Joe Wise Endorses Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader

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December 23, 2024

Ordinarily, in an election year, the full budget for the next fiscal year is not presented because the outcome of the elections is unknown. The winner of the elections must have the mandate of the people to govern and derive authorization to spend.

Therefore, the provisions of the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act allow for a request to spend on statutory obligations, such as emoluments of public sector workers, debt services, and other strategic expenditures, in the first quarter of the following year— in this case, 2025. This is referred to as expenditure in advance of appropriation, which must be approved by Parliament before December 31 of the election year, i.e., December 31, 2024.

Currently, Parliament is on recess without the presentation and approval of this expenditure. I believe, upon reflection, the President may call for an emergency recall of Parliament to present and approve the mini budget before the end of the year.

If the President fails to take advantage of the remaining days to present and approve the mini budget, a government shutdown will be triggered. This implies that, although the outgoing government has the mandate to govern and spend from January 1 to January 6, 2025, it will lack the statutory and constitutional approval to do so.

Furthermore, the Controller and Accountant General will not be permitted to effect any payments. Any breach of this provision becomes punishable. No civil or public servants, including institutions such as public educational institutions, Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Bank of Ghana, will be permitted to spend. Any expenditure on the inauguration of the President, which is not already approved, will also become illegal.

Since this is a new experience, the temptation may arise for some institutions to spend, assuming they are functioning and can regularize the expenditure later. However, such actions may lead to sanctions.

What Can the New Government Do on or After January 7, 2025?

On or after January 7, 2025, the new President will receive the mandate to govern and spend in the name of the Republic. The President can delegate one of his appointees to present the mini budget for approval.

The reality, however, is that on January 7, 2025, there will be no vetted appointees. The Vice President, who does not require vetting, will therefore be the only official eligible to present the mini budget. The choice of the Vice President shows respect for the doctrine of separation of powers, where each branch – the Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary – serves as a check on the others unless appointed by the Executive and vetted in line with constitutional provisions.

For the first time, a Vice President will present the mini budget to Parliament. If assigned, the first female Vice President, HE Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will make history by becoming the first Vice President to present a mini budget to Parliament on behalf of the President.

Indeed, HE John Dramani Mahama and HE Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang have enriched the democratic history of Ghana.

Mahama can build on my anti-graft efforts -Akufo-Addo

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MAXWELL OFORI

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December 22, 2024

President Akufo-Addo welcoming the president Elect, John Mahama to Jubilee House

The President, Nana ADDO Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said that his government laid a solid foundation to fight corruption that the incoming administration can build upon.

Though the president admitted that the road ahead to fight graft would be tough, he hoped the Mahama government would bear the torch of accountability.

“I prepare to leave office, I am filled with a mix of pride and hope. Pride in what we have achieved together, and hope that the fight against corruption will not lose momentum,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued that President-elect John Dramani Mahama and his incoming administration now have the opportunity to build on these efforts. Whilst I do not doubt their capability, I do know that the road ahead will not be easy. It is my sincere hope that they will carry forward the torch of accountability, strengthening the institutions and framework we have put in place.”

President Akufo-Addo made these remarks on Friday, December 20, 2025, when he

receive the National Anti-Corruption Report at Jubilee House from the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan High-Level Implementation Committee.

EFFORTS

President Akufo-Addo indicated that his government initiated a holistic program of legislative, administrative, financial, and technological reforms to tackle corruption.

According to him, one of his proudest moments as president was when he established the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

He described the OSP as a symbol of Ghana’s determination to tackle corruption head-on.

He mentioned that during his first term in office, the Corruption Protection Act in 2018 was passed. The Act, he explained, created a framework to safeguard individuals who cooperate with law enforcement, especially in corruption cases.

Furthermore, the Criminal Offences Amendment Act of 2020 elevated corruption from a misdemeanour to a felony, with harsher penalties of 12 to 25 years of imprisonment.

The government also enacted key laws, such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Revenue Administration Amendment Act, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

He remarked that budgetary support for accountability institutions has also witnessed unprecedented increases.

“For instance, from 2017 to 2023, Parliament’s budget increased by 100 percent, the police by 274 percent, and the Audit Service by 258 percent. These investments reflect my administration’s commitment to empowering these institutions to discharge their mandates effectively,” Akufo-Addo stated.

RESULTS

“I remember the early days of these reforms when scepticism abounded. People asked, will this really make a difference? Today, the numbers speak for themselves. The Auditor General’s report for 2023 showed a reduction of 5.2 billion CDs in financial irregularities, a 32 percent drop from the previous year,” he said.

TECHNOLOGY

President Akufo-Addo, whose government championed the use of digital systems to run the economy, said that technology has been the cornerstone of the anti-corruption efforts.

He said the introduction of digital platforms for public procurement has minimised human intervention, increased transparency, and reduced opportunities for corrupt practices.

Additionally, he said the passage of the Right to Information Act in 2019 was a milestone in ensuring government transparency.

Revealed: President Akufo-Addo owns no property in the UK

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December 21, 2024

Eugene Arhin, has described the accusations by Kevin Taylor as completely false and baseless and should be treated with utmost contempt.

Caustic social media firebrand Kevin Taylor, who has been consistent in his attacks against President Nana Akufo-Addo, has, in his latest attack on his platform, Loud Silence, falsely accused the President of owning several properties outside of Ghana.

The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, has described the accusations “as completely false and baseless and should be treated with utmost contempt.”

In his latest sensational monologue video, the US-based Kevin Taylor claims that President Akufo-Addo owns as many as 15 properties in the United Kingdom (UK). He promised to share the documents with the public on his social media page, but that has not happened.

Meanwhile, checks made by Asaase indicate that the President has no interest in any property in the United Kingdom.

After whetting the appetite of his audience that he had information on 15 properties connected to President Akufo-Addo, Kevin Taylor went on to name but only one property, but provided no supporting evidence linking the President to it.

His focus was on 75 Nottingham Terrace, London, City of Westminster, Greater London, NW1 4QE, owned by Stratton Enterprise Holding Limited, which was last sold in 2020 for £3,350,000.00.

Without providing any supporting evidence, Mr Taylor told his worldwide audience that Stratton belongs to Nana Akufo-Addo and, therefore, the property too.

In his attempt to show evidence in support of this allegation, he projected onto the screen a cropped property search document, which contained the names of Mr Edward Akufo-Addo and Mrs Irene Akufo-Addo, which also indicated a property that was sold in 2005 for £350,000.

Kevin Taylor, in an attempt to confuse his audience, described that document as covering the sale of 75 Nottingham Terrace and went on to falsely attribute that 2005 sale price to 75 Nottingham Terrace. He even added that the said property which sold for £350,000 has been since bought by the President, 15 years later, for £3.3m.

However, public documents readily available and obtainable from the database of His Majesty’s Land Registry, UK, show that in 2005, 19 years ago, Edward, the younger brother of Nana Akufo-Addo, and his wife Irene Akufo-Addo jointly acquired 32 Nottingham Terrace, London, Greater London NW1 4QB, for £350,000.00. Not 75 Nottingham Terrace.

A closer look at the document provided by Kevin Taylor in his attempt to indict President Akufo-Addo, in fact clearly indicates that it is rather the President’s brother and his spouse who own a property in the area, specifically 32 Nottingham Terrace, London, Greater London NW1 4QB.

As bold as the allegation was, not a shred of information was provided to support the allegation against the person of the President of the Republic as being the owner of a single property in the UK.

When we first reached out to Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency for his comments, he was hesitant to “dignify this completely false allegation with a comment.”

When pushed, Mr Arhin said, “I can tell you that President Akufo-Addo does not own any property in London or any part of the UK.”

He said, “In fact, a simple check on the ownership of the said properties in question will confirm that they do not, and have never, belonged to the President.”

These claims, he said, “are nothing more than a fabrication designed to deceive the public and tarnish the President’s image as he prepares to leave office after his rather successful tenure as President of the Republic the last 8 years.”

Mr Arhin described as unfortunate and sad deliberate lies being manufactured against the President as he leaves office. “President Akufo-Addo is a man who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Ghana with honesty and integrity,” Mr Arhin said.

Pushed further to comment on the claim that President Akufo-Addo was the owner of Stratton Enterprise Holding Limited, Mr Arhin noted, “I can categorically tell you that President Akufo-Addo has no knowledge of it, let alone own a company by the name Stratton Enterprise Holdings.”

He stressed, “This accusation is equally baseless and malicious.” He described President Akufo-Addo as having no need to hide or misrepresent anything about his life or his dealings.

“It is unfortunate that such baseless accusations are being used to create unnecessary distractions at a time when our collective efforts should be focused on building a prosperous, progressive Ghana,” Mr Arhin said.

Source: Asaaseradio.com

NESTF Urges Political Party Supporters to Stay Away from Collation Centres

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December 21, 2024

A group photograph of the election security taskforce and EV officials

The National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) has called on supporters of the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to avoid gathering at collation centres during the ongoing election collation process.

Speaking at a press briefing today, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director-General of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Police Service, emphasized that only accredited individuals designated by the Electoral Commission (EC) will be granted access to the centres.

“This arrangement is part of our efforts to ensure election security and maintain order during the collation of results,” ACP Ansah-Akrofi said.

The NESTF, composed of personnel from the police, military, fire service, prisons, immigration, and Customs Division, has been working closely with the Electoral Commission to finalize security arrangements for collation centres across the country.

At a meeting held on December 9-10 at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, the EC informed the task force of its readiness to proceed with the outstanding collation processes and requested security support.

The task force assured the EC of its preparedness to provide the necessary security, including a joint police and military deployment.

The EC also reiterated that only individuals accredited by the commission should be present at the collation centres.

“We urge the public to respect this directive. Non-accredited individuals will not be permitted to access the centres under any circumstances,” ACP Ansah-Akrofi warned.

The leadership of the NDC and NPP have also been advised to actively discourage their supporters from attempting to gather at the collation centres, as their presence could disrupt the process and compromise security.

NESTF’s actions aim to ensure a peaceful and transparent conclusion to the election collation process.

The public is urged to cooperate with authorities and respect the security measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Post-Election Matters: Police Restraint & Tact Have Saved Ghana … Says Prof Kwasi Aning

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December 20, 2024

Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research (FAAR) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has lauded the efforts of the National Election Security Taskforce in effectively managing post-election matters.

Dr. Kwesi Aning, a recognised authority on security issues, praised the taskforce for its professional and strategic handling of critical situations, particularly regarding the security of collation centers for some outstanding constituencies.

Speaking to some media outlets in Accra yesterday, he emphasised that their efforts were instrumental in averting a potential crisis.

“First of all, it is imperative that we commend the Inspector General of Police and the National Election Security Taskforce for the professional manner in which they have handled post-election affairs. Their restraint and tact have saved the country,” Dr. Aning stated.

He underscored the critical role of security agencies in supporting democratic processes and maintaining peace in the face of electoral tensions.

Dr. Aning further urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to pause the collation of results for the outstanding constituencies until a consensus is reached with all political parties involved.

According to him, it was essential for the EC to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page to maintain trust and avoid unnecessary confrontations.

The National Election Security Taskforce deployed various strategies, including engaging stakeholders, conducting timely briefings and using de-escalation tools to maintain law and order during this transition period. These measures were crucial in diffusing tension and ensuring public safety.

The security taskforce’s approach highlights the importance of collaboration, patience and professionalism in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and fostering national stability.

Asian African Consortium Rebranded …It’s Now African Agribusiness Consortium

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December 20, 2024

The Asian African Consortium (AAC), a key player in advancing agribusiness across Africa, has officially rebranded as the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) Limited.

This transformation represents a bold step in the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability in the African agribusiness sector.

By aligning its name with its core focus, the African Agribusiness Consortium underscores its dedication to creating impactful solutions for farmers, agribusiness stakeholders and communities across the continent.

The rebranding also signals the Consortium’s intent to expand its influence and develop initiatives that directly address the challenges and opportunities within African agriculture.

With a renewed focus on building strategic partnerships and delivering sustainable practices, the African Agribusiness Consortium is poised.

About African Agribusiness Consortium Limited

The African Agribusiness Consortium is dedicated to empowering Africa’s agribusiness sector through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships and sustainable practices.

Its mission is to transform agriculture across the continent and drive economic progress.

For more information, visit www.aacint.org.

Court orders Gender Determination of Radiologist in visa fraud case

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December 20, 2024

Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, presiding judge at a Circuit Court in Accra, has ordered that the gender of 29-year-old German-based Radiologist, Christabel Suphiar Sarkodie Tuffour, be determined, before the accused is placed in lawful custody. The directive follows an application by Chief Inspector Ramata Asumah, the police prosecutor, during a court hearing on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

The prosecution argued that determining the accused’s gender was necessary to appropriately place Tuffour in either male or female custody.

Charges and Allegations

Tuffour faces multiple counts of defrauding by false pretences under Section 131 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The charges stem from alleged fraudulent activities between 2023 and 2024, during which the accused is said to have collected large sums of money from victims under the guise of facilitating visa acquisitions.

According to court documents, Tuffour, working in collaboration with a Ghanaian resident in Germany identified as Ebenezer, falsely presented themselves as capable of securing German and Canadian visas.

The duo allegedly used personal meetings, false promises, and an elaborate scheme to gain the trust of 15 complainants, who sought to travel abroad in search of better opportunities. The accused is said to have received payments amounting to €42,889, £8,500, $5,000 and GH¢230,000.

Victims made payments either into the accused’s bank accounts or directly during meetings in Ghana, including at Tuffour’s Osu apartment and the Lancaster Hotel.

Key Incidents

Among the allegations, the accused arranged an ordinance marriage with one of the victims, Kwasi Gyimah, at the La Nkwantanang District Court, claiming it would facilitate a spousal visa to Germany. The fraudulent representations convinced the victims to part with significant sums of money.

Despite admitting to the offenses during police investigations, the accused claimed to have handed over the funds to Ebenezer, who has denied receiving any money.

Legal Proceedings

The prosecution detailed 12 counts of fraud involving different victims, including;

Defrauding Kwasi Gyimah of €10,000 and GH¢17,000.

Collecting £8,500 and €4,000 from Mark Korankye.

Receiving €3,750 from Alexander Yevu.

Convincing Diana Agyeiwaa Ofosu to part with €2,500.

Other victims included Ferdinard Kommey, Kingsley Kobina Koomson and Jemima Mireku, with losses ranging from $5,000 to GH¢35,000.

Suspected visa fraudster hauled to court

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December 20, 2024

Judge Isaac Addo of the Circuit Court in Accra has granted bail to a 42-year-old businessman, Shamshudeen Kokroko Abdul-Salam Alidu, who is facing charges of defrauding by false pretenses contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1900 (Act 29).The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000.00 with two sureties.

The court stipulated that the sureties must be family members of the accused, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide proof of earning not less than GH¢5,000 monthly.

The prosecution was directed to file its disclosures in accordance with procedural guidelines, and the case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025.

Particulars of the Case

The accused allegedly defrauded William Samina, a trader from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, of GH¢93,000.00 under the pretext of securing a United States visa for him.

According to the brief facts presented to the court, in November 2023, Mr. Samina, eager to travel to the United States for better opportunities, contacted his brother Billy Alidu, who introduced him to the accused.

The accused reportedly assured Mr. Samina of his ability to secure the visa for a fee of US$8,000, equivalent to GH¢93,000.00.

The accused claimed to have international partners in South Africa, Colombia, and other countries who could facilitate the visa process within six to eight weeks. Convinced by the representations, Mr. Samina handed over the required amount to the accused.

However, after receiving the money, the accused suggested that Mr. Samina traveled to South Africa to meet his alleged partners to expedite the process. Upon arrival in South Africa, Mr. Samina discovered that the accused had no such connections.

Efforts to contact the accused were unsuccessful, prompting him to return to Ghana and file a complaint with the police.

Investigations

Police investigations revealed that the accused had no legitimate travel arrangements or partners to facilitate the complainant’s visa acquisition.

In his caution statement, the accused admitted receiving the money and claimed to have arranged for the complainant to meet his alleged partners. However, these assertions were found to be false.

The accused was subsequently charged with defrauding by false pretences and arraigned before court.

Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako’s son jailed six months

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December 20, 2024