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Pokuase families advise estate developers to desist from scouting ‘Agric Lands’

By
AGNES ANSAH
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Mr Prince Nii Amo-Dodoo, Principal Family Elder, Nii Dodoo Clottey Family addressing the media

The custodial owners of Pokuase “Agric Lands” have called on estate developers and individuals scouting the lands for purposes of building to desist from it.

According to some seven families who claim to be the rightful owners, the land is for a family but not a stool, cautioning that those meeting chiefs with respect to the lands should take a cue. The seven families made this known in a press conference in Accra yesterday.

Mr Prince Nii Amo-Dodoo, Principal Family Elder of the Nii Dodoo Clottey Family, who spoke on behalf of the seven families, gave a brief history of why the families are claiming ownership of the lands.

He indicated that 532.749 acres of land was acquired in 1947 by the then government for pig farming.

“However, due to alleged influx of tsetse flies, it could not serve the purpose for which it was acquired. It was nevertheless turned into what has popularly been known as Agric Land and used for the experimentation of Agricultural purposes such as Seed improvements, animal research and animal husbandry by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),” he narrated.

He continued that the land was leased for 50 years and indicated that per the laws of Ghana, after 50 years the land naturally reverts to its rightful owners and hence their claims.

He, therefore, advised private investors to stay off the lands as they take steps to have the government to reverse the land to its original owners.

Meanwhile, MrNii-Amo-Dodoo said the group bemoans the lack of interest on the government’s side in ensuring that the land is returned to the seven families.

He said the show no concern by the government is what has given the impetus to others to encroach on the lands.

He therefore called on the government to help them secure their land just as other family lands which hitherto belonged to the government but weregiven back to its rightful owners.

He also said the families are specifically calling on the President to intervene due to his family’s previous relationship with their forefathers.

Mr Nii Amo-Dodoo indicated that the current president’s father, the late Edward Akufo-Addo was the original lawyer of Nii Dodoo Kobla as well as some other family heads in the Pokuase enclave.

“We call on His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, whose father H.E Edward Akufo Addo of Kwakwaduam chambers was the original lawyer of the Nii Dodoo Kobla….who fought for us in the law courts from 1947 to 1952 to establish that these lands are not stool lands but family lands to release the lands to the allodial owners as it will just be a continuity of his father’s legacy, this is our humble plea,” the Principal Family Elder said.

Mr Nii Amo-Dodoo said the seven families are law abiding citizens and hence will not apply force in getting their lands back as others may have done.

He said the family will apply all lawful means including the organisation of press conferences, demonstrations and their voting power to get their lands back.

“…We are going to resort to all legal means at our disposal to back our land.”

Funds siphoned by Beige Bank were not investments –Receiver

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Law Courts Complex, Accra

Julius Ayivor, lead team member of the Receiver of Beige Bank says it is far from the truth that customers of the bank consented to the transfer of their funds deposited with the bank to the Beige Group.

According to him, the Beige Group was not licensed as fund manager or to take deposits, hence there was no way that any of these customers sanctioned the transfer of their funds.
He was testifying as prosecution first witness (PW1) in the trial of Michael Nyimaku, who has been charged with some 43 counts of fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering and stealing of depositors funds to the tune of GH¢1.3 billion.

Mr Ayivor told the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, on Monday, April 3, 2023 during cross-examination by counsel for Mr Nyimaku that the movement of funds from Beige Bank to the Bank cannot be described as transfers but siphoning of customers deposits.

However, the counsel for the accused, Thaddeus Sory, disagreed and stated to the court that the only reason customers’ funds were transferred to the Beige Group was as investment.

The following are excerpts of cross-examination

Q. You told the court that the accused wrote proposed terms of repayment?
A. Yes
Q. You have provided correspondence of this to the Receiver?
A. That’s so

Q. Take a look at this and tell the court what document you have?
A. It’s a letter from Beige, dated April 12, 2019 addressed to the receiver of beige bank and the subject reads: disclosures to defunct beige bank.

Q. There is another letter that I have given to you. Can you tell the court, which letter is it?
A. It’s a letter from the Receiver of Beige, dated May 22, 2019, which was in response to the letter from Beige, date April 12, 2019.
(Counsel prayed to tender in the documents and prosecution raises no objection.)
Court: Document tendered in evidence without objection from the prosecution and marked as exhibit 10 and 10a.

Q. Can you tell what it is?
A. A letter from Beige Business Solution dated, May 10, 2019, and addressed to the Receiver and subject matter is “Exposure to Beige Bank.” And the second is a letter from Beige Bank, dated May 23, which was in response to April 15,Beige business Solutions request for exposure.

Q. Tell the court what those documents are?
A. The first is a letter dated April 15, 2019 from BBS Truck addressed do the Receiver of Beige Bank with the subject the exposure and the second is a response from the receiver of beige bank dates 23, May 2019.

Q. You further testified in this court in relation to payment made by BCAM to a certain Charlotte Awuah and those payments could not relate to the monies transferred from Charlottes Awuah’s account to BCAM because it would mean that BCAM was paying interest of about 50 per cent where BCAM could not sustained?

A. That’s so
Q. Look at paragraph 30b of your witness statements page 14 at the very top of your testimony is that Ernest and Barbs Real Estate Developer has placed investment at the bank at the rate of 49.5 per cent?

A. That’s so
Q. Exhibit AC is a list of customers’ deposit you alleged were transferred from the bank to the Beige group?

A. That’s so

Q. I want you to pay attention to the follow customers whose name appeared in exhibit AC.
Kojo Ohene Kyei without an account number … in the bank
Customer number 2 is GIHOC, Customers number 10 and 20 is a certain Addo Duffuor Appiah Janet, Customer number 18 is Nordia Capital, Customer number 29 ComesSavings, 31- All Time.

Each of these customers has a start date of their deposit and a particular sum of money deposited.Can you check from exhibit AD2,which is the bank statement of the Beige Group and identify them with their transactions.
Break them down. Take each of them and answer them.

A. First of all, customer number 1 there is no starting date so I can’t identified. Customer number 2, the start date is February 11, 2016…Exhibit AD 2 starts from February 14 and the start date of his investment was Feb 11, 2016.My lady, transaction number 10 18, 29 and 31 are not on exhibit AD2.

That is because in explaining deposit that have been transferred from the accounts of the 23 customers to the Beige Groups 2 examples involving Tobinco’s GH¢20million that was siphoned from their accounts and then 3deposits of Ernest and Barbs which were also siphoned from their accounts to the Beige Group were issued and those were the specific exhibits provided to support those specific examples.

Q. It is true that you have used Tobinco, and Ernest and Barbs as example but your Exhibit AC deals with the period of transactions as you will want the court to believes covered by Exhibit AD2, and to the extent that all the customers I have referenced you to cannot be found on Exhibit AD2.Your exhibit AC cannot be correct?

A. Exhibit AC is very credible and matter of fact, the Beige Group does not have one account with Beige Bank. Any transaction on Exhibit AC that is not contained on Exhibit AD2 is contained in those other bank account of the Beige Group, which is available.And if counsel wants it we will provide.The transactions specific to the examples provided are the ones extracted from Beige Group account.

Q. I’m finally putting it to you that in respect of these customers, which I have just referred you to, as far as your evidence is concerned their deposits were never a concerned toBeige Group?

A.They were siphoned.Those specific funds were siphoned from the accounts of those customers to Beige Group and the evidence of these customers beings paid with BoG bailout package is contained on Exhibit 5 in records of the court?

Q. If you take a look at Exhibit AC you realize that the names of some customers appeared more than once?
A. That’s so.
Q. And your suggestion for Exhibit AC appears that those customers’ funds were transferred to the Beige Group more than once?

A. That’s so
Q. Did you find out as the Receiver that these customers were specifically targeted to transfer their depositsany special reason why their deposits were the subject of transfer to the Beige Group?

A. I don’t know for a fact that those customers were specifically targeted or there was a special reason that necessitated the siphoning of their funds but what is apparent from the grand scheme that was perpetuated is that once the customers had a lot of funds that appeared to be an opportunity for the accused to oversee the siphoning of those funds to his companies.

Q. Did the investigation from the receiver revealed what could be a lot of sums in terms of amount?

A. From GH¢1,000 to in excess of GH¢20million, as seen in the case of Tobinco.
Q. I’m putting it to you that the only reason why these customers have their funds transfer to the Beige Group is because they sanctioned the transfer of their funds from the bank to the Beige Group as investment?

A. That’s a blatant untruth. First of all the Beige Group, which is a company limited by liability is not licensed to take deposit neither it is licensed to operate business of banking or fund management so there is no way that any of these customers sanctioned the siphoning of their funds to the Beige Group.

My lady, the Beige Group is just supposed to be a holding company with the responsibility of supervising from what I understand companies that fall under it, which are all owed by the accused. So the Beige Group has no power or authority to take deposit.

Q. Are you aware that the Beige Group source funds from various sources including the bank and from its businesses.It was able to support the banks payment of interest to its customers?

A. I’m not aware of that allow know is that the beige group under the accused turned the bank into a cash cow where funds of customers were siphoned by the accused into beige group.

Q. If you take a look at Exhibit AC, once more customers’ number 11 and 23, are related to one customer Ernest and Barbs?
A. That is correct

Q. The transactions in respect of this customer that I have just referred you to are date January 15,and March 27, 2018?
A.That is correct.

Q. Let’s go to the first transaction of January 15, 2018 on exhibit AD2, let’s go to this particular transaction. Can you find it on exhibit ad2?
A. Yes.
Q. It is in a sum of GH¢12.3million
A. Yes.

Q.The narration there clearly started that it was a fund transfer from Ernest and Barbs?
A. No. The narration is finds transfer – Ernest and Barbs to the beige group.
It did not say funds transfer by Ernest and Barbs?
Q. Take a look at the next transaction march27, 2018. Can you find it on exhibit AD2?

A. That’s so.
Q. Can you tell the court what the narration is?
A. Funds transfer from Ernest and Barbs Real estate developers to the Beige Group?

Q.How much was transferred?
A. GH¢2755, 332.92
Q. And this is the subject of your testimony in your witness statement?
A. That’s so

Q. Take a look at customers numbers 6 and 8. They relate to the same customer, Progress Savings and Loans?
A. That so

Q. The information on your Exhibit AC reflects transaction of December 4, 2017 and October 5 2017?
A. That’s so

Q. Please look at the transaction of AD2 transactions of 2017?
A. It is a transaction with reference number FT1727813607 in an amount of GH¢3million.
Q. And the narration?

A. Fund transfer to the Beige Group Limited.
Q. Let go to customer 12 on Exhibit AC his name is Joseph Amankwah?

A. That’s so.
Q. Date of transaction is January 17, 2017?
A. That’s so
Q…?

A. It is a transaction with transaction number ft1 …in an amount of GH¢1462500.
Q. What’s the narration?

A. Transaction from JosephAmankwah to the Beige Group and that narration simple means the funds were transferred from Joseph’s Amankwah to the Beige Group account and this was not from the instructions of Joseph.

Q Take a look at customer number 3 in Exhibit AC is Anthony and Linda?
A. That’s so
The transaction there was to start on January 19, 2017?
A. That’s so

Q. Can you find it on Exhibit AD2?
A.The extract Exhibit AS2, which is an extract of Beige Group account starts from February 4.

Q. Will you find the transaction on January 19, 2018, you can find the transaction under reference. See if that’s the same transaction?
A. Yes, I can find the January 2018 you are referring to but because of the differentials of the date, I want to be very sure of it is the same transaction being talked about here.

Q. But the amount of GH¢700k is what was referred in your Exhibit AC?
A. I will need to check to confirm.
Q. AD2 and AC are in from of you?
A. The transfer, exhibit AC starting date is January 19, 2017, and the amount is GH¢700, 000.00.

On Exhibit AD2 is the same amount GH¢700, 000 and the date is January 2018, and I am quite confidence that it would be the same transaction but I will just need to check and be very sure.

Q. What’s the narration with regard to this particular transaction?
A.Transfer of BO Antony and Linda…
Q I’m putting it to you that the BO means by order?

A. That’s so. But Antoine and Linda…did not sanction this transfer.
Q. Is that written in Exhibit AD2 or this is your own explanation?
A. Based on the validation work we have, I can confirm that description is just a façade.

Q. Take a look at Exhibit AD at page 6, you will see a transaction of GH¢12million credit to the account of the Beige Group?
A. Yes

Q. I would you look at customer number 5 that customer is progress savings and loans
A. That’s so.
Q. And his transaction is a principal of GH¢12million?
A. That’s so.

Q. I’m putting to you that the transaction of GH¢12million on Exhibit AC of progress saving and loans is that on Exhibit AD2?
A.That’s so.

Q. Can you tell the court the narration on it?
A. I believe it is investment placement the investment is not written in full but I believed it is placement and my lady beige group is not a deposit taking institution and so there is no reason why progress savings a loans will place a fixed deposit with the beige group.

Q. Take a look at page 33 ofExhibit AD2. You will see a transaction of May 2018 in a transaction of GH¢947,397.16?
A. That’s so
Q.Can you please tell the court the narration it?

A. Transfer to Tobinco funds transfer from the Beige Group to Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Q. Let’s go to page 35, there is a transaction dated June 19, 2018 in the sum of GH¢473, 698.68?
A. That’s so

Q. Look at page 37. There is a transaction dated July 20, 2018, also in the sum of GH¢473,778.63?
A.That’s so.

Q. Funds transfer from the Beige Group to the Tobinco Pharmaceutical Limited?
Q. Page 23 of exhibit AC there is a transaction dated February 6, 2018, in the sum of GH¢507, 375?

A.That’s so.
Q. Now he was paid by Cheque number 00096?
A. That’s so

Q. I’m putting it to you that payment was made to Ernest and Barbs?
A. I don’t know that for a fact.
Q. Look at page 26 of AD2 you will see a transaction dated March 7, 2018
A. There are five transactions with same date

Q. There is one with GH¢507, 375?
A. That’s so.
Q. It was paid by a Cheque number 00097?
A. That’s so

Q. I’m putting it to you that payment was made to Ernest and Barbs?
A. I don’t know that for a fact.
Q.Take a look at this document and tell the court, which documents you are holding

A. A photocopy of a cheque in favour or Ernest and Barbs Real Estatein the sum of GH¢507,375 and dates March 5, 2018?
Q. The cheque number of the documents correspondence with the cheque number on Exhibit AD2?

A. That is so.
Q. Look at page 29 of Exhibit AD2 transaction dated April 4, 2018, in the amount of GH¢83, 808.04?
A.That’s so

Q. By way of Cheque 000996?
A. That’s so
Q putting it to you that payment was made to Ernest and Barbs?

A. I don’t know for a fact
Q. Can you tell the court what you are holding in your hand?

A. A photocopy of a Cheque in favour of Ernest and Barbs in an amount of GH¢83,000,dated April 3,2018 and signed by the accused…Cheque number is 000978.
Q. And this Cheque has a number directly corresponding in your Exhibit AD2?

A. That’s so.
Q. On cheque number 117 and 118,you will find payment in the sum of GH¢35,000.
A.That’s so.
Q. And those two are payment by Cheque numbers 117 and 118?

A.That’s so.
Q I’m putting it to you that those payments were made to customer number four to Anim Kwame and James Kojo Bonsu?

A. My lady, that’s not so. Exhibit AC shows a joint account in the name of Anim Kwame and James Kojo Bonsu whilst Cheque 132, 122. 117 and 118 were made in favour of one Kwame Owusu Anim.

Q. The other names are?
A. Cheque numbers 133 and 118 are in the name of James Kojo Owusu
Court indicated time for end of cross examination.

Prosecution: No re-examination

Nsuta Atonsu residents protest against fulani herdsmen, illegal sales of lands

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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The residents of Nsuta Atonsu protesting on the streets under police guide

Residents of Nsuta Atonsu in the Sekyere Central District of Ashanti region have raised red flags over the looming danger between them and cattle owners amid illegal sale of their lands.

Mr. Kwaku Asare, aka Abronye, the leader of the protesters who briefed the media after the protest on the principal streets of the town, stated that the invasion of cattle in the area has resulted in the destruction of their farm produce, which is a cause of worry and disturbing.

According to him, the cattle are competing with the residents for drinking water and destroying their foodstuffs.

He said the conduct of the Fulani herdsmen posed a great threat to their mothers and wives, who mostly suffer humiliation in the hands of these herdsmen.

Mr. Asare also disclosed that, the herdsmen burn their cocoa farms in the process of searching for game.

The leader also raised concerns about the encroachment of their lands by some individuals who pride themselves as custodians of the lands and thus sell the lands without restraint.

The youth leader called on the Asanteman Council and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene to intervene to prevent any future disturbances in the area for the sake of peace and stability.

He urged the member of parliament, the district assembly, the police and other stakeholders to intervene by ensuring that, the owners of the cattle sent them out of the community.

They also want the self-acclaimed chief to be stopped selling their lands to ensure lasting peace and co-existence in the area.

He said the residents would advise the themselves if their demands are not met.

GUNA will be different —says newly-elected National President

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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Ghana United Nations Association

The newly acclaimed and sworn-in National President of the Ghana United Nations Association (GUNA), Reverend Chris Pardie, has promised to work with committed members to rebrand the association.

Reverend Chris Pardie, who until last Saturday was the Secretary General of GUNA, observed that large numbers of uncommitted members failed to contribute their quota to help in achieving the aim and vision of GUNA, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and an affiliate of the United Nations for peace and development.

 

“This GUNA will not be like yesterday’s GUNA, and I am glad to have a strong team as my National Executive Committee to drive this association to its expected end,” Reverend Pardie said at GUNA’s 44th National Congress at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, where he, with 14 new officers, by majority acclamation, were sworn into office by the Dade Kotopon Municipal Officer of the Electoral Commission, Kofi Frempong, last Saturday.

 

This new GUNA, Reverend Pardie assured congress, that it would work hard to deepen relationships with all of its partners, as well as extend its membership drive in all the regions and second-cycle schools.

 

“As we look to structure this GUNA, we will add our voices on pressing national issues as stakeholders. We, therefore, need every member of this association to demonstrate commitment and attend meetings when they are scheduled.

 

“Our social responsibilities in the health sector would be extended to make our presence felt,” he said.

 

The 44th GUNA National Congess was on the theme: ‘Partnership for development’.

Ambassador Clifford Martey Korley, a member of the International Society of Diplomats and the Special Guest of Honour advised the new executives to use their unique positions as catalysts for advocacy, promoting dialogue and innovations to complex challenges.

 

He urged GUNA to work across borders to protect human developments, adding, “Since partnerships are key to achieve your objectives, I charge the new executive to spearhead sustainable developments with a renewed vigour and commitment.”

Ayensu Danquah: I Have Not Withdrawn From NDC Internal Race

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah addressing the media

A Former parliamentary candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Essikado Ketan constituency in the Western region, Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah, has denied not contesting the party’s internal contest.
“It is not true I have withdrawn from the race. The truth is that I am contesting and I am number three on the ballot”.

Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah, who would be going into the race with two other contestants, is tipped to win, considering the difference she made in the last parliamentary race in the Esskiado Ketan constituency.

In the last parliamentary elections, Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah garnered more than thirty thousand votes and there is a strong belief and hope that she would win the Essikado parliamentary seat in 2024.

She challenged the Essikado Ketan parliamentary contest in a Sekondi High Court and later withdrew the suit, on grounds that the court failed to speed up the hearing of the petition.
Considering the difference she made in the last parliamentary election, many were of the view that she went unopposed in the internal contest.

However, she is going into the internal primary contest with two other aspirants.They are Henry Abbey Heart and Dr. Kobby Spio-Gabrah, son of Dr. Ekow Spio-Gabrah.

The Chronicle is aware there were attempts by the regional executives to appeal to the conscience of the two other aspirants to step down and allow Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah to go solo, but the move did not work out as expected.

Societal ills have penetrated the church -Ada Foah Bethel Reverend

By
INUSAH MUSAH
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Reverend Samuel Amartey Aryitah, the Associate Minister of the Ada Foah Bethel Congregation, speaking to the media at Hwakpo

Reverend Samuel Amartey Aryitah, the Associate Minister of the Ada Foah Bethel Congregation, has expressed worry about how the church has become an accomplice in all manner of social vices, describing that as pathetic.

“You can find all ill characters in the church, which should have been bold to name and shame Christians who are found engaged in social vices. Sadly, they are the ones who are holding higher positions in the church, where positions are for the highest bidder. These people have become untouchable because they are the spine of the church,” Reverend Samuel Amartey Aryitah, Associate Minister, Bethel Congregation, Ada Foah, told a section of the media.

He made these comments during an interview at Hwakpo, where the Trinity Presbyterian Church launched its 75th-anniversary celebration, slated for September 24, 2023.

He expressed grave worry about the failure of the church not being bold to confront such dubious characters head-on, because of the desires and the personal interests of some of the clergy. Only a few of the clergy are bold to speak against the vices that have penetrated the church. Meanwhile, the clergy and Christians have been given the scriptures by Jesus Christ to go to the world to change it, not the world coming to change us.

“Today, it is very difficult to find moral life among even some of the clergy, who are the mouthpiece of God.”

Reverend Aryitah urged committed Christians to stand up to be counted and to fight vices which have infiltrated the church and caused many believers to forgo their Christian values and norms.

“We can influence society as committed Christians,” Reverend Aryitah expressed his belief.

Ghana’s Current Trade Balance: Alan-Akoto’s Big Score

By
admin
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Opinion

The trade balance is the difference between the value of the goods that a country exports and the value of the goods that it imports.A country’s trade balance can also influence the value of its currency in the global markets, as it allows a country to have control of the majority of its currency through trade.

If a country exports a greater value than it imports, it has a trade surplus or positive trade balance, and conversely, if a country imports a greater value than it exports, it has a trade deficit or negative trade balance.A trade surplus can create employment and economic growth, but may also lead to higher prices and interest rates within an economy.

The current NPP administration took over from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2017, inheriting a trade deficit of $-3.08 bn. With good policies, by the end of 2017 our trade deficit went down to $-1.69bn and by the end of 2020, Ghana recorded a trade surplus of $2.05bn. Due to the global economic crunch the nation recorded a much lower trade surplus of $1.07bn in 2021 which was the second highest between 2009 and 2021.

The lowest trade deficit recorded in the Fourth Republic was $-6.21bn in 2013 and the highest trade surplus was, 2.05 bn in 2020. 2022 had adverse effects on trade worldwide and Ghana ended the year with a much lower surplus of $450.45 million.

In such difficult times, our trade balance in the January and February 2023 still recorded surpluses, with $399.4 million and $353.4 million respectively.

Statistics for the Fourth Republic show that for the Rawlings’ era of NDC I and II, the average trade deficit was-$917,500,000.00. The Kufuor’s era of NPP I and II, the average trade deficit was-$2,552,000,000.00.

During the Mills/Mahama era of NDC III and IV, the trade deficit was-$4,552,000,000.00. In this current administration of NPP III and IV under President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana trade balance is recording an annual average surplus of $25 million.

It clearly indicates that Ghana’s economy is still strong, despite the harsh economic challenges under this long global economic crunch. And the reason for this is thatour exports are increasing while our imports have reducing. This could be from the fruits of two policies, which are, One District One Factory (1D1F) and Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).

With a strong belief that industrialization is the key to development, Hon Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, came out with the proposal of the setting up industries across the country, which will produce for the local and export markets.

The One District One Factory (1D1F)Initiative is meant to change the nature of Ghana’s economy from production of raw materials to full industrialization.

It iscreating massive employment particularly for the youth in rural and peri-urban communities, thereby improving income levels and standard of living, as well as reducing rural-urban migration.

Today, Ghana is exporting beverages, canned foods and other locally manufactured products to earn this country enough revenue to tilt our trade balance in our favour. This brilliant idea of coming up with a policy where factories are built near their raw materials base will certainly lead this nation into full industrialization.

And one very important thing is that these industries are solely under private ownership. Unlike before, major factories were state-owned and when reckless management set in, they collapse at a cost to the state.

Alan’s initiative has made this country stand strong and firm against the external forces that make us record trade deficits, year-in, year-out. Also, with top global giants in vehicle manufacturing, setting up assembly plants here would increase of trade surplus when neighbouring countries start buying these vehicles in bulk.

Our current trade surplus even though it is weaker today than the previous year, gives Ghana a lot of hope that soon, the country will be out of the woods.

Another fine gentleman who served in the position of Agric minister and enhanced food production with his Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) is Hon. Dr. Afriyie Akoto. Statistics confirm the great works Hon. Akoto did in the Food Production sector. Agriculture’s contribution to GDP was 31% in 2008, by 2016 after eight years of NDC, it dropped to 4.3%. The Nana Addo’s government in 2017, inherited an agriculture growth rate of 3% (2016) from the NDC’s Mills/Mahama government. By the end of 2022, our agriculture growth rate went up to 7.2%.

Meanwhile, the opposition NDC is all about demonizing the PFJ programme, saying nothing has been produced in Ghana, even though Ghana is up from sixth to third place in Africa and eighty-sixth in the world on the Global Food Security Index.

Currently our youth unemployment data records4.6% which is a great improvement over the 14.7% inherited from the NDC government in 2017.

What will be the case if this has been in an NDC era? Your guess is as good as mine.

The Akufo-Addo led government has fared better than the previous administration as statistics show. Despite global economic crunch Ghana is returning trade surpluses. And great thanks, go to these two fine gentlemen who made this happen. Alan Kyerematen, who wants Ghana to be an industrialised nation, and Afriyie Akoto, who wants Ghana to be a top agrarian economy, and who, during his time, Ghana is self-sufficient in rice production, for the first time.

Kudos to this gallant duo!

Hon Daniel Dugan

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

Labour Party condemns invasion of party’s office in Imo

By
admin
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Labour Party

The Labour Party has condemned the invasion of its office in Imo State. In a statement on Monday, the National Secretary of the party, Umar Farouk, stated that the secretariat was sealed by the police in alleged connivance with the state government.

The party alleged further that the action was part of a plot by Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to install a governorship candidate in the labour party and control the LP leadership in Imo.

“The national leadership of the Labour Party is shocked over the Invasion and Occupation, the action of its Secretariat in Owerri, today, Monday, April 3, 2023, by the agents of Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, including thugs and unauthorized policemen drafted fa from the government house,” the statement read.

“Such an illegal occupation is akin to a similar invasion on the same secretariat on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.”

Farouk stated that, unlike the March invasion where no reason was given by the state government on why it took such unlawful action against the party, this time, the government said that the action was due to a court order.

“But as of the moment, no such order to our knowledge was given. No order has been presented to us by the court or its agents. The policemen presently occupying our secretariat have not even shown us the order. At the moment, all our officials and staff have been barred from accessing the secretariat.

“We have contacted the office of the Inspector General of Police on the ongoing development in the state and it has been confirmed that the Force is not aware of any security breach whatsoever in the state to warrant the occupation of our secretariat.

“The Labour Party, however, is not unmindful of the efforts of the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma to hijack the leadership of the party in Imo State,” the national secretary said.

Credit: channelstv.com

Tribunal can decide presidential election in 7 days –Agbakoba

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Legal luminary, Olisa Agbakoba

Legal luminary, Olisa Agbakoba has said it is possible to conclude presidential election petitions in April, provided that the court systems are very proactive. He noted that the tension around the call for an interim government was due to expectations that the tribunal may not deliver judgement before May 29.

Agbakoba said under arbitration matters, orders/directions are issued peremptorily to resolve complex jurisdictional and procedural issues.

His statement on Monday urged the presidential election tribunal to adapt the procedures very familiar with speedy conclusion of arbitration matters.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) listed the issues raised by the Labour Party, LP, and its candidate Peter Obi, who insists he won the February 25 poll.

“…The interpretation of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution as to whether 25 percent of votes in the FCT is compulsory; Is a candidate permitted to stand for election when he is also a senatorial candidate?; Issues regarding qualification of APC candidates,” he said.

Agbakoba said if the petitions were arbitration proceedings, an arbitrator may issue a procedural order to address all complex disputes and deliver “a partial final award”.

The SAN charged the tribunal and the Supreme Court to give the order, address the jurisdictional issues raised, and release final summary judgment.

“Between the tribunal and Supreme Court, the petitions can be resolved within 7 (seven) days from today. This will cool the temperature in Nigeria on the issue of interim government etc,” he added.

Agbakoba stated that the required speed would be a radical departure from the present policy where case management plays a limited role in judicial outcomes.

“Speed of justice is the mantra that our judiciary must proclaim very loudly. This is needed in the presidential petitions proceedings urgently,” he stressed.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Nigeria owns you debt of gratitude –Buhari to Oshiomhole

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President Buhari and Oshiomhole

President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly extended felicitations to the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, who turned 71 this Tuesday.

Buhari highlighted the boldness of Oshiomhole in advocating reforms and standing for the welfare of the people.

He congratulated the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his loyalty and commitment to development and democracy, championing the cause of workers for eight years as President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) before joining politics.

This was disclosed in a statement by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Spokesman.

As Oshiomhole clocks 71, Buhari believes “Nigeria owes the former NLC president a debt of gratitude” for always drawing attention to the plight of workers and fighting to ensure that policies reflect the reality of those on the last rung of the economic and political ladder.

President Buhari prays for the well-being of Oshiomole and his family.

Credit: dailypost.ng

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