CHARLES ANTWI- SUSPECTED GUNMAN @ PRESIDENT MAHAMA'S CHURCH

The gunman who said he had wanted to assassinate President John Mahama has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

The suspect, Charles Antwi was arrested last Sunday for wielding a loaded and cocked pistol at the Ringway Gospel Centre branch of the Assemblies of God Church in Accra where President Mahama worships.

Charles Antwi has been charged with unlawful possession of firearm.

He pleaded guilty to the charge proferred against him in court on Tuesday.
Security expert with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre has said the arrest of a 36-year-old man with a weapon in a church attended by the president is a major security breach.

Dr Kwesi Aning minced no words in criticising what he believes is the poor job done by the national security operatives protecting the president.

A 36-year-old man was arrested Sunday morning at the Ringway branch of the Assemblies of God Church with a weapon hidden in his under pants.

He was said to be fidgety and suspicious shortly after taking his seat on the third row of the pew just behind where the president and his family would have sat if they were in church.

Some security personnel noticed his suspicious behaviour and arrested him.

Dr Aning said the laxity with which the security detail has treated issues relating to the president's security is to say the least appalling.

There should have been careful planning, lots of profiling of people who attended the church; scanners and searches ought to have been conducted on people before granting them access into the church, he stated.

He said all that could have been done with a professional touch without compromising on the sanctity of the church service.

Dr Kwasi Aning pointed out that protecting presidents is not about "wearing dark glasses," adding to allow a man with a weapon into a church attended not only by the president and his family but by the Chief Justice as well is the height of ineptitude.

He chronicled a litany of security breaches in the last few weeks and months which ought to have put the president's security detail on the alert but sadly, he noted they have been sleeping on the job.

He cited the violent demonstration by residents of Sodom and Gomorrah after their houses were demolished; the placards they wielded some of which called for Boko Haram; the breach of VVIP at the KIA [the only terminal used by the president] which allowed Nayele and her gang to slip through with cocaine and some other breaches he said should have kept the national security detail on their toes.

The security expert is therefore urging further training for the security personnel guiding the president.

CREDIT: GHANAWEB

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA TO RE-INTRODUCE ROAD TOLLS

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA-LEGON

The University of Ghana is likely to restart the charging of road tolls soon. This follows the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a case against the school over its decision to charge road tolls to offset a GH¢8 million loan it contracted for rehabilitation of its roads.

According to Citifmonline.com, the move is as a result of government’s failure to reimburse the university as it had promised when authorities introduced the road tolls in February 2014.

In an interview, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ernest Aryeetey revealed that his checks at the bank indicate that the Ministry of Roads and Highway’s financial commitment had not yet been met.

“Government as far as I know is doing what it can to make payments but I also know that the Bank has not received any payment.”

Prof Aryeetey noted that, although the University had suspended the collection of road tolls, it had not ruled out going back on the idea.

According to him, the outcome of the suit against the University at the Supreme Court was much expected, adding that, “right from the beginning, we knew there was no constitutional matter here. Indeed, I can go further and say there was no legal issue there. Parliament had said the University of Ghana was within its rights as far as the law was concerned to do what it did.”

Prof Aryeetey further explained that the management of the university would meet to discuss the way forward as far as the collection of road tolls was concerned.

“As a university we have to sit down and take into account all that has happened and decide what we want to do but for the avoidance of doubt, there is no legal impediment to do what we did,” he noted.


CREDIT: GHANAWEB

DUMSOR IN GHANA'S PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENT OF GHANA IN DARKNESS

Parliament has been forced to suspend its sitting for a while after the legislature was hit with a power cut Wednesday.

Kasapa FM‘s Stephen Odoi-Larbi reports that:

“The MPs were in the thick of affairs considering various loan agreements the country has entered into with some international organisations when the incident happened.

“The chamber is partially in darkness. The foyer and other offices of Parliament are also partially in darkness.

“The Minority, who were not enthused about the situation, have protested saying, “upon all the loans, President Mahama cannot fix dumsor”.

“The members are using their mobile phone torch light systems to aid their reading of the day’s Order Paper and other official documents which has been laid before the House for consideration and adoption.

“Members have now resigned to their seats chatting with one another.”

Kasapafmonline.com has learnt that the facility’s stanby generator has no fuel to generate electricity.

CREDIT: KASAPAONLINE.COM

NO PLACE FOR MONEY MAKING UNDER MY GOVERNANCE- NANA AKUFO ADDO

NANA AKUFO ADDO-LEADRER OF NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo has sounded a note of caution to persons hoping to serve in his government with the sole aim of amassing wealth to look elsewhere.

Addressing party members at Manchester in the United Kingdom, Nana Addo said: “If your goal in coming into government is to enrich yourself, then don’t come. Go to the private sector. Public service is going to be exactly that; public service!”

He directed such persons who want to dip their hands into the public purse to rather find their way to the private sector because when he is voted as President, he will jealously guard public funds.

According to him, he is not against any individual who wants to make money but “if that is your goal, stick to the private sector; don’t come into the public service.”

The NPP flagbearer announced that as President, he will create an office of Special Prosecutor in Ghana’s public space to ensure accountability.

The Special Prosecutor will be charged to fight against corruption.

Persons who will serve in this special office will not be chosen by the President but “by a formula that will ensure their independence and the capacity to do their work.”

He remarked that the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) as presently constituted is not strong enough to be the “fulcrum for the anti-corruption drive in our country.”

“It is an ombudsman, a human rights watchdog, and it is also an anti-corruption agency,” he noted.

These duties, he said, are too broad for one institution to undertake effectively, therefore, as President, he will take away the anti-corruption fight from CHRAJ and give that responsibility to the Office of Special Prosecutor.

CREDIT: GHANAWEB

GNPC TO BEGIN WORK ON VOLTA BASIN

MAP OF GHANA(IN RED IS THE VOLTA REGION)

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is to commence seismic activities on the Voltaian Basin in the Northern Region to determine its hydrocarbon potential.

This is expected to be done after the Corporation has completed its assessment and feasibility studies to determine the quantity and quality of hydrocarbon in the area.

The Voltaian Basin is an about 104,000 kilometres square onshore oil basin, spread across the country, 52 percent of which is located in the Northern Region.

This came to light when the GNPC held a stakeholders forum in Tamale to seek the views of affected communities.

The consultation forum forms part of its Environmental Impact Assessment process required by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the views of the affected communities are heard before execution of the project to avoid any future havoc and conflict.

The corporation has already held stakeholders’ consultative forums in 12 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) such as Tamale, Yendi, Nanumba North and South, West and East Mamprusi, Mion, East Gonja, Savelugu/Nanton, Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo and Mamprugu-Moaduri with Central Gonja and Karaga to benefit from the forum.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Seth Foli -- Environmental Engineer of the Voltaian Basin Project, said the project cannot be executed without notice to the communities though it has been approved by the appropriate authorities.

He said the project will affect vegetation in the communities, such as farming activities; creation of noise and dust will also affect the health status of the people, as well as disturbance of wildlife, archaeological, cultural and religious interests.

According to the engineer, measures will be put in place to ensure that the affected victims are well-compensated in order not to take their source of livelihoods from them, but rather continue life somewhere else.

He assured the views of the public will be addressed for peaceful cooperation when the exercise starts, with the majority of youth in the area benefitting from it.

Though the participants welcomed the initiative, which will go a long way to enhance the economic status of rural areas, they urged the GNPC to ensure fulfilling its promise and complying with rules and regulations of the EPA.

They also advised the GNPC to ensure the project does not affect their water-bodies -- and even where it does, it should endeavour to ensure the people have potable water to drink.

“We will be grateful if they can be free and fair in the course of paying the compensation to avoid any chaos,” they said.

They called on the GNPC to collaborate with the traditional leaders to allocate a better place for some of the farmers to continue their farming activities and earn a living.

CREDIT: GHANAWEB

I DIDN'T TAKE c5000 FROM NPP FOR DUMSOR VIGIL- YVONNE NELSON

YVONNE NELSON

Actress Yvonne Nelson has debunked reports she took money from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to organize the Dumsor vigil.

There have been reports that John Boadu, who is the National Organizer of NPP, allegedly stated in a budgetary allocation to party executives that he took GH¢5000 from the party’s coffers for actress Yvonne Nelson to support her dumsor campaign.

However, Yvonne Nelson has denied being supported by the political party in her campaign.

She has threatened to sue and compel those spreading such false rumours to substantiate their claims.

“For those who wake up everyday writing and saying dumb stories. Be warned! One of you will be sued one of these days. Stupid 5K story,” an angry Yvonne Nelson said.

“Various parties need to get their act together. What my team and I did, was for GHANA! You wanna spread fake pathetic stories, good luck,” she further stressed.

The campaign, which was geared towards registering their displeasure over the inconsistent power supply, was attended by thousands.


Credit: GHANAWEB

GET INFORMED: RAWLINGS' DAUGHTER TO CONTEST NDC PRIMARIES.

GET INFORMED: RAWLINGS' DAUGHTER TO CONTEST NDC PRIMARIES.: DR. EZENATOR RAWLINGS As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winds down its parliamentary primaries, the ruling National Democratic Congres...

RAWLINGS' DAUGHTER TO CONTEST NDC PRIMARIES.

DR. EZENATOR RAWLINGS

As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winds down its parliamentary primaries, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is getting ready to start theirs.

It is expected that the NDC will hold their primaries in the orphan constituencies in October, this year. March, 2016 is the scheduled date for primaries in constituencies with NDC sitting Members of Parliament (MPs).

There are credible indications that pressure is mounting from the grassroots of the NDC for the eldest child of the former First Family, Dr. Ezenator Rawlings to contest the NDC primaries. It is likely that if ex-President Jerry Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu agree to convince Ezenator to heed to those calls, she would be spoilt for choice.

In the Greater Accra Region, it is likely that she could contest in the NDC primaries in the Klottey Korle constituency where the incumbent NDC MP is a 65-year-old lawyer, Nii Armah Ashietey.

There are credible reports Nii Ashietey would not be contesting the NDC primaries – he will retire from active politics. If Ezenator decides to contest in the Klottey Korle constituency, she is likely to meet the person tipped to win the NPP’s primary in Klottey Korle, Mr. Philip Addison, a lawyer.

Klottey Korle is one of the swing constituencies in Ghanaian elections. The NDC won the seat in 2012 with 36,122 votes (48.55%) and the NPP – 34,847 (46.83%).

Ezenator, who is a medical doctor, is also being courted by some constituencies in the Volta Region to contest the primaries there.

The NDC MP for Ablekuma South, Mr. Fritz Frederic Baffour, 63, is quitting Parliament. He will not be contesting the NDC primary and the Mayor of Accra, Mr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuye is one of those expected to contest to be the NDC’s candidate.

The NPP won the Ayawaso Central seat in 2008 and 2012 by a margin of less than 1,000 votes. The incumbent MP, Mr. Henry Qautey, will be flying the NPP’s flag in 2016.

One of the persons likely to contest the NDC’s primaries in this constituency is the Director of Communications at Zoomlion, Mr. Robert Coleman.

CREDIT: GHANAWEB

GET INFORMED: FIRE GUTTED ABUJA SLUM IN ACCRA

GET INFORMED: FIRE GUTTED ABUJA SLUM IN ACCRA: BILLY ANARGLATE-PRO OF THE GHANA FIRE SERVICE Fire has gutted Abuja slum closer to Headquarters of Cocoa Board a suburb of Accra at...

GET INFORMED: FIRE GUTTED ABUJA SLUM IN ACCRA

GET INFORMED: FIRE GUTTED ABUJA SLUM IN ACCRA: BILLY ANARGLATE-PRO OF THE GHANA FIRE SERVICE Fire has gutted Abuja slum closer to Headquarters of Cocoa Board a suburb of Accra at...

FIRE GUTTED ABUJA SLUM IN ACCRA

BILLY ANARGLATE-PRO OF THE GHANA FIRE SERVICE

Fire has gutted Abuja slum closer to Headquarters of Cocoa Board a suburb of Accra at about 10 p.m. The cause of the fire is yet to be known as the Ghana Fire Service is on the grounds to bring the fire under control. According to the Public Relation Officer of the Ghana Fire Service, Prince Billy Anarglate the fire will be brought under control even though there were a lot of combustible materials that may fuel the fire to spread even to the Headquarters of Cocoa Board.

The settlers there are in grief, with some already counting their losses – in what could run into thousands of cedis.

 Attempts are being made by some of them to retrieve their items, most of which are stuck in the inferno.

TEACHERS SEXUALLY MOLESTED GIRLS OF HO BASIC SCHOOL

Girls of Ho Airfield Basic School are reportedly living in fear following alleged sexual harassment from their male teachers.

At least 10 girls have been sexually assaulted by three male teachers at different times within the academic year.

A girl who was said to have been impregnated by one of the teachers reportedly had to abort the pregnancy few weeks ago in order to participate in the recent Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE).

A source at the school said the teachers occasionally fondle the breasts of female students and hit their buttocks on the blind side of their colleagues.

The source said some of the teachers befriend the girls, some in class four and five and normally entice them with money, which they tuck into their exercise books after marking them.

The source said a few of the girls reported the incident to a staff of “Pagus: Africa”, a non-governmental organisation working in the school, who also reported the issue to the school authorities and officials of Ghana Education Service.

When contacted, Mr Alexander Boadi, acting Volta Regional Director of Education confirmed the incident and said the service is investigating the issue and so has transferred the teachers so that they would not influence investigations.

Madam Christine Kugbadzor, Regional Head of Girls Education Unit, corroborated the incident and called for stiffer punishment for the teachers.

Credit: Ghanaweb

I WARNED GOVERNMENT OF PLASTIC MENACE- NUNOO MENSAH

NUNOO MENSAH

A former National Security Coordinator Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah has backed calls on the ban on plastics in the country, saying that he had warned government six years ago about the dangers it poses to the environment.

“You wouldn’t believe it but on 3rd of June 2009, six years ago, I warned the government that something ought to be done about plastics because they will destroy our environment, they will pose threats which we may not be able to contain. Exactly on the 3rd of June, six years on, we had this problem, so we need to take action now,” he stated.

This follows President Mahama’s caution to plastic producers that the use of plastics would be banned should the producers fail to ensure the right disposal of such materials.

He observed that plastic materials are currently the main pollutants of the environment hence the need for proper management of plastic waste in the country.

Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah in an interview with Citi News said action must be taken immediately.

Nunoo Mensah further attributed the June 3 disaster to the lack of proper management of plastic waste, which he said, has led to choked drains.

“Most of our inland water bodies have been so polluted that fish can no longer survive in the lagoons like the Kpeshie, Tsemu or the Korle Lagoon, whereas years ago you can go into these lagoons and catch healthy Tilapia and have a healthy meal. If we don’t deal with this plastic waste, it will destroy us.”

“On June 3rd this year, we had a very devastating flood which claimed so many lives, but indeed I do. The Korle Lagoon which is supposed to take water out into the ocean has been silted with all kinds of materials mainly plastics that don’t rust or decay, they are going to be there for many years. Most of our drains are choked with plastic waste. The water that is supposed to flow through them to the sea do not flow so at the end they flood our towns and cities,” he added.
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Credit: Ghanaweb