A mother whose daughter was murdered supports city CCTV plan
A mother and councilor whose daughter was murdered has supported a controversial plan for Adelaide’s north to secure CCTV cameras. Security cameras are being rolled out in Salisbury, as part of a council-led Safe City Initiative. Mayor Gillian Aldridge argues they will “keep people safe” and “catch people who are doing the wrong thing” but there’s backlash from local residents with privacy concerns. Opponents have spread more than 50,000 flyers through the local community calling the initiative “Big Brother”-like. “What happens to privacy? What happens to being transparent?” Lino Reuggieri said But Salisbury councilor Sharon McKnell wishes the same security cameras were around 17 years ago. Her daughter Emma Pawelski was abducted on Regency Road and later found murdered. “We might have found the person that took her or at least seen the car she was taken in and solved it because it’s still a cold case,” she said. Aldridge said she was “concerned”. “I personally have to be aware and keep my council and staff and councilors safe,” she stated. However, numerous studies have shown at CCTV cameras don’t actually prevent criminals from committing their crimes. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
South African judge on the Zuma corruption case has recused himself.
“I have come to the conclusion that I must recuse myself from the trial. This is what the proper administration of justice, the Constitution and my conscience dictates,” This was according to Piet Koen the Judge in charge of the case of former South African President Jacob Zuma in the Pietermaritzburg court (southeast) during a televised hearing. The 80 years old Jacob Zuma, is accused of taking bribes from the French defense group Thales in a case that dates back more than 20 years ago. He is charged with 16 counts of fraud, corruption and racketeering. Thales is also charged with corruption and money laundering. The former head of state was not present at the technical hearing. For months, Mr. Zuma has been lobbying for the recusal of the chief prosecutor in the trial, Billy Downer, whom he accuses of bias. Last year, Judge Koen rejected this request. He is now concerned that this decision could lead to his own impartiality being questioned “when the question arises as to whether Mr. Zuma received a constitutionally fair trial,” he said. “If Justice Koen does not continue the trial, a new judge will have to sit,” Cathy Powell, a constitutional scholar at the University of Cape Town, told AFP. The trial would then have to “start from the beginning”, the lawyer fears. Zuma’s corruption trial began in May 2021, with numerous postponements and delays due to a proliferation of appeals launched by the accused. A landmark report on rampant corruption during Jacob Zuma’s nine-year presidency (2009-2018), submitted last year to President Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighted the central role of the former head of state in the systematic looting of public coffers. Jacob Zuma, who stubbornly refused to testify before an ad hoc commission of inquiry, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court. His imprisonment in July 2021 triggered an unprecedented wave of violence and looting in South Africa in a deteriorating socio-economic context. He was released on parole after two months on medical grounds. The next hearing in his trial has been set for April 17. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
DSS intercepts new sellers of naira banknotes, fingers commercial bank officials.
Some members of an organized syndicate selling the new Naira notes in parts of the country have been arrested by official Department of State Services, (DSS). Even though no name has been mentioned by the DSS as suspects, the agency said in a statement on Monday that some commercial bank officials were aiding and abetting the act. The statement sighted which was signed by the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, warned that the Service would go after those involved in the criminal act. The statement said, “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has intercepted some members of organised syndicates involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes. In the course of its operations, in this regard in parts of the country, it was also established that some Commercial Bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance. “Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address emerging trends. “It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities”. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
SA govt urges middle-path in MTN Ghana tax dispute
The South African government is calling for a middle-path solution to MTN’s tax fallout in Ghana. International relations and cooperation minister Dr Naledi Pandor on Friday implored Africa’s largest mobile phone network operator “to work closely with the authorities in Ghana to devise a solution”. This comes after MTN was hit with a R13 billion tax assessment by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on 11 January. The revised tax assessment stems from an audit of MTN Ghana commenced by the GRA in 2019, which covered the period 2014 to 2018. Ralph Mupita, MTN Group CEO, said the objective of the audit was “to give assurance on the reliability and completeness of revenues declared by MTN Ghana for the purposes of calculating taxes”. The GRA then issued the assessment to MTN Ghana for an amount of approximately R13 billion ($773 million). This includes penalties and interest charges. The telco notes with this assessment, the GRA infers MTN Ghana under-declared its revenue by approximately 30% over the five-year period in question. The 30% is based on MTN calculations, and the company says it “strongly disputes this” and it will defend its position. MTN is questioning the accuracy and basis of the GRA’s assessment, including the methodology used in conducting the audit. “It is important to also emphasise that we believe MTN Ghana has paid its due taxes during this period under assessment,” Mupita told analysts on 16 January. MTN is now in engagements with authorities in Ghana for the temporary withdrawal of the assessment. On Friday, the South African government weighed, calling for fairness in dealing with the matter, adding it is committed to promoting increased South African investment in Ghana. “South Africa is one of the largest foreign direct investors in Ghana, mainly in mining, communication, beverages, retail and franchising, etc,” said Pandor. “These investments contribute to the Ghanaian gross domestic product (GDP) and job creation. According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, there are over 100 South African companies registered and operating in Ghana, employing over 19 087 Ghanaians and 510 expatriates. Over the past 10 years, South African companies have undertaken over 170 projects in Ghana, valued in excess of $1 431 523 166 in capital investment.” Win-win cooperation The minister deplored the treatment of local businesses across Africa, saying she previously held meetings with CEOs of South African companies invested and operating on the continent. “They [CEOs] have reported an increasing number of difficulties, ranging from unfavourable market conditions and inconsistent regulatory frameworks, inconsistent tax regimes, repatriation of funds and delays in loan repayments. “Of major concern is that competitors of South African companies from other parts of the world do not appear to be subjected to the challenges South African companies are subjected to.” These unfavourable conditions, Pandor said, have led to disinvestment in some African markets by major South African companies, such as Shoprite, Game, Mr Price, Foschini, Woolworths, Tiger Brands, Sasol-Chemicals, Sasol-Gas, Group Five, Murray and Roberts, Metrolife Group, Telkom, Southern Sun and Protea Group, to name a few. “The disinvestment has had a devastating impact on employment opportunities, poverty and inequalities, in particular, and GDP growth, in general.” Pandor went on urge MTN and Ghana authorities “to do everything possible to find an amicable solution to these reported challenges”. “Our common destiny, as outlined in the Agenda 2063 aspirations, depend on win-win intra-African collaboration and cooperation.” Ghana is one of the key markets for MTN, which has operations in 19 countries and 285 million subscribers. MTN Ghana was the first telecoms provider in Ghana to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) in 2018, and the amount raised in the initial public offering (IPO) was the highest to be raised in an IPO on the GSE. In addition, the IPO was the first in the world to use mobile financial services – MTN Mobile Money – as a medium to subscribe to shares. —itweb.co.za— For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Breaking News: 50/50% divorce shares abolished by Kenya’s Federal Government
Interesting development in has it that Kenya’s Supreme Court has concluded the abolishment of law which allows ‘;50/50’ division of matrimonial properties” after seperation. Apexnewsgh.com report Following the landmark ruling given by the five-man Supreme Court judges, couples are no longer automatically entitled to a 50 per cent share of property in case of a divorce. The judges said spouses would have to prove their contribution to the matrimonial property amassed before sharing in the event of a divorce.
I consider the 2024 election the most important election in Ghana’s history—John Dramani Mahama
Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has said, in 2024 what he considers the most important election will be held in Ghana’s history. He said: I encourage you not to lose hope in Ghana and Africa because it is far more useful to look forward to the future with hope than to brood over the present with despair. I am an eternal believer in the potential and positive energies of Africa and her youth. Speaking about the 2024 election, Mr. Mahama said, they in opposition in Ghana are very clear on their vision for the country and how to build Ghana’s economy. “In December, next year, what I consider to be the most important elections in Ghana’s history will be held. The electioneering period will offer a scope for deeper discussions about Ghana’s future and what needs to be done to get us out of the current economic quagmire and to avoid a recurrence. We in the opposition in Ghana are very clear on our vision for the country and how to build the Ghana that we all want”. He confirmed For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Upper East Airport: I saw Wa Airport, we can also do something like that for plane land–Regional Minister
Upper East Regional Minister has said, he is still fighting hard in making sure the Regional Airport becomes a reality. Apexnewsgh.com a platform notable for its contributions to the development of the region was following up with the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu after 4 months of its extensive developmental publication titled “People of Upper East Region enemies of development, reasons why Upper West is ahead” The publication by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen generated massive reactions from residents of the region residing in both home and abroad, especially with regard to the non-availability of the Regional Airport and passport office in the region. The issue surrounding the construction of Upper East Regional Airport is one of the biggest developmental challenges facing the region. Both the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have failed the region woefully as far as the Airport project is concerned, as they found favour in using the said project as a political tool to deceive residents of the region in every election year. However, an effort exhibited to construct the Airport by the NPP during the time of the Late Hon. Kofi Adda the former Aviation Minister, saw the region only fighting for citing location between Sherigu and Paga and Sumbrungu till the region lost that available opportunity. In a recent interview, Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu told the media that the region has settled on Sumbrungu for the Airport construction. However, following the opinion shared by residents of the region in October 2022 after the seeking publication, this platform followed up with the Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu on Friday, January 27, 2023, for some update, he revealed that he is still fighting very hard for the Regional Airport. “Am fighting so hard. The last time I met the President in Wa was when we went for a funeral, I saw the Wa airport, then I said to him that we can also do something like this in Upper East, even if we don’t have plenty of money to do it like the Tamale one, we can also do something like this…. so that plane can land. So, the president is buying into that idea. So, am going to Accra this week to meet him on it”. Regional Minister told Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen “We are fighting very hard to bring some of these things here. He stressed However, with the pressure from this platform on the Regional Minister, the Passport application has gotten some attention, and work is expected to finish soon. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Regional Passport Application officer Center to be ready August—Upper East Regional Minister
The risk and stress of traveling to Tamale in the Northern Region for passport application each day by the people of the Upper East Region are likely to be a thing of the past soon. This is because the Upper East Regional Minister has revealed that the long-awaited Upper East Passport Office will be ready in August 2023. Somewhere in July 2022, the Project Manager for the Upper East Regional Passport Office which was under construction, Kennedy Enyan told the media that the project has not been abandoned but was stopped to allow the contractor and other stakeholders involved to trash out some impending matters. The people of the Upper West Region commissioned their Passport Application Center (PAC) in 2020. This brings the number of Passport Application Centers across the country to 13. And yet, just like ‘eve’ in the bible was created from the ribs of ‘Adam’ so was Upper West created from the ribs of the Upper East Region. However, Hon. Stephen Yakubu in an exclusive engagement told Apexnewsgh.com that plans are far advanced as far as the Passport Application office is concerned. According to the regional minister, those in charge of the Passport Office Application construction visited him at his office and assured him that hopefully by March they will conclude the process from Public Procurement Agency (PPA) and by August they should finish the building. He added, that the Upper East Regional Office will be the only purposely built Passport Application Office Center in the country. For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
UER: I didn’t threaten Charles, he rather reported me to the party executive—Regional Minister
The Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu has denied an alleged threat issued against his party Regional Organizer Charles Taleog Ndanbon who also doubles as the Managing Director (MD) of a registered mining firm known as Yenyeya Mining Enterprise operating in Gbene a community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. The Regional Minister denied the alleged threat allegation during an engagement with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh.com on Friday, January 27, 2023. In some other engagement, the Managing Director of Yenyeya Mining Enterprise Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon has registered some amount of dissatisfaction over what he described as a threat from Minister Stephen Yakubu. According to him, The Minister had cautioned him not to set foot at his mining site again, adding that if he insisted, he will let police and military arrest him. A threat Hon. Ndanbon found it very ridiculous. Meanwhile, when this platform asked the Minister about the alleged threat, he responded by saying: “I didn’t threaten him, he reported me to the party because we have agreed, the company agreed to pay him some money and he said that am wasting his time for the company to pay him. And I told him, and I have communication with Charles, I can prove this. The company said they will pay him so so and so and am not holding the money in my pocket to be given to him, So is the company that is arranging to pay him and Charles was always on me about that. “In fact, they gave them 6 months to pay the money to them, because they agreed they were going to accept this offer that the company should pay them and the company [Earl International] said, they were going to pay them within 6 months. So within these 6months, Charles even took me to the regional party executive. When he took me there, we sat on the matter and I explained to them that, this is what we have done so far and the company is saying that they will pay within a certain time, so is not me that has gotten the money to give to Charles and am not given him. Of course, the company had earlier pay some monies, which they said they are not happy with and they went ahead and negotiated for more and that money is there. So, if he wants that money, he can come for it because as for that money, he knows that is his money. He can come for it and wait for the other one to be paid”. He further explained“After we talked about this, when we left, Charles got his lawyer and write to me saying he is giving me only one month to be able to get the company to pay him. I am just a facilitator, I am not the company, I am not mineral commission, I am just facilitating. I told him, this one month you have given me to do this, this is not what we agreed. So, we organized a meeting, that day his lawyer was there, he Charles was there, Mineral Commission were there for us to look at it. In this world we are, we have to be telling the truth. So, at this moment what will I do? I am not the company, I am just helping for my citizens in the region to get what they accepted The Regional Minister explained that, despite all his efforts, Hon. Ndanbon reported him across the country to some of the party big men “That was my conversation with Charles, and the next minute Charles went round and said he didn’t ask me to go and negotiate on his behalf. So, if you didn’t ask me to go and negotiate on his behalf, how is he then putting a lot of pressure on me? He went to Bugre Naabu, call Bugre Naabu and ask him, he went to Alhaji Sulemana Yirimea who is a member of the Council of State, he took me to a number of places as if it was me who is not allowing the company to pay him. The Regional Minister laments Hon. Charles Ndanbon has agreed to give his response soon More to come… For publication please kindly contact us on +233256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
How am I supposed to twist people’s hand to buy furniture for RCC?–Upper East Regional Minister
Hon. Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister responded to the alleged allegation that he and the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin K. Ayisi, requested the small-scale miners to buy furniture for the Upper East conference room of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). Meanwhile, a statement released by Forum for Accountability and Equal Justice in Northern Ghana (FOAEJU-GH) captured that: “It is also on record that the Regional Minister said that the CEO of the Minerals Commission directed small-scale miners to purchase furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. The so-called small-scale miners in their press statement also claimed that they voluntarily bought the furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council after the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin K. Ayisi, asked for the furniture from the small-scale miners. On the contrary, the CEO of the Minerals Commission is also on record to have strongly denied these claims, saying he never asked any small-scale miners to purchase furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. What a bizarre and dangerous state of confusion! There are recordings of these statements made by the Upper East Regional Minister and the CEO of the Minerals Commission with regard to the illegal demand for furniture from the small-scale miners”! Responding to the alleged allegation, Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu denied the allegation. According to him, it will be impossible for him to force anyone to buy furniture for the RCC against his or her will. “This furniture that was there, it came through stores, I don’t know if you have been to our conference room? If you came to our conference room when I came, it was sad! The chairs are all peeled off”. He further explained: “So, in the meeting, they agreed [Small Scale Miners] that when they take their money, they can buy RCC some chairs, they even say they will do painting and buy cottons and all that. So, when they took the money, I wasn’t even there, I was in Accra and they brought 30 chairs and marked it with Small scale Miner to RCC and they passed it through the stores. Did I take one chair to my house? Did I even take one chair to my residency? The chairs are there. Is it not normal for people to say look, take this or take that for administration? If the chairs went to my house or I carried the chair to Accra or I carried the chairs to my own house, that one is trouble for me. The Regional told Apexnewsgh.com Meanwhile, the Small scale miners who signed an official agreement with Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited to relinquish interest in their small-scale mining concessions also stated in their press release dated 23rd January, 2023, said: “We furnished the conference hall out of our own good will upon a plea from the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi and not a force from the Regional Minister”. More to come soon… Hon. Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister responded to the alleged allegation that he and the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin K. Ayisi, requested the small-scale miners to buy furniture for the Upper East conference room of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). Meanwhile, a statement released by Forum for Accountability and Equal Justice in Northern Ghana (FOAEJU-GH) captured that: “It is also on record that the Regional Minister said that the CEO of the Minerals Commission directed small-scale miners to purchase furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. The so-called small-scale miners in their press statement also claimed that they voluntarily bought the furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council after the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin K. Ayisi, asked for the furniture from the small-scale miners. On the contrary, the CEO of the Minerals Commission is also on record to have strongly denied these claims, saying he never asked any small-scale miners to purchase furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. What a bizarre and dangerous state of confusion! There are recordings of these statements made by the Upper East Regional Minister and the CEO of the Minerals Commission with regard to the illegal demand for furniture from the small-scale miners”! Responding to the alleged allegation, Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu denied the allegation. According to him, it will be impossible for him to force anyone to buy furniture for the RCC against his or her will. “How will I go and twist somebody’s hand to buy furniture? This furniture that was there, it came through stores, I don’t know if you have been to our conference room? If you came to our conference room when I came, it was sad! The chairs are all peeled off”. He further explained: “So, in the meeting, they agreed [Small Scale Miners] that when they take their money, they can buy RCC some chairs, they even say they will do painting and buy cottons and all that. So, when they took the money, I wasn’t even there, I was in Accra and they brought 30 chairs and marked it with Small scale Miner to RCC and they passed it through the stores. Did I take one chair to my house? Did I even take one chair to my residency? The chairs are there. Is it not normal for people to say look, take this or take that for administration? If the chairs went to my house or I carried the chair to Accra or I carried the chairs to my own house, that one is trouble for me. The Regional told Apexnewsgh.com Meanwhile, the Small scale miners who signed an official agreement with Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited to relinquish interest in their small-scale mining concessions also stated in their press release dated 23rd January, 2023, said: “We furnished the conference hall out of our own good will upon a plea from the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi and not