Kufuor govt held hostage
We have become Highly Indebted Poor Universities – Addai Mensah
Three to probe missing $46,000
‘Let’s restore Legon to premier status
Investigate $46,000 loss
Govt urged probe licensing of foreign docs
Mallam falls into snake pit
Fraud at Kumasi BoG… NPP wants to cover up
The secret behind changes in Military
Castle torture chamber discovered
Workers want 50% but Gov’t can afford 20%
ECG blames NDC
Significant fall in car imports
Another 1.3 billion cedis missing
Give us Oti Region
Kufuor govt held hostage
The Ghanaian Chronicle says the New NPP Government, riding on the wings of zero tolerance for corruption, is facing a severe strain on its creed following a multi-billion cedi crude oil management/lifting contract that has set 15 major oil industry traders on edge and threatening to cast a pall over the ruling party’s transparency/anti-corruption objectives.
Investigations by the paper revealed that a lucrative contract to lift 30 to 45,000 barrels of crude monthly from Nigeria to Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has been given to a company that was registered just a month ago without going through a due process tender procedure.
The company, Sahara Energy Resources Ltd., belongs to Nigerian and Brazilian businessmen with powerful links to the Nigeria Presidency.
The Ghanaians are two private sector businessmen, Dr Kwame Nyantakyi, formerly Chief Executive of the troubled Inter-Afrique and Securities Discount Company International (SDCI) and the controversial Ken Ofori-Atta, Chief of Data Bank Ghana, and Enterprise Insurance Limited.
The two men with the co-operation of Hon. K.T. Hammond, MP for Adansi Asokwa and now deputy Minister of Energy-designate, walked to TOR offices in Tema late February and registered the Ghana wing of Sahara brandishing the name of the Nigerian President and let it be known that they were agents.
“Of the 22 companies that have been registered at TOR for supply, haulage and allied businesses, Chronicle gathers authoritatively that Sahara is the company with the least financial muscle – a purported net worth $20 million, but as one Nigerian oil trader familiar with the company said in Abuja last Thursday, there is suspicion that they may not even be in a position to put up $20 million should there be a major problem.”
“But sensationally, a letter from the Ministry of Energy to the Chief Executive of Tema Oil Refinery directing that Sahara be given the contract went out last week”.
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We have become Highly Indebted Poor Universities – Addai Mensah
Following the NPP government’s ushering the nation into the much-talked-about club of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ghana, Professor Ivan Addai-Mensah, has, in view of the precarious financial position of the nation’s universities, declared them “Highly Indebted Poor Universities” (HIPU).
“While this country has during the past few weeks been discussing whether to declare itself a member of HIPC, we in the universities have also been wondering what our status is within the comity of world universities, in so far as our financial position is concerned.
Now that the government has thought it prudent to publicly declare Ghana as a member of HIPC, we in the universities have no alternative but to declare ourselves as members of the Highly Indebted Poor Universities (HIPU)
GRi…/
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Three to probe missing $46,000
The Police Administration has set up a three-member committee to probe the loss of the $46,000 entrusted into the care of the former Youth and Sports Minister, Mallam Yusuf Issa.
The committee, which was set up by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ernest Owusu-Poku, is headed Mr Sam Awortwi, Commissioner of Police in-charge of Legal and Prosecutions.
The other members are Superintendent Nene Sasraku, Chief Internal Auditor, and Superintendent S. Issaka of the Economic Crime Bureau of the Police Administration.
Information available to the paper indicates that the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Criminal Investigations, Mr P.K. Acheampong, has been asked to provide the committee with an investigator to help build a docket for prosecution if the need arises.
The committee is expected to be inaugurated by Wednesday, says The Daily Graphic.
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‘Let’s restore Legon to premier status
The President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, has called for the restoration of the University of Ghana, the premier tertiary institution in the country, to the status of the centre of excellence it used to be.
A Daily Graphic report says the President has therefore, proposed the setting up of a presidential commission to work on the modalities for achieving this enhanced status.
President Kufuor, who was speaking during the 53rd Congregation of the university at the weekend, indicated that it is proper that the university is accorded the help and recognition that it deserves as a pacesetter in academic circles.
In all, 2,940 students, including 92 medical students, graduated from the university this year.
The President, who was mindful of the problems that have beset the university, said, “Legon is our premier university. Out of its majestic walls have come the cream of our society. Today, it stands accusingly on the hill, creaking under the weight of numbers it never expected to carry.”
GRi…/
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Investigate $46,000 loss
The Ghanaian Times reports that Parliament last Friday called for full scale investigations into the loss of 46,000 dollars entrusted in the care of sacked Sports Minister, Mallam Yusuf Ali Isa.
Following a statement on the incident in the floor of the House by Mr Abuga Pele (NDC Chiana/Paga), members said the investigation was necessary to determine how the money got missing.
Ms Hawa Yakbu (NPP Bawku Central) said the investigation should also cover other ministries to expose all forms of malpractices and indicated that the investigation should be able to determine whether Mallam Isa was framed up or not.
Mr Kosi Kedem (NDC Hohoe South) said people should not take undue advantage of the incident to say what they liked because the Minister was dealing with circumstances he did not understand.
Papa Owusu Ankomah (Deputy Majority Leader) drew attention to the fact that the President had already caused an investigation into the matter and pleaded with members to wait for the results of that investigation. He said in revoking the appointment, the President did not give the impression that Mallam Isa had done anything unlawful or had misappropriated the money.
Mr John Mahama (NDC Bole) applauded the President’s decision and called for its support but expressed doubted about whether the money left the shores of the country.
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Govt urged probe licensing of foreign docs
The Medical and Dental Council has called on the government to set up a committee of enquiry into the licensing of foreign medical practitioners and foreign health outfits, especially Chinese clinics, in the country.
Professor Paul K. Nyame, chairman of the Council, made the call in his address at the First Business Dinner of the Council in Accra on Saturday.
He said that members of the Council were not happy that such practitioners from the Far East, who were not registered with the Council, operated orthodox clinics in the country.
“These Orientals came here with the pretext that they are here to practice traditional medicine and yet carry on the practice with all the equipment and accoutrements of modern allopathic orthodox medicine”, he stated.
GRi…/
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Mallam falls into snake pit
The Daily Guide says information gathered from the Ministry of Youth and Sports say that there is a huge snake pit (a group ‘mafia’) operating at the Ministry as officials.
According to reliable sources certain people felt threatened by Mallam’s notice that he was going to investigate officials of the GFA and the Ministry.
It is believed he was therefore made to fall headlong into one of those dangerous pits, leading to his being persuaded to carry a huge cash amount of dollars.
In a related story, the Guide reports that President J.A. Kufuor, last Friday repeated his displeasure and disappointment over the circumstances that led to the loss of the $46,000 in no uncertain terms to the officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The President told the GFA officials made up of its Acting Chairman, Mr E.A. Owusu-Ansah and the General Secretary Worlanyo Agrah that he was highly disappointed and unhappy about the recent developments at the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports and requested their fullest cooperation during investigation.
GRi…/
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Fraud at Kumasi BoG… NPP wants to cover up
Fears are being strongly entertained in financial circles that the celebrated financial malpractices at the Kumasi branch of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), which were unearthed in 1999 may be swept under the carpet, reports the Democrat.
The reason is that the manager at the centre of the fraud, Mrs. Janet Gyimah-Kessie, is the wife of the Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu II, who is known to be a close associate of both the President, Mr John A. Kufuor and the Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor who is a brother of the President.
Even though the report on the special investigation into the treasury operations of the Kumasi branch of BoG had been ready by October last year and also the report on the alleged financial malpractices at the same place had been ready by May last year, the present NPP administration had been dragging its feet on the matter and does not appear keen to prosecute the fraudsters because of the alleged involvement of Nana Mamponghene.
The paper alleges that apart from the relationship between Nana Osei Bonsu and the President and the Minister of Defence, it is also believed that the late first wife of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Nana Akufo-Addo, was sister of Nana Mamponhene.
Thus despite the fact that the case is now ripe for hearing, it appears that the Chief of State Attorney for Ashanti, one Mr. Agbolosu, is handicapped to prosecute the case because of the vested interest of the government of the NPP in the case.
GRi…/
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The secret behind changes in Military
The much anticipated changes in the command structure of the Ghana Armed Forces has finally taken place, according to the Free Press.
In a dramatic sweep, President J.A. Kufuor, in his capacity as the Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces last Friday announced the immediate removal of all the top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Those affected included the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Ben Akafia, the Army Commander, Lt. General C.A. Okae, Chief of Staff of the Ghana Army.
Others include Vice Admiral F.O. Owusu Ansah, Navy Commander, Air Marshal J. A. Bruce, Air Force Commander, Major General H.K. Anyidoho, Commander of Northern Command of the Army and Major General F.Y. Mahama, Commander of the Southern Command.
In their places, the following Officers were appointed in acting capacities; Major-General Seth Obeng, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier C.B. Yaache, Chief of Army Staff, Air Commodore E.A. Mantey Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral John Gbena, Chief of Navy Staff.
Brigadier F.K.Y. Mensah takes over as Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Defence whilst Brigadier J.B. Danquah and Brigadier G. Ayiku take over as Commanders of the Southern and Northern Commands of the Army respectively.
As a sweetner, the President announced the appointment of General Ben Akafia as an Ambasador-designate whilst the other officers were promised other appointments.
Military analysts and social commentators see this move as an attempt by President Kufuor to consolidate his hold on the Ghana Armed forces, which has gained a marked notoriety for removing constitutional governments.
GRi…/
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Castle torture chamber discovered
The NPP News reports that shock, sorrow and sickness in the stomach griped a group of journalists who ventured into the darkness of a chamber said to be used for torture in the Castle.
Located deep inside the seat of government, the dark cells of the labyrinthine pit which eats deep into the bowels of the earth in the Castle created an eerie feeling among the journalists, most of who talked of the chilling effect of the experience of merely going through the chamber.
So frightened were the journalists that none of them gathered the courage to get to the bottom of the pit, which grew darker and more chilling as one went through it.
From the deepest point in the chamber, not even the sharpest noise or most agonising cry of the tortured can be heard by those outside.
The entry point is a nondescript room covered on all sides with smooth white tiles, which according to Castle sources, facilitates the washing of blood stains resulting from the inhumane acts diabolically and cruelly carried out in the chamber.
“My goodness. How wicked can man be against his fellow man? Merely putting a human being down there is enough to kill his spirit and create a lasting psychological problem for him or her,” said a journalist who went through the “traumatic experience of exploring the hellish chamber.”
The discovery of the torture chamber was the result of an adventure by the journalists who were part of journalists conducted round the Castle by the chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Jake O. Obetsebi-Lamptey.
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Workers want 50% but Gov’t can afford 20%
As President John Agyekum Kufuor spends his 72nd day in office today, Monday, March 19, his team of advisors will be planning a strategy to deal with the next crucial issue that will confront the administration, reports the Dispatch.
Credible reports reaching The Dispatch indicate that whilst the workers’ front will be eyeing a 50% increase in the daily minimum wage, the government’s negotiating level is at 20%. A 35% increase appears a compromise. Whether members of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) can afford to pay that much is another issue.
The current legal daily minimum wage is 4,200 cedis (about 60 US cents) and a 20% increase would send it to 5,040 cedis, a 50% increase to 6,300 cedis with the possible compromise 35% fixing the daily wage at 5,700 cedis. Economic analysts have pointed out that fixing the daily minimum wage is one aspect of improving the lives of the average worker but its enforcement is also another matter.
An executive of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) told the paper that “governments have failed to enforce the basic minimum wage and as we speak now, there are money workers, especially those in the private sector, who earn far less than the approved 4,200 cedis daily minimum wage.”
Reacting to the Trade Unionist’s assertion, an employer went on the defensive saying; “it is not our fault. Our operating costs keep mounting – electricity, water, fuel as against a dwindling market. Many Ghanaians do not have money to spend and an alternative will be to dismiss some workers and use the savings to top up the wages of the remaining ones.”
GRi…/
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ECG blames NDC
Cash-strapped Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has blamed the former National Democratic Congress government for the current financial woes facing the company, according to The Accra Mail.
The Paper says the financial difficulties have by and large made the power utility company ineffective in the face of increasing demand for power.
These facts came to light during an interaction between the ECG and members of the press last Friday to discuss the company’s operational difficulties and the need for an upward adjustment of tariffs. The management of the company in its presentation accused the former government of stalling its proposals for tariff increases as far back as 1999.
Mr Christian Tetteh, Director of Engineering of ECG told the press that ECG is so badly indebted that if care is not taken, the company could go bust anytime from now. He said one of the major problems facing the company is the refusal by consumers to pay their bills to enable the company to deliver efficient services.
Asked why the company waited for so long in coming up with new tariff proposals, Mr Tetteh explained that in 1999, ECG submitted new proposal to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for consideration, but the NDC government intervened and asked the PURC to hold on with the increases. Instead, the government arranged for some funds for it to carry out some maintenance works.
GRi…/
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Significant fall in car imports
Importation of vehicles through the Port of Tema dropped by about 16,000 last year.
According to the Public Agenda, statistics released by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) indicated that a total of 35,467 vehicles were imported last year as compared to 51,454 in 1999.
The Acting Public Affairs Manager of the GPHA, Paul Asare-Ansah, explained that the drop in the numbers was also due to the decision by GPHA to stop handling such vehicles imported in semi-knocked down states.
He said most of such vehicles were imported from South Korea and assembling them in the port delayed forklifts and other equipment required for more profitable cargo handling jobs.
Asare-Ansah argued that the drop in vehicle imports is good for the country since it will reduce fuel consumption and minimise road accidents. Another factor for the drop in numbers was the ban on the importation of vehicles above 10 years old. The NDC government banned the importation of such cars in a bid to cut down on the number of rickety cars on the roads.
Most of such cars were seized at the ports but could not be destroyed because it was expensive to do so. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Finance Minister announced that owners of affected vehicles will be allowed to clear them after paying custom duties and a penalty of one million cedis for vehicles below 1700cc and 3 million cedis for vehicles above 1700cc and all commercial vehicles, when he presented the 2001 budget.
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Another 1.3 billion cedis missing
More revelations are emerging with regards to how the immediate past administration misused the country’s finances, reports the Independent.
The latest revelation, according to the paper, was made on the floor of Parliament last Thursday by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Suame, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah –Bonsu.
A stunned minority group who before the Honourable’s intervention were at their heckling best, momentarily went dead silent. Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu who intervened Hon. Mike Hammah’s contributions to the government’s budget statement on a point or order, disclosed that the former NDC government had squandered an amount of 1.3 billion cedis meant for a Water Project in his constituency.
He disclosed that an amount of 400 million cedis allocated for the water project each year since 1998 has not been used for the project. According to the Tafo MP, his investigations have revealed that the money had been duly released although there are no traces of the commencement of the water project in his constituency.
According to Hon. Kyei Mensah-Bonsu the project, which was to span for three years was to provide water for the people of Pankrono through to Ehwia. He further disclosed that after the release of the 1.2 billion cedis for the project an additional 100 million cedis was added to take care of a booster station at Pankrono, yet nothing had been done.
GRi…/
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Give us Oti Region
The new Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemunah III has re-echoed the determination to fully lend their support to the proposal for the creation of the Oti region.
Nana Mprah Besemunah III who is the 21st Krachiwura is known in private life as Joe Como Mprah, a Commissioner of Police in charge of Technical and General Services at the National Police Headquarters Accra.
The new Krachiwura emphasised that it is the people’s right to call for a region of their own, because the government officials felt reluctant to come to the district to assist in finding solution to their numerous problems.
He said the creation of the new region if approved would enhance development in their part of the region.
Speaking during the out-dooring ceremony at Kete Krachi, the Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemunah III called on the people to bury their political difference unconditionally.
He said he would ensure that record of all cases of litigation pending in the civil and traditional courts are withdrawn as a gesture of peace for amicable settlement.
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