The Accra-Kumasi road dualization project, as well as the Sinohydro Inner City Roads project in Kumasi, are both proceeding well, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. This project is part of the president’s ‘building Ghana together’ program, he said in a tweet on Monday, June 20.
As part of the ongoing Accra-Kumasi highway dualization project to alleviate vehicular traffic, construction of four major by-pass routes on the Accra-Kumasi highway began in March 2022.
The Osino by-pass is 11.6 kilometers long, the Anyinam bypass is 6.1 kilometers long, the Enyiresi by-pass is 10.6 kilometers long, and the Konogo by-pass is 13.5 kilometers long.
To that goal, the government signed eight separate contracts for the program totaling GHc2 billion.
Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Chairman of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, made the news.
“The government is doing these initiatives with the goal of reducing accidents on this stretch of road and managing the heavy traffic flow for motorists and other road users,” he said.
“These are government-awarded contracts; the corporations are the largest construction companies in Ghana with the most resources,” he explained.
Blessed Godsbrain Smart, host of Maakye on Onua TV/FM, has asked the National Cathedral’s Board of Trustees for permission to use the cement he has supplied so far for the project.
Captain Smart, as he is affectionately known, stated that the value of work completed thus far on the site and the amount spent on construction do not add up.
Captain Smart, while raving on his show on Monday, June 20, 2022, stated that the Board of Trustees must answer for the funds spent thus far, as the government has stated that the Board is responsible for the fund’s disbursement.
Following the project’s start, the broadcaster pledged to provide 100 bags of cement to the project at the end of each month.
Aside from the GH200 million the government has already spent, including the GH32 million paid to Sir Adjaye and Associates as consultant fees, a fund has been established for citizens to donate to the edifice.
After visiting the building site to film the controversy that erupted after North Tongu Legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the amount of money the government has so far invested in the cathedral, he has been asking:
“Where is the money? Whoever is in possession of any of the money should bring it. The government says they don’t disburse the funds but rather the Board of Trustee. Is this the representation of the money given you so far? Where is my cement? What did you use it for? Can this represent the money spent so far? I’m asking the Board of Trustees because the government says the money is disbursed by you.”
Watch him speak on the issue on his show this morning.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said it is keenly monitoring the payment of rental income tax across the country, and will soon take action against defaulting landlords and property owners.
Despite high compliance of payment, general perception has it that the sector has been left untapped by the tax authority.
“When it comes to rent-income tax, there is a project that is raking in lots of revenue for GRA by the use of geospatial data – a software being used by the authority in collaboration with the various district assemblies to collect rent income tax,” Isaac Kwabena Amoako, Head-Project Management Unit of the GRA told the B&FT.
“We assure the public that those who are evading this tax will soon be contacted to render an account, with the necessary sanctions,” he added.
He said collection of the tax has been automated since 2020, with various district assemblies contacting property owners in their districts to ensure payment. Mr. Amoako said, like any other system, there are people who may contravene; but emphasised that the GRA is determined to ensure 100 percent compliance in the rent sub-sector.
On responsiveness, he noted that when the assemblies take digital records of the properties in their jurisdictions, then through the geospatial data software GRA is able to know whether the said property is being rented or not, adding: “This process has raked in massive revenue since 2020”.
Mr. Amoako was speaking on the margins of an E-levy forum with traders in Accra, where some participants expressed views on the purported neglect of rent tax revenue; a sector they said is very profitable.
There are two rates for rent tax according to the GRA; 8 percent for residential premises and 15 percent for non-residential premises.
The revenue, the tax authority indicates, must be paid within 30 days after the rent income is received by landlords or property owners.
Despite the use of technology for the tax collection, the GRA has been reminding property owners to make copies of all receipts of rent tax payments for inspection by officers of the authority when the need arises.
The authority maintains that failure to pay the tax on rent income by the due date, attracts an interest of 125 percent of the statutory rate compounded monthly.
Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered the arrest of four more police officers in connection with the disturbances at the Kumasi Islamic Senior High School last week.
While analyzing CCTV footage of the turmoil that transpired when police officers rushed the school to disrupt a student protest last Monday, the cops were captured on tape making Islamophobic comments.
“Have you seen their mentality [referring to pupils of the Islamic SHS]?” one of the cops running commentary while examining the CCTV tape is heard saying in a video that has gone viral on social media. Do you suppose they’d act the same way if it was an Akan school?” “They’re filthy,” observed another. They’re filthy! There are Muslims wherever they go.
Following this event, the Ghana Police Service’s Operations Commander, DCOP Mohammed Suraji, led a delegation to Kumasi’s Zongo Chief, Alhaji Umar Sulta Farouk, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
DCOP Suraji confirmed the officers’ interdiction during the visit, according to a report by Asaaseradion.com.
“Such [a remark] does not reflect the Ghana police force.” As a result, we’ve come to apologize. The cops, including a chief inspector, have been detained as I speak. They are being investigated by the military for their unprofessional behavior, and we agree with this decision. DCOP Suraji stated, “We should regard this with the disdain it deserves.”
DCOP Suraji emphasized the police’s commitment to respecting all Ghanaians, regardless of their political, religious, or tribal affiliation.
The police administration’s newest interdiction puts the total number of officers arrested for the disruptions at the Kumasi Islamic Senior High School to seven.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6VhzvQaAtac
On Monday, June 13, 2022, students from Kumasi Islamic Senior High School caused heavy traffic on the Abrepo road that runs in front of their campus to express their discontent with the area’s regular accidents.
The outraged pupils claimed that they and their teachers had become victims of regular pedestrian knockdowns and that the protest was intended to raise attention to their condition.
However, a police force sent in to quiet the students decided to manage the situation by firing firearms and teargas.
This created an even more chaotic situation, with 30 pupils passing out and having to be transported to the hospital.
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. says government should stop blaming the rising cost of fuel prices on Ukraine and Russia impasse.
Over the months, there’s been astronomical increases in fuel prices, hence burdening commercial and private drivers and passengers.
The prices currently stand at over 10 cedis and 12 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively.
However, the government blames the Ukraine/Russia war for the fuel price increases.
William Owuraku Aidoo, a Deputy Minister of Energy, has said that the recent surge in prices of petroleum products in the country is due to the conflict in Eastern Europe.
According to a publication on pulse.com.gh, Mr. Aidoo, in an adress before Parliament, stated the government’s hands are tied in intervening because of the deregulatory regime.
“Sanctions and boycotts on petroleum exports from Russia, a major exporter especially to Europe, are reducing availability even further and intensifying upward pressure on fuel prices. Under the current deregulated regime in Ghana where govenrment is not responsible for determining the prices of petroleum products, prices on the global market and the depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar are passed on directly to the end-consumer,” he said.
Also according to the Deputy National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Asante Yeboah, Ghana is following the sanctions imposed on Russia by some member countries of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN).
These sanctions, he noted, make it impossible for Ghana to buy fuel directly from Russia which is selling at subsidized prices to other countries.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, Kwesi Pratt snapped at government’s explanation that the Ukraine/Russia war is the cause of the recurrent fuel price increases.
“When you go to Western Europe, it has a fuel crisis which is self-imposed. They have placed sanctions on Russia. They are the ones saying we can’t pay you if you bring the fuel which has resulted in this crisis. Other third world countries that are still buying their fuel from Russia, they are buying it at subsidized rate; rate below the price at the Ukrainian war.
“So, if we want the fuel price to reduce, why can other countries buy petrol from Russia at a moderate price but we can’t?…Did I tell you to join the sanction regime? If you are a government and America says we should sanction Russia and you know when you sanction Russia, you will suffer but you do it anyway, what are you talking about?…You choose to follow America and you are suffering, then return to tell us to blame Ukriane/Russia war, are you not the one who caused it? Stop saying these things!”, he fumed.
He wondered why the Government of Ghana is not buying fuel directly from Russia when the Eastern European nation is selling her gas at subsidized price.
“Any Ghanaian who will be boldly point to himself or herself that the petroleum problem is caused by Ukraine/Russia war doesn’t like the government. In fact, then they want to collapse the government. In this age of enlightenment, what country buys fuel at spot market price today? All this Ukraine/Russia brouhaha, what is affecting is the spot market price…So, spare our ears with this Ukraine/Russia war because you are disgracing the government.”
He noted that the Akufo-Addo government cannot blame Ukraine and Russia’s conflict because the country is purchasing fuel at the spot market price.
As if to describe the government as incompetent, he stressed it is only an “incompetent and inefficient government that will buy fuel at spot market price”.
Father’s Day was widely observed, but not without a few remarks from notable fathers to assist guide the next generation. McDan urged men to be self-sufficient and not rely on a woman’s income. Dr. Daniel McKorley, the CEO of the McDan Group of Companies and a Ghanaian business magnate, has a short message for men regarding their wives’ income, which he delivered on HitzFM.
“Your wife’s salary is her salary. Don’t come home and fight your wife because she can afford to pay the fees. Even if she is paying the fees, try to take over. You are the man. Been seen to be very responsible.”
McDan, as he is affectionately known, claims that “I’m very particular about that because a lot of fathers lately are marrying because they want women to pay their bills.”
He concluded with a word of caution, “Dont be a man that a woman pays your bills.”
Concerned Citizens of Akyem State have criticised Presidential Advisor Nana Yaw Osafo-ethnocentric Maafo’s sentiments, which were captured on a covert tape.
In the purported audio, which has lately gone viral, the presidential advisor questioned the Ashanti people’s participation while praising the Akyem tribe for leading the fight for independence during a meeting with delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Eastern Region.
The Concerned Citizens of Akyem State, in a press release signed by its convener, Evans Arkoh-Frempong Oware, pointed out that the senior presidential advisor is a known tribal bigot, as this is not the first time he has made such a declaration.
Mr Osafo-Maafo was secretly taped in 2016 in a meeting in the Eastern Region with Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Nana Akufo-Addo, saying that Akans deserve to reign over ethnic groupings in the country since their territories are resource endowed. This is the second time Mr. Osafo-Maafo has been caught on film in Ghana fueling tribalism, according to the group.
Concerned Citizens of Akyem State have questioned his legitimacy to make such statements as those heard on the hidden audio, claiming that Nana Yaw Osafo-Maafo is not a true Akyem and hence cannot make such statements.
“The man in issue must be thoroughly investigated to determine why he continues to stoke ethnocentric rivalries between Akyem and Asante, as well as Akans and other communities in Ghana.
“Opanin Kwabena Maafo of Akyem Awisa was his father. Madam Akosua Boatemaa of Assin Nsuta was his mother. Mr Jacob Kwakye Maafo, Mr Osafo’s elderly brother, is the Chief of Assin Nsuta, with the stool name Nana Ohemeng Awere V.
“Mr Osafo Maafo is not an Akyem, according to Akyem customs and traditions.” Since Akyems inherit matrilineally, he is an Assin, according to the group.
It went on to say that the presidential advisor “had no authority to speak for the Akyems because he is an Assin.” What if he’s saying things that others can’t?”
“Historically, the Asante Kingdom was free of British rule and autonomous,” the Akyem group said of Ashantis’ role in Ghana’s independence struggle. They did, however, chose to become Ghanaians in order to unite with their Akan brethren. What, then, makes Asante’s contribution to Ghana’s independence so minor?”
The group separated the people of Akyem from the presidential advisor’s comments, calling it as opposed to the promotion of Ashanti-Akyem unity.
“We the people of Akyem want to distance ourselves from such ethnocentric utterances that do not promote unity and development.” Akyem and Asante stand for unity and progress. Anything that goes contrary to the agenda must be eschewed, “the group insisted.
Read the full statement below:
Concerned Citizens of Akyem State Condemns Osafo Marfo Ethnocentric Comment.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Presidential Advisor to His Excellence Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo and Former Senior Minister, was heard on a secret tape on 10th June, 2022 saying the Akyem chiefs contributed significantly to the Independence of Ghana than the Asantes. This is not the first time such ethocentric comment has proceeded from Mr Osafo-Maafo.
In 2016, Mr Osafo-Maafo in a meeting in the Eastern Region with Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Nana Akufo-Addo, he was secretly taped, saying ethnic Akans, deserve to rule over ethnic groups in the country, since their areas are resource endowed than other ethnic groups in the country. This is the second time Mr Osafo-Maafo has been heard on tape stoking tribalism in Ghana.
Is Mr Osafo-Maafo An Akyem?
The man in question must be carefully scrutinised to know why he keeps stoking ethocentric feud between Akyem and Asante and Akans and other groups in Ghana.
His father was Opanin Kwabena Maafo from Akyem Awisa. His mother was Madam Akosua Boatemaa from Assin Nsuta. Mr Osafo’s elderly brother, Mr Jacob Kwakye Maafo, is the Chief of Assin Nsuta with the stool name Nana Ohemeng Awere V.
Per Akyem customs and traditions, Mr Osafo Maafo is not an Akyem. He is an Assin since Akyems inherit matrilinearly.
So traditionally, he has no right to speak for the Akyems as he is an Assin. What if he is saying what others can’t say?
Historically, Asante Kingdom was free from British rule and was independent. However, they decided to unite with their Akan brothers by accepting to be part of Ghana. So, what makes the contribution of Asante trivial in the independence of Ghana?
We the people of Akyem wants to distant ourselves from such ethocentric utterances that do not promote unity and development. Akyem and Asante stands for unity and progress, anything that goes contrary to the agenda must be eschewed.
Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a business magnate, has obtained an Order for Substituted Service in the action brought against Ghanaian actress Afia Schwarzenegger.
Chairman Wontumi, through his lawyer, Maurice Ampaw, sued Afia Schwarzenegger for defaming the plaintiff, asking the court for damages of two million Ghana Cedis (GHC 2,000,000.00).
The petition also requested a permanent injunction prohibiting the defendant, her employees, servants, allies, agents, assignee, or anybody claiming or acting on her behalf from posting any defamatory material against the plaintiff.
The action was filed after the Ghanaian actress claimed in a viral Instagram video that she had sexual relations with Chairman Wontumi and that the latter farts during sex.
Attempts to serve her the suit in person, however, have been ineffective. In light of this, lawyer Maurice Ampaw has obtained an order for substituted service of litigation against Schwarzenegger, according to the Daily Guide.
Afia Schwarzenegger is considered served if Chairman Wontumi and his legal team meet the following conditions: serve the defendant by posting copies of the processes on the Tema High Court’s notice board, any adult member of the defendant’s family, and one publication, according to a Tema High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ankamah.
The order will take effect eight days after it is posted at the different locations specified by the court, according to the sitting judge.
Renowned energy expert Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku has announced his intention to contest the Presidential Primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said he is waiting for the party to open nominations – after the national executive elections in July – to make his intentions official.
Speaking on 3FM‘s First Take on Friday, June 17, Mr Poku said he harboured the intention to aspire for the presidential candidacy in February and since then has engaged the grassroots of the ruling party.
“I think my message with the grassroots is being received gladly across the country,” he told host Nancy Vukania, adding that he will be the youngest aspirant if he files his nomination.
Kwadwo Poku will join the likes of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Trades Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and most recently Kwabena Agyei Agyepong as members of the NPP who have shown interest to lead the party in 2024.
But he insists that he embodies the spirit of youthfulness in the rank and file of the party, citing the likes of John Boadu and Henry Nana Boakye as young members doing a lot for the party.
“I am a young guy who has been in business for the past 20 or so years. . .I don’t think I am a politician. I am an entrepreneur,” he said, adding that he has done “practical work” and has “practical knowledge” of how things should work in Ghana.
‘Corruption is key’
He envisioned renewed ways of practising democracy, pointing out that the current laws seem outdated and no more relevant to the way of governance.
No wonder, he maintains, people are clamouring for a review of the 1992 constitution.
“We need to put Ghana on a pedestal that it will be Ghana for the next 50 years [and] that will mean that some of the laws in the 80s may not be relevant in the next 20 years.”
He stressed: “Corruption is a key thing for me”, noting how he is sickened by greed and how he acts without fear or favour.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, promised God before winning the 2016 elections that the National Cathedral would be built.
The Cathedral, as a national landmark, would have chapels and a baptistery, as well as a 5,000-seat main auditorium that could be expanded to 20,000 for national events and festivities.
Government buildings on 14 acres of prime Accra real estate were demolished to make space for the cathedral’s construction.
The structures comprised housing for justices of the Court of Appeal. The judicial system was also funding the development of additional of these facilities, which had to be halted in order for bulldozers to demolish the structure so that the land could be utilized to construct a ‘home for God.’
This government decision did not sit well with some of the facility’s residents, and as a result, Justice Saeed Kweku Gyan, a Court of Appeal judge, had to quit in protest.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, revealed this.
According to a post on his Facebook page, the departure has been a huge loss for Ghana’s legal system.
This is because, at its 2012/2013 Annual General Conference, the Ghana Bar Association bestowed a rare honor to Justice Saeed Kweku Gyan, honoring him for his “uprightness and desire to oppose corruption in the exercise of his duties.”
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, “Other countries would have done everything they could to safeguard and promote a gem like Justice Saeed Kweku Gyan, but he was driven out of Ghana and his unblemished career on the bench was literally ‘demolished.’
“Let us not forget the countless careers, dreams, and multitudes of employment that have been equally devastated when we reflect on the many physical demolishments that have been carried out to fulfill the President’s personal vow.”
“Was this the best option, even though we should be building a cathedral?
The National Cathedral project has dominated press headlines in recent weeks due to suspicions that the government donated seed money for the project, despite earlier assurances that it would be funded entirely by the Church.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a North Tongu MP, claims that the Akufo-Addo administration has already allocated about GH190 million for the construction of the National Cathedral.
His remark came in response to a recent revelation that the government had set aside GH25 million for the project.
Mr. Ablakwa stated in a tweet on his social media account that the government had previously released about GH142 million, bringing the total money for the project to GH199,832,603.00.
He also revealed that Dr. Mensa Otabil, the creator of ICGC and a major member of the Board of Trustees, has resigned due to the project’s multiple breaches.
Below is the complete post by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
