Stories: Albert K. Salia (Accra) & Kwame Asare Boadu (K’si)
FROM the Tantra Hills and Gbawe, both in Accra, to the Parakou Estates in Kumasi, a treble of tragic events have claimed four lives and shattered the dreams of some families to end 2009 in peace.
The catalogue of horrors includes the misfortune of a 26-year-old man of God, Reverend Peter Nii Addy, who had travelled all the way from Enchi in the Western Region to attend a colleague’s wedding in Accra, only to be robbed and killed by armed robbers.
It also includes a suspected case of suicide involving a 20-year-old Indian woman in Kumasi and the burning to death of two young sisters in Accra.
Although the pastor’s killers are on the run, the sad story of the two sisters who were left asleep in a candle-lit kiosk at Tantra Hill in Accra and got burnt to death as a result has landed their 26-year-old mother in police custody.
Jessica Gyamfuah Darkwah, three, and her younger sister, Edna Yeboaa Darkwah, two and a half, were asleep in the kiosk near the Champion Divine Clinic at Tantra Hill about 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday when their mother locked it up, allegedly to visit her boyfriend.
The mother, Rosina Botwe, 26, returned at dawn to discover that in her absence the kiosk had caught fire and burnt the children to death.
Rosina, who is currently being held by the Mile Seven Police, told the Daily Graphic that she left the lighted candle so that the children would not cry when they woke up in the dark.
She said some friends called her when the kiosk was on fire but she said she thought they were only trying to get her out of her boyfriend’s room.
According to her, her friends were not in favour of her new relationship which she entered into after her children’s father was jailed in May this year for fraud.
The sobbing Rosina said she was shocked when she got back and found the mess.
The Mile 7 District Police Commander, ASP Alice Gyamfi, said the police were holding her for negligence and manslaughter.
The bodies of the two children have been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
In the Gbawe incident, armed robbers attacked the residence of Rev Frederick Adu Acheampong, the Founder of the Frontline Glory Chapel, at dawn yesterday, robbed the household of money and valuables and killed Rev Addy, a pastor of the Lighthouse Chapel, who was also in the house.
Rev Addy, 26, who was the pastor in charge of the Enchi branch of the Lighthouse Chapel, was in Accra with his wife, who is six months pregnant, to attend the wedding of a colleague pastor of the Lighthouse Chapel, Bishop E. A. T. Sackey, and they were due to return to their base in the Western Region yesterday when he met his brutal death at the hands of the robbers.
Narrating the incident to the Daily Graphic, Rev Acheampong, who played host to Rev Addy and his wife, Lily, said he left the couple to pray in the main compound of his house about 12:45 a.m.
He said less than 15 minutes into the prayers, three young men, one of whom was in a mask, entered the compound.
According to him, all the three men carried guns, with one of them having a crowbar in addition, and they marched him (Rev Acheampong) into the hall of the house.
Rev Acheampong said Rev Addy was asleep in the hall, while his wife, Lily, was watching a religious movie.
He said two of the robbers took him (Acheampong) to his bedroom where they collected his wife’s jewellery, including their wedding rings, watches and some money.
He said the other robber took Mrs Addy to their room where he took her wedding ring and GH¢40 and returned to the hall to march Rev Addy to the bedroom to collect more money.
Rev Acheampong said he overheard Rev Addy say there was no more money in the room and the next thing he heard was a gunshot.
According to him, when the two robbers sent him and his wife back to the hall, he (Acheampong) saw Mrs Addy lean on his husband and sob.
He said the robbers immediately took two laptops, one belonging to the deceased, and a desktop computer and went out.
He said unknown to them, there was a fourth robber who was keeping guard outside and who shouted at the robbers to come out, since the vehicle had come to take them away.
Rev Acheampong said he rushed to pick Rev Addy when the robbers released him and realised that Rev Addy had been shot in the upper abdomen and was bleeding profusely.
He said he immediately arranged to take him to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Odorkor District Crime Officer, DSP Baffour Apenteng, who also confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic, said the armed robbers had earlier snatched a KIA taxi, with registration number GS 4838-09, which they used for the robbery.
He said after attacking the residence of the pastor, the robbers also attacked the residence of Alhaji Seidu, a businessman, and took away seven mobile phones, three DVD players and GH¢360 without any casualty.
He said investigations were underway and appealed to members of the public to assist the police to bring the perpetrators to book.
In Kumasi, a 20-year-old Indian woman who joined her husband in Ghana barely a month ago, is reported to have blown off her head with the husband’s gun at their Parakuo Estate home.
The deceased, Soumya Markkur, allegedly committed the act when her husband was out at work.
The incident occurred last Monday, December 28, 2009.
Her husband, Mr Kishan Anchen, an Indian businessman, is helping the police in their investigations into the case.
The police are yet to disclose further details of the incident, saying it was too early to do so.
They said, however, that no suicide note was left and they were yet to establish any preliminary cause of the woman’s death.
However, sources at the Parakuo Estate where the couple lived told the Daily Graphic that the woman had been embroiled in some marital problems with the husband since she arrived from India.
The Commander of the Kumasi Central Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Frank Abrokwah, said the couple, who had no issue, had been married for about a year but the woman lived in India, while the man lived and worked in Kumasi.
According to the District Commander, about 2 p.m. on December 28, 2009, his outfit had information that an Indian woman had committed suicide in her matrimonial home.
He said the team that was dispatched to the house saw the woman dead in a pool of blood in the bedroom, with the pistol beside her remains.
DSP Abrokwah said the widower claimed that he had left home for work at Asokwa in Kumasi about 7.30 a.m. that day when her wife was still in bed.
Mr Kishen was said to have returned to the house about 11.30 a.m., only to find the door to their bedroom locked.
According to DSP Abrokwah, the man claimed to have repeatedly knocked the door but there was no response.
Mr Kishen then called some security personnel at the main gate to the house to help him force the door open and, to his surprise, he found her wife in a pool of blood, with the gun beside her.
DSP Abrokwah stated that the police also found a spent shell in the room.
The police, he said, had taken custody of the pistol, while the remains of the woman had been placed in the morgue at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital pending further investigations.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
IGP calls for better professional conduct in New Year
Page 32: Daily Graphic, December 31, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, has called on personnel of the Ghana Police Service to enter the New Year with a resolution to perform their duties better than they did in 2009.
In a New Year message to the personnel, Mr Quaye urged them to perform their duties diligently without tainting the image of the service through bribery, corruption and other unprofessional behaviour.
He noted that in spite of the achievements of the service, it was still perceived as being the most corrupt in the country.
“Whether that is perceived or real, there is the urgent need to raise our image positively by exhibiting high professional conduct. Lapses that occasioned the performance of our duties at times should become a thing of the past. Allegations of corruption should be disproved in the coming year,” he said.
Mr Quaye noted that the good works of the personnel throughout the country in 2009, especially the fight against armed robbery, had been observed by admirers and critics alike.
He, therefore, urged the personnel to keep up the dedicated services and work harder in the coming year.
“All and sundry should consider themselves the Inspector-General of Police in their little corners where they have been working and work harder to earn a good reputation and redeem the image of the service,” he added.
The IGP said the Police Administration was doing everything possible to solve the accommodation problem confronting the service, saying that the government had approved the budget of the police for the completion of a number of unfinished building projects.
“It is, therefore, my hope that in the very near future the acute accommodation problem confronting the service shall also be a thing of the past,” Mr Quaye added.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, has called on personnel of the Ghana Police Service to enter the New Year with a resolution to perform their duties better than they did in 2009.
In a New Year message to the personnel, Mr Quaye urged them to perform their duties diligently without tainting the image of the service through bribery, corruption and other unprofessional behaviour.
He noted that in spite of the achievements of the service, it was still perceived as being the most corrupt in the country.
“Whether that is perceived or real, there is the urgent need to raise our image positively by exhibiting high professional conduct. Lapses that occasioned the performance of our duties at times should become a thing of the past. Allegations of corruption should be disproved in the coming year,” he said.
Mr Quaye noted that the good works of the personnel throughout the country in 2009, especially the fight against armed robbery, had been observed by admirers and critics alike.
He, therefore, urged the personnel to keep up the dedicated services and work harder in the coming year.
“All and sundry should consider themselves the Inspector-General of Police in their little corners where they have been working and work harder to earn a good reputation and redeem the image of the service,” he added.
The IGP said the Police Administration was doing everything possible to solve the accommodation problem confronting the service, saying that the government had approved the budget of the police for the completion of a number of unfinished building projects.
“It is, therefore, my hope that in the very near future the acute accommodation problem confronting the service shall also be a thing of the past,” Mr Quaye added.
PASSPORTS * Forms for biometric ones ready Jan 25
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 30, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
NEW forms for the issuance of biometric passports will be available to Ghanaian applicants from January 25, 2010 when the old forms will be withdrawn.
The new arrangement is an update on an earlier report that the process of going biometric would begin in April 2010.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, told the Daily Graphic that a local printing firm which won the award for the production of the booklets had already produced more than 500,000 copies out of the initially contracted figure of 1.5 million booklets.
He said April 2010 was, indeed, the deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for all countries to effect the changeover and that the actual issuance of the biometric passports in Ghana would start from February 3, 2010 to enable the country to meet the deadline.
However, citizens in possession of valid old passports can still use them until they expire.
Under the new regime, new passport fees of GH¢50 and GH¢100 would be charged for ordinary and expedited delivery services, respectively.
The minister explained that the GH¢50 and GH¢100 covered the cost of the application forms.
Alhaji Mumuni said applicants would now have to personally submit their application forms at the application centres for their passport photographs to be taken with a high resolution camera, while fingerprints and signatures were also recorded.
“This means that instead of the applicant submitting photographs with a passport application form that is already thumb-printed somewhere, it will now be required that the photograph and the fingerprints of the applicants are taken at the application centres at the time of presenting the application forms. This is also intended to eliminate middlemen,” he said.
According to him, applicants would also send along their birth certificates and other documentation, including the national identification card, to be vetted and scanned into the system.
He said the information would be uploaded to the Central Operations and Production Unit of the Passport Office, where the details and certificates would be verified, during which all details would be vetted against the stop list.
Alhaji Mumuni said the forms would then be passed on to the directors for final vetting and authorisation to issue the passports, stressing that “all the processes, with the exception of the final vetting, printing and issuance, are expected to take place on the same day, thus enhancing service delivery”.
He explained that while the biometric passport contained fingerprints, hand prints, iris scans and is machine readable, the integrated circuit (chip) embedded in the back cover of the e-passport added digital security features, including information on the printed data page which showed the passport was authentic and the information in the chip had not been altered and, therefore, difficult to forge.
He said those features on the e-passport prevented counterfeiting and better linked the passport to its owner.
Alhaji Mumuni said radio, television and other forms of publicity on the biometric passports would begin by January 6, 2010.
Initially, he said, there would be seven application centres in Accra, Tamale, Ho, Sekondi/Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani and at the Passport Office.
He, however, explained that until all the equipment was fixed, data captured outside Accra would have to be transported to Accra electronically for the issuance of the passports, which might cause an initial delay.
Alhaji Mumuni said Ghana’s missions in London, Rome, Berlin and Washington had been identified to also issue the biometric passports until a time that the process was extended to more missions.
Story: Albert K. Salia
NEW forms for the issuance of biometric passports will be available to Ghanaian applicants from January 25, 2010 when the old forms will be withdrawn.
The new arrangement is an update on an earlier report that the process of going biometric would begin in April 2010.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, told the Daily Graphic that a local printing firm which won the award for the production of the booklets had already produced more than 500,000 copies out of the initially contracted figure of 1.5 million booklets.
He said April 2010 was, indeed, the deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for all countries to effect the changeover and that the actual issuance of the biometric passports in Ghana would start from February 3, 2010 to enable the country to meet the deadline.
However, citizens in possession of valid old passports can still use them until they expire.
Under the new regime, new passport fees of GH¢50 and GH¢100 would be charged for ordinary and expedited delivery services, respectively.
The minister explained that the GH¢50 and GH¢100 covered the cost of the application forms.
Alhaji Mumuni said applicants would now have to personally submit their application forms at the application centres for their passport photographs to be taken with a high resolution camera, while fingerprints and signatures were also recorded.
“This means that instead of the applicant submitting photographs with a passport application form that is already thumb-printed somewhere, it will now be required that the photograph and the fingerprints of the applicants are taken at the application centres at the time of presenting the application forms. This is also intended to eliminate middlemen,” he said.
According to him, applicants would also send along their birth certificates and other documentation, including the national identification card, to be vetted and scanned into the system.
He said the information would be uploaded to the Central Operations and Production Unit of the Passport Office, where the details and certificates would be verified, during which all details would be vetted against the stop list.
Alhaji Mumuni said the forms would then be passed on to the directors for final vetting and authorisation to issue the passports, stressing that “all the processes, with the exception of the final vetting, printing and issuance, are expected to take place on the same day, thus enhancing service delivery”.
He explained that while the biometric passport contained fingerprints, hand prints, iris scans and is machine readable, the integrated circuit (chip) embedded in the back cover of the e-passport added digital security features, including information on the printed data page which showed the passport was authentic and the information in the chip had not been altered and, therefore, difficult to forge.
He said those features on the e-passport prevented counterfeiting and better linked the passport to its owner.
Alhaji Mumuni said radio, television and other forms of publicity on the biometric passports would begin by January 6, 2010.
Initially, he said, there would be seven application centres in Accra, Tamale, Ho, Sekondi/Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani and at the Passport Office.
He, however, explained that until all the equipment was fixed, data captured outside Accra would have to be transported to Accra electronically for the issuance of the passports, which might cause an initial delay.
Alhaji Mumuni said Ghana’s missions in London, Rome, Berlin and Washington had been identified to also issue the biometric passports until a time that the process was extended to more missions.
Calm returns to Agona Swedru
Page 32: Daily Graphic, December 30, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
CALM has returned to Agona Swedru after clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes on Monday which left two persons dead.
Commercial activities are back to normal as people go about their business and trading activities without let or hindrance.
Four of the 11 people who were injured in the clashes are still on admission and, according to hospital sources, one of them has undergone a successful operation on his genitals.
At the time of filing this report, the Central Regional Minister, Ms Ama Benyiwa-Doe, was in Swedru visiting the injured on admission and interacting with chiefs and opinion leaders of both the indigenes and the Zongo community.
Security personnel detailed to beef up patrols were still on high alert and monitoring the situation.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyinah, told the Daily Graphic that the situation had been calm throughout the night.
He said the security personnel were in control of the situation.
He denied some media reports that more persons died in the Monday clashes, insisting that “only two persons have been confirmed dead”.
Two persons were killed in Agona Swedru on Monday following clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes.
The deceased were identified as Muhammadu Iddrisu, 24, and Kwaku Acheampong, 35.
A third person, Kwame Asiew, was operated upon at the Agona Swedru Hospital after he had allegedly been hit by a stray bullet.
Story: Albert K. Salia
CALM has returned to Agona Swedru after clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes on Monday which left two persons dead.
Commercial activities are back to normal as people go about their business and trading activities without let or hindrance.
Four of the 11 people who were injured in the clashes are still on admission and, according to hospital sources, one of them has undergone a successful operation on his genitals.
At the time of filing this report, the Central Regional Minister, Ms Ama Benyiwa-Doe, was in Swedru visiting the injured on admission and interacting with chiefs and opinion leaders of both the indigenes and the Zongo community.
Security personnel detailed to beef up patrols were still on high alert and monitoring the situation.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyinah, told the Daily Graphic that the situation had been calm throughout the night.
He said the security personnel were in control of the situation.
He denied some media reports that more persons died in the Monday clashes, insisting that “only two persons have been confirmed dead”.
Two persons were killed in Agona Swedru on Monday following clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes.
The deceased were identified as Muhammadu Iddrisu, 24, and Kwaku Acheampong, 35.
A third person, Kwame Asiew, was operated upon at the Agona Swedru Hospital after he had allegedly been hit by a stray bullet.
2 Die in violence * In Agona Swedru
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 29, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO persons were killed at Agona Swedru yesterday following clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes.
The deceased have been identified as Muhammadu Iddrisu, 24, and Kwaku Acheampong, 35.
A third person, Kwame Asiew, was operated upon at the Agona Swedru Hospital after he had allegedly been hit by a stray bullet.
Eleven other people sustained various degrees of injury in the clashes.
Personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces are currently patrolling the town to avert further clashes.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyina, told the Daily Graphic that early in the morning, Iddrisu allegedly attacked a drinking spot, known as ‘Crockers’, destroying property and threatening to kill anyone who dared get closer to him.
He said patrons of the drinking spot abandoned their drinking and entertainment and ran for their lives.
According to him, Iddrisu allegedly left the spot, and while he was on his way to a second drinking spot wielding a machete, some youth in the area attacked and lynched him.
Chief Supt Donyina said it was being alleged that Iddrisu was a mental patient, although the police could not verify that.
He said after burying Iddrisu in line with Muslim tradition, some members of the Zongo community decided to attack some of the indigenes in retaliation for the death of Iddrisu.
He said it was in the heat of the counter-attack that Acheampong was killed, while the others sustained various degrees of injury.
Chief Supt Donyina said the police immediately called for reinforcement from Cape Coast and Accra, with personnel from the Panthers Unit, the Armoured Squadron Unit and the 64 Infantry Battalion responding to bring the situation under control.
He said the security personnel were still monitoring the situation and indicated that a curfew might be imposed if any more threats were identified before the close of day.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO persons were killed at Agona Swedru yesterday following clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes.
The deceased have been identified as Muhammadu Iddrisu, 24, and Kwaku Acheampong, 35.
A third person, Kwame Asiew, was operated upon at the Agona Swedru Hospital after he had allegedly been hit by a stray bullet.
Eleven other people sustained various degrees of injury in the clashes.
Personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces are currently patrolling the town to avert further clashes.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyina, told the Daily Graphic that early in the morning, Iddrisu allegedly attacked a drinking spot, known as ‘Crockers’, destroying property and threatening to kill anyone who dared get closer to him.
He said patrons of the drinking spot abandoned their drinking and entertainment and ran for their lives.
According to him, Iddrisu allegedly left the spot, and while he was on his way to a second drinking spot wielding a machete, some youth in the area attacked and lynched him.
Chief Supt Donyina said it was being alleged that Iddrisu was a mental patient, although the police could not verify that.
He said after burying Iddrisu in line with Muslim tradition, some members of the Zongo community decided to attack some of the indigenes in retaliation for the death of Iddrisu.
He said it was in the heat of the counter-attack that Acheampong was killed, while the others sustained various degrees of injury.
Chief Supt Donyina said the police immediately called for reinforcement from Cape Coast and Accra, with personnel from the Panthers Unit, the Armoured Squadron Unit and the 64 Infantry Battalion responding to bring the situation under control.
He said the security personnel were still monitoring the situation and indicated that a curfew might be imposed if any more threats were identified before the close of day.
WE'LL ACT DECISIVELY *On report of Ghana@50 Commission, Prez assures
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 24, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
President J.E.A. Mills yesterday received the report of the Presidential Commission that inquired into the activities of the Ghana@50 Secretariat with a declaration to act on the recommendations of the commission without fear or favour.
He dismissed people’s impression that the commission’s work was a witch-hunt or harassment and promised to look at the report and take the needed action.
President Mills expressed his appreciation to members of the commission for doing an excellent job in a fair and impartial manner.
The President set up the three-member commission to look into the activities of Ghana’s Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations. The commission took submissions from 238 witnesses, who were directly or indirectly involved in the 50th independence anniversary celebration.
Mr Justice Isaac Duose chaired the commission with Mr Osei Tutu Prempeh, a former Auditor-General, and Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, a legal practitioner, as members.
The commission commenced its public hearings at the Conference Room of the Old Parliament House building in Accra on Thursday, July 23 after its inauguration by Vice-President John Dramani Mahama on June 17, 2009.
Later in an interview with newsmen, Mr Justice Duose said it was possible that some people could be prosecuted, but was quick to add that any prosecution was the preserve of the President.
He noted that the solution to dealing with such problems in the future was by addressing the weaknesses in the governance system and not prosecution.
He said there were more lessons to be learnt from what happened and it should also serve as a reminder to those currently in authority that they would also be called upon to give account of their stewardship at the end of their tenure of office.
Mr Justice Duose said people should not be afraid to account for their stewardship unless they had done something wrong.
He said the commission was of the view that national events should reflect national character and not be limited to a party in government.
Mr Justice Duose said the commission was also of the view that appointments to positions should reflect the qualifications, training and skills of the appointee so that appointees would be able to deliver.
He said it was obvious during the public hearings that some persons put in certain positions did not have the requisite qualifications and training and cited some District Chief Executives as exposing their ignorance during the commission’s public hearings.
He also cited an instance where a cleaner was also made a cashier in a district assembly.
On the various golden jubilee projects, especially the jubilee toilets, Mr Justice Duose said there was nothing wrong as they were very necessary.
He said the process of implementation was the major problem as some persons were not qualified to undertake those projects.
As to whether the commission held further hearings after the public hearings, Mr Justice Duose said there were no secret hearings or investigations.
The terms of reference of the commission were to inquire into and report on allegations of improper use of public and other funds; inquire into the use by the secretariat of any property, movable and immovable; inquire into any other matter which appeared to the commission to be incidental to or reasonably related to the Ghana@50 celebrations and to make recommendations in respect of the findings of fact by the commission.
The commission, in the course of the public hearings, took submissions and petitions from the district assemblies, regional co-ordinating councils, private entities, service providers, technocrats, construction firms, consultants, the Ghana@50 Secretariat and the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Story: Albert K. Salia
President J.E.A. Mills yesterday received the report of the Presidential Commission that inquired into the activities of the Ghana@50 Secretariat with a declaration to act on the recommendations of the commission without fear or favour.
He dismissed people’s impression that the commission’s work was a witch-hunt or harassment and promised to look at the report and take the needed action.
President Mills expressed his appreciation to members of the commission for doing an excellent job in a fair and impartial manner.
The President set up the three-member commission to look into the activities of Ghana’s Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations. The commission took submissions from 238 witnesses, who were directly or indirectly involved in the 50th independence anniversary celebration.
Mr Justice Isaac Duose chaired the commission with Mr Osei Tutu Prempeh, a former Auditor-General, and Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, a legal practitioner, as members.
The commission commenced its public hearings at the Conference Room of the Old Parliament House building in Accra on Thursday, July 23 after its inauguration by Vice-President John Dramani Mahama on June 17, 2009.
Later in an interview with newsmen, Mr Justice Duose said it was possible that some people could be prosecuted, but was quick to add that any prosecution was the preserve of the President.
He noted that the solution to dealing with such problems in the future was by addressing the weaknesses in the governance system and not prosecution.
He said there were more lessons to be learnt from what happened and it should also serve as a reminder to those currently in authority that they would also be called upon to give account of their stewardship at the end of their tenure of office.
Mr Justice Duose said people should not be afraid to account for their stewardship unless they had done something wrong.
He said the commission was of the view that national events should reflect national character and not be limited to a party in government.
Mr Justice Duose said the commission was also of the view that appointments to positions should reflect the qualifications, training and skills of the appointee so that appointees would be able to deliver.
He said it was obvious during the public hearings that some persons put in certain positions did not have the requisite qualifications and training and cited some District Chief Executives as exposing their ignorance during the commission’s public hearings.
He also cited an instance where a cleaner was also made a cashier in a district assembly.
On the various golden jubilee projects, especially the jubilee toilets, Mr Justice Duose said there was nothing wrong as they were very necessary.
He said the process of implementation was the major problem as some persons were not qualified to undertake those projects.
As to whether the commission held further hearings after the public hearings, Mr Justice Duose said there were no secret hearings or investigations.
The terms of reference of the commission were to inquire into and report on allegations of improper use of public and other funds; inquire into the use by the secretariat of any property, movable and immovable; inquire into any other matter which appeared to the commission to be incidental to or reasonably related to the Ghana@50 celebrations and to make recommendations in respect of the findings of fact by the commission.
The commission, in the course of the public hearings, took submissions and petitions from the district assemblies, regional co-ordinating councils, private entities, service providers, technocrats, construction firms, consultants, the Ghana@50 Secretariat and the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Police evict squatters at barracks
Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 23, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra South District Police yesterday embarked on an exercise to rid its barracks of squatters, following a directive by the Inspector-General of Police for the eviction of all unauthorised persons from police barracks.
Although majority of the squatters managed to escape before the exercise got to them, 14 of them were arrested and thrown out of their makeshift abodes.
Those arrested are also to be prosecuted for unlawful entry and illegal habitation of police barracks.
The Accra South District Police Commander, Superintendent Aboagye Sarpong, who led the exercise about am, said more than 100 people were illegally living at the police barracks in Accra Central alone.
He explained that most of the squatters might have had a hint of the exercise after the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, and other senior officers toured the barracks last Monday.
He, however, said the exercise would be sustained to get rid of all the squatters.
Supt Sarpong said the squatters were using facilities such as bath houses, toilets and pipe stands with the police personnel and their families.
He said it was common to find some of the squatters challenging the legal occupants of the barracks over the usage of the facilities.
“Sometimes the squatters engage our wives and children in fights over who has the right to use the bath houses or toilets,” he lamented.
Supt. Sarpong said the police would extend the exercise to cover motorists who parked their vehicles on the compounds of the barracks and police stations to go and trade in the various markets and shops.
According to him, some of them often entered the barracks to park as if they were visiting people there or had something to do at the police station, creating more congestion at the barracks and the police stations.
He said such persons only returned after 5 p.m. to drive their vehicles away.
The IGP, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, last week called for the immediate eviction of unauthorised persons from the various police barracks across the country.
He said the situation where personnel had vacated their barracks and their accommodation sublet to their relatives, while some personnel slept on verandas and in the open, would no longer be tolerated.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Accra South District Police yesterday embarked on an exercise to rid its barracks of squatters, following a directive by the Inspector-General of Police for the eviction of all unauthorised persons from police barracks.
Although majority of the squatters managed to escape before the exercise got to them, 14 of them were arrested and thrown out of their makeshift abodes.
Those arrested are also to be prosecuted for unlawful entry and illegal habitation of police barracks.
The Accra South District Police Commander, Superintendent Aboagye Sarpong, who led the exercise about am, said more than 100 people were illegally living at the police barracks in Accra Central alone.
He explained that most of the squatters might have had a hint of the exercise after the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, and other senior officers toured the barracks last Monday.
He, however, said the exercise would be sustained to get rid of all the squatters.
Supt Sarpong said the squatters were using facilities such as bath houses, toilets and pipe stands with the police personnel and their families.
He said it was common to find some of the squatters challenging the legal occupants of the barracks over the usage of the facilities.
“Sometimes the squatters engage our wives and children in fights over who has the right to use the bath houses or toilets,” he lamented.
Supt. Sarpong said the police would extend the exercise to cover motorists who parked their vehicles on the compounds of the barracks and police stations to go and trade in the various markets and shops.
According to him, some of them often entered the barracks to park as if they were visiting people there or had something to do at the police station, creating more congestion at the barracks and the police stations.
He said such persons only returned after 5 p.m. to drive their vehicles away.
The IGP, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, last week called for the immediate eviction of unauthorised persons from the various police barracks across the country.
He said the situation where personnel had vacated their barracks and their accommodation sublet to their relatives, while some personnel slept on verandas and in the open, would no longer be tolerated.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Chemicals found at Kinapharma not cocaine
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 12, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TestS conducted by the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) on the chemicals picked up from Kinapharma Pharmaceutical Company Limited proved negative for cocaine.
The tests were, however, positive for chlordiazepoxide, which is not classified as a narcotic drug under PNDCL 236, 1990.
The test results, signed by Mr K. Acheampong, the Director of the Testing Division of the GSB, were submitted to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Friday night.
According to the Public Affairs Officer of the CID, Chief Inspector J.B. Dankwa, the three officials would, therefore, be released on bail.
It would be recalled that the police last Thursday picked up three top officials of Kinapharma for allegedly possessing substances prohibited under Ghana’s Narcotic Control Law.
The three were the Managing Director, Mr Kofi Nsiah Poku, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs Nsiah Poku, and the General Manager, Mr Eshun Fameyeh.
They were picked up after a combined team from the CID Headquarters and the Narcotics Control Board identified the substances in a warehouse at the company.
According to sources at the CID Headquarters, a field test on some of the substances tested partially positive for cocaine.
The company, however, insisted that the substances in the parcels were precursors and not cocaine.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TestS conducted by the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) on the chemicals picked up from Kinapharma Pharmaceutical Company Limited proved negative for cocaine.
The tests were, however, positive for chlordiazepoxide, which is not classified as a narcotic drug under PNDCL 236, 1990.
The test results, signed by Mr K. Acheampong, the Director of the Testing Division of the GSB, were submitted to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Friday night.
According to the Public Affairs Officer of the CID, Chief Inspector J.B. Dankwa, the three officials would, therefore, be released on bail.
It would be recalled that the police last Thursday picked up three top officials of Kinapharma for allegedly possessing substances prohibited under Ghana’s Narcotic Control Law.
The three were the Managing Director, Mr Kofi Nsiah Poku, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs Nsiah Poku, and the General Manager, Mr Eshun Fameyeh.
They were picked up after a combined team from the CID Headquarters and the Narcotics Control Board identified the substances in a warehouse at the company.
According to sources at the CID Headquarters, a field test on some of the substances tested partially positive for cocaine.
The company, however, insisted that the substances in the parcels were precursors and not cocaine.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
NDC GURUS IN CRUNCH MEETING * To iron out differences
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 11, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
KEY players within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have held a crunch meeting, described by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, as frank, constructive and cordial, to heal what was festering between President Mills and some harsh critics within his own fold.
The meeting attracted party heavyweights, including Vice-President John Mahama; the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin; the NDC Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei; Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, some Ministers of State, the leadership of the NDC Parliamentary caucus and other senior party members.
Conspicuously missing, however, were former President J. J. Rawlings, his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, and Mr Harry Sawyerr, the Vice-Chairman of the NDC’s Council of Elders.
It is unclear whether former President Rawlings and his wife had been invited, but sources close to the party told the Daily Graphic that Mr Sawyerr had been indisposed, hence his inability to attend the meeting.
Sources close to the meeting said it was held in an open and frank manner as a platform provided by President Mills to the leadership of the party to raise their concerns.
They cited, for instance, the issue of not appointing experienced Members of Parliament as ministers, but President Mills was reported to have responded that it was because the party needed such hands in Parliament to provide guidance and leadership.
The President also explained to his party colleagues that not appointing someone a minister did not mean that person was irrelevant to the government.
According to the sources, some of the persons who had been heard on radio criticising the President claimed that the media had distorted what they meant to say, which in turn elicited counter criticisms from other party functionaries.
When contacted, the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Mahama Ayariga, confirmed the meeting but would not disclose the issues raised, explaining that they were supposed to be purely internal matters.
He said the President had indicated, while he was in Tamale, that he would hold a meeting with the leadership of the party to discuss their concerns.
Mr Ayariga said the meeting ended amicably, adding that the commitment to participate in the meeting had been most crucial.
Asked whether the issue of Cabinet reshuffle had been discussed, Mr Ayariga said nothing of that sort came up for discussion.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by Mr Asiedu-Nketia said the meeting was used to discuss the most appropriate way of dealing with concerns expressed by some members of the party regarding the internal communication process and the channels for addressing members’ concerns.
“The discussions were frank, constructive and cordial and those present at the meeting made useful suggestions about deepening the process of consultation between the Executive and the various arms of the party,” it said.
It said members present at the meeting agreed that the discussions held had been very useful and they had provided the opportunity for the Executive to clarify a number of concerns that had been raised and also give other members in attendance the opportunity to express their opinions on recent developments in the run up to the party’s congress to be held in January next year.
The statement said a decision was taken to make those consultations between the government and the party more regular features in order to ensure that unity, internal cohesion and the focus on dealing with the development challenges facing the nation were maintained.
“It was also decided that there would be an outreach programme to touch base with Ghanaians everywhere in order to assure them of the government’s unity and focus to improve their living conditions and fulfil the NDC’s manifesto,” it added.
It assured all Ghanaians and members of the NDC that the party was committed to working with the President to ensure that “this NDC administration is able to perform successfully and fulfil its manifesto commitment to build a better Ghana for all Ghanaians”.
The Majority Leader, Mr Bagbin, was reported in the December 10, 2009 edition of the Daily Graphic as saying that President Mills had made a move to eliminate the bad blood existing between him and some senior members of the NDC.
He said President Mills had held a series of meetings with the NDC’s hierarchy to eliminate the mounting tension within the party, as a result of criticisms against his administration by his own henchmen.
The President has recently come under fire from NDC stalwarts such as Mr Bagbin, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, a former Minister of Information and Education in the first NDC administration, the Member of Parliament for Lower Manya, Mr Teye Nyaunu, and former President and founder of the NDC, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
Among the accusations levelled against the President by these critics were the style of his administration and the type of people he had surrounded himself with.
However, Mr Bagbin disclosed that the President had already met the chairmen of the various constituency branches of the party in the Greater Accra Region to discuss matters agitating their minds.
That meeting, according to Mr Bagbin, was held before the President left for Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Commonwealth meeting.
Story: Albert K. Salia
KEY players within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have held a crunch meeting, described by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, as frank, constructive and cordial, to heal what was festering between President Mills and some harsh critics within his own fold.
The meeting attracted party heavyweights, including Vice-President John Mahama; the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin; the NDC Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei; Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, some Ministers of State, the leadership of the NDC Parliamentary caucus and other senior party members.
Conspicuously missing, however, were former President J. J. Rawlings, his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, and Mr Harry Sawyerr, the Vice-Chairman of the NDC’s Council of Elders.
It is unclear whether former President Rawlings and his wife had been invited, but sources close to the party told the Daily Graphic that Mr Sawyerr had been indisposed, hence his inability to attend the meeting.
Sources close to the meeting said it was held in an open and frank manner as a platform provided by President Mills to the leadership of the party to raise their concerns.
They cited, for instance, the issue of not appointing experienced Members of Parliament as ministers, but President Mills was reported to have responded that it was because the party needed such hands in Parliament to provide guidance and leadership.
The President also explained to his party colleagues that not appointing someone a minister did not mean that person was irrelevant to the government.
According to the sources, some of the persons who had been heard on radio criticising the President claimed that the media had distorted what they meant to say, which in turn elicited counter criticisms from other party functionaries.
When contacted, the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Mahama Ayariga, confirmed the meeting but would not disclose the issues raised, explaining that they were supposed to be purely internal matters.
He said the President had indicated, while he was in Tamale, that he would hold a meeting with the leadership of the party to discuss their concerns.
Mr Ayariga said the meeting ended amicably, adding that the commitment to participate in the meeting had been most crucial.
Asked whether the issue of Cabinet reshuffle had been discussed, Mr Ayariga said nothing of that sort came up for discussion.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by Mr Asiedu-Nketia said the meeting was used to discuss the most appropriate way of dealing with concerns expressed by some members of the party regarding the internal communication process and the channels for addressing members’ concerns.
“The discussions were frank, constructive and cordial and those present at the meeting made useful suggestions about deepening the process of consultation between the Executive and the various arms of the party,” it said.
It said members present at the meeting agreed that the discussions held had been very useful and they had provided the opportunity for the Executive to clarify a number of concerns that had been raised and also give other members in attendance the opportunity to express their opinions on recent developments in the run up to the party’s congress to be held in January next year.
The statement said a decision was taken to make those consultations between the government and the party more regular features in order to ensure that unity, internal cohesion and the focus on dealing with the development challenges facing the nation were maintained.
“It was also decided that there would be an outreach programme to touch base with Ghanaians everywhere in order to assure them of the government’s unity and focus to improve their living conditions and fulfil the NDC’s manifesto,” it added.
It assured all Ghanaians and members of the NDC that the party was committed to working with the President to ensure that “this NDC administration is able to perform successfully and fulfil its manifesto commitment to build a better Ghana for all Ghanaians”.
The Majority Leader, Mr Bagbin, was reported in the December 10, 2009 edition of the Daily Graphic as saying that President Mills had made a move to eliminate the bad blood existing between him and some senior members of the NDC.
He said President Mills had held a series of meetings with the NDC’s hierarchy to eliminate the mounting tension within the party, as a result of criticisms against his administration by his own henchmen.
The President has recently come under fire from NDC stalwarts such as Mr Bagbin, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, a former Minister of Information and Education in the first NDC administration, the Member of Parliament for Lower Manya, Mr Teye Nyaunu, and former President and founder of the NDC, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
Among the accusations levelled against the President by these critics were the style of his administration and the type of people he had surrounded himself with.
However, Mr Bagbin disclosed that the President had already met the chairmen of the various constituency branches of the party in the Greater Accra Region to discuss matters agitating their minds.
That meeting, according to Mr Bagbin, was held before the President left for Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Commonwealth meeting.
3 Kinapharma officials nabbed
Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 11, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
The police yesterday picked three top officials of the Kinapharma Pharmaceutical Company for possessing substances prohibited under Ghana’s Narcotic Control Law.
The three are the Managing Director, Mr Kofi Nsiah Poku, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs Nsiah Poku and the General Manager, Mr Eshum Fameyeh.
They were picked up after a combined team from the police CID headquarters and the Nacortic Control Board identified the powders in a warehouse at the company.
A field test on some of the powder tested partially positive for cocaine.
Sources at the CID headquarters told the Daily Graphic that officials of the company, however claimed that they have a permit to import those powders.
According to the sources, Kinapharma claimed that the powders were precursors meant for the manufacture of drugs.
Precursors are used in the manufacture of drugs, but in some countries restrictions have been placed on its importatation, purchase and sale because they have the potential to be used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.
The sources said the officials could not immediately produce any documents giving them the permission for them to import the powders.
According to the sources, Kinapharma had been asked to produce the documents by today (Friday) while the Ghana Standards Boards (GSB) is being asked to examine all the 23 parcels picked up from the warehouse of the company.
The source said the police raided the warehouse upon a tip-off and that although the officials gave access to parts of the warehouse they did not want the police to go to other parts, insisting that Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) officials must also be present.
Based on that, the police invited the NACOB to join them in the exercise during which the parcels were identified and the field test on some of the parcels tested partially positive for cocaine.
The company, however, insist that the substances in the parcels were precursors and not cocaine.
Story: Albert K. Salia
The police yesterday picked three top officials of the Kinapharma Pharmaceutical Company for possessing substances prohibited under Ghana’s Narcotic Control Law.
The three are the Managing Director, Mr Kofi Nsiah Poku, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs Nsiah Poku and the General Manager, Mr Eshum Fameyeh.
They were picked up after a combined team from the police CID headquarters and the Nacortic Control Board identified the powders in a warehouse at the company.
A field test on some of the powder tested partially positive for cocaine.
Sources at the CID headquarters told the Daily Graphic that officials of the company, however claimed that they have a permit to import those powders.
According to the sources, Kinapharma claimed that the powders were precursors meant for the manufacture of drugs.
Precursors are used in the manufacture of drugs, but in some countries restrictions have been placed on its importatation, purchase and sale because they have the potential to be used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.
The sources said the officials could not immediately produce any documents giving them the permission for them to import the powders.
According to the sources, Kinapharma had been asked to produce the documents by today (Friday) while the Ghana Standards Boards (GSB) is being asked to examine all the 23 parcels picked up from the warehouse of the company.
The source said the police raided the warehouse upon a tip-off and that although the officials gave access to parts of the warehouse they did not want the police to go to other parts, insisting that Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) officials must also be present.
Based on that, the police invited the NACOB to join them in the exercise during which the parcels were identified and the field test on some of the parcels tested partially positive for cocaine.
The company, however, insist that the substances in the parcels were precursors and not cocaine.
Police on operation end food boycott
Page 64: Daily Graphic, December 10, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
POLICEMEN on peacekeeping duties in Bawku who boycotted meals at the military canteen in Bawku have now begun patronising the canteen, explaining that their initial stance was due to misinformation.
Sources within the Police Administration told the Daily Graphic that following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to the affected policemen, the policemen explained that their initial information had been that the instructions for them to patronise the military canteen, instead of the usual cash ration, had been a unilateral one issued by the Bawku Divisional Police Commander.
However, after the message had been reinforced and the policemen had been told that it was a Police Administration decision, they started trooping to the canteen to patronise the food.
The IGP, Mr Paul Quaye, also told the Daily Graphic yesterday that he had received confirmation that more than 99 per cent of the policemen had started patronising the military canteen.
When contacted, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, ACP Bright Oduro, said the decision to provide food at the military canteen was arrived at when it became difficult to mobilise the policemen, especially during certain periods of the curfew hours.
He said while most people were expected to be indoors due to the curfew, the policemen often gave the excuse that they were looking for food when they knew that “nobody would be out there cooking”.
ACP Oduro said the food ration was a better approach than giving the policemen cash ration.
The IGP last Tuesday issued a strong warning to the policemen who had refused to patronise the military canteen, saying that they would be dealt with according to the Ghana Police Service Disciplinary Code.
Mr Quaye noted that it was most unfortunate for any police officer to refuse to patronise the food at the military canteen after a high-powered meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to address concerns of policemen on peace duties in Bawku took the decision.
He, therefore, asked the policemen to rethink their position if they thought that the money being paid as their canteen fees would be given to them.
Story: Albert K. Salia
POLICEMEN on peacekeeping duties in Bawku who boycotted meals at the military canteen in Bawku have now begun patronising the canteen, explaining that their initial stance was due to misinformation.
Sources within the Police Administration told the Daily Graphic that following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to the affected policemen, the policemen explained that their initial information had been that the instructions for them to patronise the military canteen, instead of the usual cash ration, had been a unilateral one issued by the Bawku Divisional Police Commander.
However, after the message had been reinforced and the policemen had been told that it was a Police Administration decision, they started trooping to the canteen to patronise the food.
The IGP, Mr Paul Quaye, also told the Daily Graphic yesterday that he had received confirmation that more than 99 per cent of the policemen had started patronising the military canteen.
When contacted, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, ACP Bright Oduro, said the decision to provide food at the military canteen was arrived at when it became difficult to mobilise the policemen, especially during certain periods of the curfew hours.
He said while most people were expected to be indoors due to the curfew, the policemen often gave the excuse that they were looking for food when they knew that “nobody would be out there cooking”.
ACP Oduro said the food ration was a better approach than giving the policemen cash ration.
The IGP last Tuesday issued a strong warning to the policemen who had refused to patronise the military canteen, saying that they would be dealt with according to the Ghana Police Service Disciplinary Code.
Mr Quaye noted that it was most unfortunate for any police officer to refuse to patronise the food at the military canteen after a high-powered meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to address concerns of policemen on peace duties in Bawku took the decision.
He, therefore, asked the policemen to rethink their position if they thought that the money being paid as their canteen fees would be given to them.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
IGP warns police personnel refusing operations food
Page 48: Daily Graphic, December 9, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
REPORTS of some police personnel refusing to patronise food from the military canteen in Bawku has elicited a strong warning from the Police Administration that they would be dealt with according to Ghana Police Service Disciplinary Code.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that it was most unfortunate for any police officer to refuse to patronise the food at the military canteen after a high-powered meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to address concerns of police personnel on peace duties in Bawku took the decision.
He, therefore, asked the personnel to rethink their position if they thought that the money being paid as their canteen fees would be given to them.
More than 300 police personnel have been deployed in the Bawku area to keep the peace but since the authorities started the feeding programme on Monday, only 30 per cent of the personnel are reported to be patronising the canteen while the remaining 70 per cent say they should be given their GH¢10 feeding allowance in cash.
Mr Quaye explained that the decision to ask the police personnel on duty in Bawku to join their military counterparts was based on complaints by the personnel and other considerations made by the commanders in the area.
He noted for instance that the personnel often complained that the GH¢4 being paid as ration for a day was inadequate.
Operationally, he said, there were reports that each time police personnel were needed for duties, they often used the excuse of going to look for food to avoid taking up responsibilities.
The IGP said some of the personnel also always complained of sicknesses as a result of what they claimed was poor food.
He said based on these reports, the leadership of the Police Administration made requests to the government for financial support to deal with the challenges.
He said at a meeting convened by the Chief of Staff, Mr Joseph Henry Newman, and attended by the ministers of the Interior and Defence, Mr Cletus Avoka and Lt Gen J. H. Smith; the National Security Advisor, Brigadier-Gen Nunoo Mensah; the National Security Co-ordinator, Lt Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey; the Police Administration and the Military High Command, a decision was taken for the military to take up the additional responsibility of feeding the police personnel at the military cafeteria in Bawku.
He explained that the National Security Secretariat supported the move with an upward review of the GH¢4 to GH¢10 so that nutritious food could be provided on timely basis for all the security personnel.
Mr Quaye said the decision for the police personnel to join the military in the cafeteria was to reduce the extra burden of going round to look for food when duty called.
He said it was also to remove the seemingly imbalance between the military and the police as some police personnel complained that the military were better catered for.
“I want to tell them refusal to eat is not in their interest or that of the nation,” he said.
Mr Quaye reminded the police personnel that they were not sent to Bawku to make money but to keep the peace, which was part of their calling.
He gave the assurance that disciplinary measures would be taken against any police officer who failed to comply.
“No personnel will be allowed to draw the service back,” he warned.
Story: Albert K. Salia
REPORTS of some police personnel refusing to patronise food from the military canteen in Bawku has elicited a strong warning from the Police Administration that they would be dealt with according to Ghana Police Service Disciplinary Code.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that it was most unfortunate for any police officer to refuse to patronise the food at the military canteen after a high-powered meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to address concerns of police personnel on peace duties in Bawku took the decision.
He, therefore, asked the personnel to rethink their position if they thought that the money being paid as their canteen fees would be given to them.
More than 300 police personnel have been deployed in the Bawku area to keep the peace but since the authorities started the feeding programme on Monday, only 30 per cent of the personnel are reported to be patronising the canteen while the remaining 70 per cent say they should be given their GH¢10 feeding allowance in cash.
Mr Quaye explained that the decision to ask the police personnel on duty in Bawku to join their military counterparts was based on complaints by the personnel and other considerations made by the commanders in the area.
He noted for instance that the personnel often complained that the GH¢4 being paid as ration for a day was inadequate.
Operationally, he said, there were reports that each time police personnel were needed for duties, they often used the excuse of going to look for food to avoid taking up responsibilities.
The IGP said some of the personnel also always complained of sicknesses as a result of what they claimed was poor food.
He said based on these reports, the leadership of the Police Administration made requests to the government for financial support to deal with the challenges.
He said at a meeting convened by the Chief of Staff, Mr Joseph Henry Newman, and attended by the ministers of the Interior and Defence, Mr Cletus Avoka and Lt Gen J. H. Smith; the National Security Advisor, Brigadier-Gen Nunoo Mensah; the National Security Co-ordinator, Lt Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey; the Police Administration and the Military High Command, a decision was taken for the military to take up the additional responsibility of feeding the police personnel at the military cafeteria in Bawku.
He explained that the National Security Secretariat supported the move with an upward review of the GH¢4 to GH¢10 so that nutritious food could be provided on timely basis for all the security personnel.
Mr Quaye said the decision for the police personnel to join the military in the cafeteria was to reduce the extra burden of going round to look for food when duty called.
He said it was also to remove the seemingly imbalance between the military and the police as some police personnel complained that the military were better catered for.
“I want to tell them refusal to eat is not in their interest or that of the nation,” he said.
Mr Quaye reminded the police personnel that they were not sent to Bawku to make money but to keep the peace, which was part of their calling.
He gave the assurance that disciplinary measures would be taken against any police officer who failed to comply.
“No personnel will be allowed to draw the service back,” he warned.
Prof. Ayee is Deputy Vice Chancellor of KwaZulu Natal varsity
Page 11: Daily Graphic, December 9, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PROFESSOR Joseph R. A. Ayee has been appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa.
He is also to head the College of Humanities of the UKZN, effective January 1, 2010 for five years, after which he will be appointed as permanent staff of the university to the post of Professor in the School of Politics for another three years.
Prof. Ayee is the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, a position he held from April 2002 to July this year. He was also the head of the Department of Political Science from 1995-2000.
Regarded as an accomplished teacher in Public Administration and Public Policy, Prof. Ayee scooped the University of Ghana 2006 Best Teacher Award in Humanities and elected Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in December 2005.
As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the college, Prof. Ayee will be leading the academic and research strategy and realising the academic mandate of the university.
He will also be responsible for the strategic, financial and risk planning and the successful governance and management of the university, in line with its vision, mission and goals.
In addition, Prof. Ayee, as part of his executive management duties, will assist the Vice Chancellor in terms of the day-to-day management and administration of the university and deputise for the Vice Chancellor as and when necessary.
At the college level, he will oversee the implementation of institutional strategic plan, focusing on the key areas of research, scholarship, teaching and community engagement.
Prof.Ayee is a member of the African Association of Public Administration and Management, the Policy Studies Association, the African Association of Political Science and a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Management.
He ventured into academia as a teaching assistant (TA) at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science in 1979, before he climbed up the academic ladder.
Prof. Ayee obtained his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after obtaining his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Ghana, Legon.
While based at the University of Ghana for most of his academic career, Prof. Ayee had lectured at two other African universities, the College of Administration in Socket, Nigeria, in 1982 and the University of Swaziland in 1987.
Prof. Ayee has made his mark as an academic and scholar after successfully publishing 144 peer reviewed journal articles and 12 books, including, “An Anatomy of Public Policy Implementation: The Case of Decentralisation Policies in Ghana”; “Decentralisation and Conflict: The Case of District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament in Ghana” and “Some Thoughts on Ministerial Reshuffles in Ghana”.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his new appointment, Prof. Ayee said he rated his appointment as Chair in Leadership Studies at the UNESCO/United Nations University Leadership Academy in 2000 as his best leadership success.
He said training and development of staff within the College of Humanities, aimed at increasing human resource capacity, would be a priority when he moves to the UKZN.
According to him, “I intend to make the college a better place of excellence in African scholarship and learning”.
Prof. Ayee said his vision was to lead the college to produce the kinds of relevant teaching and research that would make its disciplines and programmes the best of their types on African scholarship in the world.
“Some of the strategies to achieve the vision include the rationalisation of some units, review of programme offerings for relevance, articulation, enhancement and elimination as well as encouraging research through staff and graduate training,” he said.
The UKZN is the third largest university in South Africa, with a student population of 45,000 spread over five campuses.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PROFESSOR Joseph R. A. Ayee has been appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa.
He is also to head the College of Humanities of the UKZN, effective January 1, 2010 for five years, after which he will be appointed as permanent staff of the university to the post of Professor in the School of Politics for another three years.
Prof. Ayee is the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, a position he held from April 2002 to July this year. He was also the head of the Department of Political Science from 1995-2000.
Regarded as an accomplished teacher in Public Administration and Public Policy, Prof. Ayee scooped the University of Ghana 2006 Best Teacher Award in Humanities and elected Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in December 2005.
As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the college, Prof. Ayee will be leading the academic and research strategy and realising the academic mandate of the university.
He will also be responsible for the strategic, financial and risk planning and the successful governance and management of the university, in line with its vision, mission and goals.
In addition, Prof. Ayee, as part of his executive management duties, will assist the Vice Chancellor in terms of the day-to-day management and administration of the university and deputise for the Vice Chancellor as and when necessary.
At the college level, he will oversee the implementation of institutional strategic plan, focusing on the key areas of research, scholarship, teaching and community engagement.
Prof.Ayee is a member of the African Association of Public Administration and Management, the Policy Studies Association, the African Association of Political Science and a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Management.
He ventured into academia as a teaching assistant (TA) at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science in 1979, before he climbed up the academic ladder.
Prof. Ayee obtained his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after obtaining his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Ghana, Legon.
While based at the University of Ghana for most of his academic career, Prof. Ayee had lectured at two other African universities, the College of Administration in Socket, Nigeria, in 1982 and the University of Swaziland in 1987.
Prof. Ayee has made his mark as an academic and scholar after successfully publishing 144 peer reviewed journal articles and 12 books, including, “An Anatomy of Public Policy Implementation: The Case of Decentralisation Policies in Ghana”; “Decentralisation and Conflict: The Case of District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament in Ghana” and “Some Thoughts on Ministerial Reshuffles in Ghana”.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his new appointment, Prof. Ayee said he rated his appointment as Chair in Leadership Studies at the UNESCO/United Nations University Leadership Academy in 2000 as his best leadership success.
He said training and development of staff within the College of Humanities, aimed at increasing human resource capacity, would be a priority when he moves to the UKZN.
According to him, “I intend to make the college a better place of excellence in African scholarship and learning”.
Prof. Ayee said his vision was to lead the college to produce the kinds of relevant teaching and research that would make its disciplines and programmes the best of their types on African scholarship in the world.
“Some of the strategies to achieve the vision include the rationalisation of some units, review of programme offerings for relevance, articulation, enhancement and elimination as well as encouraging research through staff and graduate training,” he said.
The UKZN is the third largest university in South Africa, with a student population of 45,000 spread over five campuses.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Police arrest two illegal arms dealers
Page 48: Daily Graphic, December 8, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE James Town Police have arrested two persons for allegedly dealing in illegal firearms.
Francis Doe Dewortor, 35, and William Agbenyega Kustsatsor, 25, are in custody.
A third person, identified only as Agbee and believed to be the manufacturer, is currently on the run.
Four locally-manufactured pistols were retrieved from the suspects at the time of their arrest at the National Lotteries area in Accra.
A swoop by the police at the residence of Agbee at Agoe near Adidome in the Volta Region led to the retrieval of an anvil, bellows, metal traps, empty cartridges and firearm barrels.
The James Town District Police Commander, Superintendent Joseph Oklu Gyamera told newsmen in Accra that the suspects were arrested last Wednesday upon a tip-off that they were selling the four pistols at the National Lotteries area at GH¢70 each.
He said the police quickly arranged a meeting place on the pretext of buying the pistols.
He said upon their arrest, Francis informed the police that he got the pistols from Agbee, whom he described as a relative.
Supt Gyamera said Francis further informed the police that Agbee was the manufacturer at Agoe.
Based on that information, Supt Gyamera said the District Crime Officer, DSP Alex Buabin led a team to the village with the view of arresting Agbee.
Unfortunately, he said, Agbee had escaped but the police were able to retrieve some items from Agbee’s hut.
Supt Gyamera said the docket on the case had been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s office for advice.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE James Town Police have arrested two persons for allegedly dealing in illegal firearms.
Francis Doe Dewortor, 35, and William Agbenyega Kustsatsor, 25, are in custody.
A third person, identified only as Agbee and believed to be the manufacturer, is currently on the run.
Four locally-manufactured pistols were retrieved from the suspects at the time of their arrest at the National Lotteries area in Accra.
A swoop by the police at the residence of Agbee at Agoe near Adidome in the Volta Region led to the retrieval of an anvil, bellows, metal traps, empty cartridges and firearm barrels.
The James Town District Police Commander, Superintendent Joseph Oklu Gyamera told newsmen in Accra that the suspects were arrested last Wednesday upon a tip-off that they were selling the four pistols at the National Lotteries area at GH¢70 each.
He said the police quickly arranged a meeting place on the pretext of buying the pistols.
He said upon their arrest, Francis informed the police that he got the pistols from Agbee, whom he described as a relative.
Supt Gyamera said Francis further informed the police that Agbee was the manufacturer at Agoe.
Based on that information, Supt Gyamera said the District Crime Officer, DSP Alex Buabin led a team to the village with the view of arresting Agbee.
Unfortunately, he said, Agbee had escaped but the police were able to retrieve some items from Agbee’s hut.
Supt Gyamera said the docket on the case had been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s office for advice.
Ghana chairs Council of Member States of IDEA
Page 15: Daily Graphic, December 8, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
GHANA has been elected Chairman of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an inter-governmental pro-democracy group.
The election of Ghana for the chairmanship of the IDEA Council took place during the 18th Session of the Council of Member States of IDEA, which took place in Mexico City.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, was one of the key speakers on issues of global development and consolidation of democracy at the three-day session which ended last week Wednesday.
It was on the theme: “Democracy at crossroads — the challenges of illicit finance in politics.”
Ghana was earlier in the week elected to chair the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at the just-ended Commonwealth Summit held in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
Alhaji Mumuni told the Daily Graphic that the election of Ghana to chair those two major inter-governmental bodies was in recognition of the country within the international community as a trail blazer in the area of democratic development, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
He said the confidence reposed in Ghana by the international community was clearly in recognition of the fact that Ghana now served as a model of democracy and a beacon of hope for most African and developing countries.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to be proud of those two major achievements and work hard to consolidate democracy in the country.
He said Ghana, having been elected to chair the Council, would host the 19th Session of the Council in December, 2010 during which the next chair would be elected.
The session usually brings together Foreign Ministers of all member states of IDEA to deliberate on issues of global democratic development.
The global pro-democracy group was established as an inter-governmental organisation by 14 countries in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1995.
With its headquarters in Stockholm, IDEA seeks to promote and advanced sustainable democracy worldwide through a global effort to consolidate democratic electoral processes.
Currently, IDEA has 25 members with Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Cape Verde and Ghana as the only African members. Other member countries include Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, among others.
Story: Albert K. Salia
GHANA has been elected Chairman of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an inter-governmental pro-democracy group.
The election of Ghana for the chairmanship of the IDEA Council took place during the 18th Session of the Council of Member States of IDEA, which took place in Mexico City.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, was one of the key speakers on issues of global development and consolidation of democracy at the three-day session which ended last week Wednesday.
It was on the theme: “Democracy at crossroads — the challenges of illicit finance in politics.”
Ghana was earlier in the week elected to chair the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at the just-ended Commonwealth Summit held in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
Alhaji Mumuni told the Daily Graphic that the election of Ghana to chair those two major inter-governmental bodies was in recognition of the country within the international community as a trail blazer in the area of democratic development, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
He said the confidence reposed in Ghana by the international community was clearly in recognition of the fact that Ghana now served as a model of democracy and a beacon of hope for most African and developing countries.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to be proud of those two major achievements and work hard to consolidate democracy in the country.
He said Ghana, having been elected to chair the Council, would host the 19th Session of the Council in December, 2010 during which the next chair would be elected.
The session usually brings together Foreign Ministers of all member states of IDEA to deliberate on issues of global democratic development.
The global pro-democracy group was established as an inter-governmental organisation by 14 countries in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1995.
With its headquarters in Stockholm, IDEA seeks to promote and advanced sustainable democracy worldwide through a global effort to consolidate democratic electoral processes.
Currently, IDEA has 25 members with Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Cape Verde and Ghana as the only African members. Other member countries include Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, among others.
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