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I won’t change my focus as President -Akufo-Addo

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Former President, Dr John Agyekum Kufuor received an honorary doctorate degree

The direction of the ruling government will not change, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.

According to the President, the policies and programmes rolled out by his administration are those he is confident will pilot the nation into progress and prosperity.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Friday, July 7, 2023 at the Valley View University, Oyibi, Accra, at the first special congregation for the conferment of honorary degrees.

The President said that before he assumed office, he understood the mandate, given his political experience since the era of Kutu Acheampong in the 1970s.

Chief of Staff, Dr Akosua Frema OSei-Opare received an honorary doctorate degree

He acknowledged the turbulence faced in the last six years of his reign, but is certain that those setbacks would not change his “long-held view” that policies like Free Senior High School and One District, One Factory are prudent for Ghana.

He mentioned that, whilst ‘One District, One Factory’ are adding value to raw materials, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ is also ensuring food sustainability, as the digitilisation drive is also enhancing efficiency in the delivery of public services and management of the national economy.

These, among others, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering, “Are what are needed to help build the progressive, prosperous Ghana which we all yearn for. I will not change my focus. I acknowledge that life is still not as easy as it should be. However, one thing for which I am certain about is that, there are solid reasons to hope for a brighter tomorrow and I am confident that a brighter future will be evident soon.”

COMMENDATION

Concluding his address, President Akufo-Addo commended Valley View University for selecting four public figures for recognition and congratulated the awardees for their various services that culminated in the honor.

President Akufo-Addo opined that the four, being alumnus of the university, would undoubtedly “hold the values, principles and reputation of this university.”

President Akufo-Addo was also presented with a citation.

AWARDEES

The President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, the first Adventist to be President of a country in the world, who was on a 3-day state visit to Ghana, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa).

He spoke to the congregation about leadership and how he should better the lives of the people who own the power. He called on the church to collaborate with governments to achieve progress.

The former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, together with the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings were also conferred with degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa).

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Science.

Former President Kufuor made some remarks on behalf of the awardees, in which he expressed their “appreciation to Valley View University” for conferring on them the honorary degrees.

He stated that, they believe in public service that ensures “inclusiveness, equality of opportunity and eschew discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, tribe, or social standing.”

According to the Gentle Giant, quality public service should acknowledge individual citizens as the real sovereignty of the land.

MOGPA leader provides ICT Lab, Library, Mechanised borehole for Mfensi D/A JHS

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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MOGPA ICT laboratory

Rev. Isaac Osei Bonsu, Founder and Leader of Movement of Glory Prayer Army (MOGPA), has built and commissioned a 40-computer ICT laboratory with a projector, a well furnished and stocked library, and a mechanised borehole with a washroom for the D/A Junior High School at Mfensi in the Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.

The projects formed part of the church leader’s social responsibility towards improving teaching and learning in the community, especially ICT.

The mechanised borehole

Pastor James Asiedu Mensah, Associate Pastor, who represented Rev. Osei Bonsu at the commissioning ceremony, explained that the mission of every Christian was to win souls for Christ, and to help the needy in building the society towards improving the standard of living.

According to him, the Founder had recognised the need to help improve the standard of education of the students who were the future leaders of the country, hence, the provision of the facilities.

He entreated all stakeholders in the community to help protect and maintain the facilities to benefit future generations.

He urged other churches or religious bodies, philanthropists, and corporate organisations to emulate Rev. Osei Bonsu in partnering the government to ensure the total development of the country, especially in terms of building infrastructure.

Madam Rebecca Yeboah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nwabiagya North, urged the indigenes in the community to emulate Rev. Osei Bonsu to complement government efforts to improve the standard of education.

She expressed her profound gratitude to the Rev. Minister for undertaking several developmental projects within the district, in terms of potable drinking water, and building of educational infrastructure.

The DCE tasked the school management and teachers to cultivate a maintenance culture to keep the facility last to serve the community.

Mr. Frank Duah Boateng, District Director of Education, stated that the facility had come at the right time in this computer and digital world, and would help improve teaching and learning.

He said the ICT Laboratory and the Library would enhance reading and the studies in computering.

Editorial: Encroachment on Tema Motorway buffer zone, we insist, is worrying

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Despite the public protestations over the rapid and haphazard developments along the buffer zone of the Accra-Tema Motorway, nothing, it seems, is being done about it. The Chronicle has, over the years, also written on this topic, yet, permanent structures continue to spring up on what we consider to be a buffer zone along the only motorway we have in the country.

When Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, conceived the idea of building the Accra-Tema Motorway, he knew a time would come when the road would have to be expanded to contain the increasing vehicular traffic. As a result, he left huge tracts of land along the corridor to give room for the future expansion.

The only concrete road we have in Ghana was opened to traffic on November 30, 1965, and was meant to last fifty years.

Since the fifty year life-span has now elapsed, the current government is working around the clock to secure funding to reconstruct the deteriorated road and expand it from the current four lanes to six concrete surfacing. What has delayed the project is funding, but the Ministry of Roads and Highways is assuring the nation that the conundrum would soon be solved for work to begin on the project.

Clearly, the current administration has decided to expand the Accra-Tema Motorway to six lanes, because there is space to accommodate the extension. However, looking at the way developers are encroaching upon the buffer zones, the fear of The Chronicle is that if the country wants to further expand the road again in the next fifty years, there will be no land for it.

Accra is expanding at an alarming rate, as towns and villages that were far away from the capital city have now become part of it.

As we put this piece together, Winneba in the Central Region has almost become part of Accra. In our estimation, within the next twenty to twenty-five years, Sogakope in the Volta region would also become part of Accra.

Since all commercial activities have been centred in the central part of the city, people staying in Winneba and Sogakope would have to commute from these places, which would have been suburbs of Accra, to the Central Business District to transact business. This is surely going to put more pressure on the Motorway, which also serves as an international road from Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Ghana all the way to La Cote d’Ivoire.

Now, with the developments we are seeing in the buffer zone, there is no way the road can be expanded beyond the proposed six lanes. This means, in the next fifty years, when the Motorway can no longer contain the volume of traffic beyond the six lanes that the government is going to construct, there would be no land to expand it.

Our information is that, some families claim that part of the buffer zones belongs to them, and that they have the right to develop it. The government appears to have accepted the positions of these families. This raises the question about the whereabouts of these families when the buffer zone was lying idle for well over fifty years without being encroached upon.

Africa seems to be lagging behind when it comes to development, because we always fail to properly plan for the future. If we do, the authorities would have noticed that the Accra-Tema Motorway plays an important role in the economic development of this country, and that, it is important the buffer zone is protected.

Otumfuo installs new Asanteman Nkosuohene

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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New Nkosuohene swearing oath of allegiance to Otumfuo

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has installed a new Asanteman Nkosuohene to complement his developmental agenda.

Nana Osei Kwame Kyeretwire was enstooled the new Asanteman Nkosuohene. He succeeds his brother, Nana Osei Owusu Banahene, who passed on in June 2022.

Otumfuo congratulates new Asanteman Nkosuohene

The title of Nkosuohene of Asanteman was instituted and conferred on the late Mr. E.K. Osei, a well known businessman, by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, during the Golden Jubilee of the restoration of the Asante Kingdom for his enormous contribution to the development of Asanteman.

Nana Osei Kwame Kyeretwie, who is the son of the first Asanteman Nkosuohene, Nana Osei Kwasi Nkwantabisa, swore the Oath of Allegiance with the Mponponsuo Sword to the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace on June 26, 2023, to assume the new role.

Nana Osei Kwame Kyeretwie after his enstoolment

Otumfuo advised the new Chief to serve in his capacity as the Asanteman Nkosuohene in humility, by following the footsteps of his father and oversee the overall development of the Kingdom.

Nana Kwame Kyeretwie thanked Otumfuo for the honour done him, by accepting him to serve Asanteman, and promised to deliver on his mandate to ensure the total development, in line with the vision of the Ashanti King.

Bishop Victor Osei, Amb. Isaac Osei backing their junior brother at the ceremony

At the historical swearing in ceremony were Bishop Dr. Victor Osei, Founder and General Overseer of Family Chapel International, and Ambassador Isaac Osei, former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Member of Parliament for Subin and currently the Chairman of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), both brothers of the new Asanteman Nkosuohene.

Court threatens to strike out GH¢1.2m absa Bank theft case

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

Her Honour Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, a Magistrate at an Accra Circuit Court, has threatened to strike out an alleged GH¢1.2 million criminal case involving an absa Bank former staff and 16 others.

The court held that, should the prosecution fail, by the next hearing date, July 21, 2023, to do the needful the case would be struck out.

The order followed a prayer by the prosecution for adjournment, as it had referred the docket to the Attorney-General’s (A-G) Office for advice. Mrs. Ofei-Ayeh expected the prosecution to file all the necessary documents for the commencement of the trial, and would, therefore, not entertain any delays.

Prior to the last adjournment on July 7, 2023, Chief Inspector Isaac Anquandah prayed the court  on two occasions to put the case on hold to enable him amend the charge sheet and brief facts to fall in line with six other accused persons who surrendered themselves to the police.

C/Insp. Anquandah had still not filed the amended version of the document, as a result of sending a copy of the docket to the A-G for advice. The outcome of the A-G’s advice would determine the continued trial of Emanuel Sakyi Afriyie, a former absa Bank staff, who has been accused along with 16 others for allegedly stealing from seven customers of the bank’s funds.

Emmanuel and his alleged cohorts, 12 in all with the rest on the run, have made between four and three appearances before the court.

Those standing trial are Emmanuel (A1), 25 and now a businessman, Cecil Nyamesem Agyarkwa (A2), Richard Aikins (A3), Michael Tweneboah Oppong (A4), Fouad Mohammed (A5) and Caleb Bandoh (A6).

Others are Nicholas Nii Sai (A9), Nana Kwesi Gyimah (A10), Benjamin Adoari (A11), Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei (A13), Joseph D Anim (A14) and Othniel Amankwah Darkwa (A17).

The police are yet to arrest Clinton Asamoah (A7), Kwame Owusu Buadu (A8), Daniel Osei (A12), Ernest Aryee (A15), and Isaac De-Heer (A16).

A1is facing all 13 charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, stealing, forgery of other documents, and falsification of accounts. The rest are answerable to stealing and conspiracy to commit a crime.

A2, A3, A4 A5 A6 A7, A9, A10, A11, A13, A14, A15 and A17 are on GH¢200,000.00 bail each with two sureties, who are gainfully employed, and earning not less than GH¢2,500 a month.

Ghana loses GH¢13.8bn annually through corruption -CHRAJ

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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A section of Muslims listening to Peter Asuah during the durbar

Ghana loses GH¢13.8 billion annually through corruption, Mr. Peter K. Asuah, Nwabiagya South District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has disclosed.

He explained that the amount represented over 300% of all aid Ghana receives in a year.

The CHRAJ official, therefore, called on every responsible citizen to fight against corruption and related activities in the country, adding that protecting the public purse was a collective effort for all.

According to him, “we would not be able to defeat corruption and corruption related activities as a country, if we continue to leave the fight in the hands of governments and its agencies.”

He was speaking at a durbar, organised by the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which is aimed at sensitising the Muslims community at the Abuakwa Zongo Chief’s Palace recently.

Mr. Asuah explained that one could make a complaint of corruption if that person has evidence that a government official or institution was engaged in a corrupt practice, or acted in a manner that amounted to corrupt use of public office or misappropriation of public money.

He said one could also complain with the fact that. a public official put himself or herself in a conflict of interest situation, breaches the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, and acts in a manner that offends public service ethics.

According to him, a complaint should show that an action or activity lead to or was likely to lead to abuse of public office for private gain, misuse of public monies, misuse of public property, theft of public property, and theft of public money.

The CHRAJ Director disclosed that illicit enrichment or illegal acquisition of wealth, bribery, extortion, kickbacks, patronage, abuse of incumbency/impropriety under the Whistleblowers Act, victimisation of whistleblower, misuse or abuse of official time, insider dealing and influence peddling could all lead to corruption, which was a threat to the total development of our country.

Criminals cut down 19k rubber Trees belonging to GREL 

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Nana Kwesi Agyemang, chairman of ACLANGO addressing the media

A 30 hectare rubber plantation belonging to Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) has been destroyed by some unscrupulous people who are reportedly hiding at Gyabenkrom, one of the host communities of the rubber company.

The criminals have allegedly cut down about 19,000 rubber trees at Blocks A1, A2 and B6 for reasons that are yet to be determined by the police, who are pursuing the suspects.

According to The Chronicle sources, the affected rubber trees were replanted in 2021 and 2022 at the cost of 100,000 Euroswhen the miscreants decided to cut down the rubber trees.

A portion of GREL destroyed rubber plantation

The latest destruction of the plantation comes less than a week after GREL had supported some of its host communities, who were affected and displaced by flood, with relief items at a total cost of GH¢130,000.

The relief items were shared among host communities in Ahanta West and Nzema East, including Abura.

Taking Journalist and chiefs round the areas where the rubber treeswere cut down, Shaibu Karimu Bayugo, Plantation Development Manager of GREL said his team discovered the destruction on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

He indicated that because of the sheer size of the plantation, management could not deploy to patrol it in the night.

The delegation that inspected the destruction included; Nana Kwesi Agyemang XI, Omanhene of Lower Dixcove, AwulaeAttibrukusu III, Omanhene of Axim, Awulae Agyefi Kwame, Omanhene of Nsei and Awulae Amihere Kpanyile, Omanhene of Eastern Nzema.

The rest were AwulaeAngamatuo Gyan III, Omanhene of Gwira, Nana KuranchiePanyin III, Essamang and Nana EssumanPanyin, Adontehene of Abura.

ACLANGO

The Association of Chiefs on whose Land GREL operate (ACLANGO) condemned what it termed as devious acts of vandalism, illegal takeover and occupation of GREL lands by some persons.

The Association recounted that similar destruction of 11,252 rubber trees occurred last year, July, in the same community.

“This act is extremely criminal, barbaric, backward and non-progressive,” they said.

Since 1993, GREL and chiefs through ACLANGO have been working and living peacefully and anytime a community needed portions of GRELS’s legally acquired concession for community expansion or any developmental project, the parties engage each other in a peaceful manner until an agreement is reached.

However, for some persons to take the law into their own hands and enter the plantation of GREL and cut down trees in protest for land, the Association of Nzema chiefs noted, was backward.

The statement, issued by Chairman of ACLANGO, Nana Kwesi Agyemang, indicated that in the past four years, some purporting to serve the interest of Nananom have been encroaching on GREL’s legally acquired lands for various use.

“The sudden trend of forceful take-over of GREL lands under the guise of community expansion and for gallamsey, can be best described as an act of illegality that needs to be condemned.

“We ACLANGO, vehemently condemn the destruction of GREL plantation and other violent attacks on staff”, they said.

GREL is yet to issue a formal statement over the destruction. However, the Corporate Affairs Manager of the company, Perry Acheampong has denied that his company has a misunderstanding with the community, hence the destruction.

He said the company has good relationship with Gyabenkrom and just last six weeks, it had engagement with the community.

The refreshing news, he told newsmen, was that the community is cooperating with GREL to help fish out the perpetrators behind the destruction.

Nyimaku operated accounts with signatories’ knowledge -Witness

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Michael Nyimaku, former Chief Executive Officer of the Beige Group

Abednego Archer, investigator and fifth prosecution witness (PW5) in the ongoing Beige Group trial, says the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct Beige Bank, Michael Nyimaku, operated nine companies and accounts without the knowledge of the signatories.

PW5 alleged that Michael Nyimaku appointed a certain Patrick Ebo Kito to manage Beige and received a transfer of over GH¢38 million to an account ending with 4122 in the name of First Africa Savings and Loans Limited (FASL), but the signatories did not have any knowledge of it.

The witness, giving his evidence-in-chief before a Court of Appeal Judge, Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, at the High Court last Friday, referred to the FASL account opened by Beige Group as fictitious.

He qualified the account as fictitious, as GH¢320 million transferred into the said account were funds of customers of Beige Asset Capital Management (BCAM).

Being led in evidence by Chief State Attorney (CSA) Evelyn Keelson, PW5 read from his witness statement that the transfer of customers’ deposits from BCAM to the fictitious FASL account related to third party transactions and other individuals involving the bank.

After his evidence-in-chief, Thaddeus Sory, Counsel for accused, had the opportunity on the same day to put the witness to test.

The counsel indicated to the court that the account referred to as fictitious was explained to the Commercial Crime Unit (CCU) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that it was opened after all laid down procedure of the bank were followed.

He told the court that the purpose of the supposed fictitious account was for BCAM investment placements.

Mr. Sory questioned the witness as to whether he called for proof of statements made by individuals who were invited during his investigation in respect of the matter.

Although Mr. Archer answered in affirmative, the court heard that no report in relation to the matter was attached to his witness statement.

The counsel also grilled the witness on his financial and accounting knowledge and background.

The following are excerpts of the cross-examination.

Q. Do you have any training in financial accounting?
A. No. I have never done accounting.
Q. And apart from this case that you were involved in investigating, were you involved in any other case related to financial accounting investigation?

A. Yes. I did finance accounting and report at the MSc level.
Q. But have you investigated any matter that related to financial accounting related issues?

A. Yes.
Q. Can you tell us (court) what accounting related investigations you have carried [out] apart from this one?

A. Respectfully my lord, I investigated the case involving a construction company’s account, but I cannot recollect the name off head. It was on constructing roads awarded by the Ministry of Roads and Highways around Effiduase area in the Ashanti Region, which bank account the then MD one Kwesi Asare had embezzled several funds which account was at EcoBank headquarters, Accra.

Q. Do you have any banking experience?
A. No.
Q. But have you conducted any banking-related investigations apart from this one?
A. The only time I conducted bank-related investigations was when I went to EcoBank headquarters in respect of the case involving Kwesi Asare.

Q. Do you have any auditing background or experience?
A. No.
Q. And have you conducted any audited-related investigations apart from this case you are involved in?

A. Yes, I have conducted an investigation where we have to call for auditor reports when those cases were reported.
Q. And by those cases, do you mean this case?
A. In other cases.

Q. From your Witness Statement (WS) your investigation covers a number of areas, such as the supposed suspicious account opened in the name of FASL; the transfer of customers’ deposits from Beige Bank to BCAM; the transfer of funds from BCAM to the supposed suspicious FASL account; related third party transactions and other individuals’ transactions involving the bank?

A. Correct.
Q. For purposes of your investigation, you will not only interview and interact with all individuals involved in the transaction, as well as official of the affected institutions, but also collected documents from them. Correct?

A. That’s correct.
Q. And so in the course of your investigation, where a person made a statement which is supported by documents you call for the said documents as proof?

A. Correct.
Q. Now when you concluded your investigation, you wrote a report indicating your findings?
A. Correct.

Q. That report is not attached to your witness statement, correct?
A. That’s correct. Those reports were written. The cases were in segments, and as when the receiver brings a particular aspect of the case, when I finished with that, report was written with findings, that is how it run through all the cases until they were finally consolidated.

Q. If I may just pray the court to disclose those segment reports. Can you make it available to us before the next adjourned date?
A. Yes.
Judge: You are to file your disclosures by Monday. The prosecution is directed to file further disclosures in respect of reports authored by PW5 in connection with all Beige Bank-related case investigations by July 11.

Q. In paragraph 9 of your witness statement, you made mention of shared purchase agreement which is not attached to your witness statement. Correct?
A. That’s correct.

Q. Show him Exhibit 20. What you hold in your hands is a shared purchase agreement between two entities – First Africa Group (FAG) and the Beige Group – which are seller and buyer respectively?

A. That’s correct.
Q. Is that the shared purchase agreement you are referring to or there is another one?
A. This is the shared purchase agreement I referred to.

Q. From the parties to the agreement you are looking at in Exhibit 20, it was clear contrary to what you said in Paragraph 11 – the purchaser of the shares is the Beige Group and not Beige Bank contrary to what you stated in your witness statement?

A. That’s correct. I suppose there was a typo error. It should have read the Beige Group.
Q. I’m putting it to you that contrary to what you are saying in Paragraph 11 of your witness statement, the signatories of FASL account were representatives of the two parties stated in Exhibit 20 – that are the First Africa Group and the Beige Group, and not the Beige Bank?

A. That’s correct. I can recall counsel said Beige Bank is part of the Beige Group.
Q. I am putting it to you that the Beige Group and Beige Bank are different.
A. That’s correct.

Q. As part of your investigation, in Exhibit 20, did you make any findings regarding the defect on the management of FASL?

A. Because of the shared purchase agreement, Beige Group had sent its representatives to work with FASL, so the representatives had the opportunity to work with FASL as a result of the shared purchase agreement.

Q. I’m putting it to you that by that shared purchase agreement there were three crucial dates – commencement date, transitional period and cut-off date. I’m putting that to you.

A. Respectfully my lady, I don’t know how counsel segregated it, but all I know is that there was a shared purchase agreement between the FASL and the Beige Group.

Q. I am further putting it to you that from the transitional period, which started from the commencement date to the cut-off date, officials from Beige Group were to commence full responsibility of FASL after 90 days?

A. What I knew is that the shared purchased is 90% and part payment for and, for that matter there couldn’t have been full takeover responsibility.

Q. I’m further putting it to you that the transitional period, as per the Exhibit 20, was not to last beyond 90 days from the date of commencing?

A. I’m not aware of that.
Q. I’m also putting it to you that after the transitional period of 90 days of day of commencement, there was a cut-off date by which time official of Beige Group are to take full control of responsibility of FASL?

A. I’m not aware.
Q. I’m further putting it to you that by December 2017, the transitional period was over, and officials of Beige Group, in accordance with provisions, took over full control of FASL and management?

A. I knew they were waiting for Bank of Ghana’s approval, but I don’t know if they had taken full control as at December 2017.
Suspicious FASL Account

Q. You also talked about the suspicious FASL account. Can you tell the court when it was opened?
A. The specific date is not mentioned, but the account number is captured in Paragraph 12.

Q. In other words, you don’t know the date when the suspicious account was opened?
A. If I refer back to Suzana Philip’s statement since she was an official; I could get the actual date.
Susanna indicated she had the instructions from Vanessa Atsu to open the account on March 14, 2018.

Q. The statement you are looking at is dated September 12, 2018?
A. Yes.
Counsel tendered the document in evidence through witness.

Q. Please give it back to him. If you look at the second page of that statement, starting from about the 10th or 11th line, Susanna told the (CCU) Commercial Crime Unit of the CID that the account was opened after all laid down procedure of the bank were followed?

A. Read what was there which says account was opened after the official documentations were met.

Q. Look at the next line which was that [the] account directly linked to the FASL operational account. Is that correct?
A. That’s correct.

Q. She also made another statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) dated January 18, 2019?

A. Yes.
Counsel tenders the document through the witness.

Q. If you look at the second page, from about the seventh line, Susana explained to the SIT where you (witness) [stated] the purpose of the account, which you called suspicious, was to receive placement from BCAM. Is that correct?

A. It was a reported speech from Yvonne Philip; if I could be allowed to read. … I then confirmed from Yvonne Philips, who was also a signatory to the account, and she confirmed the account to be open and stated the purpose was for BCAM investment placement.

Q. So my question to you is it was clear that the purpose of the account you called suspicious was for BCAM investment placements?

A. Per the assertion of Susanna Philips who opened the account, that’s correct.
Q. Please, look at your statement again, and [the] one written by Yvonne Philips dated September 7, 2018 written to the CCU (Commercial Crime Unit) of the CID.

A. Yes.
Tendered through him.
Q. If you read from line 17 to 25 of the second page of Yvonne Phillips’ statement, it explains how the second account was opened.

A. Reading: “A second account had been open after informing the responsibility officer, Vanessa Atsu… to proceed with the account opening upon instructions from the CEO.”
Q. So the procedures were surly followed. I’m putting that to you.

A. This is the account of Yvonne Philips to the police.
Q. From line 28 of that statement, Yvonne Philips then told the police that she became aware that BCAM made placements into that account?

A. Reading: “I have been made aware that some funds have been made to BCAM.”
Q. It is correct that BCAM placed funds into that the second account, which you called suspicious?

A. Per the statement of Yvonne Philips, that is what it says.
Q. I’m putting it to you that from Exhibit 26 to 28 it is clear that what you say in Paragraph 12 of your witness statement – that the second account was opened without the consent of FASL management – is not correct?

A. Respectfully my lady, these account, as read out, are accounts from personnel who worked with Beige, and they gave these accounts to the police, both at the Commercial Crime Unit and SIT.

Q. These personnel are also personnel of FASL, which is clear in your witness statement?
A. I did say that Vanessa Atsu was at FASL and represented the interest of the Beige Group.

Case adjourned to July 14.

Delali Komla Kabe heads Golden Empire Legacy Ltd

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Delali Komla Kabe, New MD - Golden Empire

Mr. Delali Komla Kabe, former General Manager and a Mining Engineer at Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) Ltd., with over 35 years experience in the mining industry is now the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Golden Empire Legacy Limited.

A versatile professional and retired miner, he was responsible for providing leadership and direction to the company’s management team and ensured the achievement of GCD Ltd.  objectives at optimum efficiency and minimum cost, consistent with safe operating procedures, applicable laws and sound business practices.

His professional work began at the Tarkwa Goldfields Limited and then continued to the then Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL), where he was practically involved in the research (efficient recovery diamonds and gold), production and supervision of mining and sorting of diamonds.

He rose through the ranks and became the Production Manager, deputising the Managing Director.

Between 2012 and 2018, he became the Mines General Manager for GCDGL, during which period he was able to effectively maximise operational efficiency and outputs by reducing production costs.

Delali holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining, a Post Graduate Diploma in Mining and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and Exec MBA.

He has also earned a number of management and professional certificates; including Competency in Surface Mine Blasting, Ghana Red Cross First Aid, Shift Boss, Mine Captain, Mine Superintendent, Mine Managers’ Supervisory Leadership Skills, Introduction to Management from Management Development and Productivity Institute, Performance Appraisal – MDPI, Strategic Management – Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Project Management – MERJJA Technology, Canada.

ECG trains 100 electrical contractors

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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Ing Owusu-Afriyie, Director of the ECG Training Centre, speaking to the media

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Training Centre, Tema, has held a one-day training programme for 100 ECG Electrical Contractors, as part of the company’s drive to ensure safety adherence at all of its operational installations.

The programme, which was the second session in the series planned for 2023, was mainly designed for the participants who work as third-party contractors and perform various works on behalf of the company, ECG.

A cross-section of the ECG third-party contractors in the classroom

And it is aimed at enabling the participants to be conversant and up-to-date with ECG’s practices and adherence to operational and safety protocols.

The Lead Facilitator of the training, Dr George Eduful, a General Manager of ECG’s Energy Consulting and Telco Business Directorate, explained why the company needs to take measures to ensure that its power distribution infrastructure was designed to standards and presented no danger to the technical staff and contractors.

He said, “Therefore, there is the need for electrical contractors to be engaged by ECG to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field, while ensuring they are adhering to regulations for safe installations.”

The President of the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association, Awal Sakib Muhammed, after he had lauded the management of ECG for the training programme, expressed his elation to participate in the training which he said, was meant to ensure that their profession remained sanitised to curtail incidents of possible accidents.

He advised the public to buy electrical cables from trusted sources only, explaining that sub-standard cables can cause fire outbreak, leading to possible loss of lives and properties.

The Director of the Training Centre, Ing Aheng Owusu-Afriyie, on his part said the centre provides technical training to players in the nation’s energy sector, including others from the West African sub-region.

The media and ECG third-party contractors at the Lifeline sub-station

“The centre provides competent and practical knowledge, while ensuring that safety remains paramount for all practitioners. The training provided here is for several different reasons and needs, mainly for technical issues,” he explained further.

To appreciate the operations of the ECG, Ing Owusu-Afriyie toured the media around some installations at the centre, where he explained how they have been intentionally done to mimic field installations such that “trainees who come here are taken through vigorous sessions such that once they get to the field, they will be abreast with relevant skills to handle situations.”

The trip covered the Lifeline substation and Lifeline, Ing Owusu-Afriyie explained, “When faults occur on the network, customers will not have to suffer an outage while the repair works go on. Instead, the power supply will be on and the technical staff will be working on it, ensuring that customers will not suffer outages.”

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The Ghanaian Chronicle