God bless the Hon Speaker Bagbin for such welcoming address. May you live long to be blessings to GHANA and Africa. We are solidly behind you and the MPs who are boldly in sponsoring and supporting the Anti-LGBTQ+++ Bill 21.
We are proud of you and we won’t stop praying for you by giving our support to the Anti-LGBTQ+++ Bill.Your decisiveness , firm leadership and solid position on the LGBTQ+++ activities is something all future leaders must aspire to acquire in Ghana and Africa, you are an inspiration.
Let there be no room for delaying the Bill passage at all, and never condone any sabotages, be it from any kind of person anywhere. Expose any such moves by any greedy and anti country person.Our societal norms and the sovereign sanctity of Ghana must be protected forever.
God bless you all Bismark Kwabla Kpobi
Advocate Against LGBTQ+++ Activitiesbismarkkwablakpobi@gmail.com
Managing Director of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Junior, has said that putting more people on the public payroll will be tantamount to madness.
According to him, Ghana is broke, and the public sector is choked.
He also said the state is spending 60% of the total national revenue on public sector emoluments and it is spending more than 60% of its resources on debt servicing so it will be impossible for the government to employ more people into the public sector.
His comments follow comments by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta that have been criticised by a section of the public.The Minister recently told some graduating students that the state cannot employ new workers since its payroll is full so they must venture more into entrepreneurship.
Kwasi Pratt Junior said he believes the Minister of Finance spoke the truth concerning the state of the country’s economy.“What I find funny is that we are faced with this situation but public speakers and people who speak for government are still talking about the fact that the economy is improving,“ the Managing Director of The Insight newspaper said.
Kwesi Pratt claims the economy is not improving, describing it as stagnating and not capable of resolving the unemployment problem the country is facing.“We have come to a conjecture where if we don’t borrow, we can’t pay public sector workers and that is the truth about the state of the economy and I’m gladdened by the fact that the Minister of Finance is starting to tell us the truth of the state of the national economy,” he said.He made the comments when on Good Morning Ghana on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
The Central Regional NDC has taken notice of a two-day profligate and wasteful Presidential visit by HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo which started from Monday, 18th October, 2021 and ended on 19th October, 2021.
Whiles we appreciate the President of the Republic for the visit to our Region, we believe his coming has been a bewildered, spontaneous and reactive one needlessly occasioned by the rousing welcome which greeted John Dramani Mahama during his “Thank You Your” of the Region on Friday, 15th October 2021.
The politically expedient tour which has brought humiliation to the President is incontrovertible in the last minute negotiation by Hon. Alan Kyeremateng with K.T Investment Company Ltd, a Chinese lubricant factory at Gomoa Akotsi in order to rebrand and classify it under 1D1F initiative to score undeserving and unmerited political points in the Gomoa East District. This act of sheer deception and bad faith must not be countenanced by a leader who must demonstrate candour and high levels of integrity as expected of his office.Obviously, Nana Addo’s government substandard performance so far has reflected in the cold reception the good people of Central Region accorded him.
This is an ample testament to why he could not muster the courage to speak on infrastructure after President Mahama threw a challenge to him on project accountability debate.It is the height of embarrassment that whiles President John Mahama could tout his achievements in the form of transformational project he delivered during his media engagement with Cape Fm which was synchronized across the region, President Akuffo Addo though in his second term is still inspecting and cutting sod for piecemeal projects.
We are not surprised to hear from the President that Komenda Sugar Factory will work again whiles he could not go there to assess the state of dilapidation. He has soon forgotten he came to tell us he has given approval for strategic investor to take over the factory, since 4th June, 2020 and now we are being told that, the so-called strategic investor, Park Agrotech Ghana Limited could not fulfill the conditions hence, the government is discontinuing with the arrangement. It is incontestable that President Akuffo Addo have deliberately refused to access the $24.5 million meant for the production of sugarcane because they have no intention to operationalize the factory.Where is the commitment of President Akuffo Addo if indeed he mean well for the people of Central Region?.
It’s also shocking to note that, HE Nana Akufo Addo could look into the face of the people of Central Region as a whole and Cape Coast in particular to state that he didn’t promise us a harbour. We want to know whether HE. Nana Akuffo Addo is running a parallel administration with his Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia or they belong to the same administration? Stemming from the fact that on 22nd August 2020, HE. Dr. Bawumia promised orally “The Central Regional capital of Cape Coast will for the first time see the construction of a harbour and an airport”.
It was a clear promise from the governing New Patriotic Party to the people of Central Region that should they be given the mandate to run the affairs of the country for another four- year term that infrastructure will be given to the region. Again, we refer HE. Nana Akufo Addo to the NPP’s 2020 Manifesto, which captures this famous deceitful promise in page 160, part 4 line 6. Though, we are dismayed about this blatant denial of sacrosanct promise, it is indisputable that deception has become the hallmark of HE. Nana Addo/Bawumia’s government. We want to assure him and his NPP party that they will pay dearly for deceiving us in the next general elections.Again, in Assin South President Akufo Addo did sod-cutting for the construction of the Nyankomasi Ahenkro – Assin Jakai road.
It is a matter of fact that this particular road has been captured on their infrastructure delivery tracker as having been constructed. Also, Hon Ntim Fourduor, MP for Assin South Constituency, has on a number of occasions said on national platforms that he has constructed this same stretch of road and touts it as part of his achievements. So why the sod cutting again? The most bizzare spectacle was Presidential convoy of over 45 Toyota Land Cruisers which came with the HE. Akuffo Addo to commission a CHPS Compound, a Community Police Station, Community Centre, a school library, and a decorated Traffic Light intersection which was first initiated by the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Mike Hammah.
The unforgettable blunder was the renaming and recommissioning of the Winneba roundabout now reconciliation roundabout, with a statue of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and J.B. Danquah exchanging pleasantries, which obviously indicates the President’s lack of appreciation of Ghana’s history. The question is when did Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and J.B. Danquah met in our history in Winneba to warrant the naming of the so-called “reconciliation roundabout”. This reveals their treachery and hoodwinking attitude of the Nana Addo led NPP. The truth of the matter is, like his numerous failed promises he has made over the years and across the country, the people in the area, and for that matter Assin South Disstrict do not believe the president’s promise to construct the road. This in our view is an insult to the conscience and sensitivity of the good people of Central Region as we expected government to have demonstrated integrity in delivering its appetizing campaign promises.
It suffices to add that a non performing and incompetent President is the one who comes to important regional capital like Cape Coast to inspect engineering laboratories and workshops being constructed by the Ministry of Education despite unsustainable debt hole his government has plunged the country into and it resultant unbearable economic hardships on suffering Ghanaians through imposition of needless taxes.
It is clear the Akufo Addo/Bawumia government is bereft of developmental projects as urine has evaded the proverbial chicken and must take the blame for the wasteful and worthless Presidential tour of the Central Region.Signed Lawrence Kwesi Ghartey DRCO.
Sam George thanks Ken Agyapong, Ursula, others for the reopening of Radio Gold, XYZ
Ningo Prampram Lawmaker, Samuel Nartey George who is also a Ranking Member on the parliamentary select committee on communications, has thanked the former Chairman of the Committee Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, the Minister of Communications, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, Ranking Member on the committee ABA Fuseini for the role they played in getting the closed radio stations back on the air.
Speaking on the announcement of the reopening of the stations in an interview on the News 360 on TV3 Tuesday, October 12, Sam George said “This is welcoming news, we are grateful to the new board of the NCA for carrying through what has been four years of agony for the owners of the radio stations and their staff.
“The parliamentary select committee intervened in this matter and had several meetings with the Ministry, with the management of the NCA, the management of the radio stations. Today, for me, is a happy day because it brings to an end a long battle.
“I will say a very big thank you to former chair of the Committee Hon Ken Agyapong, Honourable Opare Ansah, my Ranking member ABA Fuseini, former Board Chair of the NCA Kwaku Sakyi Addo, the current board chair Mr. Isaac Osei Bonsu, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu and certainly the Minister for Communications for working along with us. We have had our disputes, we have had our arguments, heated debate on the floor of parliament.
“The bottom line is that the independent of the media has triumph today.”
The Governing Board of the NCA has approved the grant of a total of One Hundred and Thirty Three (133) FM radio broadcasting authorisations which include new applications from entities whose FM radio stations were closed down after the 2017 FM Audit as well as existing stations which applied for renewal of their expired FM Radio broadcasting authorisations.
The approval was done at a Board meeting held on 11th October 2021.
A statement issued by the NCA on Tuesday, October 12 said this approval from the Board is subject to the applicants attending a sensitisation workshop on the terms and conditions of FM radio broadcasting authorisations.
“The workshop shall clarify the legal, regulatory, and technical requirements for the establishment and operation of an FM Radio Broadcasting station.
“Provisional authorisations shall be issued to the successful applicants at the end of the workshop and frequencies shall be assigned to the applicants only upon the fulfillment of the conditions of the Provisional Authorisation.
“The general public is reminded that per Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, a person shall not operate a broadcasting system or provide a broadcasting service without a frequency authorisation by the Authority.
“Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or to both, as per Section 73 of Act 775 of 2008.”
The NCA shut down Radio Gold and Radio XYZ, and several others.
A statement issued by the NCA in Accra on May 9, 2019, said the closures were carried out in line with Regulations 65 (1) of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L. I. 1991, which states that “A person shall not use a radio frequency without authorisation from the Authority.”
Referring to a 2018 ruling by the Electronic Communications Tribunal on the status of FM stations with expired authorisation, the NCA said “Companies whose authorisations had expired reverted to the same position as a fresh applicant,” adding that “these applications shall go through the required procedure for new FM Broadcasting Authorisation.”
The regulator did not mention the two stations, implying that it was a general exercise. However, only Radio XYZ and Radio Gold have been closed so far. Officials of the NCA, backed by armed police officers, stormed the premises of the radio stations to enforce the shutdown in the afternoon of May 9.
This is the second time in less than two years that the regulator has flexed its muscles against “defaulting stations.” In September, 2017, the NCA carried out a massive purge of the broadcasting industry that saw a total of 34 radio and television stations being shut down for various infractions, in enforcement of Section 13 of the Electronics Communications Act (2009), Act 775.
The regulator also imposed fines on a number of stations ranging from GHC50,000 (US$11,000) to GHC61,000,000 (US$13.8 million) depending on the infraction and the duration the infraction persisted.
Some MPs have been denied visas, warned to stay away from anti-gay bill – Arthur K
Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) based in the United States, Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has said some Members of Parliament have been denied visas and warned to stay away from the anti-gay bill which is currently before Parliament.
He said it is sad that “this intimidation is coming mainly from the Western diplomatic community.”
The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.
Reading for the first time, a clerk in the legislative assembly stated that the Bill proscribes lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) and other related activities and propaganda or advocacy and promotion for same.
It also came to light that it supports protection for children and persons who are victims or accused of homosexuality.
Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah Amoako referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration.
“For the first time, it is referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report,” Mr Asiamah Amoako, who is also the MP for Fomena, directed.
The controversial anti-gay bill has already divided opinion in the Ghanaian public discourse.
While some, particularly the religious and traditional groupings, have supported the Bill and hopeful of its passing, others say it could incur the wrath of the international community against Ghana.
Commenting on this development in a statement, Dr Arthur Kennedy said ” My goal today, is not to opine on the merits of the bill. Indeed, I wish, in the words of the sages, we had “allowed sleeping dogs to lie”. The homosexual community, in my view, were doing fine, in their private spaces, subject to the protections of the law accorded to all citizens.
“Unfortunately, the opposition to the bill, motivated by the noble desire to promote tolerance for our homosexual community, has been characterized by intolerance.
” Some lawmakers, including the bill’s sponsor, Sam George have been threatened publicly and privately. Calls have been made to the Speaker, threatening MPs. Some have been denied visas and warned to stay away from this issue. It is sad that this intimidation is coming mainly from the Western diplomatic community.”
Below is his full statement…
TOLERANCE AND THE DEBATE ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY IN GHANA
The pending legislation about homosexuality in Ghana has led to unfortunate manifestations of intolerance. Parliament is considering a bill that would criminalize certain aspects of homosexual conduct in Ghana.
In response, significant segments of the community, including Christian, Muslim and traditional authorities have offered support. On the other hand, there is an impressive array of intellectuals and government officials who are opposing the proposed bill. Indeed, a significant part of the diplomatic community too, has weighed in, to oppose the bill.
My goal today, is not to opine on the merits of the bill. Indeed, I wish, in the words of the sages, we had “allowed sleeping dogs to lie”. The homosexual community, in my view, were doing fine, in their private spaces, subject to the protections of the law accorded to all citizens.
Unfortunately, the opposition to the bill, motivated by the noble desire to promote tolerance for our homosexual community, has been characterized by intolerance.
Some lawmakers, including the bill’s sponsor, Sam George have been threatened publicly and privately. Calls have been made to the Speaker, threatening MPs. Some have been denied visas and warned to stay away from this issue. It is sad that this intimidation is coming mainly from the Western diplomatic community.
In addition to democracy and the rule of law, the West exemplifies, to the eternal admiration of people like me, the attitude of tolerance. It is at the heart of multi-party democracy and the support of minority rights etc that make the West such a powerful example to the rest of the world.
As JFK put it, “Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather, it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.”.
The West argued that dealing with China and Russia was better that isolating them. The West insisted on constructive engagement with Apartheid South Africa while we beat War drums. They were right.. Let us not fight intolerance with intolerance.
The next time there is an election dispute or tribal fighting and the West comes preaching tolerance, it would help if opportunists cannot remind us of Western intolerance!
The problem of this bill is not the Parliament. It is reflecting public opinion. Let us continue to educate the public.
Finally, to Parliament, continue this new attitude, by championing the interest of the public for Healthcare, jobs and for fighting the canker of corruption.
Long live tolerance. Long live Ghana. Arthur Kobina Kennedy.
Akufo-Addo is one of the wisest in the world, a great erudite – Serbian President
“I learnt so many things from my friend, the President of Ghana, today speaking about world power. We completely share some positions about the necessity of the countries that need to co-operate in the independent sovereign, to make their own decisions independently…I fully agree he is one of the wisest men, one of the great erudite one can learn so many things from.”
These were the words of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, on Monday, 11th October 2021, when he held bilateral talks with President Nana Akufo-Addo, on the sidelines of the ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
At the press conference, the Serbian leader indicated that Ghana and Serbia have pledged to build closer ties, and deepen the ties of friendship and the bonds of co-operation between the two countries, with the two nations resolving to co-operate in the areas of agriculture, defence, artificial intelligence and digitilisation, education, and the growth of their respective economies.
Touching on the areas of co-operation between the two countries, which include an increase in bilateral trade and the doubling of Serbian scholarship opportunities to Ghanaian students from 16 to 32, President Akufo-Addo stated that “we (in Ghana) know the important strides that you (Serbia) have taken in the world of digitalisation, as well as in artificial intelligence, and my understanding is that the majority of the young people who will come from Ghana will be in this area. I think it will be something that will be truly beneficial to our country.”
The President reinforced the necessity for such closer ties of co-operation between countries belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement, and the urgent need to deepen the bonds between Ghana and Serbia and, indeed, for smaller, like-minded states.
“The recent example about the use and deployment of vaccines has shown us an ugly aspect of international cooperation. There are people who hoarded samples and made it impossible for others to be able to have access. I think these are areas where the co-operation between countries like ours could have a very significant impact on the way in which the world develops,” he said.
The President continued that, “there is hopefully a bright future ahead especially between the two countries that see eye-to-eye on so many important issues of the International agenda; the most important being the urgent need for all of us to be able to drive our own agenda, and not be the subject of anybody’s interests or wishes.”
On Ghana’s election onto the Security Council membership, President Akufo-Akufo thanked Serbia for the support of Ghana’s candidature, adding that “whilst there, our contribution will help improve the climate of the world and bring more positive developments on the global agenda. We count very much on Serbia assisting us in the manner in which you have indicated in your remarks so that we can produce good results from our membership there.”
He also expressed deep concerns about security in Africa, saying “the Jihadist insurrection and terrorist activities in West Africa are a matter of great concern to us, and there are areas where we believe we can beneficially cooperate with your country, with other like-minded countries, to find solutions. They are matters of very great concern to the stability of our region.”
On his part, President Vucic said, “I learnt so many things from my friend President of Ghana today speaking about world power and I fully agree he is one of the wisest men, one of the great eulogists one can learn so many things from as one of the great successors of the politics of such a great person as Nkrumah was.”
President Aleksandar Vučić thanked President Akufo-Addo and Ghana for the position taken regarding the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, stressing that such a position is appreciated and respected by the people of Serbia.
“You know that in politics and international relations, nothing lasts shorter than gratitude but you will see when it comes to Serbia, we are incomparably, more loyal to our friends than many others and we will be able to return in the same manner of responsibility,” he said.
The Serbian leader continued, “We offer our construction companies if the people of Ghana are interested, and we are ready to buy tropical fruits and many other products from Ghana if they are interested.
“Generally speaking, politically wise, not that we have no problems, but we understand each other very very well, but we must work to talk to each other more often, to see each other more often, and to have more frequent contact and to act together in the international scenes.”
Ayawaso by-election incident: Stop the ‘hypocritical attitude’ – John Boadu to Mahama
General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party, John Boadu
General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) John Boadu, has described former President John Dramani Mahama as a “hypocrite” in his quest to lead the NDC in the next election.
This follows John Mahama’s promise that the NDC when voted back into power will ensure that compensations due the victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election will be given to them.
John Mahama said this when he met with the victims and families of the Ayawaso West Wuogon incident.
The victims claim they have not received a dime from the Akufo-Addo led government despite the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission.
Speaking to NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’, John Boadu said Mr. Mahama turned deaf ears to a similar incident when in power – after urging the Nana Addo-led government to quickly attend to the victims as recommended.
“When will they [NDC] come to power to help these people?” he questioned.
He, however, wondered about the sudden interest by Ex-President Mahama to help victims when his government did nothing to help others in the past.
“Sometimes he thinks we have short memories,” he said.
“Former President Mahama is being a hypocrite. He must put a stop to it. There are equally victims of violence from his government, what has he done to those people and their families?” he asked.
Early today, Assembly members in New Edubiase Constituency in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region has confirmed the District Chief Executive Nominee Hon Francis Ankomah.
The Hon District Chief Executive were confirmed with 100% vote by over 40 Assembly members.
Speaking with the District Chief Executive Hon Francis Ankomah after the election, he thanked the president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for appointing him in his second term of office.
He moreover, thanked Nananom, the Ashanti Regional Minister, party members, and the Assemblymen for their support and confirming him again as the District Chief Executive for New Edubiase Constituency.
Hon. Francis Ankomah added that the outcome of the election clearly shows that, the Assembly members were impressed by his work during the first term of office which he explains in detail.
Moreover, the member of parliament for New Edubiase Constituency Hon Abdul Salam Adams added that, though the appointment of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives delayed but he knew the president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo was investigating to know who to be Appointed as DCE in our various Districts which he explains details.
GAF clears 230 platforms, 365 Changfans near Pra, Offin rivers
The Ghana army, supported by the navy and air force, has, so far, cleared a total of 230 platforms and 365 change fans in illegal mining sites covering a total of 267 kilometers along and on the Pra and Offin rivers and their tributaries, as part of their activities to flush out illegal small-scale miners from some major river bodies and forest reserves in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Western North regions.
Operation Halt II was re-activated in April this year and the army has continued to conduct follow-up surgical operations in targeted areas to sustain the campaign to rid river bodies of all illegal mining activities in the country.
Areas along river Offin that have been cleared include Asma Camp, Denkira Foso, Badoa No.1 and 2, Kyekyewere, Buabenso, Akyempim, and Dunkwa.
GAF, in a statement, noted that a total of 110 platforms and 185 Chang fan machines have been destroyed on river Offin, covering a distance of approximately 114 kilometers.
The army has advised all persons engaged in illegal mining, especially along with the country’s river bodies and forest reserves, to desist from these criminal activities or risk being severely dealt with according to the laws of the nation.
Committee makes 10 recommendations for government’s consideration
The three-member committee set up to probe circumstances leading to the clash between Police cum Military personnel and the irate youth of Ejura that led to the death of two persons on June 29, has made ten recommendations for the government’s consideration.
Ghanatodayonline.com has received a copy of the recommendations made by the Committee, which comprised George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Security Expert, Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso, and Juliet Amoah, Executive Director of Penplusbyte, a civil society organization.
Among others, the committee recommended the transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond for his incompetence in handling the issue.
The Committee also recommended that the families of the two deceased and other affected persons, be compensated.
They also recommended the removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Mohammed Salisu Bamba.
According to the Committee, his continuous presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in Ejura. Meanwhile, Mr. Bamba was reported on July 15, to have withdrawn his application for re-appointment as MCE for the area.
The Committee recommends adequate Compensation for the families of the two deceased persons, namely, Abdul Nasir Yusif and Murtala Suraj Mohammed. Adequate compensation must also be paid to other injured persons, namely; Louis Ayikpa (20 years), Awal Misbau (16 years), and Nasif Nuhu (30 years). These are the names known to the Committee.
2. The Committee recommends the immediate transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, first for his incompetence in handling the situation and for the fact that his relationship with the community seems to have been damaged beyond repair.
3. We further recommend the structural expansion of the Ejura Police Station and an increase in personnel.
4. We recommend the removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Mohammed Salisu Bamba since his continuous presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in Ejura.
5. It is further recommended that the Military Establishment review the actions of the Section on the ground, led by Lieutenant Martin Opoku Adusei, for the inappropriate use of force, and apply appropriate sanctions.
6. We further recommend the training of REGSEC, MUSEC, and DISEC officials in the Ashanti Region in Conflict and Crises Management at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at least once every year.
7. We recommend the development of a joint Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) for Military / Police operations, including roles for indispensable allied agencies like the National Investigations Bureau, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, etc.
8. We further recommend that the NCCE should intensify its Public education in relation to the rights, obligations, and civic responsibilities of the people of Ejura.
9. It is further recommended that all crowd /riot/crises control units be made to wear bodycams and all vehicles and mobile gadgets employed must also have cameras.
10. We recommend the establishment of a Sports and other Recreational Facilities in Ejura under the Zongo Development Fund, so as to re-channel the energies of the youth.
Ejura murder probe: Committee recommends transfer of Ejura District Police Commander, DSP Hammond
The Ministerial Committee of Inquiry tasked to probe the Ejura disturbances in June 2021 has recommended the immediate transfer of the District Police Commander for incompetence in handling the security situation in the area.
In a 55-page report submitted to the Interior Minister and sighted by Ghanatodayonline.com, the Justice Koomson Committee said that DSP Philip Kojo Hammond’s relationship with the Ejura residents has turned sour, thus not prudent for him to be at post.
“The Committee recommends the immediate transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, first for his incompetence in handling the situation and for the fact that his relationship with the community seems to have been damaged beyond repair,” the report said.
Presenting its findings, the Committee stated that there was no basis for the dispatch of a Police Riot Vehicle (water canon) to the cemetery on the morning of June 29 when the slain social media activist was being buried.
According to the report, the decision to deploy the riot vehicle was tantamount to provocation.
Testifying before the Committee, both Deputy Ashanti Regional and Ejura District Police Commanders told the three-member body that the deployment was on the request of Kaka’s family; a claim the family denied.
The Police commanders could not tell the Committee the name and particulars of the said family member who made this request.
The Committee also revealed that there was no need for the security personnel who were deployed in Ejura to restore calm on the 28th of June, to have left Ejura in the early hours of 29th June. The Committee finds that this created a security vacuum in the town.
The Justice Koomson Committee said it is convinced that having withdrawn the security personnel deployed on June 28 from Ejura, the District Police Commander failed in his duty to adequately brief his superiors in the Divisional and Regional level to beef up the personnel and logistics in anticipation of any eventualities on June 29.
It added that, if it was in fact true that “Kaaka’s” family requested for security during the burial, as alleged by the District Police Commander, there should have been an adequate signal to the District Commander to have immediately requested for the necessary logistics and personnel to deal with any unwarranted situation.
Rather, the District Commander decided to deploy the Riot Vehicle to the cemetery.
The Committee found the District Commander to be incompetent and ill-prepared for the occasion.
It further revealed that the Police did not work on their intelligence sharing. It failed to prepare for the situation on the ground and over-relied on the Military personnel; thereby failed to organise adequately in terms of personnel and equipment.
C/R: About 20,000 people in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District to suffer shortage of potable water.
Information gathered by Evans Kwaku Oboafi Junior (Hardrock), indicates that the People of Brakwa, Kokoso, and its environment in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District C/R are likely to suffer water shortage due to the government’s inability to pay Ghc 428,298.07 Dept to the Water generating and supply organization in the area.
According to the source, this huge amount the government of Ghana owes this organization (Brakwa Kokoso Water Board) during the free water supply era from April 2020 to March 2021 has led to the organization inability to pay Electricity bills, buy spare pumping machines, do an extension and many other maintenances.
Our background checks show clearly that, during July 2021, the supply of water to these areas was seized for about five days because the Electricity energy which is used to pump water from their engine room was disconnected by E.C.G.
Talking to Lawyer Kwame Ampofo, the board chairman of Brakwa Kokoso Water Board he made it clear that out of the total amount of Ghc 551,411 the government owes them, only Ghc 123,112.93 payment has been made by the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District assembly so far.
The board chairman continues to explain to Evans Kwaku Oboafi Junior that much effort has been made to the Community Water and Sanitation office at Cape Coast but has yielded no fruit.
From a reliable source, we can say this organization still owes the Electricity Company of Ghana over Ghc 100k, which there are clear indications that their Electricity power will soon be disconnected, even if the other problems mentioned above do not take effect.
GO TO COURT IF YOU DISAGREE WITH DO OR DIE COMMENT – NEW EDUBIASE NDC
Following the resent do or die Comment by the former president John Mahama when he embarked on thank you tour in the Bono East Region a few days ago.
Many people are demanding an apology from the former president John Mahama over his do-or-die Comment but the former president has refused to apologies.
This morning, 14th September 2021, the Communication team members in the NDC at New Edubiase Constituency in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region has boldly asked Ghanaians who disagree with the former president to go to court.
Addressing the media the Constituency Communication officer Mr Richard Abraham Kuffour said, Ghanaians were quiet when someone said, all die be die but when someone said to do or die, is all over to the extent that, Ghanaians are demanding an apology from the former president.
Mr. Richard Abraham Kuffour said, they are fully in Support of what the former president John Mahama said and they will surely work with the said Comment coming 2024 general Elections.
Moreover, Mr. Richard Abraham Kuffour said, Ghanaians were intimidated by military rights from the limited registration exercise to the 2020 general Elections which many people lost their lives so the former president John Mahama isn’t interested in causing harm or violence.
Engage grassroots in active party politics if you want to win 2024 polls — group tells NPP
The concerned Youth of NPP in the Atwima Mponua constituency of the Ashanti Region has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should actively engage the grassroots supporters in the party’s politics.
The move the youth believe can facilitate NPP’s win in 2024 as the party looks forward to breaking the eight.
Addressing the press at a news conference on Thursday, the leader of the group, Mr. Francis Feyin Akwaboah stated that, there are many instances the leadership of the party neglected the grassroots in terms of policy formulation and decision making. This he said has brought several agitations and confrontations amongst party members.
However, if the party is indeed poised to win the 2020 polls, several issues need to be addressed and in addressing those hitches, the party’s top hierarchy should consider involving the grassroots supporters.
According to him, the party can only enjoy long-term governance if the grassroots supporters, especially those in the Ashanti region are greatly involved in the party’s policy formulation.
He declared that the 2020 aspiring member of parliament on the ticket of NPP in the Atwima Mponua constituency, Mr. John Ofori, popularly known as “Commando”, contributed to the success of the party’s victory in 2020 despite losing to the incumbent.
The NPP youth boldly stated at the presser that, Mr. Ofori is the only individual who can mobilize the NPP youth to win the 2024 elections with huge figures in the constituency, therefore the party’s leadership should not hesitate to engage him in policy formulation and decision making.
Raising concerns about the many recent anomalies in the NPP, Mr. Francis Feyin Akwaboah noted that the leadership of the constituency must rise to maintain peace and order as soon as possible.
In other news, the 2020 aspiring member of parliament (MP) for Atwima Mponua constituency, Mr. John Ofori popularly known as “commando” has provided financial assistance of one billion old Ghana cedis to support the party’s day to day administration in the Atwima Mponua constituency.
Angry GNASSM executive call for immediate release of its members, refutes charges against arrested taskforce, others
The executive of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has called for the immediate release of its task force members and others who were recently arrested with charges of extortion, imposition, etc.
The association rejected the extortion and harassment charges that were placed on the head of these taskforces and others by the Ashanti Regional National Security outfit.
The Association is therefore calling for the immediate release of the suspects who have been in military custody since 8th September 2021.
According to the association, the facts put before the public after the arrest of the suspects were twisted just to taint the image of the task force and has defended the suspects for no grievance offense.
They pointed out some political figures as the brain behind such orchestrations to discredit the good works out of the task force which plans to see sanitise the system. They revealed that those politicians were the main people behind the illegalities in the mining industry, and they are not comfortable to see the task force operations to expose their illegalities.
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