GFA will be announced at its next news programme.
The winner will receive a 43-inch NASCO Television set from Electroland Ghana Limited.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has absolved itself of responsibility for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) current refusal to reduce transportation fares.
Following a reduction in prices of petroleum products at the pumps and the appreciation of the local currency, GPRTU has been entreated to adjust transport fares downwards.
The Union has, however, not budged on its request, attributing their stance to the increase in the price of spare parts.
Reacting to the GPRTU’s resolution, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association noted that it was not responsible for the high cost of transport as purported by the GPRTU.
In a statement cited by The Independent Ghana, the Association explained that it embarked on a price reduction in November, a tradition it always embarks on every year in order to help its customers service their vehicles for Christmas holidays.
“They (GPRTU) are now attributing their failure to reduce prices of the transport fares to high prices of spare parts. It is against this background that we are holding this press conference to let the Ghanaian public know that what they are saying is not true.”
According to the Association, it is currently working to further adjust its prices downward to reflect the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has therefore advised Ghanaians to “disregard the propaganda that the GPRTU is waging as it has been their tradition over the years whenever they are called upon to reduce transport fares.”
Commercial transport operators were directed by GPRTU to increase fares by 19% as of October 26, to reflect the hike in fuel prices.
Few days after obliging the directive, they illegally slapped over 50% increment on transport fares at the beginning of November.
As of then, a litre of petrol and diesel went for about GH¢19 and GH¢23 respectively.
Following the appreciation of the cedi, a litre of petrol and diesel is going for about GH¢14 and GH¢19, but despite the reduction, the GPRTU is adamant about reducing transport fares.
The association stated this in a statement on Friday, December 16, 2022.
The group claims to have “noticed the dramatic decrease in fuel costs at the pumps.”
“Despite the reduction, transportation fares have not been reduced,” it stated, adding that “broader consultation with stakeholders is still happening to look into the call for fares reduction.”
Although the current rise in the cost of lubricants and replacement parts makes it nearly difficult to lower prices, travelers are guaranteed a “10% drop in fees from Monday, December 19, 2022,” according to the statement.
Nurudeen Abdul Aziz, a midfielder for Hearts of Oak, has renewed his agreement with the organization.
Hearts of Oak announced the new agreement on Friday, December 16, 2023. It is valid through 2025.
This come as a huge boost for Phobians who are keen to extend contracts of players whose contract are expected to expire in the coming days.
A statement from the club reads, “The Management of Accra Hearts of Oak is pleased to announce that Abdul Aziz Nurudeen has extended his contract to 2025″
The enterprising midfielder is currently out of action due to injury. He had a successful surgery in South Africa in October to correct a thigh injury.
The combative midfielder got injured at the latter stages of last season but managed to complete the season.
He played an instrumental role as the Phobians defended their FA Cup title after beating Bechem United in the final.
Nurudeen has managed just 24 matches for the club since joining Hearts of Oak from Vision FC in 2020 due recurring injuries.
According to Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Fiscal Responsibility Advisory Council is not powerful enough to serve as “a domestic substitute” for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and guarantee that Ghana will no longer turn to the Bretton Woods organization for a bailout.
In accordance with his constitutional authority under Article 58, the President established two significant Councils on December 28, 2018 (Ghana Gazette No. 173), which will, respectively, provide impartial guidance on fiscal responsibility and ensure the stability of the entire financial system (across all subsectors, from banking to pensions and fund/asset management to insurance, etc.).
Both Councils are made up of 7 members each, the latter’s members being institutional representatives.
The term of the members of each Council shall lapse with the term of the President under whom s/he is appointed unless s/he resigns or is otherwise terminated/terminates before then.
Among its many functions, the FSC, which brings together all the different regulatory agencies in the financial services sector, will “identify and evaluate the threats, vulnerabilities, and risks to the stability of the financial sector,” ensuring, especially, that we receive early-warning of cross-industry exposures that pose systemic risks and deploy appropriate measures in managing them.
The FC also has, as one of its functions, a mandate to “develop and recommend to the President fiscal responsibility policies for the maintenance of prudent and sustainable levels of public debt, ensuring that the fiscal balance is maintained at a sustainable level, and the management of fiscal risks in a prudent manner, to achieve efficiency, effectiveness and value for money in public expenditure.”
The members of the Fiscal Council as of the time it was first established include Dr. Paul Acquah, Abdallah Ali-Nakyea, Prof. Eugenia Amporfu, Dr. Nii Noi Ashong, Prof. Augustine Fosu, Dr. Robert Osei, and Dr. Nii Kwaku Sowa.
The institutional representatives of the Financial Stability Council as of the time it was first established include Dr. Ernest Addison (BoG), Elsie Addo Awadzi (BoG), Charles Adu Boahen (who was recently fired by the President, represented the Ministry of Finance), Justice Yaw Ofori (NIC), Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh (SEC), Hayford Atta Krufi (NPRA), and Ignatius Wilson (DPC).
Speaking at a roundtable organised by the Citizen’s Coalition in Accra on “Interrogating Ghana’s 2023 budget and Economic Policy as a pathway to Economic recovery”, Prof Prempeh said a stronger Fiscal Council could do Ghana a lot of good.
“Part of what I think has gotten us to this problem is that when we started off the Eurobond thing, it was good”, he observed, adding: “But I think that given the nature of our politics and our governance, it should have been very clear to us that we need a domestic IMF substitute”.
“That is if IMF is not there, you need, yourself, to put in certain guard rails and certain institutional frameworks so that you will be more fiscally responsible and not have to go back to the IMF,” he said.
“We have an IMF substitute on paper called the Fiscal Council and even the one that was on paper was really not that strong. If you want to go to the IMF and you are still not fiscally disciplined, it won’t work,” he said.
At the same event, Prof Prempeh said the National Cathedral is not a sensible project to undertake in the midst of an economic crisis.
In his view, the government could use the site for the project, for a more sensible venture.
“When you are in a crisis, you can do exceptional things, I don’t see anything in the budget to suggest that this is a crisis and that this is being done as an emergency measure,” Professor Prempeh said.
“This is not the time for vanity projects but we have preserved a vanity project in the form of the cathedral. I was expecting that this being a crisis period, we will reflect on that decision and say: ‘even if this is sensible to do at all’ – and I do not think so – that it will not be the appropriate period or we will change the idea to something else”.
“There is a lot that we can still do with that site which can make sense”.
“So, generally it is a missed opportunity in terms of seeing this as a crisis moment and seeing it as a moment to reset the button”, Prof Prempeh noted.
“I think we have not quite done that”, he stressed.
“It looks to me that it is purely an emergency thing targeted at the IMF to approve a loan, as opposed to something that is going deep into the structure and our governance,” Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh admonished in his assessment.
Prof Prempeh is in good company with pressure group OccupyGhana which recently recommended that the government suspend all public expenditure on the National Cathedral considering that the country is going through an economic crisis.
“Whatever arguments there might have been to support spending now-non-existent money on the proposed National Cathedral, have been eroded by the dire straits that the nation faces”, the group said in a statement.
“Our current situation makes the continued commitment in the budget to spend GHS80m on the cathedral, look like a vanity project”, it noted.
OG said: “We lose nothing by suspending expenditure on that project until the economy recovers”.
The National Cathedral was a personal promise made to God by then-presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo if he won the 2016 election.
Over the years, coaches from the African continent have struggled to land jobs in the European countries.
And Otto Addo, who currently the talent development coach at Dortmund has explained why black coaches struggle to land jobs in Europe.
“Black coaches are “crassly underrepresented in European football, especially in England or France, where many people with a migration background live due to history,” the 46-year-old told the magazine “11 Freund”, “racist structures are lived unconsciously.”
For Addo, the lack of black coaches is also a reflection of society: “Unfortunately, the fact is that people with a migration background are less likely to hold management positions everywhere, including in football.”
Otto Addo led the Black Stars to the 2022 World Cup where Ghana exited the group stage after defeat to Uruguay.
Following Morocco‘s victory over Les Blues in the semifinal, about 400 people from France and Belgium were detained.
266 people, including 167 in Paris, the capital of France, had been detained following the violence, according to a spokeswoman for the French police.
Paris prosecutors revealed that 40 people from the right-wing spectrum were arrested, some of them carrying stabbing weapons.
According to reports, the defendants planned to confront the Moroccan fans, as they were aiming to go to the famous Champs-Elysées, where the French victory celebrations took place.
Meanwhile, the Belgian news agency “Belga” reported earlier in the day that nearly 100 people were arrested in the Belgian capital, Brussels, following clashes after the match.
Belga said, citing police, that the detained fans face charges of disturbing public order, damaging two police cars and possession of prohibited fireworks.
The Atlas Lions, who became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup were unable to make another history after suffering a 2-0 defeat against the European country.
Goals at either side of the half from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani ensured France made it back-to-back finals at the global stage.
Morocco will face Croatia in the third and fourth place playoff on Saturday. They will become the first country from Africa to finish third if they beat Croatia.
Meanwhile, France will be hoping to defend their title against the Albeceleste of Argentina on Sunday at the iconic Lusail stadium.
Rapper and singer, Pappy Kojo, born Jason Gaisie, has taken the initiative to smokethe peace pipe with MP for Ningo-Prampram after a series of arguments over some posts on social media.
Sam George and Pappy Kojo had a feud on social media in March, after the rapper chastised the MP for bullying Deborah Vanessa (Sister Derby) sometime in July 2021.
Pappy Kojo attacked Sam George for scrutinizing his colleague for advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Pappy was of the opinion that it was inappropriate for Sam George to have insensitively gone after Sister Derby.
This triggered the MP to slam the artiste for being six months late – “like his music career” – in addressing an issue that has been long trashed.
After the social media brouhaha between the two, Pappy Kojo has been appealing to Sam George and all the other people he has offended. He said he did not attack the MP; instead, he was defending Sister Derby.
He, thus, apologized to the MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, for speaking ill of him.
In an interview with KMJ on Prime Morning, Friday, the artiste reiterated his apology to the MP for peace to prevail between them.
“Senior man, please forgive me for all I’ve said against you.”Please allow me to join you the next time you go to the chapel so we can worship God together,” he apologized.
When asked whether he would love to meet Sam George, he replied, “I’m scared he might beat me.” Hence the need for the apology to foster peace, love, and safety.
He refuted the criticism of attacking people on social media by asking, “Who was I fighting?”
As delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepare to converge at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday to elect their new crop of leaders, a leading member of the NDC planning committee has assured that the party’s legal team is handling possible cases of injunction ahead of the conference.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Friday, Mr Alex Segbefia noted that by the close of Friday, the party would be settled on candidates who would be allowed to vote or not.
“We do have potential injunction cases but they are being dealt with. We know that we will reach some amicable resolution of all those matters by close of today,” he reiterated.
According to him, the party is optimistic about this year’s election and believes it will be more successful than the previous ones.
Touching on the lessons learned from the youth and women’s congress, held almost a week ago, he stated that the party has identified the triggers of the clashes, therefore to avoid a repetition of the violent clashes, “No T-shirts of aspirants will be allowed in the premises”, adding that party colours are however, allowed.
This, the Chairman of the national congress planning committee of the NDC explained, is because the T-shirts of aspirants “are means of infuriating or identifying people and once they are groups, things can then spark off.”
He also stated that members of the public without properly identified tags or observer tags will not be allowed in the stadium.
He claims that crime does not merely happen in public settings for no reason and is frequently affected by a variety of push and pull variables.
Because so many people are typically focused on the festivities at these times, holidays like Christmas and other national events can occasionally serve as a haven for criminal activity.
Read Mr. Kumadoe’s tips below:
Crime does not just happen in public places for nothing. It is oftentimes influenced by many pull and push factors.
Crime is a simple complex act, involving a combination of motives and motivations. Crimes occurred when the opportunity exists, and vulnerability can be exploited.
1. At shopping malls, avoid carrying to the payment counter, large sums of money; card payments should be preferred, if that is possible and permissible within your local domain.
Carrying cash, and exposing it publicly at the points of sale, may attract the eyes of onlookers, intruders, or infiltrating criminals and their accomplices.
2. Keep Your Mouth Shut (KMS) on many of your personal itineraries and sensitive information, to avoid the high-flying eavesdropping cockroaches.
3. Take your financial due diligence seriously, and do not fall for anything that looks appealing to the eyes; double-check. Fraud for sale is usually high with an incredible amount of victims during periods of Christmas. Beware.
4. Attending public and indoor entertainment shows comes with some level of excitement, but it’s also important to be watchful and mindful of what you eat and drink, the type of tables shared, and with whom.
5. Connecting with people through sharing of personal details (phone numbers, house addresses, and emails) is great and beautiful since we are all interconnected and interdependent to a large extent. However, misrepresenting and privacy intruding activities could become a much later effect, so just be mindful, and circumspectly prudent.
6. Identity theft is still common with us. CyberCrime Cybersecurity breaches and online vulnerabilities are still major threats faced by those who plow | ply their trades (businesses) online. Be mindful to select the right social media platforms and secure online portals for personal and corporate-level transactions and exchanges. In simple terms; live a hygienic social media lifestyle, to avoid being a soft crime target for cyber criminals.
7. Ensure your family, especially the little ones have enough security education at home, and they are in a position to effectively differentiate between what are crime indicators, what can facilitate a break-in, who, and what activities should be prevented at the gates, in the absence of daddy and mummy.
8. Public transport provides a common avenue, and space for ushering in new clients, and for the exit of others. Kindly ensure, you follow due procedure in relation to entry, staying, and exiting, without being exposed, and breaking of any bone (ankles and hips). Christmas in the hospital with doctors and nurses, in the emergency hallways, can be boring and exciting as well. Be prepared.
9. Those who drive should be mindful of the serpentine alcoholic vultures. When you are in doubt, verify to be sure, before you proceed.
10. Above all, please remember, a stranger is not your friend until due diligence is properly and professionally done, and the result is satisfactory. Kidnapping, robbery, and romance fraud can be avoided, detected, and prevented.
Director of Research at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Philip Abradu-Otoo, has listed the specific variables that have led to the appreciation of the cedi against major trading currencies.
Dr Abradu-Otoo, while speaking to the media, attributed the appreciation of the local currency to the monetary policy implemented by the Central Bank, a reduction in imports and Ghana’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“If you compare the data from where we were as of November last year, that import bill has gone down by as much as $400 million. So this is potential demand which hitherto would have come to the doorstep of the central bank for financing. It’s gone down significantly. So it’s an evolution of things that have happened. That demand going down is good for the cedi because we will not have agents coming in to demand that amount for imports,” he explained the role of importation to the growth of the cedi.
Regarding the Bank of Ghana’s monetary policy, Dr. Philip Abradu-Otoo said the bank increased the interest rate and cash ratio of banks.
“Basically, we were telling the banks that for all the deposits that you have, you needed, to hold a portion of that at the central bank. So, 15% of all deposits in the banking sector were supposed to be locked as reserves. It was designed to try to prevent excess liquidity from passing into the economy to demand dollars. That policy was successful,” he further explained.
According to him, the IMF deal“brought some confidence” since Ghana would be receiving some $3 billion on the three-year extended credit facility.
“The outlook looks very good, and that if we are able to follow the right steps and implement our fiscal consolidation plan and stick to the debt restructuring agenda, it bodes well for economic stability. So that in itself has brought some confidence, and it is impacting our currency.”
Ghana can only access the money after the Fund’s Management and Executive Board has received and approved the Staff-Level Agreement reached.
Recent data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) reveals that as of December 15, a dollar traded at GH¢ 9.30 for individuals who bought and sold the foreign currency.
These were the average interbank rates used by commercial banks for transactions at the close of business on Thursday.
The British pound traded at GH¢11.53 while the euro went for GH¢9.90.
However, some forex bureaus bought a dollar at a rate of GH¢9.50 and sold the American ‘greenback’ at GH¢10.50.
The pound and euro, on the other hand, were sold at GH¢13.00 and GH¢11.00 respectively.
The local currency continues to see an appreciation against the major trading currencies per previous data released by the Central Bank.
As of December 14, the dollar, pound and euro traded at GH¢10.40, GH¢12 and GH¢11.07 respectively at the interbank rates.
According to Bloomberg, the cedi is currently the strongest performing currency against the dollar.
Within a span of two weeks, the cedi has regained more than 40% of its value. Since the beginning of 2022, the cedi has lost over 50% of its value.
In order to combat crime and provide residents with security, the Ablekuma West Constituency Member of Parliament, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, commissioned a police station for the residents of Dansoman Ssnit flat.
Commissioning the facility, the MP who doubles as Ghana’s Communications and Digitalisation Minister noted that the building was constructed as part of the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly’s efforts to combat criminal activities.
According to her, increasing security services at the local level will strengthen and advance the country’s fight against insecurity.
“Security within the country must be enhanced and improved hence if you have people bringing security or the police service to the doorstep of the people, it’s an important milestone that we have to all celebrate,” she said.
The MP called for cooperation between police personnel and community leaders to help combat crime.
In a related development, the Greater Accra Regional Head of community policing, Acp Faustina Assiamah Owusu, inaugurated a 25-member Gbebu-Gbegbeise-Glefe Community Watch Committee.
She charged the committee to operate within the confines of the law and not to abuse the office granted them.
“The police cannot be everywhere all the time. Hence, your efforts must complement the work of the police. You are warned never to mete out instant justice on anyone, ” she added.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced that it will observe the statutory holidays during the Yuletide and New Year seasons.
The holidays will be observed on December 26 and 27, 2022, as well as January 2 and 9, 2023.
As such, ECG offices across the country will not be opened for business on the aforementioned dates to allow its staff to celebrate the holidays.
A public notice from the Company sighted by The Independent Ghana, however, advised its customers who would be in dire need of power to “purchase electricity credit through the ECG Mobile App or a private vending point.”
Meanwhile, prepaid users are encouraged to ensure they purchase enough power that will carry them through the Christmas and New Year holidays since ECG offices will be closed temporarily.
The Electricity Company of Ghana aside from informing Ghanaians of its recent initiative, also took advantage to wish all and sundry a happy holiday.
The outspoken attorney claims that the NDC’s previous presidential contender for the 2020 general election squandered public funds on an unfounded election petition.
Gary Nimako stated that even though Mahama and the NDC caucus were aware they lacked any supporting documentation, they continued to accuse the court of being biased in their favor during the election case.
“Post-election case, there have been comments here and there that the judges have been biased against them. When, indeed, you know from day one that you have no evidence at all.
“With this revelation having come out to the public domain, I think Ghanaians deserve an apology from the NDC. Especially from former President Mahama to apologise to Ghanaians and the court because if they knew from day one that in fact, they had no evidence at all…Yet they managed to go to court with the hope that they could get Jean Mensa to mount the witness box and cross-examine her.
“They really misled Ghanaians and their supporters, and the way they treated the court. They have to eat the humble pie and apologise,” he told Ernest Kojo Manu on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday.
In the said tape, Asiedu Nketiah is heard telling party supporters why the director of IT failed to electronically compile the documentation the party required to challenge the results of the presidential election.
The NDC filed an election petition after the 2020 general election accusing the Electoral Commission of stealing the election results for the NPP.
They alleged that NPP won the polls through vote padding, arithmetic and computational errors.
A member of the Chifeng Gold Group, Golden Star Wassa Ltd (GSWL), won three honors at the sixth Sustainability and Social Investment Awards in Accra.
Three accolades were given to the business: Best Community Education Facility, Best Community Traffic Safety Education, and Best Community Girls Education and Empowerment.
In all, 25 institutions and 12 individuals were recognised for their contribution to society through their sustainability and social programmes.
A statement from GSWL said: “We are excited that our commitment to provide value as part of our business was recognised and rewarded”.
GIPC endorsement
The Sustainability and Social Investment Awards, which is endorsed by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, is created to recognize businesses that creatively approach corporate social responsibility and reward those who are creating new standards and committing their organizations to make social responsibility an integral part of their businesses.
Chifeng, which recently acquired Golden Star Wassa Limited, is the largest non-state gold mining company in China with more than five operating mines in the Asia Pacific region.
Its mission is to produce gold in a manner that provides lasting benefits to its stakeholders.
The company’s operations are built around a local workforce where 99 per cent is Ghanaian.
AsanteheneOtumfuo Osei Tutu II wants the government to invest in health research for effective infectious disease surveillance.
He believes development of the country’s human resource will be the first step towards the realization of the move.
“It is time for the country to invest in clinical research which will go a long way to adequately prepare the country ahead of any pandemic.
“So, I call on the government and other relevant stakeholders to help provide the investment that will help in developing the needed human resources to help advance health research in the country,” he said.
He was speaking as part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR).
The theme for the anniversary is, “25 years of Research for Life: Sustaining Global health and Research in our Changing World.”
Otumfuo commended the staff for their hard work and various initiatives.
“The best way to change the low perception and research careers and to improve the availability of research positions to drive innovation and development in Ghana and Africa could be increased by analytical thinking among children, especially from the primary school level, in order to generate their interest in science,” he said.
25 years on, KCCR maintains a positive outlook for the future and seeks to maintain its enviable role as a major National Research Centre and to provide data to improve the wellbeing of Ghanaians through collaborative efforts.
Otumfuo donated 1 million Ghana cedis to the center. The donation was aimed at strengthening the existing cooperation among KNUST, Asanteman and KCCR.
Dr. Francis Kasolo, the WHO representative to Ghana enforced the need for interdisciplinary research.
“We need to be dynamic in all the global health research works. Institutions need to venture into multiple research areas that are relevant to the lives of citizens.
“We also need to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and universities within and outside the country to improve findings for global health and research,” he said.
KNUST Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson challenged the KCCR to strive towards tackling the country’s health challenges.
“We should try to strive to make greater strides and maintain a positive outlook for the future in our collective efforts to find solutions to the myriad of problems of society,” she said.
Incumbent General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied reports that former President, John Dramani Mahama asked him not to contest for the chairmanship position of the party.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia said those claims are untrue and should be disregarded.
According to him, that is the campaign strategy of his opponent to create the impression that he has disrespected the former President.
The incumbent National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, says there have been attempts by party bigwigs to stop Asiedu Nketia from competing him, but to no avail.
However, Mr Asiedu Nketia said he has the full support of the entire party to contest.
“It’s a lie. Nobody asked me not to contest for the chairmanship position.
It’s not true. Everyone who says or is saying that is telling a lie,” he said in interview with UTV on Friday.
Currently, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo’s role as the NDC’s National Chairman is threatened by the decision of the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia to unseat him.
Political analysts have described it as the main contest in the party’s upcoming National Delegates Congress. Mr. Asiedu Nketia is frantically taking steps to take control of the party as National Chairman ahead of the 2024 general election.
The aftermath of Ghana’s economic crisis has had a great toll on all facets of lives.
Amidst the economic difficulties, shop owners in Ghana’s largest automobile parts market, Abossey Okai, situated in Accra, are grabbling to sustain their businesses.
According to a report, over 50 shops at Abossey Okai have been forced to shut down due to default in paying their loans.
Speaking to the media, a shop owner who only identified himself as Julius, mentioned that they are unable to repay loans from the banks due to the low patronage of their goods.
He explained that due to the high cost of port duties, and volatilities in the exchange rate, they are compelled to increase the prices of their goods and as a result, customers are unable to purchase spare parts.
“A lot of traders go for loans to import goods to the market. Due to the high cost of port duties and the unstable exchange rate regime, we are compelled to increase prices but in the end, customers don’t buy and we lose”, he stated.
Another trader bemoaning the devastating effect of the economic crisis on his business disclosed that he was on the verge of being imprisoned for defaulting his loan of about ₵2 million had it not been for his children who paid for his debt.
What does it mean to default a loan
Defaulting on a loan happens when a borrower misses payments for a specified period of time.
Loan default can be of two types: debt services default and technical default. Debt service default occurs when the borrower has not made a scheduled payment of interest or principal. Technical default occurs when an affirmative or a negative covenant is violated.
Under Borrowers and Lenders Act, 2020 section 64 (4) (b) a person who “obstructs a lender in the lawful exercise of a right conferred on the lender by this section commits an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than five hundred penalty units and in the case of a continuing offense, to a further fine of not more than fifty penalty units for each day the offense continues.’
In spite of the current economic crisis, Dr. Ishmael Yamson has urged chief executive officers (CEOs) to have the guts to look for possibilities to expand their businesses.
In Accra, Ghana, at the first CEO Dialogues, a business discussion titled: “How your business might survive the economic catastrophe,” Dr. Yamson said:
“There is uncertainty and complexity, which is not ending any time soon. You need the courage to take the strong decisions that will allow you to grow even in these times”.
He argued that there were new opportunities and markets that could be conquered with the right decisions.
The CEO Dialogues is a capacity building, thought leadership vehicle organised by Base Element Ghana in collaboration with Ishmael Yamson and Associates.
Delivering a paper on the subject, Kwame Sarpong Barnieh of KPMG pointed out the importance of working capital management in order to build resilience during these periods.
Actions
A marketing expert, Adam Sulley, who represented the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, outlined a number of actions that were relevant from marketing perspective.
He said the customer needed to be the foremost consideration, while “actions must be supported by strategy”, arguing further that the most significant brands within a company’s portfolio needed to be valued.
The Accra Chair of the Association of Ghana Industries, Tsonam Akpeloo, outlined the myriad of challenges that most local industries were presently enduring.
CEOs from across industries, including banks, manufacturing, health and IT, attended the event.
Some continuing students at the University of Ghana (UG) have received notice that they must vacate their current hostels before school resumes, a directive that has left many unhappy.
Following the recurrent incidences of violence involving students, school authorities stated in a communiqué sent to students on December 14, 2022, that male residents of both Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls at the University of Ghana will lose their residency for the 2022-23 academic year.
The school board is confident that the new housing arrangements will prevent violent incidents from happening again.
“Beginning from the 2022-2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Master’s and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls. Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion,” the communiqué read.
The move has seen pushback from students, including a group of concerned students who call themselves “SARBANDALS”, a coalition of Vandals and Sarbah residents.
These students, in a rejoinder, described management’s decision as unjust and unfair, adding that innocent students are being made to pay for “the deeds of a few bad nuts.”
On their part, just before they could settle with the brunt of what they call an “astronomical percentage increment in academic and residential fees,” they now have to brace themselves for an “erroneous punishment by making all male residents in Mensah Sarbah Hall and Commonwealth Hall lose their beds.”
They charged management with conveniently denying their negligence and complicity in campus security problems that have repeatedly led to fights between the halls.
They complained that the August 5 Commonwealth-Sarbah clash lasted “for hours,” and this raises several questions, including “What happened to security and reinforcements to prevent or halt this clash?” “Apart from the people involved, how was the university protecting other students and property on campus during those hours?” But of course, the university management will not take responsibility easily.
In that regard, they requested the student body to “let us not budge. Let us not lose focus by following the bone and leaving our posts”.
In response, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, said this is not a harsh measure being meted out to the affected students but is also part of measures to find lasting solutions and to subsequently implement the full in-out-out-out policy in other halls by 2025 or 2026.
“We needed to find a solution. And arrangements are part of the process of finding solutions. In addition, we are also looking forward to providing more opportunities for our first-year students to get accommodations on campus, and some come from very far away, this being their first time coming to the university.
“So this is not harsh; harsh would have been if we had closed down the two halls and sent them home, and we are sending them to places where other students are… Is it a punishment? He quizzed.
It will be recalled that on August 5, 2022, an interhall clash ensued between residents of Commonwealth and Sarbah halls, which led to the destruction of several properties and injuries to students.
The bust of John Mensah Sarbah Hall, situated in front of the Main Hall, is reported to have been destroyed and parts taken away by some Commonwealth Hall members.
This is one of the many clashes that have occurred between the two halls.
Several unions and associations, like the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), condemned the act and requested that perpetrators be brought to book.
Even if it is a positive indicator, he thinks the admiration will pass quickly.
“It is impossible to predict how long it will persist because it is not supported by solid economic foundations.
But at least what we saw was positive.
It indicates that the system is adapting to the changes, according to Prof. Bokpin, who gave an interview at a roundtable discussion in Accra that the Citizen’s Coalition arranged.
“We have seen how the cedi is responding, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The Staff Level Agreement with the IMF is not the same as the programme. There is a lot of work because our debt level is unsustainable. The debt exchange in its current form is not in a good shape and may systematically weaken the balance sheet of the participating financial institutions,” he added.
He however urged government to ensure that the debt restructuring protects financial stability.
“If we are not careful, in our attempt to polish our public debt, we may be creating a crisis that will later come to bite us. Let us do the restructuring in a way that protects financial stability,” he noted.
“Because it is not driven by strong economic fundamentals, you cannot say it is going to last. But at least, what we have seen is good. It means the system is responding to the changes,” Prof. Bokpin added.
IMF programme insufficient to address Ghana’s problems – Prof. Bokpin
The two were directors of the J. H. Riches Company in Nkurakan, which made and imported schnapps, and the Ayisaa Herbal Base in Nankese, which made Agya Nie Bitters.
The excise tax stamp, which is attached to excisable items to show that taxes and duties have been or will be paid, was created with digital and other security aspects in mind, regardless of whether the goods are locally produced or imported.
Mr. Francis Ogoo, Chief Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority, explained to Ghana News Agency that Sections 15 and 16 of the Excise Tax Stamp Act, 2013 (Act 873) required every manufacturer or importer of excisable goods to affix the tax stamp on the items before selling them.
The national exercise was also designed to monitor under-declaration of goods to shore up the country’s tax revenue.
Mr. Ogoo explained that prior to the unrealized projected revenue throughout the years, the GRA began a countrywide effort to check and guarantee that the correct things were being done.
Following the exercise, he said the team noticed that certain excisable products had been forged and had changed stamps, while others did not have the stamp at all on the market and were seized in Koforidua.
Additional investigation, he added, showed where the two directors of the said companies that manufactured the items were located, leading to their subsequent arrest on Tuesday and a bill being issued to allow the case to proceed in court.
He named some local products without the tax stamp as J. H. Riches Schnapp, Agya Nie bitters, Lawson De-Ray Man bitters, and foreign goods such as J. H. Henkes Schnapp, canned cokes, whiskey, champagne, and red wine, among others.
He urged the public to assist GRA revenue mobilisation efforts by downloading the GRA Tax Stamp Authenticator App from the Google Play Store, which can be used to assess whether a product has a valid tax stamp and report when the stamps are invalid.
He also said the app allows users to check the validity of excisable product tax stamps on goods such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and other tobacco products, as well as bottled water that is locally produced or imported.
In order to boost academic activities at the school, the 1991 Year Group of the St. John’s Grammar Senior High School Old Students’ Association (JOSA) in Dome-Achimota, Greater Accra Region, has donated items valued at GH49,000 to its alma mater.
The items comprised 80 mono desks, bed sheets, detergents and a signpost.
Corporate responsibility
Before handing over the items on behalf of the group, the President of JOSA 1991, Superintendent of Police, Olivia Turkson, said the group was making the donation as part of its social responsibility to create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the school.
She said the items were made available through the contributions of members both in the country and the diaspora who had seen the need to give back to the school after 31 years of exiting.
“We contacted the management of the school and made them know of our intention to give back to our alma mater and they gave us the list of what they needed as a school, which we are providing today,” said Supt Turkson, who doubles as the Sogakope Divisional Police Commander.
She commended the management of the school for their continuous efforts in improving education in the country and assured them of the group’s continuous support to the school to help them achieve their mandate.
Supt. Turkson urged the management of the school to maintain the items to expand their lifespan.
She urged the students to shun bad company and concentrate on their books.
Appreciation
After receiving the items, the Assistant Head of Administration of the school, Rev. Dr Betty Baidoo, on behalf of the school management, commended members of the 1991 JOSA Year Group for the gesture.
“The donation to the school is commendable; after 31 years of leaving school, you have come back to assist your alma mater in their activities,” she said.
Rev. Baidoo, who is also the chaplain of the school, reiterated the need for old students to come together to show appreciation to their alma mater for moulding them into responsible adults.
“There will be a club World Cup with 32 teams held every four years. And the first edition would be held in the summer of 2025.
“It will be in the slot of the Confederations Cup,” Infantino said on Friday ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday between Argentina and France in Doha.
The current format of the tournament involves seven teams competing for the title, with Chelsea the current holders after victory over Palmeiras in the United Arab Emirates in the a delayed 2021 edition held in February.
This event has been pushed back several times, first due to COVID and then again in 2021 to accommodate the Copa and Euro. Infantino added.
FIFA must still discuss, agree on, and decide on the details. Infantino also mentioned that a women’s Club World Cup is in the works. FIFA’s governing body also established the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.
In addition to FIFA’s club competition, the Under-17 World Cups will be moved to an annual format.
Parliamenthas suspended the approval of the 2023 budgetary allocation for the Office of Special Prosecutor.
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu alleges that Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has made unconstitutional appointments to the office and any allocation made to pay such persons will be unlawful.
“I am strongly arguing that any appointment other than those done by the president be deemed illegal and unconstitutional,” he told the House on Friday.
This follows allegations by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to the effect that Mr. Agyebeng has appointed some persons to the office without recourse to public service procedures.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Iddrisu explained that no compensation can be appropriated to this creation.
This comes a day after exclusive documents available to JoyNews revealed that Mr Agyebeng and his staff had not been paid salaries since his appointment 16 months ago.
According to the said documents, only the Deputy Special Prosecutor has been paid; leaving other staff of the office agitated.
The documents further disclosed that the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu is owed salary arrears.
Reacting to this development, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, says the situation can potentially derail the fight against corruption since the unpaid staff are left in a vulnerable state.
However, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsuraised some questions as to the validity of the claims made by the Minority Leader.
He further criticised government for not paying the staff at the Special Prosecutor’s office.
“We need to provide him with adequate remuneration such that he will not be exposed and be tempted to be courted. If that should happen Mr Speaker, this nation will be in serious trouble,” he said on Friday.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, thereby deferred the approval of the OSP’s budget.
A Sudanese woman chargedwith adultery has had her life spared and will instead spend six months behind bars after she admitted to kissing a man.
The 20-year-old was initially sentenced to death by stoning, sparking an international outcry.
She was arrested by police after her cousin killed her boyfriend.
The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) described the initial penalty as a “grave violation of international law”.
The divorcee was sentenced to death after she was found guiltyof adultery by a court in the city of Kosti, in Sudan’s White Nile state.
Following international condemnation, the White Nile state court retried the case. Ultimately, the presiding judge changed the charge from “adultery” to an “obscene act” which meant she would instead serve prison time for her actions.
She confessed in court to being with a man and admitted that the pair had kissed.
Her lawyer, Intisar Abdullah, said the judge “didn’t have many options but to convict her”.
“The thing is she confessed at the court that she was with a man, she is very young and she doesn’t know the complications of the case,” the lawyer told the BBC.
The woman had been free on bail but has now gone to prison to start her sentence.
The ACJPS said she was not allowed a lawyer in the initial case, and procedural errors led to the stoning sentence being overturned.
Sudan still imposes the death penalty for some hudud crimes – offences specified by Allah in the Quran, including theft and adultery. In Sudanese law they carry penalties such as flogging, the amputation of hands and feet, hanging and stoning.
The majority of stoning sentences in Sudan – laid predominantly against women – have been overturned at the High Court.
Previously, a government minister described the sentence as a “joke” but admitted that no government minister could intervene.
Sudan has been run by a military junta since a coup in 2021.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana National Gas Company, Dr. Ben K.D Asante is now a member on the board of Global Gas Centre (GGC).
The Ghana National Gas Company is a member of the GGC, a non-profit organisation based in Geneva dedicated to executives and experts of natural gas companies who want to share views and best practises in a neutral, independent, and inclusive organisation.
Dr. Ben K.D. Asante was elected to the board during the Center’s General Assembly Meeting in Egypt held on Thursday, December 14, when it wrapped up its activities for 2022 with a workshop.
Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) assisted with the joint workshop held in Cairo.
It is asserted that Dr. Ben K.D. Asante’s new role speaks loudly of his expertise and experience in the oil and gas sector.
Dr. Ben K.D. Asante was appointed as the CEO of Ghana National Gas Company Limited in April 2017.
Under his leadership, the Ghana National Gas Company became the first fully-owned state firm in the energy sector to be accredited.
The company received the highest accreditation for its occupational health and safety management system following the granting of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Certification (45001:2018) from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a globally acclaimed expert in assurance and risk management and one of the few registrar and classification societies, with its headquarters in Høvik, Norway.
The certification was obtained on April 1, 2022, after procedures for its acquisition began on November 12, 2019, with the aim of benchmarking and certifying the organisation’s occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system to global standards.
On December 10, 2022, Dr. Ben K.D. Asante was adjudged CEO of the Year (Upstream) at the ninth edition of the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.
