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TUC faults NLC’s planned strike as ‘unilateral decision’

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NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo

All seems not well between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as the latter has claimed that the former did not carry it along before declaring a two-day nationwide industrial action planned for February 27 and 28, 2024.

TUC Secretary General Nuhu Toro, in a letter to the NLC leadership dated February 19, 2024, expressed disappointment that the Joe Ajaero-led labour group did not carry the Festus Osifo-led trade association along before declaring a planned strike despite that the two groups unanimously issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement its agreement with the Organised Labour and address the mounting economic crisis of survival in Nigeria.

The TUC said the 14-day ultimatum will expire today (Thursday) and both centres ought to agree on the next step but the NLC on February 16 declared a two-day protest to commence after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it jointly issued to the government.

The TUC general secretary said, “It is important that this is the third time that such unilateral declaration is happening under your leadership, we are therefore constrained to formally put this on record as various discussions, communications and interventions have failed. First and second time could pass as human error but a third time would in our opinion translate to an intentional act to undermine us.

“Also note that we are not averse to the issuance of your resolution because our members equally feel the pain, even if it’s a weeklong national strike, but we have a huge problem with the unilateral declaration for a process we both muted and agreed, because our members are equally concerned about the rising cost of living and not particularly the ultimatum, why can’t we see through the ultimatum that expires within the same period before jointly addressing other issues of mutual concern or at worst consolidate them?

“For the avoidance of doubt, we fully understand that NLC is an independent labour force centre that has the right to take independent decision, it is pertinent that when such decisions are taken unilaterally, there is need to go ahead and implement unilaterally.”

Credit: channelstv.com

‘We’ll come after you’ – Chief of Defence Staff warns ‘evil people’ calling for coup

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Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, has warned those he described as “evil people” calling for a coup in Nigeria due to the current economic hardship in the country.

Musa warned that the law will come for those calling for a coup in the country over the current economic realities.

He spoke after inaugurating the main entrance of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Officers Transit Accommodation, at the Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Army chief assured of the Armed Forces commitment towards the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

Musa said: “Whoever is making that call (coup) does not love Nigeria. We want to make it very clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are here to protect democracy.

“We all want democracy and we do better under democracy. And so we will continue to support democracy. And any of those ones that are calling for anything other than democracy are evil people and I think they don’t mean well for Nigeria.

“And they should be very careful because the law will come after them. We can see that with democracy a lot of things are happening in Nigeria. Yes we are going through trying periods, I mean in life nothing is hundred per cent.”

Musa said the Federal Government is focused on addressing the current economic challenges in the country and therefore appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience.

“Everybody goes through a trying period in life, and it is what you do with them. You can see the government putting efforts to ensure that we come out better.

“And it is when you go through difficulties and come out better you will really appreciate what it is to build a nation.

“And so we are going through our trying period, but I can assure Nigerians that it will get better,” he added.

Credit: dailypost.ng

CBG supports Kasapreko to expand  

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BERNICE BESSEY
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The Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) has made history, as the first local bank to raise substantial funding from the stock market to support an indigenous business, Kasapreko Public Limited Company (PLC).

The commercial bank is raising the financial assistance for Kasapreko PLC, up to the tune of GH¢600 million from the Ghana Stock Exchange, at a fixed lending rate of 26 per cent for a period of three years.

The amount is expected to be released in tranches for three years.

The support will give Kasapreko the opportunity to leverage on its production capacity and capability.

This would also give the company competitive advantage, as it intended to go continental with the opportunities available on the African Continental Free trade Area (AfCTA).

Daniel Addo, Managing Director of CBG, at a presser in Accra, this week, described the partnership with Kasapreko as novel, for a local bank to raise funds from the stock market to support an indigenous manufacturer.

He said: “CBG worked with key stakeholders in the financial industry to raise medium-term funding at a cost significantly lower that Ghana Reference Rate (GRR), for borrowing in this market.

“This transaction is another addition to the issuances on the corporate bond market and I’m supremely confident that it will be the spark that ignites growth in this market segment.”

According to him, although the bank acknowledges the risk associated with funding Small and Medium size Enterprise (SMEs), it is determined to break from the past and give SMEs a fresh head start.

“The risk may be elevated, but our business is the business of managing risk, not fleeing from risk. As the environment changes, it is incumbent on us to re-examine our establishment paradigms, question our perception of risk and develop financing structures that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” he stressed.

To accomplish this, he explained that issuance is structured as a three-year senior unsecured note, with floating rate coupon and bullet repayment of principal at maturity.

Furthermore, the Ghana Stock Exchange will ensure price discovery for note holders and potential buyers were identified as a positive step towards deepening the financial markets.

Mr. Addo added that the funding would also diversify Kasapreko funding mix and optimise the maturity structure of its debt funding.

Richard Adjei, MD of Kasapreko PLC, was grateful for the partnership and hoped it would go a long way to support their operations, particularly the financing scheme from the Ghana Stock Exchange being relatively cheaper, and a one that falls under patient capital.

He said Kasapreko has assurance from CBG that it could access funding from other sources, and this is will diversify funding from the traditional banks in a more cheaper and sustainable way.

Mr Adjei hoped the GH¢150 million will support its production capacity and enhance its trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

 

He added, “With this development, we’ll be able to get more affordable products to the market and contribute to support communities in Ghana and beyond.”

Cocoa trial: Investigator shocked over missing EOCO document

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Dr Stephen K. Opuni, former CEO, COCOBOD

Paul Agyei Gyang, a senior officer at the Operations Directorate of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), says he is shocked over alleged claims made by the police that they did not receive one of Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) test reports on lithovit.

According to Mr.Gyang, the test report,being referred to,was part of the documents on cocoa investigations docket that EOCO handed over to the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 2018.

This particular test report, which said lithovit was a fertiliser with major active ingredients present, could not be traced on the docket, per the claims of Chief Inspector Thomas Mensah Mercer.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gyangis hundred per cent sure that the report in question was on the docket.

Testifying as a subpoenaed witness for businessman Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited at the Lands Division of the Accra High Court, Mr Gyang said by July 4, 2017 EOCO had received the second test report from the GSA.

But while being led in evidence by Benson Nutsukpui, counsel for SeiduAgongo, the witness was asked whether the new investigation team from the CID, led by C/Inp Mercer, ever invited him and the answer was in the negative.

He told the court, presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh, on Wednesday, that immediately the report was received, the complainant, Dr Yaw AduAmpomah, who at the time was the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control (A&QC) was notified because that was the standard practice at EOCO.
The court was informed that the witness had no knowledge that a committee, headed by Dr Adu Ampomah, was formed in respect of the work he did.

At a cursory look at the report of the committee, the witness also realised that no reference was made to the second report by the GSA that certified lithovit to be a fertiliser.
Hitherto, the entirety of the Adu Ampomah claim was centered on the first test result on the lithovit product, from the GSA Drug Forensic and Cosmetic Unit, as well as the Chemistry Department of the University of Ghana, which samples were supplied by the complainant (Dr Ampomah).

The second report was as a result of the first one being rejected by the second accused (A2), Seidu Agongo, on the basis that an earlier sample was probably not one of the products he supplied to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

According to the witness, farmers who were invited to give statements in respect of investigation into the case were also provided by Dr. Adu Ampomah, a prosecution witness.

The witness’ evidence led by Counsel Benson

Q. Who was the complainant of the matter that was brought before EOCO?
A. If my memory serves me right the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of A&QC, in the person of Dr Adu Ampomah.

Q. When you said your Executive Director had discussions with the Deputy Chief Executive A&QC, who is that person of the Deputy Chief Executive Agronomy and Qualify Control then?

A. My lord it is Dr Adu Ampomah
Q. Now you also told this court that after you received the second report the Directorate brought the scientists together, is that correct?
A. That is correct.

Q. Who else was involved in this discussion with the scientists?
A. My lord, the head of Chemistry Department, University of Ghana.
Q. Any other person?

A. That is all I can remember for now.
Q. Now sir did your directorate have the occasion to communicate this second test to the interested parties?

A. My lord if anything of that happened it should be at the management level and of which I may not be privy to.
Q. Please tell the court if you know. Was the complainant informed about the result of the second test?

A. Yes my Lord, as I told the court about the people, he himself was equally informed.
Q. Please was he invited to EOCO office for …
A. As an interested party it was only reasonable that management invited him to let him know what the result was.

Q. Now sir cast your mind back, this invitation to Dr AduAmpomah was it on or before your meeting with the scientists?
A. I think initially, the scientists were first invited, for which reason they had two different results. Thereafter some few days or so he was also invited.
Q. Now can you recall around what date the scientists were invited?

A. It is unfortunate I can’t recall.
Q. Please look at Exhibit H. Please look at page 3 of H just at the top, the Executive summary. It said that a committee was constituted in October that is correct?

A. Yes it is there my lord
Q. Please what date was that committee constituted?
A. 4th October 2017.
Q. As at 4th October 2017, this matter was under investigation by EOCO?

A. That is correct.
Q. Tell this court by that date 4th October 2017, did you receive the report of the second testing at EOCO.

A. Yes my lord, 26th July 2017.
Q. So as at the 4th of October 2017, EOCO has received this report and discussed it with the Scientists as at the 4th of October 2017?

A. Yes my lord.
[Q. From the nature of operations of EOCO, how long after the 26th of July, 2017 would have informed the interested parties about this other test result?

A. By our operations as soon as a result is out we have to inform parties.
Q. So tell this court by the 4th of October 2017, was Dr.AduAmpomah informed of the second result?

A. I believe so.
Q. Now you have Exhibit H. Look on the date on Exhibit 7th November, 2017.
A. That is correct.

Q. You see the two reports in Exhibit H from Standard Authority and University of Ghana which concluded that the lithovit they examined did not have the necessary ingredients are in the reports, is that true?
A. Yea my lord, that is true.

Q. Now take some few minutes of the court time if the report Exhibit 133/A2A3 is also captured in Exhibit H?
A. After having a cursory look at it, it is not there. I only found the first report of Ghana Standard Authority, which was forwarded to EOCO on 4th July 2017, and another covering letter from the University of Ghana, Chemistry Department.

Q. After your cursory look at that Exhibit you have found that Exhibit 133 is not included?
A. Yes my lord exactly so.
Q. And look page 3 of Exhibit H and tell this court who is the chairman who produced Exhibit H?

A. My lord Dr AduAmpomah, Deputy Chief A&QC was the chairman.
Q. Now at all times that EOCO was doing investigation into this matter, who were they reporting to at COCOBOD?

A. My lord, Dr AduAmpomah
Q. Now please tell this honourable court if back in 2017, you personally or the investigation team knew about the existence of this committee?
A. My lord I’m for the first time hearing of the committee I cannot tell whether management was informed.

Q. EOCO handed over the docket to the police in June 2018, is that correct?
A. The docket was handed to police but I can’t be specific whether it was June or July.
Q. Do you remember the year?
A. Somewhere in 2018 and 2017 there about I cannot be very sure.

Q. Yesterday we talked about the investigator’s statement you wrote, is that correct?
A. Yes my lord.
Q. Was handing over the docket earlier before the investigator’s statement?
A. The statement was together with the docket

Q. So if I told you your statement was written on the 15th of June 2018, when you would have handed over the docket?
A. 2018 my lord.

Q. Now by the time you were handing over the report to the Police, did EOCO receive Exhibit H on the file?
A. My lord, the investigation team did not receive anything, but I can’t tell management had been given a copy.

Q. By your mode of operations in EOCO if management received a copy would it be minuted down to the investigation team?
A. Exactly so my lord.
Q. What documents were handed over to the police from EOCO?

A. We had directive to hand all dockets involving COCOBOD of which this case was part. Statements taken from complainants, witnesses and suspects and all relevant documents we gathered including the test reports ie the test reports we received from the scientists.

Q. So EOCO will consider Exhibit 133 relevant and on the docket?
A. Yes my lord you’re right

Q. On the 15th of March 2021, under cross examination, Mr Thomas Mensah Mercer told the court that the docket that the police received had only two test reports, the ones that have only negative results. Would that be correct?

A. My lord, I would be surprised.
Q. I know you would be surprised if EOCO did not give Exhibit 133?
A. The report was inclusive.

Q. Now Mr Thomas Mensah Mercer indeed admitted reading your investigator’s statement. Tell this honourable court, did he or anybody on the police investigation team contact you to find out about the Exhibit 133, which you wrote about in your statement?
A. No my lord nobody contacted me.

Q. Now from June 2018 till today you have remained in the employment of EOCO is that correct?

A. That is correct.
Q. Has your office sent you any signal or request for explanationwhy Exhibit 133 is not on the police docket?

A. Nobody has contacted me.
Q. An investigator’s statement, which you wrote will be the beginning of the person taking over. That is true?

A. Yes my lord you’re right
Q. And in normal investigative work, if you wrote about another test result and if it cannot be found you will be contacted. That is also true?
A. Yes my lord.

Q. Now can you explain how come you were never contacted in respect of the investigation you did and Exhibit 133?
A. My lord it will be very difficult for me to explain.

Q. Now tell this court what is your impression of this development in relation to Exhibit 133 that I have taken you through this morning?
A. As I have told this court I’m only surprised, but I can’t explain.
Q. Now sir, EOCO took statements from a lot of people. That is correct?

A. That is correct.
Q. Sir, cast your mind back, you took statements from a lot of people including farmers?
A. Yes my lord.

Q. Will the name Obeng Emmanuel or Emmanuel Obeng of Tafo come to mind?
A. The name I might have forgotten because we interacted with a lot of famers.
Q. But you cannot remember the number of famers you took statements from?

A. That’s correct. The farmers we took statements from, we had them through Dr AduAmpomah. So Dr AduAmpomah directed.
Q. When you said say you had them through Dr AduAmpomah, what exactly do you mean?
A. I mean, my lord, he mentioned the people we could contact.

Q. Now did the investigation team make any request to A2 & A3 to bring you farmers who used the product?
A. I did not.

Q. Apart from Dr AduAmpomah’s farmers’ witnesses, did the investigation team find other farmers of your own to question them about the product?
A. I think we did.

Q. Can you remember how many you got?
A. About two or three
Q. Did you take statements from them?
A. Some said they were scared to give statements and they did not give statements. About two of them gave statements.

Q. Can you remember, which of the farmers you had the statements from, were they ones you got from Dr AduAmpomah?
A. I can’t remember.

Q. As an investigation team, try and see if you can remember how often your meetings with Dr AduAmpomah were?
A. As Deputy Chief Executive in charge of A&QC, most of the time he was dealing directly with the Executive Director of EOCO. We will go there when there is a need.

Q. Please try and see if you can remember how many times you have directives or you went there to meet Dr AduAmpomah during the course of this investigation
A. I don’t want to guess…we were not dealing with this case only, we were dealing with about 8 different dockets involving COCOBOD. So when we have directives to meet him on any of those dockets we did. Not only on this docket.

Q. I know investigators shy away from this. How often during the course of the investigation wereyou meeting Dr AduAmpomah?
A. I can’t remember.
Q. Of the 8 cases that you were investigating, how many are being prosecuted?

A. I can’t be very sure.
Q. But this is the only one you know being persecuted?
A. This is the only one I know.
Q. Now, so you know whether DSO Akresi gave a statement to the police?

A. My lord, he was invited to assist the new team who took over from us, so I wouldn’t be surprised he gave a statement.
Q. If he did whose custody will it be?
A. It will be in the custody of the police.

Q. Would EOCO have a copy?
A. I can’t tell my lord.
Q. Now you said Akresi was invited to assist the new team or the police. Would Akresi report back to EOCO his involvement with new team?

A. Yes, he had to report back to EOCO.
Q. And you as the team lead be brief on it?
A. It is through the briefing I got to know he was invited to assist the police.

Q. Now on the 8th of February 2021, C/Ins Prempeh told the court that they had a petition to investigate this matter and that the petition was signed by the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw OsafoMaafo. Did EOCO also receive a petition to deal with this matter?
A. No my lord.
Q. Now after you gave a statement and handed over the docket, were you ever engaged in this matter the investigation of lithovit?

A. No my lord.
Q. Was EOCO, your institution, involved in the investigation of this matter?
A. No my lord, EOCO was not involved in the matter.

Q. Is there anything else you know about this investigation that I have not asked you about?

A. No my lord.
Counsel that will be all for this witness
By Court: End of examination in chief of DW1. Cross examination by counsel for A1

 

“How can you save if you earn 500gh?”; Berla Mundi laments over the current economic hardships

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Berla Mundi

Seasoned Ghanaian media personality, Berla Mundi Tabi has expressed her frustration over the current high cost of living and hardship in Ghana.

In a series of posts on her official X page, the outspoken TV and radio host lamented that the country was too expensive and wondered how people were coping.

“So those earning between GH¢300 to GH¢500 a month, are you able to save,” she queried given the current economic climate.

Berla Mundi’s post sparked a lot of reactions from her fans and other Ghanaians, who shared their experiences and challenges of living in the country.

Many of them agreed with her that the country was very difficult and that they were struggling to make ends meet. Some of them blamed the government for the high inflation, taxes, and utility tariffs.

Credit: ghpage.com

Vocal women are not considered as marriage material — Vicky Zugah

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Vicky Zugah

Actress Vicky Zugah has brought attention to the societal stigma confronted by outspoken women, particularly in cultures where they are often deemed unsuitable for marriage.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z show, Zugah highlighted the prevalent belief in some parts of the world that outspoken women are not fit for marriage.

She expressed concern that women aspiring for marriage or other prominent roles are therefore discouraged from speaking out, fearing they will be blacklisted.

“In this part of the world when you’re this vocal, they think that you’re not wife material. So, if you’re a woman who is hoping to get married one day or who is aspiring to be maybe a politician, or any other figure, then you don’t need to say these things on air or expose yourself like this because you’ll be blacklisted,” Vicky explained.

The actress’s remarks came in the context of discussing why some women in showbiz choose to remain silent about instances of sexual abuse perpetrated by their male counterparts.

Vicky pointed out the challenges faced by victims when they speak out, including accusations of bitterness and interference with the lives of those accused.

“When you name and shame, they tell you, ‘You’re messing up with people who are married. These are people who have moved on and are married, are in relationships, and you are naming them, and this is in the past; you should move on yourself and get a life,’” Zugah recounted.

She further highlighted the double standards faced by women, noting that they are criticized whether they speak out or remain silent. Zugah emphasized the need for societal change to address these issues and provide support for women who come forward with their experiences.

Zugah’s remarks on the challenges faced by vocal women in society shed light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need for greater recognition of women’s voices and experiences.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Hajia4Reall pleads guilty in $2m romance scam case

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Hajia4Reall

Popularly known as Hajia4Reall, social media personality, Mona Faiz Montrage has pleaded guilty in a $2 million romance scam case.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office website, the socialite pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money.

This charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Hajia4Reall also agreed to pay forfeiture for $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount.

The social media personality is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge, Paul A. Crotty later.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced the guilty plea.

Attorney Williams said, “Mona Faiz Montrage knowingly received money stolen from older Americans through romance scams and was arrested abroad and now faces serious consequences for her actions.”

He insisted that the romance scam harmed vulnerable, elderly victims who had to face the tough reality that their romantic connections online were fake.

“This Office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in bringing fraudsters who target Americans to justice, no matter where they are,” the Attorney added.

Hajia4Reall was extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom over her alleged involvement in a $2 million romance scam locally called ‘sakawa’ targeting older, single Americans, in May 2023.

Prosecutors said she was charged with conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

Asantehene praises Diana Hamilton for her contribution to gospel music

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Diana Hamilton

At a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Gospel Artiste, Diana Antwi Hamilton received praises from the overlord of the Asante Kingdom for her musical prowess and efforts in promoting the Ghanaian gospel industry.

At the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi where the ‘Adom’ hitmaker visited the Otumfour with her husband, the Asantehene admonished her to remain steadfast and submissive in the music industry.

The Asantehene also extended an invitation to Diana Hamilton to perform at his 25th-anniversary celebration musical concert and his birthday party.

Diana Antwi Hamilton and Enterprise Life supported the Asantehene’s drive to renovate the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with GH¢20,000.

Ursula von der Leyen seeks second term as EU Commission chief

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Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen has announced her intention to seek a second term as president of the European Commission, the most powerful institution in Brussels. The move could make the 65-year-old the most significant politician representing the bloc’s 450 million citizens in a over a generation.

Von der Leyen, who was put forward by her German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, has led the EU through multiple crises, including the Covid pandemic and Russia’s invasioàn of Ukraine, which forced overhauls of economic, energy and security policies.

The CDU is expected to rubber stamp her bid when its European umbrella group, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), meets in Bucharest next month.

“The world today is completely different than it was in 2019,” von der Leyen told a CDU meeting in Berlin.

News of Von der Leyen’s candidacy caps off weeks of speculation in Brussels over her political future.

Credit: rfi

Eiffel Tower closed for fourth day as staff continue strike

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Eiffel Tower

France’s iconic Eiffel Tower was closed for a fourth day on Thursday as employees extended a strike over the monument’s management, unions said.

The stoppage at one of the world’s best-known tourist sites is the second within two months in protest of what unions say is insufficient investment.

The tower’s operator, SETE, has advised ticket holders to check its website before showing up, or to postpone their visit. E-ticket holders were asked to check their e-mails for further information.

Ticket holders will be reimbursed, the operator said.

Unions have criticised SETE for basing its business model on what they say is an inflated estimate of future visitor numbers, while underestimating repair and maintenance costs. Unions have also called on the city of Paris “to be reasonable with their financial demands to ensure the survival of the monument and the company operating it”.

The Eiffel Tower booked a shortfall of around 120 million euros during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Credit: rfi

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