The chiefs and people of North Tongu have expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for appointing their Member of Parliament, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement celebrating the appointment, the North Tongu traditional authorities hailed the president’s decision, describing it as a commendable choice that would bring honor and progress to the nation within the global community.
“Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is indeed a worthy son of the North Tongu constituency who does not only represent hope and progress to the good people of North Tongu but has also over the years demonstrated exemplary leadership, integrity, loyalty, courage, hard work, and dignity in public service,” the chiefs stated.
They further commended the President for his victory in the recently concluded presidential election, pledging their support for his administration and the “Reset Ghana” agenda.
The chiefs also outlined their commitment to collaborating with the government in delivering key manifesto promises, including compensating and resettling VRA spillage victims, reviving collapsed factories, commencing work on the Volivo to Dorfor-Adidomi bridge, and enhancing agricultural productivity under the 24-hour economy policy.
“We thank President Mahama and wish the government success in the management and steering of the affairs of state,” the statement concluded.
The chiefs reaffirmed their belief that Hon. Ablakwa’s contributions at the helm of the Foreign Affairs Ministry would enhance Ghana’s standing on the international stage and bring significant development to the country.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced a resounding victory in the December 7 elections, securing over 93% of the votes in his constituency.
Describing the outcome as “probably the biggest victory margin in Ghana,” Ablakwa expressed gratitude to his constituents for their overwhelming support.
“I am eternally grateful to my most cherished constituents for setting another record bigger than 2020. Expect me to serve you better than I have ever done,” he stated.
His demand follows a recent report released by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which has recommended a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project. The investigation was initiated after Mr. Ablakwa petitioned CHRAJ, raising concerns over alleged corruption and violations of procurement laws associated with the project.
The CHRAJ report, dated November 25, 2024, uncovered several lapses in the management of the project and advised the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to terminate the contract related to the construction. Mr. Ablakwa’s call aligns with these findings, which highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability.
“The Board of the Public Procurement Authority should intervene to cancel the contract for the construction of the National Cathedral between the National Cathedral and Ribade Company as it has the power to do so under the Procurement Act,” said the report.
In reacting to the recommendations, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who petitioned CHRAJ, said there should be an immediate dissolution of the Secretariat.
“A couple of months ago, when I made the similar demand, a member of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Joyce Aryeh said that it was a demand that didn’t make sense to them and that they will continue to operate and draw salaries,” he told a press conference in Kumasi.
He questioned the continuous receipt of salaries for the 31 months that the project has been abandoned.
“One of the first things we want to see is the immediate dissolution of the Secretariat of the National Cathedral,” said the MP.
The CHRAJ has recommended that the PPA must move in quickly to cancel contact and also ensure the project is halted and the illegalities do not continue.
But Mr. Ablakwa expects a refund from those people who have caused financial loss to the state.
“Organise labour has been agitating about their condition of service; people who have worked are not being paid; an economy where people have been compelled to take financial haircuts; how does it make sense for this project, which has been declared illegal, for persons to claim that they are officials of the National Cathedral Secretariat and therefore continue to take salaries?
The North Tongu MP said “by the riskless decision of President Akufo-Addo, so many demolitions have been occasioned, namely the Judicial Training Institute, Judge Bungalows, Scholarship Secretariat, the Passport Office, bungalows belonging to CHRAJ, the Malian ambassador’s residence, and the Water Stone Apartment complex.”.
He stated that theCHRAJ report affirmed there was no legal justification for President Akufo-Addo and his Vice to authorize the demolitions, resulting in what he described as unnecessary and wasteful expenditure for the country.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has awarded a scholarship to Miss Alice Dziwornu, who recently became the constituency’s first-ever Aerospace Engineer.
Miss Dziwornu, a first-class graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), accomplished this remarkable feat last Friday. Her journey was made possible through the North Tongu MP’s Scholarship Scheme, which stepped in after the untimely passing of her father nearly derailed her education five years ago.
To further support her aspirations, Mr. Ablakwa has secured an additional scholarship for Miss Dziwornu to pursue her master’s degree.
“Emerging tops in a male-dominated field, I have no doubt that Miss Dziwornu will achieve her ambition of working with Boeing and motivating girls in rural Ghana to embrace STEM,” the MP stated proudly.
He added, “Thanks Alice for making me a proud MP.”
Miss Dziwornu’s accomplishment not only underscores her brilliance and resilience but also serves as a powerful inspiration for young women in Ghana to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has established a GH¢100,000 emergency rent fund to provide housing support to the victims of the Akosombo dam spillage, which occurred in October 2023.
The aim is to help displaced residents find accommodation as they continue to face the aftermath of the disaster.
Ablakwa highlighted that this fund is part of a broader plan to ensure that all 12,000 affected individuals are resettled and fully compensated.
He made this announcement after filing his nomination to run in the upcoming elections.
In his remarks, he stressed that his focus for the next term will be on the comprehensive resettlement and compensation of victims from the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillages.
He pointed out that 1,360 constituents are still living in tents, a situation he called “inhumane” and unacceptable.
As part of his immediate response, Ablakwa has allocated GH¢100,000 for emergency rent assistance, prioritizing women, especially nursing mothers, who are still without proper shelter.
“For my next term, my priority will be the total resettlement and total compensation of all victims of the VRA spillage from the Akosumbo and Kpong Dams. As we speak, 1,360 of our fellow constituents, my beloved constituents, remain in tents and that is unacceptable. That is inhumane.
“That cannot be allowed. And so in my next term, I am going to dedicate all efforts towards the full and total comprehensive resettlement and compensation of all victims, the over 12,000 victims of the VRA spillage.
“I am putting aside GH¢100,000 as emergency rent support for our brothers and sisters who are still in the tents. But we are prioritising the women, particularly nursing mothers.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has released a new list of government officials and politically exposed individuals allegedly acquiring state lands during President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
Among those named are former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, who are both said to have purchased land in the upscale AU Village/La Wireless area in Accra.
Ablakwa disclosed these details on Friday, August 23, 2024, via his social media, continuing his parliamentary efforts to expose alleged state capture.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ablakwa shared documents he claims show the sale of public lands by President Akufo-Addo to his relatives, appointees, and other affiliates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The list also includes Akwasi Aboagye Atuah, Board Chair of SIC; Dr. Janet Ampadu Fofie, Chairperson of the Presidential Emoluments Committee; and Kwabena Mantey Jectey Nyarko, a board member of the Ghana Airport Company Limited.
These individuals are reported to have purchased land on various dates between October 2020 and December 2023.
Ablakwa’s post highlights the specific dates and details of these transactions, alleging that they reflect a broader pattern of state lands being sold to those connected to the current administration.
See below post:
STATE CAPTURE — THE AU VILLAGE/LA WIRELESS NPP RAID (PART 2)
As promised, here is Part 2 of the sale of public lands at the prime AU Village/La Wireless lands by President Akufo-Addo:
1. Ken Ofori-Atta’s Enterprise Life Assurance (Serving Finance Minister at the time of… pic.twitter.com/LzFJJDV1bG
The Service Ghana Auto Group Limited (SGAGL) has refuted claims of inflated costs in its contract for after-sales service and maintenance of 307 ambulances.
In a statement released and copied to the Ghanaian Times, SGAGL addressed allegations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, regarding financial improprieties in the procurement and maintenance of the ambulances.
SGAGL clarified that it is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising a consortium of seven companies that won a competitive procurement process to provide and service the ambulances for the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
They emphasized that the process was merit-based and not sole-sourced.
Mr. Ablakwa had accused the government and SGAGL of a questionable deal, alleging that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta approved a $34.9 million payment for spare parts for the ambulances.
He claimed the cost, roughly $113,000 per ambulance, was higher than the cost of new ambulances and that $10 million had already been disbursed to SGAGL.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed his fury over SGACL’s reply, finding their response demeaning and inappropriate.
During a discussion on Metro TV’s morning show, he asserted, “Balderdash! How dare you issue threats?”
However, the Bank of Ghana clarified that no payment had been made on the letter of credit established for $10 million.
SGAGL responded that the $34.9 million, with an established Letter of Credit for $10 million, was incorrectly reported as covering only mechanical parts, and that the $113,000 per ambulance figure was erroneous.
They explained that the procurement process began in November 2018 under the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, initially for 275 units of 4×4 ambulances, later changed to 4×2 for 307 vehicles.
Sixteen companies participated, with the seven forming the consortium after a pre-tender workshop.
The companies in the consortium are Luxury World Auto Group Limited, Elok Consult, RDC Company Limited, Beft Engineering Works Limited, Prestige Era Company Limited, Bluemix Company Limited, and Quality Supply and Builders Company Limited. SGAGL highlighted their compliance with all tender requirements, including securing manufacturer authorization from Mercedes Benz for the ambulances and EMSA for the medical equipment.
The consortium has established dedicated workshop facilities, including renovating the Ministry of Agriculture’s workshop in Kumasi and building a workshop at the NAS headquarters in Accra.
SGAGL also addressed a 2022 Performance Audit by the Auditor-General, acknowledging disagreements with the report and noting that they had refunded amounts mistakenly identified as double payments.
SGAGL warned against spreading false information about the ambulance procurement and after-sales service, threatening legal action against those responsible.
They affirmed their commitment to transparency and accountability in all dealings.
Watch video below:
Balderdash! How dare you issue threats? – Ablakwa fumes at SGAGL over Ambulance Scandal
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has raised fresh allegations regarding the procurement of ambulances by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
Ablakwa claims that the contracts were awarded to companies with direct ties to the first family. In his latest exposé, he asserts that out of the eight companies involved, six were established between April and September 2017, coinciding with Akufo-Addo’s first year as President.
Ablakwa specifically highlighted Elok Consult and Services Limited, a company incorporated on July 25, 2017. According to him, its directors include Stephen Okoro, purportedly Akufo-Addo’s son-in-law, and Solomon Okereke. Ablakwa suggests that Stephen Okoro is also a business associate of the President’s daughter, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo.
The companies implicated by Ablakwa are Elok Consult and Services Limited, BEFT Engineering Works Limited, Bluemix Company Limited, Prestige Era Company Limited, RDC Company Limited, Luxury World Auto Group Limited, and Quality Suppliers and Builders Company Limited.
He noted that none of these companies have a background in importing ambulances.
Additionally, Ablakwa questioned the financial details of the procurement process. He cited an Auditor-General’s Performance Audit, which stated that the government purchased 307 Mercedes Benz ambulances for $54.3 million.
He argued that at a unit price of $80,000 per ambulance, the total should have been $24.56 million, suggesting an overpayment of nearly $30 million. Even accounting for a 10% insurance premium, which he claims was not paid, the cost would still be grossly inflated by over $27 million.
Ablakwa concluded that the $54.3 million spent could have bought 678 ambulances instead of 307, indicating what he calls a “most criminal” inflation of costs.
See below post:
HOW THE SAME AKUFO-ADDO’S AMBULANCE SPARE PARTS CABAL USED DIFFERENT COMPANIES TO PROCURE THE 307 WILDLY INFLATED AMBULANCES IN A US$108MILLION HEIST
Unimpeachable, irrefutable and irreproachable parliamentary oversight has finally smoked out the hidden characters behind the… pic.twitter.com/TuRcqO0PXY
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) July 30, 2024
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has committed to reclaiming all funds disbursed to Service Ghana Auto, arguing that these payments lacked Parliamentary sanction.
He has also guaranteed that no more payments will be made to the company.
In a recent social media update, he declared, “He has also vowed to ensure that no further payments are made to the organization regarding the purchasing of spare parts for the ambulances procured by the current government.”
Read his full post below
This week, I shall be escalating parliamentary oversight efforts aimed at compelling the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to abrogate the sleazy, unconscionable, and dubiously inflated US$34.9 million ambulance spare parts sweetheart deal.
We will do everything in our power to ensure the outstanding US$24.9 million is not paid.
We shall also initiate vigorous steps to have our US$10 million (GHS120.7 million) retrieved from the shady and discredited Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
Remember, this alarmingly corrupt transaction was not approved by Parliament; therefore, Ken Ofori-Atta had no legal basis to grant ministerial authorization for the US$34.9 million heist, more so, to further instruct the release of US$10 million.
Meanwhile, I shall be fully cooperating with the OSP’s investigations following my complaint.
May God help us win this latest battle against ugly, destructive state capture.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has criticized the Ministry of Health’s response to his petition concerning the controversial $34 million ambulance spare parts deal.
Mr. Ablakwa accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu of colluding with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited to defraud the state. He noted that Ofori-Atta approved the deal just five days before leaving office, which he believes raises suspicions of misconduct and questions the newly incorporated company’s capacity to fulfill the contract.
Following these concerns, the MP petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate the deal, which the OSP has acknowledged.
In a statement dated July 25, the Ministry of Health denied allegations of paying $34.9 million to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited and expressed its readiness to provide further clarification.
However, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Ablakwa criticized the Ministry’s statement as misleading and dishonest. He pointed out that his petition never mentioned a payment of $4.9 million and questioned why the Ministry would address a claim that was never made.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed frustration over what he perceived as the Ministry’s disrespect towards Ghanaians, highlighting the absence of any signatory on the statement as evidence of its dubious nature.
“To be very sincere with you, this is the most hollow, the most porous, bogus, the most dishonest and the most disingenuous statement I’ve ever come across. Who in Ghana has said 4.9 million dollars has been paid, who has said that? They are so fond of setting their own questions and proceeding to answer them, deliberately distorting the issue so that it will distract us from the real matter,” he stated.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, rejecting what he called the Ministry’s deliberate attempts to obscure the real issue.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has claimed that a prominent figure from the company involved in the $34.9 million ambulance spare parts scandal has longstanding business connections with two of President Akufo-Addo’s daughters.
In a social media update on July 24, Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, suggested that his parliamentary probe has unveiled why Service Ghana Auto Group Limited received preferential treatment, including inflated contracts, despite concerning audit reports.
Ablakwa shared documents showing that Stephen Okoro, a key director at Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, has been a close business partner of President Akufo-Addo’s daughters, Gyankroma and Edwina Akufo-Addo.
Specifically, Okoro and Gyankroma are listed as directors of SFO Initiatives Limited, established on August 9, 2013.
Additionally, they, along with Edwina, co-founded Goodbox Limited on August 12, 2020, with Okoro serving as secretary.
Another company, Good Grow Limited, incorporated on August 20, 2020, also lists the daughters as directors and Okoro as secretary.
Ablakwa asserts that these connections may explain why Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta expedited the $34.9 million deal before leaving office despite numerous red flags. He has urged the Special Prosecutor to investigate the matter further.
Gyankroma Akufo-Addo
Edwina Akufo-Addo in a wedding gown and husband on the left
Edwina Akufo-Addo and husband
The documents highlight several key points:
Unusual Favoritism: Service Ghana Auto Group Limited received significant financial approval and prompt payments despite Ghana’s broader economic struggles. Notably, Ken Ofori-Atta, then Finance Minister, approved a $34.9 million deal for ambulance spare parts on February 9, 2024, and directed the release of $10 million (GHS120,711,000.00) to the company.
Irregularities: Audits revealed that Service Ghana Auto Group Limited was engaged for maintenance services before its official incorporation. Additionally, the company was paid for services before being formally contracted, and there were multiple procurement breaches and inflated invoices.
Family Connections: Ablakwa’s investigation uncovered that Stephen Okoro, a director at Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, has business ties with President Akufo-Addo’s daughters. Okoro is linked to several companies formed with Gyankroma Akufo-Addo and Edwina Akufo-Addo, including SFO Initiatives Limited, Goodbox Limited, and Good Grow Limited. The latter is focused on cannabis farming, capitalizing on Ghana’s new legal cannabis regime.
Nepotism Allegations: The documents suggest that the approval of the deal and payments to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited were influenced by family connections, challenging President Akufo-Addo’s earlier promises to avoid nepotism in his administration.
Ablakwa has submitted these findings and supporting documents to the Office of the Special Prosecutor and urges a thorough investigation. He is also advocating against the remaining $24.9 million payment.
Ablakwa concludes that the scandal is a stark example of corruption, which he argues disproportionately affects the poor, echoing Pope Francis’s criticism of corruption.
See post below:
The US$34.9million Ambulance Spare Parts Scandal — Unmasking the Powerful People behind the Notorious Service Ghana Auto Group Limited
We have all been wondering what makes Service Ghana Auto Group Limited so special that Ken Ofori-Atta could not leave the Finance Ministry… pic.twitter.com/p48WkLPqlz
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) July 24, 2024
Parliament of Ghana has recently established several crucial committees, including the Assurance Committee led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu.
Ablakwa’s committee is mandated with overseeing the fulfillment of government pledges to both Parliament and the public, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Alongside the Assurance Committee, Parliament has formed the Ethics and Standards Committee, chaired by Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei, and the Ways and Means Committees.
These bodies are pivotal in upholding parliamentary integrity and efficiency.
The Ethics Committee’s role is to monitor the conduct of MPs, enforcing ethical standards to maintain the legislative body’s dignity and reputation. It addresses any misconduct and enforces disciplinary actions as necessary.
Additionally, Parliament has instituted the Economy and Development Committee and the Backbenchers Committee to further enhance legislative oversight and policymaking.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has set his sights on another term in Parliament, confident of overwhelming victory in the upcoming elections against his contender, Dr. John Elebulu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking at the press launch of the Tongu Chiefs Union in Juapong, Ablakwa expressed his conviction that Dr. Elebulu stands no chance against him.
“Dr. Elebulu is of no match to me in the upcoming parliamentary elections,” he asserted, citing the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s strong standing in the constituency and his personal popularity among constituents.
“Can you imagine if Tongu Chief Union says that a particular politician will not be given the green light to campaign, that is the end of your career, and if you are not careful you will go into early retirement, like the way my brother Eleblu will be retiring after the next elections“, he said.
Highlighting his track record, Ablakwa emphasized his commitment to the development of North Tongu. He pledged to ensure that Dr. Elebulu, a lecturer by profession, would be given a role to contribute to Tongu’s progress, despite their political rivalry.
Reflecting on past electoral victories, Ablakwa recalled his landslide wins in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, he secured 75.49% of the votes, defeating Dr. Elebulu’s father, Christopher Kofi Eleblu, who contested as an independent candidate after leaving the NDC. I
n the 2020 elections, Ablakwa widened his margin, garnering 89.71% of the total votes, showcasing a significant increase in support from previous years.
Looking forward, Ablakwa expressed confidence that voters would once again endorse his candidature, citing his proven dedication to serving the interests of North Tongu.
He vowed to continue advocating for development projects and addressing the needs of constituents, ensuring their voices are heard in parliament.
According to a report by TV3 journalist Joseph Armstrong, candidates at the St Kizito examination centre are prohibited from wearing shoes or belts, a directive reportedly issued by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to prevent cheating.
Armstrong, reporting from the scene, described the situation: “The candidates are standing outside, and they are being briefed by the GES here as to what to do and what not to do. But one thing we have noticed today, and we are told it is a directive from the GES; they are not supposed to wear shoes, and that is across the board, male, female.” Camera footage showed students in line, clad in slippers and sandals, with no belts in sight.
In a notable incident, a Muslim female candidate was reportedly also instructed to remove her veil, suggesting a stringent interpretation of the GES’s anti-cheating protocols.
The report also observed that students were not subjected to intensive searches upon entering the exam hall, leading to speculation that such measures might have been conducted earlier.
The St Kizito examination centre has garnered particular interest due to the recent Akosombo dam spillage, which disrupted the lives and education of many in the region. The spillage reportedly displaced an estimated 35,857 people, including children, with schools either destroyed or rendered inaccessible.
“We want to know if all of them were able to sit for the exam as we are told some of them, after registering, dropped out along the way due to the impact of the dam spillage,” Armstrong mentioned.
The GES is yet to confirm if this directive originated from them and whether it is specific to the St Kizito examination centre or applies nationwide.
As the exams proceed, it remains to be seen how these measures will impact the overall conduct and integrity of the BECE in the North Tongu District.
All BECE candidates writing the exams this morning at the St Kizito examination centre in the North Tongu District are not allowed to put on shoes or belts.
As part of its efforts to prevent exams malpractice or cheating in the exam hall, the GES has issued this directive.… pic.twitter.com/Faf3cQhF1S
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticized the handling of the National Cathedral project, describing it as “hazy, sleazy, and very corrupt.”
His remarks came in response to the recent announcement by the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei Asare, that GH¢339 million has been allocated for the project.
According to Asare, the funds were committed to ensure the project’s necessary financing, and audits by institutions such as Deloitte Ghana indicated that there had been value for money.
However, during an interview on JoyFM’s Newsnight, Mr. Ablakwa argued that the project lacks proper accountability and has seen little progress despite the substantial investment. He emphasized that the project remains stalled and shrouded in ambiguity and corruption.
Ablakwa further criticized the Minister of State for failing to confirm whether the project had undergone the required procurement process before the release of the GH¢339 million.
He also disputed her claims of value for money, pointing out contradictions with former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s assertion that no budget allocation was made for the project and that funds were taken from the contingency vault.
“The National Cathedral project continues to be very hazy, sleazy and totally corrupt. A project with massive diversions and lack of accountability in a very grave manner,” he said.
In November 2022, Ken Ofori-Atta had denied allegations that he used money from the Consolidated Fund to finance the National Cathedral project, clarifying that the funds came from the Contingency Vault, not the Contingency Fund. He asserted that all disbursements were lawful and approved by Parliament’s Finance Committee.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has affirmed his unwavering commitment to combating state capture and government corruption, asserting that no amount of intimidation would deter him.
His statement comes in response to two separate lawsuits filed against him.
One by former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Freddie Blay and his son, Kwame Blay, regarding defamatory claims implicating them in alleged state property theft.
Kwame Blay’s lawsuit focuses solely on Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, clarifying his non-involvement in Polo Beach Club or any affiliated entities, and his lack of dealings with Loic Devos Jnr.
Freddie Blay’s lawsuit, involving Media General and Johnnie Hughes in addition to Ablakwa, alleges malicious intent in Ablakwa’s statements, aiming to damage his reputation ahead of elections.
In response, Ablakwa, on social media, welcomed the legal challenge, particularly regarding Labadi Beach Hotel’s beachfront, asserting resilience against intimidation in the fight against state capture.
“They say better late than never — even though I am yet to be served, this is great news after many weeks of countless threats. The battle to reclaim Labadi Beach Hotel’s beachfront just got exciting. Justice does not always belong to those who are first to seek refuge in the courts — if you doubt this, ask the double identity champion. No matter the intimidation theatrics, State Capture shall surely be defeated! For God and Country. Ghana First.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in North Tongu has strongly refuted allegations circulating on social media linking one of its members to the recent train crash caused by a wrongly parked truck.
In a statement released on April 19, 2024, the Constituency Secretary clarified, “THE CULPRIT OF THE TRAIN CRASH INCIDENT WAS NEITHER A BRANCH CHAIRMAN NOR SECRETARY IN NORTH TONGU CONSTITUENCY.” The statement attributed these claims to “NPP propagandists and publicists to hoodwink the masses.”
Further addressing the issue, the statement emphasised that the accused individual, Abel Dzidotor, was not only non-affiliated with the NDC but also not a registered member among the 1300+ members in the constituency.
“We have also noticed the bogus and misleading reportage from NEWSGH360 that the culprit ‘Abel Dzidotor’ is a Branch Secretary of the NDC. For emphasis, the culprit does not hold any position within the 152 branches of the Constituency.”
The statement went on to clarify that out of the 1368 branch executives in North Tongu, no one bore the name or positions falsely attributed to Dzidotor.
Amidst allegations from certain pro-government sources on X and Facebook attempting to politicize the incident, Dzidotor received a six-month jail sentence on Friday, April 19, after admitting guilt to three out of four charges, including inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticized the government’s decision to contract a private company for the reclamation of encroached state lands.
In a parliamentary session, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, revealed that the government had amended its agreement with Aynok Holdings Limited, allowing the company to receive 15 percent of the reclaimed land as compensation.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the arrangement, Ablakwa expressed concern over the apparent inability of state security to safeguard and reclaim government properties, suggesting it reflects a dysfunctional state.
“Have we become such a failed state that with the entire national security apparatus, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence, National Security, Police, and all of that—we can’t protect state lands, and we now have to engage a private entity to be protecting lands for us. I mean, then we should close down state institutions. I really can’t believe this. There is even no value for money.”
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for the immediate dissolution of the search committee established by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to recruit a new coach for the Black Stars.
Emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive revamp of the country’s sporting framework, he advocates for the formulation of a national sports policy to regulate sporting and related activities in Ghana.
Mr. Ablakwa recently alleged that the Ministry of Youth and Sports budgeted an estimated $8.5 million for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) without obtaining parliamentary approval.
Addressing journalists in Kumasi, the North Tongu legislator urged the GFA to suspend the committee responsible for finding a new coach, highlighting the absence of a national sports policy and the need for strategic planning in Ghana’s football development.
He proposed a suspension of international sporting competitions to address fundamental issues, stating, “There’s the need for us as a country to overhaul sporting departments of our country. I’m appalled that Ghana doesn’t have a national sports policy. You keep hiring coaches, what is the vision for our sports football in particular? What is the plan for our infrastructure? Ghana doesn’t have a FIFA-certified pitch, what are the managers of football doing? Suspend all these international sporting competitions that we have been disgracing ourselves, and let’s get to the basics.
That committee [coach search committee] that they have set up should be disbanded, we don’t need to be rushing for coaches, how many coaches are we going to have within a few months.”
Ablakwa hinted at leading a bipartisan parliamentary probe into the budget for the AFCON 2023 tournament, asserting that spending public funds without parliamentary approval is unconstitutional and illegal.
“It’s important to emphasize that what has gone on so far is clearly unconstitutionality and illegality. Before you spend public funds, you need parliamentary approval. As an MP, at no time, did the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the GFA present the Black Stars budget to parliament. They had the effrontery, the audacity to tell us that they are going to spend public funds when they return, then they are now going to make an account and tell us what the budget is.
He pledged to present a motion to Speaker Alban Bagbin, calling for a comprehensive bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
Ghana’s performance in AFCON 2023, where they exited without a win, prompted the GFA to take responsibility for the sub-par campaign. In a statement, the GFA acknowledged falling short of expectations and pledged to address the issues leading to the team’s underwhelming performance.
The town of Mepe, already grappling with the aftermath of flooding caused by the Volta River Authority (VRA) spillage, faces yet another unfortunate event as a crucial steel bridge at Saikope has collapsed.
This bridge, vital for connecting the North Tongu town of Juapong to the Central Tongu capital town of Adidome, succumbed to the weight of a fully loaded trailer carrying salt.
Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the collapse, but the incident adds another layer of difficulty for the residents of Mepe. The collapse occurred despite warnings, as authorities had previously placed a sign indicating a “weak bridge ahead” for the awareness of road users.
In response to the collapse, District Chief Executive Osborn Devine Fenu issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook Page. Motorists are urged to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are pending, but the DCE has alleged overloading of the truck as a potential factor. However, it should be noted that authorities had already signaled the compromised state of the bridge by placing warning signs, suggesting a possibility of structural weakness.
A crucial point in the ongoing situation is the maximum load limit sign at the bridge, indicating a threshold of 25 tons. Until investigations conclude, it remains unclear whether the collapse was primarily due to the weakened state of the bridge or the excess tonnage carried by the trailer.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by Mepe, with a combination of flooding and now a disrupted transportation route. The community awaits the outcome of investigations to determine the exact cause of this unfortunate event and to chart a path towards necessary repairs and restoration of essential connectivity.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has claimed that the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, has left the country following the public revelation of the SML scandal.
He asserted that the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, departed the country with his immediate family just days after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ordered an audit of the contract between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Okudzeto Ablakwa claims that the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, departed the country using a regular passport rather than his official service passport, suggesting that his journey may not be for official duties.
“Exactly a week ago, the entire Owusu-Amoah family departed at 17:10 on TAP Air Portugal, flight TP 1527 from KIA-Terminal 3. Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah used an ordinary Ghanaian passport issued on June 14, 2019, with its last four digits being 5283.
“Interestingly, the runaway GRA boss did not travel with his Service Passport with 2702 as its last four digits. A Service Passport which was issued to him as GRA Commissioner-General on October 3, 2019. This development adds another layer of confirmation that Rev. Dr. Owusu-Amoah has not embarked on an official trip,” he said.
According to him, this signals that the call for an inquiry into the contract is deceptive, as the GRA boss has reportedly informed individuals in his circle that he does not plan to return to Ghana. Allegedly, he believes the government aims to scapegoat him following the exposure of the scandal.
Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that the Minority will bring to book persons who facilitated his travel and has urged the people of Ghana to vote out such a government.
SML SCANDAL— WHY IS THE AKUFO-ADDO/BAWUMIA GOVERNMENT PRETENDING THEY HAVEN’T ASSISTED THE GRA BOSS & HIS FAMILY TO RAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY?
Can the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government stop the despicable deception that they are seriously investigating the SML/GRA scandal.
President Akufo-Addo must immediately offer a sincere explanation to Ghanaians on the circumstances under which the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah who signed the dubious SML contract was allowed to travel out of the country with his entire nuclear family less than 24 hours after Akufo-Addo’s 2nd January, 2024 press statement announcing that KPMG has been tasked to carry out an urgent audit into the sleazy affair.
My unimpeachable and irrefutable tracking of Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah reveals that on January 3, 2024, he led his family to swiftly and clandestinely leave the jurisdiction.
Exactly a week ago, the entire Owusu-Amoah family departed at 17:10 on TAP Air Portugal, flight TP 1527 from KIA-Terminal 3.
Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah used an ordinary Ghanaian passport issued on June 14, 2019, with its last four digits being 5283.
Interestingly, the runaway GRA boss did not travel with his Service Passport with 2702 as its last four digits. A Service Passport which was issued to him as GRA Commissioner-General on October 3, 2019. This development adds another layer of confirmation that Rev. Dr. Owusu-Amoah has not embarked on an official trip.
The Owusu-Amoahs’ first travel destination when they left Accra a week ago was São Tomé and Príncipe, and continuous tracking appears to paint a picture of a family in no hurry to return to Ghana, that is if they will ever return.
In the January 2, 2024 press statement from the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia presidency signed by Mr. Eugene Arhin, Ghanaians were informed that “President Akufo-Addo has tasked KPMG to complete the assignment in two weeks, and submit appropriate recommendations to him.”
The release additionally indicated that the “President has directed the Ministry of Finance and GRA to provide KPMG with whatever assistance they will require for conduct of the audit.”
Now here we are, the GRA boss who is to be audited has been surreptitiously assisted to leave the country.
It is also worth noting that KPMG has only about 6 days left to report to the President.
Clearly, President Akufo-Addo’s much touted investigations into the SML scandal is nothing but a sham.
Painstaking investigations further reveal that Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah has told a few very close friends and allies that he will never return to Ghana, particularly after realizing that there’s an elaborate scheme to make him a scapegoat following Manasseh Azure Awuni’s brilliant SML exposé — even though according to Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, he only carried out the wishes of the same notorious looting cabal.
The NDC Caucus in Parliament shall be demanding an urgent inquiry into how Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah fled Ghana; we shall seek to identify and sanction the conspirators who facilitated his disgraceful escape despite presidential assurances of an urgent high-stakes KPMG audit; we shall be committed to unraveling the subsequent silence, grand deception and attempted cover-up.
Ghanaians must resolve to do all in our power to vote out this fantastically corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP regime in this year’s election.
We must uproot this government of endless monumental embarrassments.
Prophet Daniel Amoateng, the esteemed head pastor of Power of Worship International Church, marked a significant milestone on December 21, 2023, by breaking ground for the construction of resettlement houses in the North Tongu constituency of the Volta region.
This endeavor is a compassionate response to the plight of around 100 displaced victims who, due to the Akosombo dam spillage, find themselves still residing in makeshift accommodations such as classrooms.
Beyond addressing the immediate housing needs of the affected individuals, Prophet Amoateng’s visionary plan encompasses more than just bricks and mortar.
In conjunction with the resettlement houses, he envisions the construction of a branch of his church. This spiritual center aims to provide solace, support, and a sense of community to those who have endured the hardships brought about by the dam spillage.
Moreover, recognizing the importance of sustainable community development, Prophet Amoateng is set to establish a farm as part of this comprehensive initiative.
The agricultural venture is not only designed to contribute to the local economy but also to create employment opportunities, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within the community.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the diligent Member of Parliament representing the constituency, publicly expressed heartfelt appreciation for the prophet’s benevolent actions.
In a post shared on Friday, Ablakwa lauded the initiative as an “extremely thoughtful and comprehensive generosity,” emphasizing that it goes beyond mere physical housing solutions to address the holistic welfare, including the spiritual and economic aspects, of the flood victims.
The project, driven by a harmonious blend of compassion and practicality, stands as a testament to the potential for positive change when the private sector collaborates with public representatives to uplift communities facing adversity.
“We are eternally in his debt for this extremely thoughtful and comprehensive generosity which takes care of the physical and spiritual welfare of flood victims”
I joined Prophet Daniel Amoateng of the Power of Worship International yesterday, to cut sod in my beloved constituency to commence the construction of resettlement houses for some 100 displaced persons who are still putting up in classrooms.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu,Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised questions about the government’s unwillingness to decrease the number of taxes introduced for the 2024 fiscal year.
He contends that the government is focused on expanding its expenditure while imposing additional taxes on the average Ghanaian.
“This attitude of oh, they can have their say and we will always have our way wrong. We have said that there are so many taxes; why can’t you just reduce taxes and expenditures?
“Always, you are increasing your expenditure, increasing the number of people you are appointing, and all kinds of fanciful projects that are needless,” he stated while speaking to Accra-based Joy News.
The Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reiterated specific areas where he believes the government could cut down on expenses.
He raised reservations about what he perceives as extravagant projects and the growing number of appointments to government positions.
Ablakwa also expressed concerns about the excessive tax waivers granted to various companies, emphasising the contradiction in the government seeking substantial financial aid from international bodies like the IMF while offering significant tax concessions.
“You remember how many months I have been talking about theNational Cathedral project? Now we have the world’s most expensive hole.
“You remember how many months I have been talking about the president’s chartered travels? They were spending like there was no tomorrow. Now, the chickens have come home to roost. Now, you want to impose more taxes.
“So, why don’t you listen to us and reduce the taxes? We have also said that the tax waivers that you are granting your crony companies—about 45 of them—are too much. You cannot expect $6 billion from the IMF and more than $450 million in tax waivers. Imagine what those monies could do,” he asked.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian populace for what he terms their unwavering and unexpected show of love to the flood victims in the Volta Region.
According to the lawmaker, he is overwhelmed by the kind of donations undertaken by some Ghanaians to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens who were affected by the Akosombo Dam-induced floods.
In a conversation with Bola Ray on Starr Chat, he added that Ghanaians, in the face of the hardship in the flood-hit areas in the Volta Region, have outdone themselves.
“I want to take a moment to celebrate Ghanaians. To be honest with you Bola Ray, I have been so moved by the generosity and compassion of Ghanaians. You know, we’ve always known we are nice people, we are warm, and Ghanaians are hospitable, but I have experienced it. You know, as we say on the streets, ‘feeligadochi’. You know, I’m just lost for words. I mean, first-hand experience. People just call you; look, we are in your constituency; where are you? You don’t have to call anybody or beg anybody. People are just pouring in,” he stressed.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated its controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on September 15, 2023, due to the consistent rise in the upstream water level of the Akosombo Dam, primarily caused by rainfall.
Since the spillage exercise began, some communities downstream of the Volta River have been submerged due to the excessive water from the dam.
Residents in these areas were left stranded as their homes were submerged by the flood.
However, several Ghanaians have come to their rescue by providing food, money, shelter and clothes for the victims.
More than 3,000 young people who have reached voting age in the North Tongu Constituency of the Volta Region are at risk of being unable to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.
Despite strong opposition from some political parties, the Electoral Commission (EC) has decided to restrict the registration process to its district offices. This decision is having a significant impact on voter turnout in the Constituency, which is geographically vast and divided by the Volta River.
During a media tour of the Constituency, accompanied by Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) witnessed the challenges faced by those seeking to register.
For many residents living in communities that are several kilometers away from the EC district office in Bator Aveyime, the cost of a round trip can be as high as GHC 300. This expense, coupled with the requirement of two guarantors, makes registration seem like an unaffordable investment.
In communities like Salaga, which shares a border with the Ho West District, individuals would have to spend GH¢150 on a motorbike ride to Juapong before proceeding to Bator for registration. Even in some of the closer communities, such as Deve, Avorkpoe, Ayram, Avedotoe, and Workpui, the cost of a motorbike ride averages around GH¢40.
This situation highlights the challenges and financial burdens faced by eligible voters in the North Tongu Constituency, making it imperative for the Electoral Commission to consider more accessible registration options to ensure the democratic participation of all eligible citizens.
“I will have to sell 10 bags of maize for my 10 children to go and register. And so, I said they will not go,” a grain seller at Juapong market declared.
Juapong, situated along the Eastern Corridor, is a historic and vibrant industrial community in the region, located more than 50 km away from the Electoral Commission (EC) office. In this town, the youth have expressed their discouragement due to the high transportation costs associated with reaching the registration center. Additionally, concerns about the elderly and sick residents have been raised, highlighting the necessity for a registration center to be established in Juapong.
One individual shared a story of his wife, who spent three days registering for her Ghana card, which was a discouraging experience that has deterred them from pursuing voter registration.
Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the potential impact of dam spillage in the northern regions, which could elevate the risks associated with crossing the Volta River to access the registration center. Those who wish to avoid this risk must go through Sogakope, incurring even higher costs, especially for the predominantly rural communities in the vicinity. This situation underscores the urgency of addressing the accessibility challenges and providing convenient registration options for residents in these areas.
“We are not going there because of the River Volta. People die in the river and so if the EC is not coming here, we are also not going there. Then no vote,” many echoed.
During his tour of the Constituency to evaluate the registration exercise’s challenges, the Member of Parliament (MP) made a stop at the Kpong Dam. He voiced his concerns, noting that numerous communities had made significant sacrifices during the dam’s construction and should not be excluded from a nationwide participatory initiative.
“People of this area sacrificed for this dam. Most are yet to receive compensation and are living in squalid conditions. We are all citizens. We have contributed to the forward march of our country. A right is not a privilege”.
The Member of Parliament representing North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has brought to light a significant surge in the expenses associated with the new Bank of Ghana (BoG) headquarters.
The project’s original estimated cost of $80 million has skyrocketed to an astonishing $250 million at the present juncture.
In an extensive message posted on his Facebook account, Ablakwa also asserted that a construction company, designated through a singular-source procurement process by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for the venture, lacks proper registration within the country.
This startling disclosure has deepened suspicions surrounding irregularities and potential improprieties throughout the selection and authorization procedure.
The MP for North Tongu further emphasized that a distinct company was granted PPA approval for overseeing project management services a full three months before its official registration.
Ablakwa also rejected assertions that the decision to construct a fresh headquarters for the Central Bank originated during the prior National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
“From the intercepted documents, procurement for the project did not commence under the NDC or during the tenure of Hon. Ato Forson as Board Member, neither did it start during the presidency of H.E. John Mahama, contrary to the vicious fabrications by some desperate NPP apologists.
“The BoG’s unacceptable use of the Restricted Tendering Method amounts to a blatant violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended in Act 914. Section 38 of Act 663 provides a limited scope for the use of Restricted Tendering in circumstances where goods, services or works are available only from a limited number of suppliers or contractors;
“From the intercepted documents, the BoG handpicked the following companies: i) Messrs. WBHO Ghana Limited, ii) Messrs. Man Enterprise, iii) Messrs. DeSimone Limited, iv) Messrs. Ronesans Holdings and v) Messrs. Goldkey Properties;
“It is not clear what criteria the BoG used in selecting its preferred 5 companies when Ghana’s built environment can boast of many established and celebrated construction firms such as Consar, Berock, Maripoma, Mawums, M. Barbisotti, First Sky, Antartic, Ussuya, Regimanuel, and so on and so forth.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has launched a scathing attack on the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for allegedly engaging in a ‘shady and wasteful’ project to construct a new corporate head office.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the MP said he had intercepted documents from the BoG and other sources that exposed several procurement breaches, cost escalations and lack of transparency in the project.
He claimed that the BoG violated the Public Procurement Act, 2003 as amended in Act 914, by using the restricted tendering method to select five companies to participate in the tender, none of which were registered at the Office of the Registrar of Companies. He said one of the companies, Ronesans Holdings, was not even registered at the time of the tender.
He also claimed that the cost of the project increased astronomically from US$81.8 million to US$121 million within eight months, and was likely to exceed US$250 million. He said this was mind-boggling and unacceptable, especially during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when the BoG claimed to be struggling to finance the government.
He further claimed that the BoG single-sourced another company, MULTICAD, to carry out project management for US$3.45 million, without any compelling reason or justification. He said this was another breach of the procurement law and a sign of cronyism.
He called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join him in protesting against the BoG project, which he described as extravagant and wasteful. He said Governor Addison and his colleagues at the BoG had been deliberately lawless and destructive, and should resign or be sacked.
He said he had activated his parliamentary oversight role to unravel the mystery behind the project and expose the truth to the public. He said he would not relent in his efforts to ensure accountability and value for money in public spending.
He attached copies of some of the documents he had intercepted from the BoG and PPA to support his claims. He also urged Ghanaians to share his statement widely and demand answers from the BoG.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has presented substantiating documents to assert that the Bank of Ghana included a company, which had not been registered in Ghana previously, in the list of candidates for its upcoming office construction project.
In an extensive Facebook post dated August 17, the Member of Parliament provided a comprehensive account of several matters concerning the project. These ranged from its commencement date and procurement procedures to the fluctuating aspects of the project’s expenses.
He indicated that the initial expense began at a figure exceeding US$81 million and, in a span of eight months, escalated to reach US$121 million. He mentioned that the present estimate of US$250 million, as stated by the Parliamentary Minority, might be surpassed based on the information he possesses.
BoG, he revealed, got Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approval to use a restricted tendering process for the contractors and came up with five foreign companies namely:
i) Messrs. WBHO Ghana Limited,
ii) Messrs. Man Enterprise,
iii) Messrs. DeSimone Limited,
iv) Messrs. Ronesans Holdings and
v) Messrs. Goldkey Properties;
His post read in part: “It is not clear what criteria the BoG used in selecting its preferred 5 companies when Ghana’s built environment can boast of many established and celebrated construction firms such as Consar, Berock, Maripoma, Mawums, M. Barbisotti, First Sky, Antartic, Ussuya, Regimanuel, and so on and so forth;
“In a bizarre twist, further investigations reveal that one of the BoG’s 5 “ordained” companies: Messrs. Ronesans Holdings is not registered at the Office of the Registrar of Companies.
“How did an unregistered company qualify to participate in a restricted tender?” he asked
Ablakwa also claimed that he had intercepted another letter dated 4th September, 2020 also signed by PPA Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Mantey which shockingly reveals that just within 8 months, the cost of the BoG Head Office project astronomically increased from US$81,882,640.00 to US$121,078,517.94.
The facility, which is currently costed at US$250 million according to the Minority in Parliament, has attracted a lot of reactions since the apex bank confirmed that it was indeed building a new head office.
The BoG in response to a press statement by the minority stated last week that the new office complex was necessary principally for security and other reasons, stressing that the current location was not safe in the case of an earthquake.
Ablakwa’s publication is the latest installment of pressure on the Ernest Addison-led BoG.
The Minority have demanded he resigns along with his two deputies over the 60 billion cedis losses recorded in 2022 as contained in an annual report released weeks ago.
The Minority has also served notice that it will picket at the premises of the bank if the governor refuses to resign after 21 days of their demand.
Read Ablakwa’s post below:
Unraveling the Bankrupt BoG Head Office Mystery— From an initial US$81.8million, suddenly escalating to US$121million & currently threatening to exceed US$250million
I have depressingly followed the national debate on what many outraged Ghanaians have described as the extravagant and wasteful US$250million new Bank of Ghana Corporate Head Office.
It is obvious from the Bank of Ghana’s feeble and anaemic defence that they have opted not to be transparent, candid and accountable to the good people of Ghana.
A shocking and embarrassing interview of Mr. Charles Elias Reindorf, Director of Finance at the Central Bank where he abruptly ended an interview following a harmless question on the cost of the project has since gone viral.
Instructively, the Bank of Ghana in all its public engagements has refused to disclose the current cost of the project, the procurement method, when the project was awarded and the scheduled completion date.
Some NPP propagandists including Mr. Richard Ahiagbah opportunistically jumped into the fray claiming that the project started under the NDC when Hon. Ato Forson served on the Bank of Ghana Board between 2013 and 2017.
Considering the deliberate distortion, lack of transparency, sponsored obfuscation and naked dishonesty; I decided to activate my constitutionally mandated parliamentary oversight role, so I could unravel the mystery in our collective national interest.
I can today report that I have intercepted unimpeachable, incontrovertible, irrefutable and undeniable documents from the Bank of Ghana and other credible sources which significantly reveal the following:
1. The Bank of Ghana commenced procurement processes for the controversial palatial head office on 14th January, 2020 when they wrote to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) seeking approval to strangely use the Restricted Tendering Procurement Method;
2. The PPA by letter dated 28th January, 2020 signed by its Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Mantey communicated approval of the Board for the BoG to proceed with its desire to use the Restricted Tendering Method;
3. From the intercepted documents, procurement for the project did not commence under the NDC or during the tenure of Hon. Ato Forson as Board Member, neither did it start during the presidency of H.E. John Mahama, contrary to the vicious fabrications by some desperate NPP apologists;
4. The BoG’s unacceptable use of the Restricted Tendering Method amounts to a blatant violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended in Act 914. Section 38 of Act 663 provides a limited scope for the use of Restricted Tendering in circumstances where goods, services or works are available only from a limited number of suppliers or contractors;
5. From the intercepted documents, the BoG handpicked the following companies: i) Messrs. WBHO Ghana Limited, ii) Messrs. Man Enterprise, iii) Messrs. DeSimone Limited, iv) Messrs. Ronesans Holdings and v) Messrs. Goldkey Properties;
6. It is not clear what criteria the BoG used in selecting its preferred 5 companies when Ghana’s built environment can boast of many established and celebrated construction firms such as Consar, Berock, Maripoma, Mawums, M. Barbisotti, First Sky, Antartic, Ussuya, Regimanuel, and so on and so forth;
7. None of the BoG’s shortlisted companies can lay claim to any patent or exclusive capacity which other construction firms in that category do not possess and therefore warranting or justifying the use of restricted tendering;
8. It is obvious that Ghana would have had better value for money if the BoG had been less shady and opened up the process — opting for a full competitive tendering process;
9. In a bizarre twist, further investigations reveal that one of the BoG’s 5 “ordained” companies: Messrs. Ronesans Holdings is not registered at the Office of the Registrar of Companies. How did an unregistered company qualify to participate in a restricted tender?;
10. I intercepted another letter dated 4th September, 2020 also signed by PPA Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Mantey which shockingly reveals that just within 8 months, the cost of the BoG Head Office project astronomically increased from US$81,882,640.00 to US$121,078,517.94.
11. Experts say this staggering US$40million increase in the project cost between January and September 2020 in a dollar denominated contract is absolutely mind boggling;
12. A 40% hike merely after tender evaluation in dollar pricing, not cedis, raises many critical questions for the BoG;
13. A credible full competitive tender process would have avoided this arbitrary cost escalation and guaranteed value for money;
14. Ironically, all these procurement breaches and sleazy price escalation at taxpayer expense was happening during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when President Akufo-Addo and Governor Addison had given Ghanaians assurances that they had put everything else on hold and were focusing on saving lives. Addison even claimed in June 2020 that the Central Bank was struggling in financing government because of Covid only to initiate this mega project on the blindside of Ghanaians;
15. Deeper investigations into the shady BoG head office project led me to discover another reckless and lawless conduct by the Addison-led Central Bank when they procured the services of a company known as MULTICAD to carry out project management through single-sourcing. (See PPA letter of 22nd September, 2021 as attached);
16. Section 40 of Act 663 provides the conditions for single-sourcing which do not apply in this instance;
17. There is no compelling genuine reason which justifies MULTICAD’s sweetheart deal of US$3.45million from Governor Addison;
18. What was Governor Addison’s special interest in ensuring that MULTICAD was single-sourced when there are hundreds of competitors out there who should have been allowed to compete for us to have value for money;
19. Curiously, this is a regime which made considerable noise in opposition against what they described as the dangers of single-sourced projects;
20. Strangely, MULTICAD’s articles of incorporation secured from the Office of the Registrar of Companies suggest that the company was registered on December 10, 2021 even though it received PPA approval on September 22, 2022. (See copy attached);
21. These numerous blatant procurement breaches, rigged procurement machinations, magical price escalations and lack of due diligence raise legitimate questions about the stewardship of PPA Board Chair, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and his colleagues at the PPA;
22. Patriotic Bank of Ghana insiders working with me on this latest oversight project have expressed grave concern about how this BoG office complex which started at US$81.8million, surprisingly shot up to US$121million, and now variation reports are being prepared which are likely to exceed an incredible US$250million. This scary development invokes memories of the scandalous Akufo-Addo Cathedral which started at a US$100million and has now exceeded US$400million;
23. It is most astonishing for MisGovernor Addison who has presided over the BoG’s biggest losses in living memory of GHS60.8billion to initiate an US$81.8million head office project only to now saddle Ghanaians with a bill which is about three times more. The height of recklessness and gross mismanagement!;
24. Probably, MisGovernor Addison couldn’t be bothered about the frightening cost escalations for his new empire office project because he thought he could mindlessly continue with his illegal printing of cash;
25. This exposé clearly shows how MisGovernor Addison and his colleagues in management at the BoG have been deliberately lawless and remarkably destructive. Ironically, they punished others and collapsed their banks for far less.
26. All well-meaning Ghanaians must join the #OccupyBoGProtest. MisGovernor Addison and his fellow nation wreckers must go! Let us rescue our only country.
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice’s (CHRAJ) residence is one of the properties demolished in November 2018 to pave way for the construction of the National Cathedral.
According to him, the rent for the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) caused Ghanaians a whopping GHS900,000.
He revealed this in a Twitter post on Monday, August 14, 2023.
“I have only recently discovered that on the instruction of Prez Akufo-Addo, the official residence of a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ was also demolished to create more space for the construction of Akufo-Addo’s Cathedral.
“Thus far, taxpayers have spent over GH¢900,000.00 on rent for this Deputy Commissioner. (That is GH¢180,000.00 annually). CHRAJ is therefore one of the many institutions waiting to be compensated,” he added.
Earlier the MP had indicated that the Scholarship Secretariat, the Passport Office the Judicial Training Institute, the Waterstone Realty Apartment Complex.
The others : the residence of the Malian Ambassador, Offices of ComSys, a communication services provider and an economic research institute Offices of the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) were part of the structures government destroyed for the Cathedral.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has indicated that the government has completely compensated all establishments whose structures were affected in relation of the construction of the National Cathedral.
He disclosed that these organizations were given substitute parcels of public land to facilitate their relocation.
He gave this information while addressing a parliamentary session on Thursday, 27 July.
“Mr Speaker, the land on which the National Cathedral is being constructed, measuring approximately 16.26 acres, forms part of a large tract of land acquired by the state in 1910 by a certificate of title dated 29 September 1910.
“Mr Speaker, apart from the public institution that occupied the area, four private institutions had interest in the land in addition to the Embassy of the Republic of Mali. All these institutions have been provided with alternative public lands. The Embassy of the Republic of Mali and Waterstone Realty Limited have been relocated to Airport,” he said.
“The Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) has been relocated to Roman Ridge. Numo Logistics Limited has been relocated to Cantonment and Comsys Limited has been relocated to East Ridge, thus, Mr. Speaker, all persons, both public and private, who were affected by the construction have been adequately compensated by way of alternative properties,” he added.
Despite the fact that the National Cathedral project has been postponed due to lack of funds, yet, it continues to generate debate.
So far, the state has invested GHC339 million in the project, with Parliament rejecting a provision of GHC80 million in the 2023 budget.
Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of North Tongu has hinted on President Akufo-Addo’s plans to deploy Ghanaian soldiers to fight against the ongoing coup in Niger.
According to him, president Akufo-Addo must halt his strategy and present his policy on Niger to Parliament for thorough debate and scrutiny.
However, he criticized the president’s refusal to do so, labeling it as undemocratic and reckless.
In a tweet, Mr Ablakwa said “President Akufo-Addo must immediately stop his mobilization of Ghanaian soldiers for an ECOWAS war in Niger. He must submit his Niger Policy to Parliament for scrutiny. War & Bloodshed cannot be the solution; Diplomacy & Constructive Dialogue is. Africa needs a new leadership.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened an Extraordinary Session on August 10, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria, under the leadership of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority. This session followed a previous one held on July 30, 2023, in response to the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Presidential Guard in Niger on July 26, 2023.
During the gathering, ECOWAS reaffirmed its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’état and the ongoing unlawful imprisonment of President Mohamed Bazoum, along with his family and government officials.
ECOWAS also expressed deep concern about the conditions of President Bazoum’s detention and held the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) accountable for his safety, as well as the safety of his family and government members.
In a subsequent communique, ECOWAS reiterated its commitment to the measures and principles previously agreed upon during the extraordinary summit held on Niger on July 30, 2023. As a response to the crisis, ECOWAS has taken decisive action, including enforcing border closures, imposing strict travel bans, and freezing assets of individuals or groups obstructing peaceful efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Niger.
“Warn member states who, by their action directly or indirectly, hinder the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the Community; Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by ECOWAS on the situation in Niger;
“Further call on all partner countries and institutions, including the United Nations, to support ECOWAS in its efforts to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments;Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions ;
“Direct the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to immediately activate the ECOWAS Standby Force with all its elements;
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the National Cathedral of Ghana project is accumulating debts even though construction work on the project has been halted due to a lack of funds.
During an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, Ablakwa clarified that the accumulations by early August 2023 had reached a total of $52 million.
He advised individuals asserting that the project was gradually fading away that their stance was inaccurate, as it was still incurring expenses for taxpayers. He highlighted that those suggesting harm had already been inflicted and asserting that the project had been at a standstill for 17 months, potentially succumbing to a natural cessation were not accurate in their assessment.
“I want to avert the minds of people who may be thinking that way to the fact that the contract which has been signed, a very very terrible contract per experts, even though work is not going on, there are accruals. There is something in the contract called suspension claims,” he submitted on August 5, 2023.
“So, even though the government has suspended work, every month, Ghana is paying US$500,000. Every month, so it is accruing, as we speak, the accruals alone have come to US$52 million,” he revealed.
He reminded that US$58 million had been spent already before going on to give a break down of the accruals as follows:
a. US$29m certified claim from Ribade, after the company stopped work and laid off staff in March 2022
b. Interest claim on the US$29 million is US$13 million that is what contractors are saying
c. Suspension of work so far has accrued debt of US$10m
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has asserted that Ghanaians must acknowledge the highly irresponsible model chosen for the national cathedral project, labeling it as the most reckless approach seen in any national endeavor.
Ablakwa highlighted the demolition of significant structures, including the Scholarship Secretariat, passport head office, Judicial Training Institute, Judges’ bungalows, and the residence of the Malian ambassador.
He warned of potential diplomatic tensions due to the latter’s demolition.
Ablakwa emphasized that the push for an inquiry into the stalled project, supported by a private member’s motion, is driven by concerns over irregularities, procurement breaches, lawlessness, and conflicts of interest.
The establishment of an ad-hoc committee by Parliament to investigate the National Cathedral project and related matters aligns with Ablakwa’s efforts. He clarified that the intent isn’t opposition to a place of worship but rather addressing the project’s governance and priorities.
In contrast, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, asserted that institutions affected by demolitions had been fully compensated and provided with alternative lands for relocation.
He dismissed claims of inadequate compensation, stating that affected institutions were operational in various parts of Accra.
A military woman has fallen victim to an alleged scam by a businessman who convinced her to pay an exorbitant sum of GHC 295,000 for services he purportedly promised to carry out on her behalf. However, it has come to light that the businessman never fulfilled these commitments, leaving the woman defrauded and distraught.
These actives include giving about GHC70,000 of the total amount to the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to make her [the military woman] a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).
And also, he was given GHC70,000 to purchase two plots of land in Agyiriganor, in Accra.
This was contained in a Newspaper report by the Chronicle dated July 19, 2023.
According to the report, the Military woman whose name was given as Dorcas Owusuaa was allegedly lured by, Wisdom Kumordzi, 43, personnel to give him the said amount on January 16, 2023, at Burma Camp.
The suspect, Kumordzi, is said to have obtained a total of GHC295,000.00 from the military personnel.
He claimed that part of the funds would also be shared with several individuals, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), heads of EOCO, CID, GRA, National Security, NIB, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, as well as his Secretary to release his locked-up funds at the Central Bank.
Kumordzi has been charged with 10 counts of defrauding by false pretenses, in an Accra High Court presided over by Judge Samuel Bright Acquah. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded in police custody for two weeks.
Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, the prosecuting officer, in presenting the facts of the case to the court, indicated that the complainant reported the accused to the police on April 15, 2023.
The prosecutor to the court that between September 2022 and February 2023, Kumordzi had taken various sums of money totalling GH¢295,000.00 from Owusuaa, claiming that it was for purchasing a plot of land in Agyiriganor and to settle the aforementioned individuals to release his locked-up funds.
According to Chief Insp Danku, GH¢15,000 was to be given to the Commissioner-General of GRA (Ghana Revenue Authority), GH¢15,000 to the Secretary to the Governor of BoG (Bank of Ghana), GH$20,000 to the Director of the Economic Organised Crime Office (EOCO), GH¢20,000 to the Governor of BoG, and GH¢50,000 to the National Security boss.
The complainant also gave GH¢12,000 to be given to the IGP (Inspector General of Police), GH¢10,000 to the Director of CID (Criminal Investigation Department), and GH¢13,000 to the NIB (National Intelligence Bureau) boss.
The amounts were handed over to the accused on various dates: November 15 and 18, 2022; December 2 and 5, 2022; and February 1 and 9, 2023.
In summary, the court was informed that the accused spent six months collecting these sums of money from the complainant under false pretences.
The Prosecutor told the court that the accused, after collecting the said money, started playing hide and seek with the complainant till she lured him to the Cantonments Police Station, where he was arrested.
Although the accused admitted to receiving the funds from the complainant, he claimed that it was part of a business transaction with his supposed wife.
Chief Inspector Danku added that the accused requested time from the police to repay the money to the complainant.
So far, Kumordzi has repaid GH¢110,000.00 to the police, which has been returned to the complainant upon request.
Founder and President of the Atta Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has expressed gratitude to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for taking over the management of the Atta Mills Presidential Library in Cape Coast.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has assumed control of the library, which had been completed and inaugurated in 2016 but was left to deteriorate due to disputes with the contractor over payment.
Mamdev Ghana Limited, the contractor, has now handed over the facility to the government for renovation and commissioning.
The GTA, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), and Ghana Library Authority (GLA) will collaborate to have the library fully operational within three months.
The former aide to the late President Atta Mills, expressed relief in an interview with the media emphasizing that the library will function to preserve the legacies of late President Atta Mills.
“This will be one of the legacies of the current government, led by President Akufo-Addo that is protecting the legacies of former presidents.”
He said, “Look at the reconstruction of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Very beautiful and that of the Atta Mills Presidential Library at Cape Coast in the Central Region.”
“This will be Akufo-Addo’s legacy and not the Free SHS policy because such will protect the legacies of former presidents,” Mr. Anyidoho explained.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, has disclosed that Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, minister of communications, improperly awarded a multi-million dollar contract.
The MP offered correspondence between himself and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) in a post from July 6, 2023 on his social media accounts to support his accusations.
“In my latest exposé, I reveal how Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful shockingly awarded a US$48million contract without PPA approval,” portions of his caption for the post read.
“The contract was dubiously awarded to the same Nigerian cabal which has hijacked the Communications & Digitalization sector,” he added.
Ablakwa’s request dated 8th June was titled “REQUEST FOR INFORMATION,” and read in part: “Respectfully, can you confirm if the Public Procurement Authority has granted procurement approval as required per the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended with (Act 914) to Ascend Digital Solutions under a US$48 million Rural Telephony Project contract purportedly for Engineering, Design, Build, Rollout and Managed Services which is being executed by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization since the year 2020.”
The PPA in its response dated 30th June, 2023 and signed by Deputy Chief Executive Kwame Prempeh read: “We wish to inform you that our records do not reflect any information of the above-mentioned project.”
Read Ablakwa’s full post below:
In the midst of the ongoing political persecution by the Akufo-Addo government, it is important to shed light on the true perpetrators of severe wrongdoing against the Ghanaian people.
In my latest disclosure, I uncover a shocking incident involving Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who granted a staggering US$48 million contract without obtaining the necessary approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
The PPA’s response to my request made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act confirms this blatant violation, which raises serious concerns. This particular contract was suspiciously awarded to a Nigerian group that has effectively seized control of the Communications & Digitalization sector.
It is worth noting that the removal of EC boss Charlotte Osei was justified on grounds of procurement breaches, while others have been unjustly incarcerated for far less severe procurement infractions. These stark inconsistencies in the treatment of individuals involved in procurement malpractices are deeply concerning.
The North Tongu constituency lawmaker, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to sympathize with the struggles faced by Ghanaians.
This was in reaction to the president’s address to the nation on Sunday, May 28, 2023, where he lifted all COVID-19 restrictions and proclaimed an end to the disease as a health emergency.
But the lawmaker has expressed worry that throughout the 37-minutes-long address of Akufo-Addo, there was no hint of scrapping the burdening COVID-19 levy and the E-levy, due to the IMF bailout.
In a Facebook post, the MP stated that “Ghanaians expected President Akufo-Addo to have announced the scrapping of the unjustifiable COVID-19 levy as he lifts all covid restrictions.
“Ghanaians also expected the awful E-Levy to be abolished since his government has opted for an IMF bailout.”
Ablakwa also pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to be sincere and sensitive to the sufferings of Ghanaians in these hard times.
“President Akufo-Addo must be sincere and sensitive to the plight of suffering Ghanaians,” he stated.
The MP for North Tongu also emphasized the need for lawmakers to unite to remove the COVID-19 and E-levies to address the plights of Ghanaians.
“I hope all parliamentarians will come together in the national interest, and take advantage of the mid-year budget review to expunge those two obsolete taxes.
“As President Akufo-Addo continues to let Ghanaians down, Parliament cannot afford to fail. May we be the people’s saving grace,” he added.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expresed concern over the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal negotiated for the country; describing it as “painful.”
Ablakwa, in an interview on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, on Friday, May 19, 2023, described the people who negotiated the IMF deal on behalf of the people of Ghana as wicked.
He added that the IMF programme, which was approved on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, will bring more hardship on ordinary Ghanaians.
“This is going to be the most painful, the most bitter IMF programme. I asked myself who negotiated this on behalf of Ghanaians? Does the person have a heart? Does the person care about Ghanaians?
“The analysis we have shows that because of this (the IMF) bailout, there are going to be 50 new tax measures… income tax is coming to be progressive.
“There is going to be quarterly tariff adjustment. So, every quarter, electricity tariffs are going to go up, can you believe that, every quarter?” the MP asked.
Also, Ablakwa said that the deal negotiated on behalf of the people of Ghana also includes an additional debt restructuring programme.
He added that public sector employment will also be restricted for the 3 years span of the IMF programme.
Background:
The Executive Board of the IMF unanimously approved the $3 billion bailout for Ghana at a meeting Wednesday [May 17, 2023] in Washington.
$600 million out of the $3 billion loan was disbursed on the day of the approval of the bailout and $350 million would be disbursed every six months for the three-year programme.
Earlier, Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, had expressed optimism, that the swelling goodwill that Ghana was getting from the international community, including its creditors could guarantee the approval of the loan.
She added that her outfit was pushing the bilateral creditors to quickly provide the financial assurance needed for the board to approve the deal.
Prior to this, Ghana had completed all prior actions necessary to receive support for its economic recovery programme, the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Lawyer Eric Otchere Darko, a trustee of the National Cathedral of Ghana project in the United States, has responded to the latest exposé on the construction of the project by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to legal practitioner, the allegation made by the MP, including the National Cathedral being fraudulently registered, are mere fabrications.
Lawyer Otchere Darko explained that none of the clergymen on the Board of the Cathedral in Ghana are not on the Board of Trustees in the US because they are not US citizens.
He added that for a company to be registered under a person’s name in the US, the person must either be a US citizen or a US resident with a green card.
“The National Cathedral Foundation is a tax exemption company and for such a company can only be registered in the US by an American citizen or a green card holder with a social security number,” he said in Twi in an Okay FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
The lawyer also said that a claim by Ablakwa that the consultant of the cathedral project, Cary Lee Summers, was paid US$6 million and operates from a warehouse, is false.
He added that the facility Ablakwa went to was a warehouse and not the office of Lee Summers and that to the best of his knowledge, the consultant has been paid less than $1 million.
What Ablakwa said:
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that the American consultant to the National Cathedral project gave an official address that leads to a warehouse.
He said that when he visited the facility during his trip, he saw no offices but rather: “a ramshackle warehouse with the inscription: Churchill Coffee Company, Wholesale Division.”
“We also decided to embark on the long travel to Springfield in Missouri where Mr. Cary Lee Summers who has been given US$ 6 million of our money is described on the National Cathedral of Ghana website as Consultant for the United States.
“When we arrived at that address, there was nothing about the Nehemiah Group. We surprisingly saw quite a ramshackle warehouse with the inscription: Churchill Coffee Company, Wholesale Division,” he added.
The MP also said that Eric Okyere Darko, a member of the legal team of Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, was listed as a trustee on the Ghana National Cathedral in Washington DC registration documents in the United States.
The MP stated in his social media post that per his checks, the project’s registration details in Ghana differed from what he got from that of the US.
Also, whiles eminent clergymen were dominant on the Board of Trustees in Ghana registration papers, in the case of the US, there were three persons.
The only common personality on both sides is Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, the Executive Secretary to the National Cathedral of Ghana project.
North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the US registration of the National Cathedral project is not limited to Washington DC as he reported earlier this week.
With documentary evidence backing his latest publication of National Cathedral scandals from his special visit to the US, the lawmaker has revealed that the project has also been registered in the states of Illinois and Oaklahoma.
This was contained in social media posts published on May 6, 2023; dubbed “Episode 3 of the “National Cathedral Scandals — American Edition.”
In his introduction, Ablakwa wrote: “Episode 3 reveals deeply distressing findings from the two US states of Oklahoma and Illinois.”
Ablakwa noted that previous documentations made available by the Cathedral secretariat and publicly available information on its website showed that it operated only one external office in Washington, D.C.
The MP in the first part of his publications (May 2) said the said, with address: 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, “has now turned out to be fictitious.”
He continued: “I can today reveal that there has been a bustling hive of activity beyond Washington, D.C. and Missouri. I have secured true certified copies of registration and other documentation of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. in Oklahoma and Illinois. (These documents are duly attached and made public for the first time.)”
Ablakwa in 10 points made critical observations as contained on the said registration documentation and stressed the issues of corporate governance breaches and what he referred to as illegalities involved in the transactions.
He also asked critical questions of how three persons had been listed in both documentation as trustees, raising questions of their accountability to the state and also decrying how Ghana’s strong diplomatic presence in the US has been sidelined.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has again lamented over the country’s poor economic conditions.
His utmost concern was with the fact that Ghana is on a begging spree but has refused to live within its means.
According to the North Tongu Member of Parliament, the extravagance lifestyle President Akufo-Addo is living amid the obese government he has refused to downsize should be a cause of worry to every Ghanaian.
The lawmaker.has berated the government for the self-inflicted difficulties the government has plunged the nation into, subjecting the citizenry into excruciating hardship.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa was speaking on the additional hands the government has employed at the Office of the President making the total number rise from 998 to 1048 with Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight Thursday, March 30, 2023.
“So you wonder if really, this is the country going through the most excruciating economic meltdown in living memory.
“A country that’s telling everybody that this economy has been destroyed, self-inflicted, with over-borrowed debt to GDP, with excess over 100% so we cannot meet our obligations to you. You cannot get your coupons, you can’t get back your life investment, Finance minister has just returned from China on a begging mission. When Vice President Kamala Harris came here few days ago, you heard President Akufo-Addo begging her to talk to the Paris Club on our behalf. So you’re begging everybody and yet look at your conduct. You cannot lead by example,” he indicated.
He was surprised that the “2021 list was so high with dubious positions and we expected him to downsize by being considerate and respectful and give some dignity to us his employers” but the President chose to increase the numbers.
Below is the full text detailing the Annual report on the office of the President staffing:
Full text: Annual report on Office of the President staffing
Accra, 30th March, 2023 – Pursuant to section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463), the President of the Republic has submitted to Parliament the Annual Report on the staffing position of the Office of the President for the period 1 st January to 31st December, 2022.
The report covers three key areas, namely the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of these staff, and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.
During the reporting period, there were two (2) Ministers of State and forty-four (44) Senior Presidential Staffers at post. The other Political Appointees at the Office of the President numbered three hundred and fifteen (315). This brings the number of political appointees to three hundred and sixty-one (361).
It is important to note that out of the 361 persons who are political appointees at the Office of the President, only 163 work physically at the Jubilee House. The others work in the offices to which they have been assigned.
It is also instructive to note that, in keeping with the established practice of previous governments of the 4th Republic, the 315 other political appointees include Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants to Ministers of State and Regional Ministers, employees in the Office of the Vice President, Aides and Assistants assigned to the First Lady and Second Lady, as well as employees assigned to Government agencies under the Office of the President, such as NEIP, Free SHS Secretariat, MASLOC, Special Development Initiatives Secretariat, Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat, Zongo and Inner Cities Development Secretariat, amongst others.
Moreover, in addition to the political appointees at the Office of the President, employees of Public Sector Organizations assigned to the Office were also included. These categories of staff were from different classes, including Administrative, Executive/Clerical, Records, Secretarial, Budget, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Presidential Household, and staff from the Department of Parks and Gardens, Ghana Health Service, Controller and Accountant General’s Department, Ghana Audit Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Public Works Department (Prestige), and Ghana Postal Company. The total number of these categories of staff was six hundred and eighty-seven (687). These categories of staff were appointed by their respective public institutions, and the Civil Service and have always been assigned to the Office of the President during previous governments.
The submission of this report is a clear indication of the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability. It provides a comprehensive overview of the staffing position of the Office of the President, and it is expected to inform decision making processes.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Smauel Okudzeto Ablakwa has commended his fellow MPs on the Minority side for ensuring that Parliament did not approve two loans being sought by the government.
Describing the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as being addicted to borrowing, Ablakwa said the minority on Friday blocked the approval of two loan agreements amounting to US$210 million.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/Ofori-Atta government is notoriously incorrigible. Despite plunging Ghana into debt distress and bankruptcy, they are still chronically addicted to borrowing.
“I commend NDC MPs for mounting Friday’s successful blockade of these US$150million and US$60million loan requests,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, parliament on Friday passed three new tax measures during an extended sitting.
The said taxes also faced stiff opposition from the Minority Caucus in the House but the Majority managed to marshall all their numbers on the day to get the taxes passed.
The three new taxes are: Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022 and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.
The bills were presented to Parliament as part of government’s plans to raise about GH¢4 billion annually in domestic revenue mobilisation.
They are also crucial to help secure Board Approval for the US$3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme after a staff-level agreement was reached late last year.
As part of measures to meet the criteria set by the IMF to qualify for a bailout, the government has completed tariff adjustment by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Publication of the Auditor-General’s Report on COVID-19 spending, and Onboarding of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and Road Fund on Ghana integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS).
Government in justifying the introduction of the taxes said they are critical for recovery from the current economic crisis.
The representative for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised the Minority for increasing the size of government by approving all six of President Akufo-Addo‘s ministerial nominees.
The swipe comes after the Presidency released the report on the number of staffers at the Presidency.
The number of employees has increased from 934 in 2020 to 995 in 2021 and 1048 this year.
The North Tongu legislature believes rejection of the new nominees would have sent a strong signal to the government about the protest to its large size.
“I am sure that if last Friday, March 24, all 136 of us had voted rejecting those new 8 appointees, I don’t think President Nana Addo would have had the courage to do this. In the sense, I’m forced to blame some of my colleagues, the traitors among us who have brought us here”.
“Because we are basically emboldening this President, telling him that he can do his worst because allies within the opposition will continue to cheer you on in secret. We will continue to endorse your callous policies. And I am deeply pained, so horrified and hurt by the treachery of some of our colleagues”.
A document submitted to Parliamentby the Office of the President revealed that 1048 staffers work at the Presidency serving various administrative and domestic roles.
The report submitted to Parliament is in accordance with section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463).
The report covers three key areas, namely the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of these staff, and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.
The report revealed that during the reporting period, there were two (2) Ministers of State and forty-four (44) Senior Presidential Staffers at post. The other Political Appointees at the Office of the President numbered three hundred and fifteen (315).
Member of Parliament for North TonguSamuel Okudzeto Ablakwahas said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) brand has been damaged by the decision of its lawmakers to vote to approve all the six ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage these Judases and Esaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements be exposed and may the good Lord forgive them their trespasses.”
“If we cannot be trusted in opposition when crumbs are at stake, how do we expect the Ghanaian people to send us into government where we shall be entrusted with all of Ghana’s resources,” he added.
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
The National Democratic Congress‘ (NDC) decision to vote to approve all six of President Akufo- Addo’s for ministerial positions, according to North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has harmed the reputation of the NDC.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage this judas and Essaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements and may the good Lors forgive them their trespasses.”
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary,Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has criticizedPresident Akufo-Addofor not addressing the murder of a soldier in Ashaiman during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Tuesday saw a military raid on Ashaiman locals after a soldier was killed.
In a debate on President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President should have commiserated with the families of the deceased officer and the innocent people brutalized by the military.
“As Commander in Chief of the GAF, he should have first of all commiserated with the family and the GAF over the loss of the solider. But the President did not say a word. He didn’t think that he should condemn the brutality and assure that there will be a committee to probe the killing and the high-handedness meted out to the residents, and he is the Commander in Chief of the GAF?”
President Akufo-Addo is under increasing pressure to address the military abuses in Ashaiman.
Many anticipate that the President will make a public statement on the subject as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Amnesty International, a non-governmental and human rights advocacy group claims that during his state of the nation address, the President had a chance to address the issue but failed to do so.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has advised the military to refrain from meting out extra-judicial justice to them adding that there are many people who live and work in Ashaiman who are innocent of this heinous crime.
He further advised the military to exercise restraint and allow due process to work.
For him, the government must step in to address the situation between Ashaiman residents and GAF while pushing for compensation for all persons affected.
Member of Parliament forNorth Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has claimed that government is deliberately sabotaging the work of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) by withholding funds.
In a Facebook post on February 28, 2023, Mr Ablakwa reported that government has chosen to pay salary to a Special Assistant at the OSP classified as a Political Appointee at the Presidency and ignore Mr Kissi Agyebeng who heads the Office.
“Why is this Special Assistant being paid from the Presidency, particularly when Parliament discovered last December that his boss, the OSP has not been paid for an incredible 16 months?” the legislator quizzed.
He also raised eyebrows over the said “independence” of the OSP since a member of the Office has been tagged as a political appointee at the Presidency.
“Why is a Special Assistant at the Office of the Special Prosecutor classified as a Political Appointee at the Presidency? How does this development help protect the independence of the Office of Special Prosecutor?” Mr Ablakwa further stated.
The North Tongu MP has therefore called on the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to reach out to the public and clarify the issues being raised.
The OSP is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses in the public and private sectors, recovering the proceeds of such by disgorging illicit and unexplained wealth and taking steps to prevent corruption.
With regards to the performance of its functions, the Office is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as provided in the Constitution.
This is not the first time Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa has raised concerns over the kind of portfolios as well as the number, set up by the Presidency.
Some of the positions Mr Ablakwa has a hard time appreciating include; Youth Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, Chief Executive of Public Sector Reforms, Overseer of the National Cathedral, Church Relations Manager, Diaspora Church Mobilization Officer, Director of Special Projects, Technical Director to the Presidential Advisor on Media, just to name a few.
He noted that “considering Ghana’s current unprecedented economic catastrophe, it is extremely difficult to understand why the numerous strange portfolios President Akufo-Addo created at the presidency years ago under the rather convenient category of political appointees continue to exist as a reckless drain on scarce taxes.”
Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has admonished the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, to tackle the allegations leveled against him by the North MP squarely.
Mr Adomako-Mensah who criticised Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, over his handling of allegations raised against him by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, asked the former to present hard facts disputing the reports.
Adomako-Mensah stated in a Good Morning Ghana interview on Wednesday, which GhanaWeb monitored, that the pastor has failed to provide any tangible explanation for allegations that he is operating a double identity.
According to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Rev. Kusi Boateng’s failure to defend his identity and his attempts to stop Ablakwa from releasing more documents make it look like the accusations against him are true, which is making the North Tongu MP popular.
“I think we are making Okudzeto extremely popular… one of the most easiest things to do in life is to defend the truth.
“Why is all this thing happening? Okudzeto starts something about the Cathedral, he zooms in on a particular person. He says you have two names, if you don’t have two names just say it. What is difficult about that? He says you have two TIN numbers; no, I don’t have one. What is difficult about that?
“The fact that you are not responding to him and giving contrary facts is what has brought us here. And what is happening now looks like you are trying to suppress the truth. Now, look at Okudzeto, he has become like some hero,” he said.
Meanwhile, a High Court in Accra has adjourned the contempt hearing against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, sine die.
The court, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, commenced the hearing of a contempt application filed against the MP by the secretary to the Board of Trustee of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, for his handling of a restraining order document issued by a court in Accra.
The MP was captured in a viral video throwing out a restraining order document from the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
The High Court stated before adjourning the case that the Member of Parliament for North Tongue was not served with any contempt procedure as suggested.
According to the judge, Charles Gyamfi Danquah, documents procured by Ablakwa from social media cannot be accepted as a legal writ from the court.
“From the records before this court, the respondent has not been served with any contempt procedure, and the court has also not made any order for such a process. What learned counsel for the respondent procured either from social media or from learned counsel for the applicant cannot be taken as service of the contempt processes,” the sitting judge said.
Background
The latest corruption exposé on the National Cathedral by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, suggested impropriety on the part of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
On January 16, 2023, the MP made some allegations against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
In an earlier revelation about the National Cathedral, Okudzeto Ablakwa said a whopping GH¢2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited.
Further investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.
Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa dug deeper in a bid to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi was the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially declared his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming December 2024 election.
He made the announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday, February 23, 2023.
“As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP,” the tweet said.
As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP. pic.twitter.com/uNxUrLgCSa
Mr Ablakwa has represented the Constituency since 2008 when he first contested for the North Tongu seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He won the seat by a 78.6% of the votes cast. He again won the seat in the 2012 elections by a larger number, representing 90.5% of the votes cast. He retained his seat once again in the 2016 elections even though his party lost the Presidential Elections.
He was only twenty-eight years old when he began his political career, however, he has risen through the heights of politics and has served on various Committees in Parliament.
He has been a member of the appointments committee for two times. He is currently also the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He has also been instrumental in the development of his Constituency since he assumed office. He had embarked on various donation exercises as well as furnished schools in his Constituency with furniture, books, etc.
The Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng, is allegedly evading his lawsuit against the North Tongu Member of Parliament, according to Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.
His comment comes after the contempt case against Mr Ablakwa was adjourned by the court.
TV3’s Laud Adu Asare who was in court reported on Tuesday, February 21 that the case has been adjourned “Till the service is done properly.”
Speaking to journalists after the adjournment, Mr Kofi Buah who is also Lawmaker for Ellembelle said “you should have seen Mr Adu Gyamfi in court but instead, you know who was in court? The man who was fighting for the right thing for Ghana, Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“The people of Ghana are committed to supporting all the right things he is fighting for. The Minority in Parliament stands strongly behind him. Today, we went to court and it was obvious that the people who took us to court are running away from their own application.
“This is really a victory for the people of Ghana. We are very clear in our mind, we are going to stand by Okudzeto Ablakwaand fight for the right thing for the people of Ghana.”
Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng, filed a motion, praying the court to commit Mr Ablakwa to prison for his conduct.
The opposition lawmaker had kicked a writ meant to be served on him by a court bailiff on Friday, February 3.
He had given the pretext that he was on his way to Parliament when the bailiff approached him at the forecourt of Accra-based Metro TV to be served Rev Kusi Boateng’s writ.
The writ was to restrain the lawmaker from further making pronouncements on the clergyman’s case of double identity because the matter was before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The motion is to draw the attention of the court over a possible contempt case against the lawmaker.
“When the Bailiff of this Honourable Court reminded the Respondent that Parliament was in recess, the Respondent then claimed that he was on his way to a meeting of one of the committees of Parliament, an allegation which has since turned out to be a falsehood told by the Respondent merely to evade service of the court processes on him.
“I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the immunities available to members of Parliament from being served personally with court processes can only be invoked when that member of Parliament is either on his way to or way from Parliamentary proceedings or activities; an immunity which the Respondent could not have invoked on the 3rd of February 2023 because the Parliament of Ghana was on recess at that time.
“. . .dissatisfied with the excuses that the Respondent was giving to evade service of Exhibits VKB1 and VKB2, the Court Officer proceeded to discharge his statutory duty of serving court processes personally on the Respondent by leaving the processes as close as possible to the Respondent.”
It was after this that the MP kicked the documents on the floor and drove off.
Rev Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, prayed thus: “I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that this Honourable Court has the power to commit the Respondent to prison for his conduct to protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to other persons.”
Member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, considers it disconcerting that thegovernment has declined to accept responsibility for the country’s current economic difficulties.
He maintains that government single-handedly dragged the nation into the mess it is in through its fiscal recklessness.
“We keep blaming external factors. Why are we the only country in Africa going through a Debt Restructuring Programme? Are we saying these external factors did not affect others? We have a Finance Minister who refuses to take responsibility.”
“Instead of him [Finance Minister] to tender in a resignation, he has come here to offer dubious explanations,” he said on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.
He further indicated that his records show that government expenditure has gone up by GH¢82 billion between last year and this year.
“How can this be the case, especially at a time government is demanding money from pensioners and individual bondholders?”
“I support a demand for a resolution by this house that the pensioner bondholders, individual bondholders should be exempted from this draconian Ken Ofori-Atta, Bawumia, and Nana Addo inflated debt exchange programme.”
