TIG Post

Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

  • Four times Supreme Court has ruled against parliamentary decisions

    Four times Supreme Court has ruled against parliamentary decisions

    The 1992 Constitution of Ghana, especially its sections concerning the separation of powers among the executive, judiciary, and legislature, has faced significant challenges in the current era.

    Repeatedly, these three branches of government – the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature – have clashed over governance matters, each asserting its authority as prescribed by the constitution.

    Of particular interest is the tension between the judiciary and the legislature, often leaving Parliament in a precarious position.

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has frequently voiced frustrations over Supreme Court rulings that nullify certain parliamentary decisions.

    Here are the four instances where the Supreme Court invalidated parliamentary decisions:

    Exclusion of 1st and 2nd Ladies from Article 71 Benefits:
    In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court declared that the spouses of the President and Vice President, known as the 1st and 2nd Ladies, are not entitled to benefits reserved for Article 71 officeholders, including ex-gratia payments.

    This decision challenged Parliament-approved recommendations for these benefits, leading to legal action by various parties, including MPs and private citizens.

    Striking Out Sections of the Companies Act 2019:
    The Supreme Court, responding to a constitutional matter, invalidated specific sections of the Companies Act 2019, citing inconsistencies with the 1992 Constitution. The court’s decision came following a legal challenge by lawyer Derick Adu-Gyamfi, who argued that these sections violated constitutional principles such as fair hearing.

    Invalidation of Parts of Parliament’s Standing Orders:
    In March 2022, the Supreme Court struck down portions of Parliament’s Standing Orders, particularly Order 109(3), which addressed the voting rights of a deputy speaker or presiding member. This action stemmed from a legal challenge questioning the constitutionality of the passage of the 2022 budget statement, where the 1st Deputy Speaker counted himself as part of the quorum while presiding over the session.

    Nullification of Sections of the Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020:
    The Supreme Court, in a split decision, invalidated Section 43 of the Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020, which permitted the licensing of cannabis cultivation for industrial and medicinal purposes.

    The court ruled that this section violated Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the legislative process. The lack of proper debate and transparency in introducing this section further underscored the unconstitutionality of the provision.

    “The mode of introduction of Section 43 of Act 1019 violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Accordingly, Section 43 is hereby struck out as unconstitutional.

    “The lack of debate on Section 43 of Act 1019 amounts to not only a direct violation of the letter of Article 106 of the Constitution, but also a violation of the spirit of the law.

    “There was conspicuously, no debate over such a critical shift in policy by Parliament. Needless to say, this conduct and mode of law-making defeats the transparency and accountability enjoined by the Constitution,” graphic.com quoted the court as having said.

  • NDC will hold corrupt NPP officials accountable – Naana Jane

    NDC will hold corrupt NPP officials accountable – Naana Jane


    The running mate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 presidential election, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding corrupt members of the current government accountable.

    During her inaugural address at an event to officially introduce her, Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that she and former President John Dramani Mahama have agreed to ensure that those involved in looting state resources under the Akufo-Addo-led government face consequences.

    She stated that this commitment is based on the wishes of Ghanaians and the principle of accountability.

    “John and I have agreed, that whoever has participated in the plunder of the state must be held accountable. This is not a threat; it is a promise, premised on the wishes of our citizens across the various political and social divides, and hinged on the principle of accountability,” she stated during her inaugural address at an event to officially outdoor her on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

    “Across the political divide, across social and professional groupings, among the youth, you hear of complaints and stories concerning state capture, where this government has chosen to use its power not in the broader interest of all Ghanaians but to favour a small clique. What is that?” she questioned.

    Addressing the audience at the UPSA Auditorium in Accra, she criticized the current administration for promoting cronyism and nepotism, which she believes has negatively impacted the Ghanaian population.

    Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted issues such as ethnocentrism, which she claimed has been disguised as intellectualism, leading the country toward a state of near collapse.

    She asserted that these actions have resulted in a country facing financial difficulties, natural resource challenges, and a population silenced through harassment and intimidation.

    Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, a former Minister for Education and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, was nominated by former President John Dramani Mahama as his running mate for the 2020 election.

    Continuing their partnership, Mahama has once again chosen her as his running mate for the 2024 election, potentially making her Ghana’s first female vice president.

    “Let us face the facts: The promotion of ethnocentric elitism masquerading as intellectualism; nepotism cloaked as know-how; weakness strutting as courage; and crony capitalism masked as development in freedom; shameless hypocrisy acting as objectivity… these never served a country determined to make progress at any level.

    “Rather, the most significant achievement of these things has been a country in near insolvency, its natural resources such as water and land and environment in rebellion, a people harassed and intimidated into numbness and as some say cynically, bribed into silence,” she stated.

  • Ghanaian cross dresser, Headucator, recounts difficult times as a student in Augusco

    Ghanaian cross dresser, Headucator, recounts difficult times as a student in Augusco

    Ghanaian cross-dresser, Headucator, has shared his experiences as an effeminate man during his high school days at St. Augustine’s College (Augusco) in Cape Coast, Central Region.

    In an interview with Surgeonline, he expressed that life at Augusco presented challenges as he had to constantly suppress his feminine identity.

    He explained that conforming to masculine behavior was necessary to avoid discrimination and unwanted attention.

    “I went to ST Augustine College, biologically I am a Augusco boy but delusionally I am GeyHey.  Life at Augusco was a little bit tough because I tried so much to put this female aulter ego down. I had a few dates in Augusco. I was always trying to act like a boy,” he added.

    Earlier this year, the gay man publicly disclosed the alleged bedroom encounter with one Twitter influencer, Nhyira Hayford.

    @Heducator alleges that Hayford promised to pay Ghc 1,500 in exchange for intimate services.

    However, Hayford purportedly fled the scene after the encounter and has since avoided all communication attempts.

    The aggrieved party asserts that despite numerous calls and text messages requesting the agreed-upon payment, there has been no response from Hayford for months.

    Frustrated by what he perceives as evasion and betrayal, @Heducator has chosen to publicize the matter.

    Watch video below:

    @surgeonnline Headucator Reflects on Her Experiences as a Feminine Boy in High School #Headucator #Hayford #staugustinehighschoolghana #SurgeOnnline #SurgeEntertainment ♬ original sound – Surgeonnline
  • Video: Alleged thief forced to dance to Shatta Wale’s song after failed robbery

    Video: Alleged thief forced to dance to Shatta Wale’s song after failed robbery

     An unusual punishment has been meted out to a thief who was caught stealing metal scraps at a mechanic shop.

    The victim was doused with dirty oil and forced to request his favorite song for a dance, where he chose one of popular Ghanaian artist Shatta Wale.

    In a viral video, the suspect was seen with his legs tied to a rope to prevent any escape attempts.

    He was further subjected to labor at the shop under strict supervision.

    Watch video below:

  • We have not received GHS1bn from GRA – SML

    We have not received GHS1bn from GRA – SML


    Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) has refuted claims that it received GH¢1,061,054,778.00 as compensation for its revenue mobilisation contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    Following President Akufo-Addo’s directive on January 2 for an audit of the GRA-SML contract by KPMG, the audit report revealed that SML was paid a total of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to the present.

    However, SML has denied these assertions, contending that KPMG’s quoted figure does not consider the investments made and taxes paid during the reviewed period.

    In a statement, the SML stated “KPMG quotes a figure as compensation to SML. It is interesting to note that this figure is quoted without reference to the investments made and the taxes paid by SML over the period within the consolidated contract.

    “The compensation of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 stated by KPMG is inaccurate.”

    “impression of the relationship between the compensation and the investment and other related costs.”

    “SML finds that KPMG’s failure to state GRA taxes of 31.5% taken before payment, interest payments of 32% plus the investment repayment made by SML, and other taxes/duties over the period creates a very unbalanced impression of the relationship between the compensation and the investment and other related costs. This omission is highly misleading.”

  • Improving Ghana’s power supply is my priority – Akufo-Addo

    Improving Ghana’s power supply is my priority – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has affirmed his government’s commitment to enhancing electricity supply by continuing investments in the power sector.

    During the inauguration of a 15-megawatt solar power plant in Kaleo, Upper West Region, Akufo-Addo announced plans to introduce green energy policies to reduce reliance on thermal power.

    “The government is implementing a series of policies and measures to incentivise green investments, foster a culture of energy efficiency, and prioritise the development of solar, wind and hydroelectric power projects as key strategies for the growth of the energy sector in the country.”

    In the meantime, Chairman of the Electricity Corporation of Ghana’s governing board, Herbert Krapa, assured the public that the ongoing power challenges will soon be resolved.

    He assured that the government has implemented adequate measures to ensure a consistent power supply for consumers.

    Mr Krapa underscored the government’s acknowledgment of the hardships faced by Ghanaians and its dedication to resolving them for the public’s welfare.

    “As I said earlier today at Kaleo, at the Commissioning of VRA’s 15MW Solar Plant, the Government has put in place immediate measures to ensure the return of uninterrupted supply of power to consumers. I can, therefore, state that the unfortunate power challenges Ghanaians are facing should be over in the next few days.”

    “We are fully confident that the measures being put in place should resolve the service interruptions. We empathise with all consumers and apologise unreservedly for the effects of the outages on our daily lives. Please bear with us. We are fixing it and we are nearly there,” Herbert Krapa’s post further read.

  • Dual citizens now eligible for appointments as Chief Justice, Chief Directors – Supreme Court declares

    Dual citizens now eligible for appointments as Chief Justice, Chief Directors – Supreme Court declares

    In a majority ruling, the Supreme Court has deemed certain sections of the Citizenship Act unconstitutional.

    These sections previously barred individuals with dual citizenship from holding positions such as Chief Justice, Commissioner of the Value Added Tax Service, Director-General of Prisons Service, Chief Fire Officer, Chief Director of a Ministry, or a Colonel rank in the army or other security services.

    The court’s decision, delivered in the case of Francis Osei-Bonsu v The Attorney General, invalidated these sections of the Citizenship Act.

    The Plaintiff, represented by Bright Okyere-Adjekum Esq., saw all their claims upheld by the Supreme Court.

    Citing inconsistency with Article 289(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the Supreme Court nullified the aforementioned sections.

    Consequently, individuals with dual citizenship, contrary to the stipulations of section 16 of the Citizenship Act, are now eligible for appointment to various positions, including those previously restricted.

    According to the relief sought by the Plaintiff, the nullified sections effectively amended the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, thereby violating Article 289(2) of the Constitution.

  • I can’t tell when Takoradi’s PTC interchange will be completed – Roads Minister

    I can’t tell when Takoradi’s PTC interchange will be completed – Roads Minister

    Roads Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has stated his inability to offer specific timelines for the completion of the stalled PTC Interchange in Takoradi due to lack of control over funding.

    The groundbreaking for the three-tier PTC interchange at the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout in Takoradi took place in September 2020, prior to the general elections.

    However, actual construction commenced 10 months later, following numerous demonstrations.

    Initially scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2023, the project has been halted for nearly a year and a half.

    Sino-Hydro contractors vacated the site on January 15, 2023, due to the withdrawal of creditor support during IMF negotiations.

    The anticipated PTC Interchange project, intended to alleviate traffic in and around Takoradi, now lies neglected and deteriorating, causing inconvenience to motorists and residents. According to project consultants, thieves have begun pilfering construction materials.

    Mr. Asenso-Boakye, accompanied by the Western Regional Minister and project consultant, inspected the abandoned project site.

    Expressing sympathy for the residents of Sekondi-Takoradi affected by the project’s abandonment, he mentioned the government’s plans for temporary works at the site.

    However, he did not provide a timeline for these works or the resumption of the major interchange project.

    When pressed for a timeline, the Minister refrained from giving one, emphasizing his role in securing funding.

    He stated, “I’m the Roads Minister, but I’m not responsible for funding. Once I receive the designs and estimates, I will engage the Finance Ministry to secure necessary funding…the most crucial aspect is my dedication, and I prefer not to focus on timelines during this interview.”

    In addition to inspecting the ongoing dualization of the Sekondi to Takoradi road, the Minister also assessed the poor condition of the Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta road, the deteriorated Kojokrom roads, and roads in the Shama District.

    He stated, “Government recognises that it is a major issue and we have been working feverishly with our creditors so that we can arrange the necessary funding. That notwithstanding, I’m aware of the concern of residents here in Sekondi-Takoradi about the inconvenience that this construction has brought to them and as a result, we are taking a decision to make sure that a part of the contract is taken out from the main contract with the Sino-Hydro contractors given to a different contractor with new funding to complete some minimal interventions on the ground here to reduce the inconvenience”.

    When asked about a timeline, the Minister did not provide one, stating, “I’m the Roads Minister but I don’t provide the funds so once I get the designs and the estimates, I will engage the Finance Ministry to raise the necessary funding…the most important thing is my commitment and I don’t want this interview to be a subject of timelines. That is not healthy.”

  • Ashanti Regional Minister is yet to apologize to us – ECG

    Ashanti Regional Minister is yet to apologize to us – ECG

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region has stated that it has not yet received an apology from Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah for his actions toward the area’s General Manager, Michael Wiafe.

    Following a disconnection exercise at Kumasi Technical University, the Ashanti Regional Minister ordered the arrest of Mr. Wiafe. Despite demands from the power distribution company for an apology for the abuse of power, their requests have been ignored.

    National Vice Chairman of the Senior Staff Association for ECG, Bismark Adomah, stated on Joy FM’s Midday News on April 24 that the Minister’s failure to apologize for the abuse of power and his refusal to withdraw the case against Mr. Wiafe has led them to start hoisting red flags on their premises.

    Mr. Adomah explained that following a meeting with the National Executive Council (NEC) on Monday, they have initiated the hoisting of red flags in all ECG offices nationwide.

    “Yes, we are requesting for apology from the minister and go ahead and withdraw the case from the police station from the police station.”

    Additionally, all four general managers in the region have decided to boycott any meetings called by the Regional Minister.

    Despite the conflict between the Minister and the ECG, Mr. Adomah assured that it would not affect service delivery to consumers, as all workers are diligently performing their duties.

    Furthermore, workers of the ECG in the Ashanti Region have issued a warning to Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah, demanding immediate payment of his outstanding electricity bills. They have threatened to disconnect the Minister’s private residences from the national grid if he fails to comply with the warning.

    “We are all at our offices working. Everybody is working. Those who are to go outside are outside working. Those at the offices are at the offices working and we are wearing our red, hoisting our red flag throughout our offices,” he said.

  • Financial constraints preventing ECG from publishing load-shedding timetable – Kofi Kapito

    Financial constraints preventing ECG from publishing load-shedding timetable – Kofi Kapito

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito, has come to the defense of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) regarding its failure to release a load-shedding timetable during the ongoing power outages in the country.

    Mr. Kapito attributed ECG’s inability to provide a load-shedding timetable to financial constraints, stating that the current energy crisis is exacerbated by financial issues rather than solely generation capacity limitations.

    In an interview with Citi FM on Tuesday, April 23, Kapito emphasized that addressing the financial challenge would eliminate the necessity for a load-shedding timetable.

    He urged patience from Ghanaians and others demanding such a timetable while efforts are made to resolve the financial challenges.

    The CEO of the Consumer Protection Agency reiterated that once the financial issues are addressed, the need for a load-shedding timetable would cease to exist.

    He called for cooperation and patience from all stakeholders in stabilizing the energy situation in the country.

    Mr Kapito highlighted the complexity of the situation, emphasizing that ECG’s ability to provide a timetable is contingent upon the availability of funds for paying Independent Power Producers (IPPs) or purchasing fuel for power plants.

    “As we all know it is not like before when we used to build some transformers which we knew is going to take us some months and so we have to do some proper plan and then bring out a timetable.”

    “Unfortunately, because it is financial, it is difficult for ECG to say that they will bring a timetable simply because people are calling for it. If they bring the timetable and money becomes available, thus, they are able to pay the IPPs or they have to buy the necessary fuel for power plants, then what happens to the timetable? That I think is the challenge the ECG is facing.”

    “ECG is in the business to sell you power. When ECG gets the electricity, they have no need apart from selling it to the consumer or anybody who needs it. So, when people sometimes behave as if ECG has the power and they are doing something or intentionally not distributing it, I find it a little difficult,” he said.

    He stressed that ECG’s primary function is to sell power, and any perception that the company is intentionally withholding electricity is misguided.

    Meanwhile, Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo clarified that only the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, has the authority to authorize the publication of a load-shedding timetable.

    Osafo-Maafo explained that this decision depends on the volume of power being generated and what ECG can distribute.

  • 57-year-old American widow commits suicide after being scammed $1.5m by Ghanaian man – Report

    57-year-old American widow commits suicide after being scammed $1.5m by Ghanaian man – Report

    A 57-year-old widow from the United States, Laura Kowal, has allegedly taken her life after being scammed out of $1.5 million by an individual she met on a dating site, Match.com.

    According to a post by an X user, @EDHUB, the deceased tragically ended her life by drowning.

    The post further disclosed that, Initially, the deceased believed she was in a romantic relationship with a man named Frank Borg.

    However, investigations by federal agents revealed that the photos attributed to Mr Borg actually belonged to a Chilean doctor, and his emails were traced back to Ghana.

    The devastating consequences of the scam came to light when Kowal’s body was found.

    In a heart-wrenching suicide note, she revealed the anguish of her situation: “I’ve been living a double life this past year. It has left me broke and broken. Yes, it involves Frank, the man I met through online dating. I tried to stop this, many times, but I knew I would end up dead”.

  • Court sentences five Burkina Faso nationals to 20 years for mining illegally

    Court sentences five Burkina Faso nationals to 20 years for mining illegally

    Five Burkina Faso nationals have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison for their involvement in illegal mining activities in the Wa West district, Upper West region.

    Their arrest occurred on March 23 at an illegal mining site in Maase, within the Wa West District, following a tip-off received by patrolling police officers.

    Despite attempting to flee upon encountering law enforcement, the miners were swiftly apprehended.

    In their caution statement, the accused confessed to mining without a license, citing adverse environmental conditions, particularly drought, in Burkina Faso as their reason for migrating to Ghana.

    The court convicted the five individuals on two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime (mining without a license) and engaging in mining without a license as non-Ghanaian nationals.

    Principal State Attorney Saeed Abdul Shakur, in an interview, stated that the accused were caught red-handed and were unable to refute their involvement in the illegal mining activities.

    “The police conducted a swoop at the Black Volta close to Jamboso and arrested 5 persons, all of them were Burkinabé nationals. And they were actually mining close to the bank of the river, somewhere even mining inside the river. They were arrested and arraigned before the circuit court, and remanded in the presence of police custody.

     “In the Mining Act, the minimum you can give any foreigner doing illegal mining in Ghana is 20 years. They were caught in the act; they were inside the pit when they were arrested. Eventually, they couldn’t do anything,” he added, a citinewsroom.com report said.

  • Higher tier hospitals are yet to receive two-months outstanding payments – NHIA CEO

    Higher tier hospitals are yet to receive two-months outstanding payments – NHIA CEO

    The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, has affirmed that his organization is closely collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to settle debts owed to healthcare facilities.

    Despite reports indicating significant debts accumulated over several months, Dr. Aboagye, speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Citi TV, mentioned that payments for November are currently being processed for disbursement in April.

    He praised the government for its dedication to maintaining the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), highlighting that they owe only two months of payments to higher-tier hospitals.

    Dr. Aboagye expressed confidence in clearing the backlog, mentioning that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure timely payments to providers, with assurances from the finance ministry.

    Regarding tariffs, he mentioned plans to review them to align with current economic conditions.

    “Government is really doing very well in terms of the National Health Insurance Scheme. When you submit your claim as a hospital, we vet, so you see that some of the months, some hospitals may not pass the validation. Because they have not submitted the right things they needed to. Once they submit it, we pay it the next month.

    “We’re on course, it’s not our fault that we have not actually paid. We only owe two months, that is November, and December 2023, but we’re even paying November this month [April]. Almost all the higher tier hospitals, we owe them two months. But that is not bad, we’re working with the finance ministry, they will give us money.

    “I have the credentials on my table, we will process to pay the November, but I think we will clear the backlog. I’m looking up to the government to give me money to pay providers. I have all the assurances from the finance ministry that they will pay us.”

    “There will be mechanisms, making sure that we review the tariffs to commiserate with current economic conditions. Once we do that, we will seek automatic price adjustment which will be guaranteed for the facilities, even if prices go up you’re secured,” he said.

  • Collaboration needed to tackle Africa’s education challenges – Dr. Adutwum

    Collaboration needed to tackle Africa’s education challenges – Dr. Adutwum

    Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among governments and education authorities to tackle the shared challenges in African education.

    He stressed that the administrative and managerial hurdles in education are prevalent across the continent and require a unified approach for effective resolution.

    Dr. Adutwum highlighted the potential of a pan-African strategy in overcoming barriers hindering efficient teaching, learning, and research.

    During a meeting with Tony Mwaba Kazadi, the Minister for Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Accra, Dr. Adutwum affirmed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring universal access to education, emphasizing the importance of quality, innovation, and technological advancement.

    Mr. Kazadi, leading a Congolese government delegation on a fact-finding mission to Ghana, commended Ghana’s efforts in education reform and expressed interest in learning from Ghana’s experiences.

    He particularly praised Ghana’s initiatives such as the school feeding program and free education in high schools, which have inspired similar endeavors in Congo DR. Mr. Kazadi highlighted the importance of technology integration in education and cited Ghana’s Smart Schools Project as a source of inspiration for Congo DR’s educational development.

    Acknowledging the shared challenges faced by African nations, Mr. Kazadi emphasized the value of learning from successful practices implemented by counterparts on the continent.

    “We are in Ghana for a noble reason; Ghana inspires us in the DRC with your school feeding programme. Our President has decided to introduce same in our country to keep our students in school. Our President and Prime Minister have also decided to introduce free education in high schools and because Ghana is already implementing same, we decided to come here to learn the lessons”, he told the press.

    During their visit to Ghana, Mr. Kazadi and his delegation will tour educational institutions and ICT infrastructure, engaging with stakeholders in the education sector.

    “The quality of education we give to our children today has to be relevant to tomorrow’s technological advancements. That is why our government asked us to come to Ghana to learn about the technology solutions you are deploying in your schools and universities to make teaching and learning top-notch, like the Ghana Smart Schools Project being executed by a company called K A Technology.”

    “We have realized that the challenges are the same; therefore, the solutions can be the same. We must not sit in our different countries looking for solutions when we could explore what has worked for our counterparts on the continent,” he said.

    They visited Accra Girls and Achimota Schools, where they interacted with students benefiting from initiatives like the One-Student-One-Tablet program initiated by President Akufo-Addo.

  • Our politicians think critically only when they are out of power – Fmr UN advisor

    Our politicians think critically only when they are out of power – Fmr UN advisor

    A former senior governance advisor at the UN, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has remarked that in Ghana’s political dialogue, politicians tend to engage in critical thinking primarily when they are not in power.

    He observed that many politicians seem to highlight the shortcomings of the ruling party only when they are not actively involved in politics, but once they assume power, they exhibit similar behavior.

    Speaking in an interview with Citi Eyewitness News on April 23, Professor Agyeman-Duah remarked, “Generally, let’s put it this way, but it’s like our government: when a party is in opposition, they see all evil in the party in power, and when the tables turn, they become the same way. In other words, our politicians seem to see better when they are not playing active politics, which is a tragic thing for us,” remarked

    These comments from Professor Agyeman-Duah come amid recent concerns raised by a Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998.

    Osafo-Maafo expressed reservations about the confidentiality surrounding asset declarations under the law, highlighting the challenges in verifying the accuracy of these declarations due to the lack of transparency.

    “In Ghana, when you become a minister of state or hold positions in various sectors at public levels, the first thing you do is to declare your assets.

    “What I don’t like personally about this law is that after you have declared your assets, everything is kept confidential between the Auditor General and yourself, and therefore it becomes very difficult for anybody to challenge the authenticity of your declaration,” he said.

  • Publishing dumsor timetable could make NPP lose 2024 elections – Martin Kpebu

    Publishing dumsor timetable could make NPP lose 2024 elections – Martin Kpebu

    A prominent private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has criticized the Akufo-Addo government for its failure to devise a schedule for the ongoing erratic power supply (dumsor), which would assist Ghanaian households and businesses in better planning their lives.

    In an interview on TV3’s The Keypoints program on April 23, 2024, Mr Kpebu stated that the sole reason the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is hesitant to create a dumsor timetable is due to the potential political consequences of such action.

    Kpebu emphasized that the government is aware that releasing a dumsor timetable would undoubtedly impact the fate of the NPP in the forthcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.

    “It (the refusal to devise a dumsor timetable) is nothing new. It just reiterates the statement by Socrates that ‘Politicians are crooks’, that’s it; rooks and are busy gaslighting us.

    “Because commonsensically, this dumsor timetable should have been out. But you see how they keep making it look like rocket science, shifting blame? ECG keeps saying that they don’t get enough notice from GRIDCo, so it’s impossible to get a timetable.

    “Then you find Matthew Opoku Prempeh (the Minister for Energy), come to insult us after we’ve paid him with taxes and even has not had the courtesy to render an unqualified apology to us. And it goes on and on and on,” he said.

    The lawyer added, “So what they’re saying is that if this timetable comes out, then it means that they are sinking themselves, you know, because election 2024 is just in the corner.”

  • COCOBOD CEO must be dismissed immediately – CSO tells govt

    COCOBOD CEO must be dismissed immediately – CSO tells govt

    A civil society organization, United Voices for Change (UVC), has demanded the immediate dismissal of Dr. Joseph Aidoo, the CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing mismanagement and significant financial losses during his tenure.

    The convener for the group, Slyvestine Ronald, expressed serious concern over Dr. Aidoo’s continuous leadership at COCOBOD despite overseeing substantial financial losses within the institution.

    “We call for the dismissal of Dr. Joseph Aidoo, the CEO of COCOBOD with immediate effect. He has presided over financial decline and recklessness and has failed to fulfill his mandate of generating profit and revenue,” he added.

    Highlighting alarming financial losses incurred by COCOBOD in recent years, Ronald pointed to figures indicating losses of GH¢161.3 million in 2017, GH¢78.22 million in 2018, GH¢320.57 million in 2019, GH¢32 million in 2020, and a staggering GH¢2.44 billion in losses in 2021.

    “These losses, which began in 2016, are ballooning by the years, reaching GH¢2.44 billion in 2021,” he stated.

    The organization also held President Akufo-Addo responsible for the consistent losses incurred by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including COCOBOD.

    United Voices for Change called for urgent measures to be taken to rescue the declining state institution, emphasizing its importance as a significant source of employment in Ghana.

    “To make the SOEs function again, the CSO says all CEOs who are sleeping on the job should be sacked,” he added.

  • FLASHBACK: Vote for change if you’re tired of dumsor – Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians

    FLASHBACK: Vote for change if you’re tired of dumsor – Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians

    During the height of Ghana’s severe power supply crisis under former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, Akufo-Addo was actively campaigning for his first presidency.

    In the midst of the prevalent dumsor crisis, Akufo-Addo consistently criticized the government’s handling of the situation, using various platforms to draw attention to the issue.

    In a notable tweet dated November 16, 2016, at 9:00 AM, Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to vote for change, using the hashtag #VoteForChange, expressing dissatisfaction with dumsor, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, and other perceived shortcomings of the Mahama administration.

    Interestingly, this tweet has resurfaced at a time when Ghana is experiencing recurrent unannounced power outages, leading many to draw parallels to the dumsor era.

    “#VoteForChange if you’re tired of dumsor, incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, celebrated mediocrity, inflated infrastructure contracts,” his tweet of November 16, 2016, at 9:00 AM, said.

    Despite government denials, particularly through the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), suggesting that the outages may be due to localized faults, calls for a timetable for power outages have been disregarded.

    Instead, citizens have been advised to devise their own schedules for managing the outages. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Democrats have announced plans to bring the Dumsor Vigil from Kumasi to Accra.

  • I have asked Mahama to anticipate inheriting ‘dumsor’ from corrupt NPP – NDC MP

    I have asked Mahama to anticipate inheriting ‘dumsor’ from corrupt NPP – NDC MP

    The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has emphasized that despite the resolution efforts during former President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure, the return of inconsistent power supply, (dumsor), has reemerged under the Akufo-Addo administration.

    Mr Buah, who formerly served as Energy Minister, revealed that he has personally cautioned President Mahama to brace for potential dumsor should he assume the presidency again.

    He attributed the current energy challenges to what he described as incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption within the present administration.

    Mr Buah criticized the government’s refusal to provide a timetable for the ongoing load shedding, accusing them of undermining the intelligence and sensitivity of Ghanaians.

    According to him, financial constraints have hindered the government’s ability to procure sufficient fuel for certain thermal plants, exacerbating the generation issues.

    Speaking on Rainbow Radio 92.4 FM, UK, Buah highlighted the investments made by the former president in the energy sector, which he claimed successfully mitigated the crisis prior to the end of Mahama’s term.

    “This government has not added a single megawatt of power to what it inherited; however, it has mismanaged the energy it inherited and plunged the country into another energy crisis. Former President John Dramani Mahama resolved the energy crisis before leaving office through the number of investments and infrastructure projects he embarked on.

    …But this government has destroyed all these gains made in the energy sector. It was not easy to resolve the crisis, but the visionary Mills-Mahama government was focused, and through the several investments made, it was resolved.

    “The Mahama administration brought in the Ameri Plant, the Karpowership, and others as part of the efforts to resolve the crisis, but today, the current administration has destroyed the gains. Aside from these, the Mahama administration, which faced power crisis head-on, introduced the Energy Sector Levy (ESLA) to address the legacy debts, crippling stakeholders in the value chain, and lobbied the US government for Compact II of the Millennium Challenge Account, $500 million to retool the ECG to reduce commercial losses affecting the company’s operations,” he stated.

    He emphasized that the current administration has failed to add any significant power capacity inherited from its predecessor, while also alleging the mismanagement of existing resources.

    Mr Buah credited the Mills-Mahama government’s focused approach and various investments for resolving the energy crisis before the end of their tenure.

    Furthermore, he lauded Mahama’s administration for introducing key initiatives such as the Ameri Plant and the Karpowership, as well as securing funding like the Energy Sector Levy (ESLA) and the Compact II of the Millennium Challenge Account from the US government.

    Mr Buah expressed confidence that a future NDC government, led by Mahama, would effectively address the energy crisis based on his extensive experience in handling such challenges.

  • You are unprofessional – Buaben Asamoa tells journalist for accusing NPP of bribery

    You are unprofessional – Buaben Asamoa tells journalist for accusing NPP of bribery

    A heated exchange erupted between a member of Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change (M4C), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, and Citi TV journalist Umaru Sanda Amadu regarding allegations of bribery within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the April 23 broadcast of Citi FM’s Eye Witness News.

    The clash ensued following allegations made by Alfred Ababio Kumi, an NPP member who recently claimed to have led 6,000 individuals to defect from Alan’s movement to the NPP.

    Buaben Asamoa fired back, accusing Kumi of being paid to smear the movement’s reputation.

    “I know for a fact that he has been enticed by money…it is an ongoing process by NPP apparatchiks to try and bribe younger people from the movement.”

    “I am not interested in how much.” Umaru pressed further, seeking concrete evidence of the bribery claims.

    When pressed by the journalist to disclose the amount of money involved, Buaben Asamoa declined, stating, “I am not interested in how much.” Despite further probing for evidence of the bribery allegations, Buaben Asamoa remained evasive.

    Challenging the integrity of the M4C, Amadu questioned the strength of its convictions if members could be swayed by financial incentives.

    Buaben Asamoa defended the movement, urging the journalist not to make generalizations based on individual actions.

    Tensions heightened when Amadu inquired whether Buaben Asamoa himself had been approached with bribes, to which Buaben Asamoa retorted, “I am not interested in that question because I am not interested in following this process the way you want to.”

    Read an excerpt of their conversation below:

    Buaben: I know for a fact that he has been enticed by money and that it is not a process that is one-off; it is an ongoing process by NPP apparatchiks to try and bribe younger people from the movement because they know that the movement is focused on bringing relief to younger people because the movement is ongoing and it is viable and very powerful.

    And so young people who are part of the movement are being targeted with cash, with money. It is a process that is deliberately ongoing. Mr Kumi has been paid money

    Umaru: Do you know how much?

    Buaben: I am not interested in how much.

    Umaru: No, if a lawyer of your calibre can make a claim that someone has been paid money and not state how much money, then that is you peddling falsehood and that cannot stand in any jurisdiction.

    Buaben: I accept; you are interviewing me, if you think it is a falsehood, you have your opinion

    Umaru: You told us that the movement was built on conviction, which is why people like yourself joined, if people who joined the movement because they were convinced by what Alan was preaching could be bought back by money, then it means your movement, the conviction is not convincing.

    Buaben: You see, you want to keep me attacking your personality; have I been bought? If one person has been bought, why do you want to extend it to the entire movement, it is not professional.

    Question the man who has been bought; don’t question the entire movement. Question the man’s conviction; don’t question the entire movement. Don’t conclude about an entire movement based on one man’s slippage because that person has slipped… I am sitting here. Have I slipped, and have I been paid?

    Umaru: Have you been approached?

    Buaben: Umaru Sanda, I am not interested in that question because I am not interested in following this process the way you want to; the way you are going is totally unprofessional; you are believing something that is a figment of somebody; you are seeking to make a mountain out of something that does not exist.

  • I couldn’t stop the demolishing of my house because I have no power – Ken Agyapong’s brother

    I couldn’t stop the demolishing of my house because I have no power – Ken Agyapong’s brother

    A financier of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), George Oti Bonsu, has spoken out about the demolition of his property in Adjiriganor, an Accra suburb, amid a land dispute involving the family of the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia.

    During a press conference held this week at the demolition site, which occurred in the first week of April, Bonsu expressed his frustration at the unjust destruction of his investment, despite court orders to the contrary.

    He attributed the issue to the close ties of those involved to positions of power, insinuating that this influenced the outcome.

    Mr Bonsu recounted his attempts to resolve the matter with the Ramadan family, who contest ownership of the land with him, but lamented that his appeals went unheeded.

    “Abu Ramadan and the Second Lady, I sent a delegation to them asking them to take the facility (as a gift), I did all it takes including approaching President Kufuor who dispatched Fred Oware to look into the matter.

    “But Abu Ramadan insisted that his father bought the parcel during his days as a police and they needed it demolished to build a family house. I asked that they share the houses instead of demolishing them but this is what power can do.

    “This can happen to anyone and National Security has yet to bring them (demolishing party) to book. I took every necessary step but what power can do is what has played out,” he lamented.

    Highlighting his legitimate acquisition of the land from the three families who are its legal custodians, Oti Bonsu challenged the opposing party to produce similar evidence.

    The demolition was brought to light through a social media post by Ken Agyapong’s son, accompanied by a video captioned

  • CPP files injunction application to halt Ejisu by-election

    CPP files injunction application to halt Ejisu by-election

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has taken legal action against the Electoral Commission (EC) by filing an interlocutory injunction application, seeking to halt the Ejisu by-election.

    The CPP’s move is aimed at preventing the April 30 by-election from proceeding until a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission, initiated by Emmanuel Gallo, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the CPP, seeking to stop one Esther Osei from representing the party in the poll, is determined.

    Among the six reliefs sought by the party, it is praying the court to declare that no Constituency Branch Conference of the CPP has been held in Ejisu to elect Esther Osei or anybody as a Parliamentary candidate.

    “That on record, no Constituency Branch Conference of the CPP has been held in Ejisu and elected the said Esther Osei or anybody as a Parliamentary candidate for consideration and approval by the CPP’s Central Committee to be submitted to Defendant as CPP’s Parliamentary candidate for the said Ejisu Constituency by-election.”

    The party added that its “Central Committee has not considered and approved the said Esther Osei or any other person to contest on the ticket and behalf of the CPP as a political party, regarding the Defendant’s intended Ejisu Constituency by-election.

    The party argues that any candidate purportedly representing the CPP in the by-election, particularly Esther Osei, has not been officially endorsed through the party’s internal processes as mandated by its constitution.

    The CPP contends that the selection of a parliamentary candidate for the constituency should involve the Constituency Branch Party Conference, followed by approval from the Central Committee, which has not occurred in this instance.

    In its legal action, the CPP seeks a declaration affirming that the party’s Central Committee has not endorsed Esther Osei or any other candidate to contest on behalf of the CPP in the Ejisu Constituency by-election.

    The party is seeking an injunction from the High Court to halt the by-election until its claims and demands are determined.

  • We have no knowledge of recent renaming considerations – Ho Technical University

    We have no knowledge of recent renaming considerations – Ho Technical University

    The Ho Technical University’s administration states it lacks knowledge of recent endeavors to rename the institution.

    This statement follows strong opposition from the Asogli State Chiefs against a government proposal to rename the university after Dr. Ephriam Amu.

    Initially disclosed in February 2018, the decision has faced criticism from the Traditional Council for its lack of consultation with key stakeholders.

    On Monday, April 22, 2024, the council expressed deep disappointment with both the government and the university’s governing council for proceeding with the renaming without engaging major stakeholders, notably the Asogli State Council, the custodians of the land.

    The Asogli State Council denounced the decision as regrettable, poorly conceived, and disrespectful, as it disregarded the perspectives of those directly affected.

    On Tuesday, April 23, the university’s management confirmed receipt of a letter dated April 20, 2024, directed to the Vice-Chancellor and signed by the Secretary to the Asogli State Council on behalf of the Asogli State Council.

    The management acknowledged the press conference held by the traditional leaders before they delivered their letter to the University.

    However, the management underscored its lack of awareness regarding any recent efforts to rename the University. It clarified that the Vice-Chancellor neither received an invitation to nor participated in any meeting or event related to the renaming of the University.

    The management stated that the university has initiated steps to engage with the Asogli Traditional Council to address any concerns regarding this matter, aiming to ensure the peace and progress of Ho Technical University, the leading tertiary institution in the Volta Region.

    “is not aware of any recent attempts to rename the University.”

    The management added that “The Vice-Chancellor has neither been invited to nor participated in any meeting or event regarding renaming of the University.”

  • Job seekers in Ghana are more than entrepreneurs – Basil Anthony

    Job seekers in Ghana are more than entrepreneurs – Basil Anthony

    CEO of Modern Floors Ghana, Basil David Anthony, has voiced apprehension regarding the nation’s educational system, arguing that it’s generating more individuals seeking jobs than those creating them.

    In an exclusive interview on the Happy Morning Show with Sefah Danquah, Mr Anthony stressed the imperative of fostering a shift towards empowering people to become creators of opportunities rather than mere seekers.

    “One fundamental issue facing us as a country right now is that we’re creating too many job seekers. We need more job creators, and we need to empower people to take up that challenge,” Anthony asserted.

    “It’s all about your dream and focus. Not everyone can come out from school and commit to the usual 9-5. Some of us need to be job creators,” he added.

    He highlighted the limitations of the conventional 9-to-5 employment model, underscoring the necessity of instilling entrepreneurial mindsets early on.

    Anthony’s comments come in the context of Ghana’s soaring unemployment rates, particularly among its youth.

    With a population exceeding 30 million, he questioned the capacity of both the government and private sectors to absorb the annual influx of job seekers into the market.

    “Schooling and everything is good, but after where is the current employment and unemployment rate at? Because there are only two sectors who can employ you, which is the government or public and the private. How many people can the government employ in a country over 30 million population?” he posited.

    The CEO’s advocacy for a transition towards entrepreneurship and job creation resonates with government initiatives aimed at fostering self-employment and small business growth to tackle the unemployment crisis.

    For years, experts have urged a reevaluation of Ghana’s educational curriculum to integrate entrepreneurial skills and mindsets, equipping students with the tools needed to identify and capitalize on business opportunities post-graduation.

  • You have May ending to provide audited finances – Akufo-Addo orders SOEs

    You have May ending to provide audited finances – Akufo-Addo orders SOEs

    President Akufo-Addo has mandated all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to present their audited financial statements for the year 2023 by May 2024, warning of sanctions for non-compliance.

    The president issued this directive during the 2024 annual policy and governance forum of state-owned enterprises, affirming his commitment to ensuring strict adherence to the requirement.

    This forum serves to assess the performance of all SOEs for the year, as they play a vital role in supporting the government’s mandate.

    Addressing the launch of a policy on corporate governance, President Akufo-Addo urged all SOEs to meet the May 15 deadline for submitting their audited accounts.

    He emphasized that failure to meet this deadline could negatively affect financing arrangements with the World Bank.

    Under the Public Finance Management Act, specified entities are required to submit audited financial statements by the end of April each year.

    The president’s directive aims to tackle delays in submission and enhance the overall performance of SOEs.

    Acting Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), John Boadu, believes the new policy will improve corporate governance and reduce reliance on the government.

    SIGA pledges to closely monitor SOEs’ compliance with the directive and take appropriate action against those failing to meet the deadline.

    “Failure to achieve this target will affect adversely the terms of our financing arrangements with the World Bank. The preparation and publication of SOEs have always suffered delays due to a litany of constraints. Key among them is non-compliance for public entities to the submission of financial statements. In 2020, SOEs were published in March 2022.”

    “The 2021 SOE was published in January 2024, this year. The 2022 SOE is now at the final stage of completion. We should not tolerate these delays any further. All board chairs, entities and management teams are hereby instructed to comply fully with the submission requirements from SIGA. The Public Finance Management Act mandates the submission of audited financial statements of specified entities by the end of April each year.”

  • SML received GHS1bn from GRA since 2018 – KPMG audit report

    SML received GHS1bn from GRA since 2018 – KPMG audit report

    An audit conducted by KPMG into the revenue mobilization transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML) has unveiled that the latter received a total of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to the present date.

    The revelation surfaced in a press statement issued by the Communications Director of the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, on Wednesday, April 24.

    President Akufo-Addo commissioned KPMG to audit the contract between the two entities on January 2, 2024.

    The audit’s deadline was initially set for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, but was extended to Friday, February 23, 2024.

    As the deadline approached, many Ghanaians urged the president to release the report’s findings to the public.

    According to the April 24 press statement from the Presidency, “the total fees paid under the contracts from 2018 to the date of suspension amount to GH¢1,061,054,778.00. No fee has been paid for the upstream petroleum audit and minerals audit services.”

    Furthermore, it mentioned that “the total fees estimated to be paid to SML under the 2023 Contract for five years is GH¢5,173,091,857.00, which averages to about GH¢1 billion per year.”

    After a comprehensive examination of the audit report, the president supported the recommendation to terminate the upstream petroleum and minerals audit services previously rendered to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) by Strategic Management Limited (SML).

    Additionally, he instructed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance to renegotiate the contract.

  • It is your job to provide us electricity, not a favour – PPP

    It is your job to provide us electricity, not a favour – PPP

    Chairman of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu, has criticized the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for its failure to provide Ghanaians with a load-shedding timetable amidst ongoing power cuts, locally known as “dumsor”.

    During a discussion on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Nana Owusu expressed deep concern over the detrimental impact of erratic electricity supply on businesses and communities across the nation.

    He condemned the lack of transparency and accountability from the ECG, emphasizing the urgent need for clear communication and direction from the authorities.

    According to him, the Ministry of Energy and the electricity suppliers, particularly ECG, are solely responsible for the plight of Ghanaians as a result of the power cuts.

    Nana Owusu highlighted the absence of a comprehensive power schedule, leaving citizens in the dark and unable to plan their activities effectively.

    He further stressed the importance of providing guidance to help Ghanaians mitigate the adverse effects of power disruptions on their livelihoods.

    “We need direction. Leaders must come and tell us directions. You are there; you are accountable to the people. You have collected our money.

    “We pay taxes. You owe us to make sure we have lights. You are not doing us any favour…This thing is becoming unbecoming!” Owusu exclaimed, expressing the frustration and dissatisfaction of Ghanaians.

  • Not everyone can resort to a generator, let there be light – Gideon Boako tells ECG

    Not everyone can resort to a generator, let there be light – Gideon Boako tells ECG

    Dr. Gideon Boako who is the spokesperson for Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to urgently address the ongoing power outages in the country.

    Speaking on Peace FM he emphasised the critical importance of reliable electricity supply in the 21st century.

    Dr. Boako expressed deep concern over the persistent power cuts, locally known as “dumsor,” highlighting the significant impact they have on the daily lives of Ghanaians.

    He stressed that in today’s modern society, virtually everyone relies on electricity for various essential activities, and any interruption in power supply poses serious challenges.

    The economic advisor underscored the importance of uninterrupted electricity for businesses, households, and essential services, urging the ECG to take immediate action to restore stable power supply across the nation.

    “Let there be light, there must be light, it’s very worrying, in this 21st century virtually everyone depends on light. If the light is taken for a second it becomes a problem. Not everyone can resort to a generator,” he stated.

    He called on the ECG to prioritize addressing the root causes of the power challenges and implementing effective solutions to prevent future disruptions.

    Dr. Boako also urged the company to enhance transparency and communication with the public regarding the status of power supply and any planned maintenance activities.

  • Nobody can order the publication of dumsor timetable except NAPO – Osafo-Maafo

    Nobody can order the publication of dumsor timetable except NAPO – Osafo-Maafo

    Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo has stated that the responsibility for releasing a load-shedding timetable lies with the Energy Minister, citing the minister’s oversight of power generation as the basis for this authority.

    He clarified that the decision to publish such a schedule can indeed be implemented, highlighting the importance of effectively managing available power resources.

    Osafo-Maafo made these remarks during a forum on open government partnerships and construction sector transparency in Accra, on Tuesday, April 23.

    He emphasized the need for coordination between power generation and utilization to determine the areas and timings for rationing electricity.

    Meanwhile, Energy Minister Dr. Opoku Prempeh has dismissed calls for a timetable, asserting that the country is not currently experiencing power outages.

    This assertion contradicts the widespread reports of sporadic power cuts, commonly referred to as ‘Dumsor,’ that have affected various sectors.

    In Parliament, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has assured the public that the government is actively addressing the issue.

    He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to resolve the situation effectively, citing past successes in maintaining a steady power supply under challenging circumstances.

    Despite these assurances, the persistence of ‘Dumsor’ continues to impact businesses and communities across Ghana, raising concerns about its long-term effects on the economy and livelihoods.

  • NDC covered only 10% of AMERI Plant expenses – Saaka Salia

    NDC covered only 10% of AMERI Plant expenses – Saaka Salia

    A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, Saaka Salia, has defended President Akufo-Addo’s choice to relocate and rename the African and Middle East Resources Investment Group Plant (AMERI Plant).

    During an interview on GHOne TV on April 22, 2024, Saaka Salia argued that although the AMERI plant was initially brought in and commissioned under the John Dramani Mahama administration, it was the Akufo-Addo government that predominantly financed the project.

    He clarified that while the Mahama administration contributed only 10% of the project’s cost, the Akufo-Addo government covered about 90% of the expenses before the plant became Ghana’s full property.

    “… Let Ghanaians understand that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paid for the AMERI. John Mahama didn’t use his money to pay for it and Nana Addo didn’t also use his money to pay for it. But the NPP government paid 90% of the AMERI deal because it was BOOT (Build, Operates, Own and Transfer).

    “So, the AMERI that they said is their project… at the end of the day, you went and hired it and the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government paid 90% of the AMERI price. Because it was commissioned in 2016, you only paid for one year, the rest of the four years were paid by the Akufo-Addo regime,” he said.

    “Once it is the property of Ghana, we should not let it be here and rot. Let us make the maximum use of it. Then we decided to take six of the turbines and then we sent them to Kumasi. And that is the first time that we have such a plant in Kumasi.”

  • By-election not influencing construction of roads in Ejisu – Asenso Boakye

    By-election not influencing construction of roads in Ejisu – Asenso Boakye

    The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso Boakye, has dismissed allegations suggesting that recent infrastructure improvements in the Ejisu constituency are linked to the upcoming by-election.

    Following the demise of Member of Parliament Dr. John Kumah, the Electoral Commission has set April 30 as the date for the by-election.

    Despite accusations leveled against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of initiating significant infrastructure projects, such as road construction, to influence voters, Asenso Boakye clarified that the ongoing construction began before the election cycle.

    He stressed the proactive role played by the late MP in advancing these projects, highlighting their bipartisan nature.

    Asenso Boakye reassured constituents that his involvement is solely to oversee ongoing initiatives, reiterating that these developments are part of the Ministry’s regular agenda and are unrelated to the impending by-election.

    “In fact, the MP who passed on was very instrumental in making sure that all these projects were designed and constructed. It is just unfortunate that he passed on. My job is to come and inspect what is going on here. So be rest assured that this is not a by-election project. These are the normal other projects that the ministry has been implementing.”

  • UNICEF is yet to deliver $81.8m worth of COVID-19 drugs to Ghana – Dafeamekpor

    UNICEF is yet to deliver $81.8m worth of COVID-19 drugs to Ghana – Dafeamekpor

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has accused UNICEF of failing to deliver COVID-19 medications, leaving Ghana with a substantial debt of US$81,870,379.80.

    Speaking to the media, Mr Dafeamekpor expressed frustration at the apparent loss of funds and the failure to hold UNICEF accountable.

    According to him, the Ministry of Health paid US$120,192,379.80 to UNICEF for COVID-19 vaccines, but only a fraction of the ordered vaccines were delivered, leaving a substantial outstanding amount.

    “That is why people like me don’t attend any programmes organized by UNICEF. I cannot understand why UNICEF would take our money with the intention of supplying us with COVID-19 drugs, yet they are unable to supply the entire order and retain the rest of the funds. We’ve organized several press conferences, but nothing has come out of it. We need to hold multinational agencies like UNICEF accountable. This behaviour is unacceptable.”

    He cited paragraph 76 of an audit report, which highlighted the discrepancy between the funds paid and the vaccines delivered.

    “Reading from Page 21, paragraph 76 of the audit report we noted that the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, paid US$120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT for the supply of 16,025,650 vaccines under the agreement. However, only 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at US$38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room, resulting in an outstanding amount of US$81,870,379.80 with UNICEF/AVAT.’”

    Further details from paragraphs 77 to 80 of the audit report stated the following.

    1. This discrepancy could lead to financial loss if the contract is not renegotiated to recover the outstanding amount.
    2. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health explained that the payment was made in anticipation of receiving all the vaccines within a short timeframe for vaccination in the country. However, unexpected vaccine donations, limited vaccine storage capacity, and slow uptake by Ghanaians for vaccination made it impossible to receive the Janssen vaccines that had been paid for.
    3. We recommended that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health renegotiate with UNICEF/AVAT to recover the outstanding amount.
    4. Management responded that the Ministry has initiated its own renegotiation process with the World Bank. A meeting has been held between the Minister and the Bank, followed by a letter to the Bank to commence the renegotiation process.

    “What should Parliament do? We have summoned the Minister several times. His responds are neither here nor there. It is the government that must demand its money back. When I say government, I mean the executives who made the payment. They must seek a refund from the UNICEF headquarters.”

    The audit report recommended renegotiating with UNICEF to recover the outstanding amount, acknowledging the risk of financial loss if not addressed.

    Mr Dafeamekpor criticized the government’s handling of the situation, expressing disappointment at the lack of concrete action to recover the funds.

    He emphasized the need for accountability and urged the government to demand a refund from UNICEF headquarters.

    Regarding parliamentary action, Dafeamekpor questioned the effectiveness of summoning the Minister and suggested that it is ultimately the government’s responsibility to seek reimbursement.

  • Bawumia’s running mate is loved by Manhyia – Kwame Nkrumah Tikese hints

    Bawumia’s running mate is loved by Manhyia – Kwame Nkrumah Tikese hints

    The flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has purportedly forwarded his preferred choice for a running mate in the upcoming December 7 presidential election to the party’s leadership.

    Renowned broadcaster, Kwame Nkrumah Tikese disclosed during his Ade Akye Abia program on Okay FM, on Monday, April 4, 2024, that several prominent figures within the NPP, including the vice president’s chosen running mate, have confirmed the submission of a name.

    According to Nkrumah Tikese, one of the primary factors behind Bawumia’s selection was the influence of the Manhyia Palace.

    “What I’m hearing is that His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has submitted the choice of his running mate to the leadership long ago. I called about 50 people and they told me that he had already submitted his choice of running mate… They have given me the name of the person and just this morning the person confirmed it.

    “I won’t mention the name of the person but I would give his attributes. The person is loved by Manhyia. When Bawumia wanted to become the flagbearer, he went to speak to Manhyia and they also told him that if he was made the flagbearer, they (the chiefs) would also choose their own (as his running mate). This is the first reason,” he said.

    Nkrumah Tikese refrained from disclosing the name of the individual but provided attributes, indicating that the person is highly regarded by Manhyia.

    Additionally, Nkrumah Tikese highlighted the individual’s wealth as another significant factor, emphasizing the party’s need for campaign funds to retain power.

    “The party needs money for campaign and the person also made a lot of money at the two ministries he has headed…The person went to the Education and Energy ministries and Bawumia also needs money,” he said.

  • Miracle needed to save Ghana cedi – Forex Bureaux Association

    The Ghana Association of Forex Bureaux has warned that the Ghana cedi’s current decline, combined with historical trends during election years, suggests that only a miracle can save the currency.

    With an 11 percent depreciation against the US dollar this year, the cedi ranks among the world’s worst-performing currencies.

    Vice President of the Association, Dr. Alex Akpabli, blames economic instability and increased election-related spending for the currency’s troubles.

    “We are not doing things right, which is affecting the cedi,” Dr Akpabli said.

    “Looking at the trends, and this year also being an election year, the government would have to spend a lot to be retained. I am not politicising, but that is the case.”

    “From my experiences over the years, I don’t see any appreciation going forward unless something dramatically or miraculously happens,” he said.

    “We are not doing things that will bring foreign currencies into the country. We need to be innovative. otherwise, we will always see ourselves in a vicious cycle”.

    Based on his extensive experience, Dr. Akpabli doubts there will be any positive change without significant intervention.

    Regarding Fitch’s projection of a 1.0% cedi appreciation against the US dollar in 2024, Dr. Akpabli warns that without innovative measures to attract foreign currency, Ghana risks continuing its cycle of depreciation.

  • ARC can transform Ghana; give us a chance – Abu Sakara to Ghanaians

    ARC can transform Ghana; give us a chance – Abu Sakara to Ghanaians

    Co-convener of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC) and former Convention People’s Party (CPP) flagbearer, Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, has urged Ghanaians to grant them the mandate in the upcoming 2024 elections to drive transformation in Ghana.

    He highlighted that both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have grown indifferent to the needs of Ghanaians, stressing the importance of breaking away from the existing duopoly.

    During an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV, Dr. Abu Sakara remarked, “It’s time for us to give people an alternative. If there’s been stagnation in the duopoly, it’s time for them to give an alternative where they will be part of it. We have decided to focus on a 7-point agenda, that becomes the basis for any future interventions to form a framework to reform the country and restore it to the path we want to travel on and reset it.

    “We believe there has to be transformation both in governance and the economy. The changes we want to see are in quantum leaps that will transform the economy and society. The message to Ghanaians is that you have tried 32 years of this, and this [ARC] is an alternative why don’t you try this for a change? If you give us the mandate we’re going to do A, B, C, and D in a way that will give us a different result from what you have had before.”

    Dr. Abu Sakara dismissed assertions that ARC members are merely seeking to crown a king rather than establish a third force capable of breaking the duopoly.

    “We’re not here for kingmaking, the purpose of this alliance is to be an alternative, political force, now and in the future. So, we’re laying the foundation, if you’re kingmaking, you’re doing it for the moment. But we’re laying the foundation which is why it has taken us time to build it.

    “That is why we didn’t have an alliance of convenience; we had an alliance of Memorandum of Understanding which laid out the vision, objectives and framework, and how it will transcend. This is not just a knee-jerk reaction; it is well thought-out. We believe it is going to provide an alternative to Ghanaians and fulfil their yearning for an alternative of NDC, NPP,” he told host Bernard Avle.

    Expressing concerns about the ‘winner takes all’ dynamic post-election, Dr. Abu Sakara advocated for reforms to shift this paradigm.

    On Thursday, April 4, independent presidential candidate Alan John Kyerematen announced a strategic collaboration with the National Interest Movement (NIM), led by Abu Sakara, in preparation for the 2024 elections.

    This partnership, branded as ‘The Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC)’, was formally launched on April 17.

    The ARC aims to unite Ghanaians from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on engaging youth and women, in an effort to elect Ghana’s first independent presidential candidate.

  • Ashanti region: One killed following heavy rainstorm at Jacobu

    Ashanti region: One killed following heavy rainstorm at Jacobu


    A 37-year-old man tragically lost his life in Jacobu, located in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti region, following a severe rainstorm that caused numerous facilities to collapse.

    Reports from residents indicate that the deceased, identified as Kwabena Emma, was swept away by the deluge on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

    According to eyewitnesses who spoke to OTEC News Reporter Jacob Agyenim Boateng, Kwabena Emma sought refuge in front of a shop during the relentless rainfall but later attempted to return home as the downpour persisted.

    Under circumstances suggesting possible intoxication, Kwabena Emma stumbled and tragically drowned in a large gutter along his route home.

    Furthermore, the rainstorm wreaked havoc on the technical block of Jacobu Senior High Technical School, causing significant damage to the roofing. The boys’ dormitory also suffered flooding, affecting numerous students.

    Expressing concern over the situation, Amansie Central District Chief Executive, Micheal Donkor, emphasized the gravity of the events. He pledged the Assembly’s support for the affected victims, particularly the school, while urging charitable organizations and individuals to join efforts in providing relief for the affected students.

  • Man arrested for uploading ex-lovers nude videos

    Man arrested for uploading ex-lovers nude videos

    A 31-year-old Nigerian national, identified as Paul Efeturi Niboro, also known as Paul Kwame Niboro, has been detained in prison custody by the High Court.

    The allegations against him include uploading sexually explicit videos of a Jehovah’s Witness woman, with whom he had engaged in a romantic relationship, onto a pornographic website.

    Despite facing 10 charges, including fraud, dissemination of obscene material, forgery, and sexual extortion, the accused pleaded not guilty to all counts.

    The victim, a 40-year-old African-American residing in Brandywine, USA, allegedly fell victim to the accuser’s deceitful tactics.

    Pretending to be a Cyber Security Analyst employed by IBM in Canada, the accused manipulated the victim into believing various fabricated stories, leading to financial exploitation.

    Although the defense sought bail, highlighting the accused’s cooperation with legal proceedings, the prosecution objected, citing the gravity of the charges.

    Presiding over the case, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo instructed the prosecution to furnish the court with necessary disclosure documents ahead of the next hearing scheduled for May 16.

    Subsequent investigations uncovered a plethora of incriminating evidence against the accused, including forged documents and coerced explicit material shared without consent.

    The accused’s actions, characterized by deception and exploitation, highlight the seriousness of the allegations and the imperative for a meticulous legal process to ensure justice prevails.

  • Estate developer levels charges against Abu Ramadan over unlawful property demolition

    Estate developer levels charges against Abu Ramadan over unlawful property demolition

    Accusations have been leveled by Accra-based estate developer Mr. George Oti Bonsu against Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Abu Ramadan, alleging the unauthorized demolition of his property valued at several thousand Ghana cedis.

    Speaking to the media at a press conference in Accra on Monday, April 22, 2024, Mr. Benjamin Danso, spokesperson for Mr. George Oti Bonsu, disclosed that the demolition took place with a significant display of force, involving the presence of both police and military personnel.

    Ten apartments, each consisting of five bedrooms, were destroyed by individuals in uniform.

    According to Mr. Danso, security officers forcibly entered the property in the early hours of Sunday, April 7, 2024, seizing phones, assaulting individuals, and preventing residents from contacting the police.

    He asserted that the demolition was conducted without lawful authorization, as the court had not sanctioned such action, despite pending motions.

    The circumstances surrounding the demolition, including the timing and the involvement of unidentified security personnel, raised serious legal and ethical concerns.

    Mr. Danso questioned the legitimacy of the operation, particularly the participation of individuals in police and military attire, suggesting potential rogue elements operating outside official protocols.

    Furthermore, Mr. Danso raised doubts about the validity of documents presented by one Hajia Aisha Ahmed, alleging that they contained forged signatures and pertained to land beyond the jurisdiction of the Okpong We family, the allodial landowners.

    He also questioned the authenticity of the land sale to the Second Lady, claiming that the selling party had no rightful authority to conduct such transactions.

    Mr. Danso called upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the demolition, citing statements made by Charles Edem Agudogo, legal counsel for Hajia Aisha Ahmed, implicating his involvement in the demolition during a radio interview on Accra-based Asempa FM on April 8, 2024.

    “The accusations and counterclaims surrounding the demolition underscored the complex legal and property rights issues at play, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the truth and ensure justice,” he noted.

  • Kudos for keeping your cool despite tantrums from gay CNN journalist – Sam George lauds Dr Amin

    Kudos for keeping your cool despite tantrums from gay CNN journalist – Sam George lauds Dr Amin

    Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has lauded the minister-designate for finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam for taking a bold stance amidst what he perceives as an intimidation from CNN journalist, Richard Quest.

    During a recent interview, the CNN journalist inquired about Mr Amin’s thoughts on the anti-LGBT+ Bill passed by Parliament.

    In response, the minister-designate stated it is not in his place to instruct or meddle in the judgement of the Supreme Court while there’s an injunction on the Bill.

    He asserted his commitment to abiding by the laws of the country, stating that if the Supreme Court rules on the case and the president assents to it, he will comply.

    “The most important thing is to discuss the effects of the law when passed… Having said that, it is not for me to give the determination to the Supreme Court of our country.

    “Let me state my point clearly again, there is a case before the Supreme Court and I am not going to prejudice the determination of the Supreme Court,” he said.

    Watch video below:

    However, taking to the X platform, Sam George expressed administration for the minister-designate, highlighting his intelligence in handling the situation.


    “I must commend Hon. Amin Adam for keeping his cool and maintaining his stance on him being subject to the laws of Ghana. As for the very gay

    @richardquest, it is unsurprising his emotional tantrums. Would he dare such uncouth behaviour with any of the Arab Sheikhs he interviews?,” he wrote.

    According to him, Richard Quest would not dare to employ his “uncouth behaviour on any of the Arab Sheikhs he interviews”.


    The anti-LGBT+ Bill was passed by Parliament in February, but President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has deferred his decision on signing it until the Bill’s constitutionality is determined by the Supreme Court.

    Currently, two cases challenging the Bill’s constitutionality have been filed in the Supreme Court.

  • KODA’s death ‘forces’ celebrities to open about fight against G6PD deficiency

    KODA’s death ‘forces’ celebrities to open about fight against G6PD deficiency

    Following the passing of gospel musician KODA, several other celebrities have stepped forward to share their experiences battling G6PD Deficiency, shedding light on the difficulties faced by those living with the condition.

    Among them are presenter and entrepreneur Cynthia Tima Yeboah, also known as Tima Kumkum, and Karen Kash Kane, who have opened up about their personal encounters with the disorder.

    Before his demise, KODA disclosed receiving incorrect medication for eight months because doctors failed to identify his G6PD Deficiency, resulting in a deterioration of his health.

    G6PD deficiency is characterized by the body’s lack of or insufficient production of an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), crucial for the proper functioning of red blood cells.

    Karen shared that she discovered her G6PD Deficiency during a comprehensive lab test while pregnant with her son six years ago, subsequently confirming that she had passed the condition on to her child.

    She emphasized the precautions she takes to manage the condition, including avoiding malaria drugs and products containing sulfur, like naphthalene balls.

    Tima Kumkum also discussed her struggles with G6PD Deficiency, highlighting its severity and how it nearly cost her life. This experience inspired her to establish a foundation aimed at raising awareness about the condition.

    Both individuals are dedicated to increasing advocacy efforts for G6PD Deficiency in hopes of saving more lives.

  • Mahama’s dumsor worse than current power outages – Prof Adei

    Mahama’s dumsor worse than current power outages – Prof Adei

    Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has remarked that the current power outages are not as dire as the erratic power supply (Dumsor) experienced during the Mahama administration.

    However, he cautioned that if the current situation is not adequately addressed, the challenge could worsen.

    “The power crisis is not as bad as the Dumsor days but if we don’t take care it will only get worse,” he told TV3’s Beatrice Adu in an interview on Monday, April 22.

    He said “so the first thing is that if there are bottlenecks which are not allowing us to use the existing capacity to the fullest, they must be addressed. But in the long run, we must have a national strategic agenda. You can go solar, immediately the government should allow all solar panels and anything to do with it import duty-free because in the end the country and the government will win. We must have a strategy to make sure that we have a long-term solution nd the efficiency of the ECG must also improve.”

    Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Beatrice Adu on Monday, April 22, Prof Adei suggested strategies for the government to tackle the current challenges.

    He emphasized the need to address bottlenecks hindering the use of existing capacity and advocated for a national strategic agenda, including the duty-free importation of solar panels to promote solar energy utilization.

    Additionally, he highlighted the importance of improving the efficiency of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for a long-term solution.

    On a similar note, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, acknowledged the frustration caused by the power outages in parts of the country.

    However, he assured the public that there is light at the end of the tunnel, attributing the situation to maintenance work by the ECG.

    He expressed confidence that the maintenance works would soon be completed, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, as seen under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Administration.

    Responding to criticism from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ahiagbah asserted that the NDC is in no position to criticize, given the challenges faced during the Mahama administration’s tenure, characterized by severe Dumsor.

  • This is why foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians will be taxed

    This is why foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians will be taxed

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has provided clarity regarding its decision to tax the foreign incomes of resident Ghanaians, citing the Tax Act 2015 (Act 896) as the legal basis.

    In a statement released on Monday, April 22, the GRA defended its decision and outlined the criteria for individuals affected by the tax.

    This decision was announced on Monday, April 15, as a replacement for the suspended VAT on electricity, which resulted in a revenue gap of approximately GH¢1.8 billion.

    According to the GRA, resident individuals for tax purposes encompass citizens with a permanent home in Ghana who reside in the country throughout the year, as well as those present in Ghana for at least 183 days within any 12-month period.

    Furthermore, government employees or officials posted abroad are also considered residents for tax purposes.

    To facilitate the tax rollout, the GRA has established a special window for taxpayers to rectify their records and declare any undisclosed incomes.

    The GRA emphasized the importance of utilizing this opportunity to regularize tax affairs for all eligible individuals.

    Below is GRA’s full statement.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has noted concerns raised by the general public on the tax status of individuals who earn incomes abroad and whether they are deemed by the Tax laws as “resident individuals” for tax purposes.

    In light of these concerns, it is important to clarify who qualifies as a resident individual for tax purposes.

    The legal definition of a resident individual for tax purposes is grounded in the Income Tax Act 2015 (Act 896), Sections 3 (2) (a), 103, and 111.

    Clarification of key details:

    Individuals considered resident for tax purposes:

    1. Are citizens with a permanent home in Ghana residing in the country throughout the year

    2. Are present in Ghana for at least 183 days in any 12-month period that begins or ends within the year

    3. Include government employees or officials posted abroad

    4. Are citizens temporarily absent from Ghana for not more than 365 continuous days who maintain a permanent home in Ghana

    To facilitate easier declaration and payment of taxes for resident individuals to report of undisclosed incomes, the GRA has opened a special window for taxpayers to rectify their records.

    All eligible individuals are strongly encouraged to utilize this opportunity to regularize their tax affairs.

  • Bawumia in Italy to meet Pope Francis for bilateral talks

    Bawumia in Italy to meet Pope Francis for bilateral talks

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has embarked on an official visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican State.

    A statement issued by spokesperson Dr. Gideon Boako indicated that the Vice President will engage in bilateral discussions with His Holiness Pope Francis.

    “The Pope’s message of love, mercy, and inclusive, which he has devoted himself to promoting unity and mutual understanding between all peoples, has been embraced around the world.

    “The meeting will highlight our common principles of peace, justice, and solidarity to guide us into a better future,” he added.

  • Afrangua residents discover dead body in a sack in front of church

    Afrangua residents discover dead body in a sack in front of church

    Residents of Afrangua near Saltpond in the Mfantsiman Municipality of the Central Region were startled to discover the body of a man, believed to be in his 40s, in a walkway.

    The lifeless body, wrapped in a sack, was found near the Roman Catholic Church, sending shockwaves through the community.

    Upon removing the sack, the badly decomposed remains of the victim were revealed, indicating that the individual may have been killed several days prior to the discovery.

    The victim, dressed in a t-shirt and pair of jeans, had his sandals placed together near his head inside the sack.

    Speaking to Adom News’ Seth Kofi Adjei, the Assemblyman for the Afrangua Electoral Area, Issah Alhassan, stated that the deceased was not recognized by anyone in the area.

    He suspected that the victim was killed elsewhere, placed inside the sack, and then abandoned in the vicinity.

    Mr. Alhassan noted that no missing person’s report had been filed, and the community had not made any prior discoveries along the route where the body was found.

    Meanwhile, the Police in Saltpond have transported the body to the Cape Coast mortuary for preservation pending investigations.

  • EC disposed faultless devices worth $150m for new ones – Bright Simons alleges

    EC disposed faultless devices worth $150m for new ones – Bright Simons alleges

    A vice president of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has leveled accusations against the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana (EC), alleging that it is discarding election equipment valued at over $150 million.

    According to Simons, the equipment, which includes biometric devices, is still in excellent condition but is being discarded to facilitate the procurement of new ones by the EC.

    Making these claims through a series of posts shared on X on Sunday, April 21, 2024, the IMANI vice president noted that his organization previously raised concerns about the EC’s intention to procure new equipment with the decision to compile a new voters register, but these concerns were disregarded.

    “The Auditor General REFUSED to conduct an asset audit of the existing EC biometric voting equipment to settle the issue of whether the country needed to spend $150m on new devices given the 1000s in stock of good condition. Finally, those devices have surfaced!

    “After waiting for us to ‘forget’ about the issue, the EC has quietly sneaked out the 1000s of devices purchased from 2016 to 2020 to a plant to “recycle” for cheap plastics & metals at a massive loss of millions of dollars! The IMF & World Bank subsidise this conduct!.

    “To throw away $150 million or so of equipment, many in perfect working condition, without a proper asset audit, just so you can push through fresh procurement is SHAMEFUL & the clear reason why Ghana eventually went bankrupt & went to the IMF, which seems happy condoning this,” he added.

    Mr Simons revealed that the EC has relocated the equipment used during the 2020 election to a warehouse, where they will be processed as scraps after the Auditor General failed to conduct an asset audit to determine the necessity of procuring new equipment.

    He further criticized the EC’s actions, labeling them as emblematic of the wastefulness within Ghana’s political system, which he finds alarming.

    Mr Simons also shared images of the purported equipment stored in a warehouse.

  • Your running mate must be named before May ending – Group tells Bawumia

    Your running mate must be named before May ending – Group tells Bawumia

    A group known as the Patriotic Movement for Bawumia is urging the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to announce his running mate before the end of May 2024.

    The pro-NPP group argues that an early announcement of the running mate would allow the party to kickstart a robust campaign, thus increasing their chances of success in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    During a press conference held in Kumasi on Sunday, April 21, 2024, the group stressed the importance of selecting a running mate to expand the party’s campaign outreach. They believe that the chosen individual will play a crucial role in disseminating the party’s message across the country.

    James Aggrey Fiifi Eshun, the spokesperson for the group and the second vice chairperson for the Oforikrom Constituency, cautioned Dr. Bawumia against succumbing to pressure from individuals vying for the running mate position.

    He criticized the publicity stunts employed by some individuals to garner attention from the flagbearer, deeming such actions unnecessary. Eshun emphasized that the running mate position within the NPP should not be subjected to competition, and therefore, lobbying and candidate advertisements should cease.

    “Pressure on Bawumia to name his running mate is unnecessary. We should give him the opportunity to select a person of his own. It is not a race so we should stop that advertisement of candidates,” he urged.

  • Stop trying to use money to buy our members – Movement for Change supporters tell NPP

    Stop trying to use money to buy our members – Movement for Change supporters tell NPP

    The Nationwide Supporters of Alan Cash (NAWSAC) have strongly condemned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for allegedly trying to sway young people from their allegiance to Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change by offering financial incentives.

    In a statement issued on Monday, April 22, 2024, NAWSAC expressed deep concern over what they perceive as the NPP’s unethical tactics and urged the youth not to succumb to monetary inducements.

    Luther-King Junior, the group’s convener, underscored the disillusionment of young people with both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) due to what they view as manipulative conduct.

    He reiterated their unwavering support for Alan Kyerematen’s leadership.

    The group also criticized the NPP’s apparent belief that monetary incentives could sway young people, labeling it as a misguided approach and a source of ridicule.

    NAWSAC emphasized that young people will no longer tolerate being taken for granted by the NPP and NDC.

    They urged those who rely on financial inducements in politics to acknowledge their shortsightedness and recognize that their efforts, such as poster campaigns and loud demonstrations, are insufficient to undermine the youth’s resolve for change.

    Find below the full statement

  • Your running mate decision should not be interfered – Group tells Bawumia

    Your running mate decision should not be interfered – Group tells Bawumia

    A group of New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives, grassroots members, and supporters advocating for the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a passionate plea for his autonomy in selecting his running mate without undue influence.

    Named the Patriotic Movement for Bawumia, the group urged Dr. Bawumia to resist external pressures from various party factions pushing for their preferred candidates as his running mate.

    According to a report from Dailyguidenetwork.com, during a press conference in Kumasi, the group criticized certain party factions’ activities and tactics, including press conferences, persistent delegations to Dr. Bawumia, petitions, and threatening remarks in the media.

    They stressed that such actions undermine Dr. Bawumia’s leadership and autonomy, suggesting a lack of confidence in his ability to independently decide on his running mate.

    “We are advising our flag-bearer, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia not to succumb to any individual or group pressure to select a running mate against his own choice,” the group stated.

    They warned against manipulating Dr. Bawumia into choosing a running mate based on narrow interests, highlighting the potential negative impact on the party’s electoral prospects.

    The group emphasized the importance of unity within the NPP and cautioned against the risks of disunity and long-standing divisions within the party if external pressures influence Dr. Bawumia’s decision-making process.

    They urged party members not to use tactics aimed at imposing a candidate on Dr. Bawumia, stressing that selecting a running mate is solely the prerogative of the flagbearer.

    Regarding recent endorsements for specific individuals as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate, the group urged Dr. Bawumia to disregard such endorsements, highlighting his autonomy and leadership role within the party.

    They reiterated their support for Dr. Bawumia’s leadership and called for unity and collaboration within the NPP to secure victory in the upcoming presidential election.

    “We are humbly advising our flag-bearer, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia not to allow any individual or groups to compel or lure him into choosing a running mate against his actual or real choice.

    “Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ‘is his own man,’ let us allow him to select someone he has tested and finds capable of helping him lead the NPP to break the eight,” the group declared.

  • Efforts underway to secure financial clearance for unemployed teachers – Deputy Minister of Education

    Efforts underway to secure financial clearance for unemployed teachers – Deputy Minister of Education


    The Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has disclosed the Ministry’s intentions to secure financial clearance for the placement of teachers who have successfully completed the licensure exams.

    This move follows concerns voiced by qualified teachers who, despite passing their exams, remain unassigned to positions.

    Addressing journalists during the monitoring of the teacher licensure examination in Accra on Monday, Rev. Fordjour reaffirmed the government’s commitment to employing competent educators.

    “We extend our best wishes to all candidates, and we want to assure them that we are actively pursuing financial clearance to deploy as many successful candidates as possible to schools and communities where their services are most needed,” he assured.

    Rev. Fordjour also emphasized the government’s steadfast support for the licensure exam, highlighting its role in maintaining professional teaching standards.

    “We wish everyone the very best and we assure them that we are seeking financial clearance to post as many that will pass to various schools and communities where their services will be needed the most,” he stated.

    “For the past six years that we have been implementing the teacher licensure examination, it has lifted the standard of teaching in this country. It has impacted outcomes and improved our education sector…It is important that we are sure that the people who are going to be deployed to teach our learners are people who have the requisite licenses,” he stated.

  • ‘Shocked’ Nathaniel Bassey reacts to KODA’s death

    ‘Shocked’ Nathaniel Bassey reacts to KODA’s death

    Ghana and the broader African music community are grieving the sudden passing of revered gospel music artist KODA known for his unique and creative expression of faith through music.

    The news of his death, which came as a shock to many, has left a profound impact on fans and fellow musicians alike.

    KODA, whose real name is Kwame Osei Danso, was widely regarded as one of Ghana’s finest musicians and a leading figure in the African gospel music scene.

    His innovative approach to blending traditional gospel themes with contemporary sounds resonated with audiences across the continent and beyond.

    The announcement of KODA’s passing was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and industry insiders.

    Nigerian music icon Nathaniel Bassey expressed shock at the passing of the Ghanaian gospel musician.

    Taking to his social media platform he said “Rest in the bosom of Jesus, Brother. One of Ghana’s and Africa’s finest. The sheer shock of His passing kept me from posting this yesterday, as I couldn’t come to terms with the sad news.His unique and creative expression of the gospel through music stood out. And can remember once talking about His music here. You will be missed KODA.”

    See post below: