President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the latest coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo has been outsted and placed under house arrest.
Recall that some military personnel had hinged their plot to seize power from Bongo on what they termed as observed flaws in the recent general election in the central African country.
The officers had also admitted that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.
They had also cited irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.
But reacting on behalf of President Tinubu on Wednesday, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said the presidency is watching closely with deep concern “the seeming autocratic contention apparently spreading across different regions of our beloved continent.”
Ngelale said the President as a man who has made significant personal sacrifices in his own life in the course of advancing and defending democracy is of the unwavering belief that power belongs in the hands of Africa’s great people and not in the barrel of a loaded gun.
He said the President “affirms that the rule of law and a faithful recourse to the constitutional resolutions and instruments of electoral dispute resolution must not at any time be allowed to perish from our great continent.
“To this end, the President is working very closely and continues to communicate with other Heads of States in the African Union towards a comprehensive consensus on the next steps forwards with respect to how the power in Gabon will play out and how the continent will respond to contagious autocracy we have seen spread across our continent.”
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has handed over a modern state of the art workshop with auxiliary facilities to inshore fishers on the coast of New Takoradi in the Western Region.
The facility, which has tools and changing room, machine and electrical shops, conference room, Ghana Inshore Fisheries Association (GIFA) office, and washroom, among others, was funded by the GPHA as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Mr. Peter Amo Bediako, Director of Takoradi Port, said during the commissioning of the workshop, that the facility was part of the GPHA’s resolve to build a modern maintenance yard for the fishers to help them to always keep their canoes and other fishing gears in good shape to help boost their operations. He said the gesture was also part of showing appreciation to the people of New Takoradi for giving GPHA the site on which the Takoradi Port is located.
New Takoradi Community
“In addition to giving us the site, the Port has been expanding and their old maintenance yard was within the enclave in which we are expanding the Port, so it was imperative that at least we build a new maintenance yard for them so that they can be able to offer quality services to their boats and canoes to undertake their business,” he added.
Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister, commended the GPHA for investing in the facility and said it would ensure the fishers properly maintained their fishing gears for enhanced fishing activities.
He said it was necessary to industrialize the fisheries sector to help improve upon the living standards of fisherfolks, and that a facility of that sort would complement government’s efforts in achieving that goal. The Regional Minister asked them to ensure proper maintenance of the facility to guarantee its sustainability and longevity.
Mrs. Hannah Agyei-Boakye, Greater Accra Regional Director of Fisheries Commission, expressed gratitude to GPHA for the intervention, and said it would help to boost the fishing activities and improve upon the socio-economic conditions of the people.
She said GPHA had supported the Fisheries Commission in diverse ways in providing infrastructure for fishing activities at the various ports, including the newly built workshop at New Takoradi, saying such gesture was very commendable.
Mr. Eric Kofi Otoo, Acting Western Regional Secretary of GIFA, also expressed appreciation to GPHA for supporting the fishers with the edifice, and said it would go a long way to help keep their canoes and other fishing gears in good shape to enhance productivity.
“This facility from GPHA is in recognition of the basic needs of the Association to enhance productivity, as it stands to reduce the burden of our fishermen from always trekking long distance from the community to our former place of operations at Boatase community at odd times to set off for fishing expedition,” he said.
He indicated that the facility would also relieve the women of carrying loads of fish from Boatase to the New Takoradi community. According to him “Not only will it benefit this community, but also all the fishing communities along the entire coast of Ghana who seasonally bring their vessels over here for major maintenance and repairs.”
As part of the commissioning of the facility, the GPHA also handed over a winch pull to the fishers to help them easily pull over their canoes from the sea waters to the maintenance yard for repairs.
Newmont Africa has announced that, in the first half of 2023, its operations in Ghana (Ahafo South and Akyem mines) paid a total of GH¢2.046 billion in taxes, royalties, and carried interest to the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Revenue Authority, Forestry Commission, and Ministry of Finance.
By the close of June 2023, Newmont Africa had paid GH¢1,313.99 million as Corporate Tax, GH¢362.79 million as Mineral Royalties, GH¢210.29 million as Pay As You Earn, GH¢73.62 million as Withholding Tax, GH¢67.33 million as Carried Interest, and GH¢18.28 million as Forestry Levy.
In terms of contribution from the two active operations, the Ahafo South operation contributed GH¢1,385.97 million for the first half of the year while the Akyem operation contributed GH¢660.33 million.
Danquah Addo-Yobo, Newmont Africa’s Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to transparent tax practices. He stated: “Newmont Africa continues to create value through the consistent and timely payment of taxes, local sourcing, investing in community development initiatives, and the creation of direct and indirect jobs.”
“We understand the value of contributing to the communities we operate in. Through our foundations and the direct financial injection by our two operations, we have made significant investments in the health sector, security services, education, and infrastructure in our host communities, demonstrating our commitment to creating value from our business operations,” Mr. Addo-Yobo further emphasised.
Over the years, Newmont Africa has proven itself as a responsible corporate entity that not only consistently fulfils its tax obligations but also contributes to the growth of Ghana’s economy. The company is committed to both fiscal responsibilities and community betterment serving as an example of how mining companies can play a pivotal role in driving positive change.
Awuku Addo, a spokesman for the community addressing the media
Residents of Patakro, Kwapia and Wioso in the Adansi North District of Ashanti are up in arms against Akosdwomo Quarry Limited currently operating in the area.
The Quarry firm has been accused of causing massive destruction to their household gadgets, cracks in their buildings and compelling them to inhale dust from their operations.
Speaking at a news conference to articulate their concerns, the spokesperson for the communities, Mr. Awuku Addo said the operations of the company have destroyed several farms which owners have still not been compensated.
According to him, dust pollution emanating from the company’s operation is too much to contain and that health implications of dust consumption has started to manifest in most of the residents as they constantly report at hospitals.
Mr. Awuku stated that basic home appliances belonging to several individuals have been damaged from the blasting of rocks not to mention several buildings that have developed cracks.
He said representatives of the communities have petitioned the assembly, the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but they are yet to receive a response.
The spokesperson warned that if nothing is heard from the company after two weeks, they will embark on massive demonstration to demand justice for the sufferings they have been forced to go through from the operations of the company.
Meanwhile, Mr. Owusu Bempah, a representative of the company has described all the allegations as untrue.
With respect to compensation, he said the company did not owe anybody as all compensations had been paid. He said a number of the youth in the area have been employed by the company with the assembly member of Patakro as the PRO of the company.
Mr. Owusu Bempah stated that those whose properties were damaged as a result of the company’s operation, have had them replaced. Mr. Owusu Bempah also said the company swiftly addresses concerns of the communities anytime such complaits come to their attention.
Joseph Amaning, a building contractor, and two traders, Baffour Nkyi and Gideon Agyei Gyamfi, are alleged to have forged GLICO Insurance claim in excess of GH¢400,000.00.
The trio were allegedly claiming the insurance in the name of deceased, Jacob Tetteh, who according to police investigation was not related to them.
They have, therefore, been charged with altering forged document and possessing forged document, offences contrary to Sections 169 of Act 29 and 166 of Act 30 respectively of the Criminal Offence Act 1960.
Two of the accused persons, Joseph Amaning and Baffour Nkyi, were in court while Gideon failed to do same.
The prosecution officer, Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor, prayed the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, on Monday not to take the accused persons’ plea.
Mr. Addo has, however, admitted Joseph and Baffour to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with two sureties each. They are also to report to the police investigator every Friday between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
Details
C/Insp Ahiabor narrated to the court that Alexander Boakye-Yiadom is the complainant and Claims Officer at the Head Office of GLICO Life Insurance Company at Adabraka in Accra.
He said Joseph Amaning is a resident of Tema Community 9, Baffour Nkyi resides at East Legon and Gideon Agyei Gyamfi also lives at Akrade-Akosombo.
According to him, on January 19, 2023, the complainant received a GLICO Insurance Claims form from Joseph and Gideon who claimed to be brothers of deceased Jacob Tetteh, who allegedly died through a motor accident.
The court was told that Joseph and Gideon presented a claim of GH¢400,000.00.
However, when checks were conducted on the claim, it was detected that the document was fraudulently procured. A report was subsequently made at the Adabraka Police Station for investigation.
On May 22, 2023, Joseph was arrested and during interrogation, he confessed that the said form was given to him by a GLICO Officer, Gideon to fill and submit.
He allegedly told the police that Gideon called him on phone to meet him at GLICO office that his name has appeared on their policy document as a beneficiary.
The court further heard that on May 30, 2023, Baffour whose name appeared on the receipts of payments in respect of death certificate and burial permit of deceased Jacob Tetteh was also arrested but denied offence during interrogation.
On June 28, 2023, Gideon was also arrested at Atinpoku in the Eastern Region upon intelligence but also denied the offence in his caution statement.
Investigation further revealed that the deceased Jacob Tetteh died at the Kibi Government Hospital on September 25, 2022, after a short illness.
The court was further told that the deceased was buried at Asikasu No. 2 near Tafo in the Eastern Region on October 15, 2022.
Further investigations extended to the Asesewa Police Station disclosed that there was no accident of a case reported on December 25, 2022, as purported by the accused persons.
The District Commander at Asesewa Police Station also denied knowledge of the said accident report and submitted his statement to that effect.
The investigator at the Asesewa Police, whose name and signature appeared on the Coroner’s Form, also denied knowledge of the document.
Checks revealed that the accused persons are not in any way related to the deceased.
Further investigation revealed that soon after the death of the deceased, Baffour and his accomplices bought Funeral and Life Insurance Policy from the GLICO Insurance branch office at Koforidua in the name of deceased Jacob Tetteh and further managed to fraudulently procure the necessary supporting documents to support their claim.
The court was told that after investigations, the charges were preferred against the accused persons and brought before it.
The fifth accused person (A15) on the charge sheet of a case involving a former Absa Bank staff has finally been arrested and put before the Accra Circuit Court.
Ernest Aryee, who was alleged to have been on the run since June this year, was brought before the court on Monday, August 28, 2023.
His plea, conspiracy to commit a crime and stealing, was not taken because the other accused persons were not present.
He has, however, been granted bail and asked to produce four sureties, two should be salaried workers earning not less than GH¢1,500.00 a month.
This brings the number of people being tried to 13, leaving four more – Clinton Asamoah, Kwame Owusu Buadu(A8), Daniel Osei (A12), Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei (A14) and Isaac De-Here (A16) to be arrested by the police.
The police had already arrested Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie (A1), Cecil NyamesemAgyarkwa (A2), Michael Tweneboah Oppong (A3), Richard Akinis (A4), Fouad Mohammed (A5) and Celeb Bondah (A6).
The rest,Nicholas Nii Sai (A9), Nana Kwesi Gyimah (A10), Benjamin Adoari(A11), Joseph D. Anim (A14) and Othniel Amankwah Dankwah (A10) turned themselves in for the trial.
Ernest Aryee also becomes the 12th person to be granted bail by the court, presided over by Mrs. Ellen Ofei-Ayeh.
Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie has remained on remand since June 6 and he is charged of conspiracy and stealing GH¢1.2 million funds of customers of Absa Bank customers.These customers include late high court justice and Inspector General of Police.
Background
Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie is a resident of Labone and until May, this year, was a contracted Processing Officer at the bank.
A1 was employed by Absa Bank as a contract staff in the month of February 2022, and was posted to the Osu branch as a Processing Officer, whose job description was to assist customers in loan processing, T-bill processing, debit card processing, dormant account activation, and customer account maintenance among others.
Emmanuel worked on several accounts, including that of Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s bonus and savings accounts.
However, somewhere in February 2023, Al registered for an online coding course, which the renewable annual subscription fee was US$174.30 equivalent to GH¢2,287.69.
Unfortunately, instead of A1 to pay for the course out of his own pocket, he rather made the payment on Rev Cynthia Patricia Asamoah’s Visa Card on February 6, 2023.
As a result, the complainant and the fraud team of the bank were gathering evidence on the matter to engage Al, but the latter made a swift move to tender in his resignation letter, effective May 31, 2023.
The sudden resignation and the alleged illegal transaction on the customer’s Visa Card by A1 made the bank officials more suspicious to investigate him in other areas.
The complainant, together with the fraud team, made up of the bank’s IT experts, detected that on April 20, 2023 Al by his own machination accessed one of his colleague’s User ID and password to change the contact number on another customer, Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s accounts.
On April 21, 2023 Al personally set up an internet and mobile banking access on Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s accounts, using his own User ID and password, after which he had access and started operating on the accounts without the victim customer receiving SMS alert.
Accra Circuit Court
Therefore, from April 21 to May 12, 2023, Al with full access to the Ekua Ewuduwa’s account, fraudulently transferred a total of GH¢945,133.00 including charges from the accounts to a number of people.
First and foremost, he transferred GH¢90,000.00 to Cecil’s girlfriend, Rhoda Abena Gransimaa Panyin Quansah’s Cal Bank and Fidelity Bank accounts; GH¢180,000.00 to Richard’s Cal Bank account; GH¢30,000.00 to Michael’s Cal Bank account and GH¢30,000.00 to Fouad’s GT Bank account.
Caleb also received GH¢30,000.00 in his Cal Bank account, Kwame and Nicholas received GH¢30,000.00 and GH¢60,000.00 respectively in their Access Bank and Fidelity Bank accounts, and Nana Kwesi got GH¢90,000.00 in his Cal Bank account.
Benjamin had GH¢60,000.00 in his Ecobank account, Daniel received GH¢30,000.00 in his Fidelity account, Boadu, GH¢30,000.00 in his GT Bank account, and Joseph, GH¢60,000.00 in his FNB account.
All of the transfers were done in tranches of GH¢30,000.00 on different dates within the said period.
On May 9, 2023, from 7:21am to 7:32am, he used another colleague and that of the branch Manageress, Felicia Mackenzie’s Users IDs to change and authorise the contact numbers of eleven customers’ accounts, including the account of late Justice Anthony Kofi Abada, former IGP, late Mr. Ernest Ako, Williams Joe Frimpong, Rev Theodora Baaba Hackman, Esther Marian Hackman and replaced them with only one contact number, 0531668674.
Al used eleven minutes to complete these process, after which he used his own User ID to set up online and mobile banking for these accounts on May 10, 2023.
On May 11, 2023 Al transferred GH¢50,000.00 from Esther Marian Hackman’s account to Absa account of Ernest Aryee and did the same on the next day, by transferring GH¢50,000.00 each from late Ernest Ako, Williams Joe Frimpong and Rev Theodora Baaba Hackman’s accounts to some other Absa account holders.
The receivers of the transfers were Ernest, Othniel and Isaac. The court was told that Cecil, Richard, Michael and Fouad stated in their respective investigation cautioned statements that Clinton came to their shops to purchase Iphone 14 Pro Max and requested for their bank accounts details and forwarded the same to Al to effect those fraudulent transfers into their accounts.
On May 12, 2023 Al was arrested by the Police in respect of the Visa Card theft and was granted Police enquiry bail to be reporting.
On May 15, 2023, the complainant on behalf of the bank petitioned the Director General of CID in respect of GH¢1,207,017.00 theft detected in furtherance to the Visa Card case.
Interestingly, when Al was contacted to report himself to police, he refused to show up, meanwhile, effort to compel his surety to produce him also failed.
On June 4, 2023 A1 together with his girlfriend Ivy Okertchiri, who stood as surety for him, attempted to escape from the jurisdiction to Dubai, but he was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport by the Ghana Immigration Service and handed over to the police.
Investigation revealed that Al, together with his accomplices, within the period of April and May 2023, stole a total amount of GH¢1,209,304.69 from the aforementioned customers’ accounts.
He said the police are still investigating the matter to trace and arrest all the remaining accused persons as well as the proceeds of crime.
Nigerian superstar and crooner of ‘Last Last,’ Burna Boy has defended Ghana jollof when he was served variety of jollof during a recent interview with Complex US.
The Nigerian musician stood up for Ghanaian jollof even though his country is in an unending food rivalry with the latter.
‘Jollof’ which is a rice-based dish from West Africa is typically made with, tomatoes, onions, spices, and vegetables among other accompaniments.
The singer seemed to have gotten a hang of the challenge when he got the ones from Nigeria and Senegal right until he encountered what he referred to as “low-quality jollof”.
Although he mistook the origin of the third plate, suggesting it might be from Kenya, he wasn’t entirely off the mark in terms of the quality assessment.
Unfortunately for Burna Boy, his guess was incorrect, and he was informed that the jollof rice he deemed less flavorful actually hailed from Ghana.
He was visibly surprised claiming that his experiences with Ghana’s jollof were very different as this particular plate did not meet that standard.
“Ghana jollof is way better than this even if Ghana jollof is bottom of my list, it is a lot better than this. The real Ghana jollof is a lot better than this,” he insisted.
Ghana and Nigeria are known to be in the popular “Jollof war” about which country has the best jollof rice.
Rapper Medikal, known for his hit song, ‘Omo Ada,’ has addressed what he calls pressure exerted by certain groups and individuals to churn out hit songs and outdo one another.
Speaking to his fellow musicians and industry stakeholders over what he describes as pressure in the industry, the Rapper said this has led to a dangerous obsession with achieving commercial success at any cost.
In a tweet to his followers on X formerly Twitter, Medikal tweeted; “Ghana music is slowly losing its touch and sauce due to loads of pressure exerted by certain group of people. The focus of fun and entertainment is gradually being swayed from entertainment to a target/goal. N/B Music Nobi competition.”
Traditionally, music has been a medium of self-expression, storytelling, and a mirror reflecting society’s joys and struggles.
Now, it seems that the pressures to “make it big” have overshadowed these essential aspects.
Artistes including Medikal are feeling compelled to conform to formulaic patterns that are deemed more marketable, which often results in songs that lack the unique flavors and authenticity that have defined Ghanaian music for generations.
According to him, the “sauce” which has always been an integral part of Ghanaian music is slowly being diluted under the weight of expectations.
This follows the constant criticisms that have shrouded the industry following the recent success of Nigerian stars including Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Asake, who have all held historic concerts abroad.
Ghanaian Gospel Artiste domiciled in United Kingdom, Lady Adwoa is set to host the 12th edition of her annual praise and worship event at the Trinity Baptist Church in London on Saturday 2nd September, 2023.
The interdenominational gospel event which has been bookmarked as the favourite of most Christians in UK starts at 5:30 PM with ministrations from the host, Lady Adwoa and a special guest, Diana Hamilton.
In addition to the ministration of the host and the special guest are Samuel Refine, Lydia Kabs, Emmanuel Gyamfi, amongst others.
“It is going to be a glorious time of praise, worship and rejoicing. We will experience the presence God in a mighty way. Every year has been an upgrade of the year before and I have no doubt that this year God will show up mightily.
“We have the award-winning gospel minstrel Diana Hamilton on the bill and she never disappoints with her powerful and anointed ministrations. Lydia Kabs, Samuel Refined and Emmanuel Gyamfi are all in a league of their own. I am also excited because I sense what God is about to do. God will show up and definitely show off too,” Lady Adwoa told The Chronicle.
According to Lady Adwoa, patrons are to expect “a mind-blowing spirit filled praise and worship experience.”
She added that, “‘In His Presence’ is an evening of praise and worship and also a fundraising event for underprivileged and special needs children in Ghana.”
Bessa Simons and Ras Caleb are contesting for MUSIGA President
An Accra High Court has dismissed the injunction against the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) elections scheduled for August 8, 2023.
His Lordship Charles Gyamfi Danquah, in his ruling, struck out both the motion for injunction and the substantive case calling for the union to render its accounts before the elections.
Justice Gyamfi Danquah also awarded damages of GH¢10,000.00 against the plaintiffs, Doe Nyamadi and Fred Van Dyk.
When the case was called, the plaintiffs, through their counsel, informed the court of their decision to withdraw the case and seek an amicable solution to the matter.
However, counsel for MUSIGA, Lawyer NanabanyinAckon, argued that considering the negative effect that the action by the plaintiffs has had on the elections, the court must award damages against them despite their intention to discontinue the case.
This is the fifth time that litigants have dragged MUSIGA to court, thereby delaying an election that should have taken place in 2020.
Plaintiffs in the legal action, Doe Kwablah Seyenam Nyamadi and Frederick Van Dyk, both members of MUSIGA, are praying to the court for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain MUSIGA (the first defendant), Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), the second defendant; and the Electoral Commission(third defendant) from holding the elections.
In their application, the plaintiffs contend that contrary to the requirements of the MUSIGA Constitution, the first and second defendants and their executives have failed to render proper accounts.
They contend also that by not rendering accounts, the defendants are not competent to hold elections and hand over to a new executive.
The third defendant is a statutory institution responsible for elections.
MUSIGA has postponed its elections several times since 2019 when Bice Osei Kuffour aka ‘Obour’ finished his tenure as president.
There had been issues concerning the update of the voters’ register and confusion over delegates’ eligibility status.
The acting president of the union, Bessa Simons, has been in office for the past four years.
