Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

Four members of the Kpando Senior High School Old Students’ Association (KOSA) national executive team has paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Paskal A. B. Rois, the Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Ghana.

Leading the delegation was President Tsitsia Jonathan Kwaku Bansah, accompanied by Vice President Tsitsia Elias Kofi Arku, General Secretary Tsitsia Justice Senanu Buoh, and Treasurer Tsitsia Eunice Nyadzro.

During the meeting, President Bansah formally informed Mr. Rois, who is also a proud KOSA member, about the upcoming 70th-anniversary celebration of their Alma Mater, scheduled for Saturday, 11th November 2023. He extended an invitation for Mr. Rois to attend the event as a special guest.

Vice President Tsitsia Arku congratulated Mr. Rois on his appointment as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Ghana and commended him for bringing pride to Kpando Senior High School, KOSA, and all Voltarians and Ghanaians both locally and internationally.

General Secretary Tsitsia Buoh emphasized the importance of alumni taking a greater interest in the development of their Alma Mater. He highlighted the positive impact of KPASEC on their lives as KOSA members and called for efforts to improve the school beyond their own time.

National Treasurer Tsitsia Nyadzro urged all KOSA members not only to provide financial support for the anniversary’s activities but also to remain dedicated and committed to the goals of KOSA and KPASEC.

Mr. Rois, in response, expressed his gratitude for the honor and encouraged all KOSA members to unite and support the school’s overall development. He described the visit as heartwarming and pledged his commitment and support not only to KOSA’s activities but also to all endeavors aimed at enhancing KPASEC.

Mr. Rois announced his acceptance of the KOSA invitation and assured them that he and his wife, H.E. Mrs. Gifty Etsa Rois, also a proud KOSA member, would attend the 70th-anniversary celebration.

During the meeting, the Honorary Consul shared information about available scholarships and business opportunities from Indonesia, encouraging the KOSA fraternity and all Ghanaians to seize these chances to improve their business and educational prospects.

The discussion primarily focused on the anniversary and the growth of KPASEC. It praised the contributions of the school’s headmaster, staff, and students to its development over the years.

As a gesture of appreciation, Vice President Tsitsia Elias Arku presented Mr. Rois with some anniversary souvenirs, including a 70th Anniversary Cap, a lacoste T-shirt, and a mug.

The upcoming 70th-anniversary celebration will feature a range of activities, including clean-up exercises, tree planting, donations to the Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital in Kpando, an Inter-house quiz competition, a gospel concert, a marathon, a sports festival, drama performances, Career Guidance and Counselling sessions, interactions with staff and students, a school debate, a cooking competition, a fashion and departmental exhibition, an awards night, a KOSA executive meeting, cadet displays, a candlelight procession, and a bonfire.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Awelana Addah, has called upon the police not to obstruct the Minority group from exercising their constitutional right to protest when there is no cause for alarm.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, August 3, she emphasized that if the police do not heed this call, protesters may feel their rights are being suppressed, potentially leading them to explore alternative routes.

“If there is no cause for alarm, the police should not be putting impediments in the way of the citizens from expressing their constitutional rights.

“Since the people trust government and their institution and they’re just going ahead to demonstrate to show some reservations on what has happened which they believe should not, particularly in this instance that the Governor should be compelled to resign, is a constitutional right for the party and I believe the party is made up of the citizens so we should not be seen curtailing their rights by citing some examples that are not in our context.

“If there is no smoke, certainly, we shouldn’t be creating any fire, I don’t think there is a need for it,”she stressed.

The Minority caucus plans to march to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to demand the resignation of the Governor and two deputies due to the bank’s GH¢60.8 billion losses in 2022.

They intend to use a particular route for the march, which the police argue is overcrowded and could jeopardize public safety. As a result, the Greater Accra Regional Police Command has filed an injunction application against the Minority’s chosen route.

However, the Minority contends that their planned demonstration poses no security threat to the public and accuses the Ghana Police Service of selectively applying the Public Order Act.

Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga stated that they will oppose the injunction application, noting that the police have engaged with them throughout their protest planning and have demonstrated bad faith.

“The Minority group and other progressive forces remain focused and will not relent until Misgovernor Addison, his complicit Deputies and pliant Board of Directors resign. Aluta continua Victoria aserta!”

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has introduced a reorganization booklet to energize the party’s grassroots in preparation for the 2024 general elections.

This booklet, titled “Organisation Decides It All,” aims to encourage the party’s executive members to strengthen the CPP’s foundation, creating a robust force for the upcoming election.

The Chairperson and leader of the CPP, Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, launched the booklet during a brief ceremony at the CPP’s Headquarters in Accra on Monday.

Additionally, she unveiled 36 megaphones and five mobile ad-tricycles to support the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts.

Nana Frimpomaa, a presidential aspirant for the CPP, emphasized that the mobilization campaign aims to reach 6 million voters in the 2024 general elections.

She called upon the party’s rank and file to collaborate in upholding the CPP’s ideals and principles to make the party more appealing to the public.

“The CPP’s prospects in 2024 hinge on your ability to mobilize members from your constituency and electoral areas, so please get to work,” she urged.

Nana Frimpomaa asserted that the CPP possesses the best policies to address Ghana’s current economic challenges and encouraged the youth to join the party with the goal of winning power in 2024.

Comrade Habib Yakubu, the CPP’s Director of Elections, revealed that the booklet would be distributed across all 16 regions to initiate an assertive membership drive.

The Vice Chairman of the committee probing the leaked audio recording concerning the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Agalga, has suggested that Dr. George Akuffo Dampare may be invited for a hearing.

This consideration comes as one of the witnesses mentioned Dr. Dampare, and Agalga believes that not inviting him could be unfair.

During a discussion on the issue, Agalga emphasized the seriousness of the allegations made by outgoing Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, George Alex Mensah.

COP Mensah claimed that the current IGP was behind the taping of the conversation and suggested that the tape was in the possession of the IGP.

While Agalga clarified that the committee had not yet decided to invite the IGP, he stressed that it would be a matter of natural justice to extend an invitation to Dr. Akuffo Dampare.

This sentiment aligns with the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, who also indicated that inviting the IGP was a possibility depending on how the evidence evolved.

He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive fact-finding exercise and stated that if the presence of the IGP was necessary for relevance, the committee would consider inviting him.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has announced the appointment of Mrs. Mary Awelena Addah, the organization’s Programmes Manager, as its new Executive Director, effective September 4, 2023.

This announcement was made through a release signed and issued by Dr. Emmanuel K. Ansah, the Board Chair of GII.

Dr. Ansah stated, “The Governing Board of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) wishes to announce to the general public that, effective 4 September 2023, Mrs. Mary Awelana Addah is the new Executive Director of the anti-graft organization. She takes over from Mrs. Linda Ofori Kwafo.”

He highlighted Mrs. Addah’s extensive experience in the fight against corruption and her proficiency in addressing anti-corruption and governance issues through media engagements as factors that make her well-suited for this role.

Mrs. Addah’s journey with GII began in November 2009 when she joined as a Senior Programmes and Research Officer, eventually becoming GII’s Programmes Manager in May 2014.

Prior to her tenure at GII, she worked with various state and non-state organizations, including the Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition (GTLC), the Centre for Community and Social Development (CENCOSAD), and the Ghana Education Service.

Dr. Ansah expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ofori-Kwafo for her leadership and welcomed the new Executive Director, Mrs. Addah, with high expectations for significant progress in the fight against corruption during her tenure.

Traffic on the Tema motorway is at a standstill due to a recent collision that resulted in injuries to approximately three individuals.

According to reports, the accident occurred as a result of a police officer’s attempt to apprehend a driver for a traffic violation.

Allegedly, the police officer directed the driver, who was in the lane leading to Accra, to navigate a curve and return to the Ashaiman police station.

During this maneuver, a speeding Kia car, also traveling in the same double lane, collided with the sprinter bus bearing registration number GR 2347-16.

Both the driver and the passenger of the Kia car reportedly sustained injuries.

Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

This incident has resulted in significant traffic congestion along the Accra-Tema motorway, prompting pedestrians to consider alternative routes to avoid the congestion.

The Kasoa Akweley District Court, led by His Worship Stephen Ofori Akrasi, has approved bail for a serial mobile money (MoMo) fraudster operating in Kasoa and nearby areas in the Central Region of Ghana.

The suspect is facing charges of falsely obtaining electronic payments, as outlined in Section 119 of the Electronic Transactions Act 2008, Act 772.

Emmanuel Dawson, a 33-year-old taxi driver residing in Opeikuma, a suburb of Kasoa, has targeted multiple mobile money vendors in the Kasoa Municipality.

Dawson’s scheme involves initiating a small transaction with MoMo vendors and then pretending to be interested in a significant transaction, requesting the vendor’s contact information. He copies the WhatsApp profile picture of the vendor, creates a new WhatsApp account using that image, and engages in a conversation between himself, the unsuspecting vendor, and the vendor, posing as the business owner.

In this elaborate scam, Dawson convinces the vendor to transfer money to another MoMo account, from which he later withdraws the funds.

His arrest followed his defrauding of a female vendor of GH¢2,500.00, leading to a week-long investigation by the police intelligence unit under DSP Alex Obiri Yeboah.

Numerous victims have come forward to testify against the suspect since his arrest, leading to multiple hearings at the Kasoa district police command.

Despite the serious charges, the Kasoa Akweley District Court has granted Dawson bail in the amount of GH¢20,000.00.

This bail comes with the condition that Dawson must provide two sureties, including one with verified landed property, to be confirmed by a government worker earning no less than GH¢2,000.00 per month.

Michael Lartey, the legal counsel for the accused, argued for bail on the grounds that Dawson poses no flight risk and has a well-established permanent residence. Lartey also emphasized that all offenses are eligible for bail.

The judge’s decision to grant bail recognizes the impact of MoMo fraud on the economy and aims to safeguard the suspect’s rights. Denying bail could lead to unwarranted assumptions of guilt, particularly in light of the judge’s upcoming leave.

Akosua Okyere, one of the victims of Dawson’s scheme, shared her experience, explaining that she had to repay the money taken by the fraudster as her boss demanded it.

The case is scheduled to continue on November 6, 2023.

A senior police officer whose name has surfaced in connection with the leaked tape, COP George Alex Mensah, has stated that both the transcribed and audio versions of the tape have undergone manipulation.

COP Mensah argues that without access to the original audio played during the committee’s proceedings, he cannot confirm the accuracy of the transcribed version.

During his appearance before the committee on August 31, 2023, COP he stated that the tape had been altered and did not accurately represent the entire conversation he had with Bugri Naabu.

To assist COP Mensah, the committee’s chairman, Samuel Atta Akyea, directed that the senior police officer be provided with the complete transcribed version of the tape.

However, after reviewing the transcribed tape, COP Mensah’s legal representative maintained that it had also been tampered with.

“It wouldn’t be a challenge if the witness has the benefit of the audio to compare with what has been transcribed. The witness sat through this meeting for 50 minutes and over and was made to listen to the audio.

“Clearly, we also noted that some of the section of the audio was not so clear at all, we could hear anything at all. So, it will be very difficult for the witness which portion of the audio is not his or otherwise.

“If the witness had the benefit of the audio that the committee is investigating together with the transcript, he could come back and say, when I listened to the audio together with the transcription, I do not think that this was on the audio or even if it was in the transcript, I did not say so,” he added.

They argued that without access to the original audio, it was challenging to determine which portions were accurate.

COP Mensah previously claimed that the tape used for the committee’s inquiry had been altered and did not accurately reflect the events.

He highlighted a specific instance in the audio where a section was repeated, suggesting manipulation.

According to him, this repetition was not consistent with a natural recording, as it implied that someone had entered twice, whereas in reality, the person entered only once.

Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, and ex-Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, has authored a book titled “The Pen at Risk, Spilling My Little Beans.” This 515-page memoir offers a non-fiction account of the author’s life, providing a historical perspective.

The book underwent review by notable figures, including Nana Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, former Chairman of the Media Commission; Dr. Collins Badu Agyeman, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana; Araba Koomson, a broadcaster at the Multimedia Group; Manasseh Azure Awuni, Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate; and Kofi Akpabli, a scholar, author, and journalist.

Prof. Yankah has previously authored two award-winning books: “Speaking for the Chief,” which received the Gold Book Award from the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, and “The Proverb in the Context of Akan Rhetoric,” which also earned the Ghana Book Award. In 2021, he presented his intellectual biography through “Beyond the Political Spider: Critical issues in African Humanities.”

The book launch, held in Accra, was attended by dignitaries such as the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu; Janet O. Paintsil, Chief Executive of Agona East District Assembly; Sir Sam Esson Jonah, a business mogul and statesman; Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG); George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector-General of Police, and several police commissioners.

Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia commended Prof. Yankah for his dedication, commitment, and contributions to the country’s development.

He praised the author’s role in shaping knowledge, research, and governance in Ghana. Dr. Bawumia also highlighted Prof. Yankah’s unique ability to narrate historical accounts with humor.

Sir Jonah, who chaired the event, described Prof. Yankah as a significant contributor to the nation’s growth, emphasizing that his new book provides insights into a man who has played a pivotal role in Ghana’s development.

Regarding the book itself, Prof. Yankah explained that it delves into incidents from his childhood and adulthood, capturing objects, locations, and events that have influenced his life.

He humorously remarked on the changing perceptions of height in sports, from basketball in the 90s to chess and cheerleading in the 21st century.

Prof. Yankah’s academic achievements include receiving the Esther Kinsley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation at Indiana University in the US.

He spent much of his career in academia, holding various positions at the University of Ghana, including Dean of Students, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Head of the Linguistics Department. He retired as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) of the university.

President and CEO of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, Dr. Ishmael Norman, has advised COP George Alex Mensah, the Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, to follow the established chain of command within the police organization to address his concerns.

Dr. Norman acknowledged the skills of COP Alex Mensah but emphasized the importance of adhering to the police’s organizational structure when addressing issues.

These comments were prompted by COP Alex Mensah’s recent statement that, while there is no animosity between him and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, there are occasional professional disagreements between them at the highest level.

COP Alex Mensah described himself as open and forthright, stating that he speaks his mind. He made these remarks during his appearance before a special seven-member committee established by the Speaker of Parliament to investigate a leaked tape regarding the IGP.

“When you are in an organization like the police you have to follow the chain of command and you have to do things properly, going outside the chain of command and working to get things done is not the right way.

“I admire him for his skills, he is very adept in responding to questions but I think the whole approach is wrong,” he added.

The tape allegedly featured conversations among COP Alex Mensah, senior police officers, and the former Northern Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Daniel Bugri Naabu, discussing plans to remove the IGP before the 2024 elections. The tape suggested that the IGP was acting in favor of former President John Dramani Mahama, who had promised to retain him in his position.

While Chief Bugri Naabu confirmed the content of the tape, COP Alex Mensah denied its accuracy, claiming that some portions had been edited. Nevertheless, he stated that he had no issues with the current IGP.

Dr. Ishmael Norman, speaking on the matter, expressed his belief that the two individuals involved do not see eye to eye. He acknowledged that COP Alex Mensah is a lawyer who believes in speaking the truth to power but criticized his approach, stating that in organizations like the police, it is essential to follow the established chain of command and proper procedures rather than going outside of it. Dr. Norman commended COP Alex Mensah for his skills but believed that his approach was incorrect.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has introduced the nation’s inaugural integrated data repository, known as StatsBank, aimed at informing policy decisions for sustainable and inclusive national development.

The launch of StatsBank, which is rooted in academia, involved a hackathon in which students leveraged data from the GSS’s central repository to spotlight various socio-economic issues in a disaggregated format.

StatsBank empowers users to generate customized tables and maps at both the national and sub-national levels at no cost.

It also serves as a repository for macroeconomic indicators and encompasses administrative and unconventional data sources, providing real-time policy options to the government.

The development of StatsBank and the hackathon involved collaborative efforts between the GSS, the Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Statistics Denmark, and the Denmark Embassy.

Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, emphasized the significance of StatsBank, asserting that policymakers require access to multiple data sources to address the nation’s challenges effectively.

He highlighted the historical reliance of national statistical offices in the global south on internationally driven statistics from various bilateral and multilateral organizations.

This approach often resulted in data based primarily on economic indices like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and consumer and producer price indexes, with limited attention to the complexities of national issues.

Professor Annim underscored that no single data source could adequately address the nation’s multifaceted challenges, prompting the development of StatsBank to integrate various datasets for informed policy decisions while reducing reliance on data aggregates. He also acknowledged the sensitivity of disaggregated data and assured that proactive measures were in place to protect individuals’ and institutions’ privacy and confidentiality.

Furthermore, Professor Annim extended an invitation to educational institutions to collaborate with the GSS, fostering a data repository as a foundation to establish a data pipeline between GSS and universities.

In her address, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), emphasized the significance of the StatsBank platform and the hackathon competition in nurturing students’ holistic development. She stressed that these initiatives aligned with her goal of preparing students to be critical thinkers, technologically proficient, humane, culturally sensitive, and ready to provide leadership for the country and the continent. Prof. Amfo also noted that the hackathon would enhance students’ awareness of StatsBank while creating opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and team-building in their academic and professional pursuits.

Ms. Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, Deputy Head of Mission and Cooperation at the Denmark Embassy, highlighted the importance of easy access to statistical data in guiding decision-makers and the public to make informed decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability, vital components of a thriving democracy.

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, will pay a visit to Godenu, Volta Region, today, Friday, September 1, following a violent clash resulting in two fatalities.

This information was revealed by the Member of Parliament for the area, John Peter Amewu.

The altercation which occurred on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 resulted in the damages of motorcycle and vehicles.

Law enforcement authorities have apprehended 12 individuals related to the incident.

In an interview with the media, MP John Peter Amewu urged his constituents to exercise patience and allow for proper investigations to take place.

He emphasized that both the police and citizens are subject to the law, assuring that any police officer found responsible for the violent incident will face legal consequences. Similarly, if the citizens are at fault, they will also face legal action.

Amewu stated, “I am just appealing to my people in the constituency to exercise some level of calmness, as we progress. I have been in touch with the IGP, and he will be coming. I have also spoken with the Minister for Defence and the National Security Minister, so the government is taking this issue very seriously. You are the people we are supposed to govern, and so we need to protect you.”

He further appealed to the police not to re-enter Godenu in a manner that could reignite and escalate the disturbance, which resulted in loss of life, injuries, and property damage.

Background:

On August 30, there was a violent disturbance in the village of Godenu, which culminated in the burning of a police patrol vehicle by some villagers.

The incident began when a police patrol vehicle collided with a motorbike rider on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The injured motorbike rider was transported to the hospital for treatment. Subsequently, some members of the community became agitated and began throwing stones at the police patrol vehicle.

In an attempt to disperse the crowd, police officers in the vehicle faced increasing violence, ultimately resulting in the torching of the patrol vehicle. Two individuals lost their lives during the disturbance, and the injured motorbike rider remained under medical care.

Residents of Godenu and Wegbee accused the police of causing damage to numerous properties in their community.

Twelve individuals were subsequently arrested in connection with the disturbance, and one Bruni pistol was recovered. The police have initiated an investigation into the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the two fatalities.