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NPP announces *920*270# as short code for membership dues

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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The National Chairman of NPP (in suit) joined by other executives

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced a short code through which its members can pay their dues. The code, *920*270#, was announced on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at a press conference addressed by the National Chairman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, in Accra.

In his address, the National Chairman told journalists that the new membership dues payment system is designed and structured into various categories powered by in-built technology.

He explained that the National Council (NC) of the NPP, on July 20, 2023 approved new membership dues for the party across the country and also for all the external branches.

He said the new membership dues structure is “more convenient, transparent and efficient,” adding that the mode of dues payment and procedure “ensure accountability.”

He remarked that “this decision is to restructure the membership dues to boost the finances of the party, improve membership drives and enhance the welfare of party members.”

The dues categories per month are bronze – GH₵ 2.00; sliver – GH₵ 5.00; gold – GH₵ 8.00 and platinum which is GH₵ 10.00 per month.

He said that the party’s constitution enjoins all members to pay dues and also make donations to sustain the party and ensure its growth.

“Friends from the media, in the NPP when we say a member in good standing, we are referring to a party member who has been paying his or her dues fully, as required,” he asserted.

PATRONS

According to the National Chairman, the party’s constitution also talks about patrons, aside from membership dues.

He explained that these are individual party members who may choose to contribute substantially towards the progress of the party at different levels, including constituency, regional, and national.

He added that the new platform, with the short code *920*270# and following the prompts, also allows for the collection of the contributions of all patrons at each level.

While there would be rewards for members who paid their dues properly, the Chairman stated during the presser that

“As a way of motivating members who pay their dues, there will be benefits to members who pay their dues. The details will be communicated to the general public soon.

The party has outlined a number of activities to help create the necessary awareness and sensitise party members on this new dues payment system and we call on the media to massively support the party in this regard,” he noted.

Atlantic Int. University bestows honorary Professor of Biology on Medimafo Clinic CEO

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Dr. Adu Gyamfi receiving the honorary award from Prof. Michael Philips -Corre

The Department of Biology at the Atlantic International University (AIU) has conferred a Honoris Causa degree of Biology on the Chief Executive Officer of Medimafo Herbal Clinic, Dr. Adu Gyamfi aka Dr. Time Daso.

The conferment ceremony took place at the Holiday Inn Airport International Hotel in Accra.

According to the University, the Honoris Causa Degree, duly signed by Prof. Jose M. Atri and Prof. Michael Philips-Corre, as co-Presidents, is to certify that, Dr. Adu Gyamfi, also known as Atuahene Boateng, has fulfilled all the requirements as a honorary Degree holder in the statutes of the Department of Biology Atlantic International University.

The Senate of the Department of Biology Atlantic International University and the entire Board honoured him for meritorious recognition as a Professor in Herbal Medicine Practice by the principles of their religious community engagements.

According to the Institution, the honour is to acknowledge the wisdom he had contributed in his field of service within Ghana and beyond.

The University stated that, the recognition and award were based on his innovations and promotion of quality healthcare delivery, and his ability to combine herbs to cure serious complications.

The Board of the University, on July 29, 2023, affirmed that the Atlantic International University thus conferred all rights, privileges, and honours thereof on the renowned herbal medicine practitioner.

Dr. Adu Gyamfi, who also answers Professor Atuahene Boateng, expressed his profound gratitude to the Atlantic International University for the recognition.

He noted that the honour would relentlessly spur him on in his efforts in delivering quality healthcare to the people of Ghana and beyond.

An elated Professor Atuahene Boateng said the honour had come to affirm and demonstrate the good works and services he provided around the globe.

KON lauds gov’t for GH¢21bn cut in 2023 budget

By
admin
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Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Information has commended government’s GH¢21bn reduction in the appropriation for the 2023 fiscal year.

Stating his position on the mid-year budget presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Monday, this week, on the floor or parliament, Mr Nkrumah said though calls remain for further budget cuts, the mid-year GH¢21bn cut is commendable.

“I think one of the first things to note is that the appropriation has been reduced by GHS 21 billion and I think for those who pay attention to fiscal policy or to the fiscal framework, that is a good thing, except that GH¢10billion of that is somewhere around interest payment and the rest is spread across the various expenditure lines.

“Nonetheless, it is a reduction in the appropriation of government’s expenditure and I think that it is something that should give people some comfort that we are doing well to stay within the deficit constraints that we have imposed upon ourselves”, the Minister said.

The 2023 budget saw a substantial GHS 21 billion reduction in government expenditure, a move that the Information Minister deemed commendable. He highlighted the importance of this fiscal discipline in achieving economic stability and adhering to deficit constraints set by the government.

While acknowledging that a portion of the reduction was allocated to interest payments, the Information Minister emphasised that the overall decrease in expenditure signals the government’s determination to streamline its financial resources and prioritise development initiatives.

He underscored the need to learn from the current economic landscape and make informed decisions to support the country’s economic growth. He emphasised that the government remains steadfast in bolstering financial stability, which was a key theme highlighted by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the budget presentation.

The mid-year budget review provided an opportunity to assess the country’s economic performance and evaluate fiscal policies to ensure they are aligned with national development priorities.

The reduction in government expenditure reflects the impact of the successful Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) which has created fiscal space for growth-enhancing reforms and managed rising debt costs.

The budget review also highlighted government’s growth agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development and private sector investments to stimulate job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Key growth-oriented programmes, such as the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Phase II, aim to strengthen agriculture and value-addition, providing opportunities for the youth and fostering economic diversification.

Akyem Abuakwa State to protest over murder of a royal at Adoaghyiri

By
admin
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Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II

The Akyem Abuakwa State has served notice to protest on the principal streets of Adoagyiri on Wednesday, 9th August,2023 against the gruesome murder of one Odehye Kwame Sarkodie, a member of the Dwumana Royal family of Adoagyiri.

The notice to the Ghana Police Service on the protest was signed by the Akyem Abuakwa State Secretary, D.M Ofori Atta.

He indicated that Odehye Kwame Sarkodie was shot and killed by an assailant suspected to be related to the rival claimant of the Adoagyiri stool on July 15, 2023, following several threats on his life, which was reported to the Nsawam Police station.

Nananom said the Nsawam Police Command failed to act in response to the threat of death on Odehye Kwame Sarkodie’s life and has declined to take any drastic action leading to the arrest and prosecution of the main culprit of the murder incident, which happened two weeks ago.

The murder is believed to be linked to the chieftaincy dispute in Adoagyiri. There has been fear and tension within the Adoagyiri Township in the last two weeks, following the shooting incident.

Nananom of Akyem Abuakwa State in March 2023 held a press conference to announce that they will not secede an inch of their land or tolerate any customary violations within their territory.

The press conference was in response to matters relating to the claim by Akyem Kotoku that they own Adoagyiri, but Nananom indicated that Adoagyiri is not contiguous with any of the lands of the Kotoku State and vowed to protect their own.

Pieces of information picked up indicate that Adoagyiri falls within the Adonteng division of the Akyem Abuakwa State and part of the Amantuomiensa group, who are the warriors of the Akyem Abuakwa State, mandated to protect Okyenman.

The protest in Adoagyiri will be led by the three warrior divisions of Akyem Abuakwa.

The Adoagyiri Township has been characterised by tension since February, this year, as a result of claims of ownership of the town by the Akyem Kotoku people.

NDC reactivates Agogo NTC TEIN to help oust NPP from office 

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Peter Abaje, Asante Akim North, NDC Chairman addressing the students

The Asante Akim North Constituency Executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has tasked members of the Asante Akim Agogo Nurses Training College (NTC) branch of the Tertiary Educational Institutions Network (TEIN) to intensify membership drive towards mobilising human resources to enable the party kick the NPP government out of office.

Members of Agogo NTC – TEIN at the forum

Mr. Peter Abaje, the Asante Akim North constituency chairman of the NDC who was addressing the students during an interaction last Sunday, said ousting the government is the only way to restore hope in the economy.

He expressed worry over the current state of the economy, in spite of the huge borrowing spree by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government and tasked the students to do the needful and bring back the NDC government to revamp the economy.

The visit was aimed at reviving and energising the TEIN branch of the institution. The constituency chairman stressed the need for the youth, especially young graduates in the country to partner the NDC in its efforts to attain victory in the 2024 elections.

He, therefore, urged the members to augment mobilisation to increase membership by attracting the floating voters within the constituency into their fold and help kick the NPP government out of office come 2024.

Mr. Mustapha Osman, the constituency Communication Officer, urged the members who do not vote in the constituency to consider transferring their votes to the constituency. He encouraged new members who have now attained the voting age to register in the constituency and to increase the party’s chances of unseating the incumbent Member of Parliament in the constituency.

Vine Hospitality Investment Ltd administrator charged with stealing

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

35-year-old Sonia Eugenia Anthony is alleged to have stolen GH¢84,461.00 from her employers, Vine Hospitality Investment Limited.

As an Administrator of the company, Sonia was allegedly entrusted with monies to pay utility bills, as well as sales to be deposited in the employer’s bank account, but failed to do so.

She is now facing seven counts of stealing and has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢70,000.00, with two sureties, one to be justified.

The case was brought before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, on Monday, July 31, 2023.

The application for bail by her lawyer was granted after her plea of innocent was taken.

Presenting the case before the court, Chief Inspector Moses Mensah Soagede said Sonia was reported to the police by Mercy Fremponmaa Darko, an Accountant with Vine Hospitality Investment – a restaurant.

He said the accused was in changed of handling funds of the company, which include depositing sales made from the restaurant into the company’s account on a daily basis, payment of utility bills, and the custodian of the keys to its safe.

The accused is also responsible for the processing and facilitation of Ghanaian work permits for foreign employees working with the company, as well as submit all receipts of her transactions to the complainant (Accountant).

The Prosecuting Officer said on January 11, 2023, the Accounts Department of the company released cash in the total sum of GH¢17,073.00 to the accused to pay utility bills for the month of December, 2022, but she failed with the excuse that the utility companies were having network challenges, but it was later detected that she diverted the funds for her personal use.

On May  3rd, 8th, 10th, 11th and 28th the accused collected GH¢ 4,700.00, GH¢ 6,375.00, GH¢ 5,412.00, GH¢1,266.00 and GH¢ 24,795.00 respectively from the company’s with the sole aim of depositing the monies into the company’s bank account with First Atlantic Bank at Osu branch but once again diverted those funds and made use of them.

The company in the same month of May this year, needed the services of a South African National by name Daniel Odendal to take up the position of the Head Brewer of the restaurant and therefore needed to acquire him a Ghanaian working permit.

As such the accused who was tasked to facilitate the process,  submitted an invoice of GH¢24,840.00 with an account of Standard Chartered Bank Head office bearing the name of Eyram Agbenanuame and instructed the accounts department to make payment into the said account.

After the payments were made into the said account, Sonia contacted the account holder who happened to be her friend and requested the money to be withdrawn for her on May 6.

After some period when the accused could not account for all transactions done by her, a formal complaint was made to the Police and she was arrested.

During investigations, it came to light that all of money taken by the accused were diverted for her personal use.

In the cause of investigations, complainant furnished Police with records of money taken and signed by the accused from the company’s safe, which never got into their account.

Enquiries made at the Bank and utility office also indicated that the accused had not been to those offices in recent times, so her claim that the receipts for those transactions were not available due to network challenges was false.

The police also managed to retrieve a sum of GH¢50,000.00 out of a total sum of GH¢84,461.00 which has been released to the complainant leaving a balance of GH 34,461.00 that had not been counted for by the accused.

Her friend Eyram Agbenanuame has submitted a written statement to police, confirming the act.

The case has been adjourned to September 8, 2023, for continuation.

Ex-convict jailed 10 years in 2 different cases

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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0
Court

An Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Isaac Oheneba Kuffour, has jailed a 25-year-old ex-convict, Ebenezer Bortey, to a total of 10 years imprisonment.

He was imprisoned on two counts of unlawful entry, two counts of causing unlawful damage, and two counts of stealing of items belonging to Mary Addo and William Tawiah Bortier respectively.

The court jailed him 12 months for each count of unlawful entry and causing unlawful damage, and 36 months for stealing.

Ebenezer pleaded guilty simplicata to the counts and was handed the sentence on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Sergeant Priscilla Avoga, holding Chief Inspector John Gohoho’s brief, said the complainant, Mary Addo, is a bar attendant and resides at Nungua Kpokeke, while accused person, Ebenezer Bortey, is an unemployed resident of Nungua Traditional Authority.

He said on July 24, 2023, at 5:00pm, the complainant left home for work, but on her return the next morning at 5:00am, detected that her door had been forcibly opened and the room ransacked.

After taking inventory of the items in the room, she realised that her blender, valued GH¢400.00, microwave which cost GH¢500.00, rice cooker – GH¢280.00, gas cylinder – GH¢l50.00, and a set of bowls also valued GH¢120.00 were all missing.

She raised an alarm and was later informed that the convict had been arrested in connection with another theft case that had occured in the area.

Mary rushed to where the convict had been arrested and found her stolen item with him.

She followed the convict and her properties to the police station and lodged a complaint.

After investigations, the accused person was charged with the offences and put before court.

In the other case, Bortey broke into Tawiah Bortier’s goldsmith shop and made away with jewellery a manufacturing machine.

The crime was detected by Mr. Bortier around 5:00am on July 25, a day after Mary Addo’s incident.

In search of the machine, Mr. Bortier went to a scrap yard in Nungua and informed dealers of the theft.

On the same day, at about 8:00am, the complainant received information that the accused was seen with the machine and offering it for sale.

The complainant and his three sons rushed to the scrap yard, however, in an attempt to apprehend him, the convict abandoned the machine and bolted, but he was chased, arrested and handed over to the police.

He admitted the crime to the police during investigation.

Prosecution ordered to file disclosure in $114k, Euros, Pounds & Cedis robbery trial

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

Prosecutors in the trial of the alleged robbery of US$114, 500.00; £800.00, GH¢50,000.00 and €3,000.00 from a Lawyer’s trunk inside a closet, have been give up to August 15 to file their disclosures.

The order was given yesterday by an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah.

Although the alleged victim and complainant, Lawyer Hamida Nuhu, was not present, the court expects all processes required for the trial to start filing on or before the next adjourned date.

Since April 1, this year, the charge sheet and brief facts have been amended twice to reflect progress made by investigators to arrest the alleged perpetrators of the crime.

The number of accused persons on the charge sheet has changed from three to five then eight, as well as yesterday sitting, is about the ninth time that the case has been called.

These are Mawuli Heletsi, aka Mosquito (A1); David Kokvina (A2); Joseph Nii Amu Offei, alias Gaza, aka Hero (A3); Richmond Tetteh, alias Metiti (A4); Malik Alhassan, alias Goliath @ Ababe (A5); Dennis Adu Ninson, alias NAM1 (A6); Mustapha Mumuni, alias Starboy (A7), and Zuberu Mustapha, alias One Corner (A8).

Mawuli is 24 years old and unemployed, David is 27 years and a Tiller, Joseph is 23 years and an Okada rider, Richmond is 20 years and unemployed, Malik is 27 years and also unemployed, and 26 years old Dennis, they were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

Mustapha, 42 years old and an ex-footballer, and Zuberu, 25 years old and a scrap dealer, are standing trial for dishonestly receiving.

They have pleaded not guilty to the counts and have been released on bail. The bail sums are between GH¢100,000 to GH¢1 million.

Brief facts

The case, which was presented by Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi, was that all of the accused persons mentioned were residents of Maamobi, Shukura, Santa Maria, Kokomba Market and Adabraka-Sahara respectively.

Mawuli, David, Joseph and Richmond allegedly attacked and robbed the complainant, Lawyer Hamida, on March 26, 2023 at about 2:04am, with the other accomplices surrounding the house.

Mawuli, who was dressed in all black and in a mask, armed with a pistol, entered the room of the complainant, attacked and robbed her off US$114, 500.00; GH¢50,000.00; £800 and €3,000, which were in a trunk in her closet.

The prosecutor said Mawuli also took away another GH¢2,000.00 and US$800.00 with an unspecified amounts of other foreign currencies, including jewelleries.

He said after A1 finished robbing the complainant, he instructed her to remain in the room, else she would be killed.

After the incident, Lawyer Hamida lodged a complaint with the police and intelligence led to the arrest of Joseph, who was captured by a CCTV camera arriving at the scene on a motorbike. The CCTV camera also captured the entry and exit of Mawuli from the complainant’s residence.

Richard, on the other hand, was arrested after displaying his share of the booty at Gaza Spot. He disclosed to the police investigative team that David was the one who gave him one of the rings they took from the complainant as his share, but Mawuli took it from him with force.

Malik was also arrested and pointed out that he gave his share of the spoils to Mustapha and Zuberu.

Malik and Dennis, after their arrest, admitted giving Mustapha GH¢2,000.00 from Malik’s share of the March 27, 2023 robbery.

Although Zuberu admitted having received a laptop from Malik, the latter, however, insisted that he gave him US$500.00, and added that before they went for the robbery, Mustapha and Zuberu gave him cocaine to boost him for the operation.

Dennis has denied the offence and stated that it was Mawuli and David who committed the act.

Supt Yirinkyi added that further investigations revealed that Mawuli and David, after the robbery ran to Dambai in the Oti Region to consult their Spiritual Father, who is now a witness in the case, to protect them spiritually from arrest and unnatural death.

The prosecutor said efforts were being made to apprehend the other accomplices, as the case is still under investigation.

My trip to the Volta Region; an intimate view of the Ghanaian landscape

By
admin
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0
McKenzie Days in front of Parliament House in Accra, Ghana

The Volta Region’s sublime scenery of waterfalls, tall mountains and lush greenery leaves visitors star-struck and hungry for more.

Bordering the country of Togo to the East, and the Eastern and Greater Accra regions to the West, the Volta Region is an attractive site for tourists who desire to explore the nature of Ghana.

Wli Waterfalls

I was given the opportunity to discover Wli Waterfalls in the tropical forest near Hohoe. This is the highest waterfall in West Africa. It was a 30-minute walk from the parking lot to the main site. On the way, we encountered fruit trees and wildlife; we saw bats and many bird species as well.

I was attracted to the jungle core of Ghana since arriving and was ecstatic to hear I would be exploring this more intensely in the Volta Region. As an Oregon resident, I missed the accessibility to nature and the Pacific Northwest landscape. Oregon residents are known for their love of the outdoors and nature activities. I did not realise how much I embodied the Oregon spirit since I found myself feeling quite outdoor-deprived in the City of Accra.

However, there are aspects of the Ghanaian landscape that Oregon lacks. The water in Wli Waterfalls is warm. This was reliving coming from Oregon. The Oregon waterfalls, lakes and ocean are very cold. The biggest difference in both landscapes is the temperature. Oregon is also very green and lush like Ghana. However, it is significantly colder. This can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities at times.

For Ghana, this is not an obstacle. The temperature in the wet season creates an inviting space for tourists to enjoy this scenery, and take advantage of outdoor opportunities. I found myself imagining how Ghanaians lived in this nature. I noticed the strength that the village people of the Volta Region possessed living in this nature.

For example, my cohort hiked the highest mountain in Ghana, Mount Afadja. On the way up, all of my colleagues were sweating and breathing heavily. The two Ghanaian tour guides, who accompanied us on our journey, did not break a sweat.

In fact, one of the men wore Beck sandals. It is evident that the Ghanaians in the Volta Region cultivated hardiness and elite physical fitness as ways of survival in this environment.

By McKenzie Days

Editorial: What next after opening the fishing season?

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Once again, the 2023 Closed Fishing Season has come to an end and the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, has performed a traditional ritual to open Ghana’s waters to artisanal and inshore fleets.

During the ceremony to open the waters, Minister Hawa Koomson stated that her ministry achieved 97% level of compliance and cooperation from the fishermen in this years’ closed season.

According to the fisheries act 2002 Act (625), a person who engages in fishing during the closed season, declared in accordance with this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than $5,000.00 and not more than $2milion in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel respectively.

The fishermen, the minister said, have gradually come to terms with the essence of the season and were complying to make the initiative successful. She, however, conceded that though the ministry has achieved significant gains, there were still a handful of fishermen who still disobeyed the ban.

For instance, on July 23, 2023 three fishermen were arrested by the Denu Police Command of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in the Volta Region, after they were found fishing during the closed season. Their accomplices fled upon seeing members of the closed season monitoring team.

The closed season is implemented every year by the Ministry to reduce overfishing and high fishing pressure, as well as to recover overexploited fish stocks, rebuild depleted fish stocks and replenish dwindling fish stocks. The fishing closed season has been observed by Ghana since 2019, except for the year 2020, which was not observed because of COVID-19.

This year’s closed season saw Cote d’Ivoire join Ghana to observe the period.

Ghana has over 12,000 registered canoes on her waters and from all indication this year was a success, as the Minister puts it.

The Chronicle is, however, dismayed at the Minister’s failure to make public the scientific data backing the closed season. Though she admitted during the ceremony to close the 2023 season that there is scientific evidence backing the season, she has failed to make available the said scientific data. We are challenging the Minister to make public the scientific data backing the 2023 closed fishing season.

We are also asking the sector Minister that, after closing and opening our waters for fishing, what is next? Are we going to allow the fishermen to go back to the old traditional methods of fishing – that is Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing?

Certainly no! There is the need for the Ministry to engage the fishermen, educate and sensitize them on the right fishing practices they need to adopt in their fishing trade. Therefore fishmongers, fish buyers and sellers should not be left out of the sensitization and education exercise. This is because they hold the key to ending the bad practices of fishing on our waters. We are saying this because they know and they are able to identify fishes that were trapped using bad fishing method.

So for the Ministry to end the IUU fishing, most particularly on our waters, then it is the fish buyers, sellers and smokers who hold the key to nip this canker in the bud.

That apart, it calls for sub-regional partnership in fighting IUU and other maritime crimes on our waters. This brings to mind the 3 Cs in fighting maritime crimes – cooperation, collaboration and coordination among the sub- regional partners, given that one country cannot fight maritime crimes on our waters alone.

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