All posts by Piesie Okrah

News, Topstory

Minority to summon Interior Minister over secret security recruitment

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The Minority in Parliament has threatened to haul the Interior Minister, Henry Quartey before the House over what it deems as a secret recruitment into the security services.

This follows reports of a planned recruitment of 11,000 personnel from a backlog of applicants over the years.

The Minority contends that a press release from the Ghana Police Service suggests that there is no backlog to be recruited into the security services.

Addressing journalists, the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga said the recruitment process must be transparent and fair.

He argued that the police had cleared all applicants from the 2021-2022 recruitment exercise, hence any new recruitment requires fresh applications with clear eligibility criteria.

Agalga has called for advertisements capturing eligibility criteria, as done during the NDC era, to ensure fairness and transparency.

“This is documentary evidence. They are saying that the entire recruitment process for the 2021 to 2022 recruitment process has come to an end. The idea of a backlog is that you start some recruitment process and along the way you are unable to complete the exercise, so you have some outstanding applicants to deal with. That is what the backlog is all about. But the police are saying that they had cleared all the applicants.”

“What that means is that those who were not shortlisted and issued admission letters had not met the eligibility criteria for recruitment. So they had drawn the curtain for the 2021 to 2022 recruitment exercise. And that is the message we have been seeking to drum home, that there is nothing like a backlog.”

“This is not the first time the security services under the Ministry of the Interior will recruit. In the era of the NDC, we did some recruitments, but those recruitments were preceded by advertisements which captured the eligibility criteria.

“So all the leaders said, let the minister for the interior play according to the rules of fairness and transparency and cause an advert to be made.”

“He [Interior Minister] would have to be hauled to appear before the House and explain to Ghanaians the process of recruitment under his watch is shrouded in so much secrecy.”

 

News

Supreme Court throws out Barker-Vormawor’s attempt to compel Kan Dapaah to answer 17 questions in defamation case

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The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, which sought to invoke the jurisdiction of the apex court to compel National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah to answer 17 questions in an ongoing defamation case at the high court.

Albert Kan Dapaah has brought a GH₵10 million defamation suit against Oliver Barker-Vormawor over allegations by the activist that he was offered $1,000,000 by the cabinet in a bid to get him to stop leading the #FixTheCountry movement from organizing protests against the regime.

Kan Dapaah refused to respond to the 17 questions put to him by the appellant at the high court.

According to the appellant, these questions are questions of fact that would clarify the suit filed by the National Security Minister at the high court. Thus, the appellant prayed the apex court to grant an order for the minister to provide information, facts, and documents pursuant to Article 19(5) of the 1992 Constitution.

Lawyers for Oliver Barker-Vormawor also wanted the court to determine whether the particular facts should be disclosed by the minister (Plaintiff/Respondent) to assist in the trial at the high court.

Dr. Justice Srem Sai, in his argument, quoted Order 23 of CI 47 to support his request that the Supreme Court compels the National Security Minister to produce documents.

Ordinarily, the Attorney General’s Department should be representing the National Security Minister in court, as he declined to divulge information citing national security confidentiality and oath of secrecy. He argued that answering those questions would compromise his official duty and the security of the state.

However, Albert Kan Dapaah is represented by a private attorney, Bright Okyere Agyekum.

Making his legal argument, Bright Okyere Agyekum posited that the jurisdiction of the court was not properly invoked by the appellant.

He also referenced Article 135 and argued that the appellant failed to reference specific official documents they wanted the court to compel the National Security Minister to produce. He further argued that the appellant filed an application for facts but not for specific documents.

He thus prayed the court to dismiss the application because the appellant is “on a fishing expedition.”

The appalent he rounded up” is fishing at the High court and wants to fish further at the apex court. The application should be dismissed.”

Article 135 of the 1992 constitution is clear, that application for the provision of official documents will be heard in chambers.

However, the panel, according to the Chief Justice who presided over the case, took the decision to hear the matter in open court because there were no mention of specific official documents by the appellant.

In the view of the court, the questions put to the National Security minister by Oliver Barker-Vormawor through his lawyers, are “questions thrown at large” without date and time.

Chief Justice Gertrude Tokornu in explaining the difficulty the court had with the application, pointed out that even if the court agreed and granted the application, it was going to be “difficult in crafting the order”, and enquired why the appellant came to the Supreme court under article 135 but failed to state the specific official documents they wanted to be disclosed by the Respondent.

The court further held that Article 135, the premise on which the appellant went to the Supreme Court, is not a tool for fishing, referencing the infamous Watergate controversy which ultimately resulted in the resignation of President Nixon of the United States.

The panel of five judges pronounced that in that case, during which a similar article in the US was invoked, the appellant asked for some tapes and recordings to be produced, something the activist and his lawyers failed to do.

Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Gertrude Tokornu said “after considering the application, the court sees no reference to identifiable documents. Application is deemed unsupported and dismissed.”

With the ruling, the defamation case at the high court will continue without the National Security minister answering those seventeen questions.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

News, Politics

Mahama understands Ghana’s economy better than Bawumia – Victor Smith

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A former Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Victor Smith has rallied Ghanaians to have faith in former president John Mahama’s promises.

He said the former president who is seeking to be voted for in the upcoming elections in December has the wherewithal to return the country’s economy to the right path unlike what is being witnessed under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamamudu Bawumia.

In an interview with Kwqame Minkah on Power FM’s Dwaboase programme Tuesday morning, Ambassador Smith touted Mr Mahama’s achievements in some sectors of the economy while comapring them to the current regime and argued that the NDC’s flag bearer understands the nuanes of Ghana’s fiscal space and its potentials that can inure to the benefit of Ghanaians.

According to ambassador Smith,  Dr Bawumia, the head of the country’s Economic Management Team, who is the flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot match the competencies of president Mahama.

“He [Bawumia] doesn’t have the experience to run a country like Ghana. Look, you [Bawumia] presided 8 years over such rot, how can we give power to you?” he quizzed.

Mr Smith said John Mahama has had a first hand experience as a President and understands the needs of Ghanaians, urging Ghanaians to vote for him to put his experience into fixing the mess being created by Akufo-Addo and his appointees.

His reaction comes on the back of severe economi hardship fuelled by depreceiation of the country’s currency and inflation which have sparked agitations among various labour unions.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News

34 prisoners sit for BECE 2024

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Thirty-four prisoners are participating in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The BECE, organized annually in Ghana’s education system, marks the transition from Junior High Schools to Senior High Schools and Technical Institutions in Ghana.

The candidates, all males, include 27 juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), 5 from Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, and 2 from Sunyani Central Prison.

In an interview, the Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer, DSP Loretta Valentina Amoah, mentioned that the inmates have been fully prepared by qualified, trained teachers of the service and some from the Ghana Education Service.

She was optimistic that the inmates would pass all the subjects and come out with flying colours.

DSP Valentina Amoah also highlighted that challenges, such as inadequate teaching and learning materials impede the preparation process for the inmates to upgrade themselves.

She urged the public to come to the aid of the inmates, especially the juveniles, and donate materials such as textbooks and past questions to enhance their studies and make learning fun.

An interview with some of the inmate candidates revealed that this year’s BECE is going to be one of the best due to how fully they have been prepared by their teachers.

They commended the teachers for their hard work and promised to make them proud.

The Ghana Prisons Service, in its quest to deliver on its reformation and rehabilitation mandate in line with modern universal best practices, introduced formal education to the inmates on a pilot basis at the Senior Correctional Centre in 2007 and later extended it to the other prisons.

This was to help the inmates acquire some basic literacy skills as well as a certificate to facilitate their smooth reintegration.

The first batch made up of 21 juveniles and young offenders, sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination in 2009 and recorded 100%, and has since been recording 100% passes in 2009.

Last year, 51 prisoners across the country sat for BECE and also recorded a 100% pass.

 

Source: Citi News

News, Politics, Topstory

No need for Mahama-Bawumia debate – Bawah Mogtari

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The spokesperson for the John Mahama 2024 Campaign Team, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has firmly rejected calls for a pre-election debate between the NDC flagbearer and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP.

Despite growing appeals from political analysts and various stakeholders, Bawah Mogtari dismissed the idea of a debate between the two prominent contenders.

During an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, July 8, Bawah Mogtari lauded Mahama’s exceptional and extensive knowledge on general issues.

She, however, hesitated to accept an invitation for a debate, citing the current state of the government’s performance as rendering such a debate unnecessary.

She expressed supreme confidence in John Mahama’s ability to outshine any presidential aspirant in a debate scenario.

The former Deputy Transport Minister emphasised that the key issues for the 2024 general election are well-known to Ghanaians, suggesting that there is little appetite among voters for a formal debate.

Madam Bawah Mogtari underscored the campaign team’s strategic focus on other forms of engagement and communication with the electorate.

“I personally have no appetite for a debate…When I look at what we have, when I look at the current trajectory, when I look at the failings of this particular administration, I ask myself ‘why do we need to put up with a debate’? But of course, this is a decision that the upper people usually will make.

“It’s not my decision to make, as the debates and conversations go along, maybe eventually some conversations will happen around it, who knows?

“We do know all about the debates between John Mahama and then candidate Akufo-Addo and we know who won those debates. So, I believe that the fact that Mr Mahama is a man whose energy and knowledge is unparallel is not in doubt. And I’m sure on any day, whomever, I know he’s going to win the debate. But I don’t think that immediately I will want to see that,” she maintained.

 

News, Politics

NAPO to be officially outdoored as Bawumia’s running mate in Kumasi today

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Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly called NAPO is set to be officially unveiled as the running mate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Tuesday, July 9, in a highly anticipated event.

The unveiling of NAPO as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate will take place in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, a traditional stronghold of the New Patriotic Party. According to Francis Adomako, the Ashanti Regional Organiser of the NPP, the region is eagerly awaiting the event.

On Friday, July 5, the National Council of the NPP formally endorsed NAPO as the running mate of Dr. Bawumia.

The decision has received widespread acclaim from top party officials, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has expressed his confidence in the duo’s ability to lead the party to victory in the 2024 general elections.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a statement expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bawumia, for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as his running mate. NAPO pledged his unwavering commitment to working collaboratively with Dr Bawumia to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the upcoming elections.

The New Patriotic Party has mounted a robust defence of NAPO, dismissing criticisms of his perceived arrogance. In response to the backlash, some stakeholders have suggested that NAPO should use prepared scripts for his future public appearances to help manage his messaging and mitigate any potential gaffes.

The New Patriotic Party has also officially opened nominations for the Manhyia South, following Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s elevation to the party’s running mate position.

This has left the Manhyia South Parliamentary seat vacant, though Parliament has yet to make an official declaration.

The party pledged a free and fair electoral process and urged prospective aspirants to be mindful of their utterances, emphasising that this is an internal affair.

NAPO’s brother, Nana Owusu Afriyie Prempeh, is reportedly vying for the same parliamentary seat, potentially setting up a family rivalry in the political arena.

The stage is set for a fiercely contested presidential election in 2024, with the New Patriotic Party’s duo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), facing off against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket, comprising former President John Dramani Mahama and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

 

Source: Citi news

 

News, Topstory

It’s sad Gov’t couldn’t print textbooks for BECE candidates – Apaak

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The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has said he is worried the Akufo-Addo government has, for years, failed to procure text books for basic schools to enhance their learning experience.

Speaking to Kwame Minkah, host of Dwaboase programme on TV XYZ, the MP for Builsa South noted that the action of the government will have a negative impact on the performance of the candidates sitting the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) this year.

The educationist and lawmaker said he cannot fathom the reason behind the government’s failure to get the important learning materials to schools for a long time.

“The government owes publishers and has failed to settle the debt, resulting in their refusal to print textbooks for the students… The situation is worrying,” the legislator said in Akan.

To him, the government’s act depicts that it is not committed to improving education standards in the country.

“It is only under President Akufo-Addo that we are experiencing this,” he posited while arguing that the government is destroying the future of the incoming generation.

Despite numerous attempts by the Minority to get the government to do the right thing in the education sector, Dr Apaak emphasized that the managers of the country’s education sector are reluctant to secure text books.

Dr Apaak’s concerns come at a time form three students are writing their final exams to exit the Junior High School.

2024 BECE

According to the West African Examination Council (WAEC)out of the total number of candidates sitting for the BECE, 282, 648 are males and 286,447 are females, with 19,506 schools participating in the examinations.

The examination is being administered in 2,123 locations across the country, with 2,123 supervisors, 1,889 assistant supervisors, and 19,973 invigilators.

 

By Henryson Okrah| Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Mahama pledges lean, highly efficient government to curb expenditure

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The NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, has reiterated his commitment to drastically reduce the size of government if he becomes president.

In one of his Mahama Conversations with the media in Accra on Sunday, Mahama criticised the Akufo-Addo government for having bloated appointees of ministers and deputy ministers.

This the former President says has led to economic mismanagement.

For his part, Mr Mahama said, “I will run a lean, highly effective, and efficient government of no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers”.

He stressed that this promise demonstrates his genuine commitment to curbing government expenditure.

“My leaner government will be the cleanest government Ghana has ever experienced. It will serve Ghanaians far better and set higher standards for future governments. What we have now can never be and should never be a yardstick,” he stated.

Mr Mahama also stated his goal to launch a renewed fight against corruption.

“I will keep my appointees in check, and Ghanaians can be assured that drastic steps will be taken to punish the corrupt officials and their accomplices in this present government.

“No actor in this NPP corruption enterprise will be spared. We will also take action to repossess what has been unlawfully stolen from the Ghanaian people,” he added.

The NDC leader’s commitment to a leaner government and stricter anti-corruption measures aims to restore trust in public office and ensure better governance for all Ghanaians.

He said his next government will “set up an independent value-for-money office to scrutinise all government procurements above a $5 million threshold or as shall be recommended by Parliament.”

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

News, Politics

Corruption fight: No actor in this NPP corruption enterprise will be spared – Mahama

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Former President John Mahama has reiterated his commitment to tackling corruption impartially when he returns to power.

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) believes corruption has been normalized under the current Akufo-Addo government and stifled development in the country.

Addressing journalists on Sunday night in Accra, the former President emphasized his unwavering commitment to retrieving state resources that had been plundered by persons wielding power in the current regime.

He noted that he will no longer adopt a lenient stance when it comes to dealing with corrupt activities.

“I can assure you, if you believe that I was imbued the father-for-all syndrome, it’s been exorcised. And it’s been exorcised because it is a demand by the people of Ghana.”

Mahama said his goal is to launch a renewed fight against corruption and keep his appointees in check.

“Ghanaians can be assured that drastic steps will be taken to punish the corrupt officials and their accomplices in this present government.”

“No actor in this NPP corruption enterprise will be spared,” he assured and stated his government will also “take action to repossess what has been unlawfully stolen from the Ghanaian people.”

“As we all know, government procurement is a significant source of corruption. No economy can sustain inclusive and equitable social and economic well-being with the penchant for public service holders to be self-serving and corrupt, as is currently the case, ” he added.

Mahama also pledged that under his regime, the use of public finances will always be compliant with national laws, transparent, justified by contemporary value-for-money tests, and solely in the interest of the broader citizens.

“If we want to eliminate corruption, we must increase accountability in government procurement processes,” he stated.

Accountability, he noted, “gives power back to the people.”

Mahama went on to assure the people of Ghana that the NDC government under his leadership will fully be committed to
accountability.

 

By Henryson Okrah| Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics, Topstory

No father-for-all approach in my fight against corruption – Mahama assures

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The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to tackle corruption allegations head-on and impartially when re-elected to office.

The opposition leader vowed to investigate all culprits, appointees of the current Akufo-Addo administration, and hold them accountable without any protection or favoritism.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Sunday during one of his interactions dubbed ‘Mahama Conversations’, Mr. Mahama stated that his style of governance would be different especially in tackling corruption in the country.

He noted that he will no longer adopt a lenient stance when it comes to dealing with corrupt activities.

“I can assure you, if you believe that I was imbued the father-for-all syndrome, it’s been exorcised. And it’s been exorcised because it is a demand by the people of Ghana.”

Mahama, who decried the levels of corruption among government officials, indicated that his position on anti-graft had been highly influenced by the people.

“The people of Ghana are asking for accountability and we must create a situation where everybody who agrees to serve must know that he will be held accountable to the people,” he said.

The former President also recounted efforts made during his administration to recover funds from state agencies.

“We retrieved monies from state agencies, so the track record is there,” he asserted.

He reflected on his previous tenure as President, citing the controversial GYEEDA (Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency) report as evidence of his dedication to combating corruption.

“Some of the people involved [in GYEEDA case] went to court to restrain the Attorney General and the court processes took forever. There were others where there was the prosecution of my own colleague and friend, Abuga Pele. The Attorney General put him before courts and he was jailed. It was recently that President Akufo-Addo granted him amnesty,” he added. “So the will to fight corruption was there.”

He also assured that stolen state resources under the current regime will be traced and retrieved while culprits are made to face the law.

“No actor in this NPP corruption enterprise will be spared,” he added and warned that his appointees will be checked thoroughly.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

News, Politics

Keep NAPO’s public speeches scripted – KNUST’s Adu Gyamfi warns

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A Political Historian from the Political Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Samuel Adu Gyamfi, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the party’s running mate, refrains from making unscripted public utterances and speeches.

According to Prof. Adu Gyamfi, this recommendation is due to NAPO’s strong personality, which may become overly apparent in public settings.

In an interview on Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 4, Prof. Adu Gyamfi emphasised that while Dr. Opoku Prempeh brings a wealth of experience to the Bawumia ticket, it is crucial for the party, especially his handlers, to ensure that he does not speak extemporaneously in public.

“I am of the view that in terms of public engagement when he is to deliver a speech or on a campaign platform, I will suggest that he does not speak extempore, and further, as I appeal, he should not speak off the cuff.

“I am of the view that the political handlers, marketers, and experts in speeches and those who are going to write those speeches for him must prepare him with a lower tone because he has a strong personality and charisma to be able to communicate with a party voice and in a way to also be quite humane.

“So, his speech should have a tone that is polite, respectful, cuts across, and has a certain soberness within the sphere,” he stated.

On Thursday, July 4, the National Executive Council of the NPP unanimously endorsed Bawumia’s nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, as his running mate for the 2024 general elections in December.

 

Source: Citinews

Busines, News, Topstory

School feeding caterers threaten strike over GH₵1.20 per child payment instead of GH₵1.50

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The Ashanti Regional branch of a group known as the Progressive School Feeding Caterers Association Ghana is threatening to lay down their tools over reductions in payment of the approved school feeding grant and non-payment of arrears.

In a statement, the association said authorities in charge of the programme have failed to pay them the actual feeding grant of GH₵ 1.50 per pupil.

They claim to have been shortchanged by the secretariat as they were paid 30 pesewas less than the approved amount.

Caterers across the country persistently demanded that the government increase the school feeding grant from the original GH₵ 1 per child to GH₵ 3, owing to food price hikes.

Following several protests by the caterers, the government consequently agreed to increase the amount.

According to the association, the Coordinator of the School Feeding Programme, Hajia Safia, revealed on national television that the government had approved a GH₵ 1.50 feeding fee per child for the 2023/2024 academic year.

“However, we the caterers realised from recent payment that GH₵ 1.20 was used for the calculation instead of the GH₵1.50 approved by the government,” portions of the statement read.

The association led by its President, Gifty Asamoah is demanding that the government ensure the payment of 30 pesewas difference.

The group is also urging the government to settle arrears for the second term of the academic year by the end of July 12, 2024.

They are also requesting the payment of the third-term feeding grant before the beginning of the next academic year.

The group also raised concerns about delays in termly payment, underpayment, underpayment due to non-cooking, and demand for tax certificates.

They are threatening to withdraw their services if the government and the School Feeding Secretariat fail to heed their demands.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com