A former representative for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has characterized the NDC’s stance on the endorsement of ministerial nominees as perilous to the party’s integrity.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Mr. Fuseini said he expects the leadership of the party to take an entrenched position on the way forward to restore dignity and trust in the NDC.
The NDC had asked theMinority MPsto reject the nominees, but the order was defied by some NDC MPs who voted along with the Majority side of the House to approve six Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
This has led to members of the party accusing the Parliamentarians who voted for the approval as betraying the party and Ghanaians who felt the need for the government to downsize due to the current economic challenges.
Mr Fuseini said this position should not be swept under the carpet.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has petitioned government to engage teacher unions in the creation of policy.
The group explains that as an implementer of policies from the ministry, it is necessary to include its leaders for the intended purpose to be achieved.
Speaking to Citi News, the Greater Accra General Secretary of NAGRAT, Peter Boateng, said this will prevent the opposition to reforms by teachers.
“One of the issues we need to look at is the relationship betweenGES, the policy formulator and the teachers. It’s more or less a master-servant relationship, and it doesn’t promote acceptance of reforms. We think that at the conception stage of the policy, everybody is involved. Getting documents, and having meetings with them is always a problem.”
“Nobody is willing to give information about what they are doing until they are done. When they are done, they call you for a meeting and do a PowerPoint presentation, and then they say they have consulted the unions,” Greater Accra General Secretary of NAGRAT stated.
9 persons have lost their lives after two 2M Express Company LimitedToyota Hiace minibuses collided on the Accra-Kumasi highway.
The commercial vehicles with registration numbers GN 3229-21 and GN 8292-21 crashed into each other at Birimso a section of the road on the main Accra-Kumasi Highway close to Bunso junction in the early hours of Sunday, March 26, 2023.
The commercial vehicles with registration numbers GN 3229-21 and GN 8292-21 crashed into each other at Birimso a section of the road on the main Accra-Kumasi Highway close to Bunso junction in the early hours of Sunday, March 26, 2023.
According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle from Accra while trying to swerve a container which had fallen onto the road off a trailer slammed into the other vehicle heading towards Accra fromKumasi direction.
The severity of the impact led to the death of the 9 passengers, 7 males and 2 females on the spot.
“Personnel from the Bunso fire station and the police who had a torrid time extricating the injured from the wreckage hurriedly rushed 19 victims to the Kibi Government hospital and Hawa Memorial Saviour Hospital in Osiem where they are currently receiving treatment,” the Bunso Fire Station Officer ADO II Doe Samuel said.
This latest carnage brings to 18 the number of deaths recorded from road accidents in the region in the past two days.
Citi News understands the National Road Safety Authority is set to hold some emergency engagements on the 3 separate accidents which were recorded in the Eastern region over the weekend.
Meanwhile, road users have described the carnages as unacceptable and called on stakeholders to be proactive.
ECG has already taken on a number of institutions including theKeta Municipal Health Directorate, Ho Airport Cape Coast stadium among others.
The exercise also forced both government and private institutions to cough up some funds to settle outstanding debt to avoid disconnection.
Parliament, for instance, settled eight million cedis out of the 13 million it owes the power distributor.
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has also paid one million cedis out of 1.4 million cedis owed.
Both institutions were not disconnected from the national grid following the show of commitment to settle their debts.
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Masubir Mahama, has entreated users of post-paid meters to visit their offices across the country to pay their debt without waiting on the company to issue bills on power consumed.
Evidence of how some members of the minority caucus in parliament voted to determine the fate of six ministers nominated byPresident Akufo-Addohas surfaced online.
A video circulating on social media shows how Tamale Central Member of Parliament,Ibrahim Murtala Mohammedvoted in compliance with a directive by the National Democratic Congress against all six nominees.
“This is how I voted. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed…this one No, No, No, No, No, this one No…this is how I voted and I record,” a voice purported to be that of the Tamale Central is heard in the video of an individual ticking through the nominees’ list.
Prior to the vetting of the nominees by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the NDC had issued a directive to its MPs to reject the nominees in demand for a reduction in the size of the current government.
However, when the House last Friday conducted a secret ballot on the nominees, all six acquired overwhelming votes despite the equal numbers on both sides of the House.
The outcome of the voting process has led to accusations of treachery being made against the minority MPs.
Some members of the caucus have since taken to social media to express their disappointment with the result while others have sought to claim their innocence.
US Vice PresidentKamala Harris‘ speech upon her arrival at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Sunday, March 26, 2023:
On behalf of the president and our entire nation, we bring you greetings and we are looking forward to this trip and the very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on the continent of Africa.
I’m very excited about the future of Africa. I’m very excited about the impact of the future of Africa on the rest of the world, including the United States of America. When I look at what is happening on this continent and the fact that the median age is 19 years old and what that tells us about the growth of opportunity, of innovation, of possibilities, I see in all of that great opportunity, not only for the people of this continent but the people of the world.
Especially when we understand that by the year 2050, we believe one in four people on earth will be on the continent ofAfrica. The partnership between this continent, its people and the people of the United States and reinforces the work that we will continue to do together. Be that on addressing the climate crisis, to supply chains to our work together on international rules and norms.
In particular, on this trip, I intend to do work that is focused on increasing investments here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity specifically in the areas of economic empowerment of women and girls. Empowerment of youth. Entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and supporting the work that must be done to increase food security, including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis.
I look forward to my meetings with President Nana Akufo-Addo, President Suluhu Samiya and President Hichilema. We will build on the previous meetings I have had with each of them to strengthen democracy and good governance, promote peace and security, build on long-term economic growth, and strengthen our business ties.
I also look forward during this visit to meeting with entrepreneurs and artists and students and farmers to witness firsthand the extraordinary innovation and creativity that is occurring on this continent and inspiring the world. We have a lot of work ahead of us. And again, I’m so very excited to be here and I thank you all for the very warm welcome.
Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings has said that her father, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, would have challenged all National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to take a “lie detector” test over the approval of ministerial appointees.
Her comment comes after a section of the minority voted to confirm six appointees of President Akufo-Addo as Ministers in a secret ballot on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Some Ghanaians have expressed disappointment in the Minority for approving the ministers to join the already over bloated government.
Some high ranking NDC members like former President John Mahama, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the party’s general secretary Fiifi Kwetey, a leading member Prof Joshua Alabi among others have all condemned the action of their members who betrayed the party by voting YES in the secret ballot to approve the nominees.
Adding her voice to the many that have expressed shocked and disappointment, Dr Agyemang-Rawlings in a Facebook post said “on Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he [JJ Rawlings] was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!”
Alas! She noted the Founder is no longer with them, “but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately!”
“We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana,” the Klottey Korle MP added.
According to Dr Agyemang-Rawlings due to the tension and suspicion on the day of the secret ballot, she had to record her vote, although not appropriate, as prove that she voted against the approval of the nominees as the party had directed them to.
She said she took the decision to do so, so that she is not wrongly accused one day of being part of those MPs who betrayed the party and Ghanaians.
Read details of her full statement below:
The I in the Collective!
The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!
I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began amidst threats to annul your vote if you were caught displaying your ballot paper.
My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, “in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).”
As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.
As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?
As a party, we have been drifting from our principles and values not-so-slowly, and I guess this is a wakeup call that this drift can no longer be ignored or brushed under the carpet. It took a handful of people and a single iceberg to sink the titanic and with it, many innocent persons drowned or froze to death.
As I type and share this, I’m cognisant of the usual abuse that some people are happy to hurl at anyone who dares, however I know that my reticence on this matter will be even more damaging!
My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!
The second-largest producer of cocoa in the world, Ghana, as well as other African nations, will benefit economically from stronger links between the United States of America and those countries, according toUS Vice President Kamala Harris.
Her visit to Ghana, since becoming the Vice President of US, comes at a time when Ghana is facing an economic crisis.
Ghana secured a Staff-Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion Extended Credit Facility to support the country’s economic recovery and put it on a sustainable path of growth.
Kamala, who was welcomed by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana, amid traditional drumming and dancing and cheers from some schoolchildren on Sunday, said, her visit was to promote economic growth and food security in Ghana and other African countries.
“On this trip, I intend to do work that’s focused on increasing investment here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity, specifically in the areas of economic empowerment of women and girls, empowerment of youth entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and support the work that must be done to increase food security,” Harris said in a short speech after her arrival at the Jubilee Lounge, Kotoka International Airport.
She said she would build on previous meetings with President Akufo-Addo, to deepen democracy and good governance, promote peace and security, build long-term economic growth, and strengthen business ties.
She said, “I also look forward to, during this visit, meet with entrepreneurs, students and farmers to witness, first-hand, the extraordinary innovation and creativity that’s occurring on this continent and inspiring the world.”
She said the US saw the visit to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia as a further statement of the long and enduring important relationship and friendship between her country and Africa.
“We (Ghana) see the visit of Kamala Harris as a very important one obviously because of the times in which we are, where the world is facing a lot of economic challenges,” Mr Jefferson Sackey, Deputy Director of Communication at the Presidency said in an interview with the media.
“She’ll be visiting Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and the key focus of this particular visit is to find ways and means of helping each of these countries and find ways of addressing a lot of our economic woes,” Mr Sackey added.
As part of her three-day visit to Ghana, Kamala would hold talks with President Akufo-Addo, and meet with female entrepreneurs as her country seeks partnerships and investments in entrepreneurship.
After spending three days in Ghana, she would go to Tanzania for two days, before stopping over for a night in Zambia, as her country deepens its relationship with Africa. The highlight of her trip to Ghana, will be the delivering of a speech at the Black Star Square on Tuesday, March 28.
Harris would also visit a recording studio, and visit the Cape Coast Castle, Central Region, where enslaved Africans were once loaded onto ships for America.
A former vice chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Ernest Aryeetey, has urged the governmentto give Senior High Schools (SHSs) some autonomy in order to aid in enhancing the quality of education in the country.
Such autonomy, he said, would give the schools the authority to mobilise funds to complement what the government provided for education, manage academic programmes and also help the schools protect their assets.
Speaking at the 96th Founders’ Day of Achimota School in Accra last Saturday, Prof. Aryeetey, said Achimota School, for instance, had the potential to mobilise sufficient resources from parents and the private sector to help develop the school when given the autonomy to do so.
“There are many other schools that could benefit from such an initiative, and that is why the Old Achimotans Association (OAA) has led the creation of an Alumni Council that brings together the leadership of about 40 schools to fight for such recognition for their schools,” he said.
The 96th Founders’ Day was on the theme: “Achimota School and the Empowerment of Generations: The First 96 Years.”
It was attended by many past and current students of the school, as well as foreign dignitaries.
Some highlights of the event were cultural performances by the students depicting the major ethnic groups in the country and praises for the founders of the school — Dr James Kwegyir Aggrey, Dr Frederick Gordon Guggisberg and Reverend Alexander Garden Fraser.
No elitism
Prof. Aryeetey, himself an old student of Achimota School, was of the view that allowing schools, especially those regarded as top schools, to be independent or granting them some form of autonomy would not lead to elitism.
Rather, he said, it would be an opportunity for the schools to be innovative and find means to develop individually to improve on their services to the country.
For instance, he said, Achimota Schoolwas a model educational institution set up by the colonial government in 1927 with a governing council that was independent and autonomous, with a mandate to develop generations of leaders in all spheres.
“The proposal for an autonomous SHS will not lead to elitism, if managed properly, just as the colonial government had planned. It will rather provide and raise leaders in all spheres of life who will transform this nation for the next century.
“We recognise that Achimota School needs to be free to mobilise resources that are required for it to become effective in transforming lives and empowering generations,” he stressed.
The suggestion by Prof. Aryeetey comes on the back of numerous calls by civil society organisations, notable personalities and interest groups for the government to stop the wholesale free SHS policy by allowing parents who can pay fees to pay.
For example, in July last year, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) urged the government to review the free SHS policy to allow “rich parents” to pay fees.
According to the Director of Research of the IEA, Dr John Kwakye, such a move could help lessen the fiscal pressure on the government in the wake of the economic challenges facing the country.
“I am not against free SHS because human capital creates fiscal capital… but if some people can afford its payment, then let them pay, or we can even do cost-sharing,” he said.
Challenges
The Headmaster of Achimota School, Ebenezer Graham-Acquah, said the school had, throughout its 96 years of existence, produced men and women who were leaders in various fields and had contributed positively to national development.
However, he said, the school faced certain challenges, such as lack of adequate infrastructure to cater for the needs of its numerous students.
Another big challenge, he said, was the encroachment on its lands, adding that more than 100 acres of the school land had been encroached upon by people.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaakhas written a letter to some of his colleagues in parliament.
In a letter addressed to the “traitors”, which was shared on social media, on Sunday, Dr Apaak accused the MPs of betraying the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members and Ghanaians.
He added that the said MPs will pay for the insults that are being meted at innocent NDC parliamentarians because of their action.
“I pray you are found out and publicly shamed, but even if you are not found out, your conscience will forever haunt you.
“The pain and agony your treachery has caused millions of party supporters and Ghanaians is upon your head.
“You will pay for the tears and sorrow of all those you have betrayed. You will pay for the insults, name calling and false accusations your treachery has brought upon innocent colleagues,” parts of the later read.
“May you never find peace until you confess, repent and ask for forgiveness,” Dr Apaak’s letterconcluded.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged NDC supporters to disregard a list of Minority MPs claimed to have betrayed the party in the approval of ministerial appointees, on social media.
Interacting with delegates at Kanokoare during his tour of the Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region on Sunday (26 March), Mr Mahama described the list as “fake”.
“And so, I am urging all NDC supporters to ignore it”, Mr Mahama said.
The Minority caucus has been heavily criticised for breaking rank to pass all six ministers appointed byPresident Akufo-Addo.
Commenting on the issue Mr Mahama urged disgruntled NDC supporters to remain resolute ahead of the 2024 polls as there “are little battles we have to fight before we go into the main battle. And that is one of those we fought a few days ago”.
“So, you don’t throw the baby away with the bathwater. I urge you all to remain calm because we need them at this crucial moment”, the former President said.
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament has approved all six ministerial nominees appointed by President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate on Thursday, March 24th, and a tense voting process on Friday, March 25th. Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more than the minimum of 138 votes required, as there were three absentees out of the 275 eligible voters.
Below are the final figures for each nominee:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
Hon KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abesmtion = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
Yes = 146 No = 123 Abstentions = 3
There is currently a debate on whether or not to take a vote on the remaining two Supreme Court justice nominees appointed by Akufo-Addo. Out of the four appointed, two have been approved, leaving George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
The National Democratic Congress‘ (NDC) decision to vote to approve all six of President Akufo- Addo’s for ministerial positions, according to North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has harmed the reputation of the NDC.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage this judas and Essaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements and may the good Lors forgive them their trespasses.”
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary,Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
The Minority caucus in Parliament is demanding that the voting onPresident Akufo-Addo‘s candidates be completed today.
After Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended the session because neither side could agree on how to vote for the confirmation of four Supreme Court Justices, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo, there was an uproar in Parliament.
The Majority demanded that voting for the Supreme Court Justicesand the Ministers be done concurrently, but the Minority insisted that voting and counting be done separately.
The Majority also demanded that MPs from their side openly display their vote, but that was immediately shot down by the Minority who demanded that voting be done in secret.
The Minority led by Cassiel Ato Forson vehemently rejected the proposal of the Majority and urged the Speaker to allow MPs to vote in secret.
Speaking after the sitting was suspended, the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson insisted that they will not have the voting any other day than today.
“We want the voting today, Friday, March 24, 2023, and not any other day. We urge those on the Majority side to return to Parliament immediately, so we vote.”
“We are ready with all our MPs and want the voting right away.”
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase the government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
TheEconomic and Organized Crime Office‘s (EOCO) Executive Director, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, is urging individuals to participate in the campaign against cybercrime since it might undermine national security and government attempts to boost economic growth.
Speaking as the Special Guest of honor at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) on the theme “Building a Sustainable Cyber Crime-Free Society for Economic Development”, the police Chief noted that economic prospects made possible through technology could be disrupted if cybercrime is not checked and the right framework to curb it is not put in place.
She said even though Africa has made in-routes with technological advancement, cybercrime can erode all the gains.
“Africa is said to be the fastest growing region of the world for internet penetration and for use of mobile-based financial services, hence it has become an increasingly attractive area for cybercriminals. Ghana is one of the few countries to have signed the African Union Convention on Cyber security and Personal Data Protection, and deposited the instruments of accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. The Opportunities brought about by digital technologies to accelerate economic growth are curtailed by the cybercrime menace hence it is imperative to provide stringent mitigating measures to build a sustainable cybercrime-free society for economic development,” she said.
“Cybercrime can cause significant damage to individuals, businesses and economies. By raising awareness, developing effective laws and regulations, promoting cyber security training, investing in technology, and establishing partnerships, we can work together to prevent cybercrime and create a safer and more secure digital environment”.
COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa noted that amidst the challenges of cybercrime, Ghana has become a trailblazer in championing the fight against cybercrime.
“In October 2019, the Economic Community of West African States endorsed Ghana as the champion in the region on cyber security and cybercrime matters, requesting the country to act as ambassador in the field and share best practices with neighbouring countries”
The Kumasi Technical University Department of Institute of Research, Innovation, and Development organised the event. The forum was to create the awareness of cybercrime and its impact on society.
Angolan celebrity, Mya Jesushas formally filed for divorce from her husband Papito barely two months after their lavish wedding, which caught social media fans off guard due to the significant wage gap.
Prior to this new development, Mya and her husband had unfollowed each other on Instagram with Mya Jesus going ahead to delete all their beautiful pictures on her various social media.
On the 28th of November, 2022, Mya said yes to a man she met about a month prior to their engagement.
They dated for less than 10 days and waited for 2 months after their marriage to make the pictures public.
According to rumours in circulation, Mya’s decision to walk out of the marriage is because of Papitos’ serial cheating spree.
The 59-year-old millionaire was caught on several occasions cheating on the socialite and always pleaded for forgiveness yet went back to the same old habit.
Mya, who is fed up with the never-ending cheating and plea for forgiveness decided to call it quits for her own mental well-being.
Below are show some social media users have reacted to the news;
Amaleboba Lamisi Rita – Awwwwwn ,I admired in vain. Let me protect my less wedding marriage with my young man
Lindiwe Promise Vilakazi – To be honest I saw this coming after the announcement of the engagement that it would end in tears for the man
Tyrone Edwards Sr. – But on the real 22 -59 is beyond pushing it her mindset is still closer to 18 then 25 usually by 25 to 30 you have seen and grown some but 22 you still don’t really have a clue, hell he may have married just to hit and now he is done ????? who knows ,but she is fine as wine and hopefully the next guy can hold on to her.
Patricia Jacob James Hedd-williams – Maybe he doesn’t have enough income to take care of her body, these girls are looking for financial assistance to remake their bodies
Ibrahim Tunkara – What were they thinking? Is it that he wanted to have a taste of her body or she wanted to scan through the old man’s wallet? Because I see no compatibility.
The first Governing Board of theGhana Water Institute (GWI) has been established by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to manage the institute’s operations.
The government has entrusted the five-member board to support its Water for All Agenda, which aims to guarantee a sufficient supply of water throughout the nation.
Chaired by the Managing Director (MD) of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr Clifford Braimah, the board has been charged to support the government’s effort by improving institutional capacity, promoting multi-sectoral approaches to offer solutions to water resource management in the country and the sub-region.
The other members of the board are the Rector of the GWI, Dr Zulkarnein Nashiru; the Deputy MD of GWCL in charge of Finance and Administration, James Abbey; the Chief Manager in charge of Operations, Richard Appiah Otoo; and a representative of the GWCL Board, Vida Duti. The Sanitation Minister later toured the facilities of the institute and also familiarised with the Institute’s model of operations.
Governing Board
Ms Dapaah commended the GWCL and the GWI for their collaborative efforts in transforming the institute, formerly known as the Ghana Water Training School, into a centre of excellence for water supply education in the West African sub-region.
She also applauded them for working to gain accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), and positioning the institute to run programmes on the National Proficiency Platform.
Ms Dapaah entreated the board to support the regulation of services provided by private sector operators to bring sanity into the water space, and to also serve as an additional revenue generation stream for the management of the institute.
Centre of Excellence
TheSanitation Ministeracknowledged the role of the Governing Board of the GWI in achieving the Water for All Agenda, and called on the members to bring up solutions to promote good water resource management in the sub-region.
She expressed confidence in the ability of the board to manage and nurture the institute into the desired centre of excellence, and urged the members to work as a team to realise the aspirations of the institute.
She urged the management of the school to include general courses such as in Finance, Human Resource, and Communications into the curriculum.
“The students should be taken through courses on current affairs so that they can come out with a broad knowledge of this country and the water sector,” she said.
Mr Braimah, speaking on behalf of the board, promised to work diligently to ensure that the certificates issued by the institute were recognised internationally.
“We are collaborating with external agencies, and also in talk with the World Bank and partners in Netherlands to achieve our objectives.
“Also, due to the current status of the institute, the Africa Water Institutions want to use the GWI facilities to train water professionals in the African region,” he added.
Dr Nashiru said the institute was one of a kind in West Africa, stressing that it would start running Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes on Technical and Vocational Education and Training in September this year.
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region has refuted claims that it prevented one of its members from submitting his nomination forms.
According to Jeff Tetteh Kavianu he has been unable to submit his documentation because the leadership has purposefully shut its office, and refused to return his calls.
However, the NDC’s Regional Secretary, Baba Jamal Konneh, tells Citi News that the party has no intention of barring any aspirant from running.
“The NDC needs power, and so we don’t want a situation where someone will feel that we treated him unfairly. We want that kind of unity and cohesion to wrestle power from the NPP so we are actually trying our best. We have entreated everyconstituency election committee to treat every aspirant fairly without trying to be biased.”
He also stated that if the former lawmaker so desires, he may seek intervention at the national level.
“The party has a hierarchy, so he can go to national executives and talk to them. We work on the instructions of national so if they ask us to take his forms we will because we have no option. We are here to serve everybody”, he added.
The Ghana International Women’s Club (GIWC) has promised to construct a new building that is better suited for the needs of Berekuso Daycare Centre.
The club made the pledge when its members gave the center a variety of things worth over GH20,000.
THe GIWC is anon-governmental organisation(NGO) which has existed for the past four decades providing various forms of support to the needy, empowering women and children, the aged and underprivileged.
The current membership of the club is said to have exceeded 60, and finances its projects through the contributions of members.
The Berekuso Daycare Centre was established and inaugurated by the club in 1986 to provide educational foundation for the kids in the community, and offer some support to mothers especially to afford them some space to undertake economic activities.
Upgrade
The Chairperson of the Welfare Committee of the club, Mrs Lucy Lamptey, indicated that the GIWC believed it was time to upgrade the facility and surroundings of the daycare centre.
She said even though the centre was now under the direct ambit of government, the club still had it at heart.
She indicated that since the establishment of the centre, it had not seen any renovation.
Mrs Lamptey said the visit by the members was to asses the challenges of the centre and to also make plans known to the authorities about the centre and how the members could assist.
The President of the GIWC, Nêrmíñê Kattah, said the plans of the club for 2023 was to expand relevant projects across the country and to renovate those that required it.
She said the members raised funds every quarter of the year to support their projects.
She, therefore, urged individuals to help to build the country, saying government alone could not do everything.
The Headmistress of the Berekuso Daycare Centre, Mrs Agnes Esi Poku, said the centre — which currently had over 70 children on its roll — needed more classrooms, an improved toilet facility, computers to enhance teaching and learning, and electricity.
She expressed gratitude for the gesture and appealed for more.
As part of its 33rd Day activities, the Namibian High Commission in Ghana has presented a high-performance ventilator to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’sPaediatric Intensive Care Unit(PICU).
The GH¢300,000 equipment is one of the machines needed to take care of critically ill children and it is considered a very vital part of the PICU.
It takes over the work of breathing for children who may not be able to breathe on their own.
So when it comes to very young children (neonates), there are some challenges with its use.
These high-performance ventilators, however, have a port for both older children, of up to 17 years old, and neonates, thus children who are less than a month old.
The High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, who donated the item called on African countries to invest more in public health facilities because that would go a long way to contribute to productivity and also help them to perform much better.
She said the High Commission decided to donate to the hospital because it would have a multiplying effect in terms of those who would benefit from it.
Korle Bu 100 years celebration
The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, expressed gratitude for the donation, pointing out that it was significant because the hospital would be 100 years old this year, and the donation was one of the ways the hospital could be supported to provide the best of care to people.
He appealed to corporate citizens and other embassies in the country to support them.
Touching on the significance of the equipment, the Head of the PICU of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Frank Owusu Sekyere, said sometimes, ill children could not breathe on their own, and it was during those moments that they needed a ventilator to take over the work of breathing.
“So, you can have a child with very bad pneumonia and the whole lung is solid.
Without something to take over the work of breathing, they may die.
The ventilator, therefore, takes over the work of breathing, which the child cannot do on his/her own.”
He said although they needed more than one piece of equipment, the initiative by the High Commission was a good start.
Namibia’s Independence Day is marked on March 21 every year to commemorate the day the nation became a sovereign state.
This action is aligned with the corporation’s commitment to education demonstrated by the Coca-Cola Unearthing Greatness Workshop, its premier educational initiative.
The initiative benefited pupils from Ahinsan MA Junior High School, as well as Pentecost schools in Abrepo and Atonsu, who were taught goal-setting, time management, and learning comprehension.
To ensure sustained learning beyond the program, each student was given a supplementary workbook as a reference material.
Before interacting with the students, the teachers underwent the “Teacher Transformation Program,” which educated them on effective teaching and encouraged them to adopt innovative approaches to make teaching more relevant to students’ environments.
Since its launch in 2018, the Coca-Cola Unearthing Greatness Workshop has impacted over 5,000 pre-teens and teenagers in the Greater-Accraand Ashanti regions and plans to reach every region in the country.
TheStudent Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has begun disbursing student loans, according to the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
The National Union of Ghana Students and the University Students Association of Ghana(USAG) had been exerting pressure on the Student Loan Trust Fund to distribute monies to applicants for months.
In an interview with Citi News, NUGS President, Dennis Appiah Larbi stated that over 5,000 students have already received their loans, with the Student Loan Trust Fund promising to disburse funds to other applicants yet to receive the loan.
“At our last meeting, the CEO of the SLTF said the first disbursement was going to made on the 14th of March. True to his word, our students started receiving their payments. As I speak to you, over 5000 students have been paid as the first batch. With my latest engagement with the SLTF, they said they are working to pay the second batch. So, I can confirm that some students have received their loan payment.”
Dennis Appiah Larbi also urged the government to prioritize the Student Loan Trust Fund and uncap the GETFund to ensure student loan repayment.
“Our belief is that the funds from GETFund to the students’ loan can be facilitated if GETFund is uncapped. So we call on government to listen to our petition and uncap GETFund. Government must add some political commitment to the running of the SLTF. That is the only way we are able to ensure regular disbursement to our students.”
Both NUGS and the University Students Association of Ghana have in recent times been mounting pressure on the Student Loan Trust Fund to release funds to students.
USAG for instance hinted at plans to resort to all legal means including picketing and demonstration to press home their demand for the disbursement of student loans.
Dennis Appiah Larbi further appealed to past beneficiaries of the student loan to repay the loans in order to sustain the Fund as government funding to the agency delays.
Speaker of the House,Alban Bagbin has made a joke about cutting off the hand of a legislator.
Bagbin was making reference to the Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin‘s habit of fling his hand during debates when he is not in support with a topic being discussed in the House.
“Deputy Majority Leader, one day I will give a directive that this your hand that you’ve been swinging, it be cut off,” Bagbin said as members on both sides, including the affected MP, broke into laughter.
The incident happened on Thursday, March 23, 2023; during an extended sitting of the House.
Lawmakers were busily debating the Appointments Committee report on six recently vetted nominees and Bagbin had called on the Minority Leader to make his submissions when he saw Afenyo-Markin’s gesture and commented on same.
Both sides had been granted three slots to speak to the report with the Majority making a strong case for approval even as the Minority vowed to reject the nominations on grounds that the current size of government was too big vis-à-vis the economic downturn.
Voting on the report will be held today when the House reconvenes for business.
Ministerial nominees awaiting approval or rejection:
The nominees include:
a. Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kwabena Tahir Hammond as Minister-designate for Trade and Industry
b. Abetifi MP, Brian Acheampong for Minister of Agriculture and
c. Stephen Asamoah Boateng who has been nominated for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
d. Former deputy Energy Minister, Mohammed Amin Adam as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry
e. Osei Bonsu Amoah for Minster of state at the Local Government Ministry and
f. Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah for Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.
The CSOs and FOSDA made the call at a workshop organized by FOSDA on the UN Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons which was organized in collaboration with the International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) in Accra recently.
Speaking in an interview with Starr News, the Executive Director for FOSAD, Theodora Williams Anti highlighted the importance of the government of Ghana to ratify the treaty prohibiting the existence of nuclear weapons.
“We call on the government to ratify the treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. Ghana has shown tremendous support, interest and goodwill towards the treaty since Ghana signed in 2017. We are very sure that Ghana continues to lead peace and security at the regional and global level. Especially now that Ghana is part of the UN Security Council. So, we are calling on Ghana to take that forward to step up and ratify the treaty. And make sure that all other countries follow.
“We hope that Ghana can ratify and be a state party by the time we are having the second meeting with the state parties to the TPNW in November this year. Our deadline is for Ghana to ratify as soon as possible by August so that it can be a state party to the story,” Mrs. Anit explained.
She continued; “Nuclear weapons have been banned since 2017 and the treaty that prohibits it has been in existence since 2021. FOSDA is rallying all countries behind that treaty to sign and ratify the treaty. It is more crucial and more important now when we have a lot of nuclear war threats coming out of the Russia-Ukraine war. Coming out of North Korea and coming out of all quarters. The world is threatened by nuclear war more than ever since the cold war. This is the time that our voices have to be strong in calling for a total ban on the prohibition of nuclear weapons.”
In the next ten years, if the government’s Free Senior High School (FSHS) program is not well structured, Haruna Iddrisu, a former minority leader, has warned, it may collapse.
He contended that the program must include a means testing mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay.
The Tamale South MP indicated that organizations likeUNESCO have all advised on the matter which the government has ignored for political expediency.
“Mr. Speaker, we are doing what we ought to have done several years back, UNESCO was established somewhere 95 and Ghana has benefited enormously from them. Ghana needs to take advantage of UNESCO’s advice on secondary education. How accessible is it, what is the quality, are we running a secondary education that produces quantity and not quality?
“Ghana needs a test mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay. This political thing of wanting to please everybody at the detriment of quality will hang in this country in the next decade if we don’t look back,” he stated.
Government has between 2017 and 2021 spent over 5 billion cedis on the free SHS policy.
Reacting to the assertion of Haruna Iddrisu, majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh stated the program is work in progress and thus will in future accommodate the suggestions of means testing.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP however argued the policy has brought relief to many families.
Today, Friday March 24,John Dramani Mahama, an aspirant for the NDC presidential nomination, begins a three-day campaign tour in the Western Region.
He will be interacting with branch and constituency executives from all seventeen (17) constituencies of the region to sell his message of growing the party and its structures beyond its present state, mobilising resources to help canvass aggressively for votes to win the 2024 elections and about his agenda to build the Ghana we want together.
Mr. Mahama is entering the Western Region from Ashanti where he visited and interacted with executives from twenty (20) out of the forty-seven (47) constituencies in the region.
The John Mahama Campaign was launched at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) near Ho, after which the aspiring presidential candidate proceeded to tour the Volta, Bono East, Ahafo and Bono Regions.
Friday’s tour, according to Spokesperson Joyce Bawah Mogtari, will start from Daboase in the Wassa East Constituency through Shama and Mpohor, ending the day in Kwesimintsim.
Francis Xavier-Sosu, the member of parliament for theMadina Constituency, is seeking an apology and an urgent retraction from a media organization that said that the American government had given asylum to his spouse and four children.
According to the MP, the Thursday, March 23, 2023, publication by Mynews.com.gh with the headline “Madina MP’s Wife and 4 Children Granted US Government Visa Asylum Over Anti LGBTQI Threats,” is not only untrue but maliciously targeted at his reputation.
The MP through his lawyers, FX Law & Associates has thus demanded an immediate deletion of the said story as well as a retraction and apology for its publication.
“In the said publication, you allege that ‘the wife and four (4) children of our client were granted asylum status by theUS government following the alleged threats of harm received by the Human Rights lawyer and his family over his opposition to sections of Ghana’s Anti-Gay Bill.
“We have further instructions that the above allegation is false and publication of same is made maliciously without justification and is calculated to injure the hard-earned reputation of our client and expose him to hatred, ridicule and contempt.
“Accordingly, we have firm instructions of our client you remedy the situation immediately by pulling down the said false and malicious news story publication and causing a retraction and apology to be made within six hours on receipt of this letter and giving the retraction and apology the same publicity and prominence as the false and malicious publication made on Thursday, 23rd March 2023,” the letter from the lawyers read in part.
According to the lawyers, the have the instruction of their client to institute a five million cedis defamation suit against the media house if it fails to heed to their demand.
“We have further instructions from our client to commence legal action against you for damages of Five Million Ghana Cedis (GH₵5,000,000.00) to protect our client’s image and reputation from false and malicious publication made on your news portal should you fail to heed to the demands of our client,” the letter said.
Ezricare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears are two eye drops products that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public against using due to their potentially fatal effects in the US.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) discovered the items to have the drug-resistant bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to an alert released by the Authority on Thursday, March 23.
This has forced the manufacturer, Global Pharma, to recall the products.
“The products are not registered with the Ghana FDA,” the Authority noted in its alert.
“Therefore, they should not be commercially available on the Ghanaian market. However, the FDA advises the public who may be in possession of these drugs through other means to immediately stop using the recalled products, Ezricare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, and submit them to any of the FDA offices nationwide.”
Those who have accidentally used the products and experiencing any symptoms have been asked to contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Reported symptoms include yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness, feeling of a substance on the eye, increased sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
The FDAis assuring the public that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that safe and effective medical products are brought to Ghana.
The fate of President Akufo-Addo‘s new appointments will be discussed in Parliament today, Friday, March 24.
This occurs after the house delayed a discussion on the report for more than five hours so that members might convene a joint caucus meeting.
Although members on both sides of the house were not in support of the directive, the Speaker stood by his position.
“We agree to disagree, at the end of the day, my decision is that we will debate [the report on Thursday] and take the decision on Friday. I have listened to your submissions, I will permit three from each side of the caucus, ten minutes per person and we will take the next step. My proposal is that we take the decision on Friday, but we will do the debate on Thursday,” the Speaker stated.
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
Meanwhile, the Minority has threatened to vote against the newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson outlined some basis for the group’s position.
“We stand with the people of Ghana, and we are urging our colleagues from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stand for Ghana and not to stand for their colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the nominees are our colleagues, but the principle is that it’s not about them, it’s about the republic of Ghana. They may be our colleagues and friends and relatives, but it’s not about them. I call on you to look them in their faces and vote against them for the republic of Ghana. For the future of our country,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu however appealed to the house to consider the approval of the nominees.
“I will just plead that we approve the ministers,” he appealed.
An accident at Lepusi, a village in the Nanumba North Municipalityof the Northern Region, has claimed the lives of two motorcyclists.
Their bodies have been taken to the Bimbilla hospital morgue.
Chief Executive of the Nanumba North Municipal Assembly, Abdulai Yaqoub confirmed the incident to Citi News.
“The two riders collided head-on and unfortunately, they both died at the Bimbilla Municipal hospital. As I speak, they have both lost their lives. It is most unfortunate because I do not know how it happened that they both collided head-on.”
On Friday, March 24, 2023, the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee will present its findings on the Promotion of Appropriate Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, better known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill, according to Bernard Ahiafor, the committee’s ranking member.
According to him, the committee has considered the concerns of Ghanaians after they received over 200 memoranda on the bill.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Nimatu Yakubu Atouyese, he said, “…We are at a stage that the committee’s report and the recommended amendments on the LGBTQ+ bill is ready, so it likely tomorrow we will lay the report on the LGBTQ+ bill by which it has now moved from the committee to the plenary for consideration.
“So, it will be for a second reading then after the second reading when the bill passes through the second reading, then it moves to a consideration stage, the third reading, then it is passed. And will be referred to the president for accent in line with the constitutional imperatives.”
The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill sponsor, Sam George has hinted that the bill will be presented before the house in March 2023.
This comes after the committee on the bill met with the Attorney General Wednesday, February 22, 2023, after which he indicated that he was okay with the bill.
“I can see that we now have a light at the end of the tunnel. We have reached the end of the tunnel. And we’ll be bringing that report hopefully before the end of March or before this house rises and laying it before the house for debates on the floor. And so watch this space. We are in a good place. And we’ll be looking forward to you giving us all the support to pass this landmark bill, which will be the first of its kind. Yesterday the Attorney General made that point the first of its kind on African continent. Nigeria has a bill banning same sex marriages. That’s all. It doesn’t have all the other things our bill has. And so we’re excited about this,” Sam George added.
On March 23, three years and eight months after his initial arraignment on July 12, 2019, Nana Appiah Mensah, the embattled Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Menzgold Ghana Limited, made his 33rd court appearance.
Nana Appiah Mensah popularly known as NAM1 was initially charged with some 13 counts but that had since been amended with his plea yet to be taken on the amended charge sheet filed on September 3, 2019, which introduced some 61 new charges.
In court on Thursday, March 23, 2023, when NAM1 made his 33rd appearance, the case was again adjourned with the trial yet to commence.
Before a relieving Judge, Her Honour Afia Owusua Appiah, Prosecution represented by ASP Emmanuel Haliga who was holding Superintendent Sylvester Asare’s brief told the court that the prosecution is still awaiting advice from the Attorney General’s office for the next line of action.
He, therefore, prayed for an adjournment and after consulting his diaries together with Lawyer Audrey Twum, who was holding lawyer Kwame Boafo’s brief agreed with the court and settled on April 25, 2023.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, NAM1 made his 30th, 31st and 32nd appearances on November 9, and December 14, both in 2022 and January 2, 2023, respectively.
From July 12, 2019, the CEO of the gold dealership firm has trekked the court at least 29 times by September 27, 2022.
EIB Network’s Murtala Inusah who compiled the number of times NAM1 had appeared in court since July 12, 2019, said, the businessman would make at least his 34th appearance on April 25, 2023.
Previous appearances
In 2019, NAM1 made six appearances at the Circuit Court in Accra while in 2020 he appeared in court eight times. He then made further nine appearances in 2021 and five times in 2022.
In 2019, the CEO of Menzgold appeared in court on July 12 (his first) and made subsequent appearances on August 6, September 3, October 23, November 20 and December 23.
For 2020, the CEO of Menzgold made appearances on January 21, March 6, June 24, July 20, September 7, October 1, November 4 and December 16.
In 2021, NAM1 made nine appearances on January 20, March 2, April 1, May 27, July 6, September 2, October 11, November 22 and December 21.
In 2022, the embattled CEO of Menzgold was in court five times on February 21, April 4, May 16, July 15 and August 16 with the next court hearing fixed for September 27.
Meanwhile, he had also made court appearances in a Dubai Court before his return to Ghana following the collapse of Menzgold.
Main trial
On August 17, 2019, the embattled NAM 1 was released from police custody after meeting his varied bail conditions.
NAM1 together with his wife Rose Tetteh and his sister Benedicta Appiah (both at large) were facing a total of 13 counts of defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, abetment and carrying on deposit-taking business without a licence.
Two of his companies- Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Limited – have also been charged with seven counts of defrauding by false pretences and carrying on deposit-taking business without a licence.
On July 26, 2019, NAM1 pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the court presided over by Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye granted him bail to the tune of GH¢1 billion (about $185 million) with five sureties, three of which are to be justified.
Additionally, he was ordered by the court to report to the police every Wednesday.
But the condition that required him to ensure three of the five sureties for justification was removed when he could not meet his initial bail terms.
Charges
The initial counts preferred were defrauding by false pretences, abetment to defraud by false pretences, carrying deposit business without a licence, abetment of sale of minerals without a licence, sale of minerals without a licence, abetment of unlawful deposit-taking, unlawful deposit-taking and money laundering.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case as presented to the court by then ASP Asare, (now Superintendent Sylvester Asare) were that in October 2018, the police received a complaint from about 16,000 people that Menzgold had convinced them to invest GH¢1.68 billion in a gold purchase scheme that yielded 10 per cent monthly interest.
ASP Asare told the court that, the complainants said their money was locked up and they could not find Mensah and the other principal officers of the company.
He said investigations revealed that Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult were incorporated as limited liability companies in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
DSP Asare (now said Menzgold obtained a licence from the Minerals Commission in August 2016 to purchase and export gold from small-scale miners, and to successfully engage in the business, Nana Appiah founded Brew Marketing Consult to be a gold buying agent.
DSP Asare said although Menzgold was licensed to purchase gold, it was not licensed by the Minerals Commission to trade in gold.
Notwithstanding the lack of such a licence, he said, Menzgold went public after its incorporation and invited the public to deposit money for a fixed period with interest, on the pretext of gold purchasing.
He said further investigations revealed that the three accused persons were the directors and principal officers of Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult.
According to Afia Schwarzenegger, Mzbelwasn’t sexually assaulted by gospel preacher and former ICGC pastor, Rev. Josh Laryea as stated a few years back.
After Rev. Josh Laryea was suspended in 2017 due to allegations of immorality and other things, Afia Schwarzenegger and her best friend at the time, Mzbel, celebrated on social media.
This was after reports went viral that the ‘emre sesa’ hitmaker had raped Mzbel, who was then a member of the same church.
A letter dated March 29, 2017, issued by The ICGC Church Council at that time read,
“The Presbytery has authorized the Disciplinary Committee to look into the allegations levelled against Rev. Laryea. Rev. Josh Laryea is being withdrawn from the pulpit and thereby the Doxa Temple with immediate effect. This is to allow the Committee carry out its work uninterrupted.”
Shortly after the statement went viral, Afia Schwarzenegger who was captured in full glee, took tosocial media and wrote,
“At long last your cup is full…you molested someone I know and made her not to believe in Christianity …God truly answers…you see your life??”
A devasted Josh Laryea, who spoke about the incident in an interview with Starfm at that time said, “I may have gone mad, I may have been dead…at a point, I thought of suicide.”
But revisiting this issue, Afia Schwarzenegger, who is on a secret dropping spree amidst her latest feud with Mzbel said she regrets being a part of the scheme.
“Mzbel lied! Josh Laryea never raped her and I have asked God for forgiveness. Any day the man brings the case up, I will defend him. When Mzbel was attending ICGC, the members were scared of her and didn’t want to accept her. All the men in Mzbel’s life abandoned her and she later resorted to joining a church to find solace.
“She joined ICGC and Josh Laryea became her godfather. One year later, she accused him of rape. I know the man has been hoping for a redemption and the redemption is today. The name clearing is now,” she established in a Tik Tok live video.
The deputy minister of finance, Ms. Abena Osei-Asare, has backed the new tax legislation that are being introduced toParliament today, Thursday, March 23.
She alleged that these bills are critical in order to help the government’s attempts to raise funds and to boost the faltering economy.
Ms. Osei-Asare stated that the passing of these bills will also help the government provide aid to vulnerable individuals who have been severely impacted by Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
“This is to support the economy to get back on track and implement the agenda of supporting the vulnerable who have been hit hard by Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war,” she said in an interview on Citi FM.
“Inasmuch as we are raising revenue, we also need to look at the vulnerable who have been hit hard and these are the revenues that we believe that if we raise we can use some to support them.”
She added that the bills are necessary for effective budget implementation and increasing Tax-to-GDP from less than 13% to the sub-Saharan average of 18%.
“As a country, we need to mobilise our own domestic revenue to pursue our own national development agenda and so these are some of the things we can do to raise revenue. As we speak if you compare the revenue we raise to our GDP we are still way below the West African target of below 16 to 18 per cent we are still doing 13 per cent and so there is more that we feel we can do.”
Today, Parliament will vote on several bills related to income tax, excise duty, excise tax stamp, growth, and sustainability levy.
If approved, these bills will allow for the implementation of the $3 billion IMF Programme staff-level agreement.
The government has completed various measures to meet the criteria set by the IMF, such as tariff adjustments, publication of the Auditor-General’s report on Covid-19 spending, and onboarding of various funds on the Ghana integrated financial management information system.
The international and domestic bond markets are currently closed, which means the government must rely on Treasury Bills and concessional loans to finance its programmes.
She argued that it was therefore critical for Parliament to consider and approve fiscal measures to help the country recover from the current economic crisis.
One of life’s most humbling moments, according to a recently inducted member of the Electoral Commission (EC), was when she went through a divorce and realized how important it was to focus on her relationship with God.
Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng is also the first Female Programme Director of the Anglican Diocese.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, she indicated that even though she used to go to church growing up, she was never deeply involved in church activities and the things of God.
“Actually what brought me to the place of really paying attention to God was that I went through a divorce. I used to be a regular church goer, I drive my mother to church, hang out outside, when it’s time for communion, I go inside and take communion, come back outside,” she said.
“I didn’t belong to Scriptural Union (SU), I wasn’t a server, I was nothing, I remember when I went to seminary and we were introducing ourselves, everybody was a youth pastor, you know people were in the church, me I’m a member of my church, I pay dues and that’s it.”
Rev. Ofori Boateng explained that she was very fortunate to have relatively comfortable parents who took care of her very well and caused her to have a smooth life until things started to take a turn.
According to her, going through a divorce, becoming a single parent and even losing her job along the way made her feel as if her life had hit a wall.
“But it just brought me to a point of asking myself, what am I doing? I lived a pretty comfortable life, I went to GIS, went to university, got a job, you know everything followed for me so this was new like whoa, my life is supposed to go well so that really brought me to what people term as “a come to Jesus moment” where you’re really asking yourself, where do we go from here,”
“But I think that’s how God works with us, in that he brings us to a full stop, where I literally hit a wall, went through a divorce, lost my job, everything went bad,” she said on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
The Anglican Priest also said that when the time is right and if it pleases God, she would give love another chance.
Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng is one of the three members of the Electoral Commission sworn into office by President Akufo-Addo. The other two are Dr. Peter Appiahene and Salima Ahmed Tijani.
The Induction took place on Monday, March 20, 2023 at the Jubilee House.
The Ashanti Region Seedling Contractors Association has urged the government to pay the roughly GH2.3 billion it owes its members for the provision of seedlings for the tree planting activity during the celebrations of Green Ghana Dayfor 2021 and 2022.
According to the association, several engagements with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission for the government to pay them have been unsuccessful despite the many assurances.
The members of the Association say they are currently frustrated as they are constantly being harassed by banks they secured loans from to procure the seedlings.
Speaking to Citi News, the Secretary of the Ashanti Region Seedlings Contractors Association, Gloria Amponsah called onPresident Akufo-Addo to intervene in ensuring that they are paid to lessen their burden.
“The situation is really hurting us. A lot of people are in trouble and the law courts are attacking them. We have gone to the Forestry Commission several times to no avail, sometimes we even sleep there but all the promises have not come true.
“When we go there, they treat us like we are not humans, they don’t feel for us, As I stand here I have five children, I went in for a loan but when we go there they treat us like we are not part of Ghana. And so we call on Akufo-Addo, please come to our aid.”
A constitutional review is required, in order to restrict the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction according to Head of the Judicial Service by the Committee Chairman, Alhassan Abdallah Iddi,.
The Minority in Parliament expressed worry that the Supreme Court’s expansion from 11 to 14 justices would deplete state funds, contradicting the president’s assertion that he was safeguarding the public purse.
But speaking to Citi News after a three-day visit to the Judicial Service by the committee, Chairman Alhassan Abdallah Iddi said “look at the number of cases the Supreme Court hears. Almost every case comes to the Supreme Court holding all other variables constant.
“Many times, people are not satisfied at the Court of Appeal level. They definitely want to go to the Supreme Court. For us to have a cap as others call it, I think that better will it be for a constitutional review to reduce the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. I think that those who cry for the number of judges to the supreme court should look at it very well. It is tied to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.”
The Ghana Bar Association believes it is time for a cap to be placed on the number of Supreme Court judges Ghana has at a time.
Speaking to Citi News on the matter, the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Saviour Kudze, said “the way our constitution is now, if we don’t put a ceiling on it, it will not help us.”
For the limit to the number of judges possibly put in place, Mr. Kudze said, “it will depend on the work at hand.”
“Many more cases are going on appeal now and the Supreme Courthappens to be the highest and final appellate court, so for me, going forward, we need to look at it and see if you can have some ceiling.”
The managing director of theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has revealed that his organization intends to meter every power distribution transformer by the end of 2023 in a bid to combat power theft.
To help with metering and on-time completion, the MD stated that the contract had already been awarded.
Speaking in an interview on the Point of View on Citi TV, Mr. Mahama bemoaned the volumes of power lost to theft annually and said some residents actually factor power theft into their building plan and often get away with that, but that is soon coming to an end.
“It has come to our attention that some people even before building their houses, talk about ‘by-pass’ where they have one part of their electricity consumption pass through their meter and the other half goes through the main lines and I can assure you that we will find all those people and ensure that they correct it before the end of the year.
“We are going to meter every single distribution transformer and that will allow us to know the number of rooms connected to those transformers and the volumes of power supplied and when your meter is telling us otherwise, we will visit the area and calculate the average for all occupants to pay.”
The Electricity Company of Ghana began a massive disconnection exercise on March 20 in its bid to recover debts owed it.
Mr. Mahama indicated that the company is owed over GH¢5 billion from the month of September 2022 to February 2023. Most of its debtors are the variousMMDAs.
On Tuesday, March 21, Ghana’s attorney general and minister of justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, met with the deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom and the Lord Chancellor, Dominic Raab.
The meeting at King Charles Street addressed a variety of subjects relating to the two countries’ judicial systems.
Mr Raab expressed his profound appreciation for Ghana’s strong support for the work of the International Criminal Court(ICC), evidenced through what he described as the “powerful statement” delivered by Ghana’s Attorney-General.
Mr Dame represented the African continent at the conference on Monday at Lancaster House, as well as unequivocal statements by the President of Ghana at various international fora.
In his view, Ghana was the beacon of hope and inspiration.
The UK Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice noted the steps Ghana’s Attorney-General was making to bring reform into criminal justice delivery in Ghana and stated that same was in the right direction.
He further indicated that for the United Kingdom, similar issues relating to prison reform as well as constitutional changes, in order to make decisions from the UK domestic courts assume greater prominence following the exit of the UK from the European Union, were very pressing.
Mr Raab noted that the passage of the plea bargaining law by Ghana will tremendously ease congestion in the courts of Ghana and expressed the desire to assist Ghana in any way possible with a smooth implementation of that law, given the UK’s experience with same.
Mr Dame underscored the need to urgently reform the processes for justice delivery in criminal cases in Ghana to make it more efficient and serve the public interest.
He noted that delays in criminal justice delivery constituted the greatest problem in that regard.
He disclosed to the UK Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Secretary of State for Justice the imminence of a bill to scrap interlocutory appeals, reform the jury system in Ghana and introduce leave to appeal certain decisions into the justice system in Ghana.
Mr Dame further highlighted the steps his administration is taking to introduce an alternative sentencing regime.
In civil matters, he indicated that the capacity of the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice of Ghana had to be boosted in order to be able to handle the litany of arbitration cases constantly filed against the Government of Ghana.
This was well received by Mr Dominic Raab, who affirmed the preparedness to facilitate any assistance from the UK’s Ministry of Justice as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The UK Deputy Prime Minister and Ghana’s Attorney-General exchanged complimentary gifts for each other and pledged their support for a closer UK-Ghana cooperative alliance which would result in an exchange of technical and other related support to both countries.
In attendance at the meeting were top officials of the UK Ministry of Justice and Alfred Tuah Yeboah, Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister for Justice, Helen A. A. Ziwu, the Solicitor-General and Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The day ended with a private dinner session hosted by Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom at his residence in London.
According to former president John Mahama, 60 ministries and deputies are sufficient to manage the country.
He asserted that this will guarantee the effective use of Ghana’s limited resources for the benefit of all citizens.
According to him, this will also curb the disparities in privileges enjoyed by political officeholders and citizens.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential Candidate hopeful said this is part of amendments that he will make to the 1992 constitution.
“We plan to take up and conclude the constitution review process that started underPresident John Evans Atta Mills. The reforms will include a review of the controversial Article 71,” he said.
“I still believe that in this crisis period, Ghana can be managed with not more than 60 ministers. And to cut down on the number of officeholders and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments.”
Mr Mahama said this at a programme organised on Wednesday, March 22, on the theme “Financing political campaigns in Ghana we want: A case for more transparent and broad-based citizen participation.”
He had earlier announced that if elected President in the 2024 general elections, he will assemble a government made up of only 60 ministers and deputy ministers.
“I shall assemble and operate the leanest but most efficient government under our fourth republic. We will reduce, significantly, the size of the government,” he explained.
“As I announced in my Ghana We Want address at UPSA late last year, I will form a government of less than sixty (60) ministers and deputy ministers of state.”
The Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, the Excise Duty and Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bills, and the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill will be voted in parliament today, Thursday, March 23.
The Board’s approval of the staff-level agreement for the $3 billionInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme would be made easier with the approval of these unpaid revenue mobilization bills.
The passage of all the outstanding revenue Bills which are necessary for effective Budget implementation as well as boosting efforts at increasing Tax-to-GDP from less than 13% to the sub-Saharan average of 18%
The passage of the Bills will enable the government to complete four out of five agreed Prior Actions in the Staff Level Agreement.
Already, the government has completed tariff adjustment by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Publication of the Auditor-General’s Report on COVID-19 spending, and Onboarding of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and Road Fund on Ghana integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS).
The passage of all the outstanding revenue Bills which are necessary for effective Budget Implementation as well as boosting our efforts at increasing our Tax-to-GDP from less than 13% to the sub-Saharan average of 18.
The international and domestic bond markets are shut for the financing of government programmes, forcing the government to rely on Treasury Bills and concessional loans as the primary sources of financing for the 2023 fiscal year.
Therefore, consideration and approval of fiscal measures by Parliament are critical for recovery from the current economic crisis.
Director of Revenue Policy Division of the Ministry of Finance George Swanzy Winful explained that the Growth and Sustainability Levy is to raise revenue for growth and fiscal sustainability of the economy.
This he said was necessary to bridge the financing gap created by COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war.
He hinted that Growth and Sustainability Levy is a temporal measure expected to apply from 2023 to 2025 to help correct the imbalances being experienced.
Mr Winful explained that Growth and Sustainability Levy replaces the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (NFSL).
According to him, National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (NFSL) was being charged to 11 companies but the Growth and Sustainability Levy will apply to all companies.
He cautioned that if the bills are not passed, the government will be forced to review revenue estimates which will have serious consequences on public funds.
The Director of the Revenue Policy Division of the Ministry of Finance explained that the government has indicated revenue mobilization plans to IMF which includes the outstanding bills.
Therefore, he said failure to pass the bills will exacerbate the already difficult financial position of the country.
He pointed out that the country is in extraordinary times and appealed to the Members of Parliament to pass the outstanding bills today.
Mr Winful pledged that the Ministry of Finance will deepen stakeholder engagements to address the concerns of the public.
Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The object of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is to amend the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896) to revise the rates of income tax for individuals and introduce an additional income tax bracket.
It will introduce a withholding tax rate on the realisation of assets and liabilities and on winnings from the lottery, unify the loss carried forward provisions and revise the treatment of foreign exchange losses.
The Bill will also increase the optional rate for individuals on the gain from the realisation of an investment asset, revise the upper limits for the quantification of motor vehicle benefits and increase the concessional income tax rates.
The individual personal income tax bands have been reviewed to accommodate the minimum wage for 2023 as the basic tax-free income and an additional band at 35% as part of the high net worth taxation policy.
The upper limits for the quantification of motor vehicle benefits have not been revised since 2015.
The government has therefore revised these upper limits to account for inflation.
Compliance with the requirements for payment of tax on the realisation of assets and liabilities is being made more efficient with the introduction of a return to be submitted within 30 days of the realisation and a withholding tax.
The optional tax rate for individuals on the gain from realisations has also been increased.
The rate for income from gifts will also be increased as a consequential amendment.
The loss carried forward provisions are being unified at five percent while the treatment of foreign exchange gains is being restricted to actual losses.
Foreign exchange losses relating to capital expenditure is also to be capitalised.
The income tax rates for temporary concessions are being reviewed upwards with the intent to gradually phase them out.
These amendments are considered necessary to support the growing economy and will lead to a revenue yield of approximately GH₵1.290 billion GH₵1, 290,000,000).
Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2022
The object of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is to amend the Excise Duty Act, 2014 (Act 878) to revise the excise tax rates for cigarettes and other tobacco products to conform with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols and raise revenue to mitigate the harmful effects of these excisable products.
The Bill will increase the excise duty in respect of wine, malt drinks and spirits; and impose excise duty on sweetened beverages and electronic cigarettes and electronic liquids to increase revenue.
The ECOWAS directive on the harmonisation of excise duties on tobacco products directs that the excise duty on tobacco products must include an ad valorem duty and a specific duty.
Specifically, the ad valorem rate is required to be 50% or more while the specific tax is required to be the minimum equivalent of $ 0,02 per stick in the case of cigarette, cigar and cigarillo and the cedi equivalent of $20 per net kilogramme for all other tobacco products.
The Bill also seeks to amend Act 878 to implement this Directive in line with Ghana being a member of ECOWAS.
There has been an increase in the use of electronic cigarettes and other smoking devices over the last decade.
Currently, these products do not attract excise duty, but Excise duty will be imposed on these products as the nicotine and other chemicals used as additives are also harmful.
Apart from mineral waters and malt drinks, all other sweetened beverages, including processed fruit juices do not attract excise duty,
The Bill amends Act 878 to impose excise duties on these products and increase the excise duty on mineral waters and malt drinks.
Spirits have a higher alcohol content compared to beer but the excise duty on spirits is lower than that of beer.
To address this, the excise duty on spirits is being raised above that of beer in accordance with good practice on the imposition of excise duties.
Consequentially, the excise duty on wines has been reviewed upwards.
For ease of reference and the record, the descriptions of the various products are being revised to conform to the World Customs Organisation Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System.
The Bill amends Act 878 by substituting the First Schedule with a new Schedule.
The rationale for the amendment is to revise the excise tax rates for cigarettes and other tobacco products to align with the ECOWAS Protocols and impose new excise tax rates on sweetened beverages. The passage of the Bill will yield approximately four hundred and fifty-five million Ghana Cedis.
Growth and Sustainability Levy
The object of the Bill is to impose a special levy to be known as the Growth and Sustainability Levy to raise revenue for the growth and fiscal sustainability of the economy.
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic led to a significant reduction in revenues. and increased expenditure enormously.
The double jeopardy of the Russian-Ukraine war has also resulted in unprecedented global crises, depreciation in currencies and impacted living conditions and inflation levels.
The Ghanaian economy has not been spared these shocks.
Further interventions are required to raise additional revenue for national development and social protection for the vulnerable.
The introduction of the Growth and Sustainability Levy is part of the Government’s efforts to raise funds for carrying out these interventions.
The Levy is to be imposed on profit before tax of the companies and institutions and on• the production in the case of mining, upstream oil and gas companies specified in the first column of the Schedule.
The estimated revenue for 2023 is approximately GH₵2.216 billion.
The Levy is subject to review by the Minister responsible for Finance in 2025.
In honor of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar,Muslimsin Ghana have begun their fast Today, Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, spokesman for the Chief Imam, made the declaration on Wednesday night.
“The report we received and source we are getting from Bawku is that the moon has been sighted at Bawku. This information has been well authenticated based on communication between the Bawku Chief Imam and the office of the Chief Imam.”
“There is no reason to doubt it. On this ground, and by the Chief Imam’s mandate as the supreme leader of Muslims in this country, Muslims will begin fasting on the 23rd of March 2023”, he declared.
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It begins with the sighting of the moon.
Fasting in Ramadan involves abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset.
Ramadan for Muslims is a month of reflection, and self-improvement in relation to one’s behaviour toward other people, oneself, and Allah.
It is also a way to show solidarity with millions of poor people who cannot afford a four-square meal.
Muslims begin the fast before the call to the Fajr prayer after they are done with suhoor and fast till the setting of the sun after the call of Maghrib evening prayer.
Children, the elderly, people who are travelling, pregnant women, and people who are suffering from chronic illness are, however, excused from fasting, but they are required to make up the fasting later or compensate by feeding the hungry in proportion to the fast they had missed.
The festival of Eid al-Fitr, also known as the festival of fast-breaking, is observed to mark the completion of Ramadan after the 29 to 30-day fast.
An economist, Professor Lord Mensah, has argues that if government reduces spending and effectively restructures its debt, the country’s credit rating will improve.
Fitch has raised Ghana’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating from RD to CCC.
The issue ratings on domestically issued local-currency bonds that have not yet matured have also been upgraded to ‘CCC’ from ‘D’.
In response to this development, Professor Lord Mensah stated that the government must seek advice on how to improve the economy in order to have a positive outlook.
“If government will listen and try as much as possible to reduce expenditure, that will improve, probably, the rate we find ourselves in. We can even do better. So, there is always room for improvement. Let’s see what comes out in the coming weeks when we get our external debts restructured and then get the IMF programme which could improve the ratings further.”
Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below.
According to Fitch, the upgrade of Ghana’s LC-denominated debt follows the completion, effective 21 February 2023, of the domestic debt exchange programme by the Republic of Ghana.
Fitch viewed the debt exchange programme as a distressed debt exchange in a context of heightened fiscal pressures, with interest costs amounting to 54% of revenues in 1H22, and a lack of access to international capital markets.
The issue ratings on local-currency notes issued domestically that had a maturity date of 6 February 2023 and for which the remaining due principal payments were made on 13 March 2023 have been withdrawn given the expiry of these notes.
Meaningless upgrade
ButMember of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central and member of Parliament’s Accounts Committee, Isaac Adongo has discredited Fitch’s upgrade.
The Bolgatanga Central lawmaker says there is nothing to celebrate about the upgrade because the reality on the ground is that of hardship and suffering visited on investors and pensioners through the government’s infamous domestic debt exchange programme.
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Adongo said that though Fitch thinks Ghana has made some gains with the domestic debt exchange programme, what the government has actually done is postpone the problem of default.
“Fundamentally, there is nothing worthy to celebrate about the upgrade because what they have simply done is deny poor people and pensioners their monies and Fitch is celebrating that as a gain but to the people affected, they will not be happy and will not celebrate such a rating.”
A former mayor of Kumasi and a candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position, Kojo Bonsu, claims that despite the fierce competition, he will continue to run for the NDC presidency.
In the race set for May 13, the flagbearer aspirant will face strong competition from former President John Mahama and former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Mr. Bonsu declared his intention to run in the party’s Presidential primaries in 2018, ahead of the 2020 general election, but then dropped out and threw his support to the winner of the primaries.
However, the aspirant running for the second time says he is ready to lead the NDC in the upcoming general polls.
“The last time, I didn’t go further like this coming all the way to pick up nomination forms and filing. I have paid GH¢500,000, do I have to drop for this money to go? No way, I am not that rich, but my chances are very bright. I know what I am doing. It’s all about how you are able to do your things and how you are organized.”
He did, also, criticize the party for the approved nomination fee of GH¢500,000.
“I don’t support the nomination fees because it’s a lot of money. So, if I didn’t have that money and I had the acumen and competence to run the leadership of the party, does it mean that I can’t do it? And we are a social democratic party. I am a branding expert, and everybody knows that, so I am going to rebuild and rebrand the party.”
Addressing journalists after the submission of his nomination form, Mr. Bonsu said, “I want to thank my team for having time to come and receive me today. I appreciate all that you have done. It’s one party in the NDC, we have to do things together, the common enemy we are all looking for is not any individual in the party.”
Samuel Masubir Mahama, the managing director of theElectricity Company of Ghana(ECG), is advising owners of post-paid meters to pay their bills in person rather than waiting for the company to send out bills for the electricity used.
Speaking on Eyewitness News withUmaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Mahama said, “Why would you owe so much money, you owe that kind of money and don’t want to pay on account?”
“In the case of residential customers, they say you haven’t sent us bills in a very long time. But you have received a bill before, so it’s in your interest to keep paying what you see on your last bill until your meter is read, and the reconciliation is done, then you can start shifting to your new bill amount. But most people just sit down and they don’t pay anything. It’s also not fair to the pre-paid customer”.
He further urged post-paid meter users to average their own rate by falling on previous bills to pay for the power they consume.
“Pay through the meter account associated with your name. You were using the power already so pay even if you don’t see bills. Are you saying without the meter being read we shouldn’t bill you and allow you to use it for free? We are saying you can average your own bill, you are in your own home, and you know how much you consume in a week or a month. Be a responsible citizen and pay on account, after proper reconciliation what is due you will be given to you,” the ECG MD reiterated.
He emphasised, “but to say that you are not going to pay anything at all, and then you will enjoy the service, you are not being fair to a pre-paid customer who has to pre-pay what he/she is going to consume”.
As part of its national revenue mobilization, the National Taskforce of the ECG since Monday, March 20, has been disconnecting power to some companies including Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), KFC, Ho Airport.
Parliament, Fabrimetal Company, the largest steel manufacturing company in West Africa, B5 Plus Company Limited in Tema and others which owe the ECG have settled some of their debts to avoid being discounted.
The company disconnected KFC for owing GH¢68,000, Ho Airport for owing GH¢63,000, GRA Office for owing GH¢55,000, CEPS training academy for owing GH¢80,000 and Ho Technical University for owing GH¢402,000.
However, Ho technical university paid GH¢200,000 after crunch talks with the ECG and has been told to settle the arrears by end of March 2023.
To stop employees at theKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from using social media while at work, administrators have disabled the hospital’s computer systems.
The change is meant to maintain staff attention on patient care and raise the level of medical treatment provided at the hospital.
This is one of a number of measures and interventions implemented by the hospital’s administration to improve patient safety and comfort at the facility.
Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, says the lives of patients who visit the facility, which serves as a referral hospital, cannot be jeopardized.
He said they have blocked the hospital’s “[IT] system to YouTube and other social media platforms to prevent staff from possible loss of concentration on patient care through the use of such platforms.”
The CEO was speaking to department and division heads at the hospital’s end-of-year performance review conference inKumasi.
The minister of education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has lauded the accomplishments of the President Akufo-Addo’s administration in the field of education.
He claims that the Akufo-Addo administration has done the best job the nation has seen in the last 14 years in terms of educational progress.
Speaking to the media in Accra, the minister said that the policies of Akufo-Addo have resulted in an unprecedented rate of transitioning of students to the various levels of education in the country.
“The good people of Ghana know that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is moving full steam ahead in education transformation.
“STEM schools are being oversubscribed, this is under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. If you look at enrolment in Senior High Schools, in 2015, 299,649 (students) were enrolled. In 2022, 465,000 students were enrolled in Senior High Schools.
“Over and over again the accomplishment of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unmatched… the records of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the last 14 years is unmatched,” he said.
The minister added that people who want to contest the fact that Akufo-Addo’s government has been superior in the educational sector should check the records, which he said are sacred and do not lie.
Many squatters and employees of thePantang hospitalare forced to live in unfinished and deteriorating buildings.
A structural integrity examination conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2021 deemed hazardous.
The structure was originally built to house staff of the hospital, but nursing students and other residents of the community have turned the dilapidated and worn-out structure into their home against warnings by the hospital management for them to vacate the building.
A visit to Pantang on March 16, 2023, showed that the structure was being used despite its terrible state.
There were various forms of cracks and leakages, the iron rods were exposed and rusted, and wires were also exposed.
All the stairs connecting the ground floor to the other floors were in total ruin. One of the stairs in the Okonkwo Building had been constructed with wood which was rotten and the structure crooked yet occupants of the building still used it unconcerned.
When asked whether or not he came to live in the building of his own free will, Delali Tomegah an environmental officer with the Pantang hospital said he was given the accommodation by the hospital.
“The walling of the hospital affected my accommodation, so the hospital authorities asked me to move into the building.”
He said he has been living in the building for 2 years and does not believe the structure is weak.
“The building is very strong, but if you look at it, you would think it isn’t. It only looks old, a bit of rehabilitation will make it brand new.”
A resident – name withheld – said, although she’s scared that the building may collapse she has no choice.
“I am scared the building may collapse on us one day, but we have nowhere to go”.
Doris Attiogbe, a mother of two described the dangerous conditions under which she lived to Citi News.
“The building soaks the water anytime it rains, I don’t know about the other tenants though. Recently the cement component along the stairs has also started falling off.”
She added that after 5 years of living in the building and countless warnings to evacuate she is now ready to move.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Frank Baning refuted claims that the management of the hospital sanctioned their stay.
“I can tell you for a fact that none of them will be able to show you that they were given a letter to go and live in such a structure at least not that I am aware of, and I have been at the helm of affairs since 2016.”
He also explained that the hospital is located on Ghana’s earthquake fault lines.
“I am the one pushing for it to be demolished because I’m afraid that if you are not careful, one of these days it will collapse on staff and that’s been one of my fears. You know we fall within the fault lines. Anytime there is one of those earth tremors, we at the Pantang Hospital usually feel it here, so you can just imagine if the scale goes up a little what will happen to that building. So those are some of the fears, and we won’t ask staff to live in a place like that.”
Dr. Baning added that the fact that residents live in the building rent-free is an indication that their stay was not sanctioned by the management of the hospital.
He added they have been unable to evict them as intended because the occupants had appealed to the Ministry of Health.
“They petitioned my bosses, that is the mental health authority and the Ministry [of Health] so as far as I’m concerned, it’s been taken up by a higher institution than Pantang hospital and [it is] being dealt with. So I would say the best people to talk to would be the Ministry because they went to petition them”.
“The minister delegated the Deputy Minister of health to come here and resolve the issue, they all saw it and said no it must come down. The municipal assembly put together a team made of engineers and security people to come and take a look and the conclusion is that it should be pulled down.”
The trader at the New Kejetia Market who was detained on Tuesday for allegedly cooking at the facility where the fire started has been released on bail.
Her detention was after Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia revealed that a trader who was cooking was to blamed for the fire.
According to the leadership of the traders, the trader known as Felicia Opoku was handed over to the police and was detained overnight, after which she was released on bail.
The President of the Federation of the Kumasi Traders, Nana Akwasi Prempeh told Citi News that: “Around 11 am, we had a call that a certain lady has set fire again and when we went there to check, she was heating okro soup, and so we arrested her and gave her to the police and detained her overnight and granted her bail this morning, but investigations are ongoing to find out who gave her the permission to come and sell in the market”.
“We are collaborating with the management of the market to ensure that we enforce the by-laws to ensure safety in the market. ”
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Monday, March 20 disclosed that the briefing he received from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) indicated that a fire from a trader cooking at the new Kejetia market caused the inferno at the facility last week.
Dr. Bawumia disclosed that the shop owner was cooking inside her shop when the gas cylinder she was using caught fire spreading to a nearby chemical shop, thus destroying 33 shops out of 8,000 shops at the market.
Ghanaian comedian Nana Yaw Boateng Oduro, popularly known as Funny Face, has revealed that he has apologized to his friends Emmanuel Adebayor and Bola Ray.
A few months ago, the comedian, who was believed to have been dealing with an extreme case of a depression-induced mental breakdown, insulted Adebayor and Bola Ray on social media for allegedly neglecting him during his difficult times.
He accused Bola Ray of terminating his job at Kasapa FM, despite his contributions to EIB’s Starr FM.
He also attacked Adebayor for unfollowing him on social media during his relapse.
In a recent interview with TV3, the comedian stated that his friends were not hesitant in accepting his apology because they know who he truly is.
“They know the real you, so they know what you are going through is not you. So when you come back and apologize, they accept,” he said. “I was not afraid of losing Adebayor and Bola Ray, because I know in their hearts, they know the real me, and they know what I was going through.”
Funny Face explained that whatever caused the rift between them was never deliberate. He was going through a tough time and was confused and frustrated.
He also revealed that he loves children, and not being able to see his own was taking a toll on him. However, it seems that the trio has reconciled, and Funny Face has taken responsibility for his actions.
We wish Funny Face all the best as he continues to make us laugh with his humour.
The relationship between academic institutions and industries needs to be reconsidered, according to Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, first deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Dealing with unemployment and problems associated to it will be made possible by this.
He said this at the Congregation of College of Humanities at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he charged academic institutions to create linkage with industry.
Dr. Opoku-Afari, who is also the Chairman, Advisory Board, of the College of Humanities, challenged the university, students and industry to make maximum use of technology to the benefit of the country.
The 2023 University of Ghana Congregation ceremonies was held for graduates who completed their programmes of study during the 2021/2022 Academic year. It is the first in-person graduation since the outbreak of COVID-19.
The first Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari, said with the constant change in the world, there is the need for academia to infuse technology in all spheres of training to equip students with skills for the world of work.
He also charged the graduates to imbibe the principles of hard work, perseverance and integrity to make a meaningful impact in the world.
In a speech read on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nana Aba Amfo, the Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Prof Gordon Awandare, said from July 2022 to date, 62 research grant contracts and agreements with a value of Four million dollars were executed.
According to him the university will continue to play a pivotal role and position it as the number one researchinstitution.
Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, applauded the University for adapting to the challenges during Covid-19. She urged the management of the University to keep up the good work and continue to tap into technology as they prepare the students for the world.
Mrs Chinery-Hesse said there are numerous problems facing society and challenged the graduates to play a major role in creating a better future for all.
Eleven thousand, seven hundred and eleven people graduated from four Colleges and Graduate Studies with Jacklord Agyabeng Amponsah as the valedictorian for the College of Humanities with a final GPA of 3.93.
