In a bid to overcome the canker in Ghana, some governmental organizations have recently sacked their workers over bribery and corruption-related issues.
Interestingly, three governmental entities have fired employees for wrongdoing, notably in the field of corruption, in the month of August 2023.
The National Insurance Authority (NIA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and the Passport Office in Accra are the three state institutions.
1. Passport Office
The expulsion began when Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway expressed her concern with the Passport Office’s rate of extortion and corruption.
The Minister criticized the fact that politicians are frequently accused for corruption, despite the fact that in most cases, civil servants initiate corrupt actions and politicians are held accountable for them.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchway ordered all those who had overstayed to leave the office on Monday, August 14, 2023.
She said, “Everybody who has been here for more than one year, from Monday on, please do not come back because you have been changed. We want to restore some sanity. Every time politicians are corrupt, meanwhile, it is some public civil servants who will do things that shouldn’t be done, and then they will be put on politicians,” She said.
2. National Identification Authority (NIA)
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the National Identification Authority (NIA) fired ten employees after they were found guilty of misbehavior and improper collecting of funds from some Ghana Card applicants.
According to asaaseradio.com, the workers were indicted after an inquiry by the Ghana Police Service’s (GPS) Criminal inquiry Department (CID) found them guilty of violating the authority’s policies.
“This decision was after a thorough investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
“This included the interdiction of the affected officers, the appointment of a disciplinary committee of inquiry to provide a hearing for each officer in accordance with the law, and management’s subsequent acceptance of the disciplinary committee’s recommendations,” the report stated.
3. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)
Electricity firm of Ghana (ECG) has asked 11 top executives to leave due to their suspected involvement in activities that resulted in financial losses for the firm.
According to dailyguidenetwork.com, among these executives are Treasury Executives, a Senior IT Assistant, an Assistant Accounting Officer, Artisans, and Customer Service Officers, among others.
According to the investigation, the implicated executives engaged in a variety of illegal activities that harmed the company’s finances.
The allegations against these individuals include record manipulation and forgery, unlawful changes to payment records, and improper payments and transfers, among other practices that caused the ECG financial loss.
“As of August 2023, 11 top executives of the ECG from the various regions have been sacked by management for causing financial loss to the company,” the source said according to the dailyguidenetwork.com.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has successfully retrieved GH¢79 million in proceeds of crime by the end of June 2023.
In the previous year, EOCO had surpassed its target by recovering GH¢50 million compared to the intended GH¢30 million.
These illicit gains encompass funds acquired through tax evasion cases reported to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and wealth obtained unlawfully, detrimental to state institutions like the Gaming Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).
EOCO operates under a five-year strategic plan to manage and recover proceeds of crime amounting to GH¢350 million by June 2028.
Its jurisdiction includes investigating financial losses, money laundering, human trafficking, cybercrime, tax fraud, and other serious offenses. Empowered by Section three of the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), the office is authorized to take action to recover such ill-gotten gains.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, the Executive Director of EOCO, highlighted that the office’s achievements extended beyond mere financial recovery.
These accomplishments include rescuing human trafficking victims, raising awareness about activities that make individuals susceptible to economic crimes, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat and prevent criminal activities.
Emphasizing EOCO’s pivotal role in tackling economic and organized crimes, COP Addo-Danquah stated that a cornerstone of their five-year strategic plan was partnering with the media to educate the public about the office’s operations and sensitizing them to avoid criminal activities.
She expressed EOCO’s readiness to collaborate with the media in Ghana’s crime-fighting efforts, and also highlighted international partnerships to bring criminals who committed offenses abroad but could be traced to Ghana to face justice.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, lauded EOCO‘s decision to collaborate with the media to achieve its five-year strategic objectives.
Dwumfour recognized the role of media as a development partner and welcomed the partnership to contribute to EOCO’s transformation agenda.
Highlighting the complex and dynamic nature of economic and organized crimes, Dwumfour stressed the importance of collaboration, particularly with the media, in contemporary crime fighting.
He urged EOCO to enhance the skills and knowledge of investigative journalists within the GJA to strengthen the country’s efforts against crime. Dwumfour assured support for EOCO’s mandate while maintaining the media’s accountability role.
Additionally, Stephen Raymond Dapaa-Addo, the Board Chairman of EOCO, announced EOCO’s intention to establish an award for the best crime story published in the media, which aligns with the office’s mission.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a recent press release endorsed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has implemented fresh appointments to strategic roles aimed at fortifying the party’s leadership and enhancing its efficacy.
The announcement, issued following the NDC’s National Executive Committee meeting convened on Thursday, August 24, 2023, highlights the unanimous approval received for these new appointments.
To bolster the NDC’s ranks, three capable individuals have been selected as Vice Chairmen: Professor Joshua Alabi, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and Abdul Rauf Khalid.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey remarked that these additions are poised to infuse the party’s leadership with a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge.
In preparation for the pivotal 2024 elections, the NDC has entrusted the role of Director of Elections and IT to Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, a former Minister of Communications renowned for his expertise.
Further enhancements include Godwin Kudzo Tameklo’s appointment as the Director of Legal Affairs, solidifying the party’s legal framework.
Additionally, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, previously the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, has been tasked with spearheading the party’s efforts in fostering relations with other political entities and civil society organizations.
This pivotal role centers on cultivating collaborative partnerships that extend across political boundaries and into civil society spheres.
Below is the press statement from the NDC
APPOINTMENTS TO NDC LEADERSHIP
At the close of its meeting today, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC approved the appointment of the following party members to incumber key positions in the party.
Vice Chairmen Prof Joshua Alabi Dr Samuel Sarpong Abdul Rauf Khalid
The party leadership at the same meeting gave approval for the following new directorates to be established to enhance the party’s administrative efficiency.
-Directorate for Conflict Resolution -Directorate for Logistics/Protocol -Directorate for Inter Party/CSO Relations -Directorate for Welfare
The following have also been appointed to be in charge of the following directorates:
1. Director- Administration Emmanuel Zumakpeh
2. Director- International Relations
Alex Segbefia
Deputies Karl Arhin Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo
3.Director-Communications Kakra Essamuah
Deputy Obobia Darko-Opoku
4. Director Elections/IT Edward Omane Boamah
Deputies(IT) Dr. George Atta Boateng Wisdom Yayra Deku
5. Director Legal Godwin Kudzo Tameklo
Deputies Baba Jamal George Loh
6. Director-Research Prof. Francis Dodoo
Deputies Prosper Hoetu Prof John Bright Aheto
7. Director- Special Duties Vincent Kwagbenu
Deputies Cesar Karle Brogya Genfi Mohammed Atta Natogmah
8. Director- Conflict Resolution
Abraham Amaliba
Deputy Daniel Amartey
9. Director-Inter party/CSO Resolutions Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor
Yaw Boateng, the spokesperson for a prospective flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Francis Addai-Nimoh, has exuded confidence that his candidate will secure a place among the top five contenders in the party’s special delegates conference scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023.
In an interview with the media on Friday, Mr Boateng conveyed the team’s unwavering certainty in their success, not only in the upcoming primaries in November but also in the immediate conference.
He emphasized their thorough preparation and readiness for the impending competition.
“We as a team in Francis Addai-Nimoh’s camp are resolute in whatever that we are doing, and we know that at the end of the polls, our candidate will emerge as one of the five people to be selected by the party to go into the major election to elect the ultimate person to become the flagbearer of which we know it will be Francis Addai-Nimoh at the end of the day.”
“So we are very certain and prepared towards that and everything is working in our way,” Mr Boateng stated.
Simultaneously, the prominent candidates who have garnered considerable support and are likely to secure prominent positions are the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central, former Minister of Trade Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Energy Minister Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, the former general secretary of the NPP.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken measures to prepare for a potential run-off this Saturday, August 26, 2023.
Speaking to the media, the Director of Elections and Research, Evans Nimako, stated that in case the delegates are unable to choose the initial five candidates for the November 4th election, the party will hold a run-off on September 2nd.
“It has been agreed that in the event of the conference not being able to produce the first five, there will have to be a re-run and so September 2, 2023, has been slated for a possible run-off date.”
“The letter of our Constitution in Article 13 (1.9) indicates that there must be first five of the presidential candidates and so if it is the first three, then it means there will have to be another election for the two to be elected to add up to five,” he added.
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, NPP delegates will partake in a vote to trim the current pool of ten presidential aspirants down to a final selection of five.
This Special Electoral College event will serve as a precursor to the pivotal national conference set for November 4, 2023.
The party will then designate its flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
This nationwide balloting process follows several months of intense campaigning by the aspirants, who traversed the entire country in an effort to secure the favor of the delegates, who hold the power to shape their fates.
A total of 956 delegates are expected to participate in the elections.
The super delegates conference, renowned for its significance in determining key decisions and selecting prominent leaders within the NPP, is poised to be an event of considerable influence.
Drawing together delegates from various regions and constituencies, the congress is a testament to the party’s commitment to participatory democracy and inclusivity.
In a statement, the NPP indicated that the delegates are expected to represent various constituencies from across the country.
“Nine hundred and fifty-six (956) delegates are expected to participate in this election. As per the NPP Constitution, the Special Electoral College comprises representatives from various Party entities, including: the National Council, the National Executive Committee, all Regional Executive Committees, all Members of the National Council of Elders, all the Party Members of Parliament, etc.” the statement said.
Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti region have threatened to stage a protest which would result in closure of shops within the area.
This is in response to what they call harassment and discrimination by customs officers about the payment of “exorbitant charges,” which their members in other locations do not face.
They claim that after clearing their goods at the port, they are forced to pay additional fees while transporting their goods to the Ashanti region. They go on to say that as a result of this, several of their members have been arrested and unfairly punished.
Speaking to the media, the Ashanti regional GUTA chairman, Mr. Anthony Oppong noted that:
“I am the third national GUTA president. We are in touch with all our members in the regions. None of them has complained about any arrests. Those people in Accra, after clearing their goods from Tema and we all come through the motorway, after Tetteh Quarshie, they go to Accra and we come to Kumasi. They are paying a lower transportation cost and we are paying a very high amount of money.
“So, if the government wants those of us in the Ashanti region to stop doing business, they should tell us. In that case, those of us who have the capital to relocate to Accra will go to Accra and Kumasi will become empty and there will be no businesses here. This is because it looks like as if there is a deliberate policy to destroy businesses in the Ashanti region. If not that, they should come and tell us.”
“This is because I have a forty-foot container and somebody taking it to Abossey Okai, nothing will happen to that person, but me, who is paying a higher transportation cost, has to contend with four custom barriers before I can get here (Kumasi). The worst part of it is that, in most cases, the container will go all the way to Suame Magazine and they will chase it and bring it to their yard. What is happening? So, we demand answers.
The traders are expressing that despite their interactions with the appropriate authorities regarding the issue, the situation continues to endure. Lately, the Ashanti region has increasingly transformed into an unfavorable setting for conducting business.
“The most annoying part of it and the most unfortunate part of it is that we have seen the regional minister on more than two occasions on this same issue. He gave us all assurances that he was going to call Accra and make sure he gets answers to what’s going on, but nothing has happened. We have seen the national security coordinator on numerous occasions, nothing has happened. We have visited the NIB director for the region, nothing has happened. The assistant commissioner since last January, we met three different assistant commissioners and put our case across and nothing is happening.”
“We have gone all the way to Accra to meet the commissioner himself, Mr. Seidu, and he gave us the promise that they are going to do everything possible to stop this and make sure that they do the checks and make sure that those who do not pay the right duties are the ones that they take the money from, which we accept because we are not condoning that. In fact, they are duties they are supposed to pay. We want to pay the duties, but after paying the duties, we don’t see why this harassment and intimidation should go on,” Anthony Oppong, the Ashanti regional GUTA chairman, stated.
“Tension is rising and if care is not taken, if nothing is done about it, from next week, something will happen here in Kumasi. We are planning to do a massive demonstration here to register our displeasure about what is going on. We cannot lose our capital because of what is going on, which we think the government is not even benefiting from. So, definitely, next week, we are holding a press conference, and after the press conference, if nothing is heard from the authorities, we are organizing a massive demonstration here in Kumasi. We will call for the closure of every shop and we will make sure we meet the right authorities and ensure that the right thing is done.”
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has issued a plea to the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to avoid employing force while seeking to reinstate constitutional governance in Niger.
Expressing their apprehensions, the GCBC acknowledged the military intervention that occurred in the Republic of Niger on July 26, 2023, leading to the ousting of President Mohamed Bozoum, who was democratically elected.
The Conference voiced deep concern over the recurring trend of coup d’états within the West African sub-region, noting the instances in the Republic of Mali (2020), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and the most recent occurrence in Niger (2023).
The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, emphasized the need for restraint in handling the crisis.
He implored both the Ghanaian government and fellow regional leaders to refrain from resorting to force in resolving the situation.
“The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (henceforward: Conference) notes with grave concern the military intervention in the Republic of Niger which occurred on 26th July 2023, leading to the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bozoum in Niger.
“The Conference is further concerned that for the past three years, the West African Sub-region has been plagued with a series of coups d’état after years of the continent’s attempt to deepen democratic governance,” Catholic Bishop Of Sunyani & President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi stated.
“This situation started with the Republic of Mali in 2020, Guinea in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and now Niger in 2023. The Conference further urges the Government of Ghana to refrain from the use of force and likewise urges its colleague leaders to do same,” he added.
A foreign resident living in Ghana has taken to the internet to vent her anger over what she perceives as the unfair financial burden placed on non-citizens seeking Ghana Cards.
In a viral video, the young woman passionately criticized the requirement for non-citizens to obtain Ghana Cards, labeling it as nonsensical.
She highlighted the paradox of paying significant amounts for resident permits, only to face the additional inconvenience of queuing for hours to acquire the Ghana Card.
Labelling the card as ‘absurd’, she questioned the government’s efforts to streamline the card acquisition process.
“Guys, I’m just coming from an NIA office, and I lack words to say how the government is extorting monies from us. Not even, Ghanaians as well. Why are we compelled to get a Ghana Card when we have resident permit and Ghanaians have voters ID cards when they have passport or birth certificate?
“What’s preventing them from using those things? And you are compelling us to get Ghana Card? We’re paying thousands of cedis for resident permit, we should come and pay huge sums of money again for some stupid Ghana Card. Look, and we spend hours; Ghanaians even spend days there getting a card,” she stressed.
The foreign resident further criticized the exorbitant fees imposed on her and fellow foreigners for obtaining the Ghana Card. Displaying a photo of the fees ($120 for issuance and $60 for renewal), she labeled the process as outrageous.
“So, what sense does it even make? What are you, as government, doing? It’s just arrant nonsense! Look, I’m going to add a picture of the real price at this moment that’s being paid by non-citizens. It is madness; it is money extortion and I’m going to make noise about it – noise, I will make,” she added.
The Ghana Card has been established by the government of Akufo-Addo as the primary identification card for key transactions.
Additionally, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has suggested considering the card as the exclusive identification for electoral purposes.
Watch video below:
A foreigner residing in Ghana has criticized the Government for requiring her to obtain a non-citizen Ghana card alongside her residence permit.
She referred to the Ghana card as stUp!d and expressed that the fees associated with obtaining these forms of identification are… pic.twitter.com/19BWPjZYaK
A mentally challenged man has lost his life after a speeding white Lexus sedan knocked him down on the Circle-Kaneshie road.
The victim met his unfortunate demise as the car, descending from the second tier of the interchange, tragically collided with him.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred unexpectedly at approximately 7:30 am on Friday morning, August 25, 2023.
The vehicle, conspicuously lacking a registration number, was driven by an individual who was promptly taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention.
Meanwhile, the police have transported the victim’s body to the morgue.
The former Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has embraced his new position as the Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in preparation for the 2024 elections.
The announcement of his appointment was made through a press release on August 24, 2023, and the communication was authorized by Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the NDC.
Dr. Omane Boamah takes the reins from Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who held the role since 2019.
In an official statement, he conveyed his enthusiasm for the appointment and extended gratitude to the NDC‘s leadership for entrusting him with this responsibility.
He committed to contributing towards the party’s success in achieving political power.
Below is Dr. Omane Boamah’s acceptance press statement.
PRESS STATEMENT
“I accept to take charge of the NDC Elections and IT Directorate.”
I humbly accept my appointment as Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). I am excited to work with an excellent election management and IT team. Our team has proven itself and demonstrated viability and promise in the recent NDC Presidential Primaries and the Assin North Constituency Parliamentary by-election.
To our Leader and 2024 flag bearer, President John Dramani Mahama, Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the entire NDC leadership and supporters, I promise to work tirelessly and contribute my best to secure victory for the party and all Ghanaians in the 2024 elections.
With my experience as the NDC’s Deputy Campaign Coordinator for the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections and my understanding of the impact of technology and unbiased research on modern-day elections, I commit to working loyally, cooperatively, strategically, meticulously, effectively, efficiently, and resiliently to help bring the NDC back to power on January 07, 2025.
We did it together in 2008 and came out of opposition. We must repeat it in 2024 to build the Ghana we want together.
Stakeholders at an MTN “momo” meeting in Accra have urged the government to further lower E-levy rates, which they claimed were a major impediment to digital payments in Ghana.
Speaking on the theme “Addressing Barriers to Digital Payments in Ghana,” Eric Kortey, General Manager of Cellulant Ghana Limited, stated that lowering transaction fees and instituting incentives for users will assist remove hurdles to digital payment uptake.
“This payment system provides such a volume-based business — you either keep the cost high and get less or you reduce it and get more.
“Since we want to increase digital adoption, reducing E-levy charges would help address such barriers.
“Although the country has made significant gains in creating access to digital financial services and smartphone penetration, a good proportion of the population are unable to access and participate in what is available,” he said.
As per the FinTech division at the Bank of Ghana, data reveals that the proportion of active mobile money accounts compared to the total registered accounts has decreased from 38.8% in June 2021 to 37.0% in June 2023.
Conversely, there has been a 40.7% surge in the total number of transactions from June 2022 to June 2023, accompanied by a notable 71.7% rise in transaction value.
Meanwhile, transactions saw a 17% rise between June 2021 and June 2022, albeit with a 7.6% decrease in transaction value.
The Head of FinTech and Innovation at the Bank of Ghana, Kwame Oppong, emphasized that the central bank remains unwavering in its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to overcome hurdles in the realm of digital payments within the country.
“When mobile money was growing, the banking ecosystem also grew.
Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. Yaw A. Amoako, has urged for stringent limits on the sale and usage of antibiotics in the country.
He stated that establishing severe controls on the sale and use of the medicine could assist to avoid antibiotic overuse in the country, which he regarded as a huge threat to public health.
“There should be restrictions on antibiotics,” he said, adding antibiotics should only be used when needed after appropriate tests.”
Dr. Amoako, a senior infectious diseases specialist and research scientist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), was speaking at a virtual media roundtable organized by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals on Thursday, August 24, 2023, to raise antibiotic awareness in order to ensure patient safety and the future effectiveness of antibiotics.
He observed that the cost of antibiotic abuse was high, both in terms of health and the socioeconomic impact on society.
He voiced concern that many people had resorted to using antibiotics when they should not have, emphasizing that antibiotic usage “increases the length of stay of patients at the hospital.”
Antimicrobial resistance (abuse of antibiotics) is the inability of antimicrobial treatments to treat specific diseases.
It happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites alter their properties (mutate) and stop responding to medications, making illnesses more difficult to cure and raising the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
According to Dr. Amoako, the problem of antibiotic resistance should be taken seriously because it could lead to death.
He warned the people not to overuse antibiotics and urged the National Pharmacy Council to be strict about how such medications are administered through over-the-counter retailers.
He raised concern that many antibiotics medicines are not being properly stored and managed in various parts of the country, citing an example of antibiotics being found in market locations.
Dr. Amoako emphasized that, given the serious health consequences of antibiotic overuse, multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches to combating it were required.
As a result, he has urged all stakeholders, particularly the media, to help raise awareness about the hazards of antibiotic usage so that people are better informed about the risks.
The Minority in Parliament has dismissed suggestions that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) building is a security installation.
On September 5, 2023, the Minority intends to picket at the central bank in order to seek the resignation of BoG Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, and his deputies.
However, following a meeting with police, the Accra Regional Police Command issued a statement expressing dissatisfaction with the routes chosen.
According to the police, the minority’s route choices could jeopardize public safety and order.
In the interest of public order, public safety, and the seamless operation of key services, the Police Service has asked the Minority to change the routes and destination of the picketing.
In an interview with the media, the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, described the police’s claims as “lies.”
“First and foremost, it is a big lie that the central bank building is a security installation. There has to be a law that defines it as a security installation. There is no such law. I do not recall any single law that defines the central bank building as a security installation. It is a big lie. Anyone who tells you it is a security installation is lying to you.”
“We are not asking to go into the central bank, not even the premises of the central bank. Our letter is specific. We are marching to the frontage of the central bank. We expect the Governor and his deputies to come out and receive our petition. So, once the central bank is not a security installation, we can march there because we have a democratic right to march there,” he added.
Mahama Ayariga also criticized the police for taking a “lazy approach” and called on them to “rise up to the task ahead of them.”
“We are going to the central bank to hold the Governor accountable. The police should also be held accountable, in terms of the standard of responsibilities of the police service. They are to make sure that when citizens have the right to exercise their democratic rights, they are there to police them to exercise that democratic right. Not to adopt a lazy approach and say that the central bank is a security installation, so you cannot go there. Where else can we go?”
He reiterated that they will demonstrate along the lines they have specified, emphasizing that the police do not have the ability to issue directions on their routes.
“The police have absolutely no power to give us directives in this regard. They cannot deny us the right to protest along the routes we have. If they do, it has to be a higher authority. It is just an attempt to frustrate the organization, but they will not succeed, because the demonstration will be along that route, and we will get to BoG’s frontage.”
A key member within Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has emphasized that the winner of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) special delegates’ conference will likely secure success in the impending primaries scheduled for November.
During an interview with the media, Mr Aboagye shared his perspective that the NPP’s historical pattern indicates a correlation between victory in the special delegates’ conference and triumph in the primaries.
Aboagye added, “The way our party is structured, whoever wins Saturday’s election will win the November primaries,” he stated, adding that “Dr Bawumia will win that election on Saturday by not less than 70 percent votes.”
He passionately called upon all dedicated NPP supporters to rally behind his superior, emphasizing that Dr. Bawumia symbolizes the party’s aspiration and holds the potential to shape the nation’s future.
Furthermore, Aboagye urged all delegates participating in the forthcoming special delegates’ conference, taking place at the regional level, to cast their votes in favor of the vice president.
This, he contended, would ensure the NPP’s triumph in the 2024 elections.
The NPP has organized this weekend’s special delegates’ conference with the aim of narrowing down the field of flagbearer contenders from ten to five, a strategic move in their preparations for the upcoming electoral campaign.
Former Deputy Minister for Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has termed the National Cathedral as “the most useless venture in Ghana’s history.”
Although the fact that the actual construction of the contentious project has yet to be seen by the public, the former minister stated that the government has already invested $58 million in the project at a time when Ghana is experiencing a recession.
Speaking to the media, the NDC Parliamentary candidate for the Abura Asebu Kwamankese constituency, indicated that he would never endorse the construction of a cathedral sponsored by state funds when the government fails to offer basic amenities for Ghanaians.
He stated that the government could not afford to pay caterers to feed basic school students across the country, but thought it prudent to “waste” monies on the construction of a cathedral whose impact would not be noticed by locals.
“I have said that I will never support the construction of the National Cathedral. I don’t know how you would want to describe me; You can call me a devil for saying that.
“There is no need to support this project. As we live in this country, is our priority a cathedral?” he quizzed.
He further alleged that the government is seeking $52 million in state funding to compensate the contractor working on the project solely for “constructing a whole on the site.”
Halle Berry will pay her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, $8,000 a month in child support as part of their divorce settlement.
According to PEOPLE, the 57-year-old and Martinez reached a divorce settlement after nearly eight years of marriage.
The former couple was married for two years before deciding to divorce in 2015. As part of their divorce agreement, the couple will share legal custody of their 9-year-old son Maceo.
In addition, the Monster’s Ball star has promised to pay Martinez “4.3% of any income she receives above $2,000,000” as additional support. Berry will also cover Maceo’s private school tuition, uniforms, school supplies, and extracurricular activities. Martinez will also be reimbursed for such expenses incurred during their child’s 2023/2024 school year.
Berry and Martinez married on July 13, 2013 in France. However, they announced their divorce in 2015. “It is with a heavy heart that we have come to the decision to divorce,” they said at the time in a statement to PEOPLE.
“We move forward with love and respect for one another and the shared focus of what is best for our son. We wish each other nothing but happiness in life and we hope that you respect our and, most importantly, our children’s privacy as we go through this difficult period.”
Berry has a 15-year-old daughter with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, whom she is currently seeing. Similarly, the actress pays Aubry monthly child support. Berry won a legal battle with Aubry over child support in May, according to the Daily Mail Online. For a decade, the two had been entangled in a court battle.
Berry was initially ordered by the LA Superior Court in 2014 to pay Aubry $16,000 per month in child support and an additional $115,000. The actress afterwards referred to Aubry’s fees as “extortion.”
Berry, according to recent filings, has firmly limited the figure at $4.5 million. According to reports, the actress earns $10 million for a film. “Halle shall continue to pay Gabriel 4.3% of any income she receives above $1.95 million as and for additional child support for Nahla,” according to the filing. “However, any additional payments of child support pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed $109,650 per year, which is the difference between 4.3% of $1.95 million and $4.5 million.”
“The parties agree that additional child support in excess of $109,650 per year would exceed Nahla’s reasonable needs.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who previously served as a Deputy Minister for Communication in the Mahama administration, has leveled allegations concerning the construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana.
He claims that the government owes the contractor working on the National Cathedral project a $52 million for what he terms a “useless hole.”
In an interview with the media, Kwakye Ofosu criticized the Akufo-Addo government’s decision to fund the National Cathedral project.
He referred to the project as the most pointless endeavor in Ghana’s history.
“apart from the $58 million spent on the useless project, the government has to look for $52 million of state funds to pay the contractor working on the project just for digging a hole on the site.”
“Just the hole that has been created and not the main project, So if the contractor who has already issued a certificate for the work done decides to sue the government in court, he has to be paid,” he stated.
Despite the fact that the physical structure of the cathedral has not yet been erected, Kwakye Ofosu alleged that the government has already allocated $58 million of state funds to the project, which is taking place during a time of economic difficulty for the country.
Kwakye Ofosu further claimed that, aside from the $58 million already spent, an additional $52 million of state funds will be needed to pay the contractor who has worked on digging a hole for the project.
“I have said that I will never support the construction of the National Cathedral. I don’t know how you would want to describe me; You can call me a devil for saying that.
“There is no need to support this project. As we live in this country, is our priority a cathedral?” he quizzed.
He emphasized that this amount is specifically for the excavation work and not for the main construction of the cathedral. He raised the possibility of the contractor taking legal action against the government for payment.
In his criticism, Kwakye Ofosu highlighted the government’s inability to provide meals for basic school pupils across the country due to lack of funds, while seemingly allocating significant resources to a cathedral project that, in his view, would not have a meaningful impact on the citizens’ lives.
He expressed his opposition to the National Cathedral project, stating that he does not consider it a priority and questioned whether a cathedral should take precedence in a country with pressing needs.
There have been ongoing concerns about the National Cathedral project, including questions about accountability and its relevance in light of Ghana’s economic challenges. Even members of the Board of Trustees of the project, including Archbishop Duncan Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, called for its suspension and a financial audit before continuing.
The controversy also led to a parliamentary motion to probe the National Cathedral Project, initiated by Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson and Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, among others.
The motion seeks to investigate the use of state resources for the cathedral and to make subsequent recommendations based on the findings of the inquiry.
A hopeful contender for the flagbearer position in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has urged the party’s 961 super delegates to place their trust in him by casting their votesin his favor.
His aim is to secure a spot among the top five candidates who will be shortlisted for the critical showdown on November 4.
In his pre-election message directed at the super delegates ahead of the upcoming polls on August 26, 2023, Dr. Akoto expressed the timeliness of the moment for the party’s key decision-makers to express their support for him.
He highlighted his substantial contributions to the party’s progress and called for acknowledgment of his efforts.
Dr. Akoto emphasized his visionary outlook for both the party and the nation. He underlined his capacity to rejuvenate the UP tradition and foster its growth, eradicating the hardships faced by party activists.
His proposal involves establishing commercial enterprises to generate revenue, thereby funding the party’s operations at all levels and simultaneously creating employment opportunities for the jobless.
“I am appealing to you, the super delegates, to vote for me. When you vote for me, I have envisioned two things to do; one for the party and the other for the country. All of us are aware of what happened in the 2016 general elections. In the Presidential, our then candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo beat the then incumbent President John Mahama with over 900,000 votes. But when we went to the 2020 general elections when everyone was expecting a wider margin between these two presidential candidates, the over 900,000 votes was cut down to a little over 500,000. We nearly lost the parliamentary majority seats. We are now pegged at 137 with the Independent Parliamentary candidate, Amoako Asiamah, declaring to do business with the NPP for us to become the Majority Group”, he noted.
He added “these happenings tell us that all was not well largely because our grassroots were abandoned. When you talk to them, almost everyone is complaining. This makes breaking the eight-year governance cycle very difficult, hence, my decision to contest for the flagbearer position to turn things around. So, I am appealing to you once again to show me some love and vote massively for me. I will ensure to work hard to reform the party for all to enjoy”, he underscored.
Dr. Akoto pledged a significant role for both women and youth in his prospective government, both within the NPP and across Ghana as a whole.
The flagbearer race within the governing New Patriotic Party features a total of 10 aspirants.
Among them are notable figures such as Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Energy Mr. Boakye Agyarko, former NPP General Secretary and presidential spokesperson Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong Mr. Francis Addai-Nimo, and former Minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku.
The selection process involves a Special Delegates Congress on August 26, 2023, where five candidates will be chosen to proceed to the next stage.
This selected group will then compete for the coveted flagbearer position on November 4, 2023, ultimately determining the party’s leadership for the 2024 general election.
A former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Edward Ennin, has opened up about a regrettable incident from his political career.
According to him, his decision to prioritize his party’s interests above the greater good of the nation has resulted in personal repercussions that he now views as a form of divine retribution.
In an interview with the media on August 23, 2023, Mr Ennin shared a particular episode that took place in 2015.
At that time, he had been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing a government contract for the construction of a constituency building in the Ashanti region. This contract had been awarded by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Ennin recounted that due to his unwavering allegiance to the NPP, he deliberately orchestrated a deliberate ten-month delay in the project’s implementation.
His primary motivation behind this delay was to prevent the NDC from utilizing the government facility as a campaign tool in the upcoming 2016 elections.
The former MP admitted that this deliberate delay had consequences, particularly on his personal financial situation, after the NDC lost the election.
He shared that following the election results, he had intended to express his support for his party by purchasing cement for the construction project directly from the NPP’s chairman, who now holds positions as both an MP and a deputy minister.
However, Ennin encountered numerous obstacles in his attempt to acquire the cement and faced challenges in obtaining the funds required for the purchase.
He attributed these setbacks to his failure to prioritize the nation’s welfare over political interests, a perspective he has since recognized as flawed.
The Aggrieved Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) Association has threatened to stage a protest if the Ministry of Finance fails to settle their 9 months’ arrears by August 31, 2023.
Despite numerous attempts to secure payment from the government, the group’s leadership claims their efforts have been in vain.
The National Convenor of Aggrieved NABCo Beneficiaries, David Petterson, communicated that their members’ lives have become unbearable.
He warned of upcoming demonstrations if the government doesn’t respond to their appeals, emphasizing that they have persistently sought payment since the previous year.
Petterson added that pleas have been directed to the Finance Minister and other relevant bodies, with no results.
He stressed the urgent need for payment, citing distressing member situations including hunger, medical challenges, disrupted households, and more.
The group’s message to the government is clear: pay by the end of August, or they will take to the streets in a nationwide demonstration.
“We started this last year, and we have been hitting on the doors of government and wrote to the Finance Minister on two occasions to pay us but to no avail. We have written to CHRAJ and others but still nothing happened so we are pleading with the government to release our monies to us else we will stage a nationwide demonstration.”“We are pleading with the government to pay us by the end of August else we are hitting the road because I have been receiving calls from members who complain of starvation, medical difficulties, broken homes, and a host of others.”
A female resident of a Witch camp, Kukuo, at a community outside of Bimbilla in the Northern region, Ghana has opened up about her experiences at the facility.
She recounted the distressing period when she found herself crying incessantly for three consecutive days in a documentary by a Nigerian atheist and content creator, Gbenga Adewoye, titled The Face of a Witch| Ghana Witch Camps.
She also revealed the dark thoughts that crossed her mind, contemplating the idea of ending her life through suicide.
Her presence there was a result of being accused of witchcraft by her community, following the unfortunate passing of a neighbour.
This accusation, she explained, arose due to the belief that she was responsible for her neighbour’s demise, leading to her being labelled as a witch.
In her account, she revealed that she spent a duration of four years within the camp.
“It’s been 4 years since I came, someone passed away in my community and I was accused of being a witch. I cried for three straight days. I wanted to commit suicide then I thought to myself how I would only be proving them right?
There are six “witches’ camps,” In the Northern part of Ghana, where women are compelled to take refuge due to being unjustly labelled as witches, often for offences they have no knowledge of committing.
Tragically, these women face severe mistreatment and harsh conditions within these camps, which persist until their unfortunate demise.
In July 2020, a tragic incident occurred in Kafaba near Salaga in the Savannah region, where Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman, lost her life under distressing circumstances.
She was falsely labelled a witch by a priestess and subsequently subjected to a horrifying fate. A furious mob within the community dragged her and ultimately lynched her.
Regrettably, this horrifying incident is not an isolated occurrence. Older women, and sometimes even older men, who find themselves accused of practicing witchcraft, face substantial dangers.
In local communities, various misfortunes such as failed crops, accidents, or deaths can trigger accusations of witchcraft.
Especially vulnerable are widowed women, who often face accusations of having caused their husbands’ deaths for personal gain.
Such accusations can lead to these women being unjustly branded as witches, subjected to mistreatment, and even facing threats to their lives.
In 2021, three Members of Parliament took a significant step by introducing a Private Members’ Bill.
The bill aimed to amend the Criminal and Other Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) with the primary objective of prohibiting the activities of witch doctors and witchfinders.
The proponents of this bill were Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, who represents the Madina constituency, Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, representing the Pusiga constituency, and Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, who serves the Wa East constituency.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) party has appointed a former Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, as its Director of Elections and IT in preparation for 2024 elections.
This appointment was officially communicated through a press release issued on August 24, 2023, bearing the signature of NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
The press release also reveals a roster of other key appointments for the approaching 2024 general elections.
Dr. Omane Boamah, a medical doctor and expert in health policy planning and financing, succeeds Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who had held the position since 2019.
Having previously served as Spokesperson for former President John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, Dr. Boamah’s professional achievements extend to his role as Vice Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) in Geneva.
An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics (LSE), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the University of Ghana Medical School, Dr. Boamah played pivotal roles in NDC’s electoral victories, including his roles as Deputy Campaign Coordinator in the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections and his contributions to the NDC’s triumph in the 2008 elections.
The NDC’s other new appointments include:
Professor Joshua Alabi – Vice Chairman
Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman
Abdul Rauf Khalid – Vice Chairman
Godwin Kudzo Tameklo – Director of Legal Affairs
Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor – Director of Inter-Party/CSO Relations
In a send-off event organized to honor the immediate past Executive Secretaries of the Lands Commission, Mr. James Dadson and Alhaji Sulemana Mahama, the newly appointed Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Benjamin Arthur, stated that his commitment to upholding and building upon their contributions towards a robust land administration system.
Addressing the gathering on August 23, 2023, Mr. Arthur acknowledged the significance of the work undertaken by his predecessors and compared their efforts to clearing tree stumps from barren land, paving the way for his upcoming responsibilities.
Mr. Arthur expressed optimism that with many hurdles minimized and significant groundwork completed, his tenure would be smoother, benefiting from the achievements of his predecessors to fulfill the goals of the Lands Commission.
He expressed gratitude to Mr. James Dadson for the valuable guidance provided during their time together, and to Alhaji Sulemana Mahama for his continuous support and guidance over the years.
Outgoing Executive Secretary, Surv. James Dadson, expressed appreciation for the Commission’s recognition and support throughout his term. He especially thanked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, and the Deputy Minister responsible for Lands and Forestry for their unwavering assistance.
He hoped that the same level of support would continue for the new Executive Secretary to maintain the momentum of progress. In concluding his speech, Dadson acknowledged the challenges faced and the teamwork that carried them through, expressing gratitude for the journey.
Alhaji Sulemana Mahama, the retired Executive Secretary preceding Mr. Dadson, conveyed gratitude to the organizers of the event and offered counsel to the incoming Executive Secretary and other continuing staff, advising them to remain true to themselves, their beliefs, and the mission of the Lands Commission.
Mr. Alex Quaynor, National Chairman of the Commission, urged the Commission’s management and staff to brace themselves for upcoming challenges as the government endeavors to provide the necessary resources for an even more effective land administration system in the country.
Former Deputy Minister for Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has stated that President Akufo-Addo exhibits a lack of concern for events within his government.
According to him, previously, the president used to refute accusations of corruption, but now he disregards them.
In a Twitter post, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, stated that Ghanaians are navigating independently, suggesting the nation is on autopilot.
He criticized President Akufo-Addo, highlighting his apparent lack of concern for developments within his government, a departure from his earlier denial tactics.
“President Akufo-Addo does not appear to give a toss about anything that happens in his government.”
“Initially, he would always claim not to be aware. Now, he simply does not care!”
Kwakye Ofosu’s tweet follows the recent alleged stolen monies from the home of the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
In July, two domestic workers were brought before a court for purportedly stealing US$1 million, €300,000, and Ghanaian cedis from the former minister’s home.
Dapaah resigned following calls for her departure to allow investigations.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) conducted a search at Dapaah’s residence after she was questioned about suspected corruption.
Another individual allegedly connected to the theft was granted bail, bringing the total number of those granted bail to three, including two who were released due to their status as lactating mothers.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has confirmed the successful completion of road alignment clearance for the construction of four significant by-passes along the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
All eight local contractors engaged in the project have initiated earthworks, with some already finishing the setup of their construction sites.
Commencing on June 15th of this year, the construction of the four major by-passes marks a significant step in the government’s initiative to dualize the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The designated by-passes, located in Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo, form part of a comprehensive strategy to alleviate traffic congestion, minimize accidents, and optimize the flow of goods and individuals along this key highway.
In a recent development, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ing Dr Abass M. Awolu, alongside a team of engineers from the Ministry and the Ghana Highway Authority, conducted an inspection of the ongoing work.
Ing. Dr Awolu expressed contentment with the progress achieved thus far, underscoring the government’s steadfast commitment to the dualization of major truck routes across the nation.
Austin Faani, spouse of Nollywood’s Chacha Eke, has shared life with a partner dealing with mental health challenges.
Nollywood actress, Chacha Eke’s battle with bipolar disorder has garnered attention on social media.
Chacha Eke recounted a recent episode where she experienced a manic phase. She detailed days spent wandering through various locations in Lagos, including streets, hotels, and beaches.
She also mentioned traveling to Ghana by boat using a forged ID.
She described waking up one early morning around 3 a.m. feeling frightened at home, which led her to flee to an Asaba motor park and eventually to Lagos.
Austin Faani, her husband, shared his own perspective, recalling a time when his wife abruptly woke him up at 1 a.m. by smashing a mirror loudly. According to him, she claimed that numerous figures were emerging from the mirror, prompting her to break it.
Chacha’s husband also disclosed how he supported her during challenging times, accompanying her to prayer sessions when her condition worsened.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ruth Kadiri, has experienced a rush of emotions upon waking up to watch her most recent film.
Sharing her feelings on her Instagram page, the mother of two revealed that she found herself in tears halfway through her own film.
Ruth Kadiri opened up about her emotional experience, expressing that witnessing her portrayal of hurt and vulnerability in the film moved her to tears, even causing her to pause watching midway.
In a message to her followers, she empathetically advised those who found themselves stirred by the film to pause, take a walk to clear their emotions, and then resume watching.
With sincerity, she requested her audience to watch the film to its conclusion, appealing to them on her behalf.
Concluding her message, the filmmaker offered a heartfelt prayer for those who carry broken hearts, hoping for their emotional wounds to be healed.
“I woke up this morning! To watch my upload for tomorrow!!
Halfway into the movie I burst into tears! Watching myself hurt and broken made me cry!! I couldn’t finish it! I beg! When you watch and you’re in tears! Pause the film! Take a stroll and come back and finish it! For my sake try and finish!!! Love you all.
May God heal the hearts of all broken-hearted souls”.
A Nigerian comedian, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ejekwu, widely known as the fearless Sabinus, has shed light on his personal life while delivering a sensational exposé on his financial achievements.
Engaging in a fresh dialogue with his dedicated followers, the content creator took to Instagram Stories to address a range of fan-generated queries.
He candidly discussed topics such as his financial standing, the motivation behind his recent passionate disclosure, his favorite culinary indulgences, and a plethora of other captivating subjects.
When questioned about his net worth, Sabinus confidently disclosed that his account boasted a substantial N930 million.When pressed for details about his recent personal encounter, he candidly shared that it had taken place almost two months ago.
In a bid to address the annual import of approximately $4 million worth of sunflower oil, a project has been initiated in Accra to empower farmers in cultivating sunflower on a large scale.
This endeavor taps into the immense potential of this globally sought-after oilseed crop, promising to enhance the nation’s socio-economic progress.
The multifaceted benefits of sunflower, ranging from edible oil production to biodiesel for energy generation and improved nutrition, make it a strategic choice. Notably, the country’s fish processing industry exports fish flakes in sunflower oil, contributing $147 million to the economy annually.
Beyond economic gains, the project aims to mitigate environmental degradation by utilizing sunflower to rehabilitate degraded lands. Tropical Agriculture and Marketing Consultancy Services (TRAGRIMACS), in collaboration with the Crop Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, and the Chemistry Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, are driving this initiative.
Issah Sulemana, CEO of TRAGRIMACS, emphasized Ghana’s scientific and technological capability in cultivating and processing sunflower seeds into various products, including edible oil, biodiesel, and animal feed. He highlighted the potential for using biodiesel to generate power and earn carbon credits for the country.
The project’s resurgence, following its successful run from 2006 to 2012, is attributed to the global reduction in sunflower production. The conflict between major sunflower-producing countries Russia and Ukraine presented an opportunity for Ghana to revitalize its efforts in the field.
Sulemana is optimistic about the project’s profitability, estimating an average net profit of GH¢461 per acre for farmers cultivating this drought-resistant crop. To ensure its sustainability, TRAGRIMACS intends to collaborate with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, aiming to position the project as an appealing investment opportunity for large-scale sunflower production.
Dr. Michael Baah Mensah, a lecturer at KNUST’s Department of Chemistry, highlighted the importance of research funding to determine the suitable sunflower seed variety for cultivation in the country.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez have officially concluded their divorce proceedings, nearly eight years after initially filing for divorce.
They have reached an agreement to share both legal and physical custody of their 9-year-old son, Maceo.
As part of the settlement, Berry will provide Martinez with $8,000 per month in child support.
The Academy Award-winning actress and the “Unfaithful” actor publicly announced their decision to divorce in October 2015.
They expressed their commitment to moving forward with love and respect, focusing on what would be best for their son. They asked for privacy during this challenging time.
“We move forward with love and respect for one another and the shared focus of what is best for our son. We wish each other nothing but happiness in life and we hope that you respect our and, most importantly, our children’s privacy as we go through this difficult period,” the statement read.
After their joint statement, Berry and Martinez separately filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation.
Their connection blossomed while working together on the film “Dark Tide” in 2012, eventually leading to their marriage in July 2013 in a private ceremony in France.
In April of the same year, Berry revealed her pregnancy with Martinez, expressing her joy and surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
She had previously been married to baseball player David Justice and singer Eric Benet, as well as being in a relationship with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, with whom she shares a daughter named Nahla.
“This has been the biggest surprise of my life, to tell you the truth. I thought I was kind of past the point where this could be a reality for me. So it’s been a big surprise and the most wonderful,” she said at the time.
For Olivier Martinez, this marriage marked his first experience with matrimony.
A man has revealed his shocking dilemma on “The Late Night Chat Show”, a popular talk show hosted by Tima KumKum, where she gives advice on love and relationships.
The man said he found out his fiancee has slept with 150 men and he is not sure if he can marry her.
He asked Tima KumKum and the viewers for their opinions on what he should do.
Read his story below:
Hello Tima, I’m set to marry next weekend and I’m so sad because I’m too disappointed in the woman I’m about to call my wife in few days. Tima we started our counseling months back and during our last but one visit, our counselor told us to write all the people we have slept with on a sheet of paper, fold it and put it in an envelope, seal it and make sure we don’t show it to each other, per his instructions he said after we hand over the envelopes he will pray over it and burn it and with that all soul ties will break.
Before our marriage, he told us to be very honest since no one will see we must really try and remember all the people we have slept with and write them down, Tima I wrote mine during the week and honestly I tried to remember all the women I have slept with which wasn’t easy but I tried and got 45 which I thought was too much and prayed my wife to be never gets to know because I plan never to tell her my body count, but on the day we were supposed to present the envelopes which was also supposed to be our last day of counseling.
I picked up my woman and on our way she asked me to stop by her saloon and begged me she will stay for just 30minutes because she wanted to fix her hair briefly, I had no problem so whilst sitting in my car. I was bored so I started going through her bible as I wanted to just read a few scriptures to while away time only for me to come across her left it in the Bible it wasn’t in an envelope.
So l opened it and I almost fainted, Tima my wife to be had listed 150 men Omg I just couldn’t believe my eyes, she had numbered them too, I saw her two exes she had told me About’s name and some names including her current boss that was alarming, Tima how on earth will a woman sleep with 150 men even me that I’m a man I thought 45 was too much only to see this, I’ve been dating her for the past two years.
She’s a good woman no two ways but as soon as I saw the list Tima I totally lost interest in her, now I kept my cool took a picture of the lists and sent to my email and waited for her to come back, when she did we moved and she asked me to stop by a shop to buy an envelope and that’s when I saw her put the list in it and sealed it, Tima we got to the counselor we both handed our envelopes and he prayed and burnt it, honestly I felt like a fool that day because I was just trying so hard to keep my cool but deep inside I was hurting.
I couldn’t tell the counselor because he had given instructions that no one was supposed to look at the other’s list and so I couldn’t open up to him, now I also couldn’t ask my woman and we have few days to the wedding, Tima I don’t know what to do, please help me, my woman disgust me, trust me I’m not sure if I should go ahead and marry her I can be able to even touch her.
Cancellation of the wedding will bring too much disgrace to our list of men she’s slept with, Tima she had just family because at this point all our friends and families are aware, we’ve been introduced in both our churches, our families outside the country are already coming down this weekend in anticipation to our big day, I just can’t think straight, these past few days has been terrible. Kindly help me decide because this is too much of a burden on me. Comments are welcome.
Edgar Asamoah Boateng, who aspired to represent the Abuakwa North constituency in Parliament, has issued a sincere and unconditional apology to the National Executive Council of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for initiating legal proceedings against the party.
His suspension from the NDC, which took place in July, came as a result of his decision to seek a court injunction against the party. The suspension followed his move to prevent the NDC from conducting both the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries in the Abuakwa North constituency, as well as in all 275 constituencies.
Edgar Asamoah Boateng’s legal action was prompted by his concerns about the absence of a voters’ register provided to his fellow aspirants. This led him to seek a High Court injunction against the NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, which were scheduled for May 13.
Acknowledging the impact of his actions on the party, Edgar Asamoah Boateng expressed his regrets and offered his apology to the National Executive Council. In his formal apology letter, he stated:
“I wish to extend an unreserved apology to the Party, the Flagbearer, the National Chairman, and the National Executive Council for my decision to take legal action against the party. I have become aware that my actions caused significant distress to the Party. My decision was a result of my frustration in not obtaining a satisfactory resolution from the party regarding certain actions carried out by certain constituency executives of the Abuakwa North Constituency. These actions, if left unchecked, could have serious repercussions for our party. Despite having raised concerns and submitted complaints through the established grievance resolution channels of the Party, I felt compelled to take legal action.”
Edgar Asamoah Boateng’s apology reflects his recognition of the impact of his actions and his willingness to mend any divisions caused by his decision to pursue legal action against the NDC.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced its decision to resume the registration and issuance of Ghana Cards to individuals aged 15 years and above, who are first-time applicants, free of charge.
This operation will recommence in eight out of the sixteen regions on Monday, September 11 .
The resumption of this registration effort has been prompted by the acquisition of 484,000 blank cards from the NIA’s technical partners, Identity Management Systems II Limited (IMS II) and CalBank PLC.
In a statement, the EC said, “the second phase will begin on Monday, 11th September 2023 for all Ghanaians aged 15 years and above who have not yet applied for the Ghana Card. During Phase Two, Ghanaians wishing to replace their lost, stolen, or damaged Ghana Cards or to correct their names or dates of birth may do so in accordance with law at any of the NIA’s 286 Operational Offices nationwide offering free registration.”
“The resumption of this registration exercise has become possible due to NIA’s receipt of 484,000 blank cards from its technical partners, Identity Management Systems II Limited (IMS II) and CalBank PLC following an initiative by the Ministry of Finance. By this development, eligible Ghanaians who have not yet registered for the Ghana Card can do so”.
On the other hand, starting from Monday, August 28, 2023, and concluding on Friday, September 8, 2023 a limited registration will be conducted exclusively for Public Sector Workers on the Government of Ghana (GoG) Payroll.
Additionally, a specialized mobile service has been introduced for households comprising five or more members who intend to obtain the Ghana Card. This service enables the NIA team to conduct registrations directly at the households, albeit for a fee.
This initiative was spurred by the Ministry of Finance. As a result, eligible Ghanaians who have not previously registered for the Ghana Card are now able to do so.
These services cater to households with five or more Ghanaian members, as well as organizations with 50 or more Ghanaian members, who wish to avail registration services at a designated residence or location.
The cost for Household Registration stands at GH¢150.00 per applicant, while Institutional Registration requires GH¢100.00 per applicant, coupled with logistics fees.
Alan Kojo Kyeremateng’s campaign team has taken a swipe at the visually impaired activist, Duodu Bulgaria, after he predicted that Alan Kyeremateng would lose to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
A prominent member of Alan Kyeremateng’s social media campaign team, Benjamin Akowuah, expressed his hope that Duodu Bulgaria, despite his blindness, would somehow gain the ability to witness Alan Kyeremateng’s victory.
In a Facebook post he said “the Only Person I am Sad that he will not see the Victory of Chief Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen is a so called “Blind Historian”.
The post garnered negative reactions, with many finding it distasteful. Some comments pointed out the uncertainty of the future and cautioned against such assertions.
One commenter criticized the tone of the post: “Benjamin Akowuah, this post is inappropriate. No one knows what the future holds, so be cautious.”
Another comment suggested that Duodu Bulgaria, despite being visually impaired, might have a deeper understanding: “He may lack physical sight, but he seemingly perceives more than you, who have your vision intact. Doesn’t that say a lot?”
Duodu Bulgaria’s Statements:
Last week, Duodu Bulgaria, the blind historian, advised former trade minister Alan Kyeremateng to abandon his presidential aspirations, deeming them unattainable.
Bulgaria reiterated these sentiments in an interview with the media. He claimed that it would be easier to bring the dead back to life than for Alan Kyeremateng to become the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer.
“Apart from raising the dead to come back to life, the next most difficult thing is for Alan Kyerematen to become NPP flagbearer,” he told Kofi Adomah. Refreshing the memory of viewers, Bulgaria said Alan’s written and signed resignation in 2007 was the end of his political ambition” He said.
Bulgaria’s interview appears to have stirred controversy within the Alan Kyeremateng camp, just 48 hours before the New Patriotic Party Superdelegates conference on Saturday, August 26.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has taken action against 11 senior executives following allegations of their involvement in activities that led to significant financial losses for the company.
According to reports the list of individuals affected by this decision includes Treasury Executives, a Senior IT Assistant, an Assistant Accounting Officer, Artisans, Customer Service Officers, and other high-ranking personnel.
The report outlines a range of illicit actions in which these executives are alleged to have participated, resulting in negative financial consequences for the organization.
The accusations leveled against these individuals encompass activities such as manipulating and fabricating records, making unauthorized alterations to payment records, as well as engaging in improper payments and transfers.
These actions collectively contributed to the financial harm suffered by ECG.
These executives, who had been stationed across different regions of the country, have been issued dismissal notices, effectively ending their employment with the company. The terminations took place in August 2023, affecting the top leadership of ECG.
Although the report does not provide specific names of the dismissed officials, it confirms that management has already communicated their dismissal to them through official letters.
It is noted that the implicated executives were given ample opportunity by ECG management to defend themselves against the allegations. However, their failure to adequately address the accusations ultimately led to their dismissal.
The present administration at ECG is firmly committed to safeguarding the company’s financial assets. To this end, a series of policies have been introduced to combat theft and other illicit activities within the organization.
Founder of the now-defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has unveiled intriguing insights into his entrepreneurial journey and career development.
He recounted instances where he found himself in a battle for what he rightfully deserved when certain financial institutions, from which he aimed to secure loans, made irrational demands.
As disclosed in excerpts from his book titled “The UT Story – Humble Beginnings,” Amoabeng revealed that at a certain juncture, an undisclosed bank requested an investment in Treasury Bills of a specific value as collateral for him to obtain the desired loan amount.
Although he had initially proposed his property as collateral, the bank initially declined. Later, they approved only half of the requested amount, offering GHC 50 million instead of the GHC 100 million he sought. In addition, they demanded his house as extra collateral.
Frustration mounted, leading him to take an unexpected action: he leapt over the counter and demanded the closure of his account with the bank, insisting on retrieving all his funds.
“I rushed to the bank in very high hopes only to be informed that they had approved GHC 50 million instead of the GHC 100 million I had applied for. And in addition to the GHC 100 million Treasury Bills, they wanted me to add my house as collateral. I became apoplectic!
“They declined my house as collateral and demanded a liquid investment. I struggled to procure the Treasury Bills at a cost. And after three months, they want to grant me half of the amount I had requested. On top of that, they were now demanding my house as additional collateral!
“What do you people take me for? I yelled. [Calm down, Adjei Ansah said]. GHC 100 million Treasury Bills is equivalent to cash!] I yelled ignoring him. So why do you want my house in addition? [So we’ll feel more comfortable, he replied.] If you don’t feel comfortable with the Treasury Bills, then why did you ask for it?” he continued.
Amoabeng continued to recount, “I didn’t wait for them to process my request. I vaulted over the counter and confronted the staff, demanding my documents immediately. ‘Sir, please remain calm,’ they attempted to placate me. ‘No! No! No! Don’t feed me that nonsense!’ I created a scene and closed my account. I was even more furious because I had intended to utilize my house as collateral to secure additional funds from elsewhere.”
Ultimately, he returned the Treasury Bill documents he had obtained from a friend and sold his house to fund his business endeavors.
Below is a snippet of the page with the narration:
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a warning to delegates against revealing their ballots subsequent to voting during the upcoming Special Delegates conference scheduled for Saturday.
On August 26, NPP delegates will partake in a vote to trim the current pool of ten presidential aspirants down to a final selection of five.
This Special Electoral College event will serve as a precursor to the pivotal national conference set for November 4, 2023. During this later gathering, the party will designate its flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
This nationwide balloting process follows several months of intense campaigning by the aspirants, who traversed the entire country in an effort to secure the favor of the delegates, who hold the power to shape their fates.
In an official statement outlining measures implemented to ensure the smooth culmination of the voting process, the NPP underscored that it’s imperative to recognize that publicly showcasing marked ballots constitutes a criminal offense.
“We hereby serve notice that those who violate this provision shall be subjected to legal repercussions in accordance with the law. Delegates are hereby informed that any cast ballots publicly displayed will be rejected.”
Furthermore, the party emphasized that through the established protocols, it aims to assure “all pertinent parties, including stakeholders, delegates, aspirants, and the general public, that these guidelines guarantee that no individual can discern the voting preferences and trends of specific voters following the conclusion of the voting process.”
The Member of Parliament representing the Assin North Constituency, James Gyakye Quayson, has expressed his contentment upon returning to Ghana after spending several years in Canada.
According to him, his purpose for returning is to serve the needs of his constituents, a move that brings him great satisfaction.
James Gyakye Quayson, previously the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election, achieved a triumphant victory in the recent polls.
The by-election, which took place on June 27, 2023, saw Mr. Quayson secure 17,245 votes, constituting an impressive 57.56 percent of the total votes cast.
This victory enabled him to surpass his opponents: Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
In the closely contested by-election, Charles Opoku garnered 12,630 votes, corresponding to 42.15 percent of the total votes cast, while Bernice Enyonam Sefenu from the LPG received a mere 87 votes, amounting to 0.29 percent of the total.
Mr. Quayson, who initially secured the seat in the 2020 polls with 17,498 votes, was removed from Parliament due to his dual citizenship status before filing his nomination forms.
The vacancy in the Assin North seat arose after the Supreme Court’s ruling on May 17, instructing Parliament to expunge Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records.
In an interview with the media, the legislator conveyed his happiness about revitalizing his constituency.
Despite facing daily challenges that posed setbacks, Mr. Quayson emphasized that these obstacles did not dissuade him from putting in vigorous effort to secure the seat. He underscored his unwavering determination and dismissed any fear of losing the by-elections.
However, it’s worth noting that the MP is currently entangled in a legal battle, facing allegations of forgery and perjury. The state has levied charges against him, including deceiving a public officer in contravention of section 251 (b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29.
Additionally, he is accused of forging a passport or travel certificate, in violation of section 15 (1)(b) of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), as well as knowingly making a false statutory declaration, an offense under the Statutory Declarations Act, 1971, Act 389.
Furthermore, Mr. Quayson faces perjury charges under section 210 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29, along with charges of making a false declaration for office as per section 248 of the same act, Act 29.
A recent study focusing on obstetric violence experienced by Ghanaian women has brought to light distressing findings.
According to the research two-thirds of pregnant women are subjected to mistreatment at the hands of healthcare professionals during labor and childbirth.
The investigation was led by Dr. Abena Yalley, a Ghanaian researcher based in Germany, alongside her team of researchers.
Over the span of September 2021 to February 2022, they engaged with 2,142 mothers residing in the Western and Ashanti Regions of Ghana, delving into the issue of Obstetric Violence.
Termed as “Humanizing the Birthing Process,” the study aimed to uncover the underlying factors that hinder both maternal and newborn well-being. It aimed to bridge the gap between the high rates of antenatal care utilization and the comparatively low rates of hospital deliveries, a discrepancy that undermines the goals of ensuring safe maternal care, reducing morbidity, and preventing mortality.
The context in Ghana revealed a disturbing statistic: in 2017 alone, 310 maternal deaths were recorded per 100,000 live births, a deeply concerning figure for achieving Sustainable Development Goal indicators.
Dr. Abena Yalley, during a dissemination workshop involving nurses, midwives, doctors, women’s groups, and educators from training institutions, emphasized the pressing nature of the burden posed by obstetric violence in Ghana.
She described how this violence manifested in various forms: disrespect, lack of empathy, undignified care, neglect, abandonment, physical violence, and procedures performed without consent.
The research identified distressing practices within healthcare facilities, including shouting, beating of women during labor, and performing episiotomy stitches without anesthesia after deliveries. These practices were identified as common yet perilous.
Significantly, the study uncovered that these abuses were particularly inflicted upon single mothers and teenage girls.
The repercussions of these negative behaviors displayed by healthcare professionals were far-reaching.
It led many women to prefer seeking assistance from traditional birth attendants over skilled medical professionals. Moreover, women who had endured such mistreatment experienced psychological and emotional trauma, often leading to a reluctance to seek facility-based deliveries.
This situation, as revealed by the study, has the potential to undermine progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, as well as in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS.
Addressing these grave concerns, the study put forth recommendations. It called for a revision of the curricula in healthcare institutions, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care.
It also urged strategic interventions to break the cycle of violence and proposed the implementation of grievance systems to address instances of abuse. Such measures are deemed crucial to ensure that maternal care is not just safe but also respectful and dignified.
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has announced that the 2023 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel will be fully self-funded and will not impose any financial burden on the government.
In an interview with the media on Wednesday, August 23, Richard Obeng Boafo, Deputy Director and Head of the Religious Affairs Unit at the Ministry, emphasized that the intention of the government is for participants in the pilgrimage to cover their own expenses, including travel and accommodations costs.
“For now, we are not sponsoring anybody,” he said.
He added “we want the pilgrims to pay for their fares and accommodation, it will not cost the government any money.”
Furthermore, an internal circular has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to communicate details about the 2023 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel.
The pilgrimage will be divided into three segments spanning from September 22 to November 30, 2023.
The circular contains the following information:
“I have the honour to inform members of staff that the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has resumed its Christian Pilgrimage Programme to Israel. The provisional dates for the 2023 Pilgrimage are as follows:
“First Pilgrimage: 22nd-30th September, 2023 (Deadline for submission of registration forms 31st August, 2023); Second Pilgrimage: 21st-29th October, 2023 (Deadline for submission of forms 22nd September 2023); and Third Pilgrimage: 22nd-30th November, 2023 (Deadline for submission of forms 20th October, 2023),” it stated.
Nigerian music sensation, Burna Boy has clarified the misconception surrounding his music style, emphatically labeling it as Afro-Fusion rather than the previously reported term Afrobeats.
The accomplished artist shared these insights during an interview conducted in the United States.
Burna Boy was probed about the distinctions between his musical genre and Afrobeats, to which he responded by tracing the origins of “Afrobeat” back to the late musical icon Fela Kuti.
He expressed his lack of awareness regarding the genesis of the term “Afrobeats.”
According to Burna Boy, “Afrobeat” inherently belongs to Fela Kuti, the revered African legend.
He pointed out that those who adopted Fela’s style needed a distinct label for identification purposes, and that’s when the term “Afrobeats” emerged, with the addition of an “S.”
He admitted his uncertainty about its origin, speculating that it might have originated from the UK or another source. Regardless, he made it clear that it wasn’t originally “Afrobeats.”
Burna Boy went on to define his musical style as Afro-Fusion, an intricate fusion of diverse sounds that encapsulate the essence of the African experience.
He explained that when he embarked on his Afro-Fusion journey, he found no pre-existing label that resonated with his unique sound.
Consequently, he coined the term “Afro-Fusion” to encompass the amalgamation of various musical elements. He likened the African essence within his music to the container holding the entire concoction, signifying its core identity.
“Afrobeat is Fela Kuti. The African legend called Fela Kuti. That’s Afrobeat. Those who adopted his style needed to call it something to be able to identify. And somehow, they just said Afrobeat and added an S. I have no idea. Maybe it’s the UK or maybe I don’t know who. But it wasn’t Afrobeats.
“So for me, it’s like when I started the Afro-Fusion thing, there was nothing that I could identify myself with. So I just said, you know what? I’ll call it Afro-fusion. Because it’s a fusion of everything, really. And the Africaness is the bottle that holds the whole drink,” he added.
As Funke Akindele marks her 46th birthday tomorrow, Frday, August 24, fellow Nollywood celebrities have flooded her Instagram page with warm wishes.
The actress and filmmaker shared stunning images, expressing gratitude for 46 years of God’s blessings.
In heartfelt words, she wrote, “You can swipe Sha. 46 years of God’s goodness. Oluwaseun”.
In another post, Akindele urged her fans to hold onto their birthday gifts, praying for a continuous stream of celebrations.
“August 24th, here I come! Guys, save my birthday gift, okay? May we always find reasons to celebrate!!!”
Celebrities such as Mo Abudu, Mercy Aigbe, Juliana Olayode, Regina Chukwu, Biola Bayo, Alesh Sanni, and more showered her comments with early birthday wishes.
Mo Abudu wrote, “My darling
Juliana Olayode wrote, “Happy birthday mama. God bless and keep you
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan’s name has been featured in Burna Boy‘s latest song featuring British rapper Dave.
Gyan is referenced in the track by Dave, who smoothly rhymes on the anticipated hit titled “Cheat on Me.”
The song is part of Burna Boy’s upcoming album scheduled for August 25 release.
Dave’s lyrics include, “I’m Asamoah Gyan, the way I hit the bar,” recalling Gyan’s 2010 World Cup penalty against Uruguay.
Gyan took to social media, sharing a fire emoji in reaction, indicating his endorsement of the song’s quality.
Dave is renowned for skillfully incorporating football references in his music, previously mentioning players like Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan Bissaka of Manchester United.
This marks Burna Boy and Dave’s second collaboration, with their initial joint effort “Location” becoming a global hit.
Meanwhile, Gyan’s passion for music is notable; he has collaborated with Ghanaian artists including reggae-dancehall star Stonebwoy.
At 37, Gyan retired from football in June, culminating a remarkable career exceeding two decades, as reported by the BBC.
In spite of her prominently large pregnancy belly, Mildred, a woman renowned for her captivating TikTok posts, has astounded her followers as she delivers a single baby.
Throughout her pregnancy journey, Mildred had been sharing her experiences, showcasing her prominently expanding belly, which led many to speculate whether she was expecting twins.
However, Mildred’s recent video announcement has illuminated the authentic nature of her pregnancy.
Documenting her pregnancy journey through a captivating series of videos, Mildred had been actively engaging her audience.
With each passing week, her baby belly had expanded, intensifying the assumptions and excitement of her followers.
Given the conspicuous size of her pregnancy belly, her fans had been anticipating the arrival of not just one, but possibly two babies.
This anticipation reached its climax when Mildred finally unveiled a post-birth video, disclosing a delightful twist that had remained unforeseen.
In the video, Mildred exuberantly introduced her baby boy to the world, conclusively dispelling any uncertainties surrounding her pregnancy.
Her elation and bliss were palpable as she proudly presented her baby to the camera, radiating happiness and contentment.
Netizens reactions… @Dydy Diamond Lova said; “Only one? That baby had a luxurious villa inside your tummy! Congratulations mama!”
@Iam.Itunu commented; “He’s supposed to start school immediately o.”
@Debby asked; “OMG. Just one? Congrats momma!”
@MIRACLE reacted; “Congratulations! All thanks to God almighty.”
@phaswanaphaswanas said; “God bless you and the baby.”
@Princess Pamilerin said; “Congratulations! I tap from this blessing.”
@Barbara Sanders said; “Awwww! What a gorgeous baby.
Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Betty Krosbi Mensah, has made an urgent appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC), specifically addressing its chairperson, Jean Mensa.
She has called on the EC to promptly review the voter registration procedures for Afram Plains North in consultation with the District Inter-Party Committee.
The aim is to establish voter registration centers on all the islands in the area, thereby facilitating the registration of voters.
Betty Krosbi Mensah has suggested that the EC considers deploying mobile voter registration units, similar to what was done in 2020, as another potential solution.
The EC has announced that the voter registration process for individuals who have attained the age of 18 will begin on Tuesday, September 12 and continue until Monday, October 2, 2023.
The registration will be carried out at all 268 district offices nationwide.
Notably, a fee of GHC10 will be charged for the replacement of voter’s ID cards.
During a press briefing in Accra, titled ‘Let the Citizen Know’, Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized that this voter registration exercise aims to provide an opportunity for Ghanaians who have turned 18 since the last registration in 2020, as well as those above 18 who couldn’t register for various reasons during the 2020 exercise.
In a press conference held on August 23, the MP for Afram Plains North expressed the belief that the Electoral Commission should conduct the registration process in accordance with both the spirit and letter of the constitution.
She emphasized the importance of upholding the objectives and democratic principles outlined in the constitution.
Betty Krosbi Mensah conveyed concerns that restricting the registration to only the District Office could inadvertently disenfranchise numerous eligible voters across various communities in the Afram Plains Constituency.
She emphasized that such an approach could act as a disincentive, indirectly undermining the ability of many to participate in the electoral process.
“In effect, the Electoral Commission should not and must not exercise its powers conferred on it by the constitution in a manner arbitrary to the constitution as to deny citizens the right to register and vote through administrative action or inaction.
“We in the Afram Plains Constituency are concerned that if the Electoral Commission proceeds with its plan to use only the DistrictOffice as the registration center, it will be a disincentive that will indirectly disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters across many communities in the constituency.”
Below is her full statement…
STATEMENT BY HON. BETTY NANA EFUA KROSBI MENSAH, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE AFRAM PLAINS NORTH CONSTITUENCY ON THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE VOTER’S REGISTRATION MODALITIES ANNOUNCED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION DELIVERED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT DONKORKROM ON 23RD AUGUST, 2023
My beloved constituents of Afram Plains North Constituency;
Friends from the media;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
I invite you here as your Member of Parliament to raise very important issues that affect many of us, our brothers and sisters directly and above all our democracy as a nation.
On Thursday 17th August, 2023, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa, addressed a press conference in Accra where she announced the dates for the upcoming Voter’s Registration Exercise. As you may have heard, the EC chair announced that the voter’s Registration exercise will commence on 12th September, 2023 and end on 2nd October, 2023.
She however added that only the District Offices of the Electoral Commission have been designated as registration centers for the purposes of the upcoming registration.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the registration exercise announced by the Electoral Commission is important because the Commission since its last registration exercise in 2020 has not registered eligible voters who turned 18 years for the past three years. With the upcoming District Level Elections, this registration exercise will afford them the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
Much as this is good news to many eligible voters in our constituency, I have since received numerous complaints about the modalities for the registration which we wish to bring to the attention of the General Public and the Electoral Commission to put in place adequate measures to facilitate the smooth registration process to ensure that eligible persons are not disenfranchised.
2.0 The right to vote and the duty of the Electoral Commission
Ladies and Gentlemen, as a democratic state, the right to vote is so fundamental that no impediments must be allowed to deny eligible persons the enjoyment of this sacred right.
As you are aware, the 1992 Constitution in Article 42 provides that:
“Every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age and above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is ENTITLED to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda”.
So important is this right of registration as a voter that the enjoyment of certain opportunities is subject to the activation of this right. The framers of our constitution make voter registration a prerequisite for the enjoyment of some opportunities. For instance, one cannot be a Member of Parliament or a minister of state unless that person is a registered voter. This is how important voter registration is!
It is for this reason that the Constitution in articles 45 (a) and (e) enjoins the Electoral Commission to compile a register of voters and undertake programmes for the expansion of the registration of voters.
It is my considered view that, in the execution of this important mandate imposed on the Electoral Commission, it must do so in the light of the spirit and letter of the constitution by advancing the objectives and democratic principles espoused by the constitution. In effect, the Electoral Commission should not and must not exercise its powers conferred on it by the constitution in a manner arbitrary to the constitution as to deny citizens the right to register and vote through administrative action or inaction.
We in the Afram Plains Constituency are concerned that if the Electoral Commission proceeds with its plan to use only the DistrictOffice as the registration center, it will be a disincentive that will indirectly disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters across many communities in the constituency.
3.0 The nature of the Afram Plains Constituency
The Afram Plains North Constituency which has the same geographical configuration as the Kwahu Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region has the largest land mass in the Eastern Region with 2,341.3 square kilometers.
In all, there are over 575 communities in the constituency of which 222 are located on the Volta Lake. The constituency has 31 electoral areas and 127 polling stations. Out of this number, 13 electoral areas and 54 polling stations are located on various islands.
Given the nature of the constituency, the only reliable means of transport are boats, canoes, and ferries. To access the district capital, constituents have to travel several kilometers on water and commute by road to Donkorkrom. Constituents who live on Agordeke (Digya Island) for instance have to travel by boat for about 8-10 hours to get to the river bank at Supom (Bridge Ano) and then continue for over 25kilometer distance by road to the District Capital (Donkorkrom). It will surprise you that the cost involved is as follows: Boat=80; Abotoaso-Kpando=35; Kpando-Torkor=8; Ferry=12; River bank-Donkorkrom=20. Total for in and out = GHC310.00
4.0 Effects of the EC’s Voter Registration Modalities
There are practical implications for this limited voter registration exercise if the EC proceeds with its current arrangements.
Eligible voters particularly women and young people who desire to enjoy their Article 42 rights will have to travel several kilometers by water and road to Donkorkrom.
For those who cannot make the journey in a day, they have to make arrangements for accommodation and leave only after they have been able to register. This is unpredictable since people will be traveling from all communities across the constituency to register not forgetting that people who do not possess the Ghana card will have to arrange and possibly travel with two guarantors to help them register.
The above also implies that eligible registrants will have to abandon school, work, and other economic activities for the days that they will be trying to register.
It will also come at a great cost to eligible constituents since they have to bear the cost of transportation, accommodation amidst heavy rain falls, and frequent accidents on the lake.
I believe that the EC by its current decision is denying persons who otherwise are eligible to register the opportunity to do so.
As a Member of Parliament, it is my considered view that the constitutional mandate given to the EC must be exercised in a fair and reasonable manner as to facilitate and not frustrate citizens’ right to vote. In this vein, the Electoral Commission, in the execution of its mandate ought to have a reasonable contemplation of the peculiar challenges of constituencies such as AFRAM PLAINS in the upcoming voter registration exercise and not apply a one-size-fits-all in its approach.
What is more surprising is that the EC in previous elections used helicopters to distribute election materials in these hard-to-reach island communities in the constituency. The Commission is therefore fully aware of the challenges and how citizens will be adversely affected if the registration is carried out in the manner that the Commission has proposed.
However, if for any reason the Commission is constrained by lack of human and logistical resources, the proper thing to do is to come to Parliament and make a justification for resources to do its work. I will be the first MP to advocate that the Commission should be provided with the needed resources to perform its constitutional mandate.
5.0 Conclusion
Given the above challenges associated with the EC’s modalities for the registration, I wish to, on behalf of the people of Afram Plains North, who I proudly represent in Parliament, appeal to the Electoral Commission through its chairperson, Jean Mensa to as a matter of urgency review the registration modalities for Afram Plains North, in consultation with the District Inter-Party Committee, by creating registration centers on all islands to facilitate the registration of voters. The deployment of mobile voter registration units as done by the Commission in 2020 is another option available to the Commission to consider.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
The police have stated that the Minority in Parliament’s planned protest and picketing around the Bank of Ghana (BoG) headquarters could potentially pose risks to public order, safety, and essential services.
In response to the opposition MPs’ intention to stage a demonstration demanding the resignation of BoG Governor, Ernest Addison and his deputies over allegations of fiscal mismanagement, the police have suggested an alteration in the protest route.
The Accra regional police commander, Sayibu Pabi Gariba, stated in a notice to the organizers that, “The Bank of Ghana is a security installation, and accordingly the protest and picketing around the installation may endanger public order, public safety, and the running of essential services.”
The police expressed concerns about the chosen route, pointing out that the area from Makola through Rawlings Park and Opera Square is typically congested with human and vehicular traffic.
“The Bank of Ghana is a security installation, and accordingly the protest and picketing around the installation may endanger public order, public safety and the running of essential services,” Sayibu Pabi Gariba, the Accra regional police commander, said in a notice to the organisers.
“That the route from Makola through Rawlings Park and Opera Square are always overcrowded and over populated due to human and vehicular traffic,” the notice continued. “Thus, considering the nature of activities during the day, security can easily be compromised. In that regard, using such route may lead to violence.”
“As requested today during our engagement, the command wishes to reiterate that you relocate the route and the destination for the picketing and therefore propose in the interest of public order, public safety among others that you commence the protest from the frontage of Parliament House through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light and terminate at the Independence Square,” Gariba said.
This congestion could potentially compromise security and lead to violence, according to the police notice.
As a safer alternative, the police recommended that the protest route be changed to begin from the frontage of Parliament House, proceed through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, and culminate at Independence Square.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a 21-day ultimatum for the governor and his deputies to step down, accusing them of mismanaging the economy. If the governor does not comply by September 5, the Minority MPs have pledged to picket at the central bank’s headquarters.
This call for action has garnered support from various quarters, including the pressure group AriseGhana. Comrade Rex Omar, the convener of AriseGhana, highlighted concerns over the alleged mismanagement of funds by the Bank of Ghana in their 2022 Report and financial statements. He specifically criticized the unauthorized printing of money to finance government activities, emphasizing the need for accountability and condemning such actions.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, given the opposition’s determination to demonstrate and the police’s insistence on altering the protest route due to security concerns.
The campaign team for vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has dismissed allegations of amassing funds to influence delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the upcoming presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, August 26.
A video circulating on various social media platforms depicts unidentified individuals accumulating money at an undisclosed location.
The accompanying caption asserts that these funds are intended for distribution among delegates to sway their votes in favor of the vice president who is vying for the role of flagbearer within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
However, the spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Gideon Boako, has issued a statement to clarify the situation.
He indicated that, This is malicious propaganda. This video is an old video that has been in circulation since 2020, in the lead-up to the 2020 elections. It is so unfortunate that this old video has been adapted by opponents of Dr. Bawumia, who have maliciously captioned it and circulated it widely. This malicious propaganda should be treated with the greatest contempt”.
Read below the full statement by Gideon Boako, Spokesperson to Dr Bawumia
Disregard the propaganda video with a stockpile of money/cash
The attention of the Bawumia campaign team has been drawn to a video circulating on social media and showing some unidentified people stockpiling cash in an unidentified location.
The video comes with the caption that the stockpile of cash is meant to be distributed to delegates ahead of Saturday’s election to influence them to vote for Dr Bawumia.
This is malicious propaganda. This video is an old video that has been in circulation since 2020, in the lead up to the 2020 elections.
It is so unfortunate that this old video has been adapted by opponents of Dr. Bawumia, who have maliciously captioned it and circulating it widely.
This malicious propaganda should be treated with the greatest contempt.
Dr Bawumia’s campaign has been conducted in the most frugal manner, as has been testified to by delegates Team Bawumia urges the teams of other contestants, who can be clearly identified in the captioning and circulation of this video, to embark on genuine decent campaigns, devoid of lies, and mudslinging It is such a decent campaign that the Npp will benefit from.
Kindly find attached the original story on the stockpile of cash when it first came up in 2020.
The Bawumia signal is strong. The campaign team remains focused on delivering a resounding endorsement on Saturday.
It will be possible.
—– Signed —— Gideon Boako, Ph.D Spokesperson to the Vice President
Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed deep concern over the widespread encroachment on airport lands, cautioning that such actions pose a serious threat to the future expansion of Ghana’s airports.
He emphasized that these encroachments could also impede potential rescue efforts in the unlikely event of an accident.
Dr. Bawumia has called upon relevant authorities, particularly the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) and the Lands Commission, to take the necessary measures to safeguard airport lands for future expansion projects.
“The operators and regulators of our airports, as well as, the Lands Commission need to work closely together to ensure that airport lands are properly protected and well managed not only for future airport expansion but also to safeguard lives and property in the unlikely event of an accident occurring at or around the airport enclave.
“I therefore charge the authorities involved to enforce the law and I also entreat all citizens to cooperate for us to fully benefit from the development of the aviation sector,” he said after commissioning the Tamale International Airport Phase II Project at a colourful ceremony in the Northern Regional capital on Tuesday, August 22, 2023,” he added.
During the inauguration of the Tamale International Airport Phase II Project, which took place in the Northern Regional capital on August 22, 2023, Dr. Bawumia expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the project. The groundbreaking for this project had occurred on August 15, 2019.
Highlighting the significance of the project, he remarked, “This project holds great importance for the government, particularly the hardworking people of the Northern Region and their trade partners across the country and the Sub-Region.”
The newly completed phase of the airport features an expansive ultra-modern terminal building spanning approximately 5,000 square meters, designed to accommodate an annual passenger throughput of 400,000.
Other additions include a versatile multi-purpose terminal (Hajj Facility), a 5-kilometer single carriageway access road, a 330-capacity car park, and a technical hub for electricity and waste water management, among other facilities.
The terminal building boasts various amenities including a VIP lounge, boarding gates, self-service check-in kiosks, check-in desks, airline offices, and commercial retail areas.
The Vice President stressed the importance of the Tamale International Airport’s role as an alternative to the Kotoka International Airport and as a catalyst for regional economic growth, particularly in agriculture and tourism.
He also highlighted the potential for supporting the Northern Development Authority’s programs, boosting agro-based industries, and attracting investment in aviation-related enterprises.
“This project is so dear to the Government and particularly the hard-working people of the Northern Region and its trading partners across the length and breadth of the country and the Sub-Region,” Dr Bawumia stated at the Commissioning, held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
“The completion of this ultra-modern terminal building together with a multi-purpose Terminal and other ancillary facilities are expected to provide the needed impetus for increased economic trading activities and to re-inforce the status of Tamale as a Sub-Saharan Hub Airport for flights to and from neigbouring West African countries and the Sahel Region.
“The Tamale International Airport will serve as an alternative to the Kotoka International Airport,” he added.
Additionally, the expansion of the airport is expected to streamline travel for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims, positioning Tamale as a Hajj hub in Ghana.
Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah encouraged airline operators to capitalize on Ghana’s expanding aviation infrastructure, promising an unparalleled travel experience to and within the country.
“Significantly, it is also expected that the Tamale International Airport will make Tamale the Hajj hub in Ghana and facilitate seamless travel directly to Saudi Arabia for the seasonal pilgrimage to Mecca. It is gratifying to note that the multi-Purpose Terminal, which was completed in 2022, has been used in facilitating Hajj Pilgrims in 2022 and 2023.
The Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency, James Gyakye Quayson, has refuted claims of distributing money during the Assin North by-elections held in June.
As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the by-election, Quayson emerged victorious.
After the by-election on June 27, 2023, Quayson secured 17,245 votes, equivalent to 57.56 percent of the total votes, surpassing Charles Opoku from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu from the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Opoku received 12,630 votes, representing 42.15 percent of the total, in the closely contested by-election, while Sefenu managed only 87 votes (0.29%).
Quayson, previously elected in the 2020 polls with 17,498 votes, was expelled from Parliament due to dual citizenship before filing nomination forms.
The Assin North seat was declared vacant following a Supreme Court order to remove Quayson’s name from parliamentary records on May 17.
The court ruled that Quayson was ineligible to contest the 2020 parliamentary election for Assin North Constituency when he submitted his nomination forms on October 9, 2020.
Amid the by-election, accusations of vote-buying by both the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress surfaced.
However, in an interview with the media Quayson dismissed allegations that he offered money to voters to influence their votes.
According to Quayson, the items he distributed to voters were aimed at fulfilling their needs, noting that these needs had been expressed before the by-election.
He emphasized that these items, such as machetes for farming and weedicides, were not to be considered as vote buying.
Quayson clarified that his engagement with constituents had been limited for over a year due to restrictions, which were lifted for the by-election.
He highlighted that his distribution of items was based on a list of communities that required resources like boreholes and community centers. These items were intended to fulfill genuine needs and were previously identified by the constituents.
“I never gave out money for votes, if I gave anything, it was logistics geared towards the needs of the people. I gave out machetes for their farms and weedicides. I don’t call that vote buying. These are items I wish I could get for them, maybe the timing. If it’s the timing you are talking about, I don’t even think it’s a problem. Even last week, we got some Wellington boots and weedicides from the government’s Common Fund, and I went to distribute them. In fact, I just came back just yesterday.”
“We have to explain the process and how certain things happen. Consider an MP who has been restricted for over a year, 14 months to be precise. Until the time of the by-elections, April 2022 until June 2023. My engagement with them could even be perceived as breaching the law. Don’t carry yourself as an MP, and suddenly the opportunity avails itself, there was a by-election. The people had already expressed some of the things they needed, I will never give them what they don’t need”.
“I had a list of communities that needed boreholes, community centres and all the items they needed, so I focused on those lists. For the past 14 months, I couldn’t do it, and I said here is my list, this is what I can do for the people”.
The recipient of nearly $4 million in tax exemptions,4-Mac Limited, through the One District, One Factory program for the establishment of a hotel, cannot be located in the Office of Registrar of Companies (ORC) database.
A search conducted by The Fourth Estate at the Office of the Registrar of Companies revealed that neither the name “4-Mac” nor the hotel “Le Meridien” that it is constructing can be found.
In a letter dated August 9, 2023, the ORC stated, “We wish to state that a search conducted at our company registry did not show the trace of companies – Le Meridien Hotel and 4-Mac Limited.”
Ken Ofori Atta, the Minister of Finance, wrote to Parliament requesting a tax waiver for 4-Mac Limited. Last year, the finance ministry sought parliamentary approval for approximately GH₵6.4 million in tax waivers for 4-Mac Limited, which is constructing the hotel in the Airport Residential Area.
This waiver was granted under the 1D1F policy, enabling the company to import construction materials tax-free and obtain other related tax benefits.
Parliament’s Finance Committee, chaired by Kwaku Kwarteng, adjusted the terms and reduced the waiver amount from US$6,389,428 to US$3,919,628. The committee recommended that the company pay VAT on locally procured items.
What raises questions about the exemption granted to 4-Mac is that the hotel was categorized as a factory, even though the 1D1F program traditionally focuses on the manufacturing sector.
To qualify for tax exemptions, companies must register with the Office of the Registrar of Companies and have a clean tax record with the GRA (Ghana Revenue Authority).
The Fourth Estate inquired with the ORC about 4-Mac Limited’s background information, directors, and shareholders, but the company’s existence was not confirmed.
The ORC suggested contacting the directors for potential name changes or providing registration evidence.
Parliament records show the company’s compliance with GRA obligations, but the company’s digital presence is minimal, lacking contact details. The official website, email, and social media handles are nonexistent online.
Different websites provide conflicting information about 4-Mac Limited’s projects and locations, suggesting potential irregularities.
While Parliament approved the tax exemption under the name “4-Mac Limited,” which isn’t in the ORC database, experts suggest it might be a trading name. However, it’s argued that official tax waivers should be granted using registered names rather than trading names.
