Kennedy Agyapong blasts colleague MPs over this…
Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, has taken a swipe at his colleague MPs after they turned their three-day orientation and induction workshop into a jam at Aqua Safari at Ada. According to Mr Agyapong, he cannot fathom why the lawmakers will decide to violate the COVID-19 protocols. He expressed worry over their disregard for social and physical distancing despite the wearing of nose masks. Some MPs from both sides of the House were spotted in pictures on the official Facebook page of Parliament, dancing their hearts out. Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, the lawmaker disclosed that he was not present at the seminar. “I was not present at the seminar but I have seen visuals of some MPs shaking hands, hugging and others and if it is really true, then what they did is bogus,” he fumed. Mr Agyapong stressed the action of his colleagues must be condemned. “The MPs are supposed to lead good lives for constituents to follow and if they are breaking the protocols how will they expect Ghanaians to obey the protocols? “You media should criticise the MPs because we are not above the law,” he said. The workshop was organised by Parliament for new lawmakers and aimed at equipping them with the requisite skills to enable them to effectively navigate their way in Parliament. Adomonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
MTN Group drives future-fit workforce solution to match rapid digital change
MTN Group has unveiled its new Employee Value Proposition (EVP) entitled “Live Inspired” to drive agility, flexibility and future fit skills for its workforce. Learning the lessons of the challenges brought about by COVID-19, MTN has adopted a refreshed, organisation-wide approach, which involves a move away from older, conventional ways of working and into the ‘new normal’ with confidence and optimism. “For us, it’s really about the power of choice having recognised that our staff values are motivated by choices and flexibility. It is for this reason that our EVP is designed to cater to the various personas and preferences that helps people realize their true potential,” says Paul Norman, MTN Group Chief Human Resources Officer. MTN has entrenched smart-working through principles such as anytime work, anywhere workplace and balanced work-life. Our programmes capitalize on the organic movement towards a digital-adopter mindset and flexi-workforce. “As technology moves forward and our business converges, we need to do the same with our capabilities. Having the best talent is as important as having the best network,” Norman adds. Talent convergence in line with the rapid pace of technological change is the way of the future, driving digital learning consumption growth indicating a natural shift towards upskilling and re-skilling. MTN’s digital aspirations is geared towards accelerating the creation of future capabilities, empowerment and agility at scale. “The EVP will support our reputation for innovation, customer-centricity and being a company that is driven by people who bring personal commitment and a range of skills and experience together for the benefit of our customers,” says Norman. He says real growth is inspired by a purpose that advances individuals and impacts on organisations and communities. We aim to enable opportunities for individuals to be innovative, acquire skills and meaningfully impact on our customers. MTN’s focus will be to create an inspiring environment for everyone to ‘activate one’s whole self’. This will be powered by genuine inclusion, respect for diversity, fair rewards, true recognition and personal flexibility to contribute most productively. About the MTN Group Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our more than 260 million customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code “MTN”. We are pursuing our BRIGHT strategy with a major focus on growth in data, fintech and digital businesses in Africa. For more information, please contact: MTN Group Press Office | MTNGroup.PressOffice@mtn.com Follow MTN: www.twitter.com/MTNGroup www.linkedin.com/company/mtn Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Election petition: You subpoena Jean Mensa, we subpoena Mahama – Oppong Nkrumah
The lawyers for President Nana Akufo-Addo in the ongoing election petition are contemplating subpoenaing former President John Mahama, the petitioner, if his lawyers went ahead to subpoena the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa to testify in the dock. The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, 11 February 2021 that it cannot compel Mrs Mensa, the witness of the first respondent (Electoral Commission) and Mr Peter Mac Manu, the witness of the second respondent, President Nana Akufo-Addo, to mount the dock. Mr Mahama’s lawyers have disagreed with the ruling and expressed their intention to file for a review, reopen the case and also subpoena Mrs Mensa into the witness box. Speaking to journalists after the court ruling on Thursday, Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah also hinted at the likelihood of the President’s lawyers dragging Mr Mahama into the dock in a tit-for-tat manner. “Depending on what the court decides to do, our senior lawyers will take their next line of action. “Indeed, I have heard conversations, I don’t know if I have their permission to say this, I’ve heard conversations by some that if they elect to subpoena the EC Chair, maybe, we should also elect to subpoena the petitioner to be brought into the box. “I don’t know if they will agree to it at the end of the day but it is part of the various conversations”, he said. The Ofoase Ayirebi MP also accused Mr Mahama of abandoning his own case, explaining that unlike the President’s star witness, who attends court proceedings without fail, Mr Mahama, who is the one challenging the 2020 presidential election results in court, has appeared just twice in court. “I keep telling you that Chairman Mac Manu comes here every day, prepared that if they [petitioner’s lawyers] cross a threshold and we have to do that [mount the witness box], we’ll do that”. “But, as you have noticed, unlike the petitioner who, as some of my colleagues have been suggesting, appears to be abandoning the case, because he’s been here twice, we are always here; if it becomes necessary, we’ll be happy to mount the box”, he said. Speaking about the court’s ruling on Thursday, Mmr Oppong Nkrumah said: “We are of the respectful, humble view that as the court said today, the principle is that you cannot compel a party under these circumstances to adduce evidence”. He argued that “even if you prove some fresh evidence in extreme circumstances under which your case should be re-opened and then you come with your second application for subpoena; what is that subpoena supposed to achieve? To compel the person that the court has said cannot be compelled to give evidence, the subpoena is now to compel that person to come and give evidence”. “We think it will be an interesting set of arguments”, he noted, adding: “But, wherever it goes, as we have said: if it becomes necessary that we put witnesses in the box to respond to issues, we are more than happy [to do so]”. ClassFMonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Eugene Arhin responds to reports of divorce suit filed by wife
The Director of Communications at the presidency has responded to the reports following a suit filed by his spouse [Gloria Assan Arhin] seeking an annulment of their marriage. Eugene Arhin in a Facebook post shared on Thursday February 11, 2021 said his lawyers will upon receipt of the document respond accordingly to the allegations leveled against him. “I have seen a divorce petition filed by my wife, which has been deliberately leaked all over social media obviously to achieve a certain effect. I have still not been served with these court processes, and, upon receipt, my lawyers will respond accordingly,” his post read in part. He also denied reports of property acquisition and claims of physical abuse leveled against him as untrue. In a writ available to GhanaWeb, Gloria Assan Arhin, spouse of Eugene Arhin has filed for divorce at the Matrimonial Division of the Accra High Court citing reasons of him inflicting emotional, physical and verbal abuse on her. The suit filed on Wednesday February 10, 2021 claimed that during the duration of their marriage, they have jointly acquired and developed a number of properties across the country. Read Eugene Arhin‘s Facebook post below. See Gloria’s Assan Arhin’s suit filed below. Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Nitiwul, Adutwum face vetting committee today
The Appointments Committee of Parliament will later today February 11 continue the vetting the nominees of the President for various ministerial roles. The Minister of Defence nominee, Dominic Nitiwul and the Minister of Education nominee, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum will face the committee today. Mr. Nitiwul is the immediate past Defence Minister whilst Dr. Adutwum is in line for a promotion after serving as a Deputy Minister of Education. The activities of the Committee have not been affected by the shutdown of Parliament for three weeks after 17 MPs and 151 staff tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the observance of COVID-19 protocols, media houses apart from the state broadcaster will not be allowed to cover the event. The vetting process began yesterday with the nominees for the Health and National Security portfolios, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu and Albert Kan Dapaah. The President nominated 46 persons in all to fill various ministerial portfolios. The persons scheduled for voting tomorrow are the Parliamentary Affairs Minister-nominee, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; the Minister of Justice-nominee, Godfred Dame and the Interior Minister-nominee, Ambrose Dery. —citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Ghana Water Company starts distribution of water bills to customers using more than five cubic metres
Customers of Ghana Water Company in the Upper East Region have started receiving their January water bill for onward payment. The President in his 21st address to the nation said, “With the continuing difficulties occasioned by the pandemic, I want to state that government intends to continue to support the most vulnerable in our society. “Government will, thus, continue to pay the electricity bills for our nation’s one million active lifeline customers for the next three months, i.e. January, February “Additionally, all one million, five hundred thousand customers of the Ghana Water Company, whose consumption is not more than five cubic metres a month, will not pay any bills for the next three months, i.e. for the months of January, February and March.” However, according to the Ghana water company official who was going distributing the bills he said, this time when you consume 5000 litres in a month you won’t pay but, if you consume above 5000 litres, you have to pay. He told anxious customers. However, the step is part of the government’s continuous dedication to shield Ghanaians from the harsh effects of the coronavirus. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093+
Election Petition: Supreme Court dismisses Mahama’s insistence to cross-examine EC Chair
The Supreme Court today, Thursday, February 11 has ruled that Mrs Jean A. Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission will not be cross-examined by the Petitioner’s lawyer in the Election 2020 Petition Trial. The Apex Court ruled same for President Akufo Addo, who also decided not to call a witness in the trial after the Petitioner had closed his case. “We are reminded to state that our jurisdiction invoked in this election petition is limited jurisdiction clearly circumscribed by law. We do not intend to extend our mandate beyond what the law requires of us in such petitions brought under article 67 clause 1. Simply put, We are not convinced and will not yield to the invitation being extended to us by the counsel for the petitioner to order the respondents to enter the witness box in order to be cross-examined. “Accordingly, we hereby overrule the objection raised by the counsel for the petitioner against the decision of the respondents declining to adduce testimonies in this petition”, the Chief Justice Justice Anin Yeboah ruled. However, Lawyer for John Mahama, Tsatsu Tsikata is seeking to file a motion to subpoena the EC chair Jean Mensa to testify. Lawyers for the EC and President Akufo-Addo had indicated that they were not calling any witnesses in the trial after the Petitioner had called three witnesses and closed his case, though they had filed witness statements. Mr Justine Amenuvor, lead Counsel for the EC cited Order 36 Rule 43 and Constitutional Instrument (CI) 87 rule 3 (e) 5, Section 62 subsection (2) of the Evidence Act to support his position. Mr Amenuvor said the EC would not require further evidence to determine the matter before the Court after the Petitioner had closed his case. He argued that it was the Petitioner who brought them to court, led evidence, and closed his case after calling three witnesses. “We don’t think we have anything to say. If he has a good case, he should go ahead and be happy dancing. We prayed the Court to uphold our application.” Mr Akoto Ampaw, lead Counsel for President Akufo-Addo, also associated himself with submissions made by the EC’s lawyer, arguing that the Petitioner’s Counsel’s arguments were “misconceived” and same did address the thrust of their position. Mr Ampaw was of the opinion that the stands of President Akufo-Addo worked in favour of the Petitioner. He said under the English Law, a party could raise or notify the court that “it does not intend to adduce evidence in a trial” and same should be done timeously. Mr Ampaw said, “We are of the view that in the light of CI 37, we are entitled not to adduce evidence. The Petitioner could tender our witness statement as hearsay evidence.” Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, lead Counsel for the Petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama, objected to the EC’s alleged “evasion of cross examination”, adding that Mrs Mensa who represented the EC, had made it known to the Court that she would be mounting the witness box to be cross examined. Mr Tsikata said that the EC Chairperson explicitly stated that in her affidavit in opposition to the Petitioner’s stay of proceedings and the Petitioner’s application for interrogatories. Based on that, Mr Tsikata urged the Court to compel the EC Boss to mount the witness box to be cross examined. He held that the EC Boss, known as the Returning Officer of the 2020 Presidential Election, had a constitutional obligations to perform by declaring the election results. Mr Tsikata added that, “The EC Boss made representations to the Court and she cannot resign from those representations.” The Counsel for the Petitioner argued that the EC Boss had carried out a particular responsibility of conducting election 2020 and she ought to render an account for that. “Her account is to declare who won the mandate of the people and same is captured in issue two of the issues set out by the court to be determined.” Mr Tsikata stated that the EC’s withdrawal was an “affront to justice” and same was not in accordance with the rules of the Court. ModernGhana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
I’m still a member of the great NDC, no one has suspended me — Koku Anyidoho
The suspended former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr Samuel Koku Anyidoho says no one has served him any suspended letter. The Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Institute said he is still a member of his great party. Speaking to a Local Radio Station based in Akatsi in the Volta Region, Shine 96.9 FM, Koku Anyidoho aka ‘The Bull’ said although he has seen the purported letter going viral on social media, no one in the NDC has served him with the said suspension letter. “I am still a member of the great NDC, no one has suspended me,” Mr Anyidoho told the host of the show. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday Tuesday suspended Mr Samuel Koku Anyidoho. In a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia on Tuesday, it said the decision was arrived after two members of the party filed a complaint against Mr Anyidoho for misconduct. It noted that at a meeting on January 20, this year, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) based on the two separate petitions from two card bearing members decided to take the action against Mr Anyidoho. Mr Mobarak Abdul-Karim (Oti Regional Communication Officer) and Eric Adjei (Bono Regional Deputy Communication Officer) were the ones who petitioned the Functional Executives Committee of the party to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Institute. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Suspended NPP Youth Organizer Makes Damming Revelations
The suspended youth organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party in Nabdam District of the Upper East Region Agengre Lawrence has made some damming revelation in his response to the regional secretariat. Below is the full statement submitted to the secretariat: RE: NON – DELIVERY OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS AND ITEMS I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 4th February, 2021 on the above subject matter. I wish to respond as follows; On the 6th of December,2020, the Regional Chairman met our Zonal Campaign Team (Kongo East, Kongo West, Zua and Dasabligo Electoral Areas) at Presentation Conference Hall, Logre and handed over an undisclosed amount of money in a bag containing envelopes to each of these Electoral Areas mentioned for the house to house campaigns. Our Team later opened the bag and saw three (3) envelopes of GH₵ 5,000.00 each. The Campaign Team took a decision to give GH₵ 3,000.00, 3,000.00 and 5,000.00 to Kongo SHS, Wondanbihi and Kong Daborin Polling Stations respectively. It was not I, Agengre Lawrence (Youth Organizer) as alleged by the so-called petitioners. The Campaign Team took that decision based on the peculiar nature of the Electoral Area. The remaining Four Thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵4,000.00) did not go into individual pockets as alleged but was used for other operations such as transporting the aged and meeting influential persons identified. The Regional Chairman who failed the last time to carry out this diabolic agenda of getting rid of constituency executives he is uncomfortable with and now seeking to hold on this fictitious petition knows very well that, he did not give such money to me alone hence it cannot be considered as diversion of funds. On the 3rd of December, 2020, the Constituency Executive Committee (CEC) had a meeting with the Parliamentary Candidate to release all campaign items which included sewing machines and hair dryers to the electorates before 7th December, 2020. It was agreed that each polling station is allocated a sewing machine and a hair dryer. These items were supposed to be handed over to the Zonal Campaign Team which I was a member of for onward distribution but one needed to text the names of the beneficiaries to him (PC) before they could access them. This information was relayed to the various Electoral Area Coordinators (EACs) to get two beneficiaries through the Polling Station Executives (PSEs). The Coordinators from our Zone submitted their names to me which I sent to the PC via text (see attached). The PC asked me to inform the beneficiaries to converge at his house on Saturday, 5th December, 2020 to collect the said items; the CEC was also having a meeting that day with EACs. Indeed the beneficiaries were there to receive but an idea came that since it was a Pelungu market day it would not be prudent for them to carry the items. They were then told to go home and later come to my house and that of Madam Faustina (Women Organizer) for them. A car later brought the items meant for Kongo East to my house and beneficiaries came that same day for them. It is not only surprising but evil for anyone to claim that, I did not deliver the said items meant for the campaign as alleged by the so-called petitioners or their sponsors. The petition on which you stand to suspend me, an elected officer of the party is forged and fraudulent. It is sad that when a properly written petition was brought to your office against the Constituency Secretary, a darling boy of the Regional Chairman, your Assistant, Elvis Figo and the Regional Chairman, Lawyer Tony took turns to call the petitioners to advise, warn, caution and even threaten them against the petition, a petition you in person signed a letter subsequently to dismiss same without even hearing the petitioners or the respondent will now hurriedly come out with this supposed suspension letter without even cross checking. If you did cross check, you would have realized that one of the petitioners, Banga Naoh (Wondanbihi Polling Chairman) was never consulted neither to talk of thumb printing the said petition. Does this not surprise you? Now note further; upon hearing of the petition he wrote a disclaimer to the Constituency Chairman distancing himself from the petition (see attached). He could have reported the matter to the police for impersonation but there were interventions from the campaign team which met and resolved the issue. So how would you use a fake document with contents of baseless allegations to suspend me? The Polling Station Executives also wrote a letter to the Constituency Chairman withdrawing the said petition (see attached). Again, the Campaign Team from the Electoral Area wrote a letter to Constituency Chairman stating their views on how the money was used for the house to house campaigns on this issue came up (see attached). In paragraph three (3) of your letter you referenced Article 3(7) of our party Constitution which states; (1) A Member may be suspended from membership of the party, or holding any office in the party, pending an enquiry into his or her conduct by a Disciplinary Committee. (2) Any decision to suspend a Member shall not be taken, unless the nature of the complaint has been communicated to the member in writing, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against such Member. I am educated that you misapplied Article 3(7) in this circumstance and I therefore wish to advise you to kindly withdraw your letter the soonest in order to avoid dragging the name of the party into disrepute as an administrator of the party in the region. You are or should be aware that you cannot take a part in the said article and leave out the part which imposes an obligation on you in the same article or clause. If the region intends (intended) to do a financial audit in the constituency in relation to the 2020 general elections, be sure you will not find me among the persons
Databank pull out from controversial Agyapa deal as transaction advisor
Investment and brokerage firm, Databank has pulled out and withdrawn its services as a financial advisor in the Agyapa royalties deal. The firm together with Imara Holding Limited jointly served as transaction advisors for the monetization of Ghana’s gold royalties through the dual listing of the Agyapa Gold Royalties Company on the Ghana and London Stock Exchanges. Databank made the announcement in a letter addressed to Imara Holdings on February 10, 2021, and sighted by citinewsroom.com. In the letter, the company explained that it took the decision following attacks on its reputation by political actors due to the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta’s association with Databank, a company he co-founded. The investment and brokerage firm said these attacks heightened during the 2020 election season. “The Board of Directors of Databank has observed with deep concern persistent attempts by some political actors, during the political season leading up to the general elections of December 2020, to tarnish our hard-won reputation painstakingly built over the last 30 years, by unfairly exploiting our participation and involvement in the transaction as one of the transaction advisors. We believe this is principally due to the Minister of Finance’s association with Databank as its co-founder.” “The Board of Databank, whilst being convinced about the immeasurable benefits to be reaped by the Republic of Ghana from the transaction, is of the view that the tumult generated by the involvement of Databank in the transaction, coupled with insinuations and aspersions cast on the reputation of the company in the lead up to the election, not only grossly compromises the ability to execute such a market-sensitive and novel transaction, but also has a real tendency to severely damage the invaluable business reputation of Databank,” the letter signed by Kojo Addae-Mensah, Group CEO of Databank explained. Although the company noted that the action was a hard decision to be made, it said it had to do that to safeguard its hard-won reputation. “It is this deep market knowledge and extensive experience that makes us understand that the potential damage from the fall out of all the negative press regarding Databank’s involvement in the Agyapa transaction, especially the proposed IPO, despite our sterling track record over the years, is incalculable both in the domestic and international financial markets.” “The reasons expressed above have compelled us to take the hard-decision to formally withdraw our services as your partner and co-transaction advisor on this mandate.” Background The government then, through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), set up Agyapa Royalties Limited to securitize Ghana’s gold royalties. This was after Parliament on August 14, approved the Agyapa Mineral Royalty Limited agreement with the government of Ghana despite the walkout by the Minority. In exchange, the company plans to raise between $500 million and $750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchanges to invest in developmental projects. The move has since been heavily criticized as the government has directed that further discussions on it be suspended. Assessment by Special Prosecutor’s Office An analysis of the transaction by the then Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu in a 64-paged report raised red flags over the deal and took a swipe at the Minister of Finance and other officials who contributed to processes that led to the approval by Parliament. He insisted that several processes were flouted prior to the parliamentary approval. But the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and other government officials have rejected the claims by the Special Prosecutor . President Akufo-Addo subsequently directed the Ministry of Finance to send the agreement back to Parliament for review. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093