Day: September 3, 2021

Tema,- The 2020 Auditor-General Report on the public accounts of Ghana has made significant findings of financial irregularities in Pre-University Educational Institutions in the Ahafo Region.

The report cited 17 institutions, consisting of eleven Senior High Schools (SHS), one College of Education, two Senior High Technical Schools, one Special School and two Vocational Schools in the Ahafo Region.

These institutions submitted their annual accounts and financial statements for validation within the statutory deadline of February 28, 2021.

According to the Auditor-General, the irregularities identified included; misappropriation of funds, unaccounted for payments, uncompetitive procurement, payment of unearned salaries to separated staff, unaccounted for stores and statutory tax infractions.

These irregularities, the AG said, resulted, generally from the lack of commitment on the part of the Head of the Institutions to ensure compliance with established internal controls and regulations governing the management of financial resources.

The Report for the year ended December 31, 2020, revealed that the Accountant of Derma SHS could not account for GH¢8,625.00 out of total bursary payments of GH¢18,000.00, and hence recommended for the recovery of the outstanding amount from the school’s accountant.

The report said, the Accountant of the OLA Girls High School paid GHS3,824.00 meant for 39 officers to one beneficiary without requesting for authority notes from 38 others, and thus, recommended the accountant to produce the authority notes from the beneficiary officers or refund the amount.

According to the report, “three institutions paid a total of GH¢216,406.84 for works and repairs without evidence to provide assurance of satisfactory completion of work done,” and requested the said amount be recovered from the Headmaster and accountant.

The report stated that the Headmaster of Bomaa SHS engaged and paid GH¢8,230.00 as remuneration to four casual workers without obtaining the necessary approval from the Ministry of Education or the Governing Board.

Also, the report said, “Management of Sankore SHS made physical cash payment of GHS83,971.00 to suppliers and other third parties instead of effecting payments through electronic transfer or cheque as required,” and thus recommended for the right procedure to be followed to ensure transparency in the school’s Financial Management System.

The Management of St. Joseph’s College of Education, the report averred, failed to recover a total advance of GH¢11,250.00 granted to 21 staff of the College, and stated that management of the College spent GH¢73,895.10 on construction of lecture theatre but failed to provide total expenditure on date on the project valued at GH¢199,859.00.

The school’s management has, therefore, been asked to keep a register to track every expenditure made on the project to ensure transparency, effective monitoring, excessive payments and proper accountability.

The report further noted that without an official contract of engagement, “Management of the St. Joseph’s College of Education engaged the services of Amasko Enterprise to provide Labour for the construction of a new lecture hall at a cost of GH¢32,845.00,”

The Report called on the management to complete a Service Level Agreement with the contractor to ensure its effective and efficient execution.

The 2020 report said, Management of Ahafoman SHS failed to collect total rent of GH¢1,885.00 from ten occupants thereby denying the school funds for maintenance, and therefore asked management to, without further delay, recover the rent arrears.

The report noted the payment of unearned salaries of GH¢1,982.08 and GH¢4,123.50 to two separate staff of the Bechem School for the Deaf and Boakye Tromo SHS respectively, and recommended the Heads of the institution and salary validators to refund the amount if the unearned salaries could not be recovered from the beneficiaries or their next of kin.

The report stated that management of Bechem Presby SHS could not account for fuel and lubricants purchased amounting to GH¢8,264.00, while the management of Ahafoman SHS could not produce a 49-inch flat screen TV at the staff common room for audit inspection.

The Management of Sankore SHS, the report noted, could not account for stores worth GH¢13,724.00, and thus recommended the Headmaster, Accountant and Storekeeper to jointly account for the lost stores.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,- Three persons who allegedly acted together to rob on two occasions within the Accra metropolis have been put before an Accra Circuit Court.

They are also said to be responsible for car snatching within the Metropolis.

Felix Addo, aka, Cool Jay, a film producer and Actor, Adzimah Mensah, aka, Innocent, a driver and Charles Frimpong, aka, Nana Frimpong, a Businessman, have been charged with conspiracy to robbery.

Addo, Mensah and one Sammy and Taller, now at large, have been additionally charged with robbery.

Frimpong is facing another charge of dishonestly receiving a black Toyota Corolla, belonging to one Charles Bosoka.

They have been accused of robbing two persons of an unregistered Black Toyota Corolla S valued at GHC47, 000 and cash in the sum of GHC40, 000.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty with their counsels applying for bail, arguing, they would not interfere with Police investigations.

The Prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fuseini Yakubu, opposed to the grant of bail, saying the accused persons were flight risk and would not appear to stand trial.

The Court, presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of GHC250,000 with three sureties, two to be justified with land documents.

The Court also directed the accused persons to be reporting to the Police on Thursdays until otherwise directed.

It further directed the Prosecution to file and serve the accused persons with their disclosures.

The matter has been adjourned to September 22.

Narrating the amended facts, ASP Yakubu, said the complainant, Dussey Wisdom, a trader, lived with his daughter, Delali Dara Dousey at Sapeiman.

ASP Yakubu said Charles Bosoka was a driver and a third prosecution witness while Charles Mensah, a sprayer and a fourth prosecution witness.

The Prosecution said on July 5, this year, the Intelligence Unit and Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the CID headquarters gathered intelligence that, some group of young men were engaged in series of robberies and car snatching in the Metropolis.

ASP Yakubu said based on the intelligence, surveillance was mounted on Addo and Adzimah Mensah and they were both arrested.

The Prosecution said Identity Cards and Bank cards of Charles Bosoka were retrieved from Addo’s room.

It said during interrogation, Addo and Adzimah Mensah admitted having engaged in series of robberies, including a Black Unregistered Toyota S Corolla together with Sammy, now at large.

The Prosecution said the said Toyota Corolla S was given to Frimpong through Sammy who knew it to be a stolen property.

It said on July 17, this year, Frimpong was arrested in connection with another crime and he admitted having received the Toyota Corolla S but swapped the engines of another Corolla at a Fitting Shop at Ofankor, near John Teye School in Accra.

The Prosecution said physical examination of the two vehicles indicated that Frimpong had swapped their respective engines and the chassis, with other accessories tampered with.

It said the vehicles were re-sprayed and on sale.

Prosecution said the Police also retrieved six other vehicles, including a Toyota Avalon, Dodge Charger, and Toyota Highlander from the accused persons.

It said on July 5, this year, investigations revealed that Addo, Adzimah Mensah and Sammy, armed themselves with implements and unlawfully caused damage to the window of a prosecution witness.

The Prosecution said the accused persons entered the witness’s hall and made away with GHC40, 000 and an unregistered Toyota Corolla S.

The police described Frimpong as the kingpin of the gang and receiver of all stolen vehicles by Addo, Adzimah Mensah and Sammy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A group calling itself the Concerned Youth Groups of NPP in Tamale has condemned the suspension of some three polling station executives of the New Patriotic Party in the Savelugu constituency.

The youth groups say their colleagues did no wrong for opposing a declaration of support for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s flag bearership aspirations they described as ill-timed.

Three polling station executives namely, Mr Issahaku Fuseini ( Duko D/A Primary School Polling Station Secretary ), Deishini Abdallah Mustapha (New Town Mosque ‘A’ Polling Station Secretary) and Abdul Karim Zakaria (Kuga Fong No.1 Polling Station Organizer) were handed letters of suspension for “gross misconduct”.

The letters, dated 26th August, 2021 were signed by the constituency chairman Alhaji Mahamadu Abdul Kpong.

But in a statement signed by the group’s secretary, Napadow Clifford Atchulo, it described the suspension as “extremely unfortunate and must be condemned by all well-meaning party sympathizers.”

The group added, “the only offense of the suspended polling station executives was that they opposed a declaration of support to H. E. Dr Mahamadu Bawumia by the constituency executives and some few colleagues of theirs which was masterminded by the chairman Samba led regional executives.”

The group in a copy of the statement which ModernGhana News has received says their conducts were rather in support of the party’s directives.

It referred the members to the directive of the National Council of NPP which bared all party members from campaigning for themselves or their favourite personalities until the time confirmed by the party.

They therefore find it difficult to understand why some persons would boldly declare their support and that of others whose consent had not been sought for an aspirant.

“According to the code of conduct, members at all levels, supporters and sympathizers are required not to “hold any campaign activities for themselves or for any potential candidate or aspirant until such a time that the Party declares so at any level of contest” nor “hide behind anonymity to prosecute their pre-campaigns in both traditional and social media.

“We are therefore surprised about the suspension of the three polling station executives who opposed the violation of the party’s code of conduct set up by national council to guide the behavior of potential candidates and their supporters from now to the time that the party will lift the ban on campaign,” It stated.

Read full statement below:

For Immediate Release 1st September, 2021

JUSTICE TO THE THREE SUSPENDED POLLING STATION EXECUTIVES OF SAVELUGU CONSTITUENCY.

We read with disappointment three letters signed by the Savelugu Constituency NPP chairman for the suspension of three polling station executives namely, Mr Issahaku Fuseini ( Duko D/A Primary School Polling Station Secretary ), Deishini Abdallah Mustapha (New Town Mosque ‘A’ Polling Station Secretary) and Abdul Karim Zakaria (Kuga Fong No.1 Polling Station Organizer).

The action of the Savelugu constituency executives is tantamount to a coup and must not be tolerated. We are in solidarity with the three polling stations executives and unequivocally condemn the constituency executives for allowing the greedy and selfish regional executives lured them in taken this political unwise and catastrophic decision. The suspension is extremely unfortunate and must be condemn by all well-meaning party sympathizers.

The only offense of the suspended polling station executives was that they opposed a declaration of support to H. E. Dr Mahamadu Bawumia by the constituency executives and some few colleagues of theirs which was masterminded by the chairman Samba led regional executives. Let revert our minds to the directives or code of conduct issued by national council of the NPP on the 27th July, 2021. According to the code of conduct, members at all levels, supporters and sympathizers are required not to “hold any campaign activities for themselves or for any potential candidate or aspirant until such a time that the Party declares so at any level of contest” nor “hide behind anonymity to prosecute their pre-campaigns in both traditional and social media”.

We are therefore surprised about the suspension of the three polling station executives who opposed the violation of the party’s code of conduct set up by national council to guide the behavior of potential candidates and their supporters from now to the time that the party will lift the ban on campaign. If sanctions should be apply for any violation, then it should be against the Savelugu constituency executives and their allies and not the innocent polling station executives. We have no doubt that the vice president will be unhappy if he hear of a suppose declaration to him has led to the suspension of some polling station executives.

The northern regional chairman Mohammed A. Baantima Samba attended the Tamale South constituency annual delegates conference and it was bedeviled with controversies. The regional organizer Alhaji Rashid COP attended the Savelugu constituency annual delegates conference and caused the controversial suspension of the three polling station executives. Why is it that these days a lot of events the two attend are bedeviled with controversies? They failed the grassroots of the party in the region and are paying dearly for their failure.

We send a word of caution to all polling station executives and party sympathizers to be mindful of the failed regional executives, their actions and inactions have a negative consequences which could destabilized any constituency that allows itself to be used by them to advance their sole aggrandizement. Their attempt to lure constituencies to declare their support to H. E. Dr Mahamadu Bawumia is false pretense to get favors from him and nothing more.

We call on all polling station executives of the Savelugu constituency and beyond to stand in unison and oneness, do not allow the super incompetent regional executives to use you to achieve their selfish political desire. We again call on the Savelugu constituency executives to rescind the suspension of the three polling station executives to allow peace and harmony prevail in the constituency. Failure to do so within a week will lead to us working with the suspended polling station executives to send official complaint to the national council to investigate this matter.

For the time being, let us all remain resolute and adhere to the code of conducts set by the party and wait to such a time that the party will lift the ban on campaign for the flagbearership race for us to campaign or declare our support to whoever we think is the right person to lead the NPP into the 2024 elections.

Source: Modern Ghana

American rapper Curtis Jackson popularly known as 50 Cent is obviously scared about the eventual end of the world and believes that recent happenings in the world are all contributing factors.

In a recent post on Instagram, the ‘Candy Shop’ hitmaker is witnessing a flooding incident where a G Wagon Benz vehicle is been washed away and is wondering if that is one of the signs of the end time.

50 Cent will apparently not be the only individual in the world wondering what next awaits the world as floods, earthquakes, fire outbreaks, droughts, and political wars take over the once peaceful world.

Meanwhile, some members of the Christian religion believe that these rather unfortunate incidents are all indications of God’s wrath which might lead to his sudden return.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra,- The fourth edition of the “Ongalicious Ghana Cooks, the Family Edition” reality show has been launched with GH₵100,000 cash prize up for grabs.

The launch of the fourth edition themed: “Developing Ghanaian Food Entrepreneurs Through Innovation and Culture” would see 12 yet to be selected families display their cooking skills in various modern Ghanaian cuisines over a 13-week period.

Mr. Samir Sadaoui, Commercial Director at Promasidor Ghana Limited, speaking at the launch said they look to identify culinary talents through this competition thereby nurturing them to become great industry chefs, food critics, restaurateurs, among others.

“The show is driven with a primary objective of empowering aspiring chefs as well as promoting indigenous and modern Ghanaian cuisine to Ghanaians and the world at large.

“The food business is a multi-billion-dollar industry and has great career opportunities that can be tapped into. Identifying great culinary talents through this initiative and grooming them to become great industry leaders, such as chefs, restaurateurs, food critics or culinary experts, I believe this would create jobs and add value to the Ghanaian economy,” he said.

He also intimated that as the market leader in the seasoning market they deemed it imperative to lead the discussion of growing talent that can help the promotion of Ghanaian food culture and the platform also serve as the corporate social responsibility.

Madam Harriet Kumi Boateng in her address on behalf of Madam Janet Edna Nyame. Executive Director for the National Commission of Culture (NCC) stressed the need to create competitions such as this to enable the promotion of food tourism.

“The NCC is mandated to ensure the growth and development of our culture through the promotion of our foods, clothing, among others. Our foods do differentiate us from others thus giving us a unique identity and even promotes tourism.

She entreated families involved in the competition to exhibit their skills and teach Ghanaians the different types of food from the various regions in the country and wished them well.

Families interested to partake in biggest cooking reality show in Ghana, can log onto Onga Ghana social media platforms for more details.

The competition which was launched in 2015 has changed of numerous participating individuals and families giving them unique brand experiences as well as opportunities in the food industry.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Charles Kwabena Akonnor, the head coach of the Black Stars has called for support ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying game against Ethiopia.

The Black Stars will host Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium today, with the game scheduled to kick off at 19:00GMT.

Akonnor speaking at a mandatory press conference held on Thursday said the time has come for all supporters of the game to come together and offer support for the team to record some great victories in the games.

“Usually, I want to appeal to the nation, to all our football-loving fans to come in numbers, those who will be able to come and support us those who will be watching the game at various homes keep your fingers crossed for us,” the former Asante Kotoko coach said.

“This is our moment this is our time and so we need your support to make it, without you, it’s always difficult,” he said.

The Black Stars will fly to Johannesburg to play South Africa in their second Group G on Monday, September 6.

CK Akonnor will be hoping to steer the Black Stars to book a qualification for the 2022 Mundial in Qatar having missed out in 2018 in Russia.

Source: Modern Ghana

The appointment of young coaches has become something of a trend in the football world thanks to the success of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola in Europe. Africa is no exception; Aliou Cisse has impressed at the helm of Senegal, while Jamal Belmadi led Algeria to CAF Africa Cup of Nations glory. Also thriving in their jobs are Patrice Beaumelle with Côte d’Ivoire and Charles Akonnor with Ghana.

It is a trend that can be put down to the outgoing mentality of young coaches and their ability to handle superstar players. As Akonnor explained in an interview with FIFA.com, he is relishing his task: “It’s a huge responsibility, even for me in a country where we are so passionate about football. It is gratifying that myself and many other young coaches have been entrusted with such big roles. Many of the young coaches have so far lived up to expectations and some of us are very hopeful of excelling in the roles we find ourselves.

In my case, there is a huge opportunity to take Ghana to the FIFA World Cup™ and to also win the Africa Cup of Nations. That’s what I’m working very hard towards.”

Major challenge

Ghana have been drawn in Group G along with Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. “It’s a tough group,” was Akonnor’s verdict. “Zimbabwe and Ethiopia have qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations. I’m not sure they could have done so if there weren’t very good, so it is a tough group. I played South Africa when I was the assistant coach. We drew away and beat them 2-0. They will see this is as an opportunity for revenge, but we want to qualify too and we’re going to work hard to beat them.

“There are no minnows in Africa anymore,” he added. “Each and every country dreams of appearing at the World Cup, and the likes of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia won’t leave anything to chance. That’s why we have to work really hard. I believe in the team we have and I know we’ll make it against these teams.”

The Black Stars begin their qualifying campaign at home to Ethiopia. Looking ahead to the match, the 47-year-old coach said: “We need to start the qualifiers well, so this is a game we must win. Fortunately for us, we’re starting at home, but the fans will be expecting a big win from us. We’re not going to leave anything to chance. We’re quite confident about our capabilities as a team, but it’s equally important to keep an eye on our opponents.

“We know how quick they are in the transition, how they like to play attractive possession football, and the cohesion they have as a result of most of the team playing in their domestic league. We’ll be ready for them. We need to take advantage and consolidate our gains. We’ll be aiming for the three points and a decent scoreline.”

Stern test

After taking on Ethiopia, Ghana travel to South Africa for a game that Bafana Bafana, coached by Hugo Broos, will see as an opportunity to set the record straight. Asked about the keenly-anticipated encounter, Akonnor said: “They’re a wounded side because they failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. They’ve brought in an experienced coach in Hugo Broos, who knows a lot about African football. The last time he played against Ghana, with Cameroon at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, he beat us 2-0. That should tell us that we’re coming up against a difficult side.

“His first squad announcement is a huge statement of intent and shows he wants to give an opportunity to a more ambitious and hungrier squad. We are keeping a close eye on all our opponents, but we take it one game at a time. It’s Ethiopia now. That’s our first hurdle to overcome. South Africa come next in three days’ time. We’ll be ready to meet them and to slug it out.”

Eyes on the prize

Having appeared at Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, Ghana failed to make Russia 2018, a major setback for the nation, as Akonnor explained: “When it comes to world football, the Black Stars are torchbearers for Africa. When the best football nations in the world come together, the Black Stars have to be there.

“I’m honoured and privileged to be a part of the success story so far. After three consecutive appearances, missing out on Russia was a devastating blow and a huge disappointment. Maybe we didn’t work hard enough to get there, and it shows that no one has a right to qualify except the hosts. We’ve learned our lessons, and this is another great opportunity for us to reclaim our place and to stand up and be counted once again. And that is exactly what we are going to do.”

With Ghana going through a transitional phase following the departure of a generation that enjoyed great success from 2006 to 2014, how does Akonnor see the new breed? “Every generation has to come to an end sooner or later. That’s the reality. No soccer generation can go on forever.

“Transitional phases can seem never-ending paths, but the key to all these periods is to manage them properly. You need a smooth takeover after an injection of fresh legs and blood to grease the system. It’s all about managing the handover from old to new without disturbing the flow of the team. I think the team has been pretty successful so far and we got to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final without most of our household names, like Michael Essien, Richard Kingson, John Mensah, Stephen Appiah, and Sulley Muntari.”

Asked about the dream of leading Ghana to Qatar 2022, Akonnor said: “It’s what every Ghanaian football fan expects, and it’s my desire to provide the technical expertise to make this dream a reality.

“I cannot pretend to be dreaming of anything else. It is what it is. The World Cup is the biggest stage and Ghana are always there or thereabouts when it comes to qualifying in Africa. I’m very aware of the enormous responsibility I have in living up to expectations. It’s more than just a dream and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that we will be there in Qatar.”

Source: Modern Ghana

The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) has announced that it has entered into an agreement with some companies to provide digital monitoring systems to help in tracking how songs by Ghanaian musicians are used on radio, television, and digital platforms.

Speaking at a press conference on August 31, 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of GHAMRO, Abraham Adjatey said the long wait for getting a digital means of monitoring music, is over.

“GHAMRO has committed to an agreement with Global Music Monitoring to monitor music throughout the country for us, with the assistance of Ghud Music. Because as much as we are going to have some foreign-based company working with us, we should also be able to develop our local and internal capacity. So we are going to continue working with Ghud Music to develop a proper template as a developing system,” he said.

He added that they are working with Indie Consortium to develop a collection system for the organisation.

He said they have contracted CAPASSO, a copyright society in South Africa versed in Digital Rights Licensing, to monitor online digital platforms for Ghanaian songs. According to him, after the exercise, they have been able to make $49,000 for GHAMRO right owners.

Abraham also noted that Global Music Monitoring has for the past five months been doing an auto-pilot of broadcast monitoring of Ghanaian music.

Source: Modern Ghana