Sam Kofi Mills

The fifth anniversary of the demise of Professor John Evans Atta Mills was held yesterday in Accra with a renewed call for investigation into what actually killed the president.

His only son, Sam Kofi Mills, has waded into the debate, wanting to know the cause of death of his father.

According to him, neither he (son) nor the family of the late president is aware of the cause of the former leader’s death and that no autopsy report had been issued to that effect.

He said yesterday that “if someone approached me or if some sort of investigation might have to be done to find out, of course, I will champion the cause because he is my father and I want to know.

“I still don’t know the cause of his death; the hospital never gave the family any autopsy report to show that this and this were the cause of why he passed away, so, I don’t think any member of my family will be able to give evidence of how President Mills passed away.”

Wreath Laying Drama

At the Asomdwee Park, near the Independence Square, where the late president was buried on August 10, 2012, family members, as well as his party – National Democratic Congress (NDC) – officials gathered to lay wreaths in memory of the late president, but that did not pass without some sort of drama.

A source said when it was time for wreaths to be laid, there was none for former President John Dramani Mahama and the organizers had to dash to town to buy him one.

Mahama’s Sermon

Later, Mr Mahama advised Ghanaians to emulate the late Mills whom he described as an embodiment of peace.

“We’re celebrating his life, and working with Professor Mills was a great experience for me; and as we all know, he stood for certain values and those values were values of inclusiveness, humility and a person who was father for all.

“Unfortunately, Ghana continues to be torn apart by partisan differences and that was what Professor Mills tried to scale. Even though I feel people feel vengeful, we must remember his character and try to live by those values. And, so, as we celebrate the fifth anniversary, let us all remember what he stood for – that the opportunities of this country should be open to all our people, irrespective of their political affiliations. I’m happy that he’s in heaven looking down on us and that Ghana will continue to make progress and we must all continue to work together to make our nation great and strong,” Mr. Mahama underscored.

Mills’ Death

Prof. Mills died suddenly on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, when he was preparing to contest for a second term in office, and since then, details about what caused his death are still shrouded in secrecy.

President Mahama, who was Prof Mills’ vice and subsequently succeeded him upon his demise, from all indications, did not tell Ghanaians what actually was the cause of his boss’ death and the erstwhile NDC administration is not in any position to make that revelation.

Just last week, members of the maternal family of the late president said they would support any attempt by President Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of the former president.

“We won’t mind if the new government probes what actually caused the death of our brother, the president. We don’t mind if they do that so that everything will be clarified,” Ato Harry Brew, an 85-year-old first cousin of the late president, told DAILY GUIDE in Accra.

“If the opinion of the country is that it should be done then it has to be done,” he said from his Ashongman Estates residence when he took DAILY GUIDE through the family history of Mills.

Opportunistic People

The family’s position to know the cause of death appears to have been contradicted by one of the president’s younger brothers – Samuel Atta Mills – who is the current NDC MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) in the Central Region.

“It is just a few opportunistic people, who are asking for this; who claim they are family members. How are they family members? How far removed are they?” the NDC MP quizzed in an interview with Class FM in Accra.

“We all have extended family in other areas who feel that this is the cocoa season and then they need to get involved in whatever they are sharing; there is nothing to share. Actual family is not asking for this; anybody can get up and claim that they are a family member,” Mr. Atta Mills fumed.

By William Yaw Owusu

The post What Killed My Dad -Mills’ Son Quizzes appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Mustapha Ussif – NSS Boss

The management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has called for calm following chaotic scenes recorded at some registration centres across the country.

The management staff, led by the Executive Director, had earlier toured centres in Accra.

The exercise has by and large been successfully managed as evidenced by pictures from such places, a statement from the secretariat of the NSS explained.

The secretariat, in a statement signed by Gifty Oware Aboagye, Deputy Director, explained that since it is a month-long exercise, there was no point engaging in acts which give the exercise a picture of unruliness.

A member of the team said in an interview that “all centers visited this morning were calm. We expect our cherished registrants to be calm and wait in the queues for their turn. It is a full month registration process. Everybody posted will be registered as required by rules governing the Scheme within the stipulated time.”

“We apologize to personnel who have suffered any form of manhandling from anybody whatsoever, the statement added.

“We assure the general public that the Scheme will look into all the challenges so they do not recur in future.”

The post NSS Calls For Calm appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Sam Frobisher Owori

Sam Frobisher Owori, Rotary International President-Elect, died on Thursday, July13, 2017 as a result of post-operative complications from a planned surgery in Texas, USA.

Sam was a member of the Rotary Club Kampala, Uganda, for 38 years. Under Sam’s leadership, the number of Rotary clubs in Uganda swelled from nine to 89 over the course of 29 years. Sam saw in Rotary members an

incredible passion to make a difference.

“Rotary has become a way of life for me – with the intrinsic value and core belief in mutual responsibility and concern for one another as a cornerstone,” Sam said when he was nominated last year. I feel immense

satisfaction knowing that through Rotary, I’ve helped someone live better.”

Sam was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda (ICGU), whose mission is to promote excellence in corporate governance principles and practice in the region by 2020.

Previously, he was Executive Director of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Managing Director of /Uganda Commercial Bank Limited (UCB) and Director of Uganda Development Bank. He has also served as

Corporation Secretary of the Central Bank of Uganda (BOU).

He had served as a member and chairman of several boards, including FAULU Limited (now Opportunity Bank), the Uganda Heart Institute, the Centre for African Family Studies (CAFS), Mulago Hospital Complex, Mukono

Theological College and the Kampala City Council.  Sam was also the Vice Chair of the Hospice Africa, Uganda, and a member of the board and chair of the Audit Committee of PACE (Programme for Accessible

Health, Communication and Education) in Uganda.

In his statements, Ian Riseley, Rotary International President (2017/2018) said, “Please remember Sam as the outstanding, hardworking Rotarian he was. In this difficult time, I ask you to keep his wife, Norah, the Owori

Family and Sam’s millions of friends around the world in your thoughts. Sam was a special person in so many ways and his unexpected death is a huge loss to Rotary, his community and the world. In addition, we are establishing details on plans to celebrate his life as they become available. Rotary is establishing a memorial fund in Sam’s honour.

During his tenure as president, he was hoping to harness the Rotary enthusiasm and pride so that every project becomes the engine of peace and prosperity. He had embarked on a campaign of increasing Rotary’s

membership through the recruitment of more women, youth and community members.

“There are many places which need Rotary and numerous potential members who have never been invited. The problem is

Rotarians who got in and closed the door,” he said.

A service for Sam was held on Friday, July 21, 2017 from 7: 00pm to 9:00pm at St Vincent’s Cathedral in Bedford, Texas.

Born in 1941 in West Budama District, Uganda, to the late Zephania and Mary Ochieng, Sam was the third child in a family of 14. Sam is survived by his dear wife, Norah, three sons, siblings and grandchildren.

An inspiration to Rotarians in Africa, especially and all over the world, Sam F. Owori will be greatly missed.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.

Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

The post Rotary International African President-Elect Passes Away appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Rashida

The junior high school graduate from Berekum, whose explicit video has topped social media trends for almost a week now, has threatened to sue her critics if they continue to insult her.

Rashia Muhammed, popularly known as Rashida Black Beauty, became the talk of the town last week when a video showing her stark nakedness started to circulate on social media sites.

The video sparked an uproar, with several persons passing rather unprintable insults on the lady. Some have called for her arrest, while others have suggested she needs some urgent psychological attention.

Apparently unsettled by the continuous insults, Rashida has put out another video on social media in which she described half of Ghanaians as “fools” who are in a haste to criticise before they investigate.

“You’re here in Ghana fooling, even people in US and UK are calling me and you in Ghana. Almost half of Ghanaians are fools. When something happens instead of you to find out the cause, all you do is to start insulting the person…If you joke with me, what I’ll do to you, I’ll let the law deal with you. If you are foolish then keep on insulting me,” she said in the video.

In the same video, Rashida was heard asking her critics whether they did not come from the female organ and why they were overly-excited after seeing her organ.

This outburst is in sharp contrast to a rather sober apology Rashida first put out not long after the naked video started making rounds.

Her first response on July 21 and posted on her Facebook wall  at  2:29pm read: “Hello Ghana, I am sorry and I regret my actions, there is a lot of explanation to this video but I guess the harm has already been done so no one will be willing to hear what I have to say or tell them. All I want to say is I regret my actions and I hope Ghanaians do forgive me … Thank You!”

Then on July 22 at 7:59am, Rashida, again, posted another apology on Facebook:

“Good morning people of Ghana. Well, I took time to read all the comments that came in on my apology post yesterday as well as comments circulating on social media about the video and I realised that majority of the comments were all insults and just filthy talks about me which I won’t say I don’t deserve, yes I know that for my actions I do deserve all those things said about me.

“But let me make this clear: If you are a lady here and you have sent a nude of yourself to your guy before and if you are a guy and you have also received a nude from your girlfriend before, I will say you are no better person than I am. I admit I have made a very big mistake with some even thinking that I made that video on purpose just for fame and exposure, which I know is false, I wasn’t the one who released the video as well. Thanks to friends and sympathisers who called to console me, I really do appreciate it.

“And as I said in my previous post, trying to explain will make things worse so I will just repeat what I said yesterday one more time – Yes I know the harm has already been done but I have learnt my lessons and I do promise to never repeat this, may the Good Lord and Ghanaians forgive me.”

The post Berekum ‘Porn Girl’ Heads To Court appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Amadu Sulley and Charlotte Osei

The Alliance For Accountable Governance (AFAG) has called on President Akufo-Addo to set up a Commission of Enquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of public office that have been leveled against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Amankwa.

It would be recalled that some unnamed staff of the EC recently petitioned the President to ensure the impeachment of Mrs. Osei on grounds that she lacked administrative competence, abused her office and independence as the Chairperson of the Commission when she allegedly collected a V8 Vehicle from then President John Mahama, and wrongfully appropriated funds belonging to the EC.

In her response to the petitioners’ allegations, Mrs. Osei accused some persons at the Commission of being behind the plot to oust her from office.

She emphatically accused the Deputy Commissioner of EC in charge of Operations, Amadu Sulley of ‘illegally’ collecting some GH¢6 million from political parties without the knowledge of the Finance Department of the Commission.

She alleged that her deputy in charge of Corporate Resources, Georgina Opoku Amankwaah, illegally signed contracts worth GHC40 million.

Mr. Sulley and Madam Opoku Amankwa, who has since been interdicted, have both denied the allegations of corruption leveled against them by their boss.

AFAG, at a press conference yesterday in Accra, stressed the need for a Commission of Enquiry to be set up by government to pave the way for a full-scale investigation to be carried out.

“Despite the fact that the 1992 Constitution per Article 46 grants independence to the Electoral Commission, the same Constitution grants the President the power under Article 278 to set up a Commission of Enquiry in any public interest matter,” it said.

“It is our belief that with the Commission of Enquiry, the truth surrounding the allegations and counter allegations will be unearthed. This will restore credibility and public confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC),” it added.

By Melvin Tarlue

The post AFAG Blasts EC Scandal appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Four people were on Sunday arrested in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, for allegedly attacking a taxi driver with a knife in an attempted car snatching operation.

The suspects are Akwasi Francis, 22; Robert Antwi aka Azonto, 23; Francis Kofi Sarpong, 22 and Justice Bawuah, 43. They were all in the custody of the Manhyia Divisional Police Command.

At a media briefing in Kumasi yesterday, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah, said two members of the gang – Akwasi Francis and Robert Antwi – on the day in question, hired the services of the cab driver, whose identification was not disclosed, at Asafo Labour roundabout and was to take them to Afful Nkwanta.

According to him, Akwasi Francis, who was sitting beside the driver, pulled a locally made pistol and pointed it at the cabbie, upon reaching the children’s park area.

DCOP Yeboah indicated that Robert Antwi – a physically challenged man – at the rear seat, also drew a knife and ordered the unnamed cabbie to get out of the car.

He said Antwi aka Azonto, severally stabbed the taxi driver on the neck, back and forehead in a desperate attempt to subdue the victim when he (driver) failed to oblige to the demand of the gangsters, as he held the mouth of the pistol and struggled with Akwasi Francis.

The police commander disclosed that the incident attracted people to the scene who came to the rescue of the victim and also apprehended the two suspects.

He stated that the bystanders later handed over the duo to the Manhyia Divisional Police Command, whilst the victim was rushed to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital at Ayigya.

According to the regional police boss, during investigation, Akwasi Francis told the police that 22-year-old Francis Kofi Sarpong, a driver’s mate, gave him the pistol and led the police to arrest Sarpong at his hideout.

DCOP Ken Yeboah added that Sarpong also mentioned Justice Bawuah, 43, as his source of supply. Bawuah was subsequently arrested to assist the police with investigation.

He said a search conducted on Bawuah revealed 13 assorted mobile phones, another locally made pistol and two Ipads.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi

The post 4 Arrested Over Car Snatching appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Philip Akpeena Assibi and Abuga Pele

The Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) trial took a dramatic twist yesterday as a supposed offer letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to Goodwill International Group (GIG) could not be traced.

The letter from the Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) based on which the Contract of Service Agreement was prepared for GIG had gone ‘missing’ in the pile of exhibits in the court.

Philip Akpeena Assibit, Managing Consultant of GIG, opening his defence in court yesterday, offered to furnish the court with a copy of the document today.

Charges

He is in the dock with the former National Coordinator of GYEEDA who is National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiana Paga, Abuga Pele, for the various roles they allegedly played in the GYEEDA scam.

The Attorney General’s (AG’s) Department claims that the accused persons caused huge financial loss to the state.

Assibit is being accused of putting in false claims that he had secured a $65-million World Bank funding for the creation of one million jobs for the youth, which led government to part with GH¢41.1 million.

Evidence

Led in evidence by lawyer Kweku Paintsil, Assibit stated that GIG’s relationship with the NYEP in connection with its consultancy services started with a proposal covered by a letter they wrote to the NYEP management as a follow-up to previous engagements.

He said the GIG had worked with the NYEP in various engagement areas until a point where they had done most of the work before a new minster of youth and sports came and they were called for further engagements.

Mr Assibit said there were correspondences between GIG and NYEP, insisting that the first was a letter with a proposal which he noted was replied to by the NYEP, with another letter accepting their proposal and giving them the                       go-ahead.

He stated that he signed an agreement with the NYEP through the ministry of youth and sports.

“The lawyer of the ministry was tasked to go and sit with the internal auditor and chief director to formalise the initial agreement in a contract which they did and subsequently called GIG/MDPI team for the signing,” he recalled.

The GIG managing consultant continued, “Dr. Shaibu Ahmed Gariba witnessed for me, the minister (signed) for NYEP and the coordinator for NYEP witnessed…”

He further told the Accra Financial Crimes Court presided over by Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, that he did not receive any payment before the regularization of a contract to provide for consultancy services to the NYEP.

Assibit indicated that GIG received its first payment months after the execution of the work they were expected to do.

Scope Of Contract

Touching on the contract with the NYEP, Mr Assibit said his outfit was to produce an ‘exist’ plan but the then minister, Clement Kofi Humado, advised that the name be changed from an ‘exit plan’ to ‘exist strategy.’

He said per the contact, GIG was also to establish an office for Resource Mobilisation and Project Management which name again Mr. Humado advised to be changed to Resource Mobilisation and Project Development.

jeffdegraft44@yahoo.com

By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson

The post Assibit Opens Defence In GYEEDA Trial appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Johnny Ahiamedzi

Fear gripped residents of Huimegah, a suburb of Aflao in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, after a 30-year-old man allegedly killed his mother and inflicted cutlass wounds on other relations and neighbours.

Johnny Ahiamedzi, who has been arrested by the Aflao Police,  reportedly inflicted machete wounds on the father.

A police officer, who rushed to the scene of the barbaric act upon a tip-off, was hacked in the left wrist by the suspect.

He was arrested the next day after the body of the deceased was found by some residents.

Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicates that the suspect claimed the mother was a witch, while the father was wizard.

The Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Nana Asomah Hinneh, who confirmed the incident to the press, pointed out that “the police had information that one Johnny Ahiamadzi was fighting with his father, so they rushed to the house and saw the man in a pool of blood.

Apparently, Johnny slashed the father, and hacked the wrist of the constable and the one who came to report the case, he said.

According to him, the police later had information that the body of the woman had been discovered.

“We went and picked the body of the woman and fortunately for us Johnny came back to the house and he was arrested. He confessed trying to kill the father, because he was a wizard. He met the woman who he claimed was also a witch and butchered her too,” the police commander declared.

ACP Asomah Hinneh added that the injured police officer had been treated and discharged while the other injured persons were responding to treatment at the Aflao Government Hospital.

He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Aflao Hospital morgue while police investigations continue.

From Fred Duodu, Ho (freduoo@gmail.com)

The post Man Hacks Mum To Death At Aflao appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Madam Anima Achiaa, Education Director, presenting a certificate to one of the children

MORE than 500 out-of-school children in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region have benefited from government’s general education development programme that provides opportunity for school dropouts to re-join formal basic school.

Dubbed Complementary Basic Education (CBE), the programme, which is a policy developed for education continuation by the Ministry of Education, teaches basic reading, writing and simple numerical skills.

The Government of Ghana in partnership with UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and USAID is implementing the programme through some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), including Link Community Development (LCD).

At a ceremony to present certificates to the graduating children at Abutantri, a farming community in the district, Samuel Ofori Boakye, Programmes Coordinator of LCD, said the project also offers opportunity for school dropouts to enter the job market because of the life skill programme.

In spite of the impressive increment in primary education over the past two decades, a significant number of Ghanaian children are still unable to attend basic school and they are subjected to joblessness and poverty in adult life, but government wants to change that situation.

Mr. Boakye stated that the aim of the literacy programme is to provide knowledge and skills to out-of-school youth and children to first access formal education and make those who cannot continue, economically productive members of society.

According to him, 40 communities were selected by the District Education Directorate and the District Assembly, and 575 children in 22 communities were selected to benefit from the project.

He disclosed that 56 of the learners dropped out from the programme for various reasons, including lack of interest.

The District Director of Education, Anima Achiaa, lauded the tiring effort of the facilitators and called on them to do more in order to meet government’s expectation.

She entreated the facilitators to begin to introduce the learners to the use of English Language since the medium of instruction has always been the native language of the beneficiaries.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi

The post 500 Dropouts Get Another Chance appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

A military officer at the Takoradi Air Force Base allegedly assaulted an innocent civilian near the Sekondi Tro-tro Station in Takoradi on Monday.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the military man purportedly went berserk and subjected the victim, who was riding a tricycle at the station, to severe beatings.

ASP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, the Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), confirmed the story to DAILY GUIDE in an interview.

She mentioned that on Monday, July 24, 2017 at about 8pm, the victim Kofi Frafra, 23, was riding a tricycle from Cassava Farm area towards the Sekondi trotro station, adding that on reaching a spot near the trotro station, he stopped with the headlight on.

The suspect AC1 Nyaaba Akuta Paul, with number No.204958 ordered the victim to put off the head lights.

The victim purportedly refused to do so, and in the process a fight ensued between the military officer and victim.

The military officer subjected Kofi Frafra to severe beatings who fell unconscious.

The onlookers, who thought the victim was dead, also attacked the military man, but the (soldier) was rescued by a Good Samaritan, who transported him to the Takoradi Market Circle Police Station for safety.

According to the Police PRO, more people throng the Police Station to teach the military officer a bitter lesson.

“But the police patrol teams were called in, and the suspect was taken to Sekondi Police Station, while the victim was rushed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi for treatment,” she added.

ASP Adiku indicated that the police later visited the victim at the hospital.

The military officer was cautioned and released to one Flag Officer D. Kaburo of Air Force Base in Takoradi who was asked to produce the suspect to the police for further investigations.

Meanwhile, some of the residents in the vicinity have condemned the recent assault on civilians by soldiers.

According to them, citizens, including soldiers, should not be allowed to misbehave.

They indicated that soldiers should allow the police to discharge their lawful duties in the country.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

The post Military Officer Assaults Civilian appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia with Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, arrived in Ghana yesterday onboard a KLM flight to begin a three-day state visit to Ghana.

She was met at the Golden Jubilee lounge of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) by a high-powered government delegation led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries at the lounge, the Maltese President and her spouse left for the Kempinski Hotel in Accra where they would be lodging during their brief stay in the country.

President Marie-Louise is expected to attend service at the Holy Spirit Cathedral at Adabraka this morning and later travel to her hotel to prepare for a meeting at the Flagstaff House before midday.

She is expected to be received at the Flagstaff House by the Director of State Protocol, Ambassador Hassan Ahmed.

She would inspect a guard of honour to be mounted in her honour and return to the dais for a national salute.

The President of Malta would be ushered into the ceremonial room where she would be met at the entrance by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

They would later hold roundtable discussions and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be followed by a joint press conference to brief the media about the visit.

President Marie-Louise and members of her delegation would subsequently have lunch at the Flagstaff House.

On Thursday morning, Vice President Bawumia is expected to host them at a business forum at the Movenpik Hotel.

The Maltese President and her delegation would later hold a meeting with Ghanaian entrepreneurs and travel to the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi where they would be welcomed by the Regional Minister.

They would later pay a courtesy call on Otumfou Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace and travel back to the capital, Accra.

On Friday, the Maltese President is expected to visit the Central regional capital, Cape Coast.

She would return to Accra to visit the Osu Children’s Home before finally departing Ghana for her home country.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent

The post Maltese President Arrives appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

A cross section of stakeholders at the forum

THE NATIONAL Lottery Authority (NLA) has announced plans to roll-out a number of new value-added services to its operations.

Director General of NLA, Kofi Osei Ameyaw made this known yesterday in Accra at a stakeholder forum, saying the move was aimed at modernizing lottery in Ghana and cushioning NLA’s agents across the country.

The meeting sought to foster collaboration between NLA and its key stakeholders namely lotto writers, lotto operators, among others, with the aim of helping to address the challenges adversely affecting the operations of lotto in the country.

Some operators have complained about issues affecting their welfare particularly with regards to the ‘low’ commission given them by Government or NLA as compared with their counterparts operating under banker-to-banker who accordingly are paid about 35 percent non-tax commission.

“If they don’t increase the commission, all operators might move to banker-to-banker,” one operator, Nana Osei Kobo, told DAILY GUIDE on the sidelines of the forum.

But Mr. Ameyaw who seems poised to forge a strong collaboration between the Authority and its stakeholders gave the assurance that government shall look into their complaints and address them appropriately.

“We are a listening authority. We are willing to listen to you as to how best we can work together to move this industry forward,” the Director General said, reiterating that the NLA was not in to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure that the right thing was done.

Mobile Money

According to him, the NLA was in the process of introducing about 30,000 new innovative kiosks nationwide for its agents which can be used for mobile money transfers, utility payments, among others.

He said the new kiosks were expected to be rolled out by November or December this year and that when that happens, it shall help the Authority to increase the commission it pays to lotto operators or agents from the current 20 percent to about 25 percent or more.

“The programmes are intended to increase your commissions,” he told the operators who responded with a massive applause.

That, he said, shall also help government to create additional employment avenues for the masses, noting that through the new initiative, the Authority will consider introducing what he termed community lottery policing system in which the youth are expected to be engaged.

‘Taxes To Be Scrapped’

As a means of helping to improve the living conditions of the over two hundred thousand operators and writers working for the NLA, the Director General stated that the Authority has began talks with the Ministry of Finance to remove the taxes charged on the commission being paid to the operators.

He also disclosed that the Authority was making frantic efforts to ensure that those operating the Banker-to-Banker lotto services were regularized and licensed by the state to ensure a level-playing field for all stakeholders in the industry.

According to him, the country could earn about GH¢ 250 million annually by bringing on board the banker-to-banker operators.

BY Melvin Tarlue

The post NLA Opens New Chapter appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

President Nana Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo will on Wednesday “deal” with the petition seeking the impeachment of Electoral Commission (EC) boss, Charlotte Osei over some claims, Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has disclosed.

“The President will deal with it [petition] today this morning… and deal with it in accordance with the Constitution,” Mr. Jinapor told Joy FM Super Morning Show host, Kojo Yankson.

Per the provision of the Constitution, the president is expected to foward the petition to the Chief Justice who will then establish if the claims made against the EC boss warrants an investigation.

The deputy Chief of Staff stressed that the President, who is an avowed constitutionalist, will do what is right.

President Akufo-Addo arrived in the country last night and was handed the petition from some anonymous staff of the election management body seeking to impeach the Chair of the Commission for lacking administrative competence among a number of issues against her.

The petitioners, represented by counsel, Maxwell Opooku Agyemang, signed the petition before it was sent to the Presidency while Nana Akufo-Addo was on out of the country.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor on Wednesday, stated on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM that, the president’s first assignment today will be to deal with the petition as the constitution stipulates.

Lauretta Vivian Lamptey

Familiar path?

In 2015, President John Mahama removed then Head of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mrs. Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, following recommendations of a Committee set up by the Chief Justice to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement leveled against her.

This was after a petition seeking her removal from office, was forwarded to the Chief Justice after it was sent to the Presidency a sole petitioner, Richard Nyamah.

The Chief Justice had established a prima facie case in the petition filed by Richard Nyamah, accusing the Ms. Lamptey of abusing her office.

Just as his predecessor acted on the dictates of the Constitution, it is expected that President Akufo-Addo will do same.

“The paths on these matters are not novel; they are not new; we have walked this part before…and the president will act very much on the dictates of the Constitution,” the Deputy Chief of Staff said.

He expressed the confidence that “whoever sits in judgement or has a role to play, will do so dispassionately in with good conscience in accordance with law and good judgement”.

Mr. Jinapor said he is, however, saddened that political opponents of the President, are attempting to suggest that the move to impeach the EC Chair.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with President Akufo-Addo; absolutely nothing,” he asserted.

-Myjoyonline

The post Akufo-Addo To “Deal” With Charlotte Osei Impeachment Petition Today appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

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COLD WAR! Charlotte Osei and Amadu Sulley at Parliament House yesterday

It is emerging that the Electoral Commission (EC) does not have an internal auditor to oversee financial transactions of the commission.

The substantive Internal Auditor was hounded out of office by the EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, according to the Deputy EC Director in-charge of Operations, Alhaji Amadu Sulley.

The EC boss and her two deputies – Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa, in-charge of Corporate Service –  have been trading accusations and counter accusations since a petition was sent to the presidency by unnamed staff of the commission for impeachment processes to be initiated against Mrs. Charlotte Osei.

Petition

According to the petitioners, the EC Chairperson allegedly abused her office and engaged in corruption. They asserted that she was incompetent and not fit to lead the commission.

Mrs. Charlotte Osei has responded to the allegations and ended up accusing her two deputies of corruption and sabotage.

She said for instance, that Amadu Sulley collected about GH¢6 million from political parties without recourse to the commission and added that apart from the money, the Operations Director also carried out illegal vote transfers in the run-up to the crucial 2016 general election.

“The Deputy Chairperson, Operations, collected funds above GH¢6m (Six million Ghana Cedis) in cash from some political parties for the organization of party primaries without recourse to the structures of the commission, and without the involvement of the finance department of the commission,” she averred.

However, Amadu Sulley has hit back in a statement, insisting that he did nothing wrong and that it was Mrs. Charlotte Osei who is on a mission to destroy them.

“The Internal Auditor is still alive, even though he resigned out of frustration by the Chair,” Mr Amadu Sulley said, adding, “As at now, the commission is yet to have an Internal Auditor. This is very unfortunate.”

“I will (sic) like to state that, it is not true that the Deputy Chairman, (Ops), took GH¢6 million for primaries of political parties,” he stated.

Lacking Knowledge

He said Mrs. Charlotte Osei is inept and lacks knowledge of the electoral system, saying, “Everyone in the commission knew about the primaries except the Chair herself.”

He said that party primaries “are not legally binding on the commission but we supervise them since the parties have it in their respective constitutions to protect integrity of the process.”

According to him, the law only “entreats the commission to supervise the election of the executives of all registered political parties at national, regional and constituency levels as stipulated in Section 17 (2) of Act 574.

Party Primaries

He said that on the 2016 primaries, three parties namely, New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) presented a budget each and were discussed in his office.

“Monies brought by the parties did not come to me but sent to the Accounts Section through Director of Elections of the commission. I did not receive a pesewa; they were all sent to the Accounts Section,” he claimed.

Amadu Sulley further said that “all monies for work of the operatives were sent to them through the Regional Directorate. Monies on consumables like indelible ink, endorsing ink, stamp pads, etc. which belong to the commission, were paid to the commission.”

Internal Investigation

He said Charlotte Osei at a point ordered the Internal Auditor to investigate him over the payments and the auditor later told him he did not have anything against him after the investigation.

“I don’t understand the motive of the Chair to come out now to make this unfortunate allegation against me and the Deputy Chair, Finance/Administration.

By William Yaw Owusu

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EC Boss in Parliament yesterday

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, said in Parliament yesterday that even though she is the chairperson of the EC, she is not the entire commission and has to consult other members on some major decisions she needs to take or say on behalf of the commission.

She made the pronouncement when she was pinned to the wall by the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, after she had told Members of Parliament (MPs) in a Committee of the Whole meeting that the commission was not able to capture an amount of GH¢2,590,080 realised from the replacement of 580,000 lost voter ID cards.

When asked why the commission failed to capture that amount as its Internally Generated Fund (IGF), which had reflected as zero in its 2017 budget, Madam Charlotte Osei said that it was an ‘oversight’ and that she would have to consult the appropriate member of the commission in-charge to rectify it.

She said the money was sitting in the accounts of the commission and that they would need the authority of the Minister of Finance before they could spend it.

There was obvious cold war between the chairperson and one of her deputies, Amadu Sulley, as there was no communication between them, thereby exposing their frosty relationship.

The EC chairperson, who came along with Amadu Sulley, as well as some other directors at the commission, brought to the fore the reality of the raging rift between her and the two deputies.

Conspicuously absent was Georgina Opoku-Amankwa, the other deputy chairperson.

When they were ushered in to take their seats at the clerk’s table before the commencement of the meeting, Amadu Sulley, who is in-charge of operations at the commission, sat far away from his boss until the MPs insisted that he should get close to the chairperson.

When certain questions were asked and she needed the assistance of the deputy chairperson, the consultations were uninviting, with the two obviously finding it difficult to communicate.

“Mr Chairman, I am not the entire commission. I am speaking for myself as the chair and would have to consult my other members on why the commission did not record the amount as its IGF in its budget,” Mrs Osei underscored.

The EC chairperson was urgently dragged to parliament over some agitating questions raised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Subin, Eugene Boakye-Antwi, as to how much was realized from the accreditations to 4,271 journalists who applied to cover the 2016 general elections.

The MP also wanted to know how much had been realized from replaced ID cards before the 2016 elections and how those funds had been applied or used by the commission.

The EC chairperson, who came under a barrage of questions, especially from the majority side, was also unable to tell the house how many printers were contracted to do the printing of the accreditation cards for journalists and how the contract was also awarded.

She asked for more time to be able to consult her other officials to enable her provide the accurate answers at a later date.

The EC boss told the MPs that an amount of GH¢42,271 was realized from the issuance of accreditation cards to 4,271 journalists and 273 observers, as well as supporting staff, adding that the total amount paid to the hired printers was GH¢42,713.

According to her, each accredited journalist paid GH¢10 and out of that the printers received GH¢8 each, which was non-taxable, while the commission used the GH¢2 remaining on each of the amount to pay for the VAT and NHIA levy on behalf of the printers.

The accreditation for journalists was not the first time in the history of the EC, and was to assist the journalists to easily have access to the polling station centres and to also observe voting proceedings and the counting as well, which to a large extent, helped to ensure the transparency of the electoral process and made the elections generally violence-free, she explained.

When Mrs Charlotte Osei was asked by the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa whether it was not possible for the commission to budget for such expenses that would cover accreditation for journalists, the EC chairperson said it would be very difficult to do that since her outfit would not be able to determine the number of journalists, who would make themselves available to cover a particular election.

Inaccurate Figures

The MP for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, also raised some pertinent concerns.

She noted that from the figures churned out by the EC as compared to her personal calculations, there were discrepancies.

She said for instance that if the EC says it replaced 580,000 lost cards at a cost of GH¢5 each, then the real amount should have been about GH¢2.9 million and not GH¢2.5 million as given by the chairperson, while the amount realized from the accreditation to journalists would have been GH¢45,440.

In her reply, Madam Charlotte Osei explained that the differences were used for administrative expenses.

By Thomas Fosu Jnr

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Charlotte Osei 

President Akufo-Addo has finally referred the petition for the impeachment of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, to the Chief Justice (CJ).

The Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, is expected to find out whether there is a prima facie case against the EC chair after which a committee would be set up to look into the matter.

A statement issued from the presidency and signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin yesterday, indicated, “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 26^th July, 2017, referred a petition purporting to invoke Article 146(3) of the Constitution, in respect of the office of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei, to the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo.”

It has now emerged that in all, 17 persons – all staff of the EC – signed the petition calling for the removal of Charlotte Osei, who is said to have been a source of raging controversy since her appointment by former President John Dramani Mahama in the middle of 2015.

Basis

Whilst President Akufo-Addo was out of the country, his office received a petition – initially undated and unsigned – against the Chairperson of the EC.

Subsequently, counsel for the petitioners, Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, by a letter dated 20th July, 2017, wrote to the office of the president setting out the names of the petitioners and the date of the petition.

Pursuant to the terms of Article 146 (3), President Akufo-Addo referred the petition to the Chief Justice for resolution.

The aggrieved workers of the EC are demanding the impeachment of Charlotte Osei as Chairperson of the Commission.

According to the staff, the EC boss lacks the managerial skills needed to lead the Commission.

They claimed the EC chair “single-handedly renegotiated the contract with the vendor without the involvement of the members of the Commission, not even the deputies.

She then awarded the contract to the tune of $21,999,592 without going through tender, contrary to the Public Procurement Act. The Chairperson then re-awarded these contracts without approval from the Commission.”

According to the petitioners, Mrs. Osei “has poor human relations not befitting of any leader in public space.”

The EC boss has denied the allegations, describing them as bogus, but has interestingly gone ahead to make counter allegations against some of her own deputy chairpersons, especially Georgina Opoku Amankwah, in-charge of Corporate Services and Amadu Sulley, in-charge of Operations.

She has also accused them of being incompetent.

This has led to stunning revelations from both the EC boss and her deputies, with the two (deputies) also having to dispute their boss’ claim and gone ahead to make more shocking revelations.

The EC chairperson’s position is tied to that of a justice of the Court of Appeal and so her removal from office follows the same procedure as in the case of an Appeals Court judge.

Constitutional Provision

Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution indicates inter alia (1), “A Justice of the Superior Court or Chairman of the Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for state misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.”

(2) A Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal may only be removed in accordance with the procedure specified in this Article.

(3) If the President receives a petition for the removal of Justice of a Superior Court other than the Chief Justice or for the removal of the Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, he shall refer the petition to the Chief Justice, who shall determine whether there is a prima facie case.

(4) Where the Chief Justice decides that there is a prima facie case, he shall set up a committee consisting of three Justices of the Superior Courts or Chairmen of the Regional Tribunals or both, appointed by the Judicial council and two other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers, and who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice on the advice of the Council of State.

(5) The committee appointed under clause (4) of this article shall investigate the complaint and shall make its recommendations to the Chief Justice who shall forward it to the President.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent

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South Korean restaurant display

South Korea is celebrating 40 years of bilateral relationship with Ghana and as part the anniversary, the embassy in Ghana is putting together a typical Korean cuisine cooking contest to allow Ghanaians taste the food side of the East Asian country.

This is scheduled for August 5 at the Le Must Restaurant at the Accra Mall food court from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Chefs, including Ghanaian chefs, who are well-versed in cooking Korean type of dishes, will be taking part in the cooking activities, while the general public will be invited to sample the variety of dishes which will be presented in a buffet style.

The various chefs will be graded by judges by way of issuing of star-shaped stickers. The most collected by a chef will be declared the overall winner. Awards will be given to the contestants amidst other side attractions of Korean culture.

South Korea, an East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world’s most heavily militarised borders with North Korea.

It is equally known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital.

It first established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1977. The relationship has since been described remarkable, as the international cooperation between the two countries has grown steadily.

Early this year, President Akufo-Addo advocated the growth of bilateral ties and relations between the two countries as government seeks to embark on an ambitious programme of social and economic transformation modelled on the programmes used by the ‘Asian giant.’

The cooking contest in Accra is one of many other activities to celebrate and also strengthen the Korea-Ghana relationship.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: fdee500@yahoo.com)

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Chairman of Project,Eric Ansah presenting the items to an inmate of the camp

About 60 members of the National Service Personnel End of Service Project (NSPESP) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last Friday donated items worth over GH¢3,000 to inmates of the Weija Leprosarium in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The items included bags of rice, milk, sugar, washing soap, toilet rolls, bottled water and used clothing.

The personnel also joined the inmates in a tree planting exercise at the leprosarium.

Presenting the items, the Chairman of the NSSESPP, Eric Ansah, averred that the donation was in fulfillment of the project’s objectives to make donations to the vulnerable in society.

He further explained that members were expected to embark on school and community visit during which time they would engage the people on user friendly strategies to ensure effective protection of the environment.

The Administrator of the Weija Leprosarium, George Quansah, commended the personnel for making the donation and called for more donations to help them maintain the 30 inmates at the leprosarium.

He called on well-meaning Ghanaians to provide support to sustain the inmates who have lived in the camp all their lives.

The administrator appealed to the public to help deal with the stigmatization of the inmates.

By Solomon Ofori

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A group pics with PRICOF Members

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Officer (CEO) of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, has indicated that all is set for the disbursement of allowances to teachers and nursing trainees beginning September this year.

“All teachers and nursing trainees will be considered in this new dispensation and that explains why the SLTF is actively engaging various stakeholders including Principals of Colleges of Education on procedures to access the allowance,” he stated.

The SLTF, according to him, is an agency under the Ministry of Education (MOE) which was established in December 2005 under the trustee Incorporation Act 106 of 1962.

The SLTF is currently operating under Act 820 of 2011 which mandates it to disburse loans to accredited public or private tertiary institutions.

Mr Yeboah explained that the GSLT took over the functions of the Student Loan Management from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and commenced operations in 2006/07 academic year.

He indicated that the restoration of the allowances to students is in fulfillment of the 2016 manifesto promise of the current government to restore in full the allowances for teacher and nursing trainees.

Addressing forty-one (41) heads of Colleges of Education at the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) House located at Ogbojo, East Legon, Accra, the CEO stressed that the role of the Principals in the disbursement of the allowances is very crucial in the determination of vital information required to process an application.

Mr.  Kwaku Agyei Yeboah stated that the allowances to the trainees   can be made on monthly or Semester basis depending on the prevailing situation in each academic year.

He pointed out that the amount payable to a trainee is a flat rate unless otherwise decided by government to pay according to programme categories.

The CEO also disclosed that continuing students on the loan scheme will continue to enjoy the facility.

The National President of PRINCOF, Rev.Sr.Elizabeth Amoako-Arhen while commending the SLTF for the presentation to the PRINCOF also lauded government for the restoration of the allowances which will go a long way to help the students.

Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Amoako-Arhen assured the CEO of maximum cooperation in providing any information the SLTF may require leading to the approval of the students applications.

By Solomon Ofori

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