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NDC wants Special Prosecutor to probe leaked Galamsey Report

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Sammy Gyamfi, NDC National Communication Officer

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has waded into the controversy that has characterised the recent leaked report written by the former Minister of Science, Environment, Technology and Innovation, Prof Frimpong-Boateng, with a call on the Special Prosecutor to act.

The controversial report, which implicated some top government officials for being complicit in the fight against illegal mining, and has since found its way into the media domain, has received reactions from some of the people mentioned in the report.

According to the NDC, the report by the German-trained Cardiothoracic Surgeon “shows clearly that, the so-called fight against galamsey was a charade calculated to enable top government and NPP functionaries to appropriate and takeover the illicit galamsey trade”.

Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, the party’s National Communication Officer, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, highlighted some of the several damning revelations contained in Frimpong-Boateng’s report.

In the view of the NDC, “the only way to establish the truth and get to the bottom of the issues contained in the Frimpong-Boateng report is for Parliament to institute a publicly-televised and bi-partisan enquiry into this report”.

The Special Prosecutor, the party said, must act with alacrity by probing the famous Prof Frimpong-Boateng’s leaked report and prosecute all government officials, NPP functionaries and persons who have perpetrated serious crimes against the State, as contained in the report.

According to Lawyer Gyamfi, the people of Ghana deserve this probe because millions of tax payers’ money has gone down the drain in the name of fighting illegal mining, which was famously trumpeted by the NPP government.

“Now that it has been confirmed that all the so-called fight was a charade, our nation stands united in crying for justice. Anything short of a bi-partisan enquiry into this matter will be fiercely resisted”, the party warned.

The NDC refreshed the minds of Ghanaians on a moratorium placed on April 1, 2017 by president Akufo-Addo, which suspended artisanal and small-scale mining in the country for a combined period of one year, three months.

However, Prof Frimpong-Boateng’s leaked galamsey report indicated that in 2018, the same Akufo-Addo government, acting through the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, somehow contrived to give out all forest reserves in Ghana for mining activities.

Lawyer Gyamfi indicated that more illegal miners, including Chinese gangs, invaded our forest reserves with the help of government officials and caused unprecedented destruction to our forests, water bodies and environment, during the period that the ban on small scale mining was in force.

Mr Sammy Gyamfi elaborated on the concerns and facts as contained in the leaked report and further mentioned the names of some top government functionaries whose names were captured in the leaked report

The National Democratic Congress further hinted that it would formally submit requests to both the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana and the office of the Special Prosecutor to initiate a public enquiry and the needed investigations into the leaked galamsey report.

According to Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, “we have always maintained, President Akufo-Addo’s proclaimed fight against galamsey was the biggest scam ever to be perpetrated on Ghanaians.”

Furthermore, the NDC felt vindicated by the damning content of “the report authored and presented by the former Minister of Environment and Science and former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee against Illegal Mining, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng.”

The party suggested that their long-held position that there has never been any genuine commitment or any attempt to fight galamsey by the government has been validated and insisted “the so-called fight against galamsey was a charade calculated to enable top government and NPP functionaries to appropriate and takeover the illicit galamsey trade.”

Akufo-Addo calls for collaboration to fight illegality at sea

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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The new commission members being sworn in

President Akufo-Addo, who is also the Chairman of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) has advocated for a joint force to battle illegalities at sea.

The President holds the view that a well-coordinated collaboration and cooperation among the states of the region is crucial, due to the interconnectivity of maritime activities.

President Akufo-Addo swearing in new executives of the Gulf of Guinea Commission in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo was addressing the Commission at its third extraordinary session of the Assembly, held yesterday in Accra.

The President called for oneness “so that collectively we can make a significant difference in maintaining maritime peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea region.”

He added that working together would enable the member states to build a “safe, secure and prosperous” Gulf of Guinea region for sustainable development.

PURPOSE

President Akufo-Addo, as chair, tabled for discussion measures to safeguard the region and make it prosperous, as well as the deliberation on whether to open up the Commission.

He wanted the Commission to comprise all countries on the coast of West and Central Africa, from Cape Verde to Angola, instead of the existing Côte d’Ivoire to Angola.

According to him, if his proposal is accepted, the 2001 Treaty that established the Commission would have to be amended.

“These are the items on our agenda for our closed-door session and it is important that we have some serious discussions on these items in order to come up with strategies geared towards strengthening peace and security and winning the fight against maritime-related crimes in the region, such as piracy…”

SWEARING IN

The first part of the meeting swore in new executive members and then moved into a conclave with the second part.

Ghana, which joined the Commission in 2017 has taken over the chairmanship of the Commission from Nigeria, chaired by its president, Buhari.

The new executive committee members would steer the affairs of the Commission for the next three years.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs speaking at the meeting

President Akufo-Addo congratulated them and urged them to give their best in the interest of the Commission.

He also commended the immediate past executives, particularly its Executive Secretary, Florentina Adenike Ukonga, for their work for the Commission, regardless of the challenges that faced them.

The outgoing Executive Secretary, Florentina Adenike Ukonga gave an account of her reign, which detailed the challenges the Commission faced and steps put in place to address them.

She mentioned the non-payment and delay in payment of contributions by member states to the Commission.

She also mentioned the vacancy available for Director of Finance, which needs to be filled as soon as possible.

President Akufo-Addo and Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, added their voices separately on the need for the position to be filled.

They urged other member states that do not hold positions on the Commission to apply.

Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchway made a strong case for member states to pay their contribution to the Commission.

On this call, the new Executive Secretary, Jose Mba Abeso also spoke to it in his acceptance speech.

Former President Buhari, Nigeria and the President of Equitorial Guinea were among the heads of state who attended the meeting.

ABOUT GGC

The Gulf of Guinea Commission is an international body that was established by the Treaty signed in Libreville, Gabon, on July 3, 2001, and comprises Angola, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.

The Commission is now made up of nine states, for which President Akufo-Addo advocated for expansion to include all 19 coastal states.

The Commission is mandated to constitute a framework of consultation among the countries of the Gulf of Guinea for cooperation and development, as well as for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts that may arise from the delimitation of borders and the economic and commercial exploitation of natural resources within the territorial boundaries, particularly in the overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of our States.

The Recruitment film launched; premieres 13th May

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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The movie stars in a picture with deputy minister for Education, John Ntim Fordjour

The highly anticipated German-Ghanaian film, “The Recruitment” has been launched yesterday and set to premiere on the 13th May 2023 at the Silverbird Cinema.

The film was directed by an award-winning Writer-Director, Divine Jones in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and KULTUR TRIF(F)T German.

This powerful story delves into the complexities of the youth employment landscape, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of those who navigate this terrain.

The film is believed will resonate deeply with audiences, sparking important conversations and inspiring change.

“The Recruitment” promises to be a gripping thriller and drama that will keep audiences glued to their seats. With its unique storyline, talented cast, and impeccable direction, it is sure to be a hit with moviegoers around the world.

The press launch which took place at the Silverbird Cinema brought together dignitaries including the Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour and movie stars such as Fred Amugi, Edinam Atatsi, Emmanuel France, Salma Mumin, Vicky Zugah and many others.

The Deputy Minister bought 100 tickets at the spot and Director of the GH Media, Leslie Addo Listowell also bought 50 VIP tickets on the spot to support the premiering of the film.

Delivering a short address at the launch, the Deputy Minister of Education, stated that the film will not only serve as a source of entertainment but also touch on the social economic challenges in the country.

According to him, it is high time that opportunities are created for the youths especially unemployed university graduates searching for job opportunities in the country.

He bemoaned the challenges that comes with having all the requirement to acquire a job but finds it difficult to be employed so the movie will serve as an eye opener for the young on job recruitments.

The deputy Ministry of Education has shown interest in the film and would be holding a private conversation with the Director and Producers of the film, a means to buy the tickets so every youth can have access to watch the film

Film synopsis

The film follows the story of eight young individuals who receive a text message in the middle of the night, inviting them for a job interview with a reputable Secret Intelligence Recruiting Company, USP Firm.

The interview is for a single vacancy, and the competition is tough. The applicants arrive at the venue, and the co-ordinator sets the ground rules for the interview. However, things take an unexpected turn when conflicts arise leading to complications and crisis. The film is filled with suspense, drama, and unexpected twists, which will leave audiences breathless.

The film is shot in English and any local dialect and has a running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. The 4k final cut rendition promises to be an immersive experience for viewers. The stereo mix adds to the overall cinematic experience.

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, GIZ support health delivery in Tarkwa

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Officials handing over the items

The Municipal Director of Health Services for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Caroline Effah Otoo, has commended AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine and the German Cooperation (GIZ) for their role in promoting quality healthcare delivery in the municipality.

She made this commendation, following a partnership between the two companies to donate some assorted medical equipment and consumables worth more than 125,000.00 Euros to augment healthcare delivery in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, especially the Mine’s host communities.

The items donated included Patient Resuscitation machines, Nebulizers, Hospital beds, Autoclaves, Thermometers, Bedside screens, Examination couches, Dressing & Suturing instruments, Pulse Oximeter, Glucometers, Pharmacy fridges, Ultrasound Scan machines, Disposable Hand gloves, Disposable Medical Aprons and Detergents among others.

Some of the items on display

Speaking at the brief handing over ceremony, Senior Manager -Health, Safety and Environment for AngloGold Ashanti, Iduapriem Mine, Samuel Koffie reiterated the Mine’s commitment to working collaboratively with its partners to promote healthy lives and well-being for all ages, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3).

Technical Advisor for GIZ, Mary Bonsu, noted that the donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the health system of mining host communities in the municipality through investment in health infrastructure and training programmes.

She said the partnership had embarked on several interventions even before the donation.

“Prior to this donation, Iduapriem and GIZ had organised free health screening and NHIS registration for over 10,000 community residents,” said Mary Bonsu.

“Additionally, last year, the partnership commenced a yearlong distribution of about 19,000 sanitary pads to adolescent girls in the Mine’s host communities and conducted several training programmes for health workers within the municipality.”

Receiving the items, Madam Caroline Effah Otoo lauded the partnership between Iduapriem Mine and GIZ, which has birthed several interventions towards improving quality healthcare delivery in the municipality and pledged to ensure the items serve the intended purpose.

Two thieves get 27 years over GH¢25,000 worth items

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

Two cable thieves, Mohammed Hudu, 21, and Alhassan Abubakar 22, have been sentenced to a total of 27 years imprisonment in hard labour.

They were sentenced 12 and 15 years respectively by an Asokwa Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Fred Obikyere, last week.

The convicts admitted on oath for conspiring and stealing cables valued at GH¢25,000.

Prosecuting the case, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ofori said the complainant was Benjamin Boateng, a pastor of the Truth Faith Church International at Ahinsan in Kumasi, and had an ongoing housing project at Sewuah New Site.

The convicts, he said, were scrap dealers and residents of Aboabo Dagomba Line.

For some time, the complainant was experiencing a series of thefts at his said site, and several efforts made to curtail the situation proved futile, he said.

ASP Ofori further said on April 13, 2023, at about 10:00 hours, the Asokwa Police Day Patrol Team, in the course of their patrols, arrested the convicts, together with two sacks of electrical cables of various types.

Prosecution said Hudu and Abubakar, during interrogation, confessed to the thefts of the electrical cables from the complainant’s site.

The court heard that they led the police to the complainant’s project site, and demonstrated how they caused damage to some of the complainant’s burglar proofing before gaining access to the ongoing housing project.

ASP Ofori said they further caused damage to the entire electrical system of the complainant’s house before making away with various types of electrical cables.

After the convicts had confessed to the offences in their cautioned statements, they were charged and put before the court.

4 charged for ignoring destoolment procedures

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

Nii Markwei Marmah, John Martey Marmah, Adam Nii Akwei Oklemckuku and Eric Laryea Larbi have been remanded for deliberately failing to follow the right procedure to destool a Chief.

They were charged before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, last Friday.

Nii Markwei Marmah and the three others pleaded not guilty to the charge and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Reading the facts of the case to the court, Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi said the complainant, Humphery Nii Boye Mantey, and his witnesses were elders of Gbugblah Quarters of Teshie.

He added that the accused persons – Nii Markwet Marmah Ben, John Martey Marmah and Adam Nii Akwei Oklemckuku – were members of the Ataa Nii We of Gbugblah Quarters.

The court was told that on April 15, 2023, the complainant had information that the accused persons had performed rituals intended to install one Laryea Larbi as the “Atofotse”, when there was already an existing one by name Nii Laryea Odonkor II.

Meanwhile, the said rituals were performed without destooling the current “Atofotse” at a time the accused persons were aware that Nii Martey Odonkor III, who is domiciled in the United Kingdom, had been gazette, and in his absence Stephen Martey Laryea had been acting as “Atofotse”.

The prosecutor added that the accused persons were invited by the police and admitted having nominated one Laryea Larbi and confined him to undergo the necessary customary rites for his ordination as the “Atofotse.”

The accused persons, however, failed to produce any evidence as to having rightfully destooled the current “Atofotse,” hence, being charged with the offences.

Witnesses not willing to testify in Opuni trial -Deputy A-G

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, Deputy Minister for Justice and Attorney-General

Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, Deputy Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (A-G), says prosecution witnesses are not willing to testify in the trial of Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others.

Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni

According to him, not only are the prosecution witnesses unwilling to testify in the case, but some are also on retirement.

This, he said, was preventing the prosecution the chance of filing witness statements, as ordered by the court at the last adjourned date, April 4.

Mr. Tuah-Yeboah, therefore, prayed the court to give the prosecution 30 more days to enable them file the witness statements.

He explained that some of the witnesses refused to testify, because they had mounted the witness box for two years.

The Trial High Court, presided over by Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, hearing the case ‘de novo,’ ordered the prosecution and defense sides to file statements of their witnesses and accused persons.

However, on the return date, which was yesterday, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the prosecution failed to do so, hence, the explanation from the Deputy A-G.

Justice Gyimah granted the Deputy A-G’s prayer and scheduled the next hearing date to June 7, 2023.

At the last trial heard by Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga (rtd), the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the first accused, Dr. Opuni, called seven out of eight defence witnesses.

The second and third accused persons, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited, indicated that they would be calling about 35 witnesses.

However, it is not clear whether both the prosecution and the accused persons would be calling the same number of witnesses this time round.

Dr. Opuni was the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and Seidu Agongo is a businessman and CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited.

Agricult Ghana Limited was the supplier of the controversial Lithovit Foliar Fertiliser, which was supplied to COCOBOD at the cost of GH¢271.3 million.

The three have been charged with 27 counts of defrauding by false pretence, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by public officers in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

The accused persons have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Allow parents, stakeholder engagement on Free SHS policy

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Graphiconline yesterday published a story about the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah, who called for a stakeholder engagement to discuss how parents could contribute to the Free Senior High School (FSHS) programme. According to the story, there was the need to consider parents’ input towards the effective implementation of the programme, especially in relation to prevailing challenges in the system.

Speaking on a wide range of issues concerning the Free Senior High School, Mr. Musah claimed that the government’s subvention for the Free SHS was in arrears for over three years now.

“The free SHS is a very good policy, it is an excellent policy and we all embrace it and we think that it is the way to go, but the implementation is a challenge. The cash flow challenges are having a ripple effect at the basic education level, and as we speak now, the Capitation Grant for basic education is in arrears for over two years,” Mr. Musah added.

In a related development, The Chronicle has carried a story on its center pages that School Feeding caterers from across the 16 regions of the country, under the various Metropolitan, Municipality and District Assemblies (MMDAs), have sworn never to go back to the various schools to cook for the pupils, until their conditions of service improve and their arrears paid by the government.

Madam Gifty Asamoah, Convener of the group, at a news conference organised by the aggrieved caterers in Kumasi, noted that until all payments due them were made through the School Feeding Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance, they would maintain their stance. Madam Asamoah explained that the government owes them arrears from 2017 to date.

Last year, there were reports of food shortages in some public Senior High schools in the country, leading to a situation where some heads considered shutting down their schools if the government failed to intervene.

The Chronicle is fully behind GNAT’s position and we hold the view that it is high time the government reviewed some of its interventions in the education sector, especially the feeding component of the Free Senior High School policy.

There is the need to take stock and review ways to make government interventions in the education sector better, and that parents must be allowed to support the system. The current system should be critically looked at to allow parents who can afford to pay to help meet the government halfway.

As we know, the government cannot do it all alone, so there is the need to address challenges in the policy to help find the right solutions to it. In order to do this, the government has to go back to the people to seek their input on how to address them.

Parents and guardians play significant roles in the lives of children, so there is the need to engage them when there are any challenges with the policies. Today we have a lot of old students who are supporting their alma mater and other stakeholders who are ready to help and, therefore, inviting them to get their input would be significant to the success of the programme.

Okyenhene has no hand in the sale of royal cemetery … Amanase Chief sets the records straight

By
ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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The acting Chief of Amanase in the Ayesuano district of the Eastern Region Obenfo Addo Agyekum I addressing the media

The acting Chief of Amanase in the Ayesuano District of the Eastern Region, Obenfo Addo Agyekum I, has stated that the Overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, had no hand in the sale of the royal cemetery in the community to an investor.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the acting Chief disclosed that a document on the sale of the old cemetery had shown the sale was made by the late Chief of the community, Nana Asamoah Dakwaa, under the witness of Osabarima Asamoah Asare Ampofo, Abena Asamabea and one Teacher Offei in 2012.

He further clarified that the only time the Okyenhene appeared in the transaction was a ruling he passed in favour of the developer following initial litigation over the sales and subsequent appearance before the Judicial Committee of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.

“Based on this evidence available, I want to categorically state that Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has no hand in the sales of the old Amanase cemetery,” adding that “It was not true with what is circulating in the media that the Okyenhene was behind the sale of Amanase old cemetery land.”

Nana Addo Agyekum I explained that the sale of the old cemetery generated a dispute between the chiefs and the investor recently, of which the case was heard by the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Committee, which further gave a verdict in favour of the investor, therefore, they needed to exhume the bodies.

He said: “Because of the ruling, we decided to exhume the bodies, especially those who are royals to rebury them. We sent the fresh bodies to the Suhum Government Mortuary, and we did mass burial for others.”

The Chief, who has been in the news for keeping dead bodies and skeletons at the Palace, explained that “there was an issue at Suhum Government Mortuary, so we kept some of the skeletal parts of our demised royal chiefs in the palace, so that we immediately acquire land which will solely be for the burial of the skeletal remains of our royal chiefs and elders.

“After the old cemetery was sold, I offered my 10 acres land to be used as the new cemetery, but under a condition that the old cemetery shouldn’t be sold, or the new cemetery I offered to them when it is full, the land be returned to me, but they also refused to add that clause in the document.

“Due to the delay in acquiring the land; due to the keeping of the skeletal remains in the palace; but now that we have acquired the land we will perform the necessary rite and bury them and have a good rest.”

It would be recalled that the Suhum District Police Command, on Thursday, April 21, 2023, stormed the Amanase Chief’s Palace to retrieve skeletons of exhumed human bodies being kept there.

The bodies were exhumed from the royal cemetery in the community, after it was reportedly sold to an investor to be used for the construction of a fuel filling station.

The bodies exhumed include late chiefs and royals. Two of the exhumed bodies were freshly buried, while one of the fresh corpses had been reburied, and the other had been kept at the Suhum Government Hospital morgue.

However, the Gyaasehene of Amanase, Obenfo Addo Agyekum, who doubles as the acting Chief of the community, decided to keep the exhumed skeletons of their late chiefs in a room at the palace.

This created an uproar recently among some royal family members and the residents of the community.

Farmers attack Akyem Apedwahene …over alleged illegal sale of farmlands

By
ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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A cross-section of demonstrators displaying their placards

Hundreds of peasant farmers in Akyem Apedwa, a farming community in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region, last Friday poured on to the principal streets of the town to register their displeasure with their Chief, Osabarima Asante Frimpong Manso II, over the alleged sales of about 6,000 acres of farmland to private developers.

The affected peasant farmers, who are not happy with their Chief, alleged that Osabarima Asante Frimpong Manso II had amply demonstrated intentionality to wrongfully and illegally take over their lands for real estate developers and sand-winning companies.

The angry demonstrators displayed various placards with inscriptions such as “Give us our lands”, “Money-minded Chief”, “Greedy Chief stop selling our farmlands,” to drum home the magnitude of their displeasure.

Speaking to the media shortly after about three hours of demonstration, the Spokesperson for the group, Ampaw Acheampong, indicated that the Chief and his cohorts were denying the farmers their sources of livelihoods.

He explained that the Chief and his cohorts were using land guards with sophisticated offensive weapons to chase them (farmers) from their legally acquired farmlands anytime they made an attempt to go to their farms.

Responding to the various allegations raised against him, Osabarima Asante Frimpong Manso II noted that there was no family land in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.

He opined that the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council was the allodia custodian of all Okyeman Stool Lands, and was, therefore, surprised that the farmers were crying out for nothing, when they well knew that there was no family in Akyem Abuakwa that owned land.

Taking the demonstrators to school on the state of the farmlands, he, however, admitted leasing the farmlands to a private developer whose name he did not disclose at the time of filing this report.

“The farmlands in question have not been sold, but rather leased to the private developer over a period of time,” he stressed.

Demonstrating how he had used the proceeds from the sales, Osabarima Asante Frimpong said he had embarked on some developmental projects, including the construction of a modern Junior High School classroom block among others from the lease of the land.

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