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Agyapa deal: ECOWAS Has Vindicated Akufo-Addo Gov’t … Says NPP

By
STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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Mr Richard Ahiagbah

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the recent ruling by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has vindicated the Akufo-Addo government’s position on the Agyapa Royalties Limited transaction.

Speaking to journalists in Accra yesterday, the Director of Communication of the party, Richard Ahiagba, said the party was satisfied with the court’s ruling.

“As a party and government, we are particularly happy that it was an ECOWAS Community Court of Justice that adjudicated the issue and arrived at the conclusion that there was no wrongdoing with the spirited move by the government to leverage our mineral incomes to accelerate development,” he said.

At the heart of the matter was the establishment of Agyapa Royalties Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle owned solely by the government through the Minerals Income Investment Fund.

The entity aimed to publicly list up to 49% of its shares on the prestigious London Stock Exchange, sparking extensive debates and accusations in the lead-up to the 2020 general election.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Ghana Integrity Initiative and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, took their concerns to the ECOWAS Court, alleging corruption and impropriety in the transaction.

However, in a unanimous decision delivered in July 2023, the court ruled that there was no evidence substantiating the claims of corruption and concluded that the transaction adhered to all legal prerequisites.

The NPP Director of Communication lauded the ECOWAS Court’s ruling and that the party, which has firmed the government, was satisfied with the latter’s steadfast commitment to transparent and legitimate practices.

He was full of praise for the Ghana Integrity Initiative and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition for utilising their right to seek legal recourse and stated that the court’s verdict had comprehensively addressed their concerns.

“The ruling serves as a testament to the rule of law and the importance of civil society’s role in ensuring accountability,” Ahiagba noted.

He also referenced President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s call for active citizenship, citing the civil society groups’ actions as a manifestation of this principle.

According to Ahiagba, CSOs play an integral role in holding the government accountable, acknowledging that constructive criticism and concerns are vital in the democratic process.

He encouraged a continued dialogue between the government and these organisations for the betterment of the nation.

Team Bawumia launches *202# to solicit funds

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admin
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Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia

The campaign team of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has launched a Website, Mobile App, and USSD digital platform to connect with supporters and stakeholders. The team is utilising technology to ensure wider reach and engagement ahead of the upcoming elections.

The highlight of their digital campaign is the introduction of a unique dialing code,*202#, a website (www.bawumia.com), and USSD which allow supporters to contribute their quota to the Bawumia campaign, and also interact and follow his campaign keenly.

The initiative aims to tap into the growing mobile phone penetration in Ghana, where almost everyone has access to a mobile phone. With this innovative approach, Team Bawumia seeks to harness the power of technology to galvanize support and resources for their campaign.

Through these platforms, individuals can stay updated with the latest news, videos, and events related to the Bawumia campaign.

Speaking about the digital campaign, a member of Team Bawumia stated, “We recognize the importance of technology in today’s world. By leveraging these digital platforms, we can connect with our supporters and engage with them more interactively. It allows us to reach a wider audience and promote the vision and agenda of Vice President Bawumia.”

The digital campaign is in line with the wider shift towards digitalization in Ghana’s political landscape. With the rise in internet and mobile phone usage, political parties are increasingly using digital tools to engage with voters and convey their messages effectively.

With the launch of the dialing code and other digital platforms, Team Bawumia aims to harness the potential of technology to mobilize support and spread its campaign message. As the election draws near, it remains to be seen how successful this digital campaign will be in influencing voters and shaping the outcome.

GES accountant allegedly defrauds 33 people off GH¢563k

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

An Accountant at the Ghana Education Service (GES) , Gabriel Akosah Bobie, has been dragged before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding 33 people in a total sum of GH¢563,500.00.

The public servant allegedly demanded and collected the amount with a promise to secure the victims financial clearance, as well as biometric registration for interested health supportive workers.

However, after collecting the amount, Bobie absconded until his arrest by the police.

Bobie is, therefore, facing 33 counts of defrauding by false pretences but insisted he was innocent of the charges.

The court, which was presided over by Her Honour Sussan Eduful yesterday, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH¢600,000.00 with three sureties to be justified by land title deeds.

Mrs Eduful has adjourned the case to September 4, 2022.

The brief facts

The prosecuting officer, DSP Evans Kesse, narrated the facts of the case to the court that the complainants in this case are health supportive workers at Ahamadiyya Health Service.

He said the accused, Gabriel Akosah Bobie, works with the Ghana Education Service as an Accountant and lives at Bechem in the Ahafo Region.

According to him, between the year 2019 and 2022, the accused recruited some agents to advertise his ability to secure financial clearance as well as biometric registration for interested health supportive workers.

Based on this information, the complainants, who expressed interest, started paying various sums of money demanded by the accused to facilitate the process through these agents via mobile money account numbers 0542036310, 0591838707 and a bank account number.

He said the 45 year old Accountant obtained the consent of Prince Abu to part with cash  sum of GH¢370,000.00; Opoku Emmanuel, GH¢5,500.00; Duah Emmanuel, GH¢2,000.00; Kwarteng Anane Samuel, GH¢5,500.00; Amuzu Evans, GH¢2,500.00; Edmund Egyir, GH¢4,000.00; Akuffo Isaac Paditey, GH¢4,000.00; Owusu John, GH¢4.500.00 and Sherifa Abubakari, GHC8,000.00.

Others are; Getrude Arthur, GH¢4,000.00; Grace Gyamfi, GHC3,500.00; Rosina Peprah, GH¢2,500.00; Asamoah Bright, GH¢8,000.00; Hawa Dramani, GH¢5,000.00; Dong David Kipo, GH¢8,000.00; Boatemaa Odame Linda, GH¢10,000.00; Peter Gyewsu, GHC10,000.00; Ofosu-Hene Rexford, GH¢10,000.00; Isaac Agyemang Duah, GH¢12,000.00; Boahen Atta Snr. GH¢3,000.00 and Gifty Ativor, GHC10,000.00.

The list continues; Ohemen Eunice, GH¢4,000.00; Hamdiya Abubakari, GH¢4,000.00; Aboagye-Dame Uriel, GH¢4,000.00; Abigail Abu Gyesiwaa, GH¢4,500.00; Faustina Owusu-Gyamfi, GH¢10,000.00; Adu Frank, GH¢2,000.00; Boateng Sylvester, GH¢2,000.00; Owusu Attah Samuel Jnr GH¢11,000.00; Amponsah Abigail, GH¢12,000.00 and Irene Adjoa Anderson, GH¢12,000.00.

The prosecutor said the accused, after receiving these monies amounting to GH¢563,500.00 from the complainants failed to honour his promise and went into hiding.

On July 19, 2023, the accused was arrested while facing similar case in Accra.

DSP Kesse added that on July 21, 2023 the complainants on hearing the arrest of the accused came to the Accra regional CID headquarters and reported the case against Bobie.

During investigations, the accused denied the offence, whereas further investigations disclosed that he has collected various sums of money from other unsuspected persons under same representation.

The prosecutor said after this, Bobie was charged with the offences and put before the court but the case is still under investigation.

NDC’s Araba Tagoe is no more

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Madam Araba Tagoe - deceased

Madam Araba Tagoe, a former Western Regional Executive Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has passed on to glory. She passed on at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital yesterday, after a short illness.

Magdalene Araba Tagoe, a staunch Catholic and a Member of the Catholic Christian Mothers Association until her death, was a National Executive Committee (NEC) Member of the NDC.

She was the longest serving Deputy Women’s Organiser of the party in the Western Region. The NDC Iron Lady left the position to contest the NEC election in the internal primaries of the NDC last year and won.

Regional Executives of the party, led by the Regional Chairman, Nana Toku, together with Joseph Nelson, Regional Secretary, and Charles Fordjour, Regional Organiser, travelled to Cape Coast yesterday to meet with the family.

Details of her funeral rites including a traditional one week observation are yet to be made public.

The Chronicle understands Madam Araba Tagoe was preparing to bury her mother who had earlier passed on.

Civil society groups oppose deployment of troops to Niger

By
JOHN BEDIAKO
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Colonel Festus Aboagye (rtd)

The Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) assemble in Accra today, and tomorrow is primarily to plan military action against the Sahelian state of Niger. This intended action against one of the impoverished nations on planet earth is, however, being condemned by civil society groups.

The Chronicle has spoken to a number of people, including Colonel Festus Aboagye (rtd), one-time Task Force Commander during the civil war in Liberia, consultant for the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) on conflicts. He wants the Defence Chiefs to be candid about the risks involved in the military intervention, as they embark on the planning.

The defense budget, he said, must be realistic, taking into consideration the fact that the economies in the regional block are not in good shapes. The former military officer continued that, they needed to factor in all the various angles, not abandoning mediation as one of the tools.

Dr. Adam Bona, Security Analyst, cautioned against attempting anything war, but rather resort to the use of diplomacy. According to him, the West African sub-region was already in turmoil, and a spillover from their activities would have dire consequences on a stable country like Ghana.

“Their inputs as a group must not result in any soldier being returned in body bags.

They must have it in mind that the citizens of ECOWAS are largely not in support of any upheavals in Niger,” he said, and added that nowhere in this world had force been used to achieve a meaningful result.

Mr. Bright Appiah, Child Rights Advocate, reiterated their stance against coups or military interventions, since both never benefited the aged, women or children. Ghana, he says, was already battling the menace of street children begging for alms who migrated from other jurisdictions in the sub-region, and cannot cope with additional costs emerging out of any hostilities against Niger.

He cited the already health related issues that affect children in Mali, Burkina Faso and even Niger, and that whatever goes into the planning must be designed towards diplomacy.

Mr. Rayborn Bulley, Journalist and a victim of the Liberian civil war, was emphatic about the old adage that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.

According to the veteran Journalist, during the Rice Riot in that country in 1980, it was the civilian population that was at the receiving end, and when the dust settled, the unarmed citizenry suffered the maiming and amputations.

Using military might to compel the new Nigerien government to hand over power to the deposed President would not only cause havoc to the citizens, but also the repercussions on other West African nationals in that country.

In Liberia it was a pure civil war from the onset, but just as the regional block, ECOWAS, announced the intention to intervene militarily with the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), led by Nigeria and Ghana, the warring factions commenced slaughtering nationals of these countries, he cautioned.

AngloGold and Otumfuo Foundation donate books to Obuasi Schools

By
admin
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Nana Yaa Kyei speaking at the function

In a collaborative effort to ensure improvement in the standard of education in both Obuasi East and Obuasi Municipality, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation have presented about 50,000 textbooks and supplementary reading books to basic schools in the town.

The books were presented to the two political heads and their education directors at the forecourt of the Obuasi Municipal Education Directorate on Tuesday for onward distribution to the schools.

Speaking on behalf of the Senior Manager Sustainability of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, the Social Development and Gender Superintendent,  Mrs. Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei noted that the development of any nation hinges on education hence the company partnered Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation to support education in Obuasi with the books.

Dignitaries at the function pose for the camera with some of the books

She said the focus this year is on the KG and the nursery since they should be able to identify letters and be able to understand phonics so that they can pronounce words to be able to read.

Mrs. Nana Yaa Kyei said just last month the company trained 525 pre-school teachers on jolly phonics and other areas and that the presentation of the books is a complementary effort by AngloGold and Otumfuo Foundation towards education intervention in Obuasi.

The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr. George Alfred Koomson on behalf of the two education directorates thanked Otumfuo Foundation and AngloGold for the gesture.

He called on teachers in the mining town to do their best to mould the children to become critical thinkers.

The Obuasi East District Chief Executive, Madam Faustina Amissah expressed the wish that AngloGold will continue to support education in Obuasi and called on everybody in the  Adansi area to help protect the company so that its lifespan will be sustained.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi 

Kwabena Agyapong: I’m on a redemption mission

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, an NPP presidential hopeful

Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, says he is confident of being elected as one of the five aspirants at the Super Delegates Congress, which comes off this month.

He said this was because his message had resonated well with the delegates, constituency, chairmen, regional chairmen, and members of parliament who make up the Electoral College.

Speaking in a face-to-face interview with this reporter in Takoradi when he visited to canvass for votes, the former Press Secretary in the government of John Agyekum Kufuor stated that he had paid his dues by way of service to the party and Ghana.

In that direction he would want to be remembered by posterity that he stood for principles whether or not that added to his votes ahead of the Congress.

“When I talk about sacrifice, I mean it. When I talk about service, I have lived it, and when I talk about selflessness, I have worked it as Press Secretary,” he told The Chronicle.

Amongst the aspirants, Kwabena Agyapong affirmed that he was the only one who had successfully stood for a national election and won as General Secretary. That apart, he led the party to win 169 parliamentary seats during his tenure as Secretary.

To him, therefore, the delegates knew him as a decent, fair-minded and decisive person, who had the opportunity to serve this country and never abused it, adding that the delegates must, therefore, vote for him to restore the confidence and respect people had for the party.

As leaders, Kwabena Agyapong said they must lead from the front, and “our conduct must inspire the generation, and understand that, politics is about service to the public and not to yourself. But these values that remain the central pillar of the party appear to be missing.

“I am on a redemption mission. We need to redeem ourselves and Ghana as a political party. So I am not on a fancy expedition. It’s not about the fascination of me being president. In fact, if anybody else shares my values, I am ready to work with them,” Kwabena Agyapong told this reporter.

Going forward, he argued that politics was not about noise-making and crowd psychology as some of his opponents were demonstrating, and said looking at the situation Ghana finds itself, “we need a competent, intellectually deep leader who is public spirited and not populism.”

‘4yrs Not Enough to Transform Ghana’s economy’

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Kwadwo Nsafoah Opoku

One of the aspiring presidential candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Nsafoah Opoku, has rekindled the debate about Ghana’s presidential tenure of office.

According to him, the current four years term was limited, and that the limitation of the presidential term had weakened the country’s path to development and directly contributed to the slow pace of it.

He was of the view that, the country’s foundation was ruined, and that was why many people say that the four-year or eight-year term must be changed, because the four years term was not enough with the kind of problems we faced.

Mr. Nsafoah Opoku believed that the continuous subscription to these terms had hindered tangible development.

The presidential aspirant told Obidehyie Ofori Amanfo on Nhyira FM’s ‘Kuro Yi Mu Nsem’ Show that Nana Akufo-Addo’s performance was justifiable against the expectations of the party.

“You dedicate the first year to forming your government and have the next two years to run the nation and further use the final year to prepare, because you might want to come back again for re-election, so you effectively have only two years. What can you do with two years?” he queried.

The presidential aspirant reminded the listeners of the show that Ghana could not always have a leader who would execute 100 percent of all they set out to do every time. He noted that forceful measures were required to make changes in Ghana, but no radical changes could be made within the four years term.

Mr. Nsafoah Opoku, a Director of Gasop Oil Company Limited, supported the call for the Constitution to be amended, saying: “Many have called for a constitutional change, and believe we should consider the call since that is the only way to see development.”

Let’s make a difference in Election 2024 -Tema East MP

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admin
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Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten addressing the supporters

“Let’s make a difference in Election 2024 for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) victory to fulfil the Ghanaian call for the party to rescue the nation,” Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Member of Parliament for Tema East Constituency, has stated.

He said it is time to make a difference in whatever capacity we find ourselves, as ward, constituency, regional, or national executives of the party, we must work together to redeem the nation from the current economic crisis.

Mr. Odamtten told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Tema and also called on civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, academia, public and civil servants, traders, drivers, and formal and non-formal workers to join the NDC to win Election 2024 to make a difference and restore the country on the path of development.

“Let’s make a difference with our voting pattern. If you have never voted for the NDC, this is the time to change those narratives. If you are a first-time voter, this is your era to be part of the national change movement by voting for the NDC.

“We cannot make a difference by sitting on the fence; we have complained about the suffering, the economic crisis, and other issues confronting the nation due to bad governance. Fortunately, we have Elections 2024 to register our protest by voting out the current regime and restoring the NDC and former President John Dramani Mahama back to power,” he said.

The Tema East MP charged party functionaries to get down to the grassroots and engage the people to help them understand that the NDC is seeking power to make a difference in their lives and economies.

Mr. Odamtten noted that Ghana would be entering into an unprecedented general election in 2024 as the ruling party is moving heaven and earth to break the eight, which has become their main focus instead of governance.

“NDC must not take things for granted; we know our opponents, and we must work together not only for the NDC but for Ghanaians.

“Across the country, many are calling for the return of the NDC into government; the power to win Election 2024 is before us; if we work for the common interest of Ghana, we will succeed, for this is not the time to seek personal interest; this is the time to make a difference,” he said.

Mr. Odamtten, who served as a former Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive and successively transformed Tema, explained that Election 2024 has already started attracting various campaign strategies unknown to our democratic dispensation.

Mr. Odamtten expressed confidence in getting re-elected to continue the work started through the TMA and in Parliament, which had impacted the lives of Tema East Constituents, specifically in the areas of education, security, health, and infrastructure, among others.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the people are still yearning for the leadership of Ashai Odamtten, and as the NDC embarks on a journey to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates, I believe that I hold the key to maintaining the seat for the NDC in Tema East Constituency,” he said.

He said the NDC laid a solid foundation through prudent management of the economy and succeeded in maintaining a substantial growth rate and reducing inflation consistently.

“Ghanaians need the NDC back to rescue and rebuild the broken walls of Ghana and restore hope, prosperity, unity of purpose, and government for all, and by all, irrespective of our backgrounds, we all have a share in the building of this country and not only a privileged few,” he said.

Source: GNA

MOFA and NSS to collaborate to boost food production in the country

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admin
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The Ex. Director of NSS( 1st left) with the Agric Minister and other dignitaries during the tour at Kumawu recently.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is collaborating with the National Service Scheme this year to boost the production of food and other agricultural products in the country.

According to the Minister for Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Brian Acheampong, the move would see MOFA providing technical support to the NSS farms to boost the production of soya beans, rice, maize, onion, tomatoes and okra which have high market demands in the country.

He announced this when he visited the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project over the weekend.

The trip was aimed at acquainting himself with the state of development on the National Service Farming Projects in the area.

He gave assurance of the government’s support towards the development of the NSS farming projects and commended the leadership of the Scheme for its effort and foresight towards the development of the agricultural sector in the country.

The Minister was upbeat that the move by the NSS would go a long way towards the production of food and other agric products for the local market and for export as well.

Mr Acheampong, who went to the area with a technical team, pledged to support the Scheme in the preparation of its farm lands to enhance their operations.

The Executive Director of the Scheme, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, explained that the Scheme is poised to ensure that NSS personnel have the opportunity to be exposed to practical work opportunities so they would make good use of their skills towards the development of the nation during the service period.

He explained that if all NSS farms across the country are able to operate at full capacity, it would surely lead to the production of various food crops such as maize, cashew as well as the rearing of livestock and poultry products to boost food production in the country.

Mr Osei Assibey stated that the Scheme was repositioning itself to become a real force to solve the unemployment situation in the country.

He indicated that the skills acquired by the personnel during their service would go a long way to prepare them to establish their own business or be prepared well for the job market.

Background

The NSS currently has 8000 acres of farmlands across the country. It has 5000 acres in the Sekyere Kumawu District where the Scheme has its Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project.

The Scheme this year has harvested 700 acres of maize at Kumawu, yet to harvest 1000 acres of rice in the area and about to cultivate 300 acres of beans.

By Felix Baidoo

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