Savannah NDC describes NPP press release as “tramadol” induced statement
The response from the Regional Communication officer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Savannah Region, led by Abdulai Abduljalilu, addresses the recent press release from the Regional Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the same region. In the press release, the NPP accused the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, of undermining democracy in the country. John Dramani Mahama and the NDC were accused of depending on emotions, manipulation, and hollow promises with no concrete outcomes, apart from mere talk about securing funding. The NPP also attacked Mahama for turning a speech at the Buipe Traditional Area into a campaign rally, claiming he was disseminating false information and twisting the progress made in the region. The NPP clarified that the Mpaha Community Senior High School was 40% finished in 2017 and was entirely completed in 2018, welcoming its inaugural students in the same year. The governing party raised a whole lot issues in their press release. Meanwhile, the NDC after reading the NPP press release, has also come out with their response to address issues raised by the governing party in the area by describing their statement as “tramadol” induced statement. Kindly read the full statement RE-JOHN MAHAMA’s CONTINUES POLARIZATION OF GONJA CULTURE: A RECIPE FOR BAD PRECEDENCE AND A SIGN OF DESPERATION. My attention has been drawn to a statement authored by the regional secretary of the NPP S/R, lamenting on why H.E John Dramani Mahama the incoming President of the Republic of Ghana honoured the invitations to the 2023 Damba festival organised across the entire Gonja kingdom. The regional secretary of the NPP S/R accused the NDC of turning the events into political platforms. The secretary did not specify how the NDC politicized the festival, raising questions about the criticism. Excitedly, the reignited show of support and love for Mahama in his home region has caused unease within the NPP, but the question remains: why does honoring festival invitations lead to discomfort for others? Mr. Issah Mohammed should focus on reconciling with his chairman instead of making unnecessary and unfounded statements. Regarding their “tramadol” induced statement: Firstly, the NDC and John Mahama attended all major Damba invitations without violating any agreed terms with political parties. Vice President Bawumia was also invited to the Yagbon Damba but declined due to 10 questions posed by the NDC that required his response. Furthermore, H.E. Mahama was invited as a respected Prince in Gonjaland, and during his speech, He addressed national issues as a statesman. Similarly, if Bawumia had attended, he wouldn’t have sung his childhood methodist hymns but discussed national concerns. Why then criticize Mahama for speaking responsibly? Without reservation, if any political party owes Gonjalanders an apology for disrespecting our chiefs, it is the NPP. They shamelessly branded calabashes used in the 2019 Damba at the Jakpa palace with NPP-branded apparel, a clear sign of disrespect and desperation. Have they issued an apology for this? It seems the NPP conveniently forgets their actions. Let me dive into the raised issues! It’s astonishing that despite increasing our public debt from 120 million to nearly 600 million in just seven years, the NPP has little to show for it. Instead, they seize every chance to claim credit for projects initiated by H.E John Mahama. MPAHA MAHAMA E-BLOCK The Mpaha community day SHS affectionately called Mahama E-block will continue to be one of Mahama’s legacies across the breadth and length of this country and the NPP cannot take that away from him. This facility after its completion was left at the mercy of the weather and a breeding habitat for grass cutters and squirrels. It took same Mahama to move to the premises of the school and called on government to operationalized the abandoned facility. E-blocks were promised by John Mahama and delivered by him. Facts are sacred and sacrosanct! BUIPE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTER On 1st January 2017, President John Mahama cut sod for the construction of five new ultra-modern district hospitals and a Polyclinic in Ghana. The loan facility was secured on March, 2016. The sod-cutting ceremony took place at Weta in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region. Report of the finance committee on the export credit facility agreement between the government of the Republic of Ghana and Raiffeiseeen Bank international AG of Austria for an amount of up to Seventy Seven Million, Nine hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Euros (77,935,000.00 Euros) for the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of five new district/ general hospital in Somanya, Buipe, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Weta, Toulon and one Polyclinic at Bamboi. The apostles of reading can’t just goggle for this simple information. Mr Issah should tell us when the NPP government secured a loan for those facilities. NTERESO WATER PLANT CLAIMS: Mr. Issah admitted in his statement that the facility was actually constructed by John Mahama but it took the irresponsible attitude of the NPP when they allowed floods to destroy the facility. On 17th August 2015, H.E John Mahama commissioned 4 water plant communities which includes Ntereso, Nyawuripe, Fufulso Junction and Yapei-Yapala. This plant pumps 100,000 gallons of water daily to the communities. This was part of the Peri-urban rural and small town water and sanitation project being implemented across the country at a cost of 21 million euros. The propaganda to claim the Ntereso water project has fallen flat! THE SO CALL MPAHA-SALAGA ROAD: John Mahama in his statement chastised government for neglecting the Mpaha junction to Mpaha road and that of the Salaga-Makango road. These are roads that were under construction under his regime till Nana Addo took over power and abandoned them completely. The claim that NPP is tarring roads in the district capitals is a figment of his imagination, absolutely nothing is happening in the district capitals of Savannah. It’s a fallacious statement from the secretary. I dare him to mention a single district that is seeing such tarring. THE BUIPE SAVACEM The Savannah cement enjoyed a number of tax waivers during the importation
William Ato Essien jailed 15 years
The founder of the now-defunct Capital Bank, William Ato Essien, has been handed a 15-year prison sentence by the Accra High Court. This comes after he was found guilty of stealing over GHC90 million from the bank. In December of the previous year, Essien was convicted for embezzling the said amount from Capital Bank. However, he had the opportunity to avoid jail time by agreeing to pay the full GHC90 million as restitution to the state. Unfortunately, Essien has failed to fulfill the terms of the agreement with the Attorney-General regarding the payment of restitution. Despite initially paying GHC30 million, he has only paid a total of GHC37 million to date, missing the payment deadlines for April 28 and August 31. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Gabon: Ali Bongo’s Wife jailed
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, the wife of Gabon’s former president Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been jailed after being under house arrest due to allegations of embezzlement of public funds following a military coup in August. Her French lawyer, François Zimeray, confirmed her incarceration and criticized the procedure as illegal and arbitrary. Mrs. Bongo was charged with money laundering and forgery on September 28 and had been under house arrest in Libreville since the coup. The military, who overthrew her husband, accused her of manipulating him and being the de facto leader of the country alongside their son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and of embezzling public funds. Noureddin Bongo has also been in prison since the coup, facing charges of corruption and embezzlement. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Judgement case of Galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang to be given on Dec 4
The Accra High Court has scheduled December 4, 2023, as the date for the judgment in the case of En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, who is alleged to be the leader of an illegal mining operation. The decision was made by Justice Mrs Lydia Osei-Marfo in the Criminal Division of the court after all parties submitted their written arguments. During the court proceedings on Thursday, Justice Osei-Marfo announced that only the judgment date remained to be determined. As a result, December 4, 2023, was set as the date for the delivery of the judgment. Aisha Huang has pleaded not guilty to charges related to conducting unauthorized mining activities and facilitating the involvement of others in illegal mining. However, she has pleaded guilty to illegally returning to Ghana after being deported, and she has been convicted of this charge. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
OSP requests the Removal of Justice Twum from Cecilia Dapaah case
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially filed a request with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, asking for Justice Edward Twum to recuse himself as the judge overseeing the confirmation application regarding the seizure and freezing of properties owned by former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah. Justice Twum announced the receipt of the petition during Thursday’s hearing and postponed further proceedings until a decision has been made on the matter. The OSP is seeking approval for its actions to seize around 2.8 million cedis and 590,000 dollars discovered in Cecilia Dapaah’s residence, suspecting them to be illicitly obtained assets. The hearing date for Dapaah’s case was originally scheduled for 18 October 2023. However, Dapaah’s lawyers recently filed an application that resulted in the date being moved up. The OSP’s legal team, on the other hand, has concerns about Justice Edward Twum presiding over the case. They believe that he displays a bias against the Special Prosecutor, which may impact the fairness and impartiality of the judgment. Consequently, the OSP is hesitant to take part in the proceedings under the current Justice. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
GBC: Staff mad at Director General, as they demand he leaves office
Interesting development coming Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) The staff at national broadcaster GBC are expressing their dissatisfaction with their Director-General, Prof Amin Alhassan. Banners have been raised at the state-owned media house, conveying messages such as: “Prof Amin, your 4-year tenure is over. Please return from where you came”, “GBC is in need of a new Director-General”, “Prof Amin, your 4 years as DG at GBC have been a significant failure”, “GBC OB vans are no longer functional under the previous DG”, and “Our retirees are facing difficulties. Please provide them with their retirement benefits.” The workers are firm in their belief that the appointment of the Director-General concluded on October 1, 2023 and they do not want it to be extended. They assert that the conditions at the state broadcaster have worsened under the leadership of Prof Amin. Meanwhile, Prof. Amin is yet to respond to the angry staff. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Ghanaians safe in Israel–MFARI
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) has rejected recent claims that Ghanaians are involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This denial follows the circulation of a viral video on social media that allegedly shows Ghanaians caught up in the violence. In an official statement, the Ministry clarified that the incident portrayed in the video did not occur in Gaza, Israel, or any other related conflict area. The Ministry emphasized that the video is misleading and urged the public to disregard its content. For any concerns or emergencies involving Ghanaian citizens in Israel, the Ministry advised the public to contact the Ghana Embassy in Israel using the following designated hotlines: 00972 54 8662 281, 00972 54 9316 007, and 00972 54 6741 553. Moreover, the Ministry assured the public that Ghanaians residing in Israel are safe, and emphasized their unwavering commitment to the security and well-being. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com