Ghanaian Broadcast JournalistBernard Avle emphasized on his morning show that politicians must start taking Ghanaians seriously.
He expressed frustration with politicians making empty promises amidst the current economic challenges faced by Ghanaians.
Avle asserted that Ghanaians are now prepared to defend their livelihoods, emphasizing,
“Ghanaians are not stupid, we will punish you if you insult us.”
Watch video below:
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭🗣️: “Ghanaians are not stupid; we are very forgiving. But if you take us for granted & want to insult our intelligence, we will punish you..” — Bernard Avle – 📹: @Citi973
Ghanaian Broadcast JournalistBernard Avle emphasized on his morning show the urgent need for politicians to heed Ghanaians’ concerns seriously.
He criticized the prevalence of empty promises amid the country’s economic struggles and warned that Ghanaians are no longer willing to tolerate disrespect.
Avle emphasized that people are prepared to hold politicians accountable for their actions.
“We will not take things for granted this time around. Empty promises won’t make the cut. Trust must be earned, it’s not a right,” Bernard Avle stated.
As the 2024 elections race heat up politicians have mounted various platforms making numerous promises.
The December polls are nearing with major political parties like the New Patriotic Party (NPP) trying to maintain the seat and major opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) trying to overthrow the government.
The third force Cheddar of the New Force Movement and Alan’s Movement for change garnering for the top spot.
Watch video below:
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭🗣️: “Ghanaians are not stupid; we are very forgiving. But if you take us for granted & want to insult our intelligence, we will punish you..” — Bernard Avle – 📹: @Citi973
Media personality, Bernard Avle has urged fellow journalists to prioritize integrity amidst the growing trend of celebrity status within the profession.
During an episode of his morning show, Citi Breakfast Show, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, Avle reflected on the evolving landscape of journalism, expressing concerns about the emphasis on fame and social media metrics over journalistic ethics.
He reminisced about the earlier days of Ghanaian television, particularly in the late 1990s, noting the shift in both actors and journalists towards seeking celebrity status.
Mr Avle emphasized the need for purity and professionalism within the media, advocating for journalists to uphold traditional values amidst changing times.
Avle stressed the significance of maintaining journalistic integrity in the face of external pressures to prioritize popularity and social media presence. He highlighted the importance of accuracy, fairness, and quality in storytelling, urging young journalists to focus on mastering the basics rather than chasing superficial metrics.
The seasoned journalist lamented the decline of in-depth journalism and critical thinking, attributing it to the prevalence of quick, shallow content. He warned against the consequences of such trends, emphasizing the importance of returning to journalistic fundamentals.
“Those days, those our actors were good, these days things have changed even the journalists have changed, we’ve become celebrities,” Avle remarked during the show. “Things are not the same anymore. Those days, those who were in the journalism profession, they were professionals, they were even working at other places and they were doing part-time. Of course, you can’t do part-time anymore, and media people were role models. We need purity; we need to accept that things have changed.
We need to have some puritans in the media, people who will have to stick to what they have to do and do it “.
Mr Avle emphasized the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity amidst the lure of fame and social media metrics.
“A young journalist now, the thing they are now being told about what the profession needs, influencers, and all those things. Do your story, be accurate, and be fair, you can have 20, 000 followers on Facebook but that is not the work, your real work is to make sure when you do the story, you should make sure it is well written, your grammar is correct, you attribute it rightly. These are the basics but people are missing it
Some guy came to me that he wants to come and work here, he has so many people following him, his grammar is even wrong and people are following him all over and he wants to be a media guy, how can you be a media guy when you can’t write English or whatever language you want to use to do the media “
“We can’t even read thorough stories because most stories are like four paragraphs and they’re moving to the next, it is even changing the way we think because people are not able to think deeply. You can’t sit quietly and meditate for two hours because everything is quick, we creating a generation of people who are dumb we need to go back to some fundamentals”
“The basis of journalism is verification of information to put out because now I am using this to advise myself as well because it’s changing, followership, stardom when people see you they want autographs and you think you are a big guy, you are not any big guy , you are a simple journalist, never forget who you are. Don’t let people define you because of your big car”
Mr Avle concluded by reminding fellow journalists of the essence of their profession: the verification and dissemination of accurate information.
He urged them to resist the allure of fame and to remain grounded in their identity as journalists, regardless of external influences.
Bernard Avle’s remarks underscore his dedication to upholding journalistic standards and his commitment to preserving the integrity of the profession.
As a respected and influential media personality in Ghana, his insights carry weight and serve as a guiding force for journalists seeking to navigate the evolving media landscape.
A prominent figure in the media, Bernard Avle, has called on fellow journalists to maintain their integrity amidst the growing trend of achieving celebrity status in the field.
During the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, April 11, 2024, Bernard Avle discussed the evolving nature of journalism, highlighting his apprehensions regarding the emphasis on fame and social media metrics over core journalistic values.
He offered insights into the development of Ghanaian television, specifically focusing on the late 1990s era.
“Those days, those our actors were good, these days things have changed even the journalists have changed, we’ve become celebrities,” Avle remarked during the show. “Things are not the same anymore. Those days, those who were in the journalism profession, they were professionals, they were even working at other places and they were doing part-time. Of course, you can’t do part-time anymore, and media people were role models. We need purity; we need to accept that things have changed.
We need to have some puritans in the media, people who will have to stick to what they have to do and do it “.
Avle underscored the significance of preserving journalistic integrity despite the temptation of fame and the allure of social media metrics.
“A young journalist now, the thing they are now being told about what the profession needs, influencers, and all those things. Do your story, be accurate, and be fair, you can have 20, 000 followers on Facebook but that is not the work, your real work is to make sure when you do the story, you should make sure it is well written, your grammar is correct, you attribute it rightly. These are the basics but people are missing it.”
“Some guy came to me that he wants to come and work here, he has so many people following him, his grammar is even wrong and people are following him all over and he wants to be a media guy, how can you be a media guy when you can’t write English or whatever language you want to use to do the media “
The experienced journalist raised alarm about the diminishing presence of in-depth journalism and critical analysis, attributing it to the prevalence of rapid, superficial content.
“We can’t even read thorough stories because most stories are like four paragraphs and they’re moving to the next, it is even changing the way we think because people are not able to think deeply. You can’t sit quietly and meditate for two hours because everything is quick, we creating a generation of people who are dumb we need to go back to some fundamentals”
Avle emphasized the core principles of journalism, urging his colleagues to withstand the allure of fame and stay true to their professional values.
“The basis of journalism is verification of information to put out because now I am using this to advise myself as well because it’s changing, followership, stardom when people see you they want autographs and you think you are a big guy, you are not any big guy , you are a simple journalist, never forget who you are. Don’t let people define you because of your big car”
Bernard Avle has made noteworthy contributions to Ghanaian journalism, earning a reputation as a respected and influential media personality. He is renowned for his insightful analysis, compelling presentation style, and dedication to addressing issues in Ghana. His articulate voice and valuable insights have garnered him a sizable following and solidified his position as a prominent figure in Ghanaian media.
Manager of Citi FM, Bernard Avle, has voiced significant concerns regarding the alignment of views within the Ghanaian government concerning fiscal policies.
Mr Avle has highlighted the apparent dissonance between the ruling party and the government’s stance.
Avle’s remarks came in response to recent statements from the national organizers of the ruling party, advocating for the reversal of the government’s latest tax initiative on electricity consumption.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast show, Mr Avle noted that, “The party’s views about the fiscal policies and the government’s view of the fiscal policies are not the same.”
Specifically, he referenced Nana B’s call to scrap the VAT on electricity, which subsequently prompted reports of the government’s agreement to do so.
“It’s more like the tail wagging the dog,” he said, emphasizing the unusual dynamic between the ruling party and the government.
Bernard Avle’s concerns extended to the perceived lack of a central figure asserting leadership within the government.
Expressing uncertainty about where responsibility lies, he pondered whether it is the finance minister, the vice president, or the president himself. “Who has the ultimate gravitas in government now?” he asked during the morning show.
Highlighting the need for decisive action, Avle emphasized the absence of clear leadership amidst conflicting directives and calls for reshuffles within the government. He urged, “Somebody has to rise to the occasion and say, ‘Look, these kinds of policies are hurting the people.’”
Avle’s remarks underscore the urgency for coherent governance and decisive leadership to address the challenges facing Ghana’s economy.
Citi TV General Manager and journalist, Bernard Avle, is facing public scrutiny following his interview with Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, founder of The New Force, on the Point of View show aired on Monday, January 15, 2024.
The interview became intense as Bernard Avle and Nana Kwame Bediako engaged in an intellectual debate. The classification of Ghana as a middle-income country emerged as a controversial topic, with the two participants expressing divergent views on the matter.
Bernard Avle held the position that Ghana is indeed a middle-income country, but Mr Bediako argued otherwise, stating that Ghana is a low-income country.
Mr Bediako argued that since the government run to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic assistance through a credit facility worth $3 billion, it is a low-income country.
“They went to beg to save the economy, but you are sitting in front of me, and I know you know a lot about economics, and you are telling me this country is a middle-income country.
“How then do we go so broke that we lost all the cash in our central bank and we had to go to IMF to save us? Ghana is a low-income country,” he stressed.
A much more composed Bernard Avle insisted that “Ghana is a middle-income country.”
Also, Bernard claimed that Mr Bediako said he planned to make Ghana a low-income country, an assertion he refuted.
For some netizens, Mr Avle came off as brusque and “dripped with condescension.” They accused him of being impartial. They alleged that guests from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who appear on the show were not interviewed intensely as Cheddar was.
“That Bernard Avle interview with FJC is dripping with condescension. I get that the guy is highly ignorant and comically incompetent, but the interviewer’s posture borders on badgering and belittling,” a user, @enyonvm wrote.
That Bernard Avle interview with FJC is dripping with condescension.
I get that the guy is highly ignorant and comically incompetent, but the interviewer's posture borders on badgering and belittling.
I hated everything about that interview Bernard Avle did with Cheddar. Our media space is so terrible…so terrible. One of our presumably best journalists shouldn’t be trying to act like Stayne. What was the point trying to make him look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing?
Some of those who are hard on Bernard Avle following his interview with Cheddar are wondering why NPP guests don't go through such grilling. Otherwise it was a brilliant interview that gives us the opportunity to see through politicians. Same standards should apply to everyone.
But some others noted that Mr Avle has always been an individual who puts his guests on a hot seat, questioning their intellect on issues they plan to resolve or address.
Bernard Avle is a well-read journalist. He puts you through the mill grinding to find truths. There's a reason many say he is the standard & if we had half media folks like him we'd be asking the right questions each. Those attacking him know him not. Or haven't watched him.
Citi TV General Manager and journalist, Bernard Avle, is currently under public scrutiny following his interview with founder of The New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, widely recognized as Cheddar, on the Point of View show on Monday, January 15, 2024.
The interview got heated as the duo engaged in an intellectual debate. Ghana’s classification as a middle-income country became a controversial topic, and the duo presented opposing views.
Bernard Avle held the position that Ghana is indeed a middle-income country, but Mr Bediako argued otherwise, stating that Ghana is a low-income country.
Mr Bediako argued that since the government run to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic assistance through a credit facility worth $3 billion, it is a low-income country.
“They went to beg to save the economy, but you are sitting in front of me, and I know you know a lot about economics, and you are telling me this country is a middle-income country.
“How then do we go so broke that we lost all the cash in our central bank and we had to go to IMF to save us? Ghana is a low-income country,” he stressed.
A much more composed Bernard Avle insisted that “Ghana is a middle-income country.”
Also, Bernard claimed that Mr Bediako said he planned to make Ghana a low-income country, an assertion he refuted.
Following the interview, netizens have shared their thoughts on how the journalist, Mr Avle, interviewed Mr Bediako, who plans to contest the 2024 general elections to become Ghana’s president.
While others believe Mr Avle was a bit too stern and brusque, others noted that Mr Avle has always been an individual who puts his guests on a hot seat, questioning their intellect on issues they plan to resolve or address.
“That Bernard Avle interview with FJC is dripping with condescension. I get that the guy is highly ignorant and comically incompetent, but the interviewer’s posture borders on badgering and belittling,” a user, @enyonvm wrote.
That Bernard Avle interview with FJC is dripping with condescension.
I get that the guy is highly ignorant and comically incompetent, but the interviewer's posture borders on badgering and belittling.
Bernard Avle is a well-read journalist. He puts you through the mill grinding to find truths. There's a reason many say he is the standard & if we had half media folks like him we'd be asking the right questions each. Those attacking him know him not. Or haven't watched him.
I hated everything about that interview Bernard Avle did with Cheddar. Our media space is so terrible…so terrible. One of our presumably best journalists shouldn’t be trying to act like Stayne. What was the point trying to make him look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing?
Some of those who are hard on Bernard Avle following his interview with Cheddar are wondering why NPP guests don't go through such grilling. Otherwise it was a brilliant interview that gives us the opportunity to see through politicians. Same standards should apply to everyone.
Founder of The New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, widely recognized as Cheddar, engaged in an intellectual debate with Citi TV journalist, Bernard Avle during an appearance on the Point of View show.
During the show, Ghana’s classification as a middle-income country became a controversial topic, and the duo presented opposing views.
Bernard Avle held the position that Ghana is indeed a middle-income country, but Mr Bediako argued otherwise, stating that Ghana is a low-income country.
Mr Bediako argued that since the government run to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic assistance through a credit facility worth $3 billion, it is a low-income country.
“They went to beg to save the economy, but you are sitting in front of me, and I know you know a lot about economics, and you are telling me this country is a middle-income country.
“How then do we go so broke that we lost all the cash in our central bank and we had to go to IMF to save us? Ghana is a low-income country,” he stressed.
A much more composed Bernard Avle insisted that “Ghana is a middle-income country.”
On April 14, 2021, the Ministry of Finance indicated that Ghana continues to be categorised as a “Lower-Middle Income Economy” based on the widely classification of the World Bank and the UN.
“The IMF Fiscal Monitor does not aspire at classifying countries by income level. Instead, it analyses the latest public finance developments, updates medium-term fiscal projections, and assesses policies to put public finances on a sustainable footing. The groupings of economies presented in the Fiscal Monitor’s Methodological and Statistical Appendix serve an analytical purpose only. In this appendix, Ghana is conveniently categorized as a “Low-Income Developing Country (LIDC)”, like other Lower-Middle Income Economies such as Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria and others,” the Ministry explained in a statement.
The Finance Ministry made this statement in reaction to reports that Ghana had been downgraded as a “low income country” by the IMF in accordance with its latest Fiscal Monitor.
On its website, the World Bank views Ghana as a Lower-middle income country.
Determination
The classification of a country as a lower-middle-income nation is typically determined by its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which is the total income of a country’s residents, including income from abroad, divided by its population. The World Bank classifies countries into different income groups based on their GNI per capita. As of the World Bank’s classification (2022), the income groups are:
Low-income countries
Lower-middle-income countries
Upper-middle-income countries
High-income countries
For the lower-middle-income category, the World Bank sets a specific GNI per capita range. As of the World Bank’s fiscal year 2022, the threshold for lower-middle-income countries is a GNI per capita between $1,056 and $4,095.
It’s important to note that these thresholds are subject to change, and the World Bank updates them annually based on factors like inflation and currency exchange rates. Additionally, being classified as a lower-middle-income nation does not only depend on income levels but also takes into account other economic indicators and factors such as development and standard of living.
General Manager of CitiFM, Bernard Avle, has expressed his disappointment in the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor, Dr Ernest Addison over his recent comment in reaction to the #OccupyBoG protest that took place on Tuesday, October 3, under the leadership of the Minority in Parliament.
On October 3, 2023, a substantial group of Ghanaians, led by the Minority in Parliament, took to the streets to demand the removal of Dr. Ernest Addison, who stands accused of mismanaging the Central Bank.
The demonstrators initiated their march from Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, concluding at Independence Square.
Subsequently, a delegation composed of prominent NDC MPs, including Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and notable NDC figures such as National Chairman Asiedu Nketiah, proceeded to the Central Bank’s premises to submit their petition.
However, upon arrival, they were met by Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng (retired), the Head of Security at the Central Bank, who relayed the information that Dr. Addison was engaged with a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and could not be present.
Dr. Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, expressed his dissatisfaction, deeming it a blatant disregard by the BoG Governor towards Parliament and the people of Ghana. In response, he declined to present the petition to Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng (retired) and declared that another protest would be organized in the days to come.
About 24 hours after the protest, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Ernest Addison, expressed his utmost disgust over the recent #OccupyBoG protest led by the Minority in Parliament to demand his resignation from office for alleged mismanagement.
In an interview with the international business website Central Banking, Dr. Addison asserted that he has no intentions of stepping down and characterized the protest as entirely unwarranted, noting that other measures could have been deployed for grievances to be put across.
“The Minority in parliament have many channels to channel their grievances in civilised societies, not through demonstrations in the streets as hooligans,” Addison added in reference to the #OccupyBoGProtest.
His comment does not sit well with many Ghanaians, including Bernard Avle and Citi FM multimedia journalist, Godfred Akoto, but most particularly, the New Democratic Congress MPs.
On Citi FM’s Newspaper review on October 5, the two journalists noted that Dr Addison’s comment was unfortunate as the protestors did not engage in any unlawful actions.
They were not throwing stones, it was a legitimate means of announcing their displeasure.”
For Godfred, his first reaction was “like most people. I was like, no, misquoted. Most people I know said the Bank of Ghana Governor, this quote cannot be attributed to him in 2023 where he is labeling Members of Parliament as hooligans. Where he is undermining the power of protest and demonstration to make a political point.”
“It is his right to say he will not resign. That much is undoubted. But what you cannot do is to say the rest of the things that he said,” he said.
According to him, “I am expecting that he comes to apologize. He should not get to the point where people perceive him as being a bit arrogant because that is what he sounded like.”
Both Bernard and Godfred believe the constitutional power given the Bank of Ghana may have prompted such comments from Dr Addison.
“He sounded to me a bit like somebody who does not understand democracy and governance. If you know your job and how you have your job, the responsibility that comes with it, the state structure.
“The fact that there isn’t too much of a state check on him perhaps has him thinking that he is some God in some corner.”
He, however, added “The constitutional make-up gives him his power but it doesn’t insulate you from society. A society, as you are a part of is allowed to protest.”
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has threatened to live up to the “hooligan” label provided by the Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Ernest Addison.
During an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 5, Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central,accused the Bank of Ghana Governor of displaying arrogance and disrespect towards both the Minority and the leadership of the NDC.
“He says we are hooligans, so we will show him what hooligans do. I, Mahama Ayariga, I am saying that he will see what hooligans do, I don’t know what my colleagues [Minority MPs] will think but when we meet we will discuss and let you know. But I’m sure that having called us hooligans, he will get a response of hooligans,” he said.
Also, Political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has expressed disapproval of what he deems as the “arrogant” demeanor and response exhibited by Dr. Ernest Addison.
Professor Gyampo questioned the authority of the BoG Governor, whom he says has “a very infinitesimal understanding of the system of government we have decided to operate.”
“Your response to the tax payers and demonstrators is unprecedented. You want to determine how they voice their dissatisfaction about your abysmal performance? You described them as hooligans for demonstrating against you? Please who are you? Are you a demi-god or some deified ancestor-incarnate?” he quizzed.
General Manager of Citi FM & Citi TV, Bernard Koku Avle, disagrees with the Finance Minister’s assertion that government has been able to turn the corner with respect to the management of the economy.
Addressing Parliament on the 2023 Mid Year Budget Review on Monday, July 31, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta indicated that the “investments and sacrifices government made during this difficult period since March, 2020, are “turning the corner.”
He further gave an assertive statement that “we have turned the corner” from the dire period of economic uncertainties and despondency Ghana faced.
The conclusion that government has turned the corner, according to Mr Avle is a hasty decision taken by the government.
He argued that the macro economic indicators remain troubling from their worsened state a year ago.
According to him, July 2022 was when Ghana’s economic mess came to light with the cedi depreciating further and inflation skyrocketing.
“In July, you had the dollar being bought for GH6, went to GH8 and by November it was around GH15.
“Inflation moved from the 20s to the 50s. Reserves eroded. The major economic indicators all went south.
“So if on 31st July 2023, the Minister of Finance comes and says we have turned the corner. Is he saying that from the context of the Economic managers or from economic agents,” he said.
He argued that the macro figures themselves “don’t point in my view to a serious corner being turned.”
“Inflation eased from January but it has started picking up slightly again. Currency depreciation has stabilized but some people say the reason for that is because we are not making payments. We have accumulated 20 percent in our debt from end of last year to now,” he added.
Inflation
The year-on-year inflation rate as measured by the CPI was 53.6 percent in January 2023. The inflation rate dropped to 52.8% in February; and further to 45.0% in March, 43.9 % in April; 42.2% in May.
Ghana’s annual inflation rate rose slightly to 42.5% in June.
Cedi depreciation stabilization
While presenting the Mid-Year budget review, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta noted that from February to July this year, the local currency has depreciated by “an impressive 1.84%”.
Cumulatively, the Ghana cedi depreciated by 22.1 percent against the US Dollar in the year to July 17, 2023.
This is in comparison to 21.1 percent depreciation recorded in the same period in 2022.
Statements from the Finance Minister indicates that in January 2023 alone, the cedi depreciated by 20 per cent.
According to the Minority, the success chalked is due to an external debt default.
“The Ghana cedi has stabilized relatively because we have defaulted in the payment of our external debt.
If you are to look into the budget, we should have serviced our external debt, approximately 11 billion Ghana cedi,” Minority leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson stated.
A troubling storm seems to be brewing in one of Ghana’s prestigious Senior High Schools, Adisadel College, as there have been recent reports of bullying in the school.
Chilling accounts of seniors unleashing all forms of abuses on their subordinates or juniors in the name of ‘seniority’ now stand exposed, casting a chilling light on the silent suffering endured by students.
A brave parent has stepped forward to attest to this harrowing reality, sharing more heart-wrenching revelations that have shaken the very foundation of the revered educational institution.
In an interview with General Manager of Citi FM and Citi TV, who doubles as the host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle, the parent who spoke on anonymity, said
What was initially trivialised and regarded as a normal school culture, was later discovered to be a severe nightmare for most students, especially his son who is currently in his second year in school.
Mr Addo (nor his real name) said his son came home after his first vacation, lamenting bitterly over the situation.
“Initially, I laughed over it since I have been a student and I have been there before and I know that it’s part of school life but then, he came home during his second and he said they could not even sleep due to torment from their seniors who were completing school,” he said.
“They [seniors] use the hook of belts to flog them [juniors] and when they are coming, they come in a group like 8, 10, 20. So when they come, you can’t do anything and they will be beating you from any angle.
He also recounted an incident where his son was given 50 pesewas to buy 20 sachets of water.
“They gave my boy 50 pesewas to go and buy about 20 sachets for the seniors and he said I don’t have anything on me. How can I use 50 pesewas to buy 20 sachets of water? That was the only thing he told them. How they beat my boy. I was so mad and that is why I called the master,” he said.
He added that upon reaching out with a complaint to a teacher about the incidents, he was told that even the highest authorities cannot do anything about the situation.
So the teacher told me even the Senior House master when they are walking they walk with a cutlass. The House masters while walking on campus, some of them put some gadgets on them because they are scared of the students. Because they can be attacked,” he said.
This comes on the back of a trending video which made waves on social media in which a student from the Adisadel college, a renowned institution for nurturing young minds and shaping future leaders, is seen bullying another student.
Reports indicate that the incident was over a SIM which belonged to the recipient of the abuse, which had been seized by the abuser.
The Ghana Education Service and school authorities have taken up the matter and spelled out sanctions to both perpetrators and the recipient of the abuse, as well as the student who recorded the incident and others who were in the dormitory and refused to report the incident.
General Manager of Citi FM & Citi TV, Bernard Koku Avle, has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo over his acceptance letter in response to Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s resignation as Sanitation and Water Resources Minister.
According to Mr Avle, the President appears to have a penchant for acquitting individuals accused of criminal offense while being investigated.
On July 23, 2023, Madam Dapaah announced her resignation owing to her involved in a theft case involving $1 million, €300,000, GH¢350,000, as well as jewellery and other valuables in her home at Akpelemkpe.
According to Madam Cecilia Dapaah, she decided to resign to “prevent this matter from becoming a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
She also assured of her willingness to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.
Hours letter, the president issued a letter approving Madam Dapaah’s resignation.
In the letter dated July 23, President Akufo-Addo said he was confident that the “integrity” “dear” Madam Dapaah exhibited “whilst in office, will be fully established.
This statement by the President, according to Mr Avle, continues to derail the justice system as individuals being investigated or yet to be investigated are paraded as blameless even before actually probing commences.
“It is not witch-hunting and the presidency should not write to exonerate her,” he said.
He therefore entreated the president from intervening in sensitive matters.
“It’s not in his place. He should let institutions work,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Avle has called for a probe into the wealth of Madam Cecilia Dapaah and Daniel Osei-Kuffour, her husband.
Currently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is investigating Madam Dapaah over corruption and corruption-related offenses revolving around the alleged theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her residence in Accra.
According to theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG), all of the system’s meters would be synchronized to make it simple for users to buy prepaid credits from a single App.
Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama in a yet-to-be-aired interview with Bernard Avle said the move is to ensure efficiency in the system and also prevent long queues at vending points.
“Hopefully in a month or two, with the digital process that would be a story of the past because of theNFC at the back of your phone when the SDKs and APIs are done you will be able to touch your card to the back of your phone [and] you should be able to purchase and there will be no need to queue for all meters.
“Very soon there will be a proper launch when we are done with this, and we are going to be customer driven. Even postpaid can sit in the comfort of their homes and pay from the App.”
The ECG MD also ruled out the introduction of new meters currently in operation in the system.
According to him, the company has no plan to add new meters to the 21 different meters in operation in Ghana.
Mr Mahama promised that ECG will go all out to retrieve monies owed to them to help improve their services to Ghanaians.
He assured that in a month, ECG will retrieve the over 5 billion cedis owed by customers through the revenue mobilisation exercise.
The Electricity Company of Ghana disconnected some customers on the first day of its nationwide revenue mobilisation exercise which began on Monday, March 20, 2023.
In the Volta and Oti Regions, ECG officials from visited customers like Volta Serene, Abutia Stone Quarry, UHAS, and HTU who owed electricity bills.
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.
The exercise also saw some companies make payments like the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) which paid GH¢1 million out of GH¢1.4million.
The company is set to visit Ho teaching hospital, and the National Communications Authority among others to retrieve about GH¢5 million within the Ho Municipality.
The General Manager for Citi FM and Citi TV, Bernardino Koku Avle says he does not agree with the government’s Ghana Beyond Aid policy as the main vision of the country.
In an address on Thursday, January 16 at the Annual New Year School in Accra, Mr Avle said of the many ills facing the country, aid was not the worst.
“I don’t like the concept of Ghana Beyond Aid because aid is not the only thing we have to go beyond,” he said.
“Of all the bad things a country faces, is aid the worst? If I were to ask you three things that you don’t want Ghana to have in the next 10 years and we didn’t talk about Ghana Beyond Aid, will you choose aid as the first one?
“…So, why don’t we have Ghana Beyond Filth? Why don’t we have Ghana Beyond Poverty, Why don’t we have Ghana Beyond Corruption? Why should we limit ourselves to only aid.
“So, as for me, I don’t agree with Ghana Beyond Aid as the main vision for the country. We should have as many things that we want to move beyond as possible, I have no fear saying this. Ghana has many things to go beyond…”.
He was addressing the topic: Attaining Ghana Beyond Aid: The Youth Perspective.
He suggested that Ghana Beyond Aid was an agenda by donors in the Western world who do not have money to spend on developing economies anymore.
