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Napoli host Torino at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

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Napoli players

Napoli will seek to continue their resurgence under Francesco Calzona when they welcome Torino to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Friday night in Serie A.

In the opening game of the weekend in Italy, the hosts will hope they can take some positive momentum into their clash away with Barcelona in the Champions League next week. After the dismal reign of Walter Mazzarri, Slovakia boss Calzona has come in and improved matters instantly, even if he is still papering over some cracks.

Top four is likely beyond Napoli unless they can end the season with a phenomenal set of results, as an eight-point gap has opened up between themselves and Bologna, but sitting in seventh means there is a strong chance they will be playing some form of European football next season.

Next up is Torino, who inflicted one of the worst results on Napoli during Mazzarri’s tenure, beating them 3-0 in Turin at the start of the year.

While there is no doubt Napoli have ridden their luck at times since Calzona took charge, the new boss is picking up results, and they should go into that clash in Barcelona full of confidence with a third straight victory here.

Torino’s feeble attack suggests they may struggle to threaten this Napoli side much, as their season is faltering just as their supporters were starting to get excited about a potential European push.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Barcelona to return to winning ways as they welcome Mallorca

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Xavi

Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain’s top flight when they welcome Mallorca to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Friday evening.

The Catalan outfit are currently third in the La Liga table, eight points behind the leaders Real Madrid, while Mallorca occupy 15th position, eight points ahead of the relegation zone.

Barcelona made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions when they drew 0-0 away to Athletic Bilbao last weekend, with the result moving them onto 58 points from their 27 La Liga matches this season.

Xavi‘s side are third in the table, one point behind second-placed Girona and eight from the leaders Real Madrid with 11 games left, so a title challenge is still a possibility in the closing months of the campaign.

Barcelona are unbeaten since Xavi announced at the end of January that he would be standing down as head coach this summer, winning four and drawing two of their last six league matches, and they will be eyeing another victory here before switching their attention to the Champions League.

Mallorca are more than capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Barcelona, and we are expecting Friday’s clash to be close in terms of the scoreline. Barcelona need to win to stay in the title picture, though, and we are backing them to navigate their way to an important three points here.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

The controversial anti-gay bill: Finance Minister’s Argument Shot-Down …Sheikh Armiyawo says yielding to external Pressure makes nonsense of our independence

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu

The recent letter written by the Finance Minister, Dr Amin Adam, to president Akufo-Addo explaining the possible implication on our national economy, should the Anti-Gay bill be signed into law, appears to have been shot down by some religious groups in the country.

Ghana’s parliament last week voted to pass the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values” bill to punish those who take part in LGBTQ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities with time in prison.

According to Minister Amin Adam, the Bill, when passed, will have an impact on World Bank funded programmes, citing the US$300 million financing from the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), which is currently pending before Parliamentary approval, at risk of suspension.

“On-going negotiations on the Second Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support) amounting to US$300 million may be suspended; On-going negotiations for US$250 million to support the Ghana Financial Stability Fund may be suspended; Disbursement of undisbursed amounts totalling US$2.1 billion for on-going projects will be suspended and Preparation of pipeline projects and declaration of effectiveness for two projects, totalling US$900 million may be suspended”, the finance minister warned.

He continued in his letter to the president that, Ghana is likely to also lose a total US$3.8 billion in World Bank Financing over the next five to six years, and explained further that Ghana will lose US$600 million budget support, a development which could negatively impact on Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and exchange rate stability, as these inflows are expected to shore up the country’s reserve position.

INDEPENDENCE

This stance of the Finance Minister notwithstanding, some of religious groups also believe the bill, when finally presented to the president, must be signed into law.

The Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, for instance, has told President Akufo-Addo not to succumb to external pressures, as that would undermine Ghana’s independence.

According to Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, the sentiments expressed by the masses portrayed the collective rejection of these activities with strength, might and a deep sense of spirituality as a nation.

“In my view, it makes complete nonsense of our independence. Ghana will be marking its 67th year of independence on the 6th of March, 2024 as a nation,” he told JoyNews’ PM Express

THREAT

The Catholic Bishops Conference has also threatened to penalise the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming election if President Akufo-Addo refuses to sign the anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law.

“We will speak and we will continue to keep speaking against what we think is wrong. If the President refuses to sign and you know the implications for him [Nana Akufo-Addo] and his party, [I’m referring to] elections, voting… these things must not be hidden. We work in the villages, people are listening,” Very Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei said.

IMF

Though the US ambassador to Ghana has indicated that passing the bill would have consequences for her nation’s relationship with Ghana, the IMF has said it will not comment on a bill that has not been signed into law.

On Monday, when President Akufo-Addo met the diplomatic corps at Peduase Presidential Lodge, he broke his silence on the development since the passage.

In his address, he told the diplomats, some of whom represent the Western part of the world, that the bill had not yet reached his desk, as it had been challenged over its constitutionality.

As such, he urged the country’s foreign partners and Ghanaians as a whole, who are concerned about the passage of the bill, to remain calm for the court’s verdict, upon which he would make an informed decision.

SUPREME COURT

A private legal practitioner, Richard Dela Sky, has filed an application with the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-gay bill, is null, void, and of no effect.

Sky contends that the passage of the bill violates Article 33(5) of the Constitution of 1992, as well as the provisions of Articles 12(1) and (2), 15(1), 17(1) and (2), 18(2), and 21(1) (a) (b) (d) and (e) of the Constitution.

He asserts that the bill’s provisions “raise profound concerns regarding the potential infringement of the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed to every Ghanaian by the Constitution.”

Additionally, Richard Sky claims that “the Speaker of Parliament contravened Article 108(a)(ii) of the Constitution, in light of Article 296(a)(b) and (c), by admitting and allowing Parliament to proceed upon and pass “The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024″ into law as the same imposes a charge upon the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana.”

Ghana is a welcoming destination for investors –Samuel Jinapor

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Mr Jinapor speaking at the summit

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, reiterated the pivotal role of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in enhancing bilateral and trade relations between Ghana and Canada, particularly the extractive sector.

Delivering an address at the 25th annual African Mining Breakfast and the 22nd annual Investing in African Mining Seminar held In Toronto, Canada on Tuesday, March 5, 2024Jinapor shed light on the historically rich relationship between Ghana and Canada, noting that the time has arrived for the two countries to ramp up the collaboration with investment in Ghana’s extractive sector as the focal point of the renewed relationship.

The Lands Minister touted the summit as well as the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business as major platforms for the promotion of investment in Ghana’s mining sector.

“We must leverage on this cordial relations to promote business and trade between Canada and African countries. That is why the work of Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and this Seminar are very consequential; for there is no better sector to promote trade and business than the extractive sector, which has proven to generate significant rent for its owners and stakeholders,” he said.

In his bid to woo investors to Ghana’s thriving extractive industry, Hon. Jinapor touched on the various components of the Ghanaian mining architecture that makes the country a ‘welcoming’ destination for investors.

“A welcoming investment climate should include appropriate policy, legislative, institutional and fiscal framework, and Ghana, the beacon of democracy in Africa, is reputed in this area.

“Our modern day lives depend, largely, on minerals and mining, which provide the components for the manufacturing industry. And this has become even more profound as the world works towards a green energy transition.

“Fortunately, we in Africa, apart from our mineral endowment, have created a common market, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Ghana’s vibrant capital city of Accra, with a market of over one point two billion (1.2billion) people.

“Africa’s mineral endowment places the continent in a unique position, particularly on this journey towards green energy. I am hopeful that this Breakfast and Seminar will renew the cordial relations between Africa and Canada, and encourage more businesses to invest in Africa’s mining industry, and, of course, my country, Ghana, the leading producer of gold in Africa, and the undisputed mining hub of the continent.”

He also took time to explain Ghana’s tripartite mineral harnessing policy to the investors, noting that the government’s commitment to the successful implementation of the policies has opened up a myriad of investment opportunities in the extractive industry.

“To realise the goal of IGF and the Africa Mining Vision, of utilising our mineral resources for sustainable development, and to ensure that these resources benefit our people and investors, equitably, the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, is promoting three main policies within the mining industry.

“Firstly, diversification of our mineral resource base to exploit the range of minerals that can be responsibly and viably mined. Secondly, beneficiation and value addition to minerals mined in our country, to ensure a mutually beneficial situation for both Government and investors; and

“Finally enhancing local content and local participation, to ensure that, while the interests of investors as our partners are upheld, Ghanaians, who are, by law, the owners of our mineral resources, also, benefit from the mining industry.”

Delivering the key note address at the event, Mr Peter Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Allied Gold Corporation urged African governments to create opportunities in Africa as many investors the world over are looking up to Africa, stressing that ” for over half of the world’s population is in Africa which present a unique opportunity to invest”.

He noted that Africa is a youthful population and the youthful population wants to be better and mining should represent the industry that present the best opportunity and benefits across board.

Touching on the Africa model with direct investment into the assets, he said that Africa cannot be overlooked and tasked investors to look for such benefits.

He also urged African governments to Keep their countries competitive to obtain the right investment including ensuring that mining companies maintain their interests.

We don’t love Ghana if we destroy forests, rivers -Prez

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President Akufo-Addo addressing the parade

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that anyone who treats the forests, rivers and vegetation with careless abandon does not love Ghana. The President is also firmly convinced that extracting the minerals Ghana has been blessed with should not lead to the destruction of forests and rivers.

“We cannot claim to love Ghana when we treat with such disdain and total careless abandon, the forests, the rivers, the vegetation, the creatures and the soils that make up Ghana,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Wednesday in Koforidua, Eastern Region, where he gave a message to mark Ghana’s 67th Independence Anniversary Celebration.

The celebration and his address are the last for him, as the President of the Republic, having done so since 2017.

According to the President, the Almighty has been kind and generous to Ghana and the beautiful land deserves to be treated with tender, loving care.

His concern was that future generations would not recognise the Ghana they read about unless citizens change how they treat the land.

ECONOMIC FORTUNES

President Akufo-Addo again acknowledged that the nation faced difficult economic problems, but was happy that the situation was gradually retuning to normalcy.

He, however, mentioned that two projects coming on stream should make a great difference to the economic fortunes of the country.

He referred to the selection of strategic partners to work with the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to build a new alumina refinery.

They will also develop mines at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso, as three of four projects being executed under the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) project.

The President witnessed the signing of two separate agreements in Accra recently. The first was between GIADEC, a wholly-owned public entity and Rocksure International as a strategic partner to develop a mine at Nyinahin-Mpassaso.

The second was between GIADEC and Mytilineos SA, a leading global industrial and energy company, which entails the development of a second mine at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and the establishment of a refinery.

With these signings, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana was finally ending decades of exporting raw bauxite from the country.

He added that “we shall now refine bauxite, mined in Ghana, to produce alumina that will feed the VALCO smelter and the downstream aluminium industry…”

The other major project President Akufo-Addo mentioned was the Ada Songhor Salt Project, spearheaded by Electrochem Salt Mine Ltd. The project has come about after many years of disputes, which prevented the exploitation of salt at the site.

Ostensibly, work has finally started and salt will be mined on a large commercial scale, the president noted.

While stating the support the government was providing flood victims in parts of the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo said the government would stop at nothing to restore normalcy to the lives and livelihoods of all affected persons.

DEMOCRACY

On the 67th Independence Anniversary celebration, which was on the theme “our democracy, our pride,” President Akufo-Addo said not every country could make such a claim.

According to him, the democratic system of government in Ghana was not bequeathed to the nation by the British, adding that there “is no democracy in colonial rule.”

He said that though Ghana, in the past 31 years, has been stable democratically, it has not got a perfect system but has improved with every past election.

“We still have a lot more to learn, especially when it comes to the tolerance of opposing views. But we also know that we dare not relapse, as there are many examples of countries that have disintegrated into chaos as a result of disputed elections,” he said.

The President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassanne Quattara, was the Special Guest of Honour, whose remarks preceded the address of President Akufo-Addo.

CELEBRATION

Since 2019, President Akufo-Addo has rotated the celebration of Independence Day in the country, the first President to embark on such a move.

The celebration was held in Tamale in 2019, Kumasi in 2021, Cape Coast in 2022, Ho in 2023 and Koforidua in 2024.

Ofori Atta togov’t: Consider Biogas technology to generate electricity

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NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Nana Kweku Ofori Atta

The head of AVONTECH Security Masters, Nana Kweku Ofori Atta, says government must, as a matter of urgency, have a deliberate policy that would consider the use of biogas technology to generate electricity power.

This, in his view, would be one of the surest means to reduce the country’s over reliance on Hydroelectric power produced from the Akosombo Dam, which was built was built between 1961 and 1965, and completed a month ahead of schedule.

Reacting to the recent incessant power outages in the country, Mr Ofori Atta explained that it is high time Ghana shifted focus and considered how many industrialised countries had taken advantage of technology in power generation.

The need for policy framework

In view of this, he said government must be fully committed to having a policy framework through the ministries of Energy and Technology to develop a comprehensive plan, which would prioritise the generation of combustible gas from anaerobic biomass digestion to produce electricity.

He stressed: “Using technology to generate electricity to complement the hydroelectric power must engage our attention as a country because the world now revolves around technology and we must pull along.

For instance, in many industrialised countries such as Germany among others, biogas plants are mainly responsible for the conversion of biogas to electricity power generation and this is technology.”

This well-known technology, which was being used by many advanced countries, he said, would safeguard constant availability and supply of electricity power in the country’s quest to lead the industrialisation drive of the sub-region.

Availability of feedstock

“Imagine the number of boarding High Schools we have across the country and consider the amount of solid waste such schools produce on daily basis, which money is spent to dislodge periodically.

Meanwhile, these are the suitable feedstock for biogas plants to generate electricity, therefore, if we should think of technology and consider biogas as a means of producing electricity, we are good to go”, Said Nana Ofori Atta.

Suggestion to government

According to him, government must work closely with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to train more young engineers and artisans in biogas technology and usage.

He explained that this would further ensure that there would be adequate technical people to assist in his call for nationwide usage of biogas technology to generate electricity for offices and households.

Additionally, he suggested to government to reach out to countries like Germany, which has advanced in the use of the biogas technology and send more engineering students there to learn the technology.

“I will suggest to government to try this if we, at the moment, don’t have adequate understanding of the use of the technology to turn the tonnes of feedstock we generate in the country to generate power.

We can consciously train our young engineers for this technological advancement and give ourselves a minimum of five years for its positive effects in our quest to lead the industrialisation drive of the sub-region,” he stated.

Government must lead the way

Nana Ofori Atta urged government to lead the way by ensuring that all governmental institutions would adopt the use of the biogas technology to generate hydroelectric power at the various Ministries, Department and Agencies across the country.

This, he said, would go a long way to showcase the economic viability of the technology to the general public so that it could be emulated in many homes and offices.

He said; “The disconnection of power supply to parliament because that arm of government is heavily indebted to the Electricity Company of Ghana was not just avoidable but also shameful.

“Let’s use the technology in all government institutions to reduce the huge electricity bills that these facilities keep incurring for government to pay. Government’s desire to adopt the technology will definitely cause others to follow”.

Creating of employment

According to Nana Ofori Atta, the technology could create employment for several thousands of the many unemployed youths on the street if it was deeply considered and properly harnessed.

Unemployment, he indicated, was gradually becoming a threat to the security of the state. Therefore, any form of initiative that could create decent jobs for the youth must be embraced by government, he advised.

Editorial: Ghana’s Independence; Our Democracy, Our Pride

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Ghana marked her 67th Independence anniversary yesterday, March 6, 2024. The day marks the day Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana’s independence from the United Kingdom. In 2017, President Akufo-Addo announced the celebration will be rotated around the country and held in each region annually.

It was decided to rotate and host the event in different regions to help stimulate the local economy. In view of this, the 2024 Independence Day parade was held at Koforidua Youth Resource Centre in the Eastern region under the theme: “Our Democracy, Our Pride”. The event featured selected school children and security services. President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire was the special Guest of Honour. Members of the diplomatic corps, the clergy, traditional leaders and other dignitaries also participate in the event.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s bold declaration of independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, till today, is not just a celebration of the past, but also an opportunity to assess the present and chart the course for the future.

Undoubtedly, Ghana has made significant strides in various aspects of development over the past six decades. From political stability to economic growth, the nation has showcased resilience and determination in overcoming challenges and advancing the welfare of its citizens.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “Our Democracy, Our Pride,” underscores the nation’s commitment to democratic governance, a cornerstone of Ghana’s identity since independence. It is a moment to celebrate the strides made in consolidating democratic institutions, promoting human rights and fostering inclusivity in governance.

However, amidst the celebrations, it’s imperative to acknowledge the challenges that persist. Despite progress, Ghana continues to grapple with issues such as corruption, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare. These challenges underscore the need for sustained efforts in addressing systemic issues and ensuring equitable development across all sectors and regions of the country.

Furthermore, as Ghana embraces its role as a regional leader, it must also confront emerging threats and global challenges. Climate change, for instance, poses significant risks to the nation’s agricultural sector, environment and livelihoods of its people. It is crucial for Ghana to prioritise sustainable development practices, invest in renewable energy and strengthen environmental conservation efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Additionally, the celebration of independence provides an opportunity for introspection on the nation’s social cohesion and unity. As Ghana celebrates its diversity, it must also strive to foster national cohesion, respect for cultural diversity and social inclusion. Upholding the principles of unity in diversity will not only enhance social harmony but also contribute to national progress and development.

As we gather to commemorate Ghana’s independence, let us renew our commitment to building a better nation for current and future generations. Let us celebrate our achievements, confront our challenges and collectively work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

Europe is creating an agricultural sinkhole for Africa, to uphold the politics of pseudo-science

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Opinion

As farmers protest across Europe, blockading cities, smashing through police barricades, and dumping manure, European politicians are falling over themselves to promise increased trade barriers against African food and agriculture imports.

But how is it that locking out Kenyan horticulture, South African oranges, and Tanzanian sunflower seedshas become such a burning issue for Africa’s biggest agricultural trading partner?

The answer lies in pest control.

For when the European Union launched its Green Deal climate action plan in 2019, with the noble aim of reducing the emissions driving climate change, it threw in an extra green target of phasing out the use of pesticides.

It seemed a sweet political move for the European Commission at the time, following countless distorted campaigns from environmentalists exploiting the membership and revenue power of claiming food and drink contamination and environmental catastrophe.

Facts weren’t a necessity in this: the point was scary headlines. Just one example, now impacting most of  Africa, were claims that one of the world’s newest and cleanest insecticides was wiping out bees, essential to the pollination of human food. It made a powerful narrative, creating images of a future world devoid of pollinated fruits.

It just didn’t happen to be true. The pesticides don’t affect bees and the bee population is rising rapidly everywhere, including in nations still using the targeted pest controls. But the bee campaign, and many others claiming far-fetched health and environmental risks, had, by then, driven public opinion and pseudo science into a frenzy of opposition to pesticides

The timing couldn’t have been worse, as climate change began inexorably increasing the range and volume of plant pests and diseases.

Thus, as Europe rolled out ever more bans of pesticides deemed low risk elsewhere, its agricultural production began stagnating and declining. It gave farmers rounds of compensation, rising to now half their income. But, as the pest loses mounted, European producers began protesting against ‘unfair’ competition from imports still allowed to use pest protection, very often from Africa.

This saw Europe turn to the mission of enforcing its extra pesticide ‘precautions’ in Africa too. It began by moving most of the Maximum Residue Levels for these risk-approved pesticides to a technical zero. This triggered a World Trade Organisation dispute that is still running, driven by the US and India, but including multiple African nations, decrying the effective pesticide bans as trade barriers.

The EU then additionally introduced new lists of quarantine pests, most of which required the banned pesticides to control.

African agricultural exporters were caught in an effective pincer movement, locked out by pests they could no longer control.

In West Africa, the impact on the cocoa sector, which alone accounts for over a third of all African agricultural exports to the EU, has been so severe, cocoa prices have now soared. Coffee has also been hurt, while, in Southern Africa, the fruit and nut industries, which account for another 14 percent of Africa’s total agricultural exports to the EU, are hanging on a thread. Last year, Europe demanded South Africa chill all oranges for export at below 2 degrees Celsius for 20 days before shipping instead of using pest protection, triggering industry warnings of a 20 percent fall in exports and thousands of job losses.

But, in Kenya, efforts to maintain flower, fruit and vegetable exports to the EU have triggered even greater extremes, with the local banning of pesticides targeted by Europe drawing warnings from the CEO of the Kenya Fresh Produce Consortium of a $1bn food production loss per year. More recent estimates show the country will move into a food crisis from 2025 as a result.

For Africans cannot survive if maize is left for the Fall Army Worm that destroys up to 70 percent of crops, or cocoa is given up to mirids that also damage over 70 percent, wheat to complete destruction from leaf rust, and coffee to coffee berry borer.

African governments are juggling between limiting their export collapse – to maintain import funds without which all development slows – and ensuring food production and food security at home.

It is a dire trade-off – being driven by a policy so divisive in Europe that the European Parliament, last October, voted against a new bill to further halve its own pesticide use, while EU President Ursula von der Leyen has said pesticide withdrawals have now become “a symbol of polarisation” for the EU

In Africa, they are creating poverty, hunger and reversed development, and now the solution to Europe’s newest political protests over them is to hit Africa harder still.

Jenny Luesbyis a development consultant specialising in climate change, and the publisher of FarmBizAfrica.com

By Jenny Luesby

Asantehene petitioned over purported enstoolment of new Abadwam chief

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Otumfuo Osei Tutu II - Overlord of Asante Kingdom

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene’s attention has been drawn to the purported destoolment of Nana Boakye Ansah II and the subsequent purported enstoolment of Prof. Joseph Amoako Tuffour (Nana Amoako Tuffour I) as the new chief of Abadwam.

The alleged infraction, at the instance of Oguahyia Oduro Panin Birikorang, Edubiasehene and Nana Akua Dwum II, Obaapanin of New Edubiase, comes in the face of an invocation of the Great Oath of Otumfuo (Ntamkese).

Nana Boakye Ansah II – Petitioner

Nana Boakye Ansah II, chief of Abadwam, since 1994, has challenged his purported destoolment by invoking Otumfuo’s Great Oath in the presence of two emissaries from the Manhyia Palace.

In spite of the pendency of the oath (Otumfuo’s Ntamkese), the Edubiasehene caused one Prof. Amoako Tuffour to be enstooled as the chief of Abadwam, contrary to Asante custom and usage.

As a result, Nana Boakye Ansah has petitioned the Asantehene to intervene and prevent attempts to undermine Asante tradition.

In a petition to the Asantehene, Nana Boakye Ansah, the embittered chief of Abadwam complained that the New Edubiasehene and his cohorts brought false charges of sale of stool lands and destoolment charges against him before the Adansi Traditional Council.

He said the Adansi Traditional Council adjudicated the case in absentia, after which he was destooled and a new chief enstooled, at the time Otumfuo’s Great Oath had been invoked to restrain the perpetrators of infraction and disregard for Otumfuo’s authority.

According to Nana Boakye Ansah, he has since 1999 not been furnished with proceedings of the Adansi Traditional Council, which upheld his purported destoolment in order for him to react to them.

Nana Amoako Tuffour I – purported enstooled chief

As a result, he took legal action in court, but while the case was pending, the Obaapanin of New Edubiase reportedly delegated the Abusuapanin and Akyeamehene of New Edubiase to the Krontihene and Gyasehene of Abadwam to take over the Abadwam palace.

Nana Boakye Ansah narrated that in line with custom, he proceeded to the Palace and invoked Otumfuo’s Ntamkese, challenging his purported destoolment and attempts to enstool a new chief to occupy the Akora Frimpong stool of Abadwam.

According to the aggrieved chief of Abadwam, the invocation of the Otumfuo’s Great Oath was reported to Otumfuo’s Akyeamehene, Nana Nsuase Poku for the necessary action.

He said this action forestalled all attempts by the Krontihene and Gyasehene of Abadwam to orchestrate his destoolment until in November 2021, Oguahyia Oduro Panin Birikorang,  Edubiasehene;  Nana Akua Dwum II, Obaapanin of New Edubiase, the Abusuapanin and Akyeamehene of New Edubiase, much aware of the pendency of Otumfuo’s Great Oath disregarded it and proceeded to organise a purported enstoolment ceremony of one Prof. Joseph Amoako Tuffour, at the New Edubiase Palace, in violation of custom and Otumfuo’s oath.

With the backing of armed police, they proceeded to Abadwam and took over the Abadwam Palace and stool properties therein, after breaking into the palace and ransacking and desecrating the stool room without restraint.

It is in view of these developments that Nana  Boakye Ansah has petitioned Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his royal intervention to safeguard undermining Asante custom and usages and avert the injustice being meted out to him in grave disrespect  and gross insubordination of Otumfuo’s authority.

Professor Joseph Amoako Tuffour, 70, swore an oath to the Oguahyia Oduro Panin Birikorang Edubiasehene under the stool name Nana Amoako Tuffour I, at “Dwaberem” at the Oguahyia Palace in New Edubiase.

Ivorian President calls on Otumfuo

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Members of both delegation in a group photo

President Alassane Ouattara of La Côte d’Ivoire, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 paid homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, ahead of the President’s Cup match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast.

The two Presidents pose with Otumfuo

The Ivorian President was led by his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The delegation included Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana, Felix Tanon, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah.

Also present were Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum; Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCO).

Asante Kotoko lost 1-2 to the Ivorian side in the 2024 President’s Cup played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, in honour of Ghana’s sitting President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who exits office early next year.

The match was also in commemoration of his 80th birthday which falls on March 29, 2024.

Otumfuo welcomes President Alassane Ouattara to the Manhyia Palace

The Ivorian President graced the 67th National Independence Day celebration held yesterday at the Eastern regional capital of Koforidua as the Special Guest.

The theme for this year’s event is: “Our Democracy, Our Pride”.

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