Information Minister designate Kojo Oppong renewed his unfulfilled pledge to GJA UER Branch
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah the information Minister-designate has given the assurance of redeeming the 2019 pledge he made to the Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association at the EXTEE Crystal Hotel conference hall in support of the first edition of the Regional Awards. According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah who appeared a little shocked when the issue was raised by the Tamale North Member of Parliament Alhassan Suhuyini he said, the matter of redeeming the pledge was directed to the Chief Director of the Ministry at a time. The Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah made a pledge of Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc 10, 000.00) in October 2019 during the launch of the first edition of GJA award in the Upper East Region. But disappointingly, the pledge by Mr. Oppong Nkrumah has not been redeemed as promised to the Upper East branch of the Ghana Journalist Association even in the year 2021. However, during the vetting of Mr. Oppong Nkrumah by members of the Appointment Committee of Parliament on Thursday, February 18, 2021, he said, “I do recall making a pledge to the upper east regional branch of the GJA after I traveled to join them in one celebration. I do recall issuing the instruction to our Chief Director to ensure it was satisfied. I would expect that it would have been satisfied by now. If it is not, I will be happy to look at it once again,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah told members of the member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Supreme Court dismisses Mahama’s review application
The Supreme Court has dismissed the review application against an earlier ruling of the court that witnesses cannot be compelled to testify in the case, filed by lawyers of the petitioner in the election petition hearing. “The application fails and is hereby dismissed” the Chief Justice said in the ruling on Thursday February 18. More soon Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
I won’t be surprised if I’m cited for contempt – Ayine
Former Deputy Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine and one of the spokespersons for the petitioner, John Dramani Mahama, in the ongoing Election Petition, says he will not begrudge the court should it commit him for contempt. It comes on the back of his “predetermined agenda” comments after the dismissal of the petitioner’s motion to have his case reopened. Dr. Ayine in his post-hearing address to the press on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 said petitioner’s team had made it clear in the petition that there were a number of infractions contrary to what he says are attempts by the Court to limit the petition to a single issue petition. “We are contesting even the constitutionality of the declaration that was made. We are saying that she violated article 23 of the Constitution because she’s an administrative body. We have also said her exercise of discretion was contrary to article 296 of the Constitution”. These are all germane issues under the Constitution and laws of Ghana and to reduce the petition into a single-issue petition, is rather unfortunate and smacks of a predetermined agenda to rule against the petitioner in this matter,” the former Deputy Attorney General lamented. His comments have been criticized by lawyers on the legal team of the second respondent, Nana Akufo-Addo. “It is not fair to the judicial system, it’s not fair to our democracy, it’s not fair to the people of Ghana that when you lose an application because it is not grounded in law or because you’ve failed to meet the legal standard, then you come here and literally poison the minds of the public and make claims that they may be having a predetermined agenda. That’s scandalous of the court”. A spokesperson of the second respondent, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah criticized. Speaking to Starr News’ Dr. Ayine clarified his comments indicating that it was not his intention to attack the court and apologized if that is how the comments came out. “If I came across as having said that the court is in cahoots with the respondents, that I will apologize and withdraw. But the reason I said that is because that is what the (second) respondent has been telling the media,” he said. He added “I will not be surprised and the court is entitled to take a position on it or express disappointment on it, even go as far as committing me for contempt. I mean I won’t begrudge them. But that honestly wasn’t meant to disparage the court or bring it’s reputation into disrepute”. He stressed further “The reason I said it was within the context, a context of what had been said by the respondent’s spokesperson in the context of the issue we have brought to before the court and why the court should single out just that particular issue they have been drumming into the ears of journalists as the most important issue that we have brought to court”. Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Supreme Court cites Dominic Ayine for contempt over his “predetermined agenda” comment
The Supreme Court has instituted contempt proceedings against, Dr Dominic Ayine, a member of the legal team of the petitioner in the ongoing election 2020 petition for comments he allegedly made against the Apex Court. Dr Ayine is reported to have accused the seven-member Supreme Court panel adjudicating the petition,of having a “predetermined agenda” to rule against the petitioner (John Dramani Mahama) in his action challenging the constitutionality of the re-election of President Akufo-Addo for a second term in office. During the said press briefing, Dr. Ayine said, “It is not true that there is only one issue that needs to be determined in this matter. I am surprised that the Supreme Court itself having set down five key issues to be determined is now reducing the issue to one, which is whether the extent to which the evidence that we have led shows that no one got more than 50% of the votes in accordance with Article 63 of the Constitution”. Dr Ayine added: “We have made it abundantly clear in the petition that there were a number of infractions, we are contesting even the constitutionality of the declaration that was made. We are saying that she violated Article 23 because she is an administrative body, we have also said the exercise of discretion was contrary to Article 296 of the Constitution. “And to reduce the petition to a single-issue petition is rather unfortunate and smack of a predetermined agenda to rule against the petition in this matter.” He added, “We think that the court by this decision has not done the people of this country a great service, in the sense that Ghanaians are interested in knowing the truth. The justices today have not given as a reason to believe that they want the people of this country to know the truth about what happened…why figures kept changing from 9 December” Dr. Dominic Ayine further stated while he addressed the press at the forecourt of the Supreme Court. The seven-member Supreme Court panel presided over by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, which also includes Justices Yaw Appaw, Samuel Marful-Sau, Nene Amegatcher, Nii Ashie Kotey, Mariama Owusu and Gertrude Torkonoo, is expected to sit Thursday the 18th of February 2021 to continue with the trial of the 2020 election petition. It is likely that Dr. Ayine will be served with the process today (18 February 2021) and subsequently he will be called to answer to the Court why he should not be found to be in contempt of Court for his comments allegedly made against the Supreme Court. Asaase Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
I regret Kasoa gun shooting incident – Hawa Koomson
The Minister-designate for Fisheries Mavis Hawa Koomson says she regrets her gun shooting incident at Kasoa during the voter’s registration exercise. “I’d want to put on record that the incident didn’t happen at the polling centre. It happened about 150 meters from the polling centre but I still regret it. I wish it never happened in our political history,” the former Special Development Initiative Minister told the Appointment Committee Thursday during her vetting. She noted that the gun she used was registered. The MP who has confessed to firing a warning shot at the polling centre claimed it was to defend herself after feeling threatened while touring registration centres at Kasoa. Civil Society groups, as well as security analysts called for her arrest, prosecution and resignation. Security expert Professor Kwesi Aning said the action by the Minister undermines President Akufo-Addo’s fight against vigilantism in the country. According to him, the MP is unfit to hold herself out as a lawmaker and also as a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party. Addressing the Media, Director for Elections for the opposition NDC Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said if President Akufo-Addo fails to prosecute the Minister, the next NDC government under John Mahama will ensure that the minister faces the law. Starrfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Congratulations; you’ve my full support – Akufo-Addo to Okonjo-Iweala on ‘historic’ WTO appointment
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her “historic” appointment as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. In a letter addressed to the new WTO boss, the Ghanaian leader expressed delight at the fact that her election was by consensus of the General Council of the WTO, thereby making Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala “the first woman and first African to occupy the of Director-General of the Organisation.” This, according to the President, “is a tribute to black women the world over, particularly to African women”. Her appointment, the President explained, comes at a time when Africa has taken steps to liberalise intra-continental trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and the challenges brought about by COVID-19. “I am of the firm conviction that you are eminently qualified to lead the organisation in these momentous times, and I assure you of the full support of the Government of Ghana in your new role,” President Akufo-Addo added. The President, in a letter dated 17th February, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, on the appointment of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to her new position. President Akufo-Addo assured the people of Nigeria and her Government of the “support of the Government of Ghana in her new role.” Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Stop demonising Mahama lawyers, inciting SC against Ayine – NDC warns Oppong Nkrumah
Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah must stop inciting the Supreme Court against former Deputy Attorney General Dr Domini Ayine as far as the election petition hearing is concerned, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned. A statement issued on Thursday, 18 February 2021 by Communication Director Kakra Essamuah took issue with what it describes as the constant attacks unleashed on the lawyers of former President John Mahama, the petitioner, by the legal spokespersons of the second respondent, President Nana Akufo-Addo. The NDC singled out Mr Oppong Nkrumah and his fellow lawyer, Mr Henry Boakye, as the main culprits. Read the NDC’s full statement below: NDC STATEMENT ON ATTEMPTS BY KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH AND HENRY NANA BOAKYE TO INCITE THE SUPREME COURT AGAINST NDC LAWYERS. In the course of the hearing of the presidential election petition initiated by HE John Dramani Mahama in the Supreme Court, both the NDC and the NPP have sets of lawyers who meet the media immediately after each sitting to publicise their view of what has taken place in court. It is a process from which the good people of Ghana have come to appreciate the respective positions of the parties litigating in the court. Unfortunately, in recent times, the NPP team, led by Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has been using the podium offered by the media, to attack counsel representing HE John Mahama in the case, and even going further to incite the court against the former Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Dr. Dominic Ayine. In addition, many NPP legal commentators in the media, appear to take inordinate delight in belittling and heaping insults on counsel for HE John Mahama and the NDC. These attacks are characterised by constantly offering misleading comments about our lawyers and the case in court. We consider this persistent conduct of Hon. Oppong Nkrumah and Henry Nana Boakye and their surrogates as unbecoming of professional colleagues, who have sworn to protect the ethics of their respected profession over and above partisan considerations. The Supreme Court exists to do justice fairly and squarely to all citizens irrespective of political colours, and to attempt to incite the court against our noble lawyers, is to debase the court’s role and duty. We, accordingly, condemn, in no uncertain terms, this unfortunate conduct of the NPP to demonise our counsel before the Supreme Court. The truth shall stand. The truth shall prevail. LONG LIVE THE NDC. ISSUED IN ACCRA THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2021 (signed) KAKRA ESSAMUAH DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
SC delays sitting by 2hrs as JM asks CJ for ‘reasonable time’ to study EC, Akufo-Addo affidavits against review application
The Supreme Court has delayed its hearing of the election petition on Thursday, 18 February 2021, to 11:30 am, following a letter written to the Chief Justice by former President John Mahama’s lawyers asking to be given “reasonable time” to study affidavits filed by the two respondents, the Electoral Commission and President Nana Akufo-Addo, against the petitioner’s application for a review of the court’s earlier ruling that it cannot compel the star witness of the first respondent, Mrs Jean Mensa, to testify against her will. The petitioner’s letter, dated today and signed by Mr Tony Lithur, said the delay will allow Mr Mahama’s lead counsel, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata to go through the affidavits of the respondents. The letter said: “I received a call from the registrar of the court close to midnight, notifying me of respondents’ filed affidavits opposing petitioner’s application for review, soft copies of which he had sent to my email at 11:13 pm”. “I forwarded the processes to the lead counsel (Tsatsu Tsikata) for the petitioner at 11:30 pm.” “In order to allow lead counsel for petitioner reasonable time to factor the said affidavits into his arguments in support of the application for review, I would respectfully request that this morning’s proceedings be commenced at 11:30 instead of the scheduled 9:30 am”. “I count on your kind consideration of our request.” Yours faithfully, Tony Lithur Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
EU made their position clear to support promotion of LGBTQI rights in Ghana
The European Union in Ghana has shown interest in supporting the promotion of LGBT1Q rights by local civil society organizations in Ghana. The European Union in a Facebook post sighted by Apexnewsgh.com made their position clear to Ghanaians. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Suspension of Koku Anyidoho illegal — NDC group
A group calling itself, the Far Left Democrats of National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Volta Region has described the suspension of Mr Koku Sitsofe Anyidoho as illegal. The group warns NDC NEC not to embark on the journey that will cause chaos in the party. The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Delanyo Agbe vowed to reject any attempt by what it described as “self-seeking individuals in the party to impose Mr Asiedu Nketia on the party as unopposed General Secretary in upcoming National Executive Election.” The group added that the NDC Constitution is clear on procedure to suspend any member of the party, therefore, “the purported suspension of Mr Anyidoho cannot stand because the party is bigger than individuals.” According to them, they “wondered how a party which is seeking justice in the court of law would suspend their member without fair hearing and recourse to the party’s constitution.” The group also warned the party to reverse its decision on suspension of former National Deputy Secretary in order not to create chaos in the party. The statement partly reads, “it is disheartening that National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not learnt anything from their previous crisis which nearly collapsed the main opposition party in the country. The recent suspension of Mr Koku Anyidoho formal Deputy National Secretary is illegal and cannot stand in court of law. “The attempt by self-seeking individuals to impose current National Executive in the upcoming national delegate conference will not only bring set back but, may collapse the former ruling party.” ModernGhana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093