Eric Seddy Kutortse, Executive Chairman of First Sky Group

Eric Seddy Kutortse, Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, has called for the establishment of a legislative framework to support organ harvestation in Ghana.

Speaking at the company’s 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service held on January 19, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Mr. Kutortse highlighted the urgent need for legislation to facilitate kidney transplants and save lives.

He revealed that the company has invested over GH¢36million since 2016 in free dialysis and kidney transplants, with four new transplants scheduled by the end of January 2025.

The initiative, he noted, is part of the company’s commitment to bringing relief to humanity.

“I wish to draw your attention to steps being taken towards legislation that will require your directive in passing into law the appropriate legal regime for KRT. I am informed that it takes about eighteen (18) hours before one’s kidney expires after death.

“This means, the vital organs could be harvested for the use of the living that need same to survive. I must hasten to add that Ghanaweb, an online news portal, deserves commendation for its advocacy over the past year in support of this initiative,” he mentioned.

The event, themed “Proclaiming the Unfailing Love of God”, brought together dignitaries including Her Excellency, the Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, and other prominent leaders from the clergy, government, and business sectors.

Below is his full speech:

BB

As part of measures to advance Ghana’s democratic governance, President John Dramani Mahama has established a Constitutional Review Committee with the view to amending some provisions of the 1992 constitution.

The move is in fulfilment of the President’s campaign pledge to review the constitution after it has served the country for more than three decades.

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Donald Trump has promised he will “make heads spin” on his first day back in office on Monday, with a blitz of executive orders expected in the hours after he is sworn in as the 47th US president.

He has offered a preview of some of these yet-to-be-signed directives, saying they will target issues like illegal immigration, climate rules, diversity policies, classified documents and more.

It is common for presidents to sign a range of executive orders when they enter office. Such orders carry the weight of law but can be overturned by subsequent presidents or the courts.

But the scale of what Trump has planned could be unprecedented, with legal challenges expected.

Here is what to know.

Immigration and the border

Deportations

Trump has vowed to “launch the largest deportation program in American history”, starting from day one.

He is expected to declare a national border emergency, and order the military to help secure the southern border, according to Fox News.

Trump has also said he will end a longtime policy that has kept federal immigration authorities from conducting raids on churches and schools.

Any mass deportation programme is expected to face logistical difficulties, billions in costs and a flurry of legal challenges.

Remain in Mexico

Trump may quickly move to re-implement his “Remain in Mexico” policy, which during his first term returned about 70,000 non-Mexican asylum seekers across the border to Mexico to await hearings.

End birthright citizenship

Trump has called the 150-year-old constitutional right that says anyone born on US soil is an American citizen “ridiculous” and vowed to scrap it on day one.

But doing that is much more difficult than simply issuing an executive order, because birthright citizenship is explicitly guaranteed by the US Constitution.

Closing the border on health grounds

A 1944 measure called Title 42 allows the US government to curb migration to protect public health. It was last used during the pandemic, but US media reports that the incoming administration is looking for a disease that would help justify its plans to close the southern US border with Mexico.

Drug cartels

Trump is expected to classify drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations”, putting them on a list alongside groups like Al Qaeda, so-called Islamic State and Hamas.

Build the wall

When Trump was first elected president in 2016, he signed an executive order to build a border wall. Although parts of the wall have been built, there is still much left uncompleted, and he may try to finish what he started.

Trade and economy

Tariffs

Trump has vowed sweeping tariffs on imported goods as part of his promise to prioritise American manufacturing.

Trump introduced tariffs in his first term, including some on China that Joe Biden retained.

But this time he is promising 10% tariffs on all imports, 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods and 60% on things coming from China. He has said he will begin signing executive orders imposing these on day one.

Tariffs are likely to make consumer goods more expensive and could fuel inflation, experts say. Some countries are considering retaliatory tariffs.

Crypto pile

Trump has championed cryptocurrency and his election saw the value of Bitcoin increase by 30%.

Some believe Trump will move quickly to create a federal “Bitcoin stockpile” – a strategic reserve similar to the US’s stockpile of gold and oil – that he has said would serve as a “permanent national asset to benefit all Americans”.

Climate and energy

Scrap Joe Biden’s climate policies

The outgoing president sees the series of directives, laws and funding programmes he championed to boost green jobs, regulate pollution and fund infrastructure as one of his biggest accomplishments.

Trump has made it clear he wants to undo much of it. He is expected to use executive orders to remove drilling restrictions offshore and on federal land – fulfilling his promise to “drill, baby drill” and increase US energy production and independence.

He has also pledged to ban new wind projects and cancel electric vehicle mandates.

Pull out of the Paris Agreement (again)

Within six months of taking office in 2017, Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement – a landmark international deal designed to limit rising global temperatures.

Biden moved to rejoin the accord on his first day in office in 2021, but Trump is expected to again pull out of it.

Capitol riot

Free Jan 6 ‘hostages’

Hundreds of people convicted after the 2021 US Capitol riots are awaiting potential pardons on Monday, when Trump returns to office.

​​”I am inclined to pardon many of them,” he told CNN over the summer. “I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”

More than 1,500 individuals were arrested in relation to the event. At least 600 were charged with assaulting or impeding federal officers.

Secret documents

At his pre-inauguration victory rally on Sunday, Trump said he would release classified documents related to the assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963, a subject of countless conspiracy theories.

He said he would do the same for files related to the 1968 killings of Senator Robert Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Foreign policy

Ukraine war

Trump claimed during the campaign that he would end the conflict on day one of his presidency. He has since said that he may need six months. It’s unclear what he might do in his first days.

Cuba and Venezuela

Trump could use executive orders to undo Biden’s recent decision to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. He could also reinstate sanctions against Venezuela. Both countries were frequent targets of his ire during his first administration.

Diversity and gender

DEI

In recent years, schools and businesses across the US have adopted policies designed to support women and racial minorities.

These practices, often classified under “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI), have angered many conservatives and faced legal challenges. Trump has promised to dissolve them and major corporations including Meta, Walmart and Amazon have already begun rolling back related initiatives.

Trump could use an executive order to forbid federal funding going to schools or other institutions that have DEI programmes. He could also ban funding for schools that teach “critical race theory” (CRT).

Abortion

Like most Republican presidents before him, Trump is expected to reinstate the “Mexico City policy”, which bans federal aid to international groups that provide abortion counselling.

He is also expected to reinstate an abortion rule that prohibits Title X federal health providers, a low-income family planning programme, from mentioning abortion to patients. The change effectively stripped tens of millions of dollars from organisations that offer abortion or provide referrals.

Transgender women in sports

Trump has repeatedly criticised what he calls “transgender lunacy” in schools and healthcare, and has specifically vowed to bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

TikTok

On Sunday morning, Trump promised to issue an executive order that would postpone a law banning Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok from being implemented.

His order, he said, would give them time to find a US partner to buy a 50% stake in the company.

Trump previously backed a TikTok ban, but recently reversed his stance, pointing to the billions of views he says his videos attracted on the platform during last year’s presidential campaign.

Information suggests that, Randy Abbey, is set to receive his appointment letter this week to serve in President John Dramani Mahama’s government.

Last week, reports linked him to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), as reported by The Herald.

However, the latest updates indicate that he has been selected for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

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Accra, Jan 20, GNA – The Parliament’s Appointments Committee will resume the vetting of President John Dramani Mahama’s nominees for various ministerial positions today, Monday, January 20, 2025.

Three nominees are scheduled to appear before the committee:

• Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu Constituency, Minister-Designate for the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
• Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South Constituency, Minister-Designate for the Ministry of Education.
• Mr. Eric Opoku, MP for Asunafo South Constituency, Minister-Designate for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) will stream the vetting live on its website.

GNA

Felix Kwakye Ofosu (L) and Franklin Cudjoe (R)

The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has expressed interest in receiving clarification about the cost of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent travels aboard his brother, Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet.

In response to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson of the Office of the President’s statement that the president’s travels on his brother’s private jet were at no cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, Cudjoe raised a question about whether the travel expenses were officially classified as a gift to the state.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 19, 2025, Cudjoe further questioned whether Ibrahim Mahama’s generosity had been formally declared, pointing out his position as a private citizen offering his property for state use.

“Can Hon. Kwakye Ofosu tell us if the cost of this visit was classified as a gift to the state and declared, given that the president’s brother is a private citizen?” he posted.

Cudjoe’s questions aim to clarify the motive behind Ibrahim Mahama’s generosity to the country.

He referenced the case of Ken Ofori-Atta, a former finance minister under the New Patriotic Party-led government, who publicly declared his decision to forgo his monthly stipends, but subsequently utilized alternative methods to generate income.

“As you are well aware, not long ago, a finance minister under the recently overwhelmingly retired NPP government told us he was not receiving salary, we believed him and look where it ended us- a debt iceberg, ‘pickpocketing’ miserly savings of innocent and defenceless citizens in the name of debt exchange and the coup de grâce, junk-rated economy,” he added.

His comments follow Kwakye Ofosu’s statement that the president’s use of the Dzata private jet is free of cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer.

There had been widespread speculation on social media regarding President Mahama’s recent travel on the private jet owned by his businessman brother, Ibrahim Mahama, to The Gambia.

Some individuals have mentioned significant amounts of money, suggesting that the Ghanaian taxpayer would bear the cost of the president’s flight to the West African country.

However, speaking to TV3, the president’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasised that no money has been paid for the president’s use of the jet, as his brother provided it free of charge.

“This alternative arrangement has not, in any way, shape, or form, cost the Ghanaian taxpayer a dime. President Mahama is mindful of the precarious economic situation we are in and, therefore, is committed to utilizing public funds in the most prudent way. He is not about to spend millions of Ghanaian cedis, as was the case under the previous government, to rent expensive aircraft.

“This aircraft has been available to him since his days in opposition, and he has used it. In fact, some of his visits immediately after his election as president in December 2024 were made using this jet. It has not led to any cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer. President Mahama is committed to using the presidential jet as soon as he receives the all-clear from the Communications Squadron of the Ghana Air Force,” he explained.

Read his full post below:

Franklin Cudjoe writes ✍️ ..”

I understand President John Dramani Mahama recently travelled to the Gambia and Senegal on his brother’s private jet. The Acting spokesman for the president, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the visit was at no cost the taxpayer, and l…

— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) January 19, 2025

MAG/EK

You can also watch as Dominic Ayine calls for Whistleblower Agencies in every district to fight corruption effectively

Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has called on Felix Ofosu Kwakye to provide further clarification regarding the cost of John Dramani Mahama’s recent travels aboard his brother’s private jet.

Cudjoe questioned whether the expenses associated with the trip had been classified as a gift to the state, stressing the importance of transparency in such matters.

Cudjoe’s concerns were rooted in the belief that the people of Ghana deserve clarity about the financial aspects of the trip. He raised a valid point about the need for accountability, noting that the public deserves to know whether such costs were properly declared. “We need to understand if the cost of these travels was considered a gift to the state and if it was declared as such,” he said, urging a level of openness that would reassure the public.

Drawing a parallel to previous government actions, Cudjoe pointed to the example of Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister under the ruling NPP administration. Ofori-Atta had made the claim that he did not receive a salary for his role, which was widely accepted at the time. Cudjoe, however, suggested that the nation should have questioned such claims, given the eventual economic collapse that followed. “A finance minister under the recently overwhelmingly retired NPP government told us he was not receiving a salary, we believed him, and look where it ended us — a debt iceberg, ‘pickpocketing’ miserly savings of innocent and defenceless citizens in the name of debt exchange and the coup de grâce, junk-rated economy,” Cudjoe remarked, pointing to the financial mess that unfolded.

The IMANI Africa leader’s comments underscore the broader concerns surrounding governance and public trust. He argued that to restore confidence and ensure that the people of Ghana can rest easy, the government must clarify whether the trips on the private jet were appropriately documented and disclosed. “If everything is above board, there should be no hesitation in providing the necessary details,” Cudjoe said.

Cudjoe’s call for greater transparency is part of a larger conversation about accountability in governance, particularly regarding the personal expenses of public figures. In a time when the country is already grappling with economic challenges, ensuring that all financial matters are disclosed and explained could go a long way in maintaining public trust. The government’s response to such concerns could set a precedent for how future administrations handle issues of transparency and accountability in the use of state and personal resources.

Read His Post Below

I understand President John Dramani Mahama recently travelled to the Gambia and Senegal on his brother’s private jet. The Acting spokesman for the president, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the visit was at no cost the taxpayer, and l choose to believe it given the president’s brother is a generous man and has done some public good in the past with his own money.

However, can Hon.Kwakye Ofosu tell us if the cost of this visit was classified as a gift to the state and declared, given that the president’s brother is a private citizen? As you are well aware, not long ago, a finance minister under the recently overwhelmingly retired NPP government told us he was not receiving salary, we believed him and look where it ended us- a debt iceberg, ‘pickpocketing’ miserly savings of innocent and defenceless citizens in the name of debt exchange and the coup de grâce, junk-rated economy.

In other news the president’s ministerial nominees for critical sectors continue to be great. Tomorrow, we should be thrilled by their experience and maturity in their responses at the confirmation hearings or vetting when the nominees for Agriculture, Roads and Transport and Education appear before the appointments committee in Parliament.

Hopefully, the questions would be rigorous as part of what IMANI fellow, Mr Ato Coleman describes as “screening methodologies beyond political links.” Ato believes “we need a more robust performance management system that transparently shows that objectives & outputs& outcomes that our ministers & teams are delivering, what the KPIs are, and how we track progress.”. I agree.

MP for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko

In a recent exposé, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, acquired prime public land in Cantonments, Accra, under highly controversial terms.

According to Ablakwa’s report, Kennedy Osei Nyarko purchased the land in question for a mere GH¢42,000 (approximately US$2,800) in 2021, with authorization from then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This transaction granted the MP a 99-year lease on the property, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2120, with an annual ground rent of GH¢10,500 for the first four years.

“Unimpeachable and irrefutable Lands Commission documents reveal that President Akufo-Addo authorized this outrageously unconscionable transaction in 2021. The NPP MP who benefited from this condemnable rip-off is Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, MP for Akim Swedru. From the Lands Commission’s records, Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko now owns the prestigious land in question for 99 years (from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2120),” he wrote.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, this deal is unconscionable due to the significant discrepancy between the price paid by the MP and the prevailing market rates at the time, which would have valued the land at between US$700,000 and US$800,000.

This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the allocation of public assets, especially when compared to the conditions under which other Ghanaians might secure similar property.

The land in question, according to the North Tongu MP, was originally designated for agricultural mechanization, a sector in which Mr. Osei Nyarko himself had served as Deputy Minister.

Ablakwa argues that, instead of safeguarding this land for its intended public use, Nyarko allegedly colluded to repurpose it for private gain, an action that did not receive parliamentary approval as required by law.

“The irony is that this is the Cantonments Agricultural Mechanization land that Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko should have been keen on protecting as a former Deputy Agric Minister. He should not have actively colluded with elements in the former administration to illegally rezone the land without parliamentary approval, forcefully evict staff from the Agricultural Mechanization Department, and members of the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association, just because he and a few politically exposed persons coveted the land,” he stated.

Mr. Ablakwa asserts that the acquisition by the Akim Swedru MP exemplifies a broader issue of state capture and the misuse of public lands under the previous administration.

“Article 257 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution is clear: public lands belong to all Ghanaians. President Akufo-Addo was merely a caretaker on our behalf. This is certainly not the kind of trusteeship we expected. The GH¢42,000 Cantonments land deal highlights the grave injustice and deep rot associated with how public lands and other state assets were looted under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration,” Mr. Ablakwa wrote.

Ablakwa called for support of the ORAL initiative, which aims to recover assets allegedly looted from the state.

The North Tongu MP is also advocating for the passage of his private member’s bill, which would ban politicians and politically exposed persons from purchasing state assets, and mandate parliamentary oversight and public transparency for any such transactions.

“What is not right is certainly not right. I know there are many patriotic NPP members who will not support such naked injustice. Those who have not looted from the Ghanaian people do not attack ORAL — indeed, they boldly support ORAL, as the Constitution demands of all good citizens. The current generation of politicians must reflect and acknowledge that if those who came before us engaged in such despicable, unpatriotic conduct, no state asset would have been left for us. At this rate, what state assets are we leaving behind for the youth and for subsequent generations? How can we develop our country if all strategic state assets are looted by a few?” he questioned.

“I wholeheartedly agree with Prof. Kwaku Azar that ORAL must go with OPAL (Operation Prevent All Loot) — this is why I am vigorously pursuing my private member’s bill, which seeks to ban politicians and politically exposed persons from purchasing state assets. My bill also makes it mandatory for all transactions involving state assets to receive parliamentary approval. The Ghanaian people must first be convinced that there is even justification for selling that state asset. It is also in the bill that the transactions must go through value-for-money audits, and the amounts involved and beneficiaries must be published for the Ghanaian people to know,” he added.

GA/MA

Watch an inconsolable Empress Gifty escorts her mother’s remains out of the funeral grounds: