The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has described the President’s numerous trips as an insult to the Ghana Armed Forces in the wake of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama’s lynching and burial.

In press statement to counter a statement on social media claiming that he had personally rendered an apology to President Akufo-Addo for issuing an earlier statement that accused him of being ultimately responsible for Major Mahama’s death, he said: “Indeed, it is very sad and insulting to our revered Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) that the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF chose to be junketing abroad while the whole nation was mourning and burying the late military officer.”

“It is a big shame that the President of Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana has failed to show leadership in the wake of the heinous murder of the late Major Maxwell Adams Mahama.”

Below is the full rejoinder issued by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia:

RE: Asiedu Nketia Apologises For Asking Nana Akufo-Addo To Step Down
————————————–

Out of desperation, and shocked to the marrow at the exquisite manner in which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) commemorated her 25th Anniversary celebrations, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), its surrogates and assigns, are busy hiding behind the veil of social media to peddle outright falsehood about the NDC and its elected Officers.

A false statement is making the rounds on social media, purported to have been written by my good-self.

In that fictitiously crafted statement, the NDC’s General Secretary is purported to have apologised for an earlier statement issued on behalf of the party, asking Nana Akufo-Addo to take full responsibility for the callous lynching and murder of the late Major Maxwell Adams Mahama.

I want to state unequivocally that I have not issued any such unscrupulous statement; neither do I have any regrets for issuing the earlier Statement on behalf of the Party.

I have never received any calls or text messages from senior party members or any other persons questioning why I signed the statement in relation to how President Akufo-Addo has allowed impunity and lawlessness to be the order of the day in this country.

On the contrary, the likes of former President Kufuor and Justice Georgina Wood, have also supported the position of the NDC by asking Nana Akufo-Addo to sit up and get the country back to the safety level that was bequeathed to him.

In fact, it is even more preposterous for the NPP writer to have ignorantly suggested that my family is in Canada, when indeed I live with my family here in Accra.

I want to state for the avoidance of doubt and for emphasis that we stand by our earlier statement calling on the President to step down for a more competent person to lead the nation because his gross incompetent leadership style has turned Ghana into a lawless state.

Indeed, it is very sad, and insulting to our revered Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) that the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF chose to be junketing abroad while the whole nation was mourning and burying the late military officer.

It is a big shame that the President of Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana has failed to show leadership in the wake of the heinous murder of the late Major Maxwell Adams Mahama.

There is no denying the fact that Nana Akufo-Addo and his NPP are performing abysmally and have allowed lawlessness to run amok in Ghana.

I insist that no amount of vile diversionary misinformation on social media against the NDC or me by the failing NPP and its assigns will derail our focus.

The NDC continues to mourn with the wife and family of the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama.

We also continue to mourn with the Ghana Armed Forces and the whole nation.

As a very responsible opposition party that has a big stake in keeping this country united and safe, the NDC shall not relent in its duty of speaking forcefully to the grave issues of maladministration taking place under the incompetent watch of Nana Akufo-Addo and his equally incompetent Government.

Never again should we hit this low as a nation, never again!!

Signed

Hon Johnson Asiedu Nketia
(General Secretary)

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The key suspect believed to have shot and killed a police officer at Tulaku near Michel Camp, identified as Dogo America has been shot dead by the police Tuesday evening.

Constable Michael Kporyi of the Tema regional Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) was shot by suspected gunmen at the UBA Service Station near Michel Camp in Tema on Monday.

He was detailed for motorbike patrol duty when he was shot by the two suspected robbers who were also on a motorbike.

The bullet riddled body of Constable Kporyi was found lying in a nearby bush in a pool of blood.The Police upon a tipoff, stormed the hideout of the suspect at Tulaku at 3pm Tuesday following which they were engaged in a gun battle with the suspected robbers. The police were superior succeeded in shooting dead the key suspect in the process.

Two AK47 rifles and ammunition were retrieved from his residence at a suburb known as Washington.

Dogo’s wife and five other suspects have also been arrested.

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The Supreme Court Wednesday granted all the reliefs sought by pressure group, OccupyGhana, in respect of the Auditor-General’s powers of disallowance and surcharges.

Background

Pressure Group Occupy Ghana has sued the Attorney General and the Auditor General for refusing to surcharge persons who are said to have misappropriated monies belonging to the state to the tune of over GHc40 billion.

Occupy Ghana in 2014 wrote a letter to the Auditor General reminding it to surcharge such persons or face them in court.

A statement issued by the pressure group said, it filed a case against the two Generals at the Supreme Court last Wednesday [June 22, 2016], because several efforts to ensure that the Auditor General makes such surcharges have proved futile.

The group in the statement said, in November 2014 it wrote a letter, “reminding him [ Auditor-General,] of his powers of Disallowance and Surcharge under the Constitution, demanding that he exercises them…Subsequently we engaged several times with the Auditor-General, with a view to assisting in putting in place the structures upon which he would exercise those powers.”

“Regrettably, after a dozen letters and exchanges, and one publicized meeting on 27th March 2015, the Auditor-General has not taken any steps to exercise those powers, which would lead to the recovery of huge sums of money for the State,” the statement added.

Occupy Ghana is however seeking from the Supreme Court “a declaration that the Auditor-General’s omission, failure, refusal or neglect to issue any Disallowances and Surcharges in respect of the above, and as appears in his successive Reports since the coming into force of the Constitution, violates the Constitution.”

The group is also seeking “an order of the Supreme Court directed at the Auditor-General to issue Disallowances and Surcharges to and in respect of all persons and entities found in his relevant, successive Reports to have engaged in any of the above.”

Over GHc40 billion lost in ‘irregularities

According to Occupy Ghana, a thorough study of the Auditor General report revealed that between 2003 and 2014, the total losses the state incurred in “irregularities” arising from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies was about GH¢2,448,968,912.29.

“This is alarming, more so when we discovered further that for just the four years, 2009 and 2012 to 2014, amounts lost to Ghana from “irregularities” in Public Boards, Corporations and other Statutory Institutions was Five Billion, Seventy Two Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand and Seven Hundred and Sixteen Ghana Cedis (GH¢5,072,686,716). From our projections, since the promulgation of the Constitution, the total losses to Ghana arising from “irregularities” in Public Offices, Central and Local Government Administration, Public Institutions, Public Corporations and Statutory Bodies, possibly exceeds Forty Billion Ghana Cedis (GH¢40,000,000,000),” the statement added.

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A top businessman based in Kumasi has been cited in the murder of a 78-year-old pensioner and proprietor of Coconut Guest House on Monday.

Mr. Tony Adomako, a resident abroad was stabbed several times to death in cold blood by a hooded assailant in his Guest House around 11pm, at a time there was power outage in the area.

He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital but he died moments later.
The relatives of Mr Adomako who suspect contract killing have filed a police complaint citing a man they describe as the deceased’s business associate.

They point to previous encounters between Mr Adomako and his business partner as grounds for their suspicion in his gruesome murder.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Juliana Obeng has confirmed the police receiving information from the deacesed’s family which will help in their investigation of the matter.

Meanwhile, the police have picked up a receptionist at the Coconut Guest House for interrogation on the murder of Anthony Adomako.

The receptionist who was on duty at the time of the murder is reported to have led the killer to Mr Adomako after being threatened while he [receptionist] ran out to seek support to arrest the assailant.

He’s currently assisting in Police investigations.

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Former Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mr Michael Nsowah has mounted a strong defence of the ICT tutor of Assin Asamankese D/A Primary School in the Central Region, Augustine Kusi insisting the latter cannot be blamed or sanctioned for improvising a computer mouse by using stones.

According to him, improvisation is allowed in teaching children when the specific teaching materials are not readily available.

Augustine Kusi has incurred the wrath of the District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Mrs Sally Nelly Colman who claimed his conduct has disgraced the school and the district as a whole.

A viral video making the rounds on various social media platforms shows students in a classroom improvising a computer mouse by using stones. The video shows the students clicking and double-clicking the stones on instructions by their teacher.
But Mrs Sally Nelly Colman disclosed that the teacher could have applied to her office for the devices if he required them for teaching and learning of ICT which is part of the curricular for basic education.

According to her, improvising stones as mouse for that purpose has made the district a subject of ridicule worldwide and indicate that she may institute sanctions against him in view of the fact that there are some in stock at the GES office which he could have applied and received for the purpose.

But Augustine Kusi, asserted that for more than four years the school has had no access to a single computer system after the only desktop given to them became faulty.

Commenting on the matter in an interview with Kasapa News, Mr Michael Nsowah stated that the District Director applying sanctions against the teacher will be too harsh an action to take.

” These same District Directors have complained that since 2013 even common papers to work with in their various offices are unavailable. So if the teacher didn’t report to her that there was no mouse to use for his lessons where would the District Director get money to buy the mouse, she must come again. If this issue had not appeared on social media will she have said what she’s saying now? The teacher did was right under the circumstances in improvising, which is allowed in teaching lessons. 

He added: The District Director should rather focus on improving the learning conditions of the students which is in a poor state rather than trying to flex her muscles.

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The Magistrate of District court 7, Arit Nsemoh hearing the case in which former MP for Abuakwa North was murdered, on Thursday June 15, issued a strong warning to journalists not to enter her court for sitting on the committal proceedings on rearrested suspects Daniel Aseidu and Vincent Bosso.

She was clearly heard instructing Police officers to stop all journalists from entering the court room.

It is unclear why the Magistrate took the decision seen as the media is interested in the matter and has given coverage of the case ever since it began in court.

The court sitting was however adjourned to the 29 of June 2017 because Police prosecutors say they are still awaiting the advice of the Attorneys General Department.

Background

Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso are being held for murder of the Late MP for Abuakwa North on February 9, 2016 at his Shiashie residence at about 1:00am.

The facts as presented by Chief Superintendent Baah were that the deceased J.B Danquah-Adu lived with his family in one storey building at Shiashie, East Legon.

The accused persons Asiedu and Bosso lived at Agbgboloshie.

On February 8, at about 11:40 pm, the deceased came home in his private vehicle driven by his driver Samuel Berko Sarkodie.

Prosecution said the driver having brought his master home handed over the ignition keys to him and left for his residence at Kasoa.

The deceased then retired to bedroom located upstairs. At about 1:00am, Asiedu and Bosso armed went to the house of the deceased, prosecution said.

According to prosecution, Asiedu after entering the house picked up a ladder and climbed to the porch of the top floor and entered the bedroom of the deceased through the window while the deceased was sleeping.

“Asiedu began to search the room but the deceased woke up and held him. Asiedu resisted and stabbed the deceased on the right chest above the breast. The deceased held the knife and Asiedu pulled the knife through the deceased hands creating a deep cut in his palm,” prosecution said.

Prosecution said the deceased who was bleeding profusely fell by his bed helpless and Asiedu stabbed him several times on the right chest and neck.

He said realizing that the deceased was almost dead left him and took away his three iPhones.

The prosecutor said the struggle that ensued between the deceased drew the attention of the security man who alerted other security men within the vicinity

Chief Superintendent Baah said Bosso realising danger took to his heels leaving Asiedu behind. Asiedu however managed to descend from deceased room to the back house, climbed one of the poly tanks in the house and jumped over the electric fence into the adjoining house and escaped.

He said the Security man then called the Police emergency line and informed them. When the Police arrived the victim was dead and his body was conveyed the Police Hospital Mortuary.

On February 15, an autopsy was performed on the deceased body by a Pathologist from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who gave the cause of death as exsanguination and multiple stab injuries on anterior and chest.”

Prosecution said Police investigations led to the arrest of accused persons who stated that their aim of going to the deceased house was to steal.

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The newly nominated Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Justice Sophia Akufo, will come face to face with the Appointments Committee of Parliament for public hearing today, Friday, June 16, 2017.

The event is expected to last for 660 minutes which translates into 11 hours.

The Appointments Committee had originally scheduled Justice Akufo to appear before on Monday, June 19, 2017. However, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu told journalists at a news conference on Tuesday, June 14, 2017, that the rescheduled date was to “fill the vacuum created by the retired Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Woode.”

“We considered all the circumstances and as a Committee we reviewed the fact that to date no petition has been brought against the new Chief Justice. We considered the fact that rather than allowing the fourteen days interval we planned earlier, it will be helpful to abridge the time and do it as quickly as possible. After these considerations, we decided to reschedule the consideration of her nomination to Friday to enable us use the whole day for the program and also use the weekend to prepare the report which most probably by Monday, will be ready for it to be considered by the plenary. This will enable her to start work next week in full and the administration of justice can be carried on without any delay,” he noted.

Hon. Osei Owusu also announced new changes as to how the Committee will approach the vetting of the new Chief Justice.

Per the changes, each Committee member will have twenty (20) minutes to ask his or her questions.

Besides that, the hearing will also see the Chairmen and Ranking members of the  Constitution, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as well as the Judiciary Committees of Parliament join them (Appointments Committee).

That means 33 Members of Parliament (25 members from the Appointments Committee and 8 from the other Committees) from both sides of the House will be grilling the new Chief Justice on her public life, matters on the Judiciary as well as public interest questions.

Should each of the 33 members exhaust the 20 minutes timeframe, it means the Committee will sit for 660 minutes which translates into eleven hours (11hrs).

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The Chief Justice nominee Justice Sophia Akuffo has described lawyers advertising on social media as distasteful.

According to her, the rules of the law profession is clearly against touting because it is considered an improper conduct on the part of a lawyer.

Justice Akuffo’s view follows the suspension of popular Human Rights lawyer Francis Sosu for advertising on Facebook by the General Legal Council.

The three-year suspension of the famed human rights lawyer who is credited with helping many wrongfully jailed Ghanaians gain their freedom especially through the government’s special program, ‘Justice For All’ ignited a debate amongst a section of the public and some lawyers who were of the view that the law preventing legal practitioners from advertising was outmoded and needed to be annuled.

However appearing before the Appointment Committee of Parliament’s during her vetting Friday, Justice Akuffo said allowing lawyers to advertise is wrong and contravenes the laws and ethics guiding the profession.

“Am a 67-years-old woman and I believe that dignity at the bar is as important as dignity of the judiciary…the idea of lawyers touting themselves on Facebook is personally distasteful to me and aside that the law is clear and the law is against touting.”

Justice Sophia Akuffo however said adding that there are jurisdictions that permit the use of social media in legal work but she is yet to study the scope of that permission.

“Facebook and twitter and so on and so forth at the moment will not fall in the permissible areas. You can have a website and put yourself on the website.”

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The University of Education Winneba has announced the re-opening of all its campuses that were temporarily closed down following a court order to restrain its Principal Officers from working until the final determination of a case brought before it by one Supi Kofi Kwayera.

Supi Kwayera had challenged the continues stay of the Council of the University of Education Winneba.

In order not to flout the court’s decision, the University decided to shut down on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, until the final decision of the court on Friday, June 16, 2017.

But a statement from University issued on Friday, June 16, 2017, and signed by its Registrar, C. Y. Akwaa-Mensah, announced the re-opening of its offices on all campuses (Winneba, Ajumako, Kumasi and Ashanti Mampong) for normal business.

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Students of the University of Ghana especially residents of Akuafo Hall are demanding enhanced security following the attempted murder of a female student.

This follows the stabbing of a female sandwich diploma student at the Akuafo hall by her alleged boyfriend in the Akuafo Main Hall P Block, Room 12.

The suspect came stabbed his alleged girlfriend several times on the neck until she was unconscious after suspecting she was cheating on him.

The victim, Zara Hussein, sustained a deep cut in the neck after her lover, named Musah, stabbed her with a broken ceramic receptacle.

According to reports, Musah who is not a student after trying tirelessly to reach the victim on phone decided to come to her on campus.

When he arrived, Zara was said to have stopped him from entering the room but he insisted following which she allowed him in, only to find another man in her room.

Suspecting that Zara was cheating on him, Musah attacked the other man following which a heated argument ensued.

Zara is said to have backed the other man which angered Musah. He rushed out of the room and returned with the broken receptacle with which he hit and stabbed Zara.

Students came to her rescue and arrested Musah who tried to escape when he realized that Zara had become unconscious.

Zara was rushed to the University of Ghana Hospital, while Musah was arrested by the University Security and handed over to the Legon police.

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The Minister for Information Mustapha Hamid has disclosed that none of the 110 ministers under the Akufo Addo led-government have been paid since they assumed office.

According to him, the payment process for Ministers is yet to be completed, consequently the delay in paying them their salaries.

Mustapha Hamid in an interview on TV3’s Hot Issues, Saturday stated that it hasn’t been easy for ministers having to live without pay for the past five months.

“Ministers have not been paid…it’s not a very good phenomenon in our country that people get employed and after one year they are not taking salaries yet, and they happen to be teachers, nurses etc.

“So, if it’s happening to politicians, we should say that: ‘Well it’s good that it’s happening to them so that they will feel the pinch and correct the anomaly for all of us citizens’.”

Mustapha Hamid urged the Controller and Accountant General to work tirelessly to end the situation where workers work several months and sometimes years before they receive salary.

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The family of a US based Ghanaian medical student and fiancé of actress Gloria Sarfo who died at the 37 military Hospital is accusing the hospital of negligence.

Justice Nana Wusu Dankwa was sent to the hospital Wednesday morning by the Golden Tulip shuttle driver after he complained of chest pains.

He is reported to have requested oxygen from the nurses at the medical emergency unit immediately he arrived at the hospital.

Information gathered suggests that Justice Nana Wusu Dankwa remained unattended to for close to 10 minutes before being given the oxygen mask of another patient.

He reportedly died four minutes after he was given oxygen.

Nana Kwakyewa Sarpong a relative of Justice said Justice Dankwa could have survived if the nurses at the facility had been a little proactive in attending to her cousin.

“I can confidently say that they were negligent in the sense that if they had oxygen on standby, I don’t think that they would have denied him oxygen.

“I would blame the hospital and the nurses and doctors on duty, they denied him of oxygen, meaning they were negligent…I know they would deny it…but they need to be responsible for their actions.”

source:ghanaweb.com

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Like expected, some girls will come crying foul and asking for a whole lot after Stonebwoy’s marriage to Dr. Louisa Asong. But the reality is that regardless of what they do, the marriage cannot be declared null and void,

Well, a supposed heartbroken girlfriend of the Dancehall artiste has written to him wishing him well although she keeps shedding tears anytime she sees his wedding pictures.

Read her letter to stonebwoy here

I’ve read and seen many articles you’ve done on the dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy’s marriage. I appreciate your good works. Your blog- became the good source to some us to feed our eyes with what was going on as I was given a stern warning by Stonebwoy’s crew member not to come there.

I have been crying since I saw the date of his wedding was published on your site and still can’t hold back my tears when I saw his wedding pictures yesterday.

I met Stonebwoy when I got the chance to feature in one of his videos.I must say, He is among the few celebrities I’ve met who carries himself very well. Respects himself and those he works with. Except on few occasions, he goes overboard when he gets angry.

To cut a long story short, he proposed to me after the 3rd day of the video shoot and we started dating in 2014.He wanted us to remain private as according to him didn’t want the media attention on us and I think he’s good at how he does its just that what he did to me with the secret relationship with the Doctor, Louisa is painful

We made love on several occasions, and tho he didn’t promise marriage —what I find disturbing is why he didn’t even tell me about his marriage to the Doctor.

He cut off contacts suddenly and within a week I read he is getting married to the Doctor. Thought it was not true. Made several attempts to reach him but to no avail, until I finally saw the pictures on your blog Ghpage.com yesterday.

I watched the video and looked at the pictures with tears in my eyes. No wonder, he heavily guarded the premises with security. No chance was given to likes of us to enter.

I know people will say a lot of things about me for writing this to you.But Editor, this is the only time I feel I can make my case known or share my feelings.

There are a lot I did and planned with Stonebwoy and now I feel he used me and perhaps married the doctor for his own peculiar reasons.

Can you publish this for me for Stonebwoy to answer why he didn’t tell me or did this to me? Nevertheless, I still wish them a happy marriage.That’s life!

source:ghanaweb.com

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President Akufo-Addo has sent a government delegation up-north to address the concerns of some protesters of the governing New Patriotic Party’s(NPP) in Savelugu fighting against the appointment of the District Chief Executive of the area.

Violence erupted in Savelugu as disgruntled youth backed by constituency executives decided last week to close down the assembly office, despite the presence of armed soldiers who escorted and inducted the Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Aishetu Seidu into office.

It was her first time in office two months after her overwhelmed endorsement. She was blocked by the youth from gaining access after they intensified protest for a replacement.

Hajia Aishatu Seidu officially took over from the municipal coordinating director on Wednesday, June 14 in a short ceremony under heightened security.

The regional Security Council on Wednesday, in a show of force sanctioned the deployment of dozen of riot gears wearing soldiers to force the MCE into her office to fully assume duty as head of the municipal assembly.

The action of the council followed a third demonstration staged by the youth against the MCE after initial twice protests failed to intimidate assembly members to reject her.

The delegation is due to arrive at the Tamale Airport shortly and subsequently proceed to Savelugu to carry out the assignment by the President in his intervention to the political crisis in that region.

Reports indicate that protesters have massed up at the disability centre, directly opposite the Savelugu Magistrate court and shows no signs of backing down their protests now.

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Government delegation dispatched to mediate a growing intra political tensions in Savelugu/Nanton municipality where party youth have blocked the Municipal Chief Executive from gaining access to her office, is facing extremely difficult and turbulent negotiation process as a precursor meeting Monday, June 19,2017 ended inconclusively.

The delegation is to probe into concerns raised by the agitating youth and most significantly to find lasting solution to the impasse after efforts by regional party executives proved dismal failure.

Minister of State at the Office of the President, Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Savelugu, Abdul Somed Gunu and Deputy Northern regional minister, Solomon Boar unanimously ended the ceasefire talks after tensions flared between rival supporters.

The three man delegation arrived in Savelugu Monday afternoon and quickly called for a meeting to initiate talks with some disgruntled constituency executives and angry party youth who have staged a ceaseless revolt against the appointment and endorsement of Hajia Ayishetu Seidu as Municipal Chief Executive for the area.

Bryan Acheampong, leader of the delegation conveyed the President’s enormous dissatisfaction with the growing street riots and disturbances and therefore is calling for peace and unity.

Mr. Acheampong pleaded with the youth to end all agitations and was elaborating to the youth on the need to support the embattled MCE when voices began to rise angrily forcing the deliberation to an abrupt halt.

The minister before leaving said a second meeting will be conveyed tonight to continue the deliberation and asked the uncompromising youth to soften their stands for a fruitful negotiation.

In an interview with Kasapa News after the botched meeting, leader of the protesting youth, Karim Zakaria said the youth have turned down demands of the delegation.

According to him, the youth would not allow Hajia Aishetu Seidu perform her duties as MCE and rather seized the opportunity to renew their calls for a replacement.

“We told him categorically that we are not going to accept the nominee. Deliberation was ongoing so at a point, he pleads that he would like us to end the discussion because tensions were getting very high, party sympathizers were very much annoyed about the utterances of the regional executives. The meeting didn’t end conclusively so he promised coming back tonight to meet with party executives to see how best to solve the problem”, Zakaria told Kasapa News.

Party youth in the Savelugu township have refused to accept Hajia Aishetu Seidu as MCE for the area despite a convincing approval by assembly members.

She has been accused of not contributing to the progress of the party in the constituency and being an alien.

Hajia Aishetu Seidu was violently prevented from accessing her office by the youth two months after her confirmation until security forces escorted and inducted her into office last week.

The youth reacted to the “provocation” invading the assembly office and locking it up bringing operations to standstill.

Dozens of police armed with riot gears deployed to break away the protesters copiously fired rubber bullets after clashes erupted. The youth responded throwing stones and shooting catapults at the police.

Three persons were injured and over fifteen (15) motorbikes belonging to the youth were crushed and which angered the youth who has vowed to also retaliate.

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Royal Senchi Hotel, British Airways and African Regent Hotel are among some of the top firms to have openly disregarded the laws of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

The companies are part of over 100 data collectors published by the Data Protection Commission with the objective of naming and shaming them.

The Executive Director of the Data Commission Teki Akuetteh Falconer at a press conference about a fortnight ago indicated that the commission would follow the publication with the arrest of the offending data collectors and ensure they’re arraigned before court.

The Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) directs all establishments whether public, private, local or international consultants and individuals, who collect, hold and use personal data in Ghana, to register with the DPC, and therefore prohibit the collection, possession and use of such records by institutions that are not registered with the Commission.

The law clearly states that “a person who fails to register as a data collector, but processes personal data commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than two years or to both.”

Among the list published are Law firms, hotels and restaurants, companies, partnerships and trusts, hospitals and clinics, microfinance and insurance companies, public and private organisations; security agencies, airline companies, accounting and auditing firms, educational institutions, media houses, voluntary groups and associations.

Below is the full list of offending institutions.

AIRLINES

1. Arik Air
2. Royal Air Maroc
3. Goldstar Airlines
4. Starbow Airlines
5. Antrak Airlines
6. Air Namibia
7. Lufthansa Airlines
8. Iberia Airlines
9. Tap Portugal Airlines
10. British Airways
11. Afriqiyah Airlines
12. Britannia Airways
13. Ghana International Airlines Limited
14. Citylink Airline
15. Falcon Express
16. Alitalia
17. Air Burkina
18. Aero Contractors
19. Mk Airlines
20. Tropicana
21. Aerogem Aviation
22. Africa West Cargo
23. Cargolux
24. Air Ghana
25. Das Air Cargo

NO. HOTELS

1. The Royal Senchi Hotel
2. The African Regent Hotel
3. Aqua Safari Resort
4. Peduase Valley Resort
5. Volta Senera Hotel
6. Villa Monticello Boutique Hotel
7. The Aknac Hotel
8. MJ Grand Hotel
9. Amir Hotel
10. Royal Nick Hotel
11. Midindi Hotel
12. Best Western Premier Accra Airport Hotel
13. Royal Richester
14. His Majestys Hotel
15. Urbano Hotel
16. Prestige Suites Hotel
17. The Aknac Hotel
18. Roots Hotel Apartment
19. M Suites Hotel
20. Hill View Hotel (McCarthy Hills)
21. The Highbridge Guest Lodge
22. Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel
23. Niagara Plus Hotel
24. La Villa Boutique Hotel
25. Hotel Casarere
26. Rayporsh Hotel Limited
27. Okera Inn
28. Sonant Court Hotel
29. Accra Luxury Lodge
30. G.S Plaza Hotel
31. Deon Hotels
32. Ellking Hotel
33. Aristocrat Hotel
34. Kings Royal Atlantic Hotel
35. Sunlodge Hotel Limited
36. Eastgate Hotel
37. Olma Colonial Suites
38. Tropical Enclave Hotel
39. Maxlot Hotel
40. Nirvana Inn Hotels Ltd
41. Golden Key Hotel
42. Earl Heights Apartment Hotel
43. Lake bosumtwi hotel and apartments
44. Vis-A-Vis Hotel Limited
45. Hill View Hotel West Airport
46. Ridge Over Suite
47. Eden Vale Hotel and Executive Training Centre
48. The Congress Hotel
49. Charleston Hotel
50. Beauty Hotel Accra
51. Hotel Obama
52. Crown Liberty Hotel
53. Bharridan Royal Hotel
54. Lane Residence
55. Robinhood Hotel
56. Grace Land Lodge
57. Tenko Plaza Hotel
58. Acacia Guest Lodge
59. Silicon Lodge
60. Hotel Westgate
61. Crown Apartmento Hotel
62. Cresta Royale Hotel
63. Alexis Hotel
64. Lincoln Hotel
65. Manet Paradise Beach Resort
66. Nogahill Hotel
67. Ramada Resort Accra Coco Beach
68. Central Hotel Ltd.
69. Courtesy International Hotel
70. Blue Royal Hotel
71. Crystal Rose Hotel
72. Hotel Georgia
73. Royal Basin Hotel
74. Silicon Hotel & Conference Centre
75. Anita Hotel
76. Ashanti Gold Hotel
77. Lorneh Lodge and Beach Resort
78. Villar Cisneros Resort Limited
79. Greenland Hotel
80. Manna Heights Hotel
81. Capital Hill Hotel
82. Pempamsie Hotel
83. Little Acre Hotel
84. Modern City Hotel
85. Akayet Hotel
86. Gariba Lodge Limited
87. Mariam Hotel
88. Eusbett Hotels Limited
89. Upland Hotel

NO. HOSPITALS/CLINICS

1. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
2. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
3. Cape Coast Teaching Hospital
4. Tamale Teaching Hospital
5. 37 Military Hospital
6. Tema General Hospital
7. Ghana Police Hospital
8. Accra Psychiatric Hospital
9. Ridge Hospital Accra
10. Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital
11. General Family Hospital
12. Del International Hospital
13. Yeboah Hospital
14. Ghana-Canada Medical Centre
15. Sweden Ghana Medical Centre
16. Manna Mission Hospital
17. Airport Womens Hospital
18. Robert & Sons Limited
19. Lapaz Community Hospital
20. Inkoom Hospital
21. La General Hospital
22. Karikari Brobbey Hospital
23. Airport Womens Hospital
24. Eben Family Hospital
25. Cocoa Clinic
26. Faith Mission Hospital
27. Ark Clinic Ltd
28. Bemuah Royal Hospital
29. Holy Trinity Medical Center
30. Bethel Dental Ghana
31. Canada Optical Laboratories Ltd.
32. Egon German Clinic
33. Van J Eye Care
34. Iran Clinic
35. University Hospital – Legon
36. Beijing Clinic
37. Champion Divine Clinic
38. Third Eye And Vision Center
39. Danpong Medical Center
40. Universal Hospitals Group-Ghana
41. Healthnet Airport Medical Center
42. Family Health Medical School
43. Beaver Clinic Limited
44. New Generation Medical Centre
45. Lifehealth Care
46. Barnor Hospital
47. Nadkof Physiotherapy & Wellness Center
48. West African Rescue Association (Wara) Accra Clinic
49. Medicare Center Clinic & Laboratory
50. North Ridge Clinic

NO. SHOPPING CENTERS

1. Accra Mall
2. A&C Square
3. Marina SuperMarket Mall
4. Koala Shopping Centre
5. Maxmart Shopping Centre
6. West Hills Mall
7. The Junction Shopping Mall
8. Palace Hypermarket Interchange
9. Achimota Retail Centre (Accra)
10. Game Stores
11. MR. Price
12. Shop-N-Save
13. Citydia Supermarket

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The Ghana National Gas Company has dismissed reports suggesting that it is unable to account for some $47.4 million accrued from the sale of raw gas to the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC).

Ghana Gas, in a statement signed by the Corporate Communications Manager of Ghana Gas, Ernest Owusu Bempah, described such reports as “untrue and misleading.”

It further rejected claims that the Volta River Authority (VRA) owed Ghana Gas an amount of $ 434 million, saying “it is also incorrect that the Volta River Authority (VRA) owes Ghana Gas an amount of $434 million. Ghana Gas like any other entity acknowledges that it owes some of its partners in the energy sector but the figures being churned out are inaccurate.”

The company indicated that on the contrary, the “VRA as at 31^st May owed Ghana Gas to the tune of $534.2 million, while Ghana Gas owed the GNPC an amount of $162.5 million as at 31^st May this year [2017].”

Ghana Gas further explained that “VRA complains that its inability to settle debt to Ghana Gas is as a result of Electricity Company’s failure to pay huge debts owed VRA, while ECG blames its failure to settle debts to VRA on its consumers.”

It however indicated that, “government is working assiduously to resolve these cyclical debt issues to make the sector more financially solvent.”

“As a way of resolving these debt issues the government is creating a holding fund for all receivable in the power generation sector. This move is expected to create a cash waterfall to cater for the needs of all the stakeholders in the Energy industry,” the statement added.

GHANA NATIONAL GAS COMPANY REACTS TO MISCONCEPTION ON PIAC REPORT

Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) has taken note of various media reports on the Public Interest & Accountability Committee (PIAC) allegations that the company cannot account for $47.4 million being revenue from sales of raw gas to Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC).

The company wishes to state that the story is untrue and misleading. It is also incorrect that the Volta River Authority (VRA) owes Ghana Gas an amount of $434 million. Ghana Gas like any other entity acknowledges that it owes some of its partners in the energy sector but the figures being churned out are inaccurate.

Ghana National Gas Company also wishes to state the there is a cyclical debt challenge within the energy sector and the company is the most owed. To set the record straight, as at 31st May this year, VRA was indebted to Ghana Gas to the tune of $534.2 million. Ghana Gas on its part owes GNPC an amount of $162.5 million as at 31st May this year.

VRA complaints that its inability to settle its debt to Ghana Gas is as a result of Electricity Company’s failure to pay huge debts owed VRA whiles ECG blames its failure to settle debts to VRA on its customers.

However, we wish to state that the government is working assiduously to resolve these cyclical debt issues to make the sector more financially solvent.

At a way of resolving these debt issues, the government is creating a holding find for all receivables in the power generation sector.

This move is expected to create a cash waterfall to cater for the needs of all the stakeholders in the energy industry.

Ghana Gas wishes to indicate that it is collaborating with its partners and stakeholders in the sector to create a harmonious working relationship that has the potential to resolve challenges confronting the sector.

Signed

Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu

Corporate Communications Manager, Ghana Gas

source:http://citibusinessnews.com

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he Transport Ministry has announced the suspension of the mandatory towing levy yet to be introduced by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC).

This was disclosed by the Deputy Transport Minister, Titus Glover.

According to him, the decision to halt the levy is to educate the public on how the new towing levy will work to their benefit.

The development follows disapproval by vehicle owners at the compulsory towing levy.

Some of the drivers who spoke argued that the levy will only add to their burden.

The compulsory annual fee was to take effect on the 1st of July, 2017 to cater for towing services.

But speaking on Monday, Mr. Titus Glover said the decision has been put on hold.

“Actually we are suspending it to ensure that the right things are done, and when I say right things I mean we think that the public has not been given enough education. One of the major thing that has come up is that of cost; thus, the fees that they are paying. But it has been approved by Parliament if it means that we have to go back to Parliament to amend that part of the fees that is going to be collated in terms of collection and all that so that people can have some respite, why not?” the Deputy Minister asserted.

He added, “I think that what the minister has done is to listen to the cry of the people.”

Earlier, a tax consultant, Abdallah Ali-Nakyea of Ali-Nakyea and Associates also described the mandatory yearly towing levy as improper, hence must be scrapped.

He maintained that the law was not properly thought through before it was passed.

“I don’t think it is a fair kind of tax because the point is if your car breaks down you have to pay for it yourself for it to be towed. The kind of system they are bringing to me looks like insurance where we all contribute and those who have a breakdown will benefit,” he said.

source:citibusinessnews.com

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A police officer stands guard after the van attack at Finsbury Park mosque

#Islamophobia

Locals tell MEE of chaotic minutes after van ploughed through crowd outside London mosque, as they pinned suspect and treated wounded

LONDON – Locals have told of the chaotic minutes after a van rammed into crowds at Finsbury Park mosque, as they pinned down a suspect shouting “I want to kill all Muslims” and “this is for London Bridge”, while others desperately tried to save the injured.

The van ploughed through a crowd outside the north London mosque at about 12.20am on Monday, injuring 10 people and leaving an elderly man who suffered a heart attack dead. Witnesses said the driver of the vehicle had shouted “I want to kill all Muslims” before he was restrained.

Local youths spoken to by Middle East Eye said they were forced to restrain the alleged attacker themselves for between 10 and 20 minutes. Ahmed Hajji, a 23-year-old local to Finsbury Park, said: “The police arrived late, which forced us to do a citizen’s arrest of the man so he would not get away.

“Local youths, who are always demonised in this area, were the ones that saved the day.”

– Ahmed Hajji

“Local youths, who are always demonised in this area, were the ones that saved the day.”

Abdi, another local who wanted to be identified only by his first name, said the attacker shouted “this is for London Bridge” – a reference to an attack by three men earlier this month. The man added “Just kill me, just kill me” as he was taken away by police, Abdi said.

Police declared the attack a “terrorist incident” within eight minutes of being notified at 12.21am. Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, said officers were at the scene within a minute and there was a large police presence within 10 minutes.

Another local said the suspect “was fighting back and tried to get out”, but was prevented. Some in the area had tried to attack the man, but were fended off by those holding him and an imam from the mosque.

Elmi Abbas, another local, told MEE he had tried to help the heart-attack victim before police and ambulance services arrived.

“The locals had to give CPR. We had no choice. I was literally holding the man who died in my hands,” he said. “It felt like hours not minutes.”

Witnesses told MEE that the white van had intentionally targeted Muslim worshippers as they were leaving the mosque.

Men pray outside Finsbury Park mosque after the van attack (Reuters)

One witness, Khalid, said the van driver shouted he wanted to kill all Muslims.

“He was shouting ‘where are all Muslims, I wanna kill all Muslims’. Literally he said that, word by word. He said it like this,” said Khalid.

Hadi Omar, another witness, told MEE: “The first group of people who were hit by van were men who came from the mosque and were sitting outside a nearby cafe.

“The man driving the van was white, and he didn’t stop. He kept going with people underneath, driving towards the mosque where more people were coming out.”

The Metropolitan Police said a 46-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, and that the attack had “all the hallmarks” of terrorism.

We condemn this act and to state once again that hatred and evil of this kind will never succeed.

– Theresa May, prime minister

Dick promised extra protection for Muslim communities in the coming days.

Speaking at the scene she said: “This was quite clearly an attack on Muslims who looked like they were probably Muslims and they were coming from a prayer meeting.

“We treat this as a terrorist attack. We take all kinds of hate crime or violent extremism incredibly serious and wherever we possibly can, prevent attacks.

“And if we cannot prevent an attack then we will seek obviously to bring people to justice.

“The people in Muslim communities attending prayers will see their police protecting them in the coming days and nights.”

Neil Basu, a senior counter-terrorism officer for the force, said: “This was an attack on London and all Londoners and we should all stand together against extremists whatever their cause.”

The British prime minister, Theresa May, said the attack had “once again targeted the ordinary and the innocent going about their daily lives – this time, British Muslims as they left a mosque, having broken their fast and prayed together at this sacred time of year”.

She added: “Today we come together, as we have done before, to condemn this act and to state once again that hatred and evil of this kind will never succeed.”

May said that the attack on Muslims was “every bit as insidious and destructive to our values and our way of life” as the recent string of terror attacks apparently motivated by Islamist extremism, adding: “We will stop at nothing to defeat it.”

source:middleeasteye.net

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Federal investigators probing the lobbying work of ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn are focused in part on the role of Bijan Kian, Flynn’s former business partner, according to a person interviewed by the FBI.

Investigators are also looking at whether payments from foreign clients to Flynn and his company, the now-inactive Flynn Intel Group, were lawful, according to two separate sources with knowledge of the broad inquiry into Flynn’s business activities. That includes payments by three Russian companies and a Netherlands-based company, Inovo, controlled by Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin, they said.

The FBI’s interest in Kian has not been previously reported. Kian played a central role in securing and overseeing the Inovo contract, two people with knowledge of that project said.

It is not clear whether Kian is a target of the criminal investigation or whether investigators are trying to build a fuller understanding of how Flynn’s company operated.

A person recently interviewed by the FBI in connection with the Flynn investigation said agents from the bureau’s criminal division had asked as much about Kian and his work on the project with Alptekin as they had about Flynn.

Kian did not respond to repeated requests for comment, nor did the lawyer he recently hired, Robert Trout. The FBI declined to comment.

Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to requests for comment. Alptekin declined to comment for this story but last month told Reuters that he was satisfied with the work done by Flynn Intel Group and denied any wrongdoing.

The FBI has been investigating whether Flynn’s consulting firm lobbied on behalf of Turkey – after being paid $530,000 by Inovo – without making the proper disclosure, Reuters reported earlier this month.

The federal investigation is being run by special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller has a mandate to investigate contacts between Russia and Trump’s 2016 election campaign team and any related matters. Flynn was fired by the Trump administration in February after officials said he mischaracterized a series of phone calls with Russia’s ambassador last December.

The top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has separately been looking into whether Flynn made false statements in applying for security clearance, said he was also scrutinizing Kian.

“I have an interest in Bijan Kian and his interactions with General Flynn based on specific documents already obtained by the Committee,” Elijah Cummings told Reuters in an email.

Kelner has sought immunity for Flynn in exchange for his testimony, saying his client “certainly has a story to tell.”

FAILED COUP OPENS A DOOR

In private conversations with potential clients, Kian portrayed himself as a rainmaker for Flynn, tapping into connections cultivated during a five-year tenure as a director at the U.S. Export-Import Bank, according to one person who worked with the firm.

Alptekin told Reuters in May that his firm hired Flynn Intel Group to research Gulen’s activities in the United States, which he suspected were “poisoning” relations between the United States and Turkey. Like Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan, Alptekin blamed the coup on followers of Gulen.

Gulen has denied any role in the coup and dismisses Turkey’s allegations that he heads a terrorist organization.

Kian oversaw key elements of the project that emerged, including a still-unfinished documentary on Gulen, according to two people involved in the project.

Inovo paid Flynn Intel Group a total of $530,000, starting in September, according to a Justice Department filing by the company in March. Flynn Intel Group paid $80,000 to Inovo in “consultancy fees,” according to the filing, which does not provide more detail on why payments were made in both directions.

On Sept. 19, Kian and Flynn met in New York with Turkey’s foreign minister and energy minister, who is Erdogan’s son-in-law, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting.

In late October Kian invited staff of the House Homeland Security Committee to Flynn Intel Group’s headquarters in Virginia. The meeting was called to show off new mobile phone security technology, but Kian also used the opportunity to try to get a congressional hearing on Gulen, according to a person at the meeting.

At that point, the Flynn Intel Group had only disclosed its work for Alptekin’s Inovo in a filing with Congress. It had not mentioned Inovo’s ties to Turkey.

When Justice Department officials became aware months later that Kian and other Flynn Intel Group officials had met with Turkish officials they insisted on a fuller disclosure, people involved in those discussions said.

The Flynn Intel Group made the more detailed disclosure in its March filing with the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act that said the work that Flynn and Kian did for Inovo “could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey.”

Source: Reuters

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