Vanco Oil Find – Another EO Handiwork

Ghanaians are slated to be swimming in oil soon. Following the discovery of the Jubilee field by Kosmos Energy which substantially reduced the risk formerly associated to the Tano Basin as “exploration graveyard”, many global exploration companies are now seriously reassessing their understanding of the geology of offshore Ghana. The recent announcement by Vanco Oil about the discovery of oil in the Tano Basin is yet another strong evidence that as a consequence of Kosmos’ discovery in 2007, all the other companies in the basin are encouraged to explore for prospect. That means in a few months, when oil-producing countries are mentioned, Ghana’s name would be right there with the Angolas, the Nigerias, the Equitorial Guineas and so on. As refreshing as that sounds, contextualizing these new discoveries behind all these African countries against Ghana’s leadership reputation on the continent suggests a growth regression that cannot elate anyone. More so if you consider the fact that the one private sector entity most responsible for our current oil fortunes is also the most vilified company in our nation’s history. Did you know that Vanco was led to Ghana by the duo who eventually became the EO Group?

full story

State Of Whose Nation? ...Ghanaians Wonder

full story

NDC Appointee Blows ¢250 million On Car Key!

At a time when operatives of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) are under pressure to locate the 93.7 percent of defaulters of the Micro Finance and Small Loans Scheme (MASLOC), Bertha Ansah-Djan, the woman appointed by President Mills to go and head the place is on a splurge spending huge amounts of cedis to replace just a car key!

In a no holds barred spending spree similar to that of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Bertha Ansah-Djan has forked out whopping GH¢25,000 (¢250,000,000 Old cedis) to replace the keys to a V8 Land Cruiser which was lost by her driver.

full story

Akufo Addo’s Land Cruiser Rots At National Security!

It’s getting onto a year now that a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Nana Akufo-Addo, flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 elections was snatched from his driver.

With February ending and as we enter March, the month in which, in 2009, agents from National Security seized the vehicle. As off yesterday, it was still rotting at the Blue Gate in Accra, where it was parked after the seizure.

Nana Addo’s vehicle with registration number GE 1466 Z car was snatched when he was outside the country for holidays following the heated campaign in the 2008 electioneering campaign by a posse of persons who claimed they were National Security operatives.

full story

CPP’s Response to P State of the Nation Address

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) wishes to congratulate President John Evans Atta Mills for faithfully and diligently discharging his constitutional duty to the people of Ghana by delivering his state of the nation address on 26th February 2010 to the Parliament of Ghana. This is further evidence of the growth and strengthening of Ghana’s democracy, which the CPP will continue to support both in opposition and – one day soon – in office. Although we agree with the President that the macro-economy is better now than it was when he took office – inflation has reduced substantially over the past few months and the Cedi has stabilized to the point of even appreciating against major currencies - we remain worried about the Government’s slow pace at addressing some key social issues in the Country.
full story

Council of State member worried about drug abuse among youth

Sunyani, March 2, GNA - Nana George Kofi Dadzie, a member of the Council of State, has called on individuals and organisations to support government in the fight against drug abuse, especially wee smoking among the youth.

He said government's efforts to produce a sound and quality human resource-base required for national development would be a mirage if the issue of drug abuse was not critically tackled. Nana Dadzie made the call at the 15th anniversary and the second speech and prize giving day of Infant Jesus Primary and Junior High School in Sunyani on Friday.

full story

Meridian Port workers on strike

embarked on a sit-down strike, to back their demand for better working conditions.

The workers, who carried placards and chanted war songs at the premises of the company, called on the Auditor-General to audit operations of company.

In a resolution made available to GNA in Tema, the workers complained about the indiscriminate manner in which management of the company approached issues concerning workers' salary.

full story

NHIS clients furious over delay in release of ID cards

Wa, Feb. 16, GNA - Clients of the Wa Municipal Health Insurance Sche= me (MHIS) are furious over the undue delay in the issuance of their membersh= ip Identification Cards (IDs).

According to them it sometimes takes them between five to six months= to get their health insurance IDs instead of the usual three months promised= by officials of the Scheme.

They said they had to make do with some temporal ID cards given to t= hem by the Scheme, which they noted were not comfortable to them because they=

full story

37th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS opens today in Abuja

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday to join other sub-regional heads to open the 37th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). A statement copied to Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday evening and signed by the Deputy Information Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said, President Mills was met on arrival at Abuja by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

full story

The real national development planning

If Botswana is to teach Africa one or two things about progress, the nature of development planning in Africa shouldn’t be a contentious issue. The appointment of P.V. Obeng, touted as a de facto Prime Minister in the long-running Jerry Rawlings’ military and civilian regimes, as chair of the newly constituted National Development Planning Commission, raises the nature of thinking that has planned Ghana for the past 51 years.

full story

Ntim Is Alan What Jake Is To Akufo-Addo -Arthur K

No matter what they say in the media what is on the ground is that the current contest for the NPP national executives is a straight contest for control of the NPP between Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen, who is ably supported by John Kufuor.

Don't ask me why the former president is so determined to work against his former foreign minister and presidential candidate. But, I am urging party delegates to vote for those they themselves believe can do the job but they should do so by being fully aware of the camps behind the candidates.
full story

Mills’ First-Year Performance Report Card - Part 2

Part one of this article looked at the first three areas of assessment of our current government – i.e. the economy, inclusiveness, and job creation. We observed that the economy encompasses all areas put together for a synergistic performance. It did NOT STRICTLY hold the Mills Government responsible for the lack of it because the global economic sluggishness has had some kind of effect on Ghana’s. Although a lot more is expected from the Government regarding effective search for experienced personnel to handle the nation’s departments to produce results, its balanced inclusiveness with women, minorities, and the youth is a positive strategy. However the Government’s inexistence of any job creation strategy has shown its weakness in pursuing prudent policies to benefit Ghana.

full story

Come Again “Dr” Kwesi Mensah Wilson

A lot has been said, written and read about the EO group and there are questions which need to be answered; there are certainly actions which need to be examined, so that the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth can be established. Nothing should be swept under the carpet at this point in time. I personally wish to urge the Ghana Government to be forthright with information they have to set minds at ease, since these issues are very important to the national political discourse and cannot be left in the hands of people like Nana Kofi Amankwaah and “Dr” Kwesi Mensah Wilson. I am not sure if this is not a PR scheme by the EO group.

full story

Regulating Ghana’s Oil and Gas Sector: What should be the parameters?

“We are 298 days away from pumping the first oil and so far everything is on target”- Anthony Djokoto, senior legal adviser at Tullow Oil Ghana Limited.

It’s a recognisable fact that the oil and gas industry is regulated throughout its entire process through diverse environmental, health and safety laws. The issue of regulating the petroleum industry has precisely been the dilemma of many oil-rich countries especially the developing states. Oil extraction, transport, refining and consumption are regulated to describe and evaluate the impacts on human health and biodiversity.

full story

EO Group and Conflict of Interest Law

We welcome and encourage entrepreneurship in Ghana but we must, if we want to avoid graft and corruption, strengthen our Conflict of Interest Laws and not allow our politicians, government agents or appointees and other public officials to use inside knowledge because of their positions to take advantage of Ghanaians. This is the reason we need to investigate the part played by EO Group. This is strictly according to law and not witch hunt.

full story

Using cotton to alleviate poverty in Northern Ghana

Tamale, Jan. 15 GNA - Cotton is a major cash crop cultivated in most parts of the globe including Ghana. It is a soft, stable fibre shrub native to tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world including the Americas, India and Africa. The cultivation of cotton started seven thousand years ago, in the Indus Valley, a place today inhabited by North-western India and Eastern Pakistan. The largest producers of cotton in 2009 were China and India with annual production of approximately 34 million and 24 million bales respectively. Textile industries in these two countries consume up to 80% of what they produce.

full story

Whither are we going, Baba GO slow?

There is only one president in the country. We know who is he, for there can be no other President but John Fiifi Atta Mills. He is a learned Professor of Law. We are aware that the nature of his job calls for a high level of tolerance, discipline, integrity and a high level of moral principles.

In marking his script at end of his one year as President of the country, permit me to state unequivably that his tenure his been a complete disaster. No doubt about it. He has not kept faith with the masses. Everything Professor Mills has done since he took over as Capo of the country is an anathema to the social contract he had signed with Ghanaians.
full story

The 'Sick' Attah Mills still lives while ...

Presidents do fall ill all the time. Sometime in 2004, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, was whisked to hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties as he addressed a political rally.

Not quite long after that incident, former president of Tanzanian Benjamin Mkapa took ill for several months and even jetted out of his country for medical treatment.

The former Zambian leader, Levy Mwanawasa, died after suffering a stroke while on a medical trip abroad.

full story

Trial of two lawyers starts January 27

The trial of two lawyers who have been accused of forgery and defrauding by false pretence has been scheduled to start on January 27, 2010.

The date was fixed after the Accra Circuit Court gave reasons for refusing an application to stay proceedings in the matter.

The lawyers, Joseph Kwame Owusu Asamani and Ekow Amua-Sekyi, are alleged to have forged a High Court judgement to deprive the complainant, Mr Samuel Etroo, who was once a client of Amua-Sekyi, of his mining concession. .

full story

Earthquake scare wakes Ghana up!

Rumour of an impending earthquake that reverberated across the country woke the whole of Ghana up at dawn Monday January 18, 2010.

While no one seems to know the source of the rumour, friends, families and neighbours made phone calls, sent text messages and knocked on doors to send warnings for people to wake up and leave their rooms.

One of my neghbours called and simply said, “they say there will be an earthquake and everyone should get out of their rooms and sit outside,” without giving further details and there was no time to ask questions as he moved to alert other neighbours who were fast asleep.

full story

Mills Conveys Ghana's Sympathy to Haiti

Accra, Jan. 15, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday conveyed Ghana's sympathy to the Government and people of Haiti, following the devastating earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation last Tuesday.

In a letter addressed to President Rene Preval of Haiti, and released to the press in Accra by the Ministry of Information, President Mills said he had learned with deep shock and sorrow the unfortunate event that had caused massive loss of human lives and destruction to property.

full story

Management of AVRL to solve water problem in Accra

Accra, Jan. 15, GNA - The Management of Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL), operator of the urban water system on behalf of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), on Friday said it was making efforts to improve the water situation in Accra.

A full story

Quashigah And The Ghana Armed Forces

Since January 5, the name Major Courage Quashigah (rtd) has once again surfaced under media focus and attention but this time, with a shocking disbelieve- Asante Fordjour at the JusticeGhana.com, takes a classified stock of the trials and triumphs of a man whose career image and courage, radiated perhaps not only a threat to his admirers and critics but also, a promise and aspiration to most (young) soldiers that he either instructed or commanded.

full story

Rawlings urges NDC delegates to elect people of proven integrity

Accra, Jan. 15, GNA - Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings has called on National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates to elect people of proven integrity who have paid their dues in the party.

"Let us not be intimidated by people who seek office because they have direct links to so-called powerful people in government or the party. This process is about the strength and structures of the party," he said in a pre-conference message to delegates attending the party's 2010 full story

Are you in or out.

The reason for this article is to alarm all Ghanaians of how serious Cote d’Ivoire is to destroy our nation during the on-going African Cup of Nations. Secondly, it is to call all Ghanaians to brush off our differences and come together as one nation to conquer the quest ahead of us. Some people may ask, what is this lunatic talking about? You can call me all the names you so desired; however, the mountain is still facing us. It is either we team-up to move it aside or demolish it for good. It is up to us, so are you with me or not? I guess you have no choice!

full story

Suicide Bomber- The Balance of Mind

The 23-year old scion of an affluent family from Northern Nigeria who attempted bombing a trans-Atlantic airliner on Christmas day has left an ugly scar on the beautiful face of the green country and largely cast a slur on the entire continent. It is absolutely unfathomable and incomprehensible how Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab could ignore all the juicy trappings of success and comfort hovering over his head to become a protégé bomber for Al-Qaeda.

full story

Mercy’s love was true and pure love

She came one misty morning when I least expected. She was glowing exceedingly in her new dress. I invited her in and made her felt wanted for the first time in many years. After a long chat about the past she asked if she could relax on my bed. I had no problem with that I said. She got up from the chair where she sat since she arrived and went to the corner of the room. Slowly she took off her clothing leaving her underwear. She walked towards the bed and sat at the edge. Her skimpy dress retracted to her hips as she sat; a chunk portion of her flesh above her knees was bare.

full story

A “Better Ghana” promise turns to A “Better Volta” Agenda

In recent times, many a Ghanaian have written about the dangers of ethnicity and tribalism in the Ghanaian media networks, but it seems all the pieces of advice given by these writers have fallen on death ears of the powers that be. As Conelius Cacho opines; “tribalism directly affects the quality of governance, is conducive to corruption, negatively impacts the availability of investment finance, prevents thousands of skilled indigenes from returning home and encourages many who are trained in the country to emigrate”. In a nutshell, tribalism could lead to civil wars which consume resources, slaughter people, destroy infrastructure, discourage investments and consequently inhibit economic development. Taking Conelius advice into consideration, it behoves on any patriotic citizen to do his utmost best to shun tribalism in any form, at any day and at any point in time. It is therefore ludicrous to see the silence on the part of Ghanaians on the Mills’ political appointments with regard to the gradual ethnic superimposition in our body politic which the erstwhile Kufuor government attempted to bring under control. A cursory examination of the appointments made by the president over the past 12 months reveals that over 50 personalities in the Volta Region alone have been assigned to almost all the sensitive positions in the economy to the neglect of other regions.

full story

Ghana solidarise with Haiti

Accra, Jan. 15,GNA-Ghana has extended her sympathy and solidarity to the people of Haiti following a devastating earthquarke which caused a devastation of unprecedented proportions mostly in the carribean island's capital city of Port au Prince.

"I have learnt with shock and deep sorrow the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in the early hours of Tuesday, 12th January 2010, causing massive loss of human lives and destruction of property." President Atta Mills stated
full story

Pre-Conference Message By Rawlings

Pre-Conference Message By Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, FOUNDER OF THE NDC TO DELEGATES AT THE 2010 NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE, TAMALE

On the eve of the 2010 National Delegates Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) I call on all members and sympathisers of the party to appreciate the significance of the congress to the survival of our dear party.

The NDC was founded on July 28, 1992 based on social democratic principles – to uphold social justice and develop a state that served as a true umbrella for the people of Ghana.

full story

Help Locate the Family of the Late Faith Amuzu.

Authorities of the University of Toledo (UT) are asking for help from Ghanaians to locate the family of one Faith Amuzu, a former student who died in a motor vehicle accident in West Virginia over the past weekend. Faith grew up in the Dansoman area of Accra.

full story

Abudu Royal family letter to Asantehene

The Abudu Royal family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to your Committee for the effort you have made to find lasting solution to the protracted conflict in Dagbon. After the last sitting of the Committee on November 6 and 7, the family met to deliberate on the peace process. The family recognized that there is a stalemate in the mediation process as a result of the entrenched position held by our cousins from the Andani family that the funeral of the late Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai cannot be perform in the Gbewaa Palace as the funeral of a Ya-Na. The Abudu family wish to reiterate our position that under no circumstances shall the family ever agree to perform the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai in any manner other than the way a Ya-Na’s funeral is perform according to Dagbon custom and tradition. We shall advance here the reasons why we continue to hold this position with strong conviction. We will also attempt to explain to you why the position of the Andani family is untenable and a recipe for future dispute and conflict in the Dagbon kingdom.

full story

MDAs urged to respond swiftly to correspondences from RCC

Ho, Jan. 14, GNA - Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed concern about poor communication between some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the Regional Coordinating=

Council (RCC). He has therefore directed all heads of MDAs in the region to prepare=

and submit their 2009 Annual Performance Report to the Regional Coordinat= ing Council (RCC) for collation and submission to the office of the Head of Civil Service.

Mr Amenowode who was speaking at an Annual Get-Together organized by=
full story

Government's directive on TV generates comments

Accra, Jan 14, GNA - Government's directive to Ministries, Departments and Agencies to switch off television sets during working hours has drawn comments from some Ghanaians including Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, Executi= ve Director of Wassa Community Against Mining (WACAM), a non-governmental organisation.

full story

Mills’ men fight Tsikata

Mr Porsper Tao Tsikata, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the yet to be established security company called Mazze Security Group of companies is on a warpath with the President, Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills and some party stalwarts at the office of the President for seizing his license to operate a security company in the country.

Sources say some staffers at the office of the President are strongly against Mr Tsikata’s establishment of a private security company in the country simply because of the sophisticated state of the art security equipments he has imported into the country.

full story

Mills has divided attention – Akomea

A former Information Minister and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikoi South, Nana Akomea, has told this paper that the struggle for control of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has affected the performance of the Atta Mills government.

According to him, President Mills now has divided attention, which is making it impossible for him to focus on the development of the country. In an interview with The Chronicle in Accra Wednesday, Mr. Akomea said whilst trying to fix the multiple challenges facing the economy, President Mills also has to deal with difficulty of containing Mr Rawlings, who is trying to block his re-election as the presidential candidate of the party.

full story

Nyaho-Tamakloe Smells A Rat

Political firebrand Dr Nyaho-Nyaho-Tamakloe has stirred the hornet’s nest again; this time within his own party. In probably his most angry public reaction since losing his bid to become the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the former Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro said from his position as a founder member, he could see the influence and love of money emerging to subvert the ideals of the party.

full story

UK woman sent £40k to fraudster posing as a soldier

A woman from West Sussex who struck up an online friendship with a man claiming to be an American soldier in Iraq was conned out of £40,000 in an elaborate scam, it has emerged.

The victim, in her 60s, contacted Sussex Police last week after eventually realising the man she thought was a friend had duped her into making wire transfers to various addresses in Ghana.
full story

NDC: Dubious Oil Dealings Exposed II

Right now Jerry John Rawlings the NDC founder and his hard- core faction members seem to have only one guiding principle. Everything that Attah Mills and his radical cronies do in the eyes of Jerry Rawlings and his faction members within the NDC is wrong. Even if the masses regard their policies as legitimate, they have not done anything especial but to steal the nation’s money through dubious Kosmos deals.

full story

Muntaka dragged to CHRAJ

The dust as it appears, seems far from settling on the 'Muntaka Gate' as a politica1 pressure group, Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF) has waded into the lingering controversy; dragging the former Minister of Youth and Sports to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The group, in a petition dated 11 January, 2010, and signed by the spokesperson, Richard Kwesi Nyamah, is praying CHRAJ to probe Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak - who is also the Member of Parliament for Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region - for abuse of office and conflict of interest as well as fraud in the administration of the Youth and Sports Ministry. PNF is also enjoining CHRAJ to look into alleged travel by the former Minister with his girl friend to Germany.

full story

Kokofu Promotions & Appointments In GAF!

2010 is here! As we brought the eventful 2009 to a close, many of us had hoped that this New Year would herald a difference in our political and social lives, and that we would not return to the humdrum of the life as we already know it.

But as I finally took my seat behind my desk and reviewed the news as they have occurred over the past couple of weeks, I could not fail but acknowledge that my hopes are going to be dashed. If anything, things are going to be worse than they used to be, in Ghana, African and the world.

full story

Is Oil Really Our Last Hope?

The cliché that oil is what turns the wheels of the global economy is not a comic strip. Oil is the lifeblood of, arguably, the single largest industry of the global economy. Chinua Achebe in his popular novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ said he who brings cola brings life. But in the global economy it can well be said that he who brings oil brings life. Oil is everything. It generates a lot of wars around the globe. Even the search of cheap oil before the use of fossil fuel inspired the American classic Moby Dick. The power of oil can make or break even the most advanced economy in the world. It disrupted the world economy in 1973 and almost brought the British economy to its knees. The collapse of the 2008 world economy, which was inevitable, was rather expedited by the unbearable crude oil prices. And our beloved country has never been immune to the oil spot market. It was hit hard by the oil convulsion of the early 70’s and it has consistently, in part, determine the strength of our currency. A substantial portion of the perennial inflationary pressures brought to bear on the national economy can be traced to oil, and I have agonised privately on what can be done to find a cheap source of oil or an alternative to ease up the pressures and to facilitate sustained economic growth.

full story

So Kwabena Adjei too drives around with both Police and Military escorts?

Wonders, they say, shall never end. Otherwise, how do you justify a situation whereby the NDC, which, when in opposition talked about arrogance and indiscipline by the NPP, had its National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei driving against traffic in complete contravention of traffic rules and regulations as contained in the Ghana Highway Code.

full story

The Fallacy of an Alan-Nana Photo Finish: Rejoinder

In the Ghanaweb article dated Monday 11 January 2010,titled The Fallacy of an Alan-Nana Photo Finish, there are assertions from Boakye Agyarko, a senior member of Akufo Addo’s the 70- year- old man campaign planning committee. Agyarko is also a member of Akufo Addo’s Akyem Kyebi Mafia group within the NPP whose agenda was to manipulate the new executive elections to their advantage. This failed miserably. As result of that Agyarko is desperate and has no choice but to lambasted unguarded utterances against Hon: Maxwell Kofi Jumah the Member of Parliament in my constituency is totally politically nonsense.

full story

Is Graphic Afraid Of The Name T.B. Joshua?

I once visited the premises of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd to make inquiries about their advertisement/announcement packages. And at the end of my inquiries, one thing was made very clear to me thus the front-page of the Daily Graphic was only meant for adverts of companies, government agencies and issues of national interest. This meant that no individual would be given the chance to advertise on its front-page regardless of how much one was willing to pay or how important that advert was to the person.

full story

Rawlings: Ghanaians Are Cowards

We Ghanaians are known for our peaceful nature. However, I feel that we have somehow taken our love for peace to the very extreme. We love peace so much so that it has make cowards out of us. I was reading an old conducted interview with Mr Rawlings, in which he candidly confessed that the numerous staged coup d'etats in Ghana wouldn't have been necessary-had the people had the guts to demonstrate. Indeed, Mr Rawlings spoke the truth. See, we Ghanaians are all words and no action. We have had governments in the past, which were unaccountable to the people. Simple because; the people were not brave enough to stand up, and demand accountability from their very own government. Mr Rawlings ruled Ghana for some nineteen odd years. During this reign, Ghanaians were deprived of any participation in the country's affairs. You had the military dictating to the citizenry where they should sit, stand or even take a piss.

full story

Why An All Southern Ticket Will Not Be Good For The NPP Anyday

Speculations in sections of the media tend to favour a perceived Nana/Alan ticket for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for election 2012. Even though it is not yet known if either of them would win to lead the party in the first place! Though, I personally have not taken it serious and realistic I still nonetheless think there is the urgent need for me to also join the “speculations” train in my case with some facts!

Firstly, two things could have sparked this mysterious rumours; either such a ticket for 2012 is the wish of the office of Nana Addo or the campaign office of Alan K. it is an outmoded propaganda theory which was used in the 12th century and I wonder why anybody thinks it is still practical in this 21st century! It is an idea that is dead on arrival! And I wonder where such an idea came from in the first place. If the NPP should attempt such a thing I can bet with my head that, another book would be written again after 2012. Maybe that book would be titled: “Chasing an all southern ticket to the Kwahu Mountains”.

full story

Red Alert! Fake fuel Hits Town

Reports reaching The Independent from some fuel stations countrywide say there is the influx of what can be termed as sub-standard and contaminated fuel on the market, which is being sold to unsuspecting motorists.

Credible information available to The Independent say, the fuel hit the Ghanaian market in December last year and it is still in the system causing problems for fuel attendants country-wide.

full story

KMA implements projects under DDF

Kumasi, Jan.13, GNA - Mr. Samuel Sarpong, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) on Tuesday performed the ceremony for work to begin on th= ree projects under the Assembly's District Development Facility (DDF). These included the construction of a 12-unit classroom block for Sai= nt Louis Senior High School (SHS) a clinic at Apatrapa and a sanitation facility with mechanized borehole for the Boadi basic school.

full story

Kufuor’s Boys Confess @ Kosmos-E.O. Probe

The sweetheart deals in the oil sector, which spotted powerful oil barons, whose footprints leads to the office of former President John Agyekum kufuor, is about to turn sour.

The ‘Kufour boys’ who are about to face about 25 charges, bordering on criminality and blatant falsification of public records in a mad rush to control Ghana’s black gold, are now choking on evidence.

Sources familiar with the workings of the joint investigation between the US government and Ghana has told The Enquirer that despite misleading PR gimmicks in sections of the media, “the culprits in the case are singing like canaries” in the intercontinental probe, which has untied the bolts and knots of the Es and the Os of Ghana’s oil sector.

full story

Stars step up training as competition for position intensifies

Cabinda, Angola, Jan. 13, GNA - The Black Stars of Ghana stepped up their training regimen two clear days ahead of their game against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire with keen competition among the players for a place in the final eleven as the dominant trait at the training grounds. With two training sessions each day, the players have been very busy with their work out rate and tactical preparations at each session to fine tune themselves for the crucial game which has been described as a make or break affair.

full story

Constitution Review Commission hold maiden meeting

Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - The Constitution Review Commission has assured the public that its operations would be open and transparent in order to afford all Ghanaians the opportunity to contribute to the process. A statement issued in Accra by the Commission after its maiden meeting and signed by Professor Albert K. Fiadjoe, Chairman of the Commission, said "though the Commission is made up of persons from different backgrounds, it is mindful of the mandate given to it by the Constitutional Instrument as an independent body".

full story

Each time I go to Ghana, I get angry

By Christmas, I was completely fed up. Peeved, completely riled and exasperated by a fuel-less, power-less and president-less country. So I packed my bags and baggage, and off to Ghana I went.

Two years ago, at about the same period, I had taken a holiday in Ghana, and when I returned, I did a piece with the headline ‘Notes from Accra.’ I romanticized the peace, security and sanity in that country so much that one Nigerian, gripped in the paroxysm of jingoism, sent me an angry text that I should return to Ghana if I loved the place more than my country. So, two days after Christmas, I heeded the advice.

full story

Road contractors call on government to increase Road Fund levy

Wednesday appealed to the government to review the Road Fund levy upwards= to enable contractors to undertake more road projects. The association said the current levy of five Ghana pesewas per vehicl= e at toll booths was inadequate as the Road Fund had taken additional responsibility of funding some major road projects.

full story

Constitutional Review Process Is Flawed

Early this week (1/11/10), President John Evans Atta-Mills inaugurated a 9-member Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) charged with making relevant suggestions and recommendations to the Ghanaian president for possible implementation in the offing.

full story

Ghana's Investment Climate Poisoned

Between 1994 and 1996 the NDC Government under former President Rawlings embarked on a globetrotting investment promotion tour to bring the World’s attention to Investment opportunities in Ghana.

This tour set the stage for massive influx of diasporans to explore investment opportunities in the country.

full story

NDC: Dubious Oil Dealings Exposed – Rejoinder

Dear Countrymen and women, it is indeed with deep pain that I put forward this write-up not because the issues raised by the original writer are factual or makes any sense but the sinister intention behind it. We all woke up on the morning of 01/08/10 to read in the Financial Times how the functionaries of the Kuffuor Administration used their connections with the then Government of Ghana to create an economic empire for themselves without spending a penny.

I have watched Nana Kofi Amankwaah through his articles on Ghanaweb and it is not that I take him serious but my personal feeling is that he has grown from eratic to psychiatric. Kofi Amankwaah’s articles are usually unintelligent, incoherent, and illogical. If he really exists he needs three things:
full story

Oh Ho Kofi Kumado!!!

Honestly, I am at a loss as to what it is that makes some intellectuals behave as if they borrowed their qualifications.

Indeed, during the eight year “lootractic” reign of John Agyekum Kofi Diawuo “50 Cents” Kufuor, a number of intellectuals in Ghana succeeded in tagging themselves as intellectually dishonest persons.

For eight torrid years, certain intellectuals in Ghana sold their bodies, souls and spirits to the NPP regime and watched on whiles Kufuor destroyed the moral fiber of the nation.

full story

Mr President, Your Judgement Stinks…

A good leader should possess impeccable Judgement as one of his many qualities as his decision making will show the kind of person he is, his wisdom and what beliefs and values he holds dear. Our President Atta Mills, in his one year in power has demonstrated that his Judgement stinks and he is not the man he portrayed on the campaign trail to Ghanaians.

full story

What Do You Think About?

I am sure as you read this short thesis, everything is ‘okay’ for those of you in the developed world, but to those of us in the developing world especially Africa, everything is topsy-turvy.

For the few decades God has blessed me with, I have had the misfortune of seeing many African governments rise and fall – and I have witnessed quite some lousy governance styles in my home country in particular.

In fact, as the days go by, our condition continues to deteriorate very fast. What is called equal opportunity does not exist for the ordinary man and everything seems to be built around vampire political systems.

full story

Tyranny of JJ’s 2012 NDC: Mosquito Meets “THE Dr.”

“… of insinuations Mr. Asiedu Nketiah [General Mosquito] has made against
the founder of the party… Rawlings, and… Konadu Rawlings. These seem to be
making him [Asiedu] unpopular among party members…” (Ghanaweb Jan, 9 2010)
full story

Koku & Ayariga To Be Fired!

The looming cabinet reshuffle has already started causing some jittery nights to some Ministers and Aides at the seat of Presidency, as information available to this blog indicates that Messers Mahama Ayariga and Koku Anyidohu, Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications respectively are to be fired.

According to sources, the two communicators who speak for the President, last week, placed calls to the phone of a very senior journalist who has very close links with the President and meets him often, to ascertain whether they would be given the sack or not.

full story

Work On Oil Starts

Technical installations have started on the Jubilee Oilfields at Cape Three Points to pave the way for the commercial production of oil and gas by the last quarter of this year.

Consequently, a vessel – Happy River – arrived in the country last week and is expected to build sub-sea structures for the installation of a billion-dollar Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The EPSO, the size of three football fields, is near completion in Singapore and it is expected to sail to the country in March this year.

full story

I Will Kill You..NPP Chairman Tells Secretary

Some executives of the Ashaiman Constituency of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are leaving in a state of fear and anxiety following death threats on their lives.

Behind these death threats is alleged to be the chairman of the Constituency, Alhaji Papaye, who is alleged to have hired some thugs known as Al-Qaeda to deal ruthlessly with any executive member who opposes his decision or ideas.

full story

NDC Top Gun Rallies Against JJ, Wife

A head of the national delegates congress of the National Democratic congress (NDC) scheduled to take place in Tamale in the northern region, a member of the party is calling on the delegates to reject contestants perceived to be aligned to the former first couple.

According to Mr Prince Diawuo, who is the Propaganda Secretary of the NDC in the Asunafo North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, candidates known to belong to former President Rawlings and his wife have certain agenda they want to pursue in the party.
full story

Reshuffle: Ministers panic and kick start media war

General panic has engulfed the corridors of power following disclosures that a major Ministerial reshuffle would be announced within the next four weeks.

The panic intensified when President Mills hinted that what has been described as his “Team B” would be replaced by “Team A”. Checks at the Castle show that many Ministers have been rushing to brief the President about their lofty plans for the future in the hope that it will help them dodge the reshuffle. One Minister was almost direct when he reportedly told the President that he needed at least three more years at the Ministry to implement his plan.

full story

Tullow Oil looks at listings in Ghana

African-focused oil group Tullow Oil is “investigating the possibility” of listing on stock exchanges in Uganda and Ghana, two countries where it has significant operations.

The statement from the company followed reports in the Ugandan media that the company planned a listing by April this year.
full story

NPP Caused Own Defeat -Ntow

… Leaders ignored advice and followed their own agenda
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, has told The Chronicle that if the leadership of the party had listened to his advice, the party would not have lost the 2008 elections.

According to him, his views with regard to the selection of parliamentary candidates of the party in some selected constituencies were ignored, a decision, he noted, which contributed largely to the defeat of the party at the polls.
full story

Mills receives envoys from Nigeria and Senegal

Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - Nigeria and Senegal have expressed appreciatio= n to President John Atta Mills for strengthening sub-regional ties. Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan expressed admiration= to the leadership style of President Mills and stressed the need for the two=

leaders to work towards strengthening their ties and relationship to new levels. Vice President Jonathan expressed the views in a message delivered b= y Mr. Ojo Madueke, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs to President Mills at the Castle, Osu. He said it was necessary to re-open the joint Ghana-Nigeria Commissi= on of Trade and Peace which had stalled since 1996 to strengthen ties betwee= n the two nations.

full story

President Mills informed about death of Yagbonwura

Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills and Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday commiserated with the chiefs and people of Gonja on the death of Yagbonwura Bawa Abudu Doshie, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area in the Northern Region. They expressed the confidence that a successor would be elected in accordance with laid down customs for peace, as they eulogized the Yagbonwura as an advocate of peace, development, mediator, hero, patriot, leader and trailblazer.

full story

Delegates assured of total peace in Tamale NDC congress

Tamale, Jan. 12, GNA - Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan Umar, the Northern Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said on Tuesday that there would be peace and security for delegates at the National Congress of the NDC in Tamale.
full story

Elon University supports education in Sokode

Sokode (V/R), 12, GNA - Some staff and students of Elon University in the US have presented teaching and learning materials to support education in the Sokode Traditional Area. The team, led by Professor Brian Digree, also presented GHc 3,500 to develop education in the area.

The team had financed the construction of a three-classroom Senior High School block, a four-classroom Junior High School block for the community and an ongoing kindergarten over the past seven years. The community SHS had also received laptops and microscopes from students from the University. Togbe Fia Koku III, Paramount Chief of Sokode Traditional Area, said the area's eight years' association with the University had enhanced education and small scale businesses.

full story

Two seriously injured in accident on Winneba/Swedru road

Winneba, Jan. 12, GNA - Two people were injured when their private car collided with a Metro Mass Transport Bus on the Winneba/Agona Swedru road on Monday.

full story

Government puts in place several polices to help the youth

Winneba, Jan. 12, GNA - The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Nii Ephraim, has said government has put in place polices that will help the youth in its "better Ghana" agenda.

He mentioned some of the policies as the National Youth Policy, National Youth Employment Programme and others.

full story

Man and the Dangerous Hole

full story

Will the NDC Stand or Fall at the Tamale Congress?

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds its national delegates congress in Tamale on January 16. The purpose of this congress is clear: to elect national officers to run the affairs of the party and to determine the party’s future fortunes. Considering the current goings-on within the party, it is no exaggeration to say that this congress is more than a make-or-break affair. It holds much for the party and its government. Its outcome will also reflect whether the NDC has come of age in its efforts to facilitate our democratic experiment. I preview this congress in this sense.

full story

LINSOD Laud A-G

As Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), we are very much impressed with the highly effective performance of Mrs. Betty Mould Iddrisu in her role for only 8 months in 2009 as the Attorney-General of Ghana. She has been at the receiving end of much criticism. However, for the period under review, we hold the candid view that the facts on the ground do not justify the scathing remark by the media that Ghana’s first woman Attorney-General has been “losing too many cases in Court”. A more constructive criticism, the enzyme that activates democracy, would have applauded her efforts for the period under review.
full story

Africa's Development And Mental Slavery Pt1

Just recently, a friend of mine was in Ghana on a visit. He has been living in Europe for sometime now, and thought it somehow appropriate to return home after all these years. He couldn't believe how Ghana had transformed, when he returned after his three weeks stay. He told me that the country, which he left behind so many years ago is no longer there. Everything has changed, he said. The country is moving forward. Ghana has become more like Europe, he added. I guess that the tarred transportation roads didn't escape his attention. Quite frankly, I didn't ask if whether or not he was happy that our country was developing more and more towards the West. Because I knew for certain that he was obviously pleased. He was full of appraisal of the previous government's exterior developments in the country. He concluded his story by telling me that Ghana has developed for sure. Former President Kufour has done Ghana good, he said.

full story

Yes, Let's Review the 1992 Constitution

Even though criticized at large, President Mills’ government has just taken one giant step that is commendable. It has initiated moves for the 1992 Constitution to be amended, and President Mills inaugurated on Monday a nine-member Constitutional Review Commission for that purpose. This move is encouraging because it tells us that the government is interested in taking bold steps to revamp the main framework within which our democracy functions.

Complaints about the weaknesses in the country’s 1992 Constitution have been heard over the years and calls made for its review. Although some dissenting voices have also been registered on the issue, what has happened over the years reinforces public fears and justifies the demand for a review. Thus, the bold step now taken by the President is well founded. It confirms that something drastic will be done to fine-tune the Constitution to serve new purposes that have emerged since it was first promulgated in 1992.

full story

What Ghanaians and Africans need to know “Beware of the NPP”

full story

Ghana, Nigeria Consider Exchange Of Prisoners

Ghana and Nigeria are considering a Nigerian proposal on a possible exchange of prisoners between the two countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni disclosed this in Accra yesterday, when the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Madueke, paid a courtesy call on him.

He neither elaborated on the issue nor explained its objective. The Minister did also not say how many prisoners are in each other’s country.

full story

We are Clean -Rice importers

Owners of the huge consignment of rice, which arrived into the country on board MV Stefanis and was reportedly considered as unfit for human consumption, have shown some documentation to The New Crusading GUIDE which indicated that some portions of the rice and not the entire consignment were contaminated.

Speaking to The New Crusading GUIDE reporter , Chiraz Gany, categorically denied initial reports that the whole consignment of rice was rejected in two countries before the final arrival in Ghana, since tests conducted by Sierra Leonean Health Authorities indicated that only portions of the UNPL EMATA MYANMAR RICE was found to be bad.

full story

Study finds UNICEF program in West Africa fails

LONDON -- A UNICEF program that spent $27 million to decrease child deaths from disease in West Africa has failed, according to a new study that found a higher survival rate in some regions that weren't included in the program.

The U.N. children's agency pursued strategies like vaccinating children, giving them vitamin A pills and distributing bednets to protect against malaria from 2001 to 2005 in parts of 11 countries.

full story

26 Companies In Cayman Islands Fronting for Kufuor

Your authoritative “The Ghana Palaver” investigations have uncovered 26 companies in the Cayman Island all connected to the Kufuor led New Patriotic Party (NPP). Most of the companies were formed in 2003 and 2009 during the NPP regime.

The Ghana Palaver’s revelation is coming in the wake of United States and Ghanaian officials investigations into the activities of EO, a Ghanaian company connected to the Jubilee oilfields in Ghana. Now it is believed that EO is not the only company fronting for the NPP but also the 26 companies spotted in the Cayman Islands. The names of the companies are being withheld by this newspaper but would be published as soon as Ghana Palaver’s investigations are completed.

full story

The Fallacy of an Alan-Nana Photo Finish

In the past few days, several attempts have been made in the press to spin the results of both constituency and regional elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in order to hurry public opinion and prevent a true appreciation of the facts. This spin is summed up in the contrived headlines of the Wednesday 6th January, 2010 edition of the Ghanaian Chronicle, which sought to portray a "photo-finish" in a hypothetical race between Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen for the flag-bearership of the NPP. full story

Ghana Faces 4yrs Of Hardships

ODEEFUO TAWIAH OF CHURCH OF RABBI PROPHESIES...
The General head prophet of the church of Rabbi Odeefuo Kwabena Tawiah has painted a horrific prophecy in store for the nation in the next four years. Smarting under a 40-day fast as dictated to him by the Lord, Odeefuo Tawiah pointed out that bouts of hunger and famine, water shortages and a generally biting heap of economic hardships will bedevil the nation and render all facets of life most difficult to live.

full story

Quashigah: Appetite for bold thinking

For some time, Ghana’s former Agriculture and Health Minister, Courage Emmanuel Kobla Quashigah, a retired major from the Ghana Armed Forces who died in an Israeli hospital on January 5 at 62, have been in the forefront of the emerging Ghanaian/African enlightenment project. The project, largely undertaken by its advocates pro bono, seeks to appropriate Africa’s traditional values for progress by simultaneously exploiting the enabling parts for policy making and exposing the inhibiting aspects for refinement.

full story

Poor Chalk-People: A Collective Biography of Ghanaian Teachers

*By Akadu Ntiriwa Mensema Ph. D.; Post-Grad. Dipl.

“Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Dwomoh, Nkoranza North District Chief Executive,
has commended teachers for their invaluable role and contribution to
the production of quality human resource and manpower needed for
national development” (Ghanaweb, Jan 6, 2010).

full story

Re: How Kuffour’s friends got hold of Ghana’s oil

Dr. Kwesi Mensah Wilson

The vindictive and devilish persecution of the EO group orchestrated by the Tsatsu Tsikata controlled NDC is not only an assault on Ghana’s entrepreneurial spirit but also a slap in the face of Ghanaians in the Diaspora. The ongoing political persecution of the EO group is poisoning the investment climate of the country and it must cease forthwith.

After spending decades and money on wild goose chase - turning the GNPC into a SALT winning corporation, now Tsikata is back trying to reap where he has not sown. Through the services of a half-baked, obscure, and almost bankrupt lawyer in California, one Amaniampong, who is receiving $25,000 per month of taxpayers money, Tsatsu Tsikata seeks to malign and criminalize two Ghanaian diasporans who have endured tremendous sacrifices to bring wealth to their country.

full story

EO Group and Conflict of Interest Law.

We welcome and encourage entrepreneurship in Ghana but we must, if we want to avoid graft and corruption, strengthen our Conflict of Interest Laws and not allow our politicians, government agents or appointees and other public officials to use inside knowledge because of their positions to take advantage of Ghanaians. This is the reason we need to investigate the part played by EO Group. This is strictly according to law and not witch hunt. The EO Group acted in contravention of the country’s Conflict of Interest Laws. A public officer or politician is supposed to use the powers invested in him or her to negotiate in the interest and on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana. Dr. Kwame Bawuah Edusei and his cronies acted against the basic tenets of this rule.
full story

The Ghanaian Condition (Part 4)

The saga of Ex-Gratia Payments to former Heads of State,Parliamentarians,Ex-Speaker of Parliament and other State Officials has raised its head again. Mr.Kwesi Pratt Jnr in an article posted on Ghanaweb of Friday the 8th of January strongly suggested that this Ex-Gratia payments should be discontinued with immediate effect.

Kwesi, I could not agree with you more.In my first article on this very topic posted on Ghanaweb on April 5th 2009 I also expressed similar sentiment. With all due respect,the drafters of the 1992 Constitution especially that of Article 71 might have slept on the job. If not how on earth can any reasonable person suggest giving so much to one individual at the expense of the total mass of Ghanaians whose sweat and labour will be used in paying these individuals. Are some Ghanaians more deserving than others?

full story

This End-of-Service Benefits Nonsense Must Stop Now!

By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor

E-mail: mjbokor@yahoo.com

January 8, 2010

The furore surrounding the payment of End-of-Service Benefits to our politicians seems to defy solution. It may be a test case for us as we continue to seek opportunities to sustain our democracy. But for the fact that money for payment of the ESB comes from the national coffers, no one would be piqued by the furore it has generated. This ex-gratia issue should not continue to dominate public discourse because it doesn’t need to be at the centre stage of our priorities. Yet, it still does because of the lackluster manner in which our politicians handle national affairs.

full story

Angola2010: Ghana-Togo Match Cancelled?

Togo seemed set to withdraw from the African Cup of Nations last night, despite last-ditch negotiations to keep them in the tournament.

In the Angolan enclave of Cabinda – the scene of Friday's ambush which killed three people and left seven injured – a plane sent by the Togolese government sat on the tarmac ready to take the team home.

Gilbert Houngbo, the Prime Minister, had earlier held a news conference in the Togolese capital, Lome, at which he ordered the team home, despite their wishes to continue in the competition as a way of honouring their slain colleagues."If a team or some people present themselves under the Togolese flag, it will be a false representation," he said.

The team's captain and Manchester City player, Emmanuel Adebayor, confirmed that the players had listened to their Prime Minister.

full story

Ghana demands extra security for its players

ACCRA — Ghana is demanding extra security for its players at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola following Friday's deadly attack on the Togolese squad, the government said on Sunday.

Ghana is one of the teams based in the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda, where separatist rebels claimed responsibility for Friday's ambush that left at least two dead and several wounded.

full story

Katakyie Addresses Kwesi Pratt and Co.

This writ-up seeks to expose the hypocrisy and opportunistic preoccupation of Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Koku Anyidohu and other mouth-watering guys in the National Disappointed Congress (NDC) who are bent on taking our beloved country to the dark ages through their unguarded pronouncements. According to Abbie Hoffman; the idea that media is there to educate us, or to inform us, is ridiculous because that is about tenth or eleventh on their list. In using the above quote in examining the recent chattering and vituperations by the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt and the so-called Communications Director at the presidency – Koku Anyidohu, I will not hesitate to describe these two guys as buffoons.

full story

2010 and after would be better years

Accra, Jan. 9, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on Friday expressed confidence of better economic times ahead and stated Government's commitment to transparency and best practices in the management of the nation's oil revenue.

full story

A rejoinder to: Katakyie Addresses Kwesi Pratt and Co.

"This writ-up seeks to expose the hypocrisy and opportunistic preoccupation of Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Koku Anyidohu and other mouth-watering guys in the National Disappointed Congress (NDC) who are bent on taking our beloved country to the dark ages through their unguarded pronouncements"

I wonder what makes you think Kwesi Pratt, Jnr., must not be taken on his word to be CPP but Kweku Baako reamains CPP for you! Any way, why "mouth-watering guys"? Are you a cannibal? Why do they make you salivate? This is quite a curious way of describing human beings, what are you, a vampire? OK, Mr. Insignificant cannibal, allow those of us looking forward to a mouth-watering turkey this Christmas decide between the NPP Administration of President John Agyekum Kufour and President John Evans Atta Mills, not a vampire. We do not use the same judgemental values.

full story

Why It Must Be Salifu Sule For Regional Secretaryship

Some friends monitoring the current constituencies and regional elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the northern region specifically wanted my view on who I thought could be very best as regional secretary of the NPP especially as the party was now in opposition and will definitely need a very committed person to man the party in the region.

I honestly knew why I was asked such a question. The two main contestants who filed to contest for the position of regional secretary happen to be persons I know very well. As of the 18/12/09 Clifford Abdallah Braimah and Salifu Sule were the only two persons who filed to contest for that position. On any balance of probability I think either of them is well qualified to occupy that position.
full story

E-Voting in Ghana and the 2012 Elections

A number of Ghanaian individuals have either hinted at or strongly advocated for the use of Biometric/E-Voting machines to become a part of Ghana’s elections, even as early as 2012. Among those who have hinted at the use of Biometric/E-Voting machines in Ghanaian elections are none other than Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.

Recently the Danquah Institute presented an article online entitled “Ghana can become a war zone in 2012” which caused anger and consternation among some readers. It should be remembered that the “Danquah Institute” is run and led by human beings. The “Danquah Institute” by itself cannot write an article, human beings write articles. Mr. Asare Otchere Darko need not create hysteria, sensationalism or use other propaganda techniques to reiterate his support for E-Voting to be instituted in Ghana.

full story

Our Socialist History and Confusion

On 18 February 1961, Nkrumah, having pronounced that "only socialists can build a socialist society," founded The Kwame Nkrumah Institute of Economics and Political Science, commonly known as the Winneba ideological Institute to indoctrinate people in socialism. The purpose of such a center in Nkrumah's words was "to propagate firmly the essence of African unity in Ghana and throughout the Continent of Africa." He said that trainees should be "made to realize the Party's ideology is a religion and should be carried out faithfully and fervently." Its mission was described by a staff member in the following unequivocal terms: "Since practically all the positions in the State machinery, all the executive positions, were occupied by high officials trained by the British and/or bourgeois mentality, it is quite obvious that in order to implement its programme of socialist construction, the C.P.P. has to train men and women who support the principles of socialism and who can occupy the key positions of the State machinery as well as those in industrial and agricultural enterprises."

full story

Corruption and the President

A lot of discussion has gone on since Mr. Pianim’s insinuation that if a country is corrupt, it’s president (and top leaders) must also be corrupt. Political undertones not withstanding, this was the logic of the June 4th Revolution. Ghanaian’s embraced it wholeheartedly and continue to celebrate it. A few scapegoats were sacrificed, many lost their property and many more suffered indignities all in the name of purging the country of corrupt leaders and by so doing corruption as a whole. Well, thirty years down the lane, corruption is still endemic and we are still blaming our leaders.

full story

ASDA Early Learning Centre celebrates anniversary

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA - Mrs Henrietta Okyere-Twum, Programmes Direct= or of Peace FM, has stressed the need for early childhood development centre= s to be promoted in the education of children. She noted that research by educational experts worldwide have show= n that even before children reached the school going age, they could be tau= ght certain basic things in life through music, dance, play and other art for= ms. Mrs Okyere-Twum was speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration o= f the ASDA Early Learning and Development Centre at Adenta near Accra at th= e weekend.

full story

Girl, 8, Dies From Anal Sex

An eight-year-old class three pupil of Patdorama International School in Kumasi has died as a result of the stomach complications she developed after being allegedly raped through the anus and vagina by a 16-year-old boy in the serene neighborhood of Kwadaso Estate.

Emmanuella Opoku also known as Attaa, who had been hospitalized at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where she was due for surgery to rectify a damaged fallopian tube, suddenly died on December 15, 2009.

full story

P.C. Accuses Rawlings’ Men of Theft

Paul Collins Appiah Ofori, the controversial Member of Parliament for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, has accused some close allies of former President Rawlings of stealing state money when they were in office.

According to P.C. Appiah Ofori, this occurred when he personally reported a lumber operating firm called Conglomerate for evading their tax obligation to the then President Rawlings when he was in office.
full story

I’ve No Presidential Ambition -Jake

THE THREE times Greater-Accra Chairman and the campaign strategist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey has confirmed that he has dropped his ambition to become the president of Ghana but rather desires to be the national chairman of the party. He noted that if elected as the national chairman, he would strategize and prepare the grounds for whoever the delegates of the party elect as presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.

full story

Kufuor Pays Staff from Own Pocket

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has to date not received his ex gratia, his spokesperson, Frank Agyekum, has said. Consequently, he buys his own fuel, pays his own staff, bears maintenance cost of his vehicles and is using his home as an office,” the spokesperson told the Times in reaction to media reports that some Members of Parliament had been paid their ex-gratia, and the ex-President left out.
full story

NDC Will Collapse

He said it was rather unfortunate that in playing his role as the Founder and Former President, some people had misconstrued his actions to mean a deliberate attempt to undermine the presidency and create division within the NDC, a situation Mr. Rawlings stressed would never happen.

full story

BOPP scores 100 per cent in 2009 BECE

Benso (W/R) Dec. 21 GNA - Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP) Basic School scored 100 percent in the 2009 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

full story

Oh Mother Ghana! (Part One)

A lot of Politicians and Army Generals have come and gone! They all promised to lead us to our promise land where milk and honey are flowing but instead we still find ourselves in slavely.Our hospitals had been taken over by demonic spirits. As soon as a child is born, his or her destiny is taking away from him or her. Even our homes, these demonic spirits are there. full story

Father, if it’s possible

This appears to be what President Mills might be saying. I can’t imagine what he is going through, especially within the last two months. The going has been very though, and like Jesus, I think he is saying father, if it is possible, let this “cup”- presidency pass over me. But, folks, you know what? Many a times we don’t know what we ask for until we get it. President Mills, I think was the happiest man on earth when he won the presidency, but at the moment I can confidently say that he isn’t. Unlike Jesus who had the burden of the world on His shoulders- to redeem mankind from sin and eternal condemnation, and thank God He didn’t fail; President Mills has the burden of only Ghana on his shoulders, a burden he can decide to abdicate if he so wishes. Unlike Jesus who singlehandedly had to execute that mandate- go to the cross alone, our president has an administration to help him to carry out the mandate. This means that when the going gets very tough and rough, his helpers- ministers, parliamentarians from his party, party faithfuls, etc. etc. have to assist him to steer the affairs of the country in the right direction. full story

The Church Now and Then: Any Commonalities? (Part 3)

First of all let me once again thank you all faithful readers for your interest in my articles and for your very insightful comments, which have always spurred me on to continue to address the issues of common concern to contemporary church. To those who have emailed me, I am much grateful. To those who feel my articles are stepping on your toes, I sincerely apologise but do beg to differ that that stepping on people’s toes: launching an open attack on the church or church leaders has never been the motive behind my articles. I will be very contradictory, and who am I to ‘kick against the pricks’, if I would seek to destroy the very thing that I have for all my years worked hard to build. As a Christian, a pastor’s son, a preacher and a conference speaker on church leadership my intension has never been to leave any cracks in the Christian faith. On the contrary it is to help preserve and protect the faith by helping strengthen and cohere the church through addressing some of what I think, are anomalies associated with the practice of the Christian faith (not the tenets of the faith itself) and with the practice of the pastors’ profession and the performance of the church leadership’s role.

full story

Corrupting the Incorruptible: Is it Mother Ghana or Attitudinal Dishonesty?

“Corruption frustrates efforts to alleviate poverty and generates apathy and cynicisms”- Mr. Emile Short, Commissioner of CHRAJ.

The issue of corruption would continue to be the sword of Damocles hanging on the neck of the country if pragmatic measures are not put in place to change the status quo. It goes without saying that the economy of Ghana has seen no significant improvement because of endemic corruption that serves to drain the nation’s already limited resources. full story

Climate Change and Africa: Moment of peril

To put it in the words of the former Secretary General of the United Nation, Mr. Kofi Annan ´´over the last few years we have seen concerted efforts to tackle poverty and inequality across our planet; the international community came together to agree on the millennium development goals-to spread prosperity, improve help and put our world on a path towards sustainability, but whiles in many areas we have seen progress, climate change threaten to reverse these improvements and dash our hope for a fairer and sustainable world``. full story

Is This the Kind of Parliament We Want?

When some of us write to condemn some institutions of state as a danger to our democracy, it is not because we love mischief or because we have too much time and too little to do. It is because what we see or hear from those institutions are disgusting. Of all the institutions, our Parliament is quickly creating a very nasty impression for itself and making Ghanaians look foolish for sacrificing their lot to support it. The performance of our Legislature is deplorable and does not justify what is spent on it. full story

Rawlings Atrocities, Rose Pinkrah And Paul Gyamfi

This is a story about how Rawlings came by the name Paul Gyamfi to seek medical attention in Switzerland and the victims whose lives were destroyed. I was reading the comments on one of the articles on December 18th 2009 when I came by this article posted by Santo, a well known contributor in the forum and I thought forumers might want to feed their brains and read abou one oft murderer Rawlings atrocities he unleashed on Ghanaians.   THANK YOU SANTO FOR A JOB WELL DONE

"Farce or mischief, why would Flt. Lt. Rawlings and his handlers resort to using a false name to sign medical bills that would eventually have to be authenticated by the Government of Ghana before settlement? full story

Understanding The Black Woman's Rage

Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. This aphorism, albeit subjective, does indeed hold an iota of truth in it. For ages now, women have managed to hold men in their captive with no release in sight. Wars have been fought in the past because of women. Friends have betrayed one another because of women. Somebody once told me that women are the true rulers of this dear old world. I have every reason to believe that this could be true. Women do have such an unbelievable power over men that it hurts. Then again, men are fools and women use this foolishness to their advantage. For instance; a woman knows that in order to keep a man satisfied- all that she has to do is give him food and a proper dose of sex. And that is it really. full story

Witches Crushed

The ongoing conference of the Association of Witches in West Africa (AWWA) at Hwiawu-Besease in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti region has been disrupted, Daily Guide has gathered.

This was after Nana Subruku, a dreaded fetish at Atwima Twedie near Kumasi, had led a team of 42 fetish priests from the West African sub-region to the town on Wednesday. The fearful-looking traditional worshippers, drawn from neighboring Togo, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Cote D’Ivoire among others, stormed the town on Wednesday morning clad in their traditional outfits.

Appearing serious and ready for business, Nana Subruku led the traditional worshippers to perform assorted rituals aimed at demobilizing the witches who were busily undertaking their annual spiritual conference. full story

Bush Fires, threat to GEMP Project

Bolgatanga, Dec 21, GNA - Bush fires, had been identified, as of the major threat that is likely to affect the implementation of the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP), in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. The five year project, which is funded by the Canadian Government at the cost of 7.2 Canadian dollars, is to strengthen Ghana's Institutions and rural communities, to reverse the land degradation trend in the Northern Regions of Ghana. The Project, in its preliminary stage, would also help in sustainable water and land management systems, to improve food security and reduce poverty in the areas. full story

Police inaugurates Human Trafficking Unit in Kumasi

Kumasi, Dec. 21, GNA - Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Frank Adu-Poku, Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has called on the public to help clamp down on human traffickers. "It is cruel, inhumane and can be described as a modern day slavery, which robs children and victims of their humanity, dignity, future and sometimes their lives and has to be done away with." DCOP Adu-Poku was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Human Trafficking Unit of the police, in Kumasi, at the weekend. It attendance were officials from the Immigration, Fire and Prisons services as well as the Military and the Customs Excise Preventive Service (CEPS). full story

Ghanaians Hungry for NPP – Effah Darteh

The former Member of Parliament for Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region, and aspiring General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Captain (Rtd) Kwame Nkrabea Effah Dartey has stated that Ghanaians are crying for NPP to come to power in 2012 to save them from the ruling government’s mismanagement of the economy.

“As I speak to you now, Ghanaians are hungry for the return of the NPP into power in 2012 to salvage them from the economic crunch that has been created by the President Mills led NDC government.

A number of people I have spoken to have expressed their readiness to return the NPP into power. It is up to us as a party to re-strategise our campaign programmes and communications and put in place strong leadership to capture political power in 2012”.
full story

Family War in NPP Turns Dirty

THE race to occupy various positions within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region, has turned into a dirty family war among three incumbent regional executives of the party, who are engaged in smear campaign against each other.

Mr. Kojo Acquah, Regional Organiser and Anthony K. Sam, Regional Secretary, have allegedly teamed up and are doing everything possible to get rid of the incumbent Regional Chairman, Nana Owusu-Ankomah.

The Regional Chairman was also reported to have engaged in a similar campaign to cause the defeat of the two, during the party congress scheduled to come off on the 30th of this month.

full story

SADA would create balanced regional development -Veep

Accra, Dec. 21, GNA - Vice President John Mahama has observed that, the proposed Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) strategic programme, initiated by government, would result in a balanced regional development, across the country.

The Vice President said the programme is already showing remarkable results, even before parliament formally enacts the Programme into law. Mr Mahama made these remarks in Ho, on Saturday, when he opened a two day SADA Parliamentary Caucus Conference, to review and fine tune the objectives of the Programmes developmental agenda into a sustainable strategic plan for the northing part of the country. ... Mr Mahama said several acres of arable lands for varied agricultural initiatives including sugarcane production has been acquired in the north under the programme. full story

What is happening in Ghana?

“People are too busy to write, but love for a country cannot be sacrificed because we either succeed or fail together, and silence is not an option” – Walter Bridge.

News emerging from Ghana presents a scary picture to the international community and can obstruct the quest to deepen democracy, and unite the people for development.

Politicians once again, would not learn to suppress their ego, as they “sermonize” self-importance. The sorry state of government agents in the media highlights a shameful arrangement through which Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a “rent-a-quote” journalist, and others, coordinate a deceptive agenda.

full story

Asare Otchere-Darko, stop being an alarmist

The executive Director of Danquah Institute, Mr. Asare Otchre-Darko, recent press release calling for seminar next year to consider the “viability of E-Voting” in 2012 election was premature.

His article, paper as he calls it, is full of holes and out right lies. First Ghana did not come close “to the kind of election break-down and violence we saw in Kenya and Zimbabwe” as Mr. Otchere-Darko claims in his paper. That is a complete fabrication and should not come from so called policy think thank institute. There was a clear denial of winners both in Kenya and Zimbabwe elections but that was not the case in 2008 election in Ghana.

full story

Let Us Welcome Locally Produced Rice In Our Homes

Hundreds of thousands of people consume rice in the country. Statistics of the 2010 budget statement has shown that the total consumption of rice in the country is about five hundred thousand [500,000] tons of which three hundred and fifty thousand [350,000] tons are imported. It is about time we patronized our locally produced goods. There are many manufactured goods in Ghana and I believe if we patronize our locally produced goods, our country will be more advanced in some few years to come.

full story

The Hypocrisy Of The Npp Party Exposed

Politics is not a gentleman's sport. It has never been and never would be. Politics is a dirty game full of allies and traitors. Those who mistakingly go into politics to make friends-sooner or later discover that there are none in politics. All political parties are manipulative. They say one thing to garner votes, but fulfilling it is something else. In fact, politics was never intended to be a problem solver. It was only intended to address socio-economic issues without offering any tangible solutions to them. Then again, a doctor is only there to prescribe medication to his/her patient/s. A doctor is not a healer.

full story

Are We Not Our Own Enemies?

Some people take a long time to know the reality of the circumstances surrounding them. They are like those who are so blind that even when the gates of heaven are open, they will still go round the building, looking for windows to pass through. The state of affairs of our country today can be likened to this quip because in the midst of plenty, we are still poor. We are still thirsty in the abundance of water.

To me, heaven may not necessarily mean an after-life utopia but any condition of fulfillment. A country that has developed to the extent of providing comfort for its citizens and becoming a beacon or a magnet to attract people from other parts of the world is a heaven-on-earth. And there are many of such countries in the world, most of which do not have a quarter of the human and natural resources that Ghana has. Why are we in Ghana still looking for windows to pass through?

full story

Digesting The Laws Of Ghana: The Role Of The Media

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? – Romans 10:14

Every civilised society finds it necessary to regulate the conduct of its members by making them to refrain from acts that are detrimental to society and by guiding them to perform acts which are beneficial to societal growth and development. The unawareness of the existence of such laws is not an excuse for breaking it. This is because, on the grounds of public policy, a mistake of law - even an honest one is not accepted as a defence. With this broad objective, the concept, ignorance of the law is no excuse is still operative in all civilised states. This maxim captures the general attitude of the law in respect of which mistake of law: ignorance or lack of understanding of the existing law has never been regarded as a defence in a court action or legal enquiry. This maxim is intended to make individuals in a state to make conscious effort of knowing the law. Individuals in a state are therefore obliged to be abreast of that country’s legal system and its development full story

President Mills Will not Accept Bribes or Kickbacks; Pianim

On December 7, 2009, Mr. Kwame Pianim vouched on a Joy FM Debate Forum (pledging his hand in the fire) that President Mills “will not steal from the people.” To support his assertion, Mr. Pianim added “I have seen him on two occasions give envelopes back and I didn’t see it happen under John the first or John the second.”

Mr. Pianim’s assertion, which received a quick round of applause at the forum, opened the proverbial Flood Gates of Political propaganda and Journalistic commentary. The Ghanaian media, NDC and NPP all dived deep down into the Pianim Jamboree and came up waving only pieces that suited their particular spin. To the ruling NDC, Pianim stated the obvious. Their man, the “Peace King,” is of impeccable character. The fact that Pianim inadvertently cast a long insinuating shadow on the credentials of John the 1st, J. J. Rawlings, NDC founder, first President of the 4th Republic and one man crusader against perceived corruption of Kufour’s government is immaterial to them full story

World's first $99 notebook launched in Ghana

A new 7-inch notebook will enable Africans to

browse Internet at an affordable price, according to its manufacturer, Cherrypal, the leading vendor in the green personal computer market.

Named Cherrypal Africa after the company’s community building initiative in Ghana, which provides access to Internet for children who can’t afford it otherwise, the mini notebook is environmentally friendly, using the least amount of power to save electricity and wind energy to power website navigation

full story

Prostitutes Invade Oil-Rich Takoradi

Foreign Ones Fight Locals Over Wealthy Expatriate Patronizers

The BLESSING of oil-find to Ghana has been defiled with the CURSE of loads of prostitutes of all shapes and sizes to the Western regional capital of Takoradi, buttressing the age-old saying that wherever GOD ALMIGHTY cooks his AMPESI, Satan-the-horrible chooses that same place to roast his KOOBI.

The human parasites, known by the derogatory word SISTERS are two of a kind with some parading under the tag LOCALS from the vicinity and other parts of the country on the one side, and FOREIGNERS from neighbouring countries such as next-door Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroun.

full story

Ghana Stocks - Worst of 2009,

... 30% Jump Expected in 2010
Ghana’s benchmark stock index, the world’s worst performer this year and the best of 2008, will rally in 2010 as the country is set to become Africa’s newest oil exporter, according to Exotix Ltd.

The Ghana Stock Exchange’s All-Share Index is likely to climb 25 to 30 percent next year as the west African nation starts producing oil for export, said Christopher Hartland-Peel, a London-based analyst at Exotix, the investment bank focused on emerging markets.

full story

Agra Behind “Deaf’ Soccer Visa Deal?

Details are enfolding about the faces and identities of the individuals and group of persons whose wishy-washy visa scandal rocked the nation’s sports a couple of months ago.

Even though the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Sports Council (NSC), Mr. Worlanyo K. Agra is not forthcoming with information as to whether he indeed, facilitated the acquisition of visas for the supposed “deaf’ but hearing footballers who were sent to Australia to represent Ghana in a friendly football match, interest in the matter continues to mount.
full story

Kumasi Pastors In Juju Drama

THE SUAME Police Station in Kumasi was a scene of drama on Saturday afternoon when a 23-year-old pastor used eggs and schnapps to invoke the spirit of the dreaded Antoa river deity and other river gods in the Ashanti region, to strike dead his colleague pastor, Bishop Obinim.

Pastor Frank Annor of Faith Power Ministry at Konongo took that weird action against Bishop Obinim of International God’s Way Church at Kenyase-Bosore right in front of the police station, in the full glare of police officers and hundreds of curious people.

full story

Delegates arrive for Jehovah's Witnesses Convention in Ghana

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - A number of foreign delegates have begun arriving at the Kotoka International Airport to attend the Jehovah's Witnesses International Convention in Ghana.

The Convention, on the theme: "Keep On the Watch," would be held from December 3 to December 6.

full story

MP calls on President to fulfil his promises

Accra, Dec.1 , GNA - Mr. Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Member of Parliament(MP) for Ashaiman on Monday called on President John Evans Atta Mills, to fulfil his promise to complete renovation works on the Job 600 building to provide offices for MPs.
full story

Jehovah's Witnesses holds international convention in Ghana

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - Ghana would host the International Convention of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Accra from December 3 to December 6 on the theme: "Keep on the Watch."

Ghana is among the 16 countries in the world selected to host the 2009 convention, which is expected to attract 55,000 people, comprising 2,000 foreign delegates from fellow African countries and Europe.

full story

Bloody Weekend - Murders, armed robbers shot dead

full story

On behalf of BA, I thank you all- Nyamekye-Marfo

Sunyani (B/A) Nov. 13, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Thursday commended corporate bodies, individuals, financial institutions, chiefs, security agencies and the general public for their support in making the 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of the region a success.
full story

Who is going to run with the next flag-bearer of the NPP in 2012?

Friends and admirers of Nana Obiri-Boahen are urging him to contest the running mate position as required by the party’s new constitutional amendments

full story

The State of Town Planning in Ghana

November 11, 2009 is World Town Planning Day celebration. This is an occasion to reflect on where how we are in building sustainable great communities, and define action plans for the challenges facing mankind. The theme for the 2009 World Town Planning Day celebration is global warming and green house gasses. However, Ghana is still struggling to develop its planning vision to creating livable communities.

full story

Open Letter To Kpone Katamanso Member Of Parliament ....

AND MINISTER DESIGNATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY - HONOURABLE NII LARYEA AFOTEY AGBO

Dear Sir,

Congratulations. I have been out of the Jurisdiction in search of a Job and therefore nearly missed the big news by the skin of the teeth. Fortunately, when I made a stop in Accra yesterday to check on the health status of my folks, I had a wonderful bird whisper to me that you have finally gotten your heart desires. Your nomination as the Minister of State at the Presidency should give you orgasm.
full story

Ghana & Africa “Bedevilled”?

Former Presidents Blaming Bad Leadership.

So who is to Provide the Leadership, then, including Managing Ghana?

By: Kwaku A. Danso

In the APA article published on Ghanaweb of November 7, 2009, at a conference held in Lagos (Nigeria), the former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, who had eight years from 2001 to 2008 to manage Ghana, “has blamed the underdevelopment of the African region on the leadership crisis bedevilling the continent”.
full story

Editorial: Well Done, Mr. President

In line with his campaign promise, President John Evans Atta Mills has put the right facilities in place to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage for Muslims this year.
full story

"I Will Contest NDC Vice Chair" - Rawlings

Former First Lady and wife of ex- president Jerry Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has finally openly declared her intention to contest the ruling party’s first vice chairmanship position.

The National Democratic Congress, NDC which won power in the 2008 elections by a hair’s-breadth goes to congress in December to elect its national executives.
full story

Zita Must Go -NDC MP

Without an iota of reservation, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso, Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, has reaffirmed his call for the removal from office of the Minister for Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi.

“I have not changed my mind on Zita. It is a principled position I have taken and being a man of myself (SIC), I have no intention of changing it”, the Kpone-Katamanso MP told the Appointments Committee of Parliament yesterday.
full story

Boy arrested for having sex with a goat

Axim (W/R), 12 Nov., GNA- A-16-year old Ivorian refugee at the Krisan Refugee Camp near Eikwe in the Ellembelle district, has been arrested by the Police for having sex with a female goat.

The suspect, who is a primary 6 pupil and an orphan, has been charged with unnatural carnal knowledge.

full story

Niger Delta Militants Training Ghanaians

Ghana’s oil find if not properly managed could spell crisis comparable to what is happening in Nigeria’s restive Niger Delta region.

A respected legal practitioner and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Law Faculty, Dr. Raymond Atuguba has chillingly revealed that militants in the Niger Delta region, notorious for blowing up oil pipes, kidnapping and demanding huge ransoms and causing unrest in the oil rich Nigerian region have started tripping to Ghana in droves.

full story

Ghana Is A Better Place For Business Than Nigeria

An article in the respected pan African magazine, the African Business Magazine (ABM) has indicated that Ghana has an edge over Nigeria in terms of the ease of doing business.

The article also said Ghana “is fast becoming and investment destination of choice in Africa.”The article stated in part” “Ghana, on the other hand, seems to have strongly entrenched policies that enhance industrial growth, while good governance and prudent economic management have made the country the gateway to Africa. Apart from fast becoming an economic hub of the sub-region, Ghana also offers some of the best travel experience in Africa.

full story

Mills Chirped Promises: Changeless Change In Complaints

Submitted to Ghanaweb on November 9, 2009 full story

Northern Partitioning and Political Expediency – Part 2

By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., Ph.D.

In this installment of my contribution to the discourse on the controversial question of partitioning Ghana’s Northern Region into “at least” two discrete administrative units, I intend to address the concerns of several of my critics – both those with genuine concerns as well as those who have, for the most part, taken pot-shots at me merely because, somehow, they are of the grossly mistaken belief that only Ghanaians of northern descent have a right to publicly discuss this most critical question verging on our beloved nation’s geopolitical organicity or cohesion.

full story

Smith’s Nonsense (Part 1)

I have tried and don’t want to write about how the military has been politicized under Defence Minister, General Smith and his sidekicks and his role in the release of Col Damoah but he and his puddles keep providing me the opportunity and I will take a swipe at them for once.

I get sick anytime I hear Lt General Smith, in his usual rantings say the media should not politicize the military, the fact is that the military is already politicized and this is not the fault of the media.

full story

Atta Mills: I'm Still Your President

Several days ago, professor Atta Mills was quoted as saying that Ghanaians ought to shut up. In fact, many Ghanaians have been complaining about the slowness, in which the Mills administration has been progressing thus far. Indeed, this presumed statement by the sitting president has annoyed many people. Ghanaians all over the world feel disrespected by this presumed statement by their president. Anyway, whether the president said it or not, the media has taken this presumed statement and gone wild with it. On a personal note, I don't believe that the president did ever say such a thing. In my opinion, the president is too sophisticated and mature for such a statement. He knows very well that the good people of Ghana, who elected him to office are not stupid. Moreover, he understands too well what's expected of him, and what isn't expected of him.

full story

Kwesi Pratt should be the last person to ...

pontificate on the affairs of the country.

My attention has been drawn to a feature article published in the New Punch on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2009 which was given wide publicity during the newspaper review segment by a panelist on Peace FM. I received numerous telephone calls from friends and admirers, both known and unknown ones to tune in to Peace FM and listen to a lively discussion going on on an article I had written. The calls were very persistent and I had to oblige my constituents. At that time I did not know the so-called article that I had written. By the time I tuned in to the station, the programme had almost ended. It had to do with appointments made by the Mills administration which was totally at variance with the Constitution and tilted in favour of one particular tribe and region.

full story

Placing a Call out to Ghanaian "Burgers

Dear Compatriots,

Allow yourselves a few minutes of your precious time to digest the concerns I have raised below. I am a Kumawu citizen resident in the Netherlands. Many a time have those of us living in the Diaspora shown little affection towards the plight of our fellow countrymen back home. Is that attitude intentional, or out of ignorance, or simply sheer wickedness? What is our reason behind such show of nonchalance? Whatever that is, it is absolutely out of character for modern day Africans who are aspiring to attain social and economic parity with the Whites.

full story

Deported mum flees homeland for Ghana

A TERRIFIED mum who was deported from the UK to her Nigerian homeland, despite claiming she would be stoned to death if she returned, has managed to flee to Ghana.

Helen Noah, along with five-year-old autistic son William , who was a pupil at St Anne’s RC School in Greenacres, was flown from Heathrow Airport to Nigeria after UK Border Agency staff raided her Roundthorn Road home last month.

full story

Court orders abortion for girl, 15

A court has ordered that a 15-year-old girl who was defiled by two friends and got pregnant should undergo a legal abortion.
The Circuit Court at Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region presided over by Mr. Osei Kwame, gave the order with the consent of the girl’s parents to enable her to continue her education, she is in primary six.
full story

Cash Sent To Castle In Packed Vans

The case involving a $2.5billion loan package for Ghana during Jerry Rawlings’ administration, took a new twist yesterday when an Accra-based renowned lawyer, William Adumoah-Bossman, told an Accra Commercial Court that he has in his possession an advisory letter from one Thomas Moss, an agent for the loan from the Hong Kong Trust, which indicated that the money was transferred to Ghana.

full story

Fish Importers Defraud State Of ¢50 Billion

Information available to The Catalyst indicates that some fish importers at the Tema Fishing Harbour have allegedly defrauded the nation to the tune of over 5 Million Ghana Cedis or 50 billion old cedis by falsifying trade documents, thereby evading appropriate taxes and charges.

The importers, who changed port of lading from Mauritania and Guinea to read Namibia and obtained lower values from Gateway Services Ltd (GSL) instead of BIVAC Ghana Ltd., include Nayak Fisheries Ltd, Paradise Fisheries Ltd, Fasonhog Foods Ltd, Trading FM Ltd, El Shadai Fisheries Ltd., among others.

full story

Government's performance to confound skeptics

Taviefe, (V/R), Nov. 10, GNA-The achievements of President John Evans Atta Mills' administration would confound skeptics who perceive his pace at tackling national issues as sluggish "Professor Mills is meticulous and a man of wisdom." Colonel Cyril Necku, (retired) Deputy Volta Regional Minister, said.

Col. Necku was addressing the centenary celebration church service of the E.P. Church at Taviefe near Ho last Sunday. The theme for the celebration was: "The Lord has done great things for us and we are very glad."
full story

Mills never said Ghanaians were complaining too much

Office of the President, on Monday reacted to media publications that President John Evans Atta Mills had scolded Ghanaians for complaining about the living standards in the country.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson addressing a press conference at the Castle, Osu said, "The publication that President Mills was angry with the complaints by Ghanaians, and could not take criticisms is not true".

full story

NDC constituency election turns violent

Agona Asafo, (C/R), Nov. 7, GNA - Police reinforcement from Agona Swedru was dispatched to Agona Asafo, in the Central Region to quell the violence, which erupted after the election of Agona East Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The violence started when supporters of Alhaji Gyabiru Ibrahim, who lost the election to Mr Jonathan Kwame Abban, Managing Director of Pioneer Distillery Company Limited, started attacking people on sight at the AME Zion Church premises.
full story

TUC cautions Ghanaians against bogus oil training institutions

Cape Coast, Nov. 7, GNA - The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Friday cautioned the citizenry to guard against the proliferation of institutions claiming to be providing skills training in the oil industry= ..

Mr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Acting Head of the Labour Research and Policy Institute of the TUC, asked the public to report any unaccredited organisation operating in the industry to the authorities, since the brain behind such bodies was to make money rather than offering the requisite knowledge to facilitate the oil business.

full story

African intellectuals still have slave mentality - Soyinka

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - Professor Wole Sonyinka, a Nobel Literature Laureate, on Thursday said Africa's inability to progress beyond liberation from colonialism was due to the lingering slave mentality of its leaders and intellectuals.
He said even though African countries had long gained independence from western powers, "the slave mentality continues to govern our thinking and our full story

Police And Thief: The Ghanaian Identity Problem

Growing up in the 90s, a game was common. We played this game of Police and Thief. The bad guy of course was the thief. After much chasing and hiding, it was normal for the police to catch the thief or for the police to shoot and kill the thief. That was based on simple logic, the triumph of good over evil. Even as kids it was very clear to us that evil must be quashed. Looking back into history, I can not really say how it went wrong, but definitely something went wrong.
The police and thief game shows the picture of how the larger society ought to be. The police in this piece are not limited to the men and women of the Ghana Police Service; rather it is Ghana as a state.
full story

A Lesson For Ghana In The Investigation Of Dr. Yankey & Co

Gordon Nuttal was a state Labour Minister for Queensland in Australia. He was found guilty of corruption in July this year, and was given a seven-year jail sentence. Mr Nuttal was elected to State parliament on September, 1992. Before then, he was an organiser for the Electrical Trades Union. He served as Parliamentary Secretary, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and Minister for Health. In 2006, a Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) began an investigation into a series of “suspicious loans” Mr. Nuttal had received from a mining magnate. He was consequently charged for corruptly receiving cash payments. He was also charged of official corruption in connection with an alleged secret cash payment from a businessman over government project, which never went for tender.

full story

Why Rawlings Cannot Advise Prof Mills I

It was the beginning of the rainy season and so the piece of land adjacent the former District council which now houses the 31st December Women’s Day Nursery was full of weeds. School children in and around the Bole traditional area were dispatched to the chosen durbar ground to weed and sweep. In their numbers, the children weeded, burnt the grass and swept the ground. Tents were raised and chairs were then placed under the tents in readiness for the next day’s event. The rest of the day was then declared a holiday so that the children could have their uniforms washed and ironed so that they could look sharp for our guest.

full story

‘Accra Shopping Mall’- Right Solution: Wrong Location.

As a student of Town Planning in the United Kingdom in the 1980’s, reference was often made about the ideals that underpinned the Town planning Movement. Ideals that were founded on one simple idea: equality. full story

Ghana’s Funny Banking Requiremirement

It has been said over and again the savings culture of Ghanaians is not all that encouraging. It is estimated that less than 40% of the entire population save their money at the bank, whilst the rest find other means of saving their cash.

full story

Resource Abundance: Is It A Curse Or A Blessing?

Nature has not distributed her resources equally as some countries are naturally endowed with resources whereas others are not. African countries abound in resources such as gold, diamond, crude oil, vast lands inter alia. Examples of such countries include; South Africa, Ghana, DR. Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Rwanda etc. Generally, resources are needed to bring about development and as a result, every country with or without resources need them to develop.

full story

Survival in Sodom and Gomorrah

There is a way in which focusing on the demolition of slums can clog our ears to the cries of its people. Sometimes, all it takes is to listen with our hearts and our feet.

Issifu Alhassan came to Accra ten years ago from Tamale. At the time, his name had been cancelled from the books of the Business Secondary School when he failed to show up after vacation on account of financial difficulties. He was in SS 3.

full story

The Nigeria Bashing Of Ghana Continues

-This Time On Big Brother Africa 2009

Ghana and Nigeria are two countries that are known to be and often called ‘competitive neighbours’. The ‘competition’ gotten greater especially these last years as many companies that used to be based in Nigeria have relocated to and many planning to relocate to Ghana much to the annoyance of the Nigerian government and people.

full story

Tension At Ghana Water Company

By Solomon Davids

As Managers Victimize Workers For Speaking To Ministers

Tension is gradually brewing at Ghana Water Company Ltd.(GWCL), following a recent visit by the two Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Hannah Bissiw and Alhaji Saani Idi, to the Kpong headworks of Ghana Water Company Ltd. Some employees of the company are being subjected to victimization and intimidation, against the warning the two ministers gave on that day. full story

World Cocoa Foundation to launch Cocoa Livelihoods Programme in Ghana

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - Nearly 60,000 Ghanaian cocoa farmers are to benefit from a five-year programme, to improve their livelihoods and inco= me, through training in enhanced farming technologies, learning of new business skills and crop diversification on their farms.

full story

Gomoa- Dunkwa JHS scores zero per cent in BECE

Gomoa Dunkwa (C/R) Oct. 15, GNA - For the past five years, no student of the Gomoa Dunkwa- Achiase District Assembly Junior High School (JHS) in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region, has passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

During the period under review, no student had secured aggregate six to 30 to be qualified for short listing for admission to a senior high school. Mr Emmanuel Sagoe, an opinion leader and Spokesperson for the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) disclosed this at Gomoa Dunkwa, when Mr Theophilus Aidoo- Mensah, District Chief Executive (DCE) and some officials of the District Assembly, visited the JHS as part of an inspection tour of some on-going projects in the area.

full story

Fire at Airline House under control

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - A fire which began at the premises of the "Airline House" at the Kotoka International Airport, on Tuesday, was put out by the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).

A team from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) also assisted in quenching the fire.

full story

American Paedophile's Case- Judgment today

Tema, Oct. 15, GNA - Judgment would be given by the Tema Circuit Court 'A' on Thursday, October 15, in the case involving a 65-year-old American retired teacher who has been accused of having unnatural canal knowledge with seven minors at Adjomankope near Sege in the Dangme East District. The court presided over by Mrs Lorinda Owusu, at its last sitting on October 9, heard the defence of Patrick Kent Labash, the alleged paedophile and adjourned the case for judgment.

full story

The Market Encounter – How He Won Her Heart

I promised a love story and here it is. It is rather long, but I like to give glory details. If you stick it out, you will get my point, and hopefully enjoy it. Like I said before, I am not a professional writer, and certainly not the sharpest tool in the box. I am just happy being part of the forum, and doing my best to contribute to the debate. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have suggested ways in which I could improve my writing skills. Hopefully I will get better with time. All I ask is your support, advice and cooperation.

full story

Govt plays down Vodafone report

The government has distanced itself from a report produced by a committee it set up to scrutinise the sale of its telecoms firm to Vodafone.

The report, seen by the BBC, said Ghana Telecom (GT) was sold to the UK-based company for less than it was worth.

It said the sale of GT had been "unconstitutional" and "illegal".

But the communications minister said the committee had overstepped its remit and should wait for the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the sale.

full story

Mills and Jerry (M&J), the ball is in your court

No individual, no organization, no group under the sun is perfect. Evil can never be eradicated from the face of this evil world. Corruption will be with us as long as we abode this earth, though it can be reduced substantially. In my article titled “Those who live in glass houses” posted on ghanaweb (24.7.2009) and other media networks, I did indicate that corruption is one of the “devils” that have succeeded in bringing our economy to its knees, and also the fight against corruption is a moral one and not just the habit of accusing others of being corrupt when we are ourselves guilty of corrupt practices. This is not to insinuate that people should not say or do nothing to fight this canker, but rather we should realize that corrupt individuals don’t have the moral justification to indict others of being corrupt, and also what is more important in fighting corruption is not mere rhetoric, but rather the enforcement of the rules against corrupt public officials. I mean corrupt officials, when they are found out should be made to face the music! Their abode should be at the penitentiary; they are nation wreckers, selfish, and greedy individuals who don’t deserve mercy. If we will stop defending apprehended corrupt officials who are members of our social group - political parties for example, and allow them to be dealt with according to the laws of the land, the thought of corruption in the minds of many a politician and other public office holders will be reduced drastically.

full story

Africa must adopt best practices to enhance development

Mampong (Ash), Oct. 14, GNA - Dr. Francis Appiah, Executive Secretary of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has urged African States to adopt policies and best practices that would lead to political stability and high economic performance. Additionally, there should be an aggressive push towards both sub-regional and continental integration. This, he said, would undoubtedly ensure that Governments in Africa behave in a more acceptable manner. Mr. Appiah was addressing a validation workshop organised by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) for the Asante-Mampong Municipal APRM Oversight Committee.

full story

Vice President defends style of dressing

scathing criticism of a section of the public that the number two personality is too casual with his apparel during important state functions.

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra, that the affable nature of Mr John Dramani Mahama makes it possible for people to tell him during informal discussions at public gatherings, to be grandiose to conform to the trappings of his office.

full story

Vice Chancellor denounces surge of immorality among students

Kumasi, Oct. 14, GNA - Professor Kwasi Kwafo-Adarkwa, Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has denounced the surge of indiscipline among tertiary students, describing it as counter-productive to the nation's socio-economic progress. It was time tertiary students did away with occultism, examination malpractices, addiction to drugs, indecent dressing and all forms of immorality, he stressed.

full story

KNUST honours former Africa CNN Director

Kumasi, Oct. 14, GNA - The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has honoured former CNN Africa Director, Mr Edward Boateng, for his contribution to the growth of the media in Africa. Mrs Vesta Adu- Gyamfi, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Arts, said the University was proud of Mr Boateng's significant input to the development of the media.

full story

Wechiau Hippo sanctuary celebrates 10 years anniversary

Wechiau (UW), Oct. 14, GNA - Mr. Mahmud Khalid, Upper West Regional Minister, on Monday pledged government's commitment to provide the Wechiau Hippopotamus Sanctuary in the Wa West District, with good infrastructure to befit its status as an international tourist centre. He said provision of facilities such as good roads and drinking water in the community could significantly develop the sanctuary and in the long run make it attractive to international tourists, partners and donor agencies.

full story

Commission to stop fraudulent land title documentation

Accra, Oct. 14, GNA - The Land Commission is taking steps to stop th= e current spate of fraud in land title documentation to protect the public and improve the security of tenure by sticking to a new strategic plan.

A communiqu=E9 issued by the Commission at the end of an orientati= on workshop and signed by its Chairman, Nana Adjei Ampofo said the Commissio= n was being re-branded to improve upon its poor public image. The Commission, which was inaugurated on 21st August 2009, said it would do this through improved staff attitudes; work ethics; client-focus= ed and efficient service delivery in valuation, survey and mapping; documentation and registration of title deeds to meet clients' expectatio= ns.

full story

Kufuor returns home

Accra, Oct. 14, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived home on Tuesday night after four weeks travel abroad which took him to the United States, Europe and Asia during which he received an honorary doctorate degree and assumed chairmanship of the international peace group, Interpeace.

full story

Spio returns for NDC to deal with furore

Accra, Oct 14, GNA - Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, former National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential aspirant, on Tuesday made an appearance at the party's headquarters in Accra to meet its Chairman over the furore generated by articles he recently serialized in the media and reactions from Mr Ato Ahwoi, a leading member of the Party and Mr Koku Anyidoho, Communications Director at the Castle.

full story

70% of Ghanaian homes have no toilets

About 70 per cent of Ghanaian homes does not have adequate toilet facilities, a study the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) conducted in 2008 established.

Mrs Theodora Adomako-Adjei, Extension Services Coordinator of the CWSA, who announced this in Cape Coast on Tuesday, described the situation as sad and an affront to the campaign against unsanitary conditions. She was speaking at 'a media/children's forum' as part of activities to mark 'global hand washing day', to sensitize school children and media personnel in the Cape Coast Metropolis on the importance of washing hands with soap.

full story

The Mabey And Johnson Reparation Money: I Call For Opinion Polls

I read a story on myjoyonline on the 10thOctober, 2009 which was attributed to one of the deputy ministers of information saying that, government of the National Democratic congress (NDC) of Ghana will not accept the reparation money awarded to Ghana by the Southwark Crown Court after ruling against the Mabey and Johnson Construction Company in the United Kingdom.

It is hugely nonsensical and totally outrageous for the government of the NDC to indicate that, it will not take that reparation money emanating from the ruling of the Southwark Crown Court on the 25thSeptember, 2009.

What are the facts if one may ask? Mabey and Johnson for admitting with empirical evidence in court that, they in the past bribed officials in Ghana to secure some contracts were fined heftily

full story

CHRAJ Must Investigate P.C. Ofori’s Allegations!

A lot has been said and written about the Marbey and Johnson bribery scandal and I do not think there is any new angle from which to analyse the scandal better. What, however, irritates me and sends me writing this piece is how the serious allegation by the Member of Parliament of the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa Constitutuency, Hon. Paul Collins Appiah Ofori, is left to the party level. PC Appiah Ofori has been touted as someone who is dedicated to the fighting of corruption in Ghana. He was the only NPP MP who opposed the GT-Vodafone deal. He has come out to state on countless media platforms that the New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament received a bribe of US $5,000 each before voting for the controversial sale of 70% shares of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone. This anti-corruption campaigner claims he has documents of corrupt practices by the NPP government that, if released, could collapse the party.

full story

A Cry From A Police Officer

Below is a email a Ghanaian Policeman sent to me seeking my assistance to bring it to the forum. I have no first hand knowledge about any of the charges being levelled by this Policeman. I am just assisting a fellow Ghanaian with a problem going on among the Police force.

full story

Kufour: Africa's Enemy Or Friend?

Just about two weeks ago, our former president John Kufour was in the Netherlands to give a speech on African progress and development. The former president is widely revered for his insight on economics. Then again, Kufour is an Oxford university BA degree holder in economics, philosophy and politics, who was subsequently confirmed in accordance with the Oxford traditions with a masters degree by the University. So most naturally, Kufour should be your man if you need any answers regarding economic issues. Also according to some legends, Ghana's economy was in pretty good shape under Kufour's presidency. Here is a man, whose government did manage to increase our nation's GDP from $ 3.94 billion to $16.1 billion within a space of eight years. Moreover, under Kufour's presidency, the fluctuating nature of our nation's currency was somehow stabilized, which of course did contribute to the overall growth of our economy.

full story

Governmental double-speak

What is the difference between the presidency and the information ministry? And what’s the difference between the presidential spokesman and the director of communications at the presidency? These are some of questions that have engaged my mind since John Atta Mills became president – especially with regards to his information management. full story

Tarzan: Ghanaians were 'poopooing' indiscriminately

The Chief Executive officer of the defunct Ghana@50 Secretariat, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby says toilet projects embarked upon as part of activities to mark Ghana's golden jubilee celebrations were to help stop people from attending to nature's call indiscriminately.

“Ghanaians were living like animals after 50 years of independence,” he noted.

full story

Gov't Runs away from Vodafone Report

The Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Review Committee to examine and review the Vodafone Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) concluded with the previous Government and to make appropriate recommendations for consideration.

The Review Committee has since submitted its report to the Ministry of Communications, which has forwarded the report to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for a legal opinion and advice.

full story

GT sold for only $267M ...Official report reveals

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Communication Minister Contrary to reports that UK Company, Vodafone Plc bought 70% of Ghana Telecom (GT) for $900 million, it has been revealed that the country received a paltry Two Hundred and Sixty-six Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Dollars ($266.57m) in payment. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, whose government sold off the national telecommunications company, according to details in the report of the inter-Ministerial review committee on Vodafone, worked against the interest of Ghanaians.

full story

Re-training course for police personnel underway in Winneba

Winneba (C/R), Oct. 13, GNA - The training syllabi for the Police Service are being reviewed with the aim of demilitarizing the personnel to internalize the philosophy of democratic policing, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Quaye, said on Monday. The IGP made this known in an address read for him by the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Akyire Kampara, at the opening of a two-week re-training course for 150 police personnel selected from all over the country at the Police Training School in Winneba. He said it is an accepted fact that knowledge decays if it is not sustained through revision and re-training, hence the need for such courses to enhance their professionalism.

full story

Encroachers are taking over your land, Goaso chief warns GBC

Goaso (B/A) Oct. 13 (Credit Daasebre Wiafe) GNA - Nana Kwasi Baffour Bosomprah, the Omanhene of Goaso Traditional Area in Brong Ahafo, has called on the authorities of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to help stop the encroachment on the land it acquired in the area for a television station. Speaking at a press conference at Goaso, the paramount chief expressed concern that some citizens were encroaching on the land, citing that the building for the station's workers, which was constructed some years ago, was being used as a girls' dormitory for the Ahafoman Senior High School. full story

Former Ambassador to Japan reacts to media reports

Accra, Oct. 13, GNA - Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, former Ambassador to Japan on Monday said the media-led allegation that he diverted an amount of $125,000 meant for two public universities in Ghana was malice-laden and unjustifiable.

At a press conference in Accra in reaction to the allegation, Dr. Adjei-Barwuah declared, "I have been unjustifiably attacked, and regret the way things in Ghana have been politicized.

"I owe the Ghanaian public I served for more than seven years a word as to the veracity or otherwise of the stories published about me by the Daily Graphic and the Enquirer," he said.

full story

Chiefs call for investigation into spillage

Kenyasi (B/A), Oct. 13, GNA - The traditional heads of three communities in Asutifi District have directed the district assembly and management of the Ahafo Project of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) to take samples and conduct test on a man-made pond allegedly polluted to ascertain the extent of damage caused.
The decision by the paramount chiefs of full story

Extraordinary and fascinating things are happening in our country!

In a stunning reversal of political fortunes, the same class of characters who for eight solid, uninterrupted year not only effectively destroyed the integrity of all vital state institutions, but also, flagrantly violated the rights of innocent Ghanaians and made victims out of others are now the same people claiming the moral and legal high ground! For example, only last year and in their usual breezy arrogance, they proudly cheered Justice Abban and the Supreme Court when they effectively abridged and undermined the right of an accused person to counsel in the scandalous and infamous trial and conviction of Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata. In fact, we get righteously angry when we hear these characters demonizing the BNI for some of its tactics in "denying" them their right to counsel! How can they forget that they "denied" ex-president Rawlings, E.T. Mensah and others this same right? How time flies! And, how convenient!

full story

Who, Me, Accept Responsibility? Not An African Leader!

There we go again. Soldiers running wild and untamed in Africa. In the past week we have been treated to the wicked and “vile violation” (apologies Mrs. Clinton) and slaughter of unarmed civilians by a bunch of armed and uniformed gunmen calling themselves soldiers of the Guinean army. Yes, it happened in Guinea, in a region too familiar with what it is living with pig headed buffoons armed to the teeth. Over 150 young men and women gunned down, bayoneted or clubbed to death for merely participating in a non-violent parade. Countless others (women and girls) are reported to have been abducted and subjected to heinous sexual molestation and abuses. They were stripped naked in public and raped.

full story

In a Pan-African state of mind

I have been feeling nostalgic lately. Nostalgic not in a sort of having-been-there-done-that- kind of way. But in a kind of what-would- Nkrumah-think-about-this kind of way. I guess it’s because I haven’t read anything nourishing in a long time. So much is happening in the world with such speed that there is hardly time for perspective, for context, for reflection. I would be lying if I said I hunger for the works of Achebe, Awoonor, Senghor, Armah, Thiong’o and other African writers of old. But I hunger for their perspective; for the unique African sensibility they brought to things, to the events around them, to the happenings of their time. Times are different, of course.

full story

Armed robbers kill policeman at Filling Station

Tema, Oct. 13, GNA - A 28-year-old policeman of the Tema Buffalo Unit, was shot dead at about 1130 hours on Monday, by five armed robbers at the Excel Filling Station at Klagon near Lashibi.

A Home Finance Company bullion van had gone to the filling station to collect money when the robbers in an attempt to rob the station, shot and killed the police constable, and seized his AK 47 rifle.

full story

‘I Took Cash from Baba Kamara’ -Yankey

The toppled Minister of health, Dr George Adjah-Sipa Yankey, has admitted for the first time that he financially benefitted from Mabey and Johnson (M&J), a United Kingdom(UK) based construction firm accused of bribing Ghanaians officials under the Jerry John Rawlings administration.

full story

...China, Ghana petroleum co in talks

The twin Accra suburbs of Nima and Mamobi are in a state of mourning following the drowning of 13 kids from the areas on Sunday a rare tragedy which many find difficult to come to terms with.

The children, some of them as young as 12, had trooped to the part of the Osu beach facing former Hearts of Oak training ground, otherwise called Borla Beach or Mensah Guinea, to swim when they met their fate.

full story

Exxon's reported Ghana move juices deal talk

Reports of a $4 billion acquisition by Exxon Mobil (XOM 69.27, +0.22, +0.32%) in Ghana drew positive comments on the energy sector on Wednesday from Houston-based research firm Tudor Pickering Holt.

full story

New York State Senate Honours Nkrumah

The New York State Senate has honoured Ghana''s first President and Pan-African Icon and Activist, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah with a Legislative Resolution celebrating Nkrumah''s 100th Birthday. The resolution was proposed and led by Senator Bill Perkins of the 30th District of the New York State of the United States of America. full story

Fight For Ghana's Oil: Exxon vs China

full story

Women Entrepreneurs attend workshop

Dunkwa-On-Offin (C/R), Oct. 11, GNA - A two-day entrepreneurship training workshop for 50 women micro and small scale entrepreneurs was opened at Dunkwa-On-Offin on Saturday. The workshop, sponsored by Unilever Ghana Foundation, was aimed at improving the capacity of participants.

full story

Ghana becoming attractive destination for oil investments

With uncertainty still surrounding the outcome of Nigeria’s amnesty deal with militants, the country’s low ranking in the doing business index, poor infrastructure and a controversial industry policy, oil majors are exploring other frontiers in search of stable and secure sources of crude oil.

full story

Saint John Rawlings Of Ghana

Ever since he was compelled by constitutional means to vacate the presidency of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings has taken it upon himself to mount the moral platform to judge governments and personally attack the two presidents who succeeded him. He has consistently attacked the NPP administration of John Agyekum Kufuor as a band of thieves and Kufuor as the “thief-in-chief.” Despite the fact that the party in power is his own party which he is the founder, he has not relented in rallying against the style of John Atta Mills, the current president. We dare to ask why Mr. Rawlings is so self-righteous.

full story

RE – Spio Garbrah; Where “Feigned Loyalty” Means What?

I must confess, I have never observed an incumbent party as intolerant of criticism as the NDC. Let me state emphatically clear, for the record and before I continue that I am not a member of any political party in Ghana, nor a member of the so-called FRIENDS OF SPIO GARBRAH. I could not believe there are hardcore members of the inner-circle of Prof. Mills’s administration who hate Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah with passion. I’m not quite sure if Mr. Nana Biakoye edited his article before publishing. full story

What Makes the Sagacious King Solomon Unable to Resolve ProblemsAnymore?

The biblical King Solomon was perpetually overflowing with glittering ideas. He was himself a repository of wisdom. His sagacity could neither be measured nor confined to any one space or problem. It did become, and has always been, the subject of household discussion throughout the four corners of the world. He never ran out of solutions consonant with both intricate and limpid problems. full story

NPP Should Stop: Nyaho Tamaklo trabalistic Now

If this so called Nayho Nyaho Tamakloe thinks he has the hegemonic power within the NPP organization he should have used it during the 2008 general election to solicit votes for the NPP in his Volta Region. This impudent thinks he can go to any radio station and talk all the nonsense he wants about Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng and get off scott free; If that is the way he think then he is in bad business.

full story

Students and Politics – Our Selfish and Greedy Student Leaders

Our educational institutions have for years been infiltrated by power hungry students who will do anything to be student leaders. These students’ supremacists joggle for leadership positions through fair or foul means. Paradoxically they do that for their own personal gains. Many of these warped mind student leaders use the bare backs of innocent students to reach the cosy top. After realising their dreams they develop amnesia and like the voracious politicians become oblivious of the withered backs that served as their ladders.

full story

Re: AFAG challenges Mills over M & J bribery

Justice Kutsienyo

Upon thoroughly reading the press statement of the pro-opposition pressure group- the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) and listening to other purported spokesmen of AFAG, I have found it imperative to issue a rejoinder on the subject matter so as to correct the fallacious assertions and to put issues in the proper perspective.

full story

A Brief Opinion on the Resignation of Dr. Sipa Yankey

10 October 2009

By Georgette Djaba, London

Following a turbulent week of denials, condemnation of the British Justice system, ranting and raving by various officials of the NDC, dubbed the "National Deceivers Congress", we have now been informed that after behind the close discussions with our current President, Asomdwehene, President John Evans Atta Mills and his affable Vice President, John "Obama" Dramani Mahama, two of the people named in the Mabey and Johnson Bribery and Corruption scandal have resigned. We are not breathing a sigh of relief. We do not want a Muntaka style of investigation.
full story

Sustaining the Unsustainable: The case of Decongestion in Kumasi

‘We are starting today and surely we will sustain it. Those who will return will be arrested and prosecuted in court’- Mr. Samuel Sarpong, Kumasi Mayor Obviously, if there is any issue that has broke into full view and as such subjugated headlines in Ghana, it is the decongestion exercise in Kumasi. In no doubt, decongestion in Kumasi and Ghana at large is the most sensitive of all issues at attempts to ensure city aesthetics, an aspect of development to Central Business Districts (CBD) and other areas. Apart from the fact that illegal occupiers of corners of streets who are forced to vacate their place describe the exercise as not having a human face, a lot of politics has been read into it.

full story

GIA crew jailed 8 years for drugs

A Ghana International Airlines cabin crew member Kwaku Asante Ayirebi has been jailed eight years in London for attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK.

full story

M&J Scandal: Akufo Addo draw sword

Nana The 2008 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has advised the Ministers and government officials who have been named in the Mabey and Johnson bribery scandal to step aside, until investigation into the case has been concluded.

Making his first comment on the allegation, during an interview with Citi FM, in Accra yesterday, Nana Addo said if after the investigation no evidence of guilt is found against the Ministers, then they should be reinstated, but if the opposite is the case, then they must be dealt with according to the law. Nana was also not happy with President Mills' decision to ask his Attorney General to investigate the case. He noted that investigative bodies such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) or the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) should rather be given the responsibility to look into the case.

full story

Mills Oil Fails To Arrive

FOR THE umpteenth time, the crude oil promised by the Mills-led government has woefully failed to materialize. The country was scheduled to take delivery of crude oil from Nigeria to arrest the acute shortage of petroleum products in the country

full story

Kufuor Was Greedy

By Livingstone Pay Charlie

P. C. Appiah-Ofori, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben Brakwa has described former President John Agyekum Kufuor as a greedy person.

He said the greed of the former President showed when he hijacked negotiations for the privatization of Ghana Telecom without reference to the Divestiture Implementation Committee.

Mr. Appiah-Ofori was speaking in an interview with Radio Gold’s Morning Show anchor, Suhuyini Alhassan.

full story

Deception at TOR

By Livingstone Pay Charlie

The authorities at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) have not told the whole story about the indebtedness of the oil marketing companies and there must be a reason for this.

According to them, 19 oil marketing companies owe TOR a total or more than ¢300 billion (Gh¢36,711,195.73).

full story

Manager Admits Fraud, Bribery of Former IGP and Politicians

Confessions At Psc Tema Shipyard

By Livingstone Pay Charlie The Chief Financial Officer of PSC Tema Shipyard Ltd has admitted diverting the company’s funds into a front company which was used to pay monies to powerful public officials, including the former IGP and leading politicians.

full story

Jubilee House to become a Poultry Farm ?

Mr. Danquah Ekow Smith, Deputy Central Regional Minister has added his voice to the controversial jubilee house, saying that he has plans to import chicken into the edifice and would make sure that President Atta Mills takes very good care of them.

"Yes I am importing chicken into the jubilee house and make sure that the president's dream becomes a reality," he noted.

full story

Why Koku Anyidoho Hates Kufuor

The reason why Koku Anyidoho, the Communications Director at the seat of the Presidency hates President John Kufuor is very simple.

Mr. Anyidoho’s extreme hatred for President Kufuor has more to do with a ‘proxy war’ that he is fighting for his father, Brigadier General Anyidoho (rtd). Brigadier General Anyidoho (rtd) was promoted through Jerry Rawlings’ whole sale promotions on the 6th January 2000 to become a Major General than mere political differences between the NDC and the NPP.

full story

U-20 WC: Ghana Through To Semi Finals

.... meets Hungary in semis
Dominic Adiyiah scored twice Friday to lead Ghana to a 3-2 win over South Korea and a place in the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup. Ghana led 2-0 inside the first 30 minutes after a goal each from its strike pairing of Adiyiah and Ransford Osei, who have 10 goals between them at the full story

RE: NPP Demands Financial Accountability from Akufo-Addo

HAVE YOU ANY MIND OF YOUR OWN AT ALL?

To start with, the man’s name is Akufo-Addo and not Akufo Addo and you an alleged UP/NPP/PFP member should be familiar with this basic fact.

I normally do not make it a habit to comment on spurious and bogus articles from faceless cowards and nincompoops like you. I find it interesting that you provide only your name, if it is your name, to this article. I have found reason to say one, two, three words of fact to you because once again I expect a UP/NPP/PFP member to know better. That is if you are an NPP member in the true sense. I expect you to know that our party’s comeback in 2012 is a feat that requires all of us to logically grasp that our only enemy is the NDC, and launching attacks on members of our own party is pedestrian and mediocre, an act that makes you more NDC than NPP.

full story

Spio Garbrah; Where “Feigned Loyalty” Means What?

Ekow Spio Garbrah, the man who thought so highly of himself and thought that the NDC needed him more than he needed the party before the 2006 NDC congress to elect a flagbearer, but ended up being taught a critical lesson in how party loyalty matters, has, out of bitterness, decided to shoot his pen off in the wrong direction.

full story

Mabey and Johnson: Another Test Case for President Mills

Our media in recent times have been grossly dominated with the famous Mabey and Johnson case. Mabey and Johnson, a British International Company that conducts business all over the world, had been dealing with various government agencies and departments. The company under new managers went to court to take a look at the operations and awards of contracts by their predecessor and it came out that, the company in bidding for contracts all over, gave some monies to influential people in the various countries in order to be awarded contracts. Unfortunately, former and present government officials such as Mr.Kwame Peprah, Dr. George Sipa Yankey, Amadu Seidu, Edward Lord Attivor, Dr. Ato Quarshie, Alhaji Baba Kamara and Boniface Siddique were mentioned. We must not be pre-judgmental in convicting the above mentioned names just because their names have come up.

full story

Ghana’s Cult Of Corruption

Virtually every Ghanaian knows and strongly believes that any day Ghana is able to make up its mind to end its obscene and ruinous romance with the stubborn monster called “Corruption”, this country will automatically witness the kind of prosperity no one had thought was possible in these parts. Just imagine the amount of public funds being stolen and squandered daily under various guises by too many public officers and their accomplices, and the great transformation that would happen to public infrastructure and the lives of the citizenry if this organized banditry can at least be reduced by fifty percent!

full story

Time To Amend Our Companies Laws And Company Registration Procedures

When the NPP government came into power in January 2000, one of the objectives it set itself to achieve was to create the necessary enabling environment that would make the private sector, the “engine of economic growth” in the country. I remember Dr Ndoum of the CPP, before the general elections of December 2008, adding that the “engine” alone will not make a vehicle move. He rightly argued that a vehicle needs good wheels underneath its body and a good driver to make it move. I fully agree with him that until the enabling conditions are created in Ghana for real industrial growth to take-off through private sector investment, our current slogans and efforts will be mere dreams.

full story

M&J Bribery Case : A-G Coming With Facts

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, was expected back from the United Kingdom (UK) last night after acquiring the relevant documents, including transcripts of witnesses, on the trial of Mabey and Johnson (M&J), during which allegations of bribery were made against some top Ghanaian officials.
Mrs Mould-Iddrisu also held meetings with top directors and other high-ranking officials of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the UK to build data for a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption made against the Ghanaian officials by directors of M&J, a UK-based construction firm.
full story

Diversity Lottory: Ghana Tops

....as 8,752 win 2010 US DV lottery
Ghana ranked first, in the world, in the number of winners of the US 2010 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, with 8,752 winning entries. Nigeria was second with 6,006 winning entries Bangladesh came third with a total number of 6,001; Ukraine came fourth with 5,499 winning applicants.Here are the full story

Ashanti CPP commends President Mills

Kumasi, Sept. 18, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Convention People's Party (CPP) has commended President John Atta Mills on his bold initiative to immortalize the achievements, spirit and personality of late President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. full story

Nine months of NDC rule

Last week, I think somewhere 10th September, 2009, the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) through the Ministry of Information met with the media to trumpet its achievements since it took over the affairs of this country some nine months ago. full story

Reducing Poverty through Beekeeping

Ho, Sept. 15, GNA - Researchers say the Government's efforts at reducing poverty in the country especially in the rural areas could be given a boost if apiculture or beekeeping were taken as a serious venture.
Not many people know that honey, which is the main product of beekeeping, has other by-products some of which are vital inputs in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Besides those, beeswax, a major by-product of honey making is also used by textile industries as a major raw material, and for candles and polishes too. full story

Poverty Reduction - Let's Try Mangoes

Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - That agriculture is the mainstay of Ghana's economy and that about 60 per of the population is engaged in it, makes one wonder why it cannot form the industrialization base of the country, where factories are fed with raw materials on a sustainable basis. full story

Reduce powers of DMMCEs and elect them directly - Participants

Tamale, Sept. 17, GNA - Participants at a forum in Tamale called for an amendment of the Local Government Law, Act (462) of 1993, to reduce the powers of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives (DMMCEs), to ensure more accountability in local level governance. full story

Vodafone reduces broadband installation charge..

Vodafone Ghana has announced a reduction in the installation charge of its fixed broadband service from GH¢90 to GH¢55. The reduction, which started yesterday, will last for a period of three months.... full story

Government To Employ 100,000 Youth

Government To Employ 100,000 Youth...... full story

¢115.9bn vanish at Songor Salt Project

Songor Salt Project (SSP) at Ada in Greater Accra, once-upon-a-time the showpiece of Ghana's emerging salt industry which has over the years showed prospects as the new economic back bone for the nation is now gasping for its breath of survival. full story

Ghana eyes $1.5b from tourism by end of year .. gears up to host world.

Mon 14 Sep 2009

Ghana's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kwabena Akyeampong, has given a conservative figure of $1.5 billion as revenue the sector hopes to rake into the national kitty by the end of the year 2009. Revenue... (photo: Creative Commons / Stig Nygaard)

full story

President Mills assures Ghanaians of better living conditions

Mankessim (C/R), Sept. 12, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Saturday reassured Ghanaians that his administration would judiciously utilize the nation's resources to improve upon the living conditions of all citizens. full story

Exopa CEO Busted With Cocaine

Officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) have confirmed the arrest and detention of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exopa Modelling Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Sima, for possession of cocaine. full story

Support Road Safety Campaign to Reduce Fatalities

Tema — Mr Richard Takyi Obeng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abiam Media Road Safety Campaign, has reminded Ghanaians that it was their collective responsibility to help reduce to the barest minimum, the carnage on our roads. full story

Ghana: Exploring a Lasting Solution to Bawku Conflict

AFTER SEVERAL attempts by successive governments, the security agencies, religious bodies, the National Peace Council, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to find a lasting solution to the almost fifty-year-old conflict in Bawku have failed, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, has hinted that he is considering seeking the assistance of the Eminent Chiefs. full story

Ghana and Israel sign Aquaculture agreement

Accra, Sept. 7, GNA - Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, on Monday praised Israel's agricultural system, describing it as phenomenal. full story

Ghana Leads the way

Ever since the head of the mortal remains of the 18th Century chief of Ahanta in the Western region arrived in Ghana, there have been a lot of rancour and hot exchanges among Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsu, the Paramount chief of the area, the delegation that travelled to The Netherlands for the dead chief's head, and the District Chief Exectuve for Ahanta West. full story

Login

Subscription

If you are new user you can subscribe on Package Templates here.