I have never told Mahama I want to testify – Jean Mensa to Supreme Court
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, is urging the Supreme Court not to allow 2020 NDC flagbearer, John Mahama to reopen his election petition case. The former President who petitioned the apex court over the results of last December’s polls on Thursday lost a bid to compel the EC boss to take the witness stand and be cross-examined. Tsatsu Tsikata, the lead counsel for Mr. Mahama’s has since filed fresh documents indicating a desire to ask the Court on Monday to be allowed to reopen its case. This, they explain is to afford them the opportunity to subpoena Mrs Mensa to mount the witness stand and testify. The Electoral Commission through its chairperson Jean Mensah has filed an affidavit in opposition to this request. Mrs Mensa argued that at no point has she ever indicated a desire to testify in the ongoing hearing. “At no time have I informed the petitioner or his lawyers of my desire to testify in this case”, the affidavit states. She said should the court even grant the request for the case to be reopened, it should not order her to testify since such a decision will defeat its earlier ruling that she cannot be compelled to testify. Read the full affidavit below: Myjoyonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Ursula Owusu, Dan Botwe to face Appointments Committee today
The Appointments Committee of Parliament will later today, February 15, 2021, resume hearings for the nominees of the President for various ministerial roles. The Minister of Communications and Digitalization nominee, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Dan Botwe are expected to be vetted today. The activities of the Committee have not been affected by the suspension of Parliament for three weeks after 17 MPs and 151 staff tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who is the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, was the Minister for Communications in Akufo-Addo’s first term from 2017 to January 2021. Dan Botwe, the Member of Parliament for Okere constituency was also the Minister for Regional Reorganization and Development in the first term of President Akufo-Addo. His portfolio was one of the special-purpose ones created by the president to deliver on a particular mandate. His ministry within the first term was to oversee the creation of the six new regions in the country which was completed in 2019. Citinewsroom Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Abrogate Frontier Services COVID-19 Testing Contract – NDC
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress Sammy Gyamfi, has advanced reasons for the abrogation of the contract between the Government of Ghana and Frontier Healthcare Services for the administration of coronavirus testing at the Kotoka International Airport. Sammy Gyamfi holds that the deal which is shrouded in secrecy is a rip-off and that a local laboratory could have been engaged to offer the same services at a lower rate. He urged Ghanaians not to tolerate the deal and demanded an immediate abrogation of the contract. “The cutthroat charge of $150 per antigen test” at Kotoka smacked of profiteering which should not be countenanced by Ghanaians. We are talking about something that has become an essential tool for risk minimisation in the fight against Covid. An essential tool for slowing down the spread of the virus, here we’re talking about testing. “And so the affordability of that tool is very important because now it’s become an essential service. And that is why in some countries, these tests are done for people for free. People don’t even pay anything for it because of how important and critical it is to the fight against the spread of the pandemic.” Sammy Gyamfi explained that due to the opaque nature of the deal, the NDC, through its MPs, is “using this vetting process to hold to account persons who are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that these things are done for the welfare of the people”. Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile Saturday, Mr Gyamfi, also stated that investigations carried out by the NDC on the Frontier Healthcare Services Limited, the company in charge of administering the antigen test at the airport, had revealed that the deal and circumstances surrounding the procurement of their service had been illegal. “That the deal and the circumstances under which that company was engaged is shady, opaque, illegal and that the terms of the transaction, the amount being charged for the antigen test is a rip-off. We think that what is happening is a clear case of profiteering which should not be countenanced by the people of this country.” Government’s contract with Frontier has become an issue following revelations by some appointees that they are not privy to the details of the contract. Health Minister-designate, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, told Parliament that he is not in the known about the deal. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu justified that “in the pandemic, there were certain things that we had to do and try to rectify as we go forward because of the urgency of what we should do immediately. Peacefmonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Eugene Arhin’s alleged mistress threatens to sue his wife over defamation
Chantel Kudjawu a.k.a Gertrude Gbajo, the lady alleged as having extramarital affairs with Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, has threatened to pursue legal action against Gloria Asssan Arhin, the wife of Eugene Arhin, over what she describes as defamatory comments in Mrs Arhin’s divorce petition. In a statement copied to GhanaWeb, the lawyers for Chantel Kudjawu claim that their client has denied ever engaging in the activities alleged by Mrs Arhin. Paragraph 14(a) of the divorce petition filed at the Matrimonial Court by Gloria Arhin states: “Particulars of adultery: a. The Respondent has other women in his life with whom he has extramarital affairs, including one Chantel Kudjawu (Gertrude Gbajo) whom the Respondent continues to have extramarital affairs with.” This alleged defamatory statement, Chantel’s lawyers say, since the publication by the media last week, has attracted thousands and thousands of comments, majority of which are negative and judgemental about their client even though she has not engaged sexually with Mr Arhin. The lawyers explain that “our client is a principled and law-abiding professional who works as a private investigator in Canada”. They added that Ms Chantel has “three children” and “does not compromise on the integrity and dignity of her marriage.” “She also has a Master’s Degree in Political Science from a reputable University in Canada, and holds a Certificate from Harvard University,” Ms Chantel’s lead counsel Amanda Clinton wrote. “Mrs Arhin’s defamatory words have meant that our client has been publicly ridiculed, scandalized and held in contempt by countless strangers in an unprecedented manner. This serious, untrue and highly defamatory statement towards our Client is a malicious falsehood. “Furthermore, this defamatory comment has been communicated to thousands of people throughout the world, posing a serious threat to the reputation of our Client.” Gloria Arhin is hereby advised to within 24-hours, “remove from her divorce petition in its entirety the defamatory statement to prevent further harm to our Client”. For pacification, Ms Chantel is asking Mrs Arhin to “Produce an apology and a declaration that the allegations referred to are false and defamatory and cause such apology to be published in an unqualified retraction and an apology on GhanaWeb, Yen, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Daily Graphic (online) with the same prominence the defamatory words received.” Read below the full statement from Chantel Kudjawu’s lawyers. Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
You left Rawlings to die at Korle Bu but flying Ofori-Atta to US for treatment – Akufo-Addo told
The Akufo-Addo government is facing criticism from some Ghanaians particularly members of the opposition National Democratic Congress for allowing former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings to die at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra while flying Finance Minister designate Ken Ofori-Atta to the United States for treatment. The reactions come after Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta was flown to the United States of America over COVID-19 complications yesterday. “The Ministry of Finance wishes to inform the general public and stakeholders that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, the Representative of H.E the President at the Ministry of Finance and Minister-designate for Finance, will travel to the United States of America today for a special medical review,” a statement by the Finance Ministry Sunday said. It added: “After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Mr. Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, require further interventions not currently available in Ghana. The statement noted Parliament has been informed of the health condition of the former Finance Minister. ”He is expected to be away for two weeks. Mr. Ofori-Atta was scheduled to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, 16th February, 2021. The leadership of Parliament has been duly notified for a new date to be fixed upon his return“. Nana Baffoe Ba, an activist of the NDC reacting to the development wrote on his social media handle: “PAPA J as former president was sent to Korle Bu and die subsequently. Ken Ofori-Atta as minister, yet to be approved is flown to the US for treatment. Ah well!” MyNews Gh Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Election petition: SC to hear Mahama’s motion to reopen case today
The Supreme Court is expected to hear a motion from lawyers of former President John Dramani Mahama in the ongoing election petition trial in their attempt to reopen their case. The application was premised on the apex court panel of seven chaired by Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah’s ruling that it cannot compel the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa to testify before the court in the case. Following the closure of the Petitioner’s case last Monday, after calling three witnesses, lawyers of the EC and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said they did not intend to call any witnesses despite deposing to witness statements. The petitioner and his lawyers are challenging the move but the EC and President Akufo-Addo have separately filed affidavits opposing the Petitioner’s motion. Should the motion filed be granted, it will allow the Petitioner serve a subpoena on the EC Chairperson to mount the witness box and be cross-examined. Meanwhile, the apex court has directed the parties to simultaneously file their closing addresses by February 17. The seven-member panel will listen to their oral submissions on the closing addresses and subsequently fix a date on February 18, 2021, for its judgement. Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
$134m judgment debt: EPA cancellation was for propaganda – Donkor
The former Power Minister and Member of Parliament for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has called on Ghanaians to hold NPP government responsible and demand answers over the $134 million judgment awarded against Ghana by the International Court of Arbitration. According to him, the cancellation of the agreement was unnecessary adding that there was a certain level of propaganda by the ruling government in the decision to cancel the emergency power agreement. “I sincerely believe we handled the whole issue wrongly. It was not for nothing that the emergency power contracts we signed were for 5 years. We have two options. Eat a humble pie and go back to the company or pay up. Or go for an appeal hoping that the quantum of the cost will be beaten down,” Dr Donkor said Monday on the Morning Starr. He added “there’s a certain amount of propaganda. If the 5-year agreement was allowed to run, we only pay a capacity charge which is embedded in the tariff…It’s either we go for an appeal or pay up and hold people responsible. Whoever was behind the cancellation now has to come out and justify it. The actors in this owe Ghana an explanation. Sometimes, other interests, unfortunately, come into play in the business of the state and that ought not to be.” Background The International Court of Arbitration has awarded a cost of $134 million and an interest of $30 million against the Government of Ghana over the cancellation of an Emergency Power Agreement with GCGP limited. The Contract was cancelled under the former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko as part of several other energy contracts cancelled by the NPP on the basis that the country did not need those power agreements. The ruling by the International Court of Arbitration ordered the government to Ghana to pay to “GPGC the full value of the Early Termination Payment, together with Mobilization, Demobilization and preservation and maintenance costs in the amount of US$ 134,348,661, together also with interest thereon from 12 November 2018 until the date of payment, accruing daily and compounded monthly, at the rate of LIBOR for six-month US dollar deposits plus six per cent(6%).” The Government of Ghana was also to pay GPGC an amount of “US$ 309,877.74 in respect of the Costs of the Arbitration, together with US$ 3,000,000 in respect of GPGC’s legal representation and the fees and expenses of its expert witness, together with interest on the aggregate amount of US$ 3,309,877.74 at the rate of LIBOR for three-month US dollar deposits, compounded quarterly.” Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
EC re-runs WR Council of State poll today
The Electoral Commission is billed to re-run the Council of States poll for the Western Region today, Monday, 15 February 2021. There was a tie between the two candidates that run to represent the region in the Friday polls that took place across all 16 regions of the country, secured the needed majority votes, necessitating a re-run. Eunice Buah, who was part of the last Council, is battling Nana Akomea for the slot. Either of them had 14 of the 28 votes cast. Some of the winners in Friday’s polls include former Sports Minister E.T. Mensah. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Ofori-Atta airlifted to U.S. for treatment for post-COVID-19 complications
Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, was flown to the United States of America on Sunday, 14 February 2021, to seek medical treatment for post-COVID-19 complications. “After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Mr Ofori-Atta has had medical complications, which doctors advise require further interventions not currently available in Ghana,” a statement from the Ministry of Finance said on Valentine’s Day. “The Ministry of Finance wishes to inform the general public and stakeholders that Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Representative of the President at the Ministry of Finance and Minister-designate of Finance, will travel to the United States of America today, for a special medical review. “Mr Ofori-Atta was scheduled to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, 16 February 2021. “The leadership of Parliament has been duly notified for a new date to be fixed upon his return,” the statement noted. Meanwhile, some 15 more patients have succumbed to COVID-19 in Ghana. The national death toll is now 533. Some 718 new cases have also been confirmed, according to the Ghana Health Service. The number of active cases is now 8,216. Since mid-March 2020, Ghana has recorded a total of 75,836 total, 67,087 recovered Regional breakdown Greater Accra Region – 42,209 Ashanti Region – 13,593 Western Region – 4,442 Eastern Region – 3,252 Central Region – 2,550 Volta Region – 1,323 Bono East Region – 951 Northern Region – 827 Bono Region – 767 Upper East Region – 755 Western North Region – 747 Ahafo Region – 624 Oti Region – 257 Upper West Region – 257 Savannah Region – 68 North East Region – 42 ClassFMonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
“LIFE is always good when we put our hope in the LORD” UER: Council of State contestant wrote after a shocking defeat
The former Upper East Regional Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Yaw Mort who contested the just ended Council of State elections in the Upper East Region has issued a notice of appreciation to the people of the region even though he obtained no votes. The election which was contested by 5 contenders saw the paramount chief for the Talensi traditional area ahead of other contenders after winning with 19 votes. Pe Ditundini Adiali Thomas-More, the Paramount chief for the Chiana Traditional Area who doubles as the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chief got 6 votes. Mr. Akurugu Eric Aligiyelah and Mr. Yaw Mort got no votes and Mr. Akamboe Ayirebasia a retired public servant obtained 5 votes. However, despite the humiliating decision made by delegates, Mr. Mort said he do not begrudge anyone for their decision of not voting for me. “I will like to thank you all who inspired, stood by, and/or contributed financially, materially, and spiritually towards the contest. It was an opportunity to bring governance to the doorstep of our people. It was a MOVEMENT to get things done right for our collective progress as a region”. “We went out, we engaged the delegates. The feedback was positive”. “Unfortunately, things changed against us. The delegates chose to abandon the MOVEMENT and seek other paths. I do not begrudge any. It was a contest. I have won a contest in the past and I have lost a contest in the past. LIFE is always good when we put our hope in the LORD”. Mr. Mort wrote in his notice of appreciation. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093