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Lands Commission revenue up by 12%

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Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission , Mr. Benjamin Arthur

The Land Commission has raked in a revenue of GHS206,868,050.45 for the year 2023, a 12% increase of GHS174,086,675.61 for the same period of 2022.

The Commission hoped to raise that amount further should the proposed 15% increment in fees which is currently before parliamentis approved.

Speaking to a gathering of journalists, Staff members of the Commission, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and members of the National Lands Commission, Mr. Benjamin Arthur, the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission gave the assurance that revenue target will shoot up pending the approval of a 15% proposal before legislatures.

According to him, the year 2023 was laced with a plethora of challenges but the strides made outweigh the downs.

To upscale performance of the Commission, it intends to strengthen what he termed legislative and policy framework.

In view of that, a consultant was engaged by the Commission to prepare legislative Instruments for the Land Act,2020 (Act 1036) and the Lands Commission Act, 2008(Act 767).

The first drafts of the Commission, he indicated have been completed by the Consultants and submitted to the Lands Commission for further stakeholders’ engagements.

In response to the directive from the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, a Committee was set up to draft a policy on public land management which draft policy had been completed for onward submission to the Sector Ministry for consideration and approval.

When operational, he noted that the policy will guide the procedure and processes for the allocation and general management of state lands.

Again, he observed that in line with the provisions of the Lands Act, 2020 Act 1036, and on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources’ directives, a committee was set up to make recommendations for divesting vested land

The Executive Secretary revealed that the Lands Commission (LC) as part of its digitalization drive, has established a modernized land record management system.

The initiative which is aimed at fast-tracking land documentation includes scanning, geo-referencing and archiving of existing records.

In addition, the land-modernised system is expected to facilitate the retrieval of files for various purposes.

The digitization drive, he stated is expected to facilitate the automated workflow processes of the Commission.

He maintained that the system will see a facelift in improving maps and spatial data.

Other benefits, the Executive Secretary stated are to enable the Lands Commission to render services using a variety of digital platforms, automate workflow processes of the Commission, decentralization of services to augment the Information and Communication Technology infrastructure of the Lands Commission while retooling the Lands Commission by procuring state-of-the-art equipment, computers, servers, vehicles and develop online access to the Lands Commission.

The Executive Secretary was optimistic that the new system would facilitate a systematic recording/titling, verification.

This, he added, will speed up coverage and completion of land title records of the country.

The Commission, he noted prioritises training of employees in a bid to raise efficiency and performance.

Saglemi project Consultant did not perform its duty -Witness

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Alhaji Collins Dauda, Asutifi South MP

Reverend Stephen Yaw Osei, Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing says Consultants for the Saglemi Housing Project, Architectural & Engineering Services Limited (AESL) did not perform their duty to ensure that the country had value for money.

Per his account before Justice Dr Ernest Owusu, a Court of Appeal judge, with an additional responsibility of the High Court, the state owned enterprise, AESL, together with Vito-Hugo-Coordenacaoe Gesto De Projectos (VHM), virtually slept on the job.

According to him, it is the duty of AESL, per the Escrow Management Account (EMA), to verify and certify milestone reports and advance payments to the project Contractor, OAS, but did not do so.

He explained that AESL failed to ensure deductions of 40% of the contract sum, representing US$80 million and advanced mobilisation given to the Contractor, whenever it raised certificates for payments.

Rev. Osei, prosecution first witness (PW1), on Thursday, 1st February 2024, further blamed the sector ministry for not also conducting internal validation on the certificates to check whether they consolidate work done.

His testimony under cross-examination prompted Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, Counsel for one of the two former ministers standing trial, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, to ask various questions.

The Counsel asked the Witness whether AESL was also charged before the court and the answer was absolute no.
Mr. Tamakloe further added that, neither the EMA nor the Public Financial Management Act or Regulations assigns any internal responsibility on the ministry in respect of the contract.
PW1 concurred and added that the ministry has a larger oversight responsibility to ensure value for money for the work done.

As it stands, five people, Alhaji Collins Dauda and Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, both former ministers for Works and Housing; Ridge Management Solutions DEC-LLL (RMS), representative and Director of VHM; Nouvi Tettey Angelo, former Chief Director at the Ministry, Ziblim Yakubu and Andrew Clocanas, then Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited. Andrew died in the course of the trial.

They have been charged for failing to construct 5,000 housing units with US$200 million, which was borrowed for that purpose, thereby causing financial loss to the Republic of Ghana.

Some questions and answer;

Court: How much more can you finish?
Counsel: I have a few rounds on the payments and maybe wrap up.
Cross examination

Q. At the last adjourned date you indicated to the court that you were concerned about works at the Ministry of Water Resources and housing and that what went on at the ministry of finance was not a matter that converts you?

A. Yes. I don’t have any jurisdiction at the ministry of finance.
Q. Now, you do know that as the current Chief Director of the ministry, when certificates are raised by the contractor working for your ministry the ultimate decision to Honour the certificate or not lies with the ministry of finance. Correct?

A. Yes.
Q. And in this specific case, I’m suggesting to you that the Director of Budget at the ministry of the Finance in the person of Patrick Nomoo was the person who, on August 19, 2015, wrote to the Governor of Bank of Ghana to effect payments to VHM Ghana Limited and Ridge Management Solutions?

A. I’m not aware of that. All that I know is that request is done at the ministry and then the honorable minister writes to his colleague at Finance for payment. I’m not aware.
Q. Reverend, this afternoon you are simply saying that you are not aware because you know very well that this is what pertains within the two ministries?

A. The usual thing that happen between ministries is that request for payment is to be sent to the finance ministry for payment. It is the duty minister who forward that request unless he is not there and …
Q. And so even from your testimony you will notice that the minister only forwards the request to the paying ministry, which is the finance ministry. Correct?

A. The minister will only forward the request for release of funds after the internal checks and the honourable minister will update himself with the process before he forwards same to the finance.

Q. So, I’m correct to say that the schedule officer at the Ministry of Finance can reject or accept the copies that have been forwarded if the conditions are not satisfied. Correct?

A. I have already said I don’t have jurisdiction of what happens at the Finance ministry or responsibility over the ministry.
Q. I’m suggesting to you that, the Finance ministry if not satisfied with the IPCs that have been forwarded, it can reject them?

A. I have already told this court that according to the EMA, the role of the stakeholders was clearly defined.
Q. The Ministry of Finance was the borrower?
A. The contractor was OAS.

Q. The ministry of water resources works and housing is the developer as well as the account holder?

A. The BoG was the Accountant. The project was a project of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and, therefore, the ministry was to ensure that the project succeeds by observing all the rules for a successful implementation of the projects.
Therefore, issues of validation of certificates and other processes were part of the responsibilities of the ministry that the state get value for money for the projects executed.

Q. And it is this validation of certificates that the amount was ceded to AESL because the minister himself does not go to the field?

A. It’s not. This is issue of various responsibilities. According to the EMA, when certificates are raised by the contractor, OAS sent to the consultant and a copy is sent to the ministry. It is not for anything why a copy is sent to the ministry. It is for a purpose, so the ministry can do its internal purpose to ensure that the milestone raised by the contractor corresponds to the amount of money to be paid to the contractor.

Q. So from this very testimony, you kept using the ministry because the ministry has different departments with specific responsibilities on this matter? Correct?
A. Yes.

Q. So that, there is a Director of Housing who has ultimate responsibility on ensuring that this internal rules and procedures are fully complied with. Correct?
A. It’s not and the reason is that, all letters or mails are sent to the Hon. Minister and then the minister will direct the Chief Director to take further actions if the need be. So Director of Housing will only work on documents referred to him or her by the Hon. Minister through the Chief Director.

Q. Kindly show him Exhibit H. Please look at paragraph 9:3:6, can you read the content to the hearing of the court?
A. Duties of the project consultant shall be limited to verifying and certified milestone reports and advance payments…in accordance with EMA agreements.

Q. Is it your case as you testified now that the project consultant did not perform its duty?

A. The project consultant did not perform its duty in the sense that when the EMA was…that is when the contract is signed between the ministry and the contractor. 40% of the contract sum representing US$80 million was to be given to the contractor, it was done.

The consultant was to start deducting monies from certificates raised by the contractor and my lord, the consultant failed to deduct part of the advanced mobilization to the state. That’s why I said they did not perform their duties.

Q. And confirm this to the court, the consultant here is AESL, correct?
A. There are two Consultants, AESL and VHM
Q. Have a look at Exhibit J. Show him page 9 of Exhibit J. The very last paragraph numbered 3. What’s the heading?

A. Obligations of the consultant.
Q. Can you read to the hearing of this court paragraph 3.1.1?

A. It stated that the consultant shall perform the services and carry out their obligations with all professional standards, employ appropriate technology, act in respect of any other activities related to this project and shall at all time report…

Q. And in this case, the client you referenced in paragraph 3.1.1 is the Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing?

A. Yes.
Q. Now as you testify now, AESL is not one of the accused persons here. Correct?
A. Yes. I have said that I’m not the prosecutor and I don’t determine who comes to court.

Q. You see, Rev from your own Exhibit J. Verifying and certifying milestone reports are the responsibilities limited to AESL form Exhibit J?

A. On the context of exhibit J, it is yes. I have already testified in this court that the EMA clearly stated that when milestones achieved by the contractor should be sent to the consultant and a copy is sent to the ministry.

Even though internal validation processes are not stated here, either on Exhibit H or J, it goes to a larger extent to ensure value for money for work done. As I have said earlier, if the internal processes have been followed, issue of deduction of advanced mobilization from the contractors …

Q. From your own testimony you have confirmed this internal validation processes are outside Exhibit J.
A. Yes. We are in this court because the internal processes were not followed. If the dictate of the EMA have been followed as prescribed, the issue of value for money would have been ensured.

Q. This internal processes you alluded to are not in the Public Financial Management Act or in the Public Management Regulations. Correct?
A. It’s not true.

Q. Now can you tell the court where in the Public Financial Management Act and Regulations made under it is this internal processes stated?
Court: You cannot ask the witness of what is in the law.
Counsel: the witness has not proven he lacks capacity to answer this question.

Q. I’m putting it you that this internal processes you alluded to are not in the Public Financial Management Act or Regulations, but purely internal matter?
A. PMFA 921 enjoins the account holder and spending officer to ensure that funds allotted to the entity or the ministry are well protected and accounted for. Therefore, the internal processes are all geared towards ensuring accountability and value for money for the state.

Q. You see the agreement between the ministry and the consultant (AESL) was signed in April 2013 but the PMFA Act was passed in 2016.
A. Yes

Case adjourned to February 6 at 1:30pm

Accurate Giant Company Donates Vehicle to New Edubiase Police

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Kwofie Hanson speaking at the presentation ceremony

To help the police in New Edubiase, in the Adansi South District of Ashanti region, deal effectively with crime and other related matters, the Executive Director of Accurate Giant Company, Mr. Alex Kwofie Hanson, has donated a brand new 4×4 Nissan Pick-Up to them.

Mr. Kwofie Hanson noted at the presentation ceremony that there are many institutions in New Edubiase and that these institutions needed to be protected from operations of criminals, hence the donation of the vehicle to the police to help them deal decisively with those miscreants.

DCE Ankomah handing over keys to the vehicle to COP George Ankomah

Mr. Hanson said the vehicle will also help the police in the management of the upcoming general elections in the country.

He emphasised that the gesture was the company’s real commitment to ensure that the police are assisted to perform their duty well.

The Adansi South DCE, Mr. Francis Ankomah, called for more police personnel to be posted to the district pointing out that the district has as many as over 400 communities and would, therefore, need more police to manage it.

The donated vehicle

The Edubiasehemaa, Nana Akua Dwum II, appealed to Edubiaseman to give the company the needed help to thrive so that it would, in turn, provide more amenities to the community.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, ACP George Ankomah, who received the vehicle on behalf of the Police administration and the New Edubiase Police, thanked Mr. Hanson for the donation.

He called on other companies to emulate the shining example of Accurate Giant Company by coming in to support the police, to help them give adequate security and protection to the society.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, New Edubiase

Amma & Kwasi Prempeh Foundation donates to needy institutions, to mark anniversary

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Amma Prempeh - Founder

The Amma and Foundation has donated a number of items to 21 institutions in and outside Kumasi to mark the sixth anniversary of its founding, which fell on January 19.

The items include; water, cartons of oats, assorted drinks, personal protective equipment (PPE’s), T-shirts and Amazon fire computer tablets.

Donation at Kumasi Children’s Home

Beneficiary institutions in Kumasi includ the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Bomso Clinic, Asokwa Children’s Hospital, Kumasi Children’s Home, KNUST Hospital, Mount Zion Hospital and the Anglican Eye Clinic at Jachie in the Bosomtwe district.

Other beneficiaries are; Church of Christ Mission Clinic in Bomso, University Primary School and the Homeless on Kumasi streets and Alabar area in particular.

In Accra, the  distribution  was taken to the Cancer Research department of the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Achimota School, The Royal Seed Orphanage Accra and Prima Medical Centre, as well as the Akropong School for the blind (Special Education School in Akropong), Akosombo Wood World Mission Training School & Nursery,

The Tamale Teaching Hospital, St. James Seminary School at Sunyani and the Takoradi District Hospital also received donations.

This year’s  charity  event,  during  which donations  were distributed were like the previous years, sponsored by family and friends of the  Founder, Miss Amma Prempeh, a United States-based Ghanaian journalist who doubles as Executive Producer, Film Director and Lawyer.

Ms. Prempeh thanked sponsors who have contributed to the success of the charity event over the years and hoped their support would complement her efforts to bring about change through her charity work and uplift the youth in Ghana.

At the Bomso clinic

Among the sponsors are; ⁠Mrs. Mabel Prempeh, ⁠Mr. Emanuel Nana Kwame Prempeh (Pharmacist UK), Mr. Edusei Prempeh (UK), ⁠Mr. Kwame A. Prempeh, ⁠Pastor Victor Kusi Boateng (Power Chapel Church, Kumasi), ⁠Mr. Richard Okai, ⁠Mr. Harry Asumadu (Pharmacist UK), Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, Otumfuo’s Apagyahene, Mr. Frank Fosuhene (Architect), Mr. Clement Amankwah (Investment Banker, UK), Mr. Manu Nankani & Suresh, Nana Kwame Bediako (Owner of Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Presidential Candidate – New Force), ⁠Mr. Kofi Appiah (Engineer, UK) and Nana  Apau Wiafe  Ababio Sanwoansan, Chief of Kwabre Heman.

The rest are ⁠Mr. Samuel Boadu and Mrs. Nancy Mensah (Rhode Island, USA ), Mr. Avedis Jeghalian (LLL), Mr. Kwaku Asamoah (UMB Bank), Nana Atta Poku Agyemang (Engineer), Mr. Kankam, Mrs. Mary Konadu,  Mrs. Julie Baidoo-Ansah (EfatabyJuba),  Mr. Dauda,  Mr. Mohammed Bawa and Mr. Simms.

Tinubu condoles with Namibia over death of president Geingob

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Namibian President Hage Geingob

President Bola Tinubu has, on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, extended deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia over the passing of President Hage Geingob. The 82-year-old President Geingob died early Sunday in a hospital in Windhoek, his office said.

Mourning the death of the Namibian leader, Tinubu in a statement by his media aide on Sunday, described him as a “proponent of good governance, and advocate of economic, social, and political solidarity among African peoples.”

The Nigerian leader noted that “this tragedy comes at a time when Africa needs more visionary leaders who believe in the common destiny of the continent, and who can strengthen bonds across borders and spread the tendrils of cooperation across all fields of human endeavour.

“As Namibia mourns, President Tinubu assures the Republic that his thoughts and prayers, and indeed those of Nigerians, are with them,” the statement added.

Geingob, who was serving his second term as president and was his country’s first prime minister after independence, revealed last month that he was being treated for cancer.

Most recently, he took a stand by supporting South Africa’s complaint against Israel under the Genocide Convention and by condemning Namibia’s former colonial ruler Germany for rejecting the case.

Credit: channelstv.com

 

 

INEC suspends re-run elections in 20 PUs in three states

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INEC boss, Professor Mahmood Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing re-run elections in 20 polling units in specific constituencies in Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Kano states.

It said this was due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Saturday in Abuja.

The affected constituencies according to Mr Olumekun include Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom; Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State; and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State.

Mr Olumekun said that elections in two polling units: Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA, where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums, have been suspended.

In Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State l, Mr Olumekun also announced the suspension of elections in all eight polling units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.

For Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State, he said that the commission also suspended elections in all 10 polling units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalisation and disruption by thugs.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

INEC declares APC’s Ehindero winner of Ondo House of Reps bye-election

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feoluwa Ehindero, the declared winner

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of All Progressive Congress(APC), Ifeoluwa Ehindero, as the winner of the bye-election in Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency in Ondo State. The Returning Officer in the election, Prof. Johnson Fasinmirin, of the Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA) announced the results at the collation centre at Victory College, Ikare-Akoko.

Fasinmirin said that the APC candidate polled 35,504 votes to defeat his closest rival Bada Olalekan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 15,328 votes.

According to him, the total votes cast were 51,896; the total valid votes were 51,341; while 555 votes were rejected.

The Federal Constituency became vacant in 2023 after the former legislator, Hon. Olubummi Tunji-Ojo resigned, following his appointment as Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu.

Credit: channelstv.com

Abducted Ekiti schoolchildren, teachers finally regain freedom

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Some of the kidnapped pupils

Schoolchildren of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State and their teachers, who were recently kidnapped by armed men have been released.

DAILY POST cannot ascertain at the moment if the victims who regained freedom at about 2.00 am on Sunday were rescued by security operatives or released after payment of ransom.

But the abductors had demanded N100 million for the release of the victims, which was not paid earlier prompting rumours that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the pupils.

The children and their teachers were abducted by the assailants on Monday evening.

Unconfirmed reports emerged on Saturday stating that the victims had been released but the police swiftly debunked the report.

However, in a short video clip being circulated on Sunday morning, the freed pupils and their teachers were sighted sitting on the floor, looking tired.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Govt to convert Police vehicles to clean energy use automobiles

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Police vehicles

The Nigerian government plans to convert police vehicles to cleaner energy nationwide to boost the fight against insecurity.

The Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu, disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General Police, IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun.

He said the central role of the Nigeria Police was to secure lives and property, which is heavily dependent on the availability of vehicles and other transportation assets.

Mr Halilu said the transportation assets were necessary for prompt response to security emergencies.

“Under the terms of this engagement with NASENI, we will mobilise financing and technical know-how needed to accomplish two primary objectives.

“To upgrade and modernise the Nigeria Police vehicle maintenance workshops nationwide and to repair, recover and reactivate all police vehicles assets that are no longer operational.

“For us at NASENI, even though we are not a security agency, we understand that we have a role to play in enhancing national security in line with the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government,” he said.

On his part, Egbetokun commended the NASENI boss for the visit, adding that it signifies a collaboration that will positively impact the operations of the Nigeria Police.

“I am excited with your offer of collaboration to convert police vehicles to cleaner energy use, and I look forward to the collaboration being a reality,” he said.

Credit: dailypost.ng

COCOBOD advises Ghanaians to consume cocoa products

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Ghana Cocoa Board office

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has launched the 2024 National Chocolate Week to boost local consumption of cocoa. The national Chocolate Week was launched in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority in February 2014.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo, in an address read on his behalf, said “this year can best be described as an evaluation year after aggressive campaigns in recent years to change attitudes of the citizenry towards local consumption of cocoa.”

He said as part of a broader strategy to transform the cocoa sector, the Board rolled out various schemes aimed at processing at least 50% of cocoa produced annually in the country to improve upon an inherited per capita consumption of 0.45kg to at least 1kg within a 5-7 year period.

According to him, the Board achieved 40 percent of its target in 2019, but was ruined by the insurgencies of illegal mining, climate change, disease and pest attacks, and cocoa smuggling, causing artificial shortage of cocoa beans for industry to process.

Nevertheless, he said efforts are being made to reduce the threats.

In furtherance to this, the Board will officially hand over several rehabilitated farms across the cocoa regions to beneficiary farmers next month.

Mr. Aidoo was convinced that “the future of the sector looks bright. Our mandate to promote local cocoa consumption is not merely an economic necessity, but a reflection of our collective commitment to nurturing our cocoa and securing sustainable incomes for our farmers.

“Additionally, artisanal chocolate makers can buy cocoa beans directly from the Cocoa Marketing Company Limited, our subsidiary in-charge of trading Ghana’s cocoa beans locally and internationally.”

Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) on his part, said the National Chocolate Day serves as an opportunity to promote and showcase the country’s cultural diversity and boost local cocoa production.

He stated that “the cocoa industry plays an important part in our identity and economy. We will continue to ask more people get into the industry and produce more varieties and also showcase the diversities that we have…”

Mr Agyeman added the tourism authority had already engaged in promoting made in Ghana products to boost the local economy.

Kwadwo Ofori Sarfo, Managing Director of Cocoa Processing Company, said the Golden Tree chocolate is a unique brand and has a lot of health benefits and same feedbacks had been received from consumers.

He encouraged the consumption of more of the golden tree chocolate to generate more revenue for the country, stressing “if we decide to export the raw beans, we don’t earn much as against we producing them or adding value to the raw beans.”

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