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Palestinian prisoners held by Israel to go on hunger strike

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Prisoners held by Israel is an especially important issue for Palestinians

About 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are to go on hunger strike in protest at their conditions, Palestinian media say.

The mass action comes after Israel tightened restrictions in the wake of a dramatic jailbreak by six inmates last September.

On Wednesday, a high-profile prisoner ended a six-month hunger strike after a deal with authorities.

Palestinians consider prisoners held by Israel one of their top issues.

There are some 4,500 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, according to Palestinian officials. About 700 of them are held without charge under what is known as administrative detention.

Israel says the measure is necessary for its security, but civil liberty groups say the practice is a violation of human rights.

The head of the Palestinian Authority’s prisoners’ committee said a further 1,000 detainees would join the hunger strike if the prisoners’ demands were not met.

Palestinian prisoners have periodically staged or threatened hunger strikes as a tactic to pressure Israeli authorities to improve their conditions.

Credit: bbc.com

Wife of ex-Malaysian PM gets 10-yrs jail for bribery

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Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor was found guilty

The wife of ex-Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to ten years in prison on each of three bribery charges.

Rosmah Mansor was found guilty on three charges of soliciting and receiving bribes to help a company win a 1.25bn ringgit project ($279m, £240m).

The High Court said the jail terms would run concurrently. It comes days after her husband began serving a 12-year jail sentence for corruption. The 70-year-old is known for her love of luxury goods and jewellery.

When Malaysian police raided the couple’s properties in 2018, they found a $1.6m gold and diamond necklace, 14 tiaras and 272 Hermes bags.

Rosmah, who had pleaded not guilty, sat quietly in the dock as High Court judge Zaini Mazlan delivered the verdict on Thursday afternoon.

“I must admit that I’m very sad with what happened today. Nobody saw me taking the money, nobody saw me counting the money…. but if that’s the conclusion, I leave it to God.”

She has also been fined a total of 970m ringgit. However, it is unclear when she will start serving a prison sentence, as she has been granted a stay of execution pending her appeal.

Rosmah still faces 17 other charges of money laundering and tax evasion. She has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

Credit: bbc.com

WISDOM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

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Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6.

INTRODUCTION

Proverbs 16-18 are part of a larger division of the book of Proverbs that contains wisdom for everyday life. Three of the most well-known proverbs are found in these chapters:

  1. “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall’’ – Proverbs 16:18.
  2. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected’’ – Proverbs 18:10
  3. “The one with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother’’ – Proverbs 18:24.

These three proverbs show the diversity of topics and teachings presented throughout this book. From these proverbs alone, we are reminded that pride is a destructive sin, God is our Protector, and everyone needs the support and love of trusted friends.

What these and all other proverbs have in common is that they teach us how to put God’s values into practice in our daily lives, which is something we will spend the rest of our lives learning how to do.

PROVERBS 16:1-33

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

The appetite of labourers works for them; their hunger drives them on. A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

PROVERBS 17:1-28

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Evildoers fostered rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.

Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbour.

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

PROVERBS 18:1-24

An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.

The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.

The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.

The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Remain Blessed!

Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymn and their Stories.

Electricity meter thief sentenced to one year in jail 

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ECG meters

A 26-year-old aluminium fabricator, Seidu Misbow, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Hohoe Circuit Court for stealing an electric meter. Misbow pleaded not guilty with an explanation, but his explanation could not exonerate him after full trial by the court, presided over by Mr Michael Johnson Abbey.

Pronouncing judgment, the court noted that the sentence would serve as deterrent to others, who intended to commit similar offences. Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, the prosecutor, told the court that on March 30, this year, at about 1500 hours, Misbow attempted to break into the room of a witness in the case but after an alarm was raised, he ran into a bush.

Some minutes later, the witness saw the convict trying to tamper with a padlock that had been used to secure the witness’ brother’s alcohol storage room in the same house, the prosecutor said.

The witness then raised an alarm again, drawing the attention of a neighbour who came out and saw the convict running into a nearby bush, while other neighbours joined to pursue him.

The convict was caught and an electric meter, bicycle, mobile phone and a health insurance card bearing his picture were found at his hideout and was sent to the police station where he was detained to assist the police in investigations, prosecutor said.

During investigation, the complainant reported at the station that he went to his barbering shop on the said date at about 0700 hours and detected that his meter had been stolen.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the complainant identified the meter as his contrary to the convict’s statement that the meter belonged to his grandmother. When the grandmother was contacted, she denied knowledge of the meter.

Source: GNA

Feature; Ethiopia civil war: Why fighting has resumed in Tigray and Amhara

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Ethiopian soldier

The war in Ethiopia, between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), has resumed at full scale. The route back to negotiations is uncertain at best.

The two sides agree that the first shots were fired in the early morning of 24 August on the southern borders of Tigray, where it adjoins the neighbouring Amhara state at the town of Kobo. Each side blames the other for firing those shots.

What is clear – from information obtained from Western diplomats – is that the Ethiopian National Defence Force and its allied Amhara militia, known as the Fano, had mobilized a huge force to that location over prior weeks.

Meanwhile, mass conscription by the TPLF had swelled its ranks and it had devoted much of its resources to training and rearming, although it has denied forced recruitment.

It captured a huge arsenal from the federal army in last year’s fighting, and there are rumours that it had also bought new weapons from abroad.

Tensions were building. And yet, just a few weeks ago there was optimism that peace talks might soon be under way.

 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had authorized his deputy, Demeke Mekonnen, to head a peace committee, which began work in July.

Even before that, Mr Abiy had reportedly sent senior officials to secretly meet the TPLF.

In sessions in the Seychelles and Djibouti, it appears that agreement was reached that Ethiopian forces would lift their blockade of Tigray, that Eritrea would withdraw the troops it had sent to support the government and that the two sides would open full talks in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The first agenda item would be a permanent ceasefire.

Behind the scenes, the US was strongly backing these talks and was working in partnership with Kenya.

Visiting the Tigrayan capital Mekelle on 2 August, US Special Envoy Mike Hammer and envoys of the European Union and United Nations called for “a swift restoration of electricity, telecom, banking, and other basic services”, and “unfettered humanitarian access”, hinting that Mr Abiy had agreed to do these things.

However, the African Union envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo, remained silent on the siege. Briefing the envoys, Gen Obasanjo insisted that he was the sole mediator and surprised them by proposing to invite Ethiopia’s ally, Eritrea, to the talks.

The TPLF accuses the government of reneging on its commitments. The government doesn’t admit that any meetings took place. International envoys are also staying silent on exactly why the talks broke down.

Throughout July and August, Addis Ababa largely kept the blockade of essential services in place, permitting only a trickle of food, medicine and fertilizers for this season’s crops.

The TPLF is unimpressed by international praise for a five-month “humanitarian truce”, which allowed the World Food Programme (WFP) to resume operations in Tigray, albeit on a limited scale.

It insists that Addis Ababa’s continued blockade amounts to using hunger as a weapon of war and that the aid operations were pitifully insufficient.

The WFP says it was reaching “tens of thousands” of people. That was a start, but far short of the 4.8 million in need.

In an open letter to international leaders on the eve of the fighting, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael said: “We are fast approaching the point at which we face death which ever way we turn. Our choice is only whether we perish by starvation or whether we die fighting for our rights and our dignity.”

Mass starvation is decimating the Tigrayans. No-one knows how many have perished but an investigation by a Belgian-led academic team earlier this year estimated that as many as 500,000 Tigrayans had died of hunger and related causes since the war began in November 2020 following a massive fall-out between the TPLF-controlled regional government and Mr Abiy’s federal administration.

With the sole exception of a French TV crew from the channel ARTE, there’s been no foreign news correspondent in Tigray since the TPLF regained control of most of the region in June 2021.

The few aid workers permitted to enter have not been able to collect basic data on child deaths, with the WFP spokeswoman conceding that “we just don’t know”, whether there was a famine or not.

In the short term, the humanitarian disaster can only deepen. Those limited aid operations are now at a halt. The first meagre crops won’t be harvested for more than a month and fighting will cause further devastation.

The Ethiopian air force bombed Mekelle last week, hitting a kindergarten and killing seven, including three children, according to medical staff.

The government denied the account and insisted it targeted military sites only. A second air strike was reported on Mekelle on Tuesday night.

 The Tigrayans requisitioned 12 tankers of fuel from the UN, drawing irate condemnation from senior humanitarian officials.

The TPLF said they had loaned the UN fuel some months ago and were only reclaiming it, but the manner and timing of their act suggests it was not for delivering routine services, as their spokesman claimed.

The Ethiopian air force claimed to have shot down a plane bringing arms to Tigray from Sudanese airspace. The TPLF denied it.

On the morning of 1 September, the TPLF claimed that Eritrean artillery began a barrage of shells, while Ethiopian ground forces poised for a ground attack across the border. The Eritrean government has, characteristically, remained silent.

Fighting has also been reported in western Tigray towards the border with Sudan.

Through the fog of war, the news filtering out is that the battle for Kobo was huge. Tigrayan sources report a decisive victory against a massive force of 20 divisions, in which an enormous arsenal was captured. There’s no independent confirmation of this.

 The Ethiopian government denies that it has suffered losses. It has also instructed the media to “carefully manage their reporting and access to information in times of crisis in order to reflect the country’s national interest”.

It said it had evacuated Kobo, and reports from the city of Woldia, 50km (30 miles) to the south, indicate that the army is nowhere to be seen.

So far, the TPLF has not moved its forces south, saying that it has no intent of repeating last year’s advance that reached within 200 km of the capital. In fact its spokesman made a point of denying reports that it had captured Woldia.

The TPLF’s stated position is that it wants immediate peace talks. Although it has a formal coalition with the Oromo Liberation Army, fighting a fierce war against the federal government in the south and west of Ethiopia, the TPLF doesn’t have a coalition that could govern the country.

And the sentiment of most Tigrayans is that they should fight for their home region only.

As of now, there is no credible process. A year after his appointment, without any progress, some African and Western diplomats are quietly saying that Gen Obasanjo’s position is untenable although he retains the backing of Ethiopia’s government.

But the US-Kenya initiative faltered in mid-August when William Ruto was declared winner of the election in Kenya, defeating the candidate endorsed by Mr Kenyatta, Raila Odinga.

The plan had hinged on Mr Kenyatta’s personal involvement, and while it’s possible that Mr Ruto may nominate Mr Kenyatta to head peace talks, there’s a lot of uncertainty in Kenyan politics before that could happen.

The Americans appear to have had no “plan B”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for a return to talks “without any preconditions”. It’s unlikely that either side will heed his words.

Mr Abiy won’t want to seem weak by negotiating in the wake of battlefield losses. Addis Ababa has reverted to language that condemns the TPLF as “terrorists”.

The TPLF demands lifting the siege – which they call a war crime – as a precondition for any talks.

It insists that the federal government should not be given carte blanche to renege on commitments already made.

The suffering and death of the last week has so far only proven something that Ethiopians and the international community should already have known – there’s no military solution to the war in Tigray.

By Alex de Waal

Source: newsweek.com

European Leagues Fixtures & Preview

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Man United to face Arsenal

 Red Devils, Gunners renew their rivalry

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to a classic Premier League rivalry, as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on the evening of Sunday 4 September 2022.

DStv and GOtv is the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action that no other rival can match – it’s literally ‘Unbeatable Football’! If you’re going to spend your money on something, it may as well be on the best football in the world.

This was once a meeting of the league’s absolute powerhouses, but the Red Devils and the Gunners are no longer considered title contenders – with a place in the top four now the height of their realistic ambitions.

Nonetheless, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping for a strong performance at ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ as his side look to continue their progression – something that United counterpart Erik ten Hag will no doubt be envious of.

“We know the challenge of going to Old Trafford, and this game will be no different,” explained Arteta.

Key players

Casemiro – Man United have for several years been crying out for a midfield ‘general’ and Brazilian Casemiro could well be the solution. The 30-year-old will look to protect his backline and win the ‘engine room’ battle to lay a platform for success.

Martin Odegaard – The Norwegian attacking midfielder has enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign for Arsenal, linking superbly with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka to set the Gunners’ forward line alight.

Head-to-head stats

In head-to-head stats, Man United and Arsenal have met in 236 matches across all competitions since 1894. The Red Devils have claimed 100 wins compared to 86 for the Gunners, while 50 games have been drawn.

 

AC Milan, Inter Milan clash at San Siro in derby game

AC Milan, Inter Milan in derby clash

A thrilling encounter is on the cards as the two most recent winners of Serie A clash in the Milan derby on Saturday. AC Milan and Inter Milan have made similar starts to the season and appear evenly matched heading into this one.

Although they are still unbeaten this season, AC Milan would have been targeting a much better start to the campaign. They have claimed two wins and as many draws from their opening four matches, slightly off last season’s start where they began with three victories and a draw.

AC Milan failed to find their spark in midweek as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Sassuolo. The problem for AC Milan is that they have struggled to find that attacking quality that was so easy to come by last season.

The likes of Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao have not been at their best this season, but manager Stefano Pioli will take solace in the fact that the Rossoneri are still unbeaten.

Inter Milan’s start to the campaign has only been slightly better than AC Milan’s as they sit just one point above their rivals. They have claimed three wins this season but have already been outclassed 3-1 by Lazio.

The Nerazzurri bounced back from the defeat at Lazio in style as they triumphed 3-1 over Cremonese on Tuesday.

One difference between the two sides is that Inter Milan have not lacked quality in the final third. There is little to separate between AC Milan and Inter Milan at the moment and they are likely to battle to a draw

Credit: mrfixitstips.co.uk

Barcelona to record 3rd straight win against Sevilla

 

Ansu Fati, Barcelona

Barcelona will be looking to record a third straight La Liga victory when they continue their 2022-23 campaign against Sevilla at Estadio Ramon on Saturday night.

The Catalan outfit will enter the contest in Seville off the back of a 4-0 win over Real Valladolid, but an off-colour Sevilla suffered a 2-1 defeat to Almeria in their last match.

Sevilla have finished fourth in La Liga in each of the last three campaigns, and they were only three points off second-place Barcelona in Spain’s top flight last term, but it would be fair to say that their form in the early stages of this season has been slightly alarming.

It is still so early in the season, but Sevilla are languishing down in 15th spot in the table, having picked up just one point from three matches, which is certainly a concern heading into a clash with Barcelona.

Sevilla’s defensive problems are a concern ahead of this match, and we are finding it really tough to back the home side to get anything from the contest.

Barcelona have so much attacking talent, and we are expecting Xavi’s side to make it three straight wins in relatively comfortable fashion considering the difficulty of the match.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Chelsea,  West Ham in all-London showdown at Stamford Bridge

Raheem Sterling, Chelsea

Stamford Bridge forms the backdrop for an all-London Premier League showdown between Chelsea and West Ham United.

Coming into Saturday’s clash, Thomas Tuchel’s side squandered a 1-0 lead secured by Raheem Sterling as Southampton bounced back to beat them 2-1 at St Mary’s Stadium.

With the latest £75m addition of Wesley Fofana, the under-fire Blues manager is running out of excuses as his men need a victory to regain confidence and keep pace with fellow top-four bidders.

West Ham’s visit to the Bridge could, therefore, be timed to perfection, considering David Moyes’ lads are experiencing a wasteful start to the season.

Michail Antonio and his teammates had lost their opening three Premier League matches without scoring despite the club’s extravagant spending over the summer.

A disheartening loss at Southampton means Tuchel is facing the risk of losing back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time as a Chelsea manager, and the gaffer will try to avoid it.

Funeral &Burial Service For The Late Nana Yaa Ofosuhemaa Agyeman

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The late Nana Yaa Ofosuhemaa Agyeman laid to rest
Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kojo Kyeremanteng and ex- President John Mahama

The mortal remains of Nana Yaa Ofosuhemaa Agyeman, wife of Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Haruna Attah, was laid to rest on Wednesday August 31, 2022 after a private funeral and burial service held at the Lashibi Funeral Home in Accra.

Nana Yaa, a warm and sweet person, passed on while on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra, on Wednesday 17 August 2022.

She worked at the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) and then as Editor of the defunct Accra Daily Mail (ADM), a private newspaper, where she and her husband trained and nurtured several journalists.

Tribute being read by the family

Nana Yaa left behind two daughters – Rahma and Ayesha Harruna Attah – and her husband, who served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Namibia under the John Mahama led Government.

Credit: thepublisheronline.com

 

Funeral and burial service for the late Nana Yaa Ofosuhemaa Agyeman
Ex- President Mahama greets former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, sister of the deceased
Ex-President Mahama consoles the widower, HE Abdul-Rahman Haruna Atta
Old Achimotans reading their tribute

Supreme Court Is Too Packed With judges; H. Kwesi Prempeh

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh

The Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and one of Ghana’s finest legal luminaries, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has expressed concern over the number of judges that have been appointed to the Supreme Court.

According to him, Kenya, which is bigger in size and with larger population has just seven Supreme Court judges, but here in Ghana, he has lost count of the number of judges appointed to the apex court.

Professor Prempeh argued that despite Kenya’s unforgiving legal battles, the same judges are the ones hearing the election petition of the country’s just ended presidential election.

The law professor was speaking at a multi-stakeholder conference on local government reforms organised by the CDD-Ghana in Accra yesterday.

His comment was rooted in allegation that judges are appointed to the Supreme Court of Ghana to sit on cases that sometimes affect their independence.

Apart from the Supreme Court, the CDD-Ghana boss was equally worried over the number of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country.

He reiterated that Kenya, which has over 45 million population and a large landsize, has about 46 counties, as compared to Ghana’s 261 MMDAs. To him, Ghanaians like multiplication of numbers without outcomes.

On the local government reforms, he argued that there was a need for a more scientific approach for reforming the local government system.

In his view, the current local government being operated can be equated to the colonial era, which is long gone, thus a Governor versus District Chief Executive (DCE).

According to him, it is time Ghana visit other countries on the continent of Africa to learn from their examples of decentralisation system, in order to establish a comparative case.

Some of the suggestions tabled at the conference include scrapping of unit committees of the MMDAs, as well as repealing Article 55(3) to allow political parties participation in district level elections.

Others also argued that political parties’ involvement in local government election would not necessarily translate into producing persons with competence and capabilities or address inclusiveness or tackle corruption.

Fallout from Jubilee House visit; Kwabena Donkor Flies Off The Handle

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Dr Kwabena Donkor and colleagues at Jubilee House
Dr Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East

A former Minister for Power and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has flown off the handle over The Chronicle publication that he and some colleague MPs visited the Jubilee House, seat of government, to thank President Akufo-Addo for the massive projects that have sprung up in their respective constituencies.

In a rejoinder sent the Spear of the Nation, the former minister admitted that he and colleague National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs were at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, this week, but denied that they were there to thank the president for the massive projects in their constituencies. The following is the full rejoinder sent to us.

I, Dr Kwabena Donkor on behalf of the Bono East MPs, who accompanied Nananom (and particularly the NDC MPs) to the Jubilee House yesterday, 30th August, 2022 urge members of the National Democratic Congress and the general public to disregard The Chronicle newspaper publication dated Wednesday, August 31, 2022 with the headline “NDC MPS Visit Jubilee House to thank Akufo Addo for Massive projects in their Constituencies’’

The Bono East Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on His Excellency, President Akufo-Addo yesterday. MPs and MCEs from the Region were invited to accompany Nananom.

Three Paramount Chiefs in my Constituency, one of whom is the President of the House of Chiefs were present and so my Colleagues and I accompanied Nananom.

Indeed, the President even joked that this was the first time a meeting was held in Jubilee House where NDC MPs outnumbered NPP MPs (and rightly so). NDC has eight out of the eleven parliamentary seats in the Region.

The Chiefs thanked the President for creating the Bono East Region as custom and tradition demanded.

They then went further to remind HE the President of some commitment the government made, including the establishment of a public university in the region and the promise of Office building to house the House of Chiefs, among others.

Nananom then took the opportunity to draw the President’s attention to the abandonment of site by a number of road contractors working in the Region on critical highways and town roads. It was a fruitful meeting.

It is worth mentioning that NDC won in Ten of the Eleven Constituencies in the Presidential Election and Eight out of the Eleven, with one still being contested in Court.

As loyal sons and daughters of the Bono East Region, we would continue to support our revered traditional rulers in the quest to develop the Bono East Region for the benefit of Ghana and the Region.

We are not deterred by the opportunistic propaganda of a few journalists with their own anti-development agenda.

Agyemang Manu insists advance payment made before LC was established

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Kwaku Agyemang Manu, Minister for Health

Q. Have a look at Exhibit B. Sir, the Government of Ghana, as you have indicated, was required to establish Letters of Credit for the purchase of the ambulances under clause 4 of the contract. Is that not so?

A. That is so.
Q. And under clause 4:2 bullet point 1, the Letters of Credit was to be established upon the signing of the contract. Is that not so?
A. That is so.

Q. Can you confirm when Exhibit B was executed?
A. My Lady, if I may read, the contracts which states that the Letters of Credit shall be established upon sight of goods.
Q. Please, have a look at exhibit 3 for A1. It is a letter from the Bank of Ghana to the Ministry of Health?

A. That is so.
Q. And in this letter, the Bank of Ghana was seeking approval or authorisation from the Ministry of Health to make certain payments in relation to the ambulances. Is that so?
A. That is so.
Q. Can you read the entire letter?

A. Reads…
Q. This letter was written after A1, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, had written to the Bank of Ghana requesting for the setting of the Letters of Credit?
A. It was written earlier than the Bank of Ghana letter.

Q. It is quite clear the exhibit did not establish the Letters of Credit?
A. The establishment of the Letters of Credit was done on August7, 2014.
Q. It is quite clear that Exhibit A did not authorise any payment under the Letters of Credit?

A. If you look at the terms of the contract payment, it was to be done by Letters of Credit. So if you require for a Letter of Credit you are requesting for a payment.
Q. Are you aware that after Exhibit A was sent to the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Health had to apply for the establishment of the Letter of Credit?

A. I’m not aware.
Q. And there are documents in this court to show that the applicant was the Ministry of Health?

A. I have not seen any such documents.
Q. You will agree with me that you cannot authorise payment under Letters of Credit until the Letter of Credit is established?
A. I don’t think so.

Q. It is not possible for a person to authorise a payment under a Letters of Credit before the Letter of Credit is authorised?

A. That is not possible.
Q. I am suggesting to you that since at the time that Exhibit A was sent to the Bank of Ghana, no Letters of Credit for the ambulances had been established?
A. That is correct.

Q. Based on the answer that you have given, it is not correct to say that Exhibit A authorised the payment under the Letters of Credit?

A. I will insist it is correct, because I do not have any other evidence or correspondence that went into establishing the Letter of Credit. I have evidence, which confirms my answer, and I do not have any evidence to actually negate that fact.

Q. Please have a look at Exhibit B. What is the caption?
A. Establishment of Letter of Credit in favour of Big Sea. This letter makes reference to an earlier letter, which is what A1 wrote.

Q. You indicated that the 30 ambulances imported into the country have not been delivered to the Republic. Do you still insist?
A. Yes.

Q. I am suggesting to you that there is correspondence from the Ministry of Health that they have taken delivery of the ambulances?

A. I am not privy to that. What I know is that the letters that the previous minister wrote indicated that the ambulances were not fit for purpose, and had refused to take custody of them, and when Big Sea agreed to rectify the defects to the best of my knowledge.

Q. One of the Ministers was Alexander Segbefia?
A. That is correct.

Q. Before coming to testify, you reviewed all relevant documents in respect of the ambulance at the Ministry?

A. I reviewed documents that I sighted, and couldn’t have reviewed documents that I am not privy to.
Q. Do you know of any document in relation to the ambulances that you haven’t reviewed before coming to testify?

A. I do not know of any.
Q. Have a look at Exhibit AG. Kindly read the first line of Page 3.
A. The company so far delivered 30 ambulances, which did not meet the specifications stipulated in the contact.

Q. And that letter was written by Alex Segbefia?
A. That is so. But the letter also indicates suspension of all payments until the … are resolved in court. To me, this doesn’t constitute delivery of the ambulances.

Q. You indicated that the Office of the Attorney-General rendered a legal opinion on the execution of the contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea?
A. That is so.

Q. And that opinion is Exhibit X?
A. Yes.
Q. Please, have a look at Exhibit X and read?

A. Reads… we will be charged to put up a defence in court if sued…
Q. So in Exhibit X it was the considered opinion of the Attorney-General that the contract between Big Sea and Government of Ghana was valid and binding?

A. In the opinion of the Attorney-General I will say yes.
Q. And you are aware that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are bound by the opinion of the Attorney-General on legal matters?
A. I don’t know what you mean by bound, but if I understand you, I’ll say no.

Q. Are you aware that MDAs have a legal duty to comply with the legal advice of the Attorney-General?

A. I know they are to take and not abide. I say further that in this particular case that the Minister, Sherry Ayitey, responded to the Attorney-General that she did not have funds to enable her execute, so if ministers are bound to comply with the Attorney-General’s advice, then she wouldn’t have written that letter.

Q. Have a look at Exhibit X. Is that the reply of the Ministry of Health to the Attorney-General?

A. That is correct.
Q. Have you followed all the correspondence between the Ministry of Health and the Attorney-General regarding to advice of the Attorney-General to the Ministry in the ambulance contract?

A. I’ve sighted just one, which is marked as Exhibit Y.
Q. Are you aware that the Office of the Attorney-General replied to Exhibit Y, indicating that the MDAs and statutory institutions are bound on the question of law?
A. I have not sighted that letter.

Q. Take a look at this letter and confirm whether or not it is a letter from the Attorney-General to the Ministry of Health, in relation to the ambulance transaction?

A. What I can say is that on the face of this document, a letter from the Attorney-General to the Minster of Health was signed by the then deputy Attorney-General. I wouldn’t be in a position to confirm, and this is the first time I am seeing this.

Q. And you are testifying in your capacity as the Minister of Health in relation to matters regarding the Ministry of Health?
A. Yes.

Q. I am suggesting to you that the letter, dated June 9, 2014, from the Attorney-General to the Minister of Health with the caption ‘Re: Agreement between Big Sea and the Government of Ghana’, the Attorney-General informed the Ministry of Health that it was bound by the opinion of the Attorney-General on the questions of law?

A. That is an opinion from the Attorney-General. That is what it is.
Q. In your testimony before this court, you alleged that A1 wrote Exhibit A without recourse to the Ministry of Health and the commercial agreement between Government of Ghana and Big Sea Trading LLC?

A. That is so.
Q. Please, have a look at Exhibit A. That is the letter dated August 17, 2014. The first paragraph mentions the supplier agreement between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea. Is that not the case?

A. That is the case.
Q. And a number of persons and ministries have been copied?
A. That is the case.
Q. The first Minister copied is the Minister of Health?
A. That is so.
Q. Take a look at one of the correspondence you reviewed before testifying in court.

A. Yes.
Q. So you agree with me that it is not entirely correct that there was no reference or recourse to the Ministry of Health when Exhibit A was written?
A. I do not agree, because when such agreements are done, payments are triggered by the beneficiary ministry, and I was expecting to see a request from the Ministry of Health requesting the Ministry of Finance to make payment in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Q. But you will see under Exhibit 3 for A1 that the Bank of Ghana wrote to the Ministry of Health to authorise payment under the Letter of Credit?
A. This is an invitation to the Ministry of Health to come and inspect documents in respect of the contract and cannot be a letter authorising payment.

Q. I suggest to you that Exhibit 3 for A1 does not say that?
A. That is my understanding.
Q. Have a look at Exhibit 1 for A1. Have you sighted this document? It is an application form for the Letter of Credit by the Ministry of Health?

A. No.
Q. Who is the applicant in Exhibit 1 for A1?
A. The Ministry of Health.

Q. Who signed the exhibit?
A. There are no names here. There are designations, Accountant General and Deputy Accountant General.
Case adjourned to today at 10.

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