A total of 652 out of 870, representing 75% of New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates in the Asante Akim South constituency on Thursday, January 25, 2024 overwhelmingly declared their support for the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwaku Asante Boateng.
Many of the delegates, who publicly declared their support to the MP, as he rounded up his campaign at the Asankare Church of Pentecost, described him as the darling ‘boy’ of the area, who has supported their course and brought massive change in the constituency, through developmental projects.
They extolled Kwaku Asante Boateng for his relentless commitment and dedication to the development of the area, especially in the areas of health, sanitation, water and electricity supply, security, human development, education and road infrastructure, among many others.
Shadrach Afriyie, a delegate at the Ofoase Polling Station publicly told Kwaku Boateng that he has won his admiration after securing the tarring of seven (7) road projects in the constituency, totaling 120 kilometers, a significant accomplishment, compared to what was achieved under his predecessors.
“Hon, you have been so amazing to our calls for developmental projects in the constituency. The road infrastructure you have provided to us to facilitate easy flow of our movement has won my heart. It is my prayer that God grants you longer life to continue to do more for us”, she noted.
Another delegate, James Agyenim of Asankare Polling Station said he was more fascinated by Kwaku Asante Boateng’s impact on the various local communities in the constituency and urged other delegates who are yet to decide who to vote for to consider voting for the incumbent MP, since his footprints are there for all to see.
“The roads are there for all to see and are testament to our progress as a constituency. Supply of electricity to thirty-three (33) communities is a game-changer in this constituency. It has really helped to expand our local communities”, he said.
Beyond Kwaku Boateng’s developmental endeavors, the delegates highlighted his commendable attributes, describing his as a kind lawmaker who is not discriminatory.
“Kwaku Asante has fostered an environment of inclusivity and goes beyond addressing our collective concerns with a sense of urgency, exemplifying a dedication to public service. He is our darling boy and we will vote for him 100 times if God gives us the strength and will to carry on”, Essandoh, a delegate from Joaso, who has been following the MP throughout his campaign, told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview.
Their resounding display of unity and endorsement was well appreciated by the MP who took time to acknowledge the support the delegates have been giving him ever since he got their mandate to represent the party and the constituency in Parliament.
As the Asante Akim South constituency gears up for the primaries, the groundswell of support for Kwaku Asante Boateng underscores the profound impact he has made on the constituency.
It is the fourth time he is seeking re-election to enter parliament to represent the NPP and the Asante Akim South constituency.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced that the government will soon implement a visa-free policy for all Africans travelling to Ghana.
According to him, the processes have begun and the expectation is to commence their implementation in 2024, which appears to be his good-bye policy.
“I know you came here not to talk but to spark action. I also know that for some of you, you had to acquire a visa to come to this event… The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free for all Africans travelling to our country, and the process has begun to get the policy implemented this year, that is, before I go,” he announced to loud applause.
President Akufo-Addo said this on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the Peduase Presidential Lodge, Akuapim South Municipality, Eastern Region, where he opened a 3-day Conference dubbed the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024.
A panel discussion ongoing
Ghana has waived visa to some African countries and granted visa-on-arrival. Holders of passports from Mauritius, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda among other countries enjoy visa-free arrangements to Ghana.
On the other hand, holders of the Ghana Card are able to travel into the country without using their passports.
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
The President, looking at the calibre of participants from across Africa, said he was encouraged that the continent now has a private sector that is ready, deliberate and eager to see the sixty-year-old dream of a united Africa manifest.
He observed that the focus is now on economic integration, which was not the case in previous years.
He urged the gathering to devote their energies to facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services across Africa.
UNLOCK POTENTIAL
President Akufo-Addo, in his address, advocated measures to unlock the full potential of trade for prosperity.
He suggested the prioritisation of efficient transportation and logistics infrastructure development, streamlining trade processes and embracing digital technologies that facilitate trans-border transactions without depending on foreign currencies.
PROSPECTS
Mentioning the resources that the continent is blessed with, President Akufo-Addo told the conference to remind themselves of the prospects of Africa and the potential to transform it into a global powerhouse.
He was thus excited about the Africa Prosperity Dialogues initiative, which is aimed at facilitating understanding, dialogue and commitment to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
Touching on the theme of this year’s dialogue, “Delivering prosperity in Africa: produce, add value and trade,” President Akufo-Addo opined that it spoke to what had to be done to make the AfCFTA meaningful.
The President expects the dialogue to emphasise that Africa must go heavy on agriculture investments.
COMMENDATION
The President, who is hosting the conference for the second time, congratulated the organisers, the Africa Prosperity Network for the vision. He said the line-up of strategic partners for the conference should encourage people to support the project.
He remarked that the dialogue provides a unique platform to mobilise Africa’s private sector to own and drive the prospects of the AfCFTA.
Concluding his address, President Akufo-Addo told participants to translate the conference into a compact document that contains a roadmap to prosperity in Africa.
APN CEO
The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Africa Prosperity Network Secretariat, Njack Kane stated in his welcome remarks that the Conference will define Africa, focusing on the theme.
He urged the participants to embrace the diversity of thought that will transform Africa, adding that the shared vision of the continent is rooted in the unique strengths of the nations that participated in the dialogue.
Three farmers aged between 69 and 28 years have been granted GH₵300,000 bail by an Accra Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and fraudulent translation of land.
Nii Tettey Ayikai, alias Numo Ali, 69, Daniel Tettey 28, and Edward Laryea also known as Okomfo, 49, secured the bail on Thursday 18th January, 2024.
His Honour, Samuel Bright Acquah, the presiding judge, ordered that the accused persons provide three sureties, each one of which must be justified and adjourned the case to February 12, 2024.
Before the adjournment, the court was told by the prosecuting officer, Superintendent Augustine Yirinkye that one Shantel Iddrisu, an Estate Developer and resident of Kasoa is the Complainant.
The accused persons on the other hand live and work at Danchira, in the Greater Accra region.
In the year 2020 the accused persons offered a parcel of land situated at Danchira to their agent, Abdul Hanan Abdul Rahman, to sell.
In the same year, the accused persons’ agent sold 12 plots out of the said land to one Asubonteng Kwadwo Asiedu, a witness in the case, who acquired same on behalf of his two brothers, Yaw Ansu Gyeabour and Kwasi Ansu Gyeabour, domiciled in the United States of America.
The agent issued indentures over the land in the name of his company, Hanash and Sons Construction to the witness, after which the accused persons collected a digging fee from the witness and supervised the construction of a fence wall, as well as single rooms with toilets on each plot of the land.
In the latter part of February 2023, the accused persons sold four plots from the witness’s land to the complainant. The witness reported the matter to the Danchira Police, where the accused persons were arrested, and stated that their agent was the one who sold the land to the witness on their instructions, but the agent had run away with part of the money.
As a result, they have to regularise the witness’s document for an amount of GH¢72,000.00 but the witness paid GH¢40,000.00 through the Danchira Police, which the accused persons received and issued a receipt.
The balance, GH¢32,000.00, was deposited with the Police for the accused person to collect after preparing the documents. After hearing this, the complainant also lodged a complaint at the Regional CID, Accra and the accused persons were arrested.
The accused persons admitted having granted the same land to the agent, witness and Complainant, but failed since 2020, to allocate another land the complainant and regularize the document for the witness although they agreed to do so.
After investigation, the accused persons were charged with the offences and brought before the court.
Before Alhaji Collins Dauda and Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah were respectively appointed as Minister for Works and Housing, an amount of US$80 million had already been invested into the Saglemi housing project.
Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, Counsel for Agyeman-Mansah, told an Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, on Tuesday.
He said the amount was paid way back, before the two accused persons became ministers, under the erstwhile Mahatma Administration.
According to him, his client, who succeeded Alhaji Collins Dauda in the year 2015, has been charged before the court, even though he was not one of the project consultants.
The counsel informed the court that raising certificates for disbursement of funds under the project were done by the contractors and same was sent to the consultants, who also copied the minister.
He said the certificates are those voluminous documents, capturing project milestones and demand for payment.
The counsel then put a question to the 1st prosecution witness (PW1), Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei whether he has seen those reports on the project, and the answer was negative. PW1 is the new Chief Director at the Ministry of Housing.
Court Complex
He added that he saw one of such reports that was tendered in evidence during cross examination by Thaddeus Sorry, Counsel for Alhaji Collins Dauda, first Accused (A1).
The witness also admitted that not all the documents involved in the transaction have come to his personal notice, but all the documents on the release of funds are in the custody of the ministry.
PW1 added that he is not testifying from his personally involvement, but relying solely on the documents available to the court.
Further cross examination of PW1
Q. On the last trial day, you requested to read two exhibits and the court allowed you the same. Have you done that?
A. Yes
That would be all for the witness. End of Cross examination by Counsel for A1.
Counsel for A2
Q. You have testified earlier before this court that you are currently the acting chief director of the ministry of works and housing?
A. Correct. But I have now been confirmed.
Q. Congratulations.
A. Thank you
Q. This confirmation came when you were testifying in this matter
A. Yes
Q. Now you testified in this particular case by reason of the fact that you are the Chief Director and not because you were personally involved in the execution of this project?
A. Yes
Q. In fact, I will be correct to say that you were not the project coordinator as far as the Saglemi housing project is concerned. Correct!?
A. Yes, I was not the project coordinator.
Q. In fact, there were two name consultants to this project. Correct?
A. AESL is the first consultant appointed and later submitted part of their assignment to VHM.
Q. Now, I would also be correct to say that you did not until 2016, work with these two consulting firms. Correct?
A. I have working relationships with AESL, since I came to the ministry in the year 2004.
Q. So these working relationships with AESL was in relation to other projects undertaken by the ministry of works and housing and not the Saglemi housing project. Correct?
A. Yes
Q. Now, do you know who the project coordinator was for the Saglemi housing project until 2016?
A. No
Q. And are you aware that the project coordinator for the Saglemi housing project was specifically invited by the CID, during the investigations. Are you aware?
A. What I am aware is that some officials of AESL and some officials of the ministry were invited by the CID, but I cannot pinpoint if the project coordinator was invited.
Q. Until 2016, as a staff of the ministry you never found out who the project coordinator was? Is that the case?
A. If I was not invited to participate on the implementation of the project, there was no way I could have forced myself.
Q. Do you know any official by name Eric Victor Aryeetey Ansah. Do you know any body at the ministry whether present or past?
A. The only Ansah I know is the Deputy Director for AESL, but not from the ministry.
Q. Curiously in paragraph 9 of your witness statements. Reading: “…” do you still stand by this testimony?
A. Yes. I want to add that it is like the document Mr. Sory showed to me.
Q. You see Reverend, I will be correct to also say, you were never the project quantity surveyor?
A. Yes
Q. You were also not the project architect?
A. Yes
Q. The day to day management of the project until 2016, did not involve you personally?
A. Yes
Q. Do you know one Louise Satthormo Atongo?
A. Yes.
Q. Can you tell the court who he was?
A. He was the former Managing Director VHM.
Q. And he was the Managing Director of AESL, as the principal consultant for the housing project at the time up to 2016?
A. Yes. His tenure transcended from 2015.
Q. In the course of the investigation by the CID, can you tell the court when you were invited to give a statement to the CID?
A. I was asked to present statements. I cannot recollect the date but I was asked to present a statement, which I did.
Q. Did you present this statement on the police form and signed under it?
A. I don’t remember if I signed.
Q. So I will be correct to say that you never gave a statement to the police whether an ordinary statement, a cautioned statement in your own handwriting on a police form to the CID?
A. What I recollect is that I was given a statement form to fill. However, in the statement form I indicated that my statement form will be in a typed form.
Q. Do you per chance know when this case was first brought to court?
A. I can’t recollect.
Q. You see I am putting it to you that this case first came to court on August 4, 2021?
A. I got to know that from the court register.
Q. The only statement that you gave to the police is the one that you signed on every page typed, which happens to be what you reproduced as your witness statement dated Friday 25th March 2022, almost a year after the case started?
A. I only presented my statement when I was asked to submit to the CID.
Q. You see, Reverend throughout the investigation, you never gave a statement to the police until they came to court?
A. I’m not a prosecutor, I was only asked to present a statement and that is what I did.
Q. Reverend, will I be correct to suggest to you that this statement dated Friday March 25, 2022 was typed for you to sign?
Prosecution: objection
The question that counsel has just put to the witness that the statement he brought to court as his statement was typed for him to sign. I think this particular statement of question impugned the integrity of the prosecution, police as well as the witness himself.
The witness was asked the question earlier and he said he was asked to write a statement and he did so by typing same and so for counsel to suggest that his statement was typed for him to sign, questions the integrity of the prosecution and the police and we strongly oppose such suggestion from him and on the basis of that we ask that this question should be struck down.
Counsel: The method objection is wholly unfounded. My lord will note that the prosecution did not say that this question offends the rule of law of procedure or that the question is irrelevant. This question goes to the very foundation of his testimony. How can I impugn the testimony?
I refer you to section 80(1) of the evidence act …read “…The rest of the work is left for you to make an evaluation. He had not said he can’t answer this question. This witness has demonstrated the capacity to answer questions…..Please answer the question..
Prosecution:
Point to section 86; He has not shown anything that the statement was written for him to sign.
Counsel has not shown in any way that he has evidence to suggest that the statements for the Witness was written for him to sign to the effect that he has not been able to show that is what happened. He cannot be making such suggestion to him and any such suggestion impugned the integrity of the witness.
By Court: Objection overruled
Q. Rev. will I be correct to suggest to you that this statement dated Friday 25th March, 2022 was typed for you to sign?
A.I typed and signed myself.
Q. This statement to the police dated March 25, 2022, you stated at page 5 among others that the role of the project consultants was to verify and certify milestone reports and ensure that payments for specific milestone are done for the purposes for which they were applied?
A. Yes. This is not my statement, but it came from the Escrow management agreement…
Q. And from your previous testimony, the project consultant whose responsibility, according to the statement typed and signed by you, is not one of the accused persons here?
A. I am not the prosecutor and I don’t determine who comes to the court.
Q. In fact I’m putting it to you that from your own statement to the police the 2nd accused is not the main project consultant. Correct?
A. He was not the project consultant. He was the minister.
Q. Now have a look at this document. Is that your signature on the various pages?
A. Yes we have various signatures.
The statements given to the police by PW1 dated Feb 28, 2022 is admitted and tendered as….
Q. The escrow management accounts, which bank is it domicile or which bank holds escrow management accounts?
A. Bank of Ghana.
Q. As the newly confirmed Chief Director of the ministry do you know the mandate on the accounts?
A. It is clearly stated in escrow management agreement.
Q. So can any funds be disbursed from the escrow management accounts without the express approval of the finance minister?
A. No. However the Finance Minister depends on the instructions he received form works and housing. Once certificates have been certified that the milestones has been achieved in these on with the management agreement then the minister for work and housing, the sector minister will request for release of funds to minister for finance and then funds would be released.
Q. So you see, Reverend as far as disbursement is concerned, the person who has the final say is the ministry of finance. Is that not so?
A. I have stated here before that a contractor cannot fix windows of building without foundation of the building. The escrow management agreement stated, clearly the processes that parties will go through before payments are made and it starts from the contractor raising certificates through the consultant copies to the ministry stating in clear terms milestones achieved in order words percentage of work done and it corresponding… And the consultant will than forward the application for release of funds to the ministry after the necessary validations have been made.
My lord, the copy that is sent to the ministry is to be worked on where project monitory team will cross check milestones stated in the certificate to validate amount raised or otherwise and submit reports to the minster through the Chief Director. So after, the validation processes are completed then the minister forward same to the minister of finance and these are all stated in the management of escrow accounts.
Q. Back to my question. I understand you to say that when all these things are done what you called validation processes are done, the finance ministry just doesn’t pay like a conveyor belt but will verify the claims?
A. The processes have been clearly stated in the escrow management agreement and that must be followed when payment are to be made.
Q. In your earlier testimony you have indicated that the finance ministry relies on these processes on the request before payment is authorized?
A. Yes.
Q. You have also testified that when the consultant is done preparing the certification the ministry is copied?
A. No. I said when certificate are raised first by the contractor the ministry is copied and the consultant is also notified of the certificate. My lord, from the documents that I have seen from
AESL and VHM, I don’t see them as certificates. They are just statements on a sheet of paper because interim payments certificates should contain a lot of details.
The total contract sum, if there has been mobilisation, you will see less mobilisation.
Items like percentage of retention is subtracted, percentage of work done and a lot of these, however all the documents I have peruse at AESL and VHM are all statements stating amount of monies to be paid to contractors and consultant without given details of Milestone achieves and percentage of work done
Q. All these that you have tabulated, in your statement to the police are the work of the project consultant, exhibit 2D1?
A. Yes. And the duty of the ministry to cross check to ensure value for money is
Q. So you see, at the ministry, there are main officers whose responsibility is to assist the sector minister to ensure that these responsibilities are carried out?
A. Yes.
Q. In fact, as you testify your current sector minister relies on you as the Chief Director in the performance of his functions?
A. Correct
Q. I should describe you ordinarily as a very competent person. Correct?
A. Of course.
Q. At your ministry (work and housing) you have a department in charge of monitors and evaluations
A. Yes PPBME (Policy Planning Budget Mobilization and Evaluation)
Q. Do you know in the course of the project there were regular meetings between the project consultants and a team comprising Mr Eric Ansah, Bassel Akushey, Kojo Manphey and Zak Napadow, all from AESL?
A. I wouldn’t know if they were meeting or not. I don’t work at AESL.
Q. I’m putting it to you that the interim payment certificates always came as voluminous documents with progress photographs which the prosecution has admitted that they exist except that they are too bulky?
A. It’s not true.
Q. You see, Reverend, you do not know this because you were not personally involved in the project execution, correct?
A: I’m here testifying for the ministry and I am not saying things off my heard, but documents that I have found at the ministry is what I’m testifying on and basing my fact on and so I’m not testifying as whether I am involved or not.
Q. And so it is possible that as you testify that it is not all the documents involving this transaction that has come to your person notice?
A: It is true. However, regarding the payment all the documents on the release of funds are in the custody of the ministry.
Q. You see, are you aware that in a letter dated September 30, 2020 signed by Architect Isaac Agyei Marfo, Managing Director of AESL to assistant Commissioner of Police attention Charles Nyarko he submitted 12 different monthly report to the police CID?
A. I was told that such reports went to the CID. However, such reports have also been on the custody of the ministry and the developer of the project.
Q. So as you testify now, have you as the Chief Director of the Ministry requested for these 12 monthly reports on the housing project to be submitted to the ministry before coming to testify?
A. No, however, I have one of such reports that was tendered in evidence during cross examination by Counsel for A1.
Q. And this, one that you have seen is bulky?
A. It’s bulky but it doesn’t answer anything regarding what the escrow management agreement prescribes.
Q. Now you have testified here that an advanced mobilisation of US$80 million was paid on the execution of the PTC contract before A1 & A2 assumed office?
A. Yes. Case adjourned to January 30 at 1:30pm
In the Wednesday edition of this paper, we touted the past achievements of the senior national team, the Black Stars. We listed the exploits of the 2009 golden generation, which won the Under 20 World Cup for Ghana in Egypt.
All these achievements, we contended, were as a result of pragmatic measures put in place to nurture football talents in the country. Unfortunately, we have departed from this blue print and the result is the trouble facing the Black Stars as a team – because we do not have the nursery teams to feed them with high class players.
We then suggested that Ghana adopts the Senegalese strategy, which is helping the French speaking country to achieve more football laurels on the continent of Africa. Senegal, we are told, has a football academy in France, which is training young boys of Senegalese descent.
But, as we wait to hear from the authorities on the subject matter, we do not think the above issues we have raised are the only problems confronting the senior national team. In our opinion, the Black Stars are being treated or seen as business entity for some group of people. What these football people are interested in is how to make money for their individual pockets and not the performance of the team.
It is on record that one of Ghana’s great performers in Europe, Joseph Paintsil, was surprisingly dropped from the 2022 world Cup in Qatar, under strange circumstances. Later, the owner of the team the player played for before moving to Europe, Wilfred Osei Palmer, came out to state that Paintsil was dropped because of the problem the GFA president had with him (Palmer).
If this allegation is true, why should the country suffer because of the strained relationship between the football authorities and Mr Palmer, owner of Tema Youth, which is Paintsil’s former local club? The Chronicle was, therefore, happy when the dismissed Chris Hughton decided to include Paintsil in the 2023 AFCON squad.
But what did we see – the skilful player was not allowed to exhibit his talent to the fullest, as the coach kept on changing him. For instance, in the game against Egypt, the coach brought Painstil into the game in the 89th minute. Of course, the coach has the right to change him, but all Ghanaians who watched the matches saw that the player was playing well and deserved to play a 90 minutes full game.
In the area of goal keeping, Lawrence Ati Zigi, who kept the post during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and performed well, was dropped to the bench. Richard Ofori, who was given the opportunity to keep the post, is a third choice goalkeeper with Orlando Pirates in South Africa. In other words, he is a bench warmer, but Ati Zigi who is playing regularly in Europe was dropped to the bench. If we may humbly ask: is this not strange?
Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, in his recent interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) suggested the need to reconstruct the whole structure of Ghana’s football in order to generate a new crop of talents to secure Ghana’s success in tournaments.
According to him, coaches appointed to handle the senior national team, the Black Stars, are not allowed to invite their own players, which needs to be stopped. “Individual interest is killing the management of the Black Stars,” he reportedly told the state owned radio station. In our humble opinion, Nii Lantey hit the nail right on the head, because his suggestion seems to be the right situation on the ground.
We should not gloss over the fact that the Black Stars is a national team owned by Ghanaians and not any individuals. The state, represented by the government of the day must, therefore, have a say in how the team is managed. Football plays an important role in the sustenance of peace and stability in the developing world.
It would, therefore, be wrong for the government to sit aloof and allow certain individuals to handle the team as if it is their personal property.
We would surely return to this subject in our subsequent publications.
15 years ago (I’m ballparking), employers hired after two or three interviews. Today, it’s common to have five to seven interviews.
I seldom encounter a job seeker who empathizes with employers and grasps that hiring is a significant risk, thus understanding why employers tend to be skittish when hiring.
Employers are risk-averse. Hiring involves assuming a liability risk. Candidates often, without realizing it, present themselves in a way that gives employers the impression that hiring them would be risky.
Will the candidate…
be a fit?
be easy to manage?
look after the company’s best interest?
make them (the hiring manager) look good?
Add to the above the persistent talk of a looming recession, along with AI rapidly advancing; thus, AI may soon be able to fill the current vacancy. It’s no wonder why employers are hyper-cautious when hiring.
Think AI won’t have an impact on jobs?
37% of 750 business leaders surveyed by ResumeBuilder said AI replaced workers in 2023. 44% predict AI efficiency will lead to layoffs in 2024. The good news is that 96% of companies hiring in 2024 say candidates will benefit from having AI skills.
In a recent column, I wrote that I consider AI a human replacement tool, not a productivity tool. As AI adoption increases, employers will closely monitor their employees’ productivity versus AI’s and lean towards which best serves their self-interests.
No employer wants to hire a candidate only to let them go a short time later. “Sorry, Bob, the second and third quarters weren’t as strong as we’d hoped; unfortunately, we need to let you go.”
Today’s economic and political climate, combined with seismic changes in the psyches of the younger generation, which are adding fuel to the always-existing discourse between employees and employers, explains why employers hire with extreme caution. As a job seeker, you need to figure out ways to present yourself as a candidate who isn’t high-risk.
Write the following quote on a Post-it Note and place it where you’ll see it daily while job hunting.
“Business is all about solving people’s problems — at a profit.” – Paul Marsden, British writer, businessman and former politician.
Job searching is about selling yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. What’s the employer’s problem? Read the job description. Ask yourself: Why does this position exist? Why was it created? When you answer these questions, you are forced to focus on what the employer wants rather than what you want.
Instead of focusing on what you want, get deeply and intensely curious about the employer’s needs and wants, increasing revenue and reducing costs being the obvious. (READ: creating a profit ) What do you offer employers that are tangible and measurable that’ll facilitate their earnings and, therefore, are worth paying for? If an employer hired you, what kind of ROI would they receive?
Employers don’t give money to their employees because they want it or feel they deserve it. Employers aren’t concerned with what their employees want or feel they deserve. Employees are paid by their employers in exchange for results that help them achieve their business goals.
You can gain a significant advantage over your competitors by understanding and empathizing with the risks employers take when hiring.
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his angle as well as your own.” – Henry Ford
In a time of economic uncertainty, rapid technological advancement, and cultural fit becoming increasingly important, job seekers need to address these factors directly.
Economic uncertainty
Hyperinflation is shifting consumer behaviour. Geopolitical tensions are becoming more pronounced. There’s constant talk of a recession looming. We live in an angst-filled world.
In order to ease employers’ concerns about where the economy is heading, candidates must demonstrate flexible problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. To be seen as someone who can help the company weather difficult times, prepare a couple of STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories demonstrating you have handled challenging situations or helped your employer through tough times.
Technological advancement
It’s no longer enough to know the basics of Word and Excel. Today, employers expect their employees to be able to proficiently use multiple tech tools, such as data analysis, online collaboration, project management and, of late, AI prompting.
Using tech tools (e.g., QR code, Zoom, Slack)throughout your job search shows that you are tech-savvy without having to say so.
Cultural fit
The importance of cultural fit is greater than ever. The slightest sign that you won’t fit in – you don’t align with the company’s values, mission, or work culture – will end your candidacy.
By researching the organization’s culture, mission, and values, you can then position yourself to demonstrate how your values and work style match the organization’s mission and culture. Showing enthusiasm for the company’s objectives and illustrating experiences (STAR stories) that resonate with its culture will ease employers’ concerns about cultural compatibility.
Understanding and mitigating employers’ hiring concerns will help you stand out in today’s fiercely competitive job market.
A 27 year old mason, Victor Amidon, has been charged for allegedly robbing a plumber off one Tecno Spark 7 phone valued at GH¢750.00 and cash sum of GH¢2,400.00 using gun and cutlass.
He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of robbery, when presented before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah on Thursday, 18th January 2024.
He has been remanded into lawful custody, to be represented before the court on January 29, 2024.
According to the Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Maxwell Oppong, the accused, allegedly robbed Emil Anku, a Plumber and Victor Afenyo, a Welder, both residents of Seduase in Accra, off their mobile phones and money on December 27, 2023 at about 2.00am.
He said the accused and five others, armed with pump action guns, a pistol and cutlasses stormed the residence of the first Complainant, Emil, broke down his door to gain access into the room.
The Prosecuting Officer added that the accused and his two other accomplices entered Emil’s room and pointed a gun at him, ordering that he hands them his money and phone.
Victor saw Emil’s Tecno Spark 7, which was on charge and took same and coerced the 1st Complainant to give out his password on the phone.
The accused and his gang also ransacked the 1st Complainant’s room and made away with GH¢2,400.00.
The 2nd Complainant, who was awoken by the ongoing noise at his neighbour’s house, came out of his house and walked towards the scene.
Upon seeing 2nd Cmplainant, three of the gang members who were stationed outside to keep watch got hold of him and pushed him to the ground.
The Accused came out from the first Complainant’s room and saw his gang holding the 2nd Complainant to the ground and ordered their victim to surrender his phone and other valuables.
The accused forcefully took 2nd Complainant’s Tecno Spark 5 and they fled.
The 2nd Complainant later saw the accused in town and caused his arrest. The Accused denied the offences, but has been brought before the court while investigation is ongoing to arrest his accomplices.
Richard Boame, a 37-year old Apprentice, has been sentenced three years imprisonment for stealing GH¢15,000 from his master to engage the service of prostitutes.
In a matter of three days, the convict hired a hotel room and engaged in sexual activities with eight prostitutes and paid each between GH¢330 and GH¢550.
Boame pleaded guilty simplicita, when presented before Her Honour Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, the presiding judge of the Accra Circuit Court ‘4’, on Thursday, 18th January 2024.
According to the prosecuting officer, Inspector Da-Costa Ansah, the stolen money was given to the Convict’s master by a client to perform some job.
He said Daniel Hafia Komia, who is a resident of Osu, kept the money in his room in a bag on January 9, 2024.
The Prosecutor said the convict entered the room unnoticed and took the money, scaled over the wall and ran away.
Mr Komia later discovered that the money was missing and immediately suspected the convict because he was the only one who entered the room.
Attempts to contact him on his phone failed because he refused to answer the calls.
A report was made to the Police and upon intelligence, the convict was arrested in Kumasi on January 13.
Investigation revealed that convict went to rent a hotel in Kumasi and also engaged in the service of prostitutes, and after having fun with them, paid them cash between GH¢¢330 and GH¢550.
Inspector Da-Costa stated that the convict engaged as many as eight prostitutes between 10th and 13th January.
He added that the convict used some of the stolen money to buy a backpack, a bluetooth speaker, five boxer shorts, a trouser, three shirts, a spectacle, a perfume, a pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals and a mobile phone.
Only a cash of GH¢380 was retrieved from him at the time of his arrest.
After investigation, he was charged with the offence as stated in the charge sheet and put before court
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has declared that the Nigerian naira is undervalued, promising to expedite the discovery of genuine price in the near term. He said, “We believe that the naira is currently undervalued, and coupled with the coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term. This coordinated approach will contribute to a more balanced and stable exchange rate.”
The CBN Governor, who spoke at the 2024 Macroeconomic Outlook of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) on Wednesday, also said that the apex bank is looking at an inflation rate of 21.4 per cent under its inflation-targeting regime.
“The anticipated moderation in pump prices of PMS, due to the expected operational status of the country’s government and private-owned refineries in 2024 is a pivotal factor in the economic equation.
The adoption of inflation targeting framework according to the CBN Chief, involves clear communication, use of monetary policy instruments and collaboration with fiscal authorities to achieve price stability and positively influence consumer behaviour.
He maintained that declining inflation will have a great impact on businesses, providing a more predictable cost environment and potentially, leading to lower policy rates, stimulating investment, stimulating growth and creating job opportunities.
The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the election of Agbu Kefas as the Governor of Taraba State.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lawal Garba dismissed the appeal by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and its governorship candidate, Yahaya Sani, for filing an incomplete record of appeal.
The Appellants had approached the Supreme Court, praying it to set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which affirmed Kefas’ election victory.
The appellate court, had, in the judgement it delivered on November 28, 2023, dismissed the appeal by the NNPP and its candidate as lacking in merit.
The court held that it found no reason to vacate the verdict of the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had on September 30, 2023, declared Kefas of the PDP as the bonafide winner of the gubernatorial poll.
