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Tag: Charles Owusu

  • NPP’s election defeat reflects divine justice – Charles Owusu

    NPP’s election defeat reflects divine justice – Charles Owusu

    Independent parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza Constituency, Charles Owusu, has described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the December 7 polls as a deserved outcome, asserting it was a manifestation of divine justice.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning Show, Charles Owusu, who served as a personal assistant to the late NPP General Secretary, Sir John, did not mince words about the party’s loss. He claimed, “If the NPP had not been lost, then the God that we serve would not have existed.”

    Owusu also criticized the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for allegedly stifling religious freedoms during the NPP administration.

    “For the first time in the history of Ghana, we received a letter from the IGP instructing that no prophecy should be issued in Ghana. On the 31st, when we were having our watch night service, we had police officers surrounding churches to intimidate prophets just to instil fear in them and stop them from prophesying,” he recounted.

    Owusu, a junior pastor to Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah of the Glorious Word Power Ministry, also lamented what he described as persecution suffered by his head pastor under the NPP-led government. He accused the police of selective justice and failing to address electoral violence effectively.

    “For the first time in the history of Ghana, police officers were wielding guns, and a mob had the effrontery to storm a police station. As a human being, the one place you run to for safety is the police. But now the police were rather running away; just look at what happened at Ejura. We have not heard anything from him (the IGP).”

    Owusu further accused the police of mishandling Reverend Owusu Bempah’s arrest. “Someone will say it is because he arrested Owusu Bempah. Yes, because he arrested Owusu Bempah, and the treatment he gave was not even befitting of an armed robber. I had to kneel down to beg them to send him to court,” he said.

    He, however, praised newly elected President John Dramani Mahama for initiating steps to investigate electoral violence and deaths shortly after assuming office.

    “I applaud the president for directing the IGP to institute an investigation into the electoral-related violence,” Owusu stated.

    The December 2024 elections marked a significant victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with John Mahama winning the presidency with 56.42% of the votes, defeating NPP’s Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who garnered 41.75%.

    The NDC also secured a parliamentary majority with 183 seats, while the NPP managed 88. Independent candidates won four seats, and one seat remains undecided.

    Owusu’s remarks have added to the ongoing national discourse about the election’s outcomes and the accountability of past administrations.

  • Stop preaching to the converted, focus on door-to-door campaign – Charles Owusu to NPP

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Charles Owusu, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to focus on engaging undecided voters, rather than preaching to those who are already aligned with their views.

    Speaking on TV3, he stated that it is crucial for the party to shift from its current strategy of targeting only its supporters.

    According to him, the party must target voters directly rather than primarily speaking to loyalists at large rallies.

    He added that large crowds could be deceptive, recounting an incident where the National Democratic Congress (NDC) became reluctant due to the massive crowd it pulled during rallies.

     “NPP says it’s going to launch its manifesto at Takoradi. There’s no need to preach to the converted. The one who has already accepted God does not need anyone to lead them again. Sometimes I see them speaking to their own supporters,” he stated.

    He cautioned the NPP against relying on the energy and enthusiasm of large gatherings, but personal interactions and targeted outreach would be more effective in securing victory in the upcoming December polls.

    “The crowd can deceive you, in 2016 I saw a lot of our NDC members gathered at the stadium yet the party lost over 1 million votes. Just as the EC said, elections are won at the polling stations. At this point a door to door campaign is crucial for the NPP if it wants to win December polls,” he added.

    He stated that the former flagbearer of the party, John Agyekum Kuffuor, won the presidential elections in 2000 as a result of the door-to-door campaign he implored.

  • Matron and bursar of Somé SHS nabbed for allegedly stealing food supplies

    Matron and bursar of Somé SHS nabbed for allegedly stealing food supplies

    The matron and the bursar of Somé SHS in Agbozume, located in the Ketu South Municipality, have been arrested for allegedly stealing food supplies intended for the school’s boarding students.

    According to reports, the duo has been involved in these illegal activities for several years.

    The arrest was initiated by Ibrahim Ayuba, the assembly member for the Logove Electoral Area, after the stolen items were intercepted.

    The stolen items included tin tomatoes, mackerel, detergents, and insecticide spray, with some found in the matron’s bag and others in the bursar’s car.

    The suspects are currently being held at the Agbozume police station.

  • Charles Owusu challenges Mahama to clarify 24-hour economy policy

    Charles Owusu challenges Mahama to clarify 24-hour economy policy

    An independent parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza North, Charles Owusu, has issued a challenge to former President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to provide detailed clarifications on his proposed 24-hour economy policy in a public lecture. 

    Owusu’s call comes amidst concerns over the clarity and feasibility of the policy, particularly regarding its implementation and practical implications.

    The 24-hour economy policy, a centerpiece of Mahama’s campaign as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has drawn scrutiny from various quarters, with some questioning its coherence and effectiveness. Owusu, in particular, has criticized the explanations provided by NDC communicators, labeling them as confusing and insufficient to grasp the essence of the policy.

    Mahama’s proposal envisions a Ghanaian economy that operates around the clock, with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers to run extra shifts aimed at boosting employment opportunities. 

    However, Charles Owusu contends that the lack of clarity surrounding the policy raises doubts about its practicality and relevance, especially in industries where demand does not justify round-the-clock operations.

    “Mahama should mount the stage and tell us what his 24-hour economy is about,” Owusu demanded, echoing calls for the former president to provide comprehensive insights into the policy’s objectives and mechanisms.

    Owusu further highlighted the importance of demand-supply dynamics in the success of a 24-hour economy, emphasizing that industries and individuals must have compelling reasons to extend their operating hours. He raised questions about the feasibility of implementing such a policy in sectors where demand fluctuations do not warrant continuous operations.

    The independent candidate’s remarks were made during an appearance on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” Morning Show, where he challenged the practicality of Mahama’s proposal and called for a clearer exposition of its rationale and implementation strategy.

    Owusu’s critique underscores broader concerns within the electorate regarding the NDC’s policy platform and the need for transparent and comprehensive explanations from political leaders. As the 2024 elections draw closer, the clarity and coherence of campaign promises are expected to play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions and electoral outcomes.

  • Former Forestry Commission official urges President Akufo-Addo to scrap E-Levy

    Former Forestry Commission official urges President Akufo-Addo to scrap E-Levy

    Former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to heed Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s pledge to abolish certain taxes, including the controversial E-Levy.

    Speaking on a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on February 9, 2024, Owusu emphasized the importance of scrapping the E-Levy to bolster the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) prospects in the upcoming 2024 elections. He highlighted Dr Bawumia’s commitment to repealing the levy during his administration and urged President Akufo-Addo to support this initiative.

    Owusu stressed that while not all of Dr Bawumia’s decisions may align with those of President Akufo-Addo, the government had an opportunity to demonstrate unity and solidarity by addressing the concerns raised by the Vice President, particularly regarding the E-Levy.

    “I have heard people talking about him denying his government. All of us are not the same on this earth; definitely, if he becomes a leader, not all his dealings will be exactly like Akufo-Addo. But I feel this government has the opportunity to help Bawumia,” Owusu asserted.

    He further emphasized the government’s capacity to fulfill Dr. Bawumia’s promise by taking decisive action to remove or cancel the E-Levy. Owusu urged swift action, suggesting that scrapping the levy would demonstrate the party’s commitment to continuity in government and resonate positively with voters.

    “If there are things that he has complained about, then why doesn’t the government take them out or cancel them? Bawumia has talked about the E-Levy, so if the party wants continuity in government, why can’t they scrap it? I believe they can scrap it, and they should do it now,” Owusu urged.

  • There’s nothing wrong with GRA/SML deal, govt will be exonerated – Charles Owusu

    An aide to the former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, is of the firm belief that there is no shady business going on between the government and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML).

    An international audit and accounting firm, KPMG, has been appointed to audit contract between the Finance Ministry and SML, following revelations by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni about false claims made by SML regarding an earlier contract for revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector.

    The SML contract entitled the company to over $100 million annually for a five-year period, with the possibility of renewal for another five years.

    Despite admissions by GRA officials in the investigative documentary that they do not use SML’s figures to calculate taxes and revenue, GRA claimed that SML’s operation had resulted in a significant increase in volumes.

    However, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy and IMANI Africa countered the GRA’s claim, stating that the available data on the Ministry of Finance’s website for statutory reporting under the Energy Sector Recovery Act (ESLA) and on the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) website did not support the GRA’s assertion of significant revenue increment.

    In reaction to the ongoing controversy, Charles Owusu vouched for SML, arguing that it has engaged in activities that have profited the country.

    “The SML contract is all about working for government but you will only be paid based on the work you do. I don’t see what corruption issue there is. GRA has come to show the effects of work of SML which has profited the country.

    “Presently, if you get fuel from the depot, with the introduction of SML, the government will get hold of its revenue. You can never run away with it because they have set their meters on all the depots in Ghana and are monitoring in their offices.”

    In an interview on Peace FM, he further noted that “One thing I even like is the fact that they are able to monitor even at night. They have stopped certain individuals. When you try to temper with it, their alarm blows at their office and this allows GRA officers to arrive at the scene to arrest the individuals. It has happened before.”

    According to the Africa Centre for Energy Policy and IMANI Africa, “In the year SML commenced operations (2019/2020), GRA’s data indicates a 5% growth in refined petroleum product consumption relative to the previous year (19.38 million litres). In the same period, the NPA reports a 7% growth (24.71 million litres) in product consumption. In the subsequent year (2020/2021), both GRA and NPA data align, indicating an 11% and 10% growth in product consumption, respectively.”

    They added: “The actual growth between 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 was about 62.95 million from NPA data and 60.15 million from the GRA Data. In the 2021/2022 year, the total consumption of refined products in the country declined by 5% and 7% according to NPA and GRA respectively.”

    SML had also stated on its website that its operations had stopped “under-reporting, diversion and dilution of fuel products and general non-compliance in the petroleum industry sector.”

    When The Fourth Estate team pointed out that services preventing anomalies were performed by other companies contracted by the NPA, SML management admitted the claim was false and promptly deleted it from the company’s website on the same day.

    Despite this, in June 2023, the Ministry of Finance instructed the GRA to expand the scope of SML Ghana’s work.

    A Ministry of Finance letter said the “Honourable Minister [Ken Ofori-Atta] has determined that there is the need to monitor the production and shipment of oil and gold out of the country.

    “To this end, he will like to expand the Revenue Assurance work being performed by SML to include upstream oil drilling by the production companies and the gold mining companies,” the letter, dated June 22, 2023, said.

    Due to the controversy, the SML contract, awarded by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has been suspended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Meanwhile, Charles Owusu believes that “the company and the government will be exonerated” at the end of investigations.

  • Charles Owusu wishes Alan well after NPP exit

    Former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, hopes for the best for former presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following his exit from the ruling party.

    On September 25, Alan Kyerematen resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to run for the presidential seat as an independent candidate.

    “I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the NPP to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana as an independent presidential candidate,” he said.

    He cited reasons for his breakaway, stressing that the New Patriotic Party has proven to him that his “services and contributions to the Party are not appreciated, and that my continuous stay in the Party will create further tension and division, which is an exact replay of circumstances that led to my decision to resign from the Party in 2008”.

    Reacting to this position by Alan, Charles Owusu, who solidly supported his bid to become NPP flagbearer, in a melancholic tone, extended his well-wishes to Alan Kyerematen on his new political endeavor.

    “We were all with him in an NPP vehicle heading somewhere and all of a sudden, he got off from the vehicle…who am I to remain in the vehicle?”, he said proverbially.

    “I wish him well,” he emphasized while contributing to Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”.

    Meanwhile, Mr Alan Kyerematen is of the assertion that “the NPP as it exists now has very little resemblance to the Party that I joined in 1992 and helped to nurture. The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees, ‘behind the curtain power brokers” and some unscrupulous Party apparatchiks”.

  • #OccupyJulorBiHouse: Charles Owusu lauds police actions during the protest

    #OccupyJulorBiHouse: Charles Owusu lauds police actions during the protest

    Charles Owusu, former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission has commended the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, for their efforts in preventing the #OccupyJulorBiHouse protesters from staging a demonstration near the Jubilee House.

    The organizers of the protest, Democracy Hub, had planned to conduct their demonstration in the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, September 21st to Saturday, September 23rd, 2023.

     However, the police, through a statement, revealed that they had filed an injunction application with the court and were awaiting a decision on the matter before taking any further action.

    On a related note, the police arrested 49 protesters on the previous day for purportedly violating the Public Order Act and engaging in unlawful assembly.

    “The arrest was a result of the flagrant disregard of the court process served on the organisers of the Democracy Hub group, which seeks to prohibit them from embarking on a planned demonstration within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September 2023.

    “We would like to state that the Police do not take delight in preventing any group from demonstrating as the Service has a track record of providing security for demonstrations in the past. The exception, in this case, is the Police disagreement with the organisers on the venue, the Jubilee House, being a security zone,” parts of the statement read.

    The Police cautioned the general public to “in the interest of public order and public safety to disregard any invitation by the organisers to take part in any unlawful demonstration until the determination of the matter by the court on September 26, 2023”.

    In an interview with Peace FM, Charles Owusu stated emphatically that there is nothing wrong with the action by the police and thus commended the IGP and the entire service for protecting state property.

    “I feel that what they did is right…What the Police has done is a good thing. Every property we used State money to do, it behoves the person with authority to protect it to keep it safe,” he said.

  • You don’t love Ghana – Charles Owusu fires police officers involved in leaked tape

    You don’t love Ghana – Charles Owusu fires police officers involved in leaked tape

    In a fiery statement made on Peace FM’s popular morning show ‘Kokrokoo,’ Charles Owusu, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed his strong support for Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and criticized those attempting to undermine his leadership.

    Owusu’s remarks came in the wake of a leaked audio recording that allegedly contained conversations between some police officers discussing plans to discredit the IGP and possibly oust him from office.

    Speaking on the probe into the leaked tape and the alleged plot to oust the IGP, Owusu began by commending President Nana Akufo-Addo for his commitment to good governance over political preferences.

    He drew a parallel between the appointment of Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor and Dr. Akuffo-Dampare as the IGP, emphasizing that merit and dedication to serving the nation were the President’s primary criteria.

    “Since the President assumed office, he has made numerous challenging decisions. When he appointed Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor instead of an NPP member, it caused dissatisfaction among Ghanaians, who questioned his choice. However, the President’s focus was on good governance rather than political preferences. The subsequent events are well-known.,” he said.

    Owusu highlighted the prevailing perception that key positions in the government and security services were associated with political party affiliations. He argued that this perception had led to a division within the security service, where officers were identified by their party affiliations, even though their primary duty was to serve the country.

    “The same scenario applies to Dr. Akuffo-Dampare. In our country, when a new government takes power and prominent figures in key roles are mentioned, the assumption is that they belong to the ruling party. Nevertheless, their commitment lies in serving the nation. If a President selects someone from the armed forces to join their ranks, that person is often seen as either an NPP or NDC member, depending on the party in power. This perception has become deeply ingrained in the security service to the extent that affiliations are clearly delineated, ” he added.

    However, Owusu praised Dr. Akuffo-Dampare’s tenure as IGP, citing significant improvements in the Ghana Police Service. He acknowledged the deployment of body cameras for police officers, which enhanced transparency and accountability.

    Additionally, he credited the IGP for his work in improving the intelligence aspect of the police service and reducing crime rates.

    “Dr. Dampare’s tenure as IGP has seen significant improvements. Today, every working police officer in Ghana wears a body camera, a historical development. These cameras provide transparency and accountability, enabling us to determine their location and events during their duty. Crime rates have significantly decreased during his tenure, although it’s acknowledged that crime remains an ongoing challenge.

    Dr Dampare’s achievements demonstrate that President Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint him was well-considered and deserved. He has notably enhanced the intelligence aspect of the police service, combining strength with applied knowledge. Therefore, attempts to remove him from his position suggest a lack of love for Ghana. We require leaders like Dr Dampare to guide the Ghana Police Service, setting an example for those who will follow in their footsteps, enforcing the law effectively, and maintaining law and order,” he mentioned.

    Expressing his disappointment in those attempting to undermine Dr. Akuffo-Dampare’s leadership, Owusu stated, “I think all the ploys to get him out of his position, those people do not love Ghana.”

    He firmly believed that individuals of Dr. Akuffo-Dampare’s caliber were crucial for leading the Ghana Police Service effectively, ensuring law and order, and serving as role models for future generations of police officers.

    Owusu also touched on the issue of leaked tapes, which had tarnished the image of the police institution. He called on all Ghanaians to support the IGP and his team in their efforts to maintain law and order in the country.

    Mr Owusu emphasized that there could only be one Inspector General of Police at a time and urged unity and support for Dr. Akuffo-Dampare’s leadership. His impassioned defense of the IGP highlighted the importance of depoliticizing key roles in Ghana’s government institutions and focusing on merit, dedication, and service to the nation.

    “We require leaders like Dr. Dampare to guide the Ghana Police Service, setting an example for those who will follow in their footsteps, enforcing the law effectively, and maintaining law and order.

    The leaking of tapes, as witnessed recently, tarnishes the image of our institution. Personally, I wish Dr. Dampare success and encourage those working alongside him to support his endeavors, ensuring he can continue his valuable work. It is crucial to remember that there can only be one IGP at a time,” he said.

  • “All I was seeking was the ultimate good” – Charles Owusu on Jubilee House security exodus

    “All I was seeking was the ultimate good” – Charles Owusu on Jubilee House security exodus

    A former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu has responded to the denial by the Presidency of his allegation that some security officers at the Jubilee House are quitting their jobs due to unfair treatment.

    He made the allegation last week on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, where he claimed that 77 security personnel had left the seat of government to their respective units since 2017.

    However, the Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, issued a statement to refute his claim. He said that no security officer had left the Jubilee House because of any mistreatment and that Charles Owusu had failed to provide any evidence to support his false claim.

    “The Office of the President would like to put on record that at no point in the tenure of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, from 2017 till date, have seventy-seven security personnel left Jubilee House to their respective units.”

    “Indeed, no security officer has left Jubilee House because of “unfair treatment meted out to them at the seat of the presidency. Curiously, at no point in Mr. Owusu’s submissions did he provide any evidence whatsoever to buttress these false claims,” the statement read.

    On Friday’s edition of ‘Kokrokoo’, Charles Owusu broke his silence on the matter and said that he was only seeking the ultimate good for the security officers.

    “I said something about security and the Jubilee House last week. The Presidency issued a statement seeking to clarify the issue and also received several calls including one from our own Captain Koda. The statement is superior and he also maintained that nothing of that sort has happened. All I was seeking was the ultimate good,” he said.

    He added that he had received several assurances from reliable sources that there was no problem with the security officers at the Presidency.

  • 77 security personnel want to leave Jubilee House over unfair treatment – Charles Owusu alleges 

    77 security personnel want to leave Jubilee House over unfair treatment – Charles Owusu alleges 

    Former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has cautioned African leaders concerning the treatment of the security personnel responsible for their safety.

    Given the recent occurrences of coup d’états in various West African nations, Owusu stressed the significance of treating security personnel justly and with dignity.

    During a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokroo on September 1, 2023, he argued that several of the recent coups in Africa could be categorized as “palace coups,” wherein senior military or special forces officers seize control of the government.

    “Most of the coups that have happened in recent times are palace coups. Palace coups, in the sense that you will realize someone like a special forces commander who is protecting the president has taken power from him.

    “The way politicians treat security men is very important. You are holding a pen, and someone else is holding a gun. Who is more dangerous? The person with the gun is protecting you, but you are not treating him fairly,” Owusu asserted.

    According to him, approximately 77 security personnel at Jubilee House, including members of the military and police, quit because of perceived unfair treatment.

    “Go to Jubilee House and see, the police, soldiers and everyone complaining, it got to a point where almost 77 security personnels decided to leave Jubilee House and go back to the unit.

    “I am not sure that they are taking note that why would they struggle to get the seat of government and yet go back to where they came from… I know many of the people who have gone back. What type of treatment are you giving them?”

    As a result, he expressed concern about this exodus, asking why people would seek positions in government then return to their previous occupations.

    “What kind of treatment are you giving them? Ministers of state have been given police escorts, but they are treated like animals, as if they are not human beings,” he noted.

  • ‘Come what may’ NPP will win 2024 elections – Charles Owusu

    ‘Come what may’ NPP will win 2024 elections – Charles Owusu

    As the 2024 general elections draw nigh, more projections for a win for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) troop in.

    Among the recent individuals to declare victory for the NPP is former head of monitory at Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu.

    In an interview with Peace FM on its “Kokrokoo” programme, Mr Owusu said the winner of the elections has already been chosen by God and that there isn’t much the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) can do about it.

    “Nana Akufo-Addo has broken the record already. He will hand over to his own party…The 2024 elections have already been decided…God has already chosen the one who will lead this country,” he said.

    According to him, he would not have been disturbed should Mahama have been chosen by God to lead the country due to his experience, but that is not the case, he said.

    To buttress his point, he reiterated that “NPP will win the next 2024 elections, come what may”.

    Prior to this, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong noted that by all means, the NPP will remain in power come 2025.

    His statement met stern opposition from the NDC who described the MP’s words as “treasonable”.

    On the matter, the Police is said to have they find no fault with Mr Acheampong’s comment, however, advised that politicians refrain from inciting the public to engage in violence in the next polls.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • You can go to hell; we will prophesy today, tomorrow, any other day – Charles Owusu

    You can go to hell; we will prophesy today, tomorrow, any other day – Charles Owusu

    The former Operations Manager of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Charles Owusu, has said no one in Ghana can stop leaders of faith-based organisations from prophesying.

    Speaking in a Peace FM interview , Charles Owusu refuted the assertion of the Inspector-General of Police that some prophecies create needless fear and panic.

    According to him, prophecies are words of God and cannot be stopped and prophets in the country will continue to prophesy as long as God continues to talk to them.

    “Nobody born of a woman, who has blood running in his veins can gag God. And God has also not revealed to anyone how to determine prophecies that are fake from those that are true.

    “… you can go to hell. We will prophesy today; we will prophesy tomorrow and any other day until God stops talking to his children. If God speaks we will prophesy.

    “We can’t edit prophecies to bring out the good ones. If God reveals that you are going to die and you are not told, who cares,” he said in Twi.

    He added that Christians in the country will not sit aloof for the dignity of their faith to be dragged in the mud.

    The IGP, George Akuffo Dampare, during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing on Thursday, January 19, 2023, said that the prophecies by most pastors create needless fear and panic in the country.

    He said that the said prophets use the opportunity to show off, but they do not have the right to address Ghanaians on certain issues since they are not elected public officials.

    He added that Ghana is a godly country, and the police will not allow people to use the name of God to create fear and panic.

    “… those who are prophets, who elected them over my life to just go out there and make pronouncements about me, where I’m not your family member, I’m not your church member.

    “Why is it that God himself decided not to tell us when we are going to die? It means a lot… even then if you have a prophecy about someone dying… you have to put it in proverbs for the person to decipher it, but you don’t put fear and panic in the person, in the person’s immediate family, in the person’s extended family and in the whole country,” he said.

    Watch the interview below:https://www.youtube.com/embed/k9Eczm0PcLg

  • Akufo-Addo has nothing to lose – Charles Owusu

    The former Operations Manager of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Charles Owusu, has said that insults that some Ghanaians are directing at Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will have no effect on him because he has nothing to lose.

    According to him, Akufo-Addo is serving his second term as president and nothing can stop him from completing it.

    Speaking in a Peace FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Charles Owusu added that what Ghanaians have to be doing in these hard times is to be proffering solutions to the challenges the country is facing.

    “We have to understand that whatever it is, President Akufo-Addo has nothing to lose. If we think insulting him will lead to something changing, it is not true.

    “Because he has nothing to lose. He is the president, and he is going for his second term, and he is going to complete it. It is not your insults that will stop him. What is needed is your advice on how to get the country out of the current hardships.

    “We have to understand that political parties are in countries and not the other way round. Anything that affects the nation affects members of political parties,” he said in Twi.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Can you still say that your ministers are excellent? – Charles Owusu to Akufo-Addo

    The former Operations Manager of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Charles Owusu, has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his continuous praise of his ministerial appointees.

    In a Peace FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Charles Owusu, questioned whether Akufo-Addo will continue to say that his ministers are performing excellently given the deteriorating economic condition in the country.

    He berated the appointees of the president, particularly those at the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana for going quiet as the country suffers.

    “This is why sometimes, some of us ask President Akufo-Addo whether he thinks after all the happenings in the economy, the performance of his ministers is beyond excellent.

     

    “… the prices of all items are increasing in the country. It is true that we are facing hardship but the problem I have with the Nana Addo government is that after the president has addressed the nation, all the heads of the ministers, departments and agencies have gone silent and the president is been criticised for everything.

    “The Ministry of Finance has two ministers and two deputies what are we hearing from them? Akufo-Addo is being blamed for everything and they are sitting in some corner doing nothing, all of them are silent. Because if the officials of the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance start engaging Ghanaians the Ghana Cedi will not be depreciating as it,” he said in Twi.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Mankessim murder: ‘Let’s be careful about our desires for quick riches – Ghanaians advised

    Charles Owusu has called on Ghanaians, especially the youth, to stop seeking quick ways to enrich themselves.

    The former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission was alarmed by recent news of the murder of a 25-year-old trainee nurse at Mankessim in the Central Region.

    Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder

    According to a Police statement, the two – a self-styled Pastor, Michael Darko alias Nana 1, and Christopher Ekow Clark, Tufuhene (Chief) of Akwakrom – confessed to “murdering the victim for money rituals.”

    “During Police interrogation, suspect Michael Darko, who is the alleged boyfriend of the senior sister of the deceased victim and was last seen with her, led police to the location where they had buried her after the murder.”

    The body has since been exhumed and deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

    “The two accused persons were today, 22nd September 2022 arraigned at the District Court II in Cape Coast and have been remanded to reappear before the court on October 4, 2022.”

    Speaking on “Kokrokoo” programme on Peace FM, Charles Owusu wondered why people would kill to have money.

    He charged the citizenry to know that it is good for one to be prosperous but this ambitious desire to be rich at all cost, thus resort to money rituals, is not the right way.

    He asked the public to use appropriate means through hardwork to gain riches.

    “Money cannot buy life. Let’s be careful about our desires for quick riches,” he stated.

     

  • Some traders deliberately hiking prices to make government unpopular – Charles Owusu

    Former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has lambasted some Ghanaian traders over the high cost of foodstuff in the country.

    Charles Owusu, in a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”, expressed his disgust over the high prices of commodities and its attribution to global economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine/Russia war.

    According to him, some traders have placed extortionate prices on their commodities to make the Akufo-Addo government unpopular.

    He backed his argument with his own experience telling host Nana Yaw Kesseh that he recently received foodstuffs from Techiman and the prices shocked him.

    He narrated that he received 100 tubers of yam and all cost him GHC 650, wondering why commodities at places like Techiman are so cheaper than those found in markets in the capital city, Accra.

    “Why is it that when it comes to Accra, they sell it at such high prices, just to make the government unpopular? How?”, he exclaimed.

    To him, the traders are “intentionally increasing the prices of commodities so that there will be hardships in the country”.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Charles Owusu responds to Sir John’s Will and Achimota Forest issues

    An aide to the former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has reacted to the public discourse on the alleged Will of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, commonly known as Sir John, in which it is alleged that he owned some lands in the Achimota Forest.

    One Charles Owusu has been named as one of the five beneficiaries of the said lands in reference in the alleged Will.

    Sir John’s aide, Charles Owusu, who had a working relationship with Sir John as an uncle and a nephew will not comment on whether or not he is the person in reference in the said Will.

    He said once, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has indicated it will investigate the allegation that the former CEO of the Forestry Commission owned some lands in the Achimota Forest and named the said lands in his Will, he will not comment on it for now, until the findings by the Ministry.

    De-classification

    Some portions of the Achimota Forest, specifically in the southern peripheries have been de-classified by the government as a forest reserve following it’s release to the Owoo Family of Accra in lieu of monetary compensation, which has not been paid since 1927 that the land was acquired by the government from the family.

    Following, the gazetting of an Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, which de-classified the said portions, public discourse on the forest has been partly on why the government did not pay the monetary compensation to allow the forest to stay intact.

    Some had alleged the lands could end up in the hands of some public officials.

    Will allegation

    On Monday, it came out that the late Sir John, who died in July 2020 allegedly owned some lands in the Achimota Forest and named the said lands in his Will.

    A media report had suggested that Sir John in his Will named his children and some individuals related to him as the ones the lands should be given to forever.

    The said Will has been circulated on social media, in which five persons have been named as the beneficiaries of the said lands.

    One Charles Owusu, was also named in the Will, as one of the persons who should benefit from the lands.

    It is dated May 20, 2020, a few weeks before Sir John died in July 2020.

    The said Will in circulation was certified at the High Court in Accra, in August 2021.

    Charles Owusu’s comment

    In a radio interview with Accra based Asempa FM Monday afternoon [May 23, 2022], monitored by Graphic Online, Charles Owusu, the aide to the late Sir John said he will not comment on the issue until the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has completed investigations into the issue.

    He expressed worry about how the said Will of Sir John, something, he said was supposed to be a private issue has been leaked into the public domain.

    Touting that it was uncustomary to be discussing private matters such as a Will of a deceased person in the public domain, Charles Owusu said at the appropriate time, he will speak on the issue but for now, I will not go into it, he said.

    He, however, added that, he has read what was in the public domain, and no where did the said Will mentioned a land in the “Forest Reserve” but only mentions Achimota Forest.

    Owusu said he has received many phone calls on the issue since Sunday and had decided not to comment publicly on it.

    I am sad, the Will of the deceased Sir John has been thrown into the public domain, Owusu said.

    Owusu is not a relative of the late Sir John but the relationship that existed between them was typical of an uncle and a nephew.

    When he was asked by Osei Bonsu, the interviewer of the radio programme - Ekosii Sen – on whether he was the said Charles Owusu being referred to in the Will, Owusu said he cannot confirm or deny for now, but will wait till the Ministry’s investigation is completed.

    He said the investigations by the Ministry will establish if Sir John had a land in the Achimota Forest and when in specific he got the said land.

    After the findings by the Ministry, I will speak and will plead with the public to exercise patience for now.

    Lands Ministry’s investigation

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Monday said it will investigate the allegation that former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also known as Sir John owned some lands in the Achimota Forest and named the said lands in his Will.

    The Ministry’s action followed a media report that had suggested that Sir John in his Will named his children and some individuals related to him as the ones the lands should be given to forever.

    In a press statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the sector ministry, it said, “The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations, and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims. Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.”

    Below is a copy of the statement by the Ministry

    ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING ACHIMOTA FOREST AND THE PURPORTED WILL OF THE LATE FORESTRY COMMISSION CEO.

    The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a document making the rounds on social media, which alleges that the late former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, had included portions of the Achimota Forest in his Will, and given out same to individuals who are said to be related to him.

    The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations, and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

    Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.

    The Ministry assures the general public and the good people of Ghana that it will ensure that the national interest is protected at all times, especially in matters pertaining to the Achimota Forest.

    END

    PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT
    MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    Source: Graphic Online

  • Why didn’t you prevent Madina protest from escalating? – Charles Owusu blasts Ghana Police

    Former Head of Monitoring Unit of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu has slammed Ghana Police for failing to prevent the violent protest that occurred at Madina.

    The protest which was led by the Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu, turned fierce as he reportedly drove his vehicle through some civilians and Police officers while some demonstrators also burned tyres and blocked roads at Madina impeding vehicular and human movements.

    Following the incident, the Police invited the MP for interrogation but he refused.

    They further wrote to the Speaker of Parliament to release him but the request was turned down under grounds of Parliamentary immunity.

    However, the Police have secured a criminal summons to compel Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu to avail himself for interrogation.

    Reacting to the issue during Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Charles Owusu expressed disappointment in the Police wondering why they weren’t being proactive.

    He questioned the logic in waiting for things to escalate before attempting to arrest the ringleader of the protest.

    ”The Police are saying there had lots of the officers on the scene of the demonstration. So, if there was a high presence of Police personnel at that place, did you have to watch for someone to commit a crime before arresting the person. Why did the Police wait for them to burn tyres on the road to prevent other cars plying the road before they search for someone to arrest?”

    Source: peacefmonline.com