Kane was on the scoresheet alongside Alphonso Davies (centre)
Harry Kane scored once again for Bayern Munich on Saturday as his side survived a scare against Augsburg to keep tabs on Bayer Leverkusen.
The England forward netted his side’s third goal of their 3-2 win after they had led 2-0 at half time, with Aleksandar Pavlovic and Alphonso Davies netting in the first half to give under-pressure Thomas Tuchel and his side some breathing space.
But Ermedin Demirovic got a goal back for the hosts seven minutes in the second half, meaning Bayern had to stand firm or risk losing more ground to the league leaders.
Kane however restored his side’s two-goal lead and the defending champions, before Demirovic scored a late penalty to make it 3-2, with Bayern closing the gap to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen to one point temporarily.
The leaders played Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday evening drew 0-0, meaning the gap is now two points as they look to break the 11-year run of Bayern winning the division title.
Villarreal secured a stunning comeback victory against Barcelona
Barcelona lost an eight-goal thriller as Villarreal struck twice deep into stoppage time to leave Xavi’s side 10 points off the top of La Liga.The hosts had fought back with three goals in 11 minutes to lead after trailing 2-0 until the hour mark.
But Villarreal equalised with six minutes remaining and Alexander Sorloth put the visitors back in front in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Jose Luis Morales then added a fifth after 102 minutes to seal victory.
Defeat leaves defending champions Barcelona third in the La Liga title race, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid and eight points off Girona in second.
It comes after they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in a 4-2 defeat by Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
This is Barcelona’s third loss in five matches, with their other defeat in that run coming against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, which they lost 4-1.
After Gerard Moreno’s first-half opener and Ilias Akhomach’s 54th-minute goal, Barcelona produced a stunning comeback through Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri and an Eric Bailly own-goal.
But, following Goncarlo Guedes’ 84th-minute equaliser for Villarreal, the hosts were left exposed in their pursuit of a late winner and ultimately punished by Sorloth’s and Luis Morales’ late goals.
Real Madrid fought back from a goal down to secure a battling win at Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon. Played out in glorious sunshine on Gran Canaria, Real fought back to move top of La Liga. Javi Munoz fired Las Palmas in front at the start of the second half, but Vinicius drew Real level and Aurelien Tchouameni climbed off the bench to secure the win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Aurelien Tchouameni scored six minutes from time to give Real Madrid a hard-fought 2-1 win at Las Palmas.
The first half had more fouls than chances with Rodrygo’s early booking for a coming together with goalkeeper Alvaro Velles setting the tone for a feisty affair.
The Yellows exploded out of the blocks in the second half and a counter attack saw Sandro Ramirez set up Javier Munoz to score from close range.
Carlo Ancelotti, who brought on Federico Valverde and Joselu, saw his side equalise 12 minutes later when Vinicius ran onto Eduardo Camavinga’s through ball to rifle the ball in from close range.
Ancelotti then brought on Guler and Tchouameni and the latter paid off when the French midfielder headed in Toni Kroos’s corner to seal victory
Portu's first-half goal was his third of the season for Girona.
Girona returned to the top of La Liga after Cristian Portu’s first-half finish earned them a 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo.
They leapfrogged Real Madrid, who had beaten Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday.
But within 20 minutes at Estadio Balaidos, Portu finished emphatically past Vicente Guaita to set the visitors on their way back into top spot.
Girona sit one point above Real Madrid, having played a game more.
While Portu got the winner, the hosts’ pressure meant goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga – formerly of Tottenham and Southampton – played a starring role for the visitors.
As Celta Vigo pushed hard for a leveller, the Argentinian acrobatically turned Jorgen Strand Larsen’s header on to the crossbar, before also denying Oscar Mingueza.
Girona held out for the clean sheet to return to winning ways, following their midweek Copa del Rey elimination to Mallorca.
Provisional results for the primaries of the New Patriotic Party have started dropping.
Among others, the Members of Parliament for Bantama and Ofoase-Ayeribi, Asenso Boakye and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah emerged victorious, but COP George Alex Mensah lost in Bekwai.
The Chronicle online has put together a couple of the results from some constituencies.
The decision by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to wash its hands off the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah’s case, has sent shockwaves through the country as nobody expected it.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, after a prolonged investigation into Cecilia Dapaah’s case announced that it will be continued by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) during a news conference in Accra yesterday.
“A little over an hour ago, the Office discontinued its application that was pending before the High Court for a confirmation of the seizure and freezing orders, in pursuance of the referral of the case to EOCO”, Mr. Agyebeng announced.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, known for its relentless pursuit for justice, was actively investigating allegations of money laundering, involving the former minister of sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, which has been a focal point in the public eye.
The Office, which had the benefit of seven (7) months of in-country and four (4) months of collaborative trans-boundary investigation and gathered evidence and intelligence has described the case as suspected money laundering and structuring.
According to the OSP, by operation of law, the Economic and Organised Crime Office has a specific and direct mandate in respect of suspected cases of money laundering and its attendant activity of structuring and the reason OSP is referring the case to EOCO for continued investigation and further action.
However, per the OSP, an extensive investigation was conducted in-country, involving twenty (20) persons and three (3) state institutions, and especially in the Ashanti Region, to establish the financial standing of Ms. Dapaah’s deceased brother during his lifetime and at the time of his death.
“From October 2023, the investigation became cross-border and trans-boundary upon the claim by the persons of interest that part of the seized cash sums was transported to Ghana from the United States.
“For that reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States became involved in a collaborative investigative work with the Office on the matter”, he continued to explain.
In a related development, the Accra High Court has ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized funds to her within 72 hours.
This follows an application by the OSP to confirm the freezing and seizure orders regarding the bank accounts and assets at the former Minister’s home.
This was as a result of an application by the OSP to confirm the freezing and seizure orders regarding the bank accounts and assets at the former Minister’s home.
“The Court ordered a return of the seized cash sums and unfreezing of the bank accounts and investments within seventy-two (72) hours”, he stated!
The OSP has also discontinued the procedural criminal charge against Ms. Dapaah for failure to return forms on declaration of property and income.
Background
Two house helps who worked for Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour are facing charges for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence at Abelemkpe in Accra.
The main accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery worth US$95,000.
Additionally, Ms Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Furthermore, three other individuals, identified as Ms Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000. The Special Prosecutor (OSP) later arrested Cecilia Dapaah for investigations, for suspicion of corruption and corruption-related offences, regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence.
A total of 652 out of 870, representing 75% of New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates in the Asante Akim South constituency on Thursday, January 25, 2024 overwhelmingly declared their support for the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwaku Asante Boateng.
Many of the delegates, who publicly declared their support to the MP, as he rounded up his campaign at the Asankare Church of Pentecost, described him as the darling ‘boy’ of the area, who has supported their course and brought massive change in the constituency, through developmental projects.
They extolled Kwaku Asante Boateng for his relentless commitment and dedication to the development of the area, especially in the areas of health, sanitation, water and electricity supply, security, human development, education and road infrastructure, among many others.
Shadrach Afriyie, a delegate at the Ofoase Polling Station publicly told Kwaku Boateng that he has won his admiration after securing the tarring of seven (7) road projects in the constituency, totaling 120 kilometers, a significant accomplishment, compared to what was achieved under his predecessors.
“Hon, you have been so amazing to our calls for developmental projects in the constituency. The road infrastructure you have provided to us to facilitate easy flow of our movement has won my heart. It is my prayer that God grants you longer life to continue to do more for us”, she noted.
Another delegate, James Agyenim of Asankare Polling Station said he was more fascinated by Kwaku Asante Boateng’s impact on the various local communities in the constituency and urged other delegates who are yet to decide who to vote for to consider voting for the incumbent MP, since his footprints are there for all to see.
“The roads are there for all to see and are testament to our progress as a constituency. Supply of electricity to thirty-three (33) communities is a game-changer in this constituency. It has really helped to expand our local communities”, he said.
Beyond Kwaku Boateng’s developmental endeavors, the delegates highlighted his commendable attributes, describing his as a kind lawmaker who is not discriminatory.
“Kwaku Asante has fostered an environment of inclusivity and goes beyond addressing our collective concerns with a sense of urgency, exemplifying a dedication to public service. He is our darling boy and we will vote for him 100 times if God gives us the strength and will to carry on”, Essandoh, a delegate from Joaso, who has been following the MP throughout his campaign, told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview.
Their resounding display of unity and endorsement was well appreciated by the MP who took time to acknowledge the support the delegates have been giving him ever since he got their mandate to represent the party and the constituency in Parliament.
As the Asante Akim South constituency gears up for the primaries, the groundswell of support for Kwaku Asante Boateng underscores the profound impact he has made on the constituency.
It is the fourth time he is seeking re-election to enter parliament to represent the NPP and the Asante Akim South constituency.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced that the government will soon implement a visa-free policy for all Africans travelling to Ghana.
According to him, the processes have begun and the expectation is to commence their implementation in 2024, which appears to be his good-bye policy.
“I know you came here not to talk but to spark action. I also know that for some of you, you had to acquire a visa to come to this event… The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free for all Africans travelling to our country, and the process has begun to get the policy implemented this year, that is, before I go,” he announced to loud applause.
President Akufo-Addo said this on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the Peduase Presidential Lodge, Akuapim South Municipality, Eastern Region, where he opened a 3-day Conference dubbed the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024.
A panel discussion ongoing
Ghana has waived visa to some African countries and granted visa-on-arrival. Holders of passports from Mauritius, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda among other countries enjoy visa-free arrangements to Ghana.
On the other hand, holders of the Ghana Card are able to travel into the country without using their passports.
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
The President, looking at the calibre of participants from across Africa, said he was encouraged that the continent now has a private sector that is ready, deliberate and eager to see the sixty-year-old dream of a united Africa manifest.
He observed that the focus is now on economic integration, which was not the case in previous years.
He urged the gathering to devote their energies to facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services across Africa.
UNLOCK POTENTIAL
President Akufo-Addo, in his address, advocated measures to unlock the full potential of trade for prosperity.
He suggested the prioritisation of efficient transportation and logistics infrastructure development, streamlining trade processes and embracing digital technologies that facilitate trans-border transactions without depending on foreign currencies.
PROSPECTS
Mentioning the resources that the continent is blessed with, President Akufo-Addo told the conference to remind themselves of the prospects of Africa and the potential to transform it into a global powerhouse.
He was thus excited about the Africa Prosperity Dialogues initiative, which is aimed at facilitating understanding, dialogue and commitment to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
Touching on the theme of this year’s dialogue, “Delivering prosperity in Africa: produce, add value and trade,” President Akufo-Addo opined that it spoke to what had to be done to make the AfCFTA meaningful.
The President expects the dialogue to emphasise that Africa must go heavy on agriculture investments.
COMMENDATION
The President, who is hosting the conference for the second time, congratulated the organisers, the Africa Prosperity Network for the vision. He said the line-up of strategic partners for the conference should encourage people to support the project.
He remarked that the dialogue provides a unique platform to mobilise Africa’s private sector to own and drive the prospects of the AfCFTA.
Concluding his address, President Akufo-Addo told participants to translate the conference into a compact document that contains a roadmap to prosperity in Africa.
APN CEO
The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Africa Prosperity Network Secretariat, Njack Kane stated in his welcome remarks that the Conference will define Africa, focusing on the theme.
He urged the participants to embrace the diversity of thought that will transform Africa, adding that the shared vision of the continent is rooted in the unique strengths of the nations that participated in the dialogue.
Three farmers aged between 69 and 28 years have been granted GH₵300,000 bail by an Accra Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and fraudulent translation of land.
Nii Tettey Ayikai, alias Numo Ali, 69, Daniel Tettey 28, and Edward Laryea also known as Okomfo, 49, secured the bail on Thursday 18th January, 2024.
His Honour, Samuel Bright Acquah, the presiding judge, ordered that the accused persons provide three sureties, each one of which must be justified and adjourned the case to February 12, 2024.
Before the adjournment, the court was told by the prosecuting officer, Superintendent Augustine Yirinkye that one Shantel Iddrisu, an Estate Developer and resident of Kasoa is the Complainant.
The accused persons on the other hand live and work at Danchira, in the Greater Accra region.
In the year 2020 the accused persons offered a parcel of land situated at Danchira to their agent, Abdul Hanan Abdul Rahman, to sell.
In the same year, the accused persons’ agent sold 12 plots out of the said land to one Asubonteng Kwadwo Asiedu, a witness in the case, who acquired same on behalf of his two brothers, Yaw Ansu Gyeabour and Kwasi Ansu Gyeabour, domiciled in the United States of America.
The agent issued indentures over the land in the name of his company, Hanash and Sons Construction to the witness, after which the accused persons collected a digging fee from the witness and supervised the construction of a fence wall, as well as single rooms with toilets on each plot of the land.
In the latter part of February 2023, the accused persons sold four plots from the witness’s land to the complainant. The witness reported the matter to the Danchira Police, where the accused persons were arrested, and stated that their agent was the one who sold the land to the witness on their instructions, but the agent had run away with part of the money.
As a result, they have to regularise the witness’s document for an amount of GH¢72,000.00 but the witness paid GH¢40,000.00 through the Danchira Police, which the accused persons received and issued a receipt.
The balance, GH¢32,000.00, was deposited with the Police for the accused person to collect after preparing the documents. After hearing this, the complainant also lodged a complaint at the Regional CID, Accra and the accused persons were arrested.
The accused persons admitted having granted the same land to the agent, witness and Complainant, but failed since 2020, to allocate another land the complainant and regularize the document for the witness although they agreed to do so.
After investigation, the accused persons were charged with the offences and brought before the court.
Before Alhaji Collins Dauda and Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah were respectively appointed as Minister for Works and Housing, an amount of US$80 million had already been invested into the Saglemi housing project.
Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, Counsel for Agyeman-Mansah, told an Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, on Tuesday.
He said the amount was paid way back, before the two accused persons became ministers, under the erstwhile Mahatma Administration.
According to him, his client, who succeeded Alhaji Collins Dauda in the year 2015, has been charged before the court, even though he was not one of the project consultants.
The counsel informed the court that raising certificates for disbursement of funds under the project were done by the contractors and same was sent to the consultants, who also copied the minister.
He said the certificates are those voluminous documents, capturing project milestones and demand for payment.
The counsel then put a question to the 1st prosecution witness (PW1), Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei whether he has seen those reports on the project, and the answer was negative. PW1 is the new Chief Director at the Ministry of Housing.
Court Complex
He added that he saw one of such reports that was tendered in evidence during cross examination by Thaddeus Sorry, Counsel for Alhaji Collins Dauda, first Accused (A1).
The witness also admitted that not all the documents involved in the transaction have come to his personal notice, but all the documents on the release of funds are in the custody of the ministry.
PW1 added that he is not testifying from his personally involvement, but relying solely on the documents available to the court.
Further cross examination of PW1
Q. On the last trial day, you requested to read two exhibits and the court allowed you the same. Have you done that?
A. Yes
That would be all for the witness. End of Cross examination by Counsel for A1.
Counsel for A2
Q. You have testified earlier before this court that you are currently the acting chief director of the ministry of works and housing?
A. Correct. But I have now been confirmed.
Q. Congratulations.
A. Thank you
Q. This confirmation came when you were testifying in this matter
A. Yes
Q. Now you testified in this particular case by reason of the fact that you are the Chief Director and not because you were personally involved in the execution of this project?
A. Yes
Q. In fact, I will be correct to say that you were not the project coordinator as far as the Saglemi housing project is concerned. Correct!?
A. Yes, I was not the project coordinator.
Q. In fact, there were two name consultants to this project. Correct?
A. AESL is the first consultant appointed and later submitted part of their assignment to VHM.
Q. Now, I would also be correct to say that you did not until 2016, work with these two consulting firms. Correct?
A. I have working relationships with AESL, since I came to the ministry in the year 2004.
Q. So these working relationships with AESL was in relation to other projects undertaken by the ministry of works and housing and not the Saglemi housing project. Correct?
A. Yes
Q. Now, do you know who the project coordinator was for the Saglemi housing project until 2016?
A. No
Q. And are you aware that the project coordinator for the Saglemi housing project was specifically invited by the CID, during the investigations. Are you aware?
A. What I am aware is that some officials of AESL and some officials of the ministry were invited by the CID, but I cannot pinpoint if the project coordinator was invited.
Q. Until 2016, as a staff of the ministry you never found out who the project coordinator was? Is that the case?
A. If I was not invited to participate on the implementation of the project, there was no way I could have forced myself.
Q. Do you know any official by name Eric Victor Aryeetey Ansah. Do you know any body at the ministry whether present or past?
A. The only Ansah I know is the Deputy Director for AESL, but not from the ministry.
Q. Curiously in paragraph 9 of your witness statements. Reading: “…” do you still stand by this testimony?
A. Yes. I want to add that it is like the document Mr. Sory showed to me.
Q. You see Reverend, I will be correct to also say, you were never the project quantity surveyor?
A. Yes
Q. You were also not the project architect?
A. Yes
Q. The day to day management of the project until 2016, did not involve you personally?
A. Yes
Q. Do you know one Louise Satthormo Atongo?
A. Yes.
Q. Can you tell the court who he was?
A. He was the former Managing Director VHM.
Q. And he was the Managing Director of AESL, as the principal consultant for the housing project at the time up to 2016?
A. Yes. His tenure transcended from 2015.
Q. In the course of the investigation by the CID, can you tell the court when you were invited to give a statement to the CID?
A. I was asked to present statements. I cannot recollect the date but I was asked to present a statement, which I did.
Q. Did you present this statement on the police form and signed under it?
A. I don’t remember if I signed.
Q. So I will be correct to say that you never gave a statement to the police whether an ordinary statement, a cautioned statement in your own handwriting on a police form to the CID?
A. What I recollect is that I was given a statement form to fill. However, in the statement form I indicated that my statement form will be in a typed form.
Q. Do you per chance know when this case was first brought to court?
A. I can’t recollect.
Q. You see I am putting it to you that this case first came to court on August 4, 2021?
A. I got to know that from the court register.
Q. The only statement that you gave to the police is the one that you signed on every page typed, which happens to be what you reproduced as your witness statement dated Friday 25th March 2022, almost a year after the case started?
A. I only presented my statement when I was asked to submit to the CID.
Q. You see, Reverend throughout the investigation, you never gave a statement to the police until they came to court?
A. I’m not a prosecutor, I was only asked to present a statement and that is what I did.
Q. Reverend, will I be correct to suggest to you that this statement dated Friday March 25, 2022 was typed for you to sign?
Prosecution: objection
The question that counsel has just put to the witness that the statement he brought to court as his statement was typed for him to sign. I think this particular statement of question impugned the integrity of the prosecution, police as well as the witness himself.
The witness was asked the question earlier and he said he was asked to write a statement and he did so by typing same and so for counsel to suggest that his statement was typed for him to sign, questions the integrity of the prosecution and the police and we strongly oppose such suggestion from him and on the basis of that we ask that this question should be struck down.
Counsel: The method objection is wholly unfounded. My lord will note that the prosecution did not say that this question offends the rule of law of procedure or that the question is irrelevant. This question goes to the very foundation of his testimony. How can I impugn the testimony?
I refer you to section 80(1) of the evidence act …read “…The rest of the work is left for you to make an evaluation. He had not said he can’t answer this question. This witness has demonstrated the capacity to answer questions…..Please answer the question..
Prosecution:
Point to section 86; He has not shown anything that the statement was written for him to sign.
Counsel has not shown in any way that he has evidence to suggest that the statements for the Witness was written for him to sign to the effect that he has not been able to show that is what happened. He cannot be making such suggestion to him and any such suggestion impugned the integrity of the witness.
By Court: Objection overruled
Q. Rev. will I be correct to suggest to you that this statement dated Friday 25th March, 2022 was typed for you to sign?
A.I typed and signed myself.
Q. This statement to the police dated March 25, 2022, you stated at page 5 among others that the role of the project consultants was to verify and certify milestone reports and ensure that payments for specific milestone are done for the purposes for which they were applied?
A. Yes. This is not my statement, but it came from the Escrow management agreement…
Q. And from your previous testimony, the project consultant whose responsibility, according to the statement typed and signed by you, is not one of the accused persons here?
A. I am not the prosecutor and I don’t determine who comes to the court.
Q. In fact I’m putting it to you that from your own statement to the police the 2nd accused is not the main project consultant. Correct?
A. He was not the project consultant. He was the minister.
Q. Now have a look at this document. Is that your signature on the various pages?
A. Yes we have various signatures.
The statements given to the police by PW1 dated Feb 28, 2022 is admitted and tendered as….
Q. The escrow management accounts, which bank is it domicile or which bank holds escrow management accounts?
A. Bank of Ghana.
Q. As the newly confirmed Chief Director of the ministry do you know the mandate on the accounts?
A. It is clearly stated in escrow management agreement.
Q. So can any funds be disbursed from the escrow management accounts without the express approval of the finance minister?
A. No. However the Finance Minister depends on the instructions he received form works and housing. Once certificates have been certified that the milestones has been achieved in these on with the management agreement then the minister for work and housing, the sector minister will request for release of funds to minister for finance and then funds would be released.
Q. So you see, Reverend as far as disbursement is concerned, the person who has the final say is the ministry of finance. Is that not so?
A. I have stated here before that a contractor cannot fix windows of building without foundation of the building. The escrow management agreement stated, clearly the processes that parties will go through before payments are made and it starts from the contractor raising certificates through the consultant copies to the ministry stating in clear terms milestones achieved in order words percentage of work done and it corresponding… And the consultant will than forward the application for release of funds to the ministry after the necessary validations have been made.
My lord, the copy that is sent to the ministry is to be worked on where project monitory team will cross check milestones stated in the certificate to validate amount raised or otherwise and submit reports to the minster through the Chief Director. So after, the validation processes are completed then the minister forward same to the minister of finance and these are all stated in the management of escrow accounts.
Q. Back to my question. I understand you to say that when all these things are done what you called validation processes are done, the finance ministry just doesn’t pay like a conveyor belt but will verify the claims?
A. The processes have been clearly stated in the escrow management agreement and that must be followed when payment are to be made.
Q. In your earlier testimony you have indicated that the finance ministry relies on these processes on the request before payment is authorized?
A. Yes.
Q. You have also testified that when the consultant is done preparing the certification the ministry is copied?
A. No. I said when certificate are raised first by the contractor the ministry is copied and the consultant is also notified of the certificate. My lord, from the documents that I have seen from
AESL and VHM, I don’t see them as certificates. They are just statements on a sheet of paper because interim payments certificates should contain a lot of details.
The total contract sum, if there has been mobilisation, you will see less mobilisation.
Items like percentage of retention is subtracted, percentage of work done and a lot of these, however all the documents I have peruse at AESL and VHM are all statements stating amount of monies to be paid to contractors and consultant without given details of Milestone achieves and percentage of work done
Q. All these that you have tabulated, in your statement to the police are the work of the project consultant, exhibit 2D1?
A. Yes. And the duty of the ministry to cross check to ensure value for money is
Q. So you see, at the ministry, there are main officers whose responsibility is to assist the sector minister to ensure that these responsibilities are carried out?
A. Yes.
Q. In fact, as you testify your current sector minister relies on you as the Chief Director in the performance of his functions?
A. Correct
Q. I should describe you ordinarily as a very competent person. Correct?
A. Of course.
Q. At your ministry (work and housing) you have a department in charge of monitors and evaluations
A. Yes PPBME (Policy Planning Budget Mobilization and Evaluation)
Q. Do you know in the course of the project there were regular meetings between the project consultants and a team comprising Mr Eric Ansah, Bassel Akushey, Kojo Manphey and Zak Napadow, all from AESL?
A. I wouldn’t know if they were meeting or not. I don’t work at AESL.
Q. I’m putting it to you that the interim payment certificates always came as voluminous documents with progress photographs which the prosecution has admitted that they exist except that they are too bulky?
A. It’s not true.
Q. You see, Reverend, you do not know this because you were not personally involved in the project execution, correct?
A: I’m here testifying for the ministry and I am not saying things off my heard, but documents that I have found at the ministry is what I’m testifying on and basing my fact on and so I’m not testifying as whether I am involved or not.
Q. And so it is possible that as you testify that it is not all the documents involving this transaction that has come to your person notice?
A: It is true. However, regarding the payment all the documents on the release of funds are in the custody of the ministry.
Q. You see, are you aware that in a letter dated September 30, 2020 signed by Architect Isaac Agyei Marfo, Managing Director of AESL to assistant Commissioner of Police attention Charles Nyarko he submitted 12 different monthly report to the police CID?
A. I was told that such reports went to the CID. However, such reports have also been on the custody of the ministry and the developer of the project.
Q. So as you testify now, have you as the Chief Director of the Ministry requested for these 12 monthly reports on the housing project to be submitted to the ministry before coming to testify?
A. No, however, I have one of such reports that was tendered in evidence during cross examination by Counsel for A1.
Q. And this, one that you have seen is bulky?
A. It’s bulky but it doesn’t answer anything regarding what the escrow management agreement prescribes.
Q. Now you have testified here that an advanced mobilisation of US$80 million was paid on the execution of the PTC contract before A1 & A2 assumed office?
A. Yes. Case adjourned to January 30 at 1:30pm
