Eric Seddy Kutortse, Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, has called on local professionals to spearhead the future of Ghana’s energy sector. He emphasized that the country possesses the necessary local expertise to manage both current and upcoming energy projects, which are crucial for economic growth.
During a recent inspection of a 50MW solar photovoltaic power station under construction in Yendi, Kutortse highlighted the importance of utilizing Ghana’s natural resources—such as sun, wind, and water—to ensure energy security and decrease dependence on imports. This inspection, held on September 30, 2024, was attended by a delegation from the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, including its Chair, Hon. Owuraku Aidoo, and other notable officials.
The project, executed by First Sky Limited, a member of First Sky Group, is the largest fully Ghanaian-owned renewable energy initiative to date, covering approximately 140 acres. Kutortse noted that this landmark project not only signifies a major investment, but also positions Ghana as a leader in the global shift towards renewable energy. He stated that all experts involved in the project are Ghanaians, further underscoring its local ownership.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, praised First Sky Group for this significant achievement, marking it as the first solar plant built by a Ghanaian company, in contrast to previous projects typically undertaken by foreign entities. He explained that First Sky is responsible for the engineering, procurement, and financing of the initiative, which will provide power for sale while repaying the financing over eight years.
Owuraku Aidoo, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, confirmed that the Yendi project aligns with the government’s goal of achieving 10% of its energy mix from renewable sources.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, highlighting the warranty on the solar panels, ensuring their performance over the next twenty-five years.
Board Chair of Bui Power Authority, Kwesi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also commended First Sky’s accomplishments, asserting that it reflects the potential of indigenous companies to contribute significantly to the nation’s development.
First Sky Limited plans to complete the project in two phases, with 20MW expected by October 2024 and the remaining 30MW by the end of the year. This initiative is a vital step toward enhancing Ghana’s energy security and advancing the country’s energy transition agenda.
Prior to the inspection, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Yaa Naa, the King of the Dagbon Kingdom, for his blessing on the project.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) has unveiled its third Ghana Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Report for the banking sector.
The event was attended by high-profile individuals in the financial sector, including the Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Mr. Robert Dzato and Dr. Kwasi Osei-Yeboah, Head of the Financial Stability Department at the Bank of Ghana.
In his welcome address, the National President of CIMG, Dr. D. Kasser Tee, highlighted the significance of the report, which reflects the sentiments, trust and expectations of Ghanaian customers.
“This report is more than just a study of the state of service quality in banking. It reflects the voices, sentiments, and trust of Ghanaians whose lives are impacted by the services offered by banks,” Dr Tee emphasized.
Dr Tee acknowledged the tremendous changes within the banking sector, including regulatory reforms and digital transformation, but stressed that customer satisfaction remained the constant priority.
“One thing has remained and will continue to remain constant – customer satisfaction, which is often derived from service quality, among other drivers.”
The 2023 CSI report, compiled by the CIMG-Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) Technical Committee, focused on three essential constructs: service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Dr Tee underlined that service quality should be taken seriously by service providers. He urged regulatory bodies to ensure banks meet minimum service standards, adding that poor service quality should not be tolerated.
“It is just not acceptable for service providers to be in the 1-star or 2-star category for service quality. This is because service quality is today considered a rights issue, where there is legislation governing it for some industries,” he stated.
Dr Tee also highlighted the report’s strategic importance for the banking sector, offering valuable insights into the evolving needs of customers and providing banks with a benchmark for assessing and improving their performance.
He noted, “The true value of this study lies in the benefits it brings to banks and customers. The report provides valuable insights that can help guide the strategic direction of banks, enabling them to better serve their customers and foster stronger relationships based on trust, transparency, and satisfaction.”
He expressed gratitude to the participating banks, the research team, and especially the customers who contributed their feedback.
“We are eternally grateful to the Ghana Association of Banks for agreeing for their members to open themselves for scrutiny. This is ample evidence that banks in Ghana do not believe in mediocrity,” he remarked.
During the event, several banks were recognized for their exceptional performance in delivering customer satisfaction.
Dr Tee stressed the importance of celebrating these achievements, noting that it would inspire other institutions to prioritise customer-centric approaches. “Celebrating these achievements not only inspires other institutions to follow suit, but also emphasizes the importance of a customer-centric approach to banking,” he said.
As Ghana enters its annual Customer Service Week, Dr Tee encouraged banks to use the findings of the report to improve their services and performance. He also acknowledged the media’s role in spreading vital information to the public, stating, “It is my hope that this report will serve as a catalyst for positive change in the banking industry of Ghana.”
The NPP Council of Elders in a crisis meeting with party executives
The Sekyere Afram Plains parliamentary seat is now the target of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December elections.
The party has been making frantic efforts to annex the seat the seat that had been occupied by the opposition NDC for the past 16 years.
The NPP has resolved to redeem the 156 votes deficit it suffered in the 2020 elections.
In 2016, Alex Adomako-Mensah of the NDC beat Joseph Owusu with 5,644 votes (60.85%) against 3,549 votes (38.26%).
Attempts by NPP to make amends and capture the seat in the 2020 election were not good enough, as the NDC retained the seat by beating the NPP candidate, Joseph Gyamfi Owusu by 156 votes, having improved upon the 2016 votes by 49.29% (7,923) against NDC‘s 8,079 votes (50.49%).
With this background, the NPP is now poised to prop up its candidate, George Akom, to outwit his NDC counterpart, Hajia Naziru Afrah.
The Ashanti Regional NPP Council of Elders on Wednesday engaged members of the Constituency Council of Elders, party executives and polling station executives in a crisis meeting to prioritise their goals.
Led by the Regional chairperson, Mrs. Rosemond Appiah-Menka, a 10-member delegation of the Regional Council of Elders has charged all stakeholders, party activists and functionaries, including parliamentary candidate Akom, the District Chief Executive Sulemana Hamidu and Constituency Chairman, Zakaria Rufai, to intensify campaign and leave no stone unturned in the party’s bid to take over the parliamentary seat.
They were admonished to bury their differences and move to the nook and cranny of all the 106 communities of the constituency dominated by settler farmers of various ethnic extractions particularly at Issahkuraa, Abenoa, Dawiakrom and Mempekasa.
The set target is for the activists to work in unity to defend the ideals of the party in order to annex the seat.
The Council of Elders has also charged all members of the campaign team to up their communication skills and tout the achievements of the party in the constituency to attract voters and ensure that they vote in their numbers.
Members of the delegation of the Ashanti NPP Council of Elders to Drobonso last Wednesday to assess the party’s strengths and challenges ahead of the December elections included
Dr. Moussa Jabir Kebir, Vice chairman; Victor Owusu Jnr. (Secretary), Nana Adu Gyamfi, Kofi Frimpong (former MP, Kwabre East), Nana Kwadwo Boateng; F.F. Anto, former NPP Regional chairman and former First National Vice Chairman; Nana Wiafe Ababio, Board chairman of the National Ambulance Service; Madam Mary Duodu, Regional School Feeding Coordinator, Madam Serwaa Derchie, first Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser and former MCE for Ejisu.
Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC
Mr. Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has re-affirmed the party’s readiness and determination to snatch the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency seat in the Ashanti region from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the first time, since 1996.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman urged the constituents to vote massively for Mr. Sadick Abubakar, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate and John Dramani Mahama as President, in the upcoming December 7 general elections to ensure development.
According to him, since 1996 the NPP has occupied the Parliamentary seat, yet the constituency has not seen any tangible projects and programmes to improve the standard of living of the constituents.
Nana Akwasi, who was speaking at a mini rally at Baaniekrom during a two-day campaign tour of the constituency, said the NDC was fully prepared and ready to make history in the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency, by winning the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in the constituency for the first time since 1996.
Mr. Sadick Abubakar, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Ahafo Ano South West constituency, also reiterated that the NDC was the only party that could help promote development and create jobs for the youth in the constituency, and urged all to vote massively for the party in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Abubakar added that the NDC was ready to transform the economic fortunes of the constituents through massive developmental projects and jobs for the youth.
He bemoaned the pathetic state of the constituency and how development had eluded the constituents since 1996, and appealed to them to vote for him as their Member of Parliament for the constituency and John Dramani Mahama as President in the December 7 general elections.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a stern warning to all tertiary institutions operating in the country that continue to run accredited programmes at unaccredited centres will have its accreditation for those programmes revoked. This move comes as a direct response to the rising number of unaccredited centres being used by some of the country’s most respected universities, threatening the quality and integrity of higher education in Ghana.
Professor Abdulai Jinapor, Director-General of GTEC, explained that accredited programmes are institution-specific. These programmes, by law, are designed to be taught within approved environments, ensuring that they meet regulatory standards and provide quality education to students.
Therefore, any deviation from this model by running these programmes in unaccredited centres undermines the entire tertiary education system. The message from GTEC is clear, institutions that fail to comply will face serious consequences, including the revocation of their accreditation.This move is a crucial step toward restoring order and maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system. The existence of unaccredited centres poses a real threat to the value of tertiary education. When programmes are taught in substandard environments, the quality of the education students receive suffers.
Currently, GTEC has directed three major public universities to stop enrolling fresh students at 160 satellite centres that have been identified as unaccredited. These universities include; the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University for Development Studies (UDS) and University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The problem is particularly widespread at UCC, which has the highest number of unapproved centres at 91, followed by UEW with 48 centres and UDS with 21.
The challenge posed by these unaccredited centres is not just about the physical infrastructure, but also about academic integrity. It has come to light that some of these centres are admitting students who do not meet the minimum qualifications, especially under the guise of mature student admissions.
While the country’s education system makes provisions for mature students thus those with relevant work experience who may not possess standard academic qualifications; some institutions have exploited this pathway to admit individuals with no formal qualifications at all.
This distorts the purpose of the mature student admission policy, diluting the quality of students enrolled in these programmes and undermining the standards of tertiary education.
In response to this alarming trend, GTEC has moved quickly to impose stronger regulations. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with six universities, such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana (UG), University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), UCC, UEW and GIMPA.
The MoU specifically prohibits these institutions from using rented premises for their programmes, a practice that has contributed to the unchecked spread of unaccredited centres.
As part of the agreement, these universities will not be allowed to admit new students into these centres for the 2024/2025 academic year, and GTEC will conduct an audit to ensure that all enrolled students meet the necessary qualifications.
The growing number of unaccredited centres in recent years has created a dangerous precedent, one that threatens to dilute the value of higher education in the country.
It is important for all stakeholders in the education sector to take heed of GTEC’s directive. Universities must prioritize quality over convenience, ensuring that every programme they offer is delivered in an environment that supports academic excellence.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is confident in its ability to help the government achieve its goal of converting 50% of Ghanaians to the use of gas for cooking by 2030, according to Dr. Joseph Wilson, Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the NPA.
Dr. Wilson explained that this effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which aims for universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030. He noted that the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) is a critical part of this strategy.
Speaking at a sensitisation program in the Western Region, Dr. Wilson, who represented the NPA’s CEO, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid emphasised the importance of shifting from traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
This shift, he noted, would not only improve public health but also contribute to environmental preservation.
The CRM involves the centralised refilling and distribution of LPG cylinders, replacing the traditional method where individuals refill their own cylinders at fuel stations.
Under this model, pre-filled LPG cylinders are distributed to various parts of the country, offering a safer, more efficient and convenient way to access gas.
Gas Cylinders ready to be filled at a gas station
Dr. Wilson stressed that to ensure the success of the CRM, the NPA is working with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to guarantee the availability, accessibility and affordability of LPG.
One major advantage of CRM is its potential to reduce deforestation and land degradation caused by the widespread use of firewood and charcoal in rural areas.
The shift to LPG would help preserve the country’s forest cover and lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the global fight against climate change.
Dr. Wilson also highlighted the severe health risks associated with the use of biomass for cooking.
The burning of firewood and charcoal releases are harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, which can cause respiratory diseases. Women and children, who are typically more exposed due to their role in household cooking, are particularly vulnerable. By expanding access to LPG through the CRM, indoor air pollution would be significantly reduced, improving public health in rural communities.
Additionally, the CRM would promote the safer handling of LPG, reducing accidents related to improper refilling and transportation of cylinders.
Dr. Wilson urged the public to support the transition to LPG by spreading awareness among friends and family. He reiterated that the switch to gas would not only safeguard the environment but also protect the health of loved ones.
The sensitiation program, held in Takoradi, was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including nurses, students from Takoradi Technical University and Holy Child School, members of the Wives of Officers Association and various other groups.
Representatives from the Western Regional Fire Service also demonstrated safe practices for using LPG in the kitchen, emphasizing the dos and don’ts to prevent accidents.
Earlier in the program, a supervisor with the Gas Directorate at the NPA, Mr Johnson Gbagbo, took the audience through the CRM value chain from the bottling plants through the exchange points to the consumer. The Ghana National Fire Service, a critical ally to the NPA in the sensitisation of the public on the safer use of LPG, took the audience through basic drills on how to handle LGP at home, as source of fuel for cooking.
The Western regional Manager of the NPA, Madam Sandra Aido gave the welcome address
The Head of Consumer Services department of the Corporate Affairs department, Madam Budu Nyarko, under whose auspices the program was organised by Head of Communication, Sandra Aido and Mohammed Abdul-Kudus respectfully.
The Ashanti Kingdom yesterday, October 2, 2024 witnessed a significant event, as Alan Kyerematen, presidential candidate of the Movement for Change, paid a courtesy visit to the revered Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace.
This visit marked the beginning of Mr. Kyerematen’s Caravan Campaign Tour in the Ashanti Region, where he is expected to campaign for 21 days, ahead of the December 7 general elections.
Alan Kyerematen, in the presence of the king, introduced his dynamic young running mate, Mr. Kwame Owusu Danso.
The presidential candidate explained that the choice of Kwame Owusu Danso, a youthful and experienced professional, was a deliberate decision to prepare the next generation for leadership.
He lauded his running mate’s diverse background as a former musician, footballer, lawyer and broadcast journalist, making him the ideal person to partner in reshaping the future of Ghana.
The traditional rulers of the Manhyia Palace, who have long revered Alan Kyerematen for his contributions to the nation, took turns to extol the virtues of the former Trade and Industry Minister.
They offered their blessings for his candidacy, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the country towards development and prosperity, under his Great Transformational Plan (GTP).
In his remarks, the Asantehene did not hold back his admiration for Alan Kyerematen.
Otumfuo praised Alan Kyerematen for his humility, vision and deep understanding of the challenges facing the nation.
He encouraged the presidential candidate to ensure that Ghanaians fully appreciate the merits of his GTP, which he believes holds the key to sustainable economic growth.
However, the most striking moment of the visit came when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II declared, “I have already blessed you.”
The King went on to explain that, Alan Kyerematen, as a true grandson of the Asante Kingdom, naturally has his support in his presidential bid.
“If a grandson of mine is going to contest to become president, why would I not support him?” the King added, leaving no doubt about his position on Mr. Kyerematen’s candidacy.
For those unfamiliar with the deep bond between Alan Kyerematen and the Asante Kingdom, it is important to note that he is a royal of Ejisu and a direct descendant of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa.
His late father, Alexander Atta Yaw Kyerematen, was the visionary founder of the National Cultural Centre in Kumasi and a key figure in preserving Asante culture and heritage.
The endorsement from Otumfuo has sent shockwaves across the Ashanti Region.
As Alan Kyerematen’s campaign caravan kicks off, the region is already buzzing with excitement.
With the Asantehene’s blessing and the people’s overwhelming support, the Ashanti Region seems poised to rally behind the son of the soil, in his quest for the presidency.
The proponents of the forensic audit of the voter register for the 2024 general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have failed to provide the Electoral Commission with evidence to investigate their grievances, the Commission has said.
Edward Kofi Omane Boamah
Addressing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 the EC indicated that the NDC, during a meeting spelt out the issues, but it requested for evidence from the NDC to be able to address the issues, but same were not forthcoming.
“The NDC presented five categories of issues with the register. The commission demanded of the NDC to present further evidence… Unfortunately, the NDC has still not presented any more evidence to the EC,” Jean Mensa said in her address at IPAC on Tuesday.
She continued that, “it is for these reasons that this IPAC meeting has been organised to enable all parties to present any evidence on discrepancies in the voters register, but it must be noted that the current register is not perfect and not final,” she stated.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
Though the EC chair mentioned that the NDC did not provide any evidence to aid the probe into the issues they had complained about, the Commission nonetheless went ahead to address the five issues one after the other in a PowerPoint presentation at the IPAC meeting.
The Head of IT at the EC, Dr. Yaw Ofori Adjei, in an in-depth PowerPoint presentation indicated that it was important the EC addressed the issues, “even though we knew that most of the issues that had been raised are issues that have already been dealt with.”
The Commission said it met with the NDC on September 6, 2024 during which the issues, which the NDC termed as observations, were raised and the request for evidence was also made.
OBSERVATION ONE
The first observation made by the NDC was that the EC had deleted 3,957 voter names from the voters register. The NDC blamed this deletion on transfers.
Responding to the observation, Dr. Yaw Ofori Adjei said in the minds of the EC, they could not see “how you can delete somebody’s name by transferring them, because transfers are allowed. So you can’t delete somebody by transferring them.”
He continued that per the design of the voter management system once you get registered onto the system you cannot be deleted.
He explained that an individual could only be eternally on one of three lists; the valid voter lists, the exceptions list and the multiples list.
He further stated that the EC keep a record of every transfer that is done and the record is very detailed all the way down to the center that transfer was done.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
“Who is involved, where you were transferred to, which people approved the transfer. So, that record is there no matter where you go. If we want to trace where you have been we know exactly where you have been and who initiated that transfer.
“So if you look at the first allegation of the alleged deletion of voters from the 2024 register, as I have said nobody gets deleted from the register. Once you are on the register you’re on those three lists and we’ve already said that transfers are legitimate and permissible by law,” he narrated.
He said that the reference case that the NDC gave and attributed to a deletion is not factual, intimating that the said person “is actually on the register and has been transferred to a new polling station D040204,” in the Volta region whose transfer occurred on June 14, 2024.
OBSERVATION TWO
The second observation the NDC made was that 2,094 voters were transferred to different police stations, but do not exist on the absent voter list.
The EC, in response, said that it has looked at the absent voter list that was submitted to the political parties and to the polling stations.
“And we can confirm that the absent voter list for that particular police station was empty. And it was a correct observation. They had correctly picked up that there was an error,” the EC said.
He, however, added that the EC themselves had “already picked up that error and a new list had been generated and sent to the various polling stations that were affected. Once again, remember that it is a process.
“We have several systems querying the same databases. Sometimes errors occur in transit. But it’s a human institution and errors occur.”
He confidently told the stakeholders at the IPAC meeting that the Commission had regenerated those registers and sent them back earlier on in the registration process.
“What you are seeing now is our register viewer, which gives us a panoramic view of everybody that is in the register,” he showed on a screen during the PowerPoint presentation.
“So we zoom down to this particular polling station, and the individual that’s being referenced here now, as you can see, together with all the other people who should be on the absent voter list are there.
“And this is evidence that the issues that were raised, notwithstanding the NDC reporting it, are those that we detected ourselves have been fixed. And if you look at the current register assistance now, we see that a lot of the issues have been fixed,” the EC IT head said in his presentation.
While emphasising that the Commission was addressing the NDC issues notwithstanding, the party’s failure to provide evidence, Dr. Ofori Adjei said that it is an evolving process that will culminate into a final voter’s register.
“And therefore, we should allow the processes to work.
Observation three; we see that previously transferred illegally to previous transfers were illegally added to the 2024 transfers,” he added.
He reiterated that the commission has already admitted to the fact that the transfer voter register that it is giving contained much more than the numbers that were expected for the 2024 registration period.
“So you had much more. And if you take a critical look at the transfer registers, you see certain narratives like reversal of special transfers, because they are all considered one transfer or the other, but there are different categories of them. In generating them, all the transfers were added, including those from 2020.
“So you had 2020 transfers, you had 2023 transfers, you had 2024 transfers that were added, including even special voting was also added to it. This, as was said by Dr. Bossman, had been detected, and the error had been corrected. So, the new voter register that you are going to get will contain only transfers those that were done for the 2024 season,” he explained.
He said that, be that as it may, because of the uproar that was associated with it, the commission went a step further to undertake deeper auditing of the transfer register.
According to him, the Commission asked for all the paper records of transfers that were done to be reconciled against what was in the district viewer. The move was for them to be sure that if you did a transfer, you are in there.
He admitted that the EC did encounter some problems, as sometimes the transfers were not complete because of the network errors that it encountered. However, those ones were corrected during the exhibition period.
“So it was a good exercise that was taken to ensure that those who had transferred their votes indeed will be where they are supposed to be on Election Day.
“Having also said that, we’ve also ensured that all the transfers that were done are legitimate and they are accurate,” Dr. Adjei said.
Having offered that explanation, he said that “the absent voters list and the transfer voters list for the 2024 period will only contain those that were done for the 2024 period.”
OBSERVATION THREE
The third issue the NDC raised was about some transfers in Pusiga. The Commission said it listened to the news and was aware that there were issues with the transfers that were carried at Pusiga.
The EC said its regional director reported that 38 voters had been illegally transferred from Pusiga. The Commission admitted that its own staff took advantage of a vulnerability that was in the system, stating “that vulnerability was the sense of a liveliness check.”
Some people “used the picture on the voter ID card to verify the individuals and do a transfer. Be that as it may, because our systems works, we were able to verify that indeed, spoofing had occurred.
“And we’ve been able to pick up and confirm that indeed, all the 38 people that were involved, whose transfers were done, were done through this method.”
Reporting on what the Electoral Commission had done following the discovery, the Head of IT said the first step was to block that vulnerability.
He added that the technology has now matured such that it can be deployed into production use, indicating further that now the EC has made sure that facial verification now has a liveliness check put in place.
ACTION TAKEN
“We didn’t stop there. We’ve also now implemented the liveliness check on our voter verification devices, our biometric verification devices. So on voting day, you can’t take somebody’s picture, use the BVD (Biometric Verification Device) to do verification, because now that is firmly built into the BVD as well.
“So we have plugged that hole. Subsequent to that, all those transfers that have been done have been reversed. So all those transfers that were done illegally have been reversed,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the perpetrators, Dr. Ofori Adjei noted, have been dismissed by the commission, and the police is carrying out their investigation into the matter.
“We have not taken this matter lightly. And so we have not taken this matter lightly at all,” he stressed.
ASSURANCE
The Head of IT was frank that since it happened in Pusiga, chances were that it occurred elsewhre. However, he allayed the fears of stakeholders that the Commission was developing tools to deal with the issue.
Noting that there was no system in the world that is foolproof, he assured the stakeholders that the Commission was working to make its systems better.
“We are developing tools, once again, that will go through the system thoroughly to check and be sure that the same nefarious act has not been committed again. And by the end of the week that report would be ready. But rest assured the commission is not taking this lightly at all. And we are making sure that we are making the systems better. There is no system in this world that is foolproof,” he remarked.
He continued that, “We are constantly evolving. And we are hypercritical of ourselves. So we are looking at ways of improving the systems that we have built, both with our service providers and our software vendors. So rest assured, this issue is being given the best attention that it can get.”
OBSERVATION FOUR
The fourth observation from the NDC said that there were about 15,000 unidentified transfer paths.
This issue the EC said it was not clear what the NDC meant by an unidentified transfer path, arguing that all the transfers are documented.
Dr. Adjei said it was not the commission’s business to understand why somebody wants to transfer their vote for so long as they are doing it in the proper way.
“So we do not understand what by unidentified transfer path. But be it as it may, we went ahead and looked at the samples that they had given us. So in their presentation, there were four ID cards that were listed as people who did transfers and there was no clear identified path for the transfer. We looked at them.
“And we can confirm that these ID cards, these ID numbers, that they said there was no clear identified path, have all done registrations or transfers at the time that we have listed there and from one polling station to the other. So these were legitimate transfers that were done. So we do not really understand what they mean by you can’t identify the pathway of the transfer,” the EC said.
DEMONSTRATION
In his presentation, Dr. Ofori Adjei reference one of the persons identified to illustrate the point the transfer paths could be identified.
“So I will take one of them as a reference and show to you that indeed, if we want to identify the pathway that they undertook to get to where they are now, we can. So this is for voter with voter ID 4728026669 (he demonstrated on the screen for everyone to see). You bear with me that this is the picture.
“This is one of the pictures that have been listed as having an unidentified pathway. Now, as I’ve said, we record every transfer. Every transfer that is done is recorded, and is recorded on two systems. It is recorded on automatic biometric identification system and it’s recorded on the voter management system. So we have two records to compare at any point in time to confirm that a transfer was actually done.
“If it is a picture that you are using for the transfer, a picture that was taken at the time that the transfer was done to confirm, and that is what is used to do the one to one matching. So if you look, this is the picture of the voter on the card. Same picture here. And this is the picture that we have on record. Down here, you have the fingerprints of the individual.
“If the individual has used their fingerprints for verification, here, you will have the verification listed here, together with the score, the head score to show that it is indeed the person. And here is the picture of the individual that did the transfer. So this transfer was not done in a vacuum.
“It was done by an evidence to show that indeed she presented herself to do that transfer. So the path is there. So we do not understand what is meant by there is no clear or there are unidentified paths towards a transfer.”
He continued that, “To give you further evidence, this is a transaction from our automated biometric identification system that gives you the details of everything that was done right down to the second that the verification for transfer was executed. And once again, this data is available for verification. And I assure you, all the 330,000 something who did transfers we have all their records available in our system for verification.
“Now, we go to the hard copy itself. And for this, I put two of them here. So this is the individual. And this shows them. This is their voter ID card. This is where they are. This is the actual hard paper form that’s been completed for the transfer together with their thumbprints and their signature together with the officer who did the transfer. So, there’s nothing like unidentified transfer path. We know who you are, where you are, how you did the transfer and where you are now.”
“And we have both paper evidence and electronic evidence to support it. So it cannot be said that there’s no identified pathway for the transfer. And so we’ve got 15,000 plus people who are affected. This is another individual from the previous pictures that I’ve shown to you. And this is the evidence that shows that that individual actually did the transfer.”
OBSERVATION FIVE
“We move on to observation five. And observation five says that there were 168 corrupt files. That’s indeed true. It did happen. There were some of the files that were given in the provisional voter’s register that were not 1,685 corrupt files. And I’m saying that that observation indeed is accurate. We did have some correct files. As to whether it was 168, we are not sure. But we did have some corrupt files. And as I said, once again, these corrupt files came as a result of network interruptions that occurred during the production of those registers.”
“These, as I’ve said, were promptly picked up by the commission staff. Because remember that at level one, which is the hard inspection of the registers, hand, page by page, these things were detected and were reported to the commission. And immediately, new ones were generated and sent back to the political parties. As I’ve said, we know for sure that there are electronic systems we are working with. They are not foolproof. Sometimes errors happen.
“So we’ve made it sure that on election day, this will not happen. What have we done? We have now generated additional tools that check all the outputs that come out of the register to ensure that they contain contents. And we are doing it at three different levels.
“At generation, and then we have two independent systems that are checking the registers as they are produced to be sure that they contain data. Anyone that doesn’t contain data is immediately flagged and will be regenerated.
Having said that, we also have the manual process of checking, that will happen both at the commission before it goes to the printers and as the printers themselves, as they are being printed, to ensure that we don’t have these issues coming up.
“And so rest assured, come December 7th, the registers that will be sent to the polling stations will not have these issues,” the EC said at the IPAC meeting, which the NDC attended.
After the presentation, several political parties, including the New Patriotic Party, the Liberal Party of Ghana, expressed confidence in the electoral commission.
The NPP, in particular, said the claims of its main opponent, the NDC, were baseless, and reminded the NDC of its posture in 2015 when issues about the register were raised.
Chief Justice (CJ) Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has stressed the importance of conducting justice in an environment where citizens feel secure and confident in the integrity of the legal process.
She was speaking at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in Accra yesterday, under the theme: “Improving the Security and Welfare of the Judiciary for Effective Justice Delivery.”
CJ Torkornoo reminded judges that as custodians of the Constitution and Ghana’s laws, they must be aware of how their court practices impact the citizens they serve.
“We must consider ourselves accountable to court users and manage court services with discipline,” she stated.
She emphasised the complex responsibility judges have in interpreting applicable laws to resolve disputes, noting that the trust Ghanaians place in the judiciary is demonstrated by their willingness to surrender their disputes for resolution. This trust allows judges to make decisions that significantly affect individuals’ rights and obligations.
Expressing gratitude to judges, magistrates and judicial staff for their dedicated service, CJ Torkornoo affirmed that the judiciary can effectively deliver justice as a vital arm of government.
She addressed critical issues concerning judges’ welfare and security, as well as the financial independence of the judiciary.
Currently, the judiciary oversees approximately 800 buildings – 420 courts and 390 residential properties – yet not all judges are adequately housed, which leaves them vulnerable.
Because of empty and dilapidated judges’ bungalows, many judges are forced to rent accommodations when assigned to different regions.
This not only increases cost for the national budget, but also exposes judges to security risks and undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
CJ Torkornoo raised concerns about recent actions by the Lands Commission, which have threatened to sell judicial properties to private developers under urban redevelopment schemes. She described her efforts to combat these encroachments, including legal actions initiated to protect the judiciary’s assets.
The Chief Justice has engaged with various ministers to address these pressing issues and reaffirmed her commitment to prioritising judges’ safety and welfare.
She underscored the importance of proper maintenance and planning for judicial facilities to create safe and functional environments for effective justice delivery.
A committee has been established to focus on these challenges and she expressed hope that future initiatives will enhance the conditions of courts and judges’ residences, ensuring they are secure, convenient and fit for purpose.
On the issue of illegal mining, she also attributed part of the blame for prosecutorial delays to the Attorney-General’s office.
Addressing ongoing concerns about case delays, CJ Torkornoo noted the frequent complaints her office receives, regarding excessive adjournments within the judicial system.
“I urge judges to move away from the practice of merely fixing cases for mention,” she said, emphasising that this often frustrates litigants who invest time and resources only to face repeated delays.
Drawing on her two decades of experience as both a trial and appellate judge, she proposed including witness statements as a standard part of the trial process to minimize unnecessary adjournments after case management conferences.
“It should not be standard for parties to leave their work, incur travel expenses and spend hours in court, only to be told to return on another date,” she emphasised.
Additionally, she outlined past initiatives aimed at improving financial independence and accountability within the judiciary, while acknowledging ongoing projects to construct new courts and enhance living conditions for judges.
Regarding technological advancements, she announced ongoing efforts to digitize judicial processes, including virtual hearings and electronic filing systems, which are essential for improving access to justice and operational efficiency.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on his part underscored the judiciary’s critical role as Ghana approaches the 2024 general elections.
He emphasised the judiciary’s essential function in maintaining democracy during this crucial period.
Mr. Dame announced plans to expedite the resolution of electoral disputes through proposed amendments to the Representation of the Peoples Law, 1992.
He expressed concern about rising violence and incitement surrounding the elections, drawing parallels to recent civil unrest in the UK and the US.
“When protesters exceed the limits of free expression, they must face the law,” he stated, stressing the need for the judiciary to address lawlessness decisively to preserve national peace.
He also called on judges overseeing illegal mining cases to expedite proceedings to address a national crisis that threatens environmental and social stability.
Reiterating his commitment to improving conditions for judges, he pledged ongoing support for initiatives aimed at enhancing judicial infrastructure and health.
Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, President of the AMJG, opened the meeting by acknowledging the pressing challenges of unpaid allowances.
Justice Kwofie noted that many challenges discussed in the previous year’s annual general meeting remain unresolved, particularly regarding judges’ allowances and overall welfare.
“Regrettably, the situation has not improved, in fact, it has worsened regarding full allowances,” JusticeKwofie stated, acknowledging delays in critical reimbursements, such as fuel and vehicle servicing, leading to growing frustration among judges.
He emphasised the need for timely payments and suggested that integrating allowances into salaries might enhance financial stability for judges, though he acknowledged concerns about potential tax implications.
The meeting also addressed security measures for judges, particularly in light of recent violent incidents in other countries.
Justice Kwofie called for improved security protocols, including the installation of CCTV cameras in courts and enhanced protection for judges in rural areas.
He urged the government to prioritise the judiciary’s welfare, stating the work of the judiciary is the bedrock of constitutional rule.
Justice Kwofie expressed gratitude to the AMJG’s executive and committees for their ongoing efforts, emphasising the importance of unity and cooperation in advancing the judiciary’s interests.
The Bank of Ghana has reduced its Monetary Policy Rate by 200 basis points, bringing the rate down to 27%.
This decision was announced during the 120th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Friday, September 27, 2024 following a thorough assessment of global and domestic macro-economic developments.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, explained the rationale behind the rate cut, noting that the country’s macro-economic environment had improved significantly in recent months, particularly in the second quarter of 2024.
“The Committee’s decision was informed by positive developments in growth, inflation and the external sector.
“We are seeing a sustained improvement in key economic indicators and we believe that this rate cut will help reinforce those gains,” Dr. Addison stated.
Improved Growth Prospects
According to the Bank of Ghana, provisional data from the Ghana Statistical Service showed that real GDP grew by 6.9% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 2.5% in the corresponding period in 2023.
The industry sector, which had contracted by 2.6% last year, rebounded strongly, growing by 9.3% while the services and agricultural sectors expanded by 5.8% and 5.4%, respectively.
“The growth we are witnessing is broad-based, driven by strong performances in key sectors like industry, services and agriculture,” Dr. Addison noted.
He added that the bank’s high-frequency indicators, including the Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) also pointed to sustained growth in economic activity.
The CIEA recorded an annual growth of 1.6% in July 2024, compared to a contraction of 2.8% in the same period in 2023.
Disinflation Process on Track
Another key factor influencing the MPC’s decision to lower the policy rate was the progress made in reducing inflation.
Headline inflation fell to 20.4% in August 2024, down from 22.8% in June, driven primarily by a decrease in food inflation, which dropped to 19.1% in August from 24.0% in June.
“We have seen a consistent decline in inflation over the past few months, particularly in food prices.
“This is a clear indication that the disinflation process is on track, and we expect inflation to continue to ease toward our medium-term target,” Dr. Addison explained.
The Bank of Ghana’s core inflation measure, which excludes volatile items like energy and utilities, also eased to 19.4% in August from 22.1% in June.
Strong External Position
The MPC highlighted that Ghana’s external sector had strengthened significantly, with the country recording a trade surplus of $2.78 billion in the first eight months of 2024, compared to $1.66 billion in the same period in 2023.
The growth in gold and crude oil exports, which increased by 62.2% and 16.7%, respectively, played a critical role in boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Ghana’s external payment position remains strong, with Gross International Reserves reaching $7.5 billion, equivalent to 3.4 months of import cover. This strong reserve position provides us with a cushion against external shocks,” the Governor remarked.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Dr. Addison expressed optimism about the country’s economic prospects, emphasizing that the reduction in the monetary policy rate would provide further support for economic recovery.
“The cut in the policy rate will help stimulate private sector credit growth and boost consumption and investment, ultimately supporting the broader economic recovery,” he said.
With inflation on a downward trajectory, strong external reserves, and robust GDP growth, the Bank of Ghana’s rate cut signals confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability as it navigates the second half of 2024.
He lauded his running mate’s diverse background as a former musician, footballer, lawyer and broadcast journalist, making him the ideal person to partner in reshaping the future of Ghana.
