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Uganda bombers given life sentences

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Uganda bombers given life sentences
Among those given life in jail was Isa Ahmed Luyima (centre), the ringleader of the deadly attack
Among those given life in jail was Isa Ahmed Luyima (centre), the ringleader of the deadly attack

Five people convicted of terrorism over the 2010 bomb attacks in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, which killed 74 people, have been given life sentences.

Among them was Isa Ahmed Luyima, the mastermind of the attacks claimed by militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

Two others also found guilty of terrorism were given 50 years in jail.

Handing down the sentences, Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo said he did not believe that the death sentence would act as a deterrent.

Their guilty verdicts yesterday are thought to be the first convictions of al-Shabab suspects outside Somalia.

Five other men also standing trial were acquitted of terror and murder charges and another man was convicted of a lesser accessory charge.

In court: Patience Atuhaire, BBC Africa, Kampala

When the eight men came into the courtroom, most of them were dressed in Islamic dress, and carrying copies of the Koran. Before the judge came in, most could be seen silently reading.

The prosecution had sought the highest possible sentence, the death penalty, for the seven found guilty of terrorism. Prosecutors said their crimes were pre-meditated and meticulously planned.

But the defence argued that most of the convicts were young and vulnerable when they were recruited and brain-washed by al-Shabab. Their lawyer also argued that most of them were still capable of reforming.

Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo said that he felt that handing down the death penalty would play into the men’s hands.

They stood in the dock and showed hardly any reaction as he read out the sentences.

Lawyers for the five acquitted said their clients have been rearrested and taken outside of Kampala.

Police sources told the BBC’s Patience Atuhaire the men were being held for their own safety.

The blasts targeted football fans watching the 2010 World Cup final at a restaurant and a rugby club in Kampala.

Al-Shabab hit Uganda as the country’s army provides the largest number of troops to an African Union force fighting them in Somalia.

The case was brought to court after a major investigation across East Africa, led by the American FBI.

 

Source: BBC

Partey seeks to follow in the path of Ghanaian UCL greats

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Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey

Talk of the highest football platform to show your qualities as a world class footballer, and the World Cup final springs to mind immediately.

The Champions League final also has a great appeal, as most footballers will attest to the honor and the sense of career accomplishment; it brings them – if won.

If high profile players including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto, Nwankwo Kanu and several other African legends can boast of their triumph in the European elite competition, then ‘little known’ Thomas Partey must be over the moon, he could be on the rather short list of African individuals to win the Champions League.

Indeed, he will not be the only Ghanaian to feature in the finals of the most coveted club trophy; the likes of Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari quickly impresses on you as other Ghanaians to play in the finals.

The 22-year-old has seen his stock rise in recent months due to the cameo appearances in the Spanish top flight for Atleico Madrid, afforded him by Argentine manager Diego Simeone.

The Simeone led side has proved skeptics wrong in the last five seasons, reaching cup finals and winning few of them against traditional big clubs, both domestic and continental.

Partey has made 13 appearances for the Los Rojiblancos this season, scoring two goals – the first, a well taken volleyed-goal from just outside the penalty area to secure a vital win for his side.

But this feature is about his participation in the crucial showdown in the final of Europe’s top competition.

He could become the sixth Ghanaian to have their names written on the squad sheet for the major club cup final – if selected – after playing four times in Atletico’s Champions League campaign that finally pits them against their city rivals Real Madrid, for a second time in three seasons.

However, this is Partey’s first!

Ibrahim Tanko is one of the few Ghanaian players who could boast of winning the Champions League in their illustrious careers. The striker was part of Ottmar Hitzfield’s Borussia Dortmund side who participated in the final against Juventus but had barely contributed to the success – mainly due to injuries.

The fact that all five Ghanaian players to have played in the Champions League final have won the competition could be good omen for Partey.

Samuel Osei Kufuor (Bayern Munich, 2001) and Abedi Ayew Pele’s (Olympique Marseille, 1993) cup wins sandwich Tanko’s triumph. Muntari and Essien added to the growing list of Ghanaian players to make the final – and indeed, both won their respective trophy chase with Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Partey, who sprung up from Ashaiman (a suburb in Accra), will be the latest Ghanaian to feel the chill down his body when he steps into the stadium with a huge blast of the famous Champions League anthem, in a filled-to-capacity San Siro stadium.

He will not be the first Ghanaian to lose in a first ever appearance in the biggest showpiece in club football, Sammy Kuffuor and Michael Essien suffered agonizingly in 1999 and 2008 before receiving a winners medal with the same clubs seasons after – a trick, he may have to replicate in order to win with Simeone and co should this trophy go in the direction of Zinedine Zidane’s men on Saturday, May 28.

There are several options for Partey to take – he could follow the footsteps of the first African to lift the trophy, Bruce Grobbelaar of Zimbabwe who won the trophy when it was known as the European Cup in 1983/84; he could as well be one of the many African runner-ups in the competition such as Nwankwo Kanu of 1995/96 with Ajax and Kolo Touré, who lost with Arsenal in the 2005/06 final against Barcelona: or he could just be a fortunate inclusion into the list of the rare breed of Africans to score in the final like Samuel Eto and Didier Drogba.

Either way, Partey is gradually exerting his presence on the country’s football loving fans and even better, the defensive midfield giant has caught the eye of Israeli coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant.

He has been given a huge boost ahead of the Champions League final, with debut call up to the Black Stars for their clash against Mauritius in the AFCON 2017 qualifier.

It’s come as no surprise to many Ghanaians – there have been whispers of his call up to the senior national side – and he will definitely take no chances due to the fiercely competitive nature of the position he plays in.

Without a doubt, one of Ghana’s future leaders in the Black Stars and one of the West African nation’s many exports to Europe, Partey could be flying high in Portugal this weekend with the flag of Ghana, nothing else – and a title of ‘CHAMPION OF EUROPE’.

By TV3 Sports|Ghana

Sani Alhassan to lead Ghana Rugby in Togo tournament

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Sani Alhassan to lead Ghana Rugby in Togo tournament

Rugby

 

Sani Alhassan of Cosmos Buffaloes RFC was appointed as captain of the Ghana Rugby national team by the President, Mr. Herbert Mensah, and will lead the Ghana delegation to the Africa Rugby international men’s sevens tournament to be played in Lome, Togo on Saturday 28 May 2016.

The team departed from Accra on Thursday and will face Benin and Mali in Pool B of the tournament with the objective to proceed to the semifinals and eventually to clinch top honours in the tournament.

Sani AlhassanIn Pool B Niger, Burkina Faso and Togo will compete with the first two teams in each pool proceeding to the semifinals.

According to the newly appointed captain of the Ghana Men’s Sevens Eagles, Sani Alhassan, the team is highly motivated and have one shared objective namely to triumph in Togo and to bring the cup back to Ghana.

“Rugby is a relatively unknown sport in Ghana but all indications are that the sport will explode in popularity over the next few years because it offers players an ideal platform to build character due to the value system that underlies the sport,” Alhassan said.

The national team that will represent Ghana is made up of the following twelve players with Mr. Simba Mangena as Head Coach supported by Mr. Amuzuloh Salim: Dan Hoppe (Idas Sports RFC), Clement Dennis (Griffons RFC), Sani Alhassan (Cosmos Buffaloes RFC) (Captain), Alex Dorpenyo (Conquerors SC), Seidu Razak (Conquerors SC), Solomon Akumba (Cosmos Buffaloes RFC) , Michael Acquaye (Conquerors SC), Calestus Bosoka (Conquerors SC), Emmanuel Kalos (Conquerors SC), Joseph Mensah (Griffons RFC), Erick Acquah (Griffons RFC) and Nasiru Aminu (Conquerors SC).

The delegation to Togo also include the Secretary General, Bismark Amponsah, and Board members Steve Noi (Tournament Commissioner) and James Nunoo (Treasurer).

 

Source: 3news.com

ET Mensah awaiting ‘favourable’ response on Sam George petition

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ET Mensah awaiting ‘favourable’ response on Sam George petition
E. T. Mensah
E. T. Mensah

Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency Enoch Teye Mensah says the vast irregularities that characterized the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary primary in his constituency give his petition against the results strong backing.

ET Mensah, as he is popularly called insists, therefore, that the petition will get a positive response from the national election committee of the party.

The experienced Fourth Republican lawmaker had petitioned his party after he lost the November 21 primary to Samuel George Nartey.

Nartey polled 4,910 votes to beat ET Mensah, who polled 2,831 votes, as NDC’s 2016 parliamentary candidate.

Speaking on TV3’s Midday Live on Saturday, May 28, the long-serving parliamentarian said the bigwigs of the party were witnesses to the irregularities that went on in the constituency on November 21.

The primary was suspended until the next day, Sunday, November 22.

Mr Mensah alleged that so-called machomen were brought into the constituency by his opponent Sam George.

People were also hired to come and vote, Ghana’s longest-serving Sports Minister further alleged.

Fortunately, he says, one of the hirees volunteered to witness during preliminary hearing on the petition.

ET Mensah says he has been waiting patiently for a final decision on the petition from the National Executive Committee.

He maintains that having gone through several primaries of similar nature, the final decision will go in his favour.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Abu Ramadan is deceiving the public; he lost at Supreme Court – Atuguba

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Abu Ramadan is deceiving the public; he lost at Supreme Court – Atuguba

Abu Ramadan and Charlotte OseiLaw lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Raymond Atuguba has criticized PNC’s Abu Ramadan of using the media to deceive the public about the Supreme Court ruling on a case he brought against the Electoral Commission.

According to Dr. Atuguba, even though Abu Ramadan had all the substantive reliefs he sought for dismissed, he is misleading the public that he won the case.

Giving a blow by blow account of the ruling, Dr. Atuguba, who is a former Executive Secretary to President Mahama, said the ruling has been skewed.

“The judgment is very, very clear but a section of Ghanaians are trying to fit the judgment into their own idiosyncrasies,” he explained, “so if someone believes that everyone whose name is in the register by virtue of an NHIS card should be out of it, they try to fit the judgment that way, and anyone who believes that those people should not be disenfranchised tries to fit the judgment that way”

Abu Ramadan, a former Youth Organiser of the CPP, and an NPP activist Evans Nimako had wanted the Supreme Court to among other reliefs: declare the register of voters unconstitutional, null and void, and therefore of no effect; to delete the names of all persons on the voter register who registered NHIS identity card as a means of identification; to automatically delete the names of all persons on the voter register who registered with the NHIS identity card as a means of identification and an order that the Electoral Commission to validate the Voter’s Register.

After the Supreme Court ruling on May 5, there have been varied interpretations to the court’s declarations with Abu Ramadan and the Electoral Commission interpreting it differently.

For instance, the Electoral Commission says the court did not ask them to delete names of persons who registered with NHIS card from the register. The Commission’s understanding is that the register should rather be cleaned to ensure that persons who are not qualified to vote do not get the chance to do so in the 2016 elections.

Abu Ramadan who sharply disagrees on that point has indicated his intention to head back to court to get it to compel the EC to delete names of persons who registered with the NHIS card from the voter’s register.

newsfile

But Dr. Atuguba told Joy FM’s Newsfile Saturday that “the Ghanaian public needs to be assisted to understand the judgement of the Supreme Court in the recent Abu Ramadan case”.

Days ago he wrote an article which he emphasized:

“1. The plaintiffs LOST their substantive case.

“2. The Supreme Court DID NOT declare the register of voters unconstitutional, null and void, and therefore of no effect.

“3. The Supreme Court DID NOT order that the names of all person on the register of voters, who registered with the NHIS identity card as a means of identification stand deleted.

“4. The Supreme Court DID NOT order the Electoral Commission to automatically delete the names of all person on the voter register who registered with the NHIS identity card as a means of identification.

“5. The Supreme Court DID NOT order the Electoral Commission to validate the voter register.

“6. The Supreme Court UNDERLINED the Constitutional independence of the Electoral Commission.”

“The plaintiffs went on air to say we won our case…think about my Aunty in the village, hearing Abu Ramadan saying we won our case, when Abu Ramandan tells people that he won his case, what people will hear is that the voter’s register has been declared unconstitutional and that a new voter’s register has to be compiled or the voter’s register has to be validated,” he told Newsfile.

He reiterated that all the substantive orders Abu Ramadan went to court for were dismissed, but he is only riding on the back of declaratory reliefs to deceive the public that he won the case: Declaratory relief refers to a judgment of a court which determines the rights of parties without ordering anything be done or awarding damages
Story by Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana

Eighty per cent of contractors unable to meet deadlines – Minister

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roadEighty per cent of local contractors could not reliably meet the completion dates for projects that were let out to them, Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, said.

He said this could largely be attributed to the inability of some local contractors to acquire high grade equipment due to its exorbitant cost which were beyond the capabilities of the average local contractor in Ghana.

“Furthermore, there is also currently no plausible and reliable plant hire system to support the industry,” Mr Adjei Mensah said on Thursday during the Second CAT Road Construction Seminar in Accra.

The seminar, on the theme: “Complete Solutions,” was organised by Mantrac Ghana Limited, the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar products in Ghana.

It brought together stakeholders in the road construction industry namely the Road Contractors Association of Ghana and the Progressive Contractors Association, the two major bodies in the industry.

Mr Adjei-Mensah said: “Most local contractors, therefore, generally acquire their equipment at auctions in Europe and the United States.

“The average age of heavy earthmoving equipment acquired through this process is about 10-15 years; as you can imagine, there is no reliable spare parts and after sales support for such equipment,” he said.

Mr Adjei-Mensah said such equipment, therefore, tended to break down frequently and ultimately led to delays in implementation of projects, adding that the cost implications of such situations were not desirable for the Ghanaian economy.

He hailed Mantrac Ghana for maintaining its dominance in dealing in earthmoving and construction equipment for the past 78 years.

Mr Adjei-Mensah, however, appealed to Mantrac Ghana to explore the business opportunities and arrange for flexible terms for the road contractors to own construction equipment and improve on their delivery.

He urged the company to strengthen its presence nationwide and continuously improve on its after sales services to ensure that contractors who bought their products benefited from its rich experience and expertise.

He said most earth-moving operators did not possess the relevant skills and expertise to properly operate the machinery, which often led to their frequent breakdown requiring huge financial outlays to fix.

To address this situation, Mr Adjei- Mensah said the ministry had established a fully equipped training centre in Koforidua to train industry players.

He said the Government was, therefore, leaving no efforts at encouraging and partnering with the private sector to fund and manage road sector needs, adding; “road transport is the dominant mode of transport in Ghana and accounts for 97 per cent of passenger traffic and 95 per cent freight”.

Mr Emad Adeeb, the Managing Director of Mantrac Ghana, said: “In today’s competitive world of construction, contractors are facing a lot of challenges to maximise their productivity and lower their operating cost.”

“New technologies in machinery and production can significantly improve your bottom-line profitability and your projects’ overall success,” he said.

He said the seminar would introduce participants to the latest machinery and the upgraded technology available in today’s market place.

Mr Adeeb said it was also the company’s quest to position itself for the mining and oil and gas sectors and had invested 40 million dollars for the construction CAT’s Engine Center to support Ghana and the West African sub-region.

“This project comprises over 26 acres of land with 10,000 square metre repair centre and 5,000 square metre warehouse. It is expected to be completed by close of the year,” he said.

Source: Iddi Yire | GNA | Ghana

Let’s work together to ensure electoral integrity – IGP

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New PictureMr John Kudalor, the Inspector General of Police has stated the need for all democratic stakeholders to work together to ensure electoral integrity.

“Peaceful, credible elections are the responsibility of all, and not only of the Electoral Commission (EC). Candidates, political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), religious and traditional leaders among other all have a crucial role to play.

“Indeed the success of the election is going to be achieved through the concerted effort of all, including the media, political parties, CSO, and all other stakeholders,” Mr Kudalor said in Accra during an encounter with the senior media practitioners.

The Police/Media meeting dubbed: “IGP’s Dialogue Series,” is a general platform created under the leadership of Mr Kudalor to engage with all identifiable bodies to share ideas and drum home to stakeholders their roles for free, fair and transparent elections.

Speaking at the first in a series of Police/Media encounter which was on the theme: “Safeguarding our democracy: Role of the Media in Peaceful Elections,” Mr Kudalor said the media wield strong influence over the people because of its peculiar position as informers, educators, and entertainers of the people.

“This places a very enormous responsibility on your shoulders before, during and after the November 7 General Election.

The role of the mass media is perhaps the most crucial of all, especially in this era when any piece of information, whether positive or detrimental can be disseminated to all corners of the world at a snap of the fingers.

“It is against this back-drop that you will be required to put the interest of the nation first in your reportage on the election. Your expertise and professionalism will be called into action, to avoid churning out any media product that could cause public disorder,” he said.

Mr Kudalor asked the media saying: “Your gate-keeping function will be in utmost demand and test to filter and sift all media materials to ensure that, what is fed to the public is not which inflames passion and will cause a breach of the peace.

“I don’t believe any media house will want to say or do anything that will spark a conflagration in this country”.

The IGP reminded the media that its role to be crucial in ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and peacefully

“You must endeavour to check every information before putting it out”.

Mr Kudalor urged the media to avoid the practice where media houses assume the role of political party spokespersons and phone-in callers, and churn out all kinds of inflammatory statements.

On security operations towards Elections 2016, the IGP said the police and other security agencies have mapped-up strategic operational road map to ensure peaceful elections.

He said a detailed auditing of the entire country has been done to identify all flash-points and vulnerable areas, and comprehensive operational strategies mapped out to take care of them.

He said personnel for the election duties from all the security agencies have been earmarked, and a series of orientation and training schedule lined up to bring them up to speed with modern models of election security.

This is to ensure that the personnel approach their duties with the required levels of professionalism.”

Commissioner of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno observed that the Police Administration considers the media as veritable partners in the quest to deliver another successful election as the police pools all the crucial strings towards a peaceful, transparent and fair elections.

“The media and the police are two sides of the same coin, with a common interest of creating a congenial atmosphere for the attainment of the socio-economic development of the country,” he said.

The media practitioners called on the Police to maintained its neutrality, provide level playing field to all political parties, put in measures to protect media houses from any possible attacks and deal with media houses who inflame passion.

 

Source: GNA | Ghana

EC office in Lawra ransacked

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EC office in Lawra ransacked

Ballot boxes

The district office of the Electoral Commission in Lawra in the Upper West Region has been ransacked, TV3 has gathered.

The incident happened Friday dawn.

Two desktop computers containing data on the recently held limited voter registration exercise, our correspondent said, were stolen.

The crime was committed by unknown persons but, so far, the security man at the office has been picked up for investigation.

The Lawra District Security Council is handling the case, our correspondent reported.

Security has since been beefed up around the office.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Meet Portia Gabor, TV3’s Kate Middleton

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Portia
Portia adores the Duchess of Cambridge

With nine years of experience as a broadcast journalist and news anchor at TV3 Network, Portia Gabor nee Solomon has carved a niche for herself reporting mainly on under-reported issues affecting a majority of Ghanaians.

This has earned her major awards including the 2010 Ghana Journalist Awards for Best TV News Reporter and the 2012 Ghana Journalist Awards for HIV and Health Reporting.

Portia (Gabor) was a finalist at the 2011 CNN/Multichoice Africa Journalist Awards. She was highly commended for her story Drug Peddling in Rural Ghana.

Online journalist Nana Afrane Asante (NAA) caught up with her and the following is what ensued between them:

NAA: What motivates you?

PG: God motivates me and I hate to see injustice and people suffer in society so in order to correct these wrongdoings it motivates me to do something for society to become a better place.

NAA: What are your hobbies?

PG: I crochet. I have been crocheting since I was a child. I got deeper into it when I gave birth because I was at home and wasn’t doing much so I picked the crocheting pin and by the time I realised I was making shoes, key holders, babies’ dresses and stuff like that. I never knew I could crochet so well until I gave birth. My daughter has been a miracle.

Some of the handiworks of Portia Gabor
Some of the handiworks of Portia Gabor

NAA: What do you do to relax?

PG: I sleep. I have a baby and I keep waking up at night so I sleep when I have a little time to relax.

NAA: Favourite music?

PG: I don’t really have any particular favourite music but I love country music (Carrie Underwood) and Don Moen.

NAA: First kiss?

PG: Hmmm, I don’t remember.

NAA: First car?

PG: My first car was a Hyundai Accent

NAA: First job?

PG: TV3 Network Limited and I have been here for 9 years.

Portia co-anchored News 360 on Thursday, May 26
Portia co-anchored News 360 on Thursday, May 26

NAA: Favourite fashion item?

PG: I love to dress like Kate Middleton and I am just crazy about her. I’m a fan of hers and I have been following the [UK] Royals since I was a child after my grandmother gave me a book about the late Princess Diana and ever since I have been a big fan of the Royal family. I remember being glued to my TV set when the Royal wedding was taking place and I must say I just love the Duchess of Cambridge’s dresses and I sometimes style my hair just as she does. I would definitely love to meet her.

NAA: Favourite chocolate or fruit?

PG: My favourite fruit is grapes and chocolate will be Golden tree coffee flavoured chocolate.

NAA: Favourite radio and TV station?

PG: TV3, CNN, BBC for TV and 3FM for radio

NAA: Favourite sport?

PG: Football

NAA: Favourite family member?

PG: My mum…she’s always been there for me.

NAA: Favourite food?

PG: Fufu and light soup with goat meat. I just love it.

NAA: Favourite place of holiday?

PG: Senchi in Ghana

Portia prays first thing in the morning
Portia prays first thing in the morning

NAA: First thing you do when you wake up?

PG: I pray (Thank you Jesus)

NAA: Last thing you do before you go to bed?

PG: I pray (Thank you Jesus)

NAA: The worst moment you’ve had on the job?

PG: This was on an assignment somewhere in the Volta Region when I was working on a story about two children who had died whiles crossing a river. In order to make the story real I had to join the subsequent children on the boat to the other side to feel the experience so we had a trip accompanied by my colleague Thomas Adotei Pappoe, who had never been on a boat before. Thomas suddenly jumped when we got somewhere in the middle of the river and for a second I thought the boat was about to capsize. I can tell you that my soul left my body and I just thought I was going to die but the fisherman found a way to maneuver the boat to safety. I have never been on a boat since then.

Credit: Nana Afrane Asante|3news.com|Ghana

My clients are not perturbed by Supreme Court ruling – Justice Dery’s lawyer speaks

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Lawyer for embattled Justices Paul Uuter De

Justice Dery has since the exposé been fighting to exonerate himself of any wrongdoing
Justice Dery has since the exposé been fighting to exonerate himself of any wrongdoing

ry and Gilbert Ayisi Addo says his clients are not perturbed by the decision of the Supreme Court to strike out a case involving their salary suit for now.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the case in which Justices Dery and Ayisi Addo implicated in the judicial bribery scandal were challenging the withholding of their half salary by the Judicial Council.

The justices indicated they will give reasons for their judgment in seven days.

Speaking on 3FM’s Sunrise Morning Show Friday, their counsel Nii Kpakpo said will bring clarity on what the justices meant.

“If the description is that our suit was dismissed or thrown out then that is an accurate statement of fact.

“The court did not give us any reasons why it threw our case out yesterday. It said it will file its reasons with the registry of the court in seven days so it’s for us to wait for the seven days and get the reason.

“If your suit is dismissed then it means the substance of your case has been dealt with and dismissed but if what we heard in court is what then transpires in the written reasoning which we hope to get in seven days then probably it will deal with technical issues such as jurisdiction which we the legal team are speculating.

“It might have to do with the fact that the court in its wisdom believes that there is no constitutional issue arising out of whether or not the pay cut was constitutional so it probably will mean that we were in the wrong forum and we will likely have to most likely go to the high court.

“As it is now, because they didn’t give the reasons in court yesterday we are not able to say with certainty that the merit of the case has been dealt with because what the judges went to court with was whether the half salary they had been put on was a violation of provision that says that you cannot vary the salary of a certain superior court judge during his time as a judge”.

 

Story by Nana Afrane Asante | 3news.com

Peace Council to be reconstituted next week

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Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante chairs the current Peace Council Board
Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante chairs the current Peace Council Board

Interior Minister, Prosper Bani has disclosed that government will dissolve the existing National Peace Council board and reconstitute a new one hopefully next week.

He is confident the new Council would be given the needed power to nip any predictable violence in the bud.

The current 13-member Council chaired by Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante was inaugurated by late President Atta Mills in November 2011. Most Rev Prof Asante told the media in March that Peace Council has completed its term of office.

The core function of the Council is to facilitate and develop mechanism to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict and to build sustainable peace in Ghana.

Addressing a gathering after inspecting the United Nations Humanitarian depot in Accra, Prosper Bani was upbeat about the yet-to-be inaugurated National Peace Council board.

“We are in the process of reconstituting the Peace Council, I believe by next week when his excellency the president makes some time, I believe we will inaugurate the new Peace Council, which will then have the power and authority to engage directly on situations where we believe will create conflicts and disagreements that may lead to violence.”

The minister also assured that the government is engaging its partners around the sub-region and sharing intelligence to ensure a peaceful election.

“And come November 7, I want to assure you all that the security of citizens of this country is very paramount to the government and everything possible will be done to ensure that our people exercise their democratic rights in peace,” he said.

VIGILANTE GROUPS

Responding to a question from a member of the UN Humanitarina team concerning the activities of vigilante groups attached to political parties, Prosper Bani was emphatic it is unlawful to have those groups.

“These groups are very illegal and cannot be tolerated as any legal or alternative security arrangement for any political party,” he stated.

Prosper Bani said the political parties have clearly been communicated to that the activities of the vigilante youth groups are illegal.

He said conversation is ongoing for the state to provide security to political leaders going into the 2016 general elections.

Other members of the current Peace Council included   Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Nana Susubribi Krobea Asante, Asokorehene; Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Sheikh Mahmoud Gedel and Alhaji Adam Abubakar, both of the Office of the Chief Imam. The former Ameer and Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement, late Maulvi Dr Wahab Adam was a member.

Story by Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana

Vice President to address high-level conference in Turkey

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Vice President, Mr K. B. Amissah-Arthur
Vice President, Mr K. B. Amissah-Arthur

The Vice President, Mr K. B. Amissah-Arthur, has arrived in Antalya, Turkey for the United Nations High-Level Midterm Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The review conference, which is open to all United Nations member countries, comes off from 27th — 29th May, 2016.

Mr Amissah-Arthur is expected to address the plenary session as well as chair a roundtable discussion on “Human and Social Development, and Good Governance at All Levels”.

The objective of the High-Level Roundtable is to bring together global leaders to address LDCs challenges, identify concrete suggestions and secure firm commitments to achieve the IPoA’s priority areas on human and social development, and good governance at all levels.

This event will provide a platform to make success visible, showcase best practices and identify the key principles and variables for successful acceleration of human and social development, and good governance.

The Vice President is representing President John Dramani Mahama who was specially invited by the Government of Turkey.

President Mahama and the Prime Minister of Norway, Ms Ema Solberg, are co-Chairs of a group of 16 eminent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

 

Source: 3news.com | Ghana

CJ must explain ruling on NHIS card holders – Allotey Jacobs

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Central Regional Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs has called on the Chief Justice to explain a recent ruling by the Supreme Court on persons who registered as a voter with the NHIS card.

There has been a divided opinion on the case involving the former National Youth Organizer of the People’s National Convention and NPP activist who sued the Electoral Commission (EC) over the credibility of the voters’ register since it contains names of persons who registered with the NHIS card. The Supreme Court in 2014 invalidated the use of NHIS card for voter registration.

“The [Mrs Georgina Wood] must come out explain to Ghanaians on the decision because she presided over the issue and her explanations will settle the dust,” Allotey Jacobs requested.

The NDC Chairman was reacting to a comment by a member of the panel of Supreme Court Judges who ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to purge the voters’ register of persons who used the National Health Insurance Scheme cards as a form of identification for their registration.

“…we [Supreme Court] said the use of the NHIS cards is therefore unconstitutional and it should take the opportunity to clean the register of those undesirable persons” Justice Jones Dotse stated.

Justice Dotse was also quoted as saying, “we also do not want to disenfranchise anybody so the Supreme Court went on to say that anybody who will be affected by that exercise should be given the opportunity to register according to the law and the constitution, period.”

The EC had insisted that the Supreme Court’s May 5 ruling on the voters’ register did not instruct them to delete the names of those who registered with NHIS cards ahead of the 2016 elections.

Speaking on the issue on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa hosted by Kwame Karikari today, Mr. Allotey Jacobs explained that “Justice Dotse is a highly respected judge in Ghana but the Chief justice who presided over the case must come out to clear the air”.

He said “the presiding judge must come out and explain the ruling because there has been some understanding”.
Story by Kweku Antwi-Otoo/Onua FM/ 3news.com

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