Russia has begun evacuations in the Belgorod region as it eyes rising military activity across the border in Ukraine.
The governor of Belgorod announced on Monday that he had ordered civilians in one district of the region to head for safety. Russian forces are battling an Ukrainian offensive in the neighbouring Kursk region.
“The enemy is active on the border of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district”, Vyacheslav Gladkov warned on the Telegram messaging platform on Monday.
“For the health and security of our population, we’re beginning to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky to safer places,” he said. “I am sure that our servicemen will do everything to cope with the threat that has arisen.”
It was unclear from Gladkov’s statement how many Russian residents have been evacuated so far in Belgorod, which has regularly come under fire from Ukrainian missiles and drones in recent months.
Kyiv is reported to have sharply increased military activity near its border with Belgorod since its forces pushed into Kursk early on August 6.
Russia has promised a strong reaction to what is Ukraine’s biggest incursion into Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in 2022.
More than 76,000 people have fled the border area in Kursk.
The US has sent a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, as tensions grow in the region.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also said an aircraft carrier which was already heading to the area would sail there more quickly.
The move comes in response to fears of a wider regional conflict, after the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
It signals the US’s determination to help defend Israel from any attack by Iran – with Mr Austin saying US would “take every possible step” to defend its ally.
Iran is being closely watched for any indication of how and when it might respond to the assassination of Hamas’s top political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on 31 July.
The Iranians blamed Israel for the assassination of Mr Haniyeh on their soil, and have vowed to punish it. Israel has not commented but is widely believed to have been behind it.
In a statement on Sunday, the Pentagon said Mr Austin had sent the the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the region.
It had also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which is carrying F-35C fighter jets, to accelerate its journey there. The ship was already on its way to replace another US ship in the region.
It remains unclear what Iran could be planning to do.
Meanwhile, another possible attack on Israel could come from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia and political movement in Lebanon.
The group has vowed to respond to the killing by Israel of senior commander Fuad Shukr, which happened just hours before Mr Haniyeh’s assassination, in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets toward northern Israel on Sunday night, as Israeli forces remain on high alert for potential retaliation from Iran and its proxies following the assassination of a top Hamas leader last month.
Rocket fire toward Israel by Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon has become a near-daily occurrence since the outbreak of war in Gaza, as fears grow over the possibility of an Iranian attack that could escalate into a wider regional conflict.
The latest Hezbollah salvo was fired in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and in retaliation for Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, the militant group said in a statement. It comes after Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike on the town of Ma’aroub, southern Lebanon, injured 12 people including six children.
About 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, adding that some fell into open areas and no injuries were reported.
Earlier Sunday, the IDF said its instructions to the public had not changed amid a possible military response from Iranian forces to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
“The IDF and the security establishment monitor our enemies and the developments in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Iran and Hezbollah, and constantly assess the situation,” IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. “IDF forces are deployed and prepared in high readiness. If it becomes necessary to change the instructions, we will update about it in an orderly message on the official channels.”
Mediators in ceasefire-hostage talks between Israel and Hamas are making a renewed push to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table this week, as concerns grow that the conflict could spiral into a regional war.
The new Premier League season is almost upon us and while that will mean the return of some familiar faces, there will also be players looking to make their mark in the competition for the first time.
Some clubs have been busier than others in building for the 2024-25 season. In no particular order, BBC Sport has picked out 10 players who will be looking to catch the eye in England’s top flight.
Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal (defender)
Arsenal will again attempt to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title this season, and they strengthened their defensive options with the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The 22-year-old completed his £42m move from Bologna at the end of July.
The versatile left-footer only joined the Serie A side for £3.3m last summer but swiftly became a key player, drawing interest from clubs across Europe after being one of the standout figures in a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign for Italy.
Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United (forward)
Joshua Zirkzee
Another new arrival to the Premier League via Bologna, Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee joined Manchester United this summer in a deal worth £36.54m.
The former Bayern Munich player scored 12 goals in 37 appearances in Italy last season and has been handed the number 11 shirt with the Red Devils for the coming campaign.
Savinho, Manchester City (forward)
Manchester City paid £30m to sign Brazil winger Savinho from Troyes in July.
Savinho
The 20-year-old starred while on loan at Spanish side Girona last season as they finished third in La Liga. He made his Brazil debut against England in March and has since picked up a further six international caps.
City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “He has a big role to play for Manchester City this season and beyond. We are totally confident in his ability.”
Niclas Fullkrug, West Ham (striker)
New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has made several signings as he looks to reshape the side for the coming season, but the pick of the bunch could be Niclas Fullkrug.
Niclas Fullkrug
The 31-year-old Germany striker joined the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund for £27m.
He scored 15 goals in 46 games in 2023-24 and finished as a Champions League runner-up. He also netted twice during hosts Germany’s run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, despite not starting a match.
Daichi Kamada, Crystal Palace (midfielder)
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner moved to bring in a player he was familiar with this summer with the signing of Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada.
Daichi Kamada
The 27-year-old joined from Italian club Lazio on a free transfer after a year in Serie A and previously played under Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt, where the pair won the Europa League together in 2022.
Kamada has been capped 33 times by his country. He scored 40 goals and recorded 33 assists in 179 appearances for Frankfurt before moving to Lazio.
Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham (midfielder)
Tottenham have invested in youth with the signings of 18-year-olds Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, and the former in particular has made a strong case to be a starter for the new season with a hugely impressive pre-season.
Lucas Bergvall
Midfielder Bergvall joined from Swedish side Djurgarden for a fee approaching £8.5m.
The Swede has caught the eye with his creativity and ball control, producing a particularly impressive performance as a half-time substitute against Bayern Munich in a 2-1 friendly loss.
Jake O’Brien, Everton (defender)
Jake O’Brien returns to the Premier League after the former Crystal Palace defender joined Everton from Ligue 1 side Lyon this summer.
Jake O’Brien
The Republic of Ireland international did not make a league appearance for Palace but comes back to England with top-flight experience under his belt after playing 27 games in France last season.
The 23-year-old will be hoping to follow in fellow Toffee Jarrad Branthwaite’s footsteps after the defender enjoyed an impressive Premier League campaign last season following a spell abroad.
Nikola Milenkovic, Nottingham Forest (defender)
Nottingham Forest are hoping to kick on this season after fighting towards the bottom of the table last term, and they have strengthened their defence with the signing of Serbia international Nikola Milenkovic.
Nikola Milenkovic
The 26-year-old joined from Italian side Fiorentina, where he made 264 appearances, scoring 17 goals.
Milenkovic has 56 caps for Serbia and played in all of their Group C games at Euro 2024, including the 1-0 defeat by England.
Liam Delap, Ipswich (striker)
Ipswich are embarking on their first season back in the Premier League after back-to-back promotions, and they will be looking to their new signings to deliver if they are to stay up.
Liam Delap
Striker Liam Delap has been brought in from Manchester City in a deal which could be worth up to £20m.
The 21-year-old did make two Premier League appearances during his time at City but, after spells on loan in the Championship, he will be determined to make his mark in the top flight this term.
Dean Huijsen, Bournemouth (defender)
Bournemouth have invested in an exciting youngster after they signed 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen from Italian giants Juventus.
Emergency services rushed to evacuate the hotel in Cairns
A pilot has died after their helicopter crashed into the roof of a hotel in Australia during an “unauthorised” early morning flight. The aircraft hit the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the northern Queensland city of Cairns at around 01:50 local time on Monday (16:50 BST Sunday), sparking a fire and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of guests.
Authorities say the only occupant of the helicopter died at the scene, and two hotel guests – a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s – were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Some local media reports have suggested that the helicopter was stolen.
Nautilus Aviation – which owned the helicopter – said it would work closely with all authorities in Queensland as they examined the “unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning”.
Amanda Kay, who was staying in the hotel on the main esplanade in Cairns, described seeing a helicopter flying “extra low”, without lights in rainy weather.
“[It] has turned round and hit the building,” she said, adding that the aircraft “blew up”.
Another bystander said she saw the helicopter fly past the hotel twice in the moments before the collision.
“Boy that was going fast, that helicopter. Unbelievable,” a woman said, in video showing the fiery aftermath of the crash. It was just going out of control, that thing was.”
Two of the helicopter’s rotor blades came off on impact, landing on the esplanade and in the hotel pool, according to Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).
Streets around the hotel have been cordoned off and an emergency situation was declared by police.
Queensland Police and the aviation safety watchdog, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, are continuing investigations into the circumstances of the crash.
Covener of Fixing The Country, Ernest Owusu Bempah addressing the press
Fixing the Country Movement, a non-partisan and non-political civic movement, has registered its displeasure over what it described as a shoddy investigation carried out by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to clear former president John Dramani Mahama of any corruption-related offences in the Airbus corruption saga.
Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Special Prosecutor
According to the group, the OSP erred in law in its judgement on the matter, and has called for an immediate revisit of the matter in the interest of the public and governance accountability, since Mr. Mahama and his brother Adam Mahama have a lot of questions to answer.
The group further called on other relevant authorities to institute a public inquiry into the Airbus alleged corruption and to afford former President John Mahama the opportunity to defend himself in the full glare of the public.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Sunday, August 11, 2024 the Convener of the group, Mr. Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu, expressed surprise over the OSP’s “calculated” effort to whitewash the entire process, even when Airbus had already accepted the complicity of its officials, hence the deferred prosecution agreement by the US Department of Justice and the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
The leadership of the group has, therefore, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the OSP to reinvestigate the entire bribery deal.
Should the OSP default by the end of the 14-day ultimatum, Fixing the Country Movement says it will organise a public action to demand the head of the OSP.
According to the group, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, has reduced his office to more of a political theatre and reputation management for Mr. Mahama.
The Convener of Fixing the Country Movement disclosed that it has been over three years since Airbus SE, a global provider of civilian and military aircraft based in France, agreed to pay combined penalties of nearly $4 billion.
Mr. Owusu-Bempah stated that beginning in at least 2008 and continuing until at least 2015, Airbus engaged in and facilitated a scheme to offer and pay bribes to decision makers and other influencers, including foreign officials, in order to obtain improper business advantages and win lucrative contracts in several countries, including Ghana.
John Dramani Mahama
He accentuated judicial records made public on January 31, 2020 by the British and American authorities, which Airbus acknowledged to be true, showing that between 2009 and 2015, an Airbus subsidiary, specialising in the defence sector hired the brother of a high-ranking Ghanaian elected official (Government Official 1), as well as a friend of the said brother and a third person, to serve as commercial partners in the sale of three military transport aircraft, model C295 to Ghana.
The pressure group indicated that the former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu, who had found the Airbus corruption credible enough, opened an investigation in February 2020 and further summoned four “suspects,” Philip Middlemiss and his collaborator Sarah Furneaux, as well as Leanne Davis and Samuel Adam Mahama.
The pressure group established that the OSP inquiry into the Airbus corruption was, therefore, to get the culprits to answer the charges against them and not to engage in whitewashing as he has done.
AHigh Court in Accra has cleared Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited (TPL)over claims by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)that the company imported fake drugs into the country.
A judgementby Her Ladyship Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on July 29, 2024also exonerated the company’s Group Chairman, Elder Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, who insisted the company never imported fake drugs.
Law Court Complex, Accra
Per the court’s ruling, activities of the FDA and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the time, Dr. Opuni, constituted misfeasance of a public office and an abuse of the FDA’s statutory powers and duties.
The judgement also went contrary to claims by former CEO of the FDA, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, who claimed that the Company imported fake drugs.
It would be recalled that between September and December 2013, the FDA, led by its CEO, Dr. Kwabena Opuni, embarked on series of operations and activities, aimed at clamping down on the importation of fake or unwholesome drugs into the country.
In the process, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited became a victim, as the regulator proceeded to dispose of some of Tobinco’s productsand locked the company’s warehouses across the country, following allegations that the company had imported fake drugs.
The company said the move did not just embarrass the CEO and affect the company’s image, but it also led to the rapid expiration of Tobinco’s products and a wide spread negative publicity.
Furthermore, the FDA placed a ban on Bliss GVS Pharma Limited, the then principal business partner of Tobinco, from exporting drugs into Ghana, while all Tobinco’s drugs, labelled as fake, were confiscated.
Tobinco’s legal fight back
Following the FDA’s action, TobincoPharmaceuticals Limited commenced legal action against the authority on July 19, 2019 for abuse of statutory powers and duties and prayed the court for damages, three years after the actions of the FDA.
According to the company, its CEO and the Director of Bliss GVS Pharma, Mr. Kamath, were coerced to sign the so-called confession statements when they were both arrested.
Highlights of the Court’sjudgment
In a press release from the company, Tobinco, highlighted the judgment of the court.
According to the statement, the court determined that Tobinco did not import fake drugs into the Ghanaian market and affirmed that the acts of the FDA and its Chief Executive Officer at the time, Dr. Opuni, constituted misfeasance of a public office and an abuse of the FDA’s statutory powers and duties.
The court, according to the release, confirmed that after Tobinco was fined because some of its drugs had expired in terms of registration, the FDA, led by Dr. Opuni, failed or refused to register the drugs that had not expired, in terms of registration.
The court explained that a review of both documents “confession statements” confirmed that the wording was the same, with the only difference being the letterhead and the names and signatures of the signatories.
The court is said to have expressed its view that if Dr. Tobbin and Mr. Kamath had written the documents separately, it was unlikely the wording would have been identical and confirmed that the FDA took the letterheads of Tobinco and Bliss GVSPharma from Tobinco’s offices, provided them to NIB and used them to type out statements for them to sign.
Additionally, the release said the court confirmed that it was unlawful for the FDA to prohibit the sale of Tobinco’s products without obtaining an Executive Instrument from the Minister for Health, adding that the ban on Bliss GVS Pharma Limited from exporting drugs into Ghana without the Minister’s approval of an Executive Instrument was unlawful.
According to the press release, the court noted that the unlawful conduct of the FDA and its former CEO, Dr. Opuni, caused substantial damage and loss to the plaintiff’s business.
Tobinco’s Position on Court Outcome
The press release said Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin and Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited welcomed the court’s judgment, saying it vindicated their position that they have never imported substandard drugs (fake drugs) into the country.
In a brief statement, theCEO of the Tobinco Group said, “It is a positive feeling and welcome news for a court of competent jurisdiction to affirm my innocence. It’s a very great feeling.”
He gave an assurance thatTobincowould continue to produce quality drugs and other medical supplies to promote quality healthcare and thanked Ghanaians for their prayers and support during the crisis.
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has catalogued its achievements chalked in two years, under the leadership of Kofi Baah Agyepong, who was appointed in August 2022.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed Kofi Agyepong to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA,following the resignation of the former CEO, Justin Frimpong Kodua, who moved on to become the General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party.
Two years into his tenure, Kofi Baah Agyepong has made remarkable strides, transforming the YEA into a vibrant entity that contributes to government’s growth agenda.
YEA CEO, Kofi Agyepong (4th right) in a picture with some beneficiaries
YEA, established under the Youth Employment Act 2015 (Act 887), aims to empower young people, between the ages of 15 to 35 years, by providing skills training and internships, to transition them from unemployment to employment.
Under Kofi Agyepong’s leadership, the agency has fully embraced this mission, implementing a range of impactful projects.
The CEO of YEA’s tenure has seen numerous achievements that have earned him praise, particularly from the many beneficiaries who have found new opportunities to grow their businesses and achieve financial independence.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Community Protection Assistants (CPAs): A total of 1,500 individuals were employed as Community Protection Assistants.
Office Assistants (POAs): Another 1,500 individuals gained employment as Office Assistants.
Community Health Workers: The program enrolled 6,000 Community Health Workers with 900 of them receiving further support to gain admission into nursing training schools across the country.
Apparel and Textiles Sector: This supported 90 large companies and 500 Medium and Small companies, and enabled 2,000 youth to benefit from this sector.
CSIR-BRRI Partnership: YEA engaged 250 youth in the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI) partnership.
Kayayei Skill Empowerment: Enrolled 5,000 beneficiaries, with 600 having already completed the program.
Artisan Directory: 10,000 artisans have been trained, with another 10,000 set to be enrolled.
Countries Ghana Limited Partnership and Aframilk Cocoa Partnership: These initiated partnerships aimed at further empowering the youth.
NIC Partnership: Trained 6,000 youth through a partnership with the National Insurance Commission (NIC).
Business and Employment Assistive Programme: Benefited 10,000 individuals so far, supporting 5,000 businesses, with an additional 10,000 recruits planned.
NEIP Entrepreneurship Partnership: Partnered with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) to benefit 10,000 youth.
Youth in ICT: Trained 5,000 youth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Job Center Bluespace: 2,000 individuals trained through this initiative.
Ghana Library Authority Partnership: Trained 5,000 youth in collaboration with the Ghana Library Authority.
Kofi Baah Agyepong’s leadership has undeniably transformed the Youth Employment Agency, making it a key driver in the fight against youth unemployment in Ghana.
His strategic initiatives and partnerships have not only provided immediate employment opportunities but also equipped the youth with sustainable skills to secure their futures.
As he marks two years as CEO, Kofi Baah Agyepong’s achievements stand as a testament to his commitment to empowering Ghana’s youth and contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development.
Eighteen years after the passage of the Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), Persons with Disability (PWDs) have called for the speedy passage of the revised Act into law, to improve their living condition, according to a graphiconline.com story.
According to them, although the current law, which was passed by Parliament on June 23, 2006 and assented to by former President John Agyekum Kufuor on August 9, of the same year, had lifted the image of PWDs, it contained certain lapses that had been addressed in the re-enacted law.
The Chairman of the National Council for PWDs, Yaw Ofori-Debrah, said the enactment of Act 715 preceded the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs (UNCRP) in 2012 and, therefore, there were some gaps to be filled to align the domestic law with the Convention.
Mr Ofori-Debrah said it was in a bid to remedy those shortfalls that efforts were being made to re-enact the existing law to make it more relevant and responsive to current life demands of PWDs in the country. He stressed the need for government to expedite the process of passing the draft bill into law.
Again, Mr Ofori-Debrah cited the absence of a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to give effect to provisions of the parent law and the lack of enforcement mechanisms to buttress the implementation of the law as the major reasons for the insignificant impact of the law on PWDs.
The disability community reminisces those two dates as critical historical milestones in the push for disability rights.
Mr Ofori-Debrah said the coming into effect of Act 715 had been the turning point in the lives of PWDs in the country. Notwithstanding the important role Act 715 played in the lives of PWDs, he called for the immediate passage of the revised Disability Act to resonate more with the current needs of PWDs.
Eighteen years ago, the Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) was hailed as a breakthrough, a legal framework intended to protect the rights of PWDs and to enhance their quality of life. Its enactment signaled a national recognition of the need to eliminate discrimination against PWDs and to promote their inclusion in all aspects of society.
However, nearly two decades later, the disability community finds itself once again at a crossroads, calling for the swift passage of a revised version of the Act to address its numerous shortcomings and align it with international standards. The Act, as it stands, has proven inadequate in fully addressing the challenges faced by PWDs.
One of the major criticisms of the Act is the absence of a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to operationalise its provisions. Without this crucial legal tool, the Act remains largely ineffective, with little enforcement to ensure compliance.
This has resulted in a situation where the rights of PWDs are recognised in theory but not fully protected in practice. Moreover, the lack of enforcement mechanisms has meant that many of the provisions of the Act have not been implemented, leaving PWDs vulnerable and their rights often neglected.
The call for the passage of the revised Disability Act is not just a matter of legal reform; it is a matter of social justice. The revised Act is designed to be more comprehensive and to address the specific needs and challenges that PWDs face in contemporary society. It seeks to remedy the shortfalls of the current law by incorporating provisions that reflect the evolving understanding of disability rights and by ensuring that PWDs have access to the same opportunities and protections as all other citizens.
The delay in passing the revised Disability Act is not just a legal oversight; it is a failure to prioritise the needs of a significant portion of our population. The disability community has waited long enough.
We urge the government to act swiftly and decisively. The 8th Parliament must rise to the occasion and pass the revised Disability Act before it dissoves. This is not just about fulfilling a legislative duty; it is about upholding the dignity and rights of PWDs, ensuring that they can live full, independent lives with the respect and equality they deserve.
The hypocrisy of partisan politics is indeed most interesting. Just a few days ago a senior opposition party official in Ghana held a press conference to condemn a relative of the vice president, who is a businessman, for his company allegedly benefiting from a public contract properly awarded.
A week earlier, it was about a former boyfriend (and “baby father”) of a daughter of the president and a contract for spare parts where no bribery allegation is said to be involved. Today, that same propaganda chief is leading his party triumphantly (with support from the media), hailing his boss, the opposition leader and former president, as being “squeaky clean!” Why? The former president and the NDC presidential candidate for 2024 has been CLEARED of that major bribery charge that had hanged around his neck for 4yrs!
Details are that reputable investigative institutions in UK, US and France have done thorough investigations which all implicated that Ghanaian leader and his brother in an indictment where the bribe giver (Airbus) admitted guilt and paid millions in fines (but not to Ghana).
Airbus admits to paying bribes which allegedly went to Ghanaian Govt officials. Emails and other facts in the public domain point to the unusual involvement of the “Government Official 1” as the main champion of the deal in the entire transaction from the onset (even promising more) and how his brother was later on brought on board as agent for the company that admits to paying bribes. Today, his party and its leadership are understandably mightily relieved and happy because investigators in Ghana say they found no evidence against the leader and his brother the agent.
One can only be happy for them! They now point to how an “innocent” interest in a transaction can be so mischievously misconstrued even by reputable investigators as dodgy.
Thank God for Akufo-Addo’s meticulous OSP. Anaa? And, yet, that same party, the NDC and that same leader, John Mahama, have made allegations of corruption against the current president, his family, friends and appointees their main campaign message; even to the point of using a patently fake document (not reports of reputable investigators) against the current president and his royal family to drive home the point.
But, this is what is interesting though! Let us dare the opposition and their “squeaky clean” leader to name one clear case (not mere allegation) against Akufo-Addo, his family members or appointees that come anywhere remotely close to this Airbus case and its volumes of findings by investigators and admissions of guilt by the bribe giver.
Let them put the Airbus case side by side to any of the charges they continue to lay on NPP’s doorsteps. Yet, so desperate are they that they (led by JM himself) are eager to rely confidently & unashamedly on a book of fiction as their main dossier of evidence & to use same to draw links and conclusions from other instances to show that what Ghanaians are enduring today is worse than what they did see under Mahama’s NDC; never mind the tons of evidence of real developments and spendings that have gone directly into the welfare and wellbeing of families and communities across the country.
As we speak, there is another case in the US involving a senior staff of an international bank who was allegedly compelled to pay bribes in order to secure a take-or-pay power contract for a Turkish company under John Mahama.
Remember the billions of dollars Ghanaian taxpayers have paid for those take-or-pay deals over the last 7 or so years? Ghana is, indeed, an interesting country. But, I am truly happy for John Mahama and his family and his party, it must have been 4yrs of utter agony having such a case of huge international proportions hanging around his neck. It couldn’t have been easy!
Still, Africa shall continue to rise and rise we shall! Let the torch of transparency and the scrutiny of civil society & the media continue to shine on us all for the Africa we want and deserve!
By Gabby Otchere-Darko
Credit: Gabby Otchere-Darko/X.com
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
