Occupy Ghana threatens court action over error-laden brochure

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Occupy Ghana threatens court action over error-laden brochure
Brochure sagaPressure group Occupy Ghana has threatened a legal action against government if it fails to make available documents surrounding the printing of Ghana’s 59th Independence Day celebration.
The acting head of the Information Services Department, Francis Kwarteng Arthur, was sacked from post over the error-laden brochure which he took responsibility for. Several concerns have been raised about the poor work that went into the editing of the brochure which had unpardonable errors such as naming Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta as the president of the Republic of Ghana. According to Occupy Ghana, the sacking of the head of ISD, does not lay the matter to rest but wants government to make available documents of agreements at various stages until the final printing of the brochure. They are seeking documents which should be provided within 3 working days, failure of which they would be dragging government to court. Below is the full statement from Occupy Ghana: RE: PRINTING OF 59TH INDEPENDENCE DAY BROCHURES – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/NOTICE OF INTENTION OF CIVIL ACTION OccupyGhana is composed of citizens of Ghana who are interested in ensuring good governance in Ghana, and are committed to the principles of freedom, justice, probity and accountability, as are enshrined in the preamble to Ghana’s Fourth Republican Constitution. As citizens of Ghana, we are also mindful of our constitutional duty under article 41(f) of the Constitution “to protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property.” We have closely followed the matters surrounding the printing of brochures for the 59th Independence Day Celebrations (“the Brochures”), and which have culminated in the relieving from office of Mr. Francis Arthur as the acting Director of the Information Services Department, and the placing of the Flagstaff House Communications Bureau under the authority and supervision of the Ministry of Communication. As citizens of this country, we are not satisfied that this is the end of the matter. We believe that there is more to this matter than meets the eye, and that there is more information that the people of Ghana deserve to have, with respect to this matter. We are fortified in this belief by Article 21(1)(f) of the Constitution which provides that “[a]ll persons shall have the right to… information, subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society.” We are not aware of any restrictions and laws essential to democracy that prevent citizens from being informed of all the facts surrounding this matter. We also respectfully assert that there is no conceivable public interest privilege that applies to deny us access to that information. We also have cause to believe that part of the undisclosed circumstances surrounding this matter may amount to corruption, and the misuse and waste of public funds. On the bases of the foregoing, we write to you to request information from you, based on the following questions: 1. Which company or companies was/were invited to submit bids for the publishing, production and/or printing of the Brochures? May we have copies of any relevant letters or other communication? 2. Were any quotations received from the company or companies, and if so, may we have copies of such quotations and their covering letters, if any? 3. Which public procurement procedure was adopted in selecting the winning bid? If it was single-source procurement was the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (“PPA”) sought? May we have a copy of any letter requesting approval and all attachments to it? 4. Was the PPA’s approval obtained, and if so, may we have a copy of any letter to that effect? 5. Was a contract entered into with the company with the winning bid, and if so, may we have a copy of the signed contract? 6. Has the Ministry of Finance been requested to release funds for payment to the company with the winning bid, and if so, may we have a copy of any such letter? 7. Did the Ministry of Finance approve of any payment in writing, and if so, may we have a copy of that written approval? 8. Have any payments been made to the company that undertook the transaction, and when? May we have copies of all the usual, relevant documents, including, but not limited to: (i) request for payment by the Ministry, (ii) release letter from the Ministry of Finance, (iii) Controller and Accountant-General’s letter to the Bank of Ghana for payment, (iv) payment advice from Bank of Ghana, and (v) any payment vouchers issued? 9. Were any taxes paid or withheld, as the case may be, particularly with respect to withholding tax, value added tax and the national health insurance levy, and if so, may we have copies of any relevant invoices? Considering the urgency surrounding this mater, we respectfully request that you supply the information requested herein within three (3) working days of the date of this letter, failing which you should consider this letter as the written Notice of Intention of Civil Action under section 10 of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), effective as at the date hereof. Yours in the service of God and Country OccupyGhana® cc The Head Information Services Department Accra Source: tv3network.com|Ghana

Mahama, Nana’s security clash smacks of uncivilisation – Security expert

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Secuirity clashThe near bloody clash between the security details of President John Mahama and opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, has received a round condemnation as despicable.
For a security expert with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, the act depicts a lack of civilization for the security of the country. The free-for-all fight broke out on Thursday when the president, in the company of some government officials, joined the Asantehene to perform the final funeral rites of the late Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwaatia V. TV3’s William Evans-Nkum was at the event and reports that the show of power nearly marred the otherwise solemn occasion in the Ashanti Region. The late Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwaatia was the warlord of the Asantehene.  He died some weeks ago. Hundreds of mourners including a high-powered government delegation and some political figures were at Bantam in Kumasi to pay their last respect. Moment after President Mahama in the company of the Chief of Staff and the other top government officials exchanged pleasantries with NPP’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, the clash erupted between the security details of both sides. But for the timely intervention of a combined police and military personnel, the fight would have escalated. However, the Executive Director of WANEP told Martin Asiedu Dartey on TV3 Midday News Friday, the incident is not “surprising but regrettable”. Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze said such an occurrence would not happen in a highly civilized and revered country. “It doesn’t connote civilization or respect for the security of the state,” he stressed. He said for people, especially political leaders, to hire private persons to guide them shows a loss of confidence in the security agencies. Nonetheless, he believes persons who want protection should officially write to the police instead of going for macho men to protect them. Chukwuemeka Eze also charged the security agencies to ensure that the incident does not fester to disrupt this year’s general elections. Source: Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana

Dr Zanetor’s case: Coleman pulls out as Ashitey drops EC from suit

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Dr Zanetor’s case: Coleman pulls out as Ashitey drops EC from suit
NDC sagaOne of the two people challenging the candidature of the aspiring Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Rawlings, has pulled out of the case which has taken a new turn.
Nii John Alfonso Coleman who together with incumbent MP for the area, Nii Armah Ashitey, sued Ms Zanetor over her eligibility to contest the November polls, announced the decision Friday when the case came up in court. The decision, which was announced by a new lawyer for Mr Coleman, came as surprise to his previous counsel, Gary Nimako Marfo, who told the court that he was not informed of the decision prior to the proceedings, as well as a change of legal representation, Onua FM’s court correspondent, Lydia Ezit reports Meanwhile, Mr Ashitey prayed the court Friday to strike out the name of the Electoral Commission from the suit following the disclosure by the Commission to the effect that Dr. Rawlings’ name is not in the biometric voters’ register. The request was granted by the High Court hearing the case and the judge, Justice Kweku Boafo, has consequently asked Mr Ashitey to amend the suit to reflect the new changes, which will now have Dr Rawlings and the National Democratic Congress as the defendants, Lydia reports. Lawyer fears for his life At the previous sitting on March 3, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr Nimako Marfo wrote to the court to inform it that his life is in danger from some unknown persons due to the case he’s handling. Gary Nimako Marfo in the letter stated that he “has in recent times been trailed by some unknown persons when driving home after close of work….they immediately drove off when counsel parked at the North Legon Police post to alert the police” He added: “Counsel is in the process of arranging security back up to protect himself, his family and office staff,” and thus prayed the court to adjourn the case that was scheduled for hearing Thursday morning, to March 9 to enable him firm up the security arrangements he is putting in place. Background Incumbent Member of Parliament Nii Armah Ashietey who lost the Klottey Korle Constituency National Democratic Congress primary and Nii John Alfonso Coleman sued Ms Zanetor over her eligibility to contest the November polls. The suit filed at an Accra High Court is also against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Electoral Commission (EC). The two are praying the court to prevent the NDC and the EC from holding Dr Rawlings as 2016 parliamentary candidate for the Constituency. According to the two, there were petitions filed against the daughter of Former President Jerry John Ralwings prior to the November 21 elections. They claim her name was not even found in the biometric register compiled by the NDC prior to the primary. Dr Rawlings last week secured victory in another court case filed by three members of the party in the Klottey Korle Constituency. The three wanted an annulment of the results but the Court asked them to exhaust all internal structures of resolution before coming to the court. But in their writ to the High Court, Nii Armah Ashietey and Nii Alfonso Coleman accused national and regional officers of the NDC of complicity in “endorsing the violation of the NDC constitution and the rules governing the conduct of the parliamentary primaries in Klottey Korle thereby rendering any internal resolution of the matter an impossibility”. By Stephen Kwabena Effah|tv3network.com|Ghana Twitter @steviekgh

Vodafone spearheads mobile phone recycling capaign

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vodafoneVodafone Ghana in partnership with Recell Ghana Limited has launched a mobile phone re-cycling campaign to reduce improper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) and promote re-cycling of unused phones.
The re-cycling campaign to collect and dispose e-waste in an environmental-friendly manner, seeks to reduce mineral extraction and energy consumption in the manufacture of new phones. Nana Yaa Ofori-Koree, Head of Vodafone Ghana Foundation and Sustainability, said obsolete and irreparable handsets, like any e-waste could become a significant environmental issue if not disposed properly in a safe and secure manner. “Studies reveal that a significant number of Ghanaians have old mobile phones stowed away at home, with many having upwards of three phones. To offer our employees and customers a more sustainable way of living, we have created a campaign to urge Ghanaians to dispose their obsolete and irreparable handsets and batteries in a safe way”, Head of Vodafone Ghana Foundation said. Nana Ofori-Koree said collection bins have been placed at Vodafone’s retail shops across the country to give Ghanaians and their customers a convenient way of getting rid of their old phones and batteries; stressing that everyone who disposes an unused and old phone in any of the bins will receive an encouraging incentive from Vodafone Ghana. Mr Moses Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Recell Ghana Limited, said metals such as lead, gold, cadmium, arsenic and mercury that are used to produce these phones can be re-used to produce new phones and preserve the unused minerals. Mr Aidoo said the old phones will be shipped out of the country through legal and official means in order to be recycled. “Last year, we shipped over three thousand kilos of mobile phones from the country and are expecting about 15,000 unused phones from the generous citizenry to be recycled”. CEO of Recell Ghana said the partnership with Ghana’s innovative telecom brand, Vodafone Ghana, will help reduce e-waste while protecting the minerals of the country. “It is sometimes embarrassing to hear that Agbogbloshie is one of the dirtiest places in the world because of e-waste and this step would go a long wayto”, he added. By tv3network.com|Ghana

Govt secures 31-million-euros for youth empowerment

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Govt secures 31-million-euros for youth empowerment
Euros The Government has signed a 31-million-Euro loan facility to support youth empowerment and social protection programmes.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, who announced this said, seven Million of the European Union (EU) credit facility would be dedicated to Vocational Training and Technical Education. Mr. Iddrisu, who was interacting with the Management, staff and students of the Yamfo Vocational Training Institute at Yamfo, in the Tano North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region. The Sector Minister, was accompanied by Mrs. Freda Prempeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency, and staff of the Ministry, was there to acquaint himself with the operational challenges of the Institute. Mr. Iddrisu said it was the Government’s priority to upscale and strengthen the 34 Technical and Vocational Training institutions across the country to enhance the employable skills of young people. He said his Ministry had additionally agreed to earmark 10 per cent of the Youth Employment Fund every year to support Technical and Vocational Education. “This implies that every year the Government would pump 10 million Ghana Cedis into Vocational and Technical Education,” Mr. Iddrisu explained. The Sector Minister said the National Youth Employment Programme would soon enroll the youth in the Catering Module and offer skills training to 5,000 to 10,000 young people, every year. Mrs. Prempeh, the MP for the area, expressed concern about the obsolete equipment and logistics at the Yamfo Technical Institute. She, however, commended the Minister for the visit, and expressed the optimism that the Government would supply the school with the needed equipment and machines to enhance effective teaching and learning. Mrs. Prempeh said youth unemployment was increasing and becoming a national security threat. She said if Technical and Vocational Training institutions were well-resourced and retooled, it would attract the youth to be enrolled and acquire employable skills. That, the MP explained, could empower them to enter into self-employment to create wealth for themselves. Mr. Stephen Bismark Amponsah, the Executive Director of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), said the country had not realised the benefits of Technical Education, which had the potential to turn around the fortunes of every developing nation. Mr. Philip Effah Atakorah, the Institute’s Manager, said it was established in 1977 and had trained 5,000 students in different programmes. These include Catering, Masonry, Building and Construction, Carpentry and Electrical Works. He said the Institute needed total retooling as all the machines and equipment at the various workshops were worn-out or obsolete. Mr. Atakorah said the Institute urgently needed general infrastructural development, a vehicle to facilitate their administrative duties and field trips for the students, and accommodation for the female students.   Source: GNA | Ghana

Liverpool beat Man United in Europa League

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SportsLiverpool took control of their Europa League last-16 tie as they swept aside a desperately poor Manchester United at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated this first European meeting between the two Premier League giants in a thunderous atmosphere – and the German manager’s only disappointment will be that the tie is not already settled. Daniel Sturridge gave Liverpool a 15th-minute lead from the spot after Memphis Depay fouled Nathaniel Clyne and Roberto Firmino added a second from close range with 17 minutes left. United did not create a single chance and only the brilliance of goalkeeper David de Gea has kept Liverpool in range as he produced a succession of magnificent saves. Source: BBC
 

Nestlé Milo supports education in Ghana

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Nestlé Milo supports education in GhanaFor the past seven years, Nestlé Ghana has been the main sponsor for the Presidential Independence Day Awards for the best twenty children who excel in the Basic Education Certificate Examination, each academic year.
This year’s awards ceremony took place on Saturday 5th March 2016 at the Banquet Hall of the State House. Winners of this year’s President’s Independence Day Awards were presented with an attractive winning package of a Samsung Tablet, Cash Prize, Crystal Plaque, Gold Plated Medallion and one year supply of Nestlé Products. Winners were also taken on a tour to the Nestlé Ghana Factory in Tema Industrial Area. Speaking at the event, the Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur reiterated the government’s commitment to accessibility of basic education for all children of school going age in Ghana. He commended Nestlé Ghana for its sponsorship of the programme for the past years. “We are committed to improve access to basic education and bridge the gender gap in education through appropriate collaboration. For the continued support of the President’s Awards, we thank our major sponsors Nestlé,” he added. The Managing Director for Nestlé Ghana, Mrs. Freda Y. Duplan outlined that Nestlé is committed to supporting initiatives such as these because of their long term impact on promoting excellence in education and national development. “We have examined the intersection of societal challenges and our business needs by applying a multi-stakeholder approach to address and contribute to national development through education. This, we have integrated in our business strategy”, she said. Speaking to the Award Winners, the Minister of Education, Hon. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, commended this year’s awardees: “You continue to inspire me, especially the younger generations. It is my expectation that winners of today’s awards will live up to expectation.” She recognised the efforts of parents, teachers who have supported the children to reach this feat in their lives. Through its Milo brand, the company supports other youth development initiatives in sports such as the Milo under- 13 Champion’s League, the Accra Milo Marathon, among others. Going through the archives of Nestlé’s active involvement in sports development in the country, Nestlé Milo has unearthed talent(s) for the Black Stars with players like Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Laryea Kingston, John Mensah, Mageed Waris, just to mention a few, being beneficiaries of Milo grassroots soccer. Source: tv3network.com

Raging fire consumes part of Kumasi Central market

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Kumasi FireAbout 80 shops at the Kumasi Central market in the Ashanti region were razed down by fire Friday dawn.
Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service managed to bring the blaze under control, but the cause of the fire which started around 3:00am is unknown. Most of the affected shops deal in rubber products at the 31st December section of the market. Fire outbreak at the market has been recurring for years but the public has been kept in the dark in terms of the causes of the fires. However a fire personnel who was at scene at the central market, though would not tell the media the outcomes of the previous investigations, hinted that most of them are due to overloaded power coupled with poor ventilation. A woman who deals in chemicals for cosmetic products told Onua FM she was called at dawn and rushed to the place to see her two shops completely burnt out. More soon   Source: tv3network.com | Ghana

435 parcels of ‘Wee’ seized in Eastern Region, two arrested

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The SuspectsThe Police at Asesewa in the Eastern Region have seized a total of 435 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, which were being smuggled to the Volta Region.
The parcels of the illegal substances were concealed in eight sacks, and mixed with sacks of charcoal that the Police say were being transported from Asesewa to Bator in the Volta region in a vehicle with registration GR 9953-F. Two people, the driver of the vehicle and his mate have been arrested in connection with the seizure which occurred at about 4:15pm Wednesday at Akatang in the Upper Manya Krobo District The Police say the two are being investigated after which they will be processed for court to face prosecution Asesewa Police Commander DSP Stephen Ahiatafu, explained the driver of the vehicle claimed he had no knowledge of the contraband goods and that he was only transporting four sacks of charcoal, which a client sent through his mate. But the driver’s mate, 35-year-old Ebenezer Zotorvi claimed ownership of the items and mentioned one James as owner of the illegal goods. The said James is currently on the run. The Commander has meanwhile, warned those engaging in illegal drug business to desist from their trade or face the full rigours of the law. The Eastern Region appears to becoming a hotspot for the Indian hemp business in recent times as the Police have within the last two months made several seizures. This is the third biggest seizure of Indian hemp in the region within the last month by the Police. A month ago, 204 bags of the substances were seized at Apesika from some 21 houses. A total of 4,589 compressed slabs of Indian Hemp were seized by the Police in Region in the region in the last week of February on the Kpong-Atimpoku road. The substances were contained in 64 sacks of concealed under sacks of poultry feed. One person, 33-year old driver of the truck, Nicholas Asare, was arrested is currently being tried. By Yvonne Neequaye|tv3network.com|Ghana

BoG must bail-out victims of DKM scam – ex-minister

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BoG must bail-out victims of DKM scam – ex-minister
DKMFormer Deputy Finance Minister, Professor George Gyan Baffour has called on the Bonk of Ghana (BoG) to consider a bail-out for victims of the micro-finance crisis in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Prof Gyan Baffour says “there is no law that prevents the BoG from doing bailing out the victims so Bank of Ghana should bail out victims of micro finance crisis”. A number of Ghanaians, especially in the Brong Ahafo and the three northern regions, fell victim to a ponzi scheme by the micro finance companies and lost their deposits. President Mahama in his State of the Nation Address blamed the Central Bank for failing to supervise the companies. He asked the BoG to pay the victims the actual capital they deposited without interest. But the Governor of Bank of Ghana Dr. Kofi Wampah told parliamentarians the bank is not responsible for what happened. He however said the bank is in the process of liquidating the assets of the company to pay off depositors. Speaking on the issue on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa hosted by Kwame Karikari on Thursday, the Member of Parliament for Wenchi Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Prof Gyan Baffour said the total amount involved in the fiasco is about GHS115m. According to him, it should not be difficult for the central bank to pay off the depositors. He said the moral hazard demands that BoG comes in with a bail-out as people are dying because of the crisis. Story by Kweku Antwi-Otoo/Onu FM
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