January 13, 2023

Battor Chieftaincy rioters denied bail

Ho, Jan. 13, GNA- A bail attempt by counsels for the 15 accused persons arrested in connection with the deadly chieftaincy riots at Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region has failed.

Six persons died in a shootout at the palace of the Paramount chief in December 2022, and the counsel – Benjamin Zigorsh-Nyukpena, and Theophilus Donkor, were seeking bail for the accused at the Ho Circuit Court during the second appearance on Wednesday.

The duo spent several minutes fighting off an application by the State Attorney for the case to be heard in Accra.

The bail application was made after Mr Felix Datsomor, the Circuit Court Judge, struck out the request to move the hearing to Accra, saying it lacked the necessary standards.

The counsel pleaded bail on the cooperation of the accused persons throughout the case.

The Circuit Court Judge, considering the plea, said the second-degree felony case overrode considerations under the accused person’s constitutional rights, and that Police custody was safest given the circumstances.

The case was adjourned to February 8, 2023, for a case management conference.

Relations of the accused persons thronged the corridor of the circuit court amid heavy security.

Source: Ghana News Agency

January 13, 2023

Court sentences 40-year-old over death threat

Jasikan (O/R), Jan. 13, GNA – A Jasikan Circuit Court has sentenced Sampson Kwame Asong, a 40-year-old man, to five years imprisonment for threatening to kill a drinking spot owner with a locally manufactured pistol.

Asong pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vincent Seth Kpodo, told the Court presided over by Mr Alfred Kwabena Asiedu that on November 28, last year, at about 1900 hours, the convict entered the complainant’s drinking spot at Nkonya Tayi with the pistol.

He said the pistol, however, failed to discharge bullets after Asong attempted to pull the trigger two times with the gun pointed at the complainant.

ASP Kpodo said onlookers could not retrieve the pistol from the convict due to fear of being shot.

He said Asong was arrested after the complainant reported the incident to the police at Nkonya.

ASP Kpodo said a search conducted on the convict retrieved a locally manufactured pistol fully loaded with cartridges under his bed.

During prosecution, the convict told the Court that about six months ago, he won an online betting game worth 150 million US Dollars, which was paid into the complainant’s mobile money account.

He said anytime he demanded the money, the complainant refused to give the money to him.

Asong also alleged that the complainant pledged to give his daughter’s hand in marriage to him but to his surprise, another man got married to the said daughter.

Source: Ghana News Agency

January 13, 2023

Foreign Minister holds bilateral talks with Greece counterpart

Accra, Jan. 13, GNA – Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has held bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest with her Greece counterpart, Mr Nikos Dendias in Accra.

The visit, which was Mr Dendias’ second to Ghana, was aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations that exist between Accra and Athens.

At the meeting, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey expressed gratitude to Greece for donating 150,000 vaccines to Ghana in November 2021 during Mr Dendias’ maiden visit to Accra.

She recalled that during that visit the duo held good talks on bilateral and multilateral matters.

Touching on political consultations and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that were signed during Mr Dendias’ first visit, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said the MoUs, which covers the areas of Youth and Sports, Culture and Defence, were now before Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for his advice before ratification.

She said going forward, they would also be looking at generally how to sign some MoUs in the areas of trade and investment because of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Headquarters sits in Ghana.

“…. we want to see your business people, your private sector use Ghana as a stepping stone into the continent. Already we have started trading under the AfCFTA.”

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey hailed Mr Dendias for being an advocate for both Africa and Ghana at the European Union (EU) level.

She noted that it was not about the Mediterranean or the Atlantic Ocean that divide continents but actually, they should see it as bridge; adding that Africa presents hope to the rest of the world.

Concerning maritime issues such as piracy on the Gulf of Guinea, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said it was very important that Ghana collaborates and cooperates with countries such as Greece, which especially had the biggest maritime fleets.

“We have assumed the Chairmanship of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, which is going to go through restructuring and we will be working closing if the opportunity comes with your country, with the European Union in making sure that we end all these issues which are negative for maritime business on the Gulf of Guinea,” she stated. “So, we will be working closely with you.”

With regard to Greece’s bid for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said Ghana was supporting Greece’s bid.

“In that respect you can be assured of Ghana’s support and we hope that you would be there because we know that when you are there, you would be speaking for Africa and we will be doing things together,” Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said.

“But while we are there (at the UNSC) also, please we are there this whole year, do not haste to let us know if there are issues that you want Ghana’s support for and we will gladly look at it.”

On his part, Mr Dendias extended an official invitation to his Ghanaian counterpart to visit Athens.

Mr Dendias said prior to holding the bilateral meeting with Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, he visited the Saint Nicholas School in Accra, which was funded by Greek charities and Greek companies which were also active in Ghana.

“And I made a promise to myself and to my family that I would be coming to Ghana once per year.”

He lauded Ghana for having a solid commitment to democracy, respect for human rights and the promotion of peace.

He said Greece was happy that Ghana was a member of the UN Security Council (2022 – 2023).

Mr Dendias appealed to Madam Ayorkor Botchwey for Ghana’s kind support towards Greece’s effort to be elected as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council in 2025-26.

He reiterated that the vote takes place in 2024, but having an early commitment by a country as important as Ghana, member of the African Union, member of the ECOWAS, was of huge importance for Greece.

He said Greece was interested in working with Ghana for security in the Gulf of Guinea; adding that Greece had the biggest maritime fleet in the world.

He highlighted the presence of Greek business in Ghana, and that one of the very important Greek companies, Mytilinaios, was already in Ghana doing business.

Mr Dendias said they would like to promote Greek business and Greek investments in Ghana; saying “We are looking forward to organising a forum for that. ? think that this is also important for us”.

Source: Ghana News Agency

January 13, 2023

Communities must initiate self-help projects to receive support from Assembly – Director

Nsaba (C/R), Jan. 13, GNA – The management of the Agona East District Assembly has pledged support to communities that initiate self-help projects to improve their living standard.

“Communities that would rekindle their communal spirit to start projects would not be denied support by the Assembly to complete them to enhance quality living standard,” Mr Mohammed Alhasan, the Agona East District Coordinating Director, assured residents.

He gave the assurance when the Chief of Kwesi Twikrom, Nana Kwesi Twi IV, led an entourage to pay a courtesy call on the management of the Assembly at Agona Nsaba in the Agona East of the Central Region.

The visit was to express their appreciation to the District Chief Executive, Mrs Jane Odei Paintsil, and the management for the donation of 100 pieces of roofing sheets by the Assembly to support the Community Centre project.

Mr Alhasan, on behalf of the DCE, promised additional assistance of bags of cement for the project and that the Assembly would ensure the reshaping of roads in the entire district to facilitate transportation of goods and services.

Nana Kwao Ponsi, the Presiding Member of the Assembly, also the Adontenhene of Agona Asafo, said the Assembly was poised to assist communities undertake developmental projects to complement government’s efforts.

He commended Nana Kwesi Twi and his elders for their show of appreciation to the Assembly and called on other community leaders to emulate the example.

Nana Kwesi Twi expressed gratitude to the DCE and the management of the Assembly for the longstanding relationship with the chiefs and the people of Kwesi Twikrom and called for the continuous support of the community in its development.

“We are much thankful to the Assembly for the provision of the school feeding to the town; this has increased enrolment and had lessened the burden on parents,” he stated.

Nana Mensima II, the Queen of Kwesi Twikrom, appealed to women to encourage their girl children to pursue their education diligently and study hard to enable them to become responsible women in society.

“Parents should not hesitate to encourage their girl children to take advantage of the TVET education to learn trades to assist them live a decent life and serve as role model in their communities,” she said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

January 13, 2023

Caretaker minister for trade and industry ministry

Accra, Jan. 13 GNA – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has tasked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor to assume responsibility for the Trade and Industry Ministry.

The directive takes effect from Monday, January 16, 2023.

It supercedes an earlier directive to the Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, to act as cater taker minister for the Trade and Industry Ministry following the resignation from office by Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen last Thursday.

Mr Jinapor’s additional role would run till a substantive appointment was made by the President.

Source: Ghana News Agency

January 13, 2023

Samuel Boadu and co were paid $5,000 appearance fee – Atta Poku alleges

Broadcast journalist Collins Atta Poku has alleged that Government paid the four local coaches who were on attachment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup $5,000 each as an appearance fee.

The quartet of Samuel Boadu, Prosper Narteh, Ibrahim Tanko, and Ignatius Osei Fosu were the local coaches who were on attachment during the World Cup in Qatar.

Atta Poku made his claim while discussing Black Stars management committee member, Alhaji Grusah’s statement that the members of the committee deserved a $100,000 appearance fee they received.

The renowned journalist initially expressed his displeasure regarding the treatment of local coaches.

“This is the reason why I keep complaining but people don’t understand. When the Black Stars spend all the money, the other national team could go two years without getting paid. Are they not human beings?” he said on Sompa FM.

In a dialogue chat where the host, Abu Diaby mentioned the names first, Atta Poku went on to reveal the fees paid to four coaches.

Abu Diaby: “Give me Prosper Narteh”

Atta Poku: “Porsper Narteh Ogum, $5,000 appearance fee, $100 per diem. That’s the disparity.”

Abu Diaby: “Samuel Boadu”

Atta Poku: “$5,000 appearance fee, $100 per day per diem.

Abu Diaby: “Ibrahim Tanko”

Atta Poku: “The host mentioned again and Atta Poku also replied: “Alhaji, Black Stars former player, Coach national U-23, isn’t it? He went for an attachment. Who did he go to attach? Anyways, $5,000 appearance fee, $100 per day per diem.

Abu Diaby: “Ignatius Osei Fosu”

Atta Poku responded: “$5,000 appearance fee, $100 per day per diem”

Abu Diaby then said: “Chairman it seems there is a gap.”

Atta Poku interjected: “There will be a gap. Just go and ask the football people, go and ask them. The issue is even laughable. They gave them $5,000, $100 a day per diem. “

Ghana was eliminated from the tournament after finishing last in Group H.

The country spent slightly more than $5 million in the group stage, according to the budget presented by Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, with the bulk of the money spent on appearance fees.

Source: Ghana Web

January 13, 2023

Benjamin Mendy found not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

Manchester City defender, Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

A report by BBC indicates that the verdict which was passed on Wednesday, January 11, was unanimous.

Mendy, however, will face a retrial on June 26, 2023, on other two outstanding charges.

Mendy’s friend and co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie was also not found guilty of three rape counts.

Matturie will face a retrial on other three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault the court could not react verdict on.

The French international and his co-accused had been accused of rape and sexual assault by 13 women.

On September 13, 2022, the court cleared Mendy of one rape count after being accused by a 19-year-old woman.

Matturie, who was also accused by the same woman, was also found not guilty of two rape counts and one sexual abuse.

Source: Ghana Web

January 13, 2023

Mourinho reveals he rejected Portugal job offer after Martinez claim

Jose Mourinho has rubbished suggestions that Roberto Martinez was first in line for the Portugal job, saying he was the “only choice” at one stage.

WHAT HAPPENED? The Euro 2016 winners found themselves in the market for a new coach after severing ties with long-serving Fernandes Santos on the back of a disappointing quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. Mourinho was immediately billed as the ideal candidate to fill a prominent post, with a job-share proposal rumoured for the current Roma boss, but he ultimately shunned interest from his homeland and paved the way for former Belgium coach Martinez to be appointed on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

WHAT THEY SAID: Portuguese Football Federation president Fernando Gomes said at Martinez’s official unveiling: “What interested me from the first hour was defining the profile. We spoke, within this, with many people. The only concrete proposal we made to be a coach, was Roberto Martínez.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mourinho has refuted those claims, telling reporters after seeing Roma through to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia: “Today I can talk to you and say something that maybe you are not very interested in, but I want to thank the president of the Portuguese Federation. What he said made me very proud, saying that I was not the first choice, but his only choice and that he would have done anything to get me home. He made me very happy. But I didn’t go, I’m here and I’m giving my all.”

WHAT NEXT? Mourinho has also been mooted as a potential candidate to take charge of the Brazil national team, following the departure of Tite, but the ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager is tied to a contract at Roma through to 2024.

Source: Ghana Web