OSP directs the prosecution of NDA CEO and two deputies over….
According to a written complaint dated June 15, 2022, which was addressed to the Special Prosecutor by Martin Luther Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, requesting for an investigation into the operations of NDA and the actions of its Chief Executive and Board Chairman. The report said: “The complaint alleged that NDA awarded a contract to A&QS Consortium Limited (hereafter, A&QS) on 28 January 2020 for consultancy services for the supervision of some constituencies in the Upper West Region under the IPEP for the contract sum of Five Million Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand cedis (GHC5,720,000.00). However, upon the exit of the then Acting Chief Executive who executed the contract, the contract sum was illegally increased to Ten Million Four Hundred Thousand cedis (GHC10,400,000.00) by the removal of the page containing the original figure of Five Million Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand cedis (GHC5,720,000.00) and its replacement at page 25 clause 33.1 of the contract with a fresh page containing the bloated figure of Ten Million Four Hundred Thousand cedis (GHC10,400,000.00) to make it appear as if it is the contract executed by the previous Acting Chief Executive,”. According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), after a thorough investigation conducted over a period of six months, engaging twenty persons over a period of four months he arrived at convincing conclusions. The OSP said in the report that, its established that there were some major breaches in a contract that existed between the government organization and A&QS and Associate Beaver Consult for the implementation of NDA’s Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) at a contract sum of Twenty-Nine Million Six Hundred and Forty Thousand cedis (GHC29,640,000.00). “There appeared to be a framework document which had the signatures of Dr. Haroun and the Chief Executive of A&QS, Mr. Andrew Kuundaari. However, the signatures were not witnessed. Then again, the document had no deliverables on the nature of the work to be performed by A&QS. It had no contract sum and it had neither a commencement date nor a date for the contract period. Mr. Kuundaari did not read the framework document and he did not know its contents since it had always remained in the custody of Mr. Stephen Yir-eru Engmen, the Deputy Chief Executive of NDA in charge of Operations. “It was evident and clear to every relevant person that no contract had been signed between NDA and A&QS at the time of Dr. Haroun’s departure. However, Mr. Kuundaari and Mr. Engmen would subsequently point to the framework document in an attempt to justify their actions,” the report stated. In its conclusion, the OSP report stated that it had directed the Controller and Accountant General to freeze payments to A&QS. However, the OSP has further directed for the criminal prosecutions of the CEO, Sumaila Abdul-Rahman, and his two deputies Read the full report below: Investigation Report – Northern Development Authority and A&QS Consortium Limited Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Talensi: ‘BLACK WEDNESDAY’ solidifies by TAMCI to remember those who lost their lives in the mining jungle
Talensi Mining Communities Initiative (TAMCI) formerly known as TEMCI a Civil Society Organization fighting for the interest of vulnerable miners in the Talensi District has marked every January 23 as a ‘BLACK DAY’ for the people of Talensi and Upper East Region at large. This follows as a remembrance and an opportunity to mourn the death of the 16 illustrious youths of the area who lost their lives in the hustle field on the ugly day of January 23, 2019. To mark the day, every member of the organization was seen either wearing black or red which signifies a mourning dress code for persons believed to be entangled by a terrible tragedy. Reading with a painful heart, one of the leading members of TAMCI Albert Naa said, “It is with heavy hearts that we have gathered here to solemnly reflect and commemorate the death of the 16 industrious sons of our land who were gruesomely murdered exactly four years ago today. And also to remember all those who have died or have been maimed before and after that fateful incident in 2019, through the negligence of some mining companies in Talensi and to renew our demands and call for compensation for the families of the victims”. According to TAMCI, when gold was found in large quantities in Talensi, they drummed and danced out their heart with joy. they had high hopes that the free natural gift to them will bring employment, community development, peace and unity. They thought the livelihoods of their people will be improved. But, little did they know, that their youth was going to be sacrificed on the altar of foreign profiteering agenda with support from local turncoats. The group says, “…as we continue to call for justice in the form of compensation for the victims, we encourage mining companies both small and large scale to take Regulation 2012, (L.I. 2177) and (L.I. 2183) of the Minerals and Mining Act 703 (Act 2006) seriously in their operations. These regulations detail how explosives should be handled and used in mining, and the health and safety precautions that must be adhered to”. The group also believes that the Mineral Commission who are mandated to make sure there is transparency in every mining community not helping matters in the area “It is our belief that if the Minerals Commission had been proactive and not reactive in its regulatory mandate, we would not have lost 16 industrious sons in the manner in which we lost them. They would still be with us today breaking bread as we plan the future of our collective destinies together. And the hardships their wives, children, and other dependents are going through today would have been averted or reduced”. They stressed “The minerals commission’s investigation into the incident in 2019, found Shaanxi guilty of various counts and so fined them USD50,000.00 but failed to prescribe any compensation for the bereaved families”. “The surviving dependents of the victims are left on their own. They live in hopelessness and in penury since their only hope of survival were gruesomely taken away from them 4 years ago. For this cause, we have made several attempts to draw the attention of duty bearers to the error of not prescribing any compensation for the dependents of the 2019 victims. We have demonstrated, held press conferences educated community members, and engaged duty bearers. But all these have fallen on deaf ears. This indifference from relevant government officials and traditional authorities puts all of us at risk as it emboldens mining companies to go scot-free in their recklessness and creates the impression that, TALENSI LIVES DON’T MATTER. “As we have always done, we will continue to observe this Black Wednesday event every year and use the event to remind duty bearers of their sworn duties to protect the interest of Ghana and its people. That all are equal in the eyes of the law and also to hold mining companies accountable for their actions. We know the road will be muddy and rough but we will get there. Heaven knows how”. They noted Meanwhile, some of the family victims present at the commemoration event shared some of their painful experiences as they called on the government and authorities responsible to come to their aid. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
These are NDC’s new leadership in Parliament: Checkout
According to a statement issued by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Secretary Mr. Fifi Kwetey on the 23rd day of January 2023, the National Democratic Congress changed its leadership in Parliament to undertake its parliamentary leadership. Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson –Minority leader Hon. Kofi Armah Buah- Deputy Minority leader Hon. Kwame Agbodza—Minority whip Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim—First Deputy Whip Hon. Confort Doyo—Second Deputy Whip. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Eastwood Anaba, Duncan Williams, demands the suspension of National Cathedral project
Two well-respected members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project, Archbishop Duncan Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, have unanimously requested the suspension of the most controversial project. A statement sighted by this Apexnewsgh.com says, in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral shall appoint an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to and spent by the National Cathedral. The statement further pointed that, “Auditors will also audit the overall cost of the project. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of activities of the Board of Trustees,” “That current activity advancing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral shall be deferred until the atmospherics in Ghana are improved and the audit of the Cathedral account is done,” Over a period, the National Cathedral has been one of the controversial issues in the media space as a result of some mind-blowing revelations made by the North Tongu Law maker Samuel Ablakwa over alleged multiple identities with a different dates of birth. However, the issue has been officially reported to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 16 appointed a 13-Member Board of Trustees to spearhead Ghana’s National Cathedral. At their inauguration at the Jubilee House, the President said the 13-member Board of Trustees will be in charge of the National Cathedral when it is completed. The members are: Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost – Chairperson Archbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop, Cape Coast – Vice Chairman Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus – Member Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Member Rev Prof Cephas Omenyo, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member Pastor Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of International Central Gospel Church – Member Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Action Chapel International – Member Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries – Member Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Presiding Bishop, Lighthouse Group of Churches – Member Rev Eastwood Anaba, Founder and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries – Member Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide – Member/Secretary Rev Dr Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God – Member At the National Cathedral Secretariat, there is an appointed Executive Director known as Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah with two (2) representatives of the United States (UN). In August 2022 Bishop Dag Heward-Mills resigned as a member of the trustee. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
No oxygen at Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Hospital rely on individual seller for support—Patients cries
For those in the health industry, Oxygen is an important element in human life sustainability and that means when Oxygen is needed and cannot be found the patient will die in no time. In the Upper Regional Hospital, patients are made to buy Oxygen when needed for themselves to save their dear lives and this is as a result of the inability of the National Health Insurance Authority to continuously pay to the Regional Hospital the money due them to enable them to procure some of these important necessities for their patients. Patients who spoke to Apexnewsgh.com complained that, it is very dangerous for a hospital to rely on individuals who sell these products in their own capacity. However, when this platform contacted the regional hospital Administrator Yakubu Zakaria he confirmed the unfortunate development but insisted, that is what they could do to support. He said: “Oxygen is a product like any other product we used in the hospital. So, when you come and oxygen is put on you, you pay for it. You don’t pay the full cost, just a portion of it”. According to him, the hospital doesn’t produce Oxygen: “We don’t produce oxygen ourselves, we go outside to go and buy either from Kumasi or Tamale depending on how quickly we can get it. “If you are not holding money, the person selling the oxygen will not give you, we don’t produce and this is a lifesaving commodity, if the person doesn’t get the oxygen, he or she will die in a very short while”. “So, you asked yourself, National Health Insurance has paid you up to April 2022, we are in January 2023. So, if you have to wait till health insurance pays you before you buy, it means you are just going to be shifting people to their graves. So, we thought it wise that, instead of saying we don’t have it, let’s look for a way of putting the cost on the patient, so that we gather the money when it finishes we can buy and come and continue using. He said He added, that other hospitals will tell you they don’t have and sit down because not everybody takes life seriously. So, we will continue support to continuously get oxygen so that lives can be saved. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us at +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Dr. Bawumia, best man to lead–Robert Ajene
A leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region Robert Ajene has intensified his support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. A recent message he shared with apexnewsGh says: “Dr. Bawumia is the best man to be chosen to lead the NPP in 2024 as Flagbearer to break the 8. He has already shown his capabilities to do this by his distinguished services already excellently performed and admirably shown. Dr. Bawumia all the way as the next President of the Republic of Ghana. Very soon, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be going for a National Congress to elect the party flag bearer ahead of the 2024 elections. Key notable personalities openly known and interested in the contest are Dr. Afriye Akoto former Agric Minister and former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen. However, Mr. Ajene is hopeful Dr. Bawumia will emerge victorious as flag bearer anytime soon. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us at +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Upper East Airport: I won’t contribute to the building of any airport, Dominic Ayine’s airport idea, very Extravagant —Hon. Tangoba
Upper East Airport