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Krobo chiefs denounce ‘yentua’ electricity bill agitators

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Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Konor of Manya Krobo

The Manya Krobo Traditional Council has dissociated itself from the act of hooliganism being perpetrated by a section of the residents who have resolved not to pay for the electricity they have consumed for the past seven years. The Council also wants National Security to investigate the leaders and their motive.

This was contained in a press release issued by the Council, dated November 29, 2021, and signed by the Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, who doubles as the President of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs.

The group, United Krobo Foundation, has on numerous occasions launched physical attacks on the offices of the Electricity Company of Ghana at Somanya, and, in one of the disturbances, a resident was shot dead by the police at Odumase Krobo, near the local Assembly premises.

Reason being that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), between 2014 and 2017, presented the Krobos with outrageous bills which could not be associated with the power consumed. In the heat of the disturbances, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) intervened and came out with proposals to reconcile the bills to mitigate the effect of settling the huge arrears.

The PURC suggested that such arrears, depending on the duration to be agreed, could be cleared either in five years or more. The state utilities body also proposed that the genuinely consumed outstanding bills for 2018 to 2021 should also be paid in bits, but the group kicked against it.

The Foundation insisted that the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams had been built on Krobo lands, and as a result, they were exempted from paying electricity bills. Their latest action was a two-week ultimatum to the ECG to pack and leave the Krobo District, and that the Volta River Authority (VRA) should supply them with power instead.

Information The Chronicle gathered from the two Krobo Traditional Areas, Manya and Yilo, suggest that the ECG had moved all ite customer service staff to Juapong to comply with the ultimatum.

Meanwhile, the following is the full press statement released by the Traditional Council.

The Manya Krobo Traditional Council has learnt that a group of people under the guise of an association called ‘United Krobo Foundation’ mounted a demonstration against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Volta River Authority (VRA) on Monday November 22, 2021 in Somanya through the streets of Odumase.

Ironically, they claimed that it is the right of Krobos to desist from the payment of electricity bills: so they have been seducing the general public to refuse payment of utility bills.

Although individuals are entitled to freedom of movement and association as enshrined in the Constitution of Ghana, it is apparent that this group is becoming subversive and dangerous to National Security.

During the past four years, the Manya Krobo Traditional Council engaged them and advised the leaders to stop their nefarious activities against the state but they clandestinely continued to operate and incite the public because they benefit from it.

It was through one of these demonstrations that a few innocent people lost their lives through their encounter with the police in Somanya and Odumase yet they did not relent.

The leadership claimed that the chiefs of Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Ghana that after 50 years of the construction of the Akosombo dam, Krobos are entitled to enjoy free electricity consumption.

This assertion is a fallacy.

There had never been any such agreement that we are aware of. They are simply becoming recalcitrant.

The Manya Krobo Paramountcy and the traditional council wish to dissociate themselves from the unjustifiable demonstrations. Further, we learnt that the demonstrators agitated that ECG should wind up and quit Krobo lands.

The Paramountcy and the traditional council wish to condemn that totally.

That nobody has the right to proclaim any ban on a legally constituted public establishment in this country from operating in Krobo land. We are therefore appealing to the National Security apparatus to investigate the circumstances leading to this unwarranted crisis, the leaders and their motive. On another note, we continue to edge ECG to expedite the resolution of all outstanding issues to bring sanity to our arrears.

Poultry farmers advocate cut in imports

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Dr Boris Baidoo, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association

Dr. Boris Baidoo, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association, has advocated a reduction in poultry imports into the country towards the Christmas festivities to cushion the local industry.

He has urged the government to put measures in place to ensure that poultry importers procure 40 per cent of the local products before they are allowed to bring the remaining 60 per cent into the country.

Speaking to the media, he noted that the policy, if implemented, would help the local poultry industry to expand and create jobs for the youth and reduce unemployment in the country.

He underscored that the local industry was collapsing; meanwhile, the local farmers had the capacity to produce quality and healthy chicken if supported.

Dr. Baidoo spoke on the sidelines of the 33rd Nobles Forum Dinner Dance/Awards, organised by the West Africa Nobles Forum (WANF) last Friday, during which he was honoured for being a powerhouse in the poultry industry.

He was among 20 personalities from various backgrounds, who were recognised with plaques and citations by the non-partisan, non-religious, and non-governmental group.

He lamented that, looking at the volume of chicken coming into the country, which was about 600,000 metric tonnes, and that was really a lot, and that if reduced by, at least, half or one-third of that, many jobs could be created for the youth, and the millions of dollars that would be retained in the country, would go a long way to help grow the economy.

Dr. Baidoo commended the government for subsidising fertiliser for maize cultivation, which, he said, needed to take a holistic view of the complete feed package, because other raw materials like soya beans, cotton seeds, and concentrates were used to prepare the poultry feed.

He also urged the government and financial institutions to provide credit facilities to help the sector to expand and expressed his profound gratitude to WANF for the recognition.

COME AND REST

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About two to three weeks ago, I was in the office behind the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra, when a very good client walked in. His story was so bizarre that I asked the senior in our law firm to come and listen.

He left Aflao at about 04:00 hrs in a hiring car to Accra, they were about four passengers in all. At Agbozume emergency police check point, they were stopped, with the cops saying that they were searching for arms and ammunition.

They found none. Rather they took his small travelling bag to the far side of the road, then he remembered that he had his wife’s GH¢9,000 in it, so he protested for his bag.

He ended up at the Abgozume Police Station, and when the money in the bag was counted, it was GH¢8,000. He protested loudly that the money was GH¢9,000.

Mayhem broke out at the police station. Eventually, he was made to write a statement and granted Police Enquiry Bail. “Lawyer, I want you to write a protest petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) boss…”

Given my experience with the police and the courts, and looking at my man, I told him, “look here – I am giving you two options,” the first is that put down some money and I will write to the IGP. He will read the letter, refer it to his staff officers and so on and so on,” Something may happen! Nothing may happen.”

Reader, my preferred second option is that “what is GH¢1,000 to you? Consider it a bad dream and forget it and move on.”

“No, no, no, Captain! Please, write. How much do you want?”

So I wrote, and he sent the letter.

A week later he came, looking perplexed.

“Captain, the police have charged me at Denu Court and I have been granted court bail to reappear on Monday 29th November. Don’t send any junior lawyer, I want you yourself…”

But I had a little challenge. The man who was the NPP Chairman from 1992 until my first term as Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum had died in Jinjini, my birthplace, and the funeral was on the 27th November. I had to be there. Very well! Duty calls.

Friday night I left Accra for Berekum, put in an appearance at the funeral in my hometown, and on Sunday, I motored back to Accra. Before going to bed, circa midnight, I told my father-in-law’s daughter to wake me up at 04:00 hrs.

She did not bother. God rather woke me up at 05:00hrs. At exactly 06:00 hrs, I left Kasoa – objective, Denu. Oh God, the traffic!!! One full hour passed and we had not yet reached Mallam Junction. We took the N1- reader -terrible. By 08:00 hrs we had not reached Tetteh Quarshie.

We finally cleared Accra behind us at about 8:45am, and started the highway dash. Within an hour we were at Kasseh (Ada Junction), passed J.J Rawlings’ house at Tefle with his nice commemorative executive picture in front, and by 10 O’ clock we were in Sogakofe along the 150 metre bridge spanning the River Volta.

When a lawyer is going to court outside, it is always a terrible experience. All over the country the courts start work at 09:00 hrs, some of the judges come late, others start at 9am prompt, and some don’t sit at all.

The other day, I drove all day Sunday to Bolgatanga, got there around 2am, and dressed up fast, rushed to Bolga High Court, only to be told by the Court Clerk at the ground floor. “Oh Captain. Don’t run. The Judge is gone to Accra.”

Here I was at Sogakofe at 10 O’ clock – one full hour late; going to Denu. Is the Judge sitting? Have they called my case? What is going on?

Presently we came to some police check point. I saw some extremely very cute female police officer looking exquisite and very smart. I stopped my driver and asked; “Officer, good morning. How far are we from Denu?”

Instead of answering my question, I saw a lanky-looking ‘woe begone’ male officer who volunteered some information – “Oh, Denue, Denu… about 50 kilometres from here…”

We drove on.

We passed Klikor, Afife, Wetah, Agbozume and hit the famous Ewe shrine capital, Nogokpo!!!

About three years ago, a certain extremely angry fat woman stormed into my law office and without ceremony stated, “Captain, if you don’t talk to your man, I will take him to Nogokpo for my money. I am giving you only one week, Captain…”

Nogokpo!! How powerful is Nogokpo? If somebody owes you, why not let a lawyer write a “Demand Notice” and follow it up with a writ of summons, of course charging you legal, fees so that we lawyers can have some wad notes in our pockets…

We arrived in Denu.

Thanks to NPP politics, I have been to the Ketu South Municipal capital countless times, and also as a lawyer to this High Court, at least, five times. Reader, I am not a stranger in Denu.

We easily made our way to the Denu Circuit Court, custom built.

I entered to see about three lawyers, police present, the Judge fully robed with bibs, wig, and gown. A lawyer was on his feet, cross examining a witness.

I saw my client and asked him whether the case had been called, and he said no. I relaxed. I picked his case docket and looked again at the charge sheet; statement of offence – conduct conducive to breach of peace…”

The last time I handled a petty criminal case like this was over thirty years ago. “Conduct conducive to breach of peace” – a misdemeanor – petty crime. I straightened up and relaxed.

I asked the police officer next to me – “What is the name of the Judge?”

“Joseph Ofosu Behome” – “Come and Rest.”

To be honest, I was impressed with the diminutive highly professional business-like manner he was running the show – soft-spoken, very firm, no jokes, his face very impassive. This man will get to the High Court bench very soon.

After a while, my case was called. The Prosecutor was not in court. We had to take date – 20th December 2021. Next case!!!

I parked my diary file and book, gave them to my Law Clerk, and rose up, bowed to my Lord and left the courtroom.

By 1:30pm we were back in the streets of Accra.

Editorial: Trooping of economic migrants to Ghana is worrying

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Editorial

One of the major problems confronting Europe, especially those in the southern part of the continent, is migration. Because of the harsh economic situation in Africa and Asia, Europe has become the target of economic migrants. Day in and out, there are reports that some of these migrants have been rescued at sea whilst trying to cross over to Europe in ramshackle boats from North Africa, especially Libya.

What is even more worrying is the fact that in most cases, children are involved in the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. Whilst some of these migrants have genuine cases of running away from wars in the Middle East and some parts of Africa, others think it is only in Europe that they can make ends meet.

From January to September 2021, it was estimated that 1,369 migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea. In 2020, the total number of deaths was pegged at 1,400. These figures, no doubt, are very frightening, but, as we indicated earlier, economic hardship is forcing these migrants to defy the odds. Unfortunately, North Africa is not the only destination for the smuggling of human beings into Europe.

As we put this piece together, Poland has deployed troupes to her border with Belarus to prevent migrants from entering the country, and subsequently, Europe. The migrants, who have been allowed free passage by Belarus, which is fighting an economic war with Europe, are fleeing from war, hunger, and poverty in Syria and other Asian countries. In a nutshell, the prosperity of Europe has now become a curse for them.

Though Ghana is a developing country, whose Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes nowhere near that of the European countries, she has also started experiencing this economic migrant palaver.

The arrival of Malian and Nigerien nationals into this country of ours in the past decade is so overwhelming. These migrants – Malians – have taken over our streets and are harassing drivers and passengers for alms. Somewhere last year, we carried a report to the effect that it has become a lucrative business for some foreigners to transport these economic migrants into the country. Though we expressed concerns over these developments, neither the government nor National Security has taken any interest in it.

Ghana is a small country, but if care is not taken, there will be an explosion in our population growth, with its attendant effect on our infrastructure. Unfortunately, this is not the only problems we should anticipate. Since these migrants are stark illiterates, they end up engaging in high crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

Our borders are officially closed, yet the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) was able to intercept scores of migrants who were trying to enter the country through unapproved routes recently. We are lucky the GIS was able to arrest them, but what about others who have, through such illegal means, already entered the country. We seem to be dwelling more on the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) protocols that allow free movement of people in the sub-region, when, as a matter of fact, these protocols are being abused by those who have the intention to enter and stay in Ghana.

Until we ‘shine our eyes’ and start baring our teeth at these economic migrants, as Europe is doing, we will be preparing this country for doom in future. Already, we are being overwhelmed with high crimes, which, hitherto, were alien to us. These are some of the warning signs, and the earlier we wake up from our slumber, the better it will be for us all.

Teachers urged to adapt to new educational system

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A group picture of beneficiaries

Teachers at the various levels of education have been tasked to learn how to upgrade themselves to enable them train the up-and-coming youth to catch up with the new system of education.

Mr. William Boakye Baafi, Executive Director of BB Edu Consult and Suppliers, made the call at a two-day sensitisation workshop for teachers in both private and public schools in the Oforikrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

The workshop was to update the teachers on the framework of Professional Development Teachers of Ghana, and the importance of the teacher’s Licensure Examination and its renewal through the National Teachers Council (NTC).

The participating teachers were taken through Teacher Standard Organisation, under which they were briefed on professional values, knowledge and practices, as to their relationship with the community they were working in, and authorities under who they were working to help them to demonstrate that they were professionals and to be accepted as such.

Mr. Boakye Baafi disclosed that teachers needed to be trained to enable them understand the system by service providers of the Ministry of Education at the regional level, which providers includes Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Concerned Teachers Association, and Colleges of Education, as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) like the BB Edu Consult and Suppliers.

Mr. Boakye Baafi indicated that the workshop would help build up the points of every participating to be awarded with accumulated eight points out of the 60 for which one needed to accumulate from every workshop and orientation programmes he/she had to undertake to enable them accumulate before the renewal of the license within three years.

This, he stressed, would not affect their monthly salaries, because it was being funded through the Teacher Annual Professional Development allowances.

According to him, teaching, as a profession, was taking a different dimension, which was through Information Communication Technology (ICT), and for that matter, whatever they were teaching today was based on ICT, hence the need for teachers to be smart and learn to update themselves.

Unilever Ghana support 100 women in Upper West

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William Boakye Baafi - Executive Director of BB Edu Consult and Suppliers
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, handovers to one of the beneficiaries

Hundred women in the Upper West Region have benefited from a Unilever Empowerment Women Programme, known as the Songtaa Project.

The project, which was initiated three years ago, was codenamed ‘Shakti Project’, an Indian word that means the ‘act of helping one another.’

At its launch, the project was given a local touch and rechristened the ‘Songtaa Project’ due to the positive testimonies some beneficiaries recounted.

They said the project had impacted their lives and that of their families, both socially and economically.

The Managing Director of the Unilever Ghana PLC, George Owusu-Ansah, at the launch of the project in Wa, last Thursday, stated that the women, who signed onto the programme would be offered products from the company to keep the profit and restock from the capital generated.

Mr Owusu-Ansah was firmly convinced that the opportunity extended to women in the region would be a huge success.

The Managing Director of Unilever Ghana PLC, Mr. George Owusu-Ansah, handover to one of the beneficiaries

“This initiative responds to our new Unilever compass objective of contributing to a fairer and more socially inclusive world. I want to encourage our women to stay focused and work with determination to achieve the objective of improving their lives and wellbeing,” he noted.

The Managing Director of Unilever Ghana PLC, George Owusu-Ansah, revealed that 100 women had been selected from within the Wa Municipality, and three other districts within the region.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, thanked Unilever Ghana Plc for the initiative, and urged them to increase the number of beneficiaries to cover more poor women in the region.

“If in 2018 the beneficiaries were 100, and today it is still 100, I want next year the number to be increased to about 500,” he pleaded.

He encouraged the beneficiaries of the programme to make the best out of the offer given to them by Unilever Ghana PLC, so that other women could have the opportunity of enrolling in the programme.

The Executive Director of Pronet-North Martin Dery, whose outfit was partnering Unilever Ghana PLC on the project, stated that they had done lots of engagements with the beneficiary community members to remove all bottlenecks in the implementation.

“We, the men, are usually the key challenge when it comes to sustainable economic development. When our women begin any productive thing, and money starts coming in, we try to interfere because we want to drink more pito or marry additional wives.

“We have done those engagements at the community level to ensure that this business approach is understood,” he added.

The Home care category head of Unilever Ghana PLC, Yvonne Gyifuor, stated that the Key Soap brand would continue to support women in passing onut traditions to the next generation by championing the Ghanaian heritage and traditions.

She congratulated the women for successfully going through all the prerequisite and training modules, and, most importantly, for taking the bold step, not only to want more for themselves, but also for their families and community.

The beneficiaries received admonitions from all speakers, including the District Chief Executive for Nadowli, Katherine Lankono, and the President of the Upper West Region Queenmothers’ Association, Haala Kuoro Ajara Buktia, on the need to give off their best to keep the programme ongoing for other colleague women to also benefit.

Each of the 100 beneficiaries received assorted Unilever products to kickstart their businesses.

They were expected to sell and keep the profit, and restock the capital generated.

Jigawa State intensifies action on cholera outbreak, as death toll hits 500

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Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa State Governor

Jigawa State Government says it has intensified efforts to curtail the spread of cholera in the state as the state records over 500 deaths within four months.

This is according to the Primary Healthcare Manager, Ringim Local Government, Surajo Sa’id at the two days sensitization campaign to community volunteers on the measures of cholera prevention.

He said the training is a partnership between the Jigawa State Government and Save the Children International SCI, to create awareness on the danger and preventive measures of cholera to rural dwellers.

DAILY POST reports that over 500 people have died out of the over 20,000 cholera cases recorded across the state.

Surajo explained that over 1000 cholera cases have been recorded in Ringim Local Government out of which 50 persons lost their lives, mostly children.

He said the training will help in minimising the cholera outbreak, especially in rural areas.

A total of 150 persons are being trained across 30 communities in the 10 LGAs mostly hit by the cholera outbreak in the state.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Two officers missing as gunmen ambush police convoy

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Gunmen ambush police

Two police officers are missing, while three others were injured during an attack on a convoy in Effium Community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Sunday.

The officers were attacked alongside Ebonyi lawmaker, Chinedu Awo, who represents Ohaukwu North State Constituency in Ebonyi House of Assembly.

The three wounded officers were rushed to the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where they are receiving treatment.

A source confirmed that two of the officers have successfully undergone surgery, while a senior officer who led the team, and was shot on the leg, had asked to be discharged.

The lawmaker, Mr Awo, is said to be stable after he was treated at the hospital.

The convoy was reportedly attacked while on its way back from Effium where they went in search of a kidnapped consultant handling the Ebonyi Ring Road project.

The consultant was abducted alongside four others three weeks ago.

The lawmaker, it was gathered, led the team to confirm a report that the abducted construction workers may have been killed and buried.

The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Loveth Odah, who confirmed the attack on the convoy, said they were ambushed “by over 60 gunmen” in a forest area.

She said the two police officers were still missing.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Ondo Speaker arraigned over fraud allegations

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Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, was on Tuesday arraigned over allegations of fraud.

Oleyelogun, who appeared at the High Court sitting at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure, the state capital, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Meanwhile, the trial was stalled following the absence of counsels to the anti-graft agency.

In March 2021, the EFCC had detained the Speaker over petitions regarding his involvement in an alleged N2.4 million seminar fraud that rocked the assembly.

Also invited and detained alongside the Speaker by the EFCC was the lawmaker representing Akoko South West I in the House, Felemu Bankole; the former Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Bode Adeyelu; and three other staff.

Speaking with newsmen on phone, counsel to EFCC, Dibang Frederick, disclosed that another date of adjournment had been picked for the arraignment of Oleyelogun in order for the legal team to be fully prepared.

According to Dibang, charges against the Speaker will be made available during the next adjournment date.

Meanwhile, officials of the Olokuta Correctional Centre barred journalists from entering the court premises.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Court declares banishment of deposed Kano emir illegal

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Deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, declared the banishment of deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, from Kano State as unlawful and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgement in Mr Sanusi’s suit, the judge, Anwuli Chikere, awarded N10 million compensation to him and against the respondents comprising the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Attorney-General of Kano State.

She also ordered them to tender a public apology to him in two national dailies.

She held that the Emirate Council Law, 2019, relied on by the Kano State government in banishing Mr Sanusi was in conflict with the Nigerian constitution.

According to Ms Chikere, the Nigerian constitution is supreme and any law that is inconsistent with it shall be null and void.

The judge declared that the former emir had the right to live anywhere, including Kano State, as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Background

The Kano State Government had on 9 March, 2020 deposed Mr Sanusi after which security agents moved him to Abuja.

The Kano State Government, through Usman Alhaji, the secretary to the state government, had said in a statement, that Mr Sanusi was dethroned because of insubordination.

Mr was later banished to Awe, Nasarawa State, where he was detained in a private home until March 13 when he obtained an interim order of the court for his release from house arrest.

But following an ex parte application filed on his behalf by his team of lawyers shortly after the banishment, the judge, Ms Chikere, ordered his immediate release.

Although the deposed emir had since been released after the court ruling, he continued to pursue the suit raising the issues of how his rights were violated with his detention and banishment.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

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