Majority begs Minority to approve Akufo-Addo’s new ministers

 

Majority begs Minority to approve Akufo-Addo’s new ministers

The Majority caucus in Parliament is appealing to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the Minority caucus to rescind the decision not to approve the new ministers appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, the NDC directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.

Addressing the media, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh appealed to the NDC and its members in Parliament to support the approval of the ministerial nominees.

According to him, he just wants their colleagues to understand that for the sake of unity and the desire for them to forge a working relationship, this is their major decision in terms of the fact that they are coming into leadership, this is the first time more or less they are going to make such a significant decision.

…ANNOH- DOMPREH….

But the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who spoke to journalists said, “We will not descend in the gutters with Afenyo-Markin, we have a reputation to protect”.

….KOFI BUAH…..

 

Akufo-Ado presents 100 vehicles, 600 motorbikes, 6 APC’s to Police Service

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 21st February 2023, presented 100 pick-up vehicles, 600 motorbikes and 6 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles to the Police Service, in addition to commissioning the National Police Headquarters facelift project.

According to the President, the presentation of these equipment, “are evidence, if any were needed, of Government’s commitment to the continuous retooling of the Police, a responsibility my government takes very seriously. It is borne out of the fact that the Police plays a critical role in the development of our country, hence the need to ensure that the Police Service is adequately resourced to discharge its duties for the safety and security of all of us, as well as for the growth of economic activity.”

The one hundred (100) pickup vehicles, six hundred (600) motorbikes and six (6) APC vehicles handed over by the President are to be used by the Formed Police Units (FPUs) in all regions of the country.

“Until recently, the FPU was only stationed in Accra. However, through support from government, the Unit was extended to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, and is and now being formed in all the other regions,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “All regions across the country are soon going to benefit from the services of this specialised unit. These Regional FPUs will be spread across one hundred and forty (140) bases in various communities in all the regions. Without any doubt, their presence will enhance greatly security, law and order in the country.”

The President acknowledged the numerous renovations and changes that have been carried out on the frontage and the immediate surroundings of the Police Headquarters – the reconstruction of the walls around the headquarters, the remodelling of the gates and the renovation of the CID building.

…NANA ADDO…..

School Placement For Sale: No GNAT staff was involved- GNAT General Secretary

General Secretary for Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah has expressed his disappointment towards the Ministry of Education following the accusation that a Staff at GNAT is involved in the “School Placement for sale”.

This comes after the Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng revealed that janitors and security personnel who were captured as middlemen in the investigative documentary by The Fourth Estate on the controversial ‘Computerized (School) Placement for Sale’, are not employees of the Education Ministry but of the GNAT Hostel.

 “It was not the cleaner of the Ministry. What the Ministry did was, it rented a private facility at GNAT Hostel and used as a resolution centre.

“So they were cleaners of the Hostel and not at the Ministry,” he corrected.

In January, a Fourth Estate‘s investigation piece uncovered some rot in the placement into senior high schools.

However, Thomas Musah reacting to this claims said, prior to the release of this year’s school placement, they (GNAT) wrote to the Ghana Education Service to find a suitable solution to curb this corruption system in the education sector.

Speaking to the media he said they find it absurd that the Ministry accuse them without giving them any reports on their investigations.

According to him, GNAT rejects such accusations and urged the Ministry and the Director General to advised Kwasi Kwarteng and refrain from such act or they will advise themselves.

…THOMAS MUSAH….

High court withdraws warrant for arrest of Mamprugu overlord

The arrest warrant for Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Nayiri of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, and his kingmakers has been revoked by the Bolgatanga High Court.

This comes a few days after the same court issued the warrant requested by a certain Lieutenant Colonel Ajibadeck Bemjamin Baba (Rtd), who had asked the court for the paramount chief’s arrest following his enskinnment.

As a result, the court modified the prior ex-parte motion, which is now “hereby rescinded under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court”.

The reason for the chief’s arrest was unclear, but it was thought to be related to the unlawful and condemned enskinment of a new chief for Bawku on February 15 done at the palace of the Mamprugu overlord.

According to reports, military personnel assigned to carry out the arrest directive allegedly failed to achieve their mission because they were stopped by some angry youth in Nalerigu.

On the night of February 19, the youth allegedly set up roadblocks.

The government has declared the enskinment of a new Bawku Naba in Nalerigu to be illegal.

“The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu today February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security,” the government said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information.

 

I'll cut my salary if you do so- Sticker to Ato Forson

There was a heated argument at the Appointment's Committee when the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson asked the deputy minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Dr. Stephen Amoah, aka, Sticker if he will accept cutting his salary as part of his contribution to dealing with the economic challenges.

Dr. Stephen replied and said he will cut his salary if Ato Forson will also accept to do the same.

During the vetting of Dr. Amoah at the Appointment's Committee, Dr. Forson asked "Can you agree with me that the government, even though they are increasing taxes or increasing revenue through the introduction of taxes, needs to cut down on expenditure since expenditure has gone up by GH¢82 billion?"

Stephen Amoah answered: "I agree with you, Sir."

The NDC MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam asked again that "Will you sacrifice your salary to reduce that expenditure?"

The Nhyiaeso MP responded that "Mr. Chairman, I think I said something here, my knowledgeable Dr. Ato Forson and I, the only difference is the height, so the way we are brothers if he sees me in the corridor and he says brother let us cut [our salaries] and he cuts him, I will cut mine."

Earlier, the Minority caucus in Parliament called on the government to merge some ministries.

According to the Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a reduction in ministerial appointees will cut down the government's expenditure.

…. STICKER….

 

66th independence anniversary celebration launched

Ghana’s 66th independence anniversary celebration which is scheduled to be marked in the Volta Region has been launched by the National Planning Committee. 

The celebration which would be under the theme: “Our Unity; Our Strength; Our Purpose”, would be honored by thousands from across the country and the world.  

The 66th independence anniversary logo was also out-doored at the ceremony hosted at the residency conference hall in Ho on Tuesday. 

The Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Lord Commey, disclosed that the event would sell the Volta Region to the world as about 5,000 invitations have been extended to “very important personalities from across the world“ to attend the independence day parade, on the 6th of March, scheduled to be held at the Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu. 

He said that the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló would grace the parade as the special guest of honor. 

…LORD COMMEY….

The Head of Communications of the National Planning Committee, Jefferson Sackey, indicated that embedded in the logo is the figure 66, which rests on Mount Afadza, the highest mountain in Ghana. 

…..JEFFERSON SACKEY…..

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, appealed to stakeholders to support the organizing committee to deliver a successful independence anniversary celebration. 

….DR. YAO LETSA….

NDC primaries: Mahama expected to pick nomination forms

Former President John Dramani Mahama has officially declared his intention to contest for the flagbearer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 general elections.

He made his intentions known to the Minority caucus at a meeting in his office in Accra on Tuesday, February 21.

Aide to John Mahama, Lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe speaking to the media

Member of Parliament for Builsa South Dr Clement Apaak revealed this.

Dr. Apaak indicated that the minority lawmakers made an appeal to him to consider contesting to become president again given his experience.

Mr Mahama, he said, replied by stating that he would not be selfish not to consider the calls. Hence, his decision to contest.

“We the Members of Parliament were the first group of people he announced this to,” Dr Apaak said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mahama is expected to pick his nomination forms today to enable him to contest.

The NDC has announced that all is set for the opening of nominations for the election of its Presidential candidate and Parliamentary Candidates for the 2024 General Elections.

As such, effective, midnight Wednesday 22nd February 2023, Nomination Forms for Parliamentary Candidates will be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; www.ghanandc.com, the main opposition party said in a statement on Tuesday, February 21.

The statement said nomination forms for Presidential aspirants can be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party’s Headquarters at Adabraka, Accra effective 8am tomorrow.

School placement: Parents lament over high cost of school prospectus

Parents and first-year students, who thronged the Asanteman Senior High School for prospectus and registration, are left frustrated following the high cost of school prospectus.

Parents and SHS freshers have been facing a lot of challenges especially those making self -place system since the release of the school placement.

The Director-General of the GES, Dr. Eric Nkansah, at a press conference announced that out of the 547,329 candidates who sat for the 2022 BECE, 372,780 were placed while 165, 619 would have to do self-placement.

However some parents have accused some school institutions for forcing them to buy some items within the schools on higher prices.

Some of the concern parents speaking to Silver fm/TV Akwadaa Nyame said, some of the items are cheaper at the market centers compared to that in the campus adding that, the school authorities will reject items which are not purchased on campus.

…PARENTS….

However, Deputy PRO at the Ministry of Education, Ernest Arkosah reacting to this on Silver fm/TV Omanbapa morning show hosted by Lovin C said, the Ministry has not authorized any institution to force parents to purchase some items on campus.

According to him, any Headmaster who will be caught will be summon and have their post relieved.

….. ERNEST ARKOSAH…..