Agape protest: We deserve better– Protesters

Some residents of Agape in the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency in the Greater Accra Region have demonstrated today to express their frustration about their bad roads.

The all-red-clad demonstrators wielded placards with messages such as: “We’re tired of the promises”, “We are part of Ghana”, “#FixAgapeRoadsNow”, “Residents of Agape also pay taxes”, “Residents of Agape deserve better”, “We are citizens and not spectators”, “Agape lives matter”, among others.

They chanted songs that said “the roads are bad” and need fixing as they marched through the community.

Some of the demonstrators speaking to the media said, they pay their taxes therefore deserve better.

According to them, the demonstration follows the numerous complaints which have yielded no results, hence, the demo is to mount pressure on the appropriate authorities to fix the deplorable roads.

They added that, drivers find it difficult to ply the road due to its poor nature which has forced many residents in the affected areas to walk long distances to board vehicles to their various workplaces.

The group says they want their roads fixed as soon as possible and are ready to deliver their petition to the MCE to ensure that their roads are fixed.

….AGAPE RESIDENTS…..

Chief Executive Officer for the area, Mohammed Basiru criticized the protestors for not engaging his office before the protest.

According to him, work has already started on the road so it was needless for them to embark on this protest.

….HON. BASIRU…..

All corruption allegations levelled against my appointees have been probed – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has intimated that his administration has undertaken “arguably” the boldest steps in dealing with corruption since Ghana attained independence nearly 65 years ago.

According to him, all allegations of corruption leveled against his appointees so far, have been probed.

He explained that, “My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant inquiry and necessary actions including if required, the suspension of the affected official pending the conclusion of the investigation. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of national leadership”.

Speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Conference in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day and the International Human Rights Day, on Friday, December 10, 2021, the President cited various instances where his government has dealt with cases of corruption involving appointees under his government, including the case of the PPA boss, Adjenim Boateng Adjei.

He, however, noted that he, as President was not in the best position to convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption because that is the job of the courts.

He declared zero tolerance for corruption under his government, adding that due process will not be set aside in fighting the canker.

He revealed that, “Charity, they say begins at home and that is why so far, every single alleged act of corruption leveled against any of my appointees has been investigated by independent bodies such as CHRAJ, CID in some cases, and Parliament itself.

….PREZ AKUFO ADDO….

MPs divided over adjournment date for Christmas break

The date for Parliament to adjourn for the Christmas break has become a disputed matter on the floor of the house.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during sitting on Friday proposed December 21, 2021, as the date for the adjournment of activities of the house instead of the original date of 17th December.

The re-scheduling of the date for adjournment, according to him, is due to the volume of unfinished work in relation to the consideration of budget estimates for Ministries, Departments, and agencies.

He added that, they have agreed to have sitting on Monday and have extended sitting as well and they proposed to adjourn the House sine die on the 17th of December, but having regard to the exigencies of the time, they are looking at possibly Tuesday the 21st of December, 2021.

….HON. AFENYO MARKIN….

But Deputy Minority Whip, Hon Ahmed Ibrahim contended that the House sticks to the earlier agreed date of 17th December.

According to him, Parliament is currently considering estimates, for the 2022 budget, whose passage generated a heated controversy on the floor a few days ago.

Last Tuesday, the House accepted some modifications to the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government.

…AHMED IBRAHIM….

 

 

 

National Road Safety Authority takes ‘Stay Alive’ campaign ahead of Xmas

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has launched a “Stay Alive” campaign today ahead of the Christmas season.

Their aim of this campaign is to help reduce road accidents before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Deputy Director of NRSA, Daniel Wuaku speaking at the launching of the campaign at Bebiani Sefwi Roman Catholic Conference said, about 2, 300 people died from January to November 2021 as a result of road accident.

According to him, two major accidents occurred on the Volta region which claimed 16 lives and nine people died through road accident in the Savannah region.

He added that, this statistics on road accident should concern everybody.

He noted that, the NRSA is fully aware of this present danger and what it means on the economy and social development hence they need to start to know that, the actions they take on the road has implications.

….DANIEL WUAKU…..

The Western North Regional MTTD Commander, ASP Juliana Forkuo lamented that, a lot of drivers do not know the symbols on the road hence the need for them to purchase the road sign book at any DVLA Office.

….ASP JULIANA….