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Akufo-Addo Delivers Penultimate SONA Today

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Akufo-Addo during one of his SONA

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akudo-Addo will today deliver his last but one State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.

In accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, President Akufo-Addo is expected to provide an overview of the nation’s current state, as Parliament has just begun a session.

Before the 8th Parliament is dissolved on the eve of January 7, 2025 President Akufo-Addo shall address Parliament for the last time.

Article 67 says “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation.”

This will be the fourth time President Akufo-Addo has fulfilled this constitutional obligation in his second term, and at the end of his two terms as president, he would have done this the tenth time.

EXPECTATION

President Akufo-Addo will have the opportunity during his address to update the nation on aspects of his governance.

In particular, Ghanaians would be eager to hear the President speak on the economic recovery programme under the US$3 billion IMF-supported Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG).

He also expected to update the nation on the government’s infrastructural developments and the way forward with its funding. The government has already promised not to indulge in unbudgeted expenditures.

The out-gone Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, told the media some time ago, after a ministerial retreat, that no new projects would commence if funds were not made available.

A deputy Minister for Finance, John Ampontuah Kumah, days after the second tranche of IMF money hit the accounts of the Bank of Ghana, indicated that government would see to completing stalled projects.

Going into a crucial general election, the president is likely to assure Ghanaians of his commitment to contributing to ensuring free, fair and transparent polls, but with the ultimate wish to hand over to his vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is contesting on the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

This address may face the usual heckles from the opposition MPs, who would not agree to anything the president may say, which paints a positive impression about his government.

The opposition would look forward to hearing the president come out clear on the fight against corruption and the fights, though, as expected, they will maintain their stance that the Akufo-Addo government is corrupt.

FLASHBACK

Concluding his SONA for 2023, which marked Ghana’s 66 years since independence, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana had taken steady strides towards becoming a more developed country.

According to him, the Ghana of 1957 is not the Ghana of 2023.

“We have come a long way since the days of our six million population, with very few modern amenities for its people, to today’s population of thirty-two million, with a growing stock of modern infrastructure, spanning drones to supply our medicines, to the Ghana Card, which identifies each of us as proudly Ghanaian,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo added that, as president, he has championed the innovation of policies and the execution of projects that have helped improve the quality of life of the Ghanaian people. He added a promise: “And, God willing, I will continue on a path that brings the most benefit to the people of Ghana.”

Today, in his address, Ghanaians would hear how he has ferried the nation through the stormy moments, while ensuring that petrol stations have fuel and markets and shops are well-stocked, among others.

EOCO Strips Lady Naked … leaving only her bra & pant on during interrogation, court told

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Law Courts Complex, Accra

Samuel Codjoe, Counsel for Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and first accused (A1) in the GH¢217 million cocoa fertiliser trial, has told an Accra High court that a lady was stripped naked by Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in course of their investigations into a case she was involved in.

According to Codjoe, the lady who was being interrogated was stripped naked on the orders of the former Executive Director of EOCO, ACP K.K. Amoah (rtd) and that the legal team of Dr Stephen Amoah even threatened to report him to his superiors for that awful conduct.

Mr Paul Agyei Gyang, a senior officer at EOCO and a subpoenaed witness, who was being cross examined by the defence Counsel, however, denied the claim.
He, however, admitted that the lady in question was interrogated by the investigators, but he, who was part of the investigation team, did not witness what Counsel was suggesting to him.

Do you recall that at one of the interrogations of A1 in the presence of yourself and another official in the meeting rooms at the ground floor at EOCO, do you remember?, Samuel Codjoe asked the witness and he (Witness) responded – My lord, there were a series of meetings that went on.

Q. And do you remember that at one of the meetings, K.K. Amoah was asked as to why a lady by name…was stripped naked, leaving only the brassiereand the pant on. Do you remember?

A. My lord I don’t remember any lady being stripped naked during interrogation
Q. But although it has been sometime, so you remember there was this confrontation between ACP K.K. Amoah(rtd) legal team and lawyers of Dr. Opuni on this act, having taken place on the orders of K.K. Amoah?

A. My Lord, I remember very well that the lady you made mention of was mentioned during our investigation and had to be picked up for interrogation. During the interrogation period, whatever happened I can’t be specific, but I remember that lady was picked up for interrogation, he answered.

It also emerged that apart from Dr Yaw Adu Ampomah, a former Deputy Chief Executive of Agronomy and Qualify Control (A&QC) and one farmer, no other person interviewed by the EOCO gave a negative report about lithovit.

Dr Adu Ampomah is the Complainant and currently a member of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
Mr PaulAgyeiGyang, a senior officer at EOCO and a subpoenaed witness, disclosed this to the Lands Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice AboagyeTandoh.

His testimony was in response to a question posed by Mr Codjoe that analysis of statements given by individuals invited by EOCO did not prove lithovit lacks efficiency and was a bad fertiliser.
The Counsel further stated that the farmer who gave a contrary report on lithovit is one Nana ObengAkrofi, and he even said lithovit only increased his yields from 50 to 52 bags of cocoa beans.

Mr Codjoe said one of the Scientists at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), DrBaah, in his statement affirmed that lithovit as a liquid fertiliser that induced flowering on cocoa trees, which could result in high yields and the same was agreed by the witness.

Furthermore, Bernice Ashun, COCOBOD Procurement Manager, indicated in her statement to EOCO that Dr Opuni does not write as alleged, but signed letters prepared by her department to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to sole source fertiliser and agrochemicals.

Dr. Opuni is facing 27 counts of defrauding by false pretence, wilfully causing financial loss to the republic, money laundering and corruption by public officer in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
Others joined to the suit are businessman, SeiduAgongo (A1) and Agricult Ghana Limited (A3) for the supply of lithovit for use on cocoa.

Continuation of cross-examination by A1’s counsel

Q. During the search in A1’S house, he was questioned where the swimming pool was?
A. I cannot remember.
Q. Do you remember that there was a doubt in the minds of EOCO officials as to whether that was his house?

A. I remember the team searched A1’s house, but ….
Q. When they got to his house, one of the members of the team asked where the swimming pool was and he said it to the hearing of all members?
A. I personally did not hear

Q. Do you recall during the investigation when A1 was being investigated the swimming pool in his house came up?
A. It has been sometime.

Do you recall that at one of the interrogations of A1 in the presence of yourself and another official in the meeting rooms at the ground floor at EOCO, do you remember?
A. My lord, there were series of meetings that went on.

Q. And do you remember that at one of the meetings, K.K. Amoah was asked as to why a lady by name…was stripped naked, leaving only the brassiere and the pant on. Do you remember?
A. My lord I don’t remember any lady being stripped naked during interrogation

Q. But although it has been sometime, so you remember there was this confrontation between ACP K.K.  Amoah(rtd), Legal team and lawyers of Dr. Opuni on this act, having taken place on the ordersof K.K. Amoah?

A. My Lord, I remember very well that the lady you made mention of was mentioned during our investigation, and had to be picked up for interrogation. During the interrogation period, whatever happened I can’t be specific, but I remember that lady was picked up for interrogation.

Q. Do you remember that K.K. Amoah was confronted by the legal team of Dr Opuni and he was informed that he was going to be reported to his superiors for this unethical act at one of the interrogations of Dr Opuni

A. My Lord, I doubt I was present at that time.
Q. Do you also remember in the course of your investigation that DW1, Dr Franklin Manu Amoah, on the 26th day of April, 2017 gave a statement to EOCO?

A. My Lord the name sounds familiar.
Q. If you also remember that the said Franklin Amoah, who was the Executive Director of CRIG, was being investigated or gave investigative statement with respect to a charge to causing loss to state property, contrary to session SMC 142?

A. Yes my Lord.
Q. I believe one of your investigation teams took this statement, which was tendered as Exhibit 3, in the course of the investigation?

A. Yes my Lord.
Q. Can you also confirm that in his statement, and specifically page 2, he was explicit that there existed since 2010, a committee that is the CTCM was in place for testing of chemicals and fertilizers?

A. Yes my Lord
Q. On the next page, he, also in his statement stated that Dr.Baah affirmed that Lithovit as a liquid fertilizer induced flowering on cocoa trees which could result in high yields?
A. Yes, my Lord that is captured in his statement
Q. That, in PW1 (F. M. Amoah) investigation statement he never made any allegation that Lithovit was not a good fertilizer before EOCO?

A. Yes my Lord
Q. In the course of your investigation, you were definitely shown the letter signed by the first accused dated the 21st day of January, 2014 to the third accused and also copied to the Executive Director of CRIG on the submission of final report on Lithovit foliar for use on mature cocoa?

A. We had a lot of workload
Q. Most of the documentations on COCOBOD investigations were given to EOCO by the Complainant, Dr. Adu Ampomah?

A. Yes my Lord.
Q. In fact, he didn’t give you Exhibit 131, which is the CRIG copy of the letter I have just referred to and which had minutes from CRIG?

A. I don’t think I saw this copy.
Q. Now EOCO also invited one Bernice Ashun,who was the Procurement Manager during the period when lithovit was purchased by COCOBOD, and specifically during the 2014 to 2016 period?

A. Yes my Lord I do remember.
Q. And the said Bernice Ashun also gave a statement to EOCO and her statement concerned procurement in COCOBOD, is that not so?

A. It is true my Lord.
Q. In her statement, she was explicit that all procurement letters to the PPA, though signed by first accused as the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, he wasn’t the person who wrote these letters to the PPA

A. My Lord can I see the statement.
Q. Show him exhibit 60, if you look at the second page.
A. Yes my Lord.

Q. And in her statement she was clear that all these letters for sole source of fertilizers are written by the procurement unit to the PPA and not the Chief Executive?
A. My Lord, exactly so.

Q. And in her statement, she also makes it clear that when the PPA approves of these sole source contracts to COCOBOD, the Chief Executive forwards the approval to the procurement unit, who would then write letters for the notification of award of contract for the signature of the Chief Executive?

A. My Lord it is captured here
Q. In her statement, she further states that after the letters are sent and after performance bonds are received from these companies who were awarded the contracts, these performance bounds are sent to the legal department for vetting?

A. Yes my Lord.
Q. In her statement, she also informed EOCO that after they are passed by the legal department, the legal department would forward them to the procurement department for them to prepare the procurement documents?

A. Yes my Lord you are right.
Q. In her statement, she also states that after the contract documents are prepared by the procurement unit, they are sent to the Chief Executive for his signature?

A. Yes my Lord it is so.
Q. In fact on page two of Exhibit 60, she was very clear that on the purchase of fertilizers and chemicals, it is management, which receives the quotation?

A. Yes my Lord, it is here
Q. She also stated that, on the third page, all these procurements go to the entity tender committee of which she said she was the secretary?

A. Yes my Lord, it is captured
Q. As you can see from her statement, and she gave a witness statement, first accused from her statement had no role in the determination of the fertilizers including lithovit which was purchased

A. My Lord I think it is clear here that it is a value chain everybody had a role to play here
Q. You also took statements from chairman of the board of COCOBOD, Daniel OheneAgyekum, who was chairman during the time lithovit was purchased from 2014 to 2016. Please show him Exhibit 63.

A. Yes we did.
Q. In his statement, he is explicit that the board approved of all sole source contracts of these fertilizers?

A. Yes you are right.
Q. From line 12 from the bottom his statement was clear that all the necessary rules and procedures for the procurement of chemicals and fertilizers were strictly adhered to

A. Yes my Lord, he said so
Q. And he also in his statement informed EOCO that the ETC of COCOBOD gave approval before the award of the contracts

A. Ye my Lord, he said so
Q. In your investigations, you invited another CRIG scientist by name Dr. Alfred Arthur who was part of the team of scientists who worked on lithovit at CRIG. Show him Exhibit 7. Do you remember?

A. Yes my Lord I do.
Q. And in his statement, he stated that he conducted the test on Lithovit and that the result of the trial at the end of the nursery seedlings stage was very good
A. Yes my Lord it is captured in his statement

Q. And he added that, the fertilizer i.e lithovit, from the result obtained was good at the nursery stage when he conducted the test?
A. Yes my Lord

Q. Then on page two of his statement, he added that the draft of the work done was handed over to the Head of the Division as it is the usual function?
A. Yes my Lord it is true

Q. And on line 8 of page two, he added that the lead author, that is A. A. Afrifa who was then the head of the division, might have done additional tests or might have had other knowledge unknown to him, which he would have included in the final report on the testing of Lithovit?

A. My Lord, you are right, but I did not see A.A. Afrifa, but I saw the head of the division.
Q. But Mr Gyang, having been the head of the COCOBOD investigations, you were aware that A.A. Afrifa was the head of Soil Science Division of CRIG?

A. Yes my Lord you are right, but in the statement his name was not captured.
Q. In fact in your investigations, you also invited A.A Afrifa to EOCO?

A. Yes my Lord we did.
Q. From the 11th line from the bottom, Dr. Alfred Arthur informed EOCO that “Lithovit was a good one in terms of its efficacy to improve plants” isn’t it?

A. My Lord, he said so in his statement.
Q. He also added that although he hasn’t got data in terms of yield for lithovit, but he agrees that certain foliar fertilizers improve yields?

A. Yes he said so
Q. In fact during the entire investigations carried on by EOCO with respect to lithovit as a good fertiliser, you didn’t come across any evidence by any of the persons you invited after you have analysed the various statement that Lithovit was a bad fertilise

A. My Lord, apart from the complainant who made the allegations and I think one farmer all the other persons who we interviewed did not have any negative report on Lithovit. That is what I can remember from my memory?

Q. Nana ObengAkrofi is the farmer who gave statement to EOCO that his yields increase by two bags from 50 to 52, do you remember

A. I can’t remember

Gold Fields expends GH¢477K on health & security agencies

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Solomon Ocansey, Senior Community Affairs, Gold Fields, Tarkwa mine

Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has donated assorted items worth GH¢477,000 to the health and security sectors in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea-Huni Valley municipalities of the Western Region.

Aboso Health Centre for instance, received hospital equipment including a suction machine for resuscitation of babies, weighing scales, a delivery set, delivery bed, ultrasound scan machine, blood pressure (Bp) apparatus, oxygen with oxygen cylinder, television sets and office chairs and desk totalling GH¢247,000.00

Huni Valley Health Center also received a laboratory glass ware set, widal test kits (Box), laboratory accessories set, refrigerators, needles and syringes totalling GH¢145,000.00

The Tarkwa Police Command received office equipment worth GH¢52,750.00.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on Friday, the Executive Secretary of GFGF, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, explained that the donations followed requests from the institutions.

GFGF, he noted, considered the health sector and security services as trusted stakeholders, which contributed to the development of the communities in which Gold Fields operated.

Mr Yakubu indicated that the donation to Aboso Health Centre was to refurbish the facility and ensure it was well – managed and same provide services to save the lives of new born babies. a “The television sets are to make patients and clients feel comfortable,” he added.

He told the gathering that the donation to Hunni Valley Health Center was to ensure the laboratory was operational and make the maternity ward function effectively. He recalled that in 2023, Gold Fields conducted a study to identify a prgramme christened “Gold Fields Legacy Programme” for the company to sponsor, through its Foundation, to leave a lasting legacy after the life of mine.

The study, Mr Yakubu revealed, recommended that GFGF implemented a health intervention programme that would make Tarkwa -Nsuaem and Prestea- Huni Valley the hub for medical excellence in Ghana.

The  programme, the “Expanded Access to Quality Health Care programme includes the construction of an Accident and Emergency Center for Apinto Government Hospital, the renovation of the Out Patient Department  (OPD) and other facilities at the hospital”, he said.

“There would also be the provision of critical medical equipment for host community health facilities, training and capacity building of health staff in host community facilities and expansion of free medical outreach programmes for host communities. Detail of these interventions would soon be made public”, Mr Yakubu added.

“We appeal to these institutions to put the items to the use for which they have been donated. We encourage them to adopt sound preventive maintenance practices for the equipment to ensure their last ideal life span”, he advised.

GFGF, he stated, was grateful to the institutions for their dedication towards the services they provide to Ghana.

The Municipal Health Director, Prestea-Huni Valley, Mr Timothy Kobina Ofori said “We are overwhelmed that the health sector is blessed with these equipment. This is a noble gesture done us and we assure you that the items would be well -maintained to promote the optimal health of our clients.”

Currency trader in court over fraud

By
admin
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Court

A 33-year-old currency trader accused of defrauding a trader of GH¢309,000 has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Habib Munkaila is accused of collecting GH¢309,000 under the pretext of giving the trader $27,000 for her trade activities.

Munkaila, who was charged with defrauding by false pretences, pleaded not guilty.

The Defence Counsel prayed for the court to admit Habib to bail, as his client had been on police enquiry and ready to stand trial.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Maxwell Oppong, did not oppose the bail.

The court, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted Munkaila to bail in the sum of GHC300,000 with three sureties, who are to be Ghanaian citizens.

The accused person is to be reporting to the Police once every week. The matter has been adjourned to March 11, 2024.

Facts

The facts as read out by prosecution at the court are that the complainant Margaret Asamoah is a businesswoman in Accra.

The prosecution said the accused person was a self-styled currency trader residing at Awoshie in Accra.

In May 2023, the prosecution said the accused person with intent to defraud the complainant, told her that he dealt in various currencies.

The prosecution said the accused person convinced the complainant and started doing business with her.

In the first week of August 2023, the accused person collected cash in the sum of GH¢309,000 under the pretext of giving her $27,000.

The prosecutor said the accused person, after collecting the money, started telling stories and several efforts made by the complainant to get her money back had been unsuccessful.

A report was made to the Police and the accused person was picked up.

The prosecution said during interrogation, the accused person said on August 10, 2023, he was sending $27,000 to the complainant but it went missing.

The prosecutor said the accused person, therefore, pleaded for time so he could refund the money to the complainant.

The prosecution said Munkaila refunded GH¢113,000 to the police and same had since been handed over to the complainant.

By Joyce Danso

GNA

Court remands driver’s mate over alleged robbery of Papaye workers

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Law Court Complex, Accra

The Accra circuit court, presided over by Afia Owusua Appiah, has remanded Jeffrey Johnson, a bus conductor, locally known as ‘mate’ into police custody, over an alleged act of robbery.

Jeffery is accused of having used an offensive weapon, knife, on his victims and succeeded in robbing them of their three mobile phones, all to the tune of GH¢4, 200.00

He pleaded not guilty to the offences of robbery and causing unlawful harm, when presented before the court on February 22, 2024. He would remain in police custody till March 7, 2024, which is the next adjourned date.

The facts of the case

Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, the prosecutor, narrated to the court that the accused seized from the complaint, Ebenezer Darpah, a chef at Papaye Food Company, one iPhone X valued GH¢2,400 and One Huawei Y9 valued GH¢1,500 and a Nokia phone valued GH¢250.

He said the chef and another, Rosemary Akorli, also Kitchen assistant at Papaya Food Company, are the complainants.

According to him, on February 17, 2024 and between the hours of 1:00am and 1:30am, the accused person with an accomplice currently at large, rode to the complainants’ house on a motorbike, when they have just returned from work.

Jeffery and his accomplice attacked the complainants and in the process Ebenezer was stabbed with a pair of scissors on his right hand and succeeded in robbing them of one IPhone X, one Huawei Y9 and an itel phone, all valued at GHC4200.00 and bolted.

The complainant raised alarm and some of the people living in the area surrounded the accused and his accomplice.

Luck eluded Jeffery and he was arrested, but his accomplice managed to escape on the motor bike.

The complainants identified Jeffery as their attacker and were later handed over to the police patrol team that came to the scene.

A search conducted on the accused revealed one itel phone and the scissors he used in committing the alleged crime.

After investigation accused person was charged and brought to the court while efforts are being made to arrest the other person who is on the run.

Salesman, 30, accused of stealing GH¢61,000

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

John Blewube, a pastor and a businessman, has filed a complaint against his salesman, Evans Odunu, alias Kojo, accusing him of selling his car and vehicles spare parts to the tune of GH¢61,000 and failing to render account.

Odunu, 30 years, was said to have sold shocks and hubs spare parts of Hyundai Accent, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Civic, Honda Pilot, Honda Fit and Toyota Camry on December 22, 2023 but failed to render account to the Reverend Minister.

Similarly, on November 6, 2023 the complainant detected that accused person had sold the following engines – Kia Rio 2008 model, Kia Forte 2010, Santafe 2010, Santafe 2005 and Nissan Altima 2003 model all amounting to GH¢46,000.00 and also failed to render accounts.

The case was reported to the police and during investigations; the accused confirmed that the above mentioned spare parts were actually sold by him. He has been charged with two counts of stealing but has pleaded not guilty.

The accused told the court that he realised GH¢15,000.00 from the spare parts he sold, but the money was stolen. The accused again told the court that he got GHC 46,000.00 from the second hand engines he sold, but a customer at Abossey-Okai who failed to make payment and cannot be traced.

The accused was not able to lead the Police to either the shop or house of that person and after investigation he was charged with the offences and put before court.

The court, presided over by Afia Owusua Appiah, has granted the accused an GH¢85,000 bail to be justified by two sureties who are residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

SDA Church rescues the ‘perishing’ @ Tinka

By
admin
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Pastor Baffour Okyere Siabour , the head pastor for New Tafo SDA speaking to the media.

The New Tafo Seventh Day Adventist Church has visited Tinka Island, a place noted for narcotics use and trade in Kumasi, to have a Church service with the inhabitants.

Complimenting their visit was the donation of food, dresses and shoes among others to the inhabitants of Tinka, who are mainly youth.

Section of the inhabitants of Tinka ,taking delivery of the donated items.

Speaking to the media, Pastor Baffour Okyere Siabour, the head pastor for New Tafo SDA explained that every year they go to those who are facing trials and tribulation and pray for them.

This year, according to him, they decided to pay a visit to Tinka and engage those who have been caught in the web of drug addiction.

“This year, we decided to come to our brothers and sisters at Tinka, who have been affected by narcotic drugs and share the word of God with them”.

Speaking to one of the beneficiaries on condition of anonymity, he expressed appreciation to the New Tafo SDA Church, adding that when someone wants to share the word of God with an afflicted person who is somewhat hungry, food is the first item that should be offered.

He urged inhabitants of the narcotic enclave to discard drugs and give their lives to Christ.

Editorial: 24-hour economy policy must not be rushed through

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The former president, who is seeking a return to Jubilee House on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, not long ago promised to introduce a 24-hour economy when voted as the next President of Ghana.

“A new NDC administration will work urgently to equip our youth with the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future. We will introduce a 24-hour economy with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers who will run extra shifts to create more room for employment.” Mr. Mahama said this in a statement to commemorate the 2023 International Youth Day.

Addressing the 9th Ghana CEO Network Business Cocktail, Mr. Mahama said the proposed 24-hour economy forms part of the NDC’s vision to build Ghana, premised on building an industrialised, inclusive and resilient economy that creates well-paying jobs, creating an equitable, healthy and prosperous nation.

He also explained that legislation will be introduced to support businesses operating 24/7, including labour laws, tax incentives and regulations that ensure workers’ rights and protection.

“Favourable tax policies will be adopted so that businesses can reduce their operational costs and stay competitive. Companies that sign up for the 24-hour economy policy will enjoy smart metering calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours at night based on a Time of Use (ToU) tariff system,” he stressed.

His promise has since sparked public debate on the subject with divergent views. Whereas a section of Ghanaians believe a 24-hour economy is a game changer, others oppose that notion.

Political commentators from both sides of the divide have devised means to ensure the proposal resonates well with Ghanaians or water down any potential significance.

We have, however, observed in the media space that some NDC communicators struggle to explain the 24-hour economy to the ordinary Ghanaian. This situation, if not checked, could inure to the advantage of their opponents, whose aim is to discredit the policy.

We monitored an interview a renowned Economist Kwame Piannim granted JoyNews yesterday, in which he raised cogent points about the proposed 24-hour economy. He said the policy lacks clarity.

Kwame Piannim does not believe Ghana has enough electricity to run three shifts. He suggested that the policy should be thought through carefully to identify what could be done to implement it properly.

“We started the 24-hour economy. I was Minister of Finance and we told PwD that all the repairs should be done at night so that traffic would move. But when they started doing that, the managers were refusing to go and supervise because they didn’t have security to go around.”

We must admit here that, in principle, plans to transition the Ghanaian economy into a 24-hour run have our full endorsement. Suffice it to say, we are yet to be convinced that the nation is infrastructure-ready for such a bold move.

It is worth noting that the 24-hour economy proposal was contained in the 2020 manifesto of the NDC. So, after all these years, with the benefit of hindsight, by way of economic challenges, we can only assume that proponents might have compiled a comprehensive plan for implementation.

When the NPP was preaching free senior high school in 2008, there was a similar hue and cry about the policy, but given the chance, the government boldly implemented it.
Today, we are told that over one million children of school-going age have now been enrolled in the various senior high schools in the country.

Like the free senior high school policy, this 24-hour economy will have its own challenges, which may not be unsurmountable.

However, we think that the government must first put measures in place to ensure the sustainability of the policy if it is to be implemented.

The 24-hour economy, we are told, will leverage industrialization, which consumes electricity. Ghana has experienced severe electricity supply challenges and this means that the electricity capacity in the country must be expanded to meet the three shifts being proposedto help mechanise agriculture, promote agro-processing and manufacturing industry and transform Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy.

Kojo Besia Encounters

By
admin
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Opinion

Kojo Besia, a topic Ghanaians broach only in hushed tones and sealed lips in recent times. In our early years, the verbal taboo was much more relaxed. In high school it existed only in whispers; and colleagues would point to one effeminate Ghanaian instructor saying he occasionally invited students over for masturbation.

At Legon, finger pointing continued in the direction of two or three hippy-looking expat lecturers in the humanities with a huge student following. They had lovers among the student boys was the rumor. It was all as if the ‘devils’ were strangers only.

As for the local boys they were innocent victims, except for the big gifts they enjoyed. But the seeds were fairly visible among student girls in high schools where the phenomenon of ‘supi’ was no secret in and out of dorms.

It was the domain of the senior girls, who would select from fresh students trickling in, and consider these as intimate ‘protegees.’A few of the younger ones would sing their song openly and giggle while drifting away. Whatever the giggle meant nobody knew. As we grew up the issue of ‘Kojo Besia’ emerged more boldly.

These were largely men who were also women. In recent times when this became a national issue, people suddenly recoiled and avoided open debate for fear of being finger pointed. I pity colleagues in parliament who are vehemently against the famous anti-LGBTQ Bill, but dare not cough since their electorates are watching.

If you say you are against the Bill, you incur the wrath of voters who will decide your fate this December. In my recently-launched memoires (The Pen at Risk), I broach the topic and narrate one encounter during my doctoral days in USA, 1980s.

I consider that episode as one of my Top 10 nightmares in life. Listen to my Pen (in Chapter 25). My Unusual Friend In my first few months, I lived in a dorm where I needed someone to help me cope with the new way of life America offered.

Happily came a kind companion. Call him Tom. Looking for the laundry, Tom was there to help; going to the grocery there he was; and I needed none other to teach me cafeteria norms and all. Tom was a tall black undergraduate.

I was in temporary housing, awaiting to move to family lodging on my family’s arrival in a few months. But something unusual happened that got me wondering about Tom. Browsing through the photo album I brought from Ghana, Tom one day kept asking me questions about Aboagye, a male colleague in Ghana, expressing open admiration for his picture.

One day Tom asked me how he would find Aboagye, and if he was married. My eye balls widened. My first outing with Tom to experience night life in Bloomington gave me a broader picture. The Bowinkle night club had been carefully chosen by my Good Samaritan.

It was about 9 pm that day, and the very first spectacle at the night club’s entrance, numbed my senses. Two young men in a close-up were locked in a warm embrace, lips to lips, deeply fondling, caressing.

The scene inside the club house itself sealed my suspicion. An entirely man-to-man affair in the entire clubhouse: neck to neck, cheek to cheek and moving in rhythm to cool background music. That was enough to abort my very first night out. I asked to be taken back home, almost furious.

Would I survive America? The blurred picture got clearer the next day, when I realized someone in my absence had slipped a bizarre magazine under my pillow—a glossy, raunchy magazine, rather hard to browse. Complete male nudity, replete with open, unmitigated sex and orgies from cover to cover.

It did not take long for Tom to tell me the story of his life, and why he was discharged from the US army. I was utterly baffled and disappointed! But I thanked my stars my family was arriving from Ghana the following week.

Redbud Apartments, a family housing unit, became my refuge; and I lived happily thereafter. It was indeed a nightmare to have had as my good Samaritan in America, a Kojo Besia!

Kwesi Yankah

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Vandals attack electricity transmission line

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Vandals attack transmission line

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday said that two of its transmission towers, T377 and T378, along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line were vandalised.

A statement by the TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, noted that the act, perpetrated by insurgents, resulted in a load loss of approximately 5MW.

She said the vandalisation of the line occurred on 23 February.

“At approximately 9:35 p.m. yesterday, the Gombe – Damaturu 330kV transmission line experienced a trip. Following initial checks, TCN engineers from the Bauchi regional office attempted the restoration of the line but it tripped again, prompting the dispatch of TCN’s linesmen and security operatives to trace the fault. The team then discovered the two collapsed towers, T377 and T378,” Ms Mbah said.

In the interim, she said TCN has arranged to temporarily supply electricity to Damaturu from the Potiskum Transmission Substation.

Meanwhile, she added that arrangements are underway to mobilize contractors that will re-erect the vandalized transmission towers and restring the 330kV line affected by the incident.

“TCN condemns this act of sabotage and is again calling on relevant authorities to intensify efforts in the protection of power infrastructures.

“We are committed to working diligently to expedite the restoration process and minimize the impact of this unfortunate incident on the power supply to the affected areas,” she said.

In recent times, vandalism of the transmission infrastructures and distribution equipment has been a common occurrence.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

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