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Today FA Cup Fifth Round Matches

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Manchester City

Luton Town to pull off biggest result when they welcome Man City

Luton Town will be bidding to pull off one of the biggest results in their history when they welcome Manchester City to Kenilworth Road in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool in the Premier League last Wednesday, while Man City continued their title pursuit with a 1-0 success at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Luton have gained plenty of admirers for their style of football this season and ability to cause the big clubs problems, especially at home, but the Hatters will enter this match off the back of three successive Premier League losses to Sheffield United, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Rob Edwards‘s side are 18th in the Premier League table, one point behind 17th-placed Everton, with their next league match coming at home to Aston Villa next weekend.

Luton Town

Luton’s immediate focus is on the FA Cup, though, and they have claimed two impressive away wins in the competition so far this season, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the third round before overcoming Everton by the same scoreline in the fourth round at the end of last month.

Luton have already lost to Man City at Kenilworth Road this season, with the English champions running out 2-1 winners in the Premier League on December 10, but they needed to come from behind after Elijah Adebayo had made the breakthrough in the closing stages of the first period.

This will be the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since January 1969, when Man City recorded a 1-0 victory at Maine Road, and the Citizens will now be bidding to reach the quarter-finals of this season’s tournament. Guardiola is expected to name a strong side, and the Citizens should have too much quality for their opponents on Tuesday night.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Bournemouth, Leicester clash in intriguing FA Cup affair

The Vitality Stadium will play host to an intriguing FA Cup fifth-round affair on Tuesday evening, as Premier League side Bournemouth welcome Championship leaders Leicester City.

James Vardy, Leicester

Bournemouth will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to the champions Manchester City, while Leicester suffered a 3-1 loss to Leeds United in a top-of-the-table clash last time out.

Bournemouth have had to win two matches to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, opening their challenge with a 3-2 success over Queens Park Rangers on January 6, before thumping Swansea City 5-0 last time out.

Bournemouth’s next three in the Premier League are actually against the bottom three – Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town – so they will be confident of claiming points in the coming weeks, but their immediate focus is on booking a spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

The Cherries have won each of their last three matches against Leicester, all of which have been in the Premier League, including a 2-1 success when they last locked horns at the Vitality Stadium in October 2022.

This contest will actually be the first-ever FA Cup meeting between the two sides, and while Leicester are focused on securing a return to the Premier League, the Foxes know what it takes to win this competition, having famously lifted the trophy at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Leicester have just wobbled in the last two matches, though, losing 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough on February 17 before going down 3-1 at Leeds on Friday, and there will be pressure on them to bounce back.

This is a really tough match to call, as neither team are expected to be at full strength on Tuesday. It could go either way, but we have a feeling that Bournemouth’s additional quality and home support will allow them to navigate their way into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Blackburn Roverswelcome Newcastle to Ewood Park

Newcastle United will be bidding to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup when they head to Ewood Park to tackle Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.

The visitors will enter the match off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League, while Blackburn drew 1-1 with Norwich City in the second tier of English football last time out.

Newcastle United

Blackburn are six-time winners of the FA Cup, lifting the trophy in 1884, 1885, 1886, 1890, 1891 and 1928, while they also reached the final of the competition in 1882 and 1960.

Rovers will not view this competition as a priority this season. Blackburn are currently 16th in the Championship table, 16 points off the playoff positions, so it is going to be difficult for them to challenge for promotion this season, and they are only actually four points outside of the relegation zone at a vital stage of the campaign.

Rovers have lost their last two matches against Newcastle, which have been in the League Cup and FA Cup, with the team’s last success over the Magpies coming in a Championship clash in January 2017.

Newcastle, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League, with the result ending a five-game unbeaten run for the Magpies.

Newcastle have also won the FA Cup on six previous occasions, triumphing in 1910, 1924, 1932, 1951, 1952 and 1955, while they were last present in the final in 1999, famously losing to Manchester United.

Blackburn are more than capable of progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Newcastle’s expense, and we are expecting Tuesday’s affair to be extremely close. Newcastle boss Howe is set to name a strong side, though, and we are backing the visitors to navigate their way into the final eight.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Feature: Scandal-Soaked Mahama Is Bad News!

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Feature

Last week, I began an exercise to debunk a very dangerous assertion by Sammy Gyamfi, Esquire, Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The official spokesman of the NDC had called a press conference a day earlier, and lied through his teeth.

The ‘confused confusionist’ told the world of Ghana politics that the party’s flagbearer, Mr. John Dramani Mahama is incorruptible and so, therefore, Ghanaians should entrust him with the public purse.

On the other hand, he swore to the high heavens that Vice-President Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia is susceptible to corruption and should be cast aside when the people at the centre of the earth go to the polls on December 7, this year.

Dear reader, it is my intention by this and subsequent articles to continue the rebuttal exercise I began last week and prove my hypothesis that Mr. John Dramani Mahama is, indeed,  corruption on wheels and would be a danger to this society, as its leader,

Let me make myself unambiguously clear. When you read from me or hear me describing a person as ‘’scandal soaked,” I am referring to the former Head of State.

Last week, I dealt with the Embraer Aircraft Scandal from Brazil and narrated how its cost was so inflated that former President John Evans Atta-Mills was said to have decided to open an enquiry into its acquisition. Unfortunately, the sitting Head of State made an impromptu visit to his ancestors.

I also dealt with the issue of the BBC interview in which then President Mahama was completely uncomfortable when asked a simple question on whether the Ghanaian leader had ever taken bribe before.

Roland Agambire

I begin today’s exercise on the infamous ‘one-lap-top per child’ which proved a fiasco. When it was first announced that the NDC administration was going to equip school kids with lap-tops, the exercise was sold to the world, as an innovative means of equipping our kids with computer skills.

A huge capital expenditure of GHC51, 257,500 went into the exercise, but when the lap-tops, contracted to RLg of Roland Agambire, a friend of Mr. John Mahama were delivered, the products were way short on the quantity and the quality required. As you read this article, the supply of the remaining 12,733 pieces or the remittance of their cost remain in a limbo.

The 2012 Auditor’s report indicted Mr. Agambire’s Rlg Communications Limited for failing to supply 12,733 pieces of lap-tops as stipulated in the contract, causing GHc6,366,875 loss to the state.

Later, it was revealed by officials of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation at the sitting of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that the lap-top supplied by Rlg were way short on requirement. Instead of the contracted screen of 15.7 inches, Rlg supplied 10.1 inches.

At the sitting of the Public Account Committee, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the then substantive minister at the time, told members that long before the delivery of what turned out to be shoddy work, the government of former President John Dramani Mahama had paid the

entire contract sum to his friend, Mr. Roland Agambire.

It turned out that the lap-top exercise was commissioned for to soften the grounds for the then sitting President and his NDC.

Dear reader, it was in 2012, at the time, Mr. Mahama was campaigning for votes to be Head of State of the Republic of Ghana.

Mr. Mahama apparently used his friendship with Agambire to scam this nation. Remember the story of Nkonfem (guinea fowls) migrating to Burkina Faso? Mr. Agambere was heavily involved. This one I do not believe Sammy Gyamfi is unaware.

Of late, I have heard a number of lame excuses. Apparently, a number of people who once rocked the boat for Mr. Mahama are now raking their memories to undo the mitigation theory and to soften the grounds for Mr. Mahama.

I am told that the migration story is now being interpreted as a hoax. The new theory is that no guinea fowls took to the sky from Northern Ghana to Burkina Faso without a compass. That is a piece of a rebuttal that has taken more than eight years to construct.

Whether there was a migration or not, what happened to the state money dished out to Rlg to provide Nkomfem meat, especially for those of us in the south, who have come to love that thin and lovely meat?

Those sleep-walking to obliterate the past have a huge task. The image of the man I call ‘scandal-soaked’ ex-President sunk so low long ago, and it will take more than mere belated denials to re-habilitate the soiled image. Come back or not?

Does anybody remember the afforestation magic performed on the grassland in the north? I hope and pray that Mr. Sammy Gyamfi knows about this one. Someone told me the other day that the Communications Director of the NDC is a young man and might be unaware of the colour and volume of water that passed under the bridge in those heady days of the NDC in power.

Once upon a regime, Rlg was commissioned to create a communication hub in Accra. A number of billboards answered the call to brand Accra as communication hub of Africa.

Once it was the Mahama’s regime making the proposal, our friend Roland could not be left out. A huge chunk of state cash, said to be in the region of US$100 million was granted to Mr. Agambire to undertake the project. An official announcement said as part of an exercise to promote the idea of nurturing a millionaire to aid the state in the near future, an interest-free loan has been advanced to Rlg and Mr. Agambire to execute the new mandate.

More that seven years after Mahama left the Flagstaff House, I have not been briefed on the extent of the project executed.

I am told Mr. Roland Agambire now lives in the comfort of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.The last I heard of the man and his Dubai connection was when it emerged that the son of the former president also lives in Dubai. I was also told that a son of the former President married a woman, who hails from Algeria, in Dubai, not too long ago.

I am unable to tell readers whether or not our Roland was on the guests list. I am unable, as I write this piece to determine whether Rlg has paid the money advanced to his company to construct the Accra communication hub.

Whatever it is, I do not think that those indigenous Ghanaian companies selling the image of Ghana abroad, like Kantanka Automobille and many others doing great job in the name of Mother Ghana have benefitted in any way from state loans without interest. I hope Mr. Sammy Gyamfi will take note.

Bus Branding

It is unfortunate but I do not honestly believe that Mr. John Dramani Mahama or any regime he heads could fail the positive test with any lie detector. Does anybody remember Ms. Dzifa Attivor and her bus branding episode in the Mahama regime?

At a time when the economy was nose-diving, Ms. Attivor, as Minister of Transport, approved an expenditure of GHc3.6 million to re-brand 116 state busses. Apparently, another invoice from a different company had quoted the same re-branding exercise to cost a mere GHc30,420

Under Mahama, scandal ruled Government House. Remember Woyome, Isofoton, Waterville and many others? They all tell a simple story. Under Mahama, scandal is not far away.

Airbus Bribery Scandal

Remember the Airbus Bribery Scandal and ‘Government Official One’? In February 2020, Airbus SE, world manufacturers of Aircraft was fined 3 billion pounds sterling at a United Kingdom Crown Court in South London. Airbus SE pleaded guilty to paying bribes to land contracts in 20 countries including Ghana.

Prosecution the case, the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom established that Airbus had paid five million Euros in kick-backs to a brother ofa top Ghanaian official described in court as Government Official One and three of his friends before landing the contract to supply an aircraft to Ghana.

Government Official One

Mr. Martin Amidu, then Special Prosecutor in Ghana, identified Government Official One as then President John Mahama. Since then, Mr. Mahama has not been able to challenge Mr. Amidu on this assertion.

For the attention of Mr. Sammy Gyamfi and those who think like him, thatMr. Mahama cannot be corrupted, this is one example of gargantuan corruption. In any country where corruption is taken seriously, Mr. John Dramani Mahama would not be a candidate for the right to reside at Government House. .

It so happened that Mr. Adam Mahama, a brother of the former President of Ghana, who had re-located to Her Majesty’s Great Britain, arrived in Ghana with three of his friends,  including an actor in England to buy an aircraft for Ghana. The news in the exercise is that none of the three knew anything about an aircraft.

They were goaded on to cheat the system because one of them Mr. Samuel Mahama’s brother had become the Vice-President of Ghana. And that it was easier to use the influence of the kinship to wean their way into government and float the idea of acquiring Airbus aircraft for this country.

Their plan worked perfectly, especially when President Mills visited his ancestors and left decision making in the hands of Mr. Mahama, who took over as Head of State. Somewhere along the line, there were allegations of the former President aiding Adam Mahama to acquire a Ghanaian passport under very dubious circumstances.

The Airbus scandal shamed Ghana and badly soiled the hands of Mr. John Dramani Mahama. If you ask my honest opinion on ex-President Mahama as a presidential candidate, I would not hesitate in telling you the truth. ‘Scandal-soaked’ Mahama is a disgrace to this nation.

I shall return!

Ebo Quansah in Accra

I Stand For A United Ghana! …Says Afenyo-Markin as he officially takes over from Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

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Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin - Majority Leader

The new Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in the Parliament of Ghana, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on Friday, February 23, 2024 declared his unwavering commitment to working for a unified Ghana, where the dreams and aspirations of the people for a sustainable economic growth, social equality and enduring prosperity would be achieved.

This, he assured to do, by working hand-in-hand with the Minority Group, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in parliamentary democracy to ensure that players in the political space depart from extreme and destructive partisan politics.

He also revealed his quest to operate an open-door policy to welcome practical ideas, suggestions, and constructive engagement from all to foster a stronger, more effective and more accountable Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the country.

“Let us move towards a unified approach where the long-term national interests supersede short-term political gains. Our citizens look to us, their elected representatives, for solutions that bridge political divides and foster national unity and development.

“Therefore, let us rise to this call with a renewed commitment to collaborative governance, innovative policy making, and a dedication to the welfare of every Ghanaian”, he noted in a speech he delivered titled “A New Chapter in Parliamentary Leadership: Uniting for Ghana’s Prosperous Future”.

His statement was in response to the Speaker’s announcement, which pronounced him as the new Majority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, replacing the long-serving Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, MP for Suame and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

He said the multifaceted challenges faced by Ghana, especially as a result of external shocks, should demand the collective attention and action of all interested parties, stressing that the path to sustainable growth and equity requires further collective endeavours and innovative approaches.

He urged MPs from both sides of the House to show leadership by rising to navigate those challenges not as incongruent political entities, but as a united representative of the Ghanaian people, whose primary interest lies in the prosperity and wellbeing of the nation.

“Our nation’s economy, an epitome of growth in the region prior to the impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict, now grapples with pressing issues. Escalating national debt and rising inflation have significantly undermined fiscal stability, eroding the purchasing power of our citizens.

“On the social front, while the government under the esteemed leadership of President Nana Akuffo-Addo, with the invaluable support of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has commendably created over 2 million jobs, thereby rescuing a considerable segment of our youth from unemployment, the challenge of joblessness, especially underemployment, persists.

“These concerns are not just economic in nature; they call for comprehensive social reform to ensure equitable development for all Ghanaians”, Afenyo-Markin, a former deputy Majority Leader noted in his delivery.

He added, “Let us rise to this call with a renewed commitment to collaborative governance, innovative policy making, and a dedication to the welfare of every Ghanaian. This is the time for us to collectively steer our beloved nation towards a future marked by sustainable economic growth, social equality, and enduring prosperity through policies we shape here and the laws we make in this hallowed chamber.

“Our quest for political capital must not overshadow the pressing needs of our nation. The road ahead calls for heightened cooperation between the Minority and the Majority. This unity of purpose is essential for realizing the mandate entrusted to us by the people of Ghana.

“I dare say that the dangers of politicizing every issue must be consciously avoided. We must strive to build greater consensus, foster intimate dialogue, and engender a spirit of bipartisanship that is focused on national development”.

Another debilitating issue which he noted, demanded the leadership of the House, was the climate crisis confronting the country. To the Effutu lawmaker, embracing sustainability and implementing impactful green initiatives, is the best way to go to inspire others, noting that “proving climate action starts at home”.

To achieve this, he proposed that an audit be conducted in the country’s environmental footprint to identify areas for improvement; Invest in renewable energy like solar; Introduce a roadmap towards a paperless parliament; Implement energy-efficient measures in the buildings of Parliament; and Partner with environmental experts to learn and strategise.

“These steps will transform the Ghanaian Parliament into a model of sustainability, inspiring others and demonstrating our commitment to a greener future”, he averred.

Commenting further, Afenyo-Markin, who prior to his elevation to the position of Majority Leader, was the Leader of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, urged the youth to be inspired by his journey to the topmost position in his political career, at least for now.

“My journey is a testament to hope and resilience. It is a narrative that I hope will inspire and resonate with those among you who are navigating similar challenges that I once faced. Let my path be a source of inspiration, demonstrating that through faith, diligence, and unyielding determination, one can transcend the barriers of poverty”, he said.

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

Nkrumah’s vision for Ghana, Africa must be re-visited-Buah

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Mr Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah

The Deputy Minority Leader in the Parliament, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged African Leaders to be inspired by the vision and achievements of the iconic Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, by fast-tracking the formulation and implementation of pragmatic policies and programs aimed at fostering unity among the Africans.

Nkrumah’s achievements, he noted, must be critically re-examined, emphasizing the sustainability of his integration agenda for a united and prosperous Africa.

Delivering a statement on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana on Friday, February 23, 2024 to commemorate the 58th Anniversary of the overthrown of the country’s first President, which fell on Saturday, February 24, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, said working together to build a brighter future for the African continent guided by the ideals and principles of Dr. Nkrumah, would be a great honor to the Pan-Africanist.

“Mr Speaker, let us remember Osagyefo’s vision for a united and prosperous Africa. We must be inspired to strive for a future where the continent stands united and formidable, forging its own future and fulfilling its immense potential. The African Continental Free Trade comes to mind. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and strive to build a more just and equitable society for all.

“Let us remember his achievements, his sacrifices, and his unwavering commitment to the people of Ghana and the African continent. Let us honor his memory by working together to build a brighter future for our nation, guided by the principles of unity, progress, and social justice that he so passionately championed”, he noted.

On February 24, 1966, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, an iconic Pan-African advocate while on a peacemaking trip in Hanoi, Vietnam, regarding the Vietnam war, was overthrown by the National Liberation Council in a coup d’état known as “Operation Cold Chop”.

His overthrow was premised on allegations of economic hardship, corruption, authoritarianism, and political repression under his leadership. However, those allegations were rejected, with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah describing them as “stupid lies” and criticised his accusers as being ignorant.

Armah-Kofi Buah, a strong believer in the ideals and vision of the former Ghanaian Leader said history has proven that all the charges brought against Dr Kwame Nkrumah were false, stressing that his overthrow was well orchestrated as evidenced by declassified documents by the CIA of the United States of America.

“Mr Speaker, as it’s often said, history is always the best judge. Can anybody in Ghana today, looking back to his unforgettable achievements accept that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was corrupt? The announcement of his dismissal from office and the dissolution of Parliament marked the end of an era and the beginning of a tumultuous period in Ghana’s history. The coup makers cited “dictatorship and economic hardship” as justification for their actions.

Mr Speaker, we now know from declassified CIA documents that the coup was well orchestrated beyond the borders of Ghana. The true motive behind the coup was to “break the myth” surrounding Dr. Nkrumah, a leader who had dared to dream unconventionally to challenge the status quo and shift the paradigms of our society”, he explained.

According to him, the aftermath of Dr. Nkrumah’s overthrow has been nothing short of “calamitous”, insisting that it is only through the implementation of the ideals and vision of the former Ghanaian Leader that Africa would be liberated from the shackles of economic bondage.

He said Dr. Nkrumah’s seven-year Development Plan, which saw the construction of the Akosombo Dam, the Tema Motorway, Tema Harbour, Volta River Project, Ghana Industrial Holdings Company (GIHOC), tomato and mango canning plants and sugar factory among a host of other state-owned factories.

Also, his commitment to the progress of the educational sector was testament to his vision in stimulating economic growth and fostering a sense of national pride.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah urged leaders on the continent to be inspired by his (Nkrumah’s) achievements and work to ensure the integration of all.

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi 

My ‘24-hour economy’ will expand economy -Mahama

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NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Mr John Mahama speaking at the forum

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, has explained that his much touted 24-hour economy policy would be the panacea to the dwindling economic fortunes of the country.

To Mr Mahama, the implementation of the policy would lead Ghana to achieve significant expansion of our national economy and disentangle the country from its current economic quagmire.

The former president made this known when he delivered a closing remark at a two-day LAB Policy Dialogue held by the NDC, which came to a close on Friday, at Aburi, in the Eastern Region.

He explained that: “The 24-hour economy remains the surest way to achieve significant economic expansion, boost productivity, meet demand, curb unbridled imports and their attendant adverse effect on our economy”.

The policy, which he explicated, has offered hope to the increasingly restless and despondent population, would also sustain the local currency and above all, generate well-paying jobs for the millions of people without employment.

He reiterated that his proposed 24-hour economy policy has found resonance with most Ghanaians, especially the youth, as confirmed by both data-based and anecdotal evidence.

He emphasised that he was encouraged by the positive feedback and inputs the party continued to receive on the proposal from compatriots in organised labour, academia, business and industry.

gurus of the party who attended the dialogue

This, he said, was due to the fact that it fitted in perfectly with the consultative approach the party has adopted in its policy formulation and revealed that the completion of a policy/strategy document on the proposal would soon be shared with Ghanaians.

 

NPP’s attack of the policy

According to the ex-president, the NPP’s campaign has been on tailspin to frantically subject the 24-hour economy policy to vicious calumny due to its widespread acceptance.

In effect, the party, he alleged, has desperately resorted to an aggressive disinformation strategy to disingenuously discredit the proposed 24-hour economy policy, which he described as the game changer.

In view of the wanton attack on his proposed policy, he said “We are fortified in the knowledge that the days when the NPP assumed that they could use falsehood to hoodwink Ghanaians for electoral advantage are over”.

Quick counter attack

Mr Mahama also launched a rapid counter attack on the ruling government, saying driver Akufo Addo and his mate, Bawumia, have recklessly plunged the country into suffering, following their mismanagement of the economy.

He blamed Dr Bawumia and his boss for being responsible for the “worsening living conditions, unbearable hardships, a spiralling cost of living, high inflation and rising inequality”

He also accused them of being accountable for the widened gap between the haves and the have-nots, a steep erosion of the purchasing power of Ghanaians, an unsustainable public debt among others, which illustrated catastrophic economic meltdown.

According to Mr Mahama, the NPP government has compounded the miserable circumstances of Ghanaians with astonishing levels of governmental corruption and plain thievery of country’s resources.

The government, he lamented, has also severely weakened and heavily politicised governance institutions to the extent that they served the NPP rather than the national interest and more importantly, the insufferable arrogance of power.

Worsening unemployment situation

Last week, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported a disturbing rising phenomenon about Ghana’s unemployment rate which stood at a staggering 14.7%.

This meant that approximately 1.4 million young people aged 15 to 35 were unemployed in the first three quarters of 2023 alone, a situation that threatened the country’s security.

Touching on this, Mr Mahama described the situation as very traumatic saying; “This is, by every account, a very harrowing situation… This is not the Ghana we subscribed to”.

Without a doubt, he said, the current iteration of the country required urgent rebuilding anchored on our collective aspirations with workable, progressive, and sustainable policies.

NDC to the rescue

Mr Mahama told the gathering that following the party’s track record, many Ghanaians have already reposed their trust and confidence in the NDC to rescue the country with high hopes and expectations.

These high expectations in the next NDC Government, he said, reflected their unwavering belief in the party’s ability to deliver the country from the grips of its worst socio-economic crisis in several decades.

The NDC, he said, had a carefully crafted plan and strategy that would be triggered to restore the country’s economy and national life into a much better state when the party is voted back into power.

The proposed policies, he indicated, would not only seek to address the current Akufo-Addo/Bawumia – created twin challenges – but would also directly respond to most of the thorny issues raised by Ghanaians.

Mahama’s experience

According to Mr Mahama, he has better measurable performance record in both his role as Vice President and Head of the Economic Management Team and later as President, than his main contender.

“I also have a record of taking responsibility,” he said, and indicated that same could not be said of his main contender from the ruling party, who has distanced himself from the messy economy because he was a mate.

He explicated; “You cannot make grandiose promises about the economy in 2016 only to be put in charge, run it down, push all of us into suffering and hardships and turn around to say you were only the mate of a reckless driver”.

He, therefore, reiterated the NDC’s commitment to building the Ghana Ghanaians desired together with all Ghanaians to collectively reap the outcomes for a commonly shared prosperity.

NDC’s LAB Policy Dialogue

The LAB dialogue was birthed to provide critical thinking and ideation around policy options and services, as well as to rethink about the party’s approach to governance and how to better the socio-economic conditions of Ghanaians.

It is also meant to further proof the party’s desire to subject their policy proposals to scrutiny and synthesise various views to enable the party to refine and fine-tune them to meet the expectations of the Ghanaian electorate.

Additionally, it marked another phase of the NDC’s policy development process and gave the clearest indication of how far the party has come and its readiness for the elections of 2024.

It would be expected to provide a seamless continuation and flow of work, leading to the timely finalisation of the 2024 Manifesto and its eventual launch as members formed the majority of the membership of the Manifesto and sector committees.

Court sets April 16 for judgement in GH¢90m MASLOC case

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court Complex

The Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court has set April 16, 2024 to deliver judgement on GH¢90 million financial loss to the state, allegedly caused by Christine Sedina Tamakloe Attionu and Daniel Axim, former Chief Executive and Operations Manager respectively of Microfinance (MASLOC).

This follows the second accused (A2) Daniel Axim closing his defence last week. Sedina was, however, tried in absentia for failing to return to Ghana after being granted leave to seek medical attention abroad.

Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge, with an additional responsibility of the High Court, will be delivering the judgement on the stated date.

Madam Attionu and Mr. Axim were charged with 80 counts of conspiracy, stealing and unauthorised commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

The two allegedly stole a total of GH¢3,198,280 whiles at MASLOC and wilfully caused a GH¢1,973,780 financial loss to the state.

They were also charged with unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations for the government to the tune of GH¢61,735,832.50.

The charges against the two also include; GH¢22,158,118.85 loss to public property and improper payment of GH¢273,743.66 as well as money laundering of GH¢3,704,380.

Mrs. Attionu was accused of embezzling GH¢500,000 that was paid by Obaatanpa Microfinance that benefitted from MASLOC support in 2014.

It is also the case of the prosecution that in 2013, following a fire disaster at the Kantamanto Market, then President John Mahama directed MASLOC to provide assistance of GH¢1.46 million to victims of the disaster, but Mrs. Attionu embezzled part of the money.

Mr Axim denied every other change levelled against him, claiming he only acted on the instructions of A1 to write memos for the release of funds as well as picking cheques for her.

The former Head of Operations also accused his boss of having a habit of keeping part of allowances of staff.

The prosecution called about eight witnesses; including Seth Amoah, a former CEO of Masloc, and Samuel Quansah, a board member of now defunct Obaatanpa Microfinance.

A1, after taking flight to the United States for medical treatment in 2022, her sureties, Alex Mould, the former Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority and Gavivina Tamakloe have been ordered to pay the bail sum of GH¢5 million.

Per the orders, the state is to freeze the sureties’ assets upon failure to pay the bail.

 

Kasapreko salesmen in court for allegedly stealing GH¢52,020

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

Two salesmen of Kasapreko Public Limited Company (PLC), Eric Abban and Sampson Boateng Ofori had been hauled before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly  stealing a total amount of GH¢52,020 from their employer.

Eric and Sampson allegedly stole GH¢31,010 and GH¢21,000 respectively. They were supposed to have attended court on February 22, 2024 to answer the charges but were absent.

Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, the presiding judge, was told by the prosecuting officer, Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu that the suspects were not aware of the court date and prayed for adjournment. The suit was adjourned to March 14.

The facts of the case were that Kasapreko PLC is the complainant. In the month of June 2023 the company conducted an internal audit of the various accounts being run by the Van Sales Managers.

After the auditing, it was realised that Eric and Sampson who were Van Sales Managers in charge of Tata Van  and Dongfeng truck have embezzled cash in the sums of GH¢31,010.00 and GH¢21,000.00 respectively.

The suspects were, subsequently, arrested on the 9th and 10th of May 2023 respectively.

In their respective investigation caution statements obtained in the presence of an independent witness, accused persons admitted knowledge of the embezzled money on their respective accounts and could not provide any justified evidence as to the whereabouts of the monies.

After investigations, they were charged with the offences and put before the court.

Nullification of WRHC election: court dismisses stay of execution application 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

An attempt to stay execution of judgement of a Sekondi High Court that that nullified the election of the president of the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRCC) Court has failed.

Awulae Angmatuo Gyan, Hima Dekyi who is applicant/ respondent filed a stay of execution of the 6th December 2023 judgment of the High Court nullifying the election of the president, Vice President and five others to the National House of Chiefs (NHC).

The plaintiff respondents prayed the court to stay execution pending an appeal filed against the judgement of the same High Court.

It would be recalled that on December 6, 2023, Justice Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere nullified the disputed election of the president, vice and five others into the National House of Chiefs.

The court held that there was no quorum when the election of the president, vice and five others to NHC were held. For this reason, the court nullified the election to pave way for a fresh election to be held.

Unsatisfied, plaintiffs/respondent on Thursday through their counsel argued why Justice Richmond Osei Hwere needed to stay execution of his judgement pending an appeal.

Counsel Israel Ackah representing the plaintiffs/respondents drew the attention of the court to the fact that an appeal had been filed against the judgement and that execution should stay.

The Defendants/applicants are Amihere Kpanyile, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Omanhene of Eastern Nzema and Lower Axim respectively.

Counsel for defendants/plaintiffs, John Mercer, opposed the application on a point of law.

According to him, applicants/respondents have not demonstrated prima facie evidence that indeed the appeal has chances to succeed apart from argument that December 6, 2023 judgment was riddled with errors.

He argued that the prayer to stop the execution of judgement was not automatic otherwise every judgement would be stayed.

Counsel Mercer also argued that, it would be dangerous to allow unqualified persons whose election have been declared nullified by a court of competent jurisdiction to sit at National House of Chiefs to take decisions.

Applicants/respondents application, he argued, was without basis and same should be dismissed.

The court in its ruling argued that it could grant discretionary powers to stay execution under exceptional circumstances. The exceptional circumstances, the court mentioned, included situations where the appeal against the judgement was likely to succeed, grounds of appeal must have raised serious question of law and circumstances warranting the stay of execution.

But looking at the argument as espoused by the applicants/respondents, the court concluded that the appeal as filed by the applicant have not raised any arguable point of law to interrogate his judgement.

For this reason the court noted, it was sufficient to conclude that, the appeal was likely to fail because they have not demonstrated exceptional circumstances to warrant the stay and dismissed the application.

Otupiri Goes Home

By
admin
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0

Last Saturday, February, 24 2024, friends and sympathisers gathered together at the Bethel Methodist Church grounds,to mourn with the wife, children, mother, siblings and family of the late Eugene Kwame Otupiri Akyea-Mensah, in a final goodbye to him.

Seated with his former colleagues from the Chronicle Newspaper, we wondered why Eugene never made known to us,his name Otupiri. What is the meaning?

Google was not that helpful. Forebears.io named four countries where people carry Otupiri as surname, Ghana, Canada, USA and Nigeria. In Ghana, it said 1 out of 3 million Ghanaians carry that surname. But what does Otupiri mean? Other sites were not helpful.

Fortunately, seated among the mourners was the overlord of Apedwa, Osabarima Asante Frimpong Manso, and he was respectfully approached. The affable traditional leader, narrated that Otupiri was the name of the okyeame of Nana Akyea-Mensah, the Apedwahen who was slain in 1944. And Otupiri, is one who prepares the ground, like someone who tills the soil before cultivation of crops. Otupiri, perfectly prepares everything, for smooth take-off and success.

The chief said this name reflected in the life of Eugene Akyea-Mensah. And how true, he was.

Reflecting on the countless moments I engaged Eugene in conversations, he always had something very meaningful to say that made me wonder why he did not take up a leadership role in the governance of this country. He was smart in analysing almost everything and could come to conclusions that could result from what was transpiring. He would end up saying, “Watch, this could happen. Hmmm, but I pray not.”

Eugene would always make you think far and was quick to identify whatever role you could play and he will encourage you.

When I started posting stories regularly in the Ghanaian Chronicle, Eugene realised that I was drawing people’s attention to things happening with such good sense and sound judgment. He named my page, Commonsense with Daniel Dugan.

From there we occasionally discussed national issues and he would advise what I should pick and write on.

Eugene was a true nationalist who wanted to see Ghana among the second world nations. All what was required, was all Ghanaians to be nationalistic and think of the nation, first. Any differences, that could set us apart must be thrown into the garbage bin.

Eugene, as an Otupiri, was gifted. He had that gift of easily knowing all about things he encountered. He had no journalistic training, but working in that environment for twenty-seven years, he acquired so much knowledge as to be able to advise seasoned journalists on what to do in the placement of articles and stories. He was a one-size-fits-all.

Whenever you dare to argue with Eugene, first find out whether you have the full facts.

His love for whatever he does, showed up in his days in the Chronicle. For almost 27 years, Eugene worked in the media sector specifically, the Ghanaian Chronicle. Many of his colleagues, left for greener pastures but Eugene stayed put.

He so much loved the newspaper and would seek my opinion about how to improve it. He revealed to me, about the economic crunch hitting the paper due to heavy external debt owed it by powerful institutions like the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.

We sadly wondered how come the New Patriotic Party which benefited mostly from papers like the Chronicle, Free Press and the Accra Mail, during the years under Rawlings’ PNDC and NDC, would rather supervise its drop in circulation. With the Free Press and the Accra Mail completely missing on the stands, today, it is only Umkhonto We Sizwe, Spear of the Nation, which is holding on tight against all odds.

In 2001, the NPP took over power in the country and papers of journalists, like Kofi Coomson, Eben Quarcoo and Haruna Atta, who bravely exposed the previous administrations, and in no small way, helped NPP to power, were left to go down.

Not too sure about what was happening, with Chronicle no longer being supplied in state institutions, I asked the opinion of an elder in the NPP. His said, “Hmmm, go and ask ….” And he mentioned a prominent lady’s name. I have not been able to contact that lady, but the elder’s response revealed a lot to me.

I walked into a minister’s office and he asked whether I stopped writing. When I said “I do write and I still write in the Chronicle,” he said, “Oh, that paper. Is it still around?” Then I understood the elder, even more. I am yet to unearth what happened.

In all these Eugene Kwame Otupiri Akyea-Mensah, the grandson of Nana Akyea Mensah, never gave up and was coming out with ideas to help the Chronicle. He thought of floating shares to lift up the finances of the paper.

Eugene life’s ambition is to have a country where things are done right and an unbiased media, can help a lot.

Now that he has joined the Elect in Heaven after winning the race of life, we the mortals left here in Ghana must acknowledge the works of Eugene Kwame Otupiri Akyea-Mensah and implement them.

Ghanaian Chronicle has lost a hero, Ghana has lost a hero. We just have to say, Thank you God Almighty, Thank you Apedwa, Thank you, Komenda-Dominase, Thank you Akyea-Mensah and Allied families, Thank you Ghanaian Chronicle.

By Hon Daniel Dugan

Editorial: National Communication Authority’s proactive measure commendable

By
admin
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0
Editorial

The National Communication Authority (NCA) has shut down four radio stations in Bawku, in the Upper East Region. The affected media outlets are; Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM and Gumah FM.

Explaining their action in a statement issued on Saturday, February 24, 2024 the Authority said that the move was necessitated upon the recommendation and advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council and the National Security Ministry.

“The operations of the said FM Stations and the incendiary utterances of their panelists/presenters have contributed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, leading to the loss of lives and property in Bawku and its environs,” portions of the statement read.

The NCA promised to liaise with all relevant stakeholders to execute its mandate as set out by law adding that “stakeholders to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry.”

The Chronicle commends the NCA for its proactive measure aimed at addressing escalating tensions in the region. However, it’s equally crucial to examine the broader implications of such actions, especially in the context of an election year.

While the NCA’s decision to shut down these stations is understandable, given the gravity of the situation, it also underscores the need for responsible journalism, especially during sensitive times like elections. Over the years, the region has been plagued by ethnic and political tensions, often exacerbated by inflammatory rhetoric disseminated through various media channels.

In the midst of an election year, where political tensions are heightened, the role of the media becomes even more critical. While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it must be exercised responsibly, especially by media outlets that have the power to shape public opinion. The NCA’s decision to shut down the radio stations sends a strong message about the consequences of irresponsible journalism, particularly in conflict-prone areas.

Moving forward, it is imperative for all stakeholders to work together to address the root causes of the conflict in Bawku and prevent further escalation. This includes promoting dialogue, fostering understanding, and ensuring that all voices are heard in a peaceful and inclusive manner.

As we navigate through this challenging period, it is essential for media practitioners to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry. While freedom of speech is sacrosanct, it must be exercised responsibly, with due regard for the broader implications on peace and stability.

By upholding these principles, we can create an environment where democracy thrives, and all citizens can participate fully in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.

While the shutdown of radio stations in Bawku may be a necessary step to address immediate security concerns, it also underscores the need for a broader conversation about the role of the media in promoting peace and reconciliation.

As we embark on this journey, let us remain vigilant in upholding the principles of free speech, responsible journalism, and democratic values that are essential for Ghana’s progress and prosperity.

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