Category Archives: News

News

Court to deliver judgement on alleged coup plotters case today

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The three-member panel presiding over the high treason case involving ACP Benjamin Agordzo is expected to deliver judgment later today, January 24, 2024, on the fate of the accused persons.

ACP Benjamin Agordzo, the late Dr. Mac Palm, and eight others were arraigned in 2021 for counts of conspiracy to commit high treason and high treason.

The ten had been arrested earlier in 2019 after a police swoop at the Citadel hospital, associating the accused persons with a plot to destabilize the country. The state presented 13 witnesses, including officers from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

During the trial, the state also presented video evidence of how the accused persons were plotting to destabilize the country, including how they allegedly planned to manufacture ammunition.

However, all the accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges and concluded their defenses.

Dr. Mac Palm, at whose hospital the accused were arrested, got his testimony struck out as he passed away last year.

The judgment to be delivered today will determine the fate of the accused, who, per the constitution, may be liable to a death sentence if found guilty.

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News, Topstory

Don’t misuse second tranche of IMF cash – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo

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The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) former President John Mahama has urged the Akufo-Addo government to be judicious in utilizing the recently approved second tranche of IMF bailout.

The Bank of Ghana acknowledged receipt of US$600 million as the second tranche of Ghana’s bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday.

Reacting to the development, Mr Mahama said the cash meant for budget support and stabilization of the local currency must be used to bring relief to the suffering Ghanaians.

Despite the release of the first tranche last year, Mahama contends that Ghanaians continue to endure difficulties.

“Under normal circumstances, the release of $600 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the government of Ghana should provide relief to the already overburdened and suffering Ghanaian. It is, however, evident that Ghanaians will continue to suffer as long as the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia and NPP remain in office,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Mr Mahama, who is on a tour in the Ashanti region, also highlighted the potential impact of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption.

“Implementing VAT on electricity consumption will increase tariffs by almost 21% and exacerbate the hardship on Ghanaians. This will affect the prices of goods, services, and transport fares. I agree with organised labour that the government must reverse its decision to start collecting VAT on electricity consumption.”

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

We’re against shifting election date to November – NDC

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has kicked against the proposal by the Electoral Commission to change the election date from December 7 to November 7.

The proposal was raised during the recent Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024.

The Electoral Commission not only suggested a shift in the election date but also recommended that election days be designated as national holidays.

But the Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, rejected the proposal, expressing the party’s strong opposition to any alteration in the established election timeline.

In response to the proposal, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining the current election date and urged the Electoral Commission to embark on a comprehensive review of the electoral process.

He stressed the importance of inclusive and proper dialogue to address any concerns or improvements needed in the electoral system.

Despite the NDC’s firm stance against changing the election date, Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the party’s willingness to engage in discussions about voting on prayer or worship days.

He provided details to support the argument that voting on prayer or worship days does not adversely affect the overall turnout of the elections.

Below is Dr Omane Boamah’s response

On IPAC matters, for the avoidance of doubt:

1. We (NDC) do not support the November date for elections.

2. ⁠Instead of cherry-picking, we (NDC) call for a comprehensive review of the electoral process through inclusive and proper dialogue; we already submitted our proposals to the EC.

3. ⁠On voting on prayer/worship days, we (NDC) are open to discussions.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

News, Politics

Mahama supports TUC’s call on gov’t to stop VAT on electricity

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Former President John Mahama has thrown his support behind organised labour’s call on the government to stop the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on electricity.

Mahama, who is the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed concern that the implementation of VAT on electricity consumption would further burden Ghanaians, who are already suffering from economic hardship.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mahama emphasised that the move would increase tariffs by nearly 21% and have a ripple effect on the prices of goods, services, and transport fares. He urged the government to reverse its decision and provide relief to Ghanaians.

Mahama also criticised the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, stating that Ghanaians will continue to suffer as long as they remain in office. He highlighted the need for responsible utilisation of the recently released $600 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and urged the outgoing government to exercise caution.

The NDC flag bearer promised that the NDC is eager and ready to address Ghana’s economic challenges and provide substantial relief to Ghanaians upon assuming office in January 2025. He also mentioned his vision to create well-paying jobs through his 24-hour economy policy and other initiatives.

John Mahama is scheduled to begin a three-day #BuildingGhanaTour of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday to interact and listen to the concerns of people in the region.

News, Showbiz

The actor suggested that citizens need to be mindful of their actions and consider the collective impact on the economy

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Comic actor Kalybos has voiced his opinion that Ghanaians are contributing to the current hardships in the country.

While acknowledging global difficulties, the Ghanaian actor who campaigned for Nana Addo and NPP, emphasized that in Ghana, business practices are making life challenging for citizens.

He said, “Talking about the economy now, it’s crazy how things are going. This is not the Ghana we know.” He pointed out the difficulties citizens face due to inflation and the overall economic challenges.

Kalybos highlighted the impact of inflation on basic goods, citing an example of a drink he used to buy for GHc15, which has now surged to $35 in a short period.

He conveyed his dissatisfaction with the situation, stating, “We all know there is hardship and inflation is crazy, but how can normal citizens be complaining about this and be aiding to make the economy hard?“

In his view, individuals are not helping the economy due to their pursuit of personal, selfish gains when he added that “we are also not helping the economy much with our individual personal selfish gains.“

The actor suggested that citizens need to be mindful of their actions and consider the collective impact on the economy

 

 

 

By: Afia Owusu/myxyzonline.com/Ghana

News, Showbiz

Ghanaian music is not heard in the diaspora — Ceo, Ghana Music Awards USA

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CEO of Ghana Music Awards USA, Dennis Boafo, popularly known as Don D, has revealed that Ghanaian music is not being played in the diaspora.

Speaking to Afia Owusu, known in the showbiz space as Afia Coke, on Xzone, Don D asserted that Ghanaian music is only played in Ghanaian homes and not in the mainstream. Citing an example, he said “Terminator” by King Promise is a good song but it has never been played outside Ghana, on TV, or radio.

“Ghanaian music is only played in Ghanaian homes. I play only Ghanaian music; I don’t play any other music apart from Ghanaian music. ‘Terminator’ is doing well in Ghanaian homes, but we need to push him out there; it needs to be in stores. When I say stores, I want you to go to a departmental store, a clothing line, Walmart, radio, and TV, then his music is playing. No Ghanaian artist has their songs in the mainstream in America,” he said.

He further stated that Ghanaians prefer talking over showing actions. However, Ghanaian artists must be intentional with their promotion.

“Ghanaian artists should be intentional about their promotion; Ghanaians talk too much instead of taking actions,” he added.

 

watch video below; 

 

News, Politics

Transformational leaders missing in Ghana – Prof. Frimpong Boateng

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Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has raised concerns over how corruption is gaining grounds in the country at a faster pace.

The renowned surgeon who served in the Akufo-Addo administration as a minister said the leadership being witnessed in the country is marred with opulence and deep rooted corruption stemming from the love for money.

In an interview on TV XYZ, Prof. Frimpong Boateng told host of Politics and Beyond, Emmanuel Wilson Jnr that the lack of quality leadership was the reason development has slowed.

For instance, he mentioned that the National Development Planning Commission has some best brains who can support the government to fast track the country’s progress but has sadly been abandoned while politicians pursue their own agenda, veering off from the right track.

To him, the current crop of politicians are selfish and self-seeking personalities who land in public offices to milk the country dry without accounting to the people.

“We need people who love this nation; [People] who will sacrifice for the good of this nation; [People] who will not make money to themselves and for their friends,” Prof. Frimpong Boateng stated while advising the youth to be patriotic.

He continued, “If you want transformational leaders, they are difficult to see on the landscape now. But I’m sure there are among the young people of this nation, when they get the proper guidance, they will be able to do a lot of good things for the good people of this country.”

To develop faster, he said the country leadership must take technology seriously and get young people to drive the country into wealth with the help of technology and innovation.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

Foreign, News

Canada sets two-year cap on foreign students

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Canada has said it will cap the number of foreign students admitted to the country for two years in an attempt to address pressure on housing and healthcare in the country.

The cap will result in a decrease of 35% in approved study permits.

Over 800,000 foreign students were in Canada in 2022, up from 214,000 a decade earlier.

The new measures are also meant to ensure the “integrity” of the system, officials said.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the cap on Monday, saying that Canada aims to approve around 360,000 undergraduate study permits this year.

Each province and territory will be allotted a portion of that total, determined by population and current student intake.

Provinces will then decide how to distribute these permits across their universities and colleges.

The cap will only apply to students at a diploma or undergraduate programme, and will not affect students applying for study permit renewals.

As part of the change, the government will also no longer – as of September – grant work permits for students graduating from colleges that operate under a public-private partnership model, which is most commonly found in the province of Ontario.

“It’s unacceptable that some private institutions have taken advantage of international students by operating under-resourced campuses, lacking supports for students and charging high tuition fees, all while significantly increasing their intake of international students,” Mr Miller said.

He said the new measures are “not against individual international students” but are meant to ensure future students receive a “quality of education that they signed up for”.

The announcement also comes as the Trudeau government faces growing pressure to address an increasingly unaffordable housing market.

Home prices in Canada now average C$750,000 ($550,000;£435,000) and rent for Canadians has risen 22% in the last two years.

Some economists have linked housing unaffordability to a spike in immigration, as home construction has not kept up with Canada’s unprecedented population growth.

In 2022, the country grew by over a million people in the span of one year for the first time ever – a growth largely driven by newcomers.

Last year Canada’s population hit a record of 40 million people.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – a national housing agency – estimates that the country needs 3.5 million more housing units by 2030 to restore affordability.

While population growth is part of the problem, experts have pointed to other pressures driving down the number of housing starts, including high interest rates that make homes less affordable.

The cost of building materials also remains elevated due to inflation and supply chain disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The cap represents a significant shift in policy for Canada, which has historically relied on open immigration to fill job vacancies and address its rapidly-aging workforce.

Mr Miller had previously hinted at reducing the number of international students admitted to Canada, drawing concern from some Canadian universities.

In response to Monday’s announcement, Universities Canada, which represents post-secondary institutions across the country, said it welcomed that the cap is not affecting post-graduate students, but is concerned that it will “add stress on an already-stressed system”.

The organisation also said it worries that some of the measures will deter students from coming to Canada, driving them to study elsewhere instead.

Last week, president of McMaster University in Hamilton, just outside of Toronto, said a cap would mean “a loss” for his institution.

“If we lost our international students, we would not be as rich from a learning-environment perspective,” David Farrar told public broadcaster CBC in an interview.

He added that tuition paid by international students helps offset costs for some domestic students, as universities struggle with limited government funding and budgets.

A cap on international students, he said, would mean the university will have to cut the number of domestic students it admits.

 

Source: BBC

News

Parliament must intervene in Bawku conflict – Binduri MP

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Abdulai Abanga, the Member of Parliament for Binduri, has called on Parliament to intervene and bring lasting peace to troubled Bawku.

Unknown gunmen fired into a group of people at the community centre on Wednesday, January 17, resulting in the death of two persons, while four others were injured.

Five persons were also ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen on their way from Bawku to Binduri on Monday, January 22.

Abdulai Abanga proposed in an interview on Citi News that Parliament and other relevant stakeholders act as mediators to ensure peace prevails.

Abdulai Abanga, MP for Binduri

He also called on residents to make conscious efforts to restore calm so that developmental projects in the area can continue and be completed.

“What Parliament can do for now to help the situation is to assist with mediation because the situation we have is that people are trying to retaliate against others for killing their relatives. For me, that will never end the conflict. So, we need the leadership of Parliament and well-meaning Ghanaians to come and talk to the young ones to unite because, if you look at the nature of the area, we are all related in one way or another.

“We need to understand that it is important for us to live in peace so that we can enjoy development because we have serious developmental issues over here. If we don’t stop it, funds will either be diverted to providing security, or even contractors and other people will withdraw from the area. We will suffer in the end because we have a lot of challenges.

 

Source: Citinewsroom.com

News

NAM1 pulled gun on us – Witness who invested GH¢760k in Menzgold tells court

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The fifth prosecution witness in the trial of Nana Appiah Mensah, aka NAM1, has testified that after investing GH¢760,000 in Menzgold, the accused assaulted her when she demanded her returns.

Priscilla Adu-Boateng, a trader and a single mother with four children, alleged that on January 8, 2020, NAM 1 pulled a gun when she went to his house at Trassaco in Accra with other aggrieved customers to demand for their monies.

“I am a single mother with four children, and these investments were made in furtherance of their education.

“My business is not thriving, and I am in the process of selling my house to make ends meet”, she said in her witness statement, which has been adopted by the court presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court judge,

She was led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa.

The witness added that the advertising billboard of Menzgold attracted her to Invest.

Aside from that, she said an executive of Menzgold also persuaded her for about a year before she finally decided to invest in the business.

Following the adoption of the witness statement, Counsel for the accused Kwame B. Akufo, did not cross-examine the witness.

Not guilty

NAM1 and two of his companies — Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited — have been charged with 39 counts of selling gold without a licence, operating a deposit-taking business without a licence, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretence, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering.

The allegations leveled against them relate to defrauding their customers of various sums of money between 2016 and 2018, totaling GH¢340,835,650.

NAM1 has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and is on bail of GH¢500 million with four sureties.

Prosecution’s facts

According to the prosecution, between 2017 and 2018, NAM1 and Menzgold invited members of the public to purchase gold from Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited and to deposit same with Menzgold.

The prosecution said in various forms of invitations, the accused persons representing the two companies as deposit-taking businesses, invited the members of the public to deposit purchased gold with Menzgold in return for profits ranging from seven to 10 per cent.

The prosecution said in response to this invitation, over 16,000 members of the public deposited huge sums of money with the expectation that they were dealing with an authorised deposit-taking business, which would guarantee them the returns as advertised by the accused persons.

Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited, the prosecution said, continued with their operations despite several engagements and warning notices issued by the relevant agencies.

“Meanwhile, members of the public started facing challenges, either with delayed payments or reduced dividends; a number of cheques issued by NAM1 and Menzgold were also dishonoured,” the prosecution said.

On September 7, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) directed Menzgold to suspend its business for operating without a licence.

Between November 2016 and March 2019, the prosecution said, many customers of the accused entities petitioned the police, complaining that they had invested huge sums of money with the accused, but were unable to realise their investments despite persistent efforts.

“Investigations revealed that the accused persons, under false pretences, took a total sum of GH¢340,835,650 from their customers, which these customers have not recovered.

“Investigations further disclosed that between 2017 and 2018, the accused persons transferred huge sums of depositors’ funds from Menzgold Ghana Company Ltd and Brew Marketing Consult Ltd to Zylofon Media, a company related to NAM1,” the prosecution said.

It added that huge sums of money were also withdrawn by NAM1 or transferred into his bank account for his personal use.

“Investigations have established that the money fraudulently obtained from depositors and dishonestly appropriated by the accused persons remained unpaid as Menzgold Ghana Company Ltd’s licence was revoked,” the prosecution stated.

 

Source: Daily Graphic

News, Topstory

You have 7 days to revoke VAT on electricity – TUC to government

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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the withdrawal of the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption beyond the lifeline threshold.

The General Secretary of TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah stressed on the detrimental impact of this move on the livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians, particularly pensioners and those with low incomes.

During a press conference on Tuesday, January 23, Dr. Baah emphasised that the impoverished population in the country cannot afford to bear the additional tax burden.

He called on the government and its agencies to promptly retract the implementation of the proposed tax.

“It’s always the poor people in this country, including pensioners, who bear the brunt. And we should not allow that to continue. Organised Labour, we have come together and our message to the government is very simple, we cannot pay VAT on electricity.

“We will not pay it today or tomorrow. Organised Labour is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the letter, and another directive from the Finance Minister to Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), ECG to stop the implementation of the VAT on electricity. We are giving the government, up to January 31, 2024, to withdraw the letter,” Dr Yaw Baah said.

He emphasised that they would take the necessary action if the Finance Minister does not instruct GRIDCo and ECG to retract the letter.

“If by that time the Minister of Finance fails to give directive to GRIDCO and ECG, we will advise ourselves,” he said.

In a letter dated January 1, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta instructed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) to implement the VAT, with the goal of generating revenue for the COVID-19 recovery programme.

The government has outlined the rationale for the imposition of a 15 percent VAT on electricity consumption.

This measure is part of the government’s COVID-19 recovery programme, aiming to generate additional revenue.

Deputy Energy Minister Agyapa Mercer speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Monday, January 15, emphasised that while it was a challenging decision, it is necessary to settle debts owed to independent power producers.

“Obviously, if you look at the scope of the tax and what it is intended to do—raise revenue to meet some obligations of the government in the energy sector—it will interest you to know that, as we speak, as of July 2023, the amount of money that we owe to the IPPs alone is in the region of GH¢1.7 billion.

Source: Joynews.com

Crime, News

Driver jailed 8 years for attempted kidnapping

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An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a driver to eight years imprisonment in hard labour for attempting to kidnap a father and daughter for ransom.

Godfred Ayittey denied conspiring with Wang Liang in preparation to kidnap the two for ransom, but after trial, he was found culpable.

Wang is currently at large.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye earlier told the court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, that on August 3, 2022, one Richard Asomaning, a witness in the case reported to Tema Police that Ayittey recruited him on phone to engage in kidnapping.

The prosecution said Asomaning was also tasked to recruit a competent driver for them to undertake such an operation for a ransom.

DSP Nyamekye said the witness feigned interest in the act and forwarded copies of his driver’s license and Ghana card as well as that of one Peter Ofoe Agbovie, a friend to the first witness, who he had just recruited for the convict.

The witnesses then requested a meeting with the convict to know, who their victim or victims were, he told the court.

The prosecution said the convict mentioned the victims to the witnesses as Mr Joseph K. Horgle, the owner of J. K. Horgle Transport and Company Limited at Kpone and his daughter Elinam, who is also the Deputy Managing Director of the same company.

Ayittey never met the witnesses in person, he only communicated with them on the phone.

DSP Nyamekye said Tema Police sought the assistance of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to help investigate the case, thus, witnesses were interviewed at the NIB.

It emerged that the witnesses had opened communication with the convict and a WhatsApp group platform was created by the convict for the operation.

The court heard that Ayittey, the convict, provided fifty Ghana cedis (GH₵50.00) to Asomaning to commence surveillance on either of the victims. Initial photographs of the company’s premises were taken and sent to the convict.

Agbovie, DSP Nyamekye said was asked by the convict to rent a vehicle, while he (the convict) procured guns for the operation.

The prosecution said the convict was tracked and arrested on August 09, 2022. He admitted to the offence and indicated that one Wang, a Chinese he worked with at DADA Foods engineered the kidnapping.

Investigations revealed that the convict had worked at the intended victim’s Company from 2017 to 2018 as a driver and knew the former boss had the financial muscle to pay any ransom using Cryptocurrency to Wang LIANG’s account in China to avoid detection.

He said Asomaning had earlier posted his particulars, including his phone number on Jiji online seeking a job as a driver.

The accused person picked the first witness’ phone number from the site and contacted him for the job as a driver and when he agreed, he changed the topic from employment to kidnapping.

DSP Nyamekye said Ayittey also asked Asomaning to use the same conduit to recruit another person.

After investigation, Ayittey was charged with the offence.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com