I’ve Been Knocked Back From 450 Jobs, Says Unemployed Man With Buddhist Tattoo On His Forehead (but why is he so shocked?)

Yusuf Hameed says he has been knocked back from dozens of jobs over the last year because of his appearance

A job-hunter claims he has been left unemployable because he is covered in tattoos.

Yusuf Hameed, 40, has been knocked back from dozens of jobs over the last year because of his unconventional appearance.

His body art includes a Buddhism symbol on his forehead, two Thai boxing tattoos on the back of his head, and a yin yang on the back of his head.

He said he has applied for 450 jobs including a car wash attendant and a street cleaner but receives the same feedback – employers cannot hire him because of his tattoos.

Mr Hameed, from Batley, West Yorkshire, said: ‘It is really getting me down and it is so hard to think that these tattoos are such a strong barrier against me getting a job.

‘I came to Batley from Pontefract after being made redundant from a meat manufacturing company.

Mr Hameed got his first tattoo at the age of 14 but now wishes he had never had them done. His body art includes a Buddhism symbol on his forehead, two Thai boxing tattoos on the back of his head, and a yin yang on the back of his head.

‘I’ve been doing everything the job centre has told me and attended all my interviews but they take one look at my tattoos and won’t give me a chance.’

Muslim convert Mr Hameed got his first tattoo aged 14 but wishes he had never had them done.

He said: ‘I used to hang around with a lot of lads older than me and they started getting them.

‘I suppose it was peer pressure but as a mature person I would not have got them, especially seeing the reaction from strangers.
‘When I go to interviews I can just see the person opposite me lose eye contact and focus on my tattoos,’ he said.

‘I’m more than qualified for a lot of the jobs I have been for but they all tell me my tattoos do not fit the company image.’

Mr Hameed is hopeful an employer can look past his ink and give him an opportunity.
He said: ‘People generalise me and think I am not bothered about working and that I am a freeloader.

‘I want employers to judge me on my skills and they will find out I’ve got lots to offer.

‘Even if it is a week’s trial, I just need that chance.’

Dailymail

Ghana Will Stand By Supreme Court’s Decision – Asantehene

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has indicated that he will support any decision made by the justices at the Supreme Court.

According to him, should there be any change of government as a result of the court ruling, the triumphant party will receive his full backing.

Speaking after a courtesy call on the President at the Flagstaff House, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also cautioned the Executive arm of government to prioritize unity and collaborative effort in the governance of the nation.

He called on Vice President Amissah-Arthur to work closely with his superior and advised them to look out for each other.

He appealed to the two leaders to try and prevent divisions in their government and said his doors were always open for consultancy.

The Asantehene further called on government appointees to collaborate with their superiors in an attempt to secure the social-economic development of the nation.

The President on his part said “I want to thank you personally for the encouragement and advise that you have been given to me and all the past presidents from Jerry Rawlings to President Kufuor; you always shared very generously your good counsel with all of them and I am very happy to benefit from that good counsel and advise.

I would continue to thank you for that. Ghana is making progress even though we have been facing some challenges, and this government is purposed to resolve those challenges that this country becomes the country of prosperity that it has the potential to be.”

He added: “I will also be coming to you for ideas on how to resolve the Dagbon crisis. Your good counsel together with your brothers from Gonja and Mamprusi made quite ahead way in trying to resolve the crisis.

Unfortunately as a result of some developments the whole process was aborted. We have started some quiet diplomacy and when it reaches a certain stage we will bring it back to you so that you can take the whole process forward to instill peace in dagbon… We intend to find a lasting solution to the issue.”

Citifmonline

Prez Mahama Lauds Election Petition

President John Mahama

President John Mahama has lauded the ongoing Presidential Election Petition which is challenging his legitimacy as president.

He said the petition will strengthen Ghana’s democracy in no small way.

He was speaking to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Flagstaff House on Friday.

The Ashanti King is in Accra to address a lecture on democracy on Friday. The lecture is being organised by the National Commission on Civic Education.

Describing Otumfuo as a “Solomonic” figure, the President urged the King to use his position and influence to unite the people during the lecture.

Commenting on the ongoing Election Petition the president said contrary to fears that the petition will divide the country he said it would rather strengthen the country’s democracy.

“At a time when people think the nation is being buffeted by some uncertainty as a result of this court case I do think it strengthens our democracy that even though we have a dispute, or somebody contest the results of the elections he has decided to go to court and we are giving the court the opportunity to listen to his grievance and find out whether it is genuine or not.

“I think that it goes to strengthen our democracy that Ghana continues to show the way in terms good governance, democracy and rule of law,” he emphasised.

Joy News’ Presidential Correspondent Seth Kwame Boateng says the president has since moved into a crunch meeting with security chiefs to find lasting solution to the violent gun attacks in parts of the country.

Myjoyonline

Bawumia Thrills Cat On TV

A curious cat watching the court proceedings

A BIZARRE picture of a cat watching Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on television being cross-examined at the Supreme Court is spreading like wild fire in Kumasi.

The picture shows the back of a light brown cat seated in a composed manner on the ground in a room attentively watching the television.

The cat is seen seriously watching Dr. Bawumia who is flipping through some documents at the Supreme Court on television.

Already, people with superstitious belief in the city have started giving spiritual meanings to the picture.

According to them, the picture was an indication that even animals were thrilled by the performance of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vice presidential candidate in court so far.

They added that the picture meant the judges at the Supreme Court would rule the matter in favour of Dr. Bawumia and the other petitioners.

The exact place where the now famous picture was taken could not be determined by DAILY GUIDE but it is in wild circulation.

The picture’s quality and setting gave enough credence to the fact that it was taken in someone’s room.

The picture has been circulating fast mostly among the people in the Garden City, notably NPP fans.

People with smart phones have been exchanging the picture via whatsApp, Bluetooth and other avenues. It is also being circulated on other social media networks such as facebook and twitter.

Some NPP supporters in the city that are superstitious insisted that the matter had been judged in the spiritual realm long time ago.

They said the petitioners were adjudged winners in the case and that influenced the cat’s decision to stay glued to the television watching Dr. Bawumia for several hours.

The NPP fans were of the view that a picture of a cat watching someone attentively on television had not been witnessed in the country before.

They stated that the cat’s action was clear evidence that victory would surely come the way of the petitioners.

However, other National Democratic Congress (NDC) faithful that spoke to the paper insisted that the NPP fans were living in ‘fool’s paradise’.

According to them, though they did not have any doubt about the authenticity of the picture, it (the picture) could not determine the winner of the case.

The NDC fans said the matter at the Supreme Court was a serious matter so the NPP should treat it as such.

Some were also of the opinion that the cat got attracted when Dr Bawumia repeated Dr Kwabena Adjei’s, ‘many ways of killing a cat’ slogan.

 FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Tsatsu Thrown Out

Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Tsatsu Tsikata leaving the Supreme Court yesterday

The Supreme Court yesterday declined a request by National Democratic Congress (NDC) lead counsel in the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tsatsu Tsikata, and others, who sought to cross-examine some witnesses of the petitioners, including two New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs).

The nine-member panel threw out the motion asking the court to enable the respondents, including President Mahama and the Electoral Commission (EC), to cross-examine Freda Prempeh, MP for Tano North, Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah, MP for Berekum East and four other witnesses of the petitioners, saying that they had enough information.

The motion on notice, seeking leave of the court to cross-examine the witnesses, was first filed by the ruling NDC (3^rd respondent) and followed by President John Dramani Mahama, and the Electoral Commission who are 1^st and 2^nd respondents respectively.

The Ruling

The nine-member panel, chaired by Justice William Atuguba, held that with all the evidence available in the petition, the court did not need any further evidence.

He explained that the cross-examination had already covered every ground, saying, “They are all covered; we are saying that we have enough materials to cover. The evidence is flowing and it’s enough….that’s what we are saying. We don’t need all those things.

“We have considered the three applications for leave to cross-examine the various witnesses and have come to the conclusion that various types of evidence have been supplied on these matters, both by the evidence of the second petitioner in the ensuing cross-examination and the pink sheets and affidavits filed by the parties.

“We think that these and any further evidence would suffice to enable us assess the various factual matters involved without the protraction in the cross-examination of the witness covered in these applications. In the circumstances, the applications are refused,” the court held.

Witnesses

The respondents were seeking to cross-examine Kwabena Twum Nuamah, NPP MP for Berekum East, Eugene Sackey, Freda Prempeh, NPP MP for Tano North in the Brong Ahafo Region and Abdulai Abdul Hamid who all swore affidavits as witnesses for the petitioners.

The witnesses had alleged in their affidavits in support of the petition that the Electoral Commission (EC) annulled some of the polling stations’ results in their constituencies where there were over-voting and other alleged irregularities.

The Motion

The NDC motion filed by its lead counsel Tsatsu Tsikata could not be moved on May 14 because President Mahama and the EC had just filed similar applications and the court’s registry had given President Mahama and the EC returning dates of May 16 for their motions to be moved.

As a result, the court pushed the NDC motion to same day so that all the three motions could be moved at the same time.

Before the applications were moved, the court directed that once they were on the same subject-matter, the respondents should consolidate the motion before moving, after which other counsels could make addresses.

Tony Lithur, lead counsel for President Mahama then told the court that he would prefer Mr. Tsikata to move the motion.

Mr. Tsikata then took the floor advancing his argument to the effect that inviting the witnesses to be cross-examined would serve the interest of justice since they would help the court to ascertain the truth.

“The truth of the matters that each of those witnesses has testified to before this court is a very important basis. There is no allegation before you that any of those witnesses is not available for cross-examination…and we may well wonder why a party which has proffered the testimony of certain witnesses be so eager to protect them from cross-examination.

“It is also clear that in the testimony of the main witness of the petitioners, they have also sought to rely on the allegations in those affidavits, so the testimony of the main witness which has been challenged is very much the subject matter of, not only the continued cross-examination of that witness, but would clearly be the subject matter of the cross-examination of these witnesses,” he added, in reference to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a principal witness in the case.

Mr. Tsikata noted that “it is also clearly the case as we take each of those individuals that they claim to have personal knowledge of the matters in respect of which they have deposed to their affidavits.

“In the case of Abdulai Abdul Hamid, he was actually a presiding officer at a polling station in respect of which there has been testimony before this court. There is no better person than Mr. Abdulai Hamid-the presiding officer at that polling station-to provide evidence, and the petitioners did provide his evidence and they should not run away from the cross-examination of their own witness…”

He also said that the evidence of Kwabena Twum Nuamah, Eugene Sackey and Freda Prempeh were important, adding, “If indeed, these are people who have personal knowledge of the matters, then under cross-examination, we would be able to establish whether they are telling the truth in their affidavits or they are not telling the truth.

“It is our submission that this court and the process before this court would be well served by obtaining testimony from people who claim to have personal knowledge of the fact to which they depose.”

He described the petitioners’ opposition to the application as “somewhat strange, because these are their witnesses and they have deposed to affidavit filed on the 13^th of May and deposed to by Dr. Bawumia.

“Essentially, their claim in opposing the application is that there is some other testimony before this court from the second respondent. We ought to be allowed to cross-examine them, and it’s clearly in the interest of fairness and of justice in this proceeding that they be cross-examined to test the veracity of the allegations that they have (made).

“There is no basis in the affidavit in opposition for denying us our entitlement to cross-examine witnesses on evidence that is being put before you,” he held.

EC Supports Tsikata

James Quarshie-Idun, representing the EC, said the subject matter of the evidence of the affidavit that they were seeking to cross-examine the deponents on, was not pleaded either in the original petition, the first amended petition or the second amended petition.

“We stated this in paragraph 12 of the affidavit sworn to by Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman of the second respondent on 16 April, 2013. If these material facts had been pleaded, we would have had the opportunity of responding to them in our answer or amended answer.”

Addison’s Opposition

In his response, Phillip Addison, lead counsel for the petitioners, vehemently opposed the respondents’ attempt to cross-examine the witnesses.

He said matters under discussion were no longer in controversy since the EC, in its own affidavit, had confirmed the cancellation.

He told the court that the petitioners were not opposed to the request to cross-examine Abdulai Abdul Hamid and one Fuseini Safianu who were said to be Returning Officers during the election.

Mr. Addison told the court that the EC at some stage in the trial tried to have the petitioners’ pleadings in respect of the subject-matter struck out but the court refused and since that move failed, the commission never gave any indication they were contesting the issue.

He said the matters that the EC is seeking to cross-examine the witnesses on were not in dispute, asking, “What purpose does cross-examining the witness serve when the EC in its own affidavits show that some polling station results were annulled?”

He also held that both President Mahama and the NDC did not challenge the piece of evidence on the annulments and that no supplementary affidavit was filed by the 1^st and 3^rd respondents after the EC had filed their response and therefore the court should dismiss the application.

By William Yaw Owusu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran

Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for NDC

The persistent argument with panel members trying the landmark Presidential Election Petition currently at the Supreme Court coupled with the use of uncivil language almost landed Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), in trouble.

For making a statement that, “This is not the time to be retrograde in the way we proceed,” the NDC lawyer was reprimanded by the bench for such indecorous language.

“Counsel, I don’t know whether you are getting angry. Please mind your language,” Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo warned.

Yesterday, while addressing the bench, Mr. Tsikata, who has been criticised several times for using rather strong language in court, described the manner the judges were handling a particular argument as “retrograding”. The Supreme Court judges took particular exception to this statement and were quick to issue him a stern caution.

Warning

“Mind your language,” a soft spoken Justice Akoto-Bamfo, a member of the panel warned the NDC counsel after he made a comment that seemed to have ruffled the feathers of the bench.

Mr Tsikata earned the reprimand while trying to tender a list he prepared exclusively before continuing his cross-examination of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia but Mr. Addison raised an objection.

Mr. Addison: My lords, we are objecting to the tendering of this list… (Justice Atuguba intervenes)

Justice Atuguba: I don’t understand, exhibit 32 is in evidence?

Counsel: No, but this is a further list…

Justice Atuguba: A different 32?

Counsel: It’s not a different 32, my lords, I think I made myself very clear; this list is in reference to exhibit NDC 32, but in this list reference is made to the counterpart serial number information that has been provided, and in addition to that counterpart serial number, we provided the information about the duplicates which is the one the witness has confirmed…(He tries frantically to justify the need to tender this contentious list as part of exhibit NDC 32 which was already in evidence, claiming the witness has confirmed it). The witness has confirmed it and my lords; this is no time to just retrograde in the way that we proceed in respect of… (Justice Akoto-Bamfo cuts in, obviously not pleased with the tone and the choice of words being used by counsel)

Justice Akoto-Bamfo: Counsel, counsel, I don’t know whether you are getting angry…

Counsel: No, my lords, I cannot be angry, your lordships.

Justice Akoto-Bamfo: So please mind your language, that’s all that I can say… (Justice Atuguba adds to the caution)

Justice Atuguba: Yes, let’s avoid presumptuous language…

Mr. Tsikata eventually apologised to the court and offered to explain the context within which he made the statement insisting that he did not mean to be disrespectful to the court.

He said his comments had been misconstrued and that he rather wanted the trial to move speedily.

Controversial Lists

Cletus Avoka (right) interacting with Yaw Osafo Marfo while

On Wednesday when Mr. Tsikata appeared to be ending his laborious cross-examination, he said he would conclude ‘subsequent’ to the petitioners’ provision of a list of counterpart polling stations that shared same serial numbers during the election, which had become a contentious issue in the case.

Dr. Bawumia agreed to provide the list and when it was finally brought, Mr Tsikata said he was not going to tender what the petitioners brought to the court.

As he asked Dr. Bawumia to identify a list he (Tsikata) had prepared and appeared to be asking questions based on that list, the petitioners lead counsel, Phillip Addison, asked him to first tender it and the questions could flow from there.

Mr. Addison: My lords, the questions that counsel has been asking arise out of information that we have supplied to them, and we think that these documents should first be tendered so that the questions can follow.

Counsel (Tsatsu): (Pulling out the supplementary list drawn out of the main list) My lords, we wish to tender that list, a list which reads “Same Serial Number and Counterpart Duplicate”. Reference number NDC 33.

Mr. Addison: My lords, we are saying that list arises out of the information that we have supplied so our document-the pairing-, should go in [for tendering] first…

Counsel: Well, as you can see, we have presented the information from that on this list that we are tendering. So for my cross-examination at the moment, the material is available for him [the witness] to answer.  At the appropriate time, they can tender the information that they have provided in its bulk.

Justice Atuguba: In any case, we also need it. If it is not in evidence, we can’t follow (Counsel explained the rationale for extracting their own list from the petitioners’ master list, but his explanation did not appear to have convinced the bench enough, causing Justice Jones Victor Dotse to step in)

Justice Dotse: Mr. Tsikata, I think the problem really arises because while you and counsel for the petitioners – and possibly the witness-, have new lists which have been formatted according to the list which you presented, we don’t have any. So anytime you make reference to their list, we don’t have anything to match our records with. That is why we think it would be useful to have those lists tendered for us to go on along with you.

Tsatsu’s Insistence

Counsel: Very well…My lords I take it that they are seeking to tender them… (Murmuring in the courtroom) My lords, with respect, we asked for information in order not to have the court’s time taken through every one (of the pink sheets in the list) and the point I’m making is that, in terms of the information provided, and for the purposes of my cross-examination, the information that they have provided is included in what we are tendering [the supplementary list from the petitioners’ list], so what we are tendering actually addresses the issue that his lordship was asking about…we can tender this (the supplementary list), we don’t need to tender their information list because it’s not part of our case…(Justice Atuguba interrupts by trying to seek further clarification on the various lists emanating from the list of duplicate polling stations)

Counsel: My lords, we have no problem with him (witness) refreshing his memory with the list that he composed and that’s exactly what is happening; he is using that. My lords, with respect, I must be clear, I do not intend to tender their list…

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I am saying that if the witness in using his list would facilitate your cross-examination that is going on, why can’t he put it in?

Counsel: My lords, the petitioners are not presenting their case at the moment (Justice Atuguba interrupts)

Justice Atuguba: No, no, no, in cross-examination, it is evidence relating to your questions in cross-examination; it is something that the answers he is giving and it can’t go in [in evidence]?

Counsel: My lords, it cannot at this stage go in as my exhibit.

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I am saying that it will go in as his.

Counsel: My lords, I’m not really familiar with a situation where during cross-examination, you can have counsel for the petitioners tendering exhibits. I’m not familiar with that… (Justice Atuguba laughs and cuts in).

Justice Atuguba: So if you elicit a fact from the witness, and its documentary, and it’s relevant in cross-examination, because it is in cross-examination, it can’t come in (as evidence)?

Counsel: No my lords, I didn’t say it can’t come in; I said I am not tendering it… (Justice Atuguba cuts in again)

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I told you that if it goes in, it’s standing to their name, not yours.

Counsel: My lords, at this point, I’m in the process of cross-examination, that’s why I say I am not familiar with the process that you appear to be describing. The process that you appear to be describing is of petitioners tendering an exhibit in the middle of my cross-examination. I’m not familiar with that, that’s the honest truth; I’m not familiar with it.

Justice Atuguba: You are saying he can use it to refresh his memory, isn’t it?

Counsel: I don’t have a problem with that.

Atuguba ‘Puzzled’

Justice Atuguba: The question you have posed is puzzling because this one, he is not tendering any real document, he is only using as a cross-reference to your list. It is a cross-reference facilitating the reference to the references you are making in cross-examining him and to facilitate the tracking of this and you say this cannot go in?

Counsel: My lords, I say I am not seeking to tender it…

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I’m saying if it goes in, it goes in his name, and you still seem to have a problem with that?

Counsel: Yes, but if I’m not tendering an exhibit, then in what sense is it going in? I am cross-examining him at the moment.

Justice Atuguba: It is part of his answers to your cross-examination…

Counsel: My lords, respectfully, the part of the answers that I needed for the sake of my cross-examination I reproduced in the list that I am tendering and he is confirming the information on the list by reference to his own information.

Ruling

The judges then went into a snap conference in the presence of the audience and delivered a ruling to the effect that the tendering was differed till re-examination stage.

Justice Atuguba said “the witness, it is said by Ansah, Rose Owusu, Annin-Yeboah and Gbadegbe JSC, can identify the document and tender it later. Adinyira, Dotse, Baffoe-Bonnie and Akoto-Bamfo, the witness can tender it during re-examination.”

“Atuguba JSC, the court has power under section 69 of the Evidence Decree to allow the tendering of the document at this stage. Section 69 (a) of the Evidence Decree provides as follows: (He quotes the relevant section)….Per Annin-Yeboah JSC, “the court must have the document or else the cross-examiner cannot proceed any further.”

It was after the ruling that Mr. Tsikata made those statements, receiving a reprimand from the court.

Sitting continues on Monday May 20, 2013 for Mr. Tsikata to continue his eleventh day of cross-examination.

By William Yaw Owusu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has indicated that he will support any decision made by the justices at the Supreme Court.

According to him, should there be any change of government as a result of the court ruling, the triumphant party will receive his full backing.

Speaking after a courtesy call on the President at the Flagstaff House, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also cautioned the Executive arm of government to prioritize unity and collaborative effort in the governance of the nation.

He called on Vice President Amissah-Arthur to work closely with his superior and advised them to look out for each other.

He appealed to the two leaders to try and prevent divisions in their government and said his doors were always open for consultancy.

The Asantehene further called on government appointees to collaborate with their superiors in an attempt to secure the social-economic development of the nation.

The President on his part said “I want to thank you personally for the encouragement and advise that you have been given to me and all the past presidents from Jerry Rawlings to President Kufuor; you always shared very generously your good counsel with all of them and I am very happy to benefit from that good counsel and advise.

I would continue to thank you for that. Ghana is making progress even though we have been facing some challenges, and this government is purposed to resolve those challenges that this country becomes the country of prosperity that it has the potential to be.”

He added: “I will also be coming to you for ideas on how to resolve the Dagbon crisis. Your good counsel together with your brothers from Gonja and Mamprusi made quite ahead way in trying to resolve the crisis.

Unfortunately as a result of some developments the whole process was aborted. We have started some quiet diplomacy and when it reaches a certain stage we will bring it back to you so that you can take the whole process forward to instill peace in dagbon… We intend to find a lasting solution to the issue.”

Citifmonline

Mohammed Alhassan, IGP

The Police Service has arrested 29 people believed to have defrauded unsuspecting individuals under the pretext of getting them recruited into the Police Service.

Out of the 29 perpetrators of the recruitment fraud, seven have been identified as police officers while the rest are civilians.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate (PRD) of the Ghana Police Service and signed by DSP Cephas Arthur, director of Public Affairs noted that five of the cases involving the fraudsters were currently pending before the courts.

The public has therefore been advised to offer information in relation to such fraudulent activities by reporting to the nearest police station, for the necessary action to be taken.

The police administration noted that efforts were being made to deal appropriately with all persons who defrauded unsuspecting people under the pretext of getting them into the Police Service.

When such cases were reported, the Police said, “The perpetrators, be they police officers or civilians, are thoroughly investigated, and when evidence is found against them, they are prosecuted.”

The statement further pointed out that the Police Administration would not shield any police officer who would be cited for recruitment fraud.

Meanwhile, the Police administration has notified the public that it has not yet opened recruitment into the Service for the year 2013 and that when recruitment was due, advert would be placed in the print media and announcement made in the electronic media for the information of the general public.

“We wish to use this opportunity to remind the public that the Police Service does not employ agents to recruit people on its behalf.”

It would be recalled that early this year the Police Service warned the public against the sale of fake police recruitment forms by some individuals.

The report on the sale of the fake recruitment forms broke shortly after other security services such as the Ghana National Fire Service started selling forms to the public.
Police checks indicated that some individuals were making money with the sale of the recruitment forms allegedly from the Service and therefore warned the public to be cautious.

 By Emelia Ennin Abbey

A curious cat watching the court proceedings

A BIZARRE picture of a cat watching Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on television being cross-examined at the Supreme Court is spreading like wild fire in Kumasi.

The picture shows the back of a light brown cat seated in a composed manner on the ground in a room attentively watching the television.

The cat is seen seriously watching Dr. Bawumia who is flipping through some documents at the Supreme Court on television.

Already, people with superstitious belief in the city have started giving spiritual meanings to the picture.

According to them, the picture was an indication that even animals were thrilled by the performance of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vice presidential candidate in court so far.

They added that the picture meant the judges at the Supreme Court would rule the matter in favour of Dr. Bawumia and the other petitioners.

The exact place where the now famous picture was taken could not be determined by DAILY GUIDE but it is in wild circulation.

The picture’s quality and setting gave enough credence to the fact that it was taken in someone’s room.

The picture has been circulating fast mostly among the people in the Garden City, notably NPP fans.

People with smart phones have been exchanging the picture via whatsApp, Bluetooth and other avenues. It is also being circulated on other social media networks such as facebook and twitter.

Some NPP supporters in the city that are superstitious insisted that the matter had been judged in the spiritual realm long time ago.

They said the petitioners were adjudged winners in the case and that influenced the cat’s decision to stay glued to the television watching Dr. Bawumia for several hours.

The NPP fans were of the view that a picture of a cat watching someone attentively on television had not been witnessed in the country before.

They stated that the cat’s action was clear evidence that victory would surely come the way of the petitioners.

However, other National Democratic Congress (NDC) faithful that spoke to the paper insisted that the NPP fans were living in ‘fool’s paradise’.

According to them, though they did not have any doubt about the authenticity of the picture, it (the picture) could not determine the winner of the case.

The NDC fans said the matter at the Supreme Court was a serious matter so the NPP should treat it as such.

Some were also of the opinion that the cat got attracted when Dr Bawumia repeated Dr Kwabena Adjei’s, ‘many ways of killing a cat’ slogan.

 FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Prophet Nana Kofi Yirenkyi aka Jesus One Touch

Prophet Nana Kofi Yirenkyi aka Jesus One Touch, the founder and overseer of Jesus Blood Prophetic Ministry, has thrown his weight behind the Nigerian Prophet, T.B. Joshua, describing the latter as a true man of God.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE yesterday, he said he did not agree with some of his local colleagues who saw the Nigerian Prophet as an occultist.

“I have known the Man of God since 1997 and can attest, without any iota of doubt, that indeed he is a man of God whose predictions always come true.”

His interventions, he said, was in reaction to recent remarks by some Ghanaian pastors that questioned the credentials of Prophet TB Joshua as a true man of God.

“I don’t believe TB Joshua is an occultist. He is an extraordinary Man of God, overflowing with the Holy Spirit. He is a kind man who is ready to assist the needy,” he said.

Jesus One Touch said many persons had called him to find out about TB Joshua since the controversy about him erupted among some Ghanaian pastors “knowing our strong relationship.

“I am referring everybody to Matthew 7 and above regarding the need not to judge others, but to do their bids and leave the rest to God,” he said.

Having made predictions about his personal life and the fact that these had truly come to pass, Jesus One Touch said there was no way he would not attest to the credentials of Prophet TB Joshua as a true man of God.

Although he claimed to have been instrumental in Prophet TB Joshua’s first visit to Ghana in 1997, “I have not met him again since then and have not collected anything from him. All I am doing is explaining to my fellow Ghanaians that nobody should doubt that this man is a special Man of God.”

Tracing his first meeting with the Nigerian prophet, he said “when I went to his church in 1997 at a time when it was only a shed, there were so many gathered there. He quickly called us and told us that ‘you are from Ghana and you are a smoker. Go and bring the packet of cigarette from your bag.’ I quickly brought the packet of Embassy cigarette which I smoked at the time and he urged me to stop smoking which I did. He predicted that I would be a pastor in future and it really came to pass. He also said that on the day that he was going to arrive in the country it was going to rain and it did rain.”

In 1997, when he finally arrived in the country and organised a crusade, he ordered that there should be no collection, Jesus One Touch said.

“One of the reasons I have joined the fray at this time is because of the experience that I went through when I was framed up. I won’t want others too to suffer a similar fate at the hands of men, hence my action,” he said.

Bishop TB Joshua had come under attack by some local pastors who expressed doubts about his calling as a true man of God. When it was announced recently that he was going to visit Accra, his synagogue on the Spintex Road became a beehive of unusual activities as thousands of Ghanaians thronged the place.

By A.R. Gomda

Vincent Kuagbenu

The Board of the Ghana National Service Scheme (GNSS) has distanced itself from having any dealings with its once powerful Executive Director, Vincent Senam Kuagbenu.

This follows claims by Mr Kuagbenu on the Friday, May 10, 2013 edition of Metro TV’s ‘Thank God Its Friday’ programme in which he claimed he was still in charge of the GNSS, which is mandated by government to mobilise and deploy Ghanaian citizens of 18 years and above to undertake national priority development programmes for a one year mandatory national service.

However, a statement issued in Accra yesterday and signed by Board Chairman of the Scheme, Mr Nkunu Akyea, virtually disowned the man, noting with emphasis “the Board wishes to state that Mr. Vincent Senam Kuagbenu was withdrawn from the National Service Scheme by the Office of the President and asked to proceed on leave.”

For this reason, the Chairman stated emphatically “he is not returning to the Scheme.”

Somewhere last month, the controversial Kuagbenu was relieved of his appointment when he was asked by a letter from the Office of the President to proceed on leave and directed to report to the President’s office for re-assignment.

Some staff of the Scheme expressed joy when news of his exit was announced.

One of such persons was the Director of the Scheme’s Voluntary Service; Ebenezer Anim Dankwah, who criticised Kuagbenu for what he described as his ‘autocratic management style’.

Kuagbeni was subsequently replaced with one of his Deputies in charge of Finance and Administration, Alhaji Alhassan Imoro, who has since been made the Acting Executive Secretary.

Interestingly, the official website of the Ghana National Service Scheme http://www.nssghana.org/ still has the name and picture of Mr Vincent Senam Kuagbenu as the Executive Director with his profile still intact while that of the new and Acting Executive Director, Alhaji Alhassan Imoro, is nowhere to be found.

It, would, therefore not be a surprise for any first-time visitor of the website to conclude that Mr Kuagbenu is still the Executive Director of the GNSS.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu

Prof. Edward Ghartey

Professor Edward Ghartey, an economist at the University of West Indies, has urged government to avoid financing public projects directly.

According to him, there were several occasions where government releases money to directly finance public projects and it go waste.

“The projects being financed get abandoned and the money unaccounted for by those whom it was entrusted.”

Prof. Ghartey, who made this known when delivering a lecture in Accra on the theme, “financial Development and economic growth in Ghana,” said people turn to misuse government money and do not account for it because they belong to the party in power, adding that “This attitude is affecting the nation’s development.”

He said instead of government financing projects directly, it should rather serve as a facilitator of the financial market by embarking on policies that will deepen the stock market and widen the participation of the general public.

Prof. Ghartey, a visiting fellow with the Institutes of Economic Affairs (IEA), advised government to direct national resources to develop the economy and promote economic growth.

“Financial development is very important for economic growth. But government cannot be the driver of financial development; it must serve as a facilitator. It must make people aware of the stock market and give people tax holidays.”

 By Cephas Larbi

Dr Ofosu Ahenkorah, in cap, inspects an energy efficient refrigerator at the launch of the pilot scheme

The Energy Commission expects to sell 50,000 units of refrigerators this year to save an estimated 35 million units of electricity for consumers.

In line with this, the Commission has rolled out its nationwide project to promote appliance energy efficiency and transform the refrigerating appliance market in Ghana.

Dr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, in a speech on Wednesday to launch the nationwide project in Accra, noted: “The rebate is an opportunity for customers to get the best deal on new refrigerators on the Ghanaian market. The prices under the scheme have been drastically reduced for a limited period and Government is providing funds to make the acquisition of refrigerators affordable.”

New refrigerating appliances under this scheme could be purchased from as low as GH¢180 to GH¢800 after the discount is applied, the discounts offered on the refrigerators depend on the energy efficiency star rating on the refrigerator, he said.

Refrigerators marked 2–stars attract a discount of GHS150 while a refrigerator with 3-stars and above attract a whopping GHS200.

“We expect this scheme to follow the success story of the energy efficient light bulbs – the CFLs. The implementation of this initiative resulted in electricity demand savings of over 124 MW and energy costs savings of over 33 million dollars per annum.”

All energy-draining refrigerators from the rebate scheme are sent to the City Waste Company Limited for proper disposal.

The company has imported specialized equipment just for recovering the banned CFC refrigerants which is still running in refrigerators in most homes. These refrigerants are 2400 times more destructive than the carbon dioxide emissions and are also the major cause for the Ozone Layer Depletion.

The Executive Secretary said that discussions have started between the Energy Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, CWMCL and Scrap Dealers Association on how to sanitize the scraping of refrigerators to avoid burning of cables and crude methods employed in the scraping process.

“When all the useful contents have been removed from the refrigerators, the frame is simply dumped anywhere and these sometimes find their way into the Odaw River. We expect that this project will pave the way and show the proper methods for recycling these refrigerators.

With the scheme rolled out nationwide, participating shops in the regional capitals will now offer the rebate scheme.

Melcom and ROWI, both general appliance shops, have joined the scheme while Appliance Masters and Somovision will continue to run the rebates on their refrigerators.

Participation in the scheme by these shops is voluntary and these companies had to go through a rigorous selection process.

“Participating shops are expected to fully comply with the labeling requirements and carry the stickers on all refrigerators they offer for sale.”

ECOBANK is a major partner in the scheme. The bank is offering flexible and attractive consumer loans to cover payment of the top-up after the discount is applied on the fridges and freezers.

On 19^th September 2012, the Energy Commission launched the pilot refrigerator rebate and exchange scheme in Accra and its environs.

A total of 2,100 refrigerators were exchanged under the pilot scheme.

A typical household consumes 3,000 kWh of electricity a year and thus spends close to GHS540 annually.

An efficient refrigerator can drain close to 1,200 kWh or 40 percent of total household energy, costing GH¢216.

On the other hand, the new refrigerators we are promoting can consume less than 5 kWh per year and can reduce the refrigerator’s contribution to household consumption to just 16 percent and as such reducing annual electricity bills due to refrigeration from GH¢216 to GH¢90. An efficient refrigerating appliance can last between 10 and 15 years.

 By Samuel Boadi

Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Trade and Industry

Bilateral trade between Ghana and Canada reached $236.6 million, representing approximately 220 percent from 2000 to 2012.

Imports of goods from Canada to Ghana reached $216.2 million in 2012 whereas Ghana’s exports were $20.3 million.

According to an official factsheet published by the Canadian government, top merchandise imported from Canada to Ghana included cereals, vehicles and parts, machinery and miscellaneous textiles while exports comprise mainly cocoa, wood, rubber articles, and edible vegetables.

The statement said, “The bilateral programme, as well as, contributions to multilateral organizations and to more than 30 Canadian civil society organizations working in Ghana, brings the total of Canadian disbursements to more than $131 million during fiscal year 2011-2012.”

The statement said Ghana and Canada have a well-established and growing trade relationship, adding that freedom, stability and rule of law have made Ghana an attractive home for Canadian companies serving all of West Africa.

The statement said, “Due to a statistical rebasing of the GDP and in light of the new oil and gas industry, Ghana is officially now a lower-middle-income country according to the World Bank, with a per capita income in excess of $1,000.”

It added that business development opportunities for Canadians were emerging in mining, education, infrastructure and oil and gas.

It noted that Ghana was the first country in Africa to receive development assistance from Canada in 1957 and is currently Canada’s fifth-largest development partner in the world, stating that Ghana is one of the few countries in Sub Saharan Africa which Canada has a trade surplus with.

Ghana is a country of focus for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Canada’s bilateral development assistance focuses on two sectors: Food Security and Children and Youth (with an emphasis on water, sanitation and hygiene)”.

Canada considers Ghana as a model of democracy and stability in West Africa, it noted.

By Cephas Larbi

CANAL+AFRIQUE, a subsidiary of Canal+Overseas, operators of Canal+Group’s international pay-TV, in partnership with Multichoice Ghana, has introduced its new multi channel television in Ghana.

CANALSAT, the new subscription digital television service with over 125 channels and radio stations in digital quality, is set to offer all Ghanaians and members of the Francophone community in Ghana top quality entertainment in French.

Subscribers will also have the opportunity to watch channels covering topics, movies, sports, youth, discovery, entertainment, music, news and general interest, as well as 27 national and private African channels and radios.

John Timothee, Director of sales Development & partnerships at CANALSAT+AFRIQUE, said the television channel promises to provide its subscribers with high-quality, rich and diverse French offer.

“CANALSAT offers diversity with exclusive channels, ‘Must-have” channels and a wide range of specialty channels,” he said.

He added that beginning from this month, CANALSAT will be available in 15 outlets across the country, including 11 in Accra and four other outlets in Koforidua, Nkawkaw, Akosombo and Aflao for purchase by subscribers.

Timothee said in order to meet the needs and desires of each subscriber, CANALSAT has made available five bouquet offers to choose from Access, Evasion, Access Plus, Evasion Plus and Tout Canal.

“Access provides 79 channels, radio and services from GH¢19 per month, Evasion 102 channels, radios and services from GH¢39 per month, Access Plus 84 channels, radios and services including LES CHAINES CANAL+ from GH¢59 per month, Evasion Plus 107 channels, radios and services including LES CHAINES CANAL+ from GH¢79 per month and Tout CANAL gives 131 channels, radios and services including LES CHAINES CANAL+ from GH¢159 per month,” he noted.

Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Managing Director of MULTICHOICE Ghana, recommended the channel to the Ghanaians, particularly members of the Francophone community, saying it has come to give more variety to the citizens.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

ThatNewJob went live with its website in Ghana on Monday 6^th of May 2013. The website is a jobs board with the aim of tackling the current unemployment in Ghana.

http://ww.thatnewjob.com  will connect the thousands of jobseekers in Ghana to the job advertisers/employers seeking suitable candidates. Job Advertisers/Employers are able to post as many jobs as they wish and jobseekers are able to search, apply and track their applications for these jobs.

Toye Akinwale, CEO ThatNewJob said “Unemployment is a big problem here in the UK and around the world today. It is getting more difficult for jobseekers to find suitable jobs and for job advertisers to employ the right people. ThatNewJob will bridge this gap making it easier not only for a potential employer to post their jobs but also to find the right candidate. Jobseekers are also able to manage their job applications using our simple to use website.”

“What makes us different to other job boards today is the amount of features offered on our site and its ease of use. We are very excited about our launch to the Ghanaian market and already in discussions to follow this up with a similar website in Nigeria within the coming months.”

ThatNewJob has received a lot of positive reviews since its launch only a few days ago.  Whilst there are already other job boards available in Ghana, ThatNewJob is rapidly gathering momentum with over 1,000 jobseekers in Ghana already registered within just a few days of going live to the public.

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President John Mahama

President John Mahama has lauded the ongoing Presidential Election Petition which is challenging his legitimacy as president.

He said the petition will strengthen Ghana’s democracy in no small way.

He was speaking to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Flagstaff House on Friday.

The Ashanti King is in Accra to address a lecture on democracy on Friday. The lecture is being organised by the National Commission on Civic Education.

Describing Otumfuo as a “Solomonic” figure, the President urged the King to use his position and influence to unite the people during the lecture.

Commenting on the ongoing Election Petition the president said contrary to fears that the petition will divide the country he said it would rather strengthen the country’s democracy.

“At a time when people think the nation is being buffeted by some uncertainty as a result of this court case I do think it strengthens our democracy that even though we have a dispute, or somebody contest the results of the elections he has decided to go to court and we are giving the court the opportunity to listen to his grievance and find out whether it is genuine or not.

“I think that it goes to strengthen our democracy that Ghana continues to show the way in terms good governance, democracy and rule of law,” he emphasised.

Joy News’ Presidential Correspondent Seth Kwame Boateng says the president has since moved into a crunch meeting with security chiefs to find lasting solution to the violent gun attacks in parts of the country.

Myjoyonline

Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for NDC

The persistent argument with panel members trying the landmark Presidential Election Petition currently at the Supreme Court coupled with the use of uncivil language almost landed Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), in trouble.

For making a statement that, “This is not the time to be retrograde in the way we proceed,” the NDC lawyer was reprimanded by the bench for such indecorous language.

“Counsel, I don’t know whether you are getting angry. Please mind your language,” Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo warned.

Yesterday, while addressing the bench, Mr. Tsikata, who has been criticised several times for using rather strong language in court, described the manner the judges were handling a particular argument as “retrograding”. The Supreme Court judges took particular exception to this statement and were quick to issue him a stern caution.

Warning

“Mind your language,” a soft spoken Justice Akoto-Bamfo, a member of the panel warned the NDC counsel after he made a comment that seemed to have ruffled the feathers of the bench.

Mr Tsikata earned the reprimand while trying to tender a list he prepared exclusively before continuing his cross-examination of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia but Mr. Addison raised an objection.

Mr. Addison: My lords, we are objecting to the tendering of this list… (Justice Atuguba intervenes)

Justice Atuguba: I don’t understand, exhibit 32 is in evidence?

Counsel: No, but this is a further list…

Justice Atuguba: A different 32?

Counsel: It’s not a different 32, my lords, I think I made myself very clear; this list is in reference to exhibit NDC 32, but in this list reference is made to the counterpart serial number information that has been provided, and in addition to that counterpart serial number, we provided the information about the duplicates which is the one the witness has confirmed…(He tries frantically to justify the need to tender this contentious list as part of exhibit NDC 32 which was already in evidence, claiming the witness has confirmed it). The witness has confirmed it and my lords; this is no time to just retrograde in the way that we proceed in respect of… (Justice Akoto-Bamfo cuts in, obviously not pleased with the tone and the choice of words being used by counsel)

Justice Akoto-Bamfo: Counsel, counsel, I don’t know whether you are getting angry…

Counsel: No, my lords, I cannot be angry, your lordships.

Justice Akoto-Bamfo: So please mind your language, that’s all that I can say… (Justice Atuguba adds to the caution)

Justice Atuguba: Yes, let’s avoid presumptuous language…

Mr. Tsikata eventually apologised to the court and offered to explain the context within which he made the statement insisting that he did not mean to be disrespectful to the court.

He said his comments had been misconstrued and that he rather wanted the trial to move speedily.

Controversial Lists

Cletus Avoka (right) interacting with Yaw Osafo Marfo while

On Wednesday when Mr. Tsikata appeared to be ending his laborious cross-examination, he said he would conclude ‘subsequent’ to the petitioners’ provision of a list of counterpart polling stations that shared same serial numbers during the election, which had become a contentious issue in the case.

Dr. Bawumia agreed to provide the list and when it was finally brought, Mr Tsikata said he was not going to tender what the petitioners brought to the court.

As he asked Dr. Bawumia to identify a list he (Tsikata) had prepared and appeared to be asking questions based on that list, the petitioners lead counsel, Phillip Addison, asked him to first tender it and the questions could flow from there.

Mr. Addison: My lords, the questions that counsel has been asking arise out of information that we have supplied to them, and we think that these documents should first be tendered so that the questions can follow.

Counsel (Tsatsu): (Pulling out the supplementary list drawn out of the main list) My lords, we wish to tender that list, a list which reads “Same Serial Number and Counterpart Duplicate”. Reference number NDC 33.

Mr. Addison: My lords, we are saying that list arises out of the information that we have supplied so our document-the pairing-, should go in [for tendering] first…

Counsel: Well, as you can see, we have presented the information from that on this list that we are tendering. So for my cross-examination at the moment, the material is available for him [the witness] to answer.  At the appropriate time, they can tender the information that they have provided in its bulk.

Justice Atuguba: In any case, we also need it. If it is not in evidence, we can’t follow (Counsel explained the rationale for extracting their own list from the petitioners’ master list, but his explanation did not appear to have convinced the bench enough, causing Justice Jones Victor Dotse to step in)

Justice Dotse: Mr. Tsikata, I think the problem really arises because while you and counsel for the petitioners – and possibly the witness-, have new lists which have been formatted according to the list which you presented, we don’t have any. So anytime you make reference to their list, we don’t have anything to match our records with. That is why we think it would be useful to have those lists tendered for us to go on along with you.

Tsatsu’s Insistence

Counsel: Very well…My lords I take it that they are seeking to tender them… (Murmuring in the courtroom) My lords, with respect, we asked for information in order not to have the court’s time taken through every one (of the pink sheets in the list) and the point I’m making is that, in terms of the information provided, and for the purposes of my cross-examination, the information that they have provided is included in what we are tendering [the supplementary list from the petitioners’ list], so what we are tendering actually addresses the issue that his lordship was asking about…we can tender this (the supplementary list), we don’t need to tender their information list because it’s not part of our case…(Justice Atuguba interrupts by trying to seek further clarification on the various lists emanating from the list of duplicate polling stations)

Counsel: My lords, we have no problem with him (witness) refreshing his memory with the list that he composed and that’s exactly what is happening; he is using that. My lords, with respect, I must be clear, I do not intend to tender their list…

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I am saying that if the witness in using his list would facilitate your cross-examination that is going on, why can’t he put it in?

Counsel: My lords, the petitioners are not presenting their case at the moment (Justice Atuguba interrupts)

Justice Atuguba: No, no, no, in cross-examination, it is evidence relating to your questions in cross-examination; it is something that the answers he is giving and it can’t go in [in evidence]?

Counsel: My lords, it cannot at this stage go in as my exhibit.

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I am saying that it will go in as his.

Counsel: My lords, I’m not really familiar with a situation where during cross-examination, you can have counsel for the petitioners tendering exhibits. I’m not familiar with that… (Justice Atuguba laughs and cuts in).

Justice Atuguba: So if you elicit a fact from the witness, and its documentary, and it’s relevant in cross-examination, because it is in cross-examination, it can’t come in (as evidence)?

Counsel: No my lords, I didn’t say it can’t come in; I said I am not tendering it… (Justice Atuguba cuts in again)

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I told you that if it goes in, it’s standing to their name, not yours.

Counsel: My lords, at this point, I’m in the process of cross-examination, that’s why I say I am not familiar with the process that you appear to be describing. The process that you appear to be describing is of petitioners tendering an exhibit in the middle of my cross-examination. I’m not familiar with that, that’s the honest truth; I’m not familiar with it.

Justice Atuguba: You are saying he can use it to refresh his memory, isn’t it?

Counsel: I don’t have a problem with that.

Atuguba ‘Puzzled’

Justice Atuguba: The question you have posed is puzzling because this one, he is not tendering any real document, he is only using as a cross-reference to your list. It is a cross-reference facilitating the reference to the references you are making in cross-examining him and to facilitate the tracking of this and you say this cannot go in?

Counsel: My lords, I say I am not seeking to tender it…

Justice Atuguba: That’s why I’m saying if it goes in, it goes in his name, and you still seem to have a problem with that?

Counsel: Yes, but if I’m not tendering an exhibit, then in what sense is it going in? I am cross-examining him at the moment.

Justice Atuguba: It is part of his answers to your cross-examination…

Counsel: My lords, respectfully, the part of the answers that I needed for the sake of my cross-examination I reproduced in the list that I am tendering and he is confirming the information on the list by reference to his own information.

Ruling

The judges then went into a snap conference in the presence of the audience and delivered a ruling to the effect that the tendering was differed till re-examination stage.

Justice Atuguba said “the witness, it is said by Ansah, Rose Owusu, Annin-Yeboah and Gbadegbe JSC, can identify the document and tender it later. Adinyira, Dotse, Baffoe-Bonnie and Akoto-Bamfo, the witness can tender it during re-examination.”

“Atuguba JSC, the court has power under section 69 of the Evidence Decree to allow the tendering of the document at this stage. Section 69 (a) of the Evidence Decree provides as follows: (He quotes the relevant section)….Per Annin-Yeboah JSC, “the court must have the document or else the cross-examiner cannot proceed any further.”

It was after the ruling that Mr. Tsikata made those statements, receiving a reprimand from the court.

Sitting continues on Monday May 20, 2013 for Mr. Tsikata to continue his eleventh day of cross-examination.

By William Yaw Owusu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran

Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Tsatsu Tsikata leaving the Supreme Court yesterday

The Supreme Court yesterday declined a request by National Democratic Congress (NDC) lead counsel in the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tsatsu Tsikata, and others, who sought to cross-examine some witnesses of the petitioners, including two New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs).

The nine-member panel threw out the motion asking the court to enable the respondents, including President Mahama and the Electoral Commission (EC), to cross-examine Freda Prempeh, MP for Tano North, Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah, MP for Berekum East and four other witnesses of the petitioners, saying that they had enough information.

The motion on notice, seeking leave of the court to cross-examine the witnesses, was first filed by the ruling NDC (3^rd respondent) and followed by President John Dramani Mahama, and the Electoral Commission who are 1^st and 2^nd respondents respectively.

The Ruling

The nine-member panel, chaired by Justice William Atuguba, held that with all the evidence available in the petition, the court did not need any further evidence.

He explained that the cross-examination had already covered every ground, saying, “They are all covered; we are saying that we have enough materials to cover. The evidence is flowing and it’s enough….that’s what we are saying. We don’t need all those things.

“We have considered the three applications for leave to cross-examine the various witnesses and have come to the conclusion that various types of evidence have been supplied on these matters, both by the evidence of the second petitioner in the ensuing cross-examination and the pink sheets and affidavits filed by the parties.

“We think that these and any further evidence would suffice to enable us assess the various factual matters involved without the protraction in the cross-examination of the witness covered in these applications. In the circumstances, the applications are refused,” the court held.

Witnesses

The respondents were seeking to cross-examine Kwabena Twum Nuamah, NPP MP for Berekum East, Eugene Sackey, Freda Prempeh, NPP MP for Tano North in the Brong Ahafo Region and Abdulai Abdul Hamid who all swore affidavits as witnesses for the petitioners.

The witnesses had alleged in their affidavits in support of the petition that the Electoral Commission (EC) annulled some of the polling stations’ results in their constituencies where there were over-voting and other alleged irregularities.

The Motion

The NDC motion filed by its lead counsel Tsatsu Tsikata could not be moved on May 14 because President Mahama and the EC had just filed similar applications and the court’s registry had given President Mahama and the EC returning dates of May 16 for their motions to be moved.

As a result, the court pushed the NDC motion to same day so that all the three motions could be moved at the same time.

Before the applications were moved, the court directed that once they were on the same subject-matter, the respondents should consolidate the motion before moving, after which other counsels could make addresses.

Tony Lithur, lead counsel for President Mahama then told the court that he would prefer Mr. Tsikata to move the motion.

Mr. Tsikata then took the floor advancing his argument to the effect that inviting the witnesses to be cross-examined would serve the interest of justice since they would help the court to ascertain the truth.

“The truth of the matters that each of those witnesses has testified to before this court is a very important basis. There is no allegation before you that any of those witnesses is not available for cross-examination…and we may well wonder why a party which has proffered the testimony of certain witnesses be so eager to protect them from cross-examination.

“It is also clear that in the testimony of the main witness of the petitioners, they have also sought to rely on the allegations in those affidavits, so the testimony of the main witness which has been challenged is very much the subject matter of, not only the continued cross-examination of that witness, but would clearly be the subject matter of the cross-examination of these witnesses,” he added, in reference to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a principal witness in the case.

Mr. Tsikata noted that “it is also clearly the case as we take each of those individuals that they claim to have personal knowledge of the matters in respect of which they have deposed to their affidavits.

“In the case of Abdulai Abdul Hamid, he was actually a presiding officer at a polling station in respect of which there has been testimony before this court. There is no better person than Mr. Abdulai Hamid-the presiding officer at that polling station-to provide evidence, and the petitioners did provide his evidence and they should not run away from the cross-examination of their own witness…”

He also said that the evidence of Kwabena Twum Nuamah, Eugene Sackey and Freda Prempeh were important, adding, “If indeed, these are people who have personal knowledge of the matters, then under cross-examination, we would be able to establish whether they are telling the truth in their affidavits or they are not telling the truth.

“It is our submission that this court and the process before this court would be well served by obtaining testimony from people who claim to have personal knowledge of the fact to which they depose.”

He described the petitioners’ opposition to the application as “somewhat strange, because these are their witnesses and they have deposed to affidavit filed on the 13^th of May and deposed to by Dr. Bawumia.

“Essentially, their claim in opposing the application is that there is some other testimony before this court from the second respondent. We ought to be allowed to cross-examine them, and it’s clearly in the interest of fairness and of justice in this proceeding that they be cross-examined to test the veracity of the allegations that they have (made).

“There is no basis in the affidavit in opposition for denying us our entitlement to cross-examine witnesses on evidence that is being put before you,” he held.

EC Supports Tsikata

James Quarshie-Idun, representing the EC, said the subject matter of the evidence of the affidavit that they were seeking to cross-examine the deponents on, was not pleaded either in the original petition, the first amended petition or the second amended petition.

“We stated this in paragraph 12 of the affidavit sworn to by Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman of the second respondent on 16 April, 2013. If these material facts had been pleaded, we would have had the opportunity of responding to them in our answer or amended answer.”

Addison’s Opposition

In his response, Phillip Addison, lead counsel for the petitioners, vehemently opposed the respondents’ attempt to cross-examine the witnesses.

He said matters under discussion were no longer in controversy since the EC, in its own affidavit, had confirmed the cancellation.

He told the court that the petitioners were not opposed to the request to cross-examine Abdulai Abdul Hamid and one Fuseini Safianu who were said to be Returning Officers during the election.

Mr. Addison told the court that the EC at some stage in the trial tried to have the petitioners’ pleadings in respect of the subject-matter struck out but the court refused and since that move failed, the commission never gave any indication they were contesting the issue.

He said the matters that the EC is seeking to cross-examine the witnesses on were not in dispute, asking, “What purpose does cross-examining the witness serve when the EC in its own affidavits show that some polling station results were annulled?”

He also held that both President Mahama and the NDC did not challenge the piece of evidence on the annulments and that no supplementary affidavit was filed by the 1^st and 3^rd respondents after the EC had filed their response and therefore the court should dismiss the application.

By William Yaw Owusu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran

KPMG

Accounting and auditing firm, KPMG will on Monday begin auditing all pink sheets tendered into evidence by petitioners in the on-going election petition case before the Supreme Court.

The firm at its final meeting with the parties on Thursday agreed to begin the auditing on Monday at the premises of the court.

Lead counsel for the third respondent, Tsatsu Tsikata and two other respondents have denied claims by the petitioners that a total of 11,842 pink sheets were served.

The firm (KPMG) will not only do a head count of the pink sheets but also categorise them under various irregularities.

Speaking to Citi News a member of the first and third respondent legal team, Victor Kojogah Adawudu noted that: “They (KPMG) will start their work on Monday and I think that they will be able to finish quickly” he said.

Meanwhile according to member of the legal team of the petitioners in the ongoing Election Petition case, Gloria Akufo has said per the communication from the auditing firm, it is believed the process will be completed in two weeks.

Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for NDC

The panel of judges hearing the election petition has dismissed a motion filed by the lawyer for the third respondent, where he was seeking to cross-examine more witnesses who had testified for the petitioners via affidavit.

Lawyer for the third respondent filed the motion seeking to cross-examine the Member of Parliament for Tano North, Freda Prempeh, MP for Berekum, East Dr. Kwabena Twum Nuamah and a polling station officer at Savelugu in the Northern Region.

During the hearing on Thursday, Mr. Tsikata said “the truth of the matters testified to by the named witnesses in the affidavit, is an important basis upon which to call for their cross-examination and that the motion to oppose filed by the petitioners does not indicate the unavailability of the named witnesses to appear.”

According to him, the named individuals made “claims of personal knowledge of events at named polling stations which ought to be tested and that the processes of the court will be well-served by obtaining evidence from these witnesses.”

Mr. Tsikata also said the opposition is strange because it is based on the responses of the second respondent in their (petitioners) affidavit which has nothing to do with the first and second respondents.

On his part, lawyer for the petitioners, Philip Addison opposed the motion to cross-examine Twum Nuamah, Freda Prempeh, Eugene Sackey and Peter Wuni saying, “their evidence was clear and the matters regarding them were no longer in controversy as indicated in the affidavit deposed to by the second respondent” adding that Abdulai Abdul Hamid and Fuseni Safianu could be cross-examined

Dismissing the motion, the president of the panel, Justice William Atuguba said “ various types of evidence has made on this matter, both by the evidence of the second petitioner in the ensuing cross-examination on the pink sheets and the affidavits filed by the parties. We think that these and any further evidence will suffice to enable us assess the various factual matters involved without the protraction involved in the cross-examination of the witness discovered in this application.”

Citifmonline

David Beckham

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder David Beckham has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old only moved to the French capital on a short-term contract in January but the Parisiens were keen for the former England captain to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes for another season.

However, even though Beckham played his part in PSG ending their 18-year wait for a Ligue 1 title, the midfielder has now decided to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career this summer.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” he said in a statement.

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy.

“I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams. Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

“I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.”

Beckham has established himself as one of the most recognisable faces in sport during a remarkable career that has spanned two decades.

He made his name at Manchester United, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League with the Red Devils before joining Real Madrid in 2003.

Beckham lifted La Liga in his final season at the Santiago Bernabeu before shocking the footballing world by moving to LA Galaxy, with whom he won two MLS Cups. Perhaps more significantly, though, he played a massive role in boosting football’s popularity in the United States.

After two loan spells with AC Milan during his time in America, he eventually returned to Europe earlier this year with PSG, picking another domestic championship to become the first Englishman to win titles in four different countries.

In his homeland, he will probably best be remembered for his captaincy of the national team, and the trademark free kick against Greece which secured his country’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

“I’m honored to represent England both on and off the pitch,” he enthused. “I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from.

“I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.”

Beckham’s final two outings are likely to come against Brest, at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, and away to Lorient, on May 25.

Mario Balotelli

AC Milan star striker Mario Balotelli has said he would leave the pitch if he is again targeted by racist chants like those that led to a game suspension last weekend.

The 22-year-old international told CNN that he changed his mind from his intention to ignore racial abuse after he and other team-mates of African origin were jeered during a home game with Roma late Sunday.

“If it happens one more time I am going to leave the pitch, because it is so stupid,” Balotelli said.

“I spoke with (Kevin-) Prince (Boateng), and I was about to leave the pitch Sunday, but I thought that (people) would think we had difficulties in the game and we could have won 3-0 (on a disciplinary decision).

“So I said it is better that we play, then we talk. If it was not for this reason, I would have left the pitch Sunday.”

Balotelli reacted to the abuse by gesturing to silence the sector occupied by Roma fans as warnings from the public address system went unheeded before the game was suspended for 97 seconds.

The striker moved from Manchester City to Milan in January, scoring 11 goals from 12 appearances with the Devils.

Jorge Jesus

Jorge Jesus has insisted that Benfica deserved to be crowned Europa League winners despite their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in Wednesday’s final.

The Eagles looked to have taken the Amsterdam Arena showpiece to extra-time after Oscar Cardozo had cancelled out Fernando Torres’ opening goal, but Branislav Ivanovic headed home an injury-time winner to hand the Blues back-to-back European titles.

The late nature of Benfica’s loss forced their coach to draw parallels with last weekend’s damaging 2-1 Portuguese Liga loss to Porto, and he feels his side were once more desperately unlucky not to have won the game.

“Chelsea came back in the same manner as Porto did [at the weekend]. We conceded a goal from a set-piece at the very end,” Jesus told reporters.

“It was a final with two good teams on show, but Benfica were on top for nearly the entire match. We lacked a slight tinge of luck to gain an advantage.

“And even after we equalised, we created a chance which we should have taken. We played a great game, but football punished us in a game which, on the basis of how we performed, we should have been the winners of.”

Sulley Muntari and Menaye Donkor Muntari

On Thursday May 9, Menaye Donkor Muntari, wife of AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, hosted a celebrity gala dinner in Milan to raise funds for the Menaye Charity Organisation, the charity founded by Menaye to support the welfare of underprivileged children in the Central Region of Ghana.

The money raised on the evening would be used to provide the Menaye School of Hope with buses, classroom equipment and supplies, food, and extra curricular activities materials for the pupils.

The donations will also help to continue the expansion of the school to accommodate more kids.

The charity gala dinner at the Teatro Vetra attracted high profile guests including Italian TV stars, politicians and footballers for a night of entertainment in aid of a good cause.

Guests included AC Milan President Adriano Galliani, and manager Massimiliano Allegri, Menaye’s supportive husband Sulley Muntari as well as his teammates Massimo Ambrosini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Riccardo Montolivo, Giampaolo Pazzini, M’baye Niang, Mattia De Sciglio, and Stephan El Shaarawy.

Italian football stars Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Matri, Kwadjo Asamoah, Claudio Marchisio, Bobo Vieri and Filipo Inzaghi were also present to support the cause.

Football coach legend José Mourinho sent an emotional video message from Madrid voicing his support for the couple and the great work they are doing to help children in Ghana.
Famous Italian TV presenters Gerry Scotti and Federica Nargi were the hosts of the night.

Guests enjoyed performances from international music artist Malika Ayane and Italia’s Got Talent winner Daniel Adomako, and later on danced the night away to a great DJ set from DJ FLASH, a resident DJ at the Armani Prive.

Held in collaboration with the Milan Foundation, the event included a charity auction run by Franceso Facchinetti, which featured highly sought after football memorabilia from top European teams, customized diamond encrusted cuff links as well a Moschino outfit worn by Katy Perry.

The VIP event also generated funds through sponsorships from Cotril, John Richmond and Giorgetti.

Menaye Donkor Muntari, in her speech indicated, “I am extremely emotional tonight because never in a million years did I think I would have such high profile guests come together for a cause so close to my heart. I began my charity almost 10 years ago and we have been able to change over 500 children’s lives.

“Growing up, my parents always taught me to share, but what motivates me the most to do what I do, is the innocence in the children I work with. I see my father in every child because just like my dad who came from a humble beginning, he was given a chance in life to be who he is today.

“Our objective under Menaye Charity Organisation is to change lives and give even just that one child the hope for a brighter future. And I strongly believe that in order to break the cycle of poverty in Africa, we must provide quality education.
The organisation was established by Menaye in 2004, to support the welfare of underprivileged children in the Central Region of Ghana. Menaye is also solely responsible for providing the funds and management of the Menaye School of Hope.

Since 2004, the Menaye School of Hope has grown from housing 70 pupils in one block, to teaching over 200 pupils in new purpose built facilities.

The school and its pupils have gained excellent results in the latest BECE examinations and through the Menaye Charity Organisation, the school has recently been provided with a new IT suite and a library.

 From The Sports Desk

kotoko players

The Ghana FA has banned three top-flight clubs Asante Kotoko, Berekum Arsenal and Aduana Stars from playing their home matches at their home venues indefinitely.

The Executive Committee of the GFA took the decision on Wednesday to ban the three clubs from playing at home following acts of hooliganism by their fans.

The three clubs have been banned from their home venues until the Disciplinary Committee decides on their fate following the violent act of their clubs.

The decision will hurt Kotoko’s chances of winning the league and has all but confirmed Berekum Arsenal’s relegation to the second tier after dodging relegation for the past four years.

The GFA ordered a temporary ban on Kotoko from using the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi as its home venue following their attack on Medeama during last week’s Premier League match.

The Kotoko fans threw objects at the match officials during and after the match which resulted in injury to assistant Referee A. S. Malik and damage to the Medeama bus.

Kotoko’s ban means that they will not be able to play in Kumasi but the stadium will continue to host the matches of King Faisal who are also Kumasi-based.

Similarly, Berekum Chelsea will continue to use the Golden City Park as their city rivals Berekum Arsenals have also been banned from using the stadium indefinitely.

Berekum Arsenal supporters physically assaulted some Kotoko players, security personnel, cameraman of the GFA and the Assistant Referee resulting in serious injuries.

The Yutong Bus of Asante Kotoko and the pick-up vehicle No. GP 3586, which belongs to Ghana Police Service, were also vandalized by supporters of Arsenals.

Aduana Stars were also banned from using the Nana Agyemang Badu Park following the physical assault on the referee in their match against Liberty Professionals over the weekend.

Ghanasoccernet

Yusuf Hameed says he has been knocked back from dozens of jobs over the last year because of his appearance

A job-hunter claims he has been left unemployable because he is covered in tattoos.

Yusuf Hameed, 40, has been knocked back from dozens of jobs over the last year because of his unconventional appearance.

His body art includes a Buddhism symbol on his forehead, two Thai boxing tattoos on the back of his head, and a yin yang on the back of his head.

He said he has applied for 450 jobs including a car wash attendant and a street cleaner but receives the same feedback – employers cannot hire him because of his tattoos.

Mr Hameed, from Batley, West Yorkshire, said: ‘It is really getting me down and it is so hard to think that these tattoos are such a strong barrier against me getting a job.

‘I came to Batley from Pontefract after being made redundant from a meat manufacturing company.

Mr Hameed got his first tattoo at the age of 14 but now wishes he had never had them done. His body art includes a Buddhism symbol on his forehead, two Thai boxing tattoos on the back of his head, and a yin yang on the back of his head.

‘I’ve been doing everything the job centre has told me and attended all my interviews but they take one look at my tattoos and won’t give me a chance.’

Muslim convert Mr Hameed got his first tattoo aged 14 but wishes he had never had them done.

He said: ‘I used to hang around with a lot of lads older than me and they started getting them.

‘I suppose it was peer pressure but as a mature person I would not have got them, especially seeing the reaction from strangers.
‘When I go to interviews I can just see the person opposite me lose eye contact and focus on my tattoos,’ he said.

‘I’m more than qualified for a lot of the jobs I have been for but they all tell me my tattoos do not fit the company image.’

Mr Hameed is hopeful an employer can look past his ink and give him an opportunity.
He said: ‘People generalise me and think I am not bothered about working and that I am a freeloader.

‘I want employers to judge me on my skills and they will find out I’ve got lots to offer.

‘Even if it is a week’s trial, I just need that chance.’

Dailymail

A policeman guards the crime scene in Bloomsbury, central London, as floral tributes are left outside the flat for the married couple, named locally as Robert and Margaret Mercati

The sons of a couple found dead in their flat in an exclusive part of London today paid tribute to their mother, who is believed to have been strangled by her husband.

A note left outside the Bloomsbury flat where Robert Mercati, 63, is said to have attacked his pensioner wife Margaret before kiling himself, pays tribute to a mother described as ‘our strength’ whose lose will ‘leave a hole in our hearts’.

Mr Mercati and his wheelchair-bound wife, who leave sons aged 32 and 29, were found in their flat in Rugby Street, close to Russell Square, on Wednesday afternoon.

The note believed to be from their sons reads: ‘In loving memory of Mum.  Words cannot express the hole that will be left in our hearts.  You was (sic) our strength and the best of us. We’ll love you forever and live for your memory.

‘You’re with your brothers and sisters …and your Mum and Dad..’ and is signed: ‘Your sons and family & the bubbas’.

Another note left at the scene said: ‘We are so sorry to have lost two beautiful, special people. You will always be in our memories.’

Ambulance crews had found the female victim in her 60s, then found her husband’s body elsewhere in their flat.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said it was a murder investigation but at this early stage officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service to the flat shortly before 1.45pm on Wednesday, following reports that a woman had been found injured.

The woman was treated at the scene following an apparent assault but was pronounced dead at 2.10pm. The man was pronounced dead one minute later.

They confirmed the deceased are a husband and wife and next of kin have been told of their deaths.

Post-mortem examinations took place yesterday at St Pancras Mortuary and gave the causes of death as strangulation for the woman and injuries consistent with hanging for the man.

In 2011 Robert Mercati was convicted of shoplifting from a designer store in Bicester Village and given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work.

Oxford Crown Court heard that Mercati stole two Alfred Dunhill coats on January 8 2011, and was also present at an earlier theft when his friend Peter Ladlow, also from London, stole a designer bag from Christian Dior a month earlier.

Mercati’s lawyer told the court that his client lived on benefits and cared for his wheelchair-bound wife.

Dailymail

Patricia Rushby with son John. Her son Michael Rushby, 16 (pictured), spent eight months agonising over a lump in his testicle. He died two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer

A teenager waited an agonising eight months before finding the courage to mention he had found a lump – and died of testicular cancer just two weeks later.

Now the heartbroken of family of Michael Rushby, known as Mikey, has urged young men to check themselves after the death of the much-loved 16-year-old.

His mother Patricia, 52, said today: ‘He was my baby. I loved him to pieces. I want other young people to know what we have gone through. I wouldn’t want any family to go through what we have.’

Mikey, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, was having a drink with older brother John, 22, at the family home on April 17 when he finally spoke up.

‘He said he had a problem and showed me one of his testicles,’ said John.

‘The lump was obvious so I took him straight to A&E. The doctor said just by looking at it there was an 80 per cent chance it was cancer.’

Mikey, of Grangetown, Teesside, went home for the night and went back to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital the next day for tests.

Testicular cancer was diagnosed and it was also found the cancer had spread to his abdomen and chest. He was then transferred to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary for treatment.

Despite the eight-month delay in diagnosis, Mikey was still given a 75 per cent chance of beating the disease.

He had a week of chemotherapy and was allowed to go home on Friday, April 26 at his own request.

He was due back at the hospital on Monday April 29 and had got himself up, had a bath, and was heading down the stairs when he lost his strength and collapsed four steps from the bottom.

He was taken by ambulance to James Cook hospital, where he died later that day, it is believed from an infection.

His mother said: ‘I think he knew himself he was dying. He was adamant about coming home and he never complained.

‘I want to say to anyone who ever thinks they might have a problem, go to your mam, go to your dad, go to someone. Mikey could have come to his mum – I wouldn’t have been embarrassed.’

Mikey is survived by his father Michael Rushby, 61, his sisters Lisa, 30, Jacqueline, 27, Michelle, 26, and Leanne, 21, and his six nieces and nephews.

They described him as a ‘little charmer’ who would always play jokes on people and had nicknames for everyone.

Jacqueline said: ‘Words can’t describe how much he will be missed. The house is so different, so quiet.’

His brother John said: ‘He will never be replaced. He wasn’t just a brother, he was a mate as well. A best mate.’

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned at Teesside Coroner’s Court.

Dailymail

The plane crashed while trying to land at Jomsom airport in northern Nepal, injuring all 21 people on board. No one was killed

A plane crashed while trying to land at a mountain airstrip in northern Nepal early today, injuring all 21 people on board.

Four of the injured are in critical condition, police officer Bhim Bahadur Chand said.

No one was killed in the crash.

Nine passengers are Japanese tourists, and the three crew members and the other passengers are all Nepali.

The plane belonging to state-owned Nepal Airlines was trying to land at Jomsom airport, some 125 miles northwest of Katmandu, when it crashed on the banks of Kaligandaki river.

The injured were rushed to the local hospital, and those with serious injuries are being airlifted to nearby Pokhara town for treatment.

The area is popular with foreign trekkers visiting the Mount Annapurna area and Hindu pilgrims visiting the revered Muktinath temple.

Fifteen people were killed last May when a plane crashed while attempting to land at the same airport.

The lure of the Himalayas attracts more than 100,000 trekkers, including 40,000 Brits, each year to Nepal.

Visitor numbers to Everest have doubled since the end of the civil war there in 2006 – but plane crashes have become worryingly frequent in the Asian country.

Pilots and experts in Nepal fear more accidents will happen in a country where political failure and poor regulation are undermining its vital tourist industry.

Pilots say they are under too much pressure from their bosses during busy periods and that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) isn’t capable of addressing the problems undermining safety.

They worry that heavy traffic in the Everest region could lead to a mid-air collision.

The European Aviation Safety Agency has written to CAAN asking what is being done about improving safety.

Some experts believe that one or more of Nepal’s domestic airlines will soon be placed on the EU’s blacklist.

Dailymail

Despite their marriage Leanne has left Rick and the spacious four-bedroom home they shared in Blackpool because their relationship disintegrated after he stepped on a mine

Few love affairs can have been more intense than the one Rick and Leanne Clement shared.

Rick was a soldier, a sergeant in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and his relationship with Leanne was punctuated by partings and reunions; by yearning and then passion.

But three years ago, Rick was critically injured while on duty in Afghanistan.

He stepped on a Taliban mine while leading a foot patrol in Helmand Province and lost both his legs.
The injuries to his lower body were, quite simply, catastrophic. Rick, 33, was not only deprived of his sex life and his chance to have children, he also ceased to feel any physical attraction for the woman he still adored.

Even so, Rick and Leanne, 31, were married in a lavish ceremony at Little Singleton, Lancashire in June 2011. Leanne believed optimistically – and wrongly, as it turned out – that, with love and patience, their problems could be surmounted.
But the marriage that started with such hope has disintegrated: Leanne has left Rick and the spacious four-bedroom home they shared in Blackpool. Divorce will follow.

‘The Rick I knew never returned from Afghanistan,’ she says. ‘The man who did was a stranger. The change in him was shocking. He put on a brave face to the world, but when we were on our own, he was an emotional wreck; always crying. The cuddly, caring man I’d known had gone.’

Leanne clung onto the hope she could do without sex as long as she had affection, but never realised how hard their lives would be.

It was a far cry from the early days of their relationship, prior to Rick’s injuries, during which the couple had enjoyed a very passionate love-life. ‘He was an affectionate man, warm, caring, tactile,’ recalls Leanne.

When she reflects now on the tumult of emotions that preceded their marriage – the terror that Rick would die; the heart-lurching relief when he didn’t, and the slow and painful process of his rehabilitation – she realises she had not prepared herself mentally for life with a man who had changed irrevocably.

When they met via Facebook in 2008, she was struck by his caring nature. ‘He was a nice, genuine, easy-going person,’ she recalls.

Rick, who had joined the Army at 17 after leaving Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, was stationed at Catterick barracks, North Yorkshire. Leanne, a carer in a nursing home, lived with the children from her first marriage, Erin, 11, and Kyle, eight, in a flat in Blackpool.

They met at weekends and when Rick was on leave, and as their love affair gained momentum, they planned a life together: marriage and children of their own.

So when, in April 2010, Rick left for a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, they parted with promises that when he returned there would be a wedding. It was a comfort to Leanne, who could barely cope with their separation.
‘We’d spent the day together: Rick, his mum and dad, Kay and Graham, and his sister Katie,’ she recalls.

‘It’s rare for me to cry, but when we hugged goodbye, I thought: “What if this is the last time I see him?” We cried and hugged. We didn’t say much except: “I love you, I’ll miss you.” And we promised to write.’

They exchanged dozens of letters. ‘Rick sent me two or three every day, and I wrote back – some long, hand-written ones, some quick typed e-blueys (the email system Army personnel and their families use).

‘I’d send him parcels, too: sweets, crisps, photos. His mates took the mickey, there were so many.’
Then, when Rick had been away for five weeks, the awful news came.

Leanne remembers worrying that his usual stack of letters had not arrived. ‘Then I got home and there were nine of them. I was excited,’ she remembers.

‘I ripped them open, put them in date order and was about to start reading them when Rick’s dad’s number came up on my phone.

‘I remember him saying, “Hiya chuck. Are you OK?” and I could just tell from his voice that something had happened to Rick. I screamed, “Is he dead? Tell me, for God’s sake. What’s happened?”

‘Graham told me what had happened. He said I should prepare for the worst. I remember feeling panic, sheer panic. It was like someone had their hands round my throat and I couldn’t breathe.’ Two hours later, Rick was being flown home and Leanne, Rick’s parents and his sister were on their way to the military hospital in Birmingham; they thought it would be to say their last goodbyes.

They steeled themselves for the worst. ‘The doctor briefed us. He said Rick was in a very bad way,’ Leanne says.

‘We went into intensive care. Rick was in a coma but he was almost unrecognisable. The nurse said it was normal. I couldn’t cry at first because of the shock.

‘All I remember was this horrible smell of burnt flesh.

‘His mum said: “What have you done, Richard, what have you done?” then I broke down. I was hysterical. We just stood there crying. It broke my heart. I thought: “This poor woman’s baby is going to die.”

‘But I remember saying, “Please don’t die. You promised faithfully you’d come home to me”. It was three days before the extent of Rick’s injuries fully dawned on Leanne: he was now just a head, arms and torso. ‘They took away the table and sheet that was shielding him. I thought, “He really is half a man.” I was shocked by how little was left of him,’ she says, her eyes blurring with tears.

For the next three months, she remained in Birmingham with him, making only two brief weekend visits to Blackpool to see her children, who were staying with their father.  ‘My ex-husband said: “Be with Rick. If he dies, you’ll know you did everything. The kids are safe here.”’

So she was at his bedside when, three weeks on, he emerged, confused and rambling, from the coma.

‘His eyes were shut, and he was talking,’ she remembers, ‘he was really confused.

‘He said: “Pass me my shoes. I have to get back to work.’ It went on for ten days, this confusion.

Then his dad spoke to an Army officer, a captain, and he told Rick: “Your fight in Afghanistan is over – you’re fighting for your loved ones now.” It seemed to make a difference.

‘Rick knew I was there. I asked: “Do you know who I am?” and he said: “You’re my girlfriend, Leanne,” and that gave me comfort. But I couldn’t celebrate that he was alive because he had such devastating injuries.’

After four months, in August 2010, he was transferred to the Forces’ rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Surrey. ‘It gave him hope,’ says Leanne.  ‘He started to be positive. He saw other servicemen with horrific injuries who had some quality of life.’

Leanne, who had returned to Blackpool, visited Rick every weekend.

They began to discuss their future. ‘We’d made a pact to be together, we’d already planned it,’ she says. ‘I remember thinking: “I love him, I don’t want to lose him.” I could think of no reason to cancel our plans.’

She considered the implications of her decision: not only would she be living with a husband confined to a wheelchair, she would also be giving up any prospect of a normal sex life.

She recalls one occasion: ‘We lay on the bed together and cuddled, and I said: “It’s OK. It doesn’t matter that we won’t have sex.” And I meant it.

‘I thought: “I’ve got two kids and they love Rick,” and I thought we’d have warmth, intimacy and that I could manage with that.’

And in the blur of activity following Rick’s homecoming in December 2010, Leanne, it seemed, failed to confront how profoundly the man she intended to marry was traumatised.

They bought a large house, specially adapted to his disabilities, using part of the £575,000 compensation he’d received, and their June wedding was a euphoric celebration of his survival. A honeymoon in New York and Bermuda followed. But Leanne says the one-sided physical nature of their relationship made her uncomfortable.

‘I felt selfish and guilty,’ she recalls.

A sense of unease remained as they began their new lives together. To start with Leanne, accustomed to her professional role of carer, did everything for her husband: ‘I bathed him, emptied his colostomy bag and his catheter, helped him in and out of his wheelchair and into the car.’

Then, a few months on, Rick changed. ‘He was determined no one would think of him as disabled. He learned to drive an adapted car. He washed himself. He emptied his bag. He became fiercely independent.

‘He’d shout at me if I treated him as disabled and say: “I don’t need anyone!” We rowed a lot and one night he was determined to show me he could get in and out of the car on his own.

‘He wheeled himself out of the house and broke his wheelchair  into bits, then he got into the car. He did it out of sheer frustration.’

The relationship began to unravel. Rick – a man whose career had been founded on his physicality, his strength, his masculinity – felt diminished and emasculated.

Leanne, meanwhile, found herself redundant, side-lined, rejected.

As their relationship disintegrated, Rick threw himself into raising money for his charity, A Soldier’s Journey, which helps injured soldiers. He was lionised for his efforts and carried the Olympic torch through Blackpool.

Leanne, meanwhile, coveted a ‘normal life’ – evenings watching DVDs, trips to the park with the children; meals out – but that everyday existence of small, shared pleasures eluded her. Rick, it seemed, swung from euphoric highs when his charity work consumed him, to depressive lows when he barely left the house.

‘In the end I insisted we saw an Army counsellor,’ she says. ‘She came, but Rick said he didn’t want her help. He cried and said he loved me and I said: “I’ve spent 12 months trying to save our marriage but you just won’t listen”.’

Leanne felt all her hope leach away. She told Rick she was leaving him. ‘I was hoping he’d ask me to stay, but he said: “This is what you want. I love you so I will let you go”.’

Their short, doomed marriage had lasted just over a year. Leanne duly moved into the tiny terrace house she shares with her children, who still see Rick.

She has a new man in her life, but chooses not to name him. She has dealt with a torrent of abuse that has come her way for daring to leave her hero husband.

‘People think I’m horrible,’ she says. ‘They assumed I married Rick for his money, but I didn’t.

‘It’s his money, his compensation, and he needs it for the care he will have to have for the rest of his life.

‘They do not know I was there for him in his darkest times. I don’t deserve what happened either.

‘They say the tragedy happened to him. They don’t see that I travelled the journey with him, too.’

Dailymail

Kofi Okyere Darko, aka KOD

Reports reaching BEATWAVES reveal that Kofi Okyere Darko, aka KOD, has been chosen to host this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 18, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

A suave man of style and an affable personality, KOD is undoubtedly one of the finest showbiz impresarios in the sub-region and a pioneer of private radio broadcasting in Ghana.

KOD is one of the most sought after national, corporate and social events hosts today, having hosted events like the United Nations-Waipa Gala Night, Nescafe African Revelations, Bands Alive on TV3, the maiden Edition of Miss Malaika, TV3 Mentor, Miss Ghana UK, Ghana@50 Celebrations in England and Switzerland, the annual Ghana meets Naija musical extravaganza, among others.

The trained Broadcast Journalist (with Radio Gold) has been part of Ghana Music Awards from its inception and served on both the selection and Academy for 12 years. KOD has also been the face of the VGMA’s Red Carpet for several years.

It has been an amazing journey for Kofi in showbiz, his passion for the music industry saw the establishment of Blaq Kapricorn, an events, artiste management company and record label before his 25^th birthday.

He was instrumental in the rise to fame of notable award-winning musicians like Tinny, 4X4, Wutah, Ofori Amponsah, Praye, Kofi B, among others.

KOD has gone through so many phases as a man of style and made his subtle debut on the continental platform when he designed an outfit for Kwaku T when he represented Ghana at Big Brother Africa 2008.

KOD, who owns Nineteen 57, a fashion house, is the brain behind the Rhythms On Da Runway fashion show and is one of the best fashion show organizers in Ghana today.

He has designed clothes for notable personalities including President Rawlings, late President Atta Mills, RLG Boss Roland Agambire, former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jamaican Reggae Star Buju Banton and Ghanaian International Gospel Star Sonnie Badu.

By George Clifford Owusu

Amandzeba Nat Brew, GHAMRO board member

The relentless war on piracy by the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) dubbed ‘Operation Jail the Pirates’ has resulted in a two-year jail term at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison for 230-year-old Kofi Gyamfi for copyright infringement.

This occurred when AMA Motor and Sanitation Court at Abeka sentenced Gyamfi to a fine of six thousand Ghana Cedis (60 million old cedis) or in lieu of that, serve two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the offence of reproducing and distributing musical and audiovisual works contrary to section 42(1) of Copyright Act 690.

Prosecuting, Inspector Hansen Armah told the court that on January 28, this year, the complainant, Eric Tetteh, together with his colleague members of the GHAMRO Taskforce in collaboration with the police, proceeded to Achimota and Lapaz lorry stations and found seven men, namely Kofi Gyamfi, Louis Ahiableh, Yaw Asante, Sampson Amegator, Justice  Oppong, Yaw Mike, and Nicholas Nuamah, 1^st to 7^th accused persons respectively, with laptops and other devices copying and selling songs unlawfully for commercial purposes  without  authorization of Music Right Owners represented by GHAMRO.

They were subsequently arrested, sent to Tesano Police Station and processed for court. Gyamfi pleaded guilty and was sentenced, but the other six who pleaded not guilty were remanded at Nsawam Prison and subsequently granted bail in the sum of one thousand Ghana cedis each. They have since appeared before court several times.

In another development, the GHAMRO Taskforce has conducted a massive raid on music pirates simultaneously in three different locations- Osu, 37 and Labadi Palm Wine junction, during which several persons illegally downloading and selling songs were apprehended and sent to the Tesano Police Station. They are to appear before court on Friday May 17.

GHAMRO Taskforce head Daniel Adjei, aka Dan Ray stated that the war on piracy will continue until sanity prevails in Ghana’s Music Industry.

Annette Danso

Annette Danso is a passionate young woman anointed by God to reach His generation through the ministry of anointed music, bringing hope, encouragement, life and transformation to many in His nation and the world at large.

She is affectionately known as the “Annette-girl”, for her dedication to the work of God and the diversity in her live music presentations.

Annette’s consistency as an anointed gospel music icon promoting the teachings of Christ through music has made a tremendous impact in motivating and inspiring so many people.

Although she has three good albums to her credit, she has been groomed by a number of gospel music directors into a professional gospel music star who is already on her way to stardom.

The release of her third album is in fulfilment of a cherished dream to use music to educate music lovers about the teachings of Christ. Though it is her third album, Annette is no novice in the gospel music industry in Ghana, having had stints with very notable gospel musicians.

Annette’s music career started almost two decades ago and her performance with some top musicians in Ghana, spurred her on to take up music.

Annette Danso who launched her third musical album, ‘Eye’, recently noted that the album is a true reflection of her worshipping heart and desire to encourage people to come close to God.

‘Eye’, the title track, is a slow, mid-tempo song with a beautiful highlife rhythm and a great treble tune to match. It offers great inspiration to everybody.

But the ‘Eye’ song is a wonderful piece which brings out the creative abilities of the artiste.

‘Tena Yesu Nase’, another song on the album, is a cool-tempo song in which the artiste gives God various accolades and beautifully joins the female backing vocalists to sing the chorus.

‘Tena Yesu Nase’ has reggae rhythm and it is sure to
get listeners involved in calling on Christ with great faith that He would definitely answer.

The album has hit tracks like ‘Asafo Yehowa’, a song of assurance and strength giving hope to the weary, and her multi-hit track, ‘Wole Noko’, the song that is causing such great waves on air and is bound to bring about great transformation in the lives of many who hear it.

Other songs on the album include ‘Monyi Awurade Aye’, ‘Menim Ne Nne’ and ‘Oye M’adamfo’.

Annette Danso who is determined to set high standards for gospel music in Ghana and beyond told BEATWAVES, “I am married to my musical career because as a young lady and a musician, I think I have to go close to God and also use my music to promote His teachings”.

By George Clifford Owusu

Okyeame Kwame

As part of activities to mark this year’s African Union Day, the rap Doctor, Okyeame Kwame will stage a live musical concert on Monday May 27, from 10:00am to 5:00pm to entertain students from various tertiary institutions and music fans at the Lizzy Sports Complex at East Legon in Accra.

The event, dubbed “Coca Cola Shakeup”, being organised by One Mic Entertainment with sponsorship from Coca Cola will witness historic live musical performance from Okyeame Kwame.

Guests artistes billed to perform alongside Okyeame Kwame are Guru, E.L, Dr Slim, Double, PM, Stonebouy and a host of others.

Okyeame, an electrifying live performer, who has wowed crowds in parts of the world with his stagecraft and dancing skills, told BEATWAVES in a chat that he will thrill fans with most of his hit songs being aired on the music market.

The dynamic rapper, who previously partnered Okyeame Quophi to form the Akyeame duo a decade ago, now stands alone as the one of the best rappers in Ghana.

Okyeame has a reputation for his ability to keep his audience on their feet for hours on end; hence, when he hits the stage on Monday May 27, fans in attendance will be expecting nothing less.

The event which is free will be a fun-filled affair with lots of fun as well as exciting inter-school fun games which include basketball, snooker, tennis, soccer and volleyball.

Also lined up are inter-school rap and dance competition between some selected rap and dance kings in the various schools.

There will also be video games such as Mortal Kombat, Temple Run and a host of other interesting games.

According to Okyeame Kwame, the event is aimed at “shaking up” the graduates to energize them, excite them and also to give them a chance to meet, make new friends and welcome them to life after school.

He also revealed that as a way to thank the students for their continuous support and through the efforts of Coca Cola, the event is free for all with gates opening from 10:00am.

The “Coca Cola Shake Up” is brought to you by Coca Cola and powered by One Mic Entertainment with support from 4syte TV. The event will be emceed by Funny Face and Caroline.

By George Clifford Owusu

R2Bees

Tema-based sensational music duo R2Bees has been nominated for the 2013 Black Entertainment Television ( BET) awards. Nominees for this year’s awards were released Tuesday.

The duo, made up of Faisal Hakeem (Paedae da Pralem) and Rashid Mugeez (Mugeez), have been nominated in the Best International Act (Africa) category and they will face fierce competition from some of Africa’s finest acts for that award.

They will battle it out with 2Face Idibia (Nigeria), Toya Delazy (South Africa), Radio and Weasel (Uganda), Ice Prince (Nigeria) and Donald (South Africa).

Their nomination is coming after Ghana chalked her first success at the 2012 edition of the awards.

Last year, Ghana’s fastest rapper Sarkodie jointly won the Best International Act award with Nigerian musician Wizkid.

Sarkodie went on after that win to feature in the 2012 BET Hiphop Awards Cypher.

In 2011, 2Face Idibia and D’banj jointly won the Best International Act (Africa) while Ice Prince lost out on the same award to Sarkodie and Wizkid.

The 2013 BET Awards hosted by Chris Tucker comes off on Sunday, June 30, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and it will witness performances from R. Kelly, Chris Brown and the legendary Charlie Wilson.

Joe Ghartey

Hon. Joe Ghartey has called for the telecasting of future high-notched corruption cases. What a fantastic proposal. We could not have agreed more with the position, whose many advantages towards reducing to the barest minimum, the endemic graft threatening our political morality is beyond reproach.

Given the uselessness of the varied interventions so far to reduce graft in public institutions and others outside them, such novelties as giving opportunities to many Ghanaians to simultaneously listen to and watch proceedings about corruption cases in court should not be hushed.

The negative repercussions of graft in any given community are too apparent to be ignored, more so, in a newfound oil-driven economy.

Our economic status as an oil-exporting country predisposes us to corruption, something civil society organisations and politicians claim have started showing up already. When such cases pop up, as they surely will, the courts must deal with them. Being novelties when they occur, the need to give ample opportunity to curious Ghanaians to learn and know the issues at stake should not be overlooked.

We have heard many contributions supporting the Honourable gentleman’s position and encourage others who would not see the goodness in the arrangement to remove their political lenses and be objective, for once, about the proposal.

As we advance in experience in our practice of democracy, unknown challenges are bound to emerge and these must be tackled in the best of forms so that questions about bias or objectivity would not rear their heads.

We can bet our last cedi that the advantages inherent in the novelty of opening up the Supreme Court to television cameras far outweigh shutting the bowels of the courtroom to the public.

We recall how some opponents of the novelty, even when it was already operational, sought to give it a bad name and hang it; an undertaking which matched attributes of political machinations. With a general consensus about the goodness of the undertaking, it has survived the intrigues and even waxed stronger with the passing days.

In a similar vein, it is our take that Parliament should, as a matter of urgency, give a legislative backing to the proposal so that Ghanaians would not be victims of propagandists, who would stop at nothing to throw dust into the eyes of their compatriots.

When persons entangled in graft are showed live defending themselves against the facts of the case in full glare of the public as they view the proceedings, the war against corruption would gain an important impetus.

Understanding how corrupt public officials ply their trade is an important way of discouraging others from meddling in graft. Naming and shaming corrupt public officials and their accomplices in the private sector will be enhanced when television cameras are allowed in the courtrooms.

Morality in officialdom is now an endangered virtue. Instances of top public officials resorting to outright lies when they are especially ensnared in the web of immorality are worryingly rampant.

The moral anomaly instructively goes hand-in-hand with graft. Most of the lies recorded in officialdom are spewed to protect corrupt activities- an aberration which appears to be mutating dangerously and pervading all public institutions, leaving in its wake major structural cracks.

So endemic has it become today that it is losing its importance, even as front page stories in media establishments. This is an apt indication about how deep the aberration has eaten into the social fabric.

The Government information machinery must work hard to restore its lost image among most Ghanaians. The perception that this department is largely a propaganda outfit whose releases must be ingested with a pinch of salt is responsible for its image predicament.

A few months ago the information minister struggled to correct credibility-deficient disclosures emanating from his office, among which is the name-change of the Flagstaff House. His stuttering efforts left him bereft of the confidence and virility needed for his occupation.

Sincerity in government and public institutions no longer matter in the scheme of things. Public servants and political office holders through public relations officers throw so much dust into the eyes of members of the public that it would seem like these persons are not answerable to the people they are supposed to serve.

One of the leading private newspapers did a story recently about how an American company accused the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly of demanding bribe from them before a certain contract could materialize in their favour.

The money was going to be shared among some top men at the Finance Ministry, he allegedly explained to the foreigners who lost the deal because they did not play ball. Nothing has happened since the publication and the official has not been questioned about the allegation.

We have had cause to point out the many anomalies regarding recruitment into the Police Service including promotion – something the administration always denies through its PR department.

A recent story about how some top officials were caught red-handed engaged in the recruitment anomalies, confirmed the widespread instances of graft in the law-enforcement agency.

Even before the foregone, some officers were nabbed at the Police Hospital engaged in medical examination procedures for some willing bribe payers. Although the story made disgusting headlines, the public is yet to hear what punitive action was taken against the culprits.

The toddling oil industry is already mired in widespread graft, as a mafia fiefdom is gaining root. Perhaps it is already suffering the resource curse associated with the natural endowment.

Our country is close to the precipice, propelled by an accelerated and multifaceted incidence of graft, leaving no institution untouched.

Ghana Police

The security situation in the Garden City of Kumasi is definitely not normal. It has not been so for a while now triggering consternation among both residents and others outside it.

Those who think it is inching towards a failed city status would not be too wrong considering the brazenness with which the hoodlums straddle the city like excited conquerors!

A demonstration in Accra was recently cancelled because according to the Police they had to deploy most of their personnel to the Ashanti Regional capital to restore order because of deadly breaches of the law. For the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Augustine Gyening to therefore, claim that all is well in his area of command is a rich remark.

Being the second largest city and most economically significant besides Accra, situations of near-breakdown of law and order, as being manifested in Kumasi, should attract more attention than a mere media remark of “there is no cause for alarm”.

There is certainly something wrong in a city which has started witnessing fatal actions inflicted by hoodlums, some in broad daylight, as residents run for dear life. Such dare-devil operations, having almost become features of the city, are even more worrying, when we consider the almost impossibility that the suspects would be apprehended anytime soon.

If the regional police commander is only seeking to manage panic by such rich remarks, then he can be pardoned, but not so when he sincerely sees the unfolding trend in Kumasi as something not worth an additional police attention.

Under the prevailing reality in Kumasi, it is our take that a special attention is directed at the city with a view to dealing appropriately with the deadly situation in the city.

The political connotation, which some are imputing to the development, is not socially wholesome. Out of their helpless situations, some victims think there is a deliberate attempt to leave them to their fate. We pray that is not the case.

Be it as it may, we wish to call on the Commander-In-Chief to summon his security chiefs once more to review the situation with a view to dealing with it a once-and-for-all blow.

We should be able to call a spade a spade when confronted with such deadly situations as we seek an effective antidote.

Kumasi, before the 2012 polls, was a bedlam of local politics with hoodlums marauding as they pleased. The Pankrono incident in which some of the miscreants messed up a registration centre and went scot free is still fresh in our memories. The then District Police Commander, who sought to apprehend the culprits using available means, had  his fingers badly burnt because his superiors were not enthused about his passion.

Many ignoble incidents have taken place in Kumasi since then with the principal players nowhere near police custodies or the courtrooms.

If they are not stopped, the hoodlums will very soon turn their attention elsewhere spreading their ignoble concept.

A Pregnant Woman

Ghana’s hope of meeting the Millennium Development Goal 5, to improve maternal healthcare is under threat despite the introduction of programmes such as the Free Maternal Care Initiative (FMHCI) in July 2008, to accelerate the process.

A survey conducted by the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights as part of its Transparency and Accountability Project and copied to the Ghana News Agency indicated many women continue to deliver their babies outside health facilities.

The study utilised a Citizen Report Card (CRC) to assess the FMHCI as well as to ascertain gaps in its implementation.

It revealed that issues of hidden cost at the level of the health facility discouraged pregnant women from accessing the free maternal care.

The CRC is a social accountability tool used to assess public service delivery in terms of quality, reliability, satisfaction, corruption and usage.

According to the statement, the study sought to, among others, understand the extent to which rural women in three districts were benefitting from the free maternal health care initiative.

It also ascertained the existence of corruption, problem redress, factors affecting access and usage, levels of satisfaction and the quality and reliability of skilled delivery services by September 30, 2012.

The study was conducted within three regions in three administrative districts – Juaboso (Western Region); Offinso (Ashanti Region) and Bongo (Upper East Region) based on the relatively low uptake of skilled delivery.

It was apparent that the mere removal of usage charges was not enough to persuade a significant majority of women to utilise delivery care services because many of them did not have the wherewithal to pay for the related hidden charges or costs.

These charges included payments for antenatal cards, hospitals supplies like soap, beddings, Dettol, cost payment for burying placenta, mackintosh, food and some items, which should be available, but unfortunately were not supplied at health centres.

The study noted that: “Health Promotion Educational campaigns aimed at improving comprehensive knowledge about the entire benefit package of the Free Maternal Healthcare Initiative should be strengthened”.

“The campaign should be targeted towards giving reliable, factual and comprehensive information and describing the full range of FMHCI as well as benefits of accessing free delivery care.”

The study recommended that the implementation of the policy as evidenced by the responses of both health officials and patients alike indicated that the operational barriers that hindered the successful implementation of the initiative must be addressed in a holistic manner in order to ensure progress.

“Hidden cost associated with deliveries, which should be available, but unfortunately, are not available at health centres; among others must be removed if indeed the initiative was meant to be free,” the study concluded.

GNA

Irene Joyce Acquah receiving one of the streetlights from Nana Ato Arthur at Kissi

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA), Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur, has presented 50 streetlights worth GH¢15,000 to three health centres and some communities in his constituency in a bid to improve the lighting systems in the area.

The beneficiary centres are Kissi Health Centre, Abrem-Agona Health Centre, Elmina Heath Centre, Eguafo Senior High School and the Elmina Market.

At the ceremony, Dr Ato Arthur stated that the donation was in response to the requests made by the organizations when he visited them to ascertain some of the problems confronting them.

At Elmina, the KEEA Municipal Director of Education, Quaning Kofi Mends, made the donation of streetlights which he said would help improve the healthcare delivery systems in the district. He thanked the MP for the kind gesture and appealed for more help from other organizations since government alone could not assist in the healthcare delivery of the country.

At Kissi, the medical assistant in charge of the centre, Irene Joyce Acquah applauded Dr Arthur for his prompt response to their request and urged him to speed up works on the deplorable roads that they have in the community which was making access to healthcare difficult.

Mrs Acquah used the occasion to appeal to the MP to also solve the accommodation problems facing staff of the health centre.

The Queenmother of Kissi and Adontenhen of Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Efua Badu II, appealed to the MP to help construct drainage systems in the community to prevent flooding anytime it rained.

At the Elmina Market, the MP noted that the streetlights would help improve the security situation in the area, especially for the traders.

From Sarah Afful, Elmina

Drugs

Pharmacists across the country under the leadership of the Government and Hospitals Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) would begin rendering emergency services to HIV/AIDS and critically ill in-patients at psychiatric hospitals.

This followed an assurance by the government through the Minister of Health, Sherry Ayittey, to resolve the issue of their conversion difference and agreed structure within 30 days.

Stephen Okoe Corquaye, GHOSPA president who confirmed the decision of the association to DAILY GUIDE said the association’s agreement to provide services for HIV/AIDS patients and in-patients of psychiatric hospital was as a result of the  impact of the strike action on these two categories of people.

“Those with HIV/AIDS may develop resistance to the drugs they are taking and that may increase their health bill and in-patients at the psychiatric hospitals may have a withdrawal syndrome or relapse,” he said.

Mr Corquaye however noted that the association had not called off its strike action but was rather putting a human face to the situation as their issues were being resolved by government.

“We have said we are not happy with the situation more so when the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is not complying with the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) ruling to use the agreed structure,” he said.

He added that government, through the NLC, should enforce their ruling for the FWSC to comply with the verdict that the agreed structure and conversion difference be used for grading the pharmacists.

“For four months now, the FWSC have not complied with the directive of the NLC and the NLC have done nothing about it but in the case of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), they went to court to enforce their ruling, why are they not doing the same for us?” he asked.

The president of GHOSPA further indicated that the association was willing to call off the strike, should they have a written commitment from government to solve their grievances.

“We have already dealt with the issue at the NLC, and we want a written commitment from government that will make us rescind our decision so the other issues can be addressed within the 30-day period,” he said.

Mr Corquaye urged the public not to put the blame on the pharmacists but the authorities who had failed to implement the decision of the NLC.

GHOSPA intensified its month-long strike action two weeks ago, by withdrawing emergency services to psychiatric patients and the provision of Anti Retro-Viral (ARV) drugs.

The action was necessitated by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s (FWSC) failure to abide by the ruling of the National Labour Commission (NLC) to use the grading structure provided by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for pharmacists.

The NLC had, in an earlier hearing of the case, dismissed an application by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) which sought to stay execution of its ruling that the FWSC should use the grading structure provided by the GHS for pharmacists.

The NLC in their ruling directed the FWSC to put the pharmacists on the right levels as stipulated in the salary structure presented by the GHS and also resolve the issue of market premium; however, the FWSC had done nothing about the directive given by the NLC.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Some of the beneficiaries

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) last Thursday registered about 500 people under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Cape Coast, in the Central Region.

The beneficiaries who could not afford to register under the scheme were drawn from Brofoyedur, Kadadwen and Aboom and were between the ages of 18 and 70.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Director of Specialist Project at NLA, George E. Gyamfi-Osew said the registration cost GH¢5,000.

He stated that the registration formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

Mr Gyamfi-Osew said that they consulted the chiefs in Cape Coast about a year ago on some of the things they wanted NLA to do for the community and the chiefs mentioned renovation of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital and registration of NHIS for the less privileged in the area.

He revealed that the NLA would renew the cards when they were due for renewal.

Mr Gyamfi-Osew disclosed that the NLA had two big projects to be completed this year, namely, the renovation of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital and the registration of the people under the NHIS in the area.

The Director of Specialist Project noted that the NLA believed a healthy people made a healthy nation; hence, the need to help improve on the health sector of the country to enable people to contribute their quota towards the development of the country.

Later in an interview, a 70-year old fisherman, Kweku Mensah, thanked the NLA for the registration and said he would not have gotten money to register if they had not come to their aid.

He appealed to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other benevolent organizations to come to the aid of the unemployed in the country.

 From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast

Sherry Ayitey cutting the tape to commission the building

Health Minister Sherry Ayitey last Friday inaugurated an ultra-modern building to house the Greater Accra Regional office of the National Health Insurance (NHIS).

The two-storey facility built by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) brings to 10 the number of NHIA regional offices owned by the Authority.

“I appreciate and congratulate the Authority for putting in efforts to own its office buildings rather than rent them. And I have also observed for myself the efforts operators of the scheme are putting in to enhance the reduction of fraud and this is one thing that needs commendation,” Sherry Ayitey noted.

Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive of NHIA, in his address, described the development as a “complete change in the phase of the NHIA.”

“By 2009 we had no regional offices and we operated mainly in rented offices. But now the cost of rental has been completely eliminated because as we commission this building today, all 10 regions have regional offices owned by the Authority.”

Mr. Mensah explained that the Authority was not only interested in the infrastructure of the Scheme but also the efficiency of health delivery although health delivery does not directly fall under the Authority’s mandate.

“We have also put up a Claims Processing Center (CPC) comparable to any in the world and the idea of this is to inject efficiency in the processing of claims,” he stated, and added that although the Authority still faces challenges, the exact causes and fine details of the challenges have been meticulously sorted out and the Authority, together with its stakeholders, was working to find a lasting solution.

The Chief Executive also revealed that the Authority would soon introduce instant biometric ID cards to subscribers and that a pilot programme will begin this month in the Greater Accra Region and later move to other parts of the country.

 By Halifax Ansah-Addo

Ghana Flag

“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

-  Mathew 27:46

“A crisis that reoccurs a second time is a crisis that must not occur again. A well-managed plant, I soon learned is a quiet place. A well-managed factory is boring. Nothing exciting happens in it because the crises have been anticipated and have been converted into routine”.

-  Peter Drucker

I wonder what comments Peter Drucker would make of the Ghanaian situation if he were around.

This is a country where crisis keeps on occurring and we move from one crisis to another without any solutions.

We create problems rather than finding solutions.

I wonder what comments Lee Kuan Yew would make if he were to visit Ghana for the second time and assess the Ghana he saw over 40 years ago when he first visited the country.

Corruption is destroying this country. This is a country born into corruption, baptized in corruption, nurtured in corruption, brought up in corruption, educated in corruption and spent all its adult working days in corruption and made to believe that the only way to salvation is to die in corruption. Today, the corruption which had engulfed our leaders during the Kwame Nkrumah era has assumed an unprecedented gargantuan proportion moving from Kalabule and Gyinabu of Acheampong NRC administration to Woyomegate and Akomfemgate under the Mills and Mahama NDC administration. Contracts are packaged and awarded to only those who are prepared to pay bribes.

Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption are heavily involved in shady deals robbing the country of needed limited resources for development and growth. Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, are not just involved in outright theft of state resources but are also selling the country to pale faced crooked foreign businessmen.

Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption personally move from one office to another of crooked foreign businessmen, many of them without entry permits, resident permits and working permits, collecting envelopes stuffed with $10,000 as a price for selling the country.

It is a fact that our greedy leaders, both elected and appointed, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, no longer wait in their offices to receive the bribes consisting of $10,000 stacked in envelopes.

Expensive vehicles and houses in foreign countries are very often thrown into the bargain as the purchase price for selling off the country to these crooked foreign businessmen.

Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, virtually beg for admission and scholarship for their children in foreign universities from crooked foreign businessmen as prices for selling the country’s resources cheaply. Our greedy leaders, both elected and appointed, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, offer themselves at very cheap prices for their treachery and the crooked foreign businessmen in turn offer cheap prizes. Our leaders, both elected and appointed, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, nowadays take the short route to the offices of these crooked foreign businessmen to collect these bribes themselves. They then sell the nation so cheaply to these foreign crooks. The foreign crooks come into the country without the requisite entry and resident permits as well as working permits and establish businesses such as ICT schools and centres, vehicle distribution companies,  retail businesses, enter into the oil and gas industry, involve themselves in galamsey, evade taxes and custom duties, carry out illegal electricity and water connections, involve themselves in businesses reserved for the locals, take over prime areas for massive residential building projects, establish churches where massive collections are made weekly which eventually find the way out of the country.

These crooked foreign businessmen claim dual nationality while they siphon all the cedis they earn out of the country in the form of United States dollars by beating the foreign exchange legal regime. Very often, these crooked foreign businessmen come with little or no working capital to their names. However, the local banks open their doors to them offering them mouthwatering credit facilities and within a short time they become dollar millionaires. Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption fly out on holidays arranged for them free of charge paid for by these crooked foreigners. Our greedy leaders, both appointed and elected, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption, compromise their entrusted positions and sell the nation’s birthright to these crooked foreigners mostly made up of Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, Syrians, Lebanese, Malaysians and some western businessmen.

The largesse appears massive for the greedy and unpatriotic leaders, both elected and appointed, with high propensity and insatiable gluttony for corruption. However, they are chicken feed to these crooked foreign bribe payers. However, they come at a big cost to the nation.

The illegal Chinese galamsey operators can gun down locals with impunity without the law dealing with them. Taxes and custom duties which could be used for development and growth are lost to the state and channeled into private pockets, the collection of government revenue can be compromised and taxes meant for the consolidated fund swept under the carpet.

The additional  price the nation pays for these heinous crimes is that our environment is degraded and  destroyed, our forest reserves are  depleted, our water bodies are polluted, Ghanaians workers employed by these pale faced foreigners are paid peanuts as starvation wages which amount to hand to chin wages and as part of the bargain treated as dirt with no rights to form unions or access to SSNIT contribution,  our telephone system can be operated at the lowest level of inefficiency to the discomfort of the suffering consumer illegal electricity and water connections suddenly become legal without any punishment to the offenders.

Illegal and unaccustomed goods like textiles, counterfeit products including fake drugs and expired consumer products can be allowed through our borders and onto the market. Cocoa and coffee, minerals like gold and diamond can be smuggled across the border with impunity.  I can still recollect the day Anas Arimiyaw Anas famous exposure on customs broke out. All what our late President Mills could do was to explode with righteous indignation and threaten the men and women of the custom institution on TV that the next time such callous atrocities are allowed to occur, there would be massive transfer of staff. In this country transfer is seen as punishment. The worst which happens to corrupt people is just to name them when the right thing to do is to name, shame and jail them. Who can doubt that fact that the impunity at the lower levels keep on occurring with persistent accuracy and timing because those at the top benefit from it and are worse offenders.

It took the courage of a late IGP Bawa Yakubu to admit there could hardly be any police officer who had not taken bribe before, (perhaps with the exception of the fine police officer of blessed memory famously called “Abban”). Can anybody show me a virgin in maternity hospital?

In all these criminal endeavours, these crooked foreigners are very often aided by locals who find themselves in leadership positions like chiefs, assembly men and women and opinion leaders. These locals are paid pittance either for acting as front men or conduit pipe for these crooked foreign businessmen

There is so much corruption in this country presently because right from the dawn of independence, the epicentre of the corruption industry has always been at the seat of Government. Subsequent governments we have had have all polished up and oiled the corruption machinery they met, researched into it, perfected the way the loot stolen can be hidden while covering their tracks. We have reached a state in the corruption industry where an alleged criminal standing trial for illegal collection and receipt of state funds can hold a press conference, exuding self-confidence and clothed in moral fibre, threatening to name names of his alleged accomplices and everybody who matters in the society keeps quiet instead of daring him to a duel of conscience to name names. We have reached a stage in the corruption industry where the highest officer entrusted with the affairs of the state can announce loudly and clear that the entire flesh belonging to the nation has been eaten away leaving a bone which is even useless to the dog with the toughest teeth and strongest jaws to munch and yet it takes only a lonely Man of God from Obuasi, the Soweto of Ghana, to challenge him to come out with names of the people who ate away the entire flesh.

Indeed, just as any idiot can go to court and such idiot is already  in court, any idiot can ascend to the highest office of the land with so much sycophancy, bootlicking, hen-pecked husband attitude towards affairs of the state and dog in the manger attitude and give it to God syndrome on the part of the citizens.

The sad situation and the reality facing this country today is that we have criminals in government who came to power through criminal ways, we have criminals managing our state institutions and who are all looting the state coffers with impunity. As if that is not enough these greedy bustards are also selling the nation’s birthright to crooked foreigners and are diligently and with impunity introducing tribalism into our national life, a canker Dr. Kwame Nkrumah fought to a standstill and won.

Suddenly persons with certain tribal names or deemed to be coming from certain parts of the country or are known not to belong to the ruling party are treated as second class citizens. Certain particular region in the country has been declared no go area by criminal gangs in full glare of the security services. Ghana, forget, we can never make it. Every morning when I hear the song birds singing telling me it is time to wake up, I look at my black skin and look up to the heavens and I exclaim, Oh Allah, why did you bring me here.

E-mail: makgyasi@ug.edu.gh

By Kwame Gyasi

Kwesi Biney

To Be Honest, As This World Goes, Is To Be

One Man Picked Out Of Ten Thousand

(Hamlet, Shakespeare)

Sometimes my diminishing hope for the future of this country under John Mahama and his team of corrupt incompetent fortune grabbers of no comparison in the history of the leadership of this country is stalled, when a glimmer of hope from an unknown quarter shines out there. One of the major reasons why this country is taken for granted by politicians is the fact that many organized groups and leaders of very influential bodies prefer remaining silent, at least publicly over actions and inactions of governments which affect their lives and the nation as a whole.

I remember that in the Gen. Acheampong era when the fortunes of this country were moving slowly but unstoppable into an abyss, a number of bodies and individuals rose up in defence of this country at the peril of their lives. I remember the late Mr. Amarteifio, who became known as Mr. No because of his public opposition to the UNIGOV referendum introduced by the regime. I remember the Professional Bodies Association of Ghana which stood up and spoke publicly against the government’s governance style and in the interest of the nation.

I also remember the Movement for Freedom and Justice (MFJ) which brought together all people from various political divides to challenge the state of affairs and call for a return to a constitutional democratic means of governing this country. The now moribund or toothless National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which in the years of yore was the intellectual lamp for this country where opaqueness and non-accountability in governance were exposed while the ‘Legon Observer’ brought to the nation the intellectual angle of what was going on. The Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church contributed immensely to the struggle to correct the aberration in governance in those times.

Indeed, it was the collective non-violent actions of the above groups and individuals like Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, Kweku Baako, Kwesi Pratt and others who have passed on to glory, which led to the Palace Coup of Gen. Akwasi Akufo and finally the June 4^th Revolution. Over the years, many such organizations have either been dissolved or the individuals have taken a different position in life because of changing circumstances. It must be stated, however, that the underlining principles which led to the actions of the above groups and individuals still stand. Some progress has been achieved but the mismanagement of our collective resources still prevails and the magnitude is dependent on which group of people are in power.

My rekindled hope for this country under John Mahama stems from the most profound question from Rev. Stephen R. Bosumtwi-Ayensu of the Obuasi Methodist Synod to John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana. The simple question from the man of God is: ‘Where is the meat, who ate them and left the bones to the rest of us?’ President Mahama in his State of the Nation’s Address to us said that the flesh on the thigh of whether the cow or the guinea fowl is left with a bone. The question which has been asked on behalf of the people by Rev. Stephen Bosumtwi-Ayensu in Obuasi is who and who ate the juicy meat and left the bone for the rest of us. This question to President Mahama is very important because at the time the meat was being chewed ‘yafuyafu’ by who ever, John Mahama was in charge of this country.

As the Vice President of this country and later the President of this country, John Mahama was in charge of the financial management among other things in this country. Indeed, his own former Attorney General, Hon. Martin Amidu says that as a result of certain financial malpractices in the procurement of certain things which were led by then Vice President Mahama, the late President Atta-Mills set up a committee to investigate that act of suspected impropriety. Then Vice President Mahama never allowed the committee to do its work, according Martin Amidu. Is it when the ‘yafuyafu’ consumption of the meat began?

What about the numerous judgement debt payments made without any work done by the claimants at the time when he was the Vice President of this country? Did the consumption of the meat not begin from that point even when as we were told later, the late President had ordered the arrest of the payments?  President Mahama, your own Minister for Finance and Economic Planning had told this nation and the world that during the last three months of your leadership as the President of this country, you spent over GH¢8billion of our monies which were not approved by Parliament. Where did these funds go to and who and who ate the meat leaving only the bones?

Today, the NADMO Boss is complaining about the lack of relief items for his organization, yet we all know that NADMO is one of the organizations which overspent its budget during the last quarter of the year 2012. In the last quarter of the year 2012, there is no record of disasters which warranted the over expenditure of the organization aimed at bringing reliefs to the affected people. The monies spent and over spent in that organization were used for political gains other than investments in their core activities. Having chewed the meat and left only the bones, Kofi Porthurphy is complaining of lack of this and lack of that. NADMO needs to be seriously audited to prove where its portion of the meat went to.

Yes, you and your cohorts dissipated this huge sum of money without solving a single social problem confronting this nation. Students on Government Scholarships overseas were being thrown out because their fees had not been paid. The meat had been chewed under your leadership.  You bought cars for young ladies and men when you had legitimate bills to pay to your employees which you did not. You spent millions of our resources mounting giant bill boards which were virtually changed every day when electricity generating bodies had no money to import crude oil to provide us with electricity energy. A question of misplaced priorities by a President who comes back to tell its citizens that all the meat is gone and that we are left only with the bones. Who ate the meat, President Mahama needs to tell this nation.

NEW PINK SHEETS BEING PRINTED?

Hmmmm, this country is always full of rumours particularly when issues of national interests rear their heads. Some of them may look absurd if they are not scientifically and biometrically verified, one’s decision on such rumours may either lead to under voting or over voting on the face of the information available to you. In fact, the colour of the sheet on which one finds the information may either authenticate the information or be categorized as human error, clerical error or administrative error. One is even likely to find error of declaration of a winner in an election in the face of massive clerical, human, administrative and trans –positional errors. Well it seems that as a nation, we will reward our staff whose outputs in the organizations in which they have been employed are based on clerical, human, and administrative errors and at the end of the year we declare results based on those errors.

A bird rumoured into my ears just a few days back that some people ooo, are printing new Pink Sheets and others to refill and present to the court as what they have. I told myself that oooo, this cannot be possible. But you see, in this country, anything can happen ooo.  Ooo, my source said that until they finish printing the documents and get them filled and signed by some faceless people, Uncle Tees’ cross-exams would continue. Well, I still have my doubts but the Petitioners should shine their eyes and remove the cobwebs in their ears because some people are dangerous in this country, the Printing House which is also doing that must know the implications of what they are doing if indeed it is true and they are found out.

Well, two shots of very well verified mahogany bitters, but please make sure that they are not in any form of error, clerically or administratively. Daavi, please do not trans-pose alomo bitters for mahogany bitters.

Kwesibiney2009gh@yahoo.com.

By Kwesi Biney

Baaba Eshun-Wilson

(This article is based on the shooting incident between some illegal Chinese miners and locals in the Obuasi area on Wednesday the 8th of May, 2013 in which two Ghanaians were killed. It goes to show how Ghanaians, as a people have sat back, watched and done pretty much nothing about the invasion of foreigners in our land.)

Ghana has morphed into a land where foreigners come to try their luck and if they succeed at any business, they hit the jackpot. This country is a land of vast opportunity waiting to be explored by her own people. Nevertheless, the people have neglected their own land, only finding employment when the White man takes advantage of those opportunities. We worship foreigners, revere and respect them more than we do our own fellow Ghanaians.
I can quite recall an incident that shocked me to the marrow in this regard. With the intention of conducting a transaction in a well-known bank, I was in a very long queue waiting to be served. Customers making deposits and withdrawals from various bank accounts were all crammed up into the same queue; making it very long indeed.

Those sending money to other countries and receiving money in foreign currency formed a different queue within the bank.

However, because of the length of the queue, I found myself standing beside the foreign transactions lane, where I heard the most disgraceful conversation ever. A woman, probably in her 40s, who was next in line to the customer being served, was being coerced by a white man to let him stand in front of her to be served quickly because he said, “he was obviously more in a hurry than her as he had a flight to catch.” I looked at her with a stern look, a look I hoped relayed the message instructing her not to give this disrespectful foreigner the chance. How dare he? If he was in his own country and this lady approached him with such a request would it have been granted? She ignored my look and allowed him to take her place. I shook my head in utter despair.

Ghanaians, as a people, have not put any price on the dignity and worth of this country and that is why foreigners come here and dictate to us how to run our affairs.

We seem to have the capacity to endure unnecessary suffering and have a timid subservience to oppression. That is why when foreigners are engaging in illegal practices on our own soil and we get killed in the process of trying to protect what our forefathers left for us. That is why most of Ghanaians who work under foreigners endure all kinds of unfair treatment on our own soil, to the extent that they are even denied their salary when payday is due!  How pathetic! How sad! It almost seems as if we are being colonized all over again by foreigners.

Regarding the case of the illegal Chinese miners attempting to mine on land that was not legally given to them, one should have in mind that these foreigners would not have attempted to take any land without the help of some local collaborators. Some of our very own people, knowing the illegality of this act, allowed these foreigners to mine on Ghanaian land, of course, for a fee. If our own people can go that far to betray Ghana in such a manner, then are we patriotic at all? Reports say the Mayor of Accra instructed the traders not rebuild their shops after the recent fire outbreak at Kantamanto because of plans to sell the land to a group of interested Chinese businessmen.

Even though the mayor insists that there are plans to build an ultra modern market for these traders, these people suspect a case of arson.

Ghana is in a very sad and sorry state. The mere fact that these Chinese men even brought guns with them on their mission to takeover land for their illegal mining practice speaks volumes about the way foreigners view our motherland.

Yes, indeed, WE ARE SLAVES IN OUR OWN LAND.

-       baaba.lou@gmail.com

By Baaba Eshun-Wilson

Sydney Casely-Hayford

I posted a very historical “Lest We Forget” piece on my Blog this week, written by a very good friend Kwasi Gyan Appenteng.  Down memory lane to 1983, he strolls through time with palpitating nostalgia that hit hard and made me reminisce about times gone by, when revolution meant violence and student agitation shut down the University for two years.  When I first saw the email subject matter, I thought, great, Kwasi has not forgotten Kume Preko and the murder of Ahonga and Ahulu, when we marched against economic hardship and VAT on 11 May 1995, but alas his hike was different.  I found this recount of the crimes by ACDR’s (revolutionary guards as then called) a not-to-be-forgotten history of what happened that day.  It is a painful Marxist memory of Ghana, after the nebulous Nkrumaism, which masked cult worship as an Africanus paradigm but really meant constitutional dictatorship.

This publication from Modern Ghana.com is short enough to repeat verbatim and carries the key mixes then and today.

The article was headed “KUME PREKO” On CNN, BBC”

“The mass show of abhorrence for the mismanagement of Ghana’s economy gained international recognition with extensive coverage by CNN and the BBC. CNN transmitted the march live, while BBC devoted considerable airtime to the event.

According to our US and other foreign sources, the CNN coverage gave the international community real, first hand information about the level of discontent against the NDC government. The much-vaunted economic success and strongman image of Jerry Rawlings has suffered a big jolt as a result.

The organisers estimate the number of marchers at 100,000, certainly the biggest single demonstration in the nation’s history. The milling crowd included people of all ages and their resolve proved that the so-called peace in the country has, all along, been the peace of the graveyards.

The extensive coverage accorded the march by the BBC served to expose the lies and disinformation put up by GBC. It was an opportunity for the organisers to state their side of the story, as opposed to the government monologue of lies served by GBC.

Describing the event as the “largest in recent years” and the “first major show of opposition to the Rawlings regime in thirteen years,” BBC put participation in the march at “tens of thousands.”

Responding to questions, Nana Akufo Addo, spokesman for the Alliance for Change, put the responsibility for the violence that erupted squarely on the government, which he said, hired and armed thugs to disrupt the march. Asked whether his group accepted responsibility for the violence he replied emphatically, “Absolutely none, none whatsoever.”

Nana Akufo Addo said that “Kume Preko” “provided a forum for people to express their dissatisfaction with what is going on.” He described charges that the organisers had whipped up emotions as “blatant lies.”

Nana Akufo Addo said that the only regrets the Alliance for Change has is that Ghana is “still in the grip of people who have a very, very warped idea of a democratic system of government.”

The other problem, he said, is of people in power who feel that they should hold on to power without question, at all costs”.

The deaths of two protestors, others who were beaten and mauled for even watching the march have never been investigated.  The statute of limitation does not apply to murder and when the day of proper justice from an Ag’s department does arrive, we should expect some restitution for the families who gave up their sons to achieve even the imperfection in justice we have today.

Then as now, the opposition NPP has asked the courts to deliberate on what could be a major upheaval in the course of our history.  We are in a full-blown democracy, sailing the waves of justice but fearing with each suggestion to the witness box that we could be sunk by a reticent group whose politically strung fortunes will fritter away under a gavel of the Supreme Court.

So when the National Security Agency popped up on Thursday at the Court Registry to “protect” the Pink Sheets, the Registrar showed revolutionary timidity.

The whole NPP-Ghana, PPP-Ghana, NDP-Ghana and maybe some NDC-Ghana as well, sucked in some “Odaw-naa” aroma and let it out with great gusto when the “unsolicited” goodwill was rebuffed.  Let’s say it.  I don’t know anyone who believes that move was sincere.  I listened to Security Coordinator Gbevlo Lartey’s reaction on Joyfm Newsfile on Saturday and I had an insecure palpitation after I heard it rationalised as a pre-emptive approach.

What Gbevlo Lartey forgets, but what Ghanaians have not forgotten are the many attempts by Government agencies to “protect” them.  Nkrumah preemptively jailed people to protect Ghana under PDA, and we have still not forgotten how Kutu Acheampong was going to institute UNIGOV to ensure that he could preempt military coups and that was before half the ballot boxes fell into rivers.  Traders at Kantamanto are up in arms because they do no trust the AMA, doctors do not trust the MOFEP to honor its word on payments and Ghanaians generally do not trust this Government with managing our economy, and the election process is in doubt.  All this is translating into not so timid Ghanaians and we are no longer as hesitant to voice out.

Even Tsatsu Tsikata does not trust that the NPP can add a set of numbers and count to 11,842, but his call for a count is a good one.  I say the Court would have had to get to that point anyway.  On the mayhap that the Court decides the NPP Petitioners have enough credible evidence, it will have to ask for a count and calculation of the votes in play in order to determine whether this becomes a run-off or an outright overturn.  This decision hastens the end game.  We will do now what we need done at the end point.  NPP counsel Phillip Addison agreed to this without fuss.  Timidly?  Or does he see something beyond Tsatsu’s pompousness?  My lawyer friends tell me court trial 101.  Never ask a critical question of a witness if you do not know the answer.  The opponent’s acquiescence might not be as timid as you think.

So far Tsatsu has failed to break the seemingly timid manner belying Bawumia’s calmness.  He lost his cool many times during cross, going as far as calling the NPP witness dishonest.  As much as I feel his frustration, I think his tact is misdirected.  Bawumia led a team, he did not fashion the documents.  The evidence should be his target.  Enough said, big-up to the witness.

I disagree with the alleged KPMG count and audit fee of $100,000.  It is a ridiculous figure if it is true and my small advice to the Court is, save some money and use some pupils from Akoto Lante JHS.  They can count to 1,000 even with the poor standards we give them. All we need is twelve of them for an hour and we will be finished with the count.  Give them a set of pens and pencils each and award them a plaque for a job well done.  KPMG can supervise for GHC1,000.

I hear the petitioners delivered all the said count of 11,842 to the Registry, who had the responsibility to serve the Respondents.  Surely, layman parlance can fathom logically, that the Court Registrar is responsible for the receipt and onward distribution of the documents. And they gave a receipt to the Petitioners.  So whither this mega issue?  Paragraphs “44 to 67” became a crystallizing point on Thursday.

And Gabby Asare Otchere Darko pitched his vociferous revolution with a “timidity” charge at the Supreme Court.  Calling the Justices out, he mistrusted the basis of the ruling in favor of Bernard Mornah to exclude sitting on holidays and weekends contrary to Constitutional Instrument 74 determining the rules of engagement for the Election Petition.  Court went ballistic, Gabby apologized but Kwaku Baako too called them out, but then he also made a slight detour, apologizing for being over-passionate.  Mr Documents?  Too much zest?

There was a revenge murder in Kumasi, fall out from election-related killing in Manhyia South.  Tensions heightened, follow-up reprisals expected, Kumasi is always volatile with election violence.  The CPP/NLM fighting was also murder related, Twumasi Ankrah stabbing EY Baffoe to death and triggering the unstoppable progress of our independence from Britain amid calls for secession.  Some Chinese dudes shot and killed a couple of Ghanaians for gold and President Mahama wants us to pay more for electricity.  Pay more?  Mr. President, we should be looking at where the electricity is leaking.  Illegal connections, weak transmission, stolen cables and such.  Had we finished building the planned dams on time and completed the gas processing plant in December 2012 as promised, we would be glad to pay more, because it would be stable and consistent.  Don’t give me a poor service and then ask me to shed more cash.  That is wholesome insincerity.

My new Chinese meter runs twice as fast as the previous one.  I haven’t added any new appliances, I haven’t increased my consumption pattern in any way, but my prepaid units are already gone, halfway through the month.  I complained timidly at Bortianor and they are timidly investigating.  Meanwhile I am a bleeding unit.

Ghana, Aha a ye de papa.  Alius valde week advenio. Another great week to come!

Sydney Casely-Hayford, sydney@bizghana.com

 By Sydney Casely-Hayford

Armed robber

“London is burning, London is burning. Look yonder, look yonder.  Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire. Pour water, pour water” – A day-nursery song.

Times are not good and only the Lord God of Israel can deliver us from the bottomless pit that we have found ourselves in.  Nothing, absolutely nothing seems to work well in God’s own country.  Unlike King Midas touch, whatever John Dramani Mahama touches becomes mere brass instead of gold.  Armed robbery is on the increase and gangsters have taken over the security of the nation, shooting and axing people in broad daylight.    Corruption has reached all-time high and drug trade is booming. Fatal road traffic accidents happen on daily basis while spousal killings and contract killings have all become fashionable.  Water, electricity, food and gas and other essential commodities are far from the reach of the poor man in a Better Ghana regime.

We really need the services of an exorcist to help uncoil us from the grips of evil forces. T.B Joshua alone cannot do it and neither can sending hundreds of pastors to Israel to pray for the country solve the mega problems facing this country.  It looks as if God has refused to smile on us as we trudge along in pain, disunity, desperation, fear, hunger, thirst and above all, suspicion of each other. Our forefathers did not fight for independence for us to be slaves in our own country.  We have done something which has incurred the displeasure of the Lord God of Host.

From the days of Sodom and Gomorrah to the days of Moses and Elijah, fires do not burn for nothing.  When Moses saw fire burning in green bush with the bush not burning he suspected something.  When he went closer to observe for himself, he heard a voice which was later identified as the voice of God (I am that I am).  The message that was delivered by God to Moses led to the liberation of the Israelis who were in bondage in Egypt.  The Almighty God of fire tasked Moses to go out there to bring the people of Israel to the Promised Land with only his rod as a weapon.  Moses obeyed and succeeded in accomplishing that sacred duty.  Anytime you happen to see a fire burning in a green bush, remove your sandals and move closer to the place.  I am that I am may have a message for you.

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked and practiced what has come to be called sodomy or gay and lesbianism.  Apart from old man Lot and his family, all those who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah were evil doers and their behaviour did not please God.  To punish them, the Lord God of Israel rained fire and brimstone from above and destroyed the city and its inhabitants. Can you imagine a whole city and its inhabitants being burnt into ashes?  People and animals did run but had nowhere to hide.  The anger of the Almighty God was so furious that not even the animals that were not practicing sodomy were spared.  Sometimes I try to ask why God should vent His anger at animals who obeyed His commandments by not practicing sodomy like human beings who were supposed to know better.  But how dare you question the wisdom of the All-knowing God of host? And so whether dogs, goats, cows etc practiced sodomy or not, they joined their owners in the fire.

Here in Ghana, we named a community Sodom and Gomorrah where evil practices like prostitution, armed robbery, wee smoking and cocaine sniffing are the orders of the day.  There, sodomy is also practiced and lawlessness is defined to mean lawfulness.  Almost every year the place is burnt down only for the people there to reconstruct and continue with their evil deeds.  The last time I viewed Sodom and Gomorrah from a distance I concluded that we as a people living in a country called Ghana should be marched to the International Criminal Court at The Hague to face charges of committing crime against humanity.  The question is:  why do we allow them to dwell there in the first place?  If Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah could turn a fishing village into a big city called Tema and build a harbour there, I see no reason why we cannot build low cost houses for these poor folks who live in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Want to know why there have been fire outbreaks across the length and breadth of this country for the past four years?  The answer is very simple: God is angry with us.  Even though fire outbreaks used to occur in this country it has not been as serious as we have witnessed for the past four years. We need some soul searching and confess our sins.  Thou shall not steal is one of the Ten Commandments which should not be toyed with.  That is why in countries where Sharia Law is practiced the hands of thieves are amputated. When Jacob stole the blessings that belonged to Esau, he (Jacob) never saw peace.  At a point in time hunger stalked the land that he and his family were dwelling. His firstborn son, Reuben had sex with one of the wives of Jacob on the bed of Jacob.  In other words Reuben “stole the thing” of his father.  When Jacob was old and dying he gathered all his children in attempt to tell them what will befall them in the last days.  Hear what he said about Reuben:  “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and excellency of power:  Unstable as water, thou shall not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it; he went up to my couch”.  So you see the pain in the chest of grandpa Jacob?  In fact, it was through the thievery of Jacob that his descendants eventually found themselves as slaves in Egypt.  Anytime you plan to steal, think about the plight of Jacob.

In 2008, Afari-Gyan and his EC worked with the NDC to steal the election for the late Professor Mills.  For peace to prevail, the leadership of the NPP put the theft behind them and moved forward.  But God did not. For the nearly three years that Professor Mills ruled this country, several fire outbreaks were recorded and the country was at the brink of chaos from all angles.  Things went so bad for Mills that the man told the world that his name was so worthless that if even you tried to sell it for one Ghana Cedi no one would buy.  When the same theft was repeated in 2012, God did not like that too and He started what He knows what to do best in Ghana.  That was why the Kumasi Central Market, Asafo Market, Kokompe, Tema Market, Foreign Affairs office, Sodom and Gomorrah, Kantamanto etc. all went up in flames.  God is angry because the EC stole a verdict to an undeserved person.

Remember I am your irrepressible Angel Gabriel who dwells in the firmament so believe in me.  Anytime my father in heaven is angry, He rolls out his anger in the form of fire and brimstone.

 By Eric Bawah

Improved: Scotland-based Touch Bionics says the latest i-limb boasts unparalleled dexterity and superior control and ease of use

A teenage boy who lost an arm and a leg as a baby has become the first person in the UK to be fitted with a prosthetic hand that is so advanced it can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Patrick Kane, 16, is now sporting the i-limb ultra revolution, which can be remotely-controlled and comes complete with an iOS app allowing the wearer to control its grip.

Patrick can also take advantage of five individually powered digits – including a rotating thumb – on the prosthetic, which is Scottish firm Touch Bionics’ most advanced yet.
The teenager, from London, lost all of the fingers on his left hand after contracting meningococcal septicaemia – the virulent form of meningitis – when he was just nine-months-old.
Doctors were also forced to amputate Patrick’s right leg below the knee, and part of each finger from his right hand.

The student – who was fitted with his first prosthetic through the NHS shortly after his first birthday – previously wore an i-limb ultra, but has now become the first person in the UK to be fitted with the new, more advanced version from the brains at Touch Bionics.

Featuring a rotating wrist and an aluminium chassis, the firm claims their creation is the most dextrous prosthetic limb ever made.

It’s unique app capability means the wearer can choose from a range of 24 different grips at the touch of a button. The app can also offers training on how to best use the device and can diagnose problems with it.

Previously Patrick could use only four pre-set grips on the go, and would have to return to his computer to alter the settings.

The i-limb is so sensitive it can be used to grip a single sheet of paper, play Connect Four or tie shoelaces – but it is also powerful enough to withstand the strain of 90kg weights in the gym.

The covering can be made to match the wearer’s natural skin tone, but Patrick chose a jet black version of the i-limb, which costs from £25,000 to upwards of £80,000, depending on how far up the arm it needs to extend.

‘I have only had it for 24 hours and it’s not so much that it allows me to do new things but it will allow me to do things more smoothly and naturally,’ Patrick said.

‘The movement runs much more smoothly. I have been practising playing Connect 4 with it.

‘There are custom grips I can choose so if I have a certain tennis racquet or cricket bat I could choose a grip for it to fit it perfectly and it will remember that.

‘I also use it in the gym, on the rowing machine and using weights and pulleys,’ he said.

The advanced prosthetic uses muscle signals to shift into a series of pre-set patterns.

It achieves this by using electrodes in the wrist to pick up electrical impulses created by contracting muscles, which are interpreted by a computer in the back of the hand.

Each of the fingers bends at the joints and can be adapted to fit around any shape of object the owner wants to hold.

These pictures show Patrick using his new bionic hand to grasp a range of items from a smartphone and a water glass to a rubber ball and a single coin.

The bionic hand can also be used for various tasks from typing to tying shoe laces.

It comes in black or neutral, can automatically return to a natural position after a period of inactivity and is powered by a battery.

The device is so technical that users have to undergo rigorous training in order to get the most out of it.

 Dailymail

A phone too far? The Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone was the first ‘phablet’ but now an even bigger version has been launched

It is the biggest smartphone on sale, with a giant 6.3inch screen.

Samsung’s new Mega Galaxy handset look more like a tablet than a phone – and has already been slammed as ‘just too big’.

Samsung hopes the big design will appeal to commuters and others who regularly watch films on their gadgets.

Tecno N7

TECNO GHANA, a leading dual SIM mobile phone brand, has launched its new 3.75G Android smartphone – TECNO N7– onto the Ghanaian market at a short but colourful ceremony in Accra.

Designed for users with high demand for smartphones, the TECNO N7 will be available at all TECNO outlets in Ghana, the company noted.

Building on the success of the popular TECNO N3, the TECNO N7, a dual SIM smartphone, features the combination of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with a 1GHz dual core CPU and runs on a 5-inch touch screen.

“With the TECNO N7, we want to offer young Ghanaians a more superior smartphone with high-end performance and a better user experience,” Mounir Boukali, PRO of TECNO Mobile, commented.

With a 1GHz dual core processor, the device offers users a fast data processing speed and the ability to use multiple applications at the same time, along with a smooth web browsing experience.

TECNO N7 users can download over 800,000 innovative and interesting apps.

The TECNO N7 presents users with an amazingly smooth operation experience while viewing messages, multimedia, web content or games, among others.

The device comes with a variety of applications that allow the consumer to connect to their social networks with ease.

And one such application worthy of note is Flash Share, a unique transfer software that allows one to share files of any format and size at an amazingly fast speed and does not require internet connectivity, WIFI or SIM card.

Other notable features of this Android-driven smartphone include a 5 mega pixel rear camera with flash, a 0.3 mega pixel front camera and a powerful 2,300mAh battery, which allows the users to enjoy five hours of talktime. Also, the device combines a 4GB ROM and 512GB RAM with expandable memory of up to 32GB.

TECNO also offers an 8GB memory card.

“We always endeavour to provide suitable products to the consumer based on market demand. There is no doubt that people’s demand from smartphones is met in the N7. We will have more smartphones coming onto the market soon, which will meet the needs of diverse groups of people,” Boukali confirmed.

By Samuel Boadi