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Ekumfi honours Odeefo Akyi VI, others with befitting funeral

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Ekumfi Manhen and his Obaahemaa seated

The Chiefs and people of Ekumfi have organised a befitting final funeral rites for two of their late paramount chiefs, namely Nana Akyin VI and Odeefo Akyin VII, as well as two Queen mothers, Nana Benyiwa IV and V.

Odeefo Akyin VIII coming to the durbar ground

Odeefo Akyin VIII coming to the durbar ground

The week long funeral, which was held at the forecourt of the Ebiram Palace, was characterised by the display of rich culture of the people of Ekumfi, amidst firing of muskets by women.

During the climax on Saturday, various Asafo Companies from some of the Ekumfi towns organised cultural displays, much to the admiration of those who attended the funeral.

In a short speech, the Paramount Chief of Ekumfi, Odeefo Akyin VIII indicated that Chiefs remained integral component in the quest to shape the country, in order to build a better Ghana for all.

He, therefore, pleaded that the roles of chiefs in the development of the country must be relooked, emphasising that complete neglect of chiefs in the governing process would be detrimental to the country’s development.

For instance, he lauded the two predecessors who ruled before him, as well as the two late Queen mothers who contributed significantly towards the development of Ekumfi and the country at large.

Prof Joshua Alabi paying curtesy to Odeefo Akyin

As a paramount chief, Odeefo Akyin VI played key roles during the era of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which shaped the socio-political discourse of the country.

According to him, his journey to ensure a befitting final funeral rites were organised for his late chiefs and queen mothers began right from the day he ascended the throne, as the paramount chief of Ekumfi.

Touching on the importance he attaches to the event, he said “I counted this final funeral rite as extremely very necessary so that we can all send the souls of our great personalities to sleep.

Asafo on display

But I must admit that this hasn’t come without some feelings of sorrow at how long it took to bring this funeral rite to an end,” he said.

Appreciation to the people of Ekumfi

Odeefo Akyin acknowledged that the people of Ekumfi contributed significantly towards the organisation of the funeral and expressed his appreciation to the people for their generosity, kind support and contributions.

Odeefo Akyin VIII indicated to the crowd that he was completely overwhelmed by the colourful cultural display by the Asafo Companies, using Fontonfrom, Kete, Prede and Horns among others, which heralded the funeral.

He explained that those wonderful performances by the Asafo Companies brought back nostalgic feelings of the Borbor Fantse Culture and became the highest point in his life, since he ascended the throne.

“When I look at the Asafo Companies performances, in particular, it awakens the fighting spirit of our people, the display of bravery, fighting acumen and the spirit of conquest as exemplified in the battle of Bobikuma,” he said.

“This reassures me that Ekumfi has the fighting spirit to overcome many challenges confronting the people today in our social and economic lives,” he added.

One of the executioners in full regalia

He further declared that the ban on festivals and other funerals in the Ekumfi traditional area had been lifted, following the successful organisation of decent funeral rites for the late chiefs and Queen mothers.

Introduction of Ekumfi Festival

Omanhen Odeefo Akyin categorically stated that a common festival for the people of Ekumfi would be celebrated in the month of August, next year.

This announcement was greeted with rapturous response from the crowd to indicate their readiness to welcome the festival, which would be expected to reintroduce aspects of their culture that has eluded them for decades.

The festival, he explained, would rekindle the distinctive spirit that dwelled in the people of Ekumfi and showcase their unique and rich culture to the rest of the world.

Remarks by Central Regional House of Chiefs president

The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, eulogised the late Odeefo Akyin VI, over his contribution to nation building and the honour he brought to the house.

Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, who is also the Omanhen of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Area, stated that Odeefo Akyin VI’s name was a household one at the Regional House of Chiefs, due to his immense leadership roles.

Some of the mourners seated

According to the president, Odeefo Akyin VI, who became the first president of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, dedicatedly served his people, the region and the country at large, during the first Republic.

He pleaded with Ekumfiman to continue to rally behind their reigning paramount chief, Odeefo Akyin VIII so that they would be able to implement his good vision, which would transform the traditional area.

Historical antecedent

Nana Akyin VI surmounted all efforts and challenges he faced in line with his enstoolment and rose to become the Paramount Chief of the traditional area.

According to an account by veteran journalist, Ebo Quansah, who is a proud native of Ekumfi, Nana Akyin VI “worked his way to become the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs for fourteen solid years.”

His leadership qualities and forthrightness endeared him to the heart of not just the people of Ekumfi alone, but the country at large, as he was inducted into office as the Chairman of the three-chiefs Presidential Commission by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

During the first Republic, the Presidential Commission was akin to the position of the Vice President or Prime Minister, in today’s political dispensation.

Anytime the President left the country during any of his numerous travels at the time, Nana Akyin VI and his Commission ruled the country.

According to venerable Ebo Quansah, history has it that the Ekumfi Overlord was the de facto Vice-President throughout the First Republican experiment, until the coup d’état of 24 February 1966.

It is in the light of his greatness as a paramount chief and the various roles he played during his reign that Nana Akyin VI remains relevant to the socio-political evolution of Ekumfi and Ghana at large.

After almost four decades since he joined his ancestral home, the late Omanhen of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Nana Akyin VI, is still revered by the present generation as a leader whose leadership and principles continue to inspire many.

Nigerian in court over Caprice robbery

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 34-year-old Nigerian national, John Benjamin, has been dragged to an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah over, for his alleged involvement in the broad daylight robbery that occurred at Caprice, a suburb of Accra, somewhere last year.

Benjamin was accused, together with three others who are currently on the run, of conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery. The accused, who appeared in court yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the offences, and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with four sureties, two to be justified.

Reading the brief facts to the court, the prospecting officer, ASP Maxwell Oppong, stated that the accused and his alleged accomplices robbed one Li Xu Zenden, Managing Director of Y and W Company Limited, and a complainant in the case.

ASP Oppong narrated to the court that John Benjamin was unemployed and lived at the Arts Centre in Accra.

According to him, on December 9, 2022, at about 10:15am, the complainant went to Standard Chartered Bank, West Hills Mall branch at Weija to withdraw money to purchase goods for the company.

While the complainant was on the way to her destination after withdrawing the money, Benjamin and his accomplices trailed her to Caprice. The accused and his accomplices then attacked her by firing gunshots into the complainant’s Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle.

The court was told that the alleged robber also fired three tyres of her vehicle and robbed her off cash she was carrying and other personal belongings.

He said the monies were in various sums and currencies, GH¢37,000.00, GH¢40,000.00, US$8,000.00, as well as one iPhone 8 Plus, one iPhone II, signed cheques of Standard Chartered Bank, UBA and Zenith Banks.

The accused persons also shot the left hand of the complainant, leaving her with severe injuries.

The complainant was rushed to 37 Military Hospital for treatment where she was admitted. Benjamin, after the crime, allegedly escaped to Nigeria and later returned to Ghana.

On June 8, 2023, he was arrested at his hideout at Arts Centre. Benjamin allegedly admitted robbing a white lady off her handbag containing dollars, but failed to show where the robbery took place.

The court was also told that efforts were underway to apprehend the rest of his accomplices.

2nd African Prosperity Dialogues Launched

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Second Lady, Samira Bawumia launching the 2024 edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues..

The second Africa Prosperity Dialogues is slated for January 2024, following a successful launch on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues serve as a common platform where African leaders convene to deliberate actionable steps for creating prosperity through economic integration, especially under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The first edition, dubbed the Kwahu Summit, was held in January 2023 in the Eastern Region, and the second will also be held at the same place, from January 25 to January 27, 2023.

The Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, who was the special guest, launched the second edition.

A group photograph of dignitaries who attended the launch

In her address, Mrs. Bawumia observed the numerous actions demanded by the maiden dialogues, but noted that the core was the need for African leaders to commit to fighting for Africa’s prosperity.

“The second edition, therefore, presents a renewed opportunity to build on past successes and accelerate the pace of progress. I believe the theme and focus areas of this edition are timely and relevant to the challenges we face,” she remarked.

She added that it was imperative to explore innovative solutions to drive intra-Africa trade, stimulate inclusive growth and address inequalities among others.

She remarked that the Africa Prosperity Dialogues should constantly remind participants of the common vision of the African continent, adding that they present an opportunity to shape a brighter future for Africa.

“I look forward to welcoming you all back here in 2024 for the main dialogues… It is my distinct honour to declare the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024 duly launched,” she ended.

PURPOSE

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues was launched in 2022 as the flagship event of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN). The APN is a private, independent, and non-profit organization established in 2022 in Ghana as a continental network focused on fostering advocacy for the collective ownership and implementation of the AfCFTA.

Welcoming guests to the launch of the 2024 edition, the Executive Chairman, APN, Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko noted that the initiative was to mobilize the private sector in Africa to work with the AU and the AfCFTA to make the single market agenda work.

“So, the project is that every year we will meet, as political leaders, business leaders, top leaders, women’s organisations, youth organisations, CEOs and presidents, to review what has been done so far, but driven by the private sector in terms of how they want this single market project to work.

And then bring the ideas to bear and hopefully they will see the challenges and find solutions to getting this project done,” Gabby said.

PRIVATE SECTOR

The Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said the AfCFTA was part of achieving Agenda 2063 of the AU.

According to him, it was critical for the AU and his Secretariat to move in tandem with the private sector “for the successful” implementation of the AfCFTA.

Other speakers, including the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, the Chairman of McDan Group, and the President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, stressed the need for private sector partnership and leveraging tourism in Africa.

The Executive Secretary to President Akufo-Addo, Nana Asante Bediatuo, who represented his boss, told the guest how the idea was conceived and communicated to the President during a trip to Davos.

Editorial: Young Female Entrepreneurs Programme must be supported

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

A transformative initiative, aimed at empowering young Ghanaian women in entrepreneurship, has been launched by the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, known as the ‘Young Female Entrepreneurs Programme (YoFEP)’.

The Chronicle is informed that the programme will focus on providing comprehensive support, including training, mentorship and access to capital, which is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the businesses under the programme. This, in our estimation, is a good initiative, which would empower young women economically, if it is managed well.

We are encouraged by the assurances given by Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, on the government’s unwavering commitment to support women entrepreneurs, as well as initiatives which are aim at empowering women.

The Chronicle supports the assertion that the future is female, and the future is entrepreneurship, and, for that matter, every effort must be made to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

We would, therefore, call on stakeholders to exhibit a high sense of commitment to empower young entrepreneurs, especially women, as the country strives to maintain the ‘Beacon of African’ label.

It is in this direction that The Chronicle is glad that the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs has pledged its commitment to support and encourage women-led initiatives and businesses.

We have perused the comprehensive overview of the YoFEP outlining its objectives and significance in driving economic growth, and would urge the Chamber to continue to offer tailored support to businesses owned by women, and all women-led enterprises.

We would like to appeal to the Chamber to put in place adequate mechanisms to provide young female entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed in their ventures.

The Chronicle is convinced that if the YoFEP continues to remove barriers and foster a supportive ecosystem to elevate the participation of young women in entrepreneurship, as well as create a vibrant and inclusive business environment, the better for the country, because of the crucial role women play in driving innovation and economic progress.

Our conviction is premised on the fact that the YoFEP holds immense promise in transforming the entrepreneurial landscape for young Ghanaian women.

As a leading organisation, dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and empowering young entrepreneurs in Ghana, stakeholders must be resolute in lending the needed support.

The Chronicle would, once again, like to back the Chamber in providing a platform for networking, capacity building and advocacy, and striving to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs.

VRA employees mentor Tema Manhean Sec Tech students

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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A cross-section of the students

Employees of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana’s largest power generation company, have held a two-day career talk programme for the students of the Tema Manhean Senior High Technical School in the school.

The educative programme, aimed at helping the recipients to know who they were and to further prepare them for their future careers, formed part of the Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP) of the VRA.

Mr Fletcher addressing the students

The mentors took the students through tailored sessions, which included Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Mental Health, Career Guidance and ICT Boot, all in a bid to help to contribute to the beneficiaries’ future development.

Prince Tawiah, Principal Systems Administrator of VRA, and Ms Felicity Dzordzorme, a graduate teacher at the Akosombo International School, took the students through the plenary session and phase two of the EVP respectively.

The EVP, Samuel Binifo, Headmaster of Tema Manhean Senior High Technical School, in his opening remarks, said would enable the students to believe in themselves and be disciplined as they developed.

He expressed the belief that students’ development was better moulded when they were privileged to have people holding responsible positions in their fields of expertise talk to them, most of whom do not know themselves.

“I would encourage you to learn from our guests, who have become who they are today through discipline, hard work, dedication and focus. If you will study hard and take their advice to you, you are likely to become like them,” Mr. Binifo told his students.

He thanked his guests for choosing his school out of the 46 second-cycle institutions in the Greater Accra Region for the 2023 EVP.

A student having her turn during a Q&A session

Samuel Fletcher, Community Relations Manager, VRA, after a brief highlight of the operations of the Authority, which, he said, included, first and foremost, generating and transmitting electricity to distribution companies for onward transmission to consumers, and with a vision of becoming a model of excellence for power distribution in Africa, explained the importance of the students to the VRA, “because you are one of our key stakeholders in our operational areas.”

Consequently, the EVP, he said, was initiated to take care of the VRA’s communities, “and once we have students living in our communities, we need to engage them through career guidance.”

Mr. Fletcher said Tema Manhean Senior High Technical School was the second school the EVP had been taken to in the Tema area after the Kpone Community Day School last year.

The next stop for the EVP is the Ahantaman Senior High School (SHS), Western Region, and, as part of the school’s upcoming anniversary, Mr. Fletcher said, his outfit had supported the school with prizes for the Best Student.

“This year, we will be visiting three schools. We are doing Tema today. We will go to our next school, which is Ahantaman SHS. Our third school will come later and we believe that our CSR programmes will benefit our students who are the future leaders of our country,” he told the media.

ASTEC PTA 6-unit classroom block nears completion

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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Rev Ackwerh in a handshake with Mrs Ocloo at the presentation of the mono desks. With them are some staff, PTA Executives and students of ASTEC

The construction of a six-unit classroom block, funded by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Ada Secondary Technical School, Sege, to ease congestion, is about 70 per cent complete.

Already roofed and plastered, with carpenters waiting to have their turn to fix windows and door frames, which were ready last Friday when newsmen visited the school, the six-unit classroom block is among the legion of interventions the PTA of ASTEC was providing to make teaching and learning better in the only second-cycle school in the West Ada District of the Greater Accra Region.

ASTEC has over 2,200 enrolments, and with a deficit of about 1,000 desks for the students, the PTA had supplied 203 mono desks to reduce the challenge. Furthermore, it supplied 105 dual beds and mattresses for the boarding students, and 20 tables and chairs for the teaching staff.

The PTA, with its Chairman, Reverend Nathan Ackwerh, is refurbishing the sorry state of the school’s Dining Hall, all in a bid to ensure that the students enjoyed a better home environment.

The several supports the PTA is giving ASTEC, Mrs. Eunice Naa Yeye Ocloo, Headmistress of the school, explained, was lessening pressure on her and the staff.

“Now, we have some 203 mono desks and 105 dual beds and mattresses for the boarding students. Our dining hall is receiving some better condition and an ongoing six-unit classroom block. ASTEC is grateful to our PTA.

“We implore corporate organisations, philanthropists and old students with strong financial muscles to assist us with more furniture and funds to complete other infrastructural projects like the assembly hall and other uncompleted classroom blocks,” Mrs. Ocloo appealed.

Reverend Nathan Ackwerh, PTA Chairman, seconded the invitation by the Headmistress to external hands to support ASTEC, saying, “The PTA alone cannot complete most of the projects and provide the vital interventions should the school not receive support from other sources apart from the government and PTA.”

He expressed the hope that by the end of 2023, the PTA would have been able to complete, furnish and hand over the six-unit classroom block to the school.

Appolonia youth harass residents over alleged court order

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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One of the police vehicles which embarked on the operation
A couple of buildings with ‘court possession’ notice on them

Scores of Appolonia youth, in the company of some police personnel last Thursday raided over 500 houses to enforce an alleged court order.

The youth, energised by the protection of the armed police personnel, told the media that they had in their possession court orders, which they declined to show to the media, from the Accra High Court to possess over 500 properties.

Carrying a red can spray, the leader of the youth inscribed ‘Court Order and Possession Taken’ on over 500 buildings at Appolonia, an exercise which the affected residents described as unannounced and harassment on them. Residents who demanded a copy of the court order were heckled for being inquisitive.

Properties of Good Regimensah Food Joint packed outside by the police and youth of Appolonia

Among the disturbed residents was the Proprietress of Good Regimensah Special Food Joint, Madam Regina Blay, whose question to the youth to produce their claim of having a court order got them infuriated and they (youth) packed out cooked food, tables, chairs, drinks and refrigerators from her restaurant.

She was later arrested by the police for allegedly challenging and obstructing the police and breaking the ‘court’s’ padlock.

Before the police could whisk her away, Madam Regina told newsmen around that as she was getting ready to begin her daily business, she saw some youth of Appolonia, in the company of some clothed police personnel, wielding guns, enter her eatery.

Elija Adansi-Bonah, MCE for Obuasi

“I enquired from them what the problem was and they told me they have a court order to take possession of the entire area. I asked them to produce the order notice, but a policeman among the team told me to shut up and pack my things out of the place.

“I asked them to show me the court order and notice, but realising that I was not allowing them to intimidate me, a couple of the police and youth heckled me. I was pushed to the ground while they haphazardly parked all my foodstuffs and items from the dining and kitchen and later locked my property with a padlock.

“So my staff and I were standing outside when one of the boys wrote on the building: ‘Court Order and Possession Taken’. They left a telephone number and left.

“I quickly called the number and the receiver told me that the team was only asked to give notice but not to lock up buildings. He (the receiver) apologised and asked me to proceed to do my business. With these words and apology, I went ahead to break the padlock to resume business.”

While she was speaking with the media, the police quickly pulled up and arrested Madam Regina and put her in their pickup for breaking a ‘court’s’ padlock to open her eatery for business.

Two bailiffs who went to the area with the police and youth declined to show the court’s notice to the media when the latter requested to see it.

Some of the youth and police personnel resting under a shade at Appolonia

In a telephone interview with the number the youth provided on the buildings, the receiver, who identified himself as Noglich Tetteh and the Spokesperson for the Appolonia Chief, told the media that the exercise was only to serve notices to residents within the catchment area of the court order, but not to lock any property or heckle anybody.

He condemned the action by the youth and promised to call them to order and also caution them against harassing residents and business owners “because that was not what we told them to do on the field.”

How to achieve effective pharmacy practice in Ghana

By
admin
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Opinion

Pharmacies are considered outlets to receive medication or drugs. This transaction requires regulation, as some medicines can be bought and used easily (over-the-counter or non-prescription), others are purchased from a Pharmacist (Pharmacy only) and others are restricted by having a valid prescription.

Value-Added Services by pharmacies (VASp) introduced in Malaysian public health facilities improve the medicine collection process by clients. These services include; a Drive-through pharmacy, Medicine by Post, SMS Take&Go, Appointment Card and Medibox (a medicine locker).

Ghanaian Pharmacists face challenges that have affected such innovative strategies. The inadequate number of well-trained support staff with a very conservative clientele base affects how innovative pharmacies operate.

In Malaysia, VASp refers to pharmaceutical activities or practices initiated by pharmacists to improve medication refill processes, reduce waiting time and increase patient convenience.

Pharmacies can generate revenue through various channels such as Value-Added Services, Over-The-Counter (OTC) products, prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, and beauty and personal care products. By offering products and services, pharmacies can maximize their revenue potential.

There is much room for very innovative products and services by pharmacies in Ghana, such that the community served will equally accept or patronise such value-added services.

The key will be to tailor-make the service. It is worth indicating that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which picked up numerous awards during its early stages, could have been a catalyst for pharmacies to generate innovative products.

Community pharmacies in Europe have evolved beyond dispensing medication. They now provide value-added services that benefit their business revenue and the well-being of their clients and the public. These services aim to improve patient outcomes, enhance patient experience, increase patient engagement and optimise health outcomes.

Value-added services in community pharmacies fall into three main areas; medication management services, health promotion campaigns and clinical services.

Medication management services help individuals manage their medications effectively and safely. They include medication reviews, adherence support and prescription ordering and delivery.

Medication reviews involve comprehensive assessments of medications by pharmacists to identify issues; such as adverse reactions, drug interactions or incorrect dosages. Adherence support provides patients with tools and resources to help them take their medications correctly.

Prescription ordering became relevant during the pandemic, allowing patients to have their medications delivered to their homes and reducing the need for in-person visits to the pharmacy.

These medication management services are particularly beneficial for individuals with multiple chronic conditions, cognitive impairments or caregivers responsible for managing medications. Data exists about how pharmacists increase the profitability of health insurance outlets to ensure optimal patient/client care.

It is a matter of cost-benefit analysis. The money savings will be derived from improved medication adherence and reduced medication errors, reducing hospitalisation or emergency care.

Health promotion services aim to provide additional value to patients and improve their overall experience by promoting health and preventing illness.

These services include wellness programs like weight management and smoking cessation, blood pressure monitoring and cholesterol assessments, immunisations, health education and coaching, and community outreach programs.

By offering these services, pharmacies contribute to better health outcomes and promote health equity.

Clinical services, considered value-added services, can be improved when there is seamless coordination of care among healthcare providers. Pharmacies can collaborate with nurses, physicians and other specialists in healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to advance patient-centred medical care.

An example of clinical services includes mutti doctor by mPharma. These strategies promote patient education and support, multidisciplinary care, advanced diagnostics and rehabilitation and recovery. Remote consultations with healthcare providers save time and improve access to care.

The reproductive health service space or market has fraudulent agents. In particular, is that of aphrodisiacs where radio and public announcements suggest wild remedies that may never work. Innovative value-added services include spaces for people to divulge their sexual proclivities are very relevant.

Access to perfect unbiased sex education and opportunities to help educate about safe sexual practices and the like is a solution to the menace of this poorly regulated space. The challenge of clients having heavy internal dialogue before buying a pregnancy test kit persists in ways which are not beneficial.

Pharmacies are poised to have higher revenues, should such outlets create products that meet the needs of the community they serve on reproductive health services. There can also be 24-hour suicide clinics and child development clinics.

However, the Ghanaian healthcare system, including pharmacies, face several challenges in providing value-added services. These challenges include limited resources, insufficient skilled personnel, poor infrastructure, and regulatory obstacles. Inadequate resources hinder the ability of healthcare providers, including pharmacies, to invest in value-added services.

Additionally, the shortage of trained healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, makes it impossible to deliver high-quality care and introduce new services. Poor infrastructure and complex regulations also impair the development and implementation of value-added services in Ghanaian pharmacies.

Addressing the lack of value-added services in Ghanaian pharmacies requires collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies.

Investments in human resources, infrastructure improvements, and streamlined regulatory processes can create an environment conducive to developing and implementing these services, leading to improved patient outcomes and overall population health.

University students are full of brilliant ideas. The Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association (GPSA) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Students (IPSF) have showcased several instances of innovativeness.

The positive use of Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram proves there is an inherent potential for solutions in the future. There can be mini-hubs where students start interesting products as part of their training, learning from mistakes and refining products so that the moment they start their first jobs as pharmacists, they effect the innovations that will be needed.

In today’s world, adopting VASp improves health outcomes but helps healthcare providers differentiate themselves, enhance patient satisfaction, and maximise revenue.

By Portia Amoh and Yaw Ansiri Asafoakaa

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

Abiodun wins as tribunal strikes out PDP, Adebutu’s reply on vote buying allegation

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admin
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Dapo-Abiodun

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday struck out the vote buying allegation, levelled against Governor Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.

Adebutu had dragged Governor Abiodun and the APC to the tribunal challenging their declaration as the winner of the 18, March 2023 governorship election in the state.

But the governor’s lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in their defence to the petition, made weighty allegations backed up with police report, establishing that Adebutu and the PDP engaged in vote buying during the elections.

On 22 May, 2023, Adebutu and the PDP filed a reply to the defence by Governor Abiodun and the APC, also levelling vote buying allegation against the ruling party.

The Governor’s lawyers, represented by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), however, filed an application asking the Tribunal to strike out the Reply in its entirety or in the alternative, to strike out offending paragraphs from that Reply.

Osipitan argued that the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP contravenes paragraph 16(1) (a & b) of the Electoral Act and the rules of court pleadings.

While ruling on the matter, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice H.N. Kunaza, agreed with the submissions by Prof. Osipitan

In the ruling, supported by the other two members; Hon. Justice J.B. Egele and Hon. Justice Sannusi Shehu, the Tribunal overruled Adebutu’s lawyers, led by Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), saying that the application filed by the Governor’s lawyers was not the kind of application that the Constitution requires to be determined at the end of proceedings in judgment.

Relying on relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Tribunal held that only applications that challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction or the competence of a petition will be deferred till judgment whereas the application filed by Governor Abiodun’s lawyers was not that kind of application.

The Tribunal also held that the Reply by Adebutu and PDP was incompetent for multiple reasons.

The Tribunal identified some paragraphs which contained unnecessary and repetitive allegations, others, which contained arguments and legal conclusions (which are not allowed in replies), and some paragraphs which were an improper expansion of the petition earlier filed.

The Tribunal noted that in their petition, Adebutu and PDP alleged that Governor Abiodun and APC committed corrupt practices during the gubernatorial elections.

The Tribunal further noted that vote buying is a specie of corruption and that if PDP and Adebutu truly believed that APC engaged in vote buying, the petitioner ought to have included those allegations in their petition from the start, which they did not do.

The Tribunal noted that if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP was permitted, there was a risk to prejudice, surprise, or even shut out Governor Abiodun and APC on the issues raised in that Reply.

The Tribunal denounced Adebutu and the PDP for coming up with the vote-buying allegation only after APC and Governor Abiodun had done same against them.

With this backdrop, the Tribunal unanimously concluded that Governor Abiodun and APC would be prejudiced if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP is allowed.

The Tribunal held that when Governor Abiodun and APC filed their defence, they joined issues with Adebutu and PDP; that by joining issues, the parties fixed the dispute; and that it was improper to go outside those issues in the Reply.

The Tribunal also found that it was unnecessary to file a Reply in the circumstance, as held in several decisions of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court.

The Reply was accordingly struck out.

With this ruling, only the allegation of vote buying made by Governor Abiodun and APC against Adebutu and the PDP would be entertained by the tribunal.

Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), represented INEC, while the APC team was led by Chief Onyea zuIkpeazu (SAN).

It would be recalled that Adebutu and PDP leaders in Ogun State have been charged for the offence of vote buying by the Federal Government, a situation that has led to Adebutu being a fugitive to the law.

 Source: dailypost

APM asks for one day to open, close its case against Tinubu

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admin
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Election Petition Court Photos

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that it will need only one day to open and close its case challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 25 presidential polls.

The party says it has only one witness, who will testify and be cross-examined in just one day.

Addressing the five-member panel of the court Monday, Gideon Idiagbonya, lawyer to the party, said: “My lords, we intended to open our case today but in the cause of having a pre-trial conference with our sole witness, but we realised that certain documents we intend to tender are not in the file handed over to us by the previous counsel.

“In view of this, we ask for another date to enable us to open and close our case in one day since we have just one witness.”

The party’s petition is anchored solely on the alleged wrongful nomination of Vice-President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate in the 25 February presidential election.

APM argues that MrTinubu was not properly sponsored for the election by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), by nominating Mr Shettima as his vice-presidential candidate without withdrawing his candidature as a senatorial candidate.

But while the hearing on the petition was underway at the presidential election court, the Supreme Court, last month, dismissed a suit in which the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised the same issue against Messrs Tinubu and Shettima.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that after the Supreme Court’s judgement delivered on 26 May, Mr Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), drew the attention of the presidential election court to the latest decision.

APM’s lawyer had then sought to obtain a copy of the judgment to guide its decision on whether to terminate or continue with its petition.

Giving an update on the matter on Monday, APM’s lawyer, Mr Idiagbonya, said his client had reviewed the Supreme Court judgment of the Supreme Court and was of the opinion that his client could still proceed with the petition.

Source: premiumtimesng.com

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