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Tag: Yaw Osafo-Maafo

  • Only NAPO holds power to release ‘dumsor’ timetable – Osafo-Maafo reveals

    Only NAPO holds power to release ‘dumsor’ timetable – Osafo-Maafo reveals

    Senior Presidential Advisor Nana Yaw Osafo-Maafo has revealed that only the Energy Minister, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, known as Napo, has the authority to issue a load-shedding timetable.

    Amidst Ghana’s ongoing power supply challenges, Osafo-Maafo emphasized that such decisions fall under the minister’s jurisdiction due to his role in overseeing the energy sector.

    Highlighting the minister’s exclusive jurisdiction over the matter, Osafo-Maafo emphasized that only Napo, who oversees the energy generation ecosystem, possesses the power to issue such a directive.

    He affirmed that although load-shedding schedules are feasible, they necessitate Napo’s command due to his oversight of power generation and distribution.

    “To publish the rationing of power, nobody can do it except the Minister of Energy because he is overseeing the generation and they [ECG] are looking at the utilization. So, they can look at it and say that in this particular area, this is how it should be done,” Osafo-Maafo stated during a forum on open government partnerships and construction sector transparency in Accra.

    The sector minister recently dismissed public calls for a load-shedding timetable, asserting that such demands were baseless and unsubstantiated.

    In recent months, Ghana has faced erratic power supply, causing significant disruptions to businesses and citizens’ daily lives.

    The resurgence of power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’, has raised concerns among the populace. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has called for a timetable from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), a demand that has been met with resistance.

    Despite mounting pressure, government officials maintain that the current outages do not constitute ‘dumsor’ and argue against the necessity of a published timetable.

    The issue escalated when Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh challenged those advocating for a timetable to create one themselves, further fueling public frustration.

  • Why Osafo-Maafo runs his house like a Presbyterian Mission House

    Why Osafo-Maafo runs his house like a Presbyterian Mission House

    In spite of his strong affiliation with Methodism, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Presidential Advisor, has stated that he manages his household in a way that resembles the operation of a Presbyterian Mission House.

    Elaborating on this, the senior statesman clarified that while he identifies as a Methodist, his upbringing and education were largely influenced by the Presbyterian tradition.

    He further mentioned that his spouse, despite not being a Presbyterian, received substantial teachings from the Presbyterian denomination. This has led to a scenario where their household can be considered, in essence, as having a Presbyterian influence.

    “I was baptized a Methodist, confirmed a Methodist, but trained by the Presbyterians. So, I always say that if I am what I am today, I owe it to the Presbyterians. It’s a fact. And to add insult to injury, my wife was not only trained by the Presbyterians, but she went to the famous Agogo Women Training College.

    “So, my house is run like a Presbyterian Mission House,” he explained.

    Yaw Osafo-Maafo said this when he delivered a keynote address at the 23rd General Meeting of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Kwahu Abetifi in the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

  • Gabby insisting that I give a company the permit to engage in illegal mining got me scared – Prof. Boateng

    Gabby insisting that I give a company the permit to engage in illegal mining got me scared – Prof. Boateng

    In his report on illegal mining, former environment minister Prof. Frimpong Boateng expressed his horror at what he claimed to have learned through a phone call from attorney Gabby Otchere Darko, who allegedly instructed him to permit a mining business to operate in the Krobo and Apaprama Forest Reserve.

    According to the report, which was allegedly written by the former minister, he was horrified because the lawyer who was closer to the president and should have supported his fight against Galamsey was the one fronting for the company to engage in illegality.

    Prof. Boateng, in the said report, revealed that the lawyer had called claiming to be the legal representative for Donald Entsuah and his friend Simon Ayman, a Candian national, whose company C&J Aleska had reportedly caused havoc to the Diaso Forest Reserve.

    The portion of the report read: ”The major pronouncement made by the President, when he took office in January 2017 that touched the hearts and rekindled the enthusiasm of many Ghanaians, including me, was about his preparedness to put his presidency on the line to fight the menace of illegal mining.

    I took this statement literally and seriously and I was determined to do everything I could to protect the environment and biodiversity.

    I was expecting people such as Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, Captain Kodah and others like them, who knew the President better and certainly had his interest and success at heart, to support the fight against illegal mining.
    I was thus horrified to receive a telephone call from Mr. Otchere Darko telling me he was the legal advisor to Mr. Donald Entsuah and his Imperial Heritage Mining Company and that the company should be allowed to work in the Kobro and Apaprama Forest Reserves.

    It was this same Donald Entsuah and his friend Simon Ayman, a Canadian national, whose company C&J Aleska caused havoc in the Diaso forest. These two gentlemen were close allies of the Mahamas and soldiers from the Ghana Army gave them protection. Captain Mahama died in the course of his duty protecting Donald Entsuah’s interests.

    The IMCIM was able to dislodge E&J Aleska from Diaso. Shortly thereafter Donald Entsuah established Imperial Heritage Mining Company and was given a prospecting licence to work in the Kobro and Apaprama forests in Amansie Central. Here again, he managed to get military protection contrary to all directives from government. Worse still, an important NPP member also provided legal advice.”

    It added ”Going forward, if there will ever be such an undertaking, I expect the President’s pronouncement and wishes to be respected and supported, especially by those close to him.

    For four years there were directives from the President and his Cabinet that were designed to help fight illegal mining. These directives were to be respected and carried out by Ministries and some agencies.”

  • Respect the elderly – Annoh Dompreh chides Johnnie Hughes

    Respect the elderly – Annoh Dompreh chides Johnnie Hughes

    Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has called out TV3’s Johnnie Hughes over some comments he made concerning President Akufo-Addo and former Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

    In a tweet, posted on February 8, 2023, Johnnie Hughes sought of ridiculed the two aforementioned personalities with an encrypted message. “President Akufo Addo aged 78, with his Senior Advisor aged 82. 78 – 82 sure banker!” he said.

    Mr Annor-Dompreh who did not seem content with the message also tweeted; asking Mr Hughes to withdraw his statement.

    “My brother Johnnie, you are a good media person; intelligent & critical on issues. You may criticise government policies and decisions but learn to restrain yourself from ‘attacking’ the grey hair of the elderly. It does create a distasteful image about you. Withdraw this!..” Mr Annor-Dompreh said.

    The advice has attracted various reactions with a section of the public agreeing with Mr Annor-Dompreh, while others have taken the side of Johnnie Hughes.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • FLASHBACK: Banking crisis: Government had no choice but to protect depositors – Osafo Maafo

    Former Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo defended the government‘s choice to borrow GH12.7 billion to compensate impacted banking sector depositors.

    There has been much uproar about the government’s decision to borrow 9.6 billion Ghana cedis to help banks that were unable to become operational. Was this a wise decision? There is discussion. It is not in dispute in my mind.

    “There is a law that governs the establishment of banks and there’s an authority that provides a license for people to establish banks, and that authority is the Central Bank. So when the Central Bank gives license to Company A to act as a bank, it means they can take deposits of the public…. The public doesn’t know the rules and regulations that go into granting a license…,” he added.

    Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo has justified the government’s decision to borrow some GHC12.7 billion to support banks that failed in order to pay off affected depositors.

    He explained that the government had no choice in the matter since it was the duty of the Central Bank; Bank of Ghana to issue licenses to legitimate companies or firms to accept deposits of clients.

    Mr. Osafo Marfo stressed that the decision was not debatable because the situation imploded as a result of a lack of accountability.

    “…there has been a lot of hue and cry about the government arranged to borrow some 9.6billion Ghana Cedis to support those banks who failed to make them operational; was it right or not? People are debating. To me, it is not debatable.” He told some finance professionals during a workshop on Public Financial Management organised by Trust Consult at

    “There is a law that governs the establishment of banks and there’s an authority that provides license for people to establish banks, and that authority is the Central Bank. So when the Central Bank gives license to Company A to act as a bank, it means they can take deposit of the public…. The public doesn’t know the rules and regulations that goes into granting a license…

    Once somebody announces that I’m Bank XYZ it is assumed that the bank of Ghana who granted the license would have taken them through the rigmarole of the law and therefore the depositor is protected to put his money there..” he indicated.

    The Former Finance Minister under the Kufuor regime noted that the problems of the various banks with issues would have been detected long ago if supervision was top notch. He stressed that government’s choice to protect the depositors was the right call since they had three years to prevent the outcome.

    “..Government’s choice is to protect the depositor, and I don’t think the government has a choice. What’s your choice, that you did not supervise properly; did not detect something which you should have done three years ago… and some innocent man whose sweat and money is been put there should suffer as a result of it, the answer is no!”, he added.

    Background

    Government intervened with GH¢12.7 billion of public funds, made up of a GH¢8 billion bond issued by the Ministry of Finance, and GH¢4.7 billion of liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana, to be injected into the seven banks that failed.

    The Bank of Ghana collapsed five banks into a Consolidated Bank of Ghana Limited citing insolvency after investigations by the Central Bank.

    The banks were BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, UniBank, and Royal Bank.

  • They have nothing to offer – Osafo-Maafo to persons wanting to govern Ghana

    Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has said persons who are eying the presidency and are labeling President Akufo Addo as incompetent have nothing to offer Ghanaians.

    According to him, the critics have not provided any alternatives to salvage the current economic crisis to prove their competence.

    Addressing a durbar at Ofoase in the Eastern Region, Osafo-Maafo said, “Those who are seeking to govern this country, I don’t understand them. They aren’t providing any alternative. They actually don’t have anything to offer.”

    His comment comes at the back of backlashes from Ghanaians and key industry players for the country’s economic woes.

    Osafo-Maafo noted that he was optimistic the economy will bounce back despite its wobbling state.

    “We all know the economy is not in good shape,” he is quoted by 3news.com to have said in vernacular.

    “The economic challenge is not from Ghana. If something is not from you, you have to take your time to strategically resolve it. It won’t keep long and we will work on the economic challenge,” he added.

    The former Finance Minister added that voting for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not the alternative to solving the economic woes as some Ghanaians have suggested, 3news.com reported.

  • Eight new entrants join Club 100 top 20

    Zeepay has been adjudged the best company in Ghana at the 19th edition of the Ghana Club 100 Awards organised by the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC).

    The Ghana Club 100 Awards returned after a two-year break with eight newcomers making it to the top 20 of the 100 highly ranked companies in Ghana.

    They are Zeepay Ghana Limited, which was ranked 1st, Multipro Private Ltd. in 3rd place, Amanex Co.Ltd. ranked 7th and Express IDS Consult Agency Limited ranked 8th.

    Other entrants in top 20 are Nestle Ghana Limited ranked 13th, Sage Distribution Limited ranked 16th, Abosso Goldfields Limited, and Benso Oil Palm Plantation Plc occupying the 19th and 20th position respectively of the award.

    In all, there were 43 newcomers on this year’s list of awardees who missed out on the 18th edition of the awards.

    Companies whose ranking improved from previous edition included GBC Plc and Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited who both respectively moved from 16th to 10th and 27th to 6th position this year.

    On the Other hand, Scancom Plc moved from the top position in previous edition to occupy the 5th position this year while GOIL Plc moved from 3rd position to 61st position in the 19th edition of the awards.

    This year’s awards which was hosted by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) to promote good corporate governance and work ethics was held under the theme, “Ghana’s Private Sector, A Catalyst for Post Pandemic Economic Transformation.”

    Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Senior Presidential Advisor, who spoke on behalf of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as a Special Guest of Honour, commended the private sector for thriving amid economic hardship induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    “It is important to recognise the difficulties our economy is facing. The depreciating cedi, the surging inflation, high interest rate and increasing utility tariff are taking a toll on businesses.

    “Government is not oblivious of your challenges and is working hard to stem the tides of this macro-economic difficulties, ” he said.

    Mr Osafo-Maafo said the private sector remained the biggest stakeholder and catalyst in turning around the fortunes of the country and for that matter the Government was focused on rebuilding the economy on the back of the private sector.

    Mr Yofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer of GIPC said through initiatives such as the GIPC’s countrywide Regional Sensitization Tour (RST), organised with support from the World Bank, the Centre was reaching out to private businesses to capture investment opportunities across various sectors in the country.

    “The private sector, the most important contributor to GDP and employment in the Ghanaian economy, has been resilient and indeed is the engine of Ghana’s post pandemic recovery.

    “It behooves on us all, to accelerate that recovery with the innovations and the interventions that have been implemented thus far, ” he said.


    Companies under the Club 100 Awards are divided into 13 categories across broad sectors of agriculture, industry, and services economy.

    Those who applied to be ranked for the awards undergo an eligibility analysis, which required a company to be a limited liability company, privately owned with government interest not less than 50 per cent or must be listed on stock exchange market.

    The company must also have a cumulative operating profit and should be tax compliant.

    Qualified entities are then ranked based on size and profitability, growth, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

    Source: GNA

  • IMF talks: ‘Free SHS will not be touched, we cannot touch it’ – Osafo-Maafo reveals

    Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a senior presidential advisor, has disclosed that the government flagship Free Senior High School, Free SHS, programme will remain untouched amid talks with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for a financial rescue programme.

    He disclosed at an event in Accra on Monday, October 10, that the programme and social interventions in the education sector, in general, will not be impacted by ongoing negotiations.

    He dismissed calls for the IMF to demand cuts to the Free SHS expenditure admitting, however, that calls for a relook at the programme’s implementation were in the right direction.

    “If there is any sector that we should not touch the expenditure, that sector is education. Because we are protecting the potential use of our resources in a very efficient and effective manner.

    “So, if you touch education, you are undermining your own development paradigm. So, that is not the area to go when you decide to cut expenditure,” he stressed.

    On the Free SHS policy, he pointed out how political opponents “fan their support base by pointing out the amount of money the government will save if the Free SHS is abolished.

    “People have written and I have read in the papers arguing that one of the first things IMF should look at as they admit us into the IMF programme is to cut the Free SHS. Let me tell you here and now, we are negotiating with the IMF and Free SHS will not be touched, we cannot touch it,” he stressed.

    He pointed out further that the IMF as an institution was pro-poor adding that free High School education was a social intervention that is being enjoyed across the Western world.

    “The IMF itself as an institution is pro-poor, the IMF itself believes in education so how can IMF ask you to cut Free SHS? Don’t you have Free SHS in America, don’t you have Free SHS in Germany, don’t you have it in Europe?

    “Most of the developed world has Free High School, so we are taking the right path towards development and I can assure you that the IMF will not touch the Free SHS,” he stated.

    On the issue of calls for a review of the programme, he said: “Let us meet to discuss the overall implementation with the view to improving efficiency and effectiveness and we may realign certain things, but cutting it is out of the question.”

    He argued that the economy can support flagship programmes currently in place, “the challenges being faced are short-term and we cannot afford to sacrifice our common vision due to short-term economic pressures,” he added.

    The Free SHS programme has become topical in recent times with the government seeking a programme with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, amid an economic downturn.

    Calls for a review of the programme have heightened whiles fears of the IMF calling for a scrapping or massive review of the programme have also come up.

    Government insists that Free SHS will remain untouched in its current form, allying with any fears and or critique.

    The Free SHS policy is one of the main policies of the government of Ghana, which started in September 2017.

    “Every child in Ghana who qualifies for, and is placed in a public Senior High School for his secondary education will have his/her fees absorbed by the government,” the Free SHS secretariat said on its website.

    Source: Ghanaweb

     

  • Government-IMF talks: ‘Free SHS will not be touched’ – Osafo-Maafo

    Senior presidential advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo revealed that the government’s flagship Free Senior High School, or Free SHS, program will continue unaffected while negotiations for a financial rescue plan are underway with the International Monetary Fund, or IMF.

    The programs and social interventions in the school sector in general won’t be influenced by ongoing discussions, he revealed during a gathering in Accra on Monday, October 10.

    He rejected requests for the IMF to make changes to the Free SHS budget, while he did acknowledge that requests for a review of the program’s implementation were warranted.

    “If there is any sector that we should not touch the expenditure, that sector is education. Because we are protecting the potential use of our resources in a very efficient and effective manner.

    “So, if you touch education, you are undermining your own development paradigm. So, that is not the area to go when you decide to cut expenditure,” he stressed.

    On the Free SHS policy, he pointed out how political opponents “fan their support base by pointing out the amount of money the government will save if the Free SHS is abolished.

    “People have written and I have read in the papers arguing that one of the first things IMF should look at as they admit us into the IMF programme is to cut the Free SHS. Let me tell you here and now, we are negotiating with the IMF and Free SHS will not be touched, we cannot touch it,” he stressed.

    He pointed out further that the IMF as an institution was pro-poor adding that free High School education was a social intervention that is being enjoyed across the Western world.

    “The IMF itself as an institution is pro-poor, the IMF itself believes in education so how can IMF ask you to cut Free SHS? Don’t you have Free SHS in America, don’t you have Free SHS in Germany, don’t you have it in Europe?

    “Most of the developed world has Free High School, so we are taking the right path towards development and I can assure you that the IMF will not touch the Free SHS,” he stated.

    On the issue of calls for a review of the programme, he said: “Let us meet to discuss the overall implementation with the view to improving efficiency and effectiveness and we may realign certain things, but cutting it is out of the question.”

    He argued that the economy can support flagship programmes currently in place, “the challenges being faced are short-term and we cannot afford to sacrifice our common vision due to short-term economic pressures,” he added.

    The Free SHS programme has become topical in recent times with the government seeking a programme with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, amid an economic downturn.

    Calls for a review of the programme have heightened whiles fears of the IMF calling for a scrapping or massive review of the programme have also come up.

    Government insists that Free SHS will remain untouched in its current form, allying with any fears and or critique.

    The Free SHS policy is one of the main policies of the government of Ghana, which started in September 2017.

    “Every child in Ghana who qualifies for, and is placed in a public Senior High School for his secondary education will have his/her fees absorbed by the government,” the Free SHS secretariat said on its website.

  • FLASHBACK: Senior Minister fumes over Ghana spending US$1.35bn on rice importation

    Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a former senior minister, bemoaned Ghana’s heavy reliance on imports.

    Importing rice cost Ghana close to $1.35 billion in 2018.

    The expansion of the private sector, according to Osafo-Maafo, is crucial because government development of the rice industry is impossible.

    As with the development of cocoa, “it will depend on individual farmers to produce rice,” he said.

    Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo has lamented over Ghana spending US$1.35 billion last year on rice importation alone.

    According to him, foreign exchange that could be used on machinery to modernize the economy was spent on rice although rice could be grown in every part of the country.

    Osafo-Maafo made this known yesterday in Accra speaking at the Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA) committee’s stakeholder consultation with the leadership of faith-based organizations (FBOs).

    In a presentation on the GBA charter document, he said there was some part of the Northern Region which could grow more than enough rice to feed West Africa with little irrigation.

    Osafo-Maafo indicated that private sector development was important because rice production could not be developed by the government but by the private sector.

    “It will depend on private farmers to develop rice as we depend on cocoa farmers to develop cocoa,” he noted.

    In addition, the minister stated, there was a need for human development hence, focusing on technical and vocational education would enhance the economic growth of the country.

    “The countries that have made it such as South Korea, Japan, and Germany, that is where the emphasis is on their education system,” he said.

    In order to achieve a country beyond aid, Osafo-Maafo added that there was the need to harness effectively available resources and deploy them creatively and efficiently for rapid economic and social transformation.

  • Osafo Maafo tops Twitter trends following re-arrest of Aisha Huang

    Barely 24 hours following the news of Aisha Huang‘s re-arrest following her earlier deportation in December 2018, former Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo has been topping trends on Twitter.

    On Monday, September 5, 2022, the Accra Circuit Court 9 presided by Samuel Bright Acquah, remanded Aisha Huang, into custody.

    This was after Miss Huang, together with three other Chinese nationals, were brought before the court on charges including engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a license and mining without a license.

    The court could not take into record the pleas of the four suspects because there was no interpreter to help translate proceedings for the Chinese nationals.

    Prior to this development, Aisha Huang was arrested and deported from Ghana in 2018, and was charged with undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

    She was also charged with providing mine support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to Section 59 and 99 (2) of the Minerals and Mining Act; and also charged with illegal employment of foreign nationals (in breach of section 24 of the Immigration Act and regulation 18 of the Immigration Regulations).

    Many are on social media questioning what the next possible defense of the former Senior Minister will be considering he gave justification previously as to why Aisha Huang could not be prosecuted.

    “So, what all does osafo Marfo want? Every scandal he is involved. I suspect he is the landlord of Aisha Huang.” Barima Osei Tutu quizzed

    “I’m sure Osafo Marfo will come up with a great reason why we need to just repatriate her back to China. Just like last time.” El Jefe added

    “My interest is in what Mr Osafo Marfo go say this time around, ” another user said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Poverty, youth unemployment major instruments for conflicts in Africa – Osafo-Maafo

    Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Presidential Advisor, has urged African leaders to tackle youth unemployment and rising socio-economic inequalities as urgent mitigation measures to prevent conflicts in Africa.

    He cited the recent political upheavals in some African countries, leading to the ousting of some heads of state as a clear testimony of deep dissatisfaction among the people, and underscored the need for African governments to address teething socio-economic challenges bedevilling the Continent.

    He underlined the need to equip the youth with employable skills by expanding training in entrepreneurial, technical and vocational education in order to avert potential exposure to radicalism and extremist groups.

    He also called for deeper reflection on how to address environmental and climate related challenges, promotion of the rule of law, good governance, peace and security, human rights and democracy on the continent.

    The Senior Presidential Advisor made the call at the opening of a three-day Inter-Ministerial Africa Union-ECOWAS Consultative workshop on the implementation of Ghana’s Structural Vulnerability and Mitigation Strategy, in Accra on Tuesday.

    He said efforts at advancing socio-economic development in Ghana and Africa in general hinged on the maintenance of peace and security and called for evidence-based approach in identifying structural weaknesses in the governance system.

    “We need to fashion out strategies to nib the triggers of conflicts in the bud and strengthening resilience structures in the country for the wellbeing and prosperity of our citizens,” Mr Osafo-Maafo emphasised.

    Members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the implementation of the 2018 report on Country Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment (CSVRA) and the Country Structural Vulnerability and Mitigation Strategy (CSVMS) were supposed to identify priority areas and ensure smooth implementation.

    The Technical Committee will also fashion out financial and technical proposals as well as mobilise resources and roll-out capacity-building programmmes towards the effective and efficient implementation of the report.

    The workshop is being attended by representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, African Union Secretariat, Research Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Finance and other development partners.

    Ghana is the first African country to present its Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment (SVRA) report for peer-review, which will serve as a yardstick for measuring other African countries.

    Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Minister of National Security, in his welcome remarks, recalled the country’s chequered history from the era of independence through the various military regimes to the fourth republican constitution, noting that the lessons learnt from the trajectory of nationhood was guiding the current generation.

    He, however, called for strengthening of the various governance structures and institutions in order to improve the standards of living.

    He mentioned some social interventions including the free senior high school policy, planting for food and jobs and other industrial policies as catalyst for development.

    Source: GNA

  • Rawlings never troubled persons who worked sincerely and honestly – Osafo-Maafo

    Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo has eulogized former President Jerry John Rawlings as someone who has never had issues with persons who exhibited traits of sincerity and honesty.

    According to the Senior Minister, the former president made sure his actions were guided by the principle of sincerity and honesty even when he had to topple the government of the day through coup d’etats.

    “When he made the coup I was the Managing Director of a bank and in all the things which happened, he showed so much admiration for honesty, courage and hard work. And he never really troubled people who had worked sincerely and honestly. I never had any problem from president Rawlings,” he told the media after signing the book of condolence opened for Ex-President Rawlings at the Accra International Conference Center on Tuesday.

    Describing the former president as genuine, forthright and courageous, Mr Asafo-Maafo said Ex-President Rawlings had the welfare of the less privileged at heart so much that it created problems between him and others.

    “He is very genuine, forthright and courageous, and he cared for the underprivileged people generally. His main occupation is to take care of those who are not privileged in the society. This was so dear to him that sometimes his anxiety to do it right even created problems for others”.

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, 2020, and the state, following his death, has opened a book of condolence at the Accra International Conference Center.

    President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and several government officials have all penned their condolence to the former president.

    Others, such as religious leaders, political leaders and foreign diplomats have so far signed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Osafo-Maafo, others cleared in $1m Kroll and Associates deal

    An Accra High Court has delivered judgement in a matter in which the Auditor General sought to surcharge the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, and five others over a $1 million deal.

    According to Starr FM, the High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Asare Botwe has ruled that Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo, breached the rules of natural justice in his handling of the audit process for the $1 million Kroll and Associates deal.

    By this judgement, the Senior Minister and the five others are no longer required to refund the $1 million.

    Mr Domelevo had issued the surcharged against Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Michael Ayensu, Abraham Kofi Tawiah, Patrick Nomo, and Eva Asselba Mends, all officials of the Ministry of Finance, and a UK firm, Kroll and Associates.

    Background

    Acting on behalf of the government, the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, signed a deal with Kroll and Associates for a value-for-money audit of some projects, identify wrongdoers and recover the assets of the said wrongdoers.

    But after an audit of that deal subsequently, the Auditor-General concluded that Kroll and Associates had been paid $1 million for no work done.

    Mr Domelevo then surcharged the Senior Minister, the four officials of the Ministry of Finance and Kroll and Associates GH¢5,510,353.73.

    Subsequently, Mr Osafo-Maafo and the officials of the Ministry of Finance in 2019 dragged the Auditor General to the High Court and prayed the court to set the surcharge aside.

    They took the view that the Auditor-General came to a wrong conclusion when he said there was no work done by Kroll and Associates.

    After months, the court has delivered its judgement on the matter.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Agyapa deal: Nothing wrong with Osafo-Maafo’s son and Gabby’s involvement – Baako

    Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako has jumped to the defence of Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo’s son and President Nana Akufo-Addo’s cousin’s involvement in the Agyapa Minerals Royalties deal.

    Background

    Parliament approved five agreements on Friday, August 14, 2020 to allow Agyapa Royalties Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle, to secure about $1 billion for Ghana’s minerals sector.

    The deal is to permit Agyapa Reyalties Ltd to operate as an independent private sector entity and raise funds from the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).

    The Agyapa Royalties deal is intended for the country to gain maximum value from its mineral resources by monetizing its mineral income in accordance with the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act of 2018 (Act 978).

    Senior Minister’s Son & President’s Cousin’s Roles

    The Senior Minister’s son named Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo and Gabby Otchere-Darko, a relative of the Finance Minister and the President of Ghana have been appointed as members of the Agyapa Mineral Royalties firm to handle the deal.

    The roles of these two gentlemen have been met with vehement opposition as members and leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the Minority in Parliament share a strong opinion that the selection of the Senior Minister’s son and President’s cousin is a conflict of interest.

    Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Spokesperson on Finance speaking on Joy News file programme, questioned the selection process asking ”was there a system in place that this government advertised for any Ghanaian to be able to have that opportunity; what type of recruitment process was done..?”

    Kweku Baako’s Take

    Addressing the issue during a panel discusson on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kweku Baako also questioned the opposition’s logic in citing a conflict of interest in the deal.

    According to him, the fact that Kofi Osafo-Maafo and Mr. Otchere-Darko are related to the top government officials and the President does not disqualify them from handling the minerals royalties deal.

    To Mr. Baako, he would see the importance in discussing the issues if the argument was about whether the gentlemen have the expertise to secure the deal or not, but they being relatives of the Senior Minister and President is inconsequential to the deal.

    He further alluded to similar issues that characterized some events in the past.

    He cited former President J.A Kufour’s son whose ownership of the African Regent Hotel became a political topic with the former President receiving bashings from his political opponents and publications where former President John Mahama’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama was said to own Merchant Bank.

    In 2017, Ibrahim Mahama, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineers and Planners Ltd, was reported to have owned the Merchant Bank but managers of the bank denied the reports stressing he is neither a shareholder nor owner of the bank.

    In all of these incidents among others, Kweku Baako, speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi, noted that he consistently defended Mr. Kufour’s son as well as Ibrahim Mahama on the lines that they have the right to own businesses provided they use the right means.

    He is today standing by the same conviction that the selection of the Senior Minister’s son and Gabby Otchere-Darko in the Agyapa Minerals Royalties deal is in right order.

    “We have to be consistent. We have to be coherent . . I don’t expect everybody to agree with me and I expect people who disagree to vehemently, if they like violently, disagree with me and criticize me . . . The way we’re going around this politics, the so-called conflict of interest relative to political office holders over the period, I see a certain huge area of inconsistency and incoherence and I’m worried about that. This is not going to be the last time this will happen; you bet me!”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Senior Minister, Osafo-Maafo test positive for Covid-19

    Three days after President Akufo-Addo went into self-isolation for coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient, Senior Minister Osafo Maafo has tested positive for the virus.

    Addressing the press during its weekly update, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the minister had given permit for his status to be disclosed to the public.

    According to him, “The Senior Minister has been informed that his sample given for testing has returned positive . He will therefore as of today (June 7, 2020) commence treatment for covid-19 from home.”

    While updating the nation on the current status of the president who is believed to be in isolation at the Presidential Villa of the Jubilee House, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also wished persons battling with the virus including the Senior Minister a speedy recovery.

    “Our best wishes remain with him and all who battling the virus”

    The Senior Minister joins a long list of government officials who have tested positive for the virus.

    After the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu who is currently recovering from the disease that had him hospitalised for a few days, the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Lydia Dsane-Selby and former Deputy Trade and Industry Ministry Minister Carlos Ahenkorah have contracted the disease.

    The NPP Campaign Manager for the 2020 elections is also receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after testing positive.

    Two government officials have, however, succumbed to the disease.

    On July 1, 2020 the CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John died from Covid-19 complications at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where he had been in intensive care.

    Last month, Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor, Kobina Kurentsi Sam died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre after being rushed there for treatment for Covid-19.

    Source: myjoyonline 

     

     

  • $1m Kroll case: Acting Auditor-General satisfied after scrutinizing Osafo Maafos documents

    Acting Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu has expressed satisfaction with documents presented by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo challenging the $1m surcharge on him.

    This comes at a time when the substantive Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Demelevo has been asked to proceed on his accumulated annual leave by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    Mr. Domelevo had recommended the disallowance of the payment of the US$1million made by the government, through the Ministry of Finance to a private UK firm, Kroll and Associates.

    He surcharged Mr. Osafo Maafo and four other officials of the Ministry of Finance, following what he said was the persistent failure of the Senior Minister to provide proof of actual work done.

    A memo from Acting Auditor-General and sighted by citinewsroom.com advised both parties to continue the legal tussle given the successful inspection of the documents on the deal.

    “We wish to state that we are satisfied with the processes and therefore propose that the lawyers inform the Supreme Court accordingly to enable both parties to go back to the High Court to continue with the proceedings in that court”.

    The Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo, was recently found guilty of contempt for failing to respond to a suit filed by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo over the case.

    According to the court, the reason given by Mr. Domelevo for his inability to respond was “untenable and an afterthought.”

    Domelevo had said he was busy finishing up an audit report for Parliament, hence his failure to respond to the suit.

    He was thus given 14 days to give his response.

    Background

    The Auditor-General in its annual report on Public Accounts of Ghana (PAG) as of 31 December 2018 on the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) stated that: “during our review of the contract with Kroll Associates, we noted that though there was no evidence of work done, the ministry, in 2018, paid an amount of US$1 million (the equivalent of GH¢4,890,000) to the company”.

    The Senior Minister and the four other officials from the Ministry of Finance sued Mr. Domelevo to clear their names in relation to what was said to be breaches of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) that resulted in their payment of US$1 million to Kroll and Associates.

    Mr. Osafo Maafo resorted to the courts because “the evidence available shows clearly that the Auditor-General erred in law and professional procedures in the exercise of his powers regarding his audit on payments to Kroll and Associates Limited.”

     

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Full judgement on Domelovo vrs Osafo Maafo contempt case

    An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Afia Asare Botwe has found Auditor General Daniel Domelovo guilty of contempt.

    The court held that the reason given by Mr Domelovo that he was busy finishing up an audit report for parliament hence his failure to respond to an appeal seeking to set aside a surcharge is “untenable and an afterthought.”

    Below is the full judgement;

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • High court finds Auditor General guilty of contempt

    An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Afia Asare Botwe has found Auditor General Daniel Domelovo guilty of contempt.

    The court held that the reason given by Mr Domelovo that he was busy finishing up an audit report for Parliament hence his failure to respond to an appeal seeking to set aside a surcharge is “untenable and an afterthought.”

    The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo in his application in court asked that Mr Domelovo be punished for failing to respond to his case challenging a $1m surcharge on him within 14 days.

    The court granted that request but did not impose custodial sentence.

    more soon…

     

    Source: myojoyonline 

  • Domelevo found guilty of contempt in Osafo Maafos $1m Kroll case

    The Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo, has been found guilty of contempt for failing to respond to a suit filed by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, which was challenging the $1m surcharge on him.

    According to the court, the reason given by Mr. Domelevo for his inability to respond was “untenable and an afterthought.”

    He had said he was busy finishing up an audit report for Parliament hence his failure to respond.

    The judge, Justice Botwe, in her ruling, said due to the important role the Auditor-General plays, she will opt to caution and discharge him rather than sentence him.

    She explained that the law requiring that the Auditor-General responds to appeals to his surcharge within 14 days is a good law.

    She also said evidence before the court shows that Mr. Domelervo was properly served and should have done the right thing.

    The Senior Minister and four other officials from the Ministry of Finance sued the Mr. Domelevo to clear their names in relation to what was said to be breaches of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) that resulted in their payment of US$1 million to a private UK firm, Kroll and Associates.

    Mr. Osafo-Maafo had said he was resorting to the courts because “the evidence available shows clearly that the Auditor-General erred in law and professional procedures in the exercise of his powers regarding his audit on payments to Kroll and Associates Limited.”

    Mr. Domelevo had concluded that Kroll was paid for no work done, following what he said was the persistent failure of the Senior Minister to provide proof of actual work done.

    He consequently recommended the disallowance of the payment of the US$1million to Kroll and Associates, which the government, through the Ministry of Finance paid.

    Mr. Domelevo also surcharged Mr Osafo Maafo and the four other officials from the Ministry of Finance.

    The Auditor-General indicted the Ministry of Finance and the Senior Minister for the payment which was paying the UK firm, Kroll and Associates Limited, in 2017 to recover assets from identified wrongdoers, among others, without verifying outcomes.

    Mr. Osafo Maafo in a statement said he was resorting to the courts because “the evidence available shows clearly that the Auditor-General erred in law and professional procedures in the exercise of his powers regarding his audit on payments to Kroll and Associates Limited.”

    “I have on Wednesday, 11th December 2019, instructed my lawyers to commence legal processes to challenge a Disallowance and Surcharge imposed on me by the Auditor-General following his notice on 24th October 2019.

    Source: Fred Djabanor | citinewsroom.com