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AFTER several years that, the residents of Abenabu, suburb of Suhum Municipality in the Eastern Region struggle to gets water for domestic uses, the Chibsah Foundation, an NGO aim at assisting communities’with portable drinking water challenges has inaugurated a borehole worth thousands of cedis to the Commuters.

Hitherto, the community, with a population of about a million relied on water from a stream and a well which was salty and dirty.

The situation got worst in the dry season when these water sources dried up, thereby leaving the community without any source of water.

The community members were then depending on sachets water for drinking and their house choice though it was a poor area as the members demonstrated their excitement after the borehole was officially commissioned and handed over to them by the foundation.

Founder of the Foundation, Yusif Chibsah speaking at the ceremony, noted that the foundation was formed with the main aim of providing portable drinking water for deprived communities across the length and breadth of the country.

Mr. Chibsah, a former black star player, indicated that water is a necessity that people cannot live without, saying that his foundation was poised to extend the gesture to every community facing challenges with portable drinking water in the ten regions of the country.

Mr. Chibsah who is currently playing his international football with a Sweden club, disclosed that the initiative was a way of giving back to the society, adding that “I cannot continue to enjoy better life whiles people continue to suffer in life”

The former Black Star player also hinted called on all corporate organizations to stretch their hands to the needy in the country.

Odikro of the area, Nene Narteh Akrotia III, on behalf of the community thanked the donor for the gesture, saying that it would go a long way to help them escape from their long standing portable water challenging jinx. “We have been facing water challenges for many years, and we therefore thanked Mr. Chibsah for coming to our aid” he stated.

The Chief therefore called on other individuals, the government as well as the Suhum Municipal Assembly to assist them with more developmental projects.

FROM Daniel Bampoe, Suhum

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Seventeen people from Abandze in the Mfantseman municipality of the Central Region nearly met their untimely deaths in an accident at Kormantse on Tuesday.

The accident occurred when a Kia truck with registration number GM 3749-13 reportedly carrying  grave diggers, suddenly descended when it was moving up the hill at Ahasowodze due to what was suspected to be mechanical failure.

Sources told DAILY GUIDE that the accident left some of the grave diggers unconscious while others had cuts on their heads, knees and legs and were rushed to the Saltpond hospital for treatment.

They were said to be on their way to dig a grave at Kormantse-Nkum when the accident occurred. Sources indicated that attempts by the driver to stop the vehicle did not yield fruits because the brake failed due to the amount of weight in the vehicle

Email:annanjoseph970@gmail.com

From; Joseph Annan, Kormantse

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GHUMCO’s gas cylinder which exploded

A 13-member committee of enquiry set up to investigate the cause of a gas explosion that left over 120 people injured in Takoradi on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, has submitted its report to the Western Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie.

The committee members attributed the cause of the explosion to the action of the driver’s mate of Lambark Gas Company Limited, which was discharging gas into the large gas cylinder of the Ghana Household Utilities Manufacturing Company (GHUMCO) Limited.

According to the committee, the driver’s mate who allegedly ran away when he detected that there was a leakage in the course of discharging the gas into the cylinder, was not trained on how to discharge the product.

“If this mate was trained to do the job, he would have known the safety precautions before the discharge and the emergency procedures to adopt when he discovered the leakage,” the committee indicated.

It indicated that Lambark Gas had employed the driver’s mate three months before the incident and that he was not trained adding, “The discharge was handed over to this untrained mate. Untrained hands were handling the discharge of the gas.

“The mate, in the course of the discharge, discovered a leakage. Immediately he left the scene for cover. There were different heat sources available at the time too. That led to the explosion.”

Presenting the report to the regional minister at a brief ceremony in Seklondi, the chairperson of the committee, Gifty Eugenia Kusi – who is the deputy regional minister – noted that a number of recommendations had been made in the report which would be given to the Energy and Trade and Industry Ministries as well as the presidency for the necessary action; but declined to give details of the recommendations.

The western regional minister pointed out that the government was not going to be held responsible for the payment of insurance and medical bills of the victims.

He recognised cash donations made by two entities – the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Association of LPG – dealers after the explosion.

He explained that the money would be given to the victims as compensation and that a medical bill of the victims, totaling about GH¢138,000.00, had been submitted to GHUMCO and Lambark Gas for payment.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi

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The impounded motorbikes

The Accra Regional Police Command yesterday undertook a special operation to clamp down on suspected criminals who use unregistered vehicles and motorbikes to commit crime.

It was part of a nationwide operation sanctioned by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David                        Asante-Apeatu, and it culminated in the seizure of about 476 unregistered vehicles and 446 motorbikes.

The motor riders, according to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osaberima Oware Asare Pinkro, were using the motorbikes without proper documentation while others were also using fake number place.

The regional commander who led the operation, said some criminals use the vehicles and motorbikes to commit crime and often escape; and because they bikes are not registered, the law enforcers are unable to trace them (criminals).

The exercise was conducted at Nima, Odorkor, Amasaman, Kaneshie, Dansoman, Airport area, Weija, among other places in the Accra Metropolis.

According to DCOP Osaberima Pinkro, “The drivers and the riders whose vehicles and                   motorbikes have been impounded will be given the opportunity to bring their documents for scrutiny after which those with genuine documents will be given back their vehicles. The others will be taken to court.”

He added, “Some of the offenders have been sent to court and fined, while others are still undergoing screening.”

(lindatenyah@gmail.com)

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey

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Thirteen people have been arrested for allegedly engaging in human trafficking following a swoop by a team of security personnel on the Volta Lake. In the course of the operation, 43 children were rescued.

It was part of measures to clamp down on human trafficking activities in the country.

The swoop was conducted in communities along the Volta Lake such as Kpando Tokor, Abotoase and Kwamekrom.

The rescued children, who are between the ages of four and 16, were rescued from fishing boats on the lake during the swoop, which was jointly organised by personnel from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service, the Navy and the Marine Police.

The operation was supported by the Department of Social Welfare and the International Justice Mission (IJM) – an international NGO that protects the poor against violence, slavery, sexual violence, police brutality, property grabbing and citizen rights abuse in the developing world. It has over 750 lawyers, investigators, social workers, community activists and other professionals working in 17 field offices (countries).

The head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Volta Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Joseph Nakoja, revealed that the 13 suspects believed to have engaged the minors in exploitative labour and hazardous fishing, were in police custody assisting the police to investigate human trafficking and illegal fishing activities on the Volta Lake.

He added that the victims, comprising 42 boys and a girl, had been sheltered in Ho, whiles officials of Social Welfare and IJM conduct an assessment on them to ascertain information regarding the whereabouts of their families.

Chief Inspector Nakoja also indicated that the operation was necessary to curb the increasing spate of the menace, “which has placed the Volta Region at the top of a recent report by the United States Embassy on Child Trafficking and Exploitative Labour incidences in Ghana.

He said an estimated 2.7 million child labourers are in the country, with the fishing, cocoa and artisanal mining sectors being the largest employers. Ghana has for two consecutive years been listed on the Tier Two watch list of the United States (US) Department of Trafficking in Person (TIP) in 2015 and 2016.

If this rating does not improve this year, Ghana is likely to lose donor support from the US and other foreign partners.

To this end, Mr. Nakoja hinted that the security agencies would conduct frequent swoops on the lake to nib the canker of child trafficking in the bud.

From Gibril Abdul Razak, Ho (gbabdulrazak@gmail.com)

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The couple with their new baby

A fifty-nine-year-old woman who had tried for nearly 40 years to become pregnant has given birth at a New York hospital after fertility treatments.

Akosua Budu Amoako gave birth to a full-term 7lb 4oz boy on June 15 at Bellevue Woman’s Center in Niskayuna, near Albany.

Akosua says she and her husband started trying to have children after they married 38 years ago, but eventually stopped trying after she discovered she had a blocked fallopian tube that made natural pregnancy almost impossible.

Then last year, after learning that a 60-year-old woman in the couple’s homeland of Ghana gave birth to triplets after fertility treatments, Akosua underwent in vitro fertilization at an Albany area clinic using her husband’s sperm and a donor egg.

The baby was named after his father, Isaiah Somuah Anim. He is doing fine, as is his mother.

“We haven’t gotten much sleep, but I feel fine and I think he already knows our voices,” she told the Times Union.

“When he’s crying sometimes, my husband will call from work and Isaiah will hear his voice through the phone and calms down and stops crying.”

Last year, CDC figures recorded just 754 babies born to over 50s.

It is a growing phenomenon as women delay pregnancy to focus on their careers, and fertility treatments become more advanced and more accessible.

Indeed, their doctor, Dr Kushru Irani of Niskayuna’s Bellevue Women’s Center, said he tried to dissuade them from trying IVF at first.

“I said everything that I could to discourage them by discussing the many risks,” he told the Times Union.

“Budu was pre-diabetic and suffered from some hypertension. I was concerned about the strain pregnancy and delivery would put on her heart.

“But they were very calm, determined and had clearly thought about this a long time.

“Once a patient makes a medical decision, it is my duty as a doctor to do my best to care for them and keep them in good health. You compartmentalize your worries so you can keep the patient’s spirits up.”

 – Dailymail, UK.

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A sub-metro officials interviewed

The Abeka Sanitation and Motor Magistrate Court on Monday fined 19 people GH¢720 or in default 6 months imprisonment each for dumping refuse at unauthorized places contrary to section 56(a) and (b) of Act 851, of the Public Health Act (2012).

All the accused persons were residents of Lapaz and its environs within the Okaikoi North Sub –metro of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

All, except two of the offenders; one with a language deficiency and the other who pleaded not guilty were put in police custody and are to reappear on 24^th July, 2017.

The Magistrate Mrs Victoria Ghansah also cautioned that, persons who flout sanitation laws would be given severe sanctions to serve as a deterrent to others. The Magistrate advised the offenders to go and be ambassadors of a clean environment.

She emphasized that, until one finds a dustbin, there is the need to keep any refuse generated and dispose it off at an approved location. She urged AMA to get residents who have not yet registered under the polluter-pay policy to do so.

Briefing the media, the sub-metro Director for Okaikoi North sub-metro, Angel Ketadjo said for some time now some unscrupulous persons have been dumping refuse on the streets of Lapaz along the N1 highway in the night making the road unsightly.

Due to this, the sub-metro formed a taskforce including the police to curb the menace and the offenders were caught dumping the rubbish at Lapaz main road and others were also caught at the Lapaz market.

All the 21 offenders were sent to the Tesano police station and later sent to the Abeka Magistrate Motor and Sanitation Court of the AMA. On the day of the operation, he said they divided the task force into 3 groups. The offenders were arrested at locations within Lapaz and its immediate environs between the hours of 12 midnight and 6am on Monday by the task force.

Mr. Ketadjo said, the exercise which will continue for the next 3 months is to curb illegal disposal of waste in the sub-metro and also ensure that the needed attitudinal change is realized.

Areas the task force will focus on are the ceremonial roads in Achimota, Tesano, Abeka and its immediate environs.

The post 19 Prosecuted For Littering appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

The substation being commissioned

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has commissioned a three-point four million dollar newly upgraded 40MVA primary substation at Hohoe in the Volta Region to improve on power supply to residents of the area and its environs.

The facility which has two units of 20 MVA transformers replaces the old 10 MVA transformer.

The upgrade in the old substation will result in the provision of more power to address the low voltage challenges that have been affecting customers in the area.

The facility also has enough room for future expansions and in the event of any major challenge with one of the transformers, customers will be quickly transferred onto the other while the problem is rectified.

The Managing Director of ECG, Ing. Samuel Boakye-Appiah in his keynote address during the commissioning of the substation announced that the Company is currently undertaking various network infrastructure projects in the Volta Region, to the tune of $40 million.

According to him, funding for these projects is secured from Internally Generated Funds (IGFs), and some Strategic Donor Partners of the Company.

“The electrical network interventions are generally aimed at meeting ECG’s corporate strategic objectives of improving system reliability, improving customer service delivery, reducing system losses and improving network operational efficiency in the Volta Region”, Ing. Boakye-Appiah said.

He mentioned the construction of primary substations and switching stations; construction of 33/11KV network lines; network extensions and intensification, as well as 33/11KV network upgrade and expansion to various communities as some of the infrastructure projects initiated in the region.

The Volta Regional Manager of ECG, Ing. Joseph Forson re-echoed the benefits of the various projects on the life of consumers in the beneficiary communities.

He said customers who hitherto could not operate their corn mills and other motors may now do so since the single-phase networks which were constructed in these areas are being upgraded to three-phase.

He added that the capacity of transformers in some communities have also been increased to resolve reported cases of low voltage experienced during peak periods.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa commended ECG for the enormous investment and expressed the hope that the ongoing projects will fully resolve customer complaints of low voltage and frequent outages in parts of the region.

The Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, Togbega Gabusu VI called on corporate institutions to offer employment quotas to Traditional Councils in areas they operate.

This, he said, will enable chiefs solve the problem of youth unemployment in their areas.

From Gibril Abdul Razak, Ho. (gbabdulrazak@gmail.com)

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Yaw Osafo Maafo

THE ASHANTI Region will soon benefit from additional districts to help expedite the developmental process of the area.

This was disclosed by Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo on behalf of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday.

He was speaking during the 2017 New Patriotic Party (NPP)Ashanti Regional Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi.

The president indicated that the Ashanti Region with 47 constituencies with just 30 districts is highly unacceptable due to its dense population.

He disclosed that like the Ashanti Region, the current number of districts in the Eastern Region is also very minimal.

The first gentleman of the land was of the view that lack of districts was impeding the smooth development of the two regions.

He indicated that cabinet is discussing plans to create additional districts in the country to help spread development all over.

He assured that the free Senior High School (SHS) policy would definitely take off in September this year to boost education.

Nana Akufo-Addo added that the ‘one district one factory’ campaign promise and other promises, made by him, would be fulfilled.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

The post More Districts Coming appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Ten Chinese illegal Miners have been arrested by police in Tarkwa in the Western Region.

They were arrested upon a tip off by a member of the galamsey  task-force in the area.

The illegal miners were mining opposite the Tarkwa Senior High School very close to an area where the Lands Ministry was holding a National Stakeholders’ workshop on the Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP).

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu who lead the team of police officers to make the arrest told journalists that the fight against galamsey is very difficult but the ministry will not give up.

“Chinese people are doing this illegal activity; they’ve recruited our own people to be working with them. The pit that they are using is a very old pit and it’s been there for years without any safety precautionary measure being put in place they are in there and they are mining. Tomorrow we will hear about a cave in and that becomes another issue.”

“The idea that they think they are not polluting any water or causing land degradation but we all saw the amount of water that they were pumping from the pit. So if they tell us that they are not polluting any water what do they mean by that?”

Mr. Owusu also complained that the Electricity Company of Ghana’s branch at Tarkwa provided the Chinese miners with electricity to undertake the illegality.

“We saw Electricity Company of Ghana goes in and supply power to an illegal activity while their own regulation states that before they supply power to any premises, they must know who the owner is, they must know what work you are going to use the power for. And if it is an illegal activity they have every right to deny them power. When we get to Accra, we will report them to their main office so they know what their agency is doing here,” he added.

Other Chinese illegal miners have already been arrested in other areas including Kyebi in Eastern Region for engaging in illegal mining.

-Citifmonline

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President Nana Akufo-Addo says if African leaders are to succeed in improving the living standards of their peoples, a critical piece of the puzzle has to be the availability and use of information and data.

He said the rapid evolution of the advanced and emerging market economies have been made possible largely as a result of the employment of information and data.

“If we, in Africa, are to emulate them and be an integral part of the on-going data revolution, there is the need, firstly, for us to require the owners of data to make it publicly available, in ways that are useful to all potential users.

“We need to educate and improve the data literacy of our people, and thirdly, encourage innovations on how, when and what data are collected and shared so that they are up to date, disaggregated and relevant to the concerns of people and policy makers,” he added.

He said this when he delivered the keynote address at the 2017 Africa Open Data Conference, on Thursday, July 20, 2017, currently on-going at the Accra International Conference Centre.

On the measures put in place to ensure the ease of availability of data and information in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo stated that the nation has committed a budget to revamping the Ghana Open Data Initiative.

Through this initiative, President Akufo-Addo indicated the resolve of government to ensure that “government data is legally and technically open”, “data released from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies are made available”, and “the use of open data is promoted within government and the open data ecosystem.”

These initiatives, President Akufo-Addo stressed, will enhance the opportunity for economic development and creation of jobs in the area of digital technology for young people, who will be assisted to develop open data mobile and web applications for business.

“It will also encourage citizens to hold government accountable and ensure greater transparency. Open data must work in Ghana for the benefit of the citizenry,” he added.

The President continued, “As part of promoting the availability of data, government, under the e-Transform Project, is working to create innovation hubs (iHubs) and mobile labs (mLabs). Government will establish an Open Data Institute to promote education, management and use of open data, especially for the development of mobile and web-based applications.”

Achieving SGD Goals

As co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocacy Group of Eminent Personalities, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the availability and use of data have been at the heart of the discussions on the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

“We recognise that open data can be used to assist in the realisation of the SDGs through a clear understanding of the goals of the SDGs, and through tracking and measuring of the SDGs, and tapping into the knowledge, tools and capacities of groups tracking SDGs,” he added.

For example, SDG 2 is aimed at ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. The Open Data Institute has reiterated that shared and interoperable meteorological data and soil quality data can contribute to better farming methods.

Again, the Institute, in proposing a solution to the implementation of SDG 7, which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, believes that energy data can be used to understand energy consumption patterns, empower consumers, as well as support companies who are dependent on stable energy supply.

“Clearly, the role of open data in helping achieve all 16 SDG goals is critical… It is the intention of government also to ensure the long overdue passage of the Right to Information Bill by Parliament,” he said.

-Myjoyonline

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Some Ghana Armed forces recruits during their a training session

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said all qualified recruits are reminded that the regional screening of shortlisted applicants will be conducted at all ten (10) regional centres from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July 2017.

All qualified applicants are to report to their respective selected screening centres with their Application Summary Report and Original Copies of Birth and Educational Certificates to continue with the 2017/2018 Other Ranks Recruitment Exercise on Monday 24th July 2017 at 7:30 a.m, GAF said in a statement signed by Col. Eric Aggrey-Quashie, Director of Public Relations.

The statement said applicants’ screening centres are indicated on the Application Summary Report.

“All qualified applicants who are yet to receive SMS messages inviting them for the screening are urged to take note of the date and report to their respective selected screening centres for mentioned exercise,” it added.

-Classfmonline

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Ken Ofori-Atta

THE MINISTER of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is seeking finality in the petition sent to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on the $2.25 billion bond by a National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist.

Mr Ofori-Atta has charged CHRAJ to expedite action on the matter to establish whether or not he contravened any provision of the 1992 Constitution in the public offer of the $2.25 billion bond as being alleged by the opposition NDC.

He is therefore, requesting the Commission to come out with the findings of its investigation so as to bring a closure to the case as its foot-dragging is adversely affecting the country’s economy.

A letter titled, “Re: Allegation of contravention or non-compliance with Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta – A public officer: Request for comments,” was said to have been delivered to the Commission for response.

The letter, written by a deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, stated, “We refer to the answer dated May 31, 2017 filed on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, by our office in response to your letter dated May 5, 2017.

“We hereby respectfully enquire from your outfit when we may expect a report on the matter, the outcome of your investigations. The subject matter of the petition holds consequences for the economy of Ghana. We would thus greatly appreciate it if an expedited determination is made of same,” he pleaded with the Commission in a letter dated July 20, 2017.

It would be recalled that Brogya Genfi, NDC Youth Organiser for the Ashanti Region, and a failed parliamentary candidate for Suame had petitioned CHRAJ to investigate the bond, arguing that “Mr. Ofori-Atta promoted a personal interest for himself, as well as family and friends, which interfered with the objective exercise of his duties.”

CHRAJ, after its preliminary valuation of the petition, asked the minister for his comments on the allegations.

The Commission further asked the minister to necessarily support his comments with any documents or information “within 10 days and, if you admit to the allegations, to state so expressly.”

Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, on May 31, 2017, responded to the queries of the Commission. He asked CHRAJ in a 15-page letter to dismiss the petition filed by Yaw Brogya Genfi.

His reply indicated, “There is no evidence of any act or omission on the part of either the Ministry or the Minister supporting an allegation of participation in a business transaction or activity for the benefit of friends or family.

“Neither did the personal interests of either the Ministry of Finance or the Minister of Finance interfere with the performance of their duties and functions.”

Since the minister presented his comments to CHRAJ, the investigative body is yet to come out with its findings on the matter, leaving room for speculations.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema

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Charlotte Osei – EC Boss

The petition sent to the presidency by unnamed staff of the Electoral Commission (EC) against the Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, is bringing out interesting issues and perceived rot at the commission.

Insatiable Taste

The petitioners, who are being led by their counsel, Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, are claiming that the EC boss spent gargantuan GH¢3.9 million to arrange a new office complex, they insist, she unilaterally took from the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

“As part of compromising her independence and neutrality, Mrs. Charlotte Osei claimed that the EC has been allocated a new building for use as office complex without the approval of the Commission.  The 7-member Commission has not at any point in time formally requested for any office allocation since the Commission sees nothing wrong with the current office,” the petition calling for her impeachment over allegations of abuse of office and corruption stated.

“With the chairperson’s insatiable demand for affluence and flamboyance, she unilaterally awarded a contract to the tune of GH¢3.9 million for demarcation and partitioning of the said office complex without recourse to the Commission,” they alleged, adding, “She claimed she sought approval from the Public Procurement Authority but strangely enough, the contract sum is higher than PPA’s approval level.”

According to the petitioners, the EC chairperson submitted an estimate of over GH¢1 million for the renovation of her official bungalow without recourse to the Commission or appropriate staff in the Commission.

Observer Mission Snub

The petition also recounted how the EC boss allegedly snubbed Africa Union (AU) Observer Mission led by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, as well as the National Peace Council of Ghana in the heat of the crucial 2016 general elections.

“The chairperson, through her arrogant posture, brought embarrassment to the Commission by refusing to grant audience to Members of the National Peace Council and the leader of the Africa Union Delegation, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, the former president of South Africa, during the 2016 General Election,” the petitioners claimed.

The staff also claimed that the new EC logo, which stoked heated political debate after it turned out that it was even a plagiarized work, cost the commission a whopping $25,000.

Personal Vendetta

According to the petitioners, Mrs. Charlotte Osei “harboured personal vendetta against a vendor by name Messrs Buck Press Limited, on the premise that he belongs to NPP. She categorically made this statement in an interview with BBC.”

They continued, “In view of this, she unilaterally without recourse to the Commission removed the company’s name from the list of vendors already approved by PPA to do business with the Commission contrary to the Public Procurement Act.”

They also accused her of undermining the long-standing contributions of her predecessor – Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, saying, “The Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, assuming office, has consistently attempted to demonize her predecessor, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, and taking steps to de-recognise the legacy of her predecessor.”

EOCO Petition

“The Chairperson has brought the Commission’s name into disrepute for single-handedly petitioning EOCO on an alleged misappropriation of staff endowment fund for malicious reasons.  This is because the issue has come before the entire Commission for redress.  The decision to go to EOCO was not that of the Commission’s but characteristically a unilateral decision by the Chairperson.

“The leadership of Mrs. Charlotte Osei has brought about an irreversible disunity among Commission members to the extent that she is not on speaking terms with the deputies and other Commission members.  There is total breakdown of the administrative structures of the Commission.”

Charlotte Fights Back

The EC boss is not taking the issues raised lightly and has instructed her lawyers, as well as the counsel for the Commission, Sory @ Law, to fight the case.

She is threatening to sue the staff who have petitioned the president to initiate impeachment proceedings against her and wants the lawyer for the petitioners to disclose the identities of the concerned staff or face her in court.

She said in a letter to the petitioners’ lawyer that “having perused the said letter to which was attached the allegations on the basis of which the petition invoked the provisions of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana for our client’s impeachment; we have noted several defamatory statements in respect of which we have our client’s irrevocable instructions to take immediate action against your clients who have not been disclosed on the face of your letter.

“At all times material to our present letter to you, your letter has received widespread publication in the mass and social media by way of radio broadcasts and discussions, including comments in blatant violation of the confidentiality requirements of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution pursuant to which you have petitioned the President of the Republic of Ghana.”

Amorphous Group

The Chairperson’s lawyers said, “Be that as it may, having observed from your letter by virtue of which the petition to the president is conveyed that your clients are an amorphous group of people described as ‘concerned staff of the Electoral Commission.’

“Our client has instructed us to demand from you and we hereby so demand the full list of these ‘concerned staff of the Electoral Commission’ to enable us commence legal action against them for the defamatory statements contained in their petition, failing which our client will be constrained to proceed against you alone as defendant in the suit; our client intends to commence action against them since you are to all intents and purposes, their agent.”

Mrs. Osei said “her decision to seek remedy in court for the protection of her reputation without prejudice to the Article 146 proceedings triggered by you.”

Lawyer Adamant

The lawyer for the petitioners, Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, shot back at the EC boss, insisting that he was not prepared to reveal the identities of his clients until a properly constituted body had been set up to investigate the issues and said he was ready to face her in court.

He told Citi FM yesterday that he has enough evidence to support the allegation his clients made against the EC boss.

“I’ll be very glad to meet them in court. If anybody suggests that there has been defamation, it will make my day. I’m not the type of person who will be intimidated by the use of these words which would not even intimidate a fly. A petition has been sent and we will follow through the petition. We will make sure that that petition is proceeded with as required by law.

“The clients are available and at the appropriate phase, we will disclose them. They have offices and they will be known…I will disclose it to the office to whom I submitted the petition,” he said.

By William Yaw Owusu

The post Charlotte Osei Blows GH¢4M On Office EC; Staff Cry Out appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Rev. Dr. Kwame Osei-Bonsu

Pastors, politicians and traditional rulers have been charged to join hands to fight social evils in the country.

The founder and leader of Miracle Faith International Ministries, Rev. Dr. Kwame Osei-Bonsu, made this appeal during a crusade at Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region dubbed, ‘God Revive Ghana.’

He bemoaned the fact that Ghana, once a rich and disciplined nation, has become a beggar country where the words ‘share,’ ‘honesty,’ ‘respect’ and ‘discipline’ have seemingly lost their relevance.

In a sorrowful voice, Rev. Osei-Bonsu attributed the mess to some pastors, politicians and traditional rulers.

“I therefore call on pastors to start preaching the truth which is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastors who demand money from people before praying for them are sinning against God. Politicians should stop stealing the people’s money and serve them, because politics is a selfless and honest service to the nation and not an opportunity to amass wealth. They should also avoid politics of hate, insult and acrimony so as to move the country forward. Chiefs must also stop selling land to people for the purpose of engaging in illegal mining which eventually destroys our water bodies and lands,” the man of God appealed.

Rev. Dr. Osei-Bonsu said if Ghanaians would humble themselves, show remorse and call on the Almighty God, He would listen to their cries.

He expressed regret that Ghanaians have allowed money to be their God.

“Although Ghana is blessed with all kinds of natural resources, we have to import everything. The answer is very simple. We have drifted ourselves away from the Almighty God. We have destroyed all the good things God gave us,” he noted.

Rev. Dr. Osei-Bonsu entreated Ghanaians to shun corruption, stealing, misappropriation of funds, murder and armed robbery.

“Farmlands are not fertile any more, crops are not producing what they are supposed to produce. People are suffering financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally because of some wicked politicians. Suicide is the order of the day. People no longer fear God. People no longer worship God. People no longer give glory to God,” Rev Osei-Bonsu underscored.

He prayed that God, the forgiver of sins, would “hear our cries, rescue us from anguish and revive us.”

By Peter Atiemo

The post Pastors Tasked To Fight Social Evils appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Jerry Otchi presenting the items to ACP Mame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Dankwah

Plans are underway by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to establish a Cyber Intelligence Laboratory to monitor criminals who use the cyber space to commit crime.

The Director in-charge of the Cyber Crime Unit, Chief Superintendent Dr Gustav Herbert Yankson, said criminals who use the cyber space have devised a strategy to share information.

“There is the need for the police to also establish a Cyber Intelligence Laboratory to counter their activities.

He made this known when Ashacell Limited, a telecommunication company based in Kumasi donated some computers, photo copier machine, desks and chairs to the CID towards the establishment of the Cyber Intelligence Laboratory.

The items were presented by Jerry Otchi, Head of Corporate Affairs as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

Dr Yankson stressed the need for the Cyber Crime Unit to be well-equipped to enable it sustain the cyber echo system.

“As a result, we also need to be in the chat rooms, monitor social media network, and counter intelligence to fight the criminals using the cyber space to conduct their nefarious activities.”

He said the criminals, who have formed a network, are drifting from the use of social engineering and are now using malicious software for their activities.

Dr Yankson called on the CID to work hard in order to effectively fight crime.

He called on organizations to provide the CID with equipment that would help them in their activities since crime prevention is a shared responsibility.

The Deputy Director General in-charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Dankwah, who received the items, thanked Ashcell for the donation.

Cyber crime has come to stay and most of the  issues are so technical that the police alone cannot handle them and would need support.

“Currently, we have only one cyber crime unit based at the headquarters serving the whole nation and we need individual support to establish more units.”

(lindatenyah@gmail.com)

By Linda Tenyah- Ayettey

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Ken Amankwa 

The Ghana@60 committee has contradicted claims by the deputy Finance Minister that the government of Ghana spent over 5.26 million Ghana cedis on the 60th anniversary celebrations.

The deputy Minister of Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng who made the revelation on the floor of Parliament Thursday stated that government allocated 5.26 million for the year-long celebrations.

“The Ministry of Finance released an amount of GH¢5.26 million cedis towards the celebration of the 60th independence anniversary of Ghana. This was made up of GH¢3.1 million from government of Ghana sources of funding and GH¢2.16 million from the District Assembly Common Fund.

“Out of the total GH¢5.26 million, GH¢ 3 million went to the office of the Chief of Staff at the Ghana at 60 secretariats while GH¢100,000 and GH¢2.1 million went to the 100 regional coordinating councils and 216 district assemblies respectively,” Mr. Kwarteng said.

But the Chairman of the Ghana@60 committee, Ken Amankwa said the government never relied on the public purse for the celebrations.

“We’ve never relied on the public purse for any of Ghana@60 years celebration. The point is there are two budgetary allocations. Whether Ghana @60 comes on or not, there is always the celebration of Independence Day.

“This year only happens to be the 60th Anniversary so the budgetary allocation meant for the celebration actually went to the parade of the military, the school children which occurs every year. It is not true that GHC 3 million came from government,” Mr. Amankwah told Citi FM in an interview.

-Starrfmonline

The post We Didn’t Spend State Cash On Ghana@60 – C’ttee appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

 K. T Hammond 

An urgent motion has been filed in Parliament to have the house rescind the controversial AMERI powerdeal it passed in 2015.

The motion, according to Citi News sources has been filed by the Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament, K. T Hammond, who was the ranking member of the Energy Committee at the time the deal was brought before the house.

It would be recalled that the K. T Hammond was the NPP MP who supported the motion when it was moved on the floor.

Excerpts of the motion sighted by Citi News indicates the legislator’s conviction that the deal was suspicious based on some fresh information available to him.

The motion has been approved by the leadership of the House but is yet to be programmed.

The John Mahama-led administration in 2015 agreed to rent the 300MW of emergency power from AMERI at the peak of the country’s power crisis.

As part of the deal, AMERI was to build the power plants and operate them for 5 years before transferring it to the government.

The cost of the deal was $510m and received parliamentary approval on 20th March, 2015.

The approval of the deal was met with several oppositions but eventually received endorsement by the legislative body.

It later emerged that the government had been shortchanged by AMERI as they presented an overpriced budget.

The reports said the government had paid an excess of $150m but state officials of the Mahama government disagreed.

The New Patriotic Party government which assumed office said it would look into the matter.

The Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko later constituted a committee led by lawyer Philip Addison to investigate the matter that that ended in controversy as it emerged that the committee had seemingly entangled itself in a conflict of interest position by accepting sponsorship from AMERI to travel and stay in Dubai for some days as it investigates them [AMERI].

-Citifmonline

The post KT Hammond Wants Gov’t To Withdraw AMERI Deal appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Charlotte Osei – EC Boss

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Mrs Charlotte Osei has been summoned to appear before Parliament next week.

She will be there to respond to questions about how much the Commission raised from monies it collected from journalists during the 2016 elections.

She will also be answering questions about how much the Commission expended on the replacement of lost Voters ID Cards.

Subin Member of Parliament Mr Eugene Boakye Antwi wants clarity on how the Commission raised in fees for accreditation for journalists and how it was disbursed.

The issue about accreditation fees became a controversial subject ahead of the 2016 election.

The Commission in a statement charged all journalists seeking to cover the elections at the various polling stations to pay for their accreditation.

“Accreditation tags will be given to only those who have formally applied for it and for a fee to be determined by the Commission,” the statement said.

This did not go down well with a number of journalists some of whom proceeded to court with a suit against the Commission.

The protests notwithstanding, the journalists paid for the accreditation and were issued with same.

More than seven months after the election, the law makers want some accountability from the election supervising agency on how those monies were expended.

The invitation to the EC Chair comes at a time when she is fighting a petition seeking to impeach her from office over stated misconduct.

The 29-point petition makes some damning allegations against Mrs Charlotte Osei but she has responded with a vehement denial.

She has also threatened court action against the petitioners or their counsel for defaming her.

-Myjoyonline

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