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  • GRA vehicle procurement was fair, followed due process – Lawyer to CHRAJ

    GRA vehicle procurement was fair, followed due process – Lawyer to CHRAJ

    The lawyer for the companies involved in the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) vehicle procurement has stated that the prices of vehicles supplied to the Authority were not inflated, contrary to the assertion by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).


    According to him, since the vehicle companies are business entities, they cannot buy the vehicles at a particular price and sell them to the GRA at the same cost. As such, they added normal business costs and profit to the initial price they bought them at before selling to the GRA.


    “What CHRAJ is saying is that when they check the prices of the said vehicles at Toyota Ghana, they realise that the prices have been inflated by a certain amount by the various companies. But this is where they get it all wrong and completely mislead the public.


    “So when they applied for sole sourcing, they went to Toyota and bought the vehicles and I cannot buy a vehicle from Toyota at GHS100 and sell it at GHS100. So what they did was that they procured these vehicles from Toyota, calculated all their cost margins and added their profit margins and sold it to GRA.


    “That is what happened. Unless CHRAJ wants to say that from now every Ghanaian who wants a car by any state institution must go to Toyota to buy,” he added.


    His clarification comes swiftly after the former GRA Commissioner-General, Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, was accused by CHRAJ of his alleged involvement in fraudulent and irregular contract awards to three vehicle companies, causing the state a financial loss of about USD 826,551, equivalent to GHS 9 million.


    The companies he signed the deals with include Ronor Motors Ghana Limited, Telinno Ghana Limited, and Sajel Motors and Trading Company Limited.

    The anti-corruption watchdog’s findings followed an investigation into a 2022 petition filed by the Movement for Truth and Accountability (MFTA).

    According to CHRAJ, the contracts involved non-existent contractors, fraudulent duplication, and inflated prices. “The respondent, being the Entity Head, cannot escape liability,” the report stated.


    Meanwhile, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Sarpong, together with other top officials, has been summoned by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for questioning over the controversial GRA–Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract.


    The other GRA officials include the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Finance, Celestine Annan, and the Technical Assistant to the Commissioner-General, Kenneth Agyei-Duah.

    Their invitation follows the recent arrest of the Acting Head of Legal Affairs at the GRA, Freeman Sarbah, for his alleged involvement in the controversial deal and for attempting to interfere with justice.


    Strategic Mobilisation Limited has been operating in Ghana for the past five years to monitor revenue in the oil (upstream) and mining (minerals) sectors. In 2024, the government’s revenue arm discontinued two contract transactions — the Audit and External Verification Service Contract (AEVS) with SML — and halted portions of the contract.


    The GRA also suspended SML’s Upstream Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Audit until further notice. The suspension came after the then-President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, received a report from KPMG on SML’s deals.

    Last week, President John Dramani Mahama ordered the termination of the SML deal following a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, led by Mr. Kissi Agyebeng.

    The President issued the termination through a letter to the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Following the investigations, the anti-corruption agency discovered procurement breaches and irregularities in contract awards, contractual overreach beyond SML’s original mandate, lack of value for money due to inflated costs and questionable service delivery, as well as legal concerns.


    The SML contracts included several components: a Transaction Audit and External Price Verification Service Agreement, a Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Contract, and later agreements for Upstream Petroleum and Minerals & Metals Audit Services.


    On May 3, 2024, the GRA terminated two of those contracts — the Transaction Audit and External Price Verification — and suspended the Upstream Petroleum and Minerals Audit portion under the erstwhile government.


    In June this year, following the OSP’s findings, the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products (the main SML contract) was completely terminated, saving Ghana over GHS 1.2 billion.


    In an addendum shared on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, the OSP noted that additional savings had been made aside from the GHS 1.2 billion. The OSP announced that Ghana has saved more than GHS 2.6 billion and US$173 million.


    The additional savings, it said, arose from avoiding payments tied to crude oil and gold export monitoring services that were never implemented.


    “Following the earlier announcement that Ghana saved over GHS 1.2 billion from the cancellation of the main SML revenue assurance contract, there are additional savings from the upstream and mineral sector components of the agreement.

    These contracts, which were based on a variable fee structure linked to exports of crude oil and gold, would have cost the State approximately US$173 million for crude oil and GHS 2.6 billion for gold exports over five years.


    SML did not commence work as the arrangement coincided with the KPMG audit. Owing to the criminal investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the subsequent cancellation by the President, Ghana has now avoided these further costs,” the OSP noted in its statement.


    In a highly detailed press briefing following a comprehensive investigation, the OSP mentioned critical findings that exposed systemic breaches of public financial regulations and a clear misuse of authority that caused the state to lose money.


    “There was no genuine need for contracting SML for the obligations it’s purported to perform,” the Special Prosecutor declared.


    Mr. Agyebeng has solidified the case against the contentious Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved payments without any technical or operational justification.


    According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta failed to intervene even though SML openly lacked the necessary capacity, expertise, and tools to execute its contract. Instead, he allegedly remained complicit, approving payments from the Consolidated Fund, the Petroleum Revenue Account, and the Tax Refund Account.


    The OSP’s investigation concluded, “Had he not been personally benefiting from SML’s unlawfully procured contracts, the openly displayed lack of capacity, expertise, and tools by SML would have immediately triggered his intervention to halt payments to SML and demand accountability. Instead, he looked on conspiratorially in silence while endorsing and approving payments to SML from the Consolidated Fund, Petroleum Revenue Account, and Tax Refund Account with no technical or operational basis”.


    The OSP’s findings expose SML’s clear inability to perform the revenue assurance services it was contracted for, which included key responsibilities such as transaction audits and external price verification.


    According to the investigation, the continuous “troubleshooting displayed during this period was born of the unlawful imposition of SML in the space and the still lingering reality of SML’s lack of capacity to carry out transaction audits and external price verification.”


    Even after 15 months of engagement, SML reportedly “had no system in place to receive CCVRs” (customs control and valuation records), the essential data needed to execute its tasks. Additionally, the existing data provider, West Blue, was under “no legal obligation to release the vital data” to SML.


    As a result, the assigned work remained uncompleted, yet the company “continued to be paid,” reinforcing the OSP’s conclusion that the situation led to a financial loss to the state.


    It is important to note that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, including the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resource value chain.


    The activities of SML came to light years ago after Manasseh Azure Awuni raised concerns over contractual breaches in a deal involving the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).


    The original purpose of the GRA–SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain. The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.


    Following these concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.


    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalising the agreement with SML.


    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) entered into six service agreements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) using the single-source procurement method without obtaining approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).


    The first agreement, covering Transaction Audit Services, was signed on June 1, 2018. This was followed by a Contract Extension on January 1, 2019. On April 1, 2019, the GRA entered into another agreement with SML for External Price Verification Services.

    Subsequently, on October 3, 2019, the two parties signed a Consolidation Services Agreement, which combined the Transaction Audit and External Verification Services.


    That same day, a separate agreement was also signed for the Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products. Later, on July 29, 2020, an Addendum to the Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement was executed. The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHS 31 million in taxes.

  • Digital tools are key to strengthening Ghana’s revenue systems – Deputy Finance Minister-designate

    Digital tools are key to strengthening Ghana’s revenue systems – Deputy Finance Minister-designate

    Deputy Finance Minister-designate, Thomas Nyarko Ampem has vowed to work closely with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to utilize digital tools in boosting national revenue collection.

    He underscored the critical role of technology in securing funds for government projects and assured that strategies would be intensified to optimize revenue generation.

    Ampem outlined plans to adopt digital solutions aimed at streamlining public finance management for greater efficiency.

    During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, February 24, he reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing and expanding existing technological frameworks.

    “I will work with my minister [Dr Cassiel Ato Forson] and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to use technology to ensure that we rake in more revenue.

    “We have officials of the GRA who are so experienced in this and I believe that if we provide them with the right leadership and incentives, we will be able to do this. Without technology, we will not be able to achieve the target we’re setting for ourselves.

    “We will build on whatever has been done previously. Government is a continual. We will deploy all those infrastructure that has been provided for us to be able to improve. We’re going to aggressively pursue revenue generation. And we will cut expenditure, as for expenditure, we need to constraint it,” Ampem stated.

  • Taxing the rich is key to easing pressure on Ghanaians -Prof Bokpin

    Taxing the rich is key to easing pressure on Ghanaians -Prof Bokpin

    An expert in finance and economics at the University of Ghana, Professor Godfred Bokpin, has urged the government to establish a clear tax policy targeting the wealthy to alleviate the financial burden on regular Ghanaians and businesses.

    Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Prof. Bokpin highlighted that Ghana’s current tax system predominantly affects salaried workers, while individuals with significant wealth and multiple income streams tend to contribute less to the nation’s coffers.

    “We are taxing income in terms of personal income tax, but high-net-worth individuals don’t actually live on salary or wages,” he noted.

    Professor Bokpin acknowledged the efforts of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) High Net Worth Office in recent years, but emphasized that additional measures are necessary to ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share of taxes.

    He urged the government to “have a policy about taxation of high-net-worth individuals, back that with a strategy, and then restructure the high-net-worth office at the GRA.”

    Professor Bokpin cautioned that the current tax system is putting significant strain on businesses.

    “Businesses are suffocating. This is a small open economy, but it is possible that one entity may be required to be tax compliant of maybe six or so different tax handles in a fiscal year,” he said.

  • Court throws away suit against new GRA Commissioner-General, Anthony Sarpong

    Court throws away suit against new GRA Commissioner-General, Anthony Sarpong

    The legal obstacle to Anthony Kwasi Sarpong’s tenure as Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been removed after a lawsuit contesting his appointment was withdrawn.

    The case, initiated by private citizen Emmanuella Sarfowaah, sought to challenge President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to appoint Mr. Sarpong, citing alleged conflicts of interest.

    However, court records confirm that the suit has been completely withdrawn, allowing Mr. Sarpong to continue his duties without legal uncertainty.

    President Mahama appointed Mr. Sarpong on January 21, 2025, recognizing his vast experience as a Chartered Accountant and tax expert. Questions were initially raised about his previous role as a Senior Partner at KPMG, a firm with past consultancy agreements with the GRA.

    The lawsuit argued that this connection presented a conflict of interest. However, Mr. Sarpong officially stepped down from KPMG on January 31, 2025, a move that significantly undermined the legal challenge and led to its eventual dismissal.

    Legal experts suggest that his resignation eliminated any potential basis for the lawsuit, making it difficult to justify opposition to his appointment.

    GRA employees have embraced Mr. Sarpong’s leadership, expressing optimism about his ability to modernize the institution and strengthen revenue collection efforts. Insiders at the authority report a positive atmosphere, with expectations of innovative reforms.

    With the legal hurdle removed, Mr. Sarpong is poised to lead the GRA into a new era, emphasizing tax compliance, technological advancements for efficiency, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms to maximize revenue generation in line with the government’s economic strategy.

  • All six new regions will have public universities under my tenure – Mahama

    All six new regions will have public universities under my tenure – Mahama

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to establish public universities in country’s newly created regions if his party wins the 2024 elections.

    Addressing chiefs and supporters in Nkatieso, Juaboso Constituency in the Western North Region, Mahama stressed the need for equitable access to higher education nationwide.

    He asserted that every region should have at least one public university to bridge educational gaps across the country.

    “When you look at our manifesto, every region must have a public university. So, during our tenure, the then Brong Ahafo Region didn’t have a public university, the same was the case in the Volta Region. We put up the University of Development Studies (UDS).

    “We also put up the University of Allied Sciences in the Volta Region. The University of Environment in the Eastern Region too was put up by the NDC.

    “We have divided the regions, and we want to put up universities in all six new regions or campuses of universities.

    He further noted that under his administration, the NDC laid the groundwork for university development in underserved regions and intends to extend this to all six newly created regions.

  • NPP wants Adwoa Safo’s seat declared vacant – NDC MP alleges

    NPP wants Adwoa Safo’s seat declared vacant – NDC MP alleges

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of the NDC, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to have the Dome Kwabenya seat, held by Sarah Adwoa Safo, declared vacant in Parliament.

    In an interview on Joy FM on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Dafeamekpor accused NPP MPs of pushing for the seat’s vacancy under Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution.

    He also revealed that the NDC caucus plans to initiate the motion, which will be based on the findings of the Privileges Committee’s report.

    “There is a pending motion in Parliament again brought by the NPP for Adwoa Sarfo’s seat to be declared vacant pursuant to Article 97(1)(c). As we speak, it’s pending. When they brought that motion, they didn’t know that the declaration by the Speaker would be unconstitutional.

    “We will trigger that motion and the report is even ready. I have a copy, and it’s prepared by the privileges committee, so we will trigger that motion and take a decision on that motion,”

    He made this revelation in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, which overturned Speaker Bagbin’s declaration of four vacant seats in Parliament.

    Background

    The Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, was referred to the Privileges Committee in April 2022, along with two other MPs, for being absent for fifteen consecutive sitting days.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, made the referral following petitions submitted to him regarding the absenteeism of these Members of Parliament.

  • 75% of election results will be available by 11PM – NDC

    75% of election results will be available by 11PM – NDC

    The Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Omane Boamah, has assured that the NDC will have collated at least 75% of the presidential election results by election night.

    He set the target of completing this process by 11:00 p.m. on December 7, election day.

    During his five-day campaign tour in the Eastern Region, starting in Otoase in the Ayensuano constituency, Dr. Boamah accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of plotting to rig the upcoming elections.

    He pointed to the special voting on December 2, which will involve security agencies, journalists, and Electoral Commission officials, as the beginning of their alleged efforts to manipulate the vote.

    Dr. Boamah called on NDC supporters to remain watchful, claiming the NPP is aware it will lose the election and is preparing to alter the outcome.

    He urged them to help ensure transparency by recording the results declaration processes at polling stations, constituency collation centers, and regional capitals on election day using their mobile phones.

    Additionally, he stressed that supporters should demand that presiding officers display pink sheets with the election results, as required by CI 127, at all polling stations.

    Dr. Boamah also recommended that NDC supporters continue monitoring the collation process by moving to constituency centers. He expressed strong optimism that the NDC would win the presidency, provided the election is free, fair, and transparent.

  • NDC’s plan to review Free SHS is set in stone – Asiedu Nketia

    NDC’s plan to review Free SHS is set in stone – Asiedu Nketia

    Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reiterated the party’s dedication to reviewing the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, despite attempts by political opponents to distort the party’s intentions.

    Addressing a doctored video that falsely suggested the NDC planned to abolish the policy, Nketia expressed frustration with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for using such tactics to mislead the public.

    He made it clear that these efforts would not deter the NDC from addressing the policy’s flaws.

    “They must create avenues for their party people to make money.” They have taken away the responsibility of the headmasters to procure foodstuffs for students under their care, and have awarded the contract for supplying the schools to their cronies,” Nketia alleged.

    Nketia stressed that the current implementation of the Free SHS policy has had negative effects on the quality of education, and the NDC is determined to rectify these issues. He criticized the policy for undermining the educational experience of students due to poor planning and improper execution.

    A key issue, according to Nketia, is the stripping of headmasters’ responsibilities for procuring food for students, with contracts now being awarded to party supporters.

    “This is why we advised them not to rush the implementation until adequate infrastructure has been built but they refused to reason with us, thereby leading us into this mess,” the National Chairman pointed out.

    Mr Nketia also pointed out the significant lack of infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students, leading to overcrowded schools and reduced learning time. He blamed the NPP for rushing the policy’s rollout without ensuring adequate facilities, ignoring advice from various stakeholders, including members of their own party.

    The NDC, he assured, will focus on expanding school infrastructure, completing the stalled E-blocks, and ensuring that adequate facilities are in place to accommodate students effectively.

    He urged the public to ignore the misleading video, calling it part of the NPP’s desperate attempts to hold onto power.

  • We can’t accept final certified voters register without ballot statistics and summary – NDC to EC

    We can’t accept final certified voters register without ballot statistics and summary – NDC to EC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated it will not accept the final certified voters register for the upcoming December polls without the accompanying ballot statistics and summaries.

    Speaking to GHOne TV,  the Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, Rashid Tanko Computer, stated that the final register, lacking these crucial details, cannot be deemed credible.

    He emphasised the need for the Electoral Commission (EC) to uphold transparency and accountability in its responsibility to ensure free and fair elections.

    Tanko Computer also pointed out that the EC had initially promised to provide political parties with the necessary data, making it unacceptable for the commission to renege on that commitment.

     He reiterated that such actions undermine the EC’s credibility as an independent body.

    “You held the whole media and political party for ransom for more than 6 hours. If they don’t bring the ballot statistics or the voter statistics and the summaries we are not going to take the register. They promised us the summary, but we didn’t put a dagger on their neck to ask for the summary. If she knew that she is not obliged to give it to us she should have told us. we have officially returned the drive to them until we get the summary,” he added.

    On Wednesday, the EC released the Certified Voters Register to all registered political parties and independent presidential candidates. 

    While addressing party representatives in Accra, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa stated that all outstanding issues with the register had been resolved.

    The independent body assured stakeholders of the credibility of the Certified Voters Register and called for public support in its efforts to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election in December.

    This distribution, done in accordance with Sub-Regulation 4 of Regulation 27 of Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 91, ensures all parties have the necessary electoral data to prepare for the December elections. 

    The register, shared digitally on external hard drives, includes various supplementary lists alongside the Valid Voters Register, further supporting a smooth electoral process.

  • We foresaw Donald Trump’s victory – NDC

    We foresaw Donald Trump’s victory – NDC

    Former Akwatia MP Baba Jamal has voiced that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) anticipated Donald Trump’s lead in the U.S. presidential election, seeing it as a positive signal.

    Speaking on Okay FM on November 6, 2024, Jamal outlined that the NDC aligns with Trump’s policies, which echo the party’s stance on conservative issues.

    He drew specific comparisons between Trump’s positions and those of NDC’s candidate, John Dramani Mahama, on matters like abortion and same-sex marriage.

    “We knew Trump was going to win because, when you listen to his policies, you will see they mirror those we [NDC] have promoted here in Ghana,” Baba Jamal stated. “Trump stands against abortion and homosexuality, issues our candidate also opposes. Unlike the NPP, which has suggested acceptance of some of these ideas, the NDC remains firm on our stance.”

    Jamal interprets Trump’s projected victory as a shift toward conservative principles, which he believes could resonate similarly in Ghana.

    “Americans have shown that ‘sankofa’ (a return to roots) is good, and this is exactly what we intend to replicate in our December elections,” he added.

    U.S. Election Update
    In the November 5, 2024, U.S. presidential election, former President Donald Trump is currently projected as the winner against Vice President Kamala Harris. Major news outlets such as CNN and the BBC report Trump’s strong lead following key wins in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia.

  • Dumsor is back, be honest with Ghanaians – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

    Dumsor is back, be honest with Ghanaians – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

    Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has accused the current government of trying to shift the blame for Ghana’s power crisis to a potential NDC administration in the event of a change in leadership.

    Speaking to supporters in Ehiamankyene, Krachi West District, Oti Region, Mahama condemned the government for mishandling the power situation and misleading the public.

    He argued that their failure to issue a formal load-shedding timetable was an attempt to downplay the gravity of the power shortages affecting the country.

    According to Mahama, the recent exit of Sunon Asogli, a major independent power producer, has aggravated the energy crisis.

    This departure, he said, has placed further strain on Ghana’s electricity grid, resulting in more frequent power outages and greater uncertainty about the sector’s stability.

    Mahama also raised concerns about the government’s alleged plans to leave behind an estimated $2 billion debt in the energy sector.

    He warned that this would severely hinder the next administration’s ability to find lasting solutions to the crisis and would deepen the sector’s challenges.

    However, Mahama assured his supporters that an NDC-led government would prioritize restoring stability to the energy sector, addressing the debt, and ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in managing Ghana’s power resources.

    “We do not have a stable plant because Sunon Asogli has shut down its plant due to significant unpaid debt owed by the government. As a result, dumsor has returned and this is because the government is not being truthful with Ghanaians, in our previous administration we implemented a load-shedding timetable to manage the crisis but the current government refuses to do so because they fear being blamed for bringing back dumsor.”

    “However the reality is that Dumsor is back, they know the NDC is likely to come to power, so they are trying to shift this burden onto us, additionally they are planning to pass an estimated bill of two billion dollars in debt within the energy sector to the next NDC administration,” he stated.

  • Video: MP for Ledzokuku stirs banku for votes

    Video: MP for Ledzokuku stirs banku for votes

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ledzokuku constituency, Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku, has been spotted stirring banku, a Ghanaian dish for a constituent.

    A video that has since gone viral shows the MP happily stirring the banku while the constituent watches in awe.

    This move has stirred diverse reactions across social media, with users voicing a range of opinions.

    As the 2024 elections draw closer, politicians are employing unconventional methods to rally support.

    Recently, Hawa Koomson made headlines by selling goods on the streets of Accra as part of her campaign strategy.

    Similarly, the NDC’s Baba Sadiq was seen pounding fufu in a bid to connect with voters.

    With the countdown to the elections underway, it’s yet to be seen how far political figures will go to win over the electorate.

  • Wake up if you think NPP will win December polls – NDC

    Wake up if you think NPP will win December polls – NDC

    An aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, has critiqued the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) approach to the upcoming 2024 elections, suggesting it resembles a strategy of self-amusement.

    Her remarks came in response to Joseph Osei Owusu’s claim that available research shows the NPP is poised to win the election.

    Madam Mogtari countered this assertion, stating that only the NPP’s self-generated polls and research support the idea of their victory.

    Highlighting the disparity in polling data, she noted that reputable polls consistently favor Mahama for the presidency and project a significant parliamentary majority for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    In a social media post, she expressed her skepticism, stating, “tickle yourself and laugh.” If not, why would their party’s leading figures be on a deliberate self-serving run across the country, spreading inaccurate and fake research outcomes to tickle themselves and their followers?

    Mogtari further emphasized the facts: since 2022, Dr. Bawumia has consistently lagged behind Mahama in credible research studies, including two conducted by the National Identification Bureau (NIB).

    She also pointed out that the NDC holds a substantial lead over the NPP in parliamentary seats, with districts like Atwima Mponua, Offinso North, and Dome posing significant challenges for the ruling party.

  • A vote for NDC is a vote against progress in Aowin – NAPO to constituents

    A vote for NDC is a vote against progress in Aowin – NAPO to constituents

    Running mate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAP0), has asserted that any resident of the Aowin constituency who votes for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is undermining the nation’s progress.

    Addressing NPP supporters at a rally in Yakaase within the Aowin Constituency, Western North Region, he criticized the NDC’s lack of development efforts for the area despite consistent support from voters.

    Opoku Prempeh recounted Aowin’s voting history, highlighting the constituency’s loyalty to the NDC since 1992 without any tangible results in return.

    “Aowin has been voting for the NDC since 1992: NDC in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.” he said, pointing out that this pattern has not yielded any significant benefits for the community.

    In contrast, he underscored the NPP’s commitment to development in Aowin, citing a $250 million World Bank loan secured by President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia to fund road construction, electricity expansion, teacher support, and police recruitment in the constituency.

    Opoku Prempeh described the NPP as an inclusive party focused on national progress and assured residents that a vote for Dr. Bawumia would bring transformative leadership and policies aimed at advancing Ghana’s development.

    ““From 1992, Aowin has never remembered Busia that he gave them hospital and they started voting for the NDC. The chiefs have been calm and Aowin has been voting for the NDC since 1992: NDC in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. I am talking about a presidential candidate. 2012 NDC, 2016 NDC, and 2024 NDC.

    “NDC did nothing for Aowin… but Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia have gone for a $250 million World Bank loan to construct roads, provide electricity, pay teachers, and recruit residents into the police. If you don’t know and you live in Aowin and vote for the NDC, you are a nation wrecker.”

  • Vote for me and I’ll build you a modern market – Mahama to Savelugu constituents

    Vote for me and I’ll build you a modern market – Mahama to Savelugu constituents

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has pledged to construct an ultramodern market facility in Savelugu, Northern Region, should he secure victory in the 2024 presidential election.

    Mahama outlined that this market would invigorate local commerce by offering traders an organized and spacious setting, aiming to establish Savelugu as a prominent trading center in the area.

    Addressing residents during a durbar in Savelugu on Thursday, October 31, he called on them to back the NDC in the upcoming election, reaffirming the party’s commitment to advancing development in both rural and urban communities across Ghana.

    “There are many things that the NDC has in its manifesto for the people of Ghana. My sister who just spoke, talked about the Women’s Development Bank. We are going to create branches of the Women’s Development Bank everywhere. And one of the places we will create it is in the Savelugu market.

    “We are going to modernise the Savelugu market, build a modern market for Savelugu. We have a programme called the Market Enhancement Programme.

    “Anytime I pass here on the Savelugu Market Day if you see the number of people at the market, and so it is one of the markets we are going to prioritise, we are going to build a modern market so that people will be attracted to come to Savelugu to come and trade.”

  • Commuters stranded after heavy downpour at Airport Roundabout in Kumasi

    Commuters stranded after heavy downpour at Airport Roundabout in Kumasi

    A heavy downpour in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, has left hundreds of commuters stranded at the Airport Roundabout due to severe flooding in the area.

    The rain, which lasted about 30 minutes, overwhelmed local rivers, causing them to overflow and creating hazardous conditions.

    Reporting live from the scene, OTEC News reporter Jacob Agyenim Boateng stated, “Hundreds of cars and commuters, unable to cross the swollen Pelele River, are parked along the road, waiting for the waters to recede.”

    This flooding resulted in significant traffic congestion on major routes leading to the Airport Roundabout, forcing drivers from Sofoline, Kenyasi, Tech, and Asawase to seek alternative paths.

    Residents interviewed by OTEC News cited inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management as key factors contributing to the recurring flooding.

    “We’ve been experiencing this flooding for years. It’s time for the authorities to find a lasting solution,” one resident stated.

    Another added, “The small drains can’t handle the rainwater. We need better infrastructure to prevent these floods.”

    They urged authorities to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • We will not engage in violence despite NDC’s provocations – NAPO

    We will not engage in violence despite NDC’s provocations – NAPO

    Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who serves as the NPP’s Vice Presidential Candidate and is also the MP for Manhyia South, has strongly criticized the recent actions of the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament, labeling them as ‘unruly.’

    This criticism follows a parliamentary session on October 22, 2024, where he noted that the NDC’s attempts to provoke the Majority Caucus by occupying their designated seats were inappropriate.

    In his remarks, Dr. Opoku Prempeh emphasized that Parliament should be a space for constructive debate rather than conflict. He stated, “We did not engage in the free-for-all fight and bloodshed they anticipated because we are disciplined and mature.” This comment underscores the NPP’s commitment to upholding peace and stability in Ghana.

    During a Stakeholders Engagement event on October 24, 2024, at the Pantang Nursing and Midwifery Training College, he advised NDC members to concentrate on their essential duties, such as legislating and advocating for their constituents.

    He expressed that boasting about engaging in fights is both unacceptable and unbecoming of elected officials.

    Known colloquially as Napo, Dr. Opoku Prempeh also highlighted the NPP government’s achievements in the health sector, particularly referencing the Agenda 111 initiative and the reinstatement of nursing trainee allowances, which the NDC had previously abolished. He encouraged the students to maintain their trust in the NPP and Dr. Bawumia for continued improvements in their lives.

    “The free-for-all-fight and bloodshed they [NDC Minority] were expecting in parliament last Tuesday, we didn’t give them. We didn’t give them because we are disciplined and matured. We understand that Parliament is a place for intellectual debate, not a boxing ring. Unlike them, the NPP always prioritizes the peace and stability of this country”, he noted.

  • Conduct of NDC caucus in Parliament disappointing – Prof Agyemang

    Conduct of NDC caucus in Parliament disappointing – Prof Agyemang

    A linguistics expert from the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum, has expressed dissatisfaction with Ghana’s 8th Parliament, particularly in response to events involving NDC MPs on October 22, 2024.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show on October 24, Prof. Agyekum referred to a scene where NDC legislators sang and marched on the Parliament floor as “a joke.” His remarks align with those of First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, who shared a similar view on the behavior displayed.

    Prof. Agyekum argued that the lawmakers appear to be straying from their essential duties of legislation and instead indulging in unnecessary disputes.

    He specifically criticized the recent altercation over which caucus holds the right to the Majority seats, describing the disagreement as unproductive and a distraction from Parliament’s legislative role.

    “I was saddened by the display of the parliamentarians on Tuesday where they were singing and marching on a march pass. How can persons we have voted into power to enforce and make laws that will advance the country be behaving this way?

    “To add to what Joe Wise said about being disappointed in the 8th Parliament, I agree because the foundation of this Parliament wasn’t built on the right path. It started on January 7th where these parliamentarians were seen snatching ballot boxes, chewing ballot papers and engaging in fisticuffs. This same Parliament and it has gradually gotten to this current stage…” he said.

    Professor Kofi Agyekum’s critique of the 8th Parliament echoes sentiments previously shared by First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu.

    He argues that the current Parliament’s repeated controversies have eroded the institution’s credibility.

    According to Prof. Agyekum, previous parliaments demonstrated more effectiveness in passing legislation and contributing to Ghana’s legal framework than the current legislature.

    He suggests that, in contrast, the 8th Parliament has been largely preoccupied with disputes and theatrics, detracting from its core function of lawmaking and productive governance.

    “I am disappointed in the 8th parliament generally. We have done very little in legislation and you can just take the number of laws and smaller legislations we have done. We have wasted so much time on inconsequential things and matters when our main job is making laws.

    “Go and take the number of laws we have made in the last four years and compare with the other parliaments and you will see that the 8th parliament has been the least. It’s been full of controversy, matters that previously we used to sit down and discuss and overcome, now we’ve turned them into fisticuffs and that is most disappointing to me,” he said.

    He continued to lament that, “The whole essence of democracy is to encourage people to exchange ideas, so, if Parliament, which is the entire reflection of the country, we cannot sit down on any matter to discuss and agree or agree to disagree, where is our democracy. So, I find our conduct very disappointing as a parliament.”

  • It’s disappointing to see NDC MPs acting so immaturely in Parliament – Ellen Ama Daaku

    It’s disappointing to see NDC MPs acting so immaturely in Parliament – Ellen Ama Daaku

    A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has voiced her discontent with the behavior of National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, comparing their actions to those of kindergarten children.

    She criticized the NDC lawmakers for taking over the seats belonging to the NPP Caucus in Parliament, deeming their behavior immature.

    Speaking on TV3 NewDay on Thursday, October 24, 2024, Daaku questioned the NDC MPs’ conduct, emphasizing that their actions were childish and unbefitting of their roles as elected officials.

    “Perhaps they just don’t want to do their job. Everything I have said is directed at the Minority side of Parliament. Why did the NPP MPs leave? They left because somebody chose to sit on their chairs. Where you sit matters. That is why we have the Majority and Minority sides. So, if you decide to act like a kindergarten child and move from your seat and go and take your brother’s seat and your brother decides that I won’t fight you, and as the Majority Leader said, he is not going to sit there and fight over chairs for his children to see him on TV fighting over chairs. The Majority side learnt a lesson from what happened on January 7, 2021, when the whole nation was embarrassed by the actions and they decided they were not going to mind them,” she stated.

    Ellen Daaku expressed optimism that the Speaker would soon reconvene Parliament to resolve the vacant seat controversy, allowing the MPs to resume their responsibilities.xxxxxxxxxxx

    “There are legal processes. The letter the NPP MPs have sent to the Speaker, he has 7 days to consider it or not consider it. He should get it done and get the job done.

    “The Speaker could not make a decision because the Supreme Court has stayed the decision. I think the NPP took a good decision to leave the house,” she added.

  • NDC MPs will adhere to Bagbin’s ruling unless he communicates otherwise – Ayariga

    NDC MPs will adhere to Bagbin’s ruling unless he communicates otherwise – Ayariga

    The Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends to claim the Majority position in Parliament when it reconvenes on Tuesday, October 22.

    However, he added that unless Speaker Alban Bagbin issues a contrary instruction.

    In an interview on Citi FM’s Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle, Ayariga asserted that Members of Parliament are obligated to follow the Speaker’s directives rather than the Supreme Court’s recent stay of execution concerning Bagbin’s declaration that four parliamentary seats are vacant.

    Ayariga reiterated that the NDC caucus will adhere to Bagbin’s original ruling until further notice.

    “We will act according to Bagbin’s communique and until he communicates otherwise, we will go by his current decision and so if he comes and communicates to us what the court has ruled, we will act because we listen to the Speaker and not to the court.

    He further criticized the Supreme Court for intervening in this matter, suggesting it should not intrude on parliamentary proceedings.

    “We are ignoring the Supreme Court because it is not supposed to interfere in our work and the constitution is clear on that so it is surprising that the Supreme Court which is the apex of the law will go ahead and rule when it should have stayed off.”

    This declaration follows Speaker Bagbin’s announcement on October 17, in which he ruled that the parliamentary seats for Amenfi Central, Fomena, Suhum, and Agona West were vacant.

    This decision stemmed from a motion by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, invoking constitutional provisions that require MPs who switch parties or run as independents to vacate their seats.

    On October 18, the Supreme Court countered Bagbin’s ruling by issuing a stay of execution at the request of Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Ayariga criticized the court’s rapid involvement, questioning the urgency of the situation.

  • We will not tolerate EC’s incompetence – NDC

    We will not tolerate EC’s incompetence – NDC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a strong critique of the Electoral Commission (EC), raising concerns about its capacity to manage Ghana’s democratic process impartially.

    This reaction follows the EC’s decision to disqualify Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central.

    During a press conference in Accra on October 17, NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey expressed his views candidly, asserting that the EC is unqualified to oversee the nation’s democratic proceedings. He pointed to various instances of misconduct, including the SALL case.

    Mr Kwetey contended that the EC’s actions reveal a troubling agenda to manipulate election results through exploiting legal loopholes and administrative tactics, rather than relying on the electoral process.

    “The people of Ghana must not be fooled. The disqualification of Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe is part of a broader pattern of misconduct by an Electoral Commission that has shown time and again that it is unfit to referee the democratic process.

    “From SALL to Amenfi Central, the EC’s actions reveal a dangerous intent to rig elections not through the ballot box, but through legal trickery and administrative subterfuge.

    “This latest travesty must not be allowed to stand. If we do not stop the EC now, then tomorrow it could be your constituency, your representative, your right to vote that is denied.”

    Mr Kwetey added that it wasn’t until October 16 that the EC reached out to the Sekondi High Court to inquire about the injunction’s status, which he characterized as a desperate and shameful move to rationalize an unlawful decision made in haste.

    “To further expose the wicked agenda of the Jean Mensa-led EC, it has emerged that the Electoral Commission showed its true intentions when it issued the letter of disqualification on 10th October 2024, a full six days before even bothering to check whether the injunction had been stayed or vacated.

    “This blatant disregard for due process is a clear indication of their bad faith. It wasn’t until October 16, that the EC wrote to the Sekondi High Court to inquire about the status of the injunction, a desperate and shameful attempt to justify an unlawful decision after the facet.”

    On the same day, the EC made its announcement, citing an ongoing court case that challenges Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s eligibility to represent the NDC in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

  • We won’t let NPP dictate our candidates – NDC

    We won’t let NPP dictate our candidates – NDC

    Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Amenfi Central constituency have accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of manipulating the Electoral Commission (EC) to disqualify their parliamentary candidate, Madam Joana Gyan.

    The party members expressed their frustrations during a protest, claiming that Gyan was seen as a significant threat to the NPP’s chances in the upcoming elections. They urged the EC to reconsider its decision, labeling it as politically motivated and lacking any substantial basis.

    The EC disqualified Joana Gyan following a court-issued Order for Interlocutory Injunction dated May 31, 2024.

    This injunction is part of a lawsuit titled Gyedu Frimpong & 4 Others vs. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, the National Democratic Congress, and the Electoral Commission (Suit No. E12/36/24), filed in the Sekondi High Court.

    The court has ordered that Gyan cannot present herself as the NDC candidate until the case is resolved.

    Additionally, the EC has been instructed to deny her any rights or privileges associated with her candidacy for the Amenfi Central parliamentary seat.

    “In this regard, we write to inform you that you have been disqualified from standing as a candidate for election to Parliament in your constituency,” the statement signed and issued by Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said.

    The NDC supporters expressed their disappointment in the EC, emphasizing the urgency for the electoral body to reverse its decision without delay.

    “We are alarmed by the apparent collusion between the Electoral Commission and the government aimed at disqualifying our candidate, Joana Gyan, thereby preventing her from contesting. Our constituency lawfully elected her as a parliamentary candidate, and any disqualification would be unwarranted. We hereby notify that her exclusion would lead to our non-participation in the elections.

    “Following a disputed initial election, Joana Gyan secured a decisive victory in the NDC-organized rerun. Our findings indicate that the Electoral Commission is working in tandem with the NPP to disqualify her, largely due to her substantial contributions to the constituency, which make her the likely parliamentary election winner. We will vigorously resist any disqualification attempts lacking merit.”

    “…We are confident in our candidate’s victory in the parliamentary election, and we will not let unjust tactics undermine her success. If the election is fair and we lose, we will graciously accept the outcome. However, we will vigorously oppose any attempts to disqualify her on unfounded grounds, said the leader of the concerned NDC members.”

  • I’ll expedite the clearance of medical supplies stuck at Tema Port – Okoe Boye

    I’ll expedite the clearance of medical supplies stuck at Tema Port – Okoe Boye

    Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has vowed to expedite the clearance of numerous containers packed with essential medical supplies donated by the Global Fund.

    These supplies, valued at approximately $40 million, are crucial for Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

    Of the 182 containers sent to Ghana, only 14 have been cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    The remaining containers are stuck at Tema Port due to unpaid third-party fees, creating a significant bottleneck in the distribution of these vital supplies.

    During a visit to La General Hospital on June 13, 2024, Dr. Okoe-Boye expressed his frustration and commitment to resolving the issue.

    “In two weeks, I myself will not be encouraged if there are one or two more containers still left at the port. If by two weeks, we still have containers at the port, you will not see me here; I’ll be sitting right at the port with them until everything comes out,” he stated.

    Dr. Okoe-Boye underscored his determination to cut through bureaucratic red tape to ensure the swift release of these medical supplies.

    “We are committed to getting the containers in, and for me, personally, irrespective of the bureaucracies involved with government and all that, I have given myself two weeks,” he asserted.

    The delay in clearing these supplies has persisted for over two years, primarily because the government was unable to waive taxes on the goods. Despite clearing 14 containers this year, the government has been unable to clear the remaining 168 containers due to accumulating fees.

    This situation has raised alarm among civil society organizations in the health sector, who have announced plans for a street protest on June 25, 2024, to demand the expedited clearance of the supplies.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case should be probed by CHRAJ, GRA – Vitus Azeem

    Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case should be probed by CHRAJ, GRA – Vitus Azeem

    Anti-corruption Activist Vitus Azeem has urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to probe accusations of money laundering against Cecilia Dapaah.

    Following the Office of the Attorney General (AG) and Ministry of Justice’s statement asserting no grounds for the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) to investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah for money laundering, questions linger.

    Initially, the Special Prosecutor (OSP) dropped charges against Dapaah, transferring the case to EOCO for money laundering inquiries. However, upon reviewing documents provided by EOCO, the AG’s office advised against EOCO pursuing money laundering investigations.

    Addressing this development on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, Vitus Azeem emphasized that the matter should not be closed hastily.

    Azeem suggested that CHRAJ could investigate Dapaah’s asset declaration to determine the legality of her income sources. Additionally, he proposed GRA’s involvement to scrutinize Dapaah’s business activities, ensuring tax compliance.

    In Azeem’s view, both CHRAJ and GRA have roles to play in ensuring transparency and accountability, preventing the case from being prematurely concluded.

    “In the very beginning, I even said that CHRAJ was also the appropriate body to do the investigation in terms of looking at her asset declaration to establish if these monies were acquired legally and from genuine employment or not. They have to establish how the money was acquired.

    “So the matter shouldn’t end there if EOCO thinks that it cannot proceed; even if the Attorney General thinks that EOCO cannot proceed, I think that the matter should go to CHRAJ, and the matter should also go to GRA to establish if the lady was doing a genuine business and earned the money, and whether tax was paid. So there are still two institutions that can take up this matter and not allow it to just end,” Mr. Azeem said.

  • We have not received GHS1bn from GRA – SML

    We have not received GHS1bn from GRA – SML


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    SML received GHS1bn from GRA since 2018 – KPMG audit report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Queen Elizabeth’s coronation maid of honour died the night before state funeral

    Lady Mary Russell, one of Queen Elizabeth’s maids of honour on her coronation day, died just one day before the late monarch’s state funeral on September 19. She was 88.

    The Times obituary section reported the death, detailing that the wife and mother of five died “peacefully” at home with her family on September 18.

    She and her husband, David, shared three sons, Anthony, Philip and Jason, and two daughters, Arabella and Mariana, as well as 12 grandchildren, according to the obituary.

    Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral, held the next day at Westminster Abbey, welcomed more than 2,000 family members, guests and heads of state to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

    At just 19, Lady Russell was the youngest of six maids of honour in attendance at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

    The six ladies wore embroidered silver gowns with long silk gloves and tiaras as they held the Queen’s six-yard train through Westminster Abbey.

    Lady Russell’s father, the Earl of Haddington, was a childhood friend of the Queen Mother from Scotland.

    On the day, Queen Elizabeth wore a white duchess satin dress designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, the same designer who made her wedding gown in 1947 and designed her maids of honour’s gowns.

    The personal touches included — embroidered flowers to represent the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries — which were the product of Queen Elizabeth’s request.

    They added such weight to the gown that it is estimated to have weighed over 11 pounds.

    Queen Elizabeth's coronation maid of honour died the night before state funeral
    Lady Mary Russell. (APIC/GETTY)

    Lady Russell recalled the tremendous weight of the gown, too, as though it was a distraction on the day.

    “It was overwhelming and moving – especially during the anointing,” Lady Russell said about the coronation. “It was an incredible moment, but all I could think about was how heavy the embroidery felt.”

    The honour of being selected as a maid of honour was not lost on Lady Russell. “Of all the girls our age in the country, we six girls were chosen to carry the Queen’s train and that meant a great deal,” she said.

    One of her fellow maids of honour, Lady Anne Glenconner, told the BBC that the six ladies were “the Spice Girls of their time” after holding such an important role in the coronation.

    Lady Russell is the second of the six maids of honour to die, following Lady Moyra Campbell’s death in 2020 at age 90. Lady Glenconner, Lady Jane Lacey, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby and Lady Rosemary Muir are still alive.

    Queen Elizabeth's coronation maid of honour died the night before state funeral
    Queen Elizabeth at her coronation. (THE PRINT COLLECTOR/GETTY)

    The spectacular coronation ceremony took place a full year after her father’s unexpected death. After suffering from lung cancer and having one lung removed, King George VI died suddenly at home in 1952. It was later revealed that he died of coronary thrombosis.

    Following his sudden death, arrangements were quickly underway to plan his daughter’s coronation, though she ascended the throne more immediately.

    Queen Elizabeth's coronation maid of honour died the night before state funeral
    Queen Elizabeth and her maids of honour at her coronation. (PHOTO: THE PRINT COLLECTOR/GETTY)

    Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest earlier this month alongside her beloved father and mother in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle. Instead of receiving her statue or a memorial with her name, the Queen reportedly wished to lie alongside her family.

    Her sister Princess Margaret and her husband Prince Philip are also buried there.

    “She had no wish to see a statue of herself or to even have a separate burial chamber within St. George’s Chapel,” historian Robert Hardman, author of Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II, told PEOPLE.

    “As her cousin, Margaret Rhodes once said to me, ‘She wanted to make her father proud.’”

    Source:myjoyonline.com