Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 27, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia, Tamale.
POLICE officers at the national, regional, divisional and district headquarters are to be given performance contracts by the Ministry of the Interior in a new effort to inject professionalism and competence into the Police Service.
When this is done, officers who are found to be non-performing will be replaced after an annual assessment of their work.
The Interior Minister, Mr Cletus Avoka, announced this while addressing heads of security agencies and the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tamale on Wednesday.
He did not indicate when the contracts would be introduced but hinted that he had asked the directors at the ministry to begin working out the details, saying that they would be introduced as soon as they were ready.
He explained that if chief directors and other heads of state-owned organisations were made to sign performance contracts, it was in order that security chiefs also signed such contracts by which they were to be assessed.
Mr Avoka was speaking after a tour of some trouble spots in Tamale by a high-powered government delegation to assess the security situation there after violent clashes which resulted in the death of one person, Abdul Rashid, and the burning down of several houses.
The delegation included the Defence Minister, Lt Gen J. H. Smith (retd), the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, the NADMO boss, Mr Kofi Portuphy, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, DCOP Frank Adu-Poku, and others from National Security and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
Mr Avoka said one thing that emerged from the tour and his interactions with the people was that there were a lot of question marks over the work of the security personnel, stressing that “the whole town is dissatisfied with your work”.
"We went round and you all heard the people. If you cannot prosecute a single person who misbehaved in the past, how do you expect the public to have trust in you?" he asked.
He noted that if the people lost confidence in the security services due to inaction and partisanship, “then the country is doomed because the people will take the law into their own hands”.
The minister challenged the security personnel to be proactive, neutral and professional in their work, saying that any acts of partisanship would only perpetuate the conflict.
He said the government was committed to letting justice prevail in the country and that anybody found disturbing the peace would be treated as a criminal and made to face the full rigours of the law.
He said there was the need for all to eschew favouritism and nepotism and help chart a new path of development to erase the negative impression that the north had held the entire country to ransom for many years.
Mr Avoka said there was no need to repeat the wrongs of the past, especially when “we were not happy with those wrong things that were perpetrated in the past”.
He made it clear that a wrong always remained the same, no matter how one turned it, and urged all to emulate the humility of President John Evans Atta Mills and Vice-President John Mahama and work for national unity.
The Interior Minister said the government would chart a new path of conflict resolution and empower the Eminent Chiefs and the National Peace Council with the necessary tools to ensure that there was peace, unity and national cohesion.
He said persons who hid under the cover of party or chieftaincy affiliation to commit violence would be smoked out.
Mr Avoka reminded the people that maintaining peace in the region had been an expensive venture for the government, stressing that it was time the youth in the area stopped the violent confrontations that had been associated with the region.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, said the money and the energy expended on solving conflicts in the north could have been used in finding ways of developing the area.
The Defence Minister, Lt Gen Smith, urged the people in the region to rally behind the regional minister because he had good plans for them.
He said there was a lot of work to be done in the north and reminded the people that any delay in the 21st century would leave them behind the rest of the world.
One person, Abdul Rashid, died and 12 others sustained various degrees of injury in the recent clashes between supporters of the ruling NDC and the opposition NPP in the area on February 17 and 22, 2009.
In all, 18 houses were burnt down, 11 of them on February 17 and seven others on February 22, 2009.
Two NPP sheds at Kukuo and Nyohini were also burnt down, while an NPP office at Lamashegu was vandalised.
Several property, including furniture, bedding, clothing, cooking utensils, foodstuffs, among others, were also burnt.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Security blammed for Tamale riots
Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 26, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia, Tamale.
THE Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, said yesterday that the failure of the regional security forces to deal with perpetrators of crime has contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.
He said victims and perpetrators of violence would decide to take the law into their own hands when they realised that the perpetrators of violent crimes were set free and their investigations truncated without any cause.
“As I speak the people have lost confidence in the security forces in the region,” he told a government delegation visiting areas of the recent violence which resulted in the death of one person and injuries to many others.
The government’s fact-finding delegation is led by the Defence Minister, Lt Gen J. H. Smith, and the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka.
Mr Nayina, whose address at the residence of the deceased’s house was greeted with applause by the numerous youth and elders who had gathered there, challenged the security services to “use the recent violence to redeem their image”.
The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson; the Army Commander, Major-Gen Samuel Odotei, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) boss, Mr Kofi Portuphy, among others from National Security and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) formed part of the delegation.
Mr Nayina said the culture of impunity must be a thing of the past as the Mills government would not tolerate lawlessness.
He said the government would not protect anyone whether a National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathiser or a New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter.
He said anyone who took the law into his or her hands would have to face the consequences of his/her actions.
During the tour, it was realised that the violence and attacks on houses were selective as most houses were left untouched while perceived strong activists of either parties were targeted.
The house of Bawah Gafaru, the man who allegedly called into a radio station and threatened that Tamale would be reduced to Liberia if the NDC supporters did not take care, and that of his father, Mr Bawah Baako Alhassan, who is also the Metropolitan Director of NADMO, were completely razed down.
The stepmother of Gafaru was severely injured after she was attacked with machetes and a metal inserted in her private parts.
Selected houses believed to belong to mostly NPP sympathisers were razed down with fewer houses of NDC sympathisers also burnt.
The burning of the houses is suspected to be a retaliatory venture after NPP sympathisers led by Bawah Gafaru, currently on the run, shot and killed an NDC sympathiser.
The Interior Minister, Mr Avoka, said the government attached great importance to peace in the country, which would enable it to deliver on its promises and bring development and jobs to the people.
He said violence in the northern part of the country was a source of worry to the government and urged all parties involved in disputes to use the due process to settle them.
He reminded Ghanaians that the government had only four years to deliver on its promises and urged Ghanaians not to distract the government with conflicts.
He said the government was determined to bring justice to the people by ensuring that anyone who committed any offence was dealt with irrespective of one’s chieftaincy lineage, political affiliation or family leanings.
For his part, Lt Gen Smith challenged the youth to embrace peace and unity to facilitate speedy development in the area.
He said the government had outlined a number of development projects for the three northern regions but if the youth indulged in violence, it would be difficult for those projects to be implemented.
A spokesperson for the deceased family, Mr Baba Salifu, urged the government to deal with the perpetrators otherwise the youth would continue to harbour ill-feelings and that could degenerate into another violence.
The government delegation paid courtesy calls on the Choggu Naa, Naa Alhassan Salifu, the Dakpema Naa, Naa Mohammedu Dawuni and the Gukpegu Gbanglana, Alhaji Alhassan Ziblim.
In all nine houses were burnt at Gumbihini, five at Choggu and four at Nyohini while five vehicles, five motorbikes and four bicycles were destroyed with 399 persons being displaced.
Story: Albert K. Salia, Tamale.
THE Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, said yesterday that the failure of the regional security forces to deal with perpetrators of crime has contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.
He said victims and perpetrators of violence would decide to take the law into their own hands when they realised that the perpetrators of violent crimes were set free and their investigations truncated without any cause.
“As I speak the people have lost confidence in the security forces in the region,” he told a government delegation visiting areas of the recent violence which resulted in the death of one person and injuries to many others.
The government’s fact-finding delegation is led by the Defence Minister, Lt Gen J. H. Smith, and the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka.
Mr Nayina, whose address at the residence of the deceased’s house was greeted with applause by the numerous youth and elders who had gathered there, challenged the security services to “use the recent violence to redeem their image”.
The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson; the Army Commander, Major-Gen Samuel Odotei, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) boss, Mr Kofi Portuphy, among others from National Security and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) formed part of the delegation.
Mr Nayina said the culture of impunity must be a thing of the past as the Mills government would not tolerate lawlessness.
He said the government would not protect anyone whether a National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathiser or a New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter.
He said anyone who took the law into his or her hands would have to face the consequences of his/her actions.
During the tour, it was realised that the violence and attacks on houses were selective as most houses were left untouched while perceived strong activists of either parties were targeted.
The house of Bawah Gafaru, the man who allegedly called into a radio station and threatened that Tamale would be reduced to Liberia if the NDC supporters did not take care, and that of his father, Mr Bawah Baako Alhassan, who is also the Metropolitan Director of NADMO, were completely razed down.
The stepmother of Gafaru was severely injured after she was attacked with machetes and a metal inserted in her private parts.
Selected houses believed to belong to mostly NPP sympathisers were razed down with fewer houses of NDC sympathisers also burnt.
The burning of the houses is suspected to be a retaliatory venture after NPP sympathisers led by Bawah Gafaru, currently on the run, shot and killed an NDC sympathiser.
The Interior Minister, Mr Avoka, said the government attached great importance to peace in the country, which would enable it to deliver on its promises and bring development and jobs to the people.
He said violence in the northern part of the country was a source of worry to the government and urged all parties involved in disputes to use the due process to settle them.
He reminded Ghanaians that the government had only four years to deliver on its promises and urged Ghanaians not to distract the government with conflicts.
He said the government was determined to bring justice to the people by ensuring that anyone who committed any offence was dealt with irrespective of one’s chieftaincy lineage, political affiliation or family leanings.
For his part, Lt Gen Smith challenged the youth to embrace peace and unity to facilitate speedy development in the area.
He said the government had outlined a number of development projects for the three northern regions but if the youth indulged in violence, it would be difficult for those projects to be implemented.
A spokesperson for the deceased family, Mr Baba Salifu, urged the government to deal with the perpetrators otherwise the youth would continue to harbour ill-feelings and that could degenerate into another violence.
The government delegation paid courtesy calls on the Choggu Naa, Naa Alhassan Salifu, the Dakpema Naa, Naa Mohammedu Dawuni and the Gukpegu Gbanglana, Alhaji Alhassan Ziblim.
In all nine houses were burnt at Gumbihini, five at Choggu and four at Nyohini while five vehicles, five motorbikes and four bicycles were destroyed with 399 persons being displaced.
Monday, February 23, 2009
CID takes over Alogboshie case
Page 3: Daily Graphic, February 24, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Crime Scene and Forensic Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating the case at Alogboshie, near Achimota, where three children, all aged two, where found dead last Saturday.
The death of the three children, which was similar to the one recorded at Anyaa less than three weeks ago, has been given various interpretations, with some people reading ritualistic meanings into it.
The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Kwasi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the investigations would establish how the children got access to the house where the car was parked and also into the car.
He said they would also help to establish whether it was the children who opened the doors to the car but could not open them and come out or not.
He indicated that the investigations, which were being supervised by the Accra Regional CID, as well as the autopsy, would enable the police to get some leads.
“It is early yet to state what caused their death but I want to assure the public that the police will get to the bottom of these mysterious deaths,” he said.
DSP Ofori said the Police Administration took serious view of the case because it was the second case in three weeks, both involving three children and found in similar circumstances.
He said although no one had been arrested so far, the police had already spoken to the parents of the victims and neighbours.
He urged parents to monitor the movement of their children, while neighbours too played their part by monitoring children.
DSP Ofori also advised vehicle owners, whether the vehicles were abandoned or in use, to take precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The bodies of the three boys were found in an abandoned Nissan Primera car in the area last Saturday.
The boys had earlier been reported missing, and after a six-hour search by their families and neighbours they were found dead in an abandoned car, with registration number GR 3656 R, parked in a house of one of their neighbours.
They were identified as Gabriel Kwofie and his cousin, Edem Asimenu, and their friend, Isaac Annoh.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Crime Scene and Forensic Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating the case at Alogboshie, near Achimota, where three children, all aged two, where found dead last Saturday.
The death of the three children, which was similar to the one recorded at Anyaa less than three weeks ago, has been given various interpretations, with some people reading ritualistic meanings into it.
The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Kwasi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the investigations would establish how the children got access to the house where the car was parked and also into the car.
He said they would also help to establish whether it was the children who opened the doors to the car but could not open them and come out or not.
He indicated that the investigations, which were being supervised by the Accra Regional CID, as well as the autopsy, would enable the police to get some leads.
“It is early yet to state what caused their death but I want to assure the public that the police will get to the bottom of these mysterious deaths,” he said.
DSP Ofori said the Police Administration took serious view of the case because it was the second case in three weeks, both involving three children and found in similar circumstances.
He said although no one had been arrested so far, the police had already spoken to the parents of the victims and neighbours.
He urged parents to monitor the movement of their children, while neighbours too played their part by monitoring children.
DSP Ofori also advised vehicle owners, whether the vehicles were abandoned or in use, to take precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The bodies of the three boys were found in an abandoned Nissan Primera car in the area last Saturday.
The boys had earlier been reported missing, and after a six-hour search by their families and neighbours they were found dead in an abandoned car, with registration number GR 3656 R, parked in a house of one of their neighbours.
They were identified as Gabriel Kwofie and his cousin, Edem Asimenu, and their friend, Isaac Annoh.
Sustaining the war on drugs
Page 34: Daily Graphic, February 23, 2009.
Article: Albert K. Salia
“...Anything which, and anybody who interferes with the survival, safety and well-being of the people, should constitute a national security threat. The problem of narcotics should be appreciated in this light because it is a subversive criminal menace.” K. B. Quantson.
THE drug problem is certainly not new. It keeps on growing, getting worse with each passing year as concerns are raised about the failure of the system to deal with the problem in a transparent way and also to mobilise Ghanaians to get involved in the fight against drugs.
Aggravating the situation is the perception that there is neither the political will nor determined enforcement measures to deal with the situation.
It was therefore refreshing that all the political parties expressed their determination to deal with the problem in their manifestos and during their interactions with various sections of society. In particular, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, resonated the message of President John Evans Atta Mills when he recognised the enormity of the challenge during his vetting and expressed determination to deal with the menace.
All the views expressed by President Mills, Mr Avoka, all the other political parties and patriots in the fight against the drug menace confirmed the pronouncement by a former UN Secretary-General, Mr Perez de Cuellar, in April 1990 when he addressed the Special Session of the UN General Assembly to deliberate on the threat posed to the world by drugs. He stated inter alia: “Let us not underestimate this threat. We are talking about personal tragedy, severe damage to health, the destruction of society, economic breakdown, the undermining of democratic institutions, corruption, violence and death... Drug abuse is a time bomb ticking away in the heart of civilisation. We must now find measures to deal with it before it explodes and destroys us.”
There is, therefore, the need for a concerted and sustained effort to deal with the menace, especially because of the harm it has caused to our international image. At least, the embarrassing searches that top executives no matter who, are made to go through at international airports is most humiliating.
The claim that Ghana is a transit country is outmoded and ridiculous. It used to be a transit country 15 years ago but now Ghana is a consuming nation and we must accept that fact. As Mr K. B. Quantson, a former Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, disclosed recently, the level of involvement and use of Ghana in the drug trade has earned it the characterisation “Cocaine Coast”.
According to him, ”the distressful shame was at one international conference on drugs where we (Ghana) earned the most shocking characterisation as the COCAINE COAST. We used to be known as the Gold Coast. The contradiction between GOLD and COCAINE in every aspect and dimension, should be a reprehensible national burden on our heads”.
If President Mills and Mr Avoka are to achieve their aim of dealing with the menace, it is important that they clearly understand the problem so as to be able to take the entire Ghanaian population and well-wishers along in fighting the war. Because without the involvement of society, no government can single-handedly fight the drug war.
In his book, the White Labyrinth — Cocaine and Political Power, Raslar Lee III, an expert in the cocaine industry in South America, encapsulates the problem of society when he relates the drug industry to corruption. According to him, “...when a criminal organisation as large as the cocaine industry searches for protection, corruption is spawned on a massive and unprecedented scale. Cocaine traffickers have bought into the political system and can successfully manipulate key institutions, the press, the police, the military and judiciary”.
The question that arises from Ghana’s problem situation is: Why are we in this mess? Foremost among the UN recommendations to deal with the problem is the need for political will, which most experts agree that without, no country can make any headway in the fight against drugs.
A weak political will manifests itself in an ineffective enforcement and regulatory environment. There are concerns about the apparent incapability of the enforcement and regulatory bodies to measure up to the problem, especially the failure to apply the full sanctions provided under PNDC Law 236, notably the prosecution and confiscation of assets of drug dealers. The failure of the system to deal with the problem in a transparent way, clearly identified enforcement personnel who have been infiltrated and compromised into the human assets of the drug cabal.
A weak political will also manifests itself in the failure to appreciate drug dealing as a security-related criminality as it provided the platform for other security offences such as armed robbery, violent crime, money laundering, currency trafficking, terrorism among others. It is like an octopus and spreads out to reach every facet of life.
For sometime now, a close study of the operations of the Narcotics Control Board reveals that it does not respond to the UN multi-disciplinary approach to dealing with the problem, which should reflect the enforcement, education and prevention, treatment and rehabilitation and social integration aspects of the drug problem.
That inevitably could account for the unsatisfactory recruitment procedures that do not take into account the attitude, aptitude, loyalty and competence of persons being recruited. This obviously creates the opportunity for bad personnel to be recruited in the system arising partly out of an unprofessional recruitment mechanism which allows unqualified and unsuitable persons to be recruited and partly out of a structural defect that allows bad personnel to remain in the system. One result is that people go there for other considerations. Arising out of this is indiscipline, inefficiency and corruption.
In a corrupt environment where accountability is thrown overboard, enforcement and other efforts at dealing with the drug menace are certainly undermined. Also, priorities are misplaced and resources are misdirected.
These internal challenges have resulted in allegations of investigations into drug cases being very abysmal and deliberately truncated to suit the interest of certain personalities. Follow-ups after arrests are not done and when done, is only to gain monetary rewards from the drug organisers. Outcomes of some cases are skewed in favour of the drug dealers.
There have been suspicions that arrests made during the period had fizzled out with nothing to show.
Another area of concern is the membership of the Governing Board of NACOB itself. The board must be constituted by institutional representatives to reflect the multi-disciplinary concept championed by the United Nations to deal with the drug problem. It should not hand pick cronies or associates onto the board.
The terrible scourge of drugs must be appreciated in all its total seriousness because it undermines the entire democratic process bringing good governance, probity and accountability to naught.
Mr Quantson puts it succinctly: “It corrupts the nation physically, morally and spiritually. It distorts and subverts the economy. It shames our national identity and tarnishes our national interest. It is a huge threat to our national security.”
It is also important to appreciate that another problem that has challenged the efforts to fighting the drug menace has been the attitude of the people, who see nothing wrong with drug trafficking, they worship wealth; the invasion of money into the political system and the perception that the drug cartel has bought into our political system. Such was the situation in 1931 when the notorious Chicago gangster, Al Capone, lamented that “Virtue, honour, truth and the law have vanished from our lives.”
The complicity of society in the fight against drugs should never be underestimated. The cocaine traffickers earn friends and supporters within the society by spending money within the society. The traffickers donate huge sums of money for local development projects or by simply giving money and gifts to the poor. Their charitable and public works reach areas the government cannot reach, earning them a popular following. This tend to serve as an important protection shield.
But we all must rise up to overcome the challenge otherwise our society would reach “a stage where property confers rank, wealth becomes the only source of virtue, passion the sole bond between husband and wife, falsehood the source of success in life, sex the only means of enjoyment and outer trappings are mistaken for inner religion”. Did I hear someone say we have reached there?
The UN has made it clear that the drug problem is a problem of the people and suggested that the solution should be found in that context. It is therefore important that sustained awareness programmes are embarked upon to sensitise Ghanaians not to go into drugs and commit themselves to the war against drugs. The good thing about such educational programmes is that the people would be encouraged to expose drug dealers.
The nation will hold President Mills and his government to their promise to rescue the nation from the stigma of the cocaine coast.
An investigation into the life cycle of cases dealt with at NACOB since 2006 in particular, could help in shaping up a policy and its implementation to address the challenges of the drug menace facing the country.
Maybe, setting up of a Commission of Enquiry as has been suggested by experts on narcotics to have a holistic discourse on the problem and appreciate the full extent of the problem would help. The findings and recommendations made by the commission should help drive a national agenda to dealing with the problem.
There are many outstanding issues that have to be revisited to provide the gateway to resolving the drug problem. These include the Georgina Wood Committee’s report and that of the Kojo Armah Committee into the missing cocaine at the Police CID Exhibits store.
In spite of the fact that the Government of Ghana has taken an important step in an attempt to address the threat of Money Laundering (ML) and Financing Terrorism (FT) in recent times, by the enactment in 2008 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. 749, Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-financing of Terrorism(CFT) regime remain ineffective. This is because the aspect on the proceeds of crime was taken out of the AML law before its passage by Parliament. The absence of the Proceeds of Crime Act weakens the enforcement measures required by the investigative agencies. The new Minister of the Interior must move on to ensure the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act that have already been drafted.
The government must also ensure that the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) are established, given resources and the necessary staff to obtain and process financial disclosure information and support anti-money-laundering efforts.
The task on the Mills’s government to deal with the drug menace is onerous. It should not be underestimated.
Article: Albert K. Salia
“...Anything which, and anybody who interferes with the survival, safety and well-being of the people, should constitute a national security threat. The problem of narcotics should be appreciated in this light because it is a subversive criminal menace.” K. B. Quantson.
THE drug problem is certainly not new. It keeps on growing, getting worse with each passing year as concerns are raised about the failure of the system to deal with the problem in a transparent way and also to mobilise Ghanaians to get involved in the fight against drugs.
Aggravating the situation is the perception that there is neither the political will nor determined enforcement measures to deal with the situation.
It was therefore refreshing that all the political parties expressed their determination to deal with the problem in their manifestos and during their interactions with various sections of society. In particular, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, resonated the message of President John Evans Atta Mills when he recognised the enormity of the challenge during his vetting and expressed determination to deal with the menace.
All the views expressed by President Mills, Mr Avoka, all the other political parties and patriots in the fight against the drug menace confirmed the pronouncement by a former UN Secretary-General, Mr Perez de Cuellar, in April 1990 when he addressed the Special Session of the UN General Assembly to deliberate on the threat posed to the world by drugs. He stated inter alia: “Let us not underestimate this threat. We are talking about personal tragedy, severe damage to health, the destruction of society, economic breakdown, the undermining of democratic institutions, corruption, violence and death... Drug abuse is a time bomb ticking away in the heart of civilisation. We must now find measures to deal with it before it explodes and destroys us.”
There is, therefore, the need for a concerted and sustained effort to deal with the menace, especially because of the harm it has caused to our international image. At least, the embarrassing searches that top executives no matter who, are made to go through at international airports is most humiliating.
The claim that Ghana is a transit country is outmoded and ridiculous. It used to be a transit country 15 years ago but now Ghana is a consuming nation and we must accept that fact. As Mr K. B. Quantson, a former Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, disclosed recently, the level of involvement and use of Ghana in the drug trade has earned it the characterisation “Cocaine Coast”.
According to him, ”the distressful shame was at one international conference on drugs where we (Ghana) earned the most shocking characterisation as the COCAINE COAST. We used to be known as the Gold Coast. The contradiction between GOLD and COCAINE in every aspect and dimension, should be a reprehensible national burden on our heads”.
If President Mills and Mr Avoka are to achieve their aim of dealing with the menace, it is important that they clearly understand the problem so as to be able to take the entire Ghanaian population and well-wishers along in fighting the war. Because without the involvement of society, no government can single-handedly fight the drug war.
In his book, the White Labyrinth — Cocaine and Political Power, Raslar Lee III, an expert in the cocaine industry in South America, encapsulates the problem of society when he relates the drug industry to corruption. According to him, “...when a criminal organisation as large as the cocaine industry searches for protection, corruption is spawned on a massive and unprecedented scale. Cocaine traffickers have bought into the political system and can successfully manipulate key institutions, the press, the police, the military and judiciary”.
The question that arises from Ghana’s problem situation is: Why are we in this mess? Foremost among the UN recommendations to deal with the problem is the need for political will, which most experts agree that without, no country can make any headway in the fight against drugs.
A weak political will manifests itself in an ineffective enforcement and regulatory environment. There are concerns about the apparent incapability of the enforcement and regulatory bodies to measure up to the problem, especially the failure to apply the full sanctions provided under PNDC Law 236, notably the prosecution and confiscation of assets of drug dealers. The failure of the system to deal with the problem in a transparent way, clearly identified enforcement personnel who have been infiltrated and compromised into the human assets of the drug cabal.
A weak political will also manifests itself in the failure to appreciate drug dealing as a security-related criminality as it provided the platform for other security offences such as armed robbery, violent crime, money laundering, currency trafficking, terrorism among others. It is like an octopus and spreads out to reach every facet of life.
For sometime now, a close study of the operations of the Narcotics Control Board reveals that it does not respond to the UN multi-disciplinary approach to dealing with the problem, which should reflect the enforcement, education and prevention, treatment and rehabilitation and social integration aspects of the drug problem.
That inevitably could account for the unsatisfactory recruitment procedures that do not take into account the attitude, aptitude, loyalty and competence of persons being recruited. This obviously creates the opportunity for bad personnel to be recruited in the system arising partly out of an unprofessional recruitment mechanism which allows unqualified and unsuitable persons to be recruited and partly out of a structural defect that allows bad personnel to remain in the system. One result is that people go there for other considerations. Arising out of this is indiscipline, inefficiency and corruption.
In a corrupt environment where accountability is thrown overboard, enforcement and other efforts at dealing with the drug menace are certainly undermined. Also, priorities are misplaced and resources are misdirected.
These internal challenges have resulted in allegations of investigations into drug cases being very abysmal and deliberately truncated to suit the interest of certain personalities. Follow-ups after arrests are not done and when done, is only to gain monetary rewards from the drug organisers. Outcomes of some cases are skewed in favour of the drug dealers.
There have been suspicions that arrests made during the period had fizzled out with nothing to show.
Another area of concern is the membership of the Governing Board of NACOB itself. The board must be constituted by institutional representatives to reflect the multi-disciplinary concept championed by the United Nations to deal with the drug problem. It should not hand pick cronies or associates onto the board.
The terrible scourge of drugs must be appreciated in all its total seriousness because it undermines the entire democratic process bringing good governance, probity and accountability to naught.
Mr Quantson puts it succinctly: “It corrupts the nation physically, morally and spiritually. It distorts and subverts the economy. It shames our national identity and tarnishes our national interest. It is a huge threat to our national security.”
It is also important to appreciate that another problem that has challenged the efforts to fighting the drug menace has been the attitude of the people, who see nothing wrong with drug trafficking, they worship wealth; the invasion of money into the political system and the perception that the drug cartel has bought into our political system. Such was the situation in 1931 when the notorious Chicago gangster, Al Capone, lamented that “Virtue, honour, truth and the law have vanished from our lives.”
The complicity of society in the fight against drugs should never be underestimated. The cocaine traffickers earn friends and supporters within the society by spending money within the society. The traffickers donate huge sums of money for local development projects or by simply giving money and gifts to the poor. Their charitable and public works reach areas the government cannot reach, earning them a popular following. This tend to serve as an important protection shield.
But we all must rise up to overcome the challenge otherwise our society would reach “a stage where property confers rank, wealth becomes the only source of virtue, passion the sole bond between husband and wife, falsehood the source of success in life, sex the only means of enjoyment and outer trappings are mistaken for inner religion”. Did I hear someone say we have reached there?
The UN has made it clear that the drug problem is a problem of the people and suggested that the solution should be found in that context. It is therefore important that sustained awareness programmes are embarked upon to sensitise Ghanaians not to go into drugs and commit themselves to the war against drugs. The good thing about such educational programmes is that the people would be encouraged to expose drug dealers.
The nation will hold President Mills and his government to their promise to rescue the nation from the stigma of the cocaine coast.
An investigation into the life cycle of cases dealt with at NACOB since 2006 in particular, could help in shaping up a policy and its implementation to address the challenges of the drug menace facing the country.
Maybe, setting up of a Commission of Enquiry as has been suggested by experts on narcotics to have a holistic discourse on the problem and appreciate the full extent of the problem would help. The findings and recommendations made by the commission should help drive a national agenda to dealing with the problem.
There are many outstanding issues that have to be revisited to provide the gateway to resolving the drug problem. These include the Georgina Wood Committee’s report and that of the Kojo Armah Committee into the missing cocaine at the Police CID Exhibits store.
In spite of the fact that the Government of Ghana has taken an important step in an attempt to address the threat of Money Laundering (ML) and Financing Terrorism (FT) in recent times, by the enactment in 2008 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. 749, Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-financing of Terrorism(CFT) regime remain ineffective. This is because the aspect on the proceeds of crime was taken out of the AML law before its passage by Parliament. The absence of the Proceeds of Crime Act weakens the enforcement measures required by the investigative agencies. The new Minister of the Interior must move on to ensure the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act that have already been drafted.
The government must also ensure that the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) are established, given resources and the necessary staff to obtain and process financial disclosure information and support anti-money-laundering efforts.
The task on the Mills’s government to deal with the drug menace is onerous. It should not be underestimated.
Redemarcate districts to bring Konkombas together * says Konkomba chiefs
Page 17: Daily Graphic, February 19, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Konkomba Chiefs Association has appealed to President J. E. A. Mills to re-demarcate the administrative districts in the area to bring the Konkombas together.
They said the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District should be particularly considered because of the protracted ethnic conflicts between Konkombas and Bimobas.
The Secretary to the association, Mr Kojo Naabu, who made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the Konkombas had been politically marginalised over the years.
That, he explained, was because the Konkombas had been scattered and shared among a number of constituencies and districts.
Mr Naabu said although the Konkombas were in the centre of a number of constituencies, the way the constituencies were created had destabilised them politically and often created neglect, dejection and disillusionment among the people.
He cited constituencies such as Nalerigu-Gambaga, Mion, Gushiegu, Chereponi, Karaga and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, which had seen Konkombas ethnically scattered and politically yanked and disintegrated although the Konkombas constituted the majority in those constituencies.
Mr Naabu said the absence of schools, motorable feeder roads, potable water and health facilities had made the Konkombas economically and socially deprived.
“It is common to see people, especially schoolchildren, get drown in rivers in their attempt to cross to attend schools in nearby towns and villages. Sick people die on their way to health facilities in other towns while our foodstuffs perish on the way to market centres because of the bad nature of roads,” he lamented.
Mr Naabu was hopeful, therefore, that President Mills would use the victory of the National Democratic Congress “to address these ever compounding and seemingly insurmountable problems”.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Konkomba Chiefs Association has appealed to President J. E. A. Mills to re-demarcate the administrative districts in the area to bring the Konkombas together.
They said the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District should be particularly considered because of the protracted ethnic conflicts between Konkombas and Bimobas.
The Secretary to the association, Mr Kojo Naabu, who made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the Konkombas had been politically marginalised over the years.
That, he explained, was because the Konkombas had been scattered and shared among a number of constituencies and districts.
Mr Naabu said although the Konkombas were in the centre of a number of constituencies, the way the constituencies were created had destabilised them politically and often created neglect, dejection and disillusionment among the people.
He cited constituencies such as Nalerigu-Gambaga, Mion, Gushiegu, Chereponi, Karaga and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, which had seen Konkombas ethnically scattered and politically yanked and disintegrated although the Konkombas constituted the majority in those constituencies.
Mr Naabu said the absence of schools, motorable feeder roads, potable water and health facilities had made the Konkombas economically and socially deprived.
“It is common to see people, especially schoolchildren, get drown in rivers in their attempt to cross to attend schools in nearby towns and villages. Sick people die on their way to health facilities in other towns while our foodstuffs perish on the way to market centres because of the bad nature of roads,” he lamented.
Mr Naabu was hopeful, therefore, that President Mills would use the victory of the National Democratic Congress “to address these ever compounding and seemingly insurmountable problems”.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ex gratia letter didn't originate from Castle, BNI declares
Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 18, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) says its investigations into the authenticity of a letter purported to have emanated from the former Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, approving ex gratia payment to Article 71 officials have so far revealed that the letter did not originate from the Castle, neither was it located at the Registry of the Office of the Speaker.
The Chief Director at the Castle, Mr L.T. Tusoe, is reported to have told investigators that the letter did not come from the Castle, while the Secretary to the former Chief of Staff, identified only as Vida, did not remember typing such a letter.
Moreover, the normal procedures in the delivery of letters in official circles, particularly at the Castle, were not followed, leaving no trace of the letter at its purported origin or destination.
Explaining the procedure, highly placed sources at the BNI said letters leaving the Castle are to be registered in the despatch diary, which the recipient must counter-sign. It said there was no such trace, adding that there was also no trace of the letter at the Speaker’s Registry confirming receipt.
According to the investigators, although the letter was dated December 30, 2008, checks in the records of registries from November 2008 to February 9, 2009 were done without any trace of the letter.
The sources said the task given the BNI was to investigate the origin and destination points of the letter, which it had done and the report on it sent to the Chief of Staff, Mr Martey Newman, for the next line of action.
On whether the BNI spoke to the former Chief of Staff, the sources answered in the negative and explained that the investigations were just to verify whether there were records of the origin of the letter and when it got to its final destination.
When the attention of the sources was drawn to the fact that Mr Mpiani had admitted openly that he wrote the letter, they said the question Mr Mpiani should answer was when and where he wrote the letter and who delivered it and to whom.
When the Daily Graphic got in touch with Mr Mpiani for his reaction, he declined to comment on the issue, saying he preferred to wait for the investigations to be completed and the findings made public.
When he was told that there were no records at the registries of the Castle and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament on the letter, he said he could not tell what went on there and declined further comment.
Later, after addressing a press conference in Accra, Mr Mpiani reiterated his position to the Daily Graphic that he had personally written the letter on the ex gratia for former President Kufuor, his Vice-President, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other public officials, reports Ato Dapatem & Musah Jafaru.
He said he gave the letter to the former Speaker of Parliament and a copy was kept at the Office of the Former President, as was the normal practice, adding that it was for the government to ask the Speaker of Parliament for it.
On the issue of the letter not having a reference number, he said it was for the new administration to check if for the years he served as Chief of Staff he wrote other letters with reference numbers.
“They should find out what happens at the Chief of Staff’s Office; whether I have written a letter with a reference number or not. Then you can come and ask me why that letter alone does not have any,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) says its investigations into the authenticity of a letter purported to have emanated from the former Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, approving ex gratia payment to Article 71 officials have so far revealed that the letter did not originate from the Castle, neither was it located at the Registry of the Office of the Speaker.
The Chief Director at the Castle, Mr L.T. Tusoe, is reported to have told investigators that the letter did not come from the Castle, while the Secretary to the former Chief of Staff, identified only as Vida, did not remember typing such a letter.
Moreover, the normal procedures in the delivery of letters in official circles, particularly at the Castle, were not followed, leaving no trace of the letter at its purported origin or destination.
Explaining the procedure, highly placed sources at the BNI said letters leaving the Castle are to be registered in the despatch diary, which the recipient must counter-sign. It said there was no such trace, adding that there was also no trace of the letter at the Speaker’s Registry confirming receipt.
According to the investigators, although the letter was dated December 30, 2008, checks in the records of registries from November 2008 to February 9, 2009 were done without any trace of the letter.
The sources said the task given the BNI was to investigate the origin and destination points of the letter, which it had done and the report on it sent to the Chief of Staff, Mr Martey Newman, for the next line of action.
On whether the BNI spoke to the former Chief of Staff, the sources answered in the negative and explained that the investigations were just to verify whether there were records of the origin of the letter and when it got to its final destination.
When the attention of the sources was drawn to the fact that Mr Mpiani had admitted openly that he wrote the letter, they said the question Mr Mpiani should answer was when and where he wrote the letter and who delivered it and to whom.
When the Daily Graphic got in touch with Mr Mpiani for his reaction, he declined to comment on the issue, saying he preferred to wait for the investigations to be completed and the findings made public.
When he was told that there were no records at the registries of the Castle and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament on the letter, he said he could not tell what went on there and declined further comment.
Later, after addressing a press conference in Accra, Mr Mpiani reiterated his position to the Daily Graphic that he had personally written the letter on the ex gratia for former President Kufuor, his Vice-President, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other public officials, reports Ato Dapatem & Musah Jafaru.
He said he gave the letter to the former Speaker of Parliament and a copy was kept at the Office of the Former President, as was the normal practice, adding that it was for the government to ask the Speaker of Parliament for it.
On the issue of the letter not having a reference number, he said it was for the new administration to check if for the years he served as Chief of Staff he wrote other letters with reference numbers.
“They should find out what happens at the Chief of Staff’s Office; whether I have written a letter with a reference number or not. Then you can come and ask me why that letter alone does not have any,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Veep gives assurance of transparent governance
Page 24: Daily Graphic, February 17, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
Vice-President John Mahama yesterday gave the assurance that the government would evolve policies to ensure non-discrimination, good, accountable and transparent governance in the country.
He said the government had put together an elaborate plan to develop Ghana into a country where there would be adequate food, shelter and clothing for the average citizen and also create the necessary conditions for every Ghanaian to develop his or her potential to the fullest.
He gave the assurance when he opened the Second Synod of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the outcome of which will inform the medium-term goal of the strategic development plan for the archdiocese and also inform decrees that will be issued to guide the life of the church for the next five to 10 years.
An eight-chapter working document has been put together for the second synod, which is on the theme, “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptising them ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you: Renewing the Church and fulfilling our vocation and mission in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra in preparation for our 125th anniversary”.
Topics to be discussed are justice, peace and reconciliation in the archdiocese, pastoral care in a cosmopolitan setting, the development of the youth as disciples with a mission, marriage and family life, life of sanctification, liturgical life and human resources of the agents of evangelisation in the archdiocese.
Mr Mahama said the charge of love of God and of one’s neighbour in contemporary Ghana was the creation of the necessary conditions for the citizenry to have access to the basic necessities of life.
He said a good healthcare system, a good educational system, good agricultural policies, family welfare, good, transparent and accountable governance were also necessities which Ghanaians must strive to achieve.
He said the government acknowledged the enormity of the charge on it and had resolved to lead Ghanaians in the right direction towards the achievement of a better Ghana in which it would be the norm to love God and one’s neighbour.
“Admittedly, there will be a cross to carry to achieve the goals the current government has set for itself, but I believe and trust fully in the mercy of God to carry us through to the end,” he said.
Fortunately, Mr Mahama said, the Catholic Church had been a partner of the government in seeking the welfare of the people of Ghana in health care, education, micro-financing, agriculture and women empowerment, saying that “the credit union and the National Health Insurance Scheme are some of the landmarks bequeathed to Ghanaians by the Catholic Church”.
While acknowledging the work of other churches in the country, he said “the contribution of the Catholic Church to education, health care, good, transparent and accountable governance, as well as the basic necessities of life, can neither be underestimated nor ignored”.
Vice-President Mahama said the government would, therefore, urge the Catholic Church and all other churches to continue with the good work they had been doing, while it created the necessary conditions for every Ghanaian to develop his/her potential to the fullest.
He said the church in Ghana had served as the conscience of the nation and given voice to the voiceless, fought unconstitutional rule, dictatorship and intervened in times of crisis, particularly the Ghana Peace Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, said the synod would seek to ensure total geographical coverage by the church of the entire archdiocese, ensure quality growth in faith of Catholics in the face of the various religious, spiritual and moral challenges of living in a cosmopolitan setting such as Accra and Tema, as well as build up and improve upon the capacity and spirit of self-reliance, professional skills and expertise in the finances of individual church members.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, Apostle Ekow B. Wood, said history had accorded the Catholic Church the privilege of leadership, which had made the Christian fraternity use the Catholic Church as a measuring rod.
He said other Christians had always admired the Catholic Church for its orderliness, respect for hierarchy and practicalisation of the faith through the provision of healthcare services, education and other services for the society.
He acknowledged the role of the Catholic Church in promoting unity in the country, particularly the Archdiocese of Accra, and proposed that all Christians commit themselves to the holding of annual unity services, as unity is best demonstrated in diversity.
The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, was hopeful that the synod would come out with recommendations which would reflect and promote moral uprightness in the society.
He said the outcome should also set the agenda for Christians and the nation to deal with the challenges confronting the nation.
Story: Albert K. Salia
Vice-President John Mahama yesterday gave the assurance that the government would evolve policies to ensure non-discrimination, good, accountable and transparent governance in the country.
He said the government had put together an elaborate plan to develop Ghana into a country where there would be adequate food, shelter and clothing for the average citizen and also create the necessary conditions for every Ghanaian to develop his or her potential to the fullest.
He gave the assurance when he opened the Second Synod of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the outcome of which will inform the medium-term goal of the strategic development plan for the archdiocese and also inform decrees that will be issued to guide the life of the church for the next five to 10 years.
An eight-chapter working document has been put together for the second synod, which is on the theme, “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptising them ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you: Renewing the Church and fulfilling our vocation and mission in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra in preparation for our 125th anniversary”.
Topics to be discussed are justice, peace and reconciliation in the archdiocese, pastoral care in a cosmopolitan setting, the development of the youth as disciples with a mission, marriage and family life, life of sanctification, liturgical life and human resources of the agents of evangelisation in the archdiocese.
Mr Mahama said the charge of love of God and of one’s neighbour in contemporary Ghana was the creation of the necessary conditions for the citizenry to have access to the basic necessities of life.
He said a good healthcare system, a good educational system, good agricultural policies, family welfare, good, transparent and accountable governance were also necessities which Ghanaians must strive to achieve.
He said the government acknowledged the enormity of the charge on it and had resolved to lead Ghanaians in the right direction towards the achievement of a better Ghana in which it would be the norm to love God and one’s neighbour.
“Admittedly, there will be a cross to carry to achieve the goals the current government has set for itself, but I believe and trust fully in the mercy of God to carry us through to the end,” he said.
Fortunately, Mr Mahama said, the Catholic Church had been a partner of the government in seeking the welfare of the people of Ghana in health care, education, micro-financing, agriculture and women empowerment, saying that “the credit union and the National Health Insurance Scheme are some of the landmarks bequeathed to Ghanaians by the Catholic Church”.
While acknowledging the work of other churches in the country, he said “the contribution of the Catholic Church to education, health care, good, transparent and accountable governance, as well as the basic necessities of life, can neither be underestimated nor ignored”.
Vice-President Mahama said the government would, therefore, urge the Catholic Church and all other churches to continue with the good work they had been doing, while it created the necessary conditions for every Ghanaian to develop his/her potential to the fullest.
He said the church in Ghana had served as the conscience of the nation and given voice to the voiceless, fought unconstitutional rule, dictatorship and intervened in times of crisis, particularly the Ghana Peace Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, said the synod would seek to ensure total geographical coverage by the church of the entire archdiocese, ensure quality growth in faith of Catholics in the face of the various religious, spiritual and moral challenges of living in a cosmopolitan setting such as Accra and Tema, as well as build up and improve upon the capacity and spirit of self-reliance, professional skills and expertise in the finances of individual church members.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, Apostle Ekow B. Wood, said history had accorded the Catholic Church the privilege of leadership, which had made the Christian fraternity use the Catholic Church as a measuring rod.
He said other Christians had always admired the Catholic Church for its orderliness, respect for hierarchy and practicalisation of the faith through the provision of healthcare services, education and other services for the society.
He acknowledged the role of the Catholic Church in promoting unity in the country, particularly the Archdiocese of Accra, and proposed that all Christians commit themselves to the holding of annual unity services, as unity is best demonstrated in diversity.
The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, was hopeful that the synod would come out with recommendations which would reflect and promote moral uprightness in the society.
He said the outcome should also set the agenda for Christians and the nation to deal with the challenges confronting the nation.
Suspect in TOR scandal re-arrested.
Page 31: Daily Graphic, February 16, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN alleged member of a syndicate which facilitated the illegal withdrawal of large sums of money from the accounts of some companies has been re-arrested for attempting to withdraw GH¢1,500 out of the GH¢89,000 which he had obtained from a similar scam.
Benard Sallah, alias Big Ben, who has been on bail in connection with similar cases involving the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), was arrested when he showed up to collect the cash at the bank.
Two of his alleged accomplices in the new scam, Mohammed Larrison, the Proprietor of Payless Wear Source Ltd, and Edward Ocloo, the Proprietor of Central Engineering Services, are being sought to assist in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic yesterday, the Head of the Commercial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Maame Yaa Tiwaa, said prior to his arrest, Sallah, also known as Alex Acheampong, had successfully withdrawn GH¢93,000 obtained from a similar scam and paid same into the account of Payless Wear Source Ltd whose owner, Larrison, withdrew the amount for the syndicate to share the booty.
Larrison is said to be in Germany at the moment.
Supt Tiwaa said one of the banks in the country called the company which had purportedly issued the cheque to verify whether it had, indeed, issued the cheque covering GH¢89,000 in the name of Central Engineering Services.
According to her, the company answered in the negative because Central Engineering had not undertaken any services for it.
Supt Tiwaa said checks by the company then revealed that one of its cheque books was missing and it, therefore, alerted the bank not to honour any cheque from that particular cheque book.
Incidentally, she said, the company had not even started using that particular cheque book.
She said the bank then alerted the police to the deal.
Supt Tiwaa said a team of investigators, led by ASP Ebenezer Nketiah, had laid ambush at the bank when Sallah, holding a passport bearing the name Alex Acheampong, went to collect the money on January 27, 2009.
Upon his arrest, she said, Sallah alleged that Edward Ocloo had sent him to cash the money.
She said it was during further investigations that it was established that Sallah and his group had, in the early part of January this year, withdrawn GH¢93,000 paid into the account of Payless Wear Source Ltd.
Supt Tiwaa said when Larrison was contacted in Germany, he admitted that he had assisted Sallah for the money to be paid into his account, as a result of which he (Larrison) was given a percentage.
Sallah, Mohammed Bagigah, alias Parker, said to be an expert in the forgery of signatures, and Frank Mensah Kpemli, alias George Owusu, were arrested in July 2007 after almost a two-year search for their alleged involvement in the multi-million forgery at TOR and GBC.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN alleged member of a syndicate which facilitated the illegal withdrawal of large sums of money from the accounts of some companies has been re-arrested for attempting to withdraw GH¢1,500 out of the GH¢89,000 which he had obtained from a similar scam.
Benard Sallah, alias Big Ben, who has been on bail in connection with similar cases involving the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), was arrested when he showed up to collect the cash at the bank.
Two of his alleged accomplices in the new scam, Mohammed Larrison, the Proprietor of Payless Wear Source Ltd, and Edward Ocloo, the Proprietor of Central Engineering Services, are being sought to assist in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic yesterday, the Head of the Commercial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Maame Yaa Tiwaa, said prior to his arrest, Sallah, also known as Alex Acheampong, had successfully withdrawn GH¢93,000 obtained from a similar scam and paid same into the account of Payless Wear Source Ltd whose owner, Larrison, withdrew the amount for the syndicate to share the booty.
Larrison is said to be in Germany at the moment.
Supt Tiwaa said one of the banks in the country called the company which had purportedly issued the cheque to verify whether it had, indeed, issued the cheque covering GH¢89,000 in the name of Central Engineering Services.
According to her, the company answered in the negative because Central Engineering had not undertaken any services for it.
Supt Tiwaa said checks by the company then revealed that one of its cheque books was missing and it, therefore, alerted the bank not to honour any cheque from that particular cheque book.
Incidentally, she said, the company had not even started using that particular cheque book.
She said the bank then alerted the police to the deal.
Supt Tiwaa said a team of investigators, led by ASP Ebenezer Nketiah, had laid ambush at the bank when Sallah, holding a passport bearing the name Alex Acheampong, went to collect the money on January 27, 2009.
Upon his arrest, she said, Sallah alleged that Edward Ocloo had sent him to cash the money.
She said it was during further investigations that it was established that Sallah and his group had, in the early part of January this year, withdrawn GH¢93,000 paid into the account of Payless Wear Source Ltd.
Supt Tiwaa said when Larrison was contacted in Germany, he admitted that he had assisted Sallah for the money to be paid into his account, as a result of which he (Larrison) was given a percentage.
Sallah, Mohammed Bagigah, alias Parker, said to be an expert in the forgery of signatures, and Frank Mensah Kpemli, alias George Owusu, were arrested in July 2007 after almost a two-year search for their alleged involvement in the multi-million forgery at TOR and GBC.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Man, 53 arrested for fraud
Page 28: Daily Graphic, February 12, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 53-year-old man, Prosper Akabutu, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defrauding two persons of GH¢100,000.
Akabutu’s accomplice, known to the police as Evangelist Kofi Nsiah, is, however, on the run.
The two are alleged to have sold a storey building and a parcel of land to two individuals under the assumed names of the property owners and absconded thereafter.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in an Accra, the Public Affairs Officer of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector J. B. Darkwah, said some time last month a man identified as Emmanuel Owusu, currently at large but believed to be Kofi Nsiah, introduced Akabutu to a Germany-based Ghanaian lady as Samuel Kodzo Kugbe, a transporter and owner of a storey building at Community 18 in Tema.
He said the lady, who had expressed interest in buying a property before returning to Germany, was convinced by the documentation presented to her covering the property.
The documents, he said, were a base of residential site issued by the Tema Development Corporation and registered in the name of Samuel Kodzo Kugbe and a contract of sale.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said Akabutu also made a photocopy of his purported voter ID card in the name of Samuel Kugbe, who is actually deceased, to the victim.
He said the victim accordingly paid GH¢88,000 to Akabutu to cover the cost of the property.
According to him, when two family members of the owner of the building saw the victim packing her belongings into the property, they informed her that the property was theirs and wondered how she got access to the place.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said the woman then produced the purported documents to the family members but she was informed that the owner was deceased and that the family had no plans of selling it.
It was at that point that the victim realised that she had been defrauded and accordingly reported the matter to the police, he said.
He said just as the police started investigations into the case, another victim reported to the Property Fraud Unit that Akabutu, who had introduced himself as Charles Anum and owner of a parcel of land at Community 18, Tema, had sold the land to him at GH¢20,000.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said the victim told the police that Anum, with his accomplice, Kofi Nsiah, who had assumed the name Ernest Botchway, with purported documents covering the land, went into hiding after collecting GH¢12,000 from him.
He said the victim paid the money after an estate agent through whom he had seen the advertisement had given him copies of the documents after Akabutu and Nsiah had demanded GH¢12,000 from him.
According to Chief Inspector Darkwah, it was during a search by the victim to confirm the ownership of the land that it was established that the land did not belong to Akabutu and Nsiah.
Surprisingly, he said, Akabutu and Nsiah had provided photocopies of their voter ID cards bearing the names Charles Anum and Ernest Botchway for him.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 53-year-old man, Prosper Akabutu, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defrauding two persons of GH¢100,000.
Akabutu’s accomplice, known to the police as Evangelist Kofi Nsiah, is, however, on the run.
The two are alleged to have sold a storey building and a parcel of land to two individuals under the assumed names of the property owners and absconded thereafter.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in an Accra, the Public Affairs Officer of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector J. B. Darkwah, said some time last month a man identified as Emmanuel Owusu, currently at large but believed to be Kofi Nsiah, introduced Akabutu to a Germany-based Ghanaian lady as Samuel Kodzo Kugbe, a transporter and owner of a storey building at Community 18 in Tema.
He said the lady, who had expressed interest in buying a property before returning to Germany, was convinced by the documentation presented to her covering the property.
The documents, he said, were a base of residential site issued by the Tema Development Corporation and registered in the name of Samuel Kodzo Kugbe and a contract of sale.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said Akabutu also made a photocopy of his purported voter ID card in the name of Samuel Kugbe, who is actually deceased, to the victim.
He said the victim accordingly paid GH¢88,000 to Akabutu to cover the cost of the property.
According to him, when two family members of the owner of the building saw the victim packing her belongings into the property, they informed her that the property was theirs and wondered how she got access to the place.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said the woman then produced the purported documents to the family members but she was informed that the owner was deceased and that the family had no plans of selling it.
It was at that point that the victim realised that she had been defrauded and accordingly reported the matter to the police, he said.
He said just as the police started investigations into the case, another victim reported to the Property Fraud Unit that Akabutu, who had introduced himself as Charles Anum and owner of a parcel of land at Community 18, Tema, had sold the land to him at GH¢20,000.
Chief Inspector Darkwah said the victim told the police that Anum, with his accomplice, Kofi Nsiah, who had assumed the name Ernest Botchway, with purported documents covering the land, went into hiding after collecting GH¢12,000 from him.
He said the victim paid the money after an estate agent through whom he had seen the advertisement had given him copies of the documents after Akabutu and Nsiah had demanded GH¢12,000 from him.
According to Chief Inspector Darkwah, it was during a search by the victim to confirm the ownership of the land that it was established that the land did not belong to Akabutu and Nsiah.
Surprisingly, he said, Akabutu and Nsiah had provided photocopies of their voter ID cards bearing the names Charles Anum and Ernest Botchway for him.
Police investigate recent clashes at Agbogbloshie
Page 13: Daily Graphic, February 12, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police administration says it is following some leads which suggest that the recent Agbogbloshie clashes could have been stoked more by ethnicity and chieftaincy disputes, rather than political factors.
This, it said, followed the forceful arrest of the chief of the Abudus in Agbogbloshie by a group of youngmen who dumped him at the premises of the Old Fadama Police last Sunday.
Natsina Issah Iddi Abass, 51, identified as the chief of the Abudu gate of the Dagbons at Agbogbloshie, was allegedly arrested and dumped at the police station after he allegedly resisted an invitation to the police because the police had declared him wanted.
According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian T. Yohunu, the youth abandoned the chief at the police station and took to their heels without a word.
He said Natsina Abass told the police upon interrogation that the youth claimed that the police had asked them (youth) to arrest and bring him to the police station.
ACP Yohunu said there were, however, no records at the Old Fadama or James Town Police stations indicating that the chief was wanted by the police.
He said the police were looking for the suspects to assist in investigations.
ACP Yohunu said due to a scuffle which ensued during his arrest, the chief sustained some injuries and was subsequently issued with a medical form to seek treatment.
He said the police had increased its presence in the area with the stationing of a Water Canon vehicle to monitor the situation and also maintain law and order.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police administration says it is following some leads which suggest that the recent Agbogbloshie clashes could have been stoked more by ethnicity and chieftaincy disputes, rather than political factors.
This, it said, followed the forceful arrest of the chief of the Abudus in Agbogbloshie by a group of youngmen who dumped him at the premises of the Old Fadama Police last Sunday.
Natsina Issah Iddi Abass, 51, identified as the chief of the Abudu gate of the Dagbons at Agbogbloshie, was allegedly arrested and dumped at the police station after he allegedly resisted an invitation to the police because the police had declared him wanted.
According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian T. Yohunu, the youth abandoned the chief at the police station and took to their heels without a word.
He said Natsina Abass told the police upon interrogation that the youth claimed that the police had asked them (youth) to arrest and bring him to the police station.
ACP Yohunu said there were, however, no records at the Old Fadama or James Town Police stations indicating that the chief was wanted by the police.
He said the police were looking for the suspects to assist in investigations.
ACP Yohunu said due to a scuffle which ensued during his arrest, the chief sustained some injuries and was subsequently issued with a medical form to seek treatment.
He said the police had increased its presence in the area with the stationing of a Water Canon vehicle to monitor the situation and also maintain law and order.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ghana designated as "cocaine coast"
Unpublished.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE use of Ghana in the illicit drug business has earned it the name “Cocaine Coast” in international circles, Mr K. B. Quantson, a former National Security Co-ordinator today revealed.
“The distressful shame was at one international conference on drugs where we (Ghana) earned the most shocking characterisation as the COCAINE COAST. We used to be known as the Gold Coast. The contradiction between GOLD and COCAINE in every aspect and dimension, should be a reprehensible national burden on our heads,” he lamented.
Mr Quantson was speaking at a luncheon organised by the Ghana chapter of the West African Business Association in Accra today.
He said Ghana had arrived at that damning destination through the lack of demonstrable lack of political will, a flawed appreciation of the security implications of drugs, an ineffective security enforcement and judicial systems which had been thoroughly penetrated, corrupted and manipulated by the criminal gangs operating the drug cabal.
He said a bogus oversight mechanism that failed to hold offending enforcement institutions accountable, an unfriendly economic atmosphere, the decay of moral fibre of society, which made wealth, no matter its source, the determinant of success and social status, society regarding drug dealing as normal lucrative business regardless of the socio-politico-economic consequences among others as some of the reasons for Ghana’s present woes.
Mr Quantson, who is also a former Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, said the setting up of a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to take a comprehensive look at the drug problem to provide an informed and objective basis upon which to tackle the drug problem was crucial.
He said the Georgina Wood Committee’s report was not published for the public to appreciate the magnitude of the problem neither was that of the Kojo Armah Committee published.
“Another committee established by the government to examine the Kojo Armah’s Committee Report never even sat. There must be intractable problems that the public have a right to know,” he said.
Mr Quantson said there must also be policy re-orientation that appreciated drug dealing as a national security problem that would enable appropriate resources to be made available.
He said a ruthless enforcement and judicial regime that handled drug offences efficiently and expeditiously, coupled with a continuous sensitisation to rid the system of corrupt, compromised or undesirable elements was also required to keep Ghana on course to dealing with the drug menace.
He said a swift confiscation of assets of convicted drug dealers acquired through drug dealing was crucial, stressing that “depriving criminals of the proceeds of their criminality is an effective way of fighting drug trafficking”.
Mr Quantson also called for a nationally sustained sensitisation educational programme to involved the entire nation on the war on drugs.
He said terrible scourge of drugs should be appreciated in all its total seriousness because it undermined the entire democratic process bringing good governance, probity and accountability to naught.
“It corrupts the nation physically, morally and spiritually. It distorts and subverts the economy. It shames our national identity and tarnishes our national interest. It is a huge threat to our national security,” he stated.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE use of Ghana in the illicit drug business has earned it the name “Cocaine Coast” in international circles, Mr K. B. Quantson, a former National Security Co-ordinator today revealed.
“The distressful shame was at one international conference on drugs where we (Ghana) earned the most shocking characterisation as the COCAINE COAST. We used to be known as the Gold Coast. The contradiction between GOLD and COCAINE in every aspect and dimension, should be a reprehensible national burden on our heads,” he lamented.
Mr Quantson was speaking at a luncheon organised by the Ghana chapter of the West African Business Association in Accra today.
He said Ghana had arrived at that damning destination through the lack of demonstrable lack of political will, a flawed appreciation of the security implications of drugs, an ineffective security enforcement and judicial systems which had been thoroughly penetrated, corrupted and manipulated by the criminal gangs operating the drug cabal.
He said a bogus oversight mechanism that failed to hold offending enforcement institutions accountable, an unfriendly economic atmosphere, the decay of moral fibre of society, which made wealth, no matter its source, the determinant of success and social status, society regarding drug dealing as normal lucrative business regardless of the socio-politico-economic consequences among others as some of the reasons for Ghana’s present woes.
Mr Quantson, who is also a former Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, said the setting up of a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to take a comprehensive look at the drug problem to provide an informed and objective basis upon which to tackle the drug problem was crucial.
He said the Georgina Wood Committee’s report was not published for the public to appreciate the magnitude of the problem neither was that of the Kojo Armah Committee published.
“Another committee established by the government to examine the Kojo Armah’s Committee Report never even sat. There must be intractable problems that the public have a right to know,” he said.
Mr Quantson said there must also be policy re-orientation that appreciated drug dealing as a national security problem that would enable appropriate resources to be made available.
He said a ruthless enforcement and judicial regime that handled drug offences efficiently and expeditiously, coupled with a continuous sensitisation to rid the system of corrupt, compromised or undesirable elements was also required to keep Ghana on course to dealing with the drug menace.
He said a swift confiscation of assets of convicted drug dealers acquired through drug dealing was crucial, stressing that “depriving criminals of the proceeds of their criminality is an effective way of fighting drug trafficking”.
Mr Quantson also called for a nationally sustained sensitisation educational programme to involved the entire nation on the war on drugs.
He said terrible scourge of drugs should be appreciated in all its total seriousness because it undermined the entire democratic process bringing good governance, probity and accountability to naught.
“It corrupts the nation physically, morally and spiritually. It distorts and subverts the economy. It shames our national identity and tarnishes our national interest. It is a huge threat to our national security,” he stated.
EX GRATIA PUZZLE DEEPENS * No funds released says Account-Gen.
Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 10, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE controversy over the payment of ex gratia has deepened, with the claim by the Controller and Accountant-General (CAG), Mr Christian Sottie, that no money has yet been transferred from any government account for disbursement to Members of Parliament (MPs).
The source of the money got even more puzzling when parliamentary sources also denied the existence of any other means by which money could have been secured for the payment of the ex gratia.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, Mr Sottie said if some MPs claimed that they had cashed their benefits or found the amounts in their accounts, then that money would have come from elsewhere because "it did not originate from us".
Reacting to reports that at least six former and current MPs had collected their money, Mr Sottie stated that "no money was transferred at all to Parliament’s accounts at the Bank of Ghana" and wondered where Parliament got the money to effect those payments.
He explained that following the administrative approval asking for the payment to be made for the Executive and the Legislature, he sent it back to the Ministry of Finance for counter approval because there had been an earlier directive from the Office of the President asking that prior approval be sought on all such payments before they were effected.
Mr Sottie said following the approval by Mr Moses Asaga, who was a member of the three-member team tasked with responsibility for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, an advice was sent to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on January 26, 2009 for the payments to be effected.
He said even before the BoG could act on the advice from the CAG, there was another directive asking that the payments be suspended.
Mr Sottie said based on that, he again sent a second advice to the BoG on February 2, 2009 cancelling the January 26, 2009 advice.
Asked if the payments could not have taken place before the second advice cancelling the first order reached the BoG, he answered in the negative.
"The money was not released. It did not reflect in our accounts," he stated.
According to him, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) did not pay individuals. What it did was to release bulk money into the accounts of the various ministries, departments and agencies, as well as other organisations, which in turn made the disbursement into individual accounts.
He explained that even before the directive seeking prior approval was issued, the procedure by the CAGD was to ensure that claims were legitimate before payments were effected.
When Parliament was reached with the disclosure of the CAGD, sources close to the House told the Daily Graphic that Parliament had no other source of generating its own income from which it could have paid its staff or MPs.
They hinted that in such a circumstance, it was the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning which could help unravel the puzzle as to whether there had been any payments at all and if so where the money came from.
When the Chief Director of the ministry, Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe, was reached for a confirmation of the source of the ex gratia which was earlier reported to have been paid to the MPs, he could not immediately react to it because he was locked up in a meeting.
The January 16, 2009 release letter, signed by the Chief Director of the ministry, asked that the expenditure of GH¢25,048,083.00 "should be charged to Reserve Fund Account at the Bank of Ghana".
The letter, which was addressed to the CAG, was copied to the Clerk of Parliament, the Secretary to the President, the Chairman of the Economic Subcommittee of the Transitional Team, the Auditor-General, the Director of Budget and the accounts branch, both of the ministry.
Members of the Executive were to receive GH¢10,176,129, while GH¢14,871,954 was due those of Legislature to meet resettlement grants and the payment of ex gratia.
A former MP, Mr John Ndebugre, said something was really amiss and called for an investigation into the matter.
"I am sure someone is not telling us the truth," he said.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE controversy over the payment of ex gratia has deepened, with the claim by the Controller and Accountant-General (CAG), Mr Christian Sottie, that no money has yet been transferred from any government account for disbursement to Members of Parliament (MPs).
The source of the money got even more puzzling when parliamentary sources also denied the existence of any other means by which money could have been secured for the payment of the ex gratia.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, Mr Sottie said if some MPs claimed that they had cashed their benefits or found the amounts in their accounts, then that money would have come from elsewhere because "it did not originate from us".
Reacting to reports that at least six former and current MPs had collected their money, Mr Sottie stated that "no money was transferred at all to Parliament’s accounts at the Bank of Ghana" and wondered where Parliament got the money to effect those payments.
He explained that following the administrative approval asking for the payment to be made for the Executive and the Legislature, he sent it back to the Ministry of Finance for counter approval because there had been an earlier directive from the Office of the President asking that prior approval be sought on all such payments before they were effected.
Mr Sottie said following the approval by Mr Moses Asaga, who was a member of the three-member team tasked with responsibility for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, an advice was sent to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on January 26, 2009 for the payments to be effected.
He said even before the BoG could act on the advice from the CAG, there was another directive asking that the payments be suspended.
Mr Sottie said based on that, he again sent a second advice to the BoG on February 2, 2009 cancelling the January 26, 2009 advice.
Asked if the payments could not have taken place before the second advice cancelling the first order reached the BoG, he answered in the negative.
"The money was not released. It did not reflect in our accounts," he stated.
According to him, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) did not pay individuals. What it did was to release bulk money into the accounts of the various ministries, departments and agencies, as well as other organisations, which in turn made the disbursement into individual accounts.
He explained that even before the directive seeking prior approval was issued, the procedure by the CAGD was to ensure that claims were legitimate before payments were effected.
When Parliament was reached with the disclosure of the CAGD, sources close to the House told the Daily Graphic that Parliament had no other source of generating its own income from which it could have paid its staff or MPs.
They hinted that in such a circumstance, it was the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning which could help unravel the puzzle as to whether there had been any payments at all and if so where the money came from.
When the Chief Director of the ministry, Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe, was reached for a confirmation of the source of the ex gratia which was earlier reported to have been paid to the MPs, he could not immediately react to it because he was locked up in a meeting.
The January 16, 2009 release letter, signed by the Chief Director of the ministry, asked that the expenditure of GH¢25,048,083.00 "should be charged to Reserve Fund Account at the Bank of Ghana".
The letter, which was addressed to the CAG, was copied to the Clerk of Parliament, the Secretary to the President, the Chairman of the Economic Subcommittee of the Transitional Team, the Auditor-General, the Director of Budget and the accounts branch, both of the ministry.
Members of the Executive were to receive GH¢10,176,129, while GH¢14,871,954 was due those of Legislature to meet resettlement grants and the payment of ex gratia.
A former MP, Mr John Ndebugre, said something was really amiss and called for an investigation into the matter.
"I am sure someone is not telling us the truth," he said.
Can Madam IGP fly?
Page 19: Daily Graphic, February 9, 2009.
Article:Albert K. Salia
"It shall be the duty of the Police Service to prevent and detect crime, to apprehend offenders, and to maintain public order and the safety of persons and property," Section One of Police Service Act, Act 350.
NEWS of the appointment of Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson as acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), was received with surprise by people who know the intriguing manoeuvrings of the Ghana Police Service.
The questions that many of them asked was "Can Mrs Mills-Robertson fly? Can she deliver on President J. E. A. Mills’ pledge to provide security for all Ghanaians?"
These reservations were underscored by the fact that even as deputy IGP, some of her subordinates attempted and others actually often undermined her as if she was non-existent. More worrying was the argument that apart from being in-charge of Prosecutions/Courts since joining the Ghana Police Service, Mrs Mills-Robertson has not been in active mainstream policing regarding operations or criminal investigations. Indeed her appointment as Deputy IGP by the Kufuor Administration was greeted with disquiet because she was hand-picked above her seniors.
It is based on some of these issues that the question of whether she can fly arises? The crude lobbying and underhand dealings in the Police Service, especially at the top hierarchy is such that it is only a principled, disciplinarian, inspirer and fair-minded person who can command the Service, particularly at this time when morale is so low and the image of the service has sunk to such disturbing limits. It is an incontrovertible fact that patronage has become the gateway to progress in the Ghana Police Service. As a result, professional ethics, competence, efficiency and discipline seem to have completely broken down.
Hopefully, the experience of Mrs Mills-Robertson as chairperson of the Central Disciplinary Board should come in handy. But most importantly, she must address the canker of patronage if she is to succeed.
The problems within the Service are well-known and actually documented and I believe that the President took that into consideration in deciding to appoint her. So she has the golden opportunity of demonstrating her competence and capability to justify the President’s trust in her.
Her pledge to wage a relentless war on criminal activities throughout the country is re-assuring but vigorous action is needed to convince a sceptical public which seems to have lost confidence in the police because of its unsatisfactory performance. The lack of public confidence in the Police was worsened with the numerous cocaine and bribery scandals that swallowed the service in the last couple of years. Professionalism and competencies of people the new IGP would appoint to assist her are key to her success.
Whatever it is, the President also has a responsibility to make the IGP succeed. The President with the help of his advisors must draw a charter for the Office of the IGP. The charter must state the objectives and targets to be realised which must be assessed on an annual basis. This must be based on benchmark performance for which the IGP must be accountable. It should be the task of the Police Council, the first oversight body and the sector Minister to ensure that these objectives were achieved.
The President and for that matter, the government must ensure that the resources needed for success were readily available. Although all the problems cannot be immediately resolved, issues of accommodation, logistics vis-Ã -vis communication gadgets and vehicles, insurance for personnel should be given serious thought. The issue of insurance for personnel must be addressed because the motivation to die on the job and leave behind an uncatered for family, is demoralising enough for personnel not to risk so much.
Besides unemployment, the greatest challenge to fighting crime in the country is the sprawling neighbourhoods where there are no Police Stations and unmotorable roads to those new development communities which are usually quiet at day and night. More vehicles must be provided to increase the patrols in those areas.
Prior to the departure of Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong and his predecessors, the crude lobbying that was taking place resulting in some personnel even planting negative stories in the newspapers, made a former National Security Co-ordinator, Mr. K. B. Quantson, condemn what he termed "the scramble and intense lobbying for the post of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Ghana Police Service."
This lobbying among senior Police Chiefs over the topmost job in the service reflects serious defects in the structure of the law enforcement body, which makes progress not dependent upon loyalty to the state, competence and efficiency. The most efficient and diligent officers who decide to stay off lobbying are often those maligned.
The government must review the structural inefficiencies that exist in the Police Service which results in officers openly lobbying for top positions in the service whenever there was a change of government.
These problems which had persisted over time, continue to endure because recommendations made by successive committees were not followed by both the Police Service and the government. A case in point is the Archer Commission Report which must be revisited with all urgency.
Lobbying in any law enforcement situation should be discouraged and even condemned because of the likelihood of the infiltration of organised crime syndicates who could support a candidate in order to win favour and protection.
No doubt, there is quality of personnel in the Ghana Police Service. With the right structures and resources, effective leadership and supervision as well as effective oversight mechanism, so much can be done.
But there is also concern of bad personnel in the system arising partly out of an unprofessional recruitment mechanism which allows unqualified and unsuitable persons be recruited and partly out of a structural defect that allows bad personnel to remain in the system. With the right structures and policy changes, the Ghana Police Service would regain the admiration and respect of many.
It should be emphasised that the accountability and oversight mechanisms are on current evaluations, totally ineffective. This can be attributed to both policy and structural deficiencies. The government must take a good look at the procedure and mode of appointment of an IGP. What would be the laid down rules governing such appointment.
As stated earlier, on appointment, an IGP should be given target realisation objectives which should be assessed on a continuous annual basis to determine effective performance.
The Police Council which is the immediate oversight authority of the Police Service, should also be tasked in a similar manner. Oftentimes, the Police Council is always accused of not being heard and subject to policy directions of an IGP. For instance, at the height of the cocaine and bribery scandals, the Police Council was accused of being impotent. The public expected the Council to have asserted its oversight authority by guiding and guarding any investigations within the Service and making its voice heard.
The point must be stressed that should the Police Council fail to ensure that the police performs effectively, it too should be held accountable and then most crucially, there should be the mechanism to take the sector Minister to task for a non-performing Police Service.
His Excellency, President J. E. A. Mills must set the ball rolling by ensuring that the Police Council to be made up of highly competent people, is constituted as early as possible to provide the policy guidelines and directions of the Police Administration. The Council must use all the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, especially the control and administration of the service and conditions of service of the personnel.
The accountability mechanism could be further strengthened by the establishment of an independent body to handle complaints made against the Police. The present arrangement where the police virtually has to investigate itself through the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS) is outmoded and ridiculous. Some officers, particularly the junior ranks often accused the PIPS of always using junior officers as the benchmark of performance while offending senior officers are left off the hook. Should that be the case?
It is also the conviction of this writer that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) needs serious attention. The CID remains the most vital part of any Police system in the world. It is, therefore, important that it is restructured and resourced to effectively respond to the demands of modern syndicated crime.
It is also important that a Crime Intelligence Unit within the CID is established to source intelligence on crime and criminality to enhance proactive policing. In establishing the unit, the personnel should be made to understand that their responsibility was not to be effecting arrests or investigating cases. The use of retired and experienced hands in such a unit should be highly considered since they have a depth of information and contacts that young officers might not have.
Mrs Mills-Robertson, if you take off effectively, the nation will fly with you. Action speaks louder than words. If your deeds do not elicit confidence, nothing will.
Article:Albert K. Salia
"It shall be the duty of the Police Service to prevent and detect crime, to apprehend offenders, and to maintain public order and the safety of persons and property," Section One of Police Service Act, Act 350.
NEWS of the appointment of Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson as acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), was received with surprise by people who know the intriguing manoeuvrings of the Ghana Police Service.
The questions that many of them asked was "Can Mrs Mills-Robertson fly? Can she deliver on President J. E. A. Mills’ pledge to provide security for all Ghanaians?"
These reservations were underscored by the fact that even as deputy IGP, some of her subordinates attempted and others actually often undermined her as if she was non-existent. More worrying was the argument that apart from being in-charge of Prosecutions/Courts since joining the Ghana Police Service, Mrs Mills-Robertson has not been in active mainstream policing regarding operations or criminal investigations. Indeed her appointment as Deputy IGP by the Kufuor Administration was greeted with disquiet because she was hand-picked above her seniors.
It is based on some of these issues that the question of whether she can fly arises? The crude lobbying and underhand dealings in the Police Service, especially at the top hierarchy is such that it is only a principled, disciplinarian, inspirer and fair-minded person who can command the Service, particularly at this time when morale is so low and the image of the service has sunk to such disturbing limits. It is an incontrovertible fact that patronage has become the gateway to progress in the Ghana Police Service. As a result, professional ethics, competence, efficiency and discipline seem to have completely broken down.
Hopefully, the experience of Mrs Mills-Robertson as chairperson of the Central Disciplinary Board should come in handy. But most importantly, she must address the canker of patronage if she is to succeed.
The problems within the Service are well-known and actually documented and I believe that the President took that into consideration in deciding to appoint her. So she has the golden opportunity of demonstrating her competence and capability to justify the President’s trust in her.
Her pledge to wage a relentless war on criminal activities throughout the country is re-assuring but vigorous action is needed to convince a sceptical public which seems to have lost confidence in the police because of its unsatisfactory performance. The lack of public confidence in the Police was worsened with the numerous cocaine and bribery scandals that swallowed the service in the last couple of years. Professionalism and competencies of people the new IGP would appoint to assist her are key to her success.
Whatever it is, the President also has a responsibility to make the IGP succeed. The President with the help of his advisors must draw a charter for the Office of the IGP. The charter must state the objectives and targets to be realised which must be assessed on an annual basis. This must be based on benchmark performance for which the IGP must be accountable. It should be the task of the Police Council, the first oversight body and the sector Minister to ensure that these objectives were achieved.
The President and for that matter, the government must ensure that the resources needed for success were readily available. Although all the problems cannot be immediately resolved, issues of accommodation, logistics vis-Ã -vis communication gadgets and vehicles, insurance for personnel should be given serious thought. The issue of insurance for personnel must be addressed because the motivation to die on the job and leave behind an uncatered for family, is demoralising enough for personnel not to risk so much.
Besides unemployment, the greatest challenge to fighting crime in the country is the sprawling neighbourhoods where there are no Police Stations and unmotorable roads to those new development communities which are usually quiet at day and night. More vehicles must be provided to increase the patrols in those areas.
Prior to the departure of Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong and his predecessors, the crude lobbying that was taking place resulting in some personnel even planting negative stories in the newspapers, made a former National Security Co-ordinator, Mr. K. B. Quantson, condemn what he termed "the scramble and intense lobbying for the post of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Ghana Police Service."
This lobbying among senior Police Chiefs over the topmost job in the service reflects serious defects in the structure of the law enforcement body, which makes progress not dependent upon loyalty to the state, competence and efficiency. The most efficient and diligent officers who decide to stay off lobbying are often those maligned.
The government must review the structural inefficiencies that exist in the Police Service which results in officers openly lobbying for top positions in the service whenever there was a change of government.
These problems which had persisted over time, continue to endure because recommendations made by successive committees were not followed by both the Police Service and the government. A case in point is the Archer Commission Report which must be revisited with all urgency.
Lobbying in any law enforcement situation should be discouraged and even condemned because of the likelihood of the infiltration of organised crime syndicates who could support a candidate in order to win favour and protection.
No doubt, there is quality of personnel in the Ghana Police Service. With the right structures and resources, effective leadership and supervision as well as effective oversight mechanism, so much can be done.
But there is also concern of bad personnel in the system arising partly out of an unprofessional recruitment mechanism which allows unqualified and unsuitable persons be recruited and partly out of a structural defect that allows bad personnel to remain in the system. With the right structures and policy changes, the Ghana Police Service would regain the admiration and respect of many.
It should be emphasised that the accountability and oversight mechanisms are on current evaluations, totally ineffective. This can be attributed to both policy and structural deficiencies. The government must take a good look at the procedure and mode of appointment of an IGP. What would be the laid down rules governing such appointment.
As stated earlier, on appointment, an IGP should be given target realisation objectives which should be assessed on a continuous annual basis to determine effective performance.
The Police Council which is the immediate oversight authority of the Police Service, should also be tasked in a similar manner. Oftentimes, the Police Council is always accused of not being heard and subject to policy directions of an IGP. For instance, at the height of the cocaine and bribery scandals, the Police Council was accused of being impotent. The public expected the Council to have asserted its oversight authority by guiding and guarding any investigations within the Service and making its voice heard.
The point must be stressed that should the Police Council fail to ensure that the police performs effectively, it too should be held accountable and then most crucially, there should be the mechanism to take the sector Minister to task for a non-performing Police Service.
His Excellency, President J. E. A. Mills must set the ball rolling by ensuring that the Police Council to be made up of highly competent people, is constituted as early as possible to provide the policy guidelines and directions of the Police Administration. The Council must use all the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, especially the control and administration of the service and conditions of service of the personnel.
The accountability mechanism could be further strengthened by the establishment of an independent body to handle complaints made against the Police. The present arrangement where the police virtually has to investigate itself through the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS) is outmoded and ridiculous. Some officers, particularly the junior ranks often accused the PIPS of always using junior officers as the benchmark of performance while offending senior officers are left off the hook. Should that be the case?
It is also the conviction of this writer that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) needs serious attention. The CID remains the most vital part of any Police system in the world. It is, therefore, important that it is restructured and resourced to effectively respond to the demands of modern syndicated crime.
It is also important that a Crime Intelligence Unit within the CID is established to source intelligence on crime and criminality to enhance proactive policing. In establishing the unit, the personnel should be made to understand that their responsibility was not to be effecting arrests or investigating cases. The use of retired and experienced hands in such a unit should be highly considered since they have a depth of information and contacts that young officers might not have.
Mrs Mills-Robertson, if you take off effectively, the nation will fly with you. Action speaks louder than words. If your deeds do not elicit confidence, nothing will.
The controversial ex-gratia payments : 6 MPs PICK CHEQUES* After Asaga's authorisation
Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 9, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AT least six former and current Members of Parliament (MPs) have already received their ex gratia benefits, government sources have confirmed to the Daily Graphic.
Although sources within Parliament and the seat of government would not disclose the identities of the beneficiaries, they indicated that the beneficiaries received their moneys at some banks in Accra before President Mills ordered the suspension of the payments.
Mr Moses Asaga, a member of the President’s economic team, was said to have authorised the payment of the ex gratia on January 16, this year.
The sources explained that following reports to President Mills that the ex gratia had been paid, a former MP was asked to check on his accounts and he later returned to confirm that the money had been lodged in the account.
That, they said, made the President to call for the suspension of the payments, at which point it was detected that six of the cheques had already been paid.
The President is expected to meet his team of advisors in the next few days to decide on the way forward on the issue.
The contentious issue to address is whether the beneficiaries will be asked to refund the money or be made to enjoy it, since it is no fault of theirs that the money has been paid into their accounts as ex gratia.
The discussion is also to deal with the outstanding MPs as to whether they should be made to receive theirs as authorised or they have to wait until the package is reviewed.
When contacted, a former MP for Zebilla, Mr John Ndebugre, said halting the payments to the beneficiaries would constitute a breach of the four-year contract of the beneficiaries.
According to him, those who had not collected their ex gratia might have to go to court to challenge the decision of the government not to pay the money.
He denied withdrawing his and said he wished he had gone to the bank earlier to withdraw it.
"As I speak to you now, I am dying of hunger," he said.
Mr Ndebugre said Ghanaians were taking democracy too far and wondered why a demonstration by some people should compel the President to halt what were legal payments.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AT least six former and current Members of Parliament (MPs) have already received their ex gratia benefits, government sources have confirmed to the Daily Graphic.
Although sources within Parliament and the seat of government would not disclose the identities of the beneficiaries, they indicated that the beneficiaries received their moneys at some banks in Accra before President Mills ordered the suspension of the payments.
Mr Moses Asaga, a member of the President’s economic team, was said to have authorised the payment of the ex gratia on January 16, this year.
The sources explained that following reports to President Mills that the ex gratia had been paid, a former MP was asked to check on his accounts and he later returned to confirm that the money had been lodged in the account.
That, they said, made the President to call for the suspension of the payments, at which point it was detected that six of the cheques had already been paid.
The President is expected to meet his team of advisors in the next few days to decide on the way forward on the issue.
The contentious issue to address is whether the beneficiaries will be asked to refund the money or be made to enjoy it, since it is no fault of theirs that the money has been paid into their accounts as ex gratia.
The discussion is also to deal with the outstanding MPs as to whether they should be made to receive theirs as authorised or they have to wait until the package is reviewed.
When contacted, a former MP for Zebilla, Mr John Ndebugre, said halting the payments to the beneficiaries would constitute a breach of the four-year contract of the beneficiaries.
According to him, those who had not collected their ex gratia might have to go to court to challenge the decision of the government not to pay the money.
He denied withdrawing his and said he wished he had gone to the bank earlier to withdraw it.
"As I speak to you now, I am dying of hunger," he said.
Mr Ndebugre said Ghanaians were taking democracy too far and wondered why a demonstration by some people should compel the President to halt what were legal payments.
Agbogbloshie violence: Another suspect grabbed
Page 3: Daily Graphic, February 7, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police have arrested another suspect involved in the Agbogbloshie riots and intensified the hunt for the man described as the ringleader of the troublemakers.
The arrest of Toublana Adams on Thursday brought to four the number of people so far arrested.
A fifth suspect, Mohammed Ayatu, believed to be the kingpin of the troublemakers, is still on the run.
The three arrested earlier are Adam Abdul Latif, Rashid Zakari and Takubu Suleman.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, told the Daily Graphic that the police had put in place measures that would lead to the arrest of Ayatu, who had been causing mayhem in the area.
He said cultural practices among Ghanaians had impeded the arrest of the suspect because the people feared to give information on his whereabouts.
He, however, gave the assurance that with the measures put in place, Ayatu, who is also wanted in connection with a number of murders in the area, would be arrested.
Reacting to calls for security for the residents of the area, DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said the police were capable of doing that, except that the residents were unco-operative with the security measures.
He said most of the time residents of the area did not want to pass on information on suspected criminals in the area.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police have arrested another suspect involved in the Agbogbloshie riots and intensified the hunt for the man described as the ringleader of the troublemakers.
The arrest of Toublana Adams on Thursday brought to four the number of people so far arrested.
A fifth suspect, Mohammed Ayatu, believed to be the kingpin of the troublemakers, is still on the run.
The three arrested earlier are Adam Abdul Latif, Rashid Zakari and Takubu Suleman.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Oppong-Buanuh, told the Daily Graphic that the police had put in place measures that would lead to the arrest of Ayatu, who had been causing mayhem in the area.
He said cultural practices among Ghanaians had impeded the arrest of the suspect because the people feared to give information on his whereabouts.
He, however, gave the assurance that with the measures put in place, Ayatu, who is also wanted in connection with a number of murders in the area, would be arrested.
Reacting to calls for security for the residents of the area, DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said the police were capable of doing that, except that the residents were unco-operative with the security measures.
He said most of the time residents of the area did not want to pass on information on suspected criminals in the area.
Moses Asaga dropped
Front Page: Daily Graphic, February 7, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday sent a clear signal of his zero tolerance for deviance among his appointees when he withdrew the nomination of Mr Moses Asaga as the Minister designate for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
Presidential sources said he took the action when it came out that Mr Asaga had side-stepped two members of the Finance Subcommittee of the Government Transitional Team to approve ex gratia payments to former President J. A. Kufuor.
Mr Asaga’s action was said to involve the authorisation of payment of GH C25million.
The other two members of the subcommittee which was constituted to oversee the economic affairs of the state until a substantive minister is appointed are Togbe Afede XIV, Chairman, and Dr Kwabena Duffour, who has been nominated as Finance and Economic Planning Minister designate.
Sources close to the Office of the President told the Daily Graphic that Mr Asaga's nomination was withdrawn because it would be difficult for the President to entrust a ministerial position to a person who would not consult his colleagues or seek clearance on controversial issues before implementing them.
The Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Mahama Ayariga, had earlier confirmed that the President had withdrawn the nomination of Mr Asaga as the Minister designate for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing but gave no further details.
Mr Asaga once served as a Deputy Finance Minister in the previous National Democratic Congress government headed by former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Asaga, who is also the Member of Parliament of Nabdam, was due to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, February 12, 2009 to be vetted.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday sent a clear signal of his zero tolerance for deviance among his appointees when he withdrew the nomination of Mr Moses Asaga as the Minister designate for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
Presidential sources said he took the action when it came out that Mr Asaga had side-stepped two members of the Finance Subcommittee of the Government Transitional Team to approve ex gratia payments to former President J. A. Kufuor.
Mr Asaga’s action was said to involve the authorisation of payment of GH C25million.
The other two members of the subcommittee which was constituted to oversee the economic affairs of the state until a substantive minister is appointed are Togbe Afede XIV, Chairman, and Dr Kwabena Duffour, who has been nominated as Finance and Economic Planning Minister designate.
Sources close to the Office of the President told the Daily Graphic that Mr Asaga's nomination was withdrawn because it would be difficult for the President to entrust a ministerial position to a person who would not consult his colleagues or seek clearance on controversial issues before implementing them.
The Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Mahama Ayariga, had earlier confirmed that the President had withdrawn the nomination of Mr Asaga as the Minister designate for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing but gave no further details.
Mr Asaga once served as a Deputy Finance Minister in the previous National Democratic Congress government headed by former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Asaga, who is also the Member of Parliament of Nabdam, was due to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, February 12, 2009 to be vetted.
More police presence ... As Accra command increases zones to 70
Page 32: Daily Graphic, February 6, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra Regional Police Command is to increase its zonal operational sectors from 36 to 70 within the next two months to make for quicker response to robbery and other criminal incidents.
The number of zones, which is expected to hit 100 by the end of the year, is also intended to increase police presence in the Accra Region through foot and vehicular patrols.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) James Oppong-Buanuh, the Accra Regional Police Commander, who outlined these when the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, visited the personnel, called for more vehicles to enable the police to deal with criminal activities especially car snatching and workplace and residential robberies.
He also called on the city authorities to install street lights and name or number the streets in the region to enhance effective operations.
He stressed the need for all road networks leading to newly developed villages and towns within the region to be rehabilitated as the poor road network contributed to the poor response to robbery cases in those areas.
According to him, with a population of more than four million in the Accra Regional Police Command, it was necessary that those measures were put in place with the requisite logistics to address the challenges of economic and population growth with its attendant criminal activities.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh, whose address was greeted with applause by personnel, called for more communication gadgets to enhance communication between personnel on foot patrols and those in operational vehicles, since private mobile phones being used by police personnel were not compatible with the police communication equipment.
He bemoaned the poor accommodation situation in the region, which had made some junior officers to sleep at the regional canteen and shoe making shop.
He said the conditions were such that the human rights of the personnel were not respected.
For her part, Mrs Mills-Robertson said her vision was to lead the Police Service to stay on top of the crime situation in the country.
She urged the police officers to re-strategise their crime combat activities to include increased police presence, rapid response, random patrols to create a sense of omnipresence of the police to deter crime, directed patrols, and conducting proactive and reactive arrests.
Mrs Mills-Robertson urged the police to blend problem-oriented policing with community policing to enhance greater partnership with the populace.
She urged the personnel to change their attitude towards work and the manner they handled issues brought to them, as well as eschew corrupt practices, to help redeem the image of the service.
The acting IGP said the Police Service had declared war on crimes, especially armed robberies and associated violent crimes and urged the police to work hard to win the war.
"We will not let them have peace, we will continue to breathe heavily on their necks until they come to the realisation that it is unprofitable to embark on a criminal carrier path," she said, adding that "our people have a right to live free from fear and terror and will provide the environment for them to enjoy that right".
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra Regional Police Command is to increase its zonal operational sectors from 36 to 70 within the next two months to make for quicker response to robbery and other criminal incidents.
The number of zones, which is expected to hit 100 by the end of the year, is also intended to increase police presence in the Accra Region through foot and vehicular patrols.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) James Oppong-Buanuh, the Accra Regional Police Commander, who outlined these when the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, visited the personnel, called for more vehicles to enable the police to deal with criminal activities especially car snatching and workplace and residential robberies.
He also called on the city authorities to install street lights and name or number the streets in the region to enhance effective operations.
He stressed the need for all road networks leading to newly developed villages and towns within the region to be rehabilitated as the poor road network contributed to the poor response to robbery cases in those areas.
According to him, with a population of more than four million in the Accra Regional Police Command, it was necessary that those measures were put in place with the requisite logistics to address the challenges of economic and population growth with its attendant criminal activities.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh, whose address was greeted with applause by personnel, called for more communication gadgets to enhance communication between personnel on foot patrols and those in operational vehicles, since private mobile phones being used by police personnel were not compatible with the police communication equipment.
He bemoaned the poor accommodation situation in the region, which had made some junior officers to sleep at the regional canteen and shoe making shop.
He said the conditions were such that the human rights of the personnel were not respected.
For her part, Mrs Mills-Robertson said her vision was to lead the Police Service to stay on top of the crime situation in the country.
She urged the police officers to re-strategise their crime combat activities to include increased police presence, rapid response, random patrols to create a sense of omnipresence of the police to deter crime, directed patrols, and conducting proactive and reactive arrests.
Mrs Mills-Robertson urged the police to blend problem-oriented policing with community policing to enhance greater partnership with the populace.
She urged the personnel to change their attitude towards work and the manner they handled issues brought to them, as well as eschew corrupt practices, to help redeem the image of the service.
The acting IGP said the Police Service had declared war on crimes, especially armed robberies and associated violent crimes and urged the police to work hard to win the war.
"We will not let them have peace, we will continue to breathe heavily on their necks until they come to the realisation that it is unprofitable to embark on a criminal carrier path," she said, adding that "our people have a right to live free from fear and terror and will provide the environment for them to enjoy that right".
Peace and Love Orphanage closed down
Page 16: Daily Graphic, February 6, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Peace and Love Orphanage at Adenta has been closed down by the Department of Social Welfare, following the discovery of alleged sexual abuse involving children, some as young as six months.
As a result of the ordeal of the children, the department relocated a number of them to other shelters in Accra and earmarked the Peace and Love Home for closure today (Thursdat).
The Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Adongo, said the decision to close down the place followed reports of sexual abuse of some of the inmates, including a six-month-old baby boy, with the oldest victim being 18 months.
The Proprietor of the orphanage, Madam Grace Omaboe, was said to be out of the country at the time of the incidents, but upon her return five suspects allegedly admitted to her and later to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service that they either had sex with or sodomised their victims each time the lights went off.
One of the suspects, who is eight years old, claimed he usually took the six-month-old baby to the kitchen where he removed his diapers and sodomised him.
Mr Adongo,who confirmed the developments, said the department received a message in January this year that the orphanage was in crisis, as there was very little food for the inmates, while they had little medical care.
He said based on the report, two of the victims were sent for medical treatment, after which they were relocated to the Osu Children’s Home.
He said a visit to the orphanage also confirmed that the inmates were not getting the best of care, hence the decision to close down the place.
Mr Adongo said when the report of sexual abuse reached his office, the department presumed that it was some volunteers working at the place who were involved, until the boys allegedly confessed to doing it.
The Public Affairs Officer of DOVVSU, Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, confirmed that the unit was investigating the matter.
She said statements had already been taken from the proprietor of the orphanage, the supervisors and the suspects.
She said examination at the Police Hospital also confirmed the sexual abuse of the victims.
When contacted, Mrs Grace Omaboe, the proprietor of the orphanage, declined to comment on the issue until investigations into the matter were concluded.
With regard to the school, attached to the orphanage, Mr Adongo indicated, it is the Ghana Education Service (GES) which has to decide whether to close it down or not since the GES had its own guidelines for the establishment of schools.
He disclosed that what they had gathered at Peace and Love Orphanage could be a pointer that the problem of sexual abuse and poor living conditions for inmates in orphanages could be widespread throughout the country.
Mr Adongo said inadequate logistics and personnel had thwarted the efforts of the department to conduct regular visits to many of the homes across the country.
He said as a result, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was sponsoring a Care Reform Initiative (CRI) under the department to address the challenges confronting some of the orphanages.
As of last year, he said, a census conducted by the department established that there were 147 orphanages throughout the country but indicated that the number kept increasing by the day.
Mr Adongo said under the CRI, each orphanage would be assessed to determine whether all the inmates should be kept there or be reunited with their families.
He explained that some parents gave out their children to be kept at the orphanages, saying that it was not always the case that the children’s parents were deceased or incapacitated not to be able to cater for them.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Peace and Love Orphanage at Adenta has been closed down by the Department of Social Welfare, following the discovery of alleged sexual abuse involving children, some as young as six months.
As a result of the ordeal of the children, the department relocated a number of them to other shelters in Accra and earmarked the Peace and Love Home for closure today (Thursdat).
The Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Adongo, said the decision to close down the place followed reports of sexual abuse of some of the inmates, including a six-month-old baby boy, with the oldest victim being 18 months.
The Proprietor of the orphanage, Madam Grace Omaboe, was said to be out of the country at the time of the incidents, but upon her return five suspects allegedly admitted to her and later to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service that they either had sex with or sodomised their victims each time the lights went off.
One of the suspects, who is eight years old, claimed he usually took the six-month-old baby to the kitchen where he removed his diapers and sodomised him.
Mr Adongo,who confirmed the developments, said the department received a message in January this year that the orphanage was in crisis, as there was very little food for the inmates, while they had little medical care.
He said based on the report, two of the victims were sent for medical treatment, after which they were relocated to the Osu Children’s Home.
He said a visit to the orphanage also confirmed that the inmates were not getting the best of care, hence the decision to close down the place.
Mr Adongo said when the report of sexual abuse reached his office, the department presumed that it was some volunteers working at the place who were involved, until the boys allegedly confessed to doing it.
The Public Affairs Officer of DOVVSU, Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, confirmed that the unit was investigating the matter.
She said statements had already been taken from the proprietor of the orphanage, the supervisors and the suspects.
She said examination at the Police Hospital also confirmed the sexual abuse of the victims.
When contacted, Mrs Grace Omaboe, the proprietor of the orphanage, declined to comment on the issue until investigations into the matter were concluded.
With regard to the school, attached to the orphanage, Mr Adongo indicated, it is the Ghana Education Service (GES) which has to decide whether to close it down or not since the GES had its own guidelines for the establishment of schools.
He disclosed that what they had gathered at Peace and Love Orphanage could be a pointer that the problem of sexual abuse and poor living conditions for inmates in orphanages could be widespread throughout the country.
Mr Adongo said inadequate logistics and personnel had thwarted the efforts of the department to conduct regular visits to many of the homes across the country.
He said as a result, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was sponsoring a Care Reform Initiative (CRI) under the department to address the challenges confronting some of the orphanages.
As of last year, he said, a census conducted by the department established that there were 147 orphanages throughout the country but indicated that the number kept increasing by the day.
Mr Adongo said under the CRI, each orphanage would be assessed to determine whether all the inmates should be kept there or be reunited with their families.
He explained that some parents gave out their children to be kept at the orphanages, saying that it was not always the case that the children’s parents were deceased or incapacitated not to be able to cater for them.
Police to make crime prevention main focus — Says Acting IGP
Page 16: Daily Graphic, February 5, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, has stated that crime prevention will be the main focus of her administration.
"The adage that prevention is better than cure can be better appreciated when as police officers, we visualise the repercussions of crime. Crimes such as armed robbery and murder have lifelong traumatic effects on victims," she said.
Addressing officers and men and women of the Police Headquarters and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra yesterday, Mrs Mills-Robertson agreed that so far, the service had dwelt more on crime detection and apprehension of offenders than on the prevention of crime.
She made it clear that every crime committed was indicative of the failed preventive function of the police.
As a first step in addressing this failure, she said, police patrols within the communities, on the streets and highways, as well as residential and business areas, were to be intensified.
Mrs Mills-Robertson said there was going to be an audit of personnel at the headquarters and other stations throughout the country for excess personnel to be posted for more patrol duties, stressing that, "there is the need to harness all human resources at the disposal of the service and manage these resources most efficiently and effectively".
The acting IGP, the first woman to ascend that seat since 1893, when the Gold Coast Constabulary was established, said "several other measures will be put in place to improve upon our crime prevention function for it is only when we successfully reduce the commission of crimes that we can maintain and sustain internal peace, maintain law and order and protect life and property".
She reminded the personnel to cultivate the habit of friendship with and having the co-operation of the public since it was the public they served and to whom they owed their existence.
Touching on the image of the service, the acting IGP conceded that the image of the police had sunk abysmally low over the years and public perception of the service had been negative.
She said the Police Administration was desirous of rebuilding the dented image of the service but it required the concerted effort of all policemen and women.
According to her, a change in attitude towards work was critical to achieving the goals of the service and discharging the responsibilities placed on them.
Mrs Mills-Robertson stated that the public would appreciate the police if the service was able to ensure internal peace, law and order, and protection of life and property through crime prevention.
Mrs Mills-Robertson said lack of supervision had negatively impacted on their performance and been inimical to the drive towards building positive image for the service.
She, therefore, urged all those in supervisory roles not to renege on their responsibilities, "since you will be held accountable for the actions and inaction of your subordinate officers," saying that "the Police Administration expects you to take charge of the discipline of your subordinates and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary".
The acting IGP said accommodation was a major challenge confronting the Police Administration, stressing that the leadership of the service was aware of the deplorable conditions under which some of the junior ranks lived and knew of the effects on their health, dignity and performance.
She said efforts would be made to rectify the situation.
On their professional development, Mrs Mills-Robertson gave the assurance that the Police Administration would create equal opportunities for the development of all.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, has stated that crime prevention will be the main focus of her administration.
"The adage that prevention is better than cure can be better appreciated when as police officers, we visualise the repercussions of crime. Crimes such as armed robbery and murder have lifelong traumatic effects on victims," she said.
Addressing officers and men and women of the Police Headquarters and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra yesterday, Mrs Mills-Robertson agreed that so far, the service had dwelt more on crime detection and apprehension of offenders than on the prevention of crime.
She made it clear that every crime committed was indicative of the failed preventive function of the police.
As a first step in addressing this failure, she said, police patrols within the communities, on the streets and highways, as well as residential and business areas, were to be intensified.
Mrs Mills-Robertson said there was going to be an audit of personnel at the headquarters and other stations throughout the country for excess personnel to be posted for more patrol duties, stressing that, "there is the need to harness all human resources at the disposal of the service and manage these resources most efficiently and effectively".
The acting IGP, the first woman to ascend that seat since 1893, when the Gold Coast Constabulary was established, said "several other measures will be put in place to improve upon our crime prevention function for it is only when we successfully reduce the commission of crimes that we can maintain and sustain internal peace, maintain law and order and protect life and property".
She reminded the personnel to cultivate the habit of friendship with and having the co-operation of the public since it was the public they served and to whom they owed their existence.
Touching on the image of the service, the acting IGP conceded that the image of the police had sunk abysmally low over the years and public perception of the service had been negative.
She said the Police Administration was desirous of rebuilding the dented image of the service but it required the concerted effort of all policemen and women.
According to her, a change in attitude towards work was critical to achieving the goals of the service and discharging the responsibilities placed on them.
Mrs Mills-Robertson stated that the public would appreciate the police if the service was able to ensure internal peace, law and order, and protection of life and property through crime prevention.
Mrs Mills-Robertson said lack of supervision had negatively impacted on their performance and been inimical to the drive towards building positive image for the service.
She, therefore, urged all those in supervisory roles not to renege on their responsibilities, "since you will be held accountable for the actions and inaction of your subordinate officers," saying that "the Police Administration expects you to take charge of the discipline of your subordinates and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary".
The acting IGP said accommodation was a major challenge confronting the Police Administration, stressing that the leadership of the service was aware of the deplorable conditions under which some of the junior ranks lived and knew of the effects on their health, dignity and performance.
She said efforts would be made to rectify the situation.
On their professional development, Mrs Mills-Robertson gave the assurance that the Police Administration would create equal opportunities for the development of all.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Police identify Madina ECOBANK robbers
Page 3: Daily Graphic, February 3, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE identities of the armed men who attacked the Madina branch of ECOBANK on June 23, last year and robbed it of a large sum of money, after killing the policeman on duty, have now been established.
According to the Accra Regional Police Command, the suspects were five, including two brothers, Awudu Mahama and Fatau Mahama.
The command has, accordingly, placed a GH¢10,000 ransom on the five suspects.
It has also placed a ransom of GH¢2,000 on another robbery gang, headed by Mathias Kwasi Tsegah, who robbed a family of $67,400 on January 21, this year.
The police also said that both Awudu Mahama and Mathias Kwasi Tsegah were ex-convicts who had been released from prison early last year.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) James Oppong-Buanuh, and his deputy, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, told newsmen yesterday that other members of the ECOBANK robbery incident had been identified only as Suleiman Drogban, Benin Boy and ‘Not Nice’.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said all the suspects had relocated from their known residences at Kokrobite and Mallam.
He alleged that Awudu master-minded the operation and also shot the policeman guarding the bullion van from which they made away with GH¢60,000 on June 23, 2008.
On the nationalities of the suspects, he said ‘Not Nice’ is a Ghanaian, Suleiman and Benin Boy were half Ghanaians and half Nigerians, while Awudu and Fatau are both Nigerians.
With regard to Mathias Tsegah, ACP Oduro said his three-man gang, including Leon, alias Spider, and Elom, trailed their victim from her Haatso residence to the West Legon area about 6:30 a.m. on January 21, 2009 to rob her of her money.
He said the robbers, who were riding an unregistered motorbike which had been retrieved by the police, shot the tyres of the vehicle in which the woman, her husband and another female were riding to the airport, took them hostage and collected the money.
ACP Oduro said the suspects had been linked to a series of robbery cases at the Spintex area and Community 8 in Tema.
He said several attempts had been made to arrest them but to no avail.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE identities of the armed men who attacked the Madina branch of ECOBANK on June 23, last year and robbed it of a large sum of money, after killing the policeman on duty, have now been established.
According to the Accra Regional Police Command, the suspects were five, including two brothers, Awudu Mahama and Fatau Mahama.
The command has, accordingly, placed a GH¢10,000 ransom on the five suspects.
It has also placed a ransom of GH¢2,000 on another robbery gang, headed by Mathias Kwasi Tsegah, who robbed a family of $67,400 on January 21, this year.
The police also said that both Awudu Mahama and Mathias Kwasi Tsegah were ex-convicts who had been released from prison early last year.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) James Oppong-Buanuh, and his deputy, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, told newsmen yesterday that other members of the ECOBANK robbery incident had been identified only as Suleiman Drogban, Benin Boy and ‘Not Nice’.
DCOP Oppong-Buanuh said all the suspects had relocated from their known residences at Kokrobite and Mallam.
He alleged that Awudu master-minded the operation and also shot the policeman guarding the bullion van from which they made away with GH¢60,000 on June 23, 2008.
On the nationalities of the suspects, he said ‘Not Nice’ is a Ghanaian, Suleiman and Benin Boy were half Ghanaians and half Nigerians, while Awudu and Fatau are both Nigerians.
With regard to Mathias Tsegah, ACP Oduro said his three-man gang, including Leon, alias Spider, and Elom, trailed their victim from her Haatso residence to the West Legon area about 6:30 a.m. on January 21, 2009 to rob her of her money.
He said the robbers, who were riding an unregistered motorbike which had been retrieved by the police, shot the tyres of the vehicle in which the woman, her husband and another female were riding to the airport, took them hostage and collected the money.
ACP Oduro said the suspects had been linked to a series of robbery cases at the Spintex area and Community 8 in Tema.
He said several attempts had been made to arrest them but to no avail.
No trace of 139 vehicles * Says Commissioner of CEPS
Front Page: Daily Graphic, January 27, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ONE hundred and thirty nine vehicles imported for the Office of the President by five motor firms in the country cannot be located by the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
CEPS has also described the mode of disposal of the vehicles as questionable, as no records on them can be traced.
Furthermore, the motor firms involved in the transaction have refused to respond to queries that will enable CEPS to draw some conclusions on the matter.
The 139 saloon and 4x4 vehicles were imported on behalf of the Office of the President by Svani Limited, Mechanical Lloyd Company Ltd, Universal Motors, Fairllop International Ltd and PHC Motors Limited.
Details of the transactions were contained in a letter signed by the Commissioner of CEPS, Mr E.N. Doku, to the chairman of the Assets Transfer Subcommittee of the government’s transitional team.
It noted that “these companies were selected for a closer look because of the interest shown by your honourable committee on the mode of importation and disposal of the vehicles which were originally imported for the Office of the President but were subsequently sold to individuals”.
Giving a breakdown of its findings in the letter dated January 19, 2009, the CEPS commissioner noted that 968 vehicles were imported by the Office of the President between 2003 and 2008 with the value of tax forgone on the said vehicles amounting to GH¢7,892,935.67.
It explained that imports made on behalf of and for the Office of the President were tax exempt.
On PHC Motors Ltd, CEPS indicated that its current records and enquiries did not disclose the current location or mode of disposal of the 35 Chrysler vehicles imported for the Office of the President.
It said Fairllop International Ltd imported 40 Jaguar X-Type, 40 Rover 75, two Rover 75V6 and one Rover 45 for the Office of the President.
Out of the number, Fairllop bought back 35 Jaguar X-Type, while CEPS’ enquiries did not disclose the location and mode of disposal of the remaining five Jaguar X-Type and 43 Rovers.
With regard to Mechanical Lloyd, CEPS said the company imported 50 BMW 730 LI, two Land Rover Discovery, two BMW 745 Li high security, 13 Ford Ranger pick-ups and one Ford Explorer.
It said the company bought back 40 of the BMW 730 Li and sold them to its customers under a specific sale arrangement.
It said CEPS’ “current records and enquiries did not disclose the location or mode of disposal of two Land Rovers, 10 BMW 730 Li, two BMW Li 745, 13 Ford Ranger pick-ups and one Ford Ranger”.
The letter noted that Universal Motors imported 36 VW Passat (Comfort Line) for the Office of the President and subsequently released 35 of the vehicles to the custody of the Ghana@50 Secretariat.
It said although records indicated that certain individuals were allocated some of the vehicles, “our records and enquiries did not disclose the current location or mode of disposal of 28 vehicles”.
Sources close to the committee and CEPS told the Daily Graphic that the mode of sale to the importing firms had not been proper because there had been no public bidding process.
They wondered why the government would sell the vehicles back to the importers after paying 50 per cent of their total cost.
The sources said what made the transaction even bad was the fact that the sourced companies gave a 40 per cent discount after the government had made a 50 per cent upfront payment.
They cited the case of the Jaguars, claiming that the government bought each for $36,000, although it was being sold for $23,000.
According to them, even if the government were to resell the vehicles, it should have been done by a public bidding process or auction but that was not done.
“It was a letter from the Chief Director at the Office of the President who, for instance, in a letter to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), asked that the vehicles be registered in the name of Mechanical Lloyd Company Ltd, which it claimed the company purchased the vehicles through a public bidding process,” they said.
The sources challenged the former Chief of Staff and the Chief Director to provide evidence of the public bidding process.
Moreover, they said CEPS and the state valuer should have been part of the process to revalue the cars and also calculate the appropriate duties on them for the buyers to pay accordingly.
They explained that under the CEPS Law, although items bought for the Office of the President and the Diplomatic Corps were tax exempt, anytime they were to change hands into private hands the new owner was made to pay the appropriate taxes.
The sources said it was important that these facts were put out for Ghanaians to appreciate the anomalies in the transactions.
“Giving out vehicles to party members or friends must be done in a transparent manner, without breaching the law and procedures. The beneficiaries and the businesses must be left out of this because it was the officials who failed to do and insist on the right thing,” they stated.
Story: Albert K. Salia
ONE hundred and thirty nine vehicles imported for the Office of the President by five motor firms in the country cannot be located by the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
CEPS has also described the mode of disposal of the vehicles as questionable, as no records on them can be traced.
Furthermore, the motor firms involved in the transaction have refused to respond to queries that will enable CEPS to draw some conclusions on the matter.
The 139 saloon and 4x4 vehicles were imported on behalf of the Office of the President by Svani Limited, Mechanical Lloyd Company Ltd, Universal Motors, Fairllop International Ltd and PHC Motors Limited.
Details of the transactions were contained in a letter signed by the Commissioner of CEPS, Mr E.N. Doku, to the chairman of the Assets Transfer Subcommittee of the government’s transitional team.
It noted that “these companies were selected for a closer look because of the interest shown by your honourable committee on the mode of importation and disposal of the vehicles which were originally imported for the Office of the President but were subsequently sold to individuals”.
Giving a breakdown of its findings in the letter dated January 19, 2009, the CEPS commissioner noted that 968 vehicles were imported by the Office of the President between 2003 and 2008 with the value of tax forgone on the said vehicles amounting to GH¢7,892,935.67.
It explained that imports made on behalf of and for the Office of the President were tax exempt.
On PHC Motors Ltd, CEPS indicated that its current records and enquiries did not disclose the current location or mode of disposal of the 35 Chrysler vehicles imported for the Office of the President.
It said Fairllop International Ltd imported 40 Jaguar X-Type, 40 Rover 75, two Rover 75V6 and one Rover 45 for the Office of the President.
Out of the number, Fairllop bought back 35 Jaguar X-Type, while CEPS’ enquiries did not disclose the location and mode of disposal of the remaining five Jaguar X-Type and 43 Rovers.
With regard to Mechanical Lloyd, CEPS said the company imported 50 BMW 730 LI, two Land Rover Discovery, two BMW 745 Li high security, 13 Ford Ranger pick-ups and one Ford Explorer.
It said the company bought back 40 of the BMW 730 Li and sold them to its customers under a specific sale arrangement.
It said CEPS’ “current records and enquiries did not disclose the location or mode of disposal of two Land Rovers, 10 BMW 730 Li, two BMW Li 745, 13 Ford Ranger pick-ups and one Ford Ranger”.
The letter noted that Universal Motors imported 36 VW Passat (Comfort Line) for the Office of the President and subsequently released 35 of the vehicles to the custody of the Ghana@50 Secretariat.
It said although records indicated that certain individuals were allocated some of the vehicles, “our records and enquiries did not disclose the current location or mode of disposal of 28 vehicles”.
Sources close to the committee and CEPS told the Daily Graphic that the mode of sale to the importing firms had not been proper because there had been no public bidding process.
They wondered why the government would sell the vehicles back to the importers after paying 50 per cent of their total cost.
The sources said what made the transaction even bad was the fact that the sourced companies gave a 40 per cent discount after the government had made a 50 per cent upfront payment.
They cited the case of the Jaguars, claiming that the government bought each for $36,000, although it was being sold for $23,000.
According to them, even if the government were to resell the vehicles, it should have been done by a public bidding process or auction but that was not done.
“It was a letter from the Chief Director at the Office of the President who, for instance, in a letter to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), asked that the vehicles be registered in the name of Mechanical Lloyd Company Ltd, which it claimed the company purchased the vehicles through a public bidding process,” they said.
The sources challenged the former Chief of Staff and the Chief Director to provide evidence of the public bidding process.
Moreover, they said CEPS and the state valuer should have been part of the process to revalue the cars and also calculate the appropriate duties on them for the buyers to pay accordingly.
They explained that under the CEPS Law, although items bought for the Office of the President and the Diplomatic Corps were tax exempt, anytime they were to change hands into private hands the new owner was made to pay the appropriate taxes.
The sources said it was important that these facts were put out for Ghanaians to appreciate the anomalies in the transactions.
“Giving out vehicles to party members or friends must be done in a transparent manner, without breaching the law and procedures. The beneficiaries and the businesses must be left out of this because it was the officials who failed to do and insist on the right thing,” they stated.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Finatrade supports local rice production
Page 48: Daily Graphic, January 23, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Finatrade Group of Companies have contracted a number of local firms to supply 4,000 tonnes of locally produced rice as part of measures to boost local rice production.
Under the package, the rice would be branded Pride by CCTC Limited, to provide ready market for the locally produced rice.
So far, 700 tonnes of the locally produced rice have been provided by the trading enterprises.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of Finatrade, Mr John Awuni told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the company was still open for discussions with other trading firms to supply the locally produced rice to the company.
He said officials of the company have also embarked on an interaction with some rice farmers to assure them of a ready market for their produce.
He said the company was also holding discussions with the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) to help refine the production, processing and marketing of locally produced rice.
Mr Awuni said the company acknowledged that the local rice sector was beset with problems mainly from the production, processing and marketing units.
Besides, he said, there were also problems of inadequate and unreliable statistics of farmers output and yields, thereby making it difficult for effective planning.
According to him, multiple production varieties, inadequate fertiliser supply, poor milling facilities, low farmer extension services, coupled with high dependence on rainfall for production also mitigated against the expansion of the local rice sector.
Mr Awuni said CCTC was, however, poised to lead the expansion crusade of the local rice sector.
He said the company was also open for discussions with the government on how the two could collaborate to improve the sector.
“Our international partners are also ready to support the local rice sector. We can use our leverage in the marketing of rice in the sub-region to boost domestic rice production,” he said.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Finatrade Group of Companies have contracted a number of local firms to supply 4,000 tonnes of locally produced rice as part of measures to boost local rice production.
Under the package, the rice would be branded Pride by CCTC Limited, to provide ready market for the locally produced rice.
So far, 700 tonnes of the locally produced rice have been provided by the trading enterprises.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of Finatrade, Mr John Awuni told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the company was still open for discussions with other trading firms to supply the locally produced rice to the company.
He said officials of the company have also embarked on an interaction with some rice farmers to assure them of a ready market for their produce.
He said the company was also holding discussions with the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) to help refine the production, processing and marketing of locally produced rice.
Mr Awuni said the company acknowledged that the local rice sector was beset with problems mainly from the production, processing and marketing units.
Besides, he said, there were also problems of inadequate and unreliable statistics of farmers output and yields, thereby making it difficult for effective planning.
According to him, multiple production varieties, inadequate fertiliser supply, poor milling facilities, low farmer extension services, coupled with high dependence on rainfall for production also mitigated against the expansion of the local rice sector.
Mr Awuni said CCTC was, however, poised to lead the expansion crusade of the local rice sector.
He said the company was also open for discussions with the government on how the two could collaborate to improve the sector.
“Our international partners are also ready to support the local rice sector. We can use our leverage in the marketing of rice in the sub-region to boost domestic rice production,” he said.
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