UER: Corpses of murdered policemen in Zuarungu airlifted to Accra
Corpses of the two policemen murdered in Zuarungu of the Bolgatanga East District in the Upper East Region by suspected criminals on Wednesday night have been airlifted to Accra. The two Constables Emmanuel Akowuah and Adams Suley were shot by some unknown robbers at Zuarungu. According to the Police Public Relation Officer, they were shot while they were on their routine motorbike police patrols in the Zuarungu Township on December 15, 2021, when they coincidentally run into the robbery scene where three suspected robbers were seriously robbing a shop. One of them was partially burnt after the robbers shot into the fuel tank of the motorbike he was riding on. The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare supervised a parade in honor of the departed policemen at the Police Public Safety Training School (PPSTS) at Pwalugu on Friday, December 17, 2021, before the bodies were airlifted to Accra. Ahead of the parade, the bodies of the two victims were conveyed from the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Morgue to the PPSTS at about 10 am. After some police rites and a street lining ceremony of Police personnel biding their departed colleague’s farewell, the Military helicopter landed at the Training School at about 12:30 pm. After the brief ceremony, the helicopter departed with the bodies to Tamale en route to Accra at about 1:50 pm. Corpse The IGP and his entourage also departed to Accra. While the helicopter carrying the bodies of the two policemen was en route to the Tamale Airport, the personnel who participated in the parade at the PPSTS were debriefed by the Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Dr. Sayibu Pabi Gariba and the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 11 Mechanized Battalion of the Ghana Army, Lt Colonel Mintah Agyemang. The personnel were urged not to be down-spirited and that the military will collaborate with the police to bring the perpetrators to book. Conveying a message to the personnel on behalf of the IGP, Dr. Gariba expressed the gratitude of the IGP and the Police Administration to all the personnel of the Ghana Police and Security Agencies that participated in the parade. He also assured the personnel of the command’s unflinching support for them. The helicopter later landed at the Airforce base in Accra where Dr. Dampare on behalf of the Ghana Police Service received the bodies together with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Frank Hanson and the Accra Airforce Base Commander, Air Commodore Joshua Mensah Larkai. Another parade was held in honor of the two deceased policemen at the Airforce base where their colleagues and senior officers bid them farewell. The bodies were subsequently conveyed for preservation. The Police Administration thanked the Ghana Armed Forces particularly the Chief of Defense Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Frank Hanson for their collaborative efforts in airlifting the bodies of the police officers. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Ghana on track to host best African Games – Mustapha Ussif
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Mustapha Ussif, has said Ghana is on track to host the best-ever African Games in August 2023. The Member of Parliament for the Yagaba-Kubori Constituency in the North East Region, said the government has everything well planned and ready. Construction works are ongoing at the Olympics Stadium at Borteiman alongside the Legon Stadium, which will be used to stage the games. The 13th African Games – dubbed Accra 2023, is expected to bring together 54 countries, 25 sporting disciplines, and 16,000 sportsmen and women. On Thursday, 16 December 2021, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Games launched the official logo, mascot and website of the continental games at the Accra International Conference Centre. The logo has the map of Ghana and Africa, decorated in the red, gold, green colours of Ghana, as well as a sprinting athlete. The flame-wielding eagle mascot is draped in a red, gold, green vest. “I’m super excited that we have launched the logo, mascot and the website”. “That’s a testimony that we are on track and we’re focused on delivering the best African games”, he said. “Concerning funds and logistics, Mr Ussif said the president has made sure that everything has been put in place “to get the facilities ready by August 2023”. The LOC further revealed its intentions to embark on a regional tour so that every Ghanaian can have a feel of the games.
BoG, tasked EOCO to probe huge, alleged remittance claims
Bank of Ghana (BoG) said, they have submitted five (5) separate requests to EOCO for investigations into claims of persons to investigate specific cases of suspected financial crimes and liaises with the appropriate agencies for possible prosecution of suspected persons. Pursuant to this, a number of referrals have been made by BoG to EOCO for investigations, as summarized below. SUSPICIOUS REQUESTS TO BOG FOR PAYMENT OF LARGE SUMS OF INWARD REMITTANCES APPARENTLY WITHHELD BY BOG Following an emerging trend observed by the BoG over the last few years, BoG has since October 2020 submitted five (5) separate requests to EOCO for investigations into claims of persons (individuals, businesses, and law firms acting on behalf of clients) who have persistently made claims on the BoG to the effect that certain large sums of money purportedly remitted to them by foreign counterparties through the banking system have been withheld by BoG. These claimants often attached documentation alleged to be messaging from the SWIFT international funds transfer system, as proof of the receipt and retention of their funds by BoG. Following BoG’s preliminary investigations which have shown that these claims are fake, BoG has referred such matters to EOCO for further investigation. EOCO has made significant progress in these investigations and has initiated prosecution in some of these cases, while investigations in other cases continue. REQUESTS BY RECEIVERS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO DEFUNCT SAVINGS & LOANS COMPANIES AND MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS In its public notices in 2019 announcing the revocation licences of certain defunct Savings and Loans Companies, Finance Houses, and Microfinance Institutions, BoG cited a number of potentially criminal actions on the part of these institutions and their shareholders, directors or management, as the case may be. Following further investigations into the failure of these institutions by the Receivers appointed by BoG, these cases were referred to EOCO for advice. EOCO has conducted independent investigations into a number of these cases as listed below and has made recommendations to the Attorney General’s Department for consideration and possible prosecution. Savings and Loans Companies Microfinance Companies 1. Ideal Finance 1. Goldman Capital Microfinance 2. GN Savings and Loans 2. Dwadifo Adanfo Microfinance 3. CDH Savings and Loans 3. CIG Microfinance 4. Midland Savings and Loans 4. Noble Dream Microfinance 5. Legacy Capital Savings and Loans 5. Adom Sika Microfinance 6. FirsTrust Savings and Loans 6. Nationwide Microfinance 7. Express Savings and Loans 7. Cypress Microfinance 8. IFS Savings and Loans 8. Jorbies Microfinance 9. UniCredit Savings and Loans 9. DPF Microfinance 10. Dream Finance Co Ltd 10. FTS Capital Microfinance EOCO continues to work with the Attorney General’s Department towards speedy prosecutions of persons suspected to have been complicit in the failures of these institutions. In the meantime, EOCO has frozen and/or impounded some assets of such persons to help with reimbursements of the claimants of the defunct institutions. BoG continues to deepen its collaboration with EOCO and other law enforcement Agencies in the country, to help promote financial integrity and trust and confidence in our banking system. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093.
Butchers in Bolgatanga Municipal concluded moving to Yorogo abattoir in 2weeks– Rex Asanga
The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive Mr. Rex Asanga has hinted that butchers in the Municipality have concluded moving to the Yorogo abattoir in 2 weeks’ time. The MCE revealed this during a press soiree organized by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to engage the media on developmental issues happening across the region. However, according to the MCE, the good current development is that the butchers themselves have agreed to move to the Yorogo abattoir within a period of 2 weeks. “The Yorogo Abattoir, the last general assembly meeting on December 15, they agreed they will move. We have since engaged the butchers, we have had several meetings very stormy one and they came after their own consultation to plead with us to give them two weeks”. “So, they have probably resolved to move on the 1st of January 2022. And we have said well if they have been dodging and not moving for 4 years or 5 years, so if is just 2 weeks that you need to move and we don’t have to fight, we will grant you the two weeks. So, on the first of January, we expect them to move to Yorogo” He stressed Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Are you waiting for the E-levy killer tax to build the airport?—Navrongo MP to Upper East Regional Minister
Navrongo Central Constituency Member of Parliament Mr. Sampson Tangombu Chiragia has extended another interesting question to the Upper East Regional Mr. Yakubu Stephen. Apexnewsgh.com report The Navrongo Central legislator who had already registered some level of displeasure following the controversies and delay witnessed sofar in the much touted Upper East Regional airport from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the NDC MP is asking the Upper East Regional Minister ‘weather he is waiting for the E-levy killer tax to build the airport?’. However, Mr. Tangombu Chiragia has thrown a challenge to the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu to make himself available for a solid debate on what development they claimed the NPP government has provided for the region for the past 5 years. “Let him know am prepared to debate him. If he is a man who claimed there are development projects in the region, I will let everyone understand there was none in the region. I am ready to debate him. He should tell me the project government is bringing to the region and what they have done for the 5 years. “He shouldn’t be talking about the Tono Dam, the NDC started it. They should tell us the whole region. The Pwalungu Multi-purpose dam is lying down there, not even a wheelbarrow is there. We don’t know where the contractor is. So, is not about talking, is about what to do. He concluded However, the Member of Parliament is patiently waiting to engage the Upper East Regional Minister in what he described as developmental debate. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Mining companies audit to begin next year – Duker
The deputy minister of lands and natural resources responsible for mining, Mr George Mireku Duker, has said that plans are far advanced to establish an audit scheme next year for the mining sector. He said this during an interaction with representatives from small-scale mining companies on Thursday, 16 December 2021. Mr Duker, in his opening remarks, indicated that the purpose of the audit scheme is to identify gaps and offer plausible solutions to the challenges facing the mining companies. The deputy minister further stated that the government was also committed to creating jobs for the youth by ensuring that concessions and job opportunities are made available for the youth in the country. The stakeholder engagement brought together industry players from the large-scale mining sector, the Minerals Commission and the Ghana Chamber of Mines. Mr Duker alluded that the audit of the mining sector will be systematic. Also, he said it will be periodically documented with the objective being the evaluation of how well the mining or environmental regulatory requirements and commitments are met by the various mining companies in Ghana. At the event, the chief executive of the chamber, Mr Sulemanu Koney, commended the ministry for the 3% withholding tax that has been abolished by the government. Large-scale miners will from January 1, 2022, no longer be required to pay the three-per cent withholding tax on gold at the point of export through the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC). —classfm Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
The staging of a walk-out does not render Parliament incapable of performing its functions –Bagbin
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has said, staging a walk-out is a legitimate form of protest and is part of Ghana’s Parliamentary norms and practices. Apexnewsgh.com report The speaker pointed this when addressing Members of Parliament on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. Read below the Speaker’s full address to parliament on Thursday: Formal Statement by the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament, on the rejection or rescission of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government Introduction Hon Members, before I proceed to address the topic of my official communication, permit me to praise and glorify the Almighty God/Allah, my fortress and my Lord, for the travelling mercies and the regeneration and renewal of my body and life. Thanks be to you, oh Lord, the creator and master of the universe. I am eternally grateful to you for your grace and love. I also thank Hon Members for holding the fort in my absence, despite the fact that the conduct of some Members raises fundamental issues bordering on a complete disregard of parliamentary practice, procedure and process of the House. I have taken my time to read the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings and the Official Reports of the days in issue. And I am convinced we should accept the view of the conscience of the nation that we owe Ghanaians an apology and I will proceed to do just that. As the Head of Parliament, the voice of the Legislature, who speaks for and on behalf of Parliament, hence the title Speaker, I, with all humility apologise on behalf of the House and all the members, for the aberrations of conduct and behaviour of members on those days. I take responsibility for what happens in the House and I admit the House is neither dignified nor exalted by that rancorous and unruly behaviour of members. I promise to do everything within my power and authority to lead the House to chart a path of transformation, decency and change, a change for the better. The conduct of members on those days also touches on the legality of the decisions arrived at in the House and how we arrived at those decisions. It will help for members to look at these issues dispassionately, in humility, devoid of egos and partisanship. As a House of honour, dignity and measureless might and majesty, members of Parliament should, for a while, allow the 1992 Constitution, the enabling laws, precedents and the Standing Orders of the House to lead the way. Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties. Hon Members, just try to recollect, or view a playback of the proceedings or read the Official reports of those sittings, and you will appreciate what I am referring to. What happened was grave disorder with its resultant comedy of errors and I will not take lightly a repeat of such disorder and indiscipline in the House. Hon Members, I will not bore you or our audience with a recount of the scenery of those proceedings, it is, however, incumbent on me to make a pronouncement on these matters and provide some direction on the path to be taken as a House to ensure we are taking steps to fulfil our sacred duty to the people of Ghana. To do this, it is necessary to summarize a few proceedings in order to lay a foundation for me to propose the way forward. Quorum for the Conduct of Business and Quorum for Voting in Parliament Hon. Members the first matter that requires some pronouncement is the matter of a quorum which formed the basis for the decision taken by the House to rescind the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government. Admittedly, the Constitution prescribes the quorum for the conduct of business of the House; a lack of quorum meant the business cannot be done. A quorum for one-third of members is required for the commencement of business; a quorum of not less than one-half of members is required to determine, for example, a resolution for approval of international loans and a quorum of not less than two-thirds of members is needed to amend some provisions of the constitution. Depending upon whether it is just to legitimize it to conduct business of Parliament, or take an ordinary decision or make a resolution. See Articles 69 (11), 75 (2) (b), 82 (1), 95 (2) (d), 102, 104, 106 (10), 113 (2), 174 (3), 181 (1), 268 (2), and 291(3). The provision that deals with the basic components of a quorum to transact business are; One-third of all members of Parliament, except the one presiding. Hon. Members, the question of whether or not a quorum exists either for the conduct of Parliamentary business or for taking of vote in Parliament is, therefore, a question of fact. The practice in all Parliaments since the inception of the 4th Parliament has been to raise the issue of quorum on the floor of Parliament at the time the business or the vote is being taken. Hon. Members, admittedly it is a responsibility of the Chair to make a determination if there is a quorum at the beginning and at any time during the sitting of the House. However, there is a presumption of quorum to undertake business unless a question is raised. The Chair may in the absence of an objection to the contrary, presume that the House is duly constituted for its work. It is only when such an objection has been raised that the Speaker may then take steps in compliance with Order 48 of S. O. of
MPs must bear in mind they represent the people, not just political parties–Bagbin
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has admonished Members of Parliament to understand that they represent the people and not just a political party. The speaker pointed this when addressing Members of Parliament on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. “Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties”. the Speaker said on Thursday, 16 December 2021 during his first sitting after returning from Dubai. Read below the Speaker’s full address to parliament on Thursday: Formal Statement by the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament, on the rejection or rescission of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government Introduction Hon Members, before I proceed to address the topic of my official communication, permit me to praise and glorify the Almighty God/Allah, my fortress and my Lord, for the travelling mercies and the regeneration and renewal of my body and life. Thanks be to you, oh Lord, the creator and master of the universe. I am eternally grateful to you for your grace and love. I also thank Hon Members for holding the fort in my absence, despite the fact that the conduct of some Members raises fundamental issues bordering on a complete disregard of parliamentary practice, procedure and process of the House. I have taken my time to read the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings and the Official Reports of the days in issue. And I am convinced we should accept the view of the conscience of the nation that we owe Ghanaians an apology and I will proceed to do just that. As the Head of Parliament, the voice of the Legislature, who speaks for and on behalf of Parliament, hence the title Speaker, I, with all humility apologise on behalf of the House and all the members, for the aberrations of conduct and behaviour of members on those days. I take responsibility for what happens in the House and I admit the House is neither dignified nor exalted by that rancorous and unruly behaviour of members. I promise to do everything within my power and authority to lead the House to chart a path of transformation, decency and change, a change for the better. The conduct of members on those days also touches on the legality of the decisions arrived at in the House and how we arrived at those decisions. It will help for members to look at these issues dispassionately, in humility, devoid of egos and partisanship. As a House of honour, dignity and measureless might and majesty, members of Parliament should, for a while, allow the 1992 Constitution, the enabling laws, precedents and the Standing Orders of the House to lead the way. Members need to think about how to strengthen the work of this House and by extension, strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance. Members need to consider the precedents we set by every decision and action we take in this house. Over and above that, members must bear in mind that as Members of Parliament, they also represent the people – the citizenry – not just political parties. Hon Members, just try to recollect, or view a playback of the proceedings or read the Official reports of those sittings, and you will appreciate what I am referring to. What happened was grave disorder with its resultant comedy of errors and I will not take lightly a repeat of such disorder and indiscipline in the House. Hon Members, I will not bore you or our audience with a recount of the scenery of those proceedings, it is, however, incumbent on me to make a pronouncement on these matters and provide some direction on the path to be taken as a House to ensure we are taking steps to fulfil our sacred duty to the people of Ghana. To do this, it is necessary to summarize a few proceedings in order to lay a foundation for me to propose the way forward. Quorum for the Conduct of Business and Quorum for Voting in Parliament Hon. Members the first matter that requires some pronouncement is the matter of a quorum which formed the basis for the decision taken by the House to rescind the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government. Admittedly, the Constitution prescribes the quorum for the conduct of business of the House; a lack of quorum meant the business cannot be done. A quorum for one-third of members is required for the commencement of business; a quorum of not less than one-half of members is required to determine, for example, a resolution for approval of international loans and a quorum of not less than two-thirds of members is needed to amend some provisions of the constitution. Depending upon whether it is just to legitimize it to conduct business of Parliament, or take an ordinary decision or make a resolution. See Articles 69 (11), 75 (2) (b), 82 (1), 95 (2) (d), 102, 104, 106 (10), 113 (2), 174 (3), 181 (1), 268 (2), and 291(3). The provision that deals with the basic components of a quorum to transact business are; One-third of all members of Parliament, except the one presiding. Hon. Members, the question of whether or not a quorum exists either for the conduct of Parliamentary business or for taking of vote in Parliament is, therefore, a question of fact. The practice in all Parliaments since the inception of the 4th Parliament has been to raise the issue of quorum on the floor of Parliament at the time the business or the vote is being taken. Hon. Members, admittedly it is a responsibility of the Chair to make a determination if there is a