Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Archives - Page 2 of 5

Opinion

We opened an office in Accra for the coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists—Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has told journalists in the Upper East to take advantage of the newly opened office of the Coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists. According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, the office was an additional layer, aside from many other interventions, to demonstrate the government’s commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists. “Just yesterday, we opened an office in Accra for the coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists. Because, as we continue to hear reports that XY and Z journalist has been intimidated or attacked, it is important that we respond. And responding is not all about arguing with journalists but is by putting in place a mechanism that can do a number of things 1, received reports properly so-called of attacks and intimidation on Journalists”. “I have been a journalist about 10 years before I became a lawyer and came to politics and I know that, it is only when journalists are free and are operating in an environment where they feel no intimidation that they are able to work well and provide for us the service of public information for our public good that we need”. “So, when we keep hearing these reports, they are worrisome and the best way to respond is to put in place a mechanism that allows us to receive formerly those reports. So, is not my allegation, your allegation or what somebody says. Certainly, these reports can be validated. They can go into it and look at it and make an interpretation that it is true. Because, you and I know that have been instances in this country where people have claimed that they have been attacked and is totally untrue, and there have been instances where people claimed they have been attacked and is true. But is important to separate the weed from the chaff. And not just to validate, to go the next step of following up in a coordinating way to find out what has happened to the investigation on this matter and has the person responsible for this particular reported attack or intimidation been sanctioned, then we can satisfy ourselves as a country that something substantial has been done or has not been done”. “Also, a place where we can continuously provide the necessary education to journalists and other stakeholders on how to protect ourselves. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah told journalists. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion

Information Minister visits Upper East Region with massive thanksgiving for their efforts and contribution

The Ghana Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has visited Upper East Region as part of his familiarization tour to the 5 regions of the North. As part of his engagement, the information minister met with the hard-working journalists in the region to thank them for their wonderful effort and contribution to the country’s welfare. “First, I want to thank you for the sacrificial work you do for your region and for your country. A lot of time. People focus attention on the executive, the legislature and the judiciary as the three key arms of government but, we know that there is a lot of wisdom in the argument that the media constitute the fourth estate of the realm and it is important that any point in time, the work of the media is recognized and celebrated because, it is what gives expression into the kind of views that Ghanaians across the divides may have, especially when COVID-19 has been creating havoc, affecting peoples health and some cases even peoples lives. You have been at the forefront helping us, especially at the information ministry on a week-by-week basis as to be providing information to the people of Ghana on how to protect ourselves. So, as I start this exercise, one of the things I want to do is to thank you for your hard work and sacrifice and to encourage you to continue doing the same in the years ahead of us. According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, the government of Ghana and specifically the Akufo Addo administration will bring resolute in the effort as in ensuring that the freedom of expression and media as provided in our constitution are upheld. “You know in chapter 12 of our constitution; the media is given its freedom to do their work and this follows from the freedoms of thought and freedoms of expression as provided for the constitution. So, the freedom we enjoyed here in this country, they are constitutionally enshrined. Beyond that, the Akufo-Addo’s administration has also upon his assumption of office added other layers to deepening the media freedom we are enjoying”. He spoke Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

Opinion

Claims we spent GHS1.7 billion on COVID-19 inaccurate – Government

The government has clarified that it spent GHS19 billion on the COVID-19 pandemic contrary to media reports. This follows publications by some local media houses as well as a post by Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Jinapor, that per the 2021 budget statement, only GHS1.7 billion of the allocated GHS19 billion for issues of COVID-19 in 2020 was utilized. Media reports also suggested that the rest of the money was used for expenditures unrelated to COVID-19. But speaking at a Press Conference, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, clarified that the amount quoted by the media was for just two items under the COVID-19 related expenditures. “The GHS1.7 billion reflects expenditure on only 2 items under the COVID-19 related expenditure, paragraph 3 says, as at the end of December 2020 Ghana incurred revenue shortfall of GHS11 billion and expenditure increase of GHS14 billion. So if you are looking for the true fiscal impact, it is a combination of these two that will give you the true fiscal impact. The amount of GHS16.8 billion paragraphs 4 referred to under page 12 (b) is only providing information on the sources of financing and the fiscal gap resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, so we encourage you to pay some attention to this one.” Speaking at the same event, the Information Minister also explained that the COVID-19 Health Levy was not meant to pay for the free water and electricity given in 2020 to the citizenry. “Government has never said that we have to pay for the free water and free electricity of 2020. The COVID-19 levy is not for free water and electricity. For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Finance statement deals with it. But if you also go into the budget, if you go to I think page 58 in their statement, they said page 75 but its actually page 58 of the full document. It outlines the full uses of the COVID-19 levy. If I just may have the opportunity to share with you, it’s on page 58. It is all listed there. It never says anywhere that we have to pay for the free water and electricity of 2020, it outlines what the government has done so far in connection with the COVID-19 program, and then it goes on to make the point that to provide the requisite resources to sustain the implementation of these measures, the government is proposing the introduction of a COVID-19 health levy of 1% increase in the National Health insurance levy and 1% point increase in the VAT flat rate and for that purpose. We urge you to highlight the correct position as it has been put out by the Ministry of Finance.” The minister, in an earlier interview, had indicated that the government’s proposed new taxes were to help address the huge fiscal gap created because of the government’s COVID-19 expenses. The Caretaker Minister for Finance, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in his 2021 budget presentation stated that the government will be introducing a COVID-19 Health Levy of 1% on VAT, Flat Rate Scheme (VFRS), and 1% on National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL). However, clarifying his previous statement, the minister indicated that the levy was to among other things help in the procurement, distribution, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Politics

‘NPP would’ve sacked Sammy Gyamfi for insulting Speaker’- Obiri Boahen.

A Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), lawyer Obiri Boahen, says the elephant family would have dealt severely with Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if he were a member of the party. He said Sammy Gyamfi went overboard in attacking Speaker Alban Bagbin and the Minority in Parliament after Hawa Koomson, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and some other nominees were approved by the plenary. The NDC National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi recently accused the party’s leadership in Parliament as well as the Speaker, Alban Bagbin of betraying the party. He specifically named Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu and Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak, saying the duo “brazenly defied the leadership of the party and betrayed the collective good for their selfish interest.” His accusation came after the NDC MPs on Parliament’s Appointments Committee approved Defence Minister-designate, Dominic Nitiwul and later approved three other rejected Ministers-designate when they were brought before the House. Mr. Gyamfi has been slammed for his utterances with some persons asking for him to be punished. Reacting, lawyer Obiri Boahen said Sammy Gyamfi disrespected the Speaker and the Minority and would have been sanctioned by the NPP if he was a member. ”If Sammy Gyamfi was a member of the NPP, he would have been suspended or sacked from the party. If He was a member, we would have. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Business

New taxes: You’re not paying Covid debt – Gabby to Ghanaians

A cousin to the President Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has waded into the ongoing conversation surrounding the controversial new taxes captured in the 2021 budget. According to him, the government did not seek to share the burden of Covid-19 amongst the populace. He also refuted claims that Ghanaians were deceived by the free water and electricity provided last year. Government is introducing a Covid-19 levy, financial sector cleanup levy, and two others as part of measures to shore up revenue. The proposed levy will become a one percentage point increase on both the existing VAT flat rate and a National Health Insurance Scheme. Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah had earlier responded to concerns on the proposed new taxes, explaining that the burden brought about by the pandemic had to be shared by all. He said, “so we cannot escape the fact that we have to share the burden at this point in time.” But Gabby via a Facebook post said “the Government is not asking you to pay for the cost of Covid-19 last year. No! That cost led to the huge fiscal burden which we do not want repeated this year.” He noted that “the task this year is two-fold: to defeat the virus, and rebuild the economy for businesses to thrive to create jobs and put cash in the pockets of workers.” “The 2021 budget is not asking you to pay for the cost of 2020. You are being asked to help share the burden of the existing Covid-19 costs, including vaccines for over 20 million Ghanaians.” He added “Remember there is an equally important cost of reviving the economy through the cost of stimulus packages. Deceit is when a government pretends there is no cost to anything and uses your taxes not for the greater public good. As taxpayers, we must all consider ourselves as partners in bringing our national economy back to life even as Government continues to invest your money to save lives.” Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Politics

Post-Covid-19 recovery: We need to share the burden – Gov’t

The government has indicated that for its post-COVID-19 economy recovery plan to succeed, it needs adequate support from Ghanaians. The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, made the appeal on Monday, 15 March 2021 while contributing to a discussion on the 2021 budget statement. According to him, the introduction of fresh tax measures by the government is creative and necessary to revamp and salvage the economy from the claws of the coronavirus pandemic. “It is fair for people to focus on the tax measures and ask questions about it. But this budget does not only introduce these revenue measures. The revenue measures are necessary because we are at a fiscal deficit of 11 to almost 12%. Debt to GDP is around 70%, in nominal terms 291 billion cedis. “The option any government will have under these circumstances is to find creative ways of raising revenue and gradually bring back the debt and deficit to a more responsible position. There are a multiplicity of reasons for which we are here. Key among them is the COVID challenges that we are in now. If you look at what COVID has done, it has moved us from 5% to 11% and an extra 6% of GDP,” he said. The government, through the 2021 budget statement and economic policy, proposed new taxes on petroleum products: 1% COVID-19 Health Levy on VAT Flat Rate Scheme and 1% on the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) as part of revenue measures to help the economy recover from the effects of the global pandemic. The Minister explained that it is to help the country recover from the setback and get the economy back to its previous state. He said for the government to be able to succeed in its plan to recover the economy, it needs adequate buy-in from Ghanaians. “So, we cannot escape the fact that we have to share the burden at this point in time. The real focus for me is that we gather around holding the government accountable for using the money for that which it claims it is going to use it for. If you are going to increase road tolls, if all of us are going to see an improvement in the road conditions, the road contractors are being paid, they are finishing the road projects on which they are, I am not sure we will worry as much as we worry today,” he told the PM Express programme. classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Politics

Muntaka reveals how coronavirus affected NDC MPs plans to reject Hawa Koomson, others

There was hue and cry in the NDC after three appointees of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Hawa Koomson and Dr. Afriyie Akoto were approved by Parliament through secret balloting. The approval which hit the party so hard caused its Communications Director to issue a statement blaming the Speaker of Parliament, Minority Leader and Minority Chief Whip for pushing their selfish agenda. But speaking on Accra-based Adom TV in a yet-to-be-broadcasted interview, the Asawase Member of Parliament indicated that the Minority was handicapped during the process considering the fact that seven of its members were not present during the sitting. He indicated that they did not want to engage in the heated arguments and “fight” that ensued on January 6 because after what they did in securing the Speaker seat in Parliament, over twenty members of the Minority got infected by COVID-19 and some were still in treatment centres recovering. “A number of our members thought we had the power to reject them. After 6th and 7th when we engaged in that fracas and the Soldiers came in, we all came to the middle of the chamber to sing and after what we did, 23 of our members got COVID. So before we were going into the chamber, me as a whip I reported that I didn’t have seven of my members, till now some of my members are at the COVID centre. Did we really have what it takes to do what people expected us to do? We didn’t,” he said in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com. Mynewsgh Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Opinion

Breaking News: Sad news hits Dr Anthony Akoto Osei

The wife of former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tafo in the Ashanti Region, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, has passed on. However, the cause of death is not immediately known. Information Minister and MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, took to his Facebook page to break the news. This was after he visited the family to commiserate with them over their loss. Mr Oppong Nkrumah’s post eulogised the former Monitoring and Evaluation Minister for his contribution towards his life. “I started my day on a sad black note. Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, former MP for Tafo, taught me half of what I know in Finance and Economy. On the loss of his wife, colleagues gathered to mourn with him,” he said. Meanwhile, the news has since seen fans and followers commiserate with Dr Osei, who was one of Ghana’s longest-serving MPs. Adomonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.

Politics

How NDC MPs could have rejected Hawa Koomson, Oppong Nkrumah and others – Inusah Fuseini

Former Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has explained the process National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers ought to have adopted in rejecting the nomination of three controversial persons. The approval of Information Minister-designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson and Minister-designate, for Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto was characterized by controversy last week and had to be subjected to a secret ballot on the floor of parliament. Shockingly, all three sailed through after garnering majority votes suggesting that some members of the NDC actually voted for them in order to confirm their nomination exacerbating the anger of NDC grassroots. But speaking on how it should have been done if the party was determined to reject the nominees, he indicated that they ought to have resorted to a three-line whip which is a a strict instruction to attend and vote according to a party’s position, breach of which would normally have serious consequences. “A three-line whip is simply that, no member can vote outside what the party or the caucus has decided, and when you vote, you must actually find a way to show that you have actually voted as directed [by leadership], and this wasn’t used.” The former Tamale Central lawmaker expressed disappointment in the turn of events on the floor of parliament paving way for the three nominees to be passed. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

Politics

Vetting: Oppong Nkrumah, Hawa Koomson finally approved

The Appointments Committee of Parliament has finally approved and recommended to the house for approval, the nomination of Madam Hawa Koomson, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto as sector ministers by majority decision. Initial reports by various credible media platforms have it that the ministers-designate of Information; Fisheries and Aqua Culture; and Food and Agriculture, respectively, was rejected by the minority members on the committee due to some few reasons. Meanwhile, the report of the committee says that, the three were recommended for approval by majority decision of Appointment Committee. Others, including the Minister-designate of National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah; Minister-designate for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Derry and Minister-Designate of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, have also been recommended for approval by consensus. Below are the reasons from the Minority MPs on the committee for rejecting some of the nominees who have been approved by majority decision: REJECT LIST 1) Hawa Koomson (MP) a) The Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development could not provide convincing grounds for the shooting incident during the Voter Registration Exercise in Kasoa on 20th July 2020 even though we acknowledge her belated apology for her recklessly dangerous conduct. b) Furthermore, claims of an ongoing investigation by the Police did not come across as credible considering that there has been no update from the police more than 8 months after the unfortunate incident. Our checks also point to the fact that she has not provided any statement to the police as of yet. c) The nominee confirmed the identity of close associates who have unleashed a reign of terror on helpless political opponents in the pursuit of their narrow political ends. d) The Minister-designate displayed an alarmingly abysmal lack of knowledge on the sector she was nominated for, making her unfit for the portfolio and therefore untenable to secure the approval of members of the NDC caucus. 2) Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto a) The Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture was untruthful under oath to the Committee on the circumstances leading to the abrogation of the Fruit and Export Terminal Contract of 2015 by GPHA on his express instructions as contained in a letter dated 11th January 2021. b) He was untruthful under oath about his directive ordering GPHA to issue a license to Fruit Terminal Company Ltd and how his actions could lead to a US$50million judgement debt. c) The nominee was grossly insincere with the Appointments Committee on his special relationship with the Director of AMG Company Limited, Mr Ernest Appiah and the latter’s control of fertilizer contracts awarded by the Ministry. d) The Minister-designate was particularly discourteous, downright condescending and offensively arrogant in his appearance at the committee which is not the kind of attitude expected of public servants. 3) Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (MP) a) The Minister-designate for Information was not the least candid with the committee on the multiple infractions of the law leading to the Bank of Ghana’s revocation of the license of Oval Microfinance – a company in which he was 83% majority shareholder. b) He failed to admit ethical liability for the related party lending between Oval Microfinance and West Brownstone which also belongs to him. He also denied outstanding obligations to Oval Microfinance despite the BoG’s examination report establishing the contrary. c) He peddled untruths under oath about the circumstances leading to investigative journalist Manasseh Azure relocating to South Africa with the assistance of the Media Foundation for West Africa when the journalist faced threats to his life. d) The nominee was quite evasive on his association with MX24 TV which is owned and managed by his wife with other family members such as Kwabena Oppong Nkrumah serving as shareholder/Trustee for the parent company of MX24 TV known as Black Volta Publications Limited incorporated recently on the 4th of April, 2017 when the nominee was serving as Deputy Minister for Information. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

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We opened an office in Accra for the coordinated mechanism for the safety of journalists—Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister visits Upper East Region with massive thanksgiving for their efforts and contribution

Claims we spent GHS1.7 billion on COVID-19 inaccurate – Government

‘NPP would’ve sacked Sammy Gyamfi for insulting Speaker’- Obiri Boahen.

New taxes: You’re not paying Covid debt – Gabby to Ghanaians

Post-Covid-19 recovery: We need to share the burden – Gov’t

Muntaka reveals how coronavirus affected NDC MPs plans to reject Hawa Koomson, others

Breaking News: Sad news hits Dr Anthony Akoto Osei

How NDC MPs could have rejected Hawa Koomson, Oppong Nkrumah and others – Inusah Fuseini

Vetting: Oppong Nkrumah, Hawa Koomson finally approved

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