Thirty-two years after his controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, admitted for the first time that the late philanthropist and enigmatic figure Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.
The startling revelation was contained in Babangida’s 420-page book titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday with continental and national dignitaries in attendance.
The book reviewer, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the “evil genius” as Babangida is nicknamed answered the question whether Abiola won the June 12 election in his book.
“Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon further reflection, and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections,” Babangida wrote in the book.
The Bank of Ghana is conducting an audit of remittance transactions covering the period October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The objective of the audit is to assess the remittance process and to provide recommendations to strengthen the existing regulatory framework.
A press release dated February 19, 2025 and signed by Ms Sandra Thompson, the Secretary, stated that the audit will evaluate compliance with all applicable regulations, including the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, Act (723), the Updated Guidelines for Remittances, the Payment Services Act 2019 (Act 987), and the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Guidelines.
She said all market participants are reminded of their obligation to comply fully with these regulatory requirements, adding that Strengthening adherence to the guidelines will enhance the remittance ecosystem, promote transparency, mitigate AML/CFT risks, and contribute to the overall deepening of the Foreign Exchange Market.
The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of businessman, Eshawu Shaibu and Real Estate Agent, Eric Ansah, after they failed to appear in court on three occasions, in connection with a GH¢320,000 fraud case.
Eshawu Shaibu, 45, and Ansah, 54, along with two accomplices, currently at large – Sam Billson and John Mensah Appiah – are accused of defrauding businessman, George Oti Bonsu under the pretence of securing government-released lands at Dzorwulu, Airport and Cantonments.
Allegations and Charges
The accused persons face charges of Conspiracy to Commit Crime, namely defrauding by False Pretence and Defrauding by False Pretence under Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to Inspector Esther Mensah, who is leading the prosecution, between March 1 and April 27, 2023 the accused allegedly conspired to deceive George Bonsu into handing over GH¢320,000. They falsely claimed they had connections at the Lands Commission and could facilitate the acquisition and documentation of government-released lands.
George Oti Bonsu, a resident of East Legon, was introduced to Eshawu Shaibu by a mutual acquaintance, Hajia Fati.
Eshawu Shaibu allegedly assured George Bonsu that his associates at the Lands Commission could assist in securing the lands.
Eshawu Shaibu then introduced Ansah and Billson – who falsely presented themselves as Lands Commission staff to Bonsu.
The accused reportedly took Bonsu to inspect the lands, further convincing him of their legitimacy.
Bonsu subsequently made multiple payments: GH¢20,000 on March 1, 2023; GH¢70,000 on March 9, 2023 and GH¢100,000 on March 16, 2023.
Furthermore, he made GH¢30,000 on March 30, 2023 and GH¢100,000 on April 27, 2023.
Despite receiving the funds, the accused failed to deliver the promised lands and documents, instead providing excuses.
On April 27, 2023, they introduced John Mensah Appiah, who also claimed to be a Lands Commission official and took another GH¢100,000 from Bonsu, but still failed to process the land documents.
Following a formal complaint on October 30, 2024, police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of Shaibu and Ansah at their hideout. During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to the offence.
Despite being summoned to appear before the court on January 6, January 15, and February 17, 2025, the accused failed to honor the summons.
As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest and adjourned the case to April 4, 2025.
The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Julian Opuni, has called for a strong collaboration with the media to ensure stability in both the banking and the financial sectors of the national economy.
“We recognise the media as a critical partner in ensuring stability in the banking and financial sectors. That’s why we have initiated this engagement, which will be extended across the country,” she said.
Speaking at a media soiree in Takoradi, the Fidelity Bank MD stated that the banking sector required a strong leadership and discipline to build resilience, absorb risks and ensure long-term stability.
This, he stressed, would pave way for a robust banking and financial sector in restoring confidence among Ghanaians and strengthening Ghana’s reputation within the global financial community.
The Fidelity Bank MD stressed that a disciplined and stable banking sector was key to attracting more investments, particularly in Ghana’s efforts to secure offshore funds for economic growth.
He also highlighted the importance of improving domestic savings to strengthen liquidity and stabilise the banking sector.
According to him, fostering a strong savings culture among Ghanaians was essential for creating wealth and alleviating poverty.
“Any small amount is a good start. Savings give individuals optimism about the future. Having a clear goal for saving helps one stay on track despite other financial temptations,” he noted.
However, he observed that many Ghanaians prefer keeping their money at home rather than saving with financial institutions.
“This practice makes it easy for individuals to spend money impulsively instead of growing their savings,” he explained.
To address this, Mr. Opuni suggested that financial institutions should intensify educational efforts to shift public perceptions and promote the benefits of saving.
Mr. Opuni highlighted that Fidelity Bank, which is hundred percent Ghanaian owned was the first in Ghana to introduce agency banking, a model authorised by the Bank of Ghana.
This initiative, he indicated, had made banking more accessible by allowing people to open accounts within minutes.
He noted that in 2014, the bank started with just 24 agents, but today, it has expanded to over 8,000 agents across all 16 regions.
“We aspire to have the largest banking network in Ghana, and we are proud of what we have accomplished so far. However, achieving excellence requires a strong partnership with the media,” he remarked.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs
Armah Buah: Honourable Ahmed, the Royal Academy of Chiefs, will it be a department?
Ahmed Ibrahim: Mr. Chairman, we have University of Local Governance Studies. DCEs’ capacity will be built. Chiefs’ capacity will be built. Mr. Chairman, if you can’t, I’m not a lawyer, but if it, when it comes to law, our lawyers will tell you that when it comes to customary issues, they need to be given special touch and we call Royal Academy…
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor: Chairman, let me, I didn’t want to do this, but let me. Uh, honourable nominee, welcome. And congratulations. In other words, it will be a faculty for chieftaincy studies, in other words.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Mr. Speaker, that is why the lawyers are there. You will be brought together for us to bring the various subjects and courses together. But for now, we just want you to know that we have a course like that.
Dafeamekpor: You have intentions to run a formal programme for our Chiefs and Queen Mothers.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Exactly. And thank you for adding the Queen Mothers.
Patrick Boamah: Smart Ahmed. Ahmed let me turn your attention to your party’s manifesto. Page 181 of 200. You are proposing to set up, to, to come out with a formula to implement the waste, Plastic Waste Recycling Fund under the Customs Excise Amendment Act. Do you know how much goes into the fund annually?
And whether you have an idea of the proposed formula and its distribution? Because I, I’m sure you are thinking in the light of the DACF formula or the GetFund or the NHIA formula with regards to this. But first and foremost, you need to know how much, because this is what you call the borla tax that you spoke against. And now in the manifesto, you are thinking of coming out with a formula under your Waste Management Programme, Solid Waste Management Programme. I don’t begrudge you, but I want to have an idea. Thank you.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Mr. Chairman, that will fall under the jurisdiction of the Minister for Finance. Now that all the taxes are being considered and being realigned, so if you can give me the benefit of the doubt, let’s wait for the Minister for Finance to bring the budget later by next month or next two months.
Then we’ll see the way forward. For now it is a policy. Once the calculations and the things have not yet been done, when the Minister for Finance bring it, you and I are here and we are going to work together to know what will go into it. But for the record, you know, I thought you were going to credit me.
We were all part of a three-committee made up of 75 MPs who went on nationwide tour to come to propose that there must be a sanitation tax, which is called borla tax. And Mr. Chairman, you know I was the convener of those three member committees. So, I thought you were going to credit me. From where we sit, some may speak against it, but we were. It was our brainchild.
Patrick Boamah: Chairman, I don’t have any further questions for my friend. I’m needed in the chamber and I have to beg leave of you. Congratulations. I wish you the very best.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. But Honourable Boamah, you know you’ll be highly, and your services will be highly needed in my new ministry.
Patrick Boamah: For a fee.
Armah Buah: Thank you. Thank you, Honourable. It’s now the turn of Honourable Rockson Dafeamekpor.
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP, South Dayi: Chairman, thank you very much. Chairman, I have a couple of questions for my whip and it’s to enhance his work. No malice intended at all. So, let’s make progress. The key issue for members of Parliament, and also the assemblies especially, because having had the opportunity to serve on the Public Accounts Committee for eight years, I’ve come accustomed to the peculiar problems of the assembly in carrying out their mandate.
It’s in respect of the late releases of their share of the common fund. And as the sector minister, if this persists, we are going to be bedevilled with this. What innovative means would you deploy to ensure that there are regular releases of these funds to the various assemblies to carry out their mandates? From not the Ministry of Finance, but from the administrator.
Chiefs, family and friends of Ahmed Ibrahim
Ahmed Ibrahim: Mr. Chairman, you and I know that in the government, that place with the timely release of this assembly common fund to the MMDAs pays the consequences. In 2014, the NDC couldn’t pay the third quarter. I was a deputy whip. We spoke about it. We lost the 2016 elections. After that, it was paid.
In 2024, the current government also delayed in paying the third and fourth quarter. He also paid the price. And after losing, he has paid. Whether you win or lose, you paid. So, a government that is in power and you want to win your elections, you must pay for your DCEs to work. If they work, the electorate will be happy and they’ll vote for you. So, I’m not going to keep my mouth shut because I’m the minister responsible for local governors.
I will continue to work as I used to work when I was a whip. And when I was a member of the local governance committee. And make sure there is timely releases of those funds. Thankfully, the person I used to do the work together with, is now going to occupy the high office of the minister responsible for finance. Who is very organised and focused.
And who understands he’s a five-time member of parliament. I’m a five-time member of parliament. We all understand the repercussions of not paying. So, if you want the electorates to be happy and retain the government, we’ll do whatever possible to make sure the monies are released. Secondly, Mr Chairman, you asked in connection with the person who sits at the office of the administrator for this assembly common fund. That is going to be a consideration that we must all take due cognisance of.
If you consider the role that such a sensitive office plays, the person who occupies it must be a person that will be vetted by this very committee. And it is for that reason that article, the constitution is clear that this committee must not only vet the minister responsible for local governance, but you must also vet the person who is going to be the administrator for district assembly common fund. So, whoever is going to sit there will come before you for vetting. And I believe this question when it comes, it must also be made clear to him or her.
Dafeamekpor: Beautiful. Now, one problem that the public accounts committee also got confronted with as a result of the auditor general having to flag it year in, year out, is the issue of the deterioration of assembly offices. A lot of our district assemblies, the structures are in a state of disuse. And it’s a problem. They are unable to raise the necessary funds to undertake early renovation. And so, as the years roll by, the structure…
Ahmed Ibrahim …at the various MMDAs no matter the cost. I can’t build a whole district. You cannot be given one building. And you say that within that district jurisdiction, they cannot maintain that one house. I totally disagree. So, what we can do when given the nod is that if you are a district chief executive and you are unable to maintain, repair your own office, then you have no business sitting there. That is a fact. Two, DCEs are not protocol offices.
They are local economic development agents. You cannot be sitting there waiting for Accra to bring you money. That will also be tackled. That is why I said we are going to form a common platform where all the former ministers for local governance, former chief directors responding for local…they are all going to be consulted.
Appointments Committee members
When it comes to local governance, we have the Honourable Joseph YilehChireh, the Honourable Ofosu Ampofo, the Honourable Oppong Fosu, the Honourable Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the Honourable Dan Botwe, Hajia Alima. We have a number of former ministers for local governance. They all wanted to do something small. They couldn’t complete it. The same way we have former chief directors.
They all wanted to do something. They couldn’t complete it. We will practise what we call administrative continuity. We’ll bring all those people together in an informal way so that the nation will benefit from the opportunity that they were given when they were in office. There are little things that we can do…and that’s increasing and increasing is that we create some districts. We don’t finish redrawing the district boundaries, geographical boundaries, then we create other ones.
So, we keep on compounding that problem. But I believe as a country, time is of essence to make sure that we know our internal boundaries. And Mr. Chairman, we have a lot of surveyors in this country, a number of them trained. So, I don’t think it will be a difficult thing for us to do if we want to realign our boundary. But one critical thing is that when it comes to constituencies, it doesn’t fall within the jurisdiction of the minister responsible for local government.
That lies within the purview of the electoral commissioner. Until the electoral commission creates his constituencies, the minister cannot be saying that, oh, I will redraw this or redraw that. Secondly, article 47 is clear, that’s for electoral commission. As for the duration for the creation of those things to, you know, is seven years or after population census.
So, if I sit here and say, oh, we will redraw the district boundaries or electoral boundaries, I may not. But the existing ones can be rechecked and make sure that there is a district map for every district. But that will also need time. There are very critical issues and this is a national security matter. So, I believe it must be looked at. But I can’t promise either this year or next year. But for now, we identify it as a problem.
Dafeamekpor: Beautiful. Now, one of the recurring problems that auditors flag in respect of assembly’s work is an issue where Yaw Boamah already touched on it, but I’m getting back to it. Where commission revenue collectors, they will go to the centres, collect the revenues from our poor market women.
Even when their sales are not good, they will still collect. If you want to build, they say stop work, produce permits, you go and pay permit fee. They will collect the money, but they will not account for it. Often times, they abscond with the revenues collected. And auditor general will make recommendations, retrieve the money and prosecute. It’s never done…
Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs taking the oath
Ahmed Ibrahim: Mr. Chairman, it must be seriously considered. And now that the owners of the land and the owners of the district have been brought on board, I think those things must be things of the past. And that’s why I said revenue collectors will account openly to the district for us to see the electoral areas that are performing and those that are underperforming.
These are critical areas that we must all look at. If a revenue collector or a commissioner, a commission revenue collector absconds with the money, whose money do you think he’s running away with? Is your money, and therefore we must all make sure that we fish for them. So, when the chiefs have been brought on board, and you bring stricter and regent measures regarding revenue collection, and the IGF is used for something concrete for people to see, I think there will be improvement.
But when you go and collect the revenue, the people don’t see what you have used with the IGF locally. Tomorrow, when you go, will you get? The answer is no. So, we must start a new thing. Give ourselves some time. Look at the returns of our effort. If it is good, we move ahead. If no, then we change our steps. But you can’t be doing the same thing and expect a different resource. There must be a new reset.
Dafeamekpor: Thank you very much. Let me conclude by saying that I like the point in respect of the Chieftaincy issues, where you are proposing that lawyers from the Office of the Attorney General be seconded to the various traditional councils to assist them in their work.
It will be such a major policy shift, because the decisions from the judicial committees of traditional councils actually settle a lot of Chieftaincy disputes all the way to the Supreme Court. So, that proposal, if you are able to do it, will be a major thing that will bring comfort to our Chiefs and Queen mothers. And I want to thank you for that innovative idea. I thank you for coming. And once more, congratulations.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Thank you, my very good brother.
Armah Buah: Honourable Ahmed, my brother, congratulations.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Thank you, Leader.
Armah Buah: I entered this Parliament in 2009 with you, who were over 100 members. Today, that 2009 group, we are four of us. It’s me, you, Honourable Ato Forson, and Honourable Bedzrah. That should tell you about the attrition of Parliament, and it also must tell you what it takes to sustain being a member of Parliament.
You have been a deputy whip, and when we were fortunate to be part of leadership, your experience was really very valuable in guiding us. You have been very passionate about the issues of local government. And so, there is no doubt in my mind that you are going to be very successful as a local government minister.
Now, what is exciting about this new role, and that brings me to the very important question I have for you, has to do with the role of Chiefs. You know that Chiefs have been really the, governance has been with the Chiefs at the local level since the beginning. And so, when we started going this path in democracy, I think that what has always come up has to do with what we can do to really get our Chiefs involved in local governance.
This ministry, I’m sure, has been put this way for a purpose. Can you share with us some of the things you would do to really get our Chiefs to be active at the local governance level?
Ahmed Ibrahim: Thank you, my leader, and my very good brother. There are so many things we do together with our Chiefs. Mr. Chairman, you are not far from right when you said, traditionally, our Chiefs used to be the development agents and leaders in their various jurisdictions until the modern governance came. So, the merger or the fusion of traditional governance and modern governance is going to be of great benefit to this country.
Mr. Chairman, there will be a common interface, not only with Chiefs, traditional leaders and modern leaders, traditional governance and modern governance, but together with one other sensitive area, that is our pastors, imams, religious leaders, and faith-based leaders, who I always describe as eminent social capital in this country.
More often than not, we tend to overlook their effort, but until we bring their culture as part of our development culture, we will not get to the destination where we are going to, because we have professors who are pastors, professors who are Chiefs, engineers who are pastors, engineers who are Chiefs.
So, if it happens that wherever those people are posted to, if you bring that common interface, so that every district will bring the Chiefs, the pastors, the DCEs and the MPs together in the development forum, they will be able to identify the basic needs of those jurisdictions. Mr. Chairman, with a little push from the centre, most of these problems will be solved.
Rather than allowing only the DCE and saying that he is the overall president representatives and everybody is waiting for him to do something for them to see. That is why we were not going at the speed that we were expected to go. So, the vision of His Excellency the President is to make sure that he gives the baton back or the key back to the original owners.
He is not saying that I’m going to do away with DCEs, but he has recognised the development contribution of our traditional authorities and our faith-based leaders. And that is why he’s merging the two. So, I practically understand it and I’m going to build upon it. That is one effective thing that we are going to do.
Armah Buah: Thank you Honourable Ahmed. A lot of issues I have, I’m just going to mention them, take note of them as issues that must really concern you. One has to do with the role of assembly members and how we build their capacity at that local level. You know, for example, some DCEs for over a year will not even call for assembly meetings.
Assembly members were weakened, especially based on some of the experience I’ve had. And oftentimes their communities they represent have blamed them that they are not performing. Exactly the things we strengthen assembly members must engage you. The issue of market management, markets, you know, the issue of market fires and the challenges we have there must be an issue that must really get the attention of the district assembly and the DCEs.
That must be something that we must come up with pragmatic measures to address. And there are also districts that, frankly, must be, a second look must be taken at for us to see how we can break them up because they are too huge, even now as we speak, generally speaking.
So those are issues that I think we must really concern you. Honourable Ahmed, those are not questions, I want you to take a note of them. But to say that I’m very, very proud of you. You’ve come a long way. There’s no doubt that you will succeed. As an elder and a brother in Christ, I know that the Lord will guide you to succeed. Congratulations.
Ahmed Ibrahim: Thank you, leader.
Armah Buah: Nominee, you are discharged. Thank you.
We all have different definitions of “fun”. Some of us like to take a walk in nature, others like to head out to a local rink for some hockey (this is Canada, after all).
But for others, “fun” entails visiting a restricted area to venture near the red-hot lava flow of an active volcano.
Thousands seem to like this idea, because in recent days, the east coast of Sicily has been flooded with tourists and their cars, which are blocking the roads and preventing emergency vehicles from getting to the volcano.
Mount Etna is the most active stratovolcano on the planet. Its first eruption of 2025 is happening now, and it ramped up over the weekend, resulting in large lava flows that sliced through the snowpack.
The dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation has prompted local officials to forbid visitors from getting within 500 metres of the lava, but that directive appears to be largely ignored. Eight people, including two minors, got lost during an unauthorized Mount Etna excursion for several hours, prompting a rescue from the fire brigade. Later that night, another group of four went missing, the Guardian reports.
This is a sample of the chaotic scenes taking place at Mount Etna. Officials say the visitors began flocking to the area on February 11.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are crushing co-parenting.
The former couple had a rare reunion on Thursday’s “Kardashians” episode, with the Skims creator claiming it is “always good vibes” with her ex-husband when putting on a united front for their children.
“Kanye and I want the best for our kids,” the reality star, 44, explained, referencing daughter North, 11, son Saint, 9, daughter Chicago, 7, and son Psalm, 5.
The exes, who were married from 2014 to 2022, were filmed teaming up in May 2024 to support their eldest child’s “Lion King” performance at the Hollywood Bowl.
“Her dad has been involved and he came to rehearsal,” Kardashian told viewers in a confessional, noting that she “of course” let West, 47, “change the graphics” as requested.
“I just look at them and I’m like, ‘It will be a better production [if you take his notes],’” the law student said.
North’s parents were both backstage for her performance, with Kardashian wearing an all-black outfit — and catching herself acting like mom Kris Jenner with the preteen’s glam team.
“Right before the show, I’m like … ‘How’s my lip? Do you have any powder?’ … I can’t ever complain about my mom again,” she joked, noting that Jenner, 69, used to do the same.
West, for his part, sported a monochromatic white look.
The rapper’s surprise appearance on the Hulu show’s sixth season comes amid his and wife Bianca Censori’s split making headlines.
Kumawood Actress Clara Benson, popularly known as Maame Serwaa, has revealed her desire to undergo breast reduction surgery due to the discomfort caused by her naturally large bosoms.
Speaking on the ‘Okukuseku Talk Show’ with Emelia Brobbey, the Knutsford University graduate explained that the size of her breast often results in severe back pain, which has prompted her to consider a medical procedure.
Maame Serwaa dismissed claims that she has undergone cosmetic surgery to achieve her hourglass figure, insisting that her physique is completely natural.
“I haven’t done any body enhancement before. The only time I considered doing anything wasn’t for my whole body. I wanted to reduce my bosoms because they are too heavy,” she stated.
She further explained that genetics play a role, as large bosoms run in her family.
“All my grandmother’s grandchildren have heavy bosoms. That was the only time I seriously thought about having a procedure done,” she added.
At 25 years old, Maame Serwaa expressed her intention to document the entire process should she decide to proceed with the surgery. She believes that educating others on the realities of breast reduction surgery is crucial.
Even if I decide to do it, I will make sure to document it so others who might want to undergo the same surgery will understand that it’s not just about fashion, she explained.
Following her interview, fans and social media users shared their thoughts on her revelation.
Maame Serwaa’s candid discussion about her struggles and future surgery plans has sparked widespread conversation, with many praising her transparency and confidence.
Highlife legend, Agya Koo Nimo, has cautioned highlife musician Kwabena Kwabena on how to observe good health practices.
During a courtesy visit to the legend by Kwabena Kwabena and his team at the former’s residence in Kumasi over the weekend, the doyen of palmwine music advised Kwabena not to take hard liquor.
“Listen to whatever I say. Why am I 94? The first thing Kwabena, respect our kidneys. Drink a lot of water to clear everything in your kidneys. As for alcohol, you may just take a little,” Agya Koo Nimo’s advice to Kwabena Kwabena.
Using himself as example, Agya Koo Nimo said although he sometimes takes in alcohol, he has tried to stay away from drinks that could be harmful to his health.
“Me, I would just take a bottle of beer, the bitter one. But I do not take hard liquor. Hard liquor will spoil your voice. Your only gift is your voice. I beg you, Kwabena, take good care of yourself,” he added.
Although, this was advice given to the ‘Aso’ hit maker, Koo Nimo’s caution against alcohol is in tandem with the recent worry some have raised against the abuse of drugs among some musicians.
A few weeks ago, Kwabena said on UTV that he had stopped taking in any substance that has the potential to affect his health.
As someone who takes great inspiration from Agy Koo Nimo, he is one of the musicians that has kept true to the highlife sound, releasing hits over the years and organising concerts to that effect.
He has received a lot of plaudits from music industry stakeholders for his coruscating performance at the Vitamilk Love Night concert which was held on February 14, 2025 at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.
“Let me end by a quotation from Jeremiah 29:7 ‘Seek ye the peace and prosperity of our nation. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper” – Kenneth Yaw Ofori Atta Budget Speech: March 2022
EEISHH! The glib-tongued immaculately white-clothed ex-Finance Minister declared “wanted” by the Special Prosector? “prompromnntehodaa” or in Ghanaspeak, “sweet, not always.”
Unbelievable, nay, incredible (French: “incroyable”) for the “holy” man who did not take a monthly salary and resigned from his own Data Bank as a “patriotic” Ghanaian piling up loans upon loans with his Data Bank receiving commissions while plunging Ghana into a debt of GH¢740 billion plus.
Ghana “since 2017, having to navigate the serious revenue shocks on the back of COVID-19 and distortions to our supply chain…” Big English, bombastic explanations, but the Vice President, Bawumia would come to our “colloquial” level and say in 2016 ($1.00 = GH¢4.00) “When the fundamentals are weak the exchange rate will expose you…” and in August 2023 Ken Ofori Atta would say: ”….we have turned a corner” with ($1.00 = GH¢17).
The Special Prosecutor (Akwanoma – lone ranger) issued a notice: “This suspect is wanted to answer charges in respect of several cases, including the Strategic Mobilization GRA Contract, Termination of ECG-BXC contract, National Cathedral payments, Ambulance Procurement Contract and Tax Refund Account Utilization. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this individual should alert the office by calling or sending Whatsapp message to 0554494499 / 0554484488.”
Some people “raided” Ofori Atta’s house! What for? we thought this Rambo-style had died with coups. Lamentable that the NDC’s John Jinapor had a smiliar harrowing experience, traumatizing his 6-year-old child! This damnable action led by Robert Jakpa elicited a sobering shower on Ofori Atta, and Patricia Appiagyei, the deputy minority leader noted “The harassment of former government officials must cease immediately. This country belongs to all of us, OR was it an act of reciprocity? “Ananse ye me na me nso me ye no bi” to wit (Spider did it to me and I did it to him in return), colloquially: “You do me, I do you”.
Mahama Ayariga (MP for Bawku Central and Majority Leader) has since “apologized” The “Jack-where-are-you” or “kwaane-kwaane” tag on Ofori Atta return to Ghana had been tagged “indefinitely”. Audi alteram partem is a hallowed principle in our democracy – to debunk charges like the one from Captain Smart on Onua FM on 13/02/25: “Akufo-Addo ne n’abusuafoo ye – aman-boe foo” (Akufo-Addo and his family are nation-wreckers). National Cathedral with funding from private pockets? the charge by McKeown, carrying cement as his personal contribution to the construction site as a Pentecost member.
Mustapha Hamid (PhD) had once said: “Walahi, the Presidency has been so depraved, so muddied, so dirtied… and we need to rescue this nation…” A sobbing Stephen Amoah (Sticka) MP for Nhyiaeso had lamented: “…Enti mondweneomanyiho? Adwuma a Akufo-Addo aye yi (and the sound faded off).
By close of day, Tuesday 18/02/25, the OSP had removed Ofori Atta’s name from the wanted list, but cautioned: “If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction on or around the stated date… he will be re-entered on the OSP’s wanted list… Cash drawn from Contingency Fund NOT Consolidated Fund, disregard for pensioners demanding their bond refunds; E-levy, destruction of toll booths…
Sam Pee Yalley on Metro TV (13/02/25) says if there were any politician who had brought a problem upon himself that person should be Ofori Atta (paraphrased). A blogger puts it this way: “Ken Ofori Atta paanie. I’m sure he regrets working for Akufo-Addo. See how his hard-earned reputation has been messed up.” And, remember, Akufo-Addo, in his “tintin, tininti” stance would show insouciance and disregard the calls by 88 NPP MPs to remove non-performing Ofori Atta.
To the one who calls Akufo-Addo a “rogue”, there were thousands of NPP sympathizers who had bought into Akufo-Addo’s “scam” in April 2015 (at TESCON Meeting, University of Cape Coast): “The fight against corruption should start with an incorruptible president. I can assure you in all humility that I am not, have never been, and will never be, corrupt… I have stated publicly that people who see service in government as avenue for making money will have no place in my government. Their proper place is the private sector where money making is a positive thing…”
So, Akufo-Addo came into government and got the Office of Special Prosecutor established under Act 959 with “gargantuan” man, Martin Amidu, an NDC man, once a Vice Presidential Candidate under Mills. In the “haunted” OSP house, he was expected to “chase” corrupt people (typically NDC), turned on his sponsor, Akufo-Addo and called him, the “master-serpent of corruption”, no doublespeak as in George Orwell’s “1984” “War is Peace”, “Freedom is slavery” and “Ignorance is strength”.
And despite the non-functional “Agenda 111 “extolling the virtues of Akufo-Addo’s health policy, Ofori Atta had to go to expensive Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, USA, for medical attention and paid $58m for a “hole” called the National Cathedral.
Rosalinde Ayarna calls on all officials who had embezzled funds to be brought to book, even if in the style of Umaru Dikko of Nigeria in 1984, put in a crate from the Stansted Airpot UK to Nigeria, drugged by Israeli anaesthetist accused of stealing $1 billion as Minister of Transport under Shehu Shagari…
And government agencies (including State Transport Company) were moving from SIC to private insurance companies… But hear the suit of Hosllistar Duah-Yentumi; her refusal to hand over to Agyenim-Boateng. A gross salary of GH¢70,000/month); entertainment allowance of GH¢84,000 per year (i.e GH¢7,000/month); clothing allowance of GH¢7,000/month, canteen allowance of GH¢850/ month, professional allowance of GH¢1,200/ month, house – help GH¢3,000 month, personal security GH¢3,000/ month; garderner GH¢2,000/ month familiarization tour to any destination; $3,000.00 for air ticket with GH¢180/diem; payment of all utility bills, property rates, other taxes for her official residence; payment of annual membership for one professional association, provision of a Land Cruiser to be sold to her at the end of her 4-year stint, 450 liters of fuel monthly, provision of a mobile phone and a rechargeable unit… all subject to 15% increment review, provision of medical care for herself, her spouse, her five children below the age of 18 or up to 22 if still schooling or unemployed.
Rev. Owusu-Bempah asks whether the President has “immunity”. Check Article 57 (5) the President shall not, while in office as President, be personally liable to any civil or criminal proceedings in court. But Article 57 (6) says no immunity: “Civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against a person within three years after his ceasing to be President, in respect of anything done or committed to be done by him in his personal capacity before or during his term of office notwithstanding any period of limitation except where the proceedings had been legally banned before he assumed the office of President.
Oh, the labourer at (?) earned less than GH¢700/month, took a loan of GH¢6,000.00 and went home on pension penniless because the loan repayment had consumed ALL his pension entitlement!
