The founder and leader of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, Nicholas Osei popularly known as Kumchacha has chastised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the timing of his ministerial reshuffle.

According to him, Akufo-Addo should have reshuffled his ministers long ago instead of waiting for seven years to undertake the exercise.

The pastor stated that finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta should have been dismissed when some New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) petitioned him over his abysmal performance in office to salvage the Ghanaian economy.

“Ken Ofori-Atta has an unprecedented record when his own NPP MPs wrote a petition calling for his dismissal. Nana Addo should have heeded the calls of the MPs and sacked him; not now,” he said while speaking on Kingdom FM and monitored by GhanaWeb.

Kumchacha also described the reshuffle as “useless” stating that it would not benefit the country in any way with few months to general elections.

“With the other governments, by a year or two, there will be a reshuffle but during Akufo-Addo’s tenure, it has taken him seven years to do so. In my opinion, the reshuffle is useless because it won’t benefit us in any way. How can you do it with a few months to elections?” he quizzed.

On February 14, 2024, Akufo-Addo reshuffled some of his ministerial appointees following reports of an imminent massive shake-up in the government.

The president, according to a statement issued by the presidency, relieved 13 central and local government ministers of their duties.

Some of the ministers who lost their jobs include the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta.

The other ministers who were sacked are the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu; and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie.

In all, the president relieved 13 ministers and 10 deputy ministers of their duties, some of which he reassigned.

Celebrities including Nana Aba Anamoah, Rex Omar, Bridget Otoo, OB Amponsah, and Prince David Osei have all reacted to the reshuffle.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Popular film director, Sammy Rasta has launched a scathing attack on actor Kwadwo Nkansah, well known as LilWin, for making what he described as despicable comments about actress Martha Ankomah.

He argued that Martha Ankomah did nothing wrong in rejecting a proposal to act in Kumawood because she had to make the right decision to protect her reputation.

Sammy Rasta chided LilWin for what he said were uncouth comments, stating that LilWin is nowhere close to Martha Ankomah when it comes to the movie industry, stressing that he should learn to respect others.

“Martha has not done anything wrong, it’s her choice. Kwadwo Nkansah, Martha Ankomah is your senior in the industry. When I started shooting movies in Kumasi with Martha Ankomah, LilWin was nobody by then. So you cannot call her all kinds of names.

“When did you become a star? Do you know the amount of money GTP pays her? He should apologize to Martha Ankomah and all actresses,” Sammy fumed while speaking on Power FM and monitored by GhanaWeb.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Martha Ankomah filed a defamation lawsuit against fellow actor, LilWin.

According to the actress, LilWin without provocation on February 8, 2024, went on a social media tirade against her for allegedly consistently turning down offers from movie directors to feature in Kumawood – the Twi movie industry.

Martha Ankomah argued that the statements by the actor among other things were lies published with malicious intent. She said it has caused her disaffection and lowered her in the eyes of right-thinking Ghanaians.

While demanding the court to find LilWin guilty of defamation against her person and character, Martha Ankomah through her lawyer, Nii Apatu Plange of Ankoma-Sey, Apatu Plange & Partners, made six demands:

a. Damages in the sum of 5 million Ghana cedis for the defamatory statements made by Defendant.

b. Compensatory damages for the damage done to the reputation of Plaintift.

c. Aggravated damages for the reckless and malicious publication of the defamatory words.

d. An order directing the Defendant to publish an apology and a retraction of the said defamatory words with the same prominence.

e. Injunction restraining the Defendant from further publishing and causing to be published the said or similar words defamatory of Plaintiff.

f. Legal Costs.

What LilWin said about Martha Ankomah

LilWin in a video that went viral slammed Martha Ankomah for declining a movie role. According to him, the actress made unfortunate comments about the Kumasi movie industry before she rejected the role.

Among others, he said “Martha, those who are richer than you are rather humble and respect themselves a lot. Do you honestly call yourself a star? Who knows you? What do you have?

“I don’t even know why GTP bypassed the likes of McBrown, Mercy Asiedu and co, and made Martha Ankomah their brand ambassador. The likes of Van Vicker, Roselyn Ngissah and co, do not do these things. They even work with us. They shoot Kumawood movies. I’m still amazed that you made such statements, were you drunk?”

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ghanaian musician, Shasha Marley has recounted how he nearly lost his child on Spintex Road due to the heavy traffic situation in the area.

According to his narration, there was a time when his child was seriously sick and was rushing him to the hospital but was stuck in the traffic on Spintex Road.

He mentioned that he took an unauthorized route and disregarded police instructions to promptly transport his child to the hospital for necessary medical treatment.

“One time I had a situation where my child was seriously sick around 7 pm. I was in a car and wanted to get to the hospital in a hurry, I was stuck in the traffic for quite some time.

“So I had to use a different route and defy police orders before I was able to get there for my child to be treated,” he told Abeiku Santana during an interview on Okay FM monitored by GhanaWeb.

He additionally expressed frustration over the government’s apparent lack of determination to implement measures to mitigate the challenge.

“For so many years I have stayed at Spintex the traffic situation has been a major challenge. They have promised to work on the bypass but still the problem exists,” he added.

Meanwhile, Abeiku Santana has disclosed that the heavy traffic situation on the Spintex road forced Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare and media personality, Kwami Sefa Kayi to leave the area.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ghanaian musician, Stonebwoy appears to have taken a dig at fellow musician, Shatta Wale for attacking his personality during an interview with 3Music TV.

In the interview, Shatta Wale expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Stonebwoy and make a positive impact in the music industry, despite their past feud. However, he lamented that his efforts to mend their once-amicable relationship have proven unsuccessful.

He asserted that Stonebwoy is not as innocent as commonly perceived, questioning why Stonebwoy brought a gun to the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards event, leading to a fracas that thwarted the ceremony.

“I don’t hate Stonebwoy but he carries generational beef,” Shatta said. “I have called him on countless occasions for us to focus on the proper movement of this industry’s business but he is into something else. Can’t you see the statements he makes? Why do you think he brought a gun to VGMA? So ask yourself what will make someone who is seen as holy and humble do that?”

Following this statement, Stonebwoy took to his social media handle to share a post that appeared to serve as a response to Shatta Wale’s critique of his character.

“A focused fool can accomplish more than a distracted one. The goal is to look back one day and say ‘Dam, all that hard work was really worth it,” he wrote on his social media handle.

Background

The 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was marked by controversies, one of which escalated to the extent of resulting in a court case.

The confusion started when Stonebwoy was crowned the 2019 Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year Award. Shatta Wale and his militants rushed onto the stage when Stonebwoy was about to receive his award.

Afraid of what could happen, Stonebwoy quickly pulled out a gun.

The security officials at the Dome sprayed patrons of the award with pepper spray and the guests at the VIP stand were quickly rushed out.

The show was temporarily put on hold amidst the pandemonium in the Dome resulting in several patrons leaving the auditorium with the onset of the chaos.

Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have publicly reconciled however, it appears their relationship has not been fully fixed yet.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

JZyNO has done it. His song Butta My Bread is a huge hit – it has been downloaded more than 160 million streams across all platforms and becoming the biggest Afrobeats tune out of Liberia to date.

The song features Ghanaian artist Lasmid, and it was recorded in Ghana, where JZyNO spends much of his time.

“The process of Butta My Bread was crazy. We didn’t see it coming, that was not the song we had in mind to record when we were about to go to the studio, but Lasmid and I just came up with that song,” he tells me.

“I was in a hurry to travel to Liberia so I’m like: ‘Bro, this is it – the song is great, that’s it.’

“I knew the song was a big song in myself, but not that it was going to blow the world, I didn’t see that coming.”

JZyNO has worked hard for this success.

He moved to Ghana first as a student, paying his way through football.

But when that didn’t work out as a career, he found himself spending time with friends on the street who were into rap and hung out around music studios.

“I started having interest because they all used to hail me, like: ‘Bro you’re dope, you’re special.’

“So I was like: ‘Since they’re giving me the courage, let me pay attention to this music thing and start learning about it’.”

He started recording songs using small headphones and a computer. By 2018 he started getting noticed, and returned to Liberia where he had his first hit song Kpan Kpan Me in 2019.

“During coronavirus time there were not many artists that dropped projects, so I think there was space – some holes – that made my song blow in Liberia,” he says modestly.

JZyNO later moved back to Ghana, deciding that the music industry in Liberia did not have the structure he needed to support the next phase of his career.

“It’s been tough out here in Ghana,” he says.

“They have received me as their own – but definitely as a Liberian I have to put in more work. Nobody’s gonna wake up and push you!”

But JZyNO does feel he has someone very big on his side, confessing: “I got inspired by Kendrick Lamar to do music.”

“I’ve had dreams about him five different times already. He gave me the microphone to freestyle at his concert – imagine he was in my city when he did that in my dream!

“So God uses him through dreams to make me what I am right now. That’s funny, but it’s real for me, Kendrick Lamar is a prophet to me.”

Source: bbc.com

Outspoken media personality, Afia Pokua popularly known as Vim Lady has expressed her disappointment in Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo for what she described as a failure to counsel President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo properly.

According to her, she expected Yaw Osafo-Maafo to be counselling Akufo-Addo appropriately when it comes to issues about national development and his public utterances.

During an Instagram live session observed by GhanaWeb, Vim Lady strongly criticized Akufo-Addo for his public statement asserting that he did not initiate developmental projects in Ekumfi due to the constituency’s failure to support the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate in that region.

“I think the president is not working hard enough because those close to him are not telling him the truth. One of my biggest disappointments is Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

“You are one of the people the president respects, so, you should call him to order when the need be… Why should he tell people [of Ekumfi] that he is not developing their area because they didn’t vote for his candidate? That shouldn’t be the case,” she said.

Background

President Akufo-Addo in January made news headlines following comments he passed when chiefs and leaders of Ekumfi, a community in the Central Region of Ghana, called on him at the presidency.

Akufo-Addo told the chiefs and leaders of Ekumfi that he turned a blind eye to their developmental needs because they voted out the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for the area during the 2020 general elections.

The president indicated that he was angry at the people of Ekumfi for voting out the then NPP MP, Francis Kingsley Ato Codjoe. He said he made Codjoe the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, all in an attempt for the legislator to be able to help his people only for them to vote him out.

“Ato Cudjoe was your MP and I made him a deputy minister so that he would also help you but it didn’t stay long, you voted him out in the last elections and this is one of the reasons I did not pay attention to development in your area. I have to be honest with you but since you have brought it up, I will pay attention to it,” he said.

Akufo-Addo’s comment was met with vehement criticism by the public chastising him for speaking in that manner as the leader of the country.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Veteran Ghanaian media personality, Andy Dosty clashed with Shatta Wale’s manager, Sammy Flex over an issue that concerns the Dancehall artiste during an interview on radio.

In the course of the discussion, Sammy Flex raised concern about the decision of Andy Dosty to stop playing Shatta Wale’s songs on his shows, adding that the Hitz FM presenter went to the extreme with the decision.

In reacting to Sammy Flex’s claims, Andy Dosty accused the artiste manager of being unfair in his analysis of the situation, stressing that Sammy knew what triggered the decision to not play Shatta’s song anymore.

Andy Dosty explained that he decided to stop playing Shatta Wale’s songs after the artiste hurled insults at his mother during a musical concert on stage.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM monitored by GhanaWeb, this is how the conversation panned out between Andy Dosty and Sammy Flex:

Sammy Flex: I think the impasse between Andy Dosty and Shatta Wale is happening because of the ego involved. Andy claims Shatta takes things to the extreme but I believe he also does the same in this case. How can you say ‘I’ll not play Shatta’s songs or mention his name on the radio?’ If you do that, you’re taking the artiste’s daily bread from him and he wouldn’t be happy.

Andy Dosty: Please hold on a second, I want to clarify something.

Sammy Flex: No, allow me to finish talking then you speak afterwards, stop interjecting.

Andy Dosty: No, if you are making a point, be honest. You are not being fair, Sammy. Your artiste keeps attacking me when I comment about his issue so I decided to stop; what did I do wrong in this case? I stopped playing his songs after he stood on a stage to insult my mother.

The feud between Shatta Wale and Andy Dosty does not seem to have been resolved even though the media personality has indicated he does not begrudge the artiste any longer during an interview with Delay.

Watch the video below.

Talented gospel musician, Michael Danso will tomorrow release a new single ‘Me Haw’ (My Problem) which is expected to be a hit on the gospel music scene for 2024.

It will be on all music streaming platforms.

According to the musician, the song seeks to encourage believers and non-believers to remain steadfast, keep strong commitments and not lean on their own understanding in time of difficulties.

He told the Spectator Agoro that the song was a two-stanza ballad that uses explicit metaphorical expressions to narrate true-life experiences he encountered that challenged his faith and resilience.

Recounting his motivation for the single, he explained “it got to a point when I felt my faith in God was challenged on daily basis by a litany of problems. I have endured long-suffering, sleepless nights and lack of peace of mind for a very long time. I came close to the point of developing a heart related disorder out of stress and anxiety.”

The ‘Odo’ hitmaker stated that through it all, he never lost hope in Christ, adding that through those hurdles, the Lord gave him the single ‘Me Haw.’

“As humans as we are, we all have times of trouble and difficulty in life. Even Jesus our mentor and role model had times of great difficulty. But God tells us through several scriptural examples, not to be afraid, in times of challenges but take courage because He is always with us,” he added.

The former Journalist with the Ghanaian Times newspaper, with over 10 years’ experience as a media practitioner, is currently working as a Corporate Communications Officer of the Volta River Authority.

Since launching onto the gospel scene about six years ago, he has been very consistent with new releases like; ‘Thank You’, ‘Nyame Bɛyɛ’ which featured KODA, ‘Aseda’, and ‘He never fails’ featuring Joe Mettle with more under his sleeves.

He is an alumnus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, a product of Nifa Senior High School and a member of the Ebenezer Methodist Cathedral at Madina, Accra.

Source: Linda Abrefi Wadie, Contributor

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to investigate and prosecute all the procurements and deals under President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s government when voted into power.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a special aide to the NDC’s flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, made this statement in a post on X, a social media platform, on Sunday, February 18, 2024.

She accused the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government of being corrupt and using various terms and tactics to conceal what she described as their criminal enterprise.

She said the NDC will not spare anyone who is involved in any shady deal, whether they are related to the president or the vice president.

“Any attempt by this corrupt government led by the corrupt duo of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia should be told boldly that they can’t use nomenclature, semantics or is it digitalisation as a weapon to hide their criminal enterprise.

“Whether it is Abraham Bawumia or Sarah Bawumia they will each be investigated. Each project will be thoroughly investigated, and each procurement examined and prosecuted effectively,” part of the statement read.

Bawa also highlighted several deals that the NDC plans to thoroughly investigate and recover funds from. These include the Agyapa Royalties deal, the Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, the gold-for-oil deal, and the expenditure related to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“The Agyapa, PDS, gold for oil, AFCON etc cash will be collected. Corruption has found a comfortable existence with Akufo-Addo and Bawumia! Ghana is wide awake,” the statement added.

Ghana is gearing up for upcoming elections in a few months, where citizens will cast their votes to elect a new president and parliamentarians. John Mahama heads the opposition NDC, aspiring to assume power from the NPP. Meanwhile, Bawumia leads the ruling party, aiming to secure another term for his party.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central constituency, Kennedy Agyapong has warned his colleague parliamentarians about the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill that is under consideration.

He argued that imprisoning someone for publicly flaunting he is gay is not a prudent idea because it could lead to attacks on such individuals in the society which would be problematic.

Kennedy Agyapong asserted that passing the anti-gay bill into law would supersede what the constitution stipulates concerning gay activities hence, care should be taken.

“About the anti-gay bill, we should be careful. What disgusts me is when someone openly flaunts that he is gay but honestly, that doesn’t mean the person should be jailed. Everyone has individual rights but that doesn’t mean it should supersede the constitution.

“My worry is the moment it is criminalized and someone is sentenced for being gay… On the other side, people would take the law into their own hands and torture or kill such people,” he said in a video shared by One Ghana TV on their Youtube channel and sighted by GhanaWeb.

Kennedy Agyapong asserted that persons who are the promoters of LGBTQ+ activities should be jailed and not those who are noticed to be gay.

“Persons who should be jailed are the promoters, not those who are just flaunting it.”

Background

Parliament on Thursday, February 8, 2024, brought the consideration stage of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill to an end.

The controversial private members’ bill seeking to proscribe activities of the LGBTQI+ community has been in Parliament for more than three years now.

The consideration stage which takes care of amendments to the various clauses in the bill started before the house went on break last December.

Addressing the house after bringing the consideration stage to an end, second deputy speaker Andrew Asiamah disclosed the bill could however be taken through another consideration if need be before final passage after the various amendments are captured into the bill by drafters

Addressing the media after proceedings, lead sponsor of the bill and Ningo-Prampram MP, Sam George assured the house will see the process through to its logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, there was confusion earlier in Parliament during the consideration of the anti-gay bill over appropriate punishment for promoters of LGBTQI+ activities.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) incumbent Member of Parliament for the Asante Mampong Constituency in the Ashanti region, Kwaku Ampratum-Sarpong has been re-elected as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the December 7 general election.

The Asante Mampong constituency parliamentary primary was suspended over a court injunction placed on the election challenging the credibility of the constituency album to be used for the election held on 27th January 2024 across the country.

The parties last week resolved the issue in court through the intervention of the party’s general secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah and fixed the election date on 17th February 2024.

The close contest was between former Ashanti Regional Communications Director Denis Kwakwa and the incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency Kwaku Ampratum-Sarpong who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

After the contest, the incumbent MP comfortably secured 555 while his contender Denis Kwakwa managed 167 out of the 727 total votes cast, with 5 votes rejected.

The former Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer was tipped as the favourite to win the election.

Source: starrfm.com.gh

Richard Etornam Nyarko, the Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has attributed the increasing number of untimely deaths among the youth to the country’s economic decline.

Nyarko pointed out that economic mismanagement has led to high unemployment rates, soaring prices of healthcare services and medicines, and difficulties affording balanced diets, with some youth resorting to eating only once a day in what has become known as “zero-one-zero”.

He emphasized that the economic strain on the youth has become unbearable, resulting in many succumbing to the pressure.

Nyarko expressed his concerns, stating, “In recent times, social media is flooded daily with news of deaths of young people. Young people are dying because of economic pressure. Many are unemployed. Some can’t even afford one square meal a day now they do Zero–one–zero. The youth can’t pay rent. Prices of medicines have hit the roof due to inflation. Akufo Addo and Bawumia have collapsed the economy resulting in all these preventable deaths among the youth.”

These remarks were made during an interview with Starr News after Nyarko addressed NDC supporters after a Unity Walk in the Upper West Anymore constituency.

Richard Nyarko, also known as Commander Bilibo, assured the youth that John Dramani Mahama’s proposed 24-hour economy policy would create more job opportunities and foster economic prosperity.

He criticized the government for neglecting the $48-million Jute Factory at Adeiso, which is situated on a 12-acre land in the Upper West Akyem District and is the largest jute factory in Africa with a monthly capacity of 600,000 sacks. The factory has the potential to employ over 3000 workers.

Nyarko pledged that President John Mahama would ensure the completion and commissioning of the factory to save the millions of dollars spent yearly on importing sacks.

He urged voters to support the NDC parliamentary candidate, Emmanuel Drah, to help the party regain the seat from the NPP.

Shirley Naana Ampem, the Eastern Regional Women’s Organizer, called on women in the country to take a keen interest in the upcoming elections to address issues such as corruption, hardship, and skyrocketing food prices that have disproportionately affected them.

Source: starrfm.com.gh

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central constituency and owner of Kencity Media, Kennedy Agyapong has reacted to the shocking demise of his employee, Wofa Kwabena Kwakye.

According to him, the death of Wofa KK, as he was affectionately called, saddens him a lot looking at his work efficacy and how dedicated he had been to his media outlet (Oman FM) in making sure it works effectively.

He stated that it would take a very long time for him to get someone who would be able to provide the kind of services Wofa KK was giving thereby describing him as “irreplaceable.”

“He is always trying to do something new for the company [Kencity Media]. He has been a loyal friend and committed worker, and it is obvious he is not replaceable now. It will take a long time for that to happen,” Mr. Agyapong said in a video shared by One Ghana TV on their YouTube channel sighted by GhanaWeb.

Agyapong went ahead to admonish the bereaved family to remain strong.

“Only God knows the reason why he died so I would encourage the family to stay strong in these trying times. The cue I’ve taken from Kwabena’s death is that you cannot die for everybody.”

Background

Kwabena Kwakye, popularly known as Wofa KK a prominent broadcaster at Oman 107.1FM died on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

According to reports, Kwakye arrived for work but fell ill suddenly, leading to his untimely demise.

He was known for his roles on shows like “Boiling Point” and “National Agenda,” often filling in for the regular host, Fiifi Boafo.

Before joining Oman FM, Kwakye worked with Adom 106.3 FM, a subsidiary radio station of the Multimedia Group Limited. Additionally, he served as a Parliamentary and Presidential Correspondent for Net2 TV.

In 2017, Kwabena Kwakye was appointed to the Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) by President Akufo-Addo under the chairmanship of former acting National Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay.

Watch the video below

The Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS) has denied reports on social media that it is recruiting officers.

According to the service, it shall publish its recruitment advertisement in the daily newspapers when clearance is given.

“Be vigilant and do not fall for these fake recruitment scams on social media knowing that GNFS will not advertise its recruitment or enlistment exercise on social media,” a statement posted on the GNFS Facebook page said.

It further advised: “DO NOT PAY ANY MONEY TO ANYONE but REPORT these fraudulent pages on social media and unscrupulous individuals to the relevant Security Agencies for swift action.”

The service urged members of the public to reach it directly with their inquiries via 0299341436 during working hours (08:00 am to 4:00 pm) from Monday to Friday.

“Do follow us on Facebook via Ghana National Fire Service with 66K+ ONLY for authentic information on the GNFS,” it added.

Source: kasapafmonline.com

The National Chairman of the Youth Working Committee of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Okai Mintah, has procured projectors to be distributed to every NDC constituency office nationwide.

The main purpose of these projectors is to play back to Ghanaians the unfulfilled promises of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

Bawumia is the 2024 presidential flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This, according to Mintah, is to help electorates make informed decisions and also know about the failure of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government ahead of the 2024 polls.

The National Youth Organizer of the NDC, George Opare Addo, disclosed this in an interview with Mugabe Maase on Inside Politics on Power FM and TV XYZ.

Opare Addo labelled the flagbearer of the governing NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as a chronic liar who needs to be exposed to Ghanaians as the country prepares to hold elections later this year.

He said Bawumia, as a running mate of Akufo-Addo in 2016, made a lot of promises to get the votes of Ghanaian electorates but failed woefully in government to fulfil them, and is now trying to run away from those promises, especially in matters affecting the health of the country’s economy.

He stated that one of the NDC’s strategies going into the elections is to remind Ghanaians of how Bawumia pledged to do a lot of things, including stabilising the currency and inflation, but has failed to do so, resulting in untold hardship in the country.

Opare Addo further rubbished a claim by Bawumia in his address at UPSA on 7th February 2024, saying he is the one behind the digitalisation in the country.

“Bawumia claims he started digitalisation, but I am saying today that it is false. NDC, through the Ministry of Communication under Dr. Omane Boamah, undertook many digitalisation projects that brought us to where we are today.

“Ursula Owusu, during her parliamentary vetting in 2017, praised Omane Boamah for the great work he did at the communication ministry, so how come he is claiming he should be credited with Ghana’s digitalisation drive?”

“This is the reason I’m very happy that the National Chairman of the Youth Wing Working Committee, Okai Mintah, has taken this bold step to expose Bawumia big time,” he stated.

Opare Addo said the project has already commenced in the Eastern, Northeast, and Savannah Regions to educate the people about the falsehoods being peddled by Dr. Bawumia.

Source: myxyzonline.com

Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam Nartey George, is of the view that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo no longer trusts the judgement of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

According to him, the president who brought Dr Mahamudu Bawumia into the political space no longer takes Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s opinion as credible enough.

“Nana Addo no longer takes Bawumia’s opinion as credible enough to even give it a chance to be implemented. Nana Addo no longer trusts the ability and decision-making of Dr Bawumia.

“In the past three weeks, we’ve seen enough reasons to tell the people of Ghana that Dr Bawumia is not the choice for Ghana.

“Why? Because even the sitting president who brought him on because he trusted his abilities has realized that Dr Bawumia’s opinions no longer matter. E-levy, Dr Bawumia, we are being told was opposed to it, but the president went ahead with it.

“If we are to take what Dr Bawumia said in his lecture on bet tax, the president ignored Dr Bawumia; on Emissions tax, the president ignored him. 15% on electricity, the president ignored him and now we are even seeing that the President ignored Dr Bawumia’s opinion on the size of government,” he said.

Sam George was speaking on Newsfile programme on Joynews channel on February 17, 2024.

Source: mynewsgh.com

The National Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has cautioned the governing NPP not to dare forment trouble during the 2024 elections because they will fiercely resist it.

Reacting to President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial reshuffle on Inside Politics on TV XYZ, the youth leader stated that the people reassigned cannot fix the mess the Akufo-Addo government created in the last seven years.

However, he explained that there was some motive behind the shake-up to get some persons to execute certain tasks through foul means during the December polls to get Akufo-Addo’s vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to continue his legacy.

Asked of the chances of the NDC, Opare Addo said the Akufo-Addo government has lost touch with the people and Ghanaians are willing to boot the NPP out of power through the polls for the mess the NPP government has created that has slapped hardship on the people.

To him, Ghanaians will vote the NDC and John Mahama back to power but the NPP is bent on holding on to power by causing pockets of violence during the polls.

Opare Addo further cautioned the operatives who will be used by the NPP to instigate violence that the NDC is adequately prepared to face them squarely to safeguard the votes of Ghanaians.

“I know the reshuffle was done to achieve that but I am telling you that if they touch one, we will touch four. They should not try because what happened in 2020 will not happen and I can assure you that,” Opare Addo told host Mugabe Maase.

Source: myxyzonline.com

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) is deducing that Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s public lecture at the University of Professional Studies, UPSA, during which he allegedly betrayed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, forced the president to reluctantly undertake a “belated, painful reshuffle.”

Secretary General of the Federation, Abraham Koomson, noted that Dr. Bawumia’s display of pomposity, betrayal of the ruling government, especially the Economic Management Team, which he described as a toothless bulldog (merely advisory body), and detaching himself from any ills of the government while claiming all the positives; are a stab in the back of the president, who for the past 16 years has mentored him.

Speaking to a section of the media in Tema on the president’s major reshuffle since assuming power in 2017, Koomson described what some say is an ‘injury time’ reshuffle as useless because the economy has been messed up beyond revival under the same policies of the same government.

“It’s obvious that the government has realized the excruciating harm caused to businesses and workers, as observed by the Vice President and his promise to remove these nuisance taxes.

“The government is expected by workers to immediately demonstrate commitment to stop the E Levy; 15 percent ECG VAT must not only be suspended but abolished; pollution and emission taxes; and taxes and levies on local beverage manufactured products must all go immediately,” Koomson noted.

Koomson attributed three major internal NPP politicking and circumstances that forced President Akufo-Addo to undertake the painful action.

“The last straw that broke the old man’s back was the public betrayal from Vice President Bawumia, who, by intent and purpose, said, “Nana Akufo Addo is not a listening President,” as most of his sound economic advice as the head of the Economic Management Team was not heeded to by the president.”

He critiqued that the Vice President’s presentation on February 7 was an attack on the NPP, President Akufo Addo, and the legacy of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

“Vice President Bawumia looked into the eyes of former President Kufuor and told him that his accomplishment as a driver’s mate has never been achieved before under the Fourth Republic,” stressing that “no president under the current democratic governance has been able to achieve it; this is a total embarrassment of former President Kufuor.”

Koomson also noted that the second issue that contributed to the reshuffle was that the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, called on ministers, CEOs, and MMDCEs who were fatigued to consider resigning rather than undermining the party’s progress.

“Using the party’s annual Thanksgiving service held at the party headquarters recently to openly rebuke the President, cabinet, and ministers was unfortunate; it portrayed a party in disarray,” he stated.

According to Kodua, appointing new faces is essential to propelling the NPP towards achieving its objectives, stressing that it is time for some changes in the government “so we get some new faces to continue.”

“We believe that if we get new appointments, we will be able to retain power in the next election, and we called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately conduct a reshuffle to bring new faces into his government,” he emphasized.

Koomson described the NPP General Secretary’s comments as a public rebuke:
“To rebuke your father in public shows that the old man has lost respect at home that is within the party, and anyone can just publicly call him to order,” he emphasized.

Source: myxyzonline.com

The MP for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has admonished Ghanaians to ignore the new promises of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, saying he is a dishonest politician who wants to swindle electorates.

He made this assertion while reacting to the new pledges from the vice president to abolish some taxes, which are his creation, when he wins the 2024 elections.

The legislator, who mentioned the economic downturn and a weak currency under Bawumia’s tenure, said the NPP’s new leader lacks credibility which stemmed from his consistent lies to Ghanaians ever since he became the vice president.

Commenting on Bawumia’s pledge to scrap the controversial Electronic Levy, Akandoh stated that the vice president was behind the drafting of the tax and, as such, cannot be trusted to abolish it when he wins power.

While delivering his first major address to the nation after he was elected NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, stated categorically that he would abolish the tax on electronic financial transactions (e-levy) if he wins the 2024 polls.

Dr. Bawumia added that his bid for a Digital and Cashless Ghana will be significantly boosted if e-levy is abolished.

“To move towards a cashless economy, however, we have to encourage the population to use electronic channels of payment. To accomplish this, there will be no taxes on digital payments under my administration. The e-levy will, therefore, be abolished,” he declared.

Dr. Bawumia also announced that as part of a new tax regime by his government, he will abolish the emission tax, tax on betting as well as the proposed 15% VAT on electricity tariffs, if it is in existence by January 2025.

Akandoh who described Dr Bawumia as a pathetic liar, indicated that prior to the drafting of the tax policy in 2022, the Vice President had already declared his opposition to levies on electronic financial transactions in an interview, questioning the rationale behind such moves.

“Before the introduction of E-levy, Bawumia opposed it but when E-Levy was introduced he could not come out to speak on it but went for a party to celebrate the implementation of the tax.”

“What does Bawumia mean when he says he will abolish the E-Levy? If he will do it, what is preventing him from scrapping it now? He does not have the credibility for any Ghanaian to trust him,” Akando posited while listing most of his failed promises, including the crash of Ghana’s economy which he said was doing well under Mahama yet Bawumia criticised its growth,” he added.

He said it is John Mahama who can be trusted to rescue the country from the economic mess that has brought untold hardship to Ghanaians over the past 7 years.

He said the policies of Mahama clearly resonate with the immediate needs and aspirations of Ghanaians, adding that the NDC rejected E-levy from its conception and will abolish it when they return to power.

On his tour of the country recently dubbed ‘Building Ghana Tour’, Mahama touched on some of his job creation and Industrialization policies which was hinged on implementing a 24-hour economy.

He also pledged to establish a Western Industrial Development Enclave, and create well-paying jobs through various initiatives, including completing abandoned projects and establishing factories based on ecological advantages.

The former president also said the next NDC administration will establish factories across the country based on ecological areas’ comparative advantages. For instance, he mentioned Pwalugu tomato factory, the meat factory for Wulugu and Zuarungu, cocoa, cashew, tomato, and other food processing plants.

He also promised to increase government’s share of profit and revenue from natural resources to fund development and reduce tax burdens.

Source: myxyzonline.com

Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has proposed that 30 per cent of Africa’s sovereign reserves held in foreign banks be invested in the continent’s own financial institutions.

“We should take a decision that a minimum of 30 per cent of the reserves of each one of us, should, in fact, be invested in the multilateral institutions,” he said, citing the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Afreximbank.

Strengthening the capital base of those banks was a necessity in order to enhance their balance sheet and boost their capacity to facilitate more and more resources for the continent’s development and growth, he argued.

President Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing a Presidential Dialogue on the African Union’s (AU) Financial Institutions, on the sidelines of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, in Ethiopia.

He pointed out that virtually all the countries held their reserves in foreign banks, which attracted largely negative rates of interest.

“The fundamental fact is that, if we find a way that we can increase the financial power of our own institutions, we are in a better place to finance our development,” he echoed.

On the relevance of investing in the continent’s financial institutions, he enumerated the critical role the AfDB and Afreximbank played in alleviating the plight of the people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are institutions which are ours, and which we can trust. So, if we can find a way of strengthening them, we strengthen ourselves,” he noted.

Additionally, President Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to African leaders to give a serious consideration to ratifying the decision that had been taken to make the Afreximbank a specialised agency of the AU.

The Presidential Dialogue, convened by Ghana’s President, had in attendance the leadership of the AU, African policy institutes and financial institutions, as well as development partners.

A champion of reforms of the global financial architecture, President Nana Akufo-Addo insisted there ought to be a mechanism for monitoring how monies being invested in the continent’s banks were used.

“This is critical for ensuring that we get proper accountability.”

The President tasked the leaders to work together to develop a robust global financial architecture that placed African development priorities at the centre of common efforts to deal with common burdens.

Reform of the global financial architecture should also prioritise stemming illicit financial flows from Africa.

In recent times, the African Union Heads of State and Government have accelerated moves for the establishment of an African Monetary Union by harmonising monetary zones and creating three AU financial institutions.

These encompass the African Central Bank (ACB), African Monetary Fund (AMF), African Investment Bank (AIB) and the creation of a Pan-African Stock Exchange (PASE).

The concept note underpinning the Presidential Dialogue hinges on the fact that the changing global economic landscape has underlined the need to expedite the establishment of the AU financial institutions, and to revise the legal instruments establishing them.

As Africa seeks to accelerate the transformation journey to enable its countries and people to realise their full economic potential, the authorities say this requires a global financial system that adequately meets the people’s needs and harnesses the opportunities that the continent’s natural and human capital offer.

The 37th Ordinary Session of the AU will also see the launch of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions – the Africa Club.

The Club aims to bring member institutions together to find solutions to financing challenges and help support Africa’s sustainable economic development and integration objectives.

Source: GNA

The Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Siaw Agyapong, has expressed gratitude to the people of Bolga.

According to him, Zoomlion gained its roots in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; it started there.

He made this known at the just-ended ‘Reshyth’; a 40-day fasting and prayer programme that took place at the Desert Pastures Church, in Bolga.

Desert Pastures is a branch of Fountain Gate Chapel. The founder of the church is Reverend Eswood Anaba.

Desert Pastures is in Bolga and is headed by Reverend Eastwood Anaba.

He went there to testify about the goodness of God.

According to the Chairman, the initiative was revealed to him by God in a vision.

“The Lord granted me the vision to start Zoomlion. While praying, God revealed a beautiful building used for collecting waste. I never understood it,” he said.

He pointed out that somewhere in 2004, he travelled to China to buy some T-shirts in the wake of the pending elections at the time.

“So l had gone to China to buy T. shirts. It was an election year like this. 2004. I had gone to buy T. shirts to print for the parties.”

He further pointed out that while there, he saw a tricycle used for conveying waste.

“While we were in a taxi moving along the streets, l saw a tricycle used in collecting waste on the streets of China,” he recalled.

He stated that at that point, the Holy Spirit drew his attention to the revelation he earlier had, regarding the waste collection building.

He added that propelled him to divert the idea of buying the T-shirts to rather buying some tricycles.

Dr Agyapong indicated that he quickly called the person who lent him the money for the T-shirts to inform him about his decision.

He noted that his creditor vehemently refused, stressing that the money was not meant for that.

“Boss l want to use the money to buy tricycles. He said no. We never
gave you the money for tricycles but for T-shirts.”

He however pointed out that he pleaded with him, and managed to buy a few and returned the rest of the money.

“I had to just beg him and buy a few and bring the money back,” he said.

He said that upon arrival in Ghana, he and his wife prayed over the containers and tricycles.

The Chairman indicated that he went to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to inform them that he had some tricycles they could use to convey refuse, but they turned down the idea.

“Everywhere l went, everyone rejected me” and that’s when he decided to try the initiative in the northern part of the country.

“So l humbly decided that let me try it from the Northern Region because they are more conversant in riding motors and bicycles, so l moved some.

“When l got to Tamale, l said l don’t know anybody there, so l just moved a few and brought it to Bolga and l started here.”

“This is the region that blessed Zoomlion. It is the region that accepted Zoomlion. It is because of this region that Zoomlion is Zoomlion today,” he stressed.

He recounted that from Bolga, he moved to Kumasi where Otumfuo Osei Tutu II blessed it.

He added that Accra was the last destination where he was granted the opportunity to operate.

He observed that one can attract the blessings of God anywhere.

“Today, l have come here to testify to you that the blessings of the Lord can locate you wherever you are don’t think you have to go to Accra to become a rich person,” he stated.

He prophesied to the congregation that “the Lord who revealed Zoomlion to me and enabled me to evolve to this level, may that same God establish you. You will never lack Your generation will never lack.”

He also donated to the church in appreciation to God.

He noted that the surest way of getting money is by approaching it with faith and confidence.

He therefore charged the members of the church to walk to a car shop and ask for the cost of a car of their choice for a start, a directive, that got the congregation charged up in excitement and jubilation.

“I want you to move to a car shop. Go and ask for the price. Collect the proforma invoice and tell them that you are going to come back.”

The Chairman thanked Reverend Eastwood Anaba and Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba for their blessings upon his life and the Jospong family.

He finally thanked the church and declared God’s blessings upon everyone.

The head pastor of the Desert Pastures, Reverend Eastwood Anaba, applauded the Chairman for his initiative.

Reverend Eswood Anaba described Dr. Agyapong as a man who loves God.

He recalled how when he was building his village project, he became concerned about how the place would be permanently maintained.

“When we were building the project, l know this thing is being built and in my lifetime is okay, but sometimes the problem is when you are not on earth again.”

“Will this thing break down and the place be turned into borla?” he quizzed.

He said he did not want it to become a burden to the folks in the village, but a blessing.

He stated that he therefore decided to confide in his friend for his counsel regarding how to maintain the place, and he readily volunteered to help.

Finally, Reverend Eswood Anaba called on everyone who has been ‘blessed by Bolga’ or the Upper East at large, to be a blessing to the land.

“So those of you from Bolga or the Upper East Region have given something small, l want to encourage you to contribute and be a blessing to the land,” he concluded.

Source: Sarah Dubure, Contributor

Outspoken media personality, Afia Pokua popularly known as Vim Lady has expressed her disappointment in Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo for what she described as a failure to counsel President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo properly.

According to her, she expected Yaw Osafo-Maafo to be counselling Akufo-Addo appropriately when it comes to issues about national development and his public utterances.

During an Instagram live session observed by GhanaWeb, Vim Lady strongly criticized Akufo-Addo for his public statement asserting that he did not initiate developmental projects in Ekumfi due to the constituency’s failure to support the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate in that region.

“I think the president is not working hard enough because those close to him are not telling him the truth. One of my biggest disappointments is Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

“You are one of the people the president respects, so, you should call him to order when the need be… Why should he tell people [of Ekumfi] that he is not developing their area because they didn’t vote for his candidate? That shouldn’t be the case,” she said.

Background

President Akufo-Addo in January made news headlines following comments he passed when chiefs and leaders of Ekumfi, a community in the Central Region of Ghana, called on him at the presidency.

Akufo-Addo told the chiefs and leaders of Ekumfi that he turned a blind eye to their developmental needs because they voted out the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for the area during the 2020 general elections.

The president indicated that he was angry at the people of Ekumfi for voting out the then NPP MP, Francis Kingsley Ato Codjoe. He said he made Codjoe the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, all in an attempt for the legislator to be able to help his people only for them to vote him out.

“Ato Cudjoe was your MP and I made him a deputy minister so that he would also help you but it didn’t stay long, you voted him out in the last elections and this is one of the reasons I did not pay attention to development in your area. I have to be honest with you but since you have brought it up, I will pay attention to it,” he said.

Akufo-Addo’s comment was met with vehement criticism by the public chastising him for speaking in that manner as the leader of the country.

Watch the video below

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Kojo Tsikata, a retired army captain and a close ally of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, was a controversial and influential figure in Ghana’s politics.

The retired army officer, who died in 2021, was a former head of national security and intelligence under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime.

In his life as an army officer, he survived two death sentences, which came about after he was falsely accused of coup attempts and murder.

In an old footage sighted by GhanaWeb, Captain Kojo Tsikata recalled how he had been living in pain from the many allegations that were made against him.

According to him, in most of the allegations, he was not even allowed to defend himself.

“For the past twenty years I have been living under the pain of having this allegation made against me year in and out until today,” he stated.

As a pan-Africanist in the early days of Ghana, Kojo Tsikata was a firm believer in Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his ideologies of liberation and a unified Africa.

After completing Achimota College, Tsikata joined the army and as a young officer, he found himself at the frontlines of the United Nations Force in the Congo.

That was a mission charged with securing the independence of the nation.

After achieving this and more in the Congo now the DRC, and also in Angola, he continued to serve there until Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in 1966 by a joint force operation between the police and the military.

Because he believed in Nkrumah’s ideologies, he fell out with the officers who overthrew the president and stayed in Angola until Ghana returned to civilian rule under K. A. Busia in 1969. Shortly after that, though, another coup took place, led by I. K. Acheampong in 1972.

In 1976, Tsikata, alongside others were arrested and tried for being the masterminds of a failed coup attempt against Acheampong’s government, known as the “One Man One Matchet” coup.

When he was put on trial, Tsikata chose to defend himself without a counsel. In his defence, he pointed out the contradictions in the evidence provided against him.

In the end, he was acquainted but the many others who were with him in the trial were all sentenced to death.

Fast forward to 1982, high court judges, including a pregnant woman, were abducted and brutally murdered.

At the time Kojo Tsikata was serving as the Special Advisor of the PNDC under late JJ Rawlings.

Surprisingly, he found himself in a web of scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the death of the high court judges. Joachim Amartey Quaye, also a member of the PNDC was found to be the mastermind behind the murders.

In an alleged attempt to blackmail the PNDC into saving him from the firing squad, he tried to implicate Captain Tsikata, making it the second time the army man faced a death sentence.

In the trial, the Attorney General decided to exclude Captain Tsikata from the prosecution and eventually Amartey Quaye, together with his accomplices, were prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to death by the firing squad.

Although Tsikata denied his involvement in the death of the judges, some Ghanaians still pointed accusing fingers at him.

In a rare pre-execution interview, President Jerry John Rawlings recorded a confession statement by Joachim Amartey Quaye apologising to Tsikata for implicating him in the murder case and admitting that he had no involvement in it.

“I am also aware that before Amartey died, he confessed at the Chapel of Ursher Fort Prisons, to Rev Damoah and Asaase-Gyimah.

“He told them to come and apologise to me for what he had done against me. Both Fr. Damoah and Asaase-Gyimah told me of Amatey Quay’s apologies shortly after he was executed.

“… I am also aware that where he was executed and died, he also made a confession and asked me to forgive him for what he had done to me.”

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is urging increased media scrutiny of the anti-gay bill currently under parliamentary consideration.

Talking to Accra-based Citi FM, the New Patriotic Party MP for Effutu in the Central Region voiced concerns that the bill might inadvertently reintroduce elements of the repealed criminal libel law, affecting journalists and media outlets reporting on LGBTQ+ activities.

Afenyo-Markin cautioned that the bill, if passed, could have implications for press freedom, urging journalists to pay close attention to its provisions.

“I do not think the media has paid due regard to this bill because it is written in ink that if a media house expresses any editorial policy on any issue regarding sexuality, that media house and its members or that media person will be jailed. If you impose custodial sentences, you are setting the country back to where, as a country, we said a journalist who errs must face civil liability instead of criminal consequences”, he said.

“We all have to be very careful and pay due attention to the issue in Parliament…And then also those journalists or media houses who may be writing their editorials or who may be expressing views about it or talking about it. It is not just talking about you promoting it. Just mentioning it in itself is a crime.”

The MP had kicked against custodial sentences for individuals involved in LGBTQ+ activities, emphasizing the inadequate rehabilitation facilities in the country’s prisons. He proposed replacing the minimum two-month imprisonment sentence with a minimum one-month community service for those found guilty.

Source: dailymailgh.com

Outspoken media personality, Okatakyie Afrifa has shared what he claims are some of the reasons why President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not show up at Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s “New Chapter” lecture that was held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

According to Afrifa, Akufo-Addo is displeased about the prospect of relinquishing control over the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This dissatisfaction, he said, stems from Akufo-Addo’s long-standing leadership since 2008, when he assumed the role of the party’s flagbearer.

In an interview with One Ghana TV, as reported by GhanaWeb, Okatakyie Afrifa asserted that Akufo-Addo did not attend NPP flagbearer Bawumia’s lecture because he had not mentally prepared himself to hand over power as the leader of the country

“He is not too happy with Bawumia. Even in the NPP primaries that were held, Akufo-Addo didn’t want it to take place because he had not psyched himself to hand over power as the leader of the party [NPP] and the country.

“Since 2008, he has had power over the NPP and all of a sudden he is losing the grip in his hands, so, he is not happy. He was furious when some NPP MPs wanted to partner Dr. Bawumia during the elections. It is not a matter of selling Bawumia but the power he [Akufo-Addo] is losing is a problem for him.”

Akufo-Addo and some known members of the party were absent during Bawumia’s first major speech as flagbearer.

The event was held in Accra on February 7, 2024. During his speech, Bawumia claimed that his role in the government is just like that of a “driver’s mate.”

He further promised that if voted into “the driver’s seat,” he would pursue his vision and priorities; hence, Ghanaians should not judge him based on the performance of the current government.

The president has yet to speak on why he could not join Dr. Bawumia during his lecture.

Akufo-Addo doesn’t respect Bawumia

Meanwhile, Okatakyie Afrifa has alleged that Bawumia is not listened to by his superiors in government.

He asserted that Akufo-Addo disregards Dr. Bawumia’s suggestions during government deliberations.

Okatakyie Afrifa claimed that, provoked by the incident, the vice president reached a point where he abstained from attending meetings organized by the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

“When Bawumia makes a suggestion, Akufo-Addo does not listen, take it from me. It even got to a point where the finance minister scheduled for a meeting but he was not attending. They don’t respect him at all,” he said on the same channel.

One thing that was evident during the vetting of the minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, was that she either had a pedestrian “I will consult” response, or, that she could not hear most of the questions she was asked in the Chamber of Parliament.

For most of the questions she provided answers to, many of which did not show her depth in the knowledge of the sector she is likely to head soon, she had unusually short answers to those questions.

Call it embarrassing or disappointing and you would not be entirely mistaken but that is how, for instance, the Chairperson for the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, saved the day, literally, when she was asked one of such straight-forward questions.

Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, had asked the nominee what the three major sectors of the fisheries industry were and after another attempt, the nominee claimed she could not either hear the question or, did not understand the question.

From what clearly appeared to be turning into a no-knowledge of what was being asked of her, the Chairperson of the Committee, and as he has become known to do in many cases during the vetting sessions, stepped in, trying to break down the question to her.

In that attempt, Joseph Osei-Owusu led a response to the question that was not directed at him, prompting the nominee on what she was expected to answer to.

It was at this point that the question became clearer to the former Minister for Special Development Initiatives and she interjected with the claim that she only said that she did not properly understand the question asked by her colleague MP in the House.

Truly, there was a ‘big brother’ there to save the infamous Mavis Hawa Koomson from further embarrassment, or simply, a great moment of disgrace.

Read how it all transpired below:

Nii Lante: “What are the three main sub-sectors within the fishing industry in Ghana?”

(Clearly unsure of what the question was about, the nominee gestures with her face as Chairperson, Joseph Osei-Owusu, tries to rephrase the question for her.)

Hawa: Thank you I don’t understand the question very well so it will be very difficult for me to answer it.

Osei-Owusu: Honourable Member, can you break it down for her, please?

Nii Lante: (giggling) Unfortunately for me, I don’t know how to rephrase this question because it’s a very straight-forward question.

Osei-Owusu: Very well, the sub-sectors. If you take the whole fishing industry, which sectors are identifiable. So, whether the Marine sub-sector…

(Nii Lante cuts in as the House erupts into giggles)

Nii Lante: Oh, Mr. Chairman, that’s not fair.

Osei-Owusu: I am sorry. What are the three sub-sectors you can find…

(Now finding her voice, Hawa comes in)

Hawa: Mr. Chairman, I said I didn’t understand the question. I wanted to be sure of what he was talking about.

Mavis Hawa Koomson was before the Committee for the second time to be vetted for a ministerial position, but this time, for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development ministry.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

An eight-member delegation from the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), led by Hollywood actor, Dr. Idris Elba, and the SDF CEO, Denelle Dixon, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of Bank of Ghana, on Thursday, 16th February 2024.

The non-profit organization, whose objective is to use blockchain to unlock the world’s economic potential by making money more fluid, markets more open, and people more empowered, presented a blockchain-based fintech innovation designed to guarantee fair compensation for participants in the local creative industry, whose works are commercialized globally, and to enhance access to financing for their works (especially for upcoming creators/artists) through smart contracts.

This will address the current challenge of most industry players in Africa being locked out of the global payments ecosystem, leading to gross violations of their Intellectual Properties(IPs) and copyrights, inability to access funding opportunities for growth or worse still realise funds that are legitimately earned via commercial use of their works around the world.

The discussion also focused on how both parties could explore piloting technology and policy innovation to enhance the IPs and copyright administration for the benefit of local content creators.

According to the delegation, their selection of Ghana as a potential pilot country for this innovation was on account of the Bank’s advancement in the area of central bank digital currency (the eCedi) and tokenization more broadly.

Bank of Ghana and the Stellar Development Foundation both expressed their commitment to collaborate on this initiative for the long-term benefit of the creative industry, particularly the youth.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Guinness Record Sing-a-thon attempter, Afua Asantewaa, has come under intense backlash from Ghanaians over a comment she passed on microblogging platform, X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a recent post on X, Afua Asantewaa spoke about how some internet users use low budgeted internet data to perpetuate hate online, yet beg their abusers for help when they meet them in real life.

She described such acts as ridiculous as such online bullies can be easily trapped.

She wrote, “Too many people expose their ignorance on social media. They comment anyhow with 1gh data and DM [direct message] or meet you in person begging for money or job. Luck [lack] of knowledge, many shall perish. They don’t know their contact or email used to register their ghost can easily be tracked.”

Her comments, however, did not sit well with many internet users who swiftly advised her to focus on getting her world record attempt accepted and verified by Guinness World Records.

Others also reminded her of how internet users used the same 1gh data to support her when she attempted her Guinness Record Sing-a-thon.

A user said, “Madam be calming down okay it’s not the time to be throwing shade… 1gh can’t even buy airtime anymore okay, just keep mute or we will always come here to observe and comment our frustration. Gadam you okay!”

Afua Asantewaa embarked on her attempt to break the world record for the longest singing marathon (sing-a-thon) by an individual in December 2023.

Find below a screenshot of reactions to Afua Asantewaa’s 1gh comment

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has become the subject of political exchange on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter.)

Ablakwa has, in recent times, scored praise across the political divide following his efforts to raise funds to resettle his constituents affected by the spillage of two dams in the Volta Region.

While Ablakwa is focused on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign for former president John Dramani Mahama to return to office, an X user asked that Ablakwa be considered a serious candidate for president in the future.

“Okudzeto Ablakwa has to be considered a serious candidate for president someday. Also, he shouldn’t wait too long to run because the applause may quieten sooner than you’d expect,” the X user by the name of @readjerome stated.

His view courted reactions, among others, that by his service to his people, he could make a strong case to lead the nation.

Others flatly opposed it, claiming that Ablakwa was no different from other politicians.

Ablakwa served as spokesperson to Mahama’s running mate in the 2020 general elections, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

He is currently ranked one of the most efficient MPs due to his anti-corruption crusades and support for his constituents at different levels.

Read some reactions below:

If he appears on the presidential ballot paper in 2028, he has my vote.

I witnessed how passionate he is about his constituents when I visited Mepe. I think the presidency needs genuine leaders like him. https://t.co/ettrTz0I84

— Enin (@Enin_gh) February 17, 2024

And yes, if Bawumia with his terrible policies as the Vice President and head of the Economic management team can say he’s running for president what stops Ablakwa from having similar dreams ?? Moy3 hypocrites paa

— Octopus Trudy (@179858_) February 17, 2024

I think it’s more about the mindset of the average Ghanaian. We dey like ‘show’. Performative things dey bee like that’s why Ken had huge numbers at the primaries and how junior Jesus was admired. Just enter gutter inside plus shovel with camera on you and you’re labled ‘humbled’ https://t.co/47zhiLwf65

— Tutankhamun. (@Obiba_) February 17, 2024

Ablakwa for president 👏👏 https://t.co/LE53oArlcp

— Wa Boy 😎 (@Mywahom) February 17, 2024

Yes! Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa is phenomenal, one of the very hardworking MPs. He has great prospects and I won’t be shocked if he becomes the President of Ghana some day. Imagine the way he has handled the situation of the flood victims in his constituency. Apt response to their https://t.co/0JeT7e9soZ

— Ebendoor (@_ebendoor) February 17, 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The subject of ghost names on the government payroll has been an annual ritual in terms of discovery and media reportage as successive governments lament their presence and its overall effect on the public purse.

In recent years, the digital route has become a strong remedy in the conversations around finding a permanent solution to the scourge.

Enter Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s digitalisation efforts and how an integrated system from various stakeholders could help minimise, if not eliminate ghost names.

Bawumia introduces new policy to clear ‘ghost’ names in government payroll

On January 10, 2024, Bawumia rolled out a new policy initiated by the government to eliminate ‘ghost’ names from the public sector payroll system.

While addressing an audience at the launch of the National Mechanised Payroll Database of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) in Accra, he explained that as part of efforts to purge the government’s payroll of all ‘ghost names’, the new policy would ensure that all government workers link their Ghana Card details to the payroll.

“This linkage between the NIA database and the government payroll will significantly contribute to eliminating the incidence of ghost names on the government of Ghana’s mechanised payroll system, which has persisted for some time,” Bawumia stated in a social media post.

There are no more ghost names on the government payroll – Controller declares

Barely a month after Bawumia launched what was to be a solution to the decades-long headache, the Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning Bosompem, declared that there are no ghost names on the government’s payroll.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 Controller and Accountant General’s Department Annual Conference in Kumasi (February 1 – 2), the government’s chief accountant said that the ghost name-free payroll had come about because of a newly implemented comprehensive digital solution.

The said solution is behind the ‘No Ghana Card – No Pay’ policy; the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) is currently readying itself to roll out effective March 2024.

“Payroll database has been an active database all these years. What it means is that we’ve gone through a process of putting intervention in place to make sure the payroll database is credible and that there would not be any instance where we’ll find an unauthorised person existing on the payroll and benefiting from the government’s resources.”

On the specific subject of ghost names, Bosompem told journalists emphatically: “There are no ghost names [on government’s payroll] recently,” according to a report on Asaase Radio.

About the National Mechanised Payroll Database

National Mechanised Payroll Database of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) with the National Identification Authority (NIA) Database provides real-time biometric validation and verification of government workers decentralised to the various CAGD Verification Centres across the country to ensure more accessibility and convenience.

The system will ensure real-time validation and verification of new and old employees, improve data accuracy for decision-making, and enhance transparency and accountability.

It is expected to save the government the huge costs of regular Payroll Audits across the country since the data can be audited anytime at source and will operate in decentralised biometric verification centres, saving users the cost of travelling to Accra for validation and verification.

SARA

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The senior prefect of Wesley Girls Senior High School (Wey Gey Hey) has lamented the lack of adequate infrastructure in the A-list school.

According to a report by Joynews, Abena Benewah raised the issue during a recent Speech and Prize Giving Day attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Students in the school are forced to sleep on the bare floor due to lack of space, Benewah is quoted to have said, a sentiment the school’s headmistress echoed.

“Hundreds of girls are sleeping on the floor. This problem also pushes us to eat our meals in two batches,” she said before appealing to the government to help deal with the congestion and overcrowding in the school.

“From the tiny inconveniences to the deep and large potholes which hinder our progress, we have learnt as a school to endure, but I ask myself must we suffer when we can take help?” she quizzed.

She also highlighted other concerns like the shortage of furniture and other challenges with the IT lab.

“The moment in which we gaze upon our sisters who must use plastic chairs in their classrooms and lack tables to comfortably write on cannot be put on hold,” she added.

The issue of infrastructure has often come up relative to the government’s Free Senior High School policy, where the track system has been implemented to ensure that two streams are in school at all times.

Opposition voices have blamed the government for forcing through a policy without the requisite infrastructure to support same, but the government has denied the claim.

SARA

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

All things being equal, the National Cathedral of Ghana will officially be commissioned for public use on March 6, 2024.

That is 17 days from now, and that is purely based on the fact that it is what was promised by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.

After all, what is there not to believe in this promise when, all along, the driving force of this national project, described as one that would marginally boost the tourism acumen of Ghana, has stemmed from the personal promise of the sitting president to God?

“I made a pledge to Almighty God that if he was gracious enough to grant my party, the New Patriotic Party, and I victory in the 2016 elections, after two unsuccessful attempts, I would help build the cathedral to His glory and honour,” Akufo-Addo said at a ceremony to officially begin the project.

This was in 2020 during the groundbreaking ceremony to commence the cathedral’s construction.

And then, on July 29, 2021, then-Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta announced that the project was on track and would be ready before the 2024 general elections.

In his words, completing and commissioning the controversial National Cathedral would coincide with the country’s Independence Day in 2024, March 6.

“Mr. Speaker, work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily, and following the program of the contractors, and with God helping us, the National Cathedral is expected to be officially commissioned on March 6, 2024. Upon completion, the National Cathedral would provide a sacred space for formal religious activities of State and symbolize the enormous contribution of faith to Nation Building,” he told parliament.

Along the way, President Akufo-Addo has given several reassurances on going ahead with the plan to build the edifice.

On September 12, 2022, he again stated that no matter the circumstances, the cathedral would be constructed and finished.

Speaking at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) in Accra, the president reiterated that he will not let the plan go unimplemented.

“We will build the National Cathedral by all means. We will finish the construction before I’ll say what I have to say about it,” he affirmed to the cheers from a section of the gathering. So, technically, all should be in place to ensure this target is achieved, no matter what.

As it stands now, many Ghanaians are on edge, waiting for the national edifice to be ready for commissioning on March 6, 2024 – only a few days away.

But what have been the setbacks to the project so far?

Undoubtedly, there have been financial constraints to the National Cathedral project, culminating in the project being placed on hold at certain points.

For instance, in August 2023, major news outlets reported that the construction had stalled because of a lack of funds.

The foundation works on the multi-million project at the time had been completed, being the farthest the project had gone as of that time.

The Executive Director of the National Cathedral Project, Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, appealed to the Christian community in Ghana and the Diaspora to make financial commitments to help sustain and complete the project.

“At the moment, we have suspended the project a bit to ensure that we have adequate resources to continue. The worst part will be to have people on site and pay them while work is not going on,” he said.

He said that although the contractors and their staff were on site, the workers had been sent home until there was enough money to continue with work.

“We hope that in the next couple of weeks, we can raise funds and begin work again. Our ability to complete this work is dependent on Ghanaians helping us,” he added.

Not too long afterwards, though, there were other counter-reports indicating that the National Cathedral executive chairman said he didn’t mean the project had been suspended.

Resignations from the National Cathedral Board of Trustees:

Among other challenges have been the high-profile resignations of some of the members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.

These have included the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International (ACI) Ministry, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and the President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Eastwood Anaba.

The two announced their resignations in a joint statement, citing their growing concerns about transparency and accountability within the project.

Later, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills of the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), also resigned from the board.

According to reports, his resignation was due to the many ignored concerns that were raised for years with regard to the construction of the National Cathedral.

For instance, in his resignation letter he wrote addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, President Akufo-Addo and others, he raised concerns about the cost, design, fundraising, and location of the project, among others, but did not receive a response after writing several letters.

“I feel that the treatment of the issues I have raised in my several letters has been unfortunate. My letters have been ignored in the past, not attended to for years, and at best addressed flippantly,” he said.

Also, it was reported that a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof Cephas Omenyo, also resigned from the Board of Trustees due to ill health.

The Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, has also been embroiled in a number of issues, having been on the radar of the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

In some of these instances, the MP suggested impropriety on the part of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.

On January 16, 2023, the MP made some allegations against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.

In an earlier revelation about the National Cathedral, Okudzeto Ablakwa said a whopping GH¢2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited.

Further investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.

Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa dug deeper in a bid to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi was the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

Based on all the above and being fair with the bare facts, the question on the minds of many is whether this is going to add up to the several promises of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government that have been unfulfilled, if not overly delayed in being implemented.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com