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Tag: Alex Segbefia

  • No one is asking for Free SHS policy to be abolished – Alex Segbefia

    No one is asking for Free SHS policy to be abolished – Alex Segbefia

    A former Health Minister, Alexander Segbefia, has emphasized the need to review the government’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness.

    Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Segbefia acknowledged the policy as a beneficial social intervention but stressed that it requires evaluation to address its associated challenges.

    Mr. Segbefia critiqued the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) proposed Free SHS Bill, arguing that it seeks to entrench the policy rather than address its issues.

    “The Free SHS policy should be reviewable. So if the NPP is bringing a Free SHS Bill that will be looking at these issues and addressing them, which a policy document can do anyway, then it makes sense. But it seems the Bill is to protect the Free SHS policy which makes no sense. And that is where the NDC [National Democratic Congress] or minority has a problem,” he stated.

    He further accused the NPP of engaging in political mischief by misleading the public into believing that opponents of the Bill want to abolish the Free SHS policy.

    “Nobody has ever said that the Free SHS is a bad thing. As for the review, it is necessary and even the IMF has made it part of the programme that the government should look at the Free SHS policy. Nobody has said scrap, review is review,” he emphasized.

    Mr. Segbefia also pointed out that the initial call for a review of the Free SHS policy came from within the NPP itself, specifically from former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    He cited Mr. Ofori-Atta’s suggestion that the policy should be targeted at those with genuine needs rather than benefiting everyone indiscriminately.

    “He looked at the books and made it abundantly clear that it is not in the country’s interest that there is no payment scheme that can help the course,” Segbefia noted.

    The Free SHS programme was a major campaign promise by then-Presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016 and has since become an integral part of Ghana’s educational system following its launch in 2017.

  • Alex Segbefia commends Special Prosecutor regarding vote monitisation

    Alex Segbefia commends Special Prosecutor regarding vote monitisation

    Director of International Relations for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alex Segbefia,  has praised the Special Prosecutor for apprehending Kofi Owusu Nkansah.

    Mr Segbefia, who has since been released, was under suspicion for his alleged involvement in distributing money to delegates before the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) primaries.

    During an interview on JoyNews, Mr Segbefia commended the action, viewing it as a positive and forward step for the prosecution regime.

    “As far as I am concerned, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is well within his rights. First of all, act on complaints about someone. We are yet to clarify that issue, but if he has a complaint, he is duty-bound to investigate, no matter the outcome. Let me use this opportunity to tell the OSP that he is the leader of a new body that is going to be very difficult for people to stomach. He is already in a difficult position because of the acts that brought him into force and his limited powers due to the attorney general actually having the power,” he said on Newsfile on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

    He stressed the significance of maintaining legal standards and ensuring accountability, asserting that the arrest aligns with the principles of justice.

    The NDC official also tackled the matter of vote-buying, highlighting that participating in such practices should not be normalized.

    Mr Segbefia urged adherence to ethical conduct, highlighting that the actions of a few should not be a justification for others to partake in similar practices.

    According to the former Deputy Chief of Staff, despite these obstacles, the Office of the Special Prosecutor must continue to combat corruption.

    Mr. Segbefia advised the OSP not to be disheartened by the challenges of combating corruption, which can be a frustrating task.

    He urged the OSP to remain focused and committed to its task while urging the public to support the office.

  • Ato Forson ambulance case: Lawyers of minority leader closes case after absence of Alex Segbefia

    Ato Forson ambulance case: Lawyers of minority leader closes case after absence of Alex Segbefia

    Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has closed his case in the €2.37 million ambulance saga.

    During the recent court session, he had planned to call former Health Minister Alex Segbefia as his third witness, but Mr. Segbefia was not present.

    “The first accused wishes to inform the court that we’re calling no further witnesses and we’re closing our case,” Dr. Ato Forson’s lawyer, Edudzi Tameklo, informed the court.

    The second accused, Dr. Sylvester Anemana, who is the former Chief Director of the Health Ministry, has commenced presenting his defense in the Financial and Economic Court 2.

    The judge stated, “A1 has closed his case; hence, A2 has been directed to open his defence.”

    Attorneys representing the first and third accused did not raise objections to the witness statement provided by A2. This has cleared the path for state attorneys to proceed with the cross-examination.

    In his witness statement, Dr. Anemana mentioned that he was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and, therefore, was not informed about the processes involved in the ambulance purchase after his departure from the health ministry.

    He told the court that he retired from the Environment ministry. “I retired from the service in September 2015 when some ambulances were purchased. I do not see any financial loss to the state in a contract that hasn’t materialised even until today,” Dr. Anemana stated.

    Dr. Anemana informed the court that Dr. Ato Forson was not the Deputy Minister for Finance at the time he wrote the contract letters for sole sourcing. This response came during the cross-examination by Dr. Ato Forson’s lawyers regarding the deputy finance minister’s role in signing the contract letters.

    The lawyers for the first accused concluded their cross-examination, suggesting that Dr. Ato Forson had no involvement in the contract.

    Lawyers for the third accused clarified that the 15.8 million euros was a loan secured from Stanbic for 200 ambulances. Dr. Anemana affirmed this statement.

    Dr. Anemana asserted that the process of securing the loan began during his tenure at the health ministry.

    The third accused stated that no money was directly paid to his client, Dzakpa, until directed by a high court.

    Lawyers for the second accused applied for an amendment of bail terms to allow Dr. Anemana access to medical treatment in India.

    The judge questioned the merit of the application, rejected it, and Mr. Owuradu, the lawyer, withdrew it with the intention of resubmitting later.

    The judge struck out the application seeking the release of A2’s passport.

  • National cathedral saga: This is a dent on your leadership – Alex Segbefia to Akufo-Addo

    National cathedral saga: This is a dent on your leadership – Alex Segbefia to Akufo-Addo

    Director of International Relations for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alex Segbefia,has expressed astonishment regarding the string of controversies surrounding the construction of the National Cathedral project.

    His comments come in the wake of the recent resignations of two prominent clergymen, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, from the Board of Trustees.

    Their decision was prompted by their earlier call for an audit of the project.

    During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 21, 2023, Mr. Segbefia characterised the situation as “unbelievable” and implied that it casts an unfavourable light on the leadership style of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

    He commented, “The kind of scandal around the cathedral, an edifice that is supposed to be to the glory of God, is unbelievable.

    “And it stands as a blot, a big blot on the leadership style, the leadership of Nana Addo and the NPP government because they all pushed it, and the way and manner in which they went about it was wrong.”

    Mr. Segbefia stressed the importance of asking legitimate questions about such projects, especially when government funds have been involved.

    He commended the church leaders who distanced themselves from the project.

    “I have no problem with the leaders of the churches who have left previously and currently because I think that at any time you must assess where you are with anything.

    “And if it comes to the fore that mistakes have been made and the way this is going, and I have to come out of it, then kudos to them for recognising that’s the case,” he noted.

    In reaction to the clergymen’s resignations, Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communication for the NPP, conveyed his astonishment, particularly considering the assertion by the secretariat that audit procedures were already in progress for the project.

  • Alex Segbefia, 2 others ordered to testify in Ato Forson trial

    Former Health Minister, Alex Segbefia; former Controller and Accountant General, Seidu Kotomah and a former Budget Director at the Health Ministry, Patrick Nimo have been ordered by an Accra High Court to appear and testify in the trial of Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

    Dr Forson’s lawyers urged the court to issue the order after they failed to call a witness at the court’s hearing on June 22, 2013.

    “Former controller and accountant general. Seidu Kotomah was to testify. Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure the attendance of the witness in court today to testify.

    “Upon realising, we made diligent efforts to get other witnesses to appear in court to testify, specifically, I approached Alexander Kwasi Mould who has already filed a witness statement whether he will be able to attend court today to testify.

    “But he indicated his inability to do so and gave reasons including not being in the country. I also got A1 (Dr Forson) to talk to other witnesses. And not a positive response has been received,” Lead Counsel Dr Abdul Basit Bamba stated.

    Court of Appeal judge Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe who is hearing the case as an additional High Court Judge then pointed out she had seen a motion for an order to be issued.

    Dr Bamba explained it had become a necessary measure to ensure that the court’s planned schedule for the case is not delayed.

    He pointed out that he was making the application under Section 58 of Ghana’s Court’s Act, 1993(ACT 459). This provides as follows;

    “Section 58-Summoning Witnesses.

    In any proceedings, and at any stage of the proceedings, a court either on its own motion or on the application of any party, may summon any person to attend to give evidence, or to produce any document in his possession or excerpts from it subject to any enactment or rule of law.”

    This request was for the appearance of Alex Segbefia, Patrick Nimo and Seidu Kotomah.

    Justice Botwe granted the request, pointing out that should the named individuals fail to show up, she will issue a warrant for their arrest.

    “I have actually issued a warrant of arrest for a certain COP who failed to show up on the day he was to show up. I am more than happy to issue a witness summons. If they don’t show up, then I issue a warrant of arrest”. She stated.

    The names of two other persons, Former Finance Minister Seth Terkper and Former advisor at the Ministry of Health Dr Sam Mensah came up but the request for such an order was withdrawn.

    Mr Terkper Joynews understands has committed to testifying via a video link while Dr Mensah is out of the jurisdiction.

    The minority leader has so far been unable to directly call a witness to the stand.

    The first witness who testified from his defence list was equally ordered to show up to testify. This was an Official of Stanbic Bank Henry Myles Mills.

    Dr Forson and two others are standing trial for causing financial loss to the state in the procurement of ambulances for the country.

    The hearing of the case continues on June 29.

  • 2020 election petition was to challenge EC’s poll figures – Alex Segbefia

    Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) planning committee, Alex Segbefia, has revealed that the NDC’s 2020 election petition was to challenge the poll figures from the Electoral Commission (EC).

    According to Mr Segbefia, there had been misconceptions among the citizenry about the case that the NDC took to court, and what was petitioned in court.

    He explained on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, that both of the aforementioned issues were entirely different.

    “We didn’t go to court on our figures, we went to court challenging the figures that were from the EC,” he told host, Blessed Sogah.

    Mr Segbefia further emphasised that the problem was not based on the figures that various political parties believed they attained during the elections.

    Rather, the party’s lack of confidence in the results provided by the EC was the key focus of the election lawsuit.

    Although he agreed that the NDC needed figures to challenge the EC’s poll figures, he questioned the EC’s credibility by citing an instance where the figures recorded in a polling station’s pink sheet did not add up.

    “We had a pink sheet from the same polling station registered, all signed with different figures, what does that tell you about how many sheets were in circulation? Whose pink sheet were you going to rely on and what did that mean?”

    From this disclosure, Mr Segbefiah asserted that the 2020 election petition was lost because of a misconception about the case that the NDC took to court.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • NDC elections: Potential injunction cases being dealt with – Alex Segbefia

    As delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepare to converge at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday to elect their new crop of leaders, a leading member of the NDC planning committee has assured that the party’s legal team is handling possible cases of injunction ahead of the conference.

    Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Friday, Mr Alex Segbefia noted that by the close of Friday, the party would be settled on candidates who would be allowed to vote or not.

    “We do have potential injunction cases but they are being dealt with. We know that we will reach some amicable resolution of all those matters by close of today,” he reiterated.

    According to him, the party is optimistic about this year’s election and believes it will be more successful than the previous ones.

    Touching on the lessons learned from the youth and women’s congress, held almost a week ago, he stated that the party has identified the triggers of the clashes, therefore to avoid a repetition of the violent clashes, “No T-shirts of aspirants will be allowed in the premises”, adding that party colours are however, allowed.

    This, the Chairman of the national congress planning committee of the NDC explained, is because the T-shirts of aspirants “are means of infuriating or identifying people and once they are groups, things can then spark off.”

    He also stated that members of the public without properly identified tags or observer tags will not be allowed in the stadium.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Here’s how much NDC will spend on free primary healthcare plan

    The Deputy Campaign Manager of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alex Segbefia has said the free primary healthcare plan promised by the flagbearer of the party, John Dramani Mahama, for all Ghanaians will cost $18 million.

    According to him, the healthcare plan will cover persons who seek healthcare services at the district level and lower.

    “We have costed it. It is going to cost us $18 million…in that policy, we are saying that anybody who goes to a district hospital and below [will get] free health care,” he said.

    Giving insights on how the plan will be implemented if the NDC wins the 2020 general elections, Alex Segbefia said “The plan is to leave regional hospitals to deal with the more serious cases which they are meant for.

    “It is clogging up our regional and tertiary institutions for things that can be done elsewhere. We have to move the people to areas where they can be dealt with; from the CHPS compounds to the health centres to the polyclinics, to the district hospitals.”

    “We have just taken $100 million under COVID. We have taken another $1 billion as a loan. You mean as a country, we can’t find an extra $18 million to give free healthcare from district hospitals and below?” he queried.

    John Mahama unveiling his running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, said the healthcare plan will be implemented to ensure that both the young and elderly have free primary healthcare.

    “We will implement a free primary healthcare plan. This will make the provision of primary health care to all Ghanaians, young and elderly, free,” he said.

     

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • On what basis will you give free water, electricity – Alex Segbefia questions government

    President Akufo-Addo in April this year announced the reduction of electricity tariffs by half and provision of potable water to all Ghanaians for free in the months of April, May and June after parts of the nation were locked down as part of measures to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

    After these reliefs ended, the Minister of Finance in the mid-year budget review announced that the electricity and water subsidies have been extended for another three months to make sure the ordinary Ghanaian continues to enjoy free electricity and water while government works to eliminate the virus.

    The President in his fourteenth (14th) address to the nation on measures taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, however, noted that the free supply of water for another three months will be reviewed after the period ends. He added, “Government is also extending free electricity supply to lifeline tariff customers until the end of the year.”

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) congress has however chastised the president for deciding to provide Ghanaians with these freebies, especially electricity when the country already has a huge debt in that sector.

    Deputy Campaign Manager of the NDC campaign team, Alex Segbefia has opined that it is not understandable for the government to provide Ghanaians with free electricity when we are not under lockdown and restrictions have been eased considerably.

    He shared his opinion in an interview on the Happy Morning Show hosted by Samuel Eshun on Happy 98.9 FM.

    “On what basis will you give freebies when we are not under lockdown and the restrictions have been lifted? It is understandable to give free electricity during the lockdown but now that restrictions have been lifted, people can work and get money. So the question is how and why can you do this,” he queried government.

    According to him, there is no need for the government to keep on giving Ghanaian freebies but he believes the government is promoting a populace agenda. “The free electricity was not done to support the Ghanaian people to fight the COVID-19 pandemic but it was done to score political points.”

     

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Coronavirus: It is premature to ease restrictions – Segbefia

    Former Health Minister, Alexander Segbefia has expressed worry over plans by the government to ease some COVID-19 restrictions to alleviate the economic hardships.

    Mr Segbefia’s worry follows President Nana Akufo-Addo’s statement that his government is in consultations with stakeholders to ease restrictions.

    According to Mr Segbefia, although the country’s COVID-19 death toll is low, it should not encourage President Akufo-Addo to ease the restrictions because such decision cannot curtail the spread of the virus.

    ” The main question is, is it yet time for a lockdown to be lifted? some of us are of the view that it is still a bit premature and we should watch it a little bit because nobody knows much about the virus, the facts that are clear about the illness is that, sometimes it appears it’s going away and it comes back strong so the reoccurrence rate is pretty hard and even countries started before us still have high levels of COVID-19, so let’s not be complacent because we are fortunate at this moment. Nobody knows but maybe through God’s grace our death rate is not high and our recovery rate seems to be quite quick…so I do not believe that the data we have is sufficient to be making certain decisions, if you make those decisions without getting full data from mass testing process then you could be in difficulties tomorrow,” said Mr Segbefia to Journalists after he led a delegation from the office of Former President, John Dramani Mahama to donate some protective equipment to the Health Directorate of South Tongu and Ketu South Municipalities in the Volta region on Thursday 28 May 2020, as part of the National Democratic Congress COVID-19 Technical Team’s efforts to combat the pandemic.

    Mr Segbefia added that the COVID-19 data is not satisfactory because of the government’s failure to undertake a mass testing exercise to identify the exact figures.

    “We cannot totally rely on our figures, why do I say that? Because we are not doing mass testing, if you are doing mass testing, that is each and everybody, you will get a better idea of how infected we are. At the moment, you can see there is a drop even in contact tracing and there’s also a drop in the numbers so, therefore, any drop in numbers can be attributed to that not necessarily the fact that people are not getting the infection” he said.

    The former Minister emphasised by saying the NDC’s COVID-19 Technical Team is not politically affiliated but an independent board to support the government’s efforts to overcome the pandemic.

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghanas recovery rate low – Alex Segbefia

    Former Health Minister and a member of the COVID-19 team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Alex Segbefia says it is taking too long for people to recover from the COVID-19 virus.

    The situation he suggested could create challenges for us in managing the outbreak if the treatment processes are not intensified.

    Mr. Segbefia is also worried the country is having the lowest recovery rate but was quick to state that it is due to the way Ghana is conducting its testing in determining the recoveries.

    Whereas Ghana has adopted a process to conduct three separate tests to determine the recoveries, other countries are conducting between just one and two tests. This may have accounted for the low recovery rate, he explained.

    However, no matter the way you look at it, our recovery rate is still low, he added.

    He said the more people that sick, the more people would need isolation and the hospitals would not be able to cope. So, we are in a crisis situation.

    He also clarified that the NDC team did not criticise the government because of its policy in dealing with the outbreak, but the delay in implementing the policy.

    “If you delay in implementing policy, and you allow the window to open too much, by the time you implement the policy, you would have lost time and more people would have been infected.”

    Ghana as at May 12, 2020, recorded 5127 cases o0f the coronavirus with 22 deaths.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • 88 Hospitals: Akufo-Addo scoring cheap political points – Alex Segbefia

    Former Minister for Health, Alex Segbefia says President Akufo-Addo’s recent hospital pledge has opened a political door which is unfortunate. President Akufo-Addo in his 8th COVID-19 address to the nation promised to build some 88 hospitals within a year to boost Ghana’s health sector.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) member says he has followed all the addresses given by the President on COVID-19 but the recent pledge to build some 88 hospitals was to score political points.

    “I think that up until the point where the President entered into politics with his presentation he was encouraging Ghanaians and trying to unite as people, putting out strategies and measures adopted by the government but it took a different turn when he delved into politics and talked about health infrastructure, I think it was a deviation from how he delivered his speeches, he opened a political door which should not have been opened.”

    On Monday Ranking Member on Health Committee Kwabena Mintah Akandoh also accused the President Akufo-Addo of using COVID-19 pandemic to do a general campaign for the upcoming 2020 elections.

    President Akufo-Addo in his 8th national address to the nation on measure his government is taking to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic said 88 district and 6 regional hospitals would be constructed within a year.

    Ever since the President made this promise, there has been divided opinions as some believe it is in the right direction and can be achieved, others also say this will not be possible as the government has not been able to do much in terms of infrastructure in the health sector.

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    Source: Prime News Ghana