Day: May 1, 2024

Professor Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, in the Ashanti Region, has come under intense criticism from internet users after claiming that an envelope he gave to some Electoral Commission (EC) officials at a polling center during the Ejisu by-election was not a bribe.

In a viral video, Nyarko was seen surreptitiously pulling a white envelope from his pocket and placing it on the table in front of the EC officials.

Responding to allegations of bribing EC officials to influence the outcome of the electoral process at the electoral center, during a media interaction, Kingsley Nyarko explained that he had no intentions of influencing the outcome of the elections and did not pay a bribe to the EC officials.

He explained that in subsequent days, he will address the matter into details.

‘Overtly and covertly, I have not paid a bribe to anyone to influence the process negatively,’ he said.

However, Kingsley Nyarko’s explanation about what transpired between him and the EC officials did not
sit well with some netizens.

While some accused him of being dishonest, others called for his arrest and urged the Attorney-General to investigate the situation.

Source: Ghana Web

During the presidency of former President John Dramani Mahama, the government, through parliament, introduced the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) in 2015 to consolidate existing energy sector levies, promote prudent and efficient utilization of the proceeds generated from the levies, impose a price stabilization and recoveries levy, facilitate sustainable long-term investments in the energy sector, and provide for related matters.

The NDC government established ESLA to consolidate levies collected under the sector, provide funding for power generation and the clearance of legacy debts accumulated within the sector, support road maintenance, provide funding for the regulation, management, development, and utilisation of sustainable energy resources under the Energy Commission, provide funding for investments in public lighting and the National Electrification Programme, and subsidise Premix and Residual Fuel Oil.

This was after solving the generational problems with two major plants in the peak of the power c
rises. In summary, H.E. John Mahama established ESLA to stabilise Ghana’s energy sector, mitigate the impact of the crises, and prevent the reoccurrence of any energy crises in the future.

The levy, which applied to petroleum products and electricity consumption, was intended to raise funds to settle all outstanding energy-related debts amounting to GHS14 billion by the close of 2020.

Former President John Dramani Mahama has recently disclosed that he advised President Akufo-Addo against meddling with the ESLA funds upon assuming office, warning that any diversion from its intended purpose could revive ‘dumsor’.

President Akufo-Addo did not heed this advice; instead, the Akufo-Addo government collateralized the ESLA fund for a loan and extended the levy until 2035, hence the current power crisis in the country.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s validation reports on the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) have revealed that the Finance Ministry owes some power generators about GH?1.28 billion, as Gh
ana continues to grapple with erratic power supply.

Clearly, this confirms the former president’s position that President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to heed his advice has rendered the ESLA bankrupt without funds to serve its intended purpose.

It is important to note that over the course of four years, ESLA generated GH?30 billion until the government decided to collateralize it, and here we are facing an energy crisis because the government cannot pay GH?1.28 billion.

H.E. Mahama is right to attribute the recent energy crises to Akufo-Addo’s intransigent refusal to heed his advice not to touch the ESLA funds.

It is therefore fair to criticise President Akufo-Addo for the current power crises plaguing many parts of the country due to his intransigence and refusal to heed the advice of former President John Mahama.

After investing heavily to augment the generational capacity by procuring the AMERI power plant and Karpowership plant, H.E. John Dramani Mahama introduced ESLA as a special-purpose vehicle to addres
s any unforeseen financial challenges that may arise; however, the intransigence and incompetence of the Akufo-Addo administration have compelled the president to collateralize the ESLA funds for loans.

ESLA is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) incorporated as a public limited liability company to issue long-term bonds to resolve energy sector debts due to banks and trade creditors.

The securities issued are backed by a component of the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) receivables, which have been assigned to the company for the settlement of coupons and principal repayments arising under the securities that are issued.

The current power crises are a result of the mismanagement of the Akufo-Addo administration; they are self-inflicted and unacceptable.

Source: Ghana Web

Hopeson Adorye has called for the arrest and prosecution of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Kingsley Nyarko, following allegations of bribery during the recently concluded Ejisu by-election.

This call was made after a viral video emerged showing Nyarko handing a white envelope to Electoral Commission (EC) officials at a polling station in Fumesua.

Adorye, who is also a member of Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change (M4C), condemned the actions captured in the video, labelling it as a criminal act.

He stressed that such behaviour compromised the integrity of the electoral process and could not be tolerated.

In an interview with Citi News on April 30, 2024, he claimed that Nyarko’s actions violated electoral laws and warranted legal action.

He argued that since the EC was supposed to provide lunch for its staff, the MP’s action constituted “a crime that police need to arrest Kingsley Nyarko and then prosecute him.”

“I say they need to arrest him and prosecute him. He has brok
en the law; it is a crime. You don’t need to do that at the polling station but because he is an NPP MP, they are closing their eyes. If they don’t arrest him, in December, we are all going to do the same thing at the polling station,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the EC has acknowledged the incident, confirming it took place at the Fumesua Pentecost Church polling station.

The MP is shown placing an envelope on the table occupied by the presiding officer and the ballot issuer of the polling station.

In a statement released on April 30, 2024, and signed by Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman of Operations, the Electoral Commission announced it has taken notice of the video and has suspended the two temporary staff, pending an investigation.

In a subsequent statement, the EC reported that it had referred the matter to the police for a criminal investigation.

Source: Ghana Web

Seth Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, has mentioned that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was taken out of context when he said he sanctions all projects before they are executed.

Speaking on the ‘Kokrokoo’ morning show on Tuesday, April 30, Hon. Acheampong noted that the President meant no malice, neither did he disrespect Ghanaians when he mentioned that he is the only one who gives the green light for projects to be done.

On Sunday, April 28, the president, at the final rally ahead of the Ejisu by-election, stated that until he gives approval for projects to be executed, no one can do anything on their own for the constituency.

Some Ghanaians, upon hearing him, were outraged over the comments made by the president, with some describing it as an act of arrogance and pomposity.

Dissonance to the worldview of some Ghanaians, the Eastern Regional Minister pointed out that the president meant no malice adding that his statement was misconstrued.

He said, “the president’s speech was figurati
ve. The President was saying that Aduomi should have attributed all the achievements he had made while he was an MP to the NPP and to the president because the president gave him the authority to executive the projects. If it weren’t for the president, there was nothing Aduomi could have done, although he was an engineer. The president gives power to MPs and ministers to executive projects, so if Aduomi did what he claims to have done, credit should be given to the president.”

Source: Ghana Web

Dr. Sam Ankrah, an independent presidential candidate and leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA), has extended his heartfelt greetings to Ghanaian workers, acknowledging their dedication to the nation’s growth.

In a Workers’ Day address on May 1, 2024, Dr. Ankrah seized the opportunity to outline his commitment to improving labour conditions in Ghana.

‘On this momentous occasion of International Workers’ Day, I extend my warmest felicitations to all Ghanaian workers across the country. Today, we honour your tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, and significant contributions to our nation’s progress and development,” he said in a statement sighted by GhanaWeb.

‘As we celebrate this day, I want to emphasise the urgent need for fair labour practices, improved working conditions, and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all workers. As the leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) and a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections, I pledge to prioritise the welfare and we
ll-being of workers if elected as the President of Ghana,’ the statement read in part.

He promised to implement a living minimum wage, ban the carrying of heavy loads on heads, provide tricycles for Kayayo workers, and introduce compulsory pension schemes.

He proposed the abolishment of the compulsory retirement age and launching apprenticeship programmes to boost skills and employability.

The presidential candidate hopeful emphasised the importance of investing in human capital and fostering a sense of patriotism and unity among workers.

‘Let us work together to build a more equitable, just, and prosperous Ghana for all,’ the statement concluded.

Source: Ghana Web

A military officer has been shot and killed over a land dispute at Kasoa Millennium City, according to multiple sources.

Details regarding the identity of the assailant and the deceased as well as the precise timing of the incident, or the events that led to the soldier’s tragic death remain unclear. A viral video, attributed to Adom TV, shows the deceased slumped inside a Toyota RAV4, with blood evident on his head.

The footage also shows that one of the vehicle’s front tyres had ended up in a gutter.

A voice exclaims in the background of the video, “Oh! God, he killed him, killed him, he is dead!”

At the time of filing this report, neither the Ghana Police Service nor the Ghana Armed Forces have released an official statement regarding the incident.

Source: Ghana Web

Bribery or any attempt to unduly influence an officer of the Electoral Commission of Ghana is a crime under the electoral laws of the country.

The laws governing elections in Ghana state that anybody found ‘guilty of treating, bribery, intimidation, threats or undue influence’ during an electoral process ‘faces a fine of GHS100 or to a year of imprisonment’.

Yet, on too many occasions, individuals have been caught red-handed giving money and other items to electoral officials. These instances become a topic of public discussion, but no one is punished. Even politicians who engage in such acts defend their actions, claiming there is nothing wrong with giving money to EC officials on election day.

At least two prominent members of the incumbent New Patriotic Party have been caught giving money to electoral officials recently.

John Boadu:

A member of the communication team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Courage Makafiji Nunekpeku, during the Assin North by-election in July 2023, alleged that he
caught the former general secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, attempting to influence officials of the EC.

He stated that after confronting John Boadu, the former NPP general secretary told him that the EC official was his in-law whom he had not seen for a long time, and that was why he was giving him the money.

The former general secretary, after the alleged incident, was captured in a viral video admitting that he gave money to an official of the EC.

An animated John Boadu, however, indicated that the EC official he gave the money to was his family relation. He added that there is nothing wrong with giving people money to win their support during elections.

‘The machete and thing that they (the NDC) were sharing, what was it about? They have been sharing things all over the place, and they would turn around to come and complain… I came from Fosu this morning; about 20 people came to me telling me they were going to vote; wouldn’t I give them transportation to come?

‘They were sharing things all over the
place, didn’t you see samples of it? What is all this childishness? I went to a polling station, I saw somebody who is my brother, and he may likely not see me again; so if I give him money, what is wrong with that,’ he said.

Professor Kingsley Nyarko:

Professor Kingsley Nyarko, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, has also been caught giving money to EC officials.

The legislator was captured offering an envelope to the Electoral Commission officials at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station in the Ejisu constituency during the April 30, 2024 by-election for the constituency.

In a video of the incident, the MP was seen interacting with the electoral officials and removing an envelope from his pocket.

He attempted to hand the envelope to the EC officials, who did not accept it. The MP then placed the envelope on the table of the EC official before walking away.

The EC has confirmed that the incident took place but did not make any mention of the MP. It stated that the m
an captured in the video was giving its officers money for lunch.

The commission has stated that it has begun engaging the Ghana Police Service to initiate criminal proceedings on the matter.

The MP has also stated that he did nothing wrong and that it was never his intention to influence the officers.

Source: Ghana Web

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has indicated that there is no evidence of corruption or procurement breaches against the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor.

This is according to a correspondence between the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah and the Attorney General (AG), Godfred Dame on a request by EOCO for direction on the Cecilia Dapaah’s case, which was referred to it by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

In the said correspondence sighted by GhanaWeb, the AG indicated his office’s review of the OSP case against the former minister and a report by EOCO, found no evidence of corruption-related offences or procurement violation on the side of the former minister and her husband.

The AG’s letter stated: “A study of the docket from the OSP and the report by your office indicates that: a. investigations by the OSP did not establish
any evidence of corruption, corruption-related offences, or procurement breaches against the suspects; b. the OSP has returned money and other properties retrieved from the suspects in the course of their investigations to them, and the suspects have been accordingly discharged by the OSP.”

EOCO’s request was for the AG’s office to provide guidance on how to proceed with the investigation into the money laundering allegations made against the former minister and her husband by the OSP.

The AG’s response to EOCO was that “the OSP’s referral to EOCO for investigations to be conducted into money laundering is without basis.”

The OSP closed its case against the former minister and her husband, who were accused of corruption and corruption-related offences after two of their house helps allegedly stole $1 million and pound 300,000 in cash, along with other valuable items from their residence in Abelemkpe.

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, concluded that his office lacked the authority to prosecute or tak
e further action against the former minister and referred the case to EOCO. The referral was based on the suspicion that the large sums of money found at Cecilia Dapaah’s properties and bank accounts could be the proceeds of a money laundering and structuring scheme.

Source: Ghana Web