Nifa SHS Headmaster Sued For Attempted Rape

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The Headmaster of the Nifa Senior High School in the Eastern region has been sued by his Assistant Headmistress for attempted rape.

Anna Duodo is accusing Alex Acquah of sexual assault and attempting to rape her in May last year in his office.

She is also challenging her transfer from the school by the Regional Education Director following a complaint of rape.

The assistant headmistress filed the suit at the Akropong circuit court following several petitions to the Educational Directorate and the Ghana National Association of Teachers.

Excerpts of the petition seen by Starrfmonline.com read: “As I entered his office, he seized hold of me, dragged me to a chair, tripped me up into it and sat astride me, I was in a skirt and a buttoned top, he debuttoned the top, took hold of my breasts and fondled them.

“Because there was no one around, all my distress cum protests yells came to naught.

“At this point, he had fully worked himself into a frenzy, he pulled me from the chair and tried to stretch me on a table while he stripped himself naked, he relaxed his grip on me and when he was almost stark naked he let go completely of me.

“Perhaps he thought I had yielded or had been prostrated by the struggle. Then I made an escape with the little strength in me before he fully got out of his boxer pant”.

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Sale Of ADB Head Office Suspended As Board Mulls Over Options

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The Management of ADB has announced that it has suspended the sale of its head office.

The management of the pro-agric bank told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that the Board is mulling over its options.

The government-owned bank became the subject of controversy after news that it had disposed off its head office for $10million.

The bank has moved into a new office at the Accra Financial Center for a reported 1million cedis monthly rent excluding utilities and parking.

The Managing Director of ADB, Stephen Kpordzi, explained that the Bank rented a total space of 7,250 square metres and each square metre costs $37. This means that the rent of the Bank can go up when the cedi loses value against the dollar.

The Bank is also paying $67,260 monthly for parking.

The decision to move has sparked dissatisfaction among the Bank’s staff, who have questioned the factor of prudence in the decision.

In defense, the Bank has said, the relocation is to house all headquarters staff in one building.

The Bank said paying utilities and rent for different locations of its headquarters was not in its interest.

At the press conference, however, the Bank could not immediately provide data to support the claim of cost-effectiveness which informed the relocation.

Officials promised to furnish the media of details soon.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

‘Mayweather May Not Show Up For Pacquiao Fight’

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Manny Pacquiao’s trainer says he fears Floyd Mayweather might not turn up for Saturday’s super-fight in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are set to split upwards of £150m following their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand. 

But Freddie Roach said of Mayweather: “I really am wondering if he’s going to turn up on the night. 

“I don’t think any fighter is afraid, but I don’t think he wanted this fight. He was forced into a fight he didn’t want to take.” 

Roach added: “I just don’t know why Floyd has gone quiet for this fight. His speech is very subdued. 

Five-weight world champion Mayweather, 38, was unmoved by Roach’s claims, stating: “I’ll be there. 

“I talked trash in the past but this fight sells itself, so I don’t have to.” 

Roach said Mayweather’s camp had also made a complaint about the protective cup that Pacquiao will use, citing that as further proof of Mayweather’s fragile state of mind. 

Roach said the Nevada Commission had inspected the cup at Pacquiao’s training camp and approved it. 

“It’s the regular cup,” said Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year who was in Oscar de la Hoya’s corner when Mayweather beat him in 2007. 

Mayweather’s trainer, Floyd Sr, also went on the offensive at Wednesday’s news conference. 

“Manny Pacquiao ain’t got it,” he said. “He can’t punch. It’s going to be one-sided and Pacquiao is going to be put to sleep. Good night.” 

He also mocked Pacquiao and Roach in rhyme, including the line: “When Floyd breaks his jaw, he will take time to recoup. And when it’s all finished, he’ll be sucking on soup.” 

Six-weight world champion Pacquiao, 36, said he wanted the fight more than Mayweather and criticised the American – unbeaten in 47 bouts – for being money-focused. 

“It’s all business for him,” said Pacquiao. “For me, it’s about giving the fans who are paying all this money a great fight. They deserve that.” 

The Philippine legend added he was in good shape for the fight, which is the richest in history and also for the WBC, WBA and WBO titles. 

“The feeling I had three years ago, 10 years ago, is back,” he said. “I haven’t felt like this in my last few fights, I feel different. I’m relaxed and confident.”

BBC

Via: -Daily Guide  

Students Will Pay Utility Bills Despite Protests – Prof Mahama

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The directive for students of public tertiary institutions to pay for their utility bills will take effect from the 2016-17 academic year, despite the widespread protest against it.

According to the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education, Professor Dawuja Mahama, the decision was long overdue and will not be reversed.

Speaking on the Ultimate Breakfast, Prof Mahama told host Prince Minkah that heads of the various public tertiary institutions should begin to psyche their students to accept the reality ahead.

“The management of these institutions, the Vice Chancellors themselves have long ago advocated for some of these measures, and so as the current year is coming, in anticipation of these things coming, I think it would be a wise thing for them to start engaging them on the way forward.

“It wouldn’t be out of place if they started talking right now that look, get prepared, from next academic year, you are likely to pay for this and this is how much you will pay,” Prof. Mahama stated.

The students have given the government 48 hours to withdraw plans to charge them utility tariffs, but it is unlikely the government will succumb to their request. The students are threatening mass protests across the country starting next week if the government fails to meet their demands.

According to Mahama, “Government’s rationale behind the bills payment by students, will serve as an alternative means to tackle increasing utility debts in public universities and sustain the halls of residence.

“Is it government’s fault that utility bills are so high on campus? I am not too sure it is government’s fault that the bills are that high but when we talk about sustainability, we have advised that as a general policy of providing sustainable for tertiary education, it is important for all the stakeholders to contribute.

“When we talk about stakeholders, we talk about government doing its part, parents and students on one side and industry and then of course the institutions themselves.”

Meanwhile, government said there is no official position on the policy.

Source: Graphic .com.gh

Via: -Daily Guide  

Man, 20, Stabbed To Death Over GH₵2

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A 20-year-old man has been killed by a friend in Bole in the Northern region following a misunderstanding over GHc2, it has been reported.

The incident happened in a public vehicle Wednesday, according to a report by Starrfmonline.

The two men were said to quarreling over the ownership of the money.

The victim who is yet-to -be identified was stabbed with a knife by his friend during the scuffle, the report noted.

Police in Bole are said to have launched investigations into the incident.

Source: Daily Graphic

Via: -Daily Guide  

‘Tehoda Helped Sell Cocaine Woman’s House’

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DSP Gifty Mawunyegah Tehoda

Detective Inspector Paul Mahama of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), has told an Accra Human Rights Court that his investigations revealed that it was DSP Gifty Mawunyegah Tehoda who facilitated the sale of the house of Nana Ama Martins, the cocaine suspect at the centre of the swapping of 120 kilograms of cocaine with sodium bicarbonate.

He told the court, presided over by Justice Nana Kofi Essel, that Serwah Dwabeng, the errand lady of Nana Ama, admitted it in her statement to the police.

DSP Tehoda has sued the Ghana Police Service over her dismissal for her alleged role in the swapping of the cocaine.

The witness said this in his evidence in-chief led by Cecil Adadevoh. Detective Inspector Paul Mahama explained that the plaintiff (Tehoda) called Serwah Dwabeng nine times in prison and said she was not dismissed because of the swapping of the cocaine, but because of the role she played in facilitating the sale of the house.

He further averred that Serwah Dwabeng had told him that the plaintiff had told her (Dwabeng’s) madam (Nana Ama) that she should go to court because nothing would come out against her, but Ephraim Vodoagu, counsel for Tehoda, said that was unacceptable because it wasn’t from a direct source but hearsay.

The trial judge in response said what the investigator was saying wasn’t the issue before him and that he would not take that into consideration at the end of the case.

The case has been adjourned to May 12 for the witness to authenticate some documents and to tender the movement diary of the police to the court in evidence.

Chief Supt Yakubu Aggrey Nantogmah of the Madina Divisional Police Command has testified against Tehoda saying it was he who recommended her dismissal.

He had also admitted that he continued hearing allegations against her (Tehoda) at the Police Disciplinary Committee set up to investigate her, in spite of the fact that she informed him that the committee sitting should be suspended because the matter was in court.

Evans Mensah, the host of Newsnight programme on Joy Fm – an Accra-based private radio station – appeared in court last year after he was subpoenaed, and tendered a transcript of the tape on which Atinga-Bio spoke about the writ filed by DSP Mawunyegah Tehoda concerning her dismissal by the Service, in court.

Mrs. Tehoda has filed a writ against the state, seeking a declaration that her detention in cells beyond 48 hours by the BNI was unlawful.

She is also seeking a declaration that her prosecution by the state over the alleged swapping of cocaine was malicious and wants compensation for her dismissal.

By Fidelia Achama

Via: -Daily Guide  

Metro TV Ready For Digital Migration

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Talal Fattal -CEO of Metro TV

Chief Executive of Metro TV, Alhaji Talal Fattal, has indicated that his outfit has braced itself for the digital migration come June 17.

“We are ready for the digital take over, we are currently broadcasting in 20 cities, doubled our efforts in Accra and Kumasi.

“Besides the over ¢30m investment in state-of-the-art equipment and studio work, we have also invested in top-notch human resource,” Alhaji Fattal said at the official inauguration of the new Metro TV studios at its Labone headquarters recently.

According to the Metro TV boss, the digital migration would offer viewers more channel options, would be on satellites all over Europe, Middle East and North America.

Notwithstanding the migration, Metro TV would offer its viewers with analogue TVs a one year grace period.

The new Metro TV studio boasts of a high profile master control room (MCR), video transmission room (VTR), a tri-caster which provides more backgrounds, new make-up room, green and the main studio.

Board Chairman of Metro TV, Richard Kwame Asante, said, “Metro TV is indeed poised to give competitors run for their monies, it’s a good innovation but I will advise that you maintain the equipment regularly and create good content.”

Major Albert B. Don-Chebe (Rtd), Director General at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), a board member at Metro TV also said the inauguration was a clear testament of its quest to embrace the digital migration.

Among the top-notch presenters in the Labone-based TV stations fold are Joselyn Dumas, Anita Erskine, among others.

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

DUM-SO BARGE

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Via: -Daily Guide  

Trouble At ADB

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The ADB building spotting the ‘ADB HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE…KEEP OFF’ notice. (INSET) Steven Kpordzi – ADB Boss

Tension is brewing at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) between employees and management of the financial institution.

This follows the sale of the Bank’s head office – which is located along the Independence Avenue at Ridge in Accra – under very bizarre circumstances.

But management of the state-owned development and commercial bank remains tight-lipped on the issue, in spite of agitations by some concerned staff.

Head of Public Relations Unit at ADB, Daniel Koomson, and his deputy, Samuel Coleman, both declined comment when DAILY GUIDE contacted them, even though sources said management had been meeting the workers’ union over some of their concerns.

Instead, the two senior officials of the bank said it (bank) would respond to the issues at the appropriate time, which is most likely going to be today.

Reports, however, indicate that the two-storey office complex had been sold for $10 million whilst management of the bank has now rented a new office space located in the Accra Financial Centre (AFC), about a mile away from the old ADB head office.

Ironically, the bank is paying GH¢1 million per month as rent to owners of the AFC for the new office, excluding utility bills.

Meanwhile, ADB is said to be having a 10% stake in the AFC building, raising issues of financial impropriety.

Accra-based Joy FM quoted management of the bank as defending the decision, insisting that it was a prudent one because about 40% of the head office staff were housed in other buildings in the city.

This, it said, meant that utilities were paid separately and other rent charges were borne by the bank.

“The managers believe bringing all the staff under one roof is cost-efficient, even if they were unable to state exactly how much savings is being made. They said when the valuation of the ADB headquarters was done, the property was valued at GH¢17 million but a competitive bidding earned the bank $10 million. They, however, say the deal is yet to be concluded,” the Joy FM report stated.

The story also pointed out that management sources insisted that the claim that the ADB land used for the construction of the Accra Financial Centre was worth $10 million was untrue and that the land was valued at about $2.5 million.

Aside that, staff of ADB are said to have raised issues concerning an amount of GH¢600 million they had discovered in the bank’s books as unrecovered loans which could affect its operations.

ADB, which used to occupy the fifth position on the list of 28 best performing banks in the country, now ranks 20th, trailing behind several others.

It is for this reason that the disgruntled workers and the union are pushing for the removal of the managing director of the bank, Stephen Kpordzih, and dissolution of the Board to make way for a forensic audit of the activities and operations of the bank.

As at April 2010, ADB was the leading financial institution in agricultural financing in Ghana, responsible for 35% of the total bank industry financing of the sector.

In September 2010, the bank was recognised as Bank of the Year at the Africa Investor Agribusiness Awards in Durban, South Africa – the first institution so recognised at this annual event.

The total assets of the institution at the end of December 2011 were valued at approximately US$683.6 million (GH¢1.21 billion) but now struggling to catch up on the list of best performing banks in the country.

Minority in Parliament

Meanwhile, the minority caucus in Parliament has threatened to sue the bank if it fails to seek parliamentary approval before floating its shares.

“…If steps are not taken to seek prior parliamentary approval, the Minority shall proceed to restrain you and your assigned agents, body or authority from going ahead with the said transaction without recourse to you,” a statement issued by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and signed by a solicitor for the party, Alex Afenyo Markin, indicated.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently gave ADB the approval to go ahead and offer its shares to the public.The bank is expected to offload a little over 100 million shares to the public by the end of this month.

Proceeds from the offer are expected to expand the bank’s operations.

However, the NPP pointed out that the intention of the bank to float shares and participate in trading on the Stock Exchange Market “requires parliamentary approval under Article 181 of the 1992 Constitution.”

Afenyo Markin said government owns 52% of the shareholding, with the remaining 48% held by the Financial Investment Trust on behalf of the Bank of Ghana.

“Over 50% of the shares of the bank is owned by the people of Ghana represented by the government and the remaining in the name of the Bank of Ghana, although there is no evidence on record that said shares were paid for by the latter.”

It cautioned, “As much as the intention of the bank and its management to go public is a laudable one, it cannot override an express constitutional provision, cabinet approval notwithstanding.”

By Charles Takyi-Boadu

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Wee Smuggler Jailed 10 Years

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Ngochikwu Adubuzu with the pillows containing the dry leaves.

A-26-year old Nigerian who attempted to export 26 parcels of wee stashed in 15 pillows to Nigeria has been jailed for 10 years by an Accra circuit court.

The convict, Ngochikwu Adubuzu, businessman, was charged for exporting narcotic drugs contrary to Section 56 (c) sub-section 1(1) of the Narcotic Drug, Control Enforcement and Sanction Act of 1990.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Oppong, averred that the accused on April 27, 2015 at the ABC lorry park in Accra, had in his possession 26 parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp (wee).

Appearing before a court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri, Adubuzu pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge.

Explaining, he said he was sent to Ghana for the substance by someone he simply called Chief.

He said he bought the substance at GH¢60 a parcel from Wa to be exported to Nigeria.

However, the trial judge said the explanation was an admission of guilt by the accused and proceeded to convict him.

In sentencing Adubuzu, Justice Obiri said the accused, who is a first offender, had shown remorse and had not wasted the time of the court.

Justice Obiri handed him the 10-year jail term and ordered the Ministry of Interior to take the necessary steps to deport him after serving his term in Ghana.

Earlier, Chief Insp. Oppong had suggested a   20-year jail term for the accused, noting that the country had been used as a transit point for the exportation of such drugs.

This development, he indicated, had marred the hard won reputation of Ghana.

But George Asamaney, counsel for Adubuzu, who entered the case pro bono, pleaded for leniency for the accused.

 

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson

jeffdegraft44@yahoo.com 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Appalling Corruption Level

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Prof Kwesi Yankah

Prof Kwesi Yankah last Tuesday disturbed the hornets’ nest when he presented an apt situation report on Ghana’s corruption state.

It was another platform provided by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for pertinent matters to be discussed and the linguistics professor was not found wanting.

In a country where such brazenness attracts the umbrage of government-paid hawks, he became an instant target for negative descriptions. Even those who were not directly mentioned in the presentation became jittery and reacted insultingly after the media presentation of the discourse the following day.

The venerable academician knows too well about the players on the corruption field and how far they can go in their useless efforts at countering such presentations that he would hardly wink an eye at their cacophonous reactions. He is grown past their infantile pranks.

One of the reasons why fighting corruption in the country under the incumbent political administration is close to impossible is that there is a massive dose of denial on the part of those perpetrating it. These persons would stop at nothing in their useless bid to protect their fallen images.

The rot at the head of the country – the presidency – about which the linguistics professor alluded to, is very serious and calls for reflection by all Ghanaians.

No day elapses in recent times without one exposition or another, and all involving public institutions with political appointees playing immense roles.

The silence which has largely been associated with reports about corruption scandals across the country does the country no good. More Ghanaians, especially those whose words carry weight, must stand up and be counted among those ready to grab the bull by the horns in this direction, the accompanying invectives notwithstanding. After all, it is the interest of Ghana which is at stake.

A recent IEA survey report which had many Ghanaians posting negative impressions about the integrity of the presidency is as revealing as it is worrying. There is no doubt that with such a situation on our hands corruption would be provided an unwanted catalyst that would enhance its speed and spread.

It is our position that when more and more people speak against the phenomenon, adequate force would be marshalled against it.

Government players have unearthed new means of perpetrating corruption by especially targeting even sections of the media – the fourth estate of the realm – members of which must be able to expose moral anomalies.

The recent scandal about some journalists invited by state players for suspicious engagements at the seat of government has been discussed both in whispering mode and on the airwaves.

It is sad that such efforts are being exacted, all in a bid to shut the mouths of media practitioners so the cankerworm can be assured of longevity.

We have observed regrettably how those fingered in corruption scandals are rather transferred to the presidency and given fresh schedules as though their iniquities do not matter.

Unfortunately, as observed by Prof Yankah, the realities which endanger national security have not attracted any mention by the Council of State, let alone their action.

For how long can we hold on?

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

BOST Boils

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Kingsley Kwame Awuah-Darko

There is uneasy calm at Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) following the alleged sacking of the company’s chairman of the Professional and Managerial Staff Union (PMSU).

The chairman, Albert Mantey, who is an audit officer at BOST, was reportedly sacked by the managing director, Kingsley Kwame Awuah-Darko, for breaching the company’s conditions of service.

He was accused of granting media interviews on the ongoing restructuring exercise and staffing policy without express permission from Mr Awuah-Darko, who was the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate of Ayawaso West Wugon (East Legon area) in the 2012 elections.

Ernst & Young Audit

The BOST brouhaha heightened when a leaked Ernst and Young audit report revealed massive corrupt practices among officials of the company.

The report had said the endemic corruption was as a result of collusion between senior BOST officials and some of the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) – a revelation which has sparked a war of words between the two players in the petroleum upstream sector.

Dictatorship

In the ensuing confusion, a section of the BOST workers have accused Mr Awuah-Darko of being a dictator regarding the way and manner he is allegedly running down the state facility.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that Mr Mantey’s employment was terminated on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, after he had denied a query letter sent to him on April 21 for breaching Clause 10.6 of the conditions of service, which the management said restricted communication on ‘any matter’ concerning the administration of/or policies of the company to the media.

The termination letter was signed by Phyllis Asinah, acting Head of Human Resource of BOST.

Media interview

Even though Mr Mantey has explained the circumstance that compelled him to grant the media interview, the BOST management is still adamant.

The PMSU chairman said a staff called Sackey had organised a news conference and levelled allegations against the staff fraternity and so he responded to them in his capacity as the leader of the union and said his dismissal was an attempt to stifle dissenting views on the mismanagement at BOST.

Chop Chop At BOST

It emerged that BOST, which had been struggling to raise funds for its activities, pays a whopping $43,000 as rent to a property owner called Frontiers Developers Limited at Dzorwulu, Accra, every month.

Before moving to DEMMCO House at Dzorwulu, Accra, BOST had its offices at the Airport Residential Area, which had bigger office spaces but reportedly paid $13,000 monthly as rent.

Customised Furniture

Additionally, the BOST MD is said to have ordered new customised furniture from the United States for his new office, a group of workers calling for forensic audit of the state-owned company’s finances claimed.

In a letter they sent to the presidency to investigate Mr Awuah-Darko’s management style, the  petitioners claimed  BOST entered into an agreement with a company called TSL Logistics (Ghana) Limited where the state-owned company pays $56,170.21 every month as management fees.

Huge Payments

BOST is also alleged to be paying $594,000 monthly to TSL, which they claimed is to cater for ‘reimbursables’ and the amount included money for maintenance, training, standard operating procedures as well as salaries, even though TSL Logistics is reportedly using staff of BOST to execute the said contract.

According to the petitioners, the hefty payments were being made without invoices but the alleged payments continue to go through with the endorsement of the MD.

The workers claimed that TSL Logistics continues to bill BOST for training fees, although there was no training while it (BOST) pays separately for its own training and added that it paid for a number of pick-up trucks for TSL and TSL in turn gave four of the trucks to the MD for his parliamentary campaign at the Ayawaso West Wugon constituency.

They further alleged that Mr Awuah-Darko presented a budget of $8 million as the total cost on automation of BOST depots nationwide, but in less than a year, he had purportedly revised the amount to $16 million with the board’s approval.

The concerned staff claimed that BOST is failing to account for $15 million from its partnership with the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC).

By William Yaw Owusu

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Dumsor Not Over

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Ghanaians have to endure at least four more months of dumsor before the power expected from the Turkish company, Karpowership, can reach their homes.

The company says it’s working frantically to send its first power ship of 120 megawatts installed capacity to the country earliest by August, 2015.

The power ship will start sailing to Ghana anytime soon, hoping to be ready to discharge its service by August.

According to the owners, Karpowership of Turkey – a subsidiary of Karadeniz Holdings – the 120 megawatts capacity power ship is a stop gap arrangement pending the construction of Ghana’s barges of 450 megawatts which will be ready later in the year.

A team of Ghanaian journalists currently in Turkey at the invitation of Karpowership visited the construction site, with workers busily putting finishing touches to the smaller power ship while others were also working on the first 225 megawatts ship destined for Tema Port for the next 10 years, in line with the agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The ECG had signed a power purchase agreement with Karpowership for the supply of 450 megawatts of power.

The ECG recently brought a closure to the deal with a guarantee provided by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) while Ecobank supported with letters of credit, making the Turkish company to launch into action.

Speaking to the visiting journalists, Orhan Remzi Karadeniz, CEO of Power Group, said the financial arrangements now sealed, the company was on its way to meet its obligations ahead of schedule. He was, however, not ready to reveal the terms of the contract, rather directing probing journalists to its client, the ECG.

He explained that the 120 megawatts power ship to be deployed indicated the company’s commitment in helping Ghana to get out of dumsor.

Dumsor ran through the company’s communication with the media, indicating that indeed, the term is gaining international acceptance in referring to energy crisis in Ghana.

Karpowership is in its seventh year of building power ships and has supplied the facility to countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, and Pakistan among others.

Mr Karadeniz said the company sees Ghana as a gateway to the African market.

Karadeniz explained that the contract period to deliver the two barges are 215 days after the financial closure of the deal for the first power ship – to be stationed at Tema Port – while the second barge, with the same 225 megawatts, will berth at Takoradi.

However, cutting the waiting period by over 50 days makes the first power ship’s arrival date from September going.

Corporate Ghana has been hit hard with dumsor, with companies laying off their workers because of high production costs.

Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor says resolution of the crisis is expected by the end of the year, with observers wondering what would have happened to other struggling companies which are spending so much to fuel their businesses.

Mr Karadeniz discounted the claims that their power ship was expected in April, saying that they were working according to schedule.

From Fortune  Alimi, Istanbul, Turkey 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

EC Committee Silent On New Voters’ Register

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Dr Afari Gyan

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) says some of the suggestions it made to the Electoral Reforms Committee formed by the Electoral Commission (EC) were rejected.

According to the NPP’s Committee on Elections, the Electoral Reforms Committee made up of the EC, some political parties and civil society organisations, was silent on a good number of its proposals, adding that it felt the proposals could enhance the integrity of general elections and deepen the country’s democracy.

The party made a tabular presentation yesterday comparing what they proposed and what the committee presented in its final draft report.

The EC committee had Mrs Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, Deputy Chairperson, EC; Mrs Rebecca Kabukie Adjalo, EC; Mr Asiedu Nketiah, NDC; Mr Kwabena Agyepong, NPP and Mr James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, CPP, as members.

The rest were Mr Anin-Kofi Addo, YPP; Dr Ransford Gyampo, IEA; Dr Kwesi Jonah, IDEG; and Dr Franklin Oduro, CDD-Ghana, with Mr Christian Owusu- Parry (EC) as Secretary.

Inaugurated on 23rd January, 2015, the committee was tasked to separate the proposals into categories such as those that required changes to regulations as well as proposals that required changes to existing administrative laws.

They were also to determine which proposals were worthy of adoption and indicate the form in which each change to be adopted was to be incorporated into the electoral system, bearing in mind its compatibility with the remaining aspects of the electoral laws.

Bloated Register

The NPP said the committee was silent on the creation of a new voters’ register to replace the2012 register which they said was over bloated, adding, “we suggested that this register should be created not later than June 2016.”

They said they had suggested that the new register to be compiled “should be independently audited by an internationally reputable firm before the 2016 election.”

The committee said they suggested that copies of the new voters’ register should be provided to parties in both the electronic csv file and pdf file formats but the committee was again silent on it in its report.

“The new register should be sorted alphabetically by last name and gender. The new register should clearly delineate voters registered overseas by country and basis for registration (e.g., mission, scholarship, etc),” they had suggested.

Regulation 1(4)

The party said they had also proposed that Regulation 1(4) be amended to read that a registered voter cannot guarantee more than two (2) potential registrants, saying, “Copies of such registrations should be made available to the political parties and should also be accessible by the general public.

“The statement of poll in each polling station must have a bar code reading to distinguish its unique features from any other. In the (C) section, C3 should be deleted and replaced with ‘What is the number of verified voters on the BVD at the close of the poll before counting of votes commences?’”

Video/Photographs

They suggested further that “the polling agents must be allowed to video record or photograph the pink sheet on completion before it is transmitted to the collation centre,” but the committee was again silent on it.

“High quality carbonless paper must be used that allows multiple copies of the pink sheet to be distributed to the interested political parties, candidates and the pool of reporters,” they suggested.

Unique serial number

They requested that every collation sheet must have a unique identification (serial number) and embossed with the polling station codes, polling station names and symbols of competing parties.

They said the summarised result declaration form for presidential and parliamentary elections is not backed by law and therefore must be discontinued, adding, “the conventional seventy-two (72) hours declaration of the presidential results is not backed by any legislation. We are proposing that it must be backed by law.”

Back-up equipment

The NPP recommended a back-up mechanism and equipment which allows verification of finger prints in the event of equipment failure and said that at the close of voting, every Biometric Voting Device (BVD) must give a print out of the number of people who voted for the day.

They said the committee was silent on the call for the finger-printing system to be centrally networked to prevent any double or multiple registrations or voting in the entire country and that appropriate sanctions should be applied to defaulters.

“The EC should ensure that no third party systems are connected or linked to any of the EC’s own systems without the knowledge and active involvement of the political parties.”

There should be provision on the statement of poll to be signed by a deputy Presiding Officer in the absence of the Presiding Officer, they added.

By William Yaw Owusu

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

OccupyGhana Wants Red May Day

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From left: Casely-Hayford, Franklin Cudjoe and George Andah

OccupyGhana has called on all Ghanaians, especially workers to wear red attire on May 1 in protest against the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for subjecting workers to harsh living and economic conditions.

Sydney Casely-Hayford, a leading member of OccupyGhana, who was speaking at a press conference, hinted that “we are asking that the significance of May Day on this particular May Day should be shifted, let it become a voice of protest and a voice of complaint to the government.

“Let them understand clearly that as much us we are not going to walk the street attempting to destroy anything and create mayhem, we are at least going to register our protest by making sure that we symbolise the day with something red.

“A red shoe, a scarf, a red pair of earrings, pair of socks, anything that we can think of that would enhance that day.”

Speaking on the theme: ‘Red Friday on May Day’, he said government’s refusal to reduce fuel prices at a time when world oil prices had been drastically reduced by more that 50 percent was also a major contributing factor for the high cost of living being forced on the Ghanaian worker.

Mr Casely-Hayford urged all Ghanaians who believe that government must fix the current energy crisis put in more efforts in fighting corruption and ultimately those who believe that workers deserve better to “wear their voices in demand for better governance.”

“As Leonardo da Vinci puts it, nothing strengthens authority so much as silence. So we should never be afraid to wear our voice in demand for better governance that will eventually create better environment and living conditions for all. If workers all over the Ghana will do this, we will affect lives positively. So on May Day, let your voice be seen in red,” he stated.

Power Crisis

The leading member of OccupyGhana disclosed that industries were shutting down while production levels were being reduced due to government failure to effectively deal with the currently energy crisis resulting in massive layoff of workers at all level.

“By conservative estimates, over 12,600 formal workers have lost their jobs this year due to the extremely difficult business and economic conditions under which they are operating. This excludes the many undocumented job losses at the micro-enterprise levels; dressmakers, welders, bakers, corn-mill operators and all manner of small businesses that rely on power for their operations,” he said.

Depreciation of Cedis

Mr Casely-Hayford added that workers were being faced by the rapid decline of real wages due to the depreciation of the cedi, increasing inflation and declining rates of wage increase.

“.…Clearly therefore, the real wage of the majority of Ghanaian workers especially those who earn just or above the minimum wage is under intense pressure, making it almost impossible to put food on the family table and to keep body and soul together.”

He hinted that OccupyGhana was working on a major event on July 1 as they prepare to mark their anniversary.

By Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

 

 

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

‘Mzbel Lacks Bible Knowledge’

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Sexy Ghanaian musician Mzbel continues to attract severe public condemnation over her “I don’t believe in Jesus Christ” statement, with UK-based Ghanaian gospel musician, Jojo De Mens, being the latest to take on the secular singer.

Mzbel had stated publicly that she did not believe in the existence of Jesus Christ, originator of Christianity, and that she had discovered through research that the whole talk about the existence of Jesus Christ and his supernatural abilities were nothing but a myth.

The statement was deemed blasphemous to Christians and generated a huge public uproar.

Commenting on the statement, Jojo told NEWS-ONE that Mzbel should seek forgiveness for the comment, get a proper understanding of the Christian Bible and learn how to speak as a public figure.

“I don’t know to what extent Mzbel’s research has gone but the only thing I will tell her is that the Bible says knowledge is a principal thing. Seek knowledge but in all the knowledge you [acquire], get understanding because if you don’t get understanding of the knowledge you have acquired, then the knowledge becomes nothing.

“Whatever research she did is limited. After she read whatever she had read, has she sought an understanding of it? Did you try to find another understanding to compare and contrast? If she claimed she used to be a Christian, I want to know how far she had gone in her Christianity. You see, going to stand out there and speaking and praying in tongues doesn’t immune you to what the devil can do to you. You see where I am coming from,” Jojo explained.

Jojo De Mens 2

He continued: “The problem I have with her is the way she put the whole thing across. What research did she do? What evidences have she got? I believe we have a strong clergy community in Ghana; you can go out there and seek knowledge. I will say knowledge is the principal thing but you need understanding.  She lacks understanding because when it comes to the Bible, it is not just picking things literally as it is said or spoken or it is written. Some of the things are spiritual. I mean, the Bible is a spiritual book; it is not a book that is read anyhow like the newspaper. Sometimes you need to seek knowledge from the high point of view and you go down on your knees to cry to the Father to give you a revelation to understand. Mzbel lacks understanding of the Bible. She needs to go out there to seek for forgiveness. ”

Jojo De Mens was speaking in an exclusive interview about his upcoming single, Faakye, when he talked about Mzbel.

“People who have attained some position in society need to be extremely careful what comes out of their mouth in public. I have a problem with people who speak just like that, because the Bible says life and death lie in the power of the tongue of a man and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof,” he added.

The controversy began after a television interview with Stacy on ‘Restoration’ when Mzbel was asked if she believed in Jesus Christ, to which she responded in the negative.

“Trust me, I don’t believe in that anymore…I don’t want to offend anybody. I used to believe in ‘it’ but eerrmm, I did my own research and I think ‘it’ was made up but I might be wrong; but by my own research, it was made up. Because the same story, 5000 years ago, happened in Egypt…Horus’ mother was a virgin…He did miracles, he had disciples at the age of 12,” Mzbel had stated.

She had continued: “I used to believe in ‘it’. I prayed in tongues; I can pray in tongue right now. I actually prayed in my room one time until the room was filled up in smoke…But now trust me, I will not believe in it anymore.”

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: fdee500@yahoo.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Mayweather Taunts Pacquiao …Over Money

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Floyd Mayweather taunted Manny Pacquiao ahead of their eagerly-anticipated super-fight on Saturday, telling him he should be earning more money.

The fight is the richest in history, with the fighters sharing around £150m, although the exact figure is unknown.

However, the purse split is 60-40 in Mayweather’s favour and the American legend said his Filipino rival had not been looked after properly.

“If he’d have worked with us, he’d have made $100m (£65m),” said Mayweather.

“Financially, he hasn’t been treated right for this fight. And [this fight] is all about the money.

“Saturday is just work, I’ll just do what I do. But I’ll make upwards of $200m for this fight, which is $50m apiece for my kids. So it was a smart move.”

Five-weight world champion Mayweather, nicknamed ‘Money’, came face to face with six-weight world champion Pacquiao for the first time at a Miami Heat basketball game in January.

The 38-year-old American said he instigated the initial meeting in Pacquiao’s Miami hotel suite – which Mayweather said was not up to his exacting standards.

Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 47 professional fights, explained: “I went over to Manny and said: ‘I don’t know what [Pacquiao's promoter] Bob Arum is saying to you, but it’s not true.

“When Manny Pacquiao said he had signed paperwork to fight me, he must have been signing half of his money away. He hadn’t signed to fight me.

“I told him that if we agree to drugs testing and we’re on a level playing field, we can make the fight happen. The fight came about because of me.

“But why did they have him staying in that type of hotel? It wasn’t right.”

Mayweather also reiterated his intention to retire after one more fight in September, even though two more victories would leave him equal with heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano’s 49-fight unbeaten record.

“People ask me about Rocky Marciano’s record but it’s time for me to walk away. And I won’t miss boxing,” said Mayweather.

“The money is more important than any unbeaten record – my daughters can’t eat no ‘zero’.

“Getting to 50 fights unbeaten might be special for you, but for me it’s not.”

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Clottey Promises World Title

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Joshua Clottey

Former World Champion Joshua Clottey says he has more up his sleeves and does not intend to quit boxing any time soon.

The hard hitting boxer, since his last sterling performance against Anthony Mundine in Australia in 2014, has been on a low profile.

But he hinted that he was working on the quiet to rule the world again before he finally hangs his gloves.

He was among the tall list of boxing greats who witnessed the Emmanuel Tagoe-Joebert Delos Reyes WBA clash last Friday in Accra.

And when he mounted the ring in response to his acknowledgement, he said, “I am not finished with boxing yet. When I am tired, I will let Ghanaians know. I am currently preparing seriously for an upcoming bout.

“It is a non-title fight but by virtue of the fact that it will inch me closer to yet another World title shot is enough motivation. I am in good shape to rule again. I will become a World Champion again before I retire,” the ex- IBF Welterweight champion promised.

Clottey is expected to fly to the US soon for the up-coming fight against a yet-to-be named opponent.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Kotoko Whip Lions

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Ahmed Toure

Asante Kotoko have ended the first round of the 2014/2015 season on a strong note as they brushed aside Heart of Lions with an emphatic 4-0 in their match played at the Baba Yara Stadium on Wednesday.

Striker Ahmed Toure opened the scoring for the reigning Champions with a 20th minute penalty kick before Prince Baffoe added the second as the second half ended 2-0.

The home side returned to the second half with more goals on their mind as substitute Latif Amadu and Emmanuel Asante scored the third and fourth goal of the day to give Kotoko their biggest win over their Kpando-based opponents.

The win in the Match day 15 game has given the Porcupine Warriors their 5th win of the season and has also moved all to fifth on the League log.
For Lions, the defeat on the final day of the first round has seen them slip 11th on the League table.

In another League match played at the Sogakope Park, WAFA and Wa All Stars settled for a 0-0 scoreline in their last matches before the season takes a brief break.

WAFA however have moved second of the League table with a better goal advantage than Aduana who are also on 25 points.

All Stars on the other hand are now 8th on the League table.

Via: -Daily Guide  

Man Utd Boss Fires Mourinho

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Louis van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has returned fire at Chelsea rival Jose Mourinho after last Sunday’s defeat.

Mourinho claimed after Chelsea‘s 1-0 win that the game had gone ­exactly as he had planned it.

But Van Gaal responded to the jibe by saying: “I was surprised when he said that but you can say anything as a winning coach.

“Football’s not counting possession – it’s counting goals and we lost 1-0. But I was surprised at the way Jose Mourinho ­analysed the game.

“Maybe he meant to say he knew in advance that ­Manchester United would ­attack and that he would be ­satisfied with a draw to keep the points distance ­between us the same.

“So it was then easier to defend – and his line-up was like that, with Kurt Zouma in midfield against Marouane Fellaini.

“But in spite of his defensive ­organisation, we created a lot of chances and had a lot of possession.

“It was nearly a miracle that they scored a goal out of only four ­chances and 30 per cent possession.

“You can’t make a tactic like that at your own home against ­Manchester United.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to see him after the match. It is ­difficult with all the ­interviews we have to do and as top clubs, we have to do them for TV ­stations from abroad, too.”

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Terlabi Dares Recruitment Accusers

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Ebenezer Okletey Terlarbi

Ebenezer Okletey Terlarbi, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Manya Krobo constituency in the Eastern Region, has denied speculations that he had collected monies from his constituents with the assurance that he would help them get enlisted into the Ghana Armed Forces.

According to him, the allegations were false and a calculated attempt by his detractors to damage his reputation so he would lose his seat in the forthcoming NDC parliamentary primaries.

In a telephone interview with DAILY GUIDE, Terlabi dared anybody whose money had been taken by him to come out with the evidence stating, “I am ready to go anywhere to defend myself.

“Anybody who comes out to say I have even taken his one cedi in order to help enlist him into the military service is not speaking the truth and I dare that person to come out and tell the general public how much I took and prove it.”

Reports reaching DAILY GUIDE indicate that Mr. Terlabi, who is also a university lecturer, allegedly collected monies from some of the constituents with intent to help them with the recruitment but could not.

They also accused the constituency chairman, Mr. David Walter, of facilitating the collection of the said monies.

Chairman’s Response

Mr. David Walter, who spoke to the media at Somanya, said the allegations levelled against him and the MP were untrue and that they were machinations by his opponents to destroy Terlabi’s reputation before the primaries.

“I have not facilitated any collection of the said monies for any constituent’s enlistment into the military service.

Mr. Walter rather accused the former MCE of the area, Tetteh Agbo, who is also eyeing the parliamentary seat, as the perpetrator of the allegations.

“It was Mr Agbo who started making the allegations, and even mentioned some names, but after investigations by the National Security, those mentioned denied they had ever made such allegations,” the NDC constituency chairman stressed.

By Cephas Larbi

cephrok@yahoo.com

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Stonebwoy To Outdoor Boy.Stif at Bhimnation Concert

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Stonebwoy 

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year winner, Stonebwoy, is expected to officially outdoor talented musician Boy.Stif at the ‘Bhimnation’ concert to be held at the Tema Sports Stadium on May 1.

Boy.Stif’s invitation to grace the stage with Stonebwoy at the early stages of his career is an indication of his talent, versatility and prowess as an artiste.

According to sources, Stonebwoy and Boy.Stif would treat patrons to and exclusive performances of their new collaboration titled ‘She Bad’ to serve as the official release of the song.

Boy.Stif, known in real life as Laud Segbe, is signed to Status Quo Entertainment Company, a Californian and Ghanaian-based entertainment company.

 

 

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Blakk Rasta Drops New Single ‘Serwaa Akoto’

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Reggae musician, Blakk Rasta, has released a new danceable single titled ‘Serwaa Akoto’.

The song is a cover of the popular ‘Serwaa Akoto’ song originally made about four decades ago by legendary highlife musician, Yamoah.

According to the controversial presenter, his inspiration was taken from his 65- year-old father who played it regularly while the musician was growing up.

Also, the beauty of the lyrics caught his attention and inspired him to perform the cover in a ‘Kuchoko’ rhythm style.

The single, produced by one of Ghana’s top sound engineers, Zapp Mallet, is already enjoying massive airplay.

Blakk Rasta is the host of the controversial Taxi Driver Show on Hitz FM.

Via: -Daily Guide  

Dentists, Private Doctors Revert To Cash Only

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(Flashback) Dr Kwasi Odoi-Agyarko (middle) with his executives during the press conference six weeks ago in Accra.

DENTISTS AND private medical practitioners will from Monday, May 4, 2015 see patients, including National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card holders only if they are willing to pay for their services.

This decision follows a directive by the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners (SPMDP) to its members to discontinue seeing clients with the NHIS cards as a result of government’s failure to pay their service provision allowances owed them.

Last month, the society threatened to suspend their services to NHIS cards holders if the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) does not refund monies due its members within six weeks.

The society in a statement to its members noted that “we intimated that if all outstanding payment payments were not made by 30^th April, 2015, we will not be able to continue seeing holders of NHIA cards. We will offer services to clients who will be prepared to pay cash for services.”

The statement, signed by the National President SPMDP, Dr Kwasi Odoi-Agyarko, said feedback from members in the other regions indicated that most of the providers had been paid up to August 2014.

“In the Northern Region, the payment is up to July, 2014 as at today 29^th April, 2015. The situation has not changed,” the statement disclosed.

He, therefore, entreated members to conform to the collective decision to see and offer services only to patients who would be prepared to pay cash for services, adding that the situation would continue until all outstanding payments are made.

President John Mahama has, however, given the strongest assurance that his government would do all it can to prevent the NHIS from collapsing in spite of the challenges.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

D.Med Donates Dialysis Machines To Police Hospital

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From left: Seidu Mahammadu Zachariah, Sven-Axel Krentorz and Recardo Costa, D.med Healthcare Business Development Manager for Africa with the two new haemodialysis machines.

D.med Healthcare Group, a global provider of medical products and services in the area of diabetes and dialysis, has donated two haemodialysis machines to the Dialysis Unit of the Accra Police Hospital.

The presentation of the machines worth GH¢140, 000 formed part of follow-up activities of the company after the commemoration of the World Kidney Day in Ghana.

Sven-Axel Krentorz, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of D.med Healthcare Group, presenting the machines to the management of the hospital said, “We decided to help people and support people to give them a better life and in this context it is a great pleasure for us to be here and contributing to the wellbeing of the Ghanaian patients.”

Mr Krentorz was of the hope that the relationship created by the donation would be the beginning of a long-term partnership in which the two organisations would mutually support each other and work together for the benefit of patients.

Seidu Mahammadu Zachariah, Medical Director of the hospital, said the donation was timely as the hospital is already finding it difficult to buy essential drugs let alone dialysis machines costing thousands of cedis.

He expressed his gratitude for the kind gesture and consumables that D.med has been supplying to the hospital at very competitive prices.

“So this partnership will continue because you have shown that you care,” he said.

The healthcare company would repeat their donation at the Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi with the intention of donating 15 of the machines by the end of the year.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

NLA Supports Three Kidney Patients

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Lt Col Dzotefe-Mensah presenting the cheque of GH¢5,000 to Theresa Mbanle while Mr Mustapha Salifu and the Principal Nursing Officer of the Renal Unit, Rita Shika, Nartey look on.

National Lottery Authority (NLA) has extended its corporate social responsibility initiative to the health sector by donating GH¢15,000 to three patients of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Dialysis Unit.

The three beneficiaries, Joseph Taylor, Emmanuel Dagbui and Theresa Mbanle by this donation would be able to undergo haemodialysis and also receive other medications required for them.

Lt Col Yaw Dzotefe-Mensah, General Manager Security and Special Projects of NLA, presenting the cheque to the hospital said, “There is no secret that provision of adequate healthcare to the general public is one of the major areas of concern to governments.”

However, he said government was constrained by resources and finance from providing the healthcare system that is envisaged.

“It is for this reason that National Lottery Authority is actively engaged in supporting the government by providing various forms of assistance to the Ministry of Health as part of our corporate social responsibility agenda,” he said.

Lt Col Dzotefe-Mensah also wished the beneficiaries of the medical sponsorship package well and prayed that the Almighty God, working through the doctors, will give them relief from their ailments.

Mustapha Salifu, Head of Public Relations Unit of Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital, on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the NLA for their support to Korle-Bu Hospital over the years.

He said the major challenge facing the patients of the unit was to get resources for haemodialysis and purchase of medication, thus, such a donation would help assist greatly in the delivery of healthcare to the patients.

 

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

NPP Shakes Kumasi

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Napo with a section of the elated-looking NPP supporters as they marched through the streets of Ash Town.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Manhyia South Constituency on Tuesday proved that indeed their party is poised for political victory in 2016 as they poured out in the streets in colossal numbers.

Decorated in the red, white and blue colours of the largest opposition political party, the NPP supporters flooded the streets at Ash Town causing massive vehicular traffic in the area.

Made up of men, women and the youth, the elated-looking NPP supporters were seen singing victorious songs, dancing to brass band music with intermittent shouts of “victory, victory, victory.”

The jamboree happened when Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, known in political circles as ‘Napo,’ MP for Manhyia South, stormed the party office to submit his form to seek re-election in the NPP primaries in the constituency.

People travelling in cars were seen joining the NPP supporters as they also shouted victory for the NPP and Nana Akufo Addo. Within minutes what was supposed to be a simple submission of forms turned out to be a rally.

Napo, who certainly looked impressed about was happening, described the upcoming NPP polls as a family affair so he entreated the party faithful to be decorous during campaign to protect party unity.

He slammed the NDC administration for destroying the country with their bad policies and programmes, stressing that the NPP needs total unity and peace in order to capture political power in 2016 to develop the country.

Napo, who had brought massive development to Manhyia South in the areas of education, health, scholarship to brilliant but needy students, among others, said he has unfinished business with the constituency.

The Manhyia South MP said he would complete all the significant projects that he had started in the area before 2016, promising that he has additional projects to better the lives of his constituents after the 2016 polls.

Alhaji Abuba, Manhyia South NPP Organizer, said Napo would contest the seat unopposed due to his brilliant works as MP, saying “all the people including the chiefs and opinion leaders in the area want Napo to go unopposed.”

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

NDC Leaders Anger Chiefs

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Abudul-Karimu Abudu

Traditional rulers in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region are angry over attempts by the leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area to drag them into politics.

The chiefs who are peeved by the move have served notice they would not allow themselves to be used as conduits for political games and the unhealthy conduct of the NDC leaders in the area. They have vowed to resist such attempts with all their might.

In a press release signed by Bulegna-Naa Abdulai Seidu Nawalogma IV, the chiefs indicated they were not ready to be coerced into meddling in the dirty style of politicking by the self-seeking NDC executives of the area and warned them to leave them out of their internal problems.

“If they are not prepared to cooperate with leaders in developing the area, we the traditional authorities are,” they stated.

Reacting to a recently held press conference by some NDC constituency executives where they claimed the DCE, Abudul-Karimu Abudu, was in the bad books of chiefs and opinion leaders of the area, Nawalogma IV said the claim was untrue.

According to him, chiefs in the area have for some time now enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the DCE since his assumption of office. He, therefore, described the allegations as baseless and an attempt to ruin the cordial relationship they had with the DCE.

Nawalogma IV disclosed that on several occasions the DCE went beyond his official duties to lend one form of support or the other to them, warning the constituency executives to desist from using the chieftaincy institution to pursue their parochial interest.

“As traditional rulers, our main responsibility is to assist Mr Abudul-Karimu Abudu, who is the political head of the area, to push the policies and programmes of government for the benefit of our people and nothing more,” he noted.

He reminded the NDC executives that chiefs were barred from politics, indicating that what mattered most to them was the development of the area.

The chiefs warned that the NDC executives risk incurring their wrath in future if they dare drag them into issues unrelated to development.

NDC youth in the area are however upset some constituency executives are bent on ruining the chances of the party in the area ahead of the 2016 general elections under the guise of seeking the welfare of the generality of residents.

Jamal Sessay and Osman Musah, who jointly addressed a press conference in Wa, the regional capital, indicated that some constituency executives of the NDC had taken it upon themselves to make the DCE of the area unpopular by peddling all manner of falsehood about him.

This, they claimed, was to incite the residents against him to make it look as though he were incompetent. They also warned that the youth would not sit aloof and allow them pursue such a clandestine agenda.

“We will never allow persons seeking the welfare of their stomachs to ruin the good things coming to the district,” they warned.

The youth noted that the conduct of the executives was bringing factionalism into the party and appealed to the leadership of the party in the region to call them to order.

They debunked allegations of impropriety and allegiance to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) levelled against Abudul-Karimu Abudu, the DCE, and challenged those making the claims to substantiate them or forever remain silent.

From Stephen Zoure, Wa

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

4th Quarter GDP Records GH¢32,258.2 million

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Government Statistician, Dr Philomena Nyarko

The current Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including oil, for the fourth quarter of 2014 was estimated at GH¢32,258. 2 million.

The corresponding estimate for third quarter of 2014 was GH¢28,310.5 million, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) yesterday revealed at a press conference.

It said the current GDP estimate (excluding oil) for fourth quarter of 2014 was GH¢30,380.2million, adding that the value recorded for third quarter of 2014 was GH¢26,530.8 million.

According to the Statistical Service, the constant GDP estimate (including oil) for fourth quarter of 2014 was GH¢9,193.3million while that for the third quarter of 2014 was GH¢8,901.8 million.

GSS said the constant GDP estimate (excluding oil) for fourth quarter of 2014 was GH¢8,704.9 million, noting that the value recorded for third quarter of 2014 was GH¢8, 398.3 million.

“The year-on-year quarterly GDP growth rate for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 4.6 percent compared to a rate of 2.7 percent recorded for the fourth quarter of 2013,” the GSS said.

It said the quarter-on-quarter GDP growth rate (seasonally adjusted) recorded for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 1.2 percent. The rate for the third quarter of 2014 was 2.6 percent.

The GSS said the annual GDP estimate for 2014 at current prices was GH¢112,610.6 million while that for 2013 was GH¢93,415.9 million.

“In constant terms, the 2014 annual GDP was estimated at GH¢33,539.7 million. The corresponding figure for 2013 was GH¢32,237.0 million.

“Finally, the annual growth rate for 2014 was 4.0 percent while that for 2013 was 7.3 percent,” it said.

Sectoral GDP

The year-on-year quarterly GDP growth rate for agriculture was 7.0 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014.

The forestry sub-sector recorded the highest annual growth rate of 36.0 percent while the livestock sub-sector recorded the lowest growth rate of 3.6 percent.

The year-on-year quarterly GDP growth rate for the industry sector was -2.7 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014.

The manufacturing sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year quarterly GDP growth rate of 3.4 percent for fourth quarter of 2014, while the electricity sub-sector recorded the lowest (-11.1 percent).

The services sector recorded a year-on-year quarterly growth rate of 8.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Information & Communication sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year quarterly GDP growth rate of 22.2 percent whilst the health sub-sector recorded the lowest growth rate of -1.8 percent.

In 2014, the services sector had the highest share of annual GDP (49.6 percent), followed by the industry sector with a share of 28.4 percent.

The agriculture sector recorded the least share of 22.0 percent.

By Cephas Larbi

cephrok@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

CLOSAG sensitizes members on pensions

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Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG.

As part of activities marking this year’s May Day celebration, the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has held a durbar to sensitize its members on pensions.

Since mid-2014, unions in the public sector, numbering about 12, including CLOGSAG, had been protesting against the government’s management of the Tier Two Pension Scheme and the slow pace of the implementation of the overall Tier Three Pension Scheme.

Alhaji Mahamadu Azonko, President of CLOGSAG in a pre-May Day message bemoaned the lack of attention given civil servants by politicians saying “I look forward to the day politicians will spend only five minutes thinking about our welfare.”

He said “we make everything for them to succeed but our success does not mean anything to them,” adding “if there are successful politicians there will definitely be successful and hardworking civil servants.”

Alhaji Azonko said that some powerful forces were trying hard to cripple CLOGSAG but promised that “we will never collapse. In fact, we will strive to make sure our cherished association stays stronger.”

He said the welfare of civil servants was paramount and they were not going to compromise on matters affecting them.

Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG said the numerous concerns raised by workers in the implementation of the Three Tier Pension Scheme as well as bringing an end to multiple pensions in the public service were valid.

“We ought to constantly remind ourselves that our current conditions of service have been attained through continuous struggle in the past and the present by various workers’ unions and association.”

He said “it would be self-deception if we presume that our future aspirations would be achieved on a silver platter.”

Mr. Bampoe Addo said that CLOGSAG was very much concerned about the improvement in pensions for workers especially those within the civil and local government services saying “CLOGSAG bemoans the deplorable conditions of retired public officers and would unceasingly pursue activities to improve the lot of pensioners and those about to retire.”

He said that “the hope for the realization of better pension has become a mirage,” adding “at each point in time when workers desire to see clear improvements in levels of pension scheme, their aspirations were dashed and had to wait for another long time in the future.”

He added “we see no end to the ‘promise and fail approach’ for better basis for payment of pension.”

The programme had the theme: ‘The Three Tier Pension Scheme is Kpakpakpa!”They later presented awards to members who were retiring from the civil service this year.

By William Yaw Owusu

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Bad News For Volta Herdsmen

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All Fulani herdsmen operating within the Volta Region or intending to venture into the region have been served a strong caution to reconsider and relocate before it’s too late.

According to the Volta Regional Minister, Helen Adwoa Ntoso, her office has noted with concern, some of the nefarious activities of these herdsmen aside their cattle rearing.

She said there had been several complaints about how some of these herdsmen infringe upon the rights of citizens and destroy farmlands.

Some, she said, have also been arrested in connection with some armed robberies and theft among others.

Madam Ntoso therefore announced that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would soon launch “Operation Cow Leg,” a security operation aimed at checking the activities of some of these unscrupulous Fulani herdsmen. She made the announcement at a press conference last Tuesday in Ho, the regional capital.

She noted that other regions had started similar operations to drive out the herdsmen. Intelligence reports gathered by the REGSEC indicated that many of these herdsmen were venturing into the Volta Region, she revealed.

This is what has occasioned the activation of the “Operation Cow Leg”, a combined police and military operation aimed at ensuring that the herdsmen are driven out.

The minister was quick to add that the REGSEC and the region were not against herdsmen transiting through the region to other destinations, but against them staying and operating in the region. She said “they are permitted to pass through, but not permitted to stay.”

The regional minister, who was flanked by her deputy, Francis Ganyaglo, and other members of the REGSEC, warned that “the earlier they started moving out, the better it will be for them.”

Unforeseen Complications

Despite this announcement made by the REGSEC, some residents have noted that some of these Fulani herdsmen have lived in the region for several years and wondered how they would be forced out.

Another complication has to do with an ongoing registration of all such herdsmen as a means of monitoring their activities and taking revenue from them in districts such as Agotime-Ziope, Adkalu and Akatsi North among others.   

This notwithstanding, the regional minister believes that the “Operation Cow Leg” in the region will have a holistic outlook to ensure that all complications are well taken care of.

From Fred Duodu, Ho (freduoo@gmail.com)

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Poultry From Burkina Faso Banned

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Some live birds

Following the confirmation of the outbreak of the Avian bird flu in neighbouring Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced a ban on poultry importation from that country.

An outbreak of the disease was confirmed in Nigeria recently.

As a result of this, intensified surveillance by Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture has started in the Upper East, Upper West and Volta Region.

These are aimed at preventing a possible spread of the disease to the country through the borders.

About 200,000 hens and 2,000 Guinea fowls in Burkina Faso were reported to have been killed by the disease by April 13, 2015.

It is in this regard that Ghanaian poultry farmers have appealed to government to do more to help protect them against the outbreak of the avian bird flu.

“We do not intend to create panic in the country but wish to remind the general public of the total ban of importation of poultry and poultry products from Burkina Faso,” a statement from the Agriculture Ministry noted, adding that a standstill order and other necessary measures since April 1, this year has been in force in Burkina Faso.

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Senchihene Fights Fallen Educational Standards

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A section of pupil in class, INSET: Nana Ofei Aboagye Agyeman II, Senchihene.

The Senchihene, Nana Ofei Aboagye Agyeman II, has put in place measures to curb fallen educational standards in the Senchi Circuit.

The chief, who was installed a few months ago, told DAILY GUIDE that his main concern was to develop his area through three thematic areas—education, health and economic empowerment.

He said on realising that the standards of education had fallen in the area, he decided to work with the Asuogyaman District Education Directorate to reverse the trend.

Vacation classes are therefore currently ongoing for the 101 JHS three pupils of the Senchi Methodist and Roman Catholic (RC) Schools.

Nana Ofei Aboagye said with quality education the area could boast of quality human resource.

He therefore called on all to help improve the educational standards in the area to ensure a brighter future for their children.

According to the Deputy Director of Education in charge of monitoring and supervision, Prosper Yekple, in 2014, 62% of pupils at Senchi Methodist passed while 32% from the RC JHS passed.

He said both the education directorate and teachers, through the initiative of the Senchihene, therefore sought to find a solution to the problem.

To this end, a schools performance appraisal meeting was held to identify factors responsible for the mass failure, he added.
Prosper Yekple said at least five key factors—lack of parental supervision, children fending for themselves, poverty, child labourers engaged in trading activities at the ferry site and truancy—were identified.

The chief subsequently decided to organise extra classes and motivate both teachers and students by providing lunch for them during the classes.

The classes are currently running concurrently in all the seven circuits of the Asuogyaman District.

Yekple observed that most students across the country fail Mathematics and Science because of ineffective teaching methods and students’ perception that the subjects are difficult.
He added that students are also failing English Language due to the short forms of text messaging and advised students and teachers to adopt new methods of teaching and learning and stop using short-hand messaging in order to get used to correct spellings.

The Senchi Circuit Supervisor, Lydia Donkor, called for more concerted efforts on the part of all stakeholders to ensure a paradigm shift.

From Rocklyn Antonio, Senchi

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Mantrac, Stanbic Partner To Sell CAT Generators

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A CAT Generator set

Mantrac Ghana, authorized dealer for Caterpillar products and services in Ghana, in association with Stanbic Bank Ghana, has launched a promotion to give customers the opportunity to own CAT Power generating sets.

The sales promotion is dubbed, ‘No More ‘Dumsor’…Rely on CAT Power.’

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, Daniel Pabby, Head of Marketing and Strategic Planning of Mantrac, said there was a rising demand for standby power to support industry against the current shortfall in power supply from the national grid.

“Our economy will see less improvement if we lack adequate power supply in business operations, revenue will be lost and business will come to a standstill,” he said.

“That is why Mantrac Ghana is offering customers an unbelievable 20 percent down payment and up to 36 months installment plans at a mouthwatering subsidised interest rate from Stanbic Bank Ghana, he said.

“Additionally, we are giving four years extended warranty limited to 500 hours per year, which is unbelievable, apart from this offer customers are assured of 24/7 after sales service and a customized equipment solutions package for every unit sold,” he said.

Mr Pabby explained that the CAT generating sets were exclusive, reliable and durable and had been proven in thousands of applications worldwide.

“This comes at a time when the nation and the business community are struggling for adequate power supply to keep the wheels of industries running,” he said.

“Mantrac Ghana also recently signed 2000kVA x 4 diesel power generator deal with Persus Mining to boost its on-site power generating capacity at its Edikan Gold Mine.”

Commenting on the partnership, Wisdom Tawiah, Head of Stanbic Bank Assets Finance, said Stanbic Bank’s growing partnership with Mantrac Ghana was influenced by the reliability and durability of CAT products.

“Stanbic Bank is proud to offer financial package to support its customers to own Caterpillar power generating sets with ease,” he said.

–GNA

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Robbers Kill Colleague

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A suspected armed robber, Lattif Bazua, who is said to have been terrorizing business people in the mining areas of the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, was found dead in front of a compound house in Zuamina, after he and his two colleagues had allegedly stolen a quantity of gold and some amount of money at gun point on April 25, 2015.

It is believed that the notorious armed robber was accidentally shot and killed by his colleagues after they had left the house with their booty. The victim of the robbery suspects that the deceased robber was accidentally hit by one of the two bullets they (robbers) fired to scare people off, while they were running out of the community.

Police found an AK 47 assault rifle with 32 rounds of live ammunitions by the dead body, an unregistered motorbike which he might have gone for the operation with was also found a distance away from the body, as well as two empty bullet shells believed to be the two warning shots fired by the robbers.

The Upper East Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Alex Frimpong in an interview, expressed some excitement over the retrieval of the AK47 from the public.

Narrating the incident, the Crime Officer said the female victim of the robbery had purchased some quantity of gold with an amount of GH¢5,000.00 meant for a gold business. She got home only to be attacked and robbed in the night.

The Crime Officer believes that, the robbers might have been hinted of the money and the gold on the woman, hence the attack and subsequent robbery.

From: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide  

Rail Line Workers Go Wild

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Some of the aggrieved workers.

The revamping of the Takoradi-Sekondi-Kojokrom rail line in the Western Region is likely to suffer a setback as workers of Amandi Holding Limited working on the Kojokrom rail line, yesterday began a sit-down strike to demand better conditions of service.

The rail line project is under the redevelopment of Takoradi-Sekondi via Kojokrom sub-urban railway line, including a station and supply of rolling stock.

According to the workers, they had decided to down their tools because they had been cheated for a long time by the Israeli expatriate managers of the company.

The aggrieved workers asserted that they worked for 30 days in a month and for that matter, should be given allowances covering the days.

They however, indicated that managers of the company intentionally give them allowances covering only 21 days, contrary to what is stipulated in the labour law.

“When you complain, the Israeli expatriates will tell the Ghanaian workers that if they are not comfortable with the mode of payment they can quit the job,” Andrew Cupson Otoo, one of the workers, pointed out.

He indicated that most of the Ghanaians go to work on Saturdays and Sundays, which should attract double allowances.

He underscored that the company’s authorities pay those workers according to the hours spent at the construction site on those days.

Mr Cupson Otoo pointed out that several efforts by the workers to let the expatriate managers do the right thing had been unsuccessful as numerous letters written by the workers to alert the local authorities concerned had not yielded any results.

The Government of Ghana is bent on revamping the country’s ailing rail transport system with practical efforts towards reconstructing the Takoradi-Sekondi via Kojokrom sub-urban line to provide passenger service to the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

Deputy Transport Minister, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, disclosed this at a recent national executive council meeting of the Railway Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress at Takoradi.

She noted that due to limited resources, Government was adopting the Public-Private Partnership policy as the financing option to boost infrastructure development.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

 

 

 

Via: -Daily Guide