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Ex-German leader Angela Merkel wins UN refugee prize

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Angela Merkel

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has won the United Nations refugee agency’s prestigious Nansen Refugee Award, receiving praise for her determination to protect asylum seekers while in office.

Pointing to the more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers welcomed by Germany in 2015 and 2016, at the height of a migrant crisis sparked especially by the war in Syria, the UNHCR selection committee on Tuesday hailed Merkel’s “leadership, courage and compassion”.

At the time, the woman who led the German government for 16 years said the situation “put our European values to the test as seldom before. It was no more and no less than a humanitarian imperative.”

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi hailed Merkel’s determination to protect asylum seekers and to stand up for human rights, humanitarian principles and international law.

“By helping more than a million refugees to survive and rebuild, Angela Merkel displayed great moral and political courage,” he said in a statement.

Credit: Aljazeera.com

Feature: Blame Any Fall On Yourselves, My Dear Brother Nick

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Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams

In Open Response to the “Prophesy” of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams

My Dear Friend and Brother,

I do not think there is the need to introduce myself. I remember the first time I met you over four and a half decades ago at the Association School field. It seems like yesterday.

I remember you came to watch us play soccer, in your decent attire and infectious smiles, a real gentleman I will say.

You later inspired my younger brother to become a labourer in Christ’s vineyard.

I am compelled to respond to your latest comment on a national issue in which you said that what you were about to say was not a prophesy, but your own mind.

Adding that if things do not change, there will be an uprising in this country after 2024. Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:12, you stated your personal opinion, assuring us, it was not from Christ.

My Dear Brother Nick, I know that in these times, there is growing despair among the youth and some of them are been incited to run riot and take over the country through a revolution.

Apart from the fact that this cannot be the solution to problems this country is facing, recalling how some youth in the Ghana Armed Forces violently took over the affairs of this country in 1979 and where they led us to, we certainly do not need any revolution again.

We must eschew political, ethnic and ideological differences, and find lasting solutions to our problems.

My Dear Brother Nick, I personally believe that should this country fall, it should not be blamed on politicians, on public office holders or on the private sector but on the leadership of Christian churches in this country called Ghana, and I am afraid, you and yours are not excluded.

I am saying this because there are over 22 million Christians in Ghana making up over 71% of the population. And there are numerous churches per square kilometre where daily services are held even during working hours.

My Dear Brother Nick, unfortunately, in all these, Christ is been seriously ridiculed in this country. I can say without any fear of contradiction that many are those who are not Christians, who will feel disgusted about Christianity because of the conduct of Christians, especially in the leadership of the churches in Ghana.

Most of your brothers and sisters in the ministry do things that are alien to the mind of Christ. How can a leader of a Christian church, proudly inform his church members that he had slept with his junior pastor’s wife and this should be accepted as coming from Christ?

How can a man of God use God’s name to predict results of a soccer game and when the victory went the other way, he was bold to tell us that that God was alarmed at the number of people going in for betting, so He changed the results, and this should be accepted as coming from Christ?

During election years some men and women of God will come out claiming God had ordained this or the other candidate to win. Different names coming from the same source as if God cannot make up His mind and this should be accepted as coming from Christ?

How can a man of God with armed guards violently invade the premises of someone and threatened to kill her, but when the law caught up with him, he comes back to blame the president, his vice and the IGP for not stopping him from been arrested and this should be accepted as coming from Christ?

Jesus Christ who did no wrong was arrested, tortured, thrown into jail and later killed, yet He never complained but rather beg for forgiveness of the wicked.

My Dear Brother Nick, as you are aware that something worrying is taking place? In the Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 9 verse 49, John reported to Jesus saying, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.”

And this is where my worries emanate from. If Jesus’ disciples would prevent someone from using the Name of Jesus, to do good things, why are His shepherds of now-a-days not condemning their own who use the Name of Jesus to do wrong things?

No church leader is standing up for Christ by rebuking and condemning those fake men and women of God who act against the will of Christ.

After news broke that a pastor had killed his own sister-in-law and went on to admit that he and his accomplice had earlier killed two more for ritual purposes and another pastor was alleged to have beheaded his wife, to this day, no leader of the Church has come out to condemn the act. What a shame.

No one wants to defend the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Because it rather seems as if, all of you are only interested in fame and wealth and do not care about the good name of the Church.

During the mandatory ban on gathering due to the Covid in 2020, which significantly affected attendance of church activities, it was a shame how some pastors used the electronic media and to organise church and demanded that their congregants send money to numbers displayed through electronic transfer or MoMo.

Can you imagine? While death was lurking on everyone’s window and doorstep, pastors were eager to collect money from the poor and the needy.

You should be aware of effects of wrongly using material fame and wealth. When these are misdirected, they lead to a situation where idolatry comes in, making the fellow to believe that only money matters in life and God is.

How God relates to the spiritually poor is beautifully written in the Gospel of St. Luke 16: 19-31, and that is about Lazarus and the rich man.

Lazarus was poor and his situation signified one who had emptied himself for the Lord, one who blessed and thanked the Lord for his every breath and heartbeat, one who knows that before God and man he was nothing.

The rich man signified as one who is completely independent of God and does not allow Him to come into his life.

Have you noticed that upon all his might and wealth, this rich man was never mentioned by name, but poor Lazarus’ name was mentioned?God remembers those who are submissive to Him and calls them to His side. This is what you and your colleagues must do.

This is where I come in. With a population of over 71%, Ghana is expected to be moulded in the Life of Christ and Christianity should be positively felt everywhere in this country and among Ghanaians. Sadly, that is not the case.

The leadership of the churches are to lead their members to Christ. So, if today, there is corruption and high crime everywhere then the problem is the leadership of the churches.

Known drug barons, highly corrupt people, so-called church members who violate every bit of Isaiah 58, people who are so wicked and treacherous and people who cannot fit into the Body of Christ are blessed and prayed over in the presence of the poor in the church.

When the table is laid before them in the presence their enemies, they feel more than conquerors and drive away the poor, who come to beg for crumbs, from their sight, and continue in their wickedness.

With this the poor in the church who wants recognition in the sight of God, may also follow suite and go corrupt. He will then come and give testimony, lying about how his life changed and praise God for great things He did to him.

My Dear Brother Nick, the love of money and wealth has entered into the church, and blessings from God are now auctioned. The more one gives the greater the blessings. And I thought this was one of the reasons, Martin Luther criticized the Holy Catholic Church and broke away in the 1500’s.

There is no single instance during church services that any of these now-a-days men and women of God will condemn the corrupt members in their churches, because these corrupt government appointees and private businessmen are the sources of wealth for that man of God.

He would rather attack such people who do not belong to his church.

My Dear Brother Nick, in your view, who are letting Ghana down? Who are letting the youth down, who cannot see a clear future ahead of them.

To them there is always honour among thieves in this country because those who are corrupt and overly greedy are protected by the churches and offered wonderful blessings from God, while the poor are even forced to pay tithes and made to somehow believe that their money is going straight to God.

As if God, in putting up mansions in Heaven to accommodate the saints coming in, is running out of money. Tithes that are supposed to be used on the poor rather flow from the poor.

In my candid view, as long as the men and women of God in the Christian churches, cannot convert sinners among the followers, Ghana will continue to sink low.

My Dear Brother Nick, it is your responsibility and that of others in the ministry, who should live by good examples, to change Ghanaians and make us walk on the path of righteousness. Failure to do so and this country runs down, you are to blame.

If God has given you the power to lead His flock, do exactly that and crack the whip on the sheep who stray away.And do not be afraid to openly correct your colleagues who are straying away. Take a cue from Galatians 2: 11-14 and do exactly what Paul did.

The rise and fall of this country is in your hands, not in the hands of the politicians, the public office holders and private businessmen. Pray to God for that gift that can transform the sinner and make him or her draw closer to God.

My Dear Brother Nick, please accept that what you said about a violent uprising coming up after 2024 if things do not change, is that silent Voice of God drawing your attention to the situation in your church and some other churches and begin the clean-up now and you will witness a great transformation and give the glory to God.

Amen and thanks.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Today’s Uefa Champions League Fixtures & Preview

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Tomori, Giroud lead AC Milan

Ex-Chelsea stars Giroud, Tomori lead Milan to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea fans will hope that the third time is the charm in the 2022-23 Champions League as they welcome AC Milan to Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s Group E showdown.

Graham Potter‘s side sit dead last in the section after two matches without a win, while the Rossoneri have taken four points from six to occupy first place.

Having got off the mark domestically with a win over Crystal Palace, ending Chelsea’s winless run in Europe is next on the agenda for Potter, whose first game in charge of the club ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Red Bull Salzburg.

First-placed Milan are only three points clear at this early stage of proceedings, and the Blues will be intent on upsetting the apple cart.

Not since March 2010 have Chelsea suffered defeat at home to Italian opposition in Europe – losing 1-0 to Jose Mourinho‘s Inter Milan – and the hosts have gone eight games at Stamford Bridge without defeat.

However, Milan have gone eight away games without defeat and are now aiming to end a European hoodoo on English turf, with their only win in such matches coming at Old Trafford against Manchester United in February 2005.

Milan’s lengthy injury list will have the home crowd travelling to Stamford Bridge with plenty of optimism, but Pioli is still packed with quality options in all areas of the field, including two former Blues determined to make an impact upon their return to the capital.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

City to extend 21-game unbeaten home run against Copenhagen

Haaland and Foden on rampage

Manchester City will bid to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens currently sit at the summit of Group G with six points, five clear of their Danish opponents, who picked up a point against Sevilla last time out.

After beating Sevilla in Spain in their opening Group G game, City edged past Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win at the Etihad last month to maintain their 100% start. The Citizens are currently enjoying a 21-game unbeaten home run in the Champions League and they will be firm favourites to extend this impressive run.

Copenhagen travel to the Etihad after winning only one of their last seven matches away from home and have only won one of their last 10 away games in the Champions League, have scored just one goal in six matches against English opposition.

Copenhagen frustrated Sevilla last time out to earn a point, but they will likely struggle against a rampant City outfit, especially if Haaland retains his place in Guardiola’s lineup.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Real Madrid to make it three straight wins in Group F

Benzema, Vinicius Jr best partnership to carry Real Madrid home

Real Madrid will be bidding to make it three straight wins in Group F when they continue their Champions League campaign at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

Los Blancos have beaten Celtic and RB Leipzig in their opening two European matches to sit top of the section on six points, while Shakhtar are second, having claimed four points from their first two games.

Real Madrid lifted the European Cup for the 14th time in their history when they beat Liverpool in last season’s final, and the Spanish champions are again among the frontrunners for the trophy this term, with the team already in a strong position to reach the last-16 stage of the competition.

Real Madrid will be the favourites to record a third straight victory in Group F on Wednesday, but they lost home and away to Shakhtar in the group stage of the 2020-21 competition, with the Ukrainian giants recording a 3-2 victory at Bernabeu on matchday one.

Shakhtar have made an impressive start to their Group F campaign, recording a 4-1 victory away to RB Leipzig in their section opener on September 6 before playing out a 1-1 draw with Celtic in their next game, and a total of four points has left them second ahead of their double-header with Real Madrid.

Shakhtar are more than capable of picking up a result but the reigning champions have been so strong at the start of this season, though, and we are backing them to put another three points on the board.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Benfica, PSG in top-of-the-table clash in Lisbon.

Messi, Mbappe and Neymar on fire

Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain will both be aiming to continue their perfect starts to the 2022-23 Champions League when they lock horns in Wednesday’s Group H game at the Estadio da Luz.

Both teams have taken six points from their opening two games, but something has to give in this week’s top-of-the-table clash in Lisbon.

All good things must come to an end, and Benfica were the victims of that age-old saying at the weekend, as they saw their remarkable winning run halted in a goalless stalemate with their Primeira Liga opponents on Saturday.

Prior to that 0-0 draw, Benfica had begun life in the 2022-23 campaign with 13 victories from 13 matches in all competitions during a sensational start to their new era under Roger Schmidt.

PSG have also navigated the 2022-23 season unbeaten so far – winning each of their last seven in all competitions – but not since October 2020 have the capital club kept a clean sheet away from home in Europe’s premier competition.

Benfica and PSG have not locked horns competitively since the 2013-14 Champions League group stage, where Les Parisiens thumped their Portuguese counterparts 3-0 at home before losing 2-1 away from home, and both managers are putting their unbeaten streaks on the line in Lisbon. It may require a moment of magic to decide this contest between two unbeaten heavyweights.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Akufo-Addo Mad Over AG Report

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MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo
Dr Eric Oduro Osae, Director General, International Audit Agency addressing Internal Auditors at the workshop in Accra

President Akufo-Addo is not happy with the numerous infractions revealed in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report on State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs).

He, therefore, summoned the chairpersons of the boards of the specified entities to the Jubilee House yesterday, to register his displeasure and charged them to change the narrative next year.

The 2021 findings by the A-G show various irregularities in public institutions that have denied the state unimaginable amounts of money, a development the citizens are not happy about.

President Akufo-Addo noted that the report clearly shows an increase in infractions, which demands “answers from all of you here.”

He reminded them that the Specified Entities have been set up to promote public economic activities and contribute to our GDP, amongst others.

He, however, remarked that “the current trend of affairs neither portrays that picture nor reflects positively on the managers of our Specified Entities, oversight institutions and the government itself.

Benjamin Adjetey, Director, Director for Technical, Research, Monitoring ,Evaluation, Internal Audit Agency speaking at the workshop in Accra

“It is a clear indication of poor supervision and management, as well as poor enforcement of implementation and sanctions of the needed measures. I appointed you as leaders of these specified entities with the strong belief that you would ensure a positive change in the narrative of loss-making entities and build value for the people of Ghana. That has not happened, so I expect more from you,” he charged.

REPORT IN 4 WEEKS

After he reminded them of the need to change the narrative, President Akufo-Addo followed up with a directive to the Director-General of SIGA and the Auditor General.

They are to drill down to the causes of the infractions, identify the persons responsible, make the necessary recommendations as prescribed by law, and submit a report to the Chief of Staff in four weeks from yesterday.

ABNORMAL TIMES

President Akufo-Addo further reminded them of the challenging period of the nation, a development he observed often triggers citizens to eagerly apportion blame.

He bluntly told them that their hard-earned reputation and honour were at stake if things crumbled under their watch.

Aside from that, there are also serious sanctions in the SIGA Act and other laws for mismanagement, negligence and outright malfeasance.

“We are not in normal times and people are eager to blame somebody; let us not make it easy for people to blame us. We can defend and be excused for what is humanly beyond our control; but for those that fall under our purview of responsibility and capacity, let us do our best,” he asserted.

DIALOGUE

He had called the meeting to get to know from the board chairs and what they believe to be the causes, and for all of them to agree on solutions to address these infractions.

Some of the Auditors at the Internal Auditors opening session of a three day Workshop in Accra

“I want to see a marked improvement in these reports next year. Things must change,” he added.

The President further asked the Board Chairs to ponder over why SoEs or specified entities are not faring well in the same sectors in which their private sector counterparts are thriving and making a profit.

LEGACY DEBT

The Board Chairmen on their part appealed to the government to have a look at the legacy debt owed by some SoEs, as it has affected the financial stability of those entities.

The Spokesperson for the Boards of SoEs, Isaac Osei, made the appeal to the President when addressing the meeting.

On his part, the Director General of SIGA assured the President that his outfit will work with the various boards to ensure such infractions are reduced.

However, Mr. Ben Arthur, the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, bemoaned the payment of huge bonuses by some boards of SoEs without payment of dividends, urging that this must stop.

A Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare acknowledged the importance of SoEs but added that it was unfortunately difficult to leverage SoEs to contribute to economic growth.

She was hopeful the involvement of the President would help salvage the situation.

Okyenhene Is Very Furious; As illegal miners invade cocoa farms

By
ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin

The overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area in the Eastern Region,Osaagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II has angrily spoken against illegal mining, which is gradually getting out of hand in the country.

According to the tough spoken overlord, it saddens him that Ghanaians and particularly the government have allowed an alien to destroy cocoa sustainability and water bodies in some communities in the country.

To him, the government has failed in its effort to fight illegal mining in the country, a development he blamed on those leading the fight. He contended that  no one has the right to sell his or her cocoa farm to foreigners for illegal mining to destroy the  Akyem Abuakwa lands, adding that galamsey has nothing good to offer Ghanaian cocoa farmers.

‘‘There is no chief who has managed to buy excavators for illegal mining and it is not an offense for chiefs to send their taskforce to protect our lands and water bodies,’’ said Osaagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II.

Speaking at the annual cocoa celebration day at Suhum, Osaagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II explained that fighting illegal mining is for the protection and progress of the next generations in the country.

On the welfare of cocoa farmers, the Akyem Abuakwa overlord encouraged the government to allow chiefs and farmers to actively participate in decisions that are most important to the advancement of cocoa farmers.

He commended the entire board members of the Ghana Cocoa Board for their tremendous performance for putting good measures in place and achieving the vision of President Akuffo Addo for the betterment of the country.

Notwithstanding the praises, he was quick to express grave concern over the low percentage Ghana received after exporting the cocoa to foreign countries.

He pleaded with the board members of the Ghana Cocoa Board to extend the cocoa scholarship scheme to the farmers to enable their broods to advance in their education to take over the leadership mantle.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo on his part indicated that the Cocoa Day celebration has been held annually since 2005 to recognise the efforts of hard working cocoa farmers.

Mr Boahen Aidoo said that Cocoa Day celebration is to create awareness for health and nutritional benefits of cocoa and to encourage the citizenry to consume cocoa products in their daily lives.

 

He stated that management of the COCOBOD are working hard to attract the youth into cocoa farming, invite private investments into local value addition and encourage domestic consumption of cocoa.

Mr Boahen Aidoo affirmed that COCOBOD@75 aimed to protect the cocoa economy by securing sustainable farming practices alongside boosting domestic cocoa consumption, adding that the board and management of COCOBOD have adopted stringent internal reforms to control expenditures, cut costs and reduce debt levels drastically.

The 2022 annual Cocoa Day celebration has been entitled “COCOBOD@75: Sustaining Our Environment, Wealth and Health.’’

The COCOBOD CEO asserted that as the government is focused to work to increase cocoa processing and consumptions in order to reduce our dependence on the international buyers of the cocoa beans, there was the need “to realign our interest in cocoa and coffee with those in the European market to prevent dire consequences for our cocoa and coffee produce.”

He disclosed that the COCOBOD is implementing normal productivity and acting programs and other initiatives to promote safe environmental practices.

Boahen Aidoo indicated that the campaigns against illegal mining, deforestation and use of child labor have fetched good quality result.

He said that COCOBOD programs would be in line with three pillars of sustainability, economic viability, environmental protection and social equity.

He added that the impact of cocoa is felt in every household from the socio economic point of view and to the ways in which we express our values, love, traditions and cultures.

Mr Aidoo cautioned Ghanaians to work collectively to sustain the cocoa sector to the future generations.

Jubilation at Kwahu Pepease over settlement of dispute at NHC

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ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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The queen mother of the Pepease Santase Bretuo royal family Nana Foriwah Pokua

The entire Kwahu-Pepease Township in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region was agog last week Thursday after a five member judicial committee of the National House of Chiefs (NHCs) unanimously pronounced judgement on Kwahu Pepease chieftaincy dispute.

The Kwahu Pepease chieftaincy dispute, which started in 2016, has posed a severe security threat to inhabitants of the area, as the two main feuding factions, Nana Bonsu Ayiripe Ababio, Chief of the area and the queen mother of the PepeaseSantaseBretuo royal family, Nana Foriwah Pokua

The five member panel was chaired by Takyemanhene, Osagyefo Ameyaw Akumfi,with Togbega Patomia Dzekley IV, Nana MprahBasemuna, Krachiwura, Osagyefo Kwame Akonu X and Osabarimah Okokyeredom Sakyiako, Drobohene, as members.

In an interview with The Chronicle on Sunday at her official residence in Pepease, the queen mother, Nana ForiwahPokua expressed her profound gratitude to the people of Kwahu Pepease for their prayers and support throughout the struggle.

 

Nana Foriwah Pokua stated that citizens of Kwahu Pepease should ignore all rumors circulating that the National House of Chiefs are yet to bring their judgement on the Kwahu Pepease chieftaincy dispute.

She said judgement has been given in her favour and a cost of GHC 25,000 awarded against Nana Bonus Ayiripe, the respondent.

Narrating the circumstances that led to the dispute, Nana Foriwah Pokua indicated that Opanin Yaw Siem’s brother-in-law, who has the same patriarchal lineage as her uncle’s wife, Serwaa, tried “to usurp the throne of the uncle without going through the traditional protocols that the custodians hold in esteem.”

According to her, she refuted earlier rumours about the usurper’s plans to steal the throne since they were not from the same lineage; the usurper being a member of the Osei Mensah Bretuo clan had no claim to the Twidom throne, which belongs to the SantasiBretuo clansmen.

She emphasised that the only ties between the two clan is marriage, which in the traditional rights do not permit one to be enstooled as chief in the other family, consequently the SantasiBretuo Clan was responsible for enstooling the usurper’s mother as Asafohene of Asomanasi.

They called for the matter to be settled amicably within the family but the usurper failed to appear for the meeting, as a result the matter was taken to the Kwahu Traditional Council to serve as an arbitrator.

“It took the Council more than two years to settle the issue, which did not go in my favor, hence appealed the decision at the Eastern Regional House of Chief, where the Kwahu traditional council verdict was sustained.”

Nana Foriwah Pokua continued that she further appealed against the verdict at the National House of Chiefs, where the ruling of both the Kwahu Traditional Council and Eastern Regional House of Chiefs were overturned.

Nana Bonsu Ayiripe Ababio and his team were subsequently fined GH¢25, 000

The queen mother of the area has called on the general public to desist from any traditional transaction particularly purchasing of any land from Kwaku Bonsu, adding that anyone who does that risks losing his money because he is not a Chief.

“I and my family were patient about this Chieftaincy issue and this has helped bring peace. I will plead with the people to exercise patience and when it is time for me to install a new chief, we will let them know.”

She called on all citizens of Kwahu Pepease to unite and pave the way for development to prevail. She added that the kontihene of Kwahu Pepease, Nana Aboagye Nketia II should take over the affairs of tradition and custom until she installs a new chief.

Cocoa and Coffee farmers will be in danger if…

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Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah in a group photograph with the officials

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the European Union (EU) to work with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to prevent its proposed ethical and sustainable supply chain rules from becoming a burden on the local cocoa and coffee industry.

According to Mr Oppong Nkrumah, though the new legislation is a way to drive better practices within the cocoa and coffee sub-sector, more importantly, the EU must work with ACP countries in achieving these sustainability standards, else it risks putting players within the value chain out of business.

He made the call when he chaired a two-day forum on the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee value chains in the face of this new EU legislation at the “Alliances in Ghana: Coffee and Chocolate at the table,” in Brussels, Belgium, organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ghanaian Mission in Brussels last week.

“At a time where farmlands are coming under threat for competing and more rewarding economic activities, sustainability is a matter that requires some more attention.

By no means, however, should sustainability be used as a pretext to limit market accessibility. Exchange of best practices and technical assistance is necessary so that we can have a win-win situation in all of this.

“Farmers deserve a recompense for their hard work and should not be left out in any business or policy negotiation. Their social reality and cultural context must be considered when designing legislation so they may meet their demands and not bear a disproportionate burden for complying with the regulation,” he said.

EU lawmakers have backed a proposal for a law that will ban the sale of agriculture products linked to the destruction of forests and human rights violations. The bill was supported by 453 votes to 57, with 123 abstentions. The EU Parliament will now start negotiations on the final text with EU member states.

Once approved, the law would force companies and producers to give assurances that products are deforestation-free and meets EU’s sustainability standards. Businesses will be forced to verify that agricultural goods sold in the EU have not been made on deforested or degraded land anywhere in the world.

This, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said, could soon make Ghana cocoa and coffee unexportable to many international markets within the 27-nation bloc.

He said Ghana must act quickly to ensure the two industries meet the interests of European markets, else millions of households and the economy in general could be significantly affected by this proposed legislation.

Editorial: Prepaid meter crisis: ECG must be up and doing

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

For some days now, customers using the prepaid metering system of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been unable to top-up at the various vending points.

The challenges have affected customers in the Greater Accra, Volta and Central regions. Also affected are parts of the Eastern and Ashanti regions, which has generated a lot of unrest and outrage among its customers.

Many individuals and organisations, especially cold store operators, have taken to social and traditional media to complain bitterly about the situation and how it was affecting their businesses. This paper cannot imagine the amount of monies people have lost within these few days, due to this power challenge.

Thankfully, the problem is being resolved and the ECG has gone ahead to issue a statement that the affected customers could now purchase power credits at the nearest vending points.

The Chronicle would like to draw the attention of Ghanaians to some observations we have made during this short period of the prepaid metering system challenges.

It is very clear that the agitation and outrage poured out by customers during these few days is a reflection of how important power has become in our daily lives.

Prepayment metering was introduced in Ghana in 1994. It has undergone several phases due to technological advancements.  Prepaid metering is where customers buy electricity upfront, instead of the post-paid billing system and has helped utility companies recover revenue.

Ghanaians have embraced the prepayment metering because it allows customers to choose the timing and quantity of purchases they want at their own convenience.

The advantages of prepayment metering are numerous and The Chronicle was happy when it was introduced into the country. For example, the up-front payment for electricity means energy is paid for before it is consumed. There is also no unpaid bill because energy is prepaid.

Then also, the problem of collection of arrears and unpaid bills will be no more, as well as no meter readings.

Prepayment metering has become globally accepted and anything that will undermine it must be discouraged.

Therefore, the interruption in the purchase of electricity credit must be seen as a serious issue that deserves utmost attention.

In April this year, the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, at a news conference, said that ECG lost GH¢3.2 billion revenue as a result of power theft.

The Minister said the phenomena make the ECG unable to raise funds for its operations, as well as maintain its equipment and infrastructure. For a company that is complaining about leakages in revenue collection, it is ironic that customers are roaming from one vending point to another and have to return home with their monies because of ECG’s so called technical hitches.

The mission statement of ECG is to provide quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana. The company has over the years been able to carry out this mission notwithstanding the occasional challenges we encounter.

The Chronicle agrees with ECG and hopes this current challenge will be solved sooner than later.

10 Nigerians on trial for human trafficking 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

Two separate Accra Circuit Courts are trying 10 Nigerians for human trafficking, cyber crime, and prostitution. All the accused persons were remand into lawful custody by the courts yesterday.

Interestingly, the trafficked persons were divided based on their gender – those recruited for the cyber crime were exclusively males and the vice versa for prostitution – with the cases being handled by the Circuit Courts ‘1’ and ‘2’.

The Court ‘2’, presided over by Rosemary Baah Torsu, has remanded seven of the Nigerians into the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for allegedly engaging in human trafficking.

The accused persons are Osas Vincent, Kennedy Anthony, Godson Iyan Inye, Junior Ayala, Ariyo, Desmond Johnson, Andrew Gabriel and Ebedebi Ayaye Friday.

EOCO is, however, hunting for the eighth accused persons – Williams Ogbemudia Idemudia alias Chairman – who is on the run.

The accused persons were charged with 24 counts, including human trafficking, assault and participating in organised crime. All seven accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Osas Vincent, together with the seven others, was put before the court by EOCO yesterday.

The Head of Legal and Prosecution at EOCO, Abu Issah, narrated to the court that on August 29, 2022, the Office received an email from the Nigeria National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) requesting an EOCO intervention in the rescue of its nationals who were being trafficked into Ghana for exploitation.

The email indicated that about 19 persons were being trafficked to be exploited for cyber crime purposes by the accused persons, therefore, EOCO should assist by arresting the traffickers and prosecuting them.

Investigations revealed that the eight accused persons were part of an organised criminal group, in which all the members were Nigerian nationals, acting in concert to commit the offence of human trafficking.

Following up to the tip-off, he narrated that the Office investigation further revealed that the accused persons were part of an organised criminal group, based in Nigeria and Ghana.

He continued that the Office investigations also established that Williams Ogbemudia Idemudia alias Chairman recruited the victims, namely Opia Chuckwudi Samuel, Azaman Pascal, Exe Nya Olughu, Michael Obadidi, Godsway Mark, Emmanuel Christopher, Kelvin Eze, Obinnah Ndidi, Ogwu Chikwado, Okedze Destiny, Samuel Johnson, Kelvin Orumwense, Chinonso Nwolake, Richard Pascal, Promise Enemou, Albert Christian, Peter Joseph Aimuuwwosu, Monday Clement and Emmanuel Ugboh.

Mr. Issah said all the trafficked victims were Nigerian nationals from various states in that country, and were transported to Ghana with the promise to be given jobs.

Unfortunately, he said, the victims were received and detained in Ghana without their consent at Manhean, Obcyceyie by the accused persons who trained and engaged them in internet fraud.

He added that it was in the light of this that the suspects were put before the court for prosecution.

The court ordered the prosecution to file all its disclosures within 21, days and adjourned the case to October 17, 2022.

The Circuit Court ‘1’, presided over by Afia Owusuaa Appiah, was informed by Chief Inspector Richard Amoah that the Head Pastor of the Baptist Church at Tesano, Rev. Jonathan Kwasi Attuah, lodged a complainant with the police.

He added that the accused persons were Joy Gimbia Galadima, Juliet Ijeoma Chiryere Nnaji and Happiness Augustine Williams, Nigerian commercial sex workers, and Collins Nana Yaw Oppong Bempong, a painter whose fiancée was Juliet Ijeoma Chiryere. He added that all the accused persons resided at Lapaz.

According to him, on September 1, 2022, Joy Gimbia Galadima, Juliet Ijeoma Chiryere Nnaji and Happiness Augustine Williams conspired and lured two teenagers from Nigeria to Ghana with the promise to acquire jobs for them as sales officers.

He said Joy deliberately paid a sum of ₦240,000, equivalent to GH¢5,732.00, to Happiness to lured the victims all the way from the River State in Nigeria to come to Ghana.

The prosecutor stated that the teenagers arrived in Accra on September 2, 2022, and were kept at Juliet and her fiancée’s resident. It was at this point that the accused persons disclosed to them that the job that they would engage in was prostitution.

He indicated that Oppong later threatened and forced the victims to swear that they would y GH¢2,000 each to Joy and Juliet before they are set free.

Luckily, on September 3, 2022, at about 4:30am, one of the victims while roaming on the streets of Lapaz met members of the Baptist Church on an evangelism mission, and narrated her ordeal to them.

The church then took custody of the victim and consequently petitioned the National Investigation Bureau for action.

On September 23 and 27, 2022, at about 12:00pm, the accused persons were arrested and they all admitted the offence.

I was asleep when convict escaped -Investigator tells court

By
BERNICE BESSEY
-
0
Court

Detective Lance Corporal Kwame Adu Asabereh was put in charge of a British national, Harold Davis Johnson also known as Emmanuel Snowden, to be sent to the Nsawam Prisons, but said the convict escaped while he was sleeping in a taxi cab, which was conveying them.

He told an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Patricia Amponsah, while being cross-examined by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare that Harold Davis, who was convicted on the offence defrauding by false pretence, escaped on the Achimota-Ofankor Highway.

According to D/L/Cpl Asabereh, he takes responsibility for being negligent while on duty, but would not accept the charge that he aided the British national to abscond from the jurisdiction.

The embattled Detective also told the court he was not the one who released convict Harold’s passport to him to flee, which suggested that others might have played a role.

As a result, the accused has pleaded not guilty to the offence of forgery of official document, abetment of crime, and corruption by a public officer.

He also denied forging an official document, although he admitted preparing it under supervision, he did not sign same.

Meanwhile, the prosecuting officer, DSP Asare, informed the court that the convict was released to the accused on September 10, 2019, who never returned him and rather chose to shuttle between his home and the police station.

The prosecutor also alleged that the escapee paid D/L/Cpl Asabereh £10,000 to allow him to escape from the jurisdiction.

DSP Asare queried his junior officer on how the fugitive was visiting the Mamprobi Police Station from Achimota between May 2019 and September 2019.

He added that the denial of the accused that he did not sign a statement, which he prepared under supervision, was inconsistent with his subsequent entries that the runway was in police custody.

The prosecuting officer indicated that the accused was not being truthful to the court, because on September 30, 2019, the trial court did not sit, “so Exhibit B, page 2, where you stated that you hired a taxi after court session to send the convict to Nsawam was incorrect.”

He stressed that between May 8th and September 30, 2019, the convict was still in the jurisdiction and was captured being in police custody, therefore, Harold escaped only after September 2019.

Fate of D/L/Cpl Asabereh

The court has adjourned the case to October 28, 2022, to decide on the embattled police officer’s fate.

Background

D/L/Cpl Asabereh made his first appearance in court on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 on the charge that with intent to deceive the Director-General of CID, he allegedly forged the police prisoners’ removal book to suggest that convict Harold was sent or received by the Nsawam Prisons authorities.

Also with the intent to prevent execution of the law, he allegedly facilitated the escape of the convict who was in his custody, and in respect of his duties an police officer, allowed himself to be influenced by the convict on the promise that he would assist him to travel abroad if he released his passport to him.

Brief facts

The court was told that the accused person was a Police Officer stationed at the CID Headquarters, Accra.

However, somewheres in the year 2019, a case of defrauding by false pretences involving one Harold Davies Johnson alias Emmanuel Snowden, a British national, who was reported by Dr. Shadrack Asare was referred to the accused person for investigation.

After the investigation, the accused person was instructed to charged and arraigned Harold Davies Johnson for court for the offence of defrauding by false pretences.

Harold Davies Johnson was subsequently arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court ‘2’, presided over by H/H Naa Adjetey Quaison, and pleaded guilty Simplicita to the charge.

Harold Davies Johnson was convicted on his own plea of guilty to three years imprisonment, and was handed over to the accused person, who was then the case officer, to be sent to Nsawam Prison.

Surprisingly, the accused person failed to send the convict to the prison, and rather elected to send the convict to his house at Sarpeman to live with him for some time.

Further investigations had it that upon the promise by the convict to assist the accused person to travel abroad, and in consideration, the accused person released the convict’s British passport, which was in his custody, to the convict to travel to the United Kingdom.

That the accused person, to conceal his act, forged the Police Removal of Prisoner book to suggest that the convict had been sent and received by the Nsawam Prison authorities. Upon arrest of the accused person, he admitted the facts as being correct.

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