Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum in a group picture with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and some Chiefs
The Minister for Education, Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum, has called on Ghanaians and the Ashanti Kingdom in particular to show a real sense of patriotism towards leadership, as was done during the ‘Sargerenti war’ of 1874.
Speaking at the launch of ‘History of Ashanti’ book to commemorate 150 years of the ‘Sargerenti War’ in Kumasi, yesterday, he said the book is all about patriotism and individuals who were willing to pay the ultimate price so that their kingdom will survive.
“This is a book which must be read, it teaches us a good lesson of how we must even die for our kingdom. Stories of promises made and kept. So much humanity, a kingdom that we have to learn from in order to create a better world, a better nation,” he said.
The book chronicles clashes between the Asante and the British army, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley, where scores of people died with hundreds of injuries.
The signing of a treaty at Fomena between the then Asantehene, H.M. Kofi Karikari and Queen Victoria brought the war to an end, with the restoration of mutual understanding between the two kingdoms.
The book “History of Ashanti” chronicles events of 1874, 1896 and 1900.
Dr Yaw Adutwum, who was happy that he was chosen by Asantehene to launch the book said, “Your Majesty, the last time I had one-on-one meeting with you, I went home and told my Mom that I have met the King of the Asante.
“Then she started jubilating that my son has met Otumfuo, so if my Mom was to be alive today and if she sees me on TV, she would have said today my son is launching a book written by Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II. Today is a very great day for me.”
He thanked Asantehene for giving him the opportunity “and it is my prayer that all of us will pick this book. It is also my prayer that other authors of children’s books will begin to write children’s version of it, so that our children will begin to know more about this great kingdom.”
HISTORY OF ASHANTI – SYNOPSIS
The book is a concise autobiography of the author, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th Asantehene.
Overseeing an illustrious research committee of nine, which included the likes of Barima Kwadwo Owusu Ansah, C.E Osei, J.W.K Appiah, I.K Agyeman, Oheneba Boakye Dankwa (Akyempemhene), Edward O, George Asafu-Adjaye and Kyeame Baffour Akoto.
The work started in 1939. Alex Atta Yaw Kyerematen, another local intellectual, was later added to gather the research material and prepare a typescript from 1944 to 1946
Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum
It would take a little more than half century and the hard work and dedication of notable historians like Prof Adu Boahen, Prof Emmanuel Akyeampong and Prof. McCaskie, coupled with the ardent support of Otumfuo Poku Ware II and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to discover and compile the original writings and typescripts to finally produce the “History of Ashanti”.
Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II gives an account of the events preceding his birth, when a leopard appeared in Kumasi 3 days before he was born. This earned him the name Kwame Kyeretwie.
His other names were Osei Kwame, Osei Tutu, Kwame Kyeretwie and then Edward Prempeh Owusu, as he was also known after his baptism into the Wesleyan-Methodist church in 1911.
Tete ka asɔm (‘Ancient things remain in the ears’).
The publication of the History of Ashanti transcends this famous Asante saying. The truth is now known to us all.
As the first most educated Asantehene, he placed much emphasis on education as the bedrock to national development and advancement.
As a young adolescent, Osei Kwame came to realise that literacy and numeracy furnished by western education were indispensable keys to survival and future prosperity. This was before the Sustainable Development Goals declaration by the United Nations.
He was a founding member of AKUS (Asante Kotoko Union Society) whose objects were about moral, civic and economic improvement within Asante nationalist framework.
Otumfuo gives an account of Asante origins and connections with biblical 12 tribes of Jabob and their subsequent migration through the Middle East to the present habitation in Asanteman.
Readers also are given extensive details of the reigns of the previous 13 Asante Kings from Otumfuo Osei Tutu I to Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, and he concludes with a brief note of his reign and the restoration of the Asante Confederacy on 31st January 1935, when he proclaimed to Asanteman that UNITY IS STRENGTH.
There have been many writings about Asante history but the “History of Ashanti” by Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II is the most comprehensive and definitive history of the Ashanti Kings, the people of Asanteman and their dealings with their neighbors in pre-colonial Gold Coast and European colonialists.
Students of Literature, History and the Arts will find in the “History of Ashanti” a wealth of material to enrich their knowledge. It will also stimulate research to add to enrich this volume.
It is a must read for all and sundry and should find its way into every home, library, educational institution and bookstores.
Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II considered this publication his greatest wish and it is now displayed before us to get hold of a copy and explore its contents.
The charisma of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has transcended the country’s borders into the African realm.
He has been named among 100 Most Reputable Africans by Reputation Poll International, in the 2024 list of its annual publication of Africans.
The Organisation recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have built a strong reputation.
Reputation Poll International is a leading reputation management and public relations consultancy firm.
Dr Dampare was named among few other leaders in the country, such as Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye and Dr Mensah Otabil of the ICGC.
The list also includes; Cardinal Peter Turkson, Fred Swanika, Roberta Annan, Dr Sangu Delle, Eric Yerenkyi Danquah, Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku and His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey.
Some of the names listed in the business category include; Nigeria’s Femi Otedola, Sudanese-British billionaire Mo Ibrahim, Liberia’s former President Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo appointed Dr George Akuffo Dampare, then Director General of Police Administration, to Acting position effective August 1, 2021. In October 2021, he was confirmed the substantive IGP.
Leading a solid Police Management Board (POMAB) team, Dr Dampare promised to transform the Ghana Police Service to a world class one, which he is assiduously pursuing to the admiration of all.
Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, The First Accused person (A1)
Seventy-five thousand and five hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢75,500.00) approved by Christina Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu, former Chief Executive Officer (ECO) of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), as Honorarium for the media cannot be traced.
The amount was allegedly meant for media participation in a sensitisation programme organised by MASLOC, in part of the Greater Accra Region.
Whether the amount was received by the alleged media participants has become a bone of contention.
Meanwhile, Daniel Axim, a former Head of Operations at MASLOC, who worked directly under Sedinam, said he cannot remember anything concerning this amount.
Axim stated this in his witness statement, which was adopted as his evidence-in-chief by an Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge, with additional responsibility of the High Court on Monday, this week.
Axim has been accused alongside runaway Sedina on 78 counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, contravention of the public procurement Act, among other charges.
Collectively, the two are said to have caused financial loss to the Republic of Ghana to the tune of GH¢90 million between 2013 and January 2017.
Nevertheless, Axim has absolved himself from any wrongdoing, since he only acted on the instructions of Sedina.
He explained under cross-examination that the public service, unlike the private sector, MASLOC has a very dense political climate, as it is directly under the Office of the President and controlled by the Chief of Staff.
He said MASLOC staff have no right to question who qualified for loan and for any staff who tries to be rigid on people who are preferred by politicians to be given loans may end up losing his or job.
The second accused (A2) told the court that Sedinam(A1), currently being tried in absentia, from time to time instructs him to prepare memo for release of funds for sensitisation programme across the country.
When the account office releases the funds, A2 will collect it and hand everything to Sedinam in her office.
Godfred Yeboah Dame — Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
After the sensitisation programme, A1 will not pay the participants immediately, but would insist that she will do so later.
However, A2 could not testify whether the participants truly received those monies later or not because A1 sometimes travels to the region by herself.
Axim denied ever handling GH¢2,003,800.00 nor taking GH¢579,800.00 MASLOC money.
Funds that he prepared memos for and same were received by him to be given to Sedinam were between GH¢84,000.00 and GH¢204,000.00 specifically for sensitisation programmes in the various regions.
It was his defence that the CEO can order him as Head of Operations to grant loans without assessing the credit worthiness of the client within a day.
“It appears to me that MASLOC is a ‘father Christmas’ at the discretion of the political head. A minister of state can minute on a piece of a complimentary card to me through the CEO for loan and I must comply,” he said.
A2 evidence-in-chief
My name is Daniel Axim. I live at Dansoman, Accra.
I am currently on interdiction at MASLOC. I was employed and I worked as Head of Operations at MASLOC. When I joined MASLOC in 2010, I was assigned as District Coordinator at Tema.
Then I was promoted as Area Manager for the Tema Zone. I was further promoted to Compliance Director/Manager for the whole institution (MASLOC) and relocated to the National Office.
After my relocation to the National Office, there was another promotion so I became the Head of Operations.
That I can identify Al and the Prosecution Witnesses.I am aware that the Auditor General has not conducted any Auditing into the activities of MASLOC and for that matter I have never been surcharged for any wrong doing about the implementation of any of the projects of MASLOC.
My Lord, I know PW1, Dr Stephen Amoah, who wrote a letter to the Auditor General to stop the auditing its office had undertaken.
At MASLOC, a CEO can order me as Head of Operations to grant loans without assessing the credit worthiness of the client within a day.
At the same time, I do not have the power as Head of Operations to arrest a vehicle for non-payment of a loan facility, as the CEO will be instructed to ask me to release the vehicle with apology to the owner or risk dismissal.
It appears to me that MASLOC is a Father Christmas at the discretion of the political head. A minister of state can minute on a piece of a complimentary card to me through the CEO for loan and I must comply.
The Auditor General stopped their auditing into MASLOC activities because PW1 said he had gotten instruction from the Chief of Staff to halt the process and based on that the Auditor General indeed stopped. I was not surcharged for any wrongful act as mandated in the constitution.
Why did the Al give you a total GH¢20,000.00 as you stated in your statement to EOCO tendered by the prosecution as exhibit. Al got to know during an office conversation that I had been married for 11 years without a child and she also got to know that I was doing IVF for my late wife.
In fact, she knew that it was expensive and asked how I was managing that with my small salary. She then decided to give me small assistance anytime she felt like doing so. This was not unusual of political heads giving money to staff on their own at all.
The office is a small place so the political heads get involved with our private matters because they want votes all the time and also they want us to be committed to the work.
MASLOC in general is a financial institution under the office of the president. The chief of staff is our immediate supervisor and he or she gives instruction to the CEO for implementation, even though the board is there as figure head.
There are compliance department as well as the internal audit. Even though all financial transactions are supposed to be approved by the head of the internal audit department, it does not function that way at all in MASLOC because it’s fully politicised and controlled by the chief of staff and that was why PW1 could stop the Auditor General of the Republic.
All the workers, including myself, must obey the CEO or be dismissed. Myself, the Accountant (PW5) and the Compliance Manager, one Peter Dadzie, knew that Al took the money for sensitisation T&T, yet none of us could complain or risk being sacked, especially when she says she will go back to do disbursement later on.
That I have never been surcharged by the Auditor General for any activity of MASLOC in its operations andthere is no financial liability on my part during my operations at MASLOC as declared by the forensic Auditors.
My role in the sensitisation program. The sensitisation program with payment of T&T to participants was introduced by Al when she took office. I was the Head of Operations at that time and sensitisation is our routine work, but without T&T to participants.
Al decided to present cheques to groups by herself, because of certain complaints against the regional managers by participants and also sensitise them as well.
This was approved by the board and as a public servant my job was to help the C.E.O to execute her project.
So anytime she visited a Region or any place in the country for sensitisation, she calls me to her office and instructs me to prepare a memo for her approval and necessary action.
So, my role was to prepare the memo and after the money is cashed out by the Accounts office, any of us will be called to collect same for Al and on a few occasions, I did collect the money for her.
I stated this to the forensic Auditors and a copy of my statement was given to her and she never denied that I collected all those moneys for her.
Before Al instructed me to draw the program for 2016, she told me at her office that she had conducted the sensitization in 2015 alone with her team in some Regions and it was very successful so she wants to replicate the program in the whole country and she has gotten approval from her General Secretary of her party since the program will improve their fortunes in the villages.
In 2015 I was still the Head of Operations at MASLOC, but I never knew that the C.E.O had done sensitisation with other staff and it was successful. I was very surprised when she said that to me and more especially when I saw the figures through the Auditors Report.
It is clear from the exhibits that all the 2015 transaction, I did not raise any memo as I did not even know, not until I was told by A? in 2016.
Upon the instructions, I drafted the program for her and she edited it and sent same to the board for approval and later a copy of the approval letter was given to me for my necessary actions.
That I have not conspired with A1 to steal GH¢114,000.00 belonging to MASLOC. On 16/06/2016 an amount of GHc 114,000.00 was withdrawn by the account’s office of MASLOC and I was called by the Accounts office to take the money for Al, which I complied, collected the money and gave it to Al in accordance with her instructions.
This figure is supposed to be disbursement for BrongAhafo& Volta Regions. This amount is stated in the Auditors Report. In so far as I am concerned, part of the GH¢114,000.00 was used for the programme as shown in the Auditors Report and the rest was with A1.
I personally took part upon Al’s instruction so I disbursed the funds given to me by Al after she had finished her talk with the participants in parts of Volta Region. The money was disbursed according to the list generated by the regional managers.
COUNT 6
I did not steal the money given to me to disburse during the program as shown in the Auditors Report. With regard to GH¢114,000.00, I generated the memo as the whole project had been approved by the Board.
Al usually calls me to her office and she will tell me what she intends to do in a particular Region and she will request me to generate the memo for her approval, accordingly which, I did as part of my official duties,
COUNT 7
With regard to an amount of GHc 228,000.00 as stated in counts 7&8, Al called me to her office and instructed me to do a memo for her to do sensitisation in Ashanti and Western Regions and I complied since the board had approved of the project. I only performed my job by raising the memo for her approval.
COUNT 8
I have not stolen any money amounting to GH¢228,000.00 belonging to MASLOC. After I prepared the memo for Al, she dealt personally with account office and this particular money was prepared in 2 tranches.
I was called by the Accounts office as usual to pick the GH¢228,000.00 in all for Al, which I did and handed the whole amount to her personally and she said thank you. I am fully aware that indeed the sensitisation was done in those Regions but I am not aware if any money was paid as T&T.
Law Courts Complex, Accra
In fact, in the regions that Al does not want to give money to the participants, she leaves the pregame without giving me anything after she had delivered her speech. In fact, before 1 attend sensitization with her, I would not know whether she will be giving them T&T or not she decides alone what to do with the money collected. I am only a public servant at MASLOC.
COUNT 9
I know I did not conspire with Al to steal the amount of GH¢204,000.00 belonging to MASLOC as the Head of Operation. Al called and instructed me to prepare a memo for sensitization pregame for Upper West, East and Northern Regions of Ghana and I complied as the program had been approved by the board. I only performed my public service function.
COUNT 10
Concerning the amount of GH¢204,000.00 I only prepared the memo for the approval and processing by Al. When the money was ready, I was called by the accounts office to pick the money for Al, which I did and I gave all the amount of GH¢204,000.00 to A1. I stated this to the forensic Auditors. A copy of the statement was given to her and she never denied that I gave all the money to her for the sensitization.
I must state that I took part in the sensitisation in the Upper East and Upper West regions with the Deputy CEO without Al. Before 1 left to those two Regions, Al told me that her Deputy will take charge of the program so I believed that the Deputy CEO will give me the needed funds for the disbursement, but after we finished with the talk the Deputy told me, when I asked for the money, Al said she will come and do it herself and 1 kept quiet.
However, in the Northern Region, I also took part and this time Al came herself, but no money was disbursed to my knowledge after the talk and we left for Accra.
I want to put it on record that apart from what Al did in 2015 without me, she visits regions without me and she does this a lot so when she says after sensitization she will come back and disburse funds, I do not challenge her since she can go to do disbursement without me. However, I will not know whether indeed she goes to do it or not.
COUNT 11
Per the program approved by the board, Al called me to her office and requested me to prepare a memo for sensitization program in Eastern and Central Regions of Ghana involving GH¢ 192,000.00, which I did. Since the Board had given approval, I did my job as a public servant to the C.E.O without any intention to commit crime with or without Al. The Forensic Auditors did not query me for any wrong doing on the memos I prepared.
COUNT 12
After I had prepared the memo for her approval and processing, Al dealt with the accounts office for the money to be cashed out from the bank. I was called by the accounts office to take the money for Al, which I did and I gave all the money to Al. Al did not deny this before the Forensic Auditors and the Audit Report stated that indeed I gave the money to her.
I have never dishonestly appropriated any such amount so there is no evidence before this Honorable court that I have stolen an amount of GH¢ 192,000.00 belonging to MASLOC. The Auditors Report in evidence states that I gave the money to A1 in “line of duty” as can be seen in page 12 of the report tendered as exhibit…
COUNT 13
I know I only prepared a memo in respect of the amount of GH¢158,000.00 to Al for approval and processing. I remember Al called me to her office and asked me to prepare a memo for sensitization program in part of Greater Accra, part of Volta and part of Upper West regions, which I did without any intention to commit crime with or without Al. I only performed my duties as public servant as requested by Al.
COUNT 14
That I know after preparing the memo, the accounts office worked on the approved memo and got the funds ready for Al. I was called upon by the accounts office to take the money for A1 and I did and gave the money to Al personally and she said thank you. Al did not deny this fact before the Auditors.
I know I took part in the sensitization program in all the 3 regions with Al. I do not know or remember that I disbursed any money to participants as their T&T in any of the three Regions. After every speech she leaves without giving any money and I always believed her when she says she will do it herself later with the Regional Managers.
COUNT 16
That I know I did not conspire with Al to commit any crime. With regard to the amount of GH¢ 162,000.00…I only prepared a memo for A1 to do sensitization in part of Brong/Ahafo, Upper East and Western Regions. The project had been approved by the board of MASLOC and I performed my work as a public servant.
COUNT 17
Al invited me to her office and asked me to prepare a memo for sensitization in those regions. Upon preparing the memo for her approval and processing, the accounts office released the money to me for Al, which I did and she said thank you.
However, upon completion of the talk in those Regions during the seminar Al told me, when I approached her for the money for disbursement, that she will come back later to do it and I said thank. I do not know whether she went back to do it as the money was with her.
COUNT 18
That | have not conspired with AI to steal an amount of GH¢ 138,000.00… The role | played was to prepare a memo for approval for sensitization at Ashanti Region. | prepared the memo according to her instructions, she approved of it and had processed and she received the total amount accordingly.
COUNT 19
After Al approved the memo I prepared she sent it to accounts and when the money was ready the accounts office called me to pick it for Al which | did and the forensic Audit report confirmed that indeed I gave the amount of GH¢ 138,000.00 to Al.
It is true I went with AJ to Ashanti Region for the sensitization but after her speech Al told me she will come again and do the disbursement with the regional manager and 1} do not know whether she went to do it or not. | gave the money to her and evidence is in the Auditors Report tendered by the prosecution…
COUNT 20
That 1 did not conspire with Al to commit any wrongdoing in relation to GH¢50,000.00 belonging to MASLOC, I only prepared a memo for sensitization based upon instruction of Al. The entire project had been approved by the board already so we the staff of MASLOC are to implement with Al and I performed my part.
COUNT 21
What I know about the amount of GH¢50,000.00 is that AI told me that she was to do sensitization at Northern, Eastern and Central Regions and therefore she needed that amount as already approved by the board and I prepared the memo and she approved.
When the money was ready accounts office called me to pick it for Al which I did. I gave all the GH¢50,000.00 to her and she collected it and said thank you. The project had been approved by the board of MASLOC and I performed my work as a public servant.
COUNT 17
Al invited me to her office and asked me to prepare a memo for sensitization in those regions. Upon preparing the memo for her approval and processing the accounts office released the money to me for Al which I did and she said thank you.
However, upon completion of the talk in those Regions during the seminar Al told me, when I approached her for the money for disbursement, that she will come back later to do it and | said thank. I do not know whether she went back to do it as the money was with her.
COUNT 18
That I have not conspired with Al to steal an amount of GH¢ 138.000.00…The role I played was to prepare a memo for approval for sensitization at Ashanti Region. | prepared the memo according to her instructions, she approved of it and had processed and she received the total amount accordingly.
COUNT 19
After Al approved the memo I prepared she sent it to accounts and when the money was ready the accounts office called me to pick it for Al which I did and the forensic Audit report confirmed that indeed | gave the amount of GH¢ 138,000.00 to Al.
It is true I went with Al to Ashanti Region for the sensitization but after her speech A\}l told me she will come again and do the disbursement with the regional manager and 1 do not know whether she went to do it or not. I gave the money to her and evidence is in the Auditors Report tendered by the prosecution…
COUNT 20
That 1 did not conspire with Al to commit any wrongdoing in relation to GH¢50,000.00 belonging to MASLOC, I prepared a memo for sensitization based upon instruction of Al. The entire project had been approved by the board already so we the staff of MASLOC are to implement with Al and 1 performed my part.
COUNT 21
What I know about the amount of GH¢ 50,000.00 is that Al told me that she was to do sensitization at Northern, Eastern and Central Regions and therefore she needed that amount as already approved by the board and I prepared the memo and she approved. When the money was ready accounts office called me to pick it for Al which I did.
I gave ail the GH¢50,000.00 to her and she collected it and said thank you. I was part of the team which visited, but after each program she told me she will come and disbursement later. I do not know whether she indeed disbursed the funds.
COUNT 22
My lady, I have not conspired with Al to an amount of GH¢178,000.00. Al instructed me as usual to prepare a memo for sensitization program which I did and the memo was approved by her and she seat it to accounts office. The accounts prepared and got the cash ready and | delivered it.
COUNT 23
Concerning the amount of GH¢ 178,000.00, the accounts office cashed the money and the head of finance called me to come for the money for Al and | did exactly that as I stated to the Auditors. This amount is supposed to be used for sensitization program in parts of Northern, Eastern and Central Regions. We indeed visited those regions for the program but no disbursement regarding T&T
was made as Al upon finishing her speech would tell me that she will come back to do the disbursement so I did not have that money with me, I gave it to Al and she did not deny it before the Auditors.
COUNT 43
That I have never conspired with Al to cause financial loss to the state. In all the works I did for MASLOC when Al was the C.E.O, they had been approval by the board and I acted in my capacity as Head of Operations I did not have any discretion to exercise in those works I did.
COUNT 44
As regards the amount of GH¢84,000.06, all 1 know is that it was meant for sensitization T&T for parts of Greater Accra. I do not remember doing anything with this particular visit and the GH¢84,000. 00 involved. I know the amount was collected for Al by Anita Gafah.
COUNT 45
1 know again that I did not conspire with Al to cause financial loss to the state. I have not exercised any discretion concerns € Sensitization project by Al. I only acted upon her instructions as Head operation and as her request had been approved by the board I prepared the Memos for sensitization.
I did not do anything regarding the amount of GH¢75,500.00. It was meant as honorarium for the media in part of Greater Accra during sensitization. I do not remember taking part in anything concerning this amount. According to the Auditors Report…The money was collected by one Nana SerwaaTawiah for Al, therefore do not know anything about it.
COUNT 48
That I know I have answered a charge of conspiracy with A1 to steal this amount of GH¢114,000.00 under count 5 & 6. Iwish to repeat that I only prepared a memo for a project already approved by the board of MASLOC for implementation. At the time of preparing the memo I could not foresee whether A1 will disburse the funds or not so I did not conspire with Al to cause financial loss to the state. I only did my work faithfully to the State.
COUNT 50
My Lord, as already stated under counts 5 and 6, I never caused financial Joss to the state. The amount of GH¢ 114,000.00 was for disbursement to members who came for the sensitization in B/A and V/R and J had collected the money and given it to Al.
When we finished the talk Al gave me money to do disbursement and ] accordingly distributed per the list by the MaslocReginal Manager A copy is attached the rest of the money was with Al.
COUNT 52
That I have not conspired with A1 to wilfully cause financial loss to the state. At the time I prepared the memo for sensitization programs in Ashanti and Western Regions, I did not know or I could not have known that Al would disburse the funds she claimed or not. I acted as head of operation without any malice.
COUNT 53
As I stated under count 7 and 8, I did not disburse any funds after the sensitization
programme A1 told me that she will come back to disburse the funds and I had no control over the funds as she is the C.E.O. and for that my boss.
COUNT 54
That I have not conspired with Al in any way to cause financial loss to the state. I only prepared a memo upon her instructions and took the money from Accounts Office for Al. All this was within my work as head of operations executing: board approved programs.
COUNT 55
I have stated under counts 9 and 10 I collected the amount of GH¢204,000.00 from the accounts and gave the money to Al for sensitization program in Upper East/West and Northern Regions. I took part in the East and West with the Deputy C.E.O, but no disbursement was done. In the Northern Region Al came personally but no disbursement was done on that day and 1 do not know whether the disbursement was done later on by her alone.
COUNT 56
My lord, I have not conspired with Ai to steal or cause financial loss to the state. My role in the entire sensitization program was to prepare memo and also to disburse funds given to me by Ai after her speech. I only disbursed funds Al gave me and those funds given to me to disburse the evidence is in the Auditors Report as exhibit that money was indeed disbursed.
COUNT 57
That I prepared the memo for the amount of GHC 192,000.00 for the sensitization program in Eastern and Central Regions as stated under counts I] and 12. I attended the program and after A!’s speech she told me she will return to disburse the funds according to the list generated by the Regional Manager as participants.
COUNT 58
That I did not conspire with Al to cause any financial loss to the state. I did the memo upon her instructions that Al was to visit a region for sensitization it was without malice. Al took the money from me as usual, I could not have kept the money by myself because that is not the practice at the office.
COUNT 59
The GH¢158,000.00 was as a result of a visit to parts of Greater Accra, Volta and Upper West Region. I know as stated under counts 13 and 14 some parts of Greater Accra received T&T as stated in the Auditors Report. I did the disbursement according to the amount Al gave me to disburse. Those other areas Al told me she will come back to do the disbursement herself and 1 cannot tell whether she went back to do it or not.
COUNT 60
I did not conspire with Al to cause financial loss to the state. I only worked as head of operations to execute projects approved by the board. | had no intention to do anything wrongful.
COUNT 61
As I stated under counts 16 and 17, I gave the amount of GHC162,000.00 to Al after I collected it from the account’s office. Al did not deny it during the Auditing. That was the amount for disbursement under the sensitization program in parts of B/A, Upper East and Western Regions. However, after the program A} informed me that she will come back to do the disbursement and | thanked her and she drove off.
COUNT 62
That I have not wilfully caused financial loss to the state with Al. I did my work as head of operations at MASLOC and as a public servant. I had no discretion to exercise upon being instructed by Al to prepare a memo to take money for sensitization as the program had been approved already.
COUNT 63
It is true that I collected the amount of GH 138,000.00 as stated under count 18 and 19. However, it is in evidence that I gave all the money to Al and AI did not deny that | gave the money to her. The amount was meant for sensitization in Ashanti Region and I took part. After her speech | presented the list of participants to her for the T&T and she said she will come back to disburse later and I did not know what actually happened with the disbursement thereafter.
COUNT 65
I have not conspired with Al to cause financial loss to the state. I acted upon her instructions to prepare a memo for sensitization program which had been approved by the board.
COUNT 66
I indeed collected the amount of GHC50,000.00 from the accounts and gave it to Al for sensitization in part of Northern, Eastern and part of Central Regions. I was with the team as head of operation but Al did not give me any money to disburse to the participants. She told me she will come back to do the disbursement later.
COUNT 67
That I have not conspired with Al to cause financial loss to the state. I was the head of operation at MASLOC. 1 helped in executing project approved by the board and I assisted the C.E.O (A1) to do sensitization in 2016 and not 2015.
COUNT 68
That | know I collected an amount of GH178,000.00 and gave the amount to Al for sensitization programme at parts of Northern, Eastern and Central Regions, took part in the various regions but no money was given to me to disburse to the participants. Al told me she will come back to disburse the funds so I should give the list back to the particular regional manager.
COUNT 76
That I have not involved myself in any money laundering. It is the practice in my office that, the CEO does not collect money from the account’s office. A junior officer is required to collect the money on behalf of the C.E.O. All the monies I collected 1 gave them to the C.E.O (A1) and she did not deny that during the forensic auditing.
In any way I have not dealt with any amount like GHc 2,003,800.00. The forensic Auditors did not tell me of any wrongdoing on my part in so far as sensitization is concerned, the Auditor General would have surcharged for any wrongdoing.
Members of Parliament are now under obligation to recite the national pledge once every workweek to usher in the week.
The new order was first implemented on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at the first sitting of the House for this year.
This demand is contained in the new Standing Order, which became effective on January 2, 2024.
Order 69 of the new Standing Orders enjoins members to recite the national pledge at the first sitting of every week of a meeting.
“Hon members, we shall now proceed to recite the national pledge, which is set out in the fourth schedule of the Standing Orders and is on page 163. May we do so now,” Speaker Bagbin said to usher in the new paradigm.
The Parliamentarians, as well as the Speaker, stood on their feet, placed their right hands on their chests and started reciting the national pledge.
ROLL CALL
Pursuant to Order 14 of the new Standing Orders, there will be a roll call every sitting day to serve as evidence of a member’s attendance.
According to Order 14(1), the Speaker may cause a roll call to be taken and a member is expected to respond to the roll call, which shall be evidence of attendance.
“I now call upon the clerks at table to call out your names,” the Speaker said. The Clerks at table began mentioning members’ names in alphabetical order, and they responded, with most members waving their hands and some standing to be recognised.
CONFUSION
There was confusion about the roll call, particularly the timing. The challenge was what the roll call meant in actual terms.
Some members, including Ambrose Dery, sought to know at which point a member could no longer be recognised during the roll call.
His issue was that he entered the chamber after his name had already been mentioned. He was expecting that his name would be called again, but that did not happen.
The MP for Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, advocated a definition of the roll call in the standing orders, a call shared by several members who commented about the issue.
Order 14(2), however, allows members to also sign in manually, by either visiting the table office or at committee levels.
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey, sought the guidance of the Speaker on reconciliation. He sought assurance that in the event a member signed manually, but was not in the chamber during the roll call, would there be reconciliation just, so that the member would not be marked absent.
The Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and the Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, as well as the Asawase MP, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, made comments in support of the roll call, as stated in the order paper.
Muntaka, as one of the MPs who worked on the document, said the roll call was to let the public know MPs who attend parliament on time.
CHECK QUORUM
Meanwhile, the Speaker, in addressing the concerns, said the new order dealt with the views articulated.
He said the roll of members was with the table office and he only caused the roll to be brought up to check those present in the chamber, in particular to address the issue of quorum.
“So, when you have that opportunity, you are able to be guided as the Speaker or presiding officer when you have a quorum to commence business,” the speaker said.
On the optics associated with the roll call, Speaker Bagbin said they were important, but told members it was a signal to members that their constituents were watching and would know whether they reported early or not.
However, the vote and proceedings for the next day will show those who were indeed absent.
He urged members to try and come early to the chamber, before going to transact any business.
While insisting that the roll call was a good initiative, Speaker Bagbin also emphasised that “this is to be done daily.”
TIME
In the new standing order, sitting must last for five hours and the Speaker may issue a directive for an extension, considering the business of the day.
The old standing order gave the closing time at 2pm, even if sitting commenced at 1pm unless the Speaker directed for an extension.
The first meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament of the Republic of Ghana commenced yesterday, Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
During this session, the House has 82 indicative bills on the agenda of parliament. Already, there are 16 bills before the House under consideration: eight private and eight public, including affirmative action and the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian values bills.
The House also has a total of 720 referrals for government business, which are at various committee levels.
It is instructive to note that this session will not last up to a year, as the 8th Parliament will be dissolved on the eve of January 6, 2025 and the 9th Parliament will be inaugurated at midnight the following day.
The Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said in a welcome statement that it was going to be a busy meeting, considering the agenda and the time left.
He, however, urged members to give their all to the work of the House.
MPs LosePrimaries
He bemoaned the vacuum that would be created in the next parliament as most of the experienced MPs lost in their party primaries. He said it was not a good signal to the democracy of the nation, citing experience, which he noted counted in the House.
Though he acknowledged that the endorsement by the political parties for one to contest was important, he also said the negative effect on the House was dire.
Speaker Bagbin, who served as a Member of Parliament from January 7 1993 to January 6 2021, called on political parties to look into that issue.
At the end of the various parliamentary primaries, 17 and 28 incumbents lost their seats in the NDC and NPP primaries respectively and obviously there will be casualties where some sitting MPs will fall during the general elections on December 7, 2024.
His concern was the investment the nation makes in the MPs only for them to be booted out at the end of the four years, saying that it was worrying.
OTHER ISSUES
He touched on several issues, including the primaries of the major political parties, the famous Guinness World Record challenges and the recent participation of the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
The Speaker told the playing body and its management that they “represent more than just a national team” and thus must endeavour to rise from the ashes and demonstrate to the world their strength.
However, he said that the sacking of coaches was not a panacea to the current issue, but a comprehensive strategy to develop football in Ghana. He advocated an investment in the holistic development of the sports and culture of the country.
He added that Parliament would be glad to work with stakeholders to ensure that football was revived in the country.
MINORITY LEADER
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, commenced his address by congratulating colleagues who retained their mandate as parliamentary candidates and sympathised with those who failed.
He then launched an attack on the Electoral Commission, with a clear message that his side does not support any of the electoral reforms introduced by the EC.
In his address, the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson raised concerns about the EC’s announcement not to use indelible ink during the 2024 general election, a move he said, posed danger to the security of the state.
In his view, the use of the indelible ink does no harm to a free and fair election and only adds to the credibility of the process, adding that when the biometric device fails, the indelible ink helps to identify those who have already voted.
He also announced that the NDC minority would not support a change of the date for the 2024 general elections. The EC has indicated plans to move the election date to November 7, instead of December 7.
MAJORITY LEADER
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the leader of government business, outlined activities for the meeting, including the various bills to be considered, mentioning the Regions of Ghana Bill and the Vaccines Development Bill, among others.
The Majority Leader informed the House that the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, would be received in the House on February 27, 2024 to deliver his last State of the Nation address.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told the Minority Leader that his threat over the change of election date was “an act of futility.”
He explained that the EC could not implement the decision until Parliament amended the constitution, so there was no need for the minority to panic.
He drew the House’s attention to the election in Tain in 2008, where there were barely two days until the swearing-in.
According to him, by the dictates of the constitution, presidential elections could be held from October 7 to December 7, but parliamentary elections are to be held only a month before the end of a current parliament.
He agreed that if it could not happen this year, the EC should be supported to prepare for the next elections.
The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has called for media blackout on the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi Constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama.
The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, made this call during a news conference to address the media on attacks of journalists in Accra, yesterday.
The media blackout on Farouk Mahama is as a result of his attack on the Northern Regional Correspondent of Citi FM, Mohammed Amin Alabira, during the just ended NPP Primaries.
According to him, “…the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, was the one who led the onslaught. He slapped and kicked Alabira for attempting to do his work. His action invited his vigilantes around him, who also pounced on the journalist and attacked him.”
Mr. Dwumfour continued that Alabira was not the only one attacked, the Regional Police Commander and the Electoral Commission Officer were also made to undergo humiliating ordeals.
“The MP and his thugs took the law into their own hands and engaged in unfathomable conducts that all well-meaning citizens must condemn and demand justice”, he added.
He also disclosed that after his outfit called for a media blackout on the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, over an attack on a journalist over a week ago, she has promised to collaborate with the GJA to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
However, while the GJA awaits Hawa Koomson to actually see to it that the perpetrators who attacked the journalist have been brought to book, Mr. Dwumfour has told the media not to call off her blackout.
Incidents of Attack on Journalists
The GJA bemoaned that “just within one month in this year alone, two of our colleagues have been attacked without any provocation. Last year, within the last quarter, more than ten journalists were assaulted”.
Apart from the attacks, the GJA emphasised that their records also show that from 2021 to date, four journalists spent days behind bars on the orders of the court, for no apparent legal reasons.
Police lack of interest
It is on this background that the GJA have concluded that the police seemingly look unconcerned.
“We have come to the conclusion that the Ghana Police Service has failed to live up to our expectations when it comes to issues relating to the media.
“Are they not supposed to protect us? If our safety is at stake, how do we defend our constitutional mandate and contribute to the development of this country,” he quizzed.
The GJA also called on the Police Service, led by IGP Dr. Dampare, to demonstrate the willingness to fight for the safety of journalists across the country.
Also, the Association entreated the Ministry of Information to help in the fight against journalists in the country.
Threat of suing GJA
Just like Mavis Hawa Koomson, the GJA noted that Farouk Aliu Mahama has also threatened to go to court over this assault case.
The GJA bemoaned that there is a sense of impunity that gives these public officials the impression that they can attack or cause an attack on journalists and media personnel and get away with it.
The Judiciary
The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour appealed to the judiciary to issue more deterrent convictions for hoodlums who attack journalists.
Plea to Parliament
The GJA has also called on the Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Sumana Bagbin, to intervene in the Yendi case and haul the MP to the appropriate Parliamentary Committee to respond to his behaviour.
Authorities allege that Mr Ebonyi used the proceeds of the fraud to purchase five properties
A Nigerian pastor has been arrested over allegations he fraudulently got people to part with their money. Theo O Ebonyi, well-known in Benue state, is accused of swindling his followers and others out of more than 1.3bn naira ($930,000; £740,000).
He was detained and freed on bail last year, but this has only just been made public, the anti-corruption authority spokesperson is quoted as saying.
MrEbonyi said the news was “fake” information spread by bloggers.
He did not comment on the allegations against him.
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allege MrEbonyi asked his victims to pay a $1,300 fee each to access a $20bn grant from the US-based Ford Foundation.
It, however, says that the foundation did not offer such a grant.
“Investigations by the EFCC showed that the Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi,” the agency said in a statement.
“The foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them.”
The EFCC also alleges that Mr Ebonyi, who runs Faith on the Rock Ministry International church, used the fraudulently acquired funds to buy five properties.
He is set to be charged in court after the investigations are finalised, the EFCC says. It is still unclear exactly what charges he will face.
Several bandits, two soldiers and a mobile police officer were killed on Monday during a fight that ensued after the outlaws attacked a security camp in Zamfara State.
The terrorists had attacked security personnel stationed at the Government Day Secondary School, Dauran in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
Multiple sources from Dauran and Zurmi towns told PREMIUM TIMES that the attack, which began around 9:30 a.m., was launched by the terrorists to avenge the arrest of one of them by the soldiers on Sunday after being identified by locals.
“Some residents who were once kidnapped spotted a bandit in the market on Sunday and alerted the soldiers that were stationed in the community. The soldiers came and arrested the suspect and took him away,” a community leader in Dauran, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday evening. “That was what caused the attack.”
Two groups of terrorists were said to have stormed the camp, a government secondary school now being used by the soldiers.
“Most of the soldiers were inside the classrooms that now serve as their rooms when they started hearing gunshots,” a youth leader in Zurmi, Abubakar (surname withheld), said. “The two soldiers killed and the mobile policeman were the ones on duty outside so they fired back. They exchanged fire for some time before the other soldiers joined.”
He said several terrorists were killed by the soldiers but only two bodies were recovered as the bandits retrieved and withdrew with the others.
Another resident of Dauran, Ahmad Muhammad, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone that the terrorists entered through Marakkai forest.
Most of the communities in local government areas sharing a border with the Niger Republic like Zurmi (Zamfara), Jibia and Batsari (Katsina), Gada, Sabon Birni and Isa (Sokoto) have in recent weeks witnessed the resurgence of terrorist activities.
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday accused the Presidency of failing to provide a credible defence for what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s failure to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Atiku insisted that he offered better policy options during the 2023 presidential campaign when compared to Tinubu’s “morbid prescriptions.”
He was reacting to Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, BayoOnanuga’s remark accusing him of carving a niche as the “opposition-in-chief” to the President and the current government.
Onanuga said Atiku took up the new role due to his failure to achieve his life-long ambition of ruling Nigeria.
Reacting, Atiku said Onanuga demonstrated ignorance of the happenings around him.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku said: “The Presidential Spokesman, BayoOnanuga, failed to provide a credible defence of Bola Tinubu’s failures in tackling the economic challenges facing the country.
“In his characteristic manner, he resorts to insults and name-calling. He demonstrates ignorance of the happenings around him – as he denies, for example, that Bola Tinubu’s policies are creating excruciating pain and causing despair.
Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, will appear before the House of Representatives to speak on the state of the economy, the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, announced on Monday.
Mr Cardoso is scheduled to speak to the lawmakers during plenary to brief them on the free fall of the naira and other issues affecting the monetary side of the economy.
According to the statement issued by Mr Danzaria, the CBN governor will appear before the lawmakers for a sectorial debate focusing on the financial sector.
He is to appear alongside the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.
Mr Cardoso and others are to brief the lawmakers on the state of the naira and the implementation of the 2024 budget.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had last week announced that the sectorial debate for the financial sector “will assess the nation’s readiness to mobilise the necessary financial resources for implementing the budget.”
In November last year, the House held the sectorial debate for the security sector with appearances by the service chiefs, the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
However, despite the debate on insecurity, non-state actors continue to kill with impunity while kidnappers are operating freely across the country.
President Bola Tinubu’s reform of the foreign exchange system and the petroleum downstream sector has created the unintended consequences of inflationary pressure.
Shortly after his inauguration, Mr Tinubu halted the corruption-ridden petroleum subsidy scheme and subsequently announced the unification of the foreign exchange system. The value of Nigeria’s naira has declined since the commencement of the unification policy as the currency is weighed down by illiquidity and commonplace speculative practices among market operators and street traders.
The book chronicles clashes between the Asante and the British army, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley, where scores of people died with hundreds of injuries.
