Month: July 2024

Justice Mrs Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Justice, has declared 15 to 19 July 2024 as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) week nationwide.

It would be the second of the three series observed thrice yearly, apart from March and November.

In a press release signed by Mr Alex Nartey, National Coordinator of ADR, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, it said ‘We wish to bring to the attention of the general public that the Chief Justice, has declared Monday, 15th to Friday, 19th July 2024 as ADR Week for this Legal Year Term.’

It gave the theme for the week as, ‘Building the Pillars of Justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).’

‘The rationale for the ADR week is to afford the ADR Directorate of the Judicial Service the opportunity to inform the citizenry of the presence of ADR within the court system, its importance in seeking justice and how to take advantage of such an important process for a meaningful access to justice especially, the poor and the vulnerable,’ it added.

‘It is also to
afford court users whose cases are pending before the courts, the benefit of using ADR during the week under the ‘Mass Mediation Exercise.’

The release said a total of 138 Courts, comprising 35 Circuit Courts and 103 District Courts shall participate by devoting the whole week for settlement of Court cases with ADR across the country.

There would be courtroom education on ADR to deepen knowledge of ADR among the litigating public by Judges, Magistrates and ADR officials throughout the week, it noted.

The Bar (lawyers), disputants, the Media and the public are therefore encouraged to participate fully and cooperate with the Judicial Service to make this Legal Year Term’s ADR Week a success, the press release appealed.

It said ADR had been adopted by the Judicial Service of Ghana as part of its adjudication process dubbed, ‘Court-Connected ADR.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), the official representative body of national service personnel, says the Association has not declared any strike.

NASPA is, therefore, urging the public to disregard the statement from a group calling itself the ‘ Concerned NSS Personnel Association of Ghana’ which has declared a strike for National Service Personnel over delayed payment of monthly allowances.

In a statement issued by the National President of NASPA, Mr Gideon Osei, in Accra said the Association was actively engaged with the management of the National Service Scheme to address the delayed payment of monthly allowances for National Service Personnel.

‘We urge the public to disregard the statement from the ‘Concerned NSS Personnel Association of Ghana,’ (CONSAG) as they are not a recognised organisation.

‘NASPA is actively engaged with the National Service Scheme (NSS) management to address the recent delays in allowance payments.

‘We are pleased to inform all personnel that allowances fo
r April 2024 have been processed and paid and will be reflected in your accounts by Friday, July 5, 2024.

‘Allowances for May 2024 will be paid next week, by Friday, July 12, 2024,’ the statement added.

It said NASPA remained committed to the well-being of service personnel and is working diligently with the management of the Scheme to prevent future delays and ensure the timely reflection of allowances in their e-zwich accounts.

‘We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please remain calm and continue your valuable service to our nation.

‘We assure you that NASPA is actively addressing your concerns for a smooth and supported National Service experience,’ the statement read.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Chefs Association of Ghana (CAG) says it has no hand in the organisation of the recent cook-a-thon event involving one Ebenezer Smith, whose outcome has generated controversy.

Chef Smith announced at a press conference on July 02, 2024, that he had set a new record with a cooking marathon, lasting 820 hours and 25 minutes, producing a certificate purportedly issued by the Guinness World Records (GWR) officials to validate his claim.

However, the GWR has denounced the claim, objecting to the authenticity of the said certificate.

The current record is held by Irishman Alan Fisher, with a time of 119 hours, 57 minutes and 16 seconds.

‘We would like to clarify that Chef Smith is not currently a registered member of the Chefs Association of Ghana.

‘Therefore, his recent activities, including the record-breaking cook-a-thon attempt, were not under the Association’s mandate or supervision,’ the CAG noted in a statement signed by Isaac Sackey, the President.

The statement indicated that the attention of the
Association was drawn during the cooking marathon in February 2024.

‘At that time, we noticed a logo in his materials that closely resembled our own.

‘In the spirit of cooperation, we approached Chef Smith to discuss this and recommended that he register with our Association to align his efforts with our standards and support.’

The statement explained that, despite the leadership’s encouragement, ‘Chef Smith has not yet registered with the Association’.

‘We remain open and supportive of his potential membership and hope he will join us to benefit from our professional community,’ the statement said.

The Association, affirming its commitment to promote the positive image of the Ghanaian chef profession, said it would continue to uplift high professional standards and foster a positive environment for all chefs in the country.

‘While there have been misunderstandings regarding the presentation of a certificate at a recent press conference, we believe that such situations can be learning opportunities for
all involved.

‘We continue to support the development and recognition of Ghanaian chefs who achieve excellence in their craft,’ the statement noted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Offices at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) have been closed due to a nationwide strike initiated by members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG).

When the Ghana News Agency visited the Regional Budget, Records Management, Accounts and Internal Audit offices, it observed that the offices were locked.

Some departments, which did not belong to CLOGSAG, were seen opened to business and actively working.

The workers explained that they belonged to different associations and had no authority from their mother unions to join in the strike.

CLOGSAG announced a nationwide strike starting Wednesday, July 3, 2024, citing the government’s failure to implement a new salary structure for its members.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Michael Djanie, the 15th witness in the ongoing trial of Michael Nyinaku, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the collapsed Beige bank, says the Beige Group (TBG) spent GHC1,899.273.83 on publicity.

He said it was as part of activities marking the transition of the Beige Capital Savings and Loans (BCSL) to the Beige Bank (TBB).

Mr Djanie, Head of the brands and communications department of the TBB, made these known during his evidence-in-chief at the High Court presided over by Mrs Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, Court of Appeal Judge with additional responsibility at the High Court.

Giving the breakdown, the witness said GHC5,904.92 was paid to the Daily Graphic on August 8, 2017, to inform the public about the new status of BCSL into a universal bank.

He explained that the advertisement cost GHC6,307.53 but payment was made minus withholding tax, adding that the advertisement was placed in the newspaper on July 25, 2017.

A part payment of GHC11,325.60 was made to the Daily Guide, specifically for the f
ront page called ‘strip advertisement,’ explaining that the money was paid on August 16, 2017, for the advert to last for a month and the entire publication was estimated at GHC24,195.60.

Again, out of the GHC38,275.5 budgeted on office branding, GHC11,000.00 was spent as honourarium for media engagement, GHC1,150.00 as Staff reward and the rest on a painting of some agencies under the group, among others, Mr Djanie said.

The witness said a part payment of GHC13,200.00 was made on December 11, 2017, to Websoft Solutions, for the design and development of a new site to replace the BCSL website with that of TBB, saying, the entire amount was GHC17,625.00.

To get a live Facebook streaming of the launch of TBB for the worldwide audience, part payment of GHC2,775.00 was paid to Echohouse Ghana Limited on December 19, 2017, though the entire activity was to cost GHC3,000.00, the Court heard.

He said a total of GHC285,257.06 was allotted for the fabrication and installation of signages and branding for certain b
ranches in the country.

A sum of GHC2,400.00, for instance, from GHC443,651.75 set aside for the production and installation of community facial signages in parts of the country, was paid to the Shama District Assembly for a permit for erecting them, the Court heard.

He told the Court that ‘Think Mohogany Limited,’ an event planning organisation was also paid GHC9,409.32, instead of the entire GHC34,849.35, for rental logistics and decorations work done to make the event venue attractive and colourful.

Mr Djanie also told the Court that one Mr George Nii Lantey, on December 15, 2017, and January 9, 2018, paid GHC45,056.50, each, for the production of branded souvenirs which were distributed to all customers, guests and participants that graced the occasion and to show appreciation to all customers and patrons who visited any of the bank’s branches nationwide.

In all the transactions with the various companies, vendors of TBB automatically had to open an account with the bank to support the growth of TBG.

O
n the other hand, a witness with the brand’s department informed the Court that GHC964,255.32 out of the over GH1.8 million was used for billboard advertising.

He explained that all the five payments made to DDP Outdoor Limited, for rental of billboards on different occasions were used for the advertisements at various locations nationwide.

Breaking it down, he said between February 28, 2017 and April 25, 2018, GHC74,893.62, GHC93,617.02, GHC280,851.06, GHC514,893.62 and GHC35,106.36 were paid to DPP Outdoor Limited.

He added that the GHC35,106.36 paid on April 25, 2018, was a refund of amounts withheld from previous payments made to it in respect of rental billboards, adding that those amounts when withheld were paid to Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as withholding taxes.

‘However, GRA allows such funds to be paid to the institutions to whom the funds were due as long as the institutions were able to present evidence of them being exempted from withholding tax,’ he stated.

He said the refund was part of
advertising expenditure incurred on behalf of and for the benefit of the Bank.

Nyinaku has been charged with stealing, money laundering and fraudulent breach of trust.

He has denied all charges, and he is currently on bail pending trial.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Achimota District Court has adjourned to July 17, 2024, the case of Nana Barima Ababio aka Benlord Ababio, a self-acclaimed traditional ruler who allegedly killed a soldier over land dispute near Kasoa.

The court did not sit because the trial judge was on leave.

The prosecution therefore took a date.

Meanwhile the GNA has learnt that the police have still not received the Bill of Indictment to commence committal proceedings.

Benlord and an accomplice, Nana Kofi Kwakye, are in lawful custody.

The two have been charged with conspiracy. Benlord has additionally been charged with the murder of Lance Corporal Michael Danso.

Their pleas have been reserved by the court.

The prosecution’s case was that on April 30, 2024, at around 1600 hours, Lance Corporal Michael Danso and two colleagues- Lance Corporals Abdual Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew- drove to Millennium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 vehilce to report a trespass.

This was after they were informed that some encroachers were developing a pa
rcel of land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.

The accused appeared at the police station and opened fire on Lance Corporal Michael Danso who was driving the vehicle, killing him instantly.

Benlord was disarmed by the police and arrested for investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

PAIX Data Centres, a leading provider of Data Center Solutions, has launched the expansion of its facility in Accra to 1.2 MW intended to boost the digital economy of Ghana.

The expansion was to help meet the demand for digital infrastructure as data consumption rapidly outstrips supply in Ghana and Africa at large.

Mr Bright Tawiah, Managing Director, PAIX Data Centres, Ghana, said, the data centre would help Internet Service Providers (ISPs), cloud providers, and enterprises take full advantage of robust digital infrastructure and improved connectivity, to create online businesses such as e-commerce that would thrive in the digital era.

He said the expansion was crucial and pivotal as the demand for reliable and scalable data centers in Africa is expected to exceed supply by 300 per cent over the next two years.

He said the current installed capacity of 250 MW would need to be significantly increased to 1,200 MW by 2030 to meet the rapidly increasing demand for data, with consumption expected to rise by
40 per cent each year until 2025, according to industry estimates.

Mr Tawiah said the upgraded facility boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and robust security measures would ensure optimal performance and reliability for mission-critical applications and services.

He said the data center also featured advanced cooling and waste management systems, and the increased integration of renewable energy as a power source, to improve environmental impact.

‘This expansion reaffirms our dedication to providing best-in-class data center solutions to our customers in Accra and beyond. As one of Africa’s digital economy hotspots, Accra plays a vital role in driving innovation and growth across various industries, ‘ he added.

He said they were proud to be at the forefront of the transformation, enabling businesses to thrive in today’s increasingly connected world’, he added.

The Managing Director, said the strategic location in Accra offered low latency connectivity to all major regional and international network
routes and subsea cables, further enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of its services.

Mr Raza Hasnani, Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure Investments of Africa50 and Board Member of PAIX said, data centers were essential to support the creation of businesses that can thrive in the digital era, leading to increased employment opportunities and economic transformation.

He said this significant enhancement not only supports their mission to deliver reliable and high-speed internet services but also reinforces our commitment to fostering digital growth in Ghana.

‘The increased capacity and advanced infrastructure provided by PAIX would enable us to better serve our customers, drive innovation, and contribute to the overall digital transformation of the region,’ he added.

He said Africa50 was committed to supporting PAIX for such significant growth, saying, an amount of $30 million capital was paid to PAIX to support the company’s expansion into a new markets and to upgrade its current fac
ilities.

PAIX Data Centres acquired its first facility in Accra, 2018, and constructed its second data center in Kenya in 2020. However, other centres were being built across other countries.

The company’s mission is to drive digital transformation and foster innovation across Africa, providing world-class data centre solutions that enable businesses to thrive in a digital age.

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court has issued an arrest warrant for a military officer accused of being involved in a GHC136,000 recruitment scam.

Captain Abel Nartey, stationed at Army Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, is alleged to have collected GHC120,000 out of the 136,000 to facilitate the enlistment of some persons into the various security services in the country.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, that Capt. Nartey had been invited severally by the Regional Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service to assist in investigations but failed to honour the invitation.

According to the prosecution, a wireless communication was sent to the Military Police and Army headquarters requesting that he be produced for investigation, but no results were obtained.

The court therefore issued a bench warrant for Capt. Nartey’s arrest.

Meanwhile the prosecution today amended the facts and the charge sheet and Clement Ayomah, a militar
y officer, who is standing trial with Capt. Nartey, had his plea retaken.

Ayomah pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences.

The court ordered Ayomah to be released on his former bail condition and adjourned the matter to August 5, 2024.

The case of the prosecution was that the complainant, George Ofori Amoako is a trader residing at Darkuman.

It said Ayomah is a military officer stationed at Burma camp, while Capt. Nartey is stationed at the Training and Doctrine Command at Teshie.

The prosecution said in 2021, the complainant was introduced to Ayomah by one Vivian as a Military officer who has slots in the armed forces.

It said the complainant expressed interest and contacted Ayomah for assistance.

According to the prosecution, Ayomah told the complainant that he and Capt. Nartey, who is at large, had many protocol slots in the security services.

The court heard that Ayomah collected GHC136,000 from the complainant and gave GHc120,000 to Capt. Na
rtey to enlist 12 people into the Ghana Armed Force, seven into the Ghana Police Service and three into the Ghana Immigration Service.

The prosecution said Ayomah took the remaining GHC16,000.

After taking the money, Ayomah failed to honour his promise and began playing hide and seek with the complainant.

The prosecution said in March 2023, a report was made to the Police and Ayomah was arrested.

The court was told that Capt. Nartey was invited severally by the Regional CID, Accra, to assist in investigations but he failed to honour the invitation.

‘A wireless message was also sent to the Military Police and the Army headquarters for him to be produced but they also failed to produce him.’

In Ayomah’s caution statement, he admitted collecting money from the complainant and mentioned that some of it was given to Capt. Nartey, who is at large.

The prosecution said Ayomah has since refunded GHC50,000.

Source: Ghana News Agency