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How Mempeasem chiefs got Akufo-Addo annoyed

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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The mood of President Akufo-Addo when the National Anthem was being played

Traditional leaders from the Mempeasem in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to stand for the national anthem in the presence of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The President, who could not tolerate any disregard for the national flag and the spirit behind the national anthem, did not hide his displeasure.

The incident, which occurred in the full glare of the public, got the President furious, who visibly expressed his rage at what has been described as an unpatriotic act by the chiefs.

The President expressing his disappointment to the Lands Minister, while the UG VC (left) looked at them

The Mempeasem Chief, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI, and his elders, had been invited to the National Green Ghana Day held on the University of Ghana (UG) Legon campus, last Friday, where the President, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and the Vice Chancellor of UG planted trees on the field close to Mensah Sarbah Hall.

Though one could see him angrily speaking, the exact words were not heard by all but possibly those on the dais with him, which included the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, and Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, where the event took place last Friday.

PROCEDURE

It is the normal procedure that at any public event in the country which the President attends, the national anthem is played before and after the said programme.

However, as custom demands, the President goes round to exchange greetings with invited guests, especially highly recognised ones like the traditional leaders. He is always led by his appointees, who always arrive at the venue before him.

President Akufo-Addo exchanging pleasantries with the chiefs on his arrival at the event

The President goes to his sitting place, and the national anthem is played before he sits, during which everyone at the place must also stand till the end of the national anthem, then the event commences.

The presidential platform is always opposite the guests, giving the President a clear view of those who have attended, especially the dignitaries in front.

ANGER

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, whose event the President was attending, led the President, together with the Greater Accra Regional Minister, to greet the guests, including the chiefs from Mempeasem, before mounting the presidential dais.

Thereafter, the anthem was played, and all through other guests got up, but the traditional leaders, who sat next to the Army Band that played the anthem, did not stand for reasons yet to be known.

President Akufo-Addo did not hide his displeasure at the chiefs for disregarding the national anthem and issued directives to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, who immediately moved to have a word with the chiefs.

The last action seen was the President throwing his hand and indicating to the Minister to go to the chiefs, right there, which the Minister obliged.

Mr. Henry Quartey had a brief discussion with the chiefs and returned to the dais. It is not known what the minister might have told them, as it was a tete-a-tete.

At this point, the master of ceremony, Kafui Dei who had been prompted by the Protocol team, announced that “the national anthem of the Republic of Ghana. Can we all be on our feet to recognize the national anthem of the Republic,” as the anthem was not played again.

Though reporters who covered the event, considering the reaction of the President, thought he would make a statement about the incident in his address, but that did not happen.

REPENTANCE

Meanwhile, at the end of the event, when the Army band set to play the Ghana National Anthem again, this time all of the traditional leaders were on their feet until the end.

The President, on the other hand, moved to the chiefs to greet them again before sitting in his vehicle to depart from the event.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

According to some dictionaries and history portals, a national anthem is a patriotic musical composition that represents and evokes eulogies of the tradition, history, and beliefs of a nation.

Other research indicates that a national anthem helps unite the citizens of a country as it evokes a feeling of patriotism.

“During the performance of the national anthem, citizens of a nation, despite their ethnic differences, rise up in unison and listen attentively or sing the song with great enthusiasm,” says Worldatlas.com, an online geographical resource launched in 1994.

Bawumia’s BMW in action at Kaneshie Market

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admin
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Vice President Dr. Bawumia

The National Executives, members and sympathisers of Bawumia Must Win (BMW), a political volunteer group, on Saturday morning stormed the Kaneshie Market in Accra to embark on a clean-up exercise.

The exercise, which began at 06:30am, saw the group, made up of energetic men and women, engaged in sweeping, desilting, and collection of refuse in the market and lorry station.

The group talking to the media after the exercise

Speaking to the media, the President of BMW, Gyesi Boako, stated that the exercise was geared towards educating traders, drivers and the general public on the need to practice personal and environmental hygiene to avert flooding and the outbreak of diseases during the rainy season.

“As a political group affiliated to Ghana’s hardworking Vice President (Dr. Bawumia), we believe that a healthy mind lies in a healthy body, therefore, we deem it necessary to help create the needed awareness, particularly during this rainy season,” he stated.

“After all, the people you see here today also play a major role in the socioeconomic development of Ghana. They all contribute to GDP. Let’s all be part of this clarion call to rid our markets, lorry parks and communities off filth,” Gyesi added.

POLITICS

On his part, the General Secretary of BMW, Mr. Adomako (popularly known as Sir Obama Pokuase), stated that Vice President Dr. Bawumia would win both the upcoming presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the 2024 general elections.

According to him, Dr. Bawumia was “the most hardworking, vibrant and effective Vice President in the history of Ghana. Dr. Bawumia’s victory is ordained by God. In fact, no man, born of a woman can stop it. He’s worked and sacrificed for the NPP, hence his huge popularity and endorsement across the country,” Sir Obama stated.

He also scolded Ghana’s former Ambassador to India, Sam Pee Yalley, over allegations that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia “holds a British passport in addition to his Ghanaian one, in breach of the constitution.”

“Sam Pee Yalley peddled blatant untruth and he knows that. I challenge him to produce evidence of the said British Passport he claims Dr Bawumia holds. A senior politician of his calibre should not engage in such unwholesome lies and loose talks, all in an attempt to catch the eye of NDC’s incompetent flagbearer John Mahama,” he added.

Registrar of Companies engages professional bodies on new company Act

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admin
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Registrar of Companies

The Registrar of Companies has issued an ultimatum for all professional bodies in the country to renew and update their records.The professional bodies were given from Monday June 12 to December 31, 2023, to regularise their records.

The ultimatum was to ensure that all professional bodies conform to the new Company Act, 2019 (Act 992).

Mrs. Jemima Mamea Oware, speaking during an engagement with some of the professional bodies in Accra last week, said per the new Act, the professional bodies are required to re-register and renew same annually.

She said failure on the part of any professional body to renew by the end of the year would have a sequential effect, including a possible expulsion of name from the register, Mrs Oware indicated that some of the names of the professional bodies had been in the register for over four decades. Meanwhile they have never renewed their records.

She added that although there were about 85 professional bodies “we also realised some of you the professional bodies have amended your names and your titles, whiles some of you have moved on to become chattered institutes without informing us. And some are operating without our approval.”

Mrs Oware also disclosed that the new Act requires all professional bodies to pay GH¢30.00 for each of their members.

She added that the professional bodies that will pay fully for their members are the ones the Registrar would consider to be in good standing.

Professor Akwasi Ampofo Twumasi, President of Chartered Institute of Certified Tax Accountants indicated that his outfit is in a legal tussle with the National Accreditation board on the specific institution mandated to regulate professional bodies.

He added that the High Court had settled the matter that the institution with such a mandate to regulate professional bodies was the Registrar General.

He, therefore, urged all professional bodies to register and update their records with the Registrar of Companies.

 

 

Caterer allegedly defrauds soldier seeking greener pastures in Canada

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Gavel (Court Hammer)

Bernice Naa Adjeley Anum, 41 and a caterer, has allegedly swindled a soldier (name withheld) off an amount of GH¢139,000.00, under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa and work permit for him.

The soldier was allegedly promised by the caterer that his traveling documents would be ready 17 days after the payment of the money.

Adjeley allegedly did not only demand and collect the said amount from the soldier and others, but also made him (soldier) to lodge at a hotel with a promise to drive him straight from there to the Airport to board an airplane to his dream destination.

However, the soldier and others, after receiving their passports, realised that the visas and work permits were nothing but a scam. The soldier, therefore, reported the case to the police and the caterer was arrested.

Adjeley was charged with defrauding by false pretences and forgery of document before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, last week.

The accused pleaded not guilty to both counts and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00, with two sureties.

The suit is being prosecuted by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, who told the court that the soldier in question was stationed at the Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, whilst the accused also resides in the same community – Teshie.

C/Insp Danku narrated to the court that on February 9, 2023, the accused demanded and collected an amount of GH¢139,000.00 from the soldier (complainant) under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa with a work permit for him. The accused gave the complainant assurance that the documents would be ready by February 26, 2023.

The prosecutor said the accused made the complainant and other victims to lodge at San Hotel at Teshie Rasta awaiting to be conveyed to airport with their visas. He said the accused later gave the complainant his passport with the supposed visa and work permit in it.

Realising the document was not genuine but forged, the complainant reported the matter to the Teshie Police and the accused was arrested. The accused allegedly admitted the offence during interrogation and mentioned one Kate Acheampong, who resides in the United Kingdom, as her accomplice.

The court was told that frantic efforts made to reach the said Kate Acheampong proved futile, and that after investigations the accused was charged with the offences.

The case has been adjourned to June 26, 2023.

Editorial: Let’s keep our coastal areas clean

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The Graphiconline.com yesterday published a story about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some hoteliers, and residents of Elmina embarking on a clean-up exercise to rid the beaches off filth to mark this year’s World Environment Day. The exercise was in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana.

The groups undertook a three-hour exercise, cleaning and weeding the beaches. The clean-up exercise targeted three communities, which included Anlo, Mbofra Akyinim and Bantuma, all in Elmina.

The residents were joined by various stakeholders, including personnel from the Municipal Environmental Health Department and the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipal Assembly.

The Central Regional Director of the EPA, Shine Fiagome, said each year over 400 million tonnes of plastics were produced, and 14 million ended up in the sea, adding that this was causing a lot of problems to marine life and the ecosystem.

He said it was important to make the communities aware of the negative effects of plastics on the environment, and encouraged them to adopt more responsible attitudes.

The Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Environmental Officer, Alvin Mensah Robertson, added that the Assembly had embarked upon public awareness education to help change environmental habits and ensure a cleaner environment.

He advised the communities to ensure refuse was disposed of at the appropriate places to reduce environment pollution and the spread of diseases.

The Chronicle commends EPA, Zoomlion Ghana and all the other stakeholders for embarking on such a clean-up exercise to keep our coastal areas clean. The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth.

It covers 71% of the planet’s surface area and is responsible for regulating the climate. Unfortunately, tonnes of plastics and waste materials end up in our oceans as a result of littering and improper waste management practices.

Keeping the oceans clean starts with each of us, and The Chronicle will urge the various Municipal and District assemblies to get into partnership with the EPA and Zoomlion Ghana to run a cleaning and maintenance programme for the beaches and water bodies.

Beaches serve as tourist attraction, but Ghana is not very much known for beautiful and clean beaches.

One of the first things a foreigner notices when he or she arrives at the Kotoka International Airport is a huge sign that reads: “Welcome to Ghana, the Gateway to Africa.” We must not make this an idle boast for the foreigners who visit our country.

A country like Kenya is using its spectacular natural beauty and abundant wildlife to create Safari destinations which are a major foreign exchange earner for the country. On the average, about 1.1 million people visit Kenya annually.

Ghana must make an intentional effort to create a beautiful sand shoreline to make the beaches attractive and attract tourists, which in the long run will boost our tourism sector.

A hygienic and clean beach is of paramount importance to enhance the ecosystem and help create a beautiful sand shoreline for residents and visitors alike. Beach clean-ups are also vital to mitigate the problem caused by ocean debris and the danger that plastic pollution poses to marine life.

It is on this note that The Chronicle urges the EPA and Zoomlion not to end what they have started, but partner with various Municipal and District assemblies along the coast to embark on clean-up exercises to rid the beaches off filth and to make them one of Africa‘s cleanest beaches.

Torkornoo assumes office as CJ

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo, presenting an instrument of appointment to Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo at the Jubilee House

President Akufo-Addo has sworn in Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as the 15th Chief Justice (CJ) of the Republic of Ghana. She becomes the third woman to hold such an enviable portfolio in the history of the Fourth Republic.

President Akufo-Addo, swearing in Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as the new Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana at the Jubilee House

At a solemn ceremony on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo administered three oaths to the CJ, which were the oath of allegiance, the judicial oath, and the oath of secrecy, after which he presented an instrument of appointment to her, and she signed the oath book to seal the swearing in.

MORAL

In his address to the new CJ, the President underscored the essence of the judiciary, commanding the respect of the nation for the conduct of its judges.

“It is crucial that we have judges who are morally upright, have intellectual integrity, and have a thorough understanding of the law.”

According to the President, choosing Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was not a daunting task, considering her resume.

He said that the Council of State, in its consultative letter to him, spoke highly of the new CJ, vouching for “her discipline, integrity, efficiency, and, above all, her God-fearing nature.”

CONFIDENCE

Having gone through her credentials, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in Mrs. Gertrude Torkornoo. He had no doubt that she would be “an effective leader of the judiciary, zealously defend its independence, constantly uphold its dignity, and be a worthy successor to Chief Justice Anin Yeboah.”

It is the expectation of President Akufo-Addo that her tenure will be marked by order, fairness, diligence, respect for the rule of law, and the continuation of the modernization of judicial functions.

He assured the new CJ that he would be a dependable partner, just as he did with the retired CJ, Anin Yeboah, to ensure mutual respect between the two arms of government.

EULOGY

President Akufo-Addo eulogised the immediate past CJ, Justice Anin Yeboah, saying that his tenure witnessed major infrastructure development in the judiciary, adding that the nation “owed him a debt of gratitude.”

He also commended Justice Jones Dotse and Paul Baffoe Bonnie for holding the fort as acting CJs during the retirement of Anin Yeboah until the swearing in yesterday.

Acknowledging the support the judicial fraternity offered the then nominee at her vetting, President Akufo-Addo expects more now than ever.

APPRECIATION

In her inaugural speech, Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo expressed appreciation to the President for the nomination, the Council of State for giving advice on her to the President, and Parliament for vetting and approving her nomination.

She has pledged to improve the digitalization drive of the judiciary, but called for a budget increase by the executive. On this, she indicated that she would seek the support of the legislature.

According to her, the government should offer a listening ear to the financial plight of the judiciary and the judicial service staff to ensure the smooth acceleration of their services to the nation.

Akrofuom Assembly, AGA partner to protect Jimi River from pollution

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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DCE Jonas Woode planting a coconut tree on the occasion

The Jimi River has remained a major source of water supply to the Akrofuom District, Obuasi Township and its adjoining communities over the years.

Currently, the River has been destroyed by illegal activities such as mining, felling of trees, bush burning through farming activities and others, thus exposing the river to direct sunshine.

The illegal activities surrounding the river has compelled the Akrofuom District Assembly, led by the Chief Executive, Maurice Jonas Woode, to collaborate with mining giant, AngloGold

Stakeholders pose for the camera after the exercise

Ashanti, to plant trees along the banks of the Jimi River to protect it from the illegal activities.

It formed part of activities to mark the Green Ghana exercise introduced in 2021 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of an aggressive national afforestation/reforestation programme to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

Dr Maurice Jonas Woode explained that the Jimi Dam operated by AngloGold Ashanti as the main source of water to the Miners and the communities within the mining areas needs to be protected by growing more trees.

He said the exercise will also help in making sure that the water body do not dry up.

The DCE said the District is aiming at growing 30,000 seedlings this year with most of them distributed to the various electoral areas, schools and churches within the district.

The DCE mentioned that the Assembly in collaboration with the Forestry department has rolled out a mechanism to protect the seedlings that have been planted since the programme was introduced in 2021.

He stated that the seedlings that will be distributed this year will also be protected to serve their purpose.

Mr. Rexford Twum-Damoah, the Bekwai District Manager of the Forestry Commission, also disclosed that the department has taken stock of coconut, mango, orange and other seedlings and entreated residents of Akrofuom to come to their offices for them for planting.

He seized the opportunity to caution those who illegally cut down trees to desist from such acts since the forestry department is ready to clamp down on those who indulge in such acts.

Dunkwa Forest District plants 100,000 trees …To mark Green Ghana Day

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Green Ghana

The Dunkwa Forest District of the Upper Denkyira has planted 100,000 trees as part of activities to commemorate the National Green Ghana Day.

About 50,000 out of the target were to planted in the forest areas of Opon Mansi, Minta, Bowiye and Bonsa to increase the forest cover in the areas.

The district security services, the DVLA, teachers, the municipal assembly and traditional leaders participated in the tree planting exercise.

Mr. Maxwell Oteng Agyekum, the Dunkwa-on-Offin Forestry District Manager explained that Dunkwa area was fortunate because the issue of illegal mining (galamsey) is not prevalent in the forestry district area because the forestry division and authorities are vigilant and have adopted measures to ensure that no illegal miners trespass into the forests or degrade the environment in the Dunkwa area.

He advised farmers in the area to plant economic trees like Tongya and take good care of them because it has the advantage of increasing crop yields.

The Upper Denkyira East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ebenezer Appiah Forson, appealed to residents of the area to nurture and take proper care of the 50,000 seedlings that would be planted within the communities in the area.

He said planting of the 100,000 trees was a year round exercise and the target is for every household in the area to plant a tree within the compound.

He emphasised that trees serve as windbreaks and that their absence in towns and cities have adverse effects on communities.

NSS deploys 12,295 nurses to undertake 1yr mandatory national service

By
admin
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Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, head of NSS

The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has released postings of a total of 12,295 nurses who enrolled to undertake their one year mandatory national service at various accredited health facilities across the country for the 2023/2024 service year.

A statement signed by the NSS said all the deployed nurses are, therefore, required to follow the validation and registration process as follows;

  1. Log onto the Scheme’s website at www.nss.gov.gh to check for placement.
  2. Print appointment letter and proceed to the place of posting for endorsement of the appointment letter.
  3. Book appointment online for date and time for registration after the endorsement.
  4. Proceed to the assigned NSS Regional Validation and Registration Centre with endorsed appointment letter and a valid Ghana Card to complete the process.

Regional validation and registration will begin on Monday, June 12, 2023 and end on Friday, June 30, 2023 at all centers across the country.

Management further directs all deployed nurses to begin their mandatory national service on Monday, July 3, 2023 after completion of their validation and registration process.

NSS Regional Directors and registration officials will be on standby to assist deployed nurses who may have validation and registration challenges.

Management extends best wishes to all the deployed nurses as they take up their civic and patriotic responsibilities to serve mother Ghana. Thank you.

Signed Ambrose Entsiwah Jnr. Ag. Director, Corporate Affairs.

GWCL worried over destruction of vegetation cover of Barekese Dam

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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The District Chief Executive for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Rebecca Yeboah, speaking to the media.

The Barekese Dam, which is the main source of water supply for residents of Kumasi and beyond risk being destroyed following the encroachment on its catchment area.

Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutte planting a tree at the buffer zone of the Barekese reservoir which has been encroached upon.

The Ashanti Regional Chief Manager for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, told journalists at this year’s tree planting exercise at Barekese that if nothing is done to stop the encroachers, the consequences will be dire.

He noted that though they planted trees to re-vegetate the degraded land, the farmers have come back to clear them.

An official from the WC cutting down maize planted on the buffer zone of the Barekese reservoir.

“As much as possible, we have to re-afforest the land and get back our protection cover.

Currently, the volume of this resource has reduced drastically to 50%. It is supposed to be about 45.6 million cubic metres reservoir but it has dropped to 21.4 million cubic metres which means about half of the volume is gone,” Dr Mensah-Akutteh said.

“Currently we have done just 30 million gallons per day, even that, the resource is dwindling. If we increase our output, it is possible that we will not have the volume of water to treat for Asanteman and we believe it is our right to protect the forest and make sure the reserve is available for us.

“This why we are here this morning to make sure that the place is re-greened and that the forest cover is very good  to protect the resources for us and to sustain our delivery of water for the people of  Kumasi,” he added.

Students planting trees on the encroached area of the buffer zone.

Asked about the sustainability of the exercise, Hanson responded that they have seen a massive encroachment because people are not so much aware of the need to protect the forest.

“When this information goes to them, clearly we will do more community engagement this time round and do more tree planting for all of them to participate in”, he said. He indicated that they are planting ten thousand trees to safeguard the forest cover.

According to him, the forest itself has seven rivers and each of the rivers flow into the reservoir and that any encroachment would curtail the flow and discharge of these streams into the reservoir.

“What it means is that we will not have enough storage volumes for us to use or treat water for the people of Asanteman.”

The District Chief Executive for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Rebecca Yeboah, sounded a word of caution to the encroachers that, government will not tolerate their activities anymore.

She lauded the state for Green Ghana Day, saying it’s going to help her district save the Barekese Dam.

Ashanti Regional Manager of GWCL, Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, speaking to the media at the event.

On his part, Mr. Yaw Boateng, a representative of the Water Commission (WC), stated that Ashanti region is not the only region which benefits from the Offin river. According to him, the River Offin goes beyond Ashanti region and that other communities benefit from it as well.

Mr Boateng, therefore, stated that if they are protecting the Offin River then the exercise is not only for Ashanti region but other communities beyond Ashanti.

Sounding a word of caution, he indicated that if they do not stop the encroachment, it could results in disaster for Ghana.

“If water becomes scarce it could lead to civil war, so we need to protect the water bodies, as we protect our lives”. Failure to do this, the representative from WC said, could spell doom for Ghana.

“We are playing with our survival and we will plead with stakeholders such as traditional leaders, politicians to step up efforts in addressing this challenge and to support government agencies in this direction to help us save River Offin so that GWCL can have water for treatment for Ghanaians.”

Speaking to the media, Issaka Amadu Ramadan II, the Zongo Chief of Barekesse, disclosed that  the buffer zone of the Barekese dam used to be occupied by some people, but the  government relocated them  to Assuofua about 38 years ago.

“When we were young, this place was a habitat and we used to come and pluck coconut here, but government relocated the settlers from this place”, he revealed.

Amadu Ramadan II continued that the buffer zone is a no go area, hence nobody should be seen there. “This means that this place has been reserved for the water and nobody must trespass the boundary. Whoever does so ought to be arrested,” the worried Barekese Zongo Chief told the media.

“I am saddened by what I have witnessed today. If I look at the encroachment and devastation being done along the banks of the river Offin and the disclosure by the Ghana Water Company Limited that Kumasi risks water shortage by three years’ time, it is a serious issue everybody must be concerned with.”

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