Merry Christmas!
|
Our All New Ghanaweb-News website will go online Jan 31st, 2015 - New: Comment on each article, easy load for tablet & mobile. Audio & Video direct.Ghana News Forum. Members only area, and much more!
|
(Ghanaweb-News.com) (Test) website!
|
|
Welcome to Ghanaweb-News.com (Forum.Ghana-Net.com) 
Greenstreet spoke for all Ghanaians – Samia * Source: Myjoyonline.com / 21.12.2014 Chairperson of Convention People’s Party (CPP), Samia Nkrumah has stated emphatically that the party fully supports the "blunt" comments by its General Secretary. Mr. Ivor Greenstreet delivering his party's solidarity message at the 8th national delegates’ congress launched a scathing attack on the government, describing it as uncaring. Slapped in the face by the seemingly uncharitable comments, President Mahama replied in the same measure, describing Mr. Greenstreet as someone suffering from an “incurable selective myopia”. But it seems the President would have to contend with a lot more people on that score. Samia Nkrumah told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh that the message the party’s general secretary delivered was discussed as a team. “He spoke for the nation,” because the CPP owes its “number one solidarity to the people of Ghana”, she said. She noted that what was said at the congress was nothing new but a tune the CPP and many Ghanaians have been singing for several months. “The people are tired, and we are saying enough is enough,” Samia declared. Some have questioned the timing and platform used by Ivor Greenstreet to raise such issues, but Samia does not think so. Many have also tagged CPP as working under the shadow of NDC so the party took the “opportunity for us to distinguish ourselves from the NDC. We are tired of NDC using the name Kwame Nkrumah and pretending to be a party that is following the vision of Kwame Nkrumah. This is not true…this is an opportunity to set the record straight, and most Ghanaians would agree with what the General Secretary said today”. If CPP were in power they would have said no to IMF negotiation, plant breeder’s bill, Economic Partnership Agreement, she pointed out With a passionate tone, Samia Nkrumah emphatically said, “We simply stated what most Ghanaians are feeling.” She explained that “less percentage are cushioned from hardship but a lot more people are going through challenges”. According to Samia Nkrumah, the government “needs a wake-up call”, and must champion an “economic revolution” with Ghanaians as its focus as well as giving fair opportunity to all.
She gave a disapproving verdict over the governments of both the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress, and hoped by 2016 it would be clear for all to give the CPP a chance to govern once more. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page ::::: |
Late president John Evan Atta Mills, firm statement about the demanded implementation of "Gay-Rights" in Ghana and Ghanaian culture, as demanded by Great Britain, or USA... Read also below: "Ekumfi Youth Ask: Who killed Mills?"
Adom FM Ghana, might work only via Smart Phone or Tablet, if no sound - please click HERE & listen live!.
Test Radio - Live 1 FM Kenya Radio.. (Auto Start need some time, for stream ..!)
.
|
President Mahama rallies NDC to stand together
* Source: GNA / 21.12.2014
President John Dramani Mahama has rallied members and supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), to stand together to maintain a rock solid front.
He said there was the need for them to unite and work to strengthen the party’s internal peace, cohesion and harmony.
President Mahama noted that by combining unity and hard work, there was no way the NDC would not retain power in the 2016 elections.
He said the government he leads “is delivering and making credible progress” in every sector of the economy, something that is fueling his optimism about resounding victory in the next general polls.
He was addressing the party’s National Delegates’ Congress, which is being held amid tight security at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
More than 3,600 delegates have converged at the venue to vote for new national officers.
Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and former President Jerry John Rawlings, the party’s founder, are among those present.
President Mahama acknowledged that there were indeed challenges, but that could not push to the margins the remarkable progress that was being made.
He spoke about significant achievements in the areas of Health, Education, Roads and Aviation, lighting up the country, expansion of the Tema and Takoradi Ports, Agriculture and water supply to the people.
He talked about the expansion works at the Police, Wa and Accra Ridge Hospitals, the construction of a Military Hospital in Kumasi, and a Teaching Hospital at the University of Ghana.
Added to these, he said, were the completion of numerous community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds.
Touching on Education, President Mahama announced that Cabinet had approved a road map for progressively free Senior High School Education to begin in the 2015-16 academic year.
It would initially benefit a total of 360,000 day students nationwide. Again, in the coming year, 123 of the proposed 200 community day SHS would be ready.
President Mahama said they were determined to give it their all, to transform the economy, and cautioned against what he said was petty partisanship, labeling it the “bane of our democracy.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: GNA / 21.12.2014
President John Dramani Mahama has rallied members and supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), to stand together to maintain a rock solid front.
He said there was the need for them to unite and work to strengthen the party’s internal peace, cohesion and harmony.
President Mahama noted that by combining unity and hard work, there was no way the NDC would not retain power in the 2016 elections.
He said the government he leads “is delivering and making credible progress” in every sector of the economy, something that is fueling his optimism about resounding victory in the next general polls.
He was addressing the party’s National Delegates’ Congress, which is being held amid tight security at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
More than 3,600 delegates have converged at the venue to vote for new national officers.
Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and former President Jerry John Rawlings, the party’s founder, are among those present.
President Mahama acknowledged that there were indeed challenges, but that could not push to the margins the remarkable progress that was being made.
He spoke about significant achievements in the areas of Health, Education, Roads and Aviation, lighting up the country, expansion of the Tema and Takoradi Ports, Agriculture and water supply to the people.
He talked about the expansion works at the Police, Wa and Accra Ridge Hospitals, the construction of a Military Hospital in Kumasi, and a Teaching Hospital at the University of Ghana.
Added to these, he said, were the completion of numerous community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds.
Touching on Education, President Mahama announced that Cabinet had approved a road map for progressively free Senior High School Education to begin in the 2015-16 academic year.
It would initially benefit a total of 360,000 day students nationwide. Again, in the coming year, 123 of the proposed 200 community day SHS would be ready.
President Mahama said they were determined to give it their all, to transform the economy, and cautioned against what he said was petty partisanship, labeling it the “bane of our democracy.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Uphold core values of transparency and accountability - Rawlings
* Source: GNA / 21.12.2014
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has urged members of the party he founded, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to uphold the values of truth, transparency and accountability.
He said these were social democratic credentials and must never be allowed to wane or be sacrificed for any parochial interests.
The Former President was addressing the party's eighth national delegates congress at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday.
More than 3,600 delegates have gathered at the place to vote in new officers to lead the NDC to battle in 2016.
President John Mahama and his Vice, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, are among those in attendance.
Mr. Rawlings told the delegates to ensure that they give to the party, leaders who would work to maintain its cherished values to re-energize it ahead of the 2016 general polls.
He cautioned against hypocrisy and said all must face up to the reality of the prevailing situation. The party could not play the ostrich by overlooking the challenges confronting the political and economic management of the country, he said.
He warned that the party’s own internal weaknesses, rather than external enemies, were the ones that could destroy it.
Former President Rawlings reminded party menbers to do everything to remain united to promote the good name of the party. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: GNA / 21.12.2014
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has urged members of the party he founded, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to uphold the values of truth, transparency and accountability.
He said these were social democratic credentials and must never be allowed to wane or be sacrificed for any parochial interests.
The Former President was addressing the party's eighth national delegates congress at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday.
More than 3,600 delegates have gathered at the place to vote in new officers to lead the NDC to battle in 2016.
President John Mahama and his Vice, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, are among those in attendance.
Mr. Rawlings told the delegates to ensure that they give to the party, leaders who would work to maintain its cherished values to re-energize it ahead of the 2016 general polls.
He cautioned against hypocrisy and said all must face up to the reality of the prevailing situation. The party could not play the ostrich by overlooking the challenges confronting the political and economic management of the country, he said.
He warned that the party’s own internal weaknesses, rather than external enemies, were the ones that could destroy it.
Former President Rawlings reminded party menbers to do everything to remain united to promote the good name of the party. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
3,600 Delegates decide NDC’s fate today
* Source: myjoyonline.com / 20.12.2014
About 3,600 delegates of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to participate in the crucial elections today, to decide the fate of the party in the next four years.
This follows months of several hold-ups arising out of the numerous legal battles against the party by some aggrieved members, ranging from eligibility of the outgoing national officers to decisions over the suitability of some of the aspirants.
For the first time in the history of the party, 70 individuals have filed to contest 24 positions declared vacant, at the national delegates’ congress being organized today, Saturday, December 20, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Four persons are hoping to secure the chairmanship slot. These include the incumbent, Dr. Kwabena Adjei; Coordinator for National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Kofi Porturphy, former General Secretary, Alhaji Huudu Yahya as well as former Ambassador to Malaysia, Daniel Abodakpi.
Many have projected the NADMO Boss will topple the incumbent but Dr. Kwabena Adjei insists, he will pull a surprise and perhaps “end the political career” of his opponents.
It is expected that six (6) out of 15 candidates will be selected to serve as vice chairs for the NDC and these include outgoing Women’s Organiser, Jemima Anita Desoso; former Attorney General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; as well as former Education Minister, Lee Ocran.
The Ashanti Regional capital, especially the entrance to the Stadium, is awash with billboards of different forms, of the individuals contesting the various positions.
* Source: myjoyonline.com / 20.12.2014
About 3,600 delegates of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to participate in the crucial elections today, to decide the fate of the party in the next four years.
This follows months of several hold-ups arising out of the numerous legal battles against the party by some aggrieved members, ranging from eligibility of the outgoing national officers to decisions over the suitability of some of the aspirants.
For the first time in the history of the party, 70 individuals have filed to contest 24 positions declared vacant, at the national delegates’ congress being organized today, Saturday, December 20, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Four persons are hoping to secure the chairmanship slot. These include the incumbent, Dr. Kwabena Adjei; Coordinator for National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Kofi Porturphy, former General Secretary, Alhaji Huudu Yahya as well as former Ambassador to Malaysia, Daniel Abodakpi.
Many have projected the NADMO Boss will topple the incumbent but Dr. Kwabena Adjei insists, he will pull a surprise and perhaps “end the political career” of his opponents.
It is expected that six (6) out of 15 candidates will be selected to serve as vice chairs for the NDC and these include outgoing Women’s Organiser, Jemima Anita Desoso; former Attorney General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; as well as former Education Minister, Lee Ocran.
The Ashanti Regional capital, especially the entrance to the Stadium, is awash with billboards of different forms, of the individuals contesting the various positions.
Key decisions
The National Executive Council of the party met Friday night and are expected to announce key decisions adopted for the conduct of the polls.
Myjoyonline.com has learnt, key among the decisions will be the prohibition of the candidates from addressing the delegates in turns.
This is to save some time and ensure that the congress runs smoothly without glitches.
Some analysts say the congress can either make or break the governing party because of the acrimonious manner in which some of the candidates conducted their campaigns particularly, those contesting the National Organiser position.
One of the two candidates, Deputy General Secretary, Kofi Adams and the incumbent Yaw Boateng Gyan, will carry the day.
The new leaders who would emerge victorious from Saturday’s congress would be tasked to organize primaries for the presidential and parliamentary elections for the NDC ahead of the 2016 general elections. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
The National Executive Council of the party met Friday night and are expected to announce key decisions adopted for the conduct of the polls.
Myjoyonline.com has learnt, key among the decisions will be the prohibition of the candidates from addressing the delegates in turns.
This is to save some time and ensure that the congress runs smoothly without glitches.
Some analysts say the congress can either make or break the governing party because of the acrimonious manner in which some of the candidates conducted their campaigns particularly, those contesting the National Organiser position.
One of the two candidates, Deputy General Secretary, Kofi Adams and the incumbent Yaw Boateng Gyan, will carry the day.
The new leaders who would emerge victorious from Saturday’s congress would be tasked to organize primaries for the presidential and parliamentary elections for the NDC ahead of the 2016 general elections. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
We have created Ghanas many challenges – Rawlings to NDC
We have created Ghana’s many challenges – Rawlings to NDC
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 18.12.2014
Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), ex-President John Rawlings have accused some members of the party and government of creating the many challenges the nation is saddled with.
He explained that the situation could be attributed to some government and party officials who have placed their selfish desires above the development of the nation.
Addressing NDC delegates at the 8th National Delegates Congress currently underway in Kumasi, the former President said: “We in the NDC cannot play the ostrich and overlook the many challenges we have created and the winding path we have carved for ourselves.”
“We have to admit that some political appointees and even party officials as well, have allowed their individual interests to override the national interest,” he added.
He admonished the NDC to accept that its government is facing huge political and economic challenges, adding that, “we are doing our best, but we need to do better.”
The ex-President also advised the NDC members to realize that perceptions about the party “have also placed the image of the government and party in a negative light.”
Mr. Rawlings sent a note of caution to the party saying, “I have known from the beginning that no enemy was big enough to destroy us. At the same time, I have also known that it is our own internal weaknesses that can destroy us; no enemy is big enough to destroy us, it is our own treachery, our own weaknesses that can destroy us. This is why we have to do everything possible to control those weaknesses.”
The NDC founder was optimistic that the party is on the brink of experiencing a massive turnaround to the benefit of members and the nation as a whole.
“It is evident that the party already feels a charge of renewed energy that should not be allowed to dissipate after this election. This energy has to be tapped and not destroyed by the parochial intentions of just a handful of people. That energy can be maintained if we embrace the truth,” he remarked.
He pointed out that the dynamic future of the NDC “lies in our women, the wise old comrades and especially the youth who are hungry, ambitious, focused and ready to fight for the core values of what the NDC stands for and that is truth, transparency, integrity and a people centered movement.”
He added that the “strength and the trust of the people cannot be taken for granted and should be harnessed and harvested here in the quality and caliber of leaders we elect today.”::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 18.12.2014
Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), ex-President John Rawlings have accused some members of the party and government of creating the many challenges the nation is saddled with.
He explained that the situation could be attributed to some government and party officials who have placed their selfish desires above the development of the nation.
Addressing NDC delegates at the 8th National Delegates Congress currently underway in Kumasi, the former President said: “We in the NDC cannot play the ostrich and overlook the many challenges we have created and the winding path we have carved for ourselves.”
“We have to admit that some political appointees and even party officials as well, have allowed their individual interests to override the national interest,” he added.
He admonished the NDC to accept that its government is facing huge political and economic challenges, adding that, “we are doing our best, but we need to do better.”
The ex-President also advised the NDC members to realize that perceptions about the party “have also placed the image of the government and party in a negative light.”
Mr. Rawlings sent a note of caution to the party saying, “I have known from the beginning that no enemy was big enough to destroy us. At the same time, I have also known that it is our own internal weaknesses that can destroy us; no enemy is big enough to destroy us, it is our own treachery, our own weaknesses that can destroy us. This is why we have to do everything possible to control those weaknesses.”
The NDC founder was optimistic that the party is on the brink of experiencing a massive turnaround to the benefit of members and the nation as a whole.
“It is evident that the party already feels a charge of renewed energy that should not be allowed to dissipate after this election. This energy has to be tapped and not destroyed by the parochial intentions of just a handful of people. That energy can be maintained if we embrace the truth,” he remarked.
He pointed out that the dynamic future of the NDC “lies in our women, the wise old comrades and especially the youth who are hungry, ambitious, focused and ready to fight for the core values of what the NDC stands for and that is truth, transparency, integrity and a people centered movement.”
He added that the “strength and the trust of the people cannot be taken for granted and should be harnessed and harvested here in the quality and caliber of leaders we elect today.”::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Blame Nkrumah for economic hardship, not Mahama - Akua Donkor
Source: adomonline.com / 20.12.2014
Madam Akua Donkor, founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), says anyone who will indict President John Dramani Mahama for Ghana’s hardship must bow his or her head in shame.
According to her, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's ideologies and style of management has really been a burden on the nation over the years.
She noted that, the “Boys Abr3” slogan being chanted against President Mahama in reference to the hardships the citizenry face daily is unfortunate.
“Whoever will say Boys abr3 under president Mahama must be a stranger…Boys abr3 started from President Kwame Nkrumah. He changed our currency from pounds to cedis…then the boys started suffering till date,” she noted.
Speaking at the National Delegates Congress of the ruling NDC, which is ongoing in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Akua Donkor holds the view that President Mahama has made Ghana a “heaven”.
“Under President Mahama, there is no suffering in Ghana. He is the only president who, under his tenure, nothing has been difficult in this country. God has really blessed him. Ghanaians should pray for him and vote for him in 2016. He is the God Chosen one for Ghana,” Akua Donkor said.
She, however prayed that the NDC will come out successful in their congress to face their political opponents in 2016. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Source: adomonline.com / 20.12.2014
Madam Akua Donkor, founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), says anyone who will indict President John Dramani Mahama for Ghana’s hardship must bow his or her head in shame.
According to her, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's ideologies and style of management has really been a burden on the nation over the years.
She noted that, the “Boys Abr3” slogan being chanted against President Mahama in reference to the hardships the citizenry face daily is unfortunate.
“Whoever will say Boys abr3 under president Mahama must be a stranger…Boys abr3 started from President Kwame Nkrumah. He changed our currency from pounds to cedis…then the boys started suffering till date,” she noted.
Speaking at the National Delegates Congress of the ruling NDC, which is ongoing in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Akua Donkor holds the view that President Mahama has made Ghana a “heaven”.
“Under President Mahama, there is no suffering in Ghana. He is the only president who, under his tenure, nothing has been difficult in this country. God has really blessed him. Ghanaians should pray for him and vote for him in 2016. He is the God Chosen one for Ghana,” Akua Donkor said.
She, however prayed that the NDC will come out successful in their congress to face their political opponents in 2016. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Govt to tax betting centres
* Source: My Joyonline.com / 20.12.2014
Revenue mobilization for the sports industry could receive a boost following the introduction of a betting programme.
Betting centres have become more and more popular in recent times and it is reasonable that they make a contribution to national development
Minister for Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga tells Joy Business the Ministry is working hard towards the introduction of this programme.
“We are currently working on a betting programme with some partners. Ideally, operators of betting centres should contribute a percentage of what they earn to the Government.
“We are having discussions with the Gaming Commission and the Finance Ministry regarding that development. We hope to see this programme implemented soon.”
He was speaking to Joy Business on the sideline of the launch of a sports lottery and mobile platform by the National Lotteries Authority. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: My Joyonline.com / 20.12.2014
Revenue mobilization for the sports industry could receive a boost following the introduction of a betting programme.
Betting centres have become more and more popular in recent times and it is reasonable that they make a contribution to national development
Minister for Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga tells Joy Business the Ministry is working hard towards the introduction of this programme.
“We are currently working on a betting programme with some partners. Ideally, operators of betting centres should contribute a percentage of what they earn to the Government.
“We are having discussions with the Gaming Commission and the Finance Ministry regarding that development. We hope to see this programme implemented soon.”
He was speaking to Joy Business on the sideline of the launch of a sports lottery and mobile platform by the National Lotteries Authority. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
NDC Congress underway; Rawlings breaks protocol
* Source: Starrfmonline.com / 20.12.2014
Former President Rawlings today, Saturday December 20 broke protocol after he appeared at the 8th Congress of the National Democratic Congress minutes after both President John Mahama and his Vice Kwesi Amissah Arthur had arrived for the ceremony.
President Mahama and his Vice both arrived ahead of the party founder who according to official party arrangement was billed to arrive before the two.
Both Mr Rawlings and President Mahama are expected to address delegates at the ceremony.
However, candidates and ministers will not be allowed to address delegates before voting.
Over 4,000 delegates of the party are voting today, Saturday December 20 to elect new national executives to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
Among the key positions being contested for are, the National chairman, General Secretary, National organiser, vice chairmen, deputy general secretary, and propaganda secretary.
::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Starrfmonline.com / 20.12.2014
Former President Rawlings today, Saturday December 20 broke protocol after he appeared at the 8th Congress of the National Democratic Congress minutes after both President John Mahama and his Vice Kwesi Amissah Arthur had arrived for the ceremony.
President Mahama and his Vice both arrived ahead of the party founder who according to official party arrangement was billed to arrive before the two.
Both Mr Rawlings and President Mahama are expected to address delegates at the ceremony.
However, candidates and ministers will not be allowed to address delegates before voting.
Over 4,000 delegates of the party are voting today, Saturday December 20 to elect new national executives to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
Among the key positions being contested for are, the National chairman, General Secretary, National organiser, vice chairmen, deputy general secretary, and propaganda secretary.
::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Hard work, honesty is a huge problem in Ghana – Obed Asamoah
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 20.12.2014
Unemployment has been identified as the biggest challenge the Mahama led administration has to tackle, according to Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, a former National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr. Asamoah believes the unemployment situation is precarious and needs “urgent attention,” he said in an interview with Citi News.
According to him, every period in Ghana’s history had a peculiar challenge the leaders had to deal with and tested the competence and leadership abilities of the president at the time.
“…When Nkrumah came, we were getting independence and it was a period of Africanization, raising the required personnel that would run an independent country was the priority, so he sent some Ghanaians abroad to fill these vacancies… when we came during the PNDC era, the shops were empty and what we needed to do was to fill these shops but President’s Mahama’s main problem today is unemployment even amongst graduates,” he explained.
He asserted that a dissatisfied youth without hope and full of “despair” is dangerous for the country.
His call comes on the heels of a similar one made by a former National Security advisor Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah.
For the two-time Chief of Defense Staff, Ghana risks another uprising if the unemployment situation breeding poverty is not improved.
Dr. Obed Asamoah is also livid over government’s inability to reduce the number of people without jobs in the country and opined that there are lots of avenues that can be explored in that direction including tourism.
“Take tourism for example, this is a labour intensive area that can generate lots of jobs for the teeming (unemployed) of the country.”
When asked why he hasn’t been brought on board to share some of these ideas with the current administration.
He insisted it was up to the appointing authority to act.
The former attorney also lamented what he considers to be the unwillingness on the side of the Ghanaian to work hard and reap the benefits.
“Hard work and honesty is a huge problem here in Ghana, we are not prepared to make the right sacrifices, we are prepared to enjoy without putting the hard work required for such enjoyments,” he said.
To him, a certain amount of “discipline and regimentation” is needed for the country to develop.
This is because the lack of hard work is even reflected in our spending pattern.
He also believes the Ghanaian is more interested in consuming foreign products when local industries are dying.
A situation, he fears, may grind the country’s foreign goods dependent economy to a halt. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 20.12.2014
Unemployment has been identified as the biggest challenge the Mahama led administration has to tackle, according to Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, a former National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr. Asamoah believes the unemployment situation is precarious and needs “urgent attention,” he said in an interview with Citi News.
According to him, every period in Ghana’s history had a peculiar challenge the leaders had to deal with and tested the competence and leadership abilities of the president at the time.
“…When Nkrumah came, we were getting independence and it was a period of Africanization, raising the required personnel that would run an independent country was the priority, so he sent some Ghanaians abroad to fill these vacancies… when we came during the PNDC era, the shops were empty and what we needed to do was to fill these shops but President’s Mahama’s main problem today is unemployment even amongst graduates,” he explained.
He asserted that a dissatisfied youth without hope and full of “despair” is dangerous for the country.
His call comes on the heels of a similar one made by a former National Security advisor Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah.
For the two-time Chief of Defense Staff, Ghana risks another uprising if the unemployment situation breeding poverty is not improved.
Dr. Obed Asamoah is also livid over government’s inability to reduce the number of people without jobs in the country and opined that there are lots of avenues that can be explored in that direction including tourism.
“Take tourism for example, this is a labour intensive area that can generate lots of jobs for the teeming (unemployed) of the country.”
When asked why he hasn’t been brought on board to share some of these ideas with the current administration.
He insisted it was up to the appointing authority to act.
The former attorney also lamented what he considers to be the unwillingness on the side of the Ghanaian to work hard and reap the benefits.
“Hard work and honesty is a huge problem here in Ghana, we are not prepared to make the right sacrifices, we are prepared to enjoy without putting the hard work required for such enjoyments,” he said.
To him, a certain amount of “discipline and regimentation” is needed for the country to develop.
This is because the lack of hard work is even reflected in our spending pattern.
He also believes the Ghanaian is more interested in consuming foreign products when local industries are dying.
A situation, he fears, may grind the country’s foreign goods dependent economy to a halt. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Gov’t exploring coal thermal energy – Mahama
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 20.12.2014
President John Mahama has promised that his administration is exploring other forms of energy supply to address the growing demand for electricity.
The President pointed out that the demand for electricity far outstrips what is currently being produced.
“Our demand is rising at such an extent that hydro alone has not been possible to meet the demand for power in Ghana and so we’ve decided to use thermal generation by first using light crude, but recently, we are seeing the addition of gas,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Board of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), President Mahama said attention is also being focused on solar energy and coal thermal power generation.
According to him, Ghana has great potential with solar, therefore, it is one avenue which is being explored “and also possibly with coal-fired thermal generation.”
He said it is imperative that all these different kinds of power generation are put in place to ensure that citizens, “will not be affected by dumsor and even if ever there is dumsor in the future, it will leave more power available for business and industry.”
Ghana’s energy sector has been struggling to produce the required amounts of power to satisfy the energy needs of Ghanaians.
This has resulted in a load shedding exercise for over two years.
In a bid to solve the problem, the President created a new Ministry of Power to specifically address the challenges in the power sector.
Other projects such as the gas infrastructure project by the Ghana Gas Company and a host of others are ongoing to save the situation. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 20.12.2014
President John Mahama has promised that his administration is exploring other forms of energy supply to address the growing demand for electricity.
The President pointed out that the demand for electricity far outstrips what is currently being produced.
“Our demand is rising at such an extent that hydro alone has not been possible to meet the demand for power in Ghana and so we’ve decided to use thermal generation by first using light crude, but recently, we are seeing the addition of gas,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Board of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), President Mahama said attention is also being focused on solar energy and coal thermal power generation.
According to him, Ghana has great potential with solar, therefore, it is one avenue which is being explored “and also possibly with coal-fired thermal generation.”
He said it is imperative that all these different kinds of power generation are put in place to ensure that citizens, “will not be affected by dumsor and even if ever there is dumsor in the future, it will leave more power available for business and industry.”
Ghana’s energy sector has been struggling to produce the required amounts of power to satisfy the energy needs of Ghanaians.
This has resulted in a load shedding exercise for over two years.
In a bid to solve the problem, the President created a new Ministry of Power to specifically address the challenges in the power sector.
Other projects such as the gas infrastructure project by the Ghana Gas Company and a host of others are ongoing to save the situation. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Mahama charges PURC to fix reasonable tariffs
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 19.12.2014
President John Mahama has charged the reconstituted board of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to fix reasonable electricity tariffs.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the nine-member board of the PURC on Thursday, President Mahama said the board must also ensure power is affordable for business and residential consumers.
He said the move will ensure more private sector participation in power generation.
“We are entering an era where we are seeing more private sector interest and participation in the Energy and Power sector, and the only way that the private sector will invest their money in energy and power generation is if they feel that the plain field is conducive, that it is level and reasonable and it guarantees them a fair return on the investment that they make and it is the PURC that can create that kind of environment for them,” President Mahama explained.
The PURC on September 30, 2014 announced an increment of electricity and water tariffs by 6.54 percent and 4.54 percent respectively.
The Commission explained that the increment was agreed on after careful consideration of all factors that forms the basis of the Automatic Adjustment Formula, and advised Ghanaians to conserve energy and water to reduce the challenges being faced with the unreliable supply of the two essential commodities.
The President also touched on challenges facing Ghana’s power generation.
According to him, the country intends to increase power generation to 5000 megawatts by 2015 to address inconsistent power supply in the country.
Ghana has been facing power challenges in recent times.
The challenge compelled President Mahama to create a power ministry and appoint the Chairman of Parliaments Energy Committee as Minister.
The Minister of Power, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, was on Thursday approved by Parliament to oversee the operations of the new ministry and the sector.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the reconstituted board, Engineer Emmanuel Annan, has assured the President of the board’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the power sector.
“This new board will continue to work equally hard…The members that we have put together are all willing to work very hard to ensure that this happens.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 19.12.2014
President John Mahama has charged the reconstituted board of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to fix reasonable electricity tariffs.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the nine-member board of the PURC on Thursday, President Mahama said the board must also ensure power is affordable for business and residential consumers.
He said the move will ensure more private sector participation in power generation.
“We are entering an era where we are seeing more private sector interest and participation in the Energy and Power sector, and the only way that the private sector will invest their money in energy and power generation is if they feel that the plain field is conducive, that it is level and reasonable and it guarantees them a fair return on the investment that they make and it is the PURC that can create that kind of environment for them,” President Mahama explained.
The PURC on September 30, 2014 announced an increment of electricity and water tariffs by 6.54 percent and 4.54 percent respectively.
The Commission explained that the increment was agreed on after careful consideration of all factors that forms the basis of the Automatic Adjustment Formula, and advised Ghanaians to conserve energy and water to reduce the challenges being faced with the unreliable supply of the two essential commodities.
The President also touched on challenges facing Ghana’s power generation.
According to him, the country intends to increase power generation to 5000 megawatts by 2015 to address inconsistent power supply in the country.
Ghana has been facing power challenges in recent times.
The challenge compelled President Mahama to create a power ministry and appoint the Chairman of Parliaments Energy Committee as Minister.
The Minister of Power, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, was on Thursday approved by Parliament to oversee the operations of the new ministry and the sector.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the reconstituted board, Engineer Emmanuel Annan, has assured the President of the board’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the power sector.
“This new board will continue to work equally hard…The members that we have put together are all willing to work very hard to ensure that this happens.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Mahama inaugurates Made in Ghana committee
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 18.12.2014
President John Mahama has inaugurated a Made in Ghana Committee with a view to making Ghana self-reliant.
The Committee chaired by Trade Minister Ekwow Spio Garbrah is in line with Government's vision of promoting made in Ghana goods and services.
The President lamented the increasing balance of payment deficits, which he said has come as a result of the country's dependence on foreign products.
According to him, the quantum of the country's exports is estimated at $13 billion while imports hovered around $17 billion, adding, the products which constituted the gap of some $4 billion are mostly products which Ghana can equally produce and yet are imported from other countries.
"Every country is getting its act together and Ghana must not be left behind because we are in competition for investment in our sub-region," he said.
The President was hugely impressed with the theme of the 2014 Farmers' Day Celebration- "Grow what we eat."
He said the theme could not have come at a better time and charged the Spio Garbrah - led committee to let the made in Ghana spirit permeate all economic activities in the country.
While bread is consumed in many homes in Ghana, the president said the wheat flour which is used in baking bread is imported.
He implored the country to explore other alternatives in the baking of bread either by growing wheat or using other products like cassava, from which flour can be produced for bread.
"We in Ghana cannot rest on our oars. We have to do everything that it takes to diversify our economy, reduce our import dependence and be able to expand the revenues that we achieve from our exports," he challenged.
Chairman of the Committee Ekwow Spio Garbrah was grateful for the opportunity to serve in yet another important capacity, which he said was useful in promoting local products.
He said the objective of the President is to take up the mantle of promoting the Made in Ghana agenda, adding that he and his deputies are poised to achieve that goal. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 18.12.2014
President John Mahama has inaugurated a Made in Ghana Committee with a view to making Ghana self-reliant.
The Committee chaired by Trade Minister Ekwow Spio Garbrah is in line with Government's vision of promoting made in Ghana goods and services.
The President lamented the increasing balance of payment deficits, which he said has come as a result of the country's dependence on foreign products.
According to him, the quantum of the country's exports is estimated at $13 billion while imports hovered around $17 billion, adding, the products which constituted the gap of some $4 billion are mostly products which Ghana can equally produce and yet are imported from other countries.
"Every country is getting its act together and Ghana must not be left behind because we are in competition for investment in our sub-region," he said.
The President was hugely impressed with the theme of the 2014 Farmers' Day Celebration- "Grow what we eat."
He said the theme could not have come at a better time and charged the Spio Garbrah - led committee to let the made in Ghana spirit permeate all economic activities in the country.
While bread is consumed in many homes in Ghana, the president said the wheat flour which is used in baking bread is imported.
He implored the country to explore other alternatives in the baking of bread either by growing wheat or using other products like cassava, from which flour can be produced for bread.
"We in Ghana cannot rest on our oars. We have to do everything that it takes to diversify our economy, reduce our import dependence and be able to expand the revenues that we achieve from our exports," he challenged.
Chairman of the Committee Ekwow Spio Garbrah was grateful for the opportunity to serve in yet another important capacity, which he said was useful in promoting local products.
He said the objective of the President is to take up the mantle of promoting the Made in Ghana agenda, adding that he and his deputies are poised to achieve that goal. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Tullow opens manufacturing yard at Sekondi
* Source: Daily Guide Ghana / 18.12.2014
A new fabrication facility for the oil sector has been opened at Sekondi in the Western Region. The yard was built by Tullow Oil to fabricate components for the TEN Project, Ghana’s next major oil development, on land leased from the Ghana Navy.
Work at the site has started on the fabrication of nine anchor piles for Ghana’s second floating production and storage (FPSO) vessel, which will start producing oil from the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) fields in mid-2016.
The 122-tonne, 23 metre high steel cylinders will anchor the FPSO to the seabed, keeping it in place during its lifetime.
Following the completion of the anchor piles in April 2015, the facility will be used to fabricate jumper spools for the TEN Project, which will connect subsea production equipment on the seabed.
General Manager of Tullow Ghana Ltd, Charles Darku, commented: “It’s fantastic to see work has started at this new facility. We are grateful to the Navy for allowing us to lease the land. The TEN Project is making good its local content commitments and I’m very proud that Tullow is leading the first project to fabricate important FPSO components in Ghana.”
Alex Mould, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, said as one of the TEN Partners, his outfit was pleased to be associated with the efforts that the field operator, Tullow was pursuing.
“It is tangible evidence that we are delivering on the commitments made in the TEN Development Plan, approved by the Minister of Energy & Petroleum and also provides Ghana with a sustainable legacy that will support not just the TEN and Jubilee developments, but future oil projects as well. We congratulate all associated with this significant achievement.”
A second new fabrication yard, also commissioned to fabricate components for the TEN Project, will soon open at the Takoradi Port.
Being built by Subsea 7, this facility will be used to fabricate anchor piles for subsea manifolds.
Working in collaboration with the Petroleum Commission, the TEN Project is committed to maximising the amount of work undertaken in Ghana. Earlier this year, module support tools for the FPSO were fabricated by Seaweld Engineering Ltd and Orsam Ltd in Tema and Takoradi, subsea mud mats are currently being fabricated by Harlequin International Ghana Ltd and Accra-based Hydra Offshore Group is supplying engineering services to the project. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Daily Guide Ghana / 18.12.2014
A new fabrication facility for the oil sector has been opened at Sekondi in the Western Region. The yard was built by Tullow Oil to fabricate components for the TEN Project, Ghana’s next major oil development, on land leased from the Ghana Navy.
Work at the site has started on the fabrication of nine anchor piles for Ghana’s second floating production and storage (FPSO) vessel, which will start producing oil from the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) fields in mid-2016.
The 122-tonne, 23 metre high steel cylinders will anchor the FPSO to the seabed, keeping it in place during its lifetime.
Following the completion of the anchor piles in April 2015, the facility will be used to fabricate jumper spools for the TEN Project, which will connect subsea production equipment on the seabed.
General Manager of Tullow Ghana Ltd, Charles Darku, commented: “It’s fantastic to see work has started at this new facility. We are grateful to the Navy for allowing us to lease the land. The TEN Project is making good its local content commitments and I’m very proud that Tullow is leading the first project to fabricate important FPSO components in Ghana.”
Alex Mould, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, said as one of the TEN Partners, his outfit was pleased to be associated with the efforts that the field operator, Tullow was pursuing.
“It is tangible evidence that we are delivering on the commitments made in the TEN Development Plan, approved by the Minister of Energy & Petroleum and also provides Ghana with a sustainable legacy that will support not just the TEN and Jubilee developments, but future oil projects as well. We congratulate all associated with this significant achievement.”
A second new fabrication yard, also commissioned to fabricate components for the TEN Project, will soon open at the Takoradi Port.
Being built by Subsea 7, this facility will be used to fabricate anchor piles for subsea manifolds.
Working in collaboration with the Petroleum Commission, the TEN Project is committed to maximising the amount of work undertaken in Ghana. Earlier this year, module support tools for the FPSO were fabricated by Seaweld Engineering Ltd and Orsam Ltd in Tema and Takoradi, subsea mud mats are currently being fabricated by Harlequin International Ghana Ltd and Accra-based Hydra Offshore Group is supplying engineering services to the project. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Kufuor in big rice business
Eat Ghanaian produce RICE! Work for Ghanaian farmers. Stability for the Ghana Cedis! - Ghana-Net.com ::: Campaigning this since 2007!
Ex-president Kufuor in big rice business (Ghana produce Rice!)
* Source: The Sun Newspaper / 18.12.2014
For every business magnate, US$400 million (GHC1.28 billion) is money that cannot be put into a competitor’s pocket. In the world of a president, that is an amount of money that can put up several classroom blocks, supply water, or even purchase enough fuel to deal with ‘dum-so.’
What about an ex-president? It is difficult to tell, but the answer may not be far if you read the mind of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
That Ghana spends US$400 million on importation of rice is a headache to the former president. That amount is 147 short of the $547 million Millennium Challenge Account first compact which the United States awarded his administration to construct the N1 (George Bush) Highway, the Mallam interchange and other road networks, especially in the Afram Plains area of the Eastern Region.
It is also about $112 million less than the amount of money the current administration received on oil exports over January to December 2014.
Now, the former president, who was awarded the World Food Prize in 2011 along with Brazilian Lula da Silva, has put the machinery of the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, which he chairs, into motion to advocate in favour of domestic production of rice.
By this act, he is seeking to beat down the amount of money spent on rice imports and help to channel a chunk, if not all, of the amount into the hands of local rice farmers to produce the staple, which has now become the first choice meal for majority of Ghanaian households.
“All we want to do is to ensure that appropriate policy environment is created for the production through processing and marketing of local rice,” Professor Baffour Agyemang-Duah, Chief Executive Officer of the JAK Foundation, spoke of the former president’s intentions.
He was speaking on Tuesday in Accra where the JAK Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body, GRIB, outdoored a Public-Private National Dialogue Council on Rice, a vehicle that will facilitate the sharing of ideas by private sector actors and public sector institutions on policy and regulatory improvements for the rice industry in Ghana.
According to Prof. Agyemang-Duah, the Public-Private National Dialogue Council on Rice (or Rice Council) is “an effort, in collaboration with other partners, to revive the Ghanaian spirit especially in the area of Ghanaian rice production.
“We want to today, constitute a council and inaugurate it…so that the public sector, which is normally controlled by government, and the private sector where individuals, independent people and companies are operating can come together, have a common platform to dialogue on the best, appropriate policies for our rice industry to meet local demand,” he intimated.
In real terms, the value of the rice industry per annum is worth more than the US$400 giving that local rice production is calculated to be in the region of 30 percent of national need.
The JAK Foundation has, therefore, taken a strategic initiative to ensure that if the local production is not propped, in the least, the existing quota for local farmers can be preserved.
Looking three to four decades back, however, one gets a picture of massive retrogression. Here, Prof. Agyemang-Duah recalled: “…we know that in the early 70s this country started exporting rice. I was a young man, and I saw it myself under the government of General (Ignatius Kutu) Acheampong. Through a very, very vigorous policy of operation feed yourself, we produced so much rice we started exporting rice to our neighbouring countries.”
Sprint into 2014, and you will find that Ghana is a pale shadow of its former self. Prof. Agyemang-Duah acknowledges that “We’ve been told many times by governments that we spend a chunk of our scarce resources on importing rice. And I understand that currently we spend about 400 million dollars a year on rice importation. The assumption is that if we can produce our own rice then we will be saving ourselves that much.”
His lamentation is that “the whole idea of relying on imported rice is the problem just as we relying on so many goods imported for our livelihoods is a problem.” He expatiates that “Now we know we are importing not only rice, we are also importing tomatoes, some vegetables, plantain; things that in our very youthful days we will just walk behind the backyard and just get them free of charge to our homes for our meals.”
According to the Ministry of Trade, a minimum US$500 million is spent on rice imports and even that is modest because many importers engage in under-invoicing or under declaration of actual value of their imports in order to avoid tax.
Evans Sackey, Executive Secretary at GRIB, supplies that current rice consumption is at 1.6 million metric tonnes, up almost three-fold from the 2008 figure of 600,000 metric tonnes. Per the statistics, not more than 500,000 metric tonnes, or 31 percent, is supplied by local producers.
The inauguration of the Rice Council is, therefore, meant to address challenges to local production, which are mainly policy-related so that an enabling environment can be created for local production to thrive.
“The expectation is that after this council is inaugurated, it will look at the rice strategy and validate the priorities therein. We will not end there. We are also hoping that zonal councils will also be launched in the regions where priorities of stakeholders will also be discussed. Then the findings at both the local and national levels will serve as the basis for the public-private dialogue on the rice industry,” said Prof. Agyemang-Duah.
He added, “So, this is just the beginning. We are building the national architecture, to be followed by the regional group.”
Beyond the short term, “we envisage that in the near future, this council will link to the rice councils in other neighbouring countries, for instance in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, to constitute a West African rice council. And if we succeed in that, we can link that to other sub-regional councils as, for instance, we have in East Africa,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, the JAK foundation is a partner to a major rice initiative – Competitive African Rice Initiative, CARI. In partnership with TechnoServe and Kilimo Trust of Tanzania, the project is designed to maximize rice production in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania. This five-year project empowers small-scale rice farmers in these Sub-Saharan Africa countries and is sponsored by the German Cooperation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by the German Development Corporation, GIZ.
“The JAK Foundation is a partner handling mainly the advocacy and policy aspects of the rice industry in Africa,” Prof. Agyemang-Duah stated. “Through these four countries, we hope to create these councils that will, hopefully, cascade into an African kind of rice council so that in the future, all Africa can be self-reliant.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Ex-president Kufuor in big rice business (Ghana produce Rice!)
* Source: The Sun Newspaper / 18.12.2014
For every business magnate, US$400 million (GHC1.28 billion) is money that cannot be put into a competitor’s pocket. In the world of a president, that is an amount of money that can put up several classroom blocks, supply water, or even purchase enough fuel to deal with ‘dum-so.’
What about an ex-president? It is difficult to tell, but the answer may not be far if you read the mind of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
That Ghana spends US$400 million on importation of rice is a headache to the former president. That amount is 147 short of the $547 million Millennium Challenge Account first compact which the United States awarded his administration to construct the N1 (George Bush) Highway, the Mallam interchange and other road networks, especially in the Afram Plains area of the Eastern Region.
It is also about $112 million less than the amount of money the current administration received on oil exports over January to December 2014.
Now, the former president, who was awarded the World Food Prize in 2011 along with Brazilian Lula da Silva, has put the machinery of the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, which he chairs, into motion to advocate in favour of domestic production of rice.
By this act, he is seeking to beat down the amount of money spent on rice imports and help to channel a chunk, if not all, of the amount into the hands of local rice farmers to produce the staple, which has now become the first choice meal for majority of Ghanaian households.
“All we want to do is to ensure that appropriate policy environment is created for the production through processing and marketing of local rice,” Professor Baffour Agyemang-Duah, Chief Executive Officer of the JAK Foundation, spoke of the former president’s intentions.
He was speaking on Tuesday in Accra where the JAK Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body, GRIB, outdoored a Public-Private National Dialogue Council on Rice, a vehicle that will facilitate the sharing of ideas by private sector actors and public sector institutions on policy and regulatory improvements for the rice industry in Ghana.
According to Prof. Agyemang-Duah, the Public-Private National Dialogue Council on Rice (or Rice Council) is “an effort, in collaboration with other partners, to revive the Ghanaian spirit especially in the area of Ghanaian rice production.
“We want to today, constitute a council and inaugurate it…so that the public sector, which is normally controlled by government, and the private sector where individuals, independent people and companies are operating can come together, have a common platform to dialogue on the best, appropriate policies for our rice industry to meet local demand,” he intimated.
In real terms, the value of the rice industry per annum is worth more than the US$400 giving that local rice production is calculated to be in the region of 30 percent of national need.
The JAK Foundation has, therefore, taken a strategic initiative to ensure that if the local production is not propped, in the least, the existing quota for local farmers can be preserved.
Looking three to four decades back, however, one gets a picture of massive retrogression. Here, Prof. Agyemang-Duah recalled: “…we know that in the early 70s this country started exporting rice. I was a young man, and I saw it myself under the government of General (Ignatius Kutu) Acheampong. Through a very, very vigorous policy of operation feed yourself, we produced so much rice we started exporting rice to our neighbouring countries.”
Sprint into 2014, and you will find that Ghana is a pale shadow of its former self. Prof. Agyemang-Duah acknowledges that “We’ve been told many times by governments that we spend a chunk of our scarce resources on importing rice. And I understand that currently we spend about 400 million dollars a year on rice importation. The assumption is that if we can produce our own rice then we will be saving ourselves that much.”
His lamentation is that “the whole idea of relying on imported rice is the problem just as we relying on so many goods imported for our livelihoods is a problem.” He expatiates that “Now we know we are importing not only rice, we are also importing tomatoes, some vegetables, plantain; things that in our very youthful days we will just walk behind the backyard and just get them free of charge to our homes for our meals.”
According to the Ministry of Trade, a minimum US$500 million is spent on rice imports and even that is modest because many importers engage in under-invoicing or under declaration of actual value of their imports in order to avoid tax.
Evans Sackey, Executive Secretary at GRIB, supplies that current rice consumption is at 1.6 million metric tonnes, up almost three-fold from the 2008 figure of 600,000 metric tonnes. Per the statistics, not more than 500,000 metric tonnes, or 31 percent, is supplied by local producers.
The inauguration of the Rice Council is, therefore, meant to address challenges to local production, which are mainly policy-related so that an enabling environment can be created for local production to thrive.
“The expectation is that after this council is inaugurated, it will look at the rice strategy and validate the priorities therein. We will not end there. We are also hoping that zonal councils will also be launched in the regions where priorities of stakeholders will also be discussed. Then the findings at both the local and national levels will serve as the basis for the public-private dialogue on the rice industry,” said Prof. Agyemang-Duah.
He added, “So, this is just the beginning. We are building the national architecture, to be followed by the regional group.”
Beyond the short term, “we envisage that in the near future, this council will link to the rice councils in other neighbouring countries, for instance in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, to constitute a West African rice council. And if we succeed in that, we can link that to other sub-regional councils as, for instance, we have in East Africa,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, the JAK foundation is a partner to a major rice initiative – Competitive African Rice Initiative, CARI. In partnership with TechnoServe and Kilimo Trust of Tanzania, the project is designed to maximize rice production in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania. This five-year project empowers small-scale rice farmers in these Sub-Saharan Africa countries and is sponsored by the German Cooperation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by the German Development Corporation, GIZ.
“The JAK Foundation is a partner handling mainly the advocacy and policy aspects of the rice industry in Africa,” Prof. Agyemang-Duah stated. “Through these four countries, we hope to create these councils that will, hopefully, cascade into an African kind of rice council so that in the future, all Africa can be self-reliant.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Gov’t still in search of a partner for national airline
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 18.12.2014
Transaction advisors for government in the setting up of a new national airline PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana Limited (PWC) is yet to find a private investor to partner government to run the new national airline.
Government in August this year, appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as transaction advisors for the new national airline for Ghana.
The national airline will be run on a public-private partnership basis, and PWC is expected to advise government on the ownership structure, funding, business model and routes among others.
Citi Business News has learnt a number of investors have shown interest in running the new airline.
Local airline operator Africa World Airlines (AWA) earlier told Citi Business News it intends to pursue its ambition to partner government in the establishment of a new national airline.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show the Deputy Transport Minister Joyce Bawah Mogtari said she was optimistic that a new partner for the national airline would be announced soon.
“As you mentioned earlier with regards to Ghana’s own national airline, yes the transactional advisor is currently working seriously to find us a strategic investor because we want to undertake that process through a public private partnership arrangement.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 18.12.2014
Transaction advisors for government in the setting up of a new national airline PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana Limited (PWC) is yet to find a private investor to partner government to run the new national airline.
Government in August this year, appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as transaction advisors for the new national airline for Ghana.
The national airline will be run on a public-private partnership basis, and PWC is expected to advise government on the ownership structure, funding, business model and routes among others.
Citi Business News has learnt a number of investors have shown interest in running the new airline.
Local airline operator Africa World Airlines (AWA) earlier told Citi Business News it intends to pursue its ambition to partner government in the establishment of a new national airline.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show the Deputy Transport Minister Joyce Bawah Mogtari said she was optimistic that a new partner for the national airline would be announced soon.
“As you mentioned earlier with regards to Ghana’s own national airline, yes the transactional advisor is currently working seriously to find us a strategic investor because we want to undertake that process through a public private partnership arrangement.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Mahama meets Ban Ki Moon at Flagstaff House over Ebola
* Source: Starrmonline.com / 18.12.2014
President John Dramani Mahama will today grant audience to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, at the Flagstaff House.
The meeting which will centre on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease in the sub-region, will precede a visit to the three affected countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, by the Secretary General.
Ghana has been a response hub of the deadly disease that has killed over 5000 people in West Africa.
The number of people killed by the Ebola virus has exceeded 6,900, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement Wednesday.
“A total of 18 603 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in five affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America) and three previously affected countries (Nigeria, Senegal and Spain) in the seven days to 14 December (week 50). There have been 6915 reported deaths,” the WHO’s report said.
“Reported case incidence is fluctuating in Guinea and declining in Liberia. In Sierra Leone, there are signs the increase in incidence has slowed, and that incidence may no longer be increasing. The case fatality rate in the three intense-transmission countries among all cases for whom a definitive outcome is recorded is 70%,” it said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Starrmonline.com / 18.12.2014
President John Dramani Mahama will today grant audience to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, at the Flagstaff House.
The meeting which will centre on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease in the sub-region, will precede a visit to the three affected countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, by the Secretary General.
Ghana has been a response hub of the deadly disease that has killed over 5000 people in West Africa.
The number of people killed by the Ebola virus has exceeded 6,900, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement Wednesday.
“A total of 18 603 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in five affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America) and three previously affected countries (Nigeria, Senegal and Spain) in the seven days to 14 December (week 50). There have been 6915 reported deaths,” the WHO’s report said.
“Reported case incidence is fluctuating in Guinea and declining in Liberia. In Sierra Leone, there are signs the increase in incidence has slowed, and that incidence may no longer be increasing. The case fatality rate in the three intense-transmission countries among all cases for whom a definitive outcome is recorded is 70%,” it said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Ridge Hospital offers GHC5,000 compensation to family of 18-year-old boy
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 19.12.2014
The Ridge Hospital has offered a 5,000 Ghana cedi compensation to the family of an 18-year-old boy who died after the doctor on duty refused him medical care.
Benjamin Amartey died on August 10, 2014 after he was turned away from the Ridge Hospital because the doctor on duty said he was tired.
The hospital after investigations accepted responsibility for the boy’s death.
The family claims it spent some GHc16,000 on his funeral. But the hospital has made an offer of GHC5,000 to the family.
Joshua Amartey, father of the deceased is unhappy at the hospital’s decision. "We are not happy at all about what is happening," he said.
He accused the hospital of cheating them, adding that the death of his son has plunged him into debt.
The Medical Director of the Ridge Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Obeng Apori has however declined comment on the issue.
The Ridge hospital last month told Joy News it will submit its investigative report on the death of the 18-year-old to the Medical and Dental Council..
The report faulted the doctor who denied the deceased medical care.
But Dr. Apori claims the submission of the report to the Council is no longer necessary.
In a reaction, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Eli Atikpui has expressed disappointment with the conduct of the hospital.
He told Beatrice Adu the posture of the Ridge Hospital is unfortunate.
"I find it quite unfortunate but I will only advise the parents to file a complaint with the Medical and Dental Council," he said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 19.12.2014
The Ridge Hospital has offered a 5,000 Ghana cedi compensation to the family of an 18-year-old boy who died after the doctor on duty refused him medical care.
Benjamin Amartey died on August 10, 2014 after he was turned away from the Ridge Hospital because the doctor on duty said he was tired.
The hospital after investigations accepted responsibility for the boy’s death.
The family claims it spent some GHc16,000 on his funeral. But the hospital has made an offer of GHC5,000 to the family.
Joshua Amartey, father of the deceased is unhappy at the hospital’s decision. "We are not happy at all about what is happening," he said.
He accused the hospital of cheating them, adding that the death of his son has plunged him into debt.
The Medical Director of the Ridge Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Obeng Apori has however declined comment on the issue.
The Ridge hospital last month told Joy News it will submit its investigative report on the death of the 18-year-old to the Medical and Dental Council..
The report faulted the doctor who denied the deceased medical care.
But Dr. Apori claims the submission of the report to the Council is no longer necessary.
In a reaction, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Eli Atikpui has expressed disappointment with the conduct of the hospital.
He told Beatrice Adu the posture of the Ridge Hospital is unfortunate.
"I find it quite unfortunate but I will only advise the parents to file a complaint with the Medical and Dental Council," he said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
3 cocaine smugglers arrested at KIA
* Source: Daily Guide / 17.12.2014
Three Clearing Agents have been arrested at the Aviance Cargo Village at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
They were rounded up Tuesday at about 11:30 am by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB).
Sources at the airport said the agents were purportedly facilitating the smooth passage of the suspected illicit drug through the cargo village into the country,
A fourth person was also arrested but it later turned out that he was not part of the deal. As at press time yesterday, it was not clear whether he had been released or was still being held by the security agencies.
Their arrest followed a tip-off to the security agencies, who arrived at the facility in two Toyota Camry vehicles.
Attempts to get official confirmation were however not successful.
The latest case of narcotics drug being allegedly facilitated through KIA comes on the heels of a strange and bizarre circumstance under which some 12.5kg of cocaine with a street value of $5 million was taken through the VVIP section of the Kotoka International Airport into a waiting airplane and flown abroad by one Nayele Ametefeh aka Ruby Adu Gyamfi and her purported two lady accomplices.
Ruby was later busted at the Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom.
She pleaded guilty to the charge of transporting drug suspected to be cocaine when she appeared before the Isleworth Crown Court in London on November 27, 2014.
The case has since been adjourned to Monday, Jan 5, 2015 for sentencing, by which time the court would be furnished with laboratory analysis of the quantity and purity of the substance, plus its street value, before the verdict is pronounced. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Daily Guide / 17.12.2014
Three Clearing Agents have been arrested at the Aviance Cargo Village at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
They were rounded up Tuesday at about 11:30 am by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB).
Sources at the airport said the agents were purportedly facilitating the smooth passage of the suspected illicit drug through the cargo village into the country,
A fourth person was also arrested but it later turned out that he was not part of the deal. As at press time yesterday, it was not clear whether he had been released or was still being held by the security agencies.
Their arrest followed a tip-off to the security agencies, who arrived at the facility in two Toyota Camry vehicles.
Attempts to get official confirmation were however not successful.
The latest case of narcotics drug being allegedly facilitated through KIA comes on the heels of a strange and bizarre circumstance under which some 12.5kg of cocaine with a street value of $5 million was taken through the VVIP section of the Kotoka International Airport into a waiting airplane and flown abroad by one Nayele Ametefeh aka Ruby Adu Gyamfi and her purported two lady accomplices.
Ruby was later busted at the Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom.
She pleaded guilty to the charge of transporting drug suspected to be cocaine when she appeared before the Isleworth Crown Court in London on November 27, 2014.
The case has since been adjourned to Monday, Jan 5, 2015 for sentencing, by which time the court would be furnished with laboratory analysis of the quantity and purity of the substance, plus its street value, before the verdict is pronounced. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Chief murdered in Zabzugu
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 17.12.2014
The Chief of Salinkuga, a suburb of Zabzugu in the Northern Region has been murdered by unknown assailants.
According to a family source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the late Naa Sumani Tigu was shot on Tuesday evening at about 8:30 pm.
The cause of the incident is yet to be established.
The source implied that the late Salinkuga Naa was shot twice in the thigh, and one of the bullets penetrated through his abdomen.
The source revealed that he died in an ambulance on the way to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
Salinkuga, a village that is about eight miles away from the Zabzugu Township, is calm as security personnel are patrolling the area.
The Northern Region has recorded a number of chieftaincy disputes leading to the death of several people and others severely injured.
The late chief of Bimbilla, Naa Andani Yakubu, was also murdered by some unknown assailants in his house in June.
The murder and surrounding developments compelled the Minister of Interior, Mark Woyongo, to impose a curfew on the township.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani was also murdered in a similar fashion. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Citifmonline.com / 17.12.2014
The Chief of Salinkuga, a suburb of Zabzugu in the Northern Region has been murdered by unknown assailants.
According to a family source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the late Naa Sumani Tigu was shot on Tuesday evening at about 8:30 pm.
The cause of the incident is yet to be established.
The source implied that the late Salinkuga Naa was shot twice in the thigh, and one of the bullets penetrated through his abdomen.
The source revealed that he died in an ambulance on the way to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
Salinkuga, a village that is about eight miles away from the Zabzugu Township, is calm as security personnel are patrolling the area.
The Northern Region has recorded a number of chieftaincy disputes leading to the death of several people and others severely injured.
The late chief of Bimbilla, Naa Andani Yakubu, was also murdered by some unknown assailants in his house in June.
The murder and surrounding developments compelled the Minister of Interior, Mark Woyongo, to impose a curfew on the township.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani was also murdered in a similar fashion. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Four arrested over murder of Salinkuga chief
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 17.12.2014
Police in Yendi have arrested four persons including a teenager, for allegedly playing a role in the murder of the Chief of Salinkuga in the Zabzugu District of the Northern Region.
Naa Sumani Tigu was shot Tuesday night by gunmen and died while being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Salinkuga is a farming community located about eight miles away from the Zabzugu Township.
Reports say the late chief was shot twice in the thigh and one of the bullets went through his abdomen.
It is unclear what the motive may have been for the shooting.
The four suspects in the grip of the police are Musa Alhassan (45), Mohammed Dokurugu (50), Dozo Mahami (25) and Mohammed Nurudeen (18).
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, a fifth person, Abdulai Mohammed, who is said to be the prime suspect is on the run.
ASP Tetteh told Joy News on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 that a search has been mounted for six more suspects.
“We have commenced investigations, and we hope to bring them to book,” the PRO indicated. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Myjoyonline.com / 17.12.2014
Police in Yendi have arrested four persons including a teenager, for allegedly playing a role in the murder of the Chief of Salinkuga in the Zabzugu District of the Northern Region.
Naa Sumani Tigu was shot Tuesday night by gunmen and died while being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Salinkuga is a farming community located about eight miles away from the Zabzugu Township.
Reports say the late chief was shot twice in the thigh and one of the bullets went through his abdomen.
It is unclear what the motive may have been for the shooting.
The four suspects in the grip of the police are Musa Alhassan (45), Mohammed Dokurugu (50), Dozo Mahami (25) and Mohammed Nurudeen (18).
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, a fifth person, Abdulai Mohammed, who is said to be the prime suspect is on the run.
ASP Tetteh told Joy News on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 that a search has been mounted for six more suspects.
“We have commenced investigations, and we hope to bring them to book,” the PRO indicated. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Chief of Staff’s office overspends budget by Ghc41m - Report
* Source: Starfmonline.com / 17.12.2014
Minority lawmakers have raised alarm about what they call excessive spending by the office of the Chief of Staff at the presidency.
A report by the finance committee shows that the Office of the chief of staff spent Ghc48.8 million instead of the Ghc7.4 million allocated to it in the 2014 budget. The amount was spent out of a total of Ghc326.8 million allocated to Government machinery for the year 2014.
Chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi, explained to Parliament that the total amount allocated to government machinery is a combination of the original and supplementary budgets.
Avedzi said as of September, Ghc203 million, representing 62 percent of that budget had been spent.
Deputy Minority Leader Dominic Nitiwul, however, said if the office of the Chief of Staff, alone, overspent its budget by about Ghc41 million, then it meant some critical aspects of Government machinery did not receive what they were meant to have received per the budget. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Starfmonline.com / 17.12.2014
Minority lawmakers have raised alarm about what they call excessive spending by the office of the Chief of Staff at the presidency.
A report by the finance committee shows that the Office of the chief of staff spent Ghc48.8 million instead of the Ghc7.4 million allocated to it in the 2014 budget. The amount was spent out of a total of Ghc326.8 million allocated to Government machinery for the year 2014.
Chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi, explained to Parliament that the total amount allocated to government machinery is a combination of the original and supplementary budgets.
Avedzi said as of September, Ghc203 million, representing 62 percent of that budget had been spent.
Deputy Minority Leader Dominic Nitiwul, however, said if the office of the Chief of Staff, alone, overspent its budget by about Ghc41 million, then it meant some critical aspects of Government machinery did not receive what they were meant to have received per the budget. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
‘Fake’ AIDS ambassador Dzidzor Mensah storms AIDS C’ssion
* Source: Starfmonline.com / 17.12.2014
A showdown is expected at the Ghana AIDS Commission today as Joyce Dzidzor Mensah, the former ambassador of the Heart to Heart Campaign, meets officials to answer questions over her alleged faked HIV/AIDS status.
Mensah has been making the headlines this week after disclosing on a private TV station that she has never been an HIV patient although she acted as an ambassador since 2007. She has prominently been the face in the fight against the menace while moving round Ghana to tell her touching story and how she has been dealing with the disease.
Her revelation has put the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in a bad light, compelling the Commission to issue a statement hours after her claims that she indeed tested positive before being put on the campaign.
According to a director at the GAC, Golda Asante, the ex-ambassador has been summoned to help with investigations into the issue.
“We just want to interact with her and then we will continue our investigation,” Asante told TV 3. “We just want to understand her.”
Meanwhile, Mensah’s ex-husband has debunked her story, saying she has taken to her current stance to protect her children who are suffering stigmatization in society.. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Starfmonline.com / 17.12.2014
A showdown is expected at the Ghana AIDS Commission today as Joyce Dzidzor Mensah, the former ambassador of the Heart to Heart Campaign, meets officials to answer questions over her alleged faked HIV/AIDS status.
Mensah has been making the headlines this week after disclosing on a private TV station that she has never been an HIV patient although she acted as an ambassador since 2007. She has prominently been the face in the fight against the menace while moving round Ghana to tell her touching story and how she has been dealing with the disease.
Her revelation has put the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in a bad light, compelling the Commission to issue a statement hours after her claims that she indeed tested positive before being put on the campaign.
According to a director at the GAC, Golda Asante, the ex-ambassador has been summoned to help with investigations into the issue.
“We just want to interact with her and then we will continue our investigation,” Asante told TV 3. “We just want to understand her.”
Meanwhile, Mensah’s ex-husband has debunked her story, saying she has taken to her current stance to protect her children who are suffering stigmatization in society.. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
The cause of the death of former President John Evans Atta Mills
Ekumfi Youth Ask: Who killed Mills?
* Source: Daily Guide / 17.12.2014
The cause of the death of former President John Evans Atta Mills refuses to fade off as the youth of Ekumfi, his hometown, are demanding an investigation into the strange circumstance under which the former Ghanaian leader died.
President Mills died on July 24, 2012 – five months to the general elections in which he was seeking re-election.
But the circumstance surrounding his death has been a major controversial issue in the country, in view of the varying accounts given as the possible cause of his demise.
At a press conference organised by the Coalition of Ekumfi Youth for Development (CEYD) at Essarkyir yesterday, president of the group, Mustapha Anderson, said: “The youth and the people of Ekumfi want the perpetrators of Prof Mills’ death identified, arrested and punished by the laws of the land.”
Their demands have been provoked by some comments attributed to the National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Boateng Gyan, who is battling for survival in the impending elections of the party.
He was quoted to have said during an interview on Kumasi-based Hello FM that “I hear my opponent has been going round with a certain tape about my alleged involvement in the World Cup in Brazil. I am not worried, but people should know that there are so many tapes that we can also play. Let’s not forget how someone said he would make sure the late President Mills did not run the second term; in his case not only did President Mills not run for the second term, but he (President Mills) can’t be found today amongst the living and these are the people we are dealing with.”
For the CEYD, “This statement from Yaw Boateng Gyan confirms that Prof Mills did not die of massive stroke as Ghanaians have been made to believe, but was intentionally killed at the Castle before being put into a pick-up truck and taken to the 37 Military Hospital accompanied by two soldiers.”
They therefore asked rhetorically, “What are those ‘so many tapes’ Yaw Boateng Gyan talks about? And …those tapes which border on how Prof Mills was killed, who are the people Mr Boateng was warning to expose? Why has the government, BNI, the police administration or the National Security not picked or invited Mr Boateng Gyan to name the killers of Prof Mills and whether the life of the late president was not important to the government as president then?”
Even though the aggrieved youth admitted the fact that Prof Mills was from a family and the family should be making these demands, leadership of the group articulated, “We think that as President of Ghana, he was the star of Ekumfi whom the youth drew a lot of hope and inspiration from. In fact, the youth of Ekumfi were dealt a hefty blow by Prof Mills’ sudden demise and it is in this vein that we will not sit down unconcerned for some ‘greedy bastards’ to take the life of Prof Mills for their own selfish political interests.”
“We the youth of Ekumfi are using this medium to call on the John Mahama-led NDC government to order the BNI, the Police Administration and other security agencies to arrest Yaw Boateng Gyan and ask him to make available those tapes and name the killers of Prof Mills,” they demanded.
“If that is not done,” president of the CEYD stated without mincing words, “then that will confirm our long-held belief that indeed some big shots in government really killed Prof Mills. We are giving a two-week ultimatum to the government and the security agencies to take action on this else they will hear from us with respect to our next line of action.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Daily Guide / 17.12.2014
The cause of the death of former President John Evans Atta Mills refuses to fade off as the youth of Ekumfi, his hometown, are demanding an investigation into the strange circumstance under which the former Ghanaian leader died.
President Mills died on July 24, 2012 – five months to the general elections in which he was seeking re-election.
But the circumstance surrounding his death has been a major controversial issue in the country, in view of the varying accounts given as the possible cause of his demise.
At a press conference organised by the Coalition of Ekumfi Youth for Development (CEYD) at Essarkyir yesterday, president of the group, Mustapha Anderson, said: “The youth and the people of Ekumfi want the perpetrators of Prof Mills’ death identified, arrested and punished by the laws of the land.”
Their demands have been provoked by some comments attributed to the National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Boateng Gyan, who is battling for survival in the impending elections of the party.
He was quoted to have said during an interview on Kumasi-based Hello FM that “I hear my opponent has been going round with a certain tape about my alleged involvement in the World Cup in Brazil. I am not worried, but people should know that there are so many tapes that we can also play. Let’s not forget how someone said he would make sure the late President Mills did not run the second term; in his case not only did President Mills not run for the second term, but he (President Mills) can’t be found today amongst the living and these are the people we are dealing with.”
For the CEYD, “This statement from Yaw Boateng Gyan confirms that Prof Mills did not die of massive stroke as Ghanaians have been made to believe, but was intentionally killed at the Castle before being put into a pick-up truck and taken to the 37 Military Hospital accompanied by two soldiers.”
They therefore asked rhetorically, “What are those ‘so many tapes’ Yaw Boateng Gyan talks about? And …those tapes which border on how Prof Mills was killed, who are the people Mr Boateng was warning to expose? Why has the government, BNI, the police administration or the National Security not picked or invited Mr Boateng Gyan to name the killers of Prof Mills and whether the life of the late president was not important to the government as president then?”
Even though the aggrieved youth admitted the fact that Prof Mills was from a family and the family should be making these demands, leadership of the group articulated, “We think that as President of Ghana, he was the star of Ekumfi whom the youth drew a lot of hope and inspiration from. In fact, the youth of Ekumfi were dealt a hefty blow by Prof Mills’ sudden demise and it is in this vein that we will not sit down unconcerned for some ‘greedy bastards’ to take the life of Prof Mills for their own selfish political interests.”
“We the youth of Ekumfi are using this medium to call on the John Mahama-led NDC government to order the BNI, the Police Administration and other security agencies to arrest Yaw Boateng Gyan and ask him to make available those tapes and name the killers of Prof Mills,” they demanded.
“If that is not done,” president of the CEYD stated without mincing words, “then that will confirm our long-held belief that indeed some big shots in government really killed Prof Mills. We are giving a two-week ultimatum to the government and the security agencies to take action on this else they will hear from us with respect to our next line of action.” ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
It’s tough to be Ghanaian – Nduom
* Source: Today Newspaper / 16.12.2014
2012 flag-bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP,) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has asserted that the present economic difficulties in the country coupled with alleged corrupt scandals in government “sometimes make it tough for someone to boastfully claim to be a Ghanaian.”
Dr. Nduom recounted that in the early 70s it was a delight and a source of pride for people to be called Ghanaians when they found themselves outside the shores of the country.
“When I travelled to America first, it was indeed a delight the moment I mentioned I was from Ghana. The immediate response that followed was that from Kwame Nkrumah’s country,” Dr. Nduom recounted.
“...even people from other African countries like Sierra Leone wanted to be called Ghanaians,” the PPP flag-bearer added.
That situation, according to the PPP stalwart, was a “big boost” for the country’s image and the economy.
Dr. Nduom made these observations when he continued his interactive engagement with listeners and viewers across the country on Ghana, Great and Strong, last Saturday in Accra.
* Source: Today Newspaper / 16.12.2014
2012 flag-bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP,) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has asserted that the present economic difficulties in the country coupled with alleged corrupt scandals in government “sometimes make it tough for someone to boastfully claim to be a Ghanaian.”
Dr. Nduom recounted that in the early 70s it was a delight and a source of pride for people to be called Ghanaians when they found themselves outside the shores of the country.
“When I travelled to America first, it was indeed a delight the moment I mentioned I was from Ghana. The immediate response that followed was that from Kwame Nkrumah’s country,” Dr. Nduom recounted.
“...even people from other African countries like Sierra Leone wanted to be called Ghanaians,” the PPP flag-bearer added.
That situation, according to the PPP stalwart, was a “big boost” for the country’s image and the economy.
Dr. Nduom made these observations when he continued his interactive engagement with listeners and viewers across the country on Ghana, Great and Strong, last Saturday in Accra.
The programme, which is non-partisan, was aired on Amansan TV (ATV) in Accra on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and streamed live on Ghana’s premier internet-based radio—www.hedjorleonlineradio.com—from 7:00 P.M., to 8:00 P.M., with Dr. Nduom as the host.
The astute politician has since last week on his weekly programme been interacting with listeners and viewers via telephone on a wide range of national issues including the economy, corruption, unemployment, revenue generation and mobilisation among others.
He could not understand why energetic young men and women would travel abroad to do menial jobs like washing of dishes, cleaning etcetera, etcetera.
He was particularly worried about Ghanaian degree holders who travel to Europe and America to do menial jobs when in actual fact they would not do such jobs in the country.
“Every Ghanaian wants to travel out of the country for economic survival because of the prevailing economic situation,” he indicated.
Dr. Nduom noted that the current challenges bedeviling the country have come about as a result of “negligence on the part of managers of the economy.”
According to him, Ghana has everything to make her people prosperous in developed countries like the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Japan and Britain.
“We don’t have any excuse to fail our people who put us in the helm of affairs to manage the country’s resources,” Dr. Nduom said.
He, therefore, charged his colleague politicians to live above reproach and ensure that the living conditions of the masses are improved.
He argued that if leaders of this country would create favourable economic opportunities for the citizenry, there would be no way for people to desire to travel abroad.
Significantly, many of the listeners who contributed on the show agreed with many of Dr. Nduom’s submissions.
For instance, a caller from Dormaa, Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region, Aboagye Tawiah, could not have agreed more with Dr. Nduom. According to him, Ghanaians should vote out the Mahama administration in 2016.
He also said it was as a result of the actions of “our leaders that Ghanaians were no longer respected outside the country.”
“How can you fly $3million cash to Brazil and expect the rest of the world to respect your country in this information and technology age?” he quizzed.
Another caller who gave his name as Abubakar Idrissu from Bawku in the Northern region bemoaned the posture of Ghanaian leaders and accused them of being behind the numerous economic woes the country was currently saddled with.
He was quick, however, to blame the electorate for voting for wrong people to lead the country.
“....he thus charged Ghanaians to be very circumspect when electing people to run the affairs of this country.
According to Abubakar, the only way the country could have its sinking image back was for the current administration to operate a transparent and an open government... ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
The astute politician has since last week on his weekly programme been interacting with listeners and viewers via telephone on a wide range of national issues including the economy, corruption, unemployment, revenue generation and mobilisation among others.
He could not understand why energetic young men and women would travel abroad to do menial jobs like washing of dishes, cleaning etcetera, etcetera.
He was particularly worried about Ghanaian degree holders who travel to Europe and America to do menial jobs when in actual fact they would not do such jobs in the country.
“Every Ghanaian wants to travel out of the country for economic survival because of the prevailing economic situation,” he indicated.
Dr. Nduom noted that the current challenges bedeviling the country have come about as a result of “negligence on the part of managers of the economy.”
According to him, Ghana has everything to make her people prosperous in developed countries like the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Japan and Britain.
“We don’t have any excuse to fail our people who put us in the helm of affairs to manage the country’s resources,” Dr. Nduom said.
He, therefore, charged his colleague politicians to live above reproach and ensure that the living conditions of the masses are improved.
He argued that if leaders of this country would create favourable economic opportunities for the citizenry, there would be no way for people to desire to travel abroad.
Significantly, many of the listeners who contributed on the show agreed with many of Dr. Nduom’s submissions.
For instance, a caller from Dormaa, Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region, Aboagye Tawiah, could not have agreed more with Dr. Nduom. According to him, Ghanaians should vote out the Mahama administration in 2016.
He also said it was as a result of the actions of “our leaders that Ghanaians were no longer respected outside the country.”
“How can you fly $3million cash to Brazil and expect the rest of the world to respect your country in this information and technology age?” he quizzed.
Another caller who gave his name as Abubakar Idrissu from Bawku in the Northern region bemoaned the posture of Ghanaian leaders and accused them of being behind the numerous economic woes the country was currently saddled with.
He was quick, however, to blame the electorate for voting for wrong people to lead the country.
“....he thus charged Ghanaians to be very circumspect when electing people to run the affairs of this country.
According to Abubakar, the only way the country could have its sinking image back was for the current administration to operate a transparent and an open government... ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Gov't stripped naked over Eurobonds
* Source: NewStatesman.com / 16.12.2014
Former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee in Parliament has said that the latest statement from the Finance Ministry trying to explain the whereabouts and planned use of the 1billion dollar Eurobond raised in September is the worst explanation so far emanating from the government.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme, Anthony Akoto Osei noted that the main issue the NPP had raised on the Eurobond was why the 1billion dollar bond was not reflected in the 2015 Budget.
“The Government attempts to create the misleading impression that the NPP claimed the Eurobond funds were “missing”. Not so. The point that the NPP has consistently made is that the spending from the sovereign bond proceeds in 2014 were not accounted for in the 2015 budget. In that sense, the proceeds were missing from the budget. In fact, the latest government statement on the issue only serves to confirm that fact.
The most recent attempt by the Government to explain the utilization of the sovereign bond proceeds is indeed the worst of the responses so far and confirm the point that the NPP has made that the Eurobond proceeds were indeed “missing” from the 2015 budget,” he said.
The Former Minister proceeded to question the latest explanation the government had put out on the issue of the Eurobonds proceeds and its planned usage in the 2015 Budget.
“We should remember that the Budget is the financial plan of the government and state for the whole year. Therefore, one wonders how the government can spend such huge amounts like those raised through the Eurobond next year when it was not budgeted for in the 2015 Budget Parliament will approve.
How come the “planned” expenditures for 2015 have not been reflected in the 2015 budget? The rightful place for the actualization of spending plans is in the budget. Without parliamentary authorization how can those expenditures be made in 2015? The excuse that the funds arrived too late to be reflected in the budget is not tenable given the lightening speed with which $250 million supposedly has been transferred to the yet to be properly established Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund for example, if we are to believe that. The bond proceeds were received on the basis of specific projects and therefore those projects should have been reflected in the 2015 budget,” he said.
On the government’s attempted assurance that it will publish the full utilization of the proceeds after it has been used, Dr. Akoto Osei said “Government business ought not to be conducted this way. It is too shabby. Rather than allaying the doubts in our minds, this statement rather increases the doubts. Is the Government saying that it did not know what the monies were going to be used for before we borrowed the funds? So we have to wait for full utilization of the funds before we know the details of what they are supposed to be used for? ”
Dr. Akoto Osei touched on what is at the heart of the issue, which pertains to the net credit to government by the Central Bank or indebtedness to the Central Bank by the government.
“A look at the Bank of Ghana Monetary Accounts for 2014 reveals the true picture, which is that the sovereign bond has rather been used to reduce Government indebtedness to the central bank and not applied for the purpose for which the funds were borrowed. As we have already pointed out, you cannot eat your cake and have it. What the government is failing to realize is that the Bank of Ghana has to obey the law on lending to government in any particular year. Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (S.30 (2)) stipulates that the Bank of Ghana cannot extend credit to Government in excess of 10% of Government revenue for the year. The Bank of Ghana, therefore, is restricted by how much credit it can provide Government in the next two weeks of the year.
At the end of the year (in two weeks) if government position at the Bank of Ghana is assessed with the Eurobond proceeds as part of Government deposits at the bank of Ghana, then these funds would not be available to finance the expenditures planned for 2015. This is a simple fact that the Bank of Ghana should explain to the Government,” he noted.
Dr. Akoto Osei also raised issues about the effect the expenditure of over 800million dollars would have on the economy and the targets set by the government when it hasn’t budgeted for it.
“Perhaps, the most important issue surrounding the utilization of the Eurobond proceeds is the macroeconomic implications of the expenditure of some $808 million in 2015 but which was not captured in the 2015 Budget. The expenditure of such an amount would clearly increase the budget deficit, reduce foreign exchange reserves, and increase inflation and exchange rate depreciation. This means that the macroeconomic projections underpinning the 2015 budget would be undermined and ultimately unattainable,” he stated.
The controversy surrounding the use of the Eurobond was sparked after Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Vice-Presidential Candidate to Nana Akufo-Addo, who in reviewing the Budget queried the government on why the Budget was silent on the Eurobond proceeds and what it intends to do with it.
In response, Government has struggled to explain what should be ordinarily a very simple issue. Different and inconsistent explanations have been offered along the way to Ghanaians and international investors who are keenly monitoring the development.
First, the Government explained that:
“The proceeds from the Eurobond issue are being used for the intended purposes as listed in the prospectus, and that was: (1) To fund the investment infrastructure fund, and (2) To pay for infrastructure development that the government has prioritised. And that is what is going to happen…some of them have begun,. The Kasoa bypass is one: that is about 37 percent complete now. The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange…that is about 62 percent complete. The polo grounds bypass, about 92 percent; Ayamfuri…road, 36 percent of that has already been done”
The Minister of Finance further muddied the waters by stating that some $800 million of the funds were sitting intact in a Bank Account in New York. Furthermore Government has claimed that the Eurobond proceeds arrived too late to be accounted for in the 2015 budget.
However, the Bank of Ghana Monetary Survey, which details the accounts of government with the central bank indicates that the proceeds from the Sovereign Bond have wholly been used to reduce government’s indebtedness to the Bank.
The Bank of Ghana Monetary Survey for October 2014 is clear that the 1billion dollars, equivalent to over 3billion Ghana cedis, was used by the government and Bank to reduce government’s indebtedness which stood at a total of GHS10,655.2 million at the end of August 2014.
Consequently, after the use of the Eurobond to settle part of the government’s indebtedness to the Bank of Ghana, the total indebtedness of the Central Government reduced to GHS7,656.6 million... ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: NewStatesman.com / 16.12.2014
Former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee in Parliament has said that the latest statement from the Finance Ministry trying to explain the whereabouts and planned use of the 1billion dollar Eurobond raised in September is the worst explanation so far emanating from the government.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme, Anthony Akoto Osei noted that the main issue the NPP had raised on the Eurobond was why the 1billion dollar bond was not reflected in the 2015 Budget.
“The Government attempts to create the misleading impression that the NPP claimed the Eurobond funds were “missing”. Not so. The point that the NPP has consistently made is that the spending from the sovereign bond proceeds in 2014 were not accounted for in the 2015 budget. In that sense, the proceeds were missing from the budget. In fact, the latest government statement on the issue only serves to confirm that fact.
The most recent attempt by the Government to explain the utilization of the sovereign bond proceeds is indeed the worst of the responses so far and confirm the point that the NPP has made that the Eurobond proceeds were indeed “missing” from the 2015 budget,” he said.
The Former Minister proceeded to question the latest explanation the government had put out on the issue of the Eurobonds proceeds and its planned usage in the 2015 Budget.
“We should remember that the Budget is the financial plan of the government and state for the whole year. Therefore, one wonders how the government can spend such huge amounts like those raised through the Eurobond next year when it was not budgeted for in the 2015 Budget Parliament will approve.
How come the “planned” expenditures for 2015 have not been reflected in the 2015 budget? The rightful place for the actualization of spending plans is in the budget. Without parliamentary authorization how can those expenditures be made in 2015? The excuse that the funds arrived too late to be reflected in the budget is not tenable given the lightening speed with which $250 million supposedly has been transferred to the yet to be properly established Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund for example, if we are to believe that. The bond proceeds were received on the basis of specific projects and therefore those projects should have been reflected in the 2015 budget,” he said.
On the government’s attempted assurance that it will publish the full utilization of the proceeds after it has been used, Dr. Akoto Osei said “Government business ought not to be conducted this way. It is too shabby. Rather than allaying the doubts in our minds, this statement rather increases the doubts. Is the Government saying that it did not know what the monies were going to be used for before we borrowed the funds? So we have to wait for full utilization of the funds before we know the details of what they are supposed to be used for? ”
Dr. Akoto Osei touched on what is at the heart of the issue, which pertains to the net credit to government by the Central Bank or indebtedness to the Central Bank by the government.
“A look at the Bank of Ghana Monetary Accounts for 2014 reveals the true picture, which is that the sovereign bond has rather been used to reduce Government indebtedness to the central bank and not applied for the purpose for which the funds were borrowed. As we have already pointed out, you cannot eat your cake and have it. What the government is failing to realize is that the Bank of Ghana has to obey the law on lending to government in any particular year. Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (S.30 (2)) stipulates that the Bank of Ghana cannot extend credit to Government in excess of 10% of Government revenue for the year. The Bank of Ghana, therefore, is restricted by how much credit it can provide Government in the next two weeks of the year.
At the end of the year (in two weeks) if government position at the Bank of Ghana is assessed with the Eurobond proceeds as part of Government deposits at the bank of Ghana, then these funds would not be available to finance the expenditures planned for 2015. This is a simple fact that the Bank of Ghana should explain to the Government,” he noted.
Dr. Akoto Osei also raised issues about the effect the expenditure of over 800million dollars would have on the economy and the targets set by the government when it hasn’t budgeted for it.
“Perhaps, the most important issue surrounding the utilization of the Eurobond proceeds is the macroeconomic implications of the expenditure of some $808 million in 2015 but which was not captured in the 2015 Budget. The expenditure of such an amount would clearly increase the budget deficit, reduce foreign exchange reserves, and increase inflation and exchange rate depreciation. This means that the macroeconomic projections underpinning the 2015 budget would be undermined and ultimately unattainable,” he stated.
The controversy surrounding the use of the Eurobond was sparked after Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Vice-Presidential Candidate to Nana Akufo-Addo, who in reviewing the Budget queried the government on why the Budget was silent on the Eurobond proceeds and what it intends to do with it.
In response, Government has struggled to explain what should be ordinarily a very simple issue. Different and inconsistent explanations have been offered along the way to Ghanaians and international investors who are keenly monitoring the development.
First, the Government explained that:
“The proceeds from the Eurobond issue are being used for the intended purposes as listed in the prospectus, and that was: (1) To fund the investment infrastructure fund, and (2) To pay for infrastructure development that the government has prioritised. And that is what is going to happen…some of them have begun,. The Kasoa bypass is one: that is about 37 percent complete now. The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange…that is about 62 percent complete. The polo grounds bypass, about 92 percent; Ayamfuri…road, 36 percent of that has already been done”
The Minister of Finance further muddied the waters by stating that some $800 million of the funds were sitting intact in a Bank Account in New York. Furthermore Government has claimed that the Eurobond proceeds arrived too late to be accounted for in the 2015 budget.
However, the Bank of Ghana Monetary Survey, which details the accounts of government with the central bank indicates that the proceeds from the Sovereign Bond have wholly been used to reduce government’s indebtedness to the Bank.
The Bank of Ghana Monetary Survey for October 2014 is clear that the 1billion dollars, equivalent to over 3billion Ghana cedis, was used by the government and Bank to reduce government’s indebtedness which stood at a total of GHS10,655.2 million at the end of August 2014.
Consequently, after the use of the Eurobond to settle part of the government’s indebtedness to the Bank of Ghana, the total indebtedness of the Central Government reduced to GHS7,656.6 million... ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Shopping at Tema-Akosombo road. Vendors have seen better times!
Photo: (c) ghana-net.com / EventPicture.co.uk 2014
|
No money for Christmas; Ghanaians complain
* Source: Today Newspaper / 16.12.2014 Scores of Ghanaians have complained about the lack of money in the country as Christmas approaches. According to them, “though the yuletide season is one week away there was no sign showing that the season was here with us.” They attributed the problem to the current economic hardship, unemployment and the erratic energy supply. The worried Ghanaians who were mostly women made these observations in an exclusive interview with Today at the weekend. A man who claimed he was a civil servant told this reporter that his monthly salary was woefully inadequate to do shopping for the Christmas and at the same time save some to cater for other needs. “Civil and public servants are not paid well so the little money they get they have to save it for the future but not to spend it on Christmas since there is no money in the country,” he explained. A mother of three, Maame Akosua, could not hide her frustration as she blamed the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for worsening the plight of Ghanaians. According to her, it was sad that many husbands could not buy gifts for their wives let alone children and loved ones due to the prevailing economic hardships. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page ::::: |
AngloGold sacks over 4,000 workers
* Source: CitiFMonline / 16.12.2014
Citi Business News has gathered AngloGold Ashanti has finally laid off 4,300 of its workers as part of cost-saving measures.
This comes after the company announced the planned retrenchment in May this year.
The move is part of measures being undertaken by the mining company to make the Obuasi mine profitable.
AngloGold Ashanti budgeted to spend 220 million dollars in the major retrenchment exercise.
But the mining firm put the move on hold, and in early November denied reports that it had dismissed over 5,000 workers.
However confirming the latest development to Citi Business News, the National Chairman of the Ghana Mine Workers Union(GMWU) Kwarko Mensah Gyakari said the dismissal of the workers was effective November 30, 2014.
“As we speak now they’ve paid all the workers off”, he stressed.
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Mine Workers Union on 15th September,2014 , and were expected to finalize the retrenchment exercise by the end of November.
After the planned retrenchment exercise AngloGold Ashanti is expected to re-engage about 600 workers for care and maintenance of the mine.
“we will still go there and organize those 600 people they are recruiting”, Mr. Gyakari stated.
Member of Parliament for Obuasi West Kweku Kwarteng also confirmed the dismissal of the workers to Citi Business News.
However AngloGold Ashanti Ghana when contacted on the matter declined to comment but said it will release a press statement soon. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: CitiFMonline / 16.12.2014
Citi Business News has gathered AngloGold Ashanti has finally laid off 4,300 of its workers as part of cost-saving measures.
This comes after the company announced the planned retrenchment in May this year.
The move is part of measures being undertaken by the mining company to make the Obuasi mine profitable.
AngloGold Ashanti budgeted to spend 220 million dollars in the major retrenchment exercise.
But the mining firm put the move on hold, and in early November denied reports that it had dismissed over 5,000 workers.
However confirming the latest development to Citi Business News, the National Chairman of the Ghana Mine Workers Union(GMWU) Kwarko Mensah Gyakari said the dismissal of the workers was effective November 30, 2014.
“As we speak now they’ve paid all the workers off”, he stressed.
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Mine Workers Union on 15th September,2014 , and were expected to finalize the retrenchment exercise by the end of November.
After the planned retrenchment exercise AngloGold Ashanti is expected to re-engage about 600 workers for care and maintenance of the mine.
“we will still go there and organize those 600 people they are recruiting”, Mr. Gyakari stated.
Member of Parliament for Obuasi West Kweku Kwarteng also confirmed the dismissal of the workers to Citi Business News.
However AngloGold Ashanti Ghana when contacted on the matter declined to comment but said it will release a press statement soon. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Lawyer backs lying HIV Ambassador
* Source: myjoyonline.com / 16.12.2014
A private legal practitioner says the ex-HIV Ambassador who lied her way into the Ambassadorial role has committed no offence to be prosecuted for.
Augustine Obour said if anything, the general public has benefitted more from the campaign of Joyce Dzidzor Mensah who is now a subject of investigations for pretending to be someone she was not.
Dzidzor Mensah a renowned HIV Ambassador, who until Monday, December 15, 2014 was publicly known to have tested positive, came out to say she had been living a lie and that she was not HIV positive.
She told Joy News there was a huge perception she had contracted the disease shortly after a guy she dated died from AIDS.
She then pretended to be a carrier of the virus and has since played an Ambassadorial role for the Ghana AIDS Commission.
She was part of a "heart-to-heart" campaign being championed by the Commission to fight against stigmatization, but her contract was terminated by the Commission.
As an ambassador, Dzidzor Mensah has carried both the trauma and benefits that came with occupying that role but her jaw-dropping revelation about her real status has forced critics into questioning her true motives of becoming an Ambassador.
Her fellow Ambassador Theophilus Amuzu is calling for her arrest for public deceit.
But Lawyer Augustine Obour told Joy News unless a law can be quoted, one which she has breached, Joyce Mensah cannot be held before any court of law.
When Evans Mensah, co-host of the Joy FM Newsnite programme drew his attention to the possible charge of fraud, defrauding by false pretence, the lawyer was still convinced that the ex-AIDS ambassador is blameless.
"What wrong did she commit?..." "....If you say defrauding by false pretence, you must have established that by that statement she has benefitted. What are the benefits?" He asked.
Dzifa Bampoh the other host, intervened saying she had a record deal, she has a movie, she developed a movie career; she is invited to travel round the world; somebody had to pay for that and funded by the state.
Mr Obour was not convinced by Bampoh's argument.
"She did all that to promote something that nobody was ready to do and the general public must have benefitted more from her," he rebutted.
"What she declared, she used it for what she was capable of doing," he added.
True Status
Meanwhile the true HIV status of Joyce Mensah is still a subject of controversy. Despite her public 'confession', the Ghana AIDS Commission is adamant. In a statement, the Commission said Ms Mensah tested positive for HIV in 2007.
Ms. Angela El Adas Director General for the Commission told Joy News as far as the Commission is concerned she is positive.
"Joyce was picked because of her HIV positive status. We cannot say what is going through her mind. If we are able to help her, we would offer any help," she stated.
Explaining why the Commission terminated its ambassadorial contract with Ms Mensah, El Adas said she had, time without number, used the campaign to champion her own agenda instead of that of the Commission.. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: myjoyonline.com / 16.12.2014
A private legal practitioner says the ex-HIV Ambassador who lied her way into the Ambassadorial role has committed no offence to be prosecuted for.
Augustine Obour said if anything, the general public has benefitted more from the campaign of Joyce Dzidzor Mensah who is now a subject of investigations for pretending to be someone she was not.
Dzidzor Mensah a renowned HIV Ambassador, who until Monday, December 15, 2014 was publicly known to have tested positive, came out to say she had been living a lie and that she was not HIV positive.
She told Joy News there was a huge perception she had contracted the disease shortly after a guy she dated died from AIDS.
She then pretended to be a carrier of the virus and has since played an Ambassadorial role for the Ghana AIDS Commission.
She was part of a "heart-to-heart" campaign being championed by the Commission to fight against stigmatization, but her contract was terminated by the Commission.
As an ambassador, Dzidzor Mensah has carried both the trauma and benefits that came with occupying that role but her jaw-dropping revelation about her real status has forced critics into questioning her true motives of becoming an Ambassador.
Her fellow Ambassador Theophilus Amuzu is calling for her arrest for public deceit.
But Lawyer Augustine Obour told Joy News unless a law can be quoted, one which she has breached, Joyce Mensah cannot be held before any court of law.
When Evans Mensah, co-host of the Joy FM Newsnite programme drew his attention to the possible charge of fraud, defrauding by false pretence, the lawyer was still convinced that the ex-AIDS ambassador is blameless.
"What wrong did she commit?..." "....If you say defrauding by false pretence, you must have established that by that statement she has benefitted. What are the benefits?" He asked.
Dzifa Bampoh the other host, intervened saying she had a record deal, she has a movie, she developed a movie career; she is invited to travel round the world; somebody had to pay for that and funded by the state.
Mr Obour was not convinced by Bampoh's argument.
"She did all that to promote something that nobody was ready to do and the general public must have benefitted more from her," he rebutted.
"What she declared, she used it for what she was capable of doing," he added.
True Status
Meanwhile the true HIV status of Joyce Mensah is still a subject of controversy. Despite her public 'confession', the Ghana AIDS Commission is adamant. In a statement, the Commission said Ms Mensah tested positive for HIV in 2007.
Ms. Angela El Adas Director General for the Commission told Joy News as far as the Commission is concerned she is positive.
"Joyce was picked because of her HIV positive status. We cannot say what is going through her mind. If we are able to help her, we would offer any help," she stated.
Explaining why the Commission terminated its ambassadorial contract with Ms Mensah, El Adas said she had, time without number, used the campaign to champion her own agenda instead of that of the Commission.. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Fifty- five year old butcher shot dead
* Source: GNA / 16.12.2014
A fifty- five year- old butcher was shot dead by unidentified gun men at Nkawkaw Zongo last Saturday night.
According to an eye witness, the butcher, Tanko Zakaria was in his room at Nkawkaw Zongo when he heard a knock on his door at about 9 30 pm .
When he came out of the room, he met three armed men in masks and one of them shot him at close range killing him instantly.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency, the Nkawkaw Crine Officer, Superintendent of Police Kweku Duah said, when the police had the information, they went to the house to found the deceased in a pool of blood and took the body to Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
He said no arrest had been made but the police had intensified their investigation for the arrest of the unidentified assailants.
Supt Duah appealed to the people to assist the police with the needed information about the assailants for their arrest and prosecution. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: GNA / 16.12.2014
A fifty- five year- old butcher was shot dead by unidentified gun men at Nkawkaw Zongo last Saturday night.
According to an eye witness, the butcher, Tanko Zakaria was in his room at Nkawkaw Zongo when he heard a knock on his door at about 9 30 pm .
When he came out of the room, he met three armed men in masks and one of them shot him at close range killing him instantly.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency, the Nkawkaw Crine Officer, Superintendent of Police Kweku Duah said, when the police had the information, they went to the house to found the deceased in a pool of blood and took the body to Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
He said no arrest had been made but the police had intensified their investigation for the arrest of the unidentified assailants.
Supt Duah appealed to the people to assist the police with the needed information about the assailants for their arrest and prosecution. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
JJ blasts Daily Guide; says Kufuor is complicit in Ya Na's death
* Source: Daily Graphic Ghana / 15.12.2014
The office of former President Jerry John Rawlings has denied a publication in the Friday, December 12, 2014 edition of the Daily Guide which claimed Rawlings had absolved his successor, former President J.A. Kufuor of blame in the murder of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.
The former president’s office per a statement issued Monday, said the story with the headline; 'Kufuor Didn't Kill Yaa Na - JJ', had attributed the claim that Kufuor and the Abudus were not the brains behind the demise of the Ya Na to Rawlings when he had made no such claim.
“We wish to state that the reference to President Kufuor in the lead paragraphs of the story were a complete fabrication, very false and deliberately skewed to generate negativity towards President Rawlings by creating the impression he was inconsistent.
“During his visit to Abene Kwahu on Wednesday December 10, 2014 to bid farewell to the late Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng, President Rawlings took the opportunity to speak on diverse issues including the lack of just and conclusive investigations into the death of the Ya Na.
* Source: Daily Graphic Ghana / 15.12.2014
The office of former President Jerry John Rawlings has denied a publication in the Friday, December 12, 2014 edition of the Daily Guide which claimed Rawlings had absolved his successor, former President J.A. Kufuor of blame in the murder of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.
The former president’s office per a statement issued Monday, said the story with the headline; 'Kufuor Didn't Kill Yaa Na - JJ', had attributed the claim that Kufuor and the Abudus were not the brains behind the demise of the Ya Na to Rawlings when he had made no such claim.
“We wish to state that the reference to President Kufuor in the lead paragraphs of the story were a complete fabrication, very false and deliberately skewed to generate negativity towards President Rawlings by creating the impression he was inconsistent.
“During his visit to Abene Kwahu on Wednesday December 10, 2014 to bid farewell to the late Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng, President Rawlings took the opportunity to speak on diverse issues including the lack of just and conclusive investigations into the death of the Ya Na.
“He expressed disquiet over how the NPP under President Kufuor did little to unmask the killers and criticized Presidents Mills and Mahama for their inaction in bringing a just conclusion to the matter.
“He subsequently indicated that because investigations so far have been inconclusive, the culprits have gone free while an impression has been created that some Abudus may have totally been responsible. In stating that the Abudus may not have been totally responsible, the former President made no reference to President Kufuor. That reference is a crafty and dubious creation of the Daily Guide carefully calculated for selfish political effect.
“President Rawlings is not in any doubt that there was official complicity in the matter of the demise of the Ya Na hence the superficial investigations into the issue.
“It is important to note that President Rawlings has never wavered as far as his position on the Ya Na's brutal demise is concerned. He revisited the matter recently because on November 25, 2014 a delegation led by the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani called on him to express their disappointment about the fact that no funeral had still been held for the Ya Na since he died in 2002.
“This is a serious matter that cannot be swept under the carpet and used as a petty political tool by the Daily Guide and its cohorts. The misinformation of the December 12, 2014 edition of the paper is something the public does not deserve. We have copies of the video recording of the address by President Rawlings at the Kwahuhene's funeral and dare the Daily Guide to come out with a contrary record of the address.
“We therefore entreat the general public to disregard the said publication by the Daily Guide,” the statement said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
.
“He subsequently indicated that because investigations so far have been inconclusive, the culprits have gone free while an impression has been created that some Abudus may have totally been responsible. In stating that the Abudus may not have been totally responsible, the former President made no reference to President Kufuor. That reference is a crafty and dubious creation of the Daily Guide carefully calculated for selfish political effect.
“President Rawlings is not in any doubt that there was official complicity in the matter of the demise of the Ya Na hence the superficial investigations into the issue.
“It is important to note that President Rawlings has never wavered as far as his position on the Ya Na's brutal demise is concerned. He revisited the matter recently because on November 25, 2014 a delegation led by the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani called on him to express their disappointment about the fact that no funeral had still been held for the Ya Na since he died in 2002.
“This is a serious matter that cannot be swept under the carpet and used as a petty political tool by the Daily Guide and its cohorts. The misinformation of the December 12, 2014 edition of the paper is something the public does not deserve. We have copies of the video recording of the address by President Rawlings at the Kwahuhene's funeral and dare the Daily Guide to come out with a contrary record of the address.
“We therefore entreat the general public to disregard the said publication by the Daily Guide,” the statement said. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
.
Inconsiderate Mahama must reduce fuel prices now – NPP
* Source: MyJoyOnline
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the government has no justification to keep selling fuel to the public at exorbitant prices, when the price of oil has fallen significantly on the international market.
It says it is inexcusable on the part of the government for Ghanaians to continue to buy petrol at Gh?17 a gallon at a time when the price of crude oil has dropped from $100 to $60.
Director of Communications Nana Akomea said in a statement issued Monday, December 15, 2014, this continues to put the ordinary citizen in a more difficult situation as they endure increased cost of living.
“There is no doubt that the cost of living in recent times has been unbearable for the vast majority of Ghanaians, a direct result of the calamitous fall in the value of the cedi over the last three (3) years and the very high increases in the prices of water, electricity, petrol and the rate of VAT.
“At GHC15 a gallon of petrol in Ghana, oil was selling above 100 dollars a barrel, and the dollar was trading at an average of GHC3.80p. Since then, oil has fallen to about $60 a barrel, and the dollar is trading at an average of GHC3.20p”.
He said: “By these price movements, petrol should be selling around GHC13 a gallon. The current price of about GHC17 a gallon is, therefore, highly extortionate and inconsiderate of the hardships Ghanaians are going through”.
According to him, the excuse by government that it owes the Bulk Distribution Companies for forex losses, “is highly untenable because the forex losses are as a result of the government’s inability to maintain the value of the cedi”.
“Ghanaians have also not been told when these supposed losses will be fully covered,” the statement observed.
“The NPP calls on the government to as a matter of urgency, apply the automatic adjustment formula to reduce the price of petrol.
“The current hardships caused by the high cost of living are not sustainable. Ghanaians deserve some relief now by the immediate reduction in the price of petrol in accordance with the reduction in the prices of oil and the dollar”. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
No Ghanaian president can extend two-term limit – Mahama
* Source: StarFMOnline.com
President John Mahama has told Aljazeera that no Ghanaian President can arbitrarily extend his tenure of office beyond the two-term constitutional limit.
Answering a question about democracy in Africa and why some leaders on the Continent perpetuate their stay in office, the ECOWAS Chair said: “Well I can’t speak for other countries. I can speak for my country.”
“My country has a strict two-term limit and I don’t think that any president in Ghana can change that: it’s an entrenched clause in our constitution, very entrenched and I don’t think that any leader can change that or attempt to change it,” Mahama stressed.
He said, as far as the Continent is concerned, “…different countries have different constitutions,” adding: “…I don’t like to be judgmental.”
“I don’t think that democracy is a one size-fits-all situation,” President Mahama argued.
“I think that people have to learn democracy; it’s a process and as society advances, democracy will continue to take roots based on the culture and peculiarity of the people.
“This ruler that we use to measure every society, I think is not the right thing to do,” he contended. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
.
AK 47 cop nabbed
* Source: Daily Guide Ghana / 15.12.2014
A police officer, Corporal Emmanuel Kwoffie, has been apprehended by the Ashanti Regional Police Command for allegedly stealing AK47 assault rifle.
The suspect, who is stationed at the Amponyase Police Station in the Obuasi District, reportedly said he had lost the offensive weapon whilst on a snap check duty Thursday evening.
His explanation to his superiors regarding how the weapon mysteriously got lost was not tangible, so he was consequently charged for stealing the gun and caged.
ACP Ampofo Duku, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, said the corporal had been detained to assist in unraveling how the rifle suddenly got missing.
Throwing more light on the issue, ACP Ampofo Duku said Corporal Kwoffie and one other policeman – both armed with AK47 assault rifles - were on a snap check duty at the Obuasi/Dunkwa road Thursday evening.
Whilst on duty, around 8:30 pm, the other policeman reportedly received an item from a Metro Mass Bus, so he sought the assistance of two civilians to convey the items from a room nearby.
Some minutes later, Corporal Kwoffie joined the other policeman and the two civilians in the room and left his AK47 behind in a kiosk at the snap check point.
When the two policemen returned to the kiosk, Corporal Kwoffie could not find his AK47 assault rifle, so the two policemen quickly mounted a search for the missing gun but to no avail.
The two police officers then informed the people around to assist them search for the weapon, but their search too was in vain.
Corporal Emmanuel reported the missing gun to his bosses at the Amponyase Police Station, who in turn informed the Ashanti Regional Police Command and was arrested on the orders of the Command.
ACP Ampofo Duku maintained that Corporal Kwoffie was thoroughly interrogated at the headquarters, but his explanation was not convincing enough, so he was charged for stealing. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
* Source: Daily Guide Ghana / 15.12.2014
A police officer, Corporal Emmanuel Kwoffie, has been apprehended by the Ashanti Regional Police Command for allegedly stealing AK47 assault rifle.
The suspect, who is stationed at the Amponyase Police Station in the Obuasi District, reportedly said he had lost the offensive weapon whilst on a snap check duty Thursday evening.
His explanation to his superiors regarding how the weapon mysteriously got lost was not tangible, so he was consequently charged for stealing the gun and caged.
ACP Ampofo Duku, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, said the corporal had been detained to assist in unraveling how the rifle suddenly got missing.
Throwing more light on the issue, ACP Ampofo Duku said Corporal Kwoffie and one other policeman – both armed with AK47 assault rifles - were on a snap check duty at the Obuasi/Dunkwa road Thursday evening.
Whilst on duty, around 8:30 pm, the other policeman reportedly received an item from a Metro Mass Bus, so he sought the assistance of two civilians to convey the items from a room nearby.
Some minutes later, Corporal Kwoffie joined the other policeman and the two civilians in the room and left his AK47 behind in a kiosk at the snap check point.
When the two policemen returned to the kiosk, Corporal Kwoffie could not find his AK47 assault rifle, so the two policemen quickly mounted a search for the missing gun but to no avail.
The two police officers then informed the people around to assist them search for the weapon, but their search too was in vain.
Corporal Emmanuel reported the missing gun to his bosses at the Amponyase Police Station, who in turn informed the Ashanti Regional Police Command and was arrested on the orders of the Command.
ACP Ampofo Duku maintained that Corporal Kwoffie was thoroughly interrogated at the headquarters, but his explanation was not convincing enough, so he was charged for stealing. ::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page :::::
Ghanaweb-news.com - website is part of Ghana-net.com ***** Listen Now to Ghana Live Radio *****
::::: Back To Headlines 1st Page ::::: Advertisement
|
|
Website by www.ghana-net.com (c) 2014
|